US464992A

US464992A - Piano-frame

Info

Publication number: US464992A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1891-12-15
Anticipated expiration: 1908-12-15

Description

2 SheetsSheet 1.

(No Model.)

A. H. REED.

PIANO FRAME.

Patented Dec. 15,1891.

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(No Model.)

A. H. REED.

PIANO FRAME.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AIJANSON II. REED, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PIANO-FRAM E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 464,992, dated December 15, 1891.

Application filed February 6, 1891- Serial No. SBOJ (N0 model) To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALANspN H. REED, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Piano Backs or Frames; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

This invention relates to the backs or frames of pianos, that support the sounding-board, pin-block or wrest-plank, string-plate, and other usual piano parts, the object of the presentimprovement being to provide an improved construction of such back embodying the features of great strength and rigidity, to resist the strain brought to bear upon the same in use, and in which convenient and ready means are provided for the attachment of the sounding-board, pin-block or wrestplank, string-plate, and other piano parts, and by which the same are supported and sustained in their proper position in a very perfect and effective manner. I attain such objects by the improved construction of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is an elevation of the back or frame of an upright piano illustrating my present invention; Fig. 2, a section of the same at line 0300; Fig. 3, an end elevation of the same 5 Fig. 4, a detail section at line as as; Fig. 5, a similar view at line X X Fig. 6, a detail rear elevation of the upper corner of the back or frame.

Similar numerals of reference indicate like parts in the several views.

As represented in the drawings, the main back or frame of the piano is formed of metal, and consists of a top rail 1, a bottom rail 2, side rails 3 3, and intermediate rails at 4, extending from the top to the bottom rail and constituting an intermediate bracing to afford additional stiffness and rigidity to said rails, more especially the top rail 1, which in use is exposed to the greatest strain.

In my preferred construction the diiferent rails l 2 3 3, composing the frame or base, are made of a channeled formation, so that a cavity will be formed thereby to receive and firmly hold wooden blocks 5,securedinanysuit-. able manner, their upper sides or faces constituting a continuous rim around the frame for the ready attachment of the soundingboard 6, which is secured in place by means of the usual marginal rim-strips 7, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 4-.

\Vhile I illustrate in the drawings the different rails as of a substantially rectangular cross-section, I do not, however, limit my present invention to such particular channeled cross-sectional formation, and any other wellknown and suitable formation may be substituted therefor without departing from the spirit of my invention, and in like manner it is within the province of my present invention to substitute any other well-known form of bracing for the parallel intermediate braces at a.

XVith the present improved construction I am enabled to construct the top rail 1 with an arched stiffening structure 8 to form an abutment for the pin-block or wrest-plank 9, which is cut away, as shown, to fit such arched structure, and for the better attachment and holding of the pin-block or wrest-plank in proper position I form the arched structure 8 with end flanges or webs 10 to form confiningabutments for the ends of the said wrestplank and a rear plate-extension 11 for attachment to the back of the said wrest-plank, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

The string-plate 12 of the piano is secured at its marginal edges to the present frame by screws passing into posts 13 on the side and bottom rails 2 and 3, as shown in Fig. 3, the top edge of the string-plate l2 resting upon the upper or outer face of the arched structure 8 and secured thereto by screws, as shown.

l-i are lugs or ribs on the outer surface of the side rails to form abutments for the braces of the top, the key-board or bottom, and the feet of the piano.

15 is a tie-rod extending across the frame adjacent to its rear side for the double purpose of bracing or tying the frame together and forming a convenient handle by which to move or carry the piano.

Informing my improved piano back or frame the same may be cast in a mold from any suitable metal or alloy possessing the necessary strength. I, however, prefer to press it out of a sheet or plate of wrought metal between suitable dies by which the special flanged or channeled formation is imparted to the different rails of the frame.

The arched form of the top rail for the support of the wrest-plank is not claimed, broadly, herein, the same forming the subject-matter of a companion application, Serial No. 380,543, filed February 6, 1891.

Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is I 1. A metal back or frame for pianos, having marginal channels for the reception of wooden blocks, to which the sou nding-board is attached, substantially as set forth.

2. A metal back or frame for pianos, having marginal channels for the reception of wooden blocks that form a marginal rim, to which the sounding-board is attached, substantially as set forth.

3. A metal back or frame for pianos, having marginal channels for the reception of wooden blocks, to which the sounding-board is attached, the top and bottom rails of the frame being extended outward in the direction of the sounding-board to form a support for the spring-plate and pin-bloek of the piano, substantially as set forth.

4. A metal back or frame for pianos, having marginal channels for the reception of wooden blocks, to which the soundingboard is attached, the top rail of the frame being provided with a socket formation to receive and hold the pin-block of the piano, substantially as set forth.

5. A metal back or frame for pianos, having marginal channels for the reception of wooden blocks, to which the sounding-board is attached, the top rail of the frame having an arched formation to stiffen and support the pin-block of the piano, substantially as set forth.

(5. A metal back or frame for pianos, having marginal channels for the reception of wooden blocks, to which the sounding-board is attached, the top rail of the frame being provided with a socket formation to receive and hold the pin-block and an arched formation to stiffen and support the same, substantially as set forth.

7. A metal back or frame for pianos, having marginal channels for the reception of wooden blocks, to which the sounding-board is attached, the top, side, and bottom rails of the frame being extended outward in the direction of the sounding-board to form a sup port for the string-plate and pin-block of the piano, substantially as set forth.

8. A metal back or frame for pianos, hav ing marginal channels for the reception of wooden blocks, to which the sounding-board is attached, the bottom and side rails of the frame being provided with posts that extend outward in the direction of the soundingboard to form a support for the string-plate of the piano, substantially as set forth.

9. A metal back or frame for pianos, having marginal channels for the reception of wooden blocks, to which the sounding-board is attached, and having lugs or ribs 011 the outer surface of its side rails to constitute abutments for the braces of the top, the keyboard or bottom, and the feet of the piano, substantially as set forth.

10. A metal back or frame for pianos, having marginal channels for the reception of wooden blocks, to which the sounding-board is attached, and a tie-rod extending across the frame and forming a convenient means for handling the piano, substantially as set forth.

11. As an improved article of manufacture, a piano back or frame formed of pressed wrought metal, substantially as herein described, and provided with channels for the reception of wooden blocks, to which the sounding-board is attached.

In testimony whereof witness my hand this 3d day of February, 1891.

ALANSON ll. REED.

In presence of- ROBERT BURNS, GEO. H. ARTHUR.