US700829A

US700829A - Self-playing attachment for musical instruments.

Info

Publication number: US700829A
Application number: US5779401A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harry M Salyer
Original assignee: FIRM OF LUDWIG AND Co
Current assignee: FIRM OF LUDWIG AND Co
Priority date: 1901-04-27
Filing date: 1901-04-27
Publication date: 1902-05-27
Anticipated expiration: 1919-05-27

Description

Pat'ented -May 27, |902.

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INVENTDR j] l I @JW /ff TT RNEY H. M. SALYER.

(Applieanion med Apr. 27, i901.)

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SELF PLAYINGATTACHMENT FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

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No. 700,829. Patented May 27, |902.

H. M. SALYER. A

SELF PLAYING ATTACHMENT FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

(Application filed Apr. 27, 1901.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 (No Model.)

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No. 700,829. Patented May 27, |902.

H. M. SALYEH.

SELF`PLAYING ATTACHMENT FOR MUSICAL TNSTBUMENTS.

(Application led Apr. 27, 1901.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 3l (No Model.)

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No. 700,829. Patented May 27, |902.

H. M. SALYER.

SELF PLAYING ATTACHMENT FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

(Application led Apr. 27, 1901.)

(No Model.) '5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

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No. 700,829. Patented May 27, i902. H. M. SALYER.

SELF PLAYING ATTACHMENT FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS` (Application filed Apr. 27, 1901.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

HARRY M. SALYER, OF NEYV YORK, N. Y., ASSGNOR TO THE FIRM OF LUDVIG AND COMPANY,

OF NEV YORK, N. Y.

SELF-PLAYING ATTACHMENT' FOR MUSICAL lSTRUNIENTS.

GPECXFCATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 700,829, dated 'May 27, 1902. Application filed April 27, 1901. Serial No. 57,7911. (No model.)

T all whom, `t may concern.-

Be it known that I, HARRY M. SALYER,a citi- Zen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, borough of the Bronx, in the county of New York and State of 'New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Self-Playing Attachments for Musical Instruments, of which the following is a speciiication.

This invention relates to improvements in automatic playing attachments for musical instruments; and the object ot my invention is to provide a new and improved attachment of this kind which is simple in construction, strong and durable and reliable, and very effeetive in use.

ln the accompanying drawings, in which like letters of reference indicate like parts in all the figures, Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved automatic playing attachment, parts being in section and others broken away and some omitted. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through one of the pneumatic key-striker-actuating mechanisms with its valves. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the compressedair-controlling valve. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the suction-controlling valve. Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail elevation of the mechanism for reversing the music or note sheet rolling gear and controlling the admission of motive power to the various pneumatic mechanisms in the attachment, parts being in section. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the same, parts being in section. Fig. Sis an enlarged detail elevation of the note-sheetrolling gear, parts being in section. Fig. 9 is a side view of the same, parts being in section. Fig. 10 is a vertical transverse sectional view through the bridge or tracker-bar. Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the same on the line 11 11 of Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional view of the three-way cock. Fig. 13 is a plan view of a modification of certain parts. Fig. 111 is a detail longitudinal sectional view of the note-sheet roller. Fig. 15 is a detail View of the tubes to the controllers. Fig. 1G is a longitudinal sectional view ofthe tracker- 5o bar and parts connected therewith. Fig. 17

is a vertical transverse sectional view of the same.

The keys A and A', Fig. 5, of the keyboard are actuated by key-strikers placed above them, and each key-striker has a rod A2, the upper end of which is rested against a diaphragm A3, held in a casing A4, in the bottom of which said rod A2 is guided. The rod A2 is pressed against the diaphragm A3 by a helical spring A, surrounding the rod. The upper end ot the casing Al1 has a duct A, through which compressed air can be admitted into the top of the casing A" above the diaphragm A3 to force down the latter and the rod A2. Valve meehanisms,which will be described directly, govern the admission of compressed air.

Pneumatic mechanisms such as first described. are used for various other purposes in my improved automatic playing attachment and will be referred to hereinafter as pneumatic mechanism. Each pneumatic mechanism, whether used for operating akeystriking rod or otherwise, has the top of its casing AA1 connected with a block AT, in which the duct AG is formed, and this duct leads to a large horizontal bore AS in the block A7, and at each end of this bore a valve-seat is formed for the valves AU and A10 on opposite ends of a stem Au in said bore. The block A7 is located between two air-ehambers B and C, the former containing compressed air and the latter air rarefied to a greater or less degree. A hollow plug B' is screwed through the chamber B at each pneu matie key-operating mechanism and is in co minunication with the chamber B, and its inner open end, communicating with the block A7, can be closed by a valve B2 on a stem B3, secured at its opposite end to a diaphragm B4, held by a cap B5 on the outer end of the plug B. This cap B5, Fig. 2, is connected with tubes B for conveying compressed air to the diaphragm and pressing it to the left for the purpose of opening the valve B2 to a greater extent, so as to admit more compressed air than usually to the pneumatic mechanism, such tubes extending to suitable controllers K', which need not be described in detail7 as they form no part of the present invention. The tubes B6 and plugs B are provided only for those pneumatic IOC mechanisms that are used for operating keyu strikers. Vthenever the Valve A111 is lifted olt' its seat and communication thus established between the top of the easing A'1 and the inner end of the corresponding plug D', the air-pressure in the chamber B can force the valve B2 olf its seat, permitting the compressed air to pass into the top of the casing A4 and to act on the diaphragm A3 and continue so to act as long as the valve A10 is held open.

At each pneumatic mechanism a hollow plug C is passed through the chamber C and is in communication therewith and terminates at its outer end in a cup C2, in which a diaphragm C3 is held by a cap G1, from which a tube C5 extends to a tracker-board O. A stem C1; is mounted to slide longitudinally in the plug C', and one end, provided with a suitable head, rests against the diaphragm C2, and the other end rests against a diaphragm C7, secured in the cup C2, formed on the block A7, and against this diaphragm C1 an extension C2 of the valvestem A11 rests.

C10 is a vent-opening in the cup CS.

Vhenever the tube C?y is opened by a hole in the note-sheet a, moved over the trackerbar O, as will be set forth hereinafter, atmospheric-air pressure can act on the diaphragm C3 and force the same to the right, Fig. 2, as a much-reduced pressure exists in the chamber C and cup C2, and thereby the diaphragm C7 and the stem A11 are forced to the right` and the valve A9 is seated and the valve A10 unseated. The compressed air can now act on the diaghragm A"1 in the casing A", as herein before stated. When the valves A and A10 are again brought into the positions shown in Fig. 2, the air can escape from the casing A1 through the duct A and vent C10, when the diaphragm A3 is forced up by its spring A5. The controllers are each connected with the pneumatic mechanism for the keys of like denomination in each octave and also with the pneumatic mechanism of the keys which are usually not played with the first-mentioned keys, and each controller has a d uct .leading to the tracker-bar. lVhenever a hole in the note-sheet registers with a duct leading to a controller, the'valves B2 of all valve mechanisms connected with the controller will be affected in the manner previously described; but this will have effect only in such pneumatic mechanisms in which the valve A111 has been opened at the same time. The compressed air is preferably stored in a tank D, Fig. 5, and may be produced by foot-power or any suitable motor. lt is conducted through a tube D', which is screwed into a neck D5 of a governing valve-casing D2. The casingD2has a partition D11, from which a hub D1 projects downward, and in the said hub a chamber DG is fo 1ined, which is open at the bottom and is in communication with the neck D5. The open end of the chamber DG can be closed by a valve D7, secured on a stem DS, passing longitudinally through the hub D1 and secured at its upper end to a diaphragm D, held on the top of the casing D2 by a cap D12, having a neck D11. A duct D12 in the valve-stein ADS establishes communication between the space above and below the diaphragm D11, and this duct can be adjusted in size by a screw D1S in said stem. A hole D11 in the partition connects the space below the diaghragm D11 with the neck D5. A tube D15 is screwed into a neck D1, which is in communication with the lower part of the casing D2, and said tube D15 conducts the conn pressed air to the various pneumatic mechanisms to be operated by compressed air. Then the neck D11 or a tube connected with the same is closed, so that the compressd air cannot escape, the same air-pressure exists on both sides of the diaphragm D, and thus the valve D7 is held in equilibrium, and the downward pressure of the compressed air on the valve is sufficient to open it, thus permitting Vhe compressed air to pass into the tube D15. `\fVheneverthe neck D11 ora tube (Z2, connected with the same, is opened by opening a cock W, connected with said tube, the compressed air can readily escape from above the diaphragm D", and the now greater pressure on the under side et' the diaphragm holds the valve D7 closed.

An exhaust-bellows E or analogous device is connected with a suction-tube E3 and with a discharge-tube E, and said suction-tube is connected with a valve-casing E2, which is constructed like the valve-casing D2 and has a valve El1 arranged in a like manner, with the difference, however, that a downward extension E5 of the valvestem rests upon a diaph ragm E11, secured on the bottom of the casing E over a hole ET in said casing E2. As long as the neck in the top of the casing E2 or a tube connected with said neck remains closed the valve El remains in equilibrium, as the airpressure on both sides of the diaphragm in the easing E2 is the same. VheneVer the neck in the top of the casing E2 or the tube connected therewith is open to the atmosphere, the air-pressure on the top of the diaphragm in the casing E2 will preponderate and hold the valve E1 open, and the extension of the valve-stem forces down the diaphragm E1i more or less. As soon as the said neck or the tube connected therewith is closed the equilibrium is established and the external air-pressure, acting on the diaphragm E11, presses the valve E1 instantly, and thus suction is cut oi'f from all mechanism connected with the casing E2 or suction-tubes connected therewith, and all mechanisms del/wending on such suction do not and cannot be operated until the valve E1 is again open, excepting' the tube E1, as this tube is connected with the suction-tube E11 in advance of the valve-casing E2.

rl1he tube F, having a controlling-cock F2, conducts compressed air from the tube D15 to the compressed-air motor F, which maybe of any approved construction. By means of on its seat IOC IIO

suitable connections the motor F rotates the belt-pulley F3, mounted loosely on the shaft F4, projecting from an upright partition G. A driving-belt F5 passes over the pulley FJ and over a pulley F, mounted loosely on a shaft F7, also mounted in the partition G and a bracket-frame G' on the same. The pulley F1 has fixed to it a pinion F8 and a peripherally-grooved collar F9 for receiving the rim of a disk F10, fixed on the end of a rod F11, guided in the bracket frame G to move lengthwise. The playing-roll H, on which the note-sheet ct is rolled while playing, is supported at one end and rotated by a short shaft G3, mounted in the partition G and bracket-frame G, and this shaft Gs carries a loosely-mounted cog-Wheel G1, which is engaged with the pinion FS, and to the said cogwheel a peripherally-grooved collar G5 is attached, into the groove of which the rim of the disk F10 also extends. The collar G5 is provided on its outer face with a clutch-pin GG, which can engage a clutch-pin G'T on a disk G8, fixed on the shaft G3. The pulley F is provided on its outer face with a clutch-pin G, which can engage a clutchpin G10 on the hub of a belt-pulley G11, mounted on the shaft F7. A driving-belt G12 is passed over the pulley G11 and over the pulley G14, Iixed on the short shaft G13, mounted in the partition G and serving to support one end of and to rotate the music-roll I, from which the note-sheet is unrolled for playing. The pulley F4 is constantly rotated and when pushed to the right, so that the clutch-pins GJ and G10 engage, rotate the pulley G11 at high speed, and the played note-sheet is rerolled at high speed back upon its original roller l, from which it was unrolled while playing. XVhen the pulley F is shifted to the left, Fig. 8, so that the clutch-pins GU and G7 are engaged, the shaft GS is rotated at a much-reduced speed,as motion is transmitted from the pulley F1S to the shaft G3 by means of the pinion F8 on the driving-shaft and the cog-wheel G1 on the driven shaft. The notesheet a is thus rolled at ordinary playing speed upon the roller I-I, driven by the shaft G3. The rod F11 is pivoted to the upper end of an upwardly-projecting arm J of a rocl bar J, mounted on an arm J2 on the upper end of a standard J3. Below each end of said rock-bar a pneumatic mechanism J1 or J5 is iixed in such a manner that the rods A2 of said pneumatic mechanisms can be forced upward, and thus force either end of said rockbar J upward. By operating one or the other of said pneumatic mechanisms the rod F11 is shifted lengthwise in one direction or the other, and thus the roller H or l thrown in gear with the motor for moving the note-sheet a in one direction or the other. As shownin Fig. '7, the pneumatic mechanisms J1 and J5 are connected with a compressed-air chamber J13 and a rareiied-air chamber J7. A suction-tube b extends from the valve mechanism of the pneumatic mechanism J1to a cock JS, (market reroll in Fig. 1,) and a branch tube b' extends from the tube b to a hole in the tracker-bar O, as is also shown in Fig. l. A tube b2 extends from the valve mechanism of the pneumatic mechanism J 5 to the tubular bearing HG of the roll H, which bearing will be described in detail later on. A r0cking bar L is connected by the sleeve L' with the rocking bar J so as to rock with it, the bar L being shorter than the bar J. Below the ends of the bar L valve-casings M and N are located, which are connected by the tubes d2 and e2 with the valve-casin gs D2 and E2, respectively. The casing M contains a downwardly-seating puppet-valve F having a stem M"2 projecting from the top of the casing M. The valve M' is pressed from its seat by a spring Mwhich automatically opens orlifts the valve. A duct M4 extends from above the valve-seat to the surface of the casing, and through it air can enter the casing when the valve is raised. The casin g N contains an upwardly-seatin g puppet-valve N',having a stem N2 projecting from the top of the casing N. The valve N is pressed upward against its seat by a spring N2, which automatically closes said valve. A duct N1 extends from above the valve-seat to the surface of the casing, and through it air can enter the casing when the valve is open. Both valves h and N are open at the same time or closed at the same time. W'hen the right-hand end of the bar L swings down, it closes the valve M' and permits the valve N' to close, and when the lefthand end swings down it opens the valve l and permits the valve M to open.

The tracker-bar O has a slightly-convexed top and is provided with a row of ducts f, which are connected with the various tubes leading to the various valve mechanisms.` Each duct f is connected by a duct g with a chamber 0 in the tracker-bar, and each duct g can be adjusted in size bya screw O2. Six of the ducts f are connected with ducts 71 extending to the face of the tracker-bar O, as shown in Figs. l0 and 11, and these six ducts are connected with tubes m, leading to the six controllers K. A bar Pis guided to slide lengthwise on the face of the tracker-bar by screws P', passed through longitudinal slots P2 in the bar Pinto the front of the trackerbar. SpringsP, surrounding the screws P2, press the said bar P against the front of the tracker-bar. The bar P has six holes .7',which can register with the six ducts 7L in one position of the bar P. One end of the sliding bar l is connected with a rod P1, which at its other end is pivoted to a lever P5, pivoted to the bracket-frame G', and which has its lower end pivoted to one end of a rod P, the opposite end of which is pivoted to an upwardlyextending arm P7 of a rock-bar PS, pivoted to the standard J3. A pneumatic mechanism l9 is fixed under each end of the rockbar PS in such a manner that its rod A2 can be forced upward to lift one end of the bar P11. The pneumatic mechanisms P1 are connected IOO IIO

vH by a spring H7 in the tube HG.

with the compressed-air chamber J" and with the rareed-air chamber P10. rlubes 7tt extend :from the valve mechanisms of the pneumatic mechanisms P to the tracker-bar O. The tube K, connecting the rareiied-air chambeiI P10 with the suction-tubes K2, is provided with a shut-ott cock K2. The chamber O/ in the tracker-baris connected by two tubes Oi with a tube O2, connected with the casing of a three-way cock O4, which is connected by the tube 0"Y with the suction-tube K2 and by the tube O7 with the compressed-air tube D. When the three-way cock O1 is in the position shown in Fig. 12, the airis being constantly drawn out of the chamber O and the ducts and the tubes connected therewith, and when the cock is turned half-way around the communication with the suction-tube is destroyed and communication established with the compressed-air tube D. The strong current produced forces the accumulated dust out of the chamber O and the ducts f, g, and 7i.

The roller H has a bore H' extending i'rom its center to one end and a duct H2 extending from the inner end of said duct H' to the surface of the roller. The bore H extends also through the bearing-socket H3 on the end of the roller H and can communicate with the bore H4 of a tubular bearing-pintle H5, mounted to slide lengthwise in a short tube HG in the partition G2. The tubular piutle H5 is pressed toward the end of the roller The tube b2 is connected with the outer end of the tube H2, connected with the bearingpintle H5. The six ductsfin the tracker-bar, which are connected with the ductsj, are also connected, as stated, by tubes m with six accentuationcontrollers K', which in turn are connected by suitable tubes B6 with the several pneumatic operating mechanisms for the keystrikers. The details of the controllers and accentuating mechanism form no part of the present invention, and hence will not be described in detail. The roller I has a similar spring-bearing l in the partition G2.

A compressed-air chamber R is connected by a tube R with the tube D15, and with said chamber R three pneumatic mechanisms R2, R2, and ltl are connected. The pneumatic mechanisms R2 and R2 serve for operating the rods R5 and R6, which depress the piano and forte pedals. A spring-latch R9 automatically locks the rod R5 in lowered position with the piano-pedal depressed, and the automatic mechanism R4 serves for withdrawing the latch R2 at the proper time to permit the spring limon the rod R5 to throw the same upward. From each of the pneumatic mechanisms R2 R2 R1 a tube n extends to the tracker-board O, and the tube n, connected with the pneumatic mechanism R2, has a threeway cock Q, which can be adjusted to shut oit by hand the tube 'n from the tracker-board and keep it open to the atmosphere. As long as this cock is held open to the atmosphere the pneumatic mechanism Ri1 holds the fortepedal depressed. lVhen the cock Q is adj usted to open the said tube n to the trackerboard, the said forte-pedal is only depressed, when a hole in the note-sheet a registers with 'that duct iu the tracker-board that is connected with the said tube n. A cock S extends through all the six tubes m, so that by turning said cock these six tubes can be closed to the tracker-board and will be cut out entirely, as far as any effect of the note-sheet is concerned. Each of said tubes m has a threeway cock S', onlyoue of which is shown, and by means of these cocks each tube can be opened by hand to theouter air, and thus the controllers K', connected with these tubes m, having lthe three-way cocks opened, will be constantly operative independent of any holes in the note-sheet. By these means a player can accentuate the music played independently of the accentuating-holes in the note-sheet and according to his own tastes and inclinations.

A bar T is hinged at one end to the trackerboard O to extend lengthwise over the same and over the note-sheet, and on this bar the designations of the notes, tc., to which the various ducts j" pertain are marked.

The operation is as follows: A note-sheet a, rolled on a roller I, is placed in its bearingsthat is, the end of the shaft G12 and the bearing l in the partition G2. The sheet a is passed over the tracker-bar and its end secured on stud V on the roller H. The cock NV in the tube d2 is in the position Stop, and the said tube is now open to the atmosphere, and consequently the valve D7 in the casing D2 is closed, and no compressed air can pass to the motor F or any compressedair chamber or any pneumatic mechanism. The roller H is in gear with the motor, and the left-hand end of the rock-bar J is lowered and the right-hand raised. The valves M1 and N are open. To start the instrument, the cock W is moved to the left (Play) and is thus closed, permitting the valve D7 to open, as previously explained, and to admit compressed air to the motor F, compressed-air chambers, and at proper times-that is, when the corresponding valve mechanisms are operated-to the pneumatic mechanisms. The note-sheet ais now rolled on the roller H and closes the duct H2 in the same and as the note-holes in the note-sheets pass over the ductsfin the tracker-bar 0 permit air to pass to the valve mechanisms, as shown in Fig. 2, as the valve E1 is held open as the tube c2, connected with the casing E2, is held open by the lever L, permitting the pressure on the top of the diaphragm in the casing E2 to press down the valve E4. Thereby the corresponding valves A1" are opened, and thus compressed air is admitted to the corresponding pneumatic mechanisms and the keys are struck, and so on until the end oi' the tune is reached, at which time a hole in the notoshect ct registers with that tracker-bar duct j" IOO IIO

connected with the tube b', and thus the pneumatic mechanism J 4 is operated, and the rockbar J is thrown into the position shown in Fig. 6. Thereby the roller I or rerollingroller is thrown in gear With the motor F, and the sheet is unrolled from the roller H upon the original roller I. At the same time that the gear is reversed the valve N is closed, and the valve M is also closed. By the closing of the valve N the valve E4 in the casing E2 is closed in the manner previously described, and thus the suction cut off from all the valve mechanisms, excepting the mechanisms Jl J5, by means of the tube El, as such mechanisms J4 J5 are connected by the tube E1G With the suction tube E3 in advance of the valve-casing E2. The closing of the valve M has no effect, as the tube d2 has already been closed by the cock W. All parts remain in this position until the notesheet a is entirely rerolled on the roller I. When the end of the note-sheet uncovers the duct H2 in the roller H, air can pass through the ducts H H2 in the roller H and the tube h2 into the pneumatic mechanism J5. Thereby the rollerv I is thrown out of gear, the roller H in gear, the valve N is opened, and the valve M is also opened. The opening of the valve N causes the opening of the valve E4 in the casing E2, and all valve mechanisms are again connected With the suction device. The opening of the valve M has no effect, as the tube cl2is still closed by the cock W. The note-sheet t is thus alternately unrolled from and rolled upon the roller H, and While the sheet is being rolled upon the roller H the valves of the pneumatic mechanisms can be operated, as they are connected With the suction device, and thus the instrument can play; but When the sheet is being unrolled from the roller H-that is, rerolled upon the roller I the valve mechanisms are cut out from the suction device, and the instrument does not play. This rolling and reroll'ing continues until the cock W is turned to right, whereby the tube CZ2is opened. As its end is held open by the valve M during playing, the instrument stops at once. If the valveW is turned to Stop While a melody is being played the sheet and other parts retain the positions they had at the time the cock W was turned. If, however, the cock W is turned to Stop While the note-sheet is being rerolled upon the roller I, the instrument does not stop until the sheet is entirely rerolled upon the roller I, for the reason that as soon as such rerolling begins the valve h closes the tube cl2, and thus the opening of the cock W has no effect. When the sheet is entirely rerolled, the duct H2 iu the roller H is uncovered, and the air entering through the same causes a reversing of the rock-bar L by means of the pneumatic mechanism, the valve h is raised, and the end of the tube d2 opened, and the instrument is stopped. A fresh music-roll can be inserted and the instrument again started by the turning of the cock IV to Play thereby closing the tube cl2, the end of which is held open by the valve h Whenever it is desired or necessary to reroll the sheet a after a greater or less part of it has been played, the reroll-cock JS is opened to the atmosphere. Thereby the pneumatic mechanism J 4 is operated and throws the rock-bar J into the position shown in Fig. G and the rerolling-roll in gear. The valves of the several pneumatic mechanisms are not operated now, as the valve N has been closed, the valve E4 also closed, and the suction requisite for the operating of these valve mechanisms has been cutoff. As soon as the sheet is entirely rerolled the rolling-gear is reversed autom atically,as stat-ed. The valves N' E4 are thereby opened and the instrument begins to play again unless the cock YV has been turned to Stop-that is, the tube d2 thereby opened. Vhenever certain passages or parts are to be automatically accentuated independently of or with the effect of the forte or piano pedals,the bar P must be shifted to bring the six holesj in the same to register with the six ducts lz. Thereby all the six controllers K' will be thrown in and remain active as long as the bar Pisin this position. Vhen this said effect is no longer desired, the bar P must be shifted to close the ducts 7L, as shown in Fig. ll. The said bar is shifted by means of the pneumatic mechanisms P, from which the tubes l'y 7a extend, to ducts j" in the tracker-bar, the note-sheet having corresponding holes. The same effect can be produced manually by means of the three- Way cocks S in the several tubes m, as has been stated. If desired,` the tube o instead of leading to a duct in the tracker-bar may be connected with a hollow bearing for the roller I, like the bearing for one end of the roller H, the roller I havingducts corresponding to the ducts H H2 in the roller I-I.

With the modified construction shown in Fig. 13 the sliding plate P and means for operating the same are dispensed with and the short ducts 7L in the tracker-board O are not provided. The pneumatic mechanisms l?" can act on the rocking bar P3 in the manner previously described to rock the same. A valve-plug U forms the pivot of the rocking bar PS and nts within a casing U. The six tubes B10, branching from the tubes B6 leading to the controllers K, lead to the casing U and are continued at the other side of the casing, as at U2, this continuation having open ends The plugUhas six transverse bores U4, which When the plug is in one position establish communication between the ends of the tubes B10 in the casing U and the open continuations U2 of said tubes B10. In the other position of the plug this communication is interrupted. I/Vhen all notes are to be accentuated-that is, played with more :force-a hole is so arranged in the musicsheet that at the proper time one of the pneumatic mechanisms P2 throws the rock-bar PS in such position as to establish communica- IOO IIO

tion between the tubes B10 and their continuations U2, so that atmospheric air can pass to all the controllers, whereby the valves ot` all the pneumatic key mechanisms are so actuated as to admit more compressed air t0 each pneumatic key mechanism. tVhen this accentuation is t-o cease, another hole in the note-sheet causes pneumatic mechanism P to throw the rocking barPS the other way, and thereby all tubes B10 are closed and any one note can be accentuated from the trackerboard in the mannerpreviousiy described. In the construction shown in Fig. 13 the valvecasings M and N and the valves therein are omitted and the tubes (Z2 and e2 extend to a casing V, in which a plug V is mounted to rock axially, which plug is attached to the rock-bar .I and forms a pivot for the same. The plug V has two transverse d ucts V2,which can establish communication between those ends of the tubes d2 c2 in the casing V and continuations e o of the tubes at the other side ot the casing, which continuations are open at their outer ends. For one position of the rock-bar .I both tubes (Z2 e2 are open, and for the other they are both closed. The eitect of opening or closing both tribes (Z2 and cL is the same as that previously described.

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

l. In a sel t-playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with a notesheet-rolling mechanism, of a reversing-gear for said sheet-rolling mechanism, pneumatic mechanism t'or operating the reversing-gear and means for controlling the pneumatic mechanism from a roller ot the sheet-rolling mechanism, substantially as herein shown and described.

v2. In a self-playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with a notesheet-rolling mechanism, of a reversiug-gear for said sheet-rolling mechanism, pneumatic mechanism for operating the reversing-gear and means for pneumatically controlling the reversing-gear from a roller of the sheet-rolling mechanism, substantially as herein shown and described.

3. In a self-playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with a notesheet-rolling mechanism, of a driving-gear, a reversing-gear and means for controlling the reversing-gear pneumatically from a roller of the sheet-rolling mechanism, substantially as herein shown and described.

4. In a self-playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with a notesheet-rolling mechanism, of a driving-gear, a reversing-gear, pneumatic mechanism for operating the reversing-gear and means for pneumatically controlling said reversing-gear from a roller of the sheet-rolling mechanism Aby the nnroiling of the sheet, substantially as herein shown and described.

5. In a self-playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with two note-- masse sheet rollers, one of said rollers having a duct extending' from one end of said roller to the surface of thc'roller, a driving-gear, a reversing-gear, pneumatic mechanism for operating the reversing-gear, and a pneumatic connection between the said pneumatic mechanism and the said duct in the roller, substantially as herein shown and described.

G. In a self-playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with two notesheet rollers, one of said rollers having a duct extending` from one end to the surface of the roller, a tubular bearing for that end of the roller having the duct, a driving-gear, a reversing-gear, pneumatic mechanism for operating the reversing-gear and a pneumatic connection between the said tubular bearing and the pneumatic mechanism for operating the reversing-gear, substantially as herein shown and described.

7. In a self-playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with two notesheet rollers, one of said rollers having a duct extending from one end to the surface of the roller, a spring-pressed tubular bearing for that end of the roller having the duct, a driving-gear, a reversing-gear, pneumatic mech* anism for operating the reversing-gear and a pneumatic connection between the said tubular bearing and the pneumatic mechanism for operating the reversing-gear, substantially as herein shown and described.

S. In a self-playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with two notesheet rollers, one ot said rollers having a duct extending from one end to the surface of the roller, a tubular spring-pressed bearing for one end of the said roller,a rotative bearing for the other end, a driving-gear, a reversinggear, pneumatic mechanism for operating the reversing-gear and a pneumatic connection between the said tubulaibearing and the pneumatic mechanism for operating the reversing-gear, substantially as herein shown and described.

9. In a selfeplaying attachment for musical instruments, the combination with a notesheet-rolling mechanism, of a driving-geari'or this rolling mechanism,a compressed-air-conducting tube, a valve in said tube, a suctiontube, a valve in said suction-tube, a revers'- iug--gear for the rolling mechanism, means operated with said reversing-gear for controlling the valves in the compressed-air tube and suction tubes and pneumatic mechanisms connected with said compressed-air tube and suction-tube, substantially as herein shown and described.

l0. In a self-playing attachment for ninsicai instruments,the combination with anotesheet-rolling mechanism, of a driving-gearfor this rolling mechanism, a compressed air tube, a valve in the same, a suction-tube, a valve in the same, a separate tube connected with the casing of each of said valves, a controlling-valve in the end of each of said tubes, a reversing-gear for the roller-driving mech- IIO anism, means connected with the reversinggear for actuating the valve in the ends of the said tubes and pneumatic mechanisms connected with the com pressed-air tube and the suction-tube, substantially as herein shown and described.

11. In a self-playing attachment for musical instruments the combination with a series of pneumatic mechanisms to be actuated by compressed air, of a valve on each pneumatic mechanism, means for moving said valves by suction, a compressed-airconducting tube, connected with the pneumatic mechanisms, a suction-tube connected with the valve mechanisms of said pneumatic mechanisms, avalvein the suction-tube, a Valve in the com pressed-air-condu cting tube, a note-sheetmoving mechanism, a driving-gear for the same, a reversing-gear and means connected with the reversing-gear for controlling the valves in the suction-tube and in the compressed-air-conducting tube, while reversing, substantially as herein shown and described.

12. In a self-playing attachment for musical instruments the combination with a tracker-bar having du cts and a chamber connected with each duct, of a tube extending to said chamber, a suction-tube and a compressed-air tube and a three-way cock connecting the tube extending to said chamber with the suction-tube and the compressed-air tube, substantially as herein shown and described.

13. In a self-playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with a tracker-bar having ducts and a chamber connected with said ducts, of means of drawing air from said chamber and means for conducting compressed air into said chamber, substantially as herein shown and described.

14. In a self-playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with a tracker-bar having ducts, of tubes connected with the ducts, a three-way cock connected with each of a series of suchtubes and means in such tubes, between the ends of trackerboard d ucts and the three-way cocks for closing such duet or tube connected therewith, substantially as herein shown and described.

15. In a self-playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with a tracker bar having duets, and additional ducts extending from the `lirst mentioned ducts, means for opening and closing said additional du cts automatically, substantially as herein shown and described.

1G. In a self-playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with a tracker-bar having d ucts and additional ducts extending' from the first-mentioned ducts, of means for opening and closing said additional ducts automatically by a note-sheet moved over the tracker-bar, substantially as herein shown and described.

17. In a self-playing attachment for musical instruments, the combination with a pedal-operating bar, of a pneumatic mechanism for operating` said bar, a tracker-bar, a tube extending from the said pneumatic mechanism to the tracker-bar and a three -way cock in said tube, substantially as herein shown and described.

1S. In a self-playing attachment 'for musical instruments, the combination with a series of pneumatic mechanisms to be operated by compressed air, of Valve mechanisms for said pneumatic mechanisms, means for operating said valves by suction, a compressedair-conducting tube, a valve-casing connected with said tube, a valve in said casing controlling said compressed-air-conducting tube, a suction-tube, a valve casing connected therewith, a valve in the same controlling the suction-tube, a note-sheet-rolling mechanism, a reversing-gear for the same, a tube connected with the valve-casing of the com* pressed-air tube, a tube connected with the valve-casing of the suctiontube and means for opening or closing said two tubes together autcmatically,which means are operated with the reversing-gear, substantially as herein shown and described.

Signed at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 9th day of March, A.. D. 1901.

HARRY M. SALYER.

Witnesses:

@scan F. GUNZ, N. M. FLANNERY.