Jointed Jack Patents (Class 84/249)
  • Patent number: 8614382
    Abstract: A damper action for an upright piano that comprises a springed tab on the damper lever that “ratchets” or gives way or folds away in one direction and does not in the other, to provide retention when the spring tab passes by the longitudinal ridge on the sostenuto rod in one direction and non-retention when the spring tab passes by the longitudinal ridge on the sostenuto rod the other direction. The ratchet aspect of the spring tab uses tension from the damper spring and does not require a separate spring to apply tension to yield the ratchet effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Wessell, Nickel & Gross
    Inventors: Kirk Burgett, Jamie Marks, Dana Mazzaglia
  • 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