US1627011A - Pneumatically-operated musical instrument - Google Patents

Description

. 1,627,011. May 3v 1927- w, c. COLLIGNON v PNEUMATICALLY' OPERATED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed March v51, 1924 2 sheets-sheet 1 L. I l l l Y 1,627,011 May 3 1927- w, c. COLLIGNQN PNEUMATICALLY OPERATED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed March 31, 1924 2 sheets-sheet 2 /C f MWL /fw C. Cou /G/yo/v /0 Y m @iQ-M1? Patented May 3, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

7WILLIAIVI C. COLLIGNON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO THE CABLE COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

ENEUMATICALLY-OPERATED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

Application filed March 31, 1924.

This invention relates to pneuinatically operated musical instruments, and more particularly concerns the adjustable regulation sind automatic control ott the air-pressure employed in the operation of such instrie ments.

rlhe principal object ot the invention is to provide a device tor use in connection with 'the air-pressure-supply systems oii' pneumaticnlly operated musical instruments (l) `which will tro-operate therewith in the provision oi a suliicient and substantially constant degree oiI air-pressure 'tor the proper 'pneumatic operzition of certain instrumentpnrts and, at the seine time7 permit desired variations to he made in the degree ot the air-pressure which is en'iployed in the pneumatic operation ot other instrument-parts, and which Vwill permit the pneumatic operation ot any oit said instrument-parts to he properly etl'ected without interfering `with the proper pneumatic operation oit any other ot said instrument-parts.

A. 'further object oit the invention is to provide such a device which shall ne cilicient in action and olf simple and inexpensive construction.

ln the drawings ""7 'Il is a Afront and partly sectional vieu' ot a pneumatically operated piano einlodyu this invention, the shoivins' being; somewnat diagramn'intic :ind tingnn-mtary in places;

litio'. 2 o. detail, in vertical transverse sec li' is a detail, in \'fertical lon: it1nfliinil sectie-n. ol the saine control-hon, ta fen upon the line dm3 in Fig. 2; and

Fig. t is a detail, in vertical longitudinal ni, ot a conventional form oit motor control-valve-hox- The invention is shown and will he described in connection with a pneun'iatically operated piano, in 'which the note-sounding hammers are actuated in the usual or any desired manner by what are commonly termed striker-Imeuinatics and in which other elements ot the instrument, such as the hanimer-rest-rails and the damper-litt, are individually operated by other pneumatics, lt is customary to provide instrun'ients of this character with means ttor controllably 'varying the power ot the playing-pressure (i. e., the degree o'tl the air-pressuresupplied Serial No. 703,071.

for the operation of the striker-pneumatics), so that desired musical expression effects may be obtained, during` the playing ot a musical selection, by varying in this manner the power with which the note-sounding; hammers are actuated. I

It frequently happens that, in order to obtain the setter or lighter playing eliiects, the power of the playing-pressure is so reduced as to he insuliicient to accomplish the proper and positive operation ot the hamnier-rest-rail and damper-lift pneuniatics, and it also 'frequently happens that, during,` such softer or lighter playing, each pneumatic operation ot the hamn'ier-rest-rail and the damper-litt causes a very noticeable and undesirable iiurtherviealening of the playing-pressure, in some instances resultingl in complete, though temporary, silencing ot the notes. t might he perfectly feasible to remedy the tirst ot these two mentioned objectionable conditions hy employingl hnnr mer-rest-rail and damper-litt pneuinatics of compaatively greater surface-area, thereby applying` the weak playing-pressure with greater power for the operation of these devices, it it were not 'tor the tact that such a remedy tor the tust-mentioned condition would add to and render even more noticeable and objectionable the second-mentioned condition; that to say, it larger pneumatics were employed. tor the operation oi" the hannner-rest-rails and the da iper-litt, such larger pneunnatics would require a` proportionately greater volume ol airpressure 'for their ope atiol'n and the use oit such `freeler volume oi air-pressure tor their openrtion.,

during;` the aforesaid setter or lighter play-r ing', would still turther deprive or roh the strilenpneumatics ot their already reduced operating` power.

Certain vvelldinoivn types ot pneuinatically operated pianos are provided with prefsure-supply systems which include a reservoir und one or more prossime-reducino governors or regulators, and in suchr instruments the power ot the playing-pressure may be controllahly varied to some extent and may be reduced to obtain the softer or lighter phrvingetl'ects, without necessarily I il ics. However, in the type ot instrument tor which this invention is designed and in which it is especially useful, the employment ot a reservoir is unnecessary and even undesirable, since it would interfere with the obtaining ot' desired sharp and-sometimes extreme variations in the power of the play- 1 'pressure This last-mentioned type ot' unent is too well known to require or an exhaustive description ot its Acui-ali cations, as compared with those o1c the inst-mentioned type. It is sui'iicient to state at this point that, through the employmentot in: ans hereinafter described and claimed, the desirable etlects obtainable in the lirst.- mentioned type ot instrument, through the use et a' reservoir and a more or less complicated and expensive pressure supply and control system, are equally obtainable here without a reservoir and without sacrificing, or in the least degree interiering with, the production et other desirable ett'ects obtainable in the second-mentioned type ot instrumeut, inchuiing the aforesaid sharp and eX- treme variations in the power ot the playing-pressure.

lle't'erring now to Figure 1 ot the drawings, the instrument therein shown constitutes what is known as a reproducing piano, although it may be operated as a toot-pumped player-piano as well. `When used as a reproducing piano, the operating air-pressure is supplied by a motor-driven eI-;liaust-pump and the control ot the various instinmentalities is eiiiected from the musicsheet while, when used as a regular playerpiano, the operating air-pressure is supplied by toot-operated exhausters and the control ot the various instrumentalities is effected by the operator through the toot-operation ot such exhausters and the manipulation ot certain control-levers. The usual reservoir is provided tor co-operation with the toot-operated eziliausters, but this reservoir is arranged to be automatically disconnected by the operation ot the motor-driven exhaustpump. The instrument comprises a playeraction 1, having` the usual or any desired term ot music-sheet-controlled valve-actions id striker-pneumatics tor actuating the piano-hammers; a tracker-box 2, in which are housed the tracker 3, the music-roll-supports '-l and 5, and the take-up spool 6, tor winding the music-sheet trom its roll 7 and drawing it across the tracker in the usual l purposes; a musicmanner and tor the usual sheet-propelling wind-motor 8, together with its controlling-valve-box 9 and pressure governor or regulator 10; hammer-rest-rail pneumatic units 11 and 12, for controllably operating the usual treble and bass sections oi' the hammer-rest-rail to change the travel or stroke-length of the respective treble and bass groups ot piano-hammers; damper-litt (sustaining pedal) pneumatic unit 13, for

controllably operating the piano-stringdampers; a motor-driven exhaust-pump 1&1-, tor exhausting a' substantially uniform volume ot air to supply operating power tor the various pneumatically operable instrumentalities; a pressure-controlling device l5, tor controllably varying the power ot the playing-pressure (i. e., the degree ot air-pressure produced in the player-action by the operation ot the exhaust-pump) by the a'dmission of varying quantities ot' atmospheric air, which admission is automatically governed or regulated by the device under manual or music-sheet control, or both; and a valvechest 16, in which are preferably located the primary valves which serve to control the operation ot the hammer-rest-rail pneumatic units, the damper-litt pneumatic unit, the pressure-controlling device, and any other desired pneui'i'iatieaily operable instrumentalities, and which primary valves are themselves controlled in operation either manually or automatically trom the musicsheet, or both manually and automatically, as desired.

ln addition to the devices just described, which enter into the automatic operation and control of the instrument as a reproducing piano, exhausters 17 and 1S and reservoir 19 are indicated by dotted lines as being positioned upon the rear side ot the board 20. Valve-box 21 is shown as provided with a conventional torni ot action-cut-ott valve Q2, which is connected for manual operation by the usual rewind-lever 23. In order to avoid further and ui'mecess-,firy con'iplication of the drawings, 'treadles for operating the exhausters 17 and 1S have not been shown and the usual pneumatic connection ot e1;- hausters 1T and 18 with the motor valve-lio); 9 has been omitted. The construction and arrangement ot these parts are so well known that a showing and description thereA of are believed unnecesseiry. Arrange-:l within the reservoir 1i), is a cut-oil valve 2l, which connected with a pneumatic 25 and adapted to be operated by the collapse thereof to close the passage connecting the reservoir with the I Jressure-supply system. Pneumatic 25 is in constant communication with the exhaust-pump 1dr-, through a tube 2G, so that operation ot the exhaust-pump will cause immediate collapse ot the pneumatic, thereby closing the eut-oit' valve and disconnecting the reservoir from con'nnunication with the pressure-supply system.

Positioned preferably directly upon the top of exhaust-pump 14;, is a control-box or chest 27 which controls the entire volume ot air exhausted by the pump. Chest 2T is horizontally divided by a partition 2S into upper and lower chambers 29 and 30, respectively. Upon reference to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the chamber 30 is wider than the chamber 29, and that the partition Sil llo

iii)

Q8 is provided with a port 31 which is outu side of the `chamber 29 and constitutes an atmospheric inlet for the chamber 3l). Chamber 30 communicates with the windway 32 of the exhaust-*pump through a passage 33, and the admission of atmospheric air through the port 3l into chamber 30 is resisted by an inwardly opening, spring pressed valve 34 oit any desired construction. As herein shown, the valve 34 is hingedly secured to the partition 2S and is forced upwardly to cover the port 3l by one endfiiart oit a lat springr 35. Spring 35 is pivotally supported intermediate .its ends upon a screw 36, so that one end-part ot the spring may bear upwardly with valvefclosing etliect upon the valve 34 and the other end-part thereotl will be positioned beneath and 'tered to the compressingr effects of an adjusting` screw 37. Lateral swinging` displacement of the spring is prevented by guide-pins 38. The operation and adjust ment ot' this simple form of ovcrblow valve apparent. It at any time the volunie ot air which is being constantly and uniformly exhausted by the pump exceeds the amount admitted toV chamber 30 through the operation ot the various pneumatically operable instrumentalities, the degree to which the air-pressure will be reduced in the chamber 30 will be ldetermined by the resistance offered by valve 34. to the admis! sion ot' atmospheric air, and this resistance may be controlled by adjustment ot the screw 37 to increase ,or decrease the strain thereby placed upon spring;` Adjustment of screw 37 will determine the maximum working' load to be placed upon the exhaustpump lll- Partition 28 is also provided with a port or passage 39 through which chamber Q9 may connnunicate with chamber 30, such communication being controlled by a valve /l-(l. Valve l0 is herein shown as a slidevalve, guided for movement over and t* mi the port 39 by a wire-staple `ojuide 4l., which eo-opcrates with a slot 42 in the top ot the valve. A valve-rod 43 is shown as hooked into the valve and extending outwardly through the side of chest 27 Ytor connection with valve-operating means to be later described. The particular construction ot valve a0, together with the means for and method o't' its operation, may be varied desired, its simple purpose being to control the communication oit chamber1 29 through port 39 with chamber 30. Chamber 30 is provided with an inlet 44., and a conduit 45 connects this inlet with the motor valveboX 9.

Chamber 29 is provided with an inlet 46, and a branched conduit t7 rconnects this in let, through branch 48, with the treble ham mer-rest-rail pneumatic unit l2; through branches 49 Jand 5,0, with the primary valvechest iti; vthrough branches 4-.9 and 5l; with the damperdi'lit pneumatic unit 13; and through branches 49:, 5l and 52? with the bass hammer-rest-rail pneumatic unit ll. pening into the top ot chamber 9.9? is a valve-controlled inlet port or passage 53, and a branched condiiJAY F4: connects this port, through branch. i with the pressurecont-rollingdevice l5 andj through branch 5, with connected passages leading from the player-action l. These connected passages include the conduit 57, leading trom the playersaction to valve-boit 2l; the port controlled by action-cutoff valveL 312 and leading'from the valve-box to the trunk ot the foot-operated cxhaustepmnp unit; and the port (it), controlled by a checlevalvc 6l and opei'iing into the aforesaid conduit* branch Check-valve Gl opens toward the. motoi.driven .eigzhaust-pump il and clos-es whenever air-pressure is reduced in trunk to a `greater degree than it is duced in the conduit-brauch 5S. it will be seen, therefore, that air cannot enter past the checlevalve 6l from the -pi1ess'ure-con trollingl device l5 or the exhaust-pump lil to interfere with the toot-operation et e5:- hausters 17 and 18, when the instrument is being' used as a toot-pumped player-piano, and it will also be understood that the footH operated er-zhausters may be eniploy-ed to increase the power ot the playing-pressure while the motor-driven exhaustspump is in operation. This last-mentioned condition obtains whenever it is desired. to employ the motor-driven exhaust-pump an auxiliary to the foot-operated exhausters during the ruse oit the instrument as a `l'oot-piini1' ed player-piano, .and it also obtains whenever it is desired to employ the l'ooi;-operated eshausters to give additional accent or emphasis to a portion ot a musical selection when the instrmnent is beingl used as a reiiiroducinp; piano.

Admission oi air to the chamber E25) through port- 53 lron'i the pressurecontrolH line' device l5 or the player-action l is resited by an inwardly opening, springprcssed valve 62 ot any desired construe tion. Lilie valve 34j this valve 52 is shown as hingedly secured in position and forced upwardly to close its port 53 by one end-part ot a .springl G8, but the construction and ar'- rangement of the spring` is somewhat difterent trom that ot spring' 35. Valve 62 is in constant play during` the operation of the mot r-driven exhaustpump and the play inf; of the instrument and9 in order to avoid objectionable noise which might result from tr'ction between the spring and the valve, a link-connection is employeda comprising` the link (is and a screw-hook 65. Springy 63 is et wire and is supported. between its ends .upon a screw 66, preferably being secured in position by having the screw transfix a fue liti

couple of helical turns in the wire. Atthe heel-end of the sprine, the wire is bent sharply to :form a prong or hoolr which engages within the cup ot' a cup-pointed adjusting screw G7. rlhe operation and adJustment ot this valve 62 will be later described.

is hereinbeifore stated, when the instrument is used as a regular player-piano, the operating air-pressure is supplied by footonerated cnhausters (17 and 18) and the control ot the various instrumentalities is eiiected by the operator through the tootoperation of such e-hausters and the manipulation oi certain control-levers. Rewindiever 28 and tempo-lever (58 are two such control-Miners. in addition to its connection. through a tie-rod 69 and lever 70, with the laction-cut-ot valveQQ, rewind-lever 23 is connected, by a tie-rod 71, with the usual motor rewind-valve 72 (Fig. el), located in motor valve-box 9 and controlling a high wind or unregulated air passage or port 73. such is customarily provided to enble rapid re 'hiding of the music-sheet to obtained. Tie-rodL 71 extends through the motor-valve-box 9 and is attached to an arm 7i fined upon the vertical shaft or roller 75. Connected with another arm 7 8 iixed upon the upper end-part oi roller 7 5, is .a tic-rod 77 which is operatively connected to the reversible music-sheet-propelling gearing.

iliovement ot rewind-lever 23 in one direction will move action-cut-ot valve 22 to open the port 58 and establish pneumatic communication between player-action 1 and truuk 59 ot the toot-operated exuaust-pump unit. it will also move motor rewind-valve 72 to close the port 73 and thereby out oii direct communication ot wind-motor 8 with sa' 'l trunk 59 through the usual eondiiit (not shown) and at the same time will effect the adjustment et' the nusic-sheet-propelling ,.5 'nu' so that operation of wind-motor 8 will propel the music-sheet forwardly across the tracker 3. Adjustment. ot' tempo-lever (58 will position the tempo-valve 78 to allow the desired amount of air to be drawn from wind-motor 8 through the usual tempo-slot and the pressure governor or regulator 10, and thence through the aforesaid usual conduit (not shown), to trunlr 59, and the operation ot' exhausters 17 and 18 will eifect the forward propulsion ot the music-sheet and the playing of the instrument. Movement et rewind-lever Q3 in the reverse direction will reverse the position of valves 22 and 72 and the adjustment of the nuisic-sheet-propeiling- ,g'earing so that the operation of player-action 1 and the playing of the instrument will be eiscontinued and, if the ener-ation of ez-:hausters 17 and 18 continues, wind-motor 8 will be operated at increased speed to rewind the music-sheet upon its roll 7 The operative association of the parts just described is old and well known. The purpose of such description will be apparent from that which follows.

Reproducing pianos are usually provided with devices which are controlled in operation either pneumatically from the musicsheet or mechanically from the music-spools to automatically effect the playing and rewinding, results just described in connection with rewind-lever Q3, but such provisions contemplate either the use of a specially prepared music-sheet (a. reproducing recordi) or a more or less complicated arrangement ot' mechanical devices. It has been hereinbetore mentioned that the con-v struction herein shown permits the employment oi the motor-driven exhaust-pump as an auxiliary to the 'foot-operated exhausters during the use of the instrument as a tootpumped player-piano and such a use of the exhaust-pump would imply the use of regular music-sheets, that is, music-sheets not irovided with specially arranged perforations. Consequently, in order to illustrate the purpose of valve 40 when the e-Lhaustpump is to be used as an auxiliary, and in order to illustrate its operative association with alternate playing' and rewinding oi' tl music-sheen and with the acceleration in speed of the wind-motor 8 duringl rewinding, each of which features is common to all rcproducing pianos as well as to playerpianos, the valve-rod 43 is shown connected, by link 79, with a third arm 8O fixed upon roller 75, at the lower end-part thereof. Now, with this arrangement, movement ot rewind-lever 23 into play position will etect the opening of port 58, the closing ot' port 73, and the proper adjustment ot the music-sheet-propelling gearing, all as attoresaid, and it will also move valve l0 to open port 39 and thereby establish pneumatic communication between chamber 29 and the exhaust-pump 1l. The adjustment oi screw GT is such that spring 63 will resist the openingl of valve G2 until the air-pressure in chamber 29 and the various instrumentalities already described as pneumatically connected with that chamber has been reduced to a sutiicient degree for the proper and positive operation of such instrumentalities. Then such a degree has been reached, valve G2 will be drawn open and air will be exhausted from the player-action 1 and the pressurecontrolling device 15, through the hereinbeiore described conduits and passages connecting them with the inlet port or passage 58. r)The power of the plriying-pressure thus provided by the exhaust-pump will be determined by t-he pressure-controlling device, under either manual or music-sheet control, or both, but, even though the maximum amount of atmospheric air be admitted through suoli device and under such control, to reduce the power of the playing-pressure 'for the production ot the softest or lightest playing; ettects, the operative power ot' the air-pressure in chamber Q9 will not drop below the point det ,rmined by the` adjustment of the s Aew 67, since, in order lto be turther reduced by the pressure-controlling device tor playing e'l'lects, it must be sutilcient to open and pass by the valve 62. As a consequence, the toot-operation ot eX- hausters 17 and 18 need only be such asv position will reverse the positions oit all. of'

the parts hercinbetore described connected with that lever, port 39 will be closed by the valve 40, and pneumatic communication ot the exhaust-pump with chamber and the various instrumentalities connected therewith through the branched conduits 47 and will. be interrupted. It the operation of the exhaust-pump is continued to e'llect the rewindiug ot the music-sheet, the toot-operation oit the exhausters may, ot course, be discontimied. lV ith port 89 closed by the valve 110, the degree ot air-pressure produced in chamber 30 and actingr through conduit and port- 73 (in motor valve-box 9) upon wind-motor 8 will be determined by the adjustment ot screw 37. This means that the tull `power of the eXhaust-putmp will be applied Ato the wind-motor 8, and the rewinding of the music-sheet upon its roll 7 maj,v be as rapid as desired. The speed ot Asuch rcwinding may be limit-ed by restricting); the passage ot the air through port 73, either through the employment ot a port of noderate size or through adjustment of the valve 72 upon tie-rod 71 so that, when opened, it will uncover a portion only of the port.

Passing; now to the use of the instrument as a rcproducii'igr piano, let it be assumed that the music-sheet to be employed is a reproducing record7 and that, as it is advanced across the tracker 3, special control-4 peitoiations provided in the margin thereof ivill (zo-operate with correspondingly arranged tracker-apertures to automatically control the operation oit the several primary valves located in the valve-chest 1 6. As has heen hereinbet'ore mentioned, certain of these primary valves serve to control the operation ot the hammer-reSt-rail and litt pneumatic lunits 11, 12, and 13, respec vely, and others serve to control the operation of the pressure-controlling device 15. `Let it be assumed, for illustrative purposes only, that five different degrees of slaying-pressure may be selectively proifided through the operation ot the pressurecontrolling` vdevice and that such degrees ot playing-pressure have been predetermined by the adjustment of the kdevice to be, respectively, 9, 11, 15, 19, and inches, w. p. (water-gauge pressure). Furthermore, let it be assumed that the degree of air-pressure neces; fry for the proper and positive pneumatic operationolI the hammerrest vils 'and the dan'iper-litt is 13 inches, iv. g. p. Under such conditions, the adjusting screw 37 might well be set to determine the resistance ot valve 341 at 110 inches, iv. pg. p., and the adjusting screw 67 be set to determine the resistance of valve G2 at 15 inches, w. p. i Y

lWith rewind-lever Q3 set at play7 posi.- tion, the valve et() will be open and, when the exhaust-pump is started, the degree to which the air-pressure will be reduced in chest 27, motor valve-box 9, pneumatic units 11, 12, and 13, and primary valve-chest 16 will be determined by the resistance olix valve 62 at 15 inches, w. p., which isithe degree assumed to be sutticient to properly and positively operate the several mentioned pneumatic-ally operable instrumentalities, ll the tempo-lever GS be new adjusted to open tempo-valve 78 to effect the playing ot the musical selectiony at a desired tempo, the airpressurel acting upon the wind-motor 8 to advance the music-sheet at the proper steady vspeed will be determined in the usual manner by the' pressure governor or regulator 10. As the record continues to be advanced, the operation of the strilzer-pneumatics and their actuation of the note-sounding hammers will be controlled in the usual manner through the note-pertorations in the record, and the power of the playing-pressure will be varied hy the admission of varying quantities ot atmospheric air through the pressure-controlling` device 15 under the control of the special control-perforations provided for such purpose inthe margin of the record.

To produce the softer or lighterplaying effects, the power ot the playing-presi rre will often be reduced to that ot 9 or 11 inches, w. g'. p. (the two lower degrees provided by the pressure-controlling device), buti'such reductions in the power oit the playing-pressure may not materially reduce ythe power el. the operating; air-pressure existing,` in chamber 29and in any ot the pneumatically operable instrumentaiities which are ormight be' connected with that chamber between valve GZand the exhaust-pump. Although valve 62 will necessarily be open during; .the playing of the instrument'to enable the exhaust-pump to provide playing:- pressure in the player-action, and although the poivor ol" that playing-pressure may be sharply and extremely varied, the fact remains that the opening ot that valve is accomplished through the reduction of airpressure in the chamber 29 and communication of the player-action with the exhaustpump is dependent upon the maintaining of a sutlicient degree of air-pressure reduction in chamber 09 to keep valve G2 open againstihe resistance ot' spring 63. When the higher degrees of playing power are employed, the power of the operating air-pressure in chamber 99 will be increased accordingly but, under such conditions, the proper and positive operation of the Several mentioned penumatically operable instrument-alities are not endangered and need not be discussed.

I claim 1 In a pneumatically operated musical instrument, the combination, with a plurality ol pneumatically operable instrumen.- talities (l-lS), an exhaust-pump (14) for reducing the air-pressure to eliect the pneumatic operation thereof, and pressure-controlling means (l5) for admitting atmospheric air to vary the degree or" reduced airpressure available for the operation of certain of said instrumentalities (l), of means for predeterminingthe maximum degree to which the air-pressure shall be reduced and the minimum degree to ivhich the reduced air-pressure available for the operation of another ol said instrumentalities (1l-3) may be modified.

2. In a pneumatically operated musical instrument, the combination, with a plurality ot lmeumatically operable instrumentalitics, an exhaust-pump for reducing the air-pressure to effectl the pneumatic operation thereof, and pressure-controlling means for admitting atmospheric air to vary the degree ot reduced air-pressure available tor the operation ot' cert-ain ot said instrunientalities, oi means (El) Ytor predetermining the maxinuun degree to which the air-pressure shall be reduced, and means (62) for predetermining the minimum degree to which the reduced air-pressure available for the operation ot' another ot' said instruinentalities ma); be modified by variations in the degree ot' reduced air-pressure available for the operation et said certain et said instrunientalities.

3. ln a pneuniatically operated musical instrument, the combination, With a plurality oiY pneumatically operable instrumentalities. an exhaust-pump for reducing the air-pressure to eilect the pneumatic operation t-hereot. and pressure-controlling means tor admitting atmospheric air to vary the degree of reduced air-pressure available for the operation of certain of said instrumentalities, of means ter predetermining the maximum degree to which the air-pressine shall be reduced by said eXliaust-pinnp, and

means for predetern'iming [he minimum degree to which the reduced air-pressure available 'for the operation of another ot' said instrumentalities may be modified by the action of said pressure-controlling means and the operation ot said certain ot' said instrumentalities.

el. ln a pi'ieumatically operated musical instrument, the combination, with a pluralit)v ot pneumatically operable iustrunientalities, an exhaust-pump :tor reducing the airpressure to eli'ect the pneumatic operation thereof, and pressure-controlling means for admitting` atmospheric air to rai-y the degree o'lf reduced air-pressure available for the operation ot certain oi said instrumentalities, of means -for predetermining` the maximum degree to which the airpressure shall be reduced and for preventing variations in the degree of reduced airn'essure available tor the operation oil said certain of said instriunentalities (l) from affecting beyond a predetermined minimum the degree of reduced air-pressure available 'for the operation of another of said inst-rumentalities 5.111 a pneumatically operated musical instrument, the. combination, with a plurality of pneumatically operable instrumentalities, an exhaust-pump for reducingl the airpressure to e'llect the pneumatic operation thereof, and preesule-controlling means for admitting atmospheric air to vary the degree of reduced air-pressure available for the operation of certain oit said instrumentalities, of means (3d-(i2) `for predetermining the maximum degree and the minimum degree of reduced air-pressure which shall be available for the operation ol another oi said instrumentalities (13) while permitting the degree ot reduced air-pressure available lor the ope ation oit said certain of said inst-run'ientalities (l) to be varied to exceed said minimum degree.

6. ln a pneumatically operated musicalinstrument, the combination, with a plurality o'lr pneumatically operable instrun'u-intalities, an exhaust-pump for reducing the air-pressure to effectthe pneumatic operation thereet, and pressure-controllingr means tor aduniting;` atmospheric air to vary the degree oil reduced air-pressure available 'for theoperation oi certain oi' said instrumentalities. of means (3T-6T) for separately and adjustably establishing` the maximuni degree to which the air-pressure snall ie reduced and' the minimum degree to which the reduced air-pressure ma)v he modil'ied tor the operation ot another or" said iustrumentalities,

T. ln a pneumatically operated musical instrument, the combination` with a plurality of pneumatically operable instrumentalities, an exhaust-pump for reducing` the air-pressure to effect the pneumatic operation thereof, and pressure-controlling means Alli tor admittingatmospheric air to vary the degree of reduced air-pressure available lor tlieoperation of certain of said instrumentalities, of means (37) for adjustably estab-" lishing` the maximum degree to which the air-pressure shall be reduced, and means (GT) for adjustably establishing the minimum degree to which the reduced air-pressure available for they operation of another oi said instrumentaliti.es may be ii'iodilied by Yaria'tions in` the Vdegree of reduced airpiessure available 'tor the operation of said certain of said instruii'ienta'lities.h

8. In a pneumatically operated niusical instrument, the combination, with a plurality of pneumaticallj)7 operable instrumental ities, an exhaust-pump tor reducingthe airpressure to etliect the pneumatic operation thereof, and pressure-controlling means tor admitting atmospheric air to vary the de- ;irce oi reduced air-pressure available for the operation ot certain of said instrumentalities, 'oit means for adjustably establishing the maximum degree to which the airpressure shall be reduced by said exhaustpuinp, and means for adjustably establis ing the minimum degree to which the reduced air-pressure available for the Operation oi another of said instrumentalities may be modified by the action of said pressure-controlling means and the operation of said certain ol said instruinentalit-ies.

9. ln a pneumatically operated musical instrument, the combination, with a plurality of pneumati wally operable instrumentalities, an eXhaust-pu'nip for reducingv the airpressure toveli'eet the pneumatic operation thereof, and pressure-controllingi means for adn'iittingj atmospheric air to varythe degrec ot reduced air-pressure available for the operation of certain of said instrumentalities, ot' means (3T-62) for adjustably establishing; the maximum degree to which the air-pressure shall be reduced and tor preventing variations in the degree ot' reduced air-pressure available for the operation of said certain of said instrmnentalities (l) from affecting' beyond a predetermined minimum the degree of reduced air-pressure available for the operation of another of said instrumentalities k(1y-5). y

l0. In a pneumatica-ily operated musical instrument, the combination, with la plurality of pneuinatically operable instrumentalities, an exhaust-pump for reducing the air-pressure to effect the pi'ieumatic operation thereof, and pressu13e-controlling means for admitting` atn'iospheric air to vary the degree of reduced air-pressure ava ilable 'for the Aoperation ot' certain of said instrumentalities,` ot means (3T-67) for separately and adjustably establishing the maximum degree and the minimum degree of reduced air-pressure which shall be available for the operation of another ot said .instrumenair-pressure Lto effect the pneumatic operation thereof, and pressure-controlling means for admitting atmospheric air to vary the dcgree oi' reduced air-pil'essuii'e effective in one of said .instrun'ieiitalities, of means for predetermining the maximum degree to which the air-pressure shall be reduced by said ei;- liaust-puinp, and means toiA precent-ingl pressure variations eliective in said one oit said instrun'ientalities from varying, beyond a. predetermined degree, the degree ol reduced air-pressure effective in said exhaust-pump l2. In' a pn'eumatically operated musical instrument, the combination, with. a plurality of pneuinatically operable instrumentalities, an exhaust-pump for reducing` the air-@fessure to ellect the pneumatic operation thereof, and pressure-controlling means for admitting` atmospheric air to vary 'the degree ol reduced air-pressure ei'i'ective in one ot' said instriunentalities, ol" a pneumatic rconnection extendingl between said pressurecontrolling means and said one ot said iiistrum ntalities on the one hand and said e2:- liai'ist-puinp on the other hand, means located in said connection and wp'oset to the air-i'iressure therein ior yieldingly resisting the passage of air therethrough, an atmospheric inlet opening into said connection between the last said means and said exhaustpump, and means for yieldintgly resisting` the admission of atmospheric air through said inlet. y

13. In a pneumatically operated musical instrument, the combination, with a plurality of' pneumatically operable instrumentalities, an exhaust-pump for reducing` the airpressure to effect the pneumatic operation thereof, and pressure-controlling means tor admitting amosplieric air to varj.7 the degree of reduced air-pressure e'llective inkone oit' said instrui'i'ientalities, ogl a pneuinatic connectioii extendingv between said one ot said instrumeiitalities and said eighaust-pump, means located in said connection and c2;- posed to the pressure-varying ed' pressure-controlling means lor y resistine` the passageot air through connection, an atmospheric inlet openi k, into said connection between the last said means and said exhaust-pump, and means for yielding'ly resisting the admission ot atmospheric airthrough said inlet.

1 4. In a pneumatically operated musical instrument, the combination, with a plurality ot pneumatically operable instrumentali- Cil lies, an exhaust-pump Vfor reducing the airiressure to effect the pneumatic operation thereof, a pneumatic connection extending betn'een certain of said instrumentalities and said exhaust-pump, and pressure-controlling` means for admitting atmospheric air to vary the degree of reduced air-pressure, ot means located in said Connection and exposed upon one side to the pressurereducing` intluence of said exhaust-pump and upon the other side to the pressure- Varying' etlects ot said pressure-Controlling means 'tor rieldingly resisting the passage ot' air through said connection, and means located in said connection between the last said ini-ans and said exhaust pump and operable independentlY ot the last said means tor closing said connection.

l5. in a pneumaiiicalltv ope `ated musical instrument, the combination, With a pluralitiv ot' pneumatically operable instrumenities, an exhaust-pump to' redueingnlV the ssure el'fect the pneumatic operation thereof, and pressurc-controlling means` for admitting atmospheric lair to Vary t il@ degree or reduced air-pressure effective in one et said instrumentalities, or' a pneumatic connection extending between .said pressurc-controlling means and said one of `d instrnmentalities on the one hand and t pump on the other hand, a

ting` said connection and ea- Y iipressiire therein, a spring acting noon said valve to cause it to yielding'ly re, the passage oit air through said connection, means 'for adjusting' the action ot said spring' upon said if'alre, an atmospheric inlet opening into said connection hetn'ccn said Valve and said exhaust-pump,

l closing' said inlet, a springl acting a varie upon the last said Valve to cause it to yieldingly resist the admission or' atmospheric air through said inlet, and means lfor adthe action of the last said spring` upon the last said Valve.

1G. In a pnenmatically operated musical instrument, the combination, with a plurality ot' pneumatically operable instrumentalitics, an exhaust-pump for reducing,- the air-pressure to ciiect the pneumatic operation thereof, and pressure-controlling means tor admitting atmospheric air to vary the degree oit' reduced air-pressure effective in one ol said inGtrumentalities, ot a pneumatic connection extending between said one -ot said instrumcntalities and said exhaust- Lennon a valve closing;1 said inlet, a spring acting upon the laf-:t said valve to cause it to yieldmgl)v resist the admission ot atmospheric air through said inlet, and means `for adjusting the action of the last said spring upon the last said valve.

l?. in a pneumatically operated musical instrument, the combination, with a plurality ot pneumatically operable instrumentalities, an e-diaust-pump for reducing the air-pressure to effect the pneumatic operation thereof, a pneumatic connection extendina` between certain ot said instrumentalities and said exhaust-pump, and pressure- 'ontrolling means for admitting atmospheric air to Vary the degree ot reduced airpressure, ot a valve intercepting said connection and exposed upon one side to the pressure-reducingr inliuence ot said exhaustpum) and upon the other side to the pressure-varying effects or said pressure-controlling means, a spring acting upon said valve to cause .it to yieldingly resist the passage orair through said connection, means for adjusting the action of said si ring upon said valve, an atmospheric inlet opening into said connection between said valve and said exhaust-pump, avalve closing said inlet, a spring actingr upon the last said Valve to cause it to yicldingly resist the admission ot atmospheric air through said inlet, and means for adjustingthe action ot the lastsaid springr upon the last said valve.

1S. ln a pneumatically operated musical instrument, the combination, with a plurality ot pneumatically operable instrumentalities, an exhaust-pump for reducing the airpressure to ellzect the pneumatic operation thereof, and pressure-controlliug means :tor admitting atmospheric air to vary the degree oi reduced air-pressure effective in one of said instrtnnentalities, of a chamber having separate pneumatic communication with more than one of said instrumentalities and with said exhaust-pump, means located Within said chamber and exposed to the airprcssure therein for yieldingly resisting the aussage of air trom said one of said instrumenta-lities into said chamber, and means for closing the communication of said chamber with said exhaust-pump.

if). In a pneumatically operated musical instrument, the combination, with a plurality oi pneumatically operable instrumentalities, an exhaust-pump for reducingr the air-pressure to effect the pneumatic operation thereof,` and pressure-controlling means for admitting atmospheric air lo Vary the degree of reduced air-pressure ei"- tective in one of said inst-rumentalities, ot a chamber having separate pneumatic communication With more than one of said instrumentalities and with said exhaust-pump, a valve intercegting the communication of Til lili

said one of said .instrumentalities With said chamber and exposed to the airpressin'e therein, a spring,r acting upon said valve to canse it to yieldingly resist the passage of air through the intercepted communication, means for adjusting the action of said spring upon said valve, an atn'iospheric in* let opening into the communication between said chan'ilicr and said exhaust-pump, a valve closing said. inlet, a spring,` acting upon the last said valve to cause it to 'yieldingly resist the admission ol atmospheric air through said inlet, and. means Vtor adjustiner the action of the last said springl upon the last sad valve.

20. In a pneumatieally operated musical instrument, the combination, with a plurality of pneumatically operable instrumen taht-ies, an exhaust-pump for reducing` the ainpressure to etl'ect the pneumatic operan tion thereof, and pressure-controlling means for admitting atmospheric air 'to ifary the degree ot reduced air-pressure etiective in one of said instrumen talitics. ot a chest having a partition separating; it into tix-st and second compartments, a port in said partition providing pneumatic communication between said compartments, the first compartment having separate pneumatic communication with more than one o t said instrumentalities and the second compartment havingr pneumatic communication with another ot said instrun'ientalities and with said exhaust-pump, a valve controlling said port, and means located in the first compartment ot said chest; and exposed to the air-pressure therein for yieldingrly resisting` the passage of air from said. one of said instrumentalities into said compartment,

2l. In ay imeumaticall)7 operated musical instrument, the con'il'iination, with a plu rality oft' pneumatically operable instrumen.- talities, an exhaust-pump for reducing the air-pressure to effect the pneumatic opera tion thereof, and 1n'essurccontrolling; means for admittingatmospheric air to vary the degree ol'A reduced air-p1'e1'-isue etlzective in one oli said instriiunentalit oi a chest having a partition separating 'it into first and second compartments, a port in said partition providing pneumatic communi frtion between said compartments, the first compartment having separate pneumatic communication with more than one ol said instrumentalities and the second compartment haring' pneumatic communication with another' of said instrumentalities and with sz-idy exhaust-pump, a valve controlling said port, a second valve intercepting` the communication. ot said one ot' said instrumentalities With the Vtirst compartment of said chest and exposed to the air-pressure therein, a spring acting` upon said second valve to cause it to yieldingly resist the passage or air through the intercepted communication, and means for adjusting the action of saidA spring,` upon said second valve.

22. ln a pneumatically operated musical instrument, the combination, with a` pluret pneumatically operable instrumeni ities, an exhzuist-pump for reducing the air-pressure to eiect the pneumatic operation thereof, and pressure-controlling means for admitting; atmospheric air to vary the degree oit reduced air-pressure eli'ective in one ot said instrrunentaiities, ot a chest ha\L ing' a partition separatingv it into iirst and second compartments, a port in said partition providing pneumatic communication between said compartments, the lirst compartment having` separate pneumatic communication With more than one ot' said inst umentalities and the second compartment haring pneumatic comnninicatien with another ot said instrumentalities and with said eshausbpump, a valve-,controlled atmospheric inlet opening! into the second compartment of said chest, a ralre controlling the port in said partition, and means .located in the tirst compartment of said chest and AXposed Ato the air-pressure therein lor yieldingly resistingv the passage of air from said one of said instrumentalities into said compertinent.

23. In a, pneumaticall)T operated musical instrument, the comliination, with ay plurality of pneumaticall)T operable instrumentalities, an exhaust-pump itor reducing the air-pre sure lto eiilect the pneumatic operation tl'icreot, and pressure-controlling means tor admittiiui atmospheric air to vary the degree ot reduced air-pressure ettective in one oi' said instrumentalities, of a chest having1 a partition separating it into first an d second compartments, a port in sa id partition proifiding` pneumatic communication lietween said ,compartnienta the first compartn'ient having separate pneumatic communication with more than one of said instrinnentalitics and the second compartment havingl pneumatic communication With another c said instrumentalities and with said exhaustpump, a Valve controllingv said port, means r,ted in the lirst compartment of said che: exposed to the air-pressure therein tor yieldingljr resisting the passage ot air trom said one ot said instrumentalities into said compartment, an atmospheric inlet opening into the second compartment o't said chest, and means tor jvieldiugly resisting the admission ot atmospheric air through said inlet.

.in a pneumatically operated musical instrument, the combination, With a plural.- ity ot' pneumatically operable instrumentalities, an exhaust-pump for reducing the airpressure to effect the pneumatic operation thereoi, and pressure-controlliug means for admittino' atmospheric air to vary the de- Isg'iee ot reduced' e'-pressure effective in one oi said instrumeutalities, oi a chest having a partition separating it into first and second compartments, a port in said partition provi ling pneumatic communication between said compartments, the iirst compartment having separate meumatic communication with more than one of said instrumentalities and tbe second compartment having pneumatic communication With another et said instrumentalities and With said exhaust-pump, a valve controlling said port, a second valve intcrcepting the communication ot said one ot said instrumentalities ith the first compartment ot said chest and exposed to the air-pressure therein, a spring acting upon said second valve to cause 1t to yieldingly resist the passage of air through the intercepted communication, means tor adjusting the action et said spring upon said secon d valve, an atmospheric inlet opening into the second compartment of said chest, a valve closing said inlet, a spring acting upon the last said valve to cause it to yieldingly resist the admission of atmospheric air through said inlet, and means for adjusting the action or the last said spring upon the last said valve.

In a pneumatieally operated musical instrument, the combination, with the pneumatically operable player-action and other pneumaticallyY operable instrumentalities, an exhaust-pump for reducing the air-pressure to etl'ect the pneumatic operation thereof, and pressure-controlling means for admitting atn'iospheric air to vary the degree of reduced air-pressure available tor the operation et said player-action, et a chest having a partition separating it into lirst and second compartments, a port in said partition providing pneumatic communication between said compartments, the first comi'iartmeut having separate pneumatic e( nmuui 'ation with said player-action and another ot said instrumcntalities, and the second compartment having pneumatic commuuiation with .said exhaust-pump, a valve controlling said port. a second valve located in the [irs-t: compartaient ot said chest and exposed to the air-inessure therein for yieldage ai" air from said said compartment, and

ln a pneumaticalliv operated musical instrument, the combination, with the pneumaticallv operable player-action and other pneumatirallv operable instrumentalities,an exlmust-pump tor reducing the air-pressure to eiiiert the. pneumatic operation thereof, and pressure-controlling means ttor admitting atmospheric air to var v the degree ol reduced air-pressure available for the operation ot said player-action, of means for predetermining the maximum degree to which the air-pressure shall be reduced and tor preventing variations` in the degree ot .reduced air-pressure available :l'or the operation ol said player-action trom modifyine beyond a predetermined minimum the degree ot reduced air-pressure available Al'or the operation ot another et said instrumentalities.

2T. in a pneumatically operated musical instrument, the combination, vvith the pneumaticaliy operable player-action and the pneumatically operable damper-lift, an exhaust-pump for reducing the air-pressure to etilect the pneumatic operation thereof, and pressure-controlling means 'for admitting atmospheric air to vary the degree of reduced air-pressure available for the operation ot said player-action, of means for predetermining the maximum degree to which the air-pressure shall be reduced and tor preventing variations in the degree et reduced air-pressure available for the 0 eration ot' said player-action from modi ying beyond a predetermined minimum the degrec ot reduced air-pressure available for the operation of said damper-litt,

9.8. ln a pneumatically operated musical instrument, the combination, with three pneumatically7 operable instrumentalities (l-S-l8), an exhaust-pump for reducing the air-pressure to eli'ect the pneumatic operation thereof, and pressure-controlling means 'tor admitting atmospheric air te vary the degree ot reduced air-pressure available `tor the operation of one of said instrmnentalities (l), of means (34) for predetermining the maximum degree to which the air-pressure available for the operation oit another of said instrumcntalities (8) shall be reduced, and means (62) tor predeterniining the minimum degree to which the reduced air-pressure available `lor the operation et a third oit said instrumentalities may be modified.

2S). In a' pneuiuatically operated musical instrmuent, the combination, with pneumati ally operable instrumeutalities ineluding the player-action, the music-slreet-propelling motor, and the dzunper-li'ft, au exliaust-pump for reducing the air-innssui'e to effect the pneumatic operation ol said 'mstrumentalities, and pi ure-controllin means l'or admit ,ing V:itmospherie air t vary the degree ot reduced air-pressure available for the operation ol. said playeraction, of means lor predetermining the maximum degree to which the air-pressure available tor the operation oi said motor shall be reduced, and means 'for predetermining the minimum degree to which the reduced aii'pref.siii'e available for the oper-- ation ot said damper-litt may be modified.

30. In a pneumatically operated musical instrument, the combination, with three.

pneumatically operable instrumentalities (l-8-l3), an exhaust-pump for reducing Elo rai

the ulrepressure te ellfect ille pneuuxztlc eperzlton tnereol?, und pressure-controlliug means ller admitting atmospheric ur to vary the degree el reduced air-pressure available ler the operation eil3 one of Said instrrunentalites (l), of means (Sil) for predeerrnnng the lnaxn'lurn degree to wlr'uflr the :ir-preSSure available l'er the o peruten el. u Secend of Suid instrumentulites (H) Shall be reduced, nreanS (62) for preventing variations n the degree of reduced ur-pressure available for the operation of smid one of Said instrurnentalities from .modifying beyond a predetermined mnin'nnn he degree el: reduced ui1-]j)1essure zrmlable for the operufon oil? a third. el? Suid lnetrluuentalites (13), and means (40) for preventing the action of Sad pressure controlling Ineens and the operation of said one or Suid third of said inetrurnentaltes l'rern modifying the nurxnnun'r degree of reduced air-pressure available for Jelle operation of said second e'j Suid lnstrurnentalties.

In witness whereof, I hereunto Subscribe my neme this 28th day of March A. D.,

VILLIAM C. COLLIGNON.

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