US3845683A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Keyboard for electronic musical instrument
Assignee: Pratt Read Corp
•
Filing: 1973-09-10
•
Granted: 1974-11-05
•
Expires: 1993-09-10
Abstract
Abstract A keyboard for a musical instrment includes a frame with keys pivotally mounted thereon, and a switch structure secured to the frame including individual switch contacts actuated by the keys. A circuit board is mounted on the frame and extends in a plane parallel to the keys, with a second right angle circuit board mounted thereon having resilient switch conductors extending generally parallel to the keys. An actuator for each key includes an insulator with openings through which the conductors extend. Fixed contacts in the form of bus bars are positoned to be selectively engaged by the resilient conductors to complete circuits from the circuit boards. A stop structure is provided for the keys including a resilient stop engaged when the keys are moved to the normal playing position. This movement of the key causes engagement of at least some of the switch conductors. The keys can be moved further to compress the resilient stop to provide a second touch action. Additional circuits may be established by the further movement of the keys. The stop structure can be in the form of a flat upwardly extending resilient strip which is engaged by a plurality of keys, and can have slits providing a separate portion for each key. Alternatively, a resilient tubular member can be provided for each key, to form the stop.
Inventors
- 👤 A Lehmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:58
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/32; G10H1/34; G10H1/344; G10H2220/00; G10H2220/155; G10H2220/265; G10H2220/275; G10H2220/281; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S84/00; Y10S84/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
270 words
In a keyboard for a musical instrument including a frame structure and a plurality of elongated keys pivotally mounted on said frame structure, the combination including: a first circuit board secured to the frame structure and extending generally parallel to the plane of the keys, said first circuit board having first and second ends and including circuit components and conductors thereon, a second circuit board secured to said first circuit board adjacent said first end thereof and extending at substantially a right angle thereto, said second circuit board including circuit components thereon and conductors thereon connected to said conductors on said first circuit board, elongated resilient conductor means individually associated with the keys supported on said second circuit board and extending therefrom in the direction from said first end to said second end of said first circuit board and generally parallel to the keys and having a portion extending beyond said second end of said first circuit board, said resilient conductor means being connected to said conductors on said second circuit board, actuator means individually secured to the keys and extending perpendicular therefrom, said actuator means being coupled to said extending portion of said resilient conductor means for moving the same in response to movement of the keys, and fixed contact means secured to the frame structure and positioned to be selectively engaged by said resilient conductor means in accordance with the movement of said actuator means, whereby actuation of one of the keys provides a connection from a circuit on said first circuit board through said second circuit board and said resilient conductor means to said fixed contact means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
270 words
In a keyboard for a musical instrument including a frame structure and a plurality of elongated keys pivotally mounted on said frame structure, the combination including: a first circuit board secured to the frame structure and extending generally parallel to the plane of the keys, said first circuit board having first and second ends and including circuit components and conductors thereon, a second circuit board secured to said first circuit board adjacent said first end thereof and extending at substantially a right angle thereto, said second circuit board including circuit components thereon and conductors thereon connected to said conductors on said first circuit board, elongated resilient conductor means individually associated with the keys supported on said second circuit board and extending therefrom in the direction from said first end to said second end of said first circuit board and generally parallel to the keys and having a portion extending beyond said second end of said first circuit board, said resilient conductor means being connected to said conductors on said second circuit board, actuator means individually secured to the keys and extending perpendicular therefrom, said actuator means being coupled to said extending portion of said resilient conductor means for moving the same in response to movement of the keys, and fixed contact means secured to the frame structure and positioned to be selectively engaged by said resilient conductor means in accordance with the movement of said actuator means, whereby actuation of one of the keys provides a connection from a circuit on said first circuit board through said second circuit board and said resilient conductor means to said fixed contact means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The structure of claim 1 further including resilient stop means positioned to be engaged by a key upon movement of the key to a first position, said stop means being responsive to a predetermined pressure on the key to permit movement thereof through said first position to a second position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
The structure of claim 2 wherein said conductor means includes first and second elongated conductors associated with at least one key, and first and second fixed contacts positioned to be engaged by said first and second conductors, respectively, with said first conductor engaging said first contact in response to movement of the key to said first position, and said second conductor engaging said second contact in response to movement of the key to said second position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a keyboard structure for an electrical muscial instrument including a frame structure, a plurality of keys pivotally mounted on the frame structure, and electric switch means coupled to the keys for actuation thereby, the combination including; stop means on each of said keys, a resilient member positioned to be engaged by said stop means upon movement of a key to a first position to actuate the switch means coupled thereto, and means for supporting said resilient member on the frame structure, said resilient member having a wall extending generally in the direction of movement of said stop means and providing resistance to further movement of the key upon engagement by the key, said wall being formed of material which flexes to permit further movement of the key through said first position to a second position in response to a predetermined pressure applied thereto by the key.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a keyboard structure for an electrical muscial instrument including a frame structure, a plurality of keys pivotally mounted on the frame structure, and electric switch means coupled to the keys for actuation thereby, the combination including; stop means on each of said keys, a resilient member positioned to be engaged by said stop means upon movement of a key to a first position to actuate the switch means coupled thereto, and means for supporting said resilient member on the frame structure, said resilient member having a wall extending generally in the direction of movement of said stop means and providing resistance to further movement of the key upon engagement by the key, said wall being formed of material which flexes to permit further movement of the key through said first position to a second position in response to a predetermined pressure applied thereto by the key.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The structure of claim 4 wherein said resilient member is formed by a flat strip of resilient material extending generally perpendicular to the keys, and adapted to be engaged by said stop portions of a plurality of keys.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The structure of claim 5 wherein said flat strip of material has slits cut therein to form individual wall portions engaged by said stop portions of individual keys.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The structure of claim 4 wherein said resilient member is a tubular member having a shape to be compressed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The structure of claim 7 wherein said supporting means has a plurality of openings aligned with the keys, and including a tubular resilient member for each key having a reduced portion mounted within an opening in said supporting means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The structure of claim 4 including further stop means supported on the frame structure and adapted to engage the key to limit said further movement thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The structure of claim 4 wherein said resilient member is formed of neoprene.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
123 words
A keyboard structure in accordance with claim 4 further including, a first circuit board secured to the frame structure and extending generally parallel to the plane of the keys, said first circuit board including components and conductors thereon, a second circuit board secured to said first circuit board and extending at substantially a right angle thereto, said second circuit board including components and conductors thereon with said conductors on said second circuit board being connected to said conductors on said first circuit board, elongated resilient conductors supported on said second circuit board and connected to the conductors thereon and individually coupled to the keys, and fixed contact means cooperating with said resilient conductor means to form electric switch means operated by said keys.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
155 words
In a keyboard structure for an electrical musical instrument including a frame structure, a plurality of keys pivotally mounted on the frame structure, and electric switch means coupled to the keys for actuation thereby, the combination including; stop means on each of said keys, resilient means positioned to be engaged by said stop means upon movement of a key to a first position to actuate the switch means coupled thereto, and means for supporting said resilient means on the frame structure, said resilient means forming a wall extending generally in the direction of movement of said stop means and engaged thereby as the key moves to said first position, said resilient means having a portion providing resistance to further movement of the key beyond said first position which flexes to permit further movement of the key through said first position to a second position in response to a predetermined pressure applied thereto by the key.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
155 words
In a keyboard structure for an electrical musical instrument including a frame structure, a plurality of keys pivotally mounted on the frame structure, and electric switch means coupled to the keys for actuation thereby, the combination including; stop means on each of said keys, resilient means positioned to be engaged by said stop means upon movement of a key to a first position to actuate the switch means coupled thereto, and means for supporting said resilient means on the frame structure, said resilient means forming a wall extending generally in the direction of movement of said stop means and engaged thereby as the key moves to said first position, said resilient means having a portion providing resistance to further movement of the key beyond said first position which flexes to permit further movement of the key through said first position to a second position in response to a predetermined pressure applied thereto by the key.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2599710A
Cited
US3060784A
Cited
US3095465A
Cited
US3175451A
Cited
US3534145A
Cited
US3671658A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-04 | 1978-05-06 | 1978-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-04 | 1982-05-06 | 1982-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-04 | 1986-05-06 | 1986-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |