Music Trade Review
Issue: 1916 Vol. 62 N. 14 - Page 45
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
PIANO ACTION JOINTS.
Improvements Claimed by Alonzo B. Cross for
Invention Recently Patented.
quarter delivery there are two sellers offering at
26J4 cents.
A break at London in standard copper that
was in decided contrast to the recent upward
movement caused comment. Spot dropped £5
5s to £113, with sales of only 75 tons, while fu-
tures tumbled £6 to £110, with no sales report-
ed. The extent of the decline when taken into
consideration with the small volume of trading,
is' regarded as indicating manipulation. Ameri-
can electrolytic held unchanged at £136.
The total United States imports of copper,
ore matte and regulus being reduced to fine cop-
per, amounted in January to 16,000 tons. These
imports compare with 11.500 tons received in De-
cember of 1915 and 6,500 tons in January of
1915. Prices on copper wire have been shaded,
but other finished products are firm with another
advance looked for shortly.
WASHINGTON, D. C, March 27.—Patent No.
1,176,655 was last week granted to Alonzo B.
Cross, Mobile, Ala., for a piano action joint, the
principal object being to eliminate practically
all of the disadvantages incident to the use of
piano actions such as commonly employed. For
example, flanges on which the movable parts of
the action have been mounted, have heretofore
been provided necessarily. These flanges contain
pin holes which are bushed or lined with cloth.
The different parts work upon pins which are
secured firmly in position and work loosely in
the holes in the lined flanges. It is a well-known
fact, however, that changes of temperature and
atmospheric conditions cause the flanges to ex-
pand and contract. In damp weather the en-
tire action often becomes sluggish so that repe-
tition is seriously interfered with and the parts
often stick to such an extent that they will not
work. Furthermore, piano actions, as ordinarily
constructed, are provided with several springs,
all of which become weak after long use and
often break. This is especially true of the
damper spring. The jack spring commonly
used is made of coiled wire and soon becomes
weakened to such an extent that it interferes
with proper repetition and often fails to work.
WASHINGTON, D. C, March 27.—Increase of
twelve cents a hundred pounds, making net in-
creases of from one to two cents on lumber and
lumber products from St. Paul, Minneapolis, Du-
luth, Minnesota Transfer, Stillwater, Minn.,
Ashland, Wis., and points taking the same rates
to Chicago and Chicago rate points, was ap-
proved to-day by the Interstate Commerce Com-
mission.
COPPER FIRM AND IN DEMAND.
HITCH IN SALEJ)F FACTORY.
Heavy Buying Keeps Price on Electrolytic at
%—London Market Declines.
A larger demand for copper was reported this
week by leading agencies who intimated that
some active business was being done quietly,
while prospects were rather bright for the re-
sumption of buying on a large scale. Domestic
consumers are sounding the market for deliveries
up to August and are expected to cover require-
ments before foreign buying again sets in. Spot
and nearby electrolytic is held at 2%]/ 2 cents,
while for June delivery 26J4 cents is the ruling
quotation, with 26^ cents asked for July, August
and September delivery. Second hands are of-
fering small spot lots at 26)4 cents. For fourth
ALLOW HIGHER RATES ON LUMBER.
ELKHART, IND., March 27.—The proposed sale of
the Martin Band Instrument factory here to
George A. Riley of Goshen, Ind., may not be
consummated, due to a disagreement over the
value of the land which was to have been trans-
ferred in part payment. Francis Compton is in
charge of the present negotiations.
PIANO PEDAL CONSTRUCTION.
Details of Important Patent Granted to Stanley
W. Widney for Piano Pedal Improvements.
WASHINGTON, D. C, March 27.~Stanley W.
Widney, of Chicago, 111., has just been granted
Patent No. 1,176,118 for a piano pedal construc-
tion.
This invention relates to improvements in
piano pedal constructions, and among its salient
objects are, to provide a construction in which
the shank of the pedal and the slot therefore are
of such a character as effectually to prevent in-
gress of mice and other vermin to the piano
without the necessity of providing any special
arrangement to exclude such animals; to provide
a construction in which the pedal shank is so
arranged as to be slightly resilient, and thus
damage to any of the parts of the structure is
prevented in case the foot piece of the pedal
receives a heavy blow; to provide a construction
of the class described in which the foot piece
may be made of ornamental and graceful form
free from obtrusive plates or projections to
cover the shank slot; to provide a piano pedal
shank of such a character as to admit the ap-
plication of the prop to the same in an improved
and efficient manner; to provide an improved
construction whereby the connection between
the prop and the pedal shank admits of the use
of a prop of exceptionally simple and efficient
design, capable of being readily adjusted for any
desired throws; to provide a construction of
the class described in which the various parts
capable of relative mutual movement may be
made free from squeak or other harsh noises
during the operation of the pedal; to provide a
piano pedal construction which shall be cheap
and economical to manufacture and capable of
being easily operated and maintained; and, in
general, to provide an improved piano pedal
construction of the character referred to.
TO JOIN STANDARD ACTION FIRM.
Charles L- Mctlugh of Cambridge, Mass., re-
ceiving and paying teller of the Charles River
Trust Co., will sever his connections with the
bank the 1st of April and enter the Standard
Piano Action Co. as a member of the firm. Mr.
McIIugh is well known in Cambridge and has
been prominent in musical organizations.
MATERIALS,
TOOLS AND
SUPPLIES
FOR
PIANO MANUFACTURERS
HINGES, BUTTS, CASTERS, PEDALS, FELTS,
CLOTHS, PUNCHINGS, SWINGS, HANGERS,
KNOBS, LOCKS, ETC., AND A FULL LINE OF
TOOLS USED IN TUNING, REGULATING
AND REPAIRING.
THE DYESTUFF PROBLEM.
Logwood Stains Now in Use Do Not Have the
Lasting Qualities of Mineral Dyes.
Practically all materials used by the piano
manufacturer have advanced in price during the
past year. The greatest advance of all, however,
is in stains and dyestuffs, which is roughly esti-
mated at approximately 300 per cent., says The
Woodworker.
Meantime piano factory foremen and owners
report that the stains obtained now do not seem
to have the lasting qualities of those obtainable
before the war. This is explainable by the re-
turn to the use of logwood dyestuff. Logwood
stains will not compare in permanency to
mineral stains, but the scarcity and high price
of mineral stains have caused a turning to log-
wood, and even with this the price remains very
high as compared to previous values.
Reports tell of coal-tar dyestuff plants being
erected and developed in this country, and per-
haps in another year both the supply and the
quality of dyestuffs will be improved. It is
not likely, however, that we will have again
soon the low prices which prevailed before the
great war started.
Richardson Piano Case Co.
Manufacturers of
HAMMACHER, SCHLEMMER & CO.
NEW YORK SINCE 1848
4th Ave. & 13th St.
Upright—
EttablUhmd 1891
LEOMINSTER
::
::
MASS.
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
PIANO ACTION JOINTS.
Improvements Claimed by Alonzo B. Cross for
Invention Recently Patented.
quarter delivery there are two sellers offering at
26J4 cents.
A break at London in standard copper that
was in decided contrast to the recent upward
movement caused comment. Spot dropped £5
5s to £113, with sales of only 75 tons, while fu-
tures tumbled £6 to £110, with no sales report-
ed. The extent of the decline when taken into
consideration with the small volume of trading,
is' regarded as indicating manipulation. Ameri-
can electrolytic held unchanged at £136.
The total United States imports of copper,
ore matte and regulus being reduced to fine cop-
per, amounted in January to 16,000 tons. These
imports compare with 11.500 tons received in De-
cember of 1915 and 6,500 tons in January of
1915. Prices on copper wire have been shaded,
but other finished products are firm with another
advance looked for shortly.
WASHINGTON, D. C, March 27.—Patent No.
1,176,655 was last week granted to Alonzo B.
Cross, Mobile, Ala., for a piano action joint, the
principal object being to eliminate practically
all of the disadvantages incident to the use of
piano actions such as commonly employed. For
example, flanges on which the movable parts of
the action have been mounted, have heretofore
been provided necessarily. These flanges contain
pin holes which are bushed or lined with cloth.
The different parts work upon pins which are
secured firmly in position and work loosely in
the holes in the lined flanges. It is a well-known
fact, however, that changes of temperature and
atmospheric conditions cause the flanges to ex-
pand and contract. In damp weather the en-
tire action often becomes sluggish so that repe-
tition is seriously interfered with and the parts
often stick to such an extent that they will not
work. Furthermore, piano actions, as ordinarily
constructed, are provided with several springs,
all of which become weak after long use and
often break. This is especially true of the
damper spring. The jack spring commonly
used is made of coiled wire and soon becomes
weakened to such an extent that it interferes
with proper repetition and often fails to work.
WASHINGTON, D. C, March 27.—Increase of
twelve cents a hundred pounds, making net in-
creases of from one to two cents on lumber and
lumber products from St. Paul, Minneapolis, Du-
luth, Minnesota Transfer, Stillwater, Minn.,
Ashland, Wis., and points taking the same rates
to Chicago and Chicago rate points, was ap-
proved to-day by the Interstate Commerce Com-
mission.
COPPER FIRM AND IN DEMAND.
HITCH IN SALEJ)F FACTORY.
Heavy Buying Keeps Price on Electrolytic at
%—London Market Declines.
A larger demand for copper was reported this
week by leading agencies who intimated that
some active business was being done quietly,
while prospects were rather bright for the re-
sumption of buying on a large scale. Domestic
consumers are sounding the market for deliveries
up to August and are expected to cover require-
ments before foreign buying again sets in. Spot
and nearby electrolytic is held at 2%]/ 2 cents,
while for June delivery 26J4 cents is the ruling
quotation, with 26^ cents asked for July, August
and September delivery. Second hands are of-
fering small spot lots at 26)4 cents. For fourth
ALLOW HIGHER RATES ON LUMBER.
ELKHART, IND., March 27.—The proposed sale of
the Martin Band Instrument factory here to
George A. Riley of Goshen, Ind., may not be
consummated, due to a disagreement over the
value of the land which was to have been trans-
ferred in part payment. Francis Compton is in
charge of the present negotiations.
PIANO PEDAL CONSTRUCTION.
Details of Important Patent Granted to Stanley
W. Widney for Piano Pedal Improvements.
WASHINGTON, D. C, March 27.~Stanley W.
Widney, of Chicago, 111., has just been granted
Patent No. 1,176,118 for a piano pedal construc-
tion.
This invention relates to improvements in
piano pedal constructions, and among its salient
objects are, to provide a construction in which
the shank of the pedal and the slot therefore are
of such a character as effectually to prevent in-
gress of mice and other vermin to the piano
without the necessity of providing any special
arrangement to exclude such animals; to provide
a construction in which the pedal shank is so
arranged as to be slightly resilient, and thus
damage to any of the parts of the structure is
prevented in case the foot piece of the pedal
receives a heavy blow; to provide a construction
of the class described in which the foot piece
may be made of ornamental and graceful form
free from obtrusive plates or projections to
cover the shank slot; to provide a piano pedal
shank of such a character as to admit the ap-
plication of the prop to the same in an improved
and efficient manner; to provide an improved
construction whereby the connection between
the prop and the pedal shank admits of the use
of a prop of exceptionally simple and efficient
design, capable of being readily adjusted for any
desired throws; to provide a construction of
the class described in which the various parts
capable of relative mutual movement may be
made free from squeak or other harsh noises
during the operation of the pedal; to provide a
piano pedal construction which shall be cheap
and economical to manufacture and capable of
being easily operated and maintained; and, in
general, to provide an improved piano pedal
construction of the character referred to.
TO JOIN STANDARD ACTION FIRM.
Charles L- Mctlugh of Cambridge, Mass., re-
ceiving and paying teller of the Charles River
Trust Co., will sever his connections with the
bank the 1st of April and enter the Standard
Piano Action Co. as a member of the firm. Mr.
McIIugh is well known in Cambridge and has
been prominent in musical organizations.
MATERIALS,
TOOLS AND
SUPPLIES
FOR
PIANO MANUFACTURERS
HINGES, BUTTS, CASTERS, PEDALS, FELTS,
CLOTHS, PUNCHINGS, SWINGS, HANGERS,
KNOBS, LOCKS, ETC., AND A FULL LINE OF
TOOLS USED IN TUNING, REGULATING
AND REPAIRING.
THE DYESTUFF PROBLEM.
Logwood Stains Now in Use Do Not Have the
Lasting Qualities of Mineral Dyes.
Practically all materials used by the piano
manufacturer have advanced in price during the
past year. The greatest advance of all, however,
is in stains and dyestuffs, which is roughly esti-
mated at approximately 300 per cent., says The
Woodworker.
Meantime piano factory foremen and owners
report that the stains obtained now do not seem
to have the lasting qualities of those obtainable
before the war. This is explainable by the re-
turn to the use of logwood dyestuff. Logwood
stains will not compare in permanency to
mineral stains, but the scarcity and high price
of mineral stains have caused a turning to log-
wood, and even with this the price remains very
high as compared to previous values.
Reports tell of coal-tar dyestuff plants being
erected and developed in this country, and per-
haps in another year both the supply and the
quality of dyestuffs will be improved. It is
not likely, however, that we will have again
soon the low prices which prevailed before the
great war started.
Richardson Piano Case Co.
Manufacturers of
HAMMACHER, SCHLEMMER & CO.
NEW YORK SINCE 1848
4th Ave. & 13th St.
Upright—
EttablUhmd 1891
LEOMINSTER
::
::
MASS.
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