Improvements in or Applicable to Pianofortes.
Year: 1888

page_text: Improvements in or Applicable to Pianofortes.
We, SAMUEL THOMPSON, also known as Samuel Frank Thompson, of Bryn Road,
Swansea, Gentleman, and EDWARD WILLIAM SHACKELL, of Newport Road, Cardiff,
Musical Instrument Dealer, do hereby declare the nature of the said 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 relates to an improved octave-coupler for pianofortes for enabling a
performer to sound octave notes at will by striking one key of the octave. The
Invention is applicable both to upright and horizontal pianofortes.
The accompanying drawings illustrate transverse sectional elevations of the key
board of an upright piano adapted with the present improvements. In Figs. 1. and, 2,
the improved coupler is represented as out of action so that should the Key of either
note of the octave be played upon, only the appropriate note will be sounded, and in
Figs. 3, and, 4, the coupler is represented as in action so that should the lowest key of
the octave in the treble or the highest key thereof in the bass be struck it will cause
the sounding of both notes of the octave.
5, Represents usual parts of the key board, 6 represents a usual set of keys, and
7 represents a usual hopper action the actuation of which by the keys causes the
sounding of the notes on the wires, 8.
In accordance with the present improvements there is combined with each key, 6,
an additional half key, 9, which is centred upon the pin, 10, of the key, 6, and is
guided by a pin, 11, projecting from its top side and is made with a part, 12, over-
hanging the end of the key. The hopper lever, 13, rests upon the end, 12, of the half
key, 9, which normally acts together with the key by which it is carried as one key
so that the striking of such key simply causes the striking of the appropriate note,
vide Fig. 2.
14, Represents a coupling lever which is centred on a pin, 15, and is guided by a
pin, 16, rising from a frame, 17, hinged at, 18, to a fixed part of the key-board; the
lever, 14, extends from under the fore end of one key of the octave in a diagonal

page_text: direction to under the rear projecting end, 12, of the half-key of the octave key.
Each end of the coupling lever, 14, is provided with an upwardly extending adjustable
screw, 19, or equivalent means of obtaining adjustability.
The coupling lever, 14, normally occupies the position represented in Figures, 1,
and, 2, in which the striking of the key would not operate it so that only the
appropriate note will be struck, but when it is required to sound an octave while only
playing upon one note thereof the coupler is raised to its operative position, vide
Fig. 3. by causing the frame, 17, to assume the position represented in such Fig. by a
connected stop or pull, 20, and bell-crank lever, 21, or by an octave pedal, so that
when the leading key of the octave is struck it strikes its own note through or by
means of its own half-key and hopper action and also causes the octave note to be
struck through or by means of the coupling lever and the half key and hopper-action
of the octave-key, vide Fig. 4.
As the operating ends of the coupling lever are so arranged in such improved
arrangement as that they have a vertical movement immediately under the key and
half key respectively in being brought into operation, they may be brought in action
at any time required irrespective of whether the key is at the time depressed or in its
normal position.
It will be understood that the herein described improved arrangement is or may be
applied to each pair of keys, in the treble and bass respectively, which it is desired to
couple in octave.
The improved arrangement may be applied with equal advantage to pianos fitted
with other forms of action than that represented on the accompanying drawings.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is
፡
1. The hereinbefore described improvements in or applicable to octave couplers for
pianofortes.
2. The application and use in combination for the purpose of the Invention, of the
key, 6, and the additional half key, 9, operating there with as one key when operated
thereby and operating independently thereof when independently operated.
3. The application and use in combination for the purpose of the Invention, of the
diagonal lever,, 14, having vertically adjustable ends, the frame, 17, and means of
operating it in the manner described.
4. The application and use in combination for the purpose of the Invention, of the
key, 6, adjustable lever, 14, rising frame, 17, and half key, 9.
Dated this 11th day of June 1888.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.