GB190103080A - An Improved Musical Instrument. - Google Patents

Abstract

3080. Machell, T. Feb. 13. Instruments with sonorous forks.--The invention relates to improvements on the inventions described in Specifications No. 4650, A.D. 1882, and No. 4071, A.D. 1888. The sounds are produced by hammers O, which strike forks A, the latter being connected by springs D with the bridge C of a soundboard B. The springs are screwed to the bridge, and are connected to the forks by rivets passing through holes bored in the forks at a node. The forks are carried in a flat rail I to which they are secured by hooks H, Fig. 4, a piece of rubber or other soft material G encircling the fork where it is engaged by the hook. The forks may also be secured in a vertical position, so as to enable them to be struck by an ordinary upright piano action. In this last arrangement, they are placed astride a rail, which is notched to receive them, and to which they are secured as before by hooks. The return movement of the keys J is effected by springs K. The hammers are normally pressed against a padded rail P by springs NN, and are forced down against the forks A by jacks L, which are pivoted to adjustable blocks carried by the keys. The dampers R are operated by the rear ends of the keys, the rods Y which communicate motion to them being guided by a rail W.