IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF THE VIBRATING METALLIC PORTIONS OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND OTHER VIBRATING METALLIC ARTICLES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
TREATMENT OF THE VIBRATING METALLIC PORTIONS OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
AND OTHER VIBRATING METALLIC ARTICLES." A communication from abroad
by Gilbert Alfred Cassagnes, of Paris, in the Republic of France.
ed the 23rd September 1876, and dated the 25th March 1876
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th March 1876.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF THE VIBRATING METALLIC
PORTIONS OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND OTHER VIBRATING METALLIC ARTICLES."
A communication from abroad by Gilbert Alfred Cassagnes, of Paris, in the
Republic of France.
This Invention has for its object preventing the deterioration of the metals used
in the construction of the metal parts acting by a vibratory motion, particularly
those of musical instruments. It has heretofore been proposed to protect the
vibrating parts as much as possible from contact with air and moisture, either by
placing them in cases hermetically closed, as in mechanical musical boxes, or in
closed pieces of furniture, as in the case of pianos. It has also been attempted to
silver-plate or gild these parts in order to preserve them, but the slight power of
adhesion of these parts in order to preserve them, but the slight power of adhesion
of these metals, and also the expense of the operations to which it was necessary
to submit them have prevented them from being adopted in practice.
Now this Invention consists in the application of nickel plating to all metals
employed in the manufacture of apparatus acting by vibration, and in particular to
all metallic parts used in the shape of tongues or wires in the manufacture of
musical instruments, whereby the before mentioned objections are obviated. Nickel
is especially adapted for the purpose for the following reasons:-
First. Its power of adhering to the metal parts to which it is applied cannot be
impaired even in the case of vibrating parts.
Second. Nickel plating is inexpensive in its application.
Third. It cannot affect the sound that should be emitted by piano wires or the
metal tongues of an instrument.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 25th September
1876.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF THE VIBRATING METALLIC
PORTIONS OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND OTHER VIBRATING METALLIC ARTICLES."
A communication from abroad by Gilbert Alfred Cassagnes, of Paris, in the Republic
of France.
The said Invention has for its object preventing the deterioration of the metals
used in the construction of metal parts acting by a vibratory motion, more par-
ticularly those of musical instruments. It has heretofore been proposed to protect
the vibrating parts as inuch as possible from the influence of air and moisture by
placing them either in cases herinetically closed, as in mechanical musical boxes,
or in closed pieces of furniture, as in the case of pianos. It has also been attempted
to silver-plate or gild these parts in order to preserve them, but the slight power of
adhesion of the metals used for plating and the expence of the operations to which
it was necessary to submit them have prevented them from being adopted in
practice.
Now this Invention consists in the application of nickel plating to all metals
employed in the manufacture of apparatus acting by vibration, and in particular
to all metallic parts used in the shape of reeds or wires in musical instruments.
Nickel is especially adapted for the purpose for the following reasons:-
First. Its power of adhering to the metal parts to which it is applied cannot be
impaired even in the case of vibrating parts.
Second. Nickel plating is inexpensive in its application.
Third. It cannot affect the sound that should be emitted by piano wires or the
metal reeds of an instrument.
The thickness of the nickel plating may be varied according to the results which
it is desired to obtain, and the arrangements, shapes, and dimensions of the articles,
and the purposes to which they are to be applied.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which. the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original,
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein before in part
recited Letters Patent is-
The application of nickel plating to the vibrating metallic portions of musical
instruments and other vibrating metallic articles, substantially as and for the
purposes herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to this my Specifica-
tion set my hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of September, One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-six.
J. HENRY JOHNSON (L.S.)