Improvements in the Construction of Pianos.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Jan., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 6th Oct., 1893-Accepted, 11th Nov., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Pianos.
I, ALFRED DARLOW of Durban House Plaistow London E. Physician do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:-
This invention relates to improvements in the construction of pianos, and has for
its object to provide lighter and more durable instruments which will also be
possessed of finer tone.
For this purpose I construct the instrument of aluminium, either entirely or in
the main parts.
This metal is specially applicable to the parts for which iron is commonly used
at present, as it is much lighter and more durable and does not oxidise. The
frame, sounding board, hammers and wires are parts to which this metal can be
applied with advantage, and sounds produced from such parts are of sweeter and
clearer quality than those of the ordinary piano. The keyboard may also be made
of this material, as it will wear much longer than ivory, and will not present the
grooves and unevenness as in ordinary keys after being used for some time. The
appearance of such keys will also be very ornamental. The panels and other
suitable parts can be engraved, embossed, painted, inlaid or otherwise ornamented,
as this metal lends itself to such treatment readily. The instrument will not be
affected at all by damp and thus remain in tune for a long time and be capable of
withstanding any climate.
Dated this 5th day of January 1893.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Pianos.
I, ALFRED DARLOW of Durban House, Plaistow, London, E. Physician, 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 relates to improvements in the construction of pianos, whereby
these instruments may be rendered superior in tone, lighter, stronger and less liable
to be affected by changes of climate or temperature.
For this purpose, instead of employing wood, iron or other material commonly
used in their construction, I propose to use aluminium, either pure or alloyed with
other suitable metal or metals, and used either for the entire construction or for the
main parts.
This metal is especially applicable to the parts for which iron is at present
employed, iron having largely taken the place of wood in certain portions, as it has
been found more suitable. Iron is, however, liable to rust, and its employment
renders the instrument heavy and unwieldy, also to a considerable extent impairing
the sweet tone obtained with wooden parts, although increasing the volume of
sound.
Aluminium is sufficiently strong to be serviceable in any part, and being much
lighter than iron the weight of the instrument will be greatly reduced. This metal
does not rust or oxidise to an appreciable extent, and thus will be unaffected by a
damp atmosphere, or any ordinary changes of temperature, and thus will overcome
the difficulty experienced with pianos constructed partially of iron.

page_text: Instruments composed partly of aluminium will possess a perfectly clear and sweet
tone, having equal volume to that produced by iron frame pianos, without any of
the harshness found in the latter. Such instruments mainly of aluminium will
also be practically unaffected by lapse of time.
The portions of the pianos to which my invention is more particularly applicable
are the frame, in which the improvement in tone and reduction of weight would be
important advantages; the sound board, increasing the sweetness and strength of
tone, and the durability of the instrument; the keyboard, overcoming the difficulties
commonly experienced owing to the swelling of the keys from damp, and their
consequent sticking; the strings certain alloys of aluminium. producing wires of
great strength and non-corrosible, the wrest board and pins, and the case.
The case when made of this material will not ouly be strong and durable but
possess a much finer appearance and greater resonance than the ordinary cases of
polished wood, and it may be enamelled, chased, embossed, painted, inlaid or
otherwise ornamented, aluminium lending itself readily to such treatment.
As it is
non oxidisable it will retain its polished appearance, and can be cleaned in a very
simple manner without fear of damage.
The keys will also wear much longer than the ordinary ivory or other keys, and
will not present the grooves and unevenness obtaining with the latter after being
used for some time. As there is no danger of shrinking or warping as in the case
of wood, the instrument will keep in tune longer than those of ordinary construction,
particularly in hot climates, insects also being quite unable to harm it.
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 :-
Improvements in the manufacture of pianofortes, consisting in forming the whole
of main parts of aluminium or alloys of aluminium, substantially as and for the
purposes specified.
Dated this 6th day of October 1893.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.