Patent Grant
9343044
This invention relates to upright or vertical pianos, and, in particular, to soft pedal (or soft mode pedal) assemblies of such pianos.
An acoustic piano employs various systems for transmitting energy from a finger or actuator input force into an auditory, vibrational force. The transmission system, commonly called the “piano action”, or “action”, is a network of levers, cushions and hammers that accepts finger/actuator input force through a collection of pivotal levers, known as piano keys, or keys. The piano keys and piano actions focus this input force into rotating hammers of proportional density that are positioned to strike against tensioned wire strings. The piano hammers and their corresponding piano strings are both carefully constructed to match their acoustic properties, resulting in a tapered or graduated “scale” of components that cumulatively produce a multiple note span of musical frequencies. The piano strings act as media through which vibrational energy is transferred into an amplifier such as a soundboard, or electric speaker, where it ultimately is converted into audible sound.
Pianos can produce a wide range of volumes. Larger pianos can further expand this range to include very loud sounds, such as heard in concert pianos that are expected to broadcast over an accompanying orchestra without the assistance of electronic amplification. Pianos are present in many households, schools, institutions, etc. Inevitably, this proximity of sound-producing instruments creates situations where sound control and reduction are necessary. Many piano manufacturers offer pianos with sound level reducing mechanisms that selectively restrict level of volume. In upright or vertical pianos, these mechanisms typically include a rail that can be actuated to shift the rest position of the piano hammers relative to the strings, moving the hammers closer to the strings so that the hammers strike the strings with less kinetic energy. This type of soft pedal rail or hammer rest rail reduces the piano volume to a level of sound calculated to avoid disruption of neighboring environments such as apartments, practice rooms, etc.
According to one aspect of the disclosure, a piano selectively playable in a normal mode and in two or more soft modes comprises: a set of multiple piano keys; a set of multiple piano actions associated with the multiple piano keys, each piano action including a piano wippen assembly actuated by depression of a corresponding piano key; a set of multiple piano hammers, each piano hammer mounted for rotating movement and defining a forward throw direction toward at least one corresponding piano string, each piano hammer being driven by a corresponding piano wippen assembly to transfer force applied to an associated piano key; and a soft mode pedal system comprising: a soft mode pedal and an ultra-soft soft mode pedal; a hammer rest rail mounted for movement among a normal mode position with the set of multiple piano hammers disposed at rest at a spaced distance from corresponding piano strings, a soft mode position with the set of multiple piano hammers moved into at rest positions closer to the corresponding piano strings (relative to the normal mode position), and an ultra-soft mode position with the set of multiple piano hammers moved into at rest positions closer still to the corresponding piano strings (relative to the normal mode position); a piano key lift rail mounted for movement among a normal mode position spaced from lifting contact with piano keys of the set of multiple piano keys, a soft mode position disposed in contact with and lifting the piano keys along with the piano wippen assemblies, and an ultra-soft mode position disposed in contact with and further lifting the piano keys along with the piano wippen assemblies; and a soft mode pedal linkage assembly in communication between the soft mode pedal and the ultra-soft mode pedal and the hammer rest rail and the piano key lift rail, wherein actuation of the soft mode pedal causes movement of the hammer rest rail, along with the piano hammers, and causes movement of the piano keys, along with the piano wippen assemblies, between the normal mode position and the soft mode position, and wherein actuation of the ultra-soft mode pedal causes relatively further movement of the hammer rest rail, along with the piano hammers, and causes relatively further movement of the piano keys, along with the piano wippen assemblies, between the normal mode position and the ultra-soft mode position.
Preferred implementations of this aspect of the disclosure may include one or more of the following additional features. The ultra-soft mode pedal is a middle foot pedal. The soft mode pedal is a left foot pedal. The hammer rest rail is additionally mounted for movement to a loud mode position with said set of multiple piano hammers moved into at rest positions further from the corresponding said piano strings, the piano key lift rail is additionally mounted for movement for a loud mode position disposed in contact with and lowering said piano keys.
According to another aspect of the disclosure, a piano selectively playable in a normal mode and in two or more soft modes comprises: a set of multiple piano keys; a set of multiple piano actions associated with the multiple piano keys, each piano action including a piano wippen assembly actuated by depression of a corresponding piano key; a set of multiple piano hammers, each piano hammer mounted for rotating movement and defining a forward throw direction toward at least one corresponding piano string, each piano hammer being driven by a corresponding piano wippen assembly to transfer force applied to an associated piano key; and a soft mode pedal system comprising: a soft mode pedal and an ultra-soft mode pedal; a hammer rest rail mounted for movement among a normal mode position with the set of multiple piano hammers disposed at rest at a spaced distance from corresponding piano strings, a soft mode position with the set of multiple piano hammers moved into at rest positions closer to the corresponding piano strings (relative to the normal mode position), and an ultra-soft mode position with the set of multiple piano hammers moved into at rest positions closer still to the corresponding piano strings (relative to the normal mode position); a hammer rest rail lock arranged for securing the hammer rest rail in a position with the set of multiple piano hammers moved into at rest positions relatively closer to the corresponding piano strings; a piano key lift rail mounted for movement among a normal mode position spaced from lifting contact with piano keys of the set of multiple piano keys, a soft mode position disposed in contact with and lifting the piano keys along with the piano wippen assemblies, and an ultra-soft mode position disposed in contact with and further lifting the piano keys along with the piano wippen assemblies; and a soft mode pedal linkage assembly in communication between the soft mode pedal and the ultra-soft mode pedal and the hammer rest rail and the piano key lift rail, wherein actuation of the soft mode pedal causes movement of the hammer rest rail, along with the piano hammers, and causes movement of the piano keys, along with the piano wippen assemblies, to the soft mode position, and wherein actuation of the ultra-soft mode pedal causes relatively further movement of the hammer rest rail, along with the piano hammers, and causes relatively further movement of the piano keys, along with the piano wippen assemblies, to the ultra-soft mode position.
Preferred implementations of this aspect of the disclosure may include one or more of the following additional features. The hammer rest rail lock is arranged for securing the hammer rest rail in at least one of the soft mode position and the ultra-soft mode position by locking engagement of a left foot pedal. The hammer rest rail lock is arranged for securing the hammer rest rail in at least one of the soft mode position and the ultra-soft mode position by locking engagement of a middle foot pedal. The hammer rest rail lock is arranged for securing the hammer rest rail in at least one of the soft mode position and the ultra-soft mode position by locking engagement of an actuator. The hammer rest rail lock is arranged for securing the hammer rest rail in at least one of the soft mode position and the ultra-soft mode position by locking engagement of a foot-operated actuator. The hammer rest rail lock is arranged for securing the hammer rest rail in at least one of the soft mode position and the ultra-soft mode position by locking engagement of a hand-operated actuator. The hand-operated actuator is a hand-operated actuator cable.
According to another aspect of the disclosure, a piano selectively playable in a normal mode and in two or more soft modes comprises: a set of multiple piano keys; a set of multiple piano actions associated with the multiple piano keys, each piano action including a piano wippen assembly actuated by depression of a corresponding piano key; a set of multiple piano hammers, each piano hammer mounted for rotating movement and defining a forward throw direction toward at least one corresponding piano string, each piano hammer being driven by a corresponding piano wippen assembly to transfer force applied to an associated piano key; and a pedal system comprising: a foot pedal; a hammer rest rail mounted for movement among a normal mode position with the set of multiple piano hammers disposed in at rest positions at a spaced distance from corresponding piano strings, a soft mode position with the set of multiple piano hammers moved closer to the corresponding piano strings (relative to the normal mode position), and a loud mode position with the set of multiple piano hammers moved into at rest positions further from the corresponding piano strings (relative to the normal mode position); a hammer rest rail lock arranged for securing the hammer rest rail in a position with the set of multiple piano hammers moved into at rest positions relatively closer to or further from the corresponding piano strings; a piano key lift rail mounted for movement among a normal mode position spaced from lifting contact with piano keys of the set of multiple piano keys, a soft mode position disposed in contact with and lifting the piano keys along with piano wippen assemblies, and a loud mode position disposed in contact with and lowering the piano keys along with the piano wippen assemblies; and a pedal linkage assembly in communication between the pedal and the hammer rest rail and the piano key lift rail, wherein actuation of the pedal causes movement of the hammer rest rail, along with the piano hammers, and causes movement of the piano keys, along with the piano wippen assemblies, among the normal mode position, the soft mode position, and the loud mode position.
According to another aspect of the disclosure, a piano selectively playable in a normal mode and in two or more other modes comprises: a set of multiple piano keys; a set of multiple piano actions associated with the multiple piano keys, each piano action including a piano wippen assembly actuated by depression of a corresponding piano key; a set of multiple piano hammers, each piano hammer mounted for rotating movement and defining a forward throw direction toward at least one corresponding piano string, each piano hammer being driven by a corresponding piano wippen assembly to transfer force applied to an associated piano key; and a pedal system comprising: two foot pedals, with at least one foot pedal having a range of travel creating relatively different levels of softness or loudness; a hammer rest rail mounted for movement among a normal mode position with the set of multiple piano hammers disposed at rest at a spaced distance from corresponding piano strings, a soft mode position with the set of multiple piano hammers moved closer to the corresponding piano strings (relative to the normal mode position), and a loud mode position with the set of multiple piano hammers moved into at rest positions further from the corresponding piano strings (relative to the normal mode position); a piano key lift rail mounted for movement among a normal mode position spaced from lifting contact with piano keys of the set of multiple piano keys, a soft mode position disposed in contact with and lifting the piano keys along with the piano wippen assemblies, and a loud mode position disposed in contact with and lowering the piano keys along with the piano wippen assemblies; and a pedal linkage assembly in communication between the pedal and the hammer rest rail and the piano key lift rail, wherein actuation of the pedal causes movement of the hammer rest rail, along with the piano hammers, and causes movement of the piano keys, along with the piano wippen assemblies, among the normal mode position, the soft mode position, and the loud mode position.
Preferred implementations of this aspect of the disclosure may include one or more of the following additional features. The piano further comprises: a hammer rest rail lock arranged for securing the hammer rest rail in a position with the set of multiple piano hammers moved into at rest positions closer to or further from the corresponding piano strings (relative to the normal mode position); and the hammer rest rail lock comprises at least one foot pedal in the form of a dual-locking pedal mounted in a pedal travel slot, with a relatively lower notch at one side of the pedal travel slot for relatively soft mode, and a relative higher notch at an opposite side of the pedal travel slot for relatively less soft mode. The two or more foot pedals include a left pedal having a hammer rest rail lock and a middle pedal having a hammer rest rail lock. The piano further comprises: a hammer rest rail lock arranged for securing the hammer rest rail in a position with the set of multiple piano hammers moved into at rest positions closer to or further from the corresponding piano strings (relative to the normal mode position); wherein the hammer rest rail lock has multiple settings. The hammer rest rail lock comprises is a hand-operated cable lock. The piano further comprises: a hammer rest rail lock arranged for securing the hammer rest rail in a position with the set of multiple piano hammers moved into at rest positions closer to or further from the corresponding piano strings (relative to the normal mode position); wherein the hammer rest rail lock has a continuous range of settings. The hammer rest rail lock comprises is a hand-operated cable lock.
Objectives of this disclosure include providing an upright or vertical piano in which gaps in the piano action causing undesirable touch sensation of “lost motion” for the piano player are reduced or eliminated. In one implementation, the objectives may be are achieved with use of a soft mode pedal system having a soft mode pedal that actuates a hammer rest rail mounted for movement between a normal mode position, with a set of multiple piano hammers disposed at rest at a spaced distance from corresponding piano strings, and a soft mode position, with the set of multiple piano hammers moved into at rest positions relatively closer to the corresponding piano strings; and that actuates a piano key lift rail mounted for movement between a normal mode position spaced from lifting contact with piano keys and a soft mode position disposed in contact with and lifting the piano keys along with the piano wippen assemblies. A soft mode pedal linkage assembly in communication between the pedal and the hammer rest rail and piano key lift rail, upon actuation of the soft mode pedal, causes movement of the hammer rest rail, along with the piano hammers, and causes movement of the piano key lift rail, along with the piano keys and the piano wippen assemblies, between the normal mode position and the soft mode position, in gap-closing motion.
In combination with the above implementation, or in another, separate implementation, e.g. in a piano playable in at least a normal mode, gaps in the piano action causing undesirable touch sensation of “lost motion” for the piano player may be reduced or eliminated by use of a set of multiple bridle strap and bridle wire combinations, each bridle strap and bridle wire combination connecting a piano hammer to a corresponding piano wippen assembly, wherein the bridle strap and bridle wire combinations are mounted and/or adjusted to maintain the hammer assemblies and corresponding wippen assemblies together in gap-minimizing motion when an associated piano key is played. For example, in one implementation, the tensioned bridle strap is mounted in a manner such that the span (i.e., effective length between attachments at opposite ends) of the tensioned bridle strap is approximately constant between initial position and final position, and also during transition between initial position and final position.
The effectiveness and extent of the improvement in “lost motion” in different instruments, or even in the same instrument, can be expected to vary, e.g., as a result of the skill, experience and habits of the player, the playing conditions, the environment, the level maintenance of the piano and its parts, etc.
The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
Referring to
Referring to
A thin, flexible tether, termed “bridle strap” 140, links the corresponding hammer and wippen assemblies 130, 150 and restricts these assemblies from rotating apart. In the conventional implementation, shown, e.g., in
Referring to
As shown in
As shown most clearly in
Lost motion also occurs when a soft pedal is depressed. Referring again to
As shown in
Referring to
In preferred implementations, at least three, e.g., four, five or more, co-linear pivot points 401 are located along the length of the piano keybed and act to support the rigid key lift rail 400 that contacts all eighty-eight keys 410. The rigid key lift rail 400 is lifted or pivoted by a rigid linkage system 480 represented by force, F, in the drawing. As shown in
By way of example only, three collinear pivot points 401 distribute the lifting force, F, along the keybed, reducing flexure and ensuring that the rigid key lift rail 400 lifts all keys 410 by substantially the same distance. As the rigid lift key rail 400 is desirably inflexible, the rigid key lift rail 400 can lift all key rear segments 413 as well as the wippen assemblies 450, uniformly. This improvement may be achieved, e.g., by a reduction in flexure of the rigid rail 400, i.e. by employing multiple (in this implementation, e.g., three or more, e.g., five) pivot points 401, or by employing a rail 400 relatively greater stiffness or rigidity, and/or by reducing or eliminating flexibility resulting from use of spring assemblies 310, as in other implementations discussed below. Flexibility in the spring arrangement increases the difficulty of calibrating multiple, e.g. more than two, springs evenly, thus, for reasons of practicality, restriction of the support to two springs. The springs can also experience variations of the spring lifting force over time. In contrast, the rigid key lift rail 400 of this disclosure is effectively inflexible and provides a constant, uniform lifting of the lift rail that is predictable spatially and over time, e.g. with typical variations in lifting force over time that would be undetectable to even an expert user of the piano 100, e.g., lifting distances of less than the thickness of a thin sheet of paper.
The rigid key lift rail 400 is lifted in the direction shown by the arrow, F, (
In some implementations, the rigid key lift rail 400 can be lifted or pivoted by a spring force. The spring force can provide all, or some, of the force, F, required to position the rigid key lift rail.
As shown in
To account for two separate motions being actuated by depression of the soft pedal 160, lift rod 466 can be adjusted for length via an in-line length adjuster 464. The length adjuster 464 regulates the lifting height of the two rods 165, 466 independently of each other. In the implementation shown in
The rigid key lift rail 400 lifts the wippen assemblies 450 as a group and removes lost motion during depression of soft pedal 160. Precision configuration adjustment of each bridle wire 452 and bridle strap 440 combination, e.g. as described for prior implementations, is significantly less critical, and it is replaced by the global lifting of keys 410 and wippen assemblies 450 by the rigid key lift rail 400.
Referring again to
In the present implementation, adjustment of the bridle wire/strap 452/440 can be simple and durable, without requiring precision or repeated adjustment. As a result, the tensioning function can be achieved without precision adjustment. For example, the optimal height of bridle wire 452 (and also its angle and location) can be arranged during manufacture, instead of (or in addition to, if desired) during hand-regulation of the bridle wires 452 after the piano has been assembled, resulting in the advantages described herein. Tensioning of the bridle wires 452 to specification can be performed during the standard regulation operation, with no additional regulating labor, or it may electively be foregone completely, relying instead entirely upon the soft pedal system of this disclosure.
The configurations disclosed herein thus allow an upright piano to capture the performance benefits of reduced, or eliminated, lost motion during normal playing modes, while no longer relying on the bridle strap to precisely lift the wippen during soft pedal mode performance.
Referring to
In another implementation of an upright piano, a piano action 220, shown, e.g., in
The relatively more tensioned bridle strap 240 and bridle wire 252 combination also produces a striking addition to the function of soft pedal 260, reducing the unwanted feel of lost motion by reducing or eliminating the gap 147 (
Referring as well to
Vertical or upright pianos, e.g. such as piano 100, are typically weighted in their rear segments 113 in order to achieve a desired level of touch resistance in the keys (in contrast to grand piano keys, which are typically weighted in the front segments). In the embodiment of the upright piano 200 of this disclosure, as shown in
Referring to
Referring to
In
Two or more lift rail spring assemblies 310, which are also part of the key lifting assembly, are located at various selected positions beneath the keys along the length of the keyboard to provide force sufficient to lift the keys 210. For example, the lift rail spring assemblies 310 can be located near the first key and the last keys, such as at position(s) 218. Alternatively, the lift rail spring assemblies 310 can be located at other positions along the keys, such as at one quarter and at three quarters along the length of the keyboard, or at one third and two thirds along the length of the keyboard. There can also be more than two lift rail spring assemblies 310 arranged at various positions along the keyboard. Similarly, the embodiment as shown in
Referring to
Referring to
The biasing properties of the spring 338 are chosen such that the spring 338 exerts a force sufficient to lift the combined weight of the lift rail 300 and the keys. The force exerted by the spring 338 causes the lift rail 300 to maintain contact with and push upwardly on the key 210, causing the key in turn to remain in close proximity to, or engagement with, the wippen assembly 250, and the hammer assembly 230.
A piano user or owner may elect to adjust the position of the lift rail 300 and/or the force exerted by the spring 338, e.g., when the piano 200 is manufactured, or at some later point during the life of the piano.
To adjust the key lifting assembly, the key lifting assembly is positioned to be sitting on the keybed 216 (not supported by the springs 338), with the lift rail 300 out of engagement with the bottom surfaces of the keys 210. The user then presses and holds the soft pedal 260, thereby lifting the hammer rest rail 270 and the hammers 235. Since the bridle straps 240 are tensioned, the wippen assemblies 250 are lifted along with the hammers 235, and the lost motion-producing gaps 249 appear. To close the gaps 249 between the capstans 211 and wippen assemblies 250, the user continues to hold the soft pedal 260 while turning the adjustment knobs 314 that control the embedded portion 322 of the lift rail 300 supporting the compression springs 338. Turning the adjustment knobs 314 raises the embedded portion 322, which raises and compresses the springs 338, which raises the lift rail 300. As the lift rail 300 is raised, it lifts the keys 210 and closes the gaps 249. While holding the soft pedal 260, the user continues to raise the lift rail 300 (by turning the knobs 314) until the gaps 249 under all 88 keys are closed. At this point, the lost motion gaps produced between the key capstans 211 and wippen assemblies 250 are gone.
Alternatively, to adjust the position of the lift rail 300 and/or the force exerted by the spring 338, a different protocol may be employed. In particular, from a position where the lift rail 300 is out of engagement with bottom surfaces of the keys 210, the user turns the adjustment knobs 314 located beneath the keybed to raise the spring rail assembly 310 upward (relative to the rail 300). When all the hammers 235 are observed to be lifted off the lift rail 300, the user then turns the adjustment knobs 314 in the opposite direction until the affected hammers are no longer lifted. The lock nuts are then retightened to secure the adjustment.
A number of implementations of the disclosure have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, other devices for lifting the wippen assemblies 250 and the piano hammers 235 as a unit when the soft pedal 260 is depressed are also within the scope of this disclosure. For example, bridle straps 240 that are relatively longer or shorter than is typical in the prior art and/or bridle wires 252 that are relatively longer or shorter than typical in the prior art may be employed. The distribution of mass in the piano wippen assemblies 250 may also be rearranged or otherwise modified in a manner to urge or favor movement of the piano wippen assemblies acting under the force of gravity to rotate in the forward throw direction (arrow T,
Although a lift rail 300 has been described, mechanisms that lift (or rotate) the rear segments 213 of the piano keys upward or push (or rotate) the forward segments of the piano keys (in front of the pivot) downward while the key is unplayed are also within the scope of this disclosure. For example, this can include one or more downward-pushing elements engaging the forward segment of keys 210, producing rotational motion about the pivot point, P (shown in
In another implementation, shown in
The force exerted by the tensioned bridle strap 240 and bridle wire 252, in combination with the biasing force exerted by spring 338 when the piano is used in soft mode, can reduce or eliminate lost motion induced by separation of the elements of the piano key action. The soft pedal design of the present disclosure thus improves the normal mode of performance in the upright or vertical piano action by improving its touch characteristics to more closely resemble those of a grand piano.
In some implementations, combining one or more of the above-described techniques and devices can result in an upright piano with improved lost-motion characteristics. For example, in the implementation of
In the example shown in
In a still further implementation, use of only a bent bridle wire 253 may reduce lost motion in normal mode by up to 60 or 70%, and use of a bent bridle wire 253 and a lift rail 300 may reduce lost motion by 60% to 70% in normal mode and in soft pedal mode.
In other implementations, the lift rail 300 may have suitable cross sections other than a rectangular bar. For example, as shown in
The rigid key lift rail 400 can have various cross sections as shown in
In further implementations, the rigid lift rail 400 lift mechanism can include a sectional adjustment for adjusting the key lift rail height separately in different sections of the piano. For example, one long key lift rail base with three short key lift rail cap sections can each attached to the base with two screws. The heights and angles of the three caps could be adjusted independently.
In other implementations of a piano playable in at least a normal mode, and possibly, but not necessarily, selectively playable in a soft mode, a piano has a set of multiple bridle strap and bridle wire combinations. Each bridle strap and bridle wire combination connects a piano hammer to a corresponding piano wippen assembly, and the bridle strap and bridle wire combination are mounted and adjusted to maintain the hammer assembly and its corresponding wippen assembly together in gap-minimizing motion when an associated piano key is played.
In still other implementations of the pianos described above, for example, in instances where the piano is selectively playable in soft mode, as well as in normal mode, the piano may further include a soft mode pedal system, e.g. as has been described.
The pianos of this disclosure, e.g., as described above, may incorporate other implementations of the improved soft mode pedal system having other functional features. By way of example only, the new implementations may include an ultra-soft middle pedal function, a two-function middle pedal mechanism, e.g., and/or a variable piano keydip concept.
One implementation of an ultra-soft middle pedal function will now be described, with reference to
During play, the middle pedal 502 can be piggy-backed on the improved (left) soft mode pedal 504, extending it to a deeper (softer) level. In particular implementations, the middle pedal 502 is mounted to be depressed further (indicated, e.g., by arrow, D), which lifts the rigid key lift rail 400 (see, e.g.,
A further implementation of the left pedal 504 and the middle pedal 502 in the soft and ultra-soft piano functions is described now with reference to
Referring to
Referring also to
The feature of a variable keydip, described now with reference, e.g., to
In one additional implementation, described with reference, e.g., to
In some implementations, the piano keys 410 rest on the rigid key lift rail 400 as well as a back rail. With such a configuration, the rigid key lift rail 400 when at rest is positioned lower than the stationary back rail. In further implementations, the key rears 413 rest at all times on the key lift rail, and a back rail is eliminated. Removing the back rail, as is found in traditional pianos, removes a redundant part and increases simplicity of construction. Removal of the back rail also permits use of the extended soft pedal system to create a ‘loud mode.’ In loud mode, the back rail is absent, allowing the key rears 413 to fall lower than traditional back rail height. This increased rotation of the keys 410 causes the front of the keys to be higher than normal and the key dip larger than normal, increasing the distance travelled by the piano assemblies 430 to strike the string, and resulting in a louder sound. Loud mode can be activated by the same, or different pedal used to active soft mode or ultra-soft mode.
Other implements of the disclosure may also be included in one or more of the following examples:
In this implementation, the left pedal is an improved Soft Mode pedal, the middle pedal is an Ultra-Soft Mode pedal, and the right pedal is a traditional Damper pedal. This piano thus permits use in both “Debussy” (selective Soft) mode and in “Apartment” (extended Ultra-Soft) mode.
In this implementation, the left pedal is an improved Soft Mode pedal with lock, so that the piano can be used in both “Debussy” mode and in almost “Apartment” (improved Soft, but not Ultra-Soft) mode. The right pedal is a traditional Damper pedal.
In this implementation, the left pedal is an improved Soft mode pedal without lock, so that it can be used in both “Debussy” mode and in almost “Apartment” mode. The right pedal is a traditional Damper pedal. A hand-operated lever/cable system with Lock (e.g., with On/Off or with Continuously Variable locking engagement), to lock the key lift rail and the hammer rest rail in the improved Soft mode positions, so that the piano can be used in both “Debussy” and almost “Apartment” modes.
In this implementation, the piano is generally as described with respect to the two-pedal configurations above, with the addition of a Middle pedal for some other use, e.g., sostenuto, felt mute rail, electronic control switch, etc., and with (or without) a hand-operated lever/cable system with lock.
Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.
This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/174,766, filed Jun. 12, 2015, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/496,578, filed Sep. 25, 2014, now allowed, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/045,088, filed Oct. 3, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,927,835, issued Jan. 6, 2015, the entire disclosures of both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20160019869 A1 | Jan 2016 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62174766 | Jun 2015 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14496578 | Sep 2014 | US |
| Child | 14851234 | US | |
| Parent | 14045088 | Oct 2013 | US |
| Child | 14496578 | US |
