Abstract:
There is a foldable musical keyboard player can convert from a deployed configuration to at least a first and a second folding configuration. In the deployed configuration, the top keyboard of the player is flipped up, exposing the music keys on both the top keyboard and the bottom keyboard. Such a configuration allows access to all the music keys and the control panel of the player, enabling the user to play music. By flipping down the top keyboard that covers the bottom keyboard, the player is converted into the first folding configuration, which transforms the player from a format adapted for playing to another more suitable for transport. By using a number of hinges and adjusting the fastening assemblies, the user may fold the keyboard player again, converting to the second folding configuration, which makes the musical keyboard player compact in occupied space and easy to transport and store.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application claims the priority of U.S. Ser. No. 61/868,628 filed on Aug. 22, 2013, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The current invention relates to a foldable musical keyboard player used for playing music and foldable for easy transportation. In particular, the current invention relates to a musical keyboard player that may be closed and folded so that the keyboard player is converted to a more compact configuration that is convenient to carry around and store. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Due largely to their versatility and adaptability, musical keyboards have become a more and more essential part of modern day music instruments. One other important advantage of the musical keyboard vs. the piano is its relatively improved portability. However, comparing with instruments such as guitars, the conventional keyboard player is still bulky and difficult to carry around, making it more inconvenient to the users and the band. While it is desirable to make the musical keyboard more portable, the presence of music keys limits that attempts to reduce the actual size of the keyboard player. Other solutions are thus important and one of such solutions is to make the keyboard players foldable or collapsible. In particular, it is much more desirable to make the two-level keyboard fordable because this kind of keyboard is usually larger and heavier compared with the single-level keyboards. 
     While several disclosures cover such designs, all the other teachings fail to address important aspects of the problem, except the current invention, which satisfies all the important requirements and confers other benefits that are outlined hereinafter. 
     Examples of related patents: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,463,925 (&#39;925 patent) discloses an electronic music keyboard that folds in the middle bottom-to-bottom, and pivots in the middle, back-to-back. When fully open along both planes, the keyboard looks and performs in a conventional manner. When partially pivoted, the keyboard may be supported by an ergonomic belt, or standard means and played hanging from the body of the operator forming an adjustable, inverted “V” shape on a vertical axis. When fully pivoted, the keyboard may be worn over the chest of the operator and played much like a double-keyboard accordion. The ends form a carrying handle and the keyboard folds neatly into a carry bag. This device may also be fabricated from appropriate materials to act as a support for prior art small MIDI keyboards. 
     In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 6,875,913 (&#39;913 patent) discloses a musical keyboard that is collapsible between a deployed configuration and an undeployed configuration. The musical keyboard including two or more modules, each module containing a different subset of a set of musical keys; and means for collapsing the modules from the deployed configuration in which the modules are arranged in a row to form the musical keyboard, the keyboard being substantially planar, to the collapsed configuration in which the modules are substantially positioned on top of each other. 
     In summary, various apparatus are known in the art, but their structures are distinctively different from the current invention. Moreover, the other inventions fail to address all of the problems solved by the invention described herein. One embodiment of this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be described in more detail herein below. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The current invention discloses a foldable musical keyboard player, comprising: a bottom keyboard having a bottom keyboard left section and bottom keyboard right section; a flippable top keyboard connected to the bottom keyboard with a plurality of horizontal hinges, allowing the flippable top keyboard to flip, pivot against, and cover the bottom keyboard, the flippable top keyboard having a top keyboard left section and a top keyboard right section; and a least one fastening assembly, wherein the top keyboard left section lays upon the bottom keyboard left section when the flippable top keyboard covers the bottom keyboard, the top keyboard right section lays upon the bottom keyboard right section when the flippable top keyboard covers the bottom keyboard, locking the fastening assemblies keeps the bottom keyboard left section and bottom keyboard right section longitudedly aligned and keeps the top keyboard left section and top keyboard right section longitudedly aligned, and releasing the fastening assemblies allows the top keyboard left section, together with the bottom keyboard left section to be folded against the bottom keyboard right section with the top keyboard right section using at least one vertical hinge. 
     It should be noted that the flippable top keyboard, though named thereof, may simply comprise a flippable cover without any music keys and having a left section and a right section that overlap with the left section and right section of the bottom keyboard. The essential feature of the current musical keyboard is that it can be converted first from a deployed configuration, which is suitable for playing, to a first folding configuration, which is suitable for recess or short transport, to a second folding configuration, which is a complete left-and-right folding of the keyboard player, resulting in a compact arrangement of the keyboard player and much higher level of portability. 
     The foldable musical keyboard player may further comprise a top back member disposed upon the bottom keyboard and in parallel with the flippable top keyboard, wherein the top back member has a top back member left section and a top back member right section, the top back left section, together with the top keyboard left section, covers the bottom keyboard left section, and the top back right section, together with top keyboard right section, covers the bottom keyboard right section. In addition, the top back left section may be connected to the top back right section with a second vertical hinge, wherein the top back member left section folds against the top back member right section along the second vertical hinge. 
     The positioning of the fastening assemblies and the hinges determines how in particular the keyboard player may be folded. If the fastening assembly attaches to the left and right sections of the bottom keyboard and the vertical hinges are positioned on the top keyboard, then the keyboard player of the current invention is preferably folded along the vertical hinges that results in a direct pivoting of the left section and right section of the top keyboard against one another, after releasing the fastening assemblies. On the other hand, the fastening assemblies may attach to the flippable top keyboard, while the vertical hinges connect the left and right sections of the bottom keyboard. Such a design allows splitting of the top keyboard and bending of the bottom keyboard. Both formats are acceptable. 
     The design of the fastening assembly may vary, as long as the fastening assembly is capable of affixing the left section of the bottom/top keyboard to the right section of the bottom/top keyboard and maintaining a longituded alignment. In particular, the fastening assembly may comprise a fastening pin and two anchoring members, wherein the fastening assembly is locked when the fastening pin attaches to the two anchoring members simultaneously. 
     Various components of the foldable musical keyboard player may be made from the same or different materials. For example, the fastening assembly is preferred to be made from robust and durable material, such as but not limited to metal, glass, fiberglass, and rigid plastic. 
     In general, the present invention succeeds in conferring the following, and others not mentioned, desirable and useful benefits and objectives. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a foldable musical keyboard player that may be folded twice. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a foldable musical keyboard player that is easy to transport after complete folding. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a foldable musical keyboard player that covers both single-level and two-level keyboard players. 
     It is another object of the current invention to provide a foldable musical keyboard player that may be converted from a deployed configuration to a first folding configuration to a second folding configuration. 
     It is still another object of the current invention to provide a foldable musical keyboard player that allows easy adjustment and folding. 
     It is another object of the current invention to provide a foldable musical keyboard player that may be folded left against right. 
     It is another object of the current invention to provide a foldable musical keyboard player that is compact after folding and allows convenient placement and storage. 
     It is yet another object of the current invention to provide a foldable musical keyboard player that is easy to use and easy to manufacture. 
     It is another object of the current invention to provide a foldable musical keyboard player that includes fastening assemblies that lock the musical keyboard when it is not folded. 
     It is yet another object of the current invention to provide a foldable musical keyboard player that includes fastening assemblies that may be conveniently released. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a foldable musical keyboard player in a deployed configuration. 
         FIG. 2A  shows a perspective view of the foldable musical keyboard player in a first folding configuration. 
         FIG. 2B  shows a rear view of the foldable musical keyboard player in an alternate folding configuration. 
         FIG. 3  shows a bottom view of the foldable musical keyboard player in a first folding configuration. 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the foldable musical keyboard player in a second folding configuration. 
         FIG. 5A  shows a partial bottom perspective view of the foldable musical keyboard player in a first folding configuration, illustrating the locked fastening assemblies. 
         FIG. 5B  shows a partial perspective view of the foldable musical keyboard player in a second folding configuration, illustrating the released fastening assemblies. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified, as far as possible, with the same reference numerals. Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto without deviating from the innovative concepts of the invention. 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a foldable musical keyboard player in a deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the musical keyboard player is ready to be used in terms of access to all the music keys. Shown in  FIG. 1  is the foldable music keyboard player  1  comprising a flippable top keyboard  10 , a bottom keyboard  30 , and a top back member  20 , wherein the top back member is directly attached to the top of the bottom keyboard  30 , and the flippable top keyboard  10  is connected to the top back member  20  with a series of horizontal hinges  25 , allowing the flippable top keyboard  10  to flip over and cover the bottom keyboard  30 . The flippable top keyboard  10  includes a top keyboard left section  15  and a top keyboard right section  18 , the bottom keyboard  30  includes a bottom keyboard left section  35  and a bottom keyboard right section  40 , the top back member  20  includes a top back left section  21  and a top back right section  22 . On the playing sides of both the flippable top keyboard  10  and the bottom keyboard  30 , there are music keys  45 . Presented on the bottom keyboard is also a control panel  50 . Also shown in  FIG. 1  is a fastening assembly  100  including a fastening pin  110  and an anchoring member  135 . 
       FIG. 1  shows the foldable musical keyboard player in a deployed configuration, wherein the flippable top keyboard is flipped up, exposing the music keys  45 . The top keyboard left section  15  is longitudedly aligned with the top keyboard right section  18 , and the bottom keyboard left section  35  is longitudedly aligned with the bottom keyboard right section  40 . The bottom keyboard  30  and the flippable top keyboard  10  are generally parallel with the flippable top keyboard  10  on a higher level. 
       FIG. 2A  shows a perspective view of the foldable musical keyboard player in a first folding configuration. In the first folding configuration, the music keys are no longer exposed and accessible and the musical keyboard player is not ready to be used. Shown in  FIG. 2A  is the foldable music keyboard player  1  comprising a flippable top keyboard  10 , a bottom keyboard  30 , and a top back member  20 , wherein the top back member is directly attached to the top of the bottom keyboard  30 , and the flippable top keyboard  10  is connected to the top back member  20  with a series of horizontal hinges  25 , allowing the flippable top keyboard  10  to flip over and cover the bottom keyboard  30 . The flippable top keyboard  10  includes a top keyboard left section  15  and a top keyboard right section  18 , and the bottom keyboard  30  includes a bottom keyboard left section  35  and a bottom keyboard right section  40 , the top back member  20  includes a top back left section  21  and a top back right section  22 . The music keys  45  are no longer accessible in the first folding configuration. 
     As indicated by  FIG. 2A , the top keyboard left section  15  and the top keyboard right section  18  are connected by a first vertical hinge  55  and the top back left section  21  and the top back right section  22  are connected by a second vertical hinge  60 . In the first folding configuration, the flippable top keyboard  10  is flipped down, covering the bottom keyboard  30 , wherein the top keyboard left section  15  generally overlaps with the bottom keyboard left section  35 , and the top keyboard right section  18  generally overlaps with the bottom keyboard right section  40 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2A , as indicated above, it should be noted that the flippable top keyboard  10 , though presented as a full-fledged keyboard with music keys, may simply comprise a flippable cover without any music keys and having a left section and a right section that overlap with the left section and right section of the bottom keyboard  30 . The key feature here is that the flippable top may be flipped down along the horizontal hinges  25 . What is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2A  is the preferred embodiment. 
     Similar to the deployed configuration, in the first folding configuration as shown in  FIG. 2A , the top keyboard left section  15  is longitudedly aligned with the top keyboard right section  18 , and the bottom keyboard left section  35  is longitudedly aligned with the bottom keyboard right section  40 . By flipping down (folding down) the flippable top keyboard  10 , the music keys  45  and the control panel  50  are no longer accessible. The foldable musical keyboard player  1 , in this configuration, generally has a cuboid shape with a keyboard player top  70 , a keyboard player bottom  75  (not shown in  FIG. 2A ), keyboard player front side  80 , and two keyboard player lateral side  85  (not shown in  FIG. 2A ). The “horizontal” hinges  25  and the “vertical” hinges  55  and  60  are defined based on the relative orientation of the hinges with the keyboard player front side  80 . While the horizontal hinges  25  are generally parallel to the keyboard player front side  80 , the vertical hinges  55  and  60  are generally perpendicular to the keyboard player front side  80 . 
     It should also be noted that the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2A  only illustrates one possible way to design the foldable music keyboard player  1 . After the first folding, the player may take any shape, such as an oval column or cylinder or any other irregular shape or pattern. The key feature is that the left sections, including the top keyboard left section  15 , the top back left section  21 , and the bottom keyboard left section  35 , may be combined to a single block, and similarly the right sections, including the top keyboard right section  18 , the top back right section  22 , and the bottom keyboard right section  40 , may be combined to another single block. Such a design allows the second folding to take place, pivoting the left sections against the right sections. 
     In  FIG. 2B  shows a rear view of a foldable music keyboard player  1  in an alternative folding configuration with a double folding hinge  26 . The double folding hinge  26  replaces the “horizontal” hinges  25  on the foldable music keyboard player  1  (see  FIG. 2A ). This configuration removes the top back left section  21  and top back right section  22  and connects the flippable top keyboard section  10  to the bottom keyboard  30 . Typically, screws are employed to create a solid connection between the flippable top keyboard  10  and the bottom keyboard  30 . However, rivets, snaps, or adhesives may also be used. 
     The foldable music keyboard player  1  has a flippable top keyboard  10 . When flipped down, the flippable top keyboard  10  rests on top of the bottom keyboard  30  protecting the music keys  45  and control panel  50 . The top left keyboard section  15  is longitudedly aligned with the top right keyboard section  18 . When the flippable top keyboard  10  is put into a playing position, the double hinge  26  allows for rotational and lateral movement. This is achieved by the interaction between the top hinge  27  and the bottom hinge  29 . The top hinge  27  is coupled to the flippable top keyboard  10  and the bottom hinge  29 . The bottom hinge  29  is connected to the top hinge  27  and the bottom keyboard section  30 . The flippable top keyboard  10  rotates approximately 180° into playing position. The sections of the double hinges  26  permit for the folding forward or backwards of the junction between the top hinge  27  and bottom hinge  29  thereby adjusting the position of the flippable top keyboard  10 . Further, there are support hinges  31  affixed to the bottom keyboard  30 . These support hinges  31  are angled in relation to the bottom keyboard  30  and have one section attached to the bottom keyboard  30  with another free section hingedly coupled to the affixed section. When folded out, the support hinge  31  holds up the top keyboard  10  to take stress off the double hinges  26 . Additionally, it forms a more solid playing surface for the user. 
       FIG. 3  shows a bottom view of the foldable musical keyboard player in a first folding configuration. Shown in  FIG. 3  is the foldable music keyboard player  1  comprising: a bottom keyboard  30  having a bottom keyboard left section  35  and a bottom keyboard right section  40 . As indicated in  FIG. 2 , the bottom keyboard left section  35  is longitudedly aligned with the bottom keyboard right section  40 . There are two fastening assemblies  100  bridging the bottom keyboard left section  35  and the bottom keyboard right section  40 , keeping the two sections in place. In terms of the entire foldable musical keyboard player  1 , what is shown in  FIG. 3  is the keyboard player bottom  75 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the foldable musical keyboard player in a second folding configuration. In the second folding configuration, the musical keyboard player is in a compact state and the music keys are no longer accessible. The left section are folded against the right sections. Shown in  FIG. 4  is the foldable music keyboard player  1  comprising: a flippable top keyboard  10  having a top keyboard left section  15  and top keyboard right section  18 , a bottom keyboard  30  having a bottom keyboard left section  35  and bottom keyboard right section  40 , and a top back member  20  having a top back left section  21  and top back right section  22 . The left sections, including the top keyboard left section  15 , the top back left section  21 , and the bottom keyboard left section  35 , combine to a left folding block. Similarly the right sections, including the top keyboard right section  18 , the top back right section  22 , and the bottom keyboard right section  40 , combine to a right folding block. The left folding block and the right folding block fold along the first vertical hinge  55  and the second vertical hinge  60  against each other, making the foldable musical keyboard player  1  a compact structure that is readily portable in a bag or suitcase. From the openings exposed by the second folding, music keys  45  and connecting bands  90  are visible. Also shown in  FIG. 4  are two fastening assemblies  100  in a released state. The detailed structures and functionality of the fastening assemblies are shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . 
     As indicated above, it is not a requirement that the folded musical keyboard player takes a cuboid shape. Other shape may also be chosen as long as two consecutive foldings may be achieved. The essential feature is that the musical keyboard player  10  may be folded left-against-right in the middle of the musical keys. 
     The positioning of the fastening assemblies  100  and the hinges  25 ,  55  and  60  determines how in particular the keyboard player  1  may be folded. If the fastening assembly attaches to the left and right sections of the bottom keyboard  30  and the vertical hinges  55  and  60  are positioned on the top keyboard  10 , then the keyboard player  1  of the current invention is preferably folded along the vertical hinges  55  and  70  that results in a direct pivoting of the left section  15  and right section  18  of the top keyboard against one another, after releasing the fastening assemblies  100 . On the other hand, the fastening assemblies  100  may attach to the flippable top keyboard  10 , while the vertical hinges  55  and  60  connect the left and right sections of the bottom keyboard  30 . Such a design allows splitting of the top keyboard  10  and bending of the bottom keyboard  30 . Both formats are acceptable. 
       FIG. 5A  shows a partial perspective view of the foldable musical keyboard player in a first folding configuration, illustrating the locked fastening assemblies. Shown in  FIG. 5A  is the foldable music keyboard player  1  comprising: a bottom keyboard  30  having a bottom keyboard left section  35  and a bottom keyboard right section  40 . As indicated in  FIG. 2 , the bottom keyboard left section  35  is longitudedly aligned with the bottom keyboard right section  40 . There are two fastening assemblies  100  bridging the bottom keyboard left section  35  and the bottom keyboard right section  40 , keeping the two sections in place. In terms of the entire foldable musical keyboard player  1 , what is shown in  FIG. 5A  is the keyboard player bottom  75  and the keyboard player front side  80 . 
     Each fastening assembly  100  comprises a fastening pin  110  and two anchoring members  135 , wherein the fastening pin  110  is in a “locked” position in  FIG. 5A  showing the first folding configuration. Preferably the fastening pin  110  is a “U” shaped structure with a pin base  115  and two pin prongs  120 . Each anchoring member  135  may comprise an anchoring member slot  150  being affixed to the key board player, wherein the anchoring member slot  150  may fittingly receiving a pin prong  120 . When the two anchoring members  135  are parallelly aligned on two adjacent sections, the two pin prongs  120  may be inserted into the two anchoring member slots  150 , securing the relative positioning of the bottom keyboard left section  35  and bottom keyboard right section  40 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5A , the fastening pin  110  may further comprise a pin blocker  125 , the pin blocker  125  being a congruent part aligning with the pin base  115  and serving partially as a reinforcing structure of the pin base  115 . Referring to  FIG. 5A , for one fastening assembly  100 , the anchoring members are attached to the keyboard player bottom  75 , whereas the pin blocker  125  is generally perpendicular to the plane of the pin prongs  120 . The insertion of the pin prongs  120  into the anchoring member slots  150  is not only controlled by the pin base  115 , but also by the contact of the pin blocker  125  with the keyboard player front side  80 . Such a design allows the fastening pin  110  to stay adjacent to two sides of the keyboard player, enhancing the functionality of the fastening assemblies  100 . 
       FIG. 5B  shows a partial perspective view of the foldable musical keyboard player in a second folding configuration, illustrating the released fastening assemblies. Shown in  FIG. 5B  is the foldable music keyboard player  1  having a bottom keyboard  30  wherein there are fastening assemblies  100  attached to the bottom keyboard  30 . Here the fastening assemblies are released—the pin prongs  120  from the same fastening pin  110  are not inserted simultaneously into two anchoring member slots  150 . Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 2 , the user may pull the fastening pin out—releasing the locked fastening assembly  100 , and convert the musical keyboard player  1  from the first folding configuration to the second folding configuration, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5B . Here in  FIG. 5B  one of the pin prongs  120  is inserted in an anchoring member slot  150 , which serves to keep the fastening pins  110  close by. There is no specific requirement that the pin prongs  120  need to be kept in such a manner, though this is a preferred approach. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5B , there are connecting bands  90  linking the interior structures of the bottom keyboard  30  and the top keyboard  10 . Such connecting bands  90  are used for data and electrical transfers that are needed for proper music play. The connections are kept in place whether the musical keyboard player is deployed or folded. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5B , in the second folding configuration, the musical keyboard player is in a compact arrangement. It may be easily put into a bag or suitcase and become much more portable. Since conversions between the configurations are not complicated, the musical keyboard player may be deployed and folded with ease, giving the user much more convenience. 
     The attachment assembly  100  may be made from any suitable material that is strong and durable. The materials that may be used include but are not limited to metal such as copper or stainless steel, wood, and hard plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), high-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), high impact polystyrene (HIPS) and polycarbonate (PC), or some combination thereof. Preferably the attachment assembly  100  is made from copper. 
     Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.