Abstract: A damper for a piano, which has a bifurcated damper felt of which a space between two protrusions is difficult to be narrowed. A damper head extends along three strings in a lengthwise direction thereof and is movable in directions in which the damper moves into and out of contact with the three strings. Damper felt is attached to a string-side surface of the damper head such that it extends in a lengthwise direction of the damper head, and includes two protrusions formed to protrude toward the strings in a bifurcated manner such that they can be brought into contact with the three strings in a state inserted into respective spaces therebetween. The damper felt is attached to the damper head such that deformation of the damper felt in which a space between the two protrusions is narrowed is resisted.

Abstract: A support assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a support rotatably disposed with respect to a frame, a jack rotatably connected with respect to the support on a side opposite to a rotation center of the support, and a support heel disposed on a lower surface side of the support to make contact with a member connected to a key, wherein the support is configured of a first main body portion, a bent portion, a second main body portion, and a jack support portion from the rotation center side of the support toward a rotation center side of the jack, and the second main body portion is disposed on a side closer to the key than the first main body portion by the bent portion which couples the first main body portion and the second main body portion.

Abstract: A piano selectably playable in normal and soft mode includes multiple piano keys and multiple piano actions associated with the piano keys. Each piano action includes a piano hammer assembly and a piano wippen assembly actuated by depression of a corresponding piano key. Also included are multiple piano hammers, each mounted for rotating movement and defining a forward throw direction toward one or more corresponding piano string, and driven by a corresponding piano wippen assembly to transmit force applied to an associated piano key. One bridle strap, in a set of bridle straps, connects a piano hammer to a corresponding piano wippen assembly. A key lifting assembly in engagement with the piano keys and an associated bridle strap under tension cooperatively bring corresponding piano keys and piano wippen assemblies together in gap-closing movement.

Abstract: An elongated lifting rail is displaceable to collectively pivot a plurality of damper levers. An actuator is provided beside or underneath the lifting rail for automatically displacing the lifting rail. The lifting rail is displaced, in response to driving of the actuator, to displace the damper levers so that the dampers are moved away from contact with sounding members. Further, a position sensor is provided for detecting a displaced position of the lifting rail, so that position data detected by the position sensor is used for operating position control and/or operating position recording of the dampers.

Abstract: A drive mechanism of a lifting rail for a musical instrument including a lifting rail, the drive mechanism including: a connection member connected to the lifting rail; and a movement-force giving mechanism configured to move the lifting rail via the connection member, wherein the lifting rail includes: a hollow portion opening at one end; and a through-hole formed through an upright wall portion of the lifting rail, wherein the connection member includes: an insertion member having an attachment hole corresponding to the through-hole; a fixing member for connecting the lifting rail and the connection member; and a contact portion configured to come into contact with the one end of the lifting rail when the insertion member is inserted in the hollow portion by a prescribed distance so as to prevent the insertion member from being further inserted in the hollow portion, thereby positioning the attachment hole relative to the through-hole.

Abstract: A hammer shank and a separate shank butt component for a grand piano hammer assembly with increased rigidity, reduced inertia, and the collateral benefits of increased efficiency of manufacture and maintenance. Hammer shank comprises a long cylindrical member that is connected at one end to a traditional grand piano hammer and at the other end to a novel shank butt. Shank butt comprises: a hammer shank hole, a knuckle slot, a set of two flange attachment holes, and a void area. A traditional grand piano knuckle is attached to the knuckle slot. The shank butt is connected to the repetition flange of the piano. The invention provides the capability for a piano to be played with less touch weight on the keys and therefore provides a more responsive piano keyboard. The invention also allows for full “retrofitability” of hammer assembly into all existing grand piano brands. Embodiments include a composite shank butt that is a molded article and a composite hammer shank that is an extruded or molded article.

Abstract: A damper for an upright piano is provided for improving sound stopping capabilities and consequently improving sequential touching capabilities without adversely affecting a key touch feeling. The damper lever for an upright piano is pressed against a vibrating string to stop the vibration in response to a released key, in order to stop sound which has been generated from the vibrating string. The damper lever comprises a molding molded by a continuous fiber method and made of a thermoplastic resin containing long fibers for reinforcement.

Abstract: An action mechanism of a mechanical piano including a wippen accommodated on a wippen rail, a repetition lever with a flange, a jack, a hammer, and a pair of permanent magnets arranged so as to repel each other. The first magnet is attached to the wippen and the second magnet is attached to immovable structure of the piano.

Abstract: A jack used in an action mechanism of a piano has substantially an L-shape, composed of a big jack portion and a small jack portion. The thickness of the small jack portion is made smaller than that of the big jack portion in a direction of key arrangement in a state of the jack being fitted in the piano. By reducing the weight of the small jack portion as above, the time required for the jack to return to a position capable of pushing up a part of a striking member can be shortened. Accordingly, more frequent repetitive striking is allowed within a predetermined period.

Abstract: A piano action (10) includes a wippen (14) having a wippen body (24). The wippen body (24) is pivotally mountable on a first rail (20) of a piano. A repetition lever (38) is pivotally mounted on the wippen body (24). A jack (46) is also pivotally mounted on the wippen body (24). A repetition lever spring (48) is interposed between the repetition lever (38) and the wippen body (24) and is pivotally mounted to the repetition lever (38). The repetition lever spring (48) has a first limb (54) which acts on the jack (46) for restoring the jack (46) to its rest position and a second limb (52) which acts on the repetition lever (38) for restoring the repetition lever (38) to its rest position. The second limb (52) is shorter than the first limb (54) such that a free end of the second limb (52) is out of engagement with the repetition lever (38) and is shaped and dimensioned to move together with the repetition lever (38).

Abstract: In a piano that includes an action frame and a sostenuto rod bracket, the sostenuto rod bracket being adapted to accommodate a sostenuto rod, an improvement involving the attachment of the sostenuto rod bracket to the action frame. Increased access to the sostenuto rod bracket can be facilitated simply by detaching the action stack bracket from the action frame.

Abstract: A composite keyboard musical instrument comprises an acoustic piano and a silent system, and the silent system includes a hammer stopper split into two parts assigned to higher/middle pitched parts and a lower pitched part, respectively, and a timing changer for accelerating escape of jacks; although the two parts are independently rotatably supported by bearing units, two transmission mechanisms are used in parallel for transmitting torque from only one electric motor to the two parts and timing changer so that the power transmission system is simple.

Abstract: A key actuation system that is designed for use with a keyboard instrument of the type having multiple keys. Each key is pivotally supported and has a front end that is depressed by a player to play a note. The actuation system includes multiple actuators that are operable to move at least some of the keys. The actuators together include a block of ferromagnetic material with a surface with multiple bores defined in the surface. Each of the bores has a diameter. A winding is positioned in each of the bores. Each of the windings has a hole. A piston is provided at least partially in each of the holes, with each piston being in mechanical communication with one of the keys such that movement of the piston causes movement of the key. Each piston has a width. A ferromagnetic flux plate with multiple openings is positioned on the surface of the block of ferromagnetic material with the openings aligned with the bores.

Abstract: A universal piano action having a minimum number of identical parts interchangeable in upright and grand pianos, under and above the tensioned strings and effecting rapid repetition in upright and grand pianos, this universal piano action responds to every strenght of touch evoking sounds from a whisper to thunder. In this universal piano action the hammers can be positioned to any at rest position, to any proximity in respect to the tensioned strings for a sensitive control of sound, permitting practice playing with a normal strenght of piano key touch without disturbing.

Abstract: A damper assembly for a piano includes a rail assembly with an adjustable mount for mounting the rail assembly to the piano case, and a plurality of underlevers coupled to the rail assembly. The rail assembly is configured for vertical adjustment relative to the case, for example, continuous adjustment (in which the rail assembly can define a vertical slot) or discrete adjustment (in which the rail assembly defines discrete openings arranged vertically). The adjustable mount includes mounting blocks, and the rail is mounted to the blocks for rotation relative to the blocks. The mounting blocks each define an adjustment slot. A method of simultaneously adjusting a plurality of piano underlevers in a piano includes mounting a damper assembly to a piano case with an adjustable mount, and adjusting the position of a rail assembly of the damper assembly relative to the case.

Abstract: In a piano that includes an action frame and a sostenuto rod bracket, the sostenuto rod bracket being adapted to accommodate a sostenuto rod, an improvement involving the attachment of the sostenuto rod bracket to the action frame. Increased access to the sostenuto rod bracket can be facilitated simply by detaching the action stack bracket from the action frame.

Abstract: An improvement for a conventional grand piano action to position a piano hammer at varying at rest positions to evoke varying intensities of sound with an unvarying strength of piano key touch.

Abstract: A key actuation system that is designed for use with a keyboard instrument of the type having multiple keys. Each key is pivotally supported and has a front end that is depressed by a player to play a note. The actuation system includes multiple actuators that are operable to move at least some of the keys. The actuators together include a block of ferromagnetic material with a surface with multiple bores defined in the surface. Each of the bores has a diameter. A winding is positioned in each of the bores. Each of the windings has a hole. A piston is provided at least partially in each of the holes, with each piston being in mechanical communication with one of the keys such that movement of the piston causes movement of the key. Each piston has a width. A ferromagnetic flux plate with multiple openings is positioned on the surface of the block of ferromagnetic material with the openings aligned with the bores.

Abstract: Dampers are spaced from and brought into contact with associated sets of strings for defining piano tones, and the vibration absorbing capability is to be equalized among the dampers by regulating the weight, wherein at least one of the damper head and the damper lever is formed of powder-containing synthetic resin so that the damper is economical, durable and free from the environmental pollution.

Abstract: The key actuation system is designed for use with a keyboard instrument of the type having multiple keys. Each of the keys has an upper and lower surface and is pivotally supported above a key bed. A front end of a key may be depressed by a player to play a note. The key bed extends under and is spaced from the lower surface of the key. The actuation system includes an underlever in the space between the lower surface of the key and the key bed, and between the front end of the key in the pivotal support. The underlever has one end that is supported in a stationary position relative to the key bed and another end that is movable towards and away from the key bed. The movable end of the underlever is in mechanical communication with the key such that movement of the movable end of the underlever towards the key bed causes the key to move as if depressed by a player. An actuator is in mechanical communication with the underlever and operable to move the second end of the underlever towards the key bed.

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument is a combination of an acoustic piano, a silent system and an electronic sound generating system, and the silent system includes a change-over mechanism and a shank stopper connected to the change-over mechanism so as to be changed between a free position and a blocking position, wherein a change-over mechanism gives rise to a rotation of the shank stopper around vertical axes spaced apart from each other on a horizontal virtual plane so that the hammer stopper is free from a twist.

Abstract: A piano keyboard apparatus has an action assembly that includes a four bar linkage having four pivotably connected bars including a whippen pivotably connected to a repetition lever. An articulated jack has a lower link pivotably connected to an upper link and the lower link is pivotably connected to the whippen.

Abstract: A damper lever for a grand piano is provided for realizing a significantly cost reduction, a higher dimensional accuracy at a fabricating stage and a higher weathering resistance, and for permitting lead pieces to be stably fixed in a lever body without causing fracture or deformation of the lever body. The damper lever for a grand piano is composed of a lever body formed of a molded plastic material, and having a fitting recess formed on one side surface thereof and an inserting hole extending from the fitting recess and open to the other side surface of the lever body, and a plurality of lead pieces each having a head and a shaft extending from the head. Each lead piece has its head inserted into the inserting hole of the lever body and the head fitted in the fitting recess of the lever body, and a top end of the shaft is caulked to fix each lead piece in the lever body.

Abstract: A combination acoustic mode and electronic mode grand piano is provided including a hammer shank stop rail that intercepts the hammer shank when operating in its electronic mode, so that the hammer cannot complete its normal travel to strike its corresponding string(s) when its key is actuated. The positioning of the hammer shank stop rail is actuated by a user-operated control that, when placed into the "acoustic" mode, raises the hammer shank stop rail to a non-engaged position that does not interfere with the normal movements of the hammer shank. When in the "electronic" mode, the control lowers the hammer shank stop rail into an engaged position where it intercepts the hammer shanks of the piano, thereby preventing each hammer head from striking its respective string(s).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for adjusting a sound volume of a grand piano.When a grand piano is played, it is desired to adjust its sound volume depending on the surrounding conditions such as in an apartment house, or at night or the like.The present invention has an object of obtaining an apparatus for adjusting the sound volume of a grand piano in which an adjustment can be made to a desired sound volume by a simple operation and which has a sufficient sound-insulating effect. It is characterized in that a lower opening portion of a case is covered by a sound-insulating board which has an opening and closing portion.

Abstract: A device for softening sounds generated by a piano includes a lifting rod assembly mounted on the frame of the piano and operatively connected with a soft pedal mounted on the frame. An elongated sound softening rail assembly is pivotally mounted on the frame for selectively mutingly engaging the strings. The sound softening rail assembly includes an elongated rail spaced above the hammers and at least one dampening wedge attached thereto extending transversely outward from the rail toward the strings. The lifting rod assembly engages the rail so as to pivot the rail when lifted by the soft pedal, thereby pivoting the dampening wedge into muting contact with at least one of the strings. A method of retrofitting an existing piano with this sound softening device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A silencing apparatus is provided for pianos having an electronic sound source as well as the conventional acoustic sound mechanism. The silencing apparatus includes a plurality of arms, a stop rail bridging ends of the arms and a positioning mechanism. When acoustic sound is to be silenced, a wire is pulled by means of an operating lever, thereby pivoting an actuating lever which is connected to one of the arms. This causes the stop rail to pivot to the stop position at which the stop rail abuts against and thereby stops motion of the hammer shanks which move in response to key depressions. The stop rail and the arms thereon define open spaces for accommodating for the presence of the other components, such as damper units, inside the piano. Thus, the silencing apparatus of the present invention travels over a greater range of motion without interfering with the operation of other components inside the piano.

Abstract: In a grand piano having an electronic sound source performance mode, a damper unit for stopping the movement of the hammer shanks in response to depression of the keys is provided. The damper unit has a relatively wide stop rail for halting the motion of the hammer shanks. Both ends of a support plate connected to the stop rail are pivotally supported by a pair of support mechanisms for pivotal motion in the longitudinal direction of the stop rail. In one of the pair of support mechanisms, a coil spring for urging the stop rail toward the support mechanism is provided. The stop rail is pulled toward the other support mechanism by an externally operated wire. Without changing the direction of the contact face of the stop rail for abutting on the hammer shank, the stop rail can be moved vertically between a stop position and a retracted position. In grand pianos, which have only a limited amount of available space above the hammer shank, the stop rail can be broadened.

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument lowers a key bed together with a keyboard, key action mechanisms and hammer mechanisms in a silent mode, and a stopper mechanism and a make-up mechanism cause the depressed keys to actuate the key action mechanisms and damper mechanisms as similar to an acoustic sound mode, thereby allowing a player to feel the key touch usual in a performance without an acoustic sound.

Abstract: For use with a piano having key activated hammers, each hammer striking a selected string upon activation by the associated key, a rail stop assembly that comprises a rotational hammer stopping rail for preventing the hammers from striking the selected strings. Included is a mechanism for moving the hammer stopping rail between a first position for blocking the hammers and a second position for allowing the hammers to strike the selected strings.

Abstract: A damper unit for a piano is provided in which the position of a hammer stop rail for contacting the hammer shanks before the hammers strike the strings can be changed from an inoperative retracted position to a stop position with a relatively small drive force and the hammer stop rail is firmly and reliably positioned at the stop position. Stop rail support arms for supporting the hammer stop rail are connected, via linkage mechanisms composed of links and lever arms, to a rotary shaft. By pulling a wire that is connected to the rotary shaft, the rotary shaft is rotated, such that the hammer stop rail can be positioned, via the linkages, at the stop position and the retracted position, in which the hammer stop rail does not contact the hammer shanks. As compared with the conventional damper unit, the position of the hammer stop rail can be changed with a relatively small drive force.

Abstract: A universal mute for vertical pianos that as a unit mounts to the tuning pins with adjustment capability to establish installability in existing vertical pianos of various size, age and origin.

Abstract: An augmented bass hammer striking distance is provided in both upright and grand pianos. At least those strings in the bass section having an optimum striking distance (d) to speaking length (L) ratio (d/L) of a value greater than 1/7 have their hammers located at a striking distance (d) along their lengths as determined by their optimum d/L value. The hammers of all of the bass section strings can be so located. Alternatively, the hammers of those bass section strings having an optimum value of d/L of 1/7 or less can be conventionally located at the same striking distance (d) determined from a preselected d/L value falling within the range of 1/7 to 1/9, or can be incrementally varied. When the lowest few strings of the bass section appear to have subjectively less apparent fullness of tone, the striking distance of the lowest few strings can be shortened string-by-string toward the low end of the bass section by amounts which will modify their subjective d/L - dependent pitch in 100-cent increments.

Abstract: A plastic damper for attachment to a vibrating piano wire, the damper consisting of a single piece part having an end slot for turning by a screwdriver, and communicating peripheral slits for receiving the piano wire. One end of each peripheral slit has a slightly greater width than the rest of the slit, so that the piano wire can be inserted through this end of the slit, and locked against the damper by rotating it with a screwdriver, so that the relatively narrow major part of the slit "twist-locks" against the wire; the slight resiliency of the plastic facilitating the "twist-lock" action.

Abstract: In the construction of a muffler assembly for a piano, a muffler rail is supported for up and down movement along a substantially straight path slightly inclined sideways for unchanged correct positioning of a muffler felt between strings and hammers even after long use, thereby assuring constant sound softening.