US3468208A

US3468208A - Pipe organs

Info

Publication number: US3468208A
Application number: US623965A
Authority: US
Inventors: Don Marshall Stone
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1967-03-17
Filing date: 1967-03-17
Publication date: 1969-09-23
Anticipated expiration: 1986-09-23

Description

D. M. STONE PIPE ORGANS Sept. 23, 1969 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 17, 1967 N9 2. on @1 w: NM

, INVENTOR DON MARSHALL STONE $611.14 ATTORNEYS D. M. STONE PIPE ORGANS Sept. 23, 1969 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 17, 1967 d &. M i 7% in 1 H x E i i in H:

DON MARSHALL STONE D. M- STONE Sept. 23, 1969 PIPE ORGANS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 17, 1967 omw mmm wan N5 M3 mm Own #3 vmm 36 NE 2m EN 6w omw 2w mom owm EN United States Patent Int. Cl. Gb 3/00 US. Cl. 84-332 10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Simplified pipe organs include a feeder chest comprising at least one elongated slab of homogeneous material in which pipe feeder channels are formed. Sliding members are disclosed, provided above the feeder chest for selectively providing communication between the feeder channels and the organ pipes. An arrangement in which the pipes are disposed above the feeder chest and the wind chest disposed below the feeder chest is disclosed. A simplified mechanical action is disclosed, as is an arrangement whereby the wind chest assembly can be removed from the undercarriage, and a keyboard can be folded to an upright disposition for passage through narrow spaces. In another embodiment, a complete pipe organ can 'be installed and removed from a larger, fixed organ assembly which includes an improved coupler mechanism.

This invention relates to pipe organs, and more particularly to pipe organs of greatly improved and simplified construction.

The pipe organ is a musical instrument which has been well known and widely used for many years. The enduring popularity of the pipe organ is largely due to the beautiful tones that it produces, which are not obtainable from any other instrument. Also, the great flexibility possessed by a pipe organ enables the instrument to produce a large number of tones which vary widely in kind and color. However, certain features of the instrument have heretofore prevented most people from enjoying the music of the pipe organ except under certain special circumstances. The relatively large size of most prior art pipe organs made their installation impracticable anywhere other than in a large building, such as a church. Further, the structure and action of prior art organs were very highly complex and required the services of highly skilled technicians to build and maintain. These factors combined to put the cost of the pipe organ and the cost of its environment beyond the reach of the average person and even beyond the reach of the congregations of many small churches. Thus, pipe organs heretofore have been found only in institutions such as large churches and theatres, and in the homes of the relatively wealthy.

Another disadvantage of heretofore known pipe organs was their relative immobility, to which was contributed in large part by their large size and complex actions. Once installed, pipe organs of the prior art were fixed in position. The service of highly trained individuals was required to disassemble the organs for removal to another location. Movement of prior art pipe organs was thus a long, involved and expensive process.

The foregoing disadvantages of pipe Organs combined to send manufacturers of musical instruments in a search for a substitute for a pipe organ which would be sufficiently small, and compact and portable for persons to install and enjoy in their homes, and which could be manufactured for sale at relatively low cost. Thus was born the electric or electronic organ, which has been widely used in that it possesses compactness, small size and portability, and is available in a price range which many can afford.

Many electric organs are fine musical instruments. However, the standards for the electric organ are still the tones produced by the pipe organ. Manufacturers of the electric organs strive to have their instruments simulate as closely as possible the tones produced by a pipe organ. The goal of duplicating the tones of a pipe organ in an electric organ has 'ben sought by many people for a" long period of time, but has proved elusive, for it has been found that there is for many people absolutely no substitute for the rich, mellow tones produced by a pipe organ. Therefore, a need exists for pipe organs which are'small, compact, portable and can be manufactured for sale at relatively low cost.

Accordingly, a main object of the present invention is to provide an improved pipe organ which is of greatly simplified construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved pipe'organ-s having a structure simplified such that they can be made avail-able at low cost, yet fully provide the musical tones obtainable only from a pipe organ.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pipe organ of such small size and compactness as to be practicable for use within the average home, apartment, small church or chapel.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pipe organ which possesses a high degree of portability.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a pipe organ of such improved and simplified construction that services of highly skilled technicians are not required for installation, maintenance or transportation.

As has been previously noted, one of the major obstacles to wide enjoyment of pipe organs has been the high .cost of acquisition, contributed to in large part by the highly complex structure requiring the services of highly skilled organmakers. Much time and skilled effort had to be expended on the construction of prior art pipe organs, and in particular to the construction of that portion of an organ known as the bar chest. The bar chest of prior art organs was a device which, in terms of the direction of air flow, lay between the wind chest of the organ and the organ pipes. As is well known, pipe organ pipes are made to speak or sound by the admission of compressed air to the toe holes of the pipes. A supply of compressed air is maintained in the organ wind chest, which is a reservoir of compressed air which must be of sufficient volume to provide an adequate supply of air for the many organ pipes which may be called upon to speak in the course of performance of a musical work. However, it is necessary to provide a chamber intermediate the wind chest and the organ pipe to prevent sudden passage of a jet of turbulent, highly compressed air into the toe holes of the pipe, for such would have an adverse effect on the quality of the tone produced by the pipe. The function of the bar chest was therefore to permit expansion of the compressed air to a lower level of compression and to a relative state of quiescence so that it may pass into the toe holes of the pipe at a relatively uniform pressure in a calm and orderly flow. A bar chest consisted of a hollow box-like member divided into many small compartments, each compartment communicating with the wind chest and with a plurality of the pipes of the organ, so that air could rush from the wind chest, expand in the bar chest and then pass to one or more of the pipes. These bar chests were conventionally made from many small pieces which were laboriously cut, fitted and glued into place and sealed at the joints with felt or other material so as to be substantially airtight. Elaborate wind valving, for example a closely fitted, hinged door-like member opening into the wind chest, was conventionally provided. Further elaborate valving controlled the passage of wind from the bar chest to the toe holes of the pipes. Complex actions had to be constructed to operatively connect the organ keyboard controls with the valving.

Accordingly, a still further object of the invention is to provide a pipe organ having a greatly simplified and improved chest system and action for controlling the flow of air from the wind chest to the organ pipes.

Other objects of the present invention, its features and advantages will appear from the following detailed description which, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a number of embodiments of the invention for purposes of illustration only and not for definition of the limits of the invention. For determining the scope of the invention, reference can be made to the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:

FIGURE 1 is a view in side elevation of a pipe organ that forms a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical cross sectional view of the pipe organ of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view with parts broken away, of the pipe organ of FIGURE 1, showing a portion of the air supply control system;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the pipe organ of FIGURE 1, shown with the pipes removed;

FIGURE 5 is a view in vertical cross section of a wind valve according to the present invention;

FIGURE 6 is a view in vertical cross section of a pipe organ that forms another embodiment of the invention; and

FIGURE 7 is a detailed view showing operation of the organ coupler.

Referring to the drawings in greater detail, and With particular reference to FIGURE 1, a pipe organ embodying the principles of the present invention is shown as comprising an undercarriage 10, a keyboard 12, and a wind chest assembly generally indicated at 14. Wind chest assembly 14 carries a bank of pipes generally indicated at 16 and means in the form of a rack board 18 for supporting the pipes above the wind chest assembly 14. A music desk 20 upon which the organist may rest sheet music to be played is provided, supported by the keyboard 12.

In the embodiment of FIGURE 1, a portion 22 of undercarriage projects upwardly to support keyboard 12 at a height convenient for the organist. The rear portion of the undercarriage is recessed as at 24 so that the undercarriage supports the wind chest assembly 14 laterally of the keyboard. As is best seen in FIGURE 2, undercarriage 10 supports the wind chest assembly 14 with at least a major portion and preferably all or substantially all of wind chest 26 disposed at a level lower than the level of the keyboard. The disposition of the wind chest below the keyboard is an innovation which contributes to the small size and compactness of instruments according to the present invention, particularly in that it lowers the height of the pipe organ to such an extent that it is practicable for use in contemporary homes which are conventionally provided with relatively low ceilings.

As is shown in FIGURE 2, wind chest 26 is a large chamber or reservoir having a bottom closure 28- and side closures 30 and 32. Appropriate end closures (not shown) are provided in substantially airtight sealing relationship with the side and bottom closures. In the embodiment illustrated, a feeder chest, generally indicated at 34, forms the top closure for the wind chest 26'. Decorative cover plates such as 31 and 33 may be provided to mask the side and end walls of the wind chest assembly 14.

According to the invention, means are provided for supplying compressed air to the wind chest 26. In the embodiment shown, such means include a blower 36, which is located externally of the wind chest and is housed in the lower portion of the undercarriage 10. An aperturev 38 is provided in the wind chest, and a nipple 39 is sealably associated with the bottom surface of the bottom closure of the wind chest around the periphery of aperture 38. A conduit 40, sealably engaging nipple 39, passes compressed air from the blower 36 through aperture 38 into the wind chest. Wind valve means, generally indicated at 42, which will be discussed in greater detail later, are provided for opening and closing aperture 38 in the bottom closure 28 of the wind chest to establish and maintain a desried pressure level in the wind chest.

According to the invention, feeder chest 34 includes at least one elongated slab of homogeneous material. In the embodiment illustrated, two elongated slabs, 44 and 46 respectively, are provided, disposed in side-by-side abutting relationship as is best shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. A plurality of transversely extending passages 48 is formed in elongated slab 46, spaced along the length thereof. A plurality of transversely extending passages 50 is formed in elongated slab 44 spaced along the length of the slab. Each transversely extending passage 48 formed in elongated slab 46 is in axial alignment with a corresponding passage 50 in elongated slab 44. The aligned passages in the slabs form elongated transversely extending channels generally indicated at 54, in the feeder chest 34. Means such as felt strip 52, which is apertured at the locations of the channels 54, are provided to form a substantially airtight seal between slab 44 and slab 46.

Confined passage means are provided for passing air from wind chest 26 into each transversely extending channel 54. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 2, such confined passage means take the form of apertures 56 in the elongated slab 46, each aperture 56 communicating with one channel 54. Valve means, generally indicated at 58, are provided for opening and closing each aperture 56.

According to the invention, a plurality of

outlet openings

60, 62 and 64 respectively are provided in the wall of each channel 54. Means including an aperture in the feeder chest are provided, for communicating each outlet opening with an organ pipe. Thus in FIGURE 2, outlet opening 60 communicates with organ pipe 66 through aperture 68 in elongated slab 46, aperture 70 in member 72, which is an elongated sliding member as will be discussed in detail later, and aperture 74 in cover member 76, all apertures being shown in mutually coaxial alignment in FIGURE 2. Outlet opening 62 in the wall of channel 54 communicates with pipe 78 through aperture 80 in elongated slab 46, aperture 82 in elongated sliding member 83, and aperture 84 in cover member 76. Outlet opening 64 in the wall of channel 54 communicates with pipe 86 through aperture 88 in elongated slab 44.

Keyboard 12 is provided with a plurality of keys 90, arranged in side-by-side relationship as is conventional. Means responsive to depression of end portions 92 of the keys are provided for selectively opening the valve means 58 to admit air from the wind chest into an appropriate channel 54 in the feeder chest to sound a desired pipe or pipes. Such means, the action of the organ, are generally indicated at 94 in FIGURE 2. The action 94 includes elongated means 96 which are provided for opening each valve means 58. Each elongated means 96, which preferably takes the form of a cord, wire or the like, is secured to a valve means 58 and extends downwardly through an aperture 98 in the bottom closure 28 of wind chest 26. A pad or strip 100 of felt or other sealing material is preferably placed over apertures 98 to minimize escape of wind from the wind chest.

As can be seen from the drawing, the upper end of elongated means 96 is secured to one end of an arm 102 which forms a part of valve means 58. Arm 102 is pivotally supported at a location intermediate its ends by bracket member 104, which depends from fixed engagement with the lower surface of the elongated slab 46. Bracket 104 pivotally supports arm 102 at a location intermediate the ends of bracket 104. Tension spring 106,

attached between the free ends of arm 102 and bracket 104 as illustrated, tends to bias that end of arm 102 to which elongated means 96 is attached in an upward direction, thereby pressing sealing pad member 108, which is also secured to that end of arm 102, into sealing engagement with the lower surface of feeder chest 34 around the periphery of confined passage means 56.

Means are provided for attaching each elongated means 96 to a rocker. arm 112 at one end portion 110, thereof. It is preferred that the attachment between each elongated means 96 and a rocker arm 112 be of a type which is quickly detachable, so that the wind chest assembly may be easily removed from the undercarriage for purposes of portability. Thus, in the embodiment illustrated, the lower end of elongated means 96 is attached to a jewelers ring 114, although any suitable quickly detachable connecting member could be utilized. As is well known, a jewelers ring is an annular member which is split to leave a gap at one location in its circumference, the gap being closed by a spring-loaded member which telescopes against the spring into the ring to open the gap so that the ring may be slipped through an aperture in an article. Jewelers ring 114 is thus passed through connecting fitting 116 which is secured to rocker arm 112 and has an upwardly projecting portion which is apertured for passage of ring 114.

Means are provided, associated with the undercarriage 10, for pivotally supporting each rocker arm 112 at a location intermediate its end portions. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 2, such means include an elongated rocker arm support member 118 which is in turn supported by cross members 120 carried 0n the respective end wall closures of undercarriage 10. Each rocker arm 112 is pivotally supported on rocker arm support member 118 by a bracket 122, which depends from the lower edge of rocker arm support member 118. Brackets 122 may be of any conventional type suitable for the purpose, and are illustrated as being of the type which have parallel depending ears each rotatably mounting a pin which passes between the ears and through the rocker arm 112.

An elongated member 124 is secured to the end portion 126 of each rocker arm 112. Each elongated member 124 extends upwardly to an upper end 128. Each elongated member 124, which is preferably a strip of rubberized cloth, or a cord, wire or the like, is attached to one end portion 130 of a key 90 by any suitable means, such as by screws. The lower end of each elongated member 124 is preferably attached to a rocker arm 112 by an adjustable means such as screw eye 132 which passes vertically through end portion 126 of rocker arm 112 and is secured by nuts 134. Providing an adjustable connection between elongated member 124 and rocker arm 112 facilitates construction and maintenance of the organ by providing a convenient means for adjusting the action. This can be done quickly in the embodiment illustrated by adjusting nuts 134 until elongated member 124 is of proper length.

Keyboard 12 includes elongated cross member 136 which extends transversely below the keys at a location intermediate the end portions of the keys. Each key 90 is pivotally supported on cross member 136, and in the illustrated embodiment, the pivotal support structure for each key 90 includes a pin 138 which projects upwardly from member 136 into a recess in the key, the recess being larger than the pin in a direction longitudinal to the key so as to provide freedom of movement for the key to pivot Elongated cross member 140, which extends generally parallel to cross member 136, is provided, extending below the end portions 92 of the keys 90, the cross member 140 being provided with upwardly projecting pins 142 each of which fits into a corresponding recess in a key 90. As Was the case with pins 138, the recesses which receive pins 142 are larger than the pins in order to provide sufficient freedom of movement for the keys to pivot. Pin 142 serves to keep the associated key from twisting in a horizontal plane about the pivot point at 138.

The keyboard 12 also includes elongated cross member 144 which extends generally parallel to cross members 136 and 140. Pads 146 of felt or other shock absorbent material are placed on cross member 144 below end portions of the keys. Weights 148 which are secured to the tops of the keys serve to keep end portions 130 of the keys horizontal or substantially horizontal, until the organist exerts a downward pressure on end portion 92 in the course of a performance.

In operation of the organ, the blower is started and compressed air is supplied through conduit 40 and aperture 38 to wind chest 26. Wind valve means 42 is operative, when a desired pressure is established in the wind chest, to close aperture 38, and then later to open and close aperture 38 to maintain the pressure level in the wind chest at the desired value. The organist at the keys depresses end portions 92 in the course of playing a musical work. Depression of end portion 92 of each key 90 operates to elevate end portion 130 of the key, thereby moving the associated elongated member 124 vertically upwardly. Because each rocker arm 112 is pivoted intermediate its end portions, upward movement of the associated elongated member 124 is translated into downward movement of the associated elongated means 96. Downward movement of elongated means 96 is operative to move the sealing pad 108 of the attached valve means 58 downwardly to uncover the associated aperture 56 in feeder chest 34, thereby admitting compressed air from the wind chest into the associated channel 54. The compressed air, which enters channel 54 as a turbulent jet, expands in the channel then passes upwardly through outlet openings in the wall thereof in a calm and orderly flow to sound the associated organ pipes. It will be appreciated that for each key 90 is provided an elongated member 124, a rocker arm 112, an elongated means 96, a valve member 58, an aperture 56, and a channel 54. By an arrangement involving sliding

members

72 and 83, which will be discussed in detail later, in the embodiment of FIGURE 2, one, two or three of the

organ pipes

66, 78 and 86 which communicate with each channel 54 can be made to sound by depression of a single organ key, thereby adding greatly to the flexibility of the instrument.

The feeder chest of the pipe organ that forms a preferred embodiment of the invention is composed of two elongated slabs of homogeneous material arranged in side-byside abutting relationship with means for forming a seal being provided between the slabs. The transversely extending passages formed in each slab are formed by removal of material from an initially solid slab of homogeneous material, preferably wood, by a suitable technique such as by drilling edgewise into the slab. The transversely extending passages 48 extend from one edge of slab 46 edgeways through the slab to terminate short of the other edge of the slab to leave some material to prevent escape of wind from the channels. Similarly passages 50 extend from one edge of slab 44 edgewise through the slab to terminate short of the other edge of slab 44.

Slabs

44 and 46 are disposed in sealably abutting relationship at the respective drilled edges. Such an arrangement is exceedingly simple and easily constructed, and facilitates sealing channels 54 against the escape of wind. Maximum benefits in the way of simplicity and economy, and ease of construction and sealing the channels are obtained by utilization of as few slabs as possible, commensurate with material utilized and the width of the feeder chest, in the composition of the feeder chest.

Referring now to FIGURES 3 and 4, it will be recalled that every key in the keyboard is operatively connected through the organ action 94 with a channel 54 and associated organ pipes, the channels 54 extending transversely through the feeder chest in mutually parallel, spaced relationship along the length of the feeder chest. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the apertures in the feeder chest which serve to communicate the outlet openings in the walls of the channels with the organ pipes are arranged in a plurality of rows extending longitudinally along the feeder chest. It is preferred that the rows of apertures be staggered, that is to say that each aperture in the feeder chest be transversely offset from the location of its neighbors, as is best seen in FIGURE 4. The reason for staggering the rows of apertures is to contribute to the longitudinal compactness of the instrument, because, although individual channels 54 and associated apertures occupy relatively little space longitudinally of the instrument, the organ pipes with which the channels are associated diverge to become relatively wide in their upper portions. To align the pipes in a row in linear relationship would require longitudinal extension of the feeder and wind chests.

Thus in FIGURE 4, it will be observed that apertures 88 in elongated slab 44 are arranged in a staggered row C as indicated by the dot-dash centerline. Similarly, apertures 80 in elongated slab 46 are arranged in row B, in a mutually adjacent, transversely offset relationship along the length of the feeder chest. Thus also, apertures 68 in elongated slab 46 are arranged in a staggered row A.

Another feature which ipe organs made according to the present invention may include is the provision of at least one elongated sliding member disposed above the feeder chest, for selectively interrupting communication of the channels 54 with one or more of their associated pipes, thereby to add great flexibility to the instrument and multiply the number of tones obtainable from it. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3, two elongated sliding members, 72 and 83 respectively are provided, longitudinally slidably disposed above feeder chest 34. More particularly, sliding

members

72 and 83 are both disposed in mutually parallel relationship above elongated slab 46. Elongated sliding member 72 has a plurality of apertures 70 spaced along its length. Each aperture 70 assists in communicating outlet 60 in the wall of a channel 54 with an organ pipe 66. The apertures 70 in sliding member 72 are thus registerable with the row A of apertures 68 in the feeder chest 34. It will quickly be apparent that the provision of means for sliding the elongated sliding member 72 longitudinally above the feeder chest will provide a simple means for opening and closing the corresponding row of apertures 68 in the feeder chest, by moving the apertures 70 in the sliding member into and out of registration with the row A of apertures 68 in the feeder chest. By such an arrangement, an entire row of pipes 66 can be held silent or made to speak at will.

In FIGURE 3, the means provided for sliding elongated sliding member 72 include an elongated rod member 150, which is rigidly secured relative to sliding member 72 by suitable means such as pins 152 which are rigidly secured to rod 150. Pins 152 extend upwardly from fixed engagement with sliding member 72 through an elongated slot 154 provided in cover member 76. It will be observed that the organist, by exerting a lateral force on rod member 150 can move sliding member 72 longitudinally along the feeder chest in the directions indicated by the arrow 151 to place apertures 70 into or out of registration with apertures 68 as desired.

Although it will be apparent that any number of sliding members may be provided, commensurate with the number of rows of pipes of the organ and the number of rows desired to be stopped, the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3 utilizes two elongated sliding members, longitudinally disposed in mutually generally parallel relationship above the feeder chest, the apertures in each sliding member being registrable with one row of apertures in the feeder chest, although it will likewise be apparent that if desired an elongated sliding member may be provided with apertures which are registrable with more than one row of apertures in the feeder chest. Thus, in the embodiment illustrated, elongated sliding member 83 has been provided with a plurality of apertures 82 which are spaced along the length of member 83 and are registerable with the row B of apertures in elongated slab 46. By means of elongated rod member 156 the organist can selectively move sliding member 83 longitudinally above the feeder chest to open and close the row of apertures 80 in the feeder chest by moving apertures 82 in sliding member 83 into and out of registration with the row of apertures 80 in the feeder chest 34. Rod member 156 may be arranged aswas rod member 150, in order to move slider 83, or it may be arranged as shown wherein rod member 156 is pivotally secured on an upstanding pin on one leg of an L-shaped member 157. Member 157 is pivotally secured at the point of intersection of its legs to a pin 158, which is fixed to cover member 76. The other leg of member 157 is pivotally secured to a pin 159, which extends through elongated slot 161 in cover member 76 and is rigidly secured to sliding member 83. Thus, by moving rod member 156 longitudinally, in the direction of the arrow 155, the organist can move sliding member 83 into and out of registration with apertures 80. It should be observed that rod may be arranged to operate in this fashion to control slider 72, alternate arrangements having been set forth in one drawing for purposes of consiceness in description. Pin 159 is loosely received in member 157 so that pivotal movement of the L-shaped member will be translated into axial movement of the slider without binding of the pin in the leg of the L-shaped member. For purposes of portability, the

rods

156 and 150 can be removed by lifting them from the pins on which they are received.

To maintain the sliding members in proper alignment with the row of apertures with which it corresponds, guide means are provided to assure that the sliding members move in a confined path along the corresponding rows of apertures. In the embodiment illustrated, guide

members

162 and 164, secured on the upper surface of elongated slab 46 in mutually parallel, spaced relationship, define a guideway therebetween for elongated sliding member 72. Similarly, elongated guide member 166 is provided, secured in generally parallel, spaced relationship from guide member 164 On the upper surface of elongated slab 46 to define a guideway for elongated sliding member 83 between guide member 166 and guide member 164.

As has been noted, elongated cover member 76 is disposed above the sliding

members

72 and 83 on the feeder chest. It will further be recalled that cover member 76 has a plurality of apertures 74 spaced along its length which assist in communicating the outlet openings 60 in the walls of the respective channels 54 with pipes 66. Cover member 76 is also provided with a plurality of apertures 84 which assist in communicating outlet openings 62 with organ pipes 78. Apertures 74 in cover member 76 are so located as to be in registration with the apertures 70 in sliding member 72 when the apertures 70 are in registration with the apertures 68 in feeder chest 34. Similarly, apertures 84 in cover member 76 are in registration with apertures 82 in elongated sliding member 83 when apertures 82 are in registration with the apertures 80 in feeder chest 34. It can thus be seen that longitudinal movement of an elongated sliding member will interrupt communication between a row of organ pipes and the corresponding row of apertures in the feeder chest by an extremely simple, yet effective expedient. Cover member 76 is supported by

guide members

162, 164 and 166 at a height such that it will closely engage the sliding members, yet not interfere with the free movement of the elongated sliding members, the lower surface of which are in slidable engagement with the upper surface of the elongated slab 46 but sufficiently closely engaged as to prevent any substantial escape of wind through the apertures in elongated slab 46 when the apertures in the elongated sliding members are out of registration with the apertures in the feeder chest. The cover member 76 is in sufficiently close engagement with the upper surfaces of the sliding members to prevent any substantial lateral flow of wind from the apertures in the sliding members.

The feeder chest which, simply constructed as it is from relatively thin, elongated slabs of homogeneous material, does not require a great deal of space in a vertical direction, thereby further contributing to the compactness of pipe organs according to the invention. This being the case, compactness is further enhanced by the arrangement shown in which the feeder chest 34 is supported above wind chest 36. In the illustrated embodiment, feeder chest 34 is supported by the upper surfaces of side wall closures 30 and 32 of wind chest 26, and by the end wall closures thereof. Thus, feeder chest 34 forms a top closure for the wind chest, thereby further adding to the compactness of the instrument.

To add to the lateral compactness of the instrument, means are provided for supporting a plurality of organ pipes above the feeder chest. In the embodiment illustrated, such means include rack board 18, which is a planar member supported in vertically spaced, generally parallel relationship with the upper surface of the feeder chest by support members 168. Rack board 18 is apertured as at 170 at locations coaxially aligned with apertures in the feeder chest. The apertures in the rack board are sized to accommodate and support the various organ pipes in upstanding relationship with the feeder chest, with the toe holes of the pipes in registration with the apertures in the cover member 76 or the elongated slab 44, depending upon the location of the pipe. To insure against lateral slipping or skewing of the pipes, a bevel as at 172 is preferably provided around the outer periphery of the apertures with which the pipes are in registration.

As discussed earlier, any number of elongated sliding member such as 72 and 83 may be provided above the feeder chest, depending upon the number of rows of pipes and the number desired to be stopped. Thus, in FIGURE 2, there are three rows of pipes, two of which may be stopped by longitudinal movement of the enlongated sliding members. The third or rear row of pipes, which com- 'municates with respective channels 54 through associated apertures 88. in elongated slab 44, is not provided with a sliding member. Hence, each pipe in the rear row will speak whenever the valve means 58 for the appropriate channel 54 is opened. Thus, in the arrangement of FIG- URE 2,

pipes

66 and 78 are supported with toe holes in registration with apertures in the cover member, and pipes 86 are supported with their toe holes directly communicating with apertures in the feeder chest 34. As will be seen later, in connection with the discussion of FIGURE 6, if desired, elongated sliding members could be provided to selectively stop all rows of organ pipes.

Also in the embodiment of FIGURE 2, it will have been observed that each channel 54 communicates with three organ pipes. However, each channel 54 may be made to communicate with other numbers of organ pipes, as will become more apparent later in connection with the discussion of FIGURE 6, which illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which four organ pipes communicate with the same channel. Irrespective of the number of pipes communicating with any given channel 54, in pipe organs according to the present invention, it is preferred that the outlet openings in the wall of each elongated channel 54 communicate with organ pipes of the same note in different octaves. That is to say, the sound produced by all pipes in communication with a given channel has been assigned the same relative position in the scale, but in different octaves due to differences in frequency. By way of example, consider that pipe 86 in FIGURE 2 has been voiced to sound that tone known as C below middle C. Pipe 78 would be voiced to sound a middle C, and pipes 66 to sound a C above middle C.

It was noted above that an object of the invention was to provide a pipe organ which had a high degree of portability. Portability in a pipe organ is highly desirable, because such facilitates installation and removal from private homes, and permits the instrument to be carried about for use in a number of locations such as audito riums, music rooms, or chapels. A high degree of portability is possessed by pipe organs according to the invention. The pipes of the organ are quickly detachable from their supporting rack boards by the simple expedient of lifting the pipes upwardly from engagement with the cover member or feeder chest, as the case may be, and out of the aperture in the rack board, and then lateral removal. Portability is further enhanced by construction according to the present invention in which the wind chest assembly 14 is entirely detachable from the undercarriage 10. This is accomplished according to the invention by an arrangement in which wind chest assembly 14 is removably supported by the rear and side walls of the undercarriage 10. To remove the wind chest assembly from the undercarriage 10 it is necessary only to disengage the action by slipping jewelers rings 114 from their connections 116 to rocker arms 112, and slip the wind conduit 40 from nipple 39, then lift the wind chest assembly from the undercarriage.

Still further to facilitate portability of the organ, the keyboard 12 is hingedly attached to the undercarriage 10 so that it may be folded from the horizontal disposition shown to a vertical disposition to decrease the lateral dimension of the organ to permit its passage through narrow spaces such as doorways. Thus, in FIGURE 2 one leaf of a hinge 174 is secured to cross member 144 in keyboard 12. The other leaf of hinge 17-4 is secured to a top panel member 176 of undercarriage 10, whereby the keyboard swings about the horizontal axis of the hinge to a generally vertical disposition. The keyboard cheek members 178 are disposed laterally outwardly of the walls 179 of the undercarriage so as not to interfere with the walls in the course of folding to a vertical disposition. The walls 179 of the undercarriage are apertured as at 181 to permit passage of the more remote rocker arms 112 laterally to an appropriate position under the wind chest, without adding to the bulk of the undercarriage.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of an improved and simplified wind valve means 42, which will now be discussed in detail and with particular reference to FIGURES 3 and 5. It will be recalled that the function of the wind valve means 42 is to permit the passage of compressed air into wind chest 26 through aperture 38 until a desired pressure level has been established in the wind chest, and then operate to close the aperture. Thereafter, the valve means 42 is operative to maintain the desired pressure level in the wind chest by opening whenever the supply of air in the wind chest has been depleted by exhaust of air through the organ pipes in the process of sounding the pipes, and then closing when an adequate level of pressure has again been established in the chest. Wind valve means 42 include a framework generally indicated at 180, sealably associated with an inner wall of the wind chest adjacent to aperture 38 in the wind chest, the framework having a hollow portion 182. In the embodiment illustrated, the framework is of generally rectangular configuration, having side frame members 184 and relatively shorter side frame members 186. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the framework is sealably associated with the inner wall of bottom closure 28 of the wind chest. The wind valve means includes a planar member 188 and a hinge 190. One leaf of the hinge is secured to planar member 188 and the other leaf is secured to that framework side member 186 which is located at the side of the framework which is opposite from aperture 38 in the windchest. As illustrated in FIGURE 5, the hinge is arranged so that the planar member 188 is swingable about the horizontal axis of the hinge from a position in which it is nested in the hollow portion 182 of the framework, to angularly extend towards the interior of the wind chest. A sheet 192 of substantially airtight, flexible material such as rubber or rubberized cloth is sealably associated with the periphery of the framework and covers the planar member 188. A vent orifice 194 is provided in the wind chest which communicates between the atmosphere and the hollow portion 182 of the framework 180. An arm 196 is secured to the planar member 188 and extends laterally beyond the framework 180 to a free end 198 located above aperture 38 in the wind chest. A sealing pad 200 of felt, rubber, or the like is secured to the free end 198 of arm 196. As will be seen later, in operation of the wind valve, the sealing pad releasably, sealably engages the periphery of the aperture 38 in the wind chest so as to prevent buildup of excess pressure therein.

According to the invention, adjustable means are provided, associated with the inner wall of the wind chest adjacent the aperture, for yieldably urging the sealing pad means away from the aperture in the wind chest. In the embodiment illustrated, such means include a bracket member 202 which supports a spring member 204 located directly above free end 198 of arm 196. Spring member 204 is in tension when the pad 200 is in engagement with the periphery of aperture 38, so that the spring urges the sealing pad away from the aperture in the wind chest. Spring member 204, which may be any suitable type of conventional design, is constructed and arranged such that the tension therein is adjustable so that the proper air pressure may be maintained in the wind chest 26.

In the operation of the wind valve, the tension in spring 204 operates to lift sealing pad 200 from the periphery of aperture 38 so that compressed air may be admitted to the wind chest from conduit 40. When sufiicient pressure has been established in the wind chest, the pressure acts on the upper surface of sheet 192 and presses the sheet and planar member 188 downwardly, thereby pressing arm 196 downwardly and pad 200 into scalable engagement with the periphery of aperture 38. Vent orifice 194 is provided in the wind chest to prevent creation of a vacuum beneath sheet 192 and to permit exhaust of atmospheric air accumulated thereunder when the planar member has been raised out of nesting engagement with the hollow framework.

Referring now to FIGURE 6, an embodiment of the invention is shown in which undercarriage carries keyboard 12, wind chest 26, feeder chest 34 and a plurality of organ pipes in removable disposition upon a planar surface 206, suitable means such as casters 208 being secured to the bottom closure 210 of undercarriage 10 to permit undercarriage 10 to be easily moved upon the planar surface 206. A second undercarriage 212, carrying a second wind chest 214, a second feeder chest 216 and a second plurality of organ pipes 218, is fixedly disposed on planar surface 206 adjacent to and in generally parallel relationship with undercarriage 10. A second keyboard 220, having a plurality of keys 221, is fixedly supported in a position elevated above planar surface 206, spaced laterally from second undercarriage 212, andadjacent to, below, and in generally parallel relationship with keyboard 12, by supporting structure 222 which is rigidly secured to and extends upwardly from the planar surface 206. As will be discussed in detail later, means defining an action and generally indicated at 224 are operatively connected below planar surface 206 and are responsive to depression of keys 221 in keyboard 220 to selectively sound organ pipes carried by undercarriage 212. With supporting structure 222 being laterally spaced from undercarriage 212, space exists for permitting movement of undercarriage 10 into and out of disposition between the undercarriage 212 and keyboard 220. Thus, the portion of the planar surface disposed between undercarriage 212 and supporting structure 222 defines a trackway for undercarriage 10 to be slid into and out of operative position.

The arrangement just described is highly advantageous. The organ carried by the undercarriage 10, can be quickly extracted from its location in the trackway and be moved about to auditoriums or other areas in which it is desired to be played, and can be returned and installed on the trackway to be played in combination with the fixed wind chest 214 and keyboard 220 as a larger organ which is capable of producing many more tones than either organ can create alone. Yet, the advantges of possession of a highly portable instrument are retained.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 6, for the sake of convenience and ease in installation, the planar surface is on an elevated platform 226, the intenior of which is hollow to permit installation of the action 224 and the pedal action to be described shortly.

A plurality of pedal pipes 228 are provided, supported on planar surface 206 by any suitable means such as bracket 230. Pedal pipes 228 are preferably arranged in a row along the rear of platform 226 and may extend some distance along one or both sides thereof. A pedal pipe wind chest 232 is provided to supply air to sound the pedal pipes 228. Means including a blower 234, housed in undercarriage 212, are provided for supplying compressed air to the pedal pipe wind chest. Air from blower 234 passes by way of conduit 236 into intermediate reservoir 238, and from reservoir 238 through conduit 240 into pedal pipe wind chest 232. Suitable pressure-regulating valve means 242 which may be of any suitable type of conventional design, are provided in conduit 240 to establigh and maintain a desired pressure in the pedal pipe wind c est.

Conduit means in the form of aperture 244 in the upper closure of pedal pipe wind chest 232, are provided for passing air from the pedal pipe wind chest to the toe hole of each pedal pipe 228. Pedal valve means 246 are provided for opening and closing each aperture 244. The operation of pedal valve means 246 will be discussed x'n detail hereinafter. A pedal board 248 including a plurality of pedals 250 is provided, disposed in operative position below

keyboards

12 and 220. Action means generally indicated at 252, the operation of which will be discussed in detail, are operatively connected below planar surface 206 and responsive to depression of pedals 250 to selectively open pedal valve means 246. Thus, it will be seen that the pipe organ according to the invention illustrated in FIGURE 6 is highly flexible and versatile, capable through operation of its two keyboards and pedal board of producing a wide variety of tones.

The action of the organ illustrated in FIGURE 6 will now be described. Since the structure of the organ carried by the undercarriage 10 is exactly the same as that illustrated in FIGURE 2, the action 94 will be exactly the same, with the addition of structure to be described in detail in connection with the discussion of the organ coupler. Action 224 is operatively connected below planar surface 206 and is responsive to depression of keys 221 in keyboard 220 to selectively sound the organ pipes 218 carried by the undercarriage 212. Confined passage means are provided for passing air from wind chest 214 into transversely extending channels generally indicated at 254 in feeder chest 216, each channel 254 in feeder chest 216 communicating with a plurality of organ pipes. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG- URE 6, such confined passage means take the form of an aperture 256 in feeder chest 216, each aperture 256 communicating with a single channel 254. Valve means, generally indicated at 258, biased to a closed position, are provided for opening and closing each confined passage means 256. The construction of valve means 258 is the same as that of valve means 58, previously described. Elongated means 260, in the form of a cord, wire or the like are provided for opening each valve means 258. Each elongated means is secured to a valve means in the same manner as discussed in connection with elongated member 96 in FIGURE 2. Each elongated means 260 extends downwardly through an aperture 262 in the bottom closure 264 of wind chest 214. Suitable 13 means such as felt strip 263 seals apertures 262 against the escape of wind from wind chest 214. Each elongated means 260 extends further downwardly through an aperture 266 in planar surface 206 to a location generally indicated at 268 below the planar surface. An elongated member 270 extends below planar surface 206 .from each location 268 in a direction toward keyboard 220, terminating at a location generally indicated at 271. An elongated member 272 in the form of a strip of rubberized cloth, core, wire, or the like extends upwardly from each location 271 to an upper end 274 above the planar surface. Means such as screws or other suitable fasteners are provided for attaching the upper end 274 of each elongated member 272 to one end portion 276 of an organ key 221 in keyboard 220. Each key 221 is pivotally supported in keyboard 220 at a location intermediate its end portions in the same fashion as are keys 90 supported in keyboard 12, so that depression of the end portion 178 of each key 221 pulls the associated elongated member 272 upwardly. Connecting means are provided, associating each elongated means 260 with an elongated member 270 at a location 268, and associating that elongated member with an elongated member 272 at a location 271, for translating upward movement of the elongated member 272 into downward movement of the elongated means 260, to open the corresponding valve means 258 and admit air into the associated channel 254 to cause pipes associated therewith to speak as desired. In the embodiment illustrated, such connecting means include a pivoted member 280 di posed at each location 268. Each pivoted member 280 has

arms

282 and 284 diverging from a point of intersection to free ends. Arm 282 extends in a direction away from keyboard 220, arm 284 extending generally vertically downwardly. Suitable bracket means 286 are provided for pivotally supporting each member 280 at the point of intersection of the arms, above the free end of arm 284. One end portion of each elongated member 270 is at tached to the free end of an arm 284. Each elongated member 260 is attached to a pivoted member 280 at the free end of arm 282 of the respective pivoted member.

A pivoted member 288 is provided at each location 271. Each pivoted member 288 is provided with

arms

290 and 292, respectively, diverging from a point of intersection to free ends. Arm 292 extends generally vertically downwardly, arm 290 extending in a direction toward keyboard 220. Suitable bracket means 294 are provided for pivotally supporting each pivoted member 288 at the point of intersection of the arms, above the free end of arm 292.

It will be recalled that one end portion of each elongated member 270 was attached to the free end of an arm 284. The other end portion of each elongated member 270 is attached to a pivoted member 288 at the free end of arm 292. The lower end of each elongated member 272 is attached to a pivoted member 288 at the free end of arm 290, whereby upward movement of the member 272 caused by depression of an organ key serves to move the free end of arm 290 vertically upwardly thereby moving the free end of arm 292 in horizontal direction towards keyboard 220. Movement of member 270 laterally towards the keyboard moves the lower end of arm 284 in a similar direction, thereby moving the free end of arm 282 vertically downwardly, due to member 280 being pivoted in bracket 286. Vertically downward movement of the free end of arm 282 serves to move vertically downwardly the associated elongated means 260, thereby pulling the sealing pad of a valve 258 away from a confined passage means 256 to admit compressed air from wind chest 214 into a feeder channel 254 to cause the associated pipes to speak.

As has been previously mentioned in connection with the discussion of the sliding

members

72 and 83 on feeder chest 34, the number of sliding members provided in a wind chest assembly is dependent only upon the number of rows of pipes and the number of rows desired to be stopped. In the embodiment of FIGURE 6, undercarriage 212 carries four rows of organ pipes preferably arranged in staggered fashion as discussed in connection with the fiipesf carried by undercarriage 10. Each channel 254 ere ore communicates with four i es, eac soundlng the same note in differen t octavesi fsi ll li seen later, all four rows of pipes can be selecivel stopped by selective manipulation of four elongated slid

mg members

318, 330, 340 and 350.

Carrytng through the concepts of the present invention, feeder chest 216 is composed of two elongated slabs, 296 and 298 respectively, of homogeneous material, 1n whlch the channels 254 have been formed in the fashion discussed in connection with feeder chest 34 A plurality of transversely extending passages 300 are formed in each slab 296, and corresponding passages 302 are formed in slab 298. The slabs are disposed in side-bysrde abutting relationship, sealed by apertured felt gasket 303, aligning

corresponding passages

300 and 302 to form elongated channels 254. Outlet openings 304 306 308 and 310 provide exits for wind in the channels to pass to organ pipes. Outlet opening 304 communicates with organ pipes 312 by means of aligned apertures 314 In elongated slab 296, 316 in elongated sliding member 318 and aperture 320 in cover member 322. Outlet openmg 306 communicates with pipe 324 through aperture 326 in elongated slab 296, aperture 328 in elongated 312mg member 330 and aperture 332 in cover member Similarly, outlet opening 308 in the wall of channel 254 communicates with pipe 334 by means of aperture 336 in elongated slab 296, aperture 338 in elon ated sliding member 340, and aperture 342 in cover meinber 322. Outlet opening 310 communicates with pipe 344 by means of aperture 346 in elongated slab 298, aperture 348 in elongated sliding member 350, and aperture 352 in cover member 354. The elongated sliding

members

318, 330, 340 and 350 are slidably arranged above feeder chest 216 in the same fashion as the sliding

members

72 and 83 are arranged above feeder chest 34 on undercarriage 10, so that selective movement of any of the sliding members is operative to bring the apertures in the SlldIHg member into or out of registration with the corresponding row of apertures in the respective cover member and n the elongated slab to permit the associated row of pipes to speak or remain silient at will. Thus, for example, rod member 319 is secured tosliding member in the fashion that rod member 156 is secured to sliding member 83, so that longitudinal movement of rod 319 results in movement of slider 318 into and out of registration with apertures 314. Other rod members (not shown) are similarly arranged so that sliding

member

330, 340 and 350 may be operated by the organist. The rod member may be conveniently arranged for operation by the organist in a support 321 on keyboard 12.

Cover members

322 and 354 are arranged above the elongated sliding members in the same fashion as cover member 76 is arranged in FIGURE '2, that is to say, the

cover members

322 and 354 are supported above the sliding members at a distance sufficient to permit free movement of the elongating sliding members along the upper surface of the slab but prevent lateral escape of wind from the apertures in the sliding members. Suitable guide members such as 356 and 357 are provided to guide the elongated sliding members in confined paths along the corresponding rows of apertures in the same manner as elongated sliding

members

72 and 83 are guided. The sliding members are in slidable, sealable engagement with the upper surface of the feeder chest 216, to prevent escape of wind from the apertures in the elongated slabs when the elongated sliding members are interrupting communication between channel and a pipe.

It has been above noted that the construction and arrangement of valve means 258 are identical to that of valve means 58. Similarly, the construction and arrangement of wind valve means 358 are identical with that of wind valve means 42. Compressed air is supplied to wind chest 214 from reservoir 238 by conduit 360.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG- URE 6, a coupler is provided to couple the action of the pedals to the action of the keyboards when desired. A rotatable member 362, which is preferably an annular member such as a cylinder or the like is rotatably mounted by suitable bracket means 364 below a number of pivoted members 280, the number of pivoted members being dependent upon the number of pedals. Bracket 364 mounts rotatable member 362 for rotation about a horizontal central axis. A projection 366 in the form of one arm of an angle, extends upwardly from rotatable member 362, in a direction toward each associated pivoted member 280, to a free end, Each projection 366 is pivotally mounted on the periphery of the annular member 362 by suitable bracket means 368.

One end of each elongated means 370, a plurality of which extend below planar surface 206 in a direction toward pedal board 248, is attached to the free end of a projection 366. Means are provided, operatively connecting the other end portion of each elongated means 370, which may be a cord, wire or the like, to a pedal 250, for translating downward movement of the pedal into horizontal movement of the elongated means 370 toward the pedal. In the embodiment illustrated, such means include generally L-shaped member 372 which has one leg 373 fixedly secured to one end portion 251 of a pedal 250, the other leg 371 of the L-shaped member extending towards the rear of the organ and into overlapping engagement with the upper surface of one leg 374 of an L-shaped member 376. Each member 376 is pivotally mounted by a suitable bracket means 378 at the point of intersection of the legs of the L. Leg 380 of member 376 extends upwardly from the pivot point to a free end, to which is attached the other end portion of an elongated member 370. Thus, it can be seen that downward movement of the rear of a pedal 250 causes downward movement of the extending leg 371 of the attached L-shaped member 372, which in turn causes downward movement of leg 374 of the associated L-shaped member 376. Downward movement of leg 374 of member 376 results in lateral movement of the free end of arm 380, and consequently of the associated elongated means 370, toward the pedal. Such movement results in the movement of the free end of the associated projection 366 laterally toward the pedal.

In the coupler provided by the present invention, means are provided for selectively rotating the rotatable member 362 to move the free ends of projections 366 upwardly and laterally into overlapping engagement with the free ends of the downwardly extending arms 284 of the associated pivoted members 280, with the free ends of arms 284 disposed between projections 366 and the pedals 250, as is best shown in FIGURE 7, whereby lateral movement of each elongated means 370 towards the pedal will be translated into lateral movement of the free end of an arm 284, which will cause downward movement of elongated means 260 secured to arm 282, due to the pivoting of member 280 about the pivot point provided by bracket 286. Thus, the action of the pedals can be coupled to the action of the keyboard 220 to sound by means of the pedals, pipes which would normally be sounded only by the keyboard.

Since a coupler may be utilized by the organist only during parts of a performance, the means provided to move the free ends of projections 366 upwardly and laterally into engagement with arms 284 is also selectively operative to move the free ends of projections 366 downwardly and laterally out of engagement with the free ends of downwardly extending arms 284.

One suitable means for actuating the coupler is illustrated in detail in FIGURE 7. Rotatable member 362, in the form of a cylinder, has axial projections 361 which are journalled in bracket means 364. An upstanding arm 363 is rigidly secured to a projection 361. A laterally extending wire 365 is secured to the free end of arm 363. Wire 365 extends to a location adjacent wall 227 of platform 226 and at one side of the pedal board, where the wire is secured to the free end of the short leg 357 of L-shaped member 369. Member 369 is mounted on pin 375 by a suitable connection, such as a ball-and-socket, so that member 369 can pivot in both horizontal and vertical planes about the head of pin 375. Long leg 371 of member 369 projects through an L-shaped slot 377 in wall 227,

On the side of arm 363 which is opposite from the side on which member 369 is located, bracket means 371 are fixedly disposed. A spring 373 biases the free end of arm 363 toward the bracket so that the projections 366 are down and out of engagement with arms 284, as shown in FIGURE 6. The long leg 371 of member 369 is in the upper reach 379 of slot 377. When the organist, with his toe, depresses the leg 371 of member 369, and pivots the member 369 about the head of pin 375 to swing leg 371 in a horizontal plane into the lower reach 381 of slot 377, the coupler is in the operative position shown in FIGURE 7, since depression of leg 371 moves the free end of arm 363 arcuately counterclockwise against the tension in spring 373, causing rotating member 362 to rotate about its axis to raise projections 366 upwardly into engagement with associated pivoted members 280. Lower reach 381 is provided to lock the coupler in operative position. When the organist moves leg 371 from the lower reach of slot 377, the tension in spring 373 moves the free end of arm 363 arcuately clockwise, and causes member 362 to rotate to move the projections 366 downwardly and laterally out of engagement with pivoted members 280. The spring tension, acting through wire 365, pivots member 369 in a vertical plane to move leg 371 into the upper reach of slot 377.

Couplers according to the present invention also include rotatable member 382, such as a cylinder or the like, which is rotatably mounted by suitable bracket means 384 below pivoted members 386. A pivoted member 386 is pivotally mounted by a suitable bracket 388 at a location below the rear end portion of each of a number of rocker arms 112, the number being determined by the number of pedals or the number of pedals desired to be coupled. Each pivoted member 386 is generally L- shaped, having arms diverging from a point of intersection, at which point the member is supported by bracket 388. Each pivoted member 386 has an arm 390 extending horizontally in a direction away from the keyboard 12, and an arm 392 extending generally downwardly, to free ends. The free end of each arm 390 is attached to an elongated means 394, which extends upwardly through aligned apertures in the planar surface 206 and the bottom closure 210 of undercarriage 10, and is attached by means of a jewelers ring 396 and apertured fitting 398 to end portion 110 of rocker arm 112. Each pivoted mem ber 386 is connected to a rocker arm 112 in this fashion. Elongated means 394 is preferably a cord, wire or the like. It can be seen from FIGURE 6 that downward movement of elongated means 394 will result in the downward movement of elongated means 96, which will open the associated valve means 58 to admit air into a channel 54 in feeder chest 34.

A plurality of projections 400 are provided, each extending upwardly from rotatable member 382 in a direction towards a pivoted member 386, to a free end. Each projection 400 is pivotally mounted on the periphery of rotatable member 382 by a suitable bracket 402. The free end of each projection 400 is attached to the intermediate portion of an elongated means 370, so that horizontal movement of the elongated means 370 will result in horizontal movement of the free end of the associated projection 400 in the same direction. Means such as those provided for rotating rotatable member 362 are provided for rotating member 382 selectively to move the free ends of projections 400 upwardly and laterally into overlapping engagement with the free ends of downwardly extending arms 392 of members 386, with the free ends of arms 392 disposed between projections 400 and the pedals 250, in the same fashion as shown in FIGURE 7 with respect to projections 366, whereby movement of the free end of a projection 400 laterally towards a pedal causes projection 400 to move the free end of arm 392 of the associated member 386 in the same direction, resulting in downward movement of the associated elongated means 394 because of the pivoting of member 386 about the pin in bracket 388. As was the case with rotatable member 362, the operating means for rotatable member 382 are also operative to selectively move the free end of projections 400 downwardly and laterally out of engagement with the free ends of arms 392 so that the pedals may be disengaged from the action 94. Spring member 253 returns a depressed pedal 250 to a raised position, and

Weighted arms

367 and 401 on the

projections

366 and 400 respectively serve to restore the projections and elongated member 370 to the inoperative position. The springs in the respective valve means 58 and 108 assist in this operation, as they act to close the valves. It will be readily apparent that other means for returning the elongated members 370 to the inoperative position could be utilized, such as spring members biasing members 370 to the right as viewed in FIGURE 6.

It can be seen that the

actions

94 and 224 of the keyboard-actuated organ pipes can be coupled as desired to the action of the pedal board. However, the action of the pedals is operative whenever depressed to selectively open the pedal pipes 228. The action of each pedal includes an elongated member 404 which may be a cord, Wire or the like which is attached at one end to the free end of leg 380 of a pivoted member 376. The other end of each elongated member 404 is attached to the free end of a downwardly extending arm 406 on an L-shaped member 408 which is pivotally mounted by suitable bracket means 410 on an inner wall of pedal pipe wind chest 232. Each elongated means 404 passes through aligned aperture in the sidewall of platform 226 and in the wind chest, the apertures preferably being sealed as at 412 by a pad or strip of felt or the like. Downward movement of a pedal 250 will be translated into lateral movement of the associated elongated member 404 towards the pedal by the pivoting of L-shaped member 376 in bracket 378. Movement of elongated member 404 towards the pedal causes movement of the free end of arm 406 in the same direction, causing downward movement of the free end of arm 412 of member 408. Downward movement of the free end of arm 412 forces the valve stem 414 of the associated pedal valve to move downwardly, permitting wind in passage 416 to vent to atmosphere through aperture 418 in pedal pipe wind chest 232. Since pedal valve 246 is a double-acting valve, aperture 420 will be closed by downward movement of valve stem 414. Pressure in the wind chest 232 exerted against flexible membrane 422 forces sealing pad means 424 downwardly to permit wind from the wind chest to enter the toe hole of the associated pedal pipe 228 to sound the pipe. Valve stem 414 is biased to the position shown by a spring (not shown) to assure that the pedal valve will close when pressure on the pedal 250 is released.

The structure which elevates keyboard 220 to proper disposition preferably includes a planar member 426 which is rigidly secured to planar surface 206. The elongated members 272 pass in the space between member 426 and undercarriage 10, downwardly through apertures 427 in planar surface 206. A screw-eye 430 preferably attaches each elongated member 272 to the associated pivoted member 288, to facilitate adjustment of the action in the fashion discussed in connection with screw-eye 132 in FIGURE 2. A suitable bracket member 432 may be provided to provide lateral bracing for keyboard 220 on member 426. Additional structural support may be provided by side members 434, which also serve to mask the otherwise visible portions of the action 224.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in connection with preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that resort can be had to modifications and variations of the embodiment illustrated without departing from the spirit of the invention, as those skilled in the art will readily understand.

What is claimed is: 1. A pipe organ, comprising a wind chest, means for supplying compressed air to the wind chest, a feeder chest including a plurality of slabs of homogeneous material, the slabs having opposite sides and being disposed in generally coplanar, side-by-side abutting relationship, means defining a plurality of passages formed in each slab, the passages in the slabs being aligned to define a plurality of elongated feeder channels, each feeder channel having side walls and opposite closed ends, and means disposed between abutting sides of the slabs intermediate the closed ends of the feeder channels, for sealing the feeder channels from atmosphere, means defining a confined passage for passing compressed air from the wind chest into each feeder channel, valve means for opening and closing each confined passage, mean; defining a plurality of apertures formed in the s a s, each aperture opening in the walls of a feeder channel, an organ pipe communicating with each aperture, the apertures being arranged in sets, with each set of apertures opening in the walls of a common feeder channel, the apertures in each set communicating with organ pipes of the same note in different octaves, a keyboard including a plurality of keys, means forming an action responsive to depression of the keys for selectively opening the valve means, and movable means for selectively interrupting communication between at least one of the apertures in each set and the corresponding organ pipe. 2. The pipe organ of claim 1, the plurality of slabs consisting of two elongated slabs, each passage extending transversely relative to the direction of elongation of the slab from the first side of the slab towards the second side, the passage having an end spaced inwardly from the second side and closed by the homogeneous material of the slab, the slabs being disposed in side-by-side abutting relationship at the first sides. 3. The pipe organ of claim 1, the feeder chest having an upper surface and the apertures extending through the upper surface, the feeder chest being elongated and the apertures being arranged in a plurality of rows extending in the direction of elongation of the feeder chest, the movable means including at least one elongated sliding member disposed above the feeder chest, each sliding member having a plurality of apertures spaced along its length, the apertures in each sliding member being registrable with the apertures in at least one row of apertures in the feeder chest, and means for sliding each sliding member longitudinally relative to the feeder chest to selectively move the apertures in the sliding member into and out of registration with the apertures in the feeder chest. 4. The pipe organ of claim 1, including an undercarriage supporting the keyboard and detach- 19 ably supporting the wind chest laterally of the keyboard with at least a major portion of the wind chest lower than the keyboard,

means for supporting the feeder chest above the wind chest, and

means for supporting the organ pipes above the feeder chest,

the action including elongated means for opening each valve means,

each elongated means extending downwardly through an aperture in the wind chest to a lower end portion, and

a quick-release connector secured to the lower end of each elongated means and connecting the elongated means to the remainder of theaction.

5. The pipe organ of claim 4,

the action including a plurality of rigid rocker arms pivotally supported on the undercarriage,

each rocker arm having opposite end portions,

one of said quick-release connectors being secured to one end portion of each rocker arm,

an elongated member secured to the other end portion of each rocker arm and extending upwardly to an upper end portion,

means for securing the upper end of each elongated member to an organ key, and

means associated with the keyboard for pivotally supporting each key.

6. The pipe organ of claim 1, including an undercarriage supporting the keyboard, wind chest,

feeder chest and organ pipes,

the undercarriage being removably disposed upon a planar surface,

a second undercarriage carrying a second wind chest, a second feeder chest, and a second plurality of organ pipes,

the second undercarriage being fixedly disposed on the planar surface adjacent to and in generally parallel relationship with the first-named undercarriage,

a second keyboard having a plurality of keys and fixedly supported in a position above the planar surface, spaced laterally from the second undercarriage, and adjacent to, below, and in generally parallel relationship with the first-named keyboard,

means forming a second action operatively connected below the planar surface, responsive to depression of the keys in the second keyboard for selectively sounding the second plurality of organ pipes,

means defining a trackway for the first-named undercarriage between the second undercarriage and the second keyboard, for permitting movement of the first-named undercarriage into and out of disposition between the second undercarriage and the second keyboard,

a plurality of pedal pipes carried by the planar surface,

a pedal pipe wind chest,

means defining a conduit for passing compressed air from the pedal pipe wind chest to each pedal pipe,

pedal valve means for opening and closing each conduit,

a pedal board disposed below the keyboards and including a plurality of pedals, and

means forming a pedal action operatively connected below the planar surface, responsive to depression of the pedals for selectively opening the pedal valve means.

7. The pipe organ of claim 6, including a coupler,

the first-named action including elongated means for opening each valve means,

means defining a second confined passage for passing compressed air from the second wind chest into each of a plurality of feeder channels in the second feeder chest,

second valve means for opening and closing each second confined passage,

the second action including elongated means for opening each second valve means,

at least one of the first-named and second actions including a pivoted member mounted below the planar surface and operatively associated with an elongated means to move the elongated means downwardly to open a valve means,

the coupler including a rotatable member mounted below a plurality of said pivoted members for rotation about a horizontal axis,

a plurality of projections pivotally mounted on the rotatable member, each projection extending toward a pivoted member to a free end,

an elongated member extending in a direction toward the pedal board and having a portion connected to the free end of a projection and a portion operatively associated with a pedal for lateral movement in response to downward movement of the pedal, and

means for rotating the rotatable member to selectively move the free end of each projection upwardly and laterally into operative engagement with a pivoted member to translate lateral movement of the elongated member into downward movement of the elongated means, and to move the free end of each projection downwardly and laterally out of engagement with the pivoted member.

8. A pipe organ as defined in claim 1, wherein the means for supplying compressed air to the wind chest includes a blower located externally of the wind chest,

an aperture in the wind chest,

conduit means for passing compressed air from the blower through the aperture in the wind chest, and

wind valve means for opening and closing the aperture in the wind chest, the wind valve means including a framework sealably associated with an inner wall of the wind chest adjacent the aperture in the wind chest, the framework having a hollow portion,

a planar member,

hinge means hingedly attaching the planar member to the framework at a side of the framework opposite from the aperture in the wind chest, the planar member being swingable about the hinge from a nesting position in the hollow portion of the framework to angularly extend toward the interior of the wind chest,

a sheet of substantially airtight, flexible material sealably associated with the framework and covering the planar member,

an orifice in the wind chest communicating between the hollow portion of the framework and the atmosphere,

an arm associated with the planar member and extending laterally beyond the framework to a free end located above the aperture in the wind chest,

sealing pad means associated with the free end of the arm, for releasably sealably engaging the periphery of the aperture in the wind chest, and

adjustable means associated with the inner Wall of the wind chest adjacent the aperture in the wind chest, for yieldably urging the sealing pad means away from the aperture in the wind chest.

9. A pipe organ, comprising an undercarriage removably disposed on a planar surface,

a keyboard including a plurality of keys,

means on the undercarriage for supporting the keyboard,

a wind chest,

means on the undercarriage for supporting the wind chest,

a feeder chest,

means for supporting the feeder chest above the wind chest,

a plurality of organ pipes,

means for supporting the plurality of organ pipes above the feeder chest,

a second undercarriage fixedly disposed on the planar surface, adjacent to and in generally parallel relationship with the first-named undercarriage,

a second wind chest,

means on the second undercarriage for supporting the second wind chest,

a second feeder chest,

means for supporting the second feeder chest above the second wind chest,

a second plurality of organ pipes,

means for supporting the second plurality of organ pipes above the second feeder chest,

a second keyboard including a plurality of keys,

means associated with the planar surface for fixedly supporting the second keyboard in a position elevated above the planar surface, spaced laterally from the second undercarriage, and adjacent to, below and in generally parallel relationship with the first-named keyboard,

means defining a trackway for the first-named undercarriage between the second undercarriage and the second keyboard, for permitting movement of the first-named undercarriage into and out of disposition between the second undercarriage and the second keyboard, and

means operatively connected below the planar surface responsive to depression of the key-s in the second keyboard, for selectively sounding the organ pipes above the second feeder chest.

10. A pipe organ as defined in claim 9, wherein the 10 planar surface is on an elevated platform.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 340,461 4/1886 Roosevelt et al. 84331 343,049 6/1886 Moller 84352 X 475,831 5/1892 Votey et al. 84333 1,203,775 11/1916 Page 84-342 JOHN F. GONZALES, Assistant Examiner RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.