US1154146A - Piano-player. - Google Patents

Description

E. c. WAMELINK.

PIANO PLAYER.

APPLICATION FlLED 11111.30. 1911.

1,154,146. Patented Sept. 21, 1915.

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E. C. WAMELINK.

PIANO PLAYER.

APPLICATION FILED 11111.30. 1911.

1,154,146. PatentedSept. 21, 1915.

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EUGENE o. WAMELINK, or CLEVELAND, onio.

PIANO-PLAYER.

Application filed January 30, 1911.

To all whom it may concern Be'it known that I, EUGENE C. Varan- LINK, a citizen'of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and tate of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Piano-Players, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates generally to player pianos and the like and is particularly designed as'an improvement in the player action'whereby the expression of the playing may beimproved in point of bringing out or accentuating the melody over the accompaniment irrespective of the position of the melody note with respect to the accom paniment notes.

The invention also comprehends the improvement of the expression of the player by causing the valves, controlling the mechanism, to be'operated positively with a clean operation irrespective of the intensity of the volume of sound which is being produced by the player; in other words, the operation of the valve mechanism is made more sensitive, and when the player is being operated to produce pianissimo effects, the notes will be spoken quickly and with life and will not be'caused to move sluggishly, thus producing blurred notes, as is the case with many instruments of this character when playing softly.

More specifically, the invention comprehends a player having a complete action for each note arranged so that each note action is connected to the corresponding note aperture in the tracker bar by a single tube or any other suitable means, the inflow of air into such opening being controlled by variable openings in the note sheet whereby the openings for melody notes may permit the inflow of greater or less volume of air as the case may be, thereby producing an effect upon the mechanism differing from the cf fect produced by the accompaniment openings in the paper, thereby causing the melody note to be accentuated or spoken with a greater volume of sound. Each note action comprises, in one effective embodiment, a primary having an outside air valve con structed and arranged to admit different volumes of air to a secondary channel and governed or controlled in its operation by suitable governing means which is effective in controlling the movement of the valve mechanism according to the volume of air admitted to the valvemotcr from. the

Specification of Letters Patent.

Fatented Sept. 1, 1915.

Serial No. 605,372.

tracker. Each note action also comprises suit able motor means actuated by air admitted to the secondary opening or channel and operating vacuum valve mechanism which is constructed and arranged to cause varying exhausts of the air from the power pneumatic together with a controller or governing means which controls such vacuum valve mechanism and causes it to operate and bring about an exhaust of the power pneumatic which varies according to the volume of air admitted in the secondary channel or the air admitted by the varying primary. Hence the vacuum valve mechanism permits an exhaust of the power pneumatic in pro portion to the volume of air admitted at the tracker opening.

The invention furtherrelates to the establishment of a substantially constant vacuum in the vacuum chest of the action for operation upon the valve operating motor means, suitable mechanism controlling the vacuum in that part of the chest which is in communication with the power pneumatic whereby the degree of vacuum in this portion of the chest may be varied at the will of the operator, so that very light pianissimo effects may be produced by the power pneumatics without any substantial change of the degree of vacuum which operates the valves, thus producing a clean stroke or ope ation of each val e mechanism in spite of the reduced or affected vacuum which is operating upon the power pneumatics.

The invention further resides in certain details of construction and arrangements of parts hereinafter set forth in the following description, drawings and claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a view showing a player action in section togethcr *ith a connection to a tracker bar which is shown partly in elevation, the note sheet being shown in conjunction with the tracker bar; Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a part of the vacuum chest showing the valve mechanism arranged therein with the valves in one position; Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the valves in another position; Fig. i isa detail view of the main vacuum valve; Fig. 5 is a modification showing a sectional view of the vacuum chest showing the valve mechanism, with the primary eliminated; and Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a player action setting forth the division of the vacuunrchest and the governing means for controlling and regulating the degree of vacuum operating upon the power pneumatics.

In carrying out the invention any preferred form and construction of parts may be employed so long as they possess the nec essary characteristics but I have shown one embodiment in the drawings which is highly effective in operation, and in such embodiment, 1 represents the tracker bar of ordinary construction provided with a plurality of openings 2 one for each note, and a nipple 3 for each note connected to a tube 4-. leading to the corresponding note action. This tracker bar cooperates with a note sheet 5,

which is preferably provided with openings 6 for the accompaniment notes and openings 7, of a size either larger or smaller than the openings 6, for the melody notes. By the arrangement of the tracker bar and note sheet in the manner described varying volumes of air may be permitted to flow through the openings in the tracker bar to the corresponding note actions.

The player action comprises a suitable vacuum chest 8 and each note action is provided with a secondary pouch chamber 9 over which is secured a secondary pouch or motor means 10, and an opening or valve chamber 11 leading to the outside of the machine and communicating with a port or channel 12 connected to the power pneumatic 13. The vacuum chest is further provided with an exhaust opening 14 which is connected to the bellows or any other suitable vacuum pump. The vacuum chest is still further provided with a secondary channel 15 leading to the chamber 9. Mounted in the opening 11 adjacent to the inner wall of the vacuum chest is a vacuum valve seat 16 of any preferred size or construc tion. The vacuum chest is provided with a channel 15, a secondary pouch chamber 9, a secondary pouch 10, opening 11, vacuum valve seat 16, and a channel 12 for each note. Secured to the vacuum chest is a primary chest 17 in open communication with the vacuum chest 8 through an opening 18 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, so that there is a vacuum in the primary chest. This primary chest has a pouch chamber 19 for each note and connected by a channel 20 with the corresponding tube 4 leading to the tracker bar. A bleed opening 21 extends from this channel 20 to the inside of the vacuum chest for a purpose which is well known in the art. The capacity of this bleed, however, may be varied by means of a screw 22 mounted in the chest and in alinement with the opening 21. Secured to the inside of the primary chest and above each of the pouch chambers is a primary pouch or motor means 23. The primary chest is also provided with a channel 24 com.- municating with each channel 15 and leading to an opening 25 which establishes communication between the channels 15 and 24 and the outside air. Mounted in each of the openings 25 is the primary valve mechanism, and it comprises a stem 26 having a foot or button 27 for engagement with the pouch 23, a primary vacuum valve 28 adapted to seat against a primary seat ring 29 mounted upon a primary controller pouch 30 secured preferably to the underside of the upper wall of the primary chest. A spring 31 may be mounted above this pouch if desired. The stem 26 extends through the opening 25 and beyond. the primary chest where it is provided with an auxiliary primary "alve which is adapted to seat upon a main primary valve 33 which in turn is adapted to seat upon the edge of the primary chest about the opening 25. The stem 26 is still further provided with a stop 34 adapted for engagement with the main valve 33. This main primary valve 33 has an opening 35 .vhich is larger than the stem 26 and permits only a small flow of outside air into the opening and into the channel 24. The large valve 33, however, when raised, permits a greater flow of air into the same opening'and channel From the foregoing it will be seen that when a small volume of air passes in from the tracker the primary pouch 23 will raise the primary valve mechanism causing the valve 28 to seat against the seat 29. In the meantime, however. the auxiliary valve 32 is raised slightly and permits a relatively small volume of air to pass through the opening 35 in the main valve 33. This outside air passes into the recess above the primary controller pouch 30 and causes it to resist further movement of the valve 28, thereby preventing the opening of the main primary outside air valve 34 When a large volume of air is admitted through the tracker, the primary pouch 23 has suflicient power to overcome or raise the primary controller pouch 30 and consequently it forces not only the auxiliary valve 32 open but causes the shoulder 34. to engage the main outside air valve 33, opening it and causing an increased volume of air to flow into the opening 25 and through the channel 24:.

The vacuum valve mechanism of each note action comprises a valve stem 36 having secured to the end thereof a foot 01' button 37 adapted for engagement by the pouch 10, a stop 38 for a purpose to be described, an accompaniment note valve 39 adjustably secured on the stem, and an outside air valve 40 also adjustably secured on the stem 36. Loosely mounted upon the stem and adjacent to the accompaniment note valve 39 is a relatively larger melody note valve 41, shown in detail in Fig. 1, this valve is provided with a suitable packing ring 42 near its periphery and with ports 43 which are adapted to register with ports 44 in a disk 45 which is mounted loosely upon the stem 36. V The valve 39 is adapted to seat against the face of this valve 41 and to open and close the openings 43 while the disk 45 with its openings 44 forms a means for regulating the flow ofair which passes through the openings 43 and 44. The disk 45 and the valve 41 are loose upon the stem'and are engaged by a slee've46 loose upon the stem and adapted to be engaged by the shoulder '38. The vacuum chest 8 is preferably provided with a central partition 47 with openings therein for guiding the sleeve 46 and with openings 48 for the equalization of the vacuum on either'side of the partition.

The outside air valve 40 is adapted to engage a controlling or governing pouch 49 having a reinforcing ring 50 around the central opening 51 in the pouch. This pouch is secured to the outside of the vacuum chest about the opening 11. A suitable guide 52 secured to the vacuum chest serves to guide the end of the stem 36. The pouch 49 not only serves to carry. the outside air valve seat, but also performs the function of a governor or controller for the entire vacuum valve mechanism, and its function will be more clearly described hereinafter.

The operation of the tracker and the primary have been described, and as stated, the volume of air admitted to the channels 24 and 15 is in proportion to the volume of air admitted to the tracker, so that the following'description of the operation of the device will relate to the operation of the vacuum valve mechanism just described. When a relatively small volume of air is supplied to the channel 15 and from thence applied to the secondary pouch chamber 9, the latter is moved to the left, as shown in Fig. 1, causing the stem 36 to be shifted to the left carrying with it the accompaniment note valve 39 exposing the openings 43 through the melody note valve 41 and carrying with it the outside air valve 40 which engages the inner edge about the opening in the outside air and controller pouch 49. This results in the outside air pressure, upon the controller pouch 49, resisting further operation of the pouch 10, when the accompaniment note valve will be operated no further than the point where the outside air controller pouch balances the pouch 10 and the power pneumatic will be operated to an extent which produces the accompaniment note. The primary should be adjusted so that the air admitted by it to the vacuum pouch 10 for the accompaniment note is only su"lli cient to bring about the operation just described and no movement of the melody note valve. This position of the valves is shown in Fig. 2. Upon the primary admitting an increase volume of air the pouch 10 has gmlicient power to overcome the outside air controller pouch, so that the valve stem, together with thesleeve moved by stop 38 and the'melodynote valve 41 are shifted into the position shown in'Fig. 3, when the power pneumatic will be operated to produce the melody-note or to produce a note having increased volume of tone over that of the accompaniment note.

Summing up the operation of the entire mechanism, it-can be said that the intensity of the tone is directly proportional to the volume of air admitted at the tracker.

In the modification shown in Fig. 5 the primary is eliminated and the tube 4 is connected by nipple 53 with the secondary channel 15, and a bleed 54 with an adjusting screw 55 arranged for bleeding the channel. In this construction the valve mechanism is identical with the valve mechanism set forth in the primary operated construction, and the operation of the entire mechanism is substantially the same except that the air from the tracker flows directly to the vacuum pouch.

Referring to Fig. 6, which relates to the mechanism for maintaining a substantially uniform vacuum upon the valve operating means and varying or regulating the degree of'vacuum operating upon the power pneumatics, the chest 56 is provided with a partition 57 which separates the vacuum chest into two compartments 58 and 59, the former being in communication with the draft pipe 60 connected directly to the bellows or other vacuum pump and being the one in which the vacuum valve pouches are located, and the latterhaving the vacuum valves in it or in ports leading to it. The vacuum chest is still further provided with a primary chest 61,-primary valve mechanism 62 actuated by air from' the tracker board draft pipe 63. The primary in this construction, as in the other, controls the air passing to the secondary draft channel 64 which leads to the secondary pouch 65 which operates the valve stem 66 carrying the valves 67 and 68 which are of ordinary construction and operate in the ordinary way. The power pneumatic 69 is under the control of these valves and operates in the ordinary manner. In fact this entire mechanism may be of any ordinary construction. In the improved expression construction, however, the partition 57 is provided with an opening 70 for each of the valve stems 66 and a suitable packing 71 is provided about these valve stems to prevent leakage. The partition is still further provided with a conical valve seat 72 adapted to be engaged by a conical valve 73 mounted upon a valve stem 74 guided in the chest and moved to the right by a spring 75 between the chest and the valve. The stem- 74 is provided with a foot 7 6 adapted to be engaged by a pouch mounted over a pouch chambr'i 8 which. is in communication with a channel 7 9 connected to a draft tube 80 lead ing to a block 81 and communicating with a channel 82 in such block. There is a valve seat 83 provided in the block and communicating with the channel, and this valve seat cooperates with a conical valve 84: which is carried by a spring arm 85 mounted on the underside of the block and engaged by a stem 86 which has a button 87 at the top for manipulation by the operator. The spring arm 85 holds the valve 8% normally closed. A suitable bleed channel 88 is arranged in the chest and establishes communication between the chamber 58 and the pouch chamber 78 and when the valve 84: is closed, the pouch 77 is inactive and the valve 73 is closed by the spring 75, but when the opera tor moves the button 87 downward, the valve 84: is opened and outside air is permitted to flow in behind the pouch 77 with the result that the pouch is inflated and moves the valve 73 to the left to an amount dependent upon the volume of air admitted by the valve Set. In this way the degree of vacuum in the chamber 59 may be varied with respect to the degree of vacuum in the chamber 58. A bleed screw 89 may be provided for regulating the flow of outside air through the bleed 88. This portion of the expression device may be used for all purposes of varying playing of the whole or a part of the player so as to produce the proper modulation.

In addition to the above I have provided another regulating valve mechanism for use in producing soft or pianissimo effects and it may be used in conjunction with the above for the louder effects after the several note actions have been adjusted as above outlined. In this pianissimo construction, a suitable governing device is provided and it comprises a pouch 90 secured to the inner wall of the vacuum chest and arranged above a chamber 91 connected by a suitable port 92 with the outside air. This pouch operates valve mechanism comprising a stem 93, having a button 94 on the end thereof for engagement with the pouch, a tapered valve 95 adapted to seat against a valve seat 96 arranged about an opening 97 through the partition 57 and a suitable spring 98 arranged about the stem 93 and serving to normally shift the valve 95 to the right as shown in Fig. 6 and against the outside air pressure operating upon the pouch 90. The power of the pouch 90 and hence the opening of the valve 95 may be regulated by adjusting a bleed 99 with the screw 100. In operation when a vacuum is produced in the chest outside air rushes through the opening 92 and. seats the valve 95 against its seat 96 and against the tension of the spring 98 but upon the actuation of a note valve mechanism outside air rushes into the chamber 59 from the power pneumatics and lifts the valve from its seat causing the operation of the power pneumatic. This valve moves automatically according to the volume of air admitted to the chamber 59 through the actuation of the several note valve mechanisms, but the degree of vacuum affecting the notes is dependent upon the adjustment of the force of the pouch 90 by its bleed. This operation, however. is limited to the pianissimo effects and has no particular function when the fortissimo regulator is in operation. In this way a direct vacuum from the bellows is affecting the valve operating motor means or pouches, while the vacuum chest affecting the power pneumatics is varied at the will of the operator. This arrangement produces a quick operating valve mechanism, and at the same time permits the operator to produce any desired modulation in his playing. This type of action is particularly useful in producing staccato effects which are to be played very softly. It also insures the proper operation of the valves and does away with a slow stroke of the power pneumatic. The statement that this type of regulating means is useful in producing staccato effects is based upon the fact that in an ordinary action where the same degree of vacuum acts upon the power pneumatics and upon the valve motor means and the vacuum in the chest is varied to produce pianissimo effects, the degree of vacuum when different numbers of notes are being struck is so changed by the inflow of air admitted by the power pneumatics that it is impossible to produce the quick staccato effect which is desirable in many places but with the present means of regulating the intensity of the vacuum operating upon the power pneumatics and allowing a high vacuum to operate upon the valve motor means the valves are operated quickly while the power pneumatics may be exhausted with a very light degree of vacuum which is not apt to vary, bringing about as stated, staccato effects which are perfect in point of technique. It may also be stated in support of the foregoing statement that when a power pneumatic is exhausted by means of a slowly operating valve the tone resulting is apt to be blurred and does not possess the quick decided character which it does when it is operated quickly.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. In a piano player, a device operated by pneumatic force for speaking each note, said pneumatic force varying in intensity with the pumping and with the speaking of the notes, mechanism including motor means operated by outside air for controlling each device, and gove ning means acting upon and controlling said motor means and simultaneously with the operation thereof directly producing predetermined "variations as g in the operation of said device in accord ance with the volume of outside air admitted to the motor means and in addition to the variations produced by changes in the pneumatic force.

2. in a piano player, a device operated by pneumatic force for speaking each note, said pneumatic force varying in intensity with the pumping and with the speaking of the notes, mechanism including a single motor means operated by outside air for controlling each device, and governing means acting upon and controlling said motor means and simultaneously with the operation thereof directly producing predetermined variations in the operation of said device in accordance with the volume of outside air admitted to, the motor means and in addition to the vari ations produced by changes in the pneumatic force.

3. In a. piano player, a power pneumatic operated by pneumatic force for speaking ach note, said pneumatic force varying in intensity with the pumping and with the speaking of the notes, mechanism including motor means operated by outside air for controlling each power pneumatic, and governing means acting upon and controlling said motor means and simultaneously with the operation thereof directly producing predetermined variations in the operation of said power pneumatic in accordance with the volume of outside air admitted to the motor means and in addition to the variations produced by changes in the pneumatic force.

4:. In a piano player, a power pneumatic operated by pneumatic force for each note to be spoken, said pneumatic force varying in intensity with the pumping and with the speaking of the notes, valve mechanism for controlling the operation of the power pneumatic, a single motor means operated by outside air for operating each valve mechanism, and governing means acting upon and controlling said motor means and simultaneously with the operation thereof directly producing variations in the operation of said power pneumatic in accordance with the volume of outside air admitted to the motor means and in addition to variations produced by changes in the pneumatic force.

5. In a piano player, a power pneumatic operated by pneumatic force one for each note to be spoken, said pneumatic force varying in intensity with the pumping and with the speaking of the notes, valve mechanism comprising a melody note valve and an accompaniment note valve, a single motor means operated by outside air for operating said valve mechanism, governing means act ing upon and controlling said motor means so as to cause a variation in the volume of air admitted to the motor means to operate either the melody note valve or the accompaniment note valve, and means for varying the volume of outside air admitted to the motor means.

6. In a piano player, an individual device actuated by pneumatic pressure for speaking each note to be spoken, said pneumatic force varying in intensity with the pumping and with the speaking of the notes, valve mechanism for regulating the operation of each device, single motor means for actuating said valve mechanism, means for controlling and varying the operation of each motor means whereby the tone spoken by each individual device may be varied to produce the melody and accompaniment notes irrespective of changes in the pneumatic force, and means for varying the volume of air admitted to the motor means.

7. In a piano player, a tracker bar, an individual device actuated by pneumatic force for speaking a note, said pneumatic force varying in intensity with the pumping and with the speaking of the notes, valve mecha nism for controlling each device, motor means for operating said valve mechanism, a single connection leading from the tracker to the action, said connection being instrumental in bringing about the admission of outside air to the said motor means alone, means for regulating the volume of air ad mitted at the tracker, and means for con trolling the operation of the motor means and causing the motor means to operate proportionately with respect to the volume of air admitted at the tracker and irrespective of the pneumatic force.

8. In a piano player, a tracker bar having an opening for each note action, power pneumatic devices, a vacuum chest having a vacuum opening for each power pneumatic device and establishing communication between them, valve mechanism arranged in each opening, motor means therefor, a governing device for controlling the operation of each valve mechanism to cause the blow of the corresponding power pneumatic to vary in intensity with the volume of air admitted at the corresponding opening in the tracker bar, said governing device being subjected to the action of outside air independently of the air admitted to the tracker, and means whereby the volume of air admitted at any opening in the tracker bar may be varied.

9. In a piano player, a tracker bar having an opening for each note action, power pneumatic devices, a vacuum chest having a vacuum opening for each power pneumatic device and establishing communication between them, valve mechanism arranged in each opening, motor means for said valve mechanisms, governing means operated by outside air independent of the tracker air for controlling the operation of the vacuum valve mechanisms, to cause the blow of the corresponding power pneumatic to vary in intensity with the volume of air admitted at the corresponding openings in the tracker bar, and means whereby the volume of air admitted at the openings in the tracker bar may be varied.

10. In a piano player, a tracker bar having an opening for each note action, power pneumatic devices, a vacuum chest having a vacuum opening for each power pneumatic device and establishing communication between them, valve mechanism arranged in each opening, motor means for the valve mechanism, governing means varying in force with the intensity of the vacuum in the vacuum chest and actuated by outside air independent of the tracker air for controlling the operation of the motor means to cause its operation to be directly proportional to the volume of air admitted at the corresponding openings in the tracker bar, and means whereby the volume of air ad mitted at any opening in the tracker bar may be varied.

11. In a piano player action, a tracker bar having an opening for each note action, power pneumatic devices, a vacuum chest having a vacuum opening for each power pneumatic device and establishing communication between them, valve mechanism arranged in each opening, motor means therefor, governing means varying in power with the vacuum in the vacuum chest and operated by outside air independent of the tracker air for controlling the operation of each motor means to cause its operation to vary with the volume of air admitted at the corresponding opening in the tracker bar, and means whereby the volume of air admitted at any opening in the tracker bar may be varied.

12. Valve controlling and operating mechanism for penumatic player actions comprising valve mechanism, a single motor. means actuated by volumes of outside air admitted, and means for controlling such motor means and actuated by outside air from an independent source and causing its operation to be proportional to the volume of outside air admitted to such motor means.

13. Valve controlling means for operating pneumatic player actions comprising valve mechanism, a single motor means actuated by volumes of outside air admitted, and means actuated by outside air from an in dependent source for controlling such motor means and causing its operation to be proportional to the volume of outside air admitted to such motor means.

14. In a piano player action, a power pneumatic, a vacuum chest having a single opening for said power pneumatic, a single vacuum valve seat mounted in said opening, valve mechanism cooperating with said seat and adapted to vary the exhaust throughout such vacuum opening according to the movement of the valve mechanism, a single motor means for said valve mechanism and adapted to operate the same to an extent proportional to the volume of outside air admitted to it, and means for varying the volume of outside air to said motor means.

15. In a piano player action, a power penumatic, a vacuum chest having a single vacuum opening communicating with said power pneumatic, a vacuum valve seat arranged in such opening, valve mechanism cooperating with said seat and adapted to permit varying exhausts of the power pneumatic, single motor means for operating said valve mechanism, a device for controlling the operation of each motor means, and suitable means for varying the power of the motor means.

16. In a piano player, a tracker bar having an opening for each note action, a vacuum chest, and a plurality of note actions comprising a power pneumatic, valve mechanism adapted to permit varying exhausts of the power pneumatic, outside air valve mechanism, a device actuated by outside air for controlling the opening of the valve mechanism and permitting it to operate to an extent such that the exhaust of the power pneumatic is directly proportional to the volume of air admitted at the tracker, and means for varying the volume of air admitted at the tracker.

17. In a piano player, a tracker bar having an opening for each note action, a vacuum chest, and a plurality of note actions comprising a power pneumatic, valve mechanism adapted to permit varying exhausts of the power pneumatic, outside air valve mechanism, a device adapted to become operative upon the closing of the outside air valve and to permit an operation of the valve mechanism such that the stroke of the power pneumatic is proportional in intensity to the volume of air admitted to the motor means, and means for varying the volume of air admitted at the tracker.

18. In a piano player, a tracker bar having an opening for each note action, a vacuum chest, aplurality of note actions, each comprising a power pneumatic in com munication with the vacuum chest, a valve seat, a single vacuum valve seat between the vacuum chest and the corresponding power pneumatic, vacuum valve mechanism cooperating with said valve seat and comprising an accompaniment note valve and a melody note valve, motor means for operating said valve mechanism, a device for controlling such valve mechanism and permitting the opening of one or the other of said valves according to the power of the motor means, and means for Varying the power of the motor means.

19. In a piano player, a tracker bar having an opening for each note action, a vacuum chest, a plurality of note actions, each comprising a power pneumatic in communication with the vacuum chest, a valve seat, a single vacuum valve seat between the vacuum chest and the corresponding power pneumatic, vacuum valve mechanism cooperating with said valve seat and comprising an accompaniment note valve and a melody note valve, a single motor means for operating said valve mechanism, a device for controlling such valve mechanism and permit ting the opening of one or the other of said valves according to the power of the motor means, and means for varying the power of the motor means.

20. A variable primary for player actions comprising valve mechanism for controlling the admission of outside air to the action, motor means for actuating said valve mechanism, and means controlling the operation of the motor means whereby the volume of air admitted by the primary is proportional to the force operating upon the motor means.

21. In a piano player action, a power pneumatic for each note action, a vacuum chest, suitable valve mechanism between the vacuum chest and the power pneumatic, suitable motor means for actuating said valve mechanism, primary valve means adapted to supply varying amounts of air to the motor means, and means for actuating said primary.

22. In a piano player action, a power pneumatic for each note action, a vacuum chest, valve mechanism between the vacuum chest and the power pneumatic, means for actuating and controlling the movement of the valve mechanism to cause the stroke of the power pneumatic to be proportional in intensity'to the volume of air operating to the valve operating means, a primary for admitting varying volumes of air to the valve operating means, and means for op erating the primary.

23. In a piano player action, a power pneumatic for each note action, a vacuum chest, valve mechanism between the vacuum chest and the power pneumatic, means for actuating and controlling the movement of the valve mechanism to cause the stroke of the power pneumatic to be proportional in intensity to the volume of air operating to the valve operating means, a primary for admitting varying volumes of air to the valve operating means, means for controlling the operationof the primary whereby it may admit varying volumes of air to the valve operating means, and means for actuating said primary.

24. In a piano player action, a power pneumatic for each note action, a vacuum chest, valve mechanism between the vacuum chest and the power pneumatic, means for actuating and controlling the movement of the vacuum valve mechanism whereby the stroke of the power pneumatic is proportional in intensity to the volume of air op erating upon the valve operating means, a primary for admitting varying volumes of air to the valve operating means, means operated by varying volumes of air for actuating the primary and causing it to admit varying volumes of air to the valve mechanism operating means, and means for admitting varying volumes of air to the primary.

25. In a piano player action, a power pneumatic for each note action, a vacuum chest, valve mechanism between the vacuum chest and the power pneumatic, means for actuating and controlling the movement of the vacuum valve mechanism whereby the stroke of the power pneumatic is proportional in intensity to the volume of air operating upon the valve operating means, a primary for admitting varying volumes of air to the valve operating means, means for controlling the operation of the primary whereby it may admit varying volumes of air to the valve operating means, a tracker bar having a connection with the primary, and means for admitting varying volumes of air to the tracker bar.

26. In a piano player action, a power pneumatic, a vacuum chest having a single channel for outside air to be supplied to the motor means, valve mechanism controlling the power pneumatic, motor means actuated by outside air admitted through said channel and for operating the valve mechanism, and means actuated by outside air from an independent source for controlling the operation of the motor means whereby the eX tent of operation of the valve mechanism is proportional to the volume of air admitted to the motor means.

In testimony whereoi I ai'iiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EUGENE O. IVAINIELINK.

lVitnesses ALTON H. BEMIS, CHRISTINE H. Treason.

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

. Washington, I). C.

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