Improvements in Automatic Musical Instruments.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Dec., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 16th Sept., 1890-Accepted, 1st Nov.,
1890
[Communicated Tom
тооктун, CW 1UTA,
States of America, Manufacturer.]
Improvements in Automatic Musical Instruments.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:
This improvement relates to musical instruments of the kind, which are by some
persons designated mechanical musical instruments and by others called automatic
musical instruments.
In this class of instruments a travelling music sheet, card, or tablet controls the
mechanism which causes the speaking of the sound producing devices.
This improvement consists in the combination in such an instrument of force bellows
for operating the sound producing devices, pneumatic motors connected to valves
whereby the admission of air to the sound producing devices is controlled and exhaust
bellows for operating the valves controlling the pneumatic motors.
The pneumatic motors are controlled by the music sheet, card or tablet of the
instrument.
There will preferably be combined with the above a motor for propelling the music
sheet, card or tablet. When this motor is used it will be operated by the exhaust
bellows.
The sound producing devices mentioned preferably communicate with a wind chest
common to all or a number of them, and their controlling valves govern their
communication with the wind chest. The valves controlling the communication
between this wind chest and the sound producing devices are preferably operated by
pneumatic motors arranged in the wind chest. These pneumatic motors will be
controlled by valves operated by other pneumatic motors which communicate with an
exhaust wind chest and are controlled by the music sheet, card or tablet.
In an instrument made according to this improvement, the exhaust bellows serve to
operate under the control of the music sheet, card or tablet, those parts of the
instrument which effect the operation of the valves whereby the motors effecting the
speaking of the sound producing devices are controlled, and withal, the motors which
effect the speaking of the sound producing devices are operated by force bellows.
Dated this 23rd day of December 1889.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Musical Instruments.
.I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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:-
This improvement relates to musical instruments of the kind which are by some
persons designated mechanical musical instruments and by others called automatic
musical instruments.
In this class of instruments a travelling music sheet, card, or tablet controls the
mechanism which causes the speaking of the sound producing devices.

page_text: This improvement consists in the combination in such an instrument of force bellows
for operating the sound producing devices, pneumatic motors connected to valves
whereby the admission of air to the sound producing devices is controlled, and exhaust
bellows for operating the valves controlling the pneumatic motors.
The pneumatic motors are controlled by the music sheet, card or tablet of the
instrument.
There will preferably be combined with the above a motor for propelling the music
sheet, card or tablet. When this motor is used it will be operated by the exhaust
bellows.
The sound producing devices mentioned preferably communicate with a wind chest
common to all or a number of them, and their controlling valves govern their
communication with the wind chest. The valves controlling the communication
between this wind chest and the sound producing devices are preferably operated by
pneumatic motors arranged in the wind chest. These pneumatic motors will be
controlled by valves operated by other pneumatic motors which communicate with an
exhaust wind chest and are controlled by the music sheet, card or tablet.
In an instrument made according to this improvement, the exhaust bellows serve to
operate under the control of the music sheet, card or tablet, those parts of the
instrument which effect the operation of the valves whereby the motors effecting the
speaking of the sound producing devices are controlled, and withal, the motors which
effect the speaking of the sound producing devices are operated by force bellows..
The accompanying drawing is a vertical section of the parts of an organ embodying
my improvement.
A designates one of a number of force bellows. B designates a receiver into which
air is forced by said bellows A. C designates one of a number of exhaust bellows.
D designates an equalizer which communicates with the bellows C. The bellows A C
are shown as connected by a link E. This link is connected by a rod with a pedal or
with any other source of power employed to operate the bellows.
G designates one of a number of pipes. It is shown as communicating at the lower
end with a chamber G¹. There will be for each pipe a separate chamber like the
chamber G¹. Each chamber G¹ is controlled by a valve G2 which is arranged on the
under side of said chamber and in a wind chest H. The valves G2 for a number of
pipes may be arranged in the wind chest H. Each valve G2 is normally pressed
upwardly to its seat by a spring G³. With each valve G2 is combined a pneumatic
motor I. I have shown the pneumatic motor I as made in the form of a small bellows
and as having the movable board connected by a link, J, with the corresponding
valve G2. The motor I is arranged in the wind chest H. A number of them may
be arranged in the same wind chest.
It will be readily understood that when a motor I is collapsed it will pull down
the corresponding valve G2 and thereby allow air to flow from the wind chest H into
the chamber G₁ controlled by such valve and thus into the pipe G communicating
therewith.
Air is supplied to the wind chest H by the bellows A through a pipe K and branch
pipe K. The pipe K also supplies air to another wind chest L.
Each pneumatic motor I communicates independently of the others with the wind
chest L or with the atmosphere according to the position of a pair of valves which are
employed in connection with it. As here shown, the bottom of the wind chest H is
provided with a series of ducts M, one communicating with each pneumatic motor I.
Each duct M communicates through a pipe or conduit M¹ with a duct M2 here shown
as located in the top of the air chamber L, and extending horizontally thereon. Each
duct M2 terminates in a vertical extension communicating at one end with the
atmosphere and at the other end with the interior of the wind chest L. Combined
with the vertical extension of each duct M² are a pair of valves M3 M4. The valve M
of each pair is on the outer side of the wind chest Land controls the communication
of the corresponding duct M2 with the atmosphere. The valve M* of each pair is
arranged inside the chamber L and controls the communication of the corresponding

page_text: duct M2 with the interior of the chamber. Between the valves M³ M* of each pair is
a pin m extending through the vertical extension of the corresponding duct M2, and
made of such length that when one of the valves of each pair moves to its seat the
other valve of each pair will be forced to move away from its seat. Springs, m³ m
are combined with each pair of valves M³ M' to force them to their seats when this
becomes possible. The valves, their springs and appurtenant parts are so o. organized
that normally the valves M3 will be closed and the valves M' open, hence communi-
cation will normally exist between the wind chest L and the interior of the pneumatic
motors I. Owing to this the valves G² will be normally held to their seats to prevent
the passage of air to the pipes G.
The opening or raising of a valve M³ will permit the opposite valve M to rise to
its seat. In this way, communication between the air chamber and the duct and tube
corresponding to the pair of valves thus operated will be cut off and said duct will be
put in communication with the atmosphere. When this occurs the compressed air
within the corresponding pneumatic motor I will be allowed to escape through the
duct M, pipe M₁ and duct M². Then the motor I will collapse and pull down the
corresponding valve G². The speaking of the corresponding pipe G will thus be
effected.
The
I will now explain how the opening of a valve M³. is effected. N designates a rod
working in guides, n, and impinging at the upper end against the under side of the
valve M³. At the lower end it is supported by a pneumatic motor 0. This motor is.
made in the form of a bellows and the movable board is provided with an extension
upon which the rod N rests. A number of the motors are arranged on the under
side of a wind chest P. There will be one of these motors for each note.
wind chest P communicates through a pipe or duct Q with the equalizer D, hence
the air pressure within the wind chest P is less than ordinary atmospheric pressure..
Each of the motors has combined with it a duct 0¹. As shown, the duct (₁ is formed
partly in one upright wall and partly in the top of the wind chest P: At the end
farthest from the motor it has a vertical extension opening at one end into the
atmosphere at the other end into the wind chest P. Valves 030 are combined with
each duct 01. They extend across the vertical extension of the corresponding duct O¹:
The valves 03 are on the outside of the wind chest P, but the valves 0 are on the
inside. Between each pair of valves 030 is a pin which extends through the vertical
extension of the corresponding duct O' and is sufficiently long to prevent both valves
of a pair being closed at the same time. A spring 0 tends to force each valve 0³ to
its seat. A spring 07 operates to force each valve (³ to its seat when this is possible.
The spring 06 07 of each pair of valves 03 04 are so organized that normally
the valves will be closed and- the-valves 03 will be open, hence the interiors of the
motors will be in communication normally with the atmosphere and said motors
will be expanded.
The valves 0 for a number of notes may all be arranged in the wind chest P. Each
valve 0 has an extension whereby a pneumatic motor R may operate it. There will
be a pneumatic motor R for each note and motors for each valve 0. The pneumatic
motors R may be made severally in the form of a small bellows. The interior of each
communicates with a duct R¹. The ducts R¹ extend, as here shown, along the top of
the wind chest P and upwardly in a tracker or rest R. In the tracker or rest is a
duct R for each note. A music sheet, S, is passed over the top of the tracker or
rest. It is perforated and therefore acts as a valve to control the passage of air
through the ducts R. When air from the atmosphere enters any duct R¹. the
corresponding motor R will be expanded. This will cause the opening of the
corresponding valve 0 and the closing of the opposite valve 03. When this occurs
the corresponding motor will cease to be in communication with the atmosphere
and will be put into communication with the interior of the wind chest P. As the air
in the wind chest P is attenuated the air under atmospheric pressure within the
motor will rush into the wind chest P. This will occasion the collapse of the motor..
When it is thus collapsed it will raise the corresponding valve M³ and effect the

page_text: closing of the opposite valve M*.
effected.
It will be observed that there is a combination of exhaust bellows and force bellows
in an instrument made as described and that the exhaust bellows serve to operate
under the control of the music sheet those parts which effect the operation of the valves
that control the motors which effect the speaking of the sound producing devices, but
that these motors which effect the speaking of the sound producing devices are operated
by the force bellows.
In this manner the speaking of a note will be
The music sheet may be operated in the ordinary manner and the power necessary
for moving it in either direction may be supplied by the exhaust bellows. I have
represented for this purpose a wind motor W of a well-known type consisting of
alternately collapsing chambers controlled by a valve and operating a crank shaft
which is belted to the music sheet rollers or to shafts geared with said rollers.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is:
1. In an
automatic musical instrument the combination of force bellows for
operating the sound producing devices, pneumatic motors connected to the valves to
admit air to the sound producing devices and an exhaust bellows for operating the
valves controlling the said pneumatic motors, substantially as specified.
2. In an automatic musical instrument the combination of a music sheet, a motor
for propelling the same, an exhaust bellows for operating said motor, a force bellows
for operating the sound producing devices, valves controlling the speaking of the
Bound producing devices actuated by said force bellows and operating the valves
which control the speaking of the sound producing devices, and other pneumatic
motors operated by said exhaust bellows under control of the music sheet and serving
to effect the operation of the pneumatic motors to cause the speaking of the sound
producing devices, substantially as specified.
3. In an automatic musical instrument the combination of sound producing devices,
a wind chest adapted to communicate therewith, valves controlling the communication
of said wind chest with the sound producing devices, force bellows communicating
with said wind chest, pneumatic motors arranged in said wind chest and operating said
valves, valves controlling these pneumatic motors, an exhaust wind chest, exhaust bellows
communicating therewith, pneumatic motors communicating under control of valves
with this exhaust wind chest, connections between the pneumatic motors of the exhaust
wind chest and the valves which control the operation of the pneumatic motors serving
to actuate the valves which cause the speaking of the sound producing devices and a
music sheet controlling the pneumatic motors of the exhaust wind chest, substantially
as specified.
4. In an automatic musical instrument the combination of sound producing devices,
a wind chest, force bellows communicating with the wind chest, valves controlling the
communication of the wind chest with the sound producing devices, pneumatic motors
operating the valves and valves arranged in pairs, one of each pair being inside and
the other of each pair being outside a wind chest communicating with the force bellows
and said pairs of valves serving to establish communication between the pneumatic
motors and the atmosphere or between the pneumatic motors and the force bellows,
substantially as specified.
5. In an automatic musical instrument, the combination of a wind chest, T, sound
producing devices adapted to communicate therewith, valves G³, controlling the
communication of the wind chest, H, with the sound producing devices, pneumatic
motors, I, for operating said valve, a wind chest L communicating with the force
bellows, pairs of valves M³ M' arranged upon this wind chest L, ducts controlled by
said pairs of valves and communicating with the said pneumatic motors, an exhaust
wind chest P,pneumatic motors O arranged uponthe windchest P,ducts communicating
with the motors O and extending to the interior of the wind chest P and to the

page_text: atmosphere, pairs of valves 030 controlling these ducts, pneumatic motors B in the
wind chest P, ducts communicating with the motors R and a music sheet controlling
the ducts, substantially as specified.
Dated this 16th day of September 1890.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.