Improvements in Harmoniums.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Dec., 1890-Accepted. 7th Mar., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Harmoniums.
I, RUDOLF ESSIG, of Stuttgart, in the German Empire, Manufacturer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to a construction of harmonium with an oscillating note
chest a register acting direct on a reserve bellows another register communicating
with the air valves leading to the note chest and opening the sound chest and a
particular means for the sudden opening of the valves behind the vibrators.
In the accompanying drawing
Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the harmonium of this invention.
Fig. 2 is a view shewing the note chest and the sound chest turned to the
front.
Fig. 3 is a part sectional view of parts located underneath the keyboard.
Fig. 4 shews the mechanism for operating the register.
1 is the frame to which bellows 2, 2', are attached. In Fig. 1 one of these is
shewn closed by treadle 3 whilst the other is opened by treadle 4.
From the
bellows 2, 2 a channel 5 leads to wind chest 6 and from this a channel 7 to reserve
bellows 8.
The latter is suspended from frame 9 which also carries the keyboard, note
chest, sound chest and registers. Frame 9 is carried on supports 9' fixed to frame 1.
In this frame or in a bracket 10 fixed thereto there is a slot 11 in which a pin 13
connected to spring 12 engages. Springs 12 bear against reserve bellows 8 and
serve to press it. 14 is a jointed lever connected at one end to pin 13 and at the
other end to spindle 15 on which is fixed toothed wheel 16 engaging toothed
segment 17 fixed at one end of shaft 18, crank 19 being fixed on the other end
thereof and moved by the knee of the player so as to work more or less reserve
bellows 8. 20 are vibrators in the note chest 21 receiving the wind through
apertures 22 communicating with wind chest 6. 23 are apertures which lead from the
vibrators to the sound chest 24. They are covered by valves 25 which upon
striking the keys are suddenly lifted or slid on one side through oscillating parts 27
and levers 26 against the resistance of springs 26'. Parts 27 are operated direct
from keys 28. Levers 26 are carried in bearings 29. Screwed to note chest 21
are brackets 271 against which parts 27 bear.
Other registers 30 are over the keyboard to the stops of which are connected
bell crank levers 31 which move rods 33 of valves 32 upwards and also operate
levers 34 so as through sliding pushers 35 to work oscillating piece 36, rods 37 and
through these the valves 38 lifting them up when sliding pushers 35 are pressed
upwards.
As seen in Fig. 2 the note chest 21 is on each side jointed to a plate 39 the
latter taking on to a pin 40 so that the note chest 21 together with sound
chest 24 may be turned over to the front. Catch 41 serves for fastening to wind
chest 6.
The harmonium may be taken apart in two pieces the one consisting of frame 1,
bellows 8 and wind chest 6, the other of frame 9, keyboard, note chest 21, sound
chest 24 and registers.
The advantages are the sudden opening of the vibrators; remarkably easy
method of playing; the absolutely simultaneous and exact sound of the tongues.
The instrument may be readily played with expression as the player may pass
from the gentlest pianissimo to the strongest forte without special training merely
by means of a slight pressure of the knee.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. The combination of bellows 2, 21, with wind chest 6 and channel 5 arranged
in frame 1 and the combination of wind chest 6 with reserve bellows 8 for the purpose
specified substantially as described and shewn.
2. Springs 12 which through one or more levers 14 are in connection with a
shaft 15 and toothed wheel 16 thereon and which are operated through register 19
and toothed segment 17 for the purpose specified substantially as described and
shewn.
3. The note chest 21 arranged to turn over towards the front and back of the
instrument substantially as described and shewn.
4. The sound chest 24 placed against the note chest 21 provided with forte
valves 32 from which a rod 33 leads to a cranked lever attached to the register
stop substantially as described and shewn.
5. The connection of valves 38 closing wind chest apertures 22 and rod 37
connected thereto with register 30 through oscillating part 36 sliding pusher 35
and lever 34 substantially as described and shewn.
6. The combination of valves 25 and their levers 26 with the oscillating parts 27
and keys 28, substantially as described and shewn.
Dated this 30th day of December 1890.
CAPITAINE & VON HERTLING,
89, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.