US2509063A

US2509063A - Piano key balance

Info

Publication number: US2509063A
Application number: US94547A
Authority: US
Inventors: Alfred H Howe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1945-10-27
Filing date: 1949-05-21
Publication date: 1950-05-23
Anticipated expiration: 1967-05-23

Description

May 23, 1950 A. H. HOWE PIANO KEY BALANCE Original Filed Oct. 27, 1945 -E WLH Patented May 23,- 1950 PIANO KEY BALANCE Alfred H. Howe, New York, N. Y.

Original application October 27, 1945, Serial No. 624,959. Divided and this application May 21, 1949, Serial No. 94,547

4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a piano key balance or mounting.

The present invention is a division of the sub- Ject matter disclosed in my United States Patent No. 2,482,619 granted to me September 20, 1949.

Among the objects and advantages of the pres ent invention are the following: It enables piano keys to be conveniently and easily mounted and leveled. The keys are kept from wabbling. A minimum of material is removed from the keys to accommodate the balancing device, thereby assuring strong keys, aside from reinforcement of the keys provided by virtue of novel features of the invention. Wear on the parts is reduced to a minimum thereby assuring usefulness of the keys for a long time.

The nature of the invention and its distinguishing features and advantages will appear when the following specification is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a side elevational View of a piano key mounted or balanced in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view partly in section and partly in elevation showing certain parts of the key balance.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, it will be apparent there is shown a frame Ill having a center key rail II. A key [2 is mounted on the rail in accordance with the present invention as follows.

Use is made of a triangular plate I 3 formed of sheet metal, preferably stainless steel. A stud or pin l4 projects downwardly from the plate at the base. A steel ball 15 is secured to the plate 13 at the apex thereof. The plate IS with its pin l4 and ball I5 constitutes a fulcrum for the key l2. The pin M has a force fit in a hole extending in the frame In and the rail II. The plate I3 extends vertically upward in contact with the rail II. The broad fiat sides of the plate are disposed so as to parallel the longitudinal axis of the key.

The key l2 has a vertical opening l6 therein approximately midway between its ends. The opening IS in shape substantially conforms to the shape of the plate l3. However, the dimensions of the opening it are greater than those of the plate in all respects. The opening it merges into a circular countersink I! in the key at the top, and said opening extends through the bottom of the key. A wooden apertured bushing 18 is placed in the countersink IT. A felt bushing 19 is arranged in the countersink over the bushing I B. An elongated metal plate or cleat 20 is arranged longitudinally of the key l2 on the top thereof, and is secured in place by screws 2|. The cleat 20 has a central tapped hole 22 therein which receives an adjusting screw 23. The head of the screw 23 is above the cleat 20. The screw 23 has a rounded cavity 24 in its lower end which bears on the bushing I9 which latter in turn bears on the ball l5. Felt bushings 25 are secured to the key I2 and extend over the opposite sides of the opening 46. The bushings 25 lightly contact the opposite sides of the plate l3.

The key l2 having the parts mentioned above is arranged to receive the plate l3. The bushing l8 steadies the ball l5, and the felt bushing I9 is interposed between the ball [5 and the screw 23 to reduce wear on the ball and screw, and to eliminate noise, especially in glissando playing. The screw 23 serves for leveling the key as balanced or fulcrumed on the ball IS. The bushings 25 help to steady the key, and since they bear on relatively large surfaces, the bushings 25 will endure long wear.

The use of a thin metal element, such as the plate [3, makes it necessary to remove only a minimum material from the key leaving the key strong. The use of the metal cleat 20 which carries the leveling screw 23 reinforces the key. The key may be manipulated easily without producing any extraneous sounds.

It is to be understood that although the bushing I9 is interposed between the ball I5 and the screw 23, the lower end of the screw may be said to bear on the ball 15 in construing the claims; and that minor changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. The combination with a piano key having; an opening extending therethrough from top to. bottom, of a fixed plate projecting upwardly into! said opening, said plate having a ball at the top. thereof, and a screw mounted on the key and having a lower concaved end bearing on said ball thereby fulcruming the key upon the ball.

2. The combination with a piano key having; an opening extending upwardly from the bottom. of the key to the top of the key and providing a: countersink at the top of the key, of a fixed plate projecting upwardly into said opening, said plate having a ball at the top thereof, a wooden apertured bushing in said countersink to steady said ball, and a leveling screw mounted on said key and having its lower end bearing on said ball, thereby fulcruming said key upon the ball.

3. In a piano, the combination with a balance rail, of a triangular plate having a downwardly projecting pin tightly fitting in a hole in said rail thereby securing the plate vertically disposed with the lower edge of the plate in contact with the rail, a key having an opening extending therethrough from top to bottom, said plate projecting into said opening, and coacting means on the plate and the key which fulcrum the key upon the apex of the plate.

4. In a piano, the combination with a balance rail, of a triangular plate having a downwardly projecting pin tightly fitting in a hole in said rail thereby securing the plate vertically disposed with the lower edge of the plate in contact with the rail, a key having an opening extending therethrough from top to bottom, said plate projecting into said opening, a ball on the apex of said plate, and a screw mounted on said key and having its lower end. bearing on said ball, thereby fulcruming the key upon the ball.

ALFRED H. HOWE.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS