US780078A - Piano. - Google Patents

Description

No. 780,078. I PATENTED JAN. 17, 1905. E. s. VOTEY.

PIANO.

APPLIOATION FILED FEB. 15. 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

w: 335s: I INVENTOR i 3 EDWIN 3.VOTEY 1 W ATTORNEYS PATENTED JAN. 17, 1905:

E. S. VOTEY.

PIANO APPLICATION FILED FEB. 15. 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I iNVENTOR EDWIN S. Vorgy BY W ATTORNEY? PATENTED JAN. 17, 1905.

spvsmiz.

PIANO,

APPLICATION FILED F3315, 190 1.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

INVENTOR fowl/y S, vorey No. 780,078. Patented January 17, 1905.

'UNITED STATEs PATENT OFFICE.

EDWIN S. VOTEY, OF SUMMIT, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE AEOLIAN COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

PIANO.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 780,078, dated January 1'7, 1905.

Application filed February 15, 1904:. Serial No. 193,517.

T all whom it m y (Wwern: the usual construction, and the pneumatic 50 Be it known that I, EDWIN S. Vo'rnY, a citiplaying apparatus is applied to the piano in zen of the United States,and a resident of Sumsuch manner that the arrangement or position mit, New Jersey, have invented certain new of thekeys is not altered. b Iusic-rollmechan- 5 and useful Improvements in Pianos, of which ism, comprising the music-rolls Grand H, supthe following isa specification accompanied by ported in the frame I and provided with suit- 5 5 drawings. able driving connections, is arranged above This invention relates to pianos, more parthe key-bed, and a suitable pneumatic motorJ ticularly to combined pneumatic and manufor actuating the music-roll mechanism is seally-operated grand pianos; and the objects of cured laterally of said mechanism, also above the invention are to enable a grand piano to the key-bed of the instrument, as shown in 00 be played by pneumatic apparatus and devices Fig. 1. incorporated in the construction of the piano, The general shape and construction of a while at the same timc afi'ording provision for grand piano has not heretofore been found playing the piano manually, if desired, withsuitable for the application of mechanical out removing or altering any of the pneuplaying apparatus, and in order to afford pro- 05 matic playing devices. vision for the application of music-roll mech- Another object of the invention is to conanism to the piano in position to be readily struct the playing apparatus as a permanent accessible it will be seen that the upper front part of the grand piano without altering to portion of the piano has been somewhat alany great degree the general form of the contered to enable the music rolls and motor to struction, so that the instrument as a whole be carried. at the front of the piano and above forms a complete pneumatic and manuallythe keys. The music-roll mechanism and mooperated grand piano pleasing in appearance, tor driving the same are built into the piano 25 readily controlled, easily interchanged, and and arranged in the desired position, while efiicient in operation. the front portion of the piano-casing is con- Further objects of the invention will herestructed to cover said mechanism and for this matter appear; and to these ends the invenpurpose is brought forward and extended tion consists of a combined pneumatic and farther than in the ordinary grand piano 3o manually-operated grand piano for carrying construction, as will be seen from an inout the above objects embodying the features spectionof Fig. 3. As shown in the drawings, of construction, combinations of elements, the motorJ is of the usual pneumaticform and and arrangement of parts, having the general is connected to drive the roll H in one direcmode of operation substantially as hereinafter tion for operating the music-sheet K, while 3 5 fully described and claimed in this specificathe driving connections may be controlled to tion and shown in the accompanying drawoperate the other roll, G, to rewind the music- 8 5 ings, in which sheet. As shown, the roll H is provided with Figure l is a front elevation of a grand a gear L, meshing with a pinion O on the piano constructed in accordance with this inlongitudinally-movable driven shaft P. The 4 vention. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of a driving-shaft Q, of the motor J is connected piano, partly in section. Fig. 3 is a longituto the driven shaft P by the chain R, while dinal sectional elevation on the line it of said driven shaft is adapted to be connected Fig. 2. to the spindle of the roll G by the chain S. Referring to the drawings, A represents On the driven shaft P is the sprocket T, 45 the frameor casing of a grand piano having which operates when the pinion O is in enthe usual legs B, sounding-board C, key-bed gagement with the gear L to rotate the roll D, and thekeyboard E, comprising the keys F. H. Vhen the shaft P has been longitudi-' The casing or frame and the general arrangenally moved to move the pinion O out of enment of parts are those of a grand piano of gagement with the gear L, the clutch member U is at the same time brought into engagement with the pin on the sprocket U, loosely mounted on the shaft P, which through the chain S acts to rotate the roll G in the direction to rewind the music-sheet. The driven shaft P is suitably operated and controlled from the front of the piano by means of the pivoted lever V, connecting-rod hand handle X. Manipulation of the handle X rocks the lever V on its pivot Y to control the driving mechanism of the music-rolls. Suitable operative connections have been described for controlling the music-rolls; but it is to be understood that any connections adapted to this purpose may be used.

One of the features of this invention consists of the arrangement of the pumping mechanism a beneath the sounding-board C of the instrument. Said pumping mechanism a is secured and supported upon the frame A, as indicated, while actuated mechanisms beX- tend longitudinally of the frame and connect with the actuating-treadles 0. The usual airchamber (Z and equalizers are in communication With the pumping mechanism a and are also secured and supported upon the frame beneath the sounding-board C.

The actuated mechanisms connected to be operated by the treadle 0 may consist of any suitable connections for operating the pumping mechanism. As shown in this instance, supports or hangers f are suitably secured to the frame of the instrument and provided with pivoted bell-crank levers g, to the upper arms of which are pivoted the rods 71 operating the links which in turn are connected to actuate the bell-crank levers 1', having the pivoted links 7 for actuating the pumping mechanism a. The pivotal connection between the rod 7t and link '2. is pivotally hung from the frame A of the piano by the link Z.

The ends of the bell-crank levers g opposite to those to which the rods 7b are connected are pivoted to foldable members comprising the links 0 and p, pivoted to each other at the point Q, the lower links 3) being connected to the treadle o. This construction of treadles and linkage affords provision for folding the treadles upwardly into the position shown in dotted lines at a in Fig. 3 when it is desired to play the piano manually. Any other suitable arrangement may be provided to afford provision for the adjustment of the treadles into a position such that they will not interfere with the player when it is desired to have them supported out of playing position. The actuated mechanisms described afford suitable provision for operating the pumping mechanism from the treadles. The action-case a, as shown, is secured to the frame between the pedal-support comprising the part a and the lyre Qand the pumpingmechanism a, and one or more wind'ducts e are provided, which, together with the passages w, w, and y, connect the air-chamber (Z with the valve-casing .2,

(shown in Figs. 1 and 2,) the casing being connected with the action-case by means of the pipe 1, as well understood in the art. The lyre 2 for the pedals is shown in Fig. '1 as in the usual grand piano, and operative connections are provided from the pedals t, and 5 for controlling the operation of the instrument. The usual indicator 6 is arranged, as shown in Fig. 1, adjacent the case, while a tempo hand-lever 7 is connected to control the tempo. Another hand-lever,8, is connected to control the expression, while the handlever 9 extends beneath the piano-keys and is provided with connections 10, 11, 12, and 13 for actuating the pedal movement 3 of the piano. It is understood that similar connections are pivoted to the frame beneath the key-bed and between the levers 7 and 8 and thetempo and expression mechanisms, respectively.

From the tracker-board 1st tracker connections 15 extend downward and rearward to the action-case Z. Operative connections are provided in the usual manner controlled by the action for operating the keys F.

According to this invention it will be seen that the pneumatic apparatus for operating the grand piano has been distributed to obtain the best results and at the same time prevent an unsightly structure. The arrangement of the different devices is such that the most direct connections are provided between the operative mechanisms compatible with the peculiar form of a grand piano. Interference with the sounding-board and with the operation of the keys is guarded against, while all of the apparatus is concealed from view as much as possible in the frame of the piano without the addition of heavy casings. The pumping mechanism is secured and supported upon the frame beneath the sounding-board, as are the air-chambers and equalizers. while the action-case is secured to the frame between the pedal-support thereof, and the said pumping mechanism is arranged to be in communication with the air-chamber. The music-roll mechanism and motor for actuating the music-rolls are supported above the pianokeys and provided with valve-controlled passages communicating with the air-chamber of the pumping mechanism. It will be seen that the action-case is beneath and at the rear of the key-bed and forms the center or starting-point for all of the operative connections and mechanisms for operating the instrument. The expression-valve mechanism for the action-case is separate from the said action-case and, as shown, is secured to the frame, while means have been described for actuating the said mechanism. It will be seen that the treadles c are detachably lixed to the pedal-support by means of set-screws 0 engaging in a bar o connecting the treadles, and are provided with folding connections and with means for supporting them beneath the frame when detached from the pedal-support. In Fig. 1 the hooks 25 are shown for this purpose. The frame of the piano, as hereinbefore described, has an extended fore portion for receiving the tracker-board and musicroll mechanism, while the piano keys are elongated to extend beneath the said extended fore portion, with means controlled by the tracker for actuating the rear ends of the keys.

Obviously some features of this invention may be used without others and the invention may be embodied in widely-varying forms.

Therefore, without limiting the invention to the constructions shown and described nor enumerating equivalents, I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, the following:

1. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano and in combination with the frame and sounding-board thereof, pumping mechanism secured and supported upon said frame beneath the said sounding-board and provided with actuated mechanisms extending longitudinally of the frame and connected with actuating-treadles.

2. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano and in combination with the frame and sounding-board thereof, pumping mechanism secured and supported upon said frame beneath the said sounding-board and provided with actuated mechanisms extending longitudinally of the frame and connect ed with actuating-treadles, and an air-chamher and equalizers in communication with the said pumping mechanism and secured and supported upon the frame beneath the sounding-board.

3. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano and in combination with the frame and sounding-board thereof, pumping mechanism secured and supported upon said frame beneath the said sounding-board and provided with actuated mechanisms extending longitudinally of the frame and connected with actuating-treadles, an air-chamber and equalizers in communication with the said pumping mechanism and secured and supported upon the frame beneath the soundingboard, and an action-case secured to the said frame between the pedal-support thereof and the said pumping mechanism and provided with one or more wind-duets in communica: tion with the said air-chamber.

4C. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano and in combination with the frame and sounding-board thereof, pumping mechanism secured and supported upon said frame beneath the said sounding-board and provided with actuated mechanisms extending longitudinally of the frame and connected with actuating-treadles, and an air-chamber and equalizers in communication with the said pumping mechanism and secured and supported upon the said frame beneath the sounding-board, and a pneumatic motor for actuating the music-rolls supported above the piano keys provided with valve controlled passages communicating with the said airchamber.

5. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano and in combination with the frame and sounding-board thereof, pumping mechanism secured and supported upon said frame beneath the said sounding-board and provided with actuated mechanisms extending longitudinally of the frame and connected with aetuating-treadles, and an air-cham her and equalizers in communication with the said pumping mechanism and secured and supported upon the frame beneath the soundingboard, and a pedal-support extending down from the frame of the piano and to which the said treadles are detaehably fixed.

6. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano and in combination with the frame and sounding-board thereof, pumping mechanism secured and supported upon saidframebeneaththe said sounding-board and provided with actuated mechanisms extending longitudinally of the frame and connected with actuating-treadles, and an air-chamber and equalizers in communication with the said pumpingmechanism and secured and supported upon the frame beneath the soundingboard, and a pedal-support extending down from the frame of the piano and to which the said treadles are detachably fixed, and a manual lever extending beneath the piano-keys and provided with connections for actuating one of the pedal movements of the piano.

7. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano and in combination with the frame and keyboard thereof, pumping mechanism secured to and supported upon the said framebeneath the sounding-board and an action-case also secured to the said frame beneath and at the rear of the key-bed and provided with pneumatic connections to the said pumping mechanism.

8. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano the combination with the frame and sounding-board thereof, of pumping mechanism secured and supported upon the said frame beneath the soundingboard, an action case secured to the said frame behind the pedal-supports thereof and beneath the sounding-board, and a trackerboard and music-roll mechanism secured to the frame above the piano-keys and provided with tracker connections leading downward and rearward to the action-case.

9. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano the combination with the frame and sounding-board thereof, of pumping mechanism secured and supported upon the said frame beneath the soundingboard, an action-case secured to the said. frame behind the pedal-supports thereof and beneath the sounding-board, and a pneumatic motor for actuating the said music-roll mech- IOC IIO

ITS

anism and secured laterally thereof above the key-bed of the instrument.

10. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano the combination with the frame and sounding-board thereof, of pumping mechanism secured and supported upon the said frame beneath the soundingboard, an action case secured to the said frame behind the pedal-supports thereof and beneath the sounding-board, and a pedal-support extending downward from the said frame and treadles detachably fixed thereto and provided with connections for actuating the said pumping mechanism therefrom.

11. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano the combination with the frame and sounding-board thereof, of pumping mechanism secured and supported upon the said frame beneath the soundingboard, an action-case secured to the said frame behind the pedal-supports thereof and beneath the sounding-board, a tempo-valve mechanism mounted upon the said frame, a motor controlled thereby and pneumatic connections from the said valve mechanism to the said pumping mechanism.

12. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano the combination with the frame and sounding-board thereof, of pumping mechanism secured and supported upon the said frame beneath the soundingboard, an action-case secured to the said frame behind. the pedal-supports thereof and beneath the sounding-board, a tempo-valve mechanism mounted upon the said frame, a motor controlled thereby and pneumatic connections from the said valve to the said pumping mechanism, and means for changing the roll-driving connection of the said motor at Will.

18. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano and in combination with the frame and horizontal sounding-board and the key-bed and keys thereof, pumping mechanism secured and supported upon the said frame beneath the said sounding-board, and a pneumatic motor for actuating the music-rolls, said motor secured to the frame above the key-bed, a valve mechanism for controlling the said motor and pneumatic connections controlled by the said valve mechanism and connecting the said motor with the said pumping mechanism.

14.. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano and with the frame, horizontal sounding-board, key-bed, and keys thereof, pumping mechanism secured and supported upon the frame beneath the soundingboard, a pneumatic motor for actuating the music-rolls secured above the key-bed and provided with a controlling-valve mechanism, pneumatic connections for the said motor, a pedal-support extending downward from the frame and treadles detachably fixed thereto and provided with operative connections for 5 the said pumping mechanism.

15. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano and with the frame, horizontal sounding-board, key-bed, and keys thereof, pumping mechanism secured and supported upon the frame beneath the soundingboard, a pneun'iatic motor for actuating the musicrolls secured above the key-bed and provided with a controllingvalve mechanism, pneumatic connections for the said motor, a pedal-support extending downward from the frame and treadles detachably fixed thereto and provided with operative connections for the said pumping mechanism, and a manual lever pivotally mounted beneath the keys and connected to actuate one of the piano-pedal mechanisms.

16. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano and with the frame, horizontal sounding-board, key-bed, and keys thereof, pumping mechanism secured and supported upon the frame beneath the soundingboard, a pneumatic motor for actuating the music-rolls secured above the key-bed and provided with a controlling-valve mechanism, pneumatic connections for the said motor, and a tempo-lever pivotally secured to the keybed beneath the keys thereof and connected to actuate the said valve mechanism.

17. In aeombined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano and with the frame, horizontal sounding-board, keyboard, and keys thereof, pumping mechanism secured and supported upon the frame beneath the soundingboard, a pneumatic motor for actuating the music-rolls secured above the keyboard and provided with a controlling-valve mechanism, pneumatic connections for the said motor, and means for reversing the music-roll-actuating connections of the said motor and a controlling-lever therefor extending beneath the said keys.

18. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano, the combination of the frame, horizontal sounding-board, pedal-support depending from the frame and pedals thereof, a pumping mechanism secured and supported upon the frame beneath the sounding-board, treadles detachably connected with the said pedal-support and operative connections from the said treadles to the said pumping mechanism.

19. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano, the combination of the frame, horizontal sounding-board, pedal-support depending from the frame and pedals thereof, a pumping mechanism secured and supported upon the frame beneath the sounding-board, treadles movably mounted upon the said pedal-support and operative connections from the said treadles to the said pumping mechanism, and a manual lever pivoted to the frame of the piano beneath the keys thereof and provided with connections for actuating one of the piano-pedal mechanisms.

20. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano, the combination with the frame, sounding-board, depending pedalsupports and pedals thereof, of an action-case secured to the said frame behind the pedalsupports thereof and beneath the said sounding-board, an air-chamber and equalizers secured and supported upon the said frame beneath the said sounding-board independently of the said action-case and pneumatic connections extending from the said chamber to the said action-case.

21. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano, the combination with the frame, sounding-board, depending pedalsupports and pedals thereof, of an action-case secured to the said frame behind the pedalsupports thereof and beneath the said sounding-board, an air-chamber and equalizers secured and supported upon the said frame beneath the said sounding-board independently of the said action-case, pneumatic connections between the said air-chamber and the said action -case, a tracker-board and musicroll mechanism secured above the piano-keys and tracker connections extending rearward and downward from the said tracker-board to the said action-case.

22. In acombined pneumatic and man uallyoperated grand piano, the combination with the frame, sounding-board, depending pedalsupports and pedals thereof, of an action-case secured to the said frame behind 'the pedalsupports thereof and beneath the said sounding-board, an air-chamber and equalizers secured and supported upon the said frame being-board, an air-chamber and equalizers se-,

cured and supported upon the said frame beneath the said sounding-board independently of the said action-case, a pneumatic motor for actuating the music-rolls secured to the frame above the piano-keys and a controlling-valve mechanism and pneumatic connections therefor, and a tempo-lever pivoted to the frame beneath the piano-keys and connected to control the said valve mechanism.

24. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano, the combination with the frame, sounding-board, depending pedalsupports and pedals thereof, of an action-case secured to the said frame behind the pedalsupports thereof and beneath the said sounding-board, an air-chamber and equalizers secured and supported upon the said frame beneath the said sounding-board independently of the said action-case, a pneumatic motor for actuating the music-rolls secured to the frame above the piano-keys and a controlling-valve mechanism and pneumatic connections therefor, and a tempo-lever pivoted to the frame beneath the piano-keys and connected to control the said valve mechanism, and means for reversing the drive of the said motor.

25. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano, the combination with the frame, sounding-board, depending pedalsupports and pedals thereof, of an action-case secured to the said frame behind the pedalsupports thereof and beneath the said sounding-board, an air-chamber and equalizers secured and supported upon the said frame beneath the said sounding-board independently of the said action-case, a pneumatic motor for actuating the music-rolls secured to the frame above the piano-keys and a controlling-valve mechanism and pneumatic connections therefor and means for reversing the music-roll-actuating connections of the said motor.

26. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano, the combination with the frame, sounding-board, depending pedalsupports and pedals thereof, of an action-case secured to the said frame behind the pedalsupports thereof and beneath the said sounding-board, an air-chamber and equalizers secured and supported upon the said frame beneath the said sounding-board independently of the said action-case, and an expression-controlling-valve mechanism secured to the said frame and provided with connections to the said action-case.

27. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano, the combination with the frame, sounding-board, depending pedalsupports and pedals thereof, of an action-case secured to the said frame behind the pedalsupports thereof and beneath the said sounding-board, an air-chamber and equalizers secured and supported upon the said frame beneath the said sounding-board independently of the said action-case, an expression-controlling-valve mechanism secured to the said frame and provided with connections to the said action-case, and an expression-lever therefor pivoted to the frame beneath the piano-keys and connected to actuate the said expressionvalve mechanism.

28. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano and in combination with the frame, sounding-board, depending pedalsupports, pedals, and keys thereof, an airchamber and equalizers secured and supported upon said frame beneath the sounding-board, a pneumatic motor for actuating the musicrolls secured to the frame above the said keys, and valve-controlled pneumatic connections between the said air-chamber and the tracker rearward and downward to the said said motor.

29. Inacombined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano and in combination with the frame, sounding-board, depending pedalsupports, pedals, and keys thereof, an airchamber and equalizers secured and supported upon said frame beneath the soundingboard, a pneumatic motor for actuating the music-rolls secured to the frame above the said keys, and valve-controlled pneumatic connections between the said air-chamber and the said motor, a tempo-lever mounted beneath the piano-keys and provided with actuating connections for adjusting the valve mechanisms of said valve-controlled connections.

30. In acombined pneumatic and manually operated grand piano and in combination with the frame, sounding-board, depending pedalsupports, pedals, and keys thereof, an airchamber and equalizers secured and supported upon said frame beneath the soundingboard, a pneumatic motor for actuating the music-rolls secured to the frame above the said keys, and valve-controlled pneumatic connections between the said air-chamber and the said motor, a tempo-lever mounted beneath the piano-keys and provided with actuating connections for adjusting the valve mechanisms of said valve-controlled connections, and means for reversing the said motor.

31. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano and in combination with the frame, sounding-board, depending pedalsupports, pedals, and keys thereof, an airchamber and equalizers secured and supported upon said frame beneath the soundingboard, a pneumatic motor for actuating the music-rolls secured to the frame above the said keys, and valve-controlled pneumatic connections between the said air-chamber and the said motor, and a reversing-lever pivoted adjacent the piano-keys and provided with connections for reversing the music-roll-actuating connections of said motor.

32. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano, the combination of a frame, a horizontal sounding-board, keys, depending pedal-sup11 orts, action-case secured to the said frame behind the said pedal-supports and beneath the said soumling-board, a tracker board and music roll mechanism mounted on the frame above the piano-keys, and tracker connections leading rearward and downward from the said tracker-board to the said action-case.

33. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano, the combination of a frame, a horizontal sounding-board, keys, depending pedal-supports, action-case secured to the said frame behind the said pedal-supports and beneath the said sounding-board, a trackerboard and music roll mechanism mounted on the frame above the piano-keys, tracker connections extending from the action-case, and a pneumatic motor for actuating the music-roll mechanism secured to the frame above the piano-keys.

34. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano, the combination of a frame, a horizontal soumling-board, keys, depending [)GCltl-SUPDOI'IZS, action-ease secured. to the said frame behind the said pedal-supports and beneath the said souiuling-board, a tracker board and music roll mechanism mounted on the frame above the piano-keys, tracker connections extending from the tracker rearward and downward to the said action-case, a pneumatic motor for actuating the music-roll mechanism secured to theframe above the piano-keys, and a tempo-valve mechanism and connections for the said motor.

35. In a combined pneumatic and manually operated grand piano, the combination of a frame, a horizontal sounding-board, keys, depending pedal-supports, action-case secured to the said frame behind the said pedal-supports and beneath the said souriding-board, a tracker board and music roll n'ieehanism mounted on the frame above the piano-keys, tracker connections extending from the tracker rearward and downward to the said action-case, a pneumatic motor for actuating the music-roll mechanism secured to the frame above the piano-keys, and means for reversing the drive of said motor.

36. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano, the combination of a frame, a horizontal sounding-board, keys, a depending pedal-support, actioncase secured to the said frame behind the said pedal-snpport and beneath the said sounding-board, a tracker board and music roll mechanism mounted on the frame above the piano -keys, tracker connections extending from the tracker rearward and downward to the said action-case, expression-valve mechanism secured to the frame beneath the piano-keys and in pneumatic connection with the actioncase.

37. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano, the combination of a frame, a horizontal soundii'ig-board, keys, a depending pedal-support, action-ease secured to the said frame behind the said pedal-support and beneath the said sounding-board, a tracker board and music roll mechanism mounted on the frame above the piano-keys, trackerconnections extendingfrom the tracker rearward and downward to the said actioncase, expression-valve mechanism secured to the frame beneath the piano-keys and in pneumatic connection with the action-case, and a controlling-lever therefor pivoted to the frame beneath the piano-keys.

38. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano, the combination with the frame, sounding-board and piano keys thereof, of an action-case secured to the frame ISO behind the pedal-support thereof and beneath the soundingboard, expression-valve mechanism for the said action-case separable from the said action-case and secured to the said frame and means for actuating the said mechanism.

39. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano, the combination with the frame, sounding-board and piano-keys thereof, of an action-case secured to the frame behind the pedal-support thereof and beneath the sounding-board, expression-valve mechanism for the said action-case separate from the said action-case and secured to the said frame, and an expression-lever secured to the said frame beneath the piano-keys and provided With connections for actuating the said expression mechanism.

40. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano and in combination with the frame, depending pedal-support and pedals and piano-keys thereof, a tracker-board and music rolls mounted upon the said frame above the piano-keys, a pneumatic motor and connections for actuating the said music-rolls mounted upon the said frame above the said keys, and means for actuating and controlling the said motor.

41. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano and in combination With the frame, a depending pedal-support and pedals and piano-keys thereof, a tracker-board and music-rolls mounted upon the said frame above the piano-keys, a pneumatic motor and connections for actuating the said music-rolls mounted upon the said frame above the said keys, and tempo-valve mechanism for the said motor and a tempo-lever pivoted beneath the said keys and connected to actuate the said tempo-valve mechanism.

' 42. In a combined. pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano and in combination With the frame,depending pedal-support and pedals and piano-keys thereof, a tracker-board and music rolls mounted upon the said frame above the piano-keys, a pneumatic motor and connections for actuating the said music-rolls mounted upon the said frame above the said keys, and tempo-valve mechanism for the said motor and a tempo-lever pivoted beneath the said keys and connected to actuate the said tempo-valve mechanism, and means for reversing the music-rolls.

43. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano and in combination with the frame, depending pedal-support and pedals and piano-keys thereof, a tracker-board and music-rolls mounted upon the said frame above the piano-keys, a pneumatic motor and connections for actuating the said musicrolls mounted upon the said frame above the said keys, means for actuating and controlling the speed of the said motor and means for reversing the music-rolls.

44. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano and in combination with the frame,and piano-keys thereof,of a trackerboard and music-roll mechanism carried by the said frame above the said keys an actuating-motor therefor and controlling mechanism therefor extending beneath the said keys to be manually operated.

45. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano and in combination with the frame and piano-keys thereof, of a trackerboard and music-roll mechanism carried by the said frame above the said keys, an actuat ing-motor therefor and controlling mechan ism therefor including a tempo-lever pivoted to the said frame beneath the said keys.

46. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano,and in combination With the frame and piano-keys thereof,of a trackerboard and music-roll mechanism carried by the said frame above the said keys, an actuating-motor therefor and controlling mechan ism therefor, and means for reversing the operation of the rolls.

47. In a combined pneumatic and man uall yoperated grand piano and in combination with the frame and piano-keys thereof, of a trackerboard and music-roll mechanism carried by the said frame above the said keys, an actuating-motor therefor and controlling mechanism therefor, and means for reversing the operation of the rolls including a reversing-lever pivoted to the frame adjacent said keys.

as. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano and in combination with the frame and keys thereof, a motor for actuating the music-rolls secured to the said frame and above the said keys and controlling mechanism for the said motor extending beneath the said keys.

49. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano and in combination With the frame and keys thcreof,a motor for actuating the music-rolls secured to the said frame and above the said keys and controlling mech anism for the said motor extending beneath the said keys, including a mannally-operated lever pivoted to the frame adjacent the said keys.

50. In a combination pneumatic and manually-operated grand piano and in combination With the frame and keys thereof, a motor for actuating the music-rolls secured to the said frame and above the said keys and controlling mechanism for the said motor extending beneath the said keys, includinga manually-operated lever pivoted to the frame adjacent the said keys, and means for reversing the driving connections from the said motor for reversing the actuation of the said music-rolls.

51. In a combination pneumatic and manually-operated grand piano and in combination With the frame and keys thereof, a motor for actuating the music-rolls secured to the said frame and above the said keys and controlling mechanism for the said motor extending beneath the said keys, including a manually-operated lever pivoted to the frame adjacent the said keys, and means for reversing the driving connections from the said motor for reversing the actuation of the said music-rolls, comprising a lever pivoted adjacent the said keys.

52. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano and in combination with the frame and depending pedal-support, thereof, of treadles and connections for actuating the pneumatic mechanism, said treadles being detachably secured to said pedal-support and provided with folding connections and means for supporting them beneath the frame when detached from the said pedal-supports.

53. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano and in combination with a frame and keys therefor, a pneumatic motor mounted upon the said frame above the said keys, music-rolls mounted above the said keys, connections from the said motor for actuating either one of the said music-rolls, and manual means for controlling the said connections extending beneath the said keys, affording provision for manual control at the front of the keyboard.

5t. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano and in combination with a frame and keys therefor, a pneumatic motor mounted upon the said frame above the said keys, music-rolls mounted above the said keys, connections from the said motor for actuating either one of the said music-rolls, manual means for controlling the said connections extending beneath the said keys for manual control at the front of the keyboard, and manual means for controlling the said motor extending beneath the said keys, affording provision for manual operation at the front of the said keyboard.

55. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano and in combination with a frame and keys therefor, a pneumatic motor mounted upon the said frame above the said keys, music-rolls mounted above the said keys, connections from the said motor for actuating either one of the music-rolls, and connections for controlling the said motor from the front of the keyboard, said connections including a manually-operated lever extending beneath the said keys.

56. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano, the combination of the frame and horizontal sounding-board, a pedalsupport extending downward and at a right angle with the plane of the said sounding-board, pedals mounted in the said support, pianokeys and a bell-crank lever and connections for actuating one of the pedals.

57. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano, the combination of the frame and horizontal sounding-board, a pedalsupport extending downward and at a right an gle with the plane of the said sounding-board, pedals mounted in the said support, pianokeys and a bell-crank lever and connections for actuating one of the pedals, said connections including a man ually-operated lever pi voted beneath the said keys and extending to the front of the said keyboard.

58. In a combined pneumaticand manuallyoperated grand piano and in combination with the frame and horizontally-extending sounding-board and depending pedal-support secured to the frame, an air-chamber and equalizers supported beneath the said sounding board and secured upon the said frame at the rear of the said pedal-support, and mechanical connections extending forward from the said air-chamber, for substantially the purposes set forth.

59. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyoperated grand piano and in combination with the frame, depending pedal-support and hori- Zontally-extending sounding-board, the case for the said pneumatic action of the piano secured to the said frame beneath the said sounding-board and in the rear of the said pedal-support, for substantially the purposes set forth.

60. In a combined pneumatic and manually operated grand piano, a frame having an elongated front portion, a horizontally-disposed sounding-board in said frame, and a trackerboard and music-rolls mounted in the elongated front portion of said frame in the rear of the exposed portions of the keys.

61. In a combined pneumatic and manuallyopcrated grand piano, a frame, a horizontallydisposed sounding-board in said frame, a casing in front of the sounding-board and in the rear of the exposed portions of the keys, and a tracker-board and music-roll mechanism mounted in said casing.

62. In a combined pneumatic and mamiallyoperated grand piano, a frame, a horizontallydisposed sounding-board in said frame, a casing in front and in the plane of said soundingboard, and a tracker-board, music-roll mechanism and pneumatic motor for actuating the same mounted within the said casing.

63. In a combined pneumatic and man uallyoperated grand piano, a frame, a horizontallydisposed sounding-board in said frame, a casing in front and in the plane of said sounding-board, and a pneumatic actuating-motor mounted on said frame within said casing.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDIVIN S. VO'IICY.

IVitnesses:

FRANcIs YOUNG, SAML. A. Knoss.

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