US638615A - Automatic musical instrument. - Google Patents

Description

' No. 638,615. Patented Dec. 5, 1899.

M. S. WRIGHT.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

(Application filed Oct. 15, 1898.)

3 Sheets-Shaet E.

(No Model.)

N0. 638,6l5. Patented Dec. 5, I899. M. S. WRIGHT.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

(Application filed Oct. 15, 1898.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

*5 Q w G I m-lzwes s as; I 1\ :w-Azmc 7 74: a fl M, $6M 62. C2, B www w/fih N0. 638,6l5. Patented Dec. 5, I899. M. S. WRIGHT.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

(Application filed Oct. 15, 1898.)

3 Sheefs-8heat 3.

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT QEEICE.

MORRIS S. TVRIGHT, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

SPECIFTCATTON forming part of Letters Patent No. 688,615, dated December 1899- Application filed Octoherltl, 1898- Serial No. 698,588. (No model.)

To aLZZ whom it may con-007w;

Be it known that I, MoEEIs S. WEIGHT, of the city and county of l/VOICGSSGI', in the State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Musical Instruments; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 represents a vertical transverse section through so much of an automatic reed instrument as is necessary to illustrate my invention, the usual keys and connections also being shown applied thereto in connection with the automatic mechanism of said instrument. Fig. 2 is an enlarged front View of part of the music-box and mechanism for operatingits rolls. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of part of the vertical section shown in Fig. 1, allthe following figures also being upon an enlarged scale. Fig. at is a horizontal section through part of the secondary channel-board, taken on line a, Fig. 3, showing a top View of part of one-of the tone-chambers, its channelboard, and pneumatic cut-off valves. Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal section through the secondarychannelboard,taken onlineb, Fig. 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow. Fig. 6 is a vertical longitudinal section through part of the primary channelboard or tracker-board,taken on line 0, Fig. 3, showing a front view of some of the primarypneumatics beyond. Fig. 7 is a horizontal section through part of thesecondary channel-board, taken on line d, Fig. 3, and showing a plan of part of the tracker-board and primary pneumatics. Figs. 8 and 0 are vertical longitudinal sections through the parts shown in Fig. 3, taken on lines o and f, respectively, showing front views of portions of the instrument, which will be hereinafter described. Figs. 10 and 11 are horizontal sections taken on linesg h, respectively, Fig. 3, looking down and showing the parts beneath in plan view. Fig. 12 is an enlarged detached described; and Fig. 13

is a central vertical longitudinal section of said parts shown in Fig. 12.

My invention relates to reed instruments, and more especially to automatic reed instruments in which perforated sheet-music is used for producing the dilferent tones of a tune played thereon. It may alsoin practice have combined therewith the usual keys and connections for operating the instrument by hand and may, furthermore, if desired, be connected, by means of suitable mechanism, with one or more key or string instruments combined with the automatic part of the instrument. Said connections not constituting a part of this invention, it will be unnecessary to illustrate or describe the same.

The object of my invention is to increase the capacity of the above class of instruments without materially enlarging the same over their usual size or of widening the perforated sheet-music used thereon overits usual width.

Said invention consists of certain improve ments in the pneumatic system whereby two primary pneumatics provided with a cut-off valve between them maybe operated from one opening and channel in the primary channelboard and also whereby one reed-valve and reed may be operated from said two primary pneumatics, each of said primary pneumatics operatingsaidreed-valveindependently. The purpose of said double pneumatics and valve device is to enable one reed-valve and its reed to be operated from two different sizes of openings in the perforated sheet-music, both admitting airinto one and the same opening in the primary channel-board and passing through a single channel to said double pneumatics and valve device, the air admitted through the large openings in said sheetmusic producing the solo or melody parts of a tune and that admitted through the smaller openings therein the accompaniments thereto, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In order that those skilled in the art to which my invention appertains may better understand the nature and purpose thereof, I will now proceed to describe it more in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In Fig. l of the drawings I have shown both a music-box A. for producing the music automatically and keys B for playing said z, esaeis music by hand in connection with my aforesaid improvements, and I reserve the right to use either separately or both together with said improvements. 1 also reserve the right to combine such other instruments therewith as are in practice adapted for the purpose of operating in conjunction with the same and coming within the scope of my invention.

As my invention relates principally to automatic musical instruments, as previously stated, Iwill first describe my improvements as being combined with the music-box A and its appliances. lVithin said music-box are arranged the usual rolls C C, over which the perforated sheet-music D is passed, the same un rolling from one to the other, as usual, over the mouthpiece E of the primary channelboard E when the instrument is operated. The mechanism for operating said rolls not constituting a part of my invention, it will be unnecessary to illustrate or describe the same. Said primary channel-board extends from near the glass front A of the music-box to the principal or secondary channelboard F and is provided with one channel G for each pair of pneumatics H I, said channels terminating at the outer end of the primary channel-board in the openings J at the mouthpiece E. Said pairs of primary pneumatics are in this instance shown arranged transversely of the instrument; but I do not limit myself thereto. For the purpose of economizing in space each alternate pair of primary pneumatics H I is raised above the level of the others, one pair being level with the top of the primary channel-board and the pair next to it a little above it, and so on through the two rows or series, as is shown in the drawings. By this arrangement I am enabled to place twice the number of pneumatics in about the usual amount of longitudinal space,and thus not necessitating any material additional length in the construction of the instrument.

The pneumatics H are operated by the air admitted through the wide openings K in the sheet-music D and the pneumatics I by that admitted through the narrow openings L in said sheetmusic, as will be hereinafter more fully described. Said pneu matics Hare each connected by the vertical wire stems H with the cut-off or switch valve H for closing and opening the air-outlet- H in the wind-chest M and also with the cut-off or switch valve H for closing and opening the air outlet or vent in the channel lift of said wind-chest, and the pneumatics I are also connected in the same Way by the vertical wire stems I with the cut-off or switch valves 1 1 for closing and opening the air-outlets I' l in the wind-chest N and wind-chest channel N, respectively. Each channel M N is separately connected with a separate channel 0 O in the principal or secondary channel-board F, in this instance the channel N connecting with the channel 0 and the channel M with the channel 0 of each pair. (See Figs. 4, 5, 7, 10

and 11.) Each pair of channels 0 O is in.

turn connected, by means of the bottom and top double angular channels P P in the tonechannel board P, with the space P back of each secondary pneumatic Q in tone-chamber R. Therefore, as will be readily seen, each pair of primary pneumatics H 1 is supplied with air through a single opening J and channel G in the primary channelboard and is also each separately and independently connected, as aforesaid, with each secondary pneumatic Q, in the tone-chamber. The purpose of this construction and arrangement is to admit of making the sheet-music with two widths of perforations or openings within the usual space in width of said sheet-music, and thus doubling the capacity of the instrument without, as previously stated, materially adding to the usual length of said instrument. In order to accomplish this result of operating both primary pneumatics of each pair by air admitted through two widths of openings in the sheet-music and conducted through a single opening and passage to both pneumatics, so that one pneumatic will be operated by air admitted through the wide openings in the sheet-music and the other by air admitted through the narrow ones, I have arranged a cut-off valve S under and between the pneumatics of each pair of said primary pneumaties in a chamber S between the primary channel-board E and a block T, attached to the under side thereof. The chamber S is connected by a horizontal opening G with chan nel G, (see Figs. 1 and 6,) by a top vertical open ing G with the pneumatic H, and with a bottom vertical opening G under the inner end of valve S, in turn connected with an angular channel G, connecting with the pneumatic I. The outer end of said valve S is hinged, by means of thin leather or otherwise, to the block T, and its inner end is arranged to tilt up and down to open and close the opening G". hen in its normal position, said inner end of the valve is held elevated above said opening by the weight of pneumatic H through its wire H resting upon and forcing down the outer end thereof, as is shown in Figs. 1 and 3 and by dotted lines in Fig. 13; but when suilieient air is admitted through the opening in the sheet-music to raise said pneumatic H the inner end of the valve is permitted to drop down by force of gravity over said opening G to close the same, as is shown by full lines in Fig. 13, and thus cut oit said air from reaching and operating the other pneumatic I, said pneumatic I being operated only when insuflicient air is admitted to raise the first pneumatic H. To facilitate said valve closing quickly and tightly over opening G it may be provided with a weight S or other equivalent means for the same purpose.

In practice the parts are so constructed and arranged in relation to each other that when a wide opening in the sheet-music arrives over the opening in the mouthpiece E the first pneumatic H is raised with a quick movement and the opening G closed to prevent the other pneumatic I being operated, what litttle air passes under the valve S being permitted to escape through the vent T and the surplus air under the pneumatic H and in channel G being permitted to escape through the vent T but when a narrow opening in the sheet-music arrives over the opening in the mouthpiece E, insufficient air being admitted to lift the first pneumatic H, the valve S is not operated to close opening G and consequently said air passes through under pneumatic I and operates it without lifting the other pneumatic H.

The above result is obtained by the disk of pneumatic H,which maybe termed the highpressure pneumatic, being made smaller than that of pneumatic I, which may be termed the low-pressure pneumatic. The reason, therefore, is thatin practice it is found that the smaller the disk is of a diaphragmpneumatic having an extremely-flexible covering the less power it has for exerting a pressure to operate the wind-chest valves, and vice versa. Therefore pneumatic H, being the smaller of the two of each pair, will not rise as quickly or forcibly as pneumatic I when the air-pressu re is applied to the under side thereof. By reference to Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings it will be observed that the wind-chest valves H H, which are operated by the small or high-pressure pneumatic H, are larger than the wind-chest valves 1 I operated by the larger or low-pressure pneumatics 1. Consequently the pneumatic having the least powerin this instance pneumatic H--has' the most work to do and requires a greater amount of air to operate it. Therefore air is admitted thereto through the large holes in the sheet-music, while, on the other hand, the pneumatic I, having a larger disk than pneumatic H and smaller windchestvalves than said pneumatic H, as aforesaid, is operated by air admitted through the small openings in said sheetanusic. In said construction and operation of the pneumatics and their wind-chest valves the vent-openings T T constitute a very essential feature and must be so proportioned to the narrow and wide openings in the sheet-music as to permit the air-pressure in the channels to lift only its respective pneumatic without raising the other-as, for instance, the opening in the Vent T must be so proportioned to the narrow perforations I in the sheet-music that it never permits the pressure in the channel G to reach a lifting power sufficient to elevate pneumatic H.

Each double channel P P has an outlet at the edge of the tone-channel board P, and over said openings are secured the flexible cut-off pneumatic valves V, made of leather or other flexible material. Over said flexible valves V are in turn arranged the long spring cut-ofi valves WV, extending the whole length of each tone-channel board and mechanically operated by the stops of the instrument, as usual, to open and close the connection between the space back of the tone-chamber pneumatics Q and the other channels and chambers between the same and the cut-off valves H H and 1 1 It will be understood that in practice the music-box A, wind-chests M N, and tone chambers R are all supplied with a constant supply of air under equal pressure from the usual bellows or other source of supply during the operation of the instrument. Consequently when the wind-chest valves H I and tone-chamber valves WV are open an equilibrium of the air-pressure through the various passages being maintained at each side of the secondary pneumatics Q, the latter are held stationary and the reeds X are not operated until one of the pneumatics II or I is operated by one of the openings in the sheetmusic coming over one of the openings in the mouthpiece E. The air thereby admitted then causes one of said pneumatics to be lifted and its valve H or I to be forced up to close the wind-chest opening and its valve H or I to also be raised to open the vent H or 1 thus permitting the air in the various channels back of said secondary pneumatic Q to escape and allowing the compressed air in the tone-chamber to force them back, thereby in turn causing the reed-valve Y to be drawn back and opened by means of the wire connection Y and allowing the air to escape therethrough and operate its reed X in reed-board X.

The tone-chambers R, with the exception of having the top and bottom double channels P P and the double cut-off valves thereof previously described, are similar to those shown and described in my United States Patent No. 509,506, dated November 2c, 1893, for improvements in reed or pipe organs, said tonechambers being made removable from the secondary channel-board F and each connected with a separate stop for each valve, or, in other words, each separate tone-chamber being provided with two separate stops instead of one, as usual. The wind-chests are also in this instance made removable and similar to the one shown in said United States patent, being each provided with a double cut-off or switch valve, said cut-off or switch valves being shown connected with the key mechanism in said patent and with the vertical wire stems of the primary pneumatics in the present case, as previously described.

'With the foregoing exceptions no claim to novelty is claimed for the tone-chambers and wind-chests, except in combination with the double-primary-pneumatic system supplied with air through one opening and channel, as hereinbefore described, and pointed outin the claims.

Having described my improvements in detail, the operation of an instrument embodying the same may be briefly summed up as follows: Assuming that the air-pressure is ap- -ICO IIO

plied, the music-rolls in operation,with the perforated sheet-music passing over the mouthpiece E, and the proper stops are drawn to open the proper cut-off valves IV, when a wide opening in said sheet-music arrives over its opening J in said mouthpiece air being admitted therein passes through the single passage or channel in the primary channel-board and striking the under side of its pneumatic I-I lifts it, and at the same time closing the valve leading to the second pneumatic I prevents the operation thereof. Said. pneumatic H being thus lifted raises the cut-off valves H and H thereby closing the wind-chest opening H and opening the vent H This permits the secondary pneumatic Q to be depressed or forced back by the airpressure in the tone-chamber, the reed-valve to be opened, and the air to pass through and operate reed X, the air forced back by said depression of secondary pneumatic Q passing out through said vent H In playing a tune several wide openings are of course liable to come in succession over the same opening in the mouthpiece E in producing the solo or melody parts of said tune; but assuming that a narrow opening now follows the wide one to produce the accompaniment to said solo or melody parts, a smaller volume of air being forced through the channel in the primary channel-board and insufficient in power to raise the first pneumatic H of the pair, it passes along without raising said pneumatic or closing the valve S and striking under the second pneumatic I raises it, thereby operating through similar connections as those for pneumatic H, as previously described, the same secondary pneumatic Q, and in consequence the same reed is operated as was operated by the other primary pneumatic of said pair.

Although I have shown and described the instrument as being constructed with two primary pneumatics H I in each set or pair and the sheet-music with two sizes of openings, it is obvious that it may in practice be made and adapted for three or more primary pneumatics and sizes of openings without departing from the principle of my invention, and I therefore do not limit myself to the number herein shown and described. I also reserve the right in practice of operating the instrument by air-suction instead of airpressure, as herein described. Both are applicable to my invention; but the pressure system is preferable.

By the foregoing construction of employing high and low pressure pneumatics operated from a single opening and channel in the primary channel-board the high-pressure pneumatic may be connected with one kind of instrument and the low-pressure pneumatic with another kind of instrument. Therefore struments.

low pressure pneumatics may be connected with and played from the usual keys, as shown in the drawings, as well as automatically, as hereinbefore described. Only one bank of keys B and connections are in this instance shown in the drawings; but it is obvious that two or more banks and their connections might be used, according to the number of pneumatics employed in each transverse set. Said key connection is made by extending the primary channel-board G down,as shown at G and connected with the usual wind-chest and valve device Z. As the key connections with said wind-chest are of old construction and well understood, the illustration thereof in Fig. 1 will be sufficient to fully explain the same withoutfurther description. The mechanism for connecting the stops Z Z with the valves W is alsoold and well understood, and as the same constitutes no part of my invention it is deemed unnecessary to illustrate or describe the same.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. Perforated sheet-music for automatic musical instruments, consisting of a single sheet of suitable material, having different widths, sizes and shapes of openings formed therein according to the tune to be played, in combination with the primary channel- -board havin an oenin and channel for each pair of primary pneumatics; the series of primary pneumatics, mounted on said channel-board; a cut-off valve, arranged between the pneumatics of each pair; a double windchest, provided with separate channels and double, cut-off or switch valves, two of each for each pair of primary pneumatics, and said valves, separately connected with said primary pneum atics; a secondary channel-board, provided with two channels for each pair of wind -chest channels, each separately connected with said wind-chest channels, and a tone-chamber, containing a series of separate, secondary pneumatics and reed-valves, one of each for each primary channel and reed, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a reed instrument, the primary channel-board, provided with one opening and channel for each pair of primary pneumatics, and having mounted thereon the music-box and its appliances for playing the instrument automatically, also the keys and connections for playing said instrument by hand; in combination with the series of primary pneumatics, arranged in pairs on said primary channel-board; a cut-off valve, arranged between the pneumatics of each pair; a double wind-chest, provided with separate channels and double, cut-off or switch valves, two of each for each pair of primary pneumatics, and said valves separately connected with said primary pneumatics; a secondary channelboard, provided with two channels for each pair of wind-chest channels, each separately connected with said wind-chest channels, and

IIO

a tone-chamber, containing a series of separate, secondary pneumatics and reed-valves, one of each for each primary channel and reed, the channel-board of said tone-chamber being also provided with two, double channels and cut-off valves for each secondary pneumatic, controlled by two stops for each tone-chamber, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a reed instrument, the primary channel-board, provided with one opening and channel for each pair of primary pneumatics, and having mounted thereon the music-box and its appliances for playing the instrument automatically; in combination with the series of primary pneumatics, arranged in pairs on said primary channel-board; a cut-off valve, arranged between the pneumatics of each pair; a double wind-chest, provided with separate channels and double cut-off or switch valves, two of each for each pair of primary pneumatics, and said valves separately connected with said primary pneumatics; a secondary channel board, provided with two channels for each pair of wind chest channels, each separately connected with said wind-chest channels,andato11e-cl1amber,containing a series of separate, secondary pneumatics and reed-valves, one of each for each primary channel and reed, the channel-board of said tone-chamberbeing also provided with two double channels and cut-01f valves for each secondary pneumatic, controlled by two stops for each tone-chamber, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a reed instrument, the primary channel-board, provided with one opening and channel for each pair of primary pneumatics; the series of primary pneumatics, mounted on said channel-board and arranged in pairs, thereon, and a cut-off Valve,arranged between the pneumatics of each pair; in combination with a double wind-chest, provided with separate channels and double cut-off or switch valves, two of each for each pair of primary pneumatics, and said valves separately connected with said primary pneumatics; a secondary channel board, provided with two channels for each pair of wind-chest channels, each separately connected with said windchest channels, and a tone-chamber, containing a series of separate,secondary pneumatics and reed-valves, one of each for each primary channel and reed, the channel-board of said tone-chamber being also provided with two, double channels and cut-off valves for each secondary pneumatic, controlled by two stops, for each tone-chamber, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In a reed instrument, the primary channel-board, provided with one opening and channel for each pair of primary pneumatics; a secondary channel-board and a double windchest, each provided with double, connectingchannels, and said wind chest with two, double, cut-off or switch valves for each pair of primary pneumatics, said valves being c0nnected, one with each pneumatic of each pair; in combination with the series of primary pneumatics, arranged in pairs on said primary channel-board, and a cut-off valve arranged between the pneumatics of each pair, substantially as andfor the purpose set forth.

(3. In a musical instrument, the combination of the primary channel-board, having one channel for each pair of primary pneumatics; with the series of primary pneumatics, arranged in pairs on said primary channelboard,-and a cut-off valve, arranged between the pneumatics of each pair, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

MORRIS s. WRIGHT.

lVitnesses:

A. A. BARKER, W. B. NoURsE.

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