US1682651A - Player piano - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 28, '1928.

E. c. WHITE PLAYER PIANO 4 Sheets-Sheet ed March 24, 1921 '9- INVENTOR ATTORNEY Aug. 28, 1928.

4 snets-sheet.

a a n n n n n n INVENTOR v ATTORNEY I F. c. WHITE Aug. 28, 1925.

PLAYER PIANO Filed March 24. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR 556m TORNEY F. C. WHITE PLAYER PIANO Aug. 28, 1928.

Filed March 24. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR /6 m ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 28, 1928.

( iiNiTE-D sures 1,682,651 1 ATETN or Pica.

.EMNK 0.: WHITE, MERIDEN, ioon'nnc rrcnn'nssrenort, BY 'MEsiaE ASSIGNMENTS, TO -SIMPLEX rLAYER ACTION COMPANY, InooEPoEArEnioE 'NEW'YQR'K, n. 'Y., 'A

CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

PLAYER PIANO.

Application "filed March 24, 1921 serial No. 455,345.

L This invention relates to player' pianos and more particularly to such instruments of thegrand piano'type.

It is a primary. object of the invention toprovide an improved grand playerpi'ano having a Simpleyfliciefit a'n'd du'rable structural combination of pneumatically actuated and controlledmechfanism's.

It isa further object to provide an improved player pianoof the character 'mentioned, wherein the pneumatically actuated and controlled mechanisms are cooperatively associated in an assembled unit having a simple and permanently. eflici'ent connection with the pneumatic power source. 5

It is a further object to provide anim- 'pro'vedgrand player "piano wherein the said spool drawer carries in relatively fixed're- ,"la'tionship the "series of striker pneumatics and wherein practical, improved operative connection is cooperatively disposed between the said strikerv pneumatics and the piano keys, permitting uniform play of "the in strument in any relative adjustment of "the spool drawer with respect totlie key bed. It is, moreover, a general object of the invention' to provide an improvedgrand' player piano wherein the pneumatically actuated and controlled mechanisms possess features "of structural superiority and functional "advantage.

Qthe'r objects and advantages will be in fpartnoted hereinafter in connection with the .follow'i'ng description of the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an exemplary em- "bodiinent'ofthe invention and wherein Figure. l representsa side View of "the 'irnproved grand player piano with certain parts broken awayto show thedisposition of'the 'spool and, drawer and mechanisms associated in relatively fixed relationship therewith the drawer being shown as pushed in) F igure? is a sectional view in the di-' rection of the arrows on line 22, Fig. 1 with, also, certain parts broken away for "better disclosure of theconnection's between Tthe striker pneumatics and the piano parts actuated thereby; p

.Figure 3 is'a top view'of the spool drawer "control instrument shownin Figure 1, 'with'thes'poo'l drawer "and flSSOCl'LtGCl mechanisms drawn outwardly, that is, as occupied duringim "sertion or removal of the music rolls and,

if desired, during manual expression control, as distinguished from automatic GXPI'GSSIOH "Figures '5 and 6 are fragmentary detailed between a pneumatic action and part o'f the piano j action 'cooperable therewitln F gure 7 is'a fragmentary s de view'ofan improved connection between thepn'eumatic power. source an'dthe player 'actionpa-rts; V

and a TFigure 8 is a vertical "sectional view of 7, showingfthe *teles'co'pic joint of this connection.

,Figure 9 is a pla'nviewof what I term striker pneumatics of the pneumatic action in 'iiXed relationship to the main body of thepiano and therefore in relatively *movable relationshipfto the spool drawer. In

such cases the action pneuma'tics and expression control mechanisms have been 'operaviews, on anenlarged scale,'of acon'ne'ction tively connected withi the tracker bar apertures and manual control devices, also on the spool drawer, by a largenu'mberof' small flexible rubber tubes disposed in different arrangements but of a length to-"ex'tendfrom their connections; on parts carried by "the spool drawer, toother 'connections on parts carried by the piano body when the-spool With drawer is moved to"i'ts front limit. such constructions said small flexible rubber tubes, which have been of great number as from 80 to I20, -havebeen subject' to'crackigng V and splitting and other objections in service. "As above mentioned, it is one maiivobject As shown in Figure 1, the main case' of the piano has a key bed 1 at the remand,

'abovewhich are arranged the usual piano keys 2, "connected for manual actuatiom in of the present invention largely to eliminate I said small flexible tubes hereto-fore employed, and provide an instrument capable of more jpermanentand satisfactory use.

any one of a variety of well understood ways, to the hammer action parts of the piano. Below the key bed there is provided by the present-invention a drawer'3, slidably supported on guides 4; (Fig. 2) and capable of inward positioning (Fig. 1) such as occupied by the parts during manual play of the piano or, if preferred, during wholly automatic operation, and forward positioning (Fig. 4 to permit new music rolls to be inserted, and also to give access to the manual expression controls whenever the player wishes to control the expression by hand.

At the rear of the drawer 3 the bank of striker pneumatics 7 are directly aifixed,,and,

also ,to the drawer, are aliixed the expression mechanisms 8 in such a manner that the drawer with the pneumatic action and ex press ion mechanisms constitutes a distinct separable player unit.

Itwillbe understood that the drawer 8 also contains the air motor for driving the music sheet, the automatic reroll and repeat neumatics, the manually controlled expression buttons, the automatic music roll tracking device and other necessary or desirable pneumatically controlled mechanisms, The note openings in the tracker bar are connected by ducts 9, which may be of rubber tubing or of metal, with the respective valve chests for the striker pneumaticsf and the expression openings in the tracker bar are similarly connected. by rubber-or metal ducts 10 with chambersof theexpression mechanisms 8. All of the pneumatically controlled mechanisms associated with the drawer 3, as mentioned above, are connected preferably by a single conduit 11 in communication. with the main exhaust bellows 12 secured at the rear bottom of the piano and preferably driven by an electric motor 13. The conduit 11, (see Fig. 3) as shown, connects with branches 14 and 15 at the rear of the drawer I to. get of order or deteriorate. While, as

which exhaust from the expression chambers 8 and are further connected to exhaust from the action chestand other parts in a well known manner.

. Conduit 11 is further provided with a tele scoping section 16, preferably concealed above the lower edge of the piano case and extensible with the spool draweras the latter is drawnforwardly, Thus the major, and if desired the whole, connection from the primary exhaust source12 comprises a single conduit which, being of a relatively large size and substantial character, .is not likely shown, this conduit is of metal and thus par- .sitionvtubing may be employed results.-

a It will ticularly durable, it will be understood that,

because of its size, flexible rubber or compowith good thus beseen that by the present improvement, the parts of the pneumatic systern of the instrument, which are controlled by instrumentalities on or associated with the slidable drawer, are also mainly or wholly rigidly ailixed to said drawer so that the connection between the controlling devices and the controlled devices is made by ducts not subject to extension, folding or other service movement, and that all of the controlled and controlling partsso associated with the adjustable drawer, may be connected to'the main exhaust source by only one conduit. In order to permit mechanical playing of; the piano, in difi'erent positions of the drawer and connected parts there is further provided, below the key bed and preferably carried thereby as shown, a series ofrelativelyv long rockers, which I will'term couplers, or couplervwires, 17. These couplers are supported in racks 18 and 19. .A single couple wire 17 appears as provided with an olfset crank portion 20. WVhen in place this crank portion hangs down obliquely from its. pivot ends 21 (see Fig. 5). v Arranged to bear against the upper surface of the crank portions v ries of'coupler wires is arranged a series of striking spindles 25, each of which is connected at its lower end with a 'strikerpneumatic 7 and is provided at its upperend with a felt covering 26, which is positioned to silently contact with the under surface of the crank portion 20 of its respective coupler wire; As shown in Figure 5, the crank portion of each coupler wire, whenits pneumatic 7 is extended, hangs downwardly at an angle and rests between the buttons 26 and 23 of its pair of striking spindles 25 and 22, respectively. hen an action pneumatic 7 is collapsedthe crank portion 20 of its coupler is forced upwardly so as to transmit awstriking blow to its spindle 22 (see Fig. 2), thence to the piano key 2, and thence to the hammer to eifect the sound. The long crank portions 20 of the coupler wires are disposedhorizontally and in' the line of fore and-aft movement of the drawer 3, so that whether the latter is drawn out to the posiion of Figure4; or moved forwardly to con-. ceaied position, as shown in Figure 1, each action (or striker) pneumatic 7 is at all times operatively connected with its corre- H spending piano action.

I Consequently the instrument may be pneumatically operated when the drawer is in either extreme position, as well as in all intermediate positions.

The telescopic oint 16 in the main conin the detail view, Fig. 9, and is shown .3

duit 11 is preferably constructed as shown in Figures 7 and 8 and as there illustrated, the conduit 11 of metal has a straight hori- Zontally and rearwardly extending portion 27 fitting through a short'metal section 28. The section in turn, is glued or otherwise securely fastened at one end within a rubber pipe 29 of larger diameter and at the other. end within a leather collar 30, also. glued scopic joint thus described has been found of the outer tubing 29, so that the assembly ciated parts are all mounted horizontally movable drawer. It .will be permanently serviceable and air-tight; It'

is also economically manufactured and particularly ethcient in service on account of its limited flexibility, due to the flexibility constitutes atelescopic joint, and, to a limited but sullicient extend a universal uncludmg a drawer supported by the p ano case and horizontally movable beneath the joint.

conveniently operate through push rods 34' and 35 connected by rocker arms 36. The

*lower portion of the lyre may be in turn braced by an obliquely disposed rod 37.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated and hei'einabove described, the pneumatic expression control mechanisms, as well as the action chest, striker pneumatics and assoin' or on the understood, however, that the mounting" of either of these parts on the drawer is contemplated, and gains to that extent the ad Vantages resident in the improvement By mounting the pneumatic action devices on the drawer, the major number of flexible and extensible tubes, as heretofore employed, 1S -eliminated. By adding also the pneu "matic expression mechanisms to the drawer,

largely ifnot entirely eliminates the remainderof such small tubes, so that all use of small diameter rubber tubing in long lengths, and sub ect to' folding or otheservice displacement occasio-ning' wear and leakage, is avoided. At the same time, also, by the improved assembly of cooperating parts as disclosed,1the complete pneumatic system of the, piano may be manufactured andtested satisfactorily prior to its actual installation in the piano. Also, of course, a removel of the pneumatic system can be expeditiously effected at any time for inspection or repair. A further advantage,

The lyre of the instrument preferably comprises a pair of castings 32, right-angled 1 in shape andsecured at their upper and rear of especial commerical importance, is the capability of the improved construction for other than that specifically illustrated in the accompanying drawings, all embraced within the broad aspects of the invention and intended scope of the following claims, and I therefore do not wish to be limited in any respect in so far as concerns the use of any particular expression mechanism,

pneumatic actionmechanism or music spool mechanism that may drawer,

be installed in said Having describedv my invention, what I claim is new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is: I

1. In a grand player piano, in combination, a manual piano action, and a pneumatic player system co-operating therewith and key bed and carrying in relativelyfixed relationship therewith a trackerbarand striker neumatics. with means of connection be; tween said pneumatics and said piano -action effective for playing in different positions of said drawer. 1

2. In a grand player piano, in combination,

a drawer supported by thepianocase and horizontally movable below the'key bed and carrying in relatively fixed relationship a tracker bar, pneumatic action mechanism, with piano actions, and mechanical coupling means between said mechanism and actions whereby the same are maintained in opera tive playing relationship in different positions of said drawer.

111 it P'I'Zll'lCl. la GI 121110 In combination, V o 7 a drawer supported by the, piano case and horizontally slidable below'tlie key bed and havingaflixed thereto andmovable bodily therewith, a'tracker bar and a pneumatic action, comprising striker pneu'matics, wind chest and tracker controlled valves between said wind'chest and striker pneumatics, all of said parts being operable in different positions of said drawer.

, 4. In a grand piano, the combination. with "the piano having manually operable .keys

and actions to cooperate therewith, of a drawer supported by and slidable horizontally below the key bed and carrying in relatively fixed relationship thereto a-tracker bar, action pneumatics and expression controlling mechanisms, with mechanical means for transmitting movement from the action pncumatics to the sounding devices of said piano, in different positions of said drawer.

5. In a grand piano, in combination, manspool drawer adjustably supported by the piano below said keys and horizontally IIIOV-r able out .and in to expose or conceal the inn- :uallyoperable piano actions including keys,

a pneumatic player mechanism including a sic spools, striker pneumatics supported by andmovable with said drawer, and mechanical means for transmitting movement from said pneumatics to'com'plementary parts of, the piano-action in either the out or in position of said drawer.

6. In a grand piano, in combination, a manually operable action including keys, a pneumatic action including a spool drawer adjustably supported by said piano and be-, low said keys and horizontally movable to; expose or conceal the music spools, pianoactionactuating pneumatics supported by and movable with said drawer, and connec-.

7. In a grand piano, in combination, a

manually operable action including keys, a pneumatic action including a spool drawer adjustably supported by the piano and be-.

low said keys and movable horizontally to expose or conceal the music spools, actuating pneumatics supported by and movable with said drawer, and connections including an element on the drawer and a eo-acting element in the piano case, said elements being relatively movable, and a coupler for transmitting. movement from said Pneumatics to parts of. the! manual action in both extreme adjustments ofsaid drawer through the mepianoin various pos tions of said drawer.

dium of said co-acting elements.

8. In a grand piano, in combination, a

manually operable act-ion including keys, a' pneumatic action including a spool drawer; adj us'tably supported by the piano'below said keys and horizontally movable. to expose or "spindles and an elongated crank member to conceal the music spools, actuating pneu maticssupported by and movablewith said drawer, and connections including an ele-* ment on-the drawer and a co-acting element in the piano case, said elements being relatively movable, and, a mechanical coupler fortransmitting movement from said pneuinatics to parts of the manual action in any adjusted position of said drawer through the medium of said coaoting elements. 7

9. In a grand playerfpiano, the combinaltion with the piano, of a drawer slidably supported below the key bed, a horizontal guideway on said'piano for said drawer, a

unitary assembly of the, controlled and controlling mechanisms of a pneumatic player system within said drawer and movable bodily therewith, and operable to play said piano in'flvarious positions of adjustmentof said drawer. v g

10. In a grand piano, the combination with the piano case, of a drawer supported by said piano below the key bedand horithe latter to the power source, and means for mechanically transmitting force from said pneumatic to the piano actions in various positions of said drawer."

12. Ina grand piano, the combination of a drawer slidably supported by said piano below the key bed and a lyre including angle brackets connected withthe key bed in-the rear of said drawer and supporting damper operating pedals forwardly beneath said drawer. e

13 .In-combination, a unitary drawer includinga tracker-bar, action pneumatics and connecting ducts mounted in relatively fixed relationship, and means for slidably supporting said drawer on the underside of the keyvbed of a piano for independent horizontal movement to and -fro, and means for mechanically transmitting movement from said action pneumatics tothe actions of said 14'. In a grand piano, in combination, a manual action, a pneumatic action slidably supported by the piano case for horizontal movement, and an operative connection between .parts thereof, including a pair of receive motion from one and transmit motion to the other of said spindles in different positions of contact of said spindles with said crank. I

-15. In a piano, pneumatically actuated playing devices; allthe component parts of which mechanism apart from thewind pro- FRANK 0. WHITE.

Images