Improvements in or appertaining to Organs and like Musical Instruments.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Oct., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 20th Aug., 1892-Accepted, 21st Oct., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or appertaining to Organs and like Musical
Instruments.
I, ROBERT HOPE-JONES, of 11, Huskisson Street, Birkenhead, in the County
of Chester, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in the construction and control of
organs and similar musical instruments.
By the devices hereinafter enumerated, the current of electricity necessary to
operate the primary valve of an electro-pneumatic organ action may be greatly
reduced and may be obtained in a more convenient manner; the form of electrical
contact may be varied so as to be operated more conveniently and silently; a
sforzando or other musical effect may be obtained by means of a second touch;
the coupling may be effected in a more simple manner and with greater ease to the
performer; the sliders or vents may be more conveniently and automatically
operated; the speech of all or any number of the pipes may be controlled from
any one of the key boards; the swell pedal and shutters may be made to answer
more readily to the will of the performer; the wind pressure for operating the
various pneumatic devices and for sounding the pipes may be obtained in a more
convenient manner and be more readily controlled.
The current of electricity required in connection with the electro-pneumatic
action may be greatly economised by arranging the magnet so that its poles do not
act upon the armature valve centrally; by arranging the secondary or auxiliary
pneumatic valves in a similar manner, thus reducing the size and stroke of the
bellows or pneumatic arrangement needed to operate such valves and therefore
lightening the work the magnet has to perform; by allowing the armature to come
into absolute or almost absolute magnetic contact with its pole or poles; by
reducing the ill effects of residual magnetism thus encountered, by making use of a
depolarising current caused to travel in a reverse direction to the playing current,
or by employing a depolarising coil or magnet when wishing to liberate the
armature; by using a soft iron or polarised steel armature valve face either of
single or duplex form. In one of the varied forms of valves, magnets and
connections, I find it advisable under certain circumstances to use magnets with
their magnetic circuits closed in all save one point. Another form of magnet
wound to a very high resistance is designed to impart a minute movement to
an armature which has an extended arm which operates the primary pneumatic
valve.
It is frequently advisable to render the action of the electrical contacts in an
organ more certain by duplicating them or triplicating them, and the form can be
aried in order to give increased efficiency and insulation and to minimise the noise
of action.
For producing sforzando, solo, or other effects, additional contacts may be
provided for the pedals or keys, such contacts playing the octaves of the pipes in
ase, or playing any pipes belonging to the other ranks, or percussion instruments
uch as a drum or drums. These contacts may be constructed in improved forms
o as to enable the performer to feel the beginning of the second touch clearly.
This second touch, as above described, may also be effectively applied to the
ombination touches, pistons or pedals.
By means of a simple mechanical device, altering the position of the keys or
ontact pieces, the amount of free movement of the key or pedal before the contact
made and also the depth of the touch may be readily made adjustable.

page_text: The coupling arrangements may be simplified by causing the keys, pedals or stop-
keys to make several distinct sets of contacts, and, by rendering the various sets
of contacts operative or inoperative by the making or breaking of a governing
contact or contacts.
The slides may be held in either position by pneumatic or hydraulic power, by
arranging that the valves governing the application of the said power shall
readily remain either open or closed. The need for a continuous current of
electricity is, in all cases, rendered unnecessary by arranging contacts in mechanical
or pneumatic connection with these valves in such a manner that the contact shall
be broken when the valve is operated.
66
Composition and combination pedals, pistons, keys or contacts may be arranged
to actuate any desired number or combination of the stop-keys, by mechanical,
Where
pneumatic, electrical, or a combination of two or more of these methods.
increased facilities are desired to enable an organist to prepare combinations
beforehand, I fit, instead of or in addition to the stop-switches" and "adjustable
combination touches" described in my former Patent Specification No. 15,461 of
1890 duplicate sets of stop-keys with suitable switches for connecting any one of
the sets with the battery and, at the same time, cutting off the remaining set or sets.
These stop-keys, whether used in single or duplicate sets may be made in any
convenient shape, and I have now designed a variety of patterns so arranged that
they cannot well lie in a middle position, but will spring fully on or fully off. In
my former Specification, as above cited, I described an electrical apparatus by
means of which a suitable bass or other accompaniment could, at all times, be
secured automatically. I have now devised and desire to patent several additional
methods of accomplishing this object, some of them not involving the use of
electricity at all. Contact pedals may be arranged for the whole instrument or for
ench and any division which will bring out or silence the stops and couplers in the
order most generally desired. In large organs, it will also be found useful to
provide a pedal or movable piece of mechanism which may be balanced, to enable
the organist to dispense (for the time being) with draw knobs or stop keys. This
pedal is so connected to the stop-sliders or vents as to afford the performer control
over the registers. Further improvements upon the methods of drawing combina-
tions of the stops have been devised. The force from the foot or finger being
conveyed from the stop-keys so as to affert the tone of the instrument by mechanical
or pneumatic means or by a combination of the two. A set of indicators may be
placed in view of the performer, to show him which of the composition pedals his
foot touches before he pushes down the said pedal. The indicators are brought
into operation by an electrical contact on or connected with the composition
pedals.
66
$4
It is possible to construct and arrange an organ in such a manner that the
division of it into distinct departments, such as Great," "Swell," "Choir,"
Solo," etcetera, and the provision of apparatus for coupling these departments
together are no longer necessary. It is easy, by such a construction and arrange-
ment, to obtain every known variety of power and effect with the addition of many
new ones if one large organ alone be used, provided with, say, three key-boards
and one pedal clavier, each furnished with a row of stop-keys, and each row
containing, say, every stop in the organ. I style this form of organ the "Unified
Organ." The electro-pneumatic levers, grooves, holes, pallets, etcetera, will, in
this case, be arranged so that any combination of stops may be drawn on any
manual independently of those that may be in use on any other at the time. The
pedal board in this case may be treated similarly to the other key boards;
excepting that every stop in the organ is carried down one octave and that the
"middle C" in the pedals will play the same note as the lowest C on the
manuals, thus each stop, when drawn on the pedals, will sound one octave lower
than when drawn on the manuals.
An instrument so arranged would probably have no couplers, but would, of
course, be furnished with composition pedals, combination. touches, swell boxes and

page_text: other accessories. If desired, the unified system may be observed so far as the
manuals are concerned, and, to save the expense of so great a number of the larger
pipes, an independent pedal organ having a smaller number of large scale pipes
may be provided and couplers to the manuals may be made use of, or the two
systems may be combined. The form of soundboard employed in the unified organ
system above mentioned may be operated by electrical, pneumatic, electro-pneumatic
or mechanical means and may also be used for instruments constructed on the
usual lines.
"
The swell pedal may be provided with an additional mechanical pneumatic or
magnetic spring device and may have a slight sideway movement. It may at the will
of the performer, be made capable of offering the advantages of the "self-closing
and the "balanced" systems. Or the position of the shutters may be controlled by
the aid of electric, pneumatic or mechanical power or by a combination of one or
more of these. When desired to actuate the swell shutters of an organ from a
distance by means of wind or water power this can readily be accomplished by
modifications and amplifications of the electrical methods set forth in my Patent
application aforesaid. In the above and all forms of swell pedal action it is
advisable to fit contrivances which I term pneumatic buffers, brakes and springs in
order to prevent unpleasant noise from banging and to ensure the shutters
remaining where desired, such contrivances being operated when the shutters are
moved. The pneumatic buffer may also be used in connection with the stop slides
and other parts of the organ mechanism.
Dated shootl
Ondaho 1901
WM P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Patent Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or appertaining to Organs and like Musical
Instruments.
I, ROBERT HOPE-JONES of 11 Huskisson Street, Birkenhead, in the County of
Chester, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to certain improvements in the construction and control
of organs and similar musical instruments, some parts of it having reference to the
inventions set forth in my Patent Specifications Nos. 15461, dated 30th September,
1890 and 18803 dated 20th November, 1890).
The invention may be carried into effect as follows:-
Reference being made to the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is plan of armature disc valve:
Figure 2, section of secondary valve:
Figure 3, elevation of pallet:
Figure 4, plan of pallet:
Figure 5, elevation of key contact :
Figure 6, two magnets with a common pole piece :
Figure 7, elevation of key contact :
Figure 8, plan of key contact:
Figure 9, elevation of key contact :
Figure 10, end elevation of key contact:
--
Figure 11, elevation of magnet with soft iron armature valve tace:
Figure 12, elevation of electro magnet with magnetic circuit closed in all save
one point:
Figure 18, elevation of magnet and armature with extended arm :
Figure 14, side elevation of magnet and armature with extended arm;

page_text: Figure 15 diagram of second touch applied to pedal :
Figure 16 sectional elevation and plan showing second touch applied to keys:
Figure 17 sectional elevation and plan showing second touch applied to keys:
Figure 18, end elevation of contacts for second touch applied to pedal:
Figure 19, side elevation of contacts for second touch applied to pedal:
Figure 20, end elevation of pedal:
Figure 21, elevation of manual key showing false touch, depth of touch and
contact arrangement :
Figure 22, end elevation of above;
Figure 23, sectional elevation of stop key and diagram of coupler contact:
Figure 24, sectional elevation of stop slider action :
Figure 25, side elevation of above:
Figure 26, sectional elevation of slide valve for above:
Figure 27, sectional elevation of stop slider action :
Figure 28, sectional elevation of stop slider action :
Figure 29, sectional elevation of console showing stop key and composition
arrangement. :
Figure 30, view of single stop key in perspective :
Figure 31, elevation of stop key:
Figure 32, sectional elevation of stop slider action :
Figure 33, plan of motors for operating suitable bass switch:
Figure 34, end elevation of suitable bass switch :
Figure 35 sectional elevation of motor for operating suitable bass switch:
Figure 36, side elevation of swell pedal:
Figure 37, front elevation of swell pedal:
Figure 38, side elevation of swell pedal:
Figure 39, front elevation of swell pedal :
Figure 40, diagram showing pneumatic control of swell pedal :
Figure 41, elevation showing spring attachment to swell shutters:
Figure 42, sectional elevation of portion of "Unified
organ sound board.
The current of electricity required in connection with the electro-pneumatic
action may be economised by arranging the magnet so that its poles do not act
upon the armature valve centrally, thus enabling it to leave its seat more readily.
The secondary or auxiliary pneumatic valves may be arranged in a similar manner,
thus reducing the size and stroke of the bellows of the pneumatic arrangement
needed to operate such valves and therefore lightening the work the magnet has to
perform.
Figure 1 is a plan showing an armature disc valve, say such as described in the
Specification of my Patent No. 15461%. A, A, indicate the positions of the magnet
poles which, it will be seen, are set a little out of the centre.
When applying the same principle to secondary and other valves, I may employ
any arrangement, say such as that shown in Figure 2. a' is a board through which
is cut the aperture a adapted, by means of the double valves a³ a³, to alternately
supply and exhaust the channel a, connected with the pneumatic apparatus which
it is required to operate. The valves are loosely linked together by means of the
rods a³ and a passing through the register a³ and are lifted by either of the said
rods which is attached at a point some little distance from the centre.
The same principle may be applied to the pallets in the sound-boards of an organ
whether of the usual pattern or constructed in such a manner as to provide an
extended edge over or past which the air may pass as described in my Patent
No. 15461. Such an arrangement is shown in Figures 3 and 4, in which the
pallet a² is adapted to close a double aperture in the sound-board connected to the
Bame groove. The pallet is held in its position by means of the spring a¹ and is
limited in its downward movement by means of the four guide pins a terminated
in the felt and leather buttons a³. It is adapted to be pulled downwards by the
wire a connected at some point which will cause one end of the pallet to be pulled
off its seat before the other,

page_text: The current may be further economised by allowing the armature to come into
absolute or almost absolute magnetic contact with its pole or poles and, if necessary,
by reducing the effects of residual magnetism encountered by making use of a
depolarising current caused to travel in a reverse direction to the playing current
or by a depolarising coil or magnet. Such depolarising current may be obtained
either from the working battery or from a distinct cell which may, if desired, have
a lower electromotive force, or from a charged condenser. The contacts at the
key may be arranged in some such manner as that shown in Figure 5. a' is a wire
moving with the manual key and connected with the positive pole of the playing
battery and the negative pole of the depolarising battery. a a² are fine upright
contact pins standing in a board a³ and connected respectively with the reverse
poles of the two batteries. On depressing the key, the wire a descends, rubs
against and eventually leaves the pin a, it then comes in contact with the pin a
and completes the circuit operating the pneumatic lever. When the key is released.
the wire a, after breaking contact with the pin a', again rubs and passes the pin aº,
and, in doing so, a depolarising current is sent through the magnet.
Another method of employing a depolarising current may be explained as
follows:-
The electro-magnet may be wound with a secondary coil through which the
depolarising current may be caused to pass when the key is liberated, by a contact
device of any known form. Or the magnet may be made in duplex form, as in
Figure 6, where A¹ is the operating magnet and A'the depolariser. Both magnets
have the common pole piece A.
When two magnets or coils are thus used, the contact device takes some such
form as that shown in Figure 7, adapted to apply the positive pole of the battery
employed to the playing circuit and the depolarising circuit alternately. a' is a
wire moving with the manual key connected with the positive pole of the battery,
aa' are fine upright contact pins standing in a board as and connected respectively
with the depolarising circuit and the playing circuit. On depressing the key, the
wire a ascends, rubs against and eventually leaves the pin a, it then comes in
contact with the pin a' and completes the playing circuit. When the key is
released, the wire a³, after breaking contact with the pin a', again rubs and passes
the pin a, and, in doing so, a depolarising current releases the armature.
Or a single magnet alone may be used and the playing battery employed to send
a reverse current through such magnet when the key is liberated. Figures 8, 9
and 10 show one form of contact device by means of which this may be accomplished.
In Figure 8, D is an electro pneumatic lever (shown at a greatly reduced scale)
a a are two contact wires fixed in the manual key and adapted to rub between
the pins a, a, a, a, a, all, the pins a a are connected with the negative and
positive poles of the battery respectively, and the pins a' a' with the positive and
negative poles respectively. a all are connected with each end of the coil of the
electromagnet.
all,
On depressing the key, the wires as a rise and rub between the pins a, a, a,
and eventually leave a as. They next come in contact with the pins a a³ and
complete the circuit operating the pneumatic lever. When the key is released,
the wires a a, after breaking contact with the pins a' a, again rub and pass the
pins a a, and, in doing so, a current is sent in a reverse direction through the
magnet.
It will be obvious that a variety of methods may be employed for producing
and controlling depolarising currents, but the principle of making use of such
currents to counteract the ill effects of residual magnetism is the same in all cases.
When using a soft iron or polarised steel armature valve face, some such arrange-
ment as that shown in Figure 11 may be employed. A³ A³ are the valve faces
preferably drilled with a number of fine holes as described in my former Specification.
AA are the armature valves controlling the supply and exhaust of the chamber A
and the pneumatic apparatus which it is desired to operate by means of the
holes A in the poles of the magnet and the perforations in the valve seat

page_text: respectively. By means of this arrangement, the electric current necessary to
attract the valves A A is much reduced. Some suitable adjustment must be
provided between the magnets and valve seats, such as the screws A' A' which
will compress the rubber Aº.
When using magnets and armatures in which the magnetic circuit is closed in
all save one point, some such arrangement as that shown in Figure 12 may be
employed. A is the magnet having its armature A* pivotted at A° or mounted
on a flexible spring in absolute magnetic contact with the magnet poles and
attached to primary pneumatic valves of any known description such as at a.
magnetic circuit is here closed except at the point A'.
The
Another form of magnet wound to a very high resistance is designed to impart
a minute movement to an armature which has an extended arm operating the
primary pneumatic valve.
One such arrangement is shown in Figures 13 and 14. A is the magnet &
A* the armature hinged on the pivots A and connected with any form of valve, say
for instance, a multiple hole valve as at a. It will be seen that, in this arrange-
ment, the hinge is in close proximity to the magnet and that both the poles operate
upon the active part of the armature.
For producing sforzando solo or other effects, additional contacts may be
provided for the pedals or keys, such contacts playing octaves of the pipes in use
or playing any pipes belonging to the other ranks. These contacts may be
constructed in improved forms so as to enable the performer to feel the beginning
of the second touch clearly. In Figure 16, B is the manual key and B' is the pin
rail in which are cut three longitudinal grooves or channels B B* B*. B* B* are
small metal plates one under each key, held in its position by two screws B° and
firmly supported by spiral springs round the said screws. The screws and springs,
which support the plates forming the second touch of the black notes, occupy
positions in the grooves B' B', while those for the white notes occupy the
grooves B B⭑.
Or the plates may be dispensed with, as in Figure 17, where the second touch
screws B are surrounded by collar tubes supporting the spiral spring B³ by means
of the washer B'; the said washer being raised and the spring being compressed
whenever the key is struck sufficiently hard.
As described in my previous Specification, the series of contacts bb¹ are so
arranged that they only come into operation when the key is depressed far enough
to compress the second touch springs.
This second touch, as above described, may also be effectively applied to the
combination touches, pistons or pedals. For this purpose, some such arrangement
as that shown in Figures 18, 19 and 20 may be adopted, in which a second touch
spring of any suitable form, as at E, is placed under the pedal to form the limit of
the first touch movement. E' is a roller connected with the pedal by the rod E
and carrying the brass contact wires E. E E are the contact pin rail boards
each carrying the two rows of contact pins (which are preferably made double and
in the form of a loop). The pairs of pins E' E' are in the circuit of the "off"
wires of the stops which are to be actuated by the first and second touches of the
pedal respectively. One side of each of the contacts E' E' is connected with the
positive pole of the battery, the other sides being connected with the "on" wires
of the first and second touch stops respectively. It will be seen that, in its normal
position, all the circuits are left through but, upon depressing the pedal to its first
fimit, the "off" circuits of the first touch stops are broken at E' and the positive
pole of the battery is put on to the " on wires of the first touch stop by means
of the contact E. Upon applying the firmer pressure to the pedal, the contact
pieces are moved further over, causing the second touch "off" circuits to be
broken at E' and putting the positive pole of the battery to the " on wires of
the second touch stops at E8. Figure 19 shows a side elevation of the contact
pins. The "off" circuit is shown joined up in its normal position by means of
the contact piece E. E' is the battery lead common to all the "on contacts.
"
"

page_text: If desired, the electrical connections may be dispensed with, and a mechanical
or pneumatic method, such as that described with reference to Figure 15, may be
employed to move the stop keys themselves. F is the pedal kept in its normal
position by a spring with an upward tendency. Below it is fitted any convenient
form of second touch spring as at E. A light touch upon the pedal will cause the
motor F to be inflated by means of the bellows F and the tube F', thus operating
the composition roller F or any other which it is desired to operate by the first
touch. A firmer depression of the foot may be made to operate other composition
rollers by means of the bellows E¹.
It will be obvious that another spring may be provided to give the pedal a third
position to operate other ranks of pipes.
It is frequently advisable to render the action of the electric contacts in an organ
more certain by duplicating them or triplicating them, and the form can be varied
in order to give increased efficiency and insulation and to minimise the noise of
action.
One of the forms of variation in the key contacts which I recommend is shown in
Figures 21 and 22, in which 6 b are short metal cylinders supported by thinner
wires passing through the keys capable of adjustment in a vertical direction. The
upright contact pins b¹¹ (which are preferably made double and in the form
of a loop) in this arrangement are fixed in the board B' and rise round the extension
arm B' of the key B. The electric current passes from one pin to the other through
the cross piece b whenever the key is depressed.
By means of a simple mechanical device altering the position of the key or
contact pieces, the amount of free movement or "false touch" of the key or pedal
before the contact is made and also the depth of the touch may be readily made
adjustable.
One such arrangement may be described with reference to Figures 21 and 22, in
which the amount of false touch is determined by a roller or bar 6, which may be
eccentrically set in the key cheeks and terminated at one end in a stud or a slide to
enable the performer to alter the relative positions of the component parts of the
contacts of each key.
If it is desired to alter the depth of touch at any time, this may be accomplished
by any such means as the semi-circular roller 6 lying in a channel and terminated
at one end by a stud in the key cheek.
The coupling arrangement may be simplified by causing the keys, pedals or stop-
keys to make several distinct sets of contacts and by rendering the various sets of
contacts operative or inoperative by the making or breaking of a governing contact
or contacts.
Such an arrangement is shown in Figure 23, in which C is one of the series of
stop keys connected by light wire rods C₁ to the pair of levers C³, which levers
work vertically upon their centres C7. C8 is a stout wire of any suitable form,
moving with one of the levers C³. C' is a plate of insulating substance drilled with
a large number of small holes through which fine metallic pins are passed, the parts
being so arranged that the stout wire C" upon the lever C will be thrust between
and rub each and every pin when the stop key is operated. One or more of the
contact pins supported by the plate of insulating substance C may be connected to
the battery, the remaining ones being connected with their respective notes on a
transverse row of manual key contacts at C10. The other half of the said row of
contacts will be connected to their respective terminals on the test board. For
instance, the sub octave contact of the key C would be connected through the
wire to that pin on the test board which was in the circuit of the sub octave
key C C
The slides may be held in either position by pneumatic or hydraulic power by
arranging that the valves governing the application of the said power shall readily
remain either open or closed. The need for a continuous current of electricity is,
in all cases, rendered unnecessary by arranging the contacts in mechanical or
pneumatic connection with these valves in such a manner that the contact shall be

page_text: broken when the valve is operated. One such arrangement may be described with
reference to Figure 24, which is a section through a pair of electro-pneumatic
levers to operate the stop slider, and Figure 25, which is a side view of the same
with the face board of the action box removed. D D are motors to pull the stop
slider on and off respectively. The double valves d d' controlling the said power
bellows are operated by the primary pneumatic motors d' d. These latter motors
may, if desired, be combined and constructed in a form commonly known as a
cuckoo bellows, as shown in the drawing, adapted to be held firmly in their
extreme positions by an unstable equilibrium spring device of any known form, such
as, for instance, that shown in Figure 25, in which 1' is a screw having a recess in
its upper end to hold the spiral spring abutting against a plate adapted to receive
one end of the free pin D³. The other end of the free pin is seated in a recess at
the end of the arm D. The motors d³ d³ are each adapted to be exhausted by the
primary electro-pneumatic valves, the magnets of which may be in the "
and
"off" stop circuits respectively. The spindles holding the valves d d', or any other
moving part of the apparatus, may be connected with any suitable form of contact
such as at D adapted to break each circuit so soon as the necessary movement has
been imparted.
on
Another method of operating the stop sliders of an organ may be described with
reference to Figure 26, in which dd' is a balanced slide valve operated by two
electro-magnets controlling the motors D D¹.
Slide valves have already been largely used in pneumatic organs in connection
with draw stop action, but I find that all patterns previously used for this purpose
are unsuitable for electro-pneumatic action, as, on account of the friction caused by
the wind pressure, it is necessary to increase the magnetic power or to add a
tertiary pneumatic, whereas, when a balanced slide valve is employed, the air
which can be easily passed through the valve seat described in the Specification of
my Patent No. 15461 furnishes sufficient power to operate it. In Figure 26, d is
the metal case having a cylindrical bore for the piston valve d¹. d'and do are
wind-ways providing supply and exhaust for the motors D' and D. The piston
valve is connected by links to the extension arms on the motors d³ and d.
A suitable contact device, adapted to break or reverse each circuit so soon as the
necessary movement has been imparted, is applied to some moving part of the
apparatus.
In this
Another method of operating the sliders in an organ without the use of a
continuous electric current may be described with reference to Figure 27.
apparatus, only one cable wire is used between the console and the organ for each
stop the stop key being furnished with any convenient form of pole reversing
switch adapted to connect alternately the positive and negative pole of the battery
with this wire. A similar pole reversing switch, such as the pendulum el is adapted
to be pressed between the pairs of pins e by means of the blocks on the
trace e being arranged to reverse the circuit so soon as the necessary movement
has been imparted. In the illustration, the slider is shown in its open position, the
motor D being inflated and D' being exhausted.
The working of the apparatus is as follows:-
When the tumbler stop key is thrown off (into the position shown by the
dotted lines) the current from the positive pole of the battery passes along the
line, through the switch e, along the single cable wire e, round the poles of
the magnet el, along the line e", through the switch e and so to the opposite pole
of the battery, thus completing the circuit and reversing the bellows D D by
means of a slide valve governed by the motors d² d' as drawn, or by means of any
known form of pneumatics. When the stop key is thrown on, the current from the
positive pole of the battery passes along the wire es, through the switch, along
the wire e", through the magnet e", along the cable wire e, through the switch e
to the opposite pole of the battery, thus completing the circuit and reversing the
apparatus.
Another method of operating the stop-slider may be described with reference to

page_text: Figure 28, in which F is a permanent steel magnet with pole pieces of soft iron
and surrounded by coils of insulated wire. F is a metal armature disc valve
and F a valve seat preferably constructed with a large number of fine holes as
described in my previous Specification. F is the pneumatic disc to operate the
valves which alternately supply and exhaust the chamber D and the motor D¹
contained therein connected to the stop-slider. Any moving part of the apparatus,
such as the spindle carrying the double valves d d', may be provided with a suitable
switch device adapted to reverse the poles of the battery at each movement of the
apparatus. The office of the stop-key or draw-knob is to connect the positive or
negative pole of the battery to the operating circuit by means of the "on" and
"off" movements respectively. It will be understood that, in the normal position
of the apparatus, the armature disc valve will be held down against the wind
pressure, the permanent magnetism being sufficient for this purpose. When, how-
ever, the negative pole of the battery is connected at the stop-key, a current will
flow in such a direction as to neutralise the permanent magnetism and the armature
will be released, thus causing the apparatus to reverse and connect the wire with
the negative_instead of with the positive pole, so preventing further flow of
electricity. Upon the positive pole of the battery being connected by the stop
key, the permanet magnetism will be reinforced by the electric current and the
armature disc will be attracted.
It is obvious that, in each of the above methods of controlling the sliders or vents
of an organ, the different forms of pneumatic relays may be constantly varied and
combined.
Composition and combination pedals, pistons, keys or contacts may be arranged
to actuate any desired combination of the stop keys, by mechanical, pneumatic,
electrical or a combination of two or more of these methods. The stop keys may
be made in any convenient shape or pattern. At the time of taking out my
provisional protection, I had, as I stated, designed a variety of such patterns. Those
which I have found best may be described with reference to Figures 23, 29, 30
and 31.
These stop keys may be made of any suitable material, such as ivory, celluloid
or porcelain, and may be connected by the traces C¹ with the levers C (as in
Figure 23) or the slides F (as in Figure 29). The object of the said levers or
slides is to hold any required number of blocks or springs, such as F¹, adapted to
engage the combination rollers or fans F³. The said rollers may be operated by
the organist's hands or feet by means of any convenient mechanical, pneumatic or
electric connection, such as the pedal F³, and the bellows F connected by the
tubes F to the motors F.
It will be seen that, in each of these patterns of tumbler stop keys, a single
groove or channel (as in Figures 23 and 31) or a double groove (as in Figure 30)
is provided as a convenient guide to the performer's fingers when, with a light
glissando or sliding movement, he wishes to silence or bring on the whole or any
part of the organ. To facilitate this movement, the keys have their fronts con-
siderably rounded. The elongation of the lower arm of the keys drawn in
Figures 23 and 31, and the lip at the bottom of that shown in Figures 29 and 30,
enable the performer to operate them readily while playing upon the manuals
immediately below. This extension also affords a convenient position for the name
of the stop.
It is usually wise to employ an unstable equilibrium spring device of any known
form, such as the pulley and spring in Figure 31, or the pin and spring in Figure 29,
adapted to hold each of the stop keys in its extreme positions.
In my former Specification, I described an electrical apparatus by means of
which the suitable bass or other accompaniment could at all times be secured
automatically, another method of accomplishing this may be described with
reference to Figures 32, 33, 34, 35. These drawings are sufficient to explain the
apparatus as arranged to give an automatic control of the pedal stops from the
great organ sliders, but it will, of course, be understood that it is equally applicable
B

page_text: to the swell, choir or other manuals, and may be used to control other stops than
those in the pedal organ. For the sake of clearness, the apparatus is here
described with reference to those systems of electro-pneumatic draw stop action in
which one cable wire is used in conjunction with automatic switches adapted to
break the circuits when each movement is effected, and reverse the direction in
which the next current has to travel. The system of automatic control of the
pedal registers is, of course, equally applicable to electric organs in which any other
systems are used.
Figure 32 is a section of electro-pneumatically controlled valves of any convenient
form for operating the stops of, say, the great organ.
Figure 33 is a plan, and
Figure 34 is an end elevation of a series of bellow motors G, each pair of which
is connected by the tubes G¹ G' to the on and off supply valves respectively of the
slider operating motors D D'in Figure 32. G³ is a rocking lever forming a switch
fixed upon one end of the roller G and having an adjustable weight attached to its
lower arm or any suitable equilibrium device to keep it normally in an upright
position. The upper end of the arm may consist of a metal rod forming a segment
of a circle and should have a small insulated piece G in its centre; its outer edge
being adapted to rub against the contact pins g', 93, 9*9*9. Of these pins, g³, 9, 9*
are connected to the stop slider action motors in the pedal organ when the switch g
is in the position shown, while 'g' are connected to the positive and negative poles
of the battery respectively.
The bellows Gare adapted, by means of the cross piece G and the roller Go, to
operate the switch G and thus connect the positive or negative pole of the battery
with the electro-pneumatic action of those stops on the pedal organ which form a
suitable bass to whatever stops are speaking upon the great organ at the time.
For this purpose, the bellows G are made of different sizes in proportion to the
power of the stops to which they are connected, and it is obvious that they will
exert varying power upon the roller G by means of the cross pieces G connected
to it. If desired, a counterbalancing weight or spring may be arranged to take the
place of one set of the bellows G.
Figure 35 is an end elevation, showing a single motor G only which may be used
to operate the switch G', in place of the double series of bellows shown.in the
preceding figure. One set of tubes conveying varying quantities of wind in pro-
portion to the power of the stops connects this single motor with the pneumatic
action of the said stops. These tubes are provided with small leather flaps inside
the motor to act as non-return valves. 9' is a small exhaust hole which is permanently
opened It will be seen that the spring G7 keeps the motor normally shut, but that
it will open and will move the switch backwards and forwards in accordance with
the amount of air reaching it in excess of that which escapes from the exhaust.
holes g.
A switch is provided in the console, which may be operated in any convenient
manner, say such as that described as a "suitable bass stud" in my previous
Specification. When in the position shown by the dotted lines (Figure 34),. it will
be seen that the ordinary pedal stop key circuits are complete, when, however, it is
moved over to the ou position, the circuits are broken and the pedal stop will then
only be brought on or off in accordance with the number of stops speaking upon
the great organ. It is obvious that this apparatus can be readily adapted to the
use of pneumatic or mechanical power without the introduction of electricity at all.
In the pneumatic form, tubes would be used instead of wires, and valves instead.
of contacts.
When it is desired to combine the advantages of the "balanced" and "self-
closing" systems of swell pedals, some such device as that described with reference
to Figures 36 and 37 may be employed.
Figure 36 is a side elevation, and
Figure 37 is an end view of the swell pedal of any convenient form mounted in
the console.

page_text: The pedal H is mounted on a carriage H₁ on which it is pivotted by the
screw providing a small lateral movement. The carriage H' is itself hinged
upon the base H by means of the pin providing a vertical movement. The
lateral movement of the pedal is limited on the right side by the upright rod h*
fixed to and moving with the carriage, and, on the left, by the standard /* fixed
upon the base H' and lined with rubber on its inner edge. Any unstable
equilibrium device between the pedal and its carriage, such as the spring / the
knife edge held against the roller h', causes the pedal to bear against the upright
rod or the rubber on the standard A. When it is desired to use it as a
"balanced" pedal, a slight lateral movement of the foot throws it against the
rubber which will hold it in any desired position in spite of the spring H. When,
however, the pedal is moved slightly to the right, it will bear against the rod h
fixed to the carriage H' and both will move together as a self-closing pedal.
Another method of obtaining this result may be described with reference to
Figures 38 and 39, being respectively a side elevation and end view of a swell
pedal. H is the swell pedal hinged to provide a vertical movement upon the
block h°. The said block is pivoted by the screw / to give it a small lateral
movement. His a leather bellows fixed upon the base H and provided with an
opening in the upper board, adapted to be closed by the pedal when moved
towards the left. The spring He lifts the pedal H by means of the bridge ³ to
which it is attached. Any unstable equilibrium device, such as the screw and
spring and the pin (more fully described in Figure 26) may be employed to
seat the pedal firmly upon the upper board of the bellows and to throw it from one
side to the other. It will be seen that, in the position shown in Figure 39, the
aperture 8 being open, the pedal will be free to move up and down, but, when a
slight movement to the left is imparted to it, the aperture 8 being closed, the
pedal will be locked in its position by means of the imprisoned air in the
bellows H'.
ht
It will be understood that some mechanical, pneumatic or electric device will be
attached to the pedal to connect it with and to operate the swell shutters.
When it is desired to actuate the swell shutters of an organ from a distance by
means of wind or water power, this can readily be accomplished by modifications
and amplifications of the electrical methods set forth in my Patent Specification
No. 15461. One method may be described by way of illustration with reference
to Figure 40. L'is an air-tight chamber having a partition formed by a diaphragm
of flexible leather. 1, are the spindles of valves which exhaust or supply the
tubes. and P. are small escape holes which are preferably made adjustable.
L' is a double motor for opening and closing the swell shutters L', and is controlled
by the slide valve L', operated by the motors. Springs are placed at to
bring the valve to its middle position when neither of the motors is working it.
L' L' are cocks on the tubes connecting the reservoirs with the chambers on each
side of the flexible diaphragm in the box 12. The cock L' is operated by the
swell pedal L, and the cock L' is controlled by the movement of the swell
shutters.
The working of the apparatus is as follows:-
When the swell pedal L is depressed, cock L' is opened, and the pressure from
the reservoir deflects the diaphragm and operates the valve land exhausts the
motor by the tube P. This brings the slider valve L' over and opens the
shutters L by means of the motors L'. This movement of the shutters auto-
matically adjusts the valve L', so that, when opened to the same extent as the pedal
valve L', the diaphragm returns to its normal position, and the springs E bring the
slide.valve back to the middle and the motors hold the shutters in that position.
As soon as the pedal L moves again, the balance of the diaphragm is disturbed,
and the shutters are opened or closed until the said balance is restored.
In the above and all-forms of swell pedal action, it is advisable to fit contrivances
which I term pneumatic buffers, brakes and springs, in order to prevent unpleasant
noise from hanging and to ensure the shutters remaining where .desired, such

page_text: contrivances being operated when the shutters are moved. The pneumatic buffer
may also be used in connection with the stop sliders and other parts of the organ
mechanism.
In the case of large shutters, a difficulty has been found in practice in holding
them firmly by means of the electro-pneumatic brake, and, on account of their
momentum. This difficulty is overcome by the insertion of a spring between the
operating motors and the shutter in some such manner as that described with
reference to Figure 41. M is the operating rod adapted to be set in motion either
by mechanical, pneumatic or electro-pneumatic power. In an electro-pneumatic
apparatus for operating the shutters such as that described in my Patent
Specification No. 15461 (Figure 49), this rod would carry the switch M, and one
end of it would pass through the pneumatic brake at M². M' and M₁ are the
springs mounted upon the rod M. M is an abutment placed upon the swell
shutters or their connecting rod which engages the springs and is placed in such a
position that, when the apparatus to open the shutters is fully operated, the.
spring M³ is in tension and, when fully closed, the spring M is in tension.
A set of indicators may be placed in view of the performer to show him which of
the composition pedals his foot touches before he pushes down the said pedal. The
indicators are brought into operation by an electrical contact on or connected with
the composition pedals.
In Figure 29, is an electrical contact device operated by the pedal F³, as shown,
or any other known form of composition pedal or piston, and so arranged that,
before the power imparted to it is transmitted to the draw stop or stop key mechanism,
the electric circuitƒƒfƒ³ is completed and lights up the little glow lamp f*,
or moves an indicator by means of electro-magnet. Such lamps or indicators may
be placed in any convenient position in sight of the organist and will preferably
have a glass panel before them, bearing the designation of the composition
movement to which they are connected.
One method of employing a pneumatic "buffer" in connection with stop slider
action of an organ may be described with reference to Figures 24 and 25, in
which D is one of a pair of slider action motors. d is a spring mounted on the
block and carrying a disc valve do capable of closing the supply and exhaust
bole d. When the motor D is exhausted, the valve do will close the exhaust
hole at a point shortly before the end of the stroke of the motor, the actual
period being adjusted by the screw d". A small non-return valve d" may connect
the supply passage with the motor at any convenient point. The imprisoned air
acts as an effectual cushion and the apparatus should be attached to all quickly
moving motors in an organ.
When it is desired to render the stops of an organ available for use on several or
all of the manuals or on the pedals, some such construction of the sound board as
that shown in Figure 42 may be employed. In the illustration, which is a section
across the sound board, three ranks of pipes are shown, namely, an open diapason, a
stopped diapason and a dulciana. Below each rank are placed the longitudinal
bars N running, say, the length of the sound board and carrying the motors N¹, of
which one is provided for each pipe. The motors N', when exhausted, open the
valves N', thus causing the pipes to speak, the chambers N' being supplied with
wind from the bellows. Each motor is supplied with a small hole a through which
a limited amount of air from the chamber N³ may pass into its interior, thus
allowing the spring n to close the valve N2 and prevent the pipe speaking. N'are
valves hinged on their upper sides, a set of three of which is shown below each
pipe. These valves are normally held closed by the wire levers n² passing through
the plate or purse at n' and held in the position shown by the springs n³.
N' N and N' are three chambers running, say, the length of the sound board, any
one or all of which may be supplied with wind from the bellows or opened to the
atmosphere at pleasure by the movement of stop-keys, knobs or pedals by the
organist. The trackers or rods n n n', which operate the wire levers n³, are
controlled by the movement of manual or pedal keys through the agency of

page_text: electro-pneumatic, pneumatic, mechanical or other connections. n is connected, let
us say, with the lowest row of keys; n° is connected with the upper row of keys;
n' is connected with the foot keys or pedals. The valve governing the supply of
air to the groove N' is operated by the open diapason stop key or draw knob in
the set for use in connection with the lowest row of keys.
The valve governing the supply of air to the groove N is operated by the open
diapason stop key or draw knob in the set for use in connection with the upper row
of keys, and similarly the groove N' is controlled by the open diapason stop key on
the pedal board. It will thus be seen that the movement of the traces N° N° N'
.and the levers N' in the direction indicated by the arrows will be ineffective so long
as wind pressure is in the grooves N' N° N', but that, when any of the said grooves
are open to the atmosphere, the air from the motor N¹ will be able to escape
through the valve N and thus allow the desired stops to speak.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In an organ the use of valves adapted to be withdrawn bodily from their seats
by an attachment at some point which will cause one part of the said valve to leave
the seat before the other part, substantially as described.
2. In an electric organ, the use of a magnet, the pole or poles of which are in
absolute or almost absolute magnetic contact with its armature in combination with
the employment of depolarising currents substantially as described.
3. In an electric organ, the use of a soft iron or polarised steel armature valve
face as and for the purposes described.
4. In an electric organ, the arrangement of an electro magnet and its armature
in which the magnetic circuit is absolutely closed in all save one point.
5. In an electric organ, the combination shown in Figures 16 and 17 adapted to
form a second touch with a key or pedal substantially as described.
6. In a composition movement of an electric organ, the use of a double touch
adapted to bring into action additional pipes when a pressure is exerted greater
than that required for the ordinary touch, substantially as described.
7. In an electric organ, the arrangement of key contacts shown in Figures 17, 21,
and 22, substantially as described.
8. In an electric organ, the means for adjusting the depth of the ordinary and
false touch substantially as described with reference to Figures 21 and 22.
9. In an electric organ, the combination of a contact device with a stop key,
whereby a considerable number of rubbing contacts may be made or broken by
a very light touch of the finger substantially as described with reference to
Figure 23.
10. In an electric organ, the use of a motor in combination with an unstable
equilibrium spring device and a valve or valves for governing the application of
wind pressure to stop slider motors substantially as described.
11. In an electric organ, the use of a balanced slide valve for operating the
stop sliders or other mechanism substantially as described with reference to
Figure 26.
12. In an electric organ, an arrangement of the circuits whereby positive and
negative currents may be utilised for operating organ mechanism substantially as
described with reference to Figure 27.
13. In an electric organ, the use of a polarised magnet and electric circuits as
described with reference to Figure 28.
14. In an electric organ, the improved patterns of stop keys as set forth in
Figures 23, 29, 30 and 31 as and for the purposes described.
15. In an organ, the use of an electro pneumatic or pneumatic device for securing
a suitable bass or other accompaniment substantially as described with reference to
Figures 32, 33, 34, and 35.

page_text: 16. In an organ, the self closing swell pedal, capable of being hitched in any
position substantially as described with reference to Figures 36, 37, 38 and 39.
17. In an organ, the arrangement for operating the swell shutters in which a
valve moving with the swell pedal and a similar device moving with the shutters
are so connected and arranged as to cause each movement of the pedal to produce a
similar movement of the shutters.
18. In an organ, a pneumatic buffer by which the air is imprisioned at an
adjustable point towards the close of the stroke of a motor substantially as described
with reference to Figure 24.
19. In an organ, the apparatus for indicating to the performer which composition
piston, pedal or other movement his hand or foot touches before such movement is
effected.
20. In an organ, the means described with reference to Figure 42 for operating a
pallet or valve from several independent sources.
21. In an organ, the combination of the motor N¹ with one or more of the
valves N and the grooves N° N° N' substantially as described.
Dated thin 10th 2ove of A 1000
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, and London, Patent Agents.