Abstract: An escapement action for a piano includes a hammershank having a first end mounted to pivot relative to the piano and a second end carrying a hammer to strike a tensioned string of the piano, with a knuckle disposed therealong between the first and second ends. A repetition support bearing against a key of the piano is mounted to pivot relative to the piano in response to depression of the key. A jack has a first portion extending from a pivot connection with the repetition support and defines a jack surface disposed for engagement with a knuckle surface, the jack arranged for escape of the jack surface from engagement with the knuckle surface during depression of the key. A spring urges the jack toward an "at rest" position with the jack surface in engagement with the knuckle surface. A jack retainer assembly dependent from the hammershank between the second end and the knuckle includes a cushion surface positioned to retain the jack in "at rest" position in opposition to force of the spring.

Abstract: A piano key cover having a body of synthetic material pigmented to resemble natural ivory defines a top playing surface having a random orientation of peak-to-valley texture and a multiplicity of fine pores to replicate a surface of natural ivory. A multiplicity of the pores have diameters generally in the range of 0.0002 to 0.0012 inch (0.005 to 0.030 mm). The synthetic material is selected from the group consisting of acrylic polymer, polyurethane, epoxy and the like. A method for forming such a piano key cover and a piano having key covers of the invention are also described.

Abstract: A piano key cover having a body of synthetic material pigmented to resemble natural ivory defines a top playing surface having a random orientation of peak-to-valley texture and a multiplicity of fine pores to replicate a surface of natural ivory. A multiplicity of the pores have diameters generally in the range of 0.0002 to 0.0012 inch (0.005 to 0.030 mm). The synthetic material is selected from the group consisting of acrylic polymer, polyurethane, epoxy and the like. A method for forming such a piano key cover and a piano having key covers of the invention are also described.

Abstract: A piano key cover is formed of synthetic material pigmented to resemble natural ivory and having a top playing surface with a random orientation of peak-to-valley texture and a multiplicity of fine pores replicating natural ivory. The key cover is formed by providing a mold, engraving a surface of the mold with a randomly-oriented pattern of peak-to-valley texture replicating natural ivory, placing in the mold a composition of suitable synthetic material pigmented to resemble natural ivory and filler, the filler having the characteristic of being removable from a molded article by further treatment, forming the piano key cover within the mold, and treating the piano key cover to remove the filler thereby causing the surface of the paino key cover to define a plurality of fine pores replicating the surface of natural ivory. A piano including the key cover of the invention, and formed by the above method, is also described.

Abstract: A piano forte hammer includes an elongated head having a nose defining side surfaces, and a felt body extending about the nose portion, with tail portions of the felt body affixed upon the side surfaces. The tail portions contain a predetermined measured amount of an acrylic copolymer. In preferred embodiments, the hammer is formed by a process including the steps of: providing a first volume of an aqueous solution containing the predetermined measured amount of acrylic copolymer in a slot, disposing a first tail portion of the felt body in the solution, allowing the felt body to draw essentially all of the solution from the slot by natural wicking action, providing a second volume of an aqueous solution containing the predetermined measured amount of acrylic polymer in a slot, disposing a second tail portion of the felt body in the solution in the slot, and allowing the felt body to draw essentially all of the solution from the slot by natural wicking action.