Improvements in Pianofortes
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Nov., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Aug., 1898-Accepted, 15th Oct., 1898
Improvements in Pianofortes,
I, FRANZ HOERR, of No. 106, Sherbourne Street, Toronto, Province of Ontario,
Dominion of Canada, Manufacturer of Pianos, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to pianofortes of that class in which two sets of strings
are arranged upon one sounding-board; the strings of one set being an octave
higher than the adjacent set. The invention relates also to the particular con-
struction of the tuning-bridge.
The object of the invention is to increase the working efficiency of the various
parts.
By this invention, any suitable number of sets of strings are arranged side by
side so as to be struck alternately or simultaneously by one hammer. The hammers
are connected to a bar capable of horizontal reciprocation on the frame and held
normally in one position by springs. It can, however, be moved to one side by
means of levers connected to a pedal or pedals; the hammers being carried with it.
The dampers are set upon a bar and remain stationary when the action is
shifted. The lower ends of the damper-levers, like the hammers, are made wider
and correspond to the lateral movement of the action.
The tuning plate is formed, horizontally, with two diverging grooves, one
above the other, the divergence being adjusted to the longer strings of the lower
notes and to the points of stroke of the hammer on the strings. The strings are
supported on the plate by means of blocks consisting of bits of wire placed in the
grooves. The tension devices above this plate are of ordinary construction.
The sounding-board bridges are provided with sets of pins for the higher and
lower strings, set alternately. The sets of pins have intermediate cut-away spaces,
and the pins in one are opposite the cut-away spaces in the other so that the
lower strings pass over the upper bridge without obstruction, although by the
side of the shorter strings.
Dated this 18th day of November 1897.
Improvements in Pianofortes.
I, FRANZ HOERR, of No. 106, Sherbourne Street, Toronto, Province of Ontario,
Dominion of Canada, Manufacturer of Pianos, 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; -
My invention relates to pianofortes of that class in which two sets of strings

page_text: are arranged upon one sounding board, the strings of one set of an octave higher,
being by the side of those of an octave lower.
It includes particularly the tuning bridge and the details of construction as
will be hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claim.
My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 shews the mechanism, including my improvements, in front elevation,
Fig. 2 shews a vertical section of the same taken from front to rear.
in the drawings the hammers are shewn at A, supported on a laterally, moving
action bar B, all of which, with the other parts constituting the action, are of a
construction and arrangement heretofore known. The action bar is normally
held on one side (to the right as shewn in Fig. 1) by means of springs and
may be moved to the left by means of a lever, as c², operated by any suitable
pedal.
I have shewn but two pairs of the sets of strings, these being sufficient to
illustrate the invention without complicating the drawings. The example shews
three upper note strings c, c, c, and by the side of these are two other strings cl, c
an octave lower than the strings c c c. The same example includes d d d, which
are tuned to a lower note and by the side of these are two other strings a d¹ an
octave lower than the strings d.
The wrest or tuning plate E is formed with two diverging grooves e one above
the other, the divergence being adjusted to the longer strings of the lower notes
and to the points of stroke of the hammer on the strings. The strings are sup-
ported on the plate by means of blocks consisting of bits of wire f, placed in the
grooves, that for the strings of higher note of the pair in the lower and that of
those of lower note in the upper groove. The tension devices above this plate are
of-ordinary construction.
The sounding board bridges G G are provided with sets of pins for the higher
and lower strings set alternately, The sets of pins g have intermediate cut away
spaces h, and the pins in one are opposite the cut away spaces in the other,
so that the lower strings pass over the upper bridge G without obstruction, although
by the side of the shorter strings.
I have shewn, of the lower octave, two strings, but in the bass I use only one
of the lower octave by the side of the higher. It will be seen that the hammer A
on the right of Figure 1 covers only the higher strings of the pair of higher and
lower, or the strings c c c. At the same time the hammer is made wide enough
to cover all of the pair when shifted. When the action is shifted by depressing
the pedal, the hammer is carried over the other strings and thus is in position to
strike all of the pair. I use the word "pair" to designate the strings of the
higher and lower octave whether there be one or more of the higher or one or more
of the lower.
By the lateral movement of the action bar, which brings into action the set of
lower octaves, (or by reversion of the parts it may be higher), a fuller and richer
tone is produced.
The dampers are set upon a damper bar h¹ and remain stationary while the
action is shifted. In order to support the dampers in the limited space, I use
a damper bar of metal and arrange it just above and over the rear edge of the
action bar, and on this the dampers are pivoted. The lower ends of the damper
levers, like the hammers, are made wider and correspond to the lateral movement
of the action.
In the higher notes I arrange the dampers so as to bear only upon the lower
octave strings and therefore they do not damp the higher strings.
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:-
In a pianoforte, a duplicate set of strings arranged in pairs differing hu

page_text: octave, shifting hammers and action, arranged to strike part or the whole of the
sets of strings, a tuning bridge having diverging grooves, and blocks in said grooves
supporting the strings substantially as described.
P. R. J. WILLIS,
Agent for Applicant.