Keyhammer and key for keyboard instrument

Abstract

A key hammer is mounted in a key for a keyboard instrument by being inserted from the outside into a hammer accommodating portion formed in the key. The key hammer includes: a first hammer made of an elastic material; and a second hammer made of a material having a larger specific gravity than the first hammer, and installed in the first hammer. The first hammer is configured such that when the first hammer, in which the second hammer is mounted, is mounted in the hammer accommodating portion by being pushed into the hammer accommodating portion, the first hammer is latched with an inner surface of the hammer accommodating portion in a state in which the first hammer is elastically deformed by a reaction force from the inner surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a key hammer and a key for a keyboard musical instrument having the key hammer installed therein, the key hammer being applied to a keyboard device for a keyboard musical instrument such as an electronic piano and installed in the key so as to obtain a desired touch weight to be imparted during key depression. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a key hammer and a key for a keyboard musical instrument of the type mentioned above, there are known, for example, a key hammer and a key for a keyboard musical instrument disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Publication) No. 2015-114597 which has been filed by the present applicant. The key hammer is formed of rubber mixed with iron powder, and includes: a hammer main body having a rectangular parallelepiped shape; and ridge portions formed on opposite left and right side surfaces of the hammer main body and each including a plurality of ridges arranged side by side in the vertical direction. On the other hand, the key is a white key extending in the front-rear direction, and has its front end formed with a hammer accommodating portion (hammer mounting space in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Publication) No. 2015-114597) which is open downward.

[0003] During the manufacture of the key, when the key hammer described above is installed in the key, the key hammer is pushed into the hammer accommodation portion from below the key. Thereby, the left and right spine portions of the key hammer are elastically deformed while being sandwiched between the hammer main body and the left and right side walls of the hammer accommodation portion, and the key hammer is fixed to the front end of the key by the thrust due to the restoring force of the elastically deformed spine portion. Thus, the key hammer described above is configured to be easily installed in the key only by being pushed into the hammer accommodation portion of the key.

[0004] In the key hammer described above, however, since its weight is relatively light, the response obtained by pressing the key in which the key hammer is installed is light, so that sometimes an excellent touch cannot be obtained. Furthermore, since the key hammer described above installed in the key is fixed to the hammer accommodating portion of the key only by the thrust of the left spine portion and the right spine portion, if the restoring force due to the elastic deformation of the spine portion decreases, for example, due to long-term use of the keyboard instrument, there is a concern that the key hammer is displaced downward or falls off the key. Summary of the invention

[0005] A first object of the present invention is to provide a key hammer which can apply sufficient weight to a key so that an excellent touch can be obtained, and further can be easily installed in a key and surely prevented from falling off the key.

[0006] A second object of the present invention is to provide a key for a keyboard musical instrument to which a key hammer is stably fixed.

[0007] In order to achieve the first object above, in a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a key hammer which is installed in a key by being inserted from the outside into a hammer accommodating portion formed in a key for a keyboard musical instrument, the key hammer comprising: a first hammer which is made of an elastic material; and a second hammer which is made of a material having a larger specific gravity than the first hammer and is installed in the first hammer, wherein the first hammer is configured so that when the first hammer in which the second hammer is installed is installed in the hammer accommodating portion by being pushed into the hammer accommodating portion, the first hammer is latched with the inner surface of the hammer accommodating portion in a state in which the first hammer is elastically deformed by a reaction force from the inner surface of the hammer accommodating portion.

[0008] According to this configuration, the key hammer includes a first hammer made of an elastic material and a second hammer installed in the first hammer. The second hammer is made of a material having a larger specific gravity than the first hammer. For this reason, the weight of the key hammer can be increased compared to a case where the key hammer is formed of only the first hammer. Therefore, by installing the key hammer having a large hammer described above in the key, sufficient weight can be added to the key, whereby a stable response and excellent touch can be obtained when key depression is performed.

[0009] Furthermore, when the key hammer is installed in the key, the first hammer in which the second hammer is installed is inserted into the hammer accommodating portion of the key. In this case, in a state in which the first hammer is elastically deformed by a reaction force from the inner wall surface of the hammer accommodating portion, the first hammer is latched with the inner wall surface of the hammer accommodating portion. As described above, during the installation of the key hammer in the key, the key hammer can be easily installed in the key by pushing the first hammer in which the second hammer is installed into the hammer accommodating portion of the key, and in a state in which the first hammer is elastically deformed, the key hammer can be surely prevented from falling from the key by latching the first hammer with the inner wall surface of the hammer accommodating portion.

[0010] Preferably, the first hammer includes: a first hammer body portion extending a predetermined length in the front-rear direction; and a second hammer mounting portion configured such that the second hammer mounting portion protrudes downward from a front portion of the first hammer body portion so as to removably mount the second hammer in the first hammer.

[0011] According to the configuration of this preferred embodiment, the first hammer includes the first hammer main body portion and the second hammer mounting portion described above, and by mounting the second hammer in the second hammer mounting portion, the position of the center of gravity of the key hammer can be set at a position forward of the center of the key hammer in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, since the second hammer is removably mounted in the first hammer, the weight of the key hammer can be easily adjusted by preparing a plurality of types of second hammers having different weights.

[0012] More preferably, the first hammer main body portion includes a second hammer upper portion accommodating portion, which is open forward and extends in the vertical direction so as to accommodate the upper portion of the second hammer, wherein the second hammer mounting portion includes: left and right wall portions, which extend downward by a predetermined length from the opposite left and right ends of the front portion of the first hammer main body portion; and a bottom wall portion and a front wall portion, which are provided so that the lower ends of the left and right wall portions are connected to each other and are provided on the bottom surface side and the front surface side of the corresponding left and right wall portions, and wherein the left and right wall portions, the bottom wall portion and the front wall portion form a second hammer lower portion accommodating portion, and the second hammer lower portion accommodating portion is continuous with the second hammer upper portion accommodating portion so as to accommodate the lower portion of the second hammer.

[0013] According to the construction of this preferred embodiment, the first hammer including the first hammer main body part and the second hammer mounting part is provided with: a second hammer upper part accommodating part, which is used to accommodate the upper part of the second hammer in the first hammer main body part; and a second hammer lower part accommodating part, which is used to accommodate the lower part of the second hammer in the second hammer mounting part. The second hammer upper part accommodating part described above is formed to be open to the front and extend in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the second hammer lower part accommodating part described above includes: a left side wall part and a right side wall part, which extend downward from the opposite left and right ends of the front part of the first hammer main body part; and a bottom wall part and a front wall part, which are arranged so that the lower ends of the left side wall part and the right side wall part are connected to each other. The second hammer lower part accommodating part is formed to be continuous with the second hammer upper part accommodating part. By accommodating the second hammer in the second hammer upper part accommodating part and the second hammer lower part accommodating part constructed as described above, the second hammer can be firmly and stably installed in the first hammer.

[0014] Further preferably, the second hammer comprises: a cylindrical second hammer upper portion extending a predetermined length in the vertical direction and having a predetermined diameter; and a cylindrical second hammer lower portion continuous with the lower end of the second hammer upper portion and extending a predetermined length in the vertical direction, the cylindrical second hammer lower portion having a larger diameter than the second hammer upper portion, wherein when the second hammer is installed in the first hammer, the second hammer upper portion and the second hammer lower portion are respectively accommodated in the second hammer upper portion accommodating portion and the second hammer lower portion accommodating portion.

[0015] According to the construction of this preferred embodiment, the second hammer includes: a cylindrical second hammer upper portion extending a predetermined length in the vertical direction; and a cylindrical second hammer lower portion continuous with the lower end of the second hammer upper portion and having a larger diameter than the second hammer upper portion. When the second hammer constructed as described above is installed in the first hammer, the second hammer upper portion and the second hammer lower portion are respectively accommodated in the second hammer upper portion accommodating portion and the second hammer lower portion accommodating portion of the first hammer. Thereby, the second hammer can be securely and stably installed in the first hammer.

[0016] Even more preferably, the second hammer is formed of a plurality of types of second hammers whose second hammer upper portions have vertical lengths different from each other.

[0017] According to the construction of this preferred embodiment, by preparing a plurality of types of second hammers whose upper portions of the second hammers have vertical lengths different from each other, second hammers having different weights can be obtained, and by installing the obtained second hammers in the first hammer, the weight of the key hammer can be easily adjusted.

[0018] In order to achieve the second purpose above, in a second aspect of the present invention, a key for a keyboard musical instrument is provided, in which the key hammer described above is installed, wherein the key includes a hammer accommodating portion formed into a hollow shape open downward, and wherein the side walls of the hammer accommodating portion are each formed with a latching protrusion, which latches the key hammer by engaging with the first hammer of the key hammer when the key hammer is accommodated in the hammer accommodating portion.

[0019] According to this configuration, the hammer accommodation portion formed in the key has a hollow shape that is open downward. The latch protrusion formed on the side wall of the hammer accommodation portion latches the key hammer accommodated in the hammer accommodation portion by engaging with the first hammer of the key hammer. Thus, a key in which the key hammer is securely mounted in a state accommodated in the hammer accommodation portion can be easily obtained.

[0020] Preferably, the hammer accommodating portion of the key is configured so that the key hammer can be mounted in the hammer accommodating portion in a state in which the front and rear portions of the key hammer are reversed.

[0021] According to the configuration of this preferred embodiment, the key hammer can be installed in the hammer accommodating portion of the key not only in the normal state, but also in the state in which the front and rear of the key hammer are reversed. For example, in the key hammer formed of the first hammer and the second hammer, when the second hammer having a larger specific gravity is installed at a position in front of the first hammer, the center of gravity of the key hammer is located in front of the center of the key hammer in the front-rear direction. Therefore, by installing the key hammer in the hammer accommodating portion of the key not only in the normal state, but also in the state in which the front and rear of the key hammer are reversed, the center of gravity of the key in which the key hammer is installed can be positioned further rearward than the case in which the key hammer is installed in the normal state.

[0022] The above objects, features and advantages and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figures 1A to 1D is a view of a key hammer and a key for a keyboard instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein Figure 1A This is a perspective view of the key. Figure 1B is a side view of the key, Figure 1C It is along Figure 1B A cross-sectional view taken along line cc of FIG. 1 , and Figure 1D It is along Figure 1C A cross-sectional view taken along line dd;

[0024] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C is a view of the key hammer, where Figure 2A This is a perspective view of the exterior. Figure 2B and Figure 2C is with Figure 1C and Figure 1D an enlarged cross-sectional view similarly taken;

[0025] Figure 3A and Figure 3B is a perspective view of a key hammer in a state in which a second hammer is removed from a first hammer, wherein, Figure 3A The state when viewed from the front and obliquely above is shown, and Figure 3B The figure shows the state when viewed from the rear and obliquely below;

[0026] Figure 4 is with Figure 1C corresponding views which help explain the respective dimensions of the hammer receiving portion of the key body and the key hammer;

[0027] FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C 1 is a view showing in sequence the steps of the procedure for installing the key hammer into the key body, wherein: Figure 5A The state before the key hammer is inserted into the hammer receiving portion is shown. Figure 5B shows a state in which the protruding portion of the key hammer is in contact with the top wall of the key body, and, Figure 5C showing a state in which the key hammer is accommodated in the hammer accommodating portion; and

[0028] Fig. 6A is a side view of a key having a key hammer installed in a key body in a state in which the front and rear parts of the key hammer are reversed, and, Figure 6B is with Figure 1D A cross-sectional view similarly taken. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. Figures 1A to 1D FIG. 2 shows a key in which a key hammer according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed. Figures 1A to 1D As shown in FIG. 1 , key 1 is a white key used in a keyboard device for a keyboard instrument such as an electronic piano, and the keyboard device is formed by arranging a plurality of (e.g., 88) keys 1 in parallel along the left-right direction together with black keys not shown. Key 1 includes a plurality of (e.g., 88) keys 1 in parallel along the front-back direction ( Figure 1B A key body 2 extending in the left-right direction (in the middle) and a key hammer 3 installed in the key body 2.

[0030] The key body 2 is made of a predetermined type of synthetic resin (eg, AS resin) and is formed into a molded product having a predetermined shape extending in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the key body 2 includes: a horizontal top wall 4; a left side wall 5 and a right side wall 5 (see Figure 1C ), which vertically extend downward from the opposite left and right ends of the top wall 4, respectively; and a front wall 6, which is provided on the top wall 4 and the front ends of the left and right walls 5, 5. Note that reference numeral 7 denotes a wooden board attached to the outer peripheral surfaces of the left and right walls 5, 5, for example, by bonding.

[0031] Furthermore, if Figures 1B to 1D As shown in FIG. 1 , the key body 2 has a hammer accommodation portion 8 in its front end so that the key hammer 3 is installed in the key body 2 in a state of being accommodated in the hammer accommodation portion 8. The hammer accommodation portion 8 has a box shape that is open downward. Specifically, the hammer accommodation portion 8 having a predetermined size is defined by the top wall 4, the left and right side walls 5, the rib wall 9 provided at a predetermined position behind the front wall 6, and the rear wall 10 provided at a predetermined position behind the rib wall 9.

[0032] Furthermore, three latching protrusions 5a for latching the key hammer 3 are formed to protrude from each of the inner surface of the left side wall 5 and the inner surface of the right side wall 5 with a space therebetween in the vertical direction. Each latching protrusion 5a extends a predetermined length in the front-rear direction and is formed in a tapered shape protruding inwardly. Furthermore, among the three latching protrusions 5a formed on each side wall 5, the lowermost latching protrusion 5a is larger and protrudes more inwardly than the other two latching protrusions 5a.

[0033] Figure 2A and Figure 2B A key hammer 3 is shown, wherein Figure 2A This is a perspective view of the exterior. Figure 2B and Figure 2C They are respectively Figure 1C and Figure 1D The key hammer 3 is formed of: a first hammer 20 made of an elastic material; and a second hammer 30 made of a predetermined metal (e.g., iron) having a larger specific gravity than the first hammer 20 and installed in the first hammer 20. Note that, Figure 3A and Figure 3B The key hammer 3 is shown in a state where the second hammer 30 is removed from the first hammer 20, wherein Figure 3A The state when viewed from the front and obliquely above is shown, and Figure 3B The diagram shows a state viewed from the rear and obliquely below.

[0034] The first hammer 20 is made of an elastic material, such as a predetermined kind of rubber having a relatively large specific gravity or rubber mixed with metal powder (such as iron powder). Furthermore, the first hammer 20 includes: a first hammer body portion 21, which extends a predetermined length in the front-rear direction and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape; and a second hammer mounting portion 22, which is provided so that it protrudes downward from the front portion of the first hammer body portion 21, so that the second hammer 30 can be removably mounted in the first hammer 20.

[0035] The first hammer main body portion 21 includes a second hammer upper portion accommodating portion 21a which is open forward and extends in the vertical direction so as to accommodate the upper portion of the second hammer 30. Furthermore, the first hammer main body portion 21 has its upper surface formed with a protrusion 23 protruding upward, and has its opposite left and right side surfaces formed with latched portions 24 which protrude outward and are latched with the side walls 5 and 5 of the hammer accommodating portion 8, respectively.

[0036] The protrusion 23 is formed of two protrusions 23 and 23 each formed in an M shape in a front view and arranged with a predetermined interval therebetween in the left-right direction. Further, each protrusion 23 includes an upper ridge 23a and an upper ridge 23a, which are symmetrically formed and extend in the front-rear direction along the entire upper surface of the first hammer main body portion 21.

[0037] Each latched portion 24 has a sawtooth shape as a whole in a front view, and is formed by five transverse ridges 24a arranged side by side in the vertical direction. Each transverse ridge 24a has an inclined surface and a horizontal surface as an upper surface and a lower surface, and extends in the front-rear direction along the entirety of an associated one of the side surfaces of the first hammer main body portion 21.

[0038] Furthermore, if Figure 3B As shown in FIG. 1 , the first hammer main body portion 21 has two recesses 25 formed at the lower end, which are open downward with a predetermined interval therebetween in the left-right direction. Each recess 25 extends in the front-to-back direction along the entire lower surface of the rear half of the first hammer main body portion 21. These recesses 25 and 25 make it easy for the lower end of the rear half of the first hammer main body portion 21 to elastically deform inward in the left-to-right direction.

[0039] The second hammer mounting portion 22 includes: a U-shaped accommodating portion 26 which is formed in a U-shape in a horizontal transverse cross section (in a plan view) and is open forward and extends downward from a front half of the first hammer main body portion 21 by a predetermined length; and a hammer supporting portion 27 which extends downward from the front half of the U-shaped accommodating portion 26 by a predetermined length so as to support a lower portion of the second hammer 30.

[0040] The U-shaped accommodating portion 26 has a predetermined thickness and has an inner surface formed flush with an inner surface of a second hammer upper portion accommodating portion 21 a formed in the first hammer main body portion 21 formed above the U-shaped accommodating portion 26. Note that, in the following description, the second hammer upper portion accommodating portion 21 a includes the U-shaped accommodating portion 26.

[0041] The hammer supporting portion 27 is composed of a left side wall portion 28 and a right side wall portion 28 extending downwardly by a predetermined length from respective opposite left and right ends of the front portion of the U-shaped accommodating portion 26, and a bottom wall portion 29a and a front wall portion 29b provided so that the lower ends of the left side wall portion 28 and the right side wall portion 28 are connected to each other and provided on the bottom surface side and the front surface side of the respective left side wall portion 28 and the right side wall portion 28. These left side wall portion 28 and the right side wall portion 28 and the bottom wall portion 29a and the front wall portion 29b form a second hammer lower portion accommodating portion 27a continuous with the second hammer upper portion accommodating portion 21a mentioned above so as to accommodate the lower portion of the second hammer 30.

[0042] Note that the first hammer 20 having the shape described above can be manufactured easily and at low cost using a relatively simple mold.

[0043] On the other hand, Figure 2A and Figure 2B as well as Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown in FIG. 1 , the second hammer 30 includes: a cylindrical second hammer upper portion 31 extending a predetermined length in the vertical direction; and a cylindrical second hammer lower portion 32 extending a predetermined length in the vertical direction continuously from the lower end of the second hammer upper portion 31 and having a larger diameter than the second hammer upper portion 31.

[0044] Note that the second hammer 30 described above is relatively easy to manufacture by casting, for example. Furthermore, a plurality of types of second hammers 30 are prepared, the weights of which are different due to different lengths of the second hammer upper portion 31. Furthermore, although in the present embodiment, the second hammer upper portion 31 and the second hammer lower portion 32 as the second hammer 30 employ components each having a cylindrical shape, the second hammer upper portion 31 and the second hammer lower portion 32 are only required to have a cylindrical shape, and various shapes may be employed for the second hammer upper portion 31 and the second hammer lower portion 32. For example, the second hammer upper portion 31 can be formed in a cylindrical shape, and the second hammer lower portion 32 can be formed in a prismatic shape, such as a quadrangular prism shape or a hexagonal prism shape, or alternatively, the second hammer upper portion 31 and the second hammer lower portion 32 can both be formed in a prismatic shape.

[0045] In the key hammer 3 formed by the first hammer 20 and the second hammer 30 constructed as described above, the second hammer 30 is installed in the first hammer 20 as follows: Figure 3BAs shown in FIG. 1 , the second hammer upper portion 31 of the second hammer 30 is inserted into the opening (i.e., the opening formed by the left and right side wall portions 28 and the bottom wall portion 29a and open to the rear) of the second hammer mounting portion 22 of the first hammer 20 from the rear portion of the opening. In this case, while the hammer supporting portion 27 is elastically deformed, the second hammer upper portion 31 and the second hammer lower portion 32 of the second hammer 30 are respectively accommodated in the second hammer upper portion accommodating portion 21a and the second hammer lower portion accommodating portion 27a. Thus, the second hammer 30 is supported by the inner surface of the second hammer upper portion accommodating portion 21a from the opposite left and right surfaces of the second hammer upper portion 31 to the rear surface thereof, and is supported by the inner surface of the second hammer lower portion accommodating portion 27a from the opposite left and right surfaces of the second hammer lower portion 32 to the front surface and the bottom surface thereof. In addition, the upper surface of the second hammer lower portion 32 is in contact with the bottom surface of the U-shaped accommodating portion 26. According to the above, the second hammer 30 is installed in the first hammer 20 in a firm and stable state.

[0046] Figure 4 Corresponds to Figure 1C , and shows the hammer accommodation portion 8 of the key body 2 and the key hammer 3 (indicated by a two-dot chain line) before being accommodated in the hammer accommodation portion 8. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , in the key hammer 3, the first hammer main body portion 21 (indicated by a single-dot chain line) is formed to be smaller than the hammer accommodating portion 8, and the outer shape of the first hammer 20 including the protrusion 23 on the top of the first hammer main body portion 21 and the latched portion 24 is formed to be slightly larger than the hammer accommodating portion 8.

[0047] FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C The procedure steps for installing the key hammer 3 into the key main body 2 are shown in order. Figure 5A 1 shows a state before the key hammer 3 is inserted into the hammer accommodating portion 8. The key hammer 3 is inserted into the hammer accommodating portion 8 from below the key main body 2. During this insertion, each ridge 24a of the left and right latched portions 24 of the key hammer 3 receives a reaction force from an associated one of the side walls 5 of the hammer accommodating portion 8 and is elastically deformed so that the ridge 24a is bent downward.

[0048] Figure 5B The state immediately after each upper end of the projections 23 formed on the upper end portion of the key hammer 3 accommodated in the hammer accommodating portion 8 contacts the top wall 4 of the key body 2 is shown. In this state, at the left and right latched portions 24 of the key hammer 3, the tip ends of the lowermost transverse ridges 24a are located below the associated latching projections 5a of the lowermost latching projections 5a of the side wall 5 of the hammer accommodating portion 8. When the key hammer 3 is further pushed into the hammer accommodating portion 8 from this state, as shown in FIG. Figure 5CAs shown in FIG. 1 , the upper ridges 23a and 23a of each protrusion 23 of the key hammer 3 are elastically deformed so that they are bent in the left-right direction to increase the distance therebetween. Further, in this case, the lowermost transverse ridges 24a and 24a on the left and right sides of the key hammer 3 pass over the associated latching protrusions 5a of the lowermost latching protrusions 5a and 5a of the hammer accommodating portion 8 and are located above the lowermost latching protrusions 5a and 5a, whereby the lowermost transverse ridges 24a and 24a are latched with the associated lowermost latching protrusions 5a and 5a in a state supported from below by the lowermost latching protrusions 5a and 5a.

[0049] As described in detail so far, according to the key hammer 3 of the present embodiment, the key hammer 3 is formed of the first hammer 20 made of an elastic material and the second hammer 30 made of a metal having a larger specific gravity than the first hammer 20, so that the weight of the key hammer 3 can be increased compared with the case where the key hammer 3 is formed of only the first hammer. Therefore, by installing the key hammer 3 with increased weight described above in the key main body 2, sufficient weight can be added to the key 1, whereby a stable response and excellent touch can be obtained when key depression is performed.

[0050] Furthermore, when the key hammer 3 is installed in the key main body 2, the first hammer 20 is latched with the latching projection 5a in a state in which the left and right latched portions 24 are elastically deformed by the reaction force from the inner surfaces of the left and right side walls 5 of the hammer accommodating portion 8. As described above, during the installation of the key hammer 3 in the key main body 2, the key hammer 3 is pushed into the hammer accommodating portion 8 of the key main body 2, whereby the key hammer 3 can be not only easily installed in the key main body 2, but also surely prevented from falling from the key main body 2.

[0051] Furthermore, according to the key 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to easily obtain the key 1 in which the key hammer 3 described above is securely mounted in the key main body 2 in a state of being accommodated in the hammer accommodating portion 8 .

[0052] Note that the present invention is by no means limited to the embodiment described above, but can be practiced in various forms. For example, although in the embodiment described above, the key hammer 3 is installed in the key body 2 in a state in which the second hammer 30 is disposed in the front portion of the key hammer 3, the key hammer 3 may be installed in the key body 2 in a state in which the front and rear portions of the key hammer 3 are reversed.

[0053] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B They are respectively Figure 1B and Figure 1D A similar view is shown, and the following state is shown: wherein the front and rear parts of the key hammer 3 (when in Fig. 6A and Figure 6BThe key hammer 3 is installed in the hammer accommodating portion 8 of the key body 2 in a reversed state (left and right when viewed in the middle). In this case, the position of the center of gravity of the key can be set at a position rearward of the position of the center of gravity of the key 1 described above.

[0054] Furthermore, although in the present embodiment, rubber is used as the material of the first hammer 20, and metal is used as the material of the second hammer 30, by way of example, the materials of the first hammer and the second hammer of the present invention are not limited to these, but any appropriate hammer can be adopted as long as the material of the second hammer has a larger specific gravity than that of the material of the first hammer. Various materials such as a composite material made of metal and synthetic resin can be adopted.

[0055] Furthermore, although in the present embodiment, a single key hammer 3 is installed in the key body 2, one or more key hammers can be installed in one or more portions of the key body 2 other than the portion in which the key hammer 3 is installed. Thus, by making the weight of the key 2 heavier, when key depression is performed, the inertia moment of the key 2 pivotally moved around the pivot located at or behind the rear end of the key 2 can be increased. As a result, a keyboard having a solid response and excellent tactile feeling can be obtained.

[0056] Furthermore, details of the configurations of the key hammer 3 , the first hammer 20 , the second hammer 30 , and the key 1 shown in the embodiment are given only by way of example, and they can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the subject matter of the present invention.

[0057] It will be further understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing are preferred embodiments of the present invention and that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A key hammer which is installed in a key for a keyboard musical instrument by being inserted from the outside into a hammer receiving portion formed in the key, the key hammer comprising: a first hammer made of an elastic material; as well as a second hammer, which is made of a material having a greater specific gravity than the first hammer and is installed in the first hammer, wherein the first hammer is configured such that when the first hammer in which the second hammer is mounted is mounted in the hammer accommodating portion by being pushed into the hammer accommodating portion, the first hammer is latched with the inner surface in a state in which the first hammer is elastically deformed by a reaction force from an inner surface of the hammer accommodating portion.

2. The key hammer according to claim 1, wherein: The first hammer comprises: a first hammer body portion extending in the front-rear direction by a predetermined length; and A second hammer mounting portion is provided such that the second hammer mounting portion protrudes downward from a front portion of the first hammer main body portion so as to removably mount the second hammer in the first hammer.

3. The key hammer according to claim 2, wherein: The first hammer main body portion includes a second hammer upper portion accommodating portion, the second hammer upper portion accommodating portion is open forward and extends in a vertical direction so as to accommodate the upper portion of the second hammer, Wherein, the second hammer installation part comprises: left and right side wall portions extending downwardly by a predetermined length from opposite left and right ends of a front portion of the first hammer body portion; and a bottom wall portion and a front wall portion, which are arranged so that the lower ends of the left and right wall portions are connected to each other and are provided on the bottom surface side and the front surface side of the corresponding left and right wall portions, and, The left and right side wall portions, the bottom wall portion and the front wall portion form a second hammer lower portion accommodating portion, which is continuous with the second hammer upper portion accommodating portion to accommodate the lower portion of the second hammer.

4. The key hammer according to claim 3, wherein: The second hammer comprises: a cylindrical second hammer upper portion extending a predetermined length in the vertical direction and having a predetermined diameter; and a cylindrical second hammer lower portion which is continuous with the lower end of the second hammer upper portion and extends a predetermined length in the vertical direction, the cylindrical second hammer lower portion having a larger diameter than the second hammer upper portion, and, Wherein, when the second hammer is installed in the first hammer, the second hammer upper part and the second hammer lower part are respectively accommodated in the second hammer upper part accommodating part and the second hammer lower part accommodating part.

5. The key hammer according to claim 4, wherein: The second hammer is formed of a plurality of types of second hammers whose second hammer upper portions have vertical lengths different from each other.

6. A key for a keyboard musical instrument, in which a key hammer according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is installed, in, The key includes the hammer accommodating portion formed to have a hollow shape open downward, and, The side walls of the hammer accommodating portion are each formed with a latching protrusion, and the latching protrusion latches the key hammer by engaging with the first hammer of the key hammer in a state where the key hammer is accommodated in the hammer accommodating portion.

7. The key according to claim 6, wherein: The hammer accommodating portion of the key is configured such that the key hammer can be mounted therein in a state in which the front and rear portions of the key hammer are reversed.

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