Patent ID: 12230238

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on drawings. A keyboard instrument10shown inFIG.1includes a full-size (88-key) keyboard50, which includes multiple white keys30and multiple black keys40as multiple keys, and a case20. In the following description, a front of keys of the keyboard50in a front-rear direction FB thereof is referred to as a front side F, and a rear of the keys in the front-rear direction FB is referred to as a rear side B, while with a spectator facing the keyboard50, a left of the keyboard50is referred to as a left side L, and a right thereof is referred to as a right side R. A key aligning direction LR in which keys are aligned in the keyboard50is referred to as a left-right direction. In addition, in an up-down direction UL of the keyboard instrument10, an upside is referred to as an upper side Up, and a low side is referred to a lower side Lo of the keyboard instrument10. In the present embodiment, although the keyboard instrument10is described as an electronic piano, the keyboard instrument10may be other keyboard instruments, provided that a sound is produced therefrom in association with depressing a key by a player (a user).

The case20has a substantially rectangular plate-like shape with its longitudinal direction oriented in the left-right direction and is divided into an upper case21and a lower case22. The upper case21and the lower case22are each formed from a resin material. A circuit board, a battery constituting a power supply, and the like are accommodated in an interior of the case20. A control section11, where knobs and a dial for a volume control and various types of settings are provided, is provided on an upper surface of a left-end part of the upper case21. Additionally, an earphone jack is provided on a front surface of the left-end part of the upper case21.

An upper surface21aof the upper case21which lies adjacent to the keyboard50at the left-end part of the upper case21and an upper surface21bof the upper case21which lies adjacent to the keyboard50at the right-end part of the upper case21are each formed into a sloping surface which slopes downwards from the rear to the front. In addition, an upper surface21c, elongated in the left-right direction and provided at a central part of the upper case21, is also formed into a sloping surface which slopes downwards from the rear to the front. Although not shown, a hole portion is provided in a rear surface of the upper case21in such a manner as to correspond to a speaker.

As shown inFIG.2, in the case20, a lower boss portion23, which is provided in such a manner as to rise upwards from the lower case22, and an upper boss portion24, which is provided in such a manner as to extend downwards from the upper case21, are joined together though a threading engagement or the like, whereby the upper case21and the lower case22are assembled together. An interior case25is provided in the interior of the case20. The interior case25is provided in such a manner as to be long in the key aligning direction LR and has a substantially U-shaped section which opens downwards in the lower side Lo as shown in a sectional view inFIG.2. A circuit board60is provided on an upper surface of the interior case25. Multiple switches61are provided on the circuit board60in such a manner as to correspond individually to the white keys30and the black keys40. A switch pressing portion33is provided individually on the white keys30and the black keys40in such a position that corresponds to the corresponding switch61(inFIG.2, a switch pressing portion33for the white key30is shown, and a switch pressing portion for the white key40is not shown).

A support shaft25a, which is configured to support rotatably the white keys30and the black keys40, is provided at the rear of the interior case25in such a manner as to correspond to the white keys30and the black keys40. A hammer member70is provided for each white key30and each black key40inside the interior case25. A weight portion71is provided at a rear side B of the hammer member70. An arm portion72, which extends to the front side F from the weight portion71, is supported rotatably by a support shaft25bwhich is provided in the interior case25. A hammer cap73is provided at a distal end of the arm portion72in such a manner as to be brought into engagement with a hammer pressing portion31(inFIG.2, a hammer pressing portion31for the white key30is shown, and a hammer pressing portion for the black key40is not shown) which extends downwards towards the lower side Lo from each white key30and each black key40. A hole portion31ais provided in the hammer pressing portion31for engagement with the hammer cap73. In addition, a hook-shaped restricting projection32(inFIG.2, a restricting projection32for the white key30is shown, and a restricting projection for the black key40is not shown) is provided at a front-end portion of each white key30and each black key40in such a manner as to extend downwards towards the lower side Lo, eventually causing a distal end portion thereof to project to the rear.

Taking the white key30for example, operations of the white key30and the hammer member70will be described. When the white key30is depressed down, the hammer pressing portion31of the white key30depresses down the hammer cap73. Then, the weight portion71of the hammer member70, which is provided in such a manner as to face the hammer cap73across the support shaft25b, is caused to rise. In this way, the player can depress down the white key30while feeling a weight sensation identical to a sensation that he or she feels when he or she plays a real upright or grand piano. Then, the weight portion71, which is caused to so rise, is brought into abutment with a hammer upper cushion26, which is provided inside the interior case25.

On the other hand, the restricting portion32is depressed down in association with the white key30being depressed down and is then brought into abutment with a lower cushion29, which is provided in such a manner as to face the restricting portion32. In addition, when the white key30is depressed down, the switch61is depressed down by the switch pressing portion33which is provided on the white key30, whereby a sound or note corresponding to the white key30so depressed down is produced for radiation. Then, when the player moves his or her finger, which is depressing down the white key30, away from the white key30, the weight portion71of the hammer member70is lowered to thereby be brought into abutment with a lower cushion27, and a jaw portion of the restricting projection32is brought into abutment with an upper cushion28, whereby a state shown inFIG.2results. Here, as shown inFIGS.5and6, the restricting portion32is made up of a left plate-shaped restricting projection32aand a right plate-shaped restricting projection32b.

As shown inFIG.3, the multiple white keys30of the keyboard50have different shapes depending upon their positions (their scales). That is, a leftmost white key30AL at the left side L of the keyboard50and a rightmost white key30CR at the right side R of the keyboard50in the key aligning direction LR have shapes inherent thereto which differ from shapes of the other white keys30. Multiple white keys30A, which function as an A key denoting a note scale of A, are provided between the leftmost white key30AL and the rightmost white key30CR. Similarly, multiple white keys30B to30G are provided between the white key30AL and the white key30CR. A black key40is disposed at the left side L and the right side R of each of the white keys30A,30D,30G. A black key40is disposed at the left side L or the right side R of each of the white keys30B,30C,30E,30F. As a result, in the following description, the white keys30C,30D and the leftmost and rightmost white keys30AL,30CR will be described as representing the other white keys30.

Here, as shown inFIGS.8to10, the white key30has, as a basic configuration, a key base member300, which is formed from a resin material through injection molding, as well as a first member310and a second member320, which are disposed individually on a left-side surface and a right-side surface of the key base member300.

Referring toFIGS.4to7, the white key30C will be described. As shown inFIG.4, the white key30C includes a first member310, a second member320, and a key base member300C. The key base member300C is produced from a resin material through injection molding. The hammer pressing portions31, the restricting projections32, and the switch pressing portions33(refer toFIGS.5,6), which have already been described before, are provided on the key base member300C. A step portion305is provided on a right side R of the key base member300C. A portion of the key base member300C which lies rearwards of the step portion305constitutes a narrow portion which is disposed adjacent to the black key40, whereas a portion of the key base member300C which lies forwards of the step portion305constitutes a wide portion including a key depressing surface.

The key base member300C includes a top plate301. The top plate301includes a wide portion301awhich lies forwards of the step portion305and a narrow portion301bwhich lines rearwards of the step portion305. A front plate302is provided at a front end portion of the top plate301in such a manner as to extend downwards towards the lower side Lo from a lower surface301q(refer toFIGS.5,6). The front plate302is disposed in such a manner that a plate surface thereof is oriented towards the front-rear direction FB and is given a width which is substantially the same as a width of the wide portion301aof the top plate301.

A left side plate303and a right side plate304are provided on the key base member300C in such a manner as to connect to the lower surface301qof the top plate301and a rear surface302cof the front plate302. As shown inFIG.5, the left side plate303on the left side L has a front side plate303a, which constitutes a portion corresponding to the wide portion301a, and a rear side plate303b, which constitutes a portion corresponding to the narrow portion301bof the top plate301. The front side plate303aand the rear side plate303bare each formed into a substantially rectangular plate shape which is long in the front-rear direction FB and are provided to extend rectilinearly continuously (side surfaces thereof are disposed on substantially the same plane). A length QL1of the front plate303ain the front-rear direction FB of the key is made shorter than a length QL3of the rear plate303bin the front-rear direction FB of the key (QL1<QL3). A length QL2of the front side plate303ain the up-down direction UL is made longer than a length QL4of the rear side plate303bin the up-down direction UL (QL2>QL4).

As shown inFIG.6, the right side plate304on the right side R has a front side plate304a, which constitutes a portion corresponding to the wide portion301a, and a rear side plate304b, which constitutes a portion corresponding to the narrow portion301bof the top plate301. The front side plate304aand the rear side plate304bare connected in a step-like fashion by a connecting plate304c, which is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the side plate304(the front side plate304a, the rear side plate304b) in association with the step portion305. The front side plate304aand the rear side plate304bare each formed into a substantially rectangular shape which is long in the front-rear direction FB. A length QR1of the front side plate304ain the front-rear direction FB of the key is made shorter than a length QR3of the rear side plate304bin the front-rear direction FB of the key (QR1<QR3). A length QR2of the front side plate304ain the up-down direction UL is made longer than a length QR4of the rear side plate304bin the up-down direction UL (QR2>QR4).

As shown inFIGS.5,6, the length QL1in the front-rear direction FB of the front side plate303aof the left side plate303on the left side L is made longer than the length QR1in the front-rear direction FB of the front side plate304aof the right side plate304on the right side R (QL1>QR1). In addition, the length QL2in the up-down direction UL of the front side plate303aof the left side plate303on the left side L is made longer than the length QR2in the up-down direction UL of the front side plate304aof the right side plate304on the right side R (QL2>QR2). Here, the length QL3in the front-rear direction FB of the rear side plate303bof the left side plate303on the left side L is made shorter than the length QR3in the front-rear direction FB of the rear side plate304bof the right side plate304on the right side R (QL3<QR3). The length QL4in the up-down direction UL of the rear side plate303bof the left side plate303on the left side L is made substantially equal to the length QR4in the up-down direction UL of the rear side plate304bof the right side plate304on the right side R (QL4=QR4).

A plate-shaped switch pressing portion33is provided individually on the rear side plates303b,304bof the side plates303,304which correspond to the narrow portion301bin such a manner as to project towards the lower side Lo. In addition, a projection plate306, which projects to the right side R, is provided on a lower surface of the side plate304which corresponds to the wide portion301a. Similarly, a projection plate307, which projects in the left-right direction, is provided individually on the lower surfaces of the side plates303,304which correspond to the narrow portion301b. In addition, an upper surface32a1of the left restricting projection32aon the left side L and an upper surface31bof the hammer pressing portion31on the left side L are disposed substantially on the same plane. Further, an upper surface of the projection plate306on the right side R and an upper surface32b1of the right restricting projection32bon the right side R are disposed substantially on the same plane. An upper surface of a projection31c(also refer to an encircled view of a portion SI inFIG.4) which projects from an upper surface of the hammer pressing portion31on the right side R and an upper surface of the projection plate307on the right side R are disposed substantially on the same plane.

A rotational hole portion308is provided in a rear end portion of the key base member300C in such a manner as to penetrate the rear end portion in the key aligning direction LR to be brought into rotatable engagement with the support shaft25ain the interior case25which lies inside the interior of the case20.

As shown inFIGS.4to6, the first member310is disposed on the side plate303on the left side L, which is either of the left and right sides of the key base member300C. The second plate320is disposed on the side plate304on the right side R, which is the other of the left and right sides of the key base member300C. The first member310and the second member320are both formed into a woody plate using a woody material.

As shown inFIG.4, the first member310has a shape corresponding to the side plate303on which the first member310is disposed. That is, the first member310includes a front portion311which is disposed on the front side plate303aand a rear portion312which is disposed on the rear side plate303bof the side plate303, and the front portion311and the rear portion312are provided in such a manner as to extend continuously. A length in the up-down direction UL of the front portion311is made longer than a length in the up-down direction UL of the rear portion312. An upper surface310aof the first member310is formed into a continuous plane, and a lower surface311thereof is formed to define a step at a connecting portion of the front portion311with the rear portion312.

The second member320has a shape corresponding to the side plate304on which the side member320is disposed. That is, the second member320includes a front second member321which is disposed on the front side plate304aand a rear second member322which is disposed on the rear side plate304bof the side plate304. A length in the up-down direction UL of the front second member321is made longer than a length in the up-down direction UL of the rear second member322.

As shown inFIGS.4and5, the first member310is disposed on the key base member300C with an adhesive applied to a side surface310ethereof which corresponds to an external surface of the side plate303while bringing a front surface310cthereof into abutment with the rear surface302cof the front plate302of the key base member300C and bringing an upper surface310athereof into abutment with the lower surface301qof the top plate301. Then, as shown inFIG.7, an external surface310fof the first member310becomes substantially level with a side end301c1of the top plate301on the left side L on the same plane. Additionally, as shown inFIG.4, since the front plate302is provided to have substantially the same width as that of the wide portion301aof the top plate301, the external surface310fof the first member310also becomes level with a side end302aof the front plate302on the left side L on the same plane. Here, a rear surface310dof the first member310is not in abutment with a wall portion303d, which is provided at a rear end of the side plate303in such a manner as to rise therefrom while facing the rear surface310d, and hence, a gap is defined therebetween.

In addition, also at the rear portion312of the first member310, the external surface310fof the first member310becomes level with the side end301c1of the top plate301and the side end302aof the front plate302. As light gap is defined between the lower surface310bof the first member310, and the upper surface32a1of the left restricting projection32a, the upper surface31bof the hammer pressing portion31and the upper surface of the projection plate307. The upper surface32a1of the left restricting projection32a, the upper surface31bof the hammer pressing portion31and the upper surface of the projection plate307are designed to support the first member310in the event that the first member310falls.

As shown inFIGS.4and6, the front second member321of the second member320is disposed on the key base member300C with an adhesive applied to a side surface321ewhich faces an external surface of the front side plate304aof the side plate304while bringing a front surface321cthereof into abutment with the rear surface302cof the front plate302of the key base member300C and bringing an upper surface321athereof into abutment with the lower surface301qof the top plate301. Then, as shown inFIG.7, an external surface321fof the front second member321becomes level with a right side end301c2of the wide portion301aof the top plate301on the same plane. Additionally, as shown inFIG.4, the external surface321fof the front second member321becomes level with a side end302bof the front plate302on the right side R on the same plane.

Similarly, as shown inFIGS.4and6, the rear second member322of the second member320is disposed on the key base member300C with an adhesive applied to a side surface322ewhich faces an external surface of the rear side plate304bwhile bringing a front surface322cthereof into abutment with the connecting plate304cand bringing an upper surface322athereof into abutment with the lower surface301qof the top plate301. An external surface322fof the rear second member322becomes level with a right side end301c3which corresponds to the narrow portion301bof the top plate301on the same plane. A rear surface322dof the rear second member322of the second member320is not in abutment with a wall portion304dwhich is provided at a rear end of the side plate304in such a manner as to rise therefrom and which faces the rear surface322d, whereby a gap is defined therebetween. In addition, a rear surface321dof the front second member321of the second member320is left open.

That is, the side plates303,304are provided in such positions that the side ends301c1,301c2,302a,302bof the top plate301and the front plate302become level with the side surfaces310f,321f,322fof the first member310and the second member320, which are disposed on the side plates303,304, respectively, on the same plane.

As shown inFIG.8, the white key30D includes a key base member300D and two second members320. Since a black key40is disposed on both left and right sides of the key base member300D, a step portion305is also provided on both the sides of the key base member300D. That is, a side plate304L, which is substantially symmetrical with a side plate304provided on a right side R of the key base member300D, is provided on a left side L of the key base member300D. The side plate304on the right side R is similar to the side plate304of the white key30C. As a result, the second member320is disposed individually on the left and right sides of the key base member300D of the white key30D. The second members320are attached in a similar manner to the manner in which the second member320on the right side R of the white key30C is attached.

As shown inFIG.9, the white key300AL includes a key base member300AL, a first member310, and a second member320. The key base member300AL includes a step portion305which is formed on a right side R thereof for installation of a black key40. That is, left and right side plates303,304are provided in a similar manner to the manner in which the left and right side plates303,304are provided on the white key30C. As a result, the first member310is attached to a left side L and the second member320is attached to the right side R of the key base member300AL of the white key30AL.

As shown inFIG.10, the white key30CR includes a key base member300CR and two first members310. No step portion305is provided on the key base member300CR. That is, a side plate303R, which is substantially symmetrical with a side plate303which is provided on a left side L of the key base member300CR, is provided on a right side R of the key base member300CR. As a result, the first member310is disposed individually on the left and right sides of the key base member300CR of the white key30CR. The first members310are attached in a similar manner to the manner in which the first member310on the left side L of the white key30C is attached to the corresponding key base member.

In this way, in the key base member300, the first member310is disposed on the side plates303,303R on which no step portion305is provided and the second member320is disposed on the side plates304,304L on which the step portion305is provided.

Reference signs ha, hb, a, and b inFIGS.4, and8to12will be defined as below.

ha: A length in the up-down direction UL of a portion of the second member320which corresponds to a nearer side of the key (refer toFIGS.4, and8to10). Here, the nearer side of the key is the nearer most side (front side) of the key in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction).

hb: A length in the up-down direction UL of a portion of the first member310which corresponds to a nearer side of the key (refer toFIGS.4, and8to10).

a: A length in the up-down direction UL defined, when the white key30is depressed down, from an upper surface301pof a portion of the top plate301which corresponds to a nearer side of the white key30so depressed down to the lower surface301qof a portion of the top plate301which corresponds to a nearer side of the white key30lying adjacent to the depressed white key30(in other words, the upper surface310aof a portion of the first member310which corresponds to the nearer side of the key or the upper surface321aof a portion of the front second member321of the second member320which corresponds to the nearer side of the key) (refer toFIGS.11,12). In other words, a length in the up-down direction UL of the nearer side of the key which is exposed when the first member310or the front second member321of the second member320which is disposed on the keys other than the keys at both the ends of the keyboard50is depressed down.

b: A length in the up-down direction UL of a portion, lying on a near side of the key, of either of the first members30which are disposed at both the ends of the keyboard50which is exposed from the upper surface21aof the upper case21on the left side L or the upper surface21bof the upper case21on the right side R in such a state that the white key30(the white key30AL, the white key30CR) is not depressed down (refer toFIGS.11,12).

In the keyboard instrument10according to the present embodiment, hb is larger than b (hb>b). As a result, even when the case20is used in which the upper surfaces21a,21b, which slope downwards, are provided at the left-end part on the left side L and the right-end part on the right side R of the upper case21, there occurs no such case that the lower surface310bof the woody first member310is exposed on the left-side surface and the right-side surface of the white keys30AL,30CR which are exposed.

In addition, in the keyboard instrument10according to the present embodiment, ha is larger than a (ha>a). As a result, even when the white key30is depressed down, there occurs no such case that the lower surface321bof the front second member321of the second member320of the white key30which lies adjacent to the depressed white key30is exposed. Further, hb differs from ha (hb≠ha), and hb is larger than ha (hb>ha).

As a result, even when the first member310is disposed individually on the adjacent white keys30, there occurs no such case that the lower surface310bof the relevant first member310is exposed.

In the present embodiment, b is larger than a (b>a). As a result, to summarize the relationship among the reference signs described heretofore, in the keyboard instrument10according to the present embodiment, the relationship results in which hb>b>ha>a.

Here, in the present embodiment, the first member310and the second member320include the portions (the rear portion312of the first member310, the rear second member322of the second member320) which correspond to the narrow portion301bof the white key30, however, the side surface of the white key30which corresponds to the narrow portion301bat which the black key40is disposed is exposed little when the white key30is depressed down, and hence, the portions (the rear portion312of the first member310, the rear second member322of the second member320) which correspond to the narrow portion301bof the white key30can be omitted.

The second member320is disposed individually on the side surfaces of the white keys30as keys of the keyboard50(the right-side surface of the white key30AL, the left-side surfaces of the white keys30B, the right-side surfaces of the white keys30C, the left- and right-side surfaces of the white keys30D, the left-side surfaces of the white keys30E, the right-side surfaces of the white keys30F, the left- and right-side surfaces of the white keys30G) on which the step portion305is disposed for installation of the black key40. The first member310is disposed on the side surfaces of the white keys30which extend in a straight line with no step portion305provided thereon (the left-side surface of the white key30AL, the right-side surfaces of the white keys30B, the left-side surfaces of the white keys30C, the right-side surfaces of the white keys30E, the left-side surfaces of the white keys30F, the left- and right-side surfaces of the white key30CR) As a result, even with the keyboard50of the keyboard instrument10whose design is improved by providing the upper surfaces21a,21bof the upper case21in such a manner as to slope down, the woody members suffice by use of the first members310and the second members320which each have the front second member321and the rear second member322, whereby the commonization of components can be promoted.

That is, with the proposed idea based on the present embodiment, the three types of members are good enough as the members which are disposed on the side surfaces of the key base members. Adopting the proposed idea can provide a visually aesthetic keyboard instrument even though the keyboard instrument is such that both the ends of the keyboard are exposed to the outside. In addition, with the proposed idea based on the present embodiment, since only the three types of members are used as the members which are disposed on the side surfaces of the key base members, the relevant members can easily be disposed on the side surfaces of the key base members, thereby making it possible to reduce further the production cost of the keyboard instrument.

With the embodiment of the present invention, the keyboard instrument10includes the key base member300, the first member310which is disposed on either of the left and right sides of the key base member300, and the second member320which is disposed on the other of the left and right sides of the key base member300. In addition, the length hb in the up-down direction UL of the portion of the first member310which corresponds to the nearer side of the key differs from the length ha in the up-down direction UL of the portion of the second member320which corresponds to the nearer side of the key.

As a result, even though the shape of the case20is thought out, a risk of the lower surfaces of the first member310and the second member320which are attached to the side surfaces of the key base member300becoming visible can be reduced. As a result, even though the keyboard instrument10is viewed from various angles, the woody members or the like can be seen without interruption from the side surfaces of the keys, thereby making it possible to provide the keyboard instrument10whose visual quality is improved.

The length hb in the up-down direction UL of the portion of the first member310which corresponds to the nearer side of the key is made longer than the length b in the up-down direction UL of the portion of the first member310which is disposed at, at least, one of the ends of the keyboard50, the portion lying to correspond to the nearer side of the key and exposed from the upper surface21aor the upper surface21bof the case20in such a state that the key is not depressed down and the length a in the up-down direction UL of the portion of the front second member321of the second member320which corresponds to the nearer side of the key. As a result, even though the exposure ranges of the external side surfaces of the leftmost white key30AL and the rightmost key30CR are larger than the exposure range of the white key30which lies adjacent to the white key30which is depressed down, the woody member or the like can be exposed as required.

The upper surfaces21a,21bof the upper case21, which lie adjacent to the leftmost and rightmost white keys30AL,30CR, respectively, are each made into the sloping surface which slopes down towards the nearer side of the key. As a result, even with the keyboard instrument10whose design is improved by inclining the upper surfaces21a,21bof the case20(the upper case21) which lie adjacent to the leftmost and rightmost white keys30AL,30CR, the woody members can be exposed as required.

The key base member300includes the top plate301including the key depressing surface, the front plate302having substantially the same width as that of the top plate301and provided in such a manner as to extend downwards from the front end portion of the top plate301, and the left and right side plates303,304which connect the lower surface301qof the top plate301and the rear surface302cof the front plate302. The first member310and the second member320are disposed on the side plates303,304, respectively, while being brought into abutment with the lower surface301qof the top plate301and the rear surface302cof the front plate302, and the side plates303,304are provided in such positions that the side ends301c1,301c2,302a,302bof the top plate301and the front plate302are level with the external surfaces310f,321f,322fof the first member310and the second member320on the same plane. As a result, the white keys30can be provided to be seen as if all the white keys30are formed of a woody material, thereby making it possible to provide the keyboard instrument10which looks better. Here, the top plate301, the front plate302, and the side plates303,304do not necessarily need to have the plate shape but may have a block shape.

In the key base member300, the side plate303of, for example, the white key30C on which the first member310is disposed is provided to extend continuously in a straight line, and the side plate304of, for example, the white key30C on which the second member320is disposed is provided in such a manner as to extend in the step-like fashion. As a result, in, for example, the white key30C, the first member310(the rear portion312), which is woody, and the rear second member322of the second member320, which is woody, can also be disposed on the rear side plates303b,304bwhich correspond to the black key40.

The first member310has the front portion311corresponding to the nearer side of the key and the rear portion312which is shorter in the length in the up-down direction UL than the front portion311. As a result, even on the side plate303or the like which extends continuously, a wood material can be disposed even on the portion which lies adjacent to the black key40.

The second member320has the front second member321and the rear second member322whose length in the up-down direction UL is shorter than that of the front second member321. As a result, even on the stepped side plate304or the like, a wood material can be disposed even on the portion which lies adjacent to the black key40.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the member disposed on the side surfaces of the key base member is described as being the woody member, however, the relevant member does not necessarily need to be the wood member but may be a member which imitates wood grains.

While the embodiment of the present invention has been described heretofore, the embodiment is presented as the example, and hence, there is no intention to limit the scope of the present invention by the embodiment. The novel embodiment can be carried out in other various forms, and various omissions, replacements and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Those resulting embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the present invention and are also included in the scope of inventions claimed for patent under claims below and their equivalents.