Abstract:
A key pounder tool useful during the tuning of pianos and the like. The key pounder has a shaft about which a grip adapted for holding by the human hand is positioned. The shaft extends from the grip to a bumper end where a resilient non-slip bumper is coupled. The bumper having a diameter greater than or equal to the shaft. A removable combination strap that may be coupled to a strap end of the shaft is adaptable to hand and wrist configurations via a removable connection strap which couples the strap to the grip in the hand configuration. The strap may be adjustable via an adjustment means such as a sliding buckle, hook to loop fastener or the like.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention relates to a key striker tool useful in the process of tuning pianos and the like. More specifically, the invention relates to an ergonomic key striker that increases tuning efficiency and ergonomically reduces user strain. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   A piano tuner typically initiates the tuning process by striking the instrument&#39;s keys with his/her fingers to produce audible tones. The tuner evaluates these tones and performs adjustments to modify the tones to desired pitches. 
   Tones produced by pianos are the result of strings vibrating within the instrument. These vibrations are caused by key strikes that transmit a force through a mechanical linkage. The pitch of each tone is dependent on the tension in the string that produces the tone. Accordingly, the instrument adjustments the tuner performs entails physically altering the tension within each string until the desired pitch is reached. After each adjustment, the tuner again strikes the corresponding key to ensure that the correct pitch has been attained and remains stable. 
   Most pianos contain two hundred plus strings, one to three per piano key. During the process of tuning a piano, the key striking action may be repeated one thousand or more times. Key strikes are referred to as “test blows”. There are two types of test blows, the first being a soft key strike used to evaluate the string&#39;s pitch. The second type is a hard, pounding strike used to stabilize string tension. In order for a test blow to properly stabilize the string tension and pitch, it must be delivered with sufficient force to temporarily unseat the string at a number of contact points along its length. Repeated test blows, especially hard test blows, may cause pain in the fingers, hands, and wrists of the individual performing the tuning. Repeated test blows also add to the time required to tune the instrument. In either case, the end result is reduced tuning efficiency, thereby reducing the tuner&#39;s ability to perform his or her trade with maximum profit. 
   The key strikes may be performed with the aid of a key striker tool. Prior key strikers have incorporated a wooden dowel or turned wooden handle adapted for gripping, a non-adjustable leather strap that is attached to both ends and a large, for example 19 mm diameter, felt circle glued to one end as the strike point. 
   While the prior key strikers are operable, there are several disadvantages. The width of a typical natural (white) piano key is slightly less than 22 mm. This leaves a 19 mm strike point with only 3 mm of clearance, total, to avoid striking adjacent keys. In the event that two keys are inadvertently depressed during a pitch evaluation strike, the strike must be repeated. Repeated key strikes significantly increase the amount of time required to tune an instrument and can add to the likelihood of hand and wrist pain or injury from the stress induced by this type of repetitive motion. 
   Another disadvantage of the prior key striker is the close proximity of the handle to the strike point. In this configuration, both the user&#39;s hand and the handle obstruct the user&#39;s line of sight to the strike point. This increases the possibility that the user will depress additional keys with each test blow. The close handle to strike point proximity also increases the chance that the user&#39;s hand will inadvertently strike adjacent sharp (i.e. black) keys, also necessitating a re-strike. 
   Still another disadvantage of the prior tools is the common use of felt for the strike point. Since there is a low coefficient of friction between piano keys and the felt, there is a tendency for felt tipped strike surfaces to slip off of the targeted black keys and consequently strike adjacent white keys, also requiring a re-strike. 
   The use of a hard, smooth wooden handle further imparts a twofold disadvantage. First, the smooth handle forces the requirement of a strap for the user to gain “leverage” on the tool. And second, the hard gripping surface transmits the force of the test blows directly to the user&#39;s hand with minimal shock absorption, increasing the chance of finger, hand or wrist strain. 
   Yet another drawback of this device is the design of its strap. The strap is not adjustable and cannot suit different hand sizes. And since the strap is permanently attached, it also limits the way a user may choose to hold and use the device. 
   Another form of prior key striker uses a T-shaped design. The device is comprised of a palm-sized block of wood with a hole drilled in the center of one face of the block. Into the drilled hole, the tail end of a felt tipped piano hammer is glued, such that the hammerhead extends out from the block of wood. The face of the piano hammer functions as the device&#39;s strike point. A fixed leather strap is permanently attached to the block of wood, on two laterally opposing sides, such that it wraps over the side opposite the hammer projection. To employ the device, the user places a hand under the leather strap with the palm face down to grasp the block of wood. The user then swings the device downward until the hammer face makes contact with a targeted piano key. 
   A major drawback of the T-shaped design is the location of its strike point, the piano hammer face, as it is centered under the block of wood, as well as the user&#39;s hand. Both the block of wood and the user&#39;s hand obstruct the user&#39;s line of sight to the strike point. This promotes the possibility that the user will unintentionally depress multiple keys with each test blow, again leading to re-strikes. 
   Another significant drawback of the T-shaped design is the distance from the user&#39;s palm to the device&#39;s strike point. Because this distance is in excess of two inches, the user is prevented from playing wide intervals (two simultaneous notes, such as a musical 6 th , 10 th  or 17 th  chord) with the hand that operates the key striker. In order to tune an instrument aurally, it is imperative that the hand used to operate the key striker be available to play wide intervals, which is impossible while wearing the device. Therefore, an aural tuner using this device requires numerous additional hand movements leading to significantly longer instrument tuning times. 
   The prior T-shaped key strikers also suffer from the felt tipped low coefficient of friction strike point and non-adjustable strap deficiencies identified herein above. 
   Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus that overcomes deficiencies in the prior art. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention with a combination strap configured as a hand strap. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention with the combination strap configured as a wrist strap. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention with the combination strap removed. 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded view of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 3 , taken along lines  5 — 5 . 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the ergonomic key pounder depicting its manner of use. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the invention. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Table of Parts 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 15 - 
                 Key Pounder 
                 16 - 
                 Combination Strap 
               
               
                 17 - 
                 Grip 
                 18 - 
                 Shaft 
               
               
                 18a - 
                 Shaft Taper 
                 18b - 
                 Stepped Profile 
               
               
                 18c - 
                 S-shaped Profile 
                 19 - 
                 Bumper 
               
               
                 19a - 
                 Bumper Post 
                 20 - 
                 Sliding Buckle 
               
               
                 21 - 
                 Connecting Strap 
                 22 - 
                 Slide Strap 
               
               
                 23 - 
                 Drilled Hole 
                 24 - 
                 Attachment Bolt 
               
               
                 25 - 
                 Bumper End 
                 26 - 
                 Shaft Hole 
               
               
                 27 - 
                 Threaded Hole 
                 28 - 
                 Stationary Strap 
               
               
                 29 - 
                 Strap Hole 
                 30 - 
                 Grommet 
               
               
                 31 - 
                 First Buckle Opening 
                 32 - 
                 Second Buckle Opening 
               
               
                 33 - 
                 Slide Strap Loop Fastener 
                 34 - 
                 Connecting Strap Fastener 
               
               
                 34a - 
                 Connecting Hook Fastener 
                 34b - 
                 Connecting Loop Fastener 
               
               
                 35 - 
                 Square Bumper 
                 36 - 
                 Strap End 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   A first embodiment of the key pounder  15  with combination strap  16  configured as a hand strap is exhibited in  FIG. 1 . An impact-absorbing grip  17  is fitted around the upper portion of an elongated shaft  18 . The shaft  18  has a taper extending from the grip  17  to a bumper end  25  to which a resilient bumper  19  is removably coupled. Alternatively, as discussed herein below, a shaft  18  with a smaller diameter may be used, avoiding the need to taper the shaft  18  as shown. The bumper  19  acts as the strike point of the key pounder  15 . Also attached to the shaft  18  and grip  17 , is a combination strap  16 , for example, comprised of a series of three straps, outfitted with hook and loop fasteners or the like, and a sliding buckle  20  (see  FIG. 4 ). 
   The combination strap  16  may be alternatively configured to form a snug fitting hand strap, as shown in  FIG. 1 , or a looser fitting wrist-strap, as shown in  FIG. 2 , by removing the connecting strap  21 . The resulting hand or wrist-strap can also be adjusted to comfortably fit the size of the user&#39;s hand by altering the sliding buckle  20  position on the slide strap  22 , which is threaded through the sliding buckle  20 . The combination strap  16  may also be removed completely, as presented in  FIG. 3 , at the user&#39;s discretion. 
   The impact-absorbing grip  17  may be constructed of a non-slip, pliant material such as rubber, vinyl or a polymer of similar properties and may, if desired, be obtained pre-manufactured from any one of many grip manufacturers. The grip  17  may be formed with impact-absorbing features such as a multitude of axially radiating flexible ribs or foam rubber padding. The grip  17  may have a nominal outside grip surface diameter of 19 mm to 22 mm and an approximate length of 100 mm, typical of grip applications adapted for the average adult human male hand. Similarly, the grip  17  dimensions may be adjusted for ease of use by the expected dimensions of the hands of other desired users. 
   The shaft  18 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , may be constructed of a durable material such as metal, metal alloy, resin, plastic or wood, depending on the desired cost, weight, corrosion resistance and or appearance characteristics. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the shaft  18  is demonstrated with an overall approximate length of 150 mm. The shaft  18  may be, for example, molded and or machined from readily available bar stock or rail, of the desired material, to support the grip  17  along its length. The shaft  18  may be further machined, at one end, to an approximately 40 mm long shaft taper  18   a,  terminating at a diameter, for example, similar in size to that of the average human finger tip or approximately 13 mm. Also at the tapered end of the shaft  18 , an approximately 6 mm diameter shaft hole  26  or the like may be axially drilled to the depth of approximately 6 mm, so as to accept the bumper post  19   a  of stem bumper  19 . 
   Taken at section lines  5 — 5  in  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 5  details the entire length of the shaft  18 . In the strap end  36  of the shaft  18 , a threaded hole  27  may be drilled and tapped, so as to threadably accept the attachment bolt  24 . Also, an appropriate hole  23 , may be bored into the butt of the grip  17  to permit the shank of the bolt  24  to pass through it. The grip  17  is fitted over the non-tapered length. of the shaft  18 , the two parts adapted to have complementary inner and outer diameters, respectively, and may be held in place by the bolt  24 . Alternatively, the grip  17  may be adhered to or otherwise fixed upon the shaft  18 . 
   The bumper  19 , also presented in  FIG. 4 , may be constructed of a resilient, non-slip, non-marring material such as styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), silicone or another polymer or material with similar properties and may be obtained from most industrial supply businesses or rubber part manufacturers. The stem bumper  19  preferably has an outside diameter equal to or larger than the outside diameter dimension of the tapered end of the shaft  18  to minimize the possibility of the shaft  18  coming in contact with any part of the instrument keys. The stem bumper  19  may be manufactured with, for example, a semispherical, semi-elliptical or flat strike point profile. The stem bumper  19  may also possess an approximately 6 mm diameter post  19   a  or the like, which can be attached to the end of the shaft  18  by simply sliding the post  19   a  into the shaft&#39;s  18  axially drilled shaft hole  26 . The stem bumper  19  may be held in place by, for example, an interference fit or a common adhesive such as an epoxy or a cyanoacrylate glue. Where an interference fit is used, the bumper  19  is easily replaceable. 
     FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of the combination strap  16 , which may be comprised of three straps, namely the slide strap  22 , the stationary strap  28 , the connecting strap  21 , and a sliding buckle  20 . Both the slide strap  22  and the stationary strap  28  may be made of flexible webbing material with an approximate width of, for example, 25 mm. The webbing may be formed from, for example, cotton, polypropylene, nylon, polyester, polyurethane or the like. As an alternative to woven webbing, leather or plastic strapping may also be used. The buckle  20  can be made of any type of common metal or plastic that is readily available. The style of the buckle  20  can vary and could include any type of squeeze release buckle, cam lever operated buckle, slide bar buckle, traditional belt buckle or other means for adjustable attachment. Alternatively the sliding buckle  20  and or stationary strap  28  may be replaced with any manner of strap length adjusting mechanisms, for example a series of holes through any one of which the attachment bolt  24  may be passed, to fix the length of the slide strap  22 . 
   Both the slide strap  22  and the stationary strap  28  may be formed with strap holes  29  with metal or plastic grommets  30  punched and inserted into their centers, for example, approximately 25 mm from either end of each strap. The grommets  30  having a hole diameter complementary to the attachment bolt  24  can be installed by anyone having ordinary skill in the art of grommet installation, for example using a pliers type hand press. The grommets  30  may be added to add strength to the web material, which may otherwise be weakened by the creation of the strap hole(s)  29 . 
   The stationary strap  28  web material may have, for example, an overall length of approximately 100 mm. The end of the stationary strap  28 , opposite of the grommet  30 , can be passed through the bottom of the first buckle opening  31  of the sliding buckle  20  and threaded back through the second buckle opening  32 . The web can then be pulled through the sliding buckle  20 , such that enough material is present to easily sew or otherwise fasten that same end to the underside of itself anywhere between the grommet  30  location and the sliding buckle  20 . 
   The slide strap  22  web material, shown in  FIG. 4 , may have, for example, an overall length of approximately 280 mm. A slide strap loop fastener  33 , for example, formed from an approximately 25 mm long section×16 mm wide piece of woven nylon loop fastener material, may be sewn or otherwise attached to either side of the web, approximately 125 mm from the end of the slide strap  22  containing the grommet  30 . The end of the slide strap  22 , opposite of the grommet  30  location, may be passed through the bottom of the first opening  31  in the buckle  20 , looped over the center bar of the buckle  20  and previously installed loop of stationary strap  28 , then passed back through the second opening  32  in the buckle  20 . Both the stationary strap  28  and the slide strap  22  may be attached to the shaft  18 , by inserting the attachment bolt  24  through both grommets  30 , preferably such that the buckle  20  or other strap length adjustable attaching means will face away from the grip  17  when attached to the key pounder  15 . The attachment bolt  24  may be inserted into the threaded hole  27  on the strap end  36  of shaft  18  through the drilled hole  23  in the grip  17 , as can be seen in  FIG. 5 . The combination strap  16 , when assembled in this configuration, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , can be used as a wrist-strap and may be adjusted to suit the wrist and hand size of the user by repositioning the buckle  20  along the length of the strap  22 . 
   The connecting strap  21 , additionally shown in  FIG. 4 , may be comprised of, for example, a section of nylon hook fastener material, approximately 100 mm long×16 mm wide, sewn back to back to an approximately equal length and width of woven nylon loop fastener material. Anyone having ordinary skill in the art of sewing will have no difficulty in attaching the hook and loop fastener materials or the like to each other or attaching the web material to itself or the loop fastener, as described previously. The exposed hook fastener side of the connecting strap  21  can be pressed against and attached to the slide strap loop fastener  33 . The connecting strap  21  can be drawn tight around the base of the grip  17  and fastened upon itself. Alternatively, the connecting strap  21  may also be made of any type of, for example, thin, textile or leather cord, or strap material that can be tied or fastened to itself. The combination strap  16 , when assembled in this configuration as exhibited in  FIG. 1 , will consequently function as a hand strap and can be made snug around the back of the user&#39;s hand by repositioning the buckle  20  along the length of the slide strap  22 . 
   The combination strap  16  may be omitted entirely or temporarily removed as shown in  FIG. 3 . Simply unfastening the connecting strap  21  and unscrewing the bolt  24  from the end of the strap end  36  of shaft  18  and grip  17  (see  FIG. 4 ) may achieve this arrangement. The stationary strap  28  and the slide strap  22  can then be removed from the bolt  24 . The bolt  24  can be reinserted into the threaded hole  27  of the shaft  18 , as detailed in  FIG. 5 . 
   The ergonomic key pounder  15  with combination strap  16  may be used by placing a hand through the combination strap  16  opening, if attached, and grasping the key pounders  15  grip  17  with the same hand, as shown in  FIG. 6 . The device&#39;s shaft taper  18   a  and bumper  19  should extend below the side of the hand opposite of the thumb. The user then places the key pounder  15  vertically above the instrument key, associated with the string that is to be tuned, and then strikes that key with the exposed surface of the bumper  19 , using a downward swinging motion pivoting from the elbow. The distance above the key, for which the key pounder  15  is initially positioned, is dependent on the amount of force that the user wishes to impart upon the key and can, for example, vary anywhere from a fraction of an inch to more than one foot. 
   A second embodiment of the invention is presented in  FIG. 7 . The key pounder  15  is similar to that shown in  FIGS. 1–5 , except that the adjustable method of attachment to affix the stationary strap  28  to the slide strap  22  is a connecting strap fastener  34 , which is a nylon hook and loop fastener, for example, approximately 25 mm wide×75 mm long. On the face of the stationary strap  28 , at the end opposite of where it connects to the key pounder  15 , the connecting hook fastener  34   a  is sewn or otherwise attached to the strap  28 . On the opposing face of the slide strap  22 , at the end opposite of its connection point to the key pounder  15 , the connecting loop fastener  34   b  may be attached, in the form of, for example, an approximately 25 mm wide×75 mm long section of woven nylon loop fastener material. 
   A third embodiment of the key pounder  15  of this invention is illustrated in  FIG. 8 . The key pounder  15  is similar to that shown in  FIGS. 1–5 , except that the shaft  18  possesses a stepped profile  18   b  to achieve the reduced cross-sectional area transition from the grip  17  to the optimally sized strike point cross-sectional area. This transition from the grip area to the optimally sized strike point area can also be attained by employing a shaft equal in cross-sectional area to that of the strike point and using a grip with a similarly-sized inside profile. 
   A fourth embodiment of the key pounder  15  of the invention is presented in  FIG. 9 . The key pounder  15  is similar to that shown in  FIGS. 1–5 , except that the shaft  18  radius has an ogee or S-shaped profile  18   c  to achieve the reduced cross-sectional area transition from the grip  17  to the optimally sized strike point cross-sectional area. 
   A fifth embodiment of the key pounder  15  of the invention is presented in  FIG. 10 . This key pounder  15  is also similar to that shown in  FIGS. 1–5 , except that the strike point is square or rectangular in shape, as is the square bumper  35 . The transition from the grip cross-sectional area to the optimally sized strike point cross-sectional area can be accomplished by employing a shaft equal in area to that of the strike point and using a grip with a similarly sized and shaped, inside profile. Machining or molding the end of the shaft to the desired square or rectangular profile may also attain this transition from the grip cross-sectional area to an optimally sized strike point cross-sectional area. 
   Thus, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the ergonomic key pounder  15  with combination strap  16  of this invention can be used to strike musical instrument keys and increase the ease and efficiency of tuning pianos and the like by: 
   (a) minimizing finger, hand, and wrist strain; 
   (b) reducing the likelihood of inadvertent strikes to adjacent keys; 
   (c) providing a strike point which is readily visible to the user; 
   (d) reducing the possibility that the key pounder will slip off of, for example, targeted black keys and inadvertently strike adjacent white keys; 
   (e) accommodating various hand sizes and gripping techniques; 
   (f) permitting the user to play wide intervals with the hand operating the key pounder, without disengaging that hand from the key pounder 
   Furthermore, the key pounder  15  has the advantage that its shaft  18  can be made of any of many materials, such that its overall weight and appearance can be selected to satisfy the user&#39;s personal taste, ergonomic and tuning needs. 
   While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will become obvious that numerous omissions, changes and additions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of the embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus, methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departure from the spirit or scope of applicant&#39;s general inventive concept. Further, it is to be appreciated that improvements and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention as defined by the following claims.