An Improved Device for Indicating the Pressure upon the Sounding Boards of Pianofortes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Jan., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 21st Oct., 1896-Accepted, 28th Nov., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Device for Indicating the Pressure upon the Sounding
Boards of Pianofortes.
I, THOMAS HAVELOCK HUTCHINSON of 1 and 2 Clarence Place, Newport, in
the County of Monmouthshire, Pianoforte Maker and Dealer, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a device for indicating the pressure upon the sounding
boards of pianofortes.
In pianofortes commonly constructed a great strain is put upon the sounding
board by the pressure of the strings on the bridge and the strain forces the sounding
board out of shape causing the tone of the instrument to deteriorate. In some cases
the pressure is also unequally distributed, being greater at some points than at
others which affects the quality of the notes.
By the use of my invention these disadvantages may be obviated.
The invention consists of an arm or stem fixed to the sounding board and guided
in a suitably shaped hole or bearing in a cross strut adapted to be fixed to the
bracings of the frame of the pianoforte, of a finger or pointer carried by the said
arm or stem and of a scale carried by the aforesaid strut.
As many of these devices may be used as may be considered necessary.
By the use of this device the pressure on the sounding board can be easily and
readily determined.
Dated this 91st demo
1000
An Improved Device for Indicating the Pressure upon the Sounding
Boards of Pianofortes.
I, THOMAS HAVELOCK HUTCHINSON of 1 and 2 Clarence Place, Newport, in
the County of Monmouthshire, Pianoforte Maker and Dealer, 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 :-
This invention relates to a device for indicating the pressure upon the sounding
boards of pianofortes.
In pianofortes commonly constructed a great strain is put upon the sounding
board by the pressure of the strings on the bridge and the strain forces the
sounding board out of shape causing the tone of the instrument to deteriorate.
In some cases the pressure is also unequally distributed, being greater at some
points than at others which affects the quality of the notes.
By the use of my invention these disadvantages may be obviated.

page_text: In the accompanying drawing which illustrates this invention and the method of
its application:-
Figure 1 is a view of the frame of a piano showing the general application of the
invention, and
Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the device.
Throughout the views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
The indicator consists of an arm or stem A fixed to the sounding board X and
guided in a suitably shaped hole or bearing b in a cross strut B adapted to be fixed
to the bracings Z of the frame of the pianoforte, of a finger or pointer a carried by
the arm or stem A and of a scale C carried by the strut B.
As many of these indicators may be used as may be considered necessary.
By the use of this device the pressure on the sounding board can be easily and
readily determined.
I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction
and arrangement of parts as herein before set forth and illustrated by the accom-
panying drawing but that I hold myself at liberty to make such changes and
alterations therein as are within the spirit and scope of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
The improved device for indicating the pressure on the sounding boards of
pianofortes as herein before described and illustrated by the accompanying
-drawing.
Dated this 21st der of October 1896
ted this 21st day of October 1806
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E., M.I. Mech. E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.