IMPROVEMENTS IN ORGANS
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Martin Benson, of No. 9, Southampton Buildings,
London, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ORGANS."-A com-
munication from abroad by Riley Burdett, of Chicago, Illinois,
United States of America.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Martin Benson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and
Declaration, on the 24th June 1871, pursuant to the 9th Section
of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MARTIN
BENSON, of No. 9, Southampton Buildings, London, send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN ORGANS," and have petitioned Her Majesty to grant unto me, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, Her Royal Letters Patent for
the same, and have made solemn Declaration that the same is a com-
.

page_text: this I have devised a cut-off valve to prevent the flow of wind, except
under bellows pressure, sufficient to produce a full musical note from
the pipe if the valve is opened. The pipes are therefore prevented
from speaking except under proper pressure of wind.
The cut-off valve A is located in the wind trunk B. It is shown
in perspective in Figure 2, and in elevation in Figure 3. The valve A
is mounted at the end of a lever C, which has its bearings in two small
blocks secured to the cover of the trunk B, and it is operated by means
of an arm D which projects from a rock shaft E, the outer end of which
forms a crank F outside of the wind trunk. In large instruments said
crank may be made separate and attached in any proper or convenient
way. When the crank F is depressed the valve A is raised from its
seat, and the wind is then permitted to pass into the wind trunk G, and
thence to the wind chest A", whereupon stand the organ pipes B", B",
and when said crank is raised the valve A. closes upon its seat and cuts
off the flow of wind.
These motions of the valve A are made automatic, and may be
produced at the proper time by a variety of means, the simplest of
which is that shewn in Figure 2 of the Drawings, by a long lever H
pivoted to the centre board I of the bellows, as shewn, or to any other
convenient stationary part of the instrument; said lever is connected to
the crank F by means of a link J, and is actuated upon the rising or
falling of the bellows by means of two studs K, L, fixed upon the
bellows, the one to open said valve after the bellows has commenced to
be inflated, and the other to close the same before the bellows has
become completely exhausted. When the bellows has become inflated
sufficiently to produce the normal pressure in the wind trunk its
further inflation causes the stud K to strike the lever H and push it up
so as to open the valve A. The lever H will remain in that position
until encountered by the stud L, and thereby pushed downward again so
as to effect the closing of the valve before the wind pressure in the
bellows is completely exhausted.
What I claim as to this part of my Invention is, in combination with
the bellows of an organ, the cut-off valve A or its equivalent, connected
with said bellows by suitable mechanism to make said valve automatic
to prevent the flow of wind to the pipes, except when under bellows
pressure, sufficient to produce a proper tone, as set forth.

page_text: Second. It has been discovered that variation in temperature affect
the pitch of organ pipes, so that when the same are tuned in accord with
free reeds a thermal change of a few degrees will cause them to produce
a sensible discord. It has also been discovered that a pitch of an organ
pipe may be caused to vary by increasing or diminishing the bellows
pressure. Heretofore it has only been customary to correct the pressure
by means of sliding weights. This method is frequently inconvenient,
and I have devised the following method of avoiding the necessity of
moving weights to vary the pitch of the pipe. For this purpose I place
above the bellows a lever M pivoted at one end to some stationary part
of the instrument, see Figure 2. Between said lever and the top of
the bellows is a carefully adjusted spring N. The tension of said spring
may be increased or diminished by depressing or raising the free end of
the lever M, and said lever is placed under control of the performer by
means of the rod O, which is pivoted to said lever and extends up and
through the casing of the instrument to some point convenient to the
hand of the performer. A thumbscrew P serves to move the rod O and
lever M in the direction desired. The rod O is pivoted to the lever M
near to the pivoted point of said lever, so that the greatest movement at
one end of the lever may be effected by a small movement of the screw.
If it should from any cause be necessary to remove the rod O from the
instrument, it would be inconvenient to detach the screw P, and there-
fore said screw is made separate and detachable; but when in operative
position their proper connection is secured by the pointed end of the
screw entering a corresponding socket in the upper end of said rod.
What I claim as to this part of my Invention is, the adjusting screw P
and rod O connected as described, and combined with the lever M and
spring N, or their equivalents, substantially as set forth.
Third. In addition to the inconvenience of moving weights for the
purpose of regulating the bellows pressure it has heretofore been neces-
sary to sound the instrument to determine when the proper pressure had
been attained: This is frequently inconvenient and objectionable, and I
have devised the method described in this part of my Invention, by
means of which the necessity to sound the instrument is avoided.
The free end of the lever M is extended some distance beyond the
spring N, and at the extremity of said lever is placed an index rod Q,
which projects upward (or in any other direction) to some point in

page_text: view of the performer. The end of said index rod is arranged to traverso
over a graduated scale R, as the lever M may be moved up or down.
The scale R is graduated to correspond with degrees of temperature, as
indicated by the thermometer (which must be kept in the room occupied
by the instrument, and may be conveniently placed by the side of the
scale R, as shewn in Figure 2). When the instrument is tuned the
lever M is adjusted so that the under point of Q will rest upon the scale R
at a point marked to correspond with the temperature of the air at the
time. If at any subsequent time the performer finds a temperature differ-
ing from the temperature at the time of tuning, he has only to adjust the
lever M. so as to bring the index point to the corresponding graduation
on the scale R, and he will be sure that the bellows pressure has been
regulated to bring the pitches of the pipes to the pitch of the reeds. Of
course it is necessary that these adjustments shall have been determined
and regulated at the shop before the instrument is placed on sale.
What I claim as to this part of my Invention is, the temperature
under Q, R; in combination with the adjustable pressure lever M. and
spring N, adjusting screw P, or their equivalents, to operate as and for
the purposes set forth.
Fourth. This part of my Invention consists in devices arranged to
secure or direct transmission of the key motion through the reed valve
to the pipe valvė.
Within the exhaust wind chest S below the reed board T, I place
a series of levers U (only one of which is shewn in Figure 4); said levers
are directly below the keys and in a line therewith. Each of said levers
has a fulcrum at its centre of length, or thereabout, as shewn in Figure 4.
The front ends of these levers bear against the near valves V respectively,
so that when said valves are opened, by depressing the proper keys, the
levers U are also moved upon their fulcra. The near ends of the levers U
extend below the wind chest W, whereon stand the organ pipes B", and
the pipe valves are controlled by the movements of said levers by
means of the trackers Y. The wind ducts a leading from the valves X
to their respective pipes may be straight, curved, or irregular, as
may be required, so that while the valves are directly in rear of their
corresponding reed valves the pipes may be located as most convenient.
What I claim as to this part of my Invention is, the arrangement of
the levers U with the exhaust wind chest S in connection with the recd

page_text: valves V and pipe valves X, substantially as set forth and for the purpose
described.
Fifth. This part of my Invention relates to a device for coupling the
keys of the upper and lower tank so that the notes of the solo or
other upper bank stop may be sounded in connection with the lower
bank stop 8, and it consists in a series of levers of peculiar arrangement
which connect the keys of the lower bank directly with the trackers of
the upper bank. A description of one set of said levers will suffice for
all. bis the upper bank key mounted as usual upon the key frames c
(see Figure 4). Below said key is a lever d hung upon the front frame e,
and extending backward to the upper bank tracker f, which is thereby
depressed. An adjustable stud or screw 9 on the under side of the
key h bears
upon the upper side of said lever, and causes the downward
movement of said key to be transmitted to said lever and tracker to
open the proper valve. The stud 9 being adjustable serves to level up
the key. It will be observed that the lever d is of third order, and
transmits more motion to the tracker than is imparted by the key. A
block his attached to the lower side of the lever d, and a second lever i
is suspended from said block by a flexible connection of some proper
kind. The forward end of said lever i is connected to the lower bank
key by means of a screw j, or other adjustable connection, so that
when said lower bank key is depressed said lever i will be depressed
also. A swinging slipper k is hinged to the back frame c, and is
operated by a pull or other suitable means. When said slipper is thrown
down in the position shewn in Figure 4 it forms a fulcrum, against
which the lever i acts; and when the lower bank key is depressed, and
the said lever is thereby constituted a lever of the second order, and its
motion is transmitted through the block h to the lever d and tracker f.
Where the slipper k is thrown up in position, as shewn in dotted lines
in Figure 4, the near end of the lever i is free, and the motion of the
key will not be transmitted. The action of the upper bank keys
will not be affected by the position of the slipper k. The adjustable
couplings g, j, serve to level and reduce the levers d, i, to a proper
adjustment in relation to the slipper.
What I claim as to this part of my Invention is, the combination of
the levers d, i, with the lower bank key t and the upper bank tracker f

page_text: Sixth. This part of my Invention relates to an octavé coupler, and
it consists of two levers of peculiar construction and arrangement to
couple the octave keys with each other. The lever m is made straight
and the lever n is crooked, so that the back ends of the two may come
close together and permit the slipper rod o to pass between them; said
back ends are coupled by means of a screw pin p, which passes through
them and through an interposed button q, which secures freedom of
motion without looseness or rattling. The forward ends of said levers
are pierced with holes for the passage of the tracker pins, and they are
kept in position by this means. The lever m, however, is provided with
a short stud r near its forward end, and said stud bears against the under
side of the key 2, and receives motion therefrom. The forward end of
the lever i rests upon a collar a placed upon the octave tracker, so that
if said end of the lever n is depressed said tracker and its valve will be
depressed also. Figure 4 shews the levers m, n, arranged and coupled
as described; they are supported by the rotating slipper o, Figures 4
and 9, which passes between the upper and lower parts m, n, of the
coupler. This slipper is elliptical in cross section, and when, turned so
that its major sectional axis is vertical said axis will be exactly equal
to the distance between said levers at that point when the stud r is in
contact with the key 7 and the forward end of the lever n is resting upon
the collar 8. While in these positions the slipper constitutes a fulcrum
for both levers, and when the key is depressed its motion is transmitted
through said levers to the tracker of its octave key. When the sectional
minor axis of the slipper is vertical it permits the forward end of the
lover to fall away from the key 1, and the depression of said key will
not then affect the coupler. The lever m has a small part of its sub-
stance removed at t, near its rear end, to permit the free action of the
adjacent coupler lever n, which diagonally crosses the lever m at this
point.
In Figure 8 is shewn the relative positions of the several couplers,
one only of which is described above.
What I claim as this part of my Invention is, an octave coupler com-
posed of levers m, n, constructed, arranged, and operating as set forth, in
combination with the slippers o and the keys of an organ.
Seventh. This part of my Invention relates to an arrangement of
pedal keys to sound notes on the manural, and thus produce many of

page_text: In many
the "effects" of the sub-bass without additional reeds.
instruments of a class between the largest parlour or chapel reed organs
and those of the smaller sizes it is desirable to have pedal keys so that
the performer may produce most of the "effects" without the extra
reeds of a complete sub-bass. The pedal keys w are constructed and
arranged in the usual manner, and are provided with long stickers v
extending from the back ends of said keys to a point above the reed
board and about level with the key manual. Extension pieces u are
secured to a number of the lower manual keys 2, equal to the number
of pedal keys, and each of said pedal keys is coupled with its appropriate 1
manual key by means of the long sticker and extension piece above
described. The extension pieces u may be pivoted, as shewn by dotted
lines in Figure 5, or they may be rigidly secured to the manual keys 1,
as shewn in Fig. 7. The upper end of each sticker is provided with
an 'extension wire y, which passes through a hole provided for it in the 1
end of the extension piece u, and the manual key is thus permitted to
move when touched by the finger without affecting the long sticker or
pedal key.
What I claim as to this part of my Invention is, the combination of
the pedal key w, long sticker v, extension piece u, and manual key 1, to 2
produce the effect described.,
Eighth. This part of my Invention relates to the arrangement of the
sub-bass reeds. Heretofore the said reeds have been placed in a hori-
zontal reed board on top of the wind chest, and the said reeds being very
large and heavy an appreciable time is consumed before they respond to 2
the impulse of the air upon opening the valve. This defect I have
remedied by placing said reeds in vertical cells projecting directly into
the throat of the bellows, as shewn at A¹ in Figure 5, and therefore in
position to feel the first movement of air upon opening the valve B³, and
enabling them to respond with the least possible delay.
What I claim as to this part of my Invention is, the sub-bass reeds
arranged in vertical cells A¹ projecting down into the throat of the
bellows as set forth.
3
Ninth. This part of my Invention consists in the employment of an
half or solo bank z, as shewn in Figures 1 and 13, the keys of which 3
'may be made to sound the pipe or other fancy stop upon which the

page_text: melody may be placed with one hand while the other hand may occupy
the whole range of the manual or principal bank for the accompaniment.
The extension pieces described in the seventh part of my Invention,
together with the long stickers and pedal keys w, are particularly
applicable to an instrument constructed with the above-described half
bank, as the vacant space below the lower end of the half bank may be
advantageously occupied by said extension pieces. This is fully shewn
in Figures 1 and 13.
What I claim in this part of my Invention is, the use in portable
organs of a half or solo bank of keys (2) in connection with a fancy
or solo stop and a full manual bank as and for the purposes described.
Tenth. This part of my Invention consists in a series of vibrators or
steel reeds hung in free air and sounded by a metallic tooth or stud
as the sounds are produced in the common music box. The reeds 0¹
should be made of steel and firmly secured at their bases to an iron
bar D'. They are then tuned in accord with the "principal" set. To
sound said reeds jacks E are placed upon the tracker pins F or their
equivalents; and as said pins move up and down the jacks are carried
past the ends of the reeds. In the front end of each said jacks E
there is placed a metallic stud G, which as the jack is depressed strikes
and depresses the end of the reed C¹ in front of it until it (the reed) slips
from the end of said stud, when the appropriate musical sound is
produced by its reaction and vibration. To prevent contact between the
stud G¹ and reed 9, 0³, when the former ascends to its first position, it
is necessary to impart a lateral movement to the jack at the proper
moment, and this is accomplished by means of stationary cams H¹,
against which the jack engages after it has parted from the reed, and
by which it is turned aside. Frictional contact retains it in this position
until it has passed the reed on its upward movement, when another and
similar cam causes the jack to return to its first position. By these or
equivalent means the stud G¹ is caused always to descend in a right line
against the end of the reed O³, and is turned aside to pass said reed
without contact on its ascent. The front end of the jack E' is divided
horizontally, and the stud G¹ is attached to one of said parts. The
screws I', J', serve to regulate the relative positions of these two parts,
render easy the exact adjustment of the point of the stud in reference to
the end of the reed.

page_text: The devices above described for sounding a reed in free air are capable
of combinations with the sounding reeds or pipes of an organ, and may
form a distinct stop to be thrown in or out of connection by one of the
well-known mechanical contrivances for similar purposes; or they may
form a distinct instrument, very compact in form and inexpensive,
suitable for practice in fingering by the professional or pupil, and much
more satisfactory and efficient than the "dumb piano" in common use.
What I claim in this part of my Invention is, in combination with the
keys and trackers F', the sounding reeds C¹ operated by jacks E',
placed upon said trackers for the purpose set forth.
•
Eleventh. This part of my Invention relates to the vox humana or
tremolo, and it consists, first, in constructing the tremolo in the form of
segments of a cylinder; and, second, in the manner of producing and
imparting thereto a rotary motion. The cylindrical tremolo is formed of
any convenient or suitable material, but in practice I prefer to construct
it in the following manner, i.e., two wooden discs K² of the required
diameter are formed and provided with a central pin or axis, usually of
wire of sufficient length and strength; four narrow strips of wood I are
then prepared in length equal to the desired length of the tremolo, and
they are secured at their ends to said discs, by glue or other sufficient
means, equi-distantly around the peripheries of said discs. I then prepare
two strips M of stiff card or pasteboard in length equal to said strips of
wood, and in width sufficient to extend over the distance separating two
adjacent strips; and I cement or otherwise securely attach said strips of
pasteboard along the edges thereof to the strips of wood on the opposite
sides of the discs, so that the strips of pasteboard are separated by
intervening spaces of about the same width. It will be readily perceived
that the outer surface of my tremolo presents two equal segments of a
cylinder with intervening spaces. The axial wires are mounted in
suitable bearings, so that the tremolo can revolve with great freedom,
and it is mounted exactly in the wind inlet between the plates N¹
(Figure 4), which are adjusted to the length and diameter of the tremolo.
At each revolution of the segmental cylinder the inflowing current of air
is twice arrested, and the required vibration of sound is thus produced.
The revolution of the tremolo is produced by a current of air moved by
the action of the bellows (which may be either pressure or exhaust)
impinging against the arms or vanes of a wheel O', Figure 5; the said

page_text: •
wheel is conveniently located within an air chamber P¹, and a valve Q¹
covers the inlet or outlet, as the case may be, and by completely
arresting the flow of air when it is closed prevents motion of the
wheel O¹ and tremolo. I have employed with good effect a wheel
composed of a hollow tub, and a number of hollow tubular arms or
spokes, either straight or curved, from the extremities of which currents
of air were caused to flow in direction tangential to the arc of revolution,
forming what is technically known as a reaction wheel. The revolution
of the wheel O' imparts a corresponding revolution to the tremolo by
means of a dense cord R', which forms a flexible connection between
them. The cord R' may be composed of any suitable material, and in
any manner which will render it capable of resisting a considerable
degree of tension without destroying its flexibility.
What I claim in this part of my Invention is, a tremolo constructed
with cylindrical segments as set forth; a flexible cord connection R¹
to transmit the revolution of the wheel O¹ to the tremolo as set forth.
Twelfth. This part of my Invention relates to a method of arranging
several sets of reed cells in the same reed board, and in reference to
the same valves, so as to bring the several sets equally near to the
wind. It is well known that when sets of reeds are designed to be
sounded together and to take the wind through the same valves a
small difference in the distance of the various reeds from their respective
valves will make an appreciable difference in the time of the response
of the reeds. To remedy this defect I construct my reed board T
with a horizontal set of reed cells S' on either edge, and the additional
set T placed obliquely in the same reed board, see Figure 7, so that
the reed when inserted in said cell is so nearly equally distant from
the valve with the reeds in cells S¹ that there will be no appreciable
difference in the instant of response of the several reeds when the
valves X are opened. A front set may be added in like manner as
shown in Figure 6.
What I claim in this part of my Invention is, the relative arrangement
of three or more sets of reeds in the same reed board as and for the
purpose set forth.
Thirteenth. This part of my Invention relates more especially to a
method of relative tuning. In Figure 7 is represented in action my
improved tune reed board, in which are inserted three or more sets of

page_text: reeds. The sets S¹, S', are the principal and diapason; these two sets
are horizontal, and the additional set or sets are placed obliquely, so
that they come near to the valve and speak simultaneously. The third
set T is tuned to the same pitch with the diapason nearly, that is to
say, the pitch of the said set is a shade higher or lower than the pitch
of the diapason, just sufficient to produce a slight pulsation or wavy
tone. The divergence must not be sufficient to produce a defined
pulsation or tremolo, as the proper effect will then be destroyed. The
"effect" of the above described mode of tuning is to produce when
sounded with the diapason a beautiful string tone of great power, the
"effect "
so produced I have denominated "celeste," though that desig-
nation is evidently arbitrary. The celeste set may run through the
entire scale, though I prefer to extend it through a part of the scale
only, and employ it as a solo stop. It may be struck off by the usual
arrangement of a stop flap, operated by a pull or otherwise.
What I claim in this part of my Invention is, the described mode of
tuning two sets of reeds relatively to each other to produce the effect
as set forth.
"
Fourteenth. This part of my Invention relates to an economical and
compact manner of arranging different sets of reeds to form different
'stops," and subject to the same valves. In Figure 5 is shewn in
section a reed board T, where the various sets of reeds are arranged in
horizontal and parallel tiers, one above another. This arrangement is
produced by placing one reed board directly upon another, the cells
being pierced from the edges and the wind ducts placed so as to com-
municate below; the reed boards are arranged with the wider one below,
so that they may be conveniently arranged for the different sets. It
will be seen by this arrangement four or more sets of reeds forming
separate stops may be arranged to be controlled by a single set of
valves, and the "touch" of the keys will not then be varied by changing
from one stop to another.
What I claim in this part of my Invention is, the described arrange-
ment of reed cells in parallel sets, one above another, for the purpose
set forth.
Fifteenth. This part of my Invention consists in uniting in the same
instrument reeds sounded by an exhaust bellows, and organ pipes
sounded by a pressure bellows. Heretofore, when reeds have been

page_text: employed in connection with organ pipes, they have been sounded by
the same pressure bellows.
In my Invention separate bellows are provided for the exhaust reeds
and pressure pipes, and said separate bellows may be worked separately
or by the same blow pedal, as may be desired. In Figures 1, 2, 3,
and 5, U is the pressure bellows operated by the pedal V. The
pedals W', W', operate the ordinary exhaust bellows Y', and they may
all be moved by the feet at the same time, or the pipe and reed bellows
may be operated separately.
What I claim as to this part of my Invention is, the combination in
the same instrument of exhaust and pressure bellows, and exhaust reeds
in connection with organ pipes, substantially as shewn.
In witness whereof, I, the said Martin Benson, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of June, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one.
MARTIN BENSON