Stepped acoustic transport member

An acoustic transport member for use in a keyboard, the member serving to transport acoustic energy in the form of propagating sound waves and the keyboard having a plurality of key means, and a plurality of key-actuated strikers, each one of the key means operable to actuate selectably a related one of the strikers, the member receiving a sound-inducing impact in response to actuation of the selected striker, and the induced sound waves which propagate through the member being subject to dispersion of the waves an amount determined by contactable surfaces of the member and their orientation relationship relative to an intended plane of movement for the propagating sound waves provided by the member, the improved acoustic transport member comprises:

• a one-piece construction member;
• a first portion of the member providing discrete non-vibrating impact positions aligned with related strikers for receipt of the sound-inducing impact;
• and a second portion of the member continuosly joined to each one of said impact positions for receiving sound waves from said first portion, said second portion having sound wave reflecting boundaries defining a continuous corridor for establishing an uninterrupted path of movement for the received sound waves to propagate therethrough in substantial isolation from said impact positions of said first portion other than the impact position aligned with the selected striker thereby minimizing dispersion of the propagating sound waves.