Improvements in the Pneumatic Mechanism of Organs.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 10th May, 1887
Complete Left, 10th Mar., 1888
Complete Accepted, 10th May, 1888
Improvements in the Pneumatic Mechanism of Organs.
I CHARLES BRINDLEY Columbia Place, Suffolk Road Sheffield in the County
of York Organ Builder, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention of improvements in the pneumatic mechanism of Organs, refers
particularly to the Drawstop Valve Box, the Key action box, Windchest, Coupler
box, and to a novel duplication valve; the object being to simplify the construction,
and generally to improve the action of such mechanism.
The drawstop valve box consists of an air chamber having an opening communi-
cating with the air tube, and an exhaust exit. The opening is closed on the inside by a
flat metallic spring, and the exhaust opening by a pallet having an inclined upper
surface. In the opening, and sufficiently long to project either on one side or the
other, 1 place a sticker, sufficiently loose or so shaped as to allow air to pass to the
air tube. The drawstop rod is provided with a spring-finger acting upon the exhaust
pallet, thus when the draw rod is moved, the finger travels either up or down the
incline, if up the incline its pressure closes the exhaust exit and forcing the sticker
down presses the metallic spring back from the opening admitting air to the tube
from the air chamber; if it moves in the opposite direction the exhaust pallet is
released and the exhaust exit is opened by the action of the metallic spring.
The Key action box consists of an air chamber, with opening communicating to
each air tube, and an exhaust exit underneath, provided with a similar sticker to that
before described; in the air chamber and closing the opening is a pallet connected
with the Key and sufficiently heavy to press down the sticker and the spring and thus
open the exhaust. When the pallet is raised by depressing the key, the exhaust
closes and the communication is perfect.
The Pedal action is similar to the Key action but reversed in position.
The Windchest consists of as many chambers as there are stops of pipes on the
said windchest, each pipe having a separate valve governing its wind supply, and
placed immediately under such pipe.
Each valve is operated by means of a circular bellows, and a suitable spring;
preferably made of steel. Immediately under the circular bellows, channels are placed,

page_text: one for each note, and so arranged that they can be exhausted by means of a double
acting valve, controlled by a pneumatic lift; by this arrangement the wind supply
to the pipes is absolutely direct, and in consequence of the great simplicity of con-
struction there is no chance of derangement.
The wind is supplied to the before mentioned chambers (which are divided into bass
and treble portions) by means of two wind supply valves acting as one, and connected
with the before described drawstop valve box, this arrangement ensuring perfect
steadiness, however many heavy chords may be struck in the bass.
In order that the pneumatic lift may be raised by one of several tubes, or by several
tubes combined, as is necessary in the coupling of one manual to another, pedal to
manuals, and similar couplings, I use a "duplication valve" consisting of a single
piece of leather secured at one edge but so as to work freely between two surfaces
inclining from each other and to close either one or the other of two apertures or
wind passages, or to permit the passage of wind from both simultaneously.
The Coupler box consists of a number of air chambers corresponding to the number
of couplers, and in the said chambers a series of valves are placed having connected
exhausts, there being one valve and exhaust to each note to be coupled.
These valves and their exhausts are operated by small circular bellows, connected
with an exhaust channel, thus when the air is drawn out of the bellows they close by
the pressure of air outside, opening the valve which admits air to the tube, and closing
the exhaust at the same time. This action raises the pneumatic lift of the windchest
exhaust.
The advantage of this arrangement is that a fresh supply of wind is gained from
the coupler box to windchest pneumatic lift, instead of wind impoverished by friction
in tube from key action box, which could only act slowly.
Many advantages are gained, and great facilities are afforded the Organist by the
use of this invention.

page_text: Each valve R, is operated by means of a small circular bellows S, and also by a
suitably shaped spring; the function of the bellows is to open the valve, and that of
the spring to close it. Immediately under the bellows S, and communicating there-
with, are air channels T; one for each note, these can be exhausted by means of a
double-acting valve V, controlled by a pneumatic lift U; when the exhaust valve
is opened the pressure of the wind in the chamber Q, forces down the bellows and
opens the valve R.
By this arrangement, the wind supply to the pipes is absolutely direct, and perfect
steadiness is ensured with the heaviest of bass chords.
In order that the pneumatic lift U may be raised by one of several tubes, or by
several tubes combined as is necessary in the coupling of one manual to another;
pedal to manual; and similar couplings, I use a duplication valve W consisting of a
single piece of leather secured at one edge but so as to work freely between two
surfaces inclining from each other, and to close either one or the other of two
apertures or wind passages, or to permit the passage of wind from both simul-
taneously.
The Coupler box D consists of a number of air-chambers corresponding to the
number of couplers and in the said chambers a series of valves ✗ are placed having
connected exhausts, there being one valve and exhaust to each note to be coupled.
These valves X and their exhausts are operated by small circular bellows, con-
nected with an exhaust channel; thus when the air is drawn out of the bellows they
close by the outer pressure of air, opening the valve, which admits air to the tube,
and closing the exhaust at the same time. This action raises the pneumatic lift of the
windchest exhaust.
The advantage of this arrangement, is that a fresh supply of wind is gained from
the Coupler box D, to the windchest pneumatic lift U instead of wind impoverished
by friction in the tube from the Key action box, which could only act slowly.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
--
"
1-In the construction of the pneumatic mechanism of Organs, a
drawstop Valve
box" made substantially as herein before described and as shown in Fig. 2.
2-In the pneumatic mechanism of Organs, the construction of a " Key Action &
Pedal Box," substantially as herein before described, and shown in Figs. 3 & 4.
3-In the pneumatic arrangement of Organs, the construction of "the Wind
Chest" substantially as herein before described and shown in Fig. 5.
4-In the pneumatic mechanism of Organs, the construction of the "Coupler box"
substantially as hereinbefore described and shown.
Dated the 9th day of March 1888.
ROBT. F. DRURY, Fel. Inst. P.A.,
Bank Buildings, George Street, Sheffield,
Agent for Applicant.