JP3094886B2 - Key support structure of keyboard device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a keyboard device suitable for use in keyboard instruments such as an electronic piano and an electronic organ, and more particularly to a key support structure for the keyboard device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-1032
As shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 98, a synthetic resin pin is integrally attached to the rear end of a metal frame by outsert molding, and a key can be swung vertically at the rear end of the pin. To be supported.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost of the keyboard apparatus is increased because the frame is made of a metal material. Therefore, the frame is made of synthetic resin. However, since the strength of the frame cannot be maintained with the same structure as the above-described conventional apparatus, each frame is made using the characteristic of the frame made of synthetic resin. Various structures such as a frame and a key have been devised in order to improve the assembly state of parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to address the above problems, and has as its object to provide a keyboard device which is suitable for molding with a synthetic resin, and in which keys can be easily assembled and keys can be smoothly swung. It is to provide a key support structure.

[0005]

To achieve the Summary of and effects above objects, features in construction of the present invention, includes a plurality of keys digits assembling the frame juxtaposed laterally, these
Key swings up and down relative to the frame and the rear ends as a fulcrum, the front end portion of the key is limited to below a predetermined height while being biased upward relative to the frame, And
In the keyboard device the key has to be urged rearwardly respectively with respect to the frame, a horizontal U-shaped cross section of a plurality of frame bodies formed by opening the upper and forward to the rear end portion of the frame stand was set, the rear end portion of the plurality of keys to the plurality of frames within the respectively yield capacity, provided with projections forming the outer peripheral surface into a spherical shape in the rear end one side of the plurality of keys in one body manner This
With cut away obliquely downward toward the upper end surface of one side of a plurality of frame bodies opposite to Luo respective projections forward, said projection toward the rear from the front end surface central portion on the inner peripheral surface of the same side in providing the fitting to <br/> Ru fitting groove.

Accordingly, when the rear end of the key is to be pushed into the frame from above while the key is urged rearward, the projection slides on the inclined upper end face and moves obliquely downward and forward. Displaced toward. When further pressed downward rear end, come to the position of the fitting groove rear end surface of the projection is displaced on one side the front face of the frame downwards, backwards projection fitting groove While sliding, the rear end is assembled into the frame.
Therefore, the rear end of the key is easily assembled in the frame, and is held at a necessary strength in the frame. Also,
In the assembled state, since the protrusion having the outer peripheral surface formed into a spherical shape rotates in the fitting groove, the key smoothly swings vertically about the rear end portion as a fulcrum.

Another structural feature of the present invention is that the inner peripheral surface of the other side portion of the plurality of frames is formed in a flat shape, and the respective rear end portions of the keys facing the inner peripheral surface of the other side portion. certain other aspects of it which form the shape in the horizontal arc-shaped cross section. This makes it easier for the rear end of the key to enter the frame, and also makes it easier for the key to pivot within the frame, thereby allowing the key to swing more smoothly.

Another structural feature of the present invention is that the swing lever supported by the frame at a position below the plurality of keys so as to be swingable and engaged with each key at a front end portion has its own weight. the front end of each key is urged respectively upwards, the frame <br/> front end of the key by the respective regulations stopper oscillation of the assembled to the arm below the rear end portion of a plurality of rocking levers There is restricted below a predetermined height, and wherein the plurality of oscillating with at its front end are locked respectively engaged with the respective rear end inner peripheral surface of a plurality of keys at its rear end is provided below the plurality of keys lies in the biased rearwardly respectively with respect to the frame of the plurality of keys by the respective engaging sealed spring member moving the lever. Thus, the upward biasing of the front end of the key, the regulation of the upper position of the front end, and the backward biasing of the key can be performed with a simple configuration.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a musical instrument keyboard in which a part of the rightmost key and components related to the key are removed. It is a perspective view of an apparatus. This keyboard device includes a frame 10 integrally formed of a synthetic resin. A plurality of keys 20 are arranged side by side on the frame 10, and a swing lever 30 attached to the frame 10 is provided below each key 20.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the key 20 is integrally formed of synthetic resin in a U-shaped cross section with its lower part opened.
The rear end portion 21 is supported by the frame 10 so as to be vertically swingable and is urged rearward by a leaf spring 41 constituting a spring member. The rear end 21 of the key 20 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in detail in FIG.
a forms a slope that is notched in the rear half and becomes narrower toward the rear end, and a projection 21b having an outer peripheral surface formed in a spherical shape is formed near the center in the vertical direction of the slope. ing. The other side surface 21c of the rear end portion 21 is formed in a column shape with the vertical direction as an axis, and the horizontal cross section is a uniform arc shape from the upper end surface to the lower end surface. A trapezoidal protruding piece 21 d is formed from the lower surface of the key 20 on the near side near the rear end 21.
Projecting piece 21d constitutes a part of the frame 10 and the horizontal plate 11 extends horizontally below the rear part of the key 20.
Through the penetrating window 11a provided in the sub-panel.

At the rear end of the frame 10 facing the end face of the rear end 21 of the key 20, a plurality of frame members 12 each having an open top and front and formed in a U-shape in horizontal cross section are erected. I have. Each frame body 12 accommodates each rear end portion 21 of the key 20, and has a notch 12 a which is notched diagonally downward with its upper end face facing forward on one side facing the projection 21 b. , is on the inner peripheral surface of the same side are formed fitting groove 12b of the protrusion 21b is fitted rearward from the front end surface central portion.

As shown in FIG. 2, a front end portion 22 of the key 20 is vertically guided by a key guide 42 erected on the front horizontal portion 13 of the frame 10 when the key 20 is pressed. ing. A long key stopper 43 on which a felt or the like is overlapped is also extended and fixed in the keyboard lateral direction on the front end horizontal portion 13, and the stopper 43 regulates the downward displacement of the key 20. In addition, regarding the black key 20, the frame 10
Of the same key 20 by a key guide 44 erected on the horizontal plate 11
When the key is depressed, the key 20 is vertically displaced by a long key stopper 45 that extends in the lateral direction of the keyboard with felt or the like overlaid on the horizontal plate 11. Be regulated. However, these key stoppers 4
Reference numerals 3 and 45 do not restrict downward displacement of each key 20 at the time of normal key depression during performance. At the time of the normal key depression, the lower end surface of the key 20 is separated from the upper surfaces of the key stoppers 43 and 45. is there. On the other hand, when a very large downward force is applied to the key 20, such as when a child rides on the key 20 or places a heavy object, the key stopper 4
3, 45 restricts the downward displacement of the key 20 to prevent the key 20 from being broken due to abnormal deformation.

A drive portion 23 extending substantially vertically downward from the lower surface of the front portion near the front end portion 22 of the key 20 is integrally formed. As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, the driving section 23 is formed to have a U-shaped horizontal cross section with its rear open, and a thin engaging piece 24 protruding rear is integrally formed at the lower end. I have. A square through hole 24a is formed in the center of the engagement piece 24, and an elastic member 25 is fixed to the hole 24a. The elastic member 25 is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape, and has a first and a second sliding portion having a semicircular arc-shaped side facing upward and downward at a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the engagement piece 24. 25a, 25b and both sliding portions 2
The first and second sliding portions 25a, 25b are formed integrally with a rectangular connecting portion 25c connecting the first and second sliding portions 25a, 25b.
Of the engagement piece 24 with the two axial directions of the
a. The elastic member 25 and at least the arc-shaped outer peripheral surfaces of the first and second sliding portions 25a and 25b are made of a material such as a slippery synthetic resin and are surface-treated so as to be slippery. It has been applied. The connecting portion 25c of the elastic member 25 is
If necessary, it is bonded and fixed to the engagement piece 24 with an adhesive.

Incidentally, regarding the black key 20, the driving unit 23
The L-shaped drive unit extends substantially vertically downward from the lower surface of the front end of the key 20 and is bent forward to extend. The configuration of the drive unit 23 for the black key 20 is the same as that of the white key 20.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the swing lever 30 is composed of a lever base 31 made of synthetic resin and a weight 32 made of metal. The lever base 31 is formed in an elongated and flat plate shape, and is disposed below the front portion of the key 20 with the longitudinal direction in the front-back direction and the plate surface perpendicular. The lever base 31 has a cylindrical portion 31a having an axis in the lateral direction of the keyboard cut out at the center of the lower surface, and the cylindrical portion 31a is formed thick in the axial direction. The cylindrical portion 31a is opened obliquely downward and forward, and is assembled to a rotation support portion 15 provided at the upper end of an inclined plate 14 extending obliquely upward and rearward from the lower front end of the frame 10. Rotation support 15
Is formed in a columnar shape with the keyboard horizontal direction as the axis, and the cylindrical portion 3
1a is rotatably fitted on the outer periphery of the rotation supporting portion 15. An annular groove 15a is formed on the outer periphery of the rotation support portion 15.
Are formed, and a small protrusion 31a1 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31a. When the cylindrical portion 31a is attached to the rotation support portion 15, the small protrusion 31a is formed.
1 lever base 31 and rotatably fitted in the annular groove 15a
Of the keyboard in the lateral direction is restricted.

The swing lever 30 is urged forward by a leaf spring 41. As shown in FIG. 8, the leaf spring 41 has a pair of leg portions 41a, 4
1a, the leg portions 41a, 41a are extended forward with the thin portion of the lever base 31 interposed therebetween, and abut on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 31a of the swing lever 31 at the front end, and are attached to the lever base 31. It is locked by a thick part provided appropriately. A pair of projecting pieces 41 protruding on both sides is provided at an intermediate position of the leaf spring 41.
b, 41b are formed, and the projection 4 of the leaf spring 41 is formed.
The through-hole 11b provided in the horizontal plate 11 at the part behind 1b and 41b is made to penetrate upward from below. The rear portion of the through window 11b is set to be slightly wider than the width of the leaf spring 41, and an engaging bar 11c is provided so as to cross the rear portion on the lower surface, and at a position slightly forward of the bar 11c. Projection 11 protruding downward from horizontal plate 11
d is provided.

At the front end of the lever base 31, a pair of legs 31b, 3 divided vertically into two forks with a predetermined gap therebetween.
1c is formed, and the upper leg 31b is set shorter than the lower leg 31c. Both legs 31
An engagement piece 24 provided at each lower end of the drive unit 23 of the key 20 enters between b and 31c, and an elastic member 24 assembled to each engagement piece 24 is in contact with both legs 31b and 31c. Thereby, each lower end of the drive unit 23 is connected to the two legs 31b and 31.
c is engaged with the swing lever 30 so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction and to be able to transmit forces to each other in the vertical direction.

A cylindrical portion 31a is provided on the lower surface of the lever base 31.
A switch drive unit 31d protruding downward is formed between the switch drive unit 31d and the leg 31c. The switch driving unit 31d includes:
A pair of rubber contact switches 51, 51 assembled on the printed board 50 through the through window 14a provided in the inclined plate 14
Facing. The printed board 50 is mounted on the lower surface of the inclined plate 14 substantially in parallel with the inclined plate 14, and a pair of rubber contact switches 51, 51 are provided for each key 20 and arranged in two rows in the keyboard horizontal direction. . Switch drive unit 31
d has a pair of front and rear legs, and the same pair of legs is set so as to press the pair of rubber contact switches 51, 51 substantially at right angles to the printed board 50 when each key 20 is pressed. I have.

The weight 32 is formed in a rod shape, and is integrally attached to the lever base 31 by outsert forming the lever base 31 on the outer periphery of the front part. The rear portion of the weight 32 is woven and bent and overlapped, and the weight of the weight 32 can be adjusted by changing the length of the bent portion.

On the upper surface of the lower plate 16 located at the rear end of the frame 10, a long stopper 46 formed by laminating a felt or the like is fixed so as to extend upward in the lateral direction of the keyboard. ing. On the lower surface of the upper plate 17 located at the rear end of the frame 10, a long stopper 47 formed by laminating felt or the like is fixed so as to extend downward in the lateral direction of the keyboard. Thereby, each displacement of the swing lever 30 in the downward and upward directions of the rear end of the weight 32 is regulated, and each displacement of the front ends of the keys 20 and 30 in the upward and downward directions is also indirectly regulated. Is done.

In assembling the keyboard device configured as described above, the swing lever 30 is fitted to the rotation support portion 15 by the cylindrical portion 31a. Next, the leaf spring 41 is attached to the lever base 31 so that both legs 41a, 41a are on both sides of the thin portion of the lever base 31, and the leg 41a,
The front end of 41 a is brought into contact with the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 31 a of the lever base 31. In this state, the rear end portion of the leaf spring 41 is made to penetrate through the through window 11b from the lower side to the upper side, and the rear ends of the projecting pieces 41b, 41b are brought into contact with the engagement bar 11c. On the other hand, the upper surfaces of the projecting pieces 41b, 41b abut on the projecting portions 11d, and the portions of the leaf spring 41 in front of the projecting pieces 41b, 41b are curved downward. Therefore, since the swing lever 30 is pressed from behind onto the rotation support portion 15, the lever 30 is easily assembled onto the rotation support portion 15 so as not to be easily detached.

Next, the rear end of the leaf spring 41 is brought into contact with the inner end surface of the rear end portion 21 of the key 20 to deform the spring 41 into an S-shape. As a result, the key 20 is urged rearward by the leaf spring 41. In this biased state, the engagement piece 2
4 is inserted between the legs 31b and 31c of the swing lever 30, and the elastic member 25 is fitted between the legs 31b and 31c.
It causes the engagement, by advancing the key guide 42 to the front end portion inside of the key 20 pushes the rear end portion 21 of the key 20 from above the frame 12. As a result, the projection 21b of the rear end portion 21 is displaced obliquely downward and forward while sliding on the inclined upper end surface of the notch 12a. Then press downward the rear end portion 21, the rear end surface of the projection 21a (plane) comes on one side the front end surface of the frame 12 to the position of the displacement to fit the groove 12b downward, the protrusion 21b is fitted while sliding the engagement groove 12b in the rear, the rear end portion 21 is assembled to the frame 12. In this case, the other side surface 21c of the rear end portion 21 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the other side surface 21c slides on a flat inside plane of the frame body 12, so that the rear end portion of the key 20 is It is easily assembled to the body 12.

When the key 20 is attached to the frame 10, one side surface 21 a of the rear end 21 is attached to the frame 1.
While being spaced from the inner surface provided with second engagement grooves 12b, are separated from the rear end surface is also the inner plane of the frame 12 of the rear portion 21.

Next, the operation of the keyboard device assembled as described above will be described. When none of the keys 20 is pressed, the rear end of the weight 32 of the swing lever 30 is in contact with the stopper 46 by its own weight.
The key 20 is in the state shown by the solid line in FIG. In this state,
When the keys 20 are pressed near the front end portions 22, the keys 20 are pressed.
The rear end 21 is opposed to the weight of the weight 32 of the swing lever 30.
Starting to swing counterclockwise in FIG. And
When the key 20 is pressed to a predetermined depth, the rear end of the weight 32 abuts against the stopper 47 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2 to restrict the downward displacement of the front end 22 of the key 20. Is done. When the key 20 is released, the rear end of the weight 32 is
6, the weight of the weight 32 causes the swing lever 30 to move.
Swings clockwise in FIG. 2 about the rotation support portion 15 as a fulcrum and returns to the origin position.

[0025] In such key depression operation, contact with the inner peripheral surface of the fitting groove 12b at the outer peripheral surface of the projection 21b provided on one side surface 21a of the rear end portion 21 of the key 20 is formed in a spherical, the The other side surface 21c formed on the cylinder of the rear end 21 is the frame 12
Key 20 because it is in contact with one inner surface formed on the plane of
Swings up and down smoothly with the rear end 21 as a fulcrum, and the key touch feeling is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a keyboard device with some keys and components related to the keys removed.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a state before assembling a key rear end portion to a frame.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view showing an assembled state of a key rear end portion to a frame.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the key drive unit showing a state before an elastic member is assembled.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional side view of the key drive unit in a state where an elastic member is assembled.

FIG. 7A is a plan view of a swing lever, and FIG. 7B is a side view of the swing lever.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a leaf spring.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Frame, 11 ... Horizontal plate, 12 ... Frame body, 13 ... Front end horizontal part, 14 ... Inclined plate, 15 ... Rotation support part, 16 ... Lower surface plate, 17 ... Upper surface plate, 20 ... Key, 21 ... Rear end Part, 21b
... Projection, 23 Drive Unit, 24 Engagement Piece, 25 Elastic Member, 30 Swing Lever, 31 Lever Base, 31a Cylindrical Part, 31b, 31c Leg, 32 Weight, 41 Leaf Spring , 42, 44 ... key guide, 46, 47 ... stopper.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G10B 3/12 G10C 3/12 G10H 1/34

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A includes a laterally juxtaposed to <br/> plurality of keys digits assembling the frame swings up and down relative to said frame each key is the fulcrum of the rear end portion, The front end of each key
In the keyboard apparatus that is limited to a predetermined height while being biased upward, and the respective key is biased rearwardly relative to the frame relative to the frame, the rear end portion of said frame shape open upward and forward, respectively
Erected a horizontal U-shaped cross section of the plurality of frame body form, the plurality of keys of the rear end portion respectively yield capacity inside the frame of multiple <br/> number,
The projections forming the outer peripheral surface into a spherical shape in the rear end one side of the plurality of keys provided one body, the facing upper end face of one side of the plurality of frame bodies opposite to each of these projections to the front the key support structure for a keyboard apparatus with cut away obliquely downward, the projection toward the rear from the front end surface central portion on the inner peripheral surface of the same side is characterized in that a fitting groove for fitting Te. 2. The key support structure for a keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein the inner peripheral surfaces of the other sides of the plurality of frames are formed in a planar shape, and the keys of the keys facing the inner peripheral surface of the other side. the key support structure that forms the shape of the other side surface in a horizontal arc-shaped cross section a keyboard apparatus characterized by the respective rear end portions. A plurality of keys juxtaposed to 3. A lateral supports each disposed below these multiple <br/> number of keys the key to be respectively swung in the vertical direction at its rear end frame and a plurality of biasing the plurality of keys by its own weight engages the respective keys are swingably supported on the frame at its front end at the lower position of the front end portion of each key upwards respectively A swing lever, stoppers that are attached to the frame and respectively regulate downward swing of rear ends of the plurality of swing levers, and a plurality of stoppers provided below the plurality of keys at rear ends thereof. spring member biasing rearwardly to each of the plurality of keys is and locked to each of the plurality of the swing lever with respect to the frame with at the front end are locked respectively engaged with the respective rear end inner peripheral surface of the key A keyboard device having an upper end and a rear end of the frame. Provided upright horizontal U-shaped cross section of a plurality of frame bodies formed by opening the front will be respectively yield volumes of each rear end of the plurality of keys to the plurality of frames within, the plurality of keys Protrusions each having an outer peripheral surface formed in a spherical shape are integrally provided on one side surface of each rear end portion, and the upper end surfaces of the one side portions of the plurality of frame bodies opposed to these projections are cut out diagonally forward and downward. the key support structure for a keyboard apparatus the projection toward the rear from the front end surface central portion on the same side is characterized in that a fitting groove for fitting. 4. The key support structure for a keyboard device according to claim 3, wherein the inner peripheral surfaces of the other side portions of the plurality of frames are formed in a flat shape, and the keys of the keys facing the inner peripheral surface of the other side portion. the key support structure for a keyboard apparatus, wherein a other side of each rear portions form form arc-shaped cross section.