IMPROVEMENTS IN ORGANS, HARMONIUMS, AND OTHER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Dawes, of Number 2, Ridge Terrace, and
Number 56, Wade Lane, both in Leeds, in the County of York,
Engineer and Commission Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN ORGANS, HARMONIUMS, AND OTHER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.
Scaled the 9th December 1864, and dated the 15th June 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Dawes at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
15th June 1864.
I, WILLIAM DAWES, of Number 2, Ridge Terrace, and Number 56, Wade
Lane, both in Leeds, in the County of York, Engineer and Commission
Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN ORGANS, HARMONIUMS, AND OTHER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS," to be as
follows:-
My Invention consists of a novel and peculiar arrangement and construc-
tion of certain parts of organs, harmoniums, and such like keyed instruments,
whereby the player is enabled to give a more perfect "accent" or expression
to the "air" or "soprano," especially in "full" or harmonized music; this I
effect by causing one or more "ranges" or "ranks" of pipes, "tongues," or
"vibrators" ("stops "), as the case may require, to sound or give the upper
or "soprano "note only, however many notes may at the same time be used
("played") by the player, as heretofore, in producing a "full volume of har-

page_text: mony
"
"
upon the instrument. I in some cases obtain this before-named effect
by coupling (in a peculiar manner) one part or portion of the instrument to
another part, say, for instance, the "swell organ" to the "great organ," or
"vice versa; "but instead of doing this in the usual manner, or with the ordi-
nary, or ordinary "pucumatic lever" coupler at present in use for coupling
one section or portion of an organ to another, I employ a peculiar arrange-
ment of "coupler" so constructed that by its action the "air" or ";
soprano
note only shall or can be "transmitted," "given out," or made to "speak;" or,
in other words, all notes below the "air" or "soprano "note of the "piece" or
music being performed shall (in the "wind chest " or " organ" to which this
coupler conveys or transmits the "action" from the keys) close or become
dumb, whilst the top or "upper" note of the "chords "or "harmony," which
constitutes the "air" or "soprano " of the "piece" or "music," is sustained,
as before stated, similar to a "single note" or solo instrument, and it may be
necessary to explain that in thus "carrying out" or applying my Invention
(that is, with the "coupler"), I prefer making the said "coupler" on what is
technically known as the "pneumatic lever" principle, but considerably
modified, so as to embody the novelty of this my said Invention; and
to this end or purpose, I use an entirely new or different arrangement
of the small "inlet" or "leading" valves or "pallets," so formed and
constructed that the condensed or compressed air employed to actuate
the "levers" is caused to pass through or from one valve to the next in
succession downwards, or in the direction from right to left, or from treble
to bass of the keys of the instrument, so that this coupler wind chest," con-
taining these valves or "pallets" (instead of being made in one long chamber
or "chest," as heretofore), is, as it were, divided into aseries of separate small
chambers, one for each valve," pallet," or note, these chambers communicating
with each other by openings or perforations so placed that the opening of any
one or more of the valves or "pallets" (by pressing down its corresponding
"key") shall close the said openings or perforations in the division next below
itself, and thus the communication from one chamber to the other through
the whole or entire series is complete or continuous only so long as the keys
are unpressed, so that in playing upon the instrument the continuity of this
"wind chest," and the compressed air it contains, ceases at or immediately
below the upper top or "soprano" note of the music, all notes below this
being "neutralized" or "silenced" in consequence of this, the "soprano
note having cut off the communication and supply of compressed air from
them, although itself retaining these and with them its powers of action and
voice. In some cases I prefer using for these valves or "pallets" a specially con-
21

page_text: "
"
structed "V" shaped "slide valve" possessing the before-named peculiarities.
This new "6 coupler," when placed so as to give the air or "soprano'
upon the "swell organ" or upon any portion made to "swell," enables the
player by the use of the "swell pedal" to "bring out" or "accent" "ad
libitum" the air or "soprano" of any portion or "passage" of the music he
is performing, as though a flute, "cornopean," or other similar instrument
were used for the purpose by an additional or separate player. In some cases
I arrange this "single note' or soprano" coupler to give out the octave
note above or below the air or "soprano" note, or both, in addition to the
direct "unisons," and thus produce upon one part or section of an instrument
the air or "soprano " in pure octaves, without chords or harmony, with a
power and effect approaching the human voice, whilst the other parts or
sections of the instrument are giving the "full chords" or harmony as here-
tofore. I also in some cases produce the before-named effect by arranging
pallets" and grooves or channels in one or more of the ordinary "wind
chests," so that their pipes, "tongues" or "vibrators" shall "speak" or "sound"
the air only when the ordinary coupler is being used, by causing the top or
soprano note to "shut off" or silence all notes below itself, similar to the
before-named coupler. Each top or soprano note, whilst having this same effect
upon all notes below or to the left of itself (so long as itself constitutes the air
or soprano of the music), has also the power to restore or allow the speaking
of any note below itself when it becomes the top "air" or "soprano" note of
the "piece."
6:
"
To render this last-named method of carrying out my Invention clear and
understood by all readers of my Specification, it must be explained that these
before-named "pallets "and" grooves or "channels" may be appended to
the ordinary "wind chest," to feed or open into the "back ends" of the
"wind grooves" underneath the pipes, and being similarly constructed to the
before-named small or "coupler wind chest," it will (when used instead of
the ordinary "wind chest" and "pallets") give out the air or soprano note
only on that portion of the instrument instead of the "full chords" or
"harmony" as heretofore, the two "sets" of valves or "pallets" (old and new)
being so arranged that one set only of them can be "coupled" or used at "one
and the same time."
In applying my Invention to small organs, harmoniums, or pianofortes, I
sometimes obtain the before-named effect by adding as a separate portion for
this purpose one or more "ranges" or "ranks" of pipes, "tongues," or
vibrators" to the upper or "treble "portion of the "manuals" or keys of
the instrument, these being so arranged as to be similarly actuated (that is, to

page_text: give the air or soprano note only) either by means of the before-named
"coupler," the arrangement of "pallets" and "grooves" or "channels" in
the "wind chest," a "stop," "check," or "damper" action in or against the
"mouths" or other parts of the pipes, "tongues," or "vibrators," or any
other mechanical or automatous means or method whereby the object and
effect of my Invention (namely the causing of one part, portion, or section of
an organ or other harmonious keyed instrument to give the air or "soprano
only whilst the other parts of the same instrumentare giving the "full chords"
or "harmony as heretofore) can be realized.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Dawes in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
14th December 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
DAWES, of Number 2, Ridge Terrace, and Number 56, Wade Lane, both in
Leeds, in the County of York, Engineer and Commission Agent, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fifteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-seventh year of
Her reign, did, for Ierself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said William Dawes, Herspecial licence that I, the said William
Dawes, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said William Dawes, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "Iм.
PROVEMENTS IN ORGANS, HARMONIUMS, AND OTHER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William Dawes, my
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their,
or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Dawes, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, that is to say:-
"
"
ranges or "ranks" of pipes,
My Invention consists of a noveland peculiar arrangement and construction
of certain parts of organs, harmouiums, and such like keyed instruments,
whereby the player is enabled to give a more perfect "accent" or expression
to the "air" or "soprano," especially in "full" or "harmonized" music;
this I effect by causing one or more
"tongues," or "vibrators" ("stops "), as the case may require, to sound or
give (automatously) the upper or "soprano " note only, however many notes
may at the same time be used ("played") by the player, as heretofore, in
producing a "full volume of harmony" upon the instrument.
I in some
cases obtain this before-named effect by coupling (in a peculiar manner) one
part or portion of the instrument to another part, say, for instance, the " swell
organ" to the "great organ," or vice versa; but instead of doing this in the
usual manner, or with the ordinary, or ordinary "pneumatic lever" coupler,
at present in use for coupling one section or portion of an organ to another,
I employ a peculiar arrangement of "coupler" (see Figures 1, 2, and 3), so
constructed that by its action the "air" or "soprano" note only shall or can
be "transmitted," "given out," or made to "speak," or, in other words, all
notes below the "air" or "soprano" note of the "piece" or music being
performed shall (in the "wind chest" or " organ to which this "coupler"
convey or transmits the "action" from the keys) close or become dumb or
silent, whilst the top or "upper" note of the "chords" or "harmony," which
constitutes the "air" or "soprano" of the "piece "cr "music" is sustained,
as before stated, similar to a "single note" or solo instrument; and it may
be necessary to explain that in thus "carrying out" or applying my Invention
(that is, with the "coupler"), I prefer making the said "coupler" on what
is technically known as the "pneumatic lever" principle, but considerably
modified so as to embody the novelty of this my said Invention; and to this end
or purpose I use an entirely new or different arrangement of the small "inlet"
or "leading" valves or "pallets" (see Figures 1 to 9), so formed and constructed
that the condensed or compressed air employed to actuate the "levers" is caused
to pass through, or from one valve to the next in succession downwards, or
in the direction from right to left, or from treble to bass of the keys of the
instrument, so that this "coupler wind chest," containing these valves or
"pallets," (or the "seats" in which they work,) instead of being made in one
long chamber or "chest" as heretofore, is, as it were, divided into a series of

page_text: "
separate small chambers a, a, one for each valve, "pallet," or note; these
chambers communicating with each other by openings or perforations b, b, so
placed that the sliding or opening of any one or more of the valves or "pallets"
(by pressing down its corresponding "key") shall close the said openings or
perforations in the division next below itself, (as at 2, 2,) and thus the
communication from one chamber to the other through the whole or entire
series is complete or continuous only so long as the "keys" are unpressed, so
that in playing upon the instrument the continuity of this "wind chest" or
series of chambers, and the compressed air therein, ceases at or immediately
below the upper top or "soprano" note of the music, (as indicated by the
arrows in Figures 2, 5, 12, and 13), all notes below this being "neutralized "
or "silenced," in consequence of this the soprano note having (by the closing
of the apertures b, b,) cut off the communication and supply of compressed
air from them, although itself retaining these, and with them its powers of
action and voice. In some cases I prefer using for these valves or "pallets"
a specially constructed "V" shaped "slide valve," possessing the before-named
peculiarities (see Figures 4 to 9). This new single note or soprano "coupler,"
when placed so as to give the air or "soprano" upon the "swell organ," or
upon any portion made to "swell," enables the player by the use of the "swell
pedal" (whilst playing full harmony) to bring out or "accent" "ad libitum
the air or "soprano" only of any portion or passage of the music he is per-
forming, as though a flute, "cornopean," or other similar "single note "instru-
ment were used for the purpose by an additional or separate player. In some
cases I
arrange this "single note" or "soprano" coupler to give out the octave
note above or below the air or "soprano" note, or both, in addition to the
direct "unisons," (by the employment of "levers" from the said coupler, similar
to the "sub" and "super octave levers at present in use with ordinary
couplers,) and thus produce (automatously) upon one part or section of an
instrument the air or "soprano "in pure octaves without chords or harmony,
with a power and effect approaching the human voice, whilst the other parts
or sections of the same instrument are giving the "full chords" or "harmony"
as heretofore.
61
"
دو
I also in some cases produce the before-named effect by arranging
pallets" and grooves or channels in or to one or more of the ordinary
"wind chests," (see Figures 10, 11, and 12,) so that their pipes," tongues,"
or vibrators" shall "speak" or "sound" the air only when the ordinary
coupler is being used (in connexion with the sepallets and "wind chest"), by
causing the top or soprano note to "shut off" or silence all notes below itself,
similar to the before-named coupler (see Z, Z, Figure 12), Each top or

page_text: soprano note, whilst it silences all notes below or to the left of itself, (so long
as it constitutes the air or soprano of the music,) has also the power to
restore or allow the speaking of any note below itself, when it may become
the top "air" or "soprano" note of the "piece" or music.
To render this last-named method of "carrying out" my Invention clearand
understood by all readers of my Specification, it must be explained that these
before-named "pallets" and "grooves" or "channels "may be appended to
the ordinary wind chest " to feed or open into the "back ends" of the
"wind grooves
"underneath the pipes, (see Figures 10, 11, and 12,) and
being similarly constructed to the before-named small or "coupler wind
chest," (as regards the silencing of all but the top or upper note,) it will
(when used instead of the ordinary "wind chest " and "pallets") give out
the air or soprano note only on that portion of the instrument, instead of the
"full chords" or "harmony" as heretofore; the two "sets" of valves or
pallets" (old and new) being so arranged that one set ouly of them can be
"coupled " to the keys or used at "one and the same time."
(4
و"
In applying my Invention to some organs, harmoniums, or pianofortes, I
sometimes obtain the before-named effect by adding, as a separate portion
for this purpose, one or more " ranges or "ranks" of pipes, "tongues," or
"vibrators" to the upper or "treble" portion of the "manuals" or keys of
the instrument, these being so arranged as to be similarly actuated, (that is,
to give the air or soprano note only,) either by means of the before-named
"coupler," the arrangement of "pallets" and " grooves" or "channels"
in the "wind chest," (similar to Figures 11, 12, and 13,) a "stop," "check,"
or "damper" action in or against the "mouths 'or other parts of the pipes,
"tongues," or "vibrators," (see Figures 14 and 15,) or any other mechanical
or automatous means or method whereby the object and effect of my Invention
can be realized.
Having thus described and shown the nature of my said Invention, and the
mauner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect, I would
observe that I do not confine or restrict myself to the precise details or
arrangements which I have described or referred to, as many modifications
and variations may be made therefrom without deviating from the principles
or main features of the said Invention; but what I consider to be novel and
original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent, is the giving an improved or increased
C
or expression to organs, harmoniums, and other harmonious,
keyed instruments, by imparting to them the mechanical capability of giving
or sounding "automatously" the "air" ("soprano ") or "melody" only
"accent
"
وو

page_text: (additionally) upon one or more parts, portions, or sections, whilst the othe
parts of the same instrument are giving or sounding the "full chords" o
harmony," as heretofore; both parts or sections receiving at the same tim
the same first motion, action, or "influence" from the keys and player.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Dawes, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Tenth day of December, in the year of our Lore
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
Witness,
JAS. BAXTER,
23, Clifford Street,
Leeds.
WILLIAM DAWES. (L.S.)