IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON- STRUCTION OF HARMONIUMS AND OTHER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.”
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Hermann Smith, of Brixton, in the County
of Surrey, Artist, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON-
STRUCTION OF HARMONIUMS AND OTHER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.”
STRUCTION OF HARMONIUMS AND OTHER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Hermann Smith at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
8th December 1875.
I, HERMANN SMITH, of Brixton, in the County of Surrey, Artist,
do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OF HARMONIUMS AND OTHER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS," to be as
follows:-
My Invention of improvements in the construction of harmoniums
and other musical instruments consists in means and devices for
obtaining differences of the pitch and differences of quality in the sounds
produced by reeds, such as are used in harmoniums and accordians, and
instruments of this class, and also in reeds, such as are used in organs
and known as beating reeds.

page_text: In the tuning of reeds in harmoniums it is customary to file away
portions of such reeds at the root and at the tip in order to gain the
necessary flexibility for producing an approximate balance of tone
throughout a series of reeds, and also to regulate the pitch in such
series; and this process is liable to be carried to an extent damaging to
the play of the reed, both as to firmness and accurracy.
By my In-
vention reeds may be brought to new conditions of pitch and quality
through auxiliary devices which I now proceed to describe.
The series of reeds in harmoniums is enclosed in a box or chamber
called the reed box or reed chamber, and the chamber comprises a series
of channels graduated in length and depth, and over the orifices of these
channels the reeds are affixed, one to each channel.
Although the reeds are so made that they give each a tone of defined
pitch, the channels have always a modifying influence upon the pitch,
and affect by their length and depth the quality of each note, and the
quality is still further capable of distinct characteristics by certain
modifications in the set of the reed, in relation to its frame, and in the
nature of the curve it is made to assume.
My improvements extend the capabilities of dealing with the pitch
and quality of tone obtained from reeds. At or near the tip of a reed,
but variable in the precise position, according to the quality I desire to
obtain, I fix or rivet a small staple, of width and depth sufficient to clip
firmly a link or ring of watch spring or other material suitably elastic.
The spring is passed under the staple and then bent into a circle, the
ends passing each other and being held in position by a clip, the clip
then being fixed to a rail or other support provided for that purpose in
the reed chamber. The free ends of the ring are slightly turned that
they may be held by the fingers or by pliers for the proper adjustment
of the ring. In fine reeds the ring may be affixed by soldering, and
also when it is desirable to affect the curve of the reed by the pressure
of the arc of the circle at any particular part of its length. The spring
thus forms a circular link between the reed and the supporting rail,
and it will be obvious that the ring so constituted is capable of being
enlarged and contracted, the extent of which is determinable by the
adjusting of the clip; the reed is thus brought under a new condition of
motion, which being modified modifies the pitch of the note it gives,
and through the contractile nature of the link or ring the set or level of.

page_text: the reed, in relation to its frame, is also modified or rendered variable,
having thereby influence upon the quality of the tone which varies as
the set of the reed is varied. The utility of this spring link is available
also without any superior support, one end of the spring being passed
under the staple on the tongue of the reed from the direction of the
root, and then the spring curved over loop-like above the tip and round
to the fore end of the frame, where it is secured in a slot. The end of
the spring which passes the staple can be drawn into the circle or
loop to a greater or lesser extent, and thus change the degree of
pressure.
By another arrangement the tongue of the reed instead of being
rivetted to its frame, is held by a cross bar with screws on either side,
as sometimes used in experimental reeds. I use a cross bar also at the
fore end of the frame under which the spring can be passed, and thus
secured to the frame, with the advantage, that if the reed is drawn
back, thus shortening its length, the end of the watch spring may be
advanced to fill the space vacated by the tongue at the tip, and so an
altogether new pitch and quality be obtained from the reed. This form
of looped or linked reed bends the reed in a downward curve, whereas
the ring or circular link generally tends to give an upward curve, so
that very distinct qualities are at command by these different methods.
These rings need not exceed, for the largest reeds, one inch and a
half in diameter, and sometimes with benefit two rings may be used to
one reed, but generally one is enough, and in the higher octaves fine
hair springs as used in watches will be sufficiently strong. When watch
spring of proper consistency and variety cannot be obtained, spring wire
may be used instead, and be twisted in one or two rings or loops, one
end being fixed to the frame or other support, and the other end
soldered or otherwise affixed in suitable position on the reed; for fine
reeds delicate wire may be taken, one end of such spring being curled
as a tendril and then affixed to the tongue, or the spring may be left
straight or curved at convenience, or be attached or linked in any other
manner suitable for the end designed.
For chambers of large pedal reeds, and whenever space can be
obtained, the following further improvements may be applied:-Instead
of the rail for the fixture of the links or rings, I use a spring board
within the box, so placed that it partially overlies the reeds, yet allows
of the reeds and links being manipulated without inconvenience. This

page_text: board should be graduated in thickness, and preferably be thinnest at
the bass end. The spring board is fixed in such a manner that its fibres
run parallel to the lengths of the reeds; it is securely held in the box
between bars along its edge, opposite to the edge which is above the
tips of the reeds, one bar being below and the other bar placed pressing
the upper surface immediately above. To the fore edge of this spring
board the links or rings are attached by clips or small bolts with nuts,
or by other convenient method. The elasticity of this board can be
further increased by dividing it in sections through a portion of its width,
and then instead of the fixture by bars, as previously described, the
second or upper bar may be placed a short distance in advance of the
under bar, the necessary support to the whole being given by one
or more posts placed under each section in order that the leverage
on the links thus allowed regulating should be placed at various
points.
For the sake of more variety of elasticity I also introduce occasionally
when the registers or chambers will admit of it, a secondary series of
spring levers between the spring board and the reeds or between the rings
and the spring board, which are convenient, as they may be lengthened
or shortened at pleasure and allow more freedom in adjusting the
rings.
In some instances when space can be obtained, the pressure of the
spring leverage exercised on the posts by the board may be transferred
to another board placed exteriorly, and thus an additional elasticity be
gained. The most advantageous position for this secondary board will
be the placing it so that the sound from the reed channels shall pass
through the space intervening between it and the face of the reed box
and the sides of the box be fitted with projecting rims to enclose it, the
posts will then pass through apertures covered with leather or felt,
securely preventing loss of compressed air, yet allowing free communi-
cation with the board, this board may in turn be supported on one or
more posts fixed or fitted on a supplemental board or box of suitable
resistance and strength.
My extensible rings, spring levers, or loops may also be applied to
the beating reeds of organs in order to modify and regulate the pitch
and quality upon the method described, and as in these the chief effect
is by the treatment of the curve of the reed by the pressure of these

page_text: adjuncts, very little change from the usual shapes of the foot of such
pipes will be necessary, a small panelled trunk being only required
instead of the usual conical boot. Each panelled trunk may be
constructed separately or in a series, as may seem most desirable.
The details I have described as being within the chambers or reed
boxes are equally available for being placed exteriorly, provision being
made by a wire passing outward from the upper or under surface of
cach reed to carry the rings, loops, and other devices appertaining to the
reeds and boards as may be necessary when the spaces within the reed
chambers are very restricted.
My Invention further relates to another means of effecting differences
of pitch and quality :-I take an ordinary harmonium reed and split it
along the width to form a double reed superposed, so acting that the air
will be agitated in a more effective manner than by the commonly
known tremolo or by the celeste stop. According to the elasticity of
the supernumery tongue or leaf, and for regulating pitch, I tap a small
wire in the upper tongue, which by widening more or less as its screw
is turned, the distance between the two tongues determines the
resulting velocity of motion. This method is also effective if one of
the tongues is set so as to be always below the frame and within the
channel.
In cases where splitting the reed would be difficult, the same end
may be attained by soldering fine watch spring on to the original
reed.
Other modifications consist in attaching pieces of watch spring or
weighted wires, or springs, to the upper or under surfaces of reeds, and
the pitch and quality of such reeds will be influenced according as they
can agitate the air within the channels, and according as the spring is
curled tight or slack, or as the weight is thrown forward or backward
of the fulcrum of motion or root of the reed.
Athough the foregoing details of the improvements are described
in reference to harmoniums and instruments using the wind under
pressure, the system is equally applicable for instruments under
suction.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Hermann Smith in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 8th June 1876.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HERMANN
SMITH, of Brixton, in the County of Surrey, Artist, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of December, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the
thirty-ninth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said Hermann Smith, Her
special license that I, the said Hermann Smith, my executors, admini-
strators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Hermann Smith,
my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "In-
PROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF HARMONIUMS AND OTHER MUSICAL
INSTRUMENTS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
Hermann Smith, my executors or administrators, by an instrument
in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Hermann Smith, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, that is to
say :—
My said Invention of improvements in the construction of harmoniums
and other musical instruments consists in means and devices for obtaining
differences of the pitch and differences of quality in the sounds produced
by reeds, such as are used in harmoniums and accordeons and instru-

page_text: ments of this class, and also in reeds such as are used in organs, and
known as beating reeds.
In the tuning of reeds in harmoniums it is customary to file away
portions of such reeds at the root and at the tip in order to gain the
necessary flexibility for producing an approximate balance of tone
throughout a series of reeds, and also to regulate the pitch in such
series, and this process is liable to be carried to an extent damaging to
the play of the reed both as to firmness and accuracy.
According to my Invention I exercise a constraint upon the reed for
the purpose of obtaining differences of pitch and variation of qualities
by the employment of certain auxiliary devices which I now proceed to
describe, reference being had to the several Figures on the Sheet of
Drawings hereunto annexed, the same letters in which indicate corre-
sponding parts in all the Figures.
The series of reeds in harmoniums is enclosed in a box or chamber,
called the reed box or reed chamber, and the chamber comprises a
series of channels graduated in length and depth, and over the orifices
of these channels within the chamber the reeds are affixed one to each
channel.
Although the reeds are so made that they give each a tone of defined
pitch the channels have always a modifying influence upon the pitch,
and affect by their length and depth the quality of each note, and the
quality is still further capable of distinct characteristics by certain.
modifications in the set of the reed in relation to its frame, and in the
nature of the curve it is made to assume.
My improvements extend the capabilities of dealing with the pitch
and quality of tone obtained from reeds. For the purposes of constraint
I attach to a reed one or more flexible and extensible rings or loops of
watch spring or wire or other suitably elastic material, or spring links,
or spring levers in various forms and combinations; the attachment to
the reed may be at any place selected, and will have effect according to
that position; it may be affixed by rivetting, soldering, clipping, or
other modes. At or near the tip of a reed but variable in the precise
position according to the quality I desire to obtain I fix or rivet a small
staple of width and depth sufficient to clip firmly a link or ring of
watch spring or other material suitably elastic. The spring is passed
under the staple and then bent into a circle, the ends passing each

page_text: other, and being held in position by a clip; the clip then being fixed to
a rail or other support provided for that purpose in the reed chamber;
the free ends of the ring are slightly turned, so that they may be held
by the fingers or by pliers for the proper adjustment of the ring. In
fine reeds the ring may be affixed by soldering, and also when it is
desirable to affect the curve of the reed by the pressure of the arc of
the circle at any particular part of its length. The spring thus forms a
circular link between the reed and the supporting rail, and it will be
obvious that the ring so constituted is capable of being enlarged and
contracted, the extent of which is determinable by the adjusting of the
clip. The reed is thus brought under a new condition of motion, which
being modified modifies the pitch of the note it gives, and through the
contractile nature of the link or ring the set or level of the reed in
relation to its frame is also modified or rendered variable, having
thereby influence upon the quality of the tone, which varies as the set
of the reed is varied. The utility of this spring link is available also
without any superior support, one end of the spring being passed under
the staple on the tongue of the reed from the direction of the root, and
then the spring curved over loop-like above the tip and round to the
fore end of the frame, where it is secured. The end of the spring
which passes the staple can be drawn into the circle or loop to a greater
or less extent, and thus change the degree of pressure.
Figure 1 represents a longitudinal section of a reed with a ring of
watch spring applied thereto, and Figure 2 is a corresponding plan of
the same.
a is the reed frame, and 6 is the reed tongue, the two
together being technically known as the "reed." c is the flexible and
extensible ring, which in the arrangement shewn is connected to the
tongue 6 by a flat clip or staple c³, whilst its free ends d, d², are brought
together and held by a clip e, having a suitable support f above the
reed or one of the free ends, say, that d may be attached to the tongue b,
whilst the opposite end d¹ is attached to the frame a, as shewn in the
longitudinal section, Figure 3, or both the ends d, d', may be attached
to the frame a, as shewn in the sectional elevation, Figure 22, in which
case the tongue 6 is connected to the ring c by means of a screw pin g
adjustable at the upper portion by nuts h. The ring c may be slotted at a
its ends if desired in order to admit of its extension and contraction, and
the pin g in lieu of being screw threaded for the reception of nuts h may
be bent so as to form a clip, and thereby hold the ring c.

page_text: By another arrangement the tongue of the reed, instead of being
rivetted to its frame, is held by a cross bar, with screws on either side,
as sometimes used in experimental reeds. I use a cross bar also at the
fore end of the frame, under which the spring can be passed, and thus
secured to the frame, with the advantage that if the reed is drawn back,
thus shortening its length, the end of the watch spring may be advanced
to fill the space vacated by the tongue at the tip, and so an altogether
new pitch and quality be obtained from the reed. This form of looped
or linked reed bends the reed in a downward curve, whereas the ring or
circular link generally tends to give an upward curve, so that very
distinct qualities are at command by these different methods.
Figure 4 illustrates this modification, in which the reed tongue is
loose, and capable of sliding within its frame. The tongue is slotted at
i. The watch spring c can be so arranged that the end & shall fill the
space in the frame from which the tongue to a certain distance has been
withdrawn. The shortened spring thus exercises a greater constraint on
the motion of the tongue, and the tongue itself is shortened; conse-
quently, by this combination of effects great changes of pitch can be
produced, and also variations of quality. It will thus be seen that the
watch spring is capable of being contracted or expanded, and is not
restricted to a circular form; it may be an ellipse or loop, or formed of
more than one piece, or used as a spring bar, or several bars or springs
may be used together, as in carriage springs, or one portion being
affixed to the tongue the end or ends may be attached to any suitable
independent support when various modifications in the strength of the
constraint are desired, or in the curving of the reed to effect the voicing.
These rings need not exceed for the largest reeds one inch and a half in
diameter, and sometimes with benefit two rings may be used to one
reed, but generally one is sufficient, and in the higher octaves fine hair
springs, as used in watches, will be sufficiently strong. When watch
spring of proper consistency and variety cannot be obtained spring wire
may be used instead, and be twisted in one or two rings or loops, one
end being fixed to the frame or other support, and the other end
soldered or otherwise affixed in suitable position on the reed. For fine
reeds delicate wire may be taken, one end of such spring being curled
as a tendril, and then affixed to the tongue, or the spring may be so
arranged that the two ends shall be affixed to the frame whilst the
central curve of the ring is attached to the reed tongue, or the spring

page_text: may be left straight or curved at convenience, or be attached or linked
in any other manner suitable for the end designed. The wires may
also be either fixed or extensible. When fixed wires are employed, as
shewn in the elevation, Figure 5, the wire c may be bent into two or
more coils, one portion of the same being attached to the tongue b at c¹,
whilst the ends d, d', are soldered or otherwise secured to the frame a.
When extensible forms are employed the modification shewn in
elevation and plan in Figures 6 and 7 respectively is a convenient
method. In this arrangement a piece of wire of suitable length and
section is taken and bent double, and two holes having been drilled in
the face of the reed the free ends of the wire are drawn through, and
the bend brought tightly up to the under surface of the tongue. Each
half length of the wire is then twisted or curved to any required form,
and the free ends d, d¹, are secured in grooves formed in supports k,
which may be either formed on the reed frame a, as in the example
shewn in my Drawings, or arranged independently of such frame. The
ends d, d¹, are maintained in their place in the grooves of the support k
by means of a cross bar or plate 7 tightened by screws.
This arrange-
ment admits of the substitution of wires of various strengths, and of
changing the size of the rings by drawing the wire in the grooves.
Springs or wires of different degrees of strength vary the degree of
constraint, and are chosen according to the quality of tone desired to be
produced for any particular stop in an instrument. The extensible forms
offer greater facilities for tuning without scraping the reeds merely by
lengthening or shortening the rings or springs.
Figures 8 and 9 are elevations illustrating two simpler forms of the
constraining device c, the free end d¹ in the arrangement shewn in the
latter Figure being clipped by adjustable blocks of wood or other suitable
material.
Figures 10 to 19 shew other modifications in the form of the con-
straining device c.
For chambers of large pedal reeds, and whenever space can be
obtained, the following further improvements may be applied. Instead
of the rail or support for the fixture of the links or rings I use a spring
board within the box so placed that it partially overlies the reeds, yet
allows of the reeds and links being manipulated without inconvenience.
This board should be graduated in thickness, and preferably be thinnest

page_text: at the bass end. The spring board is fixed in such a manner that its
fibres run parallel to the lengths of the reeds. It is securely held in
the box between bars along its edge opposite to the edge which is above
the tips of the reeds, one bar being below and the other bar placed
pressing the upper surface immediately above. To the fore edge of this
spring board the links or rings are attached by clips or small bolts with
nuts, or by other convenient method. The elasticity of this board can
be further increased by dividing it in sections through a portion of its
width, and then instead of the fixture by bars, as previously described,
the second or upper bar may be placed a short distance in advance of
the under bar, the necessary support to the whole being given by one or
more posts placed under each section in order that the leverage on the
links thus allowed should in regulating be placed at various points.
For the sake of more variety of elasticity I also introduce occasionally
when the registers or chambers will admit of it, a secondary series of
spring levers between the spring board and the reeds, or between the
rings and the spring board, which are convenient, as they may be
lengthened or shortened at pleasure, and allow more freedom in
adjusting the rings.
In some instances, when space can be obtained, the pressure of the
spring leverage exercised on the posts by the board, may be transferred
to another board placed exteriorly, and thus an additional elasticity be
gained. The most advantageous position for the secondary board will
be the placing it so that the sound from the reed channels shall pass
through the space intervening between it and the face of the reed box,
and the sides of the box be fitted with projecting rims to enclose it; the
posts will then pass through apertures covered with leather or felt,
securely preventing loss of compressed air yet allowing free communi-
cation with the board; the said board may in turn be supported on one
or more posts fixed or fitted on a supplemental board or box of suitable
resistance and strength.
Figure 20 is a sectional elevation, shewing a combination of a ring
with a spring lever arranged for the purpose of transmitting the
vibrations of the reed to a resonance box. The ring c, the lower
portion of which is attached to the tongue 6 at c¹, is secured at its upper
portion at e to one end of a spring lever m composed of wood, metal, or
other suitable material, and the opposite extremity of which is held in a

page_text: fixed support n. The spring lever m, which is acted upon by a com-
pressible spring m', is provided with an adjustable post o bearing upon a
spring board p secured to the support n, and which transmits its
vibration through the adjustable post o¹ to the resonance box q placed
beneath it.
When a series of reeds is arranged in an instrument each spring lever
m has its post o pressing upon the spring board p which is common to
the whole series. The vibrations thus received by the spring board p
are in their turn transmitted to the resonance box q by means of a single
post o¹ common to the whole of the vibrations. If the resistance
requires it extra posts o¹ may be placed as judgement may determine so
long as the purpose be regarded that the resonance of the sound board
be not deteriorated or deadened by numerous points of pressure. When
this combination of parts is adapted in an instrument it may often be
desirable to keep the resonance box entirely exterior, in which case the
communication will take place thro' the bottom of the register or
box containing the series of reeds by means of the post o¹ either
divided into two portions, one above and the other below the bottom of
the box, or passing through a bushed hole direct.
The details I have described as being within the chamber or reed
boxes are equally available for being placed exteriorly, provision being
made by a wire passing from the upper or under surface of each reed to
carry the rings, loops, and other devices appertaining to the reeds and
boards, as may be necessary when the spaces within the reed chambers
are very restricted.
My Invention further relates to another means of effecting differences
of pitch and quality. I take an ordinary harmonium reed, and split it
along the width to form a double reed superposed, so acting that the air
will be agitated in a more effective manner than by the commonly
known tremolo, or by the celeste stop. According to the elasticity of
the supernumary tongue or leaf and for regulating pitch I tap a small
wire in the upper tongue, which by widening more or less as its screw is
turned the distance between the two tongues determines the resulting
velocity of motion. This method is also effective if one of the tongues
is set so as to be always below the frame and within the channel.
In cases where splitting the reed would be difficult the same end
ខ

page_text: may be attained by soldering fine watch spring on to the original
reed.
Figure 21 illustrates this modification. r is a spring lever, which
may be either formed in one with, or soldered, or rivetted to the reed
tongue b, and regulated if desired by a screw and nut 8. When this
spring is sufficiently thin it excites a tremulousness in the air within
the channel, thereby producing a wavy quality of tone. In the example
shewn in my Drawings the string is represented as placed below
the reed tongue b, but it may be placed above the tongue if desired, and
produce similar results by acting on the inflowing current of air.
Other modifications consist in attaching pieces of wire or watch
spring, or weighted wires or springs to the upper or under surface of
reeds, and the pitch and quality of such reeds will be influenced
accordingly as they can agitate the air within the channels, and according
as the spring is curled tight or slack, or as the weight is thrown forward
or backward of the fulcrum of motion or root of the reed.
t is
Figure 22 is a sectional elevation illustrating this modification.
the weighted rod or wire, which is arranged within the channel, the
connection of the ring c with the tongue 6 being by means of a screw
pin g and nuts h, as before mentioned.
b
It should also be observed that the deviations of form in the ring or
loop, such, for example, as those shewn in Figures 10, 11, and 12, and
in Figures 13 to 16, indicate variations in quality of tone, such as
diapason, horn, oboe, trumpet, and others.
It is not necessary in all cases that these devices should be applied
parallel to the reed; they may be transversely placed, or at any angle,
nor that they should be above the reed; they may be so adapted as to
be beneath the surface of the tongue within the pipe or channel, and the
relative position of any of these may be altered or combined in different
manner to the selected forms, yet with retention of the same power of
affecting pitch and quality.
Although the foregoing details of the improvements are described in
reference to harmoniums and instruments using the wind under pressure,
the system is equally applicable for instruments under suction.
My extensible rings, loops, links, or spring levers may also be applied
to the beating reeds of organs in order to modify and regulate the pitch

page_text: and quality upon the method described, and as in these the chief effect
is by the treatment of the curve of the reed by the pressure of these
adjuncts very little change from the usual shapes of the foot of such
pipes will be necessary, a small panel trunk being only required instead
of the usual conical boot. Each panel trunk may be constructed
separately or in a series, as may seem most desirable.
and quality upon the method described, and as in these the chief effect
is by the treatment of the curve of the reed by the pressure of these
adjuncts very little change from the usual shapes of the foot of such
pipes will be necessary, a small panel trunk being only required instead
of the usual conical boot. Each panel trunk may be constructed
separately or in a series, as may seem most desirable.
The rings, loops, links, or spring levers are also applicable for
exercising elastic constraint upon vibrating strings, plates, membranes,
and bars operated by percussion or friction for the purposes herein-before
described.
The various modifications of rings, loops, links, or spring levers
herein-before described may be employed separately or in any com-
bination or relation of position required, according to the particular
purpose to which they are to be applied, or the precise effect which it is
desired to obtain.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used
or carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I con-
sider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First. Exercising a constraint upon the reeds or vibrating portions of
musical instruments for the purpose of obtaining differences of pitch and
variations of qualities by the employment of auxiliary spring devices
operating by their own elasticity under constraint and not under tension,
substantially as herein-before described.
Secondly. Transmitting the vibrations of reeds to a resonance box by
the aid of auxiliary spring levers and an intermediate elastic soundboard,
substantially as herein-before described.
Thirdly. The mode or method of obtaining a wavy quality of tone by
the aid of a double reed having its tongues superposed, substantially as
herein-before described.
Fourthly. Controlling the pitch and quality of tone by the employ-
ment, in combination with the reeds or vibrating portions of musical
instruments fitted with the auxiliary spring devices, of wires or rods

page_text: with or without adjustable weights, substantially as herein-before
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Hermann Smith, have to this
my Specification set my hand and seal, the Seventh day of June,
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
HERMANN SMITH. (L.S.)