US1413832A - Expression device for automatic musical instruments - Google Patents

Description

T. DANQUARD. EXPRESS ION DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

APPLlCATlON FILED FEB. 4, 1916- RENEWED lULYI9,192l.

1 ,4-13,832, Patented Apr. 25, 1922. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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EXPRESSION DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. APPLICATION mu) FEB. 4.1916. RENEWED IULY 19, 1921.

1 ,413,832. Patented Apr- 25, 1922.

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T. DANQUARD.

EXPRESSION DEVRCE FOR AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 4,1916. RENEWED IULY19,1921.

1,413,832. 7 t 1 v Patented @1225, i922.

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EXPRESSION DEVICE FOR AUTOMATlC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

APPLICATiQN FILED FEB. 411916- RENEWEDIULY19.192L 1,413,832. Patented Apr. 25, 1922.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4.

153\ 155 125 M *1 m 114 Fa w g I i I 1 110 I Iy mane UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS DANQUARD, NEW' YORK, N. 'Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE AUTO PNEUMATIC ACTION COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

EXPRESSION DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 25, 1922.

Application filed February 4, 1916, Serial No. 76,077. Renewed July 19, 1921. Serial No. 485,849.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS DANQUARD, a

citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Expression Device for Automatic Musical Instruments, of winch the iollowing 1s a specification.

This invention relates to an expression device for automatic musical instruments, of the type in WhlCll a tracker bar and perforated note-sheet are used.

On such sheets it has been customary to provide indications showing the cor-rest expression or intensity of tone ror diirerent parts of the musical composition reproduceiji on the sheet. For this purpose letters and other characters have been used and the expression has also been indicated by a continuous irregular line running lengthwise oi? the sheet, and showing by itslateral position the desired strength or intensity of expression. All such indicia, however, merely assist the operator in his manipulation of the instrument and have no tangible or mechanical connection therewith.

Devices have also been constructed by the u e of which the expression could be varied nnatically, such devices being commonly iuierated or controlled by pneumatic mechanism connected to one or more special openings in the tracker bar which cooperate with special perforations in the note sheet.

the provision oi improved devices for retaining the tension regulator 1n a-dyusted position. thereby avoiding the use of long per- "i'orations or slots in the note sheet. and to the provi on of means tor automatically reledevices prior to or coincident .ing said .i. to a ditierent position.

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nuts which i l he hereinafter described e particularly pointed out in the appein ed claims.

A prei erred form of my invention and a h the adjustment oi the tension regu-' modification thereof are shown in the drawings in which Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic elevation of my improved expression device and certain parts of the instrument associated therewith;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the I tension regulator, taken along the line 2-2 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the tension regulator, taken along the line d3 in Fig. 2;

Fig. t is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the setting device which controls the tension regulator, the section being taken along the line i-4 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the settingdevice, partly in section, taken on the line 5--5 in Fig. 6;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional elevation of the setting device, taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a modified form of setting device;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional elevation thereof, taken on the line 88 of Fig. 7, and 2 Figs. 9 and 10 are transverse sectional elevations ofthe modified form taken on the lines 9+9 and 10- 10 o'f'Fig. 7, respectively.

In F ig. l I have shown the general relative position of the several parts of my invention, the tension regulator being designated as a whole by the letter R, the setting device by the letter S and the tracker bar by the letter T.

The tension regulator shown in the drawings is otthe general type shown and fully described in my prior application Serial No. 865,026, filed October 5.1914. In the form shown in y prior application, however, no provision is made for automatic setting of the tension regulator and the provision of such automatic setting devices in an improved form constitutes a very important feature of my present invention.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, I have shown a hop: or casing 10, divided by a partition 11 into two air chambers 12 and 13. The chamber 13 is directly connected by a passage 15 and pipe '15" to the exhaust or the instrument, while the chamber 12 is provided with a passage 1 1- which forms aninlet for the pipe 1J5 leading from the pneumatics which operate the actions of the instrument. The chambers 12 andv 13 are connected by a port li he member on 16 extending through the partition 11 and normally open as shown in Fig. 2.

A tension valve 17 is pivoted at 18 to the partition 11 and is adapted to be swung across the port 16, thereby closing the passage between the chambers 12 and 13 to a greater or less extent, and correspondingly decreasing or increasing the air tension in the chamber 12. The tension Valve 17 is adjustably connected. by a. link 20 to a cross bar 21 which is rigidly secured to the movable leaves of three pneumatic bellows 22, and 24, mounted in fixed relation to the casing;- ll) and connectively constituting what may be termed a pneumatic motor for select' 'ely positioning the valve 17. The movable leaves of the three bellows and the crossbar 21 carried thereby are normally maintained in raised position by a spring 25 mounted upon arms 26 and 23' secured re spectively to the movable and to the lixed leaves of the bellows.

The low tension chamber 12 is connected by a passage 30 to a second low tension chamber 31 formed in a casing 32 secured to and rigidly connecting); the fixed leaves of the bellows 22, L3 and 2 in the side walls 32 oi the casing 32, a series oil' valve chambers 33, 3-1l and 35 are provided, each of these chambers being directly connected to the interior of one of the bellows 23 and 24-. A. passage 33'' connects the valve chamber 33 to the bellows (Fig. 2) and similar passages. not shown, connect the valve chann bers 34: and 35 to the bellows 23 and 2t re spectively.

The valve chamber is provided with two ports 33' and 33", the port Eli-l being open to the atmosphere and the port 33 communicating with the low tension chamber 31. The latter port is termed in a cupsecured to the frame member 32 and torminp; the inner side of the valve chamber. A. double valve 37 is mounted to slide axially in said chamber and to close one or the other of said ports, according to its position.

The valve 237 is provided with a head 38 positioned for eniggfgeineiit with a diaphragm 39 forming; a so-called pouch and covering a recess l-(l termed. in the wall 32" of? the casing 32. pipe or tube -11 leads from the recess l-(l and is connected at its opposite end with a setting d vice to be here ina er .lescril' ed. For the presentit is merely necessary to state that the setting device coi'npriscs means "for normally closing the tube ll and 'l'or opening; the same to the atmosphere under predetermined conditions.

A bleed opening l2 connects the recess ll) to the low tension chamber 31, thus normally maintaining; equal low tension upon both sides of the diaphragm 39. The valve chambers 34; and 35 are provided with a ves, pouches, and controlling tubes precisely similar in construction and operation to those just described and a detailed description thereof is considered unnecessary. The tube which controls the valve mounted in the chamber 3 is marked 43 and the corresponding: tube for the chamber 35 is marked 44:.

As above stated, the tubes 41, 4L3 and M are normally closed and the bleed openings maintain equal low tension upon both sides of the diaphragms controlled thereby, the diaphragzms being thus rendered inactive. The low tension in the chamber 31 normally draws the double valve 37 against the port 33 in the cap 36, this closing comnnmication between the valve chamber 33 and the low tension chamber 31. At the same time the uncovering ot the port 38" opens the valve chamber to the atmosphere. The valves in the chambers illand 35 are similarly arranged and positioned. Each bellows 22, 23 and is thus exposed to atmospheric pressure within and without and the movable leaves will be raised by the spring; 25.

Assuming now that the setting device opens the tube 4-1 to the atmosphere. the dia- 'ihraggin 39 will then be exposed to atmospheric pressure upon its right-hand side and to low tension or exhaust pressure upon its left-hand side. as viewed in l ig. 2. The diaphragm will consequently move inward, engaging the head 38 of the valve 37 and moving; the valve to open the port Ilfs" and to clone the port '33".

The bellows 2: is thus connected through the passage and the valve chamber 32:5 to the low tension chamber 131. causing defiation of the bellows 22 to a certain extent against the tension oi the spring The movable leaves oil the bellows and the crossbar 21 carried thereby will thus be moved downward a certain distance. thereby swinginp; the valve 17 to partially close the port 16 and decrease the tension in the chamber 12. The tension thus obtained may natcd F. full by FF.

It the tube 43 is thereafter opened the bellows 2?, will he connei'sted to the low ten sion chamber 3i and the movable leaves of the bellows will. be moved rther downward by the increased relative pressure thereon. thus moving); the valve 17 to cover an additional portion ol he port 1.6 and produce a soft tension designated If the tube set thereatter opened the bellows 24- will become operative and. the valve 17 will be swung still further downward to more completely close the port is. giving a very soit or Pl ell'ect.

Referring now to Figs. l. and 6. T will describe the setting device For automaticallv opening ant. closing the tubes ll, -13 and ll. A separate setting device is provided for controlling each of the said tubes, the conbe desigtension lrGlUQ' indicated on the diaphragm 60.

struction and operation of the three setting devices being precisely similar. The tube 41 (Fig. 4.) is connected to a passage formed in a block 51 and normally covered by a valve 52. The valve 52 is secured to the movable leaf 53 of a small pneumatic bellows 54, (Fig. 5) said leaf having an ex-- tension 53 adapted to engage a light spring latch 55 as will be hereinafter described.

The pneumatic 54 is connected by a passage 56 (Figs. 4 and 5) to a valve chamber 57 having the same general construction the valve chamber 33 previously described. A double valve 58 is mounted in the chamber 57 and the head 59-of said valve is positioned for engagement by a diaphragm 60 covering a recess 61 connected to a tube 62. The tube 62 extends to a special opening 63 (Fig. 1) formed in the tracker bar T and normally covered by the note sheet N. The sheet is provided with correspondingly positioned perforations 65 adapted to uncover said openin 63 at pre determined times. 3'

The diaphragm 60 (Fig. 5) is interposed between the recess 61 and a low tension chamber 66 connected by a passage 67 to the exhaust of the instrument. The usual bleed opening 68 connects the chamber 66 to the recess 61 and equalizes the pressure When the tracker opening 63 is uncovered the diaphragm 60 will be forced inwardly by atmospheric pressure, carrying with it the valve 58 and thus connecting the pneumatic 54 to the low tension chamber 66. The pneumatic is thus collapsed, opening the passage 50, and

thus partially deflating the bellows 22 as previously described.

As the pneumatic 54 is collapsed the extension 53 of its leaf 53 will engage the latch 55 and the pneumatic will be thereby maintained in collapsed condition, with the passage 50and tube 41 open to the atmosl phere even after the tracker opening 63 is again covered by the sheet N. I am thus able to continue any indicated tension for any desired time without using either long or often-repeated perforations in the notesheet, a result of much importance.

The latch 55' is mounted upona support 70 (Figs. '5 and 6) pivoted at 71* and and releasin the neumatic 54.

The support 70 is held yieldingly in position by' a spring 70 (Fig. 6) and is controlled by a pneumatic '71 (Fig. 5) the movable leaf 72 thereof being provided with an arm 73 connected to asliding rod '74 having its free end positioned to engage a lug .or projection 75 secured to the upper edge of the support 70. )Vhen thepneumatic 71 is collapsed the rod 74 will slide outwardly and through its engagement with the lug trolled by diaphragms or pouches connected by tubes 84 and 85 to openings 86 and 87 (Fig. 1) in the tracker bar T.

From this description it will be evident that whenever any one of the openings 63, 86 or 87 is uncovered the corresponding pneumatic 54, or 81 will be deflated. thus connecting-one of the bellows 22, 23 or 24 to the low tension chamber and thereby movingthe tension valve 17 to close the port 16 to a greater or less extent.

As has been previously described the position of the expression valve 17 is determined by the action of one or more of the bellows 22, 23 and 24, these bellows all acting against the single spring 25. If the tension is to be only slightly decreased (F) the bellows 22 is used. F or an additional decrease in tension (P) the bellows 23 is also placed in operation and the bellows 24 is added when an extremely soft expression (PP) is desired.

It would be possible to regulate the action of these different bellows separately from the special openings in the tracker bar through the controllin mechanism above described, providing two perforations in the sheet when two bellows are to be ren dered operative, and three perforations when anextremely soft effect is desired. I consider it desirable, however, to produce any desired expression by means of a single perforation in the note sheet and in order to obtain this result I provide suitable connections between the pneumatics 54, 80 and 81. These connections as shown comprise cords or other fiexiblemembers 90 and 91 (Fig. 5), the cord 90 being secured atits opposite 'endsto the movable leaves of the pneumatics 54 and SO and the cord 91 being similarly secured to the movable leaves of the pneumatics 80 and 81. If the opening 63 in the tracker bar is now uncovered the pneumatic will be collapsed and -will be retained in" collapsed position by will be deflated; thus opening the passage 1 which controls the bellows 23'and atthe same time it will. move the leaf of the pneumatic 5% to uncover the opening 50 which controls the bellows 22. In this manner the bellows 22 and 23 are controlled from the single tracker opening 86.

In a similar way the uncovering of the opening 87 causes deflation of the pneumatic 81, said pneumatic acting through the cords 91 and 90 upon the movable leaves ot the pneumaties 80 and 54, thus placing all three bellows 22, 23 and 2st in operation and controlling them through the single tracker opening 87, the latches 55 retaining said pneumatics in operative or deflated condition.

It the full force (FF) of the instrument is thereafter desired the opening 77 in the tucker bar will be uncovered. thus deflating the pneumatic 71 and swinging the latch support outward, to release the pueumatics 5 t. 80 and 81 or any of them, :trom operative position.

It will often happen however. that a change of expression is desired from the extremely soft (PP) expression to an intermediate expression (P or F), and it is desirable to obtain this change of expression From a single pertoration in the note sheet. It is necessary therefore that all. of the pneumatirs should be released whenever any change in expression is indicated. In order to secure this result I provide a cross passage 92 (Fig. 41-) which communicates at one end with the passage 79 and which is connected by passages 93, 94: and 95 to the passages 56. er... leading to the pncumaties 54;. 80 and 81 respectively. Flap valves 9. 9T. 98 and 99 are provided in the passages 93. 9 1;. '5 and 79, these valves being so arranged that a reduction of pressure in any one of the pneumatics 54, 80 or 81 will cause a rel-responding; deflation of the pneumatic 71 while at the same time the low pressure in one of the pneumatics 5%, 80 or 81 will not a'lleet the other two pneumatics.

Through these connections the releasing pneumatic '71 will become operative whenever any one of the pneumatics 5 1, 80 or 81 becomes operative. The latches are thus moved to release all of the pneumatics whenever any change in tension is indicated by the note sheet.

It is necessary that the latches after releasing the pneumatics shall be immediately restored to operative position so that they may retain the newly indicated pneumatic or pneumatics in operative position. For this purpose the sliding rod T t is provided with an oblique or o'li'set portion H (Fig. 5i and is mounted to slide in slot 100 (Fig. 11) formed in a block 101 mounted upon a fixed portion of the pneumatic 81. As the releasing; pneumatic 71 is deflated the rod T t slides freely through the slot 100 and by engagement with the lug 75 upon the latch support '70 it swings the support outwardly to release the pneumatics. Excessive accidental displacement of the su i)port is prevented by a stop screw rod 102. The continned movement oi the rod 74-, hmvever, causes the otlset portion 74- to enga e the block 101., the rod being thereby snun to the right, as viewed in Fig. 5. out o l engagement with the lug T5. The support it) thereupon immediately returned to its operative position by the spring; 70 (l igf. (3). The latches are thus returned to operative position before the setting); pneumatics are released by the note sheet and said pneumatirs will thus be retained in the position to which they have been or may thereafter he moved.

Having thus described the preferred form of my invention it will be seen that I have provided tension controlling mechanism by which a series of different tensions may be secured and that I have also provided improved automatic devices controlled by pertorations in the note sheet by means of which any desired tension may be secured. Furthermore any desired tension may be at. any time secured by the provision of a suitable single perforation. in the note sheet regardless of the tension previously maintained in the instrument.

In Figs. 7, 8, 9. and 10 I have shown a modified term of setting mechanism in which the setting pneumatics are omitted and the 'ension regulating bellows 22. 2 3 and B t are more directly controlled from the openings in the tracker bar. Considering the. control of the bellows 22. the tube l1 his. 9. and 3) is connected to a pass; .;1e 1.10 9) termed in a frame 111 and communicating with a cross passz ge 119. At its upper end the cross passage is open to the atmosphere and at its lower end it is open to an exhaust chamber 113 connected by a pipe 113 (Fig. 10) to the exhaust of the instrument. A double valve 11 iis mounted to slide loosely lengthwise ot the cross passage 112, closing the passage at one end or the other according to conditions. At its'lower end the valve 111 is provided with a head 114: positioned for engagement by a diaphragm 115 cover ing a recess 116. connected by a passage 117 to the tube 62 extendingto the opening- 63 (Fig. 1) in the tracker bar. The usual bleed opening 119 (Fig. 8) connects the recess 116 with the chamber 113 thus providing a normally low pressure on each side ot the diaphragm 115. The passage 110 above referred to is provided with an extension 110 containinga flap valve 0 and communicating with a cross pass; re 11-21 (Fig. 7)

Substantially similar valve mechanism provided for controlling the admission of air through the passages 1'22 and 123 to the tubes 43 and 44 through which the bellows 23 and 24 are governed, these mechanisms being connected by tubes 84 and 85 to tracker openings 86'and and being also connected to the cross passag'e121.

Referring to Fig. 9, the valve 114 is connected at its upper end to a lever 130 having its outer end positioned for engagement by a pawl 131 adapted to retain the valve in raised position.

From the foregoing description the operation of this portion of the mechanism will be clearly evident. lVhen a perforation in the note sheet admits atmospheric pressure through the tube 62 and passage 117 to the recess 116 the diaphragm 115 will be raised, carrying with it the valve 114, thus closing the connection between the passage 110 and the exhaust chamber 113, and at the same time opening the passage 110 to the atmosphere. Since the passage 110 communicates directly with the tube 41, atmospheric pressure will accordingly be transmitted through the tube 41 to the recess 40, as in the preferred form of my invention, thus rendering operative the bellows 22.

At the same time atmospheric pressure will be transmitted through the passage extension 110 to the cross passage 121. This passage 121 communicates-by a transverse passage 132 (Fig. 10) with a recess 133,

covered by a diaphragm 134, which controls the release valve. 135. The valve 135 is pivotally. connected to a lever 136 having a depending latch 137 positioned to engage an arm 138 fixed to an offset bar 138 (Fig. 7) pivotally supported in bearings 139 secured to the frame 111. The oifset portion of the bar extends lengthwise of the device and engages projecting portions 131 of the pawls 131. Suchengagement by the bar 138 moves the pawls 131 rearwardly and permits the levers 130, and the valves 114 connected thereto to return to normal or loweredpo sition. I

The latch 137 (Fig, 10) is provided with a laterally extending arm 13'? positioned to engage an adjustable stop 140 asthe lever 136 is raised. The stop 140 should be so ad justedthat the arm 137* will engage the stop as soon as the levers, 130 have been released. Continued upward movement of the lever 136 will swing the latch 137 to the right (Fig. 10) thus releasing the .olfset bar 138 and permitting'the pawls 131to return to positions in which they again cooperate with the levers 130. The release valve 135 may also be operated directly from the opening 77 (Fig. 1) in the tracker bar, being connected thereto by the tube 76 as in the preferred form, 3 j

As the valves which control the bellows 22, 23 and 24 are each connected to the cross passage 121, the release valve 135 Wlll be operated whenever any one of the expression valves is moved from normal position.

In order that the operation of two or three of the bellows 22, 23 and 24 may be controlled by a single perforation in the note sheet I have provided additional cross passages, most clearly shown in Fig. 8. A passage 150 is normally closed by the valve 151 and when opened admits atmospheric pressure directly to the passage 110, at the same time that atmospheric pressure is admitted to the passage 122. A similar passage 152 normally covered by the valve 153 when opened admits atmospheric pressure to the tube 122. The valve 153 also covers an additional passage 154 connecting into the passage 150 and thus adapted to admit atmospheric: pressure to the tube 110. The raising or opening of the valve 151 thus admits atmospheric pressure to the two bellows 22 and 23 whilethe raising of the valve 1.53 admits atmospheric pressure to all three of the bellows 22, 23, and 24.

This modified form of setting device is not specifically claimed herein but forms the subject matter of a divisional application, Serial No. 545,593 filed by me March 21, 1922. 7

Having thus described my invention it will be seen that other changes and modifications can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit and scope thereof as set forth in the claims,

and I do not wish to be otherwise limited to the details herein disclosed. What I do claim is 1. An expression device for an automatic musical instrument having a tracker bar and a perforated note-sheet, comprising an adjustable air tension regulator, a plurality of sheet-controlled setting devices each effective to adjust said regulator to maintain a different air tension, each setting device being connected to an opening in the tracker bar and being moved to a position in which it renders said regulator operative when said opening is uncovered, means to retain said setting device in such position after said opening is closed. and means to release all of said setting devices whenever the tracker opening leading to any one of said setting devices is thereafter uncovered.

An expression device for automatic musical instrument having a tracker bar and.- a perforated notesheet, comprising an adjustable air tension regulator, a plurality of sheet controlled setting devices each :effective to adjust said. regulator to maintain. a diflt'erentair tension, each setting device being connected to an opening in the tracker bar and being moved to a position in which it renders said regulator operative by the uncovering of said openings, and connections between said devices whereby certain oi? said devices when moved to operative position are ell'ective to move additional set ting ('lcvices to similar positions.

3. 1\.n expression device for automatic n'iusical instruments havinga tracker bar, and a note-sheet, comprising an air tension regulator. a pneumatic motor connected to adjust said regulator and having a pluralit o'ii separate bellows therein, a separate pneumatic 't'or iontrolling the operation o't each bellows, said pncumatics being connected to separate openings in the tracker bar and being cmitrolled by the pertoratcd note sheet, and means independent of the note sheet for retaining said pneumatics in position to render said bellows operative.

4-. An expression device for automati musical instruments having a tracker bar and a note sheet, comprising an air ten sion regulator, a pneumatic motor connected to adjust said regulator and. having a plurality of separate bellows therein, a separate pneumatic tor controlling; the operation of each bellows, said pneinnatics being connected to separate openings in the tracker bar and being controlled by the periorted note sheet, means independent oi? the note sheet for retaining said pneumatics in position to render said bellows operative, and. sheetcontrolled means for releasing; said. pneumaties.

Ln expression device for automatic musical instruments having a tracker bar and note sheet, comprising an air tension regulator, a pneumatic motor connected. to adjust said regulator and havinga plurality of separate bellows therein, a separate pneumatic "for controlling the operation oi? each bellows, said controlling pneumatics being connected to separate openings in the tracker bar and being themselves controlled by the perforated note sheet, means to retain said pneumatics in position to render said regulator operative, a releasing pneumatic connected to a separate opening; in the tracker bar, and a device actuated by said pneumatic when said opening is uncovered and effective when so actuated to release all ol the other pneumatics which are thus retained out of normal position.

6. An expression device for automatic musical instruments having a tracker bar and note sheet, comprising an air tension regulator, a pneun'iagtic motor connected to adjust said. regulator and having a plurality of separate bellows therein, a separate pneumatic for controlling the operation of each bellows, said controlling pneumatics being connected to separate openings in the tracker bar and being themselves controlled by the perforated note sheet, means to retain said pne-umatics in position to render said regulator operative, a releasing pneumatic connected to a separate opening in the tracker bar and to each of the first men.-

tioned openings, and a device actuated by said pneumatic whenever any one oi. said openings is uncovered and ell'ective when so actuated to release all of the pneumatics which are thus retained out of normal position.

7. An expression device for automatic musical instruments having a tracker bar and note sheet, comprising an air tension regulator, a pneumatic motor connected to adjust said regulate and having a iilura-lity of separate bellows therein, a separate pneumatic for controlling the operation of each bellows, said pneumatics being' connected to separate openings in the tracker bar and being controlled by the perforated note sheet, and. connections between Said pneinnatics whereby certain of said meumatics when moved to render said regulator operative will also move additional pneumatics to similar positions.

8.' An expression device for automatic musical instruments having a tracker bar and note sheet, comprising an air tension regulator, a pneumatic motor connected to :uljust said regulator and having a plurality oi. separate bellows therein, a separate pneumatic for controlling the operation of each bellows, said pneumatics being connected to separate openings in the tracker bar and being controlled by the perforated note sheet, and connections between said pneumatics whereby certain oi said pneumatics when moved to render said regulator operative ,will also move additional pneumatics to similar positions, said connections being operative in one direction only.

9. An expression device for automatic musical instruments having a tracker bar and note sheet, comprising an air tension regulator, a pneumatic motor connected to ad just said regulator and having a phirality of separate bellows therein, a separate pneumatic for controlling the operation of each bellows, said pneumatics being connected to separate openings in the tracker ba and being: controlled by the perforated note sheet, and flexible connections between said pneumatics whereby certain of said pueumatics when moved to render said regulator open ative will also move adi'litional pneumatics to similar positions. 7

10. An expression device for an automatic instrument having" a tracker bar and pen forated note-sheet, comprising an adjustable air tension regulator, a plurality ot sheetcontrolled setting devices each ellective to adjust said regulator to maintain a ditlcrent air tension, a separate latch to hold each setting device out of normal position, and a single automatically controlled device eliective to move all of said latches to release the setting device held thereby.

11. An expression device "for automatic mu sical in struments h avi n ,9; a tan cker bar and note sheet, comprising an air tension regu lator, a pneumatic motor connected to ad just said regulator and having a plurality of separate bellows therein, a separate pneumatic for controlling the operation of each bellows, said meumatics being connected to separate openings in the tracker bar and being controlled. by the perforated note sheet, a latch to hold each pneumatic when moved to render said regulator operative, and a single additional sheet-controlled pneumatic effective to move all of said latches to release the pneumatics held thereby.

12. An expression device for automatic musical instruments having a tracker bar and note sheet, comprising an air tension regulator, a pneumatic motor connected to adjust said regulator and having a plurality O'E sepa rate bellows therein, a separate pneumatic for controlling the operation ofeach bellows, said pneumatics being connected to separate openings in the tracker bar and being controlled by the perforated note sheet, a latch to hold each pneumatic when moved to render said regulator operative, a support for all of said latches and means to move said s1 pport to simultaneously release all. of: said pneumatics which are out of normal position.

13. An expression device for automatic musical instruments having a tracker bar and note sheet, comprising an air tension regulator, a pneumatic motor connected to adjust said regulator and having a plurality of separate bellows therein, a separate pneumatic for controlling the operation of each bellows, said pneumatics being connected to separate openings in the tracker bar and being controlled by the perforated note sheet, and connections between said pneumatics whereby certain tracker openings are rendered effective to control a plurality of pneumatics.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

THOMAS DANQUARD. Witnesses:

WILLIAM J. KEELEY, WILLIAM J. BARTON.

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