IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO AUTOMATIC OR MECHANICAL ORGANS AND HARMONIUMS, AND APPARATUS OR MEANS FOR PLAYING OR PERFORMING UPON THE SAME AND UPON PIANOFORTES OR OTHER INSTRUMENTS BY THE AID OF ELECTRICITY OR MAGNETISM, OR OTHERWISE." PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Y. Smith, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United
States of America, now of 8, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO AUTOMATIC OR MECHANICAL ORGANS
AND HARMONIUMS, AND APPARATUS OR MEANS FOR PLAYING OR PERFORMING
UPON THE SAME AND UPON PIANOFORTES OR OTHER INSTRUMENTS BY THE
AID OF ELECTRICITY OR MAGNETISM, OR OTHERWISE."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Y. Smith at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th March 1880.
JOHN Y. SMITH, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America, now of
8, Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO
AUTOMATIC OR MECHANICAL ORGANS AND HARMONIUMS, AND APPARATUS OR
MEANS FOR PLAYING OR PERFORMING UPON THE SAME AND UPON PIANOFORTES
OR OTHER INSTRUMENTS BY THE AID OF ELECTRICITY OR MAGNETISM, OR
OTHERWISE."
My Invention relates to improvements in automatic or mechanical pipe and reed
organs and harmoniums, and to apparatus or means for playing or performing upon
the same or upon pianofortes or other musical or sound producing instruments by
the aid of electricity, magnetism, or otherwise.
The first part of the said Invention relates to a novel manner of providing music
for mechanical or automatic pianofortes, harmoniums, organs, and the like, and
consists in the employment of metallic dots, strokes, lines, or marks upon the
surfaces of paper, parchment, vellum, leather, porcelain, or other material, so that
when a sheet, strip, or plate of any material, or the surface of a roller upon which
the said strokes, dots, lines, or marks exist is properly arranged in or upon a musical
instrument and caused to move or travel over, under, or across the points or
terminals of two of a series of wires or other suitable conductors of a battery or
other generator of electricity, the circuit will be completed between the said points
and through magnets arranged in connection with the valves, keys, or other parts
to cause the instrument to be sounded each time a metallic stroke, dot, or line
comes in contact with the said points or ends of the wires or conductors, and the
corresponding note of the instrument will be thereby sounded.

page_text: The metallic marks or notes on the paper or other material are not raised, or not
perceptibly raised, and may be produced thereon by printing, stamping, stencilling,
or other like processes, or by perforating or punching the paper or other material
and placing adhesively behind the same, or placing between two sheets of paper or
other material, strips or sheets of foil or thin metal, or by cutting or stamping out
thin pieces of foil or thin metal to represent the notes, and securing the same
adhesively on the paper or other material.
The strokes, dots, or marks will be produced in lines or rows lengthwise and
across the paper or other material. The length of these rows or lines will represent the
length of the tune or piece of music, and the number of such rows or lines will be
in proportion to the degree of harmonization or combination of tones of the chords.
A simple tune or piece of music will be represented by a few rows of such marks,
strokes, or dots succeeding each other at regular or irregular intervals according
to the nature of the musical piece or composition which they represent. The notes,
marks, or signs may be produced in gold, silver, copper, tin, lead, or any other
suitable metal upon one or both surfaces of the paper or other material.
In some instances I form the said notes, marks, or lines of steel or iron produced
This
upon or applied to the paper or other material in any convenient manner.
form of my improved music may be used in connection with a common or permanent
magnet instead of with electrical apparatus for operating or playing on the
instrument.
My improved music will be as convenient to carry about and to use as ordinary
printed music. It can be rolled up or will pack or lie very compactly on shelves
or in cabinets or the like; it will be very cheap, so that the cost of new music at
any time will be trifling, and therefore the use of such instruments will not be
limited or restricted, as heretofore, by the consideration of the expense that would
be incurred in obtaining a supply of fresh music to an extent necessary to avoid
wearisome repetition of the same tunes or pieces.
Another part of my Invention relates to the playing of organs, pianofortes,
harmoniums, and other sound yielders by means of music sheets or tune bands
made of india-rubber, paper, or other suitable material, and provided with raised
portions or projections which constitute the notes, and in combination with the said
tune-band or music sheet I arrange pivotted levers or bent wires, or plates, which
are so balanced that one of their ends will rest on the tune band, and the other end
is so arranged in relation to a vessel containing mercury connected with one pole
of the battery, that when the end resting on the tune band or music sheet is raised
by one of the said projections, the other end or a projection from the wire or plate
will be dipped into the mercury and will close the circuit through the magnets and
operate the valves, keys, or other parts of the musical instrument in connection
therewith. Or the said bent wires or levers may be brought into contact with any
In some cases
good conductor of electricity other than quicksilver when desired.
I form the said tune band or music sheet with two series of projections arranged
side by side so that the said pivotted levers or wires will pass over one series when
the tune band is travelling in one direction and can then be caused to pass over the
The
other series when the said tune band is travelling in the other direction.
second series of projections may represent a continuation of the tune of the first
series, or may be a separate tune or a repetition of the first tune as desired, and in
some cases I employ paper, which is provided with projections on both sides of the
paper so that four distinct tunes may be played from a single sheet, or a long tune
played by the employment of a tune band or music sheet of comparatively short
length. In order to effect the movement of the tune band or the levers or bent
wires for this purpose, the rollers carrying the tune band may be moved endwise
to bring the second series of projections under the pivotted levers or wires, or the
latter may be moved endwise over the said series of projections by means of a lever
which may be operated by a flexible or expanding cylinder or chamber, hereinafter
termed a collapsible sack, or by a magnet controlled by the tune band or music
sheet so that immediately one series of projections have performed their functions

page_text: the levers or the second series of projections will be automatically switched over to
play the tune represented by the said second series.
Instead of employing pivotted levers as above described in connection with the
raised portions of the tune band or music sheets I, in some cases, arrange in close
proximity to each row of the same two flat spring bars or metal plates or wires
connected at one end with the two poles of the battery, their other ends being so
arranged that when in their normal condition there is a slight space between the
same so that the circuit is broken at this point, but when one of the projections or
raised portions of the music sheet or tune band comes into contact with one of the
said spring plates it effects a contact of the said free ends, thereby closing the
circuit through the magnet and sounding the note. In order to prevent the
accumulation of dust which would impair the contact at the ends of the spring
plates I so construct the said ends that when the points of contact meet there will
be a rubbing action between the same which will tend to keep the said points clean;
or instead of using one series of pivotted levers, spring plates, or wires in connection
with the two series of projections on the tune band I may employ two series of
spring plates, one of which is adapted to pass over the projections on the tune band
or music sheet in its forward movement and the other over the other set of
projections in its backward movement, the movement of the said levers or
spring plates into or out of connection with either series of projections being
preferably automatically accomplished by a perforation in the music sheet and a
collapsible sack, or by a magnet. Instead of employing tune bands or music sheets
with projections to operate the levers or spring plates above described I, in some
cases, employ tune bands having depressions in their surface for the same purpose,
and the said music sheets or tune bands may be provided with projections or
with metallic dots or lines to actuate, through suitable mechanism, the stops or
swells of the organ or other instrument, and also to actuate suitable octave couplers
so that when a note in one octave is sounded a note in one or more other octaves.
can also be sounded.
Another part of my Invention consists in a tune band or music sheet which is
provided with two series of perforations in such a manner that one series of per-
forations will play one tune or one part or half of a tune in travelling forwards, and
the other set of perforations when the music sheet is moved end wise, or the action
board similarly moved, will play the other half or part of the said tune, or
will repeat the whole tune or play a new tune, as desired, so that the inconvenience
of rewinding the music sheet or tune band without producing music is thereby
obviated.
Another part of my Invention relates to the playing of organs, harmoniums, and
other sound yielders by the employment of collapsible sacks to open and close the
circuit between the battery and the part for producing the sound desired. For this
purpose I arrange below the bridge over which the tune band or music sheet passes
a series of sacks, the said sacks being expanded by destroying the vacuum in the
same when the air enters the bridge hole, or by pressure, as described in the
Specification of my former Letters Patent, dated October 24th, 1879, No. 4348.
Below each sack I arrange a good conductor of electricity, or a cup or vessel
containing mercury, and connected with the battery, and on each sack which is
connected to a magnet for operating the sound producer I fix a wire or projection
which, when a perforation passes over the hole in the bridge or action board, is,
owing to the expanding of the said sack, caused to enter or be dipped into the
mercury, thereby closing the circuit and producing the desired sound. The aforesaid
mercury cups or vessels or other conductors are so arranged that they may be
moved out of the way when the tune band or music sheet is to be changed.
According to another part of my Invention I arrange the sacks or diaphragms
for playing pianos, organs, harmoniums, and the like in a zig zag manner, so
that I am enabled to enlarge the capacity and power of the said sacks or diaphragms,
that is to say, the sack or diaphragm in connection with one hole in the bridge or
action board is on one side of a line drawn through the centre of the said bridge,

page_text: and the sack or diaphragın in connection with the next opening is on the other side
of the said centre line. I also provide inclined holes in the bridge connecting with the
said sacks instead of perpendicular holes, each two of the said holes being inclined
in opposite directions. Attached to the collapsible end of each sack, or to each
diaphragm, is a valve which passes through a port or passage leading from each 5
sack or diaphragm to a hollow chamber or passage formed in or arranged at the
side of the bridge or action board. The upper end of this valve is so formed that
when the diaphragm or collapsible end of the sack is in its extended position, that
is to say, when the vacuum is destroyed by the air passing into the bridge hole
through a perforation in the tune band or music sheet, the said valve will nearly 1
close the said port or passage and reduce the escape of air which would other-
wise take place. When however the tune band again covers the bridge hole the
vacuum produced in the chamber in or at the side of the bridge or action board
will cause the collapse of the said diaphragm or sack, and the valve in the passage
leading to the said vacuum chamber rises, and at the same time permits the air to
be readily exhausted, thereby again closing the valves communicating with the
reed or pipe chambers or other sound producers. In order to ensure greater power
to open the pallets or stops of organs, or for other purposes, I sometimes employ
two or more sacks, arranged one above another; or I may employ larger sacks
than those ordinarily employed, the said sacks being of round, square, or other
suitable form.
Another part of my Invention relates to improvements in that class of automatic
wind musical instruments in which the reed chambers are arranged above a wind
chest, and in which the said reed chambers and adjacent parts are turned back or
removed when it is desired to insert the music sheet or tune band. According to
this part of my Invention I obviate the inconvenience and disadvantages of
employing detachable reed chambers by securing the latter firmly to the wind
chest, and I connect each of the said chambers to a movable bar or plate forming
the bridge or action board by means of a flexible tube of india-rubber or other
suitable material, so that when it is desired to insert or remove a music sheet or
tune band between the said fixed hollow mouth piece and the said bridge or action
board the said flexible tubes will permit the bridge to be thrown back, and will
then leave ample space for the placing in position or the removal of the said tune
band or music sheet. The said hollow mouth piece is connected to the wind chest
by a pipe, having a movable connection with the latter and the mouth piece in
such a manner that when it is desired to sound the reeds by pressure air will be
forced into the said wind chest by the ordinary bellows, and through the said pipe
into the hollow mouth piece, and when an opening or openings in the tune band or
music sheet uncovers a hole or holes in the movable bridge or action board the air
will be forced through the aforesaid flexible tube or tubes connected to the reed
chamber and will sound the reed or reeds. When the reeds are sounded by suction
the air will be drawn through the said flexible tubes and mouth piece into the
wind chest. I also employ the said flexible tubes and movable bridge in connection
with the pipes or chambers of pipe or reed organs and the like. By the employ-
ment of flexible tubes connected to the movable bridge or action board, as above
described, the latter will be forced into contact with the tune band with a sufficient
yielding pressure to ensure the proper rendering of the music, and will prevent any
leakage of air, as in similar instruments heretofore constructed. To retain the
movable bridge and hollow mouth piece in proper relation to each other I in some
cases employ suitable catches, cams, or other fastening devices for this purpose
Instead of making the bridge or action board movable the mouth piece may be
movable and the bridge piece stationary.
When I employ a tune band in an instrument constructed as above described
one of the aforesaid pipes provided with movable connections allows the said
mouth piece to be turned back to permit the tune band to be passed over the
same.
According to another part of my Invention I arrange the reed chambers directly

page_text: over or under the bridge or action board, which is connected to the said reed
chambers by a series of flexible tubes, as above described, the said tubes pressing
the said action board with a yielding pressure upon or against the tune band or
music sheet, which passes between the said action board and a flexible mouth
piece, which I will now proceed to describe. Within a recess of any suitable form
in the surface of the said mouth piece, over which the said music sheet passes, I
place a piece of india rubber or other suitable flexible material, arranged to be
pressed outwards by the air under pressure entering the said recess from the bellows
below the rubber, which recess is filled with hair, wool, sponge, or other flexible
material, a suitable tube being passed through the said filling to permit the free
passage of air to the reed chambers. Or the said reed chambers and action board
may be reversed and arranged below the flexible mouth piece, in which case the
india-rubber and the filling material will be drawn downwards by the suction of
the bellows on to the music sheet. In order to regulate the quantity of air passing
through the aforesaid mouth piece or the air channels I sometimes arrange a flap
valve in the same in such a manner that the said valve may be adjusted to soften
or intensify the sounds automatically or otherwise, or may be wholly closed when
the tune band is to be rewound.
Another part of my Invention relates to improvements in the power transmitting
apparatus described in the Specification of the said former Letters Patent, and has
for its object to ensure great regularity in the movement of the music rolls and to
impart to the same the proper speed to cause the tune to be played in the same
time throughout. For this purpose I employ a shaft upon which a conical frictional
wheel is arranged to slide, the said shaft being supported in suitable adjustable
bearings; and I arrange in connection with the said conical frictional wheel a lever
pivotted at or near its centre, and whose other end is bent or has a roller attached
to the same, and is arranged to be pressed into contact with the paper on one of the
said music rolls by a spring or otherwise. This bent end or roller is so arranged
that as the paper increases or decreases on one of the said rolls the conical frictional
wheel will be moved farther from or nearer to the main driving wheel on the motor
shaft, and will thereby impart to the music roll on which the paper is being wound
(and which I prefer should be larger in circumference than the delivery roller) the
necessary speed to ensure the music sheet travelling at the same speed throughout.
I provide a spring upon the cone wheel shaft between the said wheel and one of the
bearings to force the said wheel into close contact with pivotted lever, and the said
wheel is forced into contact with the main driving wheel by a spring or weight.
The driving wheel is driven by cords, weights, and collapsible sacks, as described
in the Specification of the said former Letters Patent. In order to provide for the
reversal or drawing back of the music sheet onto the delivery roll I support the shaft
carrying the friction wheel in bearings which are attached to one end of a
pivotted bar, the other end of the said bar being connected to bearings carrying a
friction wheel, which when depressed, as hereinafter described, comes into contact
with the main driving wheel and the friction wheel on the delivery roller and imparts
motion to the latter. This bar or lever is provided with an extending arm which
is connected to two collapsible sacks whose movement is controlled by an aperture
or apertures in the tune band or music sheet passing over the bridge or action
board, so that when the playing of a tune is completed the aforesaid aperture will
allow air to pass into one of the collapsible eacks and adjust the said pivotted lever
in such a manner as to elevate one end to disengage the conical friction wheel from
the main driving wheel, and depress the friction wheel into contact with the
driving wheel to impart a reverse movement to the delivery roller to withdraw the
paper or tune band from the receiving roller to permit the tune to be played over
again or the tune band or music sheet rewound. In rewinding the paper in the
musical instruments heretofore constructed the paper is wound very loosely on the
delivery roller, but to obviate this I arrange in connection with the roller from
which the music sheet is rewound a suitable spring to prevent the same from
revolving too freely, and I also arrange in connection with the said reversing

page_text: mechanism a device to open a valve or direct the current of air away from the
reeds or other sound producers when the said music sheet is being rewound.
Instead of producing a vacuum in the said collapsible sacks or diaphragms and
permitting a current of air to enter the same the said sacks may be expanded by
pressure, and the said power transmitting apparatus may be operated by pressure
and enclosed in a pressure or vacuum chamber as desired. Or instead of operating
the said sacks by a perforation in the music sheet I arrange projections or raised
surfaces on the music sheet to operate the valves in connection with the same, or I
sometimes employ magnets in connection with the pivotted lever for reversing the
direction of movement of the music sheet, the said magnets being operated by the
projections or the metallic deposits on the said music sheet.
In some cases I so arrange the power transmitting apparatus above described as
to drive feed rollers for moving the music sheet or for moving a frame in which the
music sheet or plate is inserted, and the weights in the said apparatus may be
raised by hand instead of by collapsible sacks or diaphragms when desired, or the
said weights for driving the main driving wheel may be dispensed with, and the
said wheel driven by a handcrank or from pedals.
Another part of this Invention relates to further improved devices for operating
the music sheet or tune band, and the bellows, in any of the musical instruments
hereinbefore referred to. For this purpose I support in the framing or other part
of the instrument two pulleys adapted to receive the spindles of the music rollers
which are provided with flanges at each end, one of the flanges of each roller being
in contact with the face of the said pulleys. In these faces I form inclined recesses
to receive india-rubber or other balls or rollers, which, when either of the said
music rollers is turned in one direction will impart motion to the music roll in
connection therewith, but will not engage with the said roller when the pulley is
turned in the opposite direction. When it is desired to move the music sheet or
tune band to operate the instrument the pulley in connection with the receiving
roller is turned by a hand crank or treadle, or by the power transmitting apparatus
above described, and carries the said receiving roller around with it, and in this
movement the balls or rollers in the other pulley do not engage with the delivery
roll, but permit the same to revolve freely.
When it is desired to rewind the music sheet or tune band a belt or cord which
surrounds the said pulleys, and which, when the music sheet is being wound on the
receiving roller, runs loosely, or does not affect the movement of the said pulleys,
is tightened by a suitable belt tightener, so that on motion being imparted to the
receiving roller pulley the delivery roller pulley will be revolved, and the balls or
rollers engaging with the said roller will rotate the same and rewind the sheet, the
balls or rollers in the delivery roller pulley during this operation having no effect
upon the receiving pulley. To operate the bellows I form on or attach to the
receiving roller pulley an excentric, which is connected by an excentric strap and
rod to a rocking lever which imparts motion to the said bellows when the said
pulley is revolved. When an endless tune band is employed in connection with
the above described devices I arrange the receiving roller in such a manner that it
may be removed to permit the band to be placed over the same, and in order to
ensure the moving of the tune band with the said roller I employ a friction roller
pressed into contact with the said receiving roller by a spring or weight, so that
the paper is clamped between the same. When I employ a music sheet or tune
band arranged to play the instrument when travelling backwards as well as
forwards I, in some cases, dispense with the belt or band, coupling the two pulleys,
as above described, and employ in place of the same a shaft provided with two
friction or gear wheels, one of which is in gear with the pulley on the delivery
roller, and the other so arranged in connection with the receiving roller that it will
be caused to gear with the same immediately the tune band should travel in a
rearward direction.
To ensure the tight fitting of the doors of the windchests or pressure chambers
when the same are employed in my improved instruments I arrange upon the inner

page_text: surface of the said doors an india rubber tube or tubes, which will be constantly
expanded when the instrument is in action by the pressure of air forced into the
same from the bellows, and in order to permit the operator to ascertain when
suitable stops may be withdrawn and other effects produced when desired I provide
the said doors with suitable apertures or windows, through which indications on
the music sheet or tune band can be read.
When I employ perforated music sheets or tune bands for operating the keys of
pianofortes, organs, or harmoniums I prefer to form the collapsible sack rod in
connection with each key with a link, so that the said keys may be moved and
the instrument played by hand independently of the automatic mechanism.
In employing air under pressure for expanding the collapsible sacks, as herein-
before described, I, in some instances, surround the stem of the balance or other
valves with a rubber sleeve to prevent the leaking of the air around the same, so
that air may be forced into the reed or pipe chambers without the necessity of
employing a pressure chamber to surround the said valves.
To ensure a very efficient action of the power transmitting devices and the
collapsible sacks above described I employ bellows separate from the ordinary
bellows when necessary.
By the employment of collapsible sacks arranged and operating as above described
I am enabled by means of a single opening in the music sheet or tune band to
operate the valve or valves to sound a single reed, or a series of separate reeds, or a
single pipe, or a series of pipes in a pipe organ, and by the employment of music
sheets, plates, or surfaces constructed as above described, I am enabled to combine
a pianoforte and organ or harmonium with greater facility than has heretofore been
practicable.
I, in some cases, employ a triplet valve instead of a collapsible sack, the said
valve being so arranged as to be operated by the music sheet or tune band to
regulate the admission of air to the reed or pipe organs or other sound yielders in a
similar manner to that hereinbefore described with reference to other devices for
the same purpose.

page_text: '
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Y. Smith in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 4th September
1880.
JOHN Y. SMITH, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America, now of
8, Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO
AUTOMATIC OR MECHANICAL ORGANS AND HARMONIUMS, AND APPARATUS OR
MEANS FOR PLAYING OR PERFORMING UPON THE SAME AND UPON PIANOFORTES
OR OTHER INSTRUMENTS BY THE AID OF ELECTRICITY OR MAGNETISM, OR
OTHERWISE."
My Invention relates to improvements in automatic or mechanical pipe and reed
organs and harmoniums, and to apparatus or means for playing or performing upon
the same, or upon pianofortes, or other musical or sound producing instruments by
the aid of electricity, magnetism, or otherwise.
My Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, in which,-
Figure 1 is a plan of a portion of a music sheet provided with metallic lines
according to my Invention, and shews the spring rods and wires in connection with
the same, as hereinafter described.
Figure 2 is a plan shewing a portion of my improved music sheet provided with
metallic dots.
Figure 3 is a transverse section shewing the bridge, the music sheet, and wires in
connection with the same, and
Figure 4 is a similar view shewing a modification of these devices hereinafter
described.
Figures 5, 6, and 7 are transverse sections illustrating improvements relating to
the closing of an electrical circuit by a music sheet or tune band provided with
projections arranged to actuate pivotted levers or spring plates, as hereinafter
described, and
Figure 6a is a plan further illustrating the devices shewn in Figure 6.
Figure 8 is a transverse section illustrating my improved method of opening and
closing the circuit between the battery and the part for "producing the sound by
means of a collapsible chamber, as hereinafter described.
Figure 9 shews a portion of a music sheet or tune band provided with two series
of openings, according to my Invention.
Figure 10 is a plan, and
Figure 11, a transverse section of a portion of a wind musical instrument shewing
the collapsible chambers or diaphragms arranged in a zig-zag manner, as hereinafter
described.
Figure 12 is a plan, and
Figure 13, a longitudinal section illustrating further improvements in automatic
wind musical instruments.
Figure 14 is a vertical section shewing the reed-chamber arranged above the
action board and tune band or music sheet, and the devices in connection
therewith.
Figure 15 is a vertical transverse section of a pipe organ with 'my improvements
applied to the same.
Figure 16 is a plan, and
Figure 17, an end elevation partly in section on the line x, x, Figure 16, of my
improved power transmitting apparatus for imparting motion to the music sheet or
tune band.
Figure 18 is a plan partly in horizontal section shewing another form of my
improved apparatus for imparting motion to the music sheet or tune band and the
bellows in my improved instruments.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawings.
The first part of the said Invention relates to a novel manner of providing a
music sheet 6 for mechanical or automatic pianofortes, harmoniums, organs, and the

page_text: like, and consists in the employment of metallic strokes, lines, or marks, as shewn.
in Figure 1, or metallic dots, as shewn in Figure 2, upon the surfaces of paper,
parchment, vellum, leather, porcelain, or other material, so that when a sheet,
strip, or plate of any material, or the surface of a roller upon which the said
strokes, dots, lines, or marks exist is properly arranged in or upon a musical
instrument and caused to move or travel over, under, or across the points or
terminals of two of a series of wires t, as shewn in Figures 1 and 3, or other suit-
able conductors connected with a battery or other generator of electricity the
circuit will be completed between the said points and through magnets arranged
in connection with the valves, keys, or other parts to cause the instrument to be
sounded each time one of such metallic strokes, dots, or lines comes in contact with
the said points or ends of the wires or conductors, and the corresponding note of
the instrument will be sounded. The wires t are preferably attached to a hinged
board t', so that when a fresh music sheet or tune band is to be inserted the said
board may be turned back, as shewn in dotted lines in Figure 3.
The metallic marks or notes on the paper or other material are not raised or
not perceptibly raised, and may be produced thereon by printing, stamping,
stencilling, or other like processes, or by perforating or punching the paper or other
material and placing adhesively behind the same, or placing between two sheets of
paper or other material, strips or sheets of foil or thin metal, or by cutting or.
stamping out thin pieces of foil or thin metal to represent the notes and securing
the same adhesively on the paper or other material.
.
The strokes, dots, or marks are produced in lines or rows lengthwise of the
paper or other material, as shewn in Figure 1. The length of these rows or lines
will represent the length of the tune or piece of music, and the number of such
rows or lines will be in proportion to the degree of harmonization or combination
of tones of the chords. A simple tune or piece of music will be represented by a
few rows of such marks, strokes, or dots succeeding each other at regular or
irregular intervals according to the nature of the musical piece or composition
which they represent. The dots, marks, or signs may be produced in gold, silver,
copper, tin, lead, or other suitable metal upon one or both surfaces of the paper or
other material, and in some cases the metallic lines or dots may be arranged on
both sides of the paper or other material of which the tune band or music sheet is
made, two series of springs or wires t being then arranged in combination with
the same, as shewn in Figure 4, in such a manner that one set may be used in
connection with the dots or lines on one side, and the other set with those on the
other side of the sheet, so that one tune may be played when the music sheet or
tune band is travelling in one direction, and another tune when the said sheet or
band is travelling in the other direction..
In some instances I form the said notes, marks, or lines of steel or iron produced
upon or applied to the paper or other material in any convenient manner. This
form of my improved music may be used in connection with a common or permanent
magnet instead of with electrical apparatus for operating or playing the instrument.
My improved music will be as convenient to carry about and to use as ordinary
printed music. It can be rolled up or will pack or lie very compactly on shelves
in cabinets or the like. It will be very cheap, so that the cost of new music at any
time will be trifling, and therefore the use of such instruments will not be limited
or restricted as heretofore by consideration of the expense that would be incurred
in obtaining a supply of fresh music to an extent necessary to avoid wearisome
repetition of the same tunes or pieces.
Another part of my Invention, which is illustrated in Figure 5, relates to the
playing of organs, pianofortes, harmoniums, and other sound yielders, by means of
music sheets or tune hands made of paper, india-rubber, or other suitable material,
and provided with raised portions or projections which constitute the notes. In
combination, with the said tune band or music sheet I arrange pivotted levers or
bent wires or plates u, which are so balanced that one of their ends u³ will rest on
the tune band, and their other end projects into a vessel v containing mercury

page_text: connected with one pole of the battery, so that when the end u¹ resting on the
tune band or music sheet is raised by one of the said projections, the other end or
a projection from the wire or plate will be dipped into the mercury and will close
the circuit through the magnets and operate the valves, keys, or other parts of the
musical instrument in connection therewith. Or the said bent wires or levers may
for the same purpose be brought into contact with any good conductor of electricity
other than quick-silver. In some cases I form the said tune-band or music-sheet
with two series of projections arranged side by side, so that the pivotted levers or
wires may be caused to pass over one series of projections when the tune band
travels in one direction, and can then be caused to pass over the other series of
projections when the said tune band travels in the other direction. Or I may in
some cases employ two sets of pivotted levers, as shewn in Figures 6 and 6ª, one
set being arranged to pass over one row or series of projections 1 on the tune band
or music sheet when the same is travelling in one direction, and the other set of
levers arranged to pass over the other series of projections 2 when the tune band
or music sheet is travelling in the opposite direction. The second series of pro-
jections may represent a continuation of the tune of the first series, or may be a
separate tune or a repetition of the first tune as desired, and in some cases I employ
a music sheet provided with projections on both sides so that four distinct tunes
may be played from a single sheet, or a long tune may be played by a tune band
or music sheet of comparatively short length. In order to effect the lateral
adjustment of the tune band for this purpose the rollers carrying the music sheet
or tune band may be moved to bring the second series of projections under the
pivotted levers or wires, or the latter may be moved laterally over the said series
of projections by means of a lever, which may be operated by a collapsible or
expanding cylinder, sack, or chamber or a magnet controlled by the tune band
or music sheet, so that immediately the projections of one series have performed
their functions the levers of the second series of projections will be automatically
switched over to play the tune represented by the said second series.
Instead of employing pivotted levers, as above described, in connection with the
raised portions of the tune band or music sheet I, in some cases, arrange in close
proximity to each row of the same two flat spring bars, plates, or wires w, as shewn
in Figure 7, the same being connected at one end with the two poles of the battery,
their other end w₁ being so arranged that when these plates or bars are in their
normal condition there is a slight space between their ends w¹, so that the circuit
is broken at this point, but when one of the projections or raised portions of the
music sheet or tune band comes into contact with one of the said spring plates it
causes the contact of the said ends w¹, thereby closing the circuit through the
magnet and sounding the note. In order to prevent the accumulation of dust,
which would impair the contact at the ends w¹ of the spring plates, I so construct
the said ends that when the points of contact meet there will be a rubbing action
between the same, which will tend to keep the said points clean. Instead of using
one series of pivotted levers, spring plates, or wires in connection with the two
series of projections on the tune band I may employ two series of spring plates,
one of which is adapted to pass over the projections on the tune band or music
sheet in its forward movement, and the other over the other set of projections in
its backward movement, the movement of the said levers or spring plates into or
out of connection with either series of projections being preferably automatically
accomplished by a perforation in the music sheet and a collapsible chamber or by
a magnet. Instead of employing tune-bands or music-sheets with projections to
operate the levers or spring plates above described I, in some cases, employ tune
bands having depressions in their surface for the same purpose, and the said music-
sheets or tune-bands may be provided with projections or with metallic dots or
lines to actuate through suitable mechanism the stops or swells of the organ or
other instrument, and also to actuate suitable octave couplers, so that when a note
in one octave is sounded a note in one or more other octaves can also be sounded.
Another part of my Invention relates to the playing of organs, harmoniums, and
other sound yielders by the employment of collapsible chambers, as shewn in

page_text: Figure 8, to open and close the circuit between the battery and the part for
producing the desired sound. For this purpose I arrange below the bridge a, over
which the perforated tune band or music sheet 6 passes, a series of collapsible
chambers c, the said chambers being expanded by destroying the vacuum in the
same when the air enters the bridge hole or by pressure, as described in the
Specification of my former Letters Patent dated October 24th, 1879, No. 4348.
Below each collapsible chamber I arrange a good conductor of electricity or a cup
or vessel v containing mercury and connected with the battery, and on each
chamber, which is connected to a magnet for operating the sound producer, I fix a
wire or projection y, which, when a perforation passes over the hole in the bridge
or action board, is, by reason of the expanding of the said chamber, caused to
enter or be dipped into the mercury, thereby closing the circuit and producing the
desired sound. The aforesaid mercury cups or vessels or other conductors are so
arranged that they may be moved out of the way when the tune band or music
sheet is to be changed.
Another part of my Invention, which is illustrated in Figure 9, consists in a
tune band or music sheet b, which is provided with two series of perforations 1, 2,
in such a manner that one of the series of perforations 1 will play one tune, or one
part, or half of a tune in travelling forward, and when the music sheet is adjusted
laterally or the action board similarly adjusted or moved, so that the apertures in the
same will be in the proper position to be uncovered by the second series of per-
forations, the said second series will play the other half or part of the said tune,
or will repeat the whole tune, or play a new tune as desired, so that the incon-
venience of rewinding the music sheet or tune band without producing music is
thereby obviated.
According to another part of my Invention, which is illustrated in Figures 10
and 11, I arrange collapsible chambers or diaphragms c for playing pianos, organs,
harmoniums, and the like in a zig-zag manner, whereby I am enabled to enlarge
the capacity and power of the said chambers or diaphragms, that is to say, the
chamber or a flexible diaphragm in connection with one hole a¹ in the bridge or
action board a is on one side of a line drawn through the centre of the said bridge,
and the chamber or diaphragm in connection with the next opening a¹ is on the
other side of the said centre line, as shewn in Figure 10. The holes or openings a¹
in the bridge instead of being perpendicular, as described in the Specification of
the said former Letters Patent, are inclined, as shewn in Figure 11, the alternate
holes being inclined in opposite directions. To ensure the proper cessation of the
sound of each note I employ the following devices, viz. :-Attached to the collapsible
end of each chamber is a valve c³, which passes through a port or passage leading
from each chamber or diaphragm to a chamber or passage as formed in or arranged
at the side of the bridge or action board a. The upper end of this valve is conical,
and so formed that when the diaphragm or movable end of the chamber c is in its
extended position, that is to say, when the vacuum is destroyed by the air passing
into the bridge hole a¹ through a perforation in the tune band or music sheet b,
the said valve will nearly close the said port or passage and retard the escape of
air. When however the tune band b again covers the bridge hole a¹ the vacuum
produced in the chamber as in or at the side of the bridge or action-board will
cause the collapse of the said diaphragm or chamber; the valve in the passage
leading to the said vacuum chamber as then rises, and at the same time permits
the air to be readily exhausted, thereby again closing the valves c³ communicating
with the reed or pipe chambers d or other sound producers very rapidly. To
facilitate the adjustment of the pallets or stops of organs or for other purposes I
sometimes employ two or more chambers arranged one above another.
Another part of my Invention, which is illustrated in Figures 12 and 13,
relates to improvements in that class of automatic wind musical instruments in
which the 'reed chambers are arranged above a wind chest, and the said reed
chambers and adjacent parts are turned back or removed when it is desired to
insert the music sheet or tune band. According to this part of my Invention, I
obviate the inconvenience and disadvantages of employing detachable reed chambers

page_text: by securing the latter firmly to the wind chest j, as shewn at d, and I connect each
of the said chambers to a movable bar or plate a forming the bridge or action
board by means of a flexible tube % of india rubber or other suitable material, so
that when it is desired to insert a music sheet or tune band between a fixed hollow
chamber 7, which I term a mouth piece, and the said bridge or action board a, or
to remove it therefrom, the said flexible tubes / will permit the bridge to be thrown
back, as shewn in dotted lines in Figure 13, and will then leave ample space for
the placing in position or the removal of the said tune band or music sheet b. The
hollow mouth piece is connected to the wind chest j by a pipe or pipes ¹, having
a movable or flexible connection with the said wind chest, and the mouth piece
in such a manner that when it is desired to sound the reeds by pressure air will
be forced into the said wind chest by the ordinary bellows, and through the pipe
or pipes into the hollow mouth piece l, and when an opening or openings in the
tune band or music sheet b uncovers a hole or holes in the movable bridge or action
board a, the air will be forced through the aforesaid flexible tube or tubes k
connected to the reed chamber d, and will sound a reed or reeds. When the reeds
are sounded by exhausting the air, the air will be drawn through the mouth piece l,
and the pipe or pipes into the wind chest j. I also employ the said flexible
tubes and movable bridge in connection with the pipes or chambers of pipe or
reed organs, and the like. By the employment of the flexible tubes k connected to
the movable bridge or action board a, as above described, the latter will be forced
into contact with the tune band b with a sufficiently yielding pressure to prevent
the slipping of the music sheet or band and leakage of air, as in similar instruments
heretofore constructed, thereby ensuring a correct rendering of the music. To
retain the movable bridge and hollow mouth piece in proper relation to each other,
I in some cases employ suitable catches, cams, or other fastening devices for this
purpose. Instead of making the bridge or action board a movable, the mouth
piece may be movable, and the bridge a stationary. When I employ a tune band
in an instrument constructed as above described, one of the pipes provided with
movable connections as above described, allows the said mouth piece to be turned
back to permit the tune band to be passed over the same.
l
Within the aforesaid hollow mouth piece l, I in some cases arrange a valve or
valves *, which may be adjusted automatically or otherwise as desired, to regulate
or control the amount of air admitted to or drawn through the holes a¹ in the
action board a, to soften or intensify the sounds produced; the said valve may be
wholly closed when the music sheet or tune band 6 is to be removed.
According to another part of my Invention, which is illustrated in Figure 14 of
the Drawing, I arrange the reed chambers d directly over the bridge or action
board a which is connected to the said reed chamber by a series of flexible tubes k,
as above described with reference to Figures 12 and 13, these tubes forcing the
said action board with a yielding pressure upon or against the tune band or music
sheet b which passes between the said action board and the mouth piece l, which I
will now proceed to describe. Within a recess of any suitable form in the said
mouth piece l, over which the music sheet or tune band b passes, I place a piece of
india-rubber or other suitable flexible material 2, which is forced outwards or
upwards by the air under pressure entering the said recess from the bellows.
Below the india-rubber the said recess is filled with bair, wool, sponge, or other
elastic filling material ³, a suitable tube being passed through the said filling to
conduct the air to the reed chambers. By this arrangement I provide for the free
passage of the air to the reed chamber, while preventing any loss or escape of the
same between the music sheet and the surfaces between which it travels. Or the
said reed chambers and action board may be reversed and arranged below the
flexible mouth piece 7, in which case the india-rubber 2 and the filling material ³
will be drawn downward on the music sheet by the suction of the bellows.
1* represents a flap valve similar to the valve * shewn in Figure 13, for regulating
the quantity of air passing from the bellows into the aforesaid mouth piece or the
air channels, to soften or intensify the sounds, as above described with reference to
Figures 12 and 13.

page_text: In Figure 15 I have shewn the action board a, between which and the hollow
mouth piece the music sheet 6 passes, connected by flexible pipes k to the
collapsible chambers c which actuate the valves for controlling the admission of
air to the pipes of a pipe organ.
Another part of my Invention, which is illustrated in Figures 16 and 17, relates
to improvements in the power transmitting apparatus described in the Specification
of the said former Letters Patent, and has for its object to control the movement of
the music rolls, and to ensure regularity or uniformity of movement of the sheet or
band. For this purpose, instead of providing the conical friction wheel or driving
cone n' with a screw threaded sleeve, as described in the said former Specification,
I ensure the end wise movement of the same by means of a lever n², which is
pivotted at n. One end n' of this lever is preferably provided with a roller no,
and is arranged to be pressed into contact with the paper on the music roll 62 by a
spring or otherwise. This end or roller is so arranged that as the quantity
of paper increases or decreases on the said roll, the conical friction or driving
wheel n will be moved farther from or nearer to the main driving wheel m¹
on the motor shaft m, and will thereby so control or regulate the movement
of the music roll 62 on which the paper is being wound (and which I prefer
should be larger in circumference than the delivery roller b¹), as to ensure
the required regularity in movement of the music sheet. no represents a spring
upon the cone wheel shaft to force the said wheel into close contact with the end
of the pivotted lever n³, and the said wheel is forced into contact with the main
driving wheel by the spring n' which abuts against a fixed shoulder at n³, or by a
weight. The driving wheel is driven by cords, weights, and collapsible chambers,
as described in the Specification of the said former Letters Patent. In order to
provide for the reversal or drawing back of the music sheet b onto the delivery
roll 6' I support the shaft carrying the friction wheel n³ in bearings n*, which
are attached to one end of a pivotted bar p, the other end of the said bar being
connected to bearings o* carrying a friction wheel o, which when depressed, as
bereinafter described, comes into contact with the main driving wheel m', and the
friction wheel b³ on the delivery roller 6', and imparts motion to the latter. This
bar or lever is provided with an arm p¹ which is connected to two collapsible
chambers or sucks p³, p², whose movement is controlled by an aperture or apertures
in the tune band or music sheet b passing over the bridge or action board, so that
when the playing of a tune is completed the aforesaid aperture will allow air to
pass into one of the said collapsible sacks, and adjust the said pivotted lever in
such a manner as to elevate one end to disengage the conical friction wheel n¹ from
the main driving wheel m², and depress the friction wheel o into contact with the
said driving wheel m¹, thereby imparting a reverse movement to the delivery
roller b¹ to withdraw the paper or tune band from the receiving roller 63 to permit
the tune to be played over again, or the tune band or music sheet to be rewound. In
rewinding the paper in musical instruments as heretofore constructed the paper is
wound very loesely on the delivery roller, but to obviate this disadvantage I
sometimes arrange in connection with the roller 62 from which the music sheet is
to be rewound a suitable spring 65 to prevent the same from revolving too freely,
and I also arrange in connection with the said reversing mechanism a device to
open a valve to direct the current of air away from the reeds or other sound
producers when the said music sheet is being rewound. Instead of producing a
vacuum in the said collapsible chambers or diaphragins, and permitting a current of
air to enter the same, the said chambers may be expanded by pressure, and the
said power transmitting apparatus may be operated by pressure and enclosed
in a pressure or vacuum chamber as desired. Or instead of operating the said
collapsible chambers by a perforation in the music sheet or tune band, I arrange
projections or raised surfaces on the said music sheet or tune band to operate the
valves in connection with the same, or I sometimes employ magnets in connection
with the pivotted lever for reversing the direction of movement of the music
sheet, the said magnets being operated by the projections or the metallic deposits
on the said music sheet or tune band.
'

page_text: In some cases I so arrange the power transmitting apparatus above described as
to drive feed rollers for moving the music sheet, or for moving a frame in which
the music sheet or plate is inserted, and the weights in the said apparatus may be
raised by hand instead of by collapsible chambers or diaphragms when desired, or
the said weights for driving the main driving wheel may be dispensed with, and
the said wheel be driven by a hand crank or from pedals.
Another part of this Invention, which is illustrated in Figure 18 of the Drawings,
relates to further improvements in devices for operating the music sheet or tune
band, and the bellows in any of the musical instruments herein before described or
referred to. For this purpose I support in the framing or other part of the
instrument two pulleys q, q', adapted to receive the spindles of the music rollers 61, 62,
which are provided with flanges at each end, one of the flanges of each roller being
in contact with the face of the said pulleys. In these faces I form inclined
recesses to receive india-rubber or other balls or rollers, which when either of the
said pulleys is turned in one direction will impart motion to the music sheet in
connection therewith, but will not engage with the said roller when the pulley is
turned in the opposite direction. When it is desired to move the music sheet or
tune band b to operate the instrument, the pulley q¹ in connection with the
receiving roller 62 is turned by a hand crank applied to the shaft q* or by a treadle,
or by the power transmitting apparatus above described, and carries the said
receiving roller around with it; in this movement the balls or rollers in the other
pulley do not engage with the delivery roll 6', but permit the same to revolve freely.
When it is desired to rewind the music sheet or tune band, a belt or cord q*
which passes around the pulleys q, q', (and which when the music sheet is being
wound on, the receiving roller runs loosely, or does not affect the movement of
the said pulleys) is tightened by a suitable belt tightener q³, so that when motion
is imparted to the pulley q¹ the pulley 9 will be revolved, and the balls or rollers
engaging with the roller will rotate the same, and rewind the sheet, the balls or
rollers in the other pulley q¹ during this operation having no effect upon the
receiving pulley. The bellows may be worked separately, but if it is desired to
operate them jointly with the said music sheet or band I form on or attach to the
receiving roller pulley an excentric q', which is connected by an excentric strap
and rod q, shewn in Figure 13, to a rocking lever q, which imparts motion to the
bellows when the said pulley is revolved. When an endless tune band is employed
in connection with the above described devices I arrange the receiving roller b² in
such a manner that it may be removed to permit the band to be placed over the
same, and in order to ensure the moving of the tune band with the said roller I
employ a friction roller, as shewn in dotted lines at 6*, Figure 18, which is
pressed into contact with the said receiving roller by a spring or weight. When
I employ a music sheet or tune band arranged to play the instrument when
travelling backward as well as forward, I in some cases dispense with the belt
or band q², and employ in place of the same a shaft provided with two friction
or gear wheels, one of which is in gear with the pulley on the delivery roller b¹,
and the other is so arranged in connection with the receiving roller 6* that it will
be caused to gear with the same immediately the tune band should travel in a s
rearward direction.
To ensure the tight fitting of the doors of the wind chests or pressure chambers
in my improved instruments, I arrange upon the inner surface of the said doors a
tube or tubes of india-rubber, which will be constantly expanded when the
instrument is in action by the pressure of air forced into the same from the
bellows, and in order to permit the performer to ascertain when the stops should
be adjusted and other effects produced, I provide the said doors with suitable
apertures or windows, through which indications on the music sheet or tune band
can be read.
In employing air under pressure for expanding the collapsible chambers, as
described in the said former Specification, I in some instances surround the stem
of the balance or other valves with an india-rubber sleeve to prevent the leaking
of the air around the same, so that the air may be forced into the reed or pipe

page_text: chambers without the necessity of employing a pressure chamber to surround the
said valves.
To ensure a very efficient action of the power transmitting devices and the
collapsible chambers above described I employ bellows separate from the ordinary
bellows when necessary.
By the employment of collapsible chambers, arranged and operating as above
described, I am enabled by means of a single opening in the music sheet or tune
band to operate the valve or valves to sound a single reed or a series of separate
reeds in a reed organ or harmonium, or a single pipe or a series of pipes in a pipe
organ, and by the employment of music sheets, plates, or surfaces, as above
described, I am enabled to combine or perform simultaneously upon a pianoforte
and organ or harmonium with greater facility than has heretofore been
practicable.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, and shewn how the same may
be conveniently and advantageously carried into practice, I wish it understood that
I claim,―
First. A music sheet plate or surface for automatically or mechanically playing
musical instruments, provided on one or both sides with a series of metallic dots,
strokes, lines, or marks which are not raised, or not perceptibly raised above its
surface, substantially as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
Second. In a mechanical or automatic musical instrument, or in apparatus
connected therewith, the employment of such a music sheet, plate, or surface, in
combination with wires included in an electric circuit, and so arranged that the
circuit will be completed when one of the metallic dots, strokes, lines, or marks
passes over, under, or across the ends of the wires, and thereby the corresponding
note of the said musical instrument will be sounded by the aid of a magnet
included in the said circuit, substantially as above set forth.
Third. In a mechanical or automatic musical instrument, or in apparatus
connected therewith, the employment of a music sheet or tune band, provided
with projections or recesses on one or both sides to operate pivotted levers, bent
wires, or plates arranged in combination with a vessel containing mercury, as
described with reference to Figure 5, or with any other suitable devices included
within an electrical circuit, substantially as above set forth and for the purposes
specified.
Fourth. The modification of the above devices, consisting in the employment of
a music sheet or tune band provided with two series of projections or recesses on
one or both sides, and so combined with pivotted levers, bent wires, or plates, as
described with reference to Figures 6 and 6, that the said sheet or band will play
one tune or a portion of a tune when travelling in one direction, and will repeat
the said tune or play the continuation of the same or an entirely new tune when
travelling in the reverse or opposite direction, substantially as above set forth and
for the purpose specified.
Fifth. In a mechanical or automatic musical instrument the employment, as
described with reference to Figure 7, of a music sheet or tune band, provided with
one or more series of projections or recesses, in combination with spring bars, plates,
or wires included in an electrical circuit, and so arranged as to cause the contact of
the free ends of the said bars, plates, or wires to close the circuit when one of the
said projections or recesses passes under or over the same, substantially as above
set forth and for the purposes specified.
Sixth. In a mechanical or automatic musical instrument the employment of a
music sheet or tune band, which has two series of rows of perforations, as described
with reference to Figure 9, and is arranged in combination with means for adjusting
the same laterally to bring either series in line with the air passage in the action
board, so that when the said sheet of band travels in either direction it will play
a portion of the music represented by the perforations of the said sheet or band,
all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Seventh. In a mechanical or automatic musical instrument, or in an apparatus

page_text: to be connected therewith, a series of collapsible chambers included in an electrical
circuit, and provided with pins or extensions arranged in combination with cups
containing mercury or with other suitable devices, so that when by the action of
the perforated sheet or band the said chambers are expanded by the air the said
pins will be brought into contact with the mercury or other devices, and will close
the circuit and thereby produce the desired sound, substantially as above set
forth.
Eighth. In a mechanical or automatic musical instrument a series of collapsible
chambers arranged in a zig-zag manner, and controlled by the admission of air to
the holes or apertures in the action board, in combination with a series of valves
and a passage or chamber formed in or arranged adjacent to the said action board,
so that the said valves regulate the admission of air to this passage when a
perforation in the music sheet or tune band passes over one of the openings in
the action board, all substantially as above set forth and for the purposes
specified.
Ninth. In a mechanical or automatic musical instrument a series of reed or pipe
chambers, each of which is connected with the bridge or action board by a separate
flexible tube or pipe, and arranged in combination with a hollow mouth piece, as
shewn in Figures 12 and 13, in such a manner that when it is desired to insert a
music sheet or tune band the said bridge may be thrown back, all substantially as
above set forth and for the purposes specified.
Tenth. The modification of the apparatus in which the hollow mouth piece is
arranged in combination with the action board connected by a series of flexible
tubes or pipes with the reed or pipe chambers, and is flexibly connected with the
wind chest in such a manner that one end of the mouth piece may be turned back
when it is desired to place a tune band over the same, whether the said mouth
piece is or is not provided with a valve or valves for controlling the quantity of air
admitted to or drawn through the holes in the action board to soften or intensify.
the sounds, all substantially as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
Eleventh. The modification shewn in Figure 14, wherein I employ a series of
reed or pipe chambers above or below the action board and connect them by a
series of flexible tubes or pipes with the latter, which is arranged in combination
with a flexible mouth piece, constructed as herein described, and provided with a
bearing surface of india-rubber or other flexible material, and a packing of hair,
wool, sponge, or other elastic substance forced outwards by pneumatic pressure or
drawn outwards by suction, with provision for the passage of the air to the bridge
openings, all substantially as and for the purposes specified.
Twelfth. In a mechanical or automatic musical instrument the combination with
the improved power transmitting apparatus, herein described, of the collapsible
chambers or the magnets which are controlled by the music sheet or tune band in
such a manner as to effect the reversing of the motion of the said music sheet or
tune band, substantially as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
Thirteenth. In a mechanical or automatic musical instrument the improved
devices, herein described, for effecting the operation of the music sheet or tune
band with or without means for operating the bellows and for rewinding the music
sheet, all substantially as described with reference to Figure 18 of the Drawings
for the purposes specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Y. Smith, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fourth day of March, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty.