IMPROVEMENTS IN PIANOFORTES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry William Pohlmann, of the Firm of Messrs.
Pohlmann and Son, of Halifax, in the County of York, Pianoforte Manufac-
turers, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PIANOFORTES."
Sealed the 30th September 1879, and dated the 5th May 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry William Pohlmann
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th May 1879.
HENRY WILLIAM POHLMANN, of the Firm of Messrs. Pohlmann and Son, of
Halifax, in the County of York, Pianoforte Manufacturers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PIANOFORTES."
This Invention relates,-
"
Firstly. To improvements in the "action or hammer mechanism for the purpose
of facilitating the repetition of notes, and in order that the Invention may be more
fully understood, we have hereto annexed a sketch illustrative thereof. A is the
hammer; B, the hammer rail and diminuendo pedal movement; C, the hammer
butt; D, the check arm; E, the check; F, the check spring; G, the damper; H,
the hopper; J, the lever; K, the check tie; L, the block and rocker; and M,
repetition tie, one end of which is fastened to the hammer butt C, and the other to
the double repetition spring N.
My Invention consists in the employment of the tie M and spring N, and also
the check spring F, and is adapted for all upright pianoforte actions.
Secondly. My Invention relates to the employment in upright pianofortes of a
solid metal harmonic under bearing for the treble notes or strings.
This is inserted through the wrest plank, and bears directly on one back foun-
dation.
The bridges upon the soundboard, instead of being solid, are perforated or cut
away so as to present less surface in contact with the soundboard, whereby the tone
of the instrument is improved in sustaining quality.

page_text: .
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry William Pohlmann in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
5th November 1879.
HENRY WILLIAM POHLMANN, of the Firm of Messrs. Pohlmann and Son, of
Halifax, in the County of York, Pianoforte Manufacturers. " IMPROVEMENTS IN
PIANOFORTES."
This Invention relates,-
Firstly. To improvements in the "action" or hammer mechanism for the purpose
of facilitating the repetition of notes, and in order that the Invention may be more
fully understood, we have hereto annexed a sketch illustrative thereof. A is the
hammer; B, the hammer rail and diminuendo pedal movement; C, the hainmer
butt; D, the checkarm; E, the check; F, the check spring; G, the damper; H,
the hopper; J, the lever; K, the check-tie; L, the block and rocker; and M,
repetition tie, one end of which is fastened to the back of the hammer but C, and
the other to the double repetition spring N.
My Invention consists in the employment of the tie M and spring N, and also
the check spring F, and is adapted for all upright pianoforte actions.
Secondly. My Invention relates to the employment in upright pianofortes of n
solid metal harmonic underbearing for the treble notes or strings. This is inserted
through the wrest plank, and bears directly on the back foundation.
This part of my Invention is illustrated in Fig. 2, which represents part end view
of upright pianofortes, P being the solid metal underbearing embedded in the
wrest plank R. The lower portion p serves for the upper bridge for the strings S
to rest upon.
Thirdly. My Invention relates to the bridges upon the soundboard, which,
instead of being solid, are perforated or cut away so as to present less surface in
contact with the soundboard, whereby the tone of the instrument is improved in
sustaining quality.
Fig. 3 illustrates this part of my Invention, where T shews the improved bridge
which is cut away on the underside so as to present less surface in contact with the
soundboard U, resulting in the improved tone herein before mentioned.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and shewn by Drawings how
the same is to be performed and carried into practice, I would have it understood
that what I consider to be new, and therefore claim as my Invention is,—
Firstly. The improvements in the pianoforte action herein described and shewn ;
in Fig. 1.
Secondly. The employment of solid enlarged metal underbearing P.
Thirdly. The improvements in the bridges of pianofortes as herein described and
illustrated in Fig. 3.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry William Pohlmann, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Third day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
HENRY W. POHLMANN. (L.S.)