Improvements in or connected with Mechanical Musical Instruments.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Aug., 1891-Accepted, 12th Dec., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Mechanical Musical
Instruments.
I, FERDINAND PIETSCHMANN of Brunnenstrasse 28ª in the City of Berlin, in
the Kingdom of Prussia, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to improvements in the so-called automatic or mechanically
played, musical instruments, principally of the kind in which a scale of metal reeds
are played or vibrated by mechanical means through the medium of push-point-
levers under control of a travelling music sheet carrying the tune in the form of
perforations or impressions in a manner as is well known.
The improvements of my invention have reference, first, to improved means for
vibrating or striking the metal reeds through the medium of the push-point-levers
under control of the music sheet, the object to be attained being this, that, as the
said levers are caused to swing up and down, the metal reeds are struck or
vibrated by the movement in one direction only of the said push-point-levers, say
by the downward throw of the push-point, while during the upward throw or
movement of the levers in the opposite direction, the strikers are forced out of the
way or withdrawn from the reeds and can pass freely by them.
Another part of my said invention has reference to improved means for
simultaneously shifting the push-point-levers and strikers so as to make the set
temporarily inoperative and so prevent any damage while the music sheet is being
exchanged.
The former part of my invention is illustrated by Figures 1 to 13 of the accom-
panying four sheets of drawings, the latter part by Figures 14 to 25 :-
Figures 1, 2 and 3 represent one modification of my improved means for striking
or vibrating the reeds of a musical instrument through the medium of the push-
point-levers operated on by a travelling perforated music-sheet.
Figure 1 illustrates the position of the lever and parts operated by the same,
at the time when the push point has fully entered a perforation or slit of the music
sheet.
Figure 2 illustrates the same parts at the time when the push-point is being
forced out of the perforation this being the moment when the reed is struck or
vibrated, and
Figure 3 illustrates the same parts at the time when the push-point has been
forced down below the music sheet, where it remains till another perforation or
slit of the said sheet is in position for passing over said point.
The
The perforated music sheet N is travelling in the direction of the arrow.
levers a provided with push-points a¹ to enter into the perforations or slits n of the
travelling sheet N correspond in number and position to the reeds h of the set or
scale; the general arrangement of the reeds and push-point-levers being well
known, the present figures will be fully understood, although but one lever a of
the series and its operating parts are shown.
To each operating lever a is pivotally connected, as at 62 an elbow lever b, the
to and fro motion of which, as the lever a is being forced up or down, is controlled
by a fixed bar or ledge c on one side of the said lever b, and by a pin or stud d,
projecting from the lever a slightly above the arm b¹ of lever b.
The lever b carries a pivoted arm e, the forward point or finger e¹ of which
A lug or projecting
strikes the free end of the metal reed to vibrate the same.
part is formed on the said arm e above the point of finger e¹ and a spring f carrying
a damper f¹ attached thereto exerts a downward pressure on said lug, thus tending

page_text: to force the arme downwards, the damper f¹ coming into contact with the reed h
at the time required, causes the sound to cease.
The lower end of the pivoted lever b is supported by a spring g, the forward end
of which is bent to form a step g' serving as a rest or support for the lever b.
Opposite the bar or ledge c, the lever has formed on it an oblique surface, a
similar surface c' of one side of the bar e corresponding with it.
The operation of the device is as follows:-
When the push-point-lever a with its point a¹ has entered a slit or perforation n
of the music sheet N, as shown in Figure 1, the lever, with its arm b¹, rests
against the pin or stud d and at the other side bears against the bar or ledge c;
the lower end of said lever b rests on the step g' of spring g, and the pivoted arm e,
forced down by the pressure of the spring f, retains its lowest position, the finger
or striker e being below the free end of reed h.
of
Now, as the music sheet travels on in the direction indicated by the arrow, the
push-point a¹ of lever a is being forced down and out of the slit or perforation n,
the lever a thereby being equally forced down as shown in Figure 2. The arm
lever bin the descent, is slightly removed from the stop or pin d while owing to the
pressure exercised by spring y, the lever 6 remains in close contact with the fixed
bar or ledge c. In the descent of lever b, the arm e carried by said lever, is lifted
by the fixed bar c and thereby the finger or striker e' will vibrate the reed h. But
before the finger e' actually strikes the end of reed h, the lug of arme has lifted
the damper off the reed, thus allowing the same to vibrate freely and produce
the sound.
When the push point a¹ and lever a have been fully forced down as shown in
Figure 3, the lever will have been forced to the left by the oblique surfaces of
the bar cand lever b bearing against each other, the lever arm b' is thereby again
forced into contact with the stop or pin d and the lower end of lever b is forced
from the step g' up to the upper portion of spring g. All parts remain in such
position indicated by Figure 3, till the next slit or perforation n is in position for
presenting itself above the push point a¹ of lever a.
Now, as the slit or perforation appears and the point a' is thrown into it by the
upward pressure of spring g so as to assume the position indicated in Figure 1,
the pivoted arm e of lever will be forced down again by the pressure of
spring and the finger el would strike the reed once more, if owing to the
oblique position shown in Figure 3 of lever b and also owing to the lower end
of said lever b resting on the upper portion of spring 9, the said finger e¹ on its
way down was not carried past said reed, leaving the same free and out of contact.
The different parts again assume the position of Figure 1 after the finger el has
reached its lowest position and the stop or pin d has forced the lever 6 down upon
the step g¹ of spring 9.
By providing a rigid support for the arme and finger e' at the time of its striking
the reed, the resistance of said reed is considerably increased and its vibration
rendered very strong and efficient in tone.
22
Another modification of the combination of levers to strike or vibrate the reed is
shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6. Figure 4 illustrates the position of the parts at the
time when the push-point a' of lever a has entered one of the slits or perforations
of the travelling music-sheet N. Figure 44 represents an alternative arrangement
in which the lever d is fulcrumed on a point 62. Figure 5 represents the position,
when the push-point a' of lever a has been forced down to its lowest position below
the music sheet, and Figure 6 represents the parts at the time when the push-point
begins to enter into a slit or perforation n.
In Figures 5 and 6, I have indicated by arrows the line of motion of the striker
or finger e when passing from the position of Figure 4 into the position of
Figure 5, and from the latter position into that of Figure 6. It will be clearly
seen from Figures 5 and 6, that, as the push-point a¹ and lever a are being forced
down, the finger e' strikes and vibrates the reed h, while, during the return or
upward throw of the push-point a¹ and lever a, the said finger el is carried down

page_text: ree of the reed and past the same without striking 109
Figure 4.
CON
In the modification just described, the lever a is pivoted to a lever 6 having its
ulcrum as at 2 and being limited in its forward and backward throw by two bars
r ledges or stops o and o', the play of said lever b between the said stops being
ufficient to allow the free end e¹ of an arm e pivoted to the push-point-lever a to
be carried below the free end of the reed h, and to be withdrawn from said reed in
ts turn.
Instead of pivoting the lever a to another lever b, the former might be
fulcrumed on a shaft 62, Figure 4ª, said shaft 2 passing through an elongated slot
of said lever a to provide the required play for the backward and forward sliding
motion of the same. A lug a² is formed on the said lever a, said lug having an
oblique face against which the spring g which exerts the upward pressure against
the lever a, acts and causes the push-point a¹ to enter into the slits or perforations n
as they are passing above said push point.
The descent of lever a caused by the pressure of the travelling music-sheet N
is limited by a stop or bar 03, and the upward throw of said lever a, caused by the
pressure of spring g, is equally limited by a stop or bar 02, the several stops or
bars being fixed or secured in the casing or frame of the instrument. The said
stops and O³ are so arranged that they do not interfere with the limited
longitudinal throw of the said lever a.
The arm e which is pivoted to the free or forward end of the push-point-lever a,
and carries a finger e' which strikes or vibrates the reed h, is supported by a stop,
bar or ledge O rigidly secured in the casing or frame of the instrument. It will
be easily seen, that, as the lever a is being forced down from the position shown in
Figure 4 into the position shown in Figure 5, the said pivoted arm e and finger e¹
will be lifted by the stop 04, whereby the finger e', which at the time has been
shifted below the free end of the reed h, will strike the reed and vibrate the same,
as desired. The shifting of the lever a and piece e e¹ towards the reed is effected
by means of the frictional contact of the music-sheet N which travels in the
direction towards the reed.
The arm e carries a lug or stud projecting above the finger or strikere, said lug
or stud serves to lift the spring and damper f' just before the reed is vibrated,
and the said spring f, afterwards forces the said arm e e¹ down again and applies
the damper f to the reed at the
time.
proper
From Figure 6 it will be evident, that, as a slit or perforation n of the music
sheet N appears above the push-point a' of lever a, the latter will be thrown up by
the pressure of spring g, but as said spring exerts its pressure against the oblique
face of the lug a² of lever a, the latter will not only be thrown upward, but also
shifted backward, or to the left of Figures 4, 5 and 6, whereby the arm e and
finger el are sufficiently withdrawn from the reed h, to allow the finger e¹ to pass
freely by, as indicated by the arrow.
In Figures 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, I have illustrated a third modification of
the combination of two levers for striking or vibrating the reeds under control of
the travelling music sheet.
In Figure 7 the position is shown at the time when the push-point a' of lever a
is forced down below the music sheet, Figure 8 represents the position at the time
when the push-point a¹ has entered a slit, perforation or recess n of the travelling
sheet N. Figure 9 represents the position at the time when the push-point a' is
being forced out of the perforation or recess n, this being the position to strike or
vibrate the reed. Figure 10 represents the position of parts at the time after the
reed has been struck, this being the same position as in Figure 7. Figure 11 is a
detail view of the push-point-lever a and Figure 12 a detail view of the striking
lever barranged to slide alongside of said lever a. Figure 13 is a cross section
5 drawn on line A B of Figure 10.
In this modification, the two levers a bare combined in such a manner that the
striking lever with the catch or finger e¹ is arranged to slide alongside of the

page_text: push-point-lever a, being secured thereto in such manner that sufficient play is
allowed for its being shifted in a longitudinal direction.
The
The push-point-lever a in this modification is pivotally supported by a bridge or
bar m, and the striking lever b has formed or secured to its lower edge arms or
projections s forming a fork which embraces the said bridge or bar m. The
lever is carried in suitable guideways u, u, u' of the lever a, said guideways may
be formed integral with the lever a and bent from the material of the same.
throw of lever balongside of lever a is limited by a slot w and a pin or rivet v
passing through said slot, which pin or rivet also prevents the said lever b from
being disengaged from the lever a. At the rear end of lever b a catch or finger el
is provided, which, as the lever b is shifted to the left, is carried below the free end
of the reed h, as shown in Figure 8. Above the said catch or finger el a neck e is
formed on the lever b, projected upward and being acted upon by the downward
pressure of a spring 9. From the said neck e an arm or pin projects upon which a
sleeve of elastic material, such as rubber, leather, cloth or other fabrics is fitted,
said sleeve facting as a damper for the reed h, as shown in Figure 8. I prefer
to make said damper of a short end of india rubber tube, and by sliding said rubber
tube or sleeve fl over the pin or arm of the lever neck e, great facility and con-
venience is afforded for mounting or exchanging the dampers as no glue or other
fastening for fastening the damper to the damper-spring is required. Where it is
desired to apply dampers of extraordinary thickness two or more of such sleeves f¹
or portions of tubes may be fitted one over another. Instead of the tube or
sleeve being of india rubber it may be of any other material of an elastic or soft
nature suited for the purpose in view.
The operation of the device last described is as follows:-
While keeping the position shown in Figures 7 and 10, the lever a with its push
point a¹ is forced upward against the travelling music-sheet N by the downward
pressure of the spring g acting to force down the neck or projection e of lever band
consequently the rear arm of said lever a. Now, as a slit or recess in a music
sheet N appears opposite the push point a', the latter is thrown upward into the
said slit or recess as shown in Figure 8; the forward arm of lever a being lifted,
the rear arm will descend, and in its descent, the arm or projection r of lever b will
bear against the bridge or support m, whereby the said lever b will be shifted to
the left, sliding in its guideways u, u, u alongside of lever a. The amount of
shifting is limited by the slot to and pin v. In the descent of the rear lever arm a,
the catch e¹ of lever 6 slides freely past the end of the reed h, and only when the
said catch is below the level of the reed, the lever is shifted to the left, as
described to carry the catch e¹ below the end of reed has shown in Figure 8.
Now, as the push point of lever a is being forced down again, as shown in
Figure 9, coming out of the slit or recess n of the music sheet, the rear arm of
lever a is lifted accordingly and the catch e' of lever is carried up along with
said lever arm a striking the end of the reed h and vibrating the same, the
damper having been lifted from the reed before the catch actually strikes
the reed.
In the further descent of the right hand or forward lever arm a, changing the
position of parts shown in Figure 9 to that shown in Figure 10, the right hand
projection or arms of lever b will strike against the bridge m, thereby shifting the
lever b back again to the right where it remains, as shown in Figure 7 till the next
slit or recess n appears opposite the push point a'. The inside surface of the arm
or projections is hollowed out or formed in such a manner, that, as the push
point a¹ is being forced down, the shifting of lever b to the right does not begin
until the catch e¹ has struck and vibrated the reed as required.
The pressure exerted by spring g on the projection or neck e of lever b prevents
the latter from being shifted accidentally or by any other undue cause, but only
by the positive impulse given through either of the arms r, s of the fork.
The operation of this device is very accurate and reliable, it can be equally well
applied to musical instruments of the kind where rollers and pins are employed.

page_text: Another feature of my invention consists in improved means by which the push-
point-levers a under control of the travelling perforated music sheet, and the
fingers el or projections which are operated by said levers to strike or vibrate the
reeds, may all be simultaneously deflected or made inoperative to prevent their
being injured when the music sheet is being exchanged. The improved device is
automatically operated by opening and closing the hinged piece or abutment stay
of the instrument.
In musical instruments automatically played by travelling music sheets,
mechanisms for preventing injury of the push-levers during the exchange of the
sheet, in general, are known; the mechanism generally employed for the purpose
in view consists of a special lever by which the set of push-point-levers are forced
down before the hinged piece or abutment stay of the instrument is opened to
exchange the music-sheet. After the sheets have been exchanged, the catch or
stay must, first, be closed again and then the push-point-levers made again
operative by returning the special lever to its position of rest.
If, with the said device generally employed, the operator should omit to deflect
or make the push-levers inoperative before opening the hinged piece or abutment
stay, namely, before introducing another music sheet, the push-point-levers will be
damaged. To prevent this, I have invented the following device, which renders
such an omission impossible and which may be with advantage applied to musical
boxes of any known construction, not only to the particular kind with a set or scale
of reeds of the kind above described.
The improvements of the musical instrument which form the object of this part
or feature of my invention are illustrated by Figures 14 to 25 of the accompanying
drawings:
Figure 14 is a front view of the set of push-point-levers and mechanism for
deflecting the same, as applied to a musical instrument of a known construction ;
the hinged piece or abutment stay of the instrument is closed.
Figure 15 is a corresponding view with the hinged piece or stay open ;
Figure 16 is a plan view of Figure 17;
Figure 17 is a front elevation of the device as applied to the improved
construction of musical instruments with a scale of reeds (such as shown in
Figures 4, 5 6).
Figure 18 is a side view of Figure 17 ;
Figures 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 are detail views of parts of the improved
mechanism;
Figure 24 is a plan of Figure 14 and
Figure 25 a side elevation of Figure 14.
On a bed plate p, Figure 14, a standard g is mounted, the upper end of which is
O forked to receive the hinge of a cross piece or abutment stay t capable of being
lifted as shown in Figure 15. The lower side of said hinged piece t has a longi
tudinal groove or recess, as shown in the cross-section, Figure 23, into which groove
or recess the push points a¹ of the levers a enter (Figure 25), under control of the
perforated music-sheet N, when the said push points have entered the slits of said
5 sheet. The free end of said hinged piece t is provided with a longitudinal slot t
through which a stem ; extends, having at its upper end a flat thumb piece t
capable of passing through the said slot t¹ when turned into a position parallel to
it. The lower end of said stem j is arranged to turn within the bed plate p, the
degree to which it can turn being however, limited to one quarter of a turn and
0 such is effected by an eccentric collar i mounted on the said stem and a suitabl
stop or stops arranged in the path of said collar i.
The said collar has formed on its underside an oblique face engaging with
the free end of an arm e connected to and projecting from the frame or rail
The said angular frame k, as shown in Figures 14, 15, 24 and 25, extends over th
35 whole set of push-levers a, the said frame may be arranged to swing around th
same axis with the push-levers a, but separate journals or pivots may as well b
provided.

page_text: If a fresh music sheet is to be introduced, in exchange for the one last played,
I proceed as follows:-
I turn the thumb piece 2 at the upper end of stem ; so as to take a position parallel
to the slot t' of the hinged piece t, to allow the said piece to be lifted as shown in
Figure 15. By turning the stem into the said position, the oblique face at the
under side of collar i will force the arm e down and thereby lower the frame or
rail k, which causes the whole set of lever a to be depressed (Fig. 25). The
music sheet may now safely be exchanged after lifting the piece t, upon which the
said piece is again lowered, its slot tl fitting over the thumb piece of stem j, which
stem, being turned again into the position indicated in Figures 14, 16, 17, 24 and 25,
simultaneously locks the piece t and causes the frame and levers a to rise into
their normal position.
In Figures 16, 17 and 18, the frame k is replaced by an elbow lever k¹, arranged
below the striking arms e of the push-point levers a to support the same and a stop,
bar or ledge o, arranged above and across said arms e, limits their upward throw.
By means of the stem j, collar i and arm e, as described, the rear arm of lever k¹
is deflected and the forward arm of said lever ' lifts the arms e and thereby forces
the push-point-levers a down; the striking fingers e¹ of the arms e are carried
freely past the reeds and any damage is prevented.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. In a mechanical musical instrument, the combination with a set of push-point-
levers a, of a pivoted elbow lever b connected with each of said levers a, an arm e
and finger e', pivotally carried by each of said levers a, a fixed bar or ledge c
extending across the set of levers a and b and supporting the arms e, a spring f
exerting a downward pressure on each of said arms e, a spring g exerting an upward
pressure on each of the elbow-levers b, and a pin, or stud d projecting from each
lever a for controlling the position of the lever b, in co-operation with the ledge c,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
2nd. In a mechanical musical instrument, the combination with a set of pivoted
push-point-levers a having a play of motion in a longitudinal direction, of suitable
stops, bars or pins to limit both the longitudinal play and upward and downward
throw of said fevers a, a pivoted arm e and finger el projecting from the front end
of each of said levers a, a bar or support of to lift said arms e, a spring f' exerting
a downward pressure on each of said arms e, and a spring y exerting both an upward
and rearward pressure on each of the push-point-levers a, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
a,
3rd. In a mechanical musical instrument, the combination with a set of pivoted
push-point-levers a, of a lever b carried by each of said levers a, means for pro-
viding a limited shifting of said levers 6 alongside of their respective levers said
levers being each provided with a catch or finger e', a neck e, and a fork rs to
embrace the supporting bridge or block m, and a spring g, exerting a downward
pressure on each of said levers a and b, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
4th. In a mechanical musical instrument, the combination, with a set of push-
point-levers a under control of a travelling music sheet N, and a set of reeds h,
mechanically vibrated through the medium of said push-point-levers, of dampers f',
which consist of a sleeve, or tube of elastic or soft material, said dampers being
fitted over a damper arm, spring or rod, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
5th. In a mechanical musical instrument, the combination with a set of pivoted
push-point-levers a under control of a travelling music sheet N, of a frame or
pivoted rail k, arranged to deflect or make said push-point-levers temporarily
inoperative, an arm e extending from said frame or rail, a stem j extending through
the hinged piece or abutment stay t to lock and unlock the same, a collar i carried

page_text: by said stem to act upon the said arm e as the stem is being turned, and a thumb
piece or locking device t² to keep the stem engaged with the swivel t, substantially
as and for the purpose described.
6th. In a mechanical musical instrument, the combination with a set of pivoted
push-point-levers a, controlled by a travelling music sheet N, of an elbow lever k
arranged below the strikers e of said levers a, a stop or bar o, arranged above and
across said strikers e, a stem extending through or locking the hinged piece or
abutment stay t of the instrument, a collar i carried by said stem and means to lift
the elbow lever k¹ by turning the said stem and collar, substantially as and for the
purpose described.
Dated this 17th day of August 1891.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.