IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR EXERCISING THE FINGERS OF THE HUMAN HAND IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THEIR USE IN THE PLAYING OF THE PIANOFORTE AND OTHER INSTRU- MENTS
Year: 1842

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GUILLAUME
SIMON RICHAULT, of the Sahlonier Hotel, Leicester Square, Editor of Music,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Fifteenth day of December, in the sixth year of Her reign, did,
for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Guillaume Simon Richault, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and
authority, that I, the said Guillaume Simon Richault, my exors, admors, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Guillaume Simon Richault, my exors,
admors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from timo
to time and at all times during the term of years therein expressed, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales,
and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR EXERCISING THE FINGERS OF THE HUMAN HAND IN ORDER TO
FACILITATE THEIR USE IN THE PLAYING OF THE PIANOFORTE AND OTHER INSTRU-
MENTS," communicated to me by a certain Foreigner residing abroad; in
which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the said Guillaume
Simon Richault, shall cause a particular description of the nature of the
said Invention, and in, what manner the same is to be. performed, to be
inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters

page_text: Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more
fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Guillaume Simon Richault, do hereby declare that the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement
thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the
figures and letters marked thereon (that is to say):
The Invention consists of modes of arranging apparatus for exercising the
fingers in such manner as, by giving to them continual motion or exercise, as
will be more particularly described, they become supple and pliable, and
become capable of more easy separation, and become better adapted for playing
upon the pianoforte and other instruments.
I will first describe the different apparatus as shewn in Drawings No. 1 and
2, and will then shew, by reference to the other Drawings, the different modes
by which these apparatus are used.
In Drawings No. 1 and 2 there are shewn nine separate parts, which are
all fixed on the same table, and these are all described as apparatus.
DESCRIPTION OF THE APPARATUS.-MODEL No. 1.
A is a wooden table, upon which is placed the apparatus; B are turntables
fixed in front of the table A; C are screws which fix the turntables B to the
table A.
Apparatus No. 1.-A are recesses in front of the table; B, the felted or
cloth covering to the angle in front of the recess; C are small rollers moving
on axis D.
Apparatus No. 2.-A is a hinge fixed to the table by a pivot B; Care
wooden pieces fixed to the hinge A, covered with leather; D is an arm; E, a
wooden screw; F shews the place for the screw E (it is screwed to the table);
G is a piece of wood which is moved to and fro by the screw E; H is the
pivot which fixes the arm D and the piece G to the piece C; I is the pivot
which fixes the screw E to the piece G; J is the same as the apparatus No. 2,
and marked in the apparatus No. 2 by J, K, L, M.
Apparatus No. 3.-A is a recess in the table; B is a piece of wood fixed to
the table by means of a pin; O are rollers which work in the piece of wood B;
D are the axes of these rollers; E is a lever fixed to the piece B by a hinge F;
G is a button or handle, to be used when it is required to raise up the
apparatus; H are notches by which the apparatus may be kept raised more or
less, as required.

page_text: Apparatus No. 4.-A is a standard fixed to the table; B is a mortice or
hole therein; C is a cross piece fixed to the mortice B; D is the axis of the
piece C; F is a rod; E are bolts or screws serving to lengthen or shorten the
rod F; G are rings covered with silk or other stuff.
Apparatus No. 5.-A is a piece of wood fixed to the table. This piece of
wood has springs B fixed thereto, which springs have screw rods C fixed to
them by means of a nut and screw. These rods are fixed to the stops E by a
pin; D is the screw bolt; F are the keys fixed to the piece of wood, which
prevents the stops from being raised by the spring D; G is a screw which
fixes the piece of wood to the table; H is a rod fixed to the table by means of
two screw nuts, the one on the table, and the other underneath; I is an oval
piece of wood fixed to the rod H by a pin J; K are rods fixed to the piece I
by a pin. (These rods may be lengthened or shortened as required, by means
of the screw nut placed below the table, by which the piece I may be moved
either to the right or left, as required. L is a pin which fixes the rod K to the
piece I.
Apparatus No. 6.-A is a screw button screwed to the table, and may be
raised or lowered as required.
Apparatus No. 7.-A is a piece of wood fixed to the table; B, a piece
fixed to the piece A by a pin; C is an opening into which the piece A enters;
D is a pin which regulates the elevation of the piece B; E are holes in which
the pin D should be successively placed when it is raised to the required
height; F is a roller, covered with skin or leather, moving on axes at G;
H is a spring fixed to the piece B; I is a screwed piece of wood entering
into the table; J is a roller moving on axes at K.
Apparatus No. 8.-A are plates of wood or metal, indicating the width of
ten keys of a piano. These keys may be moveable.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING No. 2, which shews a Variation in the
Arrangement of some of the Parts.
Apparatus No. 1.-A is a copper plate fixed to the table by the screw B;
C is a wooden block, the inner part of which is covered with felt D; E is the
screw which fixes the block C to the table; F is the frame or carriage;
G are friction rollers of the thickness of the plate A; H is the covering for
the frame A.
Apparatus No. 2.-A is a hinge fixed to the table by the pin B; C are
pieces of wood covered with leather, and fixed to the hinge A; D is an arm;
E, a wooden screw; F is the hole for the screw E to pass through; G is a
piece of wood which is brought backwards and forwards by the screw E; His

page_text: a screw which fixes the arms D to the pieces C and the piece G; I is a stop
which adjusts the screw E upon the piece C by means of the screw H; J are
pieces of wood connected with the apparatus No. 2, without being fixed
thereto; K is a hinge, having pieces of wood L fixed thereto; M is a pin
which traverses the pieces L, having fixed at the other end a roller.
Apparatus No. 3.-A is a piece of wood, in which are fixed rollers B, which
move on axes at C; D is a hinged plate by which the piece of wood A is
attached to the table; E is the screw which fixes the hinge D to the table;
F is a lever which serves to raise more or less the piece B; G is a small
connecting arm which joins the lever F; H are holes in which the ends of
the lever F; and I is the screw which fixes them to the piece A.
Apparatus No. 4 is a tube screwed into the table; B is a screw which
enters into this tube; C is a cross piece fixed to the screw by means of the
pin D; E are leather straps fixed at the two ends of the lever C by means of
the screw F.
Apparatus No. 5.-A, A, are intended to represent the keys of a piano;
Bare pieces of wood, in which are placed the axes of the keys A, which pieces
of wood are fixed to the table by means of the screws C; D are buttons or
projections placed at one of the ends of spiral springs E, that pass across the
keys A and across the table, the other end being screwed below the table;
F are holes into which are placed the buttons D, when it is required to render
the keys A more or less difficult to be lowered; G is a groove in which the
spring works when it is required to change the hole of the button D; H is a
piece of wood fixed to the table; J is an opening in this piece of wood, in
which there is a washer or collar J¹; K is a screw which runs through the
piece H. L is a nut for regulating the height of the oval piece N; M is a
piece of metal with a groove therein, through which passes the rod of the
screw K; N is an oval piece of wood; O is a pin which joins the piece M to
the piece N; P is a bent lever having a groove therein (this is fixed to the
piece N); Q is a part of a screw fixed to the piece M, and which runs
through the groove in the piece P, and serves, by means of a screw, to fix the
height of the piece K to any required inclination.
Apparatus No. 6.-A is a button screwed into the table, and which may be
raised or lowered as required.
Apparatus No. 7.-A is a piece of wood fixed in the table, having a
groove running from front to back; B is a moveable piece of wood attached
to the piece A by a screw or pin C, which pin C regulates the required
height; D is a lever moving on an
covered with cloth; G is the groove;
axis at E; F is the part which is
H, the holes; I, the spring; J, the

page_text: screws which fix the spring to the piece B; K, the button fixed to the
end of the spring I that passes across the groove G; L is the button or
knob which is screwed into the table, and may be raised or lowered as
required.
Apparatus No. 8.-H are the plates, in wood or metal, indicating the width
of ten keys of a pianoforte. These keys may be moveable.
Apparatus No. 9.-A is the plate upon which are fixed the different parts
of which this apparatus consists; B is a screw for fixing the piece A upon the
table; C is an upright piece of wood, with the lower end larger than the
upper; D is a key moving on axes at E; F is a small stop which regulates
the lowering of the stop D; G represents the part which is covered with
either cloth, felt, or skin; H is a guide piece to the key D; I is a regulating
screw for regulating the height of the key D; J is an upright fixed to the
key D by means of the pin K; L is the *
of the upright J; M is a
screw to regulate the piece J; N is a hammer which strikes upon the button
or screw I when the fingers are pressed upon the keys D; O is the frame of
the hammer N; P is a spring hooked below the key D, for the purpose of
forcing up the key after the hammer has struck the button I; Q is a small
moveable piece, to which is attached one of the ends of the spring P, the other
end of which is fixed to the key D; R is a screw bolt for the purpose of
lowering or raising the piece Q, and by pressing upon the spring it makes
the key D more or less easily pressed down; X is the table or frame upon
which the apparatus is placed; Y, Y, are the feet of the table.
.
The mode of using the different apparatus before described will readily be
understood by examining the accompanying Diagrams, marked 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
Drawing 3 shews, at Figure 1, the table, with all the apparatus removed
except the moveable frame, which is placed in front thereof.
Figure 2 shews a view with the hand of the pupil applied thereto, with the
little finger placed in the recess A. The position of the hand is as if in the
act of playing on the piano. The thumb is to be placed about the centre of
the moveable frame, and by giving a stretching motion to the fingers the frame
will move and carry the hand into the position shewn at Figure 3, care being
observed that the little finger is not moved. This operation being repeated
backwards and forwards, will give to the fingers the required exercise.
In Drawing No: 1, in place of using the moveable frame, I apply a series
of friction rollers, as will be seen by examining the Drawing.
Drawing No. 4 shews an apparatus for exercising the second, third, fourth,

page_text: and fifth fingers. It is similar in character to the apparatus shewn in
Drawing No. 1 as apparatus No. 2. The mode of using it is as follows:-
The hand should be laid flat on the table, and the piece B is first placed
between those fingers that are to be exercised. The apparatus B is then to
be introduced, as shewn at Figure 2, and the screw to be turned until the
fingers are extended, as shown at Figure 3. It will be seen that the extension
may easily be adjusted by the screw c.
The Drawing 5 shews the mode of using the apparatus 3, shewn in Draw-
ings 1 and 2. The apparatus being arranged as shewn at Figure 2, the
hand is to be laid flat upon the table, with the finger that is to be exercised
resting on the bottom roller; and by passing the hand forwards the finger will
be raised as shewn at Figure 3, the other part of the hand remaining flat;
the angle may be adjusted by means of the support.
The Drawing 6 shews the mode of using the apparatus 4, shewn in Draw-
ings 1 and 2. This exercise is commenced by inserting the fingers to be
exercised in the strap, and by lowering the fingers of the left hand until it
touches the table, the corresponding finger on the right hand will be raised, as
shewn at Figure 1; and by alternately doing this the necessary action will be
given to the fingers, taking care that the other fingers are kept on the table.
To vary this exercise, the fingers may be placed further through the straps, as
shewn at Figure 2.
The apparatus 5, shewn in Drawings Nos. 1 and 2, is for equalizing the
power of the fingers. In this exercise the palm of the hand should rest upon
the oval piece, as shewn in Figure 5, and the fingers that are to be exercised
press upon the keys, the other fingers being constantly kept on the table.
When it is required to increase the power of any of the fingers, the key upon
which that finger presses is made more difficult to be pressed down, there
being a screw which is fixed to the end of the key, and which screw regulates
the pressure required to press down the key.
The mode of using the apparatus 6, shewn in Figures 1 and 2, is as
follows, and is more particularly intended to exercise the fourth finger :-The
fingers should be placed on the table, in the position they would be when
playing on a piano, except the fourth, which rests upon the top of a projecting
pin, that may be raised or lowered as required. This exercise consists in
moving the fourth finger backwards and forwards over the pin. This action
may be varied by moving the finger from left to right.
The mode of using the apparatus 7, shewn in Drawings Nos. 1 and 2, is as
follows, which is more particularly intended to give an additional power to the
fourth finger. This is shewn in the Drawing No. 7. The hand is placed on

page_text: the table, as if in the act of playing on the piano. The first joint of the fourth
finger is to be placed under the key, the end of it near the projecting pin or
button, the other fingers being on the table. The exercise consists in raising
the fourth finger as high as possible, passing first on one side and then on the
other of this projecting pin, taking care that the wrist and other fingers are
not moved. The difficulty of raising this key is regulated by the weight shewn.
The apparatus 8 is used more as a plan of measuring the progress of
extension of the fingers than as an exercise, and will not require any further
description.
The apparatus 9, shewn in the Drawing 2, is shewn at Figure 5 in Draw-
ing No. 7, is for exercising the hand to repeat successively the same note with
the five fingers. The power required to press down the key is regulated by
means of the screw c placed at the back of the key.
In witness whereof, I, the said Guillaume Simon Richault, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of June, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-three
Enrolled the Fifteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-three.