AN IMPROVEMENT OR IMPROVEMENTS UPON THE SELF- ACTING PIANOFORTE
Year: 1829

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
HALL ROLFE, of Cheapside, in the City of London, Musical Instrument Maker,
send greeting.
WHEREAS His present Majesty King George the Fourth, by His Letters
Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Eleventh day of August now last
past, did give and grant unto me, the said Thomas Hall Rolfe, His especial
licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Thomas Hall
Rolfe, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others, as I, the said
Thomas Hall Rolfe, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter 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, my Invention of "AN IMPROVEMENT OR IMPROVEMENTS UPON THE SELF-
ACTING PIANOFORTE;" in which said Letters Patent there is contained a proviso
obliging me, the said Thomas Hall Rolfe, by an instrument in writing under
my hand and seal, particularly to describe and ascertain the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, and to cause
the same to be inrolled in His said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said recited
Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more
fully appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Thomas Hall Rolfe, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, is described and
A

page_text: :
ascertained by the Plans or Drawings hereunto annexed, and as follows, that is
to say :-
The improvements I have invented in self-acting pianofortes are of a three-
fold character. I shall therefore describe them under three distinct heads or
sections, which are as follows:-
The first is an improvement on the means or apparatus for shifting the
barrel, by the use of which that operation is rendered much more simple,
certain, and easy of attainment.
Secondly, improvements on the means or apparatus hitherto used for pro-
ducing the forte and piano, by the application of which, in the manner and
way hereafter described, the derangement of the high quick staples hitherto
inserted in the barrel for that purpose (which bore the whole pressure and
weight of the operation) will be completely avoided by the employment of
another and more competent power and means to produce those effects with
greater efficiency, and without the possibility of failure.
Thirdly, for constructing and applying a set of dampers to the self-perform-
ing action of pianofortes, altogether independent of the dampers of the finger
department of the instrument, by which new and very valuable effects are
produced on self-acting pianofortes.
Drawing 1, Figure 1, represents a side view of my. improved means or
apparatus for shifting the barrel, and placing it with greater ease and certainty
in such a position as to cause it to perform any individual tuue marked or
set upon it.
Drawing 1, Figure 2, represents a vertical section of the same parts, by a
plane, in the direction of the dotted line, passing through the double arc or
portion of a wheel C, seen in Drawing 1, Figure 1. In Drawing 1, Figure 2,
many of the parts that were hidden in Figure 1 will be more plainly seen, and
their mode of acting will also be better explained.
The power usually employed to set in motion the various parts of self-acting
pianofortes is a strong steel spring or springs, inclosed in a barrel, which is
combined with a fuzee by means of a chain, in the usual manner; the time
,being regulated by the well-known combination of parts commonly called a
governor.
To these combinations I have no claim, they being merely introduced to
shew the position of my improvements, and how the parts and combinations I
have invented are applied and combined with those that are common to all
self-acting pianofortes.
Drawing 1, Figure 1, represents a portion of the lower part of the right-
hand side of the case A, A, of a self-acting pianoforte. a, a', shews a front

page_text: view of a brass case or frame (a plan or bird's-eye view being shewn below it),
having two sides and a bottom; within this is placed the brass bar c, c', having
a brass inclined plane formed upon it, which may be seen at d: e, e¹, repre-
sents a flat brass bar, jointed by a pin passing through it to each side of the
brass case at a', the other end of the bar e rests or, bears against the inclineil
plane & when pressed upon by one end of the axis of the barrel, shewn in
dotted lines near e, a section of a part of the barrel being shewn at B. . The
upper edge of one end of the bar c; near c', has a line of teeth formed upon it
which take or gear into similar teeth formed on the bottom of the double arc
or portion of a wheel C, and when the arc C turns either way upon its centre
the bar c, c', will be advanced or driven back accordingly; and with it the
inclined plane d; and as one end of the axis of the barrel is pressed by a
spring or weight acting on the opposite end against it, and is thereby kept
in close contact with the end of the bar e; the motion of the inclined plane;
with the spring or weight combined; will have the effect of shifting the barrel
in the most accurate manner, antl without the loss of time and want of certainty
that have been experienced hitherto in effecting this necessary operation.
f shews a small pinion of five leaves or teeth, which geer or tako in the teeth
formed on the upper part of the double arc C. This pinion has an arbor or
axis which passes through the case A, A, of the instrument, and also through
a directing plate or dial fixed on the outside of the case. A section of these
parts may be seen near r, in Figure 2, Drawing 1. The radial arm or lever r; -
having a small knob fixed on its outer end, is attached to the arbor or axis of
the pinion f, and, being made fast upon a squared portion of it, is used as a lever
or handle to turn the pinion f, and thereby cause the double arc C, Figure 1,-
Drawing 1, to move partly round, and consequently advance or force back the
inclined plane & accordingly; and for the purpose before described.
D repre-
sents a connecting wheel, which is moved by the pinion f being geared into the
teeth of it; the upper teeth of the connecting wheel are also geared or take in
the small registering wheel g; the registering wheel g is moved at all times with
the train of wheels, and the hand or index fixed upon its axis' registers upon a
plate or dial fixed on the outside of the case A, A, the revolutions of the pinions f;
and also of the index or handler fixed upon the end of its arbor or axis, and by
these means the exact position of the barrel is ascertained or effected. By examin
ing the numbers on the wheels it will be found that the train is so constructed
as to make the pinion f perform eight revolutions; and also the lever on its
axis, while the registering wheel 9 makes but a single one.
g
The index plates; and a further description of them, will be shewn in a
separate Figure hereafter.

page_text: It has always been matter of the greatest importance in the management of
self-acting pianofortes that the key frame, placed over the pins of the barrel,
should at all times be raised before it is attempted to shift the barrel, and
thereby produce a change of tune, as considerable damage may be done to
the pins if this circumstance is not duly attended to. But by the application
of the improvement I have invented in this section it will be found impossible
to shift the barrel, or take one step in the way of attempt, without raising the
key frame first; consequently the possibility of accident from such a cause is
completely avoided. This great advantage is effected in the following manner:
-E represents a vertical section of the key frame, which in this Figure is
shewn in a raised position, for the purpose of either shifting the barrel Bor
preventing the instrument from performing by means of its self-acting powers.
The key frame is raised by the usual mechanical means adopted in instruments
of this description, therefore it is not shewn here, as it does not constitute any
part of my Invention. F is an arm of wood, fixed to the key frame by a
mortice and tenon screws, or any other suitable means. G is an upright con-
necting rod, jointed to the end of F by a pin passing through both, the end of
the arm F being forked for that purpose. The upper end of the connecting
rod G is likewise forked, to receive one end of the lever H, which is jointed to
it by a pin passing through both. The other end of the lever H is fixed to a
bracket piece I by a screw, which forms the centre or fulcrum upon which
it moves. h is a. thin flat piece of wood, which swings upon two metal pins
fixed in the centre of each end (and which I call a swinging plate); the pins
enter two holes made to receive them in the bracket pieces I, I. i, j, shew
the ends of two small wooden arms, each forming a part of two wooden crank
pieces k, l, which are in this Figure shewn in dotted lines, but in Figures 3, 4,
and 5, they are shewn separated, in order that their construction and combina-
tion may be better understood. Each crank piece has a small wire pivot fixed
in each end; these enter holes made for them in three bearing pieces, and
when so placed they swing therein freely. These pivots are shewn in dotted
lines. The bearing pieces and crank pieces are let into the case of the instru-
ment, and secured by screws, when combined in the manner shewn in Drawing
1, Figure 3. mand n in this Figure are brass guards or stops, each of which
is jointed at one end to the lower part of each crank piece by a fine wire
passing into the wood, and through the end of each stop or guard, and when
so attached they pass completely through the side of the case A, A, Figures 1
and 2, Drawing 1; and also through a metal plate or dial fixed on the outside
of the case, in which place they act as stops or guards in the way hereafter
described. 0, 0, in Figure 5, Drawing 1, are two small springs (one only

page_text: can be seen in this Figure) fixed to the case of the instrument at the bottom
of the recess, cut out to admit the two crank pieces k, 1; these are used
to force back the crank pieces, when either one or both the guards
or stops are to be withdrawn. In the said Figure 1, p, p, are two angular
levers, the two arms of each being fixed to each other nearly at right angles.
Each of these levers is fixed by a screw to the back of the supporting piece J,
each screw being the fulcrum on which cach lever moves. 7, are two.
connecting wires jointed to the levers p, p, at their lower ends. The upper
ends of these connecting wires pass through a hole made in the upper arms i, j,
of the crank pieces k, l, where they are secured by small leather nuts, which
are screwed on the tapped ends of the wires. The manner in which these
parts act in combination, so as to produce the advantages before described will
be now explained by referring more particularly to the said Figures 1 and 2.
When the key frame E is raised above the pins by the usual apparatus
employed for that purpose in self-acting pianofortes to the position shewn in
these Figures, the arm F will raise the connecting rod G, and the end of the
lever H jointed to it, and then the front part of the swinging lever plate h will
drop, and permit the arm i to rise, and cause the crank pieces k, l, to draw in
the two brass wire guards or stops m, n, the pressure of the two small springs
o, o, acting against the crank piece k, l, and thereby forcing them back, the
extreme ends of the guards or stops laying just flush with the surface of the
directing plate through which they pass. When the combined parts are in
this position the barrel may be shifted by turning the arm or lever r either
way at pleasure, which will turn the pinion f, and set the train in motion;
and as the wheels are connected with the inclined plane d, against which the
axis of the barrel is pressed, it will be shifted accordingly, and its position
registered on the external dial or index plates. I shall here observe, that as
each barrel contains eight tunes each revolution of the lever or handler will
cause the inclined plane d to move a distance sufficient to shift the barrel from
one set of pins to the other or next set, and so on throughout the whole range
of the inclined plane. But, in order to prevent the possibility of forcing the
inclined plane too far in either direction, the following means are employed: -
Figure 1, Drawing 1, s, s¹, represent two short studs fixed securely in the
upper part of the double arc C. Now, whenever the lever or index r has
effected eight revolutions of the pinion f, one or other of these studs will be
brought in contact with one or other of the angular levers p, p², and by pressing
either of them before it they will draw. down the wire q, or q¹, and with it
one of the arms i or j, by which means one of the brass guards or stops-m or n
will be forced out beyond the surface of the dial or index plate, and effectually

page_text: prevent the further progress of the lever handler, as the same effect is pro-
dued at each extremity of the range of the double arc c and inclined plane d,
and by means exactly similar. The parts employed for this purpose being
duplicate, it will be needless to repeat what takes place when the arc C or
inclined plane d are moved in an opposite direction. Whenever the barrel B
is in such a situation as to place the keys exactly opposite or over the pins,
and consequently in a state to perform any one of the tunes set or marked upon
it, then the index lever or moving handler, Figure 2, Drawing 1, will be
exactly perpendicular, or in the position shewn in Drawing 2, Figure 10, which
represents the relative positions of the index plate and lever r, and also the
registering plate above it, divided into eight equal parts, and numbered
accordingly. If the key frame be lowered while the parts are in this position,
the two guards or stops m, n, will be forced out, their ends extending beyond
the surface of the index plate; and as the lever or handler is placed exactly
between them, it will be found impossible to shift the barrel without first
raising the key frame from it. In this way accidental derangement of the pins
or staples on the barrel will be completely prevented, and the operation of
shifting the barrel will be rendered easy and certain of attainment.
Drawing 1, Figure 6. t and.t represents a front and edge view of the
kind of spring that is fixed to the frame of the barrel to press forward the
barrel against the inclined plane. This Figure is drawn to a scale of half the
real size.
Drawing 1, Figure 7; represents a vertical section of one end of the barrel
frame, with the spring t attached, the axis of the barrel u being in contact and
pressed against by the spring t before described.
Figure 8, Drawing 1, represents a plan of a fragment of the barrel B in
dotted lines. The axis u has a spiral worm cut upon it, in the usual manner
adopted when spiral barrels are used. This kind of barrel has also a spring
applied to the other end of its axis, as before described, and when it has run its
whole length the thumb lever v, v³, is used to lift it off the thin knife edge
upon which it moves or is made to advance, and by pressing the thumb upon
the thumb plate v', which. will elevate the end v, and with it the axis of the
barrel, and then the spring t will force it back to the point from which it
started. The wooden frame in which the thumb lever is fixed is screwed to
the case of the instrument, near the hand buckle of the machine that sets the
self-acting part in motion.
Drawing 1, Figure 9, shews a side view of the thumb lever, and also the
wooden frame in which it is fixed, with a fragment of the axis of the barrel
laying upon it.
Where several barrels are used for the same instrument,

page_text: instead of applying a spring to each barrel frame an iron lever, moving on a
joint at one end, as shewn in Figure 13, Drawing 2, may be attached to a con-
venient part of the case of the instrument; and a spring, as shewn partly in
dotted lines, being fixed to the case behind it, the lever will be pressed
constantly forward, and if one end of the axis of the barrel be placed in contact
with it, as shewn, near the centre of the lever, the other end will be forced
against the inclined plane before described, and it will consequently be moved
with all the advantages that have been explained. The same advantages may
be obtained by attaching a string or cord to the free end of the lever, near w,
which, being passed over or under a pulley or pullies fixed in any, convenient
part to the case, may be conducted to any part inside, and having a sufficient
weight appended to it, the same effect will be produced by weight that has
been described by using a spring.
And I hereby further declare, that in this first section or head of my improve-
ments 1 claim as my Invention,-
First, the application of an inclined plane to effect and regulate the shifting
of the barrel, combined with a forcing spring and lever, or a weight and lever,
which, being combined and applied in the manner and way I have described,
will assist in shifting the barrel more accurately than any means hitherto known
or made use of.
Secondly, I claim the combination of wheelwork, as herein described, com-
bined with a directing and registering plate, which, when they are united and
combined with those agents previously claimed, will constitute means for
shifting the barrels of self-acting pianofortes with greater ease and certainty
than has ever before been accomplished.
Thirdly, I also claim the combination of mechanical agents above described,
by the application and use of which, in the way I have explained, the stops
or guards will be projected through the directing plate, and effectually prevent
the shifting of the barrel until the key frame is raised, the same means acting
to withdraw the guards or stops whenever the key frame is raised.
Section the Second. Having concluded the description of the first section of
my improvements, I shall now describe the second, and shew the improve-
inents I have invented on the apparatus for producing the forte and piano in
self-acting pianofortes. This necessary quality in self-acting pianofortes has
hitherto been produced by fixing high quick staples in the barrels of such
instruments at such intervals as the tune to be played required. These staples
were employed to lift or raise the front ends of two levers technically called
keys, they being nearly similar to those placed in the key frame, and used to
play the tunes. These keys move upon a fulcrum or centre, and to their back

page_text: ends are jointed the lower ends of two trackers. The upper end of each of
these trackers is terminated by a tapped wire, which passes through two arms
of a wooden crank combined with what is technically called the piano and forte
axis or rail of the instrument; therefore, whenever the revolution of the
barrel causes one of the staples to raise the front end of one of the keys (say
the forte), the other end is correspondingly depressed, and with it the tracker,
and also the crank arm to which it is fixed; and this being combined with the
piano and forte axis or rail before named will produce the forte power or effect
upon. the springs of the instrument. As I have before stated, the wooden piano
and forte axis or rail has two arms affixed to it, by which it is moved in
opposite directions (one arm having been described, and also the operation of
one of the keys); the other arm has also a similar tracker attached to it, the
lower end of which is jointed to the other or piano key, exactly similar in every
particular to the first one described. There are also a set of staples fixed in
the barrel to raise the key at proper intervals, in order to produce the piano
effect upon the strings.. The action of these parts, when set in motion, is very
similar to a pair of scales attached to a balance, the crank in this case
performing the office of a beam. As a considerable power is necessary to
effect the motion of the piano and forte axis or rail, and also the parts com-
bined therewith that constitute the action of the instrument, the staples fixed in
the barrel and used for that purpose are of necessity obliged to be very high
from the surface of the barrel, which circumstance renders them very weak,
and liable to be deranged, especially when they are employed to lift the keys
above described, and thereby overcome the resistance of the piano and forte
axis or rail of the instrument. From what has been here stated it will be
evident the parts are so arranged and combined together that whenever one
key and the parts combined therewith is acted upon by a staple, and moved in
one direction to produce the forte, the parts combined with the other key to
produce the piano must be simultaneously moved in an exactly opposite
direction, and vice versa when the piano key is acted upon in a similar way;
the forte and piano axis or rail being the centre of motion, the combination of
parts attached and combined to each arm of the crank being equal and similar.
But if at any time (from a derangement of the staples, both the keys were to
be raised at the same instant, then some part of the apparatus would force up
or lift the key frame, and a cessation of the performance would be the conse-
quence; and this might happen, perhaps, at a time.or in a place where no
workman was at hand that could repair the injury.. Owing to these imper-
fections, instruments of this description have usually been exported without
any self-acting apparatus to produce the forte and piano in the self-acting

page_text: department, and thus one of the most delightful properties of the instrument is
lost to the possessor rather than risk a disappointment from the failure of the
parts described. The means or apparatus I have invented to produce the forte
and piano I have arranged under two heads, which are as follows, viz. :-
First, Drawing 3, Figure 1. 9 represents a portion of the great or fuzce
wheel of a common spring. machine used to set in motion the self-acting
department of a pianoforte. h is a wheel mounted on an axis A, the teeth of
which gear into the wheel.g, and is thereby made to revolve. fand pare
two iron bars or arms, which are fixed in two apertures pierced through the
axis A, the ends of each being made exactly equidistant from the centre, on
account of their having to act as cogs or teeth. a, a', represent two cogs
formed at the lower part of two pieces of brass, cach of which is jointed to a
wooden tracker, but in this Figure only one can be seen, the second one being
a duplicate and laying immediately behind the front onc.. These two, which
I call cogged trackers, are united to the two crank arms, combined with the
forte and piano axis or rail by a tapped wire and button on their upper
ends, which are not shewn in this Figure, on account of their great
length (nor is it necessary, such parts, and the mode of combining
them, being so well known to instrument makers). B is a block of wood
which forms a support for the cogged trackers a¹, a', to bear against, and
thereby keep them to their work. This is screwed to the side of the case of
the instrument close to the back. Figure 2 represents an elevation of the
same parts combined, and- as they would appear if removed from the spring
machine, and seen from the front of the instrument, the same letters of refe-
rence being placed upon the same parts. Their mode of action will be as
follows:-Whenever the spring machine is set in motion, the wheel h will
revolve, and with it the two piano and forte bars or arms f and p. The one p.
will fall upon the cog.c
a of the back cogged tracker, and pull it down, and as
it is, attached at the upper end of its tracker to one of the crank arms of the
piano and forte rail or axis, it will bring on the piano. The front-cogged
tracker being, similarly attached to another arm on the same axis or rail will
be at the same instant simultaneously drawn up to the precise place repre-
sented by the position of the back or piano cogged tracker a¹, where it will
remain until the forte bar or arm advances and pulls it down, when the
forte will be produced by the same kind of movements, and so on, alternately,
the whole time the spring machine gives motion to the various parts. By
combining the parts as herein described, and thereby obtaining the power to
move the forte and piano axis or rail immediately from the spring machine,
instead of taking it from the high quick staples fixed in the barrel, the

page_text: derangements hitherto. experienced will be avoided, these means being so
much more efficient to overcome the resistance of the forte and piano axis or
rail. By arranging the bars or arms f and p, as shewn in the Drawing, the
intervals or times of duration of the forte and piano will not be equal, and
hence the monotonous effect that would be produced by placing the ends of
the arms equally distant from each other will be avoided, the two greatest
spaces being appropriated to the forte, and the two smallest to the piano,
whereby some most interesting and happy effects are produced.
My second head or arrangement for the production of the piano and forte
is so far analogous to that which I have described under my first head, that'
the piano and forte is also caused or produced intirely by the power of the
machine; but I have in this second arrangement (which I am now about to
explain) annexed a directing movement by which that power is called into
exercise exclusively by the cylinder or barrel, which is not here used to effect
the operation, but merely to display the signal, as I shall now proceed to
elucidate.
Drawing 2, Figure 1, represents a side and edge view of the lower part of
a tracker, which is used to bring on the forte when its upper end (not seen
in this Figure, it being broken off) is attached by a tapped wire and button to
the forte or piano axis or rail of the instrument. The part a is made of brass
and jointed to the wooden part by a pin passing through both. The lower
end of the brass part has a single cog a¹ formed upon it which sometimes
takes or gears in a pinion to be hereafter described. Figure 2, b, shew
similar views of a swinging bar which is used at certain intervals to support
the lower end of the cogged tracker, Figure 1. A portion of the lower end is
formed into an inclined plane (the use of which will be hereafter described),
and the upper end has a hole pierced through it to receive a pin, upon which
it swings freely when placed in the recess of a wooden case. Figure 3, c,
represents a side and edge view of an inclined plane covered with thin leather,
fixed to a tracker c¹; a square piece of wood d is fixed to the back of the
inclined plane, in which is made the notch seen near d. The inclined plane,
when raised by the tracker c', is applied to press forward the swinging bar b,
Figure 2, and thereby enable the cog a¹, to take or gear in a pinion to be
described hereafter. Figure 4, e, represents a side and edge view of a guard
that moves on a pin which enters a hole pierced through the upper part.
The lower end is made taper so as to enter the notch formed in the square
piece at the back of the inclined plane c, Figure 3, and prevent it from rising
in certain cases. It will be necessary to bear in mind that all the four parts
that have just been described are duplicate in the combination, one set being

page_text: applied to produce the forte, and another to produce the piano. Figure 5,
ffff, represent one side of a wooden case having a thin partition in the
centre, the two sides and the partition forming three parallel planes. The
partition in the centre divides the internal space into two equal parts, each of
which contains the lower parts of Figures 1, 2, and 3. Their combinations,
and the position they assume when producing the piano, may be seen by the
dotted lines in Figure 5, and in the position to produce the forte in Figure 6.
Figure 7 represents an edge view of the case that contains the two sets of
parts above described, but on a scale half the dimensions of the Figures just
described. Figure 8 represents a side view of Figure 7, having some other
parts combined therewith, which are as follows:- represents the great wheel
fixed on the broadest end of the fuzee of the machine, usually applied to give
motion to the self-acting department, containing one hundred and forty teeth;
h is a pinion having two sets of teeth; one of these has twelve and the other
twenty-one teeth. The one with twenty-one teeth geers into the teeth of the
great or fuzee wheel g. The brass cog a³, formed at the bottom of the cogged
tracker a, will be seen in gear with the part having twelve teeth, which is the
position it assumes when it is being forced down by the pinion h, to produce
the forte. The alternate action of these parts will be explained hereafter.
Figure 9, i, , represents a top and side view of a lever which turns on a
screw forming its fulcrum, and which may be, seen near i. One end has a slit
or fork to receive the lever j, which is attached to it by the pin shewn at k in
dotted lines. is a steel spring which presses on the tail of the lever j, by
which means the other end is kept firmly pressed against the under side of
the small cross piece m. The lever is forked at its outer end, and receives
the end of a tracker c', which is jointed to it by a pin passing through both.
n represents a small forked piece screwed to the end of the lever i. A
tracker s is jointed to this by a pin passing through both. The shortest arm
of the lever i has a hole made through it to receive the tapped wire fixed on
the upper end of a tracker attached to the forte key. The lever and its appen-
dages used for producing the piano is exactly similar in all its parts to tho
one now. described. .
Drawing 3, Figure 8, represents the apparatus for producing the forte: and
piano combined, and as they appear at the back of the instrument. Part of
the back, and all the central partition of the case f, being removed, in order
to shew the side view and position of the pinion h. Figure.4 represents a
side view of the case f, with the same parts combined, and partly shewn, as in
the previous Figure; and by referring to both Figures, the action and office of
each individual agent will be more easily understood. Whenever a staple in'

page_text: the barrel raises the forte key o, Fig. 3, the tracker p (being united to it,
and also the shortest arm of the lever i) will be drawn down, and thereby
lift the other end, proportionate to the difference of length from the fulcrum
or centre of motion, the tracker c¹ will be drawn up, and the inclined plane c
formed on its lower end, which, sliding up the inclined plane of the swinging
bar b, will press it forward, and in such a position they will form a bearing or
support for the cogged tracker a', which, being also pushed forward sufficiently,
will then fall into gear with the pinion h of twelve teeth, which will pull or
force it down until the cog a¹ gets below or out of gear with the pinion h;
and as the cogged tracker a is attached to the forte and piano axis or rail of
the instrument, it will bring on the forte accordingly, in which state the com-
bined parts will remain; and when the forte key drops off the staple on the
barrel, the lever i will fall (to the position shewn in dotted lines), and with it
the inclined plane c; and then, as the swinging bar & will hang freely upon its
pin, the cogged tracker a and cog a¹ will be at liberty to rise to the position it
assumed before it was pulled down by the pinion h. When a staple in the
barrel acts upon the piano key q, the lever 1, attached to it, will be acted
upon in exactly the same manner as has been described, and the second or
piano set of apparatus, consisting of an inclined plane, swinging bar, and
cogged tracker a, will be placed in exactly the same relative positions; and
when the cogged tracker of the piano set being forced down by the pinion h,
the piano will be produced, the cogged tracker of the forte set being simul-
taneously raised to a position where it can take or be forced into gear when-
ever it is supported by the elevation of the inclined plane c.
The great
advantage of my Invention in this department must be evident when it is
considered that the staples on the barrel in this case have no other labor to
perform than that of raising the inclined plane c and its tracker, whose office
is little more than to direct or command at what instant the piano or forte
shall take place or cease to act, the whole resistance of the forte and piano
axis or rail (and which is always considerable) being entirely overcome by the
power of the pinion h, and that, by the application of these means, staples of
half the usual height hitherto used will in this case be amply sufficient. The
changes. that take place in the combined parts for producing the forte and
piano will be more plainly seen in Figures 5 and 6 in Drawing 2.
It may
sometimes happen in changing the barrels, or from various circumstances, that
some of the staples get deranged, and, when placed in the instrument in that
state, will have the effect of raising both the piano and forte keys at the same
instant; and, if provision was not made to prevent the evil consequences that
must ensue, some part of the apparatus would certainly be deranged: To

page_text: obviate any difficulty from such a cause, I have invented, and applied the
following means:-
Drawing 2, Fig. 5, e, represents a guard that swings upon a pin which
passes through a hole made in its upper end; q' is a small steel spring fixed
to the strap of wood r at the upper end; the lower end presses against the
guard e, and forces it inwards towards the square d, at the back of the inclined
plane c; s is the guard tracker which is confined and moves in the wooden
straps or bars r, r, at the back of the case f. The lower end of the guard
trackers is curved, by which means it acts as a wedge, and, when it moves
downwards, forces back the guard e, the spring q' yielding readily for that
purpose. These guards, springs, and trackers are, like the other parts, dupli-
cate, one set being applied to the piano, and the other to the forte. Their
mode of acting is as follows:-The piano guard tracker s is jointed to the.
end of the forte lever i, see Drawing 3, Figure 3, and the forte guard tracker
s is jointed in the same manner to the piano lever; therefore, when the
forte lever i raises the inclined plane c attached to it, it also at the same
instant and simultaneously raises the piano guard tracker s, and the spring q',
at the back of the guard e, forces it inwards, and over the top of the square
piece d, and thereby most effectually prevents the piano inclined plane è from
rising with the forte one; and should the toe or point of the guard e miss the
top of the square d (which is not very likely), it would be sure to catch in
the notch made just below the top, and so prevent both the inclined planes
from rising together; but should the power of the staples to raise the keys, or
any other force that might be accidentally applied, be so great as to risk
deranging either of the guards e, or any of the jointed parts of the apparatus,
then the short lever j, jointed on the end of the lever i or 2 (and to which
the inclined plane tracker c¹ is attached) would be pulled down, the spring
yielding for that purpose, and thereby prevent the possibility of an accident to
any of the combined agents.
In cases where a more instantaneous production of the forte and piano may
be required, the following means may be advantageously applied:-Drawing 2,
Fig. 11, represents the same combination of parts to produce the piano and forte
as I have before described, but the brass part a¹ of the cogged tracker has a
rack of teeth formed on its front edge, that take into the teeth of the pinion h,
which in this case has 40 teeth instead of twelve, as before described in other
Figures. By this mode of construction the teeth will be more instantaneously
placed in gear, and either the forte or piano will be produced in less time than
when a coarser pinion and only a single cog on the tracker is used.
Figures 5 and 6 ir Drawing 2, represent the case f, and all the parts that

page_text: .
have been described as immediately combined with it, the whole being the
size of nature. Fig. 5 represents the position of the parts as they appear
when moved to produce the piano; and Fig. 6 is the same combination, but
changed in position to produce the forte. The extent of the motion of each
part is shewn in dotted lines in all the Figures where such a method could
be the means of assisting to explain the nature and action of the various parts
in combination.
Another method of forming a bearing for the swinging bar b may be seen
in Figure 12. c represents the same tracker that has been described with an
inclined plane attached to it. The lower end is jointed to the cranked lever t,
which moves on a fulcrum near t, fixed to any convenient bearing. The
levert acts upon one arm of a similar cranked lever u, which is also movable
on a centre or fulcrum fixed to a bearing, the two bearings being secured to
any convenient part of the instrument or case. vshews a spring which presses
against the upper arm of the lever u, and keeps it stationary, except when
moved by the rising or falling of the tracker c. The dotted lines shew the
position the parts assume when moved out of the way of the swinging bar b,
by the descent of the tracker c. The same effect may be produced by a
variety of simple means known to workmen, the principle and also the
advantages being the same.
Drawing 3, Figure 5, represents another method of obtaining the power
to bring on the forte and piano from the spring or other machine used to set
in motion the self-acting department of pianofortes. a represents the axis of
the governor, upon which is placed the bevilled wheel 6; this gears in the
bevilled wheel c, fixed to one end of the axis d, this axis revolves in two
bearings made for it in the two cocks e, f, which may be screwed or fixed to
any convenient part of the machine or instrument. A bevilled pinion g is fixed
on the other end of the axis d, which takes or gears in a bevilled wheel i,
fixed on the axis of the pinion h, which kind of pinion has been before
described as the agent employed to move the cogged trackers, and thereby
bring on the forte and piano in the manner previously described. It will, I
trust, be evident to any person acquainted with the principles of mechanics,
the power necessary to effect the motion of the forte and piano axis or rail
may be obtained immediately from the spring or other machine used in such
instruments by a variety of combinations, without departing from the principle
I have invented in this section or department of my improvements, namely,
that of obtaining the power necessary for effecting the desirable purpose above
described, by combining the necessary mechanical agents or parts immediately
to the spring or. other machine used to set in motion .the self-acting depart-

page_text: ment of pianofortes, instead of obtaining the same from the barrel and high
quick staples in the manner hitherto adopted.
And I hereby further declare, that my Invention in this second section of
my improvements consists, firstly, in obtaining the power necessary to effect
the motion of the forte and piano axis or rail of self-acting pianofortes, and
also the parts connected therewith, by combining and applying certain parts
or agents, herein described, immediately to the spring machine used to set in
motion the self-acting department of such instrument, either by combining the
said parts with the great or fuzee wheel, the bevilled wheel on the axis of
the governor, or any other suitable part of the spring machine (without
having recourse to the agency of the high staples hitherto fixed on the surface
of the barrel), by which means the power obtained will be much more efficient
for the purpose, and less liable to derangement or failure in the operation.
Secondly, in combining and applying therewith an apparatus consisting of
two levers and their appendages, as shewn in Drawing 3, Figure 3; and also
two sets of mechanical agents, each set consisting of a cogged tracker, swing-
ing bar, inclined plane tracker, and guard, by the application and combination
of which with the staples on the barrel, the forte and piano may be effected
so arbitrarily as to produce an exact imitation of the powers and taste of a
fine performer.
.
Section the Third. Having described the second section of my improve-
ments, I shall now describe the third and last section, which consists in the
application of a set of dampers to the self-performing action, which are alto-
gether independent of the dampers of the finger department, so that each
note of the self-acting or mechanical part (in common with each particular
note of the finger department or action) possesses its appropriate, particular,
and independent damper, connected with and identified by its kindred note,
hammer, or key, and acting simultaneously therewith. In all cases where
the same dampers that are used in the finger department are also applied to
the self-acting part, it has been found, from their peculiar construction and
combination, that whenever any of the strings of the instrument were struck
by the hammers, the whole of the dampers were of necessity either obliged
to be raised (by which operation not only will the chord struck, and its rela-
tive intervals, be kept in active vibration, but every string on the instrument
will also participate therein, and, whether kindred or discordant, forni one
unintelligible commotion, and produce the most unnatural and chaotic effect,
which effect is necessarily augmented in an incalculable degree, in difficult
classical compositions, from the frequency of consecutive independent bar-
monics, which are unavoidably brought into combination before the operation

page_text: of suppressing the confused vibration of these unnatural alliances can be
accomplished), or an equal imperfection (but of an opposite character) must
necessarily be produced, by keeping the dampers pressed down upon the
whole of the strings, so that the strings or notes required to be struck by the
hammer must receive the blow while under the pressure of the damper. By
this confinement the natural power of vibration in each string is annihilated,
and its capacity of utterance suppressed, in the same manner as the voice
would be suppressed by the forcible application of a hand placed upon the
mouth to smother or muffle its intonation. In order to remedy these imper-
fections, I have applied a set of dampers to my self-acting pianofortes, alto-
gether independent of the set used in the finger department; and I have
constructed and combined them in such a peculiar way, that the effect pro-
duced by their application is in all cases equal to the most brilliant perform-
ance by the hands of a first-rate performer, and, in many instances, even
superior.
Drawing 3, Fig. 5, shews an end view of a hammer, and its damper fixed
to the hammer and damper rails.
Drawing 3, Fig. 6.-1 represents the end of a rail, which I call the damper
rail. 2 shews a side view of a damper carriage, screwed to the damper rail.
3 shews the butt of a damper jointed to the carriage by a pin, which passes
through the fork of the carriage and the lower part of the butt also. 4 is a
wooden fork or carriage fixed to the top of the brass wire shank of the
damper. 5 is the upper shank, on the left-hand end is fixed the damper
pressed against the wire of the instrument, by the action of the spring 6, one
end of which is fastened to the damper carriage and the other presses against
a projection formed on the lower part of the butt 3. 7 is a connecting piece
of wood jointed to the fork or carriage 4. The right-hand end of the upper
damper shank passes through and is fixed to it, and a portion also projects
a sufficient distance to have the leaden retarding weight 8 fixed to it. 9 re-
presents the hammer fixed in the usual manner to its shank 10. 11 shews
the butt of the hammer united to the carriage 12, which carriage is screwed
to the hammer rail 18. The hammer and its necessary appendages are
common to all instruments of this description, consequently it forms no part
of my claim, it being introduced here merely to shew how my improved
damper is combined therewith. 14 represents the hammer tracker, and 15
the damper tracker, a portion is supposed to be broken out of the centre of
each, in order to bring them within the scope of the Drawing, nor is their
exact length given, for as these kind of instruments vary very much in their
proportions, the trackers must in all cases be accommodated to the circum-

page_text: stances of the case. The same may be observed of the trackers belonging to
other parts described in the second section, some of which are broken off to
accoinmodate them to the dimensions of the Drawings. Both the hammer
and damper trackers are attached to a movable or jointed arm or guide 16,
which is attached to à bearer or rail 17; and to the under part of the arm
or guide is fixed the key or hammer tracker 18, which passes downwards, and
is fixed at its lower end to the back end of one of the mechanical keys; conse-
quently, whenever one of the keys is raised by the pins on the barrel, and thereby
pulls down one of the hammers, the damper combined with and belonging to
it will be drawn back simultaneously, and with great advantages, arising from
the peculiar construction which I will now more particularly describe, after
having made a few preliminary observations which will render the explanation
more easy and intelligible. One of the most beautiful properties of the piano-
forte is that of enabling a performer not only to produce the crescendo or
forte, but it is also capable of conveying to the ear the most delicate expres-
sion of the diminuendo or piano, permitting the sound to die away and become
extinct by the natural cessation of vibration, the hammer and the damper
connected therewith being kept elevated at the will of the performer for that
purpose by merely keeping the keys down by the fingers. This capability of
continuing the sound of each note upon the ear until the vibration ceases, or
for any determinate portion of such vibration, depends not only upon the mere
pressure of the fingers upon the keys, but because the damper appropriated
to each individual string or note is so combined with its hammer, and also
the finger key belonging thereto, that one cannot move without the other, all
their actions or movements being simultaneous. These observations have been
made in order to shew how imperfect, in the most essential points, must be a
self-acting pianoforte, constructed with no other dampers than those belonging
to the finger department, acting in the imperfect manner described in the
beginning of this section.
The peculiar action of my improved dampers will be understood by the
following description of a single one, the construction and application of every
one being precisely the same. Whenever the key in the key frame is lifted
or raised by either a pin or a staple on the barrel, the tracker 18, Drawing 8,
Figure 5, will pull down both the hammer and damper tracker 14 and 15,
which will cause the hammer, and also the damper, to fly out to the position
seen in dotted lines in this Figure; and, when the key drops off the pin, the
hammer will return to its original position and strike the wires, the damper.
also returning to its original place likewise, where it will be pressed in contact
with the wires and damp them accordingly; but, owing to the peculiar

page_text: construction of my improved damper, the following peculiar effect will take:
place: If a damper of this description or construction was used without
a retarding weight 8, the spring seen at 6 would throw or force it back so
instantaneously that it. would return. as quick as.the.hammer, or very nearly
so, in which case the wires would be damped so instantaneously after the
blow was given by the hammer that there would not be sufficient time allowed.
for vibration, especially when the, hammer is producing the forte effect upon:
the strings. To obviate this imperfection: the retarding weight 8 is applied
and combined, being fixed to the end of the upper shank of the damper, and the
position it assumes in Drawing 3, Fig. 6, the weight is very nearly over its.
centre of motion, which is in this case its point of rest; and when forced out
to the position shewn in dotted lines, the spring 6 is so constructed that it has.
power enough to return it to its original. position.; but as gravity would
naturally, bring the weight down, it rises contrary to that law purely by the
agency of the spring 6, the power of which becomes weaker as the weight
approaches its point of rest, and thus a retarded action is given to the damper.
which in many instances produces an effect in the self-acting.department equal
and similar to that produced by the continued pressure of the finger of a per-
former while dwelling upon the finger key in the manner before described..
The position of the dotted lines is that which. the hammer and damper assume
when forced out to produce the forte. Of course, when the piano is to be.
effected, they do not extend so far from their place of rest, but even. there the
retarded movement giver to the damper by this peculiar construction is
equally advantageous. In many instances it is of the greatest advantage to
carry this effect still further by keeping back the dampers from the wires for
a much greater length, of time than can even be produced by the means just
described.
.
The method or means I bave invented and applied for producing this effect
is explained in Drawing 8, Fig. 8. B represents a vertical section of a
portion of the barrel of a self-acting pianoforte. The pins and staples fixed
on the barrel are applied in the manner here, shewn to produce the following
effects Where pins are fixed, in the barrel, having intervals or spaces
between them equal to those seen at 19, the key, 20, when it drops off one; will
be so, long before it reaches the other that even the retarding damper above
described would reach the wires and stop the vibration too soon to suit some
cases. But if the key 20, when it drops off the pin 21, is immediately caught
up or raised by the staple 22, it will, by, being kept in that, raised position,
continue to keep back the damper, and also, the hammer, all the while the
key remains on the staple 22; during which time the vibration of the wire will

page_text: continne, and when the key drops from the staple the blow of the hammer
will be repeated. But if a repetition of the action of the hammer is not
required when the hammer leaves the staple, then the staple must be formed
like the one seen at 23; that is to say, inclined to the surface of the barrel,
by which contrivance the key will still have the effect of retarding the
damper to any extent that may be necessary, and by sliding down the inclined
staple will let the damper gradually approach the 'wires, and produce a
cessation of 'vibration accordingly. By this novel application of staples to the
hammer or mechanical keys of self-acting pianofortes, the beautiful effect pro-
duced by a performer dwelling on the keys may be most perfectly imitated, and
that to any extent that is practicable by the hand.
Drawing 3.-Fig. 7 represents an elevation of a hammer and one of my
improved dampers combined, and as they appear when fixed to their rails at
the back of the instrument, each part or agent being designated by the same
figures that are used in the description of Fig. 6, Drawing 3.*
Fig. 8, Drawing 3, represents a plan or bird's-eye view of the hammer and
damper as they appear when combined, so as to act upon the same wires of
any note, the figures of reference being placed upon them as in Drawing 3,
Fig. 6.
Drawing 3. Fig. 9 represents a plan of the damper and its upper shank
and. retarding weight separated, in order to shew how the damper shank 5 is
cranked or bent near the end where the damper is fixed to it, so as to enable
the damper to lay immediately under the hammer, by which means both can
act upon the wires of the same note with perfect convenience.
The principal parts of my improvements are constructed of either mahogany,
birch, deal, or pine, the parts in the Drawing being colored so as to shew the
kind of wood that is used. Those parts that are constructed of brass or iron are
also colored to imitate those metals. The proportions of the parts herein given
are such as I most approve, but they may be varied to suit particular circum-
stances without departing from the principles contained in each section.
. And I hereby fürther declare that my improvements in this third and last
section consist,―
'
Firstly, in applying and combining with the hammers of the self-acting
department a set of dampers, altogether separate and distinct from the
dampers of the finger department, which being applied and combined in the
way I have described will, by the mutual and simultaneous action of each
hammer, and its separate, distinct, and appropriate damper, produce a degree.
of perfection in the self-acting department of pianofortes never before effected';
and the inconveniences or imperfections hitherto experienced by using a single

page_text: set of dampers only for both the finger and self-acting department will be
completely avoided, each note of the self-acting or mechanical part, in
common with each particular note of the finger department or action, possessing
its appropriate, particular, and independent damper, connected with and iden-
tified with its kindred note, hammer, or key, and acting simultaneously
therewith.
Secondly, I claim the peculiar application and combination of certain parts
of the dampers herein described, particularly a retarding weight attached
to the upper shank of the damper, and also a returning or pressing spring
combined therewith, which retarding weight being placed or fixed above its
centre of motion, and acting in a considerable degree similar to an inverted
pendulum, will have the effect of retarding the return, of the damper in its
passage to stop the vibration of the wires in the way that has been described,
and thereby prevent that instantaneous damping that would otherwise ensue,
and also destroy the possibility of the dampers being peremptorily caught up
or detained, and prevented from acting in such cases and at such times when
the duration or determined value or measurement of the notes positively.
requires the continued vibration of the strings or notes in order to illustrate.
and prove their existence, and in fact continue in being, which instantaneous
damping would prevent self-acting pianofortes giving that beautiful effect
arising from the continued or sustained vibration of the root of relative.
-harmonies through the medium of staples fixed upon the barrel of my self-
acting pianofortes (described and claimed beneath as a part of my improve-
ments), but which effect they are now perfectly competent to produce by
means of my new improvements.
Thirdly, I claim as my Invention the application of staples fixed in the
barrel to raise and keep in that position the mechanical keys that cause
the hammers, and also my improved, distinct, and separate set of dampers.
combined with the self-acting department, to act, by the use of which, when
applied and combined in the manner and way I have described, the vibration
of the wires of any note may be continued for any convenient period, at the
termination of which vibration, or any convenient portion thereof, the strings
may again be struck by the hammer, or the damper may be permitted to
return and stop the vibration at any period that will suit the nature of any
composition to be performed by the self-acting department of pianofortes.
And I further declare, that I do not claim the exclusive use of staples fixed
in the barrels of self-acting pianofortes when such staples are applied to raise
the two forte and piano keys, combined in the usual manner, with the forte
and piano axis or rail, nor when they are applied to raise the dampers of the.

page_text: finger department. during the application of such dampers to the self-acting
department, my claim being limited to the application of staples fixed in the
barrel to raise or elevate and keep in that position the mechanical keys'
émployed to actuate the hammers, and also my distinct and separate set of
dampers, combined with the self-acting department, by the use of which the
valuable and novel effects I have before described will be produced; but, as
both set of dampers can be pressed down alternately upon the wires, it will at
all times be necessary to raise one set before the other set can act. The
way. I effect this desirable object is as follows:-Drawing 4, Fig. 1. 28*
represents the end of an arm that is fixed to the back of the key frame. 24 is'
a tracker which is fixed to it, and also (at its upper end) to the crank that
moves the finger dampers placed in the front of the instrument. 25 is a
tracker fixed to the same arm; the office of this is to take off the dampers of
the self-acting department when the dampers of the finger department are
used. 26 is a lever fixed by a screw at one end, the other end rests upon a
stud (27) projecting from the bar 28. 29 is a damper bar jointed. to the
damper rail, the upper edge of which is covered with. cloth. Its office is to
remove both the hammers, and also the dampers of the self-acting depart-
ment, when the upper part is made to advance, which is effected by con-
necting it with the bar 28-by the connecting bar 30. 31 represents a
cranked lever screwed to the bar 32, which is made fast to the top of the
case of the instrument. 33, 33, represent two iron braces of the instrument,.
and from their position it is necessary to divide the damper bar 29 into.
three distinct portions, but which must of necessity act simultaneously.
together. There are three cranked levers screwed to the bar 32, which are
connected or jointed to the bar 34. The action of these parts will be under-
stood by the following description:-When the key frame is raised from the
barrel it will carry down the arm 28, and pull down the two trackers.24 and
25; and the tracker 25, being attached to the lever 26, will press upon it and
cause it to force down the stud 27, and also the bar 28, to which it is affixed,
and which, causing the bar 30 to descend, will advance forward the upper part
of the bar 29, which, pressing against the shanks of both the dampers and
hanımers, will remove them from the strings a sufficient distance to prevent
any action therefrom. The same motion of the arm 23 will bring down the
tracker 24; and, as the crank rests upon a button fixed on the top of it, the
front arm of the crank will descend, and permit the finger dampers to fall and
come in contact with the wires and damp them in the usual way. The bar
28 is jointed at its upper end to the upper arm of the cranked lever 31. The
other two cranked levers are jointed to similar bars, which, being united to

page_text: the two remaining portions of the damper bar 29 in a similar way to that
which has been described; the whole are made to act simultaneously by the
connecting bar 34, the three screws serving as joints for that purpose.
Fig. 2, Drawing 4, represents a section of the parts through the dotted line
X, Y, in Figure 1. A section of the damper bar may also be seen at that
number in Figure 6, Drawing 3.
..Drawing 4; Figure 1.-85 is a damper tracker, which is fixed at the bottom
to a key, which key is lifted by staples fixed in the barrel. It is used to take
off the dampers of the self-acting department during any part of the per-
formance of a tune, and thereby bring on the full force of the instrument. It
is therefore fixed to the lever 26 for that purpose. ⚫
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Hall Rolfe,. have hereunto set
my hand. and seal, this Eleventh day of February, in the eleventh
year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the. Fourth, by the
grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
King, Defender of the Faith, and in the year of our Lord One thousand.