Plurality Of Manuals Patents (Class 84/424)
  • Patent number: 9704456
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided comprising a frame; an enclosure; a keyboard including a plurality of black and white keys; the plurality of black and white keys each having a top surface and a bottom surface; the enclosure having a surface finish; the enclosure encloses the frame and the keyboard, such each top surface of the plurality of black and white keys is exposed; the frame comprises a first beam, a second beam, a first keyboard support bar, a second keyboard support bar, a third keyboard support bar, a first guide pin rail, a second guide pin rail, and a third guide pin rail; the first, second, and third keyboard supports bars are perpendicular to the first and second beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Inventor: Timothy M. Dayonot
  • Patent number: 9064478
    Abstract: A keyboard instrument having keys modified as compared to a standard piano keyboard, in which the central longitudinal axis of the C? key extends between the adjoining distal lateral sides of the C and D keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Inventor: Gregory Shir
  • Patent number: 8987573
    Abstract: A novel Janko-type keyboard with attachable/detachable touch plates is disclosed. The touch plates have a coloring differing from traditional keyboards. A novel music tablature corresponding to the keyboard design is provided. Also a novel piano notation system corresponding to the keyboard design is provided. Finally a method to teach playing Janko-type keyboard is provided, where the method included virtual Janko-keyboard on computer touch screen, optionally an actual electronic Janko-keyboard attached to the computer and computer programs providing music notation on tablature system of this disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventors: André M. Lippens, Luc Lippens
  • Patent number: 8723010
    Abstract: A portable musical keyboard stand having auxiliary support arms, including identical parallel right and left side frames, each including an upright member, a rear leg disposed at an angle relative thereto, and a brace attached between a bottom end thereof and a lower end of the rear leg. Horizontal crossbars, including a lowermost crossbar, are continuously attached between the frames. Cross-beam members have a top side attached to the lowermost crossbar proximal a center point thereof and a bottom side attached to the respective rear leg. At least one support arm member is attached to the outer side of one of the frames parallel to a respective brace. A pair of L-shaped mounting brackets is attached to each of the horizontal crossbars and the support arm member at an angle thereto to retain a portable musical keyboard and a sound mixer thereon, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventor: Reginald M. Knights
  • Patent number: 8381103
    Abstract: When a jump instruction to display contents regarding a control out of contents in a help screen is given, if the jump instruction is given for a control with the same identification data as that of a control for which a preceding instruction is given, an explanation at a position next to a position of contents displayed in response to the preceding jump instruction is displayed on the help screen, out of the contents of a help data corresponding to the identification data of the control. If the jump instruction is given for a control with different identification from that of the control corresponding to the preceding jump instruction, an explanation at a head position, out of explanations in the help data corresponding to the identification data of the control for which the current jump instruction is given is displayed on the help screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Kotaro Terada, Masaru Aiso, Masaaki Okabayashi
  • Patent number: 7928312
    Abstract: An electronic keyboard instrument is provided and methods of playing and assembling the same. The instrument comprises a controller for enabling activation of electronic signals having audible, visible, amplifiable, recordable and/or like characteristics, and a power source for operating the controller. A first keyboard is provided having a first selected length and being oriented in a first direction such that (i) audible notes of music from at least one internal sound module and/or at least one external sound module, (ii) recordable data to be enhanced or modified by an external sequencer or program controlled apparatus, (iii) photoelectric signals, and (iv) processes or mechanisms, triggered or controlled by external signals or data, for controlling machines, video playback or lighting, and/or the like may be generated and/or activated using a first hand of one or more users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventor: Ravi Sharma
  • Patent number: 7667119
    Abstract: A portable keyboard system having a pair of keyboards rigidly secured to and directed outward from one another. The keyboard system is secured to a user with shoulder straps, which allow the user to control one keyboard with each hand. The keyboards are separately adjustable across several sound and intensity parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Schlapkohl Investments
    Inventor: Thomas P. Schlapkohl
  • Patent number: 7253349
    Abstract: A 2 manual musical keyboard with the pitch progression on one of the manuals reversed. The keys on these manuals are segregated into 2 groups of 2 different heights in the same way as a standard musical keyboard. The key configurations on these manuals have 12 semi-tones linearly distributed across 12 keys of alternating heights. Instead of the traditional 7 lower keys (white) and 5 upper keys (black), this arrangement has 6 lower keys and 6 upper keys. The notation system for this unique keyboard is a dual character set. Six unique characters for the upper keys and six unique characters for the lower keys. The musical staff for this unique keyboard will have six lines assigned to one character set and the six spaces assigned to the other character set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Joseph Clay Saltsman
  • Patent number: 6740800
    Abstract: A portable instrument with strings hammered by strikers operated by keys of a chromatic keyboard is described. The unique tremolo sounding of the strings is sensitively controllable by a players's touch on the keys as well as by manipulation of the instrument during play while holding the instrument by means of shoulder strap, the player standing or walking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Inventor: Robert Felder Cunningham
  • Patent number: 6720492
    Abstract: An arrangement for facilitating the installation of an action in a piano body. The arrangement includes at least one adjusting medium being adapted to facilitate the positioning of the action with respect to a piano body, wherein the at least one adjusting medium is associated solely with the action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: David Steinbuhler
  • Patent number: 6703552
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuous keyboard system. The Continuous Music Keyboard resembles a traditional keyboard in that it is approximately the same size and is played with ten fingers. It also resembles a fretless string instrument in that it has no discrete pitches; any pitch and any tuning may be played, and finger movements produce smooth glissandi and vibrato. The Continuous Music Keyboard comprises a plurality of rods, each of which has a magnet on each end. The displacement of each rod is measured through mounted Hall-Effect sensors. The sensor values are then analyzed to identify the three-dimensional location of the fingers depressing upon a control surface. Additionally, predictive analysis is conducted on values collected to identify whether a new depression on the control surface has occurred, or rather if a previously placed finger is simply moving alone the Continuous Music Keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Lippold Haken
  • Patent number: 6649821
    Abstract: A grand piano have a keyboard implemented by white and black keys selectively depressed by a player for specifying the notes of tones to be generated, and action units are linked with the white and black keys so as to give rise to free rotation of associated hammers through escape, wherein a key-touch regulator is provided between the key frame and the white and black keys for partially canceling the moment initially exerted on the white and black keys due to the self-weight of the action units and the hammers so that any lead weights is not required for regulating the key-touch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Inoue
  • Patent number: 6452079
    Abstract: A composite keyboard musical instrument includes an acoustic grand piano, an electronic sound generating system and a silent system, and an electric motor, a hammer stopper, a link work and a controller form in combination the silent system, wherein rigid arms and rigid rods are assembled into the link work so as to promptly transmit the force from the actuator to the hammer stopper without substantial time lug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuo Sugiyama, Shigeaki Sato
  • Patent number: 6392131
    Abstract: A device for input of musical notes and chords, each triad including a plurality of musical notes and being classified into types according to a number of notes in the chord and the tonal relationship among the notes, includes a plurality of input devices each associated with a note. The input devices are arranged in spatial relationship to each other such that the spatial relationship of input devices required to play a type of chord is the same for all triads of that type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventor: Stephen W. Boyer
  • Patent number: 6259006
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: Raoul Parienti
  • Patent number: 6194646
    Abstract: A new musical keyboard and musical scale is provided by subdividing each octave into a larger number of parts, or notes. In one case, each octave contains sixteen notes, rather than the conventional twelve. In another case, each octave contains twenty notes. The new musical system enables new musical sounds and special effects to be created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventor: Andrzej Kowalski
  • Patent number: 5741990
    Abstract: In a method of and means for producing musical note relationships there is provided an array of staggered lines or rows or columns of symbols, in which each symbol represents a musical note. Each line may comprise a repeated series of twelve symbols forming a musical series of semitones known as a chromatic scale, and each line is staggered with respect to adjacent lines such that groups of the symbols which represent the same musical note relationship, such as intervals, scales, chords, etc., form the same visual configuration, for example diagonal configurations or vertical configurations at respective locations in the array. The array may comprise a keyboard including a plurality of keys each representative of a particular musical note.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Notepool, Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter Max Crofts Davies
  • Patent number: 5404788
    Abstract: A keyboard for a musical instrument based on a twelve note per octave scale has keys on at least two playing rows, including a front playing row and a rear playing row. The front playing row includes keys for the notes "D.music-flat.", "E.music-flat.", "F", "G", "A", "B" and the rear playing row includes keys for the notes "G.music-flat.", "A.music-flat.", "B.music-flat.", "C", "D", "E". The keys "F", "G", "A", "B", "C", "D", "E" are formed from a first white smooth material and the keys "D.music-flat.", "E.music-flat.", "G.music-flat.", "A.music-flat.", "B.music-flat." are formed from a black rough material which is distinguished both tactually and visually from the white smooth material. There is also disclosed an electronic musical instrument having a plurality of different tuning intonations which are selected either manually or automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Inventor: Grace J. Frix
  • Patent number: 4926734
    Abstract: A graphic/tactile musical instruction system includes a three-row equal temperament whole tone graphic/tactile keyboard and a nomographic system of music notation. In a first embodiment of the keyboard, an upper row of keys produces the notes C.sup.# /D.sub.b, D.sup.# /E.sub.b, F, G, A and B, with the C.sup.# /D.sub.b and D.sup.# /E.sub.b keys being extended forward. The upper row keys are narrower in the highest octaves. The middle row produces the notes C, D, E, F.sup.# /G.sub.b, G.sup.# /A.sub.b and A.sup.# /B.sub.b, with the F.sup.# /G.sub.b, G.sup.# /A.sub.b, and A.sup.# /B.sub.b keys extended forward. The lower row keys are aligned with and play the same notes as the upper row keys. In a second embodiment of the keyboard, the upper row keys are narrower in the upper octaves. The F and G upper row keys have raised top surfaces, extended and beveled front ends, and darkened surfaces. The middle row C keys have extended and beveled front ends, raised top surfaces, and darkened surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Inventor: James C. Rickey
  • Patent number: 4658695
    Abstract: A multi-decked keyboard for musical instruments has three decks arranged for ease of playing with each hand. The primary deck is substantially a normal piano-like keyboard; the second deck is also substantially a normal piano-like keyboard except that the keys are shortened; and the third deck consists only of shortened white keys. The shortened keys permits a normal hand to reach from the primary to the third decks simultaneously. A specially designed key support system maintains a compact keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Inventor: Douglas A. Cutler
  • Patent number: 4352310
    Abstract: The portable keyboard musical instrument employs two hollow tubes with either keyboards in each or one keyboard and one button cord unit, connection means at either end, a collar means with which to secure the two tubes and end caps to close off the non-connected ends. The instrument weighs only a few pounds and can be carried by the player much like a guitar when connected end to end, or like an accordian when connected side by side. The sound which can be obtained is only limited by the desired electronics and the instrument can be connected to the amplifiers by cable or remote.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1982
    Inventor: Franco Orlandoni
  • Patent number: 4123960
    Abstract: A console for use in playing an electronic musical instrument. Two manuals are slidably arranged on a stationary frame or desk, to slide sideways toward and away from each other. Each manual carries various keys and other movable control elements to be operated by one arm-hand-finger of the player. On each manual, keys for individual tones are arranged in rows extending front to back, toward and away from the player, rather than in rows extending from side to side as in a conventional piano keyboard. Each key is wide enough so that two fingers of the player may rest simultaneously on the key. In addition to these rows of keys, each manual has other special keys or movable elements, some arranged for operation by the little finger, some for operation by the thumb, some for operation by raising or lowering the hand, for changing the nature, quality, duration, octave, or other characteristics of the sound produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1978
    Inventor: Rainer Franzmann
  • Patent number: 4106388
    Abstract: A keyboard unit for an electronic organ wherein the bed of the housing supports two adjustably mounted bearing members which are adjacent the inner sides of the respective side walls of the housing and have round holes for posts provided in the end portions of C-bars forming part of discrete pivotable carriers for tablets, switches, stops, drawbars, keys or analogous components. The components are mounted on plate-like supports which are secured to the respective C-bars by screws extending through the slots of the respective C-bars and mating nuts non-rotatably but slidably installed in the respective C-bars. The two lowermost supports carry piano type manual keyboards, and the additional support or supports carry tablets, switches, drawbars or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1978
    Assignee: WERSI-electronic GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft
    Inventor: Reinhard Franz
  • Patent number: 4099437
    Abstract: A musical instrument which comprises (i) a portable transmitter unit, (ii) a receiver unit, and (iii) a standard or modified piano, electronic organ, or other keyboard musical device. The transmitter unit has sixty keys, each of which corresponds to a key of the remote piano, organ, or other keyboard musical device, and also has eight auxiliary switches for controlling the receiver and auxiliary functions of the musical device to be remotely played. The transmitter includes electronic circuitry which scans the keys and auxiliary switches, and transmits an FM signal modulated by a serial digital pulse train identifying the transmitter keys which are depressed and the auxiliary switches which have been actuated. The receiver unit decodes the transmitted pulse train, eliminates erroneous data, and generates output signals to control the corresponding keys and auxiliary functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1978
    Assignee: Jerry L. Noury, Jr.
    Inventors: Paul Constantine Stavrou, William Frederick Slack