IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON- Tuor
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Hermann Smith, of Brixton, in the County of
Surrey, Artist, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON-
Tuor "
Sealed the 13th May 1875, and dated the 18th November 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Hermann Smith at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
18th November 1874.
I, HERMANN SMITH, of Brixton, in the County of Surrey, Artist, do.
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OF ORGANS AND OTHER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS," to be as
follows:-
The first part of my Invention is a new adjustable arrangement for
obtaining a variable combination of stops on the manuals, and on the
pedale of the organ and other keyed instruments by one movement of
the hand or foot. I enclose the stop rods each in a tube or sheath, or
surround cach with a ring or with connected rings upon which aro
placed pins or other projections or spurs at suitable distances to be acted

page_text: upon by a swing bar or by two bars, one having a backward and the
other a forward motion. On the fore end of each tube in front of stop rail
a collar is attached, with a little stud to be pressed by the finger, when
by reason of the tubes being movable on the rods either stop may be
placed in or out of gear on turning the collar to right or left. Some stops
will then be unaffected by the movement of the bars, whilst others will
be drawn out by their projections coming into contact with the bars. The
reversing movement is on the same principle, the stop rod when pulled
draws the tube with it, but the rod itself is not turned nor the lettering
of the label disturbed, the stops therefore can be manipulated at pleasure
to secure any variety of combination before or during the playing of any
piece of music with manifest advantage over the usual method, which
limits the player to set combinations fixed by the organ builder. The
collars may be placed behind the knobs of stop rods or made to surround
each knob as a cup capable of being turned the necesssary distance to
throw the tubes in or out of gear with the bars.
The second part of my Invention relates to the pedale of the organ.
By the usual plan the combs of the pedals (called sharps) are uniform
and all to one level. My Invention is a new high level or double ridge
comb, and its purpose is to afford the player the means of changing his
foot touch, at the samo time to hold the note sustained, an advantage
equivalent to that which on the manuals is termed "fingering by
substitution," and which by the old style the organist has been unable
to accomplish on the pedals.
The third part of my Invention consists in the addition of a spring to
each pedal, which by suitable arrangement of mechanism is caused to
operate the levers, squares, or backfalls, so as fully to open to their best
extent the pallets connected with them during the time occupied by the
pedal in performing one-third of its descent, or any proportional relation
of time and distance that it may be desirable to determine. The average
depth assigned to pedal touch is three-quarters of an inch. The descent
occupies time proportional to distance, and the pallet is delayed its full
opening until the descent of pedal is completed, often indeed the pallet
does not commence opening in any effective manner until the greater
portion of the distance has been traversed, and not only is the speech in
response to the player exceedingly slow, but the noto is defrauded of the
proper time of prolonged sounding intended by the player. By my new
pedal spring for articulation these defects are obviated; the spring is so

page_text: tempered that it resists flexure in the ordinary pull on the pallets, but
the rod on which it is fixed is allowed only to descend one quarter of an
inch; it is then checked, and the pallet in this interval has been fully
opened to the degree assigned to it by the proportional centreing of the
lever, but the tempered spring on the contiuued pressure of the foot
yields the further half inch, which the players is habituated to demand.
This portion of the descent does not contribute any effect in extending
the pallet opening and may be considered as surplus touch. By this plan
very prompt articulation and quick repetition of the pedal notes are
obtained. The plan may also be applied with equal value to the
manuals when desirable to attain the same results. The spring may if
preferred be fixed on the lever and be acted upon by the pedal with the
same effcect.
The fourth part of my Invention consists in the application of the
contrivance known in organ building as the pneumatic lever to a new
purpose, and arranging a series of them as an apparatus for moving or
communicating motion to the percussion hammers used in harmoniums
and free reed organs, and also to the hammers of pianofortes. Tho
apparatus in both cases I arrange to act intermediately between the keys
and the hammers, and I am thus enabled to ensure a blow upon the
string or reed which is not dependent for its power on the force exerted
by the finger, but on the depth of touch and on the pressure or strength
of the wind admitted to the pneumatic lever from the reservoir, and
influenced likewise by movement of the feet acting on wind feeders
or bellows. The pneumatic lever may be either on the system of
inflation or of exhaust and in either way will be prompt, but on the
inflating or pressure system will be more expressive, be capable of quick
repetition, and of sustaining tone in strings as well as in reeds. The.
Invention may be used in conjunction with almost any variety of
pianoforte action.
The fifth part of my Invention consists of a pneumatic bellows applied
as an excitant of vibration in musical strings, and also applied to free
reeds when they are conjoined with strings for united action, as in the
string organ (so called) and in other instruments possessing similar
compound vibratory motion. This apparatus acts not to deliver a blow
or jerk as a hammer, but by actual connection with the reed or string,
or with both. The connecting device may be fixed, rigid, linked, or
flexible, according to the form most convenient. A modified form of
A 2

page_text: the aperture through which the pin of the reed passes. The pin on the
reed I tip with cork or other suitable material; another pin or wire from
the string is similarly treated. These pieces of cork meet on the
diaphragm touching either side, thus rendering the communication of
intermittent motion as perfect as when the pin is undivided, the advan-
tage being that no loss of wind is sustained as by an aperture, or a
'single pin may pierce the diaphragm, leaving it still subject to inflation.
If the diaphragm is made double, air being admitted between, or made
extensible as a purse, it then has the merits of the pneumatic bellows,
before described, its action to all intents and purposes being the same,
and if a light disc be inserted the effective initial force will be greater
in proportion to the sectional area presented to the wind, and the
promptitude of the response be thereby increased. It is in effect a
connecting bellows interposed between reed and string.
The seventh part of my Invention is an automatic wind percussion
action arranged in a suitable manner for initiating and, if desirable, for
sustaining musical vibration in the combination of reed and string when
operated under united action. Heavy strings and stiff reeds are slow in
speaking, but can be greatly assisted by a premonitory touch or stroke.
In front of or adjacent to the reed thus conjoined I fix a light percussion
hammer upon a rod rigid or flexible, and so centred that at the end
opposite the hammer or at any convenient angle thereto a terminal blado
may depend, rigid or flexible, the blade covering a valve or aperture,
through which wind is admitted by the controlling action connected
with cach key. The movement of the hammer may be met by a stop
or check after its first blow, or may be allowed to continue at option
until the closure of the valve.
66
The eighth part of my Invention is the addition of a duplicate set of
reeds to those used in harmoniums and free reed organs, and thereby I
am able to obtain a prompt initial vibration in heavy or stubborn reeds.
For this purpose I take a set of small reeds of the kind known as small
Bourdons," or similar to those, having weighted tips. I then reduce
these tongues to a sufficient degree of thinness that they may vibrate
at the least thrill even of the concurrent vibrations of other reeds
communicated through the woodwork of the instrument. On the
admission of wind to these sensitive reeds through valves to each one
controlled by the keys, or through one aperture common to a series, an

page_text: {
instantaneous percussion is obtained on the superior reeds, and if the
pitch of these reeds is made to be in unison with the reeds on which
they impinge a perfect coincidence results, free from the admixture of
noise; also variable quality or character of tone may be obtained by
other suitable pitches of concordant ratio, or by giving to these reeds
pitches of very wide intervals. To these duplicate reeds I also apply
my pneumatic vibrating bellows (set forth in the fifth part lercof),
acting upon them either singly or in series, and using them to excite
vibration in other reeds, or strings, or rods, or tuning forks. There is a
great distinction to be noticed between these percussion reeds and
percussion hammers. These are not hammers but reeds graduated in
pitch, and possess the power of sympathetic vibration in their percussive
action; they may also be used and arranged with an attachment to or
connected with the larger reeds, and through them with strings.
The ninth part of my Invention consists of an equitensile oblique lever
spring, to be applied to organs in place of weights upon the bellows, and
calculated to produce an even or nearly even pressure during the
ascent and descent of the bellows. The oblique lever is fixed by hinge
to the reservoir board. It is formed of two rods with connecting joint,
and a wheel at or below the joint, so placed that it will move freely
when pressing against a supporting board, the second of these rods then
inclines upward, pushing against a helical spring coiled on another rod
horizontally fixed upon the reservoir board; when the movement of the
reservoir under inflation extends by pressure the angle of inclination of
the obliqe lever, the spring is compressed by the pushing of the lever ;
then a compensation ensues, for at the same time the resistance of the
spring is increasing the power of the lever is also increasing as the angle
of inclination changes, although the resistance to the expansion of the
reservoir remains not greater at the latter than at the earlier stages of
descent or ascent, as the case may be, for the action is the same for a
bellows made with a rising reservoir, as in organs intended to be weighted,
as for bellows made with a descending reservoir intended to be moved
by variable spiral springs. The advantages of this compensating obliquo
lever spring are that the carrying of weights may be dispensed with, and
that harmonium bellows may be adapted to organ style of playing with-
out need of reversal of position. Two or more springs are necessary to
ensure a balanced action. The springs may also be coiled in other forms,
or may be flat or of any suitable elastic character.

page_text: The tenth part of my Invention is a suction pallet or valve applied to
the channel associated with free reeds. Large pedal reeds are very slow
in speech to pressures of wind suitable to the reeds of the manual
registers. I overcome this defect by a valve made like a bellows, by
preference of the shape called diagonal, but not necessarily allowing
escape of wind, and so fitted that under inflation by enlarging the cavity
of the channel it produces suction on the reed, thus aiding the formation
of the partial vacuum essential to the initial motion of the reed. By
suitable mechanism the operation of the suction pallet is timed to precede
slightly the opening of that pallet which is to permit the sounding of the
reed and the free escape of the wind. When advisable the suction pallet
may be arranged to open by its movement the superior pallet for the
outlet of sound, and on the closure of that pallet by the rising of the
key the suction pallet resumes its original closed position ready for
renewed action when called upon.
The eleventh part of my Invention is a touch bar for regulating in
minute degrees the depth of touch assigned to the keys, and is adjustable
to the option of the player before or during performance. This bar extends
the length of the key board; it is covered with soft felt for the keys to
strike upon, and is fitted with a simple mechanism causing it to approach
the keys with parallel motion and to restrict to any desired degree the
depth of the touch. It is placed within or behind the front key rail
beneath the keys. Its value consists in enabling the player on free reed
organs and other wind instruments to vary the softness or loudness, and
also the quality of tone, by varying through the action of the keys the
lift of the pallets, and this to an uniform degree throughout the whole
compass without derangement of pitch such as generally follows attempts
to the same end by mere digital dexterity. By this device of an adjust-
able touch bar the keys may be surely restricted in depth of touch, as
that the music played on vigorous stops will be so changed as to seem
distant and gentle. The bar may be placed above the keys and beyond
the centreing with attainment of similar results, but the position beneath
fonebla

page_text: [
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Hermann Smith in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 18th May 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HERMANN
SMITH, of Brixton, in the County of Surrey, Artist, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eighteenth day of November, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the
thirty-eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said Hermann Smith, Her special
licence that I, the said Hermann Smith, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said Hermann Smith, 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 THE CONSTRUCTION OF ORGANS AND OTHER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Hermann Smith, my
executors, or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or
their, or one of their hands and seals, 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 Hermann Smith, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement, reference being had to the Drawing hereunto
annexed and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to
say) :—
My Invention of "Improvements in the Construction of Organs and
other Musical Instruments" consists of improvements in working the
pedals, stops, and other parts of organs and harmoniums. Also of im-
provements applicable to free reed instruments, and to pianofortes.

page_text: Tho stop rods a, a, are cach
connected rings. Upon the
The first part of my Invention consists of a new adjustable arrangement
for obtaining a variable combination of stops on the manuals and on the-
pedals of the organ and other keyed instruments by one movement of
the hand or foot. This improvement is shewn in transverse section at
Fig. 1, and in back elevation at Fig. 2.
enclosed in a tube or sheathi a', a¹, or with
tube or sheath a' or its equivalent are placed pins, studs, or other projec-
tions or spurs b, b, at suitable distances apart. Between these studs or
projections b, b, are suspended the swing bars c, c¹, one of which has a
backward and the other a forward motion, and cach of which is actuated
either by draw.stops, as at a², similar to those shewn at a, but without
the enclosing sheath a', or by pedals. On the fore end of cach tube a¹
in front of the stop rail a collar d is attached with a little stud d¹, by
which the collar may be moved round by the finger; and as the tubes a¹
on which the collars d, d, are secured are movable on the rods a any
stop may be placed in or out of gear with the swing bars c, c', by simply
turning the collar d to right or left. The stops which are not in gear
with the swing bars c, c', will then be unaffected by their movement,
whilst the other stops will be drawn out by their projections
vertical position) coming into contact with the bars c, c. The reversing
movement is on the same principle. The stop rod when pulled draws
the tube with it, but the rod itself is not turned, nor the lettering of
the label disturbed; the stops therefore can be manipulated at pleasure
to secure any variety of combination before or during the playing of any
piece of music with manifest advantage over the usual method, which
limits the player to set combinations fixed by the organ builder. The
collars d may be placed behind the knobs of the stop rods a, or they
may be made to surround cach knob as a cup capable of being turned
the necessary distance to throw the tubes in or out of gear with the bars.
It will be obvious to any organ builder that the stops may be arranged
vertically as well as horizontally, and that the bars c, c, may be worked
by pedals by connecting these latter by means of rods to levers
extending at right angles from the bars, as indicated by dotted lines in
Fig. 1.
(being in a

page_text: ridge comb on the pedal e, as shewn at e', e³, Fig. 3, and the object is to
afford the player the means of changing his foot, at the same time to
hold the note sustained, an advantage equivalent to that which on the
manuals is termed "fingering by substitution," and which by the old
style the organist has been unable to accomplish on the pedals.
The third part of my Invention is also shewn at Fig. 3, and consists
in the addition of a spring f to each pedal e, which by suitable arrange-
ment of mechanism is caused to operate the levers, squares, or backfalls,
so as fully to open to their best extent the pallets connected with them
during the time occupied by the pedal e in performing one-third of its
descent, or any proportional relation of time and distance that it may be
desirable to determine. The average depth assigned to the ordinary
pedal touch is three-quarters of an inch. The descent occupies time
proportional to the distance, and the pallet is delayed its full opening
until the descent of the pedal is completed. Sometimes indeed the pallet
does not commence opening in any effective manner until the greater
portion of the distance has been traversed, and not only is the speech in
response to the player exceedingly slow, but the note is defrauded of the
proper time of sustained sounding intended by the player. By my new
pedal spring for articulation these defects are obviated. The spring is
so tempered that it resists flexure in the ordinary pull on the pallets, but
the lever on which it acts is allowed to descend only one-quarter of an
inch; it is then checked by a fixed block e³, and the pallet in this
interval has been fully opened to the degree assigned to it by the pro-
portional centreing of the lever g, but the tempered spring f on the
continued pressure of the foot on the pedal e yields the further half-inch
which the player is habituated to demand. This latter portion of the
descent does not contribute any effect in extending the pallet opening,
and may be considered as surplus touch. By this plan very prompt arti-
culation and quick repetition of the pedal notes are obtained. The plan
may also be applied with equal value to the manuals when it is
desirable to attain tho same results. The spring may, if preferred, bo
fixed on the lever g, and be acted upon by the pedal e with the same
effect.
The fourth part of my Invention consists in the application of the
contrivance known in organ building as the pneumatic lever to a new
purpose, and the arranging a series of them as an apparatus for moving
or communicating motion to the percussion hammers used in harmoniums

page_text: and free reed organs, and also to the hammers of pianofortes. This im-
provement is shewn in vertical section at Fig. 4. The apparatus in both
cases is arranged to act inmmediately between the keys and the hammers,
and I am thus enabled to ensure a blow upon the string or reed which is
not dependent for its power on the force exerted by the finger, but on the
depth of touch and on the pressure or strength of the wind admitted
to the pneumatic lever from the reservoir, and influenced likewise by
movement of the feet acting on wind feeders or bellows. The pneumatic
lever is shown in section at k, and may be constructed either on the
system of inflation or of exhaust, and in either way will be prompt, but
on the inflating or pressure system will be more expressive, be capable of
quicker repetition, and of sustaining tone in strings as well as in reeds.
At the tail or inner end of the key ǹ there is a wire or rod i extending
down to the lever j, which carries the valves of the pneumatic lever.
Upon depressing the key / the rod i will open the valves, and allow the
air in the wind chest to force up the hinged lid % of the pneumatic lever.
This will lift the vertical rod k¹, which will push up the lever k³, which
is hinged to the key frame and carries the "hopper" ³, and will thus
cause the hammers to strike the string of the pianoforte or the tongue of
the free reed of the harmonium, as the case may be. Air is supplied to
the pneumatic lever by the bellows 2, which is worked by the foot of the
player. This Invention may be modified so as to be used in conjunction
with almost any variety of pianoforte action.
The fifth part of the Invention consists in the application of a tremolo
bellows as an excitant of vibration in musical strings. This improvement
may also be applied to free reeds when they are conjoined with strings
for united action, as in the string organ (so called), and in other instru-
ments possessing similar compound vibratory motion. This improvement
is shewn at Fig. 5. The apparatus does not deliver a blow or jerk as a
hammer, but by actual connection with the reed or string, or with both,
communicates vibration thereto, and thereby produces a musical sound.
The connecting device may be fixed rigid, linked, or flexible, according
to the form most convenient. A modified form of tho bellows known
as the tremolo bellows is adapted for this end, as shewn at Fig. 5. The
pneumatic lever used for operating on the valves of organs may also be
employed for the purpose, but I do not confine myself to any particular
form of bellows. The bellows g may be rectangular or tubular, or of any
convenient shape for pneumatic action, and may be operated either by

page_text: inflation from internal pressure or by contraction from suction. When
air is admitted to the tremolo bellows, shewn in the Drawing, and the
movable portion of the bellows q' is connected by rod or pin o or other-
wise to the string n, or to a reed or other vibrating agent, it will cause
an immediate vibratory movement therein, and the consequent reaction
will maintain the vibration so long as air is admitted to the bellows. It
will be evident that the heaviest string may be set in motion or instan-
taneous vibration by means of this pneumatic vibrating bellows if the
sectional area of the bellows be duly proportioned to the weight to be
moved, and also that any number of reeds may be set in simultaneous
vibration by one or more of these pneumatic bellows by placing them
actually upon the bellows, or, if preferred, by transmitting the action by
intermediate machinery. Under the term "pneumatic bellows " I mean
any reservoir which is capable of expanding and contracting by means
of air and of permitting the escape of wind at cach stroke of the
bellows, thereby causing an intermittent action, which is capable of
being used as an excitant of vibration, whether for initiating motion
in a single reed or string, or for transmitting it to many. The
utility of this conjunction of bellows and string, or with connected
reed and string, arises from the superior area it offers to the action of the
wind.
-
1
The sixth part of my Invention relates to improved modes of arranging
the connecting action, of reed and string when the same are conjoined,
as for instance, in the new instrument called the string organ. By one
arrangement, shewn at Figure 6, I connect the reed m and string n by
an oblique lever o that is capable of freedom of motion. I hinge the
lever o at one end to the reed m and at the other end to the string n in a
suitable manner to allow a change in obliqueness of the lever o during
motion. By a second method, shewn at Fig. 6ª, I arrange three levers at
varied inclinations jointed together at a common centre, as seen at o', one
lever being attached by a hinge to the reed, another in a similar manner
to the string, and a third to some fixed or stable support. By this
oblique lever action I gain greater effect on the string from the
same expenditure of force by the reed and a lessened amplitude of
motion when the attachment to the string is made near to the bridge.
Another improvement, shewn at Fig. 6b, consists in causing the reed m
'to excite the string n by means of an intermediate diaphragm p of
membrane, leather, or other suitable substance covering the aperture
through which the pin o of the reed passes. The pin o³ on the reed I

page_text: tip with cork or other suitable material, and another pin or wire o³
from the string is similarly treated. These pieces of cork meet on the
diaphragm p and touch either side, thus rendering the communication
of intermittent motion as perfect as when the pin is undivided, and so
that no loss of wind is sustained, as would be the case when an aperture
is left. Or the single pin of may pierce the diaphragm p, leaving it still
subject to inflation. If the diaphragm p be made double, as shewn at
Fig. 6, and air admitted between the two pieces of flexible material,
or if the diaphragm be made extensible as a purse, as shewn at Fig. 6º,
it then has the merits of the pneumatic bellows before described,
its action being similar; and if a light dise be inserted the effective
initial force will be greater in proportion to the sectional area pre-
sented to the wind, and the promptitude of the response will be thereby
increased.
My seventh improvement, is an automatic wind percussion action
arranged in a suitable manner for initiating, and if desirable for sus-
taining musical vibration in reeds and strings, or the two when combined
and operated under united action. This improvement is shewn in section
at Fig. 7. Heavy strings and stiff reeds are slow in speaking, but can
be greatly assisted by a premonitory touch or stroke. To this end in
front of or adjacent to the reed I fix a light percussion hammer » upon a
rod (rigid or flexible), and so centred that at the end opposite the
hammer, at any convenient angle thereto, a tail piece or short lever
may depend, and be made to carry a pallet covering an aperture s,
through which wind is admitted. By depressing the key a short rod /¹
will open the valve of the apertures & and allow the air to rush through
and force forward the tail piece of the hammer, which will thus be
made to strike the reed m and set it in vibration.
The eighth improvement consists in the addition of a duplicate set of
reeds to those used in harmoniums and free reed organs, and whereby I
am able to obtain a prompt initial vibration in heavy or stubborn reeds.
This improvement is shown at Fig. 8. In carrying out this improve-
ment I take a set of small reeds of the kind known as small "Bourdons,"
or reeds similar to those having weighted tips. These tongues are
reduced to a sufficient degree of thinness that they will vibrate at the
least thrill, even that caused by the concurrent vibrations of other reeds
communicated through the woodwork of the instrument. These reeds

page_text: .
are arranged under or over the larger and stiffer reeds. On the admission
of wind to these sensitive reeds (through valves to each one controlled
by the keys or through one aperture common to a series) they are
instantaneously set in motion, and the block on the small reed will thus
be made to strike on the superior reeds, and if the pitch of the small
reeds is made to be in unison with the reeds on which they impinge a
perfect coincidence of tone will result, free from the admixture of noise.
Variable quality or character of tone may also be obtained by other
suitable pitches of concordant ratio, or by giving to these reeds pitches
of very wide interval. I sometimes apply the pneumatic vibrating
bellows (set forth under the fifth head of the Invention) to these
duplicate reeds, so that they may be acted upon either singly or in series,
and used to excite vibration in other reeds or strings or rods or tuning
• forks. There is a great distinction to be noticed between these per-
cussion reeds and percussion hammers. The former are not hammers
properly so called, but reeds graduated in pitch, and they possess the
power of sympathetic vibration in their percussive action; they may also
be used and arranged with an attachment to or connected with the
larger reeds and through them with strings.
The ninth improvement is shewn at Fig. 9, and consists of an equi-
tensile oblique lever spring to be applied to the bellows of organs in
place of weights where such weights are inapplicable. This arrange-
ment is calculated to produce an even or nearly even pressure during thie
ascent and descent of the bellows. The oblique lever is fixed by a
hinge joint t¹ to the reservoir board. It is formed of two rods or bars
jointed together, as shewn in the Drawing, and provided with a wheel w
at or below the joint, and so placed that it will move freely when pressing
against a supporting board. The second of these rods inclines upward
and pushes against a helical spring a coiled on another rod fixed hori-
zontally upon the reservoir board, so that when the movement of the
reservoir under inflation extends the angle of inclination of the oblique
lever the spring will be compressed by the pushing of the lever, and
thus a compensation ensues, as at the same time the resistance of the
spring is increasing the power of the lever is also increasing as the
angle of inclination changes, although the resistance to the expansion
of the reservoir remains no greater at the latter than at the earlier stages
of descent or ascent, as the case may be, for the action is the same for a
bellows made with a rising reservoir as in organs intended to be weighted

page_text: as for bellows made with a descending reservoir intended to be moved by
variable spiral springs. The advantages of this compensating oblique
lever spring are that the carrying of weights may be dispensed with, and
that harmonium bellows may be adapted to organ style of playing
without need of reversal of position. Two or more springs are necessary
to ensure a balanced action. The springs may also be coiled in other
forms, or may be flat or of any suitable elastic character, or india-rubber
springs may be employed if preferred.
The tenth improvement consists in the use of a suction pallet or valve,
which is applied to the channel communicating with free reeds. Large
pedal reeds are very slow in speech when used with a pressure of wind
suitable to the reeds of the manual registers. I overcome this defect by
the use of a valve made like a bellows, by preference of the shape called
diagonal, but not necessarily allowing escape of wind. This improve-.
ment is shown at Fig. 10, in which it will be seen that above the reed m
is constructed a cavity or box w, in the top of which are made two
openings. One opening is covered by the valve 20' and the other com-
municates with the bellows y. This latter is worked by trackers, levers,
and rods connected to the tail piece y', as shewn in the Drawing, and
when the tracker is drawn forward the bell-crank lever ¹ and the
tail y' of the bellows will be brought into the position shewn by dots in
the Drawing. This will raise the lid y² of the bellows and suck air from
the cavity w, and produce suction on the reed m, thus aiding the forma-
tion of the partial vacuum essential to the initial motion of the reed.
It will be seen that the suction pallet is so arranged that by its continued
upward movement it will open the pallet w¹ for the outlet of sound, as
indicated by the dotted lines in the Figure. On closing the pallet by.
the rising of the pedal or key, the suction pallet y being pressed back
by the spring x, resumes its original closed position ready for renewed
action when called upon.
Z
The eleventh improvement is a touch bar for regulating to a minute
degree the depth of touch assigned to the keys, and it is adjustable at
the option of the player before or during the performance. This improve-
ment is shown at Figures 11 and 12, Fig. 11 being a front view of part
of the keyboard of a harmonium or pianoforte, and Fig. 12 a section at
right angles to Fig. 11. The touch bar 6 extends under the keys the
whole length of the keyboard, and it is covered with soft felt for the
keys to strike upon. It is hinged to the key frame by the links c, c,

page_text: Sixth. The modes, herein shewn and described, of connecting the reed
with the string for the purpose of communicating the vibration of the
one to the other.
Seventh. Imparting an initial vibration to heavy strings or stiff reeds
by striking them with a hammer, as herein set forth, so that when once
set in slight vibration they will be made to speak promptly when the
wind from the wind chest begins to act upon them.
Eighth. The adaptation or application to stiff, stubborn, or heavy
reeds of organs or harmoniums of small additional light reeds with
loaded tips, which when set in vibration will strike the heavy or stiff
reeds, and impart to them an initial vibration, as and for the purpose
hercin set forth.
Ninth. The application to organ or harmonium bellows of an equi-
tensile oblique lever spring, as herein set forth.
Tenth. The application of a suction pallet or valve to the channel
communicating with the free reed, as- and for the purpose herein set
forth. .
Eleventh. The application to the manuals of organs and harmoniums
of an adjustable touch bar for regulating in a minute degree the depth
of touch or extent of motion of the keys, as and for the purpose herein
set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Hermann Smith, have hereunnto set
my hand and seal, the Fifteenth day of May, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five.
HERMANN SMITH. (L.S.)