NEW OR IMPROVED MECHANISM CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR PLAYING UPON PIANOFORTES, APPLICABLE ALSO TO OTHER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edwin Underwood, of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, for an Invention of "NEW OR IMPROVED MECHANISM CHIEFLY
DESIGNED FOR PLAYING UPON PIANOFORTES, APPLICABLE ALSO TO OTHER
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edwin Underwood at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st January 1881.
EDWIN UNDERWOOD, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick.
"NEW OR
IMPROVED MECHANISM CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR PLAYING UPON PIANOFORTES,
APPLICABLE ALSO TO OTHER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS."
The especial object of this Invention, which relates to improved mechanism or
apparatus for playing upon pianofortes, and which is also applicable to other musical
instruments, is to enable anyone who may be unable to play or manually perform
any piece or harmonious composition upon any ordinary pianoforte, to execute
either simple or difficult pieces or compositions thereupon without acquiring a
previous knowledge thereof.
The means I employ are mechanical and simple in their arrangement and action.
The improved apparatus or mechanism is contained in a case or frame, which, at
the time of being used, is placed upon or over the keyboard of the pianoforte or
other musical instrument, resting at each end upon the key-board frame by means
of adjusting screws carried by the case, and by means of which the whole apparatus
may be raised or lowered as may be necessary to ensure its proper action. Through
the underside of the case project a series of finger-rods or tubes (immediately over
and equal in number to the keys of the musical instrument should the playing
apparatus be constructed of a similar.compass) which at the proper times, as herein-
after. referred to, are depressed upon their respective keys, 'so as to cause the
proper or desired notes to be struck by means of spiral or other springs or other
equivalent means. The upper or inner ends of these fingers are attached to or
connected with a series of levers which converge from each end to the centre part
of the case where they meet and terminate; the levers being pivoted at a certain
determinate and proportionate point between the two ends, so that as one end is
depressed the other end is raised. In the central part of the case is fixed a frame
[Duis

page_text: which carries a series of small levers equal in number to those herein before
mentioned, these levers being arranged parallel with each other and being pivoted
at their outer ends, and carrying at their inner ends slanting raised parts which are
guided by or work up and down in and above or between the prongs of a comb
which is also carried by the central frame. The inner end of each of these levers
also carries a depending stud which engages with the innermost end of one of the
first mentioned levers, and by means of these studs or equivalent connections
motion is conveyed from one series of levers to the other. On each side of the
central frame is placed a worm or screw longitudinally of the case, the bearings
thereof being attached to the case. The worms or screws are caused to revolve by
rods or spindles, by one end of which they are carried, the other end thereof having
cog wheels which gear into other similar wheels on a transverse shaft rotated or
worked by a handle outside the case.
The action of the mechanism as thus described is controlled or regulated so as
to produce the time required by means of a metallic tune plate or band
which is perforated with a number of holes, on the disposition of which depends
the notes or keys to be struck and hence the tune produced. The edges of the
tune-plate are notched so as to gear with the worms or screws, and the plate or band
being placed on the central frame and in gear with the two worms or screws is
carried forward by the action of the latter as they are revolved. Above the central
frame is a forked lever pivoted at the forked end, and carrying a roller which has a
parallel series of circumferential grooves, and on this lever being brought into place
the roller occupies such a position over the slanting raised parts hereinbefore
mentioned, which are between the prongs of the fork, as that these raised parts are
allowed free play in the grooves of the roller.
.
The mechanism is set and actuated thus:-The tune-plate or perforated metal
band placed on the central frame in gear with the worm or screw at each side,
and covering the slanting raised parts of a series of small levers. The forked lever
is then depressed and the grooved roller in its descent pushes the tune-plate into
its proper position, depressing the series of raised parts or points, thus raising all
the finger rods or tubes from contact with the keys of the pianoforte or other
musical instrument. These points being thus depressed keep pressing against the
under side of the tune-plate, and the plate being caused to travel forward by the
means hereinbefore described, when any perforation of the tune-plate comes over a
raised part or point in alignment therewith the point is released and rises through
the perforation, and the end of the first mentioned lever in connection therewith
carrying the finger rod or tube is pressed down by its spring or other equivalent
means, and thus the key corresponding to the particular perforation in the band is
struck and the corresponding note sounded. The opposite end of the perforation
in the further projection of the plate comes in contact with the slanting side of the
point and depresses it below the bottom of the plate, thus again raising the finger-
rod from the key, and thus all remains until another perforation allows of a
repetition of the operation.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Edwin Underwood in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st
July 1881.
EDWIN UNDERWOOD, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, "NEW OR
IMPROVED MECHANISM CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR PLAYING UPON PIANOFORTES,
APPLICABLE ALSO TO OTHER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS."
The especial object of this Invention, which relates to improved mechanism or
apparatus for playing upon pianofortes, and which is also applicable to other
musical instruments, is to enable anyone who may be unable to play or manually
perform any piece or harmonious composition upon an ordinary pianoforte or other
similar musical instrument to execute either simple or difficult pieces or compo-
sitions thereupon without acquiring a previous knowledge thereof.
The means I employ are mechanical and simple in their arrangement and action,
and a very convenient arrangement thereof is illustrated on the accompanying
Sheet of Drawings in Figs. 1 and 2, which respectively represent a longitudinal
sectional elevation from the back of the apparatus and a plan view.
The improved apparatus or mechanism is contained within a case or frame 1,
which at the time of being used is placed upon or over the keyboard of the
pianoforte or other musical instrument, resting at each end upon the keyboard-
frame by means of adjusting screws 2 carried by the case, and by means of which
the whole apparatus may be raised or lowered as may be necessary to ensure its
proper action. Through the underside of the case project a series of finger rods or
tubes 3, immediately over and equal in number to the keys of the musical instru-
ment, should the playing apparatus be constructed of a similar compass. These
rods or tubes 3 are at the proper times (as hereinafter referred to) depressed upon
their respective keys, so as to cause the proper or desired notes to be struck and
sounded by means of spiral or other springs 4, which act between the upper one of
two guide plates 5 and a shoulder 6 on the rods or tubes, or by other equivalent means;
the bottom ends are padded with india rubber or other soft material to prevent any
audible contact of the finger rods with the keys. The upper or inner ends 7 of the
fingers 3 are attached to or connected with a series of levers 8, one lever to each
finger, and these levers converge from each end to the centre part of the case, see
Fig. 2, where they meet and terminate, see Fig. 1, the levers being pivoted at a
certain determinate and proportionate point between the two ends upon a diagonal
support 9, so that as one end is depressed the other end is raised. The connections
of the whole series of levers 8 with the finger rods 3 are not shown in Fig. 1, as
the full connection of one is shown, and is illustrative of the connections of
the remainder; the illustration of the connections of the whole series would
merely tend to confuse the Drawings and to render the arrangement less clear of
comprehension.
.In the central part of the case is fixed a frame 10, which carries a series of small
levers 11 equal in number to the levers 8, the levers 11 being arranged parallel
with each other, and being pivoted at one end on a cross bar 12, and carrying at
their other ends slanting raised parts 13, which are guided by or work up and
down in and above or between the prongs of a comb 14 which is also carried by
the frame 10. The free end of each of the levers 11 also carries a depending
stud 15, which engages with the innermost end of one of the levers 8, and by
means of these studs (or of other equivalent connections) motion is conveyed from
the series of levers 11 to the series 8. On each side of the frame 10 is placed a
worm or screw 16 longitudinally of the case, the bearings thereof being in a case 17
attached to the case 1. The worms or screws 16 are caused to revolve by rods or
pindles 18, by one end of which they are carried or to which they are connected,

page_text: the spindles 18 being driven by bevil gearing 19 from a transverse shaft 20 rotated
by a handle 21 outside the case. For actuating the finger-rods or tubes in the central
part of the case 1, where the direct levers 8 do not reach, secondary levers 28 are
employed and are pivoted at their ends 29, the other ends being connected with
the finger-rods or tubes. The two levers are connected by a rod or other means,
the secondary lever being directly under the lever' 8..
.
The action of the mechanism as thus described is controlled or regulated so as
to produce the tune required by means of a metallic tune plate or band 22, which
is perforated with a number of holes or openings 23, on the disposition of which
depends the notes or keys to be struck, and hence the tune produced. The edges
of the tune-plate 22 are notched, as shown in Fig. 2, so as to gear with the worms
or screws 16, and the plate or band being placed on the frame 10, and in gear with
the two worms or screws 16 is carried forward by the action of the latter as they
are revolved by the means described. Above the frame 10 is a forked lever 24..
about the width of the tune-plate, and which is pivoted at the forked end at 25.
This lever carries two transverse rollers 26, or it may have but one such roller
having a series of parallel circumferential grooves, and on this lever being turned
down into the position shown in Fig. 1, the rollers or roller 26 occupy such a
position over the slanting raised parts 13 of the levers 11 which rise between the
prongs of the fork as that these raised parts are allowed free play between the two
rollers or in the grooves of the one roller; the rollers. 26 are however especially.
intended to keep the tune plate in position against the resistance of the springs 4,.
as hereinafter described.
:
The mechanism is set and actuated thus:-The tune-plate or perforated metal
band 22 is placed on the frame 10 in gear with the worm or screw 16 at each side,
and covering the slanting raised parts 13 of the series of levers 11. “The forked
lever 24 is then turned down to the position shown, and the rollers or roller 26 in
its descent pushes the tune-plate into its proper position (so that it can traverse
the frame 10), depressing the series of raised parts or points 13, and thus by the
connections described raising all the finger rods or tubes from the position indicated
at 27, and from contact with the keys of the pianoforte or other musical instru-
ment to the positions indicated by the remainder of the keys in Fig. 1, the lower
position of those here indicated being for the natural keys and the higher position.
for the flat or sharp keys. The points 13 being thus depressed are kept by means
of the springs 4 pressing against the underside of the tune-plate, and the plate
being caused to travel forward by the means herein before described, when any
perforation 23 thereof comes over a raised part or point 13 in alignment therewith
the point is released and rises through the perforation (the two positions being
indicated in Fig. 1), and the end of the lever 8 in connection therewith carrying
the finger rod or tube is pressed down by its spring (or other equivalent means),
as indicated at 27, and thus the key corresponding to the particular perforation in
the band is struck and the corresponding note sounded. The opposite end of the
perforation in the further progression of the plate 22 comes in contact with the
rounded or slanted side of the point, and again depresses it below the bottom of
the plate, thus again raising the finger-rod from the key, and thus all remains until
another perforation allows of a repetition of the operation.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of
my said Invention, together with the manner in which the same is to be or may
be performed or carried into practical effect, I would remark in conclusion that
what I claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein before in part recited
Letters Patent is,―
The novel and peculiar combination and use in mechanism or apparatus for
playing upon pianofortes and other similar musical instruments, having a key-board
of a series of finger rods (one for each key to be struck), which are so combined
and arranged with other retaining and actuating details (the exact arrangement
of which is immaterial) as that they are held in an inoperative position by the solid
portion of a perforated metallic tune-plate or band until in the progression thereof a

page_text: perforation or perforations therein comes or come in alignment with one or more of
the connected retaining details thereof, which is thereupon freed, and are when so
released impelled by the agency of springs against their respective keys of the
instrument to which they are, fitted for sounding the desired note thereof, and
particularly I claim the combination and arrangement of the details for effecting.
the object of my Invention, substantially as hereinbefore described and as illus-
trated on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, or any mere modification thereof
acting in the same or a similar manner.
In witness whereof, I, the said. Edwin Underwood, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-fifth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty-one.