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EP-4381497-B1 - HAMMER RETURN SPRING RAIL FOR AN UPRIGHT PIANO, MODULAR HAMMER RETURN SPRING RAIL FOR AN UPRIGHT PIANO, REPETITION SPRING ASSEMBLY FOR AN UPRIGHT PIANO, AND PEDAL ASSEMBLY FOR AN UPRIGHT PIANO

EP4381497B1EP 4381497 B1EP4381497 B1EP 4381497B1EP-4381497-B1

Inventors

  • ESMONDE-WHITE, Oliver

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20220804

Claims (15)

  1. A repetition spring assembly (300) for an upright piano comprising: a repetition spring being a torsion spring (320) operatively coupled to a backstop portion (305) of a hammer assembly at a connection point (315) and operatively coupled to a jack end of a jack member, the torsion spring (320) extending therebetween; characterized in that the backstop portion (305) comprises adjustment (310) means that can adjust the position of the connection point (315) along the backstop portion (305) so as to adjust the tension of the torsion spring (320).
  2. The repetition spring assembly (300) of claim 1, wherein the backstop portion (305) comprises a plate (350) that is connected to the adjustment means (310) and into which the torsion spring (320) can be inserted, through an aperture (355), to connect the torsion spring (320) to the backstop portion (305).
  3. The repetition spring assembly (300) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the backstop portion (305) is oriented such that, when the hammer (330) is at rest, the adjustment means (310) is mostly horizontal to the ground and above a back check (345).
  4. The repetition spring assembly (300) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the backstop portion (305) is oriented such that the adjustment means (310) is mostly horizontal to the ground and above the back check (345) when a corresponding hammer (330) is resting against a corresponding string (360).
  5. The repetition spring assembly (300) of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the backstop portion (305) is oriented such that the adjustment means (310) is just above the back check (345), such that an adjustment tool (325) can rest atop the back check (345) while it is being used to adjust the tension in the torsion spring (320).
  6. The repetition spring assembly (300) of claim 5, wherein the top of the back check (345) comprises a groove dimensioned to receive the adjustment tool (325).
  7. The repetition spring assembly (300) of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least a surface of the backstop portion (305) directly below where the connection point (315) is located is curved or slanted so as to reduce contact and friction between the torsion spring (320) and the backstop portion (305).
  8. The repetition spring assembly (300) of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the backstop portion (305) has an opening (405) opposite the connection point (315) for insertion of a bushing.
  9. The repetition spring assembly (300) of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the backstop portion (305) comprises a catcher portion (365), a ring portion (370), and a shank portion (375), wherein the catcher portion (365) is operatively connected to the shank portion (375), the ring portion (370) is connected to the shank portion (375) in such a manner that it is movable along the length thereof, and the connection point (315) is located on the ring portion (370).
  10. The repetition spring assembly (300) of claim 9, wherein the adjustment means (310) is located at an upper portion of the catcher portion (365) of the backstop portion (305), such that by turning the adjustment means (310), a screw pushes the ring portion (370), thereby moving said ring portion (370) along a length of the shank portion (375).
  11. The repetition spring assembly (300) of claim 9 or 10, wherein the catcher portion (365) has a recess (380) or an aperture dimensioned to receive a corresponding protrusion from the shank portion (375)., and/or wherein the catcher portion (365) further comprises a curved portion (400) on the bottom surface thereof in order to prevent the repetition from hitting it when the torsion spring is under its maximum tension.
  12. The repetition spring assembly (300) of any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the ring portion (370) comprises an aperture (385) dimensioned to slidably receive a corresponding protrusion from the shank portion (375).
  13. The repetition spring assembly (300) of any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein, with respect to a vertical axis passing through the connection point (315), the angle of the line tangent to the curvature of the ring portion (370), or the angle of the line tangent to the area of the backstop portion directly underneath the connection point (315), with respect to said vertical axis is greater than the angle at which the torsion spring (320) or any connector that connects the torsion spring (320) to the connection point (315) approaches said connection point (315).
  14. The repetition spring assembly (300) of any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the ring portion (370) is configured to be sufficiently secured to the shank portion (375) using the tension of the torsion spring (320) and the friction of the interaction between the ring portion (370) and the shank portion (375).
  15. The repetition spring assembly (300) of any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the shank portion (375) comprises a protrusion (390) dimensioned to be slidably received by the aperture (385) of the ring portion (370) and recess (380) of the catcher portion (365) and/or wherein the shank portion (375) further comprises a female connector (410) configured to receive a corresponding male connector of a corresponding hammer butt, or wherein the shank portion (375) further comprises a male connector (415) configured to be received by a female connector of a corresponding hammer butt.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a hammer return spring rail for an upright piano, a modular hammer return spring rail for an upright piano, a repetition spring assembly for an upright piano, and a pedal assembly for an upright piano. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Fandrich vertical actions are modifications of traditional upright actions, as shown in US4896577 (FANDRICH) and in Figure 1. In the technology of FANDRICH, the traditional jack spring is eliminated. Its function is assumed by a jack/repetition spring, which is a compression spring adjustably mounted between the jack near the end that engages the hammer butt and a pilot attached to the back stop portion of the hammer assembly. FANDRICH also discloses means for adjusting the value of the torque on the hammer produced by the force of the hammer return spring (which engages said hammer). FANDRICH states that, to make the return spring adjustable, it is mounted on a fulcrum on a spring rail and provided with an extension beyond the fulcrum. The extension fits in a slot in the rail and is engaged by a screw which is threaded into the rail, lies in the plane of the spring and has its turning axis essentially normal to the extension. Modifications to the Fandrich Vertical Action have also been made over the years, such as that disclosed in US9000281 (FANDRICH) and shown in Figure 2. Furthermore, hammer return spring rails for uprights are generally a single integral piece of material, such as wood or plastic. Such hammer return spring rails must therefore be manufactured as a single piece of wood or plastic, which can prove complicated and cumbersome. In addition, as they are only a single piece of wood, the length of hammer return spring rails for uprights cannot be adjusted, nor can the distance between individual hammer return springs be adjusted. This means that if one wishes to alter the length of the hammer return spring rail or the distance between individual hammer return springs, one must make an entirely new hammer return spring rail. US9000281 (FANDRICH) also discusses the incorporation of repetition springs for each piano key to address key return force during jack re-engagement in piano actions for vertical pianos. US9000281 (FANDRICH) states that repetition springs can come in various versions such as torsion springs or compression springs, and that one such example of repetition springs include the use of a compression spring adjustably mounted between a jack end and a pilot attached to a threaded shaft through a backstop portion extending from a hammer butt. As explained in US9000281 (FANDRICH), these efforts in using repetition springs sought in part to simulate in a general sense in these vertical piano actions how the force of gravity acts at least in part on components of actions found in grand pianos. Pedal assemblies for upright pianos are also known. For example, pedal assemblies used with Fandrich Vertical Actions typically comprise a rotating bar hinged on the piano. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a repetition spring assembly according to claims 1 to 15. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic partially sectioned diagram of a conventional Fandrich Vertical Action.Figure 2 is a side elevation view of portions of a conventional modified Fandrich Vertical Action.Figure 3 is a front view of a portion of a hammer return spring rail according to an embodiment of the present invention.Figure 4 is a front isometric view of a portion of the hammer return spring rail of Figure 3.Figure 5 is a back view of a portion of the hammer return spring rail of Figure 3.Figure 6 is back isometric view of a portion of the hammer return spring rail of Figure 3.Figure 7 is a back isometric view of a portion of the hammer return spring rail of Figure 3, with screws and springs being removed.Figure 8 is an isometric view of a vertical action comprising a portion of a hammer return spring rail according to an embodiment of the present invention.Figure 9 is a front view of the vertical action of Figure 8.Figure 10 is a side view of the vertical action of Figure 8.Figure 11 is a front view of a portion of another modular hammer return spring rail according to an embodiment of the present invention, in a partially assembled form.Figure 12 is a front isometric view of the portion of the modular hammer return spring rail of Figure 11.Figure 13 is a rear view of a portion of the modular hammer return spring rail of Figure 11.Figure 14 is a rear isometric view of a portion of the modular hammer return spring rail of Figure 19.Figures 15-17 are side views of a vertical action comprising a repetition spring assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.Figures 18-19 are side views of a vertical action comprising a repetition spring assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.Figure 20 is a front view of a portion of a modular hammer retu