Improvements in Mechanically or Manually Operated Organs.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mechanically or Manually Operated Organs.
I, EMIL WELTE, Organ Manufacturer of 49 West 30th Street, New York, in the
County and State of New York, United States of America, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in mechanical musical instruments
such as pipe organs, orchestrions and similar instruments in which not only an
improved wind chest of extra size is used in connection with an exhaust chest but in
which improved pneumatic actions for the registers and for the valves of the sounding
devices are employed and actuated in connection with the wind chest and exhaust
chest so that a more compact arrangement of the pneumatic actions relatively to the
registers and sounding devices and a simpler construction and an easier working of
said pneumatic action is obtained and the invention consists of a mechanical musical
instrument in which the pneumatic actions for the registers and valves of the sounding
devices are located in line with each other centrally to the valves of the sounding
devices in connection with the wind chest and exhaust chest and with ducts leading
from said actions to the registers and valves of the sounding devices. The invention
consists further of the specific constructions of the pneumatic register actions and of
the pneumatic actions for the valves of the sounding devices and lastly of the
specific construction of the valves of the sounding devices as will be fully described
liereinafter.
In the accompanying drawings:-
Fig. 1 represents a vertical transverse section through the wind chest and
suction chest of a mechanical musical instrument showing one of the pneumatic
register actions and the connection of the same with the tracker and its perforated
music sheet and with a manual key.
Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the relative arrangement of the pneumatic register
actions and the pneumatic actions of the sounding devices to the ducts and valves of
the sounding devices, and
Figs. 3 and 4 are vertical longitudinal sections respectively on lines 3-3 and 4-4
Fig. 2.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
Referring to the drawings-A represents the wind-chest to which air is supplied
under pressure from the bellows and from which air under pressure is supplied to the
different pneumatic actions ducts registers and valves of an organ orchestrion or
other musical instrument. The wind chest A is arranged below the ducts leading to
the reeds pipes and other sounding devices S and extended over the pneumatic
actions the register bellows or pneumatics and the diaphragms of the valves of the
sounding devices a larger or smaller number of the registers being used according to
the number of rows of sounding devices in the instrument.
Whenever any one of the reeds or pipes is to be sounded the bellows of its register
as well as the valve of the special sounding device has to be opened so as to supply
the required quantity of air from the wind chest and produce the sounding of the
reed pipe or other sounding device. This is accomplished by means of separate
ducts B which connect the pneumatic actions B with the different registers said
actions being arranged in line with the pneumatic actions (for the valves of the

page_text: the sounding devices connected therewith can be released and the latter sounded air
is permitted to enter through one of the openings in the perforated music sheet to the
duct e connecting the tracker with the space below the diaphragm of the actuating
valve of the register action B. The suction of the exhaust chest causes then the lifting
of the actuating valve so that the connection of the register duct B with the exhaust
chest is interrupted and simultaneously by the oscillating lever & the setting valve and
its diaphragm valve lowered so that the valves of the action assume the position shown
in Fig. 1 whereby instantly all the bellows or pneumatics B2 of the register controlled
by the duct B are expanded by their springs and the valves of the entire range of
sounding devices controlled by the register released. The changing motion of the
actuating and setting valves of the register action B is facilitated by the pressure of
the air in the wind chest on the upper valves 63 and by the suction of the exhaust
chest on the diaphragm 6 at the lower end of the actuating valve. The upper
openings of the setting as well as of the actuating valve of the register action B
are slightly enlarged as shown in Fig. 3 so that the raising or lowering of said valves
is facilitated by the difference in pressures exerted on the same by the air in the wind
chest and thereby the changing in the positions of the valves quickly accomplished.
When any one of the registers is actuated by its controlling action the bellows of
the register retain the valves of the entire range of sounding devices controlled by
the register and prevent the sounding of any one of said sounding devices while
any one of the sounding devices in the remaining registers can be sounded. When
none of the registers is actuated as is the case in special forte parts of a music piece
then all the registers are open and any sounding device in any one of the registers
can be sounded.
THE PNEUMATIC ACTIONS OF THE SOUNDING DEVICES.
Separate pneumatic actions C and ducts C₁ connect the exhaust chest E with the
valves C2 of the sounding devices as shown in Figure 4. The construction of the
actions C for the valves of the sounding devices is similar to that of the register
actions B that is to say each valve is composed of two individual valves d d which
are applied to the valve stem with their faces towards each other so as to close the
upper and lower openings of the ducts and of a diaphragm d' applied to the
lower end of the stem. The space below the diaphragm d' is connected by a separate
ducte with the tracker or manual key.
Small side ducts 2 connect the space below the diaphragm d' with the exhaust
chest The upper end of the stem of each valve C is suspended from the free end
of a spring d against the tension of which the pneumatic action is set into open or
closed position. As soon as the atmospheric air enters through the duct e² from the
tracker or key into the space below the diaphragm d' the valve C is raised by the
suction action of the exhaust chest the exhaust is shut off from the duct C and air
under pressure passed from the wind chest A through the duct ( so that an equilibrium
of pressure is established on both sides of the diaphragms of the valves of the sounding
devices whereby the springs at the upper ends of the valves can lift the same into
raised position ready for the actuation of the sounding devices as shown at the right-
hand side of Figure 4. As soon as the atmospheric pressure is removed from the
diaphragm d' of the action C the air quickly passes from the space below the diaphragm
through the small relief duct d² into the exhaust chest and the diaphragm as well as
the valve Care lowered so that the upper valve d closes the duct C¹ by the pressure
of the air in the wind chest A. The access of air into the duct is thereby
interrupted and all the diaphragms of the sounding devices are lowered by the
simultaneous pressure of the air in the wind chest and by the suction action of the
exhaust chest so that the valves of the sounding devices are held in closed position
against the tension of their springs.
The valve F of the sounding devices is composed of a stem fa valve f¹ on said
stem a button adjustable on the upper end of the stem fa helical spring f³

page_text: interposed between the bottom of a valve cup f* for each valve F and a diaphragm f
to which the lower end of the stem is attached.
The duct C communicates with the space below the diaphragm f above which a
cushion of felt or other soft material is arranged for the extension arm b* of the
bellows B². The helical spring f3 assists mainly in opening the valve F so as to
produce the quick actuation of the sounding device when the pneumatic action C is
raised as shown at the right hand side of Fig. 4.
In some cases especially when extra pressure is required for the sounding devices
such as the reeds of brass instruments and the like the modified valve construction
shown at the upper right hand side of Figs. 3 and 4 is used.
This valve is intended for the purpose of preventing the objectionable prolongation
of the sound due to the gradual cessation of the pressure in the trunk of the sounding
device. This is accomplished by an air duct which extends through the cover of
the structure so that the valve cup f is connected with the atmosphere. In this
case in place of a helical spring a spiral spring is employed which has larger
convolutions at the lower than at the upper end. The upper valve f¹ used in this
case is arranged as a double valve which is adapted for closing or opening the duct
leading to the sounding device as well as for opening or closing the opening in the
hotton of the valve cup 3 which communicates with the air duct f* passing to the
atmosphere. When the valve f is closed and the sound of the sounding device
interrupted the body of air still contained in the duct leading to the sounding device
and in the trunk of the sounding device has a chance to pass off instantly to the
atmosphere so that the extra pressure on the sounding device is relieved and con-
sequently the objectionable and annoying prolongation of the sound immediately and
effectively obviated.
The advantages of my improved pneumatic actions for musical instruments are
first the facility by which the bellows or pneumatics of the registers as well as the
valves of the sounding devices are actuated by the joint action of the air under
pressure in the wind chest and the suction action of the exhaust chest on the actions
of the registers and valves of the sounding devices; secondly the compact arrange-
ment of the actions for the registers and valves of the sounding devices by which
considerable space is saved inasmuch as all the actions are arranged centrally to the
different registers and sounding devices thirdly owing to the arrangement of a wind
chest of large size which extends over the action valves as well as over the register
bellows and over the diaphragms of the valves of all the sounding devices the
required quantity of air necessary for sounding any one of the same can be readily
supplied from the wind chest without affecting the pressure of the air in the wind
chest so that a uniform supply of air to the sounding device is provided whether a
larger or smaller number of the same are actuated at one time; fourthly the con-
struction of the pneumatic register actions as well as the pneumatic actions of the
valves of the sounding devices is greatly simplified so that the expense of the instru-
ments can be considerably reduced and thereby a mechanically-played pipe organ or
orchestrion placed within the reach of people of moderate means; fifthly by the
simultaneous action of the compressed air in the wind chest and the suction action
of the exhaust chest on the bellows and diaphragm valves of the actions of the
registers and valves of the sounding devices a quicker response of the bellows and
valves of the instrument is obtained and the same thereby played with greater case
and perfection.
Da

page_text: Improvements in Mechanically or Manually Operated Organs.
I, EMIL WELTE, Organ Manufacturer of 49 West 30th Street, New York, in the
County and State of New York, U.S.A. do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to certain improvements in mechanical musical instruments
such as pipe-organs, orchestrions and similar instruments in which not only an
improved wind chest of extra size is used in connection with an exhaust chest but
in which improved pneumatic actions for the registers and for the valves of the
sounding devices are employed and actuated in connection with the wind chest and
exhaust chest so that a more compact arrangement of the pneumatic actions relatively
to the registers and sounding devices and a simpler construction and an easier
working of said pneumatic actions is obtained, and the invention consists of a
mechanical musical instrument in which the pneumatic actions for the registers and
valves of the sounding devices are located in line with each other centrally to the
valves of the sounding devices in connection with the wind chest and exhaust chest
and with ducts leading from said actions to the registers and valves of the sounding
devices.
The invention consists further of the specific constructions of the pneumatic
register actions and of the pneumatic actions for the valves of the sounding devices
and lastly of the specific construction of the valves of the sounding devices as will be
fully described hereinafter and finally pointed out in the claims.
Referring to the drawings left with the Provisional Specification wherein :-
Fig. 1 represents a vertical transverse section through the wind chest and suction
chest of a mechanical musical instrument showing one of the pneumatic register-
actions and the connection of the same with the tracker and its perforated music
sheet and with a manual key.
Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the relative arrangement of the pneumatic register-
actions and the pneumatic actions of the sounding devices to the ducts and valves of
the sounding devices, and
Figs. 3 and 4 are vertical longitudinal sections respectively on lines 3-3 and 4-4
Fig. 2.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
Referring to the said drawings-A represents the wind-chest to which air is
supplied under pressure from the bellows and from which air under pressure is
supplied to the different pneumatic actions ducts registers and valves of an organ
orchestrion or other musical instrument. The wind-chest A is arranged below the
ducts leading to the reeds pipes and other sounding devices S and extended over
the pneumatic actions the register bellows or pneumatics and the diaphragms of
the valves of the sounding devices a larger or smaller number of registers being
used according to the number of rows of sounding devices in the instrument.
Whenever any one of the reeds or pipes is to be sounded the bellows of its
register as well as the valve of the special sounding device has to be opened so as to
supply the required quantity of air from the wind chest and produce the sounding of
the reed pipe or other sounding device. This is accomplished by means of separate
ducts B which connect the pneumatic actions B with the different registers said
actions being arranged in line with the pneumatic actions C for the valves of the
sounding devices.
One register action B is provided for two register ducts and
one action (for every duct C¹ of the sounding devices as shown clearly in plan view
in Fig. 2.
The pneumatic actions for the registers and for the valves of the sounding devices
are arranged at the central portion of the wind chest A the ranges or rows of

page_text: sounding devices being grouped in any suitable manner at both sides of said
pneumatic actions as required by the special instrument. All the pneumatic
actions B and C of the instrument are so arranged relatively to the wind chest A and
to the exhaust chest E which is located below said actions that the pressure of the
compressed air as well as the suction of the air operate together on the valves of
said actions and assist thereby in the quick and effective working of the same.
The exhaust chest E is connected with the suction-bellows as shown in Figs. 3 and 4
and by special ducts e passing through the bottom of said exhaust chest either with
a tracker X and a perforated music sheet Y moving over said tracker or with manual
keys as shown in Fig. 1 according as the instrument is to be played either
mechanically or as an ordinary organ by keys and stops. As the wind chest A
extends over the pneumatic actions B C and over the valves of the sounding devices
it is of comparatively large size while the exhaust chest E which extends only below
the pneumatic actions BC is of comparatively small size. The wind chest is thereby
enabled to supply all the actions and individual sounding devices with air in a uniform
and reliable manner.
THE PNEUMATIC ACTION OF THE REGISTERS.
Each register is connected by an independent duct B' with its pneumatic register
action B which is located in a proper relative position thereto said actions extending
from the wind chest A into the exhaust chest. Each register action B is composed
of two valves (a setting valve and an actuating valve) the stems of which are
suspended by means of adjustable buttons & from an ocsillating centrally-fulcrumed
lever which is supported on a shelf & located on top of the exhaust chest as shown
clearly in Fig. 3. Each valve of the register action is composed of two ordinary
valves which are attached to the valve stem with their faces towards each other
and of a diaphragm 65 which is attached to the lower end of the valve stem and said
diaphragm valve extending over a chamber which is connected by the duct e with the
tracker or manual key.
Sideways of each diaphragm & is located a small duct & which connects the space
below the diaphragm 65 with the exhaust chest E so as to permit the escape of the
air from the space below the diaphragm as soon as the connection with the tracker
and music-sheet or manual key is interrupted and the diaphragm returned to its normal
position.
The actuating valve of each register-action B serves for opening or closing the
register ducts B connected therewith while the setting valve has no connection
with any duct but only with the wind chest and exhaust chest and serves for setting
the actuating valve which on being set into open position places the register-duct in
communication with the exhaust chest and produces thereby the actuation of a series
of bellows or pneumatics B one for each sounding device in the range controlled by
the register. All the bellows B2 controlled by one register are simultaneously acted
upon by the air pressure in the wind chest A and the suction of the exhaust
chest E so as to be quickly actuated. Each bellows or pneumatic B² is connected by
a forked extension arm with one of the valves of the range of sounding devices
controlled by the register duct B₁ so as to hold said valve in closed position.
Consequently none of the sounding devices controlled by the register can be
sounded when the bellows of the register are actuated by its pneumatic action B.
When it is desired to restore the register bellows or pneumatics B2 to their normal
position so that the valves of the sounding devices connected therewith can be
released and the latter sounded air is permitted to enter through one of the openings
in the perforated music-sheet to the duct e connecting the tracker with the space below
the diaphragm of the actuating valve of the register action B. The suction of the
exhaust chest causes then the lifting of the actuating valve so that the connection of
the register duct B' with the exhaust chest is interrupted and simultaneously by the
oscillating lever 'the setting valve and its diaphragm valve lowered so that the valves
of the action assume the position shown in Fig. 1 whereby instantly all the bellows
or pneumatics B2 of the register controlled by the duct B' are expanded by their

page_text: springs and the valves of the entire range of sounding devices controlled by the
register released. The changing motion of the actuating and setting valves of
the register-action B is faciliated by the pressure of the air in the wind-chest on
the upper valves 63 and by the suction of the exhaust chest on the diaphragm at the
lower end of the actuating valve. The upper openings of the setting as well as of the
actuating valve of the register action B are slightly enlarged as shown in Fig. 3 so
that the raising or lowering of said valves is facilitated by the difference in pressures
exerted on the same by the air in the wind chest and thereby the changing in the
positions of the, valves quickly accomplished. When any one of the registers is
actuated by its controlling action the bellows of the register retain the valves of the
entire range of sounding devices controlled by the register and prevent the sounding
of any one of said sounding devices while any one of the sounding devices in the
remaining registers can be sounded. When none of the registers is actuated as is
the case in special forte parts of a music piece then all the registers are open and
any sounding device in any one of the registers can be sounded.
THE PNEUMATIC ACTIONS OF THE SOUNDING DEVICES.
Separate pneumatic actions C and ducts C¹ connect the exhaust chest E with the
valves C of the sounding devices as shown in Figure 4. The construction of the
actions C for the valves of the sounding devices is similar to that of the register
actions B that is to say each valve is composed of two individual valves d d which
are applied to the valve stem with their faces towards each other so as to close the
upper and lower openings of the ducts C and of a diaphragm d' applied to the lower
end of the stem. The space below the diaphragm d' is connected by a separate duct e²
with the tracker or manual key. Small side ducts d² connect the space below the
diaphragm d' with the exhaust chest. The upper end of the stem of each valve C is
suspended from the free end of a spring d³ against the tension of which the pneumatic
action is set into open or closed position. As soon as the atmospheric air enters
through the duct e2 from the tracker or key into the space below the diaphragm d
the valve C is raised by the suction action of the exhaust chest the exhaust is shut
off from the duet C and air under pressure passed from the wind-chest A through
the duct C so that an equilibrium of pressure is established on both sides of the
diaphragms of the valves of the sounding devices whereby the springs at the upper
ends of the valves can lift the same into raised position ready for the actuation of
the sounding devices as shown at the right-hand side of Fig. 4.
As soon as the atmospheric pressure is removed from the diaphragm d' of the
action C the air quickly passes from the space below the diaphragm through the small
relief duct d into the exhaust chest and the diaphragm as well as the valve Care
lowered so that the upper valve d closes the duct C by pressure of the air in the
wind chest A. The access of air into the duct C is thereby interrupted and all
the diaphragins of the sounding devices are lowered by the simultaneous pressure
of the air in the wind chest and by the suction action of the exhaust chest so
that the valves of the sounding devices are held in closed position against the tension
of their springs.
The valve of the sounding devices is composed of a stem fa valve f¹ on said
stem a button f adjustable on the upper end of the stem f a helical spring f
interposed between the bottom of a valve cup f for each valve F and a diaphragm f
to which the lower end of the stem is attached.
The duct C communicates with the space below the diaphgram above which
a cushion of felt or other soft material is arranged for the extension arm b* of
the bellows B. The helical spring f3 assists mainly in opening the valve F so as
to produce the quick actuation of the sounding device when the pneumatic action C
is raised as shown at the right band side of Fig. 4.
In some cases especially when extra pressure is required for the sounding devices
such as the reeds of brass instruments and the like the modified valve construction
shown at the upper right hand side of Figures 3 and 4 is used.

page_text: This valve is intended for the purpose of preventing the objectionable prolongation
of the sound due to the gradual cessation of the pressure in the trunk of the sounding
device. This is accomplished by an air-duct fx which extends through the cover
of the structure so that the valve cup fis connected with the atmosphere. In
this case in place of a helical spring a spiral spring f³ is employed which has larger
convolutions at the lower than at the upper end.
The upper valve f¹ used in this case is arranged as a double valve which is adapted
for closing or opening the duct leading to the sounding device as well as for opening
or closing the opening in the bottom of the valve cup f³ which communicates with
the air duct f passing to the atmosphere. When the valve f' is closed and the
sound of the sounding device interrupted the body of air still contained in the duct
leading to the sounding device and in the trunk of the sounding device has a chance
to pass off instantly to the atmosphere so that the extra pressure on the sounding
device is relieved and consequently the objectionable and annoying prolongation of
the sound immediately and effectively obviated.
The advantages of my improved pneumatic actions for musical instruments are
first the facility by which the bellows or pneumatics of the registers as well as the
valves of the sounding devices are actuated by the joint action of the air under
pressure in the wind chest and the suction action of the exhaust chest on the actions
of the registers and valves of the sounding devices; secondly the compact arrange-
ment of the actions for the registers and valves of the sounding devices by which
considerable space is saved inasmuch as all the actions are arranged centrally to the
different registers and sounding devices thirdly owing to the arrangement of a wind-
chest of large size which extends over the action valves as well as over the register
hellows and over the diaphragms of the valves of all the sounding devices the required
quantity of air necessary for sounding any one of the same can be readily supplied
from the wind chest without affecting the pressure of the air in the wind chest so
that a uniform supply of air to the sounding device is provided whether a larger or
smaller number of the same are actuated at one time; fourthly the construction of the
pneumatic register actions as well as the pneumatic actions of the valves of the
sounding devices is greatly simplified so that the expense of the instruments can be
considerably reduced and thereby a mechanically played pipe organ or orchestrion
placed within the reach of people of moderate means; fitthly by the simultaneous
action of the compressed air in the wind chest and the suction action of the exhaust
chest on the bellows and diaphragm valves of the actions of the registers and valves of
the sounding devices a quicker response of the bellows and valves of the instrument
is obtained and the same thereby played with greater ease and perfection.
The pneumatic action of the registers must be operated so as to open and close
the corresponding registers. After the register is open it is possible to operate
either one or more of the sounding devices in the same; as long as the register is
closed no wind can pass to the sounding devices, as soon as the register is open wind
is admitted to the sounding devices which are operated by their setting valves and
are then sounded.
The object of the "setting valves" is mainly that of a steering device for the
actuating valve of the register nothing else. Without the same the actuating valve
could not be returned in its normal position.
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 a pneumatic musical instrument the combination with the pneumatic actions
of the register and for the valves of the sounding devices a wind chest extending
over the register actions the valve actions and the valves of the sounding devices an
exhaust chest below the pneumatic register and valve actions ducts leading from said
register and valve actions ducts leading from said register and valve actions to the
registers and to the valves of the sounding devices pneumatics actuated by the register
actions and means for connecting the pneumatics with the valves of the sounding
devices substantially as set forth.

page_text: 2. The combination with a number of registers of a pneumatic action for each
register each action being composed of a setting and actuating valve a centrally
fulcrumed lever connecting the setting and actuating valves of each action a wind
chest extending above the pneumatic actions of the registers an exhaust chest located
below said actions ducts connecting the wind and exhaust chests with the registers
and pneumatics actuated by said actions and adapted to retain or release the valves
of the sounding devices substantially as set forth."
3. In a pneumatic action for the register of organs and similar instruments the
combination of a setting valve connected with a diaphragm at its lower end an
actuating valve also connected with a diaphragm at its lower end a centrally
fulcrumed lever connecting the upper ends of the setting and actuating valves and
ducts leading from the actuating valve to the registers the upper portions of said
valves being located in the wind chest and the lower parts of said valves in the
exhaust chest substantially as set forth.
4. In a pneumatic action for the registers of organs and similar instruments the
combination of a register action composed of a setting valve and an actuating valve a
centrally fulcrumed lever connecting the upper ends of the setting and actuating
valves and ducts leading from the wind and exhaust chests to the registers the ends
of said ducts terminating in the wind chest being made somewhat larger than the ends
terminating in the exhaust chest for facilitating the actuations of the register-valves
substantially as set forth.
5. The combination with the sounding devices and the valves of the same of
pneumatic actions for operating the valves of said sounding devices ducts leading from
the pneumatic actions to said valves a wind chest extending over the pneumatic
actions and the valves of said sounding devices and an exhaust chest located below
said valve actions the wind chest and exhaust chest being connected with the ducts.
leading from the pneumatic actions to the valves of the sounding devices substantially
as set forth.
6. The combination with the wind chest and exhaust chest of the pneumatic actions.
for the registers ducts connecting said actions with said registers pneumatics actuated
by said register actions valves for the sounding devices and means for connecting the
pneumatics with the valves of the sounding devices so as to retain or liberate them as
required substantially as set forth.
7. The combination with the registers and the pneumatic actions of the same of
ducts leading from said actions to the registers pneumatics operated by said actions
valves of the sounding devices having diaphragms and cushions at their lower ends
and forked arms extending from said pneumatics over said cushions so as to retain or
release the valves of the sounding devices substantially as set forth.
8. A valve for the sounding devices composed of a stem, a valve on the upper part
of said stem a diaphragm connected with the lower end of the stem a button at the
upper end of the stem a valve-cup extending around the upper part of the stem and a
cushioning spring interposed between the button and the bottom of the valve-cup
substantially as set fortli.
9. A valve for the sounding devices requiring a heavy pressure of air such as
trumpets etc. consisting of a stem a double valve on the upper part of said stem a
diaphragm at the lower end of the stem a valve-cup open at the bottom and connected
at its upper part with the atmosphere a button at the upper end of the stem and a
spring between the button and the bottom of the valve-cup substantially as set forth.
Dated this 16th day of Annil 1806
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.