WO2016156913A1

WO2016156913A1 - Hammer mechanism having a key device and hammer device, for striking a string of a keyboard instrument, having at least one modification for achieving a high strike repetition frequency

Info

Publication number: WO2016156913A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/001776
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leopold Merzendorfer
Original assignee: Leopold Merzendorfer
Priority date: 2015-04-02
Filing date: 2015-10-05
Publication date: 2016-10-06

Abstract

The invention relates to a key device (12) and to a hammer device (16), which in assembly form a hammer mechanism (10) for striking a string of a keyboard instrument. The key device has a key body (30) formed of a basic material and has a key body full weight, which is determined by way of a key body full volume predetermined by the outer dimensions of the key body and a specific weight of the base material. The hammer device has a total weight and at least one portion (46, 50, 51) that is produced of a basic material suitable for said portion. According to the invention, at least one modification is carried out on the key body (30) and/or on the hammer device (16) such that in/on the device (12, 16), at least one recess or partial removal of base material is formed, and/or that in at least one portion of the device (12, 16), the base material is replaced by a substitute material having a specific weight that is lower than the specific weight of the base material. As a result of said modification, the weight of the device with respect to the weight of the device without modification is reduced by at least 10%.

Description

description

Hammer mechanism with key device and hammer device for striking a string of a keyboard instrument, with at least one modification for achieving a high stroke repetition frequency

The invention relates to a hammer mechanism comprising a key device and a hammer device for striking a string of a keyboard instrument, such as a grand piano or a piano.

State of the art

As a hammer mechanism, also called piano mechanics or stop mechanism, a lever construction is referred to, which comprises a plurality of keys and a plurality of each key associated and thus functionally coupled hammer, wherein by a

Actuation, such as by means of a finger, a key that is associated with this hammer is thrown against a likewise associated with the key string of the keyboard instrument to make the string to sound. The keyboard instrument may be a grand piano, such as a grand piano, or a piano, such as a concert piano.

In classical wings, i. Winged instruments that were built from about 1780, in particular two embodiments of hammer mechanisms are known. On the one hand, because of a bounce tongue used to activate the hammer

Bouncing mechanism or bouncing mechanism 100, which received the name "German mechanics" or "Viennese mechanics" early on, because they were mainly of German and

Austrian piano makers, and which is shown by way of example in the appended FIG. On the other hand, a so-called jack mechanism, which received its name due to a jack used to activate the hammer. These

Mechanics was also given the name "English Mechanics" or modifications to it also the names "Halbenglische mechanics" or "Full English Mechanics", because they were, although developed by German and Austrian piano makers, spread by English piano makers.

In general, a hammer mechanism prevents hammering and / or finger pressure from compressing the string. This is achieved by the hammer its stop point reached on the string only due to its momentum (momentum) in free flight and then rebounding from the string. The technical term for this is the "release" of the hammer.

The rebate mechanism 100 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a key 102 with a so-called front end (right in FIG. 1) and a so-called rear end (left in FIG. 1), a key-bearing 106 arranged on a wing base 101 the key 102 is pivotally mounted, a in a bearing capsule 1 10 about a bearing axis 112 pivotally mounted hammer 104, formed on a bounce beam 120, so-called bounce tongue 122, and on a so-called damper dummy (damper) 124 supported damper 126, the in a non-actuated state of the button 102 is applied to one of the mechanism 100 associated string 30 of the wing. The bearing capsule 10 is on one of the rear end portion of the button 102nd

elevating bearing carrier 108 arranged. The hammer 104 comprises a rear end (left-hand side in FIG. 1), the so-called beak, 114, a hammer handle 116 extending from the beak, and a hammer head 118 attached to the distal end (in FIG resting in a hammer head catcher 128 on a hammer resting pad 130 in a resting state of the hammer 104. The bounce tongue 122 or the bounce carrier 120 is fastened to the sash base via a leather hinge and is held above the rear end 114 of the hammer 04 by a spring 134 at a defined, adjustable height.

Upon actuation of the bouncing mechanism 100 shown in FIG. 1, by pressing on the front end of the button 102 (so-called striking the button 102) lifts the rear end and thereby the bearing capsule 110 with the hammer 104 mounted therein Lifting the hammer 104 bounces its rear end 114 against the bounce tongue 122, so that the front end of the hammer 104 is hurled up with the hammer head 118 and against the string 132. At the same time, the damper carrier 24 is lifted with the damper 126, so that the damper 126 leaves the string 132, whereby the string 132 can swing freely. After abutment of the hammer head 118 on the string 132, the hammer head 118 rebounds from the string 132 with the rear end 114 of the hammer 104 sliding past the bounce tongue 122. Then, the hammer head 118 is caught in the hammer head catcher 128 and rests again on the hammer resting pad 30 ready for a next strike of the key 102. For pianos or pianos, for reasons of space, upward movement of the rear end portion of a key must be translated into forward movement of the hammer or hammerhead, whereby contact of the key with the hammer is somewhat more indirect than with a grand piano. As with grand pianos, a piano does not need to be hammered and / or finger-pressed to stop a string.

Even some older electric pianos (e-pianos) have a mechanics that are functionally similar to a hammer mechanism, a so-called e-piano mechanism, which comprises a key and a hammer that can be activated by pressing the key. An exemplary electric piano mechanics is disclosed in JP 2004-020808A. This electric piano mechanism comprises a key having a front (player-facing) end portion and a rear (player-facing) end portion, an e-piano-based key bearing having a key bearing pin by means of which the key is pivotally mounted, a (as seen from the player) behind the key, connected to the base hammer bearing carrier carrying a bearing capsule, a pivotally mounted in the bearing capsule about a bearing axis hammer, and extending from the hammer bearing support partially over the hammer switch means. This takes the place of a string provided in a mechanical keyboard instrument, is actuated by the swing of the activated hammer and thus registers a keystroke.

The button of the e-piano mechanism has several recesses, which can be divided into two categories within the scope of the present patent application. The first category includes recesses for targeted weight reduction or to reduce the moment of inertia of the key and thus to influence the

Touch response of the button and the hammer are provided. In the key of the electric piano mechanics of JP 2004-020808 A, the first category includes front and rear through holes made in a transverse direction of the key. The second category includes functional recesses intended for other functions that do not affect the touch response of the key. The second category includes, for example, a

Key bearing recess disposed in the center portion of the key and provided for receiving the key bearing pin, a first and a second Führungsstiftausnehmung disposed in the front portion of the key and are provided for receiving a first and second guide pin, and a Tastenendeausnehmung, at the rear end portion the key arranged and for space saving or compact Design of the hammer and the switch device comprehensive unit is provided.

JP 2004-020808 A deals with a deliberate change in the stop behavior of the key. Generally, the touch behavior of the key is characterized by two physical quantities: on the one hand as a dynamic load at the time of pressing the key in the form of a quick depression of the front portion of the key by a finger of an instrument player, on the other hand as a static load, if the button is pressed very slowly (depressed). In terms of motion physics, the dynamic load is essentially determined by the weight of the key or the moment of inertia dependent on the weight and the weight distribution over the key. In contrast, the static load is essentially determined by the balance of the key pivotally mounted on the key bearing pin, in other words by the balance between the front key portion and the rear key portion.

As pianos and pianos continued to develop in the 19th century, piano builders sought to improve the sound of the strummed strings, i. To make the perception by the human ear more pleasant or "fuller" (pleasing), this was achieved by making the weight or the mass (or size) of the hammer head bouncing against the string bigger and bigger an enlarged hammerhead by a button with comparable

Speed to spin like a former lighter hammerhead, i. It was necessary to increase the weight of the key as the weight of the hammer or hammer head increased, by activating a heavier hammer by striking the key for pulsed excited pivoting.

Accordingly, the keys have been made longer and longer in their longitudinal direction and also higher and higher in their vertical dimension. For an instrument player, the increase in the total weight of the key and the hammer meant that the key would be operated with increased force in the dynamics of a rapid actuation.

had to be depressed. Accordingly, experienced players had to acquire or train more muscle power to move their fingers.

In JP 2004-020808 A, it is assumed that an experienced player is accustomed to it and accordingly has developed a preference, a button with a relatively high dynamic load, ie a relatively heavy key to operate. This requires a relatively high force in the movement of the fingers, which is difficult for a beginner to provide. The invention disclosed in JP 2004-020808 A has been made to solve the problem of adapting a key to the skill and preference of a beginner, namely to operate a key with less effort. To solve this object, it has been proposed to reduce the dynamic load of the key by reducing the weight of the key by removing key material by forming the front and rear through holes, the size of the front and rear through holes and their position with respect to the Bearing points of the key bearing pin are chosen in a certain symmetry so that the balance of the key, ie the balance between the front and rear key portion, is maintained.

However, in order to satisfy the preference of an advanced player also according to the invention disclosed in JP 2004-020808 A modified keys of the E-Pianos, the total reduction in weight of each key achieved by forming the front and rear holes remains limited. Measuring the size of the through holes and the outside dimensions of the key shows that the weight achieved by the through holes provided for weight reduction, relative reduction of the weight of the key, i. 7.10% ± 0.05%) of the weight of the key, based on the total weight of the key. By comparison, also by measuring the size of the functional recesses compared to the outer dimensions of the key, it was determined that the relative reduction in the weight of the key, i.e., the total number of functional recesses, was reduced. 9.9% ± 0.05%) of the weight of the key, based on the total weight of the key. The relative weight reduction achieved with the targeted weight reduction perforations is less than that caused by the functional recesses

Weight reduction. US 5 796 024 discloses a key body of a key in which, for the purpose of adjusting the front weight of the key, first three through holes of the same predetermined diameter and predetermined positions are formed in the front portion of the key. Subsequently, to establish the balance of the key another through hole for

Receiving a balance weight of lead at a measured balance-establishing position, and then forming the balance weight therein inserted and attached. The relative weight reduction of the key caused by the four holes provided is approximately 4.40% ± 0.05%.

A disadvantage of the mechanisms described with reference to FIG. 1 or JP 2004-020808 A and US Pat. No. 5,796,024 is that due to the relatively high weight of a key and a hammer, which has become more and more pronounced in the course of the development of the instruments, the inertia (FIG. or the moment of inertia) in particular of the key is very large. As a result, the reset time of the key is large and thereby determined (limited to the top) repetition frequency small, so that at fast passages of

Pieces of music that include, for example, sequences of notes of 32-notes or even 64-notes, tones overlap each other or overlap in time. The individual tones can therefore not be struck individually or temporally resolved. such

Impairment of the tone sequences due to the upward limited repetition frequency are not only evident in classical piano pieces with fast passages, but also in modern music, for example in piano accompaniment in jazz and rock'n'roll.

A disadvantage of the conventional mechanisms is further that, especially at the high tones, ie the sounds with high sound frequency, which are produced with respect to their length relatively short strings, the sound or the purity of the sound affected to the effect that the sound "impure" This is because the attack time of the hammer head on the string is remarkably long relative to the tone period (repetition time) due to the inertia of the heavy hammer.

In view of the aforementioned disadvantages of the known hammer mechanisms, the present invention is directed to avoiding or at least reducing these disadvantages. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a

To provide a hammer mechanism for striking a string of a keyboard instrument, which allows the striking of a string with higher repetition frequency and better sound purity.

Disclosure of the invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, a key device for use in a hammer mechanism device for striking a string in one

Keyboard instrument, such as a piano, a grand piano or electric piano, provided. The key device is pivotally mounted in a keyboard instrument, so that it can be reset in a properly installed in the keyboard instrument state as a result of actuation with a finger pivotable. The key device can activate by its pivoting a hammer device for striking a string of the keyboard instrument. The key device comprises a key body which is substantially formed of a base material and has a key body full weight determined by a key body full volume given by outer dimensions of the key body and a specific gravity of the base material. According to the invention, in the key device according to the first aspect, at least one modification is made to the key body, which is that in or on the key body

Button body at least one recess in or a recess of base material ^'is formed and / or that in at least one section of the

Full body volume, the base material is replaced by a replacement material having a specific gravity that is lower than the specific gravity of the base material. Due to the at least one modification carried out, the weight of the

Key body reduced by at least 10% based on the weight of the key body without modification. The invention, at least one modification to the key device has the advantage that with the reduced weight of the key body and the moment of inertia of the key body and the key device and thus the inertia is reduced when pressing the key device, and that the key device after an actuation returns faster to their starting position. Consequently, the key device can be re-operated earlier, in other words, the repetition frequency of the modified key device is increased.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a hammer device suitable for

Cooperation with a key device, in particular according to the first aspect of the invention and for striking a string in a keyboard instrument, such as a piano, a grand piano or an electric piano, provided. The hammer device has a total weight and has at least one section made of a base material suitable for this section. According to the invention, at least one modification is made to the at least one subsection of the hammer device, which consists in that in or on the

Partial section is formed at least one recess in or a recess of base material and / or that at least in a partial region of the partial section, the base material is replaced by a replacement material having a specific gravity which is lower than the specific gravity of the base material. Due to the at least one modification carried out, the weight of the hammer device relative to the

Total weight of the hammer device reduced by at least 10% without modification. The invention, at least one modification to the hammer device has the advantage that with the reduced weight of the hammer device and the

Moment of inertia of the hammer device and thus the inertia is reduced when activating the hammer device as a result of the actuation of the key device.

As a result, the hammer bounces faster from the string and returns faster to its starting position prior to activation. As a result, the key device can be re-operated earlier, accordingly, the repetition frequency of the modified hammer device is increased. In the practical application of hammer devices modified according to the second aspect of the invention, it has surprisingly also been found that the sound beauty or purity of the sound of a string struck with the modified hammer device clearly audibly improves and the volume thus achieved also increases. The improvement in the purity of the sound is due to the fact that the hammering device bounces faster from the struck string and thus less affected or less affected the vibrations of the string. The

The increase in volume is due to the fact that the faster rebounding hammer lessens and lessens the string than it does in a prior art unmodified (heavier) hammer.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a method for producing a

Button device for a hammer mechanism for striking with a high

Repetitionsfrequenz of a string in a keyboard instrument, such as a piano, grand piano or electric piano, provided. The method comprises the following steps: providing a key device with a key body that essentially consists of one

Base material is formed and has a key body full weight, which is determined by an outer dimensions of the key body predetermined key body full volume and a specific weight of the base material. According to the invention, at least one modification is formed on the key body. This step includes: in or on the key body, forming at least one recess or recess of base material, and / or in at least a portion of the key body full volume, replacing the base material with one

Substitute that has a specific gravity lower than the specific gravity of the base material. The at least one modification is performed so that the weight of the key body is reduced by at least 10% without modification based on the weight of the key body.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a hammer mechanism for a hammer mechanism for striking a high

Repetitionsfrequenz of a string in a keyboard instrument, such as a piano, grand piano or electric piano, provided. The method comprises providing a hammering device having a total weight and having at least one section made of a base material suitable for that section.

According to the invention, at least one modification is then carried out on the at least one section of the hammer device. This step comprises: in or at the subsection, forming at least one recess or recess of base material and / or at least in a subregion of the subsection, replacing the base material with a substitute material having a specific gravity lower than the specific gravity of the subsection Base material is. The at least one modification is carried out so that, due to the same, the weight of the hammer device is reduced by at least 10% without modification, relative to the total weight of the hammer device.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a hammer mechanism for striking a string in a keyboard instrument such as a piano, grand piano or electric piano. The hammer mechanism comprises an assembly of one

Key device according to the first aspect of the invention and a hammer device according to the first aspect of the invention. The key device has a key body, a key storage position, a first, for example, when installed in a

Keyboard instrument front, key portion and a first key portion opposite, the second, for example, when installed in a keyboard instrument rear, Key section has. In the hammer mechanism, a displacement of the balance position of the key-bearing position of the assembly due to the at least one of the weight of the key device decreasing modification and the at least one modification of the weight of the hammer device is thereby eliminated

is compensated that on the heavier one of the first and the second

Key portion leading to the lighter one of the first and second

Key portion is opposite, at least one the weight of the heavier

Key portion decreasing, further modification is carried out, so that the shifted equilibrium position again at the original equilibrium position of

Key bearing position of the assembly before carrying out the weight of the

Key device and the Hammermereinrichtung reducing modifications is arranged.

Carrying out the at least one modification which reduces the overall weight of the hammer device according to the second aspect of the invention realizes the advantage thus produced (improvement of the sound purity and increase in volume), especially when the hammer device modified according to the invention is modified together with a hammer device modified according to the first aspect of the invention, ie in weight as well

reduced key device is used. Prior to performing the modifications to the hammer and key device, the key bearing on the key body was at its equilibrium position. The weight reduction on the hammer displaces this equilibrium position.

In the prior art, it is common to adjust the balance of a key device, with hammering device attached, by placing selected additional weights at selected positions on the lighter portion of the key device.

This increases the weight of the key device, which counteracts the beneficial effect of the first and second aspects of the invention. According to the fifth aspect of

Invention is now the equilibrium produced by the heavier key section another weight-reducing modification is performed. This measure according to the fifth aspect acts in the same sense, ie synergistically, with the modifications according to the first and the second aspect of the invention. According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a hammer mechanism for striking a string in a keyboard instrument such as a piano, grand piano or electric piano. The method comprises the following steps:

(i) providing an assembly of a key device according to the first aspect of the invention and a hammer device according to the second aspect of the invention, wherein the key body has a key bearing position, a key portion facing first when installed in a keyboard instrument, and a key portion opposite to the first key portion; second, for example, when installed in a

Keyboard instrument has rear, key portion, and

wherein a due to the at least one of the weight of the key device reducing modification and the at least one of the weight of the

Hammermereinrichtung modifying a shift of

Equilibrium position of the key storage position of the assembly has occurred

(ii) compensating for the occurrence of displacement of the balance position of the key-bearing position of the assembly by at least one of the first and second key portions being opposite to the lighter of the first and second key portions, the heavier one reducing the weight of the heavier key portion , further modification is performed so that the shifted equilibrium position returns to the original equilibrium position of the

Key bearing position of the assembly before carrying out the weight of the

Key device and the Hammermereinrichtung reducing modifications is arranged.

Advantages of the invention

In preferred embodiments to the first and third aspects of the invention, the weight of the key body is at least 15%, more preferably at least 20%, even more preferably at least 30%, even more preferably at least 40%, even more preferably at least 50%, and even more preferably reduced by at least 60%. The greater the decrease in the weight of the key device, the smaller the moment of inertia and inertia of the key device upon activation, as a result of actuation, of the key device, the faster the key device can return to its home position upon actuation and the greater the achievable repetition frequency. The at least one modification to the key body may be made such that none of the at least one modification alters the outer dimensions of the key body. Alternatively and / or additionally, the at least one modification can also be designed in such a way that all are required for proper installation of the

Key device to be observed in the proposed keyboard instrument installation dimensions, the installation of facilities provided, such as the key pad and its position, and remain the intended for the connection (or attachment) of the Hammereinchtung portion of the key body unchanged. Thus, the key device is with the

modified key body as well as the key device without a modification according to the invention can be installed in the keyboard instrument.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one modification to the key body may include at least one lower-side recess formed in a lower surface of the key body. Such under-side recesses are not visible in a key instrument built-in state of the key device or hammer mechanism device from the perspective of an instrument player. Accordingly, the aesthetics of the hammer mechanism device, which is often determined substantially by the appearance of the key material base material such as a wood species, are not affected by the modification.

At least one of the lower side recesses, preferably each lower side

Recess may be formed longitudinally extending in a longitudinal direction of the key device. Due to the longitudinally extending recess, a particularly large amount of base material can be removed, in particular with respect to the key body full volume, and thus a relatively large weight reduction can be achieved.

The at least one lower-side recess, in particular each of the lower-side

Recesses, a measured in a longitudinal direction of the key body

Recess length and of at least one in a longitudinal direction of the

Key body adjacent recess by one of the base material fulfilled

Section having a measured in the longitudinal direction of the key body distance measure is separated from each other. In this case, the distance measure based on the

Recess length less than 20%, preferably less than 15%, more preferably less than 10% and even more preferably less than 5%. The smaller that

Spacing is, the greater the relative proportion of removed by the recess Base material of the key body and the greater the reduction of the weight of the key body.

The at least one lower-side recess, preferably each of the lower-side

Recesses, a measured in a width direction of the key body

Have recess width. In this case, the recess width relative to a width of the key body measured in the width direction of the key body may be more than 50%, preferably more than 60%, more preferably more than 70%, even more preferably more than 80% and even more preferably more than 90% , The larger the recess width, the larger the amount of removed base material and hence the decrease in the weight of the key body.

In an alternative embodiment, the at least one modification to the key body may include at least one lateral recess formed in at least one side surface of the key body.

At least one lateral recess, preferably each lateral recess, may be substantially cylindrical. Alternatively, at least one lateral

Recess, preferably each lateral recess, for example, in a

Longitudinal direction of the key body be formed extending longitudinally. In these alternative embodiments, at least two lateral recesses may be formed in the two opposite side surfaces of the key body, and these two lateral recesses, preferably all lateral recesses, may each be formed in pairs opposite each other.

The at least two lateral recesses may for example be cylindrical and in any case have a diameter and a depth measured from the surface of the side surface in a width direction of the key body. In this case, these two lateral recesses may be arranged adjacent to one another in a longitudinal direction of the key body and a minimum distance measured in the longitudinal direction

have from each other. Furthermore, the minimum distance relative to the diameter may be less than 25%, preferably less than 20%, more preferably less than 15%, more preferably less than 10% and even more preferably less than 5%. Further, the diameter may be more than 75%, preferably more than 80%, more preferably more than 85%, more preferably more than an outer height of the key body than 90%, and more preferably more than 95%. The smaller the minimum distance between two adjacent side recesses, the more recesses can be made per length of the key body in the key body, the more base material is removed and the greater the decrease in the weight of the key body.

The at least one longitudinal extension formed lateral recess may have a height measured in the direction of a height of the key body. The height of the recess relative to the height of the key body may be more than 75%, preferably more than 80%, more preferably more than 85%, more preferably more than 90% and even more preferably more than 95%.

One or each side recess may have a recess depth measured in a width direction of the key body. In this case, at least one recess depth or the sum of the recess depths of at least two side recesses lying opposite each other in pairs relative to a width of the key body may be more than 50%, preferably more than 60%, more preferably more than 70%, even more preferably more than 80 %, even more preferably more than 90%, is one

Embodiment, the recess depth may be 100%, which means that the cylindrical recess (s) is / are formed as a through hole. The bigger the

Recess depth of the side recesses, the more base material is removed and the greater the reduction in the weight of the key body.

In yet an alternative embodiment, at least one modification may be made on

Key body replacement in at least a portion of the key body of

Base material by a substitute material whose specific gravity is less than the specific gravity of the base material include. The replacement of base material with a lighter substitute material has the advantage that no recesses in the

Key body are formed so that the optical appearance of the key body is maintained, and that the rigidity of the key body is relatively less affected or reduced than in the formation of recesses.

When replacing or replacing base material with replacement material, the key body may have a layered construction comprising at least: a first outer cover layer of the base material, a middle layer of the Replacement material and with respect to the middle layer of the first cover layer opposite, second outer cover layer of the base material. In a preferred embodiment, the layered structure of the key body in a width direction of the key body, according to the axis of the key bearing, oriented. In this case, the first outer cover layer may be a left cover layer and the second outer cover layer may be a right cover layer, or vice versa. Alternatively to the orientation of the layered structure in the width direction of the key body, the layered structure may also be oriented in a direction of the height of the key body, that is, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the key bearing axis of the key body.

The base material may be a wood, such as spruce, having a specific weight of 330 kg / m ³ or more. The substitute material may be a wood such as balsa wood having a specific gravity of 200 kg / m ³ or less. Typically, that can

Substitute material, especially if it is balsa wood, have a specific weight corresponding to about one third of the specific gravity of the base material, which is a wood, such as spruce wood.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the key body is underside

Recesses are provided, each of which has a significant portion of the first (front) key section or a significant portion of the second (rear)

Extend button portion. Particularly advantageous for achieving the largest possible weight reduction is in the first (front) and in the second (rear) key portion in the bottom of the key body each provided a lower-side recess, which has a substantial proportion, for example at least 70% or at least 80% or at least 90th %, the length of each of the first and second key sections.

In the embodiments in which underside recesses are provided in the key body, at least one lower-side recess may at least partially, in particular substantially completely, be filled with a replacement material. The replacement material has a lower specific weight than the base material. Advantageously, the replacement material is a foamed material, such as XPS, or other material containing a variety of pores. A foamed material, such as XPS, has an even lower specific gravity than a light wood, such as balsa wood. XPS (an extruded polystyrene rigid foam) is a foamed material developed for thermal insulation, which has a specific weight of about 35 kg / m ³ and which is particularly simple is processable for the intended use here. The filled with replacement material lower recess may be covered with a cover. For an unobtrusive appearance and to maintain external dimensions, the cover in the

Essentially flush with a bottom surface of the key body be arranged. The filling of the recess with the replacement material gives the key body increased stability. The cover with the cover provides protection of the

Replacement material and gives the button device a more aesthetic appearance.

In preferred embodiments of the second and fourth aspects of the invention, the weight of the hammer device is at least 20%, more preferably at least 30%, even more preferably at least 40%, even more preferably at least 50% and even more preferably at least 60% % reduced. The greater the reduction in the weight of the hammer means, the smaller the moment of inertia and the inertia of the hammer means upon activation of the hammer due to actuation of the key means, the faster the hammer is able to rebound to its starting position after striking a string, the greater becomes achievable repetition frequency, and the purer the sound of a broken string, especially in the sense that harmonics are stimulated with a lower sound intensity or virtually no harmonics.

The hammer device according to the second aspect of the invention may include a

A pivot bearing having end portion, extending from the end portion of a hammer handle and arranged at a distal end of the hammer handle

Hammer head to strike the string. The hammerhead can do one

Hammer fin with a stop section for striking the string and a

Identify Hammerbahn.

In the hammering device, the following subsections: the end portion comprising a pivot bearing (the shank side), the hammer shank and the hammer head, may be formed of a base material (hammer base material) such as wood.

Accordingly, a modification to the hammer device according to the second or fourth aspect of the invention may decrease, such as recessing or recessing the base material, or at least partially replacing the base material with a substitute material having a lower specific gravity than that of FIG Base material, be executed. The sections of the Hammer device, namely the bearing-side end portion, the hammer handle, the

Hammer head, a stopper portion for striking a string, can also from different, with regard to the respective function or stress of a

Subsection, each specially suitable starting material may be formed.

Accordingly, a modification to the hammer device according to the second or fourth aspect of the invention can also be carried out specifically for each of the subsections by making recesses or depressions in each of the subsections in or on the starting material incorporated therein

Starting material by a respective Ersatzmäterial having a lower specific gravity than the respective starting material to be replaced.

The hammer head may be a hammer track and a stopper section for

Have striking the string tapered hammer fin. Accordingly, modifications to the hammer means may include one or more of: (a) a recess of hammer base material on or a recess of base material in the bearing end portion, (b) a recess of base material on the hammer shaft, (c) a replacement of the hammer shaft the base material by a hammer stem made of a substitute material, the substitute material having a specific gravity lower than the specific gravity of the base material, (d) a

Recess of base material on the hammer head, especially in the area of

Hammerfinne, (e) a recess of base material on the hammer head in a region of a connecting portion with the hammer shank, and (f) a recess of

Base material on the hammer track, in particular in a Hammerruhepolster the hammer mechanism zuwendbaren portion of the hammer track.

The hammer head can at least in a stopper portion which contacts the string when striking, wherein the stopper portion having a filled with a cushioning material portion and a cushion cover. The upholstery cover can be made of felt or leather. Correspondingly, a modification to the hammer device may be one of the following: (g) a recess of material (cushioning material) from the with

Padding filled portion, (h) removal of padding material, in particular at least partial removal of felt or abrasion of leather, (i) a recess of cushioning pad material, in particular by abrasion of padding material, preferably over the entire outer surface the cushion cover material, and (j) a recess of cushion cover material only in areas outside of that portion of the cushion cover that touches the string when hitting the hammer head.

The hammer mechanism may further comprise means for adjusting the balance (or

Balancing the balance) of the assembly comprising the key direction and the hammer device, in which mounted in a keyboard instrument and in particular pivotally mounted state, or at least in the state of assembly, in which it is pivotally mounted with its key bearing on a bearing base. In one embodiment, the balance adjustment means comprise compared to the

weight reducing recesses one or more relatively small

Balanceausgleichsausnehmungen and these recesses each associated, one or more serving as a balance weight body. A balance compensating recess may be formed in an end portion of the key body, in the front or rear

End section to be formed. A Balanceausgleichsausnehmung may be substantially cylindrical, for example as a bore, or thread-shaped as a bore with a

Internal thread, or be designed as a slot. A respective body is intended to be located in and secured to one of the balance compensation recesses. Several bodies can have different weights. Correspondingly, a respective body may be formed with a shape complementary to the shape of the balance compensation recess, for example in the form of a pin, a screw or a plate, respectively.

In one embodiment, the balance adjustment means at each end of the

Key device include one or more holes. These holes can serve as a receptacle for different weight screws for more refined weight matching. As required, to achieve the balance one by means of

Keystone stored key device (eg piano key) in one or more of the holes each introduced one of the screws, so that the key device with respect to a pivotal mounting, wherein the key pad of the key device is mounted on a bearing base, in balance, ie in equilibrium. It has been found advantageous to evaluate the impact force of the key device (key) by means of an electronic sound recording, whereby the sound recording is visualized by means of a graphical representation on a display device, such as a screen. As a further step of the method according to the third or fourth aspect of the invention, a sound recording can be carried out for which a hammer mechanism modified according to the invention, ie an assembly comprising a key device modified according to the invention and a (optionally modified according to the invention)

Hammer device has been properly installed in a keyboard instrument for striking a string and then recorded the sound waves resulting from striking the string as a result of an operation of the built-hammer mechanism. In this case, in particular, a sound intensity of a string struck with a repetition frequency by means of the hammer mechanism device as a function of time for a

predetermined period of time, which includes a predetermined plurality of string stops, are measured and recorded. Such a sound recording can show that with a high repetition frequency successively struck tones do not overlap in time, or can show from which repetition frequency tones begin to overlap and therefore lead to loss of sound.

As still another step of the method according to the third or fourth aspect of

According to the invention, a sound recording can be evaluated in such a way that it is checked on the basis of the sound recording, whether one or more

Sound intensity curves, which are associated with a stop of the string, a

Sound intensity course, which is assigned to a subsequent stop of the string, is superimposed / are.

Furthermore, in the method, when superimposing is detected in the checking, one or more further modifications of the present invention may be performed on the key device, particularly the key body, and / or on the hammer device. Although a hammer device has been provided, it is also possible to do so

Modifications according to the invention or further modifications, respectively, be carried out. Subsequently, the carrying out of a sound recording and the described evaluation of the sound recording can be repeated until no more superimposition (of successive tones) is determined during the evaluation or during the checking.

More specifically, the method according to the second aspect and the method according to the fourth aspect may further comprise the steps of: (A) manufacturing a hammer mechanism as an assembly comprising the key device and the hammer device and properly installing the hammer mechanism in a keyboard instrument,

(B) performing a sound recording comprising measuring and recording a sound intensity of sound waves generated by a string of the keyboard instrument associated with the hammer mechanics that is repeatedly struck at a high repetition frequency by means of the hammer mechanism, as a function of time and for a period of time, which includes a plurality of string stops.

The methods according to the second and fourth aspects may still further comprise:

(C) based on the sound recording, check if a

Sound intensity curve, which is generated by a stop of the string, is superimposed by a sound intensity curve, which is generated by a subsequent stop of the same string.

(D) if an overlay is detected in step (C), performing at least one further modification to the key body and / or at least one modification to the hammer means, and

(E) repeatedly performing steps (A) through (C) until no more interference is detected in the checking in step (C).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a conventional, designed as a bouncing mechanism

Hammer action,

2A is a perspective view of a modified according to the invention

Hammer mechanism in which underside recesses are formed in the key body,

2B is a portion of a longitudinal section of the key body of FIG. 2A,

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of the key body of FIG. 2A cut in FIG

2B, level 2C-2C, a perspective view of a modified according to the invention

Hammermechanik, according to the invention in a section of

Key body base material through a substitute material with lower

replaced by specific weight,

3 is a perspective view of a portion of the key body of FIG. 3A, viewed obliquely from the side on the key body,

3B, a cross-section of the key body of FIG. 3B, in the plane 3C-3C shown in FIG. 3B,

a view of an underside of a modified according to the invention

Key body in which in a first and second key portion, i. on both sides of a key-bearing position, a plurality of lower-side, extending in a longitudinal direction of the key body recesses are formed,

a view of an underside of a modified according to the invention

Key body in which in a first and second key portion, i. is formed on both sides of a key-bearing position, a lower-side recess extending in a longitudinal direction of the key body, a cross-section of the key body of Figs. 4A and 4B cut in the plane 4C-4C shown in Figs. 4A and 4B,

a cross section of the key body of Figures 4A and 4B, cut in the plane shown in Figures 4A and 4B 4D-4D,

a side view of an inventively modified hammer device, which is arranged on a rear end portion of the key body of FIG. 2A and in which a weight-reducing modification is formed on the hammer handle,

a top view of the hammer device of FIG. 5A,

a cross section through the hammer device of FIG. 5A, cut in the plane shown in FIG. 5B 5C-5C,

5D is a top view as in FIG. 5B of a hammer device with a modification of the hammer handle according to the invention according to another embodiment than shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5D shows a cross-section through the hammer device of FIG. 5D cut in the plane 5E-5E shown in FIG. 5D, FIG.

a side view of a hammer device on a rear

End portion of the key body of FIG. 2A is arranged and in the modifications according to the invention are formed on the hammer fin and on the hammer path of the hammer head,

a side view of a hammer head, in the inventive

Modifications are formed on the hammer track according to other than the embodiments shown in FIG. 6A,

a view of the hammer head of FIG. 6B, seen in the direction 6C-6C shown in Fig. 6B and in the direction of the hammer handle,

an enlarged view of a hammer head, in the inventive

Modifications to the hammer track according to still other than those in the figures

6A and 6B are shown embodiments,

a cross section of the hammer head of FIG. 6D, cut in the in

6D-6E shown in FIG. 6D,

FIG. 6D shows a cross-section of the hammer head of FIG. 6D cut in the plane 6F-6F shown in FIG. 6D, FIG.

an enlarged view of a hammer head, are formed in the inventive modifications to the cushion cover of the hammer fin, an enlarged view of a hammer head, are formed in the inventive modifications to the cushion cover of the hammer fin according to other than the embodiments shown in FIG. 7A,

a side view of a conventional hammer mechanism, comprising a key device and a hammer device, according to a so-called "Viennese mechanics" or bouncing mechanism, without any

modification according to the invention,

a side view of the inventively modified hammer mechanism of FIG. 8A, comprising a key device, are carried out on the modifications according to the first and third aspects of the invention, and a

Hammer device on which modifications according to the second and fourth aspects of the invention are carried out,

a side view of a conventional hammer mechanism, comprising a key device and a hammer device, according to a so-called "English Mechanics" or jack mechanism, without any

modification according to the invention,

a side view of the inventively modified hammer mechanism of FIG. 9A, comprising a key device, are carried out on the modifications according to the first and third aspects of the invention, and a Hammer device, the modifications according to the second and fourth

Aspect of the invention are executed,

10A is a sound recording in which a built-in a wing, according to the invention and as shown in Figure 8B modified hammer mechanism was operated with a high repetition frequency, the hammer head instead of striking a string strikes against a thin board made of wood, and

Fig. 10B is a sound recording in which a built-in a wing, according to the invention and as shown in Fig. 8B modified hammer mechanism with a high

Repetitionsfrequenz was actuated, the hammer head properly strikes a string.

Embodiments of the invention

The hammer mechanism of the prior art shown in Figure 1 have already been described above, so that a description is not repeated here.

Figures 2A to 2C show a hammer mechanism 10 according to the invention intended for striking a string in a keyboard instrument such as a piano, grand piano or electric piano. The hammer mechanism 10 basically comprises a

Key device 12, which is pivotally mounted in the keyboard instrument, and a hammer device 16 which is the key device 12 pivoted and activatable by pressing the key device 12. The key device 12 is in a in the

Keyboard instrument properly installed state as a result of actuation with a finger by means of a key bearing device 4 reset pivoted. The

Key device 12 includes a first (front) key portion that is out of the

Perspective of a player properly recording the instrument in front, i. before (and in FIG. 2A, also in FIG. 3A, to the right of) the key storage device 14

and a second (rear) key section, viewed from the perspective of a player properly recording the instrument at the rear, i. behind (and in Fig. 2A, also in Figure 3A to the left) of the key bearing device 14 is arranged. The

Hammer means 16 is by means of a on a distal end portion of the second

(Rear) button portion arranged hammer bearing 18 pivotally mounted and installed so that it can be activated by an operation with pivoting the key device 12 and on one of the hammer mechanism associated string of

Keyboard instrument (on a grand piano or piano) or on an associated keyboard Switching device (in an electric piano) can strike, as has been explained at the beginning with reference to Figures 1 to 4. In one wing, the hammer 16 is disposed on the rear portion of the key assembly 12, as shown in Figs. 2A and 3A (and described with respect to Fig. 1). For a piano, that is

Hammer device behind and / or above the second (rear) key portion of the key device arranged so that they by a swinging up this

Button section is activated and strikes against an associated string. In an electric piano, the hammer device is behind and / or above the second (rear)

Key portion of the key device arranged so that it is activated by pivoting the second (rear) key portion of the key device and abuts against an associated switching device.

The key support device 14 includes a key support base 20 that is mounted and mounted on a rack (not shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A) of a keyboard instrument (e.g., a grand piano, piano, or electric piano), a key support pin 22 extending from the

Key support base 20 out and extends vertically upwards, one in a center portion of the key body 30, formed at a designated key storage position 27th

Pin receiving recess 28 in which the key support pin 22 is accommodated when the key device 12 is properly installed in the keyboard instrument, and a pen support 24 mounted on an upper side of the key body 30, the Stiftaufnahmeausnehmung 28 covers and in the recess 28 covering portion a top end portion of the key bearing pin 22 rests. Thus, the entire key device 12 rests on the key bearing pin 22 and is one

Key bearing axis 28, which is arranged at the intended key support position 27, perpendicular to the key support pin 22 and perpendicular to a longitudinal direction 32 of

Key body 30 is aligned, is pivotally mounted.

The key device 12 includes the key body 30, which is formed substantially of a base material 80 and has a key body full weight. The

Base material 80 is wood in a conventional grand piano or piano, typically spruce wood, and is typically a synthetic resin in an electric piano. The

Key body full weight is determined by a key body full volume and by a specific gravity of the base material 80. The key body full volume is essentially determined by its outer dimensions (L30, B30, H30). The outer dimensions essentially comprise a length L30 measured in the longitudinal direction 32, a transverse one the width B30 measured to the longitudinal direction 32 (parallel to the pivot axis 28) and a height H30 of the key body 30 measured perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 32 and to the measuring direction of the width. The outer dimensions (length L30, width B30, height H30) of the key body 30 are for the key body 30 shown in FIGS FIGS. 2A and 3A show exemplary and representative embodiments of the key body 30.

According to the first aspect of the invention, one or more modifications aimed at reducing the key body full volume or specific gravity of a portion of the key body 30 to the weight of the key body 30 and the key means 12 (and thus the key body 12) are performed on the key body 30

Moment of inertia for rotation about the key bearing axis 28). As explained above, the reduction of the weight of the key body 30 is aimed at the

Moment of inertia and thus to reduce the inertia of the key device 12, so that these after an operation with pivoting faster to their original position

return and as a result a higher repetition frequency can be achieved when striking the button. According to the invention, the weight of the key body 30 is reduced not only a little, but considerably, in such a way that the weight of the

Key body 30 based on the key body full weight is reduced by at least 10%. Such weight reduction is significantly greater than that by

Recesses in the key body, which are known from the prior art and serve other purposes than the invention intended weight reduction and thereby caused increase in the repetition frequency. In more preferred

Embodiments, the weight of the key body 30 relative to the weight of the key body 30 without modifications or the key body full weight even by at least 20%, more preferably by at least 30%, even more preferably by

at least 40% and even more preferably at least 50% reduced.

As shown in Figs. 2A to 3C, the modifications are made such that, by the modification on the key body 30, the outer dimensions (L30, B30, H30) of the

Key body 30 and in particular all for a proper installation of the key device 12 in the intended keyboard instrument to be considered mounting dimensions, the devices intended for installation facilities, such as the key bearing and its position 27, and provided for the connection of the Hammereinchtung 16 portion of the key body 30th remain unchanged. Basically, two types of modifications can be distinguished. On the one hand, a modification to the key body 30 may be that one or more recesses are formed in, or recesses from, the base material 80 for decreasing the key body volume and the base material 80 satisfying the key body 30, respectively. Alternatively or additionally, a modification to the key body 30 may also consist in a portion of the

Key body 30, the base material 80 by a replacement material 82, which has a specific gravity, which is less than the specific gravity of the base material 80 to replace.

In the embodiment of the hammer mechanism according to the invention shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, the modifications of the present invention on the key body 30 include a plurality of under-side recesses 60 formed in a bottom surface of the key body 30. At least one of the lower-side recesses 60 (and in FIG. 2A, each lower-side recess 60) is formed substantially longitudinally extending and preferably rectangular. Instead of the planar surfaces of the lower-side recesses 68, which are aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 32 and shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, it is also possible to provide semi-cylindrical surfaces which are formed, for example, by the introduction of bores into the underside of a key body 30 (not shown in the figures) be. As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, each of the lower side recesses 68 has a recess length L60 measured in the longitudinal direction 32 of the key body 30. Further, in the longitudinal direction 32, adjacent recesses 60 are separated from each other by a portion consisting of the base material 80 and a distance dimension A60 (length of the portion) measured in the longitudinal direction 32. Still further, each of the lower side recesses 60 has a recess width B60 measured in a direction of the width of the key body 30 (i.e., substantially parallel to the direction of the pivot axis 28 of the key body 30). To maximize the weight reduction achieved by the recesses 60, the distance A60 is based on the

Recess length L60 is less than 25%, preferably less than 20%, more preferably less than 15%, more preferably less than 10% and even more preferably less than 5%. In the same sense, the recess width B60, based on the width B30 of the key body 30, is more than 50%, preferably more than 60%, more preferably more than 70%, even more preferably more than 80% and even more preferably more than 90%. , The following is an example calculated with indications of typical outer dimensions of the key body 30 and preferred dimensions of the lower side recesses 60 and a reduction in the weight of the key body 30 achieved thereby. Typical outside dimensions of a key body 30 made of wood, typically spruce wood, are L30 = 550 mm, B = 11 mm, H30 = 25 mm, for example for a concert grand from the 19th century by Bösendorfer. For wood as base material, the following dimensions were found to be advantageous: L60 = 50 mm, H60 = 22 mm, B60 = 8 mm and A60 = 6 mm. Such dimensioning in practice is a compromise between a desired maximization of

Weight reduction and remaining stability and rigidity of the key body 30. The resulting relative weight reduction, i. the weight or volume of removed in the form of the lower side recesses 60 with the specified dimensions base material 80, in relation to the original weight or volume of

Key body 30 without modification in a portion of the key body 30 with in the longitudinal direction 32 regularly adjacent to each other arranged below

Recesses 60 is about 57%.

For the already mentioned with respect to Figures 2A to 2C, derived from a concert grand piano Bösendorfer from the 19th century, exemplary key body, the outer dimensions L30 = 550 mm, B = 11 mm, H30 = 25 mm and wood as

Base material, the following dimensions were found to be advantageous for the mentioned in the section "advantages of the invention" and in the claims 10 and 11, cylindrical side recesses: diameter = 15 mm, minimum distance = 5 mm and depth (half) = 5 mm (ie, total depth = 10 mm.) Such sizing in practice represents a compromise between a desired maximization of weight reduction and a remaining stability and rigidity of the key body. The resulting relative weight reduction, ie the weight or volume of the lateral Recesses removed base material, in a portion of the key body 30 in the longitudinal direction 32 regularly adjacent to each other, lateral recesses relative to the original weight or volume of the key body without modification is about 30%.

For the already mentioned, from a concert grand piano of the company Bösendorfer from the 19. Century originating, exemplary key body, the outside dimensions L30 = 550 mm, B = 11 mm, H30 = 25 mm and wood as base material, the following dimensions have been found to be advantageous for the rectangular and longitudinal side recesses mentioned in the "Advantages of the invention" and in the claims 12 to 14: Height = 22 mm and depth (half) = 4.5 mm (ie total depth = 9 mm) Such a dimensioning is in practice a

A compromise between a desired maximization of weight reduction and a residual stability and rigidity of the key body. The resulting relative weight reduction, i. the weight or volume of in the form of

elongated lateral recesses removed base material based on the weight or volume of the key body without modification, in a section of the

Button body with continuous recesses in the longitudinal direction, is about 72%.

In the embodiment of the hammer mechanism according to the invention shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, the modification to the key body 30 comprises a replacement, at least in a portion 76 of the key body 30, of base material 80 by a substitute material 82. The substitute material 82 has a specific gravity that is less than the specific gravity of the base material 80 is. Here, the key body 30 has a layered construction 72 in its width direction. This comprises a first (left in Fig. 3C) outer cover layer 74 consisting of the base material 80, a middle layer 76 consisting of the replacement material 82 and one with respect to the middle layer 76 of the first cover layer 74 opposite, second (in Fig. 3C right) outer cover layer 78 consisting of the base material 80th

It should be noted that a layer-by-layer construction is also performed in a direction of the height H30 of the key body 30, i.e., in the direction of the width of the key body 30, or parallel to the direction of the key bearing shaft 28, as shown in Figs. 3A to 3C. in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 32 and perpendicular to the key bearing axis 28 may be oriented. In the already mentioned, from a grand piano of the company Bösendorfer from the 19th

The basic material, spruce wood, which has a specific weight of about 470 kg / m ³ when dried, is one of the basic materials used. In the modification according to the embodiment shown in Figures 3A to 3C and mentioned in the section "Advantages of the invention" and in claims 15 to 17, the substitute material 82 is balsa wood whose specific gravity is about 100 kg / m ³ Value is less than one third of the specific gravity of the base material 80, ie the spruce wood.

For example, already mentioned key body 30, the outer dimensions L30 = 550 mm, B = 11 mm, H30 = 25 mm and due to the modification wood as

Base material 80 in the outer cover layers 74 and 78 and Baisaholz as a substitute material 82 in the middle layer 76, the following dimensions of the layered structure were found to be advantageous in practice: D74 = D78 = 1 mm and D76 = 10 mm. The resulting relative weight reduction, i. the weight of the layered structure 72 based on the original design without modification, which consists entirely of the base material wood, is about 45%.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A, key body 30 has lower-side

Recesses 60 are provided, each of which has a significant portion of the first (front) key section or a significant portion of the second (rear)

Extend button portion. In order to achieve the largest possible

Weight reduction particularly advantageous embodiment, which is shown in Fig. 4B, in the first (front) and in the second (rear) key portion of the key body 30 only one lower-side recess 60 is provided, however, over a substantial portion of the length of the respective first and This length portion may be at least 70%, preferably at least 80% and even more preferably at least 90% of the length of the respective key portion.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, 4A and 4C, in which lower-side recesses 60 are provided in the key body 30, at least one lower-side recess 60, and preferably each lower-side recess 60, may at least partially be filled with a replacement material 61. In the embodiments of FIGS. 2A to 2C, the lower-side recesses 60 may be substantially completely filled with replacement material 61. The replacement material 61 has a lower specific gravity than the base material 80. The filling of the recess 60 with the

Replacement material 61 gives the key body 30 increased stability.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the underside recesses 60 filled with replacement material 61 are covered with a cover 62. In these embodiments, each lower-side recess 60 is the one except for the section of FIG a cover 62 is occupied, substantially completely filled with substitute material. For an unobtrusive appearance and for maintaining external dimensions, the cover 62 is arranged flush with the bottom surface of the key body 30 in the recess 60.

In the embodiments shown in Figs. 4A and 4B, there is still one in the underside of the first (front, left in Figs. 4A and 4B) key portion

Balanceausgleichsausnehmung 64 formed. This recess 64 is with a

Filling material 65 filled and is covered with a cover 67. The filler material 65 is a very compliant material, such as a foamed material. This enables a balance adjusting weight 66, which is particularly pin-shaped or helical, to be easily pressed into the filling material 65 for adjusting the balance of the key device 30 with respect to storage at the key-bearing position 27.

As a substitute material 61 for filling underside recesses 60 and also as

Filler material 65 in balance compensation recess 64 may be a foamed material, such as XPS (extruded polystyrene foam), or other material containing a plurality of pores. A foamed material, such as XPS, has an even lower specific gravity than a light wood, such as balsa wood. The specific gravity of XPS is about 35 kg / m ³ .

Covering a lower-side recess 60 with a cover 62 or covering the balance compensating recess 64 with a cover 67 provides protection for the replacement material 61 and the filling material 65, respectively, and gives the key device 30 an aesthetic appearance.

As already mentioned, the hammer mechanism 10 according to the invention with the key device 12 modified according to the invention can also have a hammer device 16 modified according to the invention. The inventively modified

Hammer device 16, as well as the well-known hammer 104 of FIG. 1, is provided for striking an associated string of a keyboard instrument. The

Hamming device 16 may be installed in a key instrument with respect to key device 12 at various mounting positions or in various uses, as shown in FIG. 1 by means of hammer 104 shown therein. In any case, a hammer device 16 according to the invention is arranged in a state properly installed in the keyboard instrument by means of a second (rear) key section of a key device 12

Hammer bearing device 18 pivotally mounted. In FIGS. 2A, 3A, 5A, 7A and 7B, the hammer device 6 is located on the distal end portion of the second (rear)

Key portion of the key body 30 is arranged, which corresponds to the known Prellzungenmechanik 100 shown in FIG. 1. However, the hammer device 16 according to the invention can also be incorporated into a corresponding keyboard instrument in relation to the key device 12 or the key body 30 according to the above-mentioned jack mechanism, the piano mechanism or the electric piano mechanism according to JP 2004-020808 A.

Regardless of their various uses, a hammer assembly 16 according to the invention comprises the following subsection: a (or bearing-side) end portion 46, which extends from the end portion 46 and which includes a pivot bearing

Hammer handle 50 and arranged at a distal end of the hammer handle 50 hammer head 51 with a stop portion 54 for striking the string. Of the

Hammer head 51 comprises, similar to a classic hammer tool, a tapered hammer fin 52 and a hammer track 53 arranged opposite thereto. The hammer fin comprises the stop section 54, which is at least partially covered by a stop pad for striking a string. The stop pad typically includes a padding filler 55 secured to the hammer fin 52 and a pad cover 56 which covers the padding filler 55 and which abuts or abuts the string upon impact. The bearing-side end portion 46, the

Hammerstiel 50 and the hammer fin 52 and the hammer track 53 comprehensive

Hammerhead 51 are generally made of one suitable for use

Base material. The base material is typically the same base material as that of the key body 30, typically wood (classical keyboard instruments) or synthetic resin (e-pianos and some newer pianos). In classic

Keyboard instruments 55, the padding filler 55 is usually made of compressed cotton (cotton fibers, felt, cotton wool) and the cushion cover 56 of felt 57 or leather 58. The hammer device 16 has an outer dimensions of the sections and by the specific weights of the materials incorporated therein (base material such as wood 80, compressed cotton 55, felt 57 and leather 58) given total weight. At the hammer device 16 according to the invention one or more modifications are formed. These modifications may generally include a reduction in the form of a recess in or a recess of the hammer assembly 16

Base material 80, 55, 57, 58, as shown in Figures 5A to 5E, 6A to 6F and 7A and 7B.

By the aforementioned modifications, the weight of the modified

Hammers 16 based on the total weight of unmodified

Hammers 16 reduced by at least 10%. In preferred embodiments, the weight of the modified hammer device 16 is at least 20%, more preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, and even more preferably at least 60% with respect to an unmodified Hammers 16 reduced.

The modifications according to the invention shown in FIGS. 5A to 6F

Hammers 16 generally include decreasing in a respective one

Subsection 46, 50, 51 and 54 of the hammer 16 built base material 80, 57, 58, by one or more Abnehmungen 84, 86, 90, 92, 94 of the respective base material.

The modifications to the hammer assembly 16 shown in Figs. 5A, 5B and 5D include a recess in the base material 80, typically wood, at the bearing end portion 46 (eg at 84 in Figs. 5A, 5B and 5D) on the hammer shank 50 (at 86 in FIGS. 5A to 5E). In FIGS. 5A to 5C, the

Hammer handle 50 originally has a round cross-sectional profile and the recess 86 of base material 80 on the hammer handle 50 is to remove material evenly in radially inward direction from all sides of the hammer shank 50 so that the diameter or radius of the hammer shank 50 is reduced, as in FIG of Fig. 5C.

For example, a wood hammer handle 50 as typically installed in classical keyboard instruments originally has a diameter in the range of 4.5mm to 8mm, with the diameter of the hammer shaft 50 in the low tone hammer assemblies (for striking relative long strings) larger and at the

Hammers for high notes (for striking relatively short strings) are smaller. In terms of the base material casings 86 on wood hammer shanks, it has been found that the diameters can typically be reduced to values in the range of 2.5 mm to 4.0 mm, with the hammer shank 50 still having a necessary stability (bending and breaking strength). reserves. In some of the classic

Hammer instruments 16 have the hammer shanks 50 a course of the modified cross-sectional profile, such as a course of the

original diameter, over the length of the hammer handle 50, and of a larger diameter at the bearing-side end portion 46 (for example, 5.6 mm for a hammer associated with a low tone, and 4.9 mm for a hammer, the high tone assigned to a smaller diameter at the hammer head 51 (for example, 5.0 mm for a hammer associated with a low tone and 4.6 mm for a hammer associated with a high tone). Through a

According to the present invention, by removing material from the hammer shank 50, the diameter of a wood hammer shank 50 at the bearing side end portion 46 can typically be 4.5 to 5.0 mm for a hammer associated with a low tone, and 4.2 mm to 4.6 mm for a hammer associated with a high tone, and at the hammerhead end typically at 4.0 to 4.5 mm for a hammer associated with a low tone, and at 3.5 mm to 4.0 mm for a hammer which is associated with a high tone can be reduced.

In FIGS. 5D and 5E, the hammer handle 50 originally has a rectangular cross-sectional profile. The recess 86 of base material 80 on the hammer shank 50 is to remove material evenly from both sides of the hammer shank 50 so that a width of the hammer shank 50 is reduced, as best shown in FIG. 5E. Similar to hammer shanks with a round cross-sectional profile, the profile may have a course, in particular a course of the width, over the length of the hammer shank 50 even with a hammer handle 50 having a rectangular cross-sectional profile. For example, in a hammer assembly 16 constructed from another classical grand piano, the width of the hammer stem 50 is wider (for example, 5.0 mm to 6.0 mm) at the bearing side end portion 46 to a smaller width (for example, 4.0 mm) 5.0 mm) at the hammer head 52. By an inventive removal of material on the hammer handle 50, the width of a rectangular hammer handle 50 made of wood on the bearing-side end portion 46th

typically 3.5 to 4.0 mm, and typically reduced to 3.0 mm to 4.0 mm at the hammerhead end, as shown in Fig. 5D. The modifications of the hammer device 16 according to the invention illustrated in FIGS. 6A to 6C comprise one or more slots 90, 92, 94 of one or more recesses 84 in base material 80 in different sections 52, 53, 55, 56 of the hammer head 51.

In FIG. 6A, a recess 90 on the hammer fin 52, on the side facing the hammer shank 50, is formed between the entrance of the hammer shank 50 and the projection of the cushion cover 56 or in the area around a connecting section with the hammer shank 50. Further, the recesses 92 on the hammer track 53, on the one hand on the hammer handle 50 side facing (recess 92 ') and on the other hand on the hammer handle 50 side facing (recess 92 ") is formed, in such a way that a hammerbahnseitige edition of the hammer head 51 and the hammer track 53 on a hammer head pad 44 remains the same in the sense that the hammer device 16 and the hammer handle 50, with unchanged position of the hammer bearing axle 40 and des

Hammerlagerstifts 42, maintains its inclination angle with respect to the key body 30.

In FIGS. 6B and 6C, recesses 92, 92 "are formed on the hammer track 53 in a portion of the hammer track 53 facing the hammer resting pad 44, on both sides of the hammer track 53 and the hammer head 51, respectively, in a substantially symmetrical manner. so that in a plane perpendicular to the hammer handle 50 a

Cross-sectional profile of the hammer track 53 is formed, which is similar to a V with a blunt tip, as shown in Fig. 10G. As a result, the hammer path side support of the hammer head 51 and the hammer track 53 on the hammer head pad 44 remains the same in the sense that the hammer device 16 and the hammer handle 50, with unchanged position of the hammer bearing axle 40 and the hammer bearing pin 42, its inclination angle with respect to the Key body 30 maintains.

In FIGS. 6D to 6F, two recesses 92, 92 'are formed on the hammer track 53, in a portion of the hammer track 56 facing the hammer resting pad 44, on both sides of the hammer track 53 and the hammer head 51, respectively, in a substantially symmetrical manner. so that in a plane perpendicular to the hammer handle 50 a

modified cross-sectional profile of the hammer track 53 is formed, as shown in Figures 101 and 10J. Unlike in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the recesses 92 'do not extend over the entire length (as seen in the direction of the hammer shank 50) Hammer track 53, but only over the hammer handle 50 facing portion of this length, as shown in Fig. 6D. Accordingly, in a section remote from the hammer handle 50 of this length, the cross-sectional profile of the hammer track 53rd

unchanged, as shown in Fig. 6F, which causes the hammer path side support of the hammer head 51 and the hammer track 53 on the hammer head pad 44 remains the same in the sense that the hammer means 16 and the hammer handle 50, with unchanged position of the hammer bearing axis 40 and the hammer bearing pin 42, its inclination angle with respect to the key body 30 maintains. As shown in Figs. 5A and 6A to 6C, the hammer head 51 is covered with a cushion filler 55 and a cushion cover 56 at least in a portion of the stopper portion 54 which contacts a string upon striking. In a hammer head 51 of a classical keyboard instrument, the padding filler 55 is more compressed

Cotton (cotton fibers) and the cushion cover 56 of felt 57 leather 58 formed.

It is shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B that modification to the hammer means 16 may also include reducing base material 57, 58 of the cushion cover 56. This can be done by removing felt 57 or leather 58. In Fig. 7A is a

Modification according to the invention on the hammer head 51 of the hammer device 16 in the form of a recess 94 of material 57, 58, the cushion cover 56 in areas outside of that portion which touches a string when hitting the hammer head 51, wherein in the portion of the hitting the hammer head 51 touches the string, the pad cover 56 is not removed or remains unchanged. In Fig. 7B is a

Modification on the hammer head 51 in the form of a recess 94 'of material 57 or 58 of the cushion cover 56 by a grinding away of material 57 or 58 of the

Cushion cover 56 made over the entire outer surface of the cushion cover 56.

In other embodiments, which are not shown in the figures, in at least one subsection of a modified hammer device 12, according to the invention, a base material incorporated therein is replaced by a replacement material having a lower specific gravity than the base material. For example, a hammer handle 50 made of wood may be replaced by a hammer handle made of a carbon fiber material. Because carbon fiber material has a much higher strength and rigidity than wood, a hammer stem (not shown) made of carbon fiber material may have a smaller cross-section, eg a smaller diameter in the case of a round cross-sectional profile the hammer handle made of wood, which he replaced, have. A hammer handle made of carbon fiber material may have a cross-sectional profile which is hollow inside. In other words, a hammer handle made of carbon fiber material may be tubular or formed as a tube.

The individual hereinbefore described, weight reducing according to the invention

Modifications to the various sections 46, 50, 51, 52, 53, 55 and 56 of a hammer device 12 may also be combined in a hammer device 12 as shown in Figs. 8A and 8B and Figs. 9A and 9B.

FIGS. 8A and 8B each show a hammer device designed according to the principle of the bouncing mechanism (or Viennese mechanism). FIG. 8A shows a

Hammer device without any modification according to the invention. FIG. 8B shows a hammer device 12 derived from the hammer device shown in FIG. 8A by forming a combination of modifications according to the invention, i. Modifications were made in the end section 46, the hammer handle 50 and the hammer head 51. In the hammer device 12 shown in FIG. 8B, a plurality of recesses 84 are provided on the bearing-side end section 46, a recess 86 on the hammer handle 50,

Abnehmungen 90 on the hammer fin 52, Abnehmungen 94 on the stopper portion 56, in particular the padding filler 55 and the pad cover 56, as well as Abnehmungen 92 executed on the hammer track 53. In a still further improved embodiment, the hammer handle 50 of wood is replaced by a tubular hammer handle. The original hammer device shown in Fig. 8A had a weight of 12.4 grams. After carrying out the above-described modifications, that shown in FIG. 8B

Hammer device 12 a weight of 4.1 grams. The weight reduction achieved here is thus about 67%.

FIGS. 9A and 9B each show a hammer device executed according to the principle of the jack mechanism (or English mechanism). Fig. 9A shows such a hammer device without any modification according to the invention. Fig. 9B shows a

Hammer device 12, resulting from the hammer device shown in Fig. 9A, by forming a combination of modifications according to the invention, i. Modifications were made in the end portion 46 on which the jack-carrying portion 48 ', the hammer shank 50 and the hammer head 51 were made. In the one shown in Fig. 9B

Hammer device 12 are a plurality of recesses 84 on the bearing-side end portion 46, Abnehmungen 90 on the hammer fin 52, Abnehmungen 94 on the stopper portion 56, in particular the padding filler 55 and the pad cover 56, as well as Abnehmungen 92 executed on the hammer track 53. Further, the hammer handle 50 made of wood is replaced by a tubular hammer handle. The original hammer device shown in Fig. 9A had a weight of 14.1 grams. After carrying out the above-described modifications, the hammer device 12 shown in Fig. 9B has a weight of 4.9 grams. The weight reduction achieved here is thus about 65%.

As indicated in Figures 2A and 3A, the hammer mechanism 10, means 63 for adjusting a balance (or balance) of the key direction 12 with respect to a pivotable mounting thereof at its key storage position 27 on a

Key bearing pin 22 include a keypad 14 connected to the keyboard instrument. In one embodiment, the balance adjustment means 63 in FIG

Contrary to the invention as large as possible executed, weight-reducing recesses 60 and 70 in the key body 30, one or more relatively small

Balancing compensating recesses 64 and each associated therewith, one or more balancing weight serving Balance setting weights 66, which are at least partially incorporated in the respective Balanceausgleichsausnehmungen 64. A

Balance compensation recess 64 may be in an end portion of a respective one

Key portion of the key body 30, in the first (front) or second

(rear) key section, i. be formed in front of or behind the key bearing device 14. In FIGS. 2A and 3A, balance compensating recesses 64 in the form of bores in the key body 30 are formed. It can each one

Balance compensating recess 64 in the front and one in the rear key portion of the key body 30. For more precise balance or fine adjustment of the balance on the key support pin 22 of the key bearing device 14 pivotally mounted key means 30 balance compensating weights 64, as

Balancing weight serve as the weight may be provided different screws, which, depending on the requirement for establishing the balance (or balance) of the

Button device 30 in the Balanceausgleichsausnehmungen (holes) 64 are introduced or screwed.

It has proven to be advantageous if the power of the key device (key) 30 and their weight (fine) vote or balance using an electronic

Sound recording 95 is evaluated. In this case, the sound recording 95 by means of or in the form a graphical representation on a display device, such as a screen, made visible, as shown by way of example in Figures 10A and 10B. A subsequent (ie executed after carrying out modifications according to the invention)

Fine tuning (the weight or the balance) is, especially if the

Base material 80 wood is necessary because of the different fibrillation of wood a different moisture absorption take place (or have taken place) and thereby the weight ratios (at different key bodies 30, the various strings or pitches or notes are assigned) slightly

can be different. Such a fine tuning is not possible even by an exact mechanical prefabrication (the key body 30). By means of an electric sound recording 95 can, for example in the form of a graphical representation on a

Screen, the impact (on the achieved volume) and the number of hits (resp.

Repetition frequency) of the hammer mechanism 10 (comprising a key device 12 and a hammer device 16). Sound losses are also localizable (recognizable). Furthermore, the sound quality, in particular with regard to volume and sound purity, can be checked. A fine adjustment of the impact of the

Hammer mechanism 10 comprising a key device 12 modified according to the present invention and a hammer device 16 modified in accordance with the present invention can be obtained, for example, by reduction (removal) or addition of balancing weights 64 in a respective end portion of the first (front) and second (back) key portions of the key body 30.

By means of sound recordings 95 with the graphic representation method illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B, it has been demonstrated that the weight reduction performed on the hammer mechanism 10 of a 19th century grand piano on the key device 12 (such as in FIG. 4B) and at the hammer means 16 (such as in Fig. 8B), an increase in the repetition frequency of fast passages of

Pieces of music of more than 100% in relation to the possible maximum repetition frequency, which can be reproduced with an original hammer mechanism without

weight-reducing modification could be achieved is achieved. Regardless of the type of hammer mechanics (bouncing mechanics or jacking mechanics), such sound recordings 95 and measurements proved that with the grand piano's hammer mechanisms without modification, the high notes only had a repetition frequency of 3.8 beats per second and the low tones only a repetition frequency of 3.6 stops per second could be achieved without causing loss of sound. After carrying out weight-reducing modifications according to the invention on the key device 12 (according to FIG. 4B) and on the hammer device (according to FIG

Repeat frequency of more than 8 attacks per second, when recorded by a skilled musician even reached more than 9 attacks per second. With a classical piano (piano) originating from about the same time, the repetition frequency could even be increased to about 14 stops per second as a result of the implementation of modifications to the key device and to the hammer device according to the invention.

Simultaneously with the increase in the repetition frequency can also increase the volume, especially at the high tones, and an audible improvement in the

Tonal purity can be determined.

More specifically, FIGS. 10A and 10B show sound recordings 95 which are combined with a

Concert grand piano was obtained, in which a according to the invention according to FIG. 8B modified hammer mechanism 10 has been installed as a replacement for an original hammer mechanism and a modified according to the invention key device 30. each

Sound recording 95 shows a microphone-recorded sound intensity (I) 96 produced by the grand piano upon striking the hammer mechanism 10 as a function of time (t) 97 for a period of time comprising a plurality of keystrokes 99. The sound intensity (I) 96 is plotted along the vertical axis in arbitrary units and the time (t) 97 along the horizontal axis in units of one second. Individual keystrokes 99 are clearly recognizable in the illustrated intensity curves (measurement curves) 98 of FIGS. 10A and 10B as spikes having a particularly high sound intensity I. In the sound recording shown in Fig. 10A, the hammer head 51 of the modified hammer mechanism 10 struck against a thin wooden board. At the in

10B, the hammer head 51 bumped against the

Hammermechanik 10 properly assigned string of the concert grand piano. In Fig. 10A, it can be seen that when the thin board was hit, the keystrokes 99 were made at a repetition frequency of about 9.0 to 9.1 strokes per second, and that the sound intensity of each preceding keystroke had largely faded before a new keystroke 99 follows. Thus, it is shown that even at the repetition frequency realized here of about 9 attacks per

Second, the keystrokes 99 are individually perceptible and not timed overlay, ie there are no sound losses. The repetition frequency could even be increased without loss of sound.

In Fig. 10B it can be seen that when striking the string, the keystrokes 99 were executed at a repetition frequency of about 8.9 to 9.2 stops per second, and that also in this case, the sound intensity of each preceding keystroke has largely subsided before a new keystroke 99 follows. FIG. 10B shows that even with the repetition frequency of approximately 9.2 stops per second realized here, the keystrokes 99 on a properly struck string are perceptible individually and no sound losses occur. Again, the repetition frequency could be increased without any loss of sound occur.

In Fig. 10B can be seen at each keystroke 99 a first spike, followed by a second and some keystrokes even a third spike. In the perception with the ear, this corresponds to a fuller, lingering, pure tone. It has been found that the improvement in the quality of the sound image in terms of volume and sound purity, which is achieved with a modified hammer mechanism according to the invention as shown in Fig. 10B, and the sound difference between a modified

Hammer mechanics and a hammer mechanism without modification, is even more pronounced in the high notes of the grand piano than in the lower notes.

In sum, the modifications made to the key device according to the invention (according to the first and third aspects of the invention) and to the hammer device (according to the second and fourth aspects of the invention) according to the present invention increase the

Repetition frequency by more than double and a significant improvement in the quality of the sound, in terms of volume and clarity, especially in the high tones (in the treble sides) achieved.

Claims

claims

A key device (12) for use in a hammer mechanism (10) for

Striking a string in a keyboard instrument, such as a piano, grand piano or electric piano, wherein the key device (12) is pivotally mountable in a keyboard instrument and comprises:

a key body (30) substantially formed of a base material (80) and having a key body full weight passing through

Outside dimensions (L30, B30, H30) of the key body (30) predetermined

Key body volume and a specific weight of the base material is determined, characterized in that

on the key body (30) at least one modification (68, 70) is made, which consists in

at least one recess in or a recess of base material (80) is formed in or on the key body (30) and / or

that in at least a portion of the key body full volume

Base material (80) is replaced by a substitute material (61) having a specific gravity lower than the specific gravity of the base material, and

that due to the at least one modification made, the weight of the key body (30) relative to the weight of the key body (30) without modification is at least 10%, preferably at least 15%, more preferably at least 20%, even more preferably at least 30% more preferably at least 40% and even more preferably at least 50%.

2. Button device according to claim 1, characterized in that none of the at least one modification to the key body (30), the outer dimensions (L30, B30, H30) of the key body (30) are changed and / or that alternative and / or that the at least a modification is made so as to include all mounting dimensions to be considered for proper installation of the key device (12) into the keyboard instrument, proper-fit facilities such as a key pad and its location, and one for mounting a hammer device (16) Section of the key body (30) remain unchanged.

3. Button device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one modification on the key body (30) at least one underside Recess (60) formed in a lower surface of the key body (30) comprises.

4. Button device according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one lower-side recess (60), preferably each lower-side recess (68), is longitudinally extending in a longitudinal direction (32) of the key device (30).

5. Button device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that at least one underside recess (60) at least partially, in particular in

Substantially complete, with a replacement material (61) having a lower specific gravity than the base material is filled, and

in that, in particular, the underside recess (60) filled with replacement material (61) is covered with a cover (67) which, in particular, is arranged substantially flush with a bottom surface of the key body (30).

6. button device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that at least one underside recess (60) in a longitudinal direction (32) of the button body (30) measured recess length (L68) and of at least one in a longitudinal direction (32) the recess (60) adjacent to the key body (30) is separated from each other by a section filled with base material (80) and having a distance measure (A60) measured in the longitudinal direction (32);

wherein the pitch (A60) relative to the recess length (L60) is less than 20%, preferably less than 15%, more preferably less than 10% and even more preferably less than 5%.

A key device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that at least one lower-side recess (68) has a recess width (B68) measured in a width direction of the key body (30),

wherein the recess width (B60) relative to a width (B30) of the key body (30) measured in the width direction of the key body (30) is more than 50%, preferably more than 60%, more preferably more than 70%, even more preferably more than 80% and even more preferably more than 90%.

8. Button device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one modification on the key body (30) at least one lateral Recess formed in at least one side surface of the key body (30) comprises.

9. button device according to claim 8, characterized in that at least two lateral recesses in the two mutually opposite side surfaces of the key body (30) are formed, and that these two lateral recesses, preferably all lateral recesses, in pairs, are formed opposite each other.

10. Button device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the at least one lateral recess, preferably each lateral recess, in

Is essentially cylindrical.

11. Button device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that at least two lateral recesses are cylindrical and have a diameter and one from the outer surface of the side surface in a width direction of the

Key body (30) have measured depth and that these two lateral

Recesses in a longitudinal direction (32) of the key body (30) are arranged adjacent to each other and have a measured in the longitudinal direction (32), minimum distance from each other,

that the minimum distance relative to the diameter is less than 25%, preferably less than 20%, more preferably less than 15%, more preferably less than 10% and even more preferably less than 5%, and

the diameter relative to a height of the key body (30) is more than 75%, preferably more than 80%, more preferably more than 85%, more preferably more than 90%, and even more preferably more than 95%.

12. Button device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the at least one lateral recess, preferably each lateral recess, is longitudinally extending in a longitudinal direction of the key body (30).

13. Button device according to claim 12, characterized in that at least one lateral recess is designed to extend longitudinally and has a height measured in the direction of a height of the key body (30), wherein the height of the recess relative to the height of the key body (30) is more than 75%, preferably more than 80%, more preferably more than 85%, more preferably more than 90% and even more preferably more than 95%.

14. A key device according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that a lateral recess has a recess depth measured in a width direction of the key body (30),

wherein at least one recess depth or the sum of the recess depths of at least two pairwise opposed side recesses with respect to a width (B30) of the key body (30) more than 50%, preferably more than 60%, more preferably more than 70%, still more preferably more than 80%, even more preferably more than 90%, and in particular still more preferably 00%, ie the one or two pairs of cylindrical recesses is / are formed as a through hole.

15. Button device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one modification on the key body (30) replacing in at least a portion (76) of the key body (30) of base material (80) by a replacement material (61, 82) whose specific gravity is less than the specific gravity of the

Base material (80) is included.

16. Button device according to claim 15, characterized in that the

Key body (30), in particular in the direction of a width of the key body (30), has a layered structure (72) comprising at least: a first, in particular left, outer cover layer (74) of the base material (80), a middle layer ( 76) of the replacement material (82) and a relative to the middle layer (76) of the first cover layer (74) opposite, second, in particular right, outer cover layer (78) of the base material (80).

17. Key device according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the base material (80) is a wood, such as spruce wood, which has a specific weight of about 330 kg / m ³ to about 470 kg / m ³ , and that the replacement material (82) is a wood, such as balsa wood, having a specific gravity of about 100 kg / m ³ to about 200 kg / m ³ , or that the specific gravity of the replacement material (82) is about one-third or so having less of the specific gravity of the base material (80).

18. A hammer device (16) provided for striking a string in a keyboard instrument such as a piano, grand piano or electric piano, said hammer means (16) having a total weight and having at least a portion (46, 50, 51 ) made of a base material suitable for this section, characterized in that at least one modification (84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94) is made on the at least one partial section (46, 50, 51) it consists

in that at least one recess in or a recess of base material is formed in or on the partial section (46, 50, 51) and / or

that at least in a partial region of the subsection (46, 50, 51)

Base material is replaced by a replacement material having a specific gravity lower than the specific gravity of the base material, and

that due to the at least one modification made (84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94) the weight of the hammer means (16) relative to the total weight of the

Hammer device (16) without modification by at least 10%, preferably by at least 20%, more preferably by at least 30%, even more preferably by

at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, and even more preferably at least 60%.

A hammer device according to claim 18, comprising a pivotal bearing end portion (46), a hammer shaft (50) extending from said end portion (46), and a hammer head (51) disposed at a distal end of said hammer shank (50), which is a hammer fin (52) with a stopper portion (54) for

Striking the string and a hammer track (53), characterized in that the at least one modification to the hammer means (16) comprises one or more of the following:

(a) a recess (84) of base material on the or a recess of base material in the end portion (46),

(b) a recess (86) of base material on the hammer handle (50),

(c) replacing the hammer shank (50) of base material with a hammer shank made of a substitute material, the substitute material having a specific gravity lower than the specific gravity of the base material,

(d) a recess (90, 92) of base material on the hammer head (51),

especially in the area of the hammer fin (52), (E) a recess (90) of base material on the hammer head (51) in the region of a connecting portion with the hammer shank (50), and

(F) a recess (92, 94) of base material on the hammer track (53), in particular in a hammer rest pad (44) of the hammer mechanism (10) zuwendbaren portion of the hammer track (53).

A hammer device according to any one of claims 18 or 19, comprising a hammer head (51) having a stopper portion (54) for striking the string, the stopper portion (54) having a pad filled with a cushion filler (55) and a cushion cover (56 ), which is formed for example of felt (57) or leather (58), characterized in that at least one modification to the

Hammer device (16) comprises one or more of the following:

(g) a recess of material from the portion filled with padding filler (55),

(h) removing material of the cushion cover (56), in particular at least partially removing felt (57) or removing leather (66), for example over an entire outer surface of the cushion cover (56), and

(i) at least partially scavenging material of the cushion cover (56) in areas outside of the section which contacts the string upon striking the hammer head (51).

21. A hammer mechanism (10) for striking a string in a keyboard instrument, such as a piano, grand piano or electric piano, comprising:

An assembly of a key device (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 17 and a hammer device (16) according to any one of claims 18 to 20.

22. The hammer mechanism (0) according to claim 2, wherein the key means (12) comprises a key body (30) comprising a key bearing (27), a first, for example, when installed in a keyboard instrument front, key portion and a first

Button section opposite, second, for example, when installed in a

Keyboard instrument has rear, key portion, and

wherein a due to the at least one of the weight of the key device (12) reducing modification and the at least one of the weight of the

Hammers (16) reducing modification occurred

Equilibrium position of the key storage position (27) of the assembly is compensated by that on the heavier one of the first and the second Key portion opposite to the lighter one of the first and second key portions, at least one weight of the heavier one

Key bearing position (27) of the assembly prior to the execution of the weight of the key device (12) and the hammer device (16) reducing modifications is arranged.

23. A method for producing a key device (12) for a hammer mechanism (10) for striking with a high repetition frequency of a string in one

Keyboard instrument, such as a piano, grand piano or electric piano, comprising the method:

Providing a key device (12) with a key body (30), which in the

Is substantially formed of a base material (80) and has a key body full weight, which is determined by a by outer dimensions (L30, B30, H30) of the key body (30) predetermined key body full volume and a specific weight of the base material, characterized by

Forming at least one modification on the key body (30) comprising: in or on the key body (30), forming at least one recess or recess of base material (80) and / or

in at least a portion of the key body full volume, replacing the

Base material (80) by a substitute material (61) having a specific gravity lower than the specific gravity of the base material,

wherein due to the carried out at least one modification, the weight of

Key body (30) based on the weight of the key body (30) without modification by at least 10%, preferably at least 15%, more preferably at least 20%, even more preferably at least 30%, even more preferably at least 40% and still more preferably at least 50%.

24. A method for producing a hammer device (16) for a hammer mechanism (10) for striking a string of a keyboard instrument, such as a piano, grand piano or

Electric piano, having the method:

Providing a hammer device (12) which has an overall weight and has at least one part section (46, 50, 51) made of a base material suitable for this section, characterized by Forming at least one modification (84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94) on the at least one subsection (46, 50, 51) comprising:

in or at the subsection (46, 50, 51), forming at least one

Recess or recess of base material and / or

at least in a partial region of the subsection (46, 50, 51), replacing the

Base material by a substitute material having a specific gravity lower than the specific gravity of the base material, and

wherein, due to the at least one executed modification (84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94), the weight of the hammer means (16) relative to the total weight of the

25. The method of claim 23 or 24, further comprising:

(A) manufacturing a hammer mechanism (10) as an assembly comprising the key device (12) and the hammer device (16) and properly installing the hammer mechanism (10) in a keyboard instrument,

(B) performing a sound recording (95) comprising measuring and recording a sound intensity (96) of sound waves from a string of the keyboard instrument associated with the hammer mechanism (10) which repeatedly sounds at a high pitch

Repetition frequency by means of the hammer mechanism (10), as a function of time (97) and for a period of time comprising a plurality of string stops.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

(C) based on the sound recording, check if a

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

(D) if an overlay is detected in step (C), performing at least one further modification to the key body (30) and / or at least one modification to the hammer means (16), and (E) repeatedly performing steps (A) through (C) until no more interference is detected in the checking in step (C).

A method of making a hammer mechanism (10) for striking a string in a keyboard instrument such as a piano, grand piano, or electric piano, the keyboard instrument having a key base (20) for supporting a hammer mechanism, the method comprising:

(i) providing an assembly of a key device (12) according to one of claims 1 to 17 and a hammer device (16) according to one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the key body (30) has a key storage position (27), a first,

for example, when installed in a keyboard instrument front, key portion and the first key portion opposite, second, for example, when installed in a keyboard instrument rear, key portion,

Hammers (16) reduce a shift in the modification

Equilibrium position of the key storage position (27) of the assembly has occurred

(ii) compensating for the occurrence of displacement of the balance position of the key-bearing position (27) of the assembly by at least one of the weight of the first and second key portions being opposite to the lighter of the first and second key portions heavier key portion reducing further modification is performed so that the shifted balance position is again located at the original equilibrium position of the key storage position (27) of the assembly prior to carrying out the weight of the key device (12) and the hammer device (16) reducing modifications.