Electronic keyboard instrument

Abstract

Provided is an electronic keyboard instrument capable of suppressing shake and deflection generated in a housing. An electronic keyboard instrument (10) is provided with: a rectangular frame body (12) having a bottom section (12b) facing a placement surface; and a keyboard provided on the housing (12) and having a plurality of keys arranged in the longitudinal direction of the housing (12), the bottom (12b) having: a plurality of fixed legs (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d) protruding from the bottom (12b) toward the placement surface side and supporting the housing (12) from below by contacting the placement surface; and first adjustment legs (22L, 22R) that protrude from the bottom (12b) toward the placement surface side on the outside of the fixed legs (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d) in the arrangement direction of the keys, and that are disposed so as to be separated from the placement surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to electronic keyboard instruments. Background Art

[0002] Electronic keyboard instruments are placed on a table or other surface for use. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-215156 discloses an electronic keyboard instrument with four rubber legs at the bottom. The rubber legs contact a horizontal mounting surface and support the frame of the electronic keyboard instrument. If the frame deflects due to the player's keystrokes, the contact between adjacent keyboards and the tactile feel of the keystrokes may differ depending on the position of the keyboards, potentially reducing the playability of the electronic keyboard instrument. Therefore, a common approach is to suppress the deflection of the frame by adding legs. On the other hand, the frame can be minimally supported by three to four legs, so adding too many legs can easily cause the frame to wobble. Suppressing the shaking of the frame and suppressing the deflection are in a trade-off relationship. Furthermore, the amount of frame deflection varies to a certain extent depending on the material of the frame, but this problem is generally more likely to occur when the length of the frame in the longitudinal direction is excessively large.

[0003] In electronic keyboard instruments, sometimes, fixed legs that are in contact with the loading surface (always supporting the frame) are respectively arranged at the four corners of the bottom opposite to the loading surface, and two adjustment legs are respectively arranged in the central part, in front and behind the bottom of the frame, at positions separated from the loading surface when the player is not striking the keys. When the frame bends toward the loading surface due to the player's striking the keys, the adjustment legs come into contact with the loading surface and support the central part of the frame. In this way, the adjustment legs suppress excessive bending of the frame and improve playability. In addition, the adjustment legs do not contact the loading surface when the frame is not bending, so it is not easy for the frame to shake. In this way, the fixed legs and the adjustment legs are used to achieve a balance between suppressing the shaking and suppressing the bending of the frame. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0005] In electronic keyboard instruments with keyboards having a relatively large number of keys, similar to conventional models, it is envisioned to place fixed legs at the four corners of the base and adjustable legs in the center to evenly support the frame and prevent shaking. However, in electronic keyboard instruments with a large number of keys, the length of the keyboard arrangement in the left-right direction (longitudinal direction) is longer than in models with a smaller number of keys. Therefore, the center of the frame is more susceptible to deflection (deflection is greater) than in conventional models. Therefore, even with fixed legs at the four corners, the large deflection in the center can still cause adjacent keyboards to contact each other.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic keyboard instrument capable of suppressing shaking and bending generated in a frame.

[0007] Means for solving problems

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electronic keyboard instrument comprises: a rectangular frame having a bottom opposite to a loading surface; and a keyboard arranged in the frame, having a plurality of keys arranged in the long side direction of the frame, the bottom having: a plurality of fixed legs protruding from the bottom toward the loading surface and supporting the frame from below by contacting the loading surface; and a first adjustment leg protruding from the bottom toward the loading surface on the outside of the fixed legs in the arrangement direction of the keys and arranged separately from the loading surface.

[0009] Effects of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an electronic keyboard instrument capable of suppressing shaking and bending occurring in a housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the keyboard model according to the embodiment as viewed from above.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the keyboard model according to the embodiment as viewed from below.

[0013] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a keyboard model according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of section III-III is shown.

[0014] Figure 4A is a top view of a keyboard model of an embodiment, Figure 4B is a front view of a keyboard model of an embodiment, Figure 4C It is a bottom view of the keyboard model of the embodiment.

[0015] Figure 5 This is a front view of a portion of the keyboard model according to the embodiment, showing the positional relationship between the placement surface, the fixed legs, and the adjustment legs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Below, refer to Figures 1 to 5 The structure of a keyboard model (electronic keyboard instrument) 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In this embodiment, a keyboard model 10 including a keyboard 14 having 76 keys is exemplified. Figure 1The keyboard model 10 shown has a frame 12 and a keyboard 14, and the keyboard 14 has a plurality of keys arranged in the longitudinal direction of the frame 12. The key group 14C located between the sixth white key 14aL from the left and the sixth white key 14aR from the right (inside) is a keyboard corresponding to the musical range of an existing electronic keyboard instrument having a keyboard with a total of 61 white keys and black keys (hereinafter referred to as a 61-keyboard model), and is a musical range with a relatively high keystroke frequency compared to the key group 14L located on the left side (outside) of the sixth white key 14aL from the left and the key group 14R located on the right side (outside) of the sixth white key 14aR from the right. In addition, in the following description, as Figure 1 As shown, the arrangement direction of the keys of the keyboard 14 is defined as the left-right direction (the Figure 1 The left side of the keyboard 14 is defined as the left direction), and the extension direction of the keys of the keyboard 14 is defined as the front-back direction (the left side of the keyboard 14 is defined as the left direction). Figure 1 The left-right direction is perpendicular to the front-back direction. The direction perpendicular to the left-right direction and the front-back direction is defined as the up-down direction (the Figure 1 The upper side of the is set as the upward direction).

[0017] like Figure 1 As shown, the frame 12 is in a roughly rectangular shape with the left-right direction as the longitudinal direction. The frame 12 has an upper cover 12a and a bottom 12b. Specifically, the frame 12 is divided into the upper cover 12a and the bottom 12b. The upper cover 12a and the bottom 12b are respectively formed of a resin material. A circuit substrate (not shown) and the like are accommodated inside the frame 12. When viewed from above, the upper cover 12a is in a roughly U-shape that opens to the front side. The upper cover 12a has a left end 12aL, a right end 12aR, and a middle portion 12aC. The left end 12aL and the right end 12aR are in a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the front-to-back direction. The middle portion 12aC is in a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the left-to-right direction. Therefore, the left end 12aL, the right end 12aR, and the middle portion 12aC respectively have an upper surface, a left surface, a right surface, a front surface, and a rear surface. The left surface of the middle portion 12aC is connected to the upper end of the right surface of the left end portion 12aL. The right surface of the middle portion 12aC is connected to the upper end of the left surface of the right end portion 12aR. The upper surfaces of the middle portion 12aC, the left end portion 12aL, and the right end portion 12aR are slightly inclined so as to descend from the rear to the front.

[0018] Various operation switches 26, such as a power switch, are arranged in the left-right direction at the center front portion of the upper surface of the middle portion 12aC. A volume dial 28 is provided on the left side of the operation switches 26. A well-known keystroke mechanism is provided in the space between the keyboard 14 and the bottom 12b to achieve a keystroke interval and tone close to that of a real piano when the player strikes the keys of the keyboard 14. In addition, speaker boxes 16LB and 16RB (see FIG. 1 ) are provided inside the left and right sides of the middle portion 12aC, respectively. Figure 1 etc.). The speaker boxes 16LB and 16RB are roughly rectangular in shape with the left-right direction as the long side direction. Speakers (sound-producing components) 16L and 16R are housed inside the speaker boxes 16LB and 16RB, respectively. Since the keyboard model 10 has a relatively large number of keyboards, it is assumed that the speaker boxes 16LB and 16RB also extend in the long side direction. However, if the fixed legs are arranged at the four corners of the frame 12, the speaker boxes 16LB and 16RB will be excessively bent as the frame 12 bends, and the speakers 16L and 16R may be deformed or damaged. Therefore, the speaker 16L is arranged near the fixed legs 20a and 20c, and the speaker 16R is arranged near the fixed legs 20c and 20d. Specifically, the speakers 16L and 16R are arranged near the line segment connecting the fixed legs 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d. In more detail, as shown in FIG. Figure 4C As shown, when viewed from above, a portion of the speaker 16L overlaps with the line segment connecting the fixed leg 20a and the fixed leg 20b. When viewed from above, a portion of the speaker 16R overlaps with the line segment connecting the fixed leg 20c and the fixed leg 20d. The speakers 16L and 16R are firmly supported, particularly in the front-to-back direction, and are not easily affected by the deflection generated in the frame 12. The speakers 16L and 16R are, for example, sealed speakers having a sealing portion. Speaker grilles (not shown) corresponding to the speakers 16L and 16R are provided on the left and right sides of the upper surface of the middle portion 12aC, respectively.

[0019] like Figure 2 and Figure 4B 、 Figure 4C As shown, the bottom portion 12b is a plate-shaped member extending in the left-right direction, and is placed on the placement surface LS (see FIG. Figure 5 ) when placed on the bottom surface LS. The bottom portion 12b includes a handle 18, multiple fixed legs 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d, multiple first adjustment legs 22L and 22R, and multiple second adjustment legs 24F and 24B. The handle 18 is located at the center rear end of the bottom portion 12b. When viewed from below, the handle 18 has a generally rectangular shape with its longitudinal side in the left-right direction and is recessed.

[0020] The fixed legs 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d are flat, cylindrical members extending in the vertical direction. They protrude downward from the bottom 12b (toward the loading surface LS). Specifically, the fixed legs 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d are arranged horizontally on the bottom 12b so that the line segment connecting the fixed legs 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d forms a rectangle RS extending along the longitudinal direction of the frame. The fixed leg 20a is located at the left front portion of the bottom 12b, and the fixed leg 20c is located at the right front portion of the bottom 12b. More specifically, the fixed leg 20a overlaps with the front end of the sixth white key 14aL from the left when viewed from above, and the fixed leg 20c overlaps with the front end of the sixth white key 14aR from the right when viewed from above. Furthermore, the fixed leg 20b is located at the left rear portion of the bottom 12b, and the fixed leg 20d is located at the right rear portion of the bottom 12b. In other words, the fixing legs 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d are not positioned below the keys at the extreme ends (left and right). If fixing legs were placed at the four corners of the frame 12, where there are a large number of keys, the central portion would flex excessively, potentially impairing contact between adjacent keys and a uniform keystroke feel. Therefore, within the allowable deflection range of the frame 12, the fixing legs 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d are positioned so that the spacing between them is maximized.

[0021] like Figure 5 As shown, when the keyboard model 10 is placed on the placement surface LS, the fixed legs 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d are always in contact with the placement surface LS, thereby supporting the frame 12 from below. The fixed legs 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d are made of an elastic material such as rubber. Therefore, even if the placement surface LS has unevenness, the elastic deformation of the fixed legs 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d mitigates the unevenness of the placement surface LS, thereby suppressing any shaking of the frame 12.

[0022] Fixed leg 20b is located near speaker 16L, and fixed leg 20d is located near speaker 16R. Fixed legs 20b and 20d are always in contact with placement surface LS, so that the portion of housing 12 near fixed legs 20b and 20d is less likely to bend.

[0023] The first adjustment legs 22L and 22R are flat, cylindrical members extending in the vertical direction. They protrude downward from the bottom 12b (toward the loading surface LS) and are separated from the loading surface LS. Specifically, when viewed from below, the first adjustment legs 22L and 22R are symmetrically positioned on the bottom 12b, outside a rectangle RS extending in the left-right direction formed by the line segment connecting the fixed legs 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d (in other words, outside the fixed legs 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d in the left-right direction). More specifically, the first adjustment leg 22L is positioned below the key at the extreme end (left end) and forward of the key's extension direction. The first adjustment leg 22R is positioned below the key at the extreme end (right end) and forward of the key's extension direction. Because the fixed legs 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d are not located at the four corners of the frame 12, when a key is pressed on the key groups 14L and 14R located outside the fixed legs, a force acting on the key group 14c side tends to lift upward with the fixed legs as the fulcrum, based on the principle of leverage. By arranging the first adjustment legs 22L and 22R outside the fixed legs 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d, this lifting force can be suppressed, resulting in a stable keystroke feel.

[0024] The first adjustment legs 22L and 22R come into contact with the placement surface LS as the frame 12 is bent due to keystrokes on the keyboard 14. The first adjustment legs 22L and 22R support the frame 12 with elastic deformation by contacting the placement surface LS, thereby suppressing excessive bending of the frame 12. Figure 2 As shown, the first adjustment legs 22L and 22R have a small (eg, 0.3 mm) first clearance d1 relative to the placement surface LS when no key is pressed on the keyboard 14 (when the frame 12 is not bent). The first adjustment legs 22L and 22R are made of an elastic material such as rubber.

[0025] The second adjustment legs 24F and 24B are flat cylindrical components extending in the vertical direction. The second adjustment legs 24F and 24B protrude downward (toward the loading surface LS) from the bottom 12b and are separated from the loading surface LS. The second adjustment legs 24F and 24B come into contact with the loading surface LS as the frame 12 is bent due to keystrokes on the keyboard 14. The second adjustment legs 24F and 24B support the frame 12 by elastic deformation through contact with the loading surface LS, thereby suppressing excessive bending of the frame 12. Figure 2As shown, when no key is struck on the keyboard 14 (when the frame 12 is not deflected), the second adjustment legs 24F and 24B have a second clearance d2 relative to the mounting surface LS that is larger (e.g., 1.5 mm) than the first clearance d1. The reason why the second clearance d2 is larger than the first clearance d1 is that the amount of deflection of the frame 12 caused by a keystroke depends on the distance from the keystroke position to the nearest fixed leg. Specifically, the deflection of the frame 12 is smaller when a key is struck on the left or right end 12aL, 12aR than when a key is struck on the middle portion 12aC (particularly the center keyboard). In the keyboard model (electronic keyboard instrument) 10, the distance from the first adjustment leg 22L to the fixed leg 20a is smaller than the distance from the second adjustment leg 24F to the fixed leg 20a, and the deflection near the first adjustment leg 22L is smaller than the deflection near the second adjustment leg 24F. Therefore, the second clearance d2 is set to be larger than the first clearance d1. The second adjustment legs 24F and 24B are made of an elastic body such as rubber.

[0026] The second adjustment legs 24F and 24B are positioned inside the rectangle RS (inside the fixed legs 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d in the direction in which the keys are arranged). Specifically, the second adjustment leg 24F is positioned in the center of the bottom 12b in the direction in which the keys are arranged, on one side of the key extension direction, while the second adjustment leg 24B is positioned in the center of the bottom 12b in the direction in which the keys are arranged, on the other side of the key extension direction. More specifically, the second adjustment leg 24F is positioned in front of the center of the bottom 12b in the left-right direction. The second adjustment leg 24B is positioned behind the center of the bottom 12b in the left-right direction. In other words, the second adjustment leg 24B is positioned in front of the handle 18.

[0027] Thus, the first adjustment leg 22L, fixed leg 20a, second adjustment leg 24F, fixed leg 20c, and first adjustment leg 22R are arranged in order from left at the front of the base 12b. The fixed leg 20b, second adjustment leg 24B, and fixed leg 20d are arranged in order from left at the rear of the base 12b. Furthermore, the fixed legs 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, first adjustment legs 22L, 22R, and second adjustment legs 24F, 24B are all the same height as the components, but are arranged at different heights in the areas where they are installed on the base 12b. Furthermore, if the components have different heights (e.g., if the first adjustment legs 22L, 22R and the second adjustment legs 24F, 24B are shorter than the fixed legs 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d), material costs can be reduced.

[0028] The keyboard 14 is located in the area of ​​the housing 12 surrounded by the left end 12aL, the right end 12aR, and the center portion 12aC. The keyboard 14 has a plurality of keys arranged in the left-right direction. In other words, the keyboard 14 has a plurality of keys arranged in the left-right direction in front of the center portion 12aC. For example, if the keyboard 14 has 76 keys, it includes 36 white keys 14a and 25 black keys 14b.

[0029] Next, the effects of the keyboard model 10 will be described. If the fixed legs are arranged at the four corners of the keyboard model 10 and the adjustment legs are arranged between these fixed legs, the deflection of the frame 12 increases, and adjacent keys may contact each other. In other words, there is a limit to suppressing deflection by arranging the fixed legs at the four corners of the frame 12 and arranging the adjustment legs between them. In addition, in order to suppress the deflection, it is also conceivable to shorten the distance between the adjustment legs in the center and the loading surface. However, if the total number of keyboards increases to a certain extent, the distance between the adjustment legs and the loading surface will have to be too small as the deflection increases, gradually becoming the same as the case of arranging the fixed legs in the center, and thus the shaking cannot be eliminated. Therefore, in the keyboard model 10 of this embodiment, the fixed legs 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d are arranged with the longest distance between them within the range that can allow the deflection of the frame 12, and the first adjustment legs 22L and 22R are arranged on the outside of the fixed legs 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d. Therefore, the shaking and bending occurring in the frame 12 are suppressed.

[0030] In the keyboard model 10 of this embodiment, the four fixed legs 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d reduce material costs and suppress wobble in the frame 12, compared to a configuration where five or more fixed legs are constantly in contact with the placement surface LS. Furthermore, the second adjustment legs 24F and 24B suppress excessive deflection of the frame 12 caused by keystrokes on the key group 14C. Therefore, even with the key group 14C, which is frequently struck, the keyboard model 10 of this embodiment effectively supports the frame 12 during keystrokes, achieving playability comparable to that of the 61-keyboard model.

[0031] Furthermore, in the keyboard model 10 of this embodiment, the first adjustment legs 22L and 22R suppress excessive deflection in the frame 12 caused by keystrokes on the key groups 14L and 14R. Furthermore, at the front of the base 12b, adjustment legs (the first adjustment leg 22L and the second adjustment leg 24B) and fixed legs (fixed legs 20a and 20c) are arranged alternately in the left-right direction. At the rear of the base 12b, adjustment legs (the second adjustment leg 24B) and fixed legs (fixed legs 20b and 20d) are arranged alternately in the left-right direction. Thus, by arranging the first adjustment legs 22L and 22R and the second adjustment legs 24F and 24B between the fixed legs 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d in contact with the placement surface LS, excessive deflection in the frame 12 is effectively suppressed. Furthermore, the first adjustment legs 22L and 22R effectively suppress deflection in the frame 12, thereby minimizing the number of adjustment legs and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0032] Furthermore, in the keyboard model 10 of this embodiment, the first gap d1 between the first adjustment legs 22L, 22R and the placement surface LS when the frame 12 is not deflected (when the key groups 14L, 14R are not being struck) is smaller than the second gap d2 between the second adjustment legs 24F, 24B and the placement surface LS when the frame 12 is not deflected. This structure evens out the deflection of the frame 12 caused by keystrokes, as the keys at the center of the keyboard 14 are struck more frequently than the keys at the ends. Consequently, the player can experience a uniform keystroke feel.

[0033] Generally speaking, the speakers 16L and 16R are mostly arranged near the left and right ends of the frame to achieve stereo sound and to distribute bass and treble separately so that sound can be heard in a well-balanced manner. Here, the speakers 16L and 16R are affected by the deflection of the frame 12, and there is a possibility that the speakers 16L and 16R themselves may be deformed or damaged, or the speakers 16L and 16R may fall off due to gaps between the speakers 16L and 16R and other components. Therefore, if the fixed legs are only arranged at the four corners of the frame, the distance between the fixed legs and the speakers 16L and 16R becomes greater, and there is a problem that the speakers 16L and 16R are greatly affected by the deflection. In contrast, in the keyboard model 10 of this embodiment, the speakers 16L and 16R are firmly supported by being arranged near the fixed legs 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d. Therefore, the speakers 16L and 16R are less susceptible to the deflection of the frame 12, and deformation and damage are suppressed.

[0034] In addition, since it is easy to press multiple keys at the same time on the left hand side for accompaniment, and the keys at the end are hit strongly, the usage rate is high. Therefore, as a modification of the above embodiment, the gap between the first adjustment leg 22L on the left and the loading surface LS can also be made larger than the gap between the first adjustment leg 22R on the right and the loading surface LS.

[0035] The embodiments described above are provided as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The present disclosure can also be applied to electronic keyboard instruments with keyboards having 61 or 88 keys. These embodiments or their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention and are included in the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An electronic keyboard instrument, wherein: have: A rectangular frame having a bottom facing the placement surface; and a keyboard, provided in the frame, having a plurality of keys arranged in the longitudinal direction of the frame, The bottom portion has a plurality of fixing legs protruding from the bottom portion toward the placement surface and supporting the frame from below by contacting the placement surface; and a first adjustment leg that protrudes from the bottom toward the placement surface on the outer side of the fixed leg in the arrangement direction of the keys and is arranged to be separated from the placement surface.

2. The electronic keyboard instrument according to claim 1, wherein At the bottom, four fixing legs are provided at positions corresponding to vertices of an imaginary rectangle extending along the longitudinal direction of the frame. Each of the fixed legs is not arranged below the key at the endmost end of the plurality of keys. The first adjustment leg is arranged below the key at the end portion.

3. The electronic keyboard instrument according to claim 1, wherein The first adjustment leg is arranged on one side in the extending direction of the key.

4. The electronic keyboard instrument according to claim 3, wherein: The first adjustment leg is arranged on the front side in the extending direction of the key.

5. The electronic keyboard musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein The bottom portion includes a second adjustment leg that protrudes from the bottom portion toward the placement surface and is spaced apart from the placement surface, and is disposed inside the fixed leg in the arrangement direction.

6. The electronic keyboard musical instrument according to claim 5, wherein: The electronic keyboard instrument has a plurality of second adjustment legs, The second adjustment legs are respectively arranged at a central portion of the bottom portion in the arrangement direction and on one side and the other side in the extension direction.

7. The electronic keyboard musical instrument according to claim 5 or 6, wherein: A gap between the first adjustment leg and the placement surface is smaller than a gap between the second adjustment leg and the placement surface.

8. The electronic keyboard musical instrument according to claim 1, wherein Equipped with a sound playback component, The sound emitting member is provided near a line segment connecting the plurality of fixed legs in a plan view of the frame.

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