> > >Phil Ford wrote: >> Leaving aside the preposterous claim that he invented the bridge >> agraffe (perhaps he means that he invented his particular version of >> a bridge agraffe), I read this as saying he believes his system >> causes the string to vibrate only in a vertical plane. > >We spent some time working on a virtually identical device at Baldwin >during late 1987 and early 1988. ... >I reluctantly had to abandon the project but >I continue to believe it is a good device and I'm glad to see someone using >it. I remember you talking about this device some time ago. I believe the bridge agraffe (or some other type of termination other than bridge pins) is a good idea. None of my comments were intended as criticism of the concept. I seem to remember that you made a point of saying that Baldwin's device was not an 'agraffe'. What the definition of agraffe is, is an interesting question. I believe that Erard was the original inventor. In french, agraffe is the word for staple. The original agraffes were in fact giant staples - a U shaped piece of heavy wire driven into the pinblock to keep the string from being driven off the front termination by the hammer blow. It evolved into what we know now. Actually, what we have now is sort of pushing the envelope on the original definition of the term. I wonder how far we should push the envelope before using a new word? I wouldn't really call Stuart's device an agraffe. > >No patent application was ever submitted. We looked into the possibility >but more experienced heads than mine felt there was sufficient prior art to >preclude a patent being granted and the company was loath to spend the >money to pursue the issue. I expect Stuart found the same situation. At >least I've seen no evidence that he has attempted to patent the device. > >Del I have not seen any American patents for Wayne Stuart or Pianos Australia. I'm not familiar with Australian patents. Based on older patents for string terminations that I have seen, I doubt he could get a patent on this device. Phil Ford
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