Keyboard instrument

Abstract

To provide a small keyboard instrument in which a keyboard part can satisfactorily be assembled in a musical instrument case.SOLUTION: A keyboard instrument 10 includes; a musical instrument case 200 having a front plate 210, a shelf plate 220, and a connection member 201 which mutually fixes the front plate 210 and the shelf plate 220 and includes a hook part 201c protruding toward a back side B of a longitudinal direction (cross direction FB) of keys; and a keyboard part 50 which has a locking plate 510 as a locking part and is fixed to the musical instrument case 200 in a state in which the locking plate 510 is arranged between the hook part 201c and the shelf plate 220.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to keyboard instruments. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, keyboard instruments have been provided in which a keyboard unit, such as a keyboard chassis with multiple keys, is attached to a shelf board that forms the underside of the instrument case. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a keyboard instrument that includes a keyboard chassis with a connecting bar that connects to the instrument case. The keyboard chassis is fixed to the shelf board by attaching screws from the underside of the shelf board through reinforcing ribs attached to the underside of the shelf board. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-047837 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] To install the screws from the underside of the shelf, the instrument case must be turned upside down or the screwdriver must crawl under the case to tighten the screws, which can make assembly difficult. On the other hand, if the keyboard chassis is placed on the shelf and the screws are installed from above, additional space is required, which can result in the instrument case, and ultimately the keyboard instrument, becoming larger.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a small keyboard instrument whose keyboard section can be easily assembled into the instrument case. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The keyboard instrument of the present invention comprises an instrument case having a front panel, a shelf, and a connecting member for fixing the front panel and the shelf together, the connecting member including a hook portion that protrudes toward the rear side in the longitudinal direction of the key, and a keyboard portion that has a locking portion and is fixed to the instrument case with the locking portion positioned between the hook portion and the shelf. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a small keyboard instrument in which the keyboard section can be easily assembled into the instrument case. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a keyboard instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the keyboard instrument according to the embodiment of the present invention taken along line II-II of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of a keyboard instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the front panel and shelf panel combined together, as seen from the rear side. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of a keyboard chassis of a keyboard instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from the front side; [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view of a keyboard chassis of a keyboard instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from the rear side; [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view of a mounting member for a keyboard instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from above and front. [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view of a mounting member for a keyboard instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from the lower rear side. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a method for assembling a keyboard instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a plan view showing a state in which a mount member is placed on a shelf board to which a front panel is connected. [Figure 9] This is an explanatory diagram of a method of assembling a keyboard instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross-section IX-IX in Fig. 8, showing how a keyboard chassis supporting multiple keys is fitted into the mount member in Fig. 8. Note that the multiple keys are not shown in cross section, and some components such as circuit boards and switches are omitted. [Figure 10] 9 is an explanatory diagram of a method of assembling a keyboard instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a plan view showing a state in which a keyboard chassis supporting a plurality of keys is placed on and fitted to the mount member of FIG. [Figure 11] This is an explanatory diagram of a method for assembling a keyboard instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross-section XI-XI in Figure 10, showing the state in which the keyboard chassis is placed on and fitted to the mounting member. Note that the multiple keys are not shown in cross section, and some components such as the circuit board and switches are omitted. [Figure 12] This is an explanatory diagram of a method of assembling a keyboard instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross-section XI-XI in Figure 10, showing the state in which the keyboard section has been moved forward from the state in Figure 11. Note that the multiple keys are not shown in cross section, and some components such as the circuit board and switches are omitted. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a method for assembling a keyboard instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a plan view showing the state in which the keyboard section has been moved to the front and right side to its normal position and the fixed members and rotating members have been attached. [Figure 14] 1 is a perspective view of a rotary member of a keyboard instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from below. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Fig. 1, a keyboard instrument 10 has a musical instrument case 200 and a plurality of full-size keys (88 keys) including a plurality of white keys 300 and a plurality of black keys 400. The keyboard instrument 10 has a music stand 30 that can be attached and detached to the musical instrument case 200, and is supported by a musical instrument stand 20.

[0010] In the following description, the front of the multiple keys (white keys 300, black keys 400) in the front-to-back direction FB is referred to as the front side F (positive side of the y-axis), the back of the keys in the front-to-back direction FB is referred to as the back side B (negative side of the y-axis), the left side as you face the keys is referred to as the left side L (positive side of the x-axis), and the right side is referred to as the right side R (negative side of the x-axis). The key arrangement direction LR is the left-to-right direction. Furthermore, in the up-down direction UL of the keyboard instrument 10, the top is referred to as the upper side Up (positive side of the z-axis), and the bottom is referred to as the lower side Lo (negative side of the z-axis).

[0011] On the left side L and right side R of the multiple keys (white keys 300, black keys 400), there are provided left sleeves 206 and right sleeves 207, each of which is roughly shaped like a rectangular box that is long in the front-to-back direction. A volume knob 208 is provided on the top surface of the right sleeve 207. In addition, a power push button switch 209 is provided near the right end of a front panel 210 of the instrument case 200, which will be described later.

[0012] The instrument stand 20 has left and right side panels 21. A lower beam member 22 that is long in the key arrangement direction LR is provided on the rear lower side of the instrument stand 20, spanning between the left and right side panels 21. A pedal device 40 is provided in approximately the center of the lower beam member 22 in the key arrangement direction LR. A plate-shaped upper beam member 23 is provided above the lower beam member 22. The keyboard instrument 10 is fixed onto the left and right side panels 21.

[0013] The instrument case 200 of the keyboard instrument 10 is provided so that its left side surface (the outer surface of the left side panel 250) and right side surface (the outer surface of the right side panel 250) are continuous with the outer surfaces of the left and right side panels 21 of the instrument stand 20. In addition, speaker covers 60 are provided on the left and right sides of the underside of the keyboard instrument 10, protruding downward so as to be positioned between the left and right side panels 21.

[0014] 2, the instrument case 200 of the keyboard instrument 10 is provided with a front panel 210 that is long in the key arrangement direction LR on the front side F of the multiple keys (white keys 300, black keys 400). The bottom of the instrument case 200 is provided with a shelf 220 that has a lower surface 220a of the instrument case 200. The front panel 210 and the shelf 220 are connected by a front connecting member 201 that is a connecting member that is generally L-shaped in side view.

[0015] The front connecting member 201 has a vertical plate 201a whose plate surface faces in the front-to-back direction FB and a horizontal plate 201b whose plate surface faces in the up-down direction UL. As shown in Fig. 3, the vertical plate 201a has a plurality of screw holes 201a1. The vertical plate 201a is fixed to the front plate 210 by screw members 3 through each of the screw holes 201a1. The horizontal plate 201b is fixed to the shelf plate 220 by screw members 4 through a plurality of screw holes 201b1.

[0016] The horizontal plate 201b has a wide portion 201b2 in the front-to-back direction FB in its approximate center. The horizontal plate 201b also has a plurality of hook portions 201c. As shown in the enclosed view of area M1 in FIG. 2, the hook portions 201c are crank-shaped in side view from the horizontal plate 201b, protruding toward the rear side B in the key longitudinal direction (front-to-back direction FB) and spaced apart from the top surface of the shelf plate 220. As shown in FIG. 3, seven hook portions 201c, F-1 to F-7, are arranged with different lengths in the key arrangement direction LR. The hook portions F-1 and F-7 on the left and right ends are longer than the other hook portions F-2 to F-6. Because the left and right ends of the musical instrument case 200 are prone to greater deflection, the longer hook portions 201c are provided to suppress deflection.

[0017] A sheet-like elastic member 201d is provided around the hook portion 201c on the hook portion F-1 at the left end (L), the hook portion F-4 at the center left end (L), the hook portion F-5 at the center right end (R), and the hook portion F-7 at the right end (R) (see the diagram enclosed by M1 in FIG. 2). The elastic members 201d on the hook portions F-1 and F-7 are longer than the elastic members 201d on the hook portions F-4 and F-5 to match the length of the hook portion 201c. The elastic members 201d may be made of felt or nonwoven fabric. By providing the elastic members 201d closer to the left end (L) and right end (R) than the center of the instrument case 200 in the key arrangement direction (LR), the elastic members 201d can absorb dimensional tolerances on the left and right ends of the keyboard chassis 500 and the front connecting member 201, where bending is likely to occur during manufacturing.

[0018] A plurality of lower rear connecting members 202 are provided near the rear edge of the shelf board 220. Meanwhile, the instrument case 200 is provided with a top panel 240, which has an upper surface 240a of the instrument case 200, on the rear side B of the plurality of keys (white keys 300, black keys 400). A plurality of upper rear connecting members 203 are provided near the rear edge of the top panel 240. The lower rear connecting members 202 and the upper rear connecting members 203 are generally L-shaped and have screw holes that penetrate in the up-down direction UL and the front-to-back direction FB. The lower rear connecting member 202 is screwed to the shelf board 220 from the upper side Up, and the upper rear connecting member 203 is screwed and fixed to the top panel 240 from the lower side Lo. The instrument case 200 is provided with a rear panel 230 that is fixed with screws via screw holes that penetrate the lower rear connecting members 202 and the upper rear connecting members 203 in the front-to-back direction FB. The rear plate 230 is fixed to the rear lower connecting member 202 and the rear upper connecting member 203 by screws from the outer surfaces.

[0019] The musical instrument case 200 is provided with left and right side panels 250. The left and right side panels 250 are connected to the rear panel 230 by a left rear connecting member 204 and a right rear connecting member (not shown), which are generally L-shaped sheet metal members. In addition, support panels 205 are provided near the left and right edges of the shelf panel 220. The left and right support panels 205 are fixed to the shelf panel 220 with screws. The left and right side panels 250 are then fixed to the left and right support panels 205 with screws, respectively.

[0020] The instrument case 200 has a folding fallboard 260 that covers multiple keys (white keys 300 and black keys 400). The fallboard 260 consists of two plate-like members, a front cover plate 261 and a rear cover plate 262, which are elongated in the key arrangement direction LR and connected by hinges 263. A front cover plate link member 267 and a rear cover plate link member 268 are rotatably mounted on the left and right support panels 205, respectively. The front cover plate 261 is rotatably connected to the front cover plate link member 267 via a drawer member 264 that is mounted on the front edge and elongated in the key arrangement direction LR. Similarly, the rear cover plate 262 is rotatably connected to the rear cover plate link member 268. The front cover plate 261 and the rear cover plate 262 of the fallboard 260 fold along the key arrangement direction LR as a dividing line, and when stored, the fallboard is stored within the instrument case 200 below the top panel 240. When the fall board 260 is pulled out to the front side F by placing a finger in the recess of the drawer member 264, it can cover a plurality of keys (white keys 300, black keys 400).

[0021] The interior of the musical instrument case 200 is provided with a keyboard section 50 that supports multiple keys (white keys 300, black keys 400). The keyboard section 50 includes multiple keys (white keys 300, black keys 400), a keyboard chassis 500, and a mount member 600 provided inside the keyboard chassis 500. As shown in Figures 2, 4, and 5, the keyboard chassis 500 is elongated in the key arrangement direction LR and has a generally crank-like shape in side view, with a high rear side B. A space is provided inside the keyboard chassis 500. A front panel 501 on the front side F of the keyboard chassis 500 is provided with a locking plate 510 (locking portion) on the lower side Lo and a reinforcing plate 520 on the upper side Up.

[0022] The front plate 501, locking plate 510, and reinforcing plate 520 are arranged in the shape of long plates in the key arrangement direction LR. The front plate 501 and locking plate 510 are partially interrupted by an interrupted portion 503. The interrupted portion 503 corresponds to the wide portion 201b2 of the front connecting member 201. As shown in FIG. 4, the keyboard chassis 500 is provided with a pillar portion 502 to provide support between the locking plate 510 and the reinforcing plate 520. As shown in the enclosed diagram of portion N1 viewed from the N1 direction in FIG. 4 (looking from the bottom to the top of the keyboard chassis 500), the pillar portion 502 includes a substantially cylindrical pillar portion 502a and a cylindrical pillar portion 502b that is an elongated rounded rectangle. The substantially cylindrical columnar portion 502a is provided with a shelf board abutment portion 502a1 (abutment protrusion) that protrudes downward via the locking plate 510, and two ribs 502a2 that extend from the shelf board abutment portion 502a1 in opposing directions in the key arrangement direction LR. In other words, the abutment protrusion including the shelf board abutment portion 502a1 and the ribs 502a2 protrudes toward the shelf board 220 beyond the locking plate 510.

[0023] The lower surfaces of the shelf abutment portion 502a1 and the rib 502a2 are flush with the lower surface of the side panel 504 of the keyboard chassis 500, which abuts against the upper surface of the shelf 220, and with the abutment surface 505 (see FIG. 2) on the rear side of the keyboard chassis 500. Therefore, when the keyboard chassis 500 and the instrument case 200 are assembled, the upper surface of the shelf 220 abuts against the lower surfaces of the shelf abutment portion 502a1 and the rib 502a2 on the front side F of the keyboard chassis 500. The locking plate 510 is positioned spaced apart from the upper surface of the shelf 220 (see also FIG. 11).

[0024] The keyboard chassis 500 is provided with a front insertion portion 530 (first insertion portion) on the rear side B of the reinforcing plate 520. In a side cross-sectional view as shown in FIG. 2, the front insertion portion 530 has a generally U-shaped cross section, with the open side at the bottom Lo, and extends in the key arrangement direction LR (see FIG. 2). The generally U-shaped cross section of the front insertion portion 530 provides a tapered internal space 532 whose width in the front-to-back direction FB gradually narrows toward the upper side Up (see also FIG. 9). On the upper side Up of the front insertion portion 530, a plate-shaped rubber support portion 531 is provided, standing upright from the front side F, with its plate surface facing the front-to-back direction FB, to support the sliding rubbers 350 (see FIG. 2) provided for each white key 300. An engagement protrusion 251a (see FIG. 2) that engages with a hole in the sliding rubber 350 is provided on the front surface of the rubber support portion 531.

[0025] The rear side B of the keyboard chassis 500 is provided with a support base 540 that is generally U-shaped in side view with the open side facing downward (Lo) and that is long in the key arrangement direction (LR). Hammer members 70 that are supported by mount members 600 (described later) are housed in an internal space 542 of the support base 540. As shown in FIG. 4, the front side F of the support base 540 is provided with a plurality of openings 544 (see FIG. 4) that allow the front ends of the hammer members 70 to protrude from the inside of the support base 540. The front side F of the support base 540 is provided with a plurality of rubber support portions 541 (see FIG. 4) that protrude upward (Up) to support sliding rubbers 450 (see FIG. 2) that are provided corresponding to each black key 400.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, a substrate 80 having a switch 81 mounted thereon is disposed on the upper surface of the support base 540. A key support section 543 that rotatably supports each of the white keys 300 and each of the black keys 400 is provided at the rear end of the support base 540 (see also FIGS. 4 and 5). As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of rear insertion sections 550 (second insertion sections) each having a substantially truncated quadrangular pyramid shape are provided on the rear side B of the support base 540. Each rear insertion section 550 has an internal space. A circular opening 551 that communicates with the internal space of each rear insertion section 550 is provided on the upper surface of each rear insertion section 550.

[0027] Multiple keys (white keys 300, black keys 400) are rotatably supported by a keyboard chassis 500. The rear ends of the white keys 300 are rotatably supported by key support parts 543 of the keyboard chassis 500. The white keys 300 have a front panel 301 that extends from the front side F of the top panel, which is the keying surface, to the lower side Lo. The white keys 300 are provided with left and right side panels 302. The left and right side panels 302 extend in a hook-like shape to the lower side Lo, sandwiching the front panel 301 at the front side F. The left and right side panels 302 extending in a hook-like shape are guided by sliding rubbers 350 provided between the left and right side panels 302. The white keys 300 are also provided with hammer pressing parts 303 that are connected to the hammer members 70. Each white key 300 is provided with a switch pressing portion 304 that protrudes to the lower side Lo, and is capable of pressing a switch 81 provided corresponding to each white key 300.

[0028] When a white key 300 is pressed, the lower ends of the hook-shaped left and right side plates 302 descend until they come into contact with cushions C1 provided on the upper surface of the reinforcing plate 520. At this time, the weight portion 70a at the rear of the hammer member 70 rises and comes into contact with cushions C3 provided on the underside of the support base 540. When the white key 300 is released, the weight portion 70a descends and comes into contact with cushions C4 provided on the shelf board 220. At this time, the jaw portions of the left and right side plates 302 of the white key 300 come into contact with cushions C2 provided on the underside of the support plate 531a below the rubber support portion 531 that protrudes to the front side F.

[0029] The black keys 400 have the same structure as the white keys 300. That is, referring to Figures 2 and 9, the rear ends of the black keys 400 are rotatably supported by key support parts 543 of the keyboard chassis 500. The black keys 400 have front plate parts 401 with side plates, and the front plate part 401 is guided by sliding rubber 450. The front plate part 401 is also connected to the hammer members 70. The black keys 400 are provided with switch pressing parts 404 that can press switches 81 provided corresponding to each black key 400.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the mount member 600 is divided into two parts: a left mount member 610 and a right mount member 620. The mount member 600 has a front insertion section 601 (first insertion section) on the front side F that protrudes in a generally mountain shape in side view. The front insertion section 601 is elongated in the key arrangement direction LR, and has an intermittent section 603 in its approximate center. The intermittent section 603 corresponds to the wide section 201b2 of the front connecting member 201 and the intermittent section 503 of the keyboard chassis 500. The front insertion section 601, which includes multiple ridges 601a and 601b (described later), is tapered upward (narrow in width in the front-to-rear direction FB) in side view.

[0031] A protrusion 602 is provided on the front side F of the front insertion portion 601. The protrusion 602 is plate-shaped with its plate surface facing in the front-to-rear direction FB, and has two rounded corners on its upper side that protrude toward the front side F. A plurality of protrusions 602 are provided with different lengths in the key arrangement direction LR. The lower end of the protrusion 602 is aligned with the front insertion portion 601, but the upper end is located lower than the front insertion portion 601. Therefore, a step 604 is provided at the connection between the protrusion 602 and the front insertion portion 601. A plurality of ridges 601a are provided on the front surface of the front insertion portion 601 at the step 604, and a plurality of ridges 601b are provided on the rear surface of the front insertion portion 601.

[0032] The mounting member 600 has a rear side B that is thicker in the up-down direction UL, and a plurality of screw holes 605 are provided on the top surface to which hammer member support parts 71 (see FIG. 2) on which the hammer members 70 are placed are attached. A plurality of openings 607 are provided in the key arrangement direction between the front insertion part 601 and the part where the screw holes 605 are provided in the front-to-back direction FB.

[0033] As shown in the enclosed diagram of P1 in FIG. 6 and the enclosed diagram of Q1 in FIG. 7, the left mount member 610 and the right mount member 620 are integrally connected by a recessed connection 611 provided at the right end of the left mount member 610 and a protruding connection 621 provided at the left end of the right mount member 620 engaging with each other. The protruding connection 621 is provided on the rear side B of a connecting plate 625 that protrudes from the left end of the right mount member 620 in a tongue-like manner toward the left side L, in a substantially strip-like shape of a predetermined width and in a substantially U-shape with the open side facing downward. The connecting protruding portion 621 is provided with a protruding rib 621a protruding along the outer surface of the connecting protruding portion 621. Meanwhile, the connecting recessed portion 611 is provided with a step 611a on the front side F.

[0034] When the connecting protrusion 621 is inserted into the connecting recess 611, the front side F of the connecting protrusion 621 faces the step 611a, and the rear side B of the connecting protrusion 621 faces the rear plate 613 of the left mounting member 610, thereby restricting relative forward and backward movement between the left mounting member 610 and the right mounting member 620. In addition, the edge surface 621b on the right side R of the connecting protrusion 621 of the right mounting member 620 faces the right edge 615 of the left mounting member 610, and the left side surface 625a at the base of the connecting plate 625 of the right mounting member 620 faces the right edge 615 of the left mounting member 610. This restricts relative left-right movement between the left mounting member 610 and the right mounting member 620.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 7, the mount members 600 (left mount member 610, right mount member 620) are provided with protrusions 630 that stand upright toward the lower side Lo. A plurality of protrusions 630 are provided at predetermined intervals in the key arrangement direction LR. In this embodiment, four protrusions 630 are provided on the left mount member 610 and three are provided on the right mount member 620. The protrusions 630 are provided in a substantially cylindrical shape. A plurality of reinforcing ribs 631 are provided on the outer periphery of the protrusions 630.

[0036] The outer diameter of the protrusion 630 is slightly smaller than the groove width of the recessed groove 225 of the shelf board 220, which will be described later. Therefore, the protrusion 630 engages with the recessed groove 225. In other words, the protrusion 630 and the recessed groove 225 have a recess-recess engagement structure. Each of the multiple protrusions 630 engages with the corresponding recessed groove 225.

[0037] A plurality of ribs 608 and a plurality of bosses 606a, 606b are provided on the lower Lo surface of the mount member 600, corresponding to the openings 607. A plurality of opening holes 613a, 623a that open in a substantially U-shape are provided on a rear face plate 613 of the left mount member 610 and a rear face plate 623 of the right mount member 620, which correspond to the space between the two ribs 608.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 3, multiple grooves 225 are provided on the top surface of the shelf board 220. In this embodiment, seven grooves 225 are provided at predetermined intervals in the key arrangement direction LR. The grooves 225 include left-right grooves 225a that are long in the key arrangement direction LR and front-rear grooves 225b that communicate with the left-right grooves 225a and are long in the front-rear direction FB. The left-right grooves 225a are provided on the front side F of the grooves 225, and the grooves 225a are generally L-shaped in plan view.

[0039] Additionally, two marker portions 226 are provided near the end of the right side R of the shelf board 220, spaced a predetermined distance apart in the front-to-rear direction FB. Of the two marker portions 226, a first marker portion 221 is provided on the front side F, and a second marker portion 222 is provided on the rear side B. The marker portion 226 includes a left-right marker groove 226a that is long in the key arrangement direction LR, and a front-to-rear marker groove 226b that is connected to the left-right marker groove 226a and is long in the front-to-rear direction FB. The marker portion 226 is generally L-shaped in plan view, with the left-right marker groove 226a provided on the rear side B.

[0040] The groove widths of the recessed groove portion 225 and the marker portion 226 are approximately the same. As a result, when processing the shelf board 220, the recessed groove portion 225 and the marker portion 226 can be processed on the material of the shelf board 220 installed on an NC machine tool or the like without needing to change the processing tool. The lengths of the left and right grooves 225a and the front and rear grooves 225b of the recessed groove portion 225 are shorter than the lengths of the left and right marker grooves 226a and the front and rear marker grooves 226b of the marker portion 226. The recessed groove portion 225 and the marker portion 226 are also approximately L-shaped, rotated 180 degrees from each other.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 2, the keyboard instrument 10 is provided with a rear fixing member 700 (fixing member) on the rear side B of the keyboard chassis 500. The rear fixing member 700 is made of sheet metal and is generally crank-shaped in side view. The rear fixing member 700 has a screw hole for inserting a screw member 6 at its lower end portion that protrudes toward the rear side B, and is fixed to the shelf board 220. The rear fixing member 700 has a rear insertion portion 710 (second insertion portion) on its front side F, with its plate surface facing in the key arrangement direction LR and protruding toward the lower side Lo. The rear insertion portion 710 is inserted into an opening hole 551 of a rear insertion receiving portion 550 of the keyboard chassis 500.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 12, three rear fixing members 700 are provided at a predetermined length in the key arrangement direction LR on the rear side B of the keyboard chassis 500.

[0043] Next, a method for manufacturing the keyboard instrument 10, in which the keyboard section 50 is assembled into the instrument case 200, will be described. Here, the concave-convex engagement structure includes a concave groove portion 225 provided in either the keyboard unit 50 or the shelf board 220 (the shelf board 220 in this embodiment), and a convex portion 630 provided in the other (the mount member 600 of the keyboard unit 50 in this embodiment). The concave groove portion 225 and the convex portion 630 are an engagement structure that are provided so as to be engageable with each other. Note that a concave-convex engagement structure may also be provided in which a concave groove portion is provided in the keyboard unit 50 and a convex portion is provided in the shelf board 220. The manufacturing method of the keyboard instrument 10 includes a front-rear groove engagement step of engaging the convex portion 630 with the front-rear groove 225b of the concave groove portion 225, and a left-right groove engagement step of moving the convex portion 630 to the front side F and engaging it with the left-right groove 225a.

[0044] In the front-rear groove engagement step, when the convex portion 630 is moved to the front side F, the locking plate 510 of the keyboard chassis 500 is inserted and positioned between the hook portion 201c of the front connecting member 201 and the shelf board 220. In detail, the front-rear groove engagement step includes: (1) a step of placing the mount member 600 on the instrument case 200 in alignment with the first marker portion 221 provided on the instrument case 200; (2) a step of placing the keyboard chassis 500 on the upper side Up of the mount member 600 by aligning it with the second marker portion 222 provided on the instrument case 200; and (3) a keyboard section insertion step of sliding the keyboard section 50 over the shelf board 220 to insert the locking plate 510, which is part of the keyboard section 50, into the gap between the hook portion 201c of the front connecting member 201 provided on the instrument case 200 and the shelf board 220 of the instrument case 200.

[0045] Next, in the left-right groove engagement step, when the convex portion 630 is moved left-right (key arrangement direction LR, right side R in this embodiment), the keyboard portion 50 is placed in the correct position relative to the shelf board 220.

[0046] Furthermore, after the front-rear groove engaging step and the left-right groove engaging step, the method includes a keyboard unit fixing step of rotating a rotating member 800 provided at at least one end of the keyboard unit 50 in the key arrangement direction to fix the keyboard unit 50 to the instrument case 200.

[0047] The mount member 600 is placed on the shelf board 220 through the front-rear groove engagement step, and the left-right groove engagement step is performed after the keyboard chassis 500 has been placed on the mount member 600. The mount member 600 is placed on the shelf board 220 in alignment with the first marker portion 221. This performs the front-rear groove engagement step. That is, the convex portion 630 engages with the front-rear groove 225b of the concave groove portion 225. The keyboard chassis 500 is then placed on the shelf board 220 in alignment with the second marker portion 222. The front insertion portion 601 of the mount member 600 is then inserted into and fits into the internal space 532 of the front insertion portion 530 of the keyboard chassis 500, and the mount member 600 is placed inside the keyboard chassis 500.

[0048] At the rear side B of the keyboard chassis 500, a rear fixing member 700 is attached to the shelf board 220. At this time, the rear insertion portion 710 of the rear fixing member 700 is inserted into the opening hole 551 of the rear insertion portion 550 of the keyboard chassis 500.

[0049] After the left and right groove engagement process is completed and the keyboard section 50 is positioned in the correct mounting position relative to the shelf 220, the rotating member 800 rotates along with the rotation of the screw member 880, causing the rotating member 800 to abut against the keyboard chassis 500 of the keyboard section 50, thereby performing the keyboard section fixing process, which fixes the instrument case 200 and the keyboard section 50.

[0050] Thereafter, other components of the instrument case 200 (back panel 230, top panel 240, left and right side panels 250), the fall board 260, the left sleeve 206, the right sleeve 207, the left and right support panels 205, and electrical components are installed, completing the keyboard instrument 10. After the keyboard instrument 10 is completed, it is attached to the instrument stand 20.

[0051] The manufacturing method (assembly method) of the keyboard instrument 10 will now be described in more detail. First, the front panel 210 and the shelf panel 220 are connected by the front connecting member 201. Here, as shown in Fig. 3, components (such as the speaker 12 and connector cases 13 and 14) that are attached from the underside of the shelf panel 220 can be attached to the shelf panel 220 before or after the front panel 210 and the shelf panel 220 are connected by the front connecting member 201. The shelf panel 220 is provided with a sound emission hole 227 that corresponds to the speaker 12. The sound emission hole 227 has a beam-shaped portion 227a that extends across a circular opening, and is composed of a front half circular hole 227b and a rear half circular hole 227c on the front side F.

[0052] The worker then assembles the mounting member 600 to the shelf board 220 connected to the front panel 210. As shown in the enclosed view of part R1 in FIG. 8 , the mounting member 600 is placed and positioned on the shelf board 220 with the right rear corner 680 of the mounting member 600 aligned with the inner corner (inner corner 221a) of the approximate L-shape of the first marker portion 221. Then, each of the convex portions 630 of the mounting member 600 engages with each of the concave groove portions 225 of the shelf board 220. Each of the convex portions 630 is positioned at the rear end of the front-rear groove 225b of the concave groove portion 225.

[0053] The left mounting member 610 and the right mounting member 620 are connected in advance to the mounting member 600. After the mounting member 600 is placed on the shelf board 220, the hammer member support part 71 and the hammer member 70 are attached to the mounting member 600.

[0054] Next, as shown in Fig. 9, the keyboard chassis 500, to which multiple keys (white keys 300, black keys 400) and circuit board 80 are attached, is placed on the mount member 600. As shown in the enclosed view of section S1 in Fig. 10, the keyboard chassis 500 is positioned so that the right rear corner 581 of the keyboard chassis 500 is aligned with the inner corner (inner corner 222a) of the approximately L-shape of the second marker portion 222. Then, the front insertion portion 601 of the mount member 600 shown in Fig. 9 is inserted into the internal space 532 of the front inserted portion 530 of the keyboard chassis 500, as shown in Fig. 11. At this time, the lower surface of the shelf board abutting portion 502a1 of the keyboard chassis 500 and the lower surfaces of the rib 502a2 and side panel 504, which have lower surfaces flush with the lower surface of the shelf board abutting portion 502a1, abut against the upper surface of the shelf board 220.

[0055] When the front insertion portion 601 is inserted into the internal space 532 of the front insertion portion 530, a step 604 (upper surface of the protrusion 602) of the mount member 600 comes into contact with a step 508 (underside of the reinforcing plate 520) formed by the front insertion portion 530 and the reinforcing plate 520 of the keyboard chassis 500. In this way, the keyboard chassis 500 and the mount member 600 are fitted together. The protruding strip 601a on the front side F of the mount member 600 comes into close proximity to or contacts the inner surface of the front insertion portion 530 (the front surface of the internal space 532). The protruding strip 601b on the rear side B of the mount member 600 comes into close proximity to or contacts the inner surface of the front insertion portion 530 (the rear surface of the internal space 532). In this way, the keyboard chassis 500 and the mount member 600 are restricted from moving relative to each other in the front-to-rear direction FB.

[0056] As shown in the enclosed diagram of part P2 in Fig. 6, two long ridges 626a are provided on the right side surface 626 of the right mount member 620 of the mount member 600 in the up-down direction UL. A similar ridge 616a is also provided on the left side surface 616 of the left mount member 610 (see Fig. 7). The ridges 616a, 626a come close to or come into contact with the inner surfaces of the left and right side panels 504 of the keyboard chassis 500, thereby restricting relative movement between the keyboard chassis 500 and the keys in the key arrangement direction LR.

[0057] After placing the keyboard chassis 500, which is provided with multiple keys (white keys 300, black keys 400), on the mount member 600, each hammer member 70 is connected to each white key 300 and black key 400. Then, the keyboard section 50 with the keyboard chassis 500 placed on the mount member 600 is moved to the front side F, and as shown in FIG. 12, the locking plate 510 is inserted between the hook portion 201c and the upper surface of the shelf board 220, that is, in the gap between the hook portion 201c (front connecting member 201) and the shelf board 220. To move the keyboard section 50 to the front side F, the convex portion 630 is moved to the front side F along the front-rear groove 225b of the recessed groove portion 225 (see the enclosed diagram R1 in FIG. 8 and the enclosed diagram T1 in FIG. 13).

[0058] The protrusion 630 is moved to the front side F along the front-rear groove 225b of the recessed groove portion 225, and when the protrusion 630 reaches the intersection of the left-right groove 225a and the front-rear groove 225b, the protrusion 630 is moved to the right side R along the left-right groove 225a. When the movement of the keyboard unit 50 is complete, the protrusion 630 is positioned at approximately the right end of the left-right groove 225a, as shown in the enclosed diagram T1 in Figure 13. This fixes the keyboard unit 50 (keyboard chassis 500 and mount member 600) to the shelf board 220 so that it cannot move at least in the front-rear direction FB.

[0059] In other words, when the convex portion 630 reaches the intersection of the left-right groove 225a and the front-rear groove 225b, the locking plate 510 of the keyboard unit 50 (keyboard chassis 500) is positioned between the hook portion 221c and the upper surface of the shelf 220. Then, when the convex portion 630 moves along the left-right groove 225a, the locking plate 510 slides between the hook portion 221c and the shelf 220. In this way, the front side F of the keyboard chassis 500 is fixed so as not to move in the up-down direction UL, with the locking plate 510 positioned between the hook portion 221c and the shelf 220. The keyboard unit 50 is fixed to the musical instrument case 200 with the locking plate 510 positioned between the hook portion 221c and the shelf 220.

[0060] In this embodiment, the groove 225 is provided so that the protrusion 630 moves to the front side F and then to the right side R. However, other configurations, such as providing the hook 201c and the locking plate 510 on the rear side B, can also be used to move the protrusion 630 to the rear side B and then to the left side L. In this embodiment, by finally moving the protrusion 630 to the right side R to position the keyboard unit 50, the gap between the right sleeve 207 and the adjacent white key 300 can be made very close to the design value. By providing the volume knob 208 and the push button switch 209 on the right side R of the keyboard instrument 10, the user's line of sight is more likely to be on the right side R than on the left side L, further improving the aesthetic appearance of the instrument.

[0061] In this embodiment, the hook portion 201c is provided on the front side F of the keyboard instrument 10, and the protrusion 630 of the mount member 600 is engaged with the front-rear groove 225b, moving the protrusion 630 of the mount member 600 from the rear side B to the front side F. This has the advantage of reducing the space on the front side F of the keyboard instrument 10, which is closer to the player, and providing a good keyboard instrument 10.

[0062] After placing the keyboard section 50 in the correct position, the rear fixing member 700 is attached as shown in Fig. 13. To attach the rear fixing member 700, the rear insertion section 710 shown in the enlarged enclosed view of section M2 in Fig. 2 is inserted into the opening 551 of the rear insertion section 550 of the keyboard chassis 500, while aligning the screw hole at the bottom end of the rear fixing member 700 with the female thread of the shelf board 220, and then fixing the rear fixing member 700 to the shelf board 220 with the screw member 6. As shown in the enlarged enclosed view of section M2 in Fig. 2, the rear insertion section 710 protrudes downward and can be inserted into the opening 551. Therefore, the rear side B of the keyboard chassis 500 is fixed so that it does not move in the up-down direction UL.

[0063] At the left and right ends of the rear side B of the keyboard chassis 500, the rear fixing members 700 and the keyboard chassis 500 are fixed by screws 7.

[0064] After the rear fixing member 700 is attached, the rotating member 800 is attached to the shelf boards 220 on the left and right sides of the keyboard chassis 500, as shown in the enclosed views of part T2 and part T3 in Fig. 13. As also shown in Fig. 14, the rotating member 800 is formed in a substantially disk shape with a screw hole 801 formed in the center. When viewed from the up-down direction UL, the rotating member 800 has an outer shape including a first convex arc portion 810 and a second convex arc portion 820 opposed to the first arc portion 810, which are linearly connected to each other, forming an annular wall portion 830. The annular wall portion 830 is formed so that the first arc portion 810 side is higher than the second arc portion 820.

[0065] A cylindrical portion 802 is provided on the outer periphery of the screw hole 801, and the head of the screw member 880 is arranged to fit inside the cylindrical portion 802. Two annular protrusions 831 and 832 are provided on the lower surface 805 of the rotating member 800, which are concentric with the screw hole 801. The protrusions 831 and 832 come into sliding contact with the upper surface of the shelf board 220 when the rotating member 800 is installed, making it easier for the rotating member 800 to rotate.

[0066] The rotating member 800 is fixed to the shelf board 220 near the left and right side panels 504 of the keyboard chassis 500 on the front side F of the keyboard chassis 500 by screws 880 through screw holes 801. When attaching the rotating member 800, turning the screw members 880 clockwise in the direction D1 causes the rotating member 800 to rotate clockwise together with the screw members 880. Then, as shown in boxed diagrams T2 and T3 in FIG. 13 , the first arc portion 810 of the rotating member 800 abuts against the side panel 504 on the left side L of the keyboard chassis 500, and the first arc portion 810 also abuts against the side panel 504 on the right side R of the keyboard chassis 500. Then, by sufficiently tightening the screws 880 so that the rotating member 800 does not rotate easily, movement of the keyboard section 50 (keyboard chassis 500) in the key arrangement direction LR is restricted by the rotating member 800.

[0067] As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, the keyboard instrument 10 comprises an instrument case 200 having a front panel 210, a shelf 220, and a front connecting member 201 which is a connecting member for fixing the front panel 210 and the shelf 220 to each other and includes a hook portion 201c which protrudes toward the rear side B in the longitudinal direction of the key (front-to-back direction FB), and a keyboard section 50 which has a locking plate 510 as a locking portion and is fixed to the instrument case 200 with the locking plate 510 positioned between the hook portion 201c and the shelf 220.

[0068] As a result, even if there is no space in front of the keys F for installing screws to secure the keyboard unit 50, the hook portion 201c and the locking plate 510 can restrict movement of the keyboard unit 50 in the up-down direction UL relative to the shelf 220 at least on the front side F. Conventionally, when there is no space in front of the keys F for installing screws to secure the keyboard unit 50, screws are screwed into the underside 220a of the instrument case 200 to secure the keyboard unit 50 to the shelf 220. When screwing these screws, the instrument case 200 must be turned over without the heavy keyboard unit 50, weighing approximately 10 kgf, being secured to the instrument case 200, resulting in poor workability. However, with the above configuration, there is no need to turn the instrument case 200 over even if there is no space in front of the keys F, making it possible to provide a compact keyboard instrument 10 in which the keyboard unit 50 can be easily assembled to the instrument case 200.

[0069] Furthermore, the locking plate 510 as a locking portion includes a shelf plate abutment portion 502a1 which is an abutment projection that protrudes toward the shelf plate 220 from the locking plate 510 extending in the key arrangement direction LR and abuts against the shelf plate 220. This provides elasticity to the locking plate 510, making it difficult for the hook portion 201c and the locking plate 510 to come loose from their engagement.

[0070] Additionally, the keyboard unit 50 is provided with a plate-shaped reinforcing plate 520 parallel to the locking plate 510 on the upper side Up of the locking plate 510, and a pillar-shaped portion 502 that provides support between the reinforcing plate 520 and the locking plate 510. As a result, the plate-shaped locking plate 510 can be easily inserted between the hook portion 201c and the shelf plate 220, and the reinforcing plate 520 can suppress bending of the locking plate 510 via the pillar-shaped portion 502, further making it difficult for the hook portion 201c and the locking plate 510 to come loose from their engagement.

[0071] Additionally, the hook portion 201c is provided with an elastic member 201d, which is in contact with the locking plate 510. This allows the keyboard chassis 500 to be elastically restricted by the hook portion 201c, and also absorbs dimensional tolerances in the manufacture of the components.

[0072] The keyboard section 50 also includes a keyboard chassis 500 and a mount member 600 that has a front insertion section 601 as a first insertion section that is inserted into the internal space 532 of the keyboard chassis 500 and fits inside the keyboard chassis 500. This restricts the relative movement of the mount member 600 and the keyboard chassis 500, which are fixed in the front-to-back direction FB to the shelf board 220, in the front-to-back direction FB, thereby restricting the movement of the keyboard section 50 in the front-to-back direction FB relative to the shelf board 220.

[0073] The front insertion portion 601 is tapered, so that the front insertion portion 601 is automatically centered with respect to the internal space 532 of the front insertion portion 530, allowing for smooth insertion.

[0074] Furthermore, the mount member 600 has hammer member support portions 71 on which the hammer members 70 are placed. This allows the keyboard section 50 to be compact while still being able to accommodate the hammer members 70, thereby providing a compact, easy-to-assemble keyboard instrument 10 that feels similar to a real piano when played.

[0075] Additionally, at the rear side B in the longitudinal direction of the keys (front-to-back direction FB), the keyboard chassis 500 has a rear fixing member 700 as a fixing member that fixes the keyboard section 50 and the shelf board 220, and that includes a rear insertion section 710 as a second insertion section that protrudes downward, and the keyboard chassis 500 has a rear insertion section 550 as a second insertion section into which the rear insertion section 710 is inserted. This makes it possible to restrict movement of the rear side B of the keyboard chassis 500 in the up-down direction UL.

[0076] In this embodiment, the process of performing the left-right groove engaging process after the front-rear groove engaging process is exemplified, but the front-rear groove engaging process may be performed after the left-right groove engaging process when the structure of the keyboard instrument 10 is different from the structure described in this embodiment. The positional relationship between the front-rear grooves and the left-right grooves is not limited to the positional relationship exemplified in this embodiment.

[0077] Although several 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 embodied 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 within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 3~7 Screw members 10 Keyboard instruments 12 Speakers 13,14 Connector case 20 Instrument stand 21 Side panel 22 Lower beam member 23 Upper beam member 30 Music stand 40 Pedal device 50 Keyboard section 60 Speaker cover 70 hammer member 70a weight portion 71 hammer member support portion 80 base plate 81 Switch 200 Instrument Case 201 Front connecting member 201a Vertical plate 201a1 Screw hole 201b Horizontal plate 201b1 Screw hole 201b2 Wide part 201c Hook portion 201d Elastic member 202 rear lower connecting member 203 rear upper connecting member 204 Left rear connecting member 205 Support panel 206 Left sleeve 207 Right sleeve 208 Volume knob 209 Push button switch 210 Front panel 220 Shelf 220a Underside 221 First mark 221a Inner corner 221c Hook 222 Second mark portion 222a Inner corner portion 225 Concave groove 225a Left and right groove 225b Front and rear grooves 226 Marking part 226a Left and right marking grooves 226b Front and rear marking grooves 227 Sound emission hole 227a Beam-shaped part 227b Anterior foramen 227c Posterior foramen 230 Rear plate 240 Top plate 240a Top surface 250 Side plate 251a Engaging protrusion 260 Keyboard lid 261 Front cover plate 262 Rear cover plate 263 Hinge 264 Drawer member 267 Front cover plate link member 268 Rear cover plate link member 300 White keys 301 Front panel 302 Side plate 303 Hammer pressing part 304 Switch pressing part 350 Sliding rubber 400 Black key 401 Front panel 404 Switch pressing part 450 Sliding rubber 500 Keyboard chassis 501 Front plate 502 Column part 502a Pillar portion 502a1 Shelf plate contact portion 502a2 Rib 502b Pillar 503 Intermittent part 504 Side plate 505 Contact surface 508 Stepped portion 510 Locking plate 520 Reinforcement plate 530 Front inserted part 531 Rubber support part 531a Support plate 532 Internal space 540 Support base 541 Rubber support part 542 Internal space 543 Key support part 544 Opening 550 Rear insertion portion 551 Opening hole 581 Corner 600 Mounting member 601 Front insertion portion 601a Convex 601b Convex 602 Protruding portion 603 Intermittent portion 604 Stepped portion 605 Screw hole 606a Boss 606b Boss 607 Opening 608 Rib 610 Left mounting member 611 Connection recess 611a Stepped section 613 Rear plate 613a Opening hole 615 Right edge 616 Left side 616a Convex strip 620 Right mounting member 621 Connection protrusion 621a Convex strip 621b Edge surface 623 Rear plate 623a Opening hole 625 Connection plate 625a Left side 626 Right side 626a Convex strip 630 Convex part 631 Rib 680 Corner 700 Rear fixing member 710 rear insertion portion 800 rotating member 801 screw hole 802 cylindrical part 803 Rib 805 Underside 810 First arc section 820 Second arc section 830 Annular wall 831, 832 Convex portion 880 Screw member

Claims

1. a musical instrument case having a front panel, a shelf, and a connecting member for fixing the front panel and the shelf together, the connecting member including a hook portion that protrudes toward the rear side in the longitudinal direction of the key; a keyboard unit having a locking portion, the keyboard unit being fixed to the musical instrument case with the locking portion disposed between the hook portion and the shelf; A keyboard instrument comprising:

2. The locking portion includes a locking plate extending in the key arrangement direction and a contact protrusion protruding from the locking plate toward the shelf plate and contacting the shelf plate.

2. The keyboard instrument according to claim 1.

3. The keyboard unit includes a plate-shaped reinforcing plate parallel to the locking portion on the upper side of the locking portion, and a column-shaped portion for supporting the space between the reinforcing plate and the locking portion.

2. The keyboard instrument according to claim 1.

4. The hook portion includes an elastic member, The elastic member is in contact with the locking portion.

2. The keyboard instrument according to claim 1.

5. a mount member placed on the shelf and including a first insertion portion; the first insertion portion is inserted into an internal space of a keyboard chassis included in the keyboard portion; 2. The keyboard instrument according to claim 1.

6. The first insertion portion is tapered.

6. A keyboard instrument according to claim 5.

7. The mount member has a hammer member support portion on which the hammer member is placed.

6. A keyboard instrument according to claim 5.

8. a fixing member for fixing the keyboard unit and the shelf board at a rear side in the longitudinal direction of the key, the fixing member including a second insertion portion protruding downward; the keyboard chassis has a second insertion portion into which the second insertion portion is inserted; 8. A keyboard instrument according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

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