US1665593A - Chromatic scale and solo-note-selecting device for organs and pianos - Google Patents

Description

April 1o, 192s.

J. W. KLEIN CHROMATIG SCALE AND SOLO NOTE SELECTING DEVICE `E-OR ORGANS AND PIANOS April l0, 1928. 1,665,593

D J. w. KLEIN cHHoMATIc SCALE AND soLo N oTE SELECTING DEVICE FOR oRGANs AND PIANos Filed March 22. 1926 4 sheets-Sheet 2 m 1 iv April 1o, 1928.

J. W. KLEIN CHROMATIC SCALE AND SOLO NOTE SELECTING DEVICE FOR ORGANS AND PIANOS Filed March 22. 1926 4 Shee'cs-SheeI 3 Apnl 1o, 1928. 1,665,593

' J. w. KLE'IN CHROMATIC SCALE AND SOLO NOTE SELECTING DEVICE' FOR ORG-ANS AND PIANOS :mela March 22. 1926 4 sheets-sheet 4 -103 jog A Fn? C a"y HZ Z l ,ZZ 30 4 Off 1 I1 l J CF/ GUn/ink. 602mm( jkl/6 Patented Apr. l0, 1928.

UNITED lSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH W. KLEIN, oFy Los ANGELES, cALIFoRNIA.

CHROI'IATIC SCALE AND SOLO-NOTES3ELHCTING 'DEVICE FOR ORGAN'S .AND PIANOS.

Application led March 22, 1926. Serialr No. 96,554.

My invention is a chromatic scale and solo note selecting device for organs, pianos and the like, adapted to run chromatic scales either up and down the instrument and to hold a solo note if desired.

An object of my invention is an appliance by which chromatic scales may be run either fromthe bass towards the treble or from the treble towards the bass in organs or mechanically operated pianos or such instruments, and also to hold as a solo note the upper or lower note of the chromatic scale.

A furtherA object of my invention is an arrangement tor running chromatic scales by which it is only necessary to press a key representing the finishing notc of the scale, say the note ol' low or high octaves, the instrument running the scale between its rest position wherever that may'happen to be and the tinal not-e designated and stopping on the note held at which it is desired to stop the run of the scale. This note may also be held as a solo note. f A further object of my invention is to provide a keyboard with electrical contacts, a series oit fixed electrical connectors associated therewith, a slide cooperating with the connectors and a single connector bar Vl'or leading the current to an electrical operating device for the organ or similar instrument. l

A more specific object of my invention is to provide a pneumatic control device for operating the slide so as to give the proper speed for running the scale, the pneumatic device being arranged to give a slight irregularity in such scale simulating a scale as played by a skilled. organist.

A further object of my invention in runningichromatic scales is in simultaneously running sub or super-harmonics of the main or lwhat might be termed the unison scale. These sub or super-harmonicsmay be thirds, fourths, iiitths, sixths, twelfths, or the scales may be run in octaves if desired.I In ifact, I may run any harmonic or scales in chords which would harmonize with the main or unison scales.

This is accomplished by having an extra series ot plate contacts with brushes operating simultaneously with the brush for the main scale and having crossed or offset wiring to sound theharmonic notes. each of the sets of wirings I utilize a standard type of pneumatically switch so that a scale may be run of single or unison notes and any one Vor more sub or super-harmonics therewith. If desired, by means of the cross or offset wiring and the use of the organ switch I may transpose the key in which a scale is run.

In constructing my invention I utilize a keyboard having an arrangement to make electrical contacts with a source of power supply. Onebranch of this supply is fed to a series of connectors one for each key; these connectors having contacts with a slide bar, the slide bar being operated by a pneumatically controlled device. Another branch or" the circuit leads to a sliding single connector attached to the slide bar, this connector being adapted to form a series of electrical connections leading to electromagnets or the like controlling the different notes otA an organ.

The device is constructed so that it is only necessary to press and hold a certain rkey and the scale will be run up and down to said key and then the running of the lscale will stop. This note may be automatically held as asolo note, the organist working in suitable music therewith. It will be unoperated organ derstoo'd that while the scale is being run the organist may if desired also be causing f other of the organ pipes to be speaking.

The'slide bar isoperated by a pneumatically controlled device until a breaking contact engages one of the multiple connectors at the particularnote held, that is, at the note to be the end of the scale and come to rest by means of an electro-magnet forming a brake for stopping the slide. I

My invention will be more readily understood from the following description and drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a plan view of part ot the electrical control mechanism with the slide bar, the pneumatic control box and the connections to the organ mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3 3 of Fig. l, showing the pneumatic control box.

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross section on the line 4 4 of Fig. l, illustrating the brake mechanism for the slide bar.

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross section on the line 5-5 showing the sliding Vcontacts 'to control the motion of the Vslide bar in one direction. Y Y

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1 showing the sliding contacts for controlling the motion oi the slide bar opposite to that of Fig. 5. l I

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view .ot the pneumatic piston and part of the cylinder for operating the slide bar. n

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the relectrical connections from the keyboard to the connectors, the slide bar, the organ control and thepneumatic mechanism for operating the slide bar.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic side vien7 of one of the keys illustrating the switch contacts.

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic plan' oi a. stationary block having a. series et contact plates thereon andl a vslide bar with connectors for engaging the diiiierent contact plates with the Wiring to give-certain harmonics with the main scale by crossed or odset Wiring. This ligure shows diagrammatically the Wiring to the organ switch.

Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view ei the block, the slide bar, the various electrical connections and theorgan switch.

The general construction oi my chromatic scale running device `is substantiallylas tollows, having reference particularly to Figs. l, 2 and 8:

A keyboard 1 indicates an organ or like keyboard, including the halt note keys therefor, having the commonly termed White and black keys. It Will be understood that the keyboard Will be the ordinary full length oi the organ or piano keyboard or of any length desired and may include the foot pedals. A series-of electric connectors 2 are situated on a stationary block 3; 'there being one connector for each lrey. The block is provided With a longitudinal groove i in Which operates a slide bar 5.

The side oi the block opposite the connectors 2 is provided With a series of ilat `stationary electric contacts 6. The slide is operated by a pneumatic cylinder 7 having a Cys piston 8 therein and a piston red 9, the pistonbeing controlled by a pneumatic control boX 10.

The construction of the block 2 provides a longitudinal velectrical conductor 10 secured to one sideoif the groove, av parallel conductor 11 on the same side, a conductor 12 on the opposite side oi the grooveV and a conductor 13 on the top of the block on the upper face 14. The connectors 2 are secured to the tongue 15 which extends laterally from one side of the block and are formed of resilient material extending across the top tace 16. An electro-magnet 17 is imbedded in the block in the groove d Aoperating as hereunder set forth.

The slide bar 5 is constructed substantially as follows, having reference particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 4f, 5, 6 and 8. lhebar .1s preferably made of Wood and nts in the groove to have free sliding movement therein. Conductors 18 and 19 are secured in the upper face 'of the slide bar. These conductors are slightly spaced apart at the center as indicated by the numeral 2O and therefore forming tivo independent electrical conductors. Y

A' bridge bar 2l issecured on the upper tace of the slide bar positioned in the space 20. The Contact ends 22 oit the connectors 2 are adapted to bear on the conductors 18 and 19 and in the sliding movement of the slide bar these ends o'l the connectors ride over the bridge bar 21. A. single electrical connector 23 is secured to the slide bar, preferablyat a central position and substantially opposite 'the bridge bar 21. This connector has a sliding brush 2i adapted to bear en the conductor i3 and also having a brush end 25 adapted to bear on the cont-acts 6.

An electric lead 26 is imbedded in the slide bar 5, being connected to the conductor 19 on top of the bar and extending to the brush 27, which is in sliding contact with the conductor ll `on the side of the` slot as shown in 5. Another electric lead 28 is connected to the conductor 18 and extends through the slide bar 28 at the opposite side, having a brush 29 in sliding contact with the conductor 12. An iron armature 30 is imbedced in the base o'f the slide bar extending the full length thereof, adapted to be acted upon by the electro-magnet i7 as hereunder described. i

in electric lead 31 is connected to the bridge bar 21 and passes through the body 0i the slide bar having a brush in sliding contact with the conductor 10. This conductor has an electric lead passing to the electromagnet 17 and by the lead 34 to ground or the negative side oi' the circuit.

The keyboard switches are constructed substantially as follows, having reference particularly to Figs. 8 and 9:

rlhe individual lreys are indicatet, as mounted on a pivot 3G and each having a conducting plate 37 atV their inner end. A rail 38 extends lengthwise of' the keyboard and is positioned vabove same. This rail supports on its under surface an electrical conductor 39, said conductor having a series oi spring contacts el() to each key. The conductor 59 is preferably connected to the positive side of the source ot power, this being a direct current; A

A bus bar d1 extends along the undersurface oit the rail 38 and hasV a series oi' spring lingers L12 extending downwardly, positioned to engage the conducting plate 3'2" en each of the keys. A series oi seiarate spring lingers et?) are also positioned on the undersurface of the bar 38 and are adapted to contact With the conducting plate 37 en the keys. There are separate electrical leads 44 extending from each of the fingers 43 to the connectors 2;

The conductor 11 has an electric lead 45 extending to an electro-magnet 46 in the pneumatic control box 10 and the conductor 1.2 has an elect-ric lead 47 extending to the electro-magnet 48 in the control box. These magnets have a common negative or return lead 49 either extending to ground or to the negative side of the source of power. The operation of the magnets in the control is as hereunder set forth.

The operation of the electric circuits is substantially as follows, having reference particularly to Figs. 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9:

When any key is pressed downwardly it forms an electric circuit from a: source of power through the conductor 39, the finger 40, plate 37, the finger 42, the bus bar 41 to the conductor 13, from the conductor 13 to the sliding single connector 23 by means of the brush 24, from the brush 25 to any one of the plate contacts 6 through any one of the leads 50 to the electro-magnetic devices 51 and from thence to a ground or negative connection 52. The electro-magnetic devices 51 are indicated diagrammatically as operating an organ speaking mechanism of a standard type and may be arranged to actuate any of the different types of pipes in an organ or to operate the keys yeither electrically or electro-pneumatically of a mechanical organ, piano or like instrument.

The electro-magnetic devices 51 are stand ard equipment for controlling organ pipes and, as they form no part of my immediate invention, need not be described in detail.

Thus it will be seen that presuming the slide bar 5 is at rest and maintained at rest, that pressing any one of the keys transmits a current to the electro-magnetic devices 51 which operate or control the organ or other instrument.

The circuit from the keys through the electrical devices on the slide bar and to the electro- magnets 46 and 48 in the control box is as follows, having reference particularly to Figs. 4, 5, 8 and 9:

As above mentioned,'on operating any individual key an electricalbconnection is made from the positive side of the sourceof power, through the conductor 39, the fingers 40, to any one of the plates 37 through the fingers 43, the leads 44 to any one of the connectors 2 and from these connectors to the conductors 18 or 19 or to the bridge bar 21.

Presuming a key on the left hand of the keyboard, that the bass, is depressed, the current would be transmitted by the switches on the particular key to the conductor 19 and from this conductor through the lead 26 to the conductor 11 and through the lead 45 to the electro-magnet 46 by means of the mechanism hereunder set forth. This con trols the action of the pneumatic control box 10 and the pneumatic cylinder 7 to draw the slide bar 5 to the left, that is, towards the bass.

It Will be understood that the organist will hold the key that is pressed a sufficient length of time for the scale to be run in accordance with the speed of the control mechanism hereunder set forth, and there fore the bridge bar 2l will be brought under the particular connector 2 which is directly electrically connected to the specific key An electric current will theny pass from the bridge bar 2l, throiigh the` lead 31, the brush 32 to the conductor 1i), the lead 33, through the electroanagnet 17 and to the ground or negative side The energization of the magnet 17 attracts the armature 30 extending lengthwise of the sliding bar and therefore forming a brake mechanism and bringing the slide bar to;

rest. It will be understood that this magnet is sufficiently powerful to attract the armature with sufficient force to overcome the pneumatic power in the cylinder 7 from the control box 10.

It is presumed the organ has been opcrated so that a chromatic scale has been sounded by drawing the slide bar towards the bass and thereby forming successive con tacts from the conductor 13 through the single connector 23 to the contact plates 6 and hence to the organ control mechanism 51. If the organist wishes another chromatic run extending still fuither to the bass, he merely has to press a key further in the bass register from the last note sounded and the slide bar will continue its moven'ient to the left until such note is reached and stop there, provided the organist holds his finger on the key until it is reached, otherwise it will be stopped at any note on which the bridge bar 21 comes to rest when he raises his finger, due to the (le-energizing of magnets 46 and 48. y If the organist wishes a chromatic scale running up he presses one of the keys to- Wards the treble end of the keyboard from the note last sounded and this by the similar connections above mentioned and ythrough the connectors 2 forms an electrical connection with the conductor 18 on the slide bar. The connection from this conductor is through the lead 28, the brush 29 to the conductor l2, the lead 47 to the electroanagnet 48. This controls the operation of the pneumatic` cylinder 7 as hereunder set forth to shove the` slide bar 'towards the treble end of the keyboard or connectors 2 and contact plates 6. This gives a chromatic scale running up until the bridge bar 21 is brought underneath a connector 2 leading to the particular -key the organist is depressing. The slide bar is then brought to rest in the manner above described by the operation of the electro magnet 17. Il the organist wishes a chro matic scale running still higher he merely presses a note higher in the treble and then the last note sounded and the scale will rerun accordingly.

The description and operation ci' the jineumatic control box l() is substantially follows7 having reference parncularly "to Figs. l, 2, 3 and 8:

The air is maintained under firessuro in the box by any suitable source and has a plurality oiC outlet pipes o() and Gl, these leading to opposite ends of the eun'iatic cylinder 7. 'lhese outlets are controlled by lett valves (52 having upper z id lower 63 and till engagA the p the bon. fl pair obellow 'o in the base oit' the boi; in the and have stems connected to the G3 and 64. Passages 68 lead throu structure ci the boa: and to :in air cl 69 having an outlet port it). A il also .leads around the electro", and i8 to the interior ol? the boit.

lrmatures 72 are positioned iti chamber and when li'lted by magnets bloclt the passage ou" air between let port 70 so that the air may be d lrom the bellows to the atmosphere. bellows being collapsed by the air under pressure in thepnei'unatic control bor.

`rllie manner ot operation et the control box is substantially as lcllows: Y

Referring to Fig. 3, the magnet i indicated as being energized, lip'ing th armature 72 and allowing` escape oli air troni the bellows as indicated by the 1 rrows 'lhis action lowers the valve Gl and allows the air in the boi; to follow the path indicated by the arrows T- into the outlet pipe til; thus allowing air unuer pressure to enter the end 75 ot the pneumatic cylinder and torce the piston with the slide bar 5 towards the treble end of the in. iument. llt the same time the valve G3 is litted 'from the port 65 on theV opposite side ot the box and allows the air from the end 76 olf theV pneumatic cylinder to exhaust'through the pipes GO into the atmosphere as indicated by the arrows 77.

lt will thus be seen that accurate control is given to the motion of the piston 8 and therefore that accurate control is obtained by the movement of the slide bar rhis action may be arranged to operate the slide bar the liull length of all the connectors and Contact plates 6 or any limited number oit same.

The construction of the pneumatic cylinder 7 and piston 8 is substantially as follows` having reference particularly to Figs. 7 and 8:

The cylinder 7 is closed at opposite ends incassa 75 and 76 and has a piston rod 78 operating through the said ends, the rod being connected to the slide 5. rllhe piston 8 is formed preferably oi wood with a series of part-itions 79 forming air chambers 8O therein. .lhe outer partitions have apertures 8l, the cent'al partition 82 having no opening. A rubbing surl'ace S3 stretched on the outside ol" the pistonris preferably formed ot buckslrin or some equivalent material so that when the air under pressure enters Vthe air chambers 80 in the ,piston this bucltsltin is expanded against the walls of the cylinder and li'orms a tight but sliding lit.

l iljireier to form the cylinder with slight 'zontractions or expansions on its insidesur'- lace indicated by the numerals 84 and 85 eojthat during the travel ol the piston there will be slight acceleratiens ol speed or slight retarding due to the slight difference of is intended that if desired that in running a scale the lastnote speaking may be sustained or any particular note sustained. .lo accomplish this l connect an electric lead to the positive source ot power, pre'lerably by connecting same to the conductor 39 and insert a. switch 87 in this, forming a, short circuit with the bus bar ell. This switch will be of any suitable type as used in organ mechanism. lt will Ytherefore be seen that when a scale has been run as above described, and the switch 87 closed, thatl on the particular connector 2 engaging the bridge bar 21, the scale will be stopped as above mentioned and this note continue to speak.

Il the organist wishes to reset the scale running mechanism to run scales either from the bass towards the treble orvice versa. and it is not in the position he desires, he merely has to cut out the electro-magnetic devices y5l from operating the speaking parts of the organ and have the scale run silently to the position desired. Therefore he may readily use this device for sustaining any note by running the scalato the desired position without the organ speaking and then closing the switch 87.

The cut out for the electro-magneticrdevices 5l is a standard equipment in organ construction and, asit does not form an immediate part ol my invention, need not be described in detail. v'

lt will be apparent that the speed ol motion oi the slide bar 5 may be readily changed by increasing or decreasing the pressure ol air in the control bozrlO. I do noty disclose the mechanism for doing this as such arrangements for changing the pressure in pneumatic controlled instruments is well known and it is only necessary to govern same as desired in order to increase the pressure or decrease the pressure of air in the pneumatic control box. f

In tho construction of my instrument it will be apparent that while it is desirable to havcfthe keyboard of standard size similar to theother manuals of an organ and to form a keyboard for my instrument 'I would preferably utilize the ordinary' keyboards already installedk on an organ. If the keys of these keyboards are already overloaded with electrical connecting devices, the scale running device could be operated by relays. It is also to be understood that the scale ruiming device and the solo note sustaining feature may be operated on what are known as first and second touches andr also vby a pedal keyboard. It is not necessary to have the scale extending the full length of the keyboard as the scale would hardly ever be run in the low and high registers. However, if these are desired it could be arranged by coupling octaves in the usual manner.

The arrangement for obtaining sub or superharmonic scales run in connection with what might be termed the main scale, is illustrated particularly in Figs. 10 and 11 which show an arrangementfor obtaining a third and a fifth above the main scale. These are merely taken as illustrative anda sufficient number of contacts may be utilized to give any desired number of harmonic scales.

In the above gures the keyboard is omitted, the sets of connectors electrically associated with the keyboard being designated by the numeral 102 and mounted on a stationary block 103. This block has a groove 104 in which the slide bar 105 operates. The series of contact plates 106 are utilized to give the main scale directly Vin accordance with the particular keys operated in the keyboard.

In this arrangement I utilize the conductor wires 10, 11, 12, 18 and 19 in a similar manner to that described in connection with Fig. 8 and have a similar type of bridge block 2 in the space 20 between the said wires. The conductor 13 has the same function as dcscribed in connection with Fig. 8 as has also the single connector 23 with the brushes 24 and 25. However the electric leads 107 lead to an organ switch 108, thisbeing of a standard type and pneumatically operated, causing the contact lingers 109 to bear upon connectors 110. These connectors lead 'directly to wires 50 actuating the electro.-

magnetic control device 51k of the organ mechanism.

In order to obtain a super-harmonic with the main scale run as above described, I

mount a continuous conductor 111 on theV block 1025 and connect this electrically by a lead 112 and 113 with the conducting bars 18 and 19. A bridging connector 114- is rigidly attached to the slide bar and has a brush 115 in continuous contact with the conductor 111.

The arrangement for giving a super-harmonic one ifth above the main scale is substantially as follows:

A series of contact plates 116 are mounted on theblock 1023, being in cross alinement with the contact plates 106. The connector bar 11,4 has a brush 117 bearing on these plates. The electric leads from the contact plates 116 designated by the numerals 118` 119, 120 and 121 are connected to organ switches 122 of a similar character tothe organ switches 108. It will be seen bytracing out the electric connections'that the bridging bar 21 where the slide has come to rest in accordance with the key being struck or held, is on the C note as indicated by the notes on the right hand side of Fig. 10 and that the brush 117 conductsan electric current to operate the note of G above, which isy the fifth above the' C, giving a Ascale in harmony therewith. If it is desired to run both at the same time both of the organ switches 108 and 122 are operated simultaneously and when the bridge bar 21 comes to the position between the conductors 18 and 19, the conductor 111 is de-energized' and therefore the harmonics stop sounding als though the fundamental or main note may keep sounding. n

In order to play thirds above, the con` nector 114 is provided with a brush l123 contacting with the contact plates 124. The wiring from these plates is by electric leads designated by the numerals 125, 126, 127

and 128 to the pneumatic organ switch 129, such switch controlling the circuit to the electro-magnetic devices 51 for sounding the o different pipesor the like.

It'will be noted therefor that the brush 123 sounds the note E when the C of themain scale is sounded, thereby giving a super harmonic third, which would be cut out on the last note of the scale.

It will be understood that the cross and offset wiring may be arranged so that the harmonic scales may be-arranged to be subharmonics instead of the super-harmonics as illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11; and moreover',

one or more of the transposed scales run.

if desired, the arrangement could be made to Cil y consecutive, V'speaking of accordance with the movement of the slide.-

In this manner I may readily transpose4 the scale'of playing from that ot the vvrittcn music the organist is Yfollowing to any otliei` scale by having proper offset or crossediwiring to other notes.

My invention not only comprises the mechanism for ruiming chromatic scales and harmonics thereot and holding` selected solo notes, but also comprises the method ot running such scales and holding such solo notes.

.lt Will be apparent that the various i'eatures both in lgeneral cons 1uction and in specific i details ot' my ii eiiticn may lbe considerably changed ihout departing from the spirit of my invention as se torili in the description, drawinfrs and claims.

Having described my invention, what l claim is: i

1. A scale running instrunient cr in] iiisiiig in combination a keyboard, means tor sounding a. musical instrun'ient electrically controlledtroni `said keyboard, and means toi* electrically shitting the control iti* ni one key to another.

2. A scale running instrument comprising in combination a keyboard, a slidable device, an electrical connection between each oft the keys to the slidable device, electrical devices to operate a musical instrument, and ii'ieans` operated by the slide to canse the different notes in 3. AV scale running instrument coii'iprising in combination a keyboard, a slidable device electrically connected to the keyboard, an

electric mechanism for controlling the sounding oli notes oli' aA musical iiistriunent,

an electric device operated by the said slide to control the sounding ot such notes, and a pneumatic operated device liaying electrical control means operated by the keys ot the keyboard to inove the slide.

4. A scale ruiming instrument comprising `in combination a keyboaiid, a .slide bar, a

plurality of connectors electrically' connected to the keys, said connectors-being electrically connected? to the slide, a, pneumatic device to operate the slide, electigic control means operat-iyely connected to the slide to controll the pneumatic device and electric control mechanism operated.v by the movement ot the slide to'` sound ay series ot notes consecutively by the movement ot the slide.

t scale running instrument as claimed in claim 3, having in addition an electromagnetic device tostop the slide after movement a designated distance.

6. A scale running instrument as claimed in claim fl, having in addition an electromagnet, a contact element on the slide bar positioned to engage each ot the connectors, and an electric connection :trom the contact to the magnet to operate-the magnet when a certain key in electric circuit with aconnectoi` engages the said, contact. V

7. A scale running instrument comprising in combination a keyboard, a series olj stationary connectors, each kelectrically connected to a key on the operation ot such key, a slide bar having electrical conductors in sliding engagement with the connectors, a pneumatic device to operate the slide, pair of stationary conductors having brushes forming an electric connection with the conductors on the bar, electro-magnets connected to the stationary conductors' to control the pneumatic device, a single connector attached to the slide having a phirafity` oit fixed contacts to env' therewith, 4iid contacts having electric connection with the electro-.magnetic device. to sound different notes of a musical instrument.

S. A scale running instrument as claimed in claim 7, in Awhich the conductors on the bar are slightly spaced apart at their adjacent ends., a bridge bar in said space, and an electro-magnet vmor-.inted in a stationary position adapted to act on an armature on the slide bar, said bridge bai; forming a connection with` any particular key' operated and thereby rforming a bralze.

9. A scale running instrument comprising in combination keyboard, a stationary block having a sliding bar operating thereon, a series ot connectors onetor each key, electrically. connected to each key on the` opion or' saine, a pair ot conductors positioned, longitudinally ot tbe slidebar, slightly spaced apart at their adjacentends, in contact with the said, connectors, a pair ot conductors in the block, a pneumatic control box having a pair oit electro-magnets, pneumatic means coi'itrolled by said. magnets to slide. thel bar, an additional conductor entending lengthwise oit the block, :i single coniiectoriattacbed to the bar havingv a brush. bearing on the additional conductor, a series of stationary Contact plates to Aform an electrical connection with the single connector and electrical devices iu, circuit with said plates to control the sound ot the various notes kot a musical instrument.

i0.l A scale` i inning instrument as claiiiled in claim 9, havi p. g in addition aI bridgev bar positioned on theI slide bar betiveentlie ends ot the conductors thereon, a stationary conductor 'for a brake circuit mounted on the block having electric connection vvitli the bridge bar, an armature extending lengt-li- Wise oit the slide bai'. and an electro-magnet secured in the block in circuit with the brake conductor iii the block to operate the magnet to stop the slide when a connector rides on the bridge bai', the said connector being in circuit with the particular key being operated.

11. ln a scale running instrument, a stationary block having a longitudinal groove,

lill) lof) lll)

a slide bar extending longitudinally of said groove having a pair of electrical conductors in alinement spaced slightly apart at their ends, a bridge bar secured to the slide bar in the said space, a pair of conductors on opposite sides of the groove, electrical connections through brushes from each of the conductors on the bar to the stationary conductors, a brake circuit conductor in the groove, an electric connection by a brush from the bridge bar to said brake circuit conductor, an electro-magnet in circuit with the brake circuit conductor, the magnet being mounted in the base of the groove, and an armature in the base of the bar tobe eperated on by the magnet.

12. In a scale running infstrument as claimed in claim 1l, having in addition a series of connectors attached te the block, said connectors being in electrical contact with the conductors on the bar and adapted to form an electric connection with keys of the keyboard.

13. vIn a scale running instrument as claimed in claim 11, having in addition a conductor for a note circuit moimted on the block, a series of contact plates also mounted in the block adjacent the last mentioned conductor, a single connector .mounted on the slide bar forming an electric bridge between the last mentioned conductor and the said plates, the said plates being adapted to form an electric connection with note sounding devices. n

14. A solo note selecting device comprising in combination a keyboard, a slide bar having electrical conductors thereon, a series of electric connectors from. each of the keyboards ot the said conductors, electric pneu.

matic means controlled through the said conductors to slide the bar, an. electric device operated by the slide bar to sound notes of a musical instrument, and a, switch to pass au electric circuit to the note sounding device.

15. A scale running instrument as claimed in claim 4, having in addition an electric switch operatively connected to continuously sound the inal note in the run of the scale.

16. In a scale running instrument having a plurality of keys, electrical devices operated by said keys to sound notes of a musical instrument, electrically controlled means to sound the said notes in succession, electric means operated by a specific key to stop the run at a certain note and in addition a switch to continuously sound the said note.

17. In a scale running instrument, a pneumatic control box having a pair of electromagnets, a cylinder having a piston, a pneumatic connection from the control box to opposite ends of the cylinder, and valves controlled by the electro-magnets to allow passage of air from the control box to either end of the cylinder and to exhaust the air from the opposite end.

18. In a scale running instrument as claimed in claim 17, having in addition a pair of bellows, means to control said bellows from said magnets, and valves controlled by the bellows to pass the air from the box to the cylinder and from the cylinder to the external air.

19. In a scale running instrument, a pneumatic control box having a plurality ol Lelectro-magnets therein, a pair of bellows having a passage tothe external air and to the interior of the box, armatures operated by the magnets to control the flow of air between the box and the bellows or the bellows and the external air, and valves operated by each of the bellows to control the `flow of air from the box to a device to be operated or from said device to the external air.

20. In a scale running instrument, a pneumatic cylinder having a hollow piston, a flexible covering on said piston from end to end in contact with the cylinder walls, said material being adapted under com ression of air inside the hollow piston to ibrm a tight fit with the cylinder.

21. In a scale running instrument, a cylinder having slight irregularities in its bore, a hollow piston slidable therein, the piston having a surface covering of flexible material from end to end adapted to expand under compression of air in the piston to form a tight but sliding fit with the walls of the cylinder.

22. A scale running instrument having a keyboard with a. series of keys, and means operated by any key to start the running of a scale in either direct-ion towards the bass or treble.

23. A scale running instrument having a keyboard, and means operated by any individual key to start a musical instrument playing a scale, said key controlling the last note of the said scale in running a scale towards the bass or towards the treble.

24. A scale running instrument having a keyboard, a series of individual keys, means controlled by any one key to start a musical instrument playing a scale, means to stop the scale at the note corresponding to the said key, and additional means to sound the note of said key after the key is freed.

25. A scale running instrument having a keyboard, means controlled by any one key to cause a musical instrument to run a chromatic scale, and means to simultaneously run harmonic scales therewith.

26. A scale running instrument having a keyboard, means cont-rolled by any one key to cause a musical instrument to run a chromatic scale and to end said scale on the note corresponding to the key operated, and

l super-harmonics Vmeans to lsiinultaneously run a chromatic scale in sub or super-harmonics of the lirst mentioned scale.

27. A scale running instrument having a keyboard, means controlled by any one lrey to cause a musical instrument to run a chromatic scale, and means to simultaneously run plurality of chromatic scales in sub or ot the lirst mentioned scale. n

28. A scale running instrumei'it comprisin?,` in combination a hloclr having a series ot Contact plates, one series beingl ,tor one set oiPA notes and another tor another set et notes, a slide bar having; an electric connector, conductors (intending lengthwise ot the block, brushes engaging the conductors and the plates, a keyboard sturing an electric connection vthrough the slide bar to the said connecter, an electric connection trom the first mentioned series of plates to notes oit a musical instrument corresponding to the keys, and cross Wiring from the second set ot Contact plates to clil'l'erent notes ot a musinee cal instrument, whereby on operating acertain key ot the keyboard two, scales may be run. on the instrument simultaneously.`

29. A scale running instrument, comprising in combination a plurality ot sets of contact plates, electrical conductors extend ing,- parallel to saitl plates, a slide bar having connectors with brushes, the brushes being in Contact with certain ot the conductors and certain ol' the ot the Contact plates, a keyboard, an electrical connection from the lreyboartl through the slide bar to the connectors a plurality of sets of'switches, an electri al connection from one set ot plates through one switch'set to notes ot a musical instrument Correspendingtothe keys, and e-tlset ele 'trie Wiring trom the other sets ot plates through the other switches to clijierent notes ci the musical instrument, whereby playing;v certain keys causes the sounclingof different notes in the musical instrument. i

ln testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specilication.

Jos. W. KLEIN.

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