US760884A - Mechanically-actuated organ. - Google Patents

Description

No. 760,884. PATENTBD MAY 24, 1904. G. I. D. LOOFP & P. A. KNAPP.

MEGHANICALLY AGTUATED ORGAN. APPLIOATION FILED 00124, 1902.

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G. I. D. LOOPFK: F.'A. KNAPP. I MEGHANIGALLY ACTUATED ORGAN.

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TF7 FF A rromve UNITED: STATES Patented May 24, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES I. D. LOOFF AND FREDERICK A. KNAPP, OF BROOKLYN,

, NEWV YORK.

MECHANlCALLY-ACTUATED ORGAN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 760,884, dated May 24, 1904. Application filed October 4, 1902; SerialNo.125,Q56. (N0 model.)

To a, whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, CHARLES I. D. LOOFF and FREDERICK A. KNAPP, both citizens of the United States, and residents of -the city of New York, borough of Brooklyn, in the change of note-sheet, the organ being more es-- pecially designed for use on merry-go-rounds and in halls, pleasure-grounds, and other places of amusement. 7

The invention consists of novel features and parts and combinations of the same, as will be more fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the claims. v

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a transverse section of the-improvement on line 1 1 of Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse section of the same on the line 2 2 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a frontelevation of the improvement, the casing and main shaft being shown in section. Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-section of the wind-chest and the device for actuating the wind-chest valve, and Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the shiftingcam for the carriage and the arrangement of the series of rows of notes on the note-sheet.

In a suitably-constructed casing A is journaled the main shaft B, extending transversely and carrying at one end a crank O or other means for imparting a continuous rotary motion to the shaft B either by hand or by. power. On the shaft B, within the-casing A, is socured a bevel gear-wheel D, in mesh with a bevel gear-wheel D, secured on one end of a the main shaft B. Thus when the main shaft B is rotated a rotary motion is given by the gear-wheels D and D to the roller E, and the latter by the gear-wheels 1) and D rotates the shaft B. I Y

Over the roller E passes an endless notesheet F, also passing over rollers E and E journaled within the casing A, as plainly indicated in Fig. 1, the roller E being located a distance in the rear of the roller E, so that the'note-sheet F extends horizontally from the roller E to the roller E, and over this horizontal portion are arranged levers G, provided at their forward ends with points G, adapted to fall into the notes formed on the sheet F in the shape of slots or the like, as indicated in the drawings. The levers G are located one alongside the other and extend transversely and are pressed on-by springs G so as to cause the forward or point ends of the levers to swing downward when a point G registers with a note on the note-sheet. The levers G are fulcrumed on a carriage H, mounted to slide across the sheet F in the direction of its width for the purpose hereinafter more fully described, and the rear end of each lever G carries the stem 1 of a valve I, controlling a valve-seat J, connecting a pressure-chamber J with an air-chamber K, having an opening K leading to the atmosphere, thesaid opening K being controlled by a valve 1 held on the stem Iof'the valve I. The pressure-chamber J is connected by a duct J 2 with a wind-chest L, having valves L, controlling openings L leading to chambers N, connected with individual sounding devices O, formed of pipes or the like, as indicated in Fig. 1. Each air-chamber K connects by a duct or pipe P with a diaphragm-chamber P, (see Figs. 1 and 4,) containing a diaphragm P of leather or other suitable flexible material, and on the under side of this diaphragm P rests the head or button Q, of a rod Q, mounted to slide in a suitable bearing arranged in the top of the chamber N, the lower end of the said rod Q, engaging the top of the valve L, normally held to its seat by a spring L to close the opening L The wind chest L is supplied with air by a pipe R from a bellows R, connected by links H with cranks B on the shafts B and B, so that when the latter are rotated, as previously described, the bellows R is actuated to pump air into the wind-chest L.

Now when the instrument is in use and the several parts are in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 4 and a swinging motion is given to a lever Gr by its spring G at the time its point G registers with a note in the notesheet F then the valve-stem I moves the valve I from its seat J and moves the valve 1 onto the opening K to close the air-chamber K to the atmosphere and to connect the said chamber with the pressure-chamber J. Now air from the wind-chest L passes by the duct J 2 to the pressure-chamber J and through the seat J into the chamber K through the pipe I and the diaphragm-chamber P to force the diaphragm P therein downward, thereby moving the rod Q, in a like direction to swing the wind-chest valve L open and connect the wind-chest L with the corresponding chamber N to sound the sounding device 0 corresponding to the lever (Jr actuated at the time. As the note-sheet F travels on, the point G is forced upward on reaching the end wall of the note, so that the lever G moves back to its former position and in doing so moves the valve I into a closed position on the valve-seat J and the valve 1 into an open position relative to the opening K, so that the chambers J and K are disconnected from each other and the air from the chamber K exhausts by the opening K to the atmosphere. The diaphragm P is by this arrangement relieved of pressure within the chamber 1 and consequently the spring L closes the valve L and in doing so the valve pushes the rod Q upward, thus moving the diaphragm P back into its former uppermost position. (Indicated in Figs. 1 and 4:.)

The note-sheet F is provided with a series ofrows of notes F, F F, F, F F, F, and F, forming a plurality of pieces of music, preferably of different characters, the rows being arranged consecutively and the pieces of music forming the said plurality being arranged in a different playing order from the consecutive arrangement of the series of rows. Now in order to bring the points G and levers G in alinement with the rows of notes for each piece of music it is necessary to shift the levers relative to the sheet F, and for this purpose the carriage H, carrying the levers G, is made to slide in the direction of the width of the note-sheet F. The carriage H is provided at one end with rods H and H and is mounted to swing at its rear end on a rod H,

carried by the casing A. (See Fig. 1.) A spring H bears against the end of the carriage opposite that from which the rods H and H project, as shown in Fig. 3, to force the carriage in the direction of the arrow (0. The rod H engages the peripheral surface of a cam S at the top thereof, while the end of the rod H engages the face of a cam S, rotating in unison with the cam S, the said cams S and S being preferably fastened together and journaled on a pin S carried by the casing A. The cams S and S receive an intermittentrotary motion controlled by the note-sheet F, and for this purpose the following mechanism is provided: On one of the cams S or S is secured a ratchet-wheel T, engaged by the hinged end T of a pawl T fulcrumed at T" on the casing A and normally held in an uppermost position by the action of a spring T". (See Fig. 2.) An upward swinging motion is given to the pawl T by a cam T", secured on the shaft B, so as to cause the pawl T to impart an intermittent turning motion to the ratchet-wheel T and the cams S and S. In order to swing the pawl T downward at the proper time, the following device is provided: The pawl T is connected with a pneumatic U, secured to the casing A, the pneumatic being connected by a pipe U with an eXhaust-chamberV, having a valve-seat V opening into the pressure-chamber J, previously described, the said exhaust-chamber also having an opening V leading to the atmosphere. The valve-seat V is controlled by a valve W, secured on a valve-stem WV, also carrying a valve W for closing the opening V at the time the valve W moves off its seat V to connect the chambers J and V with each other. The valve-stem W is connected with a lever G similar to the levers G, and pressed on by a spring Gr to engage its point G" with one of a series of notes F formed on one end of the note-sheet F and separate from the notes F, F F, F", F, F", F, and F", previously described. Normally the valves IV. and WV are in the position shown in Fig. 2; but when the point G5 drops into a note F and the spring Gr imparts a swinging motion to the lever G" then the latter causes the stem W to move the valve W off the valve-seat V and to move the valve W 2 into a closed position to disconnect the exhaustchamber V from the atmosphere. Air from the pressurechamber J now passes through the opening V into the chamber V and from the latter by the pipe or duet U into the pneumatic U to impart a swinging motion to the pawl T, so that the hinged end T thereof engages the next following tooth of the ratchet wheel T and at the same time the pawl T places the spring T under tension. N ow when the point G moves out of a note F the lever e is returned to its former position, the valve IV is moved to its seat V, and the valve 'W 2 again moves into an open position to allow the air to escape from the chamber V and pneumatic U, and the pawl T by the action of the the note sheet F have their notes arranged in' cam T imparts a rotary motion to the ratchetwheelT, and consequently to the cams S and S. Now when the cams S and S are turned by the pawl T, as described, then the carriage H and the levers Gr and G thereon are lifted upward by the action of the rod H on the cam S to disengage the points G and G from the notespring H the carriage is shifted in both directionsthat is, say, first from the left to the right and then from the right to the left--and step by step, so as to bring the points G in regl ister with all the rows of notes in the note-sheet.

In order to accomplish this result, the carriage of notes F and the sheet- F has made a complete revolution then the cam S shifts the carriage so as to bring the points G in alinement with the rows of notes F and after this piece of music has been played and the note-sheet;

F has made anotherrevolution then a further shifting of the carriage H takes place by the action of the cam S to bring the points G in alinement with the rows of notes F On the next shifting of the carriage the points G are brought in register with the rows of notes and on the first shifting, of the carriage the. points G are brought in register with the rows of notes F, on the next shifting with the rows of notes F then with therows of notes F and finally the points Gr are brought back to the first row of notes F, and then the above-described operation is repeated. From this it will be seen that the plurality of pieces of music on series of rows, the rows being arranged consecutively and the pieces of music forming the said plurality being arranged in a-diffen ent playing order from the consecutive-arrangement of the series of rows.

arrangement described the single music-sheet essary to frequently replace the note-sheet,

as is the case with self-playing instruments as heretofore constructed.

It is understood that each 'ofthe cams S and S is provided with alternately-arranged inclined and straight surfaces, the inclines of the cam S registering with the straight faces of the cam S and the inclinesof the cam S- Now by the j registering with the straight faces of the cam S. Thus while the. carriage H is lifted by the cam S therod H engages with its ends the straight faces of the cam S, and when the rod H rests onthe straight peripheral portions of the cam S then the rod H is engaged by the inclines of the cam S to shift the carriage H acrossthe sheet F and bring the points G to the desired position relative to the rows of notes, as above described, and when this has been accomplished the carriage H is again lowered.v by the action of the following inclines of the cam S acting on the rod H. When the carriage H has finally reached its lowermost position, the intermittent rotary motion of the cams and the actuating ratchetwheel T ceases, and the carriage H, remains in this position until the next piece of music has been played that is, .until the sheet F has completed its revolution. H is shifted in such a manner that when the 1 points G are first in alinement with the rows 2 Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1 l. A music-sheet having several series of note characters representing respectively different tunes, anda musical instrument having sounding devices controlled by the music-sheet and having a 'stepby-s tep shifting mechanism-acting in both directions relative to the width of the ,music-sheet, for executing the pieces of music-in both directions, as set forth.

2. 'A musical instrument having a traveling note-sheet, spring-pressed levers controlled by the notes on the note-sheet, pneumatic controlling devices, actuated by the said levers, sounding devices controlled by the said pneumatic controlling devices, and a shifting mechanism acting in both directions relative to the width of the music-sheet, asset forth.

3. A musical instrument havinga traveling note-sheet provided'with series of rows of notes, a carriage slidable transversely of the note-sheet, springpressed levers fulcrumed on the carriage and controlled-by the notes vices actuated bythe said levers, a wind-chest having connection with bellows and having its valvescontrolled by the controlling devices, and sounding devices controlled by the said wind-chest, as set forth.

.4. A musical instrument having a controlling device for a wind-chest Valve, comprising an air-pressure chamber connected with a pressure-supply, such as the wind-chest, an air-chamber communicating with the pressure-chamber and having an opening to the atmosphere, valves, one for controlling the communication between the said air-chamber and the pressure-chamber and the other for closing the opening of the air-chamber, means for operating the said valves, a diaphragmchamber connected with the air-chamber and containinga diaphragm, and a connection between the diaphragm and the wind-chest Valve, as set forth.

5. In a musical instrument, a wind-chest, a sounding device, a valve for controlling the admission of air to the sounding device from said chest, an air-pressure chamber, a duct connecting the pressure-chamber with the wind-chest, an air-chamber having an opening communicating with the pressure-chamber and an opening leading to the atmosphere, valves, one for controlling the opening establishing communication between the pressurechamber and air-chamber and the other for controlling the opening of the air-chamber leading to the atmosphere, the valves being arranged on a stem one below the other, a notesheet, levers controlled by the note indications of the said sheet and with which the stem of the said valves is connected, a diaphragmchamber, a duct connecting the diaphragmchamber with the air-chamber, a diaphragm in said chamber, and a rod connecting the valve of the wind-chest with the diaphragm, as set forth.

6. A musical instrument having a traveling note-sheet provided with series of rows of notes, a carriage slidable transversely of the sheet, spring-pressed levers fulcrumed on the carriage and controlled by the notes on the said note-sheet, pneumatic controlling devices controlled by the said levers and controlling the sounding devices, and shifting means for automatically shifting the carriage, to bring the levers successively in alinement with the different series of rows of notes on the notesheet, as set forth.

7. A musical instrument having a traveling note-sheet provided with series of rows of notes, a carriage slidable transversely of the sheet, spring-pressed levers fulcrumed on the carriage and controlled by the notes on the said note-sheet, pneumatic controlling devices controlled by the said levers and controlling the sounding devices, and shifting means for automatically shifting the carriage, to bring the levers successively in alinement with the different series of rows of notes on the notesheet, the said shifting means being arranged to move the carriage step by step in both directions relative to the width of the music- .sheet, as set forth.

8. A musical instrument having atraveling note sheet provided with series of rows of notes, a carriage slidable transversely of the sheet, spring-pressed levers fulcrumed on the carriage and controlled by the notes on the said note-sheet, pneumatic controlling devices actuated by the said levers and controlling the sounding devices, and shifting means for automatically shifting the carriage, to bring the levers successively in alinement with the different series of rows of notes on the noteshcet, the said shifting means being arranged to move the carriage step by step in both directions relative to the width of the musicsheet, the said shifting means comprising two cams engaging the carriage, one for lifting the carriage and its levers and the other for moving the carriage lengthwise, as set forth.

9. A musical instrument having a traveling note-sheet provided with series of rows of notes, a carriage slidable transversely of the sheet, spring-pressed levers fulcrumed on the carriage and controlled by the notes on the said note-sheet, pneumatic controlling devices actuated by the said levers and controlling the sounding devices, shifting means for automatically shifting the carriage, to bring the levers successively in alinement with the different series of rows of notes on the note-sheet, the said shifting means being arranged to move the carriage step by step in both directions relative to the width of the music-sheet, the said shifting means comprising two cams engaging the carriage, one for lifting the carriage and its levers and the other for moving the carriage lengthwise, and cam-actuating means for intermittently rotating the cams, controlled from the note-sheet, as set forth.

10. A musical instrument having a traveling note-sheet provided with series of rows of notes, a carriage slidable transversely of the sheet, spring-pressed levers fulcrumed on the carriage and controlled by the notes on the said note-sheet, pneumatic controlling devices controlled by the said levers and control ling the sounding devices, shifting means for automatically shifting the carriage, to bring the levers successively in alinement with the different series of rows of notes on the notesheet, the said shifting means being arranged to move the carriage step by step in both directions relative to the width of the musicsheet, the said shifting means comprising two cams engaging the carriage, one for lifting the carriage and its levers and the other for moving the carriage lengthwise, and cam-a6- -tuating means for intermittently rotating the cams, controlled from the note-sheet, the said cam-actuating means comprising a ratchetwheel, a pawl for the same, a pneumatic on the pawl and having connection with an airchamber, a pressure-chamber, a valve mechanism for connecting the chambers with each other and for closing the air-chamber to the atmosphere, and a lever connected with the said valve mechanism and controlled by the note-sheet, as set forth.

11. A musical instrument having a carriage carrying note-sheet levers, and means for supporting and shifting the carriage, said means comprising a face-cam and a peripheral cam, both cams rotating in unison, the cams being engaged by arms on the carriage, as set forth.

12. A musical instrument having a carriage carrying note-sheet levers, means for supporting and shifting the carriage, said means comprising a face-cam and a peripheral cam, both cams rotating in unison, the cams being ongaged by arms on the carriage, and means for imparting an intermittent rotary motion to the said cams from the note-sheet, as set forth.

IIO

13. A musical instrument having a carriage carrying note-sheet levers, means for supporting and shifting the carriage, said means comprising a face-cam and a peripheral cam, both cams rotating in unison, the cams being engaged by arms on the carriage, and means for imparting an intermittent rotary motion to the said cams from the note-sheet, the said means comprising a ratchet-wheel on the cams,

a pawl for the ratchet-Wheel, a pneumatic on the pawl, an air-chamber open to the atmosphere and connected with the pneumatic, a pressure chamber connected with the airchamber, a valve mechanism for controlling the connection between the chambers, and a lever on the carriage, engaging the said valve mechanism, the lever being controlled by the note-sheet, as set forth.

In testimony whereof We have signed our names to this specification in the presence of 20 two subscribing Witnesses.

CHARLES I. D. LOOFF. FREDERICK A. KNAPP. Witnesses:

THEo. G. HosTER, EVERARD BOLTON MARSHALL.

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