A New Method of and Apparatus for Turning Over the Leaves of Music and other Books.
Year: 1893

page_text: COBIT LULE
A New Method of and Apparatus for Turning Over the Leaves of
Music and other Books.
I, WILLIAM COATES, of Wellington, in the Colony of New Zealand, Boiler
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 a new method of and apparatus for turning over the leaves
of music and other books more especially when the hands of the operator are
otherwise engaged and has for its objects performing the operation in a simple and
efficient manner by machinery which is certain in its action and convenient to
operate.
In order that my invention may be readily understood by one skilled in the art
to which it appertains I will proceed to describe the same and for that purpose
shall refer to the accompanying sheet of drawings which represent my apparatus as
applied to turning the leaves of an ordinary music book on a piano.
Figure 1 is a front view of my apparatus for turning the leaves as fitted to the
music rest of an ordinary piano.
Figure 2 is an end view of the same.
Figure 3 is a plan of the same.
Figure 4 is a front view of my apparatus for holding the book as fitted to the
music rest of an ordinary piano.
Figure 5 is an end view of the same.
Figure 6 is a plan of the same.
Figure 7 is a front view of the fittings for attachment to an ordinary piano.
Figure 8 is a plan of the same.
Figure 9 is an end view of the same.
Similar letters refer to similar parts in all the figures.
(a) &c. shew the ordinary framework of a piano (a') shewing the position of the
keys and (a) the ordinary lid or cover. (b) & (61) are levers oscillating on screws
or pivots (63) attached (by preference) underneath the body of the piano.
The levers have attached to them brackets (6) & (64) placed in such a position
and shaped in such a form that they can be easily worked by the knees of the
operator. These brackets are (by preference) so formed that (6) can be moved
either to the right or to the left by the action of the right knee and (6) to the left
only by the action of the left knee.
To the outer end of the lever (b) is attached one end of a connecting rod (c) and
its opposite end is attached to the frame of the piano by means of a hook and
elastic spring (c) as shewn in Figure 7.
To the connecting rod (c) is attached a vertical lever (d) by means of a joint (d').
This lever (d) oscillates on a pin (2) fixed in any convenient position (see Fig. 9)
and its outer end is jointed to a rod (e) which oscillates with it and is itself steadied
and supported by means of an oscillating upright support or lever (e') fixed to a
rocking spindle (e) passing through the front board of the piano to the outside and
communicating its motion to another oscillating upright support (e³). To the top
of this support (e) is hinged a rod (e) which communicates motion to the lever (e)
by means of the joint (e). The lever (e) oscillates the axle (9') of the bevel wheel
segment (g) and imparts an oscillating motion to the same upon the axle (g'). I
have thus communicated the motion of the right knee of the operator to the bevel
wheel (a) which it oscillates backward and forward causing the pinion (g³) to

page_text: revolve and in so doing carries with it the vertical spindle (h) which it also causes
to revolve to the right or to the left in a half circle or thereabout.
(S) is the usual stand for music as fitted to ordinary pianos but which I prefer to
make with brackets (S) so that it can be readily fastened by brackets to the front
of the instrument as shewn. The spindle (4) revolves or oscillates in bearings (h³).
fixed (by preference) behind the board (S) and has attached to it firmly an arm (h¹)
which therefore oscillates with it and usually in about a semicircle. (i) is a portion
of the leaf of a music book placed in a position open for use and which leaf it is the
object of the apparatus to turn to the left. This leaf has a piece cut out of it as
shewn at (¹) a similar piece is punched out of every leaf required to be turned or
referred to but it is cut out in such a manner that every alternate leaf has the
vacant space in the position shewn by dotted lines at (³).
() & () are two small fingers or prongs which are so formed at their points
that (j) rests on the upper page whilst (1) rests on the page underneath in
consequence of the recess (1) being cut out of the said upper page.
& (¹) can be
By an arrangement to be hereinafter described the prongs
moved into the position shewn by the dotted lines on the page (i) so as to readily
turn the said page.
In order that the prongs (;) & (;¹) may rest properly on the page on which they
are placed and in all circumstances, they are fixed into a plate (1) which oscillates
slightly on a pin (*) and in such a manner that the side to which the prong (j) is
attached may be slightly heavier than the other side.
This plate () has projections (j) fitting over the connecting rod (k) and thus
preventing the said plate from oscillating to too great a distance but at the same
time allows of a limited motion on the pin (*).
(k) is a connecting rod which carries at one end the pin (13) and at its opposite end
is jointed freely by a universal joint (³) to the arm (4'); it is also fitted with a
slot () passing over the revolving spindle (4) and thus confining it to the said
spindle but allowing of free motion thereon.
It will thus be seen that a half turn of the pinion (9³) will cause the
spindle (h) to make half a turn and carry with it the arm (¹) the rod (k) and the
prongs () & () which will then sweep the leaf (i) in a semicircle from one side
of the book to the other or vice versa in accordance with the action of the knee on
the bracket (6) either to the right or to the left and for this purpose the gearing
is so arranged that only a slight motion of the knee will effect it.
Having now described the apparatus in connection with the right knee on the
bracket (6) in order to turn the leaves, I will proceed to describe the action of the
left knee on the bracket (64).
To this bracket (6) is attached a lever (6¹) similar to the beforementioned
lever (b) and to its outer end is fastened a cord or other connection (7) passing
round the guide pulleys (1) & (12) fixed (by preference) within the body of the
piano and communicating with and giving an oscillating motion to the arm (m),
fixed to a pin (m) passing through the front board to the outside of the instrument'
and communicating its motion to an arm (m³) which carries at its outer end a rod
or connection (n) which transfers its motion to a cord (n¹).
This cord (¹) is passed through a hole in the arm (k) and knotted. By these
means the rod (k) can be caused to move upwards whilst an elastic spring attached
to the rod (n) causes a return or downward motion of the same.
In this manner an upward and downward motion is given to the arm (k)
carrying with it the prongs (5) & (¹) and thus enabling the said prongs to take up
the dotted position shewn at their points in Figure 1 so that one prong is slided
under the leaf (i) and the other on the top of the same so as to grip the leaf in
readiness for turning. I find in practice that in the act of turning a leaf a partial
vacuum is formed under the same and which prevents it being readily released
from the page below. I obviate this difficulty by placing a light bracket (ö))
projecting upwards and outwards so that in the act of passing the prongs (5) & (5)
into position for turning the leaf the arm (k) is lifted slightly and carrying with it

page_text: the prongs they are also lifted together with the leaf and thus air is admitted
This bracket (o) I
between the leaves before the actual turning takes place.
prefer to make of light wire so that it may act as a spring and prevent jar or slam
when struck by the arm (4) in turning back the leaves. It is sometimes advisable
to prevent the leaf blowing back after it has been turned to the left hand and
therefore I place a hook (s) so that it may bend slightly over the turned
page.
The hook is attached to an arm (s') oscillating on a pin (s³) and connected with
the rod (n) by the lever (83). By these means when the left knee is moved to the
left so as to introduce the prongs in readiness to turn the leaf the hook (s) is
depressed out of the way until the leaf is turned after which it returns and secures
the leaf the action of the knee being removed.
It is of course necessary that the outside covers of leaves of the book should be
held pretty firmly in position and I will now proceed to describe the method of
holding the same and for the purpose I shall refer more especially to Figures 4 & 5.
Having placed the book open upon the stand in a central position I hold the left
hand side of the book by the following apparatus.
(p) is a clip which is placed over the inside of the first leaf or cover of the book
to hold it pretty firmly in its place, this clip is fixed to an arm (p') oscillating on
a pin (p) which is fixed to any convenient part of the book stand and has a tail
piece (p). The arm and clip are pressed down by an elastic spring or band (p¹)
placed in any convenient position. The arm (pl) has attached to it at its extreme outer
end a projection (p) which is so formed that it holds the first leaf a little apart
from the rest thus leaving a space which is of great assistance when inserting- the
prongs to the leaves back to the commencement if desired.
Should any leaf being the last leaf turned over require to be turned back again
for the purpose of repeating it will be necessary to hold a slight strain upon the
knee bracket (6) with the left knee to keep the prongs in position and also by the
action of the right knee being worked to the left the leaf can be turned back again.
By pressing on the tail piece (p) the book can be freed. I hold the right hand
leaf or cover of the book by a projection (q) which is attached to a lever (r)
oscillating on a pin (r) and held down by an elastic spring or band (4). "The said
lever (r) is fitted (by preference) with a fork (*) and roller (7) so that on lifting
the projection (9) by the lever (r) both the right and left hand levers are lifted and
the right and left hand levers or covers of the book released.
I sometimes fasten the projecting holder (9) to a handle (7) oscillating on a
pin (93) attached to the lever (r) and thus on depressing the said handle I can
withdraw the holder (q) from holding the book and by passing the handle over a
knob (t) I can effectually free both sides or covers of the same and retain them in
that position.
It will be evident from this description that my apparatus as applied to pianos
and similar instruments consists in applying the action of the knees to actuate
machinery by which the leaves of books can be turned to the right hand or to the
left or vice versa the said books having small notches cut in the leaves for the
purpose of inserting the prong by which they are turned the book being held truly
and firmly by machinery which can be readily brought into action or released.
The apparatus can be arranged for other purposes and instruments whether the
operator is standing or sitting and can be worked either by the knees or feet and in
some cases such as for bands or orchestras several sets of the apparatus may be
attached to one another and worked together so as to turn over a number of books
simultaneously.
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,―
win and come other books.
1

page_text: spindle (h), arm (¹), pinion (9), and oscillating segment (g), and rod (e) as and
for the purposes substantially as described herein and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
2. The combination of rod or arm (k) having prongs (j) & (¹) fixed to oscillating
plate () as and for the purposes substantially as described herein and illustrated in
the accompanying drawings.
3. The combination of rod or arm (k) with bracket (o) as and for the purposes
substantially as described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
4. The combination of the rod or arm (k) with cord (n¹) actuated by an arm (s)
and rod (n) as and for the purposes substantially as described herein and illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
5. The combination of the arm (3) actuated by the rod (n) with the bracket or
hook (s) as and for the purposes substantially as described herein and illustrated in
the accompanying drawings.
6. The combination of rod or arm (k) prongs (j) & (j') spindle (h) lever (h').
pinion (9) oscillating segment (9) lever (e) rod (e) and spring bracket (o) as and
for the purposes substantially as described herein and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
7. The combination of rod or arm (k) having prongs such as (j) & (¹) with
spindle (), arm (h¹), pinion (g²), oscillating segment (y), rod (e), with book.
perforated as at (¹) & (i³) as and for the purposes substantially as described herein
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
8. The combination of lever (6) having knee bracket (68), with rod (c), lever (d),
oscillating rod (e³) and rod (e) as and for the purposes substantially as described
herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
9. The combination of lever (b) having knee bracket (63) or a pedal equivalent
to the same with oscillating rod (c), lever (d), oscillating rod (e¹), spindle (e),
oscillating rod (e), and rod (e), lever (e), segment (4), pinion (92) spindle (h),
arm (¹), arm (k), having prongs () & (¹) and book perforated as at (i) & (2) as
and for the purposes substantially as described herein and illustrated in the accom-
panying drawings.
10. The combination of rod (n), with lever (s³), with cord (n'), arm (k), and
prongs () & (j') as and for the purposes substantially as described herein and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
11. The combination of rod (a) with lever (33) arm (¹) and hook (s) as and for
the purposes substantially as described herein and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
12. The combination of a holder or presser (7) having an elastic spring (¹), with
lever (r), as and for the purposes substantially as described herein and illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
13. The combination of a holder or presser (9) with a handle or arm (9')
spring (1) fork (r) with or without the roller (3) as and for the purposes substan-
tially as described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
14. The combination of a holder or presser (9) with handle or arm (g¹) jointed
at (g) with a knob or holder (t) as and for the purposes substantially as described
herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
15. The combination of a presser or holder (p) having an elastic spring (p') with
arm (p) having a tail piece (1) as and for the purposes substantially as described
herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
16. The combination of a distance piece or projection (p³) with arm (p') and tail
piece (p³) as and for the purposes substantially as described herein and illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
17. The combination of lever (61) having a knee piece (*) or pedal equivalent to
the same with cord (1) oscillating arm (m), spindle (m²), arm (m²), and rod (n) as
and for the purposes substantially as described herein and illustrated in the accom-
panying drawings.
18. The combination of lever (6¹) having a knee piece (64) or pedal equivalent to
3

page_text: the same, cord (1), rod (n), oscillating lever (*), cord (n'), arm (k), and prongs (;)
& () with a book having recesses such as (') & () cut in the pages of the same
as and for the purposes substantially as described herein and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
19. The whole combination and arrangement of parts constituting the apparatus
for turning the leaves of music and some other books as and for the purposes
substantially as described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 11th day of December 1893.
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.