Patent US4939969A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4939969A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acoustic keyboard musical instrument
Assignee: Nippon Gakki Co Ltd
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Filing: 1988-11-03
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Granted: 1990-07-10
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Expires: 2008-11-03
Abstract
Abstract An acoustic keyboard musical instrument such as a piano includes a keyboard, a mechanical musical tone generating mechanism, a fallboard, and an operation panel for an external electronic musical tone generating unit. The keyboard includes a plurality of keys aligned on a musical instrument body. The fallboard is pivotally supported by the musical instrument body and to be closed/opened so as to cover/uncover the keyboard. The musical tone generating unit electrically generates a musical tone signal in response to a key depression on the keyboard under the control of control information which is provided by switches on the operation panel. The operation panel is located at a position opposite to a performer in the inner surface of the fallboard when the fallboard is open so that the performer can operate the operation panel during his performance at the keyboard.
Inventors
- 👤 Hanzo Taguchi
- 👤 Rokurota Mantani
- 👤 Masatosi Murayama
- 👤 Toshihiro Nishino
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:49
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10C; G10C5/00; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/0008; G10H1/0033; G10H1/0041; G10H1/0058; G10H1/32; G10H1/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
An acoustic keyboard musical instrument capable of driving an external electronic musical tone generating means, comprising: a mechanical musical tone generating mechanism; a keyboard including a plurality of keys aligned on a musical instrument body to drive said mechanical tone generating mechanism and to produce signals to drive said external electronic tone generating means; a fallboard pivotally coupled to said musical instrument body and adapted to be closed/opened so as to cover/uncover said keyboard; musical tone controlling means for controlling tones generated by said external electronic tone generating means and including a manual setting section for allowing a performer to set control information for said external electronic tone generating means; said manual setting section being located at a position opposite to the performer in an inner surface of said fallboard when said fallboard is open; and a cable for coupling said musical tone controlling means to said external electronic tone generating means which is spaced apart from said mechanical musical tone generating means, said cable for sending commands generated by said manual setting section to said external electronic tone generating means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
An acoustic keyboard musical instrument capable of driving an external electronic musical tone generating means, comprising: a mechanical musical tone generating mechanism; a keyboard including a plurality of keys aligned on a musical instrument body to drive said mechanical tone generating mechanism and to produce signals to drive said external electronic tone generating means; a fallboard pivotally coupled to said musical instrument body and adapted to be closed/opened so as to cover/uncover said keyboard; musical tone controlling means for controlling tones generated by said external electronic tone generating means and including a manual setting section for allowing a performer to set control information for said external electronic tone generating means; said manual setting section being located at a position opposite to the performer in an inner surface of said fallboard when said fallboard is open; and a cable for coupling said musical tone controlling means to said external electronic tone generating means which is spaced apart from said mechanical musical tone generating means, said cable for sending commands generated by said manual setting section to said external electronic tone generating means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An instrument according to claim 1, further including an MIDI standard coupling device connected between said manual setting section and said electronic tone generating means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
An instrument according to claim 1, wherein said manual setting section comprises at least one indicator and switches.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
An instrument according to claim 1, wherein said manual setting section is inclined upwardly so as to face the performer when said fallboard is open.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
An instrument according to claim 1, wherein said manual setting section is covered with a cover when said manual setting section is not used.
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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) | 1993-07-09 | 1994-01-08 | 1994-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-07-09 | 1998-01-08 | 1998-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-07-09 | 2002-01-08 | 2002-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |