Abstract: A keyboard device for a keyboard instrument, including a key support mechanism assembled to a keyboard chassis, improved not only in the ease of assembly during manufacturing of the keyboard device but also in the ease of disassembly during maintenance of the same. The keyboard device includes a keyboard chassis, a key disposed on the keyboard chassis, and a key support mechanism which supports the key from below and causes, upon depression of the key, the depressed key to operate such that the key pivotally moves about a virtual pivot. The key support mechanism includes a first arm and a second arm which, when mounted on the keyboard chassis during assembly of the keyboard device, in a state where one of the arms is pivotally engaged with the keyboard chassis, the other can be mounted on the keyboard chassis while being connected to the one.

Abstract: A hammer device for a keyboard instrument, enabling improvement of efficiency and yield, in manufacturing weights to be attached to each hammer body while suppressing an increase in manufacturing cost. Each hammer includes a hammer body having a weight mounting portion, a common weight attached to one of left and right side surfaces of the weight mounting portion, and an adjustment weight having a length set according to a touch weight required by the associated key and attached to the other of the left and right side surfaces of the weight mounting portion. A chassis has a plurality of partition parts, and on the left and right surfaces of the hammer body, there are formed left and right opposed protrusions, respectively, each of which protrudes outward of the weight and is opposed to a partition part associated therewith via a predetermined clearance.

Abstract: In a keyboard device, a frame function part is provided integrally in a frame to engage with a component of the keyboard device excluding the frame. Integrated continuous parts are formed at the frame and extend continuously over a key zone including a plurality of keys. The integrated continuous part receives external force directly or via the frame function part or allows a component constructed separately from the frame to mount on the integrated continuous part. A connection rib is formed in the frame such that the connection rib extends in a direction intersecting a direction along which the keys are arranged side-by-side. The integrated continuous parts are formed at positions deviated with respect to each other, when viewed from a side of the frame. The integrated continuous parts are connected to each other only by the connection rib.

Abstract: A keyboard apparatus made longitudinally compact while ensuring a pivotal motion range of hammers within a limited space. Common base ends, to which main bodies of white and black keys are connected via vertically extending hinges, are stacked one upon another and fastened to a fastening part of a frame. Hammers are each supported on a hammer pivot shaft such that its rear end is moved upward about the pivot shaft in a key-depression forward stroke. The hammers have their rear ends located forward of rearmost positions of visible parts of black keys. The hammer pivot shafts are located rearward of frontmost positions of the visible parts. A plate portion of the frame, on which key switches are disposed, is located forward of the rearmost positions of the visible parts of the black keys and upward of the fastening part of the frame.

Abstract: A piano key assembly for a pianoforte in which weights are mounted on a keystick to have a center of gravity between a first point along said keystick halfway between the pivot point of the keystick and the end struck by the pianist and a second point halfway between the pivot point and the first point and wherein all the weights are located relative to the keystick between the pivot point and the first point. Optionally, holes are made in the keystick between the first point and the end struck by the pianist.

Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument includes a key, a balance rail, and a key leveling tab. The key leveling tab is permanently mounted on the balance rail. The key leveling tab is non-resonating and has a a varying thickness.

Abstract: A key structure which is free from separation between a wood part thereof and a key base body to which the wood part is secured and has enhanced vertical rigidity in the vicinity of a clearance between the base end of the key base body and the wood part. In the key structure, the key base body has an extended part formed integrally with the base end and extended forward therefrom. The wood part is fixedly bonded to the upper surface of the extended part. A clearance is formed transversely of the key base body between the wood part and the base end. An upper plate body is fixedly bonded to both the upper surface of the wood part and the upper surface of the base end, and the rear part of the upper plate body extends in a manner spanning the base end and the wood part above the clearance.

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.

Abstract: There is provided a keyboard apparatus which has a high durability, portability, and operability, and facilitates adaptation to a wide range of musical scenes and to multi-model production. Each adjacent pair of four main cases are pivotally connected to each other via connecting portions, whereby the main cases are allowed to assume a folded position which enables the keyboard apparatus to be carried with ease, and a flat unfolded position in which the keyboard can be played. Each main case has a keyboard unit arranged therein. Three main cases for lower tone ranges each have four white keys arranged therein, and a main case for a highest tone range has three white keys arranged therein, and a total of 25 keys are arranged on the keyboard apparatus. The main case for the highest tone range also has a group of operating elements arranged therein.

Abstract: A second slot is provided in the longitudinally extending shaft of a teaching tool, such as the Pneumo Pro, which is longitudinally spaced apart from the first slot of the tool, for automatically aligning the quadrant, and thereby the propellers, longitudinally and laterally with respect to the first slot during assembly of the apparatus and retaining the propellers in that orientation during usage. The quadrant and support block are formed with flat portions or surfaces which can be received in the second slot to establish a fixed point of longitudinal reference and an intersecting surface to establish a fixed point of lateral or rotational reference with respect to the first slot.

Abstract: A system for balancing upright piano key mechanisms consists in weighting the key (1) in its front portion (at 11), opposite to the portion (5) where the key downweight is usually placed, and consequently in weighting (at 15), by means of a weight simulating the weight of the hammer, also the portion where the hammer (7) rests, the hammer in turn resting, through the wippen (9), on the rear portion of the key, so as to create a balance between the front portion and the rear portion of the key itself.

Abstract: A keyboard device for a keyboard-based musical instrument comprises a plurality of chassis arranged in a left-to-right direction, and a plurality of keys attached to the plurality of chassis for pivotal movements and arranged in the left-to-right direction. The overall chassis for the keyboard device is divided into a plurality of chassis which can be separately manufactured, so that the size of each chassis can be reduced as compared with a conventional keyboard device for which a single chassis is manufactured. Since this results in a reduction in scale of manufacturing facilities including a mold and a press machine used for manufacturing the chassis, and easier adjustments to the mold in a trial manufacturing stage, a manufacturing cost of the chassis, i.e., a manufacturing cost of the keyboard device can be reduced.

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: In the balancing of piano key mechanisms according to the invention, counterweights are placed in each piano key to balance said key mechanism in order to create a smooth linear progression of key front weights along a keyboard, thereby providing a keyboard with a more uniform "feel" to the piano keys when played by a pianist.

Abstract: An extruded recording sensor mounting rail for keyboard operated musical instruments, particularly electronic player pianos, which can be used to install recording sensors in a new or existing piano and provide for accurate alignment of the sensors with the individual keys in the instrument. A first flange extending along the rear of the mounting rail is configured for receiving one edge of a circuit board in a sensor assembly, while a second flange and shelf extending along the front of the mounting rail are configured for supporting the other edge of the circuit board and flexible recording sensors. Each flange also includes longitudinal slots for receiving fasteners for joining multiple mounting rails in an end to end configuration so that mounting rail assemblies of varying lengths can be fashioned to accommodate different keyboard sizes and key spacing configurations.

Abstract: It is important for an upright piano to keep a keyboard on a key bed horizontal, and the key bed is supported by a frame through coupling units, wherein each of the coupling units has a wedged member interposed between a projection of the frame and a bracket of the coupling unit or between the bracket and the key bed for regulating the horizontality of the keyboard.

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.

Abstract: An anti-skiving device used for beveling an edge of photographic film so that when the film is processed the emulsion or anti-halation backing on the base of the photographic film will not flake or skive. The device eliminates flaked or skived material from the edge of the film from being processed on the film itself, which heretofore caused an unsightly appearance on the processed film.

Abstract: A hammer strike line adjuster for use with a grand piano comprises a metallic, generally U-shaped bracket, a worm gear rotatably received within a pair of aligned apertures formed in the side walls of the bracket and a shift pin having a first end secured to the piano key frame assembly and a second end engaging an annular recessed portion of the worm gear for movement together therewith. The apparatus, which is disposed between the piano key frame assembly and treble arm and underlying the piano key block, is operative for accurately adjusting the position of the piano hammer strike line in response to rotation of the worm gear.

Abstract: A piano key frame assembly comprising a rigid metal frame, preferably formed from aluminum tubing, for supporting the piano keys and action, the frame having a front rail, an intermediate balance rail and a back rail, the back rail mounting adjustment means for leveling the keys, the key frame having adjustable feet by means of which it is positioned and leveled within the piano case, the conventional key bed being replaced by relatively narrow key bed brackets extending along the opposite sides of the case on which the adjustable feet are supported, means being provided to align and maintain the key frame on the key bed brackets.