Touch force adjustment means for piano keys

Means for adjusting the touch force required to depress the keys of a piano within the range normally preferred by pianists, comprising of an adjustable weight member located in a slot bored through the side of the piano key. The slot is in a shape that allows the weight to move in a direction parallel to the length of the piano key. Precise adjustment of the touch force necessary to depress a piano key is achieved by moving the weight member within the slot, thereby increasing or decreasing its distance from the key fulcrum.

In the figures the referenced numerals are as follows:100) piano key;1) Nail;2) Rear Bed Plate;3) Screws;4) Center Bed Plate;5) Balancing Nail;6) Key Lever;7) Key Surface;8) Key fulcrum;9) Security Strip:10) Weight; and,11) Oblong cutout.

It is to be noted, however, that the appended figures illustrate only a typical embodiment of the disclosed apparatus and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the disclosed apparatus may admit to other equally effective embodiments that will be appreciated by those reasonably skilled in the relevant arts. Also, figures are not necessarily made to scale but are representative.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Generally disclosed is a piano key with a means for adjusting the touch force required to depress the same when incorporated into a keyboard. In one embodiment, the piano key defines an elongated lever on a fulcrum wherein the lever features an oblong cut-out with a movable weight for adjusting the key's center of gravity relative to the fulcrum. The more specific details of the disclosed piano key are disclosed with reference to the attached figures.

FIG. 1is an exploded perspective view of a piano key100. As shown, the piano key100is defined by an elongated key lever6that is positioned on a fulcrum8. At one end of the key lever6is the key playing surface7(the point where touch force is applied to the piano key by a pianist). At another end of the key lever are a nail1and a rear bed plate2for coupling the piano key100to a hammer (not shown). Suitably, the key lever6and the fulcrum9are pivotably coupled by a balancing nail and a center bed plate. In one mode of construction, the key surface, center bed plate, and rear bed plate are adhered to the key lever by glue or other adhesive.

Still referring toFIG. 1, an oblong cutout11may preferably be provided to the key lever6at a location along its6length in between the rear and center bed plates2,4. Preferred dimensions for the cutout11are sixty-millimeters length plus ten and one-tenth to ten and three tenths millimeters width and depth. In one embodiment, a weight10may be slidably provided to the oblong cutout11, wherein a security strip9may operate as a rail or track for guiding movements of the weight10within the cutout11. (SeeFIGS. 3A through 4B). As shown, the track or security strip9may be installed via screws interacting with corresponding screw holes in the security strip9. In a preferred mode of operation, the freedom of slidable movement of the weight can be manipulated via raising or lowering the screws to press the security strip9against the weight10.

FIGS. 2A and 2Bare perspective views of a constructed configuration of the piano key1ofFIG. 1. Taken together, the two figures illustrate the operation of the disclosed piano key. Referring first toFIG. 2A, the piano key100features the weight10at a first position within the cutout11so that the key100has a first operating touch force. Referring next toFIG. 2B, the piano key100features the weight10at a second position within the cutout11so that the key as a second operating touch force. In operation, the weight may be slidably provided to any point along cutout11for manipulating the key's100operating touch force. That is to say: when the weight is moved towards the direction of rear bed plate, the key lever's operating touch-force will increase; when the weight is moved towards the center bed plate, the key lever's operating touch-force will reduce. In one embodiment a scale may be provided along the edges of the cutout for gauging the position of the weight or the operating touch force of the key. Suitably, the scale may have five to eight millimeter spacing.

FIGS. 3A,3B, and3C are respectively side, front, and top views of the adjustable weight.FIGS. 4A and 4Bare top and side views of a security strip. Together the figures illustrate the coupling of the security strip9and the weight10while in the cutout11. Referring to said figures, the weight10features a track in its top side so that the security strip may sit within the track and function as a rail or guide for slidable movements.

Referring only toFIGS. 3A through 3C, in a preferred embodiment: the weight10is twenty-six millimeters long, nine and nine-tenths to ten millimeters thick, and ten millimeters wide; the track of the weight10is two millimeters deep and four millimeters wide. A calibration line may suitably be provided to the weight on its side so that the same can associated the position of the weight with the scale of the cutout11.

Referring toFIGS. 4A and 4B, four holes are provided to the security strip9. Suitably, the spacing between the end holes and the edges is six millimeters while the spacing between the holes twelve millimeters. Preferably, the width of the security stripe is three and four-tenths to three and six-tenths millimeters. In one embodiment, the strip9is constructed of one and two-tenths to one and a half millimeter copper or sheet iron.

Disclosed is a system for adjusting the piano key's operating touch force. This system allows on-the-spot customized adjustment of a piano key's operating touch force. When installed on a keyboard, all keys can have a pianist's preferred operation touch force.