Improvements in and connected with Upright Pianos.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Apr., 1892-Accepted. 4th Feb.. 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Upright Pianos.
I, JOHN ULRICH FISCHER, Gentleman, of 304 West Thirty-fourth Street New
York City in the County and State of New York, United States of America 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 certain novel improvements in pianos, and particularly
to such as have a vertical rectangular casing, and an upright action therein.
One object of this invention is, to provide means for the compact stowage of all
parts of the piano within a rectangular case, so as to facilitate transportation by
reduction of bulk, a further object being to furnish an upright piano with means to
control the volume of sound escaping from the top of the case by foot pressure.
A further object is to furnish an upright piano with a peculiarly constructed
sounding board which will be highly resonant and that will direct musical sounds
emanating from the strings toward the top of the instrument, and furthermore be
capable of resisting injury to resonance due to shrinkage of the material composing
the sounding board
-
A final object being to provide a novel stiffening structure within the casing of
the piano, which will sustain a back-board that is a part of said structure suitably
removed from the sounding board so as to provide a resonant chamber therefor
which will intensify musical effect.
To these ends my invention consists in the construction and combination of parts,
as is hereinafter described and claimed ;-
Reference is to be made to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this
Specification, in which similar figures and letters of reference indicate corre-
sponding parts, in all the views.
Fig. 1. is a perspective front view of the piano closed;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a stool for the piano in condition for service, the
legs of which are detachable ;
Fig. 3. is a front view of the piano showing the interior above and below the
key-board which latter is in an upwardly folded condition;
Fig. 4. is a sectional and broken front view of the case and lower portion of a
lid raising device that is part of the invention, taken opposite the arrow 4, in
Fig. 3;
Fig. 5. is a transverse section of the piano case closed with all the mechanism
within, together with the piano stool, taken on the line 5, 5 in Figs. 1, and 3;
Fig. 6. is a transverse section of parts taken on the same line with Fig. 5.
showing parts removed from the case and properly adjusted for operation.
Fig. 7. is a transverse section of the case near the right side on the line 7.7 in
Fig. 8, showing the key-board in section, a key-board bracket in connection with
the key-board and also with the case, a supporting leg for the key-board in
position, and a lid elevating device adjusted to hold the lid off of the case at the
front edge.
Fig. 8. is a broken and longitudinal sectional view of the case near the right
side viewed in the direction of an arrow in Fig. 7. and taken on the line 8,8 in
said figure.
Fig. 9. is a reverse plan view of one of the key-board brackets showing a locking
groove in its lower edge.
Fig. 10. is a sectional front elevation of the piano case with the action mechanism,
key-board, and front panels removed, so as to expose the improved sounding board
which is shown is position within the case.

page_text: Fig. 11. is a vertical section on the line 11, 11, in Fig 10; and
Fig. 12. is a plan view in section taken on the line 12, 12, in Fig. 10.
The case 10, isarectangular, and of proper dimensions to receive the mechanism
of an upright piano: and consists of a base board 11,.side walls 12, rear wall 13,
and two front panels
that will be further described.
Within the case against its solid-rear wall a series of spaced vertical strips 13,
are secured, which extend from the base-board 11, to the stop piece :16, which
latter is secured.to the sides and rear wall of the tease and together with a lid '17,
provide. a top for the piano case.
The vertical strips 13, afford support above, for a transverse wrest: pimplank 18,
that extends across the case, and below it a back board 19, of thinner material is
secured, which has it rear surface in the same, plane with the rear side of the
wrest pin plank, said back board extending across the case,. and from the plank 18,
to the base board 11.
At a proper distance in front of the back board .19, a sounding board 20, is
secured so as to retain it parallel therewith and afford a resonant chamber: between
these parts an opening above the sounding board between it. and the wrest pin
plank 18, affording a free passage for sound, from the resonant .chamber, which
will pass upwardly in front of the plank named and escape from.the top of the case
when the lid 17, is raised by means that will be described.
Below the wrest pin plank 18, a.hitch pin board 21,. is located. and secured to
the back board 19, its upper edge being curved downwards in the usual manner.to
increase the distance between the hitch pins, and wrest, pins toward the left side of
the instrument where the base strings are located; the lower edge: of the sounding
board resting upon the top edge of the wrest pin board, so that the resonant
chamber previously mentioned will be increased in depth as the left side of ..the
case.is approached.
:
'The sounding board 20, is provided with a series of vertical spaced ribs 20",
projected from its front side, which stiffen it and counteract the.effect.of.shrinkage
that would injure the tone of the instrument said boardiis, preferably_constructed
of spruce wood, and is held parallel with the back board. 19, and. secured.to the side
walls of the case by vertical strips 20 that are attached to the side walls by one
.edge and affixed flatwise to the front of the board 20, that is, preferably rebated to
receive the strips: the ends of the latter being fastened.to the wrest pin plank 18,
and base board of the case. A proper number of wrest. pins.22, and hitch pins 22",
are provided to suit the capacity of the instrument and on these pins.the strings. 23,
are stretched parallel and in the same vertical plane in front of the sounding
board.
Any suitable piano action of the upright type, may be used, which is adapted to
receive motion from a detached key bank; the style.shown being, preferred, wherein
the hammers 24, are actuated to strike the strings 23, by a rocking movement of
the hoppers 24, when these are struck from below by the inner end of the keys 25,
which keys are supported in series upon the key-board.26, that. is pivoted at 27,
upon the case side walls oppositely, and at auch points.as will cause the lower
surface of the key board to align with the case front wall of which it becomes a
part when rocked into a vertical position, as shown in Figure 5. When the
.keyboard '26, is in a horizontal position its major portion is outwardly,projected,
as indicated in Figure 6, the inner edge portion at each end impinging upon the
lower faces of the opposite and similar stop blocks 27 that limit its depression;
said' blocks:27, also form a support for the end posts 28, of the piano. action, .there
being a projecting toe "28", "formed on each block which enters a corresponding
notch on the lower end of each post, thus retaining them from outward movement
on the supporting 'blocks; the upper part of the "action being: secured.from
outward displacement.by a turn button. (pivoted at each end of the hammer,rail 24,
which 'buttons are adjustably interlocked with notches in bracket blocks) that
oppositely project from the side walls of the piano oase as shown in Figure:3.
The series of hoppers 24*, are so disposed that they will all lie in one horizontal
"

page_text: plane when dormant; each hopper projecting above and in loose contact with the
inner side of the appropriate key 25, when the key board is adjusted for service;
so that the act of rocking the latter into a horizontal plane, will simultaneously
connect each key with a proper hammer through intermediate parts of the "action
and enable a performer to use the instrument.
There is a pair of similar legs 29, furnished to support the forward edge of the
key board 26, these are of similar form and are each. provided with a projecting
dowel at the upper end which enters a socket at the end of the key-board from
below, in the face that is lowermost when the piano is in use, and outermost when
all parts are enclosed in the piano case. Upon a projecting edge portion of the
key-board 26, at each end of the same, a bracket piece 30. is removably seated;
said brackets being designed to afford a finish for the end of the key-board and
also to lock the latter from upward movement.
The construction of the bracket pieces 30, is similar and is best shown in
Figures 7, 8 and 9, each consisting of a slab of wood having the upper edge
portion that projects above the key-board and exterior of the case 10, cut into an
ogee form.
The parts of each of the bracket pieces that slide between the inner faces of the
case side walls, and the ends of the key-board, are cut. away on the lower edge
from the rear end forwardly, so as to permit the brackets to slide over the parts of
the blocks 27" that are nearest to the side walls 12, and rest upon said blocks, the
upper edges of the inner portions of the bracket. pieces loosely engaging with the
lower edges of the transverse batten strips 27° which are affixed to the side walls
of the case and thus serve to retain.the inner end portions of the brackets 30, in a
horizontal position.
The lower edges of the bracket pieces 30, are longitudinally channelled as shown
in Fig. 9, for a portion. of their length, and at the outer. terminals of these
grooves 31, a locking plate 31, is secured over each groove, that is slotted part of
its length from.the edge that is above the groove, the width of the slot 31, in the
plate being less than that of the groove it is a continuation of, enables the plate to
lock over the head of a screw 31 which will traverse the open groove 31, freely.
A.by-pass or lateral branch groove 31, is made in each. groove 31, at a proper
point to facilitate the release of the bracket piece 30, when these are withdrawn
from engagement with the case and key-board, a hand-grip recess 31°, cut in the
side of each bracket facilitating such a removal of parts. The upper front panel of
the case, is formed of two portions 32,.32, that are hinged together at 32, so as to
form a .continuous panel when they are adjusted as shown in Figures 1, 6, 7 and 8
to close the case above the lowered key-board; the panel portions being held
extended by turn.buttons 32. The preferred means employed to removably secure
the composite: panel.32, 32, in position consists of opposite dowel: pins.33, projected
from the inner faces of the case side walls and which enter vertical slots formed in
the edge. portions. of the ends of the panels below and.on the.inner side as shown in
Figure.8..
The dowel pin connections for the panel. 32, 32º, are supplemented by the turn
buttons 32,,which.are loosely secured to rotate on the inner side of the upper panel
portion 32;,near. the top edge, at each end of the same, which.buttons are made to
bear. upon the inner surface of an adjacent ear that projects from the case side wall
as shown in. Eig..8..
When the key-board 26, is in. lowered adjustment. as represented in Fig. 6, and
the upper panel 32, 32*,,in place,,there is a gap left.above the keys, which is closed
by removable pieces which together. form an ogee shaped cover for the. projecting
portion of said key-board, .these.parts consisting of molding. piece 34, and a cover
piece. 34°..
In form.the molding, piece 34 is substantially triangular in cross-section and is
curved on its outer face.
The molding piece named rests upon a closing strip 34, that extends above and
close to the keys 25, resting its front edge at the ends upon the front reduced

page_text: portions of the rest blocks 34°, which are vertical projections from the key-board
at each end, outside of the key bank.
The rest blocks 34°, also sustain the main portion of the molding piece 34, at
each end, and the latter is retained in place removably, by a pin and socket
connection formed at 34ª, with each rest block.
The height of the molding piece 34, is so proportioned that it will fill the
space between the upper edge of the closing strip 34, and the lower edge of the
panel section 32", when in place.
On the front edge of the molding piece 34, the rear edge of the cover piece 34° is
hinged as represented in Figure 6, which latter is curved at 36, near its front edge
so as to cause said edge to depend and rest on the rail 37, at the front of the
keys 25, when the key bank is to be covered above, while the key-board is in a
horizontal position.
When the instrument is to be performed upon, the covered piece is folded
upwardly and rearwardly so as to rest upon the lower portion 32", of the top case
panel, as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 6, and while in that position a book
or music sheet rest strip 38, that is normally folded as is shown by full lines, may
now be projected at a right angle to the inner face of the flat portion of the
piece 34, whereon it is hinged, and thus serve to support music in front of the
performer.
The key-board 26, as before explained, is adapted to form a part of the front of
the case 10, when rocked into an upright position as represented in Figs. 1 & 5,
and when so adjusted its upper portion at each side edge, is impinged upon by
the extensions 39, of the molding strips that form a finish on the exterior of the
composite top panels 32 and 32, at each end; said moldings being fastened upon
the main portion 32, of the panel and loose below where they engage the smaller
panel section 32", when both sections are aligned as shown in Fig. 6.
As the keyboard 26, when given a vertical position by rocking it on its pivot
supports, has its edge then uppermost projected toward the top panel section 32",
it is necessary that space be provided to permit such an adjustment of parts. To
this end the lower part of the top panel is folded away from the keyboard. The
relative width of the folded panel portion and that of the keyboard above its pivot
centres, is such as will permit the keyboard to loosely bear upon the lower edge of
the top panel, and close the space producing a neat finish for the engaged parts.
The space below the key board 26, at the front of the case 10, is filled in with
a removable lower panel which is also composed of two sections 40, 40*.
These sections are hinged together at their meeting edges, the hinges 41,
being placed on the inner surface the same as is shown in the top panel 32, 32*,
so that when desired the two sections of the lower panel may be folded together
locating the top piece or section 40º, on the inner side of the panel as shown in
Figure 5.
The upper panel section 40%, is held in alignment with the lower panel section 40,
by turn buttons 40%, one of which is shown in Figure 8, said buttons being turned
to release the upper panel section when it is necessary to fold it inwardly and
downwardly, and thus afford room for the depending portion of the key-board that
extends below its pivots when the key board is located in a vertical plane. The
lower panel when adjusted as shown in Figure 5, is removably retained in place by
dowel and socket connections 412, at the lower edges which connection of parts can
be effected as the panel and key-board are rocked inwardly to align their exterior
faces and are detached by a reverse movement of these parts.
When the key-board 26, is in a horizontal position the increased space below it
is filled by the aligned panel sections 40, 40, shown in Figure 6.
There are three pedals 42, 43, 44, provided which are located near the centre of
the case and toward its front; these being hinged at their inner ends to the base-
board 11, are thus permitted to be folded within the case as indicated in dotted
lines in Figs. 3, and 6, and full lines in Fig. 5.
The pedal 42, at the left of the set, is loosely connected by the usual lever and

page_text: push bar device to a bell crank 45, that is adapted to rock the damped mechanism
of the piano action away from the strings when the pedal is pressed upon by the
foot of the performer; this portion of the device is not presented as new with
exception of the folding pedal, that is thereby adapted for housing within the case
when all parts are packed within for transportion.
The centre pedal 43, is also connected to a horizontal rocking lever 46, that
extends toward the left side of the case 10, and lifts a pusher bar 46ª, when the
pedal is depressed, this rod when elevated serving to shift the entire piano action
toward the right side of the case, a short distance, and thus cause the hammers of
the action to impinge on but one or two strings of a set that are of like tone,
whereby a softer and more subdued musical effect is secured; this device is not
new.
The pedal 44, which is nearest the right side of the case 10, is made to rest upon
a rocking bar 47, that is pivoted to the base-board 11, at 11* and extends
horizontally to nearly touch the right side wall of the case, and has this terminal
located directly below a vertical lifter rod 47", which is located in a groove in the
side wall as shown in Figure 4.
The lifter rod 47, has its upper end in contact with the lower surface of the case
lid 17, and is thus held normally, by a spring 47, that is made to press upon the
base board 11.
It will be seen that when the pedal 44, is lowered to rest upon the rocking bar 47,
and foot pressure is applied to the outer end of said pedal, an upright sliding
movement will be produced in the rod 47 which in turn will vibrate the case
lid 17, upwardly at the front, and thereby permit an upwardly directed volume of
sound within the case 10, to escape therefrom through the opening produced:
thus enabling a performer by the skilful vibration of the lid, to modulate the
musical effect, so as to secure any swelling or diminishing of the timbre of the
instrument as may be necessary for the correct rendering of the music performed.
Below the key-board 26, when this is folded to close the case 10, opposite
blocks 50, are secured upon the sides of the case at a sufficient distance above the
base-board 11, to properly locate the piano legs 29, within the space as represented
in Figures 3, and 5, the dowel ends of the legs being entered within socket
holes 29, in the blocks 50, so as to project the legs horizontally toward each
other when so disposed. There is an upwardly folding brace 29b, hinged to the top
edge of each nut block 50, the length of which adapts these similar braces to
engage the lower surface of the key-board 26, when the latter is horizontal aud
the braces adjusted in contact with the side walls 12, of the case 10.
There is sufficient space allowed between the rear edges of the nut blocks 50,
and bodies of the legs 29, when the latter are engaged with said blocks, to permit
the bracket pieces 30, to be slid behind the leg and block at one side of the case,
one bracket being held from rattling by the lowered adjustment of the hinged
brace 29. The other bracket is made to bear upon the hitch-pin board of
the instrument by a turn button 50 that is pivotally secured upon a block projected
forwardly from the hitch-pin board. See Figure 3.
The piano stool 51, is provided with removable legs 52, which are slipped within
a canvas casing 53, and thus protected are stowed in the space below the key-
board 26, and forward of the bracket pieces 30.
Near the centre of the case 10, the seat portion of the stool 51 is stowed behind
the adjacent ends of the legs 29, and by them is held from rattling and also by a
turn button 50b.
In front of the stool top 51, when it is secured within the case 10, as stated, the
pedals are folded to bear upon it and forwardly of these parts the key-board cover
piece 34, and joined molding pieces 34, are placed in a folding condition; after
which the lower panel is secured in place as before explained which will permit
this panel to be fastened by a lock 55; the lid 17, being similarly secured completes
the securing of the case and all parts within it ready for transportation..
It is claimed for the features of improvement herein described, that the shipment

page_text: and transportation of the piano thus constructed will be facilitated and cheapened.
as it consilidates the parts into a compact rectangular case with no projecting
parts.
The lid vibrating device is also of advantage, as it enables a.skilled. performer to
produce remarkably fine effects in the modulation of sound. volume, to obtain a
graduation from crescendo to pianissimo, and the reverse, with ease and certainty
while the hands are employed in the manipulation of the keys..
Having now particularly described' and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed; I declare that'
what I claim is :-
1. In an upright piano, the combination with a case, and a piano action within,
of a key-board pivoted between the case sides to rock, and. means to secure the.key-
board vertical or horizontal, substantially as described.
2. In an upright piano, the combination with a. rectangular case, a front. upper
panel, and a front lower panel each panel made of two pieces hinged together at
side edges, of a key-board pivoted between the side walls of.the case and adapted to
form a part of the front wall, substantially as described.
3. In an upright piano, the combination with a rectangular. case, of a. pivoted
key-board which projects partly beyond the case when rocked into a. horizontal
plane and removable brackets at the ends of said key-board. whereon it. rests,
substantially as described.
4. In an upright piano, the combination with a rectangular. case,, and. a pivoted.
key-board that may rock into a vertical.or. horizontal plane, of two end. brackets:
for the key-board, a folding top panel, a folding lower panel for the case.front, and
a key-board covering device that is removable, substantially as described:
5. In an upright piano, the combination with a rectangulr case, a. hinged: lid, a.
two part hinged front. top panel, a front lower panel made of two pieces hinged
together, and a pivoted key-board which completes the case front wall when upright,
of two removable end brackets for the key-board which slide between the case and.
key-board. and are adapted to lock fast to the key-board when said board is in a.
horizontal position, substantially. as described.
6. In an upright piano, two key-board brackets that are adapted to slide between
the case side walls and the end portions of the key-board; rest on the key-board.and.
have a locked connection therewith and loosely engage their. top edges with blocks
on the case side walls, substantially as described.
7. In an upright piano case, a front top panel which is formed of two hinged.
sections that are held aligned by turn buttons, substantially as described.
8. In an upright piano case, a front lower panel formed. by two hinged sections
hinged together at side edges, held aligned by turn buttons, and dowelled to the
base-board of the case, substantially as described..
9. In an upright piano, a detachable two part folding key-board cover,.in com-
bination with a music rest strip hinged by its side edge to the inner face of the
cover piece, substantially as described..
10. In an upright piano, the combination with a rectangular case, bracket blocks
on the case sides, a key-board, and. a closing strip above the keys on the board.
resting its ends on notches in the bracket blocks, of a two part hinged key-board.
cover that is seated upon and loosely secured to the bracket blocks and.is adapted
to fold over or away from the key-board, substantially as described.
11. In an upright piano the combination with a rectangular case, and a key-
board pivoted at its ends between the case side walls that is adapted to form a
part of its front wall projecting its major portion beyond the case front when
horizontal, of two detachable legs for the key-board, substantially as described..
12. In an upright piano,, the combination. with. a. rectangular case,, a pivoted
key-board adapted to project forwardly of the case when.horizontal and two end.
brackets for the key-board that, slide between the. case sides and said. board, of
blocks secured to the case.sides.which. bear above. upon the inserted brackets, and

page_text: hinged braces below on the case sides that prop the key-board when upright,
substantially as described.
13. In a piano, the combination with an upright case adapted to be completely
closed in front, of pedals hinged at their inner ends and which will fold upright
within the case, substantially as described.
14. The combination with a rectangular upright case, of nut blocks within secured
to the case sides and adapted to removably support two legs of a key-board
horizontally within the case, substantially as described.
15. In an upright piano, the combination with a rectangular case, a transverse
wrest pin plank above, a hitch pin board between, and structural supports therefor
behind, of a sounding board held away from the back-board forwardly, forming a
resonant chamber between and separated from the lower edge of the wrest pin
plank to provide for sound escape forwardly, a piano action in front, a key-board
below, a hinged lid above opening at the front, and a device actuated by a vibratile
pedal which will move the lid in unison with the vibration of the pedal, substantially
as described.
16. An upright piano case constructed to be completely closed in front by a
pivoted key-board and adjustable panels, and also adapted to retain loose parts of
the instrument and a knock-down stool within the case below the key-board when
the case is in closed condition substantially as described.
17. A sounding board for a piano stiffened by vertical ribs on its front side,
plain on its near face and held by its edges away from a back-board open above
forming a resonant chamber between, substantially as described.
18. A sounding board for an upright piano, stiffened by vertical ribs on its front
face, plain on its rear face, and held by its edges against the sides and bottom of
the piano case and free above, and supported vertically by a keeper strip at each
side edge independently of a back-board, substantially as described.
19. A sounding board for a piano held at the edges projected away from a back-
board within the case forming a resonant chamber between, substantially as
described.
Dated this 19th day of April 1892
HUGHES, ELI & HUGHES,
76, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agents for Applicant.