Abstract: A method of assembling a grand piano, an outer rim for a grand piano and a manufacturing method thereof, an arm for a grand piano and a fabricating method thereof, and a keyboard musical instrument are provided. The method of assembling a grand piano comprises an outer rim forming step of forming an outer rim, and a part mounting step of mounting to the outer rim, as a base, a plurality of other parts in order to assemble a grand piano. The outer rim of the grand piano is composed of a left flat plate forming a left front linear portion of a grand piano, a right flat plate forming a right front linear portion of the grand piano, and a plurality of arcuate plates mutually having the same radius r, wherein the arcuate plates are joined to connect rear ends of the left flat plate and the right flat plate therethrough to form a curved portion of the grand piano.

Abstract: A rotary damper has a shaft and a torque control mechanism which are accommodated in a chamber filled with a viscous fluid. The chamber is divided into a first compartment and a second compartment. The torque control mechanism comprises an auxiliary chamber defined by a partition wall disposed adjacent to the chamber in communication therewith, first and second communication holes defined in the partition wall and providing fluid communication between the first and second compartments and the auxiliary chamber, and a check valve for preventing the viscous fluid from flowing in the first communication hole from the auxiliary chamber toward the first compartment.

Abstract: A combination table, desk and digital piano is presented. The combination device features a flat writing surface with desk drawers which is made accessible by a folding top and side located at the front of the device. Located at the back of the device is a digital piano portion which is made accessible by folding back the top and side of the back portion of the device. When the digital piano portion is in the open position, the flat surface for a digital keyboard is made accessible and a hinged piano music marquee may be raised. The back portion also has a cut-out in the side of the body for speakers. When both the front desk portion and the rear back portion are closed, the device can be utilized as a flat table top.

Abstract: There is provided a closing control device for a fallboard of a piano. A fallboard support is detachably mounted on a body of the piano, and the fallboard is rotatably attached to the fallboard support. A linkage has one end thereof connected to the fallboard. A slow closing device is fixed to the fallboard support, and has the other end of the linkage connected thereto, for braking the fallboard by way of the linkage when the fallboard rotates in a closing direction.

Abstract: A pedal rack (10) comprising a case (12) with a plurality of a variety of electronic components (14) that may be electrically connected together and retained within the case (12). A sound control unit (16) may be electrically connected to the electronic components (14). A facility (18) is for pivotally mounting the sound control unit (16) within the case (12). The sound control unit (16) can go between a generally horizontal storage position "A" over the electronic components (14) and into an upright operational position "B" for easy access. The sound control unit (16) may also be completely removed from the case (12).

Abstract: A stand structure for a keyed instrument having a main body with a keyboard at the front thereof, the stand structure including a first side plate and a second side plate, the first side plate and the second side plate being adapted for supporting at least a lower portion of the main body arranged between the first side plate and the second side plate; a back plate arranged between the first side and the second side plate for reinforcing the first side and the second side plate, the back plate being adapted to be arranged below the main body; a first single securing member adapted for interconnecting the main body, the back plate and the first side plate; a second single securing member adapted for interconnecting the main body, the back plate and the second side plate; and a pair of screw means, each of the pair of screw means being adapted for extending laterally through one of the first side plate and the second side plate and into the lower portion of the main body so as to secure the main body to the one

Abstract: A reflex fastener, specifically a snap consisting of a plug and corresponding socket, is disclosed for use in load-bearing structures (preferably, stands to support electronic keyboards). The plug is bevelled to form depressions into which corresponding engagement ridges in the socket will be seated when the structure is fully assembled. The plug and socket are also sloped or curved at corresponding angles which enhance the stability of the assembled structure. Ease of assembly and disassembly is enhanced without loss of stability by constructing the fastener by blow-molding a rigid, flexible material.A keyboard stand of unique appearance and stability which incorporates the inventive fastener is also disclosed.

Abstract: A grand piano having a lower lid attached thereto by hinges, and a lid designed for attachment to the bottom of a grand piano. The lid completely covers the bottom of the piano case when latched in a closed position. In its closed position, the lower lid protects the soundboard from damage (such as during transportation of the piano) and mutes the piano's sound. The lower lid of the invention is designed so that, when released from its closed position and pivoted downward into an open position, it will reflect sound from the soundboard outward from the front of the piano. Preferably, the angular orientation of the lower lid in its open position is chosen to reinforce and focus the projection of sound within a desired frequency range (for example, midrange sounds) to a desired target region. Such optimal angular orientation can be determined experimentally.

Abstract: This invention relates to a keyboard apparatus for a musical instrument such as a musical keyboard instrument for electronic pianos, electronic organs, or acoustic keyboards. This keyboard apparatus has a musical instrument body, a plurality of keys attached to the musical instrument body, and a console panel attached to the musical instrument body. A key concealing unit for concealing the base end portions of the plurality of keys are integrally molded with one edge of the console panel.

Abstract: In construction of a wooden frame for a grand piano, rigidity of the bass range section of a curved frame is on purpose raised in order to make up for difference in rigidity which is otherwise unavoidably caused by configurational factors for balanced generation of beautiful tones over the entire tone ranges.

Abstract: A housing structure of a keyboard instrument has: a musical instrument main body having a keyboard portion in which a plurality of keys are aligned in order; a cover having a hinge portion and a foldable portion along an alignment direction of the keys so as to open and cover an upper surface of the musical instrument main body; and a cover lock portion formed in the upper surface of the musical instrument main body for locking the cover when the cover is opened and folded at the foldable portion. The hinge portion consists of a flexible synthetic resin which may be formed integrally with the cover or separately from the cover.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument with a keyboard has a musical instrument housing with the keyboard and an operation panel arranged adjacent to the keyboard, and a cover for covering the keyboard and the operation panel. Guide projections are formed at two sides of the keyboard and the operation panel of the musical instrument housing. The cover has first and second cover bodies, a first coupling device for coupling the first and second cover bodies in a foldable manner, and a second coupling device for pivotally coupling a rear end portion of the first cover body with the musical instrument housing. The front end portion of the second cover body is guided and slid along the guide projections when the cover is opened or closed. When the cover is open, the outer surface of the second cover body stands facing forward and serves as a music rack.

Abstract: In construction of a keyboard unit accommodable upright piano, a vertically turnable keyboard is held by a holder unit so that the keyboard unit can be stably held in a horizontal position at one state of the holder unit and easily be accommodated in the main casing at the other state of the holder unit.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument has a pivotal cover which mounts an operation panel for controlling the functions of the instrument. Cords for connecting a main electric circuit incorporated in a musical instrument main body and control switches and elements in the operation panel are arranged through a hollow shaft constituting a pivot structure of the cover so that the connecting cords are not exposed to outside of the instrument. A foldable music sheet stand may be provided at an open end of the cover opposite to its pivot structure. When the cover is opened, the music stand can be extracted to stand up above the operation panel.

Abstract: A housing structure of a keyboard instrument has: a musical instrument main body having a keyboard portion in which a plurality of keys are aligned in order; a cover having a hinge portion and a foldable portion along an alignment direction of the keys so as to open and cover an upper surface of the musical instrument main body; and a cover lock portion formed in the upper surface of the musical instrument main body for locking the cover when the cover is opened and folded at the foldable portion. The hinge portion consists of a flexible synthetic resin which may be formed integrally with the cover or separately from the cover.

Abstract: A portable keyboard-type musical instrument includes detachable end support frames which can be attached to the musical instrument in either an extended supporting position or a retracted storage position, a support for the keyboard of the instrument being rigidly supported by members which are in turn rigidly attached to the frame of the musical instrument.

Abstract: A support device for supporting first and second units has an instrument platform having first and second spaced opposite parallel planar surfaces. The instrument platform is rotatably supported for rotation about an axis of rotation. A first joining subassembly pivotally mounts the first unit on the first surface of the instrument platform for rotation about an axis spaced from and parallel to the axis of rotation. A first pair of locking devices lock the first unit in abutting relation to the first surface in locked position and release the first unit to hang freely at various angles with the first surface in unlocked position whereby the first unit is in playing position when the instrument platform is horizontal with the first surface up and in stored position, hanging from the first surface, when the instrument platform is horizontal with the first surface down.

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument is provided which comprises a main body which has a playing position and an upright position and first and second legs which are positioned on the front and rear of the main body for supporting the main body in the playing position. A hinge device connects the main body and the first legs such that the main body is pivoted about the hinge means for moving the main body between the playing position and the upright position.

Abstract: A box with a removable top and a hingable side part for closing into a case to store and carry effects control pedals and miscellaneous gear of a keyboard stand, and opening into a stand for supporting a keyboard in playing position relative to operationally fixed and connected pedals and gear.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for providing safe locking of the lid of an electronic musical instrument.

Abstract: A portable electric keyboard musical instrument is disclosed which includes (1) a two-part folding supporting structure, (2) a plurality of vibratile reeds with each having an end fixedly attached to the supporting structure, (3) a plurality of actions for selectively causing respective reeds to vibrate and pickup devices used in spaced relation to the reeds for generating an electrical frequency from the vibrations of the reeds. The keyboard is contained in a hand transportable case which is foldable and serves as a support and protective assembly for the keyboard.

Abstract: A portable electronic keyboard musical instrument comprises a casing comprising a pair of plastic-molded upper and lower shells coupled together. A plurality of keys are mounted on the upper shell in juxtaposed relation. The upper shell includes an integral fulcrum portion formed internally thereof and pivotally supporting each key, an integral stop means for limiting the downward and upward movements of the keys, an integral guide means for guiding the downward and upward movements of the keys, and an integral mounting portion for supporting a key switch structure. The stop means, the guide means and the mounting portion are disposed in underlying relation to the juxtaposed keys.

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument comprises a main body accommodating a keyboard and electronic parts, and a box-shaped leg structure for supporting the main body and including front, back and two side boards for supporting the body. The leg structure is so constructed that the front and back boards are removably mounted to the main body and the two side boards as well, and that the side boards are mounted to the main body removably or such that they can be folded down toward the main body.

Abstract: A mounting rack is disclosed herein for holding an instrument, an amplifier, a music rack or other equipment related to a piano onto the top of and immediately above the piano within reach of the player. The rack includes a pair of equipment support pieces having detachable and adjustable leg portions or stand-offs engageable with ledges or shoulders formed in the top portion of a piano. Elongated slots are provided on one end of each support member and on one leg portion so that adjustments can be made for tilt and overhang of the mounted equipment. Fasteners are employed for releasably securing the leg portions with opposite ends of each support member.

Abstract: At least one board defining the front side of the resonant cavity of a piano is provided with at least a pair of outwardly diverging vertical slits arranged an appreciable distance away from each other and on opposite sides of the center of the piano for smooth radiation of tonal atmospheric vibrations generated in the cavity by striking of strings to the atmospheric space in front of the piano, thereby providing ideal stereophonic acoustic effect to the player or listeners and avoiding any biased cavity resonance and mixing of undesirable noises. A selectively openable construction of the slit enables free selection of the tonal radiation in accordance with the requirements of the performance.

Abstract: A key bed for a piano or the like is comprised by a laminated structure having two outer layers of sheet steel and an intermediate layer of a wood product. The steel layers are bonded to the intermediate layer, and the intermediate layer is substantially thicker than the outer layers of steel to offset the outer layers from one another and thereby increase the stiffness of the key bed.

Abstract: A pair of key blocks bearing a keyboard assembly via an intervening frame are pivotally coupled to side boards of a musical instrument by means of pin-groove engagement, and a top board and a front cover of the instrument are both turnable upwards in order to allow free pivotal movement of the keyboard assembly. Pivotal mounting of the keyboard assembly allows easy access to its bottom construction for replacement, repairment and adjustment purposes.

Abstract: A piano case or frame includes a laminated key bed and side arms joined with the bed at each end. The key bed supports the keyboard and associated portions of the piano action, and is assembled with each side arm of the frame by means of a rabbet joint. Fastening screws extending through the laminated bed into barrel nuts within each of the side arms develop significant pressure in the rabbet joints to hold the key bed and the supported keyboard in a level, undistorted position.

Abstract: This application discloses a grand piano with a transparent lid or cover, and a special hinge structure mounting the lid for pivotal movement into open and closed positions.