Grand Patents (Class 84/239)
  • Patent number: 11410635
    Abstract: An adjustable action for an electric piano is provided with a keystick having an adjustable bottom capstan at an end thereof opposite the key, which is adjustable so that the rest position of the hammer of each such key may be independently adjusted, and an adjustable top capstan and hammer jack on the top of the keystick, which may be adjusted so that the stop-lock (depressed key) position of the hammer of each such key may be independently adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Vintage Vibe LLC
    Inventor: Alfred J. Dileone, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11183162
    Abstract: A keyboard apparatus includes: a frame; keys each disposed pivotably with respect to the frame; pivot members each including: a support member disposed pivotably about a pivot shaft; and a structure connected to the support member at a position spaced apart from the pivot shaft, the structure having a specific gravity that is greater than that of the support member. A hole portion is formed in each of a first structure and a second structure, each of which is the structure of a corresponding one of a first pivot member and a second pivot member of at least two of the pivot members, such that a mass of the first structure and a mass of the second structure are different from each other. The hole portion of the first structure and the hole portion of the second structure are different from each other in shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ken Takahashi, Shunsuke Ichiki
  • Patent number: 10607577
    Abstract: A support assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention is provided, the support assembly including a jack rotatably supported by a support; a repetition lever rotatably supported with respect to the support; a protrusion disposed at an intersecting portion of the jack and the repetition lever; and a protrusion receiving portion for receiving the protrusion; wherein the protrusion receiving portion defines a movable range of the protrusion and limits a rotation range of the jack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akito Ohba, Shunsuke Ichiki
  • Patent number: 10446121
    Abstract: An action of a grand piano, which makes it possible to reduce not only the weight of a jack, but also that of a wippen, to thereby improve string striking repeatability. The action includes a wippen of a synthetic resin configured to pivotally move upward by being pushed up by the depressed key, a jack pivotally mounted to the wippen, for pushing up the hammer in accordance with pivotal motion of the wippen to cause the hammer to pivotally move upward, and a jack angular position-adjusting mechanism provided on the wippen to adjust an angular position of the jack. The mechanism has a support portion integrally formed with the wippen, an adjustment screw screwed into the support portion movably in a front-rear direction, and a jack button provided on an end of the adjustment screw for defining the angular position of the jack by abutment therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KAWAI GAKKI SEISA KUSHO
    Inventor: Takaaki Taguchi
  • Patent number: 10403243
    Abstract: A support assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a support rotatably disposed with respect to a frame, a repetition lever rotatably connected to the support, an spring element supported by a support portion fixed to the support, the spring element which provides a rotational force to the repetition lever, and a contact portion between the repetition lever and the spring element, wherein a rotating portion of the repetition lever is provided with respect to the support portion on a side opposite to the contact portion between the repetition lever and the spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Akito Ohba
  • Patent number: 10170086
    Abstract: A support device for a pivotal member of a keyboard instrument, in which opposite ends of a pivotal pin fixed to a pivotal member can be each properly positioned in the center of a pin hole, to thereby enable the pivotal member to perform efficient and stable pivotal motion. The support device that pivotally supports the pivotal member pivotally moved by key depression includes a flange body including two support walls opposed to each other with a predetermined spacing therebetween, and two pin holes which are formed in the respective support walls and in which opposite ends of the pivotal pin are inserted, respectively, and two bearings fixed in the pin holes in an inserted state and having opposite ends of the pivotal pin inserted therein, for pivotally supporting the pivotal. Each bearing is formed by a braid formed in a hollow cylindrical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kawai Gakki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Takaaki Taguchi
  • Patent number: 8541673
    Abstract: A piano hammer stopper system includes a stopper rail set comprising at least first and second stopper rail members, each movable between respective first positions allowing unobstructed movement of associated piano hammers and respective second positions stopping at least one associated piano hammer from striking any corresponding string. At least one drive shaft is rotatably coupled to one or both of the stopper rail members. A drive arm is attached to the drive shaft and engages a drive fulcrum. A travel guide directs movement of the first and second stopper rail members between respective first and second positions. Rotation of the drive shaft rotates the drive arm to engage the drive fulcrum for moving one or both of the first and second stopper rail members between respective first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Steinway Musical Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Jones, James M. Lombino, Susan Yake Kenagy, Sue Guan Lim
  • Patent number: 8487172
    Abstract: A piano action flange with an open-slotted rail attachment feature that is a slot-shaped void completely through the piano action flange, running in the longitudinal direction of the piano action flange, with width slightly larger than the outer diameter of the thread end the flange screw but smaller that the head diameter of the flange screw, where the slot-shaped void is open on one end, breaking through the end of said piano action flange, to leave the slot-shaped void open and accessible from the end of the piano action flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Wessell, Nickel & Gross
    Inventors: Kirk Burgett, Jamie Marks, Dana Mazzaglia
  • Patent number: 8227674
    Abstract: A practical means to position and adjust the parts of a grand piano's action outside of the piano to fit and play properly, precisely, and as expected in the piano. A custom keybed supports the action as supported in the piano and secures its position. A regulating rack holds one or more reference edges above the action to delineate strike position (the location of hammer-to-string contact in the piano) and those distances from strike required for regulating. It also records hammer spacing at strike. A hammer squaring platform allows a shank traveler and hammer square to set up the hammers to address their strings vertically. And a string height gage assembly, including gage, sliding base, and rail, measures and records strike position in the piano to accurately set up the regulating rack's reference edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Inventor: Christopher Brown
  • Publication number: 20110094364
    Abstract: A regulation station creates a practical environment for assembling and regulating a grand piano action. A series of tools may be used to provide clear and precise references for measuring, aligning, and squaring the parts of the action outside of the grand piano. A custom keybed supports and positions the action. A regulating rack carries a whole action template or a segmented template, which represents the strings of the grand piano along the strike line, otherwise known as “strike”. The spacing scale of a grand piano's hammers may be recorded on the profile edge of a template, which matches the height profile of the hammers along the strike line. A hammer squaring platform allows a shank traveler and hammer square to set up the hammers to address their strings vertically. A string height gage assembly, including a string height gage, sliding base and string height gage rail, measures for the template and sets it up for use in the regulation station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventor: CHRISTOPHER BROWN
  • Patent number: 7807907
    Abstract: A grand piano has action units for driving hammers to rotate toward strings, and each action unit is equipped with a repetition mechanism; the repetition mechanism has an elastic guide plate instead of a repetition lever and a repetition spring; and the elastic guide plate per se is deformed after contact with a drop screw, and returns to the initial position for permitting a pianist to play a music tune through repetition of key when the pianist releases the depressed key, whereby the action unit becomes simpler in structure than the conventional action unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Inoue
  • Patent number: 7781652
    Abstract: A universal grand piano piano action that has adjustable connections between the repetition base, heel, and rest cushion bracket of the piano action to provide a piano action that can be adjusted to fit any grand piano. Other components of the grand piano piano action, such as the jack and flanges, may require specific design and manufacture for each brand of grand piano. Universal grand piano piano action also allows true simultaneous half stroke keyboard design for both the white and sharp keys of a piano and includes the methods for installing simultaneous half stroke keyboard design into a grand piano.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Wessell, Nickel & Gross
    Inventors: Bruce E. Clark, Kevin Burke, Kirk Burgett
  • Patent number: 7687693
    Abstract: Composite or plastic molded articles used in a grand piano action. A piano action actuates in response to depression on a piano key to swing a hammer into a piano string. The articles are assembled to form a piano action with significantly less dynamic mass which is much more responsive to the touch. In addition, the new action provides the valuable collateral benefits of increased efficiency of manufacture and maintenance. The invention also provides the capability to achieve true half stroke design in both the sharp and white keys. Additionally, the application discloses a universal composite grand piano action that is capable of being installed into any brand of grand piano.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventors: Bruce Clark, Kevin Burke, Kurk Burgett
  • Patent number: 7687694
    Abstract: Composite or plastic molded articles used in a grand piano piano action. The articles make up a piano action with less dynamic mass which is, thus, more responsive to the piano player. In addition, the new action provides the extremely valuable collateral benefits of increased efficiency of manufacture and maintenance. Low inertia grand piano piano action comprises a repetition base with one or more of the following: an angled main beam, an angled balancier support beam, an integrated jack button stop, and a means to optionally connect a rest cushion assembly. Low inertia grand piano piano action may also comprise a heel with extremely low mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Wessell, Nickel & Gross
    Inventors: Bruce E. Clark, Kevin Burke, Kirk Burgett
  • Patent number: 7638696
    Abstract: An improved key pin and action pin that is resistant to corrosion, is very durable and has surfaces with a very low coefficient of friction. The pins are preferably made of aluminum or aluminum alloy with a hardened anodized oxide surface. The anodized pins may be polished to provide a surface with a very low coefficient of friction that is also very durable. As a consequence of the low friction and corrosion resistance, piano actions using the pins have less resistance providing an action with a lighter “feel” and consistency. Longevity of the components of the action and the pins is also greatly improved especially for pianos located in humid climates where traditional pins experience corrosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Burgett, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Clark
  • Publication number: 20090007750
    Abstract: Composite or plastic molded articles used in a grand piano piano action. The articles make up a piano action with less dynamic mass which is, thus, more responsive to the piano player. In addition, the new action provides the extremely valuable collateral benefits of increased efficiency of manufacture and maintenance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Bruce E. Clark, Kevin Burke, Kirk Burgett
  • Publication number: 20080307942
    Abstract: Composite or plastic molded articles used in a grand piano piano action. The articles make up a piano action with less dynamic mass which is, thus, more responsive. In addition, the new action provides the extremely valuable collateral benefits of increased efficiency of manufacture and maintenance. The invention also provides the capability to achieve true half stroke design in both the sharp and white keys at the same time. Additionally, the application discloses a universal composite grand piano piano action that is capable of being installed into any brand of grand piano.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Bruce Clark, Kevin Burke, Kurk Burgett
  • Publication number: 20080307943
    Abstract: A universal grand piano piano action that has adjustable connections between the repetition base, heel, and rest cushion bracket of the piano action to provide a one-size-fits-all after-market replacement piano action for any grand piano. Other components of the grand piano piano action, such as the jack and flanges, may require specific design and manufacture for each brand of grand piano. This invention is the first piano action to allow for true simultaneous half stroke keyboard design for both the white and sharp keys of a piano and includes the method for installing such.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Bruce E. Clark, Kevin Burke, Kirk Burgett
  • Patent number: 7129403
    Abstract: A grand piano action the jack having a projection acting against the knuckle dependent from the hammer shank carrying the piano hammer by a counter weight carried by the jack eliminating the spoon and the regulating button and the jack spring pressing against the jack causing the traditional excessive friction at the jack and knuckle interface. Friction is totally eliminated from the conventional grand piano action by the capstan screw on the piano key lifting the wippen lever near the pivot of the jack. Patents relating to the problem of excessive friction. Finholm U.S. Pat. No. 4,774,868. Steinway U.S. Pat. No. 5,511,454-U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,167. Baldwin U.S. Pat. No. 6,232,537.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Inventor: Richard Wroblewski
  • Patent number: 6720489
    Abstract: A muter configured to be placed beneath the soundboard of a piano (in the case of a grand piano) in order to attenuate the downward transmission of sound. The muter employs blocks of acoustic foam, shaped to frictionally engage the structural elements of the piano in order to retain the muter within the piano. The muter is easily installed and removed. A version configured for use with an upright piano is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Daniell Revenaugh
  • Patent number: 6639133
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Richard Wroblewski
  • Patent number: 6232537
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Baldwin Piano & Organ Company
    Inventor: Thomas E. Kimble
  • Patent number: 5602351
    Abstract: A piano-like keyboard instrument allowing a player to perform in either an acoustic sound mode and or an electronic sound producing mode. In the electronic sound producing mode, a stopper blocks sets of piano strings from hammers and an electronic sound producing unit generates electronic sounds. A key touch is maintained in the electronic sound producing mode. A gap regulating unit changes gaps between the toes of jacks and regulating buttons, depending upon which mode of operation is selected. Hammer shanks rebound on the stopper after the escapes of the jacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Kawamura, Yasutoshi Kaneko
  • Patent number: 5239907
    Abstract: A muting device for a piano includes a capstan screw, a support rail, a support, a jack, a shank rail, a hammer shank, a hammer and at least one string with respect to each key. Each key is divided into a back portion and a front portion with respect to the rotation axis. This front portion of the key is depressed by a performer, while the back portion of the key is inserted into a key driving mechanism of the grand piano. In addition, a transmitting member (e.g., another capstan screw) transmits force from the key to the hammer. The transmitting member is inserted between an upper surface of the key and a lower surface of the support. The transmitting member contacts the upper surface of the key between the capstan screw and a rotation center of the key, and it also contacts with the lower surface of the support between a position at which the capstan screw comes contacts the support and a position at which the jack is connected to the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuo Sugiyama, Katuo Ito, Yasutoshi Kaneko
  • Patent number: 5125309
    Abstract: An adjustable friction grand piano hammer shank having bifurcated ends disposed on either side of a flange with a slot defined in each bifurcated end, a pivot pin receipt hole defined in each bifurcated end aligned with the slots, a strap having one end affixed to the bottom of one of the bifurcated portions extending therearound to form a loop around an adjustment screw with the strap's other end extending around the other bifurcated end to be affixed to the bottom of the other bifurcated end such that tightening the screw pulls on the strap and tightens together the portions of the bifurcated hammer shank ends above and below the slots to increase friction against the pivot pin and conversely, loosening the adjustment screw releases tension on the strap allowing the ends above and below the slot to be under less tension and reducing friction on the pivot pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Inventor: David C. Stanwood
  • Patent number: 4953433
    Abstract: The subject grand piano action, in common with all piano actions, comprises driving apparatus comprising the key and wippen levers, drive apparatus comprising the hammer assembly and apparatus interconnecting the two and providing for disengagement and reengagement of the driven with the driving apparatus. In the subject action the interconnecting apparatus comprises the jack, pivoted to the free end of the wippen lever and a repetition spring pivoted at both ends, one end at the free end of the jack, the other on the hammer shank. When the key is played and the free end of the wippen lever rises, a cam on the side of the jack facing away from the wippen lever engages a button mounted on the hammer rail and this engagement forces the end of the jack along a hard felt cam on the hammer knuckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Inventors: Darrell G. Fandrich, Chris A. Trevelas
  • Patent number: 4860626
    Abstract: An improved wippen heel arrangement for an upright piano includes: a pillar screwed into one end portion of a piano key so that the projecting length of the pillar which projects from the piano key is adjustable; a wippen heel attached to a wippen constituting one element of an action mechanism; and a wippen joint interposed between the pillar and the wippen heel for pivotal movement about a stationary shaft, in which the thrust applied to the pillar is transmitted through the wippen joint to the wippen. Accordingly, a key touch quality which may be experienced with a grand piano can be enjoyed using an upright piano.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Inventors: Hajime Tanaka, Shiro Saito
  • Patent number: 4856402
    Abstract: An improvement for grand piano actions reduces unwanted friction between the repetition lever and the hammer shank. The conventional grand piano knuckle is replaced by a lever disposed generally parallel to the repetition lever and pivotally secured thereto at one end. An adjustable spring provides a force biasing the lever away from the repetition lever. A travel limit adjusts the maximum pivotal excursion of the lever relative to the repetition lever. At the opposite end of the lever, a centrally pivoted platform structure is pivotally secured. The structure includes a surface which engages the hammer shank and at least one brake surface which engages the repetition lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Inventor: James R. Alexander
  • Patent number: 4774868
    Abstract: In a piano normally of a grand piano type, a key action mechanism includes a combination of a fly lever distal end acting on a hammer lever through an intermediate thrust balancing lever, the thrust balancing lever being pivoted at an intermediate portion between proximal and distal ends thereof, and the thrust balancing lever distal end having a change-of-direction roller over which a non-resilient cord is drawn, one end of the cord being connected to an intermediate portion of a wippen lever pivoted at one end thereof, and an opposite end of the cord being connected to a proximate end of a helical spring, and a distal end of the helical spring being connected to an intermediate portion of the fly lever of which the fly lever's lower portion is pivotably mounted on a distal end of the wippen lever, such that when an upward portion of a laterally-extending proximal end of the fly lever is raised to contact an abutment, further raising of the wippen's distal end moves the thrust balancing distal end upwardly a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Inventor: William S. Finholm
  • Patent number: 4685371
    Abstract: Within each action of a grand piano there are certain wood surfaces which rub against other surfaces. These interfaces create friction, which adversely affects the playability of the piano. In order to reduce and overcome this friction, strips of fluorocarbon resin, having an extremely low coefficient of friction, are adhered to those wooden surfaces within the action which come into contact with other surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Inventor: Gary M. Levinson
  • Patent number: 4226158
    Abstract: In the construction of a damper assembly for musical instruments, the conventionally used swingable damper lever for operationally relating a key to an associated damper wire is omitted and the swing movement of the key is either directly and indirectly converted into a corresponding fairly vertical movement of an elongated damper holder via a balance weight disposed to the bottom end of the damper holder in order to avoid undesired influences caused by swinging movement of any mechanical parts. Use of a plate type damper holder further advantageously prevents undesirable twist and dancing of the damper holder. Simultaneous, even and well-controlled pressure contact of the damper head with the vibrating string assures ideal damping and acoustic effects and use of detachable balance weight enables free adjustment of touch on the key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1980
    Assignee: Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eiji Kobayashi, Hiroyoshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 4203341
    Abstract: In the construction of a damper assembly of pianos, the conventionally used long-sized damper wire is replaced by a pair of separate short-sized lever components operationally related to each other via an additional intermediate damper lever for stabilized action of the assembly even without provision of the conventionally used guide rail. A shorter length damper wire joins the upper lever component to the damper head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1980
    Assignee: Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyoshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 4096779
    Abstract: Rectangularly-shaped wooden anchors are adhered by glue onto face surfaces of a wippen and a jack in a piano action. Each has a central annular opening through which a looped portion of a string extends for connection to a spring used to impose a spring force upon a repetition lever and upon a jack. Each anchor, made of wood, has a thickness of 0.12 inch or less and includes a slot extending to an edge to adjustably receive one terminal end of the string to provide the desired length to the loop in the string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1978
    Inventor: Ernest Vagias