Patent Publication Number: US-6660917-B2

Title: Keyboard musical instrument having fall board formed with clearance for fingers

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a keyboard musical instrument and, more particularly, to an acoustic piano or piano-based musical instrument having a keyboard to be covered with a fall board. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
     A grand piano and upright piano are major models of an acoustic piano. The grand piano and upright piano each have classical contours, and the user does not want to drastically change the classical contours. FIG. 1 shows a typical example of the grand piano. The piano case  1  gives the unique contour to the grand piano. Three legs  2  downward project from the piano case  1 , and keep the piano case  1  over the floor. A lyre box  3  is hung from the piano case  1  by means of lyre posts  4 , and pedals  5  frontward projects from the lyre box  3 . 
     A side board  6 , an upper beam  7 , a key bed  8 , a desk board  9 , a top board  10  and a fall board  11  are assembled into the piano case  1 , and define an inner space. A keyboard  12  is placed on the key bed  8  (see FIG.  2 ). Though not shown in the drawings, an action mechanism, hammers and dampers are accommodated in the inner space together with strings, and the keyboard  12  is functionally connected to the action mechanism. While a pianist is playing a piece of music on the keyboard  12 , the keyboard  12  causes the action mechanism selectively to give rise to free rotation of the hammers. The strings are stretched over the hammers, and are selectively struck with the hammers for generating piano tones. 
     The top board  10  is hinged at the left side portion thereof to the side board  6 , and the inner space is open and closed depending upon the angular position of the top board  10 . 
     The side board  6  has a contour like a wing, and arm portions  6   a  project onto both side portions of the key bed  8 . The upper beam  7  laterally extends over the key bed  8 , and is secured at both sides thereof to the side board  6 . A slot is defined between the key bed  8  and the upper beam  7 . A key slip  13  laterally extends along the front end of the key bed  8 , and is secured to the key bed  8  as shown in FIG.  2 . The keyboard  12  is placed on the key bed  8 . The keyboard  12  is inserted into the inner space through the slot under the upper beam  7 , and is functionally connected to the action mechanism (not shown). The front end of the keyboard  12  is at the back of the key slip  13 , and is exposable to a pianist who sits on a stool in front of the key slip  13 . 
     The fall board  11  laterally extends over the front portion of the key bed  8 , and is rotatably connected at both ends thereof to the arm portions  6   a  of the side board  6 . The fall board  11  is changed between a closed position and an open position. While the pianist is playing the piece of music on the keyboard  12 , the fall board  11  is rest against the upper beam  7 , and is maintained at the open position. The keyboard  12  is exposed to the pianist at the open position. When the pianist completes the practice, he or she pulls the fall board  11 , and gives rise to the rotation. The fall board  11  falls onto the key slip  13  and/or key blocks. Thus, the keyboard  12  is covered with the fall board  12  at the closed position. 
     The keyboard  12  is fabricated from a key frame  12   a , a front rail  12   b , a rear frame and a back rail (not shown), balance rail (not shown), balance pins (not shown) and black and white keys  12   c . The front rail  12   b , balance rail and back rail are spaced from one another in the fore-and-aft direction at intervals, and are secured to the key frame  12   a . The balance pins upwardly project from the balance rail at intervals, and the black and white keys  12   c  are put on the balance rail in such a manner as to be respectively engaged with the balance pins. The balance pins offer axes of rotation to the black and white keys  12   c . When a pianist depresses the black/white keys  12   c , the front portions are sunk toward the front rail  12   b , and the action mechanism is actuated for driving the hammers for the free rotation. 
     The fall board  11  has a relatively thick boss portion  11   a , relatively thin cover portion  11   b  and a beak portion  11   c . Shafts  11   d  are embedded into the relatively thick boss portion  11   a , and sideward project therefrom. The shafts  11   d  are rotatably supported by suitable brackets embedded in the arm portions  6   a . The relatively thin cover portion  11   b  is merged into the relatively thick boss portion  11   a . The relatively thin cover portion  11   b  is constant in thickness so that the inner surface  11   e  is flat as shown. The beak portion  11   c  projects from the relatively thin cover portion  11   b , and is gently curved. 
     When the fall board  11  enters the closed position, the beak portion  11   c  is held in contact with the key slip  13  and/or rubber buttons on the key blocks, and keeps the cover portion  11   b  spaced from the black and white keys  12   c  as indicated by dots-and-dash line in FIG.  2 . The heavy fall board  11  as well as the classical contour impresses persons as being a musical instrument of depth. 
     While the pianist rests the fall board  11  against the upper beam  7 , the relatively thin cover portion  11   b  is upright over the keyboard  12 , and the flat inner surface  11   e  is very close to the land portions  12   d  of the black keys  12   c . When a pianist wants to generate a certain tone assigned a block key  12   c , he or she depresses the land portion  12   d  of the black key  12   c . The pianist bends a finger, and presses the tip of the finger against the land portion  12   d  as indicated by dots-and-dash line. When the pianist changes the finger from the black key  12   c  to another key  12   c , he or she sometimes straightens the finger as indicated by real line, and, thereafter, moves the finger to another key  12   c.    
     A problem is encountered in that the pianist tends to hit the nail against the inner surface  11   e . If the nail is frequently hit against the inner surface  11   e , the nail is cracked and broken into two pieces. The fall board  11  is also damaged. When the pianist hits the nails against the inner surface  11   e , the inner surface is scratched, and the smoothly finished surface becomes disfigured with the scratches. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an important object of the present invention to provide a piano-like musical instrument, a fall board of which allows a player to finger on the keyboard without hitting nails thereagainst. 
     To accomplish the object, the present invention proposes to form a clearance for allowing a pianist to straighten his or her fingers. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a keyboard musical instrument comprising a case having a side wall and a bottom plate fixed to the side plate in such a manner as to be located between both side portions of the side wall, a mechanism accommodated in the case, a keyboard placed on the bottom plate so as to be exposed to a space between the side portions and selectively moved for actuating the mechanism, and a fall board rotatably connected to the case so that a user changes the fall board between an open position for standing over the keyboard and a closed position for covering the keyboard therewith and formed with a recess extending along the keyboard so as to offer a clearance to fingers on keys of the keyboard at the open position. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The features and advantages of the piano-based musical instrument will be more clearly understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the contour of the grand piano, 
     FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view showing the fall board incorporated in the prior art grand piano, 
     FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view showing a fall board incorporated in a grand piano according to the present invention, 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a recess formed in the fall board, 
     FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view showing a fall board incorporated in another grand piano according to the present invention, 
     FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view showing a fall board incorporated in yet another grand piano according to the present invention, 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another fall board employable in the grand piano according to the present invention, and 
     FIG. 8 is a cross sectional side view showing the structure of an upright piano according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     First Embodiment 
     A grand piano embodying the present invention has a contour as similar to that of the grand piano shown in FIG.  1 . According, the grand piano has a piano case  20 , which is also fabricated from a side board, key bed  21 , upper beam  22 , key slip  23 , a fall board  24  and other component members as similar to the piano case  1  of the prior art grand piano. A keyboard  25  is mounted on the key bed  21  at the back of the key slip  23 , and partially inserted into the inner space of the piano case  20  through the slot between the arm portions of the side board under the upper beam  22 . Though now shown in the drawings, an action mechanism, hammers, dampers and strings are accommodated in the inner space of the piano case  20 , and the keyboard  25  is linked with the action mechanism so as selectively to drive the hammers for free rotation. The strings are struck with the associated hammers at the end of the free rotation. Thus, the grand piano implementing the first embodiment is same in contour as the prior art grand piano, and the same mechanism is incorporated in the piano case  20 . A mechanism M stands for the action mechanism, hammers, dampers and strings. 
     The keyboard  25  is similar in structure to the keyboard  12 , and black and white keys and other component parts of the keyboard  25  are labeled with references designating corresponding parts of the prior art keyboard  12  without detailed description for the sake of simplicity. 
     The fall board  24  has a relatively thick boss portion  24   a , relatively thin cover portion  24   b  and a beak portion  24   c . Shafts  24   d  are embedded into the relatively thick boss portion  24   a , and sideward project therefrom. The shafts  24   d  are rotatably supported by suitable brackets embedded in the arm portions of the side board. The relatively thin cover portion  24   b  is merged into the relatively thick boss portion  24   a . The relatively thin cover portion  24   b  is substantially constant in thickness, and the beak portion  24   c  projects from the relatively thin cover portion  24   b . The relatively thin cover portion  24   b  may be slightly curved. The beak portion  24   c  is gently curved, and keeps the relatively thin portion  24   b  spaced from the keyboard  25  at the closed position. 
     A recess  24   e  is formed in the relatively thick boss portion  24   a . The recess  24   e  is several millimeters deep to several centimeters deep, and laterally extends as shown in FIG.  4 . The recess  24   e  is open at both side surface of the relatively thick boss portion  24   a . Thus, the recess  24   e  is defined by two side surfaces  24   f   1 / 24   f   2  and a bottom surface  24   g  between the side surfaces  24   f   1  and  24   f   2 . The side surfaces  24   f   1 / 24   f   2  are continuous to the inner surface, and a periphery is defined between the inner surface and the side surfaces  24   f   1 / 24   f   2 . When the fall board  24  is changed to the open position, the bottom surface  24   g  is directed to the pianist, and the periphery is on a level with the upper surface of the land portions  12   d  of the black keys  12   c . Otherwise, the periphery may be lower than the upper surfaces of the land portions  12   d  of the black keys  12   c . Thus, the recess  24   e  offers a clearance to the fingers on the land portions  12   d . Even when the pianist straightens the fingers on the land portions  12   d , the bottom surface  24   g  is still spaced from the nails, and is never scratched. 
     The shafts  24   d  are embedded in the relatively thick boss portion  24   a , and the remaining portion between the shafts  24   d  and the bottom surface  24   g  is thin. If the remaining portion is too thin, the shafts  24   g  would be spaced from the bottom surface  24   g . Although the heavy fall board  24  is formed with the recess  24   e , the recess  24   e  is only exposed to the inner surface of the fall board  24 . When the pianist falls the fall board  24  onto the key slip  23 , the grand piano has the classical contour, and nobody feels the grand piano curious. 
     As will be understood from the foregoing description, the recess  24   e  offers the clearance to the pianist, and permits the pianist to straighten his or her fingers on the land portions of the black keys  12   c  after release of the black keys  12   c . While the pianist is fingering a piece of music on the keyboard  25 , he or she never hits his or her fingers against the fall board  24 , and smoothly moves the fingers over the keyboard  25 . The nails do not reach the bottom surface  24   g . The nails are neither broken, nor scratches the inner surface of the fall board  24 . Thus, the recess  24   e  is effective against the trouble due to the fall board  24  close to the array of the land portions  12   d.    
     Second Embodiment 
     Turning to FIG. 5 of the drawings, a fall board  31  is incorporated in yet another grand piano embodying the present invention. The grand piano implementing the second embodiment is similar in structure to that of the first embodiment, and, for this reason, other parts are labeled with same references designating corresponding parts of the grand piano implementing the first embodiment without detailed description. 
     The fall board  31  has a relatively thick boss portion  31   a , relatively thin cover portion  31   b  and a beak portion  31   c . Shafts  31   d  are embedded in the relatively thick boss portion  31   a , and sideward project therefrom. The shafts  31   d  are rotatably supported by suitable brackets embedded in the arm portions of the side board. The relatively thin cover portion  31   b  is merged into the relatively thick boss portion  31   a . The relatively thin cover portion  31   b  is substantially constant in thickness, and the beak portion  31   c  projects from the relatively thin cover portion  31   b . The beak portion  31   c  is gently curved, and keeps the relatively thin portion  31   b  spaced from the keyboard  25  at the closed position. 
     A recess  31   e  is formed in the relatively thick boss portion  31   a . The recess  31   e  is several millimeters deep to several centimeters deep, and laterally extends as similar to the recess  24   e . The recess  31   e  is defined by two side surfaces and a bottom surface. When the fall board  31  is changed to the open position, the periphery  31   f  of the recess  31   e  is on a level with the upper surface of the land portions  12   d  at the rest positions. Otherwise, the periphery  31   f  may be lower than the upper surfaces of the land portions  12   d . Thus, the recess  31   e  offers a clearance to the fingers of the pianist. 
     A filler  32  is provided for the recess  31   e . The filler  32  has the same configuration as the recess  31   e . Pieces of permanent magnet  33  and other pieces of magnetic substance  34  are embedded in the relatively thick boss portion  31   a  and the filler  32 , and are exposed to the bottom surface of the recess  31   e  and the lower surface of the filler  32 , respectively. When the filler  32  is put in the recess  31   e , the pieces of magnetic substance  34  are attracted to the pieces of permanent magnet  33 , and keep the filler  32  in the recess  31   e . However, the pieces of permanent magnet  33  are not so strong that a pianist can remove the filler  32  from the recess  31   e.    
     The filler  32  is finished as similar to the fall board  31 , and makes the fall board  31  as if any recess  31   e  is not formed therein. When a pianist wants to practice the fingering on the keyboard  25 , he or she removes the filler  32  from the recess  31   e . Then, the recess  31   e  is open, and offers the clearance to the fingers on the land portions  12   d.    
     The grand piano implementing the second embodiment achieves all the advantages of the first embodiment. Moreover, the filler  32  improves the appearance of the grand piano. 
     Third Embodiment 
     FIG. 6 shows yet another fall board  36  incorporated in yet another grand piano embodying the present invention. The grand piano implementing the third embodiment is similar in structure to that of the first embodiment, and, for this reason, other parts are labeled with same references designating corresponding parts of the grand piano implementing the first embodiment without detailed description. 
     The fall board  36  has a relatively thick boss portion  36   a , relatively thin cover portion  36   b  and a beak portion  36   c . Shafts  36   d  are embedded in the relatively thick boss portion  36   a , and sideward project therefrom. The shafts  36   d  are rotatably supported by suitable brackets embedded in the arm portions of the side board. The relatively thin cover portion  36   b  is merged into the relatively thick boss portion  36   a . The relatively thin cover portion  36   b  is substantially constant in thickness, and the beak portion  36   c  projects from the relatively thin cover portion  36   b . The beak portion  36   c  is gently curved, and keeps the relatively thin portion  36   b  spaced from the keyboard  25  at the closed position as indicated by dots-and-dash line. 
     A recess  36   e  is formed in the relatively thick boss portion  36   a . The recess  36   e  is several millimeters deep, and laterally extends as similar to the recess  24   e . The recess  36   e  is defined by two side surfaces and a bottom surface. 
     When the fall board  36  is changed to the open position, the periphery  36   f  of the recess  36   e  is on a level with the upper surface of the land portions  12   d  at the rest positions. Otherwise, the periphery  36   f  may be lower than the upper surfaces of the land portions  12   d . Thus, the recess  36   e  offers a clearance to the fingers of the pianist. 
     A filler  37  is provided for the recess  36   e . The filler  37  has the same configuration as the recess  36   e . Pieces of permanent magnet  38  and other pieces of magnetic substance  39  are embedded in the relatively thick boss portion  31   a  and the filler  37 , and are exposed to the bottom surface of the recess  36   e  and the lower surface of the filler  37 . Pieces of permanent magnet  40  are further embedded in the relatively thin cover portion  36   b , and corresponding pieces of magnetic substance  41  are further embedded in the filler  37 . The pieces of permanent magnet  39  are exposed to the inner surface of the relatively thin cover portion  36   b , and the pieces of magnetic substance  40  are exposed to the upper surface, which is reverse to the lower surface. The filler  37  is connected at one end thereof to the relatively thin cover portion  36   b  by means of a hinge  42 , and, accordingly, the filler  37  is rotatable about the hinge  42  as indicated by arrow  43 . 
     The pieces of permanent magnet  38 , pieces of magnetic substance  39 , pieces of permanent magnet  40  and pieces of magnetic substance  41  are arranged in such a manner that the pieces of magnetic substance  39  or pieces of magnetic substance  41  are held in contact with the associated pieces of permanent magnet  38  or pieces of permanent magnet  40 . When a pianist wishes to practice fingering on the keyboard  25 , he or she turns the filler  37  about the hinge  42 , and moves it onto the relatively thin cover portion  36   b . Then, the pieces of magnetic substance  41  are attracted to contact with the pieces of permanent magnet  40 , and keeps the filler  37  on the relatively thin cover portion  36   b . Then, the recess  36   e  is opened, and offers the clearance to the fingers on the land portions  12   d.    
     When the pianist completes the practice, he or she oppositely turns the filler  37  about the hinge  42 , and moves it into the recess  36   e . The pieces of magnetic substance  39  are attracted to the pieces of permanent substance  38 , and the filler  37  is maintained in the recess  36   e . The filler  37  is finished as similar to the fall board  36 , and makes the fall board  36  as if any recess is not formed therein. 
     The grand piano implementing the third embodiment achieves all the advantages of the first and second embodiments. Moreover, the pieces of permanent magnet  40  and pieces of magnetic substance  41  keep the filler  32  on the relatively thin cover portion  36   b  so as to enhance the manipulability. 
     As will be appreciated from the foregoing description, the fall board  24 / 31 / 36  according to the present invention is formed with the recess  24   e / 31   e / 36   e  so as to offer a clearance to the fingers on the land portions  12   d . The pianist does not break the nails, and the fall board  24 / 31 / 36  is never damaged with scratches. Moreover, the filler  32 / 37  keeps the fall board  24 / 31 / 36  in the good looking. 
     Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     For example, a fall board  45  may be formed with a recess  46  not exposed to the side surfaces thereof as shown in FIG.  7 . Key blocks are usually provided between the array of black/white keys and the side board, and the array of black/white keys does not reach the arm portions of the side board. A pianist merely moves his or her fingers over the array of black/white keys, and never moves them onto the key blocks. In other words, the clearance is required for the fingers on the land portions of the black keys. Accordingly, the recess  46  is as wide as the array of black/white keys, and does not extend into the side portions to be opposed to the key blocks. 
     The pieces of permanent magnet  33  and pieces of magnetic substance  34  may be replaced with another kind of fastening means. Another kind of fastening means may be small projections and small recesses to snugly receive the small projections. A hook-and-loop fastener may be used as yet another fastening means. 
     A fall board may be rotatably connected to another board different from the side board. Rotary damper units may be provided between the fall board and the arm portions so as to make the fall board gently brought into contact with the key slip. 
     Fall boards according to the present invention are useful to other kinds of keyboard musical instrument in so far as the pianist feels the fall board obstacle against the fingering. Other kinds of keyboard musical instrument are, by way of example, an upright piano and piano-based musical instrument such as, for example, a silent piano, automatic player piano, electric piano and keyboard for practical use. 
     FIG. 8 shows an example of the upright piano to which the present invention appertains. The upright piano is fabricated from well-known components such as a keyboard  60 , an action mechanism  61 , hammers  62 , strings  63  and so forth. The keyboard  60  is exposed to a pianist, and the action mechanism  61 , hammers  62  and the strings  63  are accommodated in a piano case  64 . A pair of side boards  65 , an upper front board  66 , a key bed  67 , a lower front board  68 , a bottom board  69 , a pair of side arms  70 , a back post assembly  71  and a pair of leg posts  72  are assembled into the piano case  64 . The side boards  65  are laterally spaced from each other, and leg posts  72  frontward project from the lower portions of the side board  65 , respectively. The upper front board  66  and the lower front board  68  laterally extend between the side boards  65 , and defines the front surface of the piano case  64 . The back post assembly  71  also laterally extends between the side boards  65 , and defines the back surface of the piano case  64 . The key bed  67  is fixed to the upper surfaces of the leg posts  72 , and frontward projects from the side boards  65 . The keyboard  60  is placed on the key bed  67 , and the side arms  70  frontward project from the side boards  65  on both sides of the keyboard  60 . The bottom board  69  laterally extends between the side boards  65 , and defines the bottom surface of the piano case  64 . Thus, the side boards  65 , leg posts  72 , key bed  67 , upper front board  66 , lower front board  68 , bottom board  69 , side arms  70  and the back post assembly  71  define the space where the action mechanism  61 , hammers  62 , strings  63  and other components are accommodated. 
     The piano case  64  further includes a top board  72  and a fall board  73 . The top board  72  is implemented by two boards. One of the two boards is fixed to the back post assembly  71 , and the other board is hinged to it. Thus, the board is folded back onto the other board. The fall board  73  is rotatably connected at both sides thereof to the side arms  70 . The fall board  73  changes the attitude depending upon the angular position thereof. When the fall board  73  is rotated in the clockwise direction, the fall board  73  rises over the keyboard  60 , and permits a pianist to finger on the keyboard  60 . On the other hand, when the fall board  73  is fallen onto the side arms, the keyboard  60  is covered with the fall board  73 . 
     A recess  74  is formed in the fall board  73 . The recess  74  is several millimeters deep to several centimeters deep, and laterally extends so as to be as long as the keyboard  60 . While a pianist is playing a piece of music on the keyboard  60 , he or she sometimes stretch his or her fingers on the black keys. The recess  74  offers a clearance to the pianist, and the fingers do not scratch the fall board  73 . 
     The silent piano is a combination of an acoustic piano, i.e., a grand piano or upright piano and an electronic tone generating system, and a pianist can play a piece of music in acoustic tones or electronic tones. In order to permit the pianist to play a piece of music in the electronic tones, the silent piano is equipped with a hammer stopper and an electronic sound generating system. The hammer stopper is provided in association with the hammers, and is changed between a free position and a blocking position. While the hammer stopper is maintained at the free position, the hammers strike the associated sets of strings without any interruption by the hammer stopper. When the hammer stopper is changed to the blocking position, the hammer stopper enters into the trajectories of the hammers, and the hammers rebound on the hammer stopper before striking the strings. The electronic sound generating system produces electronic sounds instead of the piano tones so that user can practice the fingering without disturbance to the neighborhood. 
     The automatic player piano is a combination of an acoustic piano and an automatic playing system. The acoustic piano is either grand or upright. The automatic playing system includes solenoid-operated key actuators installed under the keyboard and a controller. When a set of music data codes is supplied to the controller, the controller analyzes the set of music data codes, and selects the keys to be moved from the keyboard and times at which the keys start the motion. When the time comes, the controller supplies a driving signal to the solenoid-operated key actuator under the key to be moved. The solenoid-operated key actuator moves the key at the give time, and the key actuates the action unit so as to give rise to free rotation of the hammer toward the string. In this instance, the automatic playing system is further incorporated in the mechanism. 
     The keyboard for practical use is a modification of the acoustic piano. The hammer assemblies and strings are replaced with beaters and an impact absorber. While a trainee is fingering a piece of music on the keyboard the depressed keys actuate the associated action units, which in turn give rise to free rotation of the hammers through the escape. The beaters rebound on the impact absorber, and the piano tones are not generated. An electronic tone generating system may be further incorporated in the keyboard for practical use. In this instance, sensors monitor the beaters, and periodically report the current positions of the beaters. The controller analyzes the series of positional data information so as to specify the depressed keys. The controller produces music data codes representative of the fingering on the keyboard, and supplies them to a tone generator. The tone generator produces an audio signal from the music data codes, and a sound system converts the audio signal to the electronic tones. Thus, the trainee checks the fingering for his training through the electronic tones. In this instance, the action units, hammers and impact absorbers as a whole constitute a mechanism.