US3979990A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Keyboard arrangement in electronic musical instrument
Assignee: Nippon Gakki Co Ltd
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Filing: 1975-05-27
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Granted: 1976-09-14
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Expires: 1995-05-27
Abstract
Abstract A keyboard arrangement in electronic musical instrument comprising playing keys movable to cover a predetermined distance in normal play and also being able to move farther in excess of said distance in accordance with the pressure applied to the keys, a movable arm arranged at position corresponding to each key at its depressed position, and a sensor means provided for said arm to detect the amount of the excessive distance covered by the movable arm and the speed thereof to generate a signal to be used for the control of expression such as tone volume, tone color and the like. The keyboard arrangement preferably further includes a deformable cushion means normally nondeformingly contacting, at its upper end, the bottom surface of the movable arm member during the normal movement of the positionally corresponding key but is deformed when the key makes a movement in excess of the normal distance to be covered by the key. Thus, the arm is inhibited to develop undesirable vibrations during its movements and precise detection of the amount of its movement can be made.
Inventors
- 👤 Yasuhiro Hinago
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 04:27
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/02; G10H1/04; G10H1/053; G10H1/055; G10H1/0553; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S84/00; Y10S84/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
A keyboard arrangement for an electronic musical instrument, comprising: a plurality of elongated keys pivotably supported and arranged in juxtaposed relationship, each of said keys being movable at a predetermined distance, movable means for provisionally limiting the movement of the key intermediate of said distance when the key is depressed with a smaller depressing force, said movable means being depressable along with the key when the key is further depressed with a larger force, extension means extending along the elongated key, said extension means being secured to said movable means so as to be depressable therewith, detecting means for detecting movement of said extension means and producing a control signal in accordance therwith, the key being provided with a pressing member to effect the depression of said movable means, and said movable means for the key being pivoted near the pressing member so that the distance between the pivoted point of said movable means and the depressing point of said pressing member is shorter than the distance between the pivoted point of said movable means and a point where said detecting means is provided.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
A keyboard arrangement for an electronic musical instrument, comprising: a plurality of elongated keys pivotably supported and arranged in juxtaposed relationship, each of said keys being movable at a predetermined distance, movable means for provisionally limiting the movement of the key intermediate of said distance when the key is depressed with a smaller depressing force, said movable means being depressable along with the key when the key is further depressed with a larger force, extension means extending along the elongated key, said extension means being secured to said movable means so as to be depressable therewith, detecting means for detecting movement of said extension means and producing a control signal in accordance therwith, the key being provided with a pressing member to effect the depression of said movable means, and said movable means for the key being pivoted near the pressing member so that the distance between the pivoted point of said movable means and the depressing point of said pressing member is shorter than the distance between the pivoted point of said movable means and a point where said detecting means is provided.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A keyboard arrangement according to claim 1, in which said movable means is a movable member common to said plurality of keys, said movable member extending transversely of said keys.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A keyboard arrangement according to claim 2, in which said extension means is a single extension member attached to said movable member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A keyboard arrangement according to claim 1, in which said extension means is biased toward the key.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A keyboard arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising cushioning means made of elastic, deformable material and supportably in contact with said extension means for inhibiting undesired vibrations of said extension means due to impact from the depression of keys.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
98 words
A keyboard arrangement for an electronic musical instrument comprising: a plurality of elongated keys pivotably supported and arranged in juxtaposed relationship, each of said keys being vertically movable at a predetermined distance, a movable member common to said plurality of keys and extending transversely of said keys, said movable member being vertically movable through the vertical movement of each of said keys, an amplifying member secured at one end to said movable member and extending along the elongated key, and detecting means for detecting the movement of said amplifying member and producing a control signal in accordance therewith.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
98 words
A keyboard arrangement for an electronic musical instrument comprising: a plurality of elongated keys pivotably supported and arranged in juxtaposed relationship, each of said keys being vertically movable at a predetermined distance, a movable member common to said plurality of keys and extending transversely of said keys, said movable member being vertically movable through the vertical movement of each of said keys, an amplifying member secured at one end to said movable member and extending along the elongated key, and detecting means for detecting the movement of said amplifying member and producing a control signal in accordance therewith.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
79 words
A keyboard arrangement according to claim 6, in which each of said keys is provided with a pressing member to effect the depression of said movable member, and said movable member is pivoted near the pressing member so that the distance between the pivoted point of said movable member and the depressing point of said pressing member is shorter than the distance between the pivoted point of said movable member and a point where said detecting means is provided.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A keyboard arrangement according to claim 7, in which said amplifying member is biased toward said key.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
A keyboard arrangement according to claim 6, further comprising a cushioning member made of elastic, deformable material, mounting means mounting said cushioning member so that said amplifying member normally rests on said cushioning member whereby said cushioning member functions to absorb impact vibrations of said amplifying member.
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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) | 1979-09-14 | 1980-03-15 | 1980-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-09-14 | 1984-03-15 | 1984-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-09-14 | 1988-03-15 | 1988-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |