A New or Improved Musical Instrument.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Jan., 1894-Accepted, 24th Feb., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Musical Instrument.
We, EMIL BRENDEL, and MORITZ KLÖSSER, both of Mittweida, Saxony in
the German Empire, Merchants 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 :-
Our invention relates to a new or improved musical instrument of the accordion
or concertina type. Such instrument is mounted on hollow standards or supports,
that serve to convey compressed air to one or more series of keys which are fitted
with sounding boxes that are constructed to act as sounding boards and are provided
with air valves whereby the supply of compressed air to such sounding boxes is
regulated. The keys are connected with bellows which are worked by pedals
and the dimensions of such bellows are regulated by the size of the instrument.
When the pedals are operated the compressed air is conveyed through the hollow
standards or supports to the sounding boxes and keys, and on manipulating the
keys the tones or sounds are produced. The bellows are fitted internally with
springs by which the bellows are automatically expanded when released from the
pressure of the operator's feet. The air regulating valves are opened and closed
as required by means of suitable levers. In playing the instrument the keys are
manipulated with the hands and the pedals with the feet.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a front view, partly in external and partly in sectional elevation, of a
musical instrument made according to our invention, and Figure 2 is a plan view
thereof.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both figures, thus :—
a, bellows. b, expanding springs. c, hollow standards or supports. d, sounding
boxes. e, keys. fair regulating valves. 9 levers for opening and closing such
valves. pedal irons into which the player puts his feet in order to work the
bellows. cover of bellows. ; hook and eye for securing such cover.
The advantages.of our new and improved instrument over the ordinary accordion
or concertina are as follows, viz.: 1° It is far easier to play, as owing to the
bellows being worked by the feet the hands of the performer are at perfect liberty
to manipulate the keys. 2° As the performer can augment or diminish the action
of the bellows at will, he is enabled to mark the rhythm of the music distinctly and
emphatically. 3° Much larger bellows can be used, whereby a much fuller and
richer tone is obtained, the volume of which is not affected by any fluctuations in
the air pressure as occurs with the accordion. 4° The shape and appearance of the
instrument adapts it for use in drawing rooms and other places, where an accordion
or concertina would not be suitable.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
•
A musical instrument of the accordion or concertina type, mounted on hollow
supports through which compressed air is conveyed to one or more rows of keys,
provided with sounding boxes constructed to act as sounding boards, and furnished
with valves that regulate the supply of compressed air to the keys, and which keys
are connected with bellows actuated by pedals, and fitted with expanding springs, all

page_text: constructed, arranged, combined, and fitted, substantially as hereinbefore described
and shewn,
Dated this 19th day of January 1894.
ELT & Co.,
33, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for Applicants.