Improvements in Valves for Accordions and like Wind Musical Instruments.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Nov., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 9th Aug., 1895-Accepted, 14th Sept., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Valves for Accordions and like Wind Musical
Instruments.
I, THOMAS RICHARD SHILLITO of 89 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Engineer
and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, a communication
to me from abroad by Otto Spaethe of Gera (Reuss) Germany, Manufacturer,
to be as follows:-
This invention has for object to provide in accordions and other wind musical
instruments, valves for the admission to, and exit of air from, the sounding box
which in the case of distortion of the sounding board through climatic and other
influences will adapt themselves to such distortion so as always to shut off the
sounding board air tight. For this purpose the valve is made of a wood or metal
strip divided transversely across the middle where the two parts are connected
together by a flat metal spring and covered over at the joint with linen or leather.
From this central point the strip extends so as to bear at each outer end against
the sounding board which is solid at that part. The ends of all the strips or
valves are held against the sounding board by a lath laid across all said ends and
screwed on to the sounding board. The middle of the sounding board opposite
the joints in the middle of the valve strips is open, and from this part of the latter
push rods extend to the outside of the sounding box. Upon pushing down these
rods the strips will be pressed down at their several central joints and air either
admitted to or discharged from the sounding box through the open middle of this
latter and slots in the outer ends of the valve strips. Through said slots are
passed guide studs which fixed in the sounding board assist to keep the valves in
place.
Dated this 10th day of November 1894.
THOMAS R. SHILLITO,
89 Chancery Lane, London, W.C.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Valves for Accordions and like Wind Musical
Instruments.
I, THOMAS RICHARD SHILLITO of 89 Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, a
communication to me from abroad by Otto Spaethe of Gera (Reuss) Germany,
Manufacturer, and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention has for object to provide in organs, harmoniums, accordions and
other wind musical instruments valves for the admission to and exit of air from
the sounding box which valves in the case of the distortion through climatic and
other influences of the board upon which they are seated will adapt themselves to
such distortion so as always to shut off said board air tight.

page_text: In the drawing
Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a valve of this invention seated against the bottom
of a sounding box.
Fig. 2 is an underneath view of Fig. 1 shewing a number of valves arranged
side by side.
Figs. 3 and 4 respectively an edge view and top view of the valve.
For the purpose of this invention the valve a is made of a wood or metal strip
divided transversely across the middle where the two parts are connected together
by a flat metal spring b which is sunk into a recess made in each of the valve parts
and fixed by screws or pins c. The whole of the joint is covered over with a
strip d of linen or leather or other suitable material to prevent the passage of air
at the joint. The said strip is attached by means of glue or by other suitable
means. From the central joint, the valve a extends so as to bear at cach outer
end against the sounding board or bottom of the sounding box e which is solid at
that part. The ends of all the strips or valves a are held to the sounding box by
laths laid across all said ends and screwed or otherwise firmly fixed so that the
valve ends have the necessary play without being able to move out of place. Each
valve a is operated to open by means of a push rod 9 in connection with a key of
the instrument or it may also be in some cases not in such connection. Upon
pushing down the rods g the strips or valves a will be pressed down at their
several central joints and air either admitted to or discharged from the sounding
box through the open middle of the latter and to some extent also past the slots h
in the outer ends of the strips. i are guide studs or pins fixed in the sounding
box and assist to keep the valves in place. The valves after being opened by the
push rods are automatically brought back into the closed position each by its
spring b.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
A divided yielding spring valve, consisting of a strip a divided in the middle
and furnished with recesses in which is fixed a metal spring and having attached
thereto over the central joint a linen cloth or leather covering, for the purpose
specified, substantially as described and shewn.
Dated this 9th day of August 1895.
THOMAS R. SHILLITO,
89 Chancery Lane, London, W.C.