US1268448A - Player-piano construction. - Google Patents

Description

C.' FRE-Bom.,

. .PLAYER PIANO CNSTRUCTION.A l APPLICATION FIIED NOV. 24,19l3. A 1,268,448, Patented June 4, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

C. FREBORG. P; AYER .PIANO CONSTRUCTION.v A1"PLI CATI0N FILED NOV. 2.4'. 191.3.

Patented J une 4, 1918. V

3 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

C. Fassone. PLAYER PIAN() CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICAT-ION FILED NOV- 24.19.13'.

E: mi L `lll. JV l l i n l PMT/7566;.-

CHARLES Freizone, or KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS.

I PLAYER-PIANO d CONSTRUCTION.

Specicati'onfof Letters Patent.

Patented Junefi, 191s.`

Application'led November 24, 1913. Serial No. 802,796. 1

To all 'whom it may concern:

Beit known that LCHARLESUFREBORG, a citizen of the `United States, .residing at Kankakee, in the county of Kankakee and State of Illinois, khave invented certain new and useful Improvements inPlaye-r-Piano Constructions, rof. whiclithe following `is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements 1n player piano construction, and has lfor its object to provide a more compact `and simpler form of construction as regards the pneumatics and airy controlling means and means to support the same.

My .invention contemplates the use and arrangement of what I term individual operating units, which comprise a pneumatic and air controlling member, as I term 1t, detacliably secured together and adapted to be adjustably mounted on a combined support.

ing and air conducting member.

Still another object 1s an arrangement as described above, which will permit replacementor adjustment of individual units without the necessity of disarrangingthe entire operating system.

Still another object is the arrangement of my air controlling members andsupporting bars so thatthe latter may be utilized to transmit the reduced pressure or suction from the main bellows or .air exhaustlng mechanism to the air controlling means andf from thence to vthe actuatingv pneumatics when it is desired to sound anote.

Still another object is the provision of new and improved air controlling members compactin structure and eflicient in opera tion to cooperate with attached pneumatics to actuate a corresponding striker. l

These and other objects will beset forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings,.in which: 1

Figure 1 is a transverse section through a portion of a player piano showing my improved mechanism;

Fl g. 2 1s a. plan view of a number ofthe Y air controlling members, one ofy the samef being removed to vshow a plan view of a pneumatic;` y

Fig. 3 is a side elevation partiallyzin'section showing the interior arrangement of one of my air controlling and pneumatic units;` f y Fig. 4 1s aifront View of a number.of= `these units showing one zrnelevatlon, another in sectionralong theline a-z ofFig. y3r Y the third .in section along the line b-bof Fig. 3;

`ig. is a perspective of one of the air controlling means showing the diaphragmV and valve mechanism removed and the member in inverted position;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation showing general arrangement of a plurality of the.

operating units supported on three spaced apart supportin rods or bars.

Like numera s refer to like elements.

throughout the drawings, in which 10 des ignates generally a player piano having the tracker board 11 from which lead a plurality of tubes 12. corresponding to different notes are car- .ried bv the piano 10 (the same not being shown), and coacting with these strings yare the usual hammers actuated through intermediate mechanism by abstracts 13. These labstracts 13 may be actuated by the usual` form of finger operated keys 14, if so der.

sired. This mechanism forms no integral.

part of my present invention and I do not consider it necessary to describe the samefurther in this specification.

A plurality of strings.-

A plurality of horizontally arranged barsV or tubes 15 are provided, these bars being4 in communication at their ends with ducts or conduits 16 from the main bellows or air exhausting means, not shown.

These, bars 15 v,

are preferably circular in form and hollow,

be described later. Apertures 15a are pro-- vided at predetermined intervals in the bars 15 and are in communication with the interior thereof, as shown for example in Fig.

3. Mounted upon these barsl 15` are a pluto provide `air conducting members as will loo.-

therein and serves to divide the chamber into I kchamber 20 and serves to support a dia-r phragm 21 therein, the member 19 being provided with the inwardly directed flange or shoulder 19a in the chamber 20 against which the edge of the diaphragm 2l is pressed by the cup or cap This provides an airtight construction, preventing leakage of air around the edge of the diaphragm from the chamber 2Oa to 20b or vice versa. A short duct or passage19" leads from the chamber 2Ob to a cross aperture 19C formed in a. shoulder portion 19b of the air controlling member 19. The bar -15 closely tits in cross aperture 19c as shown in Fig. 3 and the shoulder 19" is slotted or split, as indicated at 191 to vpermit clamping ot the air controlling member 19 to the 'bar 15 in adjusted position. The aperture 19 is adapted to communicate through the corresponding aperture 15"- with the interior o1 the bar 15, the said aperture 19u being enlarged with respect to aperture 15ato permit relative adjustment of the air controlling member on the bar 15 at the same time witlr out interfering with the communication or' chamber 20) with bar 15. A passage 25 is provided in the air controlling member 19 and this passage is bifurcated to form the portions 25a leading outwardly at their extremities, as clearly shown in Fig. 1l. This passage 25 is adapted to communicate with the chamber 2Ob through the aperture 2Oc constricted indiameter relative to the said chamber, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. The passage 25 is also adapted to communicate with the exterior of the air controlling mehr ber 19, through the aperture 26 in which is detachably mounted and apertured, collar 27. This collar carries a cross strip 27a and a similar bridge or cross strip 28 is located in alinement therewith and extends across the chamber 201. The strips 27a, 28 are suitably apertured to provide bearings or'the stems 29, 29h, respectively of the valve 29 which is mounted beneath the collar 27 and adapted to normally close the aperture 20c, as shown in Fig. 3. The stem 29" extends downwardly to a point adjacent the surface of the diaphragm 21 when the latter is in sagged position, as shown in Fig. 3. lVhen in the position shown in Fig. 3, the valve permits communication through the apertured collarand passage 25 from thebuter air, as will be explained later. A similar chamber or passage 30 is located in the wall 30a which separates the bifurcated portions 25a of passage 25, and this chamber or passage 30 is in communication through aperture 22ZL of cap 22, with the chamber 2On below the diaphragm 21. Asmall bleed duct 31 extends from the chamber 2Ob to chamber' or passage 30, shown in Fig.I 3 and a threaded. bleed valve 32 is threaded into a suitable aperture in the dividing wall 30a to regulate flow of air through said bleed duct 31, as will be apparent from examina- 19e being suitably threaded. The boss 19f is partially undercut, as indicated by numeral 19h,the usual form of pouch or bellows having the top and bottom portions 18a, 18", respectively, converging adjacent one end and secured together by the collapsible, flexible -material 18c forming an airstight bellows in effect.` A recess 18d is provided in the top of upper member 18a ot pneumatic 18. This recess is provided with the undercut shoulyder 18e of contour similar to the boss 19 of air controlling member 19, and these two undercut shoulders are adapted to interlit, as shown in Fig. 3.

Member 18a is apertured from one end thereof to said recess 18d, as indicated by numeral 18t and a clamping bolt or screw 35 extends therethrough to and through the apertures 19g inthe yair controlling member 19. This bolt or screw 35 is threaded at one extremity to engage the threaded aperture in boss 19@ the threaded portion passing freely through the aperture in boss 19f. A washer 36 may be placed beneath the head 35a of clamp bolt 35, as shown'in Figs. 3 and 4. A strip'of felt or the like, indicated by numeral 37, may be placed between the pneumatic 18` and lair controlling member 19. The top member 18a of the pneumatic is suitably apertured, as is the strip of felt 37, these apertures being indicated by numerals 38, and being in register with apertures 25a and the air controlling member 25. It will be apparent that when the operating units are assembled, the air controlling member 19 may be placed with the bosses 19e and 19f in the recess 18d of pneumatic 18 and with the aperture 19c of the air controlling member 19, fitting on the tube or bar 15. Clamping bolt or screw 35 may then be placed through the corresponding aperture land threaded into engagement with the boss 19e whereupon the boss 19f will be drawn into close engagement with the shoulder or recess 18d and the bosses 19e, 19t will be simultaneously drawn together, thereby clamping the air controlling member 19 t0 the bar 15, as will be apparent. f

The inclined Contact between boss '19f and shoulder'oi:l recess 18d`will operate to draw the air controlling member 19 into close contact with the top member 18a ot' pneumatic 18, thereby operatingA to prevent leakage of air between the air controlling member and the pneumatic. The lower member 18b of pneumatic 18 is provided with the outwardly extending tongue 39, detachably secured thereto and in contact with the lug 39 of the corresponding one of sticker bars 13.

The operation of my improved device is as follows Tracing the operation and interconnection of one of the operating units, the action of all being similar, it is to be noted that a constant vacuum or suction obtains in the duct 16, during the operation of the main bellows or air exhausting means, not shown, and this suction is also transmitted through the respective tubes or bars 15, to the individual air controlling member 19, through apertures 15a and passages 19 so that a negative air vpressure exists in chamber 20h. Ordinarily this would result in drawing up of the diaphragm 21, but in the construction shown, this does not occur, owing to the communication of the bleeder duct 31 with the passage 30, and consequently with the underside of diaphragm 21. This communication is restricted by means of the bleeder valve 32 adjustably to regulate the size of opening so that the diaphragm may be acted upon both sides by the suction and upon suitable adjustment of the bleeder valve 32 the position of the diaphragm 21 may be adjusted to come ordinarily during use of the player mechanism to a position closely adjacent the lower end of valve stem 29", as shown in Fig. 3. This last described effect is obtained in the following manner: Assuming the suction obtaining in the tubes 15 to be approximately constant, and assuming that the pneumatics are not operating, it is obvious that the pressure on both sides of the diaphragm 21 is the same, so that the diaphragm 21 would maintain its normal position, as shown in Fig. 3. However, in the use of the piano, as soon as the pneumatics are constantly operating, the re stricted communication of'the chamber beneath the diaphragm 21 with the chamberA above, would delay the flow of air from one to the other and consequently the balancing of the pressure in both chambers is delayed so that the pressure above the diaphragm is slightly less than that below, as we are dealing with suction or pressure below atmospheric and the tendency of the diaphragm would be to rise, thereby opening the valve or causing vibration of the same. This tendency is overcome, however, by the action of the suction above the diaphragm upon the under-surface of the valve 29. It will thus be seen that while the diaphragm will be drawn close to the lower extremity of the valve stem 29", accidental opening of the valve will be prevented, as stated above, at the same time causing and permitting quick opening of said valve when it is operated.

This action it will be understood obtains when the note is being played, a number of times and frequently so that quick action is possible without skipping of notes. When the operating unit is as shown in Fig. 3, the pneumatic 18 is in communication with the exterior atmosphere through aperture 20, passages 25 and passages 30a, so that atmospheric pressure obtains in the pneumatic 18, permitting the lower member 181 thereof to remain in dropped position, as shown. In this position the end of the tongue 38 is in contact or approximately in contact with the block 39, carried by the sticker bar 13, the latter being in downward or rest position.

Upon a note-aperture in the music roll, corresponding to the operating unit described, being passed over the corresponding opening in` the tracker bar 11, the air will be permitted to flow through tube 12 from the exterior atmosphere to the duct 33, and into the passage 30. It is to be noted that previous to such registry of the aperture in the music-roll relative with the tracker bar opening, a vacuum obtains in the corresponding tube 12, owing to its c0111- munication with the passage 30. The inrush of air at ati'nospheric pressure is transmitted through ytube 12 and duct 33 to the chamber 20 beneath the diaphragm 20. Since the opening through bleed duct 31 is so restricted by bleed valve 32, the amount of air which may be drawn through the passage 31 from passage 30, when atmospheric air is admitted to the latter, is so slight as compared with the amount fiowing into passage 30, that the pressure in chamber 20b is raised an inconsiderable amount, as compared .with the rise of pressure in chamber 2()a so that diaphragm 2() will be drawn or forced up to actuate valve stem 29b thereby raising valve 29 to position closing aperture 26. When in this position the chamber 20D is in communication with the interior of the pneumatic 18, the passages communicating therebetween being of considerable size so that the vacuum or suction existing in the tube 15 quickly obtains in pneumatic 18 and the members 18d,r 18b are quickly drawn together, thereby raising member 18h and actuating the corresponding striker through the medium of abstract 13. As soon as flow of air has ceased through tube 12, the elements of air controlling members resume their position shown in Fig. 3 as soon as communication with the atmosphere is cut-off to chamber 20, thereby causing a partial vacuum or suction to obtain in both chambers 20, 2Ob

and permitting the valve 29 to seat, shown in Fig. 3 closing aperture 20C.

When it is desired to remove or adjust individual pneumatics, a removing of fastening bolt 35 will permit removal of pneumatic`18 and a loosening of bolt will be sul'licient tol permit rotation or lateral fadjustment of the air controlling member and pneumatic'comprising the operating unit, upon 4thetube or bearing l5, the aperture 19 in the :air controlling'member-19 being enlarged as compared With apertures 15a in the bar l5. It is apparent that adjustment ofthe operating unit may be made uptor down or laterally to compensaterfor adjustments of other portions ofthe=mechanism Without disturbing Vthe operation of the units.

lIt will be apparent that I have provided an improved form ofcperating unit construction, as Well as an improved form of supporting and air conducting means making for a considerable reduction in the total Weight and providing an increased efficiency and simplicity of construction .not present in any present day devices of similar character.

It will also be apparent that mymechanism is susceptible of many modifications and changes and I do not Wish to be restricted to the form shown and described beyond the scope of the appended claims.

I claim l. In a device of the class described, a supporting member, a plurality of individual air-controlling members mounted on said supporting member, and avplurality of individual pneumatic members, means to secure said pneumatic members to said air- `controlling members, said means being also constructed to secure said air-controlling members to the supporting members.

2. In a device of the class described, a supporting` member, a plurality of individual air-controlling members mounted ron said supporting member, and yaplurality of individual pneumatic members, means to secure said pneumatic members to theair-controlling members, said means being also arrangedto secure said air-controlling members to the supporting-members, each of said air-controlling members being in, communication with the corresponding of said pneumatics, said fasteningA means being further constructed to draw and hold said members in close assembled relation to prevent leakage of air therebetween.

3. In a device oli' the class described, an air conduit, an air controlling member adjustably mounted thereon, said conduitbeing provided with an aperture, said air controlling member being provided With an enlarged slot or aperturepermitting communication of said member With said conduit in any of a number of adjusted positions, and means to adjust and hold in adjusted position on said conduit said air controlling member.

4. In a device of the class described,in dividual air-controllingmembers and individual-l pneumatic carried thereby, said pneumatics and` air-controlling members coniprising When assembled a plurality of operatinfgunits, a combined supporting and air-- conducting member, said units being adjustably,attached-to said member and in commun-icat-i on therewith.

5. In a device of the class described, a combined supporting and air -conducting member,said member being provided with apertures, a ,plurality Y of vindividual air-` controlling members adjustably mounted on saidsupporting member, said air-controlling members each having passagestherein to register and communicate With the apertures in said first-namedv member.

6. In a device of theclass described, supporting bars, air-controlling members having Aan'apertured slotted portion adapted to lit on said bars vand be clamped thereto.

7. 'In a device of the class described, cylindrical bars, individual aircontrolling members having a clamping collar portion partially split .and constructed to fit on said bars, said split collar portion being constructed to permit clamping of the air-controlling members tosaid bars.

8. rIn aA device of the class described, cylindrical supporting bars and centrally apertured to provide air conduits, :air-controllingl members having ,apertured portions partially split and constructed to lit on-said barsusaidsplit portions being operablefor clamping of said air-controllingmembers on and in `adjustable position relative to said bars.

9. -In a .device of the class described, `an air-controlling member having an undercut shoulder, an actuating pneumatic having an undercuty recess fitting oli-'and engaging said shoulder .of said i pneumatic.

10.111 a. device ofthe` class described, an air-controlling member having an undercut shoulder, anactuating pneumatic having an undercut recess constructed tolit on and be secured tosaid shoulder otsaid pneumatic, andzmeans to secure:` thepneumatic to said air-controlling member, said means i being arranged to 'draw-sa-id undercut shoulder andrecess into interftting relation.

11. `In a device ofthe class described, an air-controlling member having an undercut shoulder, a pneumatic having a recesswvith an undercut shoulder constructed to fit on and engage said first-named shoulder ofsaid pneumatic, said `air-controlling member being provided With-an apertured shoulder. said shoulder-being:partially split, and a'. clamping member extendingibetvveen said split portions and adapted to clamp thesame to .a supporting member.

12.1Ina deviceaof the class described, an air-controlling memberhaving an undercut shoulder,-a. pneumatic having an undercut recessl constructed to' :fit on and engage said shoulder of the pneumatic, said air-control- In testimony whereof, I have subscribed ling member being provided with a partially my name.

split apertured shoulder, and a clamping member extending between said split por- CHARLES F REBORG.

. tions and operable to clamp the same to a supporting member, said clamping member Witnesses: being also operable to secure said pneumatic EDYTHE M. ANDERSON, to said air-controlling member. HENRY A. PARKS.

009i o! this patent my ln ahmed to: Ive nu mh, by addressing the "commissioner of hun,

Washington, D. 0."

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