Year: 1896

page_text: ALBERT GOETHE of 15 Rue des Moineaux and FRANCOIS DE VESTIBULE of 11
Rue aux Laines Brussels, Belgium both Musical Instrument Makers, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object an apparatus intended to prolong or amplify
the vibrations of the air, as produced by piano strings when acted upon by the
keys and consequently to give greater propagating power to the sounds created by
the instrument.
The apparatus in question is of very simple construction and can be readily
adapted to any kind of piano..
It is specifically distinguished from every other device that has been introduced
for the same purpose, by the fact that it is intended to be placed on the bridge
of the sounding-board, a plan which has never yet been tried.
By this arrangement we have attained the object long sought after, namely of
effecting a prolongation of the vibrations, which gives an increased dissemina-
tion of the sounds produced, at the same time that they are rendered more
harmonious.
The apparatus consists of a thin metal plate screwed, by means of threaded
pins, on the bridge of the sounding-board. This plate takes the form of the
bridge extending beyond it on each side, laterally, to an extent limited by the
position of the mechanism and of the frame of the sounding-board.
The pins are screw-threaded at both ends and furnished, at the centre, with
an enlargement projecting more or less according to the distance desired to be left
between the plate and the bridge. One end of the pin is screwed into the bridge
and the other receives the plate, which is firmly fixed by means of a nut.
This plate serves to prolong, or amplify, the vibration produced by the action
of the wires. It is made to cover the large bridge. For the Bass part, a second
plate may be laid upon the bridge fixed, like the first one, by means of the
threaded pins.
The shape of the plates varies according to the construction of the piano,
without, however, essentially deviating from the line of the bridge.
For pianos in which the wires are crossed, the small plate (that which is
applied to the Bass portion) is fixed to the right of the lower end of the large
one, because the Bass portion is then on the right hand.
We select a metal plate in carrying out our invention, because the space
between the bridge and the mechanism is very limited; still we reserve to our-
selves the right of employing any suitable material, according to circumstances.
'In horizontal or grand pianos, the plate is fixed horizontally on the bridge
and should in most cases, be divided into sections, on account of the frame cross-

page_text: pieces which cross the piano and would hinder the application of a plate made
in a single piece. Each section should be fixed in position by two pins.
. Dated this 30th day of November 1896.
L. DUVINAGE,
Agent for Applicants.
We, ALBERT GOETHE of. 15 Rue des Moineaux and FRANCOIS DE VESTIBULE of
11 Rue aux Laines, Brussels, Belgium both Musical Instrument Makers, 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 has for its object an apparatus intended to prolong the vibra-
tions of the air, as produced by piano strings when acted upon by the keys and
consequently to give greater propagating power to the sounds created by the
instrument.
The apparatus in question is of very simple construction and can be readily.
adapted to any kind of piano.
It is intended to be placed on the bridge of the sounding board of the piano.
By this arrangement we have attained the object long sought after, namely of
effecting a prolongation of the vibrations, which gives an increased dissemination
of the sounds produced, at the same time that they are rendered more harmonious.
Our invention is shewn in the accompanying drawing applied, by way of
example to a cottage piano-forte.
Fig. 1 is an elevation view of the small plate for the Bass portion.
Fig. 2 is a side view of the same.
Fig. 3 is an elevation view of the large plate.
Fig. 4 is a side view of the same, and
Fig. 5 shows the pin.
The apparatus consists of a thin rigid metal plate B screwed, by means of
threaded pins D on the bridge A of the sounding board. This plate takes the
form of the bridge extending beyond it on each side, laterally, to an extent
limited by the position of the mechanism and of the frame E of the sounding-
board.
The pins D are shewn in the drawing in their natural or full size. They are
screw-threaded at both ends and furnished at the centre, with an enlargement
projecting more or less according to the distance desired to be left between the
plate and the bridge. One end of the pin is screwed into the bridge and the
other receives the plate, which is firmly fixed by means of a nut, d.
This plate serves to prolong the vibrations produced by the action of the wires
or strings C. It is made to cover the large bridge. For the Bass part, a second
plate B may be laid upon the bridge fixed like the first one, by means of the
threaded pins. D.
The shape of the plates varies according to the construction of the piano, without
however, essentially deviating from the general line shewn in the drawing, that
is to say the line of the bridge.
For pianos in which the wires are crossed the small plate B₁ (that which is
applied to the Bass portion) is fixed to the right of the lower end of the large
one, because the Bass portion is then on the right hand.
We select a metal plate in carrying out our invention, because the space

page_text: between the bridge and the mechanism is very limited; still we reserve to our-
selves the right of employing any suitable material according to circumstances.
In horizontal or grand pianos the plate is fixed horizontally on the bridge and
should, in most cases, be divided into sections, on account of the frame cross-
pieces which cross the piano and would hinder the application of a plate made in
a single piece. Each section should be fixed in position by two pins.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:-
The application on the bridge or bridges of pianos of a rigid plate, made of
metal or any suitable substance, in order to prolong the air vibrations produced
by the action of the wires of the instrument when struck substantially as described
in the above specification and as shewn in the accompanying drawing.
Datel this 7th day of tot 1007
L. DUVINAGE,
Agent for Applicants.