US1562023A

US1562023A - Mechanism for regulating the expression in apparatus for playing musical instruments

Info

Publication number: US1562023A
Application number: US555840A
Authority: US
Inventors: Oscar H Anderson
Original assignee: Story & Clark Piano Co
Current assignee: Story & Clark Piano Co
Priority date: 1922-04-21
Filing date: 1922-04-21
Publication date: 1925-11-17
Anticipated expiration: 1942-11-17

Description

Nov. 17, 1925- 1,562,023

0. H. ANDERSON MECHANISM FOR REGULATING THE EXPRESSION IN APPARATUS FOR PLAYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed April 21. 1922 a Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 17 1925- 1,562,023

0 H. ANDERSON MECHANISM FOR REGULATIN G THE EXPRESSION IN APPARATUS FOR PLAYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed April 21, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 if? aaar 72 n5 7; W%%%% Nov. 17, 1925- 1,562,023

H. ANDERSON O. MECHANISM FOR REGULATING THE EXPRESSION IN APPARATUS FOR PLAYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed April 21. 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 r 11% AZ 0 II g ZZZ .6,

- L 9 jive/707 llll 7430721 Patented Nov. 17, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OSCAR H. ANDERSON, OF GB 1ND HAVEN,

MICHIG'TAN, ASSIGHOR TO STORY 8n CLARK PIANO (10., OF GRAND EAVEN, LZIJLIEGAIQ', A CORFOBATION 0F ILLINQIS.

MECHANISM: FOR REGULATING TEE EXZRESSIQN IN APPAIRATUE; FOB PLAYING MUSECAL INSTRUIVIENTS.

Application filed April 21, 1922.

To all 10720171 it in (1 concern:

Be it known that I, Osonn H. Annnnson, a citizen of the United States, residing at Grand Haven, in the county of Ottawa and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Mechanism "for Regulating the Expression in Apparatus for Playing Musical Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for playing musical instruments.

This invention relates to that kind oi apparatus for playing musical instruments such as player pianos, wherein the notestriking mechanism is actuated by strikerpneumatics, controlled by a perforated notesheet passing over the tracker-board.

The invention more especially relates to the expression means of such devices. ()ne of the objects of the invention is to provide such devices with means, whereby the notes of the musical instrument may be struck with varying degrees of intensity, in order to give more accurate or artistic expression. Such expression means is adapted to be con trolled by supplemental expression holes in the tracker-board in connection with supplemental expression perforations of apertures in the music sheet, adapted to register with the same.

In that form of device, embodying the features of my invention shown in the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view showing, somewhat diagrann matically, a complete player piano, Fig. 2 is a. vertical sectional view of a part of the expression device, Fig. 3 is a view taken as indicated by the line 3 of Fig. 2, Fig. & is a top plan view of the valve-box, constituting a part of the expression regulating mechanism, showing a part broken away, Fig. 5 is a view taken as indicated by the line 5 of Fig. t, Fig. 6 is a view taken as indicated by the line 6 of Fig. 5, Fig. 7 is a view taken as indicated by the line. 7 of Fig. 5, and Fig. 8 is a view taken as indicated by the line 8 of Fig. 4.

In Fig. 1 there is shown, in general, and somewhat diagrammatically, a complete player piano for the purpose of illustrating one manner in which my expression regulating mechanism may be used in connection.

with apparatus for playing musical instruments. It is to be understood, however,

Serial No. 555,840.

that this showing is merely tor the purpose oi giving an example of one use of the invention. The invention is not to be restricted to this arrangement or use; it being with in the spirit and scope of the invention to use the expression regulating mechanism in connection with other forms and types oi apparatus for playing musical instruments.

As shown in Fig. 1, A indicates, in general, an upright player piano of the vacuum type. Suitable means, such as an exhauster or pumping bellows 20, and an equalizer or reservoir bellows 21., are provided for pro dueing and n'iaintaining a substantially constant partial vacuum. The exhauster or pumping bellows is adapted to be operated by the pedals and suitable connections are provided so that there is maintained within the equalizer or reservoir bellows 21, a substantially constant partial vacuum. The vacuum produced in the equalizer or reservoir bellows 21 communicated by a pipe 24L to the expression regulatingmechanis-- indicated in general by B (the valve 30X B forming part thereof). The construotion and operation of this expression mechanism B and B will be described more in detail hereinafter. From the expression r gulating mechanism the vacuun'i is communicated by the pipe to the wind-trunk or wind-chest Pinch of a series of compartments 27 is connected with a strikerpneumatic 28 by a duct 29. A port 39 connects the compartments 27 with the windchest 26. It will be understood that there is a diiierent compartment 27 for each striker-pneumatic 28 and that there is one of such striker-pneumatics for each key of the instrument. The striker-pneumatic 28 is provided with a finger 31 adapted to operate 0n the key 32 of the instrument, so that when the pneumatic collapses, the finger 31 will operate downwardly on the key 32 to strike the corresponding note. Each compartment 27 is provided with a port 35 lead ing to the duct 29. Opposite the port 35, the duct 29 is provided with a port 36 opening into the atmosphere. .A valve disk 37 is provided for opening and closing said ports. The valve disk 37 is mounted on a stem 38, having one end attached to a diaphragm 39 arranged across the compartment 27. A tube 40 leads from the compartment 27 on the side of the diaphragm 39 opposite the valve :77, to one of the holes in the tracker-board ll. Normally, the valve 37 closes the port and opens the port 36, so that atmospheric air is admitted .to the striker-pneumatic 28 to hold the same ex panded. hen the hole or aperture in the note or music sheet registers with the hole in the lracker-board ll, to which the tube 40 is connected, atmospheric air is admitted to the (JUDIPZUTUIIQHY 27 on the left (as viewed in Fig. 1) side of the diaphragm 39. This pressure acts on the diaphragm 339, to move the valve 37 to close the port and open the port 35. The vacuum in the compartment 27 is then communicated tlnrough the port 35 to the duct 29, and thence to the strikerqnieumatic 28 to collapse the same and strike the note. VVhen the pipe 40 is again closed by the note-sheet 45, the valve h 3'? moves back to the position shown in Fi 1, to close the port 35 and open the port 36. This return movement is facilitated by a small bleed connection L7, leading from the compartment 27 on the left (as viewed in Fig. 1) side of the diaphragm 39 to the wind-chest or wind-trunk 26. Gpening of the port 36 admits atmospheric air to the striker-pneumatic 28 to again expand it.

I will now describe more in detail the construction and operation of the expression regulating mechanism, indicated in general by B and B. The part B of this mechanism may be referred to in general as the main expression regulating valve, and the part B as the controlling valve-box. It obvious that the speed with which the striker-pneumatics will be collapsed, or the degree 0t intensity with which the notes will be strucl; will depend upon the degree of vacuum in the wind-chest 26. As has been stated before, the degree of vacuun'i in the reservoir bellows or equalizers 2.1 will be substantially constant. In general, it may be slatml, that the expression of the regulating mechanism l) and ll operate to vary the degree of vacuum in the windchest 26, in order to vary the intensities. with which the notes are struck. Such variat on ot' degree of vacuum in the wind chest 26 is controlled by four supplemental expression holes in the tracker-board, with which supplemental expression perforations or apertures in the music sheet are adapted to register. Such supplemental expression holes in the tracker-board may be located as desired and are ordinarily at one side of the tracker-board. I have here shown the expression regulating mechanism B and B operating upon all of the notes of the instrument at the same time. There is. therefore, shown only one of such mechanisms. It is obvious. however, that, without detracting' from the spirit of this invention, more of such expression regulating mechanisms can be used. For example, the

notes of the instrument could be divided. into separate groups, and one of such mechanisms installed for each group; or, if de sired there could be one of such expression regulating mechanisms tor each individual note.

As has been stated. before, the mechanisn'i B and B operates to vary the degree of vacuum in the wind-chest It will be seen, however, that such vacuum would also be affected by the number of notes struck at. once, since this will afl ect the demand on the wind-chest; unless compensating means are provided. There is, therefore, provided in the expression regulating mechanism, compensating means to prevent the degree of vacuum in the wind-chest 26 from being affected by the number of notes struck at once. The degree of vacuum in the windchest 26 is, therefore, varied by the expres sion regulating mechanism B and B to give the desired expression; and such degree of vacuum is prevented by such mechanism from being affected by the demand on the wind-chest 26.

The main expression regulating valve, indicated in general by B (see Figs. 2 and 3), includes a box having the pipe 24 leading to the reservoir 21 and entering at one side. The upper side of this box 00 is pro vided with a round hole 51 opening into a port 52 leading to the pipe 25 which goes to the wind-chest 26. Within the box 50 is a valve disk 53, adapted to control the opening 51. The disk 53 is provided with a downwardly extending stem 54, having mounted upon ita collar 55. Arranged below the box 50 is a bellows 57, the lower member of which is fixed, and the upper member, indicated by 58, adapted to fall or rise, depending upon whether the bellows is being collapsed or expanded. The member 58 carries an extension or arm 59, pro vidcd with a hole 60, through which the valve stem 54 extends. The collar 55 is urrane'ed on the stem just above the hole and adapted to be engaged by the member 59: so that as the bellows 57 expands the valve will be closed, and as it collapses, the valve 53 will be opened. It will be seen that the valve 53, controlling the hole 51, will affect the amount of air withdrawn from the pipe and will thus affect the degree of vacuum in the wind-chest 26. The movement of this valve 53 will, therefore, regulate the expression of the musical instrument. r

The following means are provided for opening and closing the valve 53. As has been stated, this valve is opened and closed by means of the bellows 57. The bellows 5'? is controlled in the following manner. A pi 3e 61 leads from the bellows 57 to the valve-box B (see Figs. 4 to 8). The pipe 61 onnects with a port or manifold 62 inside tion slightly open.

oi the valve-box B. From the manifold 62 are four ducts or passages 63, each leading to a check valve 64-. From each of the check valves 64 a small duct or passage leads to a valve chamber 66. It is to be understood that there are four of such ducts 63, each having its corresponding check valve 64:, valve chamber 66, and other associated parts. It is obvious, however, that, without detracting from the spirit of this invention. the number of such units may be varied as desired, in order to give any desired number of variations or range of expression. Since the construction and operation of such units is similar, I will describe but one in detail. The valve chambers 66 are arranged in line above a chamber 67 extending longitudinally of the valve-box. This chamber 67 is connected by means of a pipe 68 to the pipe '24:, so that there will be maintained in the chamber 67 av substantially constant partial vacuum from the bellows 21. Leading from each of the valve chambers 66 to the chamber 67 is a port 68. Each of the valve chambers 66 has also a port 69, above the port 68, leading to the atmosphere. Two

valve disks

70 and 71 are mounted on a valve stem 72. The disk 7 O is adapted to open and close the port 69, and the disk 71 is adapted to open and close the port 68. The lower end of each valve stem 7 2 rests on a diaphragm 7 5 covering a chamber 76. There is a separate chamber 76 for each of the four valves. Each of the tour chambers 76 has a small pipe 77 leading to one of the four supplemental expression holes in the tracker-board 41. Each check valve 64 is constructed as shown (see Fig. 8) .to permit passage ofair from the duct 63'to the duct 65, but not in a reverse direct-ion. Each duct or passage 63 is provided with a regulating screw 80 to regulate the size of the effective opening thereof. That is, the end of the passage 63 where it opens into the manifold 62 is restricted by the screw 80; i

The regulating screws 80 are adjusted desired; and ordinarily so that each of the ducts or passages 63 will have a different sized effective opening. Normally, the hole 68 will be closed by the valve disk 71, so that no vacuum will be communicated from the chamber 67 through any ofthe ducts 63 to the pipe 61. The bellows will therefore remain expanded. When in this position, the valve 53 will be in its normal posi lVhen any one of the expression holes in the music sheet registers with the corresponding hole in the trackerboard, to which the pipe 77 is connected, atmospheric air is admitted into the chamber 76. This pressure raises the diaphragm 7 5, thus raising

thevalve disks

70 and 71 to open the hole 68 and close the hole 69 (see Fig. 8). Vacuum is then communicated *Eromthe chamber-67; to the hole 68, ports 'withdrawal of air from the pipe 61.

and 63 to the' pipe 61, and thence to the bellows 57, thus collapsing such bellows to a certain extent. Such collapsing of the bellows 57 permits the valve 53 to open wider, thus giving a higher degree of vacuum through the pipe 25 into the wind-chest 26, and thus causing the notes to be struck with greater intensity. The exact intensity with which the notes are struck will depend upon the degree to which the bellows 57 is col-- This will depend upon the rate of This rate of withdrawal of air is varied, depending upon the

particular valve

70, 71 operated. As has been stated, there are four of such valves, each controlled by a separate pipe 77 to the tracker-board, and each operating in connection with a separate duct or passage 63. Each of the ducts or passages 63 is adjusted by the adjusting screw ,80, so that they all have different sizes. It will be seen, therefore, that four intensities are obtained, depending upon which one of the four pipes 77 is uncovered. Obviously, without detracting from the spirit of this invention, there may be any desired number of such valves to give any number otdilferent degrees of intensity.

Each of the chambers 76 isprovided with a small bleed port 90 leadinglto the chamberv 67 to facilitate the downward movement of the valve 7 0, 71, when the pipe 77 is shut off.

Ashas been stated above, compensating means are also provided, so that the demand on the wind-chest 26 will notafl ect the vacuum therein. compensating means. Within the bellows 57 is a smaller compensating bellows 101. A pipe 102 leads from the compensating'bel lapsed:

lows to the duct 52 which communicates with the pipe 25. The upper member 105 of the bellows 101 is movable and is provided at its pivoted end with an extension106, carrying a rol1er107. The upper member 58 of the bellows 57 carries an adjusting screw 108, thelower end" of which is adapted to engage with the roller 107 when themember 58 moves downwardly. It will be seen that the roller 107 is raised as the bellows 101 is-collapsed, As the roller 107 israised, the screw 108 engages it sooner as the bellows 57 is collapsed. It will be seen, therefore, that collapsing of the bellows 101 will raise the roller 107 and thus shorten the amount of collapse of the bellows 57. The operation of this compensating bellows is as follows. When few notes are being struck, the demand on the wind-chest 26 is relatively slight, and consequently the vacuum insuch wind-chest and in the pipe 25 will bevbuilt up. Such increase of vacuum will be communicated. through the pipe 102 to the compensating bellows 101 to partially collapsethe same. Such-collapse of the bellows- 101 will; operate as described above, to

I will now describe such limit the collapse of the bellows 57, and thus limit the opening of the valve 53, and thus prevent withdrawal of air, thus decreasing the vacuum. The reverse operation is as follows. If many notes are being struck at once, so that there is a heavy demand on the wind-chest 26, the vacuum will be partially destroyed therein. This will allow the compensating bellows 101 to open, thus allow ing a greater collapse of the bellows 57, wider opening of the valve 53 and faster withdrawal of air through the hole 51.

Although in describing the construction and operation of the device, I have spoken of normal positions and the like, and have referred to greater and less intensities with which the notes are struck and the like; it is to be understood that the parts may be so adjusted that different elements of the regulating mechanism are held in balance, so that with normal playing the part-s are in such balanced position. From such position the parts may move in order to give variations to either side of the normal. Likewise, the compensating bellows 101 may be held in balance when an average number of notes are being played in a given time. From such balanced position, such compensating bellows may operate to either side, depending upon whether more notes or fewer notes than the average are being played.

' While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the appended claims, in which it is my intention to claim all novelty inherent in my invention as broadly as possible in view of the prior art. What I claim as new, and desire to secure 7 by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a device of the character described, a wind-chest, and means for controlling the degree of vacuum in the wind-chest, said means including a bellows, an exhausting mechanism, a communication between said bellows and exhausting mechanism, a series of valve controlled ports of different sizes in said communication between said bellows and exhausting mechanism, and an adjustable stop pneumatic controlled by the degree of vacuum in the wind-chest for limiting the movement of said bellows.

2. In a device of the character described, a wind-chest, and means for controlling the degree of vacuum in the wind-chest, said means including a bellows, an exhausting, mechanism, a communication between said bellows and exhausting mechanism, music sheet controlled means controlling the communication between said bellows and ex hausting mechanism, and an adjustable stop pneumatic controlled by the degree of vacuum in the wind-chest to limit the move ment of said bellows.

3. In a device of the character described, a wind-chest, and means for controlling the degree of vacuum in the wind-chest, said means including a bellows, an exhausting mechanism, a communication between said bellows and exhausting mechanism, music sheet controlled means controlling the communication between said bellows and exhausting mechanism, and compensating means controlled by the degree of vacuum in the wind-chest and including a second bellows connected to the wind-chest, and adapted to operate an adjustable stop to limit the movement of said first-mentioned bellows.

4.111 a device of the character described, a wind-chest, and means for controlling the degree of vacuum in the wind-chest, said means including a bellows, an exhausting mechanism, a communication between said bellows and exhausting mechanism, music sheet controlled means controlling the communication betweensaid bellows and exhausting mechanism, and compensating means controlled by the degree of vacuum in the wind-chest to limit the movement of said bellows, said compensating means ineluding a smaller bellows connected to the wind-chest and located within the other bellows.

5. In a device of the character described, a wind-chest, and means for controlling the degree of vacuum in the wind-chest, said means including an expression regulating bellows, an exhausting mechanism. a communication between said expression bellows and exhausting mechanism, a series of valve controlled passages of different effective sizes in said communication between said ex pression bellows and exhausting mechanism, and a variable stop for limiting the collapsing movement of said expression bellows 6. In a device of the character described, a wind-chest, and means for controlling the degree of-vacuum in the wind-chest, said means including an expression regulating bellows. an exhausting mechanism, a communication between said expression bellows and exhausting mechanism, a series of valve controlled passages of different eflective sizes in said communication between said expression bellows and exhausting mechanism, and a variable stop for limitingthe collapsing movement of said expression bellows, said variable stop adapted to be operated by a compensating bellows.

7. In a device of the character described, a wind-chest, and means for controlling the degree of vacuum in the wind-chest, said means including an expression regulating bellows. an exhausting mechanism, a communication between said expression bellows and exhausting mechanism, a series of valve controlled passages of difierent effective sizes in said communication between said expression bellows and exhausting mechanism, and a variable stop for limiting the collapsing movement of said expression bellows, said variable stop adapted to be operated by a compensating bellows connected to the windchest.

8. In a device of the character described, a music sheet, a striker-pneumatic, a windchest communicating with the striker-pneumatic, an exhausting mechanism, a passage connecting the wind-chest and the exhausting mechanism, a main expression valve controlling the passage between the wind-chest and the exhausting mechanism, an expression bellows, a communication between said bellows and the exhausting mechanism, a plurality of valve controlled passages of different effective sizes in said communication between said expression bellows and exhausting mechanism, a compensating bellows, a connection between said compensating bellows and the wind-chest. said expression bellows and compensating bellows being so arranged with respect to each other whereby the collapsing movement of one is balanced against the collapsing movement of the other, and a connection between one of said bellows and the main expression valve.

9. In a device of the character described, a music sheet, a striker-pneumatic, a windchest communicating with the striker-pneumatic, an exhausting mechanism, a passage connecting the wind-chest and the exhausting mechanism, a main expression valve controlling the passage between the wind-chest and the exhausting mechanism, an expression bellows, a communication between said bellows and the exhausting mechanism, a plurality of passages of diiierent ettective sizes in said con'iinunication between said expression bellows and exhausting mechanism, music sheet controlled valves in said ports, a compensating bellows, a connection between said con'ipensating bellows and the wind-chest. said expression bellows and compensating bellows being so arranged with respect to each other whereby the collapsing movement of one is balanced against the collapsing movement of the other, and a connection between one of said bellows and the main expression valve.

10. In a device of the character described, a music sheet, a strikenpnenmatic, a windchest communicating with the striker-pneumatic, an exhausting mechanism, a passage connecting the wind-chest and the exhausting mechanism. a main expression valve control ling the passage between the wind-chest and the exhausting mechanism, an expression bellows adapted to control the main expression valve, a communication between said expression bellows and the exhausting mechanism, a plurality of valve controlled passages 01 different effective sizes in said communication between said expression bellows and exhausting mechanism, and a check valve in each of said ports permitting the passage of air from the bellows to the exhausting mechanism but not in the reverse direction.

lVitness my hand and seal this 13th day of April, 1922.

OSCAR H. ANDERSON. [n s]