US141444A - Improvement in organ-couplers - Google Patents

Description

R. E. LETTN.

Organ Couplers.

N0` 141,444, Patented August5, 1873.

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t Nrrn STATES PATENT OFFICE;

I RAPHAEL E. LETTON, OF QUINOY, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONEHALF HIS RIGHT TO LUOIUS M. LOOKE, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN ORGAN-COUPLERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 141,444, dated August 5, 1873 application filed May '7, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RAPHAEL E. LnrroN, of Quincy, Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Organs, of which y'the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to providing an organ or reed instrument with a coupler for doubling the notes in the treble and bass; also, to operating such coupler by means of a knee-swell; also, operating such coupler by means of stops, so that either the treble or bass, or both, may be doubled at will.

Figure l is a plan view of a device embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a front view of the same. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the same.

The coupler in the presentinstance consists of two platforms, A A', hinged at their rear below the keys, and separated at the point below the key which represents the iirst note Gr below the treble-stave. These platforms are similar in all mechanical respects, save that in the platform A, which affects the ba-ssnotes, the wires B extend diagonally from front to rear toward the left, while on the platform A', which affects the treble-notes, the wires B extend diagonally from front to rear toward The wires B are secured to the platform, and have at their ends the arms b and c extending upward and backward, and distant from each other a space equal to an octave on the key-board, and so placed that kwhen the front of the platform A is elevated the extremity of the arm b will come in contact with the base of the pin d on the under side of the key C, and the corresponding eX- tremity of the arm c will rest upon the collar c on the pinf secured to the under side of the key D, which is an octave from the key O. The wires B are so secured to the platforms A A asvto be capable of a slight rotation, but, nevertheless, so firmly held as to give the arms b a iixed upward inclination, except when depressed by the action of the keys. Below the front portion of the keyboard is provided the slide E, reduced at its center so as to have a proper lateral movement in the guide F. One extremity of the slide E is provided with the guide-block H, to which is pivoted the upper end of the lever I, which is pivoted at its center to the case of the instrument, and at its lower extremity to one end of the rod L, its other end being similarly attached to the cen-1 ter of the knee-swell M, which may be provided with a spring to restore it to a vertical position after being operated. At the center of the instrument, above the keys, are provided the stops P R, which are similar in all respects, and operate, respectively, the platu forms A A', affecting, respectively, the bass and treble keys. These stops consist of the rod g, the rear end of which is attached to the standard It upon the foot t, which slides between the end of the board k and the block l which separates the feet t'. The lower front portion of the feett' are provided with inclines m, which engage the pins n in the ends of the platforms A A', a slot being cut out between two adjacent keys to allow the standards h a free movement.

When it is desired to double the notes in both the bass and treble, the knee-swell M is pressed to the left, which operates the connecting mechanism and causes the slides E to move laterally, bringing the inclines N in contact with the pins o on the front edges of the platforms A A', thus elevating the platforms, and thereby bringing the extremities of the arms b into close relation with the ends of the pins d on the under side of the key C. This being struck, the wire B is rotated, giving the arms c a downward movement, in which it acts upon the collar e on the pin f secured to the under side of the key D. Said key is thereby drawn down, and thus the note represented by the key O is doubled, and the volume of sound greatly increased. From the fact that the platforms A A' are separated as mentioned, the couplers can be, and are, arranged to have both an ascending and descending action, thus playing the note an octave above that struck in the treble, or a note an octave below that struck in the bass. Upon renewing the pressure upon the knee-swell M and returning it to its vertical position, thereby retraeting the connecting mechanism, the inclines N pass under the pins o and allow the platforms A A to accomplish a gradual de scent, when the instrument may be operated in the ordinary manner. Vhen it is desired to double notes in either the bass or treble the stop I or R, respectively, is operated, drawing the standard h and foot yiy forward, the inclines m upon the latter coming in Contact with the pin n on the end of the platforms Aor A', thus elevating' their front edges into an operative position, when the notes are doubled, as already set forth. To double the notes in the treble and bass, both the stops P and It arel. "llie hinged platform A Al provided with the pins a, and Wires B having the arms b d arranged as shown, in combination with the inclines m, feet t", standards 7L, rods g secured to the stops I and It, when said parts are coustrueted and arranged to operate substantially as shown and described.

2. The hinged platforms A A provided with the pins o, and Wires B having the arms b d arranged as shown, in combination with the slide E having the inelines N, the lever I, rod L, and knee-swell M, when said parts are eonstructed and arranged to operate substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing improvement in organs as above described, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 22d day of April, 1873.

RAPHAEL E. LETTON. [1.. sf]

Vitnesses:

Trios. T. WOODRUFF, WM. B. BULL.

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