US1758972A - Piano - Google Patents

Description

May 20, 1930. c. w. PRESSLEY PIANO File 1928 2 SheetSSheet 1 May 20, 1930. c. w. PRESSLEY PIANO il 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 20, 1930 CHARLES WILLIAM PRESSLEY, OF HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA PIANO Application filed. February 1, 1928.

This invention relates to certain improvements in pianos and a special object of the invention is to pro ide a piano having a foldable key-board and legs so as to require only about half the space now occupied by the average piano.

Another special object of the invention is to provide a piano having a larger sound board area.

Another special object of the invention is to provide a aiano having a retractable music supporting device adaptel to cooperate with the foldable keyboard and therefore will be particularly adapted for use in any situation where economizing of space is important.

Another special object of the invention is to provide a piano with a complete box brace made of metal to hold the pin block in place; top, sides and bottom steadfast and provided with extra bracing in the back made in a lyre shape all of which is bolted through and through to the front.

Another special object of the invention is to provide an improved covering over a portion of the key-board so that dust and small objects used by musicians will be less apt to fall between the toys.

Another special object of the invention is to provide a piano having a metal strip at the top of th pin block in back so it will not yield forwardly.

Another special object of the invention is to provide a piano that will weight only about two hundred pounds when completed; a piano one man can handle, and where two can be shipped for the price of one, thus a conservation of space, weight and money.

The invention possesses other advantages and valuable features some of which with the foregoing will be set forth at length in the following description, wherein I shall outline in full the form of invention which I have selected for illustration in the drawing accompanying and forming a part of the present specification.

Although I shall describe the preferred form of my invention shown in the drawing and shall specifically mention certain of its more important objects, I do not wish to limit 50 myself to the forms disclosed since various Serial No. 251,178.

changes and adaptations may be made therein without departing from the essence of my invention as hereinafter claimed; and objects and advantages other than those specifically mentioned, may be included within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1, is a perspective view of my im proved piano showing it in open position.

Fig. 2, is a perspective View of my improved piano showing it in folded position.

Fig. 3, is a perspective view of my improved piano looking toward the back there of and showing the case in folded position.

F ig. 4, is a section taken on the line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5, is an enlarged view of the upper portion of the aforesaid section.

Fig. 6, is a perspective view of a portion of the metal box brace and strap which supports the pin block frame.

The embodiment of the invention selected for the purposes of the present disclosure as best illustrating the improvements involved comprises a case 1, of substantially harp shape design having a foldable key-board 2, foldable legs 3, 3 of which Fig. 1 perspectively shows the combination of parts in open position, while Fig. 2, shows the same in folded position.

The foldable legs 8, 3, each have a pivot joint 4L, l. The legs 3, 3 include horizontal top and bottom members 13, 13, and 14, 14 swingable therewith. Said legs also comprise the uprightsupporting pieces best shown in Fig. 1, which are interposed between the outer end portions of said horizontal pieces, where supports are most necessary.

The foldable key-board 2. includes a plurality of keys 5 and 21, is pivoted at its extremities by a pivot member 6, and when in folded position as illustrated in Fig. 2, assumes an upright position. In Fig. 2, pin members 9, 9 which engage slots 10, 10, of the foldable leg members, when the latter are in the extended position and the keyboard is in the operative position, are prominently displayed and illustrate a preferred manner of interlocking the foldable key-board to the upper members 13, 13 of the legs 3, 3.

The foldable legs 3, 3 preferably swing in or they may be detached when desired.

In each of the aforesaid views comprising Figs. 1 and 2 other dominant features hereinbefore referred to are further designated by reference numerals of which 7 represents the adjustable curtain with its music support 8,11 the roller cover and 12 the auxiliary sound board.

In Fig. 3 is illustrated a rear View disclosing the supporting framework. It comprises a continuous metal frame 26 of rectangular shape to which is fastened through the medium of the wood members 36 and 27, the sound board 29. i I

This construction is more readily understood by referring'to Figs. land 5 showing a section taken on the line H of Fig.

Within the confines of the metal frame 26 is a metallic brace 37 of lyre effect which "rigidlyholds the metal frame 26 from distortion, as Well as bracing the entire structure of the piano frame.

Interposed between the top and bottom members of the frame 26 are a plurality of vertical ironstruts or braces 33 screwed thereto and they together with the metallic harp brace 37 and iron plate 26 are penetrated by a cross rod 31 which further establishes the rigidity of the frame work. It also aids in producing a lyre effect as well as enhancing the attractiveness of that portion of the case. Just'below the lower member of the frame 26 andfastened thereto is a wood timber 25 which runs the entire length of the piano. To this is joined the wooden side timbers comprising the vertical upright members.

Referring to Figs. 4, 5 and'6 the parts shown in section will now be described, the features constituting the invention being clearly brought out while those parts old and familiar in the art will be only cursorily alluded to.

The foldable keyboard 2 in Fig. 4: is shown in both opened and closed position. On the extension of the middle balance rail 6 of the key-board is the pivot pin 6. The member 2a having a felt covering 23 limits the downward movement ofthe keys 5.

The pin block 32 composed of hardwood is fastened to the metal frame 26by' an iron stirrup 34 having inwardly projecting flanges which are fastened tothe metal frame 26 by screws 35.

This stirrup, (see Fig. 6) keeps the pin b1ock'32 from tilting forward when tension is put in the strings 30, by tightening the pins 28" intothe pin block 32.

Thecurtain music support 7 is adjustable and is similiarly constructed to an ordinary curtain, and comprises a roller 19 having a trunnion 18 at each end.

fAt the extremities of the roller 19 which runs the full length of the piano are provided slots 19 in the side members of the frame which hold the roller 19 in position.

The roller cover 11 having a pivotal axis 16 is similarly supported in a slot 16. Said cover also runs the full length of the piano and is swingablc upon its pivotal axis.

The pin block .32 is of variable height to form the harp efiect and is covered with a metal plate 15 as shown in section illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 and further illustrated in Fig. 3. I

The sounding board 29 which heretofore iS the only means for amplifying the sound in pianos is augmented in my improved piano wherein I employ an auxiliary sound board 12 running the entire length of the piano.

Having thus outlined a preferred form of my invention, I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a pivoted foldable keyboard unit, the under surface of which is finished and adapted for display when said keyboard unit is swung upon its pivotal axes from an extended to an upright position and foldable legs to support said key-board unit.

2. In a piano case simulating a harp, a foldable keyboard unit, a middle balance rail for the keyboard unit a pivotal support at each extremity of said balance rail and a finished surface adapted for exposure on the under side of said key-board unit.

3 The combination, with a pair of leg members swingable through a horizontal plane from a retracted to an extended position; of a foldable key-board unit having a finished under-surface and pivoted at its midwidth to swing about a horizontal axis from an extended to an upright position, a roller element mounted above said key-board unit when the latter is in upri ht position, and a curtain carried by said roller adapted for vertical adjustment to accommodate itself to the variation in height of the key-board unit when in upright or extended position.

4-. In a device of the character described, a foldable key-board pivoted to swing about a horizontal axis from an extended to an upright position, in combination with a pair of leg members swingable through a horizontal plane from a retracted to an extended position, said leg members when extended being constructed and arranged to aid in supporting said key-board when the latter is extended, means to interlock said key-board with said leg members when said key-board and leg members are in operative position, a rollor element mounted above said hey -board when the latter is in upright position, and a curtain carried by said roller adapted for vertical adjustment to accommodate itself to the variation in height of the key-board when in upright or extended position.

5. In a device of the character described, a foldable key-board pivoted to swing about a horizontal axis from an extended to an upright position, in combination with a pair of leg members swingable through a horizontal plane from a retracted to an extended po sition, said leg members when extended being constructed and arranged to aid in supporting said key-board when the latter is extended, and a pin and socket arrangement to interlock said key-board with said leg mem bcr when said. key-board and said leg members are in the operative position, said leg members each consisting of horizontal top and bottom pieces and an upright supporting piece disposed between the outer positions of said horizontal pieces.

6. In a device of the class described the combination with a key-board foldable from an extended to an upright position; of a roller element mounted above said key-board when the latter is in upright position, and a curtain carried by said roller adapted for vertical adjustment to accommodate itself to the variation in height of the key-board when in upright or extended position.

7. In a device of the class described the combination with a key-board foldable from an extended to an upright position; of a roller element mounted above said key-board when the latter is in upright position, and a curtain carried by said roller adapted for vertical adjustment to accommodate itself to the variation in height of the key-board when in upright or extended position, and a shield for said roller covering the same and that portion of the curtain rolled thereon, said shield being pivotally supported above said roller.

8. In a device of the class described the combination with a key-board foldable from an extended to an upright position; of a roll er element mounted above said key-board when the latter is in upright position, and a curtain carried by said roller adapted for vertical adjustment toaccommodate itself to the variation in height of the key-board when in upright or extended position, said curtain carrying an outwardly extended music support.

CHARLES WILLIAM PRESSLEY.

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