IMPROVEMENTS IN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Year: 1877

page_text: This Specification was, upon the 28th day of April 1888, amended under
Sections 18 to 21 of the Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks Act, 1883.
M
LETTERS PATENT to Elias Parkman Needham, of the City, County, and State
of New York, one of the United States of America, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Elias Parkman Needham at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd December 1877.
ELIAS PARKMAN NEEDHAM, of the City, County, and State of New York, one
of the United States of America. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.”
This Invention has reference to that class of musical instruments known as reed
instruments, and consists partly in an arrangement by which a perforated sheet or
belt of paper or other suitable material is passed over, under, or between the air
passages, and thus admits air to the desired reed or reeds at the desired time, and
for the desired length of time; producing a succession of harmonic notes so that
any one, whether a musician or not, can play any desired melody or harmony by
mechanically passing the perforated sheet or belt, over, under, or across the air
passages leading to the reeds, and admitting air to the same when and where
required.
It also consists in making the sheet or belt endless, so that any tune perforated
on the same may be repented.
It further consists in a sheet or belt of paper or other suitable material per-
forated with holes corresponding with a succession of notes, and also with the air
passages of the reeds and the duration of the notes when arranged, so that the
material of the sheet forms the valve closing the air passages, and firmly held by
the suction of the bellows, which draw in the air through the perforations of the
shoet only, and thus sound the required note.
It further consists in a peculiar arrangement by which the sheet or belt is moved
and the bellows operated so as to produce any desired combination of sounds.
It also consists in a peculiar arrangement of the instrument by which one per-
forated sheet or belt can be readily substituted for another, and in the arrangement
ונD6]

page_text: of the cabinet by which the whole is enclosed and protected, and all parts made
easy of access.
Also in various details of the mechanism for operating the instrument as herein-
after specified.
In carrying this Invention into practice I support a reed chamber within a caso
or cabinet at one end, and connect one or more bellows with the wind chest, so that
the suction of the bellows exhausts the air and draws the same through the reeds.
The said case is so constructed as to readily open to admit the sheets. I surround the
reed chest and bellows with an endless sheet or belt perforated with holes corre-
sponding with the notes of a tune or harmonic chord, and also with the air inlets
of the reeds, and arrange suitable mechanism by which the perforated sheet or belt
is passed across the reed openings, and as each perforation comes opposite the air
inlet of the proper reed, the bellows will draw the air through the reed, vibrate
the tongue, and sound the note, and as the perforations are made of the length
required to give the desired duration to the note, either a finished solo performance,
a rich accompaniment to the voice, or an orchestral effect may be produced by this
simple and cheap instrument.
The shaft for actuating the bellows is provided with a crank and an elastic roll.
The latter is arranged in combination with pressuro rolls; the sheet passes between
these rolls, and the required pressure of the rolls upon the sheet is produced by a
spring.
All of the rollers employed may be made of elastic material if desired.
The said pressure rolls are rendered adjustable by means of a hinged or movable
part to permit the sheet to be readily inserted and firmly held between the said
rolls.
A piece called a resonant placed over the keys is made removable to permit the
ready insertion of the perforated sheet.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Elias Parkman Needham in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
25th May 1878.
ELIAS PARKMAN NEEDHAM, of the City, County, and State of New York, one of
the United States of America. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS,'
"
This Invention has reference to that class of musical instruments known in the
art as reed instruments, and consists in the arrangement by which a perforated
sheet or belt of paper or other suitable material is passed over, under, or between
the air passages, and thus admits air to the desired reeds at the desired time and
for the desired length of time, producing a succession of harmonic notes, so that
any one, whether a musician or not, can play any desired melody or harmony by
mechanically passing the perforated sheet or belt over, under, or across the air
passages leading to the reeds, and admitting air to the same when and where
required.
It consists in making the cheet or belt endless, so that any tune perforated on the
Fame may be repeated
It further consists in the sheet or belt of paper or other suitable material suited
for use with the instruments made as hereinafter described being perforated with holes
corresponding with the air passages of the reeds, and the duration of the notes
when arranged, so that the material of the sheet forms the valve closing the air
passages, and firmly held by the suction of the bellows, which draw in the air through
the perforations of the sheet only, and thus sound the required note.
It further consists in the peculiar arrangement by which the sheet or belt is
moved, and the bellows operated so as to produce any desired combination of sounds.
It also consists in the peculiar arrangement of the instrument by which one
perforated sheet or belt can be readily substituted for another, and in the arrange
ment of the cabinet by which the whole is enclosed and protected, and all parts
made easy of access.
And in order that my Invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into practice, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the
Drawing, forming part of this Specification, and which are bereunto annexed,-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved musical cabinet, the sides and top
being shown open to exhibit more clearly at one view the different parts of the
whole.
Figure 2 is a vertical section of the instrument, and the cabinet containing the
same.
Figures 3 and 4 are vertical sections showing modifications by which endless
perforated belts or sheets of music of great length can be inserted, and extended
musical compositions played on the instrument.
•
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a small compact musical cabinet.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the Figures.
In the Drawing A represents the side, and B, the end of the cabinet; these parts
are secured to the bottom and form the fixed portion of the case or cabinet; ( is
the hinged end extending to the crank, and forms with the portion C¹ secured to

page_text: the hinged side; D, the end of the same; E is the top hinged to the side A or
secured in any other manner, so that the same may be readily adjusted, the whole
forming the cabinet in which the instrument is contained, protecting the parts from
dust and injury, the sides being hinged so that the case can be readily opened, and
the endless sheet or belts of perforated music be easily inserted or exchanged;
represents the reed chamber mounted on the top of the air chamber or wind
chest, which connects the reeds with the bellows g; h is the handle of the crank
secured to the actuating shaft i provided with the elastic roll, and on its other
end with the crank k by which the bellows are operated; L represents an endless
sheet of paper or other suitable material, perforated with openings of varying length 1
and arranged to correspond with the reeds, so that in passing over the reed chamber
the air is admitted to the desired reeds for the required time, and a 'succession of
notes sounded-to produce any piece of music desired.
:
I
The sheet L may be made endless, as shown, perforated to sound a given musical
arrangement,, which can be repeated as often as desired, and with the desired
interval between each reproduction, or the sheet may be rolled on one roller, and
whilst unwinding from this be wound on another until the whole musical com-
position is played in which case sheet I would as is obvious not be endless but a single
sheet with two ends; m, m, represent the perforations in the sheet; n is the loose
roller inserted in the endless sheet or belt for the purpose of keeping the same 2
straight and even: o represents a hinged arm in which the elastic roller turns.
Either one or two of the rollers q may be used, and when the cabinet is closed the
spring >> presses the roller & firmly against the elastic roll &³, or rather against thre
sheet L, which is between the rollors and 7, so that the turning of the roller i by
means of the crank and handle h propels the endless sheet and causes the various 2
perforations m to come over the corresponding reeds at the desired time, and as by
the-rotation of the shaft i, the crank k, connected with the bellows 9, by connecting.
rods, operates the same and draws the air through the perforations and the uncovered
reeds; a piece of any desired music can be played accurately as to both note-and-
time by any one however unskilled in music.
To allow the sheet or belt to pass smoothly over the reed chamber, the rollers v, v,'.
are inserted one on each side, as is shown in Figure 2.
66
s is a resonant" placed over the apertures of the reeds, and arranged so that
the same may be readily removed to allow of the insertion of the endless perforated:
belt or sheet of music li.
Various modifications in the construction of the cabinet and the instrument may
be made; as also in the means for operating the sheet or belt without changing the
nature of the Invention, as clearly defined in the claims,.some of which modifica-
tions are shown in the Drawing.
"
3
3
The sheet of perforated paper, prepared cloth, or other suitable 'material in single 4
sheets, or. in endless sheets or belts arranged as a valve to exclude the air from all :
the notes of a wind instrument, except those to be sounded, so as to produce the
désired combination or succession of notes can be cheaply prepared; and any desired
number of tunes furnished with the instrument or afterwards ncquired, so that on
one instrument any tune or composition of music within its range can be performed
with a sheet or belt perforated to correspond with the notes and their succussion
and duration; and when an endless sheet or belt is used, such composition of music
or tune can be repeated at pleasure with any desired interval of time; and at any
desired measure of time by the motion of the crank h.
:
By the peculiar construction of the case or cabinet and the operating mechanism 5
one endless sheet or belt of music can be substituted for another without particular
skill or judgment. All parts are so simple and durable that the instrument is not
liable to get out of order. It is cheap at first cost, and will supply a long felt want
by diffusing a love and taste for music which can be enjoyed by all; even those
whose musical education has been neglected, may by the use of this instrument 5
become familiar with the works of the masters in the universal language of harmonic
composition.

page_text: Having thus described my Invention, I claim as new, and desire to secure by
Letters Patent,—
First. A sheet of paper or other suitable material used as above directed in single
sheets or endless sheets or belts perforated with holes corresponding both with the notes
of a tune and with the air passages of a reed instrument arranged to form a valve to
exclude the air except at the perforations, when employed for my improved musical
instruments substantially as described.
Second. An endless sheet of paper or other suitable-material perforated with holes
eorresponding with the notes of a tune or musical composition, and with the air
passages of a reed instrument, substantially as described.
Third Second. The combination with the endless perforated sheet L of the recd
chamber f, the bellows g, and means, substantially as described, by which the whole is
operated as and for the purpose described.
Fourth. The combination with the endless perforated sheet or belt L, and the
reed chamber of the shaft i provided with the roller and the pressure roller or
rollers 9 arranged to propel the sheet, substantially as and for the purpose specified
Fifth. The combination with the crank 1, the shaft i, rolls i and -7 of the crank-k,
one or more of them arranged to operate the bellows, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
Sixth. The combination with the shaft i-of the roll-i', one or more, and the roll-q;
one or more, when either of them, or all, are made of elastic material, arranged to
move the sheet of perforated music, substantially as and for the purpose described.
Seventh Third. The combination with the shaft i, roll i, of the roll or rolls
secured to a hinged or removable part of the instrument, and arranged so as to allow
the sheet or belt L before described to be readily inserted, and firmly held between the
same as and for the purpose described.
q
Eighth The combination with the reed chamber f, bellows g. and endless sheet L
of the ease A, B, C, D, arranged so that the same can be readily opened and the
sheet inserted or exchanged, substantially as and for the purpose described.
Ninth Fourth. The combination with the improved automatic reed instrument,
arranged and operated substantially as described of the removable "resonant" s, as
and for the purpose set forth.
Tenth Fifth. An automatic musical wind instrument such as herein described
operated by means of an endless perforated sheet passing across the reed openings
and around the bellows, when the sheet is operated by mechanical means, substantially
as and for the purpose described.
Eleventh. The combination with an automatic musical reed instrument operated
by an endless sheet or belt perforated to correspond with the notes of the tune, and
the reeds of the hinged end and sides of the case or cabinet, by means of which the
substitution of one endless belt or sheet for another-is fucilitated as described.
Twelfth. An automatic reed instrument, in which an endless sheet of perforated
material is made to exclude the air from the reeds and admit air to the same, so
that a tune chord or musical composition can be produced without any mechanism
intervening between the sheet and the reeds, substantially as and-for the purpose
set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Elias Parkman Needham, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this First day of May, in the year of our Lord One
Witnesses,
CHA. A. NEEDHAM,
Jos. A. MILLER, Jr.
ELIAS PARKMAN NEEDHAM. (L.S.)

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Elias Parkman Needham, of the City, County, and State
of New York, one of the United States of America, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Elias Parkman Needham at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd Doceember 1877.
88
ELIAS PARKMAN NEEDHAM, of the City, County, and State of New York, one
of the United States of America. IMPROVEMENTS IN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS."
This Invention has reference to that class of musical instruments known as reed
instruments, and consists partly in an arrangement by which a perforated sheet or
belt of paper or other suitable material is passed over, under, or between the air
passages, and thus admits air to the desired reed or reeds at the desired time, and
for the desired length of time; producing a succession of harmonic notes so that
any one, whether a musician or not, can play any desired melody or harmony by
mechanically passing the perforated sheet or belt, over, under, or across the air
passages leading to the reeds, and admitting air to the same when and where
required.
It also consists in making the sheet or belt endless, so that any tune perforated
on the same may be repeated.
✓
It further consists in a sheet or belt of paper or other suitable material per-
forated with holes corresponding with a succession of notes, and also with the air
passages of tho reeds and the duration of the notes when arranged, so that the
material of the sheet forms the valve closing the air passages, and firmly held by
the suction of the bellows, which draw in the air through the perforations of the
sheet only, and thus sound the required note.
It fin her consists in a peculiar arrangement by which the sheet or belt is moved
and the bellows operated so as to produce any desired combination of sounds.
It also consists in a peculiar arrangement of the instrument by which one per-
forated sheet or belt can be readily substituted for another, and in the arrangement

page_text: of the cabinet by which the whole is enclosed and protected, and all parts made
easy of access.
Also in various details of the mechanism for operating the instrument as herein-
after specified.
In carrying this Invention into practice I support a reed chamber within a case
or cabinet at one end, and connect one or more bellows with the wind chest, so that
the suction of the bellows exhausts the air and draws the same through the reeds.
The said case is so constructed as to readily open to admit the sheets. I surround the
reed chest and bellows with an endless sheet or belt perforated with holes corre-
sponding with the notes of a tune or harmonic chord, and also with the air inlets
of the reeds, and arrange suitable mechanism by which the perforated sheet or belt
is passed across the reed openings, and as each perforation comes opposite the air
inlet of the proper reed, the bellows will draw the air through the reed, vibrate
the tongue, and sound the note, and as the perforations are made of the length
required to give the desired duration to the note, either a finished solo performance,
a rich accompaniment to the voice, or an orchestral effect may be produced by this
simple and cheap instrument.
The shaft for actuating the bellows is provided with a crank and an elastic roll.
The latter is arranged in combination with pressure rolls; the sheet passes between
these rolls, and the required pressure of the rolls upon the sheet is produced by a
spring.
All of the rollers employed may be made of elastic material if desired.
The said pressure rolls are rendered adjustable by means of a hinged or movable
part to permit the sheet to be readily inserted and firmly held between the said
rolls.
A piece called a resonant placed over the keys is made removable to permit the
ready insertion of the perforated sheet.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Elias Parkman Needham in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
25th May 1878.
ELIAS PARKMAN NEEDHAM, of the City, County, and State of New York, one of
the United States of America. " IMPROVEMENTS IN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS."
This Invention has reference to that class of musical instruments known in the
art as reed instruments, and consists in the arrangement by which a perforated
sheet or belt of paper or other suitable material is passed over, under, or between
the air passages, and thus admits air to the desired reeds at the desired time and
for the desired length of time, producing a succession of harmonic notes, so that
any one, whether a musician or not, can play any desired melody or harmony by
mechanically passing the perforated sheet or belt over, under, or across the air
passages leading to the reeds, and admitting air to the same when and where
required.
It consists in making the sheet or belt endless, so that any tune perforated on the
same may be repeated.
It further consists in the sheet or belt of paper or other suitable material per-
forated with holes corresponding with the air passages of the reeds, and the
duration of the notes when arranged, so that the material of the sheet forms the
valve closing the air passages, and firmly held by the suction of the bellows, which
draw in the air through the perforations of the sheet only, and thus sound the
required note.
It further consists in the peculiar arrangement by which the sheet or belt is
moved, and the bellows operated so as to produce any desired combination of sounds.
It also consists in the peculiar arrangement of the instrument by which one
perforated sheet or belt can be readily substituted for another, and in the arrange-
ment of the cabinet by which the whole is enclosed and protected, and all parts
made easy of access.
And in order that my Invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into practice, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to tho
Drawing, forming part of this Specification, and which are hereunto annexed,―
Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved musical cabinet, the sides and top
being shown open to exhibit more clearly at one view the different parts of the
whole.
Figure 2 is a vertical section of the instrument, and the cabinet containing the
same.
Figures 3 and 4 are vertical sections showing modifications by which endless
perforated belts or sheets of music of great length can be insorted, and extended
musical compositions played on the instrument.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a small compact musical cabinet.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the Figures.
In the Drawing A represents the side, and B, the end of the cabinet; these parts
are secured to the bottom and form the fixed portion of the case or cabinet; C is
the hinged end extending to the crank, and forms with the portion C¹ secured to
the hinged side; D, the end of the same; E is the top hinged to the side A or
secured in any other manner, so that the same may be readily adjusted, the whole
forming the cabinet in which the instrument is contained, protecting the parts from
dust and injury, the sides being hinged so that the case can be readily opened, and
the endless sheet or belts of perforated music be easily inserted or exchanged;
f represents the reed chamber mounted on the top of the air chamber or wind
chest, which connects the reeds with the bellows g; h is the handle of the crank
secured to the actuating shaft i provided with the elastic roll ¹, and on its other
end with the crank k by which the bellows are operated; L represents an endless
heet of paper or other suitable material, perforated with openings of varying length
and arranged to correspond with the reeds, so that in passing over the reed chamber

page_text: the air is admitted to the desired reeds for the required time, anda succession of
notes sounded to produce any piece of music desired.
The sheet L may be made endless, as shown, perforated to sound a given musical
arrangement, which can be repeated as often as desired, and with the desired
interval between each reproduction, or the sheet may be rolled on one roller, and
whilst unwinding from this be wound on another until the whole musical com-
position is played; m, m, represent the perforations in the sheet; n is the loose
roller inserted in the endless sheet or belt for the purpose of keeping the same
straight and even; o represents a hinged arm in which the elastic roller g turns.
Either one or two of the rollers q may be used, and when the cabinet is closed the
spring presses the roller q firmly against the elastic roll i¹, or rather against the
sheet L, which is between the rollers ¹ and q, so that the turning of the roller ¹ by
means of the crank and handle h propels the endless sheet and causes the various
perforations m to come over the corresponding reeds at the desired time, and as by
the rotation of the shaft i, the crank, connected with the bellows g, by connecting
rods, operates the same and draws the air through the perforations and the uncovered
reeds; a piece of any desired music can be played accurately as to both note and
time by any one however unskilled in music.
To allow the sheet or belt to pass smoothly over the reed chamber, the rollers v, v,
are inserted one on each side, as is shown in Figure 2.
a is a "resonant" placed over the apertures of the reeds, and arranged so that
the same may be readily removed to allow of the insertion of the endless perforated
belt or sheet of music L.
Various modifications in the construction of the cabinet and the instrument may
be made; as also in the means for operating the sheet or belt without changing the
'nature of the Invention, as clearly defined in the claims, some of which modifica-
tions are shown in the Drawing.
The sheet of perforated paper, prepared cloth, or other suitable material in single
sheets, or in endless sheets or belts arranged as a valve to exclude the air from all
the notes of a wind instrument, except those to be sounded, so as to produce the
desired combination or succession of notes can be cheaply prepared; and any desired
number of tunes furnished with the instrument or afterwards acquired, so that on
one instrument any tune or composition of music within its range can be performed
with a sheet or belt perforated to correspond with the notes and their succession
and duration; and when an endless sheet or belt is used, such composition of music
or tune can be repeated at pleasure with any desired interval of time; and at any
desired measure of time by the motion of the crank h.
By the peculiar construction of the case or cabinet and the operating mechanism
one endless sheet or belt of music can be substituted for another without particular
skill or judgment. All parts are so simple and durable that the instrument is not
liable to get out of order. It is cheap at first cost, and will supply a long felt want
by diffusing a love and taste for music which can be enjoyed by all; even those
whose musical education has been neglected, may by the use of this instrument
become familiar with the works of the masters in the universal language of harmonic
composition.
Having thus described my Invention, I claim as new, and desire to secure by
Letters Patent,—
First. A sheet of paper or other suitable material perforated with holes corre-
sponding both with the notes of a tune and with the air passages of a reed instru-
ment arranged to form a válve to exclude the air except at the perforations, sub-
stantially as described.
Second. An endless sheet of paper or other suitable material perforated with holes
corresponding with the notes of a tune or musical composition, and with the air
passages of a reed instrument, substantially as described.
Third. The combination with the endless perforated sheet L of the reed chamber f
the bellows g, and means, substantially as described, by which the whole is operated
as and for the purpose described.

page_text: Fourth. The combination with the endless perforated sheet or belt L, and the
reed chamber of the shaft i provided with the roller and the pressure roller or
rollers q arranged to propel the sheet, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Fifth. The combination with the crank h, the shaft i, rolls i¹ and g of the crank k,
one or more of them arranged to operate the bellows, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
Sixth. The combination with the shaft i of the roll it, one or more, and the roll q,
one or more, when either of them, or all, are made of elastic material, arranger to
move the sheet of perforated music, substantially as and for the purpose described.
Seventh. The combination with the shaft i, roll i¹, of the roll or rolls q secured to
a hinged or removable part of the instrument, and arranged so as to allow the sheet
or belt L to be readily inserted, and firmly held between the same as and for the
purpose described.
Eighth. The combination with the reed chamber f, bellows g, and endless sheet L
of the case A, B, C, D, arranged so that the same can be readily opened and the
sheet inserted or exchanged, substantially as and for the purpose described.
Ninth. The combination with the automatic reed instrument, arranged and
operated substantially as described of the removable "resonant" 8, as and for the
purpose set forth.
Tenth. An automatic musical wind instrument operated by means of an endless
perforated sheet passing across the reed openings and around the bellows, when the
sheet is operated by mechanical means, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
Eleventh The combination with an automatic musical reed instrument operated
by an endless sheet or belt perforated to correspond with the notes of the tune, and
the reeds of the hinged end and sides of the case or cabinet, by means of which the
substitution of one endless belt or sheet for another is facilitated as described.
Twelfth An automatic reed instrument, in which an endless sheet of perforated
material is made to exclude the air from the reeds and admit air to the same, so
that a tune chord or musical composition can be produced without any mechanism
intervening between the sheet and the reeds, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Elias Parkman Needham, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this First day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight
Witnesses,
CHA. A. NEEDHAM,
Jos. A. MILLER, Jr.
ELIAS PARKMAN NEEDHAM. (L.S.)