IL32479A - Device for the conversion of a piano into a harpsichord - Google Patents

Description

/7/1 16 32479/-# DEVICE FOR THE CONVERSION OF A PIANO INTO A HARPSICHORD This invention relates to a device for the conversion of a piano into a harpsichord. and a device for muting the atringo of α· piano/har oichord■ The device for the conversion of a piano into a harpsichord may be mounted in any type of piano and enables the player to play the piano either as such, or as a harpsichord* The-4ev£ee- er-mefc±ng-ehe-tenes-ef-the p-iwo-»p-p- o QonvoFtre -iR^&-&-ha-p^&ire »Pdr mu-tilng of-¾¾¾— onos—e-f>-trj»e—i-fts-trumont ond There is already known a device for the conversion of a piano into a harpsichord which of consistsHFe a wood lath of about the length of a conventional upright piano; from which wood lath, leather strips of about half a centimeter in width and about 8 centimeters in length (thickness from about 1 to 2 mm) depend downwardly. At the lower free end of each leather strip thin copper strips are affixed and, in some cases, strips of wood are affixed to said ends by means of drawing pins, or the like, instead of thin copper strips* The hammer of the piano strikes the above-mentioned copper strip (or strip of wood) and when said end in turn strikes the strings of the piano, it produces a metallic sound* However, this has little similarity to the actual tone of a harpsichord. As stated, the known device does not produce the typical tone of an original a little similarity to the harpsichord tone only in the middle range of the piano, while the tones at the bass range and at the treble range have no resemblance whatever to the tone of a harpsichord, a piano, or any other known instrument.

The present invention provides a device for the conversion of a piano into a harpsichord which is mountable in a piano and does not have to be removed when the piano is to be used as such* Said device may be mounted in all types of pianos, Including grand pianos and is adaptable according to the type of piano in which it is to be mounted.

According to the invention, there is provided a device for the conversion of a piano into a harpsichord comprising a metal lath extending substantially the length of the piano and disposed in the Vicinity of the strings thereof, said lath having a plurality of metal strips depending therefrom, said metal strips being connected to said lath as by screws* the lower portion of each said strip having a spring affixed thereover, the lower portion of said spring depending freely and springily of said strip and having a metal head affixed at the free end thereof, said springs being disposed between the hammers and the strings of the piano, such that when a key Of the piano is played causing the hammer thereof to move towards a string, said hammer strikes the lower portion of said spring causing the metal head thereof to strike said string, thus producing the tone of a harpsichord.

In a preferred embodiment the device for the conversion of a piano into a harpsichord comprises from said metal lath is a plurality of metal strips and affixed over the free end of each metal strip is a metal spring substantially oval-shaped in cross-section. A part of said spring depends downwardly and freely of said metal strip and is provided at the free end thereof with a metal playing head* Each metal playing head is disposed between a hammer of the piano and a string and when a key of the piano is played the relevant hammer moves towards and strikes the free end of the sprin causin the same to spring towards the string whereupon the metal playing head strikes the string resulting in a harpsichord tone* Thecfevice for the conversion of a piano into a harpsichord, according to the invention, is simple to build and to assemble* It does not have to be dismounted f om the piano when the harpsichord tones are not required since, by changing the position of a handle located on the exterior of the piano and connected through moving means to said metal lath, the instrument can be used either as a harpsichord or a piano* Its advantages in comparison to a harpsichord are the easy control of the loudness of the tones and the possibility of controlling the strength of the tone thus making it simpler to use the piano as a harpsichord for those accustomed to playing the piano as well as a harpsichord.

Other advantages of the present invention ares 1) * The typical plucking tone of an original harpsichord is achieved. 2) . The device is suitable for all kinds of existing constructions of pianos: upright pianos of old construction with upper-damper, grand pianos with English mechanisms, grand pianos with Viennese mechanisms, etc, 3) · While the known device described hereinbefore has to be removed from the piatfo if return to piano tones is required (except if the piano has 3 pedals), the new device can easily be taken out of operating position by turning a handle, and does not have to be removed from the piano* 4) · Many varieties of sound and of sound combinations, as well as progressive actions, are produced in such a way as to leave the hands of the player free for playing* There is no need to modify piano playing technique in order to produce the harpsichord tone, nor do performers accustomed to the harpsichord alone need to alter their technique. While producing the harpsichord tone, the keyboard provides the resistance characteristic of a genuine harpsichord* ) * When desired, pedals may be used for the enrichment and prolongation of the sound, 6) · The ability to perform crescendo and diminuendo and, also, other dynamic means of expression, provides variety to the otherwise monotonic sound of the conventional harpsichord* *-ipeBt- ho--let hen¾6■-sl-de—of-^e- >iei¾ - ooo--a«d--Hw peo&op A specific construction of the apparatus for the conversion of a piano into a harpsichord, to he mounted in an upright piano, will now be described* by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings which show Figure 1 - the device for the conversion of a piano into a harpsichord, according to the invention, and its main parts (partly broken away); Figure 2 - a spring (2) carrying playing head (l); Figure 3 «· a muting lever ( ) » spring (2), a hammer (5) and a string of the piano (3) in their relevant positions*, I the drawings (Fig* 1} metal lath (6), whose length is substantially the same as that of the piano, is suspended on wires (8) and (9) in front of the tuning screws of the strings (not shown), or in front of the strings (not shown), according to the height of the piano* On the metal lath, metal strips (10) are attached, the number thereof being in accordance with the number of the tones. Over the free end of each metal strip (10) a spring (2) is attached on whose f e end a metal head (1) is fixed* Lath (6) is suspended as follows Double wheel (7) with grooved rim on the upper part of the le t wall of the easing of the piano holds wires (8) and (9) and at the lower part on the same wall are two groove rimmed wheels (11 ) and ( 2), wheel (12) being positioned at 0° relative to wheel (11) · On the right wall on the upper part of the piano casing a grooved rim wheel (13) is provided which leads wire (8) to the right hand side of lath (6)· By moving a handle (not shown), which is fitted on exterior left side of the piano, the lath which depends on wires (8) and (9) riding on wheels (7) and (13)» is lowered. In this position, springs (2) are disposed between the hammers and the strings, and harpsichord tones are produced when the instrument is played* By a reverse movement of said handle, the lath is raised and piano tones are then produced when the instrument is played.

The spring (2) is of oval-like profile. It is made of metal wire end its head (1) is also of metal.

When the instrument is played as a harpsichord* the hammer strikes near the free end of the spring (2) and not on the metal head (1 ). By the force of the strike of the hammer on the spring, head (1) is moved against the strings thus producing the typical plucking tone of a harpsichord*

Claims (1)

1. I claim:- 1· A device for the conversion of a piano into a harpsichord comprising a metal lath extending substan tially the length of the piano and disposed in the vicinity of the strings thereof, said lath having a plurality of metal strips depending therefrom, said metal strips being connected to said lath as by screws, the lower portion of each said strip having a spring affixed thereover, the lower portion of said spring depending freely and springily of said strip and having a metal head affixed at the free end thereof, said springs being disposed between the hammers and the strings of the piano, such that when a key of the piano is played, causing a hammer thereof to move towards a string, said hammer strikes the lower portion of said spring causing the metal head thereof to strike said string, thus producing the tone of a harpsichord. 2· A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the metal strips are adjustable on the metal lath, either in a vertical or horizontal direction, in order that the metal heads of the springs are correctly aligned with said strings* 3# A device as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein means are provided to displace the metal lath when harpsichord tones are not required in order that the piano may be used as such, without dismounting the device from the piano* 4# A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said metal lath depends from a first set of cog-wheels by means of wires, said wires being connected through a second set of cog-wheels to a positioning handle, whereby said lath, each end of which rides in a channel on the casing of the piano, is displaced by 32179/2 positloo to a piano playing position, or vice versa. : ■ 5· A piano whenever provided with a device for conversion thereof into a harpsichord as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5» 6· A device for the conversion of a piano Into a harpsichord substantially as described with re erence to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings*