US2527912A - Shift mechanism for accordions - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 31, 1950 'r. BUGARI 2,

SHIFT MECHANISM FOR ACCORDIONS Filed April 15, 1946 '5 Sheets-Sheet 1 V Y! i l N V EN TOR. To RQU ATO B UGAPA Oct. 31, 1950 T. BUGARI SHIFT MECHANISM FOR ACCORDIONS 5 SheetsSheet 2 Filed April 15, 1946 W m T A Oct. 31, 1950 T. BUGARI SHIFT MECHANISM FOR ACCORDIONS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 15, 1946 ATZUQAEI Oct. 31, 1950 1'. BUGARI 2,527,912

SHIFT MECHANISM FOR ACCORDIONS Filed April 15, 1 946 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. TORQU ATb But-mm ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 31, 195T) UNITED 2,527,912 SHIFT MECHANISM FOR ACCORDIONS Torquato Bugari, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to Excelsior Accordions Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation Application April 15, 1946, Serial No. 662,305

(Cl. 84-37G) 3 Claims.

This invention relates to musical instruments, and more particularly to piano accordions.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide for a greater variation in tones, particularly in the bass range, from a piano accordion, than is afiorded by the usual keys on the key board.

It is a more particular objectiof the present invention to provide in a piano accordion for selective modification of the action of the usual keys on the key board upon the valve mechanism of the accordion, particularly of the bass section thereof, and thereby obtain, through theopera- 'tion of each single key, any one of a number of different tones.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of this invention will be fully understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a piano accordion embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of a part of the bass key board of the accordion;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a detail of the key board;

Fig. 4, is a view as if looking into the bass base section when the same is removed from the rest of the accordion at the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the bass base section of the accordion, the section thereof being taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4; j i

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 66 of Fig. 4; a

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a certain detail;

Fig. 8 perspectively illustrates certaindisassembled parts of the valve mechanism of the bass basesection;

Fig. 9 perspectively illustrates certain disassembled parts of an actuating member of the same mechanism;

Figs. 10 to 15, inclusive, show certain associatedcontrol elements of the same valve mecha- I nism in plan view.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, the accordion 20 comprises the usual treble and bass base sections 22 and 24, respectively, an interposed bellows section 25, and treble and bass key boards 26 and 28, respectively. The treble and bass; base sections 22 and 24, which include chambers containing the customary reed blocks, are removably secured in any suitable manner (not shown) to the bellows section 25 to provide for ready access to the reed blocks for repair or replacement of the same.

The reed blocks 36 for the bass base section 24 (Fig. 5) are suitably located on top of a valve plate 32. The valve :plate 32 is generally rectangular in shape and is secured with its marginal portions on a mounting board as by means of hold-down brackets 36 (Figs. 4 and 5). The mounting board 34 is suitably mounted in the bass base section 21. and is apertured at 38 to expose certain valve openings or passages 40 in the valve plate 32 toa chamber 4| (Fig. 5) into which air from the bellows 24 is delivered in a conventional manner (not shown). Each one of the valve passages 40 in the valve plate 32 is in alignment with an individual reed in one of the blocks 33 so as to direct air thereinto for vibrating the reed.

As best shown in Figs. 5 and 8, the valve passages 4! in the valve plate 32 are arranged in longitudinal rows Rl to R6, of which the adjacent valve passages to in the rows RLRZ, R3, and, R4, R5, R6, are laterally aligned to form groups GI and G2, respectively, which are controlled by the usual or main valves 42 and 44, respectively. The main valves 42 and 44 are pivotall mounted in the usual manner at 45 on suitable bracket-s41 on the mounting board 34 (Fig. 5), and are normally'urged by springs 48- into closing engagement with their respective groups G! and G2 of valve passages in the valveplate 32. The main valves 42 and 44 are individually controlled and operated by the usual keys 50 on the bass key board 28 through suitable operating linkage which is indicated in part at 52 and 54, respectively, in Fig. 5, and which mayin all essential respects be as shown, for instance, in the patent to .Stratton, No. 370,218, issued .September 20, 1887. I

As is usual in piano accordions of the present type, the series of main valves 42 are op'eratively associated with the other series of main valves 44 so that, on opening either one of the former valves, the associated valve of the other series is also opened. To this end, each valve 42 is provided at its end with a nose 56 which overlaps a cutaway shoulder 58 on its associated valve 44 in the manner shown in Fig. 5.

The present invention contemplates secondary or additional valve mechanisms associated with the various valve passages 40 in the valve plate 32. To this end, the valve plate 32 is provided with guideways Ell longitudinally of the valve rows R5 to RS (Figs. 4, 5 and 8), in which valve slides S are movable. The valve slides Si to S5 are associated with the rows RI to R6 of valve passages 48, respectively, in the valve plate 32 (see also Fig. 4). The valve slides SI to S6 are provided with openings 64 which are f the same shape as the valve passages 48 of their corresponding rows Rl to R6 in the valve plate 32, and are spaced longitudinally like the latter valve passages so as to be movable to and from alignment with the same. Thus, in sliding either one of the valve slides SI to S6 in its guideway 60, all of its openings 64 are either in alignment, or out of alignment, with the valve passages 40 of the associated row in the valve plate 32, and thus provide, respectively intercept, communication through the valve passages 40. to the reeds of the various blocks 38.

The top surfaces of the valve slides SI to S3 are flush with the top surface of the valve plate 32 (Figs. 5 and 8), and are retained in their guideways 68 by means of a plate 66 which is secured to the valve plate 32 by screws 69 (Fig. 4) and provided with apertures 10 that are shaped like, and in alignment with, the valve passages 48 in the valve plate 32. The reed blocks 38 are rem'ovably mounted in any suitable manner on the plate 66, a perforated felt lining 72 being preferably interposed between the reed blocks 38 and the plate 66.

The valve slides SI to S6 are shifted in different combinations from open to closed position by means'of shift keys 74 on the bass ke board 28 (Figs. 1 and 2), through intermediation f certain operating mechanisms to be described presently.

Each one of the sliding valves SI to S is connected by a link T6 with a lever "18 (see particularly Fig. 4) which is pivotally mounted inter mediate its ends at 88 to a bracket 82 on the mounting board 84. Each one of the levers I8 is also connected by a lengthwise adjustable link 84 with actuating slides 86 which are shown in detail in Figs. 10 to l5,inclusive. More particularly, the slides 85 rest on annular shoulders 88 of spaced studs 98 (Fig. 6), which are mounted in the mounting board 34 and extend upwardly through spaced longitudinal slots 92 in said slides 86 to guide the latter for longitudinal movement (Figs. 4, 6 and 10 to Mounted on the mounting board 34 are further guide pins 94 which project upwardly through additional longitudinal slots 86 in the actuating slides 86 (Figs. 10 to 15). Surrounding the studs 98, and interposed between theactuating slides 86, are spacers 98 (Figs. 6 and 7), while washers and nuts I88 and I02, respectively, on said studs 98 retain the slides 86 on their supporting shoulders 88 (Fig. 6).

It is obvious from the foregoing that, on longitudinally sliding either one of the actuating slides 86, its associated valve slide S is shifted to open or closed position, through intermediation of the connecting parts 84, I8 and I6. Suitable stops i536 are provided on the mounting board 34 (Figs. 4 and 8) of which the stops I86a will be engaged by their respective levers I8 when the corresponding slides SI to S3 are in closed position, i. e., when the openings 64 in the latter slides are out of alignment with, and, hence, intercept communication through, the associated valve passages 48 in the valve plate 32. Thus, the slides S2 and S3 are, in the present instance, shown in Fig. 4 in their respective closed positions, while the slide SI is shown in its open position. The other stops I051) will be engaged b their respective levers 78 when the corresponding slides S4 to S6 are in their normal open position. Thus, the slides S4 and S5-are, in the present instance, shown in Fig. 4 in their respective closed positions, while the slide S8 is shown in its open position.

The shift-key operated mechanisms for the valve slides S further include actuators I I0 which are under the direct control of the shift keys I4. Each of the actuators H0 comprises a rocker H2 which carries an upright pin H4, adapted to engage and push a lateral shift lug I I6 on an actuating slide 86 and shift the latter from a position in which its associated valve slide S is open into a position in which its associated valve slide is closed. Each rocker I I2 is made up of the several parts shown in Fig. 9, which are a post H8, an arm I20, on which the pin H4 is suitably mounted as by riveting, another arm I22, and an arm or finger I24. The arms I20 and I22 are provided with rectangular slots I26 (Fig. 9) which fit over the adjacent flattened end I28 of the post H8 and are held thereon in diametrically opposite relation by a screw. I30 which isre ceived by the adjacent flattened end. I28 of the post H8. The finger I 24 is also provided with a rectangular slot I32. which fits over a flattened portion I34 at the other end of the post H8 and is retained thereon by a screw I36, threadedly received by said flattened portion I34 of the post. The post I I8, of each rocker H2 is journalled in a bushing I38 in the mounting board I32, as best shown in Fig. 5.

Adapted to cooperate with the finger I24 of each rocker H2 is a push bar I40 (Figs. 6 and 8) for actuating the rocker to shift its associated actuating slide 86 on depressing the associated shift key I4. Each push bar I40. is guided between blocks 242 for movement on the under side of the mounting board 34 and in operative alignment with the finger I24 of its associated rocker I I2, at right angles to the actuating slides 86, and is retained between said blocks I42v by a strap I44. The strap I44 and the guide blocks I42 are secured to the mounting board 34 in any suitable manner, as by screws I45, for instance (Figs. 6 and 8). The forward end of each push bar I40 is offset as at I45 (Fig. 8) and provided with a fork I46 and a shoulder I48, the latter being engaged by the end I50. of a. torsion spring I52 which is suitably anchored on a screw I54 in the mounting board 34. The spring I52 normally urges thepush bar I40 into its foremost position (Fig. 8) in which a depending lug I64 of the latter engages the strap, I44. When the push bar I48 is in its foremost position, the associated rocker II 2 and its pin H4 may be turned into the position shown in Fig. 8 in which they permit movement of the associated actuating slide 86 into the position shown in the same figure. In this position of the actuating slide 86, the associated valve slide S is in its normal open position (Fig. 8). On shifting the push bar I40 inwardly, against the tendency of the spring I52 to hold it in its foremost position, its inner end engages the finger I24 of the. rocker H2 and turns the latter in the direction of the arrow I55 in Fig. 8, whereby the pin I I4 pushes the adjacent shift lug H6 on the actuating slide 86, thereby shifting the latter in the direction of the arrow I56 in Fig.8. On thus shifting the actuating slide 86, the associated valve slide Sis shifted from normally open position (Fig. 8) into closed position.

The shift keys I4 arepivotally mounted on a rod I58 which, as best shown in Fig. 2, is mounted with its ends in suitable brackets I60 on the bass key board 28. The shift keys 14 are preferably pressed from sheet metal stock into the shape shown in Figs. 3 and 8, and are provided with inwardly turned tabs I62 (Figs. 6 and 8) which project into the forked ends I46 of the push bars I46. In this manner, each shift key I4 is operatively connected with its push bar I46.

Each rocker II2 also carries on its arm I22 an upright pin I66 which is adapted to cooperate with retainer lugs I68 on the actuating slides 86 for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

The operation of the individual shift keys I4 and the corresponding action of their respective rockers IIZ on the actuating slides 86, is best explained in connection with Figs. 4 and 10 to 15, inclusive. The actuating slides 86 are shown in Figs. 10 to in the normal relative position which they assume when their respective valve slides S are in normal, open position. In the normal relative position of the actuating slides 86 as shown in Figs. 10 to 15, the shift lugs H6 and theretainer lugs I68 thereof, which are shown in lateral alignment in these several figures, are superposed in groups.

Thus, when the shift key 14a is depressed, the rocker II2a is turned counterclockwise as viewed in Figs. 10 to 15, whereby the pin II4 thereof engages the grouped shift lugs II6a. of the actuating slides 86b to 86 inclusive, and shifts the latter into closing position in which their respective valve slides S5, S4, S3 S2 and SI are closed. The described turning movement of the rocker I I2a does not result in shifting movement of the actuating slide 86a, since the same is not provided with a shift lug I I6a in operative relation with the pin II4 of said rocker 20., as appears clearly from Fig. 10. Hence, by depressing the shift key 140, (Fig. 4), all the valve slides S are shifted into closing position, with the single exception of the valve slide S6 which is drivingly connected with the actuating slide 86a, the latter being the lowermost, or the one nearest to, the bass board 34 among the stacked actuating slides 86. Hence, by depressing the shift key 140., all the valve passages 40 in the valve plate 32 are closed, with the exception of those in the row R6.

The other pin I66 of the rocker IIZa will, on turning movement of the latter in consequence of the depression of the shift key 14a, move into engagement with the retainer lug I680. on the slide 86a. and thereby compel the latter to remainin its open position. The pin I66 on the actuating slide II2a does not interfere with the described shift of the actuating slides 86b to 86f, since thelatter do not have retainer lugs I68a in operative relation with said pin I66, as follows clearly from Figs. 11 to 15.

On depressing the shift key 14b (Fig. 4) the pin I I4 of the associated rocker II2b (Figs. 10 to 15) engages the adjacent grouped shift lugs I I6!) of the actuating slides 86a to 866, inclusive, and shifts the latter into closing position, whereby their respective valve slides S6, S5, S4, S3, and S2 are shifted from normal, open position into closing position. The described turning movement of the rocker II2b does not affect the actuating slide 86f, since the same is not provided with a shift lug H61) in operative relation with the pin I I4 of the rocker I I2b, as follows clearly from Fig. 15. Hence, when shift key 14b is depressed, all the valve passages 40 in the valve plate 32 are closed, with the exception of those in the row RI which remain open, as will be readily understood. The described turning movement of the rocker II2b also brings the other pin I66 thereof into engagement with the retainer lug I68b on the actuating slide 86 to retain the latter in its normal open position, such movement of the pin I66, however, does not interfere with the described shift of the actuating slides 86a to 86c, since the latter fail to have retainer lugs I681) in operative relation with the pin I66 of the rocker IIZb, as follows clearly from Figs. 10 to 14.

On depressing the shift key 140 (Fig. 4), the associated rocker 1 I20 is turned counterclockwise as viewed in Figs. 10 to 15, whereby its pin II4 engages the adjacent, grouped shift lugs II6c of the actuating slides 86a to 86d, inclusive, and 86 and shifts the latter slides into closing position, whereby their associated valve slides S6, S5, S4, S3 and SI are moved into closing position. The referred turning movement of the rocker II2c does not alfect the actuating slide 666, since the same is not provided with a shift lug I I60 in operative relation with the pin I I4 of the rocker I I2c, as app-ears clearly from Fig. 1d. The referred turning movement of the rocker I IZc also brings the other pin E66 thereof into retaining engagement with the adjacent retainer lug I680 on the actuating slide 666, but such movement of said pin I66 does not interfere with the shift of the other actuating slides into closing position, since they fail to have retainer lugs I680 in operative relation with the pin 266 of the rocker M20, as appears clearly from Figs. 10 to 13, inclusive, and 15.

On depressing the shift key 14d (Fig. 4), the associated rocker I lid is turned counterclockwise as viewed in Figs. 10 to 15, whereby its pin II4 engages the adjacent grouped shift lugs II6d of the actuating slides 8611, 86c, 86c and 86], and shifts the latter slides into closing position, whereby their respective valve slides S6, S4, S2 and SI are closed. The referred turning movement of the rocker I I2d does not affect the actuating slides 86b and 86d, since these slides have no shift lugs IIBd in operative relation with the pin I I4 of the rocker I I2d, as appears clearly from Figs. 11 and 13. Hence, on depressing the shift key led, all the valve passages 46 in the valve plate 32 are closed, with the exception of those in the rows R3 and R5. The referred turning movement of the rocker I I2d also brings the other pin I66 thereof into engagement with the adjacent retainer lugs I68d on the actuating slides 86b and 8601 which are not shifted on depression of the key "Md, and retains the latter slides in their normal open position. Such movement of the pin I66 of the rocker Il2d, however, does not interfere with the shift of the remaining actuating slides 8611, 86c, 86c and 861 into closing position, since the latter slides do not have retainer lugs IBM in operative relation with the pin I66 of the rocker IIZd, as appears clearly from Figs. l0, 12, 14 and 15.

It follows from the above description of the action of the shift key 14d that the same leaves more than one row R of valve openings 46 in the valve plate 32 open, in contrast to the action of the shift keys Ma, Mb and which leave only one row R of said valve openings 46 open. The remaining shift keys 14c and MI will, like the shift key 1411, leave different combinations of rows R of valve openings 46 in the valve plate 32 open.

On depressing the shift key 146 (Fig. 4), the associated. rocker II2e will be turned counterclockwise as viewed in Figs. 10 to 15, and its pin II4 will engage the adjacent grouped shift lugs I I6e on the actuating slides86a, 86b, 86d and 86 normal, open position.

and shift the latter slides into closing position, whereby their respective valve slides S6, S5, S3 and SI, are moved into closing position. The actuating slides 86c and 866 are not affected by the referred turning movement of the rocker I I2e, since they do not have shift lugs I I6e in operative relation with the pin I Id of said rocker, as follows clearly from Figs. 12 and 14;. Hence, on depressing the shift key 146, all the valve passages 46 in the valve plate 32 are closed, with the exception of those in the rows R2 and R4. The referred turning movement of the rocker Il2e brings the other pin I66 thereof into retaining engagement with the adjacent retainer lugs I 686 on the actuating slides 86c and 86e which are not shifted by the depression of the shift key He. However, such movement of the pin I66 of the rocker I [26 does not interfere with the shift of the remaining actuating slides 86a, 86b, 86d and 86], inasmuch as the latter slides are not provided with retainer lugs I68e in operative relation with the pin I66 of said rocker I [26.

Finally, depression of the shift key 14f (Fig. 4), causes counterclockwise turning movement of its associated rocker IE2 as viewed in Figs.

to 15, whereby its pin H4 engages the adjacent grouped shift lugs NW of the actuating slides 86b, 86c, 86d and 86a and shifts the latter slides into closing position, whereby their associated valve slides S5, S4, S3 and S2 are moved into closing position. The referred turning movement of the rocker IIZf does not affect the actuating slides 86a and 86] since they fail to have shift lugs H6 in operative relation with the pin H4 of said rocker H2 Hence, on depressing the shift key 74;, all the valve passages 46 in the valve plate 32 are closed, with the exception of those in the rows RI and R6. The valve slides S are shown in Fig. 4 in the corresponding positions. The referred turning movement of the rocker H21 also brings the other pin I66 thereof into engagement with the retainer lugs I 65f on the actuating slides 86a and 86 which are not shifted by the depression of the shift key 14, However, such movement of the pin I66 of the rocker H21 does not interfere with the shift of the remaining actuating slides 86b, 86c, 86d and 866 into closing position, since the latter slides do not have retainer lugs I68 in operative relation with the pin I66 of the rocker H2), as appears clearly from Figs. 11 to 14, inclusive.

It follows from the preceding description that, while the main valves 42 and 44 under the control of the keys 50 on the bass key board 28 open the grouped valve passages GI and/or G2 in the valve plate 32, the valve slides SI to S6 under the control of the shift keys I4 afford a number of variations in the valve openings of any group GI or G2, thus considerably increasing the number of variations in tones that may be obtained by the operation of the keys on the bass key board 28.

Provision is also made to return any combination of actuating slides 86 and their associated valve slides S into their normal, open positions. To this end, the median shift key My (Fig. 4) is designated a return shift key which, through a push bar I40 and a rocker I I29 of the type shown in Fig. 8, for instance, returns any actuating slides 86 that are in closed position into their With this in view, the rocker I I2g (Fig. 4) is made exactly like any of the other rockers IIZ, with the exception that it does not require an arm I20 and a pin H4, but does have the arm I22 and an upright pin I66g which is the same as the pin I66 on any of the other rockers H2. Adapted to cooperate with the return pin I66g of the rocker N29 is a return lug I689 on each of the actuating slides 86 (Figs. 10 to 15, inclusive). On shifting any one of the heretofore described combinations of actuating slides 86 into closing position, through operation of the corresponding shift key 14, their return lugs I 689 are brought adjacent the return pin I66g so that, on the following depression of the return shift key 14g, the return pin I66g engages the adjacent return lugs I689 and returns the corresponding slides 86 to their normal, open position. I

It will be understood that various changes in the details of construction and in the arrangement of .parts may be made without departing from the underlying idea or principles of my invention within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I .claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an accordion havin reeds, the combination with a chamber having a wall provided with openings for the passage therethrough of air to vibrate the reeds, of a plurality of valve slides for said openings movable into two different positions to cover and uncover the latter, respectively, superposed actuating slides individually longitudinally movable in the same opposite directions into two different positions and drivingly connected with said valve slides, respectively, for moving the latter into their two positions, said actuating slides having on one side longitudinally spaced first lateral lugs arranged, in one position of said actuating slides, in longitudinally spaced first groups composed of superposed lugs of different combinations, respectively, of said actuating slides, and having on the other side longitudinally spaced, second lateral lugs arranged, in said one position of the actuating slides, in longitudinally spaced second groups of superposed lugs adjacent, and associated with, said first groups, respectively, each of said second groups being composed of second lugs of those actuating slides which are not included in the combination of actuating slides of which the associated first lugs compose the associated first group, and mechanism for each associated first and second group of lugs manually operable to engage and push said first group and move the corresponding actuating slides into the other position, and to engage said associated second group to retain thecorresponding actuating slides in said one position, each mechanism comprising a pivoted rocker having two pins spaced from, and extending parallel to, the pivot axis of said rocker and straddling the sides of said actuating slides, one of said pins engaging and pushing the lugs of its associated first group to move the corresponding actuating slides into said other position, and the other pin engaging the lugs of the associated second group to retain the corresponding actuating slides in said one position, on rocking said rocker in one direction, and means operable to rock said rocker in said one direction,

2. In an accordion shift mechanism, a series of control buttons, a plurality of actuating bars, mounting lugs integral therewith upon their upper and lower edges, the whole being held by a fixed frame, means to slidably move said actuating bars, comprising T-shaped levers and pins thereon to push said lugs upon rotation of said levers to secure desired tonal combinations and means carried by said bars and co-operating with said levers to reset said control buttons after use.

3. In an accordion shift mechanism, a series of control buttons, a plurality of actuating bars mounting lugs integral therewith upon their upper and lower edges, the whole being held by a fixed frame, means to slidably move said actuating bars, comprising T-shaped levers and pins thereon to push said lugs upon rotation of said levers to secure desired tonal combinations and means to reset said control buttons after use, comprising the coaction of the said T levers and lugs whereby each moved lever restores any previously disturbed lever to its original position, thereby resetting the control button attached thereto.

TORQUATO BUGARI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

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