In article <4.3.1.2.20000417204635.00a83d80@pop.ne.mediaone.net>, Jon Page <jonpage@mediaone.net> writes >I don't think I've ever read why front rail key pins are oval. It would >>seem that their shape could lend itself to some sort of adjustment. If >>not, why aren't they simply round? What physics principles were >>considered in their design? Inquiring people want to know........ >> >>Tom Robinson >>East Tennessee > > >Barrie found Erard's patent on this, >Barrie . . . Sorry I have not been reading. This is what Erard said in his patent submission of 1840 patent number 8643 plate number "9" he describes his patent extracts.... "at the front end of the key, which improvement, thought simple, will be found of great importance, because pianoforte keys constructed in the very unpleasant defect of rattling" he goes on to describe how the bat pin will work. "The inside of the mortise though the key is lined with thin cloth, or other soft substance, and when so lined, the said inside is a little wider than the least breadth of the oval pin (n,) but rather narrower than the greatest breadth thereof, in order that the oval pin (n.) by being turned round a little, may be brought exactly to fill up the width of the lined mortise .............." I That is... in the drawings it just shows end side and plan view of the pin in the key. The hole patent covers a new type of leg improvements to upright actions and centre pins. I have put some of Erard patents on his history page bear in mind this page is for the great unwashed and is not a technical page it only describes the above in passing. http://www.uk-piano.org/history/erard.html Barrie -- Barrie Heaton Ý The U.K. Piano Page: http://www.a440.co.uk Ý http://www.uk-piano.org/ PGP Key on request Ý Home to the UK Piano Industry
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC