Patent · US Expired

Piano-action keyboard

US4217803A · kind A · utility

24Cited by
7References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 2, 1979
Grant dateAug 19, 1980
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 2, 1999

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S84/07
  • WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A piano-action keyboard for an electronic musical instrument or the like wipes a switch actuator (or other mechanical component of electric signal translation means) across switch contacts on a printed circuit board to generate signals indicative of the position and motion of a key when played. The keyboard provides a highly realistic piano "feel" through an array of paired depressable playing keys and arms. Each such arm supports a switch actuator or the like, with varying force transmission at different stages of depression of its corresponding key, the overall electrical-mechanical combination affording a response in terms of both actual results and kinesthetic feedback simulating a manual piano action.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.