USRE9831E - Depaetment of the inteeioe - Google Patents

Description

. I 2 sheets-sheet 1. M.V J. MATTHEWS,- Assignor of twd-thirds to J. Mone and J. NIoEL MEGHANIGAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

L; Reissued Aug'. 9, 1881.

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Asignor V MECH No. 9,831.

n. Pimm Mm. um n UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.,

y lMASON J. MATTHEWS, OF NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF TWO-THIRDS TO JAMES MORGAN, OF BROOKLYN, AND

JOHN NICHOL, OFNEW YORK, N. Y..

MECHANICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Ressued Letters Patent No. 9,831, dated August 9, 1881.

Original No. 211,635, dated January 28, 1879.

" ful Improvements in Mechanical Musical Instruments, ot' which the following is a specitication.

The invention relates to that class ot lnechanical musical instruments in which a music sheet or band provided with perforations to represent the variousnotes of atune is used as a valve or means to control the operation of the reeds; and one object. of it is to provide means whereby a greater volume of tone can be produced in instruments of small size than has heretofore been possible.

. The invention consists`in the combination, zo in a mechanical musical instrument, of soundproducing devices, a music-sheet for controlling their operation, a. top board, a rest for the music-sheet elevated above the said top board, und feed-rollers for imparting motion to the z5 music-sheet, the lower ot' which is fitted into arecess in the top board, so as to obviate it from projecting above the rest and lifting the music-sheet therefrom without entailin g unnecessary elevation ot' the rest above the top 3o board to eii'ect this relation between it and the lower feed-roller. 1

It also consists in the combination, in a mechanical musical instrumen t, ot' sound-producing devices, a music-sheet for controlling their operation, a top board, and a rest for the music-sheet made of a separate and flat piece of wood attached directly to the top board, leaving no space or chamber between its `upper surface and said top board, but provided with 4o apertures for the passage of air through it,

whereby the elevation of the rest above the top board is provided for in a simple manner.'

` It also consists in the combination,in a. me-

chanical musical instrument, ot' a removable reed-chest` means for operating the reeds, and

a music-sheet for controlling the operation of the reeds traveling below the reedcbest.

' lt also consists in the combination, in a mechanicalmnsicnl instrument, of a music-sheet of for'eontrollin g the operation of sound-producngidevices," a reed-chest containing ducts for e'ctthe operation of the sound-produc- Application for reissue tiled August 5, 1880.

ing devices, and a spring or springs for impelliug said reed-chest down on the musicf sheet, whereby leakage between the air-ducts and music-sheet is obviated.

, It also consists in the combination,in a mechanical musical instrument, ot a top frame ca-l pable of being moved away from the top board ofthe instrument and a removable reed'chest 6o -connected thereto when in use.

It also consists in the combination, in amechanical musical instrument, of sound-producing devices, a music-sheet for controlling their operation, a top frame capable of beingmoved away from the top board ot' the instrument, and an adjustable presser for holding the music-sheet in place, and preferably a spring or springs for impelling the presser downward.

It also consists in a mechanical musical in- 7o strument having a rocker-shaft provided at each end with a hook or hook-hasp andat or near the middle of its length with an operating lever or handle, all vformed in a single* piece ot' wire, whereby7 the top frame may be 75 conveniently fastened. f

It also consists in the combination, in a. mechanical musical instrument, ot' a driving-shaft arranged above the top board, sound-producing devices, bellows for operating the sonnd- 8o producing devices arranged below the top board, and a pitman rod connected to said shaft and serving to operate the bellows, but having no connection with or support Ifrom other parts of the instrument.

1t also consists in the combination,in ainechanical musical instrument, of sound-producing devices, bellows for operating the same, a music-sheet for controlling their operation, a feed-roller preferably cranked t'or imparting 9o motion to the music-sheet, and pitman-rods connected to said feed-roller and extending close to the sides of the instrument, but hav. ing no connection with or support from the case of the instrument, and serving to operate 95 said bellows.

It also consists in the combination, in a mechanical musicalinstrument, of sound-producing devices, bellows for operating the same, a music-sheet for controlling their operation, rco and a feed-roller for imparting motion to the music-sheet, a crank carried by said feederoller, a pitman-rod for operating said bellows, slot- -ted to form jaws, and means whereby said jaws are caused to gripe said crank and have a firm connection therewith.

1t also consists in the combination, in a inechanical musical instrument, of sound-producing devices, two bellows foroperatingthe same, a music-sheet for controlling their operation, a feedroller for imparting motion to the music-sheetI shaft, provided with reversely-set cranks connected to the bellows for operating them alternately, and also provided with va crank at the end, and a pitman-rod connecting the feed-roller and the last said crank, so as to transmit motion from one to the other.

It also consists in the combination, with a wind-chest provided upon its upper side with a series of wind-passages, a feed-roll having its bearings upon the upper side thereof, suitable wind-movin g bellows placed beneath said windchest, and an endless band of paper provided with a series of perforations to represent the -various notes of a tune, and adapted to rest ot' itself, of an inclosiug-'casing within which theinstrument may be entirely hid from view, except the operating-crank, and from which it may be readily and easily removed when it is desired to change the tune, said casing being designed to hide the operating parts of the instrument and rendering it more ornamental, as it may be ornamentcd in a great variety of ways, according to the taste ot' the builder.

ln the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan of an instrument embodying the invention, with the lid of the outer casing turned iip edgewise. Fig.2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the sameon linexxon Fig. 1. Fig.3 s a sideelevalion of the instrument removed from the outer casing. Fig. 4 is an inverted plan with the outer casing removed, and Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the doublefastening hasp.

A is the wind-chest, provided upon its upper side with the raised platform-like surface or rest a, through which is cut a series of wind passages or apertures, b, and upon which the music sheet or band of paper B rests, the suction of the bellows C, C', and C2 causing said sheet or endless band of paper, B, to hug closely to said platform-surface and prevent all passage of air to the bellows except through the perforations c in the paper and the wind passages or apertures b. The rest a is shown as made of a separate and iat piece of wood attached directly to the top board of the instrument, leaving no space between its upper surface and the said top board.

C, C', and C are three suction-bellows armanner. two cranks, h2 and h, projecting from opposite ranged side by side, immediately beneath the wind-chest A, and each communicating therewith through the passages d.

D is a reservoir, also arranged directly beneath the wind-chest A,commnnicating therewith by suitable passages, said reservoir being kept expanded by the tension of the spring e,'

all in a well-kliown inauner. 'lhe reservoir D is also provided with avalve,f, having an inwardly-projecting stem, which, in case the reservoir should collapse too far, will strike the upper board of the reservoir and cause said valve to open and admit sucient air to the interior ot' the reservoir or vacuum-chamber and preventit from becoming permanently collapsed.

The three bellows C, C', and O2 are moved alternately or in succession, one after another, in the following manner: Two rocker-shafts, g and h, extend across the instrument from front to rear, some distance below the bellows. and each have bearings in the frame or case of the instrument, as shown in Fig. 4. The rocker-shaft g has formed in it the crank g', to which is coupled one end of a coiinecting-rod, ,the other end ot' which is hinged or otherwise connected to the under side of the bellows C; and

the front end ot' said rocker-shaft has formed thereon Vthe crank g2, connected by the pitman or connecting rod or link j to the crank k',

formed iii tlie shaft of the driving-shaft or feedroller k, mounted in suitable bearings in the upper side of the ind-chest A, and provided at its extreme front end with the operating crank E, ns shown. The shaft-roller k has a portion ot' its length covered with a rubber tube or tubes, k2, and has formed upon its rear end the crank k3, from which the pitman ory connecting rod orlink l(shown iu full in Figs. 1 and 4 and iii dotted lilies in Fig. 3) leads to and is coupled to the crank h', formed on the rear end ot' the rocker-shaft h, all so arranged that a revolution ofthe driving shaft or roller k will cause an oscillating or rocking inotiou to be imparted to theshafts g and h in an obvious The shaft h also has formed therein sides of said shaft, or revcrsely set, as shown in Fig. 4. The pitinaii-rodsjand lhave aperfectly free movement. they having no connection with any part ot' the iiistrumeiitother than the shafts which they connect, and the ends of said rods are slotted to i'orm jaws, which, by screws or other devices, may be caused to tightly gripe the cranks upon the shafts g hk and have a. iirni connection therewith. The crank hz is coupled to one end of the link i', the other end of which is hinged or otherwise connected to the under side of the bellows C. The crank h3 is, in like manner, connected, by means of the link i2, to the bellows C.

F is a detachable top frame, made up of the side rails, m m', and the two tie-rods n and n', and secured in position upon the upper side of the wind-chest by means of the pins o o, setin one end of the side rails, m and m', and adapted to engage with sockets formed in the moldguides for the music-sheet.

fasteners, being made from a single piece of wire, as shown in Fig. 5. The railsm m' form G is a board or chest having formed therein a series of chambers, s, in each of which is set a sound-producing device consisting of a metallxc reed, t, in any well-knownmanner. These reeds are arranged in what may be termed a compromise scale,tconsisting of fourteen yneeds arranged at musical intervals apart as follows: between the lowest pitch-reed or first reed and second reed, a whole tone; between .the second and third reeds, a whole' tone; be-

tween the third and fourth reeds, a half-tone; between the fourth and fifth reeds, a whole tone; between the tifth and sixth reeds, a whole tone; between the sixth and seventh reeds, a half-tone; between the seventh and eighth reeds, a half-tone; between the eighth and ninth reeds,ahalf-tone; between the ninth and tenth reeds, a whole tone; between the tenth and eleventh reeds, a whole tone; between the eleventh and twelfth reeds, a. half-tone; between the twelfth and thirteenth reeds, a whole tone; and between the thirteenth and foul'- leenth reeds, a whole tone. ln this way, with but few reeds, provision is afforded for playing tunes of great compass and for producing a very colnpact instrument. The reed board or chest G is provided at each end with a trunnion-pin, u, which rests in a slot, u', formed in the upper edge ot' each of the rails m and m' of the frame F, the spring v resting upon said trunnion-pin u, and by its tension pressing the leed-chest G hard upon the music-sheet B, as shown. The reed-chest may be removed at pleasure by lifting it against the action ofthe spring, so as to remove the trnnnion-pins u from the slots u. It is obvious that the reedchest thus made forms au adjustable and removable presser arranged over the `rest for holding the music-sheet to its rest. The reedchest may also be removed or adjusted with the top frame, F.

His a second feed-roll, having its bearings in the side rails, m m', of the frame F, in a position to engage with the drivin-g shaft or loller k when the frame F is placed in position, and be rotated by frictional contact therewith, and thus feed the music-sheet or endless band of paper B along, drawing it between the reed- Y chest and the upper surface of the platform or rest a, and blnging the dili'erent perforalions formed therein successively into position to e permit the passageof wind through the soundproducing devices or reeds to the bellows, and thus cause the various notes lo be sounded. The roll H has a portion of its length covered with rubber tubes w w, as shown in Fig. 1. It is adjustable relatively to the lower feed-roller or driving-shaft and impelled toward it, so as to tightly gripe the music-sheet, by the spring or springs fu.

The music-sheet B is preferably used in the form of an endless band, which passes around under the bellows, as shown in Fig. 2; but a sheet or strip of paper not connected together at its ends to form an endless band may be used if desired.

The instrument constructed as heretofore described is complete in and ot' itself so far as tho mechanical operation of thcinstrument is concerned, or the musical notes produced thereby, and it is proposed to manufacture a rcheap instrument substantially as herein described butin order to meet the requirements of those who wish for something more ornamental, and are willing to pay a higher price there may be provided an ornamental inclusing-case, L, provided with a hinged lid, L. and .suitable checks, M, N, and (l, to hold [he instrument in a fixed position in said casing, the front of said casing being also provided with a slot, P, to receive the driving-shaft k, all so arranged that when the instrument is placed in position in the casing the crank E is ontside of said casing, and the instrument may be operated therein, andneed never bc icmoved from said casing, except for repairs or when it may be desired to change the tune, when it may be readily lifted fronithe casing without. removing screws or other fastenings.

R is a prop for holding up the lid L, and S` is a roll over which thc band ot' paper is carredwhen the tune is a long one, in order to take up some of the slack.

`There areheie shown but thi ee wind-moving bellows;butitisobviousthat,ifdesired,afourth bellows may be added and operated'from the rocker-shaft g by forming in said rocker-shaft another crank projecting therefrom upon the side opposite lo the crank g', so that the shaft g shall operate two bellows precisely in the same manner that the shaft h operates the two bellows C and C2, the cranks k"and k3 on the driving-shalt k being placed at the proper augle to each other to open and close said bellowsin succession, or so that no two of said bellows shall be fully closed or open at the same time.

The removable frameis notclaimed, broadly,

fin this application, as substantially the same device is shown and described in other Letters Patent; but

What is claimed as the invention, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is

1. In a mechanical musical instrument, the combination ot' sound-producing devices, a music-sheet lor controlling their operation, a top board, a restfor the music-sheet elevated above said top board, and feed-rollers for imparting motion to the music-sheet, the lower of which is titled into a recess in the top board, so as to obviate its projecting above the rest without entailing unnecessary elevation of the rest above the top board to eiect this relation between it and the lower feed-roller, substantially as specied.

2. In a mechanical musical instrument, the combination ot soundproducing devices, a music-sheet for controlling their operation, a top board, and a rest for the music-sheet made of a separate and dat 'piece of wood attached directly to the top board, leaving no space or chamber between its upper surface and the top board, but provided with apertures for the passage ot' `air through it, substantially as speciied.

3. In a mechanical musical instrument, the

combination of a removable reed-chest, means for operating the reeds, and a music-sheet for controlling the operation ot' the reeds traveling below the reed-chest, substantially as specified.

4. In a mechanical musical instrument, the combination of a music-sheet for controlling the operation ot' sound-producingdevices, a reed-chest containing d nets for air to eiect the operation of the sound-producing devices, and a spring or springs foriin pelling the said reedchest down on the music-sheet, substantially as specified.

5. In a mechanical musical instrument, the

'combination ot' a top frame capable of being moved away from the -top board of the inst-rumeur, and a removable reed-chest connected thereto when in use, substantially as specitied.

6. In a mechanical musical instrument, the combination of sound-producin g devices, a music-sheet for controlling their opera-tion, a top frame capable of being moved away from the top board ofthe instrument, and an adjustable presser for holding the music-sheet in place, substantially as specified.

7. In a mechanical musical instrument, the combination of sound-producing devices, a mnsic-sheet for controlling their operation, a top frame capable of being moved away from the top board of the instrument, an adjustable presser for holding the music-sheet, and a spring or springs for impelling the presser down ward, substantially as specilied.

. In a mechanical musical instrument, the.

rocker-shaft q, provided at each end with a hookhasp, q', and at or near the middle of its length with the operating lever or handle q2, all formed from a single piece of wire, substantially as specified.

9. In a mechanical musical instrument, the combination ot' a. dri vin g-shaft arranged above the top board, sound-producing devices, bellowsforoperatingsaidsound-producingdevices arranged below the top board, and a pitmanrod connected to said shaft and serving to operate the bellows, but having no connection with or support from other parts of theinstrument, substantially as specified. i

l0. In a mechanical musical instrument, the combination of sound-producing devices, bellows for operating the same, a music-sheet for controlling their operation, a feed-roller for imparting motion to said music-sheet, and pitman-rods connected to said feed-roller and exried b v said feed-roller, a pitman-rod for oper-- ating said bellows, slotted to form jaws, and means whereby said jaws are caused to gripe said cran k and have a firm connection therewith, substantially as specified. 12. In a mechanical musical instrument, th combination of sound-producing devices, two

bellows for operating the same, a music-sheet for controlling their operation, a feed-roller for imparting motion to the music-sheet, a shaft provided with reversely-set cranks connected to the bellows for operating them alternately,

and also provided with a crank at one end, and

a pitman-rod connecting the feed-roller and the last said crank, so as to transmit motion from one to the other, snbstantiall y as specified.

13. The combination ot' three or more windmoving bellows arranged side by side, two rocker-shafts, g and h, each provided with two or more cranks, as set forth, two connectingrods, j l, driving-shaft k, provided with cranks E, k', and k3, and a connecting rod or link connecting the bottom board of each said bellows with one of the cranks of said rocker-shafts, all arranged and adapted to operate substantially as and for the purpose specified.

I4. In combination with a wind-chest provided upon its upper side with a series of windpassages communicating therewith, a. drivingshaft or feed-roll mounted upon the upper side of said wind-chest, suitable wind-moving bellows placed beneath said wind-chest, and an endless band of perforated paper passing around said wind-chest and wind-moving bellows, as set forth, the detachableY frame F, the secondary feed-roll H, having its bearings on said frame, the reed-board Gr, provided with trunnion-pins u u, itted to and resting in the slots u in the side rails of the frame F, and the springs@ e, all arranged and adapted to operate substantially as and for the purposes described. I

15. In combination with a portable mechanical musical instrument thatis mechanically and musically complete in and ofitself, an independent inclosing-casin g provided with ahinged lid, aslotforthepassageofthecrank-shaft,andsuitable chocks secured therein to hold the instrument in position, all arranged and adapted to operate as herein set forth, so that the instrument may be readily lifted from said casing without removing fastenings of any kind.

MASON J. MATTHEWS.

Witnesses:

CHARLES H. HOLDEN, M. A. MADDEN.

IIO

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