US1622009A - springhorn - Google Patents

Description

Mmh. 22 192 7 c. SPRINGHORN MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed Sept. 14, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 arch 22 1927 c. SPRINGHORN l622009 MUS ICAL' INSTRUMENT Filed Sent. 14, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 by 746 my 1,622,009 c. SPRINGHORN MUS I CAL I NSTRUMENT March. 22,1927.

Filed Sent. 14, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet :5

11:11:11: JDDIJODDUUDUH 1, 22, March 22 C. SPRINGHORN I 6 MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed Sent. 14, 1922 5 Sheets-Shut 5 iii) Patented Mar. 22, 1927.

cam STATES CHARLES SPRINGI-IOR-N, OF NEW] YORK, N. Y.

MUSICAL msranlun'nr.

Application filed September 14, 1922.

This invention relates to musical instruments and particularly to an improved mechanism adaptable to player pianos for playing automati 'ally a combination of auxiliary musical instruments in accordance with predetermined conditions.

It is an object of the present invention to provide means for controlling expression devices en'lployed in pianos.

Another object of the present invention is to cause a combination of musical instruments responsive to predetermined conditions, to be operated automatically, either independen'iy or as a unit, in perfect time with the rhythm of the music as perforated in the ordinary music roll used in player pianos.

Another object the pro ision or means whereby the introduction of the auxiliary musical instruments may be controlled manually.

A further ob ect of the invention 13 the arrangement of the apparatus in an automatic player piano in a manner such that the introduction of the auxiliary musical instruments may be controlled autoi'natically.

A still further object is to provide a sin e, practical and eiiicient pneumatic action 101' controlling the effectiveness of the auxiliary musical instruments whereby a simple and compact construction results which is accomplished in a simple and ex peditious manner.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

In accordance with the above and other objects, the present invention contemplates the pro ision of a plurality of auxiliary musical instruments, such as dru'msboth snare and bass-triangle, birch tambourine, mandolin, stops and other such instruments which are arranged to be operated in perfect time with the rhythm of the music as determined by the cuttings in the music roll, i. e. the auxiliary musical instruments will function to produce music which is in perfect time with that beinp played on the piano. F or controlling the operation of the musical in- :uments both manually and automatically provided whicln I ty or" a novel arrangement of valves, the application of air at the proper moment to the instrument derir d is controlled. In the preferred form of the inventiom a valve is arranged to be o erated by twenty of the notes, prefeably from the ei hth to the twenty-eighth operated devices are through the instrument- Serial No. 538,169.

note, while a similar valve is positioned in a manner such as to be operated by the treble notes, preferably from the thirty seventh to the forty-ninth note. Experience has proven that such a. combination results in superior o1eration giving a reproduction of music which is comparable with that produced by an orchestra of the highest grade. Each of the valves controlled by the piano action in turn controls the operation of primary and secondary valves which are individual to the respective musical instruments and which in turn control the introduction of air to act on mechanically operated devices for effecting the actuation oi the musical instruments so selected.

Referring to the drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates a portion of a player action in cross-section, showing the arrangement of the mechanism for producing the desired result of the invention.

Figure 2 shows more in detail the valve mechanism and the manner of connections whereby the auxiliary musical instruments are operated in perfect time with the rhythm of the music being played.

Figure 3 illustrates d grammatically the arrange" cut oil the valves.

Figure dis a perspective oi the valve mechanism which is operated by the allotted abstract bars of the piano action.

Figure 5 is a detailed view showing the allotment of the abstracts to the respective valve mechanisms.

Figure 6 is a perspective of the portion of the mechanism whereby the musical instruments selected will be operated until subsequently changed, due to the desire or" the player.

Figure 7 illustrates the manner of connecting two musical instruments, whicl is the form best suited for what may he termed house player pianos.

Figure. 8 shows a portion of a music roll with the cuttings represei'ltingr the various notes.

, :a ti on strings 7 suitably. attached to the sound board as is common practice in pianos. The strings 7 are arranged to be operated by hammers 20 suitably pivoted at 22, through the action of pneumatic 9, which controls the operation of a lever 21. The pneumatic 9 is controlled by the introduction of air to a tube 14 extending from holes in tracker bar 13 over which the music roll 10 passes. The music roll 10 is wound on rolls 11 and 12, which are suitably journaled to the frame of the piano. Inasmuch as the player action per se does not form a part of the present invention, a detailed description thereof is considered unnecessary here as only so much of the piano mechanism is shown as is considered necessary for a clear understanding of the invention.

As is common practice, the piano is arranged to be operated either in accordance with the perforations in the music roll or manually through the operation of piano keys 8. Each of the keys is arranged through the instrumentality of a. pin 17 Figs. 1 and 5 mounted in the free end thereof to engage an abstract 15. This abstract 15 is supported by a lever arrangement 18 which is connected to a block 19.

As shown in Fig. 5, twenty of the abstracts of the left end portion are shown with pins 25 while at least eight of the abstracts on the right are shown with pins, the former being allotted to the bass notes, while the latter are common to the treble notes. Such an arrangement has proven to result in superior operation giving a reproduction of music on the auxiliary musical instruments which is in perfect time with the rhythm of the music being played on the piano.

Each of the pins 25, which is secured to the abstracts 15, is arranged to operate a valve mechanism for causing the admittance of air to a series of tubes at atmospheric pressure. In the case of the pins allotted to the bass notes, they are arranged in close proximity to the operating mechanism of the valve mechanism so that the valve will be maintained open when a series of the player actions in the range chosen are operated. When any one of the abstracts in this particular section is operated and immediately followed by another, the valve is not allowed to close. This feature results from the particular location of the pins in the abstracts. Upon the operation of an abstract, the pin individual thereto engages the operating element of the valve and effects its opening. Now, should another abstract be immediately operated, its pin will have engaged the operating element of the valve before it has traveled suificiently far to effect its closure. However, in the case of the valve common to the treble notes the pins in the abstracts are positioned such that should the player actions within the range selected be operated, the valve will be opened and closed for each player action that is operated. Conversely from that of the valve alloted to the bass notes, the pins carried by the abstracts of the treble notes will have moved downward a distance sufficient to allow the valve to close before the pin in another abstract engages the operating element of the valve. In this way, the valve will be opened and closed upon the operation of each abstract notwithstanding the fact that they are operated in close succession. The latter feature produces the much desired staccato effect when drums are played as is so essential for orchestras. In the case of short notes coming in the previously referred to range, the valve on the treble notes closes for each note. A different condition, however, exists when long notes are being played, that is, the music roll is out with a long note for one player action while it is also cut for a series of short notes in the same range. In the latter case, the valve will be held open as one of the player actions is maintained up resulting in a slurring action one to the other and causing only one heat. Thisfeature is particulary V illustrated in Fig. 8. As shown in the lower part of column A, the occurrence of a series of notes in close succession will cause the maintenance of the particular valve Open thus producing only one beat. This condition continues until the space appears between the notes as at J when the valve will be closed.

As shown in Fig. 4, each of the valve mechanisms comprises a U-shaped plate 91 which has pivotally mounted in the upturned portions thereof, a bail 92 upon the straight portion of which is arranged an insulating medium 93. The insulating medium 93 is provided for reducing to a minimum the noise which might result due to the ac tion of the pins 25 thereon. Rigidly fixed to the plate 91 is a plate 94 having at its free end thereof an aperture to which a tube connection 98 is connected. This member 94 has pivotally secured at 96 a member 95 which is also secured to the bail 92. Secured to the member 95 and in alignment with the aperture in the plate 94 is an in sulating member 97 fo insuring the closure of the aperture to the tube connection 98 when the ball 92 is in' its lower-most position, or, in other words, when it is not actuated by a pin 25 due to the lifting of one of the abstracts 15.

In accordance with the present invention, means is provided'whereby the introduction of the auxiliary musical instruments may be controlled either manually or automatically. In the former case, it is necessary to provide a series of buttons 4: which are arranged as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 along the front of the piano. In the latter case, it becomes eant-9 necessary to use a number of the lower and treble notes at the end ot each end of the tracker bar 1.3, the number depending upon the number of auxiliary musical instru ments which are desired to be operated. When the latter arrangement is employed, it also becomes necessary to perforate the music roll with one small hole for each instrument whereby such perforations will, upon the movement of the music roll, be in perfect alignment with the holes in the tracker bar. For example, one hole may be allotted to the triangle, another to the tambourine, still another to the bird, and a fourth to the drum combination, etc. It is, of course, to be noted that it is not use ssary to make a continuous series oi perforations in order that the musical instruments will be operated in perfect time with the rhythm ot the music being played as means is provided whereby the instrument operated as determined by the actuation of one of the buttons or the fact that perforation is brought into alignment with a hole in the tracker bar for causing the continuous playing or such instrument until subsequently changed due to the actuation of another button or the alignment of another perforation with a hole in the tracker bar.

As shown in Fig. 3, tube connections e1;- tend from the buttons t and the assigned holes in the tracker bar 18 to a common connection 50. From the common connection 50, a series of tube connections extend to a plurality of valves 51, 52, 53, 5e, and 55, the number of such valves, of course, being determined by the number or" musical instrument-s desired to be operated. Each of these valves 51 to 55 inclusive, controls the admission of air from a source to which an air line 28 is connected for operating a series or pneumatics (35, 66, 67, 68 and 69. Each of the pneumatics to 69 inclusive is arranged with a pin 70 which, as shown more clearly in Fig. 6, is arranged to engage operating portions of a locking member 71. This looking member 71 is pivotally mounted to a pair of uprights 7:2 and 73 and is arranged upon being actuated by any one oi the pins 70 to maintain such pin in the position determined by the actuation of the corresponding pneumatic until a subsequent select-ion.

Each of the pneumatics with the exception of pneumatic controls the operation oil a set of valves 80, 81, 82 and 83, 3, the construction of which will be more clearly described hereinafter. 'lhese valves to 83 inclusive, control the actuation or" a of valves to 10? inclusive. The valves 100 to 10? inclusive are connected with valres 16, 17 and $8 in a manner for corn trolling the operation of a plurality of valves 1% to 136 inclusive. The valves as and as shown in 3, are connected with alve 33 which is operated by the pins 25 on the abstracts 15. The YlllYCS 17 and 48 the other hand are connected by a tube 38 with valve 25% which is actuated by pins 25 connected to the aostracts on the left hand port on of the player action.

valves 100 to 10? inclusive are arranged with the valves to 136 inclusive in a manner such that these valves may be operated in combination. In order to cause the proper functioning or tne valves 101, 103, 105 and 107, a check valve such as 108, 109, 110, and 111 is arranged independent to each or these valves and is controlled by the valves and Extended from the valves 12$, 1331, 133 and 135 are tube connect-ions which connectwith bellows such as 1&6, 1 t? and 1-18 for controlling the operation of the ansiiiary musical instruments such as 30, 31 and 32.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the valves bearing reference characters 51 to inclusive, comprise a block 59 which is of wood or other suitable material ha ing openings therein which are arrai'iged to be opened and closed by an operating member 56 or a valve 52. This operating member 56 has a portion extending to and in engagement with a pouch 58. Giving to a connection extending from a chamber in this valve to the air line 28, the pouch 58 is normally in the position shown in the drawing and the operating member 56 is in engagement with the seats 62 and 63. When the buttons 1 are in their normal unactuated position and no auxiliary perforations appear in the music roll 10, the pressure on the opposite sides of the pouch 58 is substantialy equalised and accordingly is distended to the left. The equalization of pressure resits from the location of the bleed hole 61 which is only a small hole approximately the size of a pin and which connects the chamber on the left hand side of the pouch 58 to the air suction line 28. Consequently, with both sides of the pouch 58 connected with the air suction line, the pressure on both des ot the pouch will be substantially equa 1 ed.

The tip of the op erating element is mushroom shaped and ObVlr y due to the air suction, will tend to we to the left but its movement is atl'ected due to the application of air at atmospheric pressure on its back side and air er by the suction resulting from the air snt ion line Flow should either a button 1 be operated or an auxi iary perforation appear in the music roll 10, air at atmospheric pressure will be admitted to the connection 37. The connection 37 is of aninch larger cross section 1 an the bleed hole 51. in which case the pressure on the two h ot the pouch 58 is no longer sub- 0 equal and the pouch caused to be to the r' :ht, carryi with it the operating element 56. Consecpiently the operating element 56 is caused to disengage seat 63 and engage seat 62. Upon the closure of the opening to connection 37, whether at one of the buttons 4 or an auxiliary perforation on the roll 10, pressure on the left hand side of the pouch is reduced and owing to the bleed hole 61 the pressure will be equalized shortly and the pouch 58 returned to the position shown in Fig. 2. The operating element 56 will follow the pouch upon the removal of the pressure applied thereto as previously described. Nit-h reference to the operation of this valve, it should be noted that the effective area of pouch 58 is considerably greater than that of the operating element Inasmuch as this particular type of valve is a well known mechanism commonly employed in connection with pneumatics for pianos further description is believed unnecessary. Leading from a chamber in the valve 52 is a passage 64 which connects with the pneumatic 66. The pneumatic 66 in turn controls the opening of valve 49 which, upon being opened, causes air to be admitted at atmospheric pressure to a chamber of valve 80. This valve 80, like the one previously described comprises an operating member 84 and a pouch 86 which is held normally in the position shown in the drawing due to the equalization of pressure exist ing on both sides of the pouch 58 when the valve 49 is closed which is produced by the air line 28. The operation. of valve 80 is identical to valve 52 which has just been described. Arranged in operative relation with the valve 80 by means of an air passage 89 are valves 100 and 101. These valves are arranged with operating members 112. and 113 which have a coil spring connected. with each other which normally holds the valves against their seats. Each of the valves 100 and 101 is connected with a check valve 108 and 155 which in turn are connected with the secondary valves 46, 48, which are controlled by the primary valves and 47. The primary valve 47 is connected with valve 34 by a tube connection 38, while valve 45 is connected to valve 33 by a tube connection 39. Each of the valves 47 and 48 has operatingmembers which, owing to the application of air to the pouches of each of these valves from the air suction line 28 are held in the'position shown in the drawing. Extending from the valves 100 and 101 are tube connections 115 and 116, the former of these connections extends to the primary valves 125, which controls the operation of secondary valve 126. This sec ondary valve, as shown in Fig. 3, controls the admission of air to a tube connection 143 extending to bellows 147 which operates a tapper 152 for causing the operation 01 triangle 32. Tube connection 116 on the other hand extends from valve 100 to valve 128,

which controls secondary valve 127. When these valves 128 and 127 are operated, air is admitted to tube connection 153' extending from valve 127 to bellows 146 which controls the operation of the tambourine 31. It is thus apparent with such a set of con nections that the tambourine and triangle will be operated together, the triangle being controlled from the bass notes or valve 34, while the tambourine is controlled by the treble notes or valve 33.

T he operation of the mechanism previous ly described is as follows:

When one of the buttons 4, for instance, the second on from the left, as shown in the eft hand corner of Fig. 3, is operated, valve is likewise actuated for admitting air at atmospheric pressure to tube connection 36 which extends from valve to the common connecting block 50, and thence through tube connection 37 to chamber of valve Valve 35 comprises a member 23 of thin metal which is rigidly secured at 24 by means of screws and carries a piece of insulating material 29 near its free end for insuring good contact between the aperture to which the tube connection 36 is connected.

The admission of air to the chamber 60 which is at atmospheric pressure causes the operation of operating member 56 which thereupon disengages the seat 63 and engages the seat 62. The operation of the valve mechanism 52 in this manner now connects the passage 64 with the suction line 23 to the pneumatic 66. The pneumatic 66 is thereupon operated for causing the opening of valve 49 which will be maintained open so long as such condition exists owing to the engagement of pin 70 with the locking bar T1. The pin 70 and the pneumatic 66 will be held by locking bar 71 until a subsequent selection.

The opening of valve 49 admits air to one side of the pouch 86 of valve thus owing to the bleed connection 87, which is arranged in a manner similar to that described in connection with valve'52, the pressure on the right hand side of the pouch 86 is increased whereby the operating element- 84 of this valve is operated for disengaging the seat 85 and engaging the seat 88. The operation of this valve thereupon extends the suction line connected by tube 28 with the passage 89 e:-:- tending to the valves 100 and 101.

Now when a series of notes are being played on the piano as determined by the perforations in the music roll, the abstracts 15, allotted to either the bass or treble notes, will be operated in accordance with the 0p era ion of the pneumatics 9 for opening and closing the valves 33 and 34 respectively, i. e. the bass notes'etiect the opening of valve 34 while the treble notes cause the corresponding action of valve 33. Valve upon being opened, admits air, at atmospherie pressure to the tube 38 which extends from this valve to the lower chamber of valve 17. The air in the chamber 74 due to the admittance of air at atmospheric pressure is increased so that the operating element 13 is caused to disengage the seat 76 and engage the seat 79-. The operation of this valve in this manner admits air to the lower chamber of valve 18 through the connection 90 whereupon the operating element all is. lifted due to the increased pres sure on the under side of the pouch Normally both sides of the pouch individual to valve l8 are connected to the air suction line 28 and in consequence the pressure on both sides thereof is the same. However, upon the operation of valve 57, this equalization of pressure no longer exists. Operating element ll: will accordingly be lifted for admitting to connection 419 air at atmospheric pressure. The air s pplied to the check valve 155 from the suction supply from which the connection 28 extends is cut 03' owing to the engagement of the operating element let of valve 18 with the seat 78. The disengagement ot the operating element of this valve from seat 7'? causes the admission of air to the check valve 155 at at-mos pherie pressure whereupon this ch cl; valv is operated.

Likewise, when valve is operated by the pins secured in the abstracts of the treble notes, airis admitted to the tube connection 39: at atmospheric pressure whereupon valve is. operated for causing the operating element of this valve to disconnect the air line tron-i the lower chamber 01 valve 16. The disconnecci-on of the suction from the lower chamber of valve l5 increases the pressure on underside of the pouch of this valve eupon its operating element li"ted tor disconnecting the air line from the check valve 108 of T-alve 101. l'lccordingly, valve 101 is operated in a. manner similar to that d ribed in connection with "alve 100.

From the previous description, it is clear -ent that the present invention pro f tern of control whereby valves 100 and 1101 are conditioned "for operation, which are subsequently rendered efi ective due to the operation of the Valves 3% and 33 throu 'h tl e instrumentality of the abstracts allotted to the bass and treble notes which in turn control the primary and secondary valves 5 to 48 inclusive.

Taking up the description from the point where it was dropped with reference to the admission or air from the tube connection 28 with the passage 89, the valves 100 and 101 are operated whereby air at atmospheric nr-essure is admitted to the tube connection 115, upon the operation of check valve 155 while air at, a corresponding pressure is adn-iitted to. tube connect u 116 upon the o aieration of valve 100: This lat er chech valve is controlled by valves and 46. which in turn are controlled by valve 83.. The admission of air to the connection 115 at atmos pheric pressure causes an increase in the air pressure on the under side of the pouch 140 of valve 125. The admission of air to chamher 130 of this valve causes the operating ele ment 13? thereof to be lifted whereupon the suction from the tube connection 28 is cut oil from the valve 126 and in place thereof air at atmospheric pressure is applied. Inasmuch as the air on the upper side of the pouch 142 of the valve 126 is connected with tube connection 28 and the other side thereof is connected to the air and since, the pres sure on the underside of the pouch 1&2 is greater the operating element 138 is oper ated to disengage seat 1 15 and engage seat 144. The operation of this valve in this manner connects the tube 1 13 with the suction tube connection 28 extending from the air supply to the bellows 147 whereupon this bellows is operated for causing the corresponding actuation of the triangle 32.

From the previous description, it is apparent that the mechanism described permits of the operation of the triangle 32 in perfect time with the rhythm of the music roll as the valves l7 and to 48 inclusive serve to control the operation of the valve mechanisms 125 and 126 which control directly the operation of the musical instrument 32. From the arrangement shown in Fig. 3, it is apparent that when valves 101 and 108 are operated, air at atmospheric pressure is admitted to tube connection 116 which extends to valves 12% and 127 and accordingly bellows 14-6 will also be operated. The bellows 1&6 is arranged with an operatingmember :tor playing the tambourine. Such an ar rangement makes it possible-to operate both the triangle and tambourine in perfect time with the rhythm of the music on the music roll, It is to be notedhere that the triai'igle 32 is controlled through the instruments. gity oi? the valves ll", 4.8, 100, 125 and 126 by the valves 34 which is operated by the abstracts 15 of the bass notes. Also that the rine 31 is operatec through the instru tality of valves 45, 46, 1,01,. 128 and 15:? by valve 33 which is allotted to the treble notes.

Should it be desired tooperate some ot' the other combinations of musical instru-. ments, such as, for example, the bird combined with a set of drums (not shown) it would only be necessary to operate button which, as in the previous case, operates a valve admitting air at atmospheric pres sure to a tube connection, to the common connecting block 50.. From the common con necting block the air traverses a second tube connection ext-ending to valve The operation of this valve, accordingly controls the rel ase oi the pin of pneumatic G6 and operates pin/T0017 pneumatic (-37 to the position shown in the drawing. The pin '70 in this case, will be held in the position shown by the locking bar 71 until a subsequent selection. The operation of the pneumatic 6'7 causes the operation of valve 81 which in turn conditions valves 102 and 108 for operation. When the abstracts allotted to valves 33 and 34 are operated, valves 15 and 17 are accordingly actuated for controlling the operation of secondary valves 15 and 48. These valves, like in the case just described, control the check valves 109 and 156. The operation of the check valves 109 and 156 causes the operation of valves 132 and 130. Likewise, valves 130 and 132 control the operation of valves 129 and 131.

Valve 129 causes the admission of air from the suction line 28 to the tube connection 159 which extends from this valve to a pneumatic for operating a set of drums or other type of auxiliary musical instrument. The valve 131 on the other hand, controls the admission of air at atmospheri pressure to the tube connection 160, extending; from this valve to a bellows 1&8. The bellows 1 18 is connected to a second bellows 149 through a rigid operating connection 150. When the bellows 148 is operated, due to the operation of valve 131, the corresponding operation of bellows 149 results which causes the introduction of air to the tube connection 151. This tube connection 151 extends to a mechanically operated bird 50, which responds to the actuation of the bellows 149 for producing harmonious music.

It is apparent from the description that the musical instrument may be operated in any combination desired, the operation of such instruments by means of the unique method of control being operated in perfect time with the rhythm of the music out in the music roll as it passes over the tracker bar 13.

The same operation will result when the music roll 10 is perforated with a series of auxiliary perforations 160, 161 and 162 the number of such perforations depending upon the number of auxiliary musical instruments desired to be operated. As shown in Fig. 8, five such perforations are out to the left of the perforations which control the actuation of the abstracts 15, for producing music as perforated in the music roll. It is to be noted here that the auxiliary perforations are not continuous but extend over a large area it is not necessary in order to operate any one of the auxiliary musical instruments continuously to have the perforations cut continuously. This manner of operation ispossible due to the arrangement of the pins 70 on the bellows to 69 inclusive and the operating bar 71. lVhe-n one of these auxiliary perforations passes over a hole in the tracker bar 13, which is connected with the common connecting block 50 case of an auxiliary perforation appearing in the music roll 10, air at atmospheric pressure is admitted to the tube connection extending from the tracker bar 13 to the common block 50 and accordingly the particular valves 51 to 55 will be operated.

It is again to"be noted that it is not necessary to continuously perforate the music roll in order to have this combination of instruments played in perfect time with the rhythm} of the music as cut in the roll, as the bar 71 operated in a manner similar to that When one of the buttons a is operated for maintaining the condition until another perforation passes over a corresponding hole in the tracker bar 13. Such a perforation, in passing over another of the holes in the tracker bar, causes the operation of the corresponding valve with its pneumatic for releasing the previous selection and connecting in the other combination of instruments which will be operated in accordance with the operation of valves 33 and 34 which are operated by the abstracts of the bass and treble notes respectively.

In many cases, it is desired to discontinue the playing of the auxiliary musical instruments. In the present invention this is accomplished by providing a valve 51 which controls a pneumatic 65. The valve 51 is in turn controlled by the button and perforation on the extreme left as shown in Fig. 3. WVhen either the button is operated or a perforation in the music roll is brought into alignment with a hole in the tracker bar 13, air at atmospheric pressure is applied to the valve 51 through the tube'connection, extending from this valve to the common connecting block 50. The operation of valve 51 is identical with that previously described in connection with valve 52. Further description of the operation of the valve mechanism is therefore considered unnecessary here. Like in the operation of pneumatic 66, pneumatic 65 is operated when the valve 51 is operated. The operation of pneumatic 65 causes the movement of the pin 70 to the left whereupon the locking bar 71 is moved in a manner to affect the release of all other pins, restoring the system to normal.

Under certain conditions, it is only desired to operate a triangle and a bird. With these conditions, a large portion of the mechanism previously described can be dispensed with. As shown in Fig. 7, the bellows for operating the triangle and the bird are connected by means of tube connections with the secondary valves corresponding to 126 and These secondary valves, in turn, are controlled by primary valves 125 and 128. The previously enumerated vaives are similar in construction to those described in detail in connection with the description pertaining to Fig. 2. Primary valves 125 and 128 are connected directly to valves 33 and 34: by means oi tube connections. Valves 33 and Eli are controlled by the bass and treble notes *ctively as in the pre ious case.

description or? the operation oi this inochanrun is considered unnecessary as a complete description of such operation was given in connect-ion with the other mechanism in Figure 8, there is illustrated a portin of music roll 10 showing the positiooi the perforations which control the o erati n of the abstracts of the piano acin this figure, there is also shown broken lines indicating the range or the notes which have been selected for operating hi .i ss and treble valves which results in a or operation oi the system. The porn A represents the bass notes while "3 indicates the number of treble notes erected and the ge in which he treble is etl'ective. l or the purpose of illust vtion, perforations 160, 161 and 162 are shown to the left of the music roll which aligned with holes in the tracker bar 0 shown at These perforations 160,

\J 162 serve to operate the valve mechand others oi this series for conihis brings out the point niecessary to have a continuous peiforations in order to have the e trumentcontinue to be operated. s to be noted also that the same eiiect be produced, as in the case ot the perfoit any ot the buttons 1 positioned front of the piano are operated. indicates the section of the tracker introduction of various types of To the led ot the the series of perforations 163 are nto alignment with the correspondtraclrer bar 13, the valve 33 is for causin the operation of the valves in manner previously de ror producing, in the case of a snare e in this case, the valve 33 is 'aineo open during the series of perforations 163. Considering now the perforadesignated by the numerals 164, a ditferent condition exists as the perto ations in this case are separated a distance suflicient to permit the valve 33 to open and close for each perforation. A staccato effect on the drum is thereby produced. By reterring to the heavy lines on the left of Figure 8, a better understanding of the manner in which the valve operates may be obtained. in the case of the perforations 165, the valve 33 will be operated for each of such perforations as the position of the series 165, which operate this valve, is such that when two abstracts within the range B are operated, the valve will be opened and ciosed for each abstract, thus causing the valve mechanism controlling the action of the snare drum or other musical instrument which happens to be in operative connection to be operated for each note. With the arrangement of the notes in this manner the valve mechanism is operated for producing both the staccato and snare roll.

Referring now to the bass notes, which are in the range A, in the case of bass Lilfli'i'l, a single beat is produced thereon to the point marked J where two beats are introduced to the point K. Likewise, in the case of the perforations 122, two boats are produced which extends to the portion L oi the music roll.

in the case of the valve 34, which is operated by the bass notes, this valve is opened and maintained open so long as the perforat ons continue, as distinguished from the act-ion of the treble valve which opens and closes except when the perforations are close together as those in the series 163.

Although the above description pertains L0 the use of a snare and a bass drum, it is or course to be understood that other instrumerits may be introduced by the perfora- 161 or P 1o2 or even the operation or" the l to to produce the same action and quality of music in accordance with ti ioughts or" the party who wrote the 'rine' now to Figure 9, there is shown ingeinent of apparatus whereby the and treble valves are supplanted by 115 11115111 operated by the same abstracts operating contacts for controllingthe operation of the auxiliary musical instrur'ts in the previous figures, like parts ented by like reference characters to make the examination of the aratus easier. In this figure, the valves which are controlled through the action of the 1 e and bass valves 33 and 35- re- 'ely and the valves under the control ot the bellows 66 to 69 respectively are supplanted by switch contacts controlling electro-n'iagnets which control through their tures the introduction of air atatmospheric pressure to the primary valves 125, 128, 130, 132, 13 1 and 136. However, in

this case, in place of having valves controlled by the bellows 66 to 69, electric circuits are controlled thereby for conditioning for operation the electromagnets which are subsequently energized through the action of the treble and bass mechanism controlled notes.

Inasmuch as the operation of the valves 51 to which control the operation of the bellows to 69 has already been described in detail in connection with the other figures, further description of this partof the system as shown in Figure 9 is considered unnecessary here. If any one of the valves 52 to 55 inclusive is operated through either the alignment of a perforation in the music roll with a hole 3 in the tr cker bar 13, or the operation of one of the buttons at, the corresponding bellows is operated. As in the previous case, the bellows so operated is arranged to be held in operative condition through the instrumentality of the locking bar 71 until a subsequent selection. The bellows control contacts which have connections extending therefrom to contacts controlled by the mechanism operated by the treble and bass notes and the windings of the respective electromagnets. In the case of the bellows 66, contacts 176 and 177 are operated for conditioning an energizin circuit for magnets 170 and 175.

Also the mechanism 183 and 18-1 controlled by treble and bass notes in place of controlling the introduction ozt air control the actuation of contacts 166 and 167. When the contacts 176 and 177 are operated and the contacts 166 and 167 also operated, an energizing circuit is established for each of the magnets 170 and 1'75. The circuit for the magnet 170 may be traced from the positive terminal of the battery 168, contact 167, contact 177, and the winding of the electro magnet 170 to the other terminal of the bat tery 168. Likewise, the magnet- 175 is energized over a circuit which can be traced s iilarly. The magnets 170 and 175, upon being energized, causes the admission of air to the tube connections 115 and 116 at atmospheric pressure to the primaryvalves 125 and 128. These valves in turn control the secondary valves 126 and 127 which control the operation of bellows 1 16 and 1 17. In the case of the operation of bellows 146, the tambourine 31 is operated, while for the bellows 141-7, the operating element 152 is moved to a position where the triangle is operated.

In the case of the other bellows 67, 68 and 69, corresponding contacts such as 178, 179, 180 and 181 are operated for likewise controlling. the energization of electromagnets 171, 172, 1'73 and 171. These magnets are also controlled through the act-ion or" the treble and bass notes which are in the ranges A and B as shown in Figure 8.

It is also to be noted that the operating elen'ient of 183 is positioned such that when two abstracts 15 are operated in the range 3 sequentially, the contacts 166 will be actuated for the operation of each abstract thus producing the desired eiiect on the as sociated musical instrtunent. The accomplishment of this particular feature results from the location of the pins in the abstracts 15 with respect to the operating bail of the associated valve. As previously described, these pins are located so that upon the operation of each abstract allotted to the range B the associated valve will be caused to open and close. lVhen an abstract is operated, its pin engages the operating hail of the valve and causes the valve to be opened. Upon the operation of another abstractimmediately following the previously operated ab stract, the pin carried by the latter operating abstract will not have engaged the operating bail of the brush before its closure, in which case the valve will be opened and closed for the operation of each abstract. For further details of this particular part of the mechanism, reference should be had to the description previously given with respect to this particular operation. In all other respects the operation of the system is identical with that described in connection with the pneumatically operated type of system.

Athough the invention has been described in connection with a particular arrangement of piano mechanism, it is, of course, obvious that other variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The invention claimed is:

1. In combination, a piano action, manual keys and pneumatics for operating said piano action, a plurality of auxiliary musical instruments, mechanism controlled independently of said manual keys and pneumatics for conditioning said auxiliary inusical instruments for operation, and means operated by the piano action in response to the operation of either said keys or pneumatics for causing the actuation of the particular auxiliary musical instrument previously conditioned by the operation of said mechanism.

2. In combination, a piano action controlled by the perforations in a music shee a plurality of auxiliary musical instruments, pneumatically operated mechanism actuated independently of the music note perforation in said music sheet for conditioning said instruments for operation, and means operated subsequently in accordance with the music note perforations in said sheet 1 for causing the operation of the conditioned musical instruments in accordance with the operation of the piano action.

3. In combination, a piano action controlled by the perforations in a music sheet,

a plurality of auxiliary musical instruments, mechanism controlled independently of the music note perforations in said music sheet for controlling the introduction of the musical instruments either separately or in combination, and means operated in accordance with the note perforations in said music sheet for actuating said piano action and for causing the operation of the auxiliary musical instruments introduced through the operation of said mechanism.

d. In combination, piano actions con trolled either manually or automatically by note perforations in a music sheet, a plurality of auxiliary musical instruments, mechanism for conditioning said instruments for operation either separately or in combinations, a valve common to a plurality of said piano actions and controlled thereby for causing the actuation of the conditioned auxiliary instruments.

5. In combination. piano actions controlled either manually or automatically by note perforations in a music sheet, a plurality of auxiliary musical instruments, mechanism for conditioning said instruments for operation either separately or in combinations, a pair of valves, each of said valves being common to a different group of said piano actions and operated by any one of the actions in the respective groups for causing the actuation of the conditioned musical instrument.

6. In combination, piano actions controlled either manually or automatically by note perforations in a music sheet, a plurality of auxiliary musical instruments, mechanism for conditioning said instruments for operation either separately or in combinations, a pair of valves, each of said valves being common to a different group of said piano actions, and means associated with said piano actions and responsive to the operation thereof for opening and closing said valves whereby the conditioned Inusical instruments are operated in accordance with the operation of said piano actions.

7. In combination, piano actions con trolled either manually or automatically by note perforations in a music sheet, a plurality of auxiliary musical instruments, mechanism for conditioning said instruments for operation either separately or in combinations, a pair of valves. each of said valves being common to a diiferent group of said piano actions and disposed with respect to said valves to cause them to be operated differently upon the successive actuation of a plurality of piano actions in said groups whereby the conditioned musical instruments are operated in accordance with the operation of said piano actions.

8. In combination, piano actions controlled by the perforations in a music sheet, a plurality of auxiliary musical instruments,

mechanism for selecting the musical instruments either singly or in combination for operation previously to the operation of said piano act-ions. and means operated simul taneously with the actuation of the piano action in accordance with the perforations in the music sheet for causing the operation of the selected auxiliary musical instrument as determined by said mechanism.

9. In combination, piano actions controlled by the perforations in a music sheet, a plurality of auxiliary musical instruments, mechanism for selecting the musical instruments either singly or in combination for operation previously to the operation of said piano actions, means operated by any one of a predetermined group of the piano actions in accordance with the perforations in the music sheet for causing the operation of the selected auxiliary musical instrument as determined. by said mechanism.

10. In combination. piano actions controlled by the perforations in a music sheet, a plurality of auxiliary musical instruments, mechanism for selecting the musical instruments either singly or in combination for operation previously to the operation of said piano actions, means operated by any one of a predetermined group of the piano actions in accordance with the perforations in the music sheet for causing the operation of the selected auxiliary musical instrument as determined by said mechanism, and means for maintaining the selected auxiliary musical instrument operatively associated with said second recited means until a subsequent selection. 7

11. In combination, piano actions controlled by the perforations in a music sheet, a plurality of auxiliary musical instruments, mechanism for selecting the musical instruments either singly or in combination for operation previously to the operation of said piano actions, a pair of valves individual to different predetermined groups of piano actions and operated by any one of the piano actions in the respective groups for causing the operation of the selected auxiliary musical instrument.

12, In combination, piano actions controlled either manually by lreys or automatically by note perforations in a music roll, a plurality of auxiliary musical instruments, an auxiliary series of perforations in the music roll. means controlled by said auxiliary perforations independently of the note perforations for rendering said auxiliary musical instruments effective, and mechanism operated in accordance with the note perforations in the music roll for controlling the actuation of the instruments thus effected.

13. In combination, piano actions controlled either manually by keys or automatically by note perforations in a music roll, a

plurality of auxiliary musical instruments, an auxiliary series of perforations in the music roll, means controlled by said auxiliary perforations independently of the note perforations for rendering said auxiliary musical instruments effective. mecnanism operated in accordance with the note perforations in the music roll for controlling the actuation of the instruments hus eifected, means for locking saidfirst recited means in an operated condition, and mechanism also responsive to an auxiliary perforation in the music sheet for rendering said locking means ineffective.

14:. In combination, piano actions, means controlled by the note perforations in a music roll for operating the piano actions, a plurality of auxiliary musical instruments, manually controlled means controlling the introduction of such instruments, and means operated by any one of a group of predetermined piano actions for simultaneously causing the operation of the musical instrument selected through the operation of said manu ally controlled means.

15. In an automatic player piano, the combination of a plurality of auxiliary musical instruments, the method of operating such musical instruments consisting in conditioning said auxiliary'musical instruments for operation, and subsequently causing their operation upon the actuation of any one of a group of predetermined piano actions whereby the conditioned auxiliaryr'musical .instruments are operated in perfect time with rhythm of the'music being played by the piano notes. I V

16. In an automatic player piano, the combination of a plurality of auxiliary-musical instruments, the method of operating such musical instruments consisting in condition ing said auxiliary musical instruments for operation, and subsequently causing their operation upon the actuation of any one of a group of predetermined piano actions included in the bass and treble notes.

17. In combination, piano actions, a plurality of auxiliary musical instruments, devices for selecting said instruments torsubsequent operation in differentcombinations or separately, means operated by any one of a group of predetermined piano actions for controlling the operation of the selected auxiliary musical instrument, and mechanism controlled jointly by said devices and said means for operating said musical instrument in accordance Wltll'thG operation 01": the piano actions. it

18. In combination, piano actions, means controlled by the perforations in a music roll for operating the piano actions, a plurality of auxiliary musical instruments, manually operated means for controlling the introduction of such instruments independently of said piano action operating means, and means operated in accordance with the operation of the piano actions for causing the operation of musical instruments.

19. In combination, piano actions, means controlled by. the perforations in a music" crated upon the actuation of any one of a plurality of said piano actions, and pneumatics controlled by said valve for causing the operation of said selected auxiliary musical instrument.

20. In combination, piano actions, means controlled by the perforations in a music roll for operating the piano actions, a plurality of auxiliary musical instruments, manually operated means for controlling the introduction of such instruments independently 01' said piano action operating means, means comprising a valveopened and closed upon the successive operation of piano actions in a predetermined group thereof, and means responsive to said valve for operating the selected musical instruments. 7 i V i V v 21, In combination, piano actions, means controlled by the perforations in a music roll for operatingthe piano actions, a plurality of auxiliary musical instruments, manually operated, means for controlling the introduction of such instruments independently of said piano action operating means, means comprising a pair of valves, each of said valves being. common todifferent groups of said piano actions, mech anism for opening and closing one of said valves upon the successive operation oi the piano actions individual thereto, mechanism for maintaining said other valve open upon successive operation of the piano actions, individual thereto,.and means controlled by said valves for causing the operation of the selected auxiliary musical instrument.

22in combination, a plurality of piano actions, means for operating said actions, a pair of valves operated upon the actuation of any one of a plurality of the piano actions, a plurality of musical instruments, mechanism controlling the introduction of the auxiliary vmusical instruments, and means operated directly by said mechanism and operating jointly with said valve for operating the selected auxiliary musical instruments in accordance with the operation of the piano actions.

23. In combination, a plurality of piano actions, pneumatic devices, and a valve controlled by any one not a predetermined number of the piano actions for causing the operationof said pneumatic devices.

24. In combination, a plurality of piano actions, pneumatic devices, and a valve controlled by any one of a predetermined number of the bass piano actions for causing the operation of said pneumatic devices.

25. In combination, a plurality of piano actions, a pair of valves controlled by any one of a predetermined number of the bass piano actions, the other by any one of a predetermined number of the treble actions, a plurality of musical instruments, and means responsive to the operation of said valves for causing the operation of the auxiliary musical instruments.

26. In combination, a plurality of abstracts controlled either manually or automatically by the perforations in a music roll, a plurality of musical instruments, means for selecting said instruments for operation, a plurality of devices common to predetermined ones of said abstracts, and means mounted on said abstracts and spaced at different distances from said devices for causing their operation differently to effect the actuation of the selected instruments.

27. In combination, a plurality of abstracts controlled either manually or automatically by the perforations in a music roll, a plurality of musical instruments, means for selecting said instruments for operation, a valve individual to predetermined ones of the abstracts and pins secured to the abstracts and arranged to cause the opening and closure of said valves upon the operation of each abstract to effeet the actuation of the selected instruments.

28. In combination, a plurality of abstracts cont-rolled either manually or automatically by the perforations in a music roll, a plurality of musical instruments, means for selecting said instruments for operation, a valve individual to predetermined ones of the abstracts and pins secured to the abstracts and arranged to hold the valve open upon the sequential operation of the abstracts for effecting the actuation of the selected instruments.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 9th day of Sept, A. D., 1922.

CHARLES SPRINGHORN.

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