Pedal device and electronic keyboard instrument
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024166006
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-09-25
- Publication Date
- 2025-01-21
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-04-14
AI Technical Summary
Conventional musical instrument pedals require a large opening and a large finger jamming prevention block, necessitating a large pedal case, which compromises compactness and visibility.
A pedal device with a pedal case featuring a rotating pedal and regulating surfaces that slope inwardly, restricting finger entry while maintaining a compact size and visibility.
The solution allows for a compact pedal case design that effectively prevents finger jamming while ensuring the pedal case remains visible and functional.
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Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a pedal device and an electronic keyboard instrument. [Background technology]
[0002] Conventionally, musical instruments such as pianos and electronic keyboard instruments are provided with pedal devices for adding effects such as damping to sounds produced by the instrument and for performing predetermined operations. Such pedal devices are provided to protrude from an opening of a pedal case that houses a pedal mechanism such as a pivot shaft that rotatably supports the pedal. For this reason, various configurations have been proposed to prevent fingers from being pinched between the opening and the upper surface of the pedal. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a musical instrument pedal in which a finger-trap prevention block is provided on the upper surface of the pedal in the pedal case, close to the opening. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-212160 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] In the above-mentioned conventional musical instrument pedals, the finger pinching prevention block prevents fingers from getting pinched even when inserted through the opening, because the fingers do not reach the back of the pedal case. However, the opening needs to be large to prevent fingers from getting pinched, and the finger pinching prevention block needs to be large so that the inside of the pedal case cannot be seen from the opening. This requires the pedal case to be large as well.
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a pedal device and an electronic keyboard instrument that can provide a compact pedal case while restricting the entry of fingers, etc. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] The musical instrument pedal of the present invention comprises a pedal case having an opening, a pedal that protrudes outwardly from the pedal case through the opening and is rotatably arranged, and a regulating portion that has a first regulating surface that slopes upward from the tip side to the base end side of the pedal with respect to an upper surface of the pedal, at least a portion of which is provided on the upper surface of the pedal within the pedal case and is arranged opposite the opening.
[0007] An electronic keyboard instrument according to the present invention includes the above-mentioned pedal device. Effect of the Invention
[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pedal device and an electronic keyboard instrument that can provide a compact pedal case while restricting the entry of fingers, etc. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an electronic keyboard instrument equipped with a pedal device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view of a pedal case of a pedal device according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a portion of the pedal case being in cross section; [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view of a pedal device according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a pedal case and a front sheet metal member omitted; [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pedal device according to the embodiment of the present invention taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pedal device according to the embodiment of the present invention, taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2, showing a state in which the pedal is depressed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The electronic keyboard instrument 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes an instrument case 14 in which a circuit board, a speaker, and the like are provided. The instrument case 14 is provided with a full-size (88 keys) keyboard 13 having a plurality of white keys 11 and black keys 12. A leg section 20 having four legs 21 is connected to the underside of the instrument case 14 (electronic keyboard instrument 10). The electronic keyboard instrument 10 is supported by the legs 20. In the following description, the front side of the keyboard 13 is referred to as the front side, the opposite side as the rear side, the left side as viewed from the keyboard 13 is referred to as the left side, the right side as viewed from the right side, the keyboard side is referred to as the top, and the leg section 20 side is referred to as the bottom.
[0011] A connecting rod 51 is provided on each of the left and right sides between the two legs 21 on the left side and the two legs 21 on the right side of the electronic keyboard instrument 10. Although not shown, each connecting rod 51 is provided so that its upper end is connected to the rear surface of the electronic keyboard instrument 10 and extends downward. The left and right connecting rods 51 are respectively connected to the left and right sides of the pedal device 50. The pedal device 50 provided on the electronic keyboard instrument 10 is provided with a pedal case 53 that covers the board 161, the sensor unit 160, the bearing portion 153, etc. (described later).
[0012] The pedal case 53 is provided in a substantially rectangular box shape elongated in the left-right direction, with front and rear surfaces, a top surface, and left and right side surfaces, and an open bottom surface. The pedal case 53 is provided with three openings 53a. The pedal device 50 is provided with three pedals 52 (a right pedal 52a, a left pedal 52b, and a center pedal 52c) arranged on the left, right, and center. Each pedal 52 is provided to protrude forward (outward) through the corresponding opening 53a and to be rotatable. As shown in FIG. 4, the edge 53a1 of each opening 53a is provided in a tapered shape that widens outward (forward) around the entire circumference.
[0013] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the pedal device 50 is provided with a lower base member 100. The lower base member 100 is provided with a lower base member main body 101 that is a flat plate long in the left-right direction, and three pedal corresponding parts 102 that extend forward from the lower base member main body 101 in correspondence with the respective pedals 52. The left and right pedal corresponding parts 102 are provided with adjustment members 103 that are screwed and connected to the respective pedal corresponding parts 102 so as to be adjustable so as to abut against the installation surface. The central pedal corresponding part 102 is provided with a pad 104 that faces the installation surface. A cushion member 105 (see Fig. 4) that abuts against the lower surface of the pedal 52 and regulates the lower limit position of the pedal 52 is provided on the upper surface of each pedal corresponding part 102 that faces the adjustment member 103 and the pad 104. A felt material can be used for the cushion member 105.
[0014] 2 and 3, a lower sheet metal member 110 having an L-shaped cross section (see FIG. 4) is provided on the lower surface of the lower base member main body 101 of the lower base member 100. The lower sheet metal member 110 has fixing portions 111 standing on both left and right ends. Each fixing portion 111 is fixed to an end of each of the left and right connecting rods 51 by a screw member.
[0015] An upper sheet metal member 120 is provided on the upper surface of the lower base member main body 101 of the lower base member 100. As shown in Fig. 4, the upper sheet metal member 120 has a lower plate portion 121 arranged in a flat plate shape on the lower base member main body 101, a flat upper plate portion 123, and a connecting plate 122 that connects the lower plate portion 121 and the upper plate portion 123 so as to stand vertically.
[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the pedal device 50 is provided with a front sheet metal member 130 whose upper and lower ends are bent backward so as to stand upright from the upper surface of the lower plate portion 121. The lower plate portion of the front sheet metal member 130 is fixed to the lower plate portion 121 and the lower base member main body portion 101 by fastening together with a screw member. The upper plate portion of the front sheet metal member 130 is fixed to the lower surface of the upper plate portion of the pedal case 53 (see FIG. 4). The front sheet metal member 130 is provided with openings 131 that open corresponding to each pedal 52 and have a shape that is open on the lower side. Ribs 132 are provided on the periphery of each opening 131. Note that, although only the opening 131 (rib 132) corresponding to the right pedal 52a is shown in FIG. 2, the openings 131 (ribs 132) are provided corresponding to each pedal 52.
[0017] An upper base member 150 is provided above the lower base member 100 via an upper sheet metal member 120. The upper base member 150 has a spring holding portion 151 provided above the base end of each pedal corresponding portion 102 of the lower base member 100. The spring holding portion 151 is provided in a cylindrical shape, and a coil spring 54 is disposed inside. As shown in FIG. 4, a lower spring support shaft 151a is provided on the bottom surface of the spring holding portion 151. The lower spring support shaft 151a is inserted into the coil spring 54. In this manner, the lower end of the coil spring 54 is supported by the spring holding portion 151. The upper end of the coil spring 54 is supported by a spring receiving member 154 provided on the lower surface of the pedal 52. The upper spring support shaft 154a of the spring receiving member 154 is inserted into the coil spring 54. The pedal 52 is urged upward by the coil spring 54.
[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the base end of each spring holding portion 151 of the upper base member 150 is connected to the upper base member main body portion 152. The upper base member main body portion 152 is provided in the shape of a plate that is long in the left-right direction. On the upper surface of the upper base member main body portion 152, a bearing portion 153 that rotatably supports a rotation shaft 55 provided at the base end of each pedal 52 is provided. In addition, the upper surface of the upper base member main body portion 152 is formed as a recess 152a that is long in the left-right direction. A substrate 161 is provided in the recess 152a. On the upper surface of the substrate 161, a sensor unit 160 is provided. The sensor unit 160 is provided with a rotary volume that is a variable resistor. The sensor unit 160 can detect the amount of depression of the pedal 52 by a cam member 164 attached to the rotation shaft of the rotary volume abutting and engaging with a cam surface of an arm portion 144 of the regulating member 140 described later.
[0019] 2, 3, and 4, a block-shaped restricting member 140 is provided on the upper surface of each pedal 52 on the base end side (the rotation shaft 55 side, the rear side of the pedal 52) inside the pedal case 53. A cushion member 143 is provided on the upper surface of each restricting member 140. Each restricting member 140 is fixed to the upper surface of each pedal 52 by a screw member 148 (see FIG. 3) provided on the lower surface side of the cushion member 143. The cushion member 143 can be made of, for example, a felt material.
[0020] Each of the restricting members 140 has a first restricting portion 141 and a second restricting portion 142, which are provided facing the opening 53a of the pedal case 53 on the rear side. Each of the first restricting portions 141 is provided on the upper surface of the pedal 52 so as to cover the pedal 52. In other words, the first restricting surface 141a is provided in a curved shape following the upper surface of the pedal 52. The lower end edge of the first restricting portion 141 is provided so as to follow the upper surface of the pedal 52. Here, the outer surface of each of the first restricting portions 141 is the first restricting surface 141a. Each of the first restricting surfaces 141a (each of the first restricting portions 141) is provided so that the upper portion is inclined toward the base end side of the pedal 52 with respect to the upper surface of the corresponding pedal 52. The angle θ1 formed by the first restricting surface 141a and the upper surface of the pedal 52, as shown in the enlarged view of the P portion in FIG. 4, is set to 40 degrees to 45 degrees.
[0021] Each of the restricting members 140 has a second restricting portion 142. Each of the second restricting portions 142 has a substantially U-shape with the open side facing downward, an inclined upper second restricting surface 142a, and a side portion 142b provided along the left and right side portions of the pedal 52, with a front surface continuing vertically downward from the second restricting surface 142a. Each of the first restricting portions 141 described above is provided so as to protrude from the front surface of each of the second restricting portions 142. The second restricting surface 142a is a front inclined surface that is a right-angled trapezoidal shape in a side view above the second restricting portion 142. In other words, the second restricting surface 142a is provided so that the upper portion is inclined toward the base end side of the pedal 52 with respect to the upper surface of the pedal 52. The second restricting surface 142a of each of the second restricting portions is connected to each of the first restricting surfaces 141a above each of the first restricting portions 141 at an obtuse angle (angle θ2 in FIG. 4).
[0022] A cushion member 143 is provided on the upper surface of the regulating member 140 behind the second regulating surface 142a. The cushion member 143 abuts against an upper portion of the opening 131 (rib 132) of the front sheet metal member 130, and regulates the upper limit position of the pedal 52. In addition, the regulating member 140 is provided with an arm portion 144 that protrudes toward the sensor unit 160 and engages with a cam member 164 of the sensor unit 160.
[0023] As shown in Fig. 4, the lower end of the first restricting portion 141 of the restricting member 140 is located inside an opening surface 53a2 of the opening 53a of the pedal case 53 (a surface that is continuous with the outer surface of the front plate of the pedal case 53 where the opening 53a is provided and is opened by the opening 53a). Therefore, at least a part of the restricting member 140 (the first restricting portion 141 and the second restricting portion 142) is located inside the pedal case 53. The restricting member 140 restricts the entry of a finger or the like through the opening 53a of the pedal case 53, thereby reducing the possibility of the finger or the like being pinched between the opening 53a and the upper surface of the pedal 52. The operation and function of the restricting member 140 will be described below.
[0024] FIG. 4 shows a state where the pedal 52 is not depressed. At this time, the inclined first restriction surface 141a restricts the entry of fingers, etc., into the opening 53a. Between the left and right sides of each pedal 52 and the opening 53a, the side portion 142b of the restriction member 140 is located, restricting the entry of fingers, etc. Note that the gap between the upper side of the edge portion 53a1 of the opening 53a of the pedal case 53 and the first restriction surface 141a, and the gap between the left and right sides of the pedal 52 and the left and right sides of the edge portion 53a1 of the opening 53a are set narrow enough that fingers cannot enter. Even in the state of FIG. 4, by providing a gap between the upper side of the edge portion 53a1 of the opening 53a of the pedal case 53 and the first restriction surface 141a, it is possible to reduce contact between the edge portion 53a1 and the first restriction surface 141a even when the pedal 52 is released to be pressed down and played.
[0025] FIG. 5 shows a state where the pedal 52 is fully depressed. In this case, the first restriction surface 141a and the second restriction surface 142a restrict the finger or the like from being inserted into the back of the pedal case 53. When the finger or the like is placed on the front side of the first restriction surface 141a or the second restriction surface 142a in the state of FIG. 5, when the pedal 52 is released from depression and returned to the state of FIG. 4, the finger or the like is gradually pushed back by the inclined second restriction surface 142a and the edge portion 53a1 of the tapered opening 53a. When the pedal 52 rises to a certain extent, the finger or the like is pushed back by the inclined first restriction surface 141a and the edge portion 53a1 of the tapered opening 53a.
[0026] Furthermore, the lower end of first restricting surface 141a (the portion where first restricting portion 141 contacts the upper surface of pedal 52) is located inside opening surface 53a2 of opening 53a even when pedal 52 is fully depressed (the state in FIG. 5). That is, restricting member 140 is located inside opening surface 53a2 of opening 53a whether pedal 52 is not depressed (the state in FIG. 4) or depressed (the state in FIG. 5).
[0027] In addition, the height h1 from the top surface of the pedal 52 to the upper edge 53a1 (upper edge) of the opening 53a when the pedal 52 is fully depressed is smaller than the height h2 from the top surface of the pedal 52 to the tip of the second restriction surface 142a when the pedal 52 is fully depressed.
[0028] The first restricting surface 141a and the front surface of the side portion 142b of the second restricting portion 142 are provided not only on the upper surface of the pedal 52 but also on the left and right sides, and the tapered edge portion 53a1 of the opening 53a is also provided on the left and right sides of the pedal 52, so that the pedal device 50 makes it difficult to insert fingers or the like into the left and right sides of each pedal 52. In this way, the restricting member 140 serves as a restricting portion that restricts the entry of fingers or the like. The restricting member 140 as the restricting portion is provided so as to be visible from the outside on the front side of the pedal case 53 through the opening 53a.
[0029] As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, the pedal device 50 includes a pedal case 53 having an opening 53a, a pedal 52 that protrudes outward through the opening 53a and is rotatably arranged, and a regulating member 140 that is a regulating portion that has a first regulating surface 141a that is inclined with respect to the upper surface of the pedal 52 so that the upper side is inclined toward the upper surface of the pedal from the tip side to the base end side of the pedal 52, and at least a portion of which is provided on the upper surface of the pedal 52 within the pedal case 53 and is arranged opposite the opening 53a.
[0030] As a result, the inclined first restriction surface 141a, at least a portion of which is disposed inside the pedal case 53, restricts the entry of fingers or the like, and the height dimension of the first restriction surface 141a can also be reduced. Therefore, the height of the opening 53a can also be reduced, and the pedal device 50 can be made compact.
[0031] Moreover, the restricting portion (restricting member 140) is provided so as to be visible from the outside of the pedal case 53 through the opening 53a. This makes it possible to provide the restricting portion so as to hide the inside of the pedal case 53 from being seen from the outside.
[0032] The restricting member 140 also has a second restricting surface 142a that is connected to the first restricting surface 141a at an obtuse angle and is provided above the first restricting surface 141a. This allows the second restricting surface 142a, which is a restricting surface that restricts the entry of fingers, etc., to approach the opening 53a when the pedal 52 is depressed, and more reliably restricts the entry of fingers, etc. For example, by setting the angle θ2 (see FIG. 4) between the first restricting surface 141a and the second restricting surface 142a to an obtuse angle, the second restricting surface 142a can be brought closer to the opening 53a than when the angle θ2 is set to 180 degrees.
[0033] Furthermore, the height h1 from the top surface of the pedal 52 to the upper edge, which is the upper edge 53a1 of the opening 53a, when the pedal 52 is fully depressed is smaller than the height h2 from the top surface of the pedal 52 to the tip of the second restriction surface 142a when the pedal 52 is fully depressed. As a result, even when the pedal 52 is fully depressed, no gap is generated between the opening 53a and the restriction member 140, and the intrusion of fingers, etc. can be more reliably restricted.
[0034] Furthermore, the lower end of the first restriction surface 141a is located inside the opening surface 53a2 of the opening 53a when the pedal 52 is fully depressed. This makes it difficult to see the first restriction surface 141a (the restriction member 140) from the opening 53a even when looking down at the pedal device 50 during performance, thereby making the pedal device 50 look good.
[0035] Moreover, the angle θ1 between the first restriction surface 141a and the upper surface of the pedal 52 is 40 degrees to 45 degrees. This makes it possible to make the first restriction surface 141a difficult to see from the outside, resulting in a pedal device 50 with a good appearance.
[0036] In addition, the edge 53a1 of the opening 53a is provided in a tapered shape expanding from the inside toward the outside of the pedal case 53. This allows the finger or the like to be effectively pushed back together with the first restriction surface 141a and the second restriction surface 142a when the pedal 52 is raised.
[0037] Moreover, the first restriction surface 141a is provided in a curved shape along the upper surface of the pedal 52. This provides a good appearance and can restrict the entry of fingers or the like from both the left and right sides of the pedal 52.
[0038] Moreover, the pedal device 50 has side portions 142b with vertical front faces provided on the left and right sides of the pedal 52. This makes it difficult to see the inside of the pedal device 50 through the gaps between the left and right sides of the pedal 52 and the opening 53a, making the pedal device 50 look even better.
[0039] The electronic keyboard instrument 10 also has a pedal device 50. This makes it possible to provide an electronic keyboard instrument 10 equipped with the pedal device 50 that has a small pedal case while restricting the intrusion of fingers or the like into the gap between the pedal 52 and the opening 53a. Note that, although the pedal device 50 is provided in the electronic keyboard instrument 10 in this embodiment, it may also be provided in other instruments or electronic instruments.
[0040] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]
[0041] 10 Electronic Keyboard Instruments 11 White Keys 12 black keys 13 keys 14 Instrument case 20 Legs 21 Legs 50 Pedal device 51 connecting rod 52 pedal 52a Right pedal 52b Left pedal 52c medium pedal 53 pedal case 53a Opening 53a1 Edge 53a2 Opening surface 54 Coil spring 55 Rotating shaft 100 Lower base member 101 Lower base member main body portion 102 Pedal corresponding portion 103 Adjustment member 104 Pad 105 Cushion member 110 Lower sheet metal member 111 fixing portion 120 upper sheet metal member 121 Lower plate portion 122 Connection plate 123 Upper plate portion 130 Front sheet metal member 131 Opening 132 Rib 140 Regulating member 141 First regulating portion 141a first restriction surface 142 second restriction portion 142a Second restriction surface 142b Side portion 143 Cushion member 144 Arm part 148 Screw member 150 Upper base member 151 spring holding portion 151a lower spring support shaft 152 Upper base member main body portion 152a Recessed portion 153 Bearing portion 154 Spring receiving member 154a Upper spring support shaft 160 Sensor unit 161 substrate 164 cam member
Claims
1. A pedal case having an opening; a pedal that protrudes outwardly from the pedal case through the opening and is rotatably provided; a first restricting portion including a first restricting surface that slopes downward at a first gradient from a base end side to a tip end side of the pedal; a second restriction portion including a second restriction surface inclined at a second downward gradient greater than the first downward gradient from a base end side to a tip end side of the pedal, the second restriction surface being located above the first restriction surface in the pedal case; having Pedal device.
2. A pedal device as described in claim 1, wherein the downward slope of the front surface facing the second regulating surface of the pedal case is greater than the second downward slope.
3. When the pedal is fully depressed, a majority of the area of the opening faces the second regulating surface, The pedal device according to claim 1 , wherein a majority of the area of the opening faces the first restriction surface when the pedal is not depressed.
4. 2. The pedal device according to claim 1, wherein a height from an upper surface of the pedal to an upper edge of the opening when the pedal is fully depressed is smaller than a height from the upper surface of the pedal to a tip end of the second control surface when the pedal is fully depressed.
5. The pedal device according to claim 1 , wherein the first restriction surface is provided so that a lower end thereof is located inside an opening surface of the opening when the pedal is fully depressed.
6. The pedal device according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first restricting portion is provided on an upper surface of the pedal inside the pedal case and opposed to the opening.
7. The edge of the opening is tapered so as to widen from the inside of the pedal case toward the outside. A pedal arrangement as claimed in claim 1 .
8. A pedal device as described in claim 1, wherein the second regulating portion has a front surface that continues downward from the second regulating surface and has side portions that are provided along the left and right sides of the pedal.
9. A pedal device as described in claim 1, wherein the upper side of the edge of the opening of the pedal case always faces the first regulating surface.
10. An electronic keyboard instrument equipped with a pedal device described in any one of claims 1 to 9.