US1524418A - Musical instrument such as a piano or the like - Google Patents

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R. F. A. BERGST MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SUCH AS A PIANO OR THE LIKE Filed July 18, 19 24 r z I iZ/grnc Patented Jan. 27, 1925.

PATENT OFFICE.

RAY FRIEDRICH ALPHONS BERGST, OF DRESDEN, GERMANY.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SUCH AS A PIANO OR THE LIKE.

Application filed July 18,

Z '0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RAY F RIEDRIOH An- PHONS BEResr, a citizen of Germany, residing at Dresden, Saxony, Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Musical Instruments Such as Pianos or the like, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to a musical instrument (piano or the like) with an arrangement for striking sounding bodies (metal plates, Xylophone bars and the like) in which the keyboard of: the second instru ment is adapted to be placed adjacent to the keys of the stringed instrument.

The additional instrumentis displaceablo on and adapted to be screwed to the piano or the like. The keys of this instrument rest on the piano keys and are depressed therewith in order that the piano and the instrument may be sounded together.

Heretofore it has been proposed .to ar range the additional instrument so that its keys are the uppermost portions of the instrument and the keys are of a length such that flat extensions thereof bear on the piano keys; in accordance with the present invention the additional instrument is arranged above the keys of the piano. Its keys, resting on the piano keys. are in accordance with the invention bell crank levers and are suspended by means of a link in such manner that the striking levers of the additional instrument are swung outwards either by the outward movement of the key lever about the point at which it is bent or by the displacement of the key lever following the swinging of the link.

The invent-ion is illustrated in the accompan ing drawing in which Fig. 1 is a vertica section and Fig. 2 a front view.

As shown the casing a of the additional instrument is mounted above the keys of the piano A. The horizontal support 7) Fig. 2, of the casing is fastened by means of a screw clamp to the side cheeks B of the piano.

The keys d of the additional instrument rest on the upper side of the black and White keys C of the piano. The keys (Z are formed by angle pieces and are each suspended by means of a link 6. The links are pivotally mounted on a bar secured to the rear Wall 0 the casing (4. Against the vertical arm 1924. Serial No. 726,673.

of each angle piece bears the lower end of the striking lever g of the additional instrument.

In playing the keys d the fingers engage either near the free ends or near the angle of the angle piece. The suspension of the angle pieces in accordance with the invention ensures in both instances proper swinging movement of the striking lever g. It the finger touches the outer end of the key lever 03 then the angle 71 presses against the rear wall of the casing 64 which forms a pivot for the lever. If the finger touches the key adjacent the angle 72. the whole angle piece is moved downwards and the link (1 moves into the extended position swinging the angle piece forwardly. The end of the striking lever is entrained in this move ment.

On outward swinging movement taking place the free end of the lever comes against a bell crank lever 2' which with its hammer is strikes against a projection of the playing hammer Z and forces this against the sounding plate 722. All the hammers Z are mounted in the frame 0 forced by a spring 11. into operative position. The frame can be brought by means of a handle 22 mounted outside the casing (see Fig. 2) against the pressure of the sn'ing n into aposition in which the hammers 7.: miss the projections on the playing hammers Z so that the additional instrument may be cut out of operation.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed. I declare that what I claim is l. A musical instrument for attachment to a piano. having a playing action, a plurality of angle shaped keys adapted to overlie the keys of a piano and having portions adapted to extend upwardly into said playing action, pivoted links connected to the upper ends of said angle shaped keys and upon which the latter are suspended, said links being normally inclined from a vertical position and said angle shaped keys to be rocked and depressed with the subjacent piano keys, whereby said links direct the upper portions of the angle shaped keys in a horizontal direction. and striker members between the playing action and the upper portions of said angle shaped piano, smmding devices mounted on the 025- v i11 a lavin action arran 'ed Within the casing and including a shiftable-frame and str kers pivoted in the frame, OPQl'iltlhQ means arranged. in; the casing; forgindiwiidra a l-1y operating saidistr ikers and including striker rods, apluralityrof links PlSiOIGKl in the; :ea-sing n angle. shaped keys suspended on the lowerends oi the li1iks1and-having horizontal portions-projecting .heneathrthe cas 7 ing to overlietheke-ys' of the piano, said Striker rods arranged With their lower ends in the paths of the uppenends ofsaid angle shaped keys, said links beingno-rmelly maintained at an angle to the vertical, whereby depression of said angle shaped keys movesthe upper endsof the angle shapedv keys! downwardly vand horizontally against said rods for actuating the playing action.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of witnesses.

wRAY', manages ALEHQNS seaos r.

flVitnesses:

C. F. FHUGO DUMMER,

- Gnone: GnsnroH,

ROTH, HANSEWINKER'.

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