IMPROVEMENTS IN PIANOFORTES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Carl Pieper, of Dresden, Saxony, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PIANOFORTES." A communication from Otto Lemcke, of
Schkeuditz, Prussia.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Carl Pieper at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st May 1877.
CARL PIEPER, of Dresden, Saxony. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PIANOFORTES." [A com-
munication from Otto Lemcke, of Schkeuditz, Prussia.]
1
The object of this Invention is to impart greater, fulness and beauty of tone to
pianos, and especially to grand and upright pianofortes. For this purpose I place
over, or as the case may be, behind each group of strings belonging to the same
note a new pair of strings tuned in the octave of the latter, and a special hammer
operated upon by any suitable mechanism.
The key on being touched causes the hammer of the common hammer mechanism
to act on the strings of the fundamental note in the usual manner. If the pianoforte
is a horizontal one, the key at the same time lifts a rod passing between the strings
upward to the upper hammer mechanism, so as to make the hammer of the same
strike the octave strings. In upright pianofortes this arrangement has to be
suitably altered.
. I
The strings for the fundamental note pass at one end through a hook or hasp on
the wrest plate, and thence to the tuning pins.
The octave strings, which must be shorter than those for the fundamental note,
also pass through the wrest plate; hook, or hasp; and besides through a hook or hasp
mounted, on a ledge, which is fixed to the sounding board. The holes in the latter
hook or hasp are drilled at an incline, so as to provide a firm point of support for
the strings at the end of their vibrating part.
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page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Carl Pieper in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th November
1877.
CARL PIEPER, of Dresden, Saxony. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PIANOFORTES." A com-
munication from Otto Lemcke, of Schkeuditz, Prussia.
The object of this Invention is to impart greater fulness and beauty of tone to
pianos, and especially to grand and upright pianofortes. For this purpose I place
over, or, as the case may be, behind each group of strings belonging to the same
note a new pair of strings tuned in the octave of the latter, and struck by a special
hammer. The introduction of such strings tuned in the octave is not new, but
hitherto they have usually been made to sound by the transfer of vibration from
the fundamental note. These strings, however, do not commence to vibrate quick
enough to give the desired effect if the notes are short.
According to my arrangement the key on being touched, not only causes a
hammer to strike the strings for the fundamental note, but it also acts on a second
hammer provided with special mechanism, by which the octave is made to sound,
as herein-after described.
The arrangement is shown on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings for a single
note of pianoforte with horizontal strings.
The lower hammer mechanism does not require any explanation, as it does not
present any new features.
::
The novelty of the Invention consists in the application of the upper hammer
mechanism, and in the manner of transmitting motion to the same from the key A. By
the pressure on the key a small lever D is lifted, as also the rod E jointed to the lever,
suitably guided at the top, and passing upward between the strings. The motion of
the rod E is transmitted by the levers F and G to the jack H, so as to cause the
hammer C to strike. After having acted, the hammer is caused to return to its
position of rest by the spring c attached to the same, and besides, by the lever T
with its spring i. The curved lever K. assists in retaining the hammer C in its
position of rest; at the moment, however, the key is touched, it is turned by a
pin fixed to the lower end of the jack H, so as to allow the hammer end to rise,
The lever K with its spring k moreover serves to return the jack H to its position
of rest. The motion of the latter is regulated by the screw L, so as to cause the
hammer C to strike simultaneously with the hammer B. In larger pianofortes.three
strings are generally used for the fundamental note, but in the Drawing only two
are shown. These pass at one end through holes in the agraffe Ọ on the wrest
plate, and thence to the tuning pins.
The octave strings N, which must be shorter than those for the fundamental note,
also pass through the agraffe O, and besides through the centre agraffe P, Fig. 1
and 4, mounted on a special ledge Q, which is fixed to the sounding board.
The head of the centre agraffe P is bent to one side, so that the strings M may
pass the agraffe without touching it. The holes in the same are drilled at an
incline, só as to provide a firm point of support for the strings N at the end of their
vibrating part without their forming an angle, by which a disadvantageous
pressure would be caused on the sounding board. By this means also a parallel
position of the strings M and N is attained. By the above-described arrangement,
according to which the strings M, as well as the strings N, of one note pass through
the same wrest-plate agraffe O, an increase in size of the pianoforte, which would
otherwise be caused by the application of the octave strings, is avoided.
The damper R, Fig. 1 and 2, touches the strings M with its longer felt pieces, and
the strings N with the shorter ones, so that it simultaneously acts on both groups of
strings. The dampers are lifted in the usual way, either singly by the touch of the
keys, or all together by the forte pedal acting on the ledge S.
The head of the hammer C should be covered with softer leather or felt than

page_text: the hammer B, so as to cause the octave to sound softer than the fundamental
note.
The arrangement of the mechanism for operating the hammer C may be modified
in various manners, as the same does not constitute an essential point of my
Invention. In the case of upright pianos this is even required, as both hammers
with their mechanisms must be adapted to the vertical strings.
Having thus described the nature and object of my Invention and in what
manner it may be performed in practice, I declare that I claim as new and
essential features of the same,―
1. In a pianoforte the two hammers B and C, provided with suitable mechanisms
in combination with the key A, and the two groups of strings M and N, as and for
the purpose described.
2. The agraffe P, the holes of which are drilled at an incline, in combination
with the octave strings N, substantially as and for the purpose stated.
3. The wrest-plate agraffe O, in combination with the two groups of strings M
and N, as specified.
.
In testimony whereof, I, the said Carl Pieper, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Third day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
CARL PIEPER. (L.S.)