Improvements in Pianofortes.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pianofortes.
I, THOMAS CHRISTOPHER LEWIS, of 234, Ferndale Road, Brixton, London,
S.W., Organ Builder and Pianoforte Maker, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to upright pianofortes in which the iron frame is used.
Up to the present time all upright pianofortes made with an iron frame, have
had the front bars or stanchion bars constructed under such a design, and set
so near the soundboard, that, it has always been found necessary to cut the
bridge of the soundboard wholly through, or in part, at the point where these
stanchion bars cross. The nearness of the set of the bar or bars to the soundboard
has been compulsory, in order to avoid interference with the general arrange-
ment and mechanism of the action from keys to hammers, which any higher
set or higher raised bar or bars would inevitably occasion. This practice of
cutting the bridge and breaking its continuity of line upon the soundboard,
introduces a weak place, with, as its consequence a less effective bearing of the
strings, and the tone of the immediately adjacent strings becomes impoverished,
and shortened in duration. Attempts at remedying the bad effects, so apparent,
by buttresses and other devices, cannot be considered satisfactory in their results,
and the source of the trouble remains.
By my invention I avoid all interference with the action, and am enabled
to leave the bridge intact. I design my iron frame so as to have one substantial
bar at or about the middle of the soundboard, and in such a position that it can be
brought out over the bridge, and so do away with the necessity for mutilation.
The iron frame I construct in such a manner that the bar receives its due share
of the strain of the strings, and I design the bar of a new form so that whilst
entirely clear of the action, it is in its lower part, at the position occupied by
the soundboard bridge, (here considerably below the action and the keys,) so
shaped as to take a curve, arch, or bend, clearing the bridge, and the bar is
then continued to its bearing. The bend, curve, or other recessed form intro-
duced at this part of the har, does not and need not in any way impair the
strength or bearing power of the bar in relation to the iron frame.
Dated this Fifth day of March 1898.
THOMAS CHRISTOPHER LEWIS.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.

page_text: S.W., 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:-
My invention relates to upright pianofortes in which the iron frame is used.
Up to the present time all upright pianofortes made with an iron frame, have
had the front or stanchion bar of the frame, constructed in such a way, and so
near to the sounding board, that, in order to avoid interfering with the action
or keyboard mechanism, it has been necessary to cut the bridge of the soundboard
wholly through, or in part, and this resort by reason of its weakening the line
of the bridge, has been the source of much trouble and detriment, causing the
notes or sounds of the strings, two or three, lying each side of the bar, to be
of obviously inferior quality, and of impaired strength.
In order to avoid this very serious objection I construct the frame of the
pianoforte in a novel manner, placing a substantial bar, central in the frame or
at about the centre thereof shaped and designed to the intent of doing away with
the necessity for mutilation of the bridge of the sounding board. This bar is
likewise set in such a position over the soundboard, that it is brought out over
the bridge, and also is clear of any sort of interference with the action. The
proportions of the iron frame are also designed to ensure that the bar shall
receive its due share of the strain of the pianoforte strings. The construction
of this bar in respect of form or shape is such, that, at the position occupied by
the bridge on the soundboard, the bar takes a curve or arch, or is brought out
in an upward bend, whereby it is rendered able to clear the bridge, thus obviating
entirely the objectionable practice hitherto tolerated by manufacturers.
The accompanying drawing illustrates sufficiently my invention:-
Figure 1, a, a, a, a, the complete ironframe of the pianoforte; b, the shaped
bar; the curve part of the bar over the bridge; d, the bridge of the sound-
board; e, the upper tapered portion of the bar.
Fig. 2, corresponding lettering.
my
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
said
I claim is
The bar forming part of the iron frame of an upright pianoforte, having in
its length a curved or shaped part, and a tapered upper part, substantially as
and for the purposes hereinbefore described, and illustrated, in the sheet of
drawings herewith.
Dated this Fifth day of November, One thousand eight hundred and ninety-
eicht
THOMAS CHRISTOPHER LEWIS.