US3407699A - Mechanically preset setter board - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 29, 1968 P. A. KLANN 3,407,699

MECHANICALLY PRESET ISETTER BOARD Filed Oct. 6, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIGI INVENTOR PAUL A. KLANN W BY Ml 44a7aLk ATTORNEYS Oct. 29, 1968 KLANN 3,407,699

MECHANICALLY PRESET SETTER BOARD Filed Oct. 6, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR PAUL A. KLANN BY ML, 784M M,

24 aJM-vlJ ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,407,699 MECHANICALLY PRESET SETTER BOARD Paul A. Klann, P.O. Box 2398, Waynesboro, Va. 22980 Filed Oct. 6, 1965, Ser. No. 493,394 10 Claims. (Cl. 84-344) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A preset setter board provided with a plurality of stop tabs pivoted on a panel member between an on and off position is also provided with a plurality of push buttons each of which is capable of shifting a predetermined number of stop tabs to provide a preset pattern. Each of the push buttons is connected to an elongated rocker arm which contacts a plurality of movable pin members arranged in push rods which are arranged to operate the individual stop tabs. Each stop tab is mounted on a separate individual module for easy replacement and for movement independent of the preset push button arrangement.

The present invention relates generally to improvements in the art of electro-pneumatic organs. More specifically, the improvement lies in a manual preset setter board arrangement whereby any desired combination of stops may be chosen and grouped together for simultaneous operation so that upon sequential operation of several push buttons or manual pistons the organist may switch from one combination of stops to another with accuracy and speed without interrupting the musical composition being played.

This invention provides an improved mechanically presettable arrangement of stop tabs and manual pistons so that a predetermined combination of stops may be activated on pressing a single manual piston. More specifically, this invention provides an improved mechanical matrix whereby a number of combinations may be preset by manipulating a series of connecting pins within the matrix. This invention also provides an improved manner of mounting the stop tabs such that the stop tab and its mounting means constitute an easily and quickly insertable and removable module.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 shows a front view of the device with the stop tabs and pistons projecting through the front panel;

FIGURE 2 shows a top view of the device;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation sectional view of the r device taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 showing the detailed structure and arrangement of a single stop tab and piston;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to a portion of FIGURE 3 with the stop tab in its opposite position; and

FIGURE 5 is a rear view of the stop tab mechanism viewed along the line 5-5 in FIGURE 3.

More specifically, the drawings show a preset setter board for use with an electro-pneumatic organ comprising a frame member, a plurality of stop tabs pivoted on said frame member between the on and the ofi positions, a plurality of piston members mounted in said frame member for reciprocating movement between a setting position and a normal position, a support member mounted on said frame, a plurality of parallel push rods slidably mounted on said support member for reciprocating movement along the length thereof, a pair of said push rods being aligned with each stop tab respectively, one of each of said pairs of said push rods adapted to ,engage a portion of its respective stop tab to pivot said stop tab to said on position and the other of each of said pairs of push rods adapted to engage another por- "ice 'tion of its respective stop tab to pivot said stop tab to said off position, linkage means interconnecting each of said pistons with a predetermined number of said push rods whereby upon actuation of one of said pistons to its setting position a predetermined number of stop tabs will be pivoted to the on position and a predetermined number of stop tabs may be pivoted to the off position.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, the frame of the device is shown as a panel 6 which in actual practice would constitute a portion of the console. Panel 6 has an elongated horizontally extending window 8 cut therethrough on a downwardly extending angle. The upper and lower surfaces of the window opening are provided with pads 10 of felt or the like which are fastened to the panel 6 and provide a cushion for the stop tabs 12 which extends through the window 8. The stop tabs 12 are arranged in side-by-side relation with the portions thereof which project through the window 8 being accessible to the organist for manual manipulation. These tabs 12 may carry appropriate descriptive matter which is not shown. Below the window 8 a series of manually operable pistons 14 are guided for reciprocating movement through the panel 6 in flanged bushings 16.

Referring to FIGURES 3-5 the mounting means for the stop tabs 12 comprises a support bracket 18 which has a pair of upstanding ears 20 which mount a pivot pin 22. The stop tab 12 is formed at its inner end with a pair of leg portions 13, only one of which is visible in FIGURE 3, which are adapted to straddle support bracket 18 and are joined to a generally rectangular end plate 24 at an acute angle. The end plate 24 is provided with a rectangular opening 25 which allows the ears 20 to project therethrough to enable the plate 24 to be pivoted near its mid-point on pivot pin 22. A soft pad 26 is mounted at each end of the end plate 24 to cushion the end plate where it is pivoted against the support bracket 18. At the upper and lower ends of the support bracket 18 (FIGURE 5) an elongated notch 28 is formed to accommodate the shanks of screws 30 whereby the support bracket 18 may be clamped to the plate 6. Immediately above the lower slot 28 a horizontally extending flange 32 is provided. A retaining toggle spring 34 has one end on flange 32 and the other end biased against the lower end of end plate 24 to hold the stop tab 12 in either its raised or lowered position. From the foregoing it is seen that the bracket 18 and the stop tab 12 form a compact module which may readily be removed from the console by merely loosening the lower screw 30 and removing the upper screw 30.

Reference numeral 36 (FIGURE 2) designates in general a mechanical matrix which enables preset combinations of stop members to be actuated. The matrix 36 is comprised of a plurality of parallel upper and lower push rods 38 and 39 which extend perpendicular to the panel 6. In FIGURE 3 a single pair of push rods 38, 39 have been illustrated in conjunction with a specific tab member 12. The ends of push rods 38 and 39 remote from the panel 6 have reduced ends 40 and 41 respectively which are adapted to slidably project through holes 42 in the end bracket 44. An annular pad 46 is mounted on each reduced end 48, 41 between the end bracket 44 and the thicker portion of the push rods 38 and 39 to cushion engagement of the push rods with the end bracket. The end of the push rods 38, 39 adjacent stop tab 12 are also reduced at 48 and 50, respectively, and slidably extend through holes 42 in a second end bracket 45. The two end brackets 44 and extend beyond the ends of the window 8 in the panel 6 and provide openings 42 for all of the rods 38 and 39 (FIGURE 2). A coil spring 52 is mounted on each reduced end 48, 50 of the push rods 38, 39 between the enlarged portion of the push rods 38,

3 r 39 and the end plates 45 to bias the push rods to the left as viewed in FIGURE 3 out of engagement with the end plate 24 of the stop tab 12.

Each push rod is provided with a series of spaced parallel vertically extending holes 58 of equal diameter. Each hole is adapted to receive a tapered pin 60 of a generally frusto-conical shape. The diameter of the holes 58 is such that the reduced end of the pins 60 are adapted to pass therethrough whereas the enlarged end of the pins are prevented from passing through the holes. Each pin 60 is of suflicient length to project substantially on either side of the push rod. Extending the entire length of the end bracket 44 is a guide member 62 in the form of an elongated strip of material having a plurality of notches 63 cut therein adjacent each push rod 38, 39. A pin 66 is mounted in the extreme left-hand hole 58 of each push rod as viewed in FIGURE 3 and the projecting portion of each pin extends into its respective notch 63 in,the guide bar 62 and slides therein upon reciprocation of the push rod to prevent said push rod from rotating about its axis.

Extending transversely to the push rods are a plurality of Usshaped rod actuating members 64 extending parallel to each other between the upper and lower rows of push rods and spaced apart between each pair of holes 58 in the upper and lower push rods. The U-shaped rod actuators open toward the stop tabs and are provided with pad members 66 on the edges of the legs of the U-shaped actuator to dampen any sound arising from the U-shaped actuators contacting the pins 60. Each rod actuator 64 is attached to a pair of upstanding lever members 70 which are affixed to an elongated rod 68 at each end thereof. Each rod-68 has reduced end portions 72 which are journalled for rotation in a pair of flanged support members 54. As seen in FIGURE 3 the rod actuators are located between each row of the push rods and the lever members 70 extend downwardly to the rod 68 which is positioned below the lower row of push rods. Attached to and extending downwardly from each rod 68 is a lever arm 74.

The lever 74 is pivoted at 76 to projection 78. Projection 78 is adjustably threaded on connecting rod 80 at one end thereof. The other end of the connecting rod 80 is connected to the piston 14. Adjustably mounted on the connecting rod 80 is a slidable collar 82 held in place by set screw 84. The flanged bushing 16 which guides the piston 14 carries a pin 86 projecting downwardly from the inner end thereof and a spring 85 is connected between the set screw 84 and the pin 86 to bias the connecting rod 80 to the right as viewed in FIGURE 3. An adjustable stop collar 90 is slidably secured to the connecting rod 80 by a set screw 92. An annular pad 94 sur rounds the connecting rod 80 and is positioned between the bushing 16 and the stop collar 96 to cushion the return movement of the piston to its outward position.

In operation, upon depression of the piston 14 by the organist the push rod 80 will move to the left as viewed in FIGURE 3 rocking the rod 68 which in turn causes the U-shaped rod actuator 64 to pivot toward the right. The upper flange of the U-shaped actuator is adapted to contact a pin 60 which might be positioned in the hole 58 adjacent to the respective U-shaped rod actuator 64 whereas the lower flange of the U-shaped rod actuator is adapted to contact. a projecting pin member 60 if one is located in the adjacent hole in the lower push rod. Not counting the end pin which cooperates with the guide member 62, each push rod has, in the device shown in FIGURE 3, six holes therethrough or a corresponding number of holes equal to the number of U-shaped rod actuators employed in a particular setting board. There are six pins, in this particular instance, provided for each pair, 38, 39, of push rods and each pin may be positioned adjacent of one of the U-shaped rod actuators in either the upper push rod 38 or the lower push rod 39 thus determining which push rod of the pair will be actuated upon corresponding movement of the associated U-shaped rod actuator 64. It is apparent that if the pin 60 is located in the lower push rod 39, as illustrated in the example of FIGURE 3, that upondepression of the plunger 14 the U-shaped actuator 64 will move to the right and the lower flange thereof will contact the pin 60 and push the rod 39 to the right against the action of the spring 52. The end of the reduced portion 50 will then contact the end plate 24 of the stop tab 12 on the lower side of the pivot point 22 thereby causing the projectingtab portion 12 to move to its upper limit or off position in the window 8. In like manner when pin 60 is positioned in the hole of the upper push rod and the corresponding actuator 64 is moved to the right the upper pushrod 38 will move to the right against the action of the spring 52 with the end of the reduced portion 48 contacting the upper portion of the end plate 24 of the stoptab 12 thereby tiltingthe tab 12 to a lower or on position in the window 8. The organist need only depress the piston 14'momentarily and thereafter spring will return the piston 14 to its normal position and the spring 52 will return the actuated rod member 38 or 39 to its extreme left hand position where it is completely out of contact with the end plate 24 of the stop tab 12. In this way the organist may, at his option, add or subtract additional stop members on an individual basis to the selected combination since the ends of the push rods will not interfere with such a selective movement.

It is understood, of course, that any number of push rods may be used depending upon the number of stop tabs utilized in a particular arrangementv and likewise the number of U-shaped rod actuators may be increased or decreased depending upon the number of preset combinations desired in the particular organ.

When the organist desires to preset a difierent combination for a particular piston 14 the pins 60 are easily removable from the holes 58 by merely grasping and pulling the same, for example, by pliers-type tools. The lower set of rods 39 is olfset from the upper row of rods 38 as clearly shown in FIGURE 2 thereby enablingthe organist to have access to the pins on the lower push rods 39. An ordinary and common tool such as pointednose pliers, or the like, could be used to reach down between the upper push rods 38 to grasp the pins 60 in the lower push rods to insert or remove the same. As previously pointed out, there is only one pin associated with each U-shaped rod actuator for each pair of rods (38, 39) and it may be located in either the upper push rod 38 which will move the stop tab 12 to an on position or may be associated with the lower push rod 39 which is adapted to move the stop tab 12 to its off position.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit this invention to the precise details of construction and operation herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the appending claims may occur to persons skilled in the art. For example, the actuation of movable rod actuators 64 need not be mechanical and manual but may be electrical and remotely controlled as is known in the organ art.

What is claimed is:

1. A preset setter board for use with an electro-pneumatic organ comprising a panel member, a plurality of stop tabs pivoted on said panel member between an on and off position, a plurality of piston members mounted in said panel member for reciprocating movement between a setting position and a normal position, a support member mounted on said panel, a plurality of elongated parallel push rods slidably mounted on said support member for reciprocating movement along the length thereof, a pair of said push rods being aligned with each stop tab respectively, one of each of said pairs of push rods adapted to engage a portion of its respective stop tab to pivot said stop tab to said on position and the other of each of said pair of push rods adapted to engage another portion of its respective stop tab to pivot said stop tab to said oil position; linkage means interconnecting each of said pistons with a predetermined number of said push rods whereby upon actuation of each of said pistons to its setting position a pre-determined number of stop tabs will be pivoted to the on position and a pre-determined number of stop tabs will be pivoted to the ofi position.

2. A preset setter board according to claim 1 wherein said stop tabs are arranged adjacent to each other in sideby-side relation with the pivot axis of each tab in longitudinal alignment with the pivot axis of other tabs, each of said tabs being substantially T-shaped with the cross bar oriented in a generally vertical manner with said pivot axis disposed at the junction at the cross bar and stem of said T-shaped tab.

3. A preset setter board according to claim 2 wherein said rods are arranged in two parallel rows with the on position controlling rod of each of said pairs being disposed in the same row, a plurality of parallel movable rod actuators equal in number to said pistons disposed between and transverse to said rows of push rods, connecting means between each of said actuators and said corresponding pistons and adjustable abutment means mounted on said push rods and adapted to be contacted by said actuators upon movement of the same by said pistons to shift said push rods towards said stop tabs.

4. A preset setter board according to claim 3 wherein said connecting means comprises means pivoting each of said actuators to said support member about a separate axis spaced from and parallel to said actuators below said rods, a lever connecting said pivot means to said piston whereby upon depression of said piston the pivot means are rocked to move said actuators.

5. A preset setter board according to claim 4 wherein means are provided to bias said piston and said rods to an inoperative position, said rods being spaced from said tabs in said inoperative position to enable individual manual manipulation of said tabs.

6. A preset setter board according to claim 3 wherein said adjustable abutment means comprises a plurality of vertically disposed holes through each push rod equal in number to and adjacent to each of said transverse actuators, each hole being offset with respect to its adjacent actuator ou the side of said actuator toward said stop tabs, a plurality of pins for each of said pairs of push rods equal in number to said actuators removably received in said holes and projecting therefrom to contact said actuators upon movement of said actuators.

7. A preset setter board according to claim 6 wherein each of said pins have two ends one end of which is of smaller cross section than the other and said holes through said push rods having a cross section enabling the small end of the pin to pass therethrough while preventing the passage of the larger end, said pins being of a length to protrude on opposite side of said holes.

8. A preset setter board according to claim 7 wherein said pins are of generally frusto-conical shape.

9. A preset setter board according to claim 4 wherein said rod actuators are of a generally U-shaped cross sectional configuration whereby one leg of the U is adapted to contact a pin mounted in one of the rows of push rods and the other leg of the U is adapted to contact a pin mounted in the other row of push rods.

10. A stop tab arrangement for organs comprising a support bracket having means for mounting said bracket to a panel member, pivot means mounted on said bracket, a substantially T-shaped stop tab pivoted on said pivot means and spring means between said tab and said bracket to hold said tab in either of two positions, said bracket being a generally flat rectangular plate having open ended slots at each end thereof adapted to receive attaching screws, a pair of upstanding ears on one side thereof adjacent the mid point of said bracket, a pivot pin mounted in said ears, said T-shaped stop tab having a stem and cross bar, the portion of the T adjacent the intersecting point defining an opening which is adapted to receive said bracket and pivot means therein, said cross bar being pivoted on said pivot pin and extending substantially parallel to said bracket on one side thereof, said stem straddling said bracket and extending substantially perpendicular thereto on the opposite side thereof, whereby said arrangement provides a quickly attachable and detachable self contained module.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,775,260 9/1930 Verlinden 84-343 ROBERT S. WARD, 1a., Primary Examiner.

GARY M. POLUMBUS, Assistant Examiner.

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