US1198860A - Circuit-controller for mechanically-playing instruments. - Google Patents

Description

V J. H. LESLEY & H. M. ENZ.

CiRCUlT CONTROLLER FOR MECHANICALLY PLAYING INSTRUMENTS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 10. I909.

1,198,860,. Patented Sept. 19, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' Jf/Zaa/ey To all whom it mag concern;-

Pannier onmon.

JOHnnQiLEsLnvfAnnj HENRY n. nnz, or PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA; SAID Ens c a c r y ASSIGNOR TO SAID LEsLEY. Y

cIncuir-coiwanommn FOR MECHANICALLY-PLAYING- insrnnarnnrs.

- Be it. known that We, JO N H. LESLEY and HENRY M.. ENZ, citizens of the United States, residing at Pittsburgh, in the county of-"Allegheny and State oflPennsylvania, have invented certain newy. andv useful Improvemehts'; in Circuit-Controllers for Mechanically-Playing Instruments, of which the following is a specification. r

This invention relates to mechanical playing instruments, and more particularly to- ,that type of instrument commonly styled a self-playing piano, wherein a suitable source of electrical energy is employed as the operating medium.

The object of our invention is to provide an electric piano Witha simple and eifective attachment that will automatically control the operation of the piano and allow a prede termined number of p'ieces'of music to be successively played orreproduced, according to the number of coins or actuating disks placed in the piano, to release and set in motion i the mechanism for'operating the same. i We'attain theabove object by an attach ment-that has been particularly designed forthat type of electric coin-controlled piano Wherein the following well'known elements are cooperatively arranged, namely, motor driven pneumatics for actuating the hammers, valves controlling the'operation of the hammers, a tracker, aperforated sheet of paper in connection with the tracker for controlling the operation of the valves, and addit ionally'-a' coin mechanism for completing certain electrical circuits for setting the various mechanisms in operation. It is common in this type of electric players to provide the perforated sheet of paper or music with a certain perforation or open ing at the end of the piece of music reproduced by the player, to" cause a cessation in the operation of the player until another coin has been placed in the instrument, and in designing our improvement, We have aimed to provide a small device that will permit of a plurality of coins being placed in the instrument and'the normal stoppage of the operationof the instrument is delayed until a piece of'music' or a tune has been reproduced foreach and every coin deposited in the playerl 7 ()ur device canbe advantageously used in connection with pianos used in clubs and Specification of Letters Patent.

I I Application filed m 10, 1909. Serial No. 507,0s1.

forming part of this specification, wherein We have shown What We consider a practical embodiment of the invention;;neverthe less, We desire it to be understood that the structural elements thereof are susceptible to changes Without departing from the scope of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is an elevation of one side of a detached device constructed in accordance with our invention, Fig. 2 is a vieW of the opposite side of the device,

Fig. 3 is a plan of the device, Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of a piano equipped with the device, and Fig. 5 is a. cross sectional view taken on the line XX of Fig. 3.

In the accompanying drawings, 1 denotes a piano having the rear side thereof pro-- vided With vertical posts 2. The endmost posts of the piano are connected to the end frames 3 thereof by handles i, Which facilitates the movement of the piano. Above one of these handles is located a platform or shelf 5, and upon this platform. or shelf i;- arranged my improvement.

Thedevice comprises abase plate 6 provided intermediate the ends thereof with oppositely disposed vertical bearings 7 and S, and in these hearings is revolubly mounted a shaft 9. The bearing 8 is provided with a resilient thrust bearing 10 adjusted through the medium of a set screw 11, said thrust bearing engaging the end of the shaft 9, and preventing longitudina movement of said shaft during the operation of the device.

Upon the shaft 9 is fixed an at vancing toothed wheel 12 and a collar 13. Engaging said collar is a loosely nounted reversing toothed Wheel 14:, which is held in engagement with the collar 13 by a triangular friction clutch member 15, said memlwr being loosely mounted upon the shaft 9 and frictionally held in engagement with the reversing toothed wheel 14 by collar 16..

secured to the shaft 9.

Loosely mounted in bearings 1 carried by from a money making vancing toothed wheel 12, said pawl being' held in engagement with said wheel by a spring 21, attached to the short arm 19 and to the pawl 20. The long arm 22 of the bell crank lever extends through a guard 23 carried by the plate 6, said long arm having the free end thereof provided with a coin plate 24 adapted to be impinged by coins deposited in the piano for setting the operating mechanism thereof in motion. The long arm 22 adjacent to the rock shaft 18 is con nected by a coil spring 25 to a screw 26 adjustably mounted in a vertical bracket 27 arranged upon the plate 6, adjacent to the rock shaft 18. The screw 26 permits of the tension of the spring 25 being adjusted, and this spring normally maintains the coin plate 24 inan elevated position to be struck by a coin to 'movethe bell crank lever and cause the, spring pressedpawl thereof to advance the toothed wheel 12 mounted upon the shaft 9. 1

Attached to one end of the plate 6 is a bellows or pneumatic comprising a vertical foundation board 28 and a movable board 29 connected to the foundation board 28 by an ordinary flexible casing 30. -The foundation board 28 is provided with a nipple 31 adapted to be connected by a hose or flexible connection 32 to the usual pneumatic structure, the operation" of which is controlled by sheet perforations as is usual in such type of devices, as for instance, indicated in the patent to Hobart, N0. 7 86,988, April 11, 1905. The movable board 29 is connected by pivoted links 33 to a pawl 34 slidably mounted in a casing 35, carried by a bracket 36 mounted upon the plate 6. The pawl is adapted to engage the reversing toothed wheel 14, as will hereinafter appear. The movable board 29 of the bellows is limited in its movement by an adjustable screw 37 carried by said board contacting with a lug 38 carried by the upper edge of the foundation board 28. The screw 37 can be adjusted to regulate the movement of the pawl 34, consequently the movement of the reversing toothed wheel 14.

Upon the end of the plate 6- opposite the bellows is located an electric switch, similar to a knife switch. This switch comprises contact arms 39 and connecting with said arms are wires 40 and 41.- Said wires are operatively connected to a suitable operating device, such as a motor 42; a socket 43 may be employed in the circuit to provide motor operation from an electric light circuit, wire 44 connecting the socket and motor. The power may be provided by batteries if desired. Adapted to contact with the arms 39 is a switch blade 45, said blade being fulcrumed in the standard 46 carried by the plate 6. This-standard is located in proximity to the reversing toothed wheel 14,

whereby the end of the switch blade ,will

contact with a pin 47 carried by the toothed wheel 14. The switch blade 45 is nor-mall} coin plate 24. This chute is of a conventional form and can extend from the forward side or end of the piano to the rear thereof, to convey coins to a point directly above the coin plate 24, whereby the coins deposited from the chute will strike the coin plate and actuate the bell crank lever carried by the rock shaft 18. We will assume that one coin is placed in the piano to i set the operating mechanism thereof in motion to reproduce one piece of music or a tune. lVhen the coin strikes the plate 24, the bell crank lever carried by the rock shaft 18 is rocked to advance the spring pressed pawl 20 and cause the toothed wheel 12 to rotate the shaft 9. lVhen this shaft is 1'0- tated, the triangular clutch member 15 causes the toothed wheel 14 to move with said shaft, and the pin 47 of the wheel 14 releasesthe rear end of the switch blade 45 and allows said switch blade to drop between the contactarms 39 and complete an electrical circuit, which places the operating mechanism of the piano in operation. This circuit is maintained during the playing or reproduction of one piece of music, and upon the stop perforation of the piece of music reaching the tracker a pneumatic valve located within the piano is immediately placed in operation to exhaust the air within the bellows of our device. As heretofore stated, such a stop perforation in the perforated sheet of music is common in mechanical players, also the pneumatic valve for creating a vacuum in the bellows. Vhen the bellows of our device is actuated the pawl 34 is moved to operate the reversing toothed wheel 14, causing the pin 47 (which acts as a tripping element) to againmove into engagement with the rear end of the switch blade 45 and elevate the forward end of said blade, thereby breaking the electrical circuit and causing the operation of the piano to cease.

As a further illustration of the operation of our device in connection with a piano, we will assume that ten coins or actuating disks are deposited in the chute 50. As the chute permits the coins topass therethrough only in succession, these coins successively 1mpinge the coin plate 24, which, owing to the spring support, thereof, will return to normal position between the successive coin strikings (actual use having demonstrated that coins cannot be fed through a coin chute with sufficient rapidity to prevent the return of the coin plate between successive coin strikings) causes the spring pressed pawl 20 of the bell crank lever to advance the toothed Wheel 12 ten times, that is said toothed wheel is intermittently moved to move the pin '47 out of engagement with the switch blade 45'and also moves it a distance which requires ten movements of the pawl 34 to return the pin to initial position.

This movement of the reversing wheel 14 is accomplished through the medium of the t'rianglar clutch member 15, causing said toothed Wheel 14 to move in unison with the shaft. 9 and the toothed wheel 12, the pawl 34 being out of engagement with said wheel 14 during this operation. lVith the pin 47 thus moved out of engagement with the switch blade 45, it is obvious that said' switch blade will remain in engagement with the contact arms 39, until said pin again engages the rear end of switch blade 45 and elevates said blade to break the circuit between the contact arms 39. As will be obvious, this advancing of the wheels 12 and 14 can take place without regard to the playing of-the music, thus providing an independentdelivery storage element which is not controlled in any respect by the playing of the successive tunes, and which may be again operated to increase the number of stored tunes, before the previous number of tunes has been completely delivered. Now,

immediately upon coins striking the plate 24 the operating mechanism is placed in operation and'the first piece within the 'piano is reproduced. At the end of the first piece the stop perforation in the roll of music causes the pneumatic valve to operate and create a vacuum in the bellows, which actuates the pawl 34. and reverses the toothed wheel 14 the distance of one tooth or space. The neXt piece of music repro-' piano.

As will be understood, the general arcence 3 rangement is such as to retain the circuit normally broken, this being the normal position .of the switch and its controlling strument disclosed), returning to such normal position upon the completion of such period. While the controlling structure or element, may have movement during this period, this movement takes place while it is out of its normal position, so that such movements have no effect whatever in breaking the circuit, the latter taking place only when such structure or element returns to its normal position; consequently the circuit remains uninterruptedly closed during this period, the mechanism being continuously operated by reason of the motor circuit remaining unbroken.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the operation of our device will be fully understood without entering into the detail construction of the pneumatics, tracker and perforated sheet of music used in connection with the piano. As heretofore stated, the last mentioned elements are common to mechanical players and our device is applicable to most any player when provision is made for connecting the wires and an air conduit to the same, besides correctly positioning the coin chute whereby coins will contact with the plate 24 and be deflected into a suitable coin receptacle in connection with the piano.

Having now described our invention what we claim as new is:

1. In a device of the character described, a make and breakdevice adapted to control an electric circuit, and mecl1anism for controlling the operation of said device, said mechanism comprising an element normally positioned to break the circuit at said device and movable to and from such normal position, a pivoted lever free from electric control, means for moving said element in one direction from its normal position through a series of positions controlled in number by the number of movements of the lever, such movement closing the circuit at such device, and means for returning said element through such series of positions to its normal position, said element, when in either of such series of positions, being out of such normal circuit-breaking position, whereby the circuit will be maintained closed when the elementis out of such normal position.

2. in a device for controlling the operagreases tions of sheet-controlled mechanisms, a make and break device adapted tocontrol an electric circuit, an element adapted to. .normal1y maintain said circuit broken at such device and movable in one direction to close-5' the circuit at the device, means including a piv oted lever for moving said element step-bystep in the direction to close the circuit, said lever being free from electric control, and pneumatic means for moving the element in the opposite direction step-by-step, said latter movement being adapted to break the circuit when the element is moved to its normal position, said element, in either of its step positions, being inactive to break the circuit at the device, whereby the circuit will be maintained closed when the element is in either of the step positions.

3. In a device for controlling the operations of sheet-controlled mechanisms, a make and break device adapted to control an electric circuit, an element movable step-by-step in opposite directions to and from a predetermined position, a pivoted lever free from electric control and adapted to control the movements of the element in one direction, independently-operated means for mov-' ing said element in the opposite direction, and a member adapted to break the circuit when aid element is in such predetermined position, said element being inactive with respect to said member when out of such position, the last step-1novement of the element toward such position providing cooperating activity between member and element to break the circuit, the first step of such element movement from said position being adapted to close the circuit.-

4. In a device for controlling the operation of sheet-controlled mechanisms, means adapted to make and break an electric circuit, said means comprising a make and break device normally tending to close the circuit, an element normally positioned to cooperate with said device to retain the circuit broken and movable out of such position to permit the device to close the circuit, a pawl and pivoted lever mechanism operable at will to provide element move ments from such normal position, whereby the device is permitted to close the circuit, said pawl and lover mechanism being additionally operative with respect to said element to, increase the length of time the circuit remains closed, said element being inactive to cause device circuitbreaking action during such additional operation, and means independent of said pawl and lever mechanism for returning the device to circuit-breaking position after a predetermined uninterrupted period of circuit activity.

In a device for controlling the operation of sheet-controlled mechanisms, means adapted to make and break an electric circuit, said means comprising a make. and break device normally tending to close the circuit, an element normally positioned to cooperate with said device -to retain the circuit broken and movable out of such position to permit thedevice to close the circuit, a pawl and pivoted lever mechanism operable at will to provide element-movements from such normal position, whereby the device is permitted to close the circuit, said pawl and lever mechanism being additionally operative with respect to said ele ment to increase the length of time the circuit remains closed, said element being inactive to cause device circuit-breaking action during such additional operation, means independent oi said pawl and lever mechanism for returning the device to circuit-breaking position after a predetermined uninterrupted period of circuit activity, said mechanism and returning means being operable step by step.

6. In a device for controlling the operation of sheetcontrolled mechanisms, a switch normally tending to close an elec tric circuit, a shaft, means actuated by the shaft for opening the switch and for retaining the circuit open, a starting wheel upon the shaft, a lever, a pawl carried by said lever and engaging the starting wheel to turn the shaft and release the switch, and means for turning the shaft to open the switch after a predetermined period.

7. In a device for controlling the operation of sheet-controlled mechanisms, a switch normally tending to close an electric circuit a shaft, a starting wheel upon the shaft, a pawl engaging the starting wheel for turning the same, means for releasing the switch when the starting wheel is turned by said pawl, a second wheel upon the shaft, a pneumatic, an operative connection between the pneumatic and the second wheel for. turning the latter, and means for opening the switch when the said second wheel is turned by the pneumatic.

8. In combination, a switch normally tending to close an electric circuit, a shaft, a wheel frictionally mounted upon the shaft, a projection upon the wheel, means actuated by the projection for opening the switch when the wheel is turned in one direction and for retaining the circuit open, said means releasing the switch to close the cir- 'cuit when the wheel is turned in the oppo site direction, a second wheel rigid with the shaft, a lever, a pawl carried by the said lever and engaging the second wheel to turn the same to operate the first mentioned wheel and release the switch, a pawl adapted to act upon the first mentioned wheel to rotate the same upon the shaft in an opposite direction to that in which it is turned by the second mentioned wheel to open the switch, and means for bringing the second pawl into action a predetermined time after the switch has been'closed.

9. In combination, a base, a switch uponthe base and normally tendin to close an electric circuit, a shaft mounte on the base, a wheel frictionally mounted upon the shaft,

means actuated by the wheel for controlling switch action, said means normally maintaining the switch in position to break the circuit, movements of the wheel in one direction causing said means to release theswitch to close the circuit, reverse movement of the wheel moving the means in the direction of its normal position, said means being inactive with respect to the switch when out of such normal position, a second wheel rigid with the shaft, a lever mounted upon the base and free from electric control,

a pawl carried by the said lever and engaging the second mentioned wheel to rotate the same and thereby provide the switch circuit closing operation, a second pawl adapted to engage the first mentioned wheel to rotate the same upon the shaft in a direction opposite to that in which it is turned through the medium of the second mentioned wheel, a

pneumatic mounted upon the base, and an operative connection between the pneumatic and the second pawl..

10. In a device for controlling the operation of sheet-controlled mechanisms, a make and break device adapted to control an electric circuit, a rotatable element carrying a member adapted to move said device to I 1' :l break the circuit by movements of the element in one direction, a pivoted lever free from electric control, means controlled by the movements of the lever for moving the element in the opposite direction step-by step, the latter movements of the element rendering the make and break device active to close the circuit, and pneumatic means for moving the element step-by-step to return the member to its circuit-breaking position.

tion of-sheet-controlled mechanisms, a make and break devlce adapted to control an electric circuit, a movable element carrying a member adapted to move said device to break the circuit by movements .of the element in one direction, a pivoted lever free from electric control, means controlled by the movements of the lever for moving the element in the opposite direction. step-bystep, the latter movements of the element rendering the make and break device active to close the circuit, and pneumatic means for moving the element step-by-step to return the member to its circuit breaking position.

a In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

. JOHN H. LESLEY.

HENRY M. E-NZ. Witnesses:

MAX H. SRoLovrrz, M. J. BAYAN.

. (5 11. In a device forcontrolling the opera-

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