US29041A - Harmonium - Google Patents

Description

H. W. SMTH.

. MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

@Na A Patented July 8, 1860.

. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY IV. SMITH, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF, AND SAML. D. SMITH, OF WEST ROXBURY, MASSACHUSETTS.

HARMONIUIVI.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 29,041, dated July 3, 1860.

To all 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY WV. SMITH, of Boston, in the county of Suiolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Harmoniums or Reed Musical Instruments; and I do hereby declare the same to be fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawing, which eX- hibits a transverse section of the sets of reeds, the key frame, and one of the keys of a musical instrument of the kind above mentioned.

The object of my invention is to enable access to be conveniently had to each of the inner reeds or their holder without requiring the whole key frame to be raised, my invention being productive of certain other advantages both in the construction and operation of the instrument.

In carrying out my improvements, I not only make the key frame in two parts, hinged together, but I employ with each key, and its two valves, a supplementary lever, and support the fulcra of the key and the lever respectively by the two parts of the key frame, the whole being essentially as hereinafter described.

In the drawings, A, denotes the reed supporting platform, carrying four reeds or reed holders, a, o, c, (Z, arranged one in advance of the other in the usual manner (or as shown) and respectively over wind passages, c, f, g, it, each pair of which is furnished with a valve, B. Each of the said valves has not only a retractive spring, z', properly applied to it for returning it to its seat, but a rod, 7c, or c, extending upward from it. Both of these rods, la, c, pass up through the key frame, C, and so as to be capable of sliding freely through t-he same. On the front rod, the key D, rests; the said rod being arranged in front of the fulcrum, Z, of such key. The rear arm of a supplementary lever, E, reposes on the head of the rear rod, lo", while the other arm of the said lever projects over the rear part of the key, D, as shown in the drawing. Between the fulcra of the key, D, and the lever, E, the key frame, C, is divided into two parts, m, a, which are hinged together as shown at o, in order that the front part, n, with the key may be moved upward relatively to the back part, lm, and the inner sets of reeds as shown by dotted lines in the drawing. The rear part, m, of the key frame should be so made or arranged or have a passage, y), made down through or in it as to allow the tail or inner arm of the key to descend, to enable the front part, n, with the key, to be elevated the required distance to uncover the inner reed holders and their sockets sufficiently to allow a person to get access to them, either for removal of one or more of the reed holders from their sockets or for the introduction of the reed holders into such sockets.

Vhen the key is struck or depressed, its tail will move the supplementary lever on its fulcrum so as to cause the rear valve to be opened.

The employment of the supplementary lever with the key and the rear valve rod enables a greater movement of the valve of such rod to be obtained, than when a single key is made to operate both valves. Furthermore, when there is combined therewith, a key frame constructed in two parts, and so hinged or applied, as to enable the front part carrying the keys to be elevated or moved relatively to the rear part and the supplementary levers, as described, we not only secure easy access to the inner reed holders, but can apply the usual movable swell frame, and have it operate to better advantage, than when each key is made to act' directly upon two valves without the aid of a supplementary lever. Therefore,

That I claim when two sets of valves are employed with a supplementary lever to be operated by the key as described, is-

Constructing that part of the key frame which supports the key, separate from that which supports the supplementary lever, and hinging or applying the two together so as to enable the key and its supporting part of the said key frame to be raised or moved in such manner as to enable access to be had to the inner reed holders as occasion may require.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my signature.

HENRY IV. SMITH. Witnesses z K. H. EDDY, F. P. HALE, Jr.

Images