Abstract: An improved device for providing the magic touch effect during a double repetition in an upright piano wherein the device comprises a plurality of keys swingably mounted on a keyboard frame and supporting a suitably inclined slanted drive element, which can be screw adjusted and is intercoupled to a slanted swinging arm that operates as a control lever that is pivoted to an abruptly clockwise downstream slanted main bridge having an escapement lever coupled to a butt roller of a hammer, pivoted to a first pillar element, that supports adjusting buttons for adjusting a first and second escapements. The main bridge assembly is coupled to a second pillar element, that is pivoted to the lever of the second escapement.

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: The invention concerns an exhaust silencer arrangement with integrated bypass assembly and external actuator to control the position of the bypass assembly. For applications where a heightened loudness, or increased horsepower through the decrease of exhaust noise suppression is desired or required, but at temporary instances, the invention allows for real time electronic control over the loudness and horsepower potential of the internal combustion engine to which it is applied. The invention is comprised of the exhaust muffler with integrated bypass and silencer module, external electronic actuator, and the mechanical cable which transmits the mechanical output of the actuator to the bypass valve of the exhaust muffler assembly. The exhaust muffler is comprised of the housing which contains the bypass tube and valve assembly, silencer module, and inlet and outlet chambers which intersect the bypass assembly with the silencer module.

Abstract: A striking mechanism for a string instrument, such as a piano or a grand piano, which has, for each string, a hammer, which, via a power transmission, is brought to strike the string when the associated key in the keyboard of the instrument is depressed. The mechanism includes first and second checks having, respectively, first and second check zones for, in mutual engagement, stopping and temporarily retaining the hammer during rebound. A magnetic or magnetizable material is placed in each check zone to generate a magnetic field which causes the hammer during rebound to obtain a much safer and softer braking than is the case in conventional striking mechanism. Thus, the risk of the hammer rebounding and striking the string in an unintended repetition strike is eliminated.

Abstract: In a striking mechanism (1) for a piano, grand piano, or similar string instrument the power for the key (8a) is transferred to the hammer (3) via a rod system (10, 11, and 12) so adapted that the connection of the key (8a) and the hammer (3) is never interrupted. The rod system (10, 11, and 12) is supported during the striking movement against deflection by a first guide boss or roller (18) supported by a first curve guide (19), and during the return movement by a second guide boss or roller (20) supported by a second curve guide (21). The first curve guide (19) can swing between a first, advanced position in which it is releasably locked by a locking pawl (28) and the rod system is capable of causing the hammer (3) to touch the string when the key (8a) is pressed down, and a released second retracted position in which this is no longer possible. This ensures that the hammer (3) is withdrawn so rapidly after having struck the string (2) that the string can vibrate freely and deliver its note.

Abstract: An improved piano which offers improved repetitive playing characteristics, a clearly distinguishable set off pressure, and an improved player touch, enabling the player to better control the strength and sound quality produced. The piano action includes biasing means which causes a different moment of force on the hammer butt depending on the position of the hammber butt as it rotates from the rest position to the string striking position. A piano made in accordance with the present invention includes an improved bridge and soundboard arrangement at an upper end of an upright piano's plate comprising a bridge rail connected to a soundboard; a suspension bridge supported along a first edge portion of the bridge rail and supported along a second edge portion opposite the first edge portion by the plate; and a bridge bearing in contact with the suspension bridge and arranged to bear against the strings to transfer vibrations from the strings to the soundboard.

Abstract: An action mechanism for a upright piano includes a back check mechanism having a back check member provided on the horizontal arm of a hammer arranged to strike a string and a hammer check disposed upright on a wippen constituting an escapement mechanism. With an upright piano incorporating this back check mechanism, it is possible to satisfactorily produce a rapid repetition of a tone with a sound quality approximately that which up until now could only be provided with a grand piano.

Abstract: There is described a musical instrument such as a piano comprising a plurality of vibratile members such as wires capable of vibration to produce notes of selected frequencies, a hammer mechanism for each said vibratile member for causing vibration thereof, and an actuating mechanism for selectively rotating each hammer from a rest position to strike the vibratile member associated therewith and a return mechanism for rotating the hammer back to its rest position. A hammer rail is provided to support the hammer in a rest position. A control mechanism for the hammer includes a pivotally mounted adaptor having an inertial mass movable in a substantially vertically upwards direction and active upon the hammer when struck thereby to absorb the kinetic energy of the hammer moving towards the hammer rail to thereby exert a decelerative force upon the hammer. The hammer rail has a surface of resiliently deformable material such as felt which the hammer abuts in the rest position thereof.

Abstract: An action is described for musical instruments of the piano type. Means are included for braking and restraining each hammer of the action to prevent bouncing, rebounding, or other undesired movement, when the key is depressed and the hammer is positioned at the escapement distance from the tone generating tine and also when the key is released and the hammer is at rest position. The braking and restraining means move arcuately in cooperation with the key to exert a wedging force against a portion of the head of the hammer to brake and restrain it in the desired positions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a modified striking mechanism for use in pianos and related instruments having strings or their equivalent to produce musical notes and keys to select the notes. The mechanism includes a hammer assembly, a lever driving the hammer, coacting gear means for imparting motion to the hammer and features a novel escapement action for use therewith. An alternate embodiment is also disclosed wherein the lever and coacting gear means have been eliminated which allows the jack to engage and drive the hammer directly. Additionally disclosed are improvements including an escapement action adapted for use with conventional piano striking mechanisms, a novel damper assembly, a mechanism for activation by the soft pedal of the piano, a tension adjustment mechanism for varying the amount of force necessary to strike a key, and novel balance rail and capstan lever assemblies.