Device and method for damping of aliquot tones

Abstract

The object of the invention is a device and a method for damping of aliquot tones, which solve the technical problem of the damping of aliquot tones in instruments that have a large number of strings (6) mounted between two fastening points (7) of the string, wherein a musician does not touch the strings (6) with his fingers or with a hand-held accessory. Such instruments are for instance the piano and the upright piano. The invention is technically configured in a way that the string (6) proximal to one of both fastening points (7) of the string, via the actuator (4), is pressed with the pressing material (2) which is preferably an elastic material, wherein the pressing of the pressing material (2) causes the damping of aliquot tones. The device (1) for damping of aliquot tones comprises at least the pressing material (2), with which the pressure against the strings (6) is carried out by way of the pressing element (8), the movable element (3) which causes a pressing force, and the actuator (4) linked to the linkage (5), with which the pressure against the strings (6) is actuated, thus dampening the aliquot tones.

Claims

1. An aliquot tones damping device (1) for use in pianos or upright pianos with strings (6) mounted between two fastening points (7) said device comprising at least one pressing element (8) having a pressing material (2) fastened thereon, at least one movable element (3), at least one return element (10), a linkage (5), and an actuator (4), for actuating the movable element (3) via the linkage (5), characterized in that said at least one pressing element (8) is shaped as an elongated body extending at least over a group of strings (6) and transversely to said group of strings (6), and positioned above said group of strings (6), wherein by actuating the movable element (3), the pressing element (8) guided by guides (9) is moved in a direction toward said group of strings (6) and a pressure of the pressing material (2) against said group of strings (6) exerted at the beginning or at the end of the active parts of said group of strings (6) at an initial or at a final fastening point (7), thus dampening the aliquot tones of said group of strings (6), and by the movement of the movable element (3) the return element (10) is simultaneously actuated, and wherein, once the actuation is over, by the return element (10), the movable element (3) and hence the pressing element (8) is returned to its initial position.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressing material (2) is an elastic material selected from the materials that get slightly deformed when pressed against the strings (6), and part of the elastic material which is in contact with the string gets adapted in its shape to the shape of the string (6), wherewith the contact surface between the string (6) and the elastic material is increased, and returns to its initial position once the elastic material is released.

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the linkage (5) is a mechanical one and formed as a cord, a rope, a steel cable, a steel bar or any other mechanical linkage.

4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the linkage (5) is formed as a hydraulic conductor, a pneumatic conductor, or an electrical conductor.

5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the linkage (5) is a wireless one, wherein the actuator (4) transmits a wireless signal that triggers the movable elements (3).

6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable element (3) is formed as a mechanical element of a non-circular shape, preferably of an ellipsoidal shape, and the actuation is carried out by rotating the mechanical element around its axis, wherein due to the non-circular shape of the mechanical element the point of pressing of the mechanical element changes, more precisely the radius is changed, which defines the distance from the turning point of the mechanical element to the point of pressing of the mechanical element.

7. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable element (3) is formed as a hydraulic cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder or an electromagnet.

8. A method for damping of aliquot tones in pianos or upright pianos with strings (6) mounted between two fastening points (7), wherein the method is carried out on the device according to claim 1, characterized in that by the actuator (4) the movable element (3) is actuated via the linkage (5), wherein the movable element (3), while moving, presses against the pressing element (8) having the pressing material (2) fastened thereon, thus causing the movement of the pressing element (8) guided by guides (9) in a direction towards the strings (6), such that the pressing material (2) presses against the strings (6) so that the pressure against the strings (6) is done at the initial or final part of the active part of the strings (6) proximal to the initial or the final fastening point (7) of the strings (6) and dampens the aliquot tones of the strings (6), and the movable element (3), while moving, simultaneously actuates the return element (10), wherein, once the actuation is over, the return element (10) returns the movable element (3) to its initial position and the pressing element (8) and hence the pressing material (2) moves away from the strings (6).

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that when the device comprises two or more pressing elements (8) each extending over its individual group of strings (6), by the stepwise actuation of the actuator (4), individual groups of strings (6) are dampened by gradually turning on the device (1).

Description

(1) The invention will be explained in more detail hereinbelow by way of embodiments and the enclosed drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 represents a schematic view of the device for damping of aliquot tones in a first variant, wherein the figure shows a device 1, a pressing material 2, a movable element 3, an actuator 4, a linkage 5, a string 6, a string fastening point 7, a pressing element 8, a guide 9, a return element 10.

(3) FIG. 2 represents a schematic view of the device for damping of aliquot tones in a second variant, wherein the figure shows a device 1, a pressing material 2, a movable element 3, an actuator 4, a linkage 5, a string 6, a string fastening point 7, a pressing element 8, a guide 9, a return element 10.

(4) The first embodiment is schematically represented in FIG. 1.

(5) The instrument of the embodiment is the piano or the upright piano with an integrated means for complete dampening of string tones (string dampers), with which the strings are completely dampened/made still. The damper is deactivated by striking a key, while it is re-activated (dampens the string) when the key is released.

(6) The device 1 for damping of aliquot tones is technically configured in a way that pressure is applied on a string/strings 6 at the initial or final part of the active part of the string 6, i. e. at the initial fastening point 7 of the string 6 or optionally at the final fastening point 7 of the string 6 via actuator 4, which is a foot pedal in this embodiment. By pressing the actuator 4, the movable element 3 is actuated by the linkage 5, wherein the movable element 3 presses against the pressing element 8 having the pressing material 2 fastened thereon, said pressing material being formed from a silicone rubber in this embodiment, and presses or moves the pressing element 8 towards the strings 6, wherein the pressing material 2 presses against the string 6 and dampens the aliquot tones. The pressing element 8 is guided by the guides 9. As the pressing element 8 is moved, the movable element 3 actuates the return element 10, being a spring in this embodiment, more precisely it stretches it. Once the actuator 4 and hence the linkage 5 are no longer active, the spring returns to its original shape, it compresses, thus returning/moving the movable element 3 to its initial position, wherein the pressing element 8 and the pressing material 2 move away from the strings 6.

(7) When the actuator 4 is actuated, the movable element 3 presses the pressing element 8 having the pressing material 2 fastened thereon against the strings 6. The pressing on the strings 6 is done at the initial or final part of the active part of the string 6, i. e. at the initial or final fastening point 7 of the string 6.

(8) The actuator 4 causes by way of the linkage 5, which is a steel cable in this embodiment, rotation of the movable element 3, which is a mechanical ellipsoidal element in this embodiment, the movement of said movable element pressing/moving the pressing element 8 having the pressing material 2 fastened thereon in direction towards the strings 6. The pressing element 8 is guided by the guides 9. Once the actuator 4 is no longer active, the return element 10, which is a spring in this embodiment, returns the movable element 3 and hence the pressing element 8 to its initial position, thus releasing the pressure of the pressing element 2 against the strings 6.

(9) As shown in FIG. 1, the two movable elements 3, that are mechanical elements of ellipsoidal shape, are fastened to the points of rotation and fastened on the outer radius to the linkage 5, i. e. a steel cable. When the actuator 4, i. e. a foot pedal, is pressed, the steel cable is pulled, wherein the mechanical elements rotate around the centre of rotation. Due to the distance between the centre of rotation of the mechanical element and the point of pressure on the pressing element 8 having the pressing material 2 fastened thereon, getting bigger, the pressing element 8 moves towards the strings 6 and the pressing material 2 presses against the strings 6. The pressing of the pressing material 2 against the strings 6 dampens the aliquot tones.

(10) The second embodiment is schematically represented in FIG. 2.

(11) The instrument in the embodiment is the piano or the upright piano. The device 1 for damping of aliquot tones is configured in a way that the strings 6 at the initial or final part of the active part of the strings, or at the initial or final fastening points 7 of the strings 6, via actuator 4, which is a foot pedal in this embodiment, get pressed through the pressing element 8 having the pressing material 2 fastened thereon, which is made from silicone rubber in this embodiment, wherein the pressing of the pressing material 2 causes the damping of aliquot tones.

(12) The device 1 for damping of aliquot tones comprises the pressing material 2, with which the pressure against the strings 6 is carried out, the movable element 3 which causes a pressing force, and the actuator 4, with which the pressure against the strings 6 is actuated, such that the pressing element 8 having the pressing material 2 fastened thereon presses against the strings 6, thus dampening the aliquot tones.

(13) When the actuator 4 is actuated, the movable element 3 presses the pressing element 8 having the pressing material 2 fastened thereon against the strings 6 at the beginning or the end of the active part of the strings or at the initial or final fastening point 7 of the strings 6.

(14) The actuator 4 via the linkage 5, which is a hydraulic linkage in this embodiment, causes the movement of the movable element 3 which is a hydraulic cylinder in this embodiment, such that pressure is produced in the hydraulic cylinder and the piston extends, wherewith pressure is exerted on the pressing element 8 having the pressing material 2 fastened thereon, thus causing the movement of the pressing element 8 towards the strings 6, wherein the pressing material 2 presses against the string 6 and dampens the aliquot tones. The pressing element 8 is guided by the guides 9. As the pressing element 8 is moved, the movable element 3 actuates the return element 10, being a spring in this embodiment, more precisely it stretches it. Once the actuator 4 and hence the linkage 5 are no longer active, the spring returns to its original shape, it compresses, thus returning/moving the movable element 3 to its initial position, wherein the pressing element 8 and consequently the pressing material 2 move away from the strings 6.

(15) As shown in FIG. 2, the movable elements 3 in the embodiment are hydraulic cylinders. Striking the actuator 4 increases the pressure within the hydraulic linkage, this triggers the functioning of the hydraulic cylinders which press against the pressing element 8 having the pressing material 2 fastened thereon. As the pressing element 8 and consequently the pressing material 2 presses against the string 6, it dampens the aliquot tones.

(16) It is to be understood that the described solution can be executed in a different variant that does not change the essence of the invention.