US1404805A - Automatic musical instrument - Google Patents

Description

A. SWENSEN. AUTOMATIC MUSICALVINSTRUMENT. APPLICATION men MAYIZ. 191s.

Patented Jan. 31, 1922.

6 SHEETS-SHEET TS-SHEET 2 A. SWENSEN.

'AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT. APPLICATION FILED MAY 12, 1916.

V A. SWENSEN.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 12. 1916.

1,404,805. a tedJan. 31, 1922.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

A54 III- A. SWENSEN;

AUTOMATIC MUS ICAL INSTRUMENT.

Patented Jan. 31, 1922.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

MAY/W Q n 5 126.3565: N N

wa a

A. SWENSEN.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENL.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 12, 1916- Patented Jan. 31, 1922.

6 sums-sum s.

UNITED. STATES PATENT. OFFICE.

ALFRED swENsEN, or 'C'ICERO, ILLIN Is, Assreno'n To THE CABLE COMPANY, OF CHICAG LLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

. T all 1!) 710m it may (50 12 067% Be. it known that I, ALFRED SWENsEN, a citizen of the United States, residmg at Morton Park, Cicero, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Automatic Musical Instruments, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exactdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification. V

My invention relates to automatic musical instruments and, more specifically, to instrume'nts having motor-actuated air-tension-inducing devices.

Among the objects of my invention is that of providing an instrument of this type with-improved means for controlling the expression.

Further objects .will appear from the detailed description to follow, taken in connection with the appended claims.

Fig. 6 is a section, on the line 66 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a section of the expression-box and associated parts, on the line 77 of Fig. 8; I

Fig. 8 is a section, on the line 88 of 9 is a section, on the line 99 of QUO.

Fig-. 10 is a'plan view of the manually operated valve which controls the expressiondevice;

Fig. Fig. 8;

Fig. 12 is a section, on the line 1212 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 13 is 11 is a view, on the line 11-11 of a bottom plan view of the key- ,bed and partssupported thereby;

Specification of Letters Patent.

is a plan view of the parts shown.

Patented Jan. 31, .1922

Application filed May 12, 1916.? Strial'No. 97353.

Fig. 14 is a section, on the line 14-14 of Fig.13;. J

Fig. 15 is a section, on the line"15-15 of Fig.-14'; r

Fig. 16. is. an enlarged sectional view, taken on the line 16-16 of Fig. 1;

Fig17 is a section, on the line 1717 of Fig. 18, showingthe reroll stop;

Fig. 18 is a section, on the line 1818 of Fig. 17

Fig. 19'is a front'elevation of the tracker and music-sheet;

Fig; 20' isa side view of the pump motor and the belt-tightener; and

Fig. 21 is a front view of the parts shown in Fig; 20,

Referring now'to the drawings in detail, the invention is shown in connection with a player-pianocomprising a casing 10, anyv usual or suitable piano-action and pneumatic player-action, a. selector-mechanism 11, which may be of'any usual or suitable type, an air-motor 12 for causing the travel of the music-sheet, an expression-mechanism 13 for controlling the volume of tone, a motor-operated air-tension-inducing device 1 1, and a foot-power air-tension-inducing device 15; Y

The motor-operated air-tension-inducing device comprises an air-pump 16, which may be of any suitable type, and an electric motor 17 for driving the-aii piunp. Current is supplied to the electric motor 17 through the leading-in wires 18 and 19. The motor 17 is controlled by means ofa switch 20 in circuit with the leading-in wire 19. This switch 20 is operated by means of a stem 21 which is connected to a rod 22, the end of which is located in position to be engaged by the rod' 23, which is connected to the lever 24, which is pivoted at 25 to the key-bed. The end of'the lever 24 is turned upwardly to form a handle 26 which can be moved back and forth in the slot 27 of the key-bed. To start the motor 17, the handle 26 is moved to the extreme right to bring the rod 23 into engagement with the rod 22 and close the switch 20.

For Stopping the motor 17, a pneumatic 28 is provided, having'a forked arm 29 secured to its movable leaf. This forked arm is located in position to engage the clownturned end 30 of the rod 22. The pneumatic 28' is controlled by means of a valve action 31, which is connected with the opening 32 keeps .the'pneumatic expanded and" holds the pneumatic 28 by'meansjof the. conduit 35, and with the air-pumpf 16 by means of the" conduit 36, the junction-block 87-and the \I ,in expanded position. The valve-action 65 is conduits 38 and 39. The pneumatic 28'fis provided with a springAO which normally the forked arm 29 out ofgoperativee'onine terfering engagement with the down -turned end 30 of therodL. I In addition to the sheet-controlled means, just: described, for stopping; the motor :17, a timed cut-out for the motor is provided, comprising-a rod 41 pivoted tofthe lever-24 and having a down-turned portion 42' for engagement 'wvith' a vpush-button or cammember t?) secured on therod 144, a valve 9 .45 located inposition to he operated by the rod 44:, a conduit 4:6 controlled by thevalve 45, a? valve-action A7 connectedwith the conduit 46 and controlling the slow-acting pneumatic48, a restricted conduit 4:9 c'on- .nectingthe valve-action. 47 and the slowacting pneumatic i8, arspring-valve 50 located in position to be engaged" by thev finger- .51 secured to the movable leaf of the pneumatic 48,;and a conduit 52; controlled by the spring'valve 50a'nd connected to the valve-action 81. which: controls the pneue matic 28f i No claim is madein; this applica. timedcut-outJustdescribed I For operating the reroll and tempo-inch cater mechanism, arod 53 is provided, con- ,necting'the.leVenQ L Witha rock-shaft 54: which is" connected to suitable reversing and.v indicating mechanism. The reversingmech anism (not ilhistrated, as'iitmay be of any suitable type.) controls'the direction of rota- 'tion of the-music-spool 55 and of the take-up roll :55. This take-up roll 55 is provided- "With a-hook 55 for detachably engaging'the.

ring 55,0f the music-sheet 78. To prevent accidental reversmgof'the travel-0'1 the music-sheet, a movable stop 56 is located" in position to be engaged bvthe'lever 24. This stop i's'mounted on a spring-support 57 (Fig.

14) ,anditsmovement is'limitedby means of Y a screw:-58 embedded linthe key-bed. 7 end of the stop' 56 'is projvided' with an abut- I The ment 59 for engaging the lever 24h The 'stop156- is recessed at 60 toreceive the lever 24 when thestopis moved downso that the abutment .59 clears the lever=24e v For auto- I matica-lly moving the abutment 59out' of the Wayof the lever24atth'e end-of theforward travel of the music-sheet a pneumatic 61 is provided, having an arm 62 which extends Within the. recess 63 inthe stop 56. This pneumatic 61*is connected by means of a "conduit 64i-iwith a valve-actioni65, which valveaction also controls the pneumatic 66*Whl0ll operates the reroll' and action-cutoff. mecha nism. This pneumatic'66 is provided with a Ito' the 'music-sheetfi tio'n' to'the rod :23, to which is secured the valve-rod 68 .lfinger67 on its movable leaf, which engages" .thedovrn-turned end'68 of the action-cutoff of the action-cut-oii valve. The pneumatic 66 is provided ithaspring 69 for holding it connected Wit-l the opening 70 in the tracker by means of the conduit '71. For stopping the music-spool 55 ;as; soon as the music-sheet uncovers the opening '70, in TGWlIICllIlg, a pneumatic 721s prov ded, hav ng a hook-arm 73 secured to its'movahle leaf foraengagee mentivith the hookferm 743 secured to rotate with tne SPlHttlG 75 supporting .the musicspool The pneumatiQTZ is connectechby V the rod 23 to engage the rod 22 and close the switch 20. 'The lever24= is then positioned to: glve-the desired speedto the air-motor 12, or, is manlpulated to give any desired speed Afterthe selection has heen played, perforation v77 in the music-f 7 sheet? 8 registers with the-opening'm in the tracker admitting air through the conduit 71' to the valve-action 65. This results in the collapse of the pneumatics 61 and 66. The pneumatic 61 will act under lower tension and? therefore; acts before the pneumatic 66.

As the pneumatic'6l collapses, it movesl thea-butnient .59 out ofrthe path of the 'lever wound. ritth'e sametimeythe rod 23 cuts off pneumatic communication of the player-action with the Wind-chest 86 by movement of thevalve-rod 68 to close the attached action cut-oi? valve: ,T he complete, or nearly complete, I'QWlilCllHg of the music-sheet exposes theiopeni'ng32 intheitraclrer. The air is thusadmitted through the conduit3tpto the vaiveaction 31, causing the neumatics 28' and 72 to collapse; opening the stvitchQO to" stop the motor 17 and throiving the hookarm-Tiiinto the path of the 1100mm 74 to preventing the free end of the music-sheet 78 from flapping.

24. Asthe pneumatic 66 collapses, the finstop the music-spool from rotating; thus tor 17, should the lever 2% be left for. a 'considerable length of time in zero position the timed cut-out for the motor 17 isprovide'd,

as describedabove. The action-cf the timed cut-out 17S, briefly as follows: If the lever 2 1 is moved to a position in which it engages the abutment 59, the tempo-indicator will be in zero position and pneumatic communication of the air-motor 12 with the wind-sheet will be completely out oh, so that the air-motor will stop. lVhen the lever 24 engages the abutment 59, the down-turned portion 42 of the rod 41 engages the push-button 43, causing the rod 44 to open the valve 45. Opening of the valve admits air-through the conduit 46, to the valve-action 47, causing the pneumatic 48 to slowly collapse. \Vhen the pneumatic 46 is nearly collapsed, the finger 51 engages the spring-valve and opensit,

admittin air to the conduit 52. thus causing the operation of the valve-action 31, the collapse of the pneumatic 28, and the opening of the switch 20'wi1enever the lever 24 is allowed to remain in the just-described position long enough for the slow-acting pneumatic 48 to reach and open the springvalve 50.

For controlling the speed of the air-motor 12, the down-turned portion 42 of the rod 41 is connected to the valve rod or stem 7 9 which is connected to the tempo-valve'SO (Fig. 5). The tempo valve 80 controls the port 81 which aitords communication between the air-motor 12 and the regulated-air passage 82 of the wind-chest 86, the air-pressure in thepassage 82 being controlled by means of the regulator 83 which may be of any-usual or suitable construction. 1

For obtaining high speed of the air-motor 12, a high-tension valve 84 is provided, controlling the port 85 which affords direct communication between the airmotor and the wind-chest S6. This high-tension valve 84 is located in position to be opened by the tempo-valve 80, when the latter is moved to the extreme right (Fig. In order to prevent injuriously high tension inthe airmotor 12, a relief-valve 1 S7 is provided, which controls an atmospheric port 87?. This reliet valve 87 is mounted on a spring support 88. fulcrumed about a screw 89. The tension of the spring-support S8 is regulated by means of a screw 90. The air -motor 12 is in communication with the valverod or stem 95 is connected to the movable wind-chest S6 or at least that the communication between the wind-chest and reservoir be restricted. For this purpose a valve 94 is provided for the port 93, and a pneumatic 95 is provided for controlling .this valve. 1 A

lea-f of the pneumatic 95, and extends, through an opening, in the wall of the reservoir 92, into engagement with the valve 94.

'T he pneumatic. 95 is in free communication with the exhaust from the air-pump through the conduit 96. A spring 97 acts to close the valve 94 when the pneumatic collapses. A spring 98 acts on the pneumatic 95 to expand the latter and open the valve when the motor-operated air-tension-inducing device 14 is not running. In order that the reservoir 92 may act to help out the device 14, when necessary, the valve 94 may be provided with a restricted opening 99, which is so small that the flow of air therethrough to the'wind-chest 86, due to an increase in the air-tension in the wind-chest, does not materially modify the airtension in the wind-chest, but permits a restricted flow to equalize the tension in the reservoir and wind-chest. As the tension in the reservoir tends to become the same as that in the windchest, it follows that, it the tension in the wind-chest is suddenly reduced, as on ac count of a large number of notes being simultaneously sounded, the reservoir will expand, due to the action of the spring, the.

valve 94 will be sucked open against the pressure of the spring 97, and the reservoir 92 will draw in air from the wind-chest S6 to help out the motor-operated device 14. The wind-chest 86 is in communication with the air-pump 16 through the conduit 100, past the check-valve 101, through the conduit 102, junction-block 103, conduit 104, junctionblock 37, and conduits 38and 39.

The operation of the parts just described is as follows: The tempo valve can be placed in any desired position, with respect to the port 81, to, give any desired speed to the air-motor 12, by means of the lever 24, lVhen the lever 24 is moved to rewind position, i. e., the position which reverses the connections to cause rewind of the music sheet, the tempo-valve 80 engages the hightension valve 84 and opens the port 85, thus connecting the air-motor directly with the wind-chest 86. If the tension in the windchest 86 becomes excessive, the reliet-valvc 87 will open againstthe pressure of the spring-support S8 to relieve the tensionand, prevent undue strain upon the air-motor. This relief-valve 87 is particularly useful when the air-motor 12 is suddenly stopped, due to the hook-arm 7 4 engaging the hookarm 78.

The expression-mechanism 13, for controlling and graduating thevolume of tone by causing various degrees of air-tension to apply in. the action wind-chest through variations of the admission oi atmospheric air, may be'controlled either by the musicsheet or manually. This device (as shown in detail in Figs. 7, 8, 9,, 10, 11, and 12) com-' prises an expression-box 105; a muffler 106, through which atmospheric. air enters to the expression-box; and primary valve-mechanism 107, the valve-actions107, 107, 107, and107 of which are respectively connected with the openings 108,109,110, and 111 of V the tracker'through' the conduits 112, 1 13,

I support 135, fulcrumed on ascrew 136. For flCljtlStlHg the tension of thespring-support and con- I through the ports 125, 126, 127, 1 8, and

129. The ports 126,127, 128, and 129 are controlled, respectlvely, by-means of valvemechanisms 13-0, 131, 132, and 133 which, in

turn, are controlled, respectively, fromthe primary valve- actions 107, 107 107", and 107?. The valve 123 is mounted on .a spr1ng- 135, it'isprovided with a downwardly extendlng arm 137 having an openlng through whlch extends a' rod or stem. 138 having a threaded portion engaging a-nut 139, which nut is held from rotation by engagement with the wall of the air-chamber 121. .21 thumb-wheel or button 140 is secured to the outerend ofthe stem 138 forrotating it.

To prevent fluttering or vibration, thevalve .123 is connected, by means of a rod'141, to a; check pneumatic 142 having a restricted" opening 143, through which the air is forced in and out as the-check-pneumatic is moved by the movement of thevalve 123. This check-pneumatic forms, in effect, a dash-pot for-preventing vibration of the valve 123.

The valve-mechanisms 130, 131,132, and

.133 are alike and the description of one will-sufiice... Each comprises a valve-disc 144 cooperating with the corresponding valve-seat 145,'a valve-stein 146 slidable in .t-he-gui'de'147, and a diaphragm or pouch 148 for operating the valve. These pouches 148 extend over the air- chambers 149, 150,

. 151, and 152, which are connected with the valve-actions'107 107 107, and 1074, respectively,-through the conduits 153, 154,

155, and 156. The air-chamber 149 is in; communication with the air-chamber 150 through the passage 156*; the airechamber 150 is in communication with the air-chamher 151 through the passage 156 and the air-chamber 151 1s'1n communicatlon with the air-chamber 152 through the passage 156. The air-chamber150, 151, and 152 are provided with 1121p check-valves 157. controlling the passages 156 156 and l56 re spectively, and with fla check-valves 158,

-controllingthe conduits154, 155, and 156, "respectively, Each of the'fiap check-valves .158 is'provided with avent or bleed 159 to permit the air to be'exhaustedfrom beneath the diaphragm 148. The air-chamber for the valve-actions 107*, 107", 107 and 107 is in communication with the air-chamber 124, through a conduit 161 (Fig. 7). The air chamber 124 is connectedwith the air-pump chest.

16, through the port 134, conduit 160, junction-block 103. conduit 104, junction-block 37. and conduits 38 and 39. For re 'ulatin b Z3 thefiow of air'through the ports126, 127-, V

and 128, regulating-valves 16 2, 163, and

164 are provided, whichregulating-valves may be simply capstan-screws extending 7, into the ports an'd adgustable to vary mthe .efiective port-opening.

The port 125 is provided- 1 with a yielding pressure-operated, valve-mechanism, const spring-bell-crank.167. which is mounted in bearings 168 and has a downwardly extend- ,tuting a high-tension relief valve andcont' 3r1s1n a. valve11'65. hin 'ed at 166 and c 1 l b pressed against its: seat by means or a x ingarm 169, throughwhichextends the stem 170,\vhich has a threaded portion en-' gaging the wing-nut 170 and a thumbwheel or button 17 0 for rotating the stem.

Thewings of the wing-nut170 are'located so that they will straddle the downwardly extending arm 169 and be prevented from For preventing fluttering or. vibratlon of the.

moving when the stem 170 is rotated.

valve 165, a check-pneumatic 171 is pro:

vided,-bearing onthe lowersurface of the valve. This check-pneumatic has arestricted opening 171 through which air is forced v as the check-pneumat1c 1s expanded and collapsed, and is provided witha spring 171 V for holding it against. the lower surface oi the valve 165.. This check-pneumatic 171 acts as a dash-pot'to prevent vibration of the valve 165. The mufller .106, through which atmospheric air passes to the expression-box .comprises'a chest 172, open at the top to admit the air, and {a plurality to the expression-box of baffle-walls 173 located within the chest,

forming a tortuouspassage 174' for the air 105;

For manually controlling .the' expression,

mechanism 13 the junction-block 116 (Fig. 10) is provided with ports 175, 176, 177, and 178, in communication with the conduits 117, 118, 119, and 120, respectively, and'these ports arecontrolled by means of a slidevalve 179 which is connected, by'means of thevalve-rod180,.with the hand-lever 181 (Fig. 1) which operates in the-"recess 182 in the key-bed. The music-sheet 78 is- PTO". vided with suitable perforations- 183, 184,

185, and186 for registration with the respec- V tive' openings 108, 109,110, and 111, for con- I trolling the valve-mechanisms 130,131, 132, and 133, respectively, to obtaln the various degrees of air-tension n the action. W111Clwith the usual note periorations 187 for controlling the action-pneumatics. The ex- .press'ion-mechanlsm 13 controls the a r-ten- The music-sheet is also providedfsion in' the conduits 160, 104, and 102, and

in the wind-chest 86, by variably restricting the communication of the conduit .160 with the atmosphere. All the air which enters with the tracker opening 109. cause the admission of air tot-he air-chamthe conduit 160 is takenthrough the .mufller 106 and through the inlet-port 122, past the yielding spring-pressed valve 123, into the air-chamber 121. From the air-chant ber 121, however, the flow of air to the conduit 160 may be either through the port 125 alone or through port 126. or through the two ports 126 and 127, or through the three ports 126, 127, and 128, or through all four of the ports 126, 127, 128, and 129, depending on the manner in which the music-sheet 1s perforated or the position in which the no perforations will be pr. vided in the music-sheet for any of the tracker- openings 108, 109, 110, and 111, and air can flow into the conduit 160 through all four oft-he ports 126, 127, 128, and 129. If it is desired that the passage be played p, the music-sheet is provided with a perforation, or series of perforations, 186- for registration with the tracker-opening 111 to admit air to the conduit 120 for controlling the va-lve action 107 and cause the actuation of the valve-mechanism 133 to close the port 129. ith the parts in this'position, the flow of air to the conduit 160 will be through the three ports 126, 127, and 128, which will caus'ejan increase in the tension in the wind-chest 86 and a correspond ng increasein the volume of tone. If it is desired to play a passage mf, the music sheet is provided with a perforation, or series of perforations, 185 for registration with the tracker-opening110, to

admit air to the conduit 119 for controlling the valve-action 107 and thus admit air to the air-chamber 151, and through the passage '156, to the air-chamber152, causing both valve-mechanisms 132 and 133 to close their respective ports 128 and 129. \Vith the parts in this position, the flow of air to the conduit 160 is restricted to the ports 126 and 127, causing a corresponding increase inthe tension in the wind-chest 86.

If it is desired to play a passage f, the music; sheet is provided wlth a perforation, 01

series of perforations," 18 1 for registration This will her 150 and, through the passages 156 and 156, to the air- chambers 151 and 152, causing all three of the valve-mechanisms 131, 132, and 133 to be closed and the flow of air flow through the port 126.

is provided with ajpe'rforation, or series of perforations, 183 for registration'with the tracker-openlng 108, which will cause admission of air to the air-chamber 1 19 and also, through the passages 156%"156", and 156, to the air- chambers 150, 151, and 152,

causing all four of the valve-mechanisms 130, 131, 132, and 133 to be closed and the flow of air to the conduit 160 tobe restricted to that which flows through the port 125 alone, thus giving the highest degree of tension in the wind-chest.

The different grades of expression can be regulated by adjustment of valve 123 and by means of the reguat-ing-valves 162, 163, and 161, which canbe set to give the degrees of tension which it is desired the opening and closing of the valve-mechanisms'130, 131, 132, and 133 shall obtain. The valve 165 can also be adjusted by means of the button 170 to determine the maximum tension. By making the tracker- openings 108, 109, 110, and 111 elongated, transversely of the tracker (as shown in Fig. 19), the perforations of the music-sheet which control these openings can be spaced some distance apart and still permit a continuous flow of air to the said openings, so that the music-sheet is not weakened to the extent that it would be if the perforations were closer together. It will be noted that the openings in the tracker which cause the higher degrees of 'tensionfin the wind-chest are located farther fror'n the edge of the sheet, so that the danger of sounding a: note, or notes, under marked increase of tension, through a defective sheet, is less than it would be in a tracker in which the openings causing the higher degrees of tension were located neareifthe edge of the sheet.

If it is desired to controlthe expression manually, the slide-va1ve179 is movedto uncover any desired number of the ports 178, 177, 176, and 175, and thus effect the closingof any desired number of the valve mechanisms 133, 132, 131, and 130. In order to causepositi've actuation of the reroll pneumatics '61 and 66 the music-sheet 78 is provided with a perforation 183, which will registerwith the tracker-opening 108 when the perforation 77 registers with the reroll opening in the tracker. This causes the applicationofhigh tension in the windechest when the reroll pneumatics 61 and 66 are actuated, thus causing these pneumatics to act promptly and reliably. It will be noted that thereare no perforations in the music-sheet for registration with the motor-stop opening 32 in the tracker, as this o p'ening32isjflushed only when the music-sheet leaves thetracker, as, for instance, when the music-sheet has been completely rewoundf As a consequence of the fact that themusic-sheet has no perforation for registration with the opening 32, there are no, perforations in the musicsheet which will travel anywhere near the reroll opening 70 in the tracker so that thereis no danger of accidental actuation of the reroll mechanism.

In Fig. 16 is shown a mechanism for pror 11as,.an"ofi'-set' p o withv which the V ducinga mandolin efl'ect'. This mechanism comprises a bar 188, extending across in front of the strings and mounted on an arm 189awhich is pivoted at 190 to any suitable support. A plurality of flaps 191 are secured to the bar 188, and each flap has a weighted lower end 192 which is vibrated against the string 192 when the flap 191 is struck by the piano-hammer 192 causing a mandolin effect. The bar 188 is movable Erom the full line position (shown in Fig. 16),.in which the flaps 191 are above the piano-hammers, to the dotted-line position i q shown, in which the'fiap's lie between the piano-hammers and the strings. For moving the bar 1'88,a pneumatic 193 is provided,

' which is secured to the roll-box19a by means of a bracket 195. This pneumatic 193 is controlled by means of a valve-action 196, which is connected with the pneumatic 193 byv-nieans'of a conduit 197, with the trackeropening 198 by means of a conduit 198 and with the action wind-chest byr means of aconduit 199. A bent arm 200 is secured to the movable leaf of the neumatic'193 andhas a down-turned portion 201, which engages" the bar 188 to move it from the dull-line position 110131119) dotted-line -po s=i- To 'permit easy manual operation of the pneumatic 193, it is provided with a flap check-valve 202, which controls the port 203 'sothat', when the pneumatic 193 is manually I, collapsed, the air can easily escape therefrom through the port 203 and past the check-valve 202. This check-valve 202 is located in'a position to be engaged by the down-turned portion 201 of the arm 200, to

insurethat the check-valve 202 will be in its proper position, closing the port 203, when the valve-action 196 acts to cause the i pneumatic 193 to be exhausted. A spring 204 i's provided for returning the arm 189 and bar 188 from the dotted-l1ne position to the full-line position. i q j i For manually operating the bar 188, a combined operating and latching member 205 is connected to; the movable leaf of the pneumatic 193 by means 01f a lost-motion connection 206, which ermits the collapse 'i cof the pneumatic wit out corresponding movement of the operating memhen- This operating member 205 has a laterally bent portion 207 which operates in a slot .208 in theframe of the roll-box 194;, This slot 208 laterally bent portion 2070f the member 205 engages todatch the pneumatic 193 in collapsed-position and hold the bar 188 and 'fflaps in operative position v V The'pos'itioning of the mandolin-rail is accomplished as follows :"If it is desired to have the device operate automatically the QitlS Q-gheet] 81s provided with a iperforation, or series of perforations, 210 for registration'with the tracker-opening 198, to

cause air to' be admitted to the conduit 198 and control the valve-action 196 to cause the collapse of the pneumatic l93, which will bring the flaps 191 to a position between the hammer pianos 192? and the strings 192 If it is desired to operate the mandolin-rail V manually, the member 205 is'pushed 1n, and I the portion 207 is brought into engagement with the off-set portion 209 of the slot 208,

causing the flaps 191 tomove to a position between the piano-hammers and str ngs. The tracker 33 is provided withthe usual opening 211 for controlling'the dampers for" i the piano-action.

In order that the belt' 2l2, which transpump 16, shall be maintained at the proper tension, abelttensioning device is provided. To this end, the rear legs 213- of the motor 17 rest on a support 214: insuch a mannen that the front end of the motor can tilt aboutthis support 21 1' as an axis, the front end of the motor being supported solely by 17. For supporting'the front end of the motor in case'the belt 212 should break, a U-shaped support 220 is located in position "to be engaged by thefront legs1219 of the ;motor, should the'front end of the motor drop downl The pneumatic'215 is also secured to this support.

The operation of this belt-tensioning deinits power lfrom the motor '17 to the air 7 "connectedto the front legs 219 o f the motor vice is as lfollows: The power required of r i the motor 17 will be proportional to the/airtension in the air-pump 16, and the downward pull of thepneumatic 215 on the motor 17 will alsoibe proportional to the air-ten sion in the air-pump. This downward pull of the pneumatic 215 is transmitted to the,

belt 212 so that the tension in the belt 212 will be proportional to the power required of the motor 17 Having thus described my invention, wha I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent'is:; 1; An expression device for automatic musical instruments of-thev exhaust type, comprising a chamber provided with out let-means for communicating with the ex 'haust, a second chamber provided with inletmeans for communicating with. the atmosphere,ay1eld1ng pressure-operated valve controll ng-said inlet-means, port-means afi'ord- 111g communication between said chambers,

comprising a chamber provided with out-- let-means for communicating with the exhaust, a second chamber provided with inlet-means for communicating with the atmosphere, a yielding pressure-operated valve controlling said inlet-means, a plurality of ports affording communication between said chambers, valves for controlling some of said ports, and pneumatics for-actuating said valves. v I

4. An expression-device for automatic musical instruments of the exhaust type, comprising a chamber provided with outletmeans for communicating with the exhaust, a second chamber provided'with inlet-means for communicating with the atmosphere, a

yielding pressure-operated valve controlling said inlet-means, aplurality of ports affordingr communication between said chambers,

valves for controlling some of said ports, pneumatics for actuating said valves, means affording communication between some of said pneumatics, and a check-valve controlling said communication means. 7

5. An expression-device for automatic musical instruments of the exhaust type, comprising a chamber provided with outlet-means for communicating with the exhaust, a second chamber provided with inletmeans for communicating with the atmos phere, a yielding pressure-operated valve Jcontrolling said inlet-means, a pluralit r of ports affording communication between said chambers, valves for controlling some of said ports, andsheet-controlled means for.

actuating said valves. .7

6. An automatic sheet-controlled musical instrument of the exhaust type, comprising an expression-device having a chamber provided with outlet-means for communicating with the exhaust, a second chamber provided with inlet-means for communicating with the atmosphere, a pressure-operated valve controlling said inlet-means, a plurality of ports affording communication between said chambers, and sheet-controlled valves for controlling some of said ports.

7. An expression-device for automatic I musical instruments of the exhaust type,

comprising a chamber provided with outletmeans for communicating with the exhaust, a second chamber provided with inlet-means for communicating with the atmosphere, a yielding pressure-operated valve controlling said inlet-means, a plurality of ports at"- fording communication between said chamhers, valves for controlling some of said ports, and manually controlled means for selectively controlling said valves.

8. An expressiondevice for automatic musical instruments of the exhaust type, comprising a chamber provided with outlet-means for communicating with the exhaust, a second chamber provided with in let-means for communicating with the at mosphere, a yielding pressure-operated valve controlling said inlet-means, a plu-- rality of ports affording communication between said chambers, valves for controlling some of said ports, pneumatics foractuating said valves, and manually controlled means for selectively controlling said pneumatics.

9. An expression-device for automatic musical instruments of the exhaust type, comprising a. chamber provided with outletmeans for communicating with the exhaust, a second chamber provided with inlet-means for communicating with the atmosphere, a yielding pressure-operated valve controlling said inlet-means, a plurality of ports affording communication between said chambers, valves for controlling some of said ports, pneumatics for actuating said valves, means affording communication between some of said pneumatics, a check-valve controlling said communication means, a plurality of portsin communicationwith said pneumatics, and a slide-valve for succes- V sively controlling the last said ports.

10. An expression-device for automatic musical instruments of the exhaust type, having an atmospheric inlet port, a pressureoperated spring-pressed valve controlling said inlet-port, and a dash-pot for modifying the action of said valve.

11. An expression-device for automatic musical instruments of the exhaust type, having an atmospheric inlet-port, a pressure-operated spring-pressed valve controlling said inlet-port, and a bellows for modifying the action of said valve and actuated thereby, said bellows having a restricted opening through which air is forced as said bellows is actuated.

12. An automatic musical instrument comprising a manually operated air pump and a motor-operated air-pump, a windchest in communication with both said airpumps, a yielding pressure-controlled reservoir incommunication with said wind-chest, and means, operable upon said operation of the motor-operated air-pump, but not operable upon the operation of said manually operated air-pump, for obstructing the collapse of said reservoir.

3O with said wind-chest, and a'pneumatic in 13. An automatic musical instrument comprising a manually operated air-pump and a motor-operated air-pump, a wind-chest in communication with both said air-pumps, a yielding pressure-controller reservoir in communication with said wind-chest, and means, operable upon the'operationot said motor-operated air-pump 'but not operable upon the operation ot'saidmanually operatedair-pump for obstructing the collapse of said reservoir, said means including a pneumatic in communication with said metor-operated air-pump.

14. An automatic musical instrument com prising a manually operated air-pump and a 'motor-operated air-pump, a wind-chestin communication with. both said air-pumps, a

i tion of said manually operated air-chamberhaving a port, a yielding pres-' [obstructing said port. 1 v 7 15.- An automatlc musical lnstrument com-; prising a manually operated'anapump and a;

yielding.pressurecontrollecl reservoir, a port through which said reservoir communicates with said wlnd-chest, and means, operable upon the operation of said motor-operated air-pump, but not operable upon the operamotor-ope'rated air-pump, a "wind-chest in communication with both'saidair-pumps, a yielding pressure-controlled reservoir, a port through which said reservoircommunicates communication with said motor-operated air-pump for controlling said port.

16. An air-controlling [device for automatic musical instruments, comprising an air-chamber having a. port, a yielding pres sure-operated valve for'controlling said port,

and means for preventing fiuttering and vibration of said valve comprising a dash-pot acting on said valve;

17. An air-controlling device for automatic musical instruments, comprising an sure-operated valve for controlling said port, and means for preventing flutter ing and vibration of said valve comprismg a due to the movement of said valve. 7 7

18. An expression-device for automatic .inusical instruments of the exhaust type, comprising a chamberprovided with outlet means for communicating with the exhaust, a second chamber provided with inlet means for communicating withthe atmosphere, a yielding pressure-operated valve controlling said inlet-means, port-means affording communication between said chambers, means for varying the elfective area of said portmeans, and meansforpreventing vibration of said pressure-operated valve comprising a dash-pot. 19. An expression-device for automatic musical instruments of the exhaust type, comair-pump, for

dash-pot" acting on said valve; said dash-pot comprising a bellows having a -re-' j stricte d opening, through which an 1s forced prising a chamber provided with outletmeans for communicating with the exhaust, a second chamber provided with inlet-means for communicating with the atmosphere, a yielding pressure-operatedvalve controlling said inlet-means, port-means afiording communication between said chambers, means for varying the'efi'ective area of said portmeans, and means for preventing vibration or said pressure-operated valve comprising a dash-pot; said dash-potcomprisinga bel- V lowshaving a restricted opening, through which air is forced due to the movement of;

said valve. V V l 20. An expression-device for automatic musical instruments of the exhaust type, com.

prising a' chamber provided with outletmeans for communicating with the exhaust,

a second chamber provided with inlet-means forcommunicating with the atmosphere, a1

yielding pressure-operated valvecontrolling. said inlet-means, a plurality of portsaltording communication between said chambers, means for closing one of said ports, ay-ielding pressure-operated valve controlling an-:

other of said ports, andmeans for preventmg mg a dash-pot.

21. An expression device for automatic musical instruments of the exhaust type, comprising a chamber provided with outletmeans for communicating with the exhaust, 4

asecond'chamber provided with inlet-means for communicating with the atmosphere, a

' yielding pressure-operated valve controlling said inlet-means,a plurality of ports affording communication between said chambers,

vibration of the last said valve comprismeans for closing one ofsaid ports, a yielding pressure-operated valve controlling another of said ports, and means for preventing? vibration of said valves COIIlPI'lSlIlg dashpots acting on said valves. I

22. An automatic musical instrument comprising a wind-chest, a manually oper I ated air-pump in communication with 1 said v wind-chest,a power-driven air-pump also in communication with said wind-chest, a res ervoir, a port affording communication between said wind-chest and said reservoir, a

check-valve controlling said port, a pneu valve, said check-valve having a restricted port therein affording communication between said reservoir and said wind-chest.

24. An expression-device for automatic musical instruments of the exhaust type, comprising a chamber provided with outletmeans for communicating with the exhaust, a second chamber provided with inlet-means for communicating with the atmosphere, a yielding pressure-operated valve controlling said inlet-means, a plurality of ports affording communication between said chambers, valves for controlling some of said ports, and manually controlled means for progressively controlling said valves.

25. A collapsible and expansible air-reservoir having a moving board and a check mounted to be moved into and away from a position to restrict the motion of said moving board, a shiftable element independent of said moving board, and a shifting-means connected to said shiftable element and to a movin part of said check.

26. K collapsible and expansible air-reservoir having a moving board, air-pumpermeans and foot-pedals for their operation, air-pumper-means and power-means for their operation, and a movable check mounted to be moved to and away from a position to restrict operation of the said moving board during the operation of said poweroperated air-pumper means.

27. A collapsible and expansible air-reservoir having a moving board, foot-operable air-pumper-means and power-operable airpumper-means, and a movable check mounted to be moved into and away from a position to restrict the operation of said moving board during the operation or said poweroperable air-pumper-means.

28. An expression-device for automatic musical instruments of the exhaust type, said device comprising a chamber provided with outlet-means for communicating with the exhaust, a second chamber provided with inlet-means for communicating with the atmosphere, a valve yieldingly resisting the entrance of atmospheric air through said inlet-means, port-means afiording communication between said chambers, and means for controlling said port-means.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

ALFRED SWENSEN.

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