Patent GB-191120495-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to Musical and Noise-producing Appliances.
Inventor: YOUNG JOHN SUTHERLAND
Filed: 1911-09-16
Granted: 1912-10-16
Abstract: 20,495. Young, J. S. Sept. 16. Theatrical appliances.-An instrument for use at kinematograph entertainments comprises a piano combined with a reed organ and other devices for producing musical sounds and mimetic noises. Referring to Fig. 1, an American organ A is removably held in position beneath the piano keyboard by a hook C and brackets B, to which the organ is pivoted. The pallet-valves of the organ are actuated by the piano-keys by prolongues D, which pass through holes in the key-bed. The bellows F<1> are coupled to the bellows E, the moving-boards of which form the treadles. The bellows E supply wind to a set of reed-pipes for imitating bugle-calls, and the bellows F<1> exhaust the reservoir F. The pallets of the reed-pipes are controlled by contacts operated by the piano-keys for notes of corresponding pitch. A stop is adapted to make or break the circuits. Eight pedals, in addition to the treadles and usual piano-pedals, are mounted in a frame beneath the instrument and control the noise-producing devices. The pedal h<1> is adapted to imitate the noise of gunshots by rotating a cranked shaft a, carrying a knob f, against the action of a spring g. The knob f strikes alternately a drum d and a sheet of metal e, which is suspended on a frame and connected at one corner to the frame or floor. A knee-lever a<1> near the centre of the piano lock-rail, is adapted to close the circuit of either the motor b<1> or the motor e<1>, according to the direction in which it is moved. A crank d<1> on the spindle of the motor b<1> engages a slot in a member c<1> attached to the plate e. The sheet is rapidly vibrated when the motor b<1> is started to imitate thunder. The motor e<1> is adapted to rotate a drum having internal projections f<1> and containing shot or peas, for imitating the noise of a train in motion. To the right and left of the knee-lever a<1> are other knee-levers for ringing a bell and operating the organswell. The second pedal operates a device resembling that controlled by the pedal h<1> but without the drum d and knob f, the crank c striking the plate e to imitate pistol-shots. The third pedal is adapted to operate a spring- pressed brake which normally bears against a disk on the spindle of a spring-motor. The motor drives a drum A, Fig. 11, having projections i, which operate levers A<1> carrying wooden cups l. The cups l normally rest upon a glass, marble, or slate base m. When the drum A is rotated, the cups l rise and fall, producing a sound resembling that of galloping horses. By pressing the spindle k longitudinally against the action of a spring, the cups l are moved on to cloth strips and produce a muffled sound when operated. The fourth pedal is adapted to oscillate a box containing shot or marbles for producing a hissing noise resembling that of sea-waves. The fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth pedals are used for operating the expression devices of the piano and feederbellows. The ninth pedal operates a lever 1<a> carrying wooden strips 2<a> which normally rest against a leather pad 4<a>. When the lever 1<a> is rotated, one of the strips 2<a> strikes a stop 3<a>, causing the strips 2<a> to strike together. The tenth pedal operates a lever carrying a number of metal plates strung upon cords which are knotted at intervals to keep the plates apart. Upon depressing the pedal, the plates produce a noise resembling the noise produced by shaking chains or harness. When the pedal is released, the plates fall upon a hard base-plate and produce a crashing noise. The eleventh pedal operates a bellows supplying wind to a siren provided with a resonator. The twelfth pedal operates a hammer for striking either a bell or a metal plate. Two sockets are provided in the hammer-butt for the hammer-stem, the position of which may therefore be changed as desired. Above the keyboard, bellows are provided which are adapted to pump air to pneumatics, which operate hammers for striking tubular bells. The performer operates the bellows by hand. A draw-stop is also provided which actuates a pivoted rail for causing either layers of paper, or resiliently-mounted hammerheads, to contact with the piano-strings for imitating either a banjo or a mandoline.