Improvements in Organs.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Sept., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 17th June, 1895-Accepted, 17th Aug., 1895
Improvements in Organs.
We, JAMES JOHN WALKER, Organ Builder, and JOHN COWLING, Foreman,
both of 27 Francis Street, Tottenham Court Road, London, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to electro pneumatic apparatus to facilitate the use by
an organist of combinations of stops, and it also relates to electro pneumatic
appliances or motors to move the draw stops, the sliders and other portions of
organ mechanism.
For each combination of stops for which provision is made we provide a press
button at the front of the keyboard.
Each button when pressed closes a battery circuit, it is coupled electrically with
an electro pneumatic appliance hereinafter described and this operates to move a
multiple contact maker which closes simultaneously a number of battery circuits.
When the button is pressed the contacts are closed; when it is released the contacts
are open. Pedals may if desired be substituted for press buttons.
Every draw stop is provided with two electro pneumatic appliances for shifting
its position, one brings it out and the other puts it in; and each of these appliances
or motors has its electric circuit. For any one selection of draw stops only one
motor of each pair is required, namely, the motor which moves the stop in the way
required. The circuit wires from the selected motors are led up to the multiple
circuit closer before referred to and when the circuits are closed the motors operate
and the draw stops belonging to the selection are brought out whilst all others
are thrust in.
In this way provision may be made for any desired number of selections of draw
stops, a separate press button or pedal and multiple circuit closer being provided
for each selection.
Each of these selections it will be understood is prepared beforehand by the
organ builder or adjuster and can be readily re-arranged at any time if desired, a
switch board being placed conveniently inside the organ for that purpose. But in
addition to providing these selections ready to the hand of the organist we, so
arrange that he may himself prepare any selection of draw stops which he may
desire and readily alter from time to time from one selection to another.
"
In order that the organist may make his own selectiou an electric switch is
provided for each draw stop and this by a simple movement with the hand the
organist can set either "on or "off"; only when the switch is "on" does the
stop to which the switch belongs form part of the selection. These switches can
be placed in any position within easy reach of the organist, but preferably near
their respective draw-stop knobs to facilitate their easy adjustment. When the
press button or pedal belonging to this section of the apparatus is used, the corre-
sponding multiple contact maker closes a contact for every draw stop motor and
from these contacts circuit wires pass to the switch board in front and thence to
the "on" and the "off" motors. One half of the motor circuits are closed
through the turn button or moveable indicator or part of the switch whilst
the other half of the circuits remain open.
It is obvious that in like manner arrangements may be made to render more
than one of the selections variable by the organist from his position in front, and

page_text: even all the selections may be so placed under control if desired but usually this
will not be advisable.
Such being the general arrangement we will now describe one of the electro
pneumatic appliances or motors and first that which is used for moving the multiple
circuit closers.
In the motor there is a tubular electro magnet with a hinged armature and the
passage through the magnet permits air to pass from a compressed air chamber
into a cavity which is covered and closed by a flexible diaphragm. One face of
the diaphragm is constantly exposed to the air pressure but the other only when
compressed air enters to the cavity in the manner described. The pressure on the
two surfaces of the diaphragm is then equal and this is the normal condition.
The armature of the magnet serves also as a valve or pallet, and when it is
attracted it closes the passage through the limb of the electro-magnet.
The
armature in approaching the magnet leaves an adjustable tubular stop on which it
previously rested and then air issues from the cavity through the stop.
The diaphragm then yields to the unbalanced pressure and being connected by
a rod or wire with the contact piece of the multiple circuit closer, it lifts it thereby
bringing a strip of metal up against a number of wire springs one of which is
connected with the battery and the others with the motors for moving the draw
stops. These motors are similar in their construction except that the diaphragm is
here connected with a valve stem on which are two disc valves.
When the magnet attracts its armature one of the disc valves leaves its seat and
allows air to pass from the compressed air chamber to act against a diaphragm.
The opposite movement of the valves releases the air and relieves the diaphragm
from pressure.
The draw stop is connected by a rod with the diaphragm and there is a cavity
on either side of the diaphragm. From each cavity a pipe passes to bring in the
compressed air from one or other of the motors.
The draw stops when moved as above described or when moved by hand simply
close electric circuits, the work of moving the sliders or vent valves is performed
by other motors.
The slider or vent valve is connected with a diaphragm having a chamber on
either side of it which receive air alternately from two electro pneumatic appliances
as described in respect of the draw stops but the apparatus is larger and more
powerful. The diaphragm is stiffened in the centre and it carries valves which
check the entrance of the compressed air into the cavities as the movement is
completed and regulate the movement of the slider or vent valve.
"
Two relief valves are provided for each chamber, one, the main exhaust which
gives free vent to the air which is driven from one cavity by the entrance of
compressed air into the other cavity. The other, a smaller one which serves a
twofold purpose, one being to release the compressed air from either side when
automatic " cut outs on the sliders or vent valves have opened the circuits to
their respective electro motors. The other purpose is to return to its normal
position by pneumatic suction the supply disc of the chamber which has just been
charged with air. This does away with the necessity of springs for that purpose.
Each slider or vent valve is provided, (for the purpose of economising electric
energy) with two "cut outs so that after each movement of the slider or vent
valve the respective electro-motors resume their normal position.
"
So long as neither of the electro magnets of the motor apparatus attracts its
armature both relief valves are held closed by compressed air behind them but
when either armature is attracted it leaves its tubular stop as previously described
and vent through the tubular stop being thus opened gives passage to the
compressed air from behind that relief valve which now should open.
Dated this 15th day of September 1894.

page_text: Improvements in Organs.
We, JAMES JOHN WALKER, Organ Builder, and JOHN COWLING, Foreman,
both of 27 Francis Street, Tottenham Court Road, London, 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:-
Our invention has for its object mechanism to enable an organist by the movement
of a press button, a pedal or like instrument to bring into use a selection comprising
several draw stops and to put out of action the stops which he does not require.
Also it is the object of our invention to enable the organist to alter from time to
time the selection of draw stops which a press button or such like instrument
controls and to do this with facility and in some cases without interruption of the
performance.
Our invention also relates to improved mechanism for moving the draw stops
and for moving in unison with the draw stops the sliders or vent valves which
open and close the air passages leading to the pipes appertaining to the several
stops.
To move the draw stops we provide mechanism as follows:-The press button
or like instrument by a motor appliance or otherwise moves a multiple circuit
closer and this closes a series of electric circuits corresponding in number with the
draw stops. The circuit wires are led from the multiple circuit closer to a switch
board where each current can be directed along one or other of two branch wires.
For each draw stop there are two electro pneumatic motor appliances, one to
bring it out and the other to thrust it in. All these motor appliances are contained
in one common wind chest and each receives one of the branch wires and when an
electric current passes in the wire the motor appliance operates in a
hereinafter explained to produce the required movement of the draw stop.
manner
To actuate the sliders or vent valves we provide compact and sufficiently
powerful electro-pneumatic mechanism arranged as follows:-Within a wind chest
we fix side by side a series of valve motors two for each slider and each slider we
connect with a sufficiently large and strong diaphragm. The diaphragm serves as
a partition separating two chambers and each valve motor can by permitting air
to pass from the wind chest into one of the chambers, cause the movement of the
diaphragm.
The diaphragm carries valves which towards the end of the movement check the
admission of air to the chambers so that the slider or vent valve is brought to rest
without violence or noise. Each chamber is also provided with main outlet valve
which when open allows the chamber promptly to empty, at other times these
valves are kept closed by pressure of air supplied from the wind chest by the
action of the valve motors. The vaive motors are all alike and in each there is a
cavity separated by a comparatively small flexible diaphragm or membrane from
the general capacity of the wind chest. There is a passage however which when
open allows air to pass from the wind chest 10 the underside of the membrane
which then balances the pressure on the upper side. There is also a passage or
vent which when open allows air to escape from the cavity. A double valve
guards these two passages and the valve is controlled by an electro magnet.
Passing up from the centre of the membrane there is a stem carrying a pair of
valves, the first valve is within the wind chest and its opens downwards from its
seat and then permits air to pass from the wind chest into a passage leading to one
of the chambers adjacent upon the main diaphragm. The other valve upon the
stem is external and when the first valve opens it drops to its seat and closes an
outlet. There are flap valves opening from the diaphragm chambers into the supply

page_text: passages. The draw stop when moved, in or out as the case may be, closes the
circuit of the electro magnet and a current passes.
The further explanation of the operation of this mechanism we defer as it will
be better understood when the details have been made clear by reference to the
annexed drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a section through the keyboard of the organ. A is one of the finger
keys and B is one of the press buttons provided to bring into operation a selection
of the organ stops; of these press buttons several may be provided, as many as are
likely to be wanted say four or five.
Figure 2 is an underside view shewing the parts attached to the stem of the
press button. B₁B2 are wooden cross pieces capable of moving freely in the
guides B³ B. B is a bent spring abutting on the cross piece B¹ and on
the stationary block B and tending to press the button B outwards as far as the
cross piece B³ admits; this cross piece is faced with felt to prevent noise when the
press button returns suddenly after being thrust inwards. B, B6, B7, B', are two
pair of contact springs fixed upon the block B. B is a strip of metal fixed upon
the cross piece B¹. At C a galvanic battery is indicated and C₁Care circuit
wires in connection with this battery. When the press button B is in its normal
position this circuit is open; but when the press button is thrust in, the circuit is
or the moment closed and may be traced through the contact springs B BⓇ the
metal strip B and the contact springs B' B'. A pair of springs is in each case
employed simply by way of precaution and in order to ensure a good connection.
.
Figures 3 and 4 show the multiple circuit closer and the electro-pneumatic
motor which the press button B controls. Figure 3 is a section taken
transversely through the wind chest in which this motor and the other
similar motors are contained and Figure 4 is a section taken longitudinally
along the wind chest; in this latter figure the multiple circuit closer is seen
in elevation. The multiple circuit closer consists of a wooden bar D upon
which two metal plates D'D' are fixed. The motor operates to lift the bar D,
which slides treely in the guides fixed on the under side of the wind chest.
E to E' are seven pair of contact springs fixed upon a stationary rail E and
having wires marked with the same letters leading from them; they provided for
the control of six draw stops; if more are to be controlled additional springs are
provided. Two springs one on each side of the bar form a pair and they are
metallically connected. When the bar D is lifted a circuit may be traced from
the battery C to the springs E' E', thence through the metal plates D' D' to the
springs EE from which wires are led away and connected as hereinafter
described. Similarly a circuit may be traced from the battery to the springs E³ E³,
another to the springs E' E' and so on. These multiple circuit closers may be
placed in any convenient space where the contacts are easily accessible; this is one
of the advantages obtained by their use.
In the motor F is an electro magnet, the coils of which receive the current
which passes when the button B is pressed in. F' is an armature of thin sheet
iron connected by a leather hinge at one end to the under side of a wooden block G'.
The armature carries two leather discs F2 and F3 which serve as valves. The iron
core of the electro-magnet F is hollow and it serves as a passage by which air passes
out of the wind chest into a cavity formed between the block G and the block G2
upon which the former is fixed, this cavity is marked G and in part it is closed by
the leather membrane or diaphragm H. A rod or stem H' connects the membrane f
with the moveable part D of the multiple circuit closer. H2 is a membrane which
serves to form an air tight joint. 1 is a hollow screw which penetrates into the
cavity G, it serves as a vent to allow air to escape from the cavity but normally,
that is to say, when the armature is not attracted, it is closed by the valve F
When the
The air pressure is then equal on the two sides of the membrane H.
armature is attracted, the passage through the magnet core into the cavity G is

page_text: closed by the valve F3 and the vent I is open; hence the air pressure in the wind
chest exerted on the under side of the meinbrane I is unbalanced by any pressure
on the upper side of the membrane and the membrane being deflected upwards, the
part D of the circuit closer is lifted. Directly the current ceases to pass in the
coils of the magnet F the part D falls by gravity.
The wires E to E' are continued to a switch board which may be in any
convenient position but preferably it is at the side of the organ where it is readily
accessible. A portion of this switch board is seen in Figure 5. At the switch
board each of the said wires connected with a switch tongue J. There are
contact plates K K' arranged in pairs by the side of the switch tongues which can
be turned on to either contact. plate of the pair so as to make good electric contact
therewith. In Figure 5 also a series consisting of six pair of valve motors LLL
is seen in plan, they are all contained in a wind chest M the cover of which is
omitted from the figure.
Figure 6 shows a section of this wind chest and of one of the valve motors
within it. In each motor there is (as in the apparatus shown by Figures 3 and 4)
an electro magnet F and this magnet in the way already described controls the
movements of a diaphragm H. In Figure 6 two valves N and N' are seen to be
attached to the diaphragm by a stem and these valves sometimes admit air from
the wind chest M into a passage O and at other times open the passage and release
the pressure therein. The figure shows the parts in their normal positions, that is
to say in the positions they occupy when no current is passing in the magnet coils,
When the electric circuit
the outlet valve N¹ is open and the valve N is closed.
containing the magnet is closed by the means already described the valve N opens and
the valve N¹ closes and then air flows out from the wind chest into the passage O.
PP in Figure 5 are the draw stops of the organ, six are here shown but any number
P1 is a stem attached to the
may be provided, each with its pair of valve motors.
inner end of the draw stop and serving to connect it with a membrane Q. Each
membrane Q divides into two separate chambers, one of a series of cavities formed
in a casing R. Each chamber is connected by a pipe S with the wind passage O of
one of the valve motors and so air pressure is brought to bear on the membrane Q.
Pressure on one side of the membrane supplied by one of the valve motors
moves in one direction the membrane and the draw stop attached to it and pressure
supplied by the other valve motor of the pair moves the parts in the contrary
direction. As will be seen only one valve inotor of each pair is at any one time
brought into operation. Only one set of switch tongues J and contact plates KK'
is shown in Figure 5, namely the set belonging to the press button B but
corresponding to each press button there is a separate set of switch tongues and
contact plates and all these contact plates are all coupled in the manner shown with
the same series of valve motors L.
One or more set of switch tongues however we make different from the rest so
that they can be handled by the organist whilst he is actually playing upon the
instrument and we sometimes arrange them in such proximity to the draw stops
themselves that their positions indicate the stops to which they respectively belong.
Figure 7 is an elevation showing such an arrangement. T T are the six switch
tongues appertaining to the six draw stops P P which in this figure are compactly
arranged in two vertical rows. The switch tongues are connected in circuit in the
mauner already described and in the manner shown in the sectional view Figure 8
they each make contact with one or other of two spring contacts which have the
same function as the contact plates K K' shewn in Figure 5 and which are similarly
connected. One of these spring contacts is seen in Figure 8, at U. In Figure 7
four of the switch tongues T are shown in the "on" position, and two in the "off"
position and so that when the button which operates in conjunction with these switch
tongues is pressed in, the top four of the draw stops will come out and the lower
two will be thrust in; but as will be seen at any instant the organist can change
this selection to any other he may desire to employ.
The arrangement of mechanism which we have described above admits of some

page_text: variation, for example, it may be simplified by so arranging that the press button is
(if one only be employed) shall operate directly to close the circuits of the series
of valve motors L L, shown in Figure 5; this may be done by connecting the
wires E to E' in this figure with the contact springs B' shown in Figure 2. In
this case the push button B with the parts attached becomes a multiple circuit closer
and is a substitute for the parts shown by Figures 3 and 4.
But although this simplificaticu may be made, there are reasons why the more
complicated arrangement previously described is sometimes to be preferred. The
press button admits of modification, the form shown is convenient as adapting itself
to the available space beneath the finger keys, but other forms may be employed,
thus a press button such as is commonly used in connection with electric bells will
serve the purpose.
The draw stops may control the sliders or vent valves which admit the wind to
the organ pipes in any well known manner, but the mechanism which we prefer to
provide for this purpose we will now proceed to describe; it is shown by the
Figures 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13. In Figure 9 the six draw stops P P appear, they are
the same as are partly shown in Figure 5; these are arranged in the usual manner
to slide in and out a short distance and are suitably guided. On each draw stop
we provide a metal plate P¹ and springs V₁ connected with one pole of the battery by
a wire V2 rest in contact with these plates. There are other springs W1 W2 which
make contact with the plates P¹; when the draw stop is in the springs Ware in
this way connected with the battery and when the draw stops are out the springs W²
are similarly connected but at no time are the springs W and W2 simultaneously in
contact with the plates P. Circuit wires pass from the springs W₁ and W to the
sliders or vent valve as we will presently explain. W and W₁ show the circuit
wires of one of the draw stops; the others are similarly connected.
Figure 10 is a vertical section showing the principal parts of the electro-
pneumatic mechanism for moving the sliders or vent valves and a portion of one of
these is also represented in the figure. Figure 11 shows in plan this portion of the
slider or vent valve, it has an electric cut out upon it to which the circuit
wires W3 W are attached. Figures 12 and 13 are sections taken respectively on
the lines 12, 12 and 13, 13 in Figure 10.
a is the slider or vent valve which in the usual way puts into action or out of
action all the pipes belonging to one of the organ stops; every stop in like manner
has its own slider or vent valve. The movement of the slider from right to left
closes the air passages leading to the pipes and the movement in the contrary
direction opens them. The slider a is attached to a rod band on the rod a
diaphragm c is fixed. The diaphragm is stiffened in the middle but around its
edges is flexible; d' d are two chambers separated by the diaphragm. There are
also two valves el and 2 on the rod b they control the passages by which air
under pressure is from time to time admitted to act against one or other face
of the diaphragm c. The air is supplied from a wind chest f on the opening of
one or other of two valves g' g²; one of these valves admits air to the passage
and the other to the passage h². On the same stems with the valves g¹ and g²
there are auxiliary outlets or exhaust valves i closing passages . The valve
stems are also attached to leather membranes ¹k of a pair of valve motors
contained in the wind chest f. These membranes it will be seen extend over
cavities in wooden blocks which constitute the foundation or body of the valve
motors. One of these cavities is seen at 12. In each valve motor there is an
electro-magnet having a hollow iron core through one limb of which air is able to
pass from the wind chest. These magnets are marked m' and m². There is an
outlet for the air from beneath the membrane of the valve motor at n but in the
position shown in Figure 10 the outlet is closed by a valve carried by the hinged
arm o which is the armature of the magnet. The cavity is also connected by a
pipe pa with a sinall chamber closed by a membrane carrying the valve g¹. Iu
the other motor of the pair namely that immediately behind that seen in Figure 10,
the parts are similar and normally they occupy like positions.

page_text: There are also flap valves and r².
The action of this apparatus is as follows:-When no electric current is passing
in the magnet coils of either of the valve motors, the main outlet valves q' q' both
remain closed being supported by the wind pressure supplied by the pipes p³ p².
The valves i are open and the flap valves are free to open consequently there
is no wind pressure on either side of the diaphragm c.
If now the valve motor seen in Figure 10 receives an electric current through.
the coils of its magnet, its hinged armature o² is attracted and the valves fixed upon
it close the passage through the hollow core of the magnet m² and open the vent n
Both valves g²
thus releasing the pressure beneath the membrane or diaphragm k².
and then fall and the wind passes from the wind chest f to act on the right side
of the diaphragm c. The wind pressure then moves the slider a from right to left.
During this movement the valve q' gives a free and direct outlet for the air from
the chamber on the left side of the diaphragm c for there is now no pressure behind
this valve or in the pipe p² the vent n² being open. The valve e operates to bring the
slider gently to rest. At this time an automatic cut-off upon the slider opens
the circuit of the magnet m² the armature o² falls, and the pressure on the two
sides of the diaphragm k is equalised. The valve is now no longer held down
and it is lifted by the pressure beneath it. By the closing of the valve g² the
supply of air from the wind chest is arrested and the chamber d' empties, or is.
relieved from pressure.
Figure 11 shows the automatic cut out on the slider.
The magnet m² receives the electric current which causes it to operate from
the wire W when the draw stop pushed in and the current passes to the springs s',
thence to a metal plate t upon the slider and so to the spring s² which is coupled
with the electro-magnet m². The slider then moves and at the end of the movement,
the plate t overruns the end of the spring s' and opens the circuit. From the
magnet there is a return wire to the battery.
The magnet in the other valve motor of the pair, viz. that immediately behind
that seen in Figure 10 receives its current from the wire W and the springs s
and
which operate in a similar manner to allow the current to pass to commence
the movement of the slider and to open the circuit as the movement is completed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we.
claim is-
-
1. The combination, substantially as described, consisting of a multiple circuit
closer, and mechanism for working the same, electro-pneumatic motor appliances
connected with the draw stops to put them in and out and a switch board at which
each circuit can be directed through either of the motor appliances of the
corresponding draw stop.
2. Apparatus, substantially as described, in which a press button or the like,
closes the circuit of an electro-pneumatic motor appliance connected with a
multiple circuit closer which then calls into action electro pneumatic motor
appliances connected with the draw stops.
3. The combination, substantially as described, consisting of a multiple circuit
closer, and mechanism for working the same, electro pneumatic motor appliances
connected with the draw stops to put them in and out, and switch tongues and
contacts arranged close to the organist and so that they may be arranged by him
whilst performing.
4. Electro pneumatic motor mechanism, substantially as described, for moving
the draw stops and the sliders or vent valves, in which mechanism a series of
electro pneumatic valve motors are contained in one common wind chest and these
valve motors are connected in pairs each with two chambers separated by a
diaphragm or membrane which is connected with the draw stop or the slider or
vent valve.

page_text: 5. Electro-pneumatic motor mechanism, substantially as described for the
movement of the sliders or vent valves in unison with the draw stops.
Dated this 14th day of June 1895.
JAMES J. WALKER
JOHN COWLING.