IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ORGANS, AND OTHER SIMILAR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Year: 1884

page_text: We HERMANN SMITH of Shaftesbury Road Hammersmith in the County of
Middlesex Artist and WILLIAM MOORE RIDDELL of Finsbury Pavement in the
City of London, Merchant and Manufacturing Chemist," do hereby declare the
nature of our Invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF ORGANS,
AND OTHER SIMILAR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :—
"
The Invention relates to certain improvements in the construction and action of
parts in connection with pipe organs and reed organs jointly or respectively the
object of which will be clearly understood on reference to the following description
and Drawings in connection therewith letters of reference being marked on
corresponding parts on all the Figures alike.
First. The Invention relates to an improved connector for the passage of wind
from the bellows of an organ, to the wind trunks or sound-boards. The bellows
or reservoir of an organ is connected with the sound board by wind trunks which
are either fixed to the well of the reservoir, or are intermediately connected by an
expanding apparatus attached above to the wind trunk and below to the top of the
reservoir, it is called an accordion bellows, and is found very generally convenient.
An apparatus of this kind is not intended to compress air when it is thus brought
into use for organs, its office is only to allow free passage to the wind as a flexible
trunk closing when the reservoir rises and being extended when the reservoir falls.
As this kind of accordion bellows is made with thin leather and with pasteboard
ribs it is easily liable to injury and becomes unsound if the leather is in the least
degree frayed moreover a skilled and practical hand is necessary for the making of.
such connectors.
Our improved connector is free from these objections and disadvantages, it takes
up but little room and can be put together by an ordinary workman. It consists
of two three or or more trays or tray frames so graduated in sizes that they
will fit within one another in a series, these frames are firmly made of wood,
though other material may be used, and are connected together by bands of leather
(or other suitable flexible material) and for the sake of durability and in order to
Fender the leather impermeable to the wind, two thicknesses of leather are united
ID 11

page_text: by opp sed flesh surfaces and are thus practically made air tight. If the bottoms
of the trays are retained they are perforated for the free passage of the compressed
air but in general only the frames without bottoms are advisable and they may be
oblong circular or of other selected shape, capable of being graduated in a series
and of being received one within the other. When the framed woodwork is one
inch and three quarters wide, the whole series including the collars will not exceed
a depth of three inches, and the saving of space is of essential importance, whilst
on the other hand a drop to the extent of sixteen inches can easily be obtained
and notwithstanding the great extensibility, the depth of the connector when
closed is not increased.
"
The Drawings of Figs. 1 and 2 shew the improved arrangement a and a. a. are
collars which form the top and bottom of the connector, b and b. b. are the
nonflexible frames in series, c and cc the leather or flexible bands connecting
the series of frames b and b. b. Fig. 1 represents the connecting trunk expanded
and Fig. 2 represents the same closed.
Secondly. These improvements relate to the springs used for organ pallets and
to the rail holding such springs their design being to afford advantages in
adjustment so that the power of the springs may be regulated to the greatest
nicety.
The
Fig. 3 shews the improved spring. The upper limb d is bent in the usual way
and instead of a repetition of the same the lower limb e is curved at its extremity,
this alteration in the form is for the purpose of enabling the point of the wire to
be forced into the rail horizontally and so a modifying control can be obtained.
Fig. 4 represents the spring in position fixed to the improved form of rail.
rail is shaped so as to provide for the action of a screw eye and for the holding
of the point of the curved limb e of the spring. This rail f is suitably supported
by cross bars and then fixed so as to press upon an under rail ff of wedge shape.
It will be seen that the whole set of springs d can be altered in their bearing
power upon the pallets h by the rail f being advanced a very short distance up the
wedge or under rail ff thus by one operation varying the touch as regards the
series of springs in a sound board. The degree of pressure exercised by each
spring can be adjusted separately by means of the screw g set in the groove of the
rail . A saw cut across the rail is made for each spring to hold it in position by
its lower limb e and yet allow freedom of movement up and down in the saw cut
which is equal to the groove in depth. The screw g has a small washer g' which
bears upon the spring.
When it is required to lighten the pressure the screw is turned to depress the
lower limb e of the spring. On turning it the reverse way the elasticity given by
the curved part e of the wire causes the spring to rise with greater pressure on
the pallet h. The saw cut permits a difference of about an eighth of an inch
(as shewn by the dotted lines g11 Fig. 4) in the inclination of the spring by the
adjustment of the screw, thus the touch may be lightened or strengthened by
many degrees. A further means is available for the equalization of pressure by
setting the curved end e of the spring more in or out in relation to the rail f for
example the point may be pushed in horizontally so as virtually to vary the acting
length of the spring, and alter thereby the degree of upward pressure on the
pallet h.
Thirdly. The improvements relate to the construction of a compound pallet for
lightening the touch which is shewn at Fig. 5, this improvement consists in
providing the large pallet h with a small double disc pallet, having a light spring
and arranged so as to be first opened when the key is pressed by the finger on the
key board, the effect of which is to equalize instantaneously the pressure on both
surfaces of the large pallet, the air resistance ceasing, there then only remains the
opposition of the large pallet spring which need be no greater than that necessary
to hold the pallet to its seat. The air in its passage between the diecs will itself
(by a well known law in physics) exercise a suction helping to draw down the
larger pallet promptly. This particular form of combination pallet is different

page_text: from the split pallet which is sometimes used in organs as will be seen by the
Drawing described, is the pallet hh, the aperture admitting the air i the upper
disc attached to the large pallet, and having an aperture corresponding therewith.
ii is the lower disc moveable as a pallet between guide pins and attached to the
pull down wire ja wire from the lower disc passes through the aperture in the
upper dise and in the large pallet, and at the top it is tapped and provided with a
regulating button jj and on the top of the pallet there is a check bar preventing
the descent of the button jj beyond the limit described. k. k. is the light closing
spring pressing the pallet disc to the aperture disc. A spring above the surface of
the large pallet or a helical spring place and fixed within the aperture h. h. may
be substituted for the spring kk and in either case the spindle with the button j j
affords the point of resistance. When the position of the pallet is the reverse of
that shewn, the combination pallet can then be operated by sticker" action
upward with the same effect as by the pull down action. Sometimes as for large
pedal pallets the usual spring may be adjusted to operate the disc pallet as well as
the large one.
"
Fig. 6. represents a sectional view in outline of a further improvement in
connection with the large pallet, for example by the addition of another small
valve pallet or a simple leather valve admitting air of additional power from
another wind chamber sufficient to strengthen the tone when the key is firmly
pressed by the finger. In this arrangement when necessary a thicker felt than
ordinarily employed on the front key rail may be used. The small pallet or valve
is lifted by the sticker l. 1. and admits air from the top chainber m into the
chamber or groove m. m below. The sticker passes freely into the arm on the
pallet . which it does not engage until the back fall n. n. has operated and until
an extra pressure of the key causes the button n to rise and engage the arm.
When the position of the large pallet is reversed the sticker l. 1. may then be
arranged to act direct from it so that upon any extra opening of the large pallet
the small one above will be lifted, and the wind allowed to pass in the quantity
desired whether the wind is arranged to be of the same or of more strength. Or
when the larger pallet is in the ordinary position the chamber m may be arranged
below the chamber m. m. and the sticker action or pull down action be modified to
suit accordingly in which case the backfall n, n will be replaced by lever or other
substitute.
Fourthly. These improvements relate more particularly to reed organs although
they may be associated with pipe organs. It will be understood that the reeds
used in organs are usually made of metal such as steel, brass, German silver and the
like, brass being in most general use. At various times attempts have been made
to use wood, ivory, tortoise-shell, and such like production of natural growth but
notwithstanding the beauty of tone afforded, these materials are all subject to
variation in condition by effects of heat and of moisture in the atmosphere and
therefore made fluctuating in their degree of elasticity consequently reeds made
from them are uncertain in pitch so that no satisfactory results have been obtained
for practical purposes of musical art.
Our present improvement consists in the application for the purposes of making
musical reeds of the modern compound substances, imitations of ivory and other
natural productions, which compound manufactured substances are not in like
manner subject to change under like influences and yet possess the requisite property
of elasticity, such as celluloid xylonite parkesine and similar materials including
a new compound of the same class of our own special manufacture. The following
description will exemplify our employment of such materials although we do not
restrict the forms and arrangements specified to such materials only, but at option
use, metals also in combination with such material in one reed according to the
character desired for musical variety.
In order to obtain variety in the quality of the musical tones given by reeds, it
is essential to provide by differences in make and material, for the required.

page_text: distinction in the sets of reeds to be used in an instrument. According to our
improvements we make the frame of the reed of metal and the tongue of celluloid
or the like and vice versa, the frame of celluloid and the tongue of metal, and
further modify the metal tongue when desirable by sheathing or covering it in
whole or in part with gold beaters skin, or thin leather or other suitable material
for the purposes described, and also substitute these lighter materials for certain
removed portions of the metal or of the celluloid. The covering of the brass
tongue with gold-beaters skin alters or obviates that metallic tone arising from the
tongue in some courses of its vibration grazing the frame. The frame may be
treated in the same way by covering, and when that method or the lapping of the
light material around the tongue is adopted the frame must correspondingly be
enlarged or the tongue reduced in width so that there shall be sufficient space for
freedom of passage of the tongue. Fig. 7 shews a compound reed frame consisting
of an upper frame adjustable on a lower frame. They may be both of metal or of
celluloid or like material, or one frame only of metal according to choice. The
upper frame o is made thin it is either wider than the under frame o, o, in which
case it clips it, or it is of less width in which case it is moveable in a groove cut in
the lower frame, or the two frames may be of uniform width and be united by
screws or in any other suitable way. A " free reed" technically so called consists
of two parts, the frame and the tongue although the tongue is commonly spoken of
as being the reed. In description it is necessary to distinguish the parts, sometimes
we say
reed-tongues." According to these improvements the tongue is preferably
fixed on the upper frame although it may be made a fixture on the lower the
modification to be made in the upper frame with that view is obvious and need
not be described.
"
A
The upper frame is so cut or slotted as only to afford space sufficient for the free
passage of the tongue g (shewn at Fig. 7) whilst the lower frame has its openings
of greater width (see section 75) sufficient for ensuring the strength of tone,
yet not liable to be struck by the tongue when unequal stress of wind causes
the tongue to swerve laterally. A further modification of the lower frame
(see 7) is shewn in the projections thereon p and p, p, which are enclosed
by the upper frame and help to fix its position truly upon the lower.
front piece of the upper frame is cut away in order to allow the frame to pass
the projection p which we call the "tip block," this top block is adjustable
and rises higher than the upper surface-level of the tip of the tongue g
so as to pass the projection p p which we call a "root block which stands nearly
to the height of the under surface of the tongue, whilst it fills some portion of the
length of the slot of the frame usually left vacant. The vacant space is dis-
advantageous to the proper action of the tongue hence the desirability of the
improvement. These blocks may be formed as additions to the frame, or may be
included in the casting, care being taken in either case that the "root block" shall
not rise so far as to impede the downward movement of the tongue, and the tip
block not be too obliquely shaped or fixed so as to be liable to be struck by the tip
of the tongue. The purpose of both is to prevent waste of wind. The blocks may
also be made as separate pieces adjustable as in some instances it may be desirable
that the "root block" should be fitted so that it may be raised higher, and the
tip block that it may be moved forward to be nearer the tip of the tongue, as well
as higher to meet more nearly the arc described by its motion. As will be seen
the upper frame being moved in its groove the tip of the tongue 9 can be made to
approach the slant cut tip block p, but although this adjustable piece tightly
fitting, and in a groove if need be, can be forced upward, a further device is needful
if it is found that the play of the tongue takes more curve and that consequently
the block should be raised. The modification providing for this is shewn in Fig: 8
bere the tip block is provided with a projecting arm which is slotted and thus
can be screwed on the top of the lower frame, and by the use of paper washers or
layers between the arm r and the frame the utmost picety of adjustment can

page_text: be obtained.
By these improvements all defects in the fitting of the tongue so
frequently arising from manipulation in the process of voicing the reed can be
remedied.
Wide reeds or reed tongues of celluloid and like materials, being so comparatively
light present many difficulties under treatment for musical purposes, if too thin
they are wanting in resiliency if too thick they maintain a rigidity causing their
amplitude of motion to be very limited and greatly restricting the obtaining of
tones of sufficient gravity. These difficulties are overcome by our improvements,
and although chiefly devised for reeds of the above named materials are equally
applicable to reeds formed of metal.
Our improvements permit of the using of reed-tongues of more than ordinary
width and to the extent of several inches in width if desirable.
Instead of thinning the tongue to obtain flexure we drill holes or otherwise cut
out certain portions of the substance of the tongue, and then substitute a material
lighter than that taken away, covering the vacant spaces above or below or both
with goldbeaters skin, thin leather paper or other fibrous or nonfibrous material
suitably prepared and durable and all things considered the gold beaters skin is to
be preferred. Deficiency of weight at the tips of tongues or at other parts is made
up by pellets of lead or other metal compressed into the perforations or otherwise
affixed.
It is very desirable that the root of the tongues should not be thinned or scraped
to any extent as such treatment is injurious as it renders the tone poor and deficient
in vigour. By our improved treatment a large portion may be cut out of the
middle of the tongue and even down to the root, and yet sufficient substance be
left at the sides and tip to retain a proper amount of resiliency unimpaired, and by
suitable graduation in the sizes of the minor perforations the tongue may be caused
to give that curve of flexure in its motion agreeing with the play required for the
quality of tone, light or heavy or of the depth or height of pitch intended.
It is
not always necessary to cover the parts cut or perforated with gold beaters skin, as
when the cutting is near. the root, the part cut round may be retained in place by
some suitable fixture and yet the tongue around be perfectly free to vibrate
independent of such refixed part, or the cut part may be removed and the projection
or root block p, p, be raised higher than the tongue level, and be shaped agreeably
and caused to fill the place so as not to hinder the vibration of the reed tongue.
The several perforations or cuttings may be oval, circular, or angular or of
whatever shape as will afford the curve which the tongue should take and which
curve differs according as the tone is required to be vigorous or smooth.
And further to obtain different degrees of flexure and of resiliency in the reed-
tongue, we make the body of the tongue itself in part metal and in part celluloid
or the like material, thus the anterior part may be of brass and the posterior part
of celluloid, or vice versa, and in the latter case ivory and the like substances may
be also used without disadvantage and the area of the part formed of metal may be
less than that of the associated material forming the tongue.
Wide tongues are better fixed by a cross bar with screw or screws to tighten the
tongue to the frame rather than by the rivets usually employed and in such case.
the tip of the tongue can be approximated to the tip block without an upper or a
moveable frame, although for fine fitting work an upper frame is always desirable,
as to obtain exact fit there are adjustments that inay be made by the springing
of the sides of such frame as also advantages by the difference in widths of upper
and lower frames.
Fifthly. These improvements relate to an arrangement of parts in connection
with the "stops" of an organ whereby any stop or set of tones may be brought on,
or shut off at will.
This portion of our improvements will be more clearly understood on reference
to Fig. 9. We provide that one main pallet shall be operated by each key, and
arrange that each reed in the soundboard shall have its own separate pallet, but
these lutter pallets instead of being acted upon separately are opened and closed in

page_text: series, thus all the reeds belonging to one stop are inade ready to sound; or are
prevented from speaking by the intervention of mechanism, designed to operate
upon a whole series of pallets by one movement.
The Drawing illustrates so much of the soundboard and accessories as are
necessary for explaining this action. In the sectional view Fig. 9 the chamber s
holds the main pallet t which on the depression of the key admits the wind to the
groove below s. s. representing one of a number of like grooves, in this groove are
the pallets t. t. in number as many as correspond to the number of stops according
to the size of the organ. The grooves may be radiating or parallel, and the
pallets may be arranged immediately over the reeds which as regards their outlets.
may be treated in various ways either in combined structure as channels or
chambers or in separated structure as boxes or cavities. The pressure bar u when
moved acts upon the whole series of pallets belonging to a stop, by means of pins
or stickera fixed in the bar, or separately fixed in a register and passing through
bushed holes or "purses" arranged in line with the pallets. The pallets are closed
by springs the set of springs comprises generally from 54 to 61 springs and the
pressure bar u has to overcome the resistance of these as well as of the wind
pressure which varies according to the area of the pallets. The stop-rod knobs v
are shewn one indicating the closed state, the other drawn indicating the open
state of the stop.
The connecting mechanism as will be seen consists of levers and toggle joints but
any suitable action may be used and the pressure bar may be swung or may be
moved in guides. Sometimes a stop is halved or divided in which case the pressure
bars must correspond as that according to our improvement the whole series of
pallets or the section of a series shall be caused to open simultaneously or
consecutively by one operation. It is obvious that our pressure bar may be applied
to series of pallets which cominand the outlets to the external air, that is to say
whether the position of the reed is such, that the pallet in reference to the direction
of the wind shuts off the wind before it reaches the reed, or is placed beyond the
reed and so closes the aperture for the emission of the tone.
Finally. The Invention provides an adjustable reed box as shewn and described at
Fig. 10 which shews an adjustable reed box, useful when each reed has to be
treated separately as to the quality of tone it is required to produce. Each box
consists of two parts, an upper and a lower which may be similar in size, or may
differ in proportions so that the one may be received within the other and
according as the margins of their rims are approximated more or less so will be the
quality of the tone derived from the reed.-The lower part a is affixed to a
plate w holding the reed, and the upper part y is carried on a spindle upon which
threaded or sliding it can be adjusted to leave any designed degree of opening
between the two parts x and y..
These boxes or cavities are not restricted to the tray like form shewn but may
be cube within cube hemispherical or other form as convenient, and they should be
graduated in sizes in series from bass to treble and varied in capacities according to
the character to be given to each particular stop.
When desirable we arrange another chamber or duplicate box, either placed
within the large one or in advance, forming a leading passage to it, and conjoined
with it, and in this case the box is not halved or divided. When another box or
chamber is made within the large one it may be either divided or undivided or
only be formed as an inverted cup to cover to the degree desired, the opening in
the plate w holding the reed or the opening in the bottom of the box itself.
inner chambers within the adjustable reed boxes we make so that they have
adjustable apertures through which the sound from the reed issues into the large
box or chamber and that by such adjustment the character of the tone can be
modified.
Such
An additional variable aperture may sometimes be made in either part of the
reed box with advantage when it is desired to obtain a change in the quality of a

page_text: stop, so that the parts are made adjustable for the purposes described, other modes
of connexion may be substituted for that of the central spindle.
Fig. 11 represents as an example such a construction of a conjoined double box
with the variable cut off xx.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is,
First. The improved construction of an extensible trunk or connector for the
passage of wind from the bellows to the sound trunks or sound boards of organs
which will adopt itself to the movements of the bellows or reservoirs in the manner
as herein substantially described setforth and illustrated in the Drawings annexed
at Figs. 1 and 2.
Second. Improvements in the construction and formation of springs in connection
with organ pallets together with the rail holding the same for the purpose of
regulating the power of such springs in series and separately in the manner as
herein substantially described setforth and illustrated at Figs. 3. & 4 of the
Drawings annexed.
Third. Improvements in the construction of pallets designed first for lightening
the touch of the keys and secondly for providing an additional pallet for the
admission of more wind in the manner as herein substantially described setforth
and illustrated at Figs. 5 and 6 of the Drawings annexed.
Fourth. Improvements in the construction of reeds both as to combination of
materials used in their construction and to the forms and shapes of the several
parts composing the reed together with the means of adjustment in the manner and
for the purposes as herein substantially described setforth and illustrated at
Figs. 7. 71. 773 74 75 76 and 7° of the Drawings annexed.
Fifthly. Improvements in the construction and arrangement of parts in
connection with the stops of an organ by which the pallets belonging to any
one stop may be acted upon separately as a series and opened or closed by one
movement in the manner as herein described setforth and illustrated at Fig. 9 of
the Drawings annexed.
Finally. An improved construction of adjustable reed box for effecting the
quality of tone in the manner as herein substantially described setforth and fully
illustrated at Figs. 10 and 11 of the Drawings annexed.
Dated this 10th day of bray 100%.
THOMAS WRIGLEY,
36, High Holborn, W.C.,
Agent to the Applicant.
THOMAS WRIGLEY,
36, High Holborn, W.C.,
Agent to the Applicant.