US366615A

US366615A - Wolfgang becker

Info

Publication number: US366615A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1887-07-12
Anticipated expiration: 1904-07-12

Description

/ W. BECKER.

"GUIDE P IN TOR PIANO KEYS. No. 366,615; Patent ed'luly 12, 1887'.

(No Model.)

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"WOLFGANG BECKER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

GUIDE-PIN FOR PIANO-KEYS.

EIPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 366,615, dated July 12, 1887.

Application filed February :3, 1884. Serial No. IQLCG'I. (No model To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, \VOLFGANGBEoKEma citizen of the United States, residing at Uhicago, in the county of Cook and State of lllinois, have invented a new and useful Improve mentin Pianos,of which the followingisaspeei fication.

This invention relates to the construction of the guide-pins employed with piano-keys at their front ends to regulate their movement when struck; and it consists in the novel features hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a central vertical section ofakey and key-slip, showing my invention; and Figs. 2, 3, and 4are plan views of the guide-pin, showing different forms of the collar which maybe employed.

In said drawings, A represents the pianokey, 13 the key-rail, and B the slip. D is the guide-pin. The pin D consists of the upper guiding part, (I, (which is oval in cross section) andthe under screw-threaded portion, (1. The former extends up into the recess a in the key, and the latter is inserted in the opening b in the key rail and slip. The pitch of the thread employed upon the stem should be fine,so thata halfturn of the pin will change its vertical position but very slightly, and I recommend that the stem be sufliciently long to insure sufficient friction against rotation. When thus constructed, it may be turnedso as to cause the guiding part to bind against the sides of the reeessesin the keys,and anyloosening of the pin in its socket caused by such adjustment will have no ill effect.

, The collar d, surrounding the pin at the junction of the guide and threaded portions, is intended to support the soft washer (1, usually employed heretofore to cushion the contact between the key and thekey rail. Only a single thickness of washer is ever required with this adjustable support,and thus thekey meets with afirm resistance when the limit of its dip has been reached. If the pitch of the screw is fine, the halfturn of the pin,which may be the mi nimum rotation allowed, will notbe found objectionable.

Thepin may be turned in the adjustment either by providing the collar, as shown, with slots in its periphery, into which a convenient tool may be inserted, or by making the periphery angular, as also shown, so that a wrench may be applied, or with holesinto which hooks may be passed; or the sockets of the pins may be extended to the bottom of the slip or instrument, and a screw-driver be passed up from below, the end of the screw being nicked to receiveit. This latter construction is illustrated in Fig. 1.

- I claim- 1. The combination of a vertically-adjustable guide-pin adapted to receive a rotating tool, as set forth,and consisting ofan oval head, a threaded stem,andcushion-s11pporting collar, and said cushion, with the piano-key and rail, substantially as specified.

2. As a new manufacture, the adjustable guide-pin for regulating piano-keys having a guide portion, a threaded stem, and a collar be tween the guide portion and stem, said collar being adapted, as set forth, to receive an implement for rotating the pin,substantially as specilied.

WOLFGANG BECKER.

Witnesses:

H. M. llIUNDAY, Enw. S. EVARTS.