FOR CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MECHANISH AND GENERAL CONSTRUCTION OF PIANOFORTES
Year: 1825

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
AUGUSTUS KOLLMANN, of the Friary, Saint James's Palace, in the County of
Middlesex, Professor of Music, send greeting.
WHEREAS His present Majesty King George the Fourth, in and by His
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date the
Twenty-sixth day of February last, for Himself, His heirs and successors, did
give and grant unto me, the said George Augustus Kollmann, His special
licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said George
Augustus Kollmann, my exors, adñññors, and assigns, and every of them, by
myself and themselves, or by my and their deputy or deputies, servants or
agents, or such others as I, the said George Augustus Kollmann, my exors,
admiors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time
to time and at all times thereafter 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, and also in His Majesty's
Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention "FOR CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MECHANISH AND GENERAL CONSTRUCTION OF PIANOFORTES;" in which said
Letters Patent there is contained a proviso obliging me, the said George
Augustus Kollmann, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal,
particularly to describe and ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, and to cause the same to
be enrolled in His Majesty's High Court of Chancery within two calendar

page_text: months next and immediately after the date of the said recited Letters Patent,
as in and by the same, reference being thereto had, will more fully appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
George Augustus Kollmann, do hereby describe and ascertain the nature of
my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by the 5
Plans or Drawings annexed to these Presents, and marked with the numbers
1, 2, 3, and 4, and by the following description thereof (that is to say) :—
The essential parts of this Invention are with regard to the mechanism.
First, a new and original manner of placing the whole mechanism of hori-
zontal, grand, and square pianofortes above instead of beneath the strings,
and causing the hammers in the said kinds of pianofortes to strike the
strings towards the sound board and bridge, and not away from them, as
hitherto.
Secondly, a new and original kind of hammers, which the Patentee calls
Counterbalancing Hammers.
Thirdly, two new and original catches, which are to prevent the hammers
from moving more than is intended.
Fourthly, a new and original way of placing the dampers.
With regard to the general construction :―
First, the continuing of the sound board, in horizontal, grand, and square
pianofortes, all over the inside of the pianoforte without that separation
through which hitherto the hammers have been acting.
Secondly, a new construction and greater solidity of the whole front part of
the pianoforte.
Thirdly, a new and original manner of fixing the strings to a new kind of
pins, which pass obliquely through the rest plank and through two brass plates,
so that they can be tuned in front of the pianoforte by means of screw nuts.
These improvements belong to the horizontal grand pianoforte, and are
more or less applicable to all other kinds of horizontal pianofortes, and also to
upright pianofortes, as is shown in the Plans. The following description
explains completely the nature of every separate part of the aforesaid improve-
ments and Inventions, and refers in every particular by letters to the
preceding Plans.
In the general construction of the horizontal grand pianoforte I make the
following Inventions and improvements with regard to the external part :-
First, on the upper part of the front is to be an elevation which is to contain
part of the mechanism. The form and dimensions of this elevation are shewn
at Plan 1, Fig. 1, A, A.
Secondly, the lower part of the front is to be cut away to give room to the
knees of the player P 1 hi 1 R R

page_text: Thirdly, as the keys are to be placed differently in this pianoforte from
heretofore, so the legs of it may be shortened, or the chair of the player raised,
or something of both (according to choice), to keep the player at the same
height as hitherto. In the Plan the legs are represented as shortened. See
P. 1, F. 1, C, C.
The following Inventions and improvements are to be made with regard
to the internal part of the general construction of the horizontal grand
pianoforte :-
First, the sound board is to cover all the inside of the pianoforte, and is to
be joined to the front part of the pianoforte without that separation through
which heretofore the hammers have acted on the strings. See P. 2, F. 1, D, D.
This is new and original.
Secondly, is a beam of any kind of wood of sufficient strength extending in
length from one side of the pianoforte to the other. This beam is to be the
main support of the front of the pianoforte. Its shape, dimensions, and place
are shewn at P. 2, F. 1. E, E. This is new and original.
Thirdly, is a board, also of any wood strong enough, placed on and firmly
united to the aforesaid beam, and extending likewise from side to side. Its
shape, dimensions and place are shewn at P. 2, F. 1, F, F. This is new and
original.
Fourthly, is a rest plank fixed to the beam E, E. It extends likewise from
side to side, and its shape, dimensions, and place are shewn at P. 2, F. 1. G, G,
All along the front of this plank is fixed a plate of brass or other metal strong
enough. Sec P. 1, F. 2, H, H. Along the back of the plank is fixed another
plate of the same metal as the first plate. See P. 1, F. 8, I, I. There must
be as many holes through this plank and through these plates as there are rest
pins in the front plate. The holes are to be round. See P. 1, F. 2, K, K.
In the back plate the holes are to be square, somewhat less than the
round holes. See P. 1, F. 3, L, L. The holes through the plank are to be
round, and of the same size as the holes in the front plate. Their direction
is represented by the dotted line at P. 2, F. 1, M, M. This is new and
original.
Fifthly, are the rest pins. Ono half of their length is to be made as a screw
and to fit the round holes in the said front plate, see P. 1, F. 4, N, N; the
other half is to be made square, so as to fit the square holes in the back plate,
and thus be hindered from turning round and twisting the wire when turned.
See P. 1, F. 5, 0, Q. At the square end of the pins must be made either
notch or a hole to fix the loop of the wire in, See P. 1, F. 6, F. 7. These pins
are to be held fast to the rest plank by nuts, which are put on the screw end and

page_text: screwed against the front brass plate. See P. 1, F. 8. By these nuts the pins
are to be screwed more out or more inwards, in order to tune the pianoforte.
The holes in the rest plank in which these rest pins belong must be continued on
through the beam, see P. 2, F. 1, E, and through the board, see P. 2, F. 1, F, F,
to give room enough for the pins to be screwed inwards when tuned, and
also to let the wires pass through from the pin to the bridge. These wholes
in their whole length must be made slanting in proportion to the distance of
tho rest plank from the bridge. See the dotted line as already shown at P. 2,
F. 1, M, M. This is new and original.
Sixthly, is a key board, like the common key board; it is to be placed on the
board P. 2, F. 1, F, F, in the usual way. See P. 2, F. 1, P.
Seventhly, is a board of the same wood as the external part of the case (or
of any other ornamental wood) which extends from side to side, and leaves
room enough before the rest plank to tune the rest pins; it is to let down or
take out. See P. 2, F. Q, Q.
In the general construction of this horizontal grand pianoforte those arches
of metal which have hitherto been used to connect the sound board and rest
plank together, but which are disadvantageous to the tone, are not to be used.
But the internal supporters of all kind which are introduced between the
sound board and the floor of the pianofore may be arranged in any way that
is judged proper or expedient. In the mechanism of the horizontal grand
pianoforte I make the following improvements and inventions :-
First, is a key of the usual construction, sec P. 2, F. 1, R, R, and placed
on the key board. See P. 2, F. 1, P, P.
Secondly, is a beam, which is to hold the hammers; it passes across the
instrument from side to side, and is supported in the usual manner by uprights
placed on the key board. It can be made of mahogany, or any other wood of
sufficient strength, and may be constructed of more than one piece. For
shape, &c., see P. 2, F. 1, S, S.
Thirdly, is a plate of brass passing all along the front of the last-men-
tioned beam; it is joined together of several pieces in the usual manner.
The lower part of it is formed like teeth for the purpose of holding the
hammers. See P. 1, F. 9. For place on the beam, see P. 1, F. 1, T, T.
Fourthly, is a piece of wood passing across the instrument; it is fixed either
to the beam, see P. 2, F. 1, S, S, or to the said uprights on which the said
beam rests; its use is partly to support the hammers. That part of it which
touches the hammers is to be covered with baize or cloth. For place, &c.,
see P. 2, F. 1, U, U.
Fifthly, is a hammer with a counterbalance, all in one piece; it is fixed in

page_text: The
the teeth of the brass plate P. 2, F. 1, T, T, in the usual manner.
counterbalance is made so as to fit the catches in a proper manner, and may
be covered with leather where it touches the catches. The hammer is to rest
partly against the piece of wood P. 2, F. 1, U, U, and partly by means of the
counterbalance against one of the catches, as will be shewn. For shape,
dimensions, and place, see P. 2, F. 1, V, V. This is new and original.
Sixthly, are two catches. That catch which is nearest the player is to hold
the counterbalance when the finger is off from the key and thereby prevent the
hammers from rebounding on the string. That catch which is farthest from the
player is to hold the counterbalance when the finger holds the key down,
thereby to prevent the hammer from rebounding on the string. These catches
are made of wood lined with leather on the inside, and fixed on the key by a
strong wire, and so regulated as to act properly. For shape, &c., see P. 2, F. 1,
W, W. These are new and original.
Seventhly, is the damper, the stem of which may be constructed either of
wood or wire. It rests in a long wood frame of three sides (as shown by the
Plan) which passes from one side of the pianoforte to the other, or so far as
the dampers extend. Two small cross pieces of wood or any other fit material
fixed to the damper above and below the said frame will prevent the damper
from rising or falling too much. In that part of the treble where there is no
room on account of the bridge to placé dampers between the key and hammer,
another frame may. be made and placed with the dampers therein, as at P. 2,
F. 1, X, X, X, and then the said wire or wood to move the said dampers must
be longer in proportion. For shape, place, and dimensions, see P. 2, F. 1, X, X.
Eightly, is a lever let into the key, as shewn in the Plan, with a regulating
screw and a wire spring to make it return. For place, shape, and dimensions,
see P. 2, F. 1, Y,
Ninthly, is a long piece of wood passing across the pianoforte to support
that part of the keys which is farthest from the player. For shape, &c., see P. 2,
F. 1. Z is a long piece of wood passing across the pianoforte, and lined under-
neath with cloth or leather. It is to act on the keys as a resisting power to
the pressure of the fingers, and may be used or not as thought expedient.
See P. 2, F. 1.
Tenthly, when a string is to be put on, take out the rest pin, fasten one end
of the string to it, and pass the other end of the string through the hole
towards the bridge, then screw in the rest pin home and fasten the other end
of the string in the usual way to the opposite pin, and tone it; if necessary the
key may be taken off meanwhile.

page_text: The Plan No. 3 & 4 shew the application of the above Inventions and
improvements to square pianofortes and to upright pianofortes, according to
the index in the said Plans.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-
fifth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and twenty-five.

page_text: Sis the Beam as in Plan 2.5.
Tis the Brass Plate, as in Plan 2.T.
Vis the counterbalancing Hammer as
in P.2.V.
Ware two Catches as in P.2.W.
Xis a Damper as in P.2.X.This Damper
is fastened to a hinge at a, is lifted
by a wooden stick b, which is attached
to it at c, and passes through a piece
of wood (which rests at each end on
the uprights) which guides it.
Yis a Lerer &c. as in P. 2.Y
A are the Rest pins as in P.L.Fig.4.5.6.7.
Gis the Rest plank as in P.2.G.
Mis the Direction of the holes for the
Rest pins as in P.2.M.
Q is the Moveable Board as in P.2.Q.
U. The Board as in Plan 2.w