US770563A - Necticut - Google Patents

Description

No. 770,563. PATENTED SEPT. 20, 1904.

A J. H. DICKINSON. PEDAL HOUSING FOR PIANOS EMBODYING MECHANICAL PLAYING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 24, 1904.

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} J. H. DICKINSON. PEDAL HOUSING FOR PIANOS BMBODYING MEGHANICAL'PLAYING MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 24, 1904. NO MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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PATENT OEEIOE.

NEOTIOUT.

JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE- PEDAL-HOUSING FOR PIANOS EMBODYING MECHANICAL PLAYING MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 770,563,

dated September 20, 1904.

Application filed June 24, 1904:. Serial No. 214,000. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it ntay concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH H. DICKINSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Garwood, in the county of Union and State of New J ersey. have invented new and useful Improvements in Pedal-Housing for Pianos Embodying Mechanical Playing Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in IO pianos embodying mechanical playing mechanism, and has for its object to improve the arrangement of certain parts thereof with a view to the maintenance by mechanical means of the neat and attractive appearance of the instrument in its entirety. It has relation also, in combination therewith, to adjustable supporting means for the pedals.

In pianos including in their construction mechanical playing mechanism it is a matter of great importance that the instrument be pleasing in appearance. Pianos constitute a most desirable article of furniture for appearance sake, irrespective of their musical value. Latterly automatic means for playing pianos have come into vogue, and the appearance of such instruments embodying such means is an essential consideration in respect of the state of perfection thereof.

Prior to my invention the objection existed that when the pedals-of the piano-playing attachment or mechanism were disposed in operative position the arrangement was unsightly and the interior mechanism exposed to view.

My invention accomplishes the object of providing a novel arrangement whereby both When the pedals of the instrument-playing mechanism are thrown out in an operative position or housed in inoperative or inactive position theinstrument will present a neat and attractive appearance not materially different from the appearance of the ordinary or usual piano construction.

lVith this object in view my invention resides in the features hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, illustrating the invention, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a piano construction embodying my invention with pedals housed within the easing thereof. Fig. 2 is a similar view with pedals thrown out into operative position. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the pedal-compartment.

In the said drawings the reference-numeral 1 designates the casing of a piano, modified for the adaptation thereto of an automatic playing mechanism. 'ithin the casing is arranged the bellows 2,ordinarily termed feed ers, which maintain the vacuum or atmospheric attenuation by which the operative elements of the automatic playing mechanism are controlled or actuated.

3designates a pedal, of which there will be 5 two or more for working said feeders. The pedals are connected to the movable'members of the feeders by means of links t in any suitable or desired way. The pedal proper is connected with a support 5, pivoted to a 7 bracket 6, secured to the fixed member-ofthe feeder, whereby the pedal may be swung upon such pivotinto and out of operative position. The free end of the pedal is connected to the adjacent extremity of the link mechanism that operates the movable member of the feeder. The bracket 6 is arranged within the casing of the instrument. The pedal mechanism is arranged within a receptacle having side walls 7 and a back wall 8, which are finished in like manner to the finish of the easing, so as to present the same appearance to the eye and avoid any unsightly appearance. The casing is provided with a hinged door 9, in the present example being shown as up- 5 wardly opening. In this example of my in vention the door when opened is retained in open position by means of a spring-catch 10, secured to a suitable part of the casing. \Vhen the door is closed, the contour and appear- 9 ance of the casing of the instrument is maintained. so that to the eye nothing different from the appearance of the ordinary pianocasing is apparent. W hen open, that the automatic playing instrument may be used, the pedal mechanism may be swung down into A CORPORATION OF CON- operative position, as shown, and when so swung down the appearance of the instrumentis not appreciably or materially altered and the interior mechanism is hidden from view by the side and end Walls of the'recepta cle in which the pedal is housed when out of operation.

The numeral 11 designates the ordinary piano-pedals, and 11 recesses in the rear wall 8 of the pedal-compartment to accommodate the same. 3 designates passages in said wall, through which pass the pedal connections of the automatic playing mechanism.

My invention contemplates also a regulation in respect of the pedal mechanism whereby the pedal may compensate for different heights of the bottom of the piano with respect to the floor or platform upon which it rests, whereby the same operative angle at which the pedal is disposed may be maintained irrespective of the particular height of the bottom of the piano from the floor or platform. This compensating mechanism consists of an adjustable support for the outer end of the pedal and comprises in the present example of my invention a bracket 12, connected to the pedal and having a bore in which the stem 13 of the foot 15 of the pedal is adjustably arranged.

The numeral 16 designates a set-screw by means of which the pedal-supporting foot may be held in any desired position.

Having thus described my invention, what I'claim is I 1. In a piano embodying mechanical playing mechanism, the combination with a casing having a door arranged to be opened and closed, a walled receptacle within said casing, and a pedal mechanism adapted to be disposed in said walled receptacle when inactive and projected through the door-opening when operative, substantially as described.

2. In a piano embodying mechanical playing mechanism, the combination With acasing having a hinged pedal-door, an interior Walled receptacle within which pedal mechanism is arranged to be housed when inactive and through the door-opening of which casing it is adapted to be extended when made operative, and an adjustable foot for said pedal, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH H. DICKINSON. Witnesses:

WV. C. MANsFIELD, E. C. THOMPSON.

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