Improved key hammers for pianos

Abstract

A hammer and a method for attaching to a piano key or damper, the method comprising providing a hammer formed from a material comprising a metal having a density greater than 12 grams per cubic centimeter, and inserting the hammer into a piano key or damper. The material comprises at least a metal strong enough to form threads on its surface, and the hammer has threads formed on its surface. The material is corrosion resistant at least at ambient temperature. The hammer is a cylindrical member made of lead, and at least one outer layer of an inert metal material or a corrosion resistant metal material covers the cylindrical member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a piano, and more particularly to a weight embedded in a key of a piano.

Background Art

[0002] Lead weights have been used in piano keys since the first pianos (see, for example, FIG. 1). Balancing the resistance of the keys on a piano keyboard so that it is equal or becomes so along the keyboard from the low notes to the high notes with a known resistance gradient is a basic technique in piano design and construction.

[0003] Conventional key weights are typically made as lead cylinders having a diameter of 13 mm or 10 mm. The cylinders are inserted into holes drilled in the wooden part of the key, and then fixed in the holes by caulking by slightly increasing their diameters by driving them in or using a press. FIG. 2 shows a prior art method of caulking a lead weight by driving a steel bar (30) into the weight. Caulking is made possible by the flexibility of the metal. FIG. 3 depicts an oxidized (22) prior art lead weight (20). The caulking marks (24) are visible at the top or apex of the lead weight (20). As a result, the resulting keyboard has balanced keys with lead weights embedded therein.

[0004] In addition to the potential problem of exposing the player to lead, which is now considered to be toxic, there are at least two other major drawbacks to using lead as a material for piano key weights. A. Fixing the lead weight by caulking can create a permanent radial pressure such that the wooden key will eventually crack. FIG. 4 depicts a cracked piano key (10) by a prior art lead weight (20) whose diameter has expanded due to oxidation. B. Lead tends to oxidize depending on the humidity in the atmosphere where the piano is placed or in close interaction with the residual sap in the caulked wood.

[0005] Oxidation expands the plumb bob in the diametrical dimension where more pressure is applied and the wooden key breaks, or in the longitudinal dimension that extends towards the adjacent key and creates friction between the adjacent keys. Figure 5 depicts a piano key (10) with a prior art plumb bob (20) that expands longitudinally and causes friction with the adjacent keys. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to the present invention, methods and apparatuses are disclosed for overcoming the main drawbacks of using lead as a material for the plumb bob of keys in a piano, and improved techniques for fixing the plumb bob in the key are provided. Three types of improvements to existing key plumb bobs are disclosed herein. The first solution is to provide a key plumb bob made of a metal hard enough to form threads on its surface so that it can be screwed onto the piano key. The second improvement is to provide a metal with a higher specific weight / specific gravity so that the plumb bob can be made smaller. The third improvement is to provide a material resistant to oxidation. One example of a material that meets all three improved characteristics is tungsten.

[0007] According to the present invention, three main advantages are achieved: A. Tungsten (or similar metals) has a much lower tendency to oxidize at room temperature than lead, and thus the phenomenon of the key plumb bob expanding due to oxidation is greatly reduced or prevented. B. The density (specific gravity) of tungsten (19.25 gr / cm 3 ) is much greater than that of lead (11.34 gr / cm 3 ), so the diameter of the hole drilled in the wooden key for a plumb bob of the same length is smaller, reducing the risk of the key breaking. C. This advantage is further enhanced by replacing the technique of fixing the plumb bob by caulking with the technique of screwing the plumb bob in place by providing male threads on the surface of the cylindrical plumb bob. Replacing caulking with screwing depends on replacing a soft metal such as lead with something much harder such as tungsten.

[0008] Another way to prevent damage to the wood due to oxidation of the key hammer is to cover the lead key hammer with one or more layers of inert metals such as gold and silver.

[0009] In summary, new hammers for piano keys are shown that are less likely to damage the keys and cause their replacement. By making the hammers from materials with a higher specific gravity, the size of the hammers can be made smaller than that of conventional lead hammers. By making the hammers with external threads from hard metals, it becomes possible to insert the hammers into wooden keys without the external pressure due to caulking that makes the wood prone to cracking.

[0010] According to the present invention, a method for attaching a hammer to a piano key or damper is provided, the method including providing a hammer formed from a material including a metal having a density greater than 12 grams per cubic centimeter, and inserting the hammer into the piano key or damper.

[0011] According to a further feature in the preferred embodiment of the present invention described below, the method further includes providing male threads on the curved surface of the hammer, and the step of inserting the hammer includes screwing a cylindrical key hammer into a corresponding hole in the piano key or damper.

[0012] According to a further feature in the preferred embodiment described, the corresponding hole has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the hammer. According to a further feature, the corresponding hole has female threads adapted to receive the male threads of the hammer.

[0013] According to a further feature, the hammer is cylindrical. According to a further feature, the metal is tungsten. According to a further feature, the material is an alloy. According to a further feature, the material is tungsten carbide.

[0014] According to another embodiment, a method for attaching a weight to a piano key or damper is provided, the method including providing a weight formed from a material including a metal strong enough to form threads on the surface of the weight, forming threads on the surface, and inserting the weight into a piano key or damper.

[0015] According to a further feature, the step of inserting the weight includes screwing the weight into a corresponding hole in the piano key or damper. According to a further feature, the corresponding hole has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the weight. According to a further feature, the corresponding hole has internal threads adapted to receive the external threads of the weight.

[0016] According to another embodiment, a weight for a piano key or damper is provided, the weight including a material including at least a metal having a density greater than 12 grams per cubic centimeter. According to a further feature, the weight has a threaded surface.

[0017] According to a further feature, the material has a cylindrical shape. According to a further feature, the metal is tungsten. According to a further feature, the material is a metal alloy. According to a further feature, the metal alloy is tungsten carbide.

[0018] According to another embodiment, a weight for a piano key or damper is provided, the weight including a material including at least a metal strong enough to form threads on its surface, the weight having threads formed on the surface. According to a further feature, the material is resistant to corrosion at least at ambient temperature.

[0019] According to another embodiment, a weight for a piano key or damper is provided, the weight including a cylindrical member made of lead and at least one outer layer of an inert metal material or a corrosion-resistant metal material covering the cylindrical member.

[0020] According to a further feature, the inert metal is selected from the group comprising gold, silver, copper, rhodium, platinum. According to a further feature, the corrosion-resistant metal material is resistant to corrosion at least at ambient temperature.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] Various embodiments are described herein by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7A

Figure 7B

Figure 8

[0023] Description of Preferred Embodiments The principles and operation of an improved method and apparatus for providing a key weight in a piano key according to the present invention can be better understood by reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.

[0024] Figure 1 illustrates a prior art piano key (10) with a lead weight (20). The weight is inserted by a process / act called "riveting". The keys in a piano keyboard are weighted by lead weights. As described above, these weights create an external pressure due to riveting that can cause the keys to crack and tend to oxidize over time, especially under high humidity conditions. Similarly, the piano damper (not shown) is also weighted by a lead weight and has the same defects.

[0025] The present disclosure provides an alternative weight for use in place of prior art lead weights. Figure 6 illustrates an improved weight (200) according to the present invention adjacent to an oxidized lead weight (20) (left side). The two metal parts have approximately the same weight (about 9 grams), and further, the tungsten weight (200) has a smaller diameter and length due to its high specific gravity.

[0026] Conventional existing weights are typically cylindrical members made of lead having a density (specific gravity) of 11.34 gr. / cm 3 According to an embodiment, a weight (200) for a piano key or a piano damper is provided that is formed from a metal having a density greater than 12 grams per cubic centimeter. The material from which the weights of the present application are made may be a pure metal that conforms to the foregoing definition or a material that includes at least such a metal. One example of such a metal is tungsten. The example of the key / damper weight (200) in Figure 6 is made of tungsten.

[0027] In some embodiments, the weight is made of a material that is a metal alloy. One example of such a metal alloy is tungsten carbide.

[0028] In an embodiment, the weight has a cylindrical shape. In an embodiment, the weight has a threaded surface (210). The threaded surface allows the weight to be screwed into a corresponding hole (not shown) in the wooden surface of a piano key or damper, the hole having threads corresponding to the threads of the weight. Alternatively, the key may simply have a hole that is somewhat smaller than the outer diameter of the threaded weight. In such a case, the softness of the wood relative to the hardness of the metal allows the weight to bite into the wood when being screwed in, resulting in a very strong and secure joint. This option is known as self-threading (or self-tapping) where the threads cut into the material as the weight is rotated, helping to pull the fastening material and forming female threads that prevent pulling out. In a preferred embodiment, the weight has a drive that facilitates screwing the weight into the tool. An example of a weight (200) has a grooved drive (212).

[0029] Figures 7A and 7B depict various screw configurations where the threads of the screw are discontinuous due to a shape or groove formed in the screw. These configurations can be adapted for the key / damper weights. The screw may be self-threading or adapted for screwing into a hole having corresponding threads. The void or groove in the screw design can have many functions including, for example, providing space for the material cut out by a self-threading screw weight. That is, the hole is formed in the wooden key with a diameter smaller than the weight, and the self-threading weight, when inserted, bites into the wood and scrapes off a portion of the wood, and as the weight penetrates the wood, the wood shavings can collect in the "groove".

[0030] Figure 7A depicts a screw (710) (adaptable for a key / damper weight) having a cylindrical design with a groove (712) formed through the threads (714). Figure 7B depicts a square screw (720) (adaptable for a key / damper weight), the "corners" of the screw containing threads (724) and the regions between the sides or "corners" forming grooves (722).

[0031] According to an embodiment, a method for attaching a weight to a piano key or damper is provided. A weight according to any of the embodiments discussed so far is provided. A corresponding hole is provided in the piano key or damper. The weight is inserted into the hole. According to some embodiments, the weight is caulked into the hole. The weight may be caulked by a hammer or a press machine. The weights with small diameters and lengths according to the embodiments shown above have less impact on the key or damper, and thus, even if the insertion is by caulking, although not very desirable, it is still an improvement over conventional weights and caulking those weights. Further, the weights of the present application are formed from a material made of a corrosion-resistant metal or a material containing at least a corrosion-resistant metal.

[0032] FIG. 8 is a flowchart (800) of the steps of an improved method for attaching an improved weight to a piano key or a piano damper. The method shown herein includes only the steps that are closely related to the present invention. It is understood that there may be various steps that are performed before and / or after the steps described below.

[0033] In step (802), a weight formed from a material containing a metal having a density greater than 12 grams per cubic centimeter is provided. Further, or alternatively, a weight is provided whose outer surface is made of a material hard enough to have threads provided or formed thereon. Still further, or alternatively, a weight made of a metal / material highly resistant to oxidation is provided. The weight may include only a material / metal having one or more of the aforementioned properties. Alternatively, the weight may be made of an alloy of a substance / metal having one or more of the aforementioned properties as well as one or more additional substances.

[0034] In step (804), the male thread is provided on the curved surface of the weight. In step (806), the weight is screwed into the corresponding hole in the piano key or damper. Screwing the threaded weight into the hole in the key (or pushing it in) secures the weight to the key. For example, the key may be provided with a hole having a thread, or simply a smooth wall with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the weight.

[0035] In some embodiments, the corresponding hole has a female thread adapted to receive the improved male thread of the weight. In other embodiments, the corresponding hole has a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the weight, and the process of screwing the weight into the hole forms a thread in the wooden key. In an embodiment, the weight is cylindrical. In some cases, the weight may generally be square or rectangular, but with rounded corners.

[0036] In an embodiment, the metal is tungsten. In an embodiment, the material is an alloy, for example, tungsten carbide. The density of tungsten carbide is approximately 14.6 g / cm 3 but different preparations of the alloy exhibit different densities. Generally, the density range extends from 14.6 to 15.6 g / cm 3 .

[0037] Examples of metals having a density (specific gravity) greater than 12 g / cm 3 include, but are not limited to, mercury (13.570 g / cm 3 ), gold (19.320 g / cm 3 ), tungsten (19.450 g / cm 3 ), platinum (21.425 g / cm 3 ). There are other metals that meet the aforementioned criteria. All metals (including those mentioned and those not listed) may not be practical for various reasons including, but not limited to, high cost, excessive malleability, radiation, etc.

[0038] Another possible configuration for an improved hammer for a piano key or damper includes a cylindrical member made of lead (i.e., similar to a conventional lead weight), and the cylinder is reinforced by at least one outer layer of an inert metal material or a corrosion-resistant metal material that covers or encapsulates the cylindrical member. Covering the lead weight with such a material solves or at least significantly reduces the problems caused by oxidation.

[0039] Examples of inert metals include, but are not limited to, gold, silver, copper, rhodium, and platinum.

[0040] It should be noted that plating the lead weight only provides a solution to one aspect of the problem, namely corrosion. However, this solution does not solve the problem of swaging a soft metal onto a wooden key that initially forms an external pressure.

[0041] Although the present invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be understood that many variations, modifications, and other applications of the present invention may be made. Accordingly, the claimed invention as set forth in the following claims is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

Claims

1. A method for attaching a hammer of a piano key to a piano key or damper, comprising: providing a hammer formed from a material containing a metal having a density exceeding 12 grams per cubic centimeter; inserting the hammer into the piano key or the damper; and a method comprising the above steps.

2. further comprising the step of providing a male thread on the curved surface of the hammer, wherein the step of inserting the hammer includes screwing the cylindrical hammer of the piano key into a corresponding hole in the piano key or the damper, The method according to claim 1.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the corresponding hole has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the hammer.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the corresponding hole has a female thread adapted to receive the male thread of the hammer.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the hammer is cylindrical.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the metal is tungsten.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the material is an alloy.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the material is tungsten carbide.

9. A method for attaching a hammer to a piano key or damper, comprising: providing a hammer formed from a material containing a metal strong enough to form a thread on the surface of the hammer; forming the thread on the surface; inserting the hammer into the piano key or the damper; and a method comprising the above steps.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the step of inserting the hammer includes screwing the hammer into a corresponding hole in the piano key or the damper.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the corresponding hole has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the hammer.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the corresponding hole has a female thread adapted to receive the male thread of the hammer.

13. A hammer for a piano key or damper, comprising a material comprising at least a metal having a density exceeding 12 grams per cubic centimeter.

14. The hammer according to claim 13, wherein the metal is tungsten.

15. The hammer according to claim 13, wherein the material is a metal alloy.

16. The hammer according to claim 15, wherein the metal alloy is tungsten carbide.

17. The hammer according to claim 13, wherein the material has a cylindrical shape.

18. The hammer according to claim 13, further comprising a threaded surface.

19. A hammer for a piano key or damper, comprising a material containing at least a metal strong enough to form a thread on the surface of the hammer, A hammer having a thread formed on the surface.

20. The hammer according to claim 19, wherein the material exhibits corrosion resistance at least at ambient temperature.

21. A cylindrical member made of lead, and At least one outer layer of an inert metal material or a corrosion-resistant metal material covering the cylindrical member A hammer for a piano key or damper, comprising.

22. The hammer according to claim 13, wherein the inert metal is selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, copper, rhodium, and platinum.

23. The hammer according to claim 13, wherein the corrosion-resistant metal material exhibits corrosion resistance at least at ambient temperature.

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