US792055A - Automatic piano-player. - Google Patents

Description

No. 792,055. PATENTED JUNE 13, 1905.

A. F. LARSON.

AUTOMATIC PIANO PLAYER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28, 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTED JUNE 13, 1905.

A. P. LARSON.

AUTOMATIC -PIANO PLAYER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28, 1904,

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

No. 792,055. PATENTBD JUNE 13, 1905.

A. F. LARSON. Y l

AUTOMATIC PIANO PLAYER.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 2s. 1904.

4 sums-SHEET a.

Nox 792,055. PATENTED JUNE 18, 1905. A. F. LARSOJN. AUTOMATIC PIANO PLAYER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 2B, 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Wfl-125525:

UNITED STATES Fatented June 13, 1905.

PATENT OEEICE.

AXEL F. LARSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO C. F. LARSON, OF CRYSTAL FALLS, MICHIGAN, AND OSCAR K. OSTER- GREN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

AUTOMATIC PIANO-PLAYER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 792,055, dated June 13, 1905.

Application filed May 23, 1904. Serial No, 210,235.

To n/Z 71171/0117, it mln/y concern.-

Be it known that I, AXEL F. LARsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Automatic Piano-Players, (Case No. 5,) of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to automatic pianoplayers, and relates more particularly to improvements in devices of this character by means of which the parts are made readily accessible for adjustment and repair and by means of which the construction of the instruments may be simplilied and reduced in cost.

Various improvements will hereinafter be more fully pointed out by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig'ure 1 illustrates in front elevation a piano-player constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view taken-on lines 2 2 of Fig. l and Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 2, parts being' broken away to more clearly illustrate the interior construction. Fig. 5 is a crosssectional view illustrating the construction of an expression-bellows, the purpose of which will more fully appear. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a regulating-bellows employed to control the supply of power to the motor which drives the mechanism, and Fig. 7 is a plan View of a primary-pneumatic block.

The foundation-board l1 is preferably a three-ply board, in which the channels to be hereinafter explained may easily be formed. Below this foundation-board are mounted a pair of suction-bellows l2 l2, each bellows being provided with an inlet-valve 13 and an outlet-valve 14, these valves consisting, essentially, of a series of openings through the top and bottom boards of the bellows, over which a strip of leather or other suitable material is held by means of a thin sheet of springy metal, as shown in Fig. 2 and as described llapsed condition.

also in my copending application, Serial No. 175,107, filed September 30, 1903. The torsional spring at l5 tends normally to maintain each power-bellows in a closed or col- The treadles 15 and I6 are connected, by means of the straps 17 and 18, to the bottom boards of the power-bellows and when depressed serve to open the bellows, thereby creating a suction, which withdraws air from the main bellows 19 by way of the inlet-valves 13. The subsequent collapse of the power-bellows l2 causes the expulsion of air through the outlet-valves I4. A suitable spiral spring' is fastened at 2O to a block 2l, rigidly mounted upon the foundation-board ll, the other end of this spring being fastened at 22 to one lever-arm, 23, of a bell-crank lever 24, which is pivoted at 25 by means of a bracket 26, rigidly secured to the foundation-board, and the other lever-arm, 27, which supports the top board 28 of the main bellows 19 by means of a small roller 29, fastened to a bracket 30, which is secured to the top board 28. Spring mechanism of this character is provided at either side of the main bellows. It will be seen that as the main bellows is collapsed and the top board 28 drawn downward toward the foundation board l1 the roller 29 will bear upon the lever-arm 27, causing its depression and the lever to swing about the pivot 25, thereby causing' the extension of the spring 3l. rI he depression of the top board 28 of the main bellows is resisted not only by the increasing' tension of the spring 3l as it is extended in length, but also on account of the decrease in length of the lever-arm 27 between the pivot and the point of contact with the roller 29.

The operation of all of the mechanism of the automatic player is caused by suction, and the air which is used in the operation of the various parts all passes through this main bellows I9. A pair of channels 32 32 lead from the openings 33 33 at the treble side of the main bellows to the treble-regulating chamber 3l by way of the openings 35 The hinged valve 36 is provided with a leather face for the purpose of closing the openings 35.

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This valve is provided with a retracting-spring 37, passing to the top of the valve and the interior of the regulating-chamber, and tends to maintain the valve in an open position. A similar pair of channels 38 38 lead from the openings 39 39 in the main bellows through the foundation-board to the openings 40 40, leading into the `bass-regulating chamber 41. These openings 40 40 are provided also with a hinged Valve 42,the retracting-spring 43, attached to the upper side of the valve, tending to maintain the valve in an open condition.

Assuming that the valves 36 and 42 are open, it will be seen that the withdrawal of air from the main bellows 19 vcreates a partial vacuum within the treble-regulating chamber 34 and the bass-regulating chamber 41. provided, as will hereinafter more fully appear, for the purpose of regulating and controlling the pressure within these chambers. The partition 44 serves to divide the chamber 34 from the chamber 41. are divided one from the other, for the reason that the pressure in one chamber controls the strength with which the treble-keys are struck, while the other controls the strength with which the bass-keys are struck, and means are provided by which either may bercontrolled independently of the other.

The air-tight action-chambers 45 and 46 are divided by means of the partition 47. The chamber 45 is connected with the treble-regulating chamber 34 by way of a plurality of channels 48 48, and the action-chamber 46 is connected with the bass-regulating chamber 41 by way of the channels 49 49. Through these channels the air is exhausted from the action chambers through the regulatingchambers into the main bellows.

At 50 I have shown a well-known form of tracker-board provided with a series of fine openings 51, over which the note-sheet 52 is drawn by means of the roller 53, the note-l sheet being simultaneously unwound from the spool 54. As is well understood by those skilled in the art, this note-sheet is provided with openings corresponding with the keys to be struck, these openings registering with the channels 51 of the tracker-board. Each channel in the tracker-board is provided with a tube 55 to afford connection with the associated primary pneumatic. One of the channels 51 in the tracker-board is shown in crosssection in Fig. 2, and the tube 55,leading from the lower end of this channel, connects with a small brass tube 56, inserted at the front of the primary-pneumatic rack 57. A channel 58 leads from this brass tube 56 through the primary-pneumatic rack to a small brass tube 59, which registers with a small hole (60 of Fig. 7) which connects with the primary-pneumatic chamber6l of the primary-pneumatic block 62. As best illustrated in Fig. 4, a series of these primary-pneumatic blocks is attached to the primary pneumatic rack by means of the Means areVV These chambers g `screws 63 or other suitable connecting mernboard when the opening at the'. top of the tracker-.board is covered by the note-sheet52. Thus there is created within the primary-pneumatic chamber 61 a vacuum, or at least a partial vacuum, corresponding in pressure with that in the action-chamber 45. The stem 66 of the action-controlling valve 67 is screw-threaded into the nut 68, secured to the piston-like leather washer 69 ofthe primary pneumatic, this washer being more similar to a piston in action than in construction. The valve 67 is secured in position upon the screw-threaded stem 66 by means of small leather lock-nuts 70 71. The stem is guided in its longitudinal movements by means of a slender cross-bar 72, which, however, does not entirely close the opening 73 at the upper side of the valvechamber 74.v Theropening 75 in the lower side of the valve-chamber 74 connects with the interior of the action-chamber 45. When in its normal position, the valve 67 serves to close this opening 75, and when actuated by means of the leather washer 69 the valve-stem 66 forces the valve 67 upward against the periphery of the opening 73 at the top of the chamber 74. This action may be eX plained as follows: When an opening in the note-sheet 52 registers with the opening at the top of the channel 51 in the tracker-board, air is admitted by way of the tube 55 to the channel 58, and as the opening provided by means of the regulating-screw 65 in the channel 64 is comparatively small the air cannot be exhausted from the channel 58 to such an extent as to maintain the pressure within the channel 58 of the same low degree as in the chamber 45. There being created in this manner a greater pressure on thelower side of the washer 69 of the primary pneumatic than on the upper side, the stem 66 is forced rapidly IOO IIO

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upw-ard, carrying with it the valve 67, which produces an opening between vthe channel 76 and the chamber 45 by way of the port 75 and which causes almost simultaneously the closure of the opening between the channel 76 and the outside atmosphere by way of the port 73 at the upper side of the valve-chamber 7 4. The channel 7 6 leads through the front board 77 to the interior of an actionbellows 78, the lower board 79 of this bellows carrying the striking -lever 80, this lever swinging upon the hinge81, which serves also as the hinge for the bellows itself, and being guided at one end by means of a staple-like guide 82, fastened to the back board 77 and extending within a small slot (not shown) cut in the extremity 83 of the lever 80. 'lhe lever 8O when in its normal position rests upon a thin felt cushion 84. A strikingnger is adjustably secured to the rear end of the lever 80. 1t is these lingers 85 85, secured to the rearward ends of the levers 8O 80, which strike the keys of a piano or other instrument of like nature. The top boards of the actionbellows are secured to the mounting-boards 86 86, which extend from end to end of the piano-player.

The interior of the bellows 78 is connected normally with the atmosphere by way of the channel 76 and the port 73 in the top of the chamber 74. Vhen, however, the valve 67 is thrust suddenly upward, due to the registration of an opening in the note-sheet with the associated channel in the tracker-board, this atmospheric connection is closed and the air is suddenly withdrawn from the actionbellows 78 by way of the channel 76, the port 75, the action-chamber 45, the channels 48, the regulating-chamber 34, the channels 32, the main bellows 19, the valve 13,- the power-bellows 1Q, and thence through the escape-valve 14 to the atmosphere. r1`he suction thus created within the bellows 78 causes a sudden collapse thereof, whereupon the associated iinger 85 is caused to strike the registering' key of the piano in front of which the player is placed. Then the note-sheet again closes the opening' in the tracker-board, air is withdrawn from the channel 58 by way ot' the small passage-way 64, thus rapidly reducing the pressure in the chamber 61 below the primary pneumatic 69. The valve 67 thereupon closes the port 75 and opens the port 73, permitting the access of atmospheric pressure to the action-bellows 78, which is at once distended. The other primary pneumatics and the associated valves are mounted upon the primarypneumatic rack and the boards which form the action-rack 86 in the manner already described in connection with the mechanism shown in the full lines in the cross-section otl Fig. 2.

lt will be seen that the arrangement of the valve mechanism employed atfords an exceedingly easy means of removal for replacement or repair, 1n order to remove a primary pneumatic and its valve, it is but necessary to remove the boards 87 and 88, one or both, from the back of the action-chamber and the space behind the action-valves, whereupon the top plate 89 may be removed from the valvechamber 74, thus permitting' the stem 66 to be unscrewed from the button 68, which is glued to the leather washer 69. The valve and its stem may thus be removed through the top of the valve-chamber, while the screws 63, which retain the primary-pneumatic block 62 in place, are withdrawn to permit the removal ot' the block from its position in register with the brass tube 59.

It will be noted that each of the primary board 50.

pneumatics and its associated valve mechanism is a duplicate of each ot the others and that the primary-pneumatic blocks 62 are of identical construction, whereby these blocks may be made interchangeable, any block litting in the place occupied by any other. The arrangement shown is economical of space and permits this compact arrangement without sacrificing easy access to all ot' the movable parts. The construction, furthermore, is of the utmost simplicity and provides a player ot' low cost of manufacture. The construction of the device is preferably such that the back board 87, together with the boards 86, which constitute the valve-rack, may be bodily removed from the rack 57, to which the primary-pneumatic blocks are secured. The arrangement, furthermore, provides for air-tight chambers of exceedingly small capacity, whereby these chambers may be constructed in a simple yet efficient manner and at very low cost.' Only a comparatively few screws are required to retain the cover 88 in place upon the actionchambers 45 and 46, and but 'few screws are required to secure the valve-rack 86 and the back board 77 in place above the rack for the primary pneumatics.

In Fig. 1 there is illustrated somewhat diagrammatically at 90 a motor which causes the movement of the note-sheet across the tracker- This motor may be of the construction shown in my copending application, Serial No. 165,349, liled July7, 1903. The motor is provided with gearing (not shown) by means of which the same motor running always in the same direction may serve to rotate the roller 53 in the direction indicated by the arrow 91 when playing and also to cause the rotation of the roller 54 in the direction indicated by the dotted arrow 92 for rewinding the note-sheet upon the spool The motor 90 is operated by suction, the air being withdrawn from the motor-bellows by means of the tube 93, leading' to the motor-regulating bellows 94. This tube may be led through the case 95 in any suitable position. The interior of the motor-regulating bellows 94 is connected, by means of the channel 96, with the main bellows 19, the channel being provided at one end with the opening 97, which opens into the main bellows 19, and at the other end with two openings, the opening 98 leading' directly to the interior of the bellows 94 and the other opening' 99 being' covered by a hinged valve 100, this valve being' provided with a leather face Vfor covering the opening' 99. The top board 101 ot' the bellows 94 is provided also with a valve-cover 102, this valve being` provided with a leather face for covering the opening 98. The valve is provided with no retracting-spring and normally covers the opening 99. lVhen suction is created within theA main bellows 19, air is withdrawn from the bellows 94 by way of the opening 98 and the channel 96. The suction thus created IOO IOS

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within the4 bellows 94; causes; the movement of thebacklooard `101 againstthe enter the bellows, by way of the tube 93, leading from the motor, pressure within the bel-n v lows is .at once increased, thereby permitting thebellows 94. The result of thek construc-v `tion`is that the tension of the spring 103 can the retraction of thevalve 1 02, ,togetherwith the topfboard 101, by means of. the spring I103. l

Thisagain opens thepassage to the channel 96, whereby air may be again withdrawn from beregulated by means of the screw104, bearing upon the upset end 105 of the spring,A

whereby the pressure within the bellows 94is -regulated. 4to produce the desired degree of suction upon) the motor-bellows.

The degree of suction yor pressure within` the treble-pressure-regulating chamber 34 is or may be controlled by'an expressio.r1-bellows 106. This bellows is illustrated in.crossfsec tionin Fig. 5 and consists of a bottom board 107 secured to the found`ition-board 11,- and through -which an opening 108leads byway of a Ichannel 109 and an opening 110 to the main bellows 19. `Another opening .111, leads by i way of a channel 112 to an opening 113 in the foundation-board 11 within the ,regulatingchamber 34. The opening at this end is cov-, beingl ered by a hinged valve 114, thevalve l l provided with a retracting-spring 115. The

withdrawal Aof air from the expression-bellows i 106 tothe main bellows 19 causes the collapse of the bellows, thereby causing the top board 116 ofthe bellows to move downwardagainst the tension of the retractingspring 117, cansing the leatherfaced valve 118 to, more or less completely cover the lopening 108 leadingbyl way of thefchannel tothe 'main bellows .19. The tension of the spring 117 may be adjusted by means of the screw 119, whereby the pressure within the expression-bellows 106 mayY be regulated. By closing the valve 36which controls the openingleading directly.v to the main bellows 19, the Withdrawalol from the treble-regulating chamber 34v may be ac-K o complished only through theopening 113, the l channel 112, and the expression-bellows 106 and thence through the channelf109 to 13h@ main bellows 19. The pressure within the" treble-regulating lchamber 34 is thereforeas great as that within the expressions-bellows 106, which is materially less than within the. main bellows 19-that is to say, the degree of v suction exerted v upon the parts connected with thetreble-regulating chamber 34 is consider-` ably less when the passage of air must be acf,

complished by way of the expression-bellows 106 than -whenrit may be accomplished di-` rectly through lthe channels 32, as previously described. l When, therefore, it is desired that V the treble part'of the scale'shall be played Eof a lever whose other arm 124 normally rests.

Vportion of the scale. played more heavily, the operator depress'esthe button120, `this buttongbeing connected by way of the, stem 122 to the crank-arn1123 laboveia pin `125,projecting from the movable, end of ythe thinged valve 36. The depressionofthis button-causes the lcrank-armf124to press upon the pin 125,l thereby 'maintainingY the valve 36, in a closed conditionand preventingthe egress of air from thetreble-regw.` lating chamber 34 to the main'bellows .19 by way of the channels32., The withdrawal -ofi air fromthey treble: regulating chamber 34 must be accom plished,-therefore,only by way ofz the .expression-bellows 106. lA similar ex-l pression-bellows 126 is provided for the bass portion of. theaction. .Thisl bellows is con.- nected with the main bellows by way of a chan-` nel [127, connecting the openings 128 and 129, respectively placed Within the expressionl bellows 126 and the main bellows 1-9. Another f opening 130 connects witha channel 131,which leadsto an. opening 132 within the bass-regulating chamber l31, the opening 132 being covered bya valve 133, provided with a retractf` ing-spring 134, v,When it is desired to decrease the strength ofmovement of the action-bellowsy which controlsthengersactuating the keys'in the bass portion of the scale, the button'134 is depressed, this button being connected by way of thestein 135 with thecrank-arm 136 of the lever,whose shorter crank-arm 137 rests above the pin 138projecting from the movable end'- of the-valve. 42. Adepression ofA this button closesj` the valve 42', in the manner which will be understood by those skilled, in the art, thereby preventing the passage olair from the chamber41 to the main bellows-19-by wayofthe channels 38. and causing the passage.: of. airto .the main bellows 19 only by way of the opening. 132 `the channel 131, the opening 1 30, the expression-bellows 12.6, and the IOO channel 12,7leading to the. main bellows.

The construction of the expression-bellows justment of theretracting-spring associated withthe expression-bellows 126. The speed orrtempo with which the nQte-sheetis moved acrossthe topof the tracker-board `is controlled ,by meansofa lever 139which is connected,by means ofthe rod 140 and the lever` 141, with a throttle-valve in the suction-pipe 93, leadingto the motor.

As is Well understood by those sliilled of this character to rewind the note-sheet upon the spool 54 after having been passed over the tracker-board in playing the music for which the note-sheet is adapted. IVithin the case which contains the motor 90 there is clutch mechanism controlled by the lever 142. This lever is connected, by means of the rod 143, with the manual or controlling lever 144.

y A movement of this lever to its right-hand position connects the Inotor 90 with the rollers in such a way that the roller 53 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow 91, this being the direction of rotation during which the music is played. The lever 144 is connected, by means of the rod 145, the bellcrank lever 146, and the rod 147, with the crank-arm 148 of a rock-shaft 149, this shaft being' provided with the cranks 150, 151, 152, 153, and 154. A depression of the crank-arm 148, due to the movement of the lever 144 to its left-hand position, causes a downward movement of all of the cranks associated with the rock-shaft 149, the crank 150 engaging the pin 155 of the valve 133, the crank 151 engaging and depressing' the pin 138 of the valve 42, the crank-arm 152 depressing the pin 125, and thus its associated valve 136, and the crank 153 depressing the valve 114 by means of its pin 156. The closure of all of these valves prevents the withdrawal of air from the regulating- chambers 34 and 41, and this prevents the operation of the pneumatics and action as has heretofore been described. At the same time the depressed crank 154 engages acrank 157, connected by way of the shaft 158 with the crank 159. The depression of the crank 157 causes a corresponding upward movement of the crank 159, this crank engaging the lower side of the pin 160 of the valve 100, thereby opening this valve and permitting Vthe free passage of air from the pipe 93 to the main bellows 19 without the intervention of the control afforded by means of the motorregulating bellows shown in Fig. 6.

The strength with which the keys are struck may be controlled to a certain degree by means of the lever 144. A movement of this lever to the left limits the degree to which the valves in the regulating-chambers maybe opened by their retracting-springs. When the lever 144 is moved to its extreme left-hand position, the valve 100 in the motor-controlling bellows is opened; but a considerable closure of all of the valves through which air is exhausted from the regulating-chambers may be effected by means of the rotation of the regulating-shaft 149 before the valve 10() of the motor-controlling bellows is opened-that is, the cranks with which the shaft 149 is provided depress the pins they engage to a considerable degree before a crank 154 is brought into engagement with the crank 157.

In F ig. 4 the tops of the action-valves are shown, the action-valve rack being broken away at the center of the figure to show the primary pneumatics and lthe screws for regulating the speed of the action.

As will be well understood by those skilled in the art, the automatic piano-player of my invention may be provided with such other equipment as is common to instruments of vthis class-sucia for instance, as manually-controlled mechanism for operating the pedals of a piano. Furthermore, the construction and mode of operation of the expression-bellows may be modified as desired without departing 'from the spirit of my invention. In fact, I have herein shown but a preferred embodiment of my invention, many modifications of which may be employed without departing from the spirit of my invention. I do not wish, therefore, to limit myself to the precise construction herein set forth; but,

IIaving described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Pat-entw 1. In an automatic piano-player, the combination with a pluralityof action-bellows, each controlling a key-actuating lever, of an actionvalve for controlling the actuation of each action-bellows, and a primary pneumatic associated with each action valve, said actionvalves and the associated primary pneumatics being arranged in horizontally and vertically staggered rows.

2. In an automatic piano-player, the combination with a plurality of action-bellows, of an action-valve for controlling the actuation of each action-bellows, and a primary pneumatic associated with each action-valve, said actionvalves being arranged in horizontally and vcrtically staggered rows.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination with a plurality of action-bellows each controlling the actuation of a key of the instrument to be played, of an action-valve for controlling the actuation of each action-bellows, and a primary pneumatic associated with each action-valve, said primary pneumatics being arranged in vertically and horizontally staggered rows.

4. In an automatic piano-player, the combination with a plurality of action-valves, of a plurality of primary pneumatics, one for each action-valve, a plurality of primary-pneumatic blocks upon each of which one of said primary pneumatics is mounted, and a primarypneumatic rack to which said blocks are attachedand from which any one block may be removed without the removal of any other block.

5. In a device ofthe class described, the combination with a plurality of action-valves, of a primary pneumatic for controlling each valve, a primary-pneumatic block upon which each primary pneumatic is mounted, a primarypneumatic rack having a plurality of steps, and a row of priinary-pneumatic blocks mounted upon each step of said rack.

6. In a device of the class described, the com- IOO IIC

'bina'tion with a plurality of yaction-valves,of a primary pneumatic for controlling each valve, a primary-pneumatic block vupon which each primary pneumatic is'mounted, a primarypneumatic rack having a plurality of steps, and a ro'woi` primar y-pneumatic blocksmounted upon each step of said rack, the primarypneumatic blocks on one step of the rack being offset with -respect to the primary-pneumatic blocks on another step of the rack.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination with a plurality of action-valves, of a primary pneumatic for'controlling each valve, a primary-pneumatic block upon which each primary pneumatic is mounted, a primarypneumatic -rack having a plurality of steps, fa row of -primarypneumatic blocks mounted upon each step of said rack, the primary-pneumatic blocks on one step of the rack being offset with respect to the primary-pneumatic blocks on anotherstep'of the rack,and a-channel leading through said rack to the said primary pneumatics.

A8. Ina device oftheclass described, the-combination with a primary-pneumatic rack havinga pluralityof steps, of an .action-chamber ot' `which said steps form one wall, a plurality of primary-pneumatic blocks upon each of which is mounted a primary pneumatic, a row o'f said blocks being mounted upon each of the steps of said rack, and a plurality of offset channels 'formed in said rack and each registering Iwith an opening in one-of said primarypneumatic blocks.

9. In an automatic piano-player, lthe'combination with a plurality ot' action-bellows, of a vertical front boa-rd, a stepped rack ladjacent to said front board, an action-valve for each action-bellows mounted upon said rack, there being channels formed in said rack and said front board, one leading from each actionvalve to "the associated action bellows, a stepped primary-pneumatic rack, and a plurality of primary pneumatics each mounted upon a primary-pneumatic block, a row of blocks being secured to each step yof the primary-pneumatic rack and each havin-gan opening registering with a channel -in said rack, said channels bein gconnected with the trackerboard.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination with a plurality of action-bellows, of a vertical front board, a stepped rack adjacent to said front board, and lan actionvalve for each action-bellows mounted upon the rack, there being channels formed in said rack and said front board, one leading from each action-valve to the associated action-belows.

1l.' In an automatic piano-player, the combination with a tracker-board, of a stepped primary-pneumatic rack, a plurality of primary pneumatics, each mounted upon aprimary-pneumatic block, a row of blocks being securedto each step of the rack and each having an opening registering with 'a channel in l said rack, a tube extending 'from the terminal of each of said channels t-o an opening in the tracker 'board, and a regulating-screw for each of fsaid primary -pneurmatics` theheads of the regulating-screws being interposed between said tubes.

1'2. Ina device of the class described, the combination with a lstepped primary-pneumatic rack, `oi' a plurality of primary pneumatics, each mounted upon a primary-pneumatic block, la row of said 'blocks being secured to each step of the rack, an action-chamber of which said rack forms a wall in'closing said primary pneu matics andtheir blocks, and suitable channels leading through lthe stepped rack -by means of `which air may be withdrawn from the action-chamber. f

13. In an automatic piano-player, the combination with fa stepped primary-pneumatic rack, of a plurality of -primary pneumatics, each mounted upon a primarypneumatic block, :a lrow voi blocks being secured to each step yof the rack and each Ihaving an `opening registering with a :channel :in said rack, said channels being `connected with the trackerboard, an action-'chamber .in which said primary pneumatics are located, and suitable channels leading through said .stepped rack by means of which the air may be withdrawn from said chamber, these latter ychannels being offset with respect 'to the fchannels connected with the tracker-board.

14. In ran automatic piano-playenthecombifnation lwith a stepped primary-pneumatic rack, `of a plurality of primary vrpneumaties, each mounted `upon a primary-pneumatic block, each primary pneumatic 'and its block being identical with all others, .a row fof said blocks being secured 'to each step of the rack and each having an opening registering with a channel in said rack, said ,channels being connected with the tracker-board, and ran action-chamber inclosing said primary pneumatics, said chamber havinga removable rear wall aiording access to all said .prima-ry pneumatics and their blocks.

l5. In an automatic piano-player, the combination with amain bellows, of aregulatingchamber, a channel leading from the main bellows to the regulating-chamber, avalve for throttli'ng the opening in said channel, a spring tending 'to maintain said valve in an open condition, lever vmechanism to limit the degree to which 'said lspring may open said valve, andy additional means to close said valve.

16. In combination with a main bellows, a treble-regulating chamber, a bass-regulating chamber., a channel 'leading from .the main bellows to each of said regulating-chambers, a valve for each of said channels for throt- -tling the opening therein, :springs tending to maintain said valves in an open condition, lever mechanism adapted to limit correspond.- ingly the degree to which said springs may IOO IIO

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open said valves, and additional mechanism associated with each valve by means of which either may be closed without aeeting the other.

17. In a device of the class described, the combination with a main bellows, of a regulating-chamber, a channel leading' from the main bellows to the regulating-chamber, a valve for throttling the opening in said channel, a spring tending' to maintain said valve in an open condition, means to limit the degree to which said spring may open said valve, additional mechanism to close said valve, a second passage-way leading from said main bellows ,to said regulating-chamber, and expression-regulating mechanism included in said second passage-way.

18. In an automatic piano-player, the combination with a main bellows, of a treble-reg'- ulating chamber, a bass-regulating chamber, a channel leading' from each regulating-chainber to the main bellows, a valve for each of said channels vfor throttling the opening therein, a spring' tendingto maintain each valve in an open condition.I a treble-expression bellows and abass-eXpression bellows, adjustable distending spring mechanism associated with each expression-bellows, a channel leading from each expression-bellows tothe main bellows, a channel leading from the treble-regulating chamber to the treble-expression bellows, a channel leading from the bass-regulating chamber to the bass-expression bellows, a valve associated with each channel leading from an expression-bellows to a regulating'- ehamber, said valve serving' to regulate the openings in their associated channels, means 'for correspondingly regulating all of said valves, means 'for independently controlling the valve associated with the channel leading from the treble-regulating chamber to the main bellows, and means for independently controlling the valve associated with the channel leading' from thebass-regulating chamber to the main bellows.

19. In an automatic piano-player, the combination with a foundation-board, of a main bellows mounted thereon, a treble-regulating chamber and a bass regulating' chamber mounted on said 'foumlation-board, a channel leading from each of said regulating-chambers through the foundation-boardv to said main bellows, mechanism for throttling the opening' in each of said channels, a second passage-way leading from each of said regulating-chambers to said main bellows, and ex- .pression-regulating' means included in each of said second passage-ways.

20. In an automatic piano-player, the combination with motor means for driving' and rewinding a suitable note-sheet, of a main bellows, an action-chamber, there beingsuitable channels leading' from said action-chamber to said main bellows, valves for closing said channels, a motor-regulating bellows having a channel leading to said main bellows, said channel having' two openings into said motorregulating bellows, an automatic regulatingvalve for one opening', and a manually-controlled valve for the other opening, and mechanism for simultaneously closing all of the iirst said valves and opening the manuallycontrolled valve.

21. In an automatic iiiano-player, the combination with motor means for driving and rewinding a suitable note-sheet, of a main bellows, action-chambers, main channels leading' from said main bellows, one directly to each action-chamber, valves for closing said main channels, a motor-regulating bellows having a channel leading to said main bellows, said channels having' two openings into said motorregulating bellows, an automatic regulatingvalve for one opening and a manually-operative valve Jfor the other opening, means for independently closing any one of the main-channel valves, an actuating-lever, and mechanism associated with said lever for simultaneously closing all of the main-channel valves and at the same time opening the manually --controlled valve for one of the openings to said motor-regulating bellows.

Q2. In an automatic piano-player, the combination with motor means for driving and rewinding a suitable note-sheet, of a 'foundationboard, amain bellows mounted en said foundation-board, a motor-regulatingbellows mounted on said foundation-board,there beingachannel having an opening into said main bellows and two openings into said motor-regulating bellows, a normally closed valve for one of said openings into the motor-regulating bellows, and a valve for the other opening carried by the backboard of the bellows, adjustable spring mechanism tending' to maintain the motor-regulating bellows in an open condition, action-chambers, main channels leading' `from said main bellows one to each actionchamber, valves for closing said main channels, means for independently closing any one of said main-channel valves, and mechanism for simultaneous] closing all of the valves in said channels at the same time opening the normally closed valve associated with the seeond opening to said reg'ulating-bellows.

Q3. In an automatic piano-player, the combination with motor means for d riving and rewinding a suitable note-sheet, of a main bellows, a passage-way connecting the main bellows with said motor means, a regulating-bellows for automatically throttling the opening through said passage-way, and n'ianually-controlled means for throwing said regulatingbellows out of commission, thereby permitting the free passage of air from said motor means to said motor-bellows.

21. In a device of the class described, the combination with a plurality of action-valves, of a primary pneumatic for controlling each valve, a primary-pneumatic block upon which IOO IIO

each primary pneumatic is mounted, a primary-pneumatic rack havlng a' plurality of steps, a row of primary-pneumatic blocks mounted side by side upon each step of saidraclr, the primary-pneumatic'blocks on one step of the rack being offset with respect to the pneumatic blocksvon another step of the mary is mounted, said blocks being grouped in horizontal rows disposed above and behind each other whereby each block may be independently removed; 26. In a device of the class described, th combination with a plurality of action-valves grouped in horizontal rows disposed above and behind each other, of a primary pneumatic for controlling each valve, a primary-L pneumatic block for each primary pneumatic, said blocks being also grouped in horizontal rows disposed above and behindeach other whereby corresponding valves and primary pneumatics are disposed one below another.

27. In a device of the class described, the combination with a main bellows, of` a regulating-chamber, a main channel leading from the main bellows to the regulating-chamber, a

valve for controlling the passage of air throughY saidl main channel, an auxiliary passage-way from vsaidV main bellows to the regulatingchamber, an expression-bellows interposed in said auxiliary passage-way, a valve-opening in the base of said expression-bellows, a valve secured to the movable wall of said bellows tending upon collapse of bellows to throttle said opening whereby to throttle the passage of air through said bellows, a spring 117 se- -cured to the rear wall of the bellows and to the movable wall thereof for resisting said throttling action, and a screw 119 for adjusting the resisting strength of said spring.

28. In a device of the class described, the combination withva main bellows, of a regulating-chamber, a main channel leading from the main bellows to the regulating-chamber, a normally open valve in said mainl channel, an auxiliary passage-wayleading from said main bellows to said regulating-chamber, a normally open valve-at the outlet of said auxiliary passage-way into said regulating-chamber, an expression-bellows interposed in said auxiliary passage-way, means upon passage of air through said expression-bellows tending to throttle the passage of air therethrough, adjustable means for resisting said throttling action, means for independently closing the valve in said main channel whereby all the air iary channel.

29. In a device of the class described, the

combinationwith treble and bass-regulating chambers, of amain bellows for exhaustingair from said regulating-chambers, main passage-wayslleading from said main bellows to each of sald regulatlng-chambers, normally openvalves at the outlets of said mainl channels, an auxiliary passage-way from said mainbellows to each of said regulating-chambers, normally open valves at the outletsof said pression-bellows tending to throttle the pas- =sage of air therethrough, means associated with each Vexpressionbellows for lessening said throttling action and for controlling the idegree of throttling, means for independently 1closing either of the main channels vwhereby all the air passes through the expressionbellows, and means for simultaneously'closing Iall the valves in the main channel and the valves at the outlets of the auxiliary passageways.-

30. In a device of the class described, the combination with a main bellows, of a regulating-chamber, a main channel leading from said bellows to said'regulating-chamber, a normally open valve in said channel, a motor as- .sociated with' said device, a motor-controlling bellows connectedwith said motor and with Asaid main bellows, a normally closed valve in ysaid motor-controlling bellows, and means for simultaneously closing the valves in said main channel and opening said valve in the motorcontrolling bellows.

31. In a device of the class described, the combination with a main bellows, of a regulating-chamber, a main channel leading from the main bellows. to the regulating-chamber,

ya normally open valve for controlling the passage of air through said main channel, a motor associated with said device, a motor-controlling bellows connected with said motor, a passage-way connecting said motor-controlling bellows with saidmain bellows, said passage-way having two outlets into said motorcontrolling bellows, a normally closed valve over one of said outlets, means upon passageofair through said motor-bellows tending to throttle the other opening of said passage-way, means for preventing complete closure of said. other opening, additional-adjustable means for controlling the degree of throttling and means for closing the valve in said main channel and for opening the normally closed valve in the motor-controlling bellows whereby air may pass unimpeded from said motor .to said main actuating-bellows.

32. In a device of the class described, the

lffrom said regulating-chamber passes through the expression-bellows, and means for simulytaneously closing said valve-in the main chan- 'nel and said valve at the outlet of the auxil- IIO I ISL combination with a driving-motor, of a main actuating-bellows, a motor-controlling bellows connected with said motor, a channel connecting said controllingbellows with said main bellows, said channel having two outlets into said controlling' bellows, a normally closed valve over one of said openings, a second valve tending upon collapse of said controlling-bellows to close the second opening', spring' means 103 connected with the movable part of said controlling-bellows for controlling' the deg'ree of throttling, and means for opening said normally closed valve whereby unimpeded passage of air is permitted from said motor and through said controlling-bellows to the main bellows to cause increased speed of the motor.

33. In a device of the class described, the combination with a main bellows, of a treble and a bass regulating chamber, main passageways connecting said main bellows with said regulating-chambers, valves for said passageways normally held open by spring mechanism, an auxiliary passage-way from said main bellows to each regulating-chainber, a Valve at the outlet of each auxiliary passage-way into the corresponding regulating-chamber, spring means tending normally to hold said valves in open condition, an expression-bellows interposed in each auxiliary passage-way, a motor associated with said device, a motor-controlling bellows connected with said motor and with said main bellows, a normally closed valve in said motor-controlling bellows, an actuating arm extending' from each of said valves, an independent crank-arm mechanism connected with each valve controlling the main channels connecting the regulating-chambers with the main bellows whereby said passageways may be independently controlled, and a common crank-arm mechanism for all said valves, actuation of said crank-arm causing closure of the valves controlling the passage of air into said regulating-chambers and causing opening of the valve in the motor-controlling bellows.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 24th day of May, A. D. 1904.

AXEL F. LARSON. Vitnesses:

LYNN A. VILLIAMs, JOHN STAI-in.

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