US1319188A - Center rail for key-actions - Google Patents

Description

O. L. SWALLOW.

CENTER RAIL FOR KEY ACTIONS.

APPLICATION F ILED MAR. 20. 19I9.

1 ,3 1 9, 188. Patented Oct. 21, 1919.

0.,L.$ulallow mz dunno/go OSCAR I1. SWALLOW, OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS.

CENTER RAIL FOR KEY-ACTIONS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 21, 1919.

Application filed March 20, 1919. Serial No. 283,796.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OSCAR L. SWALLOW, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fort WVorth, in the county of Tarrant and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Center Rail for Key-Actions, of which the'following is a specification.

This invention relates to center rails for the keys of keyboards such as form parts of pianos, and like instruments.

An object of the invention is to do away with the center pins ordinarily employed; to eliminate the guide pins on the front rail; and to dispense with the chiseling heretofore necessary to provide holes for bushings.

Another object is to provide a center rail which extends over the keys and can be adjusted easily.

A further object is to provide a struc ture which will prevent the keys from rattling and turning sidewise and which is more simple in construction and more durable than the constructions heretofore used.

WVith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combina tions of parts which will be hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims it being understood that various changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings the pre ferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawings Figure 1 is a rear elevation of a portion of the rail and adjacent parts, some of the keys of the keyboard being shown connected thereto, said keys being in section on the line 11, Fig. 3.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the front of the rail and adjacent parts, the keys being in section on the line 22, Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section of one of the keys, the rail being shown in section.

Fig. 4 is a detail View of one of the hangers or flanges.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference, 1 designates end posts having vertical slots 2 in their upper ends for the reception of screws 3 which engage the end portions of the center rail 4. The front face of the rail 4 is formed with an overhanging longitudinal shoulder 5 and an inwardly extending groove in line with the shoulder, as shown at 6. Hangers or flanges 7 are adapted to be secured to the front face of the rail and each is formed of a single strip of metal folded to form a loop 8 while end lapping end portions of the strip are slotted as at 9 for the reception of fastening screw 10. Ears 11 extend rearwardly from the upper end of the back thickness of the hanger or flange and project into the groove 6, the upper end of the other thickness of the said hanger abutting against the shoulder 5. Thus the hanger is held securely and cannot swing laterally or toward or from the rail. The lower or loop end of the hanger is preferably reduced in width so as to enter readily an opening 12 formed in the key 13, where it is connected to the key by a pin 14.

By loosening the screws 3 the rail 4: can be raised or lowered, thereby changing the dip of all the keys.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination with posts, of a rail connected to the posts for up and down adjustment, there being a longitudinal groove within the rail, hangers secured to the rail and having ears extended into the groove, and keys extending under the rail and pivotally connected to and supported by the respective hangers.

2.. The combination with posts, of a rail connected to the posts for up and down adjustment, there being a longitudinal shoulder and groove upon the rail, hangers secured to the rail and abutting against the shoulder, ears upon the hangers and fitted snugly within the groove, keys extending under the rail, and pivotal connections be- OSCAR L. SWALLOVV.

Witnesses:

J. E. KNIGHT, Z. MESTRALLET.

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

, Washington, D. G.

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