Improvements in and connected with Organs.
Year: 1892

page_text: ate of Application, 29th Dec., 1892--Accepted, 8th Apr., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Organs.
I, JOSEPH BROOK, of Victoria Road, Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain, Organ Builder, 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, that is to say :-
My said invention comprises improvements in organs, including improved
electrical and mechanical apparatus by means of which the organist is enabled to
control the speech of the various pipes, and to couple and combine the various
octaves, manuals, and pedals, in a simple and effective manner, irrespective of his
distance from the instrument.
In my improved apparatus the coupling or combining of the octaves, manuals,
and pedals is effected by devices arranged within the key desk or console and
operating by means of electric currents derived from a battery or other source of
electricity. My invention also comprises an improved soundboard, having
pneumatic valve appliances, in connection with the keys and the draw-stops.
There is also comprised in the invention a combination of thumb pistons, or push
rods, with the draw-stops, by means of which various combinations of draw-stops
can be rapidly put in a speaking or silent position.
And in order that my said invention and the manner of performing the same may
be properly understood, I hereunto append two sheets of explanatory drawings to
be hereinafter referred to, and showing my improvements.
Figure, 1, on Sheet, 1, of the drawings is a transverse vertical section of a part
of the key-desk.
Figure, 2, is a sectional plan of mechanism employed for actuating a coupler,
Figure, 3, being a sectional elevation of the same.
Figure, 4, on Sheet, 2, is a transverse vertical section of the soundboard and some
parts connected therewith.
Figure, 5, is a vertical longitudinal section of a part of the soundboard, and the
pneumatic valve box which controls the air supply thereto.
Figure, 6, is a plan of one of the lever armatures of electro-magnets, of which one
is shown in Figure, 4, and which convert the electrically transmitted impulses into
mechanical actions.
Figure, 7, is a sectional plan of mechanism moved by thumb pistons or push rods
for effecting and changing combinations of draw-stops, Figure, 8, being a transverse
vertical section of the same.
In these drawings the same reference letters and numerals are used to mark the
same or like parts wherever they are repeated.
"
In the example of my improved apparatus shown in the drawings, the key-
desk, A, is made for two manuals (although there might be more) and, with some
parts of kinds in common use. The keys, B, of the bottom manual the "great
organ manual for example rock on pins, B1, fixed in the balance rail, B2,
fastened to the framing of the key-desk; and key-rests, B 3, and, B 4, are provided
at the ends of the keys to limit their rocking movements. Similarly the keys, C,
of the upper manual the "swell organ" manual for example rock on pins, C1, fixed
in the balance rail, C2, and key-rests, C3, C4, are provided for them. Electric
current is conveyed from a battery (not shown) or other source by a wire, D,
through a series of springs, D 1, fixed to the balance rail, B2, a separate spring
being provided for each key. Each of the springs, D1, whilst serving as an
electric conductor is arranged to bring its own key back to a horizontal position
when freed from the finger which has depressed it. As the action of, and the
mechanism provided for each of the keys, in the lower manual is the same it will.

page_text: suffice to describe any one of them. The current passes through the spring, D1,
to a vertical wire, D2, fixed to the key, B, and to a metal plate, D3, fixed on the
top of the key. The plate, D3, has fixed to it a vertical contact spring, D4,
which, when the key, B, is depressed, rises into contact with a contact spring, D5,
fixed to a main bar, D6, which is stationary, and the electric current from each
key is conveyed through a separate wire, D 7, to a terminal board, D8, and passes
thence by a wire, D 9, to the electro-magnet, D 10, shown in Figure, 4, and by
means of mechanism, to be hereinafter described, causes the pipe corresponding to
the key which has been depressed to speak. A branch return wire, D11, connects
the magnet, D 10, to the battery. Three movable bars, E, F, and, G, are arranged
alongside of the stationary main bar, D6, and act as couplers mechanism being
arranged to move each of them separately up or down in a vertical direction the
amount of movement being shown by the coupler, G, which is delineated as in its
raised position, out of action. It will suffice to describe the mechanism for the
coupler, F, which is shown in Figures, 1, 2, and 3, as it is similar to the mechanism
for the couplers, E, and, G. The coupler, F, has fixed in its ends brass slide
pieces, F 1, fitted to slide in guide grooves, F 2, formed in the sides of the key-
desk, A. When it is desired to move the coupler, F, into action that is into its low
position in which it is shown in Figures, 1, and 2, a rod, F 3, is pulled out, and by
a bell-crank, F 4, engaging with a vertical pin, F 5, on a horizontal rod, F6,
moves the rod horizontally. To each end of the rod, F 6, there are jointed toggle
links, F 7, and, F 8, two of which, F 7, are also jointed to an upper fixed cross
bar, F 9, the other two links, F8, having their bottom ends jointed to the
coupler, F. The horizontal movement imparted to the rod, F6, by the pulling
out of the rod, F3, causes the coupler, F, to be lowered by the straightening of
the links, F7, and, F 8. When the rod, F 6, is pushed in the reverse actions raise
the coupler out of action.
The keys, C, of the upper manual are connected-in the same way as the lower-
manual keys, B, to the battery by means of a wire, C5, there being similar
springs, C6, wires, C7, and plates, C 8, provided for the conveyance of the
currents. A stationary bar, C 9, and a coupler bar, C 10, are also provided, and
current is conveyed from each key contact plate, C8, through its contact
spring, C11, and a wire, C 12, to the terminal board, D8, and thence by the
wires, C13, to an electro magnet (not shown). The coupler, C 10, is movable
vertically and by means of a wire, C 14, for each key the current is conveyed
(when the coupler is in action) to the piece, C 15, fixed to the terminal board, D8.
The couplers, E, F, and, G, when lowered are in positions for making electrical
contacts between their contact springs, E 1, F 10, G1, and the contact springs, D 4,
of the lower manual keys, A, on a key being depressed. The coupler, E, is con-
nected to the terminal board, D 8, by wires, E 2, (one for each key) and thence by
wires, E 3, to the contact pieces, C 15, at the top of the terminal board. When it
is desired to couple upper or lower octaves or to act simultaneously on two or more
sets of pipes or "organs" the corresponding rods or stops, such as, F 3, is or are
drawn out, whereby the proper couplers, E, F, G, or, C 10, are lowered into action.
The wires and contact plates on the terminal board, D8, are arranged in a well
known way so as to obtain the octave or other coupling actions provided for in the
instrument.
Similar apparatus is employed in connection with the "pedal organ." Electric
current is conveyed from the battery to a series of springs, H, by a wire, H 1,
there being a spring provided for each pedal, H 2. Each spring, H, is always in
contact with a brass metal plate, H 3, fixed to the top of one end of a horizontal
lever, H 4, which is actuated by its pedal, H 2. Three bars, J, J 1, J 2, one, J,
stationary and the other two movable and serving as couplers are employed in this
case, a current for each pedal being conveyed when contact is made with the
contact spring, J 3, of the stationary bar, J, through a wire, J 4, to the corre-
sponding electro magnet. The coupler, J 1, is employed to combine the " pedal
and "great organs," a branch wire, J 5, connecting it to the "great organ" main
"

page_text: wire, D 9, on the terminal board, D 8. Similarly the coupler, J 2, is employed to
combine the "pedal" and "swell organs," a branch wire, J 6, connecting it to the
"swell organ
"main wire, C 13, on the terminal board, D 8. The couplers, J 1,
and, J 2, may be raised out of, and lowered into action by mechanism like that used
in connection with the coupler, F, and hereinbefore described, but they are by
preference raised or lowered by rods, J 7, and J 8, connected to them and actuated
by, bell-cranks and draw-stop handles above (not shown).
The usual draw-stops, K, are provided and are arranged at the front of the key
desk, A, at some distance above the upper manual. A register, K 1, that is a fixed
bar with guide apertures is provided to carry them with stops to limit their travel.
The inner end of the draw-stop, K, is furnished with an arched contact spring, K2,
one end of which is always bearing on a metal plate, K 3, fixed to a cross bar, K 4,
the plate being connected to the battery by a wire, K 5. The other end of the
contact spring, K 2, bears on another metal plate, K 6, fixed to the cross bar, K 4,
when the draw-stop, K, is pulled out. The contact plate, K 6, is connected by a
wire, K 7, and its continuation, K 8, to an electro magnet, M 1, shown in Figure, 5,
which when the draw-stop is drawn out, actuates mechanism for causing wind to be
supplied to the sound board of the particular "organ" or set of pipes.
The electro magnet, D 10, Figure, 4, for each pipe, L 8, when energised
attracts one end of its lever armature, D 12, which is hinged at its centre and its
other end being raised closes an exhaust valve, L, and opens a valve, L 1, in a wind
box, L 2, both valves being fixed on the same spindle, D 13, the bottom end of which
is fixed to the end of the lever armature, D 12. Wind of high-pressure is supplied to
the wind box, L2, the wind supplied to the soundboard, L 3, being of lower
pressure. When the valves, L, L1, are in the position shown a valve, L 4, is open
and the high pressure wind has access by passages L 5, L6, L 7, into a cavity
formed in blocks of wood, L 9, extending along the soundboard. Fixed at the
top of each cavity is a diaphragm, L 10, up against which the high-pressure wind
presses and overcoming the resistance of the low pressure wind on the other side of
the diaphragm lifts the diaphragm and with it a valve disk, L 11, fixed on it which
disk closes the hole, L 12; to the pipe L 8. When the electro magnet, D 10, is
energised and the valve, L 1, opened, the high-pressure wind has access by a
passage, L 13, and tube, L 14, into a cavity, L 15, formed in a fixed horizontal
bar, L 16. Fixed on the top of the cavity, L 15, is a diaphragm, L 17, and on
being acted on by the high-pressure wind it bulges it upward carrying with it the
spindle, L 18, of the valve, L 4. The valve, L 4, is formed with two faces so that
when it is pushed upward the upper face closes the hole, L 19, communicating with
the wind box, L2, the lower face then uncovering an exhaust hole, L 20, through
which the high-pressure wind remaining in the passage, L 5, escapes. The low-
pressure wind in the soundboard space outside of the blocks, L 9, is in consequence
able to depress the diaphragm, L 10, thereby opening the valve disk, L 11, and
causing the pipe, L 8, to speak..
The arrangement just described for closing and opening the pipes, L 8, and more
particularly the diaphragm, L 10, with the valve disk, L 11, attached thereto is
advantageously applicable whether the action is transmitted thereto from the keys
by electrical or pneumatic appliances.
In the valve apparatus, Figure, 5, for controlling the air supply to a sound
board, L 3, that is, to the wind chamber of a set of pipes, L 8, the wire, K 8,
conveys current to the electro magnet, M 1, the current returning by a branch
wire, M 2, to the battery. The electro magnets, M 1, are carried on a fixed cross
bar, M 3. The wind, of low pressure, for the soundboard, reaches the box, M, by a
pipe, M 4, and pressing down a valve, M 5, proceeds by a passage, M 7, into a
bellows, M 8, equalising the pressure therein and in the valve box, M, and allowing
a spring, N, to close the valve, M 9. This valve, M 9, is connected by a rod, M 10,
to the top of the bellows and to a valve, M 11, controlling an escape hole in the
soundboard, L 3. When the electro magnet, M 1, becomes energised it attracts one
oud of the lever armature, P, and the other end rising closes an exhaust valve, P 3,

page_text: and opens another valve, P 4, in connection with a high-pressure wind box, P 5, and
with one of a series of passages, P 6, which communicate with corresponding
spaces, P7, each having a diaphragm, P 8, which lifts the rod, P 9, of the
valve, M 5, and this valve being raised the wind escapes from the bellows, M 8, and
the bellows is then compressed by the wind in the valve box, M. The collapsing
of the bellows, M 8, draws down the rod, M 10, opens the valve M 9, and closes the
exhaust hole, M 11, and the wind consequently passes from the valve box into the
soundboard, L 3.
Figures, 7, and 8, show an arrangement comprising thumb_pistons, Q, Q1,
Q2, Q3, for acting each on two or more ordinary draw-stops, K; and levers by
means of which the pushing in of one thumb piston pushes out one or more others,
the object being to facilitate the changing quickly from one combination of stops
to another. Only three draw-stop rods, K, are shown, but any number may be
arranged to be acted on by the same or additional thumb pistons. The thumb
pistons, Q, Q1, Q2, Q 3, and draw-stop rods, K, are carried by a wooden frame, R,
which may be fixed in the front part of the key-desk; and they are guided by a
register, K 1. Each draw-stop, K, is provided at its inner end, as hereinbefore
described with reference to Figure, 1, with an arched contact spring, K 2, one end
of which is always in contact with a metal plate, K 3, connected by a wire, K 5, to
the battery; and when any rod, K, is drawn out the other end of the contact
spring, K 2, bears on a metal plate, K 6, a wire, S, from each of which is led to a
separate contact plate, S1, fixed on the frame, R, a wire, S2, proceeding thence to
the electro magnet, M 1, controlling the wind supply to the respective organ or set
of pipes. Thumb pistons, Q1, Q2, Q 3, are employed to combine various numbers
of stops, K, or to put them out of action rapidly, one thumb piston, Q, being
arranged for putting out of action all stops which may have been put into action
by any other thumb piston. The thumb pistons, Q1, Q2, Q3, have fixed to their
inner ends, arched contact springs Q7, Q8, Q9, always in contact at one end with
metal plates, Q10, Q11, and Q 12, connected to the battery by a wire, X. When
any of the three thumb pistons is pushed in the other end of its curved contact
spring which is divided to form two or more tongues, bears on metal plates, S 1,
which separate wires, Q 13, Q 14, Q 15, Q 16, Q 17, 18, 19, 20, 21,
connect to separate stops or to wires proceeding from such stops to the several
organs or sets of pipes. The wires may be connected in various ways, but as an
example it may be arranged so that when thumb piston Q 1, is pushed in it
combines one stop K with the two others shown in Figure, 7, and when thumb
piston, Q2, is pushed in it combines the three stops, K, with another one and when
thumb piston, Q3, it combines the three stops, K, with two other ones. Transverse
levers T, T1, T2, U, U 1, and, V, centered at their middles are provided their
action being as follows:-When the thumb piston, Q, is pushed in to the position
shown in Figure, 7, it by means of the pins, T 3, T4, T5, fixed in it actuates the
levers T, TI, T 2, which turning on their centres, actuate respectively the thumb
pistons, Q1, Q2, Q 3, by means of the pins, U 2, U 3, U 4, fixed in them and move
them outwards out of action; and as the thumb piston, Q, is not connected to any
stops those, if any, put in action by other thumb pistons are all put out of action.
When the thumb piston, Q 1, is pushed in, it actuates by means of the pin, U 2,
the lever, T, which turning on its centre pushes the thumb piston, Q, out and puts
such stops as are in connection with it into action through the contact plate, Q 10.
When the thumb piston, Q1, is thus pushed in the pins, U 5, U 6, fixed in it are
brought close to the levers, U, U 1, respectively. Similarly when the thumb
piston, Q2, is pushed in it puts its contact spring, Q8, in contact with the terminal
contact plates, S 1, opposite it, and actuates the lever, U, which turning on its
centre pushes the thumb piston, Q1, out of action. Similarly when the thumb
piston, Q3, is pushed in it pushes out the thumb piston, Q2. The thumb pistons
may be arranged to be actuated by pedals instead of by the hand, in which case
they are placed in a vertical position as shown at Z in Figure, 1, pedals, Z 1, being
arranged for moving the rods, Q etc., which acted as thumb pistons in the

page_text: arrangement shown in Figures, 7, and 8. In Figure, 1, the stop rods, K, are at the
upper part of the key desk, and are connected by wires to the apparatus at, Z.
With the arrangement of thumb pistons (Q etc.) and levers (T etc.) in connection
with the various stops or draw-stop rods, (K), hereinbefore described, any draw-
stop rod, may be drawn out and its action will be quite independent of the thumb
pistons, there being separate electric supply wires, K 5, X, to each. It may be
mentioned by way of example, that if the draw rod is drawn out of a stop which
happens to be in action in combination with other stops, it will make no change at
the moment, but on the thumb piston being moved in a manner to silence the
combination, then the stop of the drawn out rod will not be silenced but only the
rest of the combination. Thus when a particular stop rod has been drawn out a
little beforehand then when a change from a combination to a single stop has to be
made it can be effected by a single movement of a thumb piston.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and the manner of performing the same, I declare that what I claim is :
1. In an organ, the improved arrangement and combination of electrical trans-
mission devices, coupler and draw-stop devices pneumatic valve devices, and
accessory parts substantially as hereinbefore described, and as shown in the
accompanying drawings.
2. In an organ having electrical transmission apparatus, the improved coupler
devices comprising couplers which when moved into acting position have their
contact points directly touched by contact points on the keys, substantially as
hereinbefore described.
3. In an organ with electrical or pneumatic transmission apparatus, the improved
device for closing and opening the pipes, and consisting in the case of each pipe of
a diaphragın actuated pneumatically and having attached to it a valve disk, substan-
tially as hereinbefore described.
4. The combination of thumb pistons or their equivalents, with contact springs
and plates, and with reversing levers, for quickly forming, changing, and silencing
combinations of stops, substantially as hereinbefore described more especially with
reference to Figures, 7, and, 8, of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this Twenty-fourth day of December 1892.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.