IMPROVEMENTS IN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, AND IN APPLIANCES ΤΟ BE USED THEREWITH
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert John Haddan, of Kensington, Middlesex for an
. Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, AND IN APPLIANCES
ΤΟ BE USED THEREWITH Communicated to him from abroad by Walter
Freethy Abbot, of Montreal, Canada,
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Herbert John Haddan at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th September 1882.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN of Kensington, Middlesex IMPROVEMENTS IN MUSICAL
INSTRUMENTS AND APPLIANCES TO BE USED THEREWITH Communicated to me
from abroad by Walter Freethy Abbot, of Montreal, Canada,
The improvements I am about to describe may be divided into the following
principal parts; before describing which I would mention that they relate more
particularly to that class of mechanical musical instruments in which a music strip
or band provided with perforations to represent various notes of a tune is used
as a valve or means to control the operation of the reeds, or other sound producing
devices, and it more especially pertains to instruments of such class, which contain
sound producing devices such as reeds of a reed board, bellows and exhausters and
mechanism for operating the same, feed rollers operated by mechanism for moving
the music strip across and over the opening to the wind chest, or reeds, according
to the construction of the instrument; that is to say if the reeds are placed above or
below the said music strip; a roller for the music strip and a roller operated by
mechanism for taking up the music strip as it is unwound from the music roller
and moved across and over or under the reed chamber as the case may be as for
instance in the instrument known to the trade and public under the name of
"orguinette," although as will be apparent from the description hereinafter given,
some parts of the invention, in some of their features are adapted not only to other
mechanical musical instruments of the class stated, but to all musical instruments
using reeds, pipes and other similar sounding devices, and operated with air from
either exhaust or force bellows.

page_text: The first part of this invention consists in the arrangement of a reed box so
constructed that it will serve also for tremulant and swell effects. The second part
of this invention relates to an improved construction of valve to be used on the
feeders and bellows of the aforesaid instruments. The third part of this invention
relates to the arrangement of the feeders and bellows whereby a greater economy
of space is obtained and a greater amount of area of feeders and bellows. The
fourth part of this invention relates to the arrangement of the reeds by which
a greater number of reeds can be placed in the same compass or length of row,
or with the same number of reeds a less length of row of reeds is given whereby
a narrower strip or music sheet may be employed. The fifth part of this invention
consists in a modification in the construction of the reed box and the manner of
attaching it to the guide rails. The sixth part of this invention consists in an
improved construction of the hinges and catches by which the removeable frame
carrying the tremulant and swell box, is attached to the said instrument.
The seventh part of this invention consist in the construction and arrangement
of motors for propelling the music sheet and otherwise operating the whole
instrument; and other further improvements which will be hereinafter fully set
forth and described.
In the drawings hereunto annexed similar letters of reference indicate like parts,
and Fig. 1, is a side sectional elevation of a mechanical musical instrument
embodying various (above mentioned) parts of the invention-Fig. 2 is a plán of
Fig 1. Fig. 3, is a detail of Figs. 1 and 2.-Figs. 4 and 5 are sections of Fig. 3.-
Figs. 6 and 7, are further details of the parts shown in Fig. 3.-Fig 8. 9 and 10 show
the embodyment of the second part of this invention. Fig. 10, being a section on
line x, x Fig. 9. Fig 11 is and end sectional elevation of Figs 1 and 2. Fig. 12 is a
detail plan showing the formation of throat. Fig 13, is a plan showing arrange-
ment of reeds etc when placed in tremulant and swell box, the cover being removed
from said box. Fig. 14 is a section on line x, x, Fig. 13 also showing section of
retaining frame, wind chest, cover of box cell-board and elevation of tremulant valve.
-Fig. 15 is a side elevation of an instrument having a modified form of reed box
and attachment of said box to the guiding rails. Fig. 16, is a plan of Fig. 15.
Fig. 17, is a front elevation of the reed box and guiding rails to which it is con-
nected. Fig 18 is a sectional detail of Figs. 15, 16 and 17. Fig 19, is a side
sectional elevation on line y, y, Fig. 20, of a motor for operating the instrument by.-
Fig 20 is an end elevation of Fig. 19-Fig 21 is a modification of the motor
shown in Figs 19 and 20, also showing one means by which the instrument may
be operated thereby.-Fig. 22, is a plan of the motor shown in Fig. 21.-Fig. 23, is
a section on line 2, Fig. 22.
Letter a is a casing of an instrument which, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 11,
is provided with a wind chest b, over the cover and rest of which is placed the
box c, in this case represented as having the reeds placed therein. d, is the air
passage or throat from the box c, into the wind chest 6 the instrument being made
on the exhaust plan. e, is a sound board or top of the wind chest b, provided on
each side with a guide rail f, projecting above its surface as shown and forming a
guide for the music sheet. The box c, consists of a rectangular frame g, and bottom h,
provided with air-passages i, one of which is provided for each of the reeds k.
As shown in Figs. 13 and 14 the box is provided with eighteen reeds alternately
a treble and a bass which are situated beside one another without any intervening
space whereby a narrower strip of music sheet can be employed, than when placed
in the usual position with a space between each reed. With the reeds placed as
above described, and as shown, to prevent the snarling sound given by them, caused
by the air passing principally down in a vertical direction through the reeds, I
provide a cell-board 7, which consists preferably of a piece of wood provided with
cells or grooves m, on its under side, one of which cells is provided for each reed k.
The partitions or diaphragms n, forming the cells m, are so situated that they
cover the joints between each of the reeds k, being fitted to press closely thereon.
The said cell board is attached to the reed box in an ordinary suitable manner so

page_text: that it may readily be removed for any repairs or cleaning the reeds may require.
The cover o, of the box c, is provided with perforations p, which as shown, are seven
in number; an eighth perforation q, is the tremulant perforation. This tremulant
consists of a valve r, secured in place by a spring 8, said spring being attached on a
block t, secured on the under side of the cover o. The valve r, is governed by a
weight u, in the ordinary manner to regulate its vibrations by. Above the cover
is attached a slide v, as shown in Fig 1, 2 and 11, the attachment being made by
pins a' inserted in the cover o, and by slots b' formed in the slide v.
This cover o,
is provided with the openings d¹, shown in Fig. 2 so that when it is placed in the
position indicated in said Fig. its opening c¹, agrees with the tremulant opening q,
in the cover of the box, while the remainder of the openings d', are so situated that
the openings e¹, in the cover are closed; therefore it will be seen that, if the
openings d¹, are set to open the openings e¹, the tremulant opening q, will be closed.
When the slide r, is set to uncover the tremulant opening q, the exhaustion
caused by the instrument presses the tremulant valve down and causes it to
vibrate thereby imparting a tremulant effect to the sound produced by the reeds,
and as the area of the one opening c¹ is less than the area of the seven openings e¹
it also produces a softening or reduction of the volume of sound given by
the reeds. When it is desired to give a crescendo effect the slide is gradually
moved forward until the openings d', come fair with the openings e¹. The slide v,
is operated by the hand, a projection f' being provided for that purpose.
Returning to the reeds and their attachment and arrangement each reed is
secured in place by a screw g¹, at each end, and as before stated, they are alternately
arranged a treble and a bass; they are further arranged so that the lowest note in
the scale, which is indicated by the figure 1, and to which naturally the longest
openings in the music sheet will be applied, will have the note 10, intervening
(which being a treble note will be provided with much smaller openings) between
it and the edge of the paper. This arrangement of the reeds will save much of the
weakening effect which would otherwise be caused by placing the perforations
required for note 1, next to the edge of the paper. The notes 1 to 9 inclusive are
bass notes, 1 being the lowest and 9 the highest in the bass part of the scale;
notes 10, to 18, are the treble part of the scale, 10, being the lowest and 18, the
highest in the treble part of the scale; therefore at the other edge of the music
sheet, medium sized openings will be required.
As shown in Fig. 14 the bottom h, is checked out at h¹ to form an easy fit of the
said bottom between the side rails f. Immediately above the rails f are situated
cheek pieces ¹, which with the back and front pieces k¹ form an upper frame upon
which are secured the covering pieces 1, situated at the proper distance apart for
further guiding and retaining the box c laterally in place.
The cheek pieces i, are checked out as shown at m¹ to further guide the box c, (see
Fig. 6) To the rail l, on the right hand side of Fig. 6, is attached a spring m³ (see
Figs. 1 and 7) for further retaining the box c, in place against accidental escape in
bandling. This spring engages with a projection n¹, formed on c. Instead of the said
spring a strip might be attached to one or both sides of the box c, for the same purpose.
In the cheek-pieces i¹, ordinary bearings are formed in the usual manner for carrying
the friction roller o¹. The frame formed by the parts i¹, k¹, and 1, is held in place by
a projection q', inserted in each of the parts i, as shown in Figs 3 and 5, engaging
with a hook r, formed in the plate 8¹ secured upon each of the rails f, thus forming
a detachable hinge. The other end of the said frame is secured by a projection t¹,
secured in each of the cheek-pieces ¹, engaging with a corresponding opening
formed in a spring catch u', situated one on each side in front of i¹, and fand secured
to the upper side of a², so that by spreading the springs u¹, and disengaging them
from the projections t¹, the side of it, may be first raised and the projections q', may
then be readily removed from the hooks r¹, thus enabling the whole top and box c,
to be easily placed in position and removed from it. 63, are ordinary bearings, one
on each guide rail f, for carrying the journals of the feed roller c³.. To the under-
side of the cover a³, is secured a distance piece d³, extending the entire width inside

page_text: •
of the frame or box a; d², is bevelled on its under side, to agree with the inclination
of the upper bellows board e², which is securely attached thereto, and carried thereby.
Within the body of d², air ducts or passages f2, are provided formning free communi-
cation between the bellows g² and wind chest b. Within the spaces existing
between the cover a², and bellows board e², a pair of feeders or or exhausters h³, are
situated, one pair on each side of the distance piece d², the lower exhauster of each
pair being secured on e² and the upper one on a². As shown a space exists between
the upper and lower exhauster, which gives room for the valves 2. The exhausters
are operated by cranks k2, and 12, formed on the extensions of the journals of the
feed roller c². The crank is a single crank, while k², is a double crank terminating
in a
screw threaded extension m² by which the roller c², is rotated. Each
of the said cranks is provided with pitman n2, having their lower extremities
pivoted to the upper board of the lower exhausters h. Each pair of exhausters
is worked by one pitman by having their boards connected as shown by a
link o pivoted on each of them. By this arrangement of bellows and feeders
a greater amount of area of feeder and bellows is obtained in the same space
or size of outer casing, than those heretofore constructed, while at the same
time a very simple, cheap and direct means for operating the feeders is
provided In this arrangement the upper exhausters exhaust directly from the
wind chest b, while the lower exhausters exhaust directly from the bellows. It will
be observed that the cranks k² and 12, are set at right angles to each other, to give
.an uniform action of exhaust throughout the revolution of the crank: To the ends
of the frame a, are attached brackets p³ a pair on each end: these are situated the
proper distance apart for carrying the music reel q², and take up reel by bearings
formed on the brackets receiving the journals t2, and by spring u², governed by
screws v², the whole being arranged as shown and described in a previous patent,
No. 648 of A.D. 1882. On the screw threaded extension m² of the crank ² is
placed a screw threaded hub this hub is provided with a groove a³, which causes
its periphery to serve the purposes of a pulley and on the hub a projection b³, is
formed carrying a handle c³, for rotating the whole by and operating the feed
roller. By extending the axle of the take up roller 2, as shown in Fig 2, a grooved
pulley d³, is secured on it in line with a³, and the two are connected by a belt e³,
whereby the take up roller is operated.
The valves to the feeders and bellows are constructed as follows:-ƒ³ may be
taken to be a section or fragment of the feeder or bellows board, where the valve
is situated. In this a number of openings, g³, are formed equally distant from
a common centre h³. Over these is placed a circular piece of flexible material 2³,
having its centre to agree with the centre h³, above this is secured a concavo-convex
disc or guard k³, which may be, if desired, slightly flattened in the centre. This
and ³, are secured in place by the screw h³, which becomes the common centre of
the whole. When the above mentioned valve is situated between two surfaces
very close to one another and always retaining the same position relative to each
other the disc or guard may be dispensed with, and the screw h³ may, have an
enlarged head or a washer under its head. It will be observed that the flexible
sheet is a little larger or formned to lap over beyond the openings g³, and that
while its centre is securely held down, its edge or periphery is free to rise and fall
with the passage of air out or into the bellows or feeder being controlled in its
amount of lift by the disc k³.
This form of valve has the advantage of all the other valves that have been used
in mechanical musical instruments of never getting out of order, by reason of
atmospheric changes, because no portion of its outer edge is secured to any portion
of the surface on which it is situated, and being circular there are no corners to curl
up, and any contraction or expansion caused by the atmosphere, will only effect its
diameter in all directions equally. It is also easily and cheaply constructed and
readily applied. As another modification of the reed-board rest, guide rail, bellows
and feeder, Figs. 15, 16, 17, and 18, are given. Here a¹ are the guide rails, b₁ the rest,
c, the throat piece through which the throat et is formed communicating with the

page_text: bellows f g are two supplementary rail pieces to the side rails a' for carrying the
presser roller h which roller is provided with journals to agree with the bearings it
formed in the pieces 9. In the rails a, corresponding recesses are formed for
the reception of the feed roller k situated immediately below the friction roller *.
The reed box, consists of a metal cap forming the top back and ends of the
reed-box, the ends being formed with an inward projection m' to retain in place
the reed board n', which is provided with the ordinary openings to connect with
the throat o*. As shown in Fig. 17, the reed-plate p³, carrying the tongues or
vibrators q, is attached to the reed board n't, in any suitable manner. The reed
board rests on the projections m*, being secured in place by wedges . tightly
inserted between 2%, and 14. On the upper back corners of the ends of the cap
journals & are formed retained loosely in slots t, provided in blocks u³, secured
upon 9 By thus situating the journals 84, the reed box is enabled to swing bodily
upward when turned on the said journals as indicated by the dotted lines y', in
Fig 18. This gives sufficient space, when the reed-box is so swung upwards, to
freely enter the music sheet to the rollers h, and k To give a yielding pressure
to the friction roller h, the rails g' are so secured that while they are brought to a
bearing at the front end on at, they are left open an amount as shown at the back
end, being retained in place at the back by a screw a³, passing through a recess 65,
in which is placed a spiral spring c³, giving a downward pressure to the back end
of g, so that by the screwing in or out of the screw a³, the pressure of the friction
roller on the feed roller is adjusted. In the above construction of the reed-board
the weight of the metallic cap 4, enables the use of a spring (commonly used) to
press down the board to be dispensed with, and gives a cheaper and more durable
construction of board than heretofore in use. Figs. 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 show
the construction and arrangement of motors to be used in the class of instruments
above described, when it is desired to operate the same by the foot instead of by
hand; and referring first to Figs 19 and 20. a6, is an axle carried in bearings of
any suitable supports 6 On this axle is secured a wheel cd, is a frame pivoted
on the axle a6, and freely, swinging thereon. Between the two sides of this frame
is pivoted a revolving pulley e, between which and the wheel is inserted a wedge
shaped shoe fe, so that when the frame do, is swung to raise the pulley eº, and
shoe f6, the shoe wedges between the pulley and wheel, causes the wheel cº, to
revolve by gripping the periphery of co, whereas when e, is lowered the shoe f*,
is free to fall by its own gravity without gripping the periphery of c6, or in other
words; when es is raised, by making the pulley e free to revolve on its axis,,all
the friction given by the configuration of a wedge provided to fo, is applied to
the periphery of co, part of which friction would be lost if eo, did not freely revolve.
g is a small pin inserted in the side of fo to prevent the danger of its jumping
out when moved rapidly up and down. he is a treadle of ordinary construction
for actuating the frame do, and parts thereto connected, a pitman is, being employed
to impart the motion. From the above it will be seen that the mechanism above
described will only cause the wheel cº, to move in one direction, being that indicated
by the arrow in Fig.19. To impart a continuous motion to the wheel co, two
treadles and duplicates of parts mentioned, will be provided one operating
alternately with the other.
k is a balance wheel secured on aº, upon which, or any extension of said axle aº,
the driving pulley may be secured.. is a spring for raising the treadle after it
has been depressed, and m6 is a stop to govern its amount of lift; these two last
mentioned parts may be situated as shown or in any other place to accomplish the
same result.
In Figs 21, 22 and 23, another modification of the motor is shown; here the
frame do, is provided with a sufficient opening between it and the wheel c6, to
introduce pawls a', between the frame and the disc.. These pawls are pivoted on
the axle a³, and are provided at their other end with wedge shaped projections 67,
a wedge shaped shoe c' being secured within the frame d, which when the end of
the frame is raised in the manner described for Fig 19. causes the wedge shaped

page_text: projections 6' on the ends of the pawls to grip the opposite sides of the wheel c6, and
wedge themselves down into the shoe c'; by reversing the motion the wedge shaped
projections are relieved from the shoe c', and from their grip on the wheel co.
as are stops to prevent the parts 67 from rising an undue amount out of their
places. In other respects this motor is substantially similar to that shown in
Figs 19 and 20 and provided with the same parts.
In Fig 21 is shown a method of connecting the motors with instruments similar
to that shown in Figs 1 and 2. 68 is a driving pulley secured on the axle a®,
imparting motion by a belt c8, to a wheel d³, secured on the crank shaft and feed
roller c. Beside d³, is secured a driving pulley es, which by a band f8, operates
the take up roller r³. a³ is the music strip and 6 is a roller which will be placed if
required, for guiding the music strip while being wound up on the take up roller.
What I claim and wish to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:-
1. In a mechanical musical instrument a movable reed box located above and
to rest on the perforated music sheet as it passes over the throat d, and constructed
to act as a swell box in the sounding of the reeds substantially as described.
2. In a mechanical musical instrument a movable reed box located above and to
rest upon the perforated music sheet as it passes over the throat and provided with
a valve and otherwise arranged to act as a tremulant box in the sounding of the
reeds substantially as described.
3. In a mechanical musical instrument a removable reed box, constructed and
arranged for either swell or tremulant effects or both, substantially as described.
4. In a mechanical musical instrument the combination with bellows g³ of
exhausters h², located in pairs above said bellows as described and shown and having
the exhausters of each said pair, the one above the other and connected together to
work alternately, substantially as described.
5. In a mechanical musical instrument the combination with bellows g³, of
exhausters h³, located in pairs substantially as shown, the one exhauster of each
pair being above the other and connected together to work alternately and the said
pairs being set to work alternately the one pair with the other, or otherwise
substantially as shown and described.
6. In combination with a mechanical musical instrument operated by a perforated
music sheet, bellows, exhausters or feeders, having their side or wall provided with
openings g³, with a sheet of flexible material is secured in position at its central
portion and left free to vibrate at its outer portion substantially as described.
7. The combination in a mechanical musical instrument operated by a perforated
music sheet, bellows and feeders or exhausters having openings g³, the valve i³
controlled in its movement by a fender or guard ³, substantially as shown and
described.
8. The combination in a mechanical musical instrument operated by a per-
forated music strip a reed box having its reeds g³, arranged without any intervening
spaces between them, with a cell-board provided with corresponding cells for the
reeds substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
9. The combination in a mechanical musical instrument, operated by a music
sheet, of a removable reed box having its reeds arranged immediately adjacent to
each other, that is without intervening spaces or partitions between the reed
blocks, with a removable cell-board substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
10. In a mechanical musical instrument a .reed box c, having a guiding and
retaining frame constructed as described in combination with plate 8¹; projections q¹
and and springs u all arranged and operating substantially as shown and
described.
11. In a mechanical musical instrument a reed box retained in position by
journals 8, situated substantially as described for the purposes set forth.
12. In a mechanical musical instrument the combination of a reed board arranged
to swing on journals as described; adjustable rails g' and friction'roller / substan-
tially as described.
13: In a mechanical musical instrument a reed box having cap 1*, of considerable

page_text: gravity thereby dispensing with the necessity of a spring, in combination with a
reed board n', and reeds q, substantially as described.
14. In combination with the mechanism for propelling a music sheet in a
mechanical musical instrument a motor consisting of the wheel c, axle a, frame dº,
shoe f6, maintained in place and operated as described the whole substantially as
set forth and shown.
15. In combination with the mechanism for propelling the music sheet in a
mechanical musical instrument a motor consisting of a wheel ce, axle as, frame do,
pawls a', having wedges haped projections 67, and shoe c', constructed and arranged
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof I the said Herbert John Haddan have hereunto set my
hand and seal this 29th day of September A.D. 1882.