US887376A - Means for controlling the expression of automatic music-players. - Google Patents

Description

No. 887,376. PATENTED MAY 12, 1 908.

' G. P. BRAND.

MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE EXPRESSION OF AUTOMATIC MUSIC PLAYERS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 24, 1903. RENEWED MAY .2, 1906.

8 SHEETSSHEET l.

Fcyi

PATENTED MAY 12,1908.

G. P. BRAND. MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE EXPRESSION OF AUTOMAIIG MUSIC PLAYERS.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 2%;1903. RENEWED MAY 2, 1906.

a SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WIS

PATENTED MAY 12, 1908.

. G. P. BRAND. MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE EXPRESSION OF AUTOMATIC MUSIC PLAYERS.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 24, 1903. RENEWED MAY 2. 1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 GEORGE P. BRAND, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE EXPRESSION OF AUTOMATIC MUSIC-PLAYERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 12, 1908.

Application filed F vember 24, 1903, Serial No. 182,449. Renewed May 2, 1905. Serial No. 314,869.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I GEORGE P. BRAND, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Means for Controlling the Expression of Automatic Music-Players, of which the following is a, s ecification, sufficient to enable others skille in the art to which the invention appertains to make and use ,the

same.

My improvements are applicable generally to pneumatic apparatus for automatically actuating musica key instruments; and the invention consists, in the use of the means hereinafter set forth for controlling and applying difierent tensions, whereby I am enabled not only to attain instantaneously a change fromthe maximum to the minimum volume of sound, or vice versa, but also to attain any intermediate degree of tension between the two extremes, thus increasing the scope of expression and admitting of delicate shadings in tone as well as forceful accentuation.

In the accompanying drawings, I show diagrammatically an arrangement and'combination of parts and devices wherebymy invention may be operated practically, although I do not limit myself strictly thereto since it is obvious that various changes and mechanical expedients may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and intent of my invention. In fact some of the "parts and devices herein shown-and used s mbolically are new in themselves and form the subject matter of concurrent applications, and while preferable for use in this connection might be supplanted by other and well known devices performing like functions, without altering materially the results attained.

Figure 1, is a diagram in sectional elevation of parts essential in carr ing out myin vention, without regard tot eir exact rela' tive positions in" the apparatus; Fig. 2, is a similar view illustrating the operation of cerparts; Fig; 3, is a dia rammatic view showing a modification in the arrangement of parts; Fig. 4, is a section through one of the exhausters; Fig; 5, is a diagram illustrating the general arrangement of tension devices heretofore used.

. E, E, are air exhaust pumps ordevices of any suitable form and 'constructirdm'those shown in the drawings being provided with ,the normal reservoir N. an reservoir A, and the action box or chest H.

pallet valves (3', e, similar to that shown in detail in Fig. 4. Any desired number of the exhaust devices E, may be used in conjunction, each being connected with the normal tension reservoir N by a duct a, and with the accentuating reservoir A, by a duct a,the air duct n, opening into the diaphragm charnber a, of the normal reservoir N, while the duct 0, opens into the body of the accentuating reservoir A.

It is to be understood that hereinafter I with a diaphragm chamber 0, and diaphragm 0, under which opens the air pressure conduit Z), leading from the inlet valve B, which latter is adapted to be operated manually, and may be of any desired or Well known construction. The "central chamber c of the cut off C communicates through a conduit a with the space 0 in the casing back of the diaphragm p and the valve chamber 0 communicates through the opening 0 with the atmosphere. The valve stem (1, carries two valves d, (Z engaging respectively and alternately with the seats 0, c and its lower end is formedwith an open cup-shaped bearing d Which rests against'the upper side of the diaphragm 0. An equalizing tube c connects the diaphragm chamber a, of the controller 0 with the diaphragmchamber n,

of the normal tension reservoir N.

G is What may be-designated as the intermediate tension chest, inter osed between accentuating This intermediate tension. chest G is partitioned off into three compartments 9, g, g, the central one of which g, constitutes a va riable tension chamber communicating with the action chest H,-through the exhaust conduit h. A conduit n connects the normal tension reservoir N with the chamber g,- and in like manner the accentuating reservior A, is connected by the conduit a, with the chamber 9 In the chamber g is situated a diaphragm g separating the rest of the chamber from the end formed with the opening 9 into the atmosphere. In like manner the chamber 9 is rovided with a diaphragm g separat ing t e rest of the chamber from the end formed with the aperture g", but in this case the aperture 9, instead of opening directly into the atmosphere, communicates through the duct g with the shunt controller S, opening into the central chamber .9, thereof. The partitions in the intermediate chest G, are formed with valve seats g g", with which engage alternately valves i, i, upon the valve stem I, the latter being also formed with end abutments "L which bear against the diaphragms g g respectively.

The shunt controller S, is formed with a diaphragm chamber 8, in which is situated the diaphragm s interposed between the valve seat 8 and the 0 en end of the air pressure ductsZ, and 7', t e former connecting with the air pressure valve L, or other manu: ally operated air inlet device, and the latter with'the tracker board T.

.9 is an equalizing duct connecting the chamber 9 with the diaphragm chamber 8,

of the shunt controller S. The latter is also formed with a seat .9 and chamber s,,the latter communicating with the atmosphere through the opening 8 The valvestem f, carries the two valves f and f, and is formed at its lower end with the open cupx-rshaped bearing f for contact with t e diap agm 8 The conduit h, from the variable tension chamber 9, enters the vacuum chamber h, of the action box or chest H. Said vacuum chamber h, communicates through a series of ports h with a series of chambers h, each coincident with and individual to one of the series of key pneumatics K. Each of said chambers 71 is formed with two valves seats if, 72 one 7L3, opening to the atmosphere, and the other I? through the port h, into the vacuum chamber h. The valve seats 7? are closed normally by valves 1), on rods P which also carry valves 1), for engagement with the seats 7L3, opening to the atmosphere. In these chambers it, between the valve seats 72 lbs, are situated the openings in, into the key pneumatics K. The end of each valve rod P is formed with an open cupshaped bearing 19 for contact withthe diaphragm 7L5, situated in the space h, and interposed between the seat if, and theair duct 25, leading tothe tracker board T.

The valve rod P is supported near its inner extremity by the cross arm or bearing 7L7, and

we at its outrr extremity by a rock lever 7L which allows it to adapt itself easily and quickly to motion in either direction.

Each key pneumatic K is connected by a rod is, with an actuating lever g, by which a particular key of the musical instrument is norma depressed whenever its pneumatic K is deflated, and released when said pneumatic K is again inflated under the conditions hereinafter set forth.

It is to be noted that I not only couple the exhausters E, E, together but also connect each reservoir N, A, with each ,exhauster. This may be done as shownin Fi 1 and 2, or-as shown in the modification Big. 3. In the first two figures named short pipes 'or conduits a, n, connect the chambers e, e, on the adjoiningexhausters E, E, so that each reservoiris in connection directly with both exhausters.

In Fig. 3, the conduit n, enters the diaphragm chamber n, of the normal tension reservoir N, and the conduit 0,, enters directl into the'auxiliary reservoir A, the result eing the same in either case, namely, that both the normal tension reservoir N, and the auxiliary reservoir A are connected together indirectly through the exhausters E, E, so that unless the normal tension reservoir N is cut out by the seating of'the diaphragm n, on the edge of the duct n, the same degree of tension will prevail in both reservoirs.

It is to be understood'that the, diaphr s shown are formed with bleed holes, or t atprovision is otherwise made for then retraction. The cup-shaped bearings on the ends of the valve stems are also perforated or formed to admit of circulation of air. I

Under normal conditions the music sheet M- traveling between the rolls m, m, admits air to the duct t, whenever a perforation comes into coincidence with the corresponding. opening in the tracker board T, thereby forcing the diaphragm it, forward, opening the valve 1), and seating the valve 12*, and causing the collapse of the pneumatic K. The force and speed of the downward stroke thus im arted by the pneumatic K to the key of t e musical instrument throughthe medium of the rod is, and lever q, will obviously depend upon the degree of vacuum or tension in the vacuum chamber h, of the action chest H, and this in turn, in the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 and 2, on the degree of tension in the variable tension chamber 9, of the intermediate chest G. Playing withou t interference or hand manipulation of the parts, this degree of tenslon will e ual that existing at the time in the l reservoir N, since communication is unobstructed through the conduit a be- 4 tween the said reservoir N and the variable tension chamber 9.

Now it is one of the pecularities of my a paratus and of my system of accentuation, tl iat under these so called normal conditions, which are usually only temporary during ordinary use, the degree of tension in the accentuating reservoir A, and connections is essentially and substantially that existing in the so called normal reservoir and connections,the cross connections between the] raising the valve d, from its seat and admitting air through the opening 0 valve seat 0, and duct c to force the diaphragm o to its seat on the end of the port it, thus cutting off communication between the reservoir N, and the exhausters E, E. .As a result the exhausters E, E, act temporarily on the accentuating reservoir alone, one or two pulsations of the exhausters being sufiicient to increase the tension in the reservoir A to a degree that will insure a sudden and marked increase in tension in the vacuum chamber h, of the action chest H, immediately upon the shifting ofthe valves '5, i, in

the intermediate trunk G. This is -accomplished either by the passage of an accent perforation in the music sheet over the mouth of the opening in the tracker board leading to the conduit j, or by the de ression:

of the air pressure, valve L, the resu t being the same in that air is admitted underneath the diaphragm s in the shunt controller S,

thereby raising the valve stein f, and valve f admitting air through the opening 8 valve seat s, chamber 8, and duct 9 to the rear of the diaphragm. At the same time the valve f", is seated, cutting off co1i1munication between the chamber 8, of the shunt controller S, and the chamber 9 of the intermediate chest G. As a consequence the pressure. in the end pf thechamber g to the right of the diaphragm 9 being greater than in the chambers g, g the said diaphragm gf", acting on the abutment i throws theyalve 'rod' I, over until the valve '2', rests against its seat 9 at the .same time withdrawing the valve t, from its seat g. thus closing communication .between the variable tension chamber g, and the chamber g, and o ening communication between the cham er g and said variable extension chamber 9, as shown in Fig. 2, which also shows the normal reservoir N cut off by the dia hragm m, from communication with the ex Ta'usters E, E. It must be said in explanationof Fig. 2, however that while it illustrates clearl the operations attendant upon and essential to accentuation, itdose npt necessarily indicate the actual relative positions of the 'partsd'un ing ar-centuation, since as a. matter of the cutting ofi of the normal reservoir N from the exhausters E, E, is only a preparatory measurewhereby the reservoir A, is changed temporarily from, an auxiliary reservoir into an accentuating reservoir, and since it is not designed to reduce .the tension materially or perceptibly in the normal reservoir N, and connections, communication may almost immediately be reestablished between the said normal reservoir and exhausters without impairing or interfering with action of the accentuating reservoir'A. In practice the air pressure valve B, is depressed for a moment only and may then be released even before the air pressure valve L is depressed to actuate the shunt controller as before described. The release of the air pressure valve B, cutting off thepressure of the atmosphere from the under side of the diaphragm 0', causes the latter to collapse and return the valve d, to its seat 0, thereby cutting off atmospheric pressure from the diaphragm n, the simultaneous opening of the valve (1, providingfor the equalization of tension between the chamber 0 in the cut off C and interior of the. diaphragm chamber n. a

Itis only desi cation between t e accentuating reservoir A and the vacuum chamber 71', of the action chest H for a comparatively short period of time,since the accentuating reservoir A may thus be quickly and conveniently turned into a high tension medium and thrown in and out ofcommunication with the 'vacuum chamber in the action chest as often as desired, and at comparatively short intervals of time if necessary, the parts, owing to the coupling together of the exhausters E, E, and the connection of the latter with both ed to maintain communithere is actual communication between the said reservoirs through the exhausters,-the pallet valves on the latter'under other conditions preventing such communication. I

At the end of the accentuation the air pressure valve L is released, cutting ofi atmospheric pressure from beneaththe diaphragm 8 of the shuntcontrollerS, and there y lowering spindle f, seating the valve, and uns eatmg the valve f and opening cpmmumcation between the interior of the dia hragm chambers of the controller S,.and1 c amber through the medium of the duct sthereby equalizing the tension on both sides of the diaphragm g Atmospheric pressurebeing 105 the normal reservoir N and the auxiliary resf nipulation of the exhausters E,-E. Thus theauxiliary reservoir A connecteddirectly with r they exhausters E, E, and indirectly through I thus cut ofi at this end of the intermediate chestG, and the tension neutralized on opposite sides of the diaphragm 9 the pressure of the atmosphere upon thediaphrag m 9 through. the port 9 at the op osite end of the ehe st G, effects the retractie movement of the valve rod I, and restores the arts to their normal condition, so called, as s ownjin It is to be-linderstood that thetermnor-f mal is herein used in a relative sense only, and for convenienceofdescription, since as a matterof fact when the musicjis properly accentuated the tension is varied-constantly,

not only b the use of the air pressure-valves B and L, ut also :byvariations in themathem with the normal reservoir N, :aflords means whereby the most delicate shading of tone may be attained at any degree or dcgrees of tension between the minimum and maximum capacity of the apparatus, at: the same time providing for instantaneous changes from maximum to minimum, or vice versa, or to and between intermediate degrees of tension. These results are attained mainly by theuse of an auxiliary reservoir for purpose ofaccentuation which is related onlyindire'ctly to the normal tension reservoir, and which while connectedwith exhausters common to both reservoirs, is actuated and controlled by independent means.

These two features of direct connection with the exhausters, and independent manipulation of the high tensipn or accentuating reservoir, mark anew and important development in the stateof the art, as I have proved by actual ex erimentaluse;

As is wel known it has heretofore been customary to connect a normal or low tension bellows 1 Fig. 5, directly with a high tensionbellows 2, the high tension being maintained continuously, and the low tension being attained by means; of a throttle or valve 3, con trolling communication between the two. bellows substantially as shown by way of illustration in said diagram Fig. 5, by which it will be seen that the exhausters have no. direct control over the low tension bellows 1,

' although it may vary considerably in degree,

the higher tension being created only as wanted, and independent of the normal tension. Both tensions being directly created and controlled by the pedals or other be no wire-"drawing or throttling of air through valves as heretofore to IIICI'GiLSGIB'.

sistance and retard action. 'xB'y thus decreasing resistance and dispensing with the need -'of maintaining a constant high tension- I greatly economize in the power requisite to I operate theapparatus, and at the same time,

by tension created as needed; and applied directly, insure instantaneous results, and

more perfectcontrol thereof. This direct ,contro and quick response enables me to attainwith accuracy variations and effects of accentuation not heretofore ossible.

then to -P or mF, as may be desired,.the

changes being effected eithergradually or instantaneously as desired, since thetwo tensions-are created, exist, and are controlled independently, and may have an'ydesired relation to each. other as regardsdegree of tension -results that cannot be attained where onedegree of tension is dependent on anotheryand where the change has to be effected through a throttle valve.

In other words, I can effect any desired combination or contrastthat may be attained by difference in tension, or rather by shifting from one tension to another, for the reason that I am able to create any desired tension in either reservoir, so that the transitions may be eat or slight, and in any part of the whole field Forinstance, I can drop' from FF to PPP, and, 7 immediately thereafter change to FF, and

covered by the capacity of the instrument from and between minimum to maximum tensions.

The variabletension' chest G, interposed between the high and low tension reservoirs 3 A, N, though not indispensable, is an-'ad-.

vantageous feature in that it affords a s' le shunting device common to both reservo rs.

The same resiilt may be attained by I eachof the conduitsvr a, to the vacuum chamber h, in the action chest H, or what amounts to the same thing, into its conduit h, provided provision for shutting off each conduit n a, therefrom is made, either b independent valve mechanism, or by a modification of the variable tension chest G, as shown in Fig. 3, in which the middle chamber 9, is dispensed with, and valve chambers g, g, are added .to the high and low tension chambers g, 9 said valve chambers 9 9, being connected with the action box conduit h, by branches 9, h", in which case a single valve actuating device, as the shunt controller S, will answer the purpose. Where it is preferred however the valves i, i, may be 1. In automatic music players, the combination of a normal tension reservoir in communication with the exhaust mechanism and with the action chest which controls the key pneumatics, said action chest, an auxiliary tension reservoir independently and directly connected with the said exhaust mechanismcommunication between said auxiliary reservoir and the action chest, whereby the latter may be used as a high tension reservoir for the purpose of accentuation. I

2. In automatic music players, the combination of a normal tension reservoir in communication with the exhaust mechanism and with the action chest which controls the key neumatics, said action chest, an auxiliary tension reservoir directly and independently connected with the said exhaust mechanism and directly with the said action chest, means for opening and closing communication between the normal tension reservoir and the exhaust mechanism, and means for simultaneously closing communication between the normal tension reservoir and the action chest and opening communication between the latter and the said auxiliary reservoir, and vice versa, for the purposes of accentuation.

3. In automatic music players, the combination of a normal tension reservoir in communication with the exhaust mechanism and with the action chest which controls the key pneumatics, said action chest, an auxiliary tension reservoir directly and independently connected with the said exhaust mechanism and indirectly with the said action chest, an intermediate variable tension chest interposed in the conduits between the said tension reservoirs ,and the said action chest, valves in said variable tension chest arran ed to simultaneously close communication ebetween one ofthe said tension reservoirs and the action chest and open communication between the latter and the other tension reservoir, and vice versa, and means for operating said valves for the purposeset forth.

4. In automatic music players, the combi nation with the action chest, of two tension reservoirs connected therewith, and with exhaust mechanism commdn to both, said exhausters, means for opening and closing communication between said exhaust mechanism and one of the said tension reservoirs, and means for alternately opening and 010s ing communication between said action chest and each of said reservoirs, for the purpose set forth.

5. In automatic music players, the combination ofan action chest, key pneumatics, a

normal tension reservoir, an auxiliary tension reservoir, 9; variable tension chest formed with a plurality of chambers, one of which is connected with said action chest and others" connected respectively with said normal ten sion reservoir and auxiliary tension reservoir, valves in said first named chamber arranged to alternately open and close com-- I munication between it and the other chambers and means for actuatin said valves.

6. In automatic players, t e combination of an action chest, a normal tension reservoir and an auxiliary tension reservoir both connected with said action chest, exhausters each formed with two inlet valve chambers and valves, an independent channel connecting the normal tension reservoir with an inlet valve chamber on each exhaust, and an independent channel connecting the auxiliary tension reservoir with the other inlet valve ch amber on each exhaust.

I 7. In automaticmusic players, the combination of an action chest and key neumatics, a variable tension chest-formed with three chambers, the central one of which is connected with the said action chest, and the end chambers of which are connected respectively with a normal tension reservoir and an auxiliary tension reservoir, valves in said middle chamber arranged to alternatel open and close communication between it and said end chambers, means for actuating said valves, said normal tension IQSGI'VOII}.

said auxiliary tension reservoir, exhaust mechanism connected with the said tension reservoirs, and means for opening and closing communication between said normal tension reservoir and the exhausters, for the purpose set forth.

8. In automatic music players, the combination of an action chest, key pneumatics, a

normal tension reservoir, an auxiliary tension reservoir, a variable tension chest formed with a plurality of chambers, one of which is connected with said action chest and others connected respectively with said normal tension reservoir and auxiliary tension; reservoir, valves in said first named chamber arranged to alternately open and.

close communication between it and the other chambers, means for actuating said valves, exhaust mechanism, and means for opening and closing communication between said normal tensiorfreservoirand the exhaust mechanism.

9. In automatic music players, the combination of an action chest, key pneumatics, a normal tension reservoir, an auxiliary tension reservoir, a variable tension chest formed with a-plurality of chambers, one of whichis connected with said action chest and others connected respectively with said normal tension reservoir and auxiliary ten-- sion reservoir, valves in said first named chamber arranged to alternately open and close communication between it and the other chambers, means for actuating the valves, and means for exhausting the air from the auxiliary tension reservoir.

10. In automatic music players, the combination of an action chest and key neumatics, a variable tension chest forme with three chambers, the central one of which is connected with the said action chest and the end chambers of which are connected respectively with a normal tension reservoir and an auxiliary tension reservoir, valves arranged to alternately open and close communication between the said variable tension chest and the said end chambers, means for actuating said valves, said normal tension reservoir, said auxiliary tension reservoir and means for exhausting said normal and auxiliary tension reservoirs.

11. In automatic music players, the com GEORGE P. BRAND.

Witnesses:

D. W. GARDNER, GEO. WM. MIA'rr.

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