A Mechanical Apparatus for Turning Leaves of Music.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Mar., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 19th Aug., 1893-Accepted, 14th Oct., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Mechanical Apparatus for Turning Leaves of Music.
CHARLES WILLIAM
MATHEWS 36 Lion Terrace Portsca Portsmouth
Merchant's Clerk do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
A narrow strip of wood, (Fig. 1) resembling in shape the ledge of an ordinary
piano music desk, to be fitted with clips or other suitable fastenings, so that it may
rest about one inch above the ledge of the music desk or stand to which it is affixed;
and having inserted in the centre of its under side a spindle; upon which are placed
a number of wheels each having one half their circumference toothed upon the edge,
and having a rod fixed into the opposite uncut edge, (Fig. 2) the rods being bent at
a right angle a sufficient distance from the centre of the wheel to allow them to rest
in either of the two cuttings made for that purpose in the wooden ledge. A wheel,
(Fig. 3) to be propelled by a circular steel spring, and furnished upon its flat surface
with sets of teeth arranged in such a manner as, when revolving, to gear in succes-
sion into the teeth of the wheels with rols, is fitted behind, and at a right angle to
the wooden ledge. A ratchet arrangement is applied to this wheel, which, when
released by the operator, allows the wheel to revolve with a backward motion
sufficiently to cause one of the wheels with rods to perform a half revolution from
right to left, the rod carrying with it the leaf of music behind which it has been
placed. The number of sets of teeth upon the wheel (Fig. 3) corresponds with the
number of wheels with rods; and half the circumference of each of the wheels with
rods corresponds in length with the set of teeth upon the wheel into which it gears.
The forward motion of the wheel (Fig. 3) obtained by moving the rods from left to
right for the purpose of interleaving them in the music, winds the spring which
propels the wheel when released by the ratchet.
Dated this 20th day of March 1893.
CHARLES WILLIAM MATHEWS.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Mechanical Apparatus for Turning Leaves of Music.
CHARLES WILLIAM MATHEWS 36 Lion Terrace, Portsea Portsmouth
Merchant's Clerk, 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 :-
A narrow strip of wood, Fig. 1, furnished with supports (a. a.) and clips (6) by
means of which it may be secured a slight distance above, and parallel to, the ledge
of the music desk upon which it is to be operated, which ledge it will supersede.
Two deep cuts (c. c.) are made in the front edge, one on either side of, and at an
equal distance from the centre. A spindle (d) is fixed in the centre of, and at a
right angle to, its nether side; upon which spindle are placed a number of wheels
(Fig. 2) having about one half the circumferenc. of each toothed, and also having
a rod fixed into the uncut edge, in a straight line from the centre; the rods are
bent upward at a right angle, at a sufficient distance from the centre of the
wheels to allow them to rest in the cuttings (c. c.) made to receive them in the
ledge.
A circular metal disc (Fig. 3.) is fixed upon a spindle which revolves in bearings
fitted to the interior ends of a bairel or case, the latter being fastened to the back
of, and at a right angle to, the surface of the ledge, part of the disc being above,

page_text: and part below it. The disc is furnished upon its flat surface with sets of teeth
arranged in such a manner as, when revolving, to gear singly and successively into
the teeth of the wheels with rods, the toothed portion of each of the latter corre-
sponding in length with the set of teeth upon the disc into which it gears; the
number of wheels with rods also corresponding with the number of sets of teeth upon
the disc.
A circular spring which supplies the motive power is fixed upon the spindle
bearing the disc. (Fig. 5.-7.
The forward motion of the disc and spindle obtained by moving the rods singly
amil successively from left to right for the purpose of interleaving them between the
leaves of music which rest upon the ledge, winds the propelling spring. The dise
is nicked, and held in check by means of a ratchet paw, which, wien released by the
operator, allows the dise to evolve with a backward notion, sufliciently to cause
one of the wheels with rols to perform a half revolution from right to left, the rod
carrying with it the leaf of music behind which it has been placed.
The lever (Fig. 4.) by means of which the ratchet is released, consists of a
metal tel, drill 3, and past behind the dise upon the spindle, upon which it works
loosely, and which forms the fulcrum. An arm extends from the rod to beyond the
edge of the disc, and the extremity of the arm is connected by a pivot joint with
another rod which lies directly across the back of the dise, (eurved to clear the
spindle,) and at the opposite end holds a pin which grips a nick in the edge of the
dise, being pressed into position by a small spring, (.). The main lever-rod is
carried through an aperture in the top of the case for the purpose of connecting
(through the interior, or otherwise, of the piano or other instrument) with a pedal
arrangement; and is also carried downward and bent forward under the ledge, then
again depending in such a position as to be immediately above the keyboard of the
instrument upon which it is operated, and within easy reach of the hands of the
operator. The lever heing laterally moved either to right or left, at top or bottom,
ensures the release of the ratchet pin or paw, and when pressure is removed from
the lever, the ratchet spring presses the pin again into a nick in the di-c.
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―
Protection by Patent for
1. The wooden ledge.
2. The wheels with rods.
3. The disc with teeth upon its surface, as described in the foregoing documents
and accompanying drawings.
Dated this 18th day of Amount 1803
CHARLES WILLIAM MATHEWS.