US286425A - Paul gmehlin - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

P. GMEHLIN.

UPRIGHT PIANO OASE.

Pgented Oct. 9, 1883. 94,

WITNESSES n. PEYEIS, mummmr. Wadvnglm. ac.

UNITE STATES- PATENT OFFICE.

PAUL GMEHLIN, or new YORK, n. Y.

UPRlGHT-PIANO CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 286,425, dated October 9, 1883.

Application filed March 2!), 1883. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, PAUL GMEHLIN, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Upright-Piano Cases, of which the follow ing is a specification.

Cases for upright pianos have been constructed with a movable front panel below the top, which panel could be thrown back without disturbing the top and the ornamental articles usually placed thereon. This hinged front panel, however, increased the height of the case, as it had to be stored away in its rearmost position below the top proper, and required, furthermore, a screen at the upper part of the wrest-plank, so as to hide the same and prevent its being seen through the open space that is formed at the front of the case when the movable panel is thrown back.

The object of this invention is to provide a case for an upright piano in which a reversible front panel is employed that can be thrown into open or closed position against the front edge of the top or the upper edge of the front frame, so as to increase or decrease the volume of sound of the piano, said panel assisting, when opened, the escape of the sounds, and covering in this position the upper part of the wrest-plank and its accessories.

The invention consists of a piano-case provided with an opening between the upper edge of the front frame and the front edge of the top, and of a reversible front panel that swings on pivots located equidistantly, or nearly so, from the upper and lower edges of the panel in suitable bearings, and is operated by means of a suitable intermediate lever mechanism and auxiliary pedal, so as to assume, when opened, an inclined position, extending from the front edge of the top down wardly toward the sounding-board, as will more fully appear hereinafter, and finally be pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a front elevation of an uprightpiano casing shown with part broken away and the reversible front panel removed. Fig. 2 is a vertical. transverse section on line at m, Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section of the reversible panel, drawn 011 a larger scale, and showing the front panel in open position by dotted lines.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the front frame, B B the sides, and O the hinged top, of my improved ease for upright pianos. Between the upper edge of the front frame, A, and the front edge of the top 0 is provided an opening, a, which is closed by a reversible front panel, D, of segmental or ogee shape, said panel being provided with rear brackets. D, which are pivoted either to bearings of the sides B B or to auxiliary brackets E E, that are rigidly secured to the rear side of the front frame, A, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The pivots of the reversible panel D are located midway, or nearly so, between the front edge of the top and the upper edge of the front frame, and above the level of the edge of the front frame, the lower part of the panel below the pivots being made longer than the upper part above the pivots, so that the panel D abuts, respectively, over the edge of the front frame when in closed position, and over the edge of the top when in open position. In open position it extends at about an angle of sixty degrees to the vertical plane from the front edge of the top 0 downward toward the sounding-board, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3,'so as to cover the upper part of the wrest-plank, and assist in throwing out the volume of sound through the opening a at the upper part of the case. In open or reversed position the front panel also serves either for displaying the name of the maker on its rear side, or it may be ornamented on that side in an attractive manner, or covered with a mirror, so as to show by reflection the movements of the hammers while playing. When in closed position, the panel abuts over the upper edge of the front frame, B, as shown in Fig. 3, while in op en position it abuts against the front edge of the top. The upper part of one of the brack ets D of the front panel, D, is provided with a projecting stud or pin, d, that is engaged by "a short rod, (1, having a hook-shaped upper end, (P, the rod d being hinged to a vertical slide-rod, F, and retained by a spring-strap, cl", in proper position. The sliderod F is guided in braeketsf of the case, and acted upon at the lower end by a fulcrumed and springpressed lever, F, that is again acted upon by a second fulcrumed lever, F, which isoperremove the latter, together with the reversible panel, which is more convenient for use. The sides B B of the case are cut away to suit the molding of the reversible panel. The reversible panel may also be opened directly by taking hold of its lower part or molding, which projects to the outside of the front frame, A, and rests in the usual manneron rubber cushioning-tips of the front frame, A. The pin d becomes detached from the hook-shaped end of rod d by the reversing of the front panel, I and re-engages the same when the panel is closed.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1 as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1; The combination, with an upright-piano case having an opening between the upper edge of the front frame and the front edge of the top, of a reversible front panel having rear brackets that are pivoted to bearings of the side walls or front frame at points midway, or nearly so, between the edges of the front frame and top, the lower part of the panel below the pivots being longer than the upper part above the pivots, so that said lower part abuts, respectively, over the edges of the front frame and top when in closed or open position, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of an upright piano case having an opening between the upper edge of the front frame and the front edge of the top, a reversible front panel, brackets applied to the rear side of the panel and pivoted to bearings of the sides or front frameof the case, and an intermediate-lever mechanism, whereby the front panel is connected with an auxiliary pedal, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with an upright-piano case having an opening, a, between the upper edge of the front frame and the front edge of the top, of a reversible front panel, D, fulcrumed by rear brackets to the sides or front frame of the case, said panel having at its upper end a backwardly-projecting stud or pin, (1, a hinged and spring-acted rod, d, having hook-shaped end engaging said pin, a vertically-guided slide-rod, F, intermediate levers,

.F F connecting-rod Ffland pedal F, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

PAUL GMEHLIN.

Witnesses:

PAUL GonrEL, SIDNEY MANN.

Images