Improved Lighting Device for Pianofortes and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 25th May, 1898-Accepted, 25th June, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Lighting Device for Pianofortes and the like.
I, ARTHUR BARTELT, of No. 11, Grun Strasse, Coslin, in the German Empire,
Teacher, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
My invention relates to an improved pianoforte lighting device with reflectors.
The methods of lighting hitherto employed for pianofortes have the drawback
that they throw their light partly backwards and consequently dazzle the eyes
of the player, and prevent him reading the notes with the requisite precision.
Attempts have been made to rectify this drawback by the use of reflectors which
have been attached to the candles or the like, and which throw the light upon
the music only. But these devices are clumsy, and 'detract from the appearance
of the pianoforte.
My improved device consists of an apparatus for lighting by which the light is
concentrated upon the music and the keyboard in the most effective manner,
without shining into the eyes of the player, and which, when not in use, is
almost invisible.
Referring to the accompanying drawing.
Figure 1 illustrates a cottage piano provided with the invention, whilst
Figure 2 shews the invention itself on a larger scale in elevation, and
Figure 3 the same in section.
manner.
As will be seen from these figures. the invention consists of a recess arranged in
the front of the instrument, which recess is placed so high that it does not interfere
with the mechanism of the pianoforte. When not in use it is preferably covered
by means of a folding door or flap, which may be decorated in any desired
In combination with this recess I provide an easily removable lamp,
such as that shewn in Figure 3. The lamp is inserted from above in the recess,
and fits into a cavity in the bottom thereof. The top of the recess is either cut
out above the lamp chimney, or entirely removed (see Figure 3). A handle such
as that shewn in Figure 3 is provided for the purpose of lifting the lamp. The
lamp stands in a vessel fitted to the bottom of the recess to prevent any soiling
of the same with the oil. To the walls, and, if desired, to the cover of the recess,
and also to the inner surface of the folding door, reflectors are attached. The
said folding door is provided with side adjustable supports so that it can be
adjusted in use at the angle most advantageous for the player. The said supports
are dark side walls which retain the light rays which are emitted sideways, and
thus prevent other persons sitting near from being incommoded thereby. The
reflecting surfaces of the recess throw all the light rays falling upon them back
upon the reflecting inner surface of the folding door, which again throws them
downwards together with all rays falling direct upon the same surface, and it
depends upon the angle adjustment of the said folding door how far they are
directed downwards and backwards, so that they may be concentrated more or
less exclusively upon the music and the key board, and will thus illuminate.
these parts much more intensely than has hitherto been the case with the lamps

page_text: formerly in use, whilst no direct light is thrown upon the upper part of the
body of the player.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
The improved lighting device for pianos and the like consisting of a recess
formed in the front thereof above the hammers and dampers, and having an
adjustable folding door which can be set by means of adjustable side walls at any
desired angle, said recess being open above, and having reflecting walls, and in
which a lamp easily removable from above stands in a cavity in the bottom of
the recess, the whole being so arranged that the rays passing from the lamp are
reflected from the walls of the recess upon the reflecting inner surface of the
folding door, and from this again upon the music and key-board, substantially
as described.
Datal
oril 1
C Эг
1000
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
322, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.