US768414A - Automatic musical instrument. - Google Patents

Description

No. 768,414. PATENTED AUG. 23, 1904.

P. WELIN.

AUTGMATIG MUSICAL INSTRUMENT. APPLIUATION FILED AUG. s, 1899.

62h /fQ/Q,

No. 768,414. PATENTEI) AUG. 23, 1904. P. WELIN. AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 3, 1899.

lN0 MODEL. 7 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

, l b VVITNESSES Q01/mf,

VENTDR PATENTED AUG. 23, 1904.

'7 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

P. WELIN. AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 3. 1899.

No MODEL.

No. 768,414. PATENTBD AUG. z3, 1904.1,

P. WBLIN.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT APPLICATION FILED 4116.3, 1899.

PATENTBD AUG. 23, 1904.

P. WBLIN. AUTOMATIC MUSICALy INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 3. 1899.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

N0 MODEL.

gigi/ENTE:

EESES VVITN @i 7 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

PATENTED AUG. 23, 1904.

P. WBLIN.

...AMV

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 3, 1899.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

No MODEL.

im INVENTCIR @a h.; Q.

WITNESSES QWMW No. 763,414. PATENTED AUG. 2.\ 904.

P. WBLIN. I AUTOMATIGMUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLIOATIN FILED AG.3,1899. v N0 MODEL. 7 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

I NVE NTUFQ Wwf- UNITED STATES Patented August 23, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

PETER WELIN, OF VV'ORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE AEOLIAN COMPANY, OF NEV YORK, N. Y., A

CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

SPECTFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 768,414, dated August 23, 1904.

Application filed August 3, 1899. Serial No. 726,043. ilo model.)

T (LZ/Z wimm/ it may concern:

Be it known that I, PETER IVELIN, of IVorce-ster, in the county of I/Vorcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic `Musical Instruments such as Pianolas, Sac., of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in automatic or self-playing instruments commonly called pianolas piano-players, and the like, which are arranged to be operated by a perforated music-sheet controlling suitable fingers or levers actuated by pneumatics to operate the keys of the pianoforte or other similar keyboard musical instrument,

l by which means a musical composition can be played in accordance with the perforations in the music-sheet- The novel features of the invention relate mainly to improved means for providingdifferent wind-pressures for use at will, also means for applying different wind-pressures to diierent parts of the keyboard so that some notes may be sounded more loudly than others. also certain improved means of effecting and controlling' the differences in expression, also means for retracting the projecting` ends of the striking-levers when the instrument is not in use, all of which will hereinafter be' described in connection with the preferred form of the apparatus, and thereafter the novel features which I desire to claim will be enumer ated in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a central vertical section on the plane l l of Fig. 3, showing a portion of piano in full in its operative relation to the apparatus. F ig. 2 is a horizontal section through the casing of the instrument in the plane above the striking-levers, some portions of the casing being broken away to show details beneath. Fig. 3 is a partial front elevation, partly broken away,

and partly in section to show details. Fig. 4

show details.

per portion of the instrument with the casing in vertical section and some of the parts broken out or in section to show details. Fig.

6 is a horizontal cross-section on the plane 6 6 of Fig. l. Figs. 7 and 8 show details as will be hereafter understood. Fig. 9 is a front to rear vertical section on two planes, the upper part of the instrument being sectioned near the left-hand end of the instrument and the lower parts being sectioned on the plane near the right-hand end of the instrument through the equalizer T3.

In the drawings, A represents a lower casing having a front l5, a back C, ends or sides D, and bottom E, which have feet or knobs o for it to rest on the floor and to which casing is permanently secured the main bellows, reservoir, or equalizer F, its movable board being hinged to the lower end or edge of the wind-chest H, having a wind-chest chamber J, which chest is also secured to the casing. To the top of the wind-chest is secured a horizontal board K. L L are the two eXhausters for the bellows, and they are hung at Z to the wind-chest to be moved back and forth for the exhaustion of air from the bellows and wind-chest chamber J, as usual in exhausters. At the lower end of each exhauster near its middle portion is secured one arm, e, of a rightangular bar M, its other arm, f, extending under the bellows toward the front of the instrument and having pivoted to it at g one 8O end of a bar or rod N, which at its other end is pivoted at /L to the under side of a pedal P near its inner end, the outer end of the pedal being pivoted at m to a board Q, pivoted at a to a rod or link R, pivoted to the front 0f 85 the casing at '/in an opening S and the board having knobs z5 for it to rest on the fioor, and, as shown in Fig. l, it is swung down and eX- tending out in front of the instrument in proper position for operation of the pedals loya persons feet, there being one pedal and its connections to each exhauster. These parts are well known.

The board Q with the pedals P pivoted to it and other operating parts connecting' the 95 pedals with the exhausters are so pivoted and connected together that the board can be swung up and down with the pedals and operating parts, and when down, as shown in Fig. 1, the pedals are in position for operating the exhausters, and when swung' up, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, the pedals and operating parts will be inside of the casing out of the way and sight, and the board Q will close the opening S in front of the casing, it having its outer side u finished to correspond to the finish of the casing around and about theA opening and making a complete finish of the casing.

The bellows, wind-chest, and exhausters and parts connected thereto for operation thereof are constructed and arranged for the exhaustion of the bellows,as usual in such bellows, and as is well known in reed-organs and similar musical instruments and needing no more particular description herein.

T is the action-case, which contains and supports the action-work of the instrument, and this case is smaller in cross-section than the lower casing, so it can freely fit and be moved up and down therein within certain limits, and U is another outer casing having a cover or top V, which is hinged at two places v to the casing U to swing' back and over in order to expose the upper parts of the mechanism. This casing U extends down over the actioncase and a short distance below the upper edge of the lower casing, as shown in crosssection in Figs. l and 9 more particularly. From the bottom board WV of the action-case T the sides w and ends y are made to extend downward freely over the edges of the top board K of the wind-chest around and about the bellows, as shown in Figs. l, 4, 5, 6, and 9, leaving a space or chamber B between the two, and the edges of the wind-chest board and the lower edges rt of the downward extension of the action-case are connected together all around by a sheet A' of flexible material, such as leather, which makes a close and a iiexible and extensible joint between the wind-chest board K and action-case T, so that the action-case can be moved up and down, as desired, and yet maintain a close and air-tight connection between the two to make an air-tight chamber B between them. This chamber B is an air or wind chamber or passage in connection with the wind-chest chamber J, and it has communication therewith by a passage through the board K. The action-case T is guided in its movements by a tongue e on its end uprights running, respectively, in a groove f in the lower casing, (see Figs. 2 and 3 more particularly,) and .when at the desired height it is secured in position by screws g. This iexible-sheet connection A between the lower casing and the action-case is for the purpose of allowing the action-case to be moved up and down within the lower or outer casing and yet maintain an air-tight connection between the two and so that the fingers C of the action-case which a'ct upon the keys D of the pianoforte can be adapted to varying heights of the keyboards of pianofortes of different manufacturers, which vary considerably for their proper action thereon, the bellows and its connecting parts being stationary for the pedals to always maintain the same relation to the Hoor for their proper operation by the persons feet.

E is the tracker or raceway board, over the upper surface 7L of which travels the perforated music-sheet F from the music-roll G to the take-up roll H in the operation of the instrument. The tracker-board is secured to a horizontal tracker duct-board J of the action-case, and it has a row of air ducts or passages K in its length opening to its upper surface 72,', each of which exten ds down through the tracker-board into a horizontal passage m in the horizontal tracker duct-board and then down through the front board M, as at n', and horizontally backward a short distance in a bottom board i as at o", and turning upward open to the upper surface of the board N as shown more particularly in Fig. l in cross-section.

The opening of the passage fr in the board N is enlarged at its upper surface, and to the board over this enlargedopening is secured a flexible sheet or diaphragm zt of leather, which` closes the opening and passage r to air passing therethrough. The usual leak-hole or bleedhole should of course be provided, as seen in Fig. l. phragm are two valves P Q, secured together by acentral stem or rod, one valve, P, beingin the wind chest or chamber R between the board N and another board or partition, S, above it, the stem of the valve extending through a hole or passage w in the board S, the other valve, Q', being above the board S, the two valves acting to alternately close and open communication between the duct (r2 and either the atmosphere above or the chamber R below the board S, the stem also serving' as a guide to the movements of the valves. The hole w' is of a diameter large enough to allow the free passage of air through the hole around and about the stem and yet of small enough diameter to serve as a guide for the stem.

In the board S is horizontal air-passage a2, leading from the side of the hole w, which extends back, then up a short distance, as at 7), in a back board T of the action-case, then out at its rear side and communicating by an air-passage Z2 in the stationary board of an upright secondary pneumatic U, secured to the back board T with the chamber of the pneumatic. The movable board of this pneumatic has an upwardly-extending arm V, to which is attached one end of a horizontal rod e2, which extends rearward through an opening or air-passage f2 in the upright board T Resting on the knob u of this dia- Iool TIO

and through a passage g2, makinga continuation of the same in a horizontal partition lV', secured to the back board T, the rod extending' beyond the board 7 and through an ear piece stationary board A2 of a larger or striking pneumatic B2, secured by such board to the under side of the horizontal board WV. Attached to this rod e2 are two valves C2 D2, one, C2, on the outside of the back board T and arranged to close the opening or passage f2 in the back-board, and the other, D2, on the inner end of the rod e2, arranged to open and close the inner end of the passage g2 in the board W. A passage /12 through the lower side of the board WT and board A2 of the pneumatic B2 forms communication between the air-passage g2 and chamber of pneumatic B2.

The movable board of the pneumatic B2 has an extension-arm r2, to which is secured by buttons the lower end of an upright rod cu2, which at its upper end is connected by buttons o2 to one end of ahorizontal key-striking lever or finger C, pivoted at 1,02 to cross-bar E2 on the upper side of the action-case, its other end or arm projecting outward through an opening F2 in the rear wall of the actioncase in position to be just over one of the keys D of the pianoforte when the instrument is placed in front thereof and adjusted by the. means already described to the proper height for the key, as shown in Figs. l and 2 more particularly.

The fingers C which are over and operate the white keys of the pianoforte have their fulcrums in one line in the bar E2, and the fingers which are over and operate the black keys being longer, because the black keys are farther back, have their fulcrums in the bar E2 farther forward. On the underside of the outer end of each linger is secured a block o2, having its outer side curved, as shown, and covered with a thickness of leather or other suitable soft material to prevent noise when striking or pushing down the pianoforte-keys. The black keys being higher than the white keys, with the fingers all in the same horizontal plane, the blocks for such fingers are thinner, as shown in Fig. l more particularly. Each finger or lever C is made in two parts and pivoted together at b2, so when not in use the outer arm can be swung down or folded so as to retract it into the casing out of the way. The outer arm has a shoulder e2 to abut against the other arm when in its proper position for action on the pianoforte-keys to prevent further upward movement of the finger and to make the finger practically rigid, all as shown in Fig. l more particularly. There is also a lid or cover G2 at the back below the opening F2, pivoted atf3 to the casing A, which can be swung down when desirous of getting at some of the works.

The take-up roll H is in front of the tracker or raceway and is arranged to turn in beari from and to engage with a shaft L2. or guide V, secured on the upper side of the ings f/2, secured to the cross upright boards or partitions H2 J2, and the music-roll G' is arranged to be put in place and removed there- Ou this shaft L2 is a loose pulley M2, which connects by a belt N2 with a pulley P2, secured to the shaft U2, and projecting' from the side of this loose pulley M2 is a pin f2, which is at the same radialfdistance from the shaft L2 as a side projecting pin '11,2 of a disk R2 on the rod-shaft L2, so that if the pulley is moved along its shaft toward and up to the disk and the pulley is turned it will by its pin 252 engaging with the pin u2 of the shaft-disk R2 turn its shaft and the music-roll; but when moved away into the position shown in Figs. 4 and 5 it will have no effect upon the music-roll shaft. This pulley and shaft and clutch connection is for the purpose of rewinding the music-sheet upon the music-roll after ithas been unwound therefrom and wound upon the take-up roll in playing the instrument.

On the shaft of the take-up roll at one end is secured a gear S2, which is arranged to engage with the small gear T2, slidably secured on the end of the shaft U2, and arranged to rotate with a sleeve V2 in a bearing in the framework, which shaft U2 is the drivingshaft of the inotor l2 for operation of the music-rolls, as is well understood in this art without further detail, the motor being constructed and arranged for operation substantially as usual in air-motors constructed of bellows, as is well known in many mechanical musical instruments operated by a perforated music-sheet and needing no more particular description herein.

Each air-duct in the vertical tracker-board E' communicates with a separate primary-pneumatic valve P, separate pneumatic U', and pneumatic B2, with accompanying valves and air-passag'es as herein described for one airduct; but as the air-ducts are quite small and close together in one line and as the pneumatics are necessarily much wider in order to get them all in proper position for operation the series of pneumatics are arranged in series of five horizontal rows, as shown in Figs. l, 3, 4, and one above the other, on the back of the board, each in vertical line with its respective valves and pneumatics, the air-passages a in the front board M, leading from the horizontal passages m', diverge fromthe central vertical line of the raceway each side in order to communicate with their proper air-passage fr' in the lower board N', as shownmore particularly in Fig. 3.

So far described the instrument can operate the keys of a pianoforte to play any composition arranged in the perforated music-sheet. This is accomplished as follows: The instrument having been first adjusted as to the height of the fingers from the floor to correspond to the height of the keys of the pianoforte which it is to operate by moving the IOO action-case up or down correspondingly, and then securing it in such position by the screw g', is placed in front of the pianoforte with its fingers in proper position over the pianoforte-keys so that the finger-blocks liust rest on or touch the keys. as shown in Figs. l and 2, and the bellows being then operated by the pedals air will be exhausted from the windchest and the chambers of the action.

Vhile the unperforated portion of the music-sheet passes over the tracker-board or raceway the action of the instrument is not in operation, although the take-up roll will be turned to draw the music-sheet over the raceway: but as a perforation comes over any one of the air-ducts K in the tracker-board E immediately air will pass down throug'h it into the passage K, down it through the passages 021/, a, and fr', and against the und er side of the valve-diaphragm z5', and from its pressure thereon will raise it and the primary valves P Q, connected thereto, the space or chamber above the board being open to the outside air, the valve P/ closing the opening w into passage a3 in the board, which passage is then open to the air from the outside through the upper part of the opening w by the raising of the primary valve Q. Immediately air passes into the passage a3 and from it into the Vertical pneumatic Ul on the uprig'ht or rear board, inflating the same, which pulls the rod @3 and its two valves C3 and D3, which, respectively, open the passage f3 and close the end of air-passag'es g3, when air from the pneumatic `B2 will pass through its opening' /i3 out through the passages g3 and f3 to the chamber to the exhaust-bellows, which closes the pneumatic B3, raising' its movable board and through its rod a2, connected to its linger G, causes the finger to strike the key of the pianoforte under it andsound the note to such key, and as soon as the'unperforated portion of the music-sheet is over the air-duct air is prevented from entering the saine, when all the pneumatics, valves, &c., in connection therewith return, as usual, in well-known manner to their normal positions, ready for operation as before when another perforation comes over the air-duct.

.c In order to give expression to music played by the pianoforte with this instrument-such as soft and loud, retards and accelerations,

` crescendos and diminuendos, &c.-means are employed in connection with the instrument so far described for such purpose as will now be described.

Secured to the main wind-chest at its forward side and beside the main bellows, Figs. ,3, ,6, and 7, is a valve-box F3, having air-passages ef, and g3, one, e", opening' to the outside air, the other, f3, communicating with the Wind-chest, andv the third, g3, communieating with the small bellows G3, secured t-o the wind-chest at the side of the main bellows. (See Figs. 6 and 7.) In the chamber I7"* in this box, communicating with each of these air-passages, is a valve H3.over the ends of the same and which is of a Width or length to fully cover one of these air-passages, but not to cover any two at the same time, and it is arranged to slide up and down in suitable grooves in the sides of the box, its position as shown in Fig. 7 being its normal position, and for the operation of the same a rod J3, pivoted to the valve, extends upward and connects at fr* to one end of a lever L3, pivoted at 253 to a support beneath the horizontal tracker duct-board J its other end, if, being' under a push-button M3 in an opening in the horizontal board and projecting up through the board a short distance, as shown in Fig'. 3, in front of the take-up roll convenient for operation thereof by hand.

N3 is a horizontal lever pivoted between two lugs at e3, secured to the front of the windchest above the main bellows, its two arms P3 Q3 extending, respectively, over the main bellows and the ,small bellows G3, the end of arm P3 being in the line of travel of a vertical arm R3 of the main bellows and the end of the other arm, Q3, being in line of travel of a vertical arm S3 of the small bellows G3. The operation of this small bellows and lever is substantially as follows: If desirous of striking a key forcibly and suddenly at any time, push the button M3 down` which will through its lever L3 and rod J3 move the valve H3 up and close the air-passage e3, leading' to the outside, and open the air-passage g3 to the bellows G3, and air will pass from the bellows through passage g3, through chamber f3, into thc wind-chest, quickly closing the bellows G3. by which itsarm Q3 will quickly and forcibly strike and move the lever N3 on its pivot and cause its end P3 to operate upon the main bellows to open it and increase the air-tension to g'ivea stronger blow on the pianofortekeys. The push-button being allowed to rise, the valve H3 is moved down, andthe bellows G3 is opened by a supply of air through the passage c" from the outside.

T3 is a bellows secured to the wind-chest at the side of the bellows G3, which serves as a regulator for the passage of air. Its movable board 'w3 has in the bellows-chamber a valve U3,secured to a screw a3, which screws through the board w3 for the valve to be over an opening Z3 from the bellows to wind-chest chainber V3, (see Figs. 6 and 9,) which is in free comn'iunication with the main chamber of the wind-chest, and from this chamber an indiarubber tubef5 extends and connects with a passage g`3, (see Figs. 5 and 9,) which communicates with a passage 7b3 in the top board m3 of the action-case andv then opens into a chamber a3 in a box l T3, secured to the board m3.

The india-rubber tube passes through the chamber B/ and is to maintain at all times a close and air-tight connection between the passage and chamber V3, so that as the ac- IOO IIO

tion-case is moved up and down in setting the instrument to a pianoforte the passage for air therethrough will be continuous and constant from the chamber through the indiarubber tube to the chamber a" above. Another tube tf extends from the primary-pneumatic chamber, in which are located the diaphragms t, up to and connects with a horizontal passage ai, opening into another chamber if in the box W3. On top of this box is a pneumatic C", which has two openings a into chambers n and @5, respectively, of box W3. Over the openings a is a valve D4, secured to a screw CZ, screwing through the movable board of the pneumatic, and Ei is a valve over the opening b to the'chamber @5.

An arm a is connected to the valve E* inside the pneumatic, and against it bears an arm f, pivoted at g on the box VW, and extending outside is connected at 7L to an arm of a rod fm?, extending downward, then sidewise to and is connected with a handle F4. The rod m6 continues beyond the handle Fi and is pivoted at ato the board, then extending upward, Figs. 2, 3, a short distance, and pivoted to a link r9, connected to one arm of abellcrank lever G4, pivoted at 25 to a support.

The function of the pneumatic C1 is to restrict the opening e by means of the valve D4, so that the pressure for operating the primary pneumatics will never exceed that which causes the closing of the valve Dl by the collapse of the regulating-pneumatic C3. rlhe purpose of this is to prevent the whistling noise made by the wind passing through the perforated sheet when too great pressure is used in the primary-pneumatic chamber. Closing of the valve Ei by entirely shutting off the suction from the primary-pneumatic chamber prevents the operation of the pneumatics during the rewinding of the music.

The regulator-bellows T3 is for the purpose of controlling the speed of the motor, so-that it will not vary with the variations of pressure in the main wind-chest, as is well understood in the art, the chamber V being connected with the passage m7, (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5,) so that the air is exhausted from the passage m7 directly to the regulator-bellows T3 and thence under the control of the valve U3 into the wind-chest.

The chamber in which are located the vertical or secondary pneumatics U is divided vertically into four or five compartments by partitions H, having in each compartment twelve pneumatics representing an octave, and in each of these compartments, secured to the bottom board N, is a horizontal pneumatic Ji, having an extension a to its movable board, to which is attached valve K", disposed over and adapted to close as nearly as desired a hole L4 through the board N, communicating with the chamber M* below it, which communicates with the wind-chest chamber. 1n Fig. 4 there is indicated a partition H4 in dotted lines which is only needed when it is desired to separate the lowest two octaves, which is not usually the case. As shown and disregarding this lowest partition H", there are four of the compartments with a pneumatic JL in each, and each pneumatic has a separate air-passage w leading therefrom through the backboard of the action-case into a Vertical metal tube w, connected therewith into a passager/G, Fig. l, in a horizontal board N", Figs. l and 5, which passage y then turns upward and is open to the air on the upper surface of the board. These air-passages o converge toward each other, as shown in Fig. in order to have their metal tubes and other passages near to each other. P* is a slide-valve on top of the board N4, which is adapted to slide back and forth over the open ends of the tubes w to open and close one or more of them, as desired, .to vary at will the point of division between the sections to be actuated by the different wind-pressures. To one end of this valve is connected at t7 a rod Q", which extends upward and then sidewise over the tracker-board and guided in supports 57 and centrally has secured to it a knob e7 in position for convenient operation of the valve by hand. As the valve PL is moved over one or more of the air-passages w the corresponding pneumatic, J2 communicating with it is operated to close the hole L4 more or less and accordingly to regulate the passage of air therethrough. To prevent the full closing of the hole, a regulating screw f7, screwing through the movable board of the pneumatic, is arranged to abut against its bottom board to limit the movement of the valve K* to close the hole LL more or less accordingly to the adjustment of the screw. rlhe object of these compartments each having a desired number of pneumatics U with an air-passage L'L communicating with the wind-chest, each compartment having a pneumatic J i and a valve K4t to its air-passage L1, is for the purpose of changing the force or power of the fingers on the piano-keys to produce a lightor soft or aheavy or loud tone, which is accomplished as follows: liththe valve Pi not over the tubes w3, as shown in Fig. the pneumatics J4 are open to the outside air, and in such positions the valve Kl is fully open, by which the pneumatics U will receive the full force of the bellows, consequently giving a heavy or loud tone to the piano; but if the valve PL is moved to cover one or more of .the tubes y air is prevented from entering therein, which allows the bellows-pneumatics J'l to collapse under thc combined action of gravity and the suction on valve K4. The valve IC, according to the adjustment of the screwf?, by which the iiow of air passing through the passage L4 is obstructed, consequently makes the tone of the piano lighter or softer because of a lighter blow upon the piano-key, and if the valve Pi is moved over all the tubes all the tones will IOO IIO

4of the motor.

be softened, or any of the series of compartments can be acted upon as desired to shift the point of division between the loud section and the soft section.

Any number of pneumatics U can be in one compartment, as desired, although I have shown an entire octave in each compartment.

R5 is a gate-box for controlling the speed This is connected to the motor in any usual manner and is divided into longitudinal chambers 05 and /27 bya partition, with one, g77, of which an air-passage m7 communicates, and with the other chamber, LT, an air-passage 07 communicates, which latter passage communicates with the Hexible chamber B5, wind-chest chamber, and bellows. Over the passage m7 is a valve S5, which is connected to the bell-crank G* by a rod T5. Passage m5 is connected below to the compartment V5 of the wind-chest, leading to the regulating-bellows T5. To the pivot r5 of arm @7 of the lever G5 is connected a lever A5 by an open slot in the end of the lever pivoted at 105 and connected by its other end to an arm B5, arranged to slide in suitable guides in front and having an index or pointer C5 on its end, disposed above and over a scale D5, fixed to the' horizontal trackerboard. A valve U4 on the passage 17 is connected by a rod Vl to one arm of a bell-crank lever I/V, pivoted at I, its other arm being connected by a rod a5 to a crank at 65 to a rod m5, thence to the handle F5 for operation of the same. W'hen the handle F* is drawn forward to cause the rewinding of the sheet and the shifting of the driving-clutches, as well understood in the art, it also, through its connection with the crank-lever W5 and valve U5, opens wide the passage 915, admitting high suction to the motor to rewind at maximum speed, as is well understood in the art.

The music-sheet will be marked by a figure indicating the speed with which the piece of music is to be played, and by sliding the rod B5 along until its pointer C5 is opposite the figure on the scale the music in the musicsheet will be played accordingly. Sliding the pointer along the scale b y means of handle will, through the lever connection with the valve S5, open or close it accordingly as a faster or slower .time is desired for the instrument by opening or closing the air-passages m5.

In Figs. l and 5 is shown a valve F5 in the chamberM which is for a soft stop, and it is arranged over two openings Z5 in the board W above the chamber B', making communication between the two chambers B and NF. This valve has two openings G5 through it, which, with the valve in the position shown in Fig. 5, are just over or coincident with the openings (Z5, which allows air to freely pass through the openings from the chamber B5 to the chamber above, M5; but if the valve is moved to the right in this figure the passage of air is cut off more or' less as the solid part of the valve comes over the openings, closing the same accordingly. lFor operating this valve F5 a rod @5 is pivoted by one end to thev top 'of the valve, its other end being pivoted at f 5 to one arm, g5, of a crank-lever LS, swinging in asocket in the board W, its other arm pivoted to one end of the rod H5, Fig. 3, which extends up and is pivotally connected to one end of an arm of a rod J 5, turning in a bearing K5 in the underside of the'tracker-board and having an arm L5, which projects up freely through the tracker-board in front of the music-roll, having a handle M5 for operation of the same.

N5, Fig. l, is a lever formed of two parts P5 and Q5, one part, Q5, extending into a longitudinal socket in the other, P", in order to change the length of the combined lever, a rack 7'5 being on the upper edge of the part Q5, in which is arranged to engage a pawl t5, pivoted at us to the part P5, so that with the part Q5 out the desired distance the proper length of the lever is obtained, and when in place it is held by the pawl engaging with the rack of the arm. This lever extends out through an opening R5 in the back of the case and has pivoted to its outer end an arm S5, arranged to bear upon the loud pedal Y5 of the pianoforte, the arm by its pivot being adjustable at one side or the other to bear upon the loud pedal if it should beat one side or the other of the lever.

At the end of the lever is pivoted-an upright rod T5, which extends up through an opening between the two casings at the front, its upper end being pivoted at o5 to one end, W5, of a crank-lever V5, 'pivoted to a support, its other end extending freely up through the board and having a handle vW5 for operation of the saine. Pulling forward the handle W5 raises the small lever-arm Q05 and rod T5, and lever I\5 is operated to press down the loud pedal of the pianoforte when desirous of using' such pedal.

It will be well understood that the details of construction may be greatly varied without departing from the principles of operation of the device and that some of the improvements may be used independently of the other improvements.

What I claim` and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is the following:

l. In combination with a main bellows and awind-chest connected thereto, a bellows provided with connections for operating it and with a lever and actuating connections for exerting pressure on the said main bellows to modify the effect of the latter.

2. The combination with means for accentuating notes in mechanical musical apparatus, of a movable indicator having mechanical connection therewith for indicating the accentuation to be produced, and a tracker and means for operating a perforated music-sheet IOO over the said tracker, the said indicator being mounted to move transversely to the sheet to indicate directly upon the said sheet.

8. The combination with a plurality of pneumatics for playing a keyboard instrument and a plurality of valves therefor, of a plurality of separate wind chambers or passages each leadingseverally to separate divisions of the said valves, and a plurality of valves for throttling the wind in said chambers or passages, and connections for controlling the said throttling-valves one after another in succession at will.

4. The combination with pneumatically-actuated apparatus for playing' keyboard instruments and with the pneumatics thereof for the respective notes, of devices for accentuating some of the notes more than the others, and means for adjustably controlling the said devices to shift the point in the musical scale where the accentuation begins.

5. In combination with pneumatically-actuated apparatus for playing keyboard instruments, and with means Jfor accentuating' some of the notes above the others, means for shifting' the point of accentuation in the musical scale.

6. In combination with awind-chest, a series of chambers, a plurality of pneumatics in each chamber, connections for operating thereby the keys of the musical instrument, a passage from each said chamber to the said wind-chest, a valve for restricting each said passage and a pneumatic and controlling' connections for operatingI each said valve for substantially the purposes set forth.

7. In a self-playingattachment for musical instruments, the combination with awind-chest having a series of passages leading therefrom to the key-actuatingl pneumatics, of a series of valves respectively controlling the said passages, a series of primary pneumatics for actuating said valves located within said chest, two or more partitions dividing the said chest into compartments, and means for producing' a different pressure on any number of the said compartments as compared with the others.

8. In a mechanical playing attachment for keyboard musical instruments, the combination with a casing inclosing the operating' mechanism, of a series of key-striking levers projecting without the casing' in their playing position and provided with a joint for folding the projecting portion of the lever, and a common actuating means for retracting the same within the casing'.

9. In a mechanical playing attachment for keyboard musical instruments, the combination with a series of key operating pneumatics, of connections and exhausting, devices for producing two different pneumatic pressures for operating on different sections of the said pneumatics, and means for varying at will the point of division between the portions having' higher and those havingI lower pressure.

l0. In aself-playing attachmentfor musical instruments, the combination with a series of key-actuating pneumatic motors, of meansfor producing dii'erential working pneumatic pressure for two sections of said series of motors, and means for varying' the point of division between the portions having higher pressure and those having lower pressure.

1l. In combination, a wind-chest, a chamber, a series of pneumatics for operation of levers or lingers upon the keys of a pianoforte Sac., a hole or passage between the chamber and wind -chest, a valve to the passage, a pneumatic to which the valve is attached, an adjustable stop to the pneumatic to regulate the flow of airthrough the passage, a passage or channel communicating with the pneumatic and a valve to the air-passage.

l2. In combination, a wind-chest, a chamber, a series of pneumatics in the chamber for operation of levers or fingers upon the keys of a pianoforte &c., a hole or passage between the chamber and wind-chest, a valve to the passage, a pneumatic to which the valve is attached, an air passage or channel communicating' with this pneumatic and a valve'to the last air-passage.

13. In combination, a wind-chest, a series of chambers, a series of pneumatics in each chamber and connections for controlling the operation of levers or fingers upon the keys of a pianoforte &c. a hole or passage between each chamber and the wind-chest, a valve to each passage, a pneumatic to each valve, a separate air passage or channel communicating with each latter pneumatic, anda valve to each passage.

14. In combination, a wind-chest, a chamber, a series of pneumatics in the chamber for operation of levers or fingers upon the keys of a pianoforte, &c., a hole or passage between the chamber and wind-chest, a valve to the passage, a pneumatic to which the valve is attached, an air passage or channel communieating with this pneumatic, a valve to the last air-passage, and anv adjustable stop to said pneumatic to regulatelthe iiow of air through the air-passage.

l5. In combination with pneumatically-actuated apparatus for playing keyboard instruments and with means for accentuating' some of the notes above the others, means for shifting the point of accentuation in the musical scale, comprising a valve, a series of ducts, and a plurality of wind-controlling means connected and controlled thereby.

16. In combination with pneumatically-actuated apparatus for playing,- keyboard instruments and with means comprisingl a plurality of pneumatically-controlled wind-controlling valves, and connections for accentuating some of the notes above the others, means, compris- IOO tuated apparatus for playin I keyboard instruments and means for accentnating some of the notes above the others, means for shifting the point ot' accentuation in the musical scale, and means for visually indicating the location of such point of accentuation.

In testimony whereol l have hereunto set my hand inthe presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

PETER WTELIN.

Titnessesz HJALMAR UTTERBERG, Jol-1N LARsoN.

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