Abstract: A pedal system for an organ pedal includes a holster having a body forming a U-shaped configuration, the body having a top surface; an inner surface; and two opposing sidewalls configured to removably engage with the organ pedal and configured to form a snug fit between the inner surface and an outer surface of the organ pedal; and an electronic pedal configured to engage with the holster and conductively coupled to an electronic device.

Abstract: A performance information output control apparatus includes a detection part which detects a plurality of positions of a music performance interface during a single stroke with respect to an operator of a keyboard instrument, the music performance interface including a mechanism that interlocks with the operator, an estimated music-sound generation time analysis part which calculates an estimated music-sound generation time point representing a time point at which music sound according to the single stroke with respect to the operator is estimated to be generated, based on a detection result of the positions of the music performance interface by the detection part, and a music performance information output part which outputs, when the detection result by the detection part is obtained, music performance information representing music performance contents corresponding to the single stroke with respect to the operator prior to the calculated estimated music-sound generation time point.

Abstract: In normal mode or expansion mode, a normal load table 53 or an expansion load table 54 is selected, respectively, to store half area start position HS and half area end position HE as effect-switchable positions. The selected load table is referenced to generate and output drive signals so as to obtain depression reaction force F according to position ST. In accordance with player's depression/release of keys, musical tone signals are generated on the basis of waveform data 51 and envelope data 52 corresponding to the manipulated keys, designated basic tone color and depression area to carry out tone emission/tone-vanishing processes. Both the characteristics of musical tones and the rate of change in the reaction force switch at the effect-switchable positions.

Abstract: In normal mode or expansion mode, a normal load table 53 or an expansion load table 54 is selected, respectively, to store half area start position HS and half area end position HE as effect-switchable positions. The selected load table is referenced to generate and output drive signals so as to obtain depression reaction force F according to position ST. In accordance with player's depression/release of keys, musical tone signals are generated on the basis of waveform data 51 and envelope data 52 corresponding to the manipulated keys, designated basic tone color and depression area to carry out tone emission/tone-vanishing processes. Both the characteristics of musical tones and the rate of change in the reaction force switch at the effect-switchable positions.

Abstract: Foldable and portable electronic Piano composed of several modules (10, 12, 14, 16) constituted of a set of keys able to reproduce the notes of a piano thanks to its associated electronics, and including in addition <<stiffening>> means (that can provide stiffness), that can take two positions when the modules have been deployed to make a keyboard, a first position that allows to fold the keyboard and a second position providing the stiffness of the keyboard.

Abstract: An automatic player piano is equipped with a recording system equipped with a sequencer, to which event data codes for note-on and note-off events and a digital external audio signal expressing singer's voice are supplied; the sequencer supplements duration data codes to the event data codes, and produces RIFF audio data codes expressing the voice; and respectively stores the event data codes and duration data codes and the RIFF audio data codes in a standard MIDI file and a RIFF file.

Abstract: A hybrid keyboard musical instrument is fabricated on a piano, and a hammer stopper and an electronic tone generating system are installed in the piano; the electronic tone generating system includes hammer sensors arranged on a framework secured to a shank flange rail by means of stud bolts, and the stud bolts and spacer nuts, which are threaded with the stud bolts, serve as locators for locating the sensors at target relative positions with respect to the hammers independently in the fore-and-aft direction and up-and-down direction; the framework is pressed to the spacer nuts with nuts driven into the stud bolts so that the framework is removable from and reassembled with the shank flange rail without loosening the stud bolts.

Abstract: A hybrid wind musical instrument is a combination of an alto saxophone and an electronic system, and a player has an option between acoustic tones and electronic tones to be produced during performance; the electronic system includes sensors monitoring selected component parts of the key mechanism so as to determine the electronic tones intended to be produced by the player, and plural combinations of pieces of magnet and Hall-effect elements serve as the sensors: However, the component parts of key mechanism are arranged in a narrow space over the surface of tubular instrument body; driven parts are attached to the selected component parts so as to bridge gap between the selected component parts and the Hall-effect elements remote from the selected component parts.

Abstract: Enhancing the sound quality of a mechanical acoustic sound generation device that has a plurality of notes that have a perceived low sound quality by digital sampling the corresponding notes of a mechanical acoustic sound generation device and playing them in conjunction with the notes of the device when a note having a lower perceived sound quality is generated by the device.

Abstract: Enhancing the sound quality of a mechanical acoustic sound generation device that has a plurality of notes that have a perceived sound quality that is lower that the perceived sound quality of corresponding notes produced by a second mechanical acoustic sound generation device by digital sampling the corresponding notes of the second device and playing them in conjunction with the notes of the first device when a note having a lower perceived sound quality is generated by the first device.

Abstract: A speaker edge is made of a thermosetting composition consisting of a polyurethane prepolymer and an inactivated solid polyamine as a latent hardener. A gas is dispersed in the thermosetting composition, prior to feed into a mold, so that it can foam and solidify to give the speaker edge. In a method of making the speaker edge, the composition will be injected into a female mold segment heated below the critical thermosetting temperature, foaming the composition. Then placed in the female segment is a male segment heated above the critical temperature, causing the ingredients to react with each other to solidify in the mold.

Abstract: A musical device includes a body and at least one actuator mechanism. In one embodiment, the musical device can generate an audio output in response to activation by a user of the actuator mechanism. In one embodiment, the musical device body includes multiple parts that can be moved relative to each other. The parts enable the musical device to resemble one or more musical instruments.

Abstract: A silent piano includes a hammer stopper changed between a free position out of the trajectories of hammer shanks and a blocking position on the trajectories for blocking strings from being struck with the hammers and a tandem regulating button mechanism having standard regulating buttons and regulating bars used together with the hammer stopper changed in the blocking position for changing escaping speed of jacks, and an adjusting mechanism is provided between the regulating bars and a shaft for adjusting the regulating bars to appropriate angular positions, wherein the adjusting mechanism has regulating screws projecting from stationary brackets fixed to the shaft into a free space created in front of the array of action mechanisms so that a tuner easily adjusts the regulating bars to the appropriate angular positions without removing the action mechanisms from on the key bed.

Abstract: A loudspeaker comprising a bending wave panel, an enclosure in which the bending wave panel is mounted to enclose one face of the panel, a compliant suspension between the panel and the enclosure by which the panel is supported in the enclosure, a vibration exciter attached to the panel to apply bending wave energy thereto, and an acoustic absorber in the enclosure to reduce standing waves in the enclosure, wherein the compliant suspension and the acoustic absorber are integral. A method of making such a loudspeaker is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hybrid keyboard musical instrument includes two electric tone generators, music strings selectively struck with hammers driven for rotation by action mechanisms and a silent system for changing a hammer stopper between a free position and a blocking position, and a controlling system supplies instructions for changing the hammer stopper to the silent system and parameters for electronic tones to the tone generators, wherein a user registers pieces of status information in a hard disk unit, and selectively calls the pieces of status information from the hard disk unit during a performance by manipulating buttons so that the user quickly changes the status of the hybrid keyboard musical instrument.

Abstract: Portable and foldable modular electronic keyboard which includes a keyboard having a plurality of white and black keys capable of reproducing the notes of a piano through an individual headphone by using associated electronics. The foldable keyboard is formed from a plurality of modules, each module having a plurality of white and black keys, and each module being joined to another module by a flexible membrane. When the modules are folded together, the keyboard has the volume of a book. When the modules are unfolded, the keyboard presents a genuine piano keyboard with seven octaves. The white keys and the black keys forming each module have a low thickness.

Abstract: An acoustic piano is equipped with a shank stopper moved into and out of trajectories of hammer assemblies and a change-over mechanism for changing the shank stopper, and the change-over mechanism has a pedal, a transmitter connected to the pedal and another transmitter held in contact with the transmitter for transmitting force exerted on the pedal to the shank stopper, wherein the transmitters are only restricted in the direction to transmit the force from the pedal to the shank stopper so that the transmitters are independently disassembled and regulable.

Abstract: To provide an electronic upright piano providing a key touch of an acoustic upright piano. An action load simulation member (2) provided in the electronic upright piano is composed of a wippen (15) rotating and rising when a depressed key (11) is rotated, a jack (17) rising together with the wippen (15) until a jack tail (17a) contacts a regulating button (16), a hammer butt (18) rotatably supported by a center pin (18b) for contacting or leaving the jack (17), a hammer shank (21) connected to the hammer butt (18) and provided with a hammer (23), and a hammer stopper (32) which can contact the tip of the hammer (23). The wippen (15), the jack (17) and the hammer butt (18) are rotated about separate axes, respectively. In the electronic upright piano, the let-off timing is the same as that in an acoustic upright piano.

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument includes a keyboard, key action mechanisms and hammer assemblies as similar to an acoustic piano; however, strings are replaced with a beaten member so that a player practices a fingering on the keyboard without an acoustic sound; each of the hammer assemblies has a cylindrical hammer head formed of metal or synthetic rubber/synthetic resin, and no twisting moment is exerted on the hammer shank regardless of relative angular position between the hammer head and the hammer shank.

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument is a compromise between an upright piano and an electronic keyboard, and a hammer stopper is provided between hammer shanks and sets of strings; the hammer stopper has cushion members on a stopper rail where the hammer shanks rebound before a strike against the strings, and a pair of parallelogram crank mechanisms are connected to both end portions of the stopper rail so as to project the cushion members into and retract them from the trajectories of the hammer shanks, thereby decreasing space occupied by the cushion members.

Abstract: A combination acoustic mode and electronic mode grand piano is provided including a hammer shank stop rail that intercepts the hammer shank when operating in its electronic mode, so that the hammer cannot complete its normal travel to strike its corresponding string(s) when its key is actuated. The positioning of the hammer shank stop rail is actuated by a user-operated control that, when placed into the "acoustic" mode, raises the hammer shank stop rail to a non-engaged position that does not interfere with the normal movements of the hammer shank. When in the "electronic" mode, the control lowers the hammer shank stop rail into an engaged position where it intercepts the hammer shanks of the piano, thereby preventing each hammer head from striking its respective string(s).

Abstract: The invention was developed in order to play an electronic piano in the same manner as when playing an acoustic piano without feeling any sense of incompatibility. At S100, the key velocity (key stroke strength) is detected by key sensors 33 and 35. At S110, the detected key stroke strength is converted referring to the conversion table stored in ROM 43 and showing a touch curve. At S120, based on said converted key stroke strength data, an electronic sound source 9 and an amplifier 11 are controlled to generate sounds from speakers. The converted key stroke strength represents the sound volume. Since the conversion table of the present embodiment is set so that when the electronic piano is played with the same touch as in playing the acoustic piano, the same sound volume as the acoustic piano can be obtained. Therefore, the player do not feel any sense of incompatibility.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device designed to accompany the playing of a guitar or other non-percussion instrument, which provides the capability for a musician to accompany his own playing of the guitar or other non-percussion instrument with a device which produces percussion while in simultaneous use with the guitar or other non-percussion instrument. The present invention is generally comprised of a member which mechanically strikes upon a sound-producing base, by means of an actuation device that is triggered by a mechanical or electrical impulse, initiated by the instrument player and transmitted by a triggering mechanism to the actuation device.

Abstract: A combination acoustic mode and electronic mode grand piano is provided including a hammer shank stop rail that intercepts the hammer shank when operating in its electronic mode, so that the hammer cannot complete its normal travel to strike its corresponding string(s) when its key is actuated. The positioning of the hammer shank stop rail is actuated by a user-operated control that, when placed into the "acoustic" mode, raises the hammer shank stop rail to a non-engaged position that does not interfere with the normal movements of the hammer shank. When in the "electronic" mode, the control lowers the hammer shank stop rail into an engaged position where it intercepts the hammer shanks of the piano, thereby preventing each hammer head from striking its respective string(s).

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument continuously monitors a key motion, and determines present key state on the basis of the previous key state, the present key position and a lapse of time during the previous key state so as to exactly control a tone generation.

Abstract: A system for rejuvenating old keyboard instruments has an array of key sensor switches which are individually adjustable in a horizontal plane to accommodate varying angulations of the keys behind the balance rail of the keyboard and each key sensor switch includes a friction retained sensor probe which enables a rapid and accurate accommodation of uneven keys.

Abstract: In order to give piano-like key touch to a player in an electronically sound producing mode, a keyboard incorporated in a musical instrument is linked with key action mechanisms associated with hammer mechanisms, and a stopper blocks the hammer shanks before the hammers strike the strings so that noises are not mixed with synthesized tones.

Abstract: A hybrid electronic and acoustic musical instrument whose main section has an animal-like form, such as that of a cat or dog. Extending from the rear of the main section is a hollow tail section terminating in a mouthpiece and provided with a series of finger holes whereby the tail section functions as a recorder instrument. A series of push-button switches mounted on the animal-like body of the main section is connected to a Read-Only-Memory (ROM) housed in this body. Digitally stored in the ROM is a series of different recorded sounds similar to those which the animal represented by the main section is capable of producing, such as barks or meows but in quasi-musical form. When a particular push-button switch is depressed, the related digitally-stored sounds are read out of the ROM and converted to an analog signal which is amplified and reproduced.

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument is fabricated on the basis of an acoustic piano, and a hammer stopper and solenoid-operated actuators are provided for hammer assemblies and black and white keys; and a controller instructs the solenoid-operated actuators to move the black and white key at different velocities depending upon the position of the hammer stopper, and causes the acoustic piano to give little offense to the ear at a blocking position of the hammer stopper.

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument has an upright piano, an automatic playing system for exerting forces on the keys of the upright piano instead of a player on the basis of music data codes and an electronic sound generating system for generating electronic sounds from the music data codes, and a player can perform an ensemble through a fingering on the keyboard of the upright piano together with the electronic sound generating system.

Abstract: An automatic player piano is expected to exactly reproduce sounds generated in an original performance on the basis of music data codes, and a central processing unit incorporated in the automatic player piano increases initial forces exerted on a certain key to be quickly repeated in a playback so as to prevent the playback from a loss of sound.

Abstract: A silencing apparatus is provided for pianos having an electronic sound source as well as the conventional acoustic sound mechanism. The silencing apparatus includes a plurality of arms, a stop rail bridging ends of the arms and a positioning mechanism. When acoustic sound is to be silenced, a wire is pulled by means of an operating lever, thereby pivoting an actuating lever which is connected to one of the arms. This causes the stop rail to pivot to the stop position at which the stop rail abuts against and thereby stops motion of the hammer shanks which move in response to key depressions. The stop rail and the arms thereon define open spaces for accommodating for the presence of the other components, such as damper units, inside the piano. Thus, the silencing apparatus of the present invention travels over a greater range of motion without interfering with the operation of other components inside the piano.

Abstract: In a piano which is enabled to provide performance using electronic sound source as well as normal piano play, the proposed piano is such a piano where there is no difference of balance between the normal piano play and the play using electronic sound source. When key is moved in an electronic sound source mode, CPU detects a number n of the key (S110), detects a time lag .DELTA. T between the timings at which blockage is caused between light emitting elements and light receiving elements of both key sensors (S120), and calculates a velocity V according to the time lag .DELTA. T (S130). Then, performance data is prepared according to these key depression information, at the performance data preparation routine (S140), and a delay time Td corresponding to the velocity V is determined by using a delay time determination table (S150). Subsequently, it is determined whether the delay time Td has elapsed (S160). When it has elapsed, the performance data is outputted to the electronic sound source (S170).

Abstract: A hammer sensor incorporated in a keyboard musical instrument monitors a motion of each hammer assembly, and a controller not only determines a hammer velocity and an impact time for generating a set of music data codes representative of a music performance but also measures an actual distance between the hammer sensor and an impact point against a music string on the basis of a forward trajectory and a backward trajectory measured by the hammer sensor; thereby allowing a worker to easily adjust the hammer sensor to an appropriate position.

Abstract: An acoustic upright piano, an electronic sound system and a hammer stopper form in combination a keyboard musical instrument for generating acoustic sounds in an acoustic sound mode and electronic sounds in an electronic sound mode, and the hammer stopper has a rotatable shaft extending in a lower space under damper blocks of damper assemblies, cushion members projecting into an upper space over the damper blocks and connecting brackets provided between the rotatable shaft and the cushion members, thereby perfectly interrupting hammer motions before an impact on strings in the electronic sound mode.

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument includes an acoustic piano for generating acoustic sounds, an electronic system for generating electronic sounds and a silent system for selecting one of the acoustic sounds and the electronic sounds, and the electronic system is equipped with key sensors and hammer sensors so as to determine a loudness of the electronic sound and a timing for a tone-generation from a key position signal or a hammer position signal depending upon a fingering on a keyboard.

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument selectively enters into an acoustic sound mode for generating acoustic piano tones and an electronic sound mode for generating electronic sounds instead of the acoustic piano tones, and a stopper is changed between a free position and a blocking position by an actuator controlled through detection with photo-interrupters, thereby eliminating aged deterioration from the position control between the free position and the blocking position.

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument has an acoustic piano, an electronic sound generating system, a rotary stopper for preventing sets of strings from impacts of hammer heads and regulator for changing distances between regulating buttons and toes of jacks, and a link mechanism connects a pedal and both of the rotary stopper and the regulator so as to concurrently change the rotary stopper and the regulator between an acoustic sound mode and a silent mode.

Abstract: A piano-like keyboard instrument allowing a player to perform in either an acoustic sound mode and or an electronic sound producing mode. In the electronic sound producing mode, a stopper blocks sets of piano strings from hammers and an electronic sound producing unit generates electronic sounds. A key touch is maintained in the electronic sound producing mode. A gap regulating unit changes gaps between the toes of jacks and regulating buttons, depending upon which mode of operation is selected. Hammer shanks rebound on the stopper after the escapes of the jacks.

Abstract: In a grand piano having an electronic sound source performance mode, a damper unit for stopping the movement of the hammer shanks in response to depression of the keys is provided. The damper unit has a relatively wide stop rail for halting the motion of the hammer shanks. Both ends of a support plate connected to the stop rail are pivotally supported by a pair of support mechanisms for pivotal motion in the longitudinal direction of the stop rail. In one of the pair of support mechanisms, a coil spring for urging the stop rail toward the support mechanism is provided. The stop rail is pulled toward the other support mechanism by an externally operated wire. Without changing the direction of the contact face of the stop rail for abutting on the hammer shank, the stop rail can be moved vertically between a stop position and a retracted position. In grand pianos, which have only a limited amount of available space above the hammer shank, the stop rail can be broadened.

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument allowing a player to perform using acoustic piano tones or electronic sounds is provided. The keyboard is movable between various positions, such as between a raised and a lowered position. In an electronic sound mode, the keyboard is lowered so as to increase a gap between hammer assemblies and associated strings. In this mode, each hammer assembly rebounds on a stopper when a corresponding key is selected, thereby giving a desirable piano touch.

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument allowing a player to perform using acoustic tones or electronic sounds is provided. The keyboard is movable between various positions, such as between a raised and a lowered position. In an electronic sound mode, the keyboard is lowered so as to increase a gap between hammer assemblies and associated strings. The keyboard is lowered using cams or lifters to pull down the keyboard so as to increase a gap between hammer assemblies and associated strings. In this mode, each hammer assembly rebounds on a stopper when a corresponding key is selected, thereby giving a desirable piano touch.

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument selectively generates acoustic sounds and electronic sounds depending upon a mode selected by a player, and has a hammer stopper for interrupting hammers before strikes at strings and an escape accelerator for accelerating an escape of a jack from the hammer assembly in the silent mode earlier than an escape in the acoustic sound mode, thereby preventing the hammer assembly from capture between the jack and the hammer stopper without deterioration of the piano key touch.

Abstract: A hammer sensor of a keyboard musical instrument monitors a hammer action from a home position to a rebounding point on a stopper or strings, and a controller determines a hammer velocity and a time at an intermediate point on a trajectory of the hammer in a recording mode; the controller delays the time so as to determine a key-on timing, and an electronic system reproduce the acoustic or electronic sound at the key-on timing in a playback mode so as to reproduce the acoustic or electronic sound at the same timing as the original sound.

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument has a hammer stopper provided between strings and hammer assemblies and operative to prevent the strings from hammer heads for electronically producing sounds in response to a fingering on a keyboard, and a driving mechanism for the hammer stopper is provided on the opposite side of the hammer assemblies so as to accommodate the driving mechanism in a wide space.

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument has an acoustic piano for generating acoustic sound in an acoustic sound mode, an electronic sound generating system for generating electronic sounds on the basis of detecting signals of hammer sensors in an electronic sound mode and a stopper operative to prevent strings from hammers in the electronic sound mode, and a change-over mechanism changes the hammer sensors between a closed position and a spaced position so that the electronic sound generating system exactly determines the intensities of the electronic sounds.

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument lowers a key bed together with a keyboard, key action mechanisms and hammer mechanisms in a silent mode, and a stopper mechanism and a make-up mechanism cause the depressed keys to actuate the key action mechanisms and damper mechanisms as similar to an acoustic sound mode, thereby allowing a player to feel the key touch usual in a performance without an acoustic sound.

Abstract: In order to give piano-like key touch to a player in an electronically sound producing mode, a keyboard incorporated in a musical instrument is linked with key action mechanisms associated with hammer mechanisms, and a stopper blocks the hammer shanks before the hammers strike the strings so that noises are not mixed with synthesized tones.

Abstract: An improved combination acoustic-mode and electronic-mode piano is provided which includes a hammer shank stop rail that intercepts the hammer shank, when in the electronic mode, so that the hammer cannot complete its normal travel and cannot strike its corresponding string(s) when its piano key is actuated. The hammer shank stop rail is actuated by an intermediate crank that, in turn, is actuated by a pedal dowel attached to one of the pedals of the piano. When operated in the acoustic mode, the stop rail occupies a position that will not interfere with the hammer shank's movements, and when in the electronic mode, the stop rail intercepts the hammer shank so that its associated hammer will not be able to travel all the way into contact with their associated string. A second embodiment operates the stop rail by use of a cable and cam mechanism. A third embodiment uses a hand-actuator to operate the stop rail via a dowel and intermediate crank.

Abstract: A damper unit for a piano is provided in which the position of a hammer stop rail for contacting the hammer shanks before the hammers strike the strings can be changed from an inoperative retracted position to a stop position with a relatively small drive force and the hammer stop rail is firmly and reliably positioned at the stop position. Stop rail support arms for supporting the hammer stop rail are connected, via linkage mechanisms composed of links and lever arms, to a rotary shaft. By pulling a wire that is connected to the rotary shaft, the rotary shaft is rotated, such that the hammer stop rail can be positioned, via the linkages, at the stop position and the retracted position, in which the hammer stop rail does not contact the hammer shanks. As compared with the conventional damper unit, the position of the hammer stop rail can be changed with a relatively small drive force.