US1804568A - Piano - Google Patents

Description

May 12, 1931. R. J. SCHMUDE 1,804,568

PIANO Filed Feb. 237. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l a 59 .76 I Z May 12, 1931 R. J.- SCHMUDE 1,

PIANO Filed Feb. 27, 1930 2-Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 12, 1931 E UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROBERT J. SCHMUDE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS i PIANO" Application filed February 27,1930. Serial No. 431,821.

1 proved type of string plate.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the consideration of the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a plan view showing the features of my invention applied to a grand piano. 7 Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 2 2 ofFig- 2O ure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional View taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

' Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

In accordance wi h the general features of my invention, I support the bridge over which the strings pass so as to avoid direct "bearing thereof on the sounding board. More specifically, I form the bridge as part 'of the string plate. Means is provided for transmitting sound vibrations of the strings to the sounding board through the bridge as is customary. I can, of course, make use of a single sounding board with which the A 35 bridge has direct physical contact, but I prefer the use of a double sounding board with an opening in the board closest to the bridge through which the sound waves passto be resonated between the two boards by means 0 of'the direct resonating effect of the boards similar in character to that obtained by the use of only a single board.

Referring now to the drawings where the invention is shown applied to a grand piano, I employ a suitable wooden frame including the members 10, 11 and 12 'with a lower sounding board 13 and an upper sounding board 14 connected at their edges to the frame members 11 and 12. As Fig. 2 shows,

I 50 the sounding board is of slightly reduced the purpose of regulating the tension of the bridge, this opening also area as compared to the string plate shown above the same, such string plate indicated generally by the character A being secured between the frame members 10 and 12. Full details of the frame section are not given as this may be modified greatly and is not re quired to be shown in order to understand the invention. The string plate includes a tuning pin section 16 immediately above the frame portion 10 with openings therethrough for the pas sage of tuning pins 17, such tuning pins being threaded into the wooden frame'in the usual manner so that they can be turned for strings. At the opposite side of the string plate there is a hitch pin section 18 having hitch pins 19 secured therein by driving fit,

as is usual. in the art. The space between the tuning pin section and the hitch pin sec- 1, tlon is largely open and is connected by ribs 21 and 22 and by a Y-shaped rib23 including the bifurcations 23a and 28b. Bifurcation 23b is joined to an intermediate portion of the rib 22 while the bifurcation 23a extends on to and is connected with the base string section as will be hereinafter described. Immediately adjacent the hitch pin section and paralleling the same substantially throughout is a bridge 24 over which the? strings pass. This bridge is madeup in the usual Way to support the strings and receive vibrations therefrom. A suitable form is shown in Figs. 2 and 3 wherein guide pins 2626 are provided for the strings with a top layer .of felt 27 for dampening the vibrations of portions of the stringwhich are not designed to produce sound. Thebridge is supported throughout its length by the cross or reinforcing ribs extending from the tuning 0 .ran-g'ement, an opening 28 is provided in the top sound board extending partly under the paralleling the bridge throughout its length. I

For affording a positive support for the w strings at the tuning pin section without any possibility of incurring objectionable vibration at the ends, I employ a depressor bar 29 extending the full length of the tuningpin section and parallel thereto, this bar being connected to the ribs 21, 22 and 23 and split up into a number of sections thereby. Its lower edge is below the level of the tuning pin section, as shown in Fig. 3 and a relatively narrow lower edge 29a is provided for the seating of the strings. A corresponding edge 16a is also provided forthe tuning pin section.

In order to keep a piano within reason-able dimensions, the strings are generally superposedin two or more layers or sections, and thesevare generally known as the treble and bass string sections. I have provided a similar construction wherein the treble strings G pass under thebass strings D and the string plate is designed and constructed to support the treble and bass strings in suchsuperposed positions. I For the bass strings, ahitch pin section 31 is provided with a bridge .32, an opening 33 being provided in the top sounding board 14 immediately below the bass bridge 32. The bass hitch pin section and bridge are supported by ribs34 and 36, the rib 36 being a continuation of the rib 22 but running at an obtuse angle to the rib 22, the connection being made just after the rib 22 passes the ztreble string bridge, the treble hitch pin section 18 extending into the obtuse angle formed by the ribs 22 and 36. This construction affords a maximum of strength and leaves ample clearance, etc, for the passage of'the strings. The rib 34 is relatively short,

extending from the bass hitch pin section to the treble bridge, the portion34ca near the treble bridge being tapered down :to make a suitable clearance for the passage of the'treble strings. A treble hitch pin section 37is provided for the longer of the treble strings, this hitch pin section being supported between the ribs3- l and 36. Still another hitch pin section 38 is provided for the. longest of the treble strings, this section being supported biitweeu the end of the rib 23a and the rib 34, v and by the tapered portion of the rib 34. In "order to aid in imparting ample strength to "this portion of the string plate, a reinforcing or strengthening rib 4:1 is provided extenda continuation of the rib 23a,-a cross rib 39 ing from the extreme end of the tuning pin section and connecting to a mid-pointof the rib 23a. Still another strengthening rib 4C2 extends from the rib41 at a pointwhe-re it joins the rib 23a and runs overthe edge of the string plate. The rib 41 is directly in line with the rib 34 and both are parallel to the bass strings, while the rib 23b is in line with the rib '36 and is also parallel'to thev bass strings. A tuning pinsection 43 for the bass.

strings is provided inline with the treble tuning pin section 16. A triangular brace 4:4: is provided between the bass tuning pin section and the treble tuning pin section and connects with the bifurcated rib 23 so as to impart the necessary reinforcing or strengthening of thelplate in the direction in which the strings pul It will be observed that the ribs ingeneral are parallel with the strings, but wherethe treble and bass strin s are superposed at an angle to each other, the two ribs 230. and 23b occurring as bifurcations of the rib 23 cannot be parallel with both sets of strings. I accordingly pass the strings under these members, so shaping them that ample clearance is afiorded, as Fig. 2' illustrates. The treble strings pass under the rib 23?) while the bass strings pass under the rib 23a.- Clearance is maintained between thetwo sets of strings, thebass string being above the treble strings.

This is accomplished in part by raising the bridge 32 above the level of the treble string bridge. A bass string depressor bar 46 is provided as a continuation of the treble string depressor bar but is so shaped that its lower string engaging edge 46a is above the-corresponding point on the treble string depressor bar. In Fig. 2 I have dotted in the position of the treble string depressor bar in order to show a continuation of-the treble strings which are shown below the bass strings in this view.

I have described the main structural features of my invention, including the tuning pin section, hitch pin sections, bracing ribs, etc. Now, in the construction of a string plate of this character, any suitable manut facturing means may be used. I prefer, however, to cast the string plate as a unitary structure employing, preferably, a relatively lightweight alloy capable of producing the necessary strength. Constructed in this way, the string plate has integral peripheral connecting portions which may take various specific shapes and which I do not deem'it necessary to describe here in detail. I may say, however, that I prefer a rib construction at the outside of the shortest treble strings, as Figure 1 shows. I

I claim as my invention:

1. Ina piano, a sounding board, a plurality of strings, a string plate including means for supporting and tensioning the strings, and a bridge over which the strings are extended supported entirely by the string plate, sounds produced by the strings being resonated by the sound boardwithout direct contact therewith.

2. In a piano, a sounding board, a plurality of strings, a string plate for supporting the strings at proper tension, and 1a bridgewith which the strings contact, supported entirely by said string plate. 7

ing the strings at proper tension, and a bridge for said strings built integral with the string plate to relieve the sounding board of the tension of said strings and bridge.

4. In a piano, a string plate, a plurality of strings supported thereby, a bridge over which the strings lay supported by the string plate, and a double sounding board in the form of a pair of parallel boards, one immediately adjacent the string plate and the second removed therefrom.

5. In a piano, a string plate, a plurality of strings supported thereby, a bridge over which the strings lay supported by the string plate, and a double sounding board in the form of a pair of parallel boards, one immediately adjacent the string plate and the second removed therefrom, said sounding board immediately adjacent the string plate having an aperture for the passage of sound Waves produced by the strings.

6. In a piano, a pair of sound boards parallel to, but spaced from each other, a plurality of strings, a string plate to which the ends are secured, and a bridge With Which an intermediate portion of the springs contact, an opening being provided in the sound ing board adjacent the bridge and said opening extending substantially the full length of the bridge partly underneath the same.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 17th day of February, 1930.

ROBERT J. SGHMUDE.

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