US484403A

US484403A - Pianoforte

Info

Publication number: US484403A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1892-10-18
Anticipated expiration: 1909-10-18

Description

2 Sheets Sheet 1 Model.)

J- W. BRACKETT. PIANOPORTE.

N0. 484,403. Patented Oct. 18, 1892.

J, W. BRAGKETT.

PIANOFORTE No. 484,403. Patented Oct. 18, 1892.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN W. BRAOKETT, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

PlANOFORTE.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent N0. 484,403, dated October 18, 1892. Application filed February 16, 1891. Serial No. 381,536. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN W. BRAoKETT, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Pianofortes,of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to pianofortes, especially to the tuning devices, their connection with the plate, the means for attaching the strings to them, and to a novel method of grouping and holding them in place, by which I obtain the required draft upon the strings and in such a manner as to secure the strains through the axis of the tuning devices.

In the drawings, Figure 7 is a sectional view of that part of a pianoforte-plate showing my invention. Fig. 5 is a face view of a part of a piano-plate, sounding-board, bridge, and strings. Fig. 6 is a top view of the rim of the plate shown in Figs. 5 and 7, showing the distribution of the three series or lines of holes 1 2 3 for the tuning devices or carries in regular groups Ct Z) c in lines across the rim. Fig. 8 shows in perspective a group of three devices or flat carries side by side, showing the strings S S pulling from the top edges of the devices, all in the same plane, as shown by 1 2 3 in Figs. 5 and 7. Figs. 9, 10, and 11 are views of forms of devices or carries shown with Fig. 7. Figs. 2, 3, and 4 show modifications of the flat carries 9, 10, and ll, which I employ in another method of grouping, as shown in Fig. l. lrVith these modifications I secure the same results as described in connection with Fig. 6. Fig. 1 shows the usual construction with the hitherto indispensable clamp N (which I aim to avoid) to hold the string to the required bearing on the bridge 0 when the required stress fortunin g is applied.

In Fig. 7, A represents an iron plate of a pianoforte provided with a sounding-board and bridges II and C, as usual. From the bridge O the head of the plate has a curved and beveled offset, as shown at D,from which the web B is inclined backward to run parallel with the required plane of draft of the strings S from the bridge O for the purpose of retaining the required draft on the strings, all in the same plane, without the use of the agraifes, clamps, or other meansnow employed, (see Fig. 1,) also to givedirection to the tuning devices 1 2 3 for holding the strings S in precisely the same planes at all times, since the travel of the devices or carries in bringing the strings to the required number of vibrations is always in the same direction parallel with the web B. The thickness of the carries is precisely the same as the distance between the strings used for one tone, and the strings pull in grooves located on the top edges of the carries,central therewith. The string ends of the carries are all the same width and in the same plane. It follows that the pull is in direct lines in the same planes (it will be readilyseeu that the strings lie in two planes, one below the bridge O and the other above, as seen in Fig. 7 from the sounding-board bridge H to the rim F. The webl Fig. 7, is surmounted by a rim E F, running parallel with the curved lines of the bridge 0 sufficiently distant to receive and house the devices 1 2 3. The front E is for the three series or lines of holes parallel with the plane of draft of the strings in groups to receive the screw ends of the tuning devices and to maintain them in the direct line of the draft of the strings, the back part F to balance the plate in casting, the curved and arched line of the rim giving a graceful outline to the plate and greatly improving the appearance of the instrument.

The object I aim at is simply and inexpensively to obtain perfect tuning and tone results in the pianoforte,andlaccomplish these results by having but one bearing O for the tuning ends of the strings instead of two or more, as is usual, (see 0 and N, Fig. 1,) by having the strings pull in direct lines, Fig. 5, in exactly the same planes, Fig. 7, without any foreign aids, as N, Fig. 1, and by having a uniform length of string, not to exceed one and one-half inches, between the bridge 0 and the devices 1 2 3, Fig. 7. ThusI secureauniform amount of stress on the string outside the Vibrating portion after the strings are brought to the required pitch, also avoiding the different qualities of tone in the strings of the same note and the consequent perplexities of tuning and the breaking of strings; and I obtain these results by the construction of the plate and the arrangement of the string tuning devices and the method of arranging and grouping the devices and securing the strings to the same.

have a shoulder to rest upon.

Through the rim F are drilled as many holes as strings in the instrument parallel with the plane of the draft of the strings and the web B. Into these holes are inserted the screw ends of the devices, and the nuts 72 are secured onto their ends. The holes are counterbored, so that the inner ends of the nuts Strings S are secured to the free ends of the carries 1 2 3, and when they are strained up a direct pull in the same plane from the bridge H is had to the rim F, it being of course understood that the strings are secured to the hitch-pins h at the lower end of the plate.

The tuning devices are made of fiat pieces of any suitable metal, preferably stamped out from rolled steel-plate, provided with screwthreaded stems at one endthe string ends all of the same width, and provided with means for securing and holding the strings in a central position thereto, as shown farther on. In- Figs. 2 and 9 I have shown the strings S entering at the top edge of the carry and passing through a hole directly across the width of the same, then extending along the under side thereof and terminating in a hole drilled nearly through obliquely across the width toward the end of the carry. In Figs. 3 and 10 the wire S is shown coming over the top of the carry and turning down through the slot 6 in its side, then coming forward and turning up the end thereof and terminating in a hole obliquely in its end. In Figs. etand 11 the wire S enters a hole in the end of the carry near the top edge, and, coming out at the bottom edgethereof, then enters and terminates in a holebehind the first obliquely toward the end. In all of these forms where the wire touches the edge of the carry a groove is made in the edge of the carry centrally therewith of a size and depth to receive andhouse the wire, and I make the wire secure centrally and internally by having the end within the device and the final pulling of the strings secure from a bearing on an acute or sharp angled bearing, (see Figs. 2,3, 4, 9, 10, and 11,) and when the tension is applied the wire in all of its bearings is completely housed Within the outline of the carry and the strings all pull from the top edges of the carries held in groups and all groups in the same. common plane. The number of groups correspond to the number of notes or keys inthe instrument. I may employ other forms of devices with flat carries in which the wires are secured internally and centrally therewith when constructed in accordance with the spirit of my invention. I may apply any of these forms of devices to other forms of instruments with metal strings.

When one string is used for atone, one line of holes is drilled in the-rim F, Fig. 6, near the front, opposite to and in the same plane of the draft of the string S and parallel with the Web B to correspond with the device Fig. 1, which has a screw-stem central with one side of the fiat portion of the carry and which is provided with means for holding the wires S. If two strings are used for a tone, the two lines of holes are drilled in the rim F, as 1 2, group b, Fig. 6, into which enter the screw ends of the

carries

1 and 2, (shown in Fig. 3,) constructed as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. The carry 2, Fig. 10, is offset near the middle length from the screw-stem to bring the top edge in the same plane with the carry 1. The two carries are placed to move side by side and are shown as group b, Fig. 6, and are seen as in l and 2 in Fig.8. If three strings are used to form a tone, three lines of holes are drilled in the rim F, as 1 2 3, Fig. 6, in a line across the rim obliquely, forming group 0. The holes are the same distance apart and in line with the holes of groups aand b. In this group three devices are used. 1 and 2 are formed as shown in group b. 3 is formed as shown in Fig. 11, the offset being twice as great as that of 2, Fig. 10, for the purpose of bringing the carry in the same plane with 1 and 2. In this method of grouping the three carries are placed and moved close to each other and their offsets are in the same direction. In all of these groups a b c the string ends of the carries are all the same width and are all placed in the same planes, and to maintain the several groups in their position at all times I provide a grouping-bar L, Fig.

7, provided with as many slots as groups or notes in the instrument, the slots all of the same depth and sufficiently wide to admit of the free movement of the carries.

Figs. 2, 3, and 4 show modified forms of devices. Fig. 1 shows the method of grouping them to produce the same results as described in Fig. 6. In this method of grouping I use one straight device for single strings,with the screw-stem central with the flat portion, as 1, Fig. 3. For two strings to the note I use forms 2 and 4, which are made with their offsets in opposite directions and are so used as shown in group b, Fig. 1. If three strings are used for a tone, I use one straight device, Fig. 3, which enters the central hole 1 in group 0, Fig. 1. The other two are as shown by 2 3, Figs. 2 and 4., 2 in Fig. 2 wit the oifset turned down and 3 in Fig. 4 with the offset turned up, their screw ends to enter, respectively, holes 2 and 3, as shown in group 0, Fig. 1. This method of grouping is used in construction of grand pianofortes without the use of agraffes.

I claim as my invention- 1. A pianoforte-plate A, having its head or portion above the bridge offset about an inch and at an angle (preferably about fifteen degrees) sufficient to house three series of tuning devices and obtain such bearing of the strings upon the bridge as will retain them in position without clamping, substantially as described.

2. A pianofort-e-plate A, having its head or portion above the bridge offset about an inch and at an angle (preferably about fifteen de grees) sufficient to house three series of tun- ICC ing devices and obtain such bearing of the strings upon the bridge 0 as will retain them in position without clamping and having its rim F running parallel with the bridge and wide enough to receive three series of tuning devices and provided with holes for the screw ends of said tuning devices, substantially as described.

3. A screw tuning device for pianofortes,

' formed with a threaded stem and nut therefor extending by offset or flaring, according to the intended position, into a flat carry, which carry has a groove central with its upper edge from its free end to a hole drilled at right angles across the width of the carry and another groove central with its under edge to another hole drilled obliquely from the stem end about half-way across the width of the carry, so that the wire shall be both securely fastened and wholly housed, substantially as described.

4:. The combination, in a pianoforte, of the slotted grouping-bar and two or more carries or tuning devices side by side in the same slot to accord with the number of strings used to produce a tone, substantially as set forth.

5. In a pianoforte, the screw -tuning devices of equal Wid th at their string ends and having their string ends in a common plane, in combination with the plate A, having its head ofiset and rim F perforated, as described, and with the grouping-bar L, substantially as described.

6. In a pianoforte having screw tuning devices, the combination of the series 1 2 8 of flat carries, the string ends of which are of the same width and offset by their screw ends to rest in groups in the same common plane, and means for securing the strings internally and centrally within the carries,and means for obtaining the proper plane of draft of the strings without aids of any kind, substantially as described.

7 In a pianoforte having screw tuning devices with screw stems and nuts, the combination of flat carries having the string ends all of the same length to rest all in the same plane in groups, and means for retaining them in position at all times, and means for securing the strings centrally and internally within the carries, the screw ends offset to meet the series of holes in the rim to correspond with the strings in groups, the groups all in the plane of the draft of the strings, and without the use of clamps, substantially as described.

8. A pianoforte constructed with a metal plate whose head or portion above the bridge is ofiset, as herein described, and having a rim perforated, as described, and adapted to receive and retain the screw ends of the tuning devices, asupporting-bar recess to receive the string ends of the devices in proper series and groups and arranged parallel with and about two inches from the bridge, and carrying devices constructed as described and lying all in a common plane, such that the string thereto attached shall bear upon the bridge sufficiently for the desired results without clamping, substantially as described.

9. In a pianoforte with screw tuning devices, the combination of flat carries offset from their screw ends near the middle to bring their string ends, which are all of the same width, into one common plane and their screw ends to correspond with the method of grouping, as shown, with means for securing the strings centrally and entirely within the carries, the strings to pull from the top edges of the carries and all arranged for the least possible length of wire between the bridge and the carries, the carries in groups, and means for maintaining the groups in position at all times, with wrest-pin-formed heads on their screw ends for obtaining the desired tension on the strings, substantially as and for the purposes described and set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribingwitnesses,this 12th day of February, 1891.

J. W. BRACKETT.

Witnesses:

Gno. WILLIs PIERCE, V. M. BERTHOLD.