IMPROVE- MENTS IN MUSICAL WIND INSTRUMENTS
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Auguste Edouard Loradoux Bellford, of 32, Essex
Street, Strand, London, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MUSICAL WIND INSTRUMENTS."-A communication.
MENTS IN MUSICAL Wind Instruments."—A communication.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Auguste Edouard Loradoux
Bellford at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 13th March 1855.
I, AUGUSTE EDOUARD LORADOUX BELLFORD, of 32, Essex Street, Strand,
London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MUSICAL WIND INSTRUMENTS," a communication, to be as
follows, viz. :-
These improvements relate to brass or wind instruments, and are chiefly
intended to produce an equality.of sound between the notes that are produced
by working the pistons and those that are sounded without working the
pistons. This result is arrived at in the present improvements by a full
column of air, which is obtained first by combining new methods of piercing
or perforating the moving part or solid plug of the cylindrical valve apparatus
commonly called piston, these plugs being so pierced as to avoid the sharp
angles met with in the ordinary pistons, and in such a manner that a bullet of
the diameter of the column of air may pass through all the pistons i.e., enter

page_text: at one end and come out at the other, which is impossible in pistons con-
structed as usual; and second, by the way of connecting the different pistons
or placing them with regard to each other.
As to my improved method of piercing the piston plugs, they are shown on
the annexed Sheet of Drawings.
Figs. 1 to 8 each of these Figures representing a different method, the
first diagram of each Figure showing a longitudinal section through the piston
when raised, the second when lowered, the third an external elevation,
corresponding to. diagrams .1 .and.2, and the fourth an elevation at-right angles
to diagram 3. The arrows shew the way which the air takes in the sonorous
body. The working of these different pistons will be sufficiently understood
from the Figures, so.as.to need no.further explanation; but it is to be under-
stood that I do not confine myself to the form of elbows G, H, shown, as the
same may be bent backwards or forwards; placed vertically or horizontally, or
any other way, as may in part be gathered from the following Figures. Also
the pipe end F may assume the shape of an elbow tube having any direction,
and may be placed upon any point of the cylindrical circumference of the
piston, and form any suitable angle with the axis of the same.
As to the ways of connecting the pistons, or placing them with regard to
each other, their great variety may be inferred from the fact that any of the
eight methods of piercing may be combined in threes or fours, so as to produce
as many different and novel combinations of pistons, besides the varieties that
may be produced by altering the form and position of the pipe F and elbow
tubes G, H, above mentioned.
In order merely to illustrate the way in which said combinations may be
carried out, I have shown in the annexed Sheet of Drawings different piston
parts of instruments constructed according to these improvements, each Figure
shewing two opposite elevations and
vations and an end view of the set of pistons.
Fig. 9 shews three pistons united and touching each other, with bowls for
facilitating taking to pieces.
..Fig. 10 shews a set composed of one piston, such as at Fig. 1, another such
as at Fig. 5, and another such as at Fig. 1.
Fig. 11 shews, a set of three pistons, as at Fig. 2.
Fig. 12 shews a set of four pistons, viz., the first as at Fig. 6, the second as
at Fig. 1, the e third as at Fig. 6, and the fourth as at Fig. 1.
Besides these novel ways of piercing and placing pistons, this Invention also
comprises & new kind of rotary piston, having a full wind way applied to it,
d which may be moved in various ways; also an improved way of piercing
double branch or double barrel pistons, similar to the way of piercing the
and

page_text: single barrel pistons, as described above. The double branch or double
barrelled piston is shewn in three different views at Fig. 13.
The rotary piston is shewn at Fig. 14 of the Drawings annexed. A, rotary
piston; B, piston shown in section when shut; C, section of the piston when
opened; F, column of air; H, a button which slides in the slot I, and by
which the rotary piston is turned.
The advantages ensured by these improvements consist in facilitating the
fingering of the music, and allowing to produce notes of any force required, as
well as rendering the notes called "factitious" by brass instrument players
(viz., those notes that are produced by depressing several pistons without
altering the pitch of the sound,) equal to those which the performer produces
without working the pistons. The above improvements are applicable to long
and short pistons without changing the form or increasing the size or otherwise
altering the instrument. The springs for raising the piston plugs after the
manual depression ceases may be placed at either end of the piston cylinder.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Auguste Edouard Loradoux Bellford in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 12th September 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, AUGUSTE
EDOUARD LORADOUX BELLFORD, of 32, Essex Street, Strand, London; Patent
Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord.
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, in the eighteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Auguste Edouard Loradoux Bellford, Her special licence that I, the
said Auguste Edouard Loradoux Bellford, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Auguste Edouard Loradoux Bellford,
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 WIND
INSTRUMENTS," a communication, upon the condition (amongst others) that I,.
the said Auguste Edouard Loradoux Bellford, by an instrument in writing
'

page_text: under my hand and seal, 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 Auguste Edouard Loradoux Bellford,
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, that is to say:-
These improvements relate to brass or wind instruments, and are chiefly
intended to produce an equality of sound between the notes that are produced
by working the pistons, and those that are sounded without working the
pistons. This result is arrived at in the present improvements by a full column
of air, which is obtained first by combining new methods of piercing or
perforating the moving part or solid plug of the cylindrical valve apparatus
commonly called piston, these plugs being so pierced as to avoid the sharp
angles met with in the ordinary pistons, and in such manner that a bullet of
the diameter of the column of air may pass through all the pistons, that is,
enter at one end and come out at the other, which is impossible in pistons
constructed as usual; and second, by the way of connecting the different pistons
or placing them with regard to each other.
As to my improved methods of piercing the piston plugs, they are shewn on
the annexed Sheet No. 1 of Drawings.
Figs. 1 to 8: each of these Figures representing a different method, the first
diagram of each Figure shewing a longitudinal section through the pistor
when raised; the second, when lowered; the third, an external elevation
corresponding to diagrams 1 and 2; and the fourth, an elevation at righ
angles to diagram 3. The arrows shew the way which the air takes in th
sonorous body. The working of these different pistons will be sufficiently under
stood from the Figures, so as to need no further explanation; but it is to b
understood that I do not confine myself to the form of elbows G, H, shewn, a
the same may be bent backwards or forwards, placed vertically or horizontall
or any other way, as may part be gathered from the following Figures; als
the pipe end F may assume the shape of an elbow tube having any directio
and may be placed upon any point of the cylindrical circumference of th
piston, and form any suitable angle with the axis of the same.
in
As to the ways of connecting the pistons or placing them with regard
each other, their great variety may be inferred from the fact that any of t
eight methods of piercing may be combined in threes or fours, so as to produ
5

page_text: as many different and novel combinations of pistons, besides the varieties that
may be produced by altering the form and position of the pipe F and elbow
tubes G, H, above mentioned.
In order merely to illustrate the way in which said combinations may be
carried out, I have shewn on the annexed Sheet No. 2 of Drawings, different
piston parts of instruments constructed according to these improvements,
each Figure shewing two opposite elevations and an end view of the set of
pistons.
Fig. 9 shews 3 pistons united and touching each other, with bowls for
facilitating taking to pieces.
Fig. 10 shews a set composed of one piston, such as at Fig. 1, another such
as at Fig. 5, and another such as at Fig. 1.
Fig. 11 shews a set of three pistons, as at Fig. 2.
Fig. 12 shews a set of four pistons, viz., the first as at Fig. 6, the second as
at Fig. 1, the third as at Fig. 6, and the fourth as at Fig. 1.
Besides these novel ways of piercing and placing pistons, this Invention also
comprises a new kind of rotary piston, having a full wind-way applied to it,
and which may be moved in various ways; also an improved way of piercing
double branch or double barrel, similar to the way of piercing the single barrel
pistons, as described above.
The double-branch piston is shewn in three different views at Fig. 14.
The rotary piston is shewn at Fig. 13 of the Drawings annexed. A, rotary
piston; B, piston shewn in section when shut; C, section of the piston when
opened; F, column of air; H, a button which slides in the slot I, and by
which the rotary piston is turned.
The advantages ensured by these improvements consist in facilitating the
fingering of the music and allowing to produce notes of any force required, as
well as rendering the notes called "factitious" by brass instrument players
(viz., those notes that are produced by depressing several pistons without
altering the pitch of the sound,) equal to those which the performer produces
vithout working the piston. The above improvements are applicable to long
nd to short pistons without changing the form or increasing the size, or
therwise altering the instrument. The springs for raising the piston plugs
fter the manual depression ceases may be placed at either end of the piston
ylinder.
Having thus fully described the particulars and nature of the said Invention,
nd the manner in which the same is to be performed, I wish it to be under-
tood that what I claim is,-
First, the piercing or perforating of the moving part or solid alum of 41-

page_text: cylindrical valve apparatus, so as to avoid the sharp angles met with in the
ordinary pistons, and producing an equality of sounds between the notes that
are produced by working the pistons and those that are sounded without
working the pistons.
Second, the outside and inside form of the eight pistons, as above described,
and represented in Sheet 1, with such modifications I have pointed out.
Third, the way of connecting the different pistons or placing them with
regard to each other.
Fourth, the perforating of the sonorous body into a piston of the centre, and
also the perforating of the sonorous body in the other pistons, which according
to my system may be considered and used as pistons of the centre.
Fifth, the perforating of the rotatory pistons giving a full way-wind, as
shown, Fig. 13; an improved way of piercing double-branch pistons, similar
to the way of piercing the single branch or single barrel pistons, as described
above.
Sixth, the invertedness of the pistons, both of my own Invention, or such
as are commonly used, Fig. 15, 15, 156, 15°, Sheet 2.
In witness whereof, I, the said Auguste Edouard Loradoux Bellford,
have hereunto set my hand and seal, this 12th day of September, in
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
the
A. E. LOKADOUX BELLFORD. (L.S.)

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Auguste Edouard Loradoux Bellford, of 32, Essex
Street, Strand, London, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MUSICAL WIND INSTRUMENTS." -A communication.
Sealed the 12th September 1855, and dated the 13th March 1855.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Auguste Edouard Loradoux
Bellford at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 13th March 1855.
I, AUGUSTE EDOUARD LORADOUX BELLFORD, of 32, Essex Street, Strand,
London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MUSICAL WIND INSTRUMENTS," a communication, to be as
follows, viz.
These improvements relate to brass or wind instruments, and are chiefly
intended to produce an equality.of sound between the notes that are produced
by working the pistons and those that are sounded without working the
pistons. This result is arrived at in the present improvements by a full
column of air, which is obtained first by combining new methods of piercing
or perforating the moving part or solid plug of the cylindrical valve apparatus
commonly called piston, these plugs being so pierced as to avoid the sharp
angles met with in the ordinary pistons, and in such a manner that a bullet of
the diameter of the column of air may pass through all the pistons i.e., enter

page_text: at one end and come out at the other, which is impossible in pistons con-
structed as usual; and second, by the way of connecting the different pistons
or placing them with regard to each other.
As to my improved method of piercing the piston plugs, they are shown on
the annexed Sheet of Drawings.
Figs. 1 to 8: each of these Figures representing a different method, the
first diagram of each Figure showing a longitudinal section through the piston
when raised, the second when lowered, the third. an external elevation,
corresponding to, diagrams 1 and 2,-and the fourth an elevation at-right angles
to diagram 3. The arrows shew the way which the air takes in the sonorous
body. The working of these different pistons will be sufficiently understood
from the Figures, so.as.to need no.further explanation; but it is to be under-
stood that I do not confine myself to the form of elbows G, H, shown, as the
same may be bent backwards or forwards, placed vertically or horizontally, or
any other way, as may in part be gathered from the following Figures. Also
the pipe end F may assume the shape of an elbow tube having any direction,
and may be placed upon any point of the cylindrical circumference of the
piston, and form any suitable angle with the axis of the same."
As to the ways of connecting the pistons, or placing them with regard to
each other, their great variety may be inferred from the fact that any of the
eight methods of piercing may be combined in threes or fours, so as to produce
as many different and novel combinations of pistons, besides the varieties that
may be produced by altering the form and position of the pipe F and elbow
tubes G, H, above, mentioned.
In order merely to illustrate the way in which said combinations may be
carried out, I have shown in the annexed Sheet of Drawings different piston
parts of instruments constructed according to, these improvements, each Figure
shewing two opposite elevations and an end view of the set of pistons.
Fig. 9 shews three pistons united and touching each other, with bowls for
facilitating taking to pieces.
Fig. 10 shews a set composed of one piston, such as at Fig. 1, another such
as. at Fig. 5, and another such as sat Fig. 1.
Fig. 11 shews, a set of three pistons, as at Fig. 2.
Fig. 12 shews a set of four pistons, viz., the first as at Fig. 6, the second as
at Fig. 1, the third as at Fig. 6, and the fourth as at Fig. 1.
Besides these novel ways of piercing and placing pistons, this Invention also
comprises a new kind of rotary piston, having a full wind way applied to it,
and which may be moved in various ways; also an improved way of piercing
double branch or double barrel pistons, similar to the way of piercing the

page_text: single barrel pistons, as described above. The double branch or double
barrelled piston is shewn in three different views at Fig. 13.
The rotary piston is shewn at Fig. 14 of the Drawings annexed. A; rotary
piston; B, piston shown in section when shut; C, section of the piston when
opened; F, column of air; H, a button which slides in the slot I, and by.
which the rotary piston is turned.
The advantages ensured by these improvements consist in facilitating the
fingering of the music, and allowing to produce notes of any force required, as
well as rendering the notes called "factitious" by brass instrument players
(viz., those notes that are produced by depressing several pistons without
altering the pitch of the sound,) equal to those, which the performer produces
without working the pistons. The above improvements are applicable to long
and short pistons without changing the form or increasing the size or otherwise
altering the instrument. The springs for raising the piston plugs after the
manual depression ceases may be placed at either end of the piston cylinder.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Auguste Edouard Loradoux Bellford in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 12th September 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, AUGUSTE
EDOUARD LORADOUX BELLFORD, of 32, Essex Street, Strand, London, Patent
Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, in the eighteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Auguste Edouard Loradoux Bellford, Her special licence that I, the
said Auguste Edouard Loradoux Bellford, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Auguste Edouard Loradoux Bellford,
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 WIND
INSTRUMENTS," a communication, upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said Auguste Edouard Loradoux Bellford, by an instrument in writing

page_text: under my hand and seal, 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 Auguste Edouard Loradoux Bellford,
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, that is to say:―
These improvements relate to brass or wind instruments, and are chiefly
intended to produce an equality of sound between the notes that are produced
by working the pistons, and those that are sounded without working the
pistons. This result is arrived at in the present improvements by a full column
of air, which is obtained first by combining new methods of piercing or
perforating the moving part or solid plug of the cylindrical valve apparatus
commonly called piston, these plugs being so pierced as to avoid the sharp
angles met with in the ordinary pistons, and in such manner that a bullet of
the diameter of the column of air may pass through all the pistons, that is,
enter at one end and come out at the other, which is impossible in pistons
constructed as usual; and second, by the way of connecting the different pistons
or placing them with regard to each other.
As to my improved methods of piercing the piston plugs, they are shewn on
the annexed Sheet No. 1 of Drawings.
Figs. 1 to 8: each of these Figures representing a different method, the first
diagram of each Figure shewing a longitudinal section through the piston
when raised; the second, when lowered; the third, an external elevation,
corresponding to diagrams 1 and 2; and the fourth, an elevation at right
angles to diagram 3. The arrows shew the way which the air takes in the
sonorous body. The working of these different pistons will be sufficiently under-
stood from the Figures, so as to need no further explanation; but it is to be
understood that I do not confine myself to the form of elbows G, H, shewn, as
the same may be bent backwards or forwards, placed vertically or horizontally,
or any other way, as may in part be gathered from the following Figures; also
the pipe end F may assume the shape of an elbow tube having any direction,
and may be placed upon any point of the cylindrical circumference of the
piston, and form any suitable angle with the axis of the same.
As to the ways of connecting the pistons or placing them with regard to
each other, their great variety may be inferred from the fact that any of the
eight methods of piercing may be combined in threes or fours, so as to produce

page_text: as many different and novel combinations of pistons, besides the varieties that
may be produced by altering the form and position.of the pipe F and elbow
tubes G, H, above mentioned.
In order merely to illustrate the way in which said combinations may be
carried out, I have shewn on the annexed Sheet No. 2 of Drawings, different
piston parts of instruments constructed according to these improvements,
each Figure shewing two opposite elevations and an end view of the set of
pistons.
Fig. 9 shews 3 pistons united and touching each other, with bowls for
facilitating taking to pieces.
Fig. 10 shews a set composed of one piston, such as at Fig. 1, another such
as at Fig. 5, and another such as at Fig. 1.
Fig. 11 shews a set of three pistons, as at Fig. 2.
Fig. 12 shews a set of four pistons, viz., the first as at Fig. 6, the second as
at Fig. 1, the third as at Fig. 6, and the fourth as at Fig. 1.
Besides these novel ways of piercing and placing pistons, this Invention also
comprises a new kind of rotary piston, having a full wind-way applied to it,
and which may be moved in various ways; also an improved way of piercing
double branch or double barrel, similar to the way of piercing the single barrel
pistons, as described above.
The double-branch piston is shewn in three different views at Fig. 14.
The rotary piston is shewn at Fig. 13 of the Drawings annexed. A, rotary
piston; B, piston shewn in section when shut; C, section of the piston when
opened; F, column of air; H, a button which slides in the slot I, and by
which the rotary piston is turned.
The advantages ensured by these improvements consist in facilitating the
fingering of the music and allowing to produce notes of any force required, as
well as rendering the notes called "factitious" by brass instrument players
(viz., those notes that are produced by depressing several pistons without
altering the pitch of the sound,) equal to those which the performer produces
without working the piston. The above improvements are applicable to long
and to short pistons without changing the form or increasing the size, or
otherwise altering the instrument. The springs for raising the piston plugs
after the manual depression ceases may be placed at either end of the piston
cylinder.
Having thus fully described the particulars and nature of the said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, I wish it to be under-
stood that what I claim is,-
First, the piercing or perforating of the moving part or solid plug of the

page_text: cylindrical valve apparatus, so as to avoid the sharp angles met with in the
ordinary pistons, and producing an equality of sounds between the notes that
are produced by working the pistons and those that are sounded without
working the pistons.
Second, the outside and inside form of the eight pistons, as above described,
and represented in Sheet 1, with such modifications I have pointed out.
Third, the way of connecting the different pistons or placing them with
regard to each other.
Fourth, the perforating of the sonorous body into a piston of the centre, and
also the perforating of the sonorous body in the other pistons, which according
to my system may be considered and used as pistons of the centre.
Fifth, the perforating of the rotatory pistons giving a full way-wind, as:
shown, Fig. 13; an improved way of piercing double-branch pistons, similar
to: the
way of piercing the single branch or single barrel pistons, as described
above.
Sixth, the invertedness of the pistons, both of my own Invention, or such
as are commonly used; Fig. 15, 15, 1'5b, 15, Sheet 2.
In witness whereof, I, the said Auguste Edouard Loradoux Bellford,
have hereunto set my hand and seal, this 12th day of September, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
A. E. LUKADOUX BELLFORD.
(L.S.)