IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ACTION OF UPRIGHT PIANOFORTES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Brooks, of the Firm of H. Brooks and Company,
of No. 31, Cumberland Market, Regent's Park, in the County of Middlesex,
Pianoforte-action and Key Manufacturer, for the Invention of " IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE ACTION OF UPRIGHT PIANOFORTES."
ealed the 27th February 1877, and dated the 20th September
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Brooks at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th September 1876.
HENRY BROOKS, of the Firm of H. Brooks and Company, of No. 31, Cumberland
Market, Regent's Park, in the County of Middlesex, Pianoforte-action and Key
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ACTION OF UPRIGHT PIANOFORTES."
Manufacturer.
The object of the Invention is simplicity with increased efficiency in the action
of the parts.
The merit of this Invention consists in being able to dispense with the spring for
keeping the "sticker" under the notch of the hammer butt. This facility is
obtained through the introduction of a double-hinged connection, the parts of which
are applied and work at angles to each other. One end of this double connection
is centered to the sticker and the other end of it is hinged to a piece screwed to a
fixed rail. These parts are so centred in the sticker that with a regulating button
attached to one of them a quick return of the parts is secured with prompt action
of the sticker to its work.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Brooks in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th March
1877.
HENRY BROOKS, of the Firm of H. Brooks and Company, of No. 31, Cumberland
Market, Regent's Park, in the County of Middlesex, Pianoforte-action and Key
Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ACTION OF UPRIGHT PIANOFORTES."
The object of the Invention is simplicity with increased efficiency in the action
of the parts.

page_text: The merit of this Invention consists in being able to dispense with the spring
for keeping the "sticker" under the notch of the hammer butt. This facility is
obtained through the introduction of a double-hinged connection, the parts of which
are applied and work at angles to each other. One end of this double connection is
centered to the sticker and the other end of it is hinged to a piece screwed to a
fixed rail. These parts are so centered in the sticker that with a regulating button
attached to one of them a quick return of the parts is secured with prompt action
of the sticker to its work.
In order however that the Invention may be better understood I will by the
aid of the accompanying Drawings proceed to describe means pursued by me in
carrying the same into effect.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS,
Figure 1 of which represents a section of parts of the action of an upright
pianoforte with modifications thereto according to my Invention.
a, a, a, are parts of the frame of the action; b represents the hammer head and b¹
the butt thereof, which is supported to turn in the ordinary way on the bushed
centre 62; c is the key and d is the sticker; this sticker d is controlled in its move-
ment at its lower end when acted upon by the key by means of the connector e
which is connected at one end by a hinge formed of vellum, linen, or such like
flexible material, at e¹ to the lower end of the sticker d, and at the other end e² by
similar material to the piece f, whilst the upper part of such sticker d is controlled
in such movement by the use of the double connector g. The parts of this double
connector are connected together at g¹ by a hinge formed of vellum or linen or
other suitable flexible material, whilst one end of it is by bush centre connected to
the sticker dat g2; the other end of it is connected to the fixing piece h at g³ by a
hinge formed of vellum or linen, or such like material.
One part of the double connecting piece g is formed with a projection to carry
the adjustable screw button i, whereby a quick return of the parts is secured with
prompt action of the sticker to its work. By the use of such double connection
hinged to the sticker facility is afforded for the parts of the double connection
working at angles one to the other, and thereby more readily controlling the quick
motion of the sticker. j and k are other regulating screw buttons and is the
damper, of the character of that known in the trade as an "under damper," but if
desired the "damper" employed may be such as is known as the "over damper;
w represents a portion of one of the strings.
"
Although the joints at the parts e¹, e², g¹, g³, are represented in Figure 1 as being
formed of linen or other suitable flexible material these joints may be formed by
bush centreing, as represented by Figure 2. By these means whilst the motion of
the sticker is fully controlled the promptness of its action is fully secured.
Having thus described my Invention, and means which I adopt in carrying the
same into effect, I would have it understood that what I claim is, the application of
the double connecting piece, the parts of which are hinged together so as to admit
of their working at angles one to the other, to aid in controlling the motion of the
stickers in the action of upright pianofortes, substantially as described.
In witness whereof I, the said Henry Brooks, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Nineteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord One thousand
sight hundred and seventy-seven.
Witness,
ALFRED GEORGE BROOKES,
62, Chancery Lane,
London.
HENRY BROOKS. (LS.)