Improvements in Pianos and other Keyboard Musical Instruments.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Feb., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 10th Oct., 1893-Accepted, 11th Nov.,
1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pianos and other Keyboard Musical Instruments.
We, DAVID WILLIAM NIGHTINGALE, of 76 Peckham Rye, in the County of
Surrey Musician, and SARAH GARTH WICKING of 190 Walworth Road, in the
County of Surrey Pianoforte Dealer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
It is well known that the process of discoloration in ivory proceeds more rapidly
when it is excluded from the light and air than when exposed.
Now this invention for improvements in pianos and other keyboard musical
instruments has for its object to prevent the discoloration of the ivory keys of
the key board, which is common in instruments as ordinarily constructed; and
consists essentially in so constructing the casing and parts contiguous to the
keyboard that the keys shall always be exposed to the light and to the atmo-
sphere while at the same time excluding as far as is possible the deposit of dust
when the instrument is closed.
In a piano or other keyboard instrument constructed according to this invention,
the fall or hinged cover which when the instrument is closed completely encloses
the keyboard with the exception of the back hollow is composed of glass or
other transparent material, which may be embossed or otherwise ornamented;
and the name board at the back of the keyboard is composed of a mirror
placed or capable of being placed, at a suitable angle to reflect the light on to
the keyboard. Beneath the keyboard are arranged apertures or open fretwork
backed with gauze or other suitable substance which while freely admitting the
air to the interior of the instrument excludes dust; and in the said back hollow
fall are corresponding apertures or fretwork through which the air can have
free access to the keyboard from the extérior of the instrument.
By these means the ivory keys are at all times exposed to the action of the
light and air and thereby retain their white or bleached condition, thus rendering
unnecessary the periodical scraping and polishing to which such keys are ordinarily
subjected in order to present a clean and white appearance.
attached to the fall joint or
seating on the front rail of the instrument in order to act as a cushion or buffer to
A strip of india rubber or other resilient material
reduce the force of impact on closing the said fall.
Dated this 8th day of February 1893.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pianos and other Keyboard Musical Instruments.
We DAVID WILLIAM NIGHTINGALE of 76 Peckham Rye in the County of
Surrey, Musician, and SARAH GARTH WICKING, of 190 Walworth Road, also in
the County of Surrey, Pianoforte Dealer, 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:-
It is well known that the process of discoloration in ivory proceeds more rapidly
when it is excluded from the light and air than when exposed.
Now this invention for improvements in pianos and other keyboard musical
instruments, has for its object to prevent the discoloration of the ivory keys of the
keyboard which is common in instruments as ordinarily constructed; and consists

page_text: essentially in so constructing the casing and parts contiguous to the keyboard that
the keys shall always be exposed to the light and to the atmosphere while at the
same time excluding, as far as possible, the deposit of dust when the instrument
is closed.
:―
In the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings:-
Fig. 1 is an elevation in perspective of a piano constructed according to this
invention and showing the fall closed, and
Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the fall open and the keyboard exposed to
view.
In a keyboard instrument constructed according to this invention the fall or
hinged cover a which, when the instrument is closed, completely encloses the
keyboard b, is composed of glass or other transparent material which may be
embossed or otherwise ornamented, and the nameboard c at the back of the
keyboard is composed of a mirror placed at a suitable angle to reflect the light on
to the keyboard. On the front rail beneath the keyboard are arranged holes or
open fretwork d backed with gauze or other suitable substance, which, while freely
admitting the air to the interior of the instrument excludes dust, and in the back
hollow fall e are corresponding apertures or fretwork through which the air can
have free access to the keyboard from the exterior of the instrument.
By these means the ivory keys are at all times exposed to the action of the light
and air, and thereby retain their white or bleached condition, thus rendering
unnecessary the periodical scraping and polishing to which such keys are ordinarily
subjected in order to present a clean and white appearance.
A strip of india rubber or other resilient material is attached to the fall joint or
seating on the front rail of the instrument in order to act as a cushion or buffer to
reduce the force of impact on closing the said fall.
9.
The panel g and back hollow e may be ornamented by means of mother of pearl
inlaid in fanciful design to enhance the appearance of the instrument.
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 :-
1. In pianos and other keyboard musical instruments: the employment of a fall
board or cover of transparent material for the purpose specified.
2. In pianos and other keyboard musical instruments: the combination of a
transparent fall board a, mirror c, and ventilating apertures d, f substantially as
described and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 10th day of October 1893.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.