Patents by Inventor Shiro Uno
Shiro Uno has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11289060Abstract: A keyboard device is provided including a chassis; a mass body which is turnably installed in the chassis; and transmission means which transmits a driving force in response to key touching of a key to the mass body, wherein the mass body includes an inner wheel and an outer wheel installed on a radially outward side of the inner wheel and is configured to serve as a component for transmitting a torque in one-way direction between the inner wheel and the outer wheel. The transmission means is engaged with one of the inner wheel and the outer wheel of the mass body. The torque is transmitted between the inner wheel and the outer wheel of the mass body at a time of key touching. The torque is not transmitted between the inner wheel and the outer wheel of the mass body at a time of key release.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2018Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Roland CorporationInventors: Yukihide Takata, Shiro Uno
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Publication number: 20210217393Abstract: A keyboard device is provided including a chassis; a mass body which is turnably installed in the chassis; and transmission means which transmits a driving force in response to key touching of a key to the mass body, wherein the mass body inclues an inner wheel and an outer wheel installed on a radially outward side of the inner wheel and is configured to serve as a component for transmitting a torque in one-way direction between the inner wheel and the outer wheel. The transmission means is engaged with one of the inner wheel and the outer wheel of the mass body. The torque is transmitted between the inner wheel and the outer wheel of the mass body at a time of key touching. The torque is not transmitted between the inner wheel and the outer wheel of the mass body at a time of key release.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2018Publication date: July 15, 2021Applicant: Roland CorporationInventors: Yukihide Takata, Shiro Uno
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Patent number: 9646578Abstract: A keyboard device has a plurality of keys, wherein each key includes: a base member formed of a resin material in a box shape having an open lower surface opposite a touching surface, the base member having a rotatably supported base end side; and a pair of wood members formed of a wood material in a rectangular plate shape, disposed respectively on left and right side surfaces of the base member, wherein at least one of the pair of wood members has a thickness dimension within a range of 2 mm or more and 14.5 mm or less.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2014Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: ROLAND CORPORATIONInventors: Yukihide Takata, Yukihiro Morohashi, Shiro Uno
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Patent number: 9583086Abstract: The invention provides a keyboard device of an electronic musical instrument, wherein a hammer can be installed correctly by a simple operation of pressing a key. The keyboard device of the electronic musical instrument includes: a chassis; a key disposed rotatably on the chassis and extending from the rear to a front; a support shaft disposed on the chassis in front of the rotation center; a hammer rotating in conjunction with the key along with pressing on the front of the key; a retaining hole formed through the hammer and retaining the support shaft; a guide groove guiding the support shaft in the retaining hole; and a shifting means, shifting from a temporarily secured state to a retained state, and pressing the hammer in the temporarily secured state toward the rear to shift the hammer to the retained state along with the pressing on the front of the key.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Roland CorporationInventors: Yukihide Takata, Yukihiro Morohashi, Shiro Uno
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Publication number: 20160293152Abstract: The invention provides a keyboard device of an electronic musical instrument, wherein a hammer can be installed correctly by a simple operation of pressing a key. The keyboard device of the electronic musical instrument includes: a chassis; a key disposed rotatably on the chassis and extending from the rear to a front; a support shaft disposed on the chassis in front of the rotation center; a hammer rotating in conjunction with the key along with pressing on the front of the key; a retaining hole formed through the hammer and retaining the support shaft; a guide groove guiding the support shaft in the retaining hole; and a shifting means, shifting from a temporarily secured state to a retained state, and pressing the hammer in the temporarily secured state toward the rear to shift the hammer to the retained state along with the pressing on the front of the key.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2015Publication date: October 6, 2016Inventors: YUKIHIDE TAKATA, YUKIHIRO MOROHASHI, SHIRO UNO
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Patent number: 9349359Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic keyboard instrument capable of strongly supporting an upper panel covering the rear of a key while suppressing shaking of the key and an increase in device size. An electronic keyboard instrument (1) of the present invention includes: a key (3), rotating about a rotating shaft (24); an upper panel (4), covering the rear of the key (3) from above; a chassis (2), disposed in a position to interpose the rear of the key (3) between the chassis (2) and the upper panel (4); a through hole (32a), passing through the rear of the key (3) to communicate a side toward the chassis (2) with a side toward the upper panel (4); and a rear guide (25), passing from the chassis (2) through the through hole (32a) to extend toward the upper panel (4) and supporting the upper panel (4).Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2015Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: ROLAND CORPORATIONInventors: Yukihide Takata, Yukihiro Morohashi, Shiro Uno
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Patent number: 9281142Abstract: A keyboard device capable of suppressing noise that occurs upon release of the key is provided. The key is formed with a protrusion and a hammer is formed with a sliding surface. Moreover, the hammer is provided with contact portions that come into contact with a side surface of the protrusion when the key is pressed to the bottom in a key-pressing direction. Thus, when the key is released, the contact between the side surface of the protrusion and the contact portions prevents the key from rotating before the hammer, thereby preventing the protrusion from departing from the sliding surface and suppressing the generation of noise that occurs when the protrusion falls on (hits) the sliding surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: ROLAND CORPORATIONInventors: Mutsuo Sawada, Shiro Uno
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Publication number: 20160012809Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic keyboard instrument capable of strongly supporting an upper panel covering the rear of a key while suppressing shaking of the key and an increase in device size. An electronic keyboard instrument (1) of the present invention includes: a key (3), rotating about a rotating shaft (24); an upper panel (4), covering the rear of the key (3) from above; a chassis (2), disposed in a position to interpose the rear of the key (3) between the chassis (2) and the upper panel (4); a through hole (32a), passing through the rear of the key (3) to communicate a side toward the chassis (2) with a side toward the upper panel (4); and a rear guide (25), passing from the chassis (2) through the through hole (32a) to extend toward the upper panel (4) and supporting the upper panel (4).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2015Publication date: January 14, 2016Inventors: YUKIHIDE TAKATA, YUKIHIRO MOROHASHI, SHIRO UNO
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Publication number: 20150122108Abstract: A keyboard device has a plurality of keys, wherein each key includes: a base member formed of a resin material in a box shape having an open lower surface opposite a touching surface, the base member having a rotatably supported base end side; and a pair of wood members formed of a wood material in a rectangular plate shape, disposed respectively on left and right side surfaces of the base member, wherein at least one of the pair of wood members has a thickness dimension within a range of 2 mm or more and 14.5 mm or less.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2014Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventors: YUKIHIDE TAKATA, YUKIHIRO MOROHASHI, SHIRO UNO
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Publication number: 20140083830Abstract: A keyboard device capable of suppressing noise that occurs upon release of the key is provided. The key is formed with a protrusion and a hammer is formed with a sliding surface. Moreover, the hammer is provided with contact portions that come into contact with a side surface of the protrusion when the key is pressed to the bottom in a key-pressing direction. Thus, when the key is released, the contact between the side surface of the protrusion and the contact portions prevents the key from rotating before the hammer, thereby preventing the protrusion from departing from the sliding surface and suppressing the generation of noise that occurs when the protrusion falls on (hits) the sliding surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: ROLAND CORPORATIONInventors: MUTSUO SAWADA, SHIRO UNO
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Patent number: 8445765Abstract: A keyboard device capable of reconstructing a unique clicking sense of an acoustic piano is provided. A first incline portion (a plane or curved surface) of a sliding surface is inclined towards a direction gradually departing from a base portion of a protrusion along a displacement direction of the protrusion in a key-pressing operation for reducing a resistance exerted on the protrusion and suppressing a gradual increase of a sense of resistance. Moreover, a bump portion located at where the protrusion reaches after sliding through the first incline portion is used to increase the resistance exerted on the protrusion for increasing the sense of resistance. When the protrusion crosses over the bump portion, the sense of resistance is reduced. Accordingly, variation in the sense of resistance before and after the bump portion is increased, and the unique clicking sense of the acoustic piano is reproduced.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2012Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Roland CorporationInventors: Mutsuo Sawada, Shiro Uno
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Publication number: 20120174729Abstract: A keyboard device capable of reconstructing a unique clicking sense of an acoustic piano is provided. A first incline portion (a plane or curved surface) of a sliding surface is inclined towards a direction gradually departing from a base portion of a protrusion along a displacement direction of the protrusion in a key-pressing operation for reducing a resistance exerted on the protrusion and suppressing a gradual increase of a sense of resistance. Moreover, a bump portion located at where the protrusion reaches after sliding through the first incline portion is used to increase the resistance exerted on the protrusion for increasing the sense of resistance. When the protrusion crosses over the bump portion, the sense of resistance is reduced. Accordingly, variation in the sense of resistance before and after the bump portion is increased, and the unique clicking sense of the acoustic piano is reproduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2012Publication date: July 12, 2012Applicant: ROLAND CORPORATIONInventors: MUTSUO SAWADA, SHIRO UNO
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Patent number: 7952010Abstract: A keyboard device has a plurality of keys, each key having a support base where one end of each key is supported and is arranged to allow for movement, and a plate that hides the surface of the base. The keys are created with ultrasonic welding once the base and the plate merge. Thus, it is possible to weld while merging the base and the plate together, because the base and the plate are connected by ultrasonic welding. Compared to pasting the two together using traditional adhesives, it is possible to have the base securely bound to the plate. It is then possible to have performers use the device for an extended period of time. The result is the ability to curb the chances of the base and the plate becoming loose.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2007Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Roland CorporationInventors: Makoto Minakawa, Shiro Uno, Yukihide Takata
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Patent number: 7576273Abstract: A hammer with simplified structure and reduced costs that maintains its capability as a mass body to impart a touch weight. The hammer is configured such that it is possible to fix the two mass plates to the metal base plate by means of a single rivet. Therefore, the number of places in which the rivet holes are drilled and disposed in both mass plates and the metal base plate are kept to a minimum, and it is possible to limit the lightening of the weight of both mass plates and the metal base plate by that amount. As a result, since it is possible to configure the base plates and the metal base plate with smaller dimensions while maintaining the required weight, the capability as a mass body to impart a touch weight can be maintained while preventing the enlarging of the hammer overall.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2006Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: Roland CorporationInventors: Shiro Uno, Hitoshi Sato
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Patent number: 7550664Abstract: A keyboard apparatus that can be manufactured with a simple process at a low cost while still providing the feeling and appearance of high quality. In one embodiment of the invention, side surfaces of the white keys in the keyboard apparatus comprises a grained portion with a wood grain pattern. In this embodiment, when a white key is pressed down, the grained portion is visible from the side to give the appearance that the white keys are made from wood with a layer of white resin on the top and front surface. In another embodiment of the invention, a lower surface of a front end portion of the white keys is packed with a material such as resin. With this embodiment, when a performer's fingernail hits the top surface of the white keys while using the keyboard apparatus, the production of an unpleasant sound can be avoided.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2006Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: Roland CorporationInventors: Yujiro Kamshima, Shiro Uno, Hitoshi Sato
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Publication number: 20080174457Abstract: A keyboard device has a plurality of keys, each key having a support base where one end of each key is supported and is arranged to allow for movement, and a plate that hides the surface of the base. The keys are created with ultrasonic welding once the base and the plate merge. Thus, it is possible to weld while merging the base and the plate together, because the base and the plate are connected by ultrasonic welding. Compared to pasting the two together using traditional adhesives, it is possible to have the base securely bound to the plate. It is then possible to have performers use the device for an extended period of time. The result is the ability to curb the chances of the base and the plate becoming loose.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2007Publication date: July 24, 2008Inventors: Makoto Minakawa, Shiro Uno, Yukihide Takata
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Publication number: 20070068360Abstract: A hammer with simplified structure and reduced costs that maintains its capability as a mass body to impart a touch weight. The hammer is configured such that it is possible to fix the two mass plates to the metal base plate by means of a single rivet. Therefore, the number of places in which the rivet holes are drilled and disposed in both mass plates and the metal base plate are kept to a minimum, and it is possible to limit the lightening of the weight of both mass plates and the metal base plate by that amount. As a result, since it is possible to configure the base plates and the metal base plate with smaller dimensions while maintaining the required weight, the capability as a mass body to impart a touch weight can be maintained while preventing the enlarging of the hammer overall.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2006Publication date: March 29, 2007Inventors: Shiro Uno, Hitoshi Sato
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Patent number: 7151212Abstract: A keyboard apparatus is provided with a key unit that has a plurality of keys supported for pivotal motion. Also provided is a detection section for detecting a key speed when any of the keys are pivoted. The key unit and detection section are supported by a housing having a bottom member formed of a resin. A reinforcing member having a sufficient rigidity is provided to reinforce the bottom member of the housing such as to reduce warping of the bottom member so as to reduce movement of the detection section as a result of warping of the bottom member.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2006Date of Patent: December 19, 2006Assignee: Roland CorporationInventors: Yasunori Nagaoka, Shiro Uno, Shinichi Matsumoto
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Patent number: 7141729Abstract: A hammer with simplified structure and reduced costs that maintains its capability as a mass body to impart a touch weight. The hammer is configured such that it is possible to fix the two mass plates to the metal base plate by means of a single rivet. Therefore, the number of places in which the rivet holes are drilled and disposed in both mass plates and the metal base plate are kept to a minimum, and it is possible to limit the lightening of the weight of both mass plates and the metal base plate by that amount. As a result, since it is possible to configure the base plates and the metal base plate with smaller dimensions while maintaining the required weight, the capability as a mass body to impart a touch weight can be maintained while preventing the enlarging of the hammer overall.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2004Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: Roland CorporationInventors: Shiro Uno, Hitoshi Sato
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Publication number: 20060254406Abstract: A keyboard apparatus is provided with a key unit that has a plurality of keys supported for pivotal motion. Also provided is a detection section for detecting a key speed when any of the keys are pivoted. The key unit and detection section are supported by a housing having a bottom member formed of a resin. A reinforcing member having a sufficient rigidity is provided to reinforce the bottom member of the housing such as to reduce warping of the bottom member so as to reduce movement of the detection section as a result of warping of the bottom member.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2006Publication date: November 16, 2006Inventors: Yasunori Nagaoka, Shiro Uno, Shinichi Matsumoto