US860618A - Automatic playing mechanism in pianos. - Google Patents

Description

No. 860,618. PATENTED JULY 16, 1907.

. P.-WUEST, JR. AUTOMATIQPLAYING MECHANISM IN PIANOS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30. 1905.

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- Ffl/A/PWl/[STJ/Z I y% m N0. 860,618. PATENTED JULYIE, 1907;

. P. WUEST, JR. AUTUMATIG PLAYING MECHANISM IN PIANOS. APPLIGATION FILED JUNE 30. 1905.

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w g r M M w l a Nb. 860,618. PATENTED JULY 16, 1907.

P. WUEST, JR. v AUTOMATIC PLAYING MECHANISM IN PIANOS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30. 1905.

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Nm'saomsi PATENTED JULY 1 ,1907.

' P. WUEST,'JR. V

AUTOMATIC PLAYING MEUHANISM'IN PIANOS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30. 1905.

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wsmtsszs= No. 860,618. PATEN' IED JULY 16, 1907.

' P. WUEs J v AUTOMATIC PLAYING MECHANISM INI PIANOS.

- APPLIOATLON FILED JUNE 30. 1905..

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[WITNESSES INVENTOR:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PHILIP WIIEST, JR., CHELTENHAM, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE AUTO-MANUAL- PIANO AQTION COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CQRPORATION O l NEW JERSEY.

AUTOMATIC PLAYING MECHANISM IN PIANOS.

No. 860,618. Specification of Letters Patent. Patented July 16, 19.07.

Application filed June 30,1905. Serial No. 267,706.

To. all whom it may concern: ready access thereto. Hence, instead of leading the 55 Be it known that .I, PHILIP WUEST, .Ir., oi Cheltenconduit-s through this region in dispersed relation, so as ham, in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented certo pass through or between all the digital levers, my tain newiand useful Improvements in Automatic Playinvention consists in definitely grouping the conduits ing Mechanism in Pianos, whereof the following is a and concentrating the passage region of each group, so specification, reference being had to the accompanyas to conduct its members through the plane of the G ing drawings. keyboard with a minimum of interference with indi- My invention relates to pianos, organs and similar vidual digital levers. This arrangement is peculiarly instruments comprising automatic playing mechanism advantageous in that it takes advantage of certain nat- IO permanently adjusted in operative relation with their ural divisions of the keyboard ordinarily found in insounding devices; for instance, mechanism of the struments of this class, which afford, without serious 65 kind comprising a series of pneumatic motors, or modifications of the normal arrangement, proper locastrike neumatics respectively in operative relations for the passage of the several groups.

tion to the individual sounding devices, and, having In the accompanying drawings; Figure I,.is a verindividual valve mechanisms controlled by a web tical sectional view of a piano embodying my improveof perforated paper which is progressed with respect"' ments, taken on the line I, I, in Fig. II. Fig. II, is a 7 0 to a pneumatic tracker bar provided with a series'of front elevation of the piano shown in Fig. I; the front apertures corresponding with a series of sounding deof the casing being removed. Fig. III, is a plan socvices in the instrument. r v tional view, taken on the line III, III, in Figs. 1, and

One object of my invention is to provide means for II, certain portions of the mechanism being removed:

automatically operating the pedals of the instrument or shown as broken away, in order to exhibit the region 7 5 in proper accord with the music being played and withof the keyboard. Fig. IV, is a plan sectional view, out the interposilionof the operator. taken on the line IV, IV, in Figs. 1, and II. Fig. V,

Where the automatic playing mechanism is emis an elevation ofthe left hand end of the separable bodied in aseparate organization, external to the instrugroup of valve shelves, shown in the piano in Fig. II.

inent itself, and operated by simulating manual play- Fig. VI, is a transverse sectional view of one of said SO in upon the digitals, the necessary movements of the valve shelves taken through a strike pneumatic motor pedals can be derived from the striking levers, withand its controlling valve. Fig. VII, is a transverse out occasioning serious interference with their action. sectional view of the pneumatic chest shown above the This however, is not the case in the class of instrukey-board in Figs. 1, and II, section being taken ments to which my invention relates, where the autothrough one set of pneumatic conduits, on the line VII. matie playing mechanism is self-contained and is per- VII, in Fig. II. Fig. VIII, is a fragmentary sectional manently in operative relation with the sounding deview of the front of the key frame, showingone of the vices. In these instruments the conditions are such controlling levers of the automatic playing mechanism.

i 35. that the pedal operating devices cannot be directly Fig. IX, is a fragmentary plan sectional view, similar combined with the etlicient elementsof the playing toFig. 111, but showing a modified form of my invenmechanism, without the risk of serious disturbance. tion. Fig. X, is a fragmentary sectional view, similar The digitals however, although incidentally moved to Fig. I, but showing the modified form of my invcnduring the action of the automatic playing devices, are tion indicated in Fig. IX.

'40 not. in themselves active elements and I have found In said drawin s the )iano casin" com n-iscs the 1 a 2 h r l that by reason of this fact they can be utilized for key frame 2, on which the digitals or keys 3, are supderiving the necessary movements of the pedals, withported by'tlie balance rail 4. Each of said digilals 3, out interfering with theproper action of theplayingis provided with an adjustable stud 5,. in opcmlivc mechanism. Hence this feature of my invention relation with an extension rod (5, depending from the 45 consists in combining, with. selected digitals, means jack whip 7, and pivoted to an extension lcvcr b, l'ulwhereby the pedal operating mechanism may be concrumed ontho small action rail 9, in connection with trolled. V a hammer 10, arranged to strike thestring II, on the My invention relates to the method of groupi'ng the metallic string frame 12; which latter is provided conduits by means of which communication is estabwith the usinil wooden hack supports 13, and sound- ;30 lished between the main divisions of the automatic ing board 15. Said casing 1, also com 'n-i'scs the usual mechanism. Such conduits being neccssarilynumerupper lid 17, the removable front panel 18, inclosing ous, their passagethrough the region of the key frame the action; the hinged cover 20, for the manual comhas been found to seriously affect the strength and staprising the digitnls 2'1. and, the removable front panel bility of the adiacent parts andalso to interfere with 21. int-losing the chamln-r 22, below the key frame 2.

- Said chamber 22, is provided with the floor 23, having -betnrvetai the exhaust bellows and the bass and treble exhaust chambers in the respectively opposite ends of the three separable. valve casings or shelves 36. Said shelves contain the secondary valve mechanisms which control the strike pneumatic motors 37, as here inafter described.

As shown in Fig. .I, the exhausters 32, are arranged to be operated by the pumping pedals 39, with which they are connected by the links 40, and brackets 41. Said pedals are supported by pivots 42, on the frame 43, which is pivoted on the brackets 45, secured to the casing floor 23, so that said irauie and pedals may be upturned within said casing through the doorway indicated by-the dotted line 46, in Figs. I-,-and IV, which may be closed by suitable sliding or folding doors.

Referring to Figs. 1, and II, the music box 47, provided with the tracker bar 48, having the series of apertures 49, is supported by the pneumatic chest 50, containing the primary valve mechanisms having an exhaust chamber 51, connected with the main exhaust bellows 31, by the flexible penumatic conduits 54, and 55, shown in Fig. II. Each of said primary valve mechanisms in the chest 50, is connected by an individual conduit 57, with a corresponding aperture 49, in said tracker bar 48, and, each of said valve mech-- anisms is also connected by an individual conduit 60, with a corresponding secondary valve mechanism in --one of the three valve casings or shelves 36. In order to minimize the interference of saidconduits 60, with the movable members of -the mechanism, I dispose the digitals 3, in four groups, so as to afford three spaces call for any substantial rearrangement thereof.

.63, between them in which I secure the three duct blocks 61, in rigid relation with the key frame 2. Each of said conduits 60, makes connection above and below the key frame 2, and digitals 3, through itsindividual duct 66, in one of said duct blocks, each duct being provided at top and bottom with. a projecting metallic nipple (37, to engage the end of the conduit.

h It will be noticed that the locations selected for the duct blocks are in a natural relation to normal subdi-- visions of the digital elements, and therefore do not Furthermore, inasmuch as the conduits relating'to each block are readily removable both above and below thekeyboard by detaching them from their respective metallic nipples, complete access at the regions of the groups themselves can be afforded by such detachment, when necessary, the intervening portions of the interior being at all times readily accessible by reason of the definitely localizedarrangement of the conduits at the region of passage through the key frame and ad'- jacent parts.

The valve casings or shelves 36, are conveniently supported, in separable relation, in the two brackets 68, which depend from the lower side of the key frame 2, to which they are secured. As shown in Fig. V said shelves are attached to said brackets at their rear ends by the scr ews 69, and are upheld at their front edges by the bolts 70, and plates 71. Said bolts 70, may be unscrewed from said brackets 68, when it is desired to remove any one of said shelves.

Each valve casing or shelf 36, is constructed as shown in Fig, VI, and comprises a bottom board 72, having a wind port 74, and a spacing block 75, fixed tosaid board 72, a removable top cover board 78, and a removable. front cover board 80. It is to be understood that each of said shelves comprises a series oi individual secondary valve mechanisms, only one oi which is shown in Fig, VI, and that each mechanism is provided with a diaphragm seat 82, in said bottom board 72, in registry with a valve chamber 83, in the top cover board 78, and that the vacuum chamber 84, is common to all ofsaid diaphragm seats 82, in communication through the wind ports 74, conduits 85, valve boxes 34, and35, and chest 28, with the exhaust bellows 31, so as to maintain a partial vacuum in said chamber 8 1.

Each valve mechanism aforesaid controls an individual strike pneumatic motor 37, which is removably secured upon the b'ottom of said, board 72, in connection with the duct 86,- extending through said board 72, and top cover board 78, into the valve chamber'83, and the free leaf 89, of said bellows motor 37, is pro? vided with the vertical rod 88, whose upper end exteuds'through the bracket 87, on the corresponding digital 3, and is provided below said bracket with the collar 90, adapted to strike said bracket when said motor is collapsed, and thereby operate said digital.

Countersunk recesses 91, and 92, are respectively provided at the top and bottom of said boards 7 2, and 78, respectively in registry with said chamber 83, to re ceive the valve seat plates 94, and 95, which are socured therein. Said plates are respectively provided with central valve ports 96, and 97, and offset bearing lugs, 98, and 99, in which lugs the opposite ends of the valve stem 100, are arranged to reciprocate. Said valve stem 100, carries two valves 101,-, and 102, respectively in operative relation to said ports 96, and 97, and arranged to alternately seat against the annular plane portions of said plates 94, and 95, surrounding said ports, and the lower end of said valve stem 100, is opposed to the disk 105, upon the diaphragm 106, whichlatter is mounted over the seat 82, in operative relation to said valve stem, .Said diaphragm seat 82, is in communication with the conduit 60, through the duct 107, and the latter is provided with the branch 1 08, terminating in a small aperture 110, opening into the vacuum chamber.84. Said "\conduit 60, being directly controlled by the corresponding primary pneumatiovalve in the chest 50, the secondary valve .mechsnism aforesaid may be operated in the usual manner to cause the strike pneumatic beumwsa to be collapsed to operate the sounding devices, through the connections above described,--when the correspond- ;ing tracker bar aperture 49, 'is opened, and to permit.

As shown in Fig. VII, said valve chest 50, comprises the front board 112, bottom board 113, top board 114, and backboard 115,'and, the pneumatic conduits 57, which lead from the tracker bar 48, connect with the conduits 1 17, extending through said front board 112, and bottom board 113, to the seats 118, for the diaphragms 119. Each diaphragm 119, is in operative relation with a valve stem 120, having valves 1.21, and 123, at its opposite ends controlling the port 125, which extends from the vacuum chamber 51, through said top board 114, to the outer atmosphere, and has the branch conduit 126, extending through said top board 114, and backboard 115, in communication with the flexible conduit 60, leading to the secondary valve mechanisms above described. Said chest 50, supports the wind motor 128, which is provided with a suitable flexible pneumatic conduit 129, leading to the main chest 28, through the-wind trunk 130, and

conduit 132,115; shown in Fig. IV. Said motor is connected with the base board 133, on said chest 50, by the standard 134, to which it is hinged at 135. Said motor is normally maintained in the position shown in Fig. I, by the latch 137, which is pivoted at 138, but upon turning said latch said motor may be folded downwardly and outwardly to afford access to the strings 11, and tuning pins which extend behind it.

The wheel 140, on the crank shaft 141, of said motor is connected by the band 142, with the wheel 143, on the reciprocatory shaft 145, carrying the pinion 146,

which latter according to the position of said shaft is adapted to engage or disengage the gear wheel 147, upon the shaft 148, of the takeup roller 150, which lat ter is mounted to rotate in the music box 47. The position of said reciprocatory shaft 145, is determined by the slide rod 152, whose end 153, is in operative relation with the vertical reciprocatory wedge 154, which when lifted shifts said rod toward the right in Fig. II, against the tension of the spring 156, which serves to return said shaft 145, to the normal position shown in Fig. II, when said wedge is lowered. Said wedge 154, is oporatively' connected with the manual lever 160, pivoted at 161, on the key frame 2, by the rod 162, rock shaft 163, and link 164; said rock shaft being supported in horizontal position in the suitable bearings 165, on the key frame 2, as shown in Fig. III. Said main chest 28, is provided with brackets 167, at its oppositeextremitiesriiarough which extends the rod 168, provided intermediate of. its length with the foot pedal 109, between the loud pedal 170, and the soft pedal 172, projecting at the front of the casing, as

shown in Fig. IV. Said loud pedal 170, is provided with a tubular shaft 174, having the lever arn1175,

whose free rearwardly extending end is provided with the groove 170, to receive me lever 1'37,- projecting from the rock shaft 170, wlnrse opposite ends are n1ounted in bearing blocks 180, on said floor-28. Said rock shaft 179, is provided at its left hand end with the lever- 181, shown in Fig. IV, connected by the pitman 182, having the laterally projecting head 183, which conmeets in the usual manner with the damper rail 186. so that when said loud pedal 170, is depressed at the front of the piano casing said pitinan 182, is uplifted, said damper rail 186, is tilted, and the damper heads 185, mounted on the action rail are separated from the strings 11, to permit the latter to vibrate freely and produce a louder tone. Saidlcver 181, is provided at its free eictremity with the flexible connector 187.

said pedal 172, is depressed at the frontof the casing,

said hammer rest is upraised by the pitman 193, to

(which conveniently consists of a spiral spring covered bring the hammers 10, nearer to the strings 11, and p a cause them to strike a less effective blow.

The communication between the basspneumatic valve mechanisms and the exhausters is controlled by the lever 196, shown in Fig. 111, pivoted at 197, and

extending horizontally beneath the digitals 3. Said lever 196, is provided intermediate of its length with the link'198, connected with the rock shaft 200, supported by the bearings 201, at the left hand end of the key frame as shown in Figs. 11, and III. Said rock shaft 200, is connected by the vertically pendant link 202, with the slide rod 203, journaled in the bearings 204, on the chest 28, and having the arm 205, operatively connected with the stem 206, of the valve arranged to regulate thearea of the opening leading to the pipe 85. Said slide rod 203, is normally maintained in the position shown in Fig. 11, by the spring 208, whose lower end is secured to the lower bearing bracket 204, and whose upper end is connected with said link 202.

Communication between the treble pneumatic valve mechanisms and the exhausters is controlled by the lever 210, shown in Fig, 111, 'pivoted at 211, and extending horizontally beneath the digitals-3. Said lever is provided intermediate of its length with the link 213, connected with the rock shaft214, supported by the bearings 215, at the right hand end of the he) frame 2, as shown in Figs. 11, and Ill. Said rock shaft 214, is connected by the vertically pendant link is connected by thc link 225, with the slide rod 220, whose lower end is operatively condiate of its length with the link 230,. connected with the rock shaft 231, supported'by'the bearings 215, at the right hand end of the key frame.2,.as 'shownin,

Figs. II. and III, said rock shaft 23], is connected. by

the vertically pendant link 232, with the stem 233, of i the valve arranged to regulate the areaof the opening Ihrongh which communication is established between The above described inovcment of the damper rail 'lSti. cl'l'cct ed by the depression oi the loud" pedal 170,

may also be manually effected bythe lever 235, shown the rock shalt 1238, supported by the bearings 239, at

thclel't hand end of the casing l., as shown in Figs. II, and III. Said rock shaft- 238, is connected by the verticall petulant link 240, with the pitman 182, arranged to operate said damper rail 186, as above described, the arrangement being such that by movement of said lever 2535, toward the right hand side of Fig. III, said pitman 182, is uplifted andthe strings ll, freed from the'damping devices 185. i V

During theinanipulation oi the. damper rail 186, by either the loud pedal 170, or the manually operative lever 235 as above described, the pedal motor bellows 189 is idly distended or collapsed in accordance with the position of the pitman 182. However, said pit-man may be positively actuated by said motor bellows 189, when the latter is pneumatically collapsed by the establishmentof communication between its interior and the main exhaust chest 28, through the'conduit 2 46, which, as indicated at left hand side of Fig. II, ex-

tends .l'rom the valve box 247, of said motor 189, to

the cndoi said chest. I,

It is to.be understood that said pedal motor bellows l89, is arranged to be controlled by valve mechanism similargto that ,whiclrcontrols the strike pneumatics 37, as shown in Fig. VI. That is to say the valve box 247 icontain's an exhaust chamber equivalent to the exhaust chamber 84, shownin FigyvL and in communication with the main exhaust chest through the conduit 246. Said' motor bellows 189, is normally excluded from communication with said exhaust chamber andin communication with the outer atmosphere by a' double valve similar to that shown in Fig. VI, and controlled by a diaphragm similar to the diaphragm 106, in a seat LinWlliCli air may be admitted through the conduit 248, and when air is thusadmittcd beneath said diaphragm, the latter is shifted to operate the valve to establish communication from the exhaust conduit 246, to the ,intcrior of the bellows 189, and contemporaneously close the vent from said bellows to the atmosphere, so as to ellect the collapse oi said bellows.

Air may be admitted to said conduit 2 18, automatically at sttch times to effect the operation of the loud pedal 170, in proper accord with the music being played, and without the interposition of theoperator bya device of the kind claimed in Letters Patent of the United States 744,990, granted to me under date 01' November Zfltll, 1903, and which comprises the oscillalory valve 250,. shown in Figs. I, and III which normally (ll ses the port 25] at the termination of theconduit 248, but which is uplifted .by the bail lever 252, when the latter is operated by any one ol' the series of digitals 'whoso respective jack whips 7, common to said bail lever 252', have pins 253, extending in operative engagement therewith, as shown in Fig. I. During the automatic control of said motor 189, a

last above described, communication between the opposite ends of said conduit 248, is established through the valve block255, provided with the slide valve 256,

but when it is desired to free said motor-189, from such automatic control, said slide valve'is' shifted, such movemcntcf the slide valve being conveniently el'l'ected by the lover 257, shown in Fig. III,pivoted at 258, and extending horizontally beneath the digitals 3;

said lever being provided intermediate of its length with-the link 259, connected with said slide valve 256.

The five levers by which the automatic playing mechanism may be controlled as above described, project in iront: ot" the digitals 3, as shown in Fig. III, in the recess 261, in the key slip 262, and are supported to oscillate in the angle bearing plates 263, secured on the key frame 2, as shown in Figs. III and VIII.

Although in the form of my invention shown in Figs. 1, III, etc., the automatic pedal controllingdevice 252, etc., is operatively connected with the piano hammer action, it is to be understood that it may be directly cpnnected with the digitals. For instance, in the modified form of my invention shown in Figs. IX, and X, the left hand space 63, between the adjoining groups of digitals 3, is utilized to admit the supporting block 266, forthe bridge 267, whose opposite end is supported by the block 268, resting on the key frame 2 which bridge is provided with brackets 269, in which the pedal operating bail lever 270, is mounted to oscillate. Said lever 270, has the member 272, extending in operative relation with the ends of'the digitals 3, at the rear of the balance rail 4, and is in operative relation with the valve 273, which is constructed and operated like the valve 250, shownin Figs. I, II, and III. I I

It is to be understood that I do not desire to limit myself to the precise details of construction and arrangement herein set'forth, as various modifications may be made therein without departing from the essential features of my invention. .-Iclaim: f

1. In a mechanical instrument, the combiiiation with a casing; of sounding devices in said casing; a key frame; digitals or keys supported on said key frame, adapted to operate said sounding devices; automatic playing mechanism in said casingiu operative relation withsaid sounding devices, comprising strike pneumatic motors and valves controlling the saute; a tracker bar in operative relation lng device; and means within said casing, operntively connecting said forte device with a selected digital or key above mentioned! 2. In a musical instrument, the combination with a casing; of sounding devices in said cuslngf a key frame;

digitals or'keys supported on said key frame, adapted to operate said sounding devices; automatic playing mecham.

ism in said casing in operative relation with said sounding devices, comprising strike'pneumatic motors and valves controlling the same; a tracker bar in operative relation with said valve mechunlsmya forte device arranged to vary the effect-of saidplaying mechanism on said sounding devices; a pneumatic motor arranged to operate said forte device; and means connecting said forte device'mot'or' in operative relation with said dlgitals or keys.

in said casing in operative relation with said sounding de vices; pneumatic conduits for controlling said automatic playing mechanism; a.connection block extending between adjoining members of said series of digitals, comprising a plurality of ducts; and, a plurality of pneumatic conduits trolling the same; a tracker bar in operative relation with said valve mechanisms; conduits connecting said motors and valves; and, a connection block extending between adjoining members of the series of digitals and comprising ducts in communication with said conduits, substantially as set forth.

valves; and, a'connection block secured .between adjoining 5. In a musical instrument, the combination with a casing; of sounding devices in said casing; a key frame; digitals supported on said key frame in operative relation with' said sounding devices; automatic playing mechanism in said casing in operative relation with said sounding devices, comprising strike pneumatic motors, and valves con trolling the same; conduits connecting said motors and members of the series of digitals, in stationary relation with and supported by said key frame, comprising a plurality of parallel vertically extending ducts communicating with said conduits above and below said block, substantially as set forth. I

G. In a musical instrument, the combination with a casing; of sounding, devices in said casing; a key frame; digitals supported by said key frame, comprising adjoining groups disposed in divergent positions in operative relation with said soundingdevices; automatic playing mechanism. in said casing, in operative relation with said sounding devices; pneumatic conduits for controlling said automatic playing mechanism; a connection block secured iietween adjoining members of said digitals in stationary relation with the key frame comprising a plurality ot ducts; and, a plurality of pneumatic conduits connected with said playing mechanism through the ducts in said connection blocks, substantially as set forth.

7. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination of a plurality of flexible pneumatic conduits; a key frame; connection block mounted upon the key frame, said iiiock having a plurality of ducts having nipples above and below the block, and adapted to removably connect with the ends of the conduits when arranged in definitely 0rganized groups, substantially as set forth.

; In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name, I at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this 28th day of June 1905.

PHILIP \VUESl, JR. Witnesses:

CLIFTON C. HALLOWELL, An'rnuu E. PAIGE.

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