An Improved Bridge for the Strings of Pianofortes and like Instruments.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 13th July, 1899
Completa Cannifination laft Ath Anr 1000 Ancented Orth to 1000
An Improved Bridge for the Strings of Pianofortes and like
Instruments.
I, JOHANN CARL HEINRICH SCHNELL, of No. 46, Gurlittstrasse, Hamburg, in the
Empire of Germany, Pianoforte Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to an improved bridge for the strings of pianofortes
and like instruments, and the object of it is to effect a more perfect "stopping"
of the strings and consequently an improvement in their tone.
""
According to my invention, into the top of the ordinary bridge are firmly
inserted two narrow metal (preferably brass) strips, rods or wires a short distance
apart. These strips, rous or wires are laid longitudinally from end to end of the
bridge or extend as far as the set of strings. The strings are stretched over the
bridge as usual but instead of resting on the top or edges of the ordinary bridge,
now rest upon the top of the said metal strips, rods or wires. To hold the wires
firmly in place and to press or clamp them upon the bridge to effect the "stopping'
of them at the bridge, which is of course the point beyond which they should not
vibrate, a strip having preferably a rounded underside is placed upon the strings
centrally and parallel between the metal side strips, rods or wires above mentioned,
and this central strip is clamped down firmly upon the strings by means of screws
which are passed through holes in the strip and screwed through into the bridge
beneath; or by any other suitable device.
Dated this 13th day of July 1809
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Agents for the Applicant.
An Improved Bridge for the Strings of Pianofortes and like
Instruments.
I, JOHANN CARL HEINRICH SCHNELL, of No. 46, Gurlittstrasse, Hamburg, in the
Empire of Germany, Pianoforte Manufacturer, 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 —
66
This invention has reference to an improved bridge for the strings of pianofortes
and like instruments, and the object of it is to effect a more perfect stopping"
of the strings and consequently an improvement in their tone.
In order that my invention may be more fully understood I will now proceed to

page_text: describe the same in detail and for that purpose reference is taken to the accom-
panying sheet of drawings, whereon:
Figure 1 is a front view or plan of the improved string bridge.
Figure 2 is a cross section of the string bridge drawn. in a somewhat larger
scale; and
Figure 3 is a general view or plan shewing my improved string bridge in con-
nection with a sound board, drawn in a smaller scale.
According to my invention, into the top of the bridge d, arranged upon the
sound board r, and supporting the strings f are firmly inserted or otherwise
attached, a short distance apart, two metal ribs or ledges g, g¹. These ribs running
equidistant to each other, are laid longitudinally from end to end of the bridge
or extend but as far as the set of strings. The strings f are stretched over the
bridge and fastened at their respective ends to pegs k and tuning pins 7 of a
suitable frame m, as usual, but instead of resting on the top edge of an ordinary
bridge they now rest upon the top of the said metal ribs g, g¹. In Figure 3 the
frame m, the pegs k, tuning pins 7 and strings f are shewn by dotted lines. To
hold the strings or wires firmly in place and to press or clamp them upon the
ribs g, g in order to effect the "stopping" of them at the bridge, which is, of
course, the point beyond which they should not vibrate, a bar h having pre-
ferably a rounded underside is placed upon the strings centrally and parallel
between the metal ribs g, g¹ and this central pressure bar being clamped down
firmly upon the strings by means of screws into the bridge d beneath; or by any
other suitable device.
By concaving both upper and lower faces of the wooden string-bridge d, and
by stopping the strings f with a wooden bar convex on its under-side, the bridge
itself becomes resonant, instead of acting as a damper, as do the string bridges
now in general use, as will be readily understood.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. The combination with the sound-board of stringed instruments, of a wooden
string bridge having metallic string rests extending along the upper face of the
said bridge in combination with a stop-bar having convex under face, and means
for securing said bar to the bridge between the string rests, for the purpose set
forth.
2. The improved string bridge for stringed instruments, constructed, arranged
and operating substantially as herein before set forth.
1
1000
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
No. 22, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.