IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ACTION OF KEYBOARD INSTRUMENTS, ESPECIALLY APPLICABLE TO ORGANS
Year: 1884

page_text: I, VINCENT WILLIS of 9 Rochester Terrace Camden Town in the County of
Middlesex, Organ Builder do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ACTION OF KEYBOARD INSTRUMENTS, ESPECIALLY APPLICABLE
TO ORGANS, to be as follows:-
The present invention constitutes an improvement upon the pneumatic lever for
which Letters Patent were granted to Henry Willis bearing dato 14 November 1853,
N° 2634.
The object of present improvements is to obtain a more instantaneous attack,
improved repetition and less noise.
To these ends the invention consists in the adaptation to pneumatic levers of a
novel arrangement of valves, and a lever for operating the said valves having a
floating or shifting fulcrum, whose position varies with the degree of inflation of
the pneumatic lever, by which means so soon as the valve lever is actuated its
fulcrum is automatically shifted in readiness for the reverse movement of the
pneumatic lever.
The invention is especially applicable to organs but may also be adapted to othor
keyboard instruments such as pianos in which greater power than can be obtained
from the hands of the performer alone, combined with rapidity of attack, may
be desired.
營業
In carrying out this invention the supply and exhaust valves of the pneumatic
lever are arranged in a position that admits of their being operated by a
floating" lever, or mechanical equivalent, without any fixed or determinate
fulcrum, one end of the said lever being operated by the performer and the other
being attached by a bar or link to and operated by the pneumatic lever itself.
A balance is thus obtained the adjustment of which being disturbed by the
performer is constantly demanding correction, which correction is made instantly
and automatically.
The action of the parts is as follows:-
On depressing the key one end of the floating lever will be correspondingly
depressed and the supply valve thrust off its seat. The air rushing from the
wind chest into the pneumatic lever will instantly inflate it, and in so doing will
raise the other end of the floating lever, and thus allow the supply valve to reseat
itself

page_text: The pneumatic lever will then be fully inflated and will remain so as long as is
necessary.
On releasing the key the floating lover, whose fulcrum has been changed as to
position by the inflation of tho pneumatic lever, will rise under the influence of
springs and thrust the exhaust valve from its seat, the supply valve being and
remaining closed. The pneumatic lever will instantly collapse, and in so doing
will allow tho exhaust valvo to close and at the same time will shift the fulcrum
of the floating lever to its lower position, in readiness for the next depression of
the key.
Thus as will be seen the supply and exhaust valves in this arrangement of
pneumatic lever are moved or operated alternately, and are therefore never open at
the same time.
A particular feature in the invention is the connection between the pneumatic
lever and the lever by which the supply and exhaust valves are operated, as by
thus connecting the pneumatic lever itself with the movement in connection with
the key operating it, the neutral position of the supply and exhaust valves is
wholly or partially restored.
A similar rosult may be obtained by arranging the supply and exhaust valves of
the pneumatic lever in a position which admits of their being operated by a lever
or its equivalent, having a movable fulcrum, the varying position of which is
determined by the action of the pneumatic lever.
This arrangement of pneumatic lever is applicable to instruments operated either
by air pressure or exhaust, the position of the valves under exhaust being reversed
and the relative position of parts being slightly modified.
The preparation for reversal need not in all cases be entire, as the invention may
be used in combination with the "throttle" valve described in the specification of
the patent above referred to, as will bo well understood.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I VINCENT WILLIS of 9 Rochester Terrace, Camden Town in the County of
Middlesex, Organ Builder, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ACTION OF KEYBOARD INSTRUMENTS ESPECIALLY APPLICABLE
TO ORGANS, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:―
The present invention relates to improvements in the "action" of keyboard
instruments such as Organs in which pneumatic levers are employed for various
purposes.
"
The construction and use of what is known as the "pneumatic lever” or as it.is
sometimes called the "Barker lever" are well known to organ builders.
In pneumatic levers as at present constructed and commonly used the supply and
exhaust valves for admitting the air to, and discharging it from, the pneumatic
lever are never entirely closed at the same time and are often both partly open at
the same time, when in use.
The result of this is a certain slowness of the lever in responding to the touch of
the player and a considerable waste of air which rushes uselessly through the
pneumatic lever, prior to the complete closure of one or other of the valves.
Now the object of the present Invention is to obtain a more rapid attack, with
consequently improved repetition and less noise of the working parts and to this
end the invention consists in the combination with the supply and exhaust valves
in a pneumatic lever of any kind, or in a series of such pneumatic levers, of a lever
or system of levers or their mechanical equivalent, for operating the said valves,
which valve-actuating lever, or its equivalent is connected to or influenced by the
pneumatic lever itself in such a manner that as the said pneumatic lever, rises or
falls or alters its position with the variation in the air pressure upon or within it
the fulcrum or operative position of the said valve-actuating lever is shifted or
changed in anticipation of its counter or reverse movement and that valve, whether
supply or exhaust, which has just been opened by the action of the performer
(transmitted through any convenient or well-known system) will through the
connection established between the valve-actuating lever and the pneumatic lever,
be allowed instantaneously to close or reseat itself, thus enabling the use of separate
throttle valves in pneumatic levers to be dispensed with, and preventing the escapo
of much air that would under previously existing systems have been wasted.
The Invention in its simplest form consists of a single lever or bar passing
between push buttons on the stems of the supply and exhaust valves, one end of
this valve lever being connected with the system, of whatever kind it may be, by
which the movement of the key or stop to which it relates, is transmitted, and tho
other end of the valve lever being connected by a link rod or its equivalent, with
the pneumatic lever itself or with a prolongation thereof. This valve lever may be
appropriately designated a "floating "lever since the position of its fulcrum is con-
stantly being shifted when in use by the opening and closing or change of position
of the pneumatic lever, which lever in opening shifts the floating lever is such a

page_text: •
manner as to allow one valve say the air inlet valve to close or reseat itself and
puts the said floating lever into such a position that it can operate immediately
upon the other, or air outlet valve, when pressure on the key is removed and
vice versa.
.
By substituting a double acting or compound lever, one member of which has a
shifting fulcrum, for the valve-actuating lever above described, the invention can
be applied with all its advantages to pneumatic levers of ordinary construction, the
essential feature of the invention consisting in shifting or changing the position of
the valve actuating lever or equivalent valve actuating devices, synchronously with
the movement of the pneumatic lever itself, or with an extension thereof, in 1
anticipation or readiness for the next movement of the parts necessary for reversing
the action of the pneumatic lever, and in so actuating the valves of a pneumatic
lever, that immediately either of the valves has acted to inflate or exhaust the
pneumatic lever, it shall reseat itself; both valves then remaining completely
or practically closed until the key and its system of connections is released from
pressure or receives a fresh movement under the hands of the performer.
The invention is especially applicable to organs, but may also be adapted to other
keyboard instruments such as pianos, in which a greater power than can conveniently
be obtained from the hands of the performer alone, combined with rapidity of attack,
may be desired.
It will be understood that the Invention is applicable to all keyboard instruments
in which pneumatic levers of any kind are employed for whatever purpose, and
whether actuated by air pressure or exhaust.
The Invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which
=
Fig 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of a pneumatic lever having its supply
and exhaust valves directly operated by a floating lever under the control of the
pneumatic lever itself according to my invention.
Fig 2 is a transverse section following the dotted line x x of Fig: 1.
Fig 3 is a longitudinal sectional elevation showing the re-arrangement of the
parts necessary to be observed in applying my Invention to a pneumatic lever
which is operated by exhaust instead of by air pressure.
Fig 4 is a rear end elevation of the same.
Figs 5 show on a larger scale, in front and longitudinal sectional views, details of
the means employed for adjusting the range of motion of the floating valve-
actuating lever.
Fig: 6 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of a well-known form of pneumatic
lever showing a floating lever for actuating the valves according to my Invention,
adapted thereto.
Fig 7 is a similar view showing another mode of applying my Invention to
pneumatic lovers of existing type.
Figs 8 and 9 illustrate the application of the Invention to instruments in which
electricity is employed for transmitting the movements of the keys under the
influence of the performer.
In all these figures the same lotters of reference are used to indicate like or
corresponding parts.
Referring now to Figs 1 and 2 which illustrate the Invention in its simplest
form as applied to a pneumatic lever operated by air pressure, A is the pneumatic
lever, B the wind chest, C the supply valve, and D D a double acting exhaust
valve. E is the "floating "lever by which these valves are alternately and
respectively operated, connected at one end by a wire e, or its equivalent, and a
system of levers or mechanical devices of any suitable and known construction (not
shown in the drawing) with the key operated by the performer; and at the other
end by a link rod F or its equivalent with the pneumatic lever itself. G is the
wire or its equivalent by which the power exerted by the pneumatic lever is
transmitted to the register, valve, swell-pedal, or other movable part or parts of the
Organ as usual.

page_text: The drawn lines represent the several parts in their quiescent or normal position,
the fulcrum for point at which the floating lever E is connected to the link rod F,
carried by the pneumatic lover A, being then in its lowermost position. On
pressure being applied to the key connected with or controlling the movement of
this floating lever, the wire e will move in the direction of the arrow, drawing down
the forward end of the lever E, which lever being temporarily fulcrummed at f
will in its downward movement press against the end c of the air supply valve C
and force that valve off its seat. So soon as this occurs the wind rushing through
the conduits c³ ³ ³ (Figures 1 and 2) will inflate the pneumatic lever A but in so
doing the fulcrum fof the floating lever E will be raised and the parts will assume
the positions represented by the dotted lines in Fig 1. Pressure on the stem of
the valve C having been removed the very instant it was forced off its seat by the
resulting inflation and rising of the pneumatic lever A, the said valve C instantly
reseats itself and acts as a throttle valve, cutting off the further supply of air to the
pneumatic lever and preventing noise and strain in the working parts.
The reverse movement is as follows. The several parts being in the dotted
position and the fulcrum f of the floating lever E in its highest position, it will be
seen that when pressure on the key is relaxed by the performer, the front
end of the floating lever E will rise under the influence of the spring H and lift
the double exhaust valve D off its seat, but so soon as this is done the pneumatic
lever A will collapse owing to the air within it escaping past the valve at dd, and
by thrusting down or lowering as it collapses the fulcrum point of the lever E,
will remove all pressure from the stom of the valve D which valve will roseat itself
and the parts will assume their original position or that shown in full lines.
It should be clearly understood that although the action of the soveral parts is
here described as occurring in successive stages the interval which elapses between
the opening of, say, the valve C and the closing of that valve (consequent upon the
movement of the pneumatic lever and the consequent relief of pressure on the said
valve which is thereby afforded) is inappreciable, and further, that the movement
of these valves CD is so slight and rapid as in practice to be scarcely detected.
As will be seen from the drawing, well-known means are provided for nicely,
adjusting the discs or valve faces to their work, and springs such as c d are
employed for assisting them to rescat themselves after either of them has been
opened. The valve D is very nearly balanced, the lower outlet orifice being
however of slightly larger area than the upper outlet orifice and thus the air
pressure when inflating the pneumatic lever A tends to keep the exhaust valve
shut.
The valve stems play through suitable guide pieces as will be well understood
from the drawing.
From the foregoing it will be seen that the fulcrum f of the floating lever E is,
by reason of its connection with the pneumatic lever A shifted synchronously with
the opening or closing movement of that lever and placed in such a position that
while instantly relieving that valve of pressure which has just caused such opening
or closing movement it is in the most advantageous position to effect the instan-
taneous reversal of the pneumatic lever when required by acting on the other valve.
In Figs 3 and 4 a similar arrangement of parts is shown to illustrate the
Invention as adapted to a pneumatic lever actuated by exhaust.
The action of the parts may be briefly described as follows:-
Both valves being closed and the pneumatic lever A being in its normal or
(under the exhaust system) open position, the fulcrum f of the floating lever E
will be in its lowest or drawn position, and on a pull being transmitted in any
suitable or known-manner to the wire e by the player, the forward end of that
lever will be depressed, thrusting the valve C off its seat, and opening the interior
of the pneumatic lever A to the exhaust chamber B.
This will cause the desired movement or collapse of the lever A, the simultaneous
shifting of the fulcrum f, the relief from pressure of the stem of the valve C and
the consequent closing of that valve under the influence of the exhaust and the
-1-

page_text: spring. The parts will then be in the dotted position of Fig 3. On relieving
the pull upon the forward end of the lever E, it will be lifted under the influence
of the spring Hand (its fulcrum f being then at the highest position) will thrust
the double seated valve D off its seat thus admitting air to the pneumatic lever A
by suitable inlet channels and causing its reverse movement or inflation. The
result of this is to restore the parts to their normal position whereby the fulcrum f
is shifted to its lower position and pressure on the stem of the valve D is removed
thus allowing that valve D to reseat itself under the influence of the air pressure
aided by the spring d'.
In both the arrangements (Figs 1 and 2 and 3 and 4) the valves C and D open
alternately and are never both open at the same time. These valves are in fact
both closed when the key is in its up or down position and are ready for instant
use either to open or close the pneumatic lever. The valves being thus normally
shut there is no unnecessary and wasteful delay in closing either of them when it is
required to open the other, and as above explained they each act as a throttle or
cut-off valve, reseating themselves so soon as the purpose for which they were
opened is accomplished.
In Figures 5 I have shown a simple means of limiting the upward range of
movement of the forward end of the floating valve-actuating lever E the said
means consisting of a plug & buffed with or formed of some soft material such as
cork, rubber, felt or chamois leather, carried by a square-headed screw spindle /¹
the said screw spindle passing vertically downward through the front rail
immediately above the forward end of the floating valve-actuating lever E.
It is obvious that other means may be devised or used for effecting the same
purpose.
Referring now to Figs 6 and 7 I have shown therein two methods of applying
my floating lever with a shifting fulcrum to oporate the valves of an ordinary
and well-known construction of pneumatic lever such as is described in the
Specification of Letters Patent granted to Henry Willis and dated 14th November
1853, No 2634.
In this form of pneumatic lever which is hero represented as adapted for air
pressure the supply and exhaust valves C and D are (under the old system) both
slightly open at the same time, and a certain amount of wind is consequently
wasted in effecting each movement of the pneumatic lever, the said wind escaping
by one or other of the valves before it effectually closes that valve. The action of
the pneumatic lever is consequently retarded, the wind which should be wholly
utilized to operate the said pneumatic lever immediately, having first to effect the
closing of a valve through which a partial leakage of wind is taking place.
Now my improvement enables these valves of an ordinary pneumatic lever to
be normally completely closed (as in the arrangement represented in Figs 1, 2
and 3) and that is the position in which they are represented in the Figs 6 and 7
of the drawings.
The valves in Figs 6 and 7, however, being differently situate from those in
Figs 1, 2 and 3, require, in order to be brought under the influence of the floating
lever E, to be actuated by a secondary lever or bar E¹, or its equivalent, rocking on
a fixed fulcrum pin e' the alternate rocking of this bar being effected by hinging
it to, or linking it with the said floating lever E. On depressing the floating
lever E, the valve C will, owing to the then position of the fulcrum f of the said
lever, be forced off its seat, admitting air to the pneumatic lever, and instantly, or
synchronously, shifting the position of the fulcrum f. The effect of this change
of fulcrum is to relieve the valve C, and allow it to close under the influence of
its spring c. Similarly on relaxing the pull put upon the floating lever E through
the wire or equivalent connection e, the lever E will rise, and owing to the position
of its fulcrum with reference to the rocking bar E' with which it is connected,
will tilt that bar in a direction to pull open the exhaust valve D, which as in the
former arrangement is double seated. So soon as this is done the air will be
oxpelled from the, pneumatic lever, which lever. will collapse and in so doing.

page_text: will shift the position of the fulcrum ƒ of the floating lever E and cause the
Becondary lever or bar E¹ to rock and relieve the pull upon the valve D, which
valve will instantly reseat itself under the influence of its spring d¹.
In Fig 7 the form of the spring H by which the floating lever E returns to its
normal position is a spiral tension spring instead of a V-shaped compression spring,
but any other form of spring or in some cases a weight might be employed.
It will also be observed that in Fig 7 the pneumatic lever A is prolonged towards
the front so as to suit the position of the floating lever E to which it is connected
by the link F but in all the arrangements above described the same feature of
novelty is unchanged, viz: a floating lover E or its equivalent connected respec-
tively with the pneumatic lever itself A and with the wire e or its equivalent by
which the movements of the key under the influence of the player are transmitted
to the said floating lever, and so arranged with respect to the supply and exhaust
valves C and D, that the said valves are actuated and opened by it alternately, and
are allowed to reseat themselves so soon as the desired movement of the pneumatic
lever has been accomplished.
ง
From an inspection of the drawings it will be seen that when the required
extent or range of movement for each end of the floating lever has been settled
the proper position for the valve stems (when directly actuated) or for the point of
connection between the floating lever and the valve actuating lever (when indirectly
actuated) can be ascertained by simply drawing diagonals between the four points
coinciding in position with the ends of the said floating lever 'when in its two
extreme positions, and noting the point of intersection which will be the point
required.
It will further be evident that as each end of the lever moves proportionately
to the other end the extent to which the pneumatic lever in connection with the
one end of the said lever is actuated, will depend upon and be governed by the
extent of movement imparted, transmitted or allowed, by the player to the other
end of the said lever.
It has been usual to apply a throttle valve to pneumatic levers to prevent strain
from undue inflation, and noise in opening, but by this invention such throttle
valves are no longer necessary as the supply and exhaust valves are actuated in
such a manner as enables them each to serve as a throttle valve, and thus to
secure the almost noiseless working of the pneumatic lever.
In applying my Invention to instruments in which the movements of the
performer are transmitted by electricity, I arrange two or more pneumatic levers
in series as illustrated in Figs 8 and 9, and actuate the valves of one or more of
them by a floating lever or lovers connected with or influenced by. the pneumatic
lever itself, according to my Invention.
As is well known the power oxerted by a magnet on its armature varies
inversely as the square of the distance between them. It is therefore impracticable
to efficiently control a lever having a wide range of movement by applying an
electro-magnet to that lever direct, but by arranging two or more pneumatic levers
of different sizes in series, coupling them together, and actuating the smaller or
smallest one thereof by an electro-magnet, the movements of all may be efficiently
controlled, and the desired range of movement be obtained from the larger or
largest lever in the series.
In applying my invention therefore to organs operated by electricity I make
use of two or more pneumatic levers of different sizes the smallest being directly
controlled or set in action by the electro magnet, and the floating lever which
controls the valves of the largest pneumatic lever being directly actuated by a
pneumatic lever of less size.
The pneumatic levers thus arranged in series may each have their valves
actuated by a floating lever directly connected with the pneumatic lever whose
valves it controls after the manner hereinabove fully described and such an
arrangement is shewn in Fig 8; or the last one or two, only, of the pneumatic
levers in the series may have their valves thus actuated by a floating lever and a

page_text: small pneumatic lever of any known and suitable kind having its valves controlled
and actuated in any suitable manner through an electro magnet may be used in
combination therewith for the purpose of putting a pull upon the said floating
lever when the player transmits an electrical impulse with that object, and a
combination of this character is illustrated by way of example in Fig 9.
A reference to the description above given of the action of the mechanism
illustrated in Figs 1 and 2 will enable theso arrangements to be easily understood,
and the corresponding lettering of the parts will facilitate this.
In Fig: 8 the electro magnet X being excited, attracts the armature c (which
may be regarded as the equivalent of the wire e shown in Figures 1 and 2) and
opens the supply valve C to the air pressuro; the small pneumatic lever A* there-
upon inflates, and in so doing, shifts the fulcrum of its small valve-actuating
lever E, and relieves the pressure on the valve C thus allowing that valve to close.
The small pneumatic lever A*, in opening, transmits a pull by the connection G
to one end of the large floating lever E, and this lever actuates the supply and
exhaust valves of the large pneumatic lever (part of which only is shown in the
drawing) with which it is connected through the rod F, precisely in the same
manner as the smaller lover E actuates the valves of the small pneumatic lever A*,
and as has been fully described above with reference to Figs: 1 to 7.
In Fig: 9 the electro-magnet X when energized, acts on an armature e attached
to a small double-seated valve by which air is adınitted to one side or the other
of a small pneumatic lever A*, according to the position of the valve e; and this
pneumatic lever, consisting of a piston and flexible diaphragm, is directly connected
with the end of the floating lever, E, by which the valves C and D of the large or
last pneumatic lever A of the series are actuated.
By arrangements such as these I am enabled to obtain the requisite range of
movement for my large valve-actuating lever E, and to efficiently control it through
an electro-magnet whose armature has a far smaller range of movement.
It will be observed that the double-sented valve e actuated by the magnet X in
Fig 9 is arranged to lift and seat itself without allowing the armature to touch
the magnet X, hence when the magnet is not energized the valve will promptly
resent itself under the influence of gravitation aided by a light spring. or its
equivalent, and will admit air from the wind chest B to the other side of the small
pneumatic lever A*, lifting it and thrusting up the end of the floating lever, E, or
allowing its end to rise under the influence of the spring H (as in Fig 1).
The small pneumatic lovers A* in Figs 8 and 9, are each directly connected with
the end of the floating lever E and their size and power may be varied according
to requirements.
I would here remark that I make no claim to novelty in arranging pneumatic
levers in series and combining them with electro-magnets for actunting them, as
such arrangements are old and open to public use.
My Invention relates to novel means for actuating the valves of pneumatic
levers, and it is obvious that the means herein above described for actuating the
valves of pneumatic levers separately, is equally applicable to actuating the valves
of one or more of such levers when arranged in series, and this irrespective of the
manner or means by which the movement of the keys, pedals, combination knob
or piston, or swell pedal under the control or influence of the player are transmitted
to the valve-actuating lever E or its equivalent, whether by manual mechanical,
electrical or pneumatic power or energy.
The invention may be applied to any of the purposes for which pneumatic levers
are now commonly used, such for instanco as for operating draw stops and
combination movements, and for opening and closing the louvro boards or orifices
of swell boxes. I do not limit myself to the precise arrangement of parts herein-
above described as they are only given with the object of fully explaining the
principle of action, which consists in making the pneumatic lover itself govern the
position and consequent operation of the parts by which the movements of the
supply and exhaust valves of the said pneumatic lover are effected or controlled,

page_text: By the term "pneumatic lever" I would have it understood that I mean an
expanding or contracting vessel of any form necessary for the utilization and
transmission of the energy of compressed or attenuated air or a vessel in which a
piston or diaphragm is caused to move under the influence of air pressure or
suction ; and
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. The combination with the valves of a pneumatic lover, of a floating lever or .
equivalent valve-actuating device, directly connected with or controlled by the
movements of the said pneumatic lever in such a manner that the fulcrum or
operative position of the said floating lever or valve-actuating device is shifted
or changed synchronously with the movements of the pneumatic lever, and the
said floating lever or its equivalent is brought into a position advantageous for
instantly and without waste of air effecting the reverse movement of the pneumatic
lever, substantially as set forth.
2. The combination with the valves of a pneumatic lover, or with one or moro
sets of valves in a series of pneumatic levers, of a floating lever or mechanical
equivalent having a movable fulcrum, for actuating the supply and exhaust valves;
the position of the said fulcrum being determined and controlled by the opening
or closing movement of one or other of the said pneumatic levers, as and for the
purpose set forth.
3. The combination with a pneumatic lever A, and valves C. D, of a floating
lever E and connections, such as e F, for the purpose of alternately applying and
removing pressure from the said valves, thus allowing them to close or reseat
themselves as soon as they have effected the opening or closing of the said
pneumatic lever, substantially as set forth.
4. The combination with the valves of a pneumatic lover, of a floating lever or
mechanical equivalent having a movable fulcrum the position of which is controlled
by the pneumatic lever itself, the said floating lover being so connected and
arranged as either directly, or indirectly through the intervention of a rocking bar
or secondary lever and link rods or equivalent means for transmitting motion, to
actuate the said valves alternately at the will of the player, and so soon as they
have effected the desired opening or closing of the said pneumatic lover to
automatically relieve the said valves of pressure and allow them to reseat them-
selves, thereby preventing noise and waste of power, and enabling the pneumatic
lever to be vibrated and perform its functions with greater rapidity than was
possible heretofore.
5. A pneumatic lever having its valves so arranged and operated that whether
the key be up or down both the supply and exhaust valves will be closed and
ready for immediate action either to close or open the pneumatic lover.
Dated thin 4th
100