CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CERTAIN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, PART OF THE SAID IMPROVEMENTS BEING APPLICABLE TO THOSE OF THE KIND COMMONLY CALLED PIANOFORTES, AND PART TO THOSE OF THE KIND COMMONLY CALLED SERAPHINES, AND TO CERTAIN DESCRIPTIONS OF ORGANS
Year: 1839

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, JOHN
FREDERICK MYERS, formerly of Albemarle Street, but now of Charlotte Street,
Rathbone Place, both in the County of Middlesex, Musical Instrument
Maker, and JOSEPH STORER, of Bidborough Street, New Road, in the same
County, Musical Instrument Maker, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Twentieth day of July, in the third year of Her reign, did, for
Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the said John
Frederick Myers and Joseph Storer, Her especial licence, full power, sole privi-
lege and authority, that we, the said John Frederick Myers and Joseph Storer,
our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said John
Frederick Myers and Joseph Storer, our executors, administrators, or assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-
upon-Tweed, the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
CERTAIN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, PART OF THE SAID IMPROVEMENTS BEING APPLICABLE
TO THOSE OF THE KIND COMMONLY CALLED PIANOFORTES, AND PART TO THOSE OF THE
KIND COMMONLY CALLED SERAPHINES, AND TO CERTAIN DESCRIPTIONS OF ORGANS,"
partly of our own Invention, and partly communicated to us by a certain
foreigner residing abroad; in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso
that we, the said John Frederick Myers and Joseph Storer, or one of us, shall

page_text: cause a particular description of the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be enrolled in Her said
Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as
in and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at
large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, we, the said
John Frederick Myers and Joseph Storer, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are
fully described and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof,
reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and
letters marked thereon (that is to say) :-
The Invention relates first to a mode of applying the strings of pianofortes
in order more readily and more accurately to tune the same. Figure 1.
represents a front view of so much of an upright pianoforte as will enable us
to describe the nature of this part of the Invention; Figure 2 is a transverse
section of the parts shewn in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a plan of those
parts, such Figures being full size. And we would remark that this part of
the Invention is equally applicable to grand pianofortes, as will readily be
understood when the nature of the apparatus is described. a represents a
bar of metal or other suitable material, on which rest the several levers to
which the strings are attached; b, b, being the series of levers, each of which
moves on the bar a as a fulcrum; c is a bar of metal or other suitable
material, affixed by screws d or other suitable means to the rest plank of the
instrument; and it will be seen that the levers 6 are of two lengths, to
facilitate the arrangement, each lever having an adjusting screw passing
through the bar c, and by such means the back end of the lever may be
depressed to any required extent to obtain the accuracy of tone required.
Each single string has its particular lever b, and it is made fast to its lever b
by the end being passed through the hole in the projection of the lever, and
the string then takes three or four turns around the projection; and in using
this arrangement we employ the old rest or tuning pin to the other end of
the string; hence the string in the first instance is drawn tight by means of
the old tuning pin till the tone is nearly obtained, and then the accuracy of
the note will be more conveniently obtained by means of the lever and set
screw. We would remark that it will be seen that the levers beach simply
rest on the bar or rod a as a fulcrum, and that is all that is found
necessary. We do not confine ourselves to the precise arrangement shown
and described, provided the means employed are substantively the same as

page_text: herein described. And we would have it understood that what we claim
as the first part of our Invention is, the mode herein described of applying
strings to pianofortes to facilitate the tuning thereof.
We will now proceed to describe the second part of the Invention, which
relates to a mode of constructing the vibrating spring tongues or reeds,
and their frames, used in those descriptions of wind musical instruments called
seraphines, that is, such instruments wherein are employed free vibrating
spring tongues or reeds, and which are played by means of finger keys.
According to the ordinary practice of making such description of vibrating
spring tongues or reeds, the tongue and its frame have been distinct and
separate parts and affixed together. Now, the object of this Invention
is to construct each of such vibrating spring tongues or reeds and its
frame of one piece of metal, preferring steel for that purpose, and giving
the required stiffness to the frame by dishing it, as will be hereafter
explained. Figure 4 shows an inside view, a top view, and edge view,
and an end view of a free vibrating spring tongue or reed constructed
according to this part of the Invention; and we call this class of vibrating
spring tongues or reeds, free vibrating tongues or reeds, in contradistinction to
the vibrating reeds commonly applied to oorgan pipes where the reed is larger
than the opening it covers; whereas in the spring vibrating tongues or reeds
of those description of wind musical instruments, called seraphines, the spring
tongue or reed vibrates through and through its opening. The free vibrating
spring tongue or reed and its frame shown at Figure 4 is one of the lower
bass notes of a seraphine, and in making the upper notes, the size of the
vibrating spring and the frame will progressively decrease. In making this
description of free vibrating spring and its frame, it is produced from a
portion of thin sheet steel; which is sunk or dished by means of dies in
a fly press, as is well understood in pressing metals into shapes by such
means; and it will be evident that by such dishing or sinking of the metal
considerable stiffness will be obtained thereto, notwithstanding the thinness of
such metal; and having sunk or dished the frame, as above explained, we next
cut the spring tongue or reed by other dies in a fly press; but we would
remark that we do not confine ourselves to this mode of making the vibrating
tongues and frames shown at Figure 4, as they may be sunk by other means,
and the tongue cut by other instruments, all which will readily be understood
by workmen engaged in shaping and cutting metals for other purposes. The
tongue being thus cut is then filed at its edges in order to allow of its
vibrating through the opening out of which it is cut, and the correctness of note is
obtained by reducing the substance of the spring tongue by a file or other means,

page_text: and when this is accomplished we temper the frame and its spring tongue to a
like temper to that to which the main-springs of watches are tempered.
Figure 5 shows part of the wind chest of a seraphine with one of the improved
construction of free vibrating spring tongues or reeds which is retained in its
place by the bent stems of the screws a, a, as is shewn, and the frame and its
spring can readily be removed by turning the stems of the screws a in an opposite
direction to that shown in the Drawing. Figure 6 shews a mode. of tuning
such description of free vibrating spring tongues or reeds, and consists of a
stop which is capable of being slided along the spring tongue till the desired
tone is obtained; and in order to prevent the prejudicial effect of baving the
spring tongue to vibrate against metal, we cover the slide with a coating of india-
rubber or any other suitable material to damp the effect of the contact. We
would remark that this sliding surface or stop may be varied in its arrangement
or construction, but we prefer the one shown, which consists of the bent stem of
a screw, such bent stem lying over and touching the free spring tongue, and
is at all times in contact therewith, but should not press upon it to alter
its position in the opening; by this arrangement it will be evident that by turning
the stem of the screw in any direction towards either end of the free spring
tongue, as is shown by dotted lines, the tone thereof will be modified. And we
would only further remark, in respect to this part of the Invention, that we
do not confine ourselves to the sliding stop being the bent stem of a screw, for
the surface which rests on the free tongue may be carried by other means,
such, for instance, as that resorted to for the reeds of organs. And we would
further remark that we do not confine this part of the Invention to the
employment of such tuning stops to free spring tongues or reeds made
according to the Invention, as above described, as this mode of tuning is
equally applicable to the ordinary free springs tongues or reeds of such
descriptions of wind musical instruments called seraphines. It should be
stated that we have found it desirable in the upper notes to fill the frames of
the vibrating reeds or tongues with lead, leaving a hole through of the size of
the vibrating spring reed or tongue we have so filled up the frames of th
notes of the upper octave.
And we would have it understood that what we claim as the second part of
our Invention is, first, the mode of constructing the vibrating spring tongues
or reeds and their frames, as above described.
And, secondly, we claim the mode of applying moveable tuning stops to
free vibrating spring tongues or reeds, as above described.
We will now proceed to describe another part of the Invention, which relates
to the employment of two or more reeds (whether free or organ reeds) in one

page_text: pipe or chamber, chiefly intended to aid the lower bass notes of organs, though
this part of the Invention may be used to the higher notes. Figure 7 shows
a section of parts of three pipes or chambers, Figure 8 being a transverse
section of Figure 7; Figure 9 shews a plan of three free reeds, suitable for
one of the chambers; and Figure 10 shows a plan of the partition in the pipe
with its opening, but we would remark that we do not confine ourselves to a
particular construction of pipe or chamber, and the dotted lines in the transverse
section show a different construction of pipes. By this arrangement we are
enabled to save room and expense, and other advantages readily understood by
organ, makers.
Another part of the Invention relates to the application of a peculiar con-
struction of apparatus to the keys of such instruments as have free vibrating
spring reeds, in order to couple or combine two or more octaves. Figure 11
shews part of a seraphine in section, a being one of the keys, and b, the sticker.
c is an axis moving in proper bearings at the back of the instrument, and is
capable of turning partly round by means of the connecting rod d, which
is attached to a pedal, and moved up and down thereby in such manner as to
move the axis c one quarter round; e is a filling piece or rod, which slides
easily through the axis c, and consequently, when the axis c is in the position
shown in Figure 11, would bring into action the corresponding note one octave
higher in the following mannerf is a lever hinged to the back of the
instrument, as is shewn in the Drawing; g is a vertical rod carried by the
lever, there being a hole in the lever f to receive a pin projecting from the
lower part of the rod g, and the rod g has a projecting pin at its upper end, which
passes through an arm h affixed to the axis i, which moves in suitable bearings
at the back of the instrument; there being woollen cloth between each of the
parts above mentioned to prevent a jarring noise, and is indicated by the blue
tints in the different parts where employed, and the different axes i are covered
with woollen cloth where they turn in their bearings, so that they may move
without noise, and this is shown in the Drawing by pink color. On each of
the axes i there is a second arm j projecting, which carries the sticker b', which
lifts the pallet when actuated; thus, supposing that the key shewn at Figure 11
was the proper key for the note a, and that the performer by the pedal had
caused the rod or filling piece e to stand vertically between the end of the key a
and the lever f, it is evident that in fingering the key the note a would be played
thereby, and also the note a one octave higher would be played, and it will bo
evident that in like manner more than two octaves might be. coupled.; and it
will be readily understood that the performer causing the axis c to revolve or
move from its present position, so as to bring the filling piece or rod e into a

page_text: horizontal position; then in playing with the key a, only one note a will be
sounded. Figure 12 shews a view of the complete apparatus for coupling two
octaves, and it will be seen that the axis c has a filling piece or rod e for each
note, and that each key is provided with corresponding apparatus to what has
been described in respect to the key a; consequently when the axis c is in the
position shewn in Figure 11, the touching of any of the keys will cause, in
addition to their own notes, their corresponding notes an octave higher to be
sounded, and when the axis is turned in a position to bring the filling pieces c
into a horizontal position, each key when fingered will only sound its own note;
and it should be understood that each key has its ordinary sticker b, as well as
the additional sticker b', and the stickers b and bare guided by passing
through proper openings, as shewn by dotted lines in Figure 11. In Figure 12
only the parts appertaining to the key a, which sounds the note a, are
coloured, by which the arrangement and mode of acting will more readily be
traced than if all the similar parts for the other keys were colored; but it will
readily be traced that each key has its similar apparatus, and the description
given above of Figure 11 applies to each of the keys, and therefore the key a
and parts connected therewith may be said to represent each and every of the
keys and parts connected therewith, excepting that the upright rods g and the
stickers b¹ are of different lengths, as is clearly shown in Figure 12.
Having thus described the nature of this part of the Invention, we would
have it understood that we lay no claim to any of the parts separately; but
what we claim as this part of the Invention is, the mode of coupling two or more
octaves, as herein described.
Another part of the Invention relates to a mode of constructing the wind
reservoir of bellows employed in seraphines, in such manner as to obtain two
distinct weights or pressures of wind from the same bellows. Figure 13 shows the
section of bellows and wind reservoir constructed according to this part of
the Invention; a, a, being the induction valves, and b, b, the eduction valves
into the wind reservoir; and it will be seen that this reservoir has two
surfaces c, c, which act conjointly as one top, which rises and falls with the
induction and eduction of air therefrom; or else only the part is caused to
act, whilst the part c remains stationary. Thus, supposing the surface c¹ to
be weighted with half an ounce to the square inch of its area, and that the
surface c be weighted with a weight equal to one ounce on each square inch
of the surface thereof, including the surface c¹; by this arrangement the
wind, so long as the working of the bellows was but moderate, would be
allowed to flow from the reservoir at a rate of half an ounce to the square
inch; but in case it was desired to have a greater weight, the surface c

page_text: would come under and against the part c, and then they would jointly act
as one complete surface, and the wind would pass from the wind reservoir
at a pressure of one ounce to the square inch. And it will be evident that
these variations of weights may be changed according to the desire of the
performer. And we would remark, that although we prefer the surface c¹
to act within the wind reservoir, yet it will be evident that this may be varied
and may work outside the wind reservoir, and in such case would enlarge the
wind reservoir as is indicated by dotted lines; and in such case the surface c¹
should be prevented rising too high by cords affixed to it and to the surface c,
in order to prevent the strain coming too much on the leather which connects
the parts c, c', as is shewn in the Drawing. Figure 14 shews another
arrangement of means for varying the pressure of wind passing from the wind
reservoir; and it consists in having a weight suspended over the wind reservoir,
in order that when it is desired to have a greater weight of wind, the bellows
being worked will raise the upper surface c of the wind reservoir up under the
weight, and thus bring the suspended weight into action to give more pressure
on the wind reservoir, and cause the wind to pass therefrom with greater force.
And in some cases, in place of having the weight permanently suspended, we
have suitable guide pulleys, and the cord to which the weight is suspended in
connection with a pedal or other convenient means by which the weight may
be from time to time lowered on to and raised from the wind reservoir.
.
We would have it understood that what we claim as this part of Invention
is, the mode of obtaining two distinct pressures of wind from the wind reservoir,
as described in respect to Figure 13; and, secondly, we claim the mode of
using weights as described in respect to Figure 14.
Another part of the Invention relates to a. peculiar construction of double-
acting foot bellows which is shewn in section, Figure15; a, a, being the frame
or box containing the bellows; 6 is the plunger, which is moved up and down by
a treadle c, which is connected to the plunger b by two connecting rods or
links e, one at each end, as will be readily understood on examining this Figure
of the Drawing. The plunger b is connected to the bottom of the box or
frame a, and to the top plate or cover f, by the ordinary means of leather or
other suitable material; and the upper plate or cover is, when the bellows is in
use, affixed at the upper part of the box or case by the spring g, which is capable
of being turned in an opposite direction when the bellows is out of use, and by
this means the same may be packed more closely. h, h, are the two induction
valves, one for the upper and the other for the lower part of the bellows, and
i, i, are the two eduction ways and valves, one for the upper and the other for
the under part of the bellows. And it should be understood that it is the

page_text: mode of constructing double-acting bellows of musical instruments acting with
free reeds which constitutes this part of the Invention. And we would remark
that this Figure of the Drawing also represents how this construction of
bellows may be applied, by a flexible or other tube, to a seraphine, whether
the same be temporally or permanently placed or fixed.
Another part of the Invention relates to a mode of constructing bellows for
seraphines or instruments working with free reeds and played by keys, and con-
sists of applying the bellows in the seat of the performer. By this arrangement
the instrument itself will not require to be so large as heretofore, and this
arrangement will also offer many advantages to the musical instrument maker
in applying and forming the various parts of the instrument. In carrying this
part of the Invention into effect, we prefer that the seat or frame thereof
should be a long one, say as long as the instrument is wide, in order to allow
of the bellows being as large as possible; and we arrange the bellows of any of
the ordinary constructions within such seat or frame of the seat, and we either
make the connection of the bellows with the wind chest of the instrument by
means of a flexible or other suitable pipe, which may be permanent or other-
wise, according to circumstances. And we do not confine ourselves to any
peculiar construction of bellows for this part of the Invention; but what we
claim is, the mode of applying bellows for such musical instruments as are
played with keys and have free reeds within or under the seat of the performer,
as above described.
Another part of the Invention relates to the application of hand bellows,
similar to what are used for the accordion, to small seraphines, and thus
producing what may be called hand seraphines; and the advantages of this
combination is in the having the scale of the seraphine, which is similar
to the pianoforte, by which a person accustomed to play on either of those
instruments will be enabled readily to play on a hand seraphine; and in
making such hand seraphine we prefer to construct each note to speak or
sound which ever way the bellows is working, by having two free reeds or
vibrating springs to each note, prefering those above described, one to sound
in opening out the bellows, and the other in closing them. Figure 16,
Figure 17, Figure 18, shews a plan, a front view, and an end view of an
instrument constructed according to this part of the Invention, and in many
respects it is similar to the accordion, and differs inasmuch as the employment
of the scale of keys of the seraphine. This instrument is suitably arranged
for being supported on the knee of the performer, and securely retained
thereon by means of a strap which passes under the foot of the performer.
The instrument is placed on the left knee, there being a curved plate a attached