PAPE'S PATENT TABLE PIANO-FORTES.
AMONGST the objects of the fine arts admitted at the late Exhibition of the produce of French Industry, Pianos were, unquestionable, the most remarkable. Sixty-seven masters sent to the exhibition nearly 200 pianos, amongst which were several of an entirely new shape ; such as table, gueridon, ovalt, hexagon, and consol. These new instruments are made at the manufactory of M. Pape, piano maker to the king, who also exhibited a square piano, which judges have justly considered as a master-piece of its kind. The latter is veneered with sheets of ivory, part of which is carved and inlaid, and forms a most beautiful mosaic design. M. Pape obtains these ivory sheets by means of spiral machinery of his own invention, which produces from elephant's teeth of an ordinary size sheets from 12 to 15 feet in length, and 2 feet in width. This invention will, no doubt be appreciated by miniature-painters, to whom this mechanical discovery will be of very great advantage. M. Pape also exhibited a horizontal grand piano of a small size. The most remarkable improvement in this instrument is the sounding-board, which is so disposed that the tension of the string stretches and keeps the sounding-board level. The consequence is, that the sound improves in course of time, whilst in pianos of ordinary construction, the contrary will happen. - Musical World. (The Year-book of Facts in Science and Art, 1839)
RECENT AMERICAN PATENTS.
[Selected from the Franklin Journal.]
WREST PIN FOR PIANO FORTES, Daniel Walker, New York. - Instead of the wrest, or turning-pin, generally used in piano fortes, a screw is to be used to move a nut which has the string attached to it. In the block which receives the turning pins, standards are to be inserted which rise vertically from the block to the height of about two inches. A screw with a square head is to pass through a projecting piece on the upper end of the standard, its point resting on a metallic stop. This screw passes through a sliding nut, one edge or which is guided up and down by a groove in the standard, and to this nut the wire is attached. At the lower end of this standard there is a small pullet, around the lower side of which the wire passes, extending from it along the instrument. The claim is to "the application of the nut, screw, and pulley, as above described, as a substitute for the ordinary turning pin."
Extension of the Term of a Patent under the late Patent Law Amendment Act, Dec. 15, 1835. - The Lords of the Judicial Committe of his Majesty's Most Hon. Privy Council sat to-day in the Council Chamber, to hear the petition for the extension of Erard's patent for pianofortes. The Lords present were- Lord Lyndhurst, Lord Brougham, Mr. Baron Parke, and the Cheif Judge in Bankruptcy. Signor Scappa, and other musical professors ; the clerk and the foreman of Mr. Erard, were examined by counsel before their Lordships. Lord Lyndhurst, on the part of the Lords present, stated that a sufficient case had been made out to induce their Lordships to recommend to his Majesty to extend the period of the first patent of 1821 and 1822 for England, Scotland, and Ireland, for seven years ; but their Lordships did not consider there were sufficient grounds for extending the term of the second patent of 1825.
JOHN HAWLEY, FRITH STREET, SOHO, WATCHMAKER, for improvements in pianos and harps. - Enrolment Office, December 1, 1840.
These improvements consist in the application of tempered steel springs to the above musical instruments, which may be either cylindrical, angular, or quite straight - except for the deep notes, those being thickest in the middle and tapered off toward each end. These wires are to be formed by means of a draw plate having an adjusting screw attached, so as to increase or diminish the pressure at pleasure. The wires are hardened by being heated red hot and quenched in the following mixture, viz. 5 lbs. of tallow ; 6 lbs. beef suet ; 1 lb. bee's wax ; 5 lbs. olive oil ; 1/4 lb. hartshorn in powder, and 32 grains of mercury. They are then to be tempered by bazing off, or any other convenient method, but the extreme ends of the wires must be let down and made quite soft, to allow them to be wound round the pegs of the instrument without breaking.
The claim is for the application of steel springs to harps and pianos, tempered in the manner described.
HENRY PAPE, OF GREAT PORTLAND-STREET, PIANO-FORTE MANUFACTURER, for improvements in castors. Enrolment Office, August 1, 1841.
These improvements consist merely in the application of two wheels or rollers to each castor, instead of the usual single, a contrivance already included in a recent patent bearing a similar title.
JOHN GODWIN, OF CUMBERLAND-STREET, HACKNEY-ROAD, PIANO-FORTE MANUFACTURER, for an improved construction of pianofortes of certain descriptions. Enrolment Office, August 23, 1841.
The improvements here patented relate to the construction and arrangement of the different parts of horizontal piano, the strings of which pass from the plate over the bridge on the sound-board in the usual manner, and under a bridge beneathe the wrest-pin block. The strings are each passed round a separate pulley, and are then carried up in front of the block to the wrest pins, and are secured in the usual way. These pulleys are made in sets, according as the instrument is to have two or three unisons, and the mounting of each set has a chank attached to the lower angle of the front of hte wrest-pin block, which is cut away for that purpose. The wrest-pin block is of a rectangular form, (8 inchest wide, and 4 inches deep,) and is composed of two pieces ; the lowesst of which is cut away to admit a strap on one end of a bar, the other end of which is attached to the string plate. There are several of these straps, which are let in to counteract the tendency of the tension of the stirngs to depress teh front and elevate the back of the wrest-pin block. For this purpose, an iron bolt, 3/16 of an inch in diameter is also passed through each bar, through the sound-board and bracket, and secured above the bar by a nut, and beneath the brackey by a washer.
The sound-board is places three inches and a half below the strings, and is extended two inches farther than usual towards the front of the instrument, under the vibrating part of the strings. This extension may be carried through the whole length of the scale, but it is preferred to go only as far as where the treble notes do not require dampers.
In order to effect the action on the key upon the hammer and damper, under this arrangement, the damper level is placed between the sound-board and the strings, and the bracket is made quite straight. The key is shortened about two inches, and a right-angled piece of metal fixed on the end of it communicates the action of the key to the damper lever. The check is carried farther back on the key, and a check piece is attached to the middle of the shank. The hammer rest is also removed higher up, and the length between the head and the shank of the hammer is reduced to an inch.
JOHN STEWART, OF WOLVERHAMPTON, ESQ., for certain improvements in the construction of piano-fortes. - Enrolment Office, Jan. 7, 1842.
The first of these improvements, which are five in number, consists in forming the frame of metal divided into compartment for the reception of the sounding-boards, which are only connected with the frame at intervals.
The second improvement relates to the mode of constructing and applying sounding-boards. These sounding-boards, three in number, are denominated the treble, adapted to the smallest partition of the frame ; the tenor, occupying the middle compartments, and a size larger than the former ; and the bass, which is considerably the largest, and is fitted in the remaining position of the frame.
The third improvement relates to an improved mode of applying the bridges ; these are of beech, 6 feet long, and half-an-inch wide at the treble end, gradually widening to three-quarters of an inch at the bass extremity. THe bridge is arched into twenty-oen abutments, each of which rests upon the sounding-board. The pins for the lower frets are placed on the top of the bridge, (which is perfectly straight,) as usual.
The fourth improvement consists in a new mode of stringing, by hanging the wires in small slides fixed in the upper edge of the stud-bar, whence the wires are carried to the pins at the lower edge of yhe bar, forming the upper frets ; the strings then pass down to the bridge in the ordinary way, forming angles between the respective pins placed therein, and after passing below the bridge they are hooked upon steel wires ten inches long, twisted double, with an eye at one end and a hook at the other. The eye is attached to one of hte screws of the screw-bar after passing the tension-bar ; the other end has a strong steel or iron wire hook, to which a string is attached ; it is then turned in theh usual fashion.
The fifth improvement consists in applying the action to upprigh piano-fortes, by placing the action underneath the keys, and causing the hammers to striking the wires in two distinct lines. The first line of hammers begins at the highest treble wire, and proceeds gradually downwards beneath the stud-bar to the centre of the scale. The second , or bass line begins at the usual distance from the feet placed on the bridge, and is progressively carried up in an oblique direction to the last note of the bass. A descending wire, ro other appropriate connection is adapted to the end of each key, its length being varied to suit the position in which each particular hammer is required to strike its string.
WILLIAM PHILLIPS PARKER, Lime-street, London, gentleman. For improvements in the construction of pianofortes. Patent dated May 15, 1849.
The patentee describes and claims, -
The application fo weights or pressure to pianofortes, either indirectly to the bridge, or directly to the sounding board itself, by whatever means may be found most convenient, so as to change the tone of the instrument, and thereby increase its musical capabilities.
RECENT AMERICAN PATENT.
(From the Franklin Journal.)
FOR AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE PIANO-FORTE ACTION. John H. Low.
The patentee says, - "The improvements which I have made consist, first, in a peculiar construction of that end of the hammer lever in which the fulcrum or pivot is placed, so that when the hammer is at its greatest height, or in contact with the strings, the point where the power is communicated from the key-lever, and the fulcrum or pivot on which the hammer-lever turns, shall be in a horizontal line, or nearly so, in connection with an opening or notch between these two points, sufficient to admit the head of the jack or fly by which the power is communicated, allowing the jack or fly to work off by its own regular motion, produced by being firmly attached to the key-lever, and describing a circle, of which the fulcrum of the key-lever is the centre. Secondly, in forming a rest, to prevent the jack or fly from moving more than is necessary to allow the hammer to fall upon the back catch, thereby avoiding the noise that is sometimes produced by the rebounding of the fly upon the surface, where it should slide smoothly."
Claim. - "What I claim as combined together, adn with the hammer and fly, is the projection and peculiar recess, with its abutment or block."
[]CLINTON ROBERTSON, of the []C. Robertson and Co., 166 []et, patent agents. For improve-[] musical instruments. [A commu-[] Patent dated April 24, 1851.
ROBERTSON'S PATENT IMPROVEMENTS IN PIANOFORTES.
[Communication from Abroad. See ants, pp. 357, 358.]
[In accordance with the promise contained in our last Number, we now proceed to lay before our readers a full description of these improvements, extracted from the Patentee's Specification.]
Specification.
The invention consists of an improved mode of constructing pianos, whereby the following advantages are obtained. First, The volume of sound is greater, the notes are fuller and stronger, they extend to a greater distance adn fill a greater space. the quality of tone is superior and more homogeneous, it comes more freely from the instrument, and the vibration is more prolonged. Second, the bass strings, which are very commonly deficient in volume and quality of tonne, particularly in upright or vertical pianos, will now be of a sonorousness equal and proportioned to those at the middle and upper part of the instrument ; and, Third, The longer the insrtument is played upon the better it will become, - it will improve by time, like a violin, the strings being arranged so as not to press on the sounding-board ; but, on the contrary, , to keep it constantly in a state of equilibrium, and so aslo as to facililtate the vibration.
Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the piano, on this improved plan of construction, on the line of the 3d a in a scale, shoeing two wires or strings for that note ; A A are the two strings, stretched parallel to each other between the two bridges EE, and passing through holes in the same ; a is a continuation of one of the two strings, forming an angle between the bridges C and E, by resting on the top of the bridge D. The string, after passing through a hole in the bridge C, is fastened at the point i at one end, and at the other end it is fastened in a similar manner to the tuning screw, or stud h ; a2 is the other string, making an angle in an opposite direction to that of a, by being passed through a hole in the lower end of the bridge D, after which it is fastened in the same manner as the first cord at i and h. This arrangement admits of the bridge being much higher than usual ; b is the lower table fixed on three sides to the frame of the piano, and to the cross beam f ; g, an interval or separation between the two tables b and b2. Fig 2 is a part front view of the sounding-board of the piano reduced to a scale of one-half the size of the sectional view ; a3 framework of piano ;b lower table ; b2 upper table ; g separation between the two.
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of a piano with one table or sounding-board. The strings being arranged on the same system as in fig. 1, differering however as regards the construction of the bridges E E in this, that instead of the strings being passed through a hole in the bridge, they are passed through small studs e e, which are screwed into the bridges.
The claim in respect of this branch of the invention is the producing in pianos of single notes from two strings, arranged as above described, the employment of high bridges, and the reducing and equalizing the pressure on the sounding-boards, as before described.
The said invention consists also of another improvemetn in pianos, which is applicable more especially to the class of upright piano. The inventor proposes to employ two sets of strings in one piano, both sets being sounded or struck at the same time by the movement of one set of keys. Fig. 4 is a vertical section of a piano thus constructed ; A A is the frame upon which the wires or strings a a are stretched ; B B2 are the hammers by which they are struck ; C C the keys, and E one of the levers by which the front hammers BB are actuated ; E F2 are levers, by which the movements of the keys are conveyed to the back set of hammers. At the lower end of the instrument the levers F F F2 are connected together by two horizontal balanced levers, G G2. The front lever G is mounted upon a frame H, together with the whole set of levers of the same kind, there being one such lever to every key. I, is a pedal by which the frame H, together with the levers F and G, can be raised up at any desired instant, and the hammers of the back action thrown out of action. What is claimed under this sixth head of the invention is the performing upon two actions or sets of strings by one set of keys, as above described.
JOHN HOPKINSON, of Oxford-street, pianoforte manufacturer. For improvements in pianofortes. (A communication.) Patent dated June 3, 1851.
The Improvements claimed under this patent comprehend -
1. Certain modes of communicating motion from the keys to the hammers, applicable to horizontal and upright pianos.
2. The application of sponge as a covering for the hammer heads.
Specification due but not Enrolled.
PIERRE ERARD, of Great Marlborough-[]pianoforte-maker. For improvements in pianofortes. Patent dated November 15, 1851.
These improvements comprehend -
method of arranging the strings of pianofortes so as to produce on the sounding-board ard an equal pressure, both in an upward and downward direction, and so also that the sounding part of all the strings shall lie in the same plane, which has not been hitherto managed when the pressure on the sounding-board has been equalized. This the patentee effects by passing each of the wires through holes in three studs attached to the bridge - the holes in the centre studs being made either at a higher or lower level than those in each of the other studs, so as to cause the wires in passing through the studs to make an angle with the ridge, and thus either exert an upward or downward pressure on the sounding-board. By placing the studs so as to make every alternate wire at the reverse angle to that immediately next it, the pressure on the sounding-board will be exactly balanced.
2. An arrangement for tuning the wires of pianofortes. The ends of the wires, after passing round screws the heads of which keep them from rising, are attached to slides moving in guides on the wrest plank ; and these slides are actuated by screws, the turning of which in either direction tightens or slackens the wires accordingly.
3. An improved construction of hammer-butt for "Erard's patent action," in which a reculating screw is introduced at the hammer centre.
JOHN HENRY PAPE, of Paris. For Improvements in ploughs. Patent dated October 23, 1851.
Mr. Pape's improvments in ploughs consist in combining therewith seed-planting machinery and arrangements for throwing earth over the seed, and raking or harrowing the surface of the planted ground. He also applies heat in certain cases to the ground, by means of a hollow roller containing steam. To assist in propelling the machine over the ground, steam may be caused to act so as to protrude from a cylinder in an inclined position a piston-rod, the end of which, by striking against the ground, gives a forward impulse to the machine. With respect to this method of auxiliary propulsion, Mr. Pape observes, that as "ploughmen are not at all accustomed to the management of steam, he does not think it likely that it will ever come into general use ;" and he therefore suggests, as an alternative expedient, to ignite successive small charges of gunpowder in the cylinder, the explosion of which would force out the piston or rod, and, by its action against the ground, cause the machine to be moved forward.
THOMAS STAHAM, of Sydney-street, City-road, pianoforte-maker. THOMAS LAMBERT, of Hampstead-road, pianoforte-manufacturer. For certain improvements in pianofortes. Patent dated January 27, 1852. WILLIAM SQUIRE, of High Holborn, pianoforte-maker. For improvements in the construction of pianofortes. Patent dated January 31, 1852. WILLIAM MATTHEWS, of St. James's-street, Nottingham. Improvements in pianofortes. Patent dated March 7, 1853. (No. 569.) HUGHES AND DENHAM'S PATENT PIANOFORTES, ORGANS, AND SERAPHINES. GEORGE HENRY BROCKBANK, of Crawley-street, Oakley-square. Improvements in horizontal pianofortes. Patent dated April 4, 1853. (No. 800.) RUST, ROBERT ANDERSON, of Regent-Street, Middlesex, pianoforte manufacturer. An improvement in pianofortes. Patent dated July 6, 1853. (No. 1615.) []ART, JAMES, of St. Paul's-road, []-square, Middlesex, pianoforte-[] Improvements in pianofortes. Patent []ugust 16, 1853. (No. 1912.) CAREY, JOSEPH HENRY, of Norwich, pianoforte-action maker. An improved pianoforte action for upright pianofortes. Patent dated October 6, 1853. (No. 2283.) HEWITT, DANIEL CHANDLER, of Richmond, Surrey, professor of music. Improvements in the construction of pianofortes. Patent dated December 16, 1854. (No. 2647.) DREAPER, WILLIAM PORTER, of Bold-street, Liverpool, Lancaster, pianoforte manufacturer. The improvement of the manufacture of pianofortes. Patent dated December 19, 1854. (No. 2671.) PAPE, JOHN HENRY, of Paris. Improvements in pianofortes. Patent dated January 22, 1855. (No. 165.) MARSH, JAMES, of Store-street, Bedford-square, Middlesex, pianoforte manufacturer. Improvements in the construction of pianofortes, for rendering them more portable. Patent dated April 28, 1855. (No. 963.) LAMBERT, THOMAS, of Harrington-square, Middlesex, pianoforte-manufacturer. Improvements in pianofortes. Patent dated May 2, 1855. (No. 983.) FISHER, J. P. Certain improvements in the construction of the hammers of pianofortes. Dated Nov. 23, 1855. (No. 2642.) OWEN W. An improvement in pianofortes. Dated Jan. 25, 1856. (No. 206.) MOUTRIE, W. F. C. An improvement in the damper action of pianofortes. Dated Feb. 13, 1856. (No. 365.) STEEDMAN, J. An improvement in pianofortes. Dated Feb. 26, 1856. (No. 490.) PRIESTLEY, F. Improvements in pianofortes. Dated Apr. 16, 1856. (No. 905.) GILBERT, T. An improved pianoforte action or string sounding mechanism. (A communication.) Dated Oct. 10, 1856. (No. 2382.) LA CABRA, J. Improvements in the action of pianofortes. Dated Nov. 6, 1856. (No. 2611.) HUXTABLE, L. Improvements in pianofortes. Dated Nov. 8, 1856. (No. 2628.) [not proceeded with] HADDAN, J. C. Improvements in pianofortes. Dated Dec. 1, 1856. (No. 2828.) NEWTON, W. E. Improvements in pianofortes. (A communicaton.) Dated Feb. 4, 1857. (No. 325.) []WASSER, A. An improvement in the []f horizontal pianofortes. Dated Feb. []7. (No. 466.) MILLS, W. An improvement in the action of upright pianofortes. Dated Feb. 26, 1857. (No. 568.) MILLS, W. Improvements in the action of upright pianofortes. Dated Mar. 23, 1857. (No. 813.) ROLFE, T. Improvements in pianoforte. Dated Apr. 9, 1857. (No.1000.) WYLIE, J. Improvements in pianofortes. Dated Apr. 18, 1857. (No. 1095.) TOLKIEN, H., and J. MIDDLETON. Improvements in pianofortes. Dated May 13, 1857. (No. 1348.) CRAWFORD, G. Improvements in pianofortes. Dated May 14, 1857. (No. 1363.) THOMPSON, H. Improvements in piano-[]Dated June 1, 1857. (No. 1545.) THOMPSON, E. Improvements in pianoforte hammers. Dated June 15, 1857. (No. 1674.) OETZMANN, F., and T. L. PLUME. Improvements in upright pianoforte actions. Dated July 25, 1857. (No. 2035.) JACKSON, T. Improvements in the action of pianofortes. Dated Sept. 3, 1857. (No. 2303.) 2819. R. L. BURROWS and J. KNOWLES, jun. "Certain improvements in the construction of pianofortes and organd." Dated Dec 8, 1858. J. STEWART. "Improvements in the construction of the action of piano-fortes." Dated Dec. 9, 1858. (No. 2826.) 287. R. GORMULLY. "Improvements in pianofortes with upright frames." Dated Feb. 1, 1859. 390. C. Jackson. "Improvements in the action of pianofortes." Dated Feb. 11, 1859. 604. C. MILLS. "Improvements in the action of pianofortes." Dated March 8, 1859.
Claims. - 1. The buffing of the jack or hopper-head, in place of the under lever.
2. The application on adjusting or regulating screw-head, buffed as aforesaid, in combination with a plain bevelled under-lever.br /
3. The sliding action of the said buffed jack-head upon the smooth uncovered bevelled end of the under-lever.
Claims.- 1. A mode of compensating the varying sensible weight of the hammer of pianofortes, or that weight which is apreciable to the touch of a performer.
2. Taking advantage of the sensible weight of the damper for reinstating the jack or hammer-lifer in the notch of the hammer.
3. Weighting the keys or key-levers in both upright and horizontal instruments.
4. A mode of applying the principle of gravitation for reinstating the jack or hammer-lifer in the notch of the hammer in horizontal instruments.
5. A mode of applying metal bars as a bracing in both upright and horizontal instruments.
The first part of this invention consists in substituting thin rods of brass or other suitable metal in lieu of the wood-stickers hitherto employed in upright piano-fortes. The second part consists in replacing the hopper action made use of in such instruments by a mechanical operation, denominated a propelling action. The third part consists in placing the dampers underneath the hammer, and in so constructing the said dampers as to cause them to approach the vibrating strings steadily in an oblique direction, "and thereby to cause them positively but silently to cease their vibrations quickly." The fourth part consists in applying to upright pianofortes additional sets of hammers (formed of different degrees of hardness, for the purpose of producing different tones,) without increasing the size of the instrument ; and further, in employing a series of steel vibrators in combination with the said hammers, for the purpose of obtaining additional as well as different tones. And the last part consists in forming the supporting parts of the frame of piano-fortes of angular-shaped bars of iron or brass, instead of wood, as hitherto practised.
A short notice of these iimproved instruments was given among the abstracts of specifications in our last number. We now supply a further account of the invention which appears to possess singular merit. The key-board arrangement is especially valuable in the case of pianofortes, as by it instruments of great compass may be produced, which at the same time will not occupy above half the space of the ordinary "cottage" instruments.
The engraving is a section of so much of a pianoforte of the ordinary construction as is necessary to explain the patentees' improved arrangement of the key-board and balance levers. A A' are the notes of the diatonic scale, which are arranged in such a manner that the keys A' are slightly raised above the notes A, and are also placed at the back thereof ; the balance levers, B B', are covered in front, as represented, and weighted, in order to equalize their action upon the hammers of the pianoforte, the valves of the organ, or the levers for admitting the wind to notes of the seraphine, harmonium, and other similarly consructed instruments. C C are the notes which form the chromatic scale, and C' their balance levers. It will be seen that by this method the notes of the diatonic scale are arranged in a series of thirds instead of seconds, as in instrumetns of the ordinary consrtuction ; but the inventors do not confine themselves to this particular arrangement. In some cases they mingle chromatic with the diatonic notes in proper position, and by this arrangement the pedal pipes of the organ may be introduced into the key board, so as to []them more immediately under the [] of the performer.
Another part of the invention consists in curving the back and sounding-board of pianofortes, and in arranging the wires and action in a similar curve, whereby the width of the instrument is materially reduced while the balance levers may be a[]parallel to one another, the notes o[] the diatonic and chromatic scales [] placed in the manner before describ[] represented in the engraving.
Claim-The application of an additional wrest-plank placed above the ordinary wrest-plank, causing the wrest-pins to pass through, and rest withing the additional wrest-plank, so that the strings pass between the two wrest-planks.
This invention consists in making perforations in the belly, or sounding-board, through which metal tubes, bent at their lower ends, are inserted, and are brought forward through hollow bars to the front of the sounding-board. These tubes are extended upwards through, or into the rest plank, and terminate in sound holes or apertures at the top of the instrument. Tee effect of these tubes will be to deepe and improve the tone considerably.
[]nvention relates to improvements in []n of upright pianofortes, and con-[]ausing the lower end of the sticker []ed or fixed directly to the fore-end []ver, which is in two parts hinged [] the back end being hinged to the [], as heretofore.
Claim - "Accomplishing by one thing, called an escapement-rod, the same objects that have hitherto been sought to be obtained by the employement of three things, named the hopper, the lever, and the sticker, thus dispensing with the use of hoppers and levers."
Claims. - 1. Applying pianoforte-strings to walls or fixed partitions as a substitute for the strong portable wooden frames and metal bracings at present employed for taking the strain of such strings. 2. The application to pianofortes of a certain lever arrangement for holding the strings at tension and facilitating the tuning of the same. 3. Arranging the strings of the several notes in different planes. 4. A method of raising the leven of the bearing point of the keys.
This invention has for its object the provision of means for counteracting the pressure caused by strings on the sound boards of pianofortes, and consists in the application of certain compensation bars and generators of sound to the ordinary sound boards and bars of pianofortes.
The inventor describes a new instrument in which the tone is produced partly by metal forks and partly by strings. It has seven complete octaves, in a smaller and lighter case than that of the ordinary pianoforte.
These improvements consist in constructing the main body or frame of the instrument on which the strings are stretched, together with the sounding board and case, in two or more parts, fitted to each other, so as to be readily capable of being separated.
"I cause the hopper head," says the inventor, "to be connected with the hopper by a suitable regulating screw, secured in the upper part of the hopper and passing through the hopper head, so that the same may be adjusted thereon at any height required, and the said hopper head is also connected with the hopper by two pins fitted into corresponding apertures, which serve to steady and secure the hopper head at whatever height adjusted." The buffed check is secured at one end to the top of the hopper and at the other to the sticker, so as to meet each other in the ordinary way.
The patentee constructs the head of the hammer which strikes the string in a separate piece, so as to admit of being removed and replaced ; or he constructs it so as to admit of being reversed or shifted, to present a fresh face for striking.PHILCOX, O. Increasing the effect and the facility in fingering the pianoforte, organ, or other musical instruments having a keyboard. Dated Jan. 17, 1856. (No. 128.)
This invention mainly consists of an arrangement of the white keys in two rows, the first being level, the second with a surface inclined towards the front, thus forming a valley in which the sharps and flats are placed in a certain way, having the form of stops or buttons inserted in the keys to which they belong.
This invention consists in the employment in pianofortes of a second or supplementary sounding-board, and in fixing the bridge upon the second sounding-board, which is placed in front of the ordinary one, or in placing two or more sounding-boards behind the strings. The sounding-boards are connected to each other and to the bard. By means of the additional sounding-board or boards, the inventor produces, in an instrument of no greater height than three feet, quantity, quality, and tone of sound, equal to that produced from a first-class grand piano.
The dampers are attached to the ends of bars, which move on an axis, carried by a rail suitably placed, and are each constantly pressed towards the strings by a spring. The other end of the lever which carries a damper is stopped by a suitable stop-rail, and by a bent wire constantly presses on the heel or end of the hammer-stick, beyond where it is hinged, there being felt or leather interposed between the heel and the end of the lever.
This invention consists in the employment of curved or arched bars for the support of the sounding board and central bridge in pianofortes, whereby this bridge is maintained a such a height as to ensure a curve in the strings when at their greatest tension.
This invention has reference - 1. To the "action" of a pianoforte, and consists in making it with a rocking lever or butt to each key, such lever or butt being constructed with a hammer-shank and hammer, and so shaped (and the back end of the key also so shaped) that the pressure of the finger on the key will cause the hammer not only to strike the string, but also to recoil therefrom, and to remain at any required distance from, but near to the string, so that, on releasing the finger and again quickly pressing the key, the hammer will again distinctly strike the string and repeat the note. It consists - 2. In a modification of this improvement by the intervention of a block or sticker between the back end of the key and the rocking lever or butt ; in such case, the top end of the block or sticker, instead of the back end of the key itself, is so shaped as to act upon the rocking lever or butt. 3. In construction pianoforte actions, either as firstly or secondly set forth, with a spring, serving not only to cause, or assist in causing, the back motion of the hamer, but also to keep the rocking lever and key, or the rocking lever and the block or sticker, constantly in contact with each other. 4. In supporting the belly and belly bridge, either directly or partially, by or from the strings by means of the bridge pins ; and also constructing a belly so supported with the belly disposed at or upon, or so as to form, its bottom edge.
In this invention the jack or fly is dispensed with, the devices employed for elevating the hammer being so arranged and actuated as to always maintain upon the key-lever the weight of the said hammer while it is in action, the same rendering the hammer to the slightest downward movements of the key. The invention cannot be described fully without engravings.
This has for its object - 1. The simplifying of the action of pianofortes, and the bringing to bear of greater power than heretofore upon the hammers. 2. The arrangement of a check of arresting the hammers and preventing them from repeating upon the wires after every blow. The invention cannot be desctribed in detail without engravings.
This consists in arranging the cases of pianofortes so that they can be opened and closed by a treddle at the command of the performer, so as to modulate the sound as he may desire.
This consists in manufacturing of metal the framing or portion of pianofortes across which the strings are to be stretched, and also with the upper or wrest plank bridge cast in one piece, or combined therewith ; and also in the use and application of such metal framing in combination with a wrest-flank, or bed, or bar of wood (for carrying the wrest or tuning pins) ; also in manufacturing the upper or wrest plank bridge of pianofortes of metal with notches, grooves, or hollows, for guiding or maintaining the springs or wires in position. And the invention also consists in loading or weighting the bass strings of pianofortes with metallic or other buttons or discs, so as to obtain the deep notes with shorter lengths of the strings than heretofore. And also in galvanizing or tinning the strings of pianofortes so as to preserve the strings from oxiations.
This consists in balancing or placing the centres of motion of the keys at, near or above the top thereof.
[]ction is so arranged that when the []truck an upright lifts the hammer ; []er end of the upright is moved by an []ent button carried by the hammer, and the [] by its spring is brought back when [] again assumes the horizontal posi[]
The escapement is arranged to work at the upper part of the sticker, and so that when the sticker is raise by putting down the key, the upper part of the escapement puts the hammer in motion, and is caused to escape from a notch or step in the hammer butt by a projection on the escapement coming in contact with the escapement button.
Here the action of the check and of the damper is derived from the sticker by a lever having its fulcrum or axis on a fixed rail, attached at one end by a pin joint to the sticker. At the other end the lever has attached to it the lower end of the check wire, there being an adjusting nut at the end of the wire to adjust the distance from the string at which the hammer shall be checked. Between the sticker and the fulcrum of the lever the lower end of the damper wire is attached : hence, when the sticker is raised it will, by giving motion to the lever, move the check into position and remove the damper from the string.
The object here is to prevent the vibration of the hammer after it has struck the strings. A piece or pieces of vulcanized India rubber, supported on the key or otherwise, is substituted in lieu of the elastic or yielding wire.
This consists of detailed improvements in the "action" of cottage and cabinet or upright pianofortes, the object being to simplify the parts, and render the movement more effective than hitherto.
This refers to obtaining greater permanency and brilliancy of tone in pianofortes by giving additional strength and rigidity to the bracings, and consists in employing a truss convex bracing of wood.
According to one portion of this invention the rest bridge is made of glass, to secure a purity of tone. Another modification consists in the use of double sounding boards, in order to increase the volume of sound from the instrument.
[]e object here is to facilitate the execu-[] and increase the effect of "crescendo [] diminuendo" passages upon piano-[]. Here the panel above the keys is []d by a series of parallel laths which [] mounted upon pivots at each end. These [] may be arranged vertically or hori-[]lly, are kept closed by springs, adn are []ected by cranks and rods to an addi-[]l [] by depressing which they are []ed, turning upon their pivots in the []ner of "louvres" or venetian blinds.
The heads of pianoforte-hammers are here formed so that a new point of impact may be presented as the other becomes worn out or defective, until an entire cycle is worn out.
These consist in so constructing the action of an upright pianoforte that the hopper shall take effect directly on the butt of the hammer, and cause it to strike the blow without the intervention of a sticker or rod. A surface is also formed on the hammer butt, which comes in contact with a part of the hopper when the hammer falls off, and so arrests its fall, and forms a check in its tendency to vibratory motion. It also consists in mounting and applying the dampers on the back end of the keys, or it may be to the hopper block attached to the keys , so that the rise of that end of the key produced by the act of striking a note removes the damper from the string or strings struck by the motion of such key.
Thsi consists in forming a projection at the hammer butt, and combining it with a catch so as to produce the requisite check to the hammer in its rebound, and so as to accomplish the repeat more advantageously.
The object here is to elicit the sound of two notes simulaneously by the touch of one key. It consists in connecting each key (and its individual mechanism) to its corresponding unison key, or ctae above or below, by means of a series of rectangular bell cranked lever, the ends of which act upon or strike a projection upon the ordinary "sticker," which is raised by each key, so that the action of each key struck is transferred to its octave above or below, and the two notes are struck and the octave sound produced simultaneously. Patent completed.
This consists in mounting the escapement button on the fly or hopper, and at each an inclination that just as it comes against the surface of the projection it is moving in a direction perpendicular to the surface. Patent completed.
Here the strings are placed diagonally from back bottom to front top, or the reverse, either as a simple diagonal, or as a transverse diagonal. The strings are attached to a loose frame, the upper part or rest plank of which is formed of two pieces, between which the strings are attached to rest, formed so that the pull of the strings is direct. Or the strings are attached to a solid face, thick at the base end, and thin at the treble end. The sound board is loose to allow of free vibration. To such backs is applied the action ordinarily only used in the grand horizontal pianofortes, with its checks, dampers, &c., the object being simplicity and strength. The sound board is of glass or paste board. The ends of the instrument are formed of fretwork in wood, metal, gutta-percha, silk, or long cloth. The keys are of crystal, and arranged chromatically. The name board is of crystal. The centre of the top rail of top door has a stick for a candle or lamp, so that light may fall direct on the music book beneath. Patent abandoned
In order to obtain the escapement of the fly or hopper the patentee fixes to the front of it at right angles, or nearly so, a straight projecting piece, the end of which comes underneath a step carried by a stem fixed in the block on which the fly or hopper is mounted. This stop is adjustable by a screw, and by it the fly or hopper can be arranged to escape at the proper time from the hammer or other instrument on which it acts. Below the projection from the fly or hopper he sometimes places another adjustable stop, also mounted on the block carrying the hopper. This second stop is employed in substitution of the rail ordinarily used to prevent the flys or hoppers from falling further from the hammers or instruments on which they act than is necessary. Patent completed.
Here the fly, as heretofore, is hinged at its lower end to a block fixed in a key of an instrument, as is also, as heretofore, pressed back by a suitable wire spring. At the front of the block is formed a stump which rises above the block, and the fly has a screw fixed into it at a point above the hinge. The screw passes through a hole fomed in the stump in the block, and has mounted on it a button or stop which comes against the stump so as to stop the fly at the point required. Patent completed.