Fulcrums And Guides Patents (Class 84/434)
  • Patent number: 11538444
    Abstract: Provided is a keyboard apparatus including: a key, displaced about a key axis and having a cavity opening downward formed therein; and a guide member, having a guide inserted into the cavity of the key and guiding displacement of the key by contact between a guided surface of the key and the guide. The key includes a stopper formed within the cavity. The stopper includes a base connected to the key and extending downward, and a hook formed on a lower end side of the base and displaced in a position vertically side by side with the key axis. The guide includes a recess formed on a rear surface of the guide, and the hook is inserted into the recess. The hook is formed in a position overlapping the guided surface or a position vertically side by side with the guided surface in a left-right view of the key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Kasubuchi, Mutsuo Sawada, Hitoshi Sato
  • Patent number: 10796671
    Abstract: A keyboard apparatus includes a key; a guide regulating a direction in which the key moves, the guide being arranged at three or more locations not lined in a straight line when seen along a scale direction of the key, and the guide slidably making contact with the key from the scale direction; and a connecting portion connecting the key to a frame at the back side of the key from the guide, the connecting portion including a rod-like flexible member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shunsuke Ichiki
  • Patent number: 10685631
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, a keyboard apparatus includes a key; and a connecting member connecting the key to a frame and including a rod-like flexible member arranged between the frame and the key, the key being turned to the frame by bending of the rod-like flexible member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shunsuke Ichiki, Ichiro Osuga
  • Patent number: 10657939
    Abstract: A keyboard apparatus includes: keys; at least one frame configured to support at least one of the keys; at least one bendable portion disposed between one of the keys and the frame and having flexibility in a scale direction; and a coupler configured to couple the bendable portion and the key to each other attachably and detachably. Two couplers each as the coupler which correspond respectively to the keys adjacent to each other are disposed respectively at positions different from each other in a longitudinal direction of the key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shunsuke Ichiki
  • Patent number: 10643582
    Abstract: A pivot mechanism includes: a shaft; a bearing including an opening portion in which the shaft is to be inserted, wherein a size of the opening portion at an open end of the bearing which has flexibility is less than a diameter of the shaft, and the bearing is configured to pivot about a pivot axis relative to the shaft; and a stopper disposed spaced apart from the shaft in a direction in which the shaft inserted in the opening portion moves away from the bearing, the stopper being movable in a direction different from the direction in which the shaft moves away from the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shunsuke Ichiki
  • Patent number: 8258389
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Hirotsugu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7772474
    Abstract: A keyboard device is designed for use in an electronic musical instrument. A plurality of keys including white keys and black keys are arranged on a keyboard frame. Supporting parts are mounted on the keyboard frame for supporting the keys pivotably downward and upward. The supporting parts include white key supporting parts to support the white keys and black key supporting parts to support the black keys. The supporting parts are positioned at the rear portions of the keys such that the black key supporting parts are arranged rearward relative to the white key supporting parts. The keyboard frame supports an anti-floating part which extends across the rear portions of the keys and positioned above the supporting parts of the keys so as to prevent the rear portion of the key from floating upward when the front portion of the key is pressed downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Ichiro Osuga
  • Patent number: 7678989
    Abstract: An electronic keyboard that includes a plurality of keys including a first key. The keyboard further includes a key support supporting the first key for movement between a rest position and a depressed position. The keyboard also includes a first key return spring configured to apply a return force to the first key to bias the first key toward the rest position. In the keyboard, the first key return spring is configured such that the return force has a substantially constant magnitude throughout the movement of the first key between the rest position and the depressed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Magnekey
    Inventor: Van S. Chandler
  • Patent number: 7544876
    Abstract: A keyboard apparatus of an electronic keyboard instrument, which is compact in size and broad in a permissible movable range at the time of receiving a force exerting in a width direction of keys. The keyboard apparatus includes key main bodies each provided with a key-fulcrum function device permitting a key to be pivotable in the key depression/release direction and including a vertical hinge and a left-to-right hinge. The vertical hinge is formed into a thin plate-like piece member extending downward of the key and coupled to a common base end and the left-to-right hinge, which is formed into a thin plate-shaped piece member extending along the longitudinal direction of the key and coupled to a connecting portion that is formed into a plate shape extending downward of the key and coupled to the key main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Yutaka Toyama
  • Patent number: 7541532
    Abstract: A key structure which is capable of giving a woody appearance to the key, and increasing the freedom of mounting at least one functional part formed as a separate part from the key structure, while maintaining excellent machinability. An upper plate has an increased width part corresponding to an end of a white key toward a player. In the key structure, a wood part is secured to the lower surface of at least the increased width part of the upper plate, and has an increased width part having substantially the same width as the increased width part of the upper plate. The key structure is mountable in a keyboard apparatus, for functioning as a white key pivotally moved by key-depressing operation. A recess is formed in a part of the wood part including the increased width part, which opens downward and has a width (W0) not less than 50% and not more than 80% of the width (B0) of the increased width part of the wood part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Ichiro Osuga, Kenichi Nishida, Yoichirou Shimomuku
  • Patent number: 7476795
    Abstract: A keyboard device is designed for use in an electronic musical keyboard instrument, and composed of a key frame and at least one key array unit mounted in the key frame. The key array unit has a plurality of keys and a common base part which integrates the plurality of the keys and which is fixed to the key frame. The key is composed of a key body having a front end portion, a rear end portion and a top face portion extending between the front end portion and the rear end portion, and a key supporting part which supports the key body in a vicinity of the rear end portion thereof for allowing the key body to pivot around the key supporting part when the top face portion of the key body is pressed downward and which couples the key body integrally to the common base part. The key supporting part is formed below a back of the top face portion of the key body at a position spaced from the rear end portion of the key body toward the front end portion of the key body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Yutaka Toyama
  • Patent number: 7402741
    Abstract: A keyboard apparatus which is capable of imparting a natural key depression feeling with a definite and positive load change, with a simplified construction. A key touch feeling-imparting mechanism imparts a predetermined key touch feeling to a key when it is depressed. The key touch feeling-imparting mechanism is comprised of a receiving part provided on a support member, and an elastic engaging unit that has one end thereof held by a key operating part of an associated key and another end thereof slidably engaged with the receiving part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Funaki, Junichi Mishima
  • Publication number: 20080121090
    Abstract: A keyboard apparatus includes: a plurality of keys; a plurality of hammers; a first supporting portion; a second supporting portion; an interlocking mechanism. The interlocking mechanism conveys weight of the hammers respectively to rear portions of the keys, and causes an upward movement of the hammers, when front portions of the keys are depressed and the rear portions of the keys are swung upward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KAWAI GAKKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Yoshiaki SHIMODA
  • Patent number: 7208668
    Abstract: A keyboard instrument which is capable of ensuring sufficient strength of neighboring portions of chassis and preventing generation of noise, while restricting lateral motion of hammers. Keys are pivotally supported by chassis arranged side by side in a left-right direction. Hammers are pivotally supported by the chassis, for each being pivotally moved in accordance with depression of the associated key. Guides are formed in the chassis and each have a pair of left and right sidewalls opposed to the associated hammer from opposite sides, for restricting lateral motion of the associated hammer. Out of the guides, one at a boundary of each adjacent two of the chassis has the pair of sidewalls formed by an end sidewall of one of the adjacent two chassis and an end sidewall of the other of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kawai Gakki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Shimoda
  • Patent number: 7151212
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori Nagaoka, Shiro Uno, Shinichi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7060883
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori Nagaoka, Shiro Uno, Shinichi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6930234
    Abstract: A keyboard apparatus for musical instruments such as pianos, organs, clavichords, and harpsichords, and methods for making and using the apparatus. The apparatus includes a frame assembly, a plurality of keys, a plurality of lever assemblies each operably connected with its corresponding key, and a main fulcrum that together replicate the touch of an acoustic piano keyboard. It can be used in electronic and acoustic instruments, can be adjusted to simulate the feel of a selected type of keyboard instrument, and is simple and cost-effective to manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Inventor: Lanny Davis
  • Patent number: 6617502
    Abstract: A keyboard device for an electronic keyboard musical instrument is provided for permitting a significant reduction in the number of parts constituting a hammer supporting members and the number of assembling steps required therefor, thereby reducing a manufacturing cost, and also for permitting hammers to be mounted in a high mounting accuracy to eliminate noise. The keyboard device comprises a chassis, a hammer rail made of an aluminum extrudate and coupled to the chassis, a plurality of keys pivotably supported by the chassis, a plurality of hammers each provided for each of the plurality of keys, pivotably supported by the hammer rail and configured to pivot in response to depression on a key associated therewith, and a stopper mounted to the hammer rail for restricting a pivotal movement of a hammer caused by depression on a key associated with the hammer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kawai Gakki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Akihiro Suzuki, Yoshiaki Shimoda
  • Patent number: 6407321
    Abstract: A jig is used in an assemblage between key sensors and an acoustic piano, and the jig has a shutter guide assembled with a casing of optical sensor array for aligning slits with target trajectories of shutter plates and pieces of adhesive double coated tape adhered to the shutter plates for aligning the shutter plates with associated white/black keys, wherein the shutter plates are inserted into the slits so that the shutter plates are placed on the target trajectories, and the white/black keys are moved along the target trajectories until they are brought into contact with the pieces of adhesive double coated tape for temporality tacking the shutter plates to the associated white/black keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Tamaki, Katsuo Itou
  • Patent number: 6369309
    Abstract: A key support member of a keyboard assembly pivotally supports a plurality of keys each including a body, a hinge portion, and a rear end portion. A movably-mounting device is used to mount the keys onto the key support member via the rear end portion of the each of the keys in a manner such that the keys can be moved by moving the rear end portion of the each of the keys. When the keys have been mounted on the key support member, the movably-mounting device engages the keys with the key support member in a manner such that the keys are movable relative to the key support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichi Nishida
  • Patent number: 6248943
    Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument is a combination of an acoustic upright piano without strings and an electronic tone generating system, and a hammer receiver is beaten with hammers respectively linked with key action mechanisms, wherein the each of the hammers has a hammer shank fixed to a butt of the key action mechanism and a weight member attached to the hammer shank, and the weight member has a center of gravity in the vicinity of the center of gravity in a hammer head of a regular hammer usually incorporated in the standard upright piano so that the key touch is identical with or similar to that of the piano key touch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Inoue
  • Patent number: 5932825
    Abstract: A keyboard apparatus has a support member and a plurality of white keys and black keys. Each of the white keys and the black keys has a fulcrum section and a driving section, and are pivotally mounted about the fulcrum section with respect to the support member. A mass body assembly, that is an action member, has a moving fulcrum, a driven section on a first side of the moving fulcrum that is driven by each of the driving sections of the white keys and the black keys, and a center of gravity that is located on a second side opposite the driven section with respect to the moving fulcrum. The distance between the driven section and the moving fulcrum of the mass body assembly for the black key is greater than the corresponding distance for the white key. The mass body assembly on the second side is formed from the same members that are commonly used for both the white keys and the black keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Kumano, Tsuyoshi Sato
  • Patent number: 5834668
    Abstract: A keyboard apparatus having keys and mass members that are relatively light in weight and low in cost and yet provide a good key touch feeling that is comparable to the key touch feeling of a keyboard apparatus of an acoustic grand piano. A keyboard apparatus for an electronic musical instrument includes a support member including a first fulcrum section and a second fulcrum section. A key is movably supported about the first fulcrum section of the support member, and a mass member is movably supported on the support member and coupled to the key. The mass member has a mass concentration section made of an elongated metal bar and a resin section connected to the mass concentration section. The resin section has a pivotal fulcrum receiving section to be pivotally supported about the second fulcrum of the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Kumano, Tsuyoshi Sato
  • Patent number: 5821443
    Abstract: A keyboard apparatus has a relatively simple structure to guide a mass member without using a spring to provide high quality performance with stable operation. The rotational moment force of the mass member acts in a uniform direction against a rotation support section that supports the mass member upon depression and release of an associated key so that the generation of mechanical noise and the development of clattering movement at the rotating support section are substantially prevented. The keyboard apparatus has a key that is movably supported on a support member, and a mass member rotatably supported by a rotation center section of the support section and driven by the key. The keyboard apparatus further includes a guide member that slidably guides the mass member and positions the mass member with respect to the key arrangement direction and at a specified location removed from the rotating center section of the mass member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Takamichi Masubushi
  • Patent number: 5763799
    Abstract: An electronic keyboard key apparatus to simulate the feel of escapement includes a longitudinally extending key preferably pivotally mounted on a supporting base, a spring apparatus flexibly disposed between the base and the key for resisting depression of the key with a variable resistive force, a latching apparatus to latch the spring apparatus in connection to the base, and an unlatching apparatus to unlatch the spring apparatus from connection to the base with a predetermined amount of resistive force. The latching apparatus may be a magnetic apparatus disposed between the base and the spring apparatus having one of a magnetic element and a magnetically attracted element fixedly connected to the base and the other fixedly connected to the key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Baldwin Piano & Organ Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Kimble
  • Patent number: 5204486
    Abstract: Disclosed is a keyboard device of an electronic keyboard instrument generating a sound upon actuation of a switch disposed on a main plate by a pushing operation of a keyboard; the device includes a touch element varying in position according to the operation of the keyboard and a guide element for guiding the touch element, so that pushing force of the keyboard may be regulated. Therefore, this device enables a player to feel the same sense of touch as that in a common piano by eliminating a sense of friction which may be exerted upon his finger when pushing down the keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Gold Star Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Myung H. Kim, Woo H. Kim, Byung J. Choi
  • Patent number: 5131308
    Abstract: A keyboard of an electronic musical instrument has the keys hinged to a chassis which has key-hole shaped openings receiving moveable switch contacts supported from below the chassis on a switch plate. Each key has an actuator for depressing the respective switch, and a projecting rod for engaging the upper surface of the switch plate to limit downward movement of the key. The key further has a side wall with a lower end portion formed as a stopper which engages the undersurface of the switch plate to limit upward movement of the key. A switch guide fitted to the chassis guides the side walls of the respective keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: Kawai Gakki Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masanori Katsuta
  • Patent number: 5090290
    Abstract: A keyboard device of an electronic musical instrument has a keyboard frame, a plurality of keys which are aligned on the keyboard frame and which are vertically pivotable, a plurality of return springs each of which corresponds to one of the keys and has one end stopped by the key and the other end stopped by the keyboard frame so as to bias the key toward a nonstruck position, and a plurality of pivot members each of which is disposed on the keyboard frame at an end of a longitudinal axis of the key to correspond to one of the keys. The pivot member has a circular surface to be brought into slidable contact with a back end portion of the key so as to allow the key to perform pivotal movement. The back end portion of the key has a circular surface paired with the circular surface of the pivot member and is spring-biased against the circular surface of the pivot member by means of the return spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Kumano, Motoshi Murasaki
  • Patent number: 5091613
    Abstract: A pedal board for musical instruments. Pedal mounting, guide, and electrical switch mechanisms are provided in a pedal board for an electronic organ. Each pedal is mounted by a cylindrical pin attached to the back end of the pedal and to the base of the pedal board by an interference fit. A similar, guide pin is attached to the front end of the pedal by an interference fit. The guide pin fits loosely in an aperture which limits lateral movement of the pin and, thence, of the pedal itself. The lower end of the guide pin actuates an elastomeric electric switch when the pedal is pressed down. The elastomeric electric switch is mounted on a printed circuit board, and includes a chamber having a bell-shaped wall attached to a support strip by weakened edges and enclosed at the bottom by a diaphragm carrying a conductive element. The conductive element shorts contacts on the printed circuit board when the chamber is compressed by the guide pin. Pedal board tension and resiliency is provided by the mounting pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: Rodgers Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Mark W. Rohde, Roger T. Brown, George T. Kirkwood, Dick G. Schalk, Robert L. Smythe
  • Patent number: 5070218
    Abstract: A key guide apparatus for an electronic musical instrument, having a plurality of keyboard switches, such as an electronic organ. Keyboard switches utilizing a movable contact are contained in a flexible member and stationary contacts are disposed on a switch base plate which is attached to a lower surface of a keyboard frame in a cantilevered manner. An integrally formed key guide having a plurality of key guide pieces and a retaining member is attached to the keyboard frame such that the retaining member is in contact with the switch base plate to prevent the base plate from deflecting, which would result in time delay after depression of the keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kawai Gakki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Masanori Katsuta
  • Patent number: 5036743
    Abstract: A keyboard device has a key, a support for the key, the key being rotatably mounted on the key support, a hammer, a support for the hammer, the hammer being rotatably mounted on the hammer support, a resilient member for urging the key to swing in a direction which is the same as the direction of swinging of the key when the key is depressed and for urging the hammer to swing in a direction which is opposite to the direction of swinging of the hammer when the key is depressed. The resilient member has a first end coupled to the key and a second end coupled to the hammer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kawai Gakki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Tsutomu Yamaguchi, Norizou Kamimura, Yutaka Tamai, Yoshiaki Shimoda
  • Patent number: 4756225
    Abstract: A keyboard of pianos and similar key instruments which has a keyboard frame and a plurality of key arms which are mounted in the keyboard frame in such a way that the key arms only can swing in a plane that is perpendicular to the plane of the keyboard frame. The keyboard frame consists of metal and a vibration absorbing material is arranged between the bearing mechanisms on the key arms and the keyboard frame. This will make the manufacture of the keyboard cheaper and reduce the need of readjustments of the keyboard. The vibration absorbing material is provided in grooves in the keyboard frame, and the bearing means, which can consist of pins are fastened in the vibration absorbing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Inventors: Lars G. Carlsson, Staffan Sjostrand
  • 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: 4653378
    Abstract: A pedal keyboard for an electronic musical instrument, includes a pedal key vertically pivotal about a pivot mechanism mounted on a frame of a housing for the electronic musical instrument, a spring for biasing the pedal key so as to cause the pedal key to return to an initial position, and a stopper for limiting pivotal movement of the pedal key. The spring is arranged behind the pivot mechanism of the pedal key, and the stopper is arranged behind the spring, thereby improving key depression feeling and forming a gap in the pivot mechanism to achieve smooth pivotal movement of the key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keisuke Watanabe, Toshiyuki Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 4604937
    Abstract: A keyboard device of an electronic musical instrument has a keyboard frame, a plurality of keys which are aligned on the keyboard frame and which are vertically pivotable, a plurality of return springs each of which corresponds to one of the keys and has one end stopped by the key and the other end stopped by the keyboard frame so as to bias the key toward a nonstruck position, and a plurality of pivot members each of which is disposed on the keyboard frame at an end of a longitudinal axis of the key to correspond to one of the keys. The pivot member has a circular surface to be brought into slidable contact with a back end portion of the key so as to allow the key to perform pivotal movement. The back end portion of the key has a circular surface paired with the circular surface of the pivot member and is spring-biased against the circular surface of the pivot member by means of the return spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1986
    Assignee: Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Kumano, Motoshi Murasaki
  • Patent number: 4510839
    Abstract: A keyboard of an electronic musical instrument is constituted by a plurality of keys and a keyboard frame. The keys are juxtaposed on the keyboard frame to be tiltable in the vertical direction. Between each key and the keyboard frame, there are provided a key return spring, a key return spring engaging member and an upper limit stop member for each key. The key return spring engaging member is fitted to either one of the keyboard frame and each key. One end of the key return spring engages the key return spring engaging member, while the other end engages either one of the each key and the keyboard frame. The upper limit stop member is disposed adjacently to key return spring and limits a returning tilting motion of each key caused by the key return spring. This adjacent disposition of key return spring and the upper limit stop member prevents bending of the keyboard frame and also makes it easy to adjust the touch and the alignment of the keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1985
    Assignee: Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinji Kumano
  • Patent number: 4488472
    Abstract: A keyboard musical instrument includes a plurality of keys mounted on a casing in juxtaposed relation. Each of the keys has a retaining portion engageable with a key stop portion on the casing to limit the upward movement of the key. A resilient leaf is formed integral with each key and extends rearwardly therefrom. The resilient leaf nomally urges each key into its raised position. The resilient leaf has an engaging section at its rear portion. The engaging section is detachably retained in a retaining groove formed on the casing. A guide surface is formed on the casing immediately adjacent to and forwardly of the retaining groove for facilitating the insertion of the engaging section into the retaining groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1984
    Assignee: Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Kumano, Masao Kondo
  • Patent number: 4476769
    Abstract: A keyboard apparatus for an electronic musical instrument is arranged that a return spring provided on each key for imparting the key a returning habit from a depressed state is comprised of either a leaf spring, a coil spring or a rod-like spring which is compressed lengthwise to be used in a buckling-deformed state, whereby warping of the spring is minimized, and the spring is allowed to progressively increase its curving after once developing the buckling without the need of increasing the compression load, thereby progressively reducing the reaction force of the spring. Thus, as the key is depressed deeper, there is obtained a lighter sense of key touch, and thereby a key touch resembling that of a piano is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1984
    Assignee: Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinji Kumano
  • Patent number: 4474100
    Abstract: A musical keyboard includes a key bed having fulcrums formed therein, a row of keys each having a supported portion located at the rear end thereof for pivotal contact with the corresponding fulcrum for vertical swinging between a rest position and an operative position, and a resilient device for urging the keys upwards to said rest position. The resilient device has a leaf spring positioned below the keys and secured to the key bed to extend substantially horizontally towards the fulcrums, the free end of said leaf spring engaging the lower surface of each key to urge the key upwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1984
    Assignee: Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masao Kondo
  • Patent number: 4418605
    Abstract: A keyboard for a musical instrument having a frame structure and a plurality of elongated keys. Flat pivot springs are provided for each key and are rigidly held in a vertical position in the frame structure. Each key has a chamber with a lower opening in a rear section for receiving the upper section of an associated pivot spring so that the pivot spring forms the sole pivot about which the key may rotate in a single plane only. The pivot spring is rigidly held in the key chamber in a force fit without the use of a separate fastening device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Assignee: Pratt-Read Corporation
    Inventors: Kjell T. Tollefsen, Albert W. Nordquist
  • Patent number: 4278004
    Abstract: Each key of the pedalboard is supported and guided for pivotal movement in a vertical plane by a steel strip secured to the underside of each key adjacent the midportion thereof. The rear end of each key is operatively connected to a transversely extending rear frame for horizontal reciprocating movement perpendicular to the rear frame and the forward end of each key is disposed between transversely extending upper and lower and front frame members for limited vertical movement therebetween. The forward end of each steel strip is secured to the lower front frame member to normally bias the forward end of each key into engagement with the upper front frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1981
    Inventor: Paul A. Klann
  • Patent number: 4248130
    Abstract: A keyboard assembly incorporates a plurality of key members molded of thermoplastic material, each of the keys having an integrally formed pivot wall supported on a pair of pivot points disposed on a pair of pivot members integral with a pivot bracket. A key guide strip for the key member has a pair of vertically aligned projections, for supporting bumpers which guide the forward end of the key member and which provide a cushioning action for noiselessly stopping of upward movement of the key member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1981
    Assignee: Norlin Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman Erickson, James Meier
  • Patent number: 4161129
    Abstract: Disclosed is a modified striking mechanism for use in pianos and related instruments having strings or their equivalent to produce musical notes and keys to select the notes. The mechanism includes a hammer assembly, a lever driving the hammer, coacting gear means for imparting motion to the hammer and features a novel escapement action for use therewith. An alternate embodiment is also disclosed wherein the lever and coacting gear means have been eliminated which allows the jack to engage and drive the hammer directly. Additionally disclosed are improvements including an escapement action adapted for use with conventional piano striking mechanisms, a novel damper assembly, a mechanism for activation by the soft pedal of the piano, a tension adjustment mechanism for varying the amount of force necessary to strike a key, and novel balance rail and capstan lever assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1979
    Inventor: Jorge L. Carbone
  • Patent number: 4129057
    Abstract: A support mechanism for keyboards of an electronic organ is provided, having a plate spring which mates at one end with a stopper projection formed on the lower end of a back side plate of a fixed plate attached to a keyboard chassis, the other end of the plate spring being inserted into the back end of the keyboard through a notch hole formed in a front side plate, such being at a different level than the back plate projection, and with a fulcrum part of the back end of the keyboard being made to link with a fulcrum projection formed in the front side plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1978
    Assignee: Kabushikigaisha Kawaigakkiseisakusho
    Inventor: Yoshitomo Hoshi
  • Patent number: 4128035
    Abstract: A keyboard assembly incorporates a plurality of key members molded of thermoplastic material, each of the keys having an integrally formed pivot wall supported on a pair of pivot points disposed on a pair of pivot members integral with a pivot bracket. The key members are located laterally by the pivot wall being gripped between the pivot points, and is located longitudinally relative to the pivot members by means of two pairs of locating ridges, one pair on each side of the pivot wall. A pair of resilient tabs integral with the plastic key member engage the upper corners of the pivot members, and a rib extending downwardly from the pivot wall extends into a slot to resist twisting of the key member. A key guide strip for the key member has a pair of vertically aligned projections, for supporting bumpers which guide the forward end of the key member and which provide a cushioning action for noiselessly stopping of upward movement of the key member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1978
    Inventors: Norman Erickson, James Meier
  • Patent number: 4127051
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1978
    Assignee: D. H. Baldwin Company
    Inventor: Harold A. Conklin, Jr.
  • 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: 4043244
    Abstract: A musical instrument keyboard consisting of a spring metal plate stamped into the shape of a comb with the back of the comb clamped in position and the teeth thereof mounting the keys, characterized by low cost, and including provision for comparable pressure of operation as between the long lever (white) keys and the short lever (black) keys, and requiring no soft side guides or the hardware to mount them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1977
    Assignee: Hammond Corporation
    Inventors: Ray B. Schrecongost, Edward J. Perutis
  • Patent number: 4019418
    Abstract: A stop tablet mechanism particularly suited for electric organs wherein a plurality of stop tablets lie in closely spaced apart side-by-side relation, the stop tablets being pivotally mounted in a supporting frame by means of locating ears which are maintained in positive pivotal contact with the frame by pairs of wire springs, the wire springs engaging cam defining laterally projecting shoulders on the tablets and performing the additional function of maintaining the tablets in either of two positions of use, the spring elements being configured to provide flexibly mounted detent points which coact with the noses of the cam surfaces to maintain the tablet in its desired position of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1977
    Assignee: D. H. Baldwin Company
    Inventors: Thomas E. Kimble, Marion B. Gregory