US1035534A - Apparatus for mechanically operating musical instruments. - Google Patents

Description

H. C. GOLDMAN & G. P. WEBB. APPARATUS POR MECHANICALLY OPERATING MUSICAI ISTRUMBNTS.

, APPLICATION FILED JULY 2,1910. 1 ,035,534.

BT s- H. O. GOLDMAN & C. F. WEBB.

APPARATUS FOR MECHANICALLY OPERATING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

APPLICATION FILED JULYZ, 1910. l ,035,534.

Patented Aug. 13, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UlllTEl) SliATES PATENT OFFICE.

'HENRY CHARLES GOLDMAN AND CHRISTOPHER FREDERICK WEBB, 0F LEWISHAM,

ENGLAND.

APPARATUS FOR MECHANICALLY OPERATING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug'. 13, 1912.

Application filed July 2, 1910. Serial No. 570,090.

To ali z/mm t may concer/t.'

Bc it known that we, Huisnr CHARLES (oiiimsx and iims'roriirii FREDERICK subjects oi' the King of Great Britrefilling, respectively, :il lil lbacore ent and lll Gilmore road, both in Lewisham, in the county ot lient, England, have. invented certain new and useful linprove'nients in or Relating to iicppai'atus for Meclianically Operating Musical Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for mechanically operating or playing musical instruments, such as pianos and similar keyed instruments.

Mechanical players for pianos and the like ordinarily constructed are usually operated by a comparatively slight vacuum, corresponding to a pressure which is only a few ounces per square inch less than the pressure of the atmosphere. This necessitates the use of comparatively large pneumatics or other actuating devices for the note sounding mechanism, the size of such devices usually being sutlicient to preclude their installation in a piano case of ordinary size.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved mechanical playing niechaikisin in which an air tension ofhigh actuating power may be used for operating the note sounding devices, so that the actuators of the several elements of fthe piano action will each occupy a very small space, whereby the mechanism a whole may be installed in a piano ease of ordinary size, Our improved mechanism also has the advantage tlia/ While the. actuators of the several elements of the action are operated directly from a source of high air tension, provision is made for insuring a delicate and vflexible control of the expression; and moreover, the ordinary thin perforated music sheets can be used satisfactorily in' view of the fact that' a very much lower air tension used at the tracker than is employed for operating `the sounding devices. The tension at. the tracker corresponds in 'f-i' to that usually employed in the ordiiiying mechanism, but the tension im' operating the sounding devices is of a,

very much higher degree, at all times differing from atmospheric pressure to the extent of several pounds to the square inch. The designation high tension, as employed in connection with the present invention, will therefore be understood to mean a tension differing from atmospheric pressure by pounds as contradistinguished from the low tension air at the tracker, and also generally employed to actuate the power pneumatics of the ordinary type of mechanical players, which low tension air differs from atmospheric air pressure by a feiv ounces only.

A further and iin ortant object of the invention is to provide a pneumatic action of the type referred to, which is so compact in the 'structural organization of its parts that it may very conveniently be placed in the heretofore unoccupied space in the upper part of the casina of an ordinary upright piano, Where suitable operative connections between the power pneumatics and certain units of th' hammer action of the piano maybereadily and quickly made and where these connections as Well as the entire pneumatic action are always accessible for adjustment and repair.

For the purpose of accomplishing the objects aiined at, a pneumatic action having a va ve of improved construction and operation is provided, which action is adapted for operation with air tensions of different values; the power neuinatics of thtaction being operable or under the direct influence of high-tension air or high vacuum, and the valves which control said hightension air bein operated by means actuated by or un er the direct influence of low-tension air, and which valve actuating means is controlled in its operation through the medium of an ordinary tracker bar and the usual thin perforated music sheet. By this construction, We are enabled to employ high tension air for controlling or influencing the operation of the power pneumatics, which high tension air however has no,ef feet whatever upon the thin erforated music sheet passing over the trac er.

In order that the said invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect we will proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying draw- I othc. is caused to move by the action et the ings, in which :w

Figure l illustrates in transt ersesection a construction of pneumatic action adapted to operate according to this invent-ion from a suction tracker bar; the power pneumatic being of the cylinder and piston suction type. Figure 2 is a plan view showing a similar arrangement in which the power pneumatic is ot the bellows type, Fig. 3 is a transverse section ot an arrangement of the pneumatic action adapted for working with n suction tracker bar and pressure operated power pneui'natic ot' the cylinder and piston type, Fig. 4 is a transverse section showing the intention with suction operated cylinder and piston power pneumatic and compressed air traigflrer bar, Fig. 5 illustrates an arrangement in which both the cylinder and piston power pneumatic and the tracker bar operate by means of compressed air, Fig. (i is'a section illustrating a construction of pneumatic regulator whereby a weaker exhaust or suction may be employed, Fig. T illustrates a construction of pneumatic. regulater adapted for use with the apparatusI when operated by compressed air, Fig. 8 is a 1View illustrating an alternative construction of pneumatic regulator, Figs. 9 and 10 are respectively a face View artly in section and a transverse section of? a construction of pump adapted to produce both suction or vacuum and pressure. Fig. ll is a perspective 'View of a section of one form ot our improved pneumatic action, the parts being separated and partly broken away to more clearly illustrate the construction and the various chambers and ports or passages. Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view of a complete action, the operative parts being shown in section.

.'"Lccording to the form of invention illus-- trate-d in Figs". l and l1 the pneumatic action comprises two chambers a and I; conveniently arranged the one above the other, the upper or high tension chamber containA ing a valve in the form of a ball c which operates between two seatings 0,2 a and the flower or low tension chamber containinff a faire artuator which in the instance shown vis in the forni of a plunger o which is freely and bodiiy movable in the chamber The valrc e and plunger tf are in operative connectiornby means of a loose wireor similar device c which is adapted to present a. long or comparatively long distance of separation between the valve and its actuator, and, owing to its small cross sectional area. and the consequent small diameter of the pas- .sage 'in which the said connection works, at the same time insures the air tight working thereof. The bali and plunger are therefore independent of the wire or other connection which serves to convey the movement of the one to the other as and when the one or the the joints between the air or exhaust. The wire or other connection c is free to move without. attording any leakage of air between the chambers av and b or from the one chamber to the other. For convenience in manufacture, the aforesaid chambers c and 7; are formed in a block` which may be of metal such as brass. Ur as more clearly shown in Fig. `ll the low pressure chamber b may be formed in :i central block i and thc high pressure cha .ix ber (L in a tace plate d attached to the said central block fj, the chamber b being covered by another face plate (Z2. The plate a is formed with a lateral passage a* which leads from the chamber a. tothe passage a5 formed through the block l), as shown in dotted lines Fig. il; the said passage leading to the cylinder c wherein works thepiston c", said cylinder and piston constituting the power pneumatic. In the arrangement shown in Fig. l the piston e is connected with the piano action f by means of the wire or flexible connection lt will be under-- ,stood however, that the piston may be connected with any convenient unit or part ot' the action so as to eect the operation thereof. The upper side of the chamber o is formed with an aperture c@ whereby the. chamber is placed in eonimunication with the atmosphere the. valve at times sealing this aperture against the ingress of air. The. ball or valve a is also adapted to seal a passage g formed in the central block d the said passage having a lateral portion which. leads into a chamber g arranged .longitudinally in relation to the blocki The iongitudinal chamber in communication b pipe or tube with the suction or pressure ci' ing pumps. The lower pressure chamber cennmunicates with the suction chamber fr. y way of a passage g4 in the block. lft wilt be Iunderstood that all the chambers D communicate with the longitudinal chamber g while all the valve chambers a. similarly communicate with the longitudinal chain-- ber y". The chamber g3 is in communication with the lower pressure or weaker exhaust by way of a pipe or tube g5. rl'he lower side of the central block (Z is covered by the plate d2 which is formed with an ap erture beneath the bail or plunger and the. said aperture is extended laterally as indi-- fated at Z3 so as to communicate with a pipe d* or other suitable connection with the tracker bar or board shown in Fig. 12. The blocks are formed so as to contain the requi site number of valves and valve actuators for use in the working ot the. playing mechanism, and the said block may be constructed as :t single piece or be composed et sections, eat-h section carrying a plurality of valves and valve actuators, one of which sections is illustrated inFigi'-` ll.. In order to render block d and the lOt lltl

upper and lower platw J (I2 air tightdhere y using comprcsed ai may be interposed between the adjacent sur laces :i layer ot' paper or other similar or in Fig. ll. and aim rnai suitable material (/5 containingr the necessary openings.

lt will lie understood that th(l above deA scribed cormruction comprises two chanr here and 5,/3 each extending the length of the block or block eections d', containing' the valve,y u and with which chamherh` therein communicate. Asnuniing the apparatusl to he working under vacuum or exhaust, the chamber-e4 are partially exhau tetl of air hy the pumps or other vacuum creating apparat-us. The degree ot' vacuum in the one chamber is however ordinarily below that in the other chamber7 ohtained by the use of a euitable pneumatic` l 'overnor or other means` um' more clearly illustrated in Fig. 12. The high preafure air in the chamber g' is eonnnunicated to theI hall or valve chamber a and when the valve i.: in position to clone the aimoqglheric air admission aperture e. the air ie e.\

hausted from the power pneumatic by wav of the atoreeaid paeeage fr* and connecting paesage r/f'.

Upon the munie sheet openingl the aper ture in the tracker board atmospheric pressure passes to the chamber and ett'ecte the lifting of the valve actuator or )lunger b therein. This latter works free y in the chan'iher b as a pieton. rlVhen the said plunger is lifted it in turn by meane of the Wire c lifts the ball a in the valve chamber a and thereby closes the air admission aperture a6. Thun` the upper or high vacuum chamber iS placed in communication with the power pneumatics and a note is sounded. Upon the music sheet closing,lr the aperture in thef'tracker board, the air which is impri oned in the tube d* and pasnage (Z5 which leads to the chamber leaks past the plunger which is arranged to work therein with a suitable clearance in the said chamber I, hence a specially provided bleed opening, such as usually employed, is not ncceesary; thus the pressure upon either yside oll the val\e actuator or plunger l/ iz#r eouali/.ed and the atmospheric preneure on the ball a. in the chamber a asserts itfeli'. with the result that the ball opens the air admission aperture (L6 and admit` aimee all the vialve plier-ic air to the passages a, af" leadingT to the power pneumatic.

A result of the present invention is the economy in the amounty of air used in operating the plunger owing to the email di` 'Inensions of same and the passages connecting therewith.

The above pneumatic action with its improved valve mechaniem has been described as operating by suction or exhaust. It is obvious that by inclosing the music rolls and tracker har in an air-tight casing and world he similarly operated mechanimi the valu can ne Y r'rmpreesed air pneumatir|` while taining the wfaic and sirfnc either vacuum or comprerd uit' chambery`I` as illihtrated in Vig. l. yuction tracher can be ruled te f pre \ed air" pneumatiw` and vice will pre-ently appear.

'the degree otL suction or coinprwwd air in the lower chamber may he. hf.' nieuw ot a writable pneumatic governor or prewure regulating valve. as diown in l ink. th Y and itl e, arranged to he wealter than that i1 th, ether chamber in a tim-d prrprv'iuz-i or it may he constant while the eilt m' ifihhi for the purpwe ol :et: ic. pt; in;` the latter i preferable en fthe mime ,dieet haviirT an intuir); ie-m on the tracticif5iar which reifuitr. n mnh-.rui rvorltint; and also a uniform iuantit wif air i used at cach operation et' the it will he undcrmtoed. howcier. both caee the air tension '1f-r opt-r :tr-tuY alor.l of the piano action preached in actuating power by tilt tcnfion at the traclierdiar.

By reason of the limited amour oi' 'pan'e required for the entire pnennattic action it may be very readily inetalled in the -fasinej ot' already existing upright piante without enlarging or cutting them, or in an)y w ay altering the construction of the piano action itself.

.is will he seen by referring' to the drawing. the power pneumatics. which in thi.v preV4 fer-red form of the inicntion.y comprif-i`- the vertically diposed cylinders and pi trfn. are all arranged in a single horizontal row or series transversely ot' the piano caee, and this affords a con tructirn .ao :ouali and compact that the whole attachment naiv he very readily incorporated in the intl ri. unoccupied space in the upper part of an ordinary upright piano cawl anvw here :lh-ove the rear end1 of the pianorlu'A ward it' the trimmer :ii-thun and the opera tive connectie may then he conremcnily made between the pis/Lonsy and an p-,aative part or unit of the hammer action. t3); this construction the whole playingy merletti-bui pa rte are readily acceeeil'ile for the pnrpoww` of installation, adjustment and repair.

Owing to the dillerente in the nrewn'e in the two tension chambers a eutlicient variation ie provided between the ai et' the valve actuator or plunger in the lower haar her and the seatings for the ball in the upper valve chamber to insure its ready action s0r soon as the aperture in the mimic Sheet' ineen-534 :and clear Othe ringof apertures or perfo- Y*nations nl When, for instance, notes are 1n operation, air is drawn from'the cylinder n plug or piston n.5 is caused to move in slightly and more or less cover the `apertures n4; the flow between the pneumatic action Y and. the reservoir being thereby shut off.

The piston a5 is adapted to move inward or outward according to tbe degree of exhaust in the cylinder n, and to maintain a steady degree of exhaust in the plunger chambers of the action. A

Referring to Fig. 7, which represents a construction of pressure reducing valve or regulator for use with the above described method of working, o is a nozzle for connection by means of a tube or pipe'with the main reservoir while o is a nozzle for connection by means of a pipe or tube with the air tight roll box. The operation of this valve is such that the pressure from the main supply reservoir moves the piston 0o 'in the barrel or cylinder oX against the resistance of the spring 02 uncovering the port 0r ports o3 so as to admit the said pressure to the annular chamber 04 whence the pressure passes by way of the passage o to the part of the cylinder in which the spring o is situated. Upon the pressure in this latter part of thecylinder 0X increasing. its action is to balance the pressure on the other side of the piston whereupon the spring causes the same to move toward the end ot the cylinder which is furnished with the nozzle 0 and so cover the port or ports o3 con pletely or to a certain extent and so shut off the supply of compressed air to the passage o5. In the event of a hole in the tracker bar being opened the pressure passes from the cylinder o by way of the nozzle o and so reduces the pressure on the piston 0 with the effect that the latter is operated by the full pressure and again opens the port or ports 03.

The modified construction of reducing valve shown in Fig. 8 is adapted to eiect the same purpose as that just described with reference to Fig. 7 but the valve consists of a hall p operatively connected with the diaphragm 7). The ball p is controlled by the spring and is kept on its seating p3 partly by the said spring` and partly by the pressure from the main reservoirwhich is admitted at p4. The said pressure passes by way of the passage fr to the chamber p6 ben uvalh the diaphragm p and upon the same :ua-uumlating in the said chamber it raises the diaphragm and lifts the ba1l`p off its seating. with the effect thatthe rassure is admitted to the upper side ofthe iaphra'gm whereupon the spring p2 again presses thev hall y on its seat. Weaker pressure is thus maintained in the '.fharnher above the dias phragm according to the adjustment oi' the spring. this chamber being in communication with the air-tight roll box by a, connecA tion from the nozzle p7.

In Figs. 9 and l0 an arrangement of pumps for operating the player shown adapted for being actuated by pedals f/ (one for each cylinder fr). The arrangement of the pump is such that when the pedals are` depressed the pistons r move upward and the air is compressed above the pistons while vacuum is formed below the said pistons. Each piston rod works in an airtight gland or similar device in the end of the mosphere when the pistons rise. It will be seen that in operation as the pistons move the air will be compressed on the one side and rarefied on the other. Should the de than that of the compression7 this may be accomplished by varying the power applied to ythe pump by means of the pedals. Two

reservoirs are used in this arrangement. theclaims relates broadly to pneumatic power.,

whether the saine be produced by exhausting the air. as practised in the soralled suction or vacuum action; or by the application of compressed air. and correspon'glingly the expressions hi h tension and low tension are to be understood applying to ditl'erent degrees of pneumatic power. whether the same be developed by exhausting the air below atmospheric pressure, or compressing the air above atmospheric pressure.

In the several constructions herein shown and described wherein ditfervnt degrees of vacuum or compressed air are employed in the high and low tension chambers respecm tively, to control the operation of the power pneumatics, it will be understood that in each case the tensions are oi the saine chailacter although differing in degree; that is to say, in the constructil'ms described as oper ating under the vacuum or exhaust system, the high and low tensifms employed are both below atmosphere; while in the systems operating under compressed air. the ien-- sions employed are both above atmosphere. although they diil'e'r in degree. 'l'hus the expression Tensions otq liln` character. lan' of diiferent degree is to la unl-| lo-'l a signifying two air tensionsl (lilies-ina' tron. one another in degree. but of like clmrarle; in that both are either :ebow or below al mospheric pressure, as the casi may nc l is to be noted, however. thin do daim 'in this appli-cation :i playing uw ha nism operated by diiierential an tensionif opposite character. as the system in mgl 380 cylinder the latter being closed to the atv.a5 gree of say suction. be required to be less air tensions ot opposite character are ernployed to forni the subject matter of a separate application.

l. ln a pneumatic action, the combination with a power pneumatic and tracker, ot a high-tension chamber having no communication with the tracker, a valve controlled-port atlording communication bctween said chamber and the power pneumatic, a low-tension chamber in communication with the tracker', and means in said low-tension chamber for actuating the said valve to control the communication between the high-tension chamber and the power pneumatic to effect the operation ot the latter. the tensions in said chambers being of like character but ditlieringin degree.

2. ln a pneumatic action, the combination with a power pneumatic and a tracker, of an air chamber containing air always under high tension and constituting the sole actuating power for the pneumatic, means affording communication between said chamber and the power pneumatic, a lowtension air chamber in communication with said tracker, and means actuated by the low-tension air and the air passing through the tracker for controlling the communication between the high-tension air chamber and the power-pneumatic for effecting the operation of the latter the air in said high and low tension chambers being alike in character but differing in degree.

23. ln a pneumatic action, the combination with a power pneumatic, of means for controlling the same in its operation. comprising a low-tension chamber and a hightension chamber, the latter chamber furnishing the sole actuating power for the pneumatic, the tensions in said chambers being alike in character but differing in degree, a valve-actuator in the low-tension chamber, a valve in the high-tension chamber for controlling the operation of said power pneumatic, and means operable by said actuator for controlling the operation of said valve.

4. n a. pneumatic action, the combina- ,.tion with ay power pneumatic and a tracker over which a perforated music-sheet is adapted to travel, of an air supply at all times under high-tension for furnishing the sole actuating power for the pneumatic, and

'means controlled by a perforated musicsheet for placing the power pneumatic under the influence of high-tension air from .said supply to effect each and every actuation of the pneumatic, said means embodying a low-tension air su ply and an actuator continuously under die influence of the low-tension air, and periodically under the influence of atmospheric air passing through the tracker.

5. In a pneumatic action, the combination of a power pneumatic, and means for controlling its operation, comprising a lowtension vacuum chamber and a high-tension vacuum chamber, a bodily movable plunger in the low-tension chamber, a valve in thc high-tension chamber for controlling thc operation of said power pneumatic, and means operable by said plunger for actuating said valve.

G. ln a pneumatic action, the combination of a power pneumatic, and means t'or controlling its operation, comprising a tracker over which a perforated music sheet is adapted to trav l. a low-tension chamber in communication with the tracker, a hightension chamber adapted to have communication with said power pneumatic. a plunger bodily movable in the low-tension chamber, a ball valve in the high-tension chamber, and means operated by said plunger for operating said valve to establish communication between the high-tension chamber and the power pneumatic.

7. In a pneumatic action, the combination of'a power pneumatic, and means for effecting its operation. comprising two air chambers. one located above thc other, means for maintaining said chambers under ditl'erent degrees of exhaust. a bodily movable plunger in one chamber, a communicating passage between thc other chamber and I the power pneumatic. a valve located in thc said other chamber for controlling said passage. and means operable by but having no direct connection with said plunger for actuating said valve to admit the higher degree of exhaust to the power pnmunatic.

, 5l. lin a pneumatic action. the combination with a cylinder and piston power pneumatic and a tracker for controlling its operation, of two air chambers, means for maintaining said chambers under dilerent degrees of exhaust, a valve actuator in the chamber whose tension (litters the least from atmosphere, a communicating passage between the other chamber and the cylinder of the power pneumatic. a valve in said other chamber for controlling said passage, and means operable by said actuator for operating said valve to admit the higher degree of exhaust to the cylinder of the power pneumatic.

9. A pneumatic action for musical instruments, comprising a plurality of' `power pneurnatics each consistin of a vertically arranged cylinder and a piston freely movable therein, and pneumatic means for effecting the operation of said power pneumatics, said means embodying two horizontally arranged super-posed rows of air chambers, said chambers beingT located in verticall alinement with said cylinders, meansA for maintaining said chambers under diffrent degrees of exhaust, a freely movable valve actuator in each of the air chambers of one row, a separate passage leading from each of tion with a power pneumatic, a tracker and a pump and means controlled from the tra i@ j i l controlling the operation of the power gmcumzuic, comprising two air chambers. a 'valve actuator in one chamber, a

tatie f irratcii by said actuator for contro-llinac` thi; passage of air from the other` chamber to the power pneumatic, separate conduite: leading from the pump to the two air chambers respectively. and a pressure reduc- ,imgT alte in one ot said conduits.

il. ln a pneunlatic action, a power pneumatic, a tracker. a supply of air under tension tor operating said pneumatic, a valvecontrolictljiort a tiording communication between said air tension suppl;7 and pneumatic,

a second suppl): of air under lower tension courting` with the tracker and music sheet, and actuated by the low tension air for opening the said valve-controlled port to place the pneumatic under the influence of the hf;- nvr-ien air supply. the said air tensions being ot likt` character but (littering in tlcsP'et it: a pneunusiic action. a pncumatic, a tractor, :i #opp-ijf oil air at all times under high ifo-ion t'or operating said pneumatic, said :supply haring no communication with the tr` cr. antifa second suppl)v of air unflffr l` wer tension co-acting with the trac1 and the music sheet` means for affording: communication between said tirst named suppiiv and the power pneumatic, and meansv governed by the low tension air for fV-ontrclling the communication between sait/l tix-t named supply and the power pneumatic. aul air tension being of like character tau =iil^ering in degree.

lf ln a pneumatic action.y a tracker, a taunting iai/enmatic, a supply of tina-is under high tension for 'operpneumatic. said supply-having no -i with the tracker, n cans afn-.ii'iication between said air and said pneumatic. and a .-,iipplji o ir unilcr tension of less power than the tir-t but ot the same characttu".y and means normally under the influence of the low tensi.; i au' supply and controlled by the music sheet and tracker to connect said firstnanicd su' ply with said pneumatic.

it in a tuiemnatic artico. a tracker, a hanane, estuarine pneumatic, a supply ot` air at :ii times under high tension for distang the said actuating pneui, said supply having no communication with the tracker, means affording communication between sad air tension suppl)7 and said pneumatic, and a second supply of air tension of the same character, butot less power than the first, co-acting` with the tracker and'music sheet, and means normally under the intiuence of the second tension supply and coperatively associated with said communication-affording means to connect said first-named supply with saidy pneumatic as the music sheet perforations register with those of the tracker.

15. The method of operating a power pneumatic of a pneumatic piano having a trackcr,'which consists in placing said pneumatic in communication with a source of air at all times under h'igh tension.v controllingr said communication by means of a source ot' air tension, of lower power but of the same character and controlling said source of lower power by'the music sheet in passing over the tracker.

lG. r1`he method of operating a power pneumatic of a pneumatic piano havingr a -tracker. which consists in placing said pneumatic in direct'comn'nmication with a source of air at all times under high tension, controlling said communication b v means` ot a source of air tension ot lower power but ot' the -same character and controlling said air tension of lower power by the passage of the music sheet perforations over the tracker. A

lTl The method of operating` u power pneumatic of a pneumatic piano having u tracker. which consists in generating operating air tensions ot' the same character but of ditierent values. one tension being` high at all times and the other tension practically uniformi)Y low, placing the source of high actuating power in counnunication with the pneumatic. Controllinglr said communication by means of the source ot' less power. and controlling said last-named source from the the tracker.

18. In a pneumatic action, the combination with a power pneumatic, a tracker and a pump, and means controlled trom the tracker for controlling the operation of the power pneumatic. comprising two air chambers. one of said chambers containing air at all times under high tension and the other containing air under substantiall)1 `uniform low tension, a valve-actuator freely movable in the low tension chamber, a valve intluence/d in its o eration by the movements of the actuator or controlling the passage of .air from` the high-tension chamber to the being innate@ nl unil in alinen'wnt willi llame ni" lli@ fitti-0r mw, n wlw in fendi f'himvli," nl the upper rtm1 :i "nlug, miuziwi in mf'll vlizin'llwi' ot tlm other um', :i plu- -;.t}' of (gvliniiluw mm1 Seil lo :zml sup l'mm im the .Lfl tlmi'irf.

A tm/snide in tui- @in mit i cliuinlmr mi: tht" Uiiili'fi' i (flniinbuls of fine i'mv being lomitei :ilmve: and in alinurnmit. willi ilu-i, vliz: ibm# at' 1li@ Oiliti ww, nimm in? maintaining en' Chambers millier life'ant tieffgi'von of mi' tmision` :i bodily nimziliie wila' min'ui in mll nl" lli@ lmwi' um nl' vlmiifilwita :i qui Title, pus-sage landing' 'ti/mn @noli of the Chmn bers Ut' the mimi rmi' to the f ylintlci (if its :issmintmi 'plmm pncuinnti :i Valve in Givli clmlnliei' nt' the. upper row fn" chambers, and means operated liti/"each actuator fnl' attn ating in,` associated salva7 for the pnrpn@ specified. l

22. An upright pimm lmuing :i )monnmtic lifiniin@'-:iction oliiinting mvclmniszn n'ifilly intlfiswl in the nppmpart Ot' 'tln piano misc, Anid inwlmnism minimising :l row' nf 1ti(nlly xlisposml fylimlei's nml pistons IGllv movable ijlioroin, u pull cminectimi wiwt-Un each piston :tml its :issuciatefl wippen, and vulve inovlninism fui controlling the opmntion 0l the' pistons. said valve mechanism embodying; duct :unl valve-Clminbui' lylml. 'with which blanks tliesaitl cylinder-s ure directly connected and by which tli .j are Supported, and said blocks and cylinder. being lucatefl transvel-Saly of the piano ease. far-ward of the action and between the lmmmr heatiS :mit wippens.

23. An upright piano having ft pneumatic action operating ifncchnnisni wholly inclosed in the uppei' part of the piano case, said mechanism minimising a, row 0f vertically dispesed cylinders and pistons freely movable therein, said cylinders arranged transversly of the piano case, forwi if? mms'zlilt ti:iii.s\'vi'; cty nlr fn pinyin mise :mtl parallel with the piano linmnwis, pull cinnfi-tion between #zich pinion and its :rawizitcal imm-n, :intl valve nnclmnism for controlling the opaizition Uf the instan?. comprising lvm rows 0f nir slizinibers. ilic- Plmnilivi's uit' one ruw being lncntm'l alim@ :ind in :ilinment with the chambers of tlm Htliei row, and .will @bamberg lining :iimngefl trans- K'Pxsely nxrws tlm nimm C2159 :intl Constitutl ing the. snpjniting nie-mins: tmtlie Cylinilm' with which iin, latter :im iliivctly cC-nnirctod. means for maintaining the snirl chambers l under ditft-ivnt degrf of nin tvnsion, :s61521- f mie passages lo?" ng r@tively fromftlnseveral liigli-tvnnmn uliiinilieis to the saliti cylinders, valve in @zich passaggi, and means in the lam-im '0n numbers for actuating said valve to conti-0l the coininnnimltion lietween the high tension chambers and pneumatics.

In a pnumntic action. the eminliinzin tion will; a pwer pnuIn-,itiic comprising a cylinder and a piston freely movable therein, a tracker, of a high tension chamber and means controlled by a perforated music- .shcet passing over the tracker for placing the power pneumatic under the influence of high tension air from said high tension chamber. said means embodying a low tension chamber and a bodily movable valveacluator fittingloosely therein and having a clearance around the same, a low tension source leading directly to the low tension chamber' independent of the tracker, a separate port or passage leading from the tracker to the low tension chamber, a valve in the high tension chamber, and means influenced by the movements of the rvalve actuator for operating said valve.

27. In a pneumatic action, the combination with a power pneumatic and a tracker, of a high-tension chamber and means controlled by a iverforated music sheet passing over the tracker for placing the power pneumatic under the intiucnce of high tension air from said high-tension chamber. said means embodying a lo7 tension chamber and a bodily movable valve. actuator fitting loosely therein and having an.air clearance around the same. a lo\v tension source leadinol directly to the low tension chamberindependent of the tracker, and separate pori or passage leading from the tracker to the lou' tension chamber,

ln a pneumatic action, the combinailm'i "l tri-,u a power pneumatic and a tracker over which a perforated music sheet. is adapted to ravcl. of a high tension chamber having no communication with the tracker .at urffled by a perforated music sheet p` r the tracker for placing the power pneumatic under the inuence of high tension air from said high-tension chamber, said means embodying a. low tension chamber and a bodily movable valve actuator therein. a low tension source in normal open communication with the said low tension chamber on one side of the said actuator, and a porty or passage leading from the tracker to the said low tension chamber on the opposite side of said actuator.

29. In a pneumatic action, the combination with a power-pneumatic and a tracker, of valve means for controlling the operation of the said pneumatic, comprising superposed blocks each having a chamber therein, the one chamber located above and in alinement with the other, a bodily movabie valve-actuator loosely fitted in the tower chamber and having an air clearance around the same, a valve in the upper chainber, and a stem interposed between the said actuator and valve, said stem moving freely in an aperture in one of the blocks, with which aperture the said stem has a. substantially close it,

30. Ina pneumatic action and in combiator and ball, said nation, a tracker over which a music sheet is adapted to travel, a l comprising a cylinder and piston freely movable therein, and means controlled from the tracker for controlling the operation of said pneumatic, said means embodying two chambers, one of which is in communication with the tracker and the other adapted .to have communication with the cylinder of 'the power pneumatic, a valve in one chamber and a valve actuator in the other chamber, and an air tension source common to both chambers-for maintaining said charnbers under air tensions of like character but differing in degree, the air tension in the valve actuator chamber being less than the tension in the valve chamber.

31. In a pneumatic action, the combination with a power pneumatic and a tracker, of valve means for controlling the operation of the pneumatic, comprising superposed blocks each having a chamber therein, the one chamber being located above and in alinement with the other, a bodily movable plunger loosely fitted in the lower chamber and having an air clearance around the same, a ball-valve in the upper chamber, and a stem interposed between the said plunger and valve4 and adapted to contact with each but disconnected therefrom, said stem being freely movable in an aperture in one of the blocks, with which aperture the said stem has a substantially close fit.

In a pneumatic action, a. power pneumatic, comprising a cylinder and a piston freely movable therein, and valve means for controlling the operation of said pneumatic, embodying superposed blocks each having a chamber therein, one chamber located above and in alinement with the other, means for maintaining said chambers under different degrees of airtension, a bodily movable valve-actuator in the lowtension chamber, a ball valve in the high tension chamber a stem interposed between the said valve ac ustem being freely movformed 1n one of the aperture the said stem has a substantially close (it, and a port or passage leading from the high tension chamber to the cylinder of the power pneumatic.

33. In a pneumatic action, a, power pneumatic comprising a cylinder open -at one end to the atmosphere and a piston freely movable therein, and means for controlling the operation of the piston, comprising a tracker over which a perforated music-sheet is adapted to travel, a low tension chamber in communication with the tracker a high tension chamber adapted to be placed m communication with the closed end of `smid cylinder, a bodily'movable valve-actuator freely slidable in the low-tension chamber, a. ball valve in the high tension chamber,

able in an aperture blocks, with which power pneumaticY means operated by said valve actuator fon In testimony whereof we aiX our signahfting sald valve to establish communica tures in presence of two witnesses. 1 tion between the high tension chamber and cylinder, and an air-power source common to the said high and low tension chambers, the air from the said power source acting Ttnessesz under different tensions below that of the T. SELBY VARDLE,

atmosphere in the respective chambers. WALTER J. SKERTEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve centsx each, by addressing the Commissioner o1' Patents, Washington, D. C.

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