Piano Harps (Patent No: 792510)

Inventor: Hartman, Lyle M.

Location: Ohaton

Comments: see above

Description: WHAT IS CLAIMED TO BE THE PRESENT INVENTION IS:

1) In a piano harp including a substantially horizontal framework, a sound chamber carried by said framework, a plurality of bridged playing strings extending across said framework above said sound chamber, and a playing action secured to said framework on one side thereof and above one end portion of said strings: said playing action comprising in combination: supporting structure, a plurality of note bars pivotally secured adjacent one end thereof in said supporting structure, and a hammer action for each of said note bars adapted to strike the string therebelow when said note bar is depressed, said hammer action including, a hammer support bracket secured to said framework, means operatively connecting said note bar to said hammer action, means to return said hammer action to the uppermost position after said note bar has been depressed, means to return said note bar to the uppermost position when same is released, and means to prevent said hammer action from rebounding when same returns to said uppermost position, said hammer action including a hammer bar, a string engaging padded hammer head on one end of said bar, a hammer bar mount pivotally secured within said hammer support bracket and being secured by the upper end thereof to one end of said hammer bar, and a gravity operated return weight secured to the other side of said hammer bar mount normally maintaining said hammer head in the uppermost position.

2. The device according to Claim 1 in which said means to prevent said hammer action from rebounding when same is returned to said uppermost position includes: a damper bracket extending from said supporting structure and overlying said hammer bar, a padded, weighted damper pivotally secured to and hanging from said damper bracket, said bar engaging said damper when in the uppermost position, said damper hanging off the vertical position when said bar is moved downwardly free of said damper thereby ensuring the upward pivotal movement of said damper when said bar moves upwardly to the uppermost position.

3. The device according to Claim 1 in which said means operatively connecting said note bar to said hammer action includes 1 an actuator secured to and extending downwardly from the underside of said note bar, hammer bar mount engaging means on the lower end of said actuator, means to disengage said hammer bar mount engaging means prior to said hammer striking said string and, means to reengage said hammer bar mount engaging means with the lower end of said actuator when said hammer returns to the uppermost position.

4. The device according to Claim 2 in which said means operatively connecting said note bar to said hammer action includes an actuator secured to and extending downwardly from the underside of said note bar, hammer bar mount engaging means on the lower end of said actuator, means to disengage said hammer bar mount engaging means prior to said hammer striking said string and, means to re-engage said hammer bar mount engaging means with the lower end of said actuator when said hammer returns to the uppermost position.

5. The device according to Claim 3 in which said means to disengage said hammer bar mount engaging means prior to said hammer striking said string includes1 a crank arm pivotally secured to the lower end of said actuator, one leg of said crank arm engaging said hammer bar mount when said note bar is depressed, the other leg of said crank arm engaging the end of said damper bracket as said actuator moves downwardly with said note bar and pivotting said crank arm whereby said one leg of said crank arm disengages from said hammer bar mount just prior to said hammer striking said string.
6. The device according to Claim 3 in which said means to return said note bar to the uppermost position includes; an arm pivotted between the ends thereof to said hammer support bracket, a weight on one end of said arm, and a link pivotally connected by one end thereof to the other end of said arm and by the other end thereof to said actuator, said weight normally maintaining said note bar in the uppermost position.

7. The device according to Claim 4 in which said means to return said note bar to the uppermost position includes; an arm pivotted between the ends thereof to said hammer support bracket; a weight on one end of said arm, and a link pivotally connected by one end thereof to the other end of said arm and by the other end thereof to said actuator, said weight normally maintaining said note bar in the uppermost position.

8. The device according to Claim 5 in which said means to return said note bar to the uppermost position includes; an arm pivotted between the ends thereof to said hammer support bracket, a weight on one end of said arm, and a link pivotally connected by one end thereof to the other end of said arm and by the other end thereof to said actuator, said weight normally maintaining said note bar in the uppermost position.

9. The device according to Claim 6 in which said means to re-engage said hammer bar mount engaging means as said hammer returns to the uppermost position includes; an off center spring action extending between said crank arm and said actuator adjacent the pivotal connection of said link thereto, said spring being biassed sideways when said one leg of said crank arm disengages said hammer bar mount, said spring returning to the vertical position when said other leg of said crank arm disengages said damper bracket thereby returning said crank arm to the hammer bar mount engaging position.

10. The device according to Claim 7 in which said means to re-engage said hammer bar mount engaging means as said hammer returns to the uppermost position includes; an off center spring action extending between said crank arm and said actuator adjacent the pivotal connection of said link thereto, said spring being biassed sideways when said one leg of said crank arm disengages said hammer bar mount, said spring returning to the vertical position when said other leg of said crank arm disengages said damper bracket thereby returning said crank arm to the hammer bar mount engaging position.

11. The device according to Claim 8 in which said means to re-engage said hammer bar mount engaging means as said hammer returns to the uppermost position includes; an off center spring action extending between said crank arm and said actuator adjacent the pivotal connection of said link thereto, said spring being biassed sideways when said one leg of said crank arm disengages said hammer bar mount, said spring returning to the vertical position when said other leg of said crank arm disengages said damper bracket thereby returning said crank arm to the hammer bar mount engaging position.

12. The device according to Claim 6 which includes means to maintain said note bars level with one another when in the uppermost position, said means including a pad upon which said weight normally rests, a U-shaped spring secured by one leg thereof to said hammer support bracket, said pad being secured upon the other leg of said spring and means to adjust the relationship between said legs of said spring and hence the resting position of said weight.

13. The device according to Claim 9 which includes means to maintain said note bars level with one another when in the uppermost position, said means including a pad upon which said weight normally rests, a U-shaped spring secured by one leg thereof to said hammer support bracket, said pad being secured upon the other leg of said spring and means to adjust the relationship between said legs of said spring and hence the resting position of said weight.

CECIL C. KENT & ASSOCIATES
Patent Attorneys of the Applicant