US1059123A - Player-piano. - Google Patents

Description

s. L.- DICKINSON.

PLAYER PIANO. v gnmbnmn FILED P1213115, 1912 I 156593123. Patented Apr. 15, 1913.

2 BHEBTSBHEET 1.

S. L. DICKINSON.

PLAYER PIANO.

APPLICATION FILED P123115, 1912.

Patented Apr. 15, 1913- 2 SEEETS-BHBET 2.

INVENTOR WITNESSES:

jwz;

ATTORNEY 56 i Fig, 2 is a similar view of a portion of the pianos,

proper regulation is secured, may

SAMUEL L. DICKINSON, OF CBAZNFORD, NEW JERSEY.

PLAYERFPIANO,

Specification of Letters li'atent.

Application filed Februaryifi, 1912. Serial No. 677,770.

To all whom may com-em Be it known that I, SAMUEL L. soN. a citizen of the United States, residing at Cranford, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey. have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Player- Pianos, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to player'pianos such as that illustrated and described in U. S. Letters Patent, No.h72,346, granted to me Octoberll, 1910. The invention is di rected to the provision of an improved construction and arrangement of the parts of pianos of this type whereby the parts thereof Drama inay be more readily manufactured and assembled, whereby the work of regulating the pianos for proper operation is greatly facilitated, and whereby the cost of manufacture is decreased.

The invention relates particularly to the construction and arrangement of the parts whereby the proper regulation of pneumatic playing mechanism may well known that in pneumatically operated as now commonly constructed, the work of regulating the piano consumes a substantial amount of time and as this .is an operation which can be done only by a skilled workman, the cost of effecting the regulation is a substantial item in the cost of manufacture of the completed pianos. In accordance with the invention, the parts of the piano are so arranged and certain of them are'made removable sothat ready acwhereby the be obtained. This feature of the invention involves removably mounting certain parts of the pneumatic-action upon suitable supports cess to the adjustable parts,

.in front of the piano-action of an upright piano and in front of the devices connecting the striking pneumatics to the piano-action; by the removal of these parts, ready access is had to these connecting devices so that they may be readily adjusted in order to esfor the movement tablish the proper limits of the striking pneumatics and thus regulate theblows delivered thereby to the hammers of the piano-action.

The preferred embodiment of the inven tion is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figurel is a vertical section through the upper portion of .an upright player-piano;

be secured. It 1s mechanism shown in Fig. 1 with the wind-- chest removed; Fig. 3 is a front View of a portion of the pneumatic-action;Fig.4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, the wind-chestbeing removed; Fig. 5 is a section of one of the valve chambers; and Fig. 6 is a top view of the same. I

Referring to these drawings, 1

the framework of an 'uprightpiano; 2 the indicates Patented 1*)1315, 1913.

casing thereof; and 3thestr1ngsmounted upon the plate 4:.

key-bed 6. v

The action of the piano is mounted upon the lay-bed 6 above the keyboard in front of the strings 3, so thatthe hammers of the action may strike upon their appropriate strings. This piano-action is carrie by a plurality of bracket-s 7, these brackets being arranged at the length of the action. Each bracket 7 is mounted upon the key-bed in such a manner as to permit of vertical adjustment thereof.- For this purpose, ball-bolts 8 are provided upon the key-bed 6 and each bracket 7 has a socket at its lower end bearing upon one of the ball-bolts. At their upper ends, the brackets 7 are provided with slots which receive studs 9 provided with thumb-nuts 10, whereby the brackets are held'in vertical position. The action as above stated is mount; ed upon the brackets 7. This action may be of the usual or any suitable construction. In the drawings awippen is shown at 11 pivotally mounted upon an action-rail 12 and actuated by an abstract 49. The hammer 13 is also pivotally mounted upon'the act-iondistributedwpoints along The keyboard is shown 5, the keys thereof being mounted upon. the

rail-12 and is operated bythe wippen 11 by means of a jack 14. A back-check is mounted upon the wippen with a catch lfi carried by the hammer 13. When the hammer is in aretracted position, as shown in Fig. 1, it rests upon a hammer? rail 17 mounted upon the brackets 7.

The automatic actuating mechanism for the ham1ners"'13 is mounted upon the brackets 7. Means are provided whereby the automatic mechanism may be adjusted vertically with respect to the brackets 7 and to the piano-action carried by those brackets.

11 in the usual manner- -as indicated at 15, this back-check coacting The brackets? are provided with ears 18 having threaded openings therein which receive ball-bolts 19. These ball-bolts may be adjusted vertically to any desired position in the openings, in cars 18 and may thenbe its locked by locking nuts 20. The ball-bolts 19 on the-several brackets 7 support auxiliary brackets 21. The upper ends or" these auxiliary brackets positioned by studs 22 projecting foiwvardly from the brackets 7 and extending through slots in the upper ends of the auxiliary brackets 21, each stud 22 being provided with a thumbnut- 23. The striking pneumatics 24.- are mounted upon the auxiliary brackets 21. For this purpose, two bars 25 are provided extending lengthwise of the piano and secured to the several auxiliary brackets Each of these bars 25 has a plurality of striking pneumatics 2 L secured to the underside tl'iereof. ln each of the bars are a plurality of passageways 26, one connecting with each of the striking pneumatics and tube 27 is connectedto each of these passageways. The movable side of each pneumatic 24 is connected by a rod 28 to the wippen 11 of the hammer 13 corresponding to that pneumatic. Each of these rods 28 has a screwcap 29 on its upper end which may be turned upon the rod so as to regulate the-length of the rod. Each of these rods 28 also passes through an opening in strip 30 extending lengthwise of the piano and secured upon the auxiliary brackets 21. "Each of the rods 28 is threaded along the poizion thereof ad.- 'acent to the strip 30 and on this threaded portion of rod 23 are two nuts 31, one above and one below the strip 30. These nuts 31 are adapted to engage opposite sides the strip 30 so as to limit the upward and downward movement of the rod 28 and, therefore, the mot-*ement ot' the movable sideof the corresponding striking pneumatic.

The wind-chest and the valve-mechanisms thereon are removably mounted upon the auxiliary brackets 21 in such manner that by loosening the securing devices which hold it in position, it may be removed from its position. by drawing itv forwardly; This wind-chest 33 is secured to a plurality of metallic strips 34. Each of these strips is slot-ted at its rear end and a screw-stud projects through this slot and into a threaded opening in the underlying auxiliary bracket 21.. Each of the strips 34 is turned downwardly at its forward end and a screw 36 passes through an opening in this down wardly turned portion and enters a threaded opening in the forward end of the corresponding auxiliary bracket 21. By withdrawing the several screws 36, loosening the several screws 35, and removing tubes 27, the wind-chest '33 may be drawn forwardly to remove it from its position.

By reason of the arrangement of the parts as above described, the work of regulating th pneumatic mechanism so that it will oper the action of the piano properly, may eadily pe mod the time" required therefor;- be i much less tl quired with the constructions heretofore commonly employed. It will be "seen that the brackets 7 carrying the piano-acticn may be adjusted vertically as desired so to cause the hammers 13 to strike upon'the wires 3 at the proper points on those wires. The auxiliary brackets may also be adjusted vertically with respect to the brackets 7 and the action of the piano so that the pneumatics and the connections from them to the wippens or other parts of the action may be properly positioned. Furthermore, by removing the wind-chest 33 and the valve mechanisms mounted thereon, access may be hadto the caps 29 of the; rods 28 and the nuts 31 on the rods 28, so that the efi ectiv'e length of each rod 28 may be regulated as desired and so that the limits of the throw of each rod 28 by its pneumatic 24 maybe regulated as desired. Fig. 2 shows the principal parts illustrated in Fig. 1, except that the wind-chest and the valve mechanisms carried thereby have been removed. This figure shows with what freedom access may be had to the caps 29 and nuts 31. Figs. 3 and 4 are front views of certain of the parts shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In Fl g. 3, the windchest 33 is shown mounted in its position upon the auxiliary brackets, the valve mechanisms on the wind-chest being connected by the tubes 27 with the pneumatics 24. Fig. l corresponds to Fig. 3 except that. the windchest 33 has been removed. Its removal clears the space in :trontot the regulating devices upon the rods 28 so that free access may be had to those devices.

The tracker is shown at 37 and the music sheet which coacts therewith. is shown at 38. These parts may be of the usual or any suitable construction. The tracker and the rolls for the music-sheet are mounted in a suitable tracker-box which is so supported with in the piano that it is removable with the wind-chest. In the present instance the bottom-board of the tracker-box is mounted. upon the wind-chest 33 so as to lie parallel thereto and elevated therefrom a, sufiicient distance to make room for the valve-mechanisms. The board 60 of the tracker-box is extended beyond the ends of the box and out to the ends of the wind-chest and two or more blocks 61 are secured to the wind-chest 33' and have the board 60 secured thereto.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 5 and 6, the valve mechanisms of the pneumatic-action will be described. The valve mechanisms forming part of the pneumatic action are made separate from the wind-chest and are afterward secured upon. the wind chest. Each valve mechanism consists of a hollow member 46 made of thin metal; preferably a piece of sheet metal is pressed to the proper configuration forming a hollow member or cup such as that shown in Figs. 5

reand: Thismernber has a fian e- 39 atthe medias lower end or bottom thereof, whereby the interior of the Wind-cl1est This lower end &1 around an opening in this end 01% the cup.

of, the member to open so that when the valve is mounted in position the interior thereof is or may be connected With the interior of the Wind chest. At'the opposite or upper end of the falve mechanism, the metal thereof is drawn down-to form alip A bridge as is mounted uponthis end of the member 46 and extends across the opening therein, this bridge being provided with a central opening, as shown in Fig. 6. Within the member is a reciprocating valve which is adapted to close. the opening 40 leading to the interior of the Wind-chest or the opening at the opposite end of member 46 Within the lip a l. This valve has a stem as which is guided by the central opening in the bridge l2 and at'its oppositeend extends through the opening 40' In the Windchest to devices of the characterheretofore commonly employed for actuating such a valve. On the spindle 43 are two disks 44 i and 45, the former being adapted to close the opening 40 when the valve is in one posithe latter being adapted to close tion and the opening Within the lip l1 when the valve is, raised toihe upper position.

The common practice heretofore in the construction of pneumatic-actions has been to provide the valve mechanisms of such an action Within the .Wall of the Wind-chest by boring that wall sary passages therein. This practice has frequently resulted in cracking a board of the Wind-chest so much as to render it useless. By forming the valve chambers sepa rate from the Wind-chest and thereafter sei curing them upon the Wind-chest in the proper positions, the expense incident to such breakage is reduced or completely avoided. Furthermore, valve mechanisms constructed as above described by suitably shaping sheet metal may be manufactured at be readily mounted in position upon the Wind-chest and are efficient and reliable in their operation.

' Having described my invention, What I, claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the'Unitcd States is:

1. In a player-piano, the combination of a casing, a keyboard therein, a piano-action mounted within the casing above the key board, a plurality of striking pneumatics,

a connection from each pneumatic to a' ham-.

mer of the action, adjusting means in each of said connections, andawindchest removably mounted in front of the piano action and said adjusting means, its removal giv ing access to the adjusting means, substantially as set forth.

2. In a player-piano, the combination of so as to provide the neces-' a casing, a keyboard thereinQa piano-action mounted Within the casing above the -keys of the action, a connection from each pneuof theaction, adjusting means 111 each of said connections, and a Wind-chest mounted in front of the piano-action and removable to give access to said adjusting means, substantially as set forth.

3; In a player-piano, the combination of a frame, strings thereon, a keyboard, a keybed, a plurality of brackets mounted on the mounted on the brackets in front of the ac tion, a connect-ion from each pneumatic to the action for actuating a hammer of the action, adjusting means in eachof said connections, and a Wind-chestremovably mounted on said brackets in front of the piano-action and by its removal giving access to said adjusting means, substantially as set forth.

d. In a player-piano, the combination of a frame, strings thereon, a keyboard, a keybed, a plurality of brackets mounted on the key-bed, a piano-action mounted on the, brackets, auxiliary brackets each mounted on one of said brackets, a plurality of striking Pneumatics mounted on the auxiliary brackets infront of the action, a connection from each pneumatic to the action for actuating a hammer of the action, adjusting means in each of said connections, and a wind-chest removably mounted on said auxiliary brackets in front of the piano-action and said adjusting means, its removal giving access to said adjusting means, substantially as set forth. 5. In a playcr-piano, the combination of a casing, a keyboard therein, a piano-action mounted Within the casing above the keyboard and in front of the strings, a plurality of striking neumatics mounted in front of the action, aconnection from each pneu- Ina-tic to the action for actuating a hammer of the action, adjusting means in each con nectionfor adjusting the limits of the movement thereof actuated by the pneumatic, and a wind-chest mounted in front of the pianoaction and removable to give access to said adjusting means, substantially as set forth. 6; In a player-piano, the combination of a a plurality of brackets mounted on the key bed, a piano-action mounted on the brackets, a plurality of striking pneumatics mounted on the brackets in front of the action, a rod actuated by each the pneumatic with the action, nuts on said rods for adjusting the limits of the movement of the rods and Pneumatics, and a wind-chest removably mounted on said brackets in front of the piano-actiongnd said nuts and by its matic to the action for actuating a hammer key-bed, a piano-action mounted on the brackets, a plurality of striking pneumatics frame,'strings thereon, a keyboard, a key-bed,-

pneumat-ic and connectingboard and .in front of the strings, a plurality of striking pneumatics mounted in front piano-action and said adjusting means, said 7. In a player-piano, the combination of a "frame, strings thereon, a keyboard, a keybed, a plurality of brackets mounted on the key-bed and adjustable vertically with respect to the key-bed and strings, a pianoaction mounted on'the brackets, a plurality of auxiliary brackets each mounted on one of said brackets and adjustable vertically With I respect to said brackets and the piano-act'on carried thereby striking pneumatics mount- --ed'on the auxiliary brackets and connected to the piano-action, and a wind-chestmount ed'on the auxiliary brackets and connected to the neumatics, substantially as set forth.

8. In a player-pi'ano, the combination of a casing, a keyboard therein, a piano-action mounted Within the casing above the key board, a plurality of striking pneumatics,

a connection from each pneumatic to a hamme]: of the action, ad usting means in each of said connections, and. a pneumatic-mechanism removably mounted in front of the pneumatic-mechanism including a Windchest, valve-mechanisms cooperating therewith to control the pneumatics, a trackerbox and a tracker all of which parts are re- Copies or this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the ficmmissioner of linovable from the piano together and their removal give access to said adjusting means, substantially as set forth.

9. In a player-piano, the combination of i a frame, strings thereon, a keyboard, a key bed, a plurality of brackets mounted on the key-bed and adjustable vertically with respect to the key-bed and strings, a pianoaction mounted on the brackets, a plurality of auxiliary brackets each mounted on one of said brackets and adjustable vertically with respect/to said brackets and the pianoaction carried thereby, striking pneuinatics mounted. on. the auxiliary brackets and con. nected to the piano-action, a Windchest connected to the striking neumatics, tracker-box and a tracker, said Wind-ob Nb tracker-box and tracker being mounted upon the auxiliary brackets so as to be removable therefrom together and by their removal giving access to the connections from. the striking neumatics to the piano-action, sub stantially as set forth.

This specification signed and witnessed this 10th day cit-February, 1912.

SAMUEL L. DICKINSON Witnesses:

I. MCINTOSH, Josey}: F. COLLlNS.

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