US1224437A

US1224437A - Sostenuto mechanism for pianos.

Info

Publication number: US1224437A
Application number: US84909614A
Authority: US
Inventors: Adriano Ariani
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1914-07-06
Filing date: 1914-07-06
Publication date: 1917-05-01
Anticipated expiration: 1934-05-01

Description

A. ARIANI.

SOSTENUTO MECHANSM FOR PIANOS.

APPLICATION FILED IuLY 6. Ism.

Patented M 1917.

3 SHEETS- l.

A. ARIANI.

SOSTENUTO MECHANISM FOR PIANOS.

APPLICATION man JULY 6,1914.

1,224,437. Patented May 1, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A. ARlANI.

SOSTENUTO MECHANSM FOR PIANOS.

APPLxcATloN man JULY 6.19m.

1 ,224,437. Patented May 1, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

ADRIANO ARIANI,

F NEW YORK, N. Y.

SOSTENUTO MECHANISM FOR PIANOS.

Specification or" Letters Patent.

Patented May 1, 1917.

Application filed July 6, 1914. Serial N o. 849,096.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ADRIANO ARIANI, a subject of the King of Italy, residing in the borough of Manhattan, city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sostenuto Mechanism for Pianos, of which the following is a specification.

, rllhis invention relates to sostenuto mecha- .v nism for pianos and like instruments.

An object of this invention is to provide, mechanism under the control of the performer for positioning in sustained position the damper or dampers of the string or strings corresponding to the tone or tones desired to be sustained and for retaining at will the damper positioning means in sustained position and independently of the loud pedal of the piano or other string instrument, and preferably by the provision of means whereby the normal touch of the key-board is fully preserved. In the usual preferred forms of my invention7 the sostenuto pedal imparts a predetermined movement to a sostenuto frame carrying striking devices adapted to strike positioning elements corresponding respectively to the keys of the key-board and thereby position in sustained position the corresponding damper of any key desired to be sustained, said striking devices being arranged to be individually operated by actuating members individually controlled by th-e respective keys. In the more preferred forms of my invention, the actuation of the damper positioning means is effected at a time instant in advance of the time instant at which the sostenuto frame reaches its terminal position.

By my invention, the loud pedal may be operated to secure the desired fortissimo eifects subsequent or prior to the operation of the sostenuto mechanism, and upon the release of said loud pedal while the sostenuto pedal is still held in operated position, the sostenuto mechanism will not be affected in any way and solely the desired tone or tones will be sustained. Furthermore, myl invention secures the improved advantage that upon proper subsequent operation of the sostenuto mechanism subsequent to the striking of the keys corresponding to the tones desired to be sustained, the action of all other keys with respect to the hammers, dampers, etc., will not be disturbed or interfered with, thereby fully preserving the normal operation of such other keys and not affecting in the slightest degree the touch of the same.

Other features and advantages will be more fully understood from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic sectional elevation showing one embodiment of my invention; the parts of my sostenuto mechanism and the ordinary parts of the piano corresponding to a single key being shown in neutral position;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation similar to Fig. 1 indicating the sostenuto mechanism in sustained position and causing the damper of the string corresponding to the struck key to be held in raised position;

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the frame of certain parts of the sostenuto mechanism indicated in the preceding figures;

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating the operation of my sostenuto mechanism by means of a sostenuto pedal; and Fig. 5 is a detail sectional View.

Referring to the drawings, the hammer 1 is operated by the key 2 by the usual operating means, the type of piano action illustrated being that of a grand piano. The damper 3 of key 2 is controlled thereby through the intermediation of the damper lever d and damper rod 5. These parts and such other parts necessary for securing their operation are of the usual construction and need not be more specifically referred to herein.

The sostenuto mechanism constituting my invention comprises the actuating member 6, shown carried by the key 2, and it will be understood that each key is similarly provided with such actuating member 6. In suitable relation to the members 6 of the keys is provided the sostenuto frame 7, shown as constituted of the forward rail 8 and rearward rail 9, (Fig. 3) and transverse partition members 10. These partition members 10 form compartments corresponding to the respective keys of the key-board, and within each compartment is pivotally or otherwise movably suspended a striking device 11, shown as having the head-piece 12 and tailpiece 13. Each striking device 11 is provided adjacent the end of its tail-piece 13 with the tripping element 14 projecting beyond tail-piece 13. Preferably, the tripping element 14 is pivotally carried by tail-piece 13, as by means of the wire frame 15p-see lilo Fig 5 to permit the return movement of tripping element 1-1 without affecting the position of striking device 11 relative to the frame 7.

In the drawings, I have indicated an ordinary damper or loud pedal arrangement, such as is shown in the United States Patent No. 164,052, Steinway, granted June 1, 187 5, comprising the rail 40 exposed to the action of the damper pedal acting on the rod 41.

The frame 7 is guided by any suitable guiding means, such as the set of guide projections or

strips

16, 17, carried by the opposite sides ot the piano case, and the movement of f ame 7 in the opposite sets of

guide strips

16, 17, may be controlled by a sostenuto pedal 18, as for example, by the link 19, bell crank 20 and link 21. The 'lrame 7 may be returned to neutral position by means of the spring 22 having one end secured at any suitable fixed point 23 and its other end connected to the lever 21 in turn connected to link 21 by means of link 25.

Suitably positioned with respect to each striking device 11 for the corresponding keys and wires there is provided damper positioning mechanism, shown as comprising oscillating stops 30, respectively corresponding to the keys of the key-board and shown respectively pivotally supported on individual studs within individual compartments of the lixed bar 31, the sides of each compartment rictionally holding the oscillating stop therein positioned in normal or upright position. Each damper rod 5 is provided with a catch-piece 32, preferably adjustably positioned thereon as by adjusting

screws

33, 33, and each catch-piece 32 is provided with the recess 34C cooperating with the head 35 of the corresponding stop 30. The compartments for the several stops 30 are shown as formed from a strip of wood or similar material which is cut away eX- cepting at the part indicated as hatched in the drawings; however, it will be clear-that such compartments may be `formed by means of a strip having the construction indicated by the said hatched portion and spaced partitions projecting from said portion at proper intervals. The bar 31 may be supported by the sides of the piano case in any suitable manner.

lV e will assume that the key 2 indicated in the drawings has been struck, thereby causing the corresponding hammer 1 to strike the corresponding string 36, and also to effect the raising of the corresponding damper 3 by means of the-damper lever 11 and damper rod 5. Upon operation of the sostenuto pedal 18 at the proper instant, the :trame 7 will be moved to the left, as viewed in the drawings, and the tripping element 1-1- will encounter the projecting 'portion of actuating member 6, as indicated in Fig. 2. Upon continued movement of frame 7 in such left hand direction, the striking device 11 will be oscillated to the position indicated by the dotted lines, thereby causing stop 3Q to be oscillated in the direction of arrow 37. Upon release of the key 2, he damper 3 and catch piece 32 will descend to a point at which the head 35 of stop 30 will engage the upper wall of recess 34, whereupon the damper 3 will be held in sustained position, as shown in Fig. 2. In the interim, the frame 7 under action olf the sostenuto pedal 18 will have continued its movement to its terminal position indicated in tull lilies in Fig. 2, and the tripping element 1-1 will be tree trom engagement with the actuating member 6. The pail 38 o1 felt or like material is provided to deaden the rebound of striking piece 11 after striking the stop 30. For simplification, we will assume that the tone corresponding to the indicated key 2 is the sole rtone desired to be sustained. During such operation et the frame 7 from its neutral position indicated in Fig. 1 to the terminal position indicated in Fig, 2, the striking devices 11 of all other keys will have been moved without affecting their respective stops 30, and accordingly the damper 3 of the key 2 will be the only damper in raised position. It will be noted that in movement ot the striking devices 11 of the other keys, no interference whatever will take place between the stops 30 of such other keys and the remaining parts oit the sostenuto mechanism. It will be further noted that when the frame 7 has been moved to its final position, the loud pedal may be operated as usual, with respect to all keys of the piano, but when the loud pedal has been released while the sostenuto pedal 18 has been held in sustained position, the stop 30 of said particular key 2 will still effect the sustainingr of the tone corresponding thereto, and all the remaining stops 30 will have been returned to normal position.

Upon release of the sustenuto pedal 18 the spring 22 will return the 'trame 7 from the position indicated in Fig. 2 to the position indicated in Fig. 1. For the purpose ol precluding any interference of the operating parts or otherwise affecting the touch of the keys with respect to the performer, the pivotal connection of tripping element 1-1 is provided, whereby any tripping element 14` corresponding to any key which may hapv pen to be struck prior to the full return of 'frame 7, will be merely turned in the clockwise direction as indicated by the arrow 39, without sensible engagement with its corresponding striking device 11, or otherwise affecting the normal touch oli the key-board. As indicated, tripping element 1-1- is preterably couliter-weighted by the upper portion 4:0. 1t is preferred to provide the free end of tripping element 14 with a point having one side flat and the other side curved, the fiat side being on the left of the several ligures, also to provide the :tree end ot actuating member 6 with a similar point the l-lat side being on the right hand of the several iigures. Such points secure the advantages of insuring the proper actuation of the striking device or devices corresponding to the tone or tones desired to be sustained, while permitting freedom of movement of the striking device of any key which may have been struck soon after the striking of the keys corresponding to the sustained tones.

It vvill be noted that the recess 3i is so shaped that the damper rod i3 may be raised under action of the loud pedal, Without disturbing the stop 30; accordingly, nnen the loud pedal is released While the sostenuto pedal is still held in operative position, the stop 30 Will again engage the upper vrall of recess 34, holding damper 3 aivay from the string 36, thereby still preserving the sustained effect oit' the tone corresponding to the string 36.

Each operated damper stop 30 is returned to neutral position by the action of the tor- Ward rail 8 encountering the base of such operated damper stop 30 upon the return movement of frame 7 under action ot the spring 22, as above described.

Whereas l have illustrated my invention in relation to a grand piano, it Will be understood that similar sostenuto mechanism may be provided for upright and other types of pianos to maintain the dampers aivay trom the strings corresponding to the tones desired to be sustained. it will be understood that the members 6 need not be carried directly by the respective keys, but may be otherwise suitably controlled to be moved into proper position relative to the striking devices upon movement of the keys.

From the foregoing, it will be clear that my sostenuto mechanism is entirely independent of the l-oud7 pedal, and that the operation of my sostenuto mechanism does not ai'ect in any Way the touch nor the normal operation of the piano action.

iVhereas I have illustrated my invention by reference to speciiio forms thereof, it Will be clear that many changes and modifications may be made Without departing from my invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. The combination With a key operated string instrument having dampers for the strings, of sostenuto mechanism comprising a movable support, guides for said supp-ort, means for imparting movement to said support, striking devices mounted on said support, damper stops mounted to be moved respectively by said striking devices and means controlled by the keys for actuating said striking devices.

2. The combination With a key operated string instrument having dampers for the strings, of sostenuto mechanism comprising a support movable along a predetermined path, guides for said support, means for moving said support along said guides, striking devices mova'bly mounted on said supp-ort, damper stops mounted to be moved respectively by said striking devices, and means controlled by the keys for individually actuating said striking devices.

3. The combination With a key-operated string instrument having dampers for the strings, of sostenuto mechanism comprising a support movable along a predetermined path, striking devices movably mounted on said support, damper st-ops mounted to be moved respectively by said striking devices, means for mounting said damper stops, means for moving said support along said predetermined path and means controlled by the respective keys for actuating corresponding striking devices When said movable support passes an intermediate position of its path.

4:. The combination with a key operated string instrument having dampers for the strings, of sostenuto mechanism comprising a movable support, means for moving said support, striking devices, means for mounting said striking devices on said support to effect rotational movement, damper stops mounted to be respectively moved by said striking devices and means individually controlled by the keys for individually actuating the corresponding striking devices.

5. The combination with a key operated string instrument having dampers for the strings, of sostenuto mechanism comprising a movable support, means for moving said support along a predetermined path, striking. devices, means for mounting said striking devices on said support to eiiect rotational movement, damper stops mounted to be respectively moved by said striking devices, and means individually controlled by the keys for individually actuating said striking` devices when said supp-ort passes an intermediate point along said predetermined path.

6. The combination With a key operated string instrument having dampers for the strings, of sostenuto mechanism comprising a movable support, means for moving said support along a predetermined path, striking devices, means for pivotally mounting said striking devices on said support, damper stops mounted to be respectively moved by said striking devices, and means individually controlled by the keys for respectively actuating said striking devices.

7. The combination with a key operated string instrument having dampers for the strings, of sostenuto mechanism comprising a sostenuto rail, means for moving said rail,

fixed guides for guiding the movement of said rail along a predetermined path, striking devices mounted side by side en said rail, damper stops arranged side by side of one another, pivotal mounting means for said damper stops and means individually controlled by keys :tor respectively actuating said striking devices.

8. The combination with a key operated string instrument having dampers for the strings, oit' sostenuto mechanism comprising a sostenuto rail, means for moving said rail, iixed means for guiding said rail along a predetermined path, striking devices, means .for pivotally suspending said striking devices on said rail, damper stops corresponding to said striking devices, means for mounting said damper stops respectively above said striking devices and means controlled respectively by the keys for actuating said striking devices disposed respectively beloiv said striking devices.

9. The combination With a key operated string instrument having dampers ior the strings, of sostenuto mechanism comprising a sostenuto rail, means for bodily moving said sostenuto rail, striking devices provided with individual means for holding the same in normal position, means for pivotally mounting said striking devices side-by-side on said sostenuto rail, and damper stops actuated by said striking devices.

10. The combination with a key operated string instrument having dampers for the strings, of sostenuto mechanism comprising a sostenuto rail, means for bodily moving said sostenuto rail in a predetermined direction, striking devices provided With individual counter-Weighting means, means for pivotally mounting said striking devices on said sostenuto rail, and damper stops respectively actuated by said striking devices.

ll. The combination with a key operated string instrument having dampers and damper stops for the strings, of a sostenuto rail, striking'devices for effecting the movement of said damper stops, said striking devices being movably mounted on said rail, said striking devices respectively having individual projectingvportions and means for pivotally mounting said projecting portions respectively on said striking devices.

l2. The combination With a key operated string instrument having dampers and damper stops for the strings, of a sostenuto rail, striking devices for effecting the movement of said damper stops, said striking devices being movably mounted on said rail, said striking devices respectively having an enlarged counter-weighting portion and a loiver projecting portion and means for pivotally mounting said projecting portions respectively on said striking devices.

3. rlhe combination with a plurality of keys and dampers and damper stops corresponding thereto, of a sostenuto rail, means For moving said rail, striking devices respectively etl'ecting the movement ot said damper stops, said striking devices being movably mounted on said rail and actuating members individually controlled by said keys and mounted to respectively engage said striking devices upon movement of said rail.

lll. The combination With a plurality of keys and dampers and 'damper stops corresponding thereto, of a sostenuto rail, means for moving said rail, striking devices respectively eiiecting the movement of said damper stops, said striking devices being movably mounted on said rail, actuating members individually controlled by said eys and means controllin(Y said striking devices and arranged to be respectively engaged by said actuating means upon movement of said sostenuto rail in a certain direction, said controlling means being ineli'ective upon the movement of said rail in another direction.

15. The combination with a plurality of keys, dampers and damper stops, of a sostenuto rail, means for moving said rail, striking devices respectively eifecting the movement of said damper stops, said striking de-v vices being mo-vably mounted on said rail, actuating members respectively carried by said keys and means respectively carried by said striking devices for moving said striking devices upon movement of said sostenuto rail in a certain direction, said controlling means being ineffective upon movement of said sostenuto rail in the opposite direction.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of tivo subscribing Witnesses.

ADRIANO ARIANI.

lVitnesses:

HENRY J. LUCKE, K. Gr. LEARD.

Copies o! this patent may be obtained for five cents each,l by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C.