WO2018176153A1

WO2018176153A1 - Retrofit ergonomic musical keyboard, extender keys and a kit comprising the same

Info

Publication number: WO2018176153A1
Application number: PCT/CA2018/050393
Authority: WO
Inventors: Douglas Alexander CUTLER
Original assignee: Cutler Douglas Alexander
Priority date: 2017-03-30
Filing date: 2018-03-29
Publication date: 2018-10-04

Abstract

An ergonomic improvement in musical keyboard manual design including frontally and laterally extending auxiliary touchplates added to select keys in a largely conventional musical keyboard said extenders adopting the sound actuating mechanisms of their host keys said extenders thereby facilitating easy access to extra wide interval finger spans including 10ths, 11ths and 2ths in the resulting keyboard array. Additional weight added to the host key lever and action mechanism is counterbalanced. A specialized design to integrate black key touchplates within a limited space is also included. Also provided are the key extenders and kits for producing the ergonomic keyboard.

Description

RETROFIT ERGONOMIC MUSICAL KEYBOARD, EXTENDER KEYS AND A KIT

COMPRISING THE SAME

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to improvements in piano and musical keyboard manuals in general and in particular to such keyboard manuals designed to mitigate the problems normally faced by small-handed musicians. The principal solution involves expanding options for the performer with frontally extending auxiliary keys with laterally offset touchplate locations that allow easier access to larger musical intervals. The advantage applies to all players but, in particular, players with average to small hands.

BACKGROUND

The prior art has long understood the inherent limitations of the conventional piano keyboard manual with its one-size-fits-all approach that automatically puts players with smaller hands at a disadvantage, in particular females. Within certain performance practises for jazz piano and related American roots styles but also certain classical piano repertoire, males with larger hands hold the advantage. Certain jazz styles and specific classical pieces are virtually impossible to perform for many small-handed pianists who are otherwise able to master difficult music. Similarly, talented child pianists must often wait many years to perform music they might otherwise be well able to execute.

Despite an awareness in the prior art of these limitations, piano manufacturers have historically resisted producing pianos with variant sized keyboards. Perhaps they fear limiting the sale or resale value of an odd sized instrument that will be seen as exotic or idiosyncratic. Perhaps it is simply a blind and sentimental attachment to tradition. By necessity, smaller-handed consumers have simply adapted to the status quo.

Systems for retrofitting existing pianos with reduced width keyboards have been devised but so far have had limited impact on the field. Thus, there remains a need for a simple and accessible means of addressing the problem faced by smaller-handed pianists.

In the prior art of reduced-width keyboards the most notably inventions have been proposed by Steinbuhler (U.S. Pat. No. 6,1 18,063), Steinbuhler (U.S. Pat. No. 6,720,492) and again Steinbuhler (U.S. Pat. No. 5,847,301 ) and Reimann (U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,549). These inventions propose reduced-width piano keyboards that can be installed and uninstalled into a host piano with varying degrees of effort; however, both proposals also include some limitations. In the case of Reimann, for example, significant modifications to the key frame of the hosting piano are required including, at a minimum, removing entirely the original front guide pins in order to ready it for the installation of a new set of keys and guide rails. In the case of Steinbuhler a new keyboard and action frame is modified and made ready to switch in and out of existing pianos. This is a physically workable solution but prohibitively expensive for wide adoption.

Hammond (U.S. Pat. No. 2,203,569) offers a clever solution to the problem of spanning large intervals by introducing a completely independent mini keyboard that occupies the space just in front of and below the keys of a conventional keyboard. The entire keyboard is foreshortened with stubby black keys and white keys with foreshortened tails. This design allows the thumb, in particular, to drop down onto the new level keyboard for a set of new and entirely programmable pitch options. Even just allowing new pitch choices for the thumb can open up much larger chordal possibilities for the player thus gaining for a smaller hand the de facto advantage of larger hands. This disclosure will refer to this type of keyboard as a "thumb drop" keyboard.

Hammond, however, fails to maximize the physical proximity of the new keyboard level by leaving in place the piano keyslip and introducing the new keyboard on top of the keyslip (keyslip identified as the long wooden rail running immediately down and in front of the white keys of the keyboard). As a result, the new "thumb drop" keyboard is positioned further away than it might have been if the keyslip is first removed. Bear in mind "thumb drop" keyboards are designed for simultaneous play on two different keyboards by one hand and maximal proximity greatly enhances real time performance integration with the main or host keyboard. Another disadvantage of Hammond is that the action mechanisms of his new keyboard are necessarily confined to a small vertical space in front of the host keyboard which essentially prevents them from achieving a responsiveness and 'feel' in any way similar to the weighted lever action of the upper level piano keyboard. The result is a confluence of weighted action and switch action in the resulting "thumb drop" keyboard array which is less than ideal.

Saunders (U.S. Pat. 7,674,972) presents frontally extending auxiliary touchplates for regular musical keyboards but with a different physical structure designed for a different purpose and with a completely different result that fails to qualify as a "thumb drop" keyboard. Saunders offers an admirable keyboard adaptation for individuals with compromised mobility who may wish to perform pitches on a keyboard with the whole hand instead of individual fingers. No effort is made to preserve the functionality of the host keyboard and, in fact, this functionality is destroyed removing any opportunity to simultaneously perform on multiple keyboard levels with a single hand. What's more Saunders' auxiliary touchplates are wrongly positioned and proportioned for play by a dropped thumb while fingers of the same hand remain on the host keyboard; they simply range too far forward in distance and are too far separated from one another because of their larger size for conventional finger-oriented performance.

Other keyboard designs aim to increases pitch choices and reduce interval stretches in other ways. Several patents cite key levers with multiple touch plate locations from which to actuate the same key lever. Such designs typically create three or more discreet levels of keys as apposed to the conventional two included one white and one black. Patents in this category include Janko (U.S. Pat. No. 360, 255), McChesney (U.S. Pat. No. 281 , 898), Schoenemann (U.S. Pat. No. 29, 522), and once again D. Barnett (U.S. Pat. No. 1 ,958,227). The main disadvantage of these systems is the steep learning curve presented by a keyboard with dramatically different touchplate configurations. Also, this type of design is based upon multiple descending touch plates rows nevertheless laid out upon a single longitudinal axis. The option of a lateral displacement of the main key lever has been overlooked but which can otherwise be employed to reduce the distance of large intervals as this disclosure will reveal.

Returning to Steinbuhler's reduced-width keyboard: as is often the case, a solution to one problem often creates another. When the overall width of a piano keyboard is reduced as in Steinbuhler, the strikable width of individual white keys is also reduced making finger placement and accuracy more difficult. Some means to increase the functional span of the player's hand without decreasing the overall width of the piano would be a superior solution.

Compact keyboard designs are known in the art and include those disclosed in Cutler (U.S. Pat. 4,658,695).

Cutler (U.S. Pat. 4,729,276) discloses auxiliary snap-on key extenders for musical keyboards.

This background information is provided for the purpose of making known information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a retrofit ergonomic musical keyboard, key extenders and kit comprising same. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ergonomic musical keyboard for retrofit to a conventional musical keyboard, the ergonomic musical keyboard comprising frontally extending auxiliary key and touchplate apparatus configured for removable attachment to the conventional musical keyboard, wherein when the ergonomic keyboard is attached to a conventional key board, the keys of the conventional keyboard function as per normal operation.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided an ergonomic musical keyboard for retrofit to a conventional musical keyboard comprising an auxiliary key frame, a plurality of white key extenders and a plurality of black key extenders, wherein each white key extender of the plurality of white key extenders comprises an upper touchplate connected to a backplate by a support arm; wherein the backplate is configured to operatively associate with a white key of the conventional musical keyboard such that when the upper touch plate is pressed the white key of the conventional musical keyboard is actuated; and wherein each black key extender of the plurality of black key extenders comprise a touchplate connected to a vertical rod configured to operatively associated with a black key of a conventional keyboard such that when the touch plate is pressed the black key of the conventional musical keyboard is actuated.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a white key extender for retrofit to a conventional musical keyboard, the white key extender comprising an upper touchplate connected to a backplate by a support arm; wherein the backplate is configured to operatively associate with a white key of the conventional musical keyboard such that when the upper touch plate is pressed the white key of the conventional musical keyboard is actuated.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a black key extender comprising a touchplate connected to a vertical rod configured to be operatively associated with a black key of a conventional keyboard.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit for an ergonomic musical keyboard for retrofit to a conventional musical keyboard, the kit comprising an auxiliary key frame, a plurality of white key extenders and a plurality of black key extenders, wherein each white key extender of the plurality of white key extenders comprises an upper touchplate connected to a backplate by a narrow support arm; wherein the backplate is configured to operatively associate with a white key of the conventional musical keyboard such that when the upper touch plate is pressed the white key of the conventional musical keyboard is actuated and wherein each black key extender of the plurality of black key extenders comprise a touchplate connected to a vertical rod configured to operatively associated with a black key of a conventional keyboard such that when the touch plate is pressed the black key of the conventional musical keyboard is actuated.

The invention disclosed herein sets out to mitigate a longstanding limitation native to the conventional piano keyboard, namely, what can be an insurmountable demand of stretching forced upon performers with smaller hand sizes. While many attempts have been made in the past to improve musical keyboards, all have failed to impact the mass market. Reasons include: overly radical designs that require the learning of new performance technique (such as keyboards with octaves equally divided between six white and six black keys); conservative manufacturers that favour traditional keyboard design assuming automatic mass market appeal and expense, such as with the Steinbuhler's reduced-size keyboard where switch-out piano action/keyboard stacks cost as much as $10,000 or finally, designs that require entirely new ground up instruments.

It is paramount, therefore, that any design for an improved musical keyboard must do the following: 1 ) substantially improve access to larger finger spans; 2) be relatively simple and inexpensive; 3) require no radical new playing technique; 4) easily install and uninstall onto existing musical keyboards.

As discussed, the most significant issue with the conventional keyboard is its unforgiving aspect towards players with smaller hands. It should be readily apparent that the supplementary reach extenders described in this application offer dramatic gains of reach and interval span compared to both the conventional and prior art solutions. The reach extenders by extending frontally and laterally beyond the front edge of the conventional host keyboard (see Fig. 1 A or Fig. 3A) provide the performer with entirely new opportunities for reaching large intervals. Many small- handed adult pianists who strain to reach even the fundamental interval of the octave will span it with ease. Even larger spans of the 9th, 10th will comfortably fall within they're reach. Even unprecedented 1 1 ths and 12ths will fall within easy reach of many. Young children, otherwise adept but held back by their small hands, will play the octaves and more with ease. In other words, supplementary reach extenders turn a conventional keyboard into an automatic child- sized instrument. Further, reach extenders are primarily intended for use by the thumb in a "thumb drop" keyboard design. Only the thumb of the hand has to learn new pitch locations. The remaining fingers play as normal upon the main keyboard. As a result, the learning curve for a "thumb drop" keyboard is markedly minimal especially as compared to a Janko or other radical keyboard design explained above wherein all chords, scales and passage work must essentially be relearned from scratch.

In the embodiment of the invention under current discussion frontally and laterally extending auxiliary touchplate extenders attach to a host acoustic piano white key at the vertical front face and/or wooden underbody of said host white key. The upper touchplate surfaces of hosting acoustic piano keys are left unaltered in any way (again see Fig. 1 A or Fig. 3A) Further, the keyslip of the host instrument is removed to create optimal access for any extender key attachment. Acoustic pianos present the specific opportunity of wooden underbodies in their host white keys which can easily accommodate receptacle slotted clips in a tongue and slot clip method. Small nails or screws implant directly into the conventionally medium softwood under body of the white keys thereby to secure the slotted clip said clip made small enough and so proportioned to allow the host key to follow its normal key stroke motion unhindered. Extender keys are then mounted at their distal ends with the tongue element of the tongue and slot clip structure. This, in turn, allows said extender keys to install or uninstall as required or desired. The installation of said slotted clips is permanent and installed clips will remain out of site for most instances.

A problem arises with the addition of auxiliary key extenders that requires secondary design solutions. Because of the lateral displacement they create at the front of the host white key, the resulting key/key lever system adopts a doglegged shape that will tend to create an undesired rotational torsion on the host key lever when the extender segment is depressed by the playing finger. This is corrected by a counter spring positioned on the underside of the extender key that pushes back against this lateral rotational torsion. Simple adding a new structure in the form of the key extender itself to the front of a host acoustic white key will also add weight that will disturb the natural balance of the host key lever mechanism. The counter spring will help offset this extra weight as well thereby returning the host key to its natural balance.

A more ambitious embodiment of the invention proposes supplementary reach extenders not just for white keys but black keys as well. A novel type of vertical action rod black key touchplate, optionally in the form of a button and piston black key touchplate, is proposed along with support arms of the auxiliary white key extenders possessing individual wave pattern designs that allow vertical access at select intervals for the vertical action rod named above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

These and other features of the invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description in which reference is made to the appended drawings. Reference numerals are consistent for all drawings.

Fig. 1 A shows a three-dimensional front view of a conventional piano keyboard with auxiliary touchplate extenders added.

Fig. 1 B shows a two-dimensional top view a conventional piano keyboard with auxiliary touchplate extenders or reach extenders added.

Fig. 2A shows a two-dimensional partially exploded side view of a conventional piano keyboard with an auxiliary touchplate extender corresponding to a white key awaiting installation.

Fig. 2B is a two-dimensional side view in direct sequence from Fig. 2A above showing a conventional piano keyboard with white key auxiliary touchplate extenders installed.

Fig. 2C is a two-dimensional side view of a conventional piano keyboard with both black and white key auxiliary touchplate extenders installed as well as various sound actuating connections for the above mentioned auxiliary black key touchplates.

Fig. 2D shows a fully exploded two-dimensional side-view of a piano keyboard awaiting installation of an auxiliary touchplate extender featuring all support elements including a counter spring element.

Fig. 2E shows a two-dimensional side-view of a piano keyboard with an auxiliary touchplate extender installed featuring all support elements including a counter spring element.

Fig. 2F shows a two-dimensional side-view of a piano keyboard with an auxiliary touchplate extender installed. In this case, the extender touchplate and attached host white key are in actuated positioned. Also featured is the operation of a counter spring element. Fig. 3A shows two-dimensional front and bottom views respectively of a slotted under-clip bracket designed to removably affix the auxiliary touchplate extenders seen in Fig. 1 A above to their corresponding host piano keys.

Fig. 3B shows a two-dimensional top view of the same under-clip bracket seen in Fig. 3A immediately above. In this case, the bracket is shown in close proximity relationship to guide rail felts of said hosting conventional keyboard.

Fig. 3C shows a two-dimensional side view of a host piano white key awaiting installation of an auxiliary touchplate extender. A set of installer nails is shown affixing an under clip bracket to its host acoustic piano key.

Fig. 3D shows the same two-dimensional side-view as in Fig. 3C above. In this case, the underclip bracket is fully affixed to its host acoustic piano key with installer nails and thus able to accommodate the auxiliary touchplate extender.

Fig. 4A is a three-dimensional front-view of a variant form of the invention showing a supplementary white key touchplate extender affixing onto a host piano keyboard by means of a convenient docking system including but not limited to a set of horizontal pegs fitting into holed drilled into the underbody of a host white key.

Fig. 4B is a two-dimensional side-view of a variant form of the invention showing a cosmetic facer/plug combination covering up the holes in the host white key employed by the peg docking system from Fig. 4A above.

Fig. 5A is a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of the invention combining both the reach extender and the dual-elevation white key touchplate into one retrofit key, said retrofit key also possessing a minimal overall height.

Fig. 5B is a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of the invention combining both the reach extender and the white key touchplate into one retrofit key, said retrofit key here seen installed onto an underlying host key. The minimal overall height of said key allows a resident black key of the hosting keyboard to still function normally.

Fig. 5C is a two-dimensional side-view of an embodiment of the invention combining both the reach extender and the white key touchplate into one retrofit key, said retrofit key more clearly seen here possessing a minimal height as it awaits installation onto a host white. Fig. 5D is a two-dimensional side-view of an embodiment of the invention combining both the reach extender and the white key touchplate into one retrofit key, and now installed onto a host white.

Fig. 6A shows a two-dimensional side-view of a largely conventional piano console with a conventional one-piece keyslip running continuously as per normal the length of the keyboard immediately below and in front of the vertical front face of its white keys.

Fig. 6B shows a two-dimensional side-view as immediately above in Fig. 6A except with the keyslip removed and main elements of an auxiliary keyframe added.

Figs. 7A-D show a series of two-dimensional top views of a segmented keyslip in operation as applied to a conventional piano keyboard including the manner said keyslip segment facilitates the application of both a frontally extending auxiliary keyframe and frontally extending auxiliary touchplates.

Figs. 8A-B show two-dimensional front views of the same configuration as Figs. 7A-D above.

Fig. 9 shows a two-dimensional top view of a conventional piano keyboard outfitted with auxiliary touchplate extenders and demonstrating the degree of lateral displacement achieved for an individual note by said extenders.

Fig. 10A shows a three-dimensional view of a largely conventional musical keyboard outfitted with an auxiliary extender keyboard including both white and black extender keys as well as all external support elements including the segmented keyslip.

Fig. 10B shows a three-dimensional view of a largely conventional musical keyboard outfitted with an auxiliary extender keyboard comprised of white extender keys only but also including all other external support elements including the segmented keyslip.

Fig. 10C shows a three-dimensional view of a largely conventional musical keyboard outfitted with an auxiliary extender keyboard including both white and black extender keys with the front plate enclosure removed to expose internal support elements.

Fig. 10D shows a three-dimensional view of a largely conventional musical keyboard outfitted with an auxiliary extender keyboard absent the actual extender keys themselves and featuring more clearly the internal support elements of said auxiliary keyboard including an auxiliary keyframe.

Fig. 11 shows a three-dimensional exploded view of the underlying auxiliary keyframe support structures of an auxiliary extender keyboard awaiting installation onto a largely conventional piano keyboard.

Fig. 12A shows a three-dimensional exploded view of a frontally extending auxiliary keyframe for an extender keyboard said auxiliary keyframe directly connecting to the laterally slideable keybed of a typical grand piano and its una corda mechanism using a peg and hole means of attachment.

Fig. 12B shows a three-dimensional exploded view of a frontally extending auxiliary keyframe for an extender keyboard said auxiliary keyframe directly connecting to the laterally slideable keybed of a typical grand piano and its una corda mechanism in this case using a tongue and slot means of attachment.

Fig. 12C shows a close-up view of Fig. 12B immediately above.

Fig. 13 shows a three-dimensional exploded view of the underlying support structures of an auxiliary extender keyboard awaiting installation onto a largely conventional piano keyboard in this case featuring an additional spacer element to accommodate variations in host acoustic piano keybed structures.

Figs. 14A-C show a series of three-dimensional views featuring a 3-piece segmented keyslip in all phases of usage: all 3 pieces installed, centre segment removed and auxiliary keyboard installed.

Fig. 15A shows a two-dimensional top view of a specialized guide block for installing the supportive clip bracket onto the wooden underbody of a conventional host piano white key by means of a method including but not limited to vertical nails.

Fig. 15B shows a two-dimensional side view of a specialized guide block for installing a supportive clip bracket onto the wooden underbody of a conventional host piano white key by means of a method including but not limited to vertical nails. Fig. 15C shows a three-dimensional view depicting the various stages by which a specialized guide block is used to install a supportive clip bracket onto the wooden underbody of a conventional host piano white key by means of a method including but not limited to vertical nails.

Fig. 16A shows a two-dimensional view of a clip bracket and specialized rounded clip combination designed to detachably install an frontally extending auxiliary white key touch plate onto a host conventional piano white key.

Fig. 16B shows a three-dimensional exploded view of a rounded clip bracket and specialized rounded clip combination used to detachably install an frontally extending auxiliary white key touch plate onto a host conventional piano white key.

Fig. 16C shows a two-dimensional top view depicting the pivoting removal sequence of a frontally extending auxiliary white key touchplate from a clip bracket and specialized rounded clip combination said combination designed to install an auxiliary touch plate onto a host conventional piano white key.

Fig. 17A shows a three-dimensional view of a clip bracket for removably affixing a frontally extending auxiliary touchplate onto a hosting conventional piano wherein said attachment means is reinforced with a horizontal screw.

Fig. 17B shows a three-dimensional view with see-thru outlines showing internal structures of a clip bracket for removably affixing a frontally extending auxiliary touchplate onto a hosting conventional piano wherein said attachment means is reinforced with a horizontal screw.

Fig. 17C shows a series of three-dimensional views depicting both assembled and exploded versions of a frontally extending auxiliary touchplate in combination with its attendant attachment parts including a clip, a clip bracket and a reinforcing horizontal screw.

Fig. 18 shows a series of three-dimensional views depicting both assembled and exploded versions of a frontally extending auxiliary touchplate in combination with its attendant attachment parts in this iteration including a clip and a clip bracket outfitted with a specialized spring clip designed to allow a releasable form of attachment between clip and clip bracket. Fig. 19A shows a three-dimensional view including see-thru internal structures of a clip bracket designed to receive a specialized clip and spring catch combination further designed to allow a releasable form of attachment for the specialized clip.

Fig. 19B shows a two-dimensional top view including see-thru internal structures of a clip bracket designed to receive a specialized clip and spring catch combination further designed to allow a releasable form of attachment for the specialized clip.

Fig. 19C shows a series of three-dimensional views depicting both assembled and exploded versions of a frontally extending auxiliary touchplate in combination with its attendant attachment parts in this iteration including a specialized clip and spring catch combination designed to allow a releasable form of attachment for a corresponding clip tongue thereby further allowing the attachment of a frontally extending auxiliary touchplate onto a host piano white key.

Fig. 20A shows a series of three-dimensional views depicting both assembled and exploded versions of a frontally extending auxiliary touchplate in combination with its attendant attachment parts in this iteration including a specialized clip and spring catch combination designed to allow a releasable form of attachment for the specialized clip tongue.

Fig. 20B shows a three-dimensional underside view of a spring catch designed to allow a releasable form of attachment for a corresponding clip tongue.

Figs. 20C-D show a variant smaller form of the specialized clip and spring catch combination seen immediately above in Figs. 20A-B.

Fig. 21 A shows a three-dimensional rearward view of the same clip bracket, clip, and spring catch combination as seen above in Fig. 19C. including a see-thru view of clip-accommodating internal slot structures enclosed in the backplate segment of a frontally extending auxiliary touchplate extender.

Fig. 21 B shows a pair of three-dimensional views depicting both assembled and exploded versions of a clip bracket and specialized spring catch designed to allow a releasable form of attachment for a corresponding clip tongue. Fig. 22A-B show a pair of three-dimensional underside views depicting both assembled and exploded versions of an auxiliary touchplate extender in combination with its attendant counter spring.

Fig. 23A shows a three-dimensional rearward view including a see-thru view of clip- accommodating internal slot structures enclosed within the backplate segment of a frontally extending auxiliary touchplate. In this case, the drawing depicts a variant form of backplate which does not employ a specialized spring catch as seen in Fig. 21 A above.

Fig. 23B-D show a trio of three-dimensional rearward views depicting exploded, partially assembled and fully assembled versions of a variant backplate form of a frontally extending auxiliary touchplate and its attendant clip.

Fig. 24A shows a three-dimensional view including a see-thru view of internal slot and catch structures of a variant form of a clip bracket in this case outfitted with specialized ramp and tab mechanism designed to allow the releasable attachment of corresponding clip tongue.

Fig. 24B shows a three-dimensional topside view of a variant form of a clip bracket in this case outfitted with specialized ramp and tab mechanism designed to allow the releasable attachment of corresponding clip tongue.

Fig. 24C shows a three-dimensional underside view of a variant form of a clip bracket in this case outfitted with specialized ramp and tab mechanism designed to allow the releasable attachment of corresponding clip tongue.

Fig. 24D shows a series of three-dimensional views including both exploded and assembled versions of a variant form of a clip bracket in this case outfitted with specialized ramp and tab mechanism designed to allow the releasable attachment of corresponding clip tongue along with its attendant frontally extending touchplate onto a host conventional piano white key.

Fig. 25 shows a three-dimensional view of a method for integrating frontally extending auxiliary black key touchplates together with frontally extending auxiliary white key touchplates as affixed to a conventional acoustic piano keyboard with a tonal generation method for said auxiliary blacks provided by direct uniplanar hinge engagement with an underlying digital musical keyboard. Fig. 26 shows a three-dimensional close-up view of a method for integrating frontally extending auxiliary black key touchplates together with frontally extending auxiliary white key touchplates as affixed to a conventional acoustic piano keyboard with a tonal generation method for said auxiliary blacks provided by direct uniplanar hinge engagement with an underlying digital musical keyboard.

Figs. 27A-B show two-dimensional side views of a method for integrating frontally extending auxiliary black key touchplates together with frontally extending auxiliary white key touchplates as affixed to a conventional acoustic piano keyboard with a tonal generation method for said auxiliary blacks provided by direct uniplanar hinge engagement with an underlying digital musical keyboard. In particular, Fig. 27A shows the auxiliary black unactuated and Fig. 27B shows the auxiliary black key actuated.

Fig. 28 shows a three-dimensional side view of a method for integrating frontally extending auxiliary black key touchplates together with frontally extending auxiliary white key touchplates as affixed to a conventional acoustic piano keyboard with a tonal generation method for said auxiliary blacks provided by direct engagement with an underlying digital musical keyboard absent a hinge element.

Fig. 29 shows a three-dimensional view of vertically extending black key auxiliary rods used to provide an elevated strike location for an underlying digital musical keyboard.

Fig. 30 shows a series of three-dimensional views depicting as specialized tool for releasing the difficult to access spring catch said catch used to releasably attach an auxiliary extender key onto a white key in a host acoustic piano.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Unless defined otherwise, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

The modern piano has 52 white keys and 36 black keys. The white keys represent the musical tones A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. The black keys differ from the white keys in that they represent half-step intervals— known as sharps and flats— between various notes.

Fig. 1 A shows a three-dimensional front view of a certain embodiment of the invention featuring auxiliary rows of white key extender elements 7 and black key extender elements 9 frontally extending from a front edge of a largely conventional piano keyboard. White key extender 7 includes but is not limited to three main segments including the upper touchplate 7q, narrow support arm 7s and backplate 7p. Vertical action rod 9a is rigidly continuous with said black key extender 9. A hosting conventional acoustic white key 3 includes a wooden underbody 3b which is typical. 6 indicates a host black key. Also included is keybed 27 of the host piano defined herein as the under structure of the piano body proper upon which keyframe 28 slides in a grand piano when the una corda pedal is applied. In certain grand pianos especially, the front rail is directly connected to and rigidly continuous with the host piano keyframe 28 and for the purposes of this disclosure what appears the host piano front rail shall be considered as synonymous with the and heretofore designated as keyframe 28. Also shown is auxiliary keyframe 20, counter spring 21 for said extender white 7, receptacle hole 22 for said counter spring and a through slot 23 housed in keyframe 20 for said action rod 9a. Also shown are U- clamp 24 housing screw knob 25 and clip bracket 11 affixed to the wooden underbody 3b of said host white key 3 said clip bracket also housing horizontal thru-slot 11 a. An unaffixed clip bracket is indicated by 11 k. Metal L-clip 17 includes horizontal footer element 17f. A vertical clearance gap or opening 7v is formed by specialized contours to said white key extender support arms 7s.

In operation: said auxiliary white key extenders 7 individually, removably and rigidly affix to corresponding host white keys 3 thereby forming a continuous extension with the innate sound actuating lever and piano action mechanisms of the host conventional piano. Backplate 7p houses metal clip element 17 including horizontal footer 17f designed to insert into slot 11 a housed within slotted clip bracket 11 which itself is permanently affixable to the horizontal underside of host white key wooden underbody 3b. The resulting extender white key/clip/clip bracket system provide means for releasably installation of said extender key 7 onto said host white 3. Backplate 7p is designed for flush contact with the vertical front face of the host white key 3. A releasable adhesive 7r (seen elsewhere) is applied to the vertical distal surface of said backplate 7p said adhesive acting to supplement secure contact between extender key 7 and the host white key 3 by means. Auxiliary white key extenders 7 then proceed at a angle to create a lateral displacement relative to the fronts of their corresponding host white keys thus providing alternate locations from which to actuate their host keys. Auxiliary white keys 7 thus function as reach extenders primarily for the thumb of the left hand thereby bringing larger musical intervals such as octaves, ninths, tenths and 1 1 ths or even wider into practical proximity for players with very small to average size hands. In the embodiment of the invention shown in this figure, the auxiliary white extender keys angle off to the left thus providing a left-hand thumb, for example, access to alternate locations for a given host key that may be as much as three full key widths closer compared to a conventional keyboard. The weight of white extender key 7 added to the front of the host key lever as well as the rotational torsion placed on the host key lever due to said lateral offset both require counterbalancing to retrain the natural feel and function of the host key 3. Counterbalancing is provided by counter spring 21 as its lower extremity inserts into receptacle hole 21 housed in auxiliary key frame 20 which itself rigidly and removably affixes to the frontally extending front lip of host piano keybed 27 of the host piano by means of U-clamp 24 and attendant screw knob 25 said U-clamp spanning and enclosing the vertical front face of host keybed 27. The topmost end of counter spring 21 rigidly affixes to an underbody spring receptacle (see Figs. 21 A-B) housed on the underside of extender key 7. Additionally, U-clamp 24 spans and encloses the vertical front face of host piano keybed 27 and then tightens into position by means of screw knob 25 carried by said U-clamp. Auxiliary keyframe 20 is also rigidly affixed to said U-clamp 24 thereby enjoying a releasable installation onto the keybed 27 of the host piano.

Because the underbodies of host black keys 6 in a conventional keyboard are less accessible than their white key counterparts the engagement of host black keys (or corresponding pitch events) by extender auxiliary black key touchplates 9 will work differently. Black key touchplates 9 are largely flat and function roughly similar to pistons valves in a trumpet. Access for vertical action rods 9a is accomplished through vertical guide slots 23 housed in auxiliary keyframe 20. In addition, long slender support arms 7s for frontally extending white key touchplates 7 are specially and individually formed to create patterned gaps 7v through which black key pistons 9a pass in their normal groupings of alternate twos and threes. A method for generating sound from motion created at the lower extremity of action rod 9a is best explained in the context of Fig. 2C below.

Fig. 1 B is a two-dimensional top view of a similar arrangement to Fig. 1 A. Numerical indicators match with those of Fig. 1 A immediately above. Additional features include 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f and 7g wherein the familiar letter named notes of the musical scale are presented. Also, lines 30 and 32 show distance relationships for comparison of musical intervals available on a conventional keyboard relative to a keyboard outfitted with the extender keys 7 of the invention. Also, line 34 shows the offset relationship between host blacks 6 and extender blacks 9. In operation: Only the operation of the additional features is explained in this paragraph; other features are already well explained in Fig. 1 A immediately above. 7a-g shows the seven unique auxiliary white keys mirroring the conventional one octave layout of the standard musical keyboard with white or natural keys A-B-C-D-E-F-G. In turn, the support arms 7s for each of the letter-named keys possesses a unique shape (except for auxiliary keys 7b and 7d which share a common shape in their support arms.) A type of wave pattern is created by the various support arm shapes laying adjacent in a row such that channels or clearance gaps 7v result. This wave pattern presents as a pre-selected pattern coinciding with the conventional two and three notes groupings for black keys. Said gaps 9v provide vertical clearance for black key action rods 9a. Guide slots 23 housed in auxiliary key frame 20 continue that clearance or access on the downward vertical. The dotted line 34 shows the direct relationship between black key extender touchplates 9 and their corresponding host keyboard black keys 6. This shows that the lateral displacement distance for auxiliary black extenders 9 are largely similar to the lateral displacement distance of auxiliary white key extenders 7 as discussed above. To further illustrate such displacements line 30 represents a distance roughly equal to the musical interval of a 7th on a conventional keyboard same said distance 30 now achieving the musical interval of a 10th when applied in combination with the laterally displaced auxiliary white key extenders. Likewise, the distance at line 32 will achieve a black key 10th in combination with auxiliary black extenders but only an octave or less on a conventional keyboard. The actuation of host blacks 6 by auxiliary black keys 9 will be made indirectly by electro-acoustic or electromechanical means as described below in Fig. 2C.

Figs. 2A-C show a series of coordinated views with largely matching indicators. The view is of essentially the same components as presented above in Fig. 1 A.

Fig. 2A shows a two-dimensional side-view of largely the same embodiment of the invention as above in Figs. 1 A-B. In this instance the extender white key 7 and its attendant structures are seen just prior to installation. To reiterate the familiar parts: Extender white key 7 includes but is not limited to support arm 7s, upper touchplate surface 7q and vertical backplate 7p. Vertical action rod 9a is rigidly continuous with black key extender touchplate 9. Host conventional white key 3 includes a wooden underbody 3b as per normal. Also seen are host black key 6 and host acoustic piano keybed 27 with its attendant front guide rail 28. The auxiliary keyframe is indicated by 20 along with counter spring 21 including its attendant receptacle hole 22. Auxiliary keyframe 20 also houses thru-slot 23 which provides vertical access for action rod 9a. Continuing, we see U-clamp 24 housing screw knob 25 and clip bracket 11 affixed to the wooden underbody 3b of said host white key 3 said clip bracket also housing horizontal thru-slot 11 a. New features not previously seen include installation nails 16, releasable adhesive 7r, host white key guide pin 61 , host black key guide pin 61 b. Metal L-clip 17 is also seen with its horizontal footer element 17f.

Fig. 2B shows a two-dimensional side-view similar to the arrangement immediately above in Fig. 2A. All numerical indicators match with Fig. 2A except for the following exceptions: frontally extending auxiliary key 7 is now in fully installed with metal clip footer 17f fully inserted into slotted bracket 11 ; extender key 7 is seen here in cross section; additional support structures are shown including auxiliary keyframe 20 and counter spring 21 the later being a standard compression spring attaching at its top end to extender key 7 at spring holder 21 a and at its lower end to keyframe 20 by means of spring slot 22.

Fig. 2C shows a two-dimensional side view of the same configuration as immediately above in Fig. 2b but with the additional features including but not limited to: vertical action rod 9a rigidly continuous with black key extender touchplate 9; auxiliary keyframe 20, counter spring 21 ; receptacle hole 22 for anchoring said counter spring; thru-slot 23 housed in auxiliary keyframe 20 for access by said action rod 9a; U-clamp 24 housing screw knob 25 and clip bracket 11 affixed to the wooden underbody 3b of said host white key 3 said clip bracket also housing horizontal thru-slot 11 a; host white key guide pin 61 and the host black key guide pin 61 b; spring receptacle 21 a hosed within the underbody structures of extender white key 7. Other features seen for the first time and comprising attendant parts for black key extender 9 and action rod 9a include: underlying host digital keyboard 81 and its wires 4 connecting to solenoid 5, underlying host black key 82, attachment baseplate 84, attachment side clips 85 and uniplanar hinge element 86. Spring 87 maintains the precise perpendicular bias of said hinge 86. Also new are host balance rail 60, host capstan screw 29 installation screws at 16s and keystroke clearance distance indicators at 37 and 39.

In operation: various means of sound generation related to black extender touchplate 9 are shown but first we describe the physical characteristics of an auxiliary keyboard including blacks: auxiliary black key touchplate 9 rigidly and removably connects to auxiliary black key rod 9a. Rod 9a in its downward path passes through auxiliary keyframe 20 with access provided by guide slot 23. At its base, action rod 9a is fitted with uniplanar hinge element 86, said hinge fitted with a spring 87 to provide a perpendicular return bias during actuation. Hinge element 86, in turn, rigidly affixes to baseplate 84 said baseplate removably attaching to the upper horizontal touchplate surface of host black key 82 itself belonging to underlying host digital piano 81. Gripping side clips 85 facilitate the attachment of baseplate 84 to host key 82. In addition, baseplate 84 could include a releasable adhesive applied to its underside to assist with attachment. As a result of the actuation of auxiliary touchplate 9 the entire chain of connections described above results in an actuation underlying host black key 82. As actuation of action rod 9a occurs uniplanar hinge element 86 allows action rod 9a to maintain a largely vertical orientation whereas spring element 87 helps ensure hinge 86 returns to its unactuated resting angle. Returning to underlying digital keyboard 81 said keyboard may act as a direct electro- acoustical tone generator for auxiliary touchplate 9 or may act as a electro-mechanical intermediary between touchplate 9 and solenoid 5 said solenoid, in turn, activating the corresponding host black key 6 and its native lever mechanism. Of course, this activation is achieved through conventional midi processing and signalling as carried on wires 4. (Such electronics are not the inherent domain of this application.) Capstan screw 29 of the host piano key lever is the standard point of contact by which the normal hammer action of the host piano is activated. When host piano keys and auxiliary extenders keys are combined into a single continuous array, clearance heights are required to ensure the smooth functioning of all keys. The distance at 39 is approximately 1 inch and will provide the necessary cumulative vertical clearance for both the key dip of a host white key 3 and the key dip of an auxiliary black key touchplate 9. In other words, when host white key 3 is depressed it must stop at a level above resting black key touchplate 9 as shown by distance 37 and once black key touchplate 9 is depressed it must come to a stop at a level above resting auxiliary white key touchplate 7q as shown by distance 39. Attachment screws 16s are seated in the wooden underbody 3b of host white key 3 thereby permanently affixing clip bracket 11 to said wooden underbody.

Fig. 2D shows a fully exploded two-dimensional side view of largely the same configuration as immediately above in Figs. 2B and C. All numerical indicators will match with Figs. 2A-C with the following new features: metal L-clip 17 is shown in pre-installation phase and in vertical alignment with its corresponding receptacle slot 7t housed in the backplate 7p of extender key 7. Attachment screw 24s is employed to affix U-clamp 24 and its attendant screw knob 25 to frontally extending auxiliary keybed 20.

In operation: Describing features premiering in this drawing we see an attaching screw 24s affixing U-clamp 24 to auxiliary keyframe 20 thus facilitating a removable attachment of keyframe 20 onto the host keybed 27. All other numerical indicators match with Figs. 2A-C immediately above. Fig. 2E shows a two-dimensional side view of essentially the same configuration as immediately above in Fig. 2D except all parts are now fully assembled. All other numerical indicators match with Figs. 2A-D immediately above.

Fig. 2F shows a two-dimensional side view of essentially the same configuration as immediately above in Fig. 2E except the extender key/host white key system is now in a depressed or actuated condition. 7y indicates a downward force causing the actuation of extender key/host key system 7. As a consequence, spring 21 b compresses and buckles. Spring 21 b is affixed at its top most end to spring receptor 21 a and at its lower most end to spring slot 22 housed in auxiliary keyframe. Included is host white key 3, host black key 6, host piano keybed 27 and host piano guide rail/keyframe front 28. U-clamp 24 houses a screw knob fastener 25 with said U-clamp rigidly continuous with frontally extending auxiliary keyframe 20 once installed.

In operation: The significant new feature here is counter spring 21 b which moves into a buckled orientation as is it compressed. This effect results from the fact that said spring is unconstrained at any point except at its extreme ends by spring holder 21 a housed in the underbody structures of extender key 7 and by receptacle hole 22 housed in auxiliary keyframe 20. In other words, spring 21 never compresses along its strict longitudinal axis but distorts its shape instead as 21 b. A compression spring that compresses along a single axis thereby reducing its overall distance will actual increase its resistance force as it compresses. This is not desirable for this application. On the other hand, with nothing to constrain its overall shape a buckling spring 21 b will retain a relatively consistent resistance force all through the key dip of extender key 7 making it more similar to the constant force of gravity and thus retaining a more natural 'feel' in the extender key/host key system. Counter spring 21 b (identical to spring 21 elsewhere) also functions to offset and balance out the lateral torsion during actuation resulting from the lateral offset of extender key 7. Said spring also offsets any extra weight added to the hosting piano key/lever system resulting from the addition of extender key 7.

Fig. 3A shows two-dimensional front and top views respectively of the clip bracket as cited in views immediately above. The clip proper 11 houses through holes 12 said holes designed to accommodate attachment nails 16 (Fig. 2B) or attachment screws 16s (Fig. 2C). Horizontal receptacle slot 11 a is housed within bracket 11 which also includes curving distal wall 11 d.

Fig. 3B is a two-dimensional top view showing the spacial interaction between said clip bracket 11 and native guide pin felt 64 in a host piano keyboard. Front guide rail 28 of the host piano keyboard houses host guide pin 61. Again, 11 indicates the clip bracket proper, 11 d its curved distal wall and 12 its thru holes for attachment nails or screws.

In operation: The available space for a clip bracket like 11 or similar is very limited on a typical host acoustic piano. The curving vertical wall 11 d on the distal end of bracket 11 is designed to maximize bracket size and strength while avoiding contact with the underlying host guide pin felt 64.

Fig. 3C and 3D show two-dimensional exploded and assembled side views respectively of largely the same configuration seen above in Figs. 2A-F in this instance simply providing a closer look at the nail facilitated installation of clip bracket 11 . (Specialized means of installing said brackets will be taken up later in this description.) The drawing includes installation nails 16 seen in both installed and uninstalled phases, extender white key 7, extender white key stem segment 7s, extender white key backplate 7p, host white key 3, wooden host acoustic piano key underbody 3b, and L-shaped metal clip 17 with its horizontal footer 17f. Additionally seen in Fig. 3D is auxiliary keyframe 20, counter spring 21 , U-clamp 24 and screw knob 25 both for attaching said auxiliary keyframe to host piano keybed 27.

In operation: In the preferred embodiment of the invention the installer nails 16 are of narrow gauge and may be permanently driven into the wooden underbody of a typical acoustic host piano. The traditional choice of material for the wooden underbody 3b for a host acoustic piano key is boxwood which is a medium softwood that will take a narrow gauge nail without risk of splitting and without the need for pre-drilling. The additional weight of the clip bracket and nails all is too small to interfere with the native key balancing of the host piano in any noticeable manner.

Fig. 4A is a three-dimensional front view of a variant form of the invention showing auxiliary white key reach extender 7 affixing onto a host piano white key 3 by means of a convenient docking system designed for fast installation/uninstallation. Front guide rail/keyframe 28 of the host piano along with front guide pins 61 is shown. Horizontal holes 78 are drilled directly into the front face of host white keys 3. Installation pegs 79 are designed to fit snugly into said horizontal holes with said pegs rigidly affixed to frontally extending white key 7. Cosmetic facer plug 80 covers holes 78 after key extender 7 has been removed. The keyslip of the host piano (not seen here) must be removed for this type of installation. Again, we see white extender key 7 outfitted with metal L- clip 17 with its footer element 17f visible here. In operation: Such a docking system allows auxiliary white key extender 7 to be quickly added or removed from the host piano once an acoustic piano, either grand or upright, has been converted for the purpose. The application of cosmetic plugs quickly returns the hosting piano to its original appearance following the de-installation of said key extenders. The two holes 78 drilled on either side of the host white key can easily avoid the location of corresponding host guide pin 61. This is a less preferred embodiment of the invention as it requires a more radical alteration of the host acoustic piano.

Fig. 4B is a two-dimensional side view featuring the cosmetic plug 80 as seen immediately above in Fig. 4A. Said plug is designed to fit neatly into holes 78 and re-establish a clean front face for the hosting white when extenders 7 are not in use.

Fig. 5A is a three-dimensional view showing a variant form of the invention, more specifically, a auxiliary extender white key in combination with a more conventional overlay white key top. As with previous versions, this variant white key extender combo 77 provides a method for the releasable attachment of an auxiliary extender key 7 onto a conventional white key; however, in this case the host keyboard may be either conventional acoustic or electronic. In this figure, the variant extender key is shown pre-installation. Frontally extending auxiliary white key combo 77 includes but is not limited to familiar features: upper touchplate surface 7q, extender key support arm 7s and extender key backplate 7p. White key extender combo 77 now includes additional features including but not limited to: a rigidly continuous connection with largely flat overlay white key 47, said overlay element sharing an upper touchplate surface profile matching a corresponding host white key 49 in a host electronic piano. Said host electronic white key typically includes an overhanging front lip 40. Said combo extender 77 correspondingly includes a slot 41 designed to engage said overhanging front lip. Narrow gauge side clips 46 rigidly affix to white key overlay element 47 to assist in overlay key alignment and stability during installation and use. Overlay element 47 may be lined on its underside with a releasable adhesive 47r just as 7r provides a vertical face of releasable adhesive applied to backplate 7p.

Fig. 5B is a three-dimensional view showing the same variant form of the invention as immediately above in Fig. 5A except the auxiliary extender key is now in an installed condition. In particular we see slot 41 housed in extender key combo 77 engaging the overhanging front lip 40 of host key 46. All numerical indicators match with those of Fig. 5A above. Fig. 5C is a two-dimensional side view showing the same variant form of the invention as immediately above in Figs. 5A-B. In this case the extender key combo shown pre-installation. All numerical indicators match with those of Figs. 5A-B above.

Fig. 5D is a two-dimensional side view showing the same variant form of the invention as immediately above in Figs. 5A-C except the auxiliary extender key combo is now in an installed condition. In particular, we see slot 41 housed in extender key system 77 engaging the overhanging front lip 40 of host key 46. All numerical indicators match with those of Figs. 5A-C above.

In operation: For Figs. 5A-D: auxiliary extender key combo 77 includes and is rigidly continuous with overlay white key segment 47 together forming a variant of the invention that may removably install onto any type of host piano key whether acoustic or digital. For instance, there is no need for an installation clip bracket as seen if numerous figures above. Much of the attachment force may be accomplished with releasable adhesive 47r with guide tabs acting to stabilize and position the overlay component 47 in the face of repeated finger pounding during use. The engagement of overhanging front lip 40 by slot 41 provides stability in the face of the rotational torsion introduced by actuation of the laterally displaced extender key combo 77 said torsion occurring on a horizontal plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the host electronic piano key 47. Figs. 8A-B show two-dimensional front views of the same configuration as Figs. 7A-D above. In particular, Fig. 8B shows clearly the exposure of underlying structures in the host keyboard thus making room for the introduction of the auxiliary keyboard. All numerical indicators match with those of Figs. 7A-D immediately above.

Fig. 6A shows a two-dimensional side view of a conventional piano keyboard prior to installation of any auxiliary extender keyframe components. Of special interest here is the native keyslip 10 of the host piano which requires removal before any auxiliary extender keyboard installation is made. Seen is the auxiliary keyframe 20, U-clamp 24 with its attendant screw knob 25 screw knob both used to install said auxiliary keyframe onto the vertical front face of host piano keybed 27. Fastening screw 24s is used to attach said U-clamp onto auxiliary keyframe 20. All other numerical indicators match with those of Figs. 2A-F above.

Fig. 6B shows a two-dimensional side view of a conventional piano keyboard after installation of auxiliary extender keyframe components. The native host piano keyslip 10 of the Fig. 6A above is now removed allowing the installation of auxiliary keyframe 20 by means of U-clamp 24 and its attendant screw knob 25 said features now collectively installed onto host piano keybed 27. All other numerical indicators match with those of Figs. 2A-F above.

Figs. 7A-D show two-dimensional top views of a conventional piano keyboard outfitted with a segmented keyslip facilitating the introduction of an auxiliary frontally extending keyboard. Fig. 7A shows the segmented keyslip divided into three parts: to the left low bass segment 19a, mid- range segment 19b and to the right treble segment 19c.

Fig. 7B shows middle segment 19b as removed along with optional knob 19n for easier handling.

Fig. 7C shows the auxiliary keyframe 20 now occupying the gap created by the removal of middle section 19b of the segmented keyslip. Keyframe 20 rigidly affixes to host keyframe 27 by means of thin metal U-clamps clips 24 fitting over the exposed frontal edges of host keyframe 27. Also shown are auxiliary black key action rods 23 (as shown in Fig. 1 A).

Fig. 7D shows frontally extending auxiliary touchplates both white 7 and black 9 now installed.

In operation: Initially, the original keyslip of the host piano is removed and set aside. Subsequently the segmented keyslip is installed after which the host piano keyboard functions as normal. Designed for intermittent switch in/out usage, middle keyslip segment 19b in its removed phase exposes the underlying structures of the host piano keyboard. Typically, the frontal edge of host keybed 27 creates a narrow ledge directly in front of the vertical front faces of the host white keys. The way is now open to install an auxiliary keyboard with maximal proximity to the original host keyboard. Further, we see how the frontally extended touchplates may be allocated to a specific section of the keyboard. For example, in order for a small-handed player to accomplish a 10th-rich style of piano playing such as harlem stride, it is only necessary to provide frontal key extensions in an approximately two octave region of the high bass and low mid-range register. After use, the auxiliary extenders key may be removed, middle segment 19b re-installed and the entire piano returned to largely conventional condition.

Figs. 8A-B show two-dimensional front views of the same configuration as Figs. 7A-D above. In particular, Fig. 8B shows clearly the exposure of underlying structures in the host keyboard thus making room for the introduction of the auxiliary keyboard. All numerical indicators match with those of Figs. 7A-D immediately above. Fig. 9 shows a two-dimensional top view offering a second look at the lateral displacement characteristics of an auxiliary extender white key 7. (Compare with Fig 1 B.) Included in the drawing is host white key 3, host black key 6, auxiliary white key extender 7 and auxiliary extender white key support arm 7s the latter providing the majority of the lateral displacement. The line 31 shows a distance roughly equal to the span of the musical interval of an octave but in this instance being used to execute the larger span of the musical interval of a solid 10th. Similarly, line 33 shows a nominal displacement equal to about for white notes; however, in practise and because of the angle of the hand during performance the function lateral displacement equals roughly three generous white notes. A right-handed extender white key 2 specific for play by the right hand thumb operates in direct mirror image relationship to extender white key 7 which is specifically designed for play by the left hand thumb.

Fig. 10A shows a three-dimensional view of a largely conventional musical keyboard hosting an auxiliary extender keyboard including both white and black extender keys as well as all external support elements including a segmented keyslip. Main elements include but are not limited to: host conventional white key 3; host conventional black key 6; host acoustic piano keybed; auxiliary extender white key 7; auxiliary extender black key 9 and its attendant vertical action rod 9a; access channel 9v said channel formed by the specialized contours of support arm 7s of said extender key 7 and extender key backplate 7p used to affix said extender key to the vertical front face of host white key 3. Additional elements in a more complete auxiliary extender key system include segmented keyslip elements including bass keyslip segment 19, treble keyslip segment 19c, front panel enclosure 50 and auxiliary keyboard filler block at 51. U-clamp 24 with its attendant screw knob fastener 25 allows removable attachment of the auxiliary keyboard onto the host keyboard.

In Operation: Certain operations of the auxiliary keyboard and its component parts are explained above in Figs. 1 A-B and 2A-F. Elements premiered in this drawing include front panel enclosure 50 which acts both as physical protection for all underlying support structures for said auxiliary keyboard as well as providing a pleasing aesthetic to its installation. Also premiered is filler block 51 which similarly fills in a gap between extender keys and bass segment 19a of the segmented keyslip.

Fig. 10B shows a three-dimensional view of a largely conventional musical keyboard outfitted with a auxiliary extender keyboard comprised of white extender keys only but also including other external support elements including a segmented keyslip. In operation: Even absent black keys, an auxiliary keyboard with extender white keys only can still provide an effective entry level configuration for expanded performance options by allowing 14 of the 24 possible major and minor solid 10ths per octave. All numerical indicators match with Fig. 10A immediately above.

Fig. 10C shows a three-dimensional similar view of the same conventional musical keyboard outfitted with an auxiliary extender keyboard as seen in Fig. 10A above. In this view, the front panel enclosure 50 as seen in Fig. 10A is removed to reveal internal support structures for said auxiliary extender keyboard. Premiering elements include stop rail 54, stop rail felt 55 and a clear view of auxiliary guide strip 59. Shown again is auxiliary keyframe 20 with its attendant guide slots 23 for guiding auxiliary black key action rod 9a. Also seen is counter spring 21 , and right side filler block 52.

In operation: Guide strip 59 possesses numerous projecting tabs 59a designed to fill narrow slots between individual extender white keys 7 said tabs acting to maintain the alignment and stability of said extender keys. Said tabs may be lined with felt or some similar friction reducing material. Stop rail 54 and its attendant stop felt 55 are set to limit the downward decent of extender key 7 during actuation thus limiting the overstressing extender key 7. Similarly, to filler block 51 on the left side of the auxiliary keyboard, right side filler block 52 fills in the gap between the farthest right extender key and the edge of treble keyslip segment 19c.

Fig. 10D is a three-dimensional view essentially the same as Figs. 10A-C immediately above except that all extender touchplates 7 from the previous three drawings are removed to reveal all underlying support structures. Auxiliary keyframe 20 houses guide slots 23, stop rail 54, stop rail felt 55 and counter spring receptacle hole 22. Auxiliary keyframe 20, attaches to the frontal portion of host keybed 27 by means of U-clamps 24 and tightening screw knobs 25. Slotted clip brackets 11 are designed to accommodate metal clips as seen here with variant legged clip 56. Right side filler block 52 functions like an auxiliary cheek block. All other numerical indicators match with Figs. 10A-C immediately above.

In operation: (See Figs. 11 A-B, 2A-F and 10A-C above.)

Fig. 11 is a three-dimensional view of larger the same elements as immediately above in Fig. 10D except now in exploded view. There are, however, two new parts or elements namely attachment dowel 57 rigidly affixed to front panel enclosure 50 and horizontal dowel receptacle hole 57a which is drilled into host keyframe 28. Arrows 28a indicate the two-way lateral shift of the host keyframe caused by use of the una corda pedal in a grand piano. 59 is the auxiliary guide rail. All other numerical indicators match with Figs. 10A-D immediately above.

In operation: (Fig. 11 ) Horizontal receptacle hole 57a acts as receptacle holes for said dowel 57. This action allows front panel enclosure 50 to rigidly, removably and directly engage with host piano keyframe 27.

Fig. 12A relates directly to Fig. 11 immediately above and is a three-dimensional exploded view focussing primarily on a method for removably attaching front panel enclosure 50 directly and independently to host piano keyframe 28. Left side dowel 57 and its corresponding receptacle hole 57a are drilled horizontally into the universally wooden keyframe 28 of the host grand piano. Also, on the right side of front panel enclosure 50 are dowels 58 with their corresponding receptacle holes 58a likewise drilled horizontally into wooden keyframe 28. Dowels 58 are rigidly affixed to filler block 52 which in turn is rigidly affixed to front panel enclosure 50. Shown again is host white key 3, host black key 6, bass segment 19a of a segmented keyslip, treble segment 19c of a segmented keyslip and the uninstalled auxiliary keyframe 20.

In operation: (Fig. 12A with Fig. 11 ) In a grand piano when the una corda pedal (soft pedal) is applied it causes the piano's entire action set, i.e., keys, hammers, guide rail and balance rail etc. to slide to the right about 3/16" and then back again to its rest position as the una corda pedal is released. This motion is indicated by arrows 28a. When a host grand piano is carrying an auxiliary set of extender white keys 7 directly attached to host white keys 3, said extender keys will also travel slightly to the right and back along with their host white keys as the una corda pedal is applied. Normally, this would not be a problem; however, referring back to Fig. 10c we saw auxiliary guide strip 59 and attendant guide tabs 59a in very close proximity to said extender keys 7, indeed close enough to guide and maintain their lateral positioning. If these guide tabs 59s do not also move when the una corda pedal is applied unacceptable friction with the vertical sides of the extender white keys 7 results. But friction is reduced if the front panel enclosure and attendant auxiliary guide strip move in concert with the host front rail/keyframe 28 to which they are attached. Attachment dowels 57 and 58 along with their corresponding receptacle holes at 57a and 58a allow front panel enclosure 50 to releasably connect with host front rail/keyframe 28 in a host grand piano.

Fig. 12B shows a three-dimensional exploded view of a frontally extending auxiliary keyframe for an extender keyboard said auxiliary keyframe directly connecting to the laterally slideable keybed of a typical grand piano and its una corda mechanism in this case using a tongue and slot means of attachment. Vertical slot housing clip 72 rigidly attaches to host keyframe 28 which is laterally slideable as indicated by 28a. Vertical clip 72, in turn, forms a rigid slot receptacle for clip tongue element 73 which rigidly attaches to auxiliary keyframe 20 by means of vertical tongue element 74. Shown again is host white key 3, host black key 6, bass segment 19a of a segmented keyslip and treble segment 19c of a segmented keyslip.

In operation: Similar to Fig. 12A above, in a grand piano when the una corda pedal (soft pedal) is applied it causes the piano's entire action set, i.e., keys, hammers, guide rail and balance rail etc. to slide to the right about 3/16" and then back again to its rest position as the una corda pedal is released. This motion is indicated by arrows 28a. When a host grand piano is carrying an auxiliary keyframe 20 said keyframe will also travel slightly to the right and back along with their host white keys as the una corda pedal is applied. Because auxiliary keyframe 20 attaches directly to host keyframe 28 the auxiliary keyframe will travel directly with the host keyframe 28 when the una corda pedal is applied. This, in turn, will allow any support structures such as guide tabs (shown elsewhere) to move along with the auxiliary keyframe 20 thus maintaining their intended spatial orientation and functioning. Vertical slot housing clip 72 rigidly attaches to host keyframe 28 which is laterally slideable as indicated by 28a. Vertical clip 72, in turn, forms a rigid slot receptacle for clip tongue element 73 which rigidly attaches to auxiliary keyframe 20 by means of vertical tongue element 74.

Fig. 12C shows a close-up view of Fig. 12B immediately above. For operation also see Fig 12B described above.

Fig. 13 shows a three-dimensional view of a variant form of the invention seen immediately above in Figs. 11 and 12. In particular, this variation includes a spacer adaptation for host pianos where the piano's native keybed remains largely flush with its own front guide rail, in other words, when the exposed native keybed does not form a small protruding shelf at the front of the keyboard as is the norm with most acoustic pianos. (Recall the term keybed is herein defined as the structural understory of the piano itself which underlies and supports the host piano keyframe.) Shown is a spacer element 26 designed to fit between auxiliary keyframe 20 and U-clamp 24. A lesser projecting keybed front face 27a in this case is largely flush with host keybed 27. Seen once again are attachment screws 24s designed for horizontal application when fixing together all of U-clamp 24, spacer 26 and auxiliary keyframe 20. All other numerical indicators match with those of Figs. 10A-D, 11 and 12 above. In operation: Occasionally, acoustic pianos present with non-extended keybeds, in other words, keybeds as at 27a which remain vertically flush with their overlying front rail keyframes 28 said underlying keybeds failing to present a projecting ledge at the front of the keyboard when the keyslip is removed. Since the norm in acoustic pianos is for a forwardly projecting keybed and since the auxiliary keyset and its attendant underlying structures is designed with this in mind, when a non-projecting or lesser projecting keybed is encountered spacer means must be introduced to make up the difference and maintain the correct distance relationship between auxiliary extender keys and their host key. Such a spacer element 26 is shown consisting of a correctly proportioned block relative to the task with thru-holes for attachment screws 24s. Lying between U-clamp 24 and front panel enclosure 50 said spacer is able to maintain the same distance relationships as if the host piano presented a projecting keybed front face 27a.

Figs. 14A-C show a series of three dimensional views highlighting a segmented keyslip as applied to a conventional host piano. The segmented keyslip, designed to facilitate the installation of an auxiliary extended keyboard, appears in three separate phases from all 3- pieces installed, to middle segment removed, to auxiliary keyboard installed. The segmented keyslip is comprised of leftward bass segment 19a, middle segment 19b and rightward segment 19c. Seen again is host piano white key 3, host piano black key 6, host piano keybed 27, auxiliary extender white key 7 and auxiliary extender black key 9.

In operation: (See also Figs. 7A-D above.) Initially, the original keyslip of the host piano is removed and set aside after which the segmented keyslip installs and the host piano keyboard functions as normal. Upon removal of the middle keyslip segment 19b, as per its design, the underlying structures of the host piano keyboard are exposed. Typically, the frontal edge of host keybed 27 creates a narrow ledge directly in front of the vertical front faces of the host white keys. Exposure of the underlying host key structures allows the installation of an auxiliary keyboard with maximal proximity to the original host keyboard. Further, the drawing demonstrates how the frontally extended touchplates 7 and 9 are allocated to a specific section of the keyboard. For example, in order for a small-handed player to perform in a piano style heavily dependant upon left hand solid 10ths such as Harlem stride, it is only necessary to provide auxiliary extender keys in an approximately two octave region of the high bass and low mid-range register. After use the auxiliary extenders key may be removed, middle keyslip segment 19b returned and the entire piano returned to a conventional configuration. Fig. 15A shows a two-dimensional top view of a specialized guide block 70 designed to hold and position installation nails 16 for installing a supportive clip bracket onto the wooden underbody of a conventional host piano white key 3. Clip bracket 11 is seen in detail in Figs. 15B-C below and elsewhere in this disclosure.) Guide block 70 also includes but is not limited to guide block handle 71 h, left guide slot 71 a designed to hold a single nail, right guide slot 71 d designed to hold two nails at once, guide notch 71 e designed to hold the second of the two nails in said right guide slot, flexing tongues 71 b defining the sides of said right slot 71 d and 'cradle' area 71 c designed to hold and position said clip bracket.

Fig. 15B shows a two-dimensional side view of a specialized guide block designed to hold and position clip bracket 11 as it installs onto the wooden underbody of a conventional host piano white key. Guide block 70 includes but is not limited to guide block handle 71 h and 'clip bracket cradle' 71 c designed to hold and position said clip bracket 11 during installation of said clip bracket.

Fig. 15C shows a series of three-dimensional views depicting the various stages by which a specialized guide block 70 is used to install a supportive clip bracket 11 onto the wooden underbody 3b of a conventional host piano white key 3 by a method involving vertical nails 16.

In operation: The various stages of installing a clip bracket with guide block 70 are shown in sequence moving from left to right through the drawing objects. On the left we see the guide block proper at 70 housing 'cradle' area 71 c, left nail slot 71 a and right nail slot 71 d. Guide block 70n is identical to guide block 70 but now includes installation nails 16 releaseably positioned within their corresponding nail slots. Guide block 70d is identical to guide block 70 but now includes clip bracket 11 'cradled' in place. Guide nails now pass through said bracket 11 with access provided by thru slots 12. Moving to the right in the drawing familiar elements of a conventional host piano keyboard appear including but not limited to: host black key 6, host white key 3, is a host white key, white key wooden underbody 3b, host piano keybed 27 and host piano front rail/ keyframe 28. Guide block 70a is identical to guide block 70 but now seen in a rearward view with guide block handle 71 h in clear view. The width of structure at the top of guide block indicated by line 70x matches the width of the clip bracket 11 which also matches the width of the vertical front face of host white key 3. This helps with installation alignment. Again, moving to the right we now see a cutaway view of guide block 70 here identified as guide block 70b revealing a 'cradled' bracket 11j as well as installer nails 16j in vertical orientation. Notice the host white key 3d immediately above guide block 70b is partially depressed according to its normal keystroke motions thus driving the now properly positioned installation nails 16j part way into the wooden underbody off said host white key 3d. Moving further to the right in Fig. 15C again guide block 70c is identical to guide block 70 now reversed from its previous orientation as with 70b so that guide block handle 70h with its shallower height may now engage partially inserted installer nail 16k. Meanwhile, host white key 3dd is fully depressing through its normal keystroke motions thus driving installer nail 16k fully and with proper alignment into the wooden underbody of said overlying host white key 3dd. Finally, we see clip bracket 11 m, which identical in all other ways to clip bracket 11 , now fully and permanently installed onto the wooden underbody of the overlying host white key 3dd.

Figs. 16A-C form a set of drawings depicting a pivoting means for uninstalling an auxiliary extender key 7 when the extender installation is reinforced with a releasable adhesive. Fig. 16A shows a two-dimensional top view of a clip bracket and clip combination used to removably install (shown elsewhere) a frontally extending auxiliary white key touch plate onto a host conventional piano white key. Clip bracket proper 11 houses thru holes 12 for installation nails or screws. Internal structures are also seen in outline including but not limited to horizontal thru slot 11 a with its curving left side wall 11 c. Metal L-clip proper 17 houses horizontal footer element 17f said footer carrying its own arching side element 17c whose arc matches that of curved slot side wall 11 c.

Fig. 16B shows a three-dimensional view of a clip bracket and clip combination used to removably install (shown elsewhere) a frontally extending auxiliary white key touch plate onto a host conventional piano white key. Clip bracket 11 houses thru holes 12 for accommodating installation nails or screws. Internal structures are also seen in outline as at horizontal thru slot 11 a with its curving left hand interior side 11 c. Metal L-clip proper 17 houses horizontal footer element 17f said footer with its own arching side element 17c whose arc matches that of curved slot side 11 c.

Fig. 16C is a two-dimensional top view that helps illustrate the purpose of the curved elements seen in Figs. 16A-B immediately above.

In operation: Progressing from left to right in the view auxiliary extender white key 7 is shown moving through an arc or pivoting motion from an installed phase to a completely uninstalled or removed phase. The installation in question of, course, refers to an auxiliary extender key removably attaching to the wooden underbody and vertical front face of hosting piano white key 3 (detailed elsewhere in this description). Double-sided releasable adhesive strip 7r acts to reinforce said auxiliary key installation by creating additional bonding between auxiliary key backplate 7p and the vertical front face of said host white 3. Note well, it is more practical and preferable to remove said double-sided adhesive with a peeling motion and thus the pivoting motion of the removal of extender key 7. A direct pull of said releasable adhesive perpendicular to the plane of attachment requires substantially more force and may also distort the otherwise smooth application of said double-sided adhesive material. Said pivoting motion is only possible because of the curving structure 17c of horizontal clip footer 17f element carried by metal L-clip element 17.

Figs. 17A-C form a set of drawings depicting various views of a specialized clip bracket reinforced with an attachments crew.

Fig. 17A shows a three-dimensional top and front view of a specialized clip bracket for accommodating a metal L-clip used to install an auxiliary extender white key onto a conventional host piano. This particular variant of clip bracket includes a horizontal screw designed to reinforce auxiliary key 7 installation. Clip bracket proper 11 houses horizontal thru slot 11 a and thru holes 12 designed to accommodate vertical attachment nails or screws. Also seen is a specially contoured opening 11 b designed to facilitate the easy introduction of clip footer element 17f and horizontal screw hole 8a.

Fig. 17B shows a three-dimensional top and front view of the same specialized clip bracket as in Fig. 17A above except that the view is now see-thru showing internal structures in dotted outline. This particular embodiment of the clip bracket includes screw fasteners for attachment onto the wooden underbody 3b of a host piano white key. means of reinforcing said auxiliary key installation. Clip bracket proper 11 houses horizontal thru slot 11 a with its curving left side interior wall 11 c and thru holes 12 designed to accommodate attachment nails or screws. Also seen is a specially contoured opening 11 b designed to facilitate the manual introduction of clip footer element 17f into slot 11 a. Horizontal screw hole 8a is also seen.

Fig. 17C continues from Figs. 17A-B immediately above in this instance showing a series of three-dimensional views of the same specialized clip bracket with additional screw means. Auxiliary extender white key 7 includes but is not limited to auxiliary extender support arm 7s, extender key vertical backplate 7p and extender key upper touchplate surface 7q. Clip bracket proper 11 houses horizontal thru slot 11 a with its curving left side interior wall 11 c and thru holes 12 designed to accommodate attachment nails or screws. Also seen is a specially contoured opening 11 b designed to guide the easier introduction of clip footer element 17f into slot 11 a. Horizontal screw hole 8a housed in clip bracket 11 coordinates with horizontal thru hole 8c housed in extender key 7. Clip bracket 11 e is a cutaway view of clip bracket 11.

In operation: The depiction under consideration assumes that clip bracket 11 has been securely installed upon the wooden underbody 3b of a host acoustic piano key. (For detail see Fig. 18 below.) A very snug dimensional fit is to be assumed between clip footer 17c and its target receptacle slot 11 a. During performance related repeated key actuations of extender key 7, the bulk of the load bearing force is carried downward by clip footer 17f and into clip bracket 11 ; however, on its own even a very tight fit will not prevent slippage of clip footer 17f under the repeated keystroke actions of musical performance (true even when the extender key 7 installation is reinforced by releasable adhesives - see 7r in Figs. 23B-D below). Additional means of support is required to prevent the clip footer 17f from slipping out of position. In this case, the additional support is supplied rather directly with horizontal screw 8, said screw passing through screw hole 8c housed in extender key 7 and then securely screwing into receptacle screw hole 8a housed in clip bracket 11 .

Fig. 18 shows a series of three-dimensional views of a specialized combination of auxiliary extender key 7, metal L-clip 17 and variant clip bracket 13 for accommodating the installation of said extender white key onto a conventional host piano. This particular variant of the clip bracket includes a releasable spring catch method for holding in position the installation of auxiliary extender key 7 said extender housing vertical backplate 7p, support arm 7s and upper touchplate surface 7q. Clip bracket 13 carries thru holes 12 designed to accommodate vertical attachment nails 16 or screws 16s, said fasteners, in turn, designed for vertical insertion into the wooden underbody of host white key 3b. Clip bracket 13 also houses horizontal thru slot 13a. Spring catch 18 is made of narrow gauge spring metal designed to vertically wrap around metal L-clip 17. Wrap-around spring clasp or spring catch 18 includes but is not limited to wrap around hook tab 18t. Spring catch 18a is identical to spring catch 18 but is now inserted into the specialized slot structures of said clip 13 while still leaving room for metal L-clip 17. 13u shows an underside view of clip 13 revealing U-spring footer 18u and its indented heel 18h both belonging to wrap- around spring catch 18. At 13n is a catch slot housed in the underside of clip 13u designed to engage a stop tab 18c carried by spring clip 18a once inserted into clip bracket 13 (said catch tab seen in Figs. 19A-C below). 13d shows a cutaway view of clip bracket 13 revealing internal structures which will also be explained in more detail in Figs. 19A-C below. In operation: (See Figs. 19A-C below.)

Figs. 19A-C show closer three-dimensional views of the same specialized clip bracket as described immediately above in Fig. 18. Once again, said bracket is seen in combination with an auxiliary extender key 7 and metal L-clip 17 all enabling said extender key to removably affix onto a conventional host piano white key 3.

Fig. 19A isolates the clip bracket proper 13 seen here in a three-dimensional see-thru front and top view. Clip bracket 13 includes but is not limited to thru holes 12 for vertical nails 16 or screw fasteners 16s, main horizontal thru-slot 13a and a smaller under slot 13b designed to specifically accommodate the U-spring footer 18u carried by spring clip 18 (see Fig. 19C below). Catch tab receptacle slot 13n is designed to accommodate stop tab 18c. Clip bracket 13 houses thru-slot 13a with it's a curved interior wall 13c.

Fig. 19B shows a two-dimensional top view of the same bracket 13 as seen immediately above in Fig. 19A. Internal structures are shown in outline including thru-holes 12 with countersinking 12c said holes designed to accommodate vertical nails 16 or screw fasteners. Clip bracket 13 also houses main thru-slot 13a along with its curving internal wall 13c and smaller secondary slot 13b slot with its catch tab slot 13n.

Fig. 19C forms a closer look at the same view as Fig. 18 immediately above. Again, shown are a series of three-dimensional views of a specialized combination of metal L-clip 17 and clip bracket 13 in combination working to facilitate a rigid yet removable installation onto a conventional host piano white key 3. This particular embodiment of the clip bracket 13 includes a releasable spring catch method for reinforcing the installation of the said auxiliary white key. Also seen are thru-holes 12 for attachment nails or screws 16 which are themselves designed for vertical insertion into the wooden underbody of host white key 3b. Bracket 13 also houses horizontal thru slot 13a and smaller secondary slot 13b designed to accommodate U-spring footer 18u with its indented heel 18u. Wrap-around spring clip 18 also carries stop tab 18c and wrap around hook tab 18t.

In operation: The same arguments hold here as for the screw reinforced clip bracket of Figs. 17A-C, namely, a simply clip and slot means of engagement is insufficiently strong on their own to prevent slippage under the repeated pounding of musical performance. In this case, U-spring footer 18u with its releasable stop tab 18c holds the installation in place and prevents slippage. Wrap-around spring clasp proper 18 is fabricated from narrow gauge spring metal and is designed to vertically wrap around metal L-clip 17. Spring catch tab 18a is designed to insert into the specialized slot structures of said clip 13 while still leaving room for said metal L-clip 17. Further, catch tab 18c is positioned on the underside of U-spring footer 18u and together the two parts form a compact releasable spring catch. Clip bracket 13 is seen in underside view 13u where it is seen carrying catch slot 13n designed to engage catch tab 18c once wrap- around spring clip 18a is inserted into clip bracket 13. Said U-spring footer 18u may be later compressed and thereby released by applying moderate upward pressure from an external object of some pointedness though not sharply pointed. Clip bracket 13 is represented in cutaway perspective by bracket 13d. This reveals internal structures including but not limited to main horizontal thru-slot 13a, curving inner wall 13c of said thru-slot and secondary under slot 13b housing catch tab slot 13n.

Fig. 20A shows a series of three-dimensional rearward views depicting the installation phases of a specialized metal or similarly rigid L-clip into a receptacle slot in the backplate structures of an auxiliary extender white key. The rearward view now affords a more direct look at extender key backplate 7p and its attendant features. Further, this particular embodiment of the invention is designed to accommodate the specialized wrap around spring catch 18 as also seen immediately above in Figs. 18 and 19C. Extender white key 7 carries the usual components including but not limited to: upper touchplate surface 7q, support arm 7s and vertical backplate 7p along with its applied layer of double-sided adhesive 7r. As per usual rigid L-clip 17 carries horizontal footer segment 17f including curved footer segment 17c. Wrap-around spring catch 18 carries U-spring footer 18u which, in turn, carries indented heel 18h and catch tab 18c. Spring catch 18 is formed of narrow gauge spring metal and is shown here in both top and underside views. Extender white key 7 houses backplate 7p housing, in turn, clip channel 7t designed to accommodate L- clip 17. Also housed inside said backplate is a narrower channel 7j running vertically and designed to accommodate wrap-around spring catch 18. In this drawing backplate clip channel 7t is presented in both direct and see-thru perspectives.

In operation: The installation phases for L-clip 17 are seen here moving from right to left in the drawing frame. On the right, all elements are seen as exploded or uninstalled. Also seen on the right is wrap around hook tab 18t designed to provide a tight shape correspondence between spring catch 18 and its host L-clip 17. Hook tab 18t will prevent any downward slippage of spring catch 18 once the L-clip spring catch combination is installed into clip channels 7t and 7j contained within backplate 7p. On the right of the drawing is shown spring catch 18 beginning its insertion into spring catch slot 7j. Moving towards the middle of the drawing, L-clip 17 is now partially installed as it moves upward into slot 7t carrying wrap- around spring catch 18 with it. The heel 18h of U-spring footer 18u is slightly indented to avoid contact with spring catch slot 7j once spring catch 18 is fully inserted into said slot 7j. Said indent will leave the underside arm of U-spring footer 18u free to swing and compress for a later release of the catch mechanism. On the left of the drawing L-clip 17 is now fully installed and spring catch 18 (not seen by this point) will also be fully positioned. Once installed, both clip 17 and wrap-around spring catch 18 become rigidly continuous with hosting extender key 7 thus making the extender key ready for further installation into clip bracket 13 as seen above in Figs. 19A-C. In order to release such an installation of extender key 7, upwards compressing force is applied to any exposed part of U-clip footer 18u by a rigid external instrument somewhat pointed in nature.

Fig. 20B shows an isolated three-dimensional underside view the same wrap-around spring catch as seen immediately above in Fig 20A. The wrap-around spring catch proper 18 carries U-spring footer element 18u with its indented heel 18h, projecting catch tab 18c and right- angled hook tab 18t.

Figs. 20C-D show a series of three-dimensional views depicting a variant embodiment of wraparound spring clip 18 as seen immediately above in Figs. 20A-B. All numerical indicators and operations match with those of Figs. 20A-B above with the exception that releasable wraparound spring clip 18 is now significantly shortened in overall height. Also, metal L-clip 17 now carries spring clip insertion slot 17s in the form of a whole either punched or drilled into the vertical segment of metal L-clip 17 thus to accommodate the clip tab 18t of the now shortened spring clip 18.

Fig. 21 A shows a three-dimensional rearward view of an auxiliary extender white key with a special focus on the slot structures housed within its vertical backplate 7p as already seen in Fig. 20A immediately above. The view here is a partial see-thru revealing internal structure of backplate 7p. Extender white key proper 7 includes but is not limited to: support arm 7s, vertical backplate 7p and upper touchplate surface 7q. Backplate 7p is shown carrying large clip slot 7t shown in see-thru outline extending toward the topmost region of said backplate 7p. Clip slot 7t is designed to accommodate clip 17 as seen earlier in Fig. 20A above. Spring catch slot 7j is also seen extending toward the topmost region of said backplate 7p and is designed to accommodate wrap-around spring catch 18 as seen earlier in Fig. 20A.

In operation: (See Fig. 20A) Fig. 21 B is a three-dimensional cutaway view focussing on clip bracket 13 already featured above in Figs. 19A-C. Clip bracket proper 13 is now designated as cutaway view bracket 13d in cutaway houses thru-holes 12 for attachment nails or screws, horizontal thru slot 13a with its arching inner side wall 13c, smaller secondary slot 13b designed to accommodate U-spring footer 18u and catch tab slot 13n designed to engage catch tab 18c carried by said footer 18u. Wrap-around spring catch 18 carries U-spring footer 18u with its indented heel 18h and catch tab 18c. Wrap-around spring catch 18a is identical to spring catch 18 except that the former is now inserted into secondary thru-slot 13b carried in clip bracket 13d.

In operation: Wrap-around spring catch 18a inserts into secondary slot structure 13b of clip 13d. Catch tab 18c is positioned on the under side of U-spring footer 18u said catch tab designed to engage corresponding receptacle notch at 13n located within slot 13b. A manual compression of the underside of U-spring footer 18u will cause the disengagement of catch tab 18c with notch 13n.

Figs. 22A-B show three-dimensional underside views of auxiliary extender key 7 revealing its underbody structures. Extender key proper 7 includes but is not limited to: extender support arm 7s and vertical backplate 7p. Extender key counter spring 21 is shown as seen in Figs. 1 A, 2A- F, 10C and elsewhere. Underbody structures of extender key 7 include but are not limited to receptacle cylinder spring 21 a which is a rigid component of extender key 7 underbody and designed to affix and anchor counter spring 21. In Fig. 22A counter spring 21 is unaffixed. In Fig. 22B counter spring 21 is affixed to its corresponding receptacle cylinder projection 21 a. Metal ballast weight 21 w is also shown removably affixed within the underbody of extender key 7.

In operation: Counter spring 21 is securely and removably affixed at one end to the underbody of extender key 7 by means of receptacle cylinder 21 a and at the other end by means of receptacle slot 22 housed in auxiliary keyframe 20 (see Fig. 2E for details); however, counter spring 21 remains otherwise unrestricted in its motion. This allows the counter spring 21 to buckle or bend across its longitudinal axis under compressive force (see Fig. 2F for full details). Metal weight element 21w has the advantage of allowing a stronger version of counter spring 21. The total weight of the extender key system 7 including any additional metal weighting should ideally balance and equalize with the force of counter spring 21 . This will preserve the original weighting of the host key lever; however, it is also useful to have a stronger counter spring in order to offset the rotational torsion imposed by an extender key 7 upon the key shank lever of its host white key 3. This rotational torsion will result when the extender key 7 actuated and results because the application of downward force is now highly laterally displaced away from the original longitudinal lever axis of the host key. The stronger the counter spring 21 the greater the pushback or resistance against this lateral or rotational torsion. When extender key 7 is actuated more force will be directly translated back to the host piano key lever system instead of being dissipated when lateral torsion stress extender key 7.

Fig. 23A shows a three-dimensional rearward see-through view of a variant embodiment of an extender key backplate nearly identical to backplate 7p seen throughout this disclosure but here designated as backplate 7m. See-thru outlines reveal the full extent of all internal structures in backplate 7m. Extender white key 7 includes but is not limited to support arm 7s, upper touchplate surface 7q and variant vertical backplate 7w which is itself shown here enclosing clip slot cavity 7w. Clip slot cavity 7w forms a wide vertical slot extending well into the topmost segment of said backplate 7p. A narrowed access to slot 7w is indicated by 7x is designed to accommodate the precise width of the footer section 56c of a variant clip 56 seen immediately below in Fig. 23B.

Figs. 23B-D (compare with Fig. 20A above) show a series of three-dimensional views depicting the installation of a variant embodiment metal or similarly rigid L-clip 56 (compare with clip 17 seen elsewhere). The installation of L-clip 56 is made upon variant extender key backplate 7m designed to precisely accommodate said variant clip 56. Extender white key 7 includes but is not limited to support arm 7s, upper touchplate surface 7q and variant vertical backplate 7w which is itself shown here enclosing wide clip slot cavity 7w. Wide clip slot cavity 7w is housed within the variant backplate 7w and forms a wide vertical slot designed to accommodate said variant L-clip 56. A narrowed access to slot 7w is indicated by 7x is designed to accommodate the precise width of the footer section 56c of a variant clip 56.

In operation: Variant L-clip 56 is essentially a wider clip than previously seen with downward extending legged features for extra strength said legs lending more rigidity at crucial stress points in the extender key 7 installation. Moving from left to right through the series of drawings Fig. 23B-D legged L-clip 56 is shown moving from uninstalled to partially installed to fully installed positions within backplate 7m. In Fig. 23C as said clip slides upward in its designated slot to fully installed in Fig. 23D as it rises fully vertically into its corresponding slot structures at 7w and 7x. Note how the width of clip footer element 56c now occupies the full width of channel or slot 7x. Figs. 24A-C show various three-dimensional views of a variant embodiment of a clip bracket designed to function in a similar manner to other clip brackets seen elsewhere in this description. The variant clip bracket 14 is identified here as a 'ramp and tab' type bracket.

Fig. 24A shows a three-dimensional see-thru view of a variant form of clip bracket featuring a flexible 'ramp and tab' method for releasably anchoring a primarily flat metal L-clip footer element. Internal structures are seen in see-thru outline. 'Ramp and tab' clip bracket proper 14 includes but is not limited to main horizontal thru-slot 14a; flexible tongue element 14f defined by narrow slits 18g, said flexible tongue element, in turn, housing gradually rising ramped slot 14b and receptacle notch hole 14d. Familiar thru holes 12 are designed to accommodate fastener nails or screws. Main thru-slot 14a includes a specially contoured entrance 14m designed to facilitate an easier insertion of flat metal L-clip into thru-slot 14a which itself is fitted precisely to the dimensions of said L-clip footer 14f.

Fig. 25 is a three-dimensional view of a specialized means of engaging an extender black key for sound generation purposes by electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical means. Being continuous with black key extender touchplates 9, action rods 9a are shown engaging a secondary underlying digital musical keyboard 81. Underlying musical keyboard 81 includes but is not limited to unactuated black key 82 and actuated black key 83. Said action rod 9a connects with host black key 82 by means of a uniplanar hinge at 86 said hinge also including a spring element 87 said hinge and spring together helping to maintain a vertical bias for action rod 9a as it moves through guide slot 23 housed in auxiliary keyframe 20x. In this instance, keyframe 20x represents a variant embodiment of auxiliary keyframe relative to keyframe 20 already seen in several drawings above, the main distinction with variant keyframe 20x being a shallower vertical profile towards its distal side. Guide slot 23 is lined with felt 23f to reduce friction. Said hinge element 86 is rigidly continuous with stabilizing platform 84 which is itself reinforced in a releasable engagement with its underlying host black key 82 by means of gripping side clips 85. Other parts shown in this drawing include original host white key 3, host black key 6, host keybed 27, host front guide rail/keyframe 28, attaching U-clamp 24 and segmented keyslip bass segment 19a.

In operation: Being a variant embodiment of auxiliary extender black key touchplate 9, extender black key touchplate 9a differs in being depressed or actuated thus sending its attached action rod 9a in a downward direction to actuate underlying host digital black key 83. Action rod 9a is held to a largely perpendicular track by guide slot 23 in combination with the action of uniplanar hinge 86 which allows action rod 9a to alter slightly its angle of contact relative to underlying host black key 83. This change of angle is necessary because the actual angle of the horizontal touchplate plane of underlying host black 83 will change slightly through it own arc of actuation said host black 83 being itself a fulcrumed lever. Upon release of the depressed key, bias spring 87 assists action rod 9a in returning to its original perpendicular angle of contact with host black 82. Underlying host black key 83 thus activated may provide corresponding sound generation directly through its own innate electro-acoustic means or may connect with the sound generation mechanisms of the overlying host piano through electromechanical means such as a solenoid installed within said host acoustic piano (see Fig. 2C above for more detail). In addition to gripping side clips 85 said base plate 84 may be fitted on its underside with a releasable adhesive to support the releasable attachment onto underlying host black key 82. Returning to guide slot 23 we find it lined with guide slot felt at 23f by way of reducing friction for action rod 9a.

Fig. 26 is essentially the same view as Fig. 25 immediately above but closer. Less essential elements have been removed for a clearer view. Again, shown is a three-dimensional view of a specialized means of engaging an extender black key touchplate 9 with an underlying host digital keyboard 81 for sound generation purposes by electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical means. All numerical indicators match with those of Fig. 25 immediately above.

Figs. 27A-B show two-dimensional views of essentially the same configuration as immediately above in Figs. 25 and 26. Again we see a method for engaging an extender black key for sound generation purposes by electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical means through use of a secondary underlying digital musical keyboard. Underlying digital keyboard 81 will ideally possess a limited 2 or 3 octave range and will also possess a console casing profile with a minimized overall height dimension. In Fig. 27A underlying host black key is 82 is unactuated. Vertical action rod 9a is rigidly continuous with extender black key touchplate 9. Under bracket 89 is a large bracket added to the underside of overlying host piano keybed 37 acting to secure and position underlying keyboard 81.

In operation: Action rod 9a connects with said host black key 82 by means of a uniplanar hinge at 86 said hinge also including a spring element 87 said hinge and spring together helping to maintain a vertical bias for said action rod as it moves through guide slot 23 housed in auxiliary keyframe 20. Guide slot 23 is lined with felt 23f to reduce friction. Hinge element 86 is rigidly continuous with stabilizing platform 84 said platform reinforced in a releasable engagement with its underlying host black key 82 by means of gripping side clips 85. In addition, said platform 84 may be fitted on its underside with a releasable adhesive. Large bracket 89 affixes to the wooden underside of overlying host keybed 27 and provides installation means for underlying host digital keyboard 81 which itself is ideally designed with a console casing with optimally minimized height dimension to minimize any encroachment on the leg room of the performer.

In Fig. 27B auxiliary extender key 9d is actuated thus sending its attached action rod 9a in a downward direction thus actuating underlying host digital black key 83. Underlying host black key 83 thus activated may provide corresponding sound generation directly through its own innate electro-acoustic means or may connect with the sound generation mechanisms of the overlying host piano through electro-mechanical means as described above in Fig. 2C. Other elements shown in Figs. 27A-B include host white key 3, host black key 6, host keybed 27, host front rail/keyframe 28, auxiliary keyframe 20, extender white key 7, extender white key backplate 7p and clip bracket 11 for removably attaching said extender key 7 and attendant backplate 7p onto the wooden underbody of overlying host white key 3b.

Fig. 28 shows a three-dimensional side view of a configuration similar to those seen in Figs. 26 and 27A-B. The main difference here is that action rod 9a has no hinge element as it connects directly with its underlying host black key 84. Action rod 9a still attaches directly to its host black key by the usual means of baseplate 84 and gripping side clips 85.

In operation: The purpose of this drawing is to demonstrate the consequence of the lack of hinge connectivity between the vertical action rod and its underlying host black key. Actuated auxiliary black key extender 9d is shown shifted forward as shown by line 88. This shift results from an exaggeration of the innate arc of host black 83 caused by the height of action rod 9a. The greater the height requirement of action rod 9a - as would be the case with an installation onto a grand piano, for example - the greater this forward shift. This forward shift is undesirable as it represents a distortion of a normal keystroke motion and 'feel'. It is more desirable that action rod 9a maintain a largely vertical orientation during actuation thus the hinged configuration of the previous Figs. 26 and 27A-B.

Fig. 29 shows means for releasable attachment between an auxiliary extender black key touchplate and its underlying baseplate structures. Compare with corresponding elements in Figs. 26 and 27A-B above. Auxiliary black key extender touchplate 9r is removably attachable to black key extender action rod 9b view here in an uncapped condition. Removability of black key touchplate will assist with installation of the entire auxiliary black key extender system. Uniplanar hinge unit 86 is rigidly continuous with underlying baseplate 84. In the more distal unit we see action rod 9a also rigidly continuous with underlying baseplate structures at intermediate receptacle unit 86a. In the more frontal unit we see action rod 9j disengaged from underlying baseplate structures; however, means to re-engage is seen at receptacle hole 86b housed within receptacle unit 86a. Indeed, the more distal unit represents an action rod releasably inserted into said receptacle hole 86b. Since the force of contact between these members will always be in a downward direction, the engagement structures may be as simple as cylinder and cylindrical receptacle just as shown.

Fig. 30 is a series of three-dimensional views depicting a specialized catch release tool designed to coordinate with wrap-around spring catch 18 as featured in Fig. 18. Spring catch 18 includes but is not limited to U-shaped footer element 18u. Auxiliary white key extender 7 includes but is not limited to vertical backplate 7p itself housing channel or slot 7t is designed to accommodate metal L-clip 17 in vertical installation into backplate 7p. Specialized clip bracket 13 is designed to accommodate both clip 17 and spring catch 18 simultaneously. Also seen is host key 3 with its wooden underbody 3b. Wrap-around spring catch release tool 90 includes but is not limited to contact tab 91 and U-arm 92.

In operation: The operation of wrap-around spring catch 18 is already described in Fig. 18 below. Assuming catch spring 18 is fully installed and functioning to enhance the gripping contact of clip 17 inside clip bracket 13, at some point its catch mechanism carried by U-spring footer 18u must be released to affect a de-installation of extender key 7 from its host key 3. But once installed, physical access to U-spring footer 18u is very limited especially for a human finger alone to affect a release. Consequently, a specialized catch release tool 90 is presented in order to affect a controlled and effective access to an exposed segment of said footer 18u. Specially contoured U-arm segment 92 of release tool 90 will allow access to the tight spaces immediately behind backplate 7p where said spring catch 18 and its U-spring footer 18u are operating. Upward force is thereby applied to U-spring footer 18u with specially proportioned contact tab 91 itself designed to move freely within channel 7t. U-spring footer 18u compresses under upward pressure thereby releasing its catch tab 18c and allowing the full disengagement of clip 17 from clip bracket 13 and therefore releasing extender key 7 from its host white key 3.

In describing the preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated in the above drawings, specific terminology was resorted to for the sake of clarity; however, it is not intended to be so limited to the specific terms so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

Although the invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments, various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such modifications as would be apparent to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

We claim:

An ergonomic musical keyboard for retrofit to a conventional musical keyboard, the ergonomic musical keyboard comprising frontally extending auxiliary key and touchplate apparatus configured for removable attachment to the conventional musical keyboard, wherein when the ergonomic keyboard is attached to a conventional key board, the keys of the conventional keyboard function as per normal operation.

An ergonomic musical keyboard for retrofit to a conventional musical keyboard comprising an auxiliary key frame, a plurality of white key extenders and a plurality of black key extenders,

wherein each white key extender of the plurality of white key extenders comprises an upper touchplate connected to a backplate by a support arm; wherein the backplate is configured to operatively associate with a white key of the conventional musical keyboard such that when the upper touch plate is pressed the white key of the conventional musical keyboard is actuated; and

wherein each black key extender of the plurality of black key extenders comprise a touchplate connected to a vertical rod configured to operatively associated with a black key of a conventional keyboard such that when the touch plate is pressed the black key of the conventional musical keyboard is actuated.

The ergonomic keyboard of claim 2, wherein the support arm of each of the white key extenders lateral displaces the upper touchplate from the backplate. The ergonomic keyboard of claim 3, wherein when installed there is a gap between the support arms of adjacent white key extenders and wherein the black key extender support rods extend through gaps forming a pattern consistent with the black key pattern of the conventional musical keyboard.

The ergonomic keyboard of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the auxiliary frame comprises a series of holes, each hole positioned under the white key extender touch plate and housing a counter spring.

The ergonomic keyboard of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the auxiliary frame is reversibly attached to the host piano by means of one or more U-clamps and optionally one or more screw knobs.

7. The ergonomic keyboard of any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the backplate of each white key extender is configured to fully engage the vertical front face of the host key.

8. The ergonomic keyboard of any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the backplate engages the host key by a substantially smooth, continuous vertical face.

9. The ergonomic keyboard of any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the backplate of each white key extender comprises a clip element that is configured to slot into a bracket affixed to an underside of a corresponding white key of the conventional keyboard; wherein optionally the clip element and the bracket are configured as a tongue and slot attachment means.

10. The ergonomic keyboard of claim 7, further comprising a releasable spring catch.

1 1 . The ergonomic keyboard of any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the backplate further comprises an adhesive, wherein optionally the adhesive is reversible.

12. The ergonomic keyboard of claim 1 1 , wherein the adhesive is reversible by a rotating motion.

13. The ergonomic keyboard of any one of claims 2 to 12, wherein the keyboard is configured for attachment to a piano such that the ergonomic keyboard frontally extends from the piano.

14. The ergonomic keyboard of any one of claims 2 to 13, wherein the keyboard is configured to be played with one hand.

15. The ergonomic keyboard of any one of claims 2 to 14, wherein the touch pads of the white key extenders and the touch pads of the black key extenders form a pattern that is the same as the pattern of white keys and black keys on a conventional keyboard.

16. The ergonomic keyboard of any one of claims 2 to 15, wherein the ergonomic keyboard is configured to provide a forward and downward plane of conventionally spaced and adjacent touchplates.

17. The ergonomic keyboard of any one of claims 2 to 16, wherein the ergonomic keyboard is configured to provide lateral displacement of the extender key touchplate relative to the corresponding conventional keyboard key.

18. The ergonomic keyboard of any one of claims 2 to 17, wherein the black key extenders each comprise a vertical action rod and each are optionally configured as a button and piston.

19. The ergonomic keyboard of any one of claims 2 to 18, wherein actuation of a corresponding host black key is made indirectly by electro-acoustic or electromechanical means.

20. The ergonomic keyboard of any one of claims 2 to 19, wherein each black key extender is biased to return to its unactuated position.

21 . The ergonomic keyboard of any one of claims 2 to 20, wherein the vertical rod of each black key extender operatively engages a secondary underlying digital musical keyboard.

22. The ergonomic keyboard of any one of claims 2 to 20, wherein the vertical rod of each black key extender operatively engages a uniplanar hinge comprising a spring element, wherein the hinge and spring element maintain the vertical bias of the vertical action rod.

23. The ergonomic keyboard of any one of claims 2 to 22, wherein the auxiliary keyframe is configured to directly attach to the keyframe of the host piano.

24. The ergonomic keyboard of claim 23, wherein the conventional keyboard is a grand piano keyboard and wherein attachment to the keyframe of the grand piano provides for lateral travel during application of the una corda pedal.

25. The ergonomic keyboard of any one of claims 2 to 24 comprising a segmented keyslip.

26. The ergonomic keyboard of claim 24 or 25, wherein attachment of the auxiliary keyframe to the keyframe of the grand piano is by peg and hole attachment means.

27. The ergonomic keyboard of claim 24 or 25, wherein attachment of the auxiliary keyframe to the keyframe of the grand piano is by tongue and slot attachment means.

28. A white key extender for retrofit to a conventional musical keyboard, the white key extender comprising an upper touchplate connected to a backplate by a support arm; wherein the backplate is configured to operatively associate with a white key of the conventional musical keyboard such that when the upper touch plate is pressed the white key of the conventional musical keyboard is actuated.

29. The white key extender of claim 28, wherein the support arm lateral displaces the upper touchplate from the backplate.

30. The white key extender of claim 28 or 29, wherein the backplate comprises a clip element, optionally a metal clip element, configured to slot into a bracket configured to be affixed to an underside of the white key.

31 . The white key extender of claim 30, wherein the clip element and bracket are configured as a tongue and slot attachment means.

32. The white key extender of any one of claims 28 to 31 , wherein the backplate further comprises an adhesive, wherein optionally the adhesive is reversible.

33. The white key extender of claim 32, wherein the adhesive is reversible by a rotating motion.

34. The white key extender of any one of claims 28 to 33, wherein the white key extender is configured to engage a counterbalance means.

35. The white key extender of claim 34, wherein the counterbalance means is a spring.

36. A black key extender comprising a touchplate connected to a vertical rod configured to be operatively associated with a black key of a conventional keyboard.

37. The black key extender of claim 36 configures as a button and piston.

38. The black key extender of claim 36 or 37, wherein the touch plate has a shallow depth.

39. The black key extender of any one of claims 36 to 38, wherein actuation of a corresponding host black key is made indirectly by electro-acoustic or electromechanical means.

40. The black key extender of any one of claims 36 to 39, wherein the black key extender is biased to return to its unactuated position.

41 . The black key extender of claim 39, wherein the black key extender upon actuation actuates an underlying digital keyboard key tonally corresponding to the host key of the black key extender.

42. The black key extender of claim 39, configured to activity the native lever mechanism of the host black key.

43. A kit for an ergonomic musical keyboard for retrofit to a conventional musical keyboard, the kit comprising an auxiliary key frame, a plurality of white key extenders and a plurality of black key extenders, wherein each white key extender of the plurality of white key extenders comprises an upper touchplate connected to a backplate by a narrow support arm; wherein the backplate is configured to operatively associate with a white key of the conventional musical keyboard such that when the upper touch plate is pressed the white key of the conventional musical keyboard is actuated and wherein each black key extender of the plurality of black key extenders comprise a touchplate connected to a vertical rod configured to operatively associated with a black key of a conventional keyboard such that when the touch plate is pressed the black key of the conventional musical keyboard is actuated.