Improvements in Pianofortes.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Dec., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 25th Feb., 1895-Accepted, 30th Mar., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pianofortes.
We, JAMES LEYSTER COURTICE, of Cramer's Pianoforte Factory, Castle
Road, Kentish Town, in the County, of London, Pianoforte Manufacturer, and
JOHN WOOD, of the Firm of J. B. Cramer & Co., of 201, Regent Street, in the
County of London, and 46, Moorgate Street, in the City of London, Musical
Instrument Dealers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to an improved construction of upright pianoforte and has
for object to reduce the bulk thereof whereby it is rendered much more portable
than bitherto.
In carrying out this invention we dispense with the portion of the framing,
stringing and case usually extended below the keyboard, the instrument when-in
use being supported upon a table or the like and we obtain sufficient length of
strings by overstringing. We also hinge the keyboard to the front of the
instrument so that when not in use it can be shut up so as to form part of the
front of the case of the pianoforte. Any suitable action can be employed.
We find it advantageous to make the compass of the pianoforte about five. octaves
thus considerably reducing the width without materially affecting the range of the
instrument.
By this construction we are enabled to produce a pianoforte extremely portable
especially for transport purposes.
Deted this 14th day of December 1894.
Improvements in Pianofortes.
We JAMES LEYSTER COURTICE, of Cramer's Pianoforte Factory, Castle
Road, Kentish Town, in the County of London, Pianoforte Manufacturer, and
JOHN WOOD, of the Firm of J. B. Cramer & Co., of 201, Regent Street, in the
County of London, and 46, Moorgate Street, in the City of London, Musical
Instrument Dealers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
mauner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to an improved construction of upright pianoforte and has
for object to reduce the bulk thereof whereby it is rendered much more portable
than hitherto.
In carrying out this invention we dispense with the portion of the framing,
stringing and case usually extended below the keyboard, the instrument when in
use being supported upon a table or the like and we obtain sufficient length of
strings by overstringing. We also hinge the keyboard to the front of the
instrument so that when not in use it can be shut up so as to form part of the
front of the case of the pianoforte. Any suitable action can be employed.

page_text: We find it advantageous to make the compass of the pianoforte about five octaves
thus considerably reducing the width without materially affecting the range of the
instrument.
By this construction we are enabled to produce a pianoforte extremely portable
especially for transport purposes.
To enable our invention to be fully understood we will describe the same by
reference to the accompanying drawings in which :-
Figure 1 is a plan partly in section of a pianoforte constructed according to our
invention and having the keyboard turned down in position for use, and
Figure 2 is a front sectional elevation of the same.
Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section shewing the keyboard turned up out of
use; and
Figure 4 is a side elevation partly in section with the keyboard turned down.
a is the case of the instrument, and b is the keyboard which is pivotted at the
ends upon trunnions €, cand in such a manner that when folded up the front d of
the said keyboard will lie against a ledge e on the case and the rear part of the
keyboard against another ledge y formed by a moulding on the lower part of the
case a, as shewn in Figure 3. The keyboard 6 when turned down bears at the rear
ends of its sides 6', 6' against blocks h, h on the case a, the ends of the key
levers b³, or attachments thereon then coinciding and engaging with the respective
actions in a manner which will be well understood.
In order to get the requisite length of the strings, the long or bass strings are
overstrung as will be readily understood by reference to Figure 2 in which i
indicates the portion of the string frame for carrying the overstrung strings.
In practice we prefer to arrange the bolts j which hold the upper end of the
string frame in position to screw into a metal bar k fixed across the back of
the instrument, as shewn in Figure 3, instead of screwing them into the wrest
plank in the usual manner, whereby the said plank is relieved of strain which
often causes it to come unglued from the plank in behind it.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
An upright pianoforte wherein the keyboard, which is adapted to fold up when
not in use, is pivotted at the lower part of the instrument so that the string-frame
is above the level of the said keyboard, the instrument when in use being placed
upon a table or other support, substantially as described.
Dated the 25th day of February 1895.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicants..