IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MECHANISM OF ORGANS AND OTHER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Booth, of the Delamere Organ Works, Otley, in
the County of York, Organ Builder, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MECHANISM OF ORGANS AND OTHER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.”
Sealed the 3rd October 1879, and dated the 19th June 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Booth at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th June 1879.
HENRY BOOTH, of the Delamere Organ Works, Otley, in the County of York,
Organ Builder. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MECHANISM OF ORGANS AND OTHER
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.”
"
The object of this Invention is the obtaining of increased lightness combined
with strength in certain parts of the mechanism of organs and other musical
instruments, more especially or particularly what are known in the trade of organ
building as "squares," "backfalls," or "levers;" and to this and I construct the
above parts of sheet steel in lieu of wood, iron, or other metal or material, which,
by its greater strength, enables me to use only about one half the weight in their
construction, and thus, or by that means, relieve the duty or effort of the player
upon either the manuals or the pedals.
To increase the durability and silence of action I "Lush" or otherwise fit the
holes or working centres with cloth, leather, or other suitable material, and for the
protection of the surfaces from oxidation or other destructive influence I coat them
with paint, varnish, other metal, or any convenient or desirable method or process..
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Booth in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th December
1879.
HENRY BOOTH, of the Delamere Organ Works, Otley, in the County of York,
Organ Builder. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MECHANISM OF ORGANS AND OTHER
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS,”
These improvements consist in the application of thin sheet steel in lieu of wood
for making what are known to organ builders as "backfalls" or levers and

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'squares," and also the manner of fitting the steel so as to prevent its being noisy
or rattling when the organ or other instrument is played upon; this is accomplished
in the following manner:-Thin sheet steel is cut to the shape indicated in Figure I.
on the Drawing and lettered A, but of varying length and other proportions, also
sometimes twisted at one or both ends, in the manner shewn at T, Figure 2, to suit
the various requirements of organ building, et cetera. These steel "backfalls" or
levers have holes through them at any point where the fulcrum is required, and
holes at the ends for attaching the trackers" by means of a tapt wire (B, Fig. 4)
or a clip," as shewn at (C, Fig. 2). A "stock," lettered D in Drawings, is then
made of hard wood for each lever about / inches thick; this has first a hole
bored in it larger than the pin which is to form the fulcrum of the lever, and this
hole is bushed with cloth, leather, or other soft material, but preferably of scarlet
cloth, as shewn at S in each of the Figures, thus reducing its size to what is
required for the pin which is to pass through and work in it; then by means of a
Baw of proper thickness a groove is cut down the "stock" about as far as the
dotted line D (in each Figure), and the lever is then put in, and its fulcrum pin
driven through the cloth bushed hole and through the hole in the lever, in which it
fastens itself when the pin has just got through the stock, thus causing the pin
to become a part of the backfall or lever, which then works in the cloth at each
side. This "stock" is then screwed to what is called the "backfall" or "square
rail (lettered E, Figures 1 & 2), thus making it possible to remove one from the
middle of a set without interfering with the rest, which cannot be done on the old
system. In like manner also the "squares" H and H, shewn in Figures 3 and 4,
are made and fixed, the only difference being their shape. To connect both the
"backfalls" and "squares" with the "trackers," so as to work silently, I adopt the
plan indicated at C, Fig. 2, in which a pin G is put through the "clip" of hard
wood C¹ which is attached to the end of the "tracker" and passes through the
steel, fitting it so as just to allow it to move freely, but not so free as to rattle.
When tapt wires are geared to these "backfalls" or "squares" it is only necessary
to put a leather button B' on each side of the steel, as shewn at B, Fig. 4, to
ensure silent action. The "backfalls" or levers and "squares" are coated with
lacquer, varnish, or other metal as a further protection against rust or oxidation.
Having thus described the nature and object of my said improvements I declare
that what I claim and desire to be secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited
Letters Patent is,―
First. The application of steel for making "backfalls" or levers and " squares,"
substantially as and for the purpose or purposes hereinbefore described and shewn
on the Drawings.
Second. The general arrangement and manner of fitting the steel so as to work
silently when the organ or other instrument is being played upon, substantially as
herein before described and shewn on the Drawings, or any mere modification
thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Booth, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Seventeenth day of December, in the year One thousand
sight hundred and seventy nine
"