Music stand device and musical instrument having the musical stand device

A music stand device can be securely mounted in a keyboard instrument or the like. A music score plate holds a musical score. A mounting member is mounted on a roof plate. A fixing member is fixed to the musical score plate and has one end thereof rotatably supported by one end of the mounting member. A supporting member has one end thereof rotatably supported by the other end of the fixing member and the other end thereof engaged by a part of the mounting member to thereby maintain the musical score plate in the standing position. An engaging bolt is provided in the roof plate and located in opposed relation to the mounting member. The mounting member is slid to engage an engaging hole and the engaging bolt with each other, with the mounting member fastened to the roof plate by a fastening tool from above through fastening holes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present-invention relates to a music stand device provided in a keyboard instrument or the like, and a musical instrument having the music stand device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, there has been known a music stand device constructed such that a musical score plate is disposed in a standing position on a base such as a roof plate of a musical instrument (see Japanese Patent Publication No. 3317109, for example). This apparatus includes a mounting plate that is fixed to the base, a fixing plate that is fixed to the musical score plate, and a supporting plate that is pivotally supported at an upper end of the fixing plate, with a free end of the supporting plate engaged by the mounting plate. Thus, these three members form a triangular shape as viewed from the side to keep the musical score plate slightly tilted backward in a standing position. The mounting plate is secured to the base by screws or the like.

In the music stand device disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3317109 mentioned above, the mounting plate is typically fastened to the base from above using a hand tool such as a screwdriver, but an upper end of the musical score plate in a standing position lies above the fastening part. Therefore, in this state, the hand tool and the musical score plate are likely to interfere with each other, making it difficult to carry out the fastening operation. To avoid the interference, the musical score plate has to be temporarily raised forward. Accordingly, to prevent a lower end face of the musical score plate in a standing position (i.e. a front end face of the musical score plate when it is laid down) from interfering with the base, it is necessary to provide an appropriate space between the lower end face of the musical score plate and the base. This causes the problem that a finger or foreign matter is caught in this space when the mounting plate is fastened to the base or when the musical score plate is brought into a standing position or a laid-down position and therefore safety cannot be secured and the musical instrument does not look attractive as viewed from the front.

Alternatively, assuming that the mounting plate is sufficiently long in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus and the fastening part is located in a rear part of the mounting plate, the hand tool and the musical score plate can be prevented from interfering with each other during the fastening operation, but the operatability deteriorates due to an increase in the size of the mounting plate, and also, the mounting plate cannot be securely fixed to the base due to a decrease in the fixing strength of mainly a front part of the mounting plate fixed to the base.

Also, in the music stand device disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3317109 mentioned above, a musical score resting member is disposed on the roof plate as the base, and hence a musical score is positioned relatively high, leaving room for improvement in viewability.

By the way, in a keyboard instrument equipped with a retractable slide cover that is slid forward and backward, the retractable slide cover is designed to hide the interior of the main body of the musical instrument from view when the cover is closed. This, however, causes the problem that the retractable slide cover is long in the longitudinal direction of the instrument, and as a result, to secure a required space for accommodating the retractable slide-cover when it is opened, the main body of the musical instrument has to be long in the longitudinal direction of the instrument. On the other hand, if there is additionally provided a member exclusively for hiding the interior of the main body of the keyboard instrument from view, the musical instrument will be complicated in construction and will not look attractive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a first object of the present invention to provide a music stand device that can be securely mounted in a keyboard instrument or the like in a safe manner and with ease and improve the appearance of the keyboard instrument or the like, and a musical instrument having the music stand device.

It is a second object of the present invention to provide a music stand device that is capable of holding a musical score low in an appropriate state so that it can be easy to view, and a musical instrument having the music stand device.

It is a third object of the present invention to provide a music stand device and a musical instrument having the music stand device that enable a musical score resting member to perform the function of hiding the interior of the main body of a keyboard instrument or the like equipped with a retractable slide cover from view to thereby reduce the depth of the main body of the keyboard instrument and improve the appearance of the keyboard instrument or the like without complicating its construction.

To attain the first object, in a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a music stand device for a musical instrument, comprising a music score plate that holds a musical score on a musical score holding surface thereof while being tilted backward in a standing position a mounting member mountable on a roof plate of the musical instrument, and having one end, a fixing member fixed to the musical score plate and having one end thereof rotatably supported by the one end of the mounting member, the fixing member having another end, a supporting member having one end thereof rotatably supported by the other end of the fixing member and having another end thereof engaged by a part of the mounting member to thereby maintain the musical score plate in the standing position, and an engaging member that is provided in the roof plate in opposed relation to the mounting member, wherein the musical score plate has a lower end surface thereof in the standing position thereof disposed at an acute angle to the musical score holding surface, and the mounting member comprises an engaged part provided in association with the engaging member and engageable with the engaging member to temporarily fix the mounting member to the roof plate, and at least one fastening part provided in a rear part of the mounting member at a location rearward of the engaged part, for fastening the mounting member to the roof plate by a fastening tool, and the mounting member is slid while the musical score plate is held in the standing position, to engage the engaged part and the engaging member with each other, and then the mounting member is fastened to the roof plate by the fastening tool from above through the fastening part.

With the arrangement of the first aspect of the present invention, the mounting member can be easily attached to the roof plate because the mounting member is slid and temporarily fixed to the roof plate and then fastened to the roof plate by the fastening tool from above through the fastening part. Also, it is unnecessary to temporarily raise the musical score plate to the front during the fastening operation because the fastening part are located in the rear part of the mounting member. Thus, the lower end face of the musical score plate in the standing position and the musical score holding surface make an acute angle with each other, and the space (S1) between the lowest end of the musical score holding surface and the upper end of the roof plate can be made small. Since the musical score does not have to be temporarily raised to the front and the space can be small, a finger or foreign matter will be never caught in the space during the fastening operation or when the musical score plate is brought into a standing position or a laid-down position, so that the mounting member can be attached to the roof plate in a safe manner and with ease. Making the space small also improves the appearance. Further, since the engaging member and the engaged part are engaged with each other in an area ahead of the fastening part to temporarily fix the mounting member to the roof plate, the mounting member can be fixed to the roof plate in a more stable state as compared with the case where the mounting member is fixed only at the fastening part. As a result, the mounting member can be securely attached to the roof plate in a safe manner and with ease, and the appearance of the keyboard instrument or the like can be improved.

To attain the second object, in a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a musical instrument having a music stand device, comprising a roof plate having a front part, a front plate extending aslant, i.e. forward and downward from the front part of the roof plate, the front plate having a front surface, and a musical score plate provided in the music stand device, the musical score plate being mounted in a standing position on the front part of the roof plate, the musical score plate having a front surface, and a musical score resting member provided at a lower level than the roof plate, for holding a lower end of a musical score, wherein the front surface of the front plate and the front surface of the musical score plate are flush with each other and cooperate with each other to hold a back surface of the musical score.

With the arrangement of the second aspect of the present invention, since the musical score resting member is located at a lower level than the roof plate, the musical score can be held low. Since the front surface of the front plate and the front surface of the musical score plate are flush with each other and cooperate with each other to hold the back surface of the musical score, the surface that holds the musical score is flat without any stepped part, and hence the musical score can be held in an appropriate state and the appearance can be made good. As a result, it is possible to hold the musical score in an appropriate state at a low level and at an easy-to-view position. Also, the appearance can be improved.

Preferably, the musical score resting member has a musical score abutment surface on which the musical score is to abut, and wherein the musical score abutment surface is disposed substantially at right angles to the front plate to prevent slippage of the musical score.

To attain the third object, in a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a musical instrument having a music stand device, comprising a retractable slide cover that is opened and closed by sliding forward and backward, the slide cover having a rear part, a roof plate having a front part, a front plate extending aslant, i.e. forward and downward from the front part of the roof plate, the front plate having a lower part, and a musical score resting member provided at such a location as to bridge the rear part of the retractable slide cover and the lower part of the front plate when the retractable slide cover is closed, for holding a lower end of a musical score.

With the arrangement of the third aspect of the present invention, since the musical score resting member is provided at such a location as to bridge the rear part of the retractable slide cover and the lower part of the front plate, the musical score resting member cannot only hold the lower end of the musical score but also hide the interior of the main body of the keyboard instrument from view. As a result, the retractable slide cover does not have to be long in the longitudinal direction thereof, and therefore the space for accommodating the retractable slide cover when it is opened can be small, reducing the depth of the main body of the keyboard instrument. Also, the construction can be simplified and advantageous in terms of design as compared with the case where there is provided a member exclusively for hiding the interior of the musical instrument body from view. Since the musical score resting member is able to perform the function of hiding the interior of the main body of the keyboard instrument from view, the depth of the musical instrument body equipped with the retractable slide cover can be shorter, and the appearance of the keyboard instrument or the like can be improved without complicating the construction.

Preferably, the musical score resting member has a musical score abutment surface on which the musical score is to abut, and wherein the musical score abutment surface is disposed substantially at right angles to the front plate to prevent slippage of the musical score.

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detained description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing a preferred embodiment thereof.

FIG. 1Ais a perspective view showing the upper half of a keyboard instrument as a musical instrument having a music stand device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.FIG. 1Bis a right side view showing the upper half of the keyboard instrument1.FIG. 2is an exploded view showing a keyboard instrument main body KBU and a roof unit RU.

The keyboard instrument1is generally comprised of the keyboard instrument main body KBU, the roof unit RU, and a support unit SU on which the keyboard instrument main body KBU and the roof unit RU are mounted. A music stand unit MSU is attached to the roof unit RU. In the following description, the directions of the depth and width of the keyboard instrument1and the musical stand unit MSU represent those as viewed from a player in the state in which the music stand unit MSU is attached to the roof unit RU.

The keyboard instrument main body KBU is comprised of side plates41equivalent to angle plates arranged on right and left sides thereof, a back plate46that joins together rear parts of the right and left side plates41, a keyboard, not shown, disposed between the right and left side plates41, and a cover42for covering the keyboard. In the keyboard instrument main body KBU, the right side and the left side are symmetric and identical in construction with each other.FIGS. 1B and 2illustrate the construction of only the right side.

As shown inFIG. 2, in the keyboard instrument main body KBU, one pinion gear47is attached to each of the right and left sides of a rear part42aof the cover42. Also, one rack48that is engaged with each pinion gear47is provided in a rear half part of the keyboard instrument main body KBU (seeFIG. 1Bas well). The cover42is a retractable sliding type; when the cover42is urged forward or backward, the pinion gears47roll on the racks48engaged therewith so that the cover42can move frontward or backward.

As shown inFIGS. 1B and 2, abutment members50and51, on which a front plate62, described later, of the roof unit RU is to abut, and fixing members43are fixed on the inside surfaces of both the side plates41. As shown inFIG. 2, roof unit mounting brackets44for mounting the roof unit RU are attached to the fixing members43.

Retaining holes44athat are elongated in the longitudinal direction of the keyboard instrument main body KBU are formed in upper surfaces of the roof unit mounting brackets44. Each retaining hole44ahas a front part thereof being wider, although not illustrated in detail. The upper surface of each roof unit mounting bracket44progressively lowers as it goes rearward (seeFIG. 2). An engaging bolt64, described later, is engaged with each retaining hole44ato take part in fixing the roof unit RU to the keyboard instrument main body KBU.

As shown inFIG. 2, the roof unit RU is comprised of a roof plate61and the front plate62which are configured as an integral unit. The front plate62extends aslant, i.e. forward and downward from the front side of the roof plate61, and a musical score resting member63is attached to the bottom of the front plate62. The engaging bolts64associated with the respective roof unit mounting brackets44are attached via spacers65to respective lower surfaces of the roof plate61at right and left sides thereof. Fixing brackets66are attached to respective lower surfaces of rear parts of the roof plate61at the right and left sides thereof. Further, a half of a fastening bracket67that is substantially L-shaped as viewed from the side is fixed to a rear surface of a lower part62bof the front plate62by two screws52, and the musical score resting member63is fixed at a lower surface thereof to the other half of the fastening fixture67by a screw69. The musical score resting member63plays a role of holding a lower end of a musical score84. Together with the holding by the musical score resting member63, a musical score holding surface79aof a musical score plate79and a front surface62aof the front plate62cooperate with each other to hold a back surface of the musical score84(seeFIG. 2).

As shown inFIG. 1B, with the cover42closed, the musical score resting member63is located at such a location as to bridge the rear part42aof the cover42and the lower part62bof the front plate62to hide the interior of the keyboard instrument main body KBU from view. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the length of the cover42in the longitudinal direction thereof without extending the rear part42aof the cover42rearward for the purpose of hiding the interior of the keyboard instrument main body KBU from view, and hence the space for accommodating the cover42when it is open can be small, reducing the depth or longitudinal size of the keyboard instrument main body KBU. Also, since the musical score resting member63also serves to hold the lower end of the musical score84, the construction is less complicated as compared with the case where there is provided a member exclusively for hiding the interior of the keyboard instrument main body KBU from view. Further, a musical score abutment surface63a, i.e. an upper surface of the musical score resting member63, on which the musical score84is to abut, is disposed substantially at right angles to the front plate62attached aslant to the roof plate61such that the musical score84can be prevented from slipping. With this arrangement, the musical score resting member63progressively increases in thickness (height) as it goes frontward, and therefore it looks attractive as viewed from the front.

Also, the musical score resting member63is located at a substantially lower level than the upper surface61aof the roof plate61, and the musical score84can be held the lower. Therefore, the musical score84can be held at a low and easy-to-view position as compared with the case where the musical score resting member63is provided on the upper surface61aof the roof plate61or the like.

The retaining hole44aof each roof unit mounting bracket44is narrower than the head of the engaging bolt64, except for the above-mentioned wider front part of the retaining hole44awhich is wider than the head of the engaging bolt64. In mounting the roof unit RU onto the keyboard instrument main body KBU, the heads of the engaging bolts64are inserted into the wider front parts of the retaining holes44awhile the roof unit RF is moved from front to back by sliding the same on the side plates41. Since the upper surfaces of the roof unit mounting brackets44are progressively lowered toward the back (seeFIG. 2), the heads of the engaging bolts64are acted upon by a downwardly urging force by the upper surface parts of the roof unit mounting brackets44due to the engagement of the engaging bolts64and the retaining holes44aas the roof unit RU is moved rearward, and as a result, the roof unit RU is pressed against the side plates41.

Then, the roof unit RU is moved rearward until the fastening brackets66comes into abutment with the back surface46. On this occasion, the front plate62of the roof unit RU also come into abutment with the abutment members50and51. In this state, by fastening the fastening brackets66to the back surface46by screws, the roof unit RU is mounted onto the keyboard instrument main body KBU. The lower part62bof the front plate62has monitoring speakers68(68L and68R) incorporated therein (seeFIG. 1Bas well).

The music stand unit MSU is detachably attached to the upper surface61aof the roof plate61(seeFIG. 1B). As shown inFIG. 2, the music stand unit MSU is comprised of a mounting member71, a fixing member72, and a supporting member73, as well as the musical score plate79of a collapsible type. As shown inFIG. 2, the musical score plate79is used in a standing position while being slightly tilted backward (hereinafter merely referred to as “the standing position”) to hold the musical score84thereon. With the musical score plate to79in the standing position, the mounting member71, the fixing member72, and the supporting member73form a triangular shape as viewed from the side, and they constitute a musical score plate supporting device70. As shown inFIG. 1A, a pair of musical score supporting devices70identical in construction with each other are arranged at right and left sides of the musical score plate79. Therefore, a description will be given below of only one of the musical score supporting devices70.

The musical score resting member63is provided with musical score pressers80(80L and80R). As shown inFIG. 1A, the musical score pressers80L and80R are arranged laterally inward of both side edges of the musical score plate79in the transverse direction of the musical instrument.

FIGS. 3Ais a side view showing essential parts of the music stand unit MSU,FIG. 3Bis a plan view showing the mounting member71, andFIG. 3Cis a plan view showing the musical score presser80(80R). The musical score pressers80L and80R are symmetric with each other, and hence the construction of only the musical score presser80R on the right side will be described with reference toFIG. 3Cfor the convenience of explanation.

First, as shown inFIG. 3A, in the musical score plate supporting device70, one end72aof the fixing member72and one end71aof the mounting member71are pivotally supported by a rotary shaft74, and the other end72bof the fixing member72and one end73aof the supporting member73are pivotally supported by a rotary shaft75. An engaging section71cthat is bent upward is provided at the other end71bof the mounting member71. The fixing member72is fastened to a reverse side (rear surface) of the musical score plate79by screws78. The mounting member71is fastened to the upper surface61aof the roof plate61by an engaging bolt76and a screw77. With this arrangement, the musical score plate79is able to rotate about the rotary shaft74relative to the roof plate61. Also, the supporting member73is able to rotate about the rotary shaft75and supports the musical score plate79when a free end73bof the supporting member73is engaged by the engaging part71cof the mounting member71. In this case, the musical score plate supporting device70is triangular in shape as viewed from the side, and the musical score plate79lies in the standing position.

The engaging bolt76is comprised of a neck76band a head76alarger in diameter than the neck76b, both projecting from the upper surface61aof the roof plate61, and the head76afloating above the upper surface61aby the length of the neck76bis engaged with the roof plate61. As shown inFIG. 3B, in the mounting member71, an engaging through-hole71dthat is guitar-shaped in plan view is formed at a location corresponding to the engaging bolt76. The engaging hole71dis comprised of a larger hole71d1larger in diameter than the head76aof the engaging bolt76and a smaller hole71d2having substantially the same diameter as the diameter of the neck76bof the engaging bolt76, the larger hole71d1and the smaller hole71d2being combined together. The larger hole71d1is located rearward of the smaller hole71d2. Two tightening holes83for engaging the screws77with the upper surface61aof the roof plate61are provided in the rear part71bof the mounting member71at a location rearward of the engaging hole71d.

The music stand unit MSU is attached to the roof unit RU after the roof unit RU is mounted onto the keyboard instrument main body KBU. The music stand unit MSU is mounted onto the roof unit RU in a manner described below.

First, the free end73bof the supporting member73is engaged by the engaging part71cof the mounting member71, and with the musical score plate supporting device70remained in the triangular form as viewed from the side (i.e. with the musical score plate79being in the standing position), the head76aof the engaging bolt76is passed through the larger hole71d1of the engaging hole71dso that the mounting member71can be brought into abutment with the upper surface61aof the roof plate61. In this state, the music stand unit MSU is then slid rearward on the upper surface61ato engage the neck76bof the engaging bolt76in the smaller hole71d2of the engaging hole71d. When the smaller hole71d2comes into abutment with the front side of the neck76b, the smaller hole71d2and the neck76bare brought into engagement with each other, so that the music stand unit MSU can be placed at a substantially appropriate position. The gap between the head76aof the engaging bolt76and the upper surface61aof the roof plate61is set to be substantially equal to the thickness of the mounting member71, and as a result, when the smaller hole71d2and the neck76bare brought into engagement with each other, the head76aof the engaging bolt76aserves to fix the mounting member71in place with ease.

Thereafter, the rear part71bof the mounting member71is fastened and fixed to the roof plate61by the screws77through the fastening holes83. This fastening operation is carried out by inserting a screwdriver into the head of each screw77from above and turning the screwdriver. Here, since the fastening holes83are located in the rear part71bof the mounting member71, an area located at the rearmost part of an upper rear edge79bof the musical score plate79in the standing position lies substantially on vertical extensions L of the fastening holes83or the screws77, as shown inFIG. 2.

Here, as shown inFIG. 1, the musical score plate79is shaped like a fan as viewed from the front. That is, the upper part of the musical score plate79is shaped like a circular arc as viewed from the front; the length of the musical score plate79in the vertical direction is greatest at the middle thereof in a lateral direction thereof and becomes smaller toward the right and left side edges when the musical score plate79is standing. Therefore, when the musical score plate79is brought into the standing position, the upper rear edge79bof the musical score plate79is positioned closer to the front as it comes closer to the right and left side edges. Thus, as shown inFIG. 3B, as viewed from just above the fastening holes83, the upper rear edge79bof the musical score plate79lies well in front of the centers of the fastening holes83. Therefore, as viewed from just above the fastening holes83or the screws77, the musical score plate79never lies in the vicinity of the extensions L1.

For this reason, the rear part71bof the mounting member71can be fastened to the roof plate61from above without interference between the screwdriver and the musical score plate79in tightening the screws77. Thus, it is possible to attach the music stand unit MSU to the roof unit RU while holding the musical score plate79in the standing position without the need to temporarily raise it to the front. Further, since the musical score plate supporting devices70are arranged in the vicinity of the right and left sides of the fan-like musical score plate79, the fastening holes83can be positioned at the foremost location possible while the screwdriver and the musical score plate79can be prevented from interference therebetween. That is, the depth or longitudinal size of the mounting member71can be set to be shorter. It is preferred that from the standpoint of facilitation of an operation for tightening the screws77using the screwdriver or the like, the fastening holes83are located well rearward of the rearmost part of the musical score plate79in the standing position.

The mounting members71and72are shaped in the form of a plate. The supporting member73is also plate-shaped but is configured such that with the free end73bengaged by the engaging part71cof the mounting member71, the part of the supporting member73which is located just above the screws77is cut off to form a hollow part, so that the supporting member73never obstructs the operation of the screwdriver. It should be noted that the supporting member73may be comprised of a bar-like member insofar as it is configured to be away from or not to interfere with the screws77.

Since the engaging hole71dis located in the front part of the mounting member71, and the fastening holes83are located in the rear part71bof the mounting member71, the mounting member71fastened to the roof plate61can be well balanced in the longitudinal direction thereof and therefore can be stable without wobbling or the like when acted upon by a force from the front or the back. Therefore, the musical score plate79can be kept in the standing position in a more stable state as compared with the case where the mounting member71is fastened to the roof plate61at only the rear part thereof (by only the screws77).

Here, as shown inFIG. 3A, a lower end face79cof the musical score plate79makes an acute angle to the front surface of the musical score plate79as a musical score holding surface79a. When the musical score plate79lies in the standing position, the lower end face79cof the musical score plate79and the upper surface61aof the roof plate61are substantially parallel with each other, with a small space or gap S1between them. Since the space S is small and there is no need to raise the musical score plate79to the front when fastening the mounting member71to the roof plate61, a finger or foreign matter can never be caught in the space S1, and thus the music stand unit MSU can be safely attached to the roof unit RU with ease. Besides, making the space S1small is advantageous in terms of design.

The musical score plate79can be laid down by releasing the supporting member73from its engagement by the engaging part71cas shown inFIG. 2where the musical score plate79(P1) and the supporting member73(P1) are shown in a laid-down state, as indicated by chain lines. In engaging or releasing the supporting member73with or from the engaging part71c, it is necessary to raise the musical score plate79slightly to the front as indicated by chain lines inFIG. 2showing the musical score plate79(P2) in the slightly raised position, but on this occasion, the amount of displacement required is so small that the space S1can also be small. Since the space S1is small, a finger or foreign matter can never be caught in the space S1even when the musical score plate79is in a standing position or is laid down rearward.

When the musical score plate79lies in the standing position, the musical score holding surface79aof the musical score plate79and the front surface62aof the front plate62are flush with each other as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3A. The musical score holding surface79aand the front surface62acooperate with each other to hold the back surface of the musical score84thereon. Therefore, the surface that holds the musical score from the back is flat without any stepped part, so that the musical score84can be held in an appropriate state. Besides, with the musical score84not placed, the appearance is good because the musical score holding surface79aand the front surface62aare flush with each other and the space S1is small. Front end surfaces of the monitoring speakers68are also flush with the front surface62aof the front plate62, thus contributing to improvement in appearance.

As shown inFIG. 2, the musical score pressers80are incorporated in the musical score resting member63. As shown inFIG. 3C, each musical score presser80is comprised of a finger hook concavity81, and a musical score presser bar82. The musical score presser bar82can turn in the transverse direction about a rotary part82a, so that a free end-side part thereof can be positioned in a standing position or in a laid-down state. As mentioned above, the musical score resting member63increases in thickness toward the front to provide therein a space for accommodating the musical score pressers80. Therefore, the musical score pressers80do not project downward from the musical score resting member63, and the musical score pressers80can be easily arranged at such positions as to avoid interference with the cover42. That is, by thus forming the musical score resting member63large in thickness, not only the musical score pressers80can be arranged inside the resting member63by making effective use of the space therein, but also the musical score resting member63can be attractive in terms of design since it presents an air of substance.

According to the present embodiment, the musical stand apparatus is configured such that with the musical score plate79held in the standing position, the music stand unit MSU is slid rearward to fit the neck76bof the engaging bolt76into the smaller hole71d2of the engaging hole71d, and the mounting member71is fastened to the roof plate61by the screws77through the fastening holes83, and the space S1between the lower end face79cof the musical score plate79and the upper surface61aof the roof plate61is set to be small. As a result, it is possible to securely mount the music stand unit MSU in a safe manner and with ease and to improve the appearance of the keyboard instrument1.

Also, according to the present embodiment, when the musical score plate79lies in the standing position, the musical score holding surface79aof the musical score plate79and the front surface62aof the front plate62are flush which each other and cooperate with each other to hold the back surface of the musical score84thereon. Therefore, since the surface that holds the musical score from the back is flat without any stepped part, it is possible to hold the musical score84in an appropriate state and to improve the appearance of the keyboard instrument1. Moreover, since the musical score resting member63is disposed at a level lower than the upper surface61aof the roof plate61, the musical score84can be held low so that it is easy to view.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the musical score resting member63is disposed at such a location as to bridge the rear part42aof the cover42and the lower part62bof the front plate62so as to not only perform the function of holding the musical score resting member63but also play a role of hiding the interior of the keyboard instrument main body KBU from view. Therefore, the cover42does not have to be long in the direction of the depth thereof, and hence the longitudinal size of the keyboard instrument main body KBU can be shortened in the keyboard instrument1equipped with the retractable slide cover42. Also, as compared with the case where there is provided a member exclusively for hiding the interior of the keyboard instrument main body KBU from view, the construction can be simplified and is advantageous in terms of design, and hence the appearance can be improved.

Further, since the musical score pressers80are incorporated in the musical score resting member63that has an increased thickness, the musical score pressers80can be provided without interference with the cover42. Therefore, it is possible to make effective use of the space in the musical score resting member63and to make the keyboard instrument1look attractive due to the increased thickness of the musical score resting member63.

Although in the present embodiment, in mounting the music stand unit MSU, it is slid backward to fit the neck76bof the engaging bolt76into the smaller hole71d2of the engaging hole71d, the music stand unit MSU does not essentially have to be moved rearward, but it may be moved in a horizontal direction or in an oblique direction with the shape of the engaging hole71dmodified.

It should be noted that insofar as the reduction of the depth of the keyboard instrument main body KBU by enabling the musical score resting member63to perform the function of hiding the interior of the keyboard instrument main body KBU from view is concerned, the music stand unit MSU should not necessarily be provided. For example, the front surface62aof the front plate62may be extended so that the front surface62aalone can hold the back surface of the musical score84thereon.

Although the musical score plate79is brought into a standing position by engaging the free end73bof the supporting member73with the engaging part71cof the mounting member71, the free end73bshould not necessarily be engaged by the engaging part71cprovided at the other end71bof the mounting member71but has only to be engaged by another part of the mounting member71.

The engaging bolt76and the engaging hole71dshould not essentially be comprised of the head76a, the neck76b, the larger hole71d1, and the smaller hole71d2, but have only to be a combination of an engaging part shaped like a hook or the like and an engaged part associated therewith insofar as they can perform the function of temporarily fixing the mounting member71in place, and also more preferably the function of temporarily positioning the mounting member71.

It should be noted that the fastening means for fastening the mounting member71to the roof plate61is not limited to the fastening holes83, and the fastening fixture is not limited to the screws77.