Touch weight adjustment mechanism for keyboard device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11017749-B2
Application number	US-202016821569-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 17, 2020
Priority date	Mar 19, 2019
Publication date	May 25, 2021
Grant date	May 25, 2021

Abstract

A touch weight adjustment mechanism for a keyboard device, which is capable of adjusting a touch weight of a key easily and appropriately by using a coil spring and changing the urging force of the spring. An adjustment spring is formed by a coil spring for causing a tensile force thereof to act on the key, thereby increasing the touch weight of the key. An adjustment shaft is formed in a rod shape and is movable in a lengthwise direction by being operated for rotation. A rotary connection member connects between one end of the adjustment spring and one end of the adjustment shaft, which are closest to each other, and a spring-side connecting portion thereof connected to the adjustment spring and a shaft-side connecting portion thereof connected to the adjustment shaft are rotatable relative to each other.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A touch weight adjustment mechanism for a keyboard device including a plurality of keys, which is configured to adjust touch weight of an associated one of the keys, comprising:
an adjustment spring formed by a coil spring and configured to cause a tensile force thereof to act on the key, thereby increasing the touch weight of the key;
an adjustment shaft formed in a rod shape and configured to be movable in a lengthwise direction thereof by being operated for rotation; and
a rotary connection member provided so as to connect between one end of the adjustment spring and one end of the adjustment shaft, which are closest to each other, and configured such that a spring-side connecting portion thereof connected to the adjustment spring and a shaft-side connecting portion thereof connected to the adjustment shaft are rotatable relative to each other.

2. The touch weight adjustment mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein in the keyboard device, each of the keys is supported above a base via a predetermined linkage from below and is configured to be vertically movable,
wherein the adjustment spring extends vertically and has an upper end thereof connected to a predetermined site of the linkage, the adjustment spring being configured to urge the predetermined site downward in accordance with depression of the key to thereby increase the touch weight of the key supported by the linkage,
wherein the adjustment shaft extends vertically and is disposed in a state inserted vertically through the base, the adjustment shaft being configured to be vertically movable by having a portion thereof protruding outward from the base, operated for rotation, and
wherein the rotary connection member connects between a lower end of the adjustment spring and an upper end of the adjustment shaft.

3. The touch weight adjustment mechanism according to claim 2 , wherein the adjustment shaft is loosely inserted through a through hole formed in the base and has a male screw formed on an outer peripheral surface of a lower portion thereof and an engaging portion, with which a tool for rotating operation can be engaged, formed on a lower end thereof, and
the touch weight adjustment mechanism further comprising a nut disposed on an outside of the base for engagement with the male screw of the adjustment shaft.

4. The touch weight adjustment mechanism according to claim 2 , wherein the adjustment shaft has a male screw formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof and screwed in a screw hole formed in the base, and has an engaging portion, with which a tool for rotating operation can be engaged, formed on a lower end thereof.

5. The touch weight adjustment mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the rotary connection member is formed by a swivel.

6. The touch weight adjustment mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the keyboard device is formed by a plurality of keyboard units each of which has a predetermined number of keys included in the plurality of keys and which are configured to be separable from each other.

7. The touch weight adjustment mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein in the keyboard device, each of the keys extends above a base in a front-rear direction and is configured to be pivotally movable about a predetermined location in a lengthwise direction thereof as a pivot,
wherein the adjustment spring extends vertically and has an upper end thereof connected to a predetermined site of the key, located rearward of the pivot, the adjustment spring being configured to urge the predetermined site downward in accordance with depression of the key to thereby increase the touch weight of the key,
wherein the adjustment shaft extends vertically and is disposed in a state inserted vertically through the base, the adjustment shaft being configured to be vertically movable by having a portion thereof protruding outward from the base, operated for rotation, and
wherein the rotary connection member connects between a lower end of the adjustment spring and an upper end of the adjustment shaft.

Assignees

• Kk Kawai Gakki Seisakusho

Inventors

• Tsuzuku Hanayo
• Terai Yasushi
• Pletnev Mikhail Vasilievich

Classifications

• G10H1/346

  Keys with an arrangement for simulating the feeling of a piano key, e.g. using counterweights, springs, cams · CPC title

• G10C3/12 Primary

  Keyboards; Keys · CPC title