Improvements in Music and like Rests for Use on Pianofortes and analogous Musical Instruments.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Jan., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 12th Oct., 1899-Accepted, 18th Nov., 1899
Improvements in Music and like Rests for Use on Pianofortes and
analogous Musical Instruments.
I, WILLIAM LANGLEY BRUCE HALL, of Neptune Works, Upper Trinity Street,
in the City of Birmingham, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention has relation to desks or rests for use in supporting music and
the like and adapted to be applied to pianofortes, organs, harmoniums and
analogous instruments.
a
According to the ordinary practise, it is customary to permanently hinge
collapsible music stand, rest or desk to the instrument in a central position
solely for the convenience of the one performer, thereby rendering it difficult,
and in some cases impossible, for a player on another instrument or a singer to
read from the same music, especially where such player or singer is afflicted with
restricted vision, but my invention (which consists in the employment of a
detachable fitted rest or desk adapted to be engaged with the edge of the turned
back cylinder or finger board lid, the latter acting as a supporting bracket extend-
ing the full length of the piano or instrument)-permits of the desk being moved
along relative to the key board to any position convenient to the player or singer
and accompanist. In cases of trios or quartettes, it is always an assistance to the
players to be grouped together and for home music parties there is sometimes a
difficulty in obtaining sufficient space in the apartment for independent music
stands. By my invention it is not necessary to dispense with the ordinary fixed
desk on a piano or the like, as the attachable rest may be used as a supplemental
fitment on either or both sides of the permanent rest, or the hinged rest may be
folded aside and the detachable desk applied and adjusted to a convenient position
between two performers.
Thus in carrying out one form of my improvements, I make the rest in any
easel-like or other suitable form and having a shelf or ledge at the bottom for
forming a rest for the music, whilst the edges have rearwardly extending flanges
or webs, preferably fret-worked or otherwise pierced to lighten them, whilst cut
inward from the edges of them are angular disposed rectangular shaped and
deep gaps adapted to take upon or engage with a sliding fit over the upwardly
presented edge of the turned back lid or finger board cover of a pianoforte or
like instrument. Thus the turned-up edge of the lid forms as it were a bracket
running throughout the whole length of the instrument and is adapted to be
engaged by the gaps or notches at the back extensions of the detachable music
rest which is thus longitudinally adjustable thereon.
Two or more of such rests may be fitted upon one instrument at the same time,
as occasion may require in duet-playing or the like and it further admits of being
placed in any position suitable to the convenience of the player. It also admits
of the music of a performer playing on a separate instrument being supported
upon a stand on the pianoforte instead of a separate stand being required.

page_text: The notched protecting pieces or flanges of the rest may be hinged to the body
part so as to admit of being folded flat therewith and thus be capable of being
stowed away in a music rack or cabinet, or inside the instrument. It may also
have one or more hinged arms or struts to admit of it being used as a table desk
or easel.
1 1
1111
1
1000
Improvements in Music and like Rests for Use on Pianofortes and
analogous Musical Instruments.
I, WILLIAM LANGLEY BRUCE HALL, of Neptune Works, Upper Trinity Street,
in the City of Birmingham, Manager of Works, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
-
This invention relates to music desks, rests, or the like, and is intended to
overcome the difficulties connected with drawing room and other concerts, vocal
and instrumental quartettes, trios, and the like, given or having to take place in
limited or confined spaces or apartments.
4
Whereas it is often found that where two or more performers have to be
accommodated, the necessary disposition of music stands becomes a great incon-
venience, with my invention this is altogether overcome, as three desks or rests
can be arranged on one piano or other like instrument, enabling the performers
to be grouped together around it. Thus the usual fixed desk or rest on a piano
or like instrument may be supplemented by my portable desk or rest on either
side and a solo may have three or four accompanists collected together round a
piano or the like and whilst occupying but little space in the apartment, the
performers work better together by close grouping than they would if separated
and the disturbance consequent upon finding positions for independent pedestal
stands is avoided. bor wind or string instruments with pianoforte accompani-
ments this is of particular advantage.
Figure 1 of the accompanying urawing represents a front elevation of my
improved music rest, showing the same in use and as applied to the cylinder of a
pianoforte, and
Figure 2 represents an end view thereof.
My invention consists of a loose, detachable or independent desk or rest, com-
prising a slope or inclined front a, and suitably fashioned ends a¹, the base parts
of which are notched at a³, to take upon the edge b', of the turned back cylinder
or lid 6 of a piano, organ or the like. The said end parts are also gapped at 6³,
as may be required, to form clearances for the edge e, of the top cover c, of the
piano and give the rest the necessary slope. The shelf or stop edge 4, for the
music book or sheet is formed in the usual way and fitted with ordinary
clips or turning stops b, to keep the music in position. The shaped ends or rear-
wardly extending parts of the desk or rest are cut to suit the vertical part of the
piano and thus take a bearing against it. In order that the desk or rest may be
stowed readily away the back portions or end wings may be hinged to the front
so as to fold in an outward or inward position and follow the plane of the front
of the desk. The desk or rest may be constructed with an ornamented panelled

page_text: centre d, as represented in the drawing, with the necessary spreading cross
pieces b, and uprights 67, to give the required surface for the music to rest
against when open, or it may be constructed of both vertical and transverse bars
pivoted or otherwise connected together so as to be collapsible, the bottom bar
or resting piece in this case being hinged if desired in such a manner as will
enable the whole to be carried in a small compass.
The detachable desk may also be provided with one or more hinged arms or
legs to admit of it being supported in an inclined position upon a table or else-
where when not fitted or applied to the edge of the turned back cylinder of a
piano.
The notches or gaps in the lower part may be cut at any angle and to any
shape to suit the cylinder to which the rest is to be detachably fitted, and the
notches may be lined with felt or other material which will prevent the wood of
the cylinder being scratched or otherwise damaged by the desk being applied
to or removed from it, or on being pushed or adjusted along the edge of the
cylinder by a performer in setting the desk into a suitable position.
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:-
A detachable or removable and supplemental music or like rest, consisting of
a slope or supporting frame, having gaps at suitable parts adapted to take upon
the edge of the turned-back cover or cylinder of a pianoforte or analogous
musical instrument, upon or along which, the said rest is adjustable, substantially
as and for the purpose described and set forth.
TL 11AL 1
1000
WILLIAM LANGLEY BRUCE HALL,
By Henry Skerrett,
24, Temple Row, Birmingham, Agent for Applicant.