IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR TURNING THE LEAVES OF BOOKS OR EXPOSING SHEETS OR CARDS (SEPARATELY OR COMBINED), PART OF WHICH APPARATUS IS APPLICABLE AS A BINDER OR HOLDER FOR PAMPHLETS AND THE LIKE."
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Commins Mudge, of Weymouth, in
.
the County of Dorset, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR TURNING THE LEAVES OF BOOKS OR EXPOSING SHEETS OR
CARDS (SEPARATELY OR COMBINED), PART OF WHICH APPARATUS IS APPLICABLE
AS A BINDER OR HOLDER FOR PAMPHLETS AND THE LIKE."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Commins
Mudgo at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 4th July 1874.
I, RICHARD COMMINS MUDGE, of Weymouth, in the County of Dorset,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR TURNING THE LEAVES OF BOOKS OR EXPOSING SHEETS OR CARDS
(SEPARATELY OR COMBINED), PART OF WHICH APPARATUS IS APPLICABLE AS A BINDER
OR HOLDER FOR PAMPHLETS AND THE LIKE," to be as follows:-
AE Inu tuuning the leaves of hooks on

page_text: apparatus is applicable as a binder or holder for pamphlets and the like.
In the front of a long narrow box or case I place a comb; between this
I place the required number of levers or arms; on each side of the arms
I place a lever curved at the head or outward portion (or its equivalent).
The inside ends of these side levers are made to project inside the case
alternately, that is if the arm be turned to the left the inside end of the
right lever is flush with the inside of the case and allows the stepped
slide mentioned hereafter to pass freely over it; when the arm is again
turned to the right the inside end projects, the same applics to the left-
hand levers. These lovers as it were knock or push the arms over to the
right or left as desired, and are made so that the outward end pressos
the arm a little way out from the centre or pivot on which they turn.
The centre or main arms are carried backward and forward by the side
levers which are pivotted nearer the inside of the case and the required
distance to the right and left respectively. The levers are operated by a
slide made in the form of steps equivalent to a number of slides placed
at certain distances in advance of cach other; there is a step for cach
arm and the said slide is placed in the interior of the case. To take the
arm to the left the stop slide is pushed against the projecting end of tho
right side lever, at the same time it releases the left lever and the arm is
pushed over to the left. If the slide be drawn back again the required
distance it presses then against the left lever and turns the arm to tho
right, and so on for any number of arms.
vided with notches the required distance
motion of the catch mentioned below. The catches are mado to run
in a guide or its equivalent at the back of the case, and are made so as
to draw the slide the required distance, and is then taken back to right
or left by a spring, either metal or clastic; when the catch is drawn
forward a tooth is inserted in a notch of the slide and draws it forward.
To work the arms from right to left and left to right two catches are
used, ouc is drawn to the right and the other to the left.
The back of the slido is pro-
apart to turn one arm at onc
Further, by means of a number of arms or levers placed in the front
of a box or case, as a modification of the before first mentioned at the
back of the front stavo or side there are as many runners or guides as
there are arms. I attach a string or cord (catgut I prefer) to the arm
or arms, and again to two slides running in these guides, one on the
right and the other on the left, these slides are operated by a stepped
slide as a slight modification of the one mentioned in the previous plan;

page_text: -
similar to that already mentioned. On the slide being drawn forward it
presses against the slide attached to the arm, pushes the slide forward,
and draws the arm over. When the arm is again pulled forward to operate
the next arm the slide which drew over the first arm is pressed into a
slot in the side of the case, and allows the stepped slide to pass freely over
and along. The longth of the stepped slide is such, that when it is
drawn to the right it allows the arm to slide on the left to follow it, and
vice versa.
:
To prevent the slide levers falling back into the case I sometimes put
a wire or groove along the sides of the arms and attach moveably the
levers to the arms. The ends of the arms may be slotted to slide the
finger into them, or the fingers may be slotted.
These machines I construct of any suitable material, and they are
sometimes attached to the instrument or stand by being tied on by a
cord or cords. I attach a stand or rest to the top or other convenient
part of the case for the purpose of holding sheets which may contain the
names or numbers of, say a railway station. The back is made to hold
a number of leaves as it were like as if they were bound, and is con-
structed as follows:-I affix to a stave in front of another stave a strip
of wood or metal; opposite I place another slip which is made to slide to
the right or left. By the sido and loosely attached to it, running in a
groove or its equivalent, I place one, two, or more wedges connected and
worked together or not, either at the side or top; when it is required to
hold any leaves, they are placed between these two strips and pressed
together by the wedges which press the loose slip tightly against the
fixed one. There are many ways by which this may bo effected.
Butterfly screws may be used, similar to those used sometimes with
looking glasses, the ordinary thumb screw and springs, elastic cord or
metal. This back or leaf- holder may be employed advantageously for
portfolios to hold periodicals &c., for reading rooms and other places, in
fact as a general, permanent, or portable leaf or book binder, and also
for holding letters and other papers, for clothes pegs or pins, and may
be modified so as to be employed as a cramp or vice; the fixed and loose
staves may be grooved.

page_text: holders are provided which enable the leaves to pass freely or loosely as
the arms and leaves are taken over, and also pedals which I proposo
shall consist of a slip of wood or other suitable material for the use of
pianos, organs, harmoniums, &c., said slip or stave to be placed one of
cach sido of instrument at the required angle, that is, if the cord which t
works the machine is taken over the sides of the instrument or music
stand the pressure by the foot on these slips or pedals will draw the arms
over one at a time either to the right or left. These pedals are made so
as not to slip about and obstruct the working, and may be loosely fixed
to or jammed under the piano or other instrument. Other pedals may 1
be used and the machines may be made to work by the hand or finger.
The leaf or book holder or binder may be permanently or not attached
to the rest. The catches which force over the slides may be in many
ways modified for vertical or horizontal working.
„J
The machines may be modified in different ways. The holder or 1
binder may be attached to the ordinary piano or music rest without the
machine and be used to advantage, or it may be made to form a music
rest and holder.
Where the leaves are broken at the bottom or other edge I place an
appliance made of paper, cardboard, or any other suitable substance to 2
enable the fingers to operate without getting entangled in the rents.
The arms may be used as indicators, and the name or number of
say railway stations set opposite each arm, so that the arm may be
made to point at the station stopped at; the machine may be so placed
that the railway official or other person may walk along the platform, 2
and by pulling a cord or other appliance attached to each carriage set
the machine in motion; an alarum may be also attached to cach
machine.
The centre arms I prefer to be in the shape of a long wedge rounded
near the pivot for the cords to work round, and are provided with holders 3
or grips to hold cards, tickets, &c., or the name or number of the
station stopped at by a train. A cord is attached to cach machine and
may be taken the whole length of the train, that is, one cord will operate
if desired any number of machines.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Richard Commins Mudge in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 4th January 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, RICHARD
5 COMMINS MUDGE, of Weymouth, in the County of Dorset, send
greeting.
.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of July, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the thirty-eighth
O year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said Richard Commins Mudge, Her special licence
that I, the said Richard Commins Mudge, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Richard Commins
Mudgo, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR TURNING THE LEAVES OF BOOKS OR
O EXPOSING SHEETS OR CARDS (SEPARATELY OR COMBINED), PART OF WHICH
APPARATUS IS APPLICABLE AS A BINDER OR HOLDER FOR PAMPHLETS AND THE LIKE,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Richard Commins
Mudge, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
5 describo and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said. Richard Commins Mudge, do
0 hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement thereof, that is to say :—
This Invention relates to apparatus for turning the leaves of books
or exposing sheets or cards (separately or combined), part of which
5 apparatus is applicable as a binder or holder for pamphlets, and the like."
In the front of a long narrow box or caso I place a comb; between this

page_text: I place the required number of levers or arms; on each side of tho
arms I placo a lever curved at the head or outward portion (or its
equivalent). The inside ends of these sido lovers are made to project
inside the case alternately, that is, if the arm be turned to the left tho
inside end of the right lever is flush with the inside of the case, and
allows the stepped slide mentioned hereafter to pass freely over it. When
the arm is again turned to the right the inside end projects; the samo
applies to the left-hand levers. These lovers, as it were, knock or push
the arms over to the right or left as desired, and are made so that the
outward end presses the arm a little way out from the centre or pivot
on which they turn. The centre or main arms are carried backward
and forward by the side levers, which are pivotted nearer the inside of
the case, and the required distance to the right and left respectively.
The lovers are operated by a slido inado in the form of steps equivalent
to a number of slides placed at certain distances in advance of cach
other; there is a step for cacli arm, and the said slide is placed in the
interior of the case. To take the arm to the left the step slide is pushed
against the projecting end of the right side lever at the same time it
releases tho left lever, and the arm is pushed over to the left. If the
slide be drawn back again the required distance it presses them against
the left lever, and turns the arm to the right, and so on for any number
of arms. The back of the slido is provided with notches the required
distance apart to turn one arm at one motion of the catch mentioned
below. The catches are made to run in a guide or its equivalent at tho
back of the case, and arc mado so as to draw the slide the required
distance, and is then taken back to right or left by a spring, either metal
or elastic.
When the catch is drawn forward a tooth is inserted in a
notch of the slide, and draws it forward to work the arms from right to
left and left to right. Two catches are used, one is drawn to the right
and the other to the left.
Further, by means of a number of arms or levers placed in the front
of a box or case (a modification of the before first mentioned) at tho
back of the front stave or side there are many runners or guides as
there are arms. I attach a string or cord (catgut I prefer) to the arm
or arms, and again to two slides running in these guides, one on the
right and the other on the left; these slides are operated by a stepped
slide, as a slight modification of the one mentioned in the previous plan.
The slide is placed in the interior of the case, and is operated by a

page_text: catch simuar to that already mentioned, On the slide being drawn
forward it presses against the slide attached to the arm; pushes the slide
forward, and draws the arm over, when the arm is again pulled forward
to operate the next arm; the slide which drew over the first arm is
pressed into a slot in the side of the case, and allows the stepped slide to
pass freely over and along. The length of the stepped slide is such that
when it is drawn to the right it allows the arm to slide on the left to
follow it, and vice verså.
-
To prevent the side levers falling back into the caso I sometimes put
a wire or groove along the sides of the arms, and attach moveably the
levers to the arms. The end of the arms may be slotted to slide the
finger into them, or the finger may be slotted.
These apparatus I construct of any suitablo material, and can be
attached to the instrument or stand by being tied on by a cord or cords.
I attach a stand or rest to the top or other convenient part of the caso
for the purpose of holding sheets which may contain the names or
numbers of the station. The back is made to hold a number of leaves,
as if they were bound, and is constructed as follows:-I affix to a stave
in front of another stave a strip of wood or metal; opposite I-place
another strip, which is made to slide to the right or left. By the sido
and loosely attached to it, running in a groove or its equivalent, I place
one, two, or more wedges connected and worked together or not, either
at the side or top. When it is required to hold any leaves they are
placed between these two strips, and pressed together by the wedges,
which press the loose slip tightly against the fixed one.
ways by which this may be effected. Butterfly screws may be used,
similar to those used sometimes with looking glasses, the ordinary
thumbscrew and springs, elastic cord, or metal. This back or leaf
holder may be employed advantageously for portfolios to hold periodicals,
&c., for reading rooms and other places, in fact, as a general permanent
or portable leaf or book binder, and also for holding letters and other
papers, for clothes pegs or pins, and may be modified so as to be
employed as a cramp or vice. The fixed and loose staves may be
grooved.
There are many
These apparatus and the different parts may be used effectively for the
turning over the loaves of music and other books, in which case special

page_text: the arms and leaves are taken over, and also pedals, which I propose
shall consist of a strip of wood or other suitable material, for the uso of
pianos, organs, harmoniums, &c., said slip or stave to be placed (one at
cach side of instrument at the required angle), that is, if the cord which
works the machine is taken over the sides of the instrument or music 5
stand, the pressure by the foot on these slips or pedals will draw the
arms over one at a time either to the right or left. Those pedals are
mado so as not to slip about and obstruct the working, and may be
loosely fixed to or jammed under the piano or other instrument. Other
pedals may be used, and the machine may bo mado to work by the hand 1
or finger.
The leaf or book holder or binder may be permanently, or not, attached
to the rest. The catches which force over the slides may be in many
ways modified for vertical or horizontal working..
The machines may be modified in different ways. The holder or 1
binder may be attached to the ordinary piano or music rest without the
machine and be used to advantage, or it may be made to form a music
rest and holder.
When the leaves are broken at the bottom or other edges I place an
appliance made of paper or cardboard, or any other suitable substance, 2
to enable the fingers to operate without getting entangled in the
slits, &c.
The arms may be used as indicators, and the name or number of the
stations set opposite each arm so that the arm may be made to point at
the station stopped at. The machine may be so placed that the railway 2
official or other person may walk along the platform and by pulling a
cord, or other appliance attached to each carriago, set the machino in
motion. An alarum may be also attached to each machine.
The centre arms I prefer to be in the shape of a long wedge rounded
near the pivot for the cords to work round, and are provided with holders &
or grips to hold cards, tickets, &c., or the name or number of the
station stopped at by a train. A cord is attached to cach machine, and
may be taken the whole length of a train, that is, one cord will operato
if desired any number of machines:
I will now proceed describe my Invention with respect to the
annexed Drawings.

page_text: e is a stave fixed to one or more wedges, which on being pressed down
forces the movable or sliding stave tightly against the fixed one, and
holds the leaves or other thing which may be placed between in a firm
and secure manner. f,f, in Figure 15, show in side section the sliding
wedges which run in the sliding stave.
Figures 16 and 17 are front and side sections of another plan of
holding or retaining leaves or other articles. a, a, are two grooved
pieces hinged at the back, a wedge being caused to slide down on either
the right or the left side or both, the wedge in this construction pressing
against a projection attached to the back of the opposite piece to bring
them tightly together. Any number of wedges may be used. 6 is the
wedgo attached to the right hand piece so as to slide up and down;
o is the projection attached to the left hand piece, as will be better
understood by reference to Figure 18, which represents the holder
closed.
Figure 19 is a modification of my leaf holder. a, a, are grooved
hinged pieces; b is a lever pivoted on the left-hand piece opposite the
pivot, the right-hand piece at the back being slightly raised so that when
the lever or cross bar is turned down the holder takes the form of a cross
and it presses the right-hand piece tightly against the left-hand one, as
in Figure 20.
Figures 21 and 22 is another modification. Here the wedges are
placed at the back so as to slide down into a slot, shown in Figure 23;
Figure 21 shows the holder open, and Figuro 22, closed in side view.
Figures 24, 25, and 26 are sections of a further modification of my leaf
holder. The hinged pieces in this arrangement are in shape like that
shown in Figure 26, and they are hinged together in a line with the
-dotted lines. The wedge, as shown in Figure 25, slides on the left-hand
stave and moves when pressed down inside of the projection of the right
side which at the top is bevelled off to receive the wedge.
Figure 27 is a sketch of another method of holding music or sheets
and is also intended to act as a retainer for the turnover. It is made of
soveral staves fixed to cross pieces, and so as to slip on the front board
apparatus of a piano. When the lid of the piano is down it jambs it
tight, and being hinged, as will be seen, it can be moved outward in a
plane with the lid of the piano, so that the keyboard cover may be
closed or opened.

page_text: Instead of employing wedges to tighten the staves which press the
leaves together, it will be understood that buttons (or their equivalent)
may be employed. The advantage of this plan or arrangement is, that
when largo volumes of music are required to be operated upon or
5 used, the two staves can be turned back so as to mako room for tho
volume.
Figure 28 is a side view of the latter apparatus from which the
working will be readily understood; as many buttons may be used as
may be deemed necessary. a is the stave; b, b, the buttons; and c, the:
› wire, sheet metal, or other suitable substance to slip over the front of
the piano. Screws may be used instead of wedges to press the holder
staves together, as in Figure 18. The leaf retainers or binders may
have pliable or stiff covers fitted so that they can be used for carrying
music in sheets and be rolled up like music scrolls. They can also be
5 made to serve as portfolios, holders for periodicals, pamphlets, and the
like. They may be used as letter or invoice files, and for other like
purposes. The holders may be arranged to bo fixed to pianos or artioles
of furniture in place of the ordinary music or reading rest, sco Figure
29, in which case the pieces or staves which press the leaves are forced
together by means of two wedges or levers pinned to or which move on
a pivot on the right and left stave, but buttons, wedges, or screws may
be employed. I propose to fix at each end of, say a piano, an appliance
with wheels, or their equivalent for the cords attached to the turn over,
and to pedals to work in. Foot pedals may be formed of long thin
; slips of wood or other material placed on each side of the piano, tho
inner end touching the ground near tho piano foot pedals, and the outer
ends of the pedals which carry the cords being raised, so that on being
pressed down by the foot the arms would be operated on.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and
) in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim as
my Invention, the special arrangement and combination of parts
forming a leaf-turning-over apparatus, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4,
and 5, of the accompanying Drawings, as set forth.
Secondl Talaim the anasialamancament and combination of north

page_text: Thirdly. I claim the employment of stepped sliding pieces in appa-
ratus for turning over the leaves of music or other sheets or leaves:
I also claim the catches, Figure 13, for the purpose set forth.
<
Fourthly. I claim the special arrangement and combination of parts
forming a leaf pamphlet or other holder or binder, as shown and 6
described in Figures 14 and 15 of the accompanying Drawings, also
the modifications thereof, as shown and described...
E Fifthly. I claim the combined stand and binder, shown in Figures 27
and 28, also the jointed stand and binder, shown in Figure 29, as and for
the purposes described
1
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Commins Mudge; have
hereunto set my hand and scal, this Second day of January,
One thousand cight hundred and seventy-five.
R. O. MUDGE (1.S.)*
o Ashiramar plsibi ubled enitusisme