US1078851A - Organ-coupler. - Google Patents

Description

W. E. HASKELL.

ORGAN COUPLER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 9, 191

1,078,851, Patented N0v.18,1913.

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, mg ad/M W. E. HASKELL.

ORGAN COUPLER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 9, 1911.

1,078,851 Patented N0v.18,1913.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM .E. HASKELL, OF BRATTLEBORO, VERMONT, ASSIGNOR TO ESTEY ORGAN COMPANY, OF BRATTLEBORO, "VERMONT, A CORPORATION OF VERMONT.

ORGAN-COUPLER.

T 0 all whom-it may concern.

Be it known that I, WILLIAM E. HAsKnLL, of Brattleboro, in the county of Windham and State of Vermont, have invented a new and Improved Organ-Coupler, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to pneumatic couplers for pipe or reed organs, and has for its object the provision of a coupler of thls character of simple and economical construction. In achieving this object, the present invention reduces the number 01: parts hitherto necessary in pneumatic couplers, particularly in the valve elements oi the couplers, and also introduces an 1mproved character of controlling valve which is certain in action and upon which there is practically no wear. The organi zation is such that not only is the construction of the coupler greatly simplified but, if anything occurs to interfere with proper action, it is rendered inoperative instead of causing a continuous note to sound.

One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1, is a sectional view, partly diagrammatic, illustrating the coupler associated with corresponding keys of the great, swell and pedal departments of the organ, and the connections between the couplers, the controlling valves, and the channels leading to the sounding devices of the several departments of the organ, the parts being shown in their positions of rest. Fig. 2, is a cross-section of one of the coupling bars in the plane indicated by the line 2-2 in Fig. 4. Fig. 3, is a detail section of a portion of the coupling action. Fig. 4, 1S a longitudinal section of portions of two of the coupling bars. Fig. 5, is a detail section similar to Fig. 3, except being taken at a different plane and illustrating the means employed for securing an air-tight connection between the coupling bars and the tube and mixer bars. Figs. 6, and 7, are views of opposite sides of one end of one of the coupling bars. Fig. 8, is a detail sec- .tion illustrating how one of the coupling bars is supported.

Fig. 1, shows keys A, B, and C, belonging respectivelyto the swell, the great and the pedal departments of the organ, and variablepressure channels 1, 2, and 3, governed Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September9, 1911.

Serial No. 648,555.

respectively by said keys A, B, and C, each of these variablepressure channels leading to the sounding devices governed thereby either directly or indirectly in any wellknown manner. In pneumatic actions for organs the speaking of the controlled sounding devices may be effected either by maintaining normal wind pressure within such variable-pressure channels and venting one of the channels when a corresponding key is struck; or, by having normal atmospheric pressure within such channels and introducing air under pressure when an appropriate key is struck for sounding the appropriate note or notes. Both plans are well known. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the pneumatic action is of the latter type, that is to say, the channels 1, 2, and 3, normally contain air at atmospheric pressure and when the corresponding keys are struck air under pressure is admitted to the channels and as the result the corre sponding sounding devices speak. Many of the features of the present invention are applicable to both of these systems of air control, but the indicated system is preferred because with the coupler construction employed, should anything occur which might effect the operativeness of the couplers, no sounding devices will speak, as will hereinafter become evident. ,Accordingly, there is employed with each of the departments of the organ, a pressure chamber D, supplied with air under pressure. Each key A, of the swell organ is connected with a pallet a, within the corresponding pressure chamber D, and when the key is played the pallet is opened and air under pressure enters a seriesof pneumatic tubes controlled thereby, the number of which will depend upon the number of couplers employed, three tubes, 4, 5, and 6, being illustrated. Likewise, each key B, of the great organ is connected with a pallet 6, within the corresponding pressure chamber D, and when the key is played air under pressure is admitted into the pipes 7 and 8. Again, when a key C, of the pedal organ is played, a pallet 0, is opened and air under pressure is admitted into the tubes 9, and 10, and also, as illustrated, directly into the variable-pressure channel 3, which leads to the pedal department of the organ. All of the pneumatic tubes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10,

Patented Nov. 18, 1913. l

nels (Z, and e, have ports f, extending through the inner faces of the mixer bar F, and there is one of these ports f, directly opposite one of the tubes 4;, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.

The tube bar E, and the mixer bar F, are parallel with each other and conveniently extend vertically, as shown in Fig. 1, of the drawings, and between them are located the direct duct bars G, and H, and the coupling bars, of which five are shown in Fig. 1, and designated as I, J, K, L, and M.

The upper direct duct bar G has through ducts g, one for each key 01": the swell organ, and each duct g, is in connection with one o1 the tubes 1, and with one of the mixing channels (Z. Accordingly, when the correspondin swell key A, is played and its pallet a, is lifted, air under pressure from the pressure chamber D, flows through tube 41-, duct 9, mixing channel (Z, and variablepressure channel 1, with the result that the corresponding sounding device (or devices) of the swell organ speaks. Likewise, the lower direct duct bar H, has through ducts 17L, one for each key B, of the great organ, there being one of the direct ducts h, in con munication with each tube 8. Each direct duct 72, also communicates with one of the mixing channels 0. Consequently, when the corresponding key B, of the great organ is played, its pallet b, is raised and air under pressure flows through tube 8, duct 7t, mix ing channel 6, and variable-pressure channel 2, and the corresponding note (or notes) of the great organ is sounded.

The present invention permits of the con-- venient employment of as many couplers as may be desired. For purposes of illustration, five couplers are illustrated in Fig. 1, and there are five coupling bars I, J, K, L, and M, shown. These coupling bars are all alike, with the single exception that the upper coupling bar I, need not have one of the characteristics of the other coupling bars (namely, the diaphragm) and it is shown without it. Accordingly, it will sufiice to describe in detail one of the coupling bars; and the lowermost bar M, is selected "for this purpose in the accompanying drawings.

he coupling bar M, is a single unitary structure capable of being handled and as sembled as a complete structural unit. It is appropriately channeled to form valve chambers to receive valves X, and to permit the flow of air when the valves are opened, the opening of the valves being determined by the manipulation of the coupling stop.

Referring particularly to Figs. 3 and 4, the coupling bar M, is composed of wood having valve chambers i, which are formed by boring through the upper side of the bar. Below each valve chamber is a communieating air passage j, of less diameter than the valve chamber, thus furnishing a seatfor the valve X. Below each passage j, is a hole is, extending through the bottom of the coupling bar. Through this hole 70, extends loosely a plunger 0, by means of which the corresponding valve X, may be litted 'roln its seat. The hole 7;, is materially larger in diameter than the plunger 0, so as to constitute a vent when the corresponding valve is on its seat.

There is a transverse duct Z, extending from each air passage 7', to the face of the coupling bar which is adjacent the tube bar E; and there is a transverse duct m, extending from each valve chamber 6, to the other face of the coupling bar adjacent. the mixer bar F. Both of the ducts Z, and m, have lengthened mouths u, as shown in Figs. 6. and 7, to facilitate registration with the appropriate ports in the tube bar and the or bar. Accordingly, in the case of the coupling bar M, each of its ducts Z, is in constant communication with one of the tubes 10, and each of its ducts m, is in communication with one of the mixing channels e, and hence with the valiable-pressure channel 2. It will accordingly be evident that it one of the valves X, is lifted from its seat the tube 10, will be in pneumatic connection with the variable pressure channel 2 and, consequently, should the corresponding pedal key C, be then played and its pallet 0, be opened, air under pressure from the corresponding pressure chamber D, will not only flow directly through variable-pressure channel 3, thereby sounding a note of the pedal organ, but air will also flow through the tube 10, thence through ducts Z, and m, and through the variablepressure channel 2, of the swell organ, thus sounding a note in the swell organ simultaneously with note in the pedal organ.

The opening and closing of the valves X, oi each coupling bar is controlled by a corresponding coupler stop and, in the present instance, a pneumatic control is provided.

The coupling bar M, has a longitudinal couplingchannel Y, extending lengthwise above all of the valve chambers Any air connection between this coupling channel and the valve chambers is prevented by means of a cover for the valve chambers. This cover P, is a single strip of stout cloth, rendered impervious by the incorporation of rubber therewith, and which is glued one side face of the bar.

along the bottom of the coupling channelcoupling channel is closed by a plug 0, '(Figs. 4 and 8) which is glued in place.

The entire top of the coupling bar M, in-

cluding the coupling channel Y, is covered by a diaphragm Q, of any durable flexible material, thin sheepskin being appropriate. This diaphragm is glued in place. Near one end, the coupling bar M, has a transverse stop passage 0, shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 7, which communicates with one end of the coupling channel Y, and which extends to This passage is in communication with any appropriate pneumatic stop action, so that when the corresponding stop is drawn, air under pressure-is admitted tothe coupling channel Y, whereupon its diaphragm is dilated as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5. The coupling channel Y, has lengthwise extending grooves 9, below the level of the cover P, so that the immediate entrance of the air beneath the entire diaphragm is insured. The dilation of the diaphragm Q, of one of the coupling bars opens the valves X, of the coupling bar located immediately above. For example, as shown in Fig. 3, when the diaphragm Q, of coupling bar M, is dilated all of the valves X, of the coupling bar L, are opened, since the plungers O, therefor rest on the diaphragm Q, of the coupling bar M. Accordingly, when the diaphragm of any lower coupling bar is dilated, all of the valves of the coupling bar above are opened and each pair of ducts thereof then form a continuous sounding channel in connection with the corresponding tube leading to the corresponding key-controlled pallet and with the mixing channel and the variable sounding channel leading to the sounding devices. Owing to this arrangement, whereby the diaphragm of one coupling bar governs the valves of the coupling bar above, a special construction is involved for the bottom duct bar H, in order that the valves of the lowermost coupling bar M, may be stop-controlled. To this end, the lower duct bar H, is provided with a stop passage, a coupling channel, and a diaphragm just like any one of the coupling bars proper.

Attention has already been directed to the circumstance that the uppermost coupling bar I, may have one difference, as compared with the coupling bars beneath. It is obvious that it is not necessary that the uppermost coupling bar I, should be provided with any stop passage, coupling channel or diaphragm, since there are no valves above it to be controlled. For the purpose of indicating this difference in function no diaphragm Q, is shown for the coupling bar.

I. As a matter of practical commercial construction, however, it is desirable to bore and channel all of the coupling bars just alike to permit of their indiscriminate use and, therefore, the upper coupling bar I, is shown in Fig. 1, as channeled similarly to the coupling bars beneath.

WVhen the valves of any one of the coupling bars are lifted, it is important that air-tight sounding channels should there upon exist and to this end the plungers O, are constructed as valves so as to close the vents is, when the plungers are lifted and the valves are opened. Each plunger is a round brass pin with an integral round head 1", above which is a round leather washer s, and above that is a round felt pad i. As shown in Fig. 3, when the diaphragm Q, of coupling bar M, is distended, the felt pad t, seats on the under face of the coupling bar L, above, thereby closing the vent 7c, and consequently rendering the ducts Z, and m, of said coupling bar L, air-tight when the valve X, is oil? from its seat. When the diaphragm is deflated to put the corresponding coupler out of action, the plungers and valves drop by gravity so that each duct m, is then closed by the corresponding valve, while each duct Z, is vented to the atmosphere through the vent 70. There is ample space between the bars G, I, J, K, L, M, and H, for the escape of air through the vents 7c, and each of these spaces is open to the external air at the ends of said bars, as indicated at u, in Fig. l.

In the coupling arrangement shown in Fig. 1, the tube 10, from the pedal chamber D, communicates with the great channel 2, when the corresponding valve of the coupling bar M, is lifted, thus coupling great to pedal unison. Tube 9 is in communication with the swell channel 1, when the corresponding valve of the coupling bar L, is opened, thus coupling swell to pedal unison. Tube 7, from the great chamber D, is in communication with the swell channel 1, when the corresponding valve of the coupling bar K, is opened, thus coupling swell to great unison. The other two coupling bars I, and J, are octave couplers, as conventionally indicated by the breaks in the tubes 5 and 6. One is a sub-octzwe and the other a superoctave coupler and both belong tothe swell department of the organ. IV hen the valves of the coupling bar J, are opened a note in the swell an octave above the direct note will be concurrently sounded; and when the valves of the coupling bar I, are opened a note in the swell an octave below the direct note will be sounded when a swell key is played.

Obviously, the same principles of construction can be extended to include any ad ditional couplers which may be desired.

Each of the bars G, H, I, J, K, L, and M,

is held in place between the tube bar E, and the mixer bar 1*, in the same way, and as illustrated in connection with the coupling bar M, in F ig. 8. As there shown, dowel pins R, are employed. There are four of these dowel pins for each coupling bar, one on each side at each end, as shown at Figs. 6, and 7, for one end of the bar. Packing strips 11, of felt or leather are interposed between the bars G, to M, and the bars F and F, to render the same air-tight at their communicating passages. To maintain this airtight connection, the bars E, and F, are connected together by the instrumentalities shown in Fig. 5, at as many places as may be necessary. As there shown the bar E, is equipped with an inset interiorly screwthreaded headed brass socket or nut S, into which screws a bolt T, extending through the bar F. interposed between the head of the bolt T, and a metal washer U, seating on the bar F, is a spring V, which compensates for the expansion and so 'inkage of the several bars, while insuring a constant airtight connection.

The connecting wires between the several keys and the several pallets extend through celluloid washers w, as shown in Fig. 1, thereby preventing air leakage from the pressure chambers D.

An important advantage of this coupler is its extreme simplicity and ease of manu facture. Each check valve Y is a steel ball, one fourth of an inch. in diameter, which rests on the margin of a hole three-sixteenths of an inch in diameter. The valve chamber in which the ball is located is five-sixteenths of an inch in diameter, so that when the ball is pushed off from its seat by the rising of the plunger 0, below, it remains in such position that on the dropping of the plunger it will fall without fail into the hole below it, thus shutting off communication between the ducts Z and m. The ball closes perfectly and makes an air-tight joint without any other precaution being taken than to bore a clean round hole. The halls in their seats are fully concealed and wholly protected, so that they maintain their proper conditions indefinitely.

The weight of the steel balls is such that there is no possibility of one of them being lifted from its seat except when air is admitted beneath its liftingdiaphragm through the manipulation of the proper stop. F or example, assuming the ball valves to be all closed, as shown in Fig. l, the lifting of the pallet 0:, would admit air under pressure through the pipes 5 and 6, beneath he ball valves X, of the two upper coupler units; but said valves would not be lifted both because of their weight and because the duct beneath each valve is then vented, as clearly shown, for example, in Fig. 4-, and at the lower part of Fig. 3.

The mechanism is durable since there is almost nothing to wear. The long narrow diaphragm Q, which lifts the plungers to dispime the balls is of ample size and may be made of ordinary .neepskin, which will last twenty or thirty years in view of the very light strain brought upon it and the very slight movement which it has. Apart fronr the m vement of this diaphragm, which only occurs when the coupler is put or on, there are no moving parts in the coupling bar excepting the ball valves and the plungers, which are made of metal and last indefinite Each coupling bar lo simply and readily made. A single strip of the wood is channeled and bored by rapidly moving tools and with but few operations.

The manufacture of the coupling bars in like units is a matter of economy and advantage, since it facilitates the assembling of the organ. Although in an octave coupler all of the keys of the keyboard do not co-act witlthe coupler, nevertheless it is economical to make all of the coupler unit-s alike, even though some of the passages are not e lployed. E ch key controlled pallet governs a plurality of openings, one for the note or notes in the department of the organ to which the key belongs and the other openings communicating with coupler passages which are normally silent unless the proper coupler stops are drawn. Hence each key, by the manipulation. of appropriate stops, can sound notes in its own department of a higher or lower pitch than its own directnote or notes; and it can also sound notes in the other departments of the organ.

The number of pneumatic tubes employed is reduced to a. minimum since the coupling bars and the direct bars communicate directly with a single mixer bar and only a single pneumatic tube for each key leads from the mixer bar to the corresponding department of the organ.

ll hen one of the ball valves is lifted, a continuous channel extends from one of the key pallet controlled tubes to the wind-chest (or to interposed relay if such is employed) and when air is supplied to such sounding channel by striking the appropriate key, the proper pipe (or pipes, reed or reeds) speaks. For example, tube 10, duct Z, air passage j, valve chamber a, duct m, port f, mixing channel 0, and tube or variable-pressure channel 2, constitute a single sounding channel which is vented by striking the key C, when its ball valve X, is lifted. This construction and organization is advantageous because when one coupler is put into action, all of its ball check valves are lifted once for all, thereby establishing permanent channels, the operation of each of which is then dependent, not upon the moving of its ball, but upon the moving of some obstruction prevents one of the ball valves from closing on its seat. This would not involve any permanent or continuous sounding of the corresponding note when the coupler stop is not drawn, since it would simply afi'ord'an'additional vent to the open air for the sounding channel controlled thereby.

I claim:

1; A coupling bar for'organs having, in

combination, a recessed coiipling channel extending along the upper face thereof With depressed grooves along both sides of its central raised bottom; a plurality of valve chambers; an air-tight fabric glued upon the raised central bottom of said channel above said valve-chambers; a flexible diaphragm glued in place and covering the top of said coupling channel; a laterally extending stoppassage communicating With said coupling channel'and open at one face of the bar; a

' reduced air passage below each of said valve chambers supplying a valve-seat; a steel ball check-valve located in each of said valve chambers and fitting said valve seat; a plunger opening and air vent extending from each air passage in-line with its valve to the lower face of the bar; a duct extending from each air passage and open at one side of the bar; and a second duct extending from each ofsa'id valve chambers and open at the other side of said bar, each of said ducts having an enlarged mouth at the side of the bar.

2. A coupling bar for organs having, in combination, a coupling channel extending along the upper face thereof; a plurality of valve chambers; an air-tight fabric at the bottom of said channel above said valvechambers'; aflexible diaphragm covering the top of said coupling channel; a laterally extending stop-passage communicating with said coupling channel and open at one face of the bar; a reduced air passage below each of said valve chambers supplying a valveseat; a check-valve located in each of said valve chambers and fitting said valve seat; a plunger opening and air vent extending from eachair passage in line with its valve to the lower face of the bar; a duct extending-from each air passage and open at one side of'th'e'b'ar; and a second duct extending from each of said valve chambers and open at the other side of said bar.

3. A coupling bar for organs having, in combination, a coupling channel extending along the upper face thereof; a plurality of valve chambers; an air-tight fabric at the bottom of said channel above said valvechambers; a flexible diaphragm covering the top of said coupling channel; a stop-passage communicating with said coupling channel; a reduced air passage below each of said valve chambers supplying a valve-seat; a checlrvalve located in each of said valve chambers and fitting said valve seat; and ducts extending from each air passage and from each valve chamber.

4. A coupling bar for organs having, in combination, a plurality of valve chambers; a check-valve located in each of said valve chambers; a duct extending Irom below each valve and open at one side of the bar; and a second duct extendin from above each valve and open at the other side of said bar, each of said ducts having an enlarged mouth atthe side of the bar.

5. A coupling bar for organs having, in combination, a recessed coupling channel ex- .tending along the upper face thereof with depressed grooves along both sides of its central raised bottom; a plurality of valve chambers; an air-tight fabric upon the raised central bottom of said channel above said valve-chambers; and a flexible diaphragm covering the top of said coupling channel; and a stop-passage coi'nmunicating with'said coupling channel.

6. An organ having, in combination, a tube bar; a plurality of pneumatic tubes leading from said tube bar to each of several key-controlled pallets; a mixer bar having a mixing channel for each key of a plurality of the departments of the organ; a single variable pressure sound-controlling channel communicating with each mixing channel; a plurality of valved coupling bars and a plurality of direct bars located between said tube and mixer bars, each coupling'bar having a valve-controlled sounding channel, and each direct bar having a direct duct, between one of said pneumatic tubes and one of said mixing channels; and each of said coupling and direct bars which is located beneath a coupling bar having a pneumatically and stop-controlled diaphragm governing the valves of the coupling bar above it.

7. An organ having, in combination, a tube bar; a. plurality of pneumatic tubes leading from said tube bar to each of several key-controlled pallets; a mixer bar having a mixing channel for each key of one of the departments of the organ; a single variable pressure sound-controlling channel communicating with each mixing channel; a plurality of valved coupling bars located be tween said tube and mixer bars, each coupling bar having a valve-controlled sounding channel between one of said pneumatic tubes and one of said mixing channels; and a pneumatically and stop controlled diaphragm governing the valves of the coupling bar above it.

8. An organ having, in combination, a tube bar; a plurality of pneumatic tubes leading from said tube bar to each of several key-controlled pallets; a mixer bar having a mixing channel for each key of a plurality of the departments of the organ; a single variable pressure sound-controlling channel communicating with each mixing channel; a plurality of valved coupling bars located between said tube and mixer bars, each coupling bar having a valve-controlled sounding channel between one of said pneumatic tubes and one of said mixing channels; and a pneumatically and stop-controlled diaphragm governing the valves of the coupling bar above it.

9. An organ having, in combination, a tube bar; a plurality of key-controlled pneumatic tubes leading to said tube bar; a mixer bar having a mixing channel for each key of a plurality of the departments of the organ; a single variable pressure sound-controlling channel communicating with each mixing channel; a plurality of valved coupling bars located between said tube and mixer bars, each coupling bar having a valvecontrolled sounding channel bet-ween one of said pneumatic tubes and one of said mixing channels; and stop-controlled devices governing the valves of each coupling bar.

10. An organ coupler comprising sounding channels controlled by the organ keys, a steel ball valve for each channel which normally closes said channel, a stop-controlled flexible diaphragm beneath said balls and common to all the balls of a single coupler, and plunger for each ball resting on said diaphragm, said plungers being lifted by the diaphragm to unseat the balls, thereby opening said channels, and said balls dropping by gravity on to their seats to close said channels when the stop diaphragm collapses.

11. An organ coupler comprising sounding channels controlled by the organ keys, a ball valve for each channel which normally closes said channel, a stop-controlled flexible diaphragm beneath said balls and common to all the balls of a single coupler, and plungers resting on said diaphragm, said plun gers being lifted by the diaphragm to unseat the balls, thereby opening said channels, and said balls dropping by gravity on to their seats to close said channels when the stop diaphragm collapses.

12. An organ having, in combination, a tube bar; a mixer bar; a plurality of duct bars between said tube and mixer bars; packings between said bars; a headed screwthreaded socket carried by one of said outer bars; a headed screw bolt extending through the other of said outer bars and screwing into said socket; and a washer and a spring between the head of said bolt and the face of the neighboring outer bar.

18. An organ having, in combination, a tube bar; a mixer bar; a plurality of duct bars between said tube and mixer bars; a screw-threaded nut carried by one of said outer bars; a headed screw bolt extending through the other of said outer bars and screwing into said nut; and a spring between the head of said bolt and the face oi the neighboring outer bar.

1 1-. A coupling bar for organs having, in combination, a plurality of valve chambers, a gravity check-valve located in each of said valve chambers and seating at the bottom thereof; a duct extending from below each valve and open at one side of the bar; and a second duct extending from above each valve and open at the other side of said bar and constituting the sole air passage from said chamber above the valve seat; and each of said ducts having an enlarged mouth at the side of the bar.

15. An organ having, in combination, a pneumatic coupler formed of a plurality of units or coupling bars arranged in superimposed relation and each provided with pairs of comn'lunicating ducts, each pair of ducts constituting a portion of a variable pressure sounding channel, a normally closed metal ball gravity check valve for controlling communication between each pair of ducts, a plurality of pressure chambers, key controlled pallets governing outlets from said pressure chambers, each of said outlets communicating with one of said sounding channels, a normally open vent for each channel between each valve and the corresponding pressure chamber, a stopcon trolled channel formed in the top of each of said units, a single flexible diaphragm covering each of said stop channels, and plungers above each of the diaphragms, one plunger for each ball valve, each plunger being po sitioned normally to leave open the vent of one sounding channel and to permit the corresponding ball valve to be seated, but when air is admitted under pressure into a stop channel its diaphragm is expanded, thus lifting concurrently all of the plungers above said diaphragm thereby closing the coacting vents and lifting the associated ball valves from their seats.

16. An organ having, in combination, a pneumatic coupler formed of a plurality of units or coupling bars arranged in superimposed relation and each provided with portions of variable pressure sounding channels, a normally closed metal ball gravity check valve for each sounding channel controlling the passage of compressed air through said sounding channel, a plurality of pressure chambers, key controlled pallets governing outlets from said pressure cha i: b'ers, each of said outlets communicating with one of said sounding channels, a normally open vent for each channel between each valve and the corresponding pressure chamber, a stop-controlled channel formed in the top of each of said units, a single flexible diaphragm covering each of said stop channels, and plungers above each of the diaphragms, and one plunger for each ball valve, each plunger being positioned normally to leave open the vent of one sounding channel and to permit the corresponding ball valve to be seated, but when air is admitted under pressure into a stop channel its diaphragm is expanded, thus lifting concurrently all of the plungers above said diaphragm thereby closing the coacting vents and lifting the associated ball valves from their seats.

17. An organ having, in combination, a pneumatic coupler formed of a plurality of units or coupling bars arranged in superimposed relation and each provided with port-ions of variable pressure sounding channels, a normally closed metal ball gravity check valve for each souding channel controlling the passage of compressed air through said channel, a plurality of pressure chambers, key controlled pallets governing outlets from said pressure chambers, each of said outlets communicating with one of said sounding channels, a normally open vent for each channel between each valve and the corresponding pressure chamber, and stop-controlled means for each of said units normally leaving open the vents of such unit and permitting the corresponding ball valves to be seated, but novable to close the coacting vents and to lift the associated ball valves from their seats.

18. An organ having, in combination, a pneumatic coupler formed of a plurality of units or coupling bars arranged in superimposed relation and each provided with portions of variable pressure sounding channels, a normally closed check valve for each sounding channel controlling the passage of compressed air through said channel, a plurality of pressure chambers, key controlled pallets governing outlets from said pressure chambers, each of said outlets communicating with one of said sounding channels, a normally open vent for each channel between each valve and the corresponding pressure chamber, and stop-controlled means for each of said units normally leaving open the vents of such unit and permitting the corresponding valves to be seated, but moving to close the coacting vents and to move the associated valves from their seats.

19. An. organ having, in combination, a

pneumatic coupler formed of a plurality of units or coupling bars arranged in superimposed relation and each provided with portions of variable pressure sounding channels, a normally closed check valve for each sounding channel controlling the passage of compressed air through said channel, a pressure chamber, means governing outlets from said pressure chambers, each of said outlets communicating with one of said sounding channels, a normally open vent for ea h channel between each valve and the pressure chamber, and stop-controlled means for each of said units normally leaving open the vent of such unit permitting the corresponding valves to be seated, but movable to close the coacting vents and to move the associated valves from their seats.

20. An organ having, in combination, a pneumatic coupler formed of a plurality of units or coupling bars arranged in superimposed relation and each provided with portions of variable pressure sounding channels, a normally closed metal ball gravity check valve for each sounding channel controlling the passage of compressed air through said channel, a pressure chamber, means governing outlets from said pressure chamber, each of said outlets communicating with one of said sounding channels, a normally open vent for each channel between each valve and the pressure chamber, and stop-controlled means for each of said units normally leaving open the vents of such unit and permitting the corresponding ball valve to be seated, but movable to close the coacting vents and to lift the associated ball valves from their seats.

21. An organ having, in combination, a pneumatic coupler formed of a plurality of units or coupling bars arranged in superimposed relation and each provided with protions of variable pressure sounding channels, a normallv closed check valve for each sounding channel controlling the passage of compressed air through said channel, means for admitting air under pressure into said sounding channels, a normally open vent for each channel between each valve and the source of compressed air, a stop-controlled channel for each of said units, a single flexible diaphragm covering each of said stop channels, and means governed by each diaphragm to leave open the vents of the sounding channels of one cou pling unit and to permit the corresponding ball valves to be seated, but when air is admitted under pressure into a stop channel its diaphragm is expanded, thus lifting concurrently all of the plungers above said diaphragms thereby closing the coacting vents and lifting the associated valves from their seats.

22. An organ having, in combination, a

pressure chamber; a direct sounding chan nel; a key-controlled pallet governing an outlet from said pressure chamber; a cou pling sounding channel communicating with said outlet and in its action wholly inde pendent of the direct sounding channel; a normally closed valve in said coupling channel; a normally open vent for said coupling channel between said valve and said pressure chamber; a stop-controlled pneumatic means governing said valve and vent so that the valve is closed when the vent is opened and vice versa.

23. An organ having, in combination, a

pressure chamber; a direct sounding channel; means governing an outlet from said pressure chamber; a coupling sounding channel communicating with said outlet and in its action wholly independent of the direct sounding channel; a normally closed valve in said coupling channel; a normally open vent for said coupling channel between said valve and said pressure chamber; and stopcontrolled means governing said valve and vent so that the valve is closed when the vent is opened and vice versa.

24. An organ having, in combination, a pneumatic coupler having portions of variable pressure sounding channels, a normally closed metal ball gravity check valve for each sounding channel controlling the passage of compressed air through said channel, means for admitting air under pressure into said sounding channels, a normally open ventfor each channel between each valve and the source Of compressed air, and stop-controlled means which are positioned normally to leave open the vents and the sounding channels and to permit the ball valves to be seated, but which are movable to close concurrently the vents and to lift concurrently the ball valves from their seats.

25. An organ having, in combination, a pneumatic coupler having portions of variable pressure sounding channels, a normally closed check valve for each sounding channel controlling the passage of compressed air through said channel, means for admitting air under pressure into said sounding channels, communication between each pair of ducts, a normally open vent for each channel between each valve and the source of compressed air, and stop-controlled means normally leaving open the vents and permitting the valve to be closed, but movable to close the vents and to open the valves.

26. An or 'an coupler having sounding channels; means for supplying air under pressure into said channels when the organ is played; a metal gravity ball check valve normally closing each soundin channel; a vent in each channel below each ball valve, and pneumatically actuated stop-controlled means contacting with said ball valves to remove them from their seats to open said channels and concurrently acting to close said vents.

27. An organ coupler having sounding channels; means for supplying air under pressure into said channels when the organ is played; a metal gravity ball check valve normally closing each sounding channel; a vent in each channel below each ball valve, and stop-controlled means coacting with said ball valves to remove them from their seats to open said channels and concurrently acting to close said vents.

28. An organ coupler having sounding channels; means for supplying air under pressure into said channels when the organ is played; a metal gravity ball check valve normally closing each sounding channel; a vent in each channel between each ball valve and the source of air supply, and stop-controlled means acting to remove said valves from their seats to open said channels and concurrently acting to close said vents.

29. An organ coupler having sounding channels; means for supplying air under pressure into said channels when the organ is played; a check valve normally closing each sounding channel; a vent in each channel below each valve; and stop-controlled means coacting with said valves to remove them from their seats to open said channels and concurrently acting to close said vents.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WVILLIAM E. HASKELL.

lVitnesses:

CASPER N. MORAN, H. S. \VELLMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

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