Improved Means applicable for use in Playing Pianos and other Key. board Instruments Mechanically.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Apr., 1899-Accepted, 17th June, 1899
Improved Means applicable for use in Playing Pianos and other Key.
board Instruments Mechanically.
I, GEORGE GATTON MELHUISH HARDINGHAM, of Clun House, Surrey Street, in
the County of London, Civil Engineer and Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention (a communication from abroad from The
Autono Company, a company organised under the laws of the State of West
Virginia, of 23, Court Street, Boston, in the State of Massachusetts, one of the
United States of America,) and in what manner the same is to be performed to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention has for its object to effect the playing of a pianoforte or other
key-board instrument automatically by causing a perforated music sheet to move
over air-ducts in communication with pneumatic valves and bellows for operating
the keys of the instrument.
Assuming the invention to be applied by way of example, to a pianoforte, it
consists in the combination with the keys of a pianoforte action of a perforated
music sheet, air-ducts over which the perforated music sheet is arranged to travel,
pneumatic valves and pneumatic bellows operated thereby, the pneumatic bellows
being suitably connected to the keys of the pianoforte by which the pianoforte
keys are played or operated and the strings sounded, all substantially as herein-
after fully described; and the invention also consists of the construction and
arrangement of other parts in connection therewith for the proper operation
thereof, all substantially as hereinafter fully described.
In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a pianoforte having this inven-
tion applied thereto, Fig. 1 represents a front view of the lower part of an upright
pianoforte, below a horizontal plane just above the key-board, some of the parts
being broken away and in section in order the more fully to show the construction
and operation. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line 2-2 in Fig. 3. Fig. 3
is a vertical section on the line 3-3 in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detail vertical cross
section similar to Fig. 3 but on an enlarged scale. Fig. 5 is a detail plan view.
Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical section on the line 6-6 in Fig. 1, the parts being
enlarged. Fig. 7 is a detail plan view of some of the parts shown in Fig. 6.
Fig. 8 is a detail view in section similar to Fig. 4, but with some of the parts
in different positions. Fig. 9 is a detail rear view. Fig. 10 is a detail side view
and section on the line 10-10 in Fig. 2. Fig. 11 is a detail side view and
section on the line 11-11 in Fig. 2. Fig. 12 is a detail rear view and vertical
section of the race-way over which the perforated music sheet travels. Fig. 18 is
a detail section and side view of certain parts to be hereinafter particularly referred
to. Figs. 14, 14, 14, 14°, 14° and 14 represent in perspective the several parts
forming the race-way over which the perforated music sheet travels. Figs. 15
and 16 represent in vertical transverse section the race-way on two separate lines
showing the air-passages through it. Fig. 17 is a horizontal section on the
line 17-17 in Fig. 18. Fig. 18 is a vertical section on the line 18-18 in Fig. 17.
Fig. 19 is a plan of one end of the perforated music sheet.

page_text: The instrument represented in the accompanying drawings being of the usual
upright type its construction and operation will be readily understood without
detailed description here and reference will only be made to the various parts
thereof so far as it is found necessary in describing the present invention and
its connections therewith. A is the case or frame of an upright piano, B the piano
action, constructed in the usual manner, of which action C is a key. D represents
an electric motor or any other suitable source of motive power, and, upwardly,
from a pulley E, on the motor shaft F, is extended a belt G which passes over
another larger pulley H, secured to one end of a horizontal shaft J adapted to
turn in bearings in the framework of the case A. On the other end of the shaft J.
is a pulley K which is connected by a belt L with another pulley M on a horizontal
shaft N, arranged to turn in bearings in supports P near the bottom of the piano
case, and to which shaft N are connected three separate and independent crank
arms a, a, a, respectively connected to moveable boards Q pertaining to three
separate exhaust bellows R, the latter being attached to and communicating with
a vertical wind chest S at the back of the exhausters shown more particularly in
Fig. 3. At one end of this wind chest S is an exhaust bellows T supported edge-
wise on supports 6 communicating with the wind chest by openings & shown in
dotted lines, Fig. 1.
As the motor is operated, the shafts J and N revolve and operate the exhausters R
the latter effecting the exhaustion of the air from the wind chest S and bellows T
in the usual manner of exhaust bellows. From one end of the exhaust bellows T,
are led two tubes, e, f, connected respectively with the ends of a primary pneumatic
box U, secured to the under side of the key bed V of the piano case, and between
two upright boards W: these tubes serving to effect communication between the
chamber of the exhaust bellows T and the chamber of the primary pneumatic
box U. Below the box U are four horizontal rows of pneumatic bellows A¹, one
above the other, the upper or stationary boards h of which are secured respectively
to the under sides of four horizontal boards B¹ secured to the uprights W. These
boards B to which the pneumatic bellows A¹ are attached are bevelled transversely
upon their under sides, so that when the pneumatic bellows attached thereto are
open their moveable boards m will be horizontal or substantially so.
There is one pneumatic bellows for each key of the piano desired to be operated,
but, for the better adaptation of this invention to various scales of pianos, in the
manufacture of this attachment for general use, a few more of the pneumatic bellows
are added than are necessary for the number of keys to be operated, so that, in
adapting the attachment to the various scales of different manufacturers of piano-
fortes, the pneumatic bellows to be operated will all be in line, or each substantially
under the rear end of the key to be operated, so that the connections between the
pneumatic bellows can be satisfactorily and practically arranged.
Between the upper board, to which the upper row of pneumatic bellows A¹ is
secured, and the primary pneumatic box U is an open space r.
Into the rear end of each moveable board m of each of these pneumatic bellows,
is screwed an eye C¹ on which rests the lower end of an upright rod or sticker ])¹,
it being held in place thereon by a pin n disposed in the eye C¹ and projecting
downward from the end of the sticker.
The upper end of this rod extends upwards through an opening in a strip ",
secured to the rear of the action bed V, and abuts against the head of the screw v
projecting from the under side of the extremity of a key C as shown in Figs. 3, 4
and 9.
When the key and its respective pneumatic bellows are in their normal position.
the screw is turned out sufficiently for its head to be close to the upper end of
the sticker so that as the sticker is forced upwards by the movement of the
pneumatic bellows the key will be immediately acted upon by the sticker; but
the screw should not be so near to the sticker as to interfere with the movements
of the key when the piano is being played by hand; this screw enables proper
adjustment of these parts.

page_text: The pneumatic bellows, being necessarily wider than the keys, are arranged in
four horizontal rows in order to get the number required within the compass of
the number of keys used by this attachment in the instrument; the bellows follow-
ing one after the other, as shown more particularly in Fig. 1, from the lower row to
the upper row and so on for the whole number. In each stationary board of each
pneumatic bellows A¹ is an air passage w which leads to and communicates with
the pneumatic bellows, a separate passage being provided for each pneumatic
bellows, and outside it is connected by an india-rubber tube y with a small tube a
opening into an air passage b' in the primary pneumatic box below its chamber g.
This passage has an opening d' into the chamber y and from the under side
an opening el into the open air space r.
In this passage b', between the two openings d, e, is a valve E¹ having a
central vertical stem f¹ its lower portion extending downwards through the open-
ing el and through an opening g₁ in a fixed board h¹ which serves as a guide to
the valve stem; the upper portion of the stem f¹ extending upwards through the
opening through the box chamber g into a small chamber m above open to the
box chamber g except as hereinafter stated, and the upper end of the stem f
is secured to a piece n¹ of sheet material, secured over the chamber at ¹, being
sufficiently flexible for it to move upward and downward with the valve stem
and when in its normal position to be curved or bent upward more or less into
the chamber as shown in Fig. 4. The chamber m' is provided with a passage t
which leads to the outside of the box U.
Extending downwardly from and secured to the under side of the key-bed is
a transverse board F having a longitudinal row of air-ducts or passages G opening
at the lower edge u¹ to the atmosphere; at their upper ends each communicates with
a separate passage extending backward which is connected by an india-rubber
tube H with the air passage t in the box U communicating with a chamber m¹
as shown in Fig. 4.
This board F with the air-ducts or passages G₁ constitutes the race-ways over or
under which travels the perforated music sheet J¹ as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and in
order to make it practicable and to reduce the cost as much as possible, at the same
time enabling the air-ducts and passages to be of small size and close together
so that the perforated music sheets may be quite narrow, the race-way is con-
structed substantially as illustrated more particularly in Figs. 14 to 14; the several
parts L, M, N, P, Q, R being shown detached and in perspective.
The central board L, Fig. 14, is made by cutting or sawing alternating transverse
grooves a² on each side, each set of grooves extending from each outer side of the
board to a line beyond the longitudinal centre line thereof.
The piece M, Fig. 14, has a series of holes 6 formed therethrough near its
upper edge and is secured to the left-hand side of the central board L closing the
sides of the grooves a² but so that its holes 62 are opposite to and communicate
with the grooves «² on such side, and, at the same time, the plain and solid
piece N, Fig. 14", is secured to the right-hand side of the central board L which
covers the grooves on that side, so as to constitute a series of passages G of the
race-way through the composite piece; on the lower edge of the composite piece
is then secured the thin board P1, Fig. 14, having a series of holes h² formed
therein these holes coinciding with the inner ends or sides of the grooved
passages on each side of the central board L' and communicating with each
one of said grooves as shown in Figs. 15 and 16.
At the time the board P is secured as above described, the board Q (Fig. 14º)
having one series of holes m³ in a longitudinal line through its thickness and
another series of holes drilled from one edge and terminating in the holes m²,
is secured on the other edge of the composite piece so that the holes me will coincide
with the grooves or passages in the board L' and over this board Q is secured
a plain solid strip R, Fig. 14, the latter closing the holes m².
These parts are preferably secured by glue or any suitable adhesive material
and when all are secured together the whole is planed and trued as desired, the

page_text: outer surface of the strip P being rounded somewhat, as shown in Figs. 15 and 16,
to facilitate the movement of the music sheet over the same.
Into each hole 62 and 2 is inserted a small metal tube and to the extremity
of each latter is fitted an india-rubber tube H' extending to and communicating
with the air passage in the pneumatic box U, these holes 62 and 2 and tubes t
being arranged alternatively in two horizontal rows and overlapping each other
as shown more particularly in Fig. 12.
Kis the roller upon which the perforated music sheet J is wound before being
put into the instrument, and is located in front of the race-way and attached
to shafts or pinions arranged to turn in bearings in supports u² secured to the
under side of the key-bed V and adapted to be put into position and to be moved
therefrom in any of the well-known ways of applying such music rolls to musical
instruments operated by perforated music sheets and not needing any particular
description herein.
On
Lis the take-up roller located in rear of the race-way and adapted to turn by
its journals in bearings in two arms a pivoted on the music roll shaft w³.
the journal 2 of the take-up roller L is secured a gear d² which nieshes with
a gear e secured on a shaft M turning, by one end, in a support f2 of the key-
bed and, by its other end, in a support near the end of the piano case.
Secured on this shaft M is a coned pulley N and at its end is a loose pulley Pix
held in place by a collar 2; a belt running from this coned pulley over another
coned pulley Q on the shaft J as shown more particularly in Fig. 2.
The upper side of the coned pulley belt m2 runs through an opening in one end
of a shifter rod n² the outer end whereof is pivoted to one arm of a bell-crank
lever R pivoted at 2x to the key-bed, the other arm of the bell-crank lever being
pivoted to a rod St which extends towards the front of the key-board through a
guide opening 2 in a board 2 secured to the key-bed and having an operating
handle or pull y².
Upon pulling out or pushing in the rod S¹ pertaining to the shifter rod 2 of
the coned pulley belt m the shaft M¹ is caused to rotate either faster or slower,
its speed together with that of the take-up roller connected therewith being corre-
spondingly varied so as to cause the sheet to travel faster or slower as required
according to the character of the music being performed. This varying of the
speed may be effected at any time during the travel of the music sheet over the
race-way. By pushing the rod fully back, the belt max will be moved on to the
loose pulley P by which the operation of the music sheet will cease.
Secured to the under side of the key-bed is a box y in which is arranged to
slide backwards and forwards transversely in relation to the piano, a block .r2
having a depending bifurcated arm T¹ which straddles the shaft M* between two
flanges a secured thereto, and connected at 63 to a rod d'; secured to the block .3
is one arm of a bell-crank lever pivoted at f to the key-bed, its other arm
pivoted at g3 to the end of the rod V₁ extending to the front through a guide
opening in the board alongside the rod Sand having an operating handle
or pull m³.
The journal pin of the music roller at one end is adapted to engage with a short
shaft turning in a bearing in the block and on this shaft is secured a pulley
which is connected by a cross belt to a pulley on the shaft M.
The pulley is loose on the shaft M and attached to it is a circular block w³
having a circumferential groove in which two arms at, projecting downwardly
from and rigidly secured to the under side of the action bed are disposed.
Projecting from the side of this block w³ is a pin band secured to the shaft M**
are two radial pins d' opposite to each other, and when the shaft M** is moved
back to disengage its gear c² from the gear & of the take-up roller its movement
is sufficient for one of the pins d to engage with the pin 6 of the block w³ and
cause it to turn and, by means of the cross belt u³, to turn the music roller in a
direction the reverse of its motion when a tune is being played. The music sheet
may thus be re-wound upon the music roller and the tune played over again or

page_text: the said roller may be removed and another music roller bearing a different music
sheet may be inserted.
When the music sheet is entirely re-wound, the rod V1 is pulled out thereby
moving the shaft M to the left, its gear c again engaging with the take-up roller
geard and its pins d' disengaging from the block pin 6 so that the take-up roller
will be operated to move the music sheet in playing the tune, and the music sheet
roller is free to turn so that its music sheet may be unwound therefrom in playing
the tune.
The arms carrying the take-up roller are arranged to swing down on their
pivots into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4 so that the free end of the
music sheet on the music roller can be attached thereto in the usual manner, where-
upon the frame is swung up into its place and locked there by a spring bolt A², in
a block 12, secured to the action bed, adapted to engage in the end of the journal 62
of the take-up roller as shown in the detail Fig. 133.
Extending from the end of the moveable board C of the main exhaust bellows T
is an arm 2 to which is connected one end of a spiral spring E its other end
being disposed in a socket in an extension 12 of the other board of the bellows,
this spring acting by its tension to keep the exhaust bellows open.
Connected to the arm 12 of the exhaust bellows, is a forwardly extending rod G2
in the end of which is a slot H2 by which connection is made with one arm of a
bell-crank lever J2 pivoted at f to a support g', the other arm of the lever
extending horizontally backwards and projecting over a horizontal lever K², pivoted
at m' to a support and extending towards the middle of the front of the piano,
its arm being connected at r to a pedal L² pivoted at t to a support M² on the
bottom board N².
The extremity P2 of the other arm of this lever extends to the side of the case
and on this end rests and bears a vertical rod Q which extends up to and just
under the rail R² against which the hammers S2 rest by their stems when in
their normal positions.
On depressing the pedal L², the arm of the lever K2 is pulled down while
the arm together with the rod Q and hammer rail R2 are raised, the latter
swinging and moving the hammers forward so that when played the blow of the
hammer upon the string will be much lighter, consequently producing a softer
tone, this being the usual soft stop in upright pianos.
As the lever moves it raises the arm of the bell-crank J, moving its other
arm forward and, pulling upon the arm 12 of the moveable board C of the exhaust
bellows, moves the board against its spring E2 and accordingly closes the
bellows more or less so that less pressure will be exerted on the air in the wind
chest and consequently reducing the force of the blow of the key in playing for
the purpose of producing lighter touch and softer tones.
In the moveable board C2 of the exhaust bellows T is an opening T into its
chamber over which on the outside of the board is a valve U2 and secured to this
valve and projecting backwards therefrom is an arm V2 having a slot W2 in it,
at right angles to the valve in which is disposed one end of a lever A³ pivoted
at 13 to a support C3, its other end being connected to a rod D at w' which at its
other end is attached to one arm y¹ of a bell-crank lever E³ pivoted at 13 to the
under side of the key-bed, the other arm of the bell-crank lever being connected
at a³ to a rod G arranged to slide freely in a support H and connected by its
other end to the outer end of the arm e³ of the bell-crank U¹ connected to the
arm for moving the shaft M**.
The operation of the instrument is as follows:-
The motor having been started, through its shaft and pulley E, motion is
communicated by the belt G to the pulley II on the shaft J, through the belt L
to the shaft N which operates the exhausters R, exhausting the exhaust bellows T
and wind chest S in the usual manner of operating exhaust bellows for musical
instruments.
The music roll K¹ carrying the perforated music sheet J¹ being inserted in

page_text: position and the other end of the music sheet passed under the race-way and
attached to the take-up roller L, motion is communicated to the take-up roller
from the shaft J and its coned pulley Q through the coned pulley N on the
shaft M and gears e² and d² whereby the music sheet is unwound from the music
roller and after travelling over the race-way in the direction of the arrow 65,
Fig. 4, is wound upon the take-up roller.
As the music sheet J so travels, when a perforation 65 comes over an air-duct h
air enters therein and passes through the passages a2 and into the chamber m
and presses down the flexible head of the primary pneumatic valve E¹ and in
such movement the valve being moved downward it uncovers the opening and
closes the opening e' as shown clearly in Figs. 8 and 18, causing the air to be
drawn from the pneumatic bellows A through the tube y and passage into the
wind chest chamber y closing the pneumatic bellows, which in such movement
raises the sticker D1 and consequently the rear end of the key which operates
the action and causes the hammer to strike the string and sound the same.
As the unperforated portion of the music sheet comes over the air-duct, the air
is prevented from entering the same, when, from the operation of the exhaust
bellows, the air exhausted from the chamber g causes the pneumatic valve E to
rise, closing the opening ', and the air then enters at the opening e into
passage band, passing to and filling the pneumatic bellows, lowers the board m,
the sticker, and the key, all the parts resuming their position in readiness for the
next time a perforation in the sheet comes over its respective air-duct in the race-
way.
On the perforated music sheet is a line of dots or marks which extend the length
of the same and at intervals along such line are marks of expression. This line
and the marks of expression indicate to the operator, as the music sheet travels
over the race-way, when and how to operate the instrument, so as to obtain the
required expression of the music in playing.
As the music roller is under the key-bed and therefore the operator is unable
to see it, a looking-glass K³ is provided as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 11, the
looking-glass being secured to a board L³ which, at its two ends, is secured to
arms M³ which are pivoted at N³ to the blocks u².
In its normal position, it is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, the outside Q of
its backing being finished or ornamented as desired, and when playing the instru-
ment it is swung down into the position shown in Figs. 4, 7 and 11 below the music
roller, so that the operator looking into it observes the reflection of the perforated
music sheet and expression marks, &c., and draws or pushes the handle y accord-
ingly, and at the same time puts his foot on the pedal L2 to close the bellows T or
to lessen or soften the touch, as desired.
The sticker is made preferably in one piece of wood, having its lower end reduced
in diameter for a short distance and passed through an opening f in the rest or
support of the pneumatic bellows, the shoulder of the sticker resting on the
support and the reduced portion holding it in place. It can be made by having
a pin or wire inserted in the end of the rod, or in any other suitable manner so
as to hold the rod in position.
The rests or supports C for the rods are each made of metal in the form of a
screw eye to screw into the end of the pneumatic bellows board m, which is a
very convenient way of making these rests as they can be secured in any part of
the end of the bellows board and consequently adjusted thereon to be under its
respective key C, so that the sticker will be vertical and properly in place in
relation to its respective key besides enabling the pneumatic bellows to be arranged
in a compact form so that they can be conveniently placed in the piano, it being
almost impossible otherwise to apply this attachment to the piano as usually con-
structed, without specially building a piano for the purpose, or enlarging the case
work of the piano to which it is to be applied.
The slot W in the arm V2 of the valve U of the exhaust bellows affords a certain

page_text: amount of movement for the connection when the bellows is being operated, but
is short enough to allow the lever to operate the valve to open it.
The various bell-cranks are connected, as shown, to their respective operating
parts by slots so that sufficient play will be given to them to allow of their move-
iments and not to interfere with the proper movements of the parts connected
therewith.
The operating parts where abutting against each other or connected together,
are lined or protected with a soft material, such as felt to prevent the parts making
a noise.
The chambers m' are of quite large diameter relative to the diameter of the
passages and are arranged in two horizontal rows alternately, and, in order to
have room for the air passages & leading to the rear ones, the chamber m¹ in the
front row are reduced in diameter in their upper part, as shown at m', in Figs. 4, 8
and 17 and in dotted lines in the same. This ensures thickness of material where
the air passages t¹ extend between the chambers in the front row to those in the
rear row; the air passages entering and communicating with the smaller part m³
of the chambers in the front row, as shown more particularly in Fig. 17.
The flexible head n to the valve E' is made by securing to the chamber side
of the board in which they are made, a strip of quite thin flexible sheet material
such as leather which covers all the chambers and over each chamber serves for
the flexible head to each valve allowing the free operation of the valve.
The transverse grooves a² in the race-way board and the holes 2 at its outer
edge, as shown in Figs. 14, 14, 15 and 16 are the air-ducts marked G¹ in other
figs., they being marked in these figs. as above to aid in understanding the mode
of constructing the race-way board. The advantage of the manufacture of the
race-way board as herein described is considerable as it otherwise would take
considerable time to bore or make the holes in a solid piece, and require great
care and skill in doing so.
Although I have described the invention as applied to a pianoforte it will be
obvious that it is equally applicable to organs and other key-board musical instru-
ments.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim :-
1. The improved means for attachment to a pianoforte for effecting the playing
thereof by causing a perforated music sheet to travel over air-ducts in com-
munication with pneumatic valves and bellows whereby the several keys of the
instrument are operated and the strings struck, substantially as herein described.
2. A race-way for a perforated music sheet constructed substantially as herein
described and consisting of a central board having on each side alternating trans-
verse grooves, the bottom of the grooves on the one side extending beyond the
bottom of the grooves on the opposite side of the board, a solid piece secured
on one side, a piece secured on the other side having a series of holes through its
thickness communicating with the grooves in the side of the central board next
thereto, a piece secured over the edges of these three pieces having a series of
holes through its thickness and a series of holes extending into and communicating
with said holes, the holes through its thickness communicating with the ends of
the grooves on the opposite side of the central board, a solid piece secured on the
outer side of the latter piece closing the holes on the side thereof next thereto,
and a piece secured to the other edges of the three secured pieces, having a longi-
tudinal row of holes through its thickness communicating with the transverse
grooves in the central board.
3. In a board, a series of chambers in one row at one side and another series
of chambers in one row at the side of said first row and alternating in line there-
with, one row of smaller diameter at their upper ends, and each chamber at its
upper end having a tube or air passage extending forward therefrom and having
communication therewith and closed at its lower end by a flexible diaphragm.

page_text: 4. In a board a series of chambers in one row at one side and another series of
chambers in one row at the side of said first row and alternately in line therewith,
one row of smaller diameter at their upper ends, and each chamber at its upper
end having a tube or air passage extending forward therefrom and having com-
munication therewith and closed at its lower end by a flexible diaphragm, a
chamber below all of said chambers in which the flexible diaphragms are arranged
to move, a chamber below said chamber, one to each diaphragm chamber, an air-
passage to each lower chamber communicating with the general chamber, an air-
passage to the lower chamber opening to the atmosphere and a valve to each latter
air-passage respectively connected to each diaphragm.
Dated this 4th day of toil 1800