IMPROVEMENTS IN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Year: 1873

page_text: ‘LETTERS PATENT to William Dawos, of Kingston Grove, Leeds, in
the County of York, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS."
Scaled the 14th April 1874, and dated the 15th October 1873.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Dawes at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
15th October 1873.
⚫ I, WILLIAM DAWES, of Kingston Grove, Leeds, in the County of
York, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS," to be as follows:-
The first part of this Invention has for its object more especially the
production or construction of an instrument of the organ or harmonium
class, or both conjointly (as herein-after explained) for the use of pupils,
students, or professional organists, whereon they can have both
"manual" and "pedal" practice without the heretofore necessary extra
manual or mechanical assistance for "blowing" or producing the

page_text: "wind" and tone in the said instrument, and to effect this I tako
advantage of the difference in the power or physical force actually
required to manipulate or play upon the small "soft toned" instrument
desirable for practice compared with a full sized organ, and by making
the instrument "self blowing" and economizing the quantity of wind
required (in manner herein-after described). I utilize this surplus
power and at the same time render the practice more real, and therefore
more beneficial; thus, I construct and employ a greater number of
smaller "feeders " than heretofore to supply the "fountain" part of the
bellows, and I cause the "foot pedals," "swell pedal," "draw knobs," :
(and in some cases even the keys) to move, "work," or actuate these
"feeders" when they are used or acted upon by the player, and thus he
almost unconsciously supplies the wind required for the tone he pro-
duces without either the cost or annoyance of extraneous help for that
purpose.
GE
"
.
The second part of this Invention consists in an improved arrange-
ment or construction of the "wind chest" and valves or "pallets" and
* stop-action" for such instruments, when (as is sometimes desired and.
desirable) pipes are used for all or any, or any part of the "stops"
(instead of free reed "vibrators"), its object being to economize the
quantity of wind required and thus render my Invention or improve-
ment possible or practicable, as, or to pipe organs, as well as to
harmoniums or free reed organs; thus, instead of having to fill or raise
the pressure in a groove or channel ("flue") between each pallet and
its pipes, as heretofore, I use a small pallet for each pipe placed as near
as possible to the aperture in the "foot" of the pipe, or more properly
the hole in the "sound board " upon which the pipe stands; and further
to avoid loss of wind from having to fill or raise the pressure in separate
"pans" or "stop chambers" on drawing or re-drawing any "stop" or
"rank" of pipes which has hitherto been necessary whenever the a
multi-pallet system has been attempted.
'
. I construct my wind chest as one entire chamber with the increased
"
pressure of wind under all the " stops or ranks of pipes, and I enable
any stop or stops to be silent when required by preventing the pallets of
such stop or stops from opening when the keys are pressed down for
opening those of the stops which are required then to "speak" or sound,
and this I effect by the use of what may be called double or compound

page_text: pallets, so employed or constructed that the under or pallet proper can
be detained or prevented from opening, when the outer "pressing" or
closing pallet upon which the spring presses is moved by the key and
"action." This arrangement also avoids loss of wind from easy or
badly fitting slides which occurs when they ("slides") are used even in
those stops which are not then in use, that is, in those slides which are
"undrawn."
In some cases I construct my pallet springs in such a manner that by
having enlarged and padded or "clothed" surfaces, for contact with, or
pressure upon the pallets, and being also coupled to the "pull downs”
or other equivalent action they (the springs) may answer or act for the
second or outer pallets, and produce the same effect without them.
In carrying out this part of my Invention I sometimes use strong
transverse rollers for actuating the before-named compound pallets, and
in other cases, according to size or number of stops, I employ "squares"
or "quadrants" and "trackers" placed in both cases, by preference,
inside the wind chest.
It will be understood that when any stop or rank of pipes is not
required to speak, the before-named "under pallets" in that stop are pre-
vented from opening, although the other pallets and the action move or
"act" as though these were also opening. The arrangement of parts
or " movements" for thus silencing or "shutting off" any stop (by pre-
venting the opening of these under pallets, as before explained), may be
of any convenient kind, but I prefer to use upright "stickers" resting
upon and lifted or lowered by longitudinal slides "notched" or cut into
inclines or wedges for that purpose, or in some cases longitudinal rollers
may be used in lieu of slides.
or
The third part of this Invention consists in an improved "make "
construction of free reed or "vibrator" and frame whereby tuning cau
bc effected without. "scraping," or otherwise permanently altering the
surface of the metal of the reed; this improvement being necessary in
those cases where organ pipes and free reeds ("vibrators") are used in
the same instrument which is especially desirable in the practical
carrying out of my Invention. To effect this and produce what may be
called a "tunable free rced," I press or cut the " tongue" or vibrator in a
thin piece of metal, the root or heel only of the reed being the part not

page_text: severed; I then place this between two similar oblong frames of metal
in which the openings or apertures are a little wider and shorter than
the said tongue or vibrator, thus allowing three of its sides to be free,
and screw down (fix) the whole in such a manner that the centre piece,
that is, the tongue and its own thin frame can be moved "endways" or
longitudinally between the two outer frames for tuning; the pressure of
these upon the thin frame and the root or heel of the reed being
sufficient to keep the whole firm and steady. I am thus enabled to use
pipes for the trebles, and free reeds for the bass in my improved instru-
ment, thereby requiring less wind than either of them, used singly or
entirely; and to further facilitate the tuning of this entire mixed instru-
ment I prefer to tune the open pipes by means of a disc, cone, block, or
other shade fixed over each pipe, and adjustable at or to the requisite
height or distance from the pipe to give the desired pitch; and thus the
additionally frequent tunings can be effected without damage or injury
to the pipes.
The fourth part of this Invention consists in a necessary alteration or
improvement in the "foot pedals" so as to equalize the "weight" or
"touch" and the thrust or effort required from the foot whether from
"toe" or "heel," and to "natural" or "sharp" note or pedal; this (as
will be understood by all organ players) being necessary on account of
the extra duty of "blowing" or actuating the before-named "feeders."
I accomplish this by either reversed lovers or "rollers" (according to
space and other circumstances) underneath, and to or upon which the
“naturals” of the foot pedals are fixed or coupled, so that wherever the
foot may press them the same effect or result will be produced, and
with the same thrust or effort.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Dawes in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 14th April 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
DAWES, of Kingston Grove, Leeds, in the County of York, Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most. Therellent Majesty Queen Victoria hv Her
404

page_text: of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the
thirty-seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said William Dawes, Her special
licence that I, the said William Dawes, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Dawes, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during
the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said William Dawes, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands
and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Dawes, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, that is to say :-
-
The first part of this Invention has for its object more especially the
production or construction of an instrument of the organ or harmonium
class, or both conjointly (as herein-after explained) for the use of pupils,
students, or professional organists, whereon they can have both "manual"
and "pedal" practice, without the heretofore necessary extra means,
assistance, or mechanical appliances for "blowing" or producing the
wind and tone in the said instrument; and to effect this I take advantage
of the difference in the power or physical force actually required to
manipulate or play upon the small "soft toned" instrument desirable
for practice compared with a full sized organ, and by making the instru-
ment "self-blowing," and economizing the quantity of wind required
(in manner herein-after described) I utilize this surplus power, and at
the same time render the practice more real, and therefore more
beneficial. Thus I construct and employ a greater number of smaller
feeders" than heretofore (sometimes in addition to the ordinary feeders)

page_text: to supply the reservoir or "fountain” part of the bellows, and 1 cause
the "foot pedals," swell pedal, draw knobs (and in some cases even the
keys) to move, work, or "actuate" these feeders when they are used or
acted upon by the player, and thus he, almost unconsciously, supplies
the wind required for the tone he produces without either the cost or
annoyance of extraneous help for that purpose.
"
"
The second part of this Invention consists in an improved arrangement
or construction of the "wind chest" and valves or "pallets" and "stop
action for such instruments, when (as is sometimes desired and
desirable) pipes are employed for all or any, or any part of the stops,
instead of free reed vibrators, its object being to economize the quantity
of wind required, and thus render my Invention possible or practicable,
as or to pipe or partially pipe organs as well as to harmoniums or
" free reed organs; thus, in lieu of having to "fill" or raise the
pressure in a groove or channel ("flue") between cach pallet and its
pipes, as heretofore, I use a small pallet for cach pipe, placed as near as
possible to the aperture in the "foot" of the pipe, or, more properly, the
hole in the "soundboard " upon which the pipe stands, and further to
nvoid loss of wind from having to fill or raise the pressure in separate
"pans Or "stop chambers" on drawing or re-drawing any stop or rank
of pipes, which has hitherto been necessary whenever the "multi-pallet"
system has been attempted.
"
I construct my wind chest as one entire chamber, with the increased
pressure of wind under all the "stops" or ranks of pipes, and I cause
any stop or stops to be silent when required by preventing the pallets of
such stop or stops from opening when the keys are pressed down for
opening. those of the stops, which are then required to speak or sound;
and this I effect by the use of what may be called double or compound
pallets, so employed or constructed that the under or pallet proper can
be detained or prevented from opening when the outer "false or
pressing pallet (upon which the spring rests and acts) is moved by the
key and its intermediate "action or parts. This arrangement also
avoids loss of wind from casy or badly fitting "slides," which occurs
where they ("slides") are used, even in those stops which are not
then "speaking" or in use, that is, in those which are "shut" or
undrawn,
33
"

page_text: In some cases I construct my pallet springs in such a manner that by
having enlarged and padded or "clothed" flats or surfaces for contact
with or pressing upon the pallets, and being also coupled or connected
to the "pull downs" or other equivalent action, they (the springs) may
answer the purpose of or act for or in lieu of the second or outer
("false") pallets (in addition to their own duty); and produce the same
effect or result without them.
In carrying out this part of my Invention I sometimes use strong
transverse rollers with flexible attachments for actuating (by or through
the medium of the "pull downs") the before-named compound pallets
or equivalent pallet and spring action, and in other cases, according to
circumstances, I employ "squares" or quadrants (right-angled levers)
and horizontal transverse " trackers," placed in both instances by
preference inside the wind chest.
"
"
It will be understood that when any "stop or rank of pipes or reeds
is not required to speak the before-named under or real pallets in that
stop are prevented from opening, although the other (false) pallets and
the rollers or other equivalent "action move or "act” as though these
were also opening. The arrangement of parts or
" movements" for
thus silencing or "shutting off" any stop (by preventing the opening of
these under pallets, as before explained) may be of any convenient kind,
but I prefer to use upright" stickers "resting upon and lifted or lowered
by longitudinal slides "notched or cut into inclines or wedges for that
purpose; or in some cases longitudinal eccentric rollers may be used in
lieu of slides.
"
"
or
The third part of this Invention consists in an improved "make
construction of free recd or "vibrator" and frame, whereby the tuning
can be effected readily, and without "scraping" or otherwise perma-
nently altering the surface of the metal of the reed, this improvement
being necessary in those cases where organ pipes and free reeds
( "vibrators") are employed in the same instrument, which is
especially desirable (for reasons herein-after explained) in the practical
carrying out of my Invention. To effect this, and construct what may
be called a " tunable free reed " I press or cut the tongue or vibrator in
or out of a thin piece of metal, the root or heel only of the reed being
the part not severed. I then place this between two oblong frames of
metal, similar in width but shorter, and in which the openings or

page_text: "
apertures are a little wider and shorter than the said tongue or vibrator,
thus allowing three of its sides (all except the root or heel) to be free,
and I" screw down" (fix) the whole in such a manner that the centre
piece, that is, the tongue, and its own thin frame can be moved
endways" or longitudinally between the two outer frames for tuning,
the pressure of these upon the thin frame and the root or heel of the
reed being sufficient to keep the whole firm and steady. I am thus
enabled to use pipes for the trebles, and free reeds for the bass in my
improved instrument, thereby requiring less wind than either of them if
used singly or entirely; and, to further facilitate the tuning of this:
entire mixed instrument, I prefer to tune the open pipes by means of a
disc, cone, block, or other shade, fixed in any convenient manner over
each pipe, and adjustable at or to the required height or distance from
the pipe to give the desired pitch, and thus the additionally frequent
tunings, necessary through using free reeds and pipes in the same
instrument, can be readily effected, and without damage to cither of
them.
The fourth part of this Invention consists in a necessary alteration or
improvement in the "foot pedals "so as to equalize the "weight,” and
thrust or effort required from the foot, whether from toe or heel, and to
"natural" or " sharp note or pedal; this (as will be understood by all
organ players) being necessary on account of the extra duty of "blow-
ing" or actuating the before-named "feeders." I accomplish this by
either reversed levers or rollers (according to space and other circum-
stances), preferring generally the former, to or upon which the
"naturals of the "foot pedals" are attached or coupled; so that
whether pressed down by the toe or by the heel, the depth, effort, and
effect poduced will be equal or similar, and also be more like in
those points or particulars the "sharps" or intermediate notes.
زو
To render the foregoing description of my Invention additionally clear
and intelligible, I have appended the accompanying illustrations,
wherein Fig. 1 is an end sectional ellevation of an instrument having
pipes and free reeds; Fig. 2, a front section of part of the wind chest ;
Fig. 3, an end section showing an arrangement of free reed instrument;
Fig. 4, an enlarged. section of the pedals; Fig. 5, a side section of the
tunable free reed; and Fig. 6, a plan of the same,

page_text: The following letters of reference will also be a further guide as to
certain details and their action, namely:-A, A, are the additional
"feeders"; B, B, the "reservoir
"
or fountain" part of the bellows;
99
O, C, the ordinary "feeder" coupled to the swell pedal; D, D, the foot
or note pedals coupled to A, A, and also to the free reed pedal
notes E, E; F, F, the compound or duplex pallets; G, G, the transverso
rollers for the same; H, H, the longitudinal rollers and "stickers" for
the stop action (acting when required upon the
"under" or real
pallets); I, I, the tuning "shades" (for tuning the pipes) fixed into or
through the rail X, X, the gentle raising or lowering of which will pro-
duce a temporary or "ad lib" "celeste" with other stops; J, J, the
tunable free reed; and K, Ķ, the fore and heel parts of the "equal
action" or compensating ("natural") pedals.
-
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be
used or carried into effect, I wish it to be understood that I do not
confine or restrict myself to the precise details or arrangements
which I have described or referred to, as many modifications and
variations may be made therefrom, without deviating from the
principles or main features of the said Invention; but what I consider
to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured
to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First. The arrangement and construction of an instrument wherein.
the current of air or wind producing the tone (whether above or below
the normal or natural atmospheric pressure) is produced or obtained
(supplied) by the performer, in or by the act of playing upon the
instrument, through the medium or action of various sized "feeders”
attached to or worked by "the pedals," stops, keys, or other parts of the
instrument used by the player.
"
Second. The economic "sound board" or "wind chest and pallet
and stop actions, with the compound or duplex (real and false) pallets
for economizing wind.
Third. The arrangement or construction of "tunable free reed" and
frame, and improved or readier method of tuning pipes; to render
practable the use of both kinds in the same instrument; also for the
purpose of economizing wind.

page_text: "E
And, Fourth. The arrangement of "equal pressure" or compensating
pedals, constructed to require the same thrust or effort, or thereabouts,"
from the foot wherever they may be pressed; for the purposes and
virtually or essentially as or after the manner herein-before explained
and set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Dawes, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of April, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
four
Witness,
THOMAS JOSEPH SMITH,
5, Northfield Terrace,
Leeds.
WILLIAM DAWES. (L.s.)