IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTion of HarmoniuMS
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Camp, of 131, Whitfield Street, Fitzroy
Square, in the County of Middlesex, Harmonium Maker, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTion of HarmoniuMS.”
Sealed the 3rd April 1872, and dated the 25th October 1871.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Camp at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
25th October 1871. .
I, GEORGE CAMP, of 131, Whitfield Street, Fitzroy Square, in the
County of Middlesex, Harmonium Maker, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
HARMONIUMS," to be as follows:-
:-
This Invention consists in certain alterations and improvements in
the construction of the cases principally of harmoniums, by which
greater facility for playing is insured, also an improved appearance in
the design of the instrument. These alterations will necessitate certain
modifications in the arrangement of the internal mechanism, such as
lengthening the keys and other slight changes. I project the key board
very much in advance of its present position and support it by gracefully

page_text: curved trusses or brackets, bringing it more to the shape of an ordinary
pianoforte, the present harmoniums being invariably square and con-
sequently inconvenient for placing the legs during playing. To cover
in the projecting key board and keys, I construct a fall or flap of an
ogee or other graceful shape in lieu of the present square folding flap.
I also heighten the back portion of the instrument to enable me to fix
the reed pans.
I further improve the construction of the treddles which I make to
fold up with hinges and enclose the same in the body of the instrument
by means of a door to lock and to render them secure from any danger.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said George Camp in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 25th April 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
CAMP, of 131, Whitfield Street, Fitzroy Square, in the County of Mid-
dlesex, Harmonium Maker, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fifth day of October in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in the
thirty-fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said George Camp, Her special
licence that I, the said George Camp, my executors, administrators, and
adminis-
assigus, or such others as I, the said George Camp, my executors,
trators, and assigns, should. at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON-
STRUCTION OF HARMONIUMS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said George Oamp, my executors or administrators, by an instru
ment in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same
to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said George Camp, do hereby declare the
nature of my 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 new Invention consists in certain and many important alterations
and improvements in the design and construction of the cases principally
of the harmoniums by which greater facility for playing is insured, also
an improved appearance in the design of the instrument. These alterations
will necessitate certain modifications in the arrangement of the internal
mechanism such as lengthening the keys and other slight changes; these
modern instruments can be constructed in various sorts of wood as
follows; mahogany, rosewood, walnut, or oak, to please the fancy of the
purchaser. I project the key board very much in advance of the present
position and supported by gracefully carved trusses or brackets bringing
it more to the shape of an ordinary pianoforte, the present harmoniums
being invariably square and consequently inconvenient for placing the
legs during playing. To cover in the projecting key board and keys I
construct a fall or flap of an ogec or other graceful shape in lieu of the
present square folding flap. I also heighten the back portion of the
instrument to enable me to fix the reed pans.
I further improve the construction of the treadles which I make to
fold up with hinges and enclose the same in the body of the instrument
by means of a door to lock and so render them secure from any danger.
This is done by a spring catch or any other fastening at discretion; these
new treadles will be advantageous in securing the safety of the instru-
ment in schools or churches where children might be prevented damaging
the bellows.
A balance key extending nearly the whole length of the case inside
to work the action at the back of the reed pan. In these new instru-
ments the reeds are reversed and the reed pan elevated above the keys;
the wind is conveyed from the bellows by means of a wind trunk or
tube directly into the reed pan at the back of the instrument.
The treadles or foot board give greater command and ease the working
of the bellows while playing. These new treadles can be applied to
any ordinary manufactured harmonium of the present day, these treadles
when open will be found superior to any others as they come directly
under the fect while playing; these instruments will be found to im-

page_text: prove the quality of the tone, as they can be constructed to full power
and softness at discretion.
Another great advantage in these new instruments will be found in
the opening of the fall which forms a desk upon which the music can
be placed, enabling the performer to see more distinctly than in the
ordinary harmonium.
In witness whereof I, the said George Camp, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-fifth day of April in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.
GEORGE CAMP. (L.S.)