Perforated acoustic transport member

Claim 1

An improved acoustic transport member for use in a keyboard, the member serving to transport acoustic energy in the form of propagating sound waves, the keyboard having a plurality of keys means and a plurality of key-actuated strikers, each one of the key means operable to actuate selectably a related one of the strikers, the member receiving a sound-inducing impact in response to actuation of the selected striker, and the induced sound waves which propagate through the member being subject to dispersion of the waves an amount determined by contactable surfaces of the member and their orientation relationship relative to an intended plane of movement for the propagating sound waves provided by the member, the improved acoustic transport member comprising: a one-piece construction member; a first portion of the member providing a plurality of non-vibrating impact positions aligned with a related striker for receipt of the sound-inducing impact; a second portion of the member continuously joined to each one of said plurality of impact positions to permit free passage of sound waves from said first portion to said second portion, said second portion having sound wave reflecting boundaries defining a continuous corridor for establishing an uninterrupted path of movement for the received sound waves to propagate therethrough; and structure means on said impact positions of said first portion, said structure means defining a plurality of sound passages in each first portion for directing the sound waves in different directions within said impact positions towards said path of movement in communicating the sound waves from said first portion into said second portion, and said structure means defining a sound reflecting surface exposed to said second portion and located along said path of movement of the propagating sound waves for reflecting sound waves traveling through said second portion in substantial isolation to prevent the sound waves from entering areas of said impact positions of said first portion other than the impact position aligned with the selected striker thereby minimizing dispersion of the propagating sound waves in said second portion.