US1056820A - Expression device for mechanical musical instruments. - Google Patents

Description

J; OGONROB. EXPRESSION'DEVIOB EOE HBGHLHIGALIUSIGAL INSTRUMENTS.

APYLIOA'HOI FILED DLQ. 10. 19 08.

Patented Mali 25, 1913.

' 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N -v Q 7 3 0 MU. M 5 L m/ JB 1 1; f/VVC s s c S J. O'CONNOR. BXPBBSION DEVICE-FOR MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

I n'uoqnon run D20 :0. 190:.- 1,05 ,320, Patented Mar. 25, 1913.

8 SHEETS-Ill?! I.

I We ntor Ja m es flaw/5w .matic .motors. particularly adaptedfor controlling theop- STATES. TENT OFFICE.

JAMES otcomtoa, or new YORK, N. Y.

EXPRESSION DEVICE; FOR MECHANICAL-MUSIQAL Ins'rItUi/tmrrs.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Pate'iited illar; 25, 1913;

Application filed December 10, 1908. Serial no. 466,75i.

struments, of which the following is a full,

clear, and exact specification.

This invention relates to improved means for varying the force of'operation of pneu It is herein shown as being erat-ion of the class of percussion bellows motors now generally employed in auto-.

matic pianoplayers and: similar instruments.

Figured is side view, in section taken on the line 11 of Fig. 2, showing an end.

view'of an instrument embodying this. invention. Fig- 2. is a rear View in section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.--Figs. 3 and 4 are planviews in section taken on the line 3'-4 of Fig. 2, showing the construction and operation of the valve controlling the air passage leading from the pumping devices to. the motor pheumatics] Fig. 3 shows the valve inits open position while Fig. 4 shows it in its closedposition. Fig. 5 is an end view in section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 7'; and Fig. 6 is an end-view ill-S80: tion taken on the line 66 of Fig. 8. Figs. 7. and 8 are plan views in section taken on the lines 78 of Figs. 5 andti. showing the controlling valve and its manual connection at the two extremes of their movement. Fig. 7 shows the valve in its closed position. while Fig. 8 shows it in.its open position.

The percussion bellows motors herein referred to, for which the present embodiment of this 'invention is more particularly adapted, are commonly employed in me With a 'low tension 'o'rkvith. il-Sllltllhaptl's ture, or both. the closing movement of the motor bellows would be relatively slow. thus producing a soft tonefwhereas with a high tension and ample aperture. the closing movement would berapitl. :thus striking a sharp blow and producing a lo-udtone. By varying either or both" oftheseq-factors. cop responding variations maybemade between the loudest and softest etfectsln the prescut invention means are provided forthus varying eitheror both of these two factors.

In the embodiment of this'invention represented in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive.'10 represents the casing-forthe instrument. merely;

to show some supportingmeans for: the con tained devices, it beingamderstoodthat th said devices may be mounted .in casings lik those commonly employed forwmechanica piano players, orwhen'applied to what ar known as internal, pian0'players, the may be attached to the casingor frame of the piano itself. The vacuum-inducingdevice herein shown consist of rthe pumping bellows 11 connected. in any well-known way with the treadle 1'2. hemegulating 0' equalizing bellows. 13,. may also be of we] know-n construction and .may. be mounted in direct connection with. the pumping bellows 12. the embodiment. shcwnjn Figsmlland 2 there is an additional; chamber 15. herein termed the accenting chamber, interposed between the p'umping bel lowjs 11,. and the equalizer 13. This chamber is resiliently contractible but. no n--collapsible,the front and rear walls 16 and 17 .being joined at their ends and at the bott-on by the more or less flexible walls 18 and 19 as best shown in Fig. 2. so as to permit the side walls 16 pressures-.- while in operation li'fo prevent the chamber 15 from collapsing, one or more blocks 20 ar employed. placed so as to permit the aforesaid springing moven'ient of one or both of the walls 16 and'17.

Air is drawn by the pumpers ll from the acccnting chamber 15 through apertures 21 covered by a flap of leather, serving as check valves to prevent the return flow of the anthe motor bellows to theind ucing vacuum. 55

as shown in F igs. 5 and 6, But in 85 fromdthe pumper or pumpers 11 to the chamber 15.-- Air communication between the accenting chamber 15 and theequalizing hellowsi13 is by means of the opening 23, which is provided with a flap valve 24;, on

the outer side of the wall 17 from the chamber 15. This flap valve is yieldingly held in its closed position by a suitable spring 25, so that the valve 24 when otherwise unrestrained serves as a' check valve for the opening 23, allowing the air to flow freely from. the chamber 15 to the equalizing bel= lows 13, when the air comes in from the motor .bellows faster than it is'drawn out by the pumpeis, but preventing the flow in the .opposite direction when the air is pumped out faster than it enters the cham-. ber 15 from the motor bellows.

however, are provided by which the operationof the flapvalve '24 may be manually controlled to interrupt and restore the action of the equalizing bellows 13 at the will of the operator. In the present instance this manual control is effected by means of a wedge 26 which engages with an arm '2'] appurtenant to the valve 24, the wedge beiug provided with a stem 28, which extends through vthe wall of theapparatus, and is connected tothe' lever '29, pivot-ed in any convenient .way to the casing'as by the bracket 30. The lever reaches, or is extended by suitable connections to a position convenient to the hand of the operator,

whereit may be provided with a button 31. In the present arrangement the pressing.

down of the button 31 operates through the intermediate connections towithdraw the wedge 26 from the valve 24, thereby enabling it to serve as a check valve. The parts are yieldingly. held in position shown in Fig.1 by means of a spring 32, thereby holding the valve 24 out of operation and enabling the equalizing bellows to perform its ordinary well-known function of equalizing to an approximate extent the tension uponthe motor bellows 35 with which the i accenting chamber 15 is connected by means of'a' passage 36.. In the present instance only one of these motor bellows is shown, since their arrangement and operation is so well understood, it being sufiicient to remark that any desired number of these belwith the passage 36 Means,

be opened eithe b by the very relaxf accenting effect.

lows may be employed, being "connected by means of a wind chest or windtrunk 37. a

In order to preclude the possibility of the bellows 13 ever being fully expanded, even when cut ott by the closing of the valve 24, so as to be inoperative when wanted, a small bypass l0 bet-ween the pumpers 11 and the equalizing bellows 13 is preferably provided, through which the pumpers 11 will always act to some extent, on the equalizer 13, since their action isentirely independent of the chamber 15' and the alve 24. This bypass is large enough to co unteract the effect of ordinary .leakag'e ofthebellows 13, but should not be large enough to enable the latter to respond .too promptly. or to any appreciable extent to the varying tensions induced: by the pumpers. Thus thebellows 13 is alwavs being slowly exhausted; even .during the time that the valve 24 is closed,

thereby being always held in readiness to assume its customary function automatically whenever the tension falls to the degree for which the equalizer bellows is adjusted, or whenever the valve 24 is opened. By this provisionthe movable leaf of the bellows Vwill generally be maintained at some position between the ends of its range of movement, ready either to open or to close upon the opening of the valve 24, according to the tension then existing in the chamber. 15. In the absence of such abypass or its equivalent, the equalizing bellows 13 would generally become fully expanded under the pressure of its spring 14, whenever the valve Blvvas in its closed position; and in this fully expanded position of the. valve it could not respond to a low tension in the chest 15, occurring when the valve 2-1 might hand, or automatically tion of the tension in the chamber 15. But with the pumping action constantly operating through the bypass 40 to hold the equalizing bellows 13 in a partly contracted condition, it is enabledv either to contract further under increased tQIlSlOIl in the accenting chest 15 upon the forced opening otthe valve 24:, or to expand in response to lessened tension in the chamber 1.1 whenever the valve '21 is forced open, or opens automatically because of the said lessened tension in the chamber 15.

It will now be understood that by the operation of the devices thus far described, a greatly increased tension may be obtained at the will of the operator, by increasing his pumping action, and at the same tune pressing down the button 31, thus approximately cutting out the'equalizing bellows the-natural effect of which would Her a wise be to contract quickly under t creased pumping action, thereby equ: the tension and thus preventing the d connection with the equalizingbellows, are' connections are arranged so that the closing No. 927587 of J lygla 1909, a, which referwhich the air flows from the wind trunk37 leading to the associated motorbellows 35.

by means of a rod l6 to the moving leaf of v the equalizing bellows 13). being in the pres- The 'devicesso far described and shown at the lower portion of Figs. 1 and Q in" shown, described and claimed inmy Patent mice may be made for more complete and detailed operation and adaptation of .this mechanism. The present "invention relates, however, .to other expression modifying de-, vices, .which although perhaps most advantageously used as-shown in Figs. 1- and 2, in conjunction with-the expression devices of my said patent,f may also, as shown in F igs. 5 and 6,b'e used advantageously.without thedejvices of my'said patent, in conjunction with the ordinary form of'equalizing bellows. i

I will now de-scribe one form of my improved .devices shown-in Figs. 1 to 4 for varying the area of the passage 36 through 7 At any convenient point between the pumping devices and the wind trunk 37, the passage 3(3 passes through a valve chest 43', best shown in Figs. 3 and l. The valve ehest'is provided with a valve 44. which is mounted to move. preferably by a swinging movement, froni'its open position shown in Fig. 3 m the position shown in Fig. l, in which it cuts oil a considerable portion of the area of the passage 36. A spring 45 is preferably employed for inovingthe valve m one direction preferably its closing di- .rection, as shown herein. The movements of this valve are controlled automatically by the movement of the equalizing bellows 13. i and also manuallv bv the operator. For its automatic control the valve is connected as cut case shown to be connected to an arm l7 appurtenant to the swinging leaf. The.

movement of theleaf of the bellows 13 serves to open the valve 44. Hence the direct effect of increasing the tension in the motor bellows is further augmented by increasing the area of the passage 36 through which the vacuum takes effect upon the motor bellows, thereby in a degree utilizing and apuseful'etl'eet is thereby produced.

plying both of the factors above referred to. In other words, a more powerful action of the motor bellows is obtained; first. by the increase of tension due to the more rapid pumping. and second, by enlarging the size K or capacity of the passage 36. whereby that increased tension takes fuller and prompter 5 eti'ectupon the bellows- It will be recogj nized that the increase of tension. due to; the more rapid pumping function. will be; modified more or less by the closing novei ment of the equalizing bellows 13. in re-j sponse to that increased tension. in all cases i where the equalizing bellows is allowed to operate and exercise its accustomed function. as in Figs. 5 and 6. and also in Figs. 1 and 2, when the valve LA is, left in its normal open position. But nevertheless a very Hole overpthe effect being under the automatic control of the equalizing bellows is smooth 1 and connected. '\\'here. however, a sudden and pronbuncedemphasis.is desired. it mav' be obtained by the manual connection with the valve i l, consisting of the rod 49, which connects thefvalve with the arm 50, appurtenan'tyto the lever '29. "By depressing the button 31 the valve ll is thrown wide open as in Fig. 3 and at the same time the wedge 26 iswi thdrawn. permitting the flap alve 124: to close, thus in'nn ediatelv cutting out the action of the equalizing beliows. thereby utilizing to their fullest degree both of the factors above referred to namely the high tension and thet'ull opening" of the pas- 'lhe respective connections of the manual button 31 and equalizer bellows .with the valve ll permit either of the former to-be operated without interfering with the other," thus to this extent making the operation of the nltli ldttl' illld automatic features inde pendent .of each other. I For elvan'iple, start ing with the parts in the position shown in Fig. 1'. theclosing of the leaf of the equalizer 1 pushes against the nut or collar 51, thereby opening 'the valve rl without mov.- ing the arm '50. inasmuch as the connecting rod l9 is mounted to-slide freely through the end of that arm. On-the other hand. when the devi e is operated manually by pressing down the button 3t, the lever 50 pushes against the nut or collarbifi. thus opening the valve' il without 'a'ttectin-g the arm'47 5 treadle 1:2 and bellows 1L-induces a vacuum 110 approximately suited to the general character of the piece being played. modifying the tcnsit n for particular pas eges b v means of the pres button 31. During the playing of ordinary and softer passages the button re- 115 mains in its raised position shown in Fig. 1. which leaves the valve it in its partially chard position shown in Fig. l. and also e leaves the check valve 2i of the equalizing bellows open. as shown in Fig. 1. thereby having that et' ualizing bellows in co1nmunication with the pumpers. whereby it auto- :uutir-all) opens and closes the valve ii in A response to variations in the tension. Upon reaching a note which shculd be at ccme the operator depresses the button 31. tlu rehv opening the valve it to or toward the position shown in Fig. 3. and closing the valve 2t b the withdrawal of the wedge '26'correspondingl v increasing the air carrying capacity of the wind passage 36 and cutting out the equalizer 13. and thereby enabling the motor bellows to be exhausted more promptly. At. the same time the pumping movementis in creased. whica. in the absence of the equalizing action of the bellows. correspondingly increases the tension of the vacuum. Thus the rapidity, and hence the force of action of the motor bellows is increased by the two factors hereinbefore mentioned, namely. increase of tension and-increase of area of the wind pzlwtljt, through which the air 'ilrlltr from the motor bellows in response,

to the higher tension. After the accented ncte or passage has been played, the press batten is a ain released, thus opening the valve it and restoring the equalizing action of the bellows 13, which again resumes control of the movements of the valve 44, and cont nues its automatic control of that valve until again cut out of action by the use of the button 31.

The butt-1n need not be depressed far encugh to cut out the action of the equalizir" bellevss l t, ccza-rpting for those notes or A which require the highest possible clllplltlsh. It may be depressed to any desi ed degree for varying the position of the valve it. meanwhile taking it out of the contrcl ot' the equalizer 1?).

In Figs. .3 to 8 inclusive is shown a moditied form of the invention, the modifications including a different form of manually operated lever and a form of connection with the expression valve which is positive in both directions of movement, and a yielding connection between that valve and the equalizing bellows fcl both directions of movement. In this modification as here shown the resiliently contractible but non-collapsL ble wind chest hereinbefore termed the ac centing chamber is shown to be omitted, although it may obviously be employed in this modified form of the invention as well. as in that shown in the preceding figures. The pumper or pumpers 55 in this case com municate directly with the equalizing bellows 56. the movable leaf of which is provided as before with an arm 57 operatively connected with the expression valve (3O, so that the closing movement of the equalizing bellgws. under the action of increased tensicn or acuam serves to open the valve 60 and increase the area of the passage 62, which in this case communicates between the interior of the equalizer bellows and the in the opposite side walls of the chest. The

the

manual controlling device is herein shown to consist of a pivotally mounted indicator lever 63 provided with a knob 66'fQr convenient handling, and serving also in connection with a graduated dial 67 to show tothe eye of theoperator the relative positions of the indicator lever and consequently the positions of the valve 60. The indicator lever 65 is positively connected as by means of a rod 69 with the valve 60. Therefore the position of the lever 65 constitutes an accurate index of the position of the valve. In Fig. T the valve (30 is shown in its closed position, thereby locating the indicator at the position P of the dial, this being the position in which the softest effects are secured; On the other hand, in Fig. 8 the valve is shown in its wide open position, carrying ,the indicator lever to the opposite extreme of its movement at the position F of the dial. and indicating the strongestand loudest action. 7

In the absence of the means shown in the preceding figures, or of other means for putting the equalizing bellows out of operation when manually operating the expression valve, the equalizing bellows continues its movement, and in order to allow of that movement without interfering with the manual operation, the connection between the valve 60 and the equalizer bellows arm 5. 7 is made yielding and resilient. Theaconnecting rod 70 which is appurtenant to the valve (50 is providedwith collars 71 and 7-, which are fitted upon the rod 70 so as to be longitudinally adjustable thereon; as for example by means of set screws; or the rod 't'O may be threaded and the collars 71 and 72 may be fitted upon those threads as nuts, and adjusted by turning them. Between the collar 71 and the arm 57 is a spring 74, and between the collar 72 and-the arm 57 is another spring 75. The tension of these springs is made sufficient to carry the valve (50 and the lever 65 with the movements of the arm 57. The adjustable collars 71 and T2 enable the tension to be accurately adjusted and also enables the valve 60 to be set in proper relation to the movements oft-he equalizing bellows 56, soas to obtain the 'desired movement of each relative to the other.

The operation of this modified form of this invention is in many respects similar to that described in connection with the form shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive. excepting that in this modification the equalizer is not atany time cut 'out of operation. The flexible or elastic connection formed by the springs 74 and 75 enable the valve (30 to be moved by the lever (55, as may be desiredby the operator. That valve and lover return at mice to the positions determined by the equalizer bellows as soon as the lever is released by the operator.

The wind trunk or chest herein referred to is not necessarily any particular conduit or reservoir now .techmcally thus designated,.

decrease" of the vacuum inducing action onthe one hanthaad the increase and decrease of the communicating capacity on the other hand,'may be varied to any desired extent by varying the sizes and shapes of the various chambersand openings, and by suit- 'ably adapting the lengths and angular re lations of the various arms, levers. and connections.

ltlwil'l be understood that this invention may be employed either in conjunction with the apparatus of my said prior Patent No. 927,587, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, or may be used without that apparatus, in connection with ordinary pumping and equalizing bellows. as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Obviously also the connections between the valve H or the valve (30 and the equalizing bellows, may be positive as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, or may be yielding, as sliown in Figs. and G. the valve H or the valve ()0 in any case may be like that shown in Fig. 1, or like that shown in Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive. The adop tion of the best form and combination is a matter of judgment and selection on the part of the constructor the purposes to'be servedwit being-obvious thatthese devices may be modifiedin various ways to suit various conditionsor purposes.

I claim as my invention 1. Pneumatic motor bellows apparatus,

including in combination a wind chest,

means communicating with the wind chest for inducing varying degrees of vacuum therein, means for increasing the total capacity of the communication from the wind chest to the vacuum inducing means in proportion to the increase of the vacuum indu ing action.

'2. Pneumatic motor bellows apparatus, including in combination a wind chest, means communicating with the wind chest for inducing varying degrees of vacuum therein. means for decreasing the total capacity of the communication from the wind chest to the vacuum inducing means in proportion to the decrease of the vacuum inducing action.

3. Pneumatic motor bellows apparatus, including in combination a wind chest. means in communication with the wind chest for inducing varying degrees of vacuum therein. and means for increasing and decreasing the total capacity of the communication from the wind chest to the means in proportion to the increase and de crease of the vacuum inducing action.

4. Percussion motor bellows apparatus. including in combination a wind chest. means in connnunication with the wind chest. for

1' he manually operated connection with or manufacturer to suitvacuum inducing", l

1 vacuum 5 dim inducing varying degrees of vacuum therein. and means controlled by the vacuuin for increasing and diminishing the total capacity of the communication with the wind chest in proportion to the increase and diminution respectively of the tension of the vacuum.

In Pneumatic motor bellows apparatus, including in combination a wind chest, pumping devices in communication with the wind chest for inducing vacuum therein. a valve for varying the total capacity of the communication between the pumping devices and the wind chest, and means controlled by the pumping devices for opcratingthe valve to increase and lessen the said total capacity in direct proportion to the increasing and decreasing tension of the vacuum produced by the said pumping devices.

(5. Percussion motor bellows apparatus. having in combination a wind chest. pumping devices in communication with the wind chest, a valve for varying the total capacity of the commnnieation. and a bellows cmmected with the said valve and operating under the ccntrol ot' the pumping devices for increa ing and lessening the said commuuication in proportion to the increaseand diminution respectively of the vacuum produced by the pumping devices.

1'. Percussion motor bellows apparatus, including in combination a wind chest leading to motor bellows. pumping devices in connnunication with the wind chest for inducing a vacuum therein. a valve for varying thetotal opening of said connnunicaticn to correspondingly vary the flow of air therethrough. and an equalizing bellows communicatin with the pumping devices and opcrativeiy connected with the valve to increase and diminish the capacity of said communication in proportion to the increase and diminution respectively of the vacuum induced by the pumping devices.

8. Percussion motor bellows. apparatus. including in combination a with chest for the motor bellows. pumping devices. a passage between the pumping devices and the wind chest. a valve for reducing the total area of said passage. an equalizing bellows communimting with the pumping devices. an arm appurtenant to the movable leaf of the equalizing bellows. and a connection between the said arm and the valve all arranged and operating to vary the area of the said passage in proportion to .the degree of vacuum induced by the. pumping devices.

9. Pneumatic apparatus. including in combination a wind chest. means in communication with the wind chest for inducing vacuum therein. means controlled by the fcr :iutonmtically increasing and iuishing the capacity of the said communication with the wind chest in proportion tothe increase and diminution. respectivelv, ot' the tt'lhlttll of the vacuum, and

pal-somatic apparatus, the combinaa ind chest, means including a pasumuicating with the wind chest for vacuum therein, means including "nine" bellows for automatically hc cmununicating capacity of the g'c, and manually operated means he putimg the said equalizing bellows into means. )7 pneumatic apparatus, the combina- T; wind chest, means including a pasuwuunicating with the wind chest for I i-wuum therein, means including 12mg bellows controlled by the i n for automatically varying the comning ca uicity of the said passage in '41 dance with the vacuum inducing means, '3' c 'iually operated means for interrupt TIT firing the automatic control by nalizilw bellows out of and Junction with the vacuum induc' aid. out ot communication with the vacuum M 13. In pneumatic annaratus, the combination of vacuum inducing means, a passage connecting the said means with the pneumatic devices to be operated, a valve con trolling the air capacity of thesaid passage, automatic means including regulating bel- -lws communicating with the vacuum inducing means for operating the said valve to automatically vary the said capacity in accordance with the variation in the vacuum, and manual controlling devices therefor including means for putting the said equalizing bellows out of communication with the vacuum, and including means for operating the said "alve.

14. The combination in pneumatic appa-i ratus, of vacuum inducing devices, a passage connecting the said devices with the pneumatic devices to be operated, a valve controlling the air capacity of the said passage, automatic means for controlling the movements of, the valve including a regulating bellows communicating with the vacuum space, and having a connection with the valve, and means for manually controlling the valve, including means positively connected with the said valve, and means for putting the regulating bellows out of com munication with the vacuum space,

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

J AMES OGONNOR.

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