US2866371A

US2866371A - Key and action assembly for musical instruments

Info

Publication number: US2866371A
Application number: US581643A
Authority: US
Inventors: Stein Charles Frederick
Original assignee: PRATT READ AND CO Inc
Current assignee: PRATT READ AND CO Inc
Priority date: 1954-03-08
Filing date: 1956-04-30
Publication date: 1958-12-30
Anticipated expiration: 1975-12-30

Description

C. F. STEIN KEY AND ACTION ASSEMBLY FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed April 30, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 MW mm 3 a kw mw IN V EN TOR.

Charleafieden'c/o fil eb'n/ C. F. STEIN Dec. 30, 1958 2,866,371

KEY AND ACTION ASSEMBLY FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS I Filed April so, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR- rickSZz'n KEY AND ACTION ASSEMBLY FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Charles Frederick Stein, La Grange, ill assignor to Pratt,

Read and Company, Inc., Ivoryton, fjomn, a corporation of Connecticut Application April 30, 1956, Serial No. 581,643 16 Claims. (Cl. 84-437) This invention relates generally to a key and action assembly for a musical instrument, and more particularly to a simple action for use with instruments having horizontally positioned vibratile members wherein the action includes a hammer which swings upwardly to hit the vibratile member. This application is a continuation in part of my copending application Serial No. 507,536 filer May 11, 1955, assigned to the same assignee as this application and now abandoned.

Musical instruments having actions with upwardly striking hammers have been used for a very long time, with grand pianos being an example of such instruments. In such instruments it is desired that the hammer swing freely as it strikes the vibratile member to provide the desired tone. For this reason, actions have provisions for what is known as let-off so that the coupling between the key and the hammer is disengaged prior to the hammer striking the vibratile member. Another requirement for such actions in addition to the let-off effect is that very fast repetition be provided. This requires very quick re-engagement of the action and is made difiicult because of the requirement for let-off. To satisfy these requirements prior upwardly striking actions have been quite complex, have included a large number of parts, and have, therefore, been quite expensive. This has resulted in instruments using such actions, such as grand pianos, likewise being expensive.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a simple key and action assembly for a musical instrument having an upwardly striking hammer for engagement with a horizontally positioned vibratile member.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple action for musical instruments which has effective let-off characteristics and which also provides fast repetition.

Another object of the invention is to provide an action for a musical instrument which includes a minimum num ber of parts and in which adjustment of the action may be very easily accomplished.

A feature of the invention is the provision of a key and action assembly including a hammer having an upwardly directed head and a flyjack pivoted to the hammer butt and position-ed to directly engage the operating key, with the flyjack having an engaging surface which provides let-off and repetition characteristics.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a musical instrument action having an upwardly striking hammer adapted to engage the underside of a horizontal vibratile member and having a damper normally engaging the vibratile member, with the damper having a portion positioned to be engaged by the hammer for moving the damper out of engagement with the vibratile member as the hammer head approaches the same.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of a simple upwardly striking action in which the hammer includes a butt having a flyjack pivotally connected thereto, with a spoon member secured to the hammer butt cooperating with friction means on the fiyjack for tion is positioned adjacent the capstan.

2,856,? Patented Dec. 30, 1958 checking rebounding action of the hammer, and for properly positioning the flyjack for successive operations.

A still further feature of the invention is the provision of a key and action assembly including an upwardly striking hammer having a butt portion with a flyjack pivoted thereon, with the flyjack having step portions for engaging a capstan secured to the key, in which the capstan engages the lowermost step portion to move the hammer upwardly toward the string until a certain point is reached at which the fiyjack rotates to a position so that an offset portion is positioned adjacent the capstan thereby providing let-off action. Engagement between the capstan and the offset portion, however, causes operation of the hammer to provide fast repetition action.

Further objects, features and the attending advantages of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 illustrates the key and action assembly in the normal unoperated position;

Fig. 2 illustrates the assembly with the key depressed and the action just at the point of let-off;

Fig. 3 shows the action in position for repetition; and

'Figs. 4-6 show a second embodiment of that key and action assembly in accordance with the invention in various positions.

In practicing the invention, there is provided a key and action assembly for a musical instrument which has a horizontally positioned vibratile member positioned to be struck by the upwardly swinging hammer. The action includes fixed rail means to which the butt of the hammer is pivoted. Pivotally connected to the hammer butt is a flyjack which extends downwardly from the hammer butt and has a stepped lower surface. The key is positioned on a key frame with the rear end thereof under the flyjack, and includes a raised portion or capstan engaging the stepped lower surface of the flyjack. The hammer may be pivoted to swing either rearwardly or forwardly with respect to the key. A damper is also pivoted to the fixed rail structure and has a head portion held against the vibratile member by action of a spring. The damper is operated through a screw positioned to be engaged by the hammer butt so that the head of the damper is moved away from the vibratile member as the hammer head approaches the same. Alternatively the damper may be positioned to engage the upper surface of the vibratile member and may be operated by a link which engages the hammer. A screw positioned in the 'flyjack is adapted to engage a shoulder portion on the hammer butt to cause the flyjack to be moved as the hammer is rotated thereby. This causes the flyjack to move to a position so that the portion normally engaging the capstan in the kep is moved therefrom and an offset por- This provides let off action so that the hammer strikes the string in a free swinging movement. Engagement between the capstan and the offset portion of the flyjack permits fast repetition when required. A spoon member secured to the hammer butt engages a felt portion on the flyjack to check movement of the hammer and also to move the flyjack back to the proper position for full stroke operation. The screws in the damper and the flyjack are readily accessible for adjustment of the action.

Referring now to the drawings, the key and action assembly is shown mounted on a key bed If having a center balance rail 11 about which keys 12 are pivoted. The keys have front portions 13 adapted to be engaged by the person playing the instrument. The action is supported by frame 15 which supports

rails

16, 17 and 18. The fixed support 20 serves as a mounting for the vibratile member 21 which may be a vibrating reed, a

string, or any horizontally positioned vibratile member used to produce a musical sound.

The action includes a hammer 25 having a head 26 adapted to swing upwardly to strike the member 21. The hammer has a butt 27 pivoted to flange 28 secured to the rail 16. Pivoted to the butt 27 is a flyjack 30 which extends downwardly from the hammer butt. The flyjack 3 includes step portions on the lower side with the portion 31 normally engaging a projection at the rear end of the key 12 shown as a capstan 32, and the offset portion 33 being positioned to engage the capstan under certain conditions as will be explained.

A screw 41 is adjustably threaded in the extension 42 of the flyjack 3th for engagement with the shoulder 33 on the hammer butt. This causes pivotal movement of the flyjack 3% as will be further described. A spoon 45 is secured to the hammer butt 27 and is positioned to engage a felt 46 secured to the fiyjack 30. The spoon 45 and felt 46 form a back check and also serve to position the flyjack as will be described more in detail.

A damper 35 has a head 36 normally engaging the member 21. This engagement is produced by the spring 37 which causes the damper 35 to be biased in a clockwise direction with respect to the supporting flange 33 which is secured to the rail 18. A screw 39 is adjustably threaded in the damper butt portion and has a head adapted to be engaged by a felt 40 on the hammer butt 2'7.

Fig. 2 shows the action after the front portion 13 of the key 12 has been depressed to a point at which the hammer head 26 is closely adjacent to the vibratile member 21 but not in contact therewith. As the capstan 32 is lifted, engagement thereof with the portion 31 of the flyjack causes the hammer butt 27 to pivot and the hammer head 26 to swing upwardly. Pivotal movement of the butt 27 causes the felt 4t) thereon to engage the screw 39 of the damper to move the damper in a counterclockwise direction so that the head 36 thereof is lowered to a position out of engagement with the vibratile member 21.

As the hammer butt swings upwardly, the felt 43 thereof engages the head of the screw 41 to cause the flyjack 30 to move in a clockwise position so that the lower step portion 31 moves to the left. In the position shown in Fig. 2, the portion 31 of the flyjack 30 is just about to be moved clear of the capstan 32. As the key is further depressed, the fiyjack 30 will move further to the left to a position so that the portion 31 is clear of the capstan 32 and the offset portion 33 is positioned above the capstan. Since the portion 33 is offset, it will not be directly engaged by the capstan and a let-off effect will occur. This permits the hammer 25 to swing freely as the head 26 thereof strikes the string.

When the key 12 is released and the capstan 32 is lowered, the hammer will drop down and the spoon 45 thereon will engage the felt 46 on the flyjack 30. This will tend to check the movement of the hammer so that it will not bounce back to strike the member 21 a second time. Engagement of the spoon 45 with the felt 46 will also tend to rotate the fiyjack 30 in a counterclockwise direction so that the portion 31 thereof will swing to a position in engagement with the capstan 32. Accordingly, the action will be restored to the position shown in Pig. 1 wherein the damper is in engagement with the member 21, the hammer is in engagement with the hammer rest formed by rail 17, the spoon 45 is in engagement with the felt 46 on the fiyjack, and the fiyjack is positioned with the stepped portion 31 thereof in engagement with the capstan 32 on the key.

Fig. 3 shows the repetition action which results when a second movement of the key takes place Without allowing the key to assume its normal position and the action to come to rest in the position shown in Fig. 1. As stated in connection with Fig. 2, when the hammer is immediately adjacent the vibratile member 21, the flyjack 30 is rotated clockwise to a position so that the oifset portion 33 is directly above the capstan 32. If I the key is operated again while the action is in this position, engagement of the capstan 32 with the offset portion 33 will cause the hammer butt 27 to pivot so that the hammer head 26 swings upwardly to again engage the vibratile member 21. Accordingly, while a let-off is provided permitting the hammer to swing freely as the head engages the member 21, a second swing of the hammer can be produced by repeated movement of the key without allowing the entire key and action assembly to come to the normal rest position. This is an extremely important feature since in many musical numbers it is necessary to provide fast repetition which is accomplished by allowing the key to be only partially released and actuated a further time very quickly to repeat the tone.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the action described has a minimum number of parts which are compactly arranged. Accordingly the action can be provided in a very small space and can be constructed at relatively small expense. Another important feature of the action is the ease with which it may be adjusted and regulated. The screws 39 and 41 are shown having flattened ends which may be engaged by a tool to adjust the position thereof to regulate the action. The capstan 32 can of course be adjusted in the usual way and the spoon 45 can be adjusted by bending to provide the required engagement between the spoon and the felt 46 on the fiyjack. The parts are so positioned that the elements which must be adjusted are easily accessible for regulation of the action.

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 show a modified construction of the key and action with the former being reversed so that the head extends toward the front of the key to reduce the depth of the key and action assembly. Fig. 4 shows the unoperated position, Fig. 5 the operated position just before let-off, and Fig. 6 the position after let-off. The damper is positioned to engage the vibratile member on the top and the hammer engages the member from the bottom. The entire action assembly is mounted on a single fixed rail.

Considering now the detailed construction of Figs. 46, the key 12 has a projection at the rear thereof, illustrated as a capstan 32, which engages the flyjack 3t pivotally mounted on the hammer 25, all as in Fig. l. The hammer is of different configuration being made of a single member pivoted at St} to the flange 51. The flange 51 is secured to a fixed rail 52. The hammer has an extension 53 which engages the pad 54 on rail 53 to provide a rest for the hammer. The flyjack 36 is pivotally mounted on the hammer at 55 and has a portion 56 engaging the head of screw 57 adjustably positioned in projection 58 of the hammer. The hammer has a head 59 for engaging the vibratile member 21 on the underside thereof.

The damper 35 is pivoted on a flange 60 mounted on the upper part 61 of the fixed rail. A spring 62 holds the damper against the vibratile member. A link 63 having an adjustable portion 64': positioned in an opening in the damper is coupled to the hammer 25 adjacent the pivot 50 to lift the damper as the hammer starts its swing. A pivoted arm 65 supports a bar 66 which may be moved to a position to raise the dampers of all the keys by operation of a pedal or the like. This corresponds to the usual expression mechanism of a piano action.

Fig. 5 shows the action with the key depressed so that the hammer is raised to the position such that the head of screw 57 engages the projection 56 of fiyjack 30 so that the stepped surface 31 of the flyjack is almost clear of capstan 32. The damper 35 is raised from the member 21 by action of the link 63. As the key is further depressed the hammer will continue to move upwardly toward member 21. As shown in Fig. 6 the surface 31 is moved clear of the capstan 32 and as surface 33 is recessed a let-ofi action takes place. The hammer will continue in a free swing to strike member 21. When the key is repeatedly depressed, the action of capstan 32 against the surface 33 will produce repeated striking of the member 21. When the key is released the spoon 45 will cause the tlyjack to move to the normal position as shown in Fig.

The embodiment of Figs. 46 has certain advantages in that the hammer is reversed to take less space; the hammer is of extremely simple construction, and the cooperation of the hammer and damper is simple and direct. The adjustment of screw 57 and of the portion 64 of the damper link are readily accessible from the top of the action.

it is therefore seen that a highly effective yet extremely simple action is provided including an upstriking hammer adapted to engage a horizontally positioned vibratile member. Since the flyjack which is pivoted on the hammer directly engages the capstan on the key, the whippen usually required in such actions is completely eliminated. Further, complicated mechanisms generally required to provide let-off action and fast repetition are eliminated since the flyjack is of such a construction to provide both these effects. The damper is directly operated from the hammer to further eliminate linkages required in other actions of this type. The construction is so arranged that springs are not required to hold the elements and components in proper position with the exception of the damper wherein a spring is used to hold the same against the vibrating member. These features re salt in great simplification of the action and also provide highly desirable operational characteristics.

1 claim:

1. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having a horizontally extending vibratile member including in combination, a fixed rail structure, a hammer having a portion pivotally connected to said rail structure and a head adapted to move upwardly to engage the vibratile member, a flyjack pivotally connected to said hammer and extending downwardly therefrom, and a key having a front part for operation by a person playing the musical instrument, an intermediate pivoted part, and a back part extending below said flyjack, said back part of said key including a projecting portion for engaging said flyjack for causing movement thereof to thereby rotate said hammer so that said head thereof is moved toward the vibratile member, said flyjack having a first portion normally engaging said projecting portion of said key and a second portion which engages a portion of said hammer in response to rotation of said hammer such that said head thereof approaches the vibratile member, with the engagement between said portions of said flyjack and said hammer moving said flyjack so that said first portion thereof moves away from said key portion to provide let-oif action.

2. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having a horizontally extending vibratile member including in combination, a fixed rail structure, a hammer having a portion pivotally connected to said rail structure and a head adapted to move upwardly to engage the vibratile member, a flyjack pivotally connected to said hammer and extending downwardly therefrom, a key having a front part for operation by a person playing the musical instrument, an intermediate pivoted part, and a back part extending below said flyjack, said back part of said key including a projecting portion for engaging said flyjack for causing movement thereof to thereby move said hammer so that said head thereof is moved toward the vibratile member, said flyjack having a first portion normally engaging said key portion for transferring movement from said key to said hammer, and adjustable means providing engagement between said hammer and said flyjack in response to rotation of said hammer such that said hammer head approaches the vibratile members, with the engagement between said hammer and said flyjack moving said fiyjacl: so that said g first portion thereof moves away from said key portion to provide let-ofi action.

3. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having a horizontally extending vibratile member including in combination, a fixed rail structure, a hammer having a portion pivotally connected to said rail structure and a head adapted to move upwardly to engage the vibratile member, a flyjack pivotally connected to said hammer and extending downwardly therefrom, and a key having a front part for operation by a person playing the musical instrument, an intermediate pivoted part, and a back part extending below said flyjack, said back part of said key including a projecting portion for engaging said flyjack for causing movement thereof to thereby move said hammer so that said head thereof is moved toward the vibratile member, said flyjack having a first portion normally engaging said key portion for transferring movement from said key to said hammer and a second offset portion, said hammer including adjustable means for engaging a portion of said flyjack as said hammer head approaches the vibratile members to move said flyjack so that said first portion thereof moves away from said key portion and said second offset portion is aligned with said key portion to provide let-off action, said key portion engaging said second portion of said flyjack for causing operation of said hammer in response to rapid repetition of said key.

4. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having a horizontally extending vibratile member including in combination, a fixed rail structure, a hammer having a butt pivotally connected to said rail structure and a head adapted to move upwardly to engage the vibratile member, a flyjack pivotally connected to said hammer butt and extending downwardly therefrom, a damper pivotally connected to said rail structure and having a head normally engaging the vibratile member, and a key having a front part for operation by a person playing the musical instrument, an intermediate pivoted part, and a back part extending below said flyjack, said flyjack having first and second stepped portions on the lower part thereof, said back part of said key including a portion for engaging said lower part of said flyjack for causing movement thereof to thereby move said hammer so that said head thereof is moved toward the vibratile member, said flyjack being arranged so that said first stepped portion normally engages said key portion and said second stepped portion moves into a position for engagement with said key portion as said hammer head approaches the vibratile member to provide let-off action, said damper having a portion adapted to be engaged by said hammer but for moving said damper head from said vibratile member as said hammer head approaches the vibratile member.

5. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having a vibratile member including in combination, a fixed rail structure, a hammer having a butt pivotally connected to said rail structure and a head adapted to engage the vibratile member, a flyjack pivotally connected to said hammer butt, a damper pivotally connected to said rail structure and having a head normally engaging the vibratile member, and a key having a front part for operation by a person playing the musical instrument, an intermediate pivoted part, and a back part extending adjacent said flyjack, said back part of said key including a portion for engaging said flyjack for causing movement thereof to thereby move said hammer so that said head thereof is moved toward the vibratile member, said flyjack having a first portion normally engaging said key portion and moving out of engagement with said key portion as said hammer head approaches the vibratile member to provide let-off action, said damper having an adjustable portion in engagement with said hammer but for moving said damper head from said vibratile member as said hammer head approaches the vibratile member.

6. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having a horizontally extending vibratile member including in combination, a fixed rail structure, a hammer having a butt pivotally connected to said rail structure and a head adapted to move upwardly to engage the vibratile member, a flyjack pivotally connected to said hammer butt and extending downwardly therefrom, a damper pivotally connected to said rail structure and having a head normally engaging the vibratile member, and a key having a front part for operation by a person playing the musical instrument, an intermediate pivoted part, and a back part extending below said flyjack, said back part of said key including a portion for engaging said flyjack for causing movement thereof to thereby move said hammer so that said head thereof is moved toward the vibratile member, said flyjack having a first portion normally engaging said key portion and a second portion which engages said hammer butt as said hammer head approaches the vibratile member to move said flyjack so that said first portion thereof moves away from said key portion to provide let-off action, said damper having an adjustable portion in engagement with said hammer butt for moving said damper so that said head thereof moves from said vibratile member as said hammer head approaches the vibratile member.

7. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having a horizontally extending vibratile member including in combination, a fixed rail structure, a hammer having a butt pivotally connected to said rail structure and a head adapted to move upwardly to engage the vibratile member, a fiyjack pivotally connected to said hammer and extending downwardly therefrom, a key having a front part for operation by a person playing the musical instrument, an intermediate pivoted part, and a back part extending below said flyjack, said back part of said key including a portion for engaging said fiyjack for causing movement thereof to thereby move said hammer so that said head thereof is' moved toward the vibratile member, said fiyjack having a first portion normally engaging said key portion, and adjustable means providing a connection between said hammer and said flyjack for moving said flyjack in response to rotation of said hammer so that said first portion of said fivjack moves away from said key portion to provide let-01f action.

8. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having a horizontally extending vibratile member including in combination, a fixed rail structure, a hammer having a butt pivotally connected to said rail structure and a head adapted to move upwardly to engage the vibratile member, a fiyjack pivotally connected to said hammer and extending downwardly therefrom, a key having a front part for operation by a person playing the musical instrument, an intermediate pivoted part, and a back part extending below said flyjack, said back part of said key including a portion for engaging said fiyjack for causing movement thereof to thereby move said hammer so that said head thereof is moved toward the vibratile member, said flyjack having a first portion normally engaging said key portion and a second portion which engages said hammer as said hammer head approaches the vibratile member to move said flyjac'k so that said first portion thereof moves away from said key portion to provide let'otf action, and a spoon secured to said'hammer and adapted to engage said flyjack as said hammer returns to its normal position to check movement of said hammer and to return said flyjack to its normal position. a

9. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having a horizontally extending vibratile member including in combination, a fixed rail structure, a hammer having a butt pivotally connected to said rail structure and a head adapted to move upwardly to engage the vibratile member, a flyjack pivotally connected to said hammer and extending downwardly therefrom, a key having a front part for operation by a person playing the musical instrument, an intermediate pivoted part, and a back part extending below said flyjack, said back part of said key including a portion for engaging said flyjack for causing movement thereof to thereby move said hammer so that said head thereof is moved toward the vibratile member, said flyjack having a'first portion normally engaging said key portion and a second portion Which engages a projecting portion on said hammer as said hammer head approaches the vibratile member to move said fiyjack so that said first portion thereof moves away from said key portion to provide let-otf action, and a spoon secured to said hammer, said fiyjack including resilient means positioned to be engaged by said spoon as said hammer returns to its normal position to check movement of said hammer and to return said flyjack to its normal position.

10. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having a horizontally extending vibratile member including in combination, a fixed rail structure, a hammer having a butt pivotally connected to said rail structure and a head adapted to move upwardly to engage the vibratile member, a flyjack pivotally connected to said hammer butt and extending downwardly therefrom, a damper pivotally connected to said rail structure and having a head normally engaging the vibratile member, a key having a front part for operation by a person playing the musical instrument, an intermediate pivoted part, and a back part extending below said flyjack, said flyjack having a first engaging portion and an offset engaging portion, said back part of said key including a portion for engaging said fiyjack and normally engaging said first engaging portion thereof to cause movement of said flyjack to thereby move said hammer so that said head thereof approaches the vibratile member, said flyjack having an adjustable portion which engages said hammer butt as said hammer head approaches the vibratile member to move said fiyjack so that said first engaging portion thereof moves away from said key portion to provide letoff action, said offset engaging portion of said flyjack being positioned for engagement by said key portion to cause operation of said hammer in response to repeated movement of said key, said damper having a portion adapted to be engaged by said hammer butt for moving said damper head from said vibratile member as said hammer head approaches the vibratile member, and a spoon secured to said hammer butt and adapted to engage said flyjack as said hammer returns to its normal position, said spoon operating to check movement of said hammer and tending to return said fiyjack to its normal position.

11. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having a horizontally extending vibratile member including in combination, a fixed rail structure, a hammer having a portion pivotally connected to said rail structure and a head adapted to move upwardly to engage the vibratile member, a flyjack pivotally connected to said hammer and extending downwardly therefrom, a key having a front part for operation by a person playing the musical instrument, an intermediate pivoted part, and a back part extending below said flyjack, said back part of said key including a projecting portion for engaging said fiyjack for causing movement thereof to thereby move said hammer so that said head thereof is moved toward the vibratile member, said flyjack having a first portion normally engaging said key portion and a second portion which engages a projection on said hammer as said hammer head approaches the vibratile member to move said fiyjack so that said first portion thereof moves away from said key portion to provide let-off action, and a spoon secured to said hammer butt and adapted to engage said flyjack as said hammer returns to its normal position to check movement of said hammer and to return said flyjack to its normal position.

12. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having a horizontally extending vibratile member including in combination, a fixed rail structure, a hammer having a portion pivotally connected to said rail structure and a head adapted to move upwardly to engage the vibratile member, a flyjack pivotally connected to said hammer and extending downwardly therefrom, a key having a front part for operation by a person playing the musical instrument, an intermediate pivoted part, and a back part extending below said flyjack, said back part of said key including a projecting portion for engaging said flyjack for causing movement thereof to thereby move said hammer so that said head thereof is moved toward the vibratile member, said flyjack having a first portion normally engaging said key portion and a second portion oifset with respect to said first portion, said flyjack having a projection which engages a projection on said hammer as said hammer head approaches the vibratile member to move said flyjack so that said first portion thereof moves away from said key portion and said second portion of said flyjack is aligned with said key portion to provide let-ofi action, and a spoon secured to said hammer butt and adapted to engage said flyjack as said hammer returns to its normal position to check movement of said hammer and to return said flyjack to its normal position.

13. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having a vibratile member including in combination, a fixed rail structure, a hammer having a portion pivotally connected to said rail structure and a head adapted to engage the vibratile member, a flyjack pivotally connected to said hammer, a damper pivotally connected to said rail structure and having a head normally engaging the vibratile member, a key having a front part for operation by a person playing the musical instrument, an intermediate pivoted part, and a back part extending adjacent said flyjack, said back part of said key including a projecting portion for engaging said flyjack for causing movement thereof to thereby move said hammer so that said head thereof is moved toward the vibratile member, said flyjack having a first portion normally engaging said key portion and moving out of engagement with said key portion as said hammer head approaches the vibratile member to provide let-off action, means secured to said hammer adapted to engage said flyjack to check movement of said hammer, and adjustable means coupling said damper to said hammer for moving said damper head from said vibratile member as said hammer head approaches the vibratile member.

14. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having a vibratile member including in combination, a fixed rail structure, a hammer having a portion pivotally connected to said rail structure and a head adapted to move upwardly to engage the lower side of the vibratile member, a flyjack pivotally connected to said hammer and extending downwardly therefrom, a damper pivotally connected to said rail structure and having a head normally engaging the vibratile member on the upper side thereof, and a key having a front part for operation by a person playing the musical instrument, an intermediate pivoted part, and a back part extending adjacent said flyjack, said back part of said key including a projecting portion for engaging said flyjack for causing movement thereof to thereby move said hammer so that said head thereof is moved toward the vibratile member, said flyjack having a first portion normally engaging said key portion and a second otfset portion moving into alignment with said key portion as said hammer head approaches the vibratile member to provide let-off action,

18 said damper having adjustable coupling means in engagement with said hammer for moving said damper head from said vibratile member as said hammer head approaches the vibratile member.

15. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having a vibratile member including in combination, a fixed rail structure, a hammer having a portion pivotally connected to said rail structure and a head adapted to engage the vibratile member, a flyjack pivotally connected to said hammer, and extending downwardly therefrom, a damper pivotally connected to said rail structure and having a head normally engaging the vibratile member, a key having a front part for operation by a person playing the musical instrument, an intermediate pivoted part, and a back part extending adjacent said flyjack, said back part of said key including a portion for engaging said flyjack for causing movement thereof to thereby move said hammer so that said head thereof is moved toward the vibratile member, said flyjack having a first portion normally engaging said key portion and moving out of engagement with said key portion as said hammer head approaches the vibratile member to provide let-off action, and a coupling link having an adjustable portion in engagement with said damper and connected to said hammer adjacent to said pivot portion thereof for moving said damper head from said vibratile member as said hammer head approaches the vibratile member.

16. A key and action assembly for a musical instrument having a horizontal vibratile member including in combination, a single fixed rail, a hammer having a portion pivotally connected to said rail and a head adapted to swing upwardly to engage the vibratile member, said hammer having a portion extending from said pivot portion in the direction opposite to said hammer head and engaging said fixed rail to limit the downward movement of said hammer head, a flyjack pivotally connected to said hammer and extending downwardly therefrom, a damper pivotally connected to said fixed rail and having a head normally engaging the vibratile member, a key having a front part for operation by a person playing the musical instrument, an intermediate pivoted part, and a back part extending adjacent said flyjack, said back part of said key including a portion for engaging said flyjack for causing movement thereof to thereby move said hammer so that said head thereof is moved toward the vibratile member, said flyjack having a first portion normally engaging said key portion and moving out of engagement with said key portion as said hammer head approaches the vibratile member to provide a let-off action, and a coupling link having an adjustable portion in engagement with said damper and with said hammer adjacent to said pivot portion thereof for moving said damper head from said vibratile member as said hammer head approaches the vibratile member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 589,331 Block Aug. 31, 1897 FOREIGN PATENTS 9,935 France Aug. 12, 1844 29,363 Germany Oct. 30, 1884 46,912 Germany May 9, 1889 2,483 Great Britain ..-1907 583,876 France Nov. 10, 1924 325,148 Great Britain Feb. 13, 1930 58,897 France Nov. 5, 1952