Improvements in Couplers for Key-board Musical Instruments.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Nov., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 19th Aug., 1890-Accepted, 4th Oct., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Couplers for Key-board Musical Instruments.
1. JOHN AINSWORTH of Mendelssohn House, Brinscall near Chorley, in the County
of Lancaster Professor of Music do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows, that is to say :--
My invention has for its object, an improved method and apparatus for coupling
each organ pedal to a corresponding manual key, and any manual key to its octave,
being arranged for application to organs, pianofortes and similar keyed instruments,
and my invention relates to improvements as aforesaid for attachment in conjunction
with apparatus, for which Letters Patent were granted to me A.D. 1885 No. 5176,
and my invention consists of the following features.
First. A peculiar construction and arrangement of parts in the formation of
inetallic rods, each being supported on two bearers upon an action frame and passing
in a diagonal line from the organ pedals to the position of corresponding keys, and
on the manual from any key to its octave.
Secondly. The bending of the metallic rods at an obtuse angle at each end, the
variation of the angle being made to suit the position of each organ pedal with its
corresponding key, and each key with its octave."
Thirdly. The placing of the metallic rods upon the action frame, with the obtuse
angles set at right angles with the length of the frame, so that by a pedal depressing
the aforesaid metallic rod at one angle, its opposite angle is raised, which by means
of a connecting rod actuates its corresponding key, and in like manner the manual
key its octave.
The existing means for coupling pedals to their corresponding keys, and manual
keys to their octaves have certain disadvantages, being weighty and cumbersome,
difficult of access for adjustment, and when applied beneath the pedals necessitates an
undue raising of them.
By means of my invention the size of the action can be reduced to a minimum,
together with a more simple and effective arrangement in coupling the pedals to
their corresponding keys, and any manual key to its octave.
By the reverse movement of the metallic rods as described, the coupling of the
manual octaves can be effected without interference with any mechanism belonging
to the pianoforte.
The coupler is easy of access for adjustment, and is not so susceptible to climatic
influences as the methods now in use.
The manual octave can be put into action, by hand or foot.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Couplers for Key-board Musical Instruments..
I, JOHN AINSWORTH of Mendelssohn House, Brinscall near Chorley in the County
of Lancaster Professor of Music 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, that is to say:-
My invention has for its object an improved method and apparatus, for coupling
organ pedals, to their corresponding manual keys, and similarly any manual key to

page_text: its octave, being arranged for application to pianofortes, organs and similar keyed
instruments and my invention relates to improvements as aforesaid for attachment
in conjunction with apparatus for which Letters Patent were granted to me
A.D. 1885, No. 5176, and my invention consists of the following features.
First. A peculiar construction and arrangement of parts in the formation of
mettalic rods, each being supported on two bearers upon an action frame, and passing
in a diagonal line from the organ pedals to the position of corresponding keys, and
on the manual from any key to its octave.
Secondly. The bending of the metallic rods at an obtuse angle at each end, the
variation of the angles being made to suit the position of each organ pedal with its
corresponding key, and each key with its octave.
Thirdly. The placing of the metallic rods upon the action frame, with the obtuse
angles set at right angles with the length of the frame, so that by a pedal depressing
the aforesaid metallic rod at one angle its opposite angle is raised, which by means
of a connecting rod, actuates its corresponding key, and in like manner when placed
above or beneath the manual of any keyed instrument, to act as a connection from
each key on the manual to its corresponding key in the octave.
And in order that my invention may be more fully understood and readily carried
into effect, I will proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying
drawings and to the figures and letters marked thereon.
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a pianoforte frame or case, with my improved
organ pedal attachment applied thereto, showing the pedal connection to the action
frame, and corresponding attachment to the key of the pianoforte.
Fig. 2. is an enlarged sectional elevation showing my improved mechanical
attachment from the pedal, to a corresponding key upon the pianoforte.
Fig. 3. is a plan of the metallic rods placed upon the action frame the ends of the
pedals being cut away to show the position of the rods upon the frame.
Fig. 4. shows the metallic rod placed upon two bearers, each end of the rod being
bent to an obtuse angle, so that by a depression of one end, the opposite end may
be raised.
Fig. 5. shows the mode of a button combination for the attachment of rod M
to key B. The button O being groved upon the top side, so that the keyboard and
action may be withdrawn when desired.
Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.
Now according to my invention, the combination of my arrangement consists in
first causing a depression upon the pedal T, the adjustable projection C, being secured
to the pedal T. by the screw d¹ having also in connection therewith the adjusting
screw D. so that the felted end of C. may be regulated in its point of contact with
the metallic rod E. each end of E. being bent to an obtuse angle, so that by
depressing one end, the opposite end may be raised, being at the time supported
upon the two bearers fand f¹ which are secured to the action frame G.
The guards J and J' are attached to the pedal frame, so as to keep the_rod I. in
a perpendicular position, the upper end of the rod I. having a button K. with a
cup like depression in the end thereof, so as to ensure a central combination with
the adjustable connection N. and arrangement of rod M, as connected with the key B.
thereby providing an action which is adaptable to any form of keyboard, either
straight or in an oblique line.
The opposite end of the rod 1 having a bushed eyelet c', for connection to the
rod E, the spring b¹ upon the rod I, acting as a rebounding coil to keep the metallic
-rod E in contact with the felted end of projection C.
-
The pedal T is returned to its original position by the spring H.
The rod M forms the connection to the key B, the adjustment N, acting as the
connecting part to the pianoforte, when the pedals are placed in position.
The key B, may be actuated at the front part by attaching my adjustable patent
lever E, as described in my specification and drawings dated A.D. 1885 27th of April
No. 5176.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
First. The peculiar construction and arrangement of parts, in the formation of an
improved coupler, as set forth in the specifications and drawings annexed, being
applicable to pianofortes, organs, and similar keyed instruments.
Secondly. The application of a metallic rod bent at each end to an obtuse angle,
and placed upon an action frame, so that by depressing one end of the rod, the
opposite end raised, thereby actuating a key or otherwise its octave.
Thirdly. The construction and arrangement of parts in the connection of rods M
and I, the buttons K and O, and spring b, as completing the combination of parts,
from the action frame to key.
DJ 10tL
A 1000
JOHN AINSWORTH.