US1200422A - Transposing device for pianos. - Google Patents

Description

C. HINDERMAN.

TRANSPOSING DEVICE FOR PIANOS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 8,1912- 1,200,422. Patentedflct. 3, 1916.

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C. HINDERMAN.

TRANSPOSING DEVICE FOR PIANOS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 3| I912.

Patented Oct. 3, 1916.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CARL HINDER-MAN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

TRANSPOSING DEVICE FOR, PIANOS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL HINDERMAN, a citizen of Switzerland, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Transposing Device for Pianos, of which-the following is a specification.

I My invention relates to devices, suitable for pianofortes, for the purpose of mechanically transposing key tones, or the notes of musical notation in their interpretation; that is, mechanically transposing the key from that in which a piece of music is written, to a different key or different keys at the will of the performer, thus enabling the performer to finger the keys of the keyboard as in the key indicated by the piece of music he is playing, while he renders on the piano the piece of music in a different key or different keys, as he may choose.

A purpose of my invention is to interpose a laterally movable connection in the action of the pianos between each individual key and some part of the action, as, for example, the wippen, with which the'key is normally connected, in order that all the keys of the keyboard may then uniformly and relatively operate, at the will. of the player, wippens or other predetermined parts, different from those regularly connected or connectible with the keys, as in existing pianos.

A further purpose of my invention is to substitute a shifting or transposing mechanism for one of the connecting parts of the piano action, preferably between the key or key rocker and the wippen, and most desirably for the part known as the abstract.

A further purpose of my invention is to shift movable terminals of an intermediate action part, so as to vary the connections between the keys and wippens, or other working parts of the piano action, causing the keys to impel at the will of the operator different wippens or other working parts.

A further purpose of my invention is to connect parts of the piano action with laterally movable levers, so as to uniformly alter at will the tones produced by a set of keys. I prefer to maintain one end of each connecting device in effective working con nection with the same key at all times, and to shift the other end of the lever either way at will to impel different action parts of the same character, according to the positions of the ends of the levers, and to vary all equally and uniformly.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 3, 1916.

Application filed May 8, 1912. Serial No. 695,869.

A further purpose of my invention is to so attach laterally movable levers to certain parts of a piano action as to enable the player to uniformly alter the tones produced-by all of the keys, so that each key of the piano will produce any one of several different tones at the will of the player.

A further purpose of my invention is to effect throughout the whole action of a piano, uniform. lateral spacing of parts of the action, preferably of the abstracts or of the parts of mydevice that perform the function of the abstracts, thus correcting the irregularity of spacing or gaps caused by the intervention of the action supporting brackets usually placed within or between parts or sections of the action.

A further purpose of my invention is to bring otherwise unevenly spaced parts of the piano action into positions of uniform lateral spacing, preferably where there are vertical gaps between two or more sets or sections of such spaced parts, and to insert a laterally shiftable connecting means or device within these gaps.

A further purpose of my invention is to make a transposing insert available between vertically separated piano action parts, which are either initiallyor for my purpose arranged in sets spaced uniformly in a lateral direction, and to permit this insert to be rocked or longitudinally thrown or otherwise moved, at the selection of the manufacturer.

A further purpose of my invention is to insert laterally shiftable intermediate members between piano action parts, and to arrange for corresponding shifting of the pivots of these members relatively to the strings and keys of the pianos.

A further purpose of my invention is to pivot preferably laterally movable arms upon one or more centers so as to be capable of movement in the plane required by the location of the piano action parts, and to control the positions of these arms so as to enable each key of a piano and all of the keys collectively, to operate different and various hammers of the action and hence sound different and various strings of the piano at the will of the performer.

1 illustrate my invention by only one of the many forms in which it might appear, and have selected that form which I deem to be the simplest and most practical, and best illustrating its principles.

In the preferred form of my invention, Figure 1 illustrates a vertical section transverse to the keyboard of a piano; Fig. 2 is a partial front elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 1; 3 is a broken section taken upon line 33 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a top plan of the transposing gears that move the operating or transposing bar, with other parts in place, and showing a section of the piano case mortised to permit lateral movement of transposing bar; Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a portion of the keyboard adapted to my invention; Fig. 6 is a section taken upon line 6-6 of Fig. 5, with the keys in place; Fig. 7 is a front elevation of indicaor shown at the left side of Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is a side elevation of idler and its bearing shown in Fig. 4t; 9 and 10 are vertical transverse sections, showing the forms of two action brackets used.

In the drawings, the same numerals of reference refer to like members.

While my invention is intended to apply particularly to pianos of all kinds, and is most conveniently described in connection with pianos, I recognize that it has a wider application, and can be applied, wherever the operation of keys or the like, through intermediate connections, produces a series of sounds ortones and permits the interpolation of my transposing mechanism.

The supports or brackets upon which the piano action is mounted and carried usually cause interruptions of the regularity of the lateral spacing of the abstracts, wippens, strings, key ends and other parts. These interruptions differ in their location and extent, in the various actions. Since the normal piano action requires that the wippen and end of the corresponding key be in line for connection through the abstract, it makes little difference whether these interruptions extend the full height or depth of the action or not.

In applying my invention to a piano, I prefer to have all the keys straight, and the corresponding individual key actions in line with them, securing uniform spacing thereby, and interpolating my invention between the uniformly spaced key ends and the corresponding wippens, or other parts of the action. However, I will describe my invention as adapted to existing types of pianos, in which some of the key ends have been diverted laterally to accommodate the breaks or gaps between certain of the wippens and other action parts left for insertion of the brackets.

Numeral 25 represents a key bottom upon which rests the key frame 26, provided with back rail cloth or cushion 27 upon which the key 28 falls and rests. The keys are shown in their various shapes in Fig. 5, providing for a bracket space, and I readjust the space by means of key rockers 29, which differ from the ordinary key rockers in being angularly turned to overcome the irregular spacing of the key ends 30, thus providing uniform spacing. In the normal piano action. the wippens 31 are also spaced irregularly (as seen best in Fig. 2), in correspondence with the spacing of the ends of the keys (seen in Fig. I correct the irregularity of spacing found in these wippens, by means of appropriate connectors 32, which are alternately bent outwardly and inwardly, to avoid interference (as seen at 32 in Fig. 1), and are so constructed that the lower ends of these connectors (seen at 35) are all uniformly spaced to correspond with the spacing of the ends 30 of the key rockers. It is between the terminals 30 and 35 that I prefer to insert and interpolate my transposing mechanism, although it is obvious that this insertion could be made at another point or other points Varying in case and practicability with the character of piano action in which the insertion is to be made. For convenience of this description only, my device will be described as located in the place of or as a part of the abstract, between the rocker or end of the key 30 and the wippen 31.

In order to support the piano action without interfering with my preferably uniform spacing between the key rocker or key end and the wippen, I place one or more suitable brackets between the two ends of the action, as best seen at 36. I provide also any suitable brackets 37 at the two ends of the action, out of the way of the transposing mechanism, which differ from the brackets 36, in that they are provided with extensions such as the arms 38 and 39 to support the fixed bar 40, and the operating bar 41. Brackets 36 and 37 are braced in their relative positions by continuous bars or strips 33 and 34. The operating or transposing bar 4L1 is constructed to move in contact with felt or cloth 42 within guide 43, which is part of arm 39.

For various reasons I prefer the form of transposing mechanism shown in Fig. 1, among which is that its movement corresponds closely with that of the abstract itself; also on account of the ease of pivoting the arms, the length of pivot which can be obtained conveniently, and the reach of the arms.

The brackets 36 and 37 might be called bracket sections, forming part only of the complete bracket. They are provided with sockets 4:4, or other suitable means of connection with the lower ends 45 of upper bracket members 46, which may be of any desired form. I cushion or dampen the joint with cushioning material 47, to prevent noise or undue vibration.

I prefer to have one end of each transposing member in constant operative connection with either a key end or wippen, and the same one at all times, and have selected the lower end of the transposing member for this relatively fixed lateral position, because of the advantage gained in the support of the slight weight involved, and I correspondingly arrange the terminals or buttons i8 at the lower ends of my transposing devices in relatively fixed positions with respect to the key rockers or other key terminals as 30. I accomplish this relatively fixed position by means of guides or openings in the bar 4:0 for the rods 49 to which the buttons 48 are here shown as .at tached. The structure shown might, of course, be considerably varied. Since the terminals 30 are'uniformly laterally spaced, the same is true of the buttons 48, the rods 1:9, and their guides or openings.

As my transposing mechanism contemplates the shifting of at least one end of its connection between the keys and the strings, so that each key may cause to be struck not only the string with which it is regularly connected, as in the ordinary piano action, but also instead thereof, any one of different other strings at the will of the performer, off -center pivoting means or its equivalent must be included in the connection. The uniformly spaced parts 30 and are preferably nearly in line, vertically, if the action be generally vertical otherwise lying in some other direction corresponding to the position of the action. The rods 49 and the corresponding rods 50 carrying buttons 51, are, likewise, most desirably in line. The off-center pivoting necessitates arms 52 and 53, by which the pivotal point or points may be connected with the rods 49 and 50. For convenience. I prefer to pivot the terminals 54c and 55 of the two arms 52 and 53 in the same axis, and within the same member 56, which should be lined with cloth, felt or other suitable material 57. I form caps 58 and 59 as collars upon the rods 54 and giving bearing thereby against the body of the spool or cylinder 56 through the packing interposed between. The members 56, within which the pivot is formec, are most conveniently of cylindrical or spool form. and must float, at least to the extent of being longitudinally movable along with theirrespective arms 52 and 53. Since the axial positions of the rods 49 are fixed, the members 56 must be capable of movement toward and from the front of the keyboard and should have considerable freedom for lateral movement, which latter is very desirable, if not absolutely necessary, in order that the buttons 51 may be maintained in horizontal alinement with the terminals 35 when the pivotal arms 53 shall have swung upon their pivots. In the form of device illustrated, I provide for three movements of each, member 56moving it approxi-,

mately vertically with each movement of the key, in order to produce the desired tone after the lateral position has been set; moving it laterally to approximately one-half of the extent of lateral movement of the terminals 51, so as to divide the lateral swing between the arms 52 and 53 equally; and moving it forward sufficiently to permit the rods 49 and 50 to remain in .alinement with the parts 30 and with which they respectively engage. The said three movements of the member 56 are guided by brackets 60 terminating in pin 61 which can move vertically, as well as swing within guiding aperture 61 in the floating or movable part or strip 62, which rests upon the tops of narrow brackets 63 at intervals, here shown as braced by 6%. Vibration of strip 62 is prevented by means of fabric or felt 65. Since the guide strip (32 is to form a track for the roller 87, as hereinafter indicated, I prefer to stiffen it by a brace rib 66. Each of the entire set of transposing inserts is thus relatively fixed at its lower end and relatively movable at its upper end. I effect the movement of the upper ends by means of the operating bar 41, which may obviously be moved by many and variant methods. I show one means in the rack 67 (Fig. l) fixed upon the edge of the transposing bar 41. with which rack gear 68 engages through idler 69. Gear 68 is connected with operating mechanism in front of the keyboard by means of shaft 70 (Fig. 1) supported by bearings 71 and 72, bevel gears 73 and 7%, connecting shaft 75, suitably mounted, and handle 76 (Fig. In order that the handle may be out of the way when not in use, I hinge it at 77, forming a pivot there, and provide a telescoping connection between the sleeve 78, to which it is connected, and the shaft 75, as best seen in Fig. 5.

Upon the front of the piano at any suitable point, preferably immediately below the keyboard, for convenient connection with the operating mechanism last described, I place an indicator 79 (Fig. 5), which is operated through bracket or arm 80, by means of its rack 81. The rack is shown as capable of being moved by cog wheel 82 through sprocket wheels 83 and 84 and chain 85.

Obviously the operation of transposing bar 41, or its equivalent, as well as the indication of the movement, may be greatly varied. As the brackets 37 (Fig. 9) are located at the ends of the action only, and the bar 4-1 lacks intermediate support, I prefer to provide support for it between these brackets upon floating strip 62 by means of depending bracket 86 (Fig. 1) carrving any suitable rest, as roller 87. The strip 62 is free to move on the intervening felt 65 on t p of brackets 63 and is guided and restricted in its movement by the stirrup 88 (Fig. 2). The hand lever 76 is turned to throw the bar 11 to the required distance gaged by indicator 79, in either direction as required; in this way, the buttons 51 are transposed from the lower ends of the connectors 35, with which they normally connect, to other connectors on either side thereof and to the extent desired, thus enabling the performer to operate at will through the keys, relatively different wippens. As a result, the striking of a key will sound a half tone, tone, or more, above or below the normal tone produced by that key, corresponding to the extent and direction of movement of the indicator 79, and

there will be the same relative change as to the other keys. The end keys in the direction of movement (varying in number according to the extent of movement of indicator 79) will not operate any wippens at all unless the piano be specially substrung and superstrung and the action be extended. This transposing mechanism could be effectively inserted, though not with the same convenience, at some other point in the action, so that it is obviously immaterial at which end of the abstract, or at which point in the piano action, the transposing mechanism be inserted.

While I recognize that any kind of movement, support or guidance is permissible for the yoke comprising the parts 5257 just so its one terminal maintains contact at one end and the other terminal maintains contact at the other during the transmission of the impulse from the key to the string, I have preferred to make this movement a bodily vertical movement of the entire yoke rather than for example a rocking move ment of the parts about a center, because of the simplicity attained by use of the bodily vertical movement.

For convenience in referring to the parts representing the position and function of the abstract, I have referred to the parts carrying the upper and lower abstract ter minals and other parts which are clear from the context as interrupted abstracts. I have also referred to the parts carrying the upper and lower abstract terminals as upper and lower abstract members.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a device of the character stated, a plurality of keys, a key rocker for each key, a wippen corresponding to each key rocker, the wippens being irregularly spaced, projections from the wippens forming regu larly spaced terminals, interrupted abstracts cooperating with these terminals and means in the interruption of the ab stracts for causing a given key to operate upon a different wippen.

2. In a device of the character stated, a

lower abstract member, an upper abstract member, a yoke disposed transversely to the abstract members and connecting the abstract members, and means for varying the angular relation of the yoke members to connect the abstract members in different and variable relations.

3. In a device of the character stated, a plurality of keys, a plurality of lower abstract members, connections between the keys and abstract members, a plurality of upper abstract members, irregularly spaced wippens, regularly spaced terminals depending therefrom and arms shiftable in opposite directions and movable transversely to the abstract members for con necting the lower abstract members with different terminals at will.

4. In a device of the character stated, a plurality of keys, a plurality of wippens, a plurality of upper and lower abstract mem bers, connections between the keys and ab stract members, a yoke for each lower and upper abstract member having its arms pivoted to permit relative angular movement, and a movable yoke support connected to all of the yokes and causing them to move in unison.

5. In a device of the character stated, a plurality of keys, a plurality of wippens, a plurality of interrupted abstracts each comprising an upper and a lower member, a yoke for each interrupted abstract, operative at the point of interruption thereof, connections between the keys and abstracts, pivotal means for each yoke movable in the plane of the abstract and a pivot for one of the arms of each yoke permitting relative angular movement of the arms of each yoke in a plane transverse to the interrupted abstracts.

6. In a device of the character stated, a plurality of interrupted abstracts forming upper and lower members, irregularly spaced wippens, regularly spaced terminals depending therefrom and means in the interruption for selectively connecting a terminal with any one of several lower abstract members.

7. In a device of the character stated, a plurality of wippens, upper and lower abstract members, normally connecting corresponding wippens and capable of vertical movement, yokes, pivotal means for one limb of each yoke providing relative angular movement of the two limbs thereof to allow the abstract members to be placed in position to operate different wippens and means for moving one limb of each yoke angularly, all of them to the same extent.

8. In a device of the character stated, a plurality of wippens, corresponding interrupted abstracts, yokes, one movable in the plane of each abstract, forming a connection between the parts of the abstract, a guide placing one end of each yoke in line with one end of an abstract and means for moving one limb of the yoke to connect different abstract parts at will.

9. In a device of the character stated, a plurality of keys adapted to operate abstracts, a plurality of wippens, an upper and lower abstract member for each wippen and key, a frame movable transversely with respect to the abstracts, a support for said frame, a plurality of guides upon said frame, a movable yoke upon each guide, each comprising a body, and pivotal arms thereon movable angularly with respect to each other, the arms being connected with the abstract members, and means for causing movement of the frame.

10. In a piano action, the combination of irregularly spaced wippens, and regularly spaced terminals depending therefrom, with laterally movable abstract parts, irregularly spaced connections for the abstract parts, and a transposing bar connected therewith, so that each and every abstract part may be relatively and uniformly shifted from connection with one wippen to connection with another wippen.

11. In a piano action, a combination of shiftable abstract members, 'rregularly spaced wippens having regularly spaced terminals and a movable transposing bar, so that each and every abstract member may be relatively and uniformly shifted from one key to another key.

12. In a piano action, a series of wippens, abstract members engageable therewith, connecting abstract members in line therewith in the direction of abstract movement, keys and connections for moving the second named abstract members and means for causing the first named abstract members to connect with variant wippens.

13. In a piano action, a plurality of wippens, a plurality of interrupted abstracts having their upper ends in position to make contact with the wippens and their lower ends normally in direct line therewith in the direction of movement of the abstract, means for striking the lower ends of the interrupted abstracts, and laterally movable means in the interruptions of the abstracts, whereby one end of each abstract may be moved laterally with respect to the line of movement of the abstract.

14. In a piano action, a plurality of wippens, plurality of keys, connections therebetween, having both ends of each connection normally in line in the direction of movement of the connection, and having one end of each connection laterally movable with respect to the line of movement of the connection to join the same keys with different wippens and means for shifting the laterally movable ends.

15. In a device of the character stated, a plurality of keys irregularly spaced at a portion of their lengths and terminating in regularly spaced key rockers, a plurality of irregularly spaced wippens, regularly spaced terminals depending from the wippens and laterally movable connections between the key rockers and terminals adapted to be shifted to cause movement of the same key rocker to operate difierent wippens.

CARL HINDER-MAN.

Witnesses:

GEORGE MARX, JOHN l/V. Bns'r.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G

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