Patent GB-190722196-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to Automatic Musical Instruments
Inventor: SINCLAIR MATTHEW
Filed: 1907-10-08
Granted: 1908-10-08
Abstract: 22,196. Sinclair, M., [Welin, P.]. Oct. 8. Automatic instruments ; pianofortes.-Pneumatic playing-mechanism is applied to an horizontal pianoforte in such a manner as to preserve the appearance of the instrument. The blowing treadles 18, Fig. 1, are connected by rods 19 and jointed members 23 to feeder bellows 17 mounted in a recess beneath the key-bed. The treadles 18 are arranged to act as loud and soft pedals when the instrument is to be played manually ; the connexions are controlled by means of a pair of levers 28 carrying rock-shafts 22, with forked arms adapted to engage the jointed members 23, and arms 32 for operating the pedal mechanism. The same movement of the levers 28 exposes a pair of ports 36, Fig. 3, which communicate with the feeder bellows and thus render these inoperative. The main wind-chest 2, Fig. 1, is divided into sections, which can be independently controlled, and the pneumatic action is mounted upon it in separate note elements, as described in Specification No. 10,084, A.D. 1903. The striking pneumatics are connected by a system of connexions, partly direct, as at 11, and partly through a series of cranked rollers 13, 14 to cranked levers 12 acting upon levers 45 forming part of the hammer action, in such a way that the keys 42 remain stationary and may, if required, be locked during antomatic playing. These parts are well concealed by the casing of the instrument. The key-bed is made up of sections, separated by gaps 55, Fig. 3, and the sections are recessed and provided with panels, having ports arranged as shown. Upon the panels is mounted a covered-in frame 38 with divisions by which the ports are connected together and in which various valves are operated. The feeders 17 communicate with each other through ports 53 and a division 54, and with the ports 36 through ports 56, and with the reservoir bellows 58, Fig. 1, through ports 61, 63, a rubber or like tube (not shown), port 64, Fig. 3, chamber 65, and ports 66, 68 in a division 67. A direct passage from the feeders 17 to both sections of the main wind-chest, for a loud effect over the whole range is provided by ports 88, 86, 83, 81 and the corresponding chambers and divisions, port 79, and a rubber or like tube (not shown) to the port 78, Fig. 1, and passage 73. For soft playing, the valve 85, Fig. 3, is operated by means of a lever 146 to close the port 83 and open an indirect passage between the ports 68, 81, by way of ports 66, 94, an adjustable, spring - controlled, pneumatic regulator, shown separately in section in Fig. 14, and ports 92, 90 the latter of which is then uncovered by the valve 85. For accentuating purposes, the direct passage 59, 99, Fig. 1, from the reservoir 58 to either section of the main wind-chest 2 can be opened by means of levers 107, 119, Fig. 3, which control the admission of air to tubes 110, 120 for pneumatically operating valves 72, 77 in a divided-action valve-box shown separately in section in Fig. 8. The passages 69, 75 in this box communicate with the two sections of the main wind-chest, and the ports 71, 76 with the above-mentioned passage 73. The action elements are formed of a series of sections, as shown in Fig. 11, which are preferably held together by pegs (not shown) and are secured to the wind-chest by wires passing through holes 160, so that boles 151 register with holes 161, Fig. 1. The striking pneumatics are secured by screws 165 in such a way that they can be removed by a sliding movement, pins 166 preventing lateral movement. The tracker tubes are connected to a collecting-plate at one side of the instrument, and thence to the passages 148, Figs. 1 and 11. The passage from the feeders 17 to the tune-sheet motor is normally by way of ports 125, 127, 135, Fig. 3, through a pneumatic regulator (not shown) and ports 137, 139, 132, 134. The port 139 is controlled by a valve 140 connected to a tempo lever 145, but the motor may be operated at full speed during playing by moving the valve 140 beyond its regulating range, causing it to open another valve 141 which controls a direct passage to the motor. The rewind lever 144 is connected to a valve 130, which opens another direct passage to the motor, and is connected also to a valve 89 which cuts off the action chest. The control levers can all be concealed by a fall board 147, Fig. 1, as described in Specification No. 414A, A.D. 1905. Levers may be provided for operating the damper rods and the key-locking means. The tune-sheet rollers and the upper front portion of the casing are arranged as described in Specification No. 18,063, A.D. 1907.