Flexible mechanism for the action mechanism of a piano and action mechanism comprising same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flexible mechanism intended to form part of an action mechanism of an acoustic, digital or hybrid piano, comprising at least one flexible element (9, 12a, 13, 18, 20, 22) configured to connect parts of the mechanism and rotate the parts that are connected by said flexible element when it is bent, by way of an articulation that is preferably made from a polymer material and formed as a single piece comprising different thicknesses. The flexible element (9, 12a, 13, 18, 20, 22) consists of a thickness reduction. The invention further relates to an action mechanism of a piano comprising this flexible mechanism which, preferably, is a repetition mechanism, a hammer mechanism, a damper mechanism or a combination thereof.

Description

[0001] Flexible mechanism for the percussion system of a piano and the percussion system comprising it

[0002] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a flexible mechanism intended to form part of the percussion system of a piano associated with each of the keys, where the flexible mechanism comprises at least one flexible element that acts as a link between different parts of the mechanism, such that, when it is flexed, it provides a rotational movement between the parts it joins, as a joint.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Generally speaking, there are three main types of pianos: acoustic, electric or digital, and also the hybrid, which shares characteristics of the first two. Acoustic pianos are currently classified into two groups: grand and upright. Both will be discussed uniformly, as the invention does not present any notable differences in terms of operating concepts.

[0006] Generally speaking, the percussion mechanism is a complex mechanism composed of a large number of parts, including arms and joints, which work together to transmit the impulse to the hammer, which strikes the string or sensor to produce a sound.

[0007] In the current state of the art, traditional piano mechanisms use a percussion mechanism made of wood and felt. They also incorporate metal axles or hinges to carry out relative movement between joined parts, as well as metal springs to return the moved parts to their original position.

[0008] All of these materials undergo variations over time. Wood expands and contracts due to moisture, potentially cracking, and can also be affected by parasites and other organic agents. Metal can rust and experience small dimensional variations depending on temperature. Felts wear out. All of these factors contribute to mechanical variations, such as loose joints between different parts, especially moving parts, small dimensional changes that can alter the mechanism's response when activated, or changes in friction between the different parts. For these reasons, periodic inspections by specialized technicians are essential, although they are laborious and costly, and are therefore generally not performed.

[0009] On the other hand, manufacturing costs are high, as the different pieces of wood must be carved and then joined together, assembling all the parts and mounting the axles and springs that make up the mechanism.

[0010] In the technological development of this type of product, advances have been especially focused on reducing the complexity of the percussion system.

[0011] US2009173206 describes a piano with an action for rotating hammers toward the strings, each action being equipped with a repeating mechanism having a thin metal plate instead of a repeating lever and a repeating spring; and the plate, per se, deforms after contact with an escapement pilot, and returns to the initial position to allow a pianist to play a melody by repeating the key when the pianist releases the pressed key, whereby the action becomes somewhat simpler in structure than the conventional action.

[0012] The invention described in this document focuses exclusively on eliminating the hinge mechanism of the repeater lever. Everything else in said mechanism is exactly the same, so it does not solve the problems raised above.

[0013] Document US2008 / 0307942A1 describes a piano action formed from molded plastic or composite parts that have less dynamic mass and are therefore more responsive. Furthermore, the new action offers the benefits of increased manufacturing and maintenance efficiency. The application also discloses a grand piano action that can be installed in any brand of grand piano.

[0014] The invention described focuses on changing the stock material, which entails numerous advantages, but it does not fall within the main focus of the present invention nor does it solve the problems related to misalignments and the complexity and costs of assembly. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present invention focuses on a flexible mechanism intended to be located in the percussion system incorporated in acoustic pianos and certain digital or hybrid pianos.

[0016] The present invention focuses on flexible mechanisms as a technical solution for improving a piano's percussion system. These mechanisms are understood to be those where movements are possible due to the flexibility of certain parts included in said mechanisms, due to their geometric design and the material from which they are manufactured. This type of mechanical design makes it possible to eliminate the elements typically responsible for allowing relative movement between two parts, such as the axles or pins of a joint, as well as the springs, which are also unnecessary thanks to the flexibility of the mechanism replacing their function, something that would be impossible in the prior art.

[0017] The configuration of these flexible mechanisms prevents permanent misalignments and malformations that cause the piano's mechanical function to deteriorate if not periodically readjusted by a specialized technician. This is because, although a piano is tuned frequently, tuning focuses on the tension of the strings, without examining the condition of the parts that make up the mechanisms associated with each key and through which the sound is produced. The reason is the time this review entails due to the high number of keys each piano has, and the resulting cost, which is often excessive not only for individual users but also for many schools and conservatories. This is why such adjustments are rarely carried out, and pianos gradually lose their proper functionality over time.

[0018] The present invention's primary objective is to improve the reliability, versatility, and durability of a piano. To this end, the invention focuses on incorporating a flexible mechanism into a piano's percussion system.

[0019] The percussion system is made up of all the piano elements involved in generating a sound, from the moment a player presses a piano key until the hammer strikes the string. Due to its complexity, the percussion system is subdivided into several independent mechanisms that work together. These include the hammer mechanism, the repeater mechanism, and the damper mechanism.

[0020] In the current state of the art, the mechanisms of the grand piano's percussion system have the configuration described below.

[0021] The hammer mechanism comprises an arm to which the hammer is fixed at one end, which is responsible for striking the string to produce the sound, the arm being articulated with respect to a first base at the other end by means of an axis.

[0022] The repeating mechanism comprises a bridge, with a projection where the key contacts to raise it, a repeating lever and an escapement lever, responsible for acting on the hammer arm so that it strikes the string.

[0023] Each of these mechanisms is fixed by its respective base to its corresponding guide profile. The guide profiles, along with various supports, form the piano's fixed structure.

[0024] The damper mechanism comprises a rod attached at one end to the damper, which presses against the string to prevent vibration, and at the other end to a support, which is in turn hingedly attached to a scale. The free end of the rod acts as a lever that presses against the opposite end of a key when pressed. The rod is guided by a perforated element so that the damper's movement is solely vertical.

[0025] Another objective of the invention is to improve the aforementioned bases, which, in the current state of the art, often pose problems in their correct positioning and often require home remedies, such as the use of paper strips under one of their sides, to correct any deviations that occur. This is achieved thanks to the aforementioned flexibility and geometry, which allow the design of bases that fit precisely into the corresponding guide profile by means of pressure.

[0026] The configuration in the case of upright pianos is very similar, so we won't go into details or differences, since the concept of a flexible mechanism is equally applicable to these, as well as to digital or hybrid pianos that imitate the feel of acoustic pianos. In the invention, the flexible mechanism can configure each of the aforementioned mechanisms (hammer, repeater, and damper), preferably made of a single piece, which throughout the specification will be referred to as the mechanism body, and which has been designed based on the flexibility of the material from which it is manufactured. Thus, a flexible mechanism is configured through which both force and movement can be transmitted through the elastic deformation of the flexible elements of the mechanism of which it is a part.

[0027] Subsequently, to form the percussion system, screws, pads and other accessories are added to the body of each mechanism, thus forming flexible mechanisms (hammer, repeater and damper) in which all parts that formed part of joints have been eliminated, such as axles or pins, for rotation movements, and springs, for the return movements of the parts to their original position.

[0028] To configure flexible mechanisms, technical polymers are preferably used, providing the necessary flexibility and fatigue resistance. These polymers are also more stable and durable than traditionally used materials, as they are not affected by environmental factors such as temperature and humidity, which, in the case of wood, leather, and even felt, although to a lesser extent, can be. They are also not affected by degradation due to use or wear, which is much less, as there is no relative movement between different parts. Therefore, the mechanics will maintain their regularity for much longer without the need for periodic inspections and adjustments. Finally, they also provide greater stability against possible insect and fungal attacks.

[0029] Furthermore, the use of flexible mechanisms replaces conventional axles and springs with the flexibility of the polymer that makes up each element. They provide the same or even greater precision, while also facilitating maintenance, since axles are often a source of problems.

[0030] The use of flexible mechanisms also offers advantages in terms of sound absorption, allowing for quieter mechanics. Thus, one approach to the invention aims to redesign the action using flexible mechanisms as a technical solution instead of traditional mechanisms, which use axles, hinges, and springs. The absence of these elements limits potential future problems with such mechanisms, while reducing or even eliminating the need for readjustments and maintenance. Therefore, the resulting mechanism is more reliable and performs better.

[0031] In any case, the flexible mechanisms that make up the percussion system allow for the use of adjustment systems, such as those used in traditional mechanics, although in this case they could be dispensed with, given that it is very difficult for this mechanism to become misaligned.

[0032] Another approach to the invention focuses on the combination of geometric design and material properties, primarily flexibility and strength, which make the mechanism configurable, allowing it to adapt to the piano's needs. The flexural strength of the flexible elements, along with the relative position of the different parts of the mechanism, results in a counterbalance and opposition to movement that offers greater control, while also determining the lightness or heaviness and response speed of the key. This configuration, which can be defined by the geometric design, especially of the flexible elements, also allows for the incorporation of tensioning elements, which act on the flexibility of said elements. Thus, a mechanism adapted to each piano or even to the taste of the pianist is achieved.

[0033] Another approach to the advantage of using flexible materials is functional geometric design.

[0034] This involves taking advantage of the material's flexibility and, through geometry, achieving certain elements that provide functionality to the mechanism. An example of this would be the damping function; elements can be designed within the body of the mechanism itself, with a spiral or zigzag shape that emulates a spring to cushion the impact of the mechanism. In this sense, a hollow area can also be created behind a point of contact between mechanisms to dampen noise. Another example would be the design of fittings that allow a specific position of the mechanism to be temporarily maintained, such as holding the hammer arm up or the base of a mechanism in place before securing it.

[0035] Another approach is that, by relying very little on assembly, since each mechanism is configured from a body preferably manufactured in a single piece, and by using homogeneous materials with unchanging characteristics, greater homogeneity and repeatability can be achieved in the manufactured parts. At the same time, production is faster and more economical, since this type of mechanism can be manufactured by injection or extrusion of the polymer in question.

[0036] However, this does not mean that mechanisms cannot be manufactured in more than one material. On the contrary, both the rigid parts and the flexible elements of the mechanisms can be manufactured in different materials, depending on the necessary characteristics of each, especially the elastic behavior of the flexible elements. In this way, the different parts are not subject to the rigidity of a given construction design without being able to have other characteristics due to the fact that a particular part of the mechanism is made of a specific material because it requires specific characteristics.

[0037] In the event that certain flexible elements are manufactured with a different material than the rest of the mechanism, said material must have a flexibility greater than the most rigid material with which the parts that are not flexible elements of the same mechanism are manufactured, which will be established at a minimum difference in the flexibility module of 10%, which provides the necessary advantage for technical and economic viability with respect to mechanisms made of a single material.

[0038] On the other hand, flexible elements can also incorporate metallic elements that are either fixed to the main material of the flexible element or incorporated into the mechanism as inserts during the manufacturing or assembly process. This gives these flexible parts greater toughness and resistance to creep (deformation under stress).

[0039] Although assembly costs may increase in this case, the manufacturing of the component parts is simpler and therefore more economical, and significant technical advantages are achieved. It enables the selection of the most appropriate material for each component. For example, a highly fatigue-resistant material can be chosen for certain flexible elements, metals or fiber-reinforced polymers can be chosen for elements requiring high creep resistance, stiffer materials can be chosen for non-flexible parts, or even materials with greater wear resistance and a lower coefficient of friction can be chosen for elements such as the escape lever, which include areas of friction with other parts. This provides greater design freedom, leading to improved final performance of the mechanism.In any case, the flexible mechanism that configures the different mechanisms of the percussion system allows the use of adjustment systems, such as those used in traditional mechanics, although in this case they could be dispensed with, given that it is very difficult for this mechanism to become misaligned.

[0040] The solution provided by the invention can be easily adapted to different piano models, whether upright or grand, and can even be integrated into digital / hybrid pianos that aim to reproduce the mechanical response or "touch" of an acoustic piano.

[0041] In essence, the main difference between the mechanism of the invention and the traditional mechanism is that, on the one hand, the shafts or pins that allow relative rotational movement between two pieces are replaced by flexible joints and, on the other hand, the springs are eliminated, since the geometry and flexibility of the material achieve the same effect.

[0042] Thus, the geometric design gives greater flexibility to certain parts, while others remain essentially rigid. The piece is made of the same material. This allows each of the mechanisms that make up the piano's percussion system to be made from a single piece, used as an independent body. All that is required is to add the desired position and tension regulators, as well as the hammer with its arm and the damper with its rod. This simplifies both production and assembly.

[0043] The benefits provided by the flexible mechanism of the present invention are the following:

[0044] 1. Ease and cost of manufacturing: the mechanism requires far fewer parts to achieve the same results as a mechanical movement. For this reason, assembly requirements are much lower or almost nonexistent, and therefore, manufacturing costs are much lower. Furthermore, they can be produced using methods such as plastic injection or extrusion, which also significantly reduces production costs while maintaining, or even improving, the mechanism's properties, as the precision and repeatability of manufacturing dimensions is superior.

[0045] 2. Precision and reliability: By being able to control the dimensions and geometry of the mechanism with relative ease, the result is a more precise mechanism than traditional ones, providing greater control over the movements the mechanism performs, as well as the weight or flexural strength of its parts. This way, all the mechanisms of the different keys can be properly counterbalanced, providing consistency and balance to the whole.

[0046] 3. Durability and maintenance: By using polymeric materials that are not affected by ambient humidity or the usual temperature changes found indoors, the mechanism is more stable than traditional wooden ones, which can be affected primarily by humidity and, to a lesser extent, by temperature changes. Furthermore, this greater stability of the materials makes the regulation of the mechanisms less variable, requiring fewer revisions and adjustments over time. Furthermore, by replacing moving parts such as axles, pins, or hinges with flexible mechanisms, there will be less chance of defects or malfunctions typical of this type of joint, such as misalignment or excessive friction that lead to wear and play, causing imprecise movements.

[0047] 4.- Configurability: The ability to precisely control the flexibility of the mechanisms' flexible elements by designing their dimensions and proportions, in addition to the ability to add regulators to modify them, allows the counterweight to be easily configured and modified at will, something that is impossible with the current state of the art.

[0048] All of this leads to a more durable, reliable, and precise playing experience for the user, keeping the piano in better condition over time at a much lower cost.

[0049] On the one hand, the design of each mechanism allows the mechanics to be configured according to the specific needs of each piano and each section, varying lengths and thicknesses, especially of the flexible elements. The material chosen is also fundamental to the performance of each mechanism.

[0050] Furthermore, as indicated above, regulators can be added for precise adjustment, as well as tensioners, which allow the counterweights or spring effect of the various flexible joints to be configured, providing tension to the flexible elements, preferably with the use of screws. This allows the touch to be adjusted according to the needs of each piano and the particular taste of the pianist. In conclusion, the present invention describes a flexible mechanism intended to form part of a percussion system for pianos, comprising at least one flexible element configured as a connecting link between parts of the mechanism itself and to provide rotational movement between the parts it connects when flexed, in the manner of a joint.

[0051] The flexible mechanism is preferably made of a polymeric material and formed from a single piece comprising different thicknesses, where the flexible element is formed by a reduction in thickness. It may also include tensioning elements assembled to regulate its flexural capacity.

[0052] The invention also describes a percussion system for an acoustic, digital or hybrid piano, comprising the flexible mechanism described.

[0053] Preferably, the flexible mechanism is configured as a repeating mechanism, a hammer mechanism, a damper mechanism, or several of them.

[0054] The percussion system may comprise a structure with a plurality of guide profiles intended for fixing the mechanisms it comprises.

[0055] The flexible mechanism may comprise a base intended to be assembled in the corresponding guide profile by means of a tongue and groove joint, such that the flexible mechanism is fixed to the structure of the piano, with mobility limited to the longitudinal direction of the guide profile.

[0056] In this case, the base is preferably assembled on the guide profile in a reversible manner.

[0057] Furthermore, the base preferably comprises a hole for inserting a screw to reinforce the connection of the base to the guide profile.

[0058] Furthermore, the tongue and groove joint is preferably reversible, so that the flexible mechanism can be assembled and disassembled without the need for tools.

[0059] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To complement the description being made and in order to help better understand the characteristics of the invention, in accordance with a preferred example of practical embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description, in which the following has been represented for illustrative and non-limiting purposes:

[0060] Figure 1.- Shows a side view of the percussion system of a state-of-the-art grand piano with the entire assembly to which it is related, from the key to the string.

[0061] Figure 2.- Shows the percussion system of the invention of a grand piano, from the moment the key is pressed to raise the pin until the hammer is raised to strike the string.

[0062] Below is a list of the different elements represented in the figures with the associated numerical references.

[0063] Keyboard and structure

[0064] 1. Key

[0065] 1st. Key pilot.

[0066] 2. Keyboard base.

[0067] 2a. Seesaw.

[0068] 3. First support.

[0069] 3'. Second support.

[0070] Repetition mechanism

[0071] 4. First guide profile.

[0072] 6. First base.

[0073] 7. Bridge.

[0074] 7a. Bridge overhang.

[0075] 8. Escape lever.

[0076] 8a. Long arm of the escape lever.

[0077] 8b. Short arm of the escape lever.

[0078] 9. First flexible element.

[0079] 10. Tensioner regulator.

[0080] 12. Repeat lever.

[0081] 12a. Second flexible element.

[0082] 13. Third flexible element. Hammer mechanism

[0083] 4'. Second guide profile.

[0084] 6'. Second base.

[0085] 14. Hammer.

[0086] 15. Hammer arm.

[0087] 16. Arm support

[0088] 17. Roller.

[0089] 18. Fourth flexible element

[0090] 19. Regulator button.

[0091] Damper mechanism

[0092] 4”. Third guide profile.

[0093] 6”. Third base.

[0094] 20. Fifth flexible element.

[0095] 21. Switch scale.

[0096] 22. Sixth flexible element.

[0097] 23. Shut-off rod support

[0098] 24. Damper rod.

[0099] 25. Switch.

[0100] Other elements

[0101] 26. Rope

[0102] 27. Exhaust pilot light

[0103] 28. Pins

[0104] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0105] The present invention relates to a flexible mechanism intended to form part of the percussion system of a piano, such that the joints configured by means of pins (28), responsible for the transmission of movement between the different pieces in union, have been replaced by elements configured as flexible elements (9, 12a, 13, 18, 20, 22), preferably in the form of a sheet.

[0106] Functional Description and Configuration Figure 1 shows a state-of-the-art percussion system for a grand piano. The operation of this mechanism is described below.

[0107] The movement of the percussion system begins when a user presses a key (1). The key (1) has not been represented completely, but only the non-visible part, located inside the piano, leaving unrepresented the end that forms the keyboard. Thus, the end that the pianist presses, in reality extends through the interior of the piano, resting at an intermediate point on a rocker (2a) fixed to the base of the keyboard (2), on which it acts as a lever. In this way, when the key (1) is pressed at one end, the opposite end is raised from the rocker (2a) such that, on the one hand, the damper scale (21) is activated and, on the other hand, the key pilot (1a) is also raised, to act on a projection (7a) incorporated in the bridge (7). Thus, when the bridge (7) is raised, it in turn moves two other important parts: the escape lever (8), and the repeat lever (12).The bridge (7) is connected to these levers (8, 12) by means of joints configured by a pin (28) that joins the pieces in contact with the possibility of rotation.

[0108] These two levers (8, 12) act directly on the roller (17), which is a piece of felt and leather with a cylindrical shape glued to one end of the hammer arm (15), which in turn is joined by another pin (28) to a second base (6'), solidly joined to the second guide profile (4') with a screw (6a). 1 ). The arm (15) is connected at the other end to the hammer (14), which is responsible for striking the string (26).

[0109] The escape lever (8) is raised together with the bridge (7) to drive the roller (17), causing the hammer arm (15) to be raised.

[0110] The upward movement of the repeating lever (12) is limited by the regulating button (19), although it can continue its movement by means of a pin (28) that connects it to the bridge (7). At the moment that the repeating lever (12) touches the regulating button (19), the long arm of the escape lever (8a) rises, passing through the repeating lever (12) through a window that it incorporates to drive the roller (17).

[0111] On the other hand, the escape lever (8) is an L-shaped piece, which also rises when the bridge (7) is raised, together with the repeating lever (12), to a point called the escape point, at which the free end of the short arm (8b) comes into contact with the escape pilot (27). This stop in the movement of the short arm (8b) of the escape lever (8) causes the free end of the long arm (8a) to suddenly slide, thus detaching itself from the roller (17), raising the hammer (14) and striking the string (26), preventing the hammer (14) from coming into contact with the string (26).

[0112] Figure 2 represents the mechanism of the invention, where the improvements introduced in the percussion system represented in Figure 1 can be seen.

[0113] Starting to analyze the repetition mechanism, at both ends of the bridge (7) the pins (28) have been replaced by flexible elements (9, 13)

[0114] On the one hand, the bridge (7) is joined to the escape lever (8) at one end by means of a third flexible element (13) which makes the long arm (8a) of the escape lever (8) contact the roller (17) thus driving the hammer (14) from the arm support (16) so that, once the short arm (8b) of the escape lever (8) has contacted the escape pilot (27), the tip of the long arm (8 a ) slides along the roller (17) until it is released and thus allows the hammer (14) to strike the rope (26) without coming into contact with it.

[0115] On the other hand, the rotation movement of the bridge (7) is carried out by means of the bending of a first flexible element (9), by means of which the bridge (7) is joined to a first base (6), which is firmly fixed to the structure by means of a guide profile (4). This bending can be regulated by means of a regulation screw (10) in contact with the base (6), which passes through the first flexible element (9) and which increases the tension of the first flexible element (9) when tightened.

[0116] Additionally, the repeat lever (12), in addition to rotating due to this movement of the bridge (7), with which it is integral, can also continue rotating when it stops with the regulating button (19), at which point it allows the escape lever (8) to continue rising, passing through the window that incorporates the repeat lever (12) due to the flexibility provided by a second flexible element (12a), in the form of a reduced section, which incorporates the repeat lever (12) itself in an intermediate area of ​​its length.

[0117] The first flexible element (9) has the function of allowing the initial rotation movement of the bridge (7) together with the escapement and repeater levers (8, 12) before they come into contact with the escapement pilot (27) and the regulating button (19), respectively, at which time the continuation of the movement occurs through the flexibility provided to the escapement and repeater levers (8, 12). In this way, the bridge (7), together with the escapement and repeater levers (8, 12) and the first base (6) form a single piece which will be referred to as the first piece.

[0118] As for the hammer mechanism, the hammer arm (15) is attached to a support (16), preferably with a clamping screw (16a), joined by means of a fourth flexible element (18) to a second base (6') for fixing to the second guide profile (4') of the structure. This fourth flexible element (18) provides the hammer mechanism with the flexibility necessary to perform the rotational movements that are transmitted to the hammer (14) through the escape lever (8), eliminating the pin (28) that joined these parts (15, 6').

[0119] In this way, the hammer arm (15) is joined at one end to the support (16), fixed by a screw (16a), and at the other to the hammer (14), converting the hammer mechanism into a second, totally independent piece.

[0120] For its part, the damper mechanism is configured by means of a scale (21) connected, at one end, by means of a fifth flexible element (20), to a third base (6"), fixed to a third guide profile (4") and, by an intermediate zone, by means of a sixth flexible element (22), to one end of a support (23) whose other end is fixed to a rod (24) connected to the damper (25), forming a third piece.

[0121] The three bases (6, 6', 6") are fixed to separate guide profiles (4, 4', 4"). The first two guide profiles (4, 4') make up the structure of the percussion system, together with the first support (3), and the third guide profile (4") is fixed to the piano by means of a second support (3'). These bases (6, 6', 6") are configured as tongue and groove anchors that facilitate placement and prevent rotation and tilting, thanks to their fit with the guide profiles (4, 4', 4") and they also incorporate a hole for the introduction of a screw that secures them very firmly to each profile.

[0122] This makes any revision or replacement of the first part, the repeating mechanism, the second part, the hammer mechanism, or the third part, the damper mechanism, extremely simple.

[0123] These same principles for configuring the percussion system of the grand piano, to adopt a flexible mechanism that provides stability, reliability and at the same time facilitates its production, are perfectly applicable to the mechanics of upright pianos, whose axes and springs can be eliminated in favor of flexible elements that replace them, as well as being applicable to digital or hybrid pianos that imitate the touch and operation of acoustic pianos, since they incorporate similar mechanisms. The tension regulator (10) incorporated in the repetition mechanism is an optional element that can provide ease of configuration, by allowing the counterweight to be adjusted in a simple manner. This is another added functionality of the invention that is not possible to achieve in the state of the art. This type of regulator (10) can also be incorporated into other flexible elements (9, 12a, 13, 18, 20, 22) of any of the mechanisms described.

Claims

1. Flexible mechanism intended to form part of a percussion system of an acoustic, digital or hybrid piano, characterized in that it comprises at least one flexible element (9, 12a, 13, 18, 20, 22) configured as a connecting link between parts of the mechanism and to provide rotational movement between the parts that it joins when flexed, as a joint.

2. The flexible mechanism of claim 1, which is made of a polymeric material and formed by a single piece comprising different thicknesses where the flexible element (9, 12a, 13, 18, 20, 22) is formed by a reduction in thickness.

3. The flexible mechanism of claim 1, comprising tensioning elements assembled to regulate the flexing capacity.

4. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein at least one flexible element (9, 12a, 13, 18, 20, 22) is made of an elastic material different from the rest of the mechanism.

5. The mechanism of claim 4, wherein the different material with which at least one of the flexible elements is manufactured has a flexibility modulus at least 10% lower than the most rigid material used in the manufacture of the same mechanism.

6. The mechanism of any of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible element (9, 12a, 13, 18, 20, 22) incorporates a metallic element.

7. The mechanism of claim 5, wherein the metallic element is fixed to the flexible element (9, 12a, 13, 18, 20, 22).

8. The mechanism of claim 6, wherein the metallic element is a flexible element insert (9, 12a, 13, 18, 20, 22) incorporated during the manufacturing process.

9. Percussion system for an acoustic, digital or hybrid piano, characterized in that it comprises the mechanism of any of claims 1 to 7.

10. The percussion system of claim 8, wherein the flexible mechanism is selectable from a repeating mechanism, a hammer mechanism, a damper mechanism, and a combination thereof.

11. The percussion system of claim 8, comprising a structure with a plurality of guide profiles (4, 4', 4") intended for fixing the mechanisms that form part of the percussion system.

12. The percussion system of claim 10, wherein the flexible mechanism comprises a base (6, 6', 6") intended to be assembled in the corresponding guide profile (4, 4', 4") by means of a tongue and groove joint, such that the flexible mechanism is fixed to the structure of the piano, with mobility limited to the longitudinal direction of the guide profile (4, 4', 4").

13. The percussion system of claim 11, wherein the base (6, 6', 6”) is assembled to the flexible mechanism in a reversible manner.

14. The percussion system of claim 11 or 12, wherein the base (6, 6', 6") comprises a hole for inserting a screw to reinforce the connection of the base (6, 6', 6") to the guide profile (4, 4', 4").

15. The percussion system of any of claims 11, 12 or 13, wherein the tongue and groove joint is reversible, such that the flexible mechanism can be assembled and disassembled without the need for tools.

Images