US699931A - Automatic attachment for pianos. - Google Patents

Description

Patented May l3, I902.

v .l. A. SMITH. AUTOMATIC ATTACHMENT FOR PIANOS.

(Application filed May 10, 1901.)

(No Model.)

THE NDRRH PETERS ca, vno'roumou WASHINGTON; b. c.

NITED STATES Farmer tries.

JOHN A. SMITH, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO SMITH LYRA- PHONE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF WEST VIRGINIA.

AUTOMATIC ATTACHMENT FOR PIANOS.

SPECIFIGATIQN forming part of Letters Tatent No. 699,931, dated May 13, 1902.

Application filed May 10, 1901. Serial No. 59,626. (No model.)

T aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN A.SM1TH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Attachments for Pianos, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in automatic attachments for pianos.-

The object of the invention is to provide an eflicient and convenient means for vertically adjusting the instrument within the ends thereof, whereby the key-levers may be brought into proper relations to the keyboard of. the piano to be played.

The invention consists of the new and novel parts and combination of parts hereinafter more fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation, partly in section, showing my invention applied thereto; and Fig. 2 is a side View of one of the ends of the case, showing the frame to which the body of the case and the operative parts of the instrument are secured, also showing one of the treadles in section and means for adjusting the same.

As the mechanism in both ends for raising and lowering the instrument is identical in construction and operation, it is thought sufficient for the purpose of this specification to describe only one end and the parts connected therewith.

Like numerals designate like parts th roughout the several views. 7

Referring to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, 1 designates the body of the case, 2 the ends of the case, between which the body of the case and operative parts of the instrument are vertically adjustable, and 3 one end of the metal frame to which the body of the case and internal mechanism are secured. The body of the case is constructed of wood and may be of any desired design and is secured to the metal frame 3 by any suitable means. The ends of the metal frame 3 areconnected by a transverse metal bar 4 and are provided with laterally-projecting lugs 5 and 6, which extend into the cut-outs orrecesses 7 and 8 in the ends 2 of the case. Each of these lugs 5 and 6 is provided with central apertures through which the bolt 9 extends, the aperture in the lug 6 being screw-threaded for the reception of the threaded end of the bolt 9. The ends 2 are provided with cut-outs or recesses 7 and 8, as above described, and a central vertical pole 10 for the reception .of the bolt 9. The bolt 9 passes through the apertures in the lugs 5 and 6. The head of the bolt 9 rests upon the Washer 11 and is pro vided with a transverse slot 12 for the accommodation of a screw-driver or other suitable tool.

Vhen it is desired to raise or lower the instrument to bring the key-levers into proper relations to the keyboard of the piano to be played, a screw-driver or other suitable tool is placed in the slot 12 and the bolt 9 turned to the right or left, as desired. When the bolt 9 is turned to the right, the threaded end thereof turning in the screw-threaded lug G forces the frame 3 upward, carrying with it the body of the casing and operative parts of the instrument which are secured to the said frame 3, (including the key-levers,) while the ends 2 of the casing remain stationary. When the bolt 9is turned to the left, the frame 3 and the parts carried thereby are lowered. The ends 3 are each provided with a bolt 9 to raise and lower the said instrument.

When the instrument is raised or lowered, it is also desirable and in some instances nec essary to adjust the treadles. I have therefore provided means for accomplishing this purpose.

The treadles 13 are provided with blocks 14, held thereto by screws 15 and having eyes 16 on the under side thereof. The belts 17 pass down through the ends of the treadles, between the treadles and blocks 14, through the eyes 16, and back again between the block and treadle, where they are clamped by tightening the screws 15. When itis desired to adjust the said treadles, the screws 15 are loosened and the belts pulled in the proper direction I until the desired position is obtained. The screws 15 are then tightened and the belts securely clamped between the trea dies 13 and blocks 14. The upper ends of the belts 17 are secured to the driving-shaft 18.

Having .thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In an automatic attachment for pianos, the combination of the two stationary ends of the casing; a metal frame, carrying the operative parts of the instrument, having lugs projecting at right angles thereto and extending into said ends; means passing through the said lugs and ends for vertically adjusting the frame with relation to said ends, substantially as described.

2. In an automatic attachment for pianos, the combination of the two stationary ends of the casing each having a vertical hole passing down from the top thereof; a metal frame,carrying the operative parts of the instrument, having lugs projecting at right angles thereto and extending into the said ends; and a bolt passing through the vertical hole in the said ends and through the lugs, for vertically adjusting the frame with relation to the said ends, substantially as described.

3. In an automatic attachment for pianos the combination ola frame adj ustably secured to the ends of the casing and carrying the operative parts of the instrument; means to raise and lower the frame; a driving-shaft; belts connecting the driving-shaft with the treadles; treadles having blocks on their under sides secured thereto by screws for gripping said belt, and eyes through which said belts pass, as and for the purpose described.

4t. In an automatic attachment for pianos, the combination of a frame secured to the ends thereof and carrying the operative parts of the instrument; a bolt to raise and lower the frame; a driving-shaft; belts connecting the treadles with the driving-shaft; and means to adjust the said treadles with relation to the said belts, to maintain the proper angle of the said treadle, as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN A. SHITII.

\Vitnesses: V

CI-IAPIN A. FERGUSON, Gnonon II. READ.

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