IMPROVEMENTS IN ORGANS, SERAPHINES, AND OTHER 'FREE-REED' INSTRUMENTS, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO PIANOFORTES
Year: 1846

page_text: STORER, of Stanhope Street, Mornington Crescent, in the County of Middlesex,
Musical Instrument Maker, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date
at Westminster, the Twenty-seventh day of June, in the tenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Joseph Storer, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and
authority, that I, the said Joseph Storer, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, and such others as I, the said Joseph Storer, my executors, adminis-
trators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time
to time and at all times during the term of years therein mentioned, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales,
the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in all Her Majesty's Colonies and
Plantations abroad, and in the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark,
and Man, an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ORGANS, SERAPHINES, AND OTHER
'FREE-REED' INSTRUMENTS, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE APPLICABLE TO
PIANOFORTES," being partly a communication from a foreigner residing abroad;
in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso, obliging me, the said
Joseph Storer, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, particu-

page_text: larly to describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, and to cause the same to be inrolled in
Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in
and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large
appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Joseph Storer, do hereby declare that the nature of the said Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed, is particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following description thereof, reference being
had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon (that is to say) :-
:-
This Invention consists, firstly, of a new arrangement of apparatus constituting
an improved "free-reed" instrument, whereby I am enabled to obtain various
qualities of tones at the same or at different times, by the depression of one
key. In order to produce this effect and obtain what I term an organ variety
of tones, I provide, instead of one tongue or vibrator for each note of the
gamut, six vibrators abreast of each other (more or less, but this number I
prefer,) of different qualities and pitches of tone, and for each of the tongues
I provide a stop, for the purpose of shutting off the whole series of a particular
quality or pitch when required. By this means the keys, on being depressed,
may be made to bring out the full body of tone which the instrument is capable
of giving, or for piano passages to produce a soft and subdued tone, according
to the will of the performer. The peculiar construction of this instrument will
be clearly understood, reference being had to Sheet 1 of the accompanying s
Drawings, and by the following description thereof:-
Figure 1 is a vertical section, taken through the middle of the instrument;
Figure 2 is an elevation of the back of the same, a portion of the wind chest
being broken away to shew the interior construction more distinctly; Figure 3
is a partial front view of the instrument, showing the stops for shutting off the s
several qualities and pitches of notes as required. a, a, a, is the framing for
supporting the various parts of the instrument; b, b, is the wind chest; and
c, c, are the bellows which communicate with the wind chest by a pipe d, and
are actuated by a pedal in the ordinary way; e is a central partition or sound
board, placed parallel to the back and front of the wind chest, and intended to s
divide it into 2 compartments. Between the back and central partition there
are small partitions, which cross each other at nearly right angles, and divide
the space between the partitions e and the back of the chest into small air-tight
chambers f, one chamber being assigned for every note the instrument is

page_text: intended to produce. By referring to Figure 2, it will be seen that these
chambers f are arranged in rows one above the other; but instead of being set
vertically over each other, the chambers are placed a little aslant, in order to
allow of a series of rods g, g, g, standing up vertically, as represented. Theso
rods g are each connected at their upper ends with a valve h attached each to
its several air chamber, and the lower ends of these rods rest upon the inner
end of the playing keys i, see Figure 1. In the back board of the wind chest
a series of circular holes are made, one for each of the divisions or chambers f,
and it is for the purpose of covering these holes that the valves h, which
open inwards, are employed, as is well understood; they are kept up to their
seats by a spring of indian-rubber or other suitable substance. The central
partition or sound board e is provided with six slots or openings for each
chamber (see Figure 2), and over each of these slots a metal pallet k is
fixed, for the purpose of preventing the air at certain times from passing
through the slots and escaping from the chest when the valve h is opened.
Towards the front of the air chest, the upper edge of these slots is chamfered
outwards, in order to give them a greater length and allow of a free passage
of air through them. Over each of the slots or openings in the partition e, a
vibrator is placed, of such a proportionate size and weight as to give out the
quality of tone desired when the tongue is put into vibration. I have before
stated that one or all the tongues of each respective chamber fmay be made to
utter a sound on the depression, by the finger, of the key which bears relation
to such chamber; I will now explain how this is effected.
m, m, are a series
of rods arranged in sets or six to suit the number of qualities and pitches of
tone produced by the instrument, and placed in the space between the front
board of the wind chest and the central partition or sound board e. These rods
take the slant from a vertical line of the chambers, as before explained, and they
are each connected to six metal pallets k by pins which pass through the sound.
board e for that purpose, as shewn at Figure 1. n, n, are six horizontal bars
placed one above the other in front of the wind chest, and to each of these bars
one of every set of the series of rods m is securely attached by pins passing
through the front of the wind chest, as represented at Figure 1. These bars
are connected each to a bell-crank lever o, o, and the shorter arm of these six
levers receives through it a pin projecting from the upper end of a vertical
rod Ip, which is provided at its lower end with an antifriction roller, and rests
upon a "stop" q. In the upper edge of this stop a recess with an inclined face
is cut to receive the end of the rod p. The object of the recess is, that
when the stop is drawn out, the incline coming in contact with the roller will
raise the rod p, and consequently cause the longer arm of the crank lever o

page_text: to press in the bar n, which will forwards the rods m connected therewith,
and by reason of the pins which connect these rods with the pallets k will
push them inwards and leave open the slots which they formerly covered.
Thus it will be seen that if the rod p¹ is raised, the bell-crank lever o¹ will act
upon the bar n', which will cause the several rods m¹, n', to move inwards
and open all the slots which are connected with the series of vibrators that
produce one quality of tone throughout the instrument. If another quality
of tone is required, another stop may be drawn out, and a similar effect will be
produced on, say, the next adjoining set of rods m, and pallets k, and so on
through the six sets, as the performer may desire. The construction and
àrrangement of the instrument being understood, the action 'to produce the
notes required for a musical performance may be thus shortly described :-
The wind chest b, being provided with air from the bellows c, and the pallets
being pressed in by the bars m, the key when struck, supposing it to be C,
open the valve k in connection with that chamber which is provided with
the vibrators to produce the note C; the air in the chest will immediately
press upon the tongues of the vibrators which are over the open slots in the
chamber, force the tongues inwards, and rushing into the chamber, will make
its exit at the open valve.
will
The second head of this Invention consists in a certain novel application of
parts to "free reed" instruments, whereby a small but distinct sound may be
obtained without the employment of wind; and when wind is used, a more
perfect enunciation of the notes than has heretofore been produced in such
class of instruments will result, and greater expression may be given to the
performance, as the touch of the instrument resembles that of the pianoforte.
In Sheet II. of the accompanying Drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical cross
section of a "free-reed" instrument with my improvements applied thereto;
and Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the same, taken in the line 1, 2,
of Figure 1. a, a, a, are three wind chests, one behind the other, on the
same plane, and furnished in the ordinary manner with vibrators and valves;
b, b, are the bellows; and c, c*, the keys of the instrument. In the Drawing
I have shewn my improvement as applied to one wind chest only, but it is
obvious that they may all be similarly provided if required. The action of
this instrument being well understood, I shall confine myself to the novel
part, which consists of a hammer, action for striking the metal vibrators d. s
Figure 1 represents one of the hammers, covered with leather, vulcanized
india-rubber, or other suitable substance. This hammer turns on a fulcrum
pin supported by the bracket e, and it is retained in an horizontal' position by
a peculiarly formed plunger f, which abuts against a projection on its fulcrum

page_text: end. This plunger is composed of two pieces of wood, hinged together by
leather, as shewn, and its lower portion is still further secured to the upper by
a thread or spring of vulcanized india-rubber, the ends of which are passed
through two eyes, one on each side of the upper part, and tied to similar eyes
on the sides of the lower part. The loop of rubber thus formed is hooked on to
a staple provided on the under face of the sound board for that purpose. Into
the upper part of the plunger f a vertical pin g is inserted, of such a length
as to reach the under part of the lever of the valve h of the sound board; and
above the lever, and in a vertical line with the pin g, is a pin i projecting from
the under face of the key c. k, k, is a wooden frame supported at its inner ends
by pins, on which it rocks. This frame, which is shewn detached at Figure 2, is
placed under the keys c, and when any one of the keys is depressed with sufficient
force the frame k will be pressed down, and being connected by a pendant rod
with the lever of the valve m, which closes the communication between the
bellows and the air chest, this movement of the frame will raise the valve m
from its seat and admit a fresh supply of wind to the air chest a. If a key c
is but lightly touched, as will be the case when the performer wishes to avail
himself of the peculiarity of this instrument, that is, to produce a small tone
without using the wind, that key which is struck will by the pin i depress the
lever of the valve h, and in doing so force down the pin g and plunger f, by
which motion the hammer d will be made to rise and strike the vibrator n
immediately above it.
By this mode of using the instrument, tones somewhat similar in quality
and power to those obtained from a guitar will be produced, and thus the
correctness of the performance may be ascertained without inconvenience to
persons in an adjacent room. When however the full tone of the instrument
is required, the depressing of the keys with the usual force will cause both the
wind and the hammer to act on the vibrator, and thus a more brilliant quality
of sound will be obtained than from instruments of the ordinary construction.
It is almost needless to state that for every key a similar arrangement of
as it will be evident to all
plunger, hammer, vibrator, and valve h is employed, a
In this, as
persons acquainted with the nature of "free-reed" instruments.
well as in the before-described instrument, I have found it advisable for bass
notes to fill the shell of the vibrator flush to its edges with lead or other
5 metal, or asphalte, wax, or other hard substance, and form as it were a wall
round the vibrating tongue, as shewn in the detached views at Figures 4. By
this means, in addition to the advantages obtained from my improved vibrator,
for which a Patent was granted in the year One thousand eight hundred and
thirty-nine, I am enabled to produce a tone of greater richness and power, as

page_text: the wind is compelled to act more powerfully on the tongue of the vibrator, and
thrust it further forward, before it can pass it and escape from the wind
chest.
Another improvement which I have effected on the vibrators is, to attach the
tongue to the frame by casting clamps on the front of the frame and slipping the
end of the tongue therein, as shewn at Figure 5, instead of screwing or rivet-
ting the tongue, as shewn at Figure 6, which latter mode, although generally
employed, is more tedious and expensive.
The third head of this Invention refers to improvements in barrel organs
and other wind instruments, in which barrels or rollers are employed to
produce tunes by mechanical agency; and consists, firstly, in an arrange-
ment of machinery whereby I am enabled to employ a barrel or roller
(for producing tunes) of much smaller dimensions than those at present
in use.
By my improvements I am enabled to supply barrels studded
er pinned for a single tune at a considerably reduced price. A further
advantage consequent on the employment of this part of my Invention is,
that the tune may be readily transposed to any key, as occasion may require,
and may be used in connection with a finger organ, seraphine, or other
similar keyed instrument.
In Sheet III. of the Drawings, Figure 1 represents a front view, partly in
section, of the improved apparatus applied to a keyed instrument, say, an
organ; and Figure 2 is a cross section of the same. When the barrel or
roller is applied to organs or other similarly constructed instruments which
are not provided with finger keys, the apparatus is made to act upon the
"back-falls," "levers," or "rollers," instead of upon the keys, as will be now s
described. This latter adaptation I have thought it best to shew as being
more simple, but the application of my improved apparatus to barrel organs
will be readily understood and may be carried out by any competent workman.
a, a, are the keys of the instrument, and upon their face a series of vertical
rods b, b, ride. These rods are supported in a frame c, and are placed at equal
distances apart; their lengths vary, in order to suit the white and black notes
(see Figure 1), and allow their upper ends be to on a level with each other.
Immediately above the rods 6 are a series of vertical rods d, the lower ends of
which pass through holes made in the bobbin of the frame e, e, and work freely
therein when acted upon by the machinery, which I will now explain.
referring to the Drawing, it will be seen that the frame e, e, rests upon the
frame c, and is secured thereto by steady pins in the same way as the frame is
attached to the instrument; f, f, are bearings attached to the frame e, and
Jutended to carry the pinned barrel or roller g, shewn attached at Figure 3.
By 3

page_text: One end of the axle of this roller is filed off to a tongue form, in order. to drop
into a cut or fork formed in the end of a short shaft in a line therewith. This
shaft is provided with a worm wheel h, which takes into a worm i, keyed on to
a shaft k, furnished with a winch handle. On the periphery of the roller g
suitable projections are formed, according to the tune required, as in the ordinary
organ cylinders; and immediately above this roller a series of levers 1, 1, are
suspended, their number being regulated according to the range or compass of
notes in the tunes or pieces which are intended to be performed on the instru-
ment. These levers work upon a horizontal rod m, and are kept at equal
distances apart by a kind of comb bar, see the perspective view, Figure 4;
they are furnished with a tooth on their front ends, which, as the roller revolves,
are forced upwards by the projecting studs on the roller coming in contact
therewith. The inner ends of these levers rest respectively upon a vertical rod
n, which rods are each connected to an arm o at one end of a rocking shaft p,
mounted in bearings on the back of the frame e; 7 is another arm, also
forming a part of the rocking shaft p, which is shewn best in the detached
view, Figure 5. These arms are respectively attached to pins standing up
from the vertical rods d. It will now be seen, that when rotary motion is
given through the agency of the winch worm and worm wheel to the barrel or
rollers g, a stud on that roller coming under the tooth of the lever * (Figure 1)
will cause that lever to depress the rod n*. This motion will communicate a
rocking movement to the shaft p*, which will depress the rod d, and thereby,
through the rod *, a downward pressure will be given to the black note
beneath that rod. r, r, are a series of screws for adjusting the levers at their
This roller or barrel is
right height for meeting the studs on the roller g.
mounted in the manner above stated, for the convenience of being taken out
of the instrument and replaced by another which contains studs for a different
tune, and also to avoid the necessity of having a worm wheel for every barrel...
On the outer end of the worm wheel shaft is a screw, into the thread of which
a fixed pin s takes, in order that as the wheel revolves, it may be shifted
laterally to allow a fresh set of studs on the barrel g coming under the teeth
of the levers at a second rotation of the barrel. In Figure 1 a spring for
pressing the barrel forward, so that it may follow the motion of the worm
When the tune is required to be
wheel shaft, is shewn by dotted lines.
repeated, the pins is withdrawn, and the barrel is returned to its original
starting position. The mode of transposing tunes from one key to another is
by my improvements rendered extremely simple, as it is only necessary to lift
off the frame e, e, with its apparatus, and place it further to the right or left
on the frame c, as may be required, holes being made along the edge of that

page_text: frame to receive the steadying pins which project from the under part of the
frame e, as shewn at Figure 2.
"
A modification of this part of my Invention consists in employing a
fat board instead of a short roller or barrel. The arrangement of the
apparatus for depressing the finger keys, or the "back-falls," "levers," or
'rollers," is very similar to that above described. In Sheet IV. of the
accompanying Drawings, Figure 1 represents a front view of the apparatus
applied to a finger organ, the keys being shewn in section; Figure 2 is a
plan view; and Figure 3 is a vertical section of the same.
a, a, a, is the
board provided with studs in a manner similar to the barrel, and this board is
placed in a frame b, b, the sides of which are cut away to form grooves
for the board to slide up and down in freely; at the back of the board is
a metal plate c, which has a foot at bottom to carry the board; attached
to the lower end of this plate c, is a cord d, which passes up behind it
and is wound on to a roller e, supported by brackets on the frame b
On the shaft of this roller is a worm wheel f, which takes into a worm g;
(see Figure 3) on a short shaft provided with a winch handle. When,
therefore; the handle is turned, the roller è will wind up the cord d, and
draw up the board, the studs of which projecting will come in contact with the
teeth on the upper ends of a series of vertical levers h. I will now explain
how this motion is communicated to the keys of the instrument. In the first
place, it is necessary (in order to admit of the tune being transposed when
required) to level all the keys; and in this modification of the apparatus I
have shewn a somewhat different mode to that before described of bringing the
black and white keys to a uniform height. To the name board i of the instru-
ment à bár k is attached, by screws or otherwise, and to this bar a series of
levers 1, 1, are hinged, one for every white key. The height of these levers is
just sufficient to bring them on a level with the black keys when they are placed
over the white,as shewn at Figure 1; and this being effected, the apparatus for
depressing the keys may be attached to the instrument by pins m, taking into
holes provided for the purpose. In the projecting part of the frame b, a
series of holes are made to allow a given number of vertical rods n, n, (which
number is regulated according the compass of the tunes required to be played,)
to slide up and down therein freely. These rods are set at equal distances
apart to correspond to the keys beneath, and at the top of the rods are pins,
which enter the ends of a series of horizontal bars 0, 0, attached to rocking
shafts
P. P. These shafts are placed in parallel lines, diverging one half to the
right, and the other to the left, and they are severally supported by brackets
from the frame b. On their inner ends they carry the series of levers h, h,

page_text: before mentioned.
It will now be seen that as the studs in the board a force
forward the levers h, the shafts p of such levers as are moved will be rocked,
and their bars o being thereby depressed, they will push down their respective
vertical rods n, and strike the keys beneath them. When the board a has
passed the ends of the levers h, the tune will be finished; it may then be
lowered by throwing the worm g out of gear with the wheel f to repeat the
tune, or another board may be placed in its stead.
In Sheet V. of the accompanying Drawings the fourth head of my Invention
is represented. It consists of an arrangement of apparatus to be attached to
finger organs, finger seraphines, and other similarly keyed instruments, for the
purpose of enabling indifferent players to perform psalmody, or other slow
music, with full chords, by depressing with the direct action of the finger those
keys only which answer to the notes constituting the air or melody. Figure 1.
is a plan view of the apparatus; Figure 2 is a vertical section, taken through
the middle of the same; and Figure 3 is a vertical cross section, taken in the
line 1, 2, of Figure 1. a, a*, are a series of strikers, placed in a row at equal
distances apart over the notes, and regulated as to length so as to suit the
black and white keys, and allow their upper ends to be at an even height.
These strikers a, a, slide freely in holes made in the plates b and c, which are
attached together by a framing, and fixed over the keys of the organ or other
instrument. Upon this framing a case or box d, d, d, is placed, and firmly
secured thereto by pins or otherwise; and within the box, and at either side
thereof, several rocking shafts e, e, e, arranged parallel to each other, sex
Figure 3, are mounted. These shafts are provided on their periphery with
5 certain pins or studs, which take into slots formed in vertical bars f. f, f, or
otherwise act upon these bars, some of which are bent out of a right line, as
shewn at Figure 2, to bring their ends over their relative keys. By examining
this Figure it will be seen that some of these bars are provided with a step or
ledge, through which a pin from the vertical stops or pistons g, 9, 9, projects.
These pistons slide in holes made in the top of the box for that purpose, and
are prevented from turning round by a pin standing out from their periphery,
and taking into guides attached to the cover of the box for that purpose.
h, h, h, are coiled springs, connecting the bars f with a longitudinal fixed bar i.
Whenever, therefore, the pistons are depressed by the player, they will have a
5 tendency to rise immediately they are released from pressure. The object of
attaching this apparatus to organs and other similarly keyed instruments being,
as before said, to produce chords or full harmonies by the depression of a single
stop or piston for each chord, I will now explain how the apparatus is arranged
to effect this result. Two rows of pistons 9, 9, are provided, one row answer-

page_text: ing to the major, and the other to the minor keys (see Figure 1). These rows
are each divided into two series, as shewn by the double bar 1, and the names
of the several stops are shewn on the Drawing. In order to construct this
apparatus to produce the most perfect harmony, it will be necessary to choose
the most agreeable chords for each note of the several keys. For this purpose,
at Figure 4, I have given a diagram shewing the chords which I intend the
apparatus to produce on the depression of the several stops shewn in Figure 1;
but it is obvious that the range of those chords may be increased, that is,
the octaves to the notes composing the chords may be given by proportionably
increasing the length of the apparatus, and other chords may be chosen if pre-
fered. It will now be understood that if the piston or stop answering to C is
depressed, and I wish to obtain its chord, as written in the bass clef, No. 2
séries of the diagram, the bars f which stand immediately over the keys
G, F, C, below, must be so connected with the bar f, which belongs to the
C stop, as to strike their relative keys when the C stop is depressed. This is
effected by one of the rocking shafts e being provided with pins or studs, which
take into slots in the bars f, that stand over those notes. When, therefore, the
C stop is depressed, as shewn at Figure 2, a shoulder on its bar f will come in
contact with a pin projecting from the shaft e¹, and cause it to rock, and carry
down three bars f to strike the keys G, E, C, as required. Thus, at the
moment that the depressed piston strikes its own note on the instrument
(which note always belongs to the treble), its relative chord will also be
sounded. The shafts e are returned to their original position after being
rocked by means of the coiled springs k, k. If a particular note is required
to be used in forming a chord to more than one note, it may be provided with
two or more slots or shoulders for pins or studs on other of the rocking
rollers e to take into or act against. That side of the instrument containing
the piston for the minor keys is constructed in a precisely similar manner to
that shewn at Figure 2, the only difference being the disposition or arrange-
ment of the depressing pins on the rocking shafts to bring down these bars f,
which answer to the notes composing the chords as indicated in the diagram,
Figure 4. When it is required to transpose a tune to a higher or lower key,
the apparatus is detached from the frame which carries the strikers a, a, and
is placed further to the right or left on the frame, and again secured thereto.
By this means (the upper ends of the strikers being in an even row at an s
equal height) any of the keys of the key board may be brought under the action
of the apparatus.
The fifth part of the Invention consists in a novel construction of trans-
posing key board, to be applied to pianofortes and to other instruments.

page_text: which are similarly furnished with keys. In Sheet VI., Figure 1 shews an
elevation of the apparatus applied to a pianoforte; Figure 2 is a cross section
of the same; and Figure 3 is a plan view thercof. Upon the white keys of
the instrument a number of filling pieces a, a, are laid, as described with
reference to Sheet IV. These pieces are hinged to a longitudinal bar b, which
is firmly attached by screws or otherwise to the name board or other adjacent
part; and to the upper part of this bar a metal rib is attached, on which a
bar c, c, fits in any convenient manner. To this bar c any given number of
black and white keys d, arranged in their usual order, are hinged, and each
key being furnished on its under face with a pin e, they are all supported at a
uniform level, the pins resting upon the black keys below or upon the filling
pieces a. When, therefore, a piece of music is required to be played in a
different key to that in which it is written, the upper or additional key board
must be fixed on the instrument so that its keys will not correspond in position
with those below, that is to say, if the music is to be transposed half a note
higher, the black key d furthest to the right will be placed so that the pin e of
that key will stand over the filling piece a", in which position, when the keys are
struck, sounds half a note higher will be produced by all the keys than if they
corresponded in position with the keys below. To transpose into a lower key,
the upper board is moved to the left, and
of music may be performed in any key.
not required, it may be removed from the
will then bear the usual appearance.
thus, as will be readily seen, a piece
When the transposing apparatus is
ordinary keys, and the instrument
The last part of my Invention consists in applying to the keys of piano-
fortes, organs, seraphines, and other similarly keyed instruments, a covering
of more durable material than that which bas hitherto been employed for
that pupose. The keys of pianofortes, organs, and other similar instruments
are generally made of wood, and covered with a thin slip of ivory or
bone, which is liable to turn yellow in the course of a short time by
exposure to the air; and if much played upon, the keys so covered quickly
wear hollow in the middle, and thereby disfigure the instrument. In place
of the ordinary ivory or bone coverings, I employ various substances of a
hard nature, and which are susceptible of receiving a high polish, and of being
made of suitable colors. The principal substances applicable to this purpose,
and which will be found to answer exceedingly well, are either glass or
vitrified matters, rendered opaque or semi-opaque, and of the proper and
suitable colors, by the admixture of such ingredients during the process of
manufacturing the glass as will produce the opaque or semi-opaque appearance
of enamel. The ingredients suitable for this purpose, and the proportions in

page_text: which they should be added to the vitrifiable matter so as to produce the
required compound, are well known to glass manufacturers, and therefore need
not be enumerated here. These glass or vitrified coverings for the keys are
attached or fastened to the wooden part of the keys in the ordinary manner, or
they may be cemented to the wood by means of any suitable cement; the
under side of the covering, or that which will be placed in contact with the
wooden key, being purposely roughened in order to make the covering adhere
to the wood. Instead of glass, I sometimes employ enamelled coverings made
of the required form, and in precisely the same manner, and by the same process
as clock and watch faces are usually made, or any other process that will pro-
duce the same effect and appearance. As my Invention does not relate to the
means of producing the said coverings, but to the employment or application of
such or similar materials to the purposes above mentioned, a further descrip-
tion thereof will be unnecessary. I sometimes also employ coverings made of
porcelain, china, and earthenware, of the proper form and color, made and
baked in the ordinary manner; and when price is an object, these coverings
will be found to answer the purpose very well, and cannot be stained as bone
or ivory ones can; but when a superior article made of the above-mentioned
or other analogous materials are required, I prefer to have the coverings
made by means of very heavy pressure. The porcelain, clay, or earthy matters
to be employed, being reduced to a fine powder, and placed in a suitable mould
to bring the coverings to the required form, a stamper or ram is brought down
on to the pounded material contained in the mould, and the powder being com-
pressed with great force, all the particles will be made to cohere, and will
produce a solid piece of the required form, and of very great hardness and
strength. The coverings thus produced may be attached to the wood in the
ordinary manner, or by means of cement as described in reference to the glass
covering, or in any other convenient manner. This process of, and the appa-
ratus for consolidating the above-mentioned materials so as to produce thin
narrow slips of materials suitable for the purpose for which I intend to employ
them, forms no part of my Invention, as a similar process and apparatus for
compressing earthy materials as heretofore been frequently applied for various
purposes.
Having now described my Invention and the improvements communicated
to me from abroad, and having also shewn the manner of carrying the same into
effect, I wish it to be understood, that I claim under the above in part recited
Letters Patent, as respects the first head of my Invention,--
Firstly, the improved arrangement of instrument, as described with reference
to Sheet I. of the accompanying Drawings, whereby a variety of pitches and

page_text: qualities of any note which the instrument is capable of producing may be
obtained by the depression of one key, and, when required, one or more of such
pitches and qualities may be shut off in every chamber containing the vibrators.
Secondly, the application of a general valve (one being provided for every
key) in conjunction with each series of pallets connected with a finger key,
which pallets will stop the exit of the wind from the wind chest either before
or after it has acted upon the vibrators.
With respect to the second head of my Invention, I would remark that I
am aware it has been proposed to give a mechanical impulse to the vibrators of
concertinas in a manner similar to that adopted in harpsicords, I do not there-
fore intend to claim the principle of a combined action of wind and mechanism
in the tongues of vibrators to cause the enunciation of notes; but that which. I
herein claim is,―
Firstly, the application to "free-reed" instruments of a hammer action, to
be worked by the finger keys, whereby I am enabled, without the use of wind,
to obtain tones from the vibrators of a quality somewhat resembling that of a
guitar; and by the additional employment of wind, I obtain notes of a richer
quality than heretofore; the "" touch" of the keys is also by my improvements,
more nearly assimilated to a pianoforte touch.
Secondly, I claim the application of the vibrating frame placed beneath the
keys, and connected with the wind entrance valve, whereby, in conjunction
with the striking apparatus, I am enabled to effect a more perfect modulation
of the tones of the instrument than has before been produced.
Thirdly, with respect to improvements in seraphines and other "free reed"
instruments, I claim the novel mode of constructing vibrators, as above
'explained.
Under the third division of my Invention, which consists in improvements in
organs, seraphines, and other "free-reed" instruments, I claim the application
thereto of the improved apparatus, with short barrel or roller, as shewn in
Sheet 3 of the Drawings, whereby I am enabled to actuate the "back-falls,"
"levers," or "rollers" of barrel organs, and the pallets of barrel seraphines
or other "free-reed" instruments, and produce any required tune by merely
substituting one small barrel for another. And I also claim applying and
attaching this apparatus to organs and other similarly keyed instruments, as
above explained.
Secondly, I claim the modified arrangement shewn in Sheet IV., in which
a flat board is employed instead of a roller or barrel.
And, thirdly, I claim the two several modes of levelling the keys of organs
and other similarly keyed instruments, in order to admit of the apparatus for

page_text: actuating the keys being placed over any part of the key board, whereby the
tune may be readily transposed.
Under the fourth head of the Invention, I claim the improved construction.
of instrument, as described with reference to Sheet V. of the Drawings, whereby
on depressing certain stops or pistons which answer to the notes composing
the air or melody of a tune, the chords or harmonies of such notes will be.
simultaneously produced, as above stated..
Under the fourth head of the Invention, I claim the application of an addi-
tional key board to pianofortes, and other similar keyed instruments, whereby
the performer is enabled to transpose pieces of music by merely shifting the
upper key board, and when not required to be used, that key board may
be used.
Lastly, with respect to organs, pianofortes, and seraphines, and other similar
"free-reed" instruments, I claim the adaptation, employment, or application
of the substances before mentioned for facing the playing keys of such
instruments.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Storer, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and forty-six.