Keyboard device of a keyboard instrument

Abstract

To provide a keyboard device for a keyboard musical instrument capable of preventing the generation of noise in a connection part of a key and a hammer, and securing smooth operation of the connection part to obtain good touch feeling.SOLUTION: Disclosed is a keyboard device for a keyboard musical instrument which includes: a keyboard chassis 4; keys 2 arranged on an upper part thereof; and hammers 31 which rotate in conjunction with the depressed keys 2. A key side connecting part 22 and a hammer side connecting part 35 rotatably and slidably connected to each other are respectively provided on the key 2 and the hammer 31. The hammer side connecting part 35 has an engaging shaft 35b extending in the left and right directions. In the key side connecting part 22, a side shape is formed in a U-shape opening in one of front and rear directions, and an engaging recessed part 22a engaged with the engaging shaft 35b is provided. On the engaging recessed part 22a, a shock absorbing member 20 is mounted, which prevents the engaging shaft 35b from coming into contact with the inner peripheral surface and is in sliding contact with the engaging shaft 35b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a keyboard device for a keyboard instrument such as an electronic piano, which is provided with a hammer that rotates in conjunction with the key depression of a key.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as this type of keyboard device, for example, the one described in Patent Document 1 is known. This keyboard device includes a key that extends in the front-rear direction and rotates with the rear end as a fulcrum, a mass that extends in the front-rear direction and is rotatably provided below the key and rotates in conjunction with the key depression of the key, and a key frame that rotatably supports these key and mass. A driving hanging piece that protrudes downward is provided at the front part of the key, and an elastic member is attached to the lower end part of this driving hanging piece. On the other hand, the front end part of the mass is formed in a U-shaped cross-section that opens forward, and is provided with an upper engaging piece and a lower engaging piece that protrude forward with a vertical interval therebetween. And between these upper engaging piece and lower engaging piece, the lower end part of the driving hanging piece of the key is engaged via an elastic member.

[0003] In the above keyboard device, when the key is depressed, the mass corresponding to the key rotates while the front end part is pushed downward. And when the key is released, the mass rotates while the front end part moves upward, and returns to the original position before the key depression together with the key.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the above-described keyboard device, when the pressed key is released, the mass body that rotates in conjunction therewith may bounce due to inertia. At this time, the lower end of the hanging piece for driving the key, specifically, the portion that holds the elastic member of the hanging piece for driving may directly hit the upper engaging piece or the lower engaging piece of the mass body. Since the above-described hanging piece for driving, the upper engaging piece, and the lower engaging piece of the mass body are generally made of a hard synthetic resin or the like, noise may be generated when they hit each other during key pressing.

[0006] In addition, the elastic member attached to the hanging piece for driving the key has arc surfaces with different curvatures at its upper and lower parts, and the upper and lower arc surfaces are in contact with the upper engaging piece and the lower engaging piece of the mass body, respectively. In the elastic member having the above-described arc surfaces, it cannot operate smoothly between the upper engaging piece and the lower engaging piece of the mass body during key pressing. As a result, the touch feeling when pressing the key may become heavy.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a keyboard device for a keyboard instrument that can prevent the generation of noise at the connection part between the key and the hammer during key pressing, ensure smooth operation of the connection part, and obtain a good touch feeling.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 includes a keyboard chassis, keys extending in the front-rear direction and disposed on the upper part of the keyboard chassis, a hammer extending in the front-rear direction and rotatably supported on the keyboard chassis via a hammer support shaft below the keys and rotating in conjunction with the pressed keys. The keys and the hammer are each provided with a key-side connecting portion and a hammer-side connecting portion that are rotatably and slidably connected to each other in front of the hammer support shaft. One of the key-side connecting portion and the hammer-side connecting portion has an engaging shaft extending in the left-right direction, and the other of the key-side connecting portion and the hammer-side connecting portion is formed in a U shape with an open side in one direction of the front-rear direction and has an engaging concave portion that engages with the engaging shaft. The engaging concave portion is provided with a buffer member that prevents the engaging shaft from hitting the inner peripheral surface thereof and is in sliding contact with the engaging shaft.

[0009] According to this configuration, the keys and the hammer are each provided with a key-side connecting portion and a hammer-side connecting portion, and these are rotatably and slidably connected to each other. Further, one of the key-side connecting portion and the hammer-side connecting portion has an engaging shaft extending in the left-right direction, and the other is formed in a U shape with an open side in one direction of the front-rear direction and has an engaging concave portion that engages with the engaging shaft. And a buffer member for preventing the engaging shaft from hitting the inner peripheral surface thereof is attached to the engaging concave portion. Thereby, when pressing a key, it is possible to prevent the engaging shaft from directly hitting the inner peripheral surface of the engaging concave portion and to prevent the generation of noise. Also, due to the above-described engaging shaft and the engaging concave portion to which the buffer member is attached, the key-side connecting portion and the hammer-side connecting portion are connected, so that it is possible to ensure smooth operation at the connecting portion when pressing a key and to obtain a good touch feeling.

[0010] The invention according to claim 2 is the keyboard device of the keyboard instrument according to claim 1, wherein the buffer member is composed of a molded product made of an elastic synthetic resin, and is attached to the upper wall of the engaging recess so as to cover its lower surface, and to the lower wall of the engaging recess so as to cover its upper surface. The upper wall mounting portion and the lower wall mounting portion are respectively connected to the inner surface of the back wall of the engaging recess so as to cover the inner surface of the back wall of the engaging recess.

[0011] According to this configuration, since the buffer member is composed of a molded product made of an elastic synthetic resin, it is relatively inexpensive and can be easily manufactured. Further, since the buffer member has the above-described upper wall mounting portion, lower wall mounting portion, and connecting portion, by attaching the upper wall mounting portion and the lower wall mounting portion to the upper wall and the lower wall of the engaging recess respectively, the entire inner peripheral surface of the engaging recess can be easily covered by the buffer member.

[0012] The invention according to claim 3 is the keyboard device of the keyboard instrument according to claim 2, wherein the upper wall mounting portion and the lower wall mounting portion are Each attached to the engaging recess with the tip portions of the upper wall and the lower wall of the engaging recess inserted therein.

[0013] According to this configuration, by attaching the upper wall mounting portion and the lower wall mounting portion of the buffer member with the tip portions of the upper wall and the lower wall of the engaging recess inserted therein, the buffer member can be easily attached to the engaging recess. Each

[0014] The invention according to claim 4 is the keyboard device of the keyboard instrument according to claim 3, wherein the engaging recess is provided in the key, and one of the upper wall and the lower wall of the engaging recess protrudes forward of the buffer member and is configured to abut against a stopper that defines the upper limit position of the key in the key-released state from below.

[0015] According to this configuration, the engaging recess is provided on the key. Further, since one of the upper wall and the lower wall of the engaging recess abuts against the stopper that defines the upper limit position of the key in the key-released state from below, the key cannot move upward any further, and the position of the key in the key-released state can be stabilized. Furthermore, even when a buffer member is attached to the engaging recess of the key, the stable position of the key in the key-released state described above can be ensured.

[0016] The invention according to claim 5 is a keyboard device of a keyboard instrument according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the lower surface of the upper wall mounting portion and the upper surface of the lower wall mounting portion are configured in parallel, and the engaging shaft is formed with a circular cross-section and is arranged so as to be in sliding contact with the lower surface of the upper wall mounting portion and the upper surface of the lower wall mounting portion.

[0017] According to this configuration, the lower surface of the upper wall mounting portion of the buffer member and the upper surface of the lower wall mounting portion are configured in parallel. Further, the engaging shaft is formed with a circular cross-section and is in sliding contact with the lower surface of the upper wall mounting portion and the upper surface of the lower wall mounting portion described above. As a result, when the key is pressed, the engaging shaft smoothly rotates and slides with respect to the engaging recess while sliding on the buffer member. As a result, a smooth operation of the connecting portion between the key and the hammer when the key is pressed can be ensured.

[0018] The invention according to claim 6 is a keyboard device of a keyboard instrument according to claim 5, wherein lubricant holding grooves for holding a lubricant are formed on the lower surface of the upper wall mounting portion and the upper surface of the lower wall mounting portion.

[0019] According to this configuration, since lubricant holding grooves are formed on the lower surface of the upper wall mounting portion and the upper surface of the lower wall mounting portion of the buffer member, by applying a lubricant to the inner surface of the buffer member attached to the engaging recess, the lubricant can be held over a long period on the lower surface of the upper wall mounting portion and the upper surface of the lower wall mounting portion of the buffer member. Thereby, a smooth operation at the connecting portion between the key and the hammer by the engaging shaft and the engaging recess can be ensured over a long period.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 1(a) shows only one octave of the keyboard device 1 of the electronic piano to which the present invention is applied. In the following description, first, the basic configuration and operation of the keyboard device 1 will be described, and then the main part of the present invention will be described.

[0022] FIG. 1(b) shows a state in which keys 2 other than the leftmost white key 2a and black key 2b are omitted in the keyboard device 1 of FIG. 1(a), and FIG. 2 shows a state in which the white keys 2a and black keys 2b are removed from the keyboard chassis 4 together with the key support mechanism 6.

[0023] This keyboard device 1 includes a keyboard chassis 4, a plurality of keys 2 composed of white keys 2a and black keys 2b arranged side by side in the left-right direction, a key support mechanism 6 that is rotatably attached to the keyboard chassis 4 for each key 2 and supports the corresponding key 2 from below, and key switches 3 for detecting key depression information of each key 2.

[0024] The keyboard chassis 4 includes a chassis main body 4a made of a resin molded product having a predetermined shape by injection molding a predetermined resin material (for example, ABS resin). As shown in FIG. 3, in this chassis main body 4a, its front part 11, middle part 12, and rear part 13 are all formed so as to extend in the left-right direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 3(a)) as a whole, and these are integrally molded by a plurality of ribs 14 that are spaced apart in the left-right direction and each extend in the front-rear direction. In the following description, in the keyboard chassis 4, the front part 11, middle part 12, and rear part 13 of the chassis main body 4a will be referred to as the "chassis front part 11", "chassis middle part 12", and "chassis rear part 13", respectively.

[0025] The front part 11 of the chassis mainly guides the white key 2a when the key is pressed and regulates the upper and lower limit positions of its front end. A plurality of white key guides 11a for preventing the lateral movement of the white key 2a are erected in a side-by-side state in the left-right direction and inserted from below for each white key 2a into the front part 11 of the chassis. Further, engagement holes 11b, 11b penetrating in the vertical direction are provided on both the left and right sides of each white key guide 11a in the front part 11 of the chassis, and two upper limit position regulating parts 21, 21 on the left and right of the white key 2a described later penetrate through and engage with both the engagement holes 11b, 11b respectively. Furthermore, a stopper mounting part 11c protruding forward and extending in the left-right direction over the entire chassis body 4a is provided at the front end of the front part 11 of the chassis, and a key upper limit stopper 16a and a key lower limit stopper 16b for the white key are mounted on the lower surface and the upper surface of the stopper mounting part 11c respectively so as to extend in the left-right direction. Note that a stopper mounting part 11d for the black key extending in the left-right direction over the entire chassis body 4a is provided at a predetermined position behind the white key guide 11a in the front part 11 of the chassis, and a key upper limit stopper 17 for the black key is mounted on the stopper mounting part 11d so as to extend in the left-right direction.

[0026] The middle part 12 of the chassis mainly guides the black keys 2b when the keys are pressed, and swingably supports the first arm 31 and the second arm 32 of the key support mechanisms 6a and 6b for the white keys and the black keys, which will be described later. This middle part 12 of the chassis has a flat part 12a in the shape of a flat plate extending in the left - right direction, and a plurality of black - key guides 12b erected on this flat part 12a and arranged at appropriate intervals in the left - right direction. Each black - key guide 12b is inserted from below for each black key 2b to prevent the lateral movement of the black key 2b. Further, at the front part of the middle part 12 of the chassis, a first - arm support part 18 for supporting the first arm 31 of the key support mechanism 6 is provided. This first - arm support part 18 has a plurality of first support shafts 18a extending in the left - right direction between adjacent ribs 14, 14, and the first arm 31 is swingably supported by these first support shafts 18a. Furthermore, at the rear part of the middle part 12 of the chassis, a second - arm support part 19 for supporting the second arm 32 of the key support mechanism 6 is provided. This second - arm support part 19 has a plurality of second support shafts 19a extending in the left - right direction between adjacent ribs 14, 14. The plurality of second support shafts 19a are arranged on the same axis extending in the left - right direction at a position behind and higher than the above - mentioned first support shafts 18a, and the second arm 32 is swingably supported by these second support shafts 19a. In addition, at a predetermined position of a middle rail 8, which will be described later, provided below the middle part 12 of the chassis, a first - arm lower - limit stopper 10b extending in the left - right direction over the entire chassis main body 4a is provided.

[0027] Also, below the keyboard chassis 4, between the front part 11 of the chassis and the middle part 12 of the chassis, the key switch 3 is attached. This key switch 3 is composed of a horizontally long printed circuit board 3a extending in the left - right direction, and a plurality of switch bodies 3b each composed of a rubber switch attached to this printed circuit board 3a for each key 2 and pressed by the first arm 31 when the key is pressed.

[0028] The rear part 13 of the chassis mainly serves to guide the key 2 in the vertical direction while preventing lateral movement at its rear end, and to regulate the upper limit position of the rear end of the first arm 31. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3(a), the rear part 13 of the chassis has a plurality of partition walls 13a spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval in the left-right direction so as to partition adjacent keys 2 from each other. Further, as shown in FIG. 3(b), at a predetermined position in the upper part of the rear part 13 of the chassis, a first arm upper limit stopper 10a extending in the left-right direction over the entire chassis main body 4a is provided. The first arm upper limit stopper 10a and the first arm lower limit stopper 10b provided in the middle part 12 of the chassis each have a function as a hammer for imparting a touch weight to the key 2, and regulate the upper limit position and the lower limit position when the first arm 31 rotates upward and downward with respect to the first arm 31. Further, a metal cover plate 15 extending in the left-right direction over the entire chassis main body 4a and arranged to cover the rear end of the key 2 is attached to the upper part of the rear part 13 of the chassis.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3(a), the chassis main body 4a of the keyboard chassis 4 configured as described above is provided with a plurality of first openings 5a opening upward and forward and a plurality of second openings 5b opening upward. Through each of the above-mentioned first openings 5a, the first arm 31 of the key support mechanism 6 is engaged with the first support shaft 18a from the outside, and through each of the above-mentioned second openings 5b, the second arm 32 is engaged with the second support shaft 19a from the outside.

[0030] In the above-mentioned keyboard chassis 4, a plurality of chassis main bodies 4a are connected in a state of being arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and are all screwed in a state of being placed on metal front rails 7, middle rails 8 and rear rails 9 that extend in the left-right direction and are arranged at a predetermined interval in the front-rear direction. Then, the keyboard chassis 4 is fixed on a shelf board (not shown) of the digital piano through the above-mentioned front rails 7 and rear rails 9.

[0031] Next, the key 2 and the key support mechanism 6 will be described. Fig. 4(a) shows an enlarged view of the white key 2a and its key support mechanism 6a, and Fig. 4(b) shows an exploded view thereof. As shown in the figure, the white key 2a is formed in a hollow shape that extends a predetermined length in the front-rear direction and is open downward by injection molding a predetermined resin material (for example, AS resin). At the front end portion of the white key 2a, a pair of left and right upper limit position regulating portions 21, 21 are provided, which are formed to extend downward from the left and right side walls and have their lower end portions bent forward. As described above, these upper limit position regulating portions 21, 21 are engaged with the left and right engaging holes 11b, 11b of the front portion of the chassis 11 in a penetrating state, respectively.

[0032] Also, at a predetermined position behind the upper limit position regulating portion 21 in the front portion of the white key 2a, a key front side connecting portion 22 connected to the first arm 31 of the key support mechanism 6a is provided. This key front side connecting portion 22 has a connecting recess 22a formed in a U shape with a long hole shape in the side surface shape and open forward. Further, in this connecting recess 22a, a buffer member 20 is provided so as to cover the entire inner peripheral surface thereof to suppress the generation of noise when the connecting shaft 35b, which will be described later, of the first arm 31 slides within the connecting recess 22a.

[0033] Furthermore, at the rear portion of the white key 2a, a key rear side connecting portion 23 connected to the second arm 32 of the key support mechanism 6a is provided. This key rear side connecting portion 23 has a plate-shaped connecting main body portion 23a that hangs downward from the central portion in the left-right direction of the white key 2a and has a predetermined thickness in the left-right direction, and a pair of left and right engaging convex portions 23b, 23b that project coaxially from the left and right side surfaces of this connecting main body portion 23a, respectively. Also, at the rear portion of the white key 2a, a tool insertion hole 24 is formed that penetrates in the vertical direction and is for inserting a predetermined tool from above when disconnecting the connection between the white key 2a and the second arm 32 of the key support mechanism 6a during maintenance of the keyboard device 1 or the like.

[0034] On the other hand, the key support mechanism 6a includes a first arm 31 and a second arm 32 that engage with each other and are respectively connected to the key front side connecting portion 22 and the key rear side connecting portion 23 of the white key 2a.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 4(b), the first arm 31 is composed of an arm main body 33 and two weights 34, 34 attached to the arm main body 33. The arm main body 33 is composed of a resin molded product with a predetermined shape, such as by injection molding a predetermined resin material (e.g., polyacetal). The arm main body 33 extends a predetermined length in the front-rear direction, and at the front end, a first arm front-side connecting portion 35 for connecting to the key front-side connecting portion 22 of the white key 2a is provided. The first arm front-side connecting portion 35 has a box portion 35a formed in a box shape that is open upward and forward, and a connecting shaft 35b provided so as to extend in the left-right direction while connecting the front upper ends of the left and right side walls of the box portion 35a. And this connecting shaft 35b is connected to the connecting recess 22a of the key front-side connecting portion 22 of the white key 2a so as to be rotatable and slidable in the front-rear direction.

[0036] Also, the arm main body 33 has a U-shaped bearing portion 36 with a downwardly open side surface shape at a predetermined position immediately behind the first arm front-side connecting portion 35, and this bearing portion 36 is rotatably engaged with the first support shaft 18a in the keyboard chassis 4. Further, the arm main body 33 is provided with a first arm rear-side connecting portion 37 for connecting to the second arm 32 at a predetermined position behind the bearing portion 36. Specifically, the first arm rear-side connecting portion 37 has a connecting shaft 37a that extends in the left-right direction and both ends of which protrude outward from the left and right side surfaces of the arm main body 33 respectively. And both ends of this connecting shaft 37a are engaged with the connecting recesses 45b, 45b of the second arm front-side connecting portion 45 of the second arm 32 described later.

[0037] Two slender plate-shaped weights 34, 34 are attached to the weight attachment portion 38 which is the rear part of the arm main body 33 in a state of sandwiching the weight attachment portion 38 from both sides. Each weight 34 is made of a material (e.g., metal such as iron) with a specific gravity greater than that of the arm main body 33, and is formed into a predetermined shape, such as by pressing a metal plate.

[0038] The second arm 32 is formed of a resin molded product having a predetermined shape by injection molding a resin material similar to the arm body 33 of the first arm 31. This second arm 32 is shorter than the first arm 31 and extends a predetermined length in the front-rear direction. Further, the second arm 32 has a C-shaped bearing portion 41 with a side surface shape that opens forward near the center in the length direction, and this bearing portion 41 is rotatably engaged with the second support shaft 19a in the keyboard chassis 4.

[0039] In addition, a second arm rear side connecting portion 42 connected to the key rear side connecting portion 23 of the white key 2a is provided at the rear portion of the second arm 32. This second arm rear side connecting portion 42 is formed in a bifurcated shape and has two left and right connecting arm portions 43, 43 that extend a predetermined length in parallel with each other along the length direction of the second arm 32. A connecting hole 43a penetrating in the left-right direction is formed at the rear end portion of each connecting arm portion 43. Then, both connecting arm portions 43, 43 sandwich the connecting main body portion 23a of the key rear side connecting portion 23 of the white key 2a from both the left and right sides between their rear end portions, and each connecting hole 43a is rotatably fitted to the corresponding engaging convex portion 23b of the key rear side connecting portion 23.

[0040] Furthermore, a second arm front side connecting portion 45 connected to the first arm rear side connecting portion 37 of the first arm 31 is provided at the front portion of the second arm 32. This second arm front side connecting portion 45 has a pair of left and right connecting pieces 45a, 45a spaced a predetermined interval from each other in the left-right direction, and a U-shaped connecting recess 45b having a side surface shape that is a long hole shape and opens forward is formed in each connecting piece 45a. Then, the left and right connecting pieces 45a, 45a of the second arm front side connecting portion 45 are rotatably and slidably engaged with both end portions of the connecting shaft 37a of the first arm 31 via their connecting recesses 45b, 45b, respectively.

[0041] Fig. 5(a) shows an enlarged view of the black key 2b and its key support mechanism 6b, and Fig. 5(b) shows an exploded view thereof. The black key 2b is formed of the same resin material as the white key 2a by injection molding or the like, extends a predetermined length in the front-rear direction shorter than the white key 2a, and is formed in a hollow shape that opens downward. At the front lower end of the black key 2b, a front-side key connecting portion 26 formed substantially the same as the front-side key connecting portion 22 of the white key 2a is provided. This front-side key connecting portion 26 has a connecting recess 26a formed in a U-shape with a long hole-shaped side surface and opening forward. Further, the front-side key connecting portion 26 has an extended portion 26b extending a predetermined length forward from the front surface of the main body of the black key 2b at the lower front end of the connecting recess 26a, and this extended portion 26b functions as an upper limit position regulating portion of the black key 2b. In the following description, for the black key 2b and the key support mechanism 6b, the same reference numerals will be given to the same constituent parts as those of the white key 2a and the key support mechanism 6a described above, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0042] The key support mechanism 6b that supports the black key 2b is configured substantially the same as the key support mechanism 6a for the white key described above. Specifically, the arm main body 33 of the first arm 31 and the second arm 32 of the key support mechanism 6b are configured to have exactly the same shape and size as the arm main body 33 and the second arm 32 of the key support mechanism 6a for the white key. Note that the shapes of the rear portions of the two weights 34, 34 on the left and right of the key support mechanism 6b for the black key are different from those of the weight 34 of the key support mechanism 6a for the white key.

[0043] Next, the operation of the keys 2 and the key support mechanism 6 in the keyboard device 1 configured as described above will be described. Fig. 6 shows the operation of the white key 2a and its key support mechanism 6a, and Fig. 7 shows the operation of the black key 2b and its key support mechanism 6b.

[0044] In the key-off state shown in Fig. 6(a), when the front end of the white key 2a is pressed down by a finger of the player, the front-side connecting portion 22 of the white key 2a moves downward, whereby the first arm 31 rotates counterclockwise about the first support shaft 18a. Further, with the rotation of the first arm 31, the front-side connecting portion 45 of the second arm that engages with the connecting shaft 37a of the first arm 31 via the connecting recess 45b moves upward. As a result, the second arm 32 rotates clockwise about the second support shaft 19a. Then, with the rotation of the second arm 32, the rear-side connecting portion 23 connected via the rear-side connecting portion 42 of the second arm at the rear end thereof is pulled down, and the rear end of the white key 2a moves downward.

[0045] Incidentally, when the first arm 31 rotates as described above, as the box portion 35a of the front-side connecting portion 35 of the first arm 31 moves downward, the switch body 3b of the key switch 3 corresponding to the key 2 that has been keyed is pressed from above by the bottom wall of the box portion 35a. As a result, in the electronic piano, the keying information of the key 2 that has been keyed is detected, and based on the detected keying information, sound is generated from a speaker (not shown).

[0046] As described above, when the white key 2a is pressed down, as the first arm 31 rotates counterclockwise, the weight 34 of the first arm 31 inclines rearward and upward as shown in Fig. 6(b), and the rear end abuts against the first arm upper limit stopper 10a from below. As a result, further rotation of the first arm 31 is blocked. When the front end of the white key 2a is pressed down to the lowest position, the front end of the white key 2a abuts against the key lower limit stopper 16b, and further pressing down of the white key 2a is blocked.

[0047] The white key 2a that is pressed as described above operates to rotate about a virtual fulcrum P located behind its rear end. The position of this virtual fulcrum P is set such that, for example, the distance from the front end of the white key 2a is approximately twice the length of the white key 2a itself. As a result, when the front end portion of the white key 2a is pushed down to the lowest position, compared to the key-off state shown in Fig. 6(a), the front end portion of the white key 2a is positioned downward by a predetermined key stroke (e.g., 10 mm), and the rear end portion is positioned downward by a distance approximately half of the key stroke (e.g., 5 mm).

[0048] On the other hand, when the finger is released from the pressed white key 2a, due to the weight of the hammer 34, the first arm 31 of the key support mechanism 6a rotates in the opposite direction to the above, and accordingly, the second arm 32 also rotates in the opposite direction to the above. Along with this, the white key 2a rotates upward about the virtual fulcrum P. Then, a predetermined portion behind the first pivot 18a in the first arm 31 abuts against the first arm lower limit stopper 10b from above, and both upper limit position regulating portions 21, 21 of the white key 2a abut against the key upper limit stopper 16a from below, preventing further rotation of the white key 2a and returning it to the original key-off state.

[0049] Also, the operation when the black key 2b is pressed is performed in the same manner as the above-described white key 2a and key support mechanism 6a. That is, in the key-off state shown in Fig. 7(a), when the front end portion of the black key 2b is pushed down, the first arm 31 rotates counterclockwise about the first pivot 18a, and the second arm 32 rotates clockwise about the second pivot 19a. As a result, the black key 2b operates to rotate about a virtual fulcrum Q at the rear. Note that the position of this virtual fulcrum Q is set such that, similar to the virtual fulcrum P of the white key 2a described above, for example, the distance from the front end of the black key 2b is approximately twice the length of the black key 2 itself. Therefore, when the front end portion of the black key 2b is pushed down to the lowest position, compared to the key-off state shown in Fig. 7(a), the front end portion of the black key 2b is positioned downward by a predetermined key stroke, and the rear end portion is positioned downward by a distance approximately half of the key stroke.

[0050] On the other hand, when the finger is released from the depressed black key 2b, the first arm 31 and the second arm 32 of the key support mechanism 6 rotate in the opposite direction to the above, and accordingly, the black key 2b rotates upward about the virtual fulcrum Q. Then, the extended portion 26b of the key front side connecting portion 26 of the black key 2b abuts against the key upper limit stopper 17 from below, further rotation of the black key 2b is blocked, and it returns to the original key-off state.

[0051] Next, with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10, the main part of the present invention will be described. The main part of the present invention is that the buffer member 20 is attached to the connecting recesses 22a, 26a (engaging recesses), which are the connecting portions of the first arm front side connecting portion 35 (hammer side connecting portion) of the first arm 31 in the key support mechanism 6, in the key front side connecting portions 22, 26 (key side connecting portions) of the key 2. Note that since the connecting recess 22a of the white key 2a and the connecting recess 26a of the black key 2b are configured substantially the same, in the following description, the case where the buffer member 20 is attached to the connecting recess 22a of the white key 2a will be described as a representative.

[0052] FIG. 8(a) shows an enlarged view of the connecting portion between the key 2 and the first arm 31, and FIG. 8(b) shows a state in which the connecting portion between the key 2 and the first arm 31 is separated and the buffer member 20 is removed from the connecting recess 22a of the key front side connecting portion 22 of the key 2. As shown in FIG. 8(b), the connecting recess 22a of the key 2 is formed in a U-shape with an open front side surface shape by an upper wall 22b, a lower wall 22c, and a back wall 22d. Specifically, the upper wall 22b and the lower wall 22c are opposed to each other at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction, and their opposing surfaces are configured in parallel. Further, the back wall 22d is continuous with the rear end portions of the upper wall 22b and the lower wall 22c, and the side surface shape is formed in an arc shape.

[0053] Figure 9 shows an enlarged view of the buffer member 20. This buffer member 20 is composed of a molded product made of a predetermined synthetic resin (such as a thermoplastic elastomer) having elasticity. As shown in the figure, the buffer member 20 includes an upper wall mounting portion 51 attached to the upper wall 22b of the connecting recess 22a of the key 2, a lower wall mounting portion 52 attached to the lower wall 22c of the connecting recess 22a, and a connecting portion 53 continuous with the rear end portions of these upper wall mounting portion 51 and lower wall mounting portion 52.

[0054] The upper wall mounting portion 51 is formed in a rectangular tube shape extending a predetermined length in the front-rear direction. Further, a notch 51a that opens rearward is formed in the ceiling portion of the upper wall mounting portion 51. On the other hand, the lower wall mounting portion 52 is formed in a rectangular tube shape similar to the upper wall mounting portion 51. Further, a through hole 52a penetrating in the vertical direction is formed in the bottom portion of the lower wall mounting portion 52. Furthermore, a convex portion 52d protruding downward is provided at the rear end portion of the bottom surface of the lower wall mounting portion 52. Note that the lower surface 51b of the upper wall mounting portion 51 and the upper surface 52b of the lower wall mounting portion 52 are configured in parallel, and two lubricant holding grooves 51c and 52c extending parallel to each other in the front-rear direction are formed in the lower surface 51b and the upper surface 52b, respectively.

[0055] Also, the connecting portion 53 is continuous with the bottom portion of the upper wall mounting portion 51 and the ceiling portion of the lower wall mounting portion 52, is curved convex rearward, and is formed in an arc shape having a curvature substantially the same as that of the inner wall 22d of the connecting recess 22a on the key 2 side in terms of side surface shape.

[0056] The buffer member 20 configured as described above is attached to the connecting recess 22a such that the upper wall 22b and the lower wall 22c of the connecting recess 22a are inserted into the upper wall mounting portion 51 and the lower wall mounting portion 52 from the rear, respectively. In this case, the upper wall mounting portion 51 of the buffer member 20 is attached to the upper wall 22b so as to cover the lower surface thereof with the tip of the upper wall 22b of the connecting recess 22a inserted and the upright portion on the upper side of the upper wall 22b inserted into the notch 51a. On the other hand, the lower wall mounting portion 52 is attached to the lower wall 22c so as to cover the upper surface thereof with the tip of the lower wall 22c of the connecting recess 22a inserted and the bottom of the lower wall 22c fitted into the through hole 52a. And the connecting portion 53 is provided so as to cover the inner surface of the back wall 22d of the connecting recess 22a.

[0057] FIG. 10 shows an enlarged cross section of the connecting portion between the key 2 and the first arm 31, where (a) shows the key release state and (b) shows the key pressing state. As shown in FIG. 10(a), in the state where the buffer member 20 is attached to the connecting recess 22a of the key 2, the entire inner peripheral surface of the connecting recess 22a is covered by the buffer member 20. Also, the connecting shaft 35b of the first arm 31 connected to the key 2 has a circular cross section and is in sliding contact with the lower surface 51b of the upper wall mounting portion 51 and the upper surface 52b of the lower wall mounting portion 52 of the buffer member 20, and is located near the connecting portion 53 in the key release state.

[0058] In the above-described key release state, when the key 2 is pressed, the front connecting portion 22 of the key 2 moves downward. Accordingly, the connecting shaft 35b of the first arm 31 also moves downward, whereby, as described above, the first arm 31 rotates counterclockwise about the first support shaft 18a. Also in this case, as shown in FIG. 10(b), the connecting shaft 35b slides forward with respect to the connecting recess 22a of the key 2.

[0059] Thereafter, when the pressed key 2 is released, the first arm 31 rotates in the opposite direction as described above, and while the connecting shaft 35b moves upward, it slides backward with respect to the connecting recess 22a, and the key 2 and the first arm 31 return to the original key release state.

[0060] In this case, as shown in FIG. 5 described above, in the black key 2b, an extension portion 26b that protrudes forward from the lower wall of the connection recess 26a corresponding to the lower wall 22c of the connection recess 22a of the white key 2a is provided. As shown in FIG. 10(a), the extension portion 26b abuts against the key upper limit stopper 17 (stopper) for the black key from below. As a result, the black key 2a cannot move upward any further, and the position of the black key 2b in the key-off state can be stabilized.

[0061] As described above, according to the keyboard device 1 to which the main part of the present invention is applied, since the buffer member 20 is attached to the connection recess 22a of the key 2, it is possible to prevent the connection shaft 35b of the first arm 31 from directly hitting the inner peripheral surface of the connection recess 22a during key pressing, and it is possible to prevent the generation of noise. Further, since the connection shaft 35b and the connection recess 22a to which the buffer member 20 is attached connect the key front side connection portion 22 and the first arm front side connection portion 35, it is possible to ensure smooth operation at the connection portions 22 and 35 during key pressing, and a good touch feeling can be obtained.

[0062] Further, by attaching the buffer member 20 having the upper wall attachment portion 51, the lower wall attachment portion 52, and the connecting portion 53 to the connection recess 22a of the key 2, the entire inner peripheral surface of the connection recess 22a can be easily covered, and it can be easily and firmly attached to the connection recess 22a.

[0063] Furthermore, since lubricant holding grooves 51c and 52c are provided on the lower surface 51b of the upper wall attachment portion 51 and the upper surface 52b of the lower wall attachment portion 52 of the buffer member 20, by applying a lubricant to the buffer member 20 attached to the connection recess 22a, the lubricant can be held over a long period of time on the lower surface 51b of the upper wall attachment portion 51 and the upper surface 52b of the lower wall attachment portion 52. As a result, smooth operation at the connection portion between the key 2 and the first arm 31 formed by the connection shaft 35b and the connection recess 22a can be ensured over a long period of time.

[0064] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be implemented in various modes. For example, in the embodiment, while the connecting recess 22a is provided in the front connecting portion 22 on the key side of the key 2, the connecting shaft 35b is provided in the front connecting portion 35 on the first arm side of the first arm 31. However, it is also possible to reverse the positional relationship between the connecting recess 22a and the connecting shaft 35b that engage with each other, that is, to provide the connecting recess in the first arm 31 and the connecting shaft in the key 2. In the embodiment, the connecting recess 22a is configured to open forward, but it is also possible to configure it to open backward.

[0065] In the embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the keyboard device 1 in which the pressed key 2 operates to rotate about the rear virtual fulcrums P and Q has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to a general keyboard device in which the key rotates about its own rear end and does not include the second arm 32. Further, the detailed configuration of the buffer member 20 shown in the embodiment is merely an example and can be appropriately changed within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0066] 1 Keyboard device 2 Key 2a White key 2b Black key 4 Keyboard chassis 6 Key support mechanism 6a Key support mechanism for white keys 6b Key support mechanism for black keys 17 Key upper limit stopper (stopper) for black keys 18 First arm support portion 18a First support shaft (hammer support shaft) 20 Buffer member 22 Front connecting portion on key side (connecting portion on key side) 22a Connecting recess (engaging recess) 22b Upper wall 22c Lower wall 22d Rear wall 26a Connecting recess (engaging recess) 26b Extended portion 31 First arm (hammer) 32 Second arm 35 Front connection part of the first arm (hammer side connection part) 35b Connecting shaft 51 Upper wall mounting part 51b Lower surface 51c Lubricant holding groove 52 Lower wall mounting part 52b Upper surface 52c Lubricant holding groove 53 Connecting part P Virtual fulcrum of the white key Q Virtual fulcrum of the black key

Claims

1. A keyboard chassis, Keys extending in the front-rear direction and disposed above the keyboard chassis, A hammer extending in the front-rear direction, rotatably supported on the keyboard chassis via a hammer pivot below the keys, and rotating in conjunction with the depressed keys, Comprising: On each of the keys and the hammer, a key-side connecting portion and a hammer-side connecting portion that are rotatably and slidably connected to each other are provided in front of the hammer pivot, One of the key-side connecting portion and the hammer-side connecting portion has an engaging shaft extending in the left-right direction, The other of the key-side connecting portion and the hammer-side connecting portion is formed in a U-shape with a side surface shape open in one direction of the front-rear direction, and has an engaging recess that engages with the engaging shaft, A keyboard device for a keyboard instrument, characterized in that a buffer member that prevents the engaging shaft from hitting the inner peripheral surface thereof and is in sliding contact with the engaging shaft is attached to the engaging recess.

2. The buffer member Is composed of a molded product made of an elastic synthetic resin, An upper wall attachment portion attached to the upper wall of the engaging recess so as to cover the lower surface thereof, A lower wall attachment portion attached to the lower wall of the engaging recess so as to cover the upper surface thereof, A connecting portion that is continuous with the upper wall attachment portion and the lower wall attachment portion respectively and is provided so as to cover the inner surface of the back wall of the engaging recess, The keyboard device for a keyboard instrument according to claim 1, characterized by having.

3. The upper wall attachment portion and the lower wall attachment portion are attached to the engaging recess with the tip portions of the upper wall and the lower wall of the engaging recess inserted therein respectively, the keyboard device for a keyboard instrument according to claim 2, characterized by this.

4. The engaging recess is provided in the key, One of the upper wall and the lower wall of the engaging recess protrudes forward of the buffer member and is configured to abut against a stopper that defines the upper limit position of the key in the key-released state from below, the keyboard device for a keyboard instrument according to claim 3, characterized by this.

5. The lower surface of the upper wall attachment portion and the upper surface of the lower wall attachment portion are configured to be parallel, The engaging shaft has a circular cross-section and is disposed so as to be in sliding contact with the lower surface of the upper wall attachment portion and the upper surface of the lower wall attachment portion, the keyboard device for a keyboard instrument according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by this.

6. The keyboard device of a keyboard instrument according to claim 5, characterized in that lubricant holding grooves for holding a lubricant are formed on the lower surface of the upper wall mounting portion and the upper surface of the lower wall mounting portion.

Images