Improvements in Pianofortes.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Jan., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Oct., 1891-Accepted, 7th Nov., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pianofortes.
ARCHIBALD BEATON of 13 Ship Street, Brighton, in the County of Sussex,
Pianoforte Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to the construction of iron framed. pianofortes more
particularly to the frames and sounding-board supports.
In addition to the front or top iron frame of vertical or horizontal pianofortes
respectively I use a back frame of iron & between these frames I support the
soundboard in such a manner as to permit increased vibration & in consequence
increased tone & a reduction of false harmonies. At suitable intervals around the
edge of the soundboard at the point where it is to be connected to each of the above
mentioned frames, I introduce a suitable, clastic connection-these connections may
be metallic springs or rubber cushions.
Dahi 10th
L. 1901
ARCHIBALD BEATON.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pianofortes.
I, ARCHIBALD BEATON of 13 Ship Street, Brighton, in the County of Sussex,
Pianoforte Maker, 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 the construction of iron framed pianofortes, more
particularly to the frames and sounding board supports of these instruments, the
object of the invention being to enable the sounding board to vibrate more freely,
with the result that an increased volume of tone is obtained, and also a reduction of
false harmonies.
In addition to the iron frame of vertical or horizontal pianofortes I use a second
frame of iron placed side by side with the first one and suitably connected to it.
Between these two frames the sounding board is supported, and at the points at
which it is connected to the frame there is placed an arrangement as hereinafter
described, which produces a certain amount of elasticity at these points of
connection.
In order that my invention and the manner of carrying it into effect may be
clearly understood, I refer to the accompanying three sheets of drawings in
which the construction of the same is illustrated as applied to a vertical
pianoforte.
Fig. 1. is an outside elevation of the additional frame.
Fig. 2 & 3 are respectively transverse vertical and horizontal views of the same
partly in section.
Fig. 4 is an outside elevation of the other frame.
Fig. 5 and 6 are sectional views of this frame corresponding in character to
Fig. 2 & 3.
Fig. 7. is an end view showing the two frames connected with the sounding board
and plank in position between them.
Fig. 8. is a horizontal view of the same parts.
Fig. 9 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale of the arrangement at each of the
points of connection of the sounding board and frame.
Dia

page_text: The points at which the two frames A and B are bolted together are indicated
by double circles in Fig. 1 and 4 and the points at which the sounding board is
connected to the frame A are indicated by the single circles in Fig. 1. This last
frame is furnished with lugs by which the combination of the two frames, sounding
board and plank may be screwed to the wooden framework of the pianoforte.
These lugs permit of the frame &c. being readily removed from the instrument for
the purpose of repair or otherwise. By slacking the strings and unhitching them
from the bridges the sounding board can be easily removed and replaced. The
case may be so constructed by being screwed together that it can be taken apart
for removing or packing. In bolting the two frames together distance pieces are
used except at the points of connection at which the plank P intervenes. One of
these distance pieces is shown at D. P. Fig. 7.
The elastic connection shown at Fig. 9 consists of two washers R and O placed
at opposite sides of the sounding board S. B upon the bolt B which connects the
same to the frame A. The first of these washers R is of asbestos and the second, O.
of india rubber. These washers are also shown in position at W Fig. 7. This
construction is what I at present prefer but my invention is not restricted to this
form and includes any arrangement by which the desired elasticity may be
obtained.
It will be understood that the invention may be applied in a similar manner in
the construction of horizontal pianofortes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
'
(1) Combining two frames in the construction of iron framed pianofortes
substantially as and for the purposes described.
(2) Supporting the sounding board of pianofortes upon clastic supports
substantially as described.
(3) An elastic support for the soundboard of a pianoforte substantially as
described with reference to Fig. 9.
(4) A pianoforte frame as described furnished with lugs or the like by which it
can be readily attached to or removed from the wooden framework of the
pianoforte.
Dated this 30th day of September 1891.
ARCHIBALD BEATON,
13, Ship Street, Brighton.