Patent US4587555A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3409730A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3745874A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3745874A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Musical keyboard
Assignee: GRABER ROGG Inc
•
Filing: 1972-01-20
•
Granted: 1973-07-17
•
Expires: 1992-01-20
Abstract
Abstract A musical keyboard which includes at least one single molded baseplate and a fulcrum extending upwardly from the baseplate near the mid-portion thereof. A predetermined number of single molded keys are cooperatively associated with the base plate, each key including a body having a substantially inverted Vshaped groove located on the bottom surface of the body near its mid-section for pivotal contact with the fulcrum, and a tongue extending from the terminal portion of the body, said tongue having a free end located in proximity to the inverted V-shaped groove. Means are provided for holding the key in a desired predetermined rest position wherein a pre-loaded stress is placed upon the tongue for providing the necessary tension to hold the key in a static position and for causing the key to be returned to said static position upon a release thereof from a fingerdepressed position.
Inventors
- 👤 H Martin
- 👤 H Rogg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:53
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10B; G10B1/00; G10B1/08; G10C; G10C3/00; G10C3/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A musical keyboard, which comprises: at least one single molded baseplate; a fulcrum projecting upwardly from the baseplate near the midportion of the baseplate; a predetermined number of keys cooperatively associated with the baseplate, each of said keys being of a single mold and comprising a body having a finger depressing portion which extends towards the mid section thereof, a pair of side rails extending from said body mid-section towards the terminal portion of the body, a substantially inverted V-shaped groove located on the bottom surface of the body near said mid-section for pivotal contact with said fulcrum, and a resilient tongue located between the side rails and integrally extending from the terminal portion of the body, said tongue having a free end located in proximity to the inverted V-shaped groove; and, means for holding the key in a desired predetermined rest position placing a pre-loaded stress upon the tongue for providing the necessary tension to hold the key in a static position and for causing the key to be returned to said static position upon a release thereof from a finger-depressed position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
A musical keyboard, which comprises: at least one single molded baseplate; a fulcrum projecting upwardly from the baseplate near the midportion of the baseplate; a predetermined number of keys cooperatively associated with the baseplate, each of said keys being of a single mold and comprising a body having a finger depressing portion which extends towards the mid section thereof, a pair of side rails extending from said body mid-section towards the terminal portion of the body, a substantially inverted V-shaped groove located on the bottom surface of the body near said mid-section for pivotal contact with said fulcrum, and a resilient tongue located between the side rails and integrally extending from the terminal portion of the body, said tongue having a free end located in proximity to the inverted V-shaped groove; and, means for holding the key in a desired predetermined rest position placing a pre-loaded stress upon the tongue for providing the necessary tension to hold the key in a static position and for causing the key to be returned to said static position upon a release thereof from a finger-depressed position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
A musical keyboard, according to claim 1, wherein the baseplate is provided with a predetermined number of projections corresponding to the number of keys and each key body is provided with a recess on its bottom surface near the finger depressing portion thereof for enveloping said baseplate projection to facilitate alignment of the key with succeeding keys and to substantially limit lateral movement thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A musical keyboard, according to claim 2, wherein the fulcrum is provided with a plurality of aligned notches near the apex thereof, and the inverted V-shaped groove of each key is provided with a web for insertion into its respective fulcrum notch to maintain the key in an aligned position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A musical keyboard, according to claim 3, wherein the tongue is rooted near the terminal portion of the key body, the thickness of the tongue gradually decreasing towards its free end for providing an even disTribution of stress therealong.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
84 words
A musical keyboard, according to claim 4, which further includes a holding bracket having a body portion removably connected to the baseplate, said body portion having a first arm extending therefrom for holding the inverted V-shaped groove in position with the fulcrum, and a second arm for holding the tongue under a pre-loaded tension, the force provided by each of the arms being such to maintain the key under sufficient tension for movement between said static and depressed positions without causing any misalignment thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A musical keyboard, according to claim 5, wherein the holding bracket is comprised of a single molded body and extends transversely over the baseplate keys, said holding bracket being provided with means for connecting same to the baseplate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
A musical keyboard, according to claim 5, wherein the baseplate is provided with a plurality of openings for communication with a reed box and, which further includes a gasket located between the keys and baseplate, said gasket having a plurality of openings for registry with the baseplate openings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
79 words
A musical keyboard, according to claim 5, wherein the key is provided with a peripheral seal having a portion provided with receiving means therein, and the musical keyboard further includes, a gasket located between the keys and baseplate, an activator for producing electronic musical tones, and activating means cooperatively associated with the activator and receiving means of the key, said activating means contacting the activator to produce a musical tone when the key is moved to a depressed position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
133 words
A musical keyboard, a baseplate member, each key of said keyboard comprised of a single molded body having a finger depressing portion which extends towards the mid-section of the body, a pair of side rails extending from said body mid-section towards the terminal portion of the body, a substantially inverted V-shaped groove located on the bottom surface of the body near said mid-section for pivotal contact with said baseplate member, and a resilient tongue integrally extending from the terminal portion between said side rails, the tongue having a free end located in proximity to the inverted V-shaped groove, and means placing said tongue under tension for holding the key in a static position and for causing the key to be returned to said static position upon a release thereof from a finger-depressing position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
133 words
A musical keyboard, a baseplate member, each key of said keyboard comprised of a single molded body having a finger depressing portion which extends towards the mid-section of the body, a pair of side rails extending from said body mid-section towards the terminal portion of the body, a substantially inverted V-shaped groove located on the bottom surface of the body near said mid-section for pivotal contact with said baseplate member, and a resilient tongue integrally extending from the terminal portion between said side rails, the tongue having a free end located in proximity to the inverted V-shaped groove, and means placing said tongue under tension for holding the key in a static position and for causing the key to be returned to said static position upon a release thereof from a finger-depressing position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A musical keyboard, according to claim 9, wherein the thickness of the tongue gradually decreases in thickness towards its free end for providing an even distribution of stress therealong when it is placed under tension.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A musical keyboard, according to claim 10, wherein the inverted V-shaped groove is provided with a web for insertion into said baseplate member for maintaining the key in a predetermined relationship therewith.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
A musical keyboard, according to claim 11, wherein the bottom surface of the key extending towards the mid-section of the key is of an inverted U-shaped configuration for enveloping a projection on the baseplate, thereby limiting substantially any lateral movement of the key when it is cooperatively associated with the baseplate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-16 | 1977-01-15 | 1977-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-16 | 1981-01-15 | 1981-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-16 | 1985-01-15 | 1985-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |