US2455139A

US2455139A - Piano mechanism

Info

Publication number: US2455139A
Application number: US684432A
Authority: US
Inventors: Auxance N Prevost
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1946-07-18
Filing date: 1946-07-18
Publication date: 1948-11-30
Anticipated expiration: 1965-11-30

Description

Nov. 30; 1948. A. N. PREVOST 2,455,139

PIANO MECHANISM Filed July 18. 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 30, 1948. A. N. PREVOST 2,455,139

PIANQ MECHANISM Filed July 18. 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 30, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE."

PIANO MECHANISM Auxance N. Prevost, Deep River, Conn.

Application July" 18, 1946, Serial No. 684,432 r 18 Claims (01. 8 4-240) The present invention relates to p anos, and more particularly to an improved combination of key, key frame and action particularly adapted for use in upright pianos.

It is an object of the invention to provide an efficient and compact action especially designed to make smaller upright pianos which may be lower in height above the keyboard and with a minimum of distance from the front of the keys to the piano strings.

It is an advantage of the present invention that the use of many conventional parts of piano actions may be eliminated without a corresponding loss of function, whereby the invention may be economically and more easily constructed.

It is a further advantage of the invention that the keys, key frame and action may be constructed as a complete unit which may be easily assembled with the usual piano frame and strings.

A further advantage of the invention is the ease with which the parts of the action may be adjusted after assembly of the device.

The accomplishment of the foregoing advantages as well as others will be readily apparent from the following description of a specific embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a side view partly in cross section showing the completely assembled device in rest position;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the device after rebound of the hammer away from the string;

Fig. 3 is a similar view of the device at the instant when the hammer strikes the string; and

Fig. 4 is aside view partly in cross section showing the manner of interconnecting the supporting members of the assembly.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings, a piano key I is shown pivotally mounted at 2 on a key frame 3. Unlike keys of conventional piano assemblies, the key I is adapted to function as an integral part of the piano action. As will be explained more fully hereinafter, it is this additional functioning of the keys which largely contributes to the accomplishment of the foregoing objects and advantages.

The rear end of the key I is provided with a shoulder 8 disposed at a predetermined angle and is preferably covered with a felt cushion 9. The function of the cushioned shoulder 8 on the key I as part of the action will be explained more fully hereinafter.

To permit adjustment of the key in respect to its functioning as part of the action, there is pro- 2 I vided an elongated memberA-mounted for limited pivotal movement at one end to the key by a screw 5. Displacement of the member 4 away from the key I is caused by a relatively strong biasing spring member 6. However, the angular position of the member 4 with respect to the key I is determined by an adjustable set screw 7.

The adjustable elongated member 4 is provided with a shoulder or abutment I0 having a flange 26 at its free end which preferably is covered with a deerskin pad I I. Immediately forward of the abutment I0 there is a felt covered recess I2. The shoulder I0 and felt covered recess I2 function as bearing surfaces in the operation of the key as part of the action, as will be explained more fully hereinafter. 1 I I Mounted on the member 4 and adapted to be adjustably positioned therewith is a felt pad I3 mounted on a supporting member I I. The felt pad I3 isprovided with two spaced openings I5 and I6 which may be slotted at one side for convenience in assembling the device, these openings being adapted to receive connecting wires I7 and I8 which are connected [tQOtheI parts of the action, as described hereinafter. :Also mounted on the member 4 is an upright member 3I also functioning as part of the action. I I

The remainder of the piano action is mounted on a conventional action rail I9. In the specific embodiment shown, the remaining parts of the action are positioned on a single mounting bracket or hanger 20'se'cured to the top of theaction rail I9. The use of a single mounting bracket greatly facilitates the aligningof'the cooperating parts upon assembly of the device.

On one side of the mounting bracket or hanger 29 there is pivoted the butt'ZI of a conventional felt covered hammer 22. The butt2I may be provided with an extension 36 adjacent the hammer 22 for resting upon a conventional cushioned hammer rest rail 21. The lower end of the butt 2| comprises an extension 25 below the pivot-point disposed at a slight predetermined angle to the butt where it can cooperate with the shoulder 8 on key I as described hereinafter. A spring member 39 connects the butt 2| to the upright member 3| previously described.

Pivoted to the butt 2| approximately midway between the hammer 22 and the mounting bracket 20 is a fly 23 so designed that its lower end reaches the shoulder I0 when the device is at rest.

The lower end of the fly 23 is secured to the connecting wire Ill-which, as described'above, is received through the felt pad I3.

Adjustable stop nuts

24 and 38 are threaded on the end of the connecting wire l8 and are disposed on either side of the felt pad It: for the purpose described below.

The operation of these components of the device hereinbefore described will be more readily understood from the following description of the operation when the piano key I is struck and then released. As shown in Fig. 1, the lily 23 is resting upon the shoulder tll when the device is at rest. This position is insured by the adjustable nut 38 on the connecting wire 18 which abuts against the felt pad l3. When the key I is struck, the upward movement of the rear portion :of the key causes the shoulder ID to push upwardly on the fly 23 thereby actuating the hammer 22. When the movement has progressed to an extent short of full depression of the key, the fold .pad I3 is pivoted against the adjustable stop 'nut "2'4 on the connecting wire l8, thereby pulling the 'fiy '23 off of 'the shoulder 1 0. The inertia of the hammer 22, however, is su'fiicient to cause the hammer to continue on and strike the strin denoted by the dot and dash line 3i. The hammer 22 then reboundsto'the position shown in Fig. 2 "aided by the spring member 39 which also effectively prevents repeat of the hammer against the string, by which time the key has been fully depressed so that the extension 25 "on the butt 21 meets-the cushioned shoulder 8 of the key I. At 5 the same time, the end of the fly 2% rests on the felt covered recess 1 2 of the pivoted member 4 "on the key "I. This provides a three-cornered support for "the hammer 2'2 and eliminates the need'forthe conventional'backc'heck usually provided in piano actions. The triangulation of the key I, butt 2 and fly 23 also provides an upper "limit for movement'of the key I which eliminates the need for a :pad 'on the key framebeneath the forward-end 0f the keys to limit their movement.

Upon :release of the key l, the parts return to the position shown in .Fig. 1 with the fly 23 being moved ?to"its rest position on the shoulder 10 by reason of the a'dtiustable'nut 38 on the con-- necting wire ill-which, in this position, comes in 1 contact with the feltpad 1 3 as described above. The hammer rest rail 2"! may 'beoperatively position'ed "with the device in any conventional -man- =ner. The spring member '39 helps to bring the hammer back to the rest position against the hammerrest rail -21.

The remaining parts of the device, whose relationship to the parts described above will be readily apparent, comprise a damper '28 pivoted on the bracket or hanger which is secured to the top of the action rail 19. The damper 28 is connected at an intermediate point to the connedting wire 11 which, as discussed above, is received through 'an'opening it in the felt pad l3. Adjustable stop'nuts 2-9 and 4!] are provided on the end of the connection wire I! and are disposed on *e'ither -s'ide of "the felt pad 13. A spring "member is connected at oneend to the adjust- 'able'stop nut and at the other end to 'an upright member 42 positioned on the action rail 19. The hammer butt 2| and fly 2-3 may be formed with an offset portion to permit the wire "and spring member 41 to pass by withoutbinding movement of the felt pad IS, the felt .pad acts againstthe adjustable nut '29 toapply at'ens'ionunitary assembly is shown.

ings.

ing pull on the connecting wire l! which moves the damper 28 away from the piano wire 31 before the hammer 22 strikes the wire, as shown in Fig. 3. Adjustable stop nut lll limits move ment of the damper so that it will not interfere with the action of the hammer 22. Upon release of the key I, the damper 28 is returned to a position against the piano string by reason of the spring member 4| acting upon the connecting wire 11 through its connection with the adjustable stop nut 40. At the same time, the adjustable stop nut 29 contacts the felt member l3 thereby biasing the key into its normal at rest position as shown in Fig. 1. In this construction it will be noted that the use of the conventional spoon and wippen has been eliminated.

Referring to Fig. 4, the interconnecting of the key frame 3 and action rail it to form a single For this purpose, there is provided a plurality of brackets 32 which are adapted to be secured at each end of the key frame 3 and two of which are adapted to be secured intermediate the ends in the breaks between the keys. Each bracket may be formed with a fixed extension 33 and pivoted extension 34 adapted to fit around the top and bottom of the action rail l9 and to be securely connected thereto by means of a bolt 35.

If desired, the complete action and keyboard assembly can be constructed as a single unit for ready insertion into a piano frame, or, if desired, th'epiano key frame and the keys with their associated parts of the piano action may be provided as one unit and the action rail (9 and associated action parts may be provided as a second assembly, all of which may be readily assembled in the place of use by means of the brackets 32.

The ease with which the assembly may be adjusted will be readily apparent from the draw- In the embodiment shown, the adjustable stop nuts "24, 3.8, 40 and 29 are disposed toward the .front of the device where they are readily accessible. With the action in rest position, the set screw 1 is adjusted until the lower end of fly 23 comes in contact with the shoulder I0. Then the stop nut 29 is adjusted so that it rests lightly against the felt pad l3 to insure that the key will be returned to rest position. The stop nut 38 may then be adjusted to insure that the fl y 23 will be effectively positioned on the shoulder [0. The keyis then lightly but fully depressed and the adjustable nut 40 is turned to set the desiredmaximum clearance of the damper 28 from the piano string. The next adjustment is by means of the adjusting nut 24 which is turned to a point where the lower end of the .fly 23 is pulled from the shoulder or abutment ill so that the hammer is free to rebound from the string.

As described above, a particular advantage of 'the'device *of the present invention lies in the :use "of the piano key as apart of the piano action 'nected key frame and action rail with all parts of the action supported thereon, the assembly and disassembly of the device has been materially improved. Among the decided advantages of such an interconnection is the ease with which all the parts are aligned and the elimination of extra supports and adjustments generally provided in the piano cabinet.

In light of the above description of a specific embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent that one skilled in the art will be able to make modifications and improvements within the scope of this invention, and all such modifications and improvements are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a piano, the combination comprising a key frame, a key pivotally mounted on the key frame, an action rail connected to the key frame, and an action consisting solely of members mounted on the action rail and members mounted on the key, said members on the key being adapted to actuate and control the members mounted on the action rail upon pivoting movement of the key, said first and second named members being constructed and arranged to return said key to original position upon release of the key.

2. In a piano having a key frame and a plurality of keys pivotally mounted on the key frame, an action rail, an action comprising a hammer having a butt pivotally supported on the action rail, a downwardly extending fly pivotally connected to the hammer butt and means on the key for en gaging the end of the fly to actuate the hammer upon pivoting movement of the key, and means for removably supporting the action rail on the key frame whereby the action rail and action members supported thereon may be removed as a unit independently of the key frame comprising a plurality of separate brackets attached at one end to the action rail and adapted to rest at the other end at spaced intervals on the key frame so as to be removable therefrom without removing the keys.

3. In a piano, the combination comprising a key frame, a key pivotally mounted on the key frame, an action rail connected to the key frame, and an action comprising a spring biased hammer having a butt pivotally supported on the action rail, a downwardly extending fly pivotally connected to the butt, means on the rear portion of the key for actuating the hammer through engagement with said fly, and means responsive to position of the key for engaging and disengaging the fly from the first-named means.

4. In a piano, the combination comprising a key frame, a spring biased key pivotally mounted on the key frame, an action rail connected to the key frame, and an action comprising a hammer having a butt pivotally supported on the action rail, a downwardly extending fly pivotally connected to the hammer butt, means on the rear end of the key adapted to engage the fly when the key is depressed thereby actuating the hammer, and means comprising an element mounted on said key for positioning the fly on said firstnamed means when the combination is at rest and for disengaging the fly from said means when the key is partly depressed.

5. In a piano, the combination comprising a key frame, a key pivotally mounted on the key frame, an action rail connected to the key frame, and an action comprising a hammer, a butt on said hammer pivotally supported on the action rail, a fly pivotally suspended from the hammer butt, a shoulder at the rear end of the key for engaging the fly to actuate the hammer, an upright member on the rear end of the key, and means actuated by the upright member for moving the fiy off the said shoulder when the key is I ll partly depressed and for returning the fly onto the shoulder when the key is released.

6. In a piano, the combination comprising a key frame, a key pivotally mounted on the key frame, an action rail connected to the key frame, a spring biased hammer having a butt pivotally supported on the action rail, a fly pivotally connected to the hammer butt, a shoulder on the rear end of the key for engaging the fly to actuate the hammer when the front end of the key is depressed, an upright member on the rear end of the key having an opening therethrough, a rod connected to the fly and extending through the opening in the upright member, adjustable stop means at the end of the rod adapted to be engaged by one side of the upright member when the front end of the key is partially depressed thereby moving the fly off the shoulder, and adjustable stop means intermediate the ends of I the rod for engaging the other side of the upright member when the key is released thereby returning the fly onto the said shoulder.

7. In a piano, the combination comprising a key frame, a key pivotally mounted on the key frame, an action rail connected to the key frame,

a hammer having a butt pivotally supported on the action rail, a fly pivotally connected to the hammer butt, an elongated member pivoted on the rear end of the key, means for adjustably positioning said member, a shoulder on the member for engaging the fly to actuate the hammer when the front end of the key is depressed, a spring member interconnecting said hammer butt and said elongated member for biasing the hammer, an upright member mounted on the elongated member having an opening therethrough, a rod connected to the fly and extending through the opening 'in the upright member, adjustable stop means at the end of the rod adapted to be engaged by one side of the upright member when the front end of the key is partially depressed thereby moving the fly off the shoulder, and a stop intermediate the ends of the rod for engaging the other side of the up right member when the key is released thereby returning the fly onto the said shoulder.

3. In a piano, the combination comprising key frame, a key pivotally mounted on the key frame, an action rail connected to the key frame, a spring biased hammer having a butt, means for pivotally supporting the hammer on the action rail with the lower portion of the butt ex tending below the supporting means, a fly pivotally connected to the hammer butt, and a shoulder on the rear portion of the key for actuating the hammer through said fly when the front end of the key is depressed, said key being formed with spaced surfaces for engaging the lower portion of the hammer butt and the fly respectively to position the hammer when the front end of the key is fully depressed.

9. In a piano, the combination comprising a key frame, a key pivotally mounted on the key frame, an action rail connected to the key frame, a hammer having a butt, means for pivotally supporting the hammer on the action rail with a lower portion of the butt extending below the supporting means, a fly pivotally connected to the hammer butt, a shoulder on the rear por" tion of the key for actuating the hammer through engagement with the fly when the front end of the key is depressed, said key having a supporting surface on the rear end thereof adjacent the said shoulder for receiving the end of the fly when the front end of the key is fully depressed and having a second shoulder on the rear end thereof ,for engaging the-lowerportion oi the hammershank-when the front end of the key is'fully depressed, and means actuated by movement of said key for positioning the fly on the said. supporting surface of the key when the front end of the key is fully depressed andfor positioning the fly on the first-named shoulder of the key when the key is fully released.

10. In a piano, the combination comprising a key frame, a key pivotally mounted on the key frame, an action rail connected to the key frame, a hammer having a butt, means for pivotally supportingthe hammer on the action rail with a lower portion of the butt extending below the supporting means, a fly pivotally connected to the hammer butt, a shoulder on the rear portion of the key for actuating the hammer through engagement withthe fly when the front end of the .key is depressed, said key having a support ing surface on. the rear end thereof adjacent the said shoulder for receiving the end of the fly when the front end of the key is fully depressed and having a second shoulder on the rear'end thereof for engaging the lower portion of the hammer butt when the front end of the key is fully depressed, an upright member on the rear end of the :key, and means actuated by said upright member upon pivoting of the key for positioning the fly on the .said supporting surface when the front end of the key is fully depressed and for positioning the fly'on the first-named shoulder of the key when'the key is fully released.

11. In a piano, the'combination comprising an action rail, a hammer pivotally supported on the action rail, a damper'pivotally supported on the action rail, a key'frame, aikey pviotally, mounted on the key frame, a iiy'pivotally connected to the hammer, meanson the rear end of the key for engaging the fly to actuate the hammer upon depression of the front end of the key, and means on the rear end-of the key and connected to the fly and damper for pivoting the fly and damper when'the front of the key is partially depressed.

12. In a piano, the combination comprising an action rail, a hammer "pivotally supported on the action rail, a springbiased damper pivotally supported on the action rail, a key frame, a key pivotally-mounted on the 'key frame, a fly pivotally connected-to the hammer, a shoulder on the rear end of the key adapted to actuate the hammer through engagement with the fly when the front end of the key is depressed, an upright member on therear end. of the key, means interconnecting said damper and upright member for actuating said damper when the key is partially depressed and for returning the key to original position when released, and means'interconnect ingthe fly and said upright member for moving the fly on the shoulder when'the key is partially depressed and for moving the fly onto the shoulder when the key is released.

13. In a pianoythe combination comprising an action rail, a hammer having a butt pivotally supported on the action rail, a biased damper pivotally supported on the action. rail in substantial alignment with the hammer, a key frame, a key pivotally supported on the key frame in substantial alignment with the hammer and damper. a fly extending between the hammer and key for actuating the hammer when the key is struck, a member pivotedwith the key, connecting means extending between said member and the damper for actuating the damper when the key is depressed and connecting means-extending between said memberand: the fiyfor-controlling theopported on the action rail, a damper pivotally supportedon the action rail, a spring'member for biasing said damper, a key frame, a key pivotally supported on the key frame, a shoulder on the key, a fiy extending between the hammer and said shoulder for actuating the hammer when thekey is pivoted,'and means interconnecting the damper and key for actuating the damper when the key is pivoted and for returning the key to original position when released, said key being formed with spaced surfaces for engaging the hammer butt and the fly, respectively, to support the hammer ina partially pivoted position when the front end of the key is fully depressed.

15. In a piano, the combination comprisingian actionrail, a hammer having a butt, means for pivoting the hammer on the action rail with a portion of the hammer butt extending downwardly therefrom, .a spring biased damper pivotally supported on the action rail, a key frame connected to the'action rai1,-a key pivotally mounted on thekey frame, a shoulder on the key, a fly pivotally mounted on the hammer butt, means interconnecting the damper and key to 'limitedly actuate the damper'when the key is'pivoted and to return the key to original position when released, and'means extendingbetween the key and the fly for positioning the fly on the shoulder when the key is at rest whereby the fly will be actuated by said shoulder when the key is pivoted,

F said means being effective for removing the fly from the shoulder when the key is partiallypiv oted, saidkey being formed with separate surfaces for engaging the fly and the said downwardly extending portion of the hammer butt respectively, for supporting the hammer in a partially pivotedposition when the front end of the key is fullydepressed.

16. In a piano, the combination comprisingan action rail, a hammer having'a butt, means for pivoting the hammer on the, action rail with a portion of the hammer butt extending downwardly therefrom, a spring member for biasing the hammer, a spring biased damper pivotally supported on the action rail in substantialalignment with the hammer, a key frame connected to the action rail, a key pivotally mounted on the key frame in substantial alignment with the damper and hammer, a fly pivotally mounted on the hammer butt, an adjustable supporting member on the rear end of the key, .a shoulder on said member adapted to engage the fiy to actuate the hammer when the key is pivoted, an upright member mounted on the supporting member, means interconnecting said upright member and the damper for limitedly pivoting the damper when the key is pivoted and for returning the key to normal position when released, means interconnecting the fly and said upright member for positioning the fly on. the shoulder during partial pivoting of the key and on a portion of the supporting member adjacent the shoulder when the key is fully depressed, and a shoulder on the rear portion of the key for engaging downwardly extending portion of the hammer butt when the key is fully depressed whereby the hammer may be supported in partially pivoted position.

-1'7. 'In-a piano, the combination comprising an action rail, a hammer, a butt on said hammer, a spring biased damper, means' for pivotally supporting said damper and hammer butt on the action rail, said hammer butt having a portion extending below said pivot means, a fly pivotally connected to the hammer butt, a key frame, a key pivotally mounted on the key frame, a shoulder on the rear end of the key adapted to engage the fly for actuating the hammer when the front end of the key is depressed, an upright member mounted on the rear end of the key, adjustable means engaged by said upright member for limitedly pivoting the damper when the front end of the key is depressed, and adjustable means interconnecting the fly and the upright member for pivoting the fly oil the shoulder when the key is partially depressed and for positioning the fly on the shoulder when the key is released, said key being formed with separate surfaces for engaging the fly and the hammer butt, respectively to support the hammer in a partially pivoted position when the front end of the key is fully depressed.

18. In a piano, the combination comprising an action rail, a hammer, a butt on said hammer, a damper, means for pivotally supporting said damper and hammer butt on the action rail with the hammer and damper in alignment, said hammer butt having a portion extending below said pivot means, a fly pivotally connected to the hammer butt, a key frame, a key pivotally mounted on the key frame, means for connecting the action rail to the key frame with the key in alignment with the hammer and damper, an elongated member pivoted on the rear end of the key, adjustable means for determining the pivoted position of the elongated member on the key, a shoulder on the elongated member spaced from the pivoted end adapted to engage the fly, an upright member mounted on the elongated member having a plurality of openings therein, a rod connected to said fly slidably received through one of the openings in the upright member, adjustable means on the end of said rod for engaging one side of the upright member when the key is partly depressed thereby pivoting the fly off the shoulder on the elongated member, a second adjustable means on said rod for engaging the other side of the upright member when the key is released, thereby pivoting the fly onto the shoulder on the elongated member, a spring member connected between the hammer butt and the elongated member for biasing the hammer, a rod connected to the damper and slidably received through the other of the openings in the upright member, adjustable means on the end of said rod for engaging the upright member to actuate the damper when the key is depressed, a second adjustablemeans on said rod for engaging the other side of the upright member to limit pivoting movement of the hammer, a spring member connected to said second adjustable means and to the action rail for biasing the damper and for returning the key to original position when released, a supporting surface on the elongated member adjacent the shoulder, and a shoulder on the rear end of the key, said supporting surface and said last-named shoulder being adapted to engage the fly and the portion of the hammer butt extending below the pivoting means, respectively, when the front of the key is fully depressed thereby holding the hammer in a partially pivoted position.

AUXANCE N. PREVOST.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS