Improvements in Mechanical Musical Instruments.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 27th July, 1896-Accepted, 10th Oct., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mechanical Musical Instruments.
what
ALFRED MAXFIELD 326 Liverpool Road London N. Musical Instrument
Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
manner the same is to he performed, to be particularly described and ascertained,
in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to that class of mechanical musical instruments which are
operated by perforated sheets of paper.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1, is an end elevation of the instrument.
Fig. 2, is a plan of the instrument showing the improved mechanism.
Fig. 3, is a modified arrangement for rewinding the spool music.
Fig. 4, is an enlarged section of music spool showing the improved style of
journal pin for driving.
Similar letters of reference are used to indicate like parts in all the figures.
In Fig. 1, A represents the pedals to which is attached the projection B which
in turn is pivoted to the connection rod B' and projection B2, B3 is secured to the
pumper C so that when the pedal A is depressed the action of the connecting
rod B distends the pumper C thereby exhausting the air from collapsible
chamber D. By this arrangement of connection rod B' and projection B³ a softer
action in pedaling is thereby obtainable and dispenses with the webbing and rollers
used in the ordinary pedal organs, in the latter the webbing has to be frequently
renewed, through the constant friction.
E, E, are springs for depressing and distending the pumper and exhaust chamber
respectively F, is the perforated music sheet made into an endless band and is
cariied through the instrument with my patent endless band arrangement
No. 16748, 1887, represented by the letters L, L, L & L³, in addition 1 provide
a channel G at back of instrument to receive the loose band as it passes through,
and the wire frame 1, to separate the music sheet, which would otherwise rub
together and gather up, consequently retarding the easy progression of the band
through the instrument. H, is the music rest provided with air ducts which are
connected with the pneumatic levers 1, and operate pallets J, closing the aperture
to vibrating reed K, spring J, keeps the pallets in their normal position.
In Fig. 2, M is the main shaft worked by the operator, and drives the auxiliary
shafts M, M, & M', through the instrumentality of the coiled spring bands S, S¹
& S¹.
For long tunes such as quadrilles &c., the music sheet is wound on the spool L³,
and is drawn over the music rest H by the take up spool L, operated by the
auxiliary shaft M', which is provided with a pinion at the end and geared into the
toothed wheel W. When the whole of the music sheet has passed through
the instrument, it is necessary to rewind the sheet back on to spool L, which is
accomplished as follows.
The stop R is pulled out moving the slide R', which is provided with a diagonal
slut engaging with the small flange R', carrying forward the auxiliary shaft M,
and bringing into contact the carrier r, with spring peg r, which is secured to
pully T, (the said pully having a sleeve or socket R³, to keep it in position and
allow it to run freely on shaft M when playing the instrument), as the shaft M³,
moves forward it comes in contact with oscillating lever V, which again engages
with shaft M', thereby throwing the pinion out of gear from wheel W, and allowing

page_text: take up spool L, to run freely. Thus when the main shaft M is revolved in the
same direction as when playing, the spool L³, is revolved through the agency of
the spring band S3 and rewinds the music sheet.
When the music sheet is rewound the stop R, is pushed back and the instrument
is again ready for playing.
But I preferably use the arrangement as shown in Figs. 3 & 4, for rewinding the
music sheet after having passed through the instrument, and the same is actuated
as follows:-L2, is the music spool on which the music sheet is wound, Y is a
journal pin inserted in the end of spool, this pin is cut away forming a clutch as
shown in Fig. 4. Y', is a corresponding pin and forms the driver, both are adapted
to run in tube X, and when brought together the pin Y, engages with and revolves
spool L. To rewind the music sheet stop R, is pulled out moving the auxiliary
shaft M2 carrying with it the pully T, which drives the small pully T', through
the agency of coiled spring band S, pully T', is secured to pin Y, so that
when the main shaft is revolved the spring band brings the two pullies directly
opposite each other, thereby bringing the pin Yinto contact with pin Y, and
consequently revolving spool L². When stop R is pushed back and shaft M is
given a half turn the reverse way, the two pins become disengaged by the pressure
of the spring band So, when the music is again ready for playing.
Stop P is for controlling the expression board P, N is a small fan for producing
the sound called vox-humana. When it is required to give this expression to the
music, the stop O, is pulled out, this stop is pivoted to lever O, at the other end of
this lever is attached a flat spring 02, which pressers forward the fan, bringing into
contact the small rubber pully N with bevel pully N, this pully being revolved
by the main shaft M, revolves the fan by friction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. In combination with a mechanical musical instrument slide R', auxiliary
shaft M2 carrier r, and spring peg r', sleeve R³, and oscillating lever V, as
described and for the purpose specified.
2nd. In combination with a mechanical musical instrument, the channel G and
wire 1, for the purpose specified.
3rd. In combination with a mechanical musical instrument, fan N2, lever O' with
spring O, india rubber N¹ and bevel wheel N, as described and for the purpose
specified.
4th. In combination with a musical instrument, the projection B connection
rod B and projection B2, as shown and for the purpose specified.
5th. In combination with a mechanical musical instrument the clutch pin Y,
tube X, pullies T and T', and coiled spring band S³, as described and for the
purpose specified.
6th. In combination with a music spool for use in a mechanical musical
instrument, the clutch pin Y for the purpose specified.
Dated this 27th day of July 1896.
ALFRED MAXFIELD.