US2576480A

US2576480A - Accordion

Info

Publication number: US2576480A
Application number: US753683A
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard R Rieschick
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1947-06-10
Filing date: 1947-06-10
Publication date: 1951-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 1968-11-27

Description

Nov. 27, 1951 R. R. RlEscHxcK 2,575,480

AccoRDIoN Filed June 1o, 1947 4 shets-sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

Nov. 27, 1951 R. R. RlEscHlcK 2,576,480

ACCORDION Filed June lO, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y /f/ JNVENToR. I 88 f 76. Rzzf/fd/zfff/m Novn 27, 1951 R. R. Rxl-:SCHICK ACCORDION 4 Sheet-s-Sheet 3 Filed June l0, 1947 Nov. 27, 1951 R. R. RiEscHlcK 2,576,480

ACCORDION Filed June lO, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Nov. 27, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ACCORDIGN Richard R. Rieschick, New York, N. Y.

Application June 10, 1947, Serial No. 753,683

6 Claims.

This invention relates to accordions.

The invention has for its object to provide a structure which may be made largely of plastic material, preferably transparent, and of such structural features, whereby the parts may be made under mass production, and readily assembled, in order to remove as much of the usual handwork as possible, and thus reduce the cost of production; and extend the general use of such accordions.

For this purpose the invention consists of a bellows part which has at each of its open ends a frame with flanges. Two end parts are provided each of which fits against said flanges of the bellows part. Each end part has a transparent membrane supporting reed casings on one side, and having openings in registration with the reed casings, and having novel valves on its other side, governed by actions, operated by keys or button levers.

The keyboard and the button board are separate permitting the main parts to be used for different keyboards or different bass button boards.

'I'he keys are of novel shape having a metallic rib integral with the action and a plastic covering, the covering having flanges movable in spaces formed by a plurality of guide ribs.

The invention will be more fully described, an embodiment thereof shown in the drawings, and the invention will be nally pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the improved accordion;

Fig. 2 is a right hand end view;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section with the parts spaced from each other;

Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken on line 6--6 f Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a transverse section taken on line 'l-l of Fig.

Fig. 8 is a vertical transverse section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the valve operated by the key depressed lever;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged longitudinal section taken on line IU-I 0 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged transverse section taken on line II-Il of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a white key;

Fig. 13 is a bottom view of the upper unit taken from line l3--l3 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 14 is a bottom view of Fig. 5, and

Fig. 15 is a broken section taken on line I5-l5 o1 Fig. 14.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the various views.

Referring to the drawings, the improved accordion consists essentially of three parts, A, B and C.

The part A (see Fig. 4) consists of an upper frame l5 of suitable plastic material, having upwardly extending iianges I6 and I1, a lower fame |5a of suitable plastic material having downwardly extending iianges IBa and l la, and a bellows 2li, having its open ends secured by suitable fastening to each of the inner sides of the frames I 5 and 15a.. The parallel flanges I 6 and l1 as also the parallel flanges 16a and lla form outwardly open channels I 8 and l8a. The inner flanges l1 and I 'la are slightly lower than the" outward flanges I6 and 16a. The part A is of general rectangular shape with rounded corners, determining the general shape of the accordion.

'Ihe upper part B (see Figs. 4 and 5) consists of a body portion 2l open at its lower end of a suitable height, extending circumferentially and of a shape of general rectangular character with rounded corner portions, conforming to the shape of the part A. Within this body portion 2l, and at its upper end, there is provided a membrane 22 of suitable plastic material, preferably transparent, which has peripheral flanges 23, the size of this anged membrane being such as to fit within the body portion 2l to abut against

shoulder

24 and 24a of the body portion 2|, with theY outer surfaces of the flanges 23 closely hugging the inner surface of the body portion 2l, and preferably held by acetone. To the lower side of the membrane 22, a plurality of casings 25" are secured, which have the reads 26 and felts 2l (Fig. 4), and which communicate with openings 28 in the membrane 22. These reeds and felts are well known and are not described in detail, attention being called to the simplicity of the casings 25, also made of suitable light weight material. Thus, the membrane 22 supports the casings 25, and the removal of the membrane 22 from the body portion or casing 2l, removes the casings 25, and vice versa the insertion of the membrane 22 inserts the casings 25. The upper part of the body portion 2l curves over to the wall 24h. A cover 3Q of grill form is suitably attached by screws or rivets 3i to the wall 24h. The cover 30 has in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, a plurality of openings 39a (Fig. 1). The rear ends of the wall 24h and the cover 3U terminate short of the rear of the body portion 2l. Above the shoulder 24a, the body portion 2| extends upwardly as shown by the extension 32 having an inclined surface 33. There is a space between the rear of the cover 38 and the extension 32 and through this a detachable keyboard 35 is inserted, and when inserted it is secured to the body portion 22 by screwbolts 35, having nuts 31 (Fig. The removability of the nuts 31, and bolts 36, enables the keyboard 35 tc be removed, and a different one replaced therein. Thus, means are provided for an interchangeable keyboard. 'I'he keyboard 35 consists of a back plate 38 having

marginal flanges

39 and 38a, which anges 39 and 38a are parallel withreach other, and support a pivot rod 39h for the Vwhite and block keys 49, 48a, (Figs. 1 and 5). Y"The back Y plate 38 has an inwardly extending flange 4|, the

outer surface of which is provided with a felt layer 42 (Fig. 5).

The keys 48 are made of Ya suitable plastic Inaterial and are of lspecial construction, as shown in Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 12. Each key 44 consists off a flatv outer surface 4.2 to be pressed by the ingers, with outer parallel nangesr 43, and a pair of parallel flanges 44, spaced from each other to allow for the entrance of one end of a metal strengthening bar 45, which extends forward to form Van extension '45a'to rest below the flange 4|, and to act as a .stop device, when the key 4|! and consequently the bar 45 is relieved of nger pressure. A spring 46 has one'end 41 press against the. bottom of the bar 45. This end 41 is 'bent toy enter a hole in the bottom of the bar 45. .The spring 45 is then coiled one turn to form a coil 49. and its other free end 55 presses against the back plate 3,8.Vv The White key operation is shown Vin Fig. 5, and the black key operation is shown in Fig. 8. The back plate 38 has an abutment 5|. with a' felt covering 52 to serve the same purpose for the black keys 40a as the flange 4| andgits-,felt covering 42 serves for the white keys, namely, to dampen the shock, when the keys are pressed of the pressure of the fingers. The spring 45 for theblack keys is vshorter than the spring 4G for the white keys. The spring cannot fall outof its nest accidentally.

The back plate 38 has a'plurality of parallel guide ribs 38a forming spaces for the movement of the keys, as shown for the black keys 40a in Fig.A 7. The

flanges

43 and 44 of the white keys 40 (Fig. 6) do not enter the spaces betweenthe guide ribs 38a, as blue guide ribs 38a terminate about where the reference character 41 appears in Fig-5. Y

VEach White-key 48 and each black key 48a is pivoted on the rod 39h, and each has an action member 55, to the free end of which a valve 56 is lsecured as shown in Figsf, 9, 1.0, Y11 and 12. The member 55 is integral with the bar 45.

The end of each action member 55 has a curved recess51 (Figs. 9 to 12) engaging a curved abutment 58 of a separate frame 5.9 of the valve 55. The lower surface of the Ymember 55 is provided with a leather layer 55 of U-shape, which slidingly engages a leather layer 6|, secured to a rigid member 62, having at its lower side, a leather layer B3 (Fig. 10). The curved recess 51 and curved abutment 58, and slidable connection, gives substantially a universal motion connection. By pressing any key, black or white, the corresponding action 55, there being one for every key, is-actuated. The valve 58 is then raised from the membrane 22, whereby the casing 25 is opened to the atmosphere, and the air compressed by the reeds, with the sound passing out of the openings 28, and through the open spaces l 30a. of the cover 30 tothe atmosphere. The connection enables the valve 56 to close all parts of its opening.

When this cover 38 is removed, the keyboard 35, with all the keys and actions, may be removed, and another substituted, the bolts 36 and nuts 31 being, of course, removed and replaced. The keyboard 35 has lateral extension 35a with curved finger recesses 35h (Figs. l and 2), which extensions enable the accordion to be readily grasped.

The part A and the part B are joined by inserting the body portion 2| of part B into the space between the ilanges of part A, and then fastening r4the parts together by screws 54 (Fig. 5). A. similar connection is provided in order to join part A to par-t C (Fig. 5), where the flanges |541 and lla hold by means of screws 54a, the marginal wall 65 of the part C. Thereby a basic housing is provided.

Generally considered, part .C vis the reverse of part B. In part C, the body .portion 'lil has the before referred to marginal wall'55, which extends beyond a shoulder 1l, upon which amembrane 15 is seated (Fig. 5). This membrane 15 is a suitable transparent or translucent plastic material like the membrane 22, and on its outer or upper sides has connected thereon reed cgasings 15, the Vmembrane '15 having corresponding openings 11, opened or vclosedby valves 18, preferably of the construction shown in Fig. 10, each connected* with an action lever 19, pivoted on the shaft 88, and having an elbow lever 8| engaged by an actuating rod 82 having a button 83. The buttons 53 each pass through an opening in a button board 85, as knovvn.- 5A

spring 85 presses the lever 8 l ,to hold the valve lll manner described in connection with membraney 22. Thus, the body portion 1|) forming'es'sentially the part C and forming a closure or casing, may with the membrane 15, be separated from part A, by the removal of the screws 64a., and the membrane 1 5 may be separated from the body portion 10, by the removal of the screws14. The membrane 15, like the membrane 2,*2/,carries ,Y the plurality of reed casings, which extend in to the space within the bellows formed bythe two

detachable membranes

22 and 15.

The bass plate or button board` 84 may also be readily substituted by another with a dieient number of buttons, the valves V18, and reed.

casings 16 and openings being modied in number accordingly.

The body portion 1|.) has a rim 88 on seated a separable bottom plate 81. The bottom plate 81, two projections 81a which t into recesses |02 the wall 86 (Fig, 14;), and the other.,

These screws can be .iustably secured by screws 9| to the inside of the body portion 10, the leather strapilr passing through a gap formed by theA body portion 'l0 and rim 86, the other end of the belt 90 having a stop 92 locking the end to the opposing rim 86 and spaced abutment 93 (Fig. 15).

A shoulder strap known and not shown, is adapted to be secured to metallic straps ,95, one at each rear corner of part B (Figs. 1 to 3). The plastic Wall of the body portion 2l, curved at its rea-r corners,fis provided at its inner surface with a metallic reinforcing sheet 96. Holes in the sheetl $6 in the Iwall 2l and in a pair of bases 91 register with each other. Bolts 98 pass through these holes. Nuts 99 are provided. The straps orbars 95 extend from the base 91 of one pair to the other base of that pair, the bars 95 being spaced from the body .portion a suitable distance for the passage of the shoulder straps. By placing the metallic straps 95 on the corners, the shoulder strap is kept from interfering With the bellows.

The exterior of the accordion is provided with a closure strap 20a, as known (Figs. 1 and 2).

From the foregoing it is clear that the bellows part A has at each open end of the bellows 20, aframe with outwardly extending spaced anges each frame adapted to receive the body portion of the part B or the part C.

Each part B and C has a transparent membrane, supporting the reed casings, whereby upon the removal of the membrane which fits snugly into the body portions, the reed casings are likewise removed.

The part .A has the replaceable keyboard and actions.

The part C has the replaceable button board and actions and the removable actions and valves cooperating with the membrane of part C.

The novel keys and guide ribs form an important feature of the invention.

I have described several forms of my invention, but obviously various changes may be made in the details disclosed -without departing from the spirit of the invention as set out in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In an accordion, a bellows, a frame for each open end of the bellows, said frame having a marginal fiange, an end member having a shoulder at its interior, and a circumferential Wall, a membrane having a marginal rim seated against said shoulder, for supporting reeds, a second end member having a shoulder at its interior, and a circumferential wall, a membrane having a marginal rim seated against the shoulder of the second end member for supporting reeds, means fastening the flange of the frame of one end of the bellows to the wall of the first end member, and means fastening the flange of the frame of the other end of the bellows to the wall of the second end member, said parts forming the main structure of the accordion.

2. In an accordion, a bellows, a frame for each open end of the bellows, said frame having a marginal fiange, an end member having a shoulder at its interior, and a circumferenial wall, a membrane having a marginal rim seated against said shoulder, for supporting reeds, a second end member having a shoulder at its interior, and a circumferential wall, a membrane having a marginal rim seated against the shoulder of the second end member for supporting reeds, means fastening the flange of the frame of one end of the bellows to the wall of the first end member,

and` means fastening the flange ofthe frame of the other end of the bellows to the wall of the second end member, said parts forming the main structure of the accordion,`said rst end member having a keyboard entrance, and a separate keyboard with key actions and valves in said entrance and secured to the first end member.

3. In an accordion, a bellows, a frame for each open end of the bellows, said frame having a marginal flange, an end member having a shoulder at its interior, and a circumferential wall, a membrane having a marginal rim seated against said shoulder, for supporting reeds, a second end member having a shoulder at its interior, and a circumferential wall, a membrane having a marginal rim seated against the shoulder of the second end member for supporting reeds, means fastening the ange'of the frame of one end of the bellows to the wall of the first end member, and means fastening the ange of the frame of the other end of the bellows to the wall of the second end member, said parts forming the main structure of the accordion, said membrane in the second end member having valve actions for valves on the side opposite to the reed side, and a bass keyboard for buttons actuating said actions.

4. In an accordion, a bellows, a frame for each open end of the bellows, said frame having a marginal ange, an end member having a shoulder at its interior, and a circumferential wall, a membrane having a marginal rim seated against said shoulder, for supporting reeds, a second end member having a shoulder at its interior, and a circumferential wall, a membrane having a marginal rim seated against the shoulder of the second end member for supporting reeds, means fastening the ange of the frame of one end of the bellows to the wall of the rst end member, and means fastening the flange of the frame of the other end of the bellows to the wall of the second end member, said parts forming the main structure of the accordion, said second member having parallel supports integral with the end member.

5. In an accordion, a bellows, .a frame for each open end of the bellows, said frame having a marginal flange, an end member having a shoulder at its interior, and a circumferential wall, a membrane having a marginal rim seated against said shoulder, for supporting reeds, a second end member having a shoulder at its interior, and a circumferential wall, a membrane having a marginal rim seated against the shoulder of the second end member for supporting reeds, means fastening the flange of the frame of one end of the bellows to the wall of the first end member, and means fastening the ange of the frame of the other end of the bellows to the wall of the second end member, said parts forming the main structure of the accordion, said first end member having a cover with openings above said valves, detachably secured to said end member.

6. In an accordion, the combination of three separate parts, a central part, an upper end part and a lower end part, said central part consisting of an open ended bellows and a flat frame aligned with and secured at one side to each open end of the bellows, the exposed side of each frame at its margin having flanges perpendicularly extending outwardly thereform, said upper end part consisting of a casing having a keyboard, valve levers and valves, and formed of an open ended circurnferential wall with an interior shoulder inwardly of said open end, and a membrane on said shoulder separate from the casing and having valve portsywithfone sidey against said valves and its other side supporting reeds controlled by said valves,;said 'membrane being slidable from said open ',end to and from said interior shoulder, said circumferential Wall at its margin being aligned with and engaging the flanges of the frame at one end of the'bellows, and said lower end part consisting of a casing having a button board, Valve levers and valves, and formed of an open ended circumferential wall with an interior shoulder inwardly of saidopenend, and a membrane on said shoulder separate from the casing and having valve ports,- with one side against saidlast named valves and at its other side supporting reeds controlled by said valves, said membrane being slidable from said open end to and.- from said shoulder, said vcircumferential wall at its marginV being aligned *with and engaging the flangesy of -the frame at the other end of the bellows, and lmeans fastening the anges of the bellows frames to the circumferential walls of the casings, whereby on the unfastening of said means, the three parts may be separated and the membranes with their reeds removed from and replaced to ltheir end parts.

RICHARD R. RIESCHICK.

REFERENCES CITED Number Number Name Date Sutton Aug. 13, 1889 Spurrier Oct. 16, 1917 Palmer Y Aug. '19, 1924 Palmer Jan. 6, 1925 Umbriaco Apr. 24, 1928 Luttbeg Sept. 29, 1931Y Rieschick Apr. 18, 1933 Nelson Dec. 11, 1934 Guidobaldi Mar. '7, 1939 Lindeberg Jan. 23, 1940 Magnante Jan. 7, 1941 Lidbloom Jan. 28, 1941 Miller July 22, 1941 Bundy Sept. 8, 1942 Logli Sept. 15, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Switzerland Feb. 17, 1936