This invention relates to pianos.
A piano is a musical instrument that produces sound by striking steel strings with felt hammers that immediately rebound allowing the string to continue vibrating. These vibrations are transmitted through bridges to a soundboard, which amplifies the vibrations. Upright pianos, also called vertical pianos, are more compact than grand pianos (horizontal pianos) because the frame and strings are placed vertically, extending in both directions (up and down) from the keyboard and hammers.
In one aspect, an upright piano includes a piano case having a panel, e.g. an upper front panel, selectively positionable among a display position and a marking position, which temporarily adheres markings. The panel has a decorative display side and a markable side. The decorative display side faces outward while in the display position and the markable side faces outward while in the marking position.
In another aspect, a piano, e.g. a grand or horizontal piano, includes a piano case having a reversible music desk selectively positionable among a display position and a marking position, which temporarily adheres markings. The reversible music desk has a decorative display side and a markable side. The decorative display side faces outward while in the display position and the markable side faces outward while in the marking position.
In yet another aspect, a piano includes a piano case having a case surface temporarily adhering markings. The piano may be either horizontal or upright, for example.
Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following features. The markable surface (e.g. markable side of the panel, music desk, or piano case) may be porcelain enameled steel, melamine board, or a material that resists ghosting from an erasable marker. In one example, the markable surface includes a phenolic board having an inert polyester urethane acrylate coating. In some examples, the markable decorative display sides of the reversible display panel have different surface colors. The markable surface may be substantially white, black, or a combination of colors. The markable surface may also include a substantially permanent image. For example, the decorative display side of the panel or music desk may include a substantially permanent image. The decorative display side may be configured to temporarily adhere markings as well. In some examples, the case of the piano and/or the reversible panel has a polyester finish (e.g. a white polyester finish on the markable side and a black polyester finish on the decorative side).
In some implementations, the piano case defines first and second guided paths configured to receive and retain the panel. In one example, the first and second guided paths are grooves defined by the piano case. In another example, the guided paths include a parallel series of protrusions (e.g. pegs).
In another aspect, a method of positioning a reversible panel temporarily retained by first and second guided paths defined by an upright piano case includes lifting the panel upward and out of the guided paths, positioning the panel among a display position and a marking position, aligning the panel with the guided paths, and sliding the panel down into the first and second guided paths.
In one aspect, a method of finishing a piano includes printing an ink image onto a transfer sheet, applying the printed transfer sheet to an inert polyester urethane acrylate coated phenolic surface of the piano, and removing the transfer sheet from the piano surface. The method further includes applying the transfer sheet under sufficient heat and pressure to merge the ink image with the coating.
In yet another aspect, a method of making a reversible panel, e.g. an upper front panel, for an upright piano includes printing an ink image onto a transfer sheet, applying the printed transfer sheet to an inert polyester urethane acrylate coated phenolic panel sized to be received by the upright piano, and removing the transfer sheet from the panel. The method further includes applying the transfer sheet under sufficient heat and pressure to merge the ink image with the coating.
The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are set fourth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
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In one implementation, the markable side 34 is a dry-erase or dry-wipe board having a glossy surface amenable to temporary markings. In one instance, the markable side 34 of the upper front panel 30 includes porcelain enameled steel. In another instance, the markable side 34 of the upper front panel 30 includes melamine board. In yet another instance, the markable side 34 of the upper front panel 30 includes a material that substantially resists ghosting from an erasable marker. In some examples, an inert polyester urethane acrylate coating is cured with an electron beam on a phenolic laminate of about 0.060 inch (1.5 mm). The coating provides a high quality imageable surface with ultra-violet light blockers to minimize ink fading and provides excellent scratch and abrasion resistance. The glossy surface is generally colored white or black, but may be any other color or combination of colors, as desired. In other examples, a polyester finish (e.g. polished polyester resin coating) is applied to the decorative display side 32 and/or the markable side 34 of the upper front panel 30. One side 32, 34 may be colored black, while the other side 32, 34 is colored white. With a polyester finish, the decorative display side 32 and/or the markable side 34 may be configured to temporarily adhere markings. Preferably, the upper front panel 30 is coated with a polyester resin coating (e.g. by a curtain flow coater) to make an under-layer invisible. The polyester resin coating is polished to provide a desired finish. In some examples, an unsaturated polyester resin is sprayed on and allowed to dry. This process may be repeated for several coats. The polyester resin coat(s) are sanded smooth, using a progression of abrasives, from course to smooth.
In some implementations, one or more other panels, e.g. lower front panel 17, a portion of the piano case 20, or the entire piano case 20 may have a markable surface that allows temporary adherence of markings. For example, the sides 18 and/or top 19 of the piano case 20, as shown in
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Dry-erase ink markings are less susceptible to external factors, such as water or accidental erasure, because the ink adheres slightly more strongly than chalk does to chalkboards. Furthermore, using dry-erase markers does not generate the dust that comes from using and erasing chalk, thereby reducing potential allergic reactions.
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A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. For example, images on the upper front panel 30 may cover all or only a portion of either or both of the decorative display side 32 and the markable side 34. Images may be applied to other parts of the piano as well. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.
This U.S. patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application 60/889,045, filed on Feb. 9, 2007. The disclosures of the prior application is considered part of and is hereby incorporated by reference in the disclosure of this application.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60889045 | Feb 2007 | US |