Improvements in Pianofortes.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 27th May, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 27th Mar., 1890-Accepted, 3rd May, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pianofortes.
I, HENRY WITTON of 29 Kennington Park Road, in the County of Surrey,
Pianoforte Tuner and Regulator, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
My invention relates in the first place to the key bottom and key frame of upright
instruments, and is intended to secure increased stability and adjustability by com-
bining them into one frame in the following manner. A pair of end stiles are inade
the entire width of the combined frame, and these support the three rails thereof.
The centre rail consists of a strong under rail, either of wood or metal, and an upper
rail of sufficient substance only to hold the key pins, slotted wedges being placed
between where the screws attach the two rails for purposes of adjustment. The front
rail is similar to that of an ordinary key frame, the requisite stability being secured
by metal flanges or brackets projecting from the under centre rail, and from the
attachment of the lock rail. The back rail is similar to that of an ordinary key
bottom, or it may be of metal, but is only removably connected with the end stiles by
means of screws having a right and left handed thread, so that it can be raised or
lowered or taken out as may be required.
66
The second part of my invention relates to the actions of pianofortes, and is
intended to reduce friction and cost of production, while securing greater durability
and effectiveness. I am able to dispense with all centres, or hinges of vellum cloth or
leather in connection with hopper flies, jacks or stickers, and also with ordinary
screws or carriage blocks used for the height adjustment of the keys, and to obtain.
such height adjustment, as well as a capability of escapement motion, by means of
"balance pins," straight or tee shaped, set vertically in the keys near their further
extremity, and combining or engaging the keys with the hopper flies, jacks or stickers.
In short hopper flies or jacks, I preferably use the straight balance pins," the upper
ends of which are screw tapped or otherwise set firmly in such flies or jacks, affording
several means of height adjustment, and 1 obtain the capability of escapement motion
by flattening the pin transversely to the key to the requisite degree of elasticity at
a suitable distance above its connection with the key, or by allowing it to move
in a slotted hole in the key similar to the centre hole. In longer jacks or stickers
I employ preferably the tee shaped "balance pin," which rises transversely to the
key into a notch in the jacks or stickers shaped to receive it and acts as a pivot
for their escapement motion. I obtain the escapement motion by connecting certain
points of the hopper flies, jacks or stickers or otherwise bringing them into motor
relations with vertical pieces rising in front of them from the keys, or with a rail
so placed as to cause the flies, jacks or stickers, when set in motion, to travel in
a forward as well as upward direction, and I adjust the escapement motion to the
correct "
set off" of the hammer by means of regulating blocks operating in com-
bination with such vertical pieces or rail, and actuated in rebates, which prevent
the turning of the blocks, by pins having right and left handed threads. With
short hopper flies or jacks the vertical pieces are preferably of wood, morticed into
the keys, and supporting and carrying at a suitable point below their upper
extremities, the regulating blocks, which in turn are connected with the upper end
of the flies or jacks by flexible or other loops or bands. Longer jacks or stickers
are operated for escapement at a point about. midway between their extremities.
The vertical pieces, when used for the purpose, preferably consist of a metal pin,
driven or tapped firmly into the, keys, and flattened transversely to them at their.
upper extremity, to provide a broad surface to operate against the regulating blocks,

page_text: which are attached to arms projecting over and in front of the vertical pieces from
the jacks or stickers.
I obtain a check power over the hammers from the forward motion of the upper
extremities of the vertical pieces, which, in the case of short "simplex" actions,
are brought into direct contact with the check pads of the hammers, and in taller
actions, operate checks rising from the projections of the jacks or stickers.
I obtain a quicker "recovery "of the fly, jack or sticker, and a consequent
improved repetition, by means of a notch in the check, or in the pad upon which it
operates, the nose of the hammer, butt, or other point of escapement, being thereby
compelled to descend less rapidly than the fly, jack or sticker.
I make the hammer heads elliptical in form, and cover them all round, the covering
meeting, or nearly so, at a central point underneath. At this point I connect the
shanks, which are of metal and capable of being cranked back to their ordinary
position in relation to the hammer rest. By this arrangement when one striking
point of the felts become worn, the heads can be reversed. They can also be readily
replaced by new heads. Breaking of shanks is obviated, and the heads can be set to
their exact position in relation to the strings.
I make dampers consisting only of an ordinary head and a metal stem tapped into
it, which stem can be bent to any required shape and made capable of the necessary
motion by being flattened out to the requisite degree of elasticity at a point close to
the rail to which it is connected.
I connect under dampers made on this principle with the hammer rail in tall actions
operating them by flexibly connecting them with a vertical projection from the upper
end of the jack or sticker, while in "simplex" actions, I connect such dampers with
a rail, preferably of metal, placed over and in front of the hammers, which rest upon
it, and operate them by flexibly or otherwise connecting them with a lateral pro-
jection from the hammer butt.
The third part of my invention is a method of attaining the correct tension of the
.strings by means of screw pins or bolts operating them in connection with that part
of the iron frame extending upwards from the top bridge, and usually known as the
wrest plank plate. The strings are hitched on both to the top and bottom portions
of the iron frame, ordinary wrest pins being wholly or partially used, and the final
tension is produced by deflecting the strings from a straight line at some convenient
point above the top bridge. The deflection may be produced in various ways and
directions either in front or at back of the plank plate, a simple method being to hitch
the strings on to the front top edge of the plate, and to deflect them into deep grooves
cut into it in a line with the strings (vertically or obliquely as the case may be) by the
action of screw pins tapped into the grooves and pressing either directly upon the
strings or upon metal fillets placed between them.
Dated this 27th day of May 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pianofortes.
I, HENRY WITTON of 29 Kennington Park Road, in the County of Surrey, Piano-
forte Tuner and Regulator 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, reference being had to the accompanying drawings
and to the Figures and letters marked thereon:-
In the various Figures of the drawings like parts are indicated by similar letters
of reference.
:
.
My invention relates in the first place to the key bottom and key frame of upright

page_text: instruments and is intended to secure increased stability and adjustability by com-
bining them into one frame in the following manner. A pair of end stiles are made
the entire width of the combined frame and these support the three rails thereof. The
centre rail consists of a strong under rail either of wood or metal, and an upper rail
which may be either of the ordinary dimensions or of sufficient substance only to
hold the key pins, slotted wedges being placed for purposes of adjustment between
the two rails at the points where the screws unite them.
The front rail is similar to that of an ordinary key frame, the requisite stability
being secured by means of metal flanges or brackets projecting from the under
centre rail and connected thereto and also by the attachment of the lock rail. The
back rail is similar to that of an ordinary key bottom, or it may be of metal but is
only removeably connected with the end stiles by means of screws having a right and
left handed thread, so that it can be raised or lowered or taken out as may be
required.
Figure 1 represents a cross section of a combined key frame and key bottom
constructed according to my invention and Figure 1ª is a back view of parts thereof
drawn to a reduced scale.
a represents one of the end stiles, the back ends of which are rebated as shown by
dotted lines c. c. to receive projecting portions of the back rail b, whilst the front
ends support the front rail d which may be attached to it in any ordinary or suitable
manner.
e is an angle iron rail extending the entire length of the key board and sup-
porting the centre rail f, this rail e is attached to the end stiles a by means of end
flanges e e represents an arm or bracket, of which there are two or more projecting
from and forming an integral portion of the rail e when the same is of metal.
These arms or brackets e support the front rail d and hold it in a true position in
relation to the centre rail f. 99 are wedges placed between the rails d. fand their
metallic supports e. e² where the screw attachments are placed, slots g¹ being formed
in them to receive the screws as shown in Figure 2, which is a plan of one of such
wedges, b' is a right and left handed screw-pin by means of which the back rail b
may be raised or lowered as may be required.
The stability of the front rail d is still further secured by the attachment thereto
of the lock rail d'.
The second part of my invention relates to the actions of upright pianofortes and
is intended to reduce friction and cost of production and to provide a more effective
performance of their various functions.
These functions consist of (1) the blow, (2) the escapement, (3) the check,
and (4) the recovery. To effect the first, the "transmitter " known generally as the
"fly," "jack," or "sticker," according to its length or other characteristics, receives
from the key an upward motion, but it is necessary that this motion should be
diverted in a direction more or less lateral, just prior to the impact of the hammer
against the string, in order that "escapement" may take place, and a merely "dead
or "blocking" blow be obviated. This lateral motion is also in some known actions
utilized for checking purposes, by bringing the transmitter or its connection into
contact with the balance pad of the hammer, and so stopping its further oscillation.
But in all check actions generally in use, only the upward motion is derived
immediately from the key, the lateral or escapement motion being obtained by
various indirect methods involving more or less additional friction or other waste of
force.
Now the key being a horizontal centred lever is potential for movement in every
direction taken by its arc of motion, that is to say, amongst others, both upward and
forward, and one of the principal objects of this part of my invention is to make use
of this power to effect the escapement of the transmitter from the notch of the
hammer butt, directly and automatically by the key, in such a manner as to be
thoroughly reliable, and free from technical difficulty or objection.
To this end a vertical piece, either of wood or metal or of both in combination is
firmly fixed to the key at a suitable distance in front of the transmitter, which rests

page_text: upon or. is attached to. the key or to a carriage block near its furthest end, which
vertical piece receives from the key, and is able to communicate to any point with
which it may be connected, a forward motion proportionate to the height of such
point and the inclination of its radius from the key centre.
The transmitter being so connected with the key as to possess a capability of a
certain amount of independent backward and forward arc motion upon it and being
held at its upper end against the notch of the hammer butt by means of a loop and
spring, receives at first an upward motion only from the key itself, but at the proper
moment of escapeinent, the arc motion of the key is communicated to the transmitter
by the vertical piece coming into conjunction with an arm projecting from the
transmitter or by otherwise combining with it when the transmitter becomes
practically an integral portion of the key which thus effects escapement with a
minimum of friction or loss of power. The check to the hammer is at the same
time effected by the vertical piece which either presses directly against the balance
pad, or causes the transmitter or its connections so to press. The length and exact
positions of the vertical piece and projection from the transmitter (when such is used)
vary according to particular methods of combination and are also determined-to a
great extent by the distance between the key and the notch of the hammer butt, and
by the length and balance of the key, as in removing a key, the upper end of the
vertical piece takes a backward motion according to height and inclination of radius,
and so requires a proportionate clear space behind. Where the distance as in the
ordinary pianette, is from three to four inches, the vertical piece may act directly
upon the balance pad without extending the balance arm beyond its usual length, but
where the distance exceeds say five inches, it is preferable that the check pin and
pad should be attached to the transmitter in an ordinary manner and be only
operated indirectly by the vertical piece which may vary from about two to four inches
in height or even to a greater extent.
The escapement and check effected, it is next desirable that the recovery or return
of the upper end of the transmitter to the notch of the haminer butt, should be
as rapid as possible when the key is released, to facilitate repetition; therefore while
the descent of the transmitter should be in every way expedited, that of the hammer.
butt should be retarded until the upper end of the transmitter has regained its
original position in relation thereto. "Now as it is obvious that the motion of the
balance pad either in ascent or descent much greater than that of the nose of
the hammer butt (the proportion being that of their relative distances from the butt
centre) it follows that if the descending motion of the balance pad is approximately
assimilated to that of the transmitter, the latter must descend more rapidly than the
nose of the hammer butt, and the object in view be attained. To effect this
purpose, instead of the operating surfaces of check pad and balance pad being plane
or slightly curved, a notch or step is made in one of them, in such a manner that
the former supports the latter immediately after the key is released and allows an
almost instantaneous return of the transmitter to the notch.
To facilitate the adjustment of pad and check, the balance arm is of wire to
enable the same to be bent as may be required to effect the adjustment.
To further secure greater freedom of touch and promptitude of return as well as
durability by reducing friction, my next object is to dispense either wholly or in part
with the bushed centres or hinges of vellum, cloth or other similar substances, used
in connection with the transmitter, and also in connection with the dampers of check
and other actions.
Where the length of the transmitter does not exceed four or five inches, I preferably
connect it with the key so as to be removeable with it apart from the other portions of
the action and for this purpose I employ a moderately stout pin or wire set vertically
in the key or its connections and entering into the lower end of the transmitter, firmly
in the one but only hand tight in the other, so that the transmitter can be removed
and the lower end reduced or packed up for height adjustment. According to this
arrangement the flexibility of the transmitter for escapement purposes &c. is obtained
by an ordinary hinge or centre, but I sometimes obtain such flexibility by pressing

page_text: or rolling the pin so as to form a short ribbon of metal at a point near its
connection with the key, when the pin is screw tapped into the transmitter to
afford height adjustment and also perform the function of the ordinary wire
spring.
The vertical piece preferably consists of a stout pin set firmly in the key or in
a block attached thereto and carrying a padded block convexly curved and having
a notch in check pad, so that its upper portion may fit evenly against the balance
pad in checking, and the lower portion be on the angle of the regulating button of the
projection from the transmitter.
This projection is a pin or wire tapped into the transmitter at a convenient point
and at an angle coinciding as nearly as possible with that portion of its are occupied
by it, and passing the pin of the vertical piece, (the vertical pin being cranked
out of the centre to allow of this) is bent upwards and backwards so as to present its
regulating button to the padded surface of the vertical block or it may be bent down-
wards and backwards so as to present such surface to the wood block. Sometimes.
I make the transmitter in two portions, an upper and a lower, the pin or wire passing.
through the latter, (which carries the projection) and into the former, by which means
height adjustment can be effected after the projection is attached and without dis-
turbing it. The hammer is caused to return to the rest when the key is released by
the pressure of the upper part of the transmitter (actuated by its spring. and the
weight of the key) against the tail of the hammer.butt after recovery, the centre of
motion of the hammer butt being slightly raised above the usual point to give the
necessary leverage, but the return may be accelerated by adding weight to the balance
pad.
When the transmitter is required to be too long to be conveniently attached to; or
removed with the key, 1 connect it with the hammer butt by means of a spring and
loop in the usual way, and the lower end is balanced or pivotted upon the key or its "
attachments by a combination of pins and notches in such a manner that whilst it is
held steadily in its true position in relation to the key, it readily disengages from it
so as to be removeable when required with the action frame. There are several
methods by which this can be effected..
First in regard to holding the transmitter in its position relative to the centre of
the key, a short pin bent to the shape of a T may be screw-tapped into the upper
surface of the key and the horizontal portion rising. transversely, caused to enter an
inverted V.shaped notch in the lower end of the transmitter, the thread on the pin
affording a means of height adjustment. Conversely the pin may be scrowed into the
bottom of the transmitter and the notch be made in the key or its connection: The
V.notch may be cut in a block, throngh the centre of which the pin of the verticaly
piece passes on its way to the key, permitting the block to be turned up or down;
in which case the lower end of the transmitter is only required to be shaped to
fit the V notch.
"
Again an inclined V notch may be cut in the key itself, in the back lower angle of
which notch a screw may be inserted for purposes of height adjustment, the lower end
of the transmitter being, shaped to fit the inclined notch which also may be cut down
to the required depth in each key and the screw dispensed with; or a block may be
fixed upon the key the back end of which is bevelled to form the whole or part of one :
angle of the V. while an ordinary screw driven into the key immediately behind
the block at about right angles to the bevel forms the other angle.
Then for the purpose of keeping the lower end of the transmitter when so balanced.
or pivotted correctly and steadily spaced to the scale of the keys guide pins may be.
employed in various ways, but I find the maximum of steadiness to be obtainable by
driving them firmly horizontally into the front; or back, or both front and back of the:
transmitter, and allowing their projections to rest in slots cut in the same direction..
across a rail placed to receive them; or the slots may be cut into the blocks fixed on
the keys as before described, in which latter case supplementary guide pins bent at
right angles are required to pass between the transmitters into a rail placed behind, toi
retain them in position when the action is removed from the keys; or the primary?

page_text: guide pins may pass entirely through the transmitter and after being cranked upward
and backward allowed to fall into loose V shaped slots in a rail, the last method
appearing to reduce friction to the lowest point.
According to another modification I sometimes hold the lower end of the trans-
mitter in position by a method somewhat similar to that employed to connect the
shorter transmitter to the key namely by attaching it to a rail placed behind by means
of a narrow ribbon of hammered or rolled metal.
The vertical piece and the projection (when such is employed) which it operates may
be rendered in various forms and the regulating mechanism attached to one or the
other.
They may each consist simply of a stout pin, the one driven into the key or its
connection, the other into the transmitter with its forward end flattened to present a.
broad surface and bent downwards at right angles in front of a button carried on a
rectangular portion of the vertical pin and numerous methods readily suggest them-
selves whereby these two portions of the action may be brought into correct motor
relationship. The vertical piece for instance may be placed behind the transmitter
and operate against a button on the end of a regulating pin passing through the
transmitter the forward part of which pin may act as guide pin by working in a
slotted rail, though this arrangement does not permit so ready a removal of the key.
Or the projection from the transmitter may pass through a slotted guide rail so as to
perform the function of a guide pin.
Finally I dispense with the usual bushed centre or vellum hinge of the damper,
employing instead the pressed or rolled metal spring hinge already described in relation
to the lower end of the transmitter. As however the elasticity of the metal allows of
too much lateral oscillation at the forward end of the damper this part is steadied in
the following manner. The damper wire passes laterally through the end of the
damper for the purpose of operating it, and is then bent upwards so as to pass into a
transverse clothed slot cut in the edge of the damper rail; and to facilitate the
insertion of the cranked wire into the damper it passes through, not an ordinary
bushed hole, but a groove cut into the end of the damper, which groove, being
broached only at its inner end, holds the wire in position, while allowing it to
pass in
or out with gentle pressure. This arrangement necessitates that the length adjusting
button of the damper wire should be at its lower end, and to effect this purpose the
wire passes downward through a socket rail (which may be attached to the lower edge
of the rest rail) and terminates in a regulating button, resting on, or in a hole in, the
key or on the usual projecting arm of the longer transmitter, or in relation to the
latter, the button may be of extra length and furnished at its lower end with a false
pin to enter the bushed hole in projecting arm in the ordinary manner, in which case
the socket rail can be dispensed with.
Where the length of the transmitter ranges between say five to six inches, the
ordinary projection for lifting the damper wire can be partly utilized for escapement
purposes as in Figure 8.
Where the damper wire descends to the key I in order to facilitate the removal
of the key when desired without the trouble of previously taking out the action frame,
replace the hole in the socket rail by a slot similar to that in the damper, so that
the wire may be displaced for the passage of the key.
Figure 3 represents an action in which the transmitter is 9 inches in length, h is
the back portion of the key, i is the vertical piece a front view of which is shown
at Figure 3b. jis the escapement projection carrying the regulating button ¹; k is
the lower guide pin the front portion of which rests in a slot in the block whilst
the back portion passes upwards behind the transmitter to rest in a slot in the guide
rail a front view of part of which is shown at Figure. 30, the rear end of such guide
pin is bent at right angles in order to retain the transmitter in true position when the
key or action is removed. m is the transmitter the lower end of which is cut into V
form to rest in a V notch. in the end of the key, m' is the check pad which is carried
by the wire 'm², fixed in the block m³ attached to the transmitter m; n is the balance
pad having the repetition notch n³; n¹ is the balance arm of the butt n; o is the

page_text: damper wire with the regulating button o' having a guide pin o² at its lower end;
p is the damper carried by the metal spring binge p¹ and formed with a slot p² through
which the damper wire o passes on its way to the groove ġ¹ in the damper rail
front view of which is shown at Figure 4.
a
The slot p is at its mouth made a tight fit for the passage of the wire o but it is
broached out at its inner end to permit of the free movement of the wire o therein.
Figure 5 shows a modification by which the escapement button j¹ is carried by the
vertical piece ; the notch holding the transmitter as in Figure 3 is formed in the
key itself and the lower guide pink falls into a slot in the rail * a front view of
part of which is shown at Figure 6.
.
Figure 7 represents a modification wherein the transmitter m is supported by an
adjustable block 1* having two V notches formed therein to allow of a half turn being
given thereto around the screwed pin or vertical piece i to obtain height adjustment,
the lower V end of the transmitter being placed in either notch as may be required,
the guide pink and slotted rail are placed behind the transmitter in a very similar
manner to the arrangement represented at Figure 3.
Figure 8 represents the transmitter m the lower end of which has, a V notch and is
pivotted on a T shaped pin 2 screwed into the key to obtain height adjustment
and the escapement projection is formed by fitting on to a continuation of the check
wire m2, a block * with a regulating pin and button j; a front view of the T pin
is shown at Figure 9; in this case the guide wires k are fixed into a rail at the back
of the transmitters and pass forwards between the transmitters being bent at right
angles in front to retain the transmitters in true position when the key or action is
removed..
:
In the modification represented at Figure 10 the T pin h² is shown screwed in an
inverted position into the bottom of the transmitter, the head thereof resting in a
V groove in the. key; in this view the vertical piece is shown behind the transmitter,
the escapement projection ; extends through the transmitter m and has the regulating
button screwed on the backward extension whilst the front portion is guided in
a guide rail in front of the transmitters.
:
In the modification represented at Figure 11. the transmitter is shown to rest on the
key h but to be held in position by a ribbon m¹ of hammered or rolled metal.
Figure 12. represents an action in which the distance between the key and the
nose of the hammer butt is 3 inches; in this case the transmitter is attached by
means of a flattened wire * to the block ¹ fixed to the key h, the damper wire o
is shown passing through a socket rail r¹ connected with the rest rail r and descending
to the key, and the repetition notch n³ is formed in the check m¹ instead of in the
balance pad n². Figure 13 is a front view of the flattened wire h²* connecting the
key h and transmitter m.
Figure 14 represents an action in which the transmitter is of similar length to that
of Figure 12 but is made in two parts, the lower part of which is fixed to the block /!
by screwing on to the upper end of a wire h2* which is flattened so as to form a
spring hinge whilst the upper part of the transmitter is adjustably connected to the
lower part by screwing on to a continuation of the said wire; in this case an under
damper p is used which is operated by a wire o, hooked into a socket hole p² in the
damper and descends to the key after passing through the socket rail which in this
case is fixed to the hammer rail s.
Figure 15 is a front view of parts showing how the vertical pini is cranked.to
allow the escapement projection j to pass freely.
Figure 16 represents a modification in which the transmitter having an ordinary.
vellum hinge is fixed hand tight to the key so as to be capable of removal for the
purpose of height adjustment as before described.
For this purpose I employ a moderately stout pin or wire h²** fixed firmly, in the
block, or it might be in the key, and entering only band tight into the lower end
of the transmitter m, by which means the latter can be removed and the lower end
reduced or packed up for height adjustment,” s

page_text: Figure 17 represents a modification in which the transmitter m is connected to the
key or to its attachment A¹ by means of an ordinary bushed centre, I preferably
place such centre about midway between the ends of the transmitter and connect it by
a fork to the block h¹ and I communicate the arc motion of the key h to the trans-
mitter by means of a regulating pin passing through the base of the block h¹ from
front to back thereof and operating the lower end of the transmitter m by means of a
button j'.
Figure 18 represents an adaptation of my improvements so far as they relate to
escapement and check, to an ordinary "simplex hopper" the back h' of which acts as
the block of my vertical piece i in driving the top of the fly or transmitter m from
the notch of the hammer butt n and causing the check m¹ to engage the balance
pad n³.
Figure 19 represents a modification (more particularly adapted to a transmitter
just beyond the length convenient for connection with the key) in which the escape-
ment projection; passes through a slot in the guide rail * and is arrested by the
vertical piece i in a downward instead of in a forward direction.
The third part of my invention is a method of attaining the correct tension of
the strings by means of screw pins or bolts operating them in connection with that
part of the iron frame extending upwards from the top bridge and usually known
as the wrest plank plate. The strings are hitched on, both to the top and bottom
portions of the tension frame ordinary wrest pins being wholly or partially used at
the top for preliminary tuning purposes and the final tension is adjusted by deflecting
the strings from a straight line at some convenient point above the top bridge
into deep grooves cut into the metal plate behind the strings and in a line with
them either vertically or obliquely as the case may be by the action of screw pins
tapped into the sides of the grooves and pressing directly upon the strings them-
selves or upon metal fillets placed between the strings and the screws.
Sometimes I make the metal plate carrying the wrest pins and tuning screws
separate from the other part of the tension frame, when I preferably cast it in some
metal not liable to oxidization from humidity, such as brass or gun metal and make it
of almost uniform thickness, the groove being cut through it and into the beech
backing which holds the wrest pins. The lower edge rests vertically upon a fillet
projecting from the tension frame, but to economise height room, the remaining
portion is declined backward first at an angle of about 36 degrees and afterwards at a
further angle of about 60 degrees from the vertical. Or that portion only of the
plate carrying the grooves and the screw pins may be formed separately from the iron
frame and placed in a recess shaped to receive it. Figure 20 is a vertical section and
Figure 21 is an elevation representing my improved tuning means and in which the
tuning plate t is in one piece with the tension frame. According to this arrangement
the three strings forming one note are in one continuous length of wire which is first
looped by an eye to a hitch pin at the lower end of the frame and is then passed
round hitch pins u and after passing again round a lower hitch pin is ultimately
attached to a wrest pin v which is used for obtaining the approximate tension of the
three strings forming a note. wo are tuning screws tapped into the plate t so as to
force the strings down into grooves t¹ cut in the plate ta is the presser bar, y is the
wrest plank and z part of the wood bracing behind.
In the modification represented at Figure 22, the tuning plate t is separate from
the tension frame t, the lower edge rests on a fillet t³ projecting from the tension
frame t, but to economise height space the remaining portion is inclined backward
first to an angle of about 36 degrees and the remainder to an angle of about
60 degrees to the vertical.
In this case I have shown a separate wrest pin v to be used for each string in the
ordinary way whilst the tuning is effected as in the arrangement shown at Figures 20
and 21 by means of tuning screws w which force the strings into grooves in the
plate t.
Figure 23 represents a modification in which the tension frame is in a vertical

page_text: position similar to that of Figure 20 but in which the grooved tuning plate ** is.
formed separate from the wrest plank plate t and the latter has cast therein a recess
to receive such tuning plate t*.
Figure 24 represents a modification in which the upper portion of the wrest plank
plate is placed at an angle to the lower portion thereof similar to that of Figure 22
but in which a recess is cast to receive the tuning plate t*. In this latter modification
the tuning plate t* is of solid metal but in that represented at Figure 23 the tuning
plate may be either solid or it may be formed hollow and backed up with wood as
shown in the drawing.
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 :-
1. The combination of key frame and key bottom of pianofortes substantially
as herein shown and described and for the purpose stated.
2. The employment of a vertical piece affixed to the key in front of the trans-
mitter for the purpose of effecting the escapement of the top end of the transmitter
from the notch of the hammer butt substantially as herein shown and described.
3. Effecting the escapement of the transmitter from a notch in the hammer butt
exclusively by the arc motion of the key operating through a vertical piece connected
thereto either in front or at the back of such transmitter substantially as herein
shown and described.
4. Effecting a check against the balance pad of the hammer butt by the operation
of the vertical piece attached to the key substantially as herein shown and described.
5. Connecting the lower end of the transmitter either to the key or to the guide
rail by means of an elastic metal hinge substantially as herein shown and described.
6. Removeably attaching the lower end of the transmitter to the key by means
of a pin which is fixed fast in one of such parts and only hand tight in the other
substantially as herein shown and described and for the purpose stated.
7. Balancing or pivotting the transmitter by supporting its suitably shaped or
furnished lower extremity either in a transverse notch in the key or in a connection
thereof, or upon a Ṭ shaped pin or equivalent erection upon the key entering a
notch in the lower end of the transmitter substantially as herein shown and described.
8. The employment in combination with the lower end of a balanced or pivotted
transmitter of a guide pin, one end of which is set firmly into such transmitter
while the other extends horizontally into a groove in a guide rail or into a block
attached to the key substantially as herein shown and described.
9. Forming a notch or step in the check pad or balance pad for the purpose of
facilitating the return of the transmitter to the notch in the hammer butt sub-
stantially as herein shown and described.
10. Forming the damper hinge of pressed or flattened metal substantially as
herein shown and described.
11. Adjusting the tension of the strings for tuning purposes by deflecting them'
into grooves in a metal plate by means of screw pins tapped into the sides of the
grooves substantially as herein shown and described.
Dated March 27th 1830.
1000.
HENRY WITTON.
By Harris & Mills,
23, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents.