Bridle Straps

[Doug Richards]

Hi all,

Anyone know if there was a patent issued on the original bridle strap
design?  It might be a good place to look to find out "the rest of the
story".  I don't have access to old patents....    Anyone?

doug richards
San  Jose, CA

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	JIMRPT@AOL.COM [SMTP:JIMRPT@AOL.COM]
> Sent:	Saturday, September 19, 1998 6:48 AM
> To:	pianotech@ptg.org
> Subject:	Re:  Re: Bridle Straps
> 
> 
> In a message dated 9/19/98 8:33:10 AM, Avery wrote:
> 
> <<"Ken,
>    You may think that until the first time you pick up a vertical action
> without the bridle straps attached. :-)
> Avery">>
> 
> <<""As Jim Ellis' article from the PTJ a few months ago proved, the main
> function of the brydell straps is to aid repetition. Being attached to the
> butts probably serves this function better.   
> Ken"">>
> 
> Ken, Avery, et al;
>  It has always been my understanding that the bridle straps main function
> was
> to keep the jacks from dropping out from under the butt when the
> action/key
> was removed, with all due respect to Mr. Ellis.
> 
>  Merle describes the straps function: "A narrow strip of cloth that
> connects
> the wippen to the hammer-butt and holds the two main parts of the vertical
> action in their proper relationship and imparts light impetus to the
> returning
> hammer"
> 
>  If a vertical action is properly regulated, and the centers are as free
> as
> they should be, the bridle is never extended to a length where the pull of
> the
> bridle/wippen places little, if any, force on the hammer unit at all.  If
> however the action is not properly regulated, and the centers are not as
> free
> as they should be, then each time a note is played the bridle is extended
> and
> does place a substantial 'return force' on the hammer unit.
> 
>   Actions requiring assistance from the bridle tape to return hammers to
> the
> rail will be typically, less responsive/sluggish and/or suffer from
> insubstantial impact on repetitive strikes.  A "sure" sign of action
> problems
> is when the bridle is relied on to cause a hammers return.  Doing so
> causes
> slower movement of both the wippen, and the hammer, and results in poor
> performance overall and this without regard as to the attachment point of
> the
> tape.
> My view.
> Jim Bryant (FL)
> "if you would agree with me now it will boost my self esteem"
> Faintly Dull