TRUVIDIONAL SINUITIATION Improvements in Pianoforte Actions.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Dec., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 21st Sept., 1892-Accepted, 22nd Oct., 1892
TRUVIDIONAL SINUITIATION
Improvements in Pianoforte Actions.
I, JAMES SEMPLE, of 7 Stirling Road, Glasgow, Publisher, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to pianoforte actions and it is a further development of my
prior invention No. 558 of 1884.
One of the improvements consists in making each of the key levers with a feather
or tenon at its end. This feather or tenon fits into a groove or recess, made in the
"butt" of the corresponding hammer, in such manner as to easily work said hammer,
when the key is operated.
Another improvement consists in lining the groove or recess in the "butt" with
cloth, leather or equivalent material, by cutting a piece of the material to the
required shape and inserting it into the groove or recess. The material is secured
by a pin or nail, instead of by glue, as formerly. The glue was found objectionable,
for, when the cloth became thin or worn, the tenon struck against the hard glue
and thereby produced a deteriorating effect in the tone of the instrument.
also found difficult to secure the cloth properly with glue. If desired, the cloth
may be glued at the back of the recess, as well as being secured by the pin.
It was
Another improvement consists in fitting an adjusting or check screw into the
"butt" and so as to press on the cloth or equivalent material and pinch the tenon
or feather, thereby, according as the screw is slackened or tightened, allowing the
hammer more or less movement, to suit the taste of the performer.
The second and third improvements are applicable to the actions described in my
prior Patent aforesaid, that is to say, to actions wherein the feather or tenon is
made on the "butt" of the hammer and fits into a recess or groove in the end of
the key lever.
The improvements can be applied to pianofortes having either a horizontal or
upright system of wires.
Dated this 19th day of December 1891.
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
Glasgow and London, Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pianoforte Actions.
I, JAMES SEMPLE, of 7 Stirling Road, Glasgow, Publisher, 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 pianoforte actions, and it is a further development of
my prior Patent No. 558 of 1884.
One of the improvements consists in making each of the key levers with a feather
or tenon at its end. This feather or tenon fits into a groove or recess, made in
the "butt" of the corresponding hammer, in such manner as to easily work said
hammer, when the key is operated.
Another improvement consists in lining the groove or recess in the "butt" with
cloth, leather or equivalent material, by cutting a piece of the material to the
required shape, and inserting it into the groove or recess. The material is secured
by a pin or nail, instead of by glue, as formerly. The glue was found objectionable,
for, when the cloth became thin or worn, the tenon struck against the hard glue,
and thereby produced a deteriorating effect in the tone of the instrument. It was

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also found difficult to secure the cloth properly with glue. If desired, the cloth
may be glued at the back of the recess, as well as being secured by the pin.
Another improvement consists in fitting an adjusting or check screw into the
"butt" and so as to press on the cloth or equivalent material, and pinch the tenon
or feather, thereby, according as the screw is slackened or tightened, allowing the
hammer more or less movement, to suit the taste of the performer.
The second and third improvements are applicable to the actions described in my
prior Patent, aforesaid, that is to say, to actions wherein the feather or tenon is
made on the "butt" of the hammer and fits into a recess or groove in the end of
the key lever.
The improvements can be applied to pianofortes, having either a horizontal or
upright system of wires.
And in order that my said invention may be properly understood, I have
hereunto appended an explanatory sheet of drawings, whereon:-
Fig. 1 is a sectional side elevation of a pianoforte action, and showing my
improvements applied thereto.
Figs. 2 and 3 are enlarged views, showing my improvements as applied to a
tenoned key-lever and recessed "butt."
Figs. 4 and 5 are enlarged views, showing my improvements applied to a tenoned
hammer "butt" and recessed key lever.
On the drawings:-
:-
a is the key lever. is the "butt" of the hammer. c, d, Fig. 1, represents
horizontal wires. e are adjusting or check screws. is the cloth, leather or
equivalent material, which lines the recess made in the butt of the hammer or in
the key lever. g is a pin or nail for securing the cloth or leather in place. hare
the tenons.
In Figs. 2 and 3 it will be observed that the recess cut in the butt is lined with
a single piece of cloth, leather, or like material. The cloth is secured in place
by the pin or nail g. In my former Patent, No. 558 of 1884, the recess was lined
with two pieces of cloth or leather, which were glued in place, the one on the upper
side and the other on the lower side of the recess. The cloth or leather, in this
case, is only secured at the back, the top and bottom parts being unsecured.
In this invention, also, as will be seen at Figs. 2 and 3, the tenon is made on
the key lever a, instead of on the "butt" b, as in my prior Patent.
The adjusting or check screw e is screwed down through the wood of the butt of
the hammer, and so as to bear on the cloth or leather lining f. The play of the
tenon is regulated by means of this adjusting screw.
Figs. 4 and 5 show the adjusting or check screw, and the cloth or leather lining,
applied to the arrangement of key lever and hammer set forth in my prior Patent.
Fig. 4 represents a hammer for a horizontal wire, and Fig. 5 a haminer for a
vertical wire.
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 :-
1. In pianoforte actions, the application and use of adjusting or check screws (e),
substantially as and for the purpose herein before set forth.
2. Lining the recesses in the keys or "butts" with a single piece of cloth,
leather or equivalent material (), which is secured in place by a pin or nail (g),
substantially as hercinbefore described and shown on the drawings annexed.
Dated this 19th day of September 1892.
t
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
Glasgow and London, Agent.