Pedal device and electronic keyboard instrument

Abstract

To provide a pedal device and an electronic keyboard instrument in which a pedal case can be installed in a compact size while restricting entry of toes, etc.SOLUTION: A pedal device 50 comprises: a pedal case 53 provided with an opening 53a; a pedal 52 that projects outward through the opening 53a and is provided rotatably; and a regulation member 140 that is a regulation part provided at least partially on an upper surface of the pedal 52 in the pedal case 53 and opposite the opening 53a, with a first regulation surface that is inclined toward the upper surface of the pedal 52 so that whose upper side is inclined toward the upper surface side of the pedal 52 from a tip side to a base side of the pedal 52.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pedal device and an electronic keyboard instrument. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, musical instruments such as pianos and electronic keyboard instruments have been provided with pedal devices for adding damping effects to the sound produced by the instrument or for performing predetermined operations. Such pedal devices are provided to protrude from an opening in a pedal case that houses a pedal mechanism, such as a pivot shaft that rotatably supports the pedal. For this reason, various configurations have been proposed to prevent fingers or other objects from being pinched between the opening and the top surface of the pedal. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a musical instrument pedal in which a finger-trap prevention block is provided on the top surface of the pedal within the pedal case, close to the opening. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-212160 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional musical instrument pedals described above, the finger-trap prevention block prevents fingers from reaching the back of the pedal case even when inserted through the opening, preventing fingers from getting pinched. However, to prevent fingers from getting pinched, the opening must be made large, and the finger-trap prevention block must also be large so that the interior of the pedal case cannot be seen through the opening. This requires the pedal case to be large as well.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a pedal device and an electronic keyboard instrument that can provide a compact pedal case while restricting the entry of fingers and the like. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The musical instrument pedal according to the present invention includes a pedal case having an opening, a rotatable pedal that protrudes outward from the pedal case through the opening, a first restricting portion having a first restricting surface that slopes downward from a base end side to a tip end side of the pedal, and a first restricting portion above the first restricting surface within the pedal case. and the first regulating surface is connected to the first regulating surface at an obtuse angle. and a second restricting portion having a second restricting surface that slopes at a second downward gradient greater than the first downward gradient from the base end side to the tip end side of the pedal.

[0007] An electronic keyboard instrument according to the present invention includes the pedal device described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pedal device and an electronic keyboard instrument that can restrict the entry of fingers and the like while allowing the pedal case to be made compact. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an electronic keyboard instrument equipped with a pedal device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of a pedal case of a pedal device according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a portion thereof cut away; [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of a pedal device according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a pedal case and a front sheet metal member omitted; [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pedal device according to the embodiment of the present invention taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 5] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pedal device according to the embodiment of the present invention, taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2, showing a state in which the pedal is depressed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The electronic keyboard instrument 10 shown in Fig. 1 includes an instrument case 14 in which a circuit board, a speaker, etc. are provided. The instrument case 14 is provided with a full-size (88-key) keyboard 13 having a plurality of white keys 11 and black keys 12. Legs 20 having four legs 21 are connected to the underside of the instrument case 14 (electronic keyboard instrument 10). The electronic keyboard instrument 10 is supported by the legs 20. In the following description, the front side of the keyboard 13 will be referred to as the front side, the opposite side as the rear side, the left side as viewed from the keyboard 13 will be referred to as the left, the right side as viewed from the keyboard side will be referred to as the right, and the keyboard side will be referred to as the top and the leg 20 side as the bottom.

[0011] A connecting rod 51 is provided on each side between the two legs 21 on the left side and the two legs 21 on the right side of the electronic keyboard instrument 10. Although not shown, each connecting rod 51 has its upper end connected to the rear surface of the electronic keyboard instrument 10 and is provided so as to extend downward. The left and right connecting rods 51 are connected to the left and right sides of the pedal device 50, respectively. The pedal device 50 provided on the electronic keyboard instrument 10 is provided with a pedal case 53 that covers the circuit board 161, the sensor unit 160, the bearing part 153 (described later), etc.

[0012] The pedal case 53 has a generally rectangular box shape that is elongated in the left-right direction and has front and rear surfaces, a top surface, and left and right side surfaces, and is open on the bottom surface. Three openings 53a are provided in the pedal case 53. The pedal device 50 also has three pedals 52 (a right pedal 52a, a left pedal 52b, and a center pedal 52c) lined up on the left, right, and center. Each pedal 52 is provided so as to protrude forward (outward) through the corresponding opening 53a and be rotatable. As shown in FIG. 4, the edge 53a1 of each opening 53a is provided in a tapered shape that widens outward (forward) around the entire circumference.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the pedal device 50 includes a lower base member 100. The lower base member 100 includes a lower base member main body 101 that is a flat plate elongated in the left-right direction, and three pedal corresponding portions 102 that extend forward from the lower base member main body 101 and correspond to the pedals 52. The left and right pedal corresponding portions 102 are provided with adjustment members 103 that are threadedly connected to the respective pedal corresponding portions 102 so that they can be adjusted to abut against the installation surface. The central pedal corresponding portion 102 is provided with a pad 104 that faces the installation surface. Cushion members 105 (see FIG. 4) are provided on the upper surfaces of the pedal corresponding portions 102 facing the adjustment members 103 and pads 104, and abut against the lower surfaces of the pedals 52 to restrict the lowest position of the pedals 52. Felt may be used for the cushion members 105.

[0014] 2 and 3, a lower sheet metal member 110 having an L-shaped cross section (see FIG. 4) is provided on the underside of the lower base member main body 101 of the lower base member 100. The lower sheet metal member 110 has fixing portions 111 that stand upright on both left and right ends. Each fixing portion 111 is fixed to the end of each of the left and right connecting rods 51 by a screw member.

[0015] An upper sheet metal member 120 is provided on the upper surface of the lower base member main body 101 of the lower base member 100. As shown in Fig. 4, the upper sheet metal member 120 has a lower plate portion 121 arranged in a flat plate shape on the lower base member main body 101, a flat upper plate portion 123, and a connecting plate 122 that connects the lower plate portion 121 and the upper plate portion 123 so as to stand vertically.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the pedal device 50 is provided with a front sheet metal member 130, the upper and lower ends of which are bent rearward so as to stand upright from the upper surface of the lower plate portion 121. The lower plate portion of the front sheet metal member 130 is fixed to the lower plate portion 121 and the lower base member main body portion 101 by fastening them together with screws. The upper plate portion of the front sheet metal member 130 is fixed to the lower surface of the upper plate portion of the pedal case 53 (see FIG. 4). The front sheet metal member 130 is provided with openings 131 that open to correspond to each pedal 52 and have a shape that is open on the lower side. Ribs 132 are provided around the periphery of each opening 131. Note that while FIG. 2 only shows the opening 131 (rib 132) that corresponds to the right pedal 52a, openings 131 (ribs 132) are provided to correspond to each pedal 52.

[0017] An upper base member 150 is provided above the lower base member 100 via an upper sheet metal member 120. The upper base member 150 has spring holding portions 151 provided above the base ends of the pedal corresponding portions 102 of the lower base member 100. The spring holding portions 151 are cylindrical and have coil springs 54 disposed therein. As shown in FIG. 4 , a lower spring support shaft 151a is provided on the bottom surface of the spring holding portion 151. The lower spring support shaft 151a is inserted into the coil spring 54. In this manner, the lower end of the coil spring 54 is supported by the spring holding portion 151. The upper end of the coil spring 54 is supported by a spring receiving member 154 provided on the underside of the pedal 52. The upper spring support shaft 154a of the spring receiving member 154 is inserted into the coil spring 54. The pedal 52 is urged upward by the coil spring 54.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3 , the base end of each spring holding portion 151 of the upper base member 150 is connected to an upper base member main body 152. The upper base member main body 152 is formed in the shape of a plate that is long in the left-right direction. A bearing portion 153 that rotatably supports a rotation shaft 55 provided at the base end of each pedal 52 is provided on the upper surface of the upper base member main body 152. The upper surface of the upper base member main body 152 also has a recess 152a that is long in the left-right direction. A substrate 161 is provided in the recess 152a. A sensor unit 160 is provided on the upper surface of the substrate 161. The sensor unit 160 is provided with a rotary volume, which is a variable resistor. The sensor unit 160 can detect the amount of depression of the pedal 52 by having a cam member 164 attached to the rotation shaft of the rotary volume come into contact with and engage with a cam surface of an arm portion 144 of the regulating member 140, which will be described later.

[0019] 2, 3, and 4, a block-shaped restricting member 140 is provided on the upper surface of each pedal 52 on the base end side (rotation shaft 55 side, rear side of pedal 52) inside pedal case 53. A cushion member 143 is provided on the upper surface of each restricting member 140. Each restricting member 140 is fixed to the upper surface of each pedal 52 by a screw member 148 (see FIG. 3) provided on the underside of cushion member 143. The cushion member 143 can be made of, for example, felt.

[0020] Each restricting member 140 has a first restricting portion 141 and a second restricting portion 142, which are provided facing the rear side of the opening 53a of the pedal case 53. Each first restricting portion 141 is provided on the upper surface of the pedal 52 so as to cover the pedal 52. In other words, the first restricting surface 141a is provided in a curved shape following the upper surface of the pedal 52. The lower edge of the first restricting portion 141 is provided so as to fit along the upper surface of the pedal 52. Here, the outer surface of each first restricting portion 141 is defined as the first restricting surface 141a. Each first restricting surface 141a (each first restricting portion 141) is provided so that its upper portion is inclined toward the base end of the pedal 52 with respect to the upper surface of the pedal 52. As shown in the enlarged view of portion P in FIG. 4, an angle θ1 formed between the first restricting surface 141a and the upper surface of the pedal 52 is set to 40 to 45 degrees.

[0021] Each restricting member 140 has a second restricting portion 142. Each second restricting portion 142 is generally U-shaped with its open side facing downward. The second restricting portion 142 has an inclined upper second restricting surface 142a and side portions 142b extending vertically downward from the second restricting surface 142a and extending along the left and right sides of the pedal 52. Each first restricting portion 141 is provided to protrude from the front surface of the corresponding second restricting portion 142. The second restricting surface 142a is a front inclined surface that is a right-angled trapezoid in side view above the second restricting portion 142. In other words, the second restricting surface 142a is provided such that its upper portion is inclined toward the base end of the pedal 52 relative to the upper surface of the pedal 52. The second restricting surface 142a of each second restricting portion is connected to the corresponding first restricting surface 141a above the corresponding first restricting portion 141 at an obtuse angle (angle θ2 in FIG. 4).

[0022] A cushion member 143 is provided on the upper surface of the regulating member 140 behind the second regulating surface 142a. The cushion member 143 abuts against the upper portion of the opening 131 (rib 132) of the front sheet metal member 130, and regulates the upper limit position of the pedal 52. The regulating member 140 also has an arm portion 144 that protrudes toward the sensor unit 160 and engages with a cam member 164 of the sensor unit 160.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 4, the lower end of the first restricting portion 141 of the restricting member 140 is located inside an opening surface 53a2 of the opening 53a of the pedal case 53 (a surface that is continuous with the outer surface of the front side plate of the pedal case 53 in which the opening 53a is provided and is opened by the opening 53a). Therefore, at least a portion of the restricting member 140 (first restricting portion 141, second restricting portion 142) is located inside the pedal case 53. The restricting member 140 restricts the entry of fingers or the like through the opening 53a of the pedal case 53, thereby reducing the risk of fingers or the like being pinched between the opening 53a and the upper surface of the pedal 52. The operation and function of the restricting member 140 will be described below.

[0024] FIG. 4 shows a state in which the pedals 52 are not depressed. In this state, the inclined first restriction surface 141a restricts the entry of fingers or the like into the openings 53a. Side portions 142b of the restriction member 140 are positioned between the left and right sides of each pedal 52 and the openings 53a, restricting the entry of fingers or the like. The gaps between the upper sides of the edge 53a1 of the openings 53a of the pedal case 53 and the first restriction surface 141a, and between the left and right sides of the pedal 52 and the left and right sides of the edge 53a1 of the openings 53a, are set narrow enough to prevent fingers from entering. Even in the state shown in FIG. 4, by providing a gap between the upper sides of the edge 53a1 of the openings 53a of the pedal case 53 and the first restriction surface 141a, contact between the edge 53a1 and the first restriction surface 141a can be reduced even when the pedal 52 is depressed and then released to play.

[0025] FIG. 5 shows a state in which the pedal 52 is fully depressed. In this state, the first restriction surface 141a and the second restriction surface 142a restrict a finger or the like from being inserted deep into the pedal case 53. If a finger or the like is placed on the front side of the first restriction surface 141a or the second restriction surface 142a in the state shown in FIG. 5, when the pedal 52 is released from depression and returned to the state shown in FIG. 4, the inclined second restriction surface 142a and the edge 53a1 of the tapered opening 53a gradually push the finger or the like back. When the pedal 52 rises to a certain extent, the inclined first restriction surface 141a and the edge 53a1 of the tapered opening 53a push the finger or the like back.

[0026] The lower end of the first restricting surface 141a (the portion where the first restricting portion 141 contacts the upper surface of the pedal 52) is located inside the opening surface 53a2 of the opening 53a even when the pedal 52 is fully depressed (the state in FIG. 5). That is, the restricting member 140 is located inside the opening surface 53a2 of the opening 53a whether the pedal 52 is not depressed (the state in FIG. 4) or is depressed (the state in FIG. 5).

[0027] Furthermore, the height h1 from the top surface of the pedal 52 to the upper edge 53a1 (upper edge) of the opening 53a when the pedal 52 is fully depressed is smaller than the height h2 from the top surface of the pedal 52 to the tip of the second restriction surface 142a when the pedal 52 is fully depressed.

[0028] The first restricting surface 141a and the front surfaces of the side portions 142b of the second restricting portion 142 are provided not only on the top surface of the pedal 52 but also on the left and right sides, and the tapered edge portions 53a1 of the openings 53a are also provided on the left and right sides of the pedal 52, so that the pedal device 50 makes it difficult to insert fingers or the like into the left and right sides of each pedal 52. In this way, the restricting member 140 serves as a restricting portion that restricts the insertion of fingers or the like. The restricting member 140 as this restricting portion is provided so as to be visible from outside the front side of the pedal case 53 through the openings 53a.

[0029] As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, the pedal device 50 includes a pedal case 53 having an opening 53a, a pedal 52 that protrudes outward through the opening 53a and is rotatably arranged, and a regulating member 140 that is a regulating portion that has a first regulating surface 141a that is inclined with respect to the upper surface of the pedal 52 so that the upper side of the pedal 52 is inclined toward the upper surface of the pedal from the tip end side to the base end side, and at least a portion of which is provided on the upper surface of the pedal 52 within the pedal case 53 and is arranged opposite the opening 53a.

[0030] As a result, the inclined first restriction surface 141a, at least a portion of which is disposed inside the pedal case 53, restricts the entry of fingers and the like, and the height dimension of the first restriction surface 141a can also be reduced. Therefore, the height of the opening 53a can also be reduced, allowing the pedal device 50 to be provided in a compact size.

[0031] Furthermore, the restricting portion (restricting member 140) is provided so as to be visible from the outside of the pedal case 53 through the opening 53a. This allows the restricting portion to be provided so as to conceal the inside of the pedal case 53 so that it cannot be seen from the outside.

[0032] The restricting member 140 also has a second restricting surface 142a that is connected to the first restricting surface 141a at an obtuse angle and is provided above the first restricting surface 141a. This allows the second restricting surface 142a, which is the restricting surface that restricts the entry of fingers or the like, to approach the opening 53a when the pedal 52 is depressed, thereby more reliably restricting the entry of fingers or the like. For example, by setting the angle θ2 (see FIG. 4) between the first restricting surface 141a and the second restricting surface 142a to an obtuse angle, the second restricting surface 142a can be brought closer to the opening 53a than when the angle θ2 is set to 180 degrees.

[0033] Furthermore, the height h1 from the top surface of pedal 52 to the upper edge, which is the upper edge 53a1 of opening 53a, when pedal 52 is fully depressed is smaller than the height h2 from the top surface of pedal 52 to the tip of second restriction surface 142a when pedal 52 is fully depressed. As a result, even when pedal 52 is fully depressed, no gap is created between opening 53a and restriction member 140, making it possible to more reliably restrict the entry of fingers and the like.

[0034] Furthermore, the lower end of the first restriction surface 141a is located inside the opening surface 53a2 of the opening 53a when the pedal 52 is fully depressed. This makes it difficult to see the first restriction surface 141a (restriction member 140) from the opening 53a even when looking down on the pedal device 50 during performance, resulting in a pedal device 50 with a good appearance.

[0035] Furthermore, the angle θ1 formed between the first restriction surface 141a and the upper surface of the pedal 52 is 40 to 45 degrees. This makes it difficult to see the first restriction surface 141a from the outside, resulting in a pedal device 50 with a good appearance.

[0036] In addition, the edge 53a1 of the opening 53a is tapered so as to widen from the inside to the outside of the pedal case 53. This allows the first restriction surface 141a and the second restriction surface 142a to effectively push back the fingers and the like when the pedal 52 is raised.

[0037] The first restriction surface 141a is curved along the top surface of the pedal 52. This provides a good appearance and also restricts the entry of fingers and the like from both sides of the pedal 52.

[0038] The pedal device 50 also has side portions 142b with vertical front faces provided on the left and right sides of the pedal 52. This makes it difficult to see the inside of the pedal device 50 through the gap between the left and right side portions of the pedal 52 and the opening 53a, making the pedal device 50 look even better.

[0039] The electronic keyboard instrument 10 also has a pedal device 50. This makes it possible to provide an electronic keyboard instrument 10 equipped with a pedal device 50 that has a compact pedal case while restricting the entry of fingers or the like into the gap between the pedal 52 and the opening 53a. Note that although the pedal device 50 is provided on the electronic keyboard instrument 10 in this embodiment, it can also be provided on other musical instruments or electronic instruments.

[0040] 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]

[0041] 10 Electronic Keyboard Instruments 11 White Keys 12 black keys 13 keys 14 Instrument case 20 Legs 21 legs 50 pedal device 51 Connecting rod 52 Pedal 52a Right pedal 52b Left pedal 52c medium pedal 53 pedal case 53a Opening 53a1 Edge 53a2 Opening surface 54 Coil spring 55 Rotating shaft 100 Lower base member 101 Lower base member main body 102 Pedal corresponding part 103 Adjustment member 104 Pad 105 cushion member 110 lower sheet metal member 111 fixing portion 120 upper sheet metal member 121 Lower plate portion 122 Connection plate 123 Upper plate portion 130 Front sheet metal member 131 Opening 132 Rib 140 Regulating member 141 First regulating portion 141a First restricting surface 142 Second restricting portion 142a Second restriction surface 142b Side portion 143 cushion member 144 arm portion 148 screw member 150 upper base member 151 spring holding portion 151a lower spring support shaft 152 Upper base member main body portion 152a Recessed portion 153 bearing portion 154 spring receiving member 154a Upper spring support shaft 160 Sensor unit 161 substrate 164 cam member

Claims

1. a pedal case having an opening; a pedal that protrudes outward from the pedal case through the opening and is rotatably provided; a first restricting portion including a first restricting surface that slopes downward at a first gradient from a base end side to a tip end side of the pedal; a second restriction portion including a second restriction surface that is connected to the first restriction surface above the first restriction surface in the pedal case at an obtuse angle and that slopes at a second downward gradient that is greater than the first downward gradient from the base end side to the tip end side of the pedal; having Pedal device.

2. The pedal device according to claim 1 , wherein a downward slope of a front surface of the pedal case facing the second restriction surface is greater than the second downward slope.

3. When the pedal is fully depressed, most of the area of ​​the opening faces the second restriction surface, The pedal device according to claim 1 , wherein when the pedal is not depressed, a majority of the area of ​​the opening faces the first restriction surface.

4. 2. The pedal device according to claim 1, wherein a height from an upper surface of the pedal to an upper edge of the opening when the pedal is fully depressed is smaller than a height from the upper surface of the pedal to a tip end of the second restriction surface when the pedal is fully depressed.

5. The pedal device according to claim 1 , wherein the first restriction surface is provided so that a lower end thereof is located inside an opening surface of the opening when the pedal is fully depressed.

6. The pedal device according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first restricting portion is provided on an upper surface of the pedal inside the pedal case and is provided opposite the opening.

7. The pedal device according to claim 1 , wherein the edge of the opening is tapered so as to widen from the inside of the pedal case toward the outside.

8. The pedal device according to claim 1 , wherein the second restricting portion has a front surface that is continuous downward from the second restricting surface and has side portions that are provided along the left and right sides of the pedal.

9. The pedal device according to claim 1 , wherein an upper side of an edge of the opening of the pedal case always faces the first restriction surface.

10. An electronic keyboard instrument comprising the pedal device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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