US1292131A

US1292131A - Automatic musical instrument.

Info

Publication number: US1292131A
Application number: US24144018A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles F Stoddard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1918-06-22
Filing date: 1918-06-22
Publication date: 1919-01-21
Anticipated expiration: 1936-01-21

Description

c; F. STODDARB. AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED MOV. I3. I9II RENEWEU JUNE 22,1918..

1 ,292, l 3 l Patented Jau; 21, 1919.

CHARLES F. STODDARD, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 21, 1919.

Application led November 13, 1911, Serial No. 659,900. Renewed June 22, 1918. Serial No. 241,440.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. S'roDDARD, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York city, county of New York, and State of New York, have invented an Improvement in Automatic Musical Instruments, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters'on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to automatic means for playing musical instruments such as pianos and pertains more particularly to means for governing and varying tone intensities.

Among other objects, the invention is intended to provide apparatus capable of governing the energy used for sounding a tone or tones as for striking the strings of a piano; and the invention contemplates simple and stable, though accurate and edective means to this end.

For illustration, the accompanying drawing shows one practicable embodiment of the invention employing suitable pneumatically governed devices in cooperation with a p iano action; but, as will appear to those skilled in the art, the invention is suitable of employment in various constructions and organizations other than that particularly shown and described herein.

1n the drawing is shown a diagrammatic representation of a typical piano action with illustrative operating and governing means embodying the invention.

Referring to the drawing, a typical piano action shown in its normal position of rest comprises a key-controlled sticker B to act on a wippen 1, a hammer C, damper E, string D, and other parts which may be those well known in the art. To operate the action pneumatically a motor pneumatic F is provided, having a sticker H to act upon the wippen l. A wind trunk 7 leads to the Wind chests of the motor pneumatics, each of which has a secondary valve 8 controlled by a primary valve 9 operated from the tracker (not shown) through a duct 1() in the usual manner.

The .trunk 7 is intended to lead to some variable means for governing, and preferthe drawings shows a pneumatic 12, the interior of which is connected with the trunk 7 and also with a trunk 11 which leads to any practicable source of exhaust, as, for instance, feeder bellows of any usual or suitable type. With this arrangement the exhaust by the feeder bellows or their substitute, sucks air through the trunk 14, through the interior of the pneumatic 12, and through the trunk 7. For illustration, the movable board of the pneumatic 12 carries a valve 1G which may be mounted by a ball and socket joint upon the end of an adjustable threaded stem 17, the valve being positioned to throttle more or less the opening between the trunk 14 and the interior of the pneumatic 12. A spring 19 is interposed between the movable board of the pneulmatic 12 .and a preferably adjustable device 20, the pull of the spring 19 tending to expand the pneumatic 12 and open the valve 16.

The suction in the trunk 14 and pneumatic 12, tends to collapse the latter against the pull of the spring 19 and thereby to close the valve 16 as well understood in the art. The pull of the spring 19 is pret'- erably adjusted so that a suction of greater degree than that necessitated for normal playing, is required to close the valve 16. 1t will be obvious to those skilled in the art that a uniform pull, for instance by the spring 19, upon the movable board of the pneumatic 12, will cause the pneumatic to maintain a substantially uniform suction in the trunk 7; but if the pull on the movable board of the pneumatic 12 be increased, the regulating action of the pneumatic 12 will be modified so as to increase the suction maintained in the trunk 7. rI'he parts next to be described exemplify means for increasing the pull on the movable board of th'e illustrative pneumatic 12.

A link 22 connects the movable board of the pneumatic 12 with the movable board of a pneumatic 2i which exemplifies means for supplementing the pull of the spring 1.) or its equivalent or substitute. The pneumatic 24 has a bleeding vent and a duct 26 communicating with the chamber -t duct 30 is arranged for communication with the chamberA 28: and said duct communicates with any practicable source ot' suction or exhaust. Between the duct 3() and the duct 26 is interposed a valve 32, said valve and its seat being of such size and formation that as the valve is opened, the extent of the opening is more or less gradually increased so that the pneumatic condition in the duct 26 is subjected to aA progressively increasing extent, to the exhaust -in the duct 30. To exemplify oneA practicable type of such valve, the drawings'show the valve 32 as conical in shape and having a rim or iange to seat against an appropriate shoulder in suction is thus admitted to the pneumatic 24, the bleeding of atmosphere throughv the vent tends to reduce the suction and the resultant suction which is effective to exert a pull on the movable board of the pneumatic 24, depends upon the relative sizes of the vent 25 and the prevailing opening past the valve 32. two openings may be varied in any practicable manner, in order to vary the resultant suction acting on the movable board of the pneumatic 2st.

For example, in the described illustrative arrangement, any substantial depressionof the button 34: and consequent opening of the valve 32, admits exhaust to the interior of I the pneumatic 24 sutliciently to predominate over the bleeding at the vent 25, thereby tending 'to collapse the pneumatic and to exert a pull upon the movable board thereof. The effect of this is to supplementmore or vless the pull of the illustrative spring 19 and to increase the degree of exhaust in the trunk l' as well understood in the art, whereb v the intensity of notes played is increased. lf the button 34 is depressed slowly, the pull b v the pneumatic 24.- upon fthe movable board of the pneumatic 12 is gradually increased and the playing intensity is likewise gradually increased. If, on the other hand, the button 3J; is depressed suddenly, the pull on the movable board of the pneumatic l2 and the playing intensity are likewise suddenly increased.

Fiu'thermore. the force of the pull exerted b v the pneumatic 24 may depend upon the extent to which the button 34 is depressed, regardless of the speed of depression thereof. Thus, if the button 3l is depressed only minutely, the pull of the pneumatic 24 is correspondingly slight whereas if the button 3-1 is depressed further. the pull by the pneumatic 24 is correspondingljv increased by reason ofthe progressive increase of the valve opening as the button 34 is depressed.

The relative sizes of these` Hence, when a player manipulates the button 34, he produces a louder or softer playing intensity according as he presses heavily or lightly upon the button; and thereby the operator is enabled to regulate the playing intensity by reference to the pressure which he exerts upon the button Which is a highly natural and logical arrangement conforming to an instinctive tendency to produce louder playing by pressing harder. The spning 33 is preferably of such character and size that it resists depression of the button With substantially the resistance offered by the inertia of a piano key for any given force of attack on the key. To suit this purpose the spring is designed to exert a rapidly increasing pressure on the button as the latter is depressed requiring a greater manual pressure for playing loudly in simulation of the conditions attending playing the keys of a piano. j

The adjustment of the valve l'and the Ipneumatic 12 is preferably such that the pneumatic will maintain normally e.

when no material pull is exerted by the pneumatic 24) the lowest degree of exhaust in the trunk 7 for playing with the softest intensity. `With such an adjustment the range of intensity from pianissimo to fortissimo is controllable altogether by manipulation of the button 34 as will be well understood by those skilled in the art.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific illustrative apparatus disclosed in the f drawings; on the contrary, the invention may be variously embodied Within the scope of the subjoined claims.

Claims:

1. ln an automatic musical instrument, the combination of striking pneumatics; an exhaust. trunk leading to the striking pneumatics; a regulating pneumatic communicating with said trunk; a throttle valve operated by said regulating pneumatic to control the degree of exhaust in said trunk; a spring tending to expand said pneumatic and open said valve; a governing pneumatic connected to the movable board of said regulating pneumatic, and operable in opposition thereto; means providing a valve chamber; a duct connecting the interiorof said governing pneumatic With said chamber; a second duct leading to said chamber from a source of exhaust; a needle valve and its seat in said chamber between said two ducts; and a depressible button connected to the needle valve and arranged to open the valve progressively as the button is depressed.

2. In an automatic musical instrument. thev combination Ofstriking'pneumatics; an exhaust trnnk'leading to the striking pneumatics; a regulating pneumatic communicatingwith said trunk; a throttle valve operated by said regulating pneumatic to control naeaiai the degree of exhaust in said trunk; a governing pneumatic connected to the movable board of said regulating pneumatic; and operable in opposition thereto; means providing a valve chamber; a duct connecting the interior of said governing pneumatic with said chamber; a second duct leading to said chamber from a source ot exhaust; a needle valve and its seat in said chamber between said two ducts; and an adjustable button connected to the valve and arranged to open the valve progressively as the button is adjusted.

3. ln an automatic musical instrument, the combination of striking pneumatics; an exhaust trunk leading to the striking pneumatics; a regulating pneumatic communicating with said trunk; a throttle valve operated by said regulating pneumatic to control the degree of exhaust in said trunk; a governing pneumatic connected to the movable board of said regulating pneumatic, and operable in opposition thereto; a valve mechanism for controlling admission of exhaust to said governing pneumatic comprising a needle valve; and a depressible button connected to the needle valve and arranged to open the valve progressively as the button is depressed.

4. in an automatic musical instrument,

the combination of striking pneumatics; an exhaust trunk leading to the striking pneumatics; a throttle valve to control the degree of exhaust in said trunk; a governing pneumatic connected to said throttle valve; means providing a valve chamber; a duct connecting the interior of said governing pneumatic with said chamber; a second duct leading to said chamber from a source ot exhaust; a needle valve between said two ducts; and means to operate the needle valve.

5. ln lan automatic musical instrument, the combination of striking pneumatics; an exhaust trunk leading to the striking pneumatics; a regulating pneumatic communicating with said trunk; a throttle valve operated by said regulating pneumatic to control the degree ot exhaust in said trunk; a gov-v erning pneumatic connected to the movable board of said regulating pneumatic, and operable in opposition thereto; and a valve mechanism controlling introduction of exhaust to said governing pneumatic comprising a valve and its seat constructed to present continuously progressive variation of the passage for exhaust to said governing pneumatic.

6. ln an automatic musical instrument, the combination of striking pneumatics; an exhaust trunk leading to the striking pneumatics; a valve for throttling the loivof air in the exhaust trunk; a pneumatic having a movable part connected to said throttle valve; a valve mechanism for controlling.

the admission of' exhaust to said pneumatic;

com risin a valve and its seat relativel I constructed to provide a progressively enlarged valve passage as the valve is opened; and a manually operated device connected to said valve to effect continuously progressive opening of the same by correspondingly progressive pressure upon said device.

In an automatic musical instrument, the combination of striking pneumatics; an exhaust trunk leading to the striking pneumatics; a valve for throttling the flow of air in said trunk; a pneumatic connected to said throttle valve; and valve mechanism for controlling the introduction of exhaust to said pneumatic, comprising a manual vbutton and valve mounted upon a common stem', a seat for said valve; the valve and seat being relatively constructed to present a continuously progressive enlargement of the valve passage as the valve is opened.

8. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination of striking pneumatics; an exhaust trunk leading to the striking pneumatics; a valve to throttle the tlow of air in said exhaust trunk; a pneumatic connected to said valve; a valve box; a unitary valve; a manual button and their common stem, mounted upon said valve box; a seat for the valve in said valve box; an exhaust duct communicating with said box on one side of the valve seat; and a second duct communicating with the box at the other side of said valve seat and connecting the same with the interior of said pneumatic, f

9. ln an automatic musical. instrument, the combination of a wind trunk; a throttle valve for throttling the flow of air in said trunk; throttle valve operating means; a pneumatic connected to said throttievalve operating means; means to introduce exhaust into said pneumatic; ay button operable by manual pressure; and means operated by said button for effecting a continuously progressive increase in the exhaust introduced into said pneumatic.

10. ln an automat-ic musical instrument, the combination of a wind trunk; a valve for throttling the iiow of air in said trunk; operating means tor said throttle valve; a button operated by manual pressure thereon; and transmission means, including a pneumatic connected to said throttle valve operating means intermediate said button and throttle valve for edecting a continuously progressive opening of the throttle valve by progressively increasing the pressure on said button.

11. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination of a wind trunk; a valve for throttling the flow of air in said trunk; oppositely acting means for controlling said valve; and pneumatic means 'for supplementing one of said oppositely acting means, comprising a pneumatic; means for introducing exhaust to. the pneumatic, means for Venting the pneumatic to atmosphere, and manually controlled means for varyin the relation between the admission ot exhaust and the venting to produce any desired tone intensity.

12. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination of striking pneumatics; an exhaust trunk leading to the striking pneumatics; a v alve for throttling the flow of air in said trunk; a pneumatic connected to the -throttling valve; a duct to admit suction to said pneumatic; a vent in said pneumatic Vto atmosphere, and means to vary relatively the admission of exhaust and atmosphere thereby to the pneumatic.

13. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination of striking pneumatics; an exhaust trunk leading to the striking pneumatics; a valve for throttling the flow of air in said trunk; a pneumatic connected to said throttling valve; a vent for said pneumatic to atmosphere; and manually controllable means for variably admitting exhaust to the pneumatic to produce any intensity of tone desired.

14. In an automatic musical instrument,

the combination of a Wind trunk; a valveV for throttling the flow of air in said trunk; means for operating said throttle valve; a button operated by manual pressure thereon, the resistance of said button simulating the resistance offered by a piano key; and transmission means intermediate said button and throttle valve operating means, and including a pneumatic connected to said throttle operating means for opening the throttle valve progressively by pressure on said button. y

15. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination' of a Wind trunk; a throttle valve for throttling the flow of air in said trunk; a button depressible by manual presthrottle valve operating means; and manually controlled means, including a pneumatic connected to said throttle valveoperating means, for effecting a continuously progressive variation in the capacity of said throttle valve.

17. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination of a Wind trunk; a Valve for throttling the flow of air in said trunk; pneumatic means for operating said throttle'valve; and manually controlled means, including a pneumatic, connected -to said throttle valve operating means for eiecting a continuously progressive opening or closing of said throttle valve.

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

CHARLES F. STODDARD.

lVitnesses A. P. CoNRADT,

J. BYRNE.