US3685384A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electropiano
Assignee: Baldwin Piano and Organ Co
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Filing: 1969-12-18
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Granted: 1972-08-22
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Expires: 1989-12-18
Abstract
Abstract An electropiano employing as a transducer rail one or relatively few strips of U-shaped aluminum extrusion between the arms of which are located a plurality of piezo-electric transducer elements separated from one arm by resilient damping pads located above metallic shims. The total number of transducer elements is about 25 percent of the number of tones, the transducers not being individual to the strings, but being acoustically coupled to the strings through the extrusion or strip. The strip is supported between the strings and a layer of resilient damping material which is located directly on the plate of the electropiano, and is secured only against gross lateral movement relative to the plate so that longitudinal acoustic vibrations along the length of the strip and flexural vibrations of the extrusion can occur. The transducer elements each have one electrode contacting an arm of the extrusion, which then provides a common electrical ground. The other electrode of each transducer contacts a conducting shim superposed on an electrical insulating and acoustical damping pad. These shims are connected to a common lead, so that all the outputs of a group of transducers may be applied to a common terminal. Damping means are provided just beyond the tuned segments of the strings, to provide tone diminution simulating that of a true piano.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel W Martin
- 👤 John L Stein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:21
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H3/00; G10H3/12; G10H3/14; G10H3/18; G10H3/185; G10H2220/00; G10H2220/461; G10H2220/465; G10H2220/471; G10H2220/501; G10H2220/525; G10H2220/541
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
In a piano having strings and a string plate, agraffe means supporting said strings on said plate near one edge thereof, a series of anchor pins on said plate facing said agraffe means and located between said one edge and said agraffe means, said agraffe means including at least one transducer rail supporting said strings on said plate, and a series of strings stretched over said rail and connected to said anchor pins, in combination with a damping element located between said strings and said rail on the anchor pin side of said rail, and means for moving said damping element selectively into or out of contact with said strings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
In a piano having strings and a string plate, agraffe means supporting said strings on said plate near one edge thereof, a series of anchor pins on said plate facing said agraffe means and located between said one edge and said agraffe means, said agraffe means including at least one transducer rail supporting said strings on said plate, and a series of strings stretched over said rail and connected to said anchor pins, in combination with a damping element located between said strings and said rail on the anchor pin side of said rail, and means for moving said damping element selectively into or out of contact with said strings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
89 words
In a piano having a string plate, agraffe means on said plate near one edge thereof, a series of anchor pins on said plate facing said agraffe means, said agraffe means including at least one transducer rail on said plate, and a series of strings stretched over said rail and connected to said anchor pins, the combination of damping means contacting said strings near said rail between said rail and said anchor pins, and means for selectively moving said damping means into and out of contact with said strings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
89 words
In a piano having a string plate, agraffe means on said plate near one edge thereof, a series of anchor pins on said plate facing said agraffe means, said agraffe means including at least one transducer rail on said plate, and a series of strings stretched over said rail and connected to said anchor pins, the combination of damping means contacting said strings near said rail between said rail and said anchor pins, and means for selectively moving said damping means into and out of contact with said strings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
106 words
In an electropiano, the combination comprising, a first and second agraffe between which are stretched tuned segments of piano strings, at least one of said agraffes including a transducer rail extending transversely of said strings, and string vibration dampers contacting said strings immediately adjacent one of said agraffes and externally of said tuned segments, wherein the positions of said dampers and the composition and dimensions of said dampers are selected to provide vibration diminution rates of said strings selected in accordance with the pitch ranges of said tuned segments to simulate a wholly acoustic piano, and means for selectively moving said dampers relative to said strings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
106 words
In an electropiano, the combination comprising, a first and second agraffe between which are stretched tuned segments of piano strings, at least one of said agraffes including a transducer rail extending transversely of said strings, and string vibration dampers contacting said strings immediately adjacent one of said agraffes and externally of said tuned segments, wherein the positions of said dampers and the composition and dimensions of said dampers are selected to provide vibration diminution rates of said strings selected in accordance with the pitch ranges of said tuned segments to simulate a wholly acoustic piano, and means for selectively moving said dampers relative to said strings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination according to claim 3 wherein said means for selectively moving said dampers includes a relatively rigid member engaging at least one of said dampers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination according to claim 4 wherein, said strIng vibration dampers are located above said strings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination according to claim 5 wherein said rigid member is above said strings and is arranged to move at least one of said dampers toward and away from said strings.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
121 words
In an electropiano, the combination comprising a first and second agraffe between which are stretched tuned segments of piano strings, at least one of said agraffes being secured to a metallic cantilever rail, said rail extending transversely of said strings and having a cantilever extending parallel with said strings, and string vibration dampers of dead rubber-like material contacting said strings immediately adjacent said at least one of said agraffes and externally of said tuned segments, wherein the positions of said damper longitudinally of said strings, and the composition and the dimensions of said dampers are selected to provide vibration diminution rates of said strings selected in accordance with the pitch ranges of said tuned segments to simulate a wholly acoustic piano.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
121 words
In an electropiano, the combination comprising a first and second agraffe between which are stretched tuned segments of piano strings, at least one of said agraffes being secured to a metallic cantilever rail, said rail extending transversely of said strings and having a cantilever extending parallel with said strings, and string vibration dampers of dead rubber-like material contacting said strings immediately adjacent said at least one of said agraffes and externally of said tuned segments, wherein the positions of said damper longitudinally of said strings, and the composition and the dimensions of said dampers are selected to provide vibration diminution rates of said strings selected in accordance with the pitch ranges of said tuned segments to simulate a wholly acoustic piano.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination according to claim 7, wherein said dampers are clamped between said strings and said rail.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination according to claim 7, wherein said dampers are located externally of said strings and said rail.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination according to claim 9, wherein is provided means secured to said dampers for selectively moving said dampers with respect to said strings.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
98 words
In an electropiano, the combination comprising a first and second agraffe between which extend tuned segments of piano strings, a metal rail supporting at least one of said agraffes, and string vibration dampers of dead rubber-like material contacting said strings immediately adjacent said at least one of said agraffes and externally of said tuned segments, wherein the positions longitudinally of said strings and the composition and the dimensions of said dampers are selected to provide vibration diminution rates of said strings selected in accordance with the pitch range of said tuned segments to simulate a wholly acoustic piano.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
98 words
In an electropiano, the combination comprising a first and second agraffe between which extend tuned segments of piano strings, a metal rail supporting at least one of said agraffes, and string vibration dampers of dead rubber-like material contacting said strings immediately adjacent said at least one of said agraffes and externally of said tuned segments, wherein the positions longitudinally of said strings and the composition and the dimensions of said dampers are selected to provide vibration diminution rates of said strings selected in accordance with the pitch range of said tuned segments to simulate a wholly acoustic piano.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination according to claim 11, wherein said dampers are clamped between said strings and said rail.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination according to claim 11, wherein said dampers are located externally of said strings and said rail.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination according to claim 11, wherein is provided means secured to said dampers for selectively moving said dampers with respect to said strings.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-22 | 1976-02-21 | 1976-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-22 | 1980-02-21 | 1980-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-22 | 1984-02-21 | 1984-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |