Improvements in Pianofortes.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd July, 1895-Accepted, 7th Sept., 1895
Improvements in Pianofortes.
I, LOUISA DAMBRILL-DAVIES, of Alderley Edge, Cheshire, Authoress, 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 improvements in pianofortes, and has for its object to
improve the sound and tone of the notes, and to lessen the cost whilst at the same
time adding to the ornamentation and appearance of the piano.
For this purpose instead of enclosing the strings in a wooden case or frame,
I expose them to view, and attach them to a metal frame carried some distance
above the key board so that the upper part of the piano has somewhat the
appearance of a harp.
By this construction the length of the strings may be greatly increased above
those of pianos at present in use, and the sound of the notes is rendered pure and
clear in tone as there is no case to impede the vibration of the strings or the air.
The metal frame may have strips of wood attached to it, to which the pins for
securing and tightening the strings, are fixed, and the shape and decoration of the
said frame may be varied to suit any style of furniture, it being preferably enclosed
in a hollow outer casing or frame for this purpose.
My improved string frame may be fixed to any make of keyboard and hammers,
the latter striking the strings just above or below the keyboard, and the sounding
board, which is hollow, being placed below.
In the accompanying sheet of drawings, Fig. 1 is a front view in perspective of
my improved pianoforte, Fig. 2 is a back view, and Fig. 3 is an elevation of the
string frame.
a is the ordinary keyboard to the top and back of which is attached the string
frame enclosed in the hollow frame which may be of any required shape or
ornamentation. The string frame is shown separately in Fig. 3, and consists of
metal bars c the upper and lower portions of the frame being formed of solid steel
or of double bars between which may be fixed wooden strips d to which the pins for
attaching the strings are fixed.
The outer or ornamental frame b enclosing the string frame is provided at the top
with a hinged cover 6' which can be opened for the purpose of tuning etc.
The pedals are fitted to au ornamental bracket f in front of the sound board y
which latter is made hollow. Stays h may be fixed to the string frame to receive
the strain thereon and increase its strength.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
(1) In pianofortes attaching the strings to a frame above and behind the key
board, whereby they are exposed to view or uncovered substantially as described
and for the purposes specified.
(2) In pianofortes, the combination of the key board a the outer frame b, hinged
cover 6 string frame c wooden strips d pedals e, bracket f, sound board 9, aud
stays h substantially as described and for the purposes specified.

page_text: (3) The improved pianoforte substantially as described and shown in the
drawings.
Dated this 23rd day of July 1895.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.