US1223048A - Pneumatically-played musical instrument. - Google Patents

Description

G. K. HENNIG.

PNEUMATICALLY PLAYED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

lAPPLICATION FILED OCT. ZI. 19H.

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G\ K. HENNG.

PNEUMATICALLY PLAYED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATloN FILED @c1227. 1914.

Patented Apr. 17, 1917.

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UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIoE GUSTAV KARL HENNIG, OF BHLITZ-EHRENBERG, NEAR LEIPZIG, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO THE FIRM l0]? LUDWIG HUPFELD AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, 0F -BHLITZ-EHREN- BERG, NEAR LEIPZIG, GERMANY.

PNEUMATICALLY-PLAYED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 17, 1917.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GUs'rAv-KARL HENNIG, a subject of the King of Saxony, residing at 1 Bielastrasse, Bhlitz-E'hrenberg, near Leipzig, Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in and Relating to Pneumatically-Played Musical Instruments; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention.

This invention relates to accentuating or emphasizing apparatus for pneumatically played musical instruments of the kind comprising a number of throttling devices. The various throttling devices of emphasizing apparatus according to this invention are directly connected in parallel to the main suction chamber of the playing apparatus. The throttling devices may or may not be dependent upon each other'. The wind pressures produced by the various throttling devices are relative to the wind pressures produced by the main suction chamber.

In the case ofthrottling devices which are dependent upon each other the arrangement may be such that a still greater Wind pressure than that normally produced by the particular adjustment of the throttling mechanism for the time being, may be produced for the purpose of special emphasis. lffloreover, in some cases the wind lpressure produced by one of the throttling devices may be varied as may be desired, independently of the wind pressure produced by the other throttling devices.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawing diagrammatically illustrates one construction of emphasizing apparatus according to my invention, and

F ig. 2 is a view similar' to Fig. 1, illustrating another construction.

Referring to Fig. 1, a is the suction chamber for producing ordinary wind, and has a double valve whose upper large valve plate 2 controls communication to a chamber 3, provided with a connection 4 leading to the customary suction devices, not shown.

The suction chamber a. communicates with a. plurality of tone controlling chambers, (there being two such chambers f and g shown in Fig. 1,) by means of suitable connections 9 and 9 respectively, whose inlet openings rZ and e are more or less closed or The valve I) is mounted on an actuating rod b supported in a stationary bearing 11, through which the rod is slidable. The rod b is pivoted at 12 to a lever b2 whose lower end is pivoted to one end of a link 13, the other end of which link is pivoted at 14 to the movable member h2 of an exhausting bellows it. f

The bellows t is connected by an exhaust conduit h to an extension f of the tone modulating chamber The valve o which controls the tension in suction chamber g is provided with a valve rod o which is pivotally connected at 15 .to a lever c2. The lower end of this lever c2 is pivoted to one end of a link 16 whose other end is pivoted to the movable member 2 of an exhaustingbellows z' that has communication with the interior of the tone modulating chamber g through a port or equivalent connection 2". The upper end of lever c2 is connected by a link c3 to lever It" provided with a handle 17.

The upper end of lever b2 for actuating the valve 7) is also pivotally connected by a link b3 to this same lever 70.

The lever 7c is pivoted to one end of a rod Z whose other end is pivotally connected to the movable member n of the smaller chamber n of an unsymmetrical double pneumatic n 0. The rod Z is operated either by the double pneumatic or by hand in a customary manner, as indicated by the hand lever 17.

The double pneumatic n 0 has a middle member 1S that is movable and has a port or passage 19 connecting the larger chamber 0 with the smaller chamber n.

The stationary member 20 of the double pneumatic n o has two conduits 21 and 22, the vone 22 entering the stationary member 20 directly opposite the port 19 and serving primarily for controlling the wind in the smaller' chamber n, while the other conduit 21, which is displaced therefrom, serves primarily for controlling the wind in the larger chamber 0.

The chambers n and 0 are controlled by the note sheet by any suitable or well known devices, and I have illustrated by way of example the conduit 21 leading to a valve ne i ,esente chamber 23 having a port 2a leading to the atmosphere, and a port 25 leading to an exhaust chamber 2G.

A valve p has a stem 27 seating on a membrane 28 whose upper side is under the aotion of the exhaust in chamber 26 and whose lower side has a small bleeder passage 29, also connecting he under side of the membrane with the chamber 26.

The space below the membrane 28 is connected by a tube 30 with a tracker' bar T. The conduit 22 is controlled by a like'valve operated through a tube 3l, also connected to the tracker bar T. Another like valve t controlled through a tube 32 connected to a tracker bar will be hereinafter referred to in connection with the element it controls.

rthese three valves are all alike and of well known construction, so that their operation need not be specifically described, and they all operate in connection with the same exhaust chamber 26.

rlfliis chamber 26 is connected by a conduit 33 with the main wind chamber a or is otherwise exhausted to place tension in chamber 26.

The movable member 7a2 of the exhaust bellows 7L is connected to a spring h3 under tension secured to any suitable support, as 34, and the movable member 2 of the exhaust bellows is connected to a similar stronger spring 3 and is also connected by a link 35 to an actuating pneumatic s that is connected by a tube 36 to the aforementioned valve t.

The tone modulating chambers f and g are connected in parallel to the main chamber a, and between these modulating chambers, specifically between the chamber g and the extension 7" of the chamber f are conduits A and B, leading` to two groups of primary pneumatics of well known construction, and not illustrated. rlhe conduits are under control of double valves g/ and z respectively, that effect the distribution of wind of the desired tension to the groups of primary pneumatics through the conduits A. and B.

The upper plates of these valves y and e, which control the admission of the stronger tension from the extension f of the tension chamber f to the conduits A and B are freely movable on their spindles.

The valves 1/ and e are controlled by the music sheet, and are operated by primary pneumatics fw and fc respectively, under the control of suitable double valves u and a; respectively, the valve u controlling the primary pneumatic w through conduit 37, and the valve e controlling the primary pneumatic m through the conduit 3S. rl`he valves u and o operate in connection with a tension chamber 89 connected to the main suction chamber c, or that is otherwise exhausted.

rlhe valves u and o are similar to valves p Q and t previously referred to, and are provided with tubes 40 and l1 connected to tracker bar T.

The operation is as follows:

When no special emphasis is desired, the wind produced by chambers f and g is weaker than that produced by the chamber a and the wind produced by the chamber f is as much weaker than that produced by the chamber g as the spring is weaker than the spring 3, because these springs, with the forces they exert, which as hereinbefore stated are different, act with different effect in opposition to the suction action in the chambers f and g. Supposing the wind nessure produced by the chamber 7 were ten millimeters of mercury and that produced by the chamber g fifteen millimeters, all the notes operated from the chamber f would have a tone strength corresponding to ten millimeters wind pressure and those actuated from the chamber g a tone strength corresponding to fifteen .millimeters wind pressure. ylhe wind pressure in chamber .ft may be assumed as twenty millimeters.

lf the valves p and Q be opened for the purpose of exhausting or closing the controlling bellows part 0, or if the hand lever l?" which forms a substitute for said bellows be correspondingly moved, the link Z will move a maximum distance to the right in accordance with the movements of the bellows parts o and n. The valve c will therefore be moved in a direction to more r fully open and, by means of the transmission mechanism comprising link Zr, lever 722 and rod b, the valve o will also be moved in its opening direction. The throttling bel.- lows z' and 7L will therefore be exhausted or closed more nearly according to the movement of the corresponding valve. The exhaustion or closing of the throttlingbel- `lows additionally stresses the springs i3 and 7a3, with the result that there is produced in the two chambers and g an increase of the vacuum corresponding to the additional stress placed upon the springs. Although the vwind pressure produced by the two chambers f and g varies in itself, yet the same ratio of such pressure will always be maintained in both of said chambers, as the springs k3 and s are of different strengths. With the exhaustion or collapsing of the two bellows 7L and t' the two valves b and c will be again simultaneously moved back to their original positions. lt will be understood therefore that as the controlling bellows part o alone, or the bellows part n alone, or both bellows parts together, are operated by their valves ,o and g the movement of the two valves and c, and consequently also the exhaustion or closing of the throttling bel lows 7L and z' and the stressing of the springs 7a3 and 3 on which the pressure in the two chambers ,"3 and g is also be effected.

The primary pnoun'iatics fw and a which, through the valves g/ and control the distribution of the wind pressure to the different groups of notes, are always subjected to suction when the valves u and c are closed and are therefore then exhausted or closed, so that the valves y and shut the chambers l' from the conduits and B.

lf the valve u be opened, as shown, the pi 'mary pneumatic fu; will expand or open as atmospheric air flows therein through conduit 3T and the valve g/ will thereby be forced downward, this downward movement being assisted by the more powerful suction in the chamber g. rlhe upper plate of the valve y/ will be drawn down by the vacuum in the chamber g and the cha nber 7" will therefore be cut olf from the cb amber g. rlhe valve 11/ will then allow the group of notes or notes associated therewith through conduit El to play with the higher wind pressure produced by chamber g, while the other notes or group of note-s associated with the valve o through conduit B are actuated by the wind pressure produced by the chamber lf the valve u be opened, the bellows a: will be filled with atmospheric air and the valve e will be operated in a similar manner to that described with reference to the valve y, so that the group of notes, or notes assoac'ain dependent, will iated with this valve will be played with the strength of the wind pressure produced by the chamber g.

lf neither of the valves u or o be opened, then the vali/'es y and` c shut both of the conduits il. and B off from the chamber g.

Owing to the vacuum in the chamber f the upper plates of the valves y and e, which are freely movable on their spindles, are seated so loosely that the group of notes or the notes associated with the valves "y and .e are nevertheless actuated by the wind produced by the chamber f, as the chamber g is cut off from the chamber and the conduits A and B by the lower plates of these vvalves which are drawn upward by the exhausted or closed bellows -w and As has already been stated, the number of if'alves je/ and is not limited to two, but depends on the number of the groups into which the notes are divided. A.. corresponding arrznigement may be provided for each individual note. if desired.

lf :it be desi ed to specially empl asize certain notes of those already emphasized and actuated by the wind pressure produced by the chamber 57 this is effected by means of the valve t which controls the bellows s and is i .if controlled from the tracker board T. Instead of employing the valve t, the bellows s may be controlled by a passage opened or closed by the finger. Upon the bellows s being exhausted or closed by any controlling mechanism the pull of the spring 3 is thereby augmented. By this means the throttling bellows e' will be powerfully exhausted, the valve b will thereby be more widely opened and an increased wind pressure augmented by the suctional action of the bellows a will be instantly produced by the chamber g.

The notes actuated by wind pressure produced in the chamber g will. therefore be instantaneously more heavily struck. The ratio of wind pressure produced in the chanibers f and g will therefore at that instant be altered. The longer the valve t or its equivalent can exert its action the more intense will be the emphasis.

ln the construction of apparatus shown in Fi 2 the action is substantially the same as that of the apparatus shown in Fig. l, only in this case the two throttling chambers and g are not dependent upon each other, as in l. The tlnfottling action can therefore be varied as may be desired in each chamber. llach tbrottling chamber is controlled by a corresponding iuisyuninctrical double bellows n 0, and n, o, respectively, and the throttling action depends on wiether the bellows n o, or the bellows n 0', works, or whether both bellows work together.

Special emphasizing bellows are provided for each chamber, namely the bellows a for the chamber g and the bellows sEL for the chamber Therefore with this apparatus any desired notes or groups of notes may be specially emphasized from both chambers. The valves and other parts are in like manner duplicated. That is to say, both valve chests 26 and Q6 are connected through conduit 33 to chamber a and the valves are necessarily duplicated at 79 o and t with corresponding pipe connections 30, 31, and 32 to the tracker bar, the duplicated parts being in most instances indicated by the affix a to the reference character.

.lt will be noted that the construction is such that by the movement of the rod l the valve or c anc the bellows pertaining to the chamber controlled by said valve is operated oppositely to the pertaining bellows /L or vi, that is to say, when the valve c is opened by a pull on rod Z the bellows t is collapse l, and vice versa; the bellows a however, opposes, when desired. the collapsing of the bellows The same is true for both valves and c and their pertaining mechanisms in both figures.

ln Fig. l., however, both bellows .la and i are connected to the same lever le', so that in addition to the above statement the movement of one bellows will also be dependent upon the n'ioif'ement of the other, and thereby the tension in one tone chamber will vary to an extent with the tension in the other,

so that the ratio oli the tensions in the two chambers remains substantially constant although the tension in one chamber rai-ies,

l claiml. lone control meel anism for pneumatically actuated musical instruments, comprising a main suction chamber, a plurality ot tone controlling chambers in which exist different tensions and connected in parallel to said main suction chamber, a conduit arranged between the two chambers and means to admit the tension in one or the other tone control chambers to said conduit.

Tone control mechanism for pneumatically actnated musical instruments, comprising tone controlling chambers in which eK- ist different tensions and connected to a conduit arranged between the chambers, means to connect the chambers singly and at will to said conduit to admit the tension in said chamber that has been connected to said conduit, and means for each chamber to temporarily increase the tension therein and thereby accentuate the tone being played under the tension existing in the chamber for the time being and connected to said conduit.

3. rllene controlling mechanism for pneumatically actuated musical instruments, comprising a main suction chamber, tone controlling chambers connected thereto in parallel and in which exist different tensions a Yalve in each chamber controlling the connection with the main chamber, note sheet controlled mechanism for actuating said valves, bellows for said tone controlling chambers maintained under different tensions, note sheet controlled means to increase the tensions ot said bellows, a conduit arranged between the parallel connected chambers and means to singly connect said chambers and conduit.

el, rfone control mechanism for pneumatically operated musical instruments, comprisingl a main tension chamber, tone controlling chambers connected thereto, a valve contrellirng` the connectionV of each chamber with the main chamber', a spring expanded bellows conmiunicating with each tone controlling chamber, mechanism to simultaneously actuate the valve and bellows pertaining to a tone controlling chamber, a conduit arranged be 'we-n the tone controlling chambers and means to singly connect said conduit and a tone controlling chamber.

5. rllene control mechanism lier pneumatically operated musical instruments, comprising a main tension chamber, tone controlling chambers connected thereto, a valve controlling the connection of each chamber with the main chamber, a spring expanded bellows communicating with each tone controlling chamber, mechanism to simultaneously oppositely actuate the valve and bellows pertaining to a tone controlling chamber, means to retard the' collapsing of said i ,sasha-e bellows` a conduit arranged between the tone cont-rolling chambers and means to singly connect said conduit and tone controlling chamber.

6. lone control mechanism for pneumatically operated musical instruments, comnrising a main tension chamber, tone controlling chambers independently connected thereto and having at different tensions, valves controlling the connection of said chambers with the main chamber, mechanisms to vary the tension in the individual tone controlling chambers, means interconnecting said mechanisms to maintain the ratio of the tensions in said chambers substantially constant, a conduit arranged between the tone controlling chambers, and means to singly connect said chambers and conduit at will.

7. rllone control mechanism for pneumatically operated musical instruments, comprising a main tension chamber, tone controlling` chambers independently connected thereto and having at different tensions, valves controlling the connection of said chambers with the main chamber, mechanisms to vary the tension in the individual tone controlling chambers, means interconnecting said mechanisms to maintain the ratio of the tensions in said chambers substantially const-ant, a conduit arranged between the tone controlling chambers, means to singly connect said chambers and conduit at will, and means to increase the ten'- sion in one ot said tone controlling chambers at will.

8. ln emphasizing apparatus for a pneumatic player for a musical instrument, a main suction chamber, a number of throttling chambers, a throttle valve corresponding to each throttling chamber adapt-ed to place the corresponding throttling chamber in communication with the main suction chamber, a tracker board, air conduits arranged between said throttling chambers, note sheet controlled valves to singly connect the throttling chambers with a conduit, lever mechanism connecting the throttle valves of said throttling chambers, bellows associated with said. lever mechanism and in connection with said throttling chambers, springs connected to said bellows, and a controlling device connected to said bellows..

9. ln emphasizing apparatus for a pneumatic player for a musical instrument, a main suction chamber, throttling` chambers, a throttle valve for each throttling chamber controlling its communication with said main suction chamber, a tracker board, air conduits arranged between the throttling chambers, note sheet controlled valves to singly connect a throttling chamber and conduit, lever mechanism connecting said throttle valves, bellows associated with said lever mechanism and in connection with said throttling chambers, springs connected to said bellows, cmitrolling` bellows controlled from said tracker board, and mechanism connecting said controlling bellows to said lever mechanism.

10. In emphasizing apparatus for a pneumatic player for a musical instrument, a main suction chamber, a number of throttling chambers, a throttle valve for each throttling chamber adapted to control the communication with said main suction chamber, a tracker board, air conduits arranged between the throttling. chambers, note sheet controlled valves to singly connect a conduit and throttling chamber, le-

ver mechanism connecting said throttle valves, bellows associated with said lever mechanism and in connection with said throttling chambers, springs'connected to said bellows, a controlling device connected to said bellows, and an independent controlling device corresponding to one of said throttling chambers.

11. Tone controlling mechanism for pneumatically operated musical instruments, comprising a main 'tension chamber, throttling chambers under different tensions connected thereto, a throttle valve for each chamber, a conduit, means to singly connect, at will, one of said throttling chambers and conduit, mechanism to manually or automatically actuate said throttle valves, a bellows associated witi and connected to each throttling chamber, mechanism to maintain the ratio of tension between the chambers substantially constant and mechanism to automatically increase the tension in one chamber.

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

GUSTAV KARL HENNIG.

TWitnesses E. GRUDTNER, RUDOLPH FRIGKE.

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

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