IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCING SOUND FROM BELLS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Christopher Lewis, of Shepherd's Lane, Brixton,
in the County of Surrey, Organ Builder, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN PRODUCING SOUND FROM BELLS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Christopher Lewis at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd May 1877.
THOMAS CHRISTOPHER LEWIS, of Shepherd's Lane, Brixton, in the County of
Surrey, Organ Builder. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCING SOUND FROM BELLS."
My improvements relate to the application of a pneumatic machine, or a machine
using compressed air, for the actuating of the hammer in order to produce sound
in bells.
The accompanying two Sheets of Drawing illustrate my Invention.
Upon Sheet I. Figure 1 represents a cross section through an ordinary consól
fitted with my Invention, showing the action and arrangement of one key; Figure 2
being a section through the pneumatic bellows and valve chamber.
Upon Sheet II. is shown the bell and hammer action.
It will be seen that I propose to use an ordinary key board, each key A being so
arranged as to open and close the valves E, F, F, whereby a supply of compressed
air entering through the trunk M is allowed alternately to pass into and escape
from a pneumatic bellows I through the grooves G, H, which bellows I regulates
the feed and exhaust valve O, S, communicating with the upper bellows Q, and this
latter, by means of a sticker or tapper rod U, actuates the hammer action V, W, X,
as shown.
The connections between my pneumatic machine and the haminer may vary to
suit the circumstances of each particular application.
.
My pneumatic machine may be set to work automatically in connection with a
clock or otherwise.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Christopher Lewis in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
23rd November 1877.
THOMAS CHRISTOPHER LEWIS, of Shepherd's Lane, Brixton, in the County of
Surrey, Organ Builder. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCING SOUND FROM BELLS."
My improvements relate to the application of a pneumatic machine, or a machine
using compressed air, for the actuating of the hammer in order to produce sound
in bells. I effect this object by using an ordinary key board, each key of which
will operate on a valve or valves, or slide admitting compressed air from a reservoir
to a pneumatic bellows, which controls or operates a valve, opening into a bellows
which lifts a lever, thereby operating upon the hammer and producing the required
sound.
The accompanying two Sheets of Drawing illustrate my Invention.
Figure 1, Sheet 1, represents a cross section through an ordinary console.
Figure 2 is a section through the pneumatic bellows and valve chamber.
Figure 3 represents the bellows for supplying the necessary air.
And Figure 4 illustrates the bell and striking gear.
Upon Sheet 2 the general arrangements of the apparatus and striking gear is
shewn, being drawn to a reduced scale.
A indicates one of the keys.
B is a tracker; C, rocking lever.
D, valve rod; E, exhaust valve; F, F, stop valves.
G, groove or air passage; H, groove communicating from chamber N with
valves F, F.
I, pneumatic bellows.
O, supply valve; P, throttle valve; Q, bellows.
R, exhaust port; S, exhaust valve for bellows Q; T, rocking lever; U, sticker or
tappet rod..
V, lever; W, tumbler; X, hammer and shaft.
Y, the bell; Z, bellows for supplying the air.
The action is as follows:-The bellows Z having been set in motion, a current of
air is driven out through the trunk M into the chamber N, whence it passes down
the groove H and through the valves F, F, up into the pneumatic bellows I through
the groove G. This being so, as soon as the key A is depressed the valves F, F, are
closed by means of the rods and levers B, C, D, and the valve E being opened, the
pneumatic bellows I immediately closes, the air within having passed down through
the groove G and out through the valve E. By the closing of the bellows I the
valve O is caused to open, it being connected thereto, and a supply of air allowed to
enter through the valve P into the bellows Q. Upon the upper portion of the
bellows is a tappet rod U, so arranged as to rise and fall with the bellows; this
sticker or tappet rod. U is connected at its upper end with a lever V, upon which is
a tumbler W, by means of which the hammer X is raised and caused to strike the
bell Y.
It will be seen that immediately the key A is released, the valves F; F; are
opened and the valve E closed, when the communication, being re-established
between the chamber N and the bellows I, the latter is again raised, and in so doing
causes the exhaust valve S to open, and the bellows Q to close.
Upon the key A being again depressed the above-described action again takes
place, and so on throughout the key board....
I would here observe that my improved pneumatic bell apparatus,, as above
described and shown, may, by the aid of well-known mechanical means, be set to
work automatically in connection with a clock or otherwise.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention and in
what manner the same is or may be performed, I desire it to be understood that I
do not confine myself to the precise details above given, as, for example, the connec-

page_text: tion between my pneumatic apparatus and the hammer may be varied to suit the
circumstances of each particular application, and other modifications be made in the
apparatus while retaining its special characteristics; and that I claim as of my
Invention and secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent the
valves E, F, F, with their keys and connections with the bellows I within the valve
chamber N in combination with the bellows Q to actuate the hammer-striking
gear U, V, W, the whole constructed and adapted to operate substantially in the
manner and for the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Christopher Lewis, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of November, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.