US959032A - Electrical self-playing attachment for pianos. - Google Patents

Description

I. B. SMITH. y ELECTRICAL SELF PLAYING'ATTAGHMBNT FOB PITOS.

Prmcnroxir Hrm nu 19. 1905.

Patented May 24, 1910.

i mam-slum 1.

ff/y

' q/Vstjwous I. B. SMITH.

ELECTRICAL SELF PLAYING ATTACHMENT POR PIANOS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY-19, 1905.

noudoz Patented May 24, 1910.

a sums-snm* 2.

I. B. SMITH. CTRIGAL SELF PLAYNG ATTACHMENT FOR PANQS.

ELE

APLIOATIDN FILED HAY 19, 1905.

Patented May 24, 1910.

5 SHEETS-SHBET 3.

man:

. u@ @E;mmm:mQ

\w may witness@ Ammxw a Gamm co. PNOTALHNOGRAP I. B. SMTH. ELBGTRISAL SELT PLAYING ATTACHMENT TON PIANOS.

' APPLIoATIoN Hmm MAY 19, 1905.

l Patllted May 24, 1910. 5 sHnnTs-snmzfr 4.

3 rwudoz.

witness Y Stimm,

I. B SMITH. ELEGTRIGAL SELF PLAYING ATTACHMENT FOR PIANOS APPLICATION FILEDv MAY 19, 1905.

959,082. Patented May 24, 1910.

5 SHEETS--SHBET 5.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

IRVING B. SMITH, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE AS- SIGNMENTS, TO ELECTRELLE CORPORATION 0F PENNSYLVANIA.

COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A

ELECTRICAL SELF-PLAYING ATTACHMENT FOR PIANOS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 24, 1910.

Application filed May 19, 1905. Serial No. 261,121.

To all whom Lt 'may concern:

Be it known that I, IRVING B. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Electrical Self-Playing Attachments for Pianos, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in self-playing attachments for pianos, of the type wherein the actuating mechanism for the sound producing devices is controlled by a perforated music sheet or web.

The improvements now sought to be protected relate more particularly to actuating.

mechanism of the well known shoe and roller type. Heretofore and prior to my invention, it has been the practice to locate this actuating mechanism in the lower part of the piano case; or, more properly speaking, below the key-board. This arrangement has always given more or less trouble and is open to many objections which preclude that nicety and delicacy of operation essential to a highly perfected mechanism, chief among which may be noted the fact that considerable cutting of the piano frame and case is necessary, and adjustment of the various parts is not only very diicult, but, in some cases, impossible, unless the piano is taken to the factory and jacked. Moreover, in prior electrical self-playing attachments for pianos, the electrical appliances have been arranged in the lower part of the piano casing below the keyboard, and in such prior arrangements a load is imposed upon the electro-mechanical devices which is more than they can take care of, and at the same time take care of in that instantaneous manner which is essential to a perfect instrument.

By the present invention a new arrangement and a new location of the electro-mechanical actuating mechanisms are provided; these are the result of long study and experiment to find out just what was the difficulty with instruments in which the electro-mechanical devices were arranged beneath the piano keyboard, and to find a way to remedy the difficulty. This problem, in its broadest sense, has been completely solved by arranging and locating the electro-mechanical devices in the upper as contradistinguished from the lower portion of the piano casing, and so arranged that the load, or the work which the electro-magnets and associated mechanisms have to do, is reduced to a minimum, and the instrument thus responds quickly, certainly, and with all the delicacy and force which the operator desires to put into it.

It is one purpose of this invention, therefore, to overcome the above noted objections, and this is accomplished by mounting the entire electrically controlled actuating mechanism in the upper part of the piano case and preferably above and clear of the hammer action of the instrument in such manner that all parts may be exposed to view and readily gotten at for purposes of adjustment and repair, access being gained thereto by simply removing the upper front board of the piano.

A further and important feature of the invention resides in the provision of pullrods, tapes or cords, for operating the sound-producing devices, (in the present instance, the piano hammers) said pull-devices each having a detachable connection with a part of each hammer action, a certain amount of free or lost motion being provided in each connection whereby the' hammers may be actuated directly from the manual keys without operating or affecting the pull-devices, or may be operated through the medium of the pull-devices without operating or affecting the manual keys.

Another object of the invention resides in the peculiar manner of mounting the friction shoes and in the devices associated therewith for effecting, in an easy and quick manner, the various necessary adjustments of the several parts.

A still further purpose of the invention is to provide a novel construction of expression operating means that is so combined with the actuating mechanism as to provide what may be termed a complete self-contained attachment.

A further purpose of the invention resides in a novel construction of shaft or roller with which the friction shoes coperate and by which said shoes are actuated; the novelty residing in so constructing the shaft or roller that the shoes will be actuatedwith ai The invention has in view other more or` less important features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts, all as will more fully hereinafter appear.

In the annexed drawings forming a part of this specification-Figure l is a vertical sectional view of the upper part, of a piano showing my improved playing attachmentapplied'thereto. Fig. 2`is anenlarged sectional view of the actuating mechanism for the sound-producing devices. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of one ofthe saddle mount ings for the shoes and the adjusting-means therefor. Fig. 3a is a detail perspective of one of the armatures. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view shovvingthe manner ofrmounting the armatures. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectionalview of one form of clamp for the hammer action. Fig. G is a transverse sectional view of the same.A Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of a screw lock. Fig. S is a detail perspective view ofone end of the magnet rail, the view also showing the attaching bracket for supporting the entire actuating mechanism. Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the expression mechanism. Fig.- 10 is a detail perspective view of a part of the expression actuating mechanism. Figs. 11 to 15, inclusive, indicate, conventionally, some of the lpositions assumed by the piano hammers in obtaining various musical'expressions. Fig. 16 isa sectional view of the lower end of one of the pull-rods. Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a slightly modified form of pull-rod and attaching clamp, the latter being shown as attached to the wippen. F ig. 18 isa perspective. view showing one manner of attaching the playing mechanism to a piano. Fig. 19- is a plan view of one form of shaft or roller for actuating the friction shoes. Fig. 20 is a slightlyvmodiied form of shaft or roller. Fig. 21 sho-ws another form of connection between the shoes and hammer action. Fig. 22 is a detail perspective view of the clip shown in Fig. 21. Fig'. 23 shows one manner of employing a flexible connection betweenthe shoes and hammer actions. Fig. 24 is a detail perspective view of the tape-attaching plate. Fig. 25 is a view in part similar to Fig. 2, showing the position of the parts when the magnet is energized.

Before proceeding with the detailed description of the improvements sought to be covered herein, I will recitein a brief-manner the general operation of a. self-playing attachment constructed in accordance with the present invention.

A. rotary drum or shaft is provided and asuitable motor employed to drive the same at a-constant and rapid speed. A plurality of friction shoes (one for each key of the piano) are arranged adjacent to, but normally held outv of Contact With the drum or shaft, the shoes being suitably connected to the armatures of electro-magnets. A pull device is attached at one end to each shoe and at its other end said device has a detachable connection with a part of the hammer-action of the piano. A note-selecting deviceis employed tocontrolzthe operation ofthe playing' mechanism, saidnote selecting' deviceusually` consisting of a, contact bar or roll and a.pluralityof selector iingers, one for each of the before-mentioned electro-magnets. A perforated sheet or web is caused te travel between the contact roll and selector fingers, and whenever one or more of the latter enter the perforations in the sheet or web andmake contact with the said roll the corresponding electro-magnets with which the selector lingers are in circuit, are energized, thus attracting their armaturesand moving the shoes into frictionalcontact with the continuously rotating shaft or roll. These contacting shoes are thusthrustforward imparting a quick or sudden upward pull upon the pull-devices which, owing to their connection with the several hammer actions cause the hammer to strike the stringsof the piano in the same manner as when the piano is being played manually.

As the note selecting' device forms no part of the present invention and as such devices are common and well known in the art, I do not deem it necessary'to either show or more specifically describe the same herein.

Referring first to the piano proper, A desig nates the top of the case; B the front board; C the fall board; D the key base; E the manual keys pivoted at F, and provided at their rear ends with the ordinary capstan screws G. a designates one of the piano strings; the timing pegs; c the hammer head; el the hammer shank; e the rest rail, f the butt; f/ the counter check; 7L the back-check, z' the jack; j the pivot upon which the hammer butt rotates, 71: the pivot upon which the jack rotates; Z the jack portion that engages with the knock-out stop to release the jack from the butt; and m the rail for supporting the said stop. a is the wippen pivoted at 0,' y) the` extension pivoted to the wippen; q the extension guide pivoted at r; and s the feltcd end of theA extension which rests upon the capstan screw Gr carried by the rear end of the manual key E.

The reference numeral. 1 designates a magnet rail, which supports substantially the entire attachment. This rail is of angle iron and as shown in Figs. 8, 16 and 18, is adjustably and detachably connected by means of two or more angle brackets 2, to the stationery part 3 of the piano frame. Each bracket is provided at its free end with a slot 4L, through which a screw entering the magnet rail is passed. By means of the slots 1 the rail may be adjusted vertically as will be apparent.

An important feature of this construction resides in the fact that the attachment may be placed in position in the piano and attached without in any way injuring or cut ting the tin plate or other part of the piano, which, practice has demonstrated, should not be interfered with. The only holes that are necessary, are for the wood screws 5, which pass through the brackets into the bolster and these in no way weaken the more delicate parts of the piano frame.

Journaled in suitable bracket bearings G, suspended from the angle bar or rail 1, is a roll or shaft 7, to be more specifically referred to hereinafter, said roll or shaft being driven in any suitable manner, as by gears 8 and 9, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8, said gears deriving their motion from a motor, not shown.

Supported on the substantially horizontal member of the magnet rail 1, is a plurality of electro-magnets, said magnets being in circuit with a suitable source of E. M. F., each magnet consisting of two iron cores having reduced ends, which are inserted in suitable holes in the said rail, the said ends being then swaged over to hold the cores securely in place. On each pair or cores are wound the wire coils 10, 11, which are in series, by connecting together their inner ends as at 12. The outer ends of the coils 11 are attached to lead wires 13, going to the selector fingers of the note-selecting device (not. shown), while the outer ends of the coils 10 are attached to a common lead wire 14 going to one battery terminal after passing through a suitable line switch (not shown).

The reference numeral 15 designates an armature for the electro-magnets, said armatures being each mounted upon a flat blade spring 16, the outer end of each spring being seated in a cross slot or recess 17, in the rail 18, secured by means of screws 19 to the upright member of the magnet rail 1, all as more clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 4. After being seated in the said cross slots or recesses in the rail 13, the springs are secured by means of screws 20. By this construction the springs are prevented from turning or twisting by reason of the walls of the cross slots or recesses lying close to the edges of the springs 16. A threaded stud 21 is tapped in the outer end of each armature 15, and each stud has a socket 22 in its upper end in which is fitted the stem 23 of a disk 2/1- as shown in Figs. 2 and 3,

said disk serving to abut against a capstan head 42, presently to be described in order to limit the upward movement of the armature and the shoe suspended therefrom.

Two capstan nuts 25 are mounted upon each threaded stud 21 and between each two nuts is mounted the base port-ion 2G of a U-shaped saddlep27, the said base portion being` provided with an aperture through which the threaded stud 21 is passed. A friction shoe 28 is suspended between the depending legs of each saddle, connection between the shoes and saddle being effected by means of pins 29, covered with felt 30, to prevent noise, all as more clearly shown in Fig. 3. The shoes 2S are preferably made of wood, such as maple, and are formed of two pieces mortised together at 31, so as to have the grain of the wood in the direction of length of each piece. Each shoe has its sole faced with cork 32, or other suitable friction material. As will be seen by referring to Fig. 2 of the drawing, the friction shoes are suspended above and normally held out of contact with the roll or shaft 7, but they will be brought into contact therewith whenever the electro-magnets are energized, as before referred to.

It is very important and necessary that some means be provided for accurately adjusting the position of the friction shoes relatively to the roll or shaft 7, and also for adjusting the armature relatively to the magnet poles, and to effect these adjust-ments I have provided the following means: The reference numeral 33 designates a T-bar arranged above and parallel with the line of armatures 15, said T-bar being attached to two or more bracket arms 311, the latter in turn being attached to the magnet rail 1, as shown in Fig. 2. A plurality of "thumb screws 35 (one for each armature) are tapped in the T-bar 33, the free end of each screw being provided with an opening through which one end of a coil spring 36 is passed, the other end of said spring being bent laterally as shown, and passing loosely through an aperture in a metal clip 37 attached to the upper face of the armature. Each thumb screw 35 has a milled head 3S and a spring lug 39, shown in detail in Fig. 7, and in operative position in Fig. 2, is caused to bear the same in the position to which the screw is adjusted. By this means it will be seen that the position of the armatures relative to their magnet cores may be always maintained in proper position, notwithstanding the condition of the blade springs 16, upon which the armatures are mounted, which springs have a tendency to weaken through wear. By reason of the fact that the lower end of the coiled spring 36 is bent laterally and extended loosely through the opening in the clip 37, it will be seen that said spring against the periphery of the head 38 to hold will be rotated freely when the thunib screw 35 is adjusted, and such rotation will not, tlier'efore, place the coiled spring under' torsional strain. Located in front of each thumb screw 35, is a screw stud 40, said studs being held against trir'ning by means of a nut 4l. These screw studs extend through the T-bar andrupon each is a capstan head 42 faced with felt, as shown. These capstan heads lie directly above the disks 24 cai'r'ied by the scr'ew studs 2l, and form stops oi' abutineiits tliei'efor, which limit the upward movement of the armatures. By this means it will be apparent that by proper' adjustments of the various capstan heads, and screw studs, the position and movement of the friction shoes relatively to the shaft or roll, and also the position of the armatures relatively to the magnet cores, may be quickly and effectively adjusted.

An adjustable stop rail is )rovided for the friction shoes, said stop rail1 consisting of a bar 43 which is attached to the underside of the magnet rail l, by means of screws 44, passing through elongated slots 45 in the said bar 43. By this means the stop rail may be adjusted towar'd and from tlie friction shoes 2S. The front face of the bar 43 is provided with a felt strip or' cushion 46, againstr which the shoes normally rest, this construction being provided to prevent noise.

I will now proceed to describe the connection between the friction shoes and hammer action, it being understood that such connection according to the present invention is made by means of a prill rod, cord or tape attached directly to the shoe and to a part of the action itself. I will first describe the construction illustrated in Figs. l, 2, 5 and 6, in which the reference numeral 47 designates a` pull rod having a hook 4S at its upper end, which rides over' a transverse pin 49, carried by a channeled portion 50 of the friction shoe 28. The pin 49 has a covering 5l of felt, or the hook 48 may be so covered to prevent noise in operation. The lower end of the pull rod 47 has a connection with the extension p of the hammer action, by means of a sheet` metal clamp 52, which embraces said extension, said clamp having outwardly extending arms 53, pi'ovided with two or more opening's for a prrr'- pose presently to be made apparent. A thin steel strip 54, preferably has its ends tiir'iied forward over a block 56, so that the pai'ts will be held together, and the said strip 54 is provided with penetrating points or prongs 57, which, when the said parts 54 and 55 ai'e placed in position and in facial contact with the extension p of the hammer' action, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, and secured by means of the screws 58, the said clamp will be firmly attached to the eXtension 7 2. An ai'in 59, provided with a plurality of openings 60, and a twisted end 6'1, as-shown in Figs. l and 1G has its rear' end located between the two arms 53 of the clamp 52, and these parts ai'e connected together by means of two screws 62. The arm 59 is provided with a` plurality of openings G0, along its length, so that a portion of the arm may be cut off when desired to shorten the saine, and thus adapt it for use in connection with various makes of hammer actions. The twisted eird Gl of the arm 59, is provided with an aperture through which the lower threaded end of the prill r'od freely passes, making what I term a lostinotioii connection between the rod and arm, as inor'e clearly shown in Fig. 1G, and over' the said threaded end 63 of the rod is snugly fitted a brassor rubber sleeve G4. Two nuts 65, separated from end (5l, of arm 59, by means of felt washer' (55', ai'e screwed upon the lower' end of the pull i'od 47', and serve to adjust the operative length of said i'od. The sleeve (34 serves to cover the threads on the end of the pull i'od where the latter' passes through the aperture in the twisted end of the arm (3l, so that the threads will not cause the extension to bind when the piano key E is thrust upward in manual playing. In the latter case therefore, it will be seenthat the striker r'ods ai'e not moved or actuated when the piano is played manually, and this I consider one of the salient features of the present invention.

In some cases it may be preferable to attach the pull rods to seine other part of the hammer action and I have therefore shown in Fig. 17 a modified form of pull r'od and clamp. In this instance, the pull r'od GG has its upper end threaded at 67, and the hook 68 for the friction shoe is formed of two pai'ts 69, riveted together' at 70, the rearends of the par'ts (39 being shaped to provide a threaded opening with which the threaded end (S7 of the pull rod engages. A screw 7l, passing through the two parts G9 of the hook serves to cause them to exert a clamping action on the threaded portion of the pull rod so that the hook may be firmly locked to the rod when once properly adjusted. Adjustments may be easily made by simply loosening screw 7l, and turning the pull r'od after which the screw is again tightened.

The pull rod 66 has a head 72 on its lower end, upon the upper' face of which is placed a felt washer' 73, and the said rod also has on its lower' end a rubber sleeve 74, for a purpose presently to appear'. In the construction shown in Fig'. 17, I employ a very light but stift U-shaped clip 75, which is attached directly to the wippen 'a of the hammer action, or this same clip may be so modified in an obvioris manner as to be adapted foi' attachment to the extension 7) of the action. The clip 75 is provided with an otl'standing arm 7G, having an open slot 77, through which the pull rod may freely pa. s, the head 1 through the medium of a on the end of the pull rod being arranged to impinge the underside of the arm to actuate the hammer' action Whenever the said rod is pulled upward through the movement of its friction shoe. The clip 75 is provided with a sharp point or edge 78, to embed in the underside of the wippen and a screw 79 is employed to otherwise hold the clip in place and against movement. By this construction it will be seen in manual playing as the wippen rises and carries the clip 7 5 with it, perfect freedom of motion is permitted because of the loose connection between the pull rod and the open slot 77 in the oifstanding arm 76. Then it is desired to remove the pull rod for any purpose, this may be quickly and conveniently done by simply lowering the said rod until the sleeve 7a comes below the arm 76, when the rod will pass out of the open slot 77.

In Fig. 21 I have shown another form of means for actuating` the hammer action pull rod connection with a friction shoe. In this arrangement each pull rod 60 is hooked at its upper end to a shoe 28, and is provided at its lower end with an adjustable head 95, clamped between two nuts 96, threaded upon the said rod, the latter being guided in its vertical movements by means of an apertnred rail 97, the apertures therein being bushed with felt 98. The end of the head 95, is faced with felt 99, and is caused to engage a clip 100, attached to the stem p of the hammer action whereby to force the hammer c into contact with its string a. The clip 100 is shown in perspective in Fig. 92. If desired, the clip may be dispensed with and the head 95 caused to engage the wippen a direct.

It will be quite obvious that instead of employing a rod l connection between each shoe and hammer action, I may employ a ilexible connection between these two elements, and in some cases this flexible connection is preferable since it has its advantage over a rigid connection. In Fig. 23 I have shown the last mentioned connection, and in this figure the numeral 2S designates the friction shoe as usual, the rear upper edge of which, it will be seen, is curved on increasing radii for a purpose presently to appear. The connection between the shoe and hammer action consists of a flexible linen or other tape or cord 101 secured to the upper edge of the shoe by means of a clamp plate 102, or otherwise, the lower end of said tape or cord being attached to the wippen a, or to any other part of the action. The flexible connection provides the necessary lost motion between the hammer action and shoe required in manual playing, and the increasing shoe radius permits of grading the blow perfectly. The chief advantage in this is that the shoe starts to pick up its load on a short radius. It is at this time that the inertia of the piano action is most felt and therefore the short radius is easier both on the piano and playing attachment.

In all self-playing attachments of which I am aware, all the piano hammers of the bank are actuated with the same degree of force and in practice it is found that owing to the greater freedom of vibration of the bass strings, the tones given off thereby drown out the tones of the other strings and this is especially true with respect to the treble. It is a salient feature therefore, of the present invention, to remedy this defect and I ac complish the end by causing the hammers in some parts of the action to act with greater force than others, for example, to gain greater force in the treble than in the bass. In Figs. 19 and 20, I have shown by way of examples, two ways of carrying out this part of the invention, which is accomplished by simply altering the construction of the rotary roll or shaft 7, from one of the same diameter throughout its length, as is common in the art, to a roll or shaft made conical in form as shown in Fig. 19. I prefer to mount the roll or shaft as shown in this figure, in which it will be seen that what may be termed the treble end is of larger diameter than the bass end. To enable this construction to properly drive the friction shoes 28, the axis of rotation of the shaft or roll 7, is inclined with respect to the bottom line of shoe faces to such an extent that the uppermost face of the shaft or roll is parallel to the bottom line of shoe faces. By making one of the brackets in which the roll or shaft is journaled, a trifle longer than the other bracket, the proper position of the roll or shaft is secured. It will be apparent of course, that the shaft or roll 7, could be mounted on an axis parallel with the magnet rail, but this would require that the friction shoes be accordingly graduated in length depending upon the pitch of the conical shaft or roll.

Instead of making a conical shaft or roll, I may make the same in stepped form as shown at S0, in Fig. 20, and the same result will be accomplished, exceptthat there will not be a regular and uniform increase o hammer force from the treble to the bass, as is the case with the conical form of roll or shaft.

The operation of this part of the invention will be readily understood from thc foregoing description when taken in connection with the drawing. As the roll or shaft is always driven at a constant speed of rotation, it will be apparent that the friction shoes and their attached pull-rods will be actuated with a gradually varying force from the treble to the bass, which is due to the fact that the roll or shaft varies in diameter from end to end and the fact that different shoes engage different portions of the shaft or roll, where the surface speed varies. It will be apparent that'the novel forms of rolls or shafts herein set forth, may be employed in all types of attachments of the shoe and roller class.

I will nowdescribe my improved expression mechanism, but will preface the description with the statement that this part of the invention operates on the same principle as the mechanism shown and described in my prior Letters Patent, No. 777,226, dated Dec. 13, 1904-, wherein the piano hammers arey moved on oblique lines toward and fromthe plane of the strings lto gradually increase or decrease to different extents the length of stroke of the hammers. The improvements sought to be protected herein relate more particularly to the means for shifting the position of the hammers, and said means will now be described.

Attached'to the underside ofthe magnet rail 1, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 9, are three brackets 81, 82 and 83, one near each end of said rail and one at or near the middle. At the lower end of each bracket is oiirnaled a bellcrank lever 84, the shorter arm 85,0fwhich has an eye and the longer arm Stir carries a pin` 87,' free to rotate in said arm but not to move eiidwise therein. On each ofthe pins S7 is journaled a plate 88, said plates being screwed respectively to the two sections 89 and 90, of a channel bar, which bar sectionscarry. a felt strip 91. These bar sections are arranged in. rear of they hammers andlconstitute a rest therefor. As will be seen by referringto F ig. 9, the bar sections 89 and 90 are made in abutting sections, the abutting ends each carrying one of tlieplates. SS, which latter. are journaled over the pin 87 ontlie long arm of the bell crank lever carried by the middle bracket: 82. The extremeendsof the bar sections yond the front edge of the key-board as shown in Fig. 1, and is provided at its free end with a finger key 97a, said keys bearing the letters B. M. T. indicating the bass, middle and treble parts of the piano action.

It willv be apparent from the foregoing that by depressing the lever bearing the letter T, thebar section90 of the hammer rest will be moved outward in the oblique position indicated in Fig. 12, the said section swinging on the pivot 87. This will cause the hammers in the treble part of the piano to assume a corresponding oblique position rrelatively to theplane of the piano strings a, so-that the extent of movement of the severa-l hammers-of the bank or series in the treble-equal to the length of the har section 90, will be gradually or progressively` increased or decreased from end toend thereof. The same is true with respect to the hammers of the bass, when the lever having the letter Bis depressed. In this case t-lie bar section 89,I and the hammers c of the bars will assume aposition corresponding to that shown in Fig. 13. If the lever having the letter M. is depressed, then the pivoted or abutting ends of the two bar sections 89 and 90, and all the hammers of the treble andbass willbe moved on opposite oblique lines as indicated in Fig. 1i. lVhen the two outer levers bearing the letters B and T are simultaneously depressed, the bar sections andhammersof the treble and-bass will be caused to assume a position corresponding to .that shown in Fig. 15. Tt will be obvious that the extentof movement of the bar sections will depend upon the distance the levers are depressed, hence great. variation in tone volume may be secured. By operating the three levers in the manner indicated the operator -mayl accent` a single note;

S9 and 90 each have a similar )late S8 one arun or a O'rou 3 of notes' brin@ outy the a. l h a :s l a ,n

of: which is Journaled onvthe-pin 8f, of the melody of the musical composition and at bell crank lever carried by.` the bracket 81, the same time subdue the accompanying and the other journaled onthe like pin of the bell crank lever carried by the arm 83. It will be evident from the foregoingvif the shorter arm of either ofi the bell crank levers ispulled in the direction ofy its arrow, asindicated iiiFigr. 9,v the. longer.y arm will' travel outward carrying with it the bar section or sections, as the case may be, and' permitting the hammers o to recede from the strings whereby to vary the length of travel thereof.

In order: to swing the bell crank` levers as described, If attach tothe short arm of'eachv a steel wire or cord-92, said cords or. wires each. passing over a separate pulley. 93 loosely journaled on a cross armf94, carried by the middle bracket. 82, and. fromthence they pass downward and each is attached to a separate lever arm95a, pivotedrat 96a., to the underside of the piano key-boardbase D. Each` lever` armv extends forward beparts; andk also'. obtain and pleasing effects.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen-thattheplaying and expression mechanisms are allmounted upon a common supportingelement, and the entire attachment is, therefore, self-contained,- andinay be appliedfand removed as a whole, which-.is a decided.improvement over those types of attachments wherein the playingmechanism is in one part of the piano and the expression mechanism in another part.

One of the most important and distinguishing features of the present invention `resides in locating and arranging electrically. controlled. actuating elements in thc upper part ofithepiano case above the keyboard and in the employment of pull devices each having a direct connection `with a4 part of they hammer action, as distinguished from those mechanisms located-bcmaiiy other artistic low the key-board and having push-rods acting directly upon the manual keys from below; and also as distinguished from pneumatic and essentially mechanical actuating means for the hammer actions located above the key-board all of which constructions are old and well known in the art, but which are objectionable for the reasons heretofore pointed out.

Another important feature of the invention resides in the employment of a loose or lost motion connection between `the friction shoes and the hammer action and in the means for detachably connecting the pull rods to a part of the said action.

I do not specifically claim herein the flexible pull connection between the friction shoes and hammer actions as shown in Fig. 23, as this particular connecting means is described and claimed in my co-pending application Serial No. 276,189, tiled August Q9, 1905.

hat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. In an electrical piano-playing attachment, the combination with the hammer action, of a clip on a unit of the action, a pull device having a head adapted when raised to engage a part of the clip to operate the action, and electro-mechanical means located in the upper part of the piano above the leyboard for actuating said pull device.

2. In an electrical piano-playing attachment, the combination with the hammer action, of a clip, means for detachably connecting said clip to a unit of the action, a pull device having a head adapted to engage a part of the clip, and electro-mechanical means located in the upper part of the piano case above the hammer heads for actuating said pull device.

S. In an electrical piano-playing attachment, the combination with a hammer action, of a clip, means for detachably connect-- ing said clip to a unit of the act-ion, a pull rod having a free connection with the clip, and electro-mechanical means located in the upper part of the piano case above the hammer heads for actuating said pull rod.

et. In an electrical piano-playing attachment, the combination with the piano string plate, the keyboard and the hammer action, of electrically controlled shoe and roller actuating mechanism located in the upper part of the piano opposite the string-plate and above the key-board, electro-magnets for causing said shoe to .engage said roller, and a pull connection between said shoe and a unit of the action for actuating the latter.

5. In a piano -playing attachment, the combination with the piano case, the string plate and the hammer action, of electromagnetically controlled shoe and roller actuated mechanism located in the upper part of the piano case opposite the string-plate and above the hammer heads and a pull device connected at one end with the shoe and having at its other end a lifting connection with a unit of the hammer action.

6. In an electrical piano-playing attachment, the combination with the hammer action, of electro-mag-netically controlled shoe and roller actuating mechanism located in the upper part of the piano above the keyboard, a clip, means for attaching said clip to a unit of the action and a pull device having a connection at one end with the shoe and a lifting connection at its opposite end with said clip.

7. In an electrical piano-playing attachment, the combination with the hammer action, of electro-magnetically controlled shoe and roller actuating mechanism located in the upper part of the piano above the keyboard a clip, means for detachably connecting said clip to a unit of the action and a pull rod connected at one end to the shoe and having its opposite end arranged to engage a part on the said clip.

S. In an electrical self-playing attachment for pianos, the combination with a soundproducing device, of a rotary shaft, a friction shoe located adjacent to but normally out of contact with said shaft, an electromagnet and armature therefor, a saddle carried by said armature, a pivotal connection between the saddle and shoe, and means operated by the shoe for actuating the sound producing device.

9. In a selfplaying attachment for pianos, the combination with a sound-producing device, of a rotary shaft, a friction shoe located adjacent to but normally out of contact with said shaft, an electro-magnet and armature therefor, a saddle adjust-ably mounted on said armature, a pivotal connection between the saddle and shoe, and means operated by the shoe for actuating the sound producing device.

l0. In a selfplaying attachment for pianos, the combination with a sound-producing device, of a rotary shaft, a friction shoe located adjacent to but normally out of contact with said shaft, an electro-magnet and armature therefor, a saddle carried by said armature, a pivotal connection between the saddle and shoe, a stop for limiting the upward movement of the shoe and armature, and means operated by the shoe for actuating the sound-producing device.

11. In a self-playing attachment for pianos, the combination with a sound-producing device, of a rotary shaft, a friction shoe located adjacent to but normally out of contact with said shaft, an electro-magnet and armature therefor, a saddle carried by said armature, a pivotal connection between the saddle and shoe, an adjustable stop for limiting the upward movement of the shoe and armature, and means operated by the IIO shoefor actuating the sound producing device.

12. In combination with a piano, a playing attachment comprising a supporting rail located in the upper part ofthe piano case above the hammer heads and opposite the string plate, means for removably attaching said rail in position, a plurality of electrically controlled actuating elements carried by said rail, and an independent connection between each of said elements and the several units of the hammer actions.

13. In combination with a piano, a playing attaclnnent comprising a supporting rail, means for supporting said rail in the upper part of the piano case above and free of the hammer heads and opposite the string-plate, a plurality of electrically controlled actuating` elements supported from said rail, and an independent connection between each of said elements and aunit of the hammer action.

14.-. In a self-playing attachment for pianos, the combination with a sound producing device, of a rotary shaft, a friction shoe located adjacent to but normally out of contact with said shaft, an electro-magnet and armature therefor, a fiat blade spring rigidly secured at one end to a suitable support, and having' its free end attached to the armature, a saddle carried by the free end of the armature, a pivotal connection between the saddle and shoe, and means operated by the shoe for actuating the sound producing device.

15. In a self-playing' attachment for pianos, the combination with a sound producing device, of a rotary shaft, a friction shoe located adjacent to but normally out of contact with said shaft,.an electro-magnet and armature therefor, a blade spring upon which said armature is mounted, a coiled spring for resisting the movement ofthe armature, a pivotal connection between the armature and shoe, and means operated by the shoe for actuating the sound producing device.

1G. In a self-playing attachment for pianos, the combination with a sound producing device, of a rotary shaft, a friction shoe located adjacent to but normally Vout of contact with said shaft, an electro-magnet and armature therefor, a blade spring upon which said armature is mounted, an adjustably mounted coiled spring, for. resisting the movement of the armature, a pivotal connection between the armature and shoe, and means operated bythe shoe for actuating the sound producing device.

17. In a self-playing attachment for pianos, the combination with a sound producing device, of a rotary shaft, a friction shoe located adjacent to but normally out of contact with said shaft, an electro-magnet and armature therefor, a Hat blade spring upon which said armature is mounted, an adjusting screw, a coiled spring having a connection with said screw and with the armature, a pivotal connection between the armature and shoe, and means operated by the shoe for actuating the sound producing device. l

18. In a self-playing attachmentfor pianos, the combination with the sound producing device, of a rotary shaft, a friction shoe located adjacent to but normally out of contact with said shaft, an electro-magnet and armature therefor, a fiat blade spring upon which said armature is mounted, an adjusting screw, a coiled spring connected at one end to saidscrew, and having a loose connection at its other end with the armature, whereby the same may be freely rotated on said connection, a pivotal connection between the friction shoe and armature, and means operated by the shoe for actuating the sound producing device.

19. A piano having a playing attachment comprising a pliuality of electrically controlled hammer actuating elements located in the upper part of the piano case opposite the string-plate and above the hammer heads, a support common to all said elements and a pull connection between each individual element and a unit of the hammer action.

20. In a self-playing attachment for pianos, the combination with a sound producing device and actuating mechanism therefor located thereabove and comprising a rotary shaft, a friction shoe located adjacent to but normally out of contact with said shaft, an electro-magnet and armature therefor, an adjusting screw, a coiled spring connected at one end to said screw and having its opposite end loosely connected to the armature, a saddle carried by the armature, a pivotal connection between the saddle and shoe and a pull device operated by the shoe for actuating the sound producing device.

21. In an electrical self-playing attachment for pianos, the combination with a sound-producing device of a clip detachably connected thereto, electro-mechanical actuating means arranged in the upper part of the piano casing above the key-board, and a pull connection between said means and said detachable clip, whereby the parts may be readily connected or disconnected.

22. In a selfplaying attachment for pianos, the combination with a sound producing device, of a rotary shaft, a friction shoe, an electro-magnet and armature therefor, a stud adjustably mounted on said armature, a saddle having an aperture through which said stud passes, nuts adjustably mounted on said stud, and between which a part of the saddle is located and a pivotal connection between the saddle and shoe.

23. In a selfplaying attachment for pianos, a rotary shaft, a friction shoe, an electro-magnet and armature therefor, a threaded stud carried by said armature, a saddle having an aperture through which said stud passes, nuts threaded upon said stud and located upon opposite sides of said saddle, a disk on the end of the stud, an abutment for nection between the saddle and shoe.

24. In a self pla ing attachment for pianos, a rotary sha t, a friction shoe, an electro-magnet and armature therefor, a threaded stud carried by said armature, a saddle having an aperture through which said stud passes, nuts threaded upon said stud and located on opposite sides of said saddle, a disk on the end of the stud, an adjustable abutment for the disk, and a pivotal connection between the saddle and shoe.

, 25. In a self-playing attachment for pianos, the combination with a sound producing device, of a clip detachably connected to a part of said device, an extension on the clip having an aperture, a pull rod passing through the said aperture 1n the extension, a head on the end of the pull rod adapted to abut the extension, and an operative element having a connection with the pull rod.

26. In a self -playing attachment for pianos, the combination with a sound producing device, of a clip detachably connected to a part of said device, an extension on said clip having an aperture, a pull rod extending through said aperture, and having a head at one end adapted to abut the extension, and a hook on the other end of said pull rod.

27. In a self playing attachment for pianos, the combination with a sound producing device, of a clip connected to a part of said device, an extension on said clip having an aperture, a pull rod extended through said aperture, a sleeve inclosing that part of the rod passing through the aperture, and a head on the lower end of the rod adapted to abut the extension.

28. A piano having a playing attachment comprising a magnet rail, means for detachably supporting said rail in the upper part of the piano case above the hammer heads and oppositethe string-plate, a plurality of electro-magnets carried by said rail, a plurality of friction shoes pivotally connected to the armatures of said magnets, a rotary shaft journaled in brackets on the magnet rail, and a pull device suspended from each shoe.

29. A piano having a playing attachment comprising a magnet rail, means for detachably supporting said rail in the upper part of the piano case above the piano hammers, a plurality of electro-magnets carried by said rail, a plurality of friction shoes pivotthe disk, and a pivotal conally connected to the armatures of said magnets, a rotary shaft journaled in brackets below the shoe faces, and an adjustable stop bar for the shoes carried by the magnet rail.

30. A piano having a playing attachment comprising a magnet-rail, means for detachably supporting said rail in the upper part of the piano case above the piano hammers, a plurality ofl electro-magnets carried by said rail, a plurality of friction shoes pivotally connected to the armatures of said magnets, a rotary shaft ournaled in brackets on the magnet rail, a pull rod suspended from each shoe, a movable hammer rest rail, and means suspended from the magnet rail for supporting the said rest rail.

31. A piano having a playing attachment comprising a magnet rail, means for detachably supporting said rail in the upper part of the piano case above the hammers, a plurality of electro-magnets carried by said rail, a plurality of friction shoes pivotally connected to the armatures of said magnets, a rotary shaft journaled in brackets on the magnet rail, a pull rod suspended from each shoe, amovable hammer rest rail made in two alined sections, supporting brackets carried by the magnet rail, and movable arms j ournaled on said brackets and constituting the supporting means for the said rest-rail.

32. A piano having a playing attachment comprising a magnet-rail, means for detachably supporting said rail in the upper part of the piano case above the hammers, a plurality of electro-magnets carried by said rail, a plurality of friction shoes pivotally connected to the armatures of said magnets, a rotary shaft journaled in brackets on the magnet rail, a pull rod suspended from each shoe, a movable hammer rest rail made in two alined sections, supporting brackets carried by the magnet rail, bell crank levers journaled on said brackets, and a pivotal connection between each bell crank lever and a part of the said rest rail.

33. In electrical self-playing mechanism for pianos, the combination with the piano case and the hammer action of the piano, of a pull rod, electro-mechanical means located in the upper part of the piano case above the hammer heads for actuating the pull rod, aclip detachably connected to a unit of the hammer action, and a lost motion connection between the clip and lower end of the pull rod.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

IRVING B. SMITH. Witnesses:

CHARLEs BowMAN, J r., HARRY R. CRooKioRD.

Images