US3855894A - Key assembly - Google Patents

Key assembly Download PDF

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Publication number
US3855894A
US3855894A US00467207A US46720774A US3855894A US 3855894 A US3855894 A US 3855894A US 00467207 A US00467207 A US 00467207A US 46720774 A US46720774 A US 46720774A US 3855894 A US3855894 A US 3855894A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
key
keys
type
set forth
assembly
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00467207A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
H Thomas
R Olszowka
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
GIBSON PIANO VENTURES Inc A DELAWARE Corp
TWCA CORP
Original Assignee
Wurlitzer Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Wurlitzer Co filed Critical Wurlitzer Co
Priority to US00467207A priority Critical patent/US3855894A/en
Priority to CA209,760A priority patent/CA1000979A/en
Priority to GB4202174A priority patent/GB1441354A/en
Priority to IT53472/74A priority patent/IT1021762B/it
Priority to JP49119907A priority patent/JPS50142223A/ja
Priority to DE19742453426 priority patent/DE2453426A1/de
Publication of US3855894A publication Critical patent/US3855894A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Assigned to FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, THE, ONE FIRST NATIONA PLAZA, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60670 reassignment FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, THE, ONE FIRST NATIONA PLAZA, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60670 SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: WURLITZER COMPANY, THE,
Assigned to TWCA CORP. reassignment TWCA CORP. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: WURLITZER ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION, WURLITZER CANADA, LTD., WURLITZER COMPANY, WURLITZER INTERNATIONAL LTD, WURLITZER MUSIC STORES, INC.
Assigned to WURLITZER COMPANY, THE reassignment WURLITZER COMPANY, THE CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: TWCA CORP.
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Assigned to GIBSON PIANO VENTURES, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION reassignment GIBSON PIANO VENTURES, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: WURLITZER COMPANY, THE, A DELAWARE CORPORATION
Assigned to GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION reassignment GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: GIBSON PIANO VENTURES, INC.
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10C—PIANOS, HARPSICHORDS, SPINETS OR SIMILAR STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ONE OR MORE KEYBOARDS
    • G10C3/00—Details or accessories
    • G10C3/12—Keyboards; Keys
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S84/00—Music
    • Y10S84/07—Electric key switch structure

Definitions

  • an organ key'and mounting structure is provided .in which all of the black or sharp keys areintegrally molded with a single mounting strip with flexural sections between'the respectivekeys and the mounting strip. Likewise, all of the key bars corresponding to the natural or white keys are formed integral with the single mounting strip with an intervening flexural section. White keys are snapped on to the respective key bars, whereupon the entire subassembly is readily mounted on a key bed.
  • FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper portion of an electronicorgan constructed in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view through 'the keyboard as taken substantially along the line 2-2. in FIG. I;
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale and is taken substantially along the line 3.3 in FIG. 2;
  • FIG 4 is a sectional viewtaken substantially along the line 44 in FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 5 is a top view showing the one-piece molding- I FIG. 7 isja from viewthere'of.
  • FIG. 1 there will be seen the upper portion of an electronic organ 10 having a keyboard 12.
  • the organ could have two keyboards, either one ortwobeing common. Inad-.
  • the organis provide d with various sets of stop tablets 14 for effecting various controls on the organ,
  • FIGS. 5-7 Taking up the portions of the present invention in sequenc'e, attention next-shouldbe directedto FIGS. 5-7.
  • a keyboard subassembly corresponding to one octave of keys, and hence of organ notesqSuch a subassembly isless than 6V2 inches long, and the integralparts as hereinafter set forth can readily.
  • the present subassembly comprises a mounting strip 18 having three screw holes 20,22 and 24 therein.
  • Thes'crew hole 21) is round forclose coaction with a screw to locate the subassembly, while the other two holes are elongated" or oblong to compensate for production tolerances.
  • the mounting strip has integrally molded therewith five black or sharp keys 26, each joined-to the mount ing strip 18 by a flexural strip 28v having a restricted area therein formed by a generally V-shaped notch 30 running transversely across the flexural strip 28;
  • the I plastic material preferably is polypropylene which iswell adapted to the necessary flexing.
  • the color used is black tocorrespond with the usual black color of the downwardly opening box shaped structure having transverse reinforcing webs therein, one-of which extends down as a yoke 32 reinforced by a triangular gusset 34, and having a pair of notches in the bottom thereof, generally as shownand described in Olszowkaet al US. Pat. No. 3,740,448 to bear against a biasingspring and a whisker contact, generally in the same manner as disclosed in the aforesaid Olszowka et al patent.
  • each sharp key 26 there is a depending wall 36 reinforced by triangular gusset walls 38 and having a forewardly or outwardly directing flange 40 thereon, which flange is cooperable with upstops and downstops as will be hereinafter set forth.
  • the mounting strip 18further has integrally formed therewith a plurality of'key bars 42 which likewise are joined to the mounting strip by flexural strips 28 and V-shaped notches 30 to enhance flexing.
  • the V-shaped notches throughout are upwardly directed.
  • Each natural key bar 42 has structure corresponding to some of the structure on the sharp keys,
  • Each key bar 42 further includes a flat, elongated base 44 (FIGS.
  • each key bar 42 adjacent the inner end thereof is I diameter50 with an inwardly taperedor beveled internal upper edge 52.
  • a small hole 54 is formed in the base 44of each key bar within the hollow boss 48.
  • Each natural'key 64 is molded of white plastic material
  • each depending post 74' is substantially the same as the diameter of the hole 54 at the bottom of each boss 48. Therefore, for conditions of severe usage, such as in schools and the like where children might be expected to pry up under the outer ends of the keys, a screw may be passed up through each key bar and threaded into the corresponding post '74 to form a pick-proof connection. However, without the aid of such screws the interference fit forms a sufficiently tight connection that is quitedifficult to remove a key from the key bar short of prying with ascrewdriver or the like.
  • Screws 78 extend through holes in a clamping angle member 79 and through the holes 20, 22 and 24 in the mounting strip and arethreaded into, upstanding projections 80 on a key bed 82, whereby to mountthe keyboard subassembly 16 on the key bed.
  • a plastic or metallic generally- E-shaped molding or extrusion 84 is secured by means of screws 86 on aforward portion of the key bed 82, the screws 86 being tapped into the lower flange 88 thereof.
  • the upper flange 90 is somewhat narrower, and is provided on its underside with astrip of felt 92 or other suitable resilient material engageable with the polystyrene being a satisfactory example.
  • Each natural key 64 further is provided with a depending hollow post 74 aligned with the upstanding hollow boss 48.
  • each post is such as to form a tight fit between side walls 76 of the narrowest natural keys, while the depending post 74 in each key forms a tight fit within the inner diameter or bore of each boss.
  • a comb shaped plastic member 98 is secured to the outer surface of the web 100 of 'the Eashaped member 84 by means such as rivets or. screws 102, and has wide fingers 104 extending upwardly between the side walls 106 of the outer portions of the natural keys 64. The broad fingers 104 are separated by slots 108 of suitable width to accomodate the side walls 106. As will be seen particularly in FIG.
  • the fingers 104 of the member 98 serve as lateral positioning members for the natural keys to prevent undesired side-to-side movement of the keys.
  • the sharp keys are, in turn, limited in lateral movement by the adjacent portions of the natural keys.
  • the flexural strip 28 joining each key bar to the mounting strip 18 has sufficient lateral stability that there is very little side-to-side wobbling of the keys in any event.
  • the upstanding teeth 104 of the comb shaped member 98 positively preclude more than the slightest lateral motion to these keys.
  • the E- shaped' member 84 and the lower portion of the comb shaped member 98 are hidden from view by an upstanding, flange 110 at the outer edge of the key bed 82, theentire key bed preferably being formed as a single piece foamed plastic molding, generally of the nature shown in Thomas etial US. Pat. No. 3,797,357.
  • a key. assembly for useas in a musical instrument keyboard comprising an elongated mounting strip for attachment to supporting structure, a plurality of keys of a first type, a plurality of flexural portions respectively integrally connecting said keys of said first type to said mounting'strip, a plurality of key bars correspondingto keys of a second type, a plurality of flexible portions respectively integrally connecting said key bars to said mounting strip, and a plurality of keys of said second type respectively secured tosaidkey bars.
  • a key assembly as set forth including means forming a hook connection between each key of said second type and a respective key bar.
  • each key of a second type is secured to its respective key bar by means of a hooklike interconnection and means providing a friction fit.
  • v 8. A key assembly as set forth in-claim 5, wherein each key bar isprovided with a hollow upstanding boss and each key of a second type is provided with a depending post frictionally received in a respective boss to secure said key of a second type to the respective key bar.
  • each key bar has upstanding ribs extending longitudinally adjacent its side edges, and each key of a second type has depending side walls embracing said ribs.
  • each key bar has upstanding ribs extending longitudinally adjacent its side edges, and each key'of a second type has depending side walls embracing said ribs.
  • each of said posts is hollow.
  • each key bar has a hole through it within a respective boss and aligned with a respective hollow post to permit threading of a retaining screw into said post.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Electrophonic Musical Instruments (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)
US00467207A 1974-05-06 1974-05-06 Key assembly Expired - Lifetime US3855894A (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00467207A US3855894A (en) 1974-05-06 1974-05-06 Key assembly
CA209,760A CA1000979A (en) 1974-05-06 1974-09-23 Key assembly
GB4202174A GB1441354A (en) 1974-05-06 1974-09-27 Key assemblies
IT53472/74A IT1021762B (it) 1974-05-06 1974-10-10 Perfezionamento nei complessi a ta stiera per strumenti musicali elet tronici
JP49119907A JPS50142223A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-05-06 1974-10-19
DE19742453426 DE2453426A1 (de) 1974-05-06 1974-11-11 Tastenbaugruppe fuer ein musikinstrument

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00467207A US3855894A (en) 1974-05-06 1974-05-06 Key assembly

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3855894A true US3855894A (en) 1974-12-24

Family

ID=23854810

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00467207A Expired - Lifetime US3855894A (en) 1974-05-06 1974-05-06 Key assembly

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US3855894A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS50142223A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CA (1) CA1000979A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE2453426A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1441354A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
IT (1) IT1021762B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3941023A (en) * 1974-06-14 1976-03-02 The Wurlitzer Company Chord button assembly
US4091707A (en) * 1975-12-22 1978-05-30 Graber-Rogg, Inc. Compact chord organ
US4128035A (en) * 1976-06-25 1978-12-05 Norman Erickson Keyboard assembly
US4136270A (en) * 1977-03-24 1979-01-23 Gte Automatic Electric Laboratories Incorporated Actuator for pushbutton switch
US4140039A (en) * 1976-04-12 1979-02-20 Faulkner Alfred H Hand held synthesizer
US4205583A (en) * 1977-12-12 1980-06-03 Cbs Inc. Keyboard construction for pianos
US4248130A (en) * 1978-08-24 1981-02-03 Norlin Industries, Inc. Keyboard assembly
US4346639A (en) * 1981-07-27 1982-08-31 Ernest Vagias Thermoplastic key face for pianos or the like
US4368364A (en) * 1980-12-03 1983-01-11 Load Cells Inc. Key mechanism
US4434340A (en) 1980-08-13 1984-02-28 Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha Switch operating mechanism
US4500756A (en) * 1982-03-19 1985-02-19 Pratt-Read Corporation Keyboard switch having a deformable membrane formed of cellular urethane
US4782734A (en) * 1987-08-25 1988-11-08 Rose Erma L Keyboard keys for larger hands
USD312266S (en) 1988-02-22 1990-11-20 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Electronic musical keyboard instrument
USD312265S (en) 1988-02-22 1990-11-20 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Electronic musical keyboard instrument
USD313031S (en) 1987-12-10 1990-12-18 Yamaha Corporation Electronic keyboard musical instrument
USD319248S (en) 1988-09-08 1991-08-20 Yamaha Corporation Electronic keyboard musical instrument
USD326106S (en) 1989-08-05 1992-05-12 Yamaha Corporation Electronic keyboard musical instrument
US6051768A (en) * 1997-06-06 2000-04-18 Yamaha Corporation Keyboard assembly
US6087576A (en) * 1997-02-24 2000-07-11 Yamaha Corporation Electronic musical keyboard apparatus resistant to yawing forces and rolling forces
US6133517A (en) * 1996-12-16 2000-10-17 Yamaha Corporation Keyboard musical instrument with simplified key unit assembly
US20080121091A1 (en) * 2006-06-21 2008-05-29 Yamaha Corporation Keyboard device for electronic musical keyboard instrument

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2117002A (en) * 1936-07-18 1938-05-10 Hammond Laurens Keyboard for musical instruments
US2832251A (en) * 1953-07-07 1958-04-29 Wurlitzer Co Organ key
US3110211A (en) * 1959-08-06 1963-11-12 Baldwin Piano Co Electronic organ construction
US3120146A (en) * 1961-06-02 1964-02-04 Pratt Read & Co Inc Musical instrument key
US3205754A (en) * 1965-09-14 Becwar keys
CA737203A (en) * 1966-06-28 The Wurlitzer Company Sharp key cap
US3306152A (en) * 1964-06-17 1967-02-28 Paul A Klann Keyboard
US3715950A (en) * 1971-09-22 1973-02-13 Pratt Read Corp Key construction for keyboard instruments
US3740448A (en) * 1971-04-12 1973-06-19 Wurlitzer Co Organ drop-in key assembly
US3797357A (en) * 1972-09-20 1974-03-19 Wurlitzer Co Electronic musical instrument mechanical construction

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS4521326Y1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1966-02-23 1970-08-25

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3205754A (en) * 1965-09-14 Becwar keys
CA737203A (en) * 1966-06-28 The Wurlitzer Company Sharp key cap
US2117002A (en) * 1936-07-18 1938-05-10 Hammond Laurens Keyboard for musical instruments
US2832251A (en) * 1953-07-07 1958-04-29 Wurlitzer Co Organ key
US3110211A (en) * 1959-08-06 1963-11-12 Baldwin Piano Co Electronic organ construction
US3120146A (en) * 1961-06-02 1964-02-04 Pratt Read & Co Inc Musical instrument key
US3306152A (en) * 1964-06-17 1967-02-28 Paul A Klann Keyboard
US3740448A (en) * 1971-04-12 1973-06-19 Wurlitzer Co Organ drop-in key assembly
US3715950A (en) * 1971-09-22 1973-02-13 Pratt Read Corp Key construction for keyboard instruments
US3797357A (en) * 1972-09-20 1974-03-19 Wurlitzer Co Electronic musical instrument mechanical construction

Cited By (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3941023A (en) * 1974-06-14 1976-03-02 The Wurlitzer Company Chord button assembly
US4091707A (en) * 1975-12-22 1978-05-30 Graber-Rogg, Inc. Compact chord organ
US4140039A (en) * 1976-04-12 1979-02-20 Faulkner Alfred H Hand held synthesizer
US4128035A (en) * 1976-06-25 1978-12-05 Norman Erickson Keyboard assembly
US4136270A (en) * 1977-03-24 1979-01-23 Gte Automatic Electric Laboratories Incorporated Actuator for pushbutton switch
US4205583A (en) * 1977-12-12 1980-06-03 Cbs Inc. Keyboard construction for pianos
US4248130A (en) * 1978-08-24 1981-02-03 Norlin Industries, Inc. Keyboard assembly
US4434340A (en) 1980-08-13 1984-02-28 Nippon Gakki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha Switch operating mechanism
US4368364A (en) * 1980-12-03 1983-01-11 Load Cells Inc. Key mechanism
US4346639A (en) * 1981-07-27 1982-08-31 Ernest Vagias Thermoplastic key face for pianos or the like
US4500756A (en) * 1982-03-19 1985-02-19 Pratt-Read Corporation Keyboard switch having a deformable membrane formed of cellular urethane
US4782734A (en) * 1987-08-25 1988-11-08 Rose Erma L Keyboard keys for larger hands
USD313031S (en) 1987-12-10 1990-12-18 Yamaha Corporation Electronic keyboard musical instrument
USD312266S (en) 1988-02-22 1990-11-20 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Electronic musical keyboard instrument
USD312265S (en) 1988-02-22 1990-11-20 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Electronic musical keyboard instrument
USD319248S (en) 1988-09-08 1991-08-20 Yamaha Corporation Electronic keyboard musical instrument
USD326106S (en) 1989-08-05 1992-05-12 Yamaha Corporation Electronic keyboard musical instrument
US6133517A (en) * 1996-12-16 2000-10-17 Yamaha Corporation Keyboard musical instrument with simplified key unit assembly
US6087576A (en) * 1997-02-24 2000-07-11 Yamaha Corporation Electronic musical keyboard apparatus resistant to yawing forces and rolling forces
US6051768A (en) * 1997-06-06 2000-04-18 Yamaha Corporation Keyboard assembly
US20080121091A1 (en) * 2006-06-21 2008-05-29 Yamaha Corporation Keyboard device for electronic musical keyboard instrument
US7476795B2 (en) * 2006-06-21 2009-01-13 Yamaha Corporation Keyboard device for electronic musical keyboard instrument

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT1021762B (it) 1978-02-20
DE2453426A1 (de) 1975-11-20
GB1441354A (en) 1976-06-30
CA1000979A (en) 1976-12-07
JPS50142223A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1975-11-15

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, THE, ONE FIRST NAT

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:WURLITZER COMPANY, THE,;REEL/FRAME:004791/0907

Effective date: 19870408

AS Assignment

Owner name: WURLITZER COMPANY

Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:TWC CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004998/0779

Effective date: 19880223

Owner name: TWCA CORP., A DE CORP.

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS IN AGREEMENTS RECITED;ASSIGNOR:WURLITZER COMPANY, WURLITZER MUSIC STORES, INC., WURLITZER INTERNATIONAL LTD; WURLITZER ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION AND WURLITZER CANADA, LTD.;REEL/FRAME:004998/0787

Effective date: 19880223

Owner name: WURLITZER COMPANY, THE, ILLINOIS

Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:TWCA CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004998/0779

Effective date: 19880223

Owner name: TWCA CORP., ILLINOIS

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:WURLITZER COMPANY;WURLITZER MUSIC STORES, INC.;WURLITZERINTERNATIONAL LTD;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:004998/0787

Effective date: 19880223

AS Assignment

Owner name: GIBSON PIANO VENTURES, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATIO

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:WURLITZER COMPANY, THE, A DELAWARE CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:012280/0710

Effective date: 20011109

AS Assignment

Owner name: GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, CONNECTICUT

Free format text: PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:GIBSON PIANO VENTURES, INC.;REEL/FRAME:012280/0932

Effective date: 20011109