IMPROVEMENTS IN PIANOFORTES, GUITARS AND OTHER STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Year: 1885

page_text: Musical Instruments.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature
of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PIANOFORTES, GUITARS AND OTHER
STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS " and in what manner the same is to-be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This invention comprises certain novel means and combinations of parts herein-
after more specifically described by which greater clearness, fullness, strength,
sweetness and volume of sound and tone is afforded to stringed instruments than is
obtained in those heretofore in use.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view.
Figure 2 is a plan view, and
Figure 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view representing my invention as
applied to a pianoforte.
.
Figures 4 to 9 inclusive are views of details more clearly shewing certain parts
included in the apparatus represented in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive.
Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional view.
Figure 11 is a side view.
Figure 12 is a face view and
Figure 13 is a transverse sectional view representing a guitar in which is
embodied my said invention.
Figures 14, 15, 16 and 17 are sectional views of certain parts thereof.
Figures 18 to 25 inclusive correspond to Figures 10 to 17 inclusive but represent
the invention as embodied in a violin as distinguished from a guitar.
So far, as certain parts of the pianoforte shewn in the drawings correspond with
parts in the guitar and violin the same letters of reference indicate like parts in the
drawings of all the instruments.
Referring first more particularly to the pianoforte.
A is the case of the pianoforte, said case being of any ordinary or suitable con-
struction except that it is provided with openings a preferably at the upper part of

page_text: the ends. Within the case supported at its centre from the bottom of the case A
as shewn at b is a resonator B, which is a thin plate of brass or other suitable
resonating metal preferably slightly dish-shaped and diminishing in thickness
towards its circumference, its thickness at the centre being preferably about one
eighth of an inch with a regular diminution to the edges which are preferred to be
substantially as thin as a knife edge. A sufficient space is offered between the
bottom of the case and the resonator to permit the free vibration of the latter as
hereinafter set forth.
C is the primary sounding board which is placed at the upper part of the case A.
At the lower part of said case and placed above the resonator but at such distance
as to avoid contact there with is a secondary sounding board B'. At the back and
ends this sounding board is provided with upwardly extending box-like flanges o
the upper edges of which are attached to the case A to suspend the sounding-board
as herein further explained. At the front of the pianoforte the flange c¹ shewn in
figure 3, answers to the flanges c but extends upwards only the relatively short
distance permitted by the opening at the front of the case. The action D of the
piano is placed above the secondary sounding board, as shewn in Figure 3 or in any
usual or suitable situation with relation to the strings. A space of say,, one and one
fourth inches, more or less, is provided between the flanges c of the secondary
sounding board, and the adjacent inner surfaces of the sides and ends of the case A
and between the flange c¹.
The primary and secondary sounding boards are secured in place as follows. At
the upper part of the inner surfaces of the back and ends of the case A, that is to
say of the rest plank e is glued or otherwise secured a ledge, cleat or shelf & which
is preferably of wood (and more clearly shewn in Figures 4, 5 and 6) the horizontal
width of which should equal the space desired between the flanges c and the back
and ends of the case A. The upper edges of the flanges c at said back and ends are
turned, glued, cemented or otherwise suitably attached to the ledge d as shewn in
Figures 4 and 5, Figure 4 being a vertical sectional view on the line x, x of Figure 5,
where Figure 6 is a like view on the line y, y thereof. At intervals along said
ledge are placed stirrups or brackets E the outer and upper parts a¹ of which rest
upon plates f of glass which are placed upon the ledge d, to still further isolate the
sounding-boards from the case A while the inner and lower parts b¹ extend inward
as more fully shewn in Figure 4. A circumferential frame F, preferably of cast
metal and corresponding in shape to the circumference of the upper sounding board,
has lugs g which project outward over the lower parts 61 of the stirrups E, and
which are connected with said parts of said brackets by vertical bolts i, screwing
into suitable nuts or screw sockets provided in the lower parts of the stirrups E
while the upper end portions are screwed into corresponding nuts or sockets in the
lugs g. The bolts i are preferably squared at their middles to enable them to be
readily turned by a suitable wrench. The stirrups E are secured to the ledge by
screws k which also pass through the lugs a¹. The primary sounding board is
attached to the frame F by means of bolts or rivets m which connect with ears m¹
which project inward from the said frame or by any other suitable means.
At the front of the piano case the flange o' is turned outward to form a hori-
zontal partition f' the purpose of which is to prevent open communication, at
that part of the instrument, of the space around and below the secondary sounding
board with the external air. It is however necessary that a support be provided
for the action D and this I accomplish by means of any desired number of horizontal
bars n which extend from back to front of the case and carry a plank H which is
longitudinal with the case and on which the action is placed as indicated in
Figure 3. Each bar end is supported at its back end by a hanger n' and at the
front extends through a trough r which is fashioned in the partition f¹ as shewn
on a larger scale in Figures 7, 8 and 9, this trough being so shaped and proportioned
as to permit the forward ends of said bars to pass through without affording any
opening at the top of the space between the flange c' and the lower part of the
front of the case. The forward end of each of the bars n rests in a suitable socket

page_text: provided in the lower part all of the front of the case A. The bars n are of such
width and thickness, as compared with the proportions of the troughs as not to
come in contact with the latter.
In the operation of a piano constructed with the several features of my said
invention the primary sounding board, being isolated and suspended apart from the
adjacent portions of the apparatus, vibrates without interference, and transmits its
vibrations to the adjacent atmosphere without diminution. The flanges of the
secondary sounding board transmit the said vibrations in a downward direction
and measurably concentrates them upon the secondary sounding-board which adds
the effect of its own vibrations to that of the upper outer or primary sounding
board. The resonator receiving the vibrations transmitted from the secondary
sounding-board adds the volume of sound which results from its own vibrations or
metallic resonance to that of the sounding boards, and, as the sounding boards and
resonator vibrate in unison, their accumulated effect is obtained in the remittent
volume of musical sound. Said sounding boards are designed to be made of wood
of the kind usually employed for sounding boards in musical instruments.
The key board mechanism for actuating the strings &c &c in playing the
instrument being of any ordinary or suitable kind or construction need not be
detailed here, their application and arrangement requiring only good mechanical
judgement and such knowledge as is common in the art to which my said invention
relates.
With reference to Figures 10 to 17 inclusive it will be seen that the arrange-
ment herein before described in connection with the case of a piano is reproduced in
connection with the shell of a guitar, mandolin, or instrument of similar type to be
played with the fingers or with a plectrum instead of with the keyboard and
action of a pianoforte. The same reference letter A indicates in these figures the
shell of the instrument, that in figures 1 to 9 inclusive indicates the case of a
pianoforte. The resonator is dispensed with in the guitar class of instrumenta
made according to my invention and also in the violin class hereinafter set forth.
Th ledge d, stirrups E, frame F, lugs a³, screws i, secondary sounding board,
flanges, &c &c differ from those in the pianoforte chiefly in their different
circumferential shape which conforms to that of the shell of the instrument. The
primary sounding board is arranged to form the face of the shell of the instrument,
and carries the bridge t over which the strings are stretched in the same manner
as over the usual bridge of an ordinary guitar or the like. The sides of the shell
are provided with openings a, which correspond to those in the case of the
pianoforte. The same result is obtained in this class of instrument as is obtained
in the pianoforte by the like construction to wit, increased fullness, clearness,
sweetness, and volume of sound.
In order to strengthen the shell against the tension of the strings, toward the
outer edges of the flanges c of the secondary sounding board, a longitudinal brace
is provided which is composed of two threaded sections c" connected at the centre
by a turn-buckle e¹¹ by which it can be lengthened at will to increase its bracing
action against the strain of the strings on the shell. The said brace acting in
conjunction with the secondary sounding board gives increased stability to the
parts and thereby tends to prevent the instrument from getting out of tune.
It is to be understood that the staff of the instrument extends from the shell in
the usual manner, and like the shell, is isolated from the face or primary sounding
board; the latter as in the pianoforte being capable of adjustment with reference
to the secondary sounding board by means of the screws i.
Figures 18 to 25 inclusive shew the invention as embodied in instruments played
with a bow and of which the violin is the type. To them applies in substance, the
same description as hereinbefore given with reference to Figures 10 to 17 inclusive,
the changes being chiefly those of form and proportion to conform the parts to the
different shape of the violin or like instrument these being indicated in the
drawing and requiring no specific explanation in addition to that herein before
given of the guitar.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to
me by my Foreign Correspondent I declare that what I claim is
First. The combination with the case or shell of a stringed instrument, of an
isolated sounding board, and brackets and screws for connecting the said sounding
board to the case or shell, substantially as, and for the purpose, herein set forth.
Second. The combination with the case or shell of a stringed instrument, of an
isolated sounding board, and brackets, and adjusting screws whereby the said
sounding board may be adjusted in its relation to the case or shell, and the parts
carried thereby, substantially as, and for the purpose, herein set forth.
Third. The combination with the case or shell of a stringed instrument, of an
isolated sounding board C, frame F, brackets g, and screws for supporting and
adjusting the said sounding-board upon said brackets, substantially as, and for the
purpose, herein set forth.
Fourth. The combination with the case or shell of a stringed instrument, of the
ledge d, isolated sounding board C, frame F, brackets E, and supporting and
adjusting screws i, substantially as, and for the purpose, herein set forth.
Fifth. The combination with the case or shell, of a stringed instrument having
openings a, of an isolated primary sounding board, brackets for supporting said
primary sounding board from said case or shell, adjusting devices for regulating the
position of said sounding board, and a secondary sounding board placed below said
primary sounding board and at an appreciable distance from the bottom of the
case or shell, substantially as, and for the purpose, herein set forth.
Sixth. The combination with the case or shell of a stringed instrument, of an
isolated primary sounding board, a secondary sounding board, circumferential
flanges extending around the circumference of said secondary sounding board, said
secondary sounding board and flanges being arranged to provide a space between
the same and the case or shell, substantially as, and for the purpose, herein set
forth.
Seventh. In combination with the case or frame of a piano, an isolated primary
sounding board, a secondary sounding board placed below the said primary
sounding board, flanges c at the back and ends of the secondary sounding board,
front flange c¹ having troughs r, and bars n arranged out of contact with the
troughs, and to support the action of the instrument, substantially as and for the
purpose herein set forth.
Eighth. In combination with the case or frame, the rest plank and the strings of
a piano, of the isolated primary sounding board, devices for suspending or sup-
porting said sounding board, and circumferential flanges arranged to deflect
downward the vibrations of air set in movement by the strings, substantially as,
and for the purpose herein set forth.
Ninth. In combination with the case or shell of a stringed instrument, an
isolating sounding board or boards, brackets for supporting said sounding board or
boards from said case or shell, and a plate or layer f of glass interposed between
the sounding board or boards and the case or shell, substantially as, and for the
purpose, herein set forth.
Tenth. In combination with the strings, the sounding board and enclosing case
or frame of a piano, the independent secondary sounding board B' circumferentially
isolated from the upper sounding board, substantially as, and for the purpose,
herein set forth.
Eleventh. In combination with the strings, the sounding board, and enclosing
case or frame of a piano, the secondary sounding board B₁ and flanges extending
around the space between the two sounding boards, said flanges and secondary
sounding board being circumferentially isolated from the upper sounding board,
(substantially as, and for the purpose, herein set forth.
Twelfth. The combination with the strings and sounding board of a piano, of
the secondary sounding board B₁ the flanges c, and the metallic resonator placed

page_text: set forth.
below the secondary sounding board, substantially as, and for the purpose, herein
Thirteenth. The combination with the strings, the case or frame and the
sounding board of a piano, of a secondary sounding board, isolated from the first,
and a horizontal metallic resonator, supported at its centre, diminishing in thick-
ness towards its edges, and in circumference corresponding substantially to the
circumference of the secondary sounding board, substantially as, and for the
purpose, herein set forth.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
For the Applicant.