US1033216A - Pneumatic action for musical instruments. - Google Patents

Description

E. T. TURNEY.

PNEUMATIC ACTION FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. WATION TILED JUNE 19, 190B.

Patented July 23, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEETi L. T. TURNEY. PNEUMATIC ACTION FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNEIQ, 1908. 1,033,21 6. Patented July 23, 1912.

2 SHEETS SHEET Z.

HiliiMl I 4% 5 Q7 M UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EUGENE T. TURNEY, OF ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 ARTIS'IA PIANO PLAYER COMPANY, OF MILAN, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

PNEUMATIC ACTION FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 23, 1912.

Application filed June 19, 1908. Serial No. 439,387.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EUGENE T. TURNEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rock Island,.in the county of Rock Island and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic Actions for Musical Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in pneumatic actions particularly adapted for use with musical instruments in which the pneumatic action is controlled by a music sheet or record. Pneumatic actions of this character usually comprise what are known in theart as a main pneumatic and a con trolling pneumatic. The main pneumatic is usually in the form of a bellows which has suitable connection by its movable member with the piano action, while the'controlling pneumatic is provided with valves or similar devices for controlling the operation of the main pneumatic through the admission of air thereto, or exclusion of air therefrom, the controlling pneumatic being itself controlled by the music sheet, or record serving to admit air to or exclude air from the vent chamber for the controlling pneumatic.

Pneumatic piano actions must be designed with a view to meeting certain existing conditions; they must be designed with especial reference to the standard construction of piano case and piano action, as it is desirable that the pneumatic action be capable of insertion into the piano case of standard design andof ready application or attachment to the piano act on of standard construction. The piano action requires for its proper'operat-ion that the main pneumatic possess a certain amount of power, and this power is of course dependent upon the action of the pumpers which exhaust the air from the controlling pneumatic, and through the controlling pneumatic from the main pneumatic, but there is a limit to the amount of power capable of being produced by foot actuated pumpers, and mechanical or motor operated pumpers are entirely out of the,

question, because with such the instrument becomes purely mechanical and the operator has no part whatever in the playing operation and cannot give expression to the music, as he can by the use of his feet for operating the pump'ers. Moreover, a low de cc of vacuum or low pressure is desirabiz in instruments of this character, since high pressure increases the friction of all "parts subjected to it, and not only results of pressure, and to produce the necessary power for working the piano action. But these large pneumatics are seriously objectionable in that they cannot be arranged entirely within the piano case of the usual dimensions and standard design, the space being restricted. In some instances it has been proposed to employ with a small main pneumatic a lever for multiplying its power upon the piano action, but it is found in practice that there is not room in the space available for the accommodation of this lever, which necessarily results in placing the pneumatic higher up in the piano case to make room below it for the lever. The pneumatic then interferes with the piano case. Neither can the width of the pneumatic be increased sufficiently to produce the requisite power, because that would add to the width of the entire attachment as much as the additional Width of each pneumatic multiplied by the number of pneumatics, which would be very considerable, and would make the attachment several inches longer than the keyboard of the standard piano; and the length of the pneumatic is limited by the space between the upright bars, sometimes called stickers, of the piano action and the fall board of the piano case.

The invention, therefore, has for one of its important objects, to so construct and arrange a pneumatic piano action that the requisite number of such actions may be placed Within a comparatively small space, and will yet be powerfulenough to operate the piano action by direct connection there with through pressure induced by foot power.

It is of course understood that in the operation of pneumatic piano players, the sounding of each note results in the admission of atmospheric air into the space wherein is created the partial vacuum depended upon for operating the main and controlling pncumatics, and consequently the more rap foot power,

of the degree of vacuum and the greater will be the effort or work imposed upon the feet of the player to keep up the vacuum necessary for Working the instrument. Asbefore said, there is a limit to the degree .of vacuum that can be feasibly produced by and for that reason, difiiculty has heretofore been experienced with pneumatic automatic piano playing attachments in keeping up the requisite degree of vacuum when trilling or otherwise rapidly sounding one or more notes for operating the action as' rapidly as the music requires, since the loss of vacuum results in sluggishness in the operatic of the controlling pneumatic.

The invention therefore has for its further object to so construct and arrange the parts of the controlling pneumatic that the bleedhole or passage commonly employed for placing the diaphragm chamber of the controlling pneumatic in communication with the pumpers will be so small that the loss of vacuum due to the opening of a large number of these bleed-holes at one time or in rapid succession, or the prolonged opening of any one of them, will not be sufficient to naterially affect the operation of valve mechanism the controlling pneumatic. This last named object involves certain subsidiary objects, and essential requirements, which will be hereinafter pointed out.

To theattainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new and useful objects as will appear, the invention consists in the features of novelty in the construction, combination and arrangement of the several parts hereinafter more fully ,described'and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment of the invention, and in which Figure 1 is a detail View partly in section, taken on line 11 of Fig. 4. Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. 4. Fig. 3 is a detail bottom plan view partly in section, taken on line 3-8 of Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a. detail s ctional view partly in elevation of an improved action of this character constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention and showing a portion of the mechanism to which it is attached. Fig. 5 is a detail elevation of one end of the valve box showing the trans parent member by means of which the vent holes may be inspected. 6 is a detail sectional view taken on line 6 -6 of Fig. 8. Fig. 7 i s '-a detail sectional view taken on line 7 7 of Fig. .9. ,Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 9 isan enlarged detail sectional view taken on line '99 of Fig. 4.

' In this (xemplification of the invention,

the reference character designates a suc- 5 tion 'chamber; or what is sometimes called a wind chest or trunk, which is located Within the casing of the piano and to which the pneumatic piano actions are detachably secured, so as to have communication therew1th, whereby the suction or partial vacuum induced in the wind chest will operate the neumatics. As before said, each of the pneumatic actions comprises a main pneumatic and a controlling pneumatic. The main pneumatic consists merely of a'bellows or other like instrument 16, having a movable bottom member connected to its top member by the usual flexible sides. The controlling pneumatic usually comprises a suitable fluid pressure abutment and suitable housing therein illustrated as a valve box or block 17, containing the necessary passages, valves, etc., for controlling the passages between the wind chest 15 and the main pneumatic l6, and between the said pneumatic 16 and the external atmosphere. Referring to this valve housing in detail, it is provided with a valve chamber 18 having a valve seat 19 therein. The valve chamber 18 opens throu h one end of the valve box 17 as at 20, and communicates with the wind chest or channel 15 through a passage 21 (see Fig. 8) the valve block or box 17 being secured against the wall of the chest 15. The valve box is also provided with a chamber pneumatic 16 and-controlling such admission. In accomplishing this the chamber 22 is given communication withthe outside air through one side of the box, as at 23, and a valve seat 24 is arranged within the chamber 22 upon which is adapted to be seated a valve 25.

A valve 26 is arranged within the chamber 18 and is adapted to be seated upon the seat 19, and the valves 25 and 26 are connected by a suitable stem 27, a por tion of which adjacent the valve 25 is adapted to pass through a suitable guide 28 adjacent the valve seat 24, and the extremity of the stem beyond the valve 26 is extends across walls closure therefor. In this way the means for controlling the admission of air to the collapsible fluid chamber 16 is given operative connection with valve/26. v

The valve stem 27 is preferably located in a horizontal plane and extends across the an opening 30 in one of the valve box through the various chambers.

An open chamber 31 is arranged within one of the walls of the valve box and a suitable diaphragm 32 extends across the open side of the chamber to form a closure therefor, and

is adapted to extend into said diaphragm the chamber when the air is exhausted therefrom. The extremity of the valve stem 27 is adapted to project beyond the guide 29 and into the chamber 31 on one side of the so as to be engaged by'the diaphragm 32 9o 22 and means for admitting air to the adapted 1 to pass through a suitable guide 29 which of the chamber 18 and constitutes a diaphragm to seat the valve 26 and to unseat the valve 25. If desired. a suitable projecting member 33 may be supported by the diaphragm at the point which engages the extremity of the valve stem 27.

The valve box or block 17 is provided with a vent chamber 34 having communication with the chamber 31 at the suction side of the diaphragm 32 by means of a passage 35, and with the valve chamber 18 by means of a bleed-hole 38,'which being essentially small, may be best formed in a thin wafer 37 secured against one of the walls of chamber 34 in any suitable way, with tlie bleedhole in register with chamber 18 through a passage 36 formed in the valve block between chamber 34 and chamber 18. The suction being always toward the chamliier 18, the wafer 37 will of course be retained thereby snugly against the wall of the chamber 3- with the respective apertures in the ordinary tracker board in any desired or suit able manner, preferably by means of a tubular member 40 which is supported by the valve box and has connection with the chamber and to the projecting extremity of which is secured one end of a flexible tubular member 41, the other extremity of which latter is secured to the tracker board.

The bleed-hole 38 being necessarily very small, before stated, so as to avoid re ducing in a material degree the vacuum in the valve chamber 18 when the admission of air to the chamber 34 results from the sounding of one or more notes in rapid succession. such bleed-hole is liable to become clogged with dust, lint, and other small particles that are continually being drawn into the 1 instrument by the suction,and this makes it quite essential to place the bleed hole in such a position that its condition can be readily observed from time to time. For that reason the chamber 34 is formed in the front side of the controlling pneumatic housing and its outer wall is constituted by a transparent closure 35), through which the bleed-hole 38 is constantly in view.

The chamber 22 in the valve box is provided with'an opening 42 which is located preferably between the valve seats 19 and 24, and has communication with the main pneumatic 10 by means of an aperture or opening 43 in the member of the pneumatic to which the valve box is secured, and with which aperture the opening 42 registers, so that the air may be exhausted from the pneumatic 16 through the openings 43, 42, and valve chamber 18 to collapse the pneumatic.

The pneumatic action may be secured to the exhaust chamber or channel 15 in any desired OI suitable manner, but asimple and eflicient securing means will now be described.

The vent chamber 34 has connection The stationary member 44 of the pneumatic is preferably provided with a-dovetail groove 45 adjacent the free end thereof and secured to the bottom of the chamber or channel 15 is a washer 46, the edge 47 of which is flanged away from the body portion as shown, and the washer may be held in position by a suitable fastening screw or bolt 48 which passes through the washer and into the bottom of the chamber or chanincl 13. The greatest diameter of the flanged washer 46 is slightly less than the dovetailed portion 45, which latter has an opening at the end of the member 44,so that the dovetailed portion 45 may be readily slipped over the washer to cause one edge of the valve box 17 to stand adjacent the front wall of the chamber or channel 15 in such a position that the opening 20 in the valve chamber 18 will register with the opening 21 in the wall of the chamber or channel 15, and a suitable fastening screw or bolt 49 may be provided, which is seated in a suitable recess 50 in the wall of the valve box, and which passes through a portion of the wall and into the wall of the chamber or channel 15 so that the entire action, including the pneumatic 16 and the valve box 17 may be readily detached from the front of the instrument by first 'detacl'iing the fastening screw 49 from the wall of the chamber or channel 15, after which the other extremity the vent chamber 34 will be closed against the entrance of air, and when thus closed, the suction in the chamber or channel 15 will exhaust the air from the chamber 31 at the inner side of the diaphragm 32, as well as from the valve chamber 18, and will cause the diaphragm 32 to engage the end of the valve stem 27 to force the valve 26 againstits seat 19, and at the same time will move the valve 25 from its seat 24 to permit the outside air to enter the pneumatic 16 through the chamber 22, opening or passage 42, and aperture 43 to permit the pneumatic 16 to expand by the falling of the movable member of the pneumatic. When a perforation or aperture in the record sheet passes over one of the apertures in the tracker board, it will establish communication between the vent chamber 34 and the outside air through the tube 41 and tubular member M, which will flood the vent chamber. The air which has entered the vent chamber 34 will pass into the chamber 31 on one side of the diaphragm 32 through the port or passage 35 and also into thevalve chamber 18 through the bleed opening 38 and port or passage 36. The port or passage 35 being of a larger diameter than the bleed opening 38, the air will pass more rapidly into the chamber 31 to overcome the suction upon the dia phragm to render the diaphragm inactive, so that the suction in the chamber 18 will unseat the valve 26 and at the same time seat the valve 25 to shut off the communication of the chamber 22 with the outside air so that the suction created in the valve chamber 18 by the suction in the chamber or channel 15 will exhaust the air from the pneumatic 10 through the opening 43, port or passage 1 2, chamber 22 and valve chamber 18 to collapse the pneumatic 16, causing the movable member thereof to be raised. As soon as the perforation in the record has passed out of register with the aperture in the tracker board, the chamber 31 on one side of the diaphragm 32 will be exhausted of the air which has been supplied thereto, so that the suction will act upon the diaphragm 32 to cause the latter to engage the extremity of the valve stem 27 to force the valve 26 against its seat 19, and the valve off of its scat 24 to establish communication of the pneumatic 16 with the outside air, to permit the movable member to fall to expand the pncui'natic.

if desired, suitable packing material, such as heather washers 51 may be provided and secured to the valves so as to produce a tight joint when the valves engage their seats.

The chamber or channel 15 is located within the casing of the instrument in any desired or suitable position, and may be secured therein in any suitable manner, but is preferably spaced :1 short distance above the keys 52 so as to permit ready access to the keys when the actions are secured in posh lion. and when the operator desires to manipulate the piano by means of the keys. The chambcr'or channel 15 is spaced above the keys at sullicient distance to permit the pneumatic 16 to be located between the bottom of the chamber 15 and the keys, the actions bcinp secured to the front of the chamber or channcl I?) may be readily accessible from the front of the instrument, and by being so located, the transparent closlllcs ill) for the vent chambers 34 will be to the front of the instrument, and in such a pcsition that the vent chambers of each of the actions may be readily observable, there by rendering it. possible to quickly ascertain whether or not the respective valves are performing their proper functions, and also which one of the valves is not properly opcrating, without necessitating the dismantling or dismcmbering of any of the parts of the mechanism. The keys 52 are supported by the ordinary key rail 53 and the sticker 54 of the piano action is supported from the back flange rail 55 by means of the back flange 56 and the rod or link 57 in the ordinary and usual manner, and the hammer 58 is supported in the ordinary and usual manner by means of the hammer butt 59 which is supported'by the end of the sticker- Secured to the sticker 54 and projecting forwardly therefrom, is an arm 60 which extends for some distance beyond the sticker and at a point substantially at the longitn dinal center of the movable member of the main pneumatic 16 and the forward extremity of the shoe is preferably bifurcated, as at 6], with the bifurcation opening outwardly toward the front of the instrument, the extremities of the adjacent walls of the bifurcations being rounded as Shown more clearly at 62 in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

Secured to and depending from the movable member of the main pneumatic 16 is a screw or bolt (33 which is located at substantially the longitudinal center of the member, and this screw or bolt is provided with a threaded extremity (34: adapted to receive a nut or collar (35. The screw or bolt 5 is adapted. to enter the bifurcation 61 of the shoe (50 when the pneumatic action placed in position, and to readily pass out of the bifurcation to permit the action to be readily and quickly removed without interfering with any of the other portions of the mechanism, the rounded portions (32 of the walls of the, bifurcation serving to direct the member 63 into the bifurcation. This bolt or member 63 is of a length to permit the piano action to be operated by the keys through the medium of the capstan (it; in the usual manner, that is, so as to provide a sulticient space between the top of the shoe 60 and the movable member of the penumatic to permit the shoe to move under the influence of the hey without moving the movable member of the pneumal ic whereby the p ano action may be operated either by the pneumatic action or the keys whenever desired, M) that the hammer .38 will strike the strings ll? of the instrument to sound the notes. ll desired, a suitable \vnshcv (r may be pro vided between the nut or c llar (35 and the adjacent portion of the shoe (30. With this improved construction of attachment to the piano action it will be apparent that the greatest possible leverage is obtained for operating the sticker 54 with the least possible power, due to the fact that the point of connection between the shoe 60 and the movable member of the pneumatic is located some distance beyond the fulcrum of the movable member of the pneumatic. It will also be noted that inasmuch as the maximum degree ofvacuum capable of being induced in the wind chest 15 by foot power is so low that a diaphragm Pd oi vt ry liberal dimensions is icquircil l'oi operating the valves, and the width or lateral thi kness of the valve be): m block lilt'tlrllllltl lengthwise ot' the lu \'b .aid being restricted and not. of sulli icut area to accomin'odate a diaphragm oi' th requisite area for the described pur- POM, this diaphragm has been placed on the side of the valve box in each instance contiguous to the adjacent pncun'iatic where the area or dimensions of the block are not so restricted and the diaphragm of the proper \llllltll.\l()!l may be accnuiniodated. It will further be observed that the diaphragm 32 expo ed to direct atmospheric pressure on it outer him and to the partial vacuum'on llm inner st le only. tl-suri wcntly, it is more hi'l s'iliiv in operation than those constructions in which it is nwrcssary to bleed the air from both sides of the diaphragm, because with the construction embodying this invention. the partial vacuum at the inner side or suction side of the diaphragm is broken or relieved instantly upon the admission of air to the chamber 34 through the tracker board or action of the record sheet, allow 5 the valve il to open and cause the opera of the main pneumatic without having to bleed the air from the opposite side of the diaphragm. The same rapidity of action ithe result when the air is bled from the uction side of the diaphragm through the bleed-hole 38, as it is not necessary to admit air to the o vposite side, which is exposed to the atmosphere.

In order that the invention might be fully i understood, the details of the foregoing embodiment thereof have been thus specifically described, l2-it--- \Vhat I claim new is:

1. In an automatic musical instrument, a pneumati action including a collapsible thud ll-tlllllrtl, a valve chamber, a communication iltlWtLll the val-is: ham timid if \cr. a valve ii phrn; umber, a iiiuphi clouds t the l. phr'ugrifi adapted to project iu wiu o, .i being directly exposed to atmo hcric pressure on one side, means opera I fly related to the valve and extending into the diaphragm chamber, means hereby the diaphragm chamber may be exluuisted to cause the diaphragm to at. the valve, means whereby the suction in the itiaphr, in chamber may be overcome to cause the valve to imam! for allowing the said {iuid hamber torming a u. inber and l diaphragm bination 1th tin-iv i erested with t wunatic.

L. in an automatic m i-unient, a pneumatic action inchiding a collapsible fluid vlmmhcr, a valve ciian'il t=er, a communiincluding a passage having an exposed transparent portion, means whereby the suction in the diaphragm chamber may be overcome to cause the suction in the valve chamber to unseat the valve to permit the fluid chamber to be collapsed, and means operatively related to the valve for admitting air to the fluid chamber to permit the latter to expand, in combination with a piano action operatively connected with the main pneumatic.

3. In an automatic musical instrument, a pneumatic action includin a collapsible fluid chamber, a valve chain er, a communication between the valve chamber and the fluid chamber, a valve in the chamber, a diaphragm chamber, a diaphragm constituting one wall of the chamber and forming a closure for the chamber and adapted to project thereinto, said diaphragm belng directly exposed on one side to atmospheric pressure, means operatively related to the valve and extending into the diaphragm chamber, means whereby the chamber may be exhausted to cause the diaphragm to seat the valve, said means including a chamber having a vent opening leading to the valve chamber, and said chamber having an exposed transparent closure individual to the action whereby the vent opening is always visible, in combination with a piano action operatively connected with the main pneumatic.

4. In an automatic musical instrument, a pneumatic action comprising a. collapsible pneumatic, a valve box having a plurality of chambers including a valve chamber, a communication between one of the chambers and the pneumatic, the last said chamber having communication with the valve chamber and also having an opening to the outside air, a valve in the valve chamber for controlling the passage between the valve chamber and the chamber commu icating with the pneumatic, means for controllmg the said an opening, a diaphragm chamber, a diaphragm in the chamber, a venting chamber having direct communication with the diaphragm, chamber and also with the valve chamber, said venting chamber being provided with an opening in one wall, a transparent closure for the opening individual to the act on and directly opposite to the passage leading to the valve chamber, andmeans whereby the fluid may be exhausted from the venting chamber in the valve box to cause the diaphragm to seat the valve and open the said opening to permit the outside air to enter the said pneumatic, in combination with a piano action connected with the main pneumatic.

In an automatic musical instrument, a

pneumatic action comprising a collapsible pneumatic, a valve box having a plurality of chambers including a valve chamber, a communication between one of the said chambers and the pneumatic, the last said.

chamber having communication with the valve chamber and also having an opening to the outside air, a valve in the valve chamber for controlling the communication between the valve chamber and the pneumatic,

a valve for controlling the said air opening, a connection between the valves, a diaphragm chamber, a diaphragm in said chamber, a venting chamber having direct communication with the diaphragm chamber and also with the valve chamber, saidventing chamber being provided with an opening in one wall, a transparent closure for the opening individual to the action and directly opposite to the passage leading to the valve chamber, said venting chamber including means whereby the fluid may be exhausted therefrom to cause the diaphragm to seat the first said valve and to unseat the second said valve to permit the outside air to enter said pneumatic, in combination with a piano action connected with the main pneumatic.

6. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination of a support, a pneumatic action, means for detachably securing said action to the support, said action including a main pneumatic, a piano action to be operated including a movable element, an arm carried by and projecting from said element, said arm being provided with an open bifurcated portion and adapted to project under the action, and means supported by the movable member of the said pneumatic at a point intermediate the ends of the pneumatic and remote from the fulcrum of said movable member and adapted to enter the said bifurcation in the arm and also adapted to operate the piano action.

7. In an automatic musical instrument the combination of a support, a pneumatic action, means for detachably securing said ac tion to the support, said action including a main pneumatic, a piano action to be operated including a movable element, an arm carried by and projecting fronrsaid clement, said shoe being provided with an 0 en bifurcated port-ion; 1nd projecting an or the said action, there being provided a pr0jection supported by and depending from the movable member of the pneumatic at a point intermediate the extremities thereof and remote from the fulcrum of said memben said projection being adapted to enter the bifurcation in the arm whereby said pneumatic action will have a detachable engagement with the piano action, and an adjustable member supported by the depending member beyond the arm and adapted to engage the arm to actuate the piano action when the pneumatic action is co apsed.

8. In an automatic musical instrument the combination of a support, a pneumatic action, means for detachably securing said action to the support, said action including a main pneumatic, a piano action to be operated including a movable element, aii arm carried by and projecting from said element, said arm being provided with an open bifurcated portion and adapted to pro ect under said action, there being provided a projec tion supported by and depending from the movable member of the pneumatic at a point intermediate the extremities thereof and remote from the fulcrum of said member, said projection being adapted to enter the bifurcation in the arm whereby said pneumatic action will have a detachable engagement with the piano action, and an adjustable member supported by the depending ,rnenr. ber beyond the shoe and adapted to engage the arm to actuate the piano action when the pneumatic action is collapsed, said piano action being also adapted for independent action with respect to the action of the pneumatic action.

9. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination of a piano action, a longitudinally arranged wind chest adapted to be connected with a plurality of piano actions, a main pneumatic opcratively connected with said piano action, a controlling pneumatic, a valve operatively related to the controlling pneumatic for controlling the main pneumatic,a housing for the controlling pneumatic and valve connected with the wind chest, said controlling pneumatic being disposed'at the side of the housing inaplane crosswise of the wind chest and being movable lengthwise of the wind chest.

10. Irfian automatic musical instrument the combination of a piano action, a longitudinally arranged wind chest adapted to be connected with a plurality of piano actions, a main pneumatic opcratively connected with said piano action, a controlling pneumatic embodying a movable diaphragm, a valve operatively related to said diaphragm for controlling the main pneumatic, a hous ing for the diaphragm and valve connected to the wind chest, said diaphragmbeing disposed at the side of the housing in a plane crosswise of the wind chest and movable lengthwise of the wind chest.

11. In an automatic musical instrument the combination of a piano action, a wind chest adapted to be connected with a plu rality of piano actions, a main pneumatic operatively connected with said piano action, a controlling pneumatic embodying a movable diaphragm exposed to direct at u'iospherie pressure on one side and operating in an upright plane, a valve operatively related to said diaphragm for controlling the main mcumatic. and a housing for said diaphra nn and valve removably connected with the said wind chest.

12. In an automatic musical instrument the comlnnation ot' a piano action. an oscillatory key for controlling said action. a main pnemnatic operatively connected with said piano action. a controllii'ig pneumatic, a Valve operativeljv related to the controlling pneui'natic for controlling the main pneumatic, a housing for the controlling pneumatic and valve arranged above said ke v and in front of said action. said controlling pneumatic being situated in a plane extendin lengthwise of the plane of oscillation of said key and movable'in a direction cross- 1 Wise of said plane.

1 In an automatic mueical instrument the combinati of a piano action, an oscillatory key for operating said action, a main pneumaticoperatively connected with said. piano action, a controlling pneumatic embodying a movable diaphragm, a valve operatively related to the diaphragm for coutrolling the main pneumatic, and a housing for said diaphragm and valve arranged above said key and in front of said action, said diaphragm being situated in a plane extending lengthwise of the plane of oscilhv tion of said key and movable in a plart crosswise of said plane of oscillation.

In testimony \vhereofl have signed my name to this specification. in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses, on this ninth day of Jane. A. l). 1908.

EUG 1E T. TURNEY. \Vitnesses VH1. 11. COLLINS, C. A. Lirr'r.

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