Abstract: Provided is a keyboard device for which the number of parts can be reduced. The present invention is provided with: hammers rotatably linked to a chassis; keys rotatably linked to the hammer thereof; guiding pins provided to the keys and extending in the widthwise direction of the keys; and a guiding groove provided to the chassis side and into which the guiding pins are inserted. The downward displacement of the front-end sides of the keys is guided by the rotation of the hammers with respect to the chassis, and the downward displacement of rear-end parts of the keys is guided by the sliding of the guiding pins with respect to the guiding groove. This eliminates the need for links to guide the displacement of the rear-end parts of the keys, thus allowing the number of parts to be reduced.

Abstract: A switching device includes: an actuator that is rotatable; and a contact member including an upper surface section having a flat portion and is movable in a vertical direction according to rotation of the actuator, and a deformation section disposed between a support member and an end portion of the upper surface section and deformed according to movement of the upper surface section. A chamfer portion interconnecting a contact surface contacting with the contact member and a side surface, of the actuator, is provided between a virtual plane containing an end portion, in an extending direction of the rotary shaft, of the upper surface section, and is perpendicular to the upper surface section and a virtual plane containing an end portion, in the extending direction of the rotary shaft, of a portion where the deformation section makes contact with the support member, and is perpendicular to the upper surface section.

Abstract: A keyboard device for a keyboard instrument capable of having each key easily mounted on a keyboard chassis while ensuring stable pivotal motion of the key, without damaging the key. A keyboard chassis holds keys in arrangement in a left-right direction. A key support part has a lower support portion for supporting a pivot shaft of a key from below, and left and right upper support portions erected with a predetermined spacing in the direction, for supporting a key rear end portion located upward of the shaft from above. When mounting the key to the key support part, the upper support portions have its spacing expanded by the key rear end, thereby being elastically deformed to pass the key rear end, and thereafter, elastically return to their original state to hold the key rear end in a retained state by cooperating with the lower support portion.

Abstract: Means for adjusting the touch force required to depress the keys of a piano within the range normally preferred by pianists, comprising of an adjustable weight member located in a slot bored through the side of the piano key. The slot is in a shape that allows the weight to move in a direction parallel to the length of the piano key. Precise adjustment of the touch force necessary to depress a piano key is achieved by moving the weight member within the slot, thereby increasing or decreasing its distance from the key fulcrum.

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 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.

Abstract: A white key for a keyboard musical instrument comprises a key body made of resin in the form of a hollow box shape having an upper wall to be pressed by an instrument player and vertical walls extending downward from the periphery of the upper wall. The upper wall of the key includes a wide part and a narrow part, the narrow part providing a space to accommodate a black key. The upper wall has a thickness not exceeding 1.5 mm and the wide part has a projection extending from the upper wall downward. The projection may be in the form of a rib bridging the vertical walls or of columns extruding from the lower surface of the upper wall. The frequency band of a vibration mode due to a deformation of the upper wall caused when struck by the player's finger is shifted higher when compared with the case where no projection is provided.

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.

Abstract: An electronic keyboard musical instrument comprises a keyboard assembly including juxtaposed keys and juxtaposed swing weight mechanisms, each of the keys correspondingly linked with each of the swing weight mechanisms. Actuating members are provided corresponding to the respective swing weight mechanisms each of which in turn actuates each corresponding key. The actuating members are arranged in the vicinity of the fulcrum of the swing weight mechanisms and disposed in two rows as a front row and a rear row and extending downward through the key bed. The heights of the actuating members are made small. An actuator cover has a rearward descending slant wall so that the knees of the player will not be obstructed in depressing the pedals.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: There is disclosed a key support device for a keyboard musical instrument including a plurality of keys and a keyboard chassis. The key support device has a support member for rotatably supporting a rear part of each of the plurality of keys on the keyboard chassis. The keys each have a supporting shaft-receiving recess having an arcuately-walled portion defined by an inner peripheral surface which is arcuate and partially open in cross-section. The support member comprises a supporting shaft part having an arcuate portion which has the same radius of curvature as the arcuately-walled portion of the supporting shaft-receiving recess and a central angle of less than 180 degrees, and a support part extending from the supporting shaft part. By this arrangement, the keys are each supported by the support member in a state of the arcuately-walled portion of the supporting shaft-receiving recess and the arcuate portion of the supporting shaft part being in contact with each other.

Abstract: An keyboard assembly for an electronic musical instrument is mainly constructed by a key frame, a key, a key switch and an assembly guide member. A fixing portion of the key is supported by the key frame such that a front portion of the key can be freely rotated up and down. An actuator is attached to and projected downward from a lower side of the key. The key switch (or a key-depression sensor) has an elastic projecting portion at its upper end. This key switch is provided on the key frame and is driven by the actuator, which depresses down the elastic projecting portion of the key switch when the key is depressed down. The assembly guide member guides the key when the key is moved in an assembling direction (i.e., a longitudinal direction of the key) in order to carry out an assembling operation to assemble the key and the key frame together.

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.

Abstract: A piano includes a balance rail defining a balance surface, and a piano key assembly including an elongated body defining a playing surface. The piano key assembly is supported by the balance surface for pivoting movement in response to application of playing pressure applied to the playing surface. The balance surface is disposed in a first plane and the playing surface is disposed in a second plane vertically spaced from the first plane. A leveling arm has a first end attached to the elongated body and a cantilevered, second, free end, and defines a leveling surface in opposition to the balance surface. A leveling adjustment element includes a segment extending between the elongated body and the free end of the leveling arm. The segment has a length adjustable for changing the vertical distance between the first plane of the balance surface and the second plane of the playing surface.

Abstract: A mechanism for rotatably supporting a rotary member of a keyboard of an electronic piano or the like is made up of a bearing member and a holding member. The bearing member has a bearing portion which is made up of two plates. Each of the plates has a semicircular recessed portion which dents downwards and a groove on one side of the recessed portion. On the other side of the recessed portion, there is formed a mounting portion to hold the bearing member in position. The holding member is made by a plate. One end of the holding member is inserted into the grooves and the other end thereof is fixed to a keyboard chassis.

Abstract: A keyboard apparatus for an electronic musical instrument has a metallic keyboard chassis and a balance rail provided on the keyboard chassis. A plurality of pins are provided on the balance rail. The pins and the balance rail constitute fulcrums for swingably supporting white keys and black keys. A hammer is provided in a rear side of each of the white and the black keys so as to be swingable by swinging of each of the respective keys by a second fulcrum comprising oval cross sectional shafts extending outwardly from the side surface of one of the hammer and a bearing member, the side surface extending perpendicular to a direction of swing movement of the hammer and a pair of bearing recesses for pivotally receiving the shaft, the bearing recesses being formed in the other of the hammer and the bearing member. Each of the bearing recesses has a guide slot for guiding each of the shafts from outside into the bearing recess for assembling.

Abstract: A keyboard apparatus for an electronic musical instrument has a jack which is movable and rotatable by a force to be transmitted from a key, and a hammer which is rotatable by a force to be transmitted from the jack. The jack is rotatably engaged by a fulcrum which is provided in the key. The jack is urged to its original position by a spring. The key has a return load applying portion which abuts the hammer when the hammer rotated by the jack returns to its original position.

Abstract: A balance pin assembly for mounting a piano key includes a balance pin, a mounting insert, and a self-locking pin. The balance pin has a lower externally threaded base, an intermediate annular shoulder, and an upper elongated stem with a top torque regulating head. The mounting insert has a central bore and is both externally and internally threaded for threading into a hole in a piano keybed rail member and for threadably receiving the base of the balance pin to establish the desired height of the piano key above the rail member. The torque regulating head is used to turn the pin and will shear off if the pin is overtightened in the insert thereby preventing stripping of the internal threads of the insert.

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.

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.

Abstract: A key-driving/detecting mechanism for performing automatically a keyboard instrument is constituted by a plurality of keys arranged on a key bed, each key being rotatable about a balance pin secured to a balance rail, and an electromagnetic device interposed between a lower surface of each key and the key bed at a position to the rear of the balance pin. Each electromagnetic device comprises an electromagnetic oil mounted on the key bed and a permanent magnet secured to a rear surface of the key. The simplicity of the key-driving/detecting mechanism is implemented by this disposition of the electromagnetic device. In a modification a pair of electromagnetic devices are provided in front of and in rear of the balance pin.

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.

Abstract: A switch operating member for actuating a switch is pivotably accommodated in an opening of a base plate. A bearing member is secured to a rear surface of the base plate near the opening and overlying the same. The operating member is provided with U shaped supporting members on both sides to pivotally mount the operating member on a shaft in cooperation with the bearing member.

Abstract: A piano action is provided for an electronic piano. Tones are generated electronically, but the action retains the feel of a conventional piano action without the necessity of a hammer or hammer-like member. The piano key is provided with a rounded, convex shoulder which presses against a rounded, convex surface on a lever. The two convex surfaces are configured and positioned so that one slides over the other to provide the feel of let-off of a conventional piano action. The lever is spring-biased by means of two different springs to rest position, and acts to move a spring wire contact from a first bus to a second bus.

Abstract: The keyboard for pianos and similar musical instruments has key shanks (levers) formed of structural foam containing glass fibers, there being only one shank construction for all the white keys and another for all the black. The shanks are connected, at their outer ends, to self-positioning hollow key caps. Each shank rests, at a laterally thickened central portion, on a synthetic resin balance rail from which an integral balance pin projects into a slot in such central portion. The outer end of each shank rests on a synthetic resin guide rail having a guide pin formed integrally therewith and extending into the shank. The laterally thickened central portions of the shanks are sufficiently close to each other to provide a strengthening effect creating much resistance to side forces such as occur, for example, during shipment. The balance rail and guide rail, with their integral pins, are injection molded of solid synthetic resin.

Abstract: A keyboard assembly for toy musical instruments, such assembly being executed in plastic and including a base with an upper section for receiving a plurality of tone bars and a lower section for receiving a like plurality of keys. Each key is removably mounted upon a discrete upstanding column on the base by a friction fit defined between the column and a pair of supports on the underside of the key; each column is formed of two resilient halves separated by a gap. Each key is an integrally formed, molded member comprised of several components with interrelated functions, such as (1) a key lever for manual depression, (2) a hammer at the end remote from the key lever, (3) a flexible segment for propelling the hammer against a tone bar in response to depression of a key lever, and (4) cooperating abutments for damping out reverberations of the hammer that might cause repeated strikings of the tone bar and/or chattering of the hammer.

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.

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.

Abstract: A supporting and pivot device for use in a keyboard of a musical instrument. The device is preferably made of plastic and is wedge-shaped having a pair of adjacent slots, one of said slots being adapted to securely receive a pin by virtue of the resilient deflection of one wall of the receiving slot towards the other slot. The lever of the keyboard is pivotably secured to the support frame through the device and secured pin.

Abstract: The assembly consists of a piano type musical keyboard which includes a plurality of elongated individual pivotally mounted key bars having a key or a representative thereof positioned on one end of each of the key bars and means associated with the opposite end of each of the bars for operating a pivotally supported hammer adapted to strike a sound producing element of a tone indicated by the keys positioned on the keyboard, the key bars being of two lengths, the key bars representing the white keys being longer than the key bars representing the black keys, the pivot means about which the key bars carrying the white key are pivoted being positioned at a greater distance from the opposite end of the key bars than the pivot means for the key bars carrying the black keys.

Abstract: A double touch key for use with musical instruments and the like wherein a key lever is selectively supported on a plurality of pivots and is automatically transferred from one pivot to another as a function of the amount of depression of the key so as to provide a double touch action. A spring may be utilized to control the action of the key in each of the different pivotal modes. A difference in the feel of the key is automatically effected by the transfer of the pivot point.