Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 25th May, 1887.
Specification Accepted, 28th June, 1887.
I, HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the firm of Herbert & Co., Patent Agents, of
67 Strand, London, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, 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 :-
Referring to the accompanying four sheets of drawings:
Of Sheet 1. Fig. 1 is a front elevation of two vertical series of reed chambers, their
valves and the operative mechanisms of the latter, in accordance with part of the
invention, the nature of such invention being defined in the claim or claims hereinafter
presented. In such Figure, the valves are shown as closed.
Fig. 2 is a like elevation, but showing one of the valves as open.
Fig. 3 is a horizontal section, taken just above the valves, while
Fig. 4 is a similar section taken through the said valves.
Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken through one of the valves, its series of reeds and
reed chambers, or the induction and eduction passages of such reeds.
Of Sheet 2. Fig 1 is a front elevation and Fig. 2 a vertical and median section of
two duplex reed cells of a reed organ with the second part of this invention applied
to them.
Fig. 3 is a top view of the valve C and its knee lever showing the projection i
extending from the lower arm of the said lever, of which lever such valve may be
considered as a part.
Fig. 4 is a front view and Fig. 5 a side view of a valve, its operative spring and
actuating wire or bar, and Fig. 6 is a vertical section of such valve and its reed cell
and the reeds thereof-the reed cell in such last mentioned Figure being without the
bridges, and the reeds being without the gates, as hereinafter described-such Figure
being to show how the valve and its operative mechanism, as hereinafter explained,
may be used with an ordinary duplex reed cell and its reeds arranged wholly within it.

page_text: One object of the improvement or improvements, as shown in the drawings of
Sheet 1, is to secure ready access to any of the reeds without disturbance of the
structural conditions necessary for qualifying its tone. In order to accomplish this, I
employ devices by which a tuner can gain access to the reed through its valve seat.
The sound board to which the first part of this invention is applicable, consists-as
shown in the drawings of Sheet 1-of reed boards arranged in tiers, and having to
each reed an induction and an eduction passage, the reed being between said passage-
all as shown in Fig. 5, in which each reed of a tier is represented at A, its induction
passage at I, and its eduction passage at E, the latter passage being open at its rear
end and the former passage at its front end. The mouths of the induction passages
are shown at a. a. etc, there being to each series of such mouths a valve B, which―as
shown has the form of a right-angled triangular prism.
The vertical_series are side by side or in pairs, with their valves arranged as
represented in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the two valves at their next adjacent edges being
hinged to the sound board so as to open as well as close in opposite directions
relatively to each other.
Each reed is inserted in its induction passage or reed chamber, the tip of the
tongue of the reed being toward the mouth of the passage or chamber. By opening
the valve sufficiently, access may be easily had to the reed for its withdrawal, or
to the reed chamber for the insertion of the reed therein, as occasion may require.
Each valve is hinged at its edge rather than at one end of it, as usually heretofore
practised.
There projects from each valve, at its middle, a small screw or knob b for the
purpose of enabling a tuner to open the valve by pulling on the knob, a similar
knob or screw e. projects from each valve at each end of it, and bears against a bent
spring c, affixed to and extending from the sound board as represented.
Furthermore, to open each valve there is a right angular lever D, which fulcrumed
to the sound board, and arranged as shown, has its upper or vertical arm directly in
rear of and against a cushion, fixed upon a stud g, extending from the valve. From
the lower or horizontal arm of the said lever, a wire h extends downward. Such
wire, at its lower end is to be supposed to be so connected with a key of the organ
as to be drawn downwardly thereby, on such key being struck by a performer.
The valve may thus be opened by a key or in case of it being required to open
it to gain access to a reed, such valve may be turned backward ninety degrees of a
circle so as to entirely uncover the mouths of the reed chambers, in which case
the springs used to close the valve will operate to hold it open.
It will be seen that in so turning back the valve it moves away from the lever
and meets with no obstruction therefrom-the closed valve serving as an abutment for
arresting the rearward movement of the opened valve. A special novel feature of
the improvement is the arrangement of the valve, so as to close against one end of the
series of valve chambers.
In order to economize space, I arrange the valves in pairs set "back to back" so
that each one of the pair forms a basis for hinging the other, and enables the space or
joint between the valves to be securely covered by a sheet of leather I glued upon the
next contiguous faces of the two valves.
Another portion of the invention shown in the drawings of Sheet 2 may be thus
described, reference being made thereto.
In Figs. 1 and 2 of such drawings A and A are two reed cells or induction
air passages, in each of which are two reeds B, inclined relatively to each other as
represented. To the mouth of each of the said cells there is a valve or palette C,
which when closed bears, near its upper and lower ends, against two bridges a
extending horizontally across the cell mouth.
The spring for closing the valve is shown at s, as furcated or having two branches
to straddle the lower part of the valve knee lever and bear against a pin t, that goes
through the said valve knee lever transversely. The spring serves to return the valve
to its seat, and on the valve being turned down, such spring will give way and allow
of such and will hold the valve in position, when so turned down.

page_text: Each of the reeds shown in Fig. 2, is provided with a flange or gate b that
extends across it, and when the reed is in place in its cell, bears against the front
side of the next adjacent bridge and serves to close the port or opening, that there is
between the reed and the next adjacent bridge to enable the reed to be inserted into
its socket, or withdrawn therefrom, without obstruction from the reed tongue or its
fastenings. In front of the said gate & there is in the reed a nick c, to receive the
end of a hook when used to extract the reed from its socket.
The valve C is attached to the upper arm of a knee lever D, whose fulcrum is at f
the lower arm of such lever having extending from it, laterally, a projection i, to extend
under a stud or button h, on the actuating rod or bar g leading to the key for operating
the valve the whole being arranged so as to admit of the valve being turned down
into a horizontal position, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 aside of and without
obstruction from the rod or bar g-one object of so turning down the valve being to
enable access to be had to the interior of the reed cell, as occasion may require, for
cleaning it of dust or otherwise.
There is through the upper arm of the valve shown in Fig. 2, an opening or
passage kinto which the lower reed projects more or less when the valve is closed-
such opening being to allow of the introduction of the reed into its socket in the
cell, or its extraction therefrom through the valve lever D, without the necessity of
requiring the valve to be first moved off its seat.
În Figs. 4 and 5 the valve is shown at C, its knee lever at D, and the projection of
the latter at i, to extend under the button or projection from the actuating wire or
bar
In Fig. 6 the reed cell is shown at A as provided with the two reeds B-the
mouth of the cell and the front ends of the reeds being covered by the valve when
closed.
With this improvement the valves of a series of reed cells arranged in line one
over another, may be operated by a single wire or bar g, suitably applied to a key.
To the opening o, leading from each induction chamber A, into its eduction
chamber F there is a sliding register or valve E, for closing such opening. In
practice, this slide is in one long piece of material having openings through it to
correspond with those of the horizontal range of induction and eduction chambers.
On drawing the slide lengthwise in one direction, all the said openings of the said
chambers may be at once closed, and by running the slide the opposite way, all may
be opened. The object of this slide is to prevent sounding the reed, as occasion may
require, when the valve thereof is open. The cell for this valve I form by a saw
kerf I of a depth to correspond with the thickness of the slide, and of a width greater
than that of the slide, such kerf extending inwardly from the front m of the bars or
block in which the reeds are arranged. Into the anterior part of the kerf, there is
inserted a narrow strip n of wood-covered on its opposite sides with cloth or other
suitable material, it being held in place by screws extending from the upper edges of
the reed cells up through such strip and into the wood or material above it-one of
such screws being in each or every other reed cell and over its reed. By means of the
screws, the joint between the strip and upper and lower edges of the said kerf can be
firmly closed as occasion may require.
In Sheets 3 and 4.
Fig. 1 is a front and Fig. 2 a side elevation of the valves and their operative
mechanism, of two ranges of reed chambers.
Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken through two of such valves and their operative
mechanisin, one valve in such section being directly over the other, and both being
closed on their seats.
Fig. 4 is a like vertical section, but showing each of the valves as turned into a
horizontal position, so as to uncover the induction openings of the reed chambers.
Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken through the several reed chambers and their
registers.
In such drawings, the reed induction air chambers are shown at A A etc. there
being in each of them, two reeds B one of which is arranged in the upper and the

page_text: other in the lower part of their cells or chamber-each of the said reeds being
adapted as usual, so as to be capable of being slid into or withdrawn from the
chamber.
Directly under the lower reed and also over the upper reed of each chamber, there
is in the wood or block F, in which the said chamber is formed, an elongated mouth a,
leading out of which is a throat b, that opens into the eduction chamber (such throat
having going through it, horizontally, the passage c, for reception of the register or
cut off D. The said register fitting closely in the passage, is provided with holes s,
going through it and corresponding in horizontal section to those of the throats 6,
with which it is to operate. By means of the register, the throats may be closed or
opened as occasion may require. The mouth a is to allow of the proper vibrations
of the reed tongue, and the air freely to escape and to be directed to and through
the throat. To this end I term the mouth a the reed tongue vibration mouth.
The valve or pallet to each lower reed chamber is shown at C" as fastened to the
inner side of the vertical arms of a knee lever D¹ whose fulcrum is a wire c', that goes
horizontally through it, and is arranged in a groove d, formed in a rail E arranged as
shown, and having between it and the block F a cushion e of cloth. The rail E and
the wire care held in place by screws g which go through the rail and cloth, and
screw into the block, the heads of the said screws lapping upon the wire and by so
doing, keeping it in place in the groove.
The valve or pallet of each upper reed chamber is fastened to an arm D³ arranged
directly over one of the knee levers D¹ and extends nearly down to it-such arm
being provided with a turn button G, pivoted to it and extending down from it and
lapping upon the front face of the longer arm of the said knee lever. Each of the
said arms is connected to the block F, by devices, such as are above described, for
connecting the knee lever to such block.
Each arm D at its upper part, is furcated to receive a spring H which formed as
shown and secured in a bar I fastened to the block F bears upon a pin i inserted
transversely through the prongs of the furcation. Each knee lever is similarly
furcated in its lower part, as shown, and has a pin i going transversely through the
prongs a spring H like that hereinbefore described, being arranged as represented,
and extended, between the said prongs and bearing against the pin.
The operative wire of the knee lever, shown at I, is arranged to extend loosely
through stationary metallic guide plates 7, 1, fixed to a shelf t and is extended upward
between the prongs of the furcation of the knee lever. There is fastened on the upper
end of the said wire, a button m, and at a short distance below the knee lever, there
is secured on the wire another such button n, there being at a suitable distance below
the guide plates, and fixed on the wire, a third button o. The wire just above the
said third button o goes down through a lever N to be operated by one of the keys
of the reed organ.
From the above it will be seen, when the said lever N, is tilted by its key, that
both the knee lever and the arm over it, will be simultaneously moved in a manner to
carry their valves off the seats of such valves, in order to admit air into the induction
chambers of the reeds appertaining to such two valves. Furthermore, it will be seen-
by turning the turn button off the knee lever-that such lever may be turned down
so as to bring its longer arm into a horizontal position, or thereabouts-the rod in the
meantime being forced downward by the lever bearing on the lower button n. In so
moving downward the knee lever will be thrown out of engagement with the rod, and
when down will be held down by the action of its spring on the pin on which such
spring bears. The positions of the parts, when the knee lever is depressed, are shown
in Fig. 4 while in Fig. 3 they are represented as they are when the knee lever valve
and that over it, are closed on their seats. In Fig. 4 the arm carrying the upper
valve is shown as raised to its highest position, and there supported by its spring.
Thus a person at any time, by striking the key, can simultaneously operate both
valves of the knee lever and the arm over it, and in case he may be desirous of access
to either reed of the lower reed chamber, he can readily obtain such by first turning

page_text: down the knee lever into the position shown in Fig. 4. Should he desire access to
the upper reed chamber, he has only to turn the arm of its valve upward into the
position of it, shown in the said Fig. 4.
On returning the lower valve to its seat, the knee lever of such valve will engage with
its actuating wire, as the lower arm of the said knee lever will pass between the
buttons m and n and by acting against the upper of the said two buttons, will lift the
wire. The object of the button n is to ensure the downfall of the wire and its support
in a proper position for the knee lever to leave the wire and on rising, to engage
with it for were the wire to drop until the upper button rested on the guide plate, the
knee lever in rising, could not engage with the wire, but by having the two buttons m
and n to the wire, the knee lever and wire can be automatically disengaged, on turning
down the knee lever, and automatically engaged on turning up the said knee lever.
In some cases, or when preferable, I extend across each reed cell-at its middle-
a horizontal partition, in order for the air to be equally distributed to the two reeds.
Each register or cut off D is composed of two strata of sheets u, u, of wood, and
a stratum or layer v, of cloth or other suitable like yielding material, arranged between
and glued or cemented to the said sheets. The median layer by its elasticity, causes
the cut off to fit closely to the passage in which it is arranged.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
In the part of my invention shown in Sheet 1.
1. The combination with each vertical series of reeds and their induction and
eduction chambers, of a valve applied to the induction ends of such chambers.
2. The combination of two vertical series of reeds and their induction and eduction
chambers, with two valves applied to the induction ends of such chambers and arranged
close to each other, and hinged to the sound board, so as to open in opposite directions
therefrom to uncover the mouths of the said chambers.
3. The combination with each vertical series of reeds and their induction and
eduction chambers, and a valve applied against the induction ends of such chambers,
of springs and studs to close such valve or hold it open, and of a lever and its
operative rod arranged as described, with a projection from the valve.
4. The combination with the reed chamber of a reed organ; of a valve arranged
against the end of such chamber, and with a reed inserted in such chamber. through
such end.
I also claim in the part of my invention shown in Sheet 2.
5. The valve arranged to turn down aside of its actuating wire or bar, and having
its operative arm or lever applied thereto so as to admit it-while being turned down
of being moved out of engagement with the said wire or bar.
6. The reed provided with the gate extending from it as represented, to aid in closing
the reed entrance port of the reed receiving socket.
7. The reed air induction passage or cell, provided with the reed entrance port, and
the bridge or bearing a for the reed gate and valve to rest against, such bearing
being at one end of such passage.
8. The combination of the reed induction passage or cell, and the two reeds
arranged in its upper and lower parts, and having gates to them as set forth—with a
single valve applied to such passage at one end thereof, and with bridges or bearings
for the gates and the valve near its upper and lower end to rest against.
9. The combination with the reed induction passage or cell, provided with a reed
port and a valve-bearing in the upper as well as in the lower part of its mouth with
two reeds having gates to rest against such valve-bearings and aid in closing the reed
socket ports and with a single valve to rest against such bearings, and having an
aperture or passage through it for the extraction or insertion of one of the reeds
through it, the said valve.
10. The combination of the slide or "cut off" E arranged between the induction
and eduction chambers, with them, their reed, and the valve applied to the induction
chamber.

page_text: 11. The slide or cut off cell formed as described, and provided with the closing
strip n, fastened in place by screws arranged in the front of the reed cells.
12. The combination of the knee lever, and its operative spring, with the valve.
13. The combination of the valve and an arm or knee lever projecting therefrom,
with the actuating spring of the latter, and with the valve operative rod or bar
provided with the button or shoulder arranged so as to admit of said valve
and arm or knee lever being turned down, in a manner to carry the latter out
of engagement with the rod or bar, and the valve down to or nearly to a horizontal
position, and to cause said valve to be supported or held therein by the spring-such
spring, on the valve being raised to its seat, serving to press it closely thereon.
I also claim in the part of my invention shown in Sheets 3 and 4.
14. The combination of the lower reed chamber valve and its operative lever, with
the upper reed chamber valve and a pivoted arm projecting down therefrom, and
applied to the said operative lever by means to enable it, when moved, to force its
valve off its seat, and to cause the arm to be simultaneously moved to force its valve
off its seat such lever and arm being provided with springs for imparting reverse
movements to them to close their valves upon their seats.
15. The combination with the two reed valves and their operative lever and arm
arranged as represented, of the turn button pivoted to the said arm and extending
down in front of the upper arm of the lever.
16. The combination of the valve and its furcated knee lever, with the actuating
spring of the said lever, and with the valve operative rod provided with the two
buttons m and n and having below the lower one a guide or means for it, the said
lower button, to rest on when the knee lever is turned down.
17. The combination with the reed chamber and its reed and register, of the reed
tongue vibrating chamber and its throat or educt, arranged with such reed and
register.
18. The combination of the reed valve lever actuating wire, provided with the three
buttons arranged on it as represented, with the lever applied to the wire over its
lowest button, the wire guide or guides, and the furcated knee lever and its valve
and spring.
19. The register or cut off D, as composed of the two layers or strata of wood, and
the interposed layer or stratum of cloth, glued or cemented together.
All substantially as illustrated and described and for the purposes set forth.