Actuator for piano, and piano

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12125461-B2
Application number	US-202217723617-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 19, 2022
Priority date	Nov 13, 2019
Publication date	Oct 22, 2024
Grant date	Oct 22, 2024

Abstract

An actuator is used for a piano includes a bridge and strings. The actuator includes: a vibrating body; and an attachment portion configured to attach the vibrating body to the piano, the attachment portion being configured to be sandwiched between the bridge and at least one string, among the strings of the piano.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An actuator for a piano comprising a bridge and strings, the actuator comprising:
a vibrating body; and
an attachment portion configured to attach the vibrating body to the piano, part of the attachment portion being configured to be sandwiched between the bridge and at least one string, among the strings of the piano.

2. The actuator according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a main body,
wherein the vibrating body vibrates in a predetermined vibration direction with respect to the main body,
wherein the attachment portion comprises:
a first extension portion that extends from the vibrating body in the vibration direction; and
a second extension portion that extends from an end portion of the first extension portion in a direction intersecting the vibration direction, and

wherein the second extension portion is the part of the attachment portion that is configured to be sandwiched between the bridge and the one string.

3. The actuator according to claim 2 , wherein the second extension portion extends outwardly in mutually opposite directions from the end portion of the first extension portion.

4. The actuator according to claim 2 , wherein:
the second extension portion is configured to be sandwiched in a gap between the bridge and the one string, the gap between the bridge and the one string increasing toward a first direction along a lengthwise direction of the one string, and
the actuator further comprises a pulling member that pulls in an opposite direction to the first direction, in a state where the second extension portion is arranged in the gap.

5. The actuator according to claim 2 , wherein:
the second extension portion is configured to be sandwiched in a gap between the bridge and the one string, the gap between the bridge and the one string increasing toward a first direction along a lengthwise direction of the one string, and
a dimension of the second extension portion in the vibration direction is smaller than a maximum dimension of the gap.

6. The actuator according to claim 2 , wherein the second extension is dimensioned to pass between two adjacent strings including the one string, among the strings.

7. The actuator according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a cushioning material covering a surface of the attachment portion, the surface being configured to face the bridge and the one string.

8. A piano comprising:
a bridge;
strings; and
an actuator comprising:
a vibrating body; and
an attachment portion that attaches the vibrating body to the piano, part of the attachment portion being sandwiched between the bridge and at least one string, among the strings.

9. The piano according to claim 8 , wherein:
the actuator further comprises a main body,
the vibrating body vibrates in a predetermined vibration direction with respect to the main body, and
the attachment portion comprises:
a first extension portion that extends from the vibrating body in the vibration direction; and
a second extension portion that extends from an end portion of the first extension portion in a direction intersecting the vibration direction, and

wherein the second extension portion is the part of the attachment portion that is sandwiched between the bridge and the one string.

10. The piano according to claim 9 , wherein the second extension portion extends outwardly in mutually opposite directions from the end portion of the first extension portion.

11. The piano according to claim 9 , wherein:
the second extension portion is sandwiched in a gap between the bridge and the one string, the gap between the bridge and the one string increasing toward a first direction along a lengthwise direction of the one string, and
the actuator further comprises a pulling member that pulls in an opposite direction to the first direction, in a state where the second extension portion is arranged in the gap.

12. The piano according to claim 9 , wherein:
the second extension portion is sandwiched in a gap between the bridge and the one string, the gap between the bridge and the one string increasing toward a first direction along a lengthwise direction of the one string, and
a dimension of the second extension portion in the vibration direction is smaller than a maximum dimension of the gap.

13. The piano according to claim 9 , wherein the second extension portion is dimensioned to pass between two adjacent strings including the one string, among the strings.

14. The piano according to claim 8 , further comprising:
a cushioning material covering a surface of the attachment portion, the surface facing the bridge and the string.

Assignees

• Yamaha Corp

Inventors

• Tsuge Yoshiyuki

Classifications

• G10C1/00

  General design of pianos, harpsichords, spinets or similar stringed musical instruments with one or more keyboards · CPC title

• G10C3/06 Primary

  Resonating means, e.g. soundboards or resonant strings; Fastenings thereof · CPC title

• G10C3/04 Primary

  Frames; Bridges; Bars · CPC title