US3903780A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Keyboard for musical instruments with inertial effect of the keys
Assignee: FARFISA SpA
•
Filing: 1974-05-29
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Granted: 1975-09-09
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Expires: 1994-05-29
Abstract
Abstract A mechanical system for keyboards of any type of piano-like musical instrument of the reed, electric, electromagnetic or electronic variety. The system comprises a lever, with a pivot in its lower part, a lever support which is integral with the structure of the keyboard, and an appendix, provided on the lower face of the key, said lever and said appendix being arranged such that, by pressing the key, said lever and said appendix come into contact with each other, first by freely falling and then sliding one onto the other, thus opposing by friction a certain amount of resistance to the descent of the key.
Inventors
- 👤 Lucio Mario Aliprandi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:47
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10C; G10C3/00; G10C3/12; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S84/00; Y10S84/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A mechanical system for piano-like musical instruments having a keyboard including a plurality of independently movable keys that are pivotably mounted on and resiliently biased with respect to a rigid support, said system comprising, in combination: a. an appendix secured to and extending downwardly from the underside of each of the keys for movement together therewith upon the depression of a selected key; b. a plurality of levers equal in number to said appendices and pivotly mounted on the rigid support, each said lever being associated with and normally positioned in opposition to one of said appendices whereby, when any key is depressed, said appendix secured thereto will first engage said associated lever with a stroke contact and then with a sliding contact to thereby simulate the ''''feel'''' of a conventional piano key; and c. means for selectively displacing said levers from their normal position whereby, when any key is depressed, there will be no contact between said appendix secured thereto and said associated lever so that the ''''feel'''' of a conventional piano key will not be present.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
A mechanical system for piano-like musical instruments having a keyboard including a plurality of independently movable keys that are pivotably mounted on and resiliently biased with respect to a rigid support, said system comprising, in combination: a. an appendix secured to and extending downwardly from the underside of each of the keys for movement together therewith upon the depression of a selected key; b. a plurality of levers equal in number to said appendices and pivotly mounted on the rigid support, each said lever being associated with and normally positioned in opposition to one of said appendices whereby, when any key is depressed, said appendix secured thereto will first engage said associated lever with a stroke contact and then with a sliding contact to thereby simulate the ''''feel'''' of a conventional piano key; and c. means for selectively displacing said levers from their normal position whereby, when any key is depressed, there will be no contact between said appendix secured thereto and said associated lever so that the ''''feel'''' of a conventional piano key will not be present.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said appendices include at least a partial surface covering of an anti-friction, sound dampening material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said levers include at least a partial surface covering of an antifriction, sound dampening material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein there is further included means for adjusting the angular position of said levers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system according to claim 4 wherein said levers are substantially L-shaped and said adjusting means are screws threaded into the rigid support and arranged to bear against one of said legs of said levers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein there is further included a spring for urging each said lever towards the normal position thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system according to claim 6 wherein said spring is a bent leaf spring having one end thereof bearing against said lever and the other end thereof bearing against the support, the intermediate portion of said leaf spring being pivotly mounted relative to the support.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system according to claim 6 wherein said spring is a bent leaf spring having one end thereof bearing against said lever and wherein there is further included a second spring for adjustably positioning the other leg of said bent leaf spring, the intermediate portion of said bent leaf spring being pivotly mounted relative to the support.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein each said appendix includes a roller arranged to contact said associated lever.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein each said lever includes a roller arranged to contact said associated appendix.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein each said appendix comprises a spring arranged to contact said associated lever.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said displacing means comprises a longitudinally extending, externally movable bar having an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the planes of movement of said levers, said bar being laterally movable so as to deflect all of said levers from their normal position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-08 | 1979-03-10 | 1979-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-08 | 1983-03-10 | 1983-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-08 | 1987-03-10 | 1987-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |