A New or Improved Apparatus for Turning Over the Leaves of Music, Applicable to Pianos, Organs, Music Rests for Band Stands, and the like.
Year: 1888

page_text: KC
Date of Application, 22nd June, 1888
Complete Specification Left, 21st Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Accepted, 11th May, 1:89
A New or Improved Apparatus for Turning Over the Leaves of
Music, Applicable to Pianos, Organs, Music Rests for Band Stands,
and the like.
I WILLIAM KERSHAW of 2 Beaufort Place Roundhay Road Leeds in the County
of York Joiner and Cabinet Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
The object of my Invention is to provide means whereby the performer, whose
hands are generally fully employed. is enabled to turn over the pages of music without
having to break-off even for an instant with one hand or the other, the mechanism
being operated by the feet (preferably by the left foot)..
My apparatus consists of a series of radial rods or leaf turners, preferably about 8
(for 16 page music) which are attached in succession to the corresponding leaves
of the music. By mechanism to be hereafter described, these arms can be moved
backwards or forwards in proper succession horizontally through an
arc of
180 degrees, and thereby turn over the leaves of the music in proper order as may
be desired in one direction or the other. These arms are attached at their inner
ends to a series (8) of flat hinged or rocking pieces centred about a common axis.
The opposite ends of these rocking pieces terminate in shape somewhat like a fish
tail, having two equal sized fins. Adjacent to these and centred about one common
axis parallel to the axis of the rocking pieces, are provided a series (8) of wheels
each baving a slit along the edge, which slit is divided by a centre midfeather or
tooth. It will be understood that there is but one tooth in each wheel, also that the
wheels are so attached together or to their common axis, that the angular distance of
teeth of two adjoining wheels is the same for any adjoining two wheels of the
series. In place of separate wheels also it will be. evident, that these might be
arranged as a single wide drum or barrel, with the slots and, the midfeathers or
teeth suitably placed thereon as above described. By means of mechanism to be
immediately referred to, these wheels are rotated all together, intermittently through
an angular distance equal to the space between two adjoining teeth. One of the

page_text: before mentioned fins of the rocking piece, which for the time being is in proper
position with regard to its corresponding tooth, catches in one half of the slit close to
the tooth; and as the wheel moves this rocking piece is thereby caused to rotate
through an arc of 180° carrying round its turning rod, and turning over the leaf
of music which has been attached thereto. This attachment is effected by means of
a suitable spring or other gripper. When the wheel is next moved forward the next
rocking piece is similarly rotated carrying its rod with the next leaf of music attached
thereto. A movement in the opposite direction causes the opposite fin to engage and
the page
is therefore turned back.
The movement of the wheels or barrel is effected by means of a reciprocating
hinged pawl, which engages with teeth placed at the same angular distance apart (as
the teeth of the wheels (or barrel), on an end disc fixed to the wheels, (or barrel).
In order to obtain a motion in a reverse direction, a second reciprocating hinged
pawl is placed at the opposite side of the wheel, both pawls however being to the
same side of a diameter parallel to a line joining the two pawls. These reciprocating
pawls are attached to flat plates having teeth provided at one end and moveable about
a centre pin. The teeth engage with the teeth on similar hinged or centred flat plates.
To the ends of these latter are attached wires or cords, guided where necessary by
pulleys, passing through holes in a plate attached to the front of the piano or other
instrument. Each cord is attached to the end of a long light lever hinged
within the piano front. These latter are depressed by projecting pins attached to
two other similarly hinged levers slightly above them, and these latter are attached to
wires, or flat crinoline steel twisted where necessary to pass between the keys ; the
lower ends of the wires being connected separately to two pedals, (i.e. one for each
wire), placed close to and preferably to the left of the piano pedals. These latter
receive the motion for actuating the above described mechanism most conveniently
from the left foot, which is generally least required or used on the piano pedals. It
will be understood that the depression of the one pedal turns the leaves over in the
one (a forward) direction, and the other in the opposite or backward direction.
Springs are suitably attached to the above mentioned levers, and also to the first
mentioned hinged ratchet pawls to bring them back, (after being moved by one
or other of the pedals), to their first position, ready to be again actuated by the
foot.
The above referred to wheels (or barrel) and the attachments thereto are pre-
ferably supported from the upper end of the music rack, the rest on the same for
the music being adjustable in slot holes, so as to suit different sizes of music books or
sheets.
My Invention further relates to a new arrangement of desk, specially adapted to,
and forming an integral part of my improved leaf turner and means for attaching
thereto the above described turning over mechanism, so that it can be adjusted to suit
books of varying thickness as well as height.
ן.
1
T
1000

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Apparatus for Turning Over the Leaves of
Music, Applicable to Pianos, Organs, Music Rests for Band Stands,
and the like.
I WILLIAM KERSHAW of 2 Beaufort Place, Roundhay Road Leeds in the County
of York Joiner and Cabinet Maker 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 apparatus or mechanism for turning over the leaves or
pages of music, when placed on the music desk; such apparatus or mechanism being
operated by the foot of the player, the object being to avoid any break or interruption
of time when playing, since the hands are not then required to be lifted from the
keyboard or instrument. My invention includes the apparatus itself, the means of
attaching it to the desk, the adjustment of the desk for different sized sheets and
different thicknesses of music hooks, and lastly the means by which the apparatus is
connected or operated from foot pedals specially provided for the purpose.
apparatus is applicable not only in the case of pianos and organs, but also to music
stands or rests used with other instruments.
The
The apparatus and the desk adjustments and connections to the pedals are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a plan looking on the
top, Fig. 2 a front elevation, and Fig. 3a side elevation of the apparatus, all with the
cover. and Fig. 3 also with the sides removed so as to expose the mechanism. Fig. 4
a front view shewing the desk adjustments, and Fig. 5 a view shewing the connection
to the foot pedals. The other Figures are hereafter referred to.
Is a
music.
A is the base piece, and B the cap piece, both having holes or sockets, for the
ends of the axis a a of the barrel C, and the axis or pivot bb of the radial arms D
respectively. The sides c with the base piece A and the cap piece B form the casing
or frame of the apparatus, the two latter being formed with lugs or flanges for
attaching them to the sides c. The radial arms D of which 8 are shewn in the
drawings, (though the apparatus may be arranged with more or less), are of successively
greater length counting from the first, and carry at their ends small spring clips d,
these being slipped over and securely gripping the upper edges of the leaves of the
The inner ends of the arms B are hinged to the pivot plates e e¹, so that
they can all be raised into a vertical position out of the way, when not required
for use.
The pivot plates eel of which 2 are shewn in perspective in Fig. 6 are
bent so as to have horizontal and vertical parts, lettered respectively e and e¹. The
vertical portions e¹ are of successively decreasing height, by an amount slightly
greater than the thickness of the horizontal portion e, and the horizontal portions e,
at their outer ends likewise successively decrease in width by an amount slightly
greater than the thickness of the vertical part el counting from the first. The side
edges of each horizontal piece e are curved, the radius of such curvature being the
same as the radius of the barrel C, so that when an arın D is in one or other of its extreme

page_text: positions to the right or left, the side edge next the barrel C fits against the outside
of the barrel. The inner end of each horizontal piece e is formed with two tongues or
horns leaving a recess between the same. Each of the horizontal pieces e is provided
with a hole, through which passes the axis bb.
The barrel C is shewn separately in perspective in Fig. 7, and is arranged with
circumferential recesses or flanges, so as to ensure the proper fitting or working of
the horizontal parts e of the pivot plates with the corresponding teeth on the barrel.
The barrel C is provided, (in the case shown) with 8 teeth f, arranged at varying
heights on the outside of the barrel, corresponding with the heights or positions of
the 8 tongues or horns i of the 8 horizontal pieces e of the pivot plates, and placed
successively round the circumference of the barrel at angular distances of 45° apart.
If the apparatus were arranged with 10 radial arms D, there would be 10 teeth f to
correspond, and the angular distances apart would be 36 degrees. In this case it
would be found advisable to make the diameter of the barrel proportionately larger.
On both sides and in the same longitudinal line with and close to each tooth f, slots or
recesses g are left in the outside of the barrel C into which the tongues or horns i of
the horizontal pieces e enter or engage as the corresponding radial arm is rotated, and
at the same time the tooth f engages in the recess formed between the tongues or
horns : It will be evident that as the barrel C is successively rotated through
angles of 45 degrees, the arms D will be successively rotated through an angle of
180 degrees, turning over in one direction or the other, (i.e. forwards or backwards),
the leaves attached to them. This arrangement of barrel C and pivot plates e e¹, it
will also be evident may be regarded as a modification of the well known geneva
stop mechanism of watches.
In order to rotate the barrel successively through angles of 45 degrees (in the
case illustrated), I provide the following mechanism. On the top of the barrel are
provided projecting pin teeth m, likewise set at angular distances of 45 degrees
apart. (If the apparatus were provided with 10 radial arms D, ten pin teeth m set
at angular distances of 36 degrees apart would be required. A bell crank lever / is
provided on each side of the barrel C, and can be drawn downwards into the position
indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3 by means of the link plates j, operated as herein-
after described from the foot levers. Two coiled spiral, watch, or clock springs k,
serve to draw back their respective bell crank levers h, to, their original position. A
hinged pawl attached to the front arm of the bell crank lever, engages on the bell
crank lever being moved from the foot lever, with one of the pin teeth m, and thereby
moves the barrel C through an angle of 45 degrees. It will be seen that as the bell
crank levers h are placed at opposite sides of the barrel C, the motion of one of the
bell crank levers will rotate the barrel in an opposite direction to that caused by
the rotation of the. other bell crank lever; so that for example, the motion of the
left hand bell crank lever will turn over the pages of music backwards, whilst the
motion of the right hand bell crank lever will turn over the pages forwards. As
the forward motion is that most frequently required, the right hand bell crank lever h
is connected with the right hand foot pedal, (i.e. the one nearest the player). The
pawls being hinged, can lift or ride over the pin teeth m when drawn back by the
springs k, but are pressed down so as to engage with the same teeth, when the bell
crank lever is actuated from the pedals by the flat springs n.
In order to give sufficient support to the arms D, which is necessary owing to
the slight or narrow bearing, which the pivot plates ee¹ have on their common axis b,
and also to prevent undue friction between the pivot plates themselves, I provide a
semi-circular race o, on which the outer horizontal under edges of the pivot plate
arms slide, and a semi-cylindrical slide or guide p for the lower inner vertical edge of
the pivot plates, and lastly loose washers fitting over the pivot plate axis between
the horizontal parts of the pivot plates e, the top washer or ring being pressed down
by a spring or an india-rubber washer placed between it and the top cap plate B.
In order to actuate the apparatus from the special foot pedals, I make use of the
following means or mechanism. Each link platej is connected to a sliding piece q
shewn in cross section in Fig. 5, which fits capable of sliding in a slotted guides fixed

page_text: to the piano front immediately behind the music desk. A projection on the inner
side of the sliding piece q passes through a slot in a crinoline steel band t, so that
the latter can be readily detached when it is desired to take out the piano front for
tuning etc. The steel band t is twisted at right angles before reaching the keyboard
levers, so as readily to pass between the levers. The lower end of the steel band t is
connected to the end of a single armed hinged lever, which is preferably hinged to the
left hand side of the piano case. A wire or rod from the lever passes down to the
corresponding foot pedal. To balance the weight of the levers and to keep the sliding
pieces y raised in their upper position, flat or V springs are arranged to bear against
the under sides of the extreme ends of the levers, which yield when the pedals are
depressed by the player.
In order to allow music books of various thickness and height being operated by
the apparatus, which is clamped by a milled headed screw in one fixed position to the
upper cross board w of the music desk; I make the music desk adjustable by the
following means. The upper cross board w is loose, and is provided with two slot
holes, through which pass screwed studs y permanently fixed to the upper cross
bar z of the music desk frame. A milled leaded nut 1 secures the top cross board, or
more strictly speaking the upper cross bar z, in any position within the limits allowed by
the slot holes, to which it may have been adjusted. This adjustment allows of books
of varying thickness being conveniently operated by the apparatus. The slot holes 2
in the outer uprights, enlarged at their upper ends, allow the music rest 3 to be
adjusted to two or more varying heights, according to the number of such holes
provided in the outer uprights. The music rest 3 is carried in such slots by pins 4,
which just fit the narrow parts of the slots, but which are provided with heads which
are so large as just to pass through the enlarged part of the holes 2.
The slots 8 are to allow passage for the links j.
I find it advisable owing to the bending of the leaves at the middle, to set the
middle edge of the music a little to the left of the centre line of the apparatus or desk
and for this purpose I provide a hinged setting stop 5, which can be turned down
when once the music has been adjusted, and the leaves attached to the ends of the
arms D.
Lastly in order to keep the lower middle edge of the music in position when the
leaves are being turned over, I provide a stud or pin 6, which can be fixed at any
position in the slot in the music rest by means of the milled headed nut 7 on the
underside.
I am well aware that prior to this my Invention, intermittently rotated arms and
also barrels or cylinders have been used for the purpose of turning over the leaves of
masic; I do not therefore claim their use broadly; but having now particularly
described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed; I declare that what I claim is :-
1º. The combination of an intermittently rotated barrel, having teeth (m) on or at
one of the circular ends and teeth fand recesses g on the outer cylindrical surface,
with pivot plates eel having tongues i and a recess between the tongues at one end,
and curved sides or edges, all substantially as set forth and shewn and for the reasons
and purposes specified.
20. The combination of the bell crank levers h, having hinged pawls and spiral
springs k, with the barrel (having teeth (m) on or at one end, all substantially as set
forth.
3°. The combination of pivot plates having vertical and horizontal parts e and e¹
with the hinged radial arms D substantially as set forth.
4°. The bearing race o and cylindrical guide p substantially as shewn and for the
purpose specified.
5°. The washers and the elastic or spring bearing substantially as set forth and
for the purpose specified.
6°. The combination of the links with the sliding pieces 7 and guide substantially
as set forth.

page_text: 7°. The combination with the subject matter of Claim 6, of the steel bands t,
having slot holes and spring balanced levers, all substantially as set forth.
8. The combination of the above described apparatus for turning over the leaves or
pages of music, with the music desk having adjustable top cross board w, adjustable
rest 3, hinged setting stop 5, and holding pin 6, all substantially as set forth and
shewn, and for purposes specified.
9°. A music desk having adjustable top cross board w, adjustable rest 3, and (or)
hinged setting stop 5 substantially as and for purposes specified.
10°. The general arrangement and combination of the subject matters of the fore-
going claims formning my improved apparatus for turning over the leaves or pages
of music substantially as herein set forth and illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 20th day of Mah 1980