# US 10,770,049 B2 · Keyboard apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,770,049 B2 - Document ID: US10770049B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/253,456 - Filed: 2019-01-22 - Published: 2019-05-23 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-22 - Assignees: Yamaha Corporation - Applicants: Yamaha Corporation - Inventors: Kento Ogawa; Shunsuke Ichiki - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10770049B2 ## CPC - G10H 1/346: {Keys with an arrangement for simulating the feeling of a piano key, e.g. using counterweights, springs, cams} - G10C 3/12: Keyboards; Keys - G10H 1/34: Switch arrangements, e.g. keyboards or mechanical switches specially adapted for electrophonic musical instruments - G10H 2220/275: Switching mechanism or sensor details of individual keys, e.g. details of key contacts, hall effect or piezoelectric sensors used for key position or movement sensing purposes; Mounting thereof - G10H: ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE - G10C: PIANOS, HARPSICHORDS, SPINETS OR SIMILAR STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ONE OR MORE KEYBOARDS (automatic musical instruments G10F) ## Abstract A keyboard apparatus includes: a key disposed to be pivotable with respect to a frame; a hammer assembly disposed to be pivotable in response to pivotal movement of the key; a first member; a second member disposed to be slid and moved on the first member when the hammer assembly pivots in response to pivotal movement of the key; and a third member connected to the first member and configured to guide the second member such that the second member is not located at a distance greater than or equal to a predetermined distance from the first member, the third member having a shape in which a second contact area that is an area of contact between the second member and the third member is less than a first contact area that is an area of contact between the first member and the second member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A keyboard apparatus, comprising: a key disposed so as to be pivotable with respect to a frame; a hammer assembly disposed so as to be pivotable in response to pivotal movement of the key; a first member; a second member disposed so as to be slid and moved on the first member when the hammer assembly pivots in response to pivotal movement of the key; and a third member connected to the first member and configured to guide the second member such that the second member is not located at a distance greater than or equal to a predetermined distance from the first member, the third member having a shape in which a second contact area that is an area of contact between the second member and the third member is less than a first contact area that is an area of contact between the first member and the second member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The keyboard apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second member comprises a protruding portion protruding toward the third member and extending in a line shape along a direction of movement of the second member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The keyboard apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second member comprises a plurality of the protruding portions. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The keyboard apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third member is formed with a slit through which a rib configured to be moved with the second member passes. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The keyboard apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of the protruding portions are disposed on opposite sides of the rib. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The keyboard apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the protruding portion of the second member is separated from the third member when the second member is in contact with the first member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The keyboard apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third member comprises a protruding portion protruding toward the second member and extending in a line shape along a direction of movement of the second member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The keyboard apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the third member comprises a plurality of the protruding portions. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The keyboard apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the third member is formed with a slit through which a rib configured to be moved with the second member passes, and wherein the plurality of protruding portions are disposed on opposite sides of the slit. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The keyboard apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the protruding portion of the third member is separated from the second member when the second member is in contact with the first member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The keyboard apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third member comprises a depressed portion depressed in a direction away from the second member and having a shape extending along a direction of movement of the second member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The keyboard apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the third member comprises a plurality of the depressed portions. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The keyboard apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the third member is formed with a slit through which a rib configured to be moved with the second member passes, and wherein the plurality of the depressed portions are disposed on opposite sides of the slit. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The keyboard apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third member is configured to be slid relative to the second member when the hammer assembly pivots in response to pivotal movement of the key. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The keyboard apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the first member and the second member is connected to the key, and the other is connected to the hammer assembly. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The keyboard apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hammer assembly comprises a weight, and wherein the first member is configured to, when the key is pressed, allow sliding of the second member on the first member and apply a force to the second member so as to move the weight upward. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The keyboard apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the first member is disposed for the key at a position at which the first member is moved downward when the key is pressed, and wherein the second member is connected to the hammer assembly on an opposite side of a pivot axis of the hammer assembly from the weight such that the weight is moved upward when the second member is pressed downward by the first member. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The keyboard apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the third member is disposed for the key such that the second member is interposed between the third member and the first member. ### Claim 19 (depends on 4) The keyboard apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the slit is formed in the third member along a direction of movement of the second member. ### Claim 20 (depends on 4) The keyboard apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the slit extends, at an end portion of the third member in a direction of movement of the second member, through the third member toward a side on which the rib is located. ### Claim 21 (depends on 4) The keyboard apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a plate member connected to the rib on an opposite side of the third member from the second member. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The keyboard apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising a sensor configured to receive a force from the plate member in response to pressing of the key. ### Claim 23 (depends on 7) The keyboard apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the protruding portion is inclined so as to be nearer to the first member at a portion of the protruding portion near the slit than at a portion of the protruding portion far from the slit.