IMPROVEMENTS ON GRAND AND OTHE PIANOFORTES
Year: 1839

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHANN
ANDRES STUMPFF,. of Great Portland Street, in the .County of Middlesex,
Musical Instrument Manufacturer, send greeting.
.
- WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria by.
Her Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing
date at Westminster, the Twenty-first day of February, in the second
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and:
grant unto me, the said Johann Andres Stumpff, Her especial licence,
full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Johann Andres:
Stumpff, my exors, adiñors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Johann
Andres Stumpff, my exors, admors, or assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times during the term of years
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,"
within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS ON GRAND AND OTHE PIANOFORTES;" in which said Letters
Patent is contained a proviso, that I, the said Johann Andres Stumpff, shall
cause a particular description of the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's
High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and .immediately:
after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same,
reference being thereunto had, will more fully-and-at large appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Johann Andres Stumpff, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described and
ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to
the Drawing hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon
(that is to say) :-
-
My Invention relates to certain improvements in the construction and com-
bination of various parts of the mechanical details of grand and other piano-
fortes, having for their object simplicity of action of some of the moving parts,
and simplicity of combination of some of the other parts.
And in order to give. the best information of this my Invention, with a
view to make the improvements readily understood, I will proceed to describe
the Drawing hereunto annexed, which represents various Figures of those parts
of pianofortes to which my Invention relates, such parts for the most part
being drawn to about one-third of the real size.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
The first part of the Invention relates to a mode of arranging certain of the
moving parts, in such manner that the hammers may be caused to strike again
and again, or have a repeat, without the necessity of the keys coming to their
horizontal position after having been depressed to cause the hammers to strike;
and such is the arrangement of this part of the Invention, that the hammers
may be again caused to strike immediately it rebounds- from the strings,
without descending to their points of rest. Figure 1 shows so much of the
action of a pianoforte as will enable me to explain this part, as well as some
other parts of my Invention. In this Figure the hammer is in a state of rest,
the key 6 in its ordinary position before being depressed to call, forth its
particular note. Figure 2 is another view of the same parts, showing
the key depressed, and the hammer as just having struck and rebounded,
but in a position again to strike if desired. In each of the Figures the same
letters indicate similar parts wherever they occur; a, b, being a finger key,
which moves on a fulcrum at c, the axis consisting of a horizontal portion of
wire near the upper part of the key surrounded with leather, the axis resting
on an upright pin, as shewn in the Drawing; g is a lever or striker, moving.
on an axis carried by the key; this striker or lever has a notch at m, covered
with leather, which takes under the notch n of the hammer, which it will be
seen is not covered with leather, as is usually the case with the hammer
notch; but according to my improvement, the notch m of the striker or
lever g is covered, and the notch n of the hammer is uncovered, which will.

page_text: be found an important improvement, the maker of pianofortes by such
arrangement not being liable to the inconvenience of varying thickness of
leather, which is difficult to allow for and adjust. When placed on the notch n
of the hammer the projection o of the striker or lever g is covered with
leather, as shown. is the hammer, p is a surface covered with leather and
is carried by two bent wires k, which have a degree of elasticity, such wires
being affixed to the upper end of the hammer block k, and come down in
such manner that the projection o may be in contact therewith, when the
hammer is raised, and the surface p, by the elasticity of the wires which
carry it throw the notch m, under the notch n, and thus place the parts in a
position to cause the hammer again to be forced to strike when the key is
acted on, without the necessity of the hammer falling to its lowest position, by.
allowing the key to rise to its ordinary position; q is a balance weight applied
as shown, in order when the hammer is in the position of Figure 2 that the
hammer may be nearly balanced by the weight; by this means I am enabl
to lighten the touch of the keys, and yet obtain a blow by the hammer of
force desired.
Another part of my Invention relates to the mode of attaching the hammers.
and parts connected thereto with the hammer rail u, see Figures 1 and 2,
and also Figure 3, which shows part of a plan of the hammer rail. In the
hammer rail there are to be as many grooves was hammers; into these
grooves the projecting plates v, which carry the axes of the hammers, slide,
and are affixed as hereafter explained; the plates v each receives an axis of
a hammer, such axis fitting tightly into its plate v, and the end of the plate v
enters a mortice or recess formed in the block k of the hammer, and the axis
is forced into the plate and moves in holes in the hammer block; by this means
the hammer moves steadily. x is a screw affixed in the hammer rail near each
groove w, and there is a nut which screws thereon; bence, when the plate v
is in its groove by moving the nut on the screw a, the same will be securely
fixed, and yet allow of being readily removed when required; s is a cushion,
and t an adjusting screw, to regulate the position to which the striker g can
come towards the hammer rail.
Another part of my Invention relates to the mode of attaching the
striker or lever g to the key a, b, and in such manner that it can be
readily adjusted as to height, and further can be readily removed when
required: d is a plate of wood, having a mortice or recess formed therein, to
receive the lower end of the striker or lever g, and the lever g or striker
moves on an axis or portion of wire, as shown at h, and in such manner that
the axis fits tightly in the lower end of the striker, and moves in the holes

page_text: formed in the sides of the mortice. e is a pin affixed in the plate.d, which
pin enter a hole formed in the key a, b. At f is a slit formed in the plate d
and there is a screw or pin having the upper partturned downwards; hence,
when the upper or bent part of the pin fis turned towards the front of thie
key, the plate d will be securely held in connection with the key a, b, but
when the bent upper end of the pin f is turned backwards, the plate d may be
readily removed from the key a, b; and is an adjusting screw passing
through the plate d and resting on the upper part of the key a, b; hence, by
turning the screw r, the plate d will come nearer to or be forced further from
the key a, b, and thus regulate the height of the striker; y is a damper; and
2, the weighted lever which carries it, as is shown in the Drawing, the pin or
axis fixing tightly in the descending pin (1), and moving in holes formed in
the sides of the lever g; (2) is the damper rail, which moves on pivots so to
remove the dampers by the foot pedal. Figures 4, 5, and 6 show another
arrangement of the parts of my Invention already described, differing in some
respects from the previously described Figures, for in this case, in place of the
apparatus p being attached to the hammer block k, it is applied to the striker
or lever g; in other respects the parts are similar and are marked with the
same letters of reference. The damper action, however, moves with the
action of the hammer in place of, by the movement of the key a, b, as is the
case in the Figures 1 and 2, and such movement is communicated to the
damper by means of the wire (3) connected to the hammer block, as is shewn
in the Drawing, and to a block (6) and (7) is a wire which connects the block
(6) to the damper lever, which moves on an axis (1), carried by the damper
rail (2), all which is clearly shewn in the Drawing.
I would here remark that it is evident from the above description that the
part p may be in some degree varied, and whether it be placed on the hammer
block or otherwise it is substantively the same, its object being to check the
hammer and return the notch m into such a position as to cause the hammer
readily to strike again and again or repeat without the necessity of its descending
to its lowest position by permitting the key to resume its ordinary position.
Another part of my Invention relates to improvements in the means of
turning the upper octaves of a pianoforte. This part of my Invention is shewn
at Figures 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17. R, R, are the ordinary tuning pins
which are to be turned till the note is nearly obtained in good tune till the strings
are settled; but in place of obtaining the accuracy of tuning required by those
pins, I obtain it by means of certain instruments shown the Figures above
referred to. Qis a peg through which the strings pass, and the bent end
enters a hook P formed on the lever O, such lever moving on a fulcrum at N,

page_text: and T is a screw having a screw nut thereon, such screw T being affixed
between the forked end of the lever O; hence, when strings are a little out of
tune, by moving the nut S on the screw T, the greatest nicety of tuning may
be obtained with quickness. In Figures 14, 15, 16, and 17, the appa-"
ratus differs from that at Figures 14 and 15, consisting of a hook w, which
receives the bent end of the string and a hook to sustain the strain of the string
the stems of these hooks being formed into screws, one to the right hand, and
the other to the left, and the nut U thereon having one half of the screw
therein formed to the right hand, and the other to the left hand; hence, a very
minute adjustment of the tone of the strings may be obtained. Figure 15,
there is only one screw used, the end of the socket turning freely in the stem of
the other hook, as shown in the Drawing; either of these apparatus may be
employed in substitution of the lever o, as described in respect to Figures 11
and 12.
Another part of my Invention relates to a mode of improving the sound of
the notes of the lower bass octaves, the sound of which in ordinary pianofortes
is far from being clear and decided. This part of my Invention is shown at
Figure 18 and 19. I apply a bridge X on the sounding board in the middle
of the length of the strings of those strings that are to be acted on; and under
one of each pair of strings (constituting a note) I apply a support Y and a hook
Z, the other string of each note being left free, as heretofore; by this means
one string of each note is made an octave higher than the other, and thus
the tone of such bass notes are made more sonorous and intelligible to the ear.
a
Another part of my Invention relates to the application of harmonic
apparatus to the notes of pianofortes, see Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10. Figure 7
shews a plan of portion of the apparatus suitable for a portion of the notes of
pianoforte. Figure 8 is an edge view of the apparatus. Figure 9.is a plan
of one of the stops separately, and Figure 10 is an end view of one of the
stops separately. A, A, are the ordinary iron bars or braces of a pianoforte,
each having an axis B affixed thereto to receive the frame of the harmonic
apparatus. The frame of this apparatus consists of the bar C, which has
grooves formed in the back thereof into which the axis B enter, and when in'
the frame are secured by two vertical pins passing through holes in the bar C,
as is shewn in the Drawing. E, E, are two arms affixed to the bar C, and to
the arms E is affixed the diagonal plate of metal F, to which the stops I are
affixed by screws passing through the eyes formed in the stems H, as is shewn
in the Drawing, there being adjusting screws J passing through the plate F
pressing on the stems H, and thus adjust their position. L is a 'plate which
is applied above the plate F, and such plate L is affixed by screws entering
:
:

page_text: the braces or bars A, the ends of the plate L, where the screws are being so
formed as readily to be removed from under the heads of the screws M, when
those screws are partly withdrawn. K is a spring by which the frame
F, E, E, C, is pressed towards the strings, and G is a descending rod hinged
to the plate F, which being acted on by a foot pedal will raise the apparatus
off the wires. It should be remarked that the stops I should be accurately
placed at the middle of the length of their respective strings.
Another part of my Invention relates to the mode of applying the lid or
cover of the finger keys, which is shewn at Figures 22 and 23; Figure 22
shewing a side view of a grand pianoforte, and Figure 23 shows so much of
the front part of a grand pianoforte, in section, as will enable me readily to
explain this part of my Invention. (10) is the upper portion of the lid or
cover thrown back to its fullest extent, and (11) is the front portion of the lid
or cover, and (15) is a support between the two portions of the cover when
folded on the top of the instrument. (9) are the knobs or handles by which
the front flap (11) is raised by the hands at the lower part, and at the ends of
the flap (11) are two rollers (moving on axes) which pass along two grooves (13)
formed in the inner surfaces of the sides of the pianoforte; by this arrangement
the cover (11) and (10) may be lifted up and lowered down without the
liability of injury, as no guiding of the parts is necessary by the hand, the
required guiding of the front flap (11) being governed by the grooves (13),.
one at each side of the instrument.
Another part of my Invention relates to a mode of applying a bed to the
sounding board of a pianoforte, and dispensing with the bars or braces usually
applied. I have found on a careful examining the tones of a pianoforte that
opposite those places where the usual bars are affixed to the sounding board,
that the strings do not give out so good tones as at those places where there
are no bars or stays to support the sounding board and bridge, and that a
careful and good ear will, on hearing an instrument played, detect opposite
which notes the bars or braces are affixed; I have, therefore, dispensed with
such braces or bars, and in order to give the required strength to the sounding
board in sustaining the bridge, and consequently the strain of the strings, I
apply what I call a bed glued to the sounding board under the bridge; and
in order to obtain the best effect from the sounding board, I affix the bridge
in such manner as to be in the centre of the sounding board. To form what I
call the bed, I apply by glue a thin board (of sounding-board wood, by preference
about a quarter of an inch thick,) in the centre of the sounding board, the
width of the bed at the treble notes being the widest and thickest, gradually
decreasing to the bass notes, and I affix the bridge by glue to the bed. I

page_text: would remark that, although I have mentioned one quarter of an inch. thick
at the upper notes, yet I would have it understood that I do not confine
myself thereto, as the same may be varied, and the maker will vary such
thickness according to the hardness of the wood, the harder the wood the
thinner I make the bed; but the maker of pianofortes will judge by the
sound whether the sounding board produces the desired effect, which will
necessarily depend on taste, the width of the bed at the upper notes being
about four inches wide, and gradually lessening to about one and a half inches
wide at the bass notes.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, I would remark that I
Jay no claim to the various parts separately of which the various combinations
are composed, which may be known and in use, nor do I confine myself to the
precise arrangements of the parts shown, so long as the principle of my com-
binations be retained. And I would remark that the improvements may be
used separately and independently of each other, or combined in the same
instrument. And I would have it understood that what I claim as my
Invention is,―
First, the mode of arranging the parts m, n, o, p, in such manner as to
obtain repeated blows of the hammer without the necessity of the hammer
descending to its lowest position, as above described.
Secondly, I claim the application of the balance weight q to the hammer
block, as shown and described.
.
Thirdly, I claim the mode of applying the sticker or lever g to the key, as
described in respect to the part d, and the mode of adjusting and fixing the
same, as above described.
Fourthly, I claim the covering the notch m and leaving the notch n un-
covered with leather, as above described.
Fifthly, I claim the mode of applying the hammers to the hammer rail by
means of the parts w, v, x, as above described.
Sixthly, I claim the application of harmonic apparatus, as described in
respect to Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10.
Seventhly, I claim the modes of tuning the upper octaves of pianofortes,
as described in respect to Figures 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16.
Eighthly, I claim the mode of arranging the parts for the better tuning
of the lower bass octaves, as described in respect to Figures 18 and 19.
Ninthly, I claim the mode of applying a bed to the bridge and sounding
board, and dispensing with the braces or bars heretofore employed, as above
described.
Tenthly, I claim the mode of applying the axes and pins of the damping

page_text: levers, consisting of the pin 1, having an eye through it in which the axis
is received, and is tightly held in order that the damper lever may move
thereon, as shewn at Figures 1, 2, and 5 and 6, and by the axis being
carried by the pin (1), the same may be regulated in any direction.
And, lastly, I claim the mode of applying the covers. or lock boards of
the finger key, as described in respect of Figures 22 and 23.
In witness whereof, I, the said Johann Andres Stumpff, have hereunto
hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of August, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Seventeenth day of August, in
the year of our Lord 1839, the aforesaid Johann Andres Stumpff came before
our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form above
written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the
tenor of the Statute made for that purpose..
Inrolled the Twenty-first day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine.