Year: 1886

page_text: I JAMES CLARK of 24 Somerset Buildings Bath in the county of Somerset Organ
Builder do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to simplify and improve the construction of organs
by confining all mechanical movements and arrangements to the consoles or there-
abouts and performing and governing all the motions required in the bodies of the
instruments by pneumatic apparatus. The consoles therefore can be placed in any
positions in respect of the bodies of the organs and at any distances therefrom
without entailing any greater expense than is caused by the lengthening of the
tubes of the pneumatic apparatus. This pneumatic apparatus also produces a very
light and agreeable touch and as there is no mechanical apparatus in the bodies
of the instruments all parts of the organs are easy of access and are also not so
liable to get out of order as is commonly the case.
To carry out this object I place small wind chests under or near the keys and
the stops and the pedals which are supplied with wind at a greater pressure than
that allowed to enter the soundboards and in these wind chests are fitted one or
more valves to each key and stop and pedal in such a manner that the depression
of a key or pedal or the drawing out of a stop opens the corresponding valve or
valves and allows the wind so under pressure in the wind chest to enter a tube
leading to the soundboard.
The soundboards for this my invention are constructed as follows.
In each soundboard on which the pipes stand in the usual manner are formed a
series of longitudinal wind chests one wind chest being so formed for each stop of
the instrument related to that soundboard which longitudinal wind chests are all
connected by separate grooves with a transverse wind chest.
The tubes connected with the small wind chest and governed as aforesaid by the
stops are led to the transverse wind chest and in the end of each tube is properly
fitted a pneumatic piston the rod of which passes into the transverse wind chest
and actuates a valve seated over the end of the corresponding groove. Thus when
a stop is drawn out the wind in the small wind chest is allowed thereby to enter
the corresponding tube and by forcing the piston forwards to open the corre
sponding valve whereby the wind in the transverse wind chest is allowed to pass
therefrom through the groove into the longitudinal wind chest of that stop.
Below the longitudinal wind chests pass the tubes connected with the small wind
chests and governed as aforesaid by the keys and the pedals and for each of these

page_text: wind chests a separate branch or recess is made in each tube in each of which
branches or recesses is properly fitted a pneumatic piston the rod of which passes
into the wind chest and actuates a valve seated over the end of a groove leading to
a pipe. Thus when a key or a pedal is depressed the wind in the small wind
chest is allowed thereby to enter the corresponding tube and by forcing all the
pistons in the branches or recesses of that tube forwards to open the valves of the
corresponding pipes of which pipes obviously only that or those which is or are
connected with the particular wind chest or chests to which wind has been admitted
by the stop or stops as before described will speak or sound.
When the stop has been pushed in or the key or the pedal has been released the
pressure is removed from behind the piston by the closing of the valve or valves
governing the tube leading to the same and the piston returns to its seat allowing
and causing the valve connected there with to close to assist which operation also
I preferably allow a little play both in the piston and in the rod thereof that passes
into the wind chest so that a little wind can pass round the same but to prevent
this occurring when the piston is forced forwards to open the valve connected.
therewith I can very conveniently place a piece of leather or other suitable
material round the rod and attached to the wall of the wind chest or otherwise
against which the piston will press when so forced forwards and prevent any wind
passing through the aperture through which the rod passes and works while the
piston is in this position. For the same cause also I preferably make the line of
motion of the piston inclined or vertical and not horizontal so as to utilize the
weight of the same and if and when I should so desire I can also fit springs or any
other usual or convenient appliances to cause the valve to return to its seat.
The coupling of the different rows of keys and the pedals as also the stops in
the desired order can be effected by tubes connecting such of the tubes as are
actuated and governed by the keys and the pedals as also by the stops in any
manner as may be desired so that when the wind in the small wind chest is
admitted into one tube as aforesaid the wind can pass by. the connecting tube to
another tube and these connecting tubes are opened and closed by any suitable or
usual valves which may be actuated in any manner as may be desired whether
singly or in rows or ranks or otherwise.

page_text: I JAMES CLARK of 24 Somerset Building Bath in the county of Somerset Organ
Builder do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
The object of my invention is to simplify and improve the construction of organs
by confining all mechanical movements and arrangements to the consoles thereof or
thereabouts and performing and governing all the motions required in the bodies
of the instruments by pneumatic apparatus. The consoles therefore can be placed
in any positions in respect of the bodies of the organs and at any distances there-
from without entailing any greater expense than is caused by the lengthening of
the tubes of the pneumatic apparatus. This pneumatic apparatus also produces a
very light agreeable and responsive touch capable of very rapid repetition and as
there is no mechanical apparatus in the bodies of the instruments all parts of the
organs are easy of access and are not so liable to get out of order as is commonly
the case.
To carry out my aforesaid object I arrange small wind chests under or near
or above the keys and the stops and the pedals which are supplied with wind at a
greater pressure than the wind that is allowed to enter the soundboards and this
wind so under pressure is caused by each key and stop and pedal to actuate the
required corresponding part in the body of the organ to produce the desired effect
in manner as is hereafter particularly described.
In order the more clearly to explain my invention and in what manner the same
is to be performed I refer to the accompanying drawing in which I have shewn
vertical sections of such several and various parts of an organ fitted with my
apparatus as is necessary to exhibit the same and the figures in this drawing will
hereafter be described and referred to as and when required.
In Figure 1 the wind chests A are the wind chests for the keys one being
arranged longitudinally for each row of keys and preferably horizontally just below
the same and in each wind chest A a valve B is fitted for each key and is con-
nected therewith by the wire B¹ or otherwise in such a manner that the depression
of a key opens the corresponding valve B and allows the wind under pressure in
the wind chest A to pass therefrom to the tube D. When these wind chests are
constructed as shown in the drawing which method of construction I consider to
be very convenient it is obvious that the part of the wind chest in which the wind
is so under pressure as aforesaid which part is marked A is common to all the keys
and extends along the whole row while that part marked A¹ to which this wind
is admitted as aforesaid by the opening of the valve B consists of a number of
chambers one such chamber being formed for each key valve and tube or for each
note of the manual.
In Figure 2 the wind chest a is the wind chest for the pedals being arranged
longitudinally for the row of pedals and preferably horizontally just above the same
in which wind chest a a valve b is fitted for each pedal and is connected therewith
by the wire 61 or otherwise in such a manner that the depression of a pedal opens

page_text: the corresponding valve b and allows the wind under pressure in the wind chest a
to pass therefrom to the tube d. When this wind chest is constructed as shewn
in the drawing in like manner as hereinbefore described the part a of the wind
chest is common to all the pedals while the part a¹ consists of a number of separate
chambers.
In Figure 3 the wind chest A A is the wind cheat for the stops being arranged
for all the stops on the one side and preferably vertically just behind the same in
which wind chest A A a valve B B is fitted for each stop and is connected there-
with by the wire BB¹ or otherwise in such a manner that the drawing out of a stop
opens the corresponding valve B B and allows the wind under pressure in the wind
chest A A to pass therefrom to the tube D D.
Figure 4 is a transverse section of part of one of the soundboards of the organ.
Figure 5 is a longitudinal section of the same taken at ef in Figure 4.
In each soundboard E on which the pipes F stand in the usual manner are
formed a series of longitudinal wind chests H one of such wind chests H being so
formed for each stop of the instrument related to and connected with that
particular soundboard which longitudinal wind chests H are all connected by
separate grooves I with a transverse wind chest K and connected with each longi-
tudinal wind chest H by the grooves L are all the pipes F actuated by the keys or
pedals and governed by the one stop.
The tubes D D connected with the small wind chest A. A and governed as
aforesaid by the stops are led to the transverse wind chest K and the end of each
tube D D is so constructed and formed as to receive and to allow properly to work
therein a pneumatic piston M the rod of which passes through the closed end of
the tube D D into the transverse wind chest K and is connected to or actuates a
valve N seated over the end of the corresponding groove I leading into the longi-
tudinal wind chest H.
Thus when a stop is drawn out the wind in the small wind chest A. A is allowed
by the opening of the valve B B to enter the corresponding tubė D D and as the wind
in the small wind chest A A is as aforesaid at a greater pressure than the wind
that is allowed to enter the soundboard the piston M is forced forwards thus
opening the corresponding valve N whereby the wind in the transverse wind
chest K is allowed to pass therefrom through the groove I into the longitudinal
wind chest H of that stop.
The tubes D connected with the small wind chest A. and governed as aforesaid
by the keys are led to tubes P which pass transversely below the longitudinal wind
chests H and can very conveniently be formed as shewn in and with the sound-
boards and for each of these longitudinal wind chests H a separate branch or
recess R is made in each tube P in each of which branches or recesses R is
properly fitted a pneumatic piston T the rod of which passes through the closed end
of the branch or recess R into the longitudinal wind chest H and is connected to or
actuates a valve V. seated over the end of the corresponding groove L leading to
the pipe F.
Thus when a key is depressed the wind in the small wind chest A is allowed by
the opening of the valve B to enter the corresponding tube D and thence passes to
the connected tube P and as the wind in the small wind chest A is as aforesaid at
à greater pressure than the wind that is allowed to enter the soundboard all the
pistons T in the branches or recesses R of this tube P are forced forwards thus
opening all the corresponding valves V governing the grooves L leading to the
pipes F of which pipes F obviously only that or those which is or are connected
with the particular longitudinal wind chest or chests H to which wind has been
admitted by the stop or stops as herein before described will speak or sound.
In the same manner the soundboards of the pedal organs can be fitted and the
pedal pipes can be caused to speak or sound by the depression of the pedals being
governed in such speaking or sounding by the stops in a similar manner.
Figure 6 is a transverse section of part of one of the soundboards of the organ
shewing an alternative method of fitting the branches or recesses the pistons the

page_text: valves and the grooves and in the drawing I shew this soundboard as fitted in and
with the pedal organ though the same may also be used in connection with the
manuals instead of that hereinbefore described.
The tubes d connected with the small wind chest a and governed as aforesaid by
the pedals are led to tubes P¹ which pass transversely below the longitudinal wind
chests Hand can very conveniently be formed as shewn in and with the sound-
boards and for each of these longitudinal wind chests H' a separate cylinder R¹ is
connected to each tube P¹ in each of which cylinders R¹ is properly fitted a pneu-
matic piston T the rod of which passes through the closed end of the cylinder R¹.
The groove L¹ leading to the pipe F can rest on the closed end of the cylinder R
and the mouth of the groove L is formed on the upper side thereof as shewn so
that the valve V₁ is seated over this mouth and can be connected by the rod with
the piston T¹.
Thus also in manner as herein before described when a pedal is depressed all the
valves connected with the one tube P¹ are opened and the pipe or pipes F1 that
is or are connected with the particular longitudinal wind chest or chests H to which
wind has been admitted by the stop or stops as herein before described will speak
or sound.
When the stop has been pushed in or the key or the pedal has been released the
pressure is removed from behind the piston by the closing of the valve governing
the tube leading to the same and the piston returns to its seat causing or allowing
the valve in connection there with to close to assist which action also I preferably
allow a little play both in the piston and in the rod thereof that passes into the
wind chest so that a little wind can pass round the same but to prevent this
occurring when the piston is forced forwards to open the valve in connection there-
with I can very conveniently place a piece of leather or other suitable material
round the rod and attached to the wall or end of the tube or the branch or recess
or the cylinder or otherwise against which the piston will press when so forced
forwards and prevent any wind passing through the aperture through which the
rod works while the piston is in this position. For the same cause and with the
same object I also preferably make the line of motion of the piston inclined or
vertical as shewn in the drawing and not horizontal so as to utilize the weight of
the same and if and when I should so desire I can also fit springs or any other
usual or convenient appliances or devices to assist the action of the wind in the
wind chest and to cause and compel the valve very quickly to return to its seat.
The coupling of the different rows of keys or manuals and the pedals as also the
stops in the desired order can be effected by tubes connecting such of the tubes as
are governed as aforesaid by the keys and by the pedals as also by the stops in any
manner as may be desired so that when the wind in the small wind chest is
admitted into one tube as herein before described the wind can pass through and by
the connecting tube to another tube and these connecting tubes are governed by
any usual or suitable valves which may be actuated in any manner as may be
desired whether singly or in rows or ranks or otherwise.
When however the small wind chests are constructed and formed as shewn in
the drawing I preferably effect the required coupling in the following manner.
A series of apertures or passages Ware made one of which connects each of the
separate chambers A¹ of the wind chest of the one row of keys with the corre-
sponding or other separate chamber A¹ of the wind chest of another row of keys
and all these apertures or passages W are governed by a slide W¹ wherein are
made a similar series, of apertures and therefore when this slide W₁ is moved
longitudinally in the wind chest all the apertures or passages W can be simul-
taneously opened or closed and thus any two manuals can be coupled together as
is desired.
To couple the pedals to the manuals a series of tubes X are made one of which
connects each of the separate chambers a³ of the wind chest of the pedals with the
corresponding or other separate chamber A¹ of the wind chest of one of the rows
of keys and all these tubes ✗ so connected with the wind chest of one of the rows

page_text: of keys are governed by a slide Z wherein also are made a series of apertures cor-
responding with the mouths of the tubes X and therefore when this slide Z is
moved longitudinally in the wind chest all the tubes X can be simultaneously
opened or closed and thus the pedals can be coupled to any manual or manuals as
is desired. In the drawing I have shewn the tubes X that couple the pedals with
the lower manual as closed while the tubes X that couple the pedals with the
upper manual are open.
In the same manner when there are more than two manuals these manuals may
be coupled with each other and with the pedals and no further description is or can
be needed.
+
I have thus described and I have shewn in the drawing a very convenient and
suitable method of and details for carrying out and performing this my invention
but I would have it clearly understood that I do not limit myself to the exact
forms and proportions and methods of construction and fitting of the several parts
of my apparatus as so shewn for the same may be varied at pleasure and all the.
several parts of this my apparatus and of these my improvements in organs may
be made of such forms and proportions and may be constructed and fitted and
connected together in such a manner as may be desirable or convenient or suitable
in each particular case.
Having now. particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. In the soundboards of organs the combination of the transverse wind chests
with the valves governing the grooves leading to the longitudinal wind chests the
longitudinal wind chests with the valves governing the grooves leading to the pipes
and the pistons by which the aforesaid valves are actuated substantially as herein-
before described and set forth.
2. The combination with the stops of an organ of the wind chest A A. the
valves B B the tubes D D the pistons M the valves N and the transverse wind
chest K substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described and declared.
3. The combination with the keys or pedals of an organ of the wind chest A the
valves B the tubes D and P the branches or recesses R the pistons T the valves V
and the longitudinal wind chests H substantially as and for the purpose herein-
before described and declared.
4. The combination with the keys or pedals of an organ of the wind chest a the
valves b the tubes d and P¹ the cylinders R' the pistons T the valves V₁ and the
longitudinal wind chests H¹ substantially as and for the purpose herein before
described and declared.
5. The combination with the wind chests A of the separate chambers At the
apertures or passages W and the slide W substantially as and for the purpose
herein before described and declared.
6. The combination with the wind chests a and A of the separate chambers al
and A¹ the connecting tubes X and the slide Z substantially as and for the purpose
hereinbefore described and declared.
D11:01
At 1000