Improvements in Pianofortes.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Apr., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 13th Jan., 1893-Accepted, 18th Mar., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pianofortes.
I, TOWNSEND PETRIE, The Acacias, 3 New Road, Park Road, Crouch End,
Hornsey, N., Pianoforte Tuner, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows :-
--
A bar of wood extending along the whole length of the instrument between the
action and strings, this bar is provided with a row of flat metal springs one opposite
each hammer normally, the springs are below the heads of the hammers; but when
the pedal provided for the purpose is depressed, the bar of wood is raised bringing
the springs level with the heads of the hammers, so that when the keys are
depressed, the hammers striking against the springs cause them to strike the strings,
producing a metallic instead of a felt blow.
The bar of wood and springs can be removed and an ordinary celeste put in its
place when required.
Dated this 14th day of Anvil 1800
FREDK. WALKER,
11, Furnival Street, Holborn, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pianofortes.
I, TOWNSEND PETRIE, of The Acacias, 3 New Road, Park Road, Crouch End,
Hornsey, in the County of Middlesex, Pianoforte Tuner, 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 :-
A bar of wood extending along the whole length of the instrument between the
action and strings, this bar is provided with a row of flat metal springs one opposite
each hammer normally, the springs are below the heads of the hammers, but when
the pedal provided for the purpose is depressed, the bar of wood is raised bringing
the springs level with the heads of the hammers, so that when the keys are
depressed the hammers striking against the springs cause them to strike the strings,
producing a metallic instead of a felt blow.
The bar of wood and springs can be removed and an ordinary "celeste " put in
its place when required.
And in order that my said invention may be fully understood, I will proceed to
explain the same with reference to the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which :-
Figure 1 represents my invention as applied to an upright piano.
Figure 2 is a partial elevation of the springs.
The same letters denote the same parts in both figures.
a is a bar of wood extending along the whole length of the instrument, between
the action and the strings, b, attached to the bar a are a series of metal
springs c. c. c. one opposite each hammer d.
In the drawing the bar a is shewn raised by a suitable pedal to which it is
connected by wires cords chains or levers so that the springs c are in the position
for being struck by the hammers.
When the keys are depressed the hammers strike the springs and force them
against the strings thus producing a metallic tone instead of that given out by the
strings when struck by felt in the usual way.
Normally the springs and bar assume the position shewn by dotted lines in
Figure 1 the springs being then out of the way of the hammers.

page_text: I prefer to connect the bar a to the ordinary "celeste pedal so that when
desired the bar and springs may be removed and the ordinary "celeste" substituted
therefor.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
In pianofortes the bar a adapted to be raised by a suitable pedal or equivalent
device the said bar having attached thereto a number of springs adapted to be
struck by the hammers substantially as and for the purpose stated.
Dated this 13th day of January 1893.
FREDK. WALKER,
11, Furnival Street, Holborn, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.