New or Improved Transposing Apparatus for Use with Pianos and like Instruments.
Year: 1895

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION..
A New or Improved Transposing Apparatus for Use with Pianos
and like Instruments.
I THOMAS WILLIAM SAMUEL HOLDEN of Richmond Villa, Sidmouth, South Devon,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a transposing apparatus which can be fitted to any piano
or any other musical instruments with a suitable key board, and has for its object to
provide a simple and inexpensive arrangement which can be easily fitted in place and
which will transpose the music into any required key without altering the arrangement
of the key board.
In carrying out my invention I provide a secondary key board which is removable,
and can be adjusted so as to occupy various positions relatively to the ordinary key
board.
This key board is secured to a light frame which is fitted adjustably to a second
frame, the latter being placed over the key board of the piano. The lower frame is
provided with a striking apparatus, consisting of a set of hammers, one for each of the
keys on the ordinary key board. These hammers are adjusted so that they will touch
the upper surface of the ordinary keys, being arranged to bear equally upon the black
and white keys.
Each hammer is covered at the extremity touching the keys with a layer of felt or
like material, and is provided with a spring which raises it into the inoperative position
when released.
To adjust the position of the apparatus, thumb screws are furnished at each end
which raise or lower it from or to the ordinary key board.
Between each of the hammers a separating metal strip is placed, projecting above
them to a suitable distance. These separating strips ensure the secondary key
board being fitted in the required position. Each key on the latter operates a
hammer by means of a projection at its lower side bearing upon the top of the
hammer.
Thus, in striking the keys of the upper key board the blow will be transmitted
through the hammers to the ordinary key board, and the instrument will be played on
in the ordinary manner, the key being altered according to the position of the
adjustable key board.
The upper frame is adjusted on the lower by means of a slit formed in the front
of the lower frame, the ends of the upper frame being formed with notches into which
the edge of the front piece takes. A catch is furnished at each end, which secures
the secondary key board in place.
The key board can be moved to either end of the lower frame, being raised at each
operation so as to clear the separating strips above mentioned.
Dated this 18th day of July 1895.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: A New or Improved Transposing Apparatus for Use with Pianos
and like Instruments.
I, THOMAS WILLIAM SAMUEL HOLDEN of Richmond Villa, Sidmouth, South Devon
Gentleman, 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 :-
This invention relates to a transposing apparatus which can be fitted to any piano
or any other musical instruments with a suitable key board, and has for its object to
provide a simple and inexpensive arrangement which can be easily fitted in place and
which will transpose the music into any required key without altering the arrangement
of the key board.
In carrying out my invention I provide a secondary key board which is removable,
and can be adjusted so as to occupy various positions relatively to the ordinary key
board. This key board is secured to a light frame which is fitted adjustably to a
second frame, the latter being placed over the key board of the piano. The lower
frame is provided with a striking apparatus, consisting of a set of hammers, one for
each of the keys on the ordinary key board. These hammers are adjusted so that
they will touch the upper surface of the ordinary keys, being arranged to bear equally
upon the black and white keys. Each hammer is covered at the extremity touching
the keys with a layer of felt or like material and is provided with a spring which
raises it into the inoperative position when released. To adjust the position of the
apparatus, thumb screws are furnished at each end which raise or lower it from or to
the ordinary key board.
Between each of the hammers a separating metal strip may be placed, projecting
above them to a suitable distance. These separating strips ensure the secondary key
board being fitted in the required position. Each key on the latter operates a
hammer by means of a projection at its lower side bearing upon the top of the
hammer. Thus, in striking the keys of the upper key board the blow will be
transmitted through the haminers to the ordinary key board, and the instrument will
be played on in the ordinary manner, the key being altered according to the position
of the adjustable key board.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had to the
accompanying sheet of drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a cross section of the apparatus
showing it applied, Fig. 2 is a front view of a portion of the device with part in
section, and Fig 3 is a plan.
The wooden or other frame A forming the base of the apparatus is furnished with
a ledge a at the back projecting at the top, and a ledge a¹ at the front, the edge of
which is covered with a strip of felt or similar material, projecting downwardly so as
to bear upon the frame of the piano at the front of the key board. On this lower
frame the upper sliding frame B is placed, kept in position by means of the ledge a¹
and the small ledge or ridge a² at the front projecting into a notch b at each end of the
frame. The sliding frame can be moved into any position on the lower frame, and is
secured by the hook C taking into the small holes c in the front of the frame A.
These holes are placed at regular intervals apart equal in distance to the average
width of the keys of the piano.
To the lower frame A the hammers D are hinged in the manner commonly
employed in piano actions. These hammers when the apparatus is fitted in place.
are adapted to bear upon the piano key board, a number of them being formed with

page_text: projecting parts so as to press upon the lower or white notes, the others bearing upon
the surface of the black notes. The upper or sliding frame is formed with a key
board E similar to that of an ordinary piano, the keys being hinged by small leather
strips at the back or otherwise fitted to the frame. At the lower side of each key a
projecting portion e is formed adapted to bear upon the corresponding hammer which
is situated immediately beneath the key, so that on depressing a key the hammer will
be also immediately depressed, and will consequently strike the required note on the
ordinary key board placed below. The springs d serve to raise the hammers D when
the latter are released by the upper keys E, and to keep them in raised position ready
for the next depression.
The hammers D do not shift with relation to the ordinary key board of the piano.
shown at F, so that each hammer always strikes the same note when depressed. The
upper key board however can move in either direction, as the upper surface of the
hammers is level, and all the keys are provided with the same projections. The hammer
corresponding to any given note on the piano can thus be actuated by any one of a
series of keys belonging to the movable key board, thus raising or lowering the key
of any given composition the required amount without altering the manner in which
it is played.
The position of the apparatus with relation to the ordinary key board can be
adjusted by means of the thumb screw G placed at each end of the frame A, so that
the hammers are arranged just to touch the surface of the keys. If required a row of
steadying pegs can be placed under the keys belonging to the sliding frame, as there
is sufficient room to allow a stout runner to be fixed to carry the pegs and to form
part of the frame. A special indicator can also be used showing the number of
intervals to which the transposing apparatus is moved, but this can easily be seen
from the ends of the frame. The hammer frame may also be fixed securely to the
piano by a pin at each end of the frame passing through the side of the piano, a small
hole being formed to receive it. The back of the frame preferably fits immediately
under the hinges of the lid of the piano, so that the frame is held securely in
position.
This apparatus is inexpensive in manufacture, and may be easily made to fit any
instrument. The touch of the instrument is very little altered so that it does not.
present any disadvantages in playing. When not required for use it can be easily
removed, and will occupy very little space.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven--
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I.
claim is.-
(1) In a transposing apparatus for pianos and the like, the combination with a.
detachable frame carrying a number of haminers bearing on the key board, of an
adjustable sliding frame fitted to the same having a second key board, each key
being adapted to operate one of the hammers, substantially as and for the purposes.
specified.
(2) In a transposing apparatus for pianos and the like, the combination with a
detachable frame fitted to the key board, and a set of hammers hinged to the frame.
and adapted to bear upon the keys, of an adjustable sliding frame fitted to, the hammer
frame, means for securing this frame in any required position, and a key board each.
key having a bearing piece by which it can operate one of the hammers, substantially
as and for the purposes specified.
(3) In a transposing apparatus for use with pianos and the like, the combination
with a detachable frame A, hammers D adapted to bear upon the ordinary key board,.
and springs raising the said hammers, of an adjustable sliding frame B, means for
securing this frame in position, the keys E and the projections e bearing upon the
hammers D, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
(4) The improved transposing apparatus for use with pianos and the like, having a
detachable and a sliding frame, a second board and hammers for actuating the

page_text: ordinary keys, substantially as described and shown in the accompanying drawings,
and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 18th day of April 1896.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.