US 7,608,772 B2 · Black key for keyboard instrument and method of manufacturing a black key cover

Abstract

A black key for a keyboard instrument, in which a black key cover incorporating a weight can be manufactured at low costs, and the black key cover can be firmly mounted on a key body, in a state stably holding the weight in a black key cover body. A swingable key body extends in a front-rear direction. A black key cover body has a hollow shape opening downward, and is mounted on a front portion of the upper surface of the key body in a manner covering the front portion. A weight is received within the black key cover body. The black key cover body has at least one of lower walls protruding inward from lower portions of left and right side walls, for holding the weight from below. The lower surfaces of the lower walls are bonded to the key body.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A black key for a keyboard instrument, comprising:

a key body in an elongate bar shape that extends in a front-rear direction and is swingable, the body lacking the visible, black, playable part of the key that protrudes above the plane of the white keys, when installed;
a black key cover body providing the visible, black, playable part of the key that protrudes above the plane of the white keys, the key cover body formed into a hollow shape opening downward and mounted on a front portion of an upper surface of said key body in a manner covering the front portion;
and
a weight that is received in said black key cover and adds weight to said key body,
wherein said black key cover body as a lower wall protruding inward from a lower edge portion of at least one of the left and right side walls partially covering the said hollow shape, for holding said weight from below, said lower surface having a lower surface bonded to said key body.

2 more elements

A method of manufacturing a black key cover for a keyboard instrument, the black key cover being the visible, black, playable part of the black key that protrudes above the plane of the white keys, when installed in a musical keyboard, comprising:

a weight-preparing step of preparing a rod-shaped weight having a predetermined width;
a mold-preparing step of preparing a lower mold that has a base extending horizontal, and a pedestal provided on and along the base and having a width smaller than a width of the weight, said base and said pedestal being integrally formed with each other, and an upper mold that has a cavity opening downward and complementary to a black key cover to be molded;
a weight-setting step of setting the weight on and along the pedestal;
and
a black key cover-molding step of overlaying the upper mold upon the lower mold such that the pedestal and the weight are received within the cavity, and performing insert molding of the black key cover together with the weight, using a synthetic resin supplied to the cavity.

2 more elements

a weight-preparing step of preparing a rod-shaped weight;
a mold-preparing step of preparing a lower mold that has a base extending horizontal, and a pedestal provided on the base, for defining a space between the weight and the base when the weight is set along the base, said base and said pedestal being integrally formed with each other, and an upper mold that has a cavity opening downward and complementary to a black key cover to be molded;
a weight-setting step of setting the weight on the pedestal such that the weight extends along the base;
and
a black key cover-molding step of overlaying the upper mold upon the lower mold such that the pedestal and the weight are received within the cavity, and performing insert molding of the black key cover together with the weight, using a synthetic resin supplied to the cavity.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Black key for keyboard instrument and method of manufacturing a black key cover

Life of this patent

Black key for keyboard instrument and method of manufacturing a black key cover

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12