US1729198A - Expression-controlling means - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 24', 1929. J. G. WILLIAMS ET AL 1,729,198

EXPRESSION CONTROLLING MEANS 1 Filed Nov. 17, 1928 4 Sheets$heet l WITNE ES. \NVENTOR JEROME G- lV/LL/Am's AND Z g i EDWARD J, SCHNEIDER B) THE/R AT ORNEY Sept. 24, 1929. J. G. WILLIAMS Efi' AL 1,729,198

EXPRESSION CQNTROLLING MEANS Filed NOV. 1'7, 1928 .4 Sheets-Sheet 2 i than WITNESSES \NVENTOR JRoME N/L-LIAMS AIYD EDWARD JficHNE DER r THE/I? A'ITORNEY Sept. 24, 1929. J. G. WILLIAMS ET AL 1,729,198

ExPriEssmN CONTROLLING MEANS Filed Nov. 17, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 g E INVENTOR JEROME 4. WILLIAMS AND EDWARD JTSc'Hr/E/DER BY THEIR ATTORNEY.

Sept. 24, 1929- .1. G. WILLIAMS ET AL 1,729,198

EXPRESSION CONTROLLING MEANS Filed Nov. 17, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 L M E V ARD SCHNE/D 5y WITN sszs \NVENTOR VA "g 44 JEROME WILLIAMS AND TH IR ATTOR HEY WWZKZWW Patented Sept. 24, 1929 JEROME G. WILLIAMS AND EDWARD J.

PATENT OFFICE SCHNEIDER, on CINCINNATI, OHIO, AS-

SIG-NORS TO THE BALDWIN COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO EXPRESSION-CONTROLLING MEANS Application filed November 17, 1928.

T his invention relates to expression or tone control means for pianos.

One method used heretofore as an aid in obtaining soft expression in the piano, when played either mechanically or by hand, has been to reduce the travel of the hammers. Another method has been to shift the hammers so that when actuated fewer strings are struck.

Both methods have advantages and disadvantages. The first method might be described as a mechanical aid to the performer in that due to lessened hammer travel and, as sometimes constructed, lessened key travel or dip, a soft tone is obtained without a nicety of touch or mechanical control being required. The second method, due of course, to the fewer strings struck also gives a softened tone but in addition, a changed tone is obtained as the unstruck strings vibrate in harmony with the struck strings resulting in a beautiful soft and changed tone. The disadvantage of this system has been that the hammer and key travel are unchanged thus requiring a high perfection of touch or mechanical control for best results.

It is the object of this invention to combine the good points of the above separately described methods. Thus an increase in the range of soft expression is obtained as well as an increase in sensitivity of touch without interfering with repetition and at the same time eliminating all lost motion bet-ween keys and piano action.

Referring now to the drawings Fig. 1 is a side view showing our invention as applied to a grand piano action. Fig. 2 is the same view of our invention as applied to a grand piano action as Fig. 1 except that the parts are now in the operative or changed position.

Fig. 3 is a partly diagrammatic view looking from the back of the keys forward and shows the normal relation of hammers to the strings of a grand piano.

Fig. 4 is the operative position of the parts Serial No. 320,064.

shown in Fig. 3 and shows the raised position of the hammer as well as the shifting position as related to the piano strings.

The operation of our improved device is as follows:

When the foot pedal 1, fulcrumed at 2, is depressed, a lifting motion is imparted to the shift crank 3, by the lift rod 4. The shift crank 3, fulcrumed at 5 imparts a sliding motion to the key frame 6, the keys 7, the piano action 8 including hammers 9 and shifts same to position shown at 10 in Fig. 4 with reference to the piano strings 14. At the same time lift pin 11, due to lifting motion of the shift crank 3, raises the rod 12 fulcrumed at 13 and with it the rear end of the keys 7. This lifting action of the keys 7, thru the piano action 8 raises the hammers 9 from the. normal rest position shown at 19 in Fig. 1 to a position nearer the strings 14 as shown at 15 in Figs. 2 and 4. Due to the action of the rod 12, the keys 7 are always in contact with the piano action 8 at 16 thru the capstan screw 17. Therefore it follows that there will be no lost motion between keys and piano action although a lessened hammer travel is brought about as well as a lessened key dip at the front of the key. hen the pedal 1 is released the parts resume their normal position as in Figs. 1 and 3 due to the action of a shift spring 18, at the treble end of the key frame 6 which normally holds the key frame 6, the keys 7, piano action 8, hammers 9 and shift crank 3 in the position as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, with regard to strings 14. Note now the normal full hammer travel as shown at 19, in Figs. 1 and 3 and the position of the hammer 9 in that it will now strike all three of the strings 14.

What we claim as our invention is:

1. In a grand piano, strings, a piano action and hammers for actuating the strings, keys for actuating the piano action and hammers, shifter means for shifting keys and piano action, means for shortening the stroke of the one lever.

JEROME G. VILLIAMS. EDWVARD J. SCHNEIDER.

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