Improvements in Pianos.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Aug., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 27th May, 1891-Accepted, 22nd Aug.,
1891
TRUVINIUNAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pianos.
I, RICHARD SCHREIBER Pianoforte Manufacturer of No. 3 Newman Street
Oxford Street London, W. do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
My invention relates to pianos, and is designed to provide improved mechanical
means of regulating their power and volume of tone, and of producing a variety
of charming pianissimo, and other effects; and also of muting the piano for silent
practice.
According to my invention I employ one or more strips of felt, cloth, or other
suitable material, of graduated thickness, and I attach them sectionally to a rail,
which may be either of wood or metal, or both combined, extending the whole
breadth of piano. This rail is attached to hinged arms or supports, placed at the
inside end of piano in such a manner that the strips can be interposed between the
wires and the hammers of the piano, causing a subduement or modification of
the tone, as well as varied changes in its quality or character.
The various degrees or shades of pianissimo obtainable by my arrangement may
be regulated and controlled by setting the rail with graduated strips more or less
in line with the striking point of the hammers, whereby a greater or lesser thickness
of the strip of felt or other material is interposed, with the result of a corresponding
modification of the power and quality of tone.
The actual adjustment or setting of the rail with graduated strips is effected
by means of a draw-knob, or otherwise, fitted with suitable notches, and placed at
the end of the key-board or other convenient part of the piano. When drawn
out or pushed in to the extent of one or other of the before mentioned notches, the
draw-knob acts on the hinged arms through connecting levers, and holds the rail
in the required position; either clear away from the line of the piano hammers,
or at such distance between them and the wires as to secure the pianissimo or other
effects desired.
that
Pianos fitted with my invention present this distinctive advantage, namely,
by means of a simple mechanical arrangement; easy, exact, and certain in its
operation, and wholly unconnected with the mechanism or "action" of the piano,
the performer is enabled to effectually graduate and control the power and quality
of the tone, and also to mute the piano for silent practice, and to produce many
novel effects hitherto unobtainable on the piano. I claim novelty in respect both
to the idea, and the manner in which I have carried it out.
Dated this Twenty-seventh day of August 1890.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pianos.
RICHARD SCHREIBER Pianoforte Manufacturer 3, Newman Street, Oxford
Street London, W. I 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 pianos and is designed to provide improved mechanical
means of regulating their power and volume of tone, and of producing a variety
of charming pianissimo and other effects, and also of muting the piano for silent
practice.

page_text: According to my invention I employ one or more strips of felt, cloth or other
suitable material (A. A.) of graduated thickness, and I attach them sectionally to
a rail (B) which may be either of wood or metal, or both combined, extending
the whole breadth of piano. This rail (B) is attached to hinged arms or
supports (C) placed at the inside ends of piano in such a manner that the
strips (AA) can be interposed between the wires and the hammers of the piano,
causing a subduement or modification of the tone, as well as varied changes in its
quality or character.
The various degrees or shades of pianissimo obtainable by my arrangement may
be regulated and controlled by setting the rail (B) with graduated strips (AA)
more or less in line with the striking point of the hammers whereby a greater or
lesser thickness of the strip of felt or other material is interposed, with the result
of a corresponding modification of the power and quality of tone.
The actual adjustment or setting of the rail with graduated strips is effected by
means of a draw-knob (D) fitted with suitable notches (E) and placed at the end
of the key-board or other convenient part of the piano. When drawn out or
pushed in to the extent of one or other of the before mentioned notches, the
draw-knob acts on the hinged arms through connecting levers (H) and holds the
rail (B) in the required position; either clear away from the line of the piano
hammers, or at such distance between them and the wires as to secure the
pianissimo or other effects desired.
Pianos fitted with my invention present this distinctive advantage, namely, that
by means of a simple mechanical arrangement, easy, exact and certain in its
operation, and wholly unconnected with the mechanism or "action" of the piano,
the performer is enabled to effectually graduate and control the power and quality
of the tone, and also to mute the piano for silent practice, and to produce many
novel effects hitherto unobtainable on the piano.
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) The employment of graduated strip or strips of felt, cloth, or other suitable
material A A, and the manner of interposing same between the hammers and the
wires of the piano.
(2) The mode of adjusting position of rail (B) as described, by means of draw-
knob (D) with notches (E).
Daind thi. 0711 3
1001
RICHARD SCHREIBER.