Patent Publication Number: US-10311836-B2

Title: Support assembly and keyboard apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a U.S. continuation application filed under 35 U.S.C. § 111(a), of International Application No. PCT/JP2016/057125, filed on Mar. 8, 2016, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-063193, filed on Mar. 25, 2015, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a support assembly for use in a keyboard apparatus. Also, the present invention relates to the keyboard apparatus including the support assembly. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Acoustic pianos such as conventional grand pianos and upright pianos are configured of many components. Assembling these components is very complex, and thus assembling work takes long time. In particular, an action mechanism provided so as to correspond to each key requires many components, and thus its assembling work and adjustment is very complex. 
     For example, in the action mechanism described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-292361, a plurality of components mutual act to cause a key operation by key depressing and key releasing to be transmitted to a hammer. In particular, a support assembly configuring a part of the action mechanism operates with various components combined together. The support assembly has not only a mechanism achieving string hitting by the hammer in accordance with key depressing but also an escapement mechanism for releasing a force transmitted to the hammer by key operation immediately before key hitting. This mechanism is an important mechanism for achieving basic operation of an acoustic piano. In particular, in a grand piano, double escapement mechanism with a repetition lever and a jack combined together is generally adopted. 
     The operation of the action mechanism gives a sense (hereinafter also referred to as “touch feeling”) to a finger of a player through a key. In particular, the configuration of the support assembly has an important influence on the touch feeling. For example, the touch feeling by operation of the escapement mechanism is called let-off. 
     SUMMARY 
     A support assembly in an embodiment of the present invention includes a support rotatable along a first surface with respect to a frame, a repetition lever rotatable on the support, and a jack rotatable on the support, the repetition lever including a first contact portion which regulates its rotating operation, the jack including a second contact portion which regulates its rotating operation, and the first contact portion and the second contact portion making contact with a common regulating portion to regulate the rotating operations of the repetition lever and the jack. 
     A keyboard apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of support assemblies each having a support rotatable along a first surface with respect to a frame, a repetition lever rotatable on the support, and a jack rotatable on the support, the repetition lever including a first contact portion which regulates its rotating operation, the jack including a second contact portion which regulates its rotating operation, and the first contact portion and the second contact portion making contact with a common regulating portion to regulate the rotating operations of the repetition lever and the jack, and keys disposed to respectively correspond to the plurality of support assemblies to rotate the support assemblies. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view showing the configuration of a keyboard apparatus in a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view showing the configuration of a support assembly in the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3A  is a side view showing a partial configuration of the disassembled support assembly in the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3B  is a side view showing a partial configuration of the disassembled support assembly in the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3C  is a side view showing a partial configuration of the disassembled support assembly in the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3D  is a side view showing a partial configuration of the disassembled support assembly in the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3E  is a side view showing a partial configuration of the disassembled support assembly in the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3F  is a side view showing a partial configuration of the disassembled support assembly in the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3G  is a side view showing a partial configuration of the disassembled support assembly in the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4A  is a side view showing the configuration of the support assembly in the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4B  is a side view showing the configuration of the support assembly in the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view for describing a motion of the support assembly in the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6A  is a side view for describing a motion of the support assembly in the first embodiment of the present invention, showing a state before a key is depressed; 
         FIG. 6B  is a side view for describing a motion of the support assembly in the first embodiment of the present invention, showing a state when a key is depressed; 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram showing the configuration of a sound generation mechanism of the keyboard apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view showing the configuration of a support assembly in a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view showing the configuration of a support assembly in a third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view showing the configuration of a support assembly in a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 11  is a side view showing the configuration of a support assembly in a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following, a keyboard apparatus including a support assembly in one embodiment of the present invention is described in detail with reference to the drawings. Each embodiment described below represents one example of embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention should not be construed as being limited to these embodiments. Note that in the drawings referred to in the embodiments, same portions or portions having a similar function are provided with a same reference character or similar reference character (a reference character merely with A, B, or the like subsequent to a numeral) and repetitive description of these portions may be omitted. Also, for convenience of description, a dimensional ratio of each drawing (such as a ratio among configurations or a ratio among a vertical, lateral, and height directions) may differ from an actual ratio, and a configuration may be partially omitted from the drawing. 
     The double escapement mechanism in the support assembly of the keyboard apparatus is provided with a regulating screw and a regulating button which regulate rotation of the repetition lever and the jack. The regulating screw blocks the rotation of the repetition lever, and the regulating button blocks the movement of the jack. 
     To accurately operate the double escapement mechanism, it is required to adjust, in a series of operation of the action mechanism by key depressing, the timing when the repetition lever makes contact with the regulating screw and the timing when the jack makes contact with the regulating button for synchronization. However, the regulating screw and the regulating button are each configured of a separate component, and their attachment positions are also different. Thus, to match the timing of a contact of the repetition lever with the regulating screw and the timing of a contact of the jack with the regulating button, accurate positional adjustment is required. 
     An object of one embodiment of the present invention is to enhance operation stability while the structure of the support assembly is simplified. Also, an object of one embodiment of the present invention is to decrease the number of components of the support assembly and reduce manufacturing cost. 
     First Embodiment 
     Configuration of Keyboard Apparatus  1   
     A keyboard apparatus  1  in a first embodiment of the present invention is an example in which one example of a support assembly according to the present invention is applied to an electronic piano. This electronic piano includes a configuration similar to a support assembly included in a grand piano so as to obtain a touch feeling close to that of the grand piano at the time of key operation. By using  FIG. 1 , a general outline of the keyboard apparatus  1  according to the first embodiment of the present invention is described. 
       FIG. 1  is a side view showing a mechanical configuration of the keyboard apparatus  1  according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the keyboard apparatus  1  according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of keys  110  (in this example, 88 keys) and action mechanisms corresponding to the respective keys  110 . The action mechanisms each include a support assembly  20   a , a hammer shank  310 , a hammer  320 , and a hammer stopper  410 . Note that while  FIG. 1  shows a case in which the key  110  is a white key, the same applies if the key is a black key. Also in the following description, terms representing a side closer to a player, a side farther away from the player, upper side, lower side, laterally, and so forth are defined as orientations when the keyboard apparatus is viewed from a player&#39;s side. For example, in the example shown in  FIG. 1 , the support assembly  20   a  is disposed on the side closer to the player when viewed from the hammer  320  and is disposed upper side when viewed from the key  110 . A laterally direction corresponds to a direction in which the keys  110  are arranged. 
     The key  110  is rotatably supported by a balance rail  910 . The key  110  rotates in a range from a rest position shown in  FIG. 1  to an end position. The key  110  includes a capstan screw  120 . The support assembly  20   a  is rotatably connected to a support flange  290 , and is mounted on the capstan screw  120 . The support flange  290  is fixed to a support rail  920 . The detailed configuration of the support assembly  20  will be described further below. Note that the support flange  290  and the support rail  920  are each an example of a frame serving as a refence of rotation of the support assembly  20 . The frame may be formed of a plurality of members such as the support flange  290  and the support rail  920  or may be formed of one member. The frame may be a rail-shaped member such as the support rail  920  with its direction of the length being an arrangement direction of the keys  110 , or may be an independent member for each key  110 , such as the support flange  290 . 
     The hammer shank  310  is rotatably connected to a shank flange  390 . The hammer shank  310  includes a hammer roller  315 . The hammer shank  310  is mounted on the support assembly  20   a  via the hammer roller  315 . The shank flange  390  is fixed to a shank rail  930 . The hammer  320  is fixed to an end of the hammer shank  310 . A regulating portion  360  is fixed to the shank rail  930  so that a contact surface makes contact with a part of the support assembly  20   a . The regulating portion  360  is configured such that the position (height) of a contact surface which the support assembly  20   a  makes contact with is adjustable each by an adjuster. A hammer stopper  410  is fixed to a hammer stopper rail  940  and is disposed at a position of regulating the rotation of the hammer shank  310 . 
     A sensor  510  is a sensor for measuring a position and a moving speed (in particular, a speed immediately before the hammer shank  310  collides with the hammer stopper  410 ) of the hammer shank  310 . The sensor  510  is fixed to a sensor rail  950 . In this example, the sensor  510  is a photo-interrupter. An output value from the sensor  510  changes in accordance with an amount of shielding the optical axis of the photo-interrupter by a shielding plate  520  fixed to the hammer shank  310 . Based on this output value, the position and the moving speed of the hammer shank  310  can be measured. Note that, in place of or together with the sensor  510 , a sensor for measuring an operation state of the key  110  may be provided. 
     The above-described support rail  920 , shank rail  930 , hammer stop rail  940 , and sensor rail  950  are supported by a bracket  900 . 
     Configuration of Support Assembly  20   a    
       FIG. 2  is a side view showing the configuration of the support assembly  20   a  in the first embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3A  to  FIG. 3G  are side views each showing a partial configuration of the disassembled support assembly in the first embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3A  is a diagram of the support assembly  20   a  with a jack  250  and a torsion coil spring  280  removed therefrom, for easy understanding of a feature of each component.  FIG. 3C  is a diagram only showing the jack  250 . 
     The support assembly  20   a  includes a support  210 , a repetition lever  240 , the jack  250 , and the torsion coil spring  280 . The support  210  and the repetition lever  240  are coupled together via a flexible portion  220 . The repetition lever  240  is rotatably supported by the flexible portion  220  with respect to the support  210 . 
     Note that coupling between the support  210  and the repetition lever  240  is not limited to be made by a thin shape exemplarily shown as the flexible portion  220  but may be replaced by a rotatable member such as a hinge. As for the coupling between the support  210  and the repetition lever  240 , for example, a repetition flange for use in a conventional support assembly may be used. 
     The support  210  and the repetition lever  240  may be a resin-made structure manufactured by injection molding or the like, except the torsion coil spring  280  and a rubber material provided at a portion colliding with another member. In this example, the support  210  and the repetition lever  240  are integrally formed. Note that the support  210  and the repetition lever  240  may be formed as individual components and these may be bonded or joined together. 
     The support  210  has one end side formed with a through hole  2109  and the other end side formed with a jack support portion  2105 . Between the through hole  2109  and the jack support portion  2105 , the support  210  includes a support heel  212  projecting lower side and a spring support portion  218  projecting upper side. A shaft supported by the support flange  290  is passed through the through hole  2109 . This causes the support  210  to be rotatably disposed with respect to the support flange  290  and the support rail  920 . The lower surface of the support heel  212  makes contact with the above-described capstan screw  120 . The spring support portion  218  supports the torsion coil spring  280 . The jack support portion  2105  rotatably supports the jack  250 . 
     Between the through hole  2109  and the jack support portion  2105 , a space SP is present on a jack support portion  2105  side with respect to the support heel  212 . For convenience of description, the support  210  is sectioned, from a through hole  2109  side, into regions of a first main body portion  2101 , a bent portion  2102 , and a second main body portion  2103 . In this case, by the bent portion  2102  coupling the first main body portion  2101  and the second main body portion  2103  together, the second main body portion  2103  is disposed on a side closer to the key  110  (lower side) compared with the first main body portion  2101 . The jack support portion  2105  projects upper side from the second main body portion  2103 . According to this sectioning, the above-described space SP corresponds to a region interposed between the bent portion  2102  and the jack support portion  2105  above the second main body portion  2103 . Also, coupled to an end (an end on a second main body portion  2103  side) of the support  210  is a stopper  216 . 
     A spring contact portion  242  and an extension portion  244  are coupled to the repetition lever  240 . The spring contact portion  242  and the extension portion  244  extend from the repetition lever  240  to a support  210  side. The spring contact portion  242  makes contact with a first arm  2802  of the torsion coil spring  280 . The repetition lever  240  and the extension portion  244  include two plate-shaped members interposing from sides of both side surfaces of the jack  250 . In this example, the extension portion  244  and the jack  250  sliding contact with each other in at least a part of a space interposed by these two plate-shaped members. 
     The extension portion  244  includes an inner portion  2441 , an outer portion  2442 , a coupling portion  2443 , and a stopper contact portion  2444 . In the repetition lever  240 , the inner portion  2441  is coupled to the side farther away from the player (flexible portion  220  side) with respect to a large jack  2502 . A portion where the inner portion  2441  and the repetition lever  240  are coupled is provided with a rib  246 . The inner portion  2441  crosses as interposing the large jack  2502  and extends to the side toward the front of the player (the side opposite to the flexible portion  220 ) with respect to the large jack  2502 . That is, it can also be said that the extension portion  244  crosses the jack  250 . The inner portion  2441  includes, in a portion interposing the large jack  2502 , linearly-shaped protruding portions P 1  projecting to a large jack  2502  side (refer to an A-A′ section shown in  FIG. 3B ). 
     The outer portion  2442  is coupled to the side closer to the player (the side opposite to the flexible portion  220 ) than the jack  250  (large jack  2502 ) in the repetition lever  240 . The inner portion  2441  and the outer portion  2442  are coupled together at the coupling portion  2443 . The coupling portion  2443  interposes a small jack  2504 . The stopper contact portion  2444  is coupled to the coupling portion  2443 , and makes contact from below the stopper  216 . According to this, the stopper  216  regulates a rotation range of the repetition lever  240  to a direction in which the repetition lever  240  and the support  210  spread (upper side). In other words, the extension portion  244  is connected to the repetition lever  240  on a jack  250  side from the rotation center of the repetition lever  240 , and contacts with the stopper  216  from below the stopper  216 . Here, the stopper  216  is connected to the support  210  below the rotation center of the jack  250 . 
     The jack  250  includes the large jack  2502 , the small jack  2504 , and a projecting portion  256 . Between the large jack  2502  and the small jack  2504 , a support connecting portion  2505  for being rotatably supported by the jack support portion  2105  is formed. The support connecting portion  2505  has a shape surrounding a part of the jack support portion  2105 , and regulates a rotation range of the jack  250 . Also, the jack  250  can fit from above the jack support portion  2105  by the shape of the support connecting portion  2505  and elastic deformation of its material. The projecting portion  256  projects from the large jack  2502  to a side opposite to the small jack  2504 , and rotates with the jack  250 . The projecting portion  256  includes, on its side surface, a spring contact portion  2562 . The spring contact portion  2562  contacts with a second arm  2804  of the torsion coil spring  280 . 
     The large jack  2502  includes linearly-shaped protruding portions P 2  projecting from both side surfaces (refer to a B-B′ section shown in  FIG. 3D ). The protruding portions P 2  sliding contact with the protruding portions P 1  of the inner portion  2441  described above. The small jack  2504  includes circular-shaped protruding portions P 3  projecting from both side surfaces (refer to a C-C′ section shown in  FIG. 3E ). The protruding portions P 3  sliding contact with the inner surface of the coupling portion  2443  described above. In this manner, with the jack  250  and the extension portion  244  sliding contact with each other via the protruding portions P 1 , P 2 , and P 3 , a contact area is decreased. Note that as shown in  FIG. 3F , a grease reservoir may be formed by forming a groove portion V 2  by a plurality of protruding portions P 2 . Also, as shown in  FIG. 3G , in a side surface shape, the large jack  2502  may have the protruding portions P 2  or the groove portions V 2 . 
     With the protruding portions P 1  of the inner portion  2441  and the protruding portions P 2  of the large jack  2502  sliding contact with each other, the extension portion  2442  and the large jack  2502  mutually interfere with each other to inhibit a lateral swing of the repetition lever  240 . Here, with the protruding portions P 1  and the protruding portions P 2  each have a linearly-extending shape to sliding contact in the rotation range of the repetition lever  240  and the jack  250 , the operation of the support assembly  20  is stabilized. 
     With the torsion coil spring  280  taking the spring support portion  218  as a supporting point, the first arm  2802  contacts with the spring contact portion  242 , and the second arm  2804  contacts with the spring contact portion  2562 . The first arm  2802  functions as an elastic body which provides a rotating force to the repetition lever  240  via the spring contact portion  242  so as to move the player&#39;s side of the repetition lever  240  upper side (a direction away from the support  210 ). The second arm  2804  functions as an elastic body which provides a rotating force to the jack  250  via the spring contact portion  2562  so as to move the projecting portion  256  lower side (a direction closer to the support  210 ). 
     The extension portion  244  coupled to the repetition lever  240  includes a first contact portion  2445 . The first contact portion  2445  is disposed on the coupling portion  2443 , and is provided at a position making contact with the regulating portion  360  when the repetition lever  240  rotates. The operation range of rotation of the repetition lever  240  with key depressing is regulated by providing the first contact portion  2445  at one end of the extension portion  244 . 
     The jack  250  includes a second contact portion  2506 . The second contact portion  2506  is disposed on the small jack  2504 , and is provided at a position making contact with the regulating portion  360  when the jack  250  rotates. The second contact portion  2506  supports operation of an upper portion of the jack  250  coming off from the hammer roller  315  when the hammer is hit up. 
     In the present embodiment, the small jack  2504  is interposed by the coupling portion  2443  from both sides. Note that while the structure in which the coupling portion  2443  interposes the small jack  2504  is exemplarily described in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this structure. In a relation between the extension portion  244  and the jack  250 , a structure may be such that the jack  250  interposes the extension portion  244 . That is, a structure may be such that the small jack  2504  interposes the coupling portion  2443 . In this manner, the structure in which one member interposes the other member can provide the first contact portion  2445  and the second contact portion  2506  as overlapping each other. 
     The first contact portion  2445  and the second contact portion  2506  both make contact with the same regulating portion  360 . That is, while at least two contact surfaces of a regulating screw and a regulating button are required in a conventional action mechanism, aggregation into one can be made in the present embodiment. In this case, the first contact portion  2445  and the second contact portion  2506  preferably make contact with the same surface of the regulating portion  360 . This can reduce the size of the contact surface of the regulating portion  360 . Note that locations the first contact portion  2445  and the second contact portion  2506  make contact with are not limited to the same location in the same surface of the regulating portion  360 , but may be shifted from each other. The locations that the first contact portion  2445  and the second contact portion  2506  make contact with are not limited to one plane of the same surface of the regulating portion  360 , but may have a shape including a step or the like. 
     Also, a surface of the regulating portion  360  making contact with the first contact portion  2445  and the second contact portion  2506  is preferably a flat surface. This simplifies the structure of the regulating portion  360  and facilitates positional adjustment of the contact surface. Also as another embodiment, the contact surface of the regulating portion  360  may have a shape including a step portion, a curved shape, a tilted surface shape, or the like, in accordance with the positions of the first contact portion  2445  and the second contact portion  2506  and their modes. By making the contact surface of the regulating portion  360  appropriate in accordance with the positions where the first contact portion  2445  and the second contact portion  2506  are disposed in the support assembly and modes, design flexibility can be provided to the support assembly. At any rate, as for the aspect of the regulating portion  360  is only required to allow simultaneous adjustment of the positions the first contact portion  2445  and the second contact portion  2506  make contact with. Modes of the regulating portion  360  as described above are exemplarily described also in a fourth embodiment and a fifth embodiment. 
     In the present embodiment, the structure of the support assembly is not limited to the one shown in  FIG. 2 . For example, as in a support assembly  20   a _ 2  shown in  FIG. 4A , the outer portion may be omitted in the extension portion  244  of the repetition lever  240 . As the extension portion  244 , it is only required that the coupling portion  2443  is coupled to one end of the inner portion  2441  and the first contact portion  2445  is included in that coupling portion. Also in this structure, the first contact portion  2445  in the coupling portion  2443  and the second contact portion  2506  of the small jack  2504  are provided so as to overlap each other, thereby achieving operations and effects similar to those of the support assembly  20   a  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Also, as in a support assembly  20   a _ 3  shown in  FIG. 4B , the inner portion may be omitted in the extension portion  244  of the repetition lever  240 . As the extension portion  244 , if the coupling portion  2443  is coupled to one end of the outer portion  2442  and the first contact portion  2445  is included in that coupling portion, the first contact portion  2445  in the coupling portion  2443  and the second contact portion  2506  of the small jack  2504  can be provided so as to overlap each other, thereby achieving operations and effects similar to those of the support assembly  20   a  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Operation of Support Assembly  20   a    
     Described next is an operation of the support assembly  20   a  when the state the key  110  in a state of being at the rest position ( FIG. 1 ) is depressed to the end position. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view for describing the operation of the support assembly in the first embodiment of the present invention. When the key  110  is depressed to the end position, the capstan screw  120  presses up the support heel  212  to rotate the support  210  with the axis of the through hole  2109  taken as a rotation center. When the support  210  rotates to move upper side, the large jack  2502  presses up the hammer roller  315  to cause the hammer shank  310  to collide with the hammer stopper  410 . Note that in the case of a general grand piano, this collision corresponds to string hitting by the hammer. 
     The operation of the support assembly  20   a  at this time is shown in  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B .  FIG. 6A  shows a state of the support  210 , the repetition lever  240 , and the jack  250  in the state before the key is depressed (rest state). In this state, the stopper contact portion  2444  in the extension portion  244  of the repetition lever  240  comes in contact with the stopper  216  of the support  210  and is retained. Here, the first contact portion  2445  of the coupling portion  2443  and the second contact portion  2506  of the small jack  2504  are away from the regulating portion  360 . 
       FIG. 6B  shows a state when the key is depressed (operation state). The support  210  rotates, and a front side portion moves upper side. Immediately before the hammer shank  310  collides with the hammer stopper  410 , the second contact portion  2506  of the small jack  2504  contacts with the regulating portion  360  to regulate upper side rotation and further cause the support  210  (jack support portion  2105 ) to ascend. Thus, the large jack  2502  rotates so as to come off from the hammer roller  315 . The repetition lever  240  rotates together with the support  210 , and the first contact portion  2445  in the coupling portion  2443  contacts with the regulating portion  360  at the same timing as the second contact portion  2506 . As a result, the repetition lever  240  is regulated from upper side rotation and is displaced so as to approach the support  210 . That is, these operations achieve a double escapement mechanism.  FIG. 5  is a diagram showing this state. Note that when the key  230  is being returned to the rest position, the hammer roller  315  is supported by the repetition lever  240 , and the large jack  2502  is returned below the hammer roller  315 . 
       FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  show an aspect in which the first contact portion  2445  and the second contact portion  2506  are disposed on the circumference of a circle by taking the through hole  2109  of the support  210  as a rotation center and taking a straight-line R (a straight-line R indicated by a one-dot-chain line in the drawing) connecting the rotation center and the regulating portion  360  as a radius. When the support assembly  20   a  rotates, the first contact portion  2445  and the second contact portion  2506  move along the circumference of the circle with this straight-line R taken as a radius. In this manner, with the first contact portion  2445  and the second contact portion  2506  configured to move on the same circumference, the regulating portion  360  can be aggregated to one location. This can simplify the structure of the support assembly  20   a.    
     The support assembly according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which the first contact portion  2445  for controlling rotation of the repetition lever  240  and the second contact portion  2506  for controlling rotation of the jack  250  both make contact with the regulating portion  360 . By adjusting the position of the regulation portion  360 , both of the repetition lever  240  and the jack  250  can regulate the operation range at the time of key depressing. That is, since the operations of two components, that is, the repetition lever  240  and the jack  250 , can be adjusted at one location of the regulating portion  360 , operation stability can be enhanced while the structure of the support assembly is simplified. Also, since the regulating portion  360  which regulates rotation of two members, that is, the repetition lever  240  and the jack  250 , is aggregated to one, adjustment of positional alignment is simplified and facilitated. 
     Also, with the jack  250  and the extension portion  244  sliding contact with each other, the jack  250  functions also as a guide portion for the repetition lever  240  (and the extension portion  244 ). Thus, even if yawing (lateral deviation) and rolling (twisting) of the repetition lever  240  tend to occur due to connection of the repetition lever  240  to the flexible portion  220 , the occurrence of these phenomena can be inhibited. That is, it is possible to easily achieve rotation of the repetition lever  240  along a plane on which the jack  250  rotates. Also, with the jack  250  configured to rotate along a plane on which the support  210  rotates, it is also possible to easily achieve rotation of the repetition lever  240  along the plane on which the support  210  rotates. 
     Sound Generating Mechanism of Keyboard Apparatus  1   
     As described above, the keyboard apparatus  1  is an example of application to an electronic piano. An operation on the key  110  is measured by a sensor  510 , and a sound in accordance with the measurement result is outputted. 
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram showing the configuration of a sound generating mechanism of the keyboard apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention. 
     A sound generation mechanism  50  of the keyboard apparatus  1  includes the sensor  510  (sensors  510 - 1 ,  510 - 2 , . . .  510 - 88  corresponding to the eighty-eight keys  110 ), a signal converting unit  550 , a sound source unit  560 , and an output unit  570 . The signal converting unit  550  obtains an electrical signal outputted from the sensor  510 , and generates and outputs an operation signal in accordance with the operation state in each key  110 . In this example, the operation signal is a signal in MIDI format. Thus, in accordance with the timing when the hammer shank  310  collides with the hammer stopper  410  by a key-depressing operation, the signal converting unit  550  outputs note-ON. Here, a key number indicating which of the 88 keys  110  has been operated and a velocity corresponding to the speed immediately before collision are also outputted in association with the note-ON. On the other hand, when a key-releasing operation is performed, in accordance with the timing when string vibrations are stopped by a damper in the case of a ground piano, the signal converting unit  550  outputs the key number and note-OFF in association with each other. To the signal converting unit  550 , a signal in accordance with another operation such as that of a pedal may be inputted and reflected onto the operation signal. The sound source unit  560  generates a sound signal based on the operation signal outputted from the signal converting unit  550 . The output unit  570  is a loudspeaker or terminal which outputs the sound signal generated by the sound source unit  560 . 
     Second Embodiment 
       FIG. 8  is a side view showing the configuration of a support assembly  20   b  in a second embodiment of the present invention. In the following, portions different from those in the first embodiment are described. 
     The jack  250  includes the large jack  2502  and a jack extension portion  2507  extended from the large jack  2507 . In the present embodiment, the jack extension portion  2507  is branched from the large jack  2502  toward the repetition lever  240 . An end of the jack extension portion  2502  includes the second contact portion  2506 . 
     The extension portion  244  is coupled to the repetition lever  240 . The extension portion  244  is provided so as to be branched lower side from the repetition lever  240 . One end of the extension portion  244  is coupled to the stopper contact portion  2444 . On the other hand, the repetition lever  240  includes the first contact portion  2445  making contact with a second regulating portion  362 . The second regulating portion  362  is also called a repetition regulating screw, and is provided to the jack flange  390  as shown in  FIG. 1 . With the first contact portion  2445  making contact with the second regulating portion  362 , rotation of the repetition lever  240  is regulated. The jack extension portion  2507  provided to the large jack  2502  is provided so that the second contact portion  2506  makes contact with the second regulating portion  362 . That is, in the support assembly  20   b  in the present embodiment, the first contact portion  2445  of the repetition lever  240  and the second contact portion  2506  in the jack  250  are disposed so as to both make contact with the second regulating portion  362 . 
     With the rotation of the support  210 , the repetition lever  240  rotates by taking the flexible portion  220  as a center.  FIG. 8  shows one example in which the second contact portion  2506  is disposed on a straight line M (a straight line M indicated by a one-dot-chain line in the drawing) connecting this rotation center of the repetition lever  240  and a portion at which the large jack  2502  crosses the repetition lever  240 . In the repetition lever  240 , the first contact portion  2445  is disposed so as to overlap this straight line M. With such the arrangement, the first contact portion  2445  and the second contact portion  2506  can be brought make contact with the second regulating portion  362  with the rotation of the repetition lever  240 . Thereby, it is possible to simplify the structure of the support assembly  20   a.    
     In the present embodiment, the first contact portion  2445  of the repetition lever  240  may interpose the second contact portion  2506  of the jack extension portion  2507  and the first contact portion  2445  and the second contact portion  2506  may be disposed so as to overlap each other. Also, as its reversed structure, the jack extension portion  2507  may be disposed so as to interpose the first contact portion  2445  of the repetition lever  240  at a portion including the second contact portion  2506 . 
     Note that the first contact portion  2445  and the second contact portion  2506  are not limited to the structure shown in  FIG. 8  in the present embodiment. The structure of the first contact portion  2445  and the second contact portion  2506  may be any as long as they can make contact with the same second regulating portion  362 . For example, the first contact portion  2445  and the second contact portion  2506  may be deviated in a front-and-back direction or a vertical direction. In other words, the structure may be any as long as the contact position between the first contact portion  2445  and the second contact portion  2506  is controlled by adjusting the position of the second regulating portion  362  to allow the rotation of the repetition lever  240  and the jack  250  to be regulated. 
     In the present embodiment, the jack extension portion  2507  may be provided with the circular-shaped protruding portions P 3  projecting from both side surfaces. The protruding portions P 3  are similar to those shown in  FIG. 3F  in the first embodiment. The protruding portions P 3  sliding contact with the inner surface of the repetition lever  240 . Also in the present embodiment, in addition to the protruding portions P 1  and P 2 , the jack extension portion  2507  has the protruding portions P 3 , thereby decreasing the contact area sliding contact with the inner surface of the repetition lever  240 . A recessed groove may be provided at the tip of each protruding portion P 3  to provide a grease reservoir. With the protruding portions P 3  provided to the small jack  2504  interposed in contact with the inner surface of the repetition lever  240 , a lateral swing of the repetition lever  240  can be inhibited. 
     According to the present embodiment, while at least two members, that is, a regulating clew and a regulating button, are conventionally required, aggregation into one can be made. Also in the aspect of the support assembly shown in the present embodiment, with the first contact portion and the second contact portion making contact with the second regulating portion, effects similar to those of the first embodiment can be achieved. 
     Third Embodiment 
       FIG. 9  is a side view showing the configuration of a support assembly  20   c  in a third embodiment of the present invention. In the following, portions different from those in the first embodiment are described. 
     In the present embodiment, the jack  250  has the large jack  2502  and the jack extension portion  2507 . The jack extension portion  2507  extends in a direction crossing a longitudinal direction of the large jack  2502 , and includes the second contact portion  2506  in a tip region. In the jack extension portion  2507 , the second contact portion  2506  is provided at a position making contact with the regulating portion  360  when the jack  250  rotates. 
     The repetition lever  240  is coupled to the extension portion  244 . The extension portion  244  includes the inner portion  2441 , the outer portion  2442 , the coupling portion  2443 , and the stopper contact portion  2444 . The extension portion  244  coupled to the repetition lever  240  includes the first contact portion  2445 . The first contact portion  2445  is disposed on the coupling portion  2443 , and is provided at a position making contact with the regulating portion  360  when the repetition lever  240  rotates. 
     The first contact portion  2445  provided to the extension portion  244  of the repetition lever  240  and the second contact portion  2506  in the jack extension portion  2507  may be provided so that at least partial regions overlap each other. This allows the first contact portion  2445  and the second contact portion  2506  to make contact with the same contact surface of the regulating portion  360 . Note that while the mode is shown in  FIG. 9  in which the first contact portion  2445  is disposed on the coupling portion  2443 , the present invention is not limited to this. The first contact portion  2445  can be attached to any position of the extension portion  244  as long as the position can make contact with the regulating portion  360  and, for example, may be disposed on a part of the outer portion  2442 . 
     Note that also in the present embodiment, as described in  FIG. 3F , the jack extension portion  2507  may include circular-shaped protruding portions P 3  projecting from both side surfaces. With the jack extension portion  2507  provided with the protruding portions P 3  to sliding slide the inner surface of the coupling portion  2443 , the contact area is decreased, and a lateral swing of the repetition lever  240  can also be inhibited. 
     Also in the present embodiment, with the first contact portion  2445  and the second contact portion  2506  provided as overlapping each other, both make contact with the same regulating portion  360 . Thus, although at least two members of a regulating clew and a regulating button are conventionally required, they can be integrated into one member, and the similar effect as the first embodiment is exerted in the present embodiment. 
     Fourth Embodiment 
       FIG. 10  is a side view showing the configuration of a support assembly  20   d  in the third embodiment of the present invention. In the following, portions different from those in the first embodiment are described. 
     The repetition lever  240  includes the extension portion  244 . Placed on its coupling portion  2443  is the first contact portion  2445 . The jack  250  includes the large jack  2502  and the small jack  2504 , and the second contact portion  2506  is disposed on the small jack  2504 . The tip of the small jack  2504  extends outside the coupling portion  2443 . The second contact portion  2506  is disposed at one end of the small jack  2504  going off outside from the coupling portion  2443 . That is, the first contact portion  2445  and the second contact portion  2506  are disposed so as to be away from each other. 
     By contrast, a regulating portion  360   b  has a mode capable of making contact with both of the first contact portion  2445  and the second contact portion  2506 , and is disposed at a predetermined position. For example, the regulating portion  360   b  has a contact surface with a wide width so as to allow both the first contact portion  2445  and the second contact portion  2506  disposed as being away from each other to make contact with each other. 
     The operation of the support assembly  20   d  is similar to that described in the first embodiment. Even if the first contact portion  2445  in the repetition lever  240  and the second contact portion  2506  in the jack  250  are disposed as being deviated in a front-and-back direction (when viewed from the player), the structure is made such that both contact portions make contact with the same regulating portion  360   b . Thus, as with the first embodiment, while the structure of the support assembly is simplified, operation stability can be enhanced. That is, only by adjusting one location of the regulating portion  360   b , positional alignment of two contact portions can be made, thereby allowing adjustment to be simplified and facilitated. Also, the regulating portion  360   b  which regulates the rotation of the two members, that is, the repetition lever  240  and the jack  250 , is aggregated into one, thereby simplifying and facilitating adjustment of positional alignment. 
     Note that a contact surface of the regulating portion  360   b  making contact with the first contact portion  2445  and the second contact portion  2506  is not limited to a flat surface. For example, in accordance with the first contact portion  2445  and the second contact portion  2506 , the contact portion of the regulating portion  360   b  may include a step portion. As another mode, the contact surface may be tilted in a tapered shape. By changing the mode of the contact surface of the regulating portion  360   b , flexibility can be provided to the placement of the first contact portion  2445  in the repetition lever  240  and the second contact portion  2506  in the jack  250 . Also, a front-and-back relation between the first contact portion  2445  and the second contact portion  2506  may have a relation opposite to the one shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     Fifth Embodiment 
       FIG. 11  is a side view showing the configuration of a support assembly  20   e  in the third embodiment of the present invention. In the following, portions different from those in the first embodiment are described. 
     The repetition lever  240  includes the extension portion  244 , the first contact portion  2445  is disposed on the outer portion  2442 . The jack  250  includes the large jack  2502  and the small jack  2504 , and the second contact portion  2506  is disposed on the small jack  2504 . In  FIG. 11 , the first contact portion  2445  is provided above the second contact portion  2506 . Note that  FIG. 11  shows an example, and a vertical relation between the first contact portion  2445  and the second contact portion  2506  may be reversed. 
     By contrast, a regulating portion  360   c  has a mode capable of making contact with both of the first contact portion  2445  and the second contact portion  2506 , and is disposed at a predetermined position. For example, the regulating portion  360   c  has a plurality of contact surfaces so as to allow contacts of both of the first contact portion  2445  and the second contact portion  2506  disposed vertically away from each other. In this case, the regulating portion  360   c  is preferably in a mode in which the plurality of contact surfaces are integrated and can be regarded as substantially single member. In other words, in the regulating portion  360   c , the contact surface making contact with the first contact portion  2445  and the contact surface making contact with the second contact portion  2506  are preferably integrated so as to be allowed to be both simultaneously aligned in position even if they are provided via a step. 
     The operation of the support assembly  20   d  is similar to that described in the first embodiment. With the structure in which the first contact portion  2445  and the second contact portion  2506  both make contact with the same regulating portion  360   c , as with the first embodiment, operation stability can be enhanced, while the structure of the support assembly is simplified. That is, only by adjusting one location of the regulating portion  360   c , positional alignment of two contact portions can be made, thereby allowing adjustment to be simplified and facilitated. Also, the regulating portion  360  which regulates the rotation of two members, that is, the repetition lever  240  and the jack  250 , is aggregated to one, thereby simplifying and facilitating adjustment of placement alignment. 
     In the foregoing, as has been described by exemplarily showing the first embodiment to the fifth embodiment, according to one embodiment of the present invention, with the structure in which the contact portion of the repetition lever and the contact portion of the jack make contact with the same regulating portion, the structure of the support assembly can be simplified, and operation stability can be enhanced. Also, with this structure, the number of components of the support assembly can be decreased, and a reduction in manufacturing cost can be made. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     In the above-described embodiments, an electronic piano is described as an example of the keyboard apparatus to which the support assembly is applied. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the support assembly disclosed in the above embodiments can be applied also to a grand piano (acoustic piano) and a keyboard apparatus with its action mechanism similar to that thereof. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       1  . . . keyboard apparatus,  20  . . . support assembly,  50  . . . sound generation mechanism,  110  . . . key,  120  . . . capstan screw,  210  . . . support,  2101  . . . first main body portion,  2102  . . . bent portion,  2013  . . . second main body portion,  2105  . . . jack support portion,  2109  . . . through hole,  212  . . . support heel,  216  . . . stopper,  218  . . . spring support portion,  220  . . . flexible portion,  240  . . . repetition lever,  242  . . . spring contact portion,  244  . . . extension portion,  2441  . . . inner portion,  2442  . . . outer portion,  2443  . . . coupling portion,  2444  . . . stopper contact portion,  2445  . . . first contact portion,  246  . . . rib,  250  . . . jack,  2502  . . . large jack,  2504  . . . small jack,  2505  . . . support connecting portion,  2506  . . . second contact portion,  2507  . . . jack extension portion,  256  . . . projecting portion,  2562  . . . spring contact portion,  280  . . . torsion coil spring,  2802  . . . first arm,  2804  . . . second arm,  290  . . . support flange,  310  . . . hammer shank,  315  . . . hammer roller,  320  . . . hammer,  360  . . . regulating portion,  362  . . . second regulating portion,  390  . . . shank flange,  410  . . . hammer stopper,  510  . . . sensor,  520  . . . shielding plate,  550  . . . signal converting unit,  560  . . . sound source unit,  570  . . . output unit,  900  . . . bracket,  910  . . . balance rail,  920  . . . support rail,  930  . . . shank rail,  940  . . . hammer stopper rail,  950  . . . sensor rail