IMPROVEMENTS IN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Wesley Goundry, of Old Shildon, near Dar-
lington, in the County of Durham, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS."
Sealed the 22nd March 1864, and dated the 10th October 1863.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Wesley Goundry
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
10th October 1863.
I, JOHN WESLEY GOUNDRY, of Old Shildon, near Darlington, in the County
of Durham, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS," to be as follows:-
1. The chief design of this Invention, which embraces two leading objects
herein-after mentioned, is to bring the enharmonic system (having 40 sounds
.in the octave) into general use on instruments with the ordinary keyboard,
affording also the requisite facilities for perfect modulation by means of electro-
motive power, in this Invention rendered practically efficient in the case of
organs generally, by the introduction of certain improvements in the construc-
tion of the pallets.
2. By this movement the present complex and cumbrous wooden apparatus

page_text: is entirely superseded, and all the disadvantages attending its use, as sticking,
cyphering, and unwieldly touch, obviated.
3. It must be understood that the application of electro-magnets to the
pallets of organs is not a new Invention, a Patent for this having been taken
by Henry John Gauntlett on the 15th July 1852, No. 14,222; the principle,
however, has not been successfully carried into operation, apparently from the
Inventor having omitted to make the requisite alterations in the pallet for
reducing the amount of resistance (and consequent cost of the magnets to a
minimum.
4. To supply this desideratum is the object of the first part of this Invention,
which is attained with efficiency and economy by using the improved forms of
valve or pallet herein-after mentioned.
5. The second part has for its object a new means of playing the enharmonic
organ on the ordinary keyboard. The principle of the ordinary keyboard
being considered by the Inventor good in itself, and at least incapable of any
improvement which would be generally practicable, he would not attempt to
make any alteration in it, but simply by means of this movement make it the
exponent of perfect musical intervals in all the keys, as ascertained by the
science of enharmonics, which gives 2, 3, or 4 different sounds to its individual
members.
For the purpose of clearly setting forth all the benefits and applications to
which this Invention contributes, I shall here state them in the order of their
mutual connexion, which method will also shew that all the main principles
are capable of embodiment in a single instrument.
6. To accomplish the first object, any simple expedient for the purpose of
making and breaking contact may be adopted, as by a spring or other
appliance underneath the key (this may be so arranged as to render the
touch capable of variation to suit different players) from which the magnet
being suitably placed for that purpose is made to act on the pallet, or such
mechanism as may be used to actuate the particular form of pallet employed.
7. To adopt the ordinary pallet to the purposes of this Invention, one of
the following expedients may be used:-1st, through the pallet an opening of
adequate size is made, which is fitted with a valve mitred at the edges, and
fixed on an axle at or near its centre either transversely or longitudinally.
The magnet is placed to act on the armature attached to a lever or rod or
directly to the pallet; 2nd, a joint in the ordinary pallet (a principle already
patented and applied to the old movement) to reduce the pressure, allowing
the air to enter and assist with a lever to open the pallet; 3rd, the principle
of the pneumatic bellows may be introduced to any form of pallet, the magnet

page_text: acting either to fill or exhaust them, whence the motion is communicated
to the pallet mediately or immediately; 4th, another improved form, and
which is preferred for new instruments, is that of a mitred pallet fixed, as
first above described, on an axle placed centrally or nearly so, and having on
one side a mitred valve also suitably hinged; in this form a collar may be
placed on a rod passing through the pallet or lever to give the means of
adjusting the opening of the valve and pallet at such relative instants of the
stroke as may offer the least resistance to the magnet. By these arrange-
ments, the inconvenient pressure conjointly of the air and the spring at the
opening of the ordinary pallet, with its awkward effects, are obviated; the
process of closing the pallet is also prompt and noiseless.
8. From the nature of the agent employed, and as a natural sequel to the
mode of applying it for the purposes above specified, unusual facilities are
afforded for obtaining a long movement, and also for introducing three further
improvements in the construction of organs having this movement.
9. The first of these (which has also been previously attempted but only to
a limited extent and by a different method) consists in the substitution of a
new coupling action, which in this Invention is effected either first by a short
wire from each finger key to that with which it is desired to couple it, these
wires being put on and off so as to receive or lose the current by a draw
stop similar to that used for the equivalent purpose in the ordinary mode; or
secondly, and with an economy of battery power the draw stop to direct the
return current of the first magnet to the magnet of any row or interval
designated by that draw stop, thus making (when required) a single current
do the work of all the keyboards for any note. By these contrivances,
facilities superior to the present are given for uniting the keyboards in any
combination, whereas the Patent previously mentioned only provided means
for coupling to a single keyboard.
A
10. The second improvement, facilitated by means of electro-magnetism,
in its application to actuate the stop, slides by an electro-magnet opening a
wind valve communicating with pneumatic bellows, and transferring their
motion to the slide which returns by a spring on cessation of the current.
single current (as in the above coupling action) is directed by the draw-stops
so as to work the whole of the stop slides as they are drawn; this allows the
introduction of what may be termed a "universal combination pedal,"
relieving the player of a considerable part of the attention necessarily absorbed
by the draw stops in the course of a performance under the present arrangement,
and in which both the manner of its bringing on and shutting off the stops,
whether instantaneous or gradual, and also the order (according to their

page_text: names) in which this is done are at the disposal of the organist, and may be
varied at pleasure. The principle of this pedal can also be used in the con-
struction of composition pedals, and render each one capable of several com-
binations, with the means of restricting their action to a part only of the stops
in connexion with them.
11. The third improvement is the introduction of a "melody coupler,"
which, so far as the Inventor is aware, is entirely new, and consists in the
application of that property of the electric current by virtue of which it takes
the shortest route or the best conducting material on its way back to the
battery, thus admitting of the interposition of various materials and other
expedients by which the melody or highest (and if required also the lowest)
part of the harmony played may be rendered more distinct than the other
parts (being reduplicated on a separate keyboard or set of pipes), while the
performer is not required to play on more thay one keyboard.
12. It is evident that considerable parts of these improvements besides
being adapted to existing organs may be introduced also into harmoniums
and pianofortes of the ordinary construction; but with the view chiefly of
rendering the pianoforte enharmonic, electro-motive power may be applied as
follows: Two currents are started by the finger key to magnets placed one
at the damper and the other at the hammer, which is disconnected from the
rest of the action, and the magnet for it made to act instantaneously by the
wire having contact broken at the "hopper" on the pressure of the key,
the blow being tempered by varying the distance from the wires of the hammer
rail by a pedal corresponding to the present and in place
it.
13. The second leading object of this Invention consists of suitable mechanical
expedients for directing and changing the direction of the current to suit the
purposes of modulation in playing the enharmonic organ on the ordinary key-
board, which is effected by rendering each finger key available in playing at
different times one or other of the several notes assigned to it in its relation to
that system.
14. It is clear that without the intervention of special means for this
purpose the interior construction of the enharmonic organ (even when the
complex keyboards at present characteristic of that instrument are retained)
is greatly simplified by adopting the movement above described. Simple
Inechanism, however, for transferring the current as required for correct
modulation on the ordinary keyboard may be obtained by a shifting move-
ment placed in an interval produced by cutting the wire at a convenient point
between the key and the magnet, and on this principle (it is proper to mention
here that) in order to make the harmonium enharmonic, the reeds may be

page_text: fitted at proper distances on a sliding board, above which another slide with
grooved passages to the finger keys of the ordinary keyboard is suitably fitted.
and the two relatively adjusted in accordance with the key required; this
may be made as a tonic sol fa instrument in which the key note (of whatever
pitch) would always be represented by the same finger key. On a further
extension of the same principle, a revolving barrel somewhat similar to that
used in the common barrel organ may be placed in the interval above
described, and fitted with a series of metallic circles opposite to the finger
keys, and with rows of metallic studs at proper spaces apart, and connected
with the circles for the purpose of directing the current of the proper magnets
by pressure on contact pieces according to the motion given to the barrel.
15. It is evident that a similar barrel may be applied for modulating in
first the harmonium where it would act on reed pallets in the under part of
the instrument while the keys act on the ordinary pallets; and, second, in the
pianoforte serving either to determine which hammer of 2, 3, or 4 to a finger
key shall be in action, or to cause the single hammer to each key to shift to
the different wires, as required.
.
16. It is also quite practicable to reduce the number of electro-magnets.
necessa. in the enharmonic form of the whole of these instruments where
they are e.loyed. Thus, in organs of more limited modulating effects the
barrel may be made to act on the pallets, while the electro-magnets act on an
additional set of pallets, supplying the last, those worked by the barrel being
divided off in groups (according to the system), by making a channel from
each of the pallets worked by the magnets. A further saving of magnets may
be effected where the pallets of two keyboards admit of being acted on by a
single set of electro-magnets, the rows being kept distinct by a wind valve
to each worked from any of the finger keys in it by means of an electro-
magnet.
17. For organs where the greatest facility in modulating is required, two of
these barrels, fac-similes, may be used, the wires being transferred at pleasure
from the one to the other by a pedal or otherwise; or, instead of this the
following "cross-action" (a more convenient modification of the same principle)
is preferred, by means of which, on pressing down finger keys conveniently.
placed near the middle of the keyboard for determining the modulation (and
which may therefore be termed "tonic manuals"), the whole organ is instantly
thrown into the key thus indicated. In this cross action- a series of wires
(40 to the octave) are suspended from a horizontal bar where they are con-
nected with the corresponding wires from the finger keys. At different.
elevations below this bar are placed a number of parallel pieces (called "tonic

page_text: bars") across the suspended wires (whence the name "cross action,") to which
are attached at the proper intervals nonconducting studs to act on the par-
ticular of wires for the modulation represented by each tonic bar. An
electro-magnet is provided to act on each bar by starting a current from the
proper tonic manual on the keyboard. On the cessation of this current the
suspended wires recover their neutral state slightly inclined from the vertical
position. At the lower part whence the current issues metallic contact pieces
are fixed in a board contiguous to the ends of the wires. The whole of this
cross action may be contracted within a space of about six square inches
by wrapping together in a strand the wires for sounds which are octaves to
each other.
18. The double forms of the enharmonic dissonances are provided for by
setting their studs in the barrel or cross action and the grooves in the upper
slide of the harmonium to the acute form, and moving them to the grave
when required by a pedal, or in the cross action by starting a current to a
magnet for the purpose, the dissonance pieces returning by a spring when the
pedal is released or the current stopped.
19. To render the cross action efficient for sudden modulations, the tonic
bar magnet must continue its attraction as long as any particular key is
required, and for this purpose, while the tonic manual must remain in its
depressed position to maintain contact, it must also be capable of rising with
the subsequent descent of any other tonic manual. This is accomplished
either by a simple combination of levers, or by the aid of an induced current
from the magnet last in action.
20. A modification of such an application of induced currents as the above
may be applied with advantage to the hammers of the pianoforte, while the
inducing current is being applied through an electro-magnet (maintaining its
action) on the damper as long as the key is kept down, whereby the primary
current for striking the hammer in the before-mentioned arrangement is saved,
and a considerable part of the present action dispensed with.
21. If it is desired in a large organ to render the chromatic scale in this
system capable of being employed, it may be done by any of the following
expedients 1st, combining the keyboards set to different keys by separate
actions; 2nd, by a separate set of short keys conveniently placed for the
purpose; 3rd, by studs set into the ordinary keys, and fitted so that they may
act only when the main keys are at rest, their contact being broken by the
descent thereof.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Wesley Goundry in the Great Seals Patent Office
on the 9th April 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
WESLEY GOUNDRY, of Old Shildon, near Darlington, in the County of Durham,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of October, in the year of our Lord
Que thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, in the twenty-seventh year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant-unto-
me, the said John Wesley Goundry, Her special licence that I, the said
John Wesley Goundry, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said John Wesley Goundry, 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 John Wesley Goundry, 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 John Wesley Goundry, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, that is to say:-
The object of this Invention is, first, the application of electro-motive power
to organs and other similar keyboard instruments, whereby the ordinary move-
ments may be entirely superseded; and, secondly, the reducing the enharmonic
system to the simplicity of the ordinary keyboard, preserving at the same time
the required facilities for modulation.
It must be understood that the application of electro-magnets to the pallets
of organs is not new, the amount of resistance offered to the action of the
magnet, however, sufficiently accounts for the failure of previous attempts.
To reduce this resistance as much as possible, a pallet constructed on any

page_text: of the following principles is used, viz., 1st, a small valve a, Figure 1, opening
a passage through the body of the pallet b by the pull-down wire c; to this
form of pallet the magnet is applied as represented at d, so dispensing with
the wire c; 2nd, that known as the "jointed" pallet, the magnet to be applied
in a similar manner to the last (Figure 2), 1
, or to act on a lever c, which works
in a part of the pallet b cut away as shown; 3rd, the pallet called the "box
pallet," represented in Figure 3, which presents only an edge to the wind, and
is free from friction by being hinged excentrically where the magnet may act
by a lever.
As the pressure of the wind on any form of pallet except the
compensating is a serious obstacle to the employment of an attracting electraz
magnet only for the purpose proposed, the force being least just at that part
of the stroke where the resistance is greatest, I would adopt the following
mode of applying the current to the pallet, viz., to cause an electro-magnet to
repel a permanent magnet of opposite polarity, whereby the full power of the
magnet is exerted. Where the resistance from the compressed air is greatest
a second electro-magnet being placed on the other side of the pallet or its
fulcrum to attract at the same time, so as to hold the pallet firmly, the same
wire being carried over the two electro-magnets wrapped in contrary directions.
4th, a partially compensating pallet a, Figure 44, in which an aperture is cut
and fitted with another and smaller valve b; the magnet is in this applied to
the small valve, so as to overcome the pressure of the spring c, which keeps it
closed when the wind presses against it. When the magnet acts on the small
valve it opens, and the pressure of the air on the side b being tras diminished,
the other side of the pallet a opens upwards, and so remains until the magnet
ceases to act, when the spring shuts the small valve b, which causes that side
(the surface being larger) to close. Instead of a magnet a mere coil of wire
may be placed on the spindle and around the valve b, which is then made of
metal, and is thus deflected (opened), when the current is made to pass.
Figure 4º shews a longitudinal section of these two pallets in their relative
positions when opened. 5th, the principle of the flexible diaphragm c shown in
Figure 5, which by pressing on a piece of corresponding surface (or nearly
so) to that of the groove pallet a, to which it is connected, and placed outside
the wind chest, leaves little (or nothing) more than the resistance of a light
spring to be overcome by the electro-magnet d. 6th, any form of pallet
worked with bellows, either directly or by means of levers (as in the present
pneumatic lever) the magnet opening the valves of the bellows, Figure 6,
where a represents the ordinary pallet; b, the pneumatic bellows applied to it;
and c, the lever actuating the valves for the supply, &c. of the air, and on
which the magnet d acts. These arrangements indicate generally the

page_text: conditions required for the efficient action of the magnet, and which may be
varied as occasion may require.
The contact connections at the finger keys may be either mercurial or by
pressure of springs, or a combination of the two methods, and the keyboard
may be at any desired distance from the instrument, provided the battery is
sufficiently powerful to cause the current to traverse the additional length of
wire. The generating apparatus itself may be either voltaic or magneto-
electric, or of any other description capable of giving off a current. of the
requisite quantity and intensity.
For the purpose of economizing battery power (under which all apparatus
for generating electricity are implied) expedients are provided by this Inven-
tion for causing the same current to actuate several magnets to such an extent
as to make it pass through all those the finger keys of which are simultaneously
held down by the band. This is accomplished by fitting the contact plates on
which springs attached to the finger keys press in the manner shown in
Figure 7, which represents some of the finger keys in each position. (The
current coming from the battery at the trebble or right-hand end of the
keyboard.) The left-hand spring of those attached to each key is supposed
to be raised from contact with the larger metallic plate behind it when the-
finger key is put down. The course of the current will then be as indicated
by the red line. The arrangement for mercurial connections for this "single
current" will require a mercury cell on each side of the fulcrum of the finger
key. A better contact for the right-hand spring of eack finger key (which is
always required to have contact with the same plate) would be secured by its
being immersed with the plate itself in a small cell of mercury. The wires
leading to the magnets, and which are hereafter named the "forwards" are
soldered to the plates a, b, c, &c., and those from the magnets (for completing
the circuit), termed the "returns," to the plates a, b, c, &c., i.e., those from
which each finger key removes in starting the current to its own magnet.
This plate also is named either the." return or the "intermediate" plate, as
it is situated intermediately between two adjoining finger keys for the purpose
of passing the current from the one to the other.
Another fitting of the keyboard on the "single current" principle above
explained, and one in which the contact points are reduced to only the actual
number of finger keys simultaneously held down, is by a series of strong wires
(Figure 84) running across the keyboard, and receiving the current successively
(on the descent of the finger. keys) one from another, and which, by being
provided with cross wires supported by the keys, of the shape of the letter T,
with the top bar gradually increasing in length down the keyboard, draw

page_text: down the longitudinal wires from off their contact with the metallic plate
against which each of them was pressed by a spring. The longitudinal wires
are hinged in the cells e containing mercury, the current coming in from the
battery to the highest cell, and returning to it by the wire g leading from the
plate c. The course of the current with the finger keys down which are
indicated by the X is shewn by the red line in the Drawing.
Figure 8 gives a perspective view, showing the longitudinal wires placed
under the cross T-wires, and also the course of the current for the correspond-
ing finger keys to Figure A. Where a long movement is desired it may be
preferred (owing to the increased length of wire and in order to reduce the
battery power) to have four or more currents to the keyboard to which the
keys may be apportioned, so as to give
το
take single notes of each hand with such of their replicates as are down
simultaneously. Or the keyboard may be fitted with plates in rows providing
a separate current to each finger key played, where desired, each finger key
removing all the currents to the next nearest row to the "forwards," to which
the finger keys bring them in the order of their numbers as played.
Several other improvements in the working of organs, &c., may be made
by means of electro-magnetism, among which are, 1st, a method of coupling
without adding to the weight on the finger key. With the last-mentioned
arrangement the wires may proceed from the springs of the "great" or any
other row to the neighborhood of the "forwards" of any organ to which a
coupler is wanted, so as to be in readiness to divide the current to the different
organs so coupled, the wires being fitted to a rail connected with a draw stop
action, which brings them "on" by a little forward motion, see Figure 9. Or
each row of keys may be provided with its own coupler (situate like the last in
the beading above it), and capable of coupling any other single row, or any
interval on another row of keys to its own keyboard ad libitum, by a sliding
motion simply placing the "returns" of its own to contact with the "forwards"
of the keyboard desired to be coupled. For this purpose the keyboard
"forwards" of all the different organs should be connected by wires with
series of plates ranged on one level side by side, as in Figure 10, so that each
sliding coupler may be enabled to make connection with any one of them.
The full power can thus be obtained on any keyboard by arranging the couplers

page_text: so as successively to add the other organs to the keyboard being played upon,
each coupler, by simple contrivances of leverage, &c., being made to couple in
any way whatever, e.g., either in unison sub or super octave, or any inter-
mediate interval. This coupling action may be used with the single-current
keyboard, care being taken to bring the "returns" of the last coupled organ
one place lower on the row of "intermediates" of the playing keyboard, in
order to pass it downwards. (These improvements, however, do not exclude
the adoption of the ordinary coupler where merely for the sake of showing the
coupling it is preferred.) For convenience in transposing, all the contact plates
under the keyboards may be fitted on a sliding frame, so that they may be
brought under different finger keys without prejudicing the right action of any
of the couplers. By means of these couplers, also, the current for the different
notes simultaneously played by the hands on one row of keys may (for
psalmody purposes) be directed to different organs, i.e., for instance, the
highest note sounding on the "great," the second on the "choir," the third on
the "swell," and the fourth on the "pedal" organ, or in any order chosen
by the player. This is done by having one of the rows of keys (say the
'great") fitted with duplicate contact plates for the other keyboards, the
current starting on the row playing the organ required for the highest part,
the "returns" of which are by the proper coupler set to the organ on which
the second part is required to play, but one place below, and so on for the rest,
and the last "returns" set to the battery. When the alto and tenor.cross
each other, these "parts" may be made to keep to the same organ by means
of a pedal or knuckle rail, which will act by causing the second and third series
of "forward" wires to change positions on the rows of "forward ".contact
plates, these being made separate for this purpose.
66
For solo organ playing on one row of keys I would make the finger keys
of one of the keyboards to move by second pressure, so as to give the "solo"
by being played a little heavier than the rest, as in the pianoforte solo style.
For this a weighted piece a, Figure 7", supports the finger key at the first
touch, which with the stronger pressure, moves further down, taking the
spring 6 from the first forward contact plate to the second.
The second improvement in the construction of organs is effected by the
application of an electro-magnet to wind valves communicating with pneu-
matic bellows (as in the pallet Figure 6, above described) used to actuate
the stop slides or any other part requiring considerable power or leverage, as
the ordinary composition pedals.. A single current (with fittings similar to
those of the keyboards and couplers) is directed by the draw stops so as to
work the whole of the stop slides as they are drawn, i.e., any combination giving

page_text: a complete though diverse route for the current to the battery again.
Figure 11 shows this arrangement for a vertical row of draw stops, the
"forwards" being represented in the Drawing a little to the left (they would
however be placed in a line with the plates on which the springs are repre-
sented as pressing).
The arrangement of the stop slides is shown at Figure 12, where a is the
electro-magnet, which opens the valves of the small bellows (which, as well
as in the pallet above described, may again act on the valve of a second
bellows), from which the motion is communicated to the slide e, the stop slide
returning by a spring on the cessation of the current. The "universal stop
pedal connected with these magnets, when in action, takes the battery wire f
and all the "returns" off the connection at the cells e, e, with the draw stops
Figure 11 at its first hitch to make connection at the cells d with strip plates
arranged up the sides of grooves parallel to the rows of draw stops, as shown
in Figure 13, in which grooves sliding studs, numbered as in the Diagram,
are placed, which act as "bridges" (Figure 13) for the current to pass over
from the right-hand or "forward" strips to the forward contact plates, which
are connected with the magnets of the respective stops, whence returning it is
received by corresponding plates on the left-hand side of the same grooves,
and by the stud thence to the "strip," which conducts it to the universal
pedal contact plates, whence it either passes to other stops, or returns to the
battery direct, according to the position of the pedal. All the "forwards"
contact plates of the grooves are in metallic connection with the corresponding
forward plates, to which the draw stops move, and this is the reason why
the "strips" of these grooves are not to be connected with the plates.
The returns are taken off the draw stops by an arrangement such as that
shown in perspective at Figure 14*.
Figure 15 shows the manner of arranging the contact plates for the universal
pedal, and the board on which these are situate may itself be hinged near the
axle of the pedal, so that by bringing the line c, d, to the horizontal position
(a, e, in the Figure) the full power would be given at the first hitch. This
pedal may act on the coupling draw stops as well on the stop slides, and by
similar means. Composition pedals also may be constructed thus, having each
a series of combinations allotted to then by means of a cylindrical roller α,
Figure 164, bringing a set of wires on its periphery to different stations on its
seat, where wires are placed leading to the stop slides required, the lower ends
of the wires moving in concentric troughs of mercury, one of which receives
the current from the battery before the rest, and the "returns
are put into
successive troughs. Or the "universal" may be provided with a board on the
33

page_text: other side of its groove, fitted with. contact plates, as shown in Figure 17, for
the same purpose the different rows a, b, c, d, e, f, g, of "forward" plates
being in metallic connection with the different particular series of "draw stop
forwards" affording the combinations desired. A hand-piece may be provided
to bring in the current to only a part of the series of contacts when desired,
serving also to set the current to that side of the pedal which is required to
act. A second pedal may be required to reverse the action of the universal
stop pedal.
The third improvement is the introduction of a "melody coupler," which
may either be 1st by a single longitudinal wire like those of Figure 8, and
placed so that each finger key, besides taking it off contact with the plate c,
Figure 8, also prevents it touching the wire of any lower finger key that may
be down, and the lower end being drawn up by a helical spring. The several
cross T-pieces on the finger keys (both in the single current arrangement and
for this) should be provided with screws, so as to be capable of adjustment to
such a point as to be clear of the longitudinal wires when the keys are not
being played; or, 2ndly, by the slight modification of the single current
arrangements first described, effected by placing the "return" wires directly to
the battery instead of intermediately (or by way of the remaining finger keys),
the current for the melody simply going off at the highest finger key played,
and strengthening the tone reduplicating that part on a separate set of
pipes. As the "return" is not connected with the next "intermediate" at
the keyboard there is no possibility of its producing more than one additional
sound. This coupler may either act (as stated) on a set of pipes expressly for
strengthening the melody, or on the ordinary "forwards" of any of the other
departments of the organ at pleasure (provided their keyboards are fitted with
the necessary contact plates), by suitably combining the couplers previously
described, and placing the "returns" of the organ giving the melody to the
battery; electro-magnetism may of course be applied with the same advantages
to either the harmonium or pianoforte, in the latter instrument acting on both
the hammer and damper thus, 1st, the keyboard may be fitted to convey two
currents, one for the damper, Figure 18, and which acts on it by an electro-
magnet so long as the finger key is held down, the other for the hammer
(disconnected from the former) the magnet for which (a separate one) has its
contract broken at the hopper, this being regulated by screw to ensure the
passage of the current; 2nd, the single current may be applied to act on
the dampers only, to which the hammers will then be connected (Figure 18")
the "shank" of the hammer being made elastic, and of a proper length, so
as to enable it to reach the wires, and to return as soon as the first "click" of

page_text: the magnet has caused it to strike them. The rail on which the hammers
are placed may be capable of a slight motion by a pedal, so as to temper
the force of the blow by varying the distance of the hammer butts from
the wires.
The second leading object of this Invention is to provide expedients for
changing with facility the direction of the current in modulating on the
enharmonic system with the ordinary keyboard. The simplest arrangement
of the wires for this purpose is that shown in Figure 19. Opposite the ends
of the twelve wires to each octave of the keyboard, ranged on a rail and in a
line, place the ends of the "forwards" leading to the magnets (40 to the octave)
at such of the 53 equal spaces apart as are included in the enharmonic system,
those from the finger keys coinciding with such of these latter as give the
proper intervals; the power of transposing is thus provided in the motion
of the rail. In a similar manner the reeds of a harmonium may be brought
by combinations of two slides into the proper position for any desired tonic,
the valves opened by the finger keys being "splayed," if necessary, to allow
sufficient width for the orderly arrangement of the reeds. On the first and
undermost slide, Figure 20, where the reeds are to be fixed, mark off the
centre of each of the keyboard Cs (or of their valves), then divide these
spaces into equal parts of 53 each, and number them consecutively 0 to 53 or
0 again; the reeds (previously tuned enharmonic) are then fitted into aper-
tures over the proper numbers on the slide. On the under side of the 2nd
or grooved slide mark off the places where the marks of the 1st slide for the
following nos. occur, viz., 0, 5, 8, 9, 14, 17, 22, 26, 31, 36, 39, 44, 45, 48,
and so on for each octave, to the end of the keyboard. On the upper side of
the same slide mark off the places (12 equidistant) for the key valves of the
ordinary keyboard, place these two parts, (upper and under sides,) at a little
distance from each other (say, inch) for the thickness of the slide, and make
a channel or groove from each of the 12 marks on the upper board to
those on the under; the nos. 8 and 9 being both appropriated to the
3rd groove, and nos. 44 and 45 to the 11th, and furnished with flexible
tubes so as to move from the acute (their usual position, by a spring) to the
grave form of the dissonance. By means of wind bellows actuated by tonic
finger keys the slide or slides may be instantaneously adjusted for any modu-
lation required. A more ready motion for modulating is obtainable by using
a barrel the several stoppings in the revolution of which supply 21 tonics of
the enharmonic system. A longitudinal view of this is given (for one octave)
in Figure 21ª, and sectional at 21³. The several series of studs for making
contact with the wires of the proper intervals are in contact with 12 metallic

page_text: circles running round the barrel opposite to the 12 finger keys of the octave,
as shown in the Figure 21. The 40 studs are divided (throughout the
circumference) among the 12 circles as follows:-
C circles supplies the current to the first 4 studs (opposite to the contact platės)
to the naut
tion to work a series of reed pallets, excluding the air from such of the reeds
as are not in the tonic required, after the same order as that for the slides.
Or it may even be applied, modifying the size and position of the studs or ridges
so to give enharmonic intervals, by a direct pressure of these on the reeds
themselves, so altering the vibrating length by the studs or by springs worked
from them. This description of barrel may also be applied to the enharmonic
pianoforte (of 40 wires or pairs of wires to the octave) either with electro-
magnets (in which case it will only need to be small, as it may be almost
wholly composed of wire) acting as before described in reference to the
enharmonic organ or without electro-magnets, simply by its placing the hammers
or hoppers (40 to the octave) in such a position (Figure 224) as will leave only
one to act on the blow being struck by the finger key. A spiral spring or
weight applied to the barrel will cause it to revolve quickly when a catch is
withdrawn on the changing of the tonic; or two fac-simile barrels may be
employed for this purpose. In enharmonic organs of more limited powers a
saving of electro-magnets may be effected by applying a barrel to open a series
of pallets (12 out of 40) as in the harmonium) while the finger key pallets
only, supplying the last according to the table above, are fitted with magnets.
With certain forms of pallet, or by employing the pneumatic lever, one set
of electro-magnets may be made to serve two or more rows of keys, and these
yet be rendered as distinct as with separate actions at present by a wind valve
to each organ, actuated by an electro-magnet and bellows, which receives its

page_text: current on the descent of any finger key in its own keyboard or any com-
bination of draw stops (see Figure 23A arrangement for this). One advantage
of this is, that such current may at the same time be used to lighten the tone
of the "pedal" organ for any keyboard which may require it by actuating
(automatically) the stop slides, composition pedal, or a second wind valve.
This plate or trough may be used to establish and cut off the current from the
battery in the application of the single current, which is preferable. to the
having to move a separate piece in order to prevent the current passing when
the instrument is not being played.
The following "cross action," however, affords the most perfect means for
modulating as applied to the electro-magnetic movement of an enharmonic
instrument. This consists of the series of 40 wires to the octave (which may
here be at equal distances apart) ranged in a vertical row and suspended by
hinges at the top in 12 mercury troughs (in groups, as per table above,) and
supplied with the current as occasion requires by the 12 wires from the finger
keys. These vertical wires are "crossed" (Figure 244) by 21 (the number
of tonics) bars, each of which carries insulating projections for such wires as
are required in the tonic which it represents, on which the wires rest and are
pushed forward (on the bar moving) so that the lower ends of the wires make
contact with a corresponding row of plates in the board opposite leading to
the pallet electro-magnets. Each "tonic bar" is actuated by an electro-
magnet directly or by bellows for the purpose of changing such contact
instantaneously, as required, in the music.
The dissonance ridges on the barrel are attached to a horizontal rod which,
projecting from the end of the barrel, comes, at the level of the contact plates,
into connection with a lever, Figure 21°, which is worked by a pedal for
changing the form from acute to grave, the rod returning by a spring when
the pedal is released. And in the cross action a similar lever is provided at
the side to act on the connected dissonance ridges of the tonic bar at the
moment in use, those ridges being made double and hinged, so as to be capable
of changing the wires in the required manner, Figure 24. The corresponding
grooves in the upper side of the harmonium should be flexible for the like
reason and shifted by similar means.
The tonic bar magnets are made to act instantaneously by a set of small
tonic finger keys in the middle octave of the keyboard, each situate above the
ordinary finger key of corresponding name to the tonic, and where two forms
of a tonic are provided (as grave and acute) placed respectively to the left and
right of each other. These "tonic manuals" act on a chain reaching from

page_text: the highest to the lowest, and so much longer than this distance as to permit
the descent of one only at a time, Figure 25. (This is an expedient already
known in telegraphy).
The tonic manuals may either change the catch for shifting the barrel, open
a passage for compressed air into bellows, or establish a current to the magnet
for its corresponding tonic bar in the cross action, or any two of these com-
bined. The principle of the tonic manuals may also be used for reducing the
number of stops in any of the combinations in the cylinder to the composition
pedal above described by its taking the current to start from any one (at
pleasure) of the inner concentric mercury cells (Figure 16), all the manual
pieces receiving the current from the same mercury cell.
The single current applied with the cross action may require a second set of
mercury cells for the 40 "returns," 2, 3, or 4 belonging to each finger key,
the return wires of which should there meet these returns.
By means of proper fittings and a process similar to that described in
reference to the draw stops, a number of modulations can be set in readiness
as they occur in any proposed piece of music, so that the mere pressure of the
foot on a pedal will give the tonic wanted (and in the correct order) without
the hands being required to move from the finger keys.
Where the number of finger keys or stops is very large the single-current
principle may be modified by apportioning the row among two or three
currents. The direction of the current also is immaterial to the principle and
may be the reverse of that here described by altering the contact plates. All
temporary contact points should be tipped with platina. The poles of the
electro-magnets must in all cases be prevented from coming into absolute
contact with their armatures, which may be done by a piece of card to prevent
noise.
Having now explained the nature and applications of my Invention, I wish
it to be understood that the following subjects form no part of my claim,-
1st, the using a single current to actuate several electro-magnets, except
for the purposes herein enumerated.
2nd, playing according to the enharmonic systein on the ordinary key-
board, except by the application of electro-magnetism on principles herein
embodied or the use of the slides, barrel, or cross action explained above.
3rd, application of electro-magnets to pallets of organs, except the com-
binations herein suggested.
4th, particular forms of pallet herein described.
have decoribed

page_text: What I claim as essential parts of my Invention being the following or any
mere modification thereof,-
First, the principle (applied as above to musical instruments) of adding and
changing lengths of wire to the circuit of a single electric current by the
motion of the parts, (as in keyboards, draw stops, pedals, and indices),
through which it is applied to actuate the pallets, levers, &c., in the order
corresponding to such motion.
Second, the principle of causing a current to play only the extreme parts of
a harmony (as the melody of psalm tunes, &c.), for the purpose of strengthening
that part.
Third, the principle of regulating the communication of compressed air to
pneumatic bellows by an electro-magnet as a convenient motive power for
stop slides, pallets, wind valves, &c., herein contained.
Fourth, the principle of applying electro-magnets to the dampers and
hammers of pianofortes, also as modified, by the use of elastic hammer
"shanks," &c. in the manner herein set forth.
Fifth, the principle of adapting the enharmonic system to the ordinary
keyboard by the use of electro-magnetism, as herein-described, or by means of
the slides, barrel, or cross action, with their dissonance movements.
Sixth, the application of electro-magnetism to any pallet of the kinds above
described.
Seventh, the application of the single-current principle for adding to and
varying the combination of the stops, as indicated above.
Eighth, the second method of coupling ad libitum herein explained.
Ninth, the application of electro-magnetism to govern the wind valves of the
organ by a current from any keyboard, &c., as above stated.
Tenth, the application of the chain for the purpose of modulating and
limiting the combination of draw stops, as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Wesley Goundry, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this. Sixth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
JOHN WESLEY GOUNDRY. (L.S.)