Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6288313
-
Patent Number
6,288,313
-
Date Filed
Thursday, January 27, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, September 11, 200123 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 084 189
- 084 470 R
- 084 477 R
- 084 478
- 084 479 R
- 084 4831
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A grand piano has a split top board, i.e., plural sub-boards selectively opened by a pianist for emphasizing higher registered sounds or lower registered sounds and a visual display, which teaches the pianist how to tune the grand piano in the desired mode for selectively emphasizing the higher/lower registered sounds.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an acoustic keyboard musical instrument and, more particularly, to an acoustic piano having a rear top board and/or a visual display unit.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
A typical example of the acoustic grand piano is shown in FIG.
1
. Though not shown in
FIG. 1
, hammer action mechanisms, hammers, sets of strings and damper mechanisms are accommodated in a housing
1
. A side board
2
, a key bed
3
, an upper beam
5
and a wooden frame (not shown) form in combination the housing
1
, and a sound board
6
horizontally extends over the wooden frame. The housing
1
has an upper opening over the sound board
6
. Legs
7
downwardly project from leg blocks
8
, which are attached to the housing
1
. Thus, the legs
7
support the housing
1
and the other component parts accommodated therein. A keyboard
9
is mounted on the key bed
3
, and is exposed to a space between the upper beam
5
and a player. The sets of strings are stretched over the sound board
6
, and the hammer action mechanisms are linked with the keyboard
9
so as to drive the hammers for rotation under the sets of strings.
When a pianist depresses one of the keys of the keyboard
9
, the associated hammer action mechanism is actuated, and the associated hammer is driven for rotation. The hammer strikes the set of strings, and the set of strings vibrate for generating a piano sound. The sound board
6
resonates with the vibrations, and the piano sound is radiated through the upper opening.
A rear top board
10
is hinged along one side to the side board
2
, and swings on the hinges. A front top board
11
is hinged along the rear end to the front end of the rear top board
10
, and swings on the hinges. When the pianist lifts the front end of the front top board
11
, the front top board
11
turns around the hinge, and the pianist turns out the front top board
11
onto the upper surface of the rear top board
10
as shown. Then, the front portions of the strings are seen through the front portion of the upper opening. If the pianist lifts the other side of the rear top board
10
, the rear top board
10
turns around the hinges, and the sets of strings are completely seen through the upper opening.
A lid prop assembly
12
is hinged to the other side of the side board
2
. The rear top board
10
is brought into contact with the leading end of the lid prop assembly
12
, and the lid prop assembly
12
keeps the rear top board
12
inclined. When a pianist wants to play a tune on the keyboard
9
, he opens the upper opening so as to radiate the piano sounds from the sound board
6
through the upper opening to the outside.
When the pianist leaves from the grand piano, he lowers the rear top board
10
onto the side board
2
to close the rear portion of the upper opening, and turns the front top board
11
to close the front portion of the upper opening. The upper opening is perfectly covered with the front top board
11
and the rear top board
10
. The front top board
11
and the rear top board
10
prevents the hammer action mechanisms, the hammers, the damper mechanisms and the sets of strings from dust and unexpected damage. If the pianist plays a tune on the keyboard
9
without lifting the front/rear top boards
11
/
10
, the front top board
11
and the rear top board
10
impede the radiation of piano sounds, and reduce the loudness of the piano sounds.
A music rack assembly
13
is provided over the front portion of the upper opening, and has a desk board
13
a
. Though not shown in
FIG. 1
, a ridge is fixed to a lower end of the desk board
13
a
. When the desk board
13
a
stands up, a player places a music score on the desk board
13
a
, and the ridge prevents the music score from sliding down. The desk board
13
a
falls, and allows the front top board
11
to lie thereon.
Pianists want to give expression to their feelings through the sounds. A pianist may emphasize a lower register, and another pianist may want to emphasize higher register. Accordingly, the pianist strongly depresses the keys assigned to the lower register or the higher register so as to give the expression to their feelings. The prior art acoustic piano faithfully responds to the fingers on the keyboard
9
, and does not offer any support to the pianist.
The music rack assembly
13
only keeps a music score or another document lying thereon. Notes and letters are written in the music score and the documents, and the messages are unchanged. If a player wants a certain piece of information, he searches the music score and/or the document for the piece of information. A beginner may want to check a manual for the grand piano for his practice. However, it is impossible to place both music score and the manual on the music rack assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an important object of the present invention to provide a grand piano, which permits a player to selectively emphasize registers.
It is also an important object of the present invention to provide a musical instrument, which a player easily establishes in a desired mode of operation.
To accomplish the first object, the present invention proposes to make a top board serve as an equalizer.
To accomplish the second object, the present invention proposes to prompt a player to establish the musical instrument in the desired operation mode through a visual display unit physically independent of a music rack assembly.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an acoustic keyboard musical instrument comprising a housing having an upper opening, plural music strings stretched inside of the housing and assigned notes of a scale, respectively, a keyboard exposed to a player and having plural keys assigned the notes of the scale, respectively, plural vibration generating mechanisms respectively linked with the keys and selectively actuated by the associated keys manipulated by the player for producing acoustic sounds through vibrations of the associated music strings and a split top board having plural sub-boards respectively assigned parts of the upper opening and independently changed between open positions where associated parts of the plural music strings are open to the ambience and closed positions where the associated parts are covered therewith.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a keyboard musical instrument comprising a housing defining an inner space, a key board supported by the housing and including plural keys respectively assigned notes of a scale and selectively depressed by a player, a sound generating system accommodated in the housing and generating sounds having the notes identical with the notes assigned to the depressed keys, a desk board supported by the housing, and keeping a document standing there against for providing a piece of information to the player, and an image producing system including a video display independent of the desk board and the housing, supported by the housing and responsive to an image-carrying signal for producing visual images on a screen thereof and a controller responsive to instructions of the player for generating the image-carrying signal.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an acoustic keyboard musical instrument comprising a housing having an upper opening, plural music strings stretched inside of the housing and assigned notes of a scale, respectively, a keyboard exposed to a player and having plural keys assigned the notes of the scale, respectively, plural vibration generating mechanisms respectively linked with the keys and selectively actuated by the associated keys manipulated by the player for producing acoustic sounds through vibrations of the associated music strings, a split top board having plural sub-boards respectively assigned parts of the upper opening and independently changed between open positions where associated parts of the plural music strings are open to the ambience and closed positions where the associated parts are covered with the associated sub-boards, and an information providing means supported by the housing and including a document stand directing a document to the player for providing a first piece of information and a visual display producing visual images on a screen thereof for providing a second piece of information together with the first piece of information.
BRIFF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The features and advantages of the grand piano and the musical instrument will be more clearly understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1
is a schematic perspective view showing the prior art grand piano;
FIG. 2
is a cross sectional side view showing the structure of a part of a grand piano according to the present invention;
FIG. 3
is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of the grand piano;
FIG. 4
is a front view showing the appearance of the grand piano from another angle;
FIG. 5
is a side view showing the appearance of the grand piano from yet another angle;
FIG. 6
is a plane view showing the appearance of the grand piano;
FIG. 7
is a partially cut-away side view showing a music rack assembly provided on a front cover board;
FIG. 8
is a partially cut-away side view showing a modification of the front cover board;
FIG. 9
is a plane view showing a middle portion of an upper opening uncovered with a front sub-board;
FIG. 10
is a plane view showing a rear portion of the upper opening uncovered with a rear sub-board;
FIG. 11
is a front view showing another modification of the grand piano according to the present invention;
FIG. 12
is a cross sectional side view showing the inside of another grand piano according to the present invention;
FIG. 13
is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of the grand piano;
FIG. 14
is a front view showing the appearance of the grand piano from another angle;
FIG. 15
is a side view showing the appearance of the grand piano from yet another angle;
FIG. 16
is a plane view showing the appearance of the grand piano from still another angle;
FIG. 17
is a partially cut-away side view showing a music rack assembly on a front cover board;
FIG. 18
is a partially cut-away side view showing the music rack assembly on a different front cover board;
FIG. 19
is a block diagram showing an image producing system incorporated in the grand piano;
FIG. 20
is a partially cut-away side view showing a built-in panel controller of the image producing system;
FIG. 21
is a partially cut-way plane view showing the built-in panel controller;
FIG. 22
is a schematic plane view showing two grand pianos for a piano duo;
FIG. 23
is a perspective view showing a tray for a manipulating panel retracted into a key bed;
FIG. 24
is a perspective view showing the tray projecting from the key bed;
FIG. 25
is a partially cut-away side view showing a modification of a front cover board;
FIG. 26
is a perspective view showing a slidable visual display incorporated in yet another grand piano according to the present invention;
FIG. 27
is a side view showing a visual display independent of a music rack assembly incorporated in still another grand piano according to the present invention;
FIG. 28
is a front view showing the visual display;
FIG. 29
is a plane view showing the visual display;
FIG. 30
is a perspective view showing a visual display independent of a music rack assembly incorporated in yet another grand piano according to the present invention;
FIG. 31
is a cross sectional side view showing the inside of still another grand piano according to the present invention;
FIG. 32
is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of the grand piano;
FIG. 33
is a front view showing the appearance of the grand piano from another angle;
FIG. 34
is a side view showing the appearance of the grand piano from yet another angle;
FIG. 35
is a plane view showing the appearance of the grand piano from still another angle;
FIG. 36
is a partially cut-away side view showing a music rack assembly on a front cover board;
FIG. 37
is a partially cut-away side view showing the music rack assembly on another front cover board;
FIG. 38
is a block diagram showing an image producing system associated with the grand piano;
FIG. 39
is a view showing prompt messages produced on the visual display;
FIG. 40
is a view showing images produced on the visual display for emphasis of higher registered tones;
FIG. 41
is a plane view showing the grand piano tuned in accordance with the images;
FIG. 42
is a view showing images produced on the visual display for emphasis of lower registered tones;
FIG. 43
is a plane view showing the grand piano tuned in accordance with the images;
FIG. 44
is a cross sectional side view showing the inside of a silent piano according to the present invention;
FIG. 45
is a view showing images produced on a visual display for a silent mode;
FIG. 46
is a block diagram showing a modification of the image producing system;
FIG. 47
is a view showing an image and a message for urging a pianist to put a question;
FIG. 48
is a partially cut-away side view showing a modification of the silent piano;
FIG. 49
is a cross sectional side view showing an automatic playing piano according to the present invention;
FIG. 50
is a front view showing one of the grand piano, the silent piano and the automatic player piano according to the present invention;
FIG. 51
is a side view showing the keyboard musical instrument shown in
FIG. 50
;
FIG. 52
is a front view showing the visual display incorporated in the keyboard musical instrument;
FIG. 53
is a side view showing the visual display; and
FIG. 54
is a plane view showing the keyboard musical instrument.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
First Embodiment
Referring to
FIG. 2
of the drawings, a grand piano embodying the present invention comprises a housing
31
, a keyboard
32
, hammer action mechanisms
33
, hammers
34
, damper mechanisms
35
and sets of strings
36
. The housing
31
is supported by legs
37
, and the keyboard
3
, the hammer action mechanisms
33
, the hammers
34
and the damper mechanisms
35
are assembled inside the housing
31
. The sets of strings
36
are stretched over the hammers
34
, and are selectively struck by the hammers
34
. In the following description, term “front” represents a position closer to a player than a “rear” position. The direction between a front position and a corresponding rear position is hereinbelow referred to as “fore-and-aft direction”, and term “lateral” is indicative of a direction perpendicular to the fore-and-aft direction. In this instance, the lateral direction is normal to the paper where the grand piano implementing the first embodiment is drawn as FIG.
1
.
The housing
31
is similar in structure to the housing
1
of the prior art grand piano. A key bed
41
forms a part of the housing
31
, and the keyboard
32
is placed on the front portion of the key bed
41
. A key frame
45
is placed on the key bed
41
, and a front rail
46
, a balance rail
47
and a rear rail
48
laterally extend in parallel on the key frame
45
. White keys
49
and black keys
50
are rotatable with respect to balance pins
51
, which project from the balance rail
47
. The white keys
49
and the black keys
50
are laid on the well-known pattern. The key frame
45
, the front rail
46
, the balance rail
47
, the rear rail
48
, the white keys
49
, the black keys
50
and the balance pins
51
as a whole constitute the keyboard
32
.
The hammer action mechanisms
33
are equal in number to the white/black keys
49
/
50
, and are linked with the associated white/black keys
49
/
50
. Action brackets
52
are mounted on the key bed
41
at intervals, and the hammer action mechanisms
33
are supported by the action brackets
52
. The hammers
34
are also supported by the action brackets
52
. The damper mechanisms
35
are provided at the back of the white/black keys
49
/
50
. A damper lever rail
52
a
laterally extends, and damper lever flanges
53
are attached to the damper lever rail
52
a
. Damper levers
54
are rotatably supported by the damper lever flanges
53
, respectively, and are engageable with the rear end portions of the white/black keys
49
/
50
. Damper blocks
55
are connected to the leading ends of the damper levers
54
, respectively, and damper wires
56
interconnect the damper blocks
55
and damper heads (not shown). The damper heads are spaced from the associated sets of strings
36
, and are brought into contact therewith.
A pianist is assumed to depress one of the white/black keys
49
/
50
. The white/black key
49
/
50
is moved from the rest position toward the end position. The associated hammer action mechanism
33
is actuated, and the associated damper lever
54
is pushed up. The damper lever
54
is rotated in the clockwise direction around the damper lever flange
53
, and the damper block
55
and the damper wire
56
space the damper head from the associated set of strings
36
. Thus, the damper mechanism
35
allows the set of strings
36
to vibrate. The depressed white/black key
49
/
50
rotates the hammer action mechanism
33
in the clockwise direction, and escapes from the associated hammer
34
. Then, the hammer
34
starts a free rotation in the counter clockwise direction, and strikes the associated set of strings
36
. The set of strings
36
vibrates so as to generate a piano sound. When the pianist releases the depressed black/white key
49
/
50
, the depressed white/black key
49
/
50
returns toward the rest position. The rear end portion of the white/black key
49
/
50
is sunk, and allows the damper lever to turn in the counter clockwise direction. The damper head is brought into contact with the set of strings
36
, again, and damps the vibrations. The hammer action mechanism
33
is engaged with the hammer
34
, again.
FIGS. 3
,
4
,
5
and
6
show the appearance of the grand piano implementing the first embodiment. As described hereinbefore, the housing
31
is constructed in a similar manner to the housing
1
, and a side board
61
, an upper beam
62
and a wood frame (not shown) form other parts of the housing
31
. The upper beam
62
is wider than an upper beam of a standard grand piano, and the upper edge is higher than that of the standard grand piano. A sound board
63
extends over the wood frame, and the sets of strings
36
are stretched between hitch pins (not shown) and tuning pins (not shown). Bridges
64
a
/
64
b
(see
FIG. 2
) are inserted between the sound board
63
and the sets of strings
36
so as to give tension to the sets of strings
36
.
The side board
61
has a straight portion
65
, which extends in the fore-and-aft direction. The side board
61
and the upper beam
62
define an upper opening, and a front cover board
66
and a rear top cover
67
are provided for the upper opening. The front cover board
66
is rotatably connected at both sides thereof to the side board
61
by means of a pair of pins
68
(see FIG.
6
), and is rotatable around the pair of pins
68
as indicated by arrow AR
1
. Thus, the grand piano implementing the first embodiment has the front cover board
66
instead of the front top board
11
, and the front cover board
66
is directly supported by the side board
61
. When the front cover board
66
stands up, a person can see the inside of the housing
31
through the front portion of the upper opening. On the other hand, when the pianist lowers the front cover board
66
onto a cushion
68
b
(see
FIG. 7
) on the upper edge of the upper beam
62
, the front cover board
66
closes the front portion of the upper opening. As described hereinbefore, the upper beam
62
is wider than an upper beam of a standard grand piano, and keeps the front cover board
66
horizontal.
The rear top board
67
is split into a front sub-board
69
and a rear sub-board
70
, and serves as a kind of equalizer. The front sub-board
69
and the rear sub-board
70
are rotatably connected to the straight portion
65
of the side board
61
, and lid prop assemblies
71
and
72
are hinged to the other side of the side board
61
. The front- sub-board
69
and the rear sub-board
70
independently stand up, and also independently fall onto the side board
61
. The lid prop assemblies
71
and
72
keep the front sub-board
69
and the rear sub-board
70
inclined over the middle/rear portions of the upper opening. A pianist may render both middle and rear portions open. However, another pianist covers one of the middle/rear portions with the associated front/rear sub-board
69
/
70
. Thus, the three portions of the upper opening are selectively opened and closed. When the rear top board
10
stands up, the upper opening is fully opened, because the front top board
11
is hinged to the rear top board
10
. On the other hand, the front cover board
66
, the front sub-board
69
and the rear sub-board
70
are independently supported by the side board
61
, and, accordingly, the pianist easily opens and closes the upper opening. While the pianist is playing a tune on the keyboard
32
, he may keep the front cover board
66
on the side board
61
, and prevents the hammer action mechanisms
33
from dust. When the pianist leaves from the grand piano, he falls both of the front cover board
66
and the rear top board
67
onto the side board
61
, and the front cover board
66
and the rear top board
67
prevent the component parts from dust and damages.
As will be better seen in
FIG. 4
, the lid prop assembly
71
keeps the front sub-board
69
inclined at an angle larger than that of the rear sub-board
70
. This is because of the fact that the higher registered sounds tend to be directional rather than the lower registered sounds. This means that the higher registered sounds are much liable to be reflected on the sub-board
69
. The lid prop assemblies
71
/
72
regulate the front sub-board
69
and the rear sub-board
70
to appropriate angles so as to balance the higher registered sounds with the lower registered sounds. The lid prop assemblies
71
/
72
may be projectable and retractable so as to change the lengths thereof. A pianist can tune an equalizer so as to change the balance between the lower registered sounds and the higher registered sounds by changing the lengths of the lid prop assemblies
71
/
72
.
A music rack assembly
73
is attached to the front cover board
66
. However, the music rack assembly
73
is deleted from
FIG. 4
in order to clearly show the sub-boards
69
/
70
. The music rack assembly
73
has a desk board
74
, which is rotatably supported by the front cover board
66
. Any desk rail is required for the music rack assembly
73
, and the manufacturer reduces the number of components. As described hereinbefore, the front cover board
66
is horizontal on the side board
61
, and a pianist can place a metronome (not shown) on the front cover board
66
.
The front cover board
66
may be replaced with a front cover board
75
shown in FIG.
8
. The front cover board
75
has a front portion bent from a rear portion, and allows the manufacturer to use the upper beam of the standard grand piano.
The slit rear top board
67
selectively emphasizes a higher register and a lower register, and serves as an equalizer. When a pianist wants to generate all the piano sounds without any emphasis, he lifts both sub-boards
69
/
70
, and makes the lip prop assemblies
71
/
72
keep the bus-boards
69
/
70
inclined over the middle/rear portions of the upper opening as shown in
FIGS. 3
to
6
. While the pianist is playing a tune on the keyboard
32
, all the piano sounds are radiated through the middle/rear portions of the upper opening, and the split rear top board
67
does not emphasize any register.
When the pianist wants to emphasize a higher register, he lowers the rear sub-board
70
onto the side board
61
, and the rear portion of the upper opening is covered with the rear sub-board
70
as indicated by hatching lines in FIG.
9
. The front sub-board
69
stands open. The bass bridge
64
b
is under the rear portion of the upper opening. On the other hand, the treble bridge
64
a
extends under the middle/rear portions of the upper opening, and is gently curved. The split line
77
between the front sub-board
69
and the rear sub-board
70
crosses the treble bridge
64
a
around the center of the treble bridge
64
a
at right angle. The left part of the treble bridge
64
a
on the left side of the crossing point convexly projects toward the front end of the housing
31
, and the right part convexly projects toward the rear end of the housing
31
.
The sets of strings
36
passing over the right part of the treble bridge
64
a
and the bass bridge
64
b
are covered with the rear sub-board
70
, and the rear sub-board
70
impedes the radiation of the piano sounds in the lower register. For this reason, the piano sounds in the lower register are reduced in loudness. However, the piano sounds in the higher register are radiated through the middle portion of the upper opening, and are louder than the piano sounds in the lower register.
On the other hand, when the pianist wants to emphasize the lower register, he lowers the front sub-board
69
onto the side board
61
, and lifts the rear sub-board
70
. The lid prop assembly
72
keeps the rear sub-board
70
inclined. As a result, the sets of strings
36
passing over the left part of the treble bridge
64
a
are covered with the front sub-board
69
as indicated by hatching lines in
FIG. 10
, and the other sets of strings
36
are exposed through the rear portion of the upper opening. The front sub-board
69
impedes the radiation of the piano sounds in the higher register. However, the rear sub-board
69
allows the other sets of strings
36
to radiate the piano sounds in the lower register without any impedance. As a result, even if the pianist evenly depresses the white/black key
49
/
50
assigned a higher registered sound and the other white/black key
49
/
50
assigned a lower registered sound, the lower registered sound is louder than the higher registered sound, and the lower register is emphasized.
The top boards
10
/
11
may be replaced with the front cover board
66
and the split top board
67
. Then, the prior art grand piano is remodeled to the grand piano according to the present invention.
Although the sub-boards
69
/
70
are hinged to the straight portion
65
in the embodiment described hereinbefore, a split top board
78
may have sub-boards
79
/
80
movable in the up-and-down direction by means of sliders
81
/
82
attached to both sides of the sub-boards
79
/
80
as shown in FIG.
11
. The sliders
81
/
82
allow a pianist to delicately regulate the balance between the higher resistered sounds and the lower registered sounds. The sliders
81
/
82
move the sub-boards
79
/
80
without any inclination. Another slider may project differently between the right side and the left side. In this instance, the sub-boards
79
/
80
are horizontal in the closed positions. However, the sub-boards
79
/
80
are inclined in the open positions.
In the first embodiment, the hammer action mechanisms
33
and the hammers as a whole constitute plural vibration generating mechanisms.
As will be understood from the foregoing description, the split top board
67
realizes the equalizing function by partially cover the upper opening with the sub-boards
69
/
70
, and allows a pianist to selectively emphasize the piano sounds. Of course, if both sub-board
69
/
70
are opened, the grand piano generates the piano sounds without any emphasis as similar to the standard grand piano.
The split top board according to the present invention is applicable to a silent piano and an automatic playing piano. The silent piano is fabricated on the basis of a grand piano, and a hammer stopper and an electronic sound generating system are incorporated in the silent piano. Typical examples of the silent piano are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,374,775 and 5,591,927. The split top board according to the present invention is further applicable to other acoustic keyboard musical instrument such as, for example, a harpsichord. In the harpsichord, vibration generating mechanisms selectively pluck the music strings.
Second Embodiment
FIG. 12
illustrates the inside of another grand piano embodying the present invention. A housing
200
, hammer action mechanisms
236
, hammers
237
, damper mechanisms
238
and sets of strings are similar to those of the first embodiment, and description is hereinbelow made on essential parts, only.
On a key bed
231
is placed a key frame
233
which supports a keyboard
221
. Black/white keys, which are eighty-eight,
234
are arranged in the lateral direction, and are laid on the well-known pattern. The black/white keys
234
form parts of the keyboard
221
together with a key frame
233
and balance pins
235
. The black/white keys
234
are rotatable around the balance pins
235
, respectively. The black/white keys
234
are staying in rest positions, respectively, and
FIG. 12
shows the black/white keys
234
in the rest positions. When a pianist depresses the black/white keys
234
, the black/white keys
234
are sunk, and are moved toward end positions.
The hammer action mechanisms
236
are respectively associated with the black/white keys
234
, and are located over the rear portions of the black/white keys
234
. A depressed black/white key
234
actuates the associated hammer action mechanism
236
. Then, the hammer action mechanism
236
escapes from the associated hammer
237
, and gives rise to a free rotation of the hammer
237
. The hammer strikes a set of strings. Then, the strings vibrate so as to generate an acoustic sound.
The damper mechanisms
238
are respectively associated with the black/white keys
234
and, accordingly, the sets of strings. The damper mechanisms
238
are located at the back of the hammer action mechanisms
236
. A damper rail
239
laterally extends along the keyboard
221
, and damper flanges
240
are fixed to the damper rail
239
. Damper levers
241
are rotatably connected at rear ends thereof to the damper flanges
240
by means of pins, respectively, and the rear end portions of the black/white keys
234
are engageable with the front ends of the damper levers
241
, respectively. The damper blocks
242
are rotatably connected to the leading ends of the damper levers
241
, respectively. Damper wires
243
upwardly project from the damper blocks
242
, respectively, and damper heads (not shown) are attached to the leading ends of the damper wires
243
, respectively.
The depressed black/white key
234
pushes up the front end of the associated damper lever
241
, and gives rise to a rotation around the damper flange
240
in the clockwise direction. The damper block
242
coverts the rotation to a straight motion of the damper wire
243
in an up-and-down direction, and lifts the damper head. Thus, the depressed black/white key
234
actuates the associated damper mechanism
238
, and causes the damper head to leave from the set of strings before striking the strings with the hammer
237
. However, the black/white keys
234
in the rest positions keep the associated damper heads held in contact with the associated sets of strings, and the damper heads prevent the associated sets of strings from resonance with the vibrating strings.
Turning to
FIGS. 13
,
14
,
15
and
16
, a side board
201
, an upper beam
202
, the key bed
231
and a wooded frame (not shown) form in combination the housing
200
. The side board
201
and the upper beam
202
define an upper opening. The hammer action mechanisms
236
, the hammers
237
, the damper mechanisms
238
and the sets of strings are accommodated in the housing
200
, and a sound board extends under the sets of strings
236
. Though not shown, the sets of strings are stretched between hitch pins and tuning pins, and bridges on the sound board give tension to the sets of strings as similar to a standard grand piano.
The side board
201
has a straight side portion
220
a
. A top board
210
is hinged at one end thereof to the straight side portion
220
a
, and a lid prop assembly
230
is hinged to the other side portion of the side board
201
. A pianist lifts the other end of the top board
210
, and inclines the top board
210
with respect to the side board
201
. The top board
201
rests on the leading end of the lid prop assembly
230
, and the lid prop assembly
230
keeps the top board
210
inclined. Thus, the pianist exposes the inside of the housing
200
through a front part of the upper opening to the ambience.
A front cover board
225
is connected at both sides thereof to the side board
201
by means of pins
226
, and is rotated around the pins
226
as indicated by arrow AR
11
. When a player lifts a front end of the front cover board
225
, the front cover board
225
turns around the pins
226
in the clockwise direction, and exposes the inside of the housing through the front part of the upper opening to the ambience. The upper opening allows a tuner to easily regulate the hammer action mechanisms and the tuning pins. The pianist lowers the front cover board
225
onto the upper beam
202
, and covers the front part of the upper opening with the front cover board
225
. The front cover board
225
prevents the hammer action mechanisms
236
, the hammers
237
and the damper mechanisms
238
from dust and damages. The front cover board
225
is not connected to the top board
210
, but to the side board
201
. This feature is desirable for owner, because the owner keeps the front part of the upper opening closed at all times. The upper beam
202
is wider than an upper beam of a standard grand piano. When the pianist lowers the front cover board
225
onto a cushion
203
attached to the upper edge of the upper beam
202
, the front cover board
225
provides a horizontally extending flat surface as shown in FIG.
17
. The pianist may put a metronome on the horizontally extending flat surface. Of course, the upper beam
202
a
of the standard grand piano is available for the housing
200
. In this instance, the front cover board
225
a
is bent so as to be fallen onto the cushion
203
as shown in FIG.
18
.
Turning back to
FIGS. 13
to
16
, a music rack assembly
280
is provided on the flat surface of the front cover board
225
, and laterally extends in parallel to the keyboard
221
. In this instance, the music rack assembly
280
is as long as the keyboard
221
. The music rack assembly
280
is split into a right portion
281
and a left portion
282
. A visual display
283
is built into the right portion
281
, and the left portion
282
serves as a desk board where a music score is placed. In this instance, the visual display
283
is implemented by a liquid crystal display, and forms a part of an image producing system. The lower end of the right portion
281
and the lower end of the left portion
282
are turnably connected to the front cover board
225
. Though not shown in the figures, the right portion
281
is tied to the left portion
282
by means of a connector, which is attached to the back surfaces of the right/left portions
281
/
282
. If the connector ties the right portion
281
and the left portion
282
together, a pianist turns the right portion
281
and the left portion
282
together. On the other hand, if the connector unties the right portion
281
from the left portion
282
, the right portion
281
and the left portion
282
independently stand up on the front cover board
225
, and independently lie on the front cover board
225
. Since, the music rack assembly
280
is rotatably supported by the front cover board
225
, any desk rail is not required for the music rack assembly
280
. Thus, the front cover board
225
allows the manufacturer to delete some component parts from the grand piano, and the production cost is reduced. If pianist uses the grand piano for a piano duet, piano scores may be placed on both right and left portions
281
/
282
. For this purpose, a ridge is formed along the lower edge of the right portion
281
as well as the lower edge of the left portion
282
.
A control box
284
is attached to a back surface of the front cover board
225
(see FIG.
17
), and is electrically connected to the visual display
283
through signal lines (not shown). The control box
284
forms another part of the image producing system. A display controller (not shown) is incorporated in the control box
284
, and supplies scanning signals and image-carrying signals to the visual display
283
so as to reproduce visual images on the screen. The control box
284
allows the manufacturer to decrease component parts of the image producing system built in the right portion
281
. For this reason, the right portion
281
is so light that a pianist easily manipulates it.
The control box
284
is electrically connected to a data processor
285
through an appropriate interface, and the data processor
285
is further connected to a panel controller
250
through the interface. The panel controller
250
is built into the key bed
231
, and has a manipulating board
251
exposed to a pianist (see FIGS.
12
and
13
). Thus, the data processor
285
is connected through the interface to the panel controller
250
and the control box
284
, and the visual display
283
is connected to the display driver in the control box
284
as shown in FIG.
19
. Though not shown in
FIG. 19
, a program memory and a working memory are connected through a shared bus system to the data processor
285
. A read only memory device and a random access memory may serve as the program memory and the working memory, respectively.
Switches are provided on the manipulating panel
251
, and a slot is formed in the manipulating panel
251
. When a compact disc read only memory (not shown) is inserted into the slot, the compact disc read only memory is loaded into a disc driver, and the disc driver transfers digital data codes from the compact disc read only memory to a temporary data storage such as a random access memory. The panel controller
250
keeps the appearance of the grand piano similar to that of a standard grand piano. The manipulating panel
251
is so close to the pianist that he can manipulate the switches and the disc driver without changing his attitude.
The panel controller
250
periodically scans the manipulating panel
251
to see whether or not a pianist manipulates any one of the switches. If the pianist manipulates a switch, the panel controller
250
specifies the switch, and interprets the instruction given through the switch. The panel controller
250
transfers the instruction to the data processor
285
, and the data processor
285
instructs the display driver to change the visual images on the screen, by way of example.
The data processor
285
and the associated memories may be built into the key bed
231
together with the panel controller
250
. However, if a personal computer system is used as the data processor and the other electronic components, the personal computer may be accommodated inside the housing
200
. A space in the wooden frame may be appropriate for the personal computer. In order to connect the personal computer to the manipulating panel
251
, a groove
290
is formed in the key bed
21
as shown in
FIGS. 20 and 21
, and a cable
291
extends along the groove
290
so as to connect the manipulating panel
251
to the personal computer. The cable
291
in the groove
290
is desirable for the good appearance, because no one sees the cable. Moreover, when a pianist steps on a shift pedal, the key frame
244
is laterally moved. The cable
291
in the groove
290
is not an obstacle against the lateral motion.
When a pianist requires a piece of information, he manipulates the switches on the manipulating panel
251
so as to request the image producing system to give the piece of information to him. The panel controller
250
interprets the instruction, and transfers the instruction to the data processor
285
. The data processor determines visual images such as characters representative of a message/comments or a symbol representative of the piece of information, and instructs the display driver in the control box
284
to produce the visual images on the visual display. The display driver is responsive to the instruction from the data processor, and supplies the image-carrying signals in synchronism with the scanning signals to the visual display
283
. Then, the visual display
283
produces the visual images on the screen, and the pianist obtains the piece of information through the visual display
283
. The pieces of information may be a music score, an instruction from a tutor or a part of the manual book, which teaches how to play the grand piano.
The visual display may be built into the left portion. A tray
295
may be provided for the manipulating panel
251
. In this instance, the tray
295
is retractable into in inner space
296
formed in the key bed
231
(see
FIG. 23
) and is projectable from the inner space
296
(see FIG.
24
). The manipulating panel
251
is mounted on the tray
295
. The tray
295
may be painted in the same color as the key bed
231
. When the manipulating panel
251
is exposed to the front surface of the key bed
231
, the key bed
231
sets a limit on the height of the manipulating panel
251
. However, the tray
295
allows the manufacturer to freely design the manipulating panel
251
, because the key bed
231
offers a deep inner space
296
. When a pianist gives instructions to the data processor
250
through the switches, he pushes a button (not shown), and the tray
295
projects from the inner space
296
. Then, the manipulating panel
251
is exposed to the pianist. However, the manipulating panel
251
is disappears into the key bed
231
, and the grand piano is improved in appearance. The pianist may manually pull out the tray
295
from the inner space
296
.
The front cover board
225
may be replaced with a front cover board
297
. The front cover board
297
has a generally L-letter shaped cross section, and a flat cover plate
297
a
is connected to a connecting plate
297
b
at right angle. The connecting plate
297
b
is connected at both sides thereof to the side board
201
by means of the pins
226
, and a display stand
298
is fixed to the flat cover plate
297
a
. The visual display
283
is rotatably supported by the display stand
298
, and a pianist freely inclines the visual display
283
with respect to the flat cover plate
297
a
. The flat cover plate
297
a
is lower than the front cover board
225
, and the manufacturer uses the upper beam
202
a
of the standard grand piano. However, the display stand
298
keeps the visual display
283
as high as the visual display
283
on the front cover board
225
. Thus, the front cover board
297
allows the manufacturer to use the upper beam
202
a
of the standard grand piano without sacrifice of the visual angle.
The music rack assembly
280
according to the present invention is applicable to a silent piano and an automatic playing piano. The silent piano is fabricated on the basis of a grand piano, and a hammer stopper and an electronic sound generating system are incorporated in the silent piano disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,374,775 and 5,591,927.
As will be understood from the foregoing description, the music rack assembly
280
is so long that the manufacturer can build the visual display
283
into the right part
281
of the music rack assembly
280
. Pieces of information to be required are given through the visual display
283
and a music score on the music rack assembly
280
to the pianist. Thus, when the pianist requires any kind of information, he concentrates his attention on the music rack assembly
280
, and the piece of information to be required is surely given therefrom.
The music rack assembly
280
keeps the music score and the visual display
283
, which are level with the eyes of the pianist, and a piece of information to be required is easily transferred from the music rack assembly
280
to the pianist.
When a pianist does not need any piece of information through the visual display
283
, he may lay the right portion
281
onto the front cover board
225
. Two grand pianos G
1
/G
2
are assumed to be used for a piano duo. The grand pianos G
1
/G
2
may be directed in opposite directions as shown in FIG.
22
. While pianists A/B are playing the tune on the grand pianos G
1
/G
2
, the right portions
281
lie on the front cover boards
225
, and allow the pianists A/B to see each other as indicated by broken line. The pianist may use the right portion
281
as a part of the desk board.
Moreover, if the visual display
283
is broken, the manufacturer takes only the visual display
283
to the factory, because the right portion
281
and the left portion
282
are independently supported by the front cover board
225
. While the manufacturer is repairing the visual display
283
, the pianist can play a tune on the grand piano, because the left portion
282
still stands on the front cover board
225
.
In the second embodiment, the hammer action mechanisms
236
, the hammers
237
, the damper mechanisms
238
, the sets of strings, the sound board, the bridges, the pins and the top board
210
as a whole constitute a sound generating system. A sound generating system is also incorporated in the silent piano, and the sound generating system of the silent piano further includes key sensors, a controller, a tone generator and a sound system/headphone. The sound system of the silent piano is usually accommodated in a housing except the sound system/the headphone. A sound generating system of the automatic piano further includes a controller and solenoid-operated key drivers.
Third Embodiment
Turning to
FIG. 26
of the drawings, a slidable visual display
301
and a slidable desk board
302
are provided on a front cover board. The front cover board and other component parts of the keyboard musical instrument implementing the third embodiment are similar to those of the second embodiment, and, for this reason, the front cover board and the other component parts are labeled with the same references designating corresponding component parts of the second embodiment.
Guide rails
303
/
304
are embedded in the front cover board
225
, and laterally extend in parallel to each other. Suitable sliding members (not shown) are inserted in the guide rails
303
/
304
, and the visual display
301
and the desk board
302
are respectively supported by the sliding members. As a result, the visual display
301
and the desk board
302
laterally slide along the guide rails
303
/
304
, respectively. If the visual display
301
slides as indicated by arrow AR
15
, the visual display
301
is overlapped with the right portion of the desk board
302
.
A pianist locates the visual display
301
and the desk board
302
at desirable positions through the sliding members and the guide rails
303
/
304
, and obtains pieces of information from the visual images on the display
301
and documents on the desk board
302
.
If a suitable coupling means is attached to the visual display and the desk board
302
or to the sliding members, the pianist can move the desk board
302
and the visual display
301
together. The coupling means may be detachable.
The slidable visual display
301
according to the present invention is applicable to a silent piano and an automatic playing piano. The silent piano is fabricated on the basis of a grand piano, and a hammer stopper and an electronic sound generating system are incorporated in the silent piano disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,374,775 and 5,591,927.
Fourth Embodiment
FIGS. 27
,
28
and
29
illustrate a visual display
330
incorporated in yet another grand piano embodying the present invention. The visual display
330
is supported by a flexible pedestal
331
. The flexible pedestal
331
is independent of a desk board (not shown), and a music score, by way of example, stands against the desk board. The other structure of the grand piano is similar to that of the second embodiment, and description is focused on the flexible pedestal
331
.
The flexible pedestal
331
includes a block
332
, an arm
333
, a column
335
, and pins
336
/
337
. The block
332
is fixed to the front cover board
225
, and the arm
333
is fixed to the rear surface of the visual display
330
. The column
336
is connected to the block
332
by means of the pin
336
, and is turnable around the pin
336
as indicated by arrow AR
16
. On the other hand, the arm
333
is connected to the leading end portion of the column
335
by means of the pin
337
, and is turnable around the pin
337
as indicated by arrow AR
17
. Thus, the visual display
330
is three-dimensionally movable with respect to the front cover board
225
and, accordingly, a pianist, who sits in front of the keyboard.
Thus, the pianist can arbitrarily regulate the attitude of the visual display
330
, because the visual display
330
is independent of the desk board. The visual display independent of the desk board according to the present invention is applicable to an electric keyboard, another acoustic keyboard musical instrument such as, for example, a harpsichord, a silent piano and an automatic playing piano. The silent piano is fabricated on the basis of a grand piano, and a hammer stopper and an electronic sound generating system are incorporated in the silent piano disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,374,775 and 5,591,927.
Fifth Embodiment
Turning to
FIG. 30
of the drawings, a keyboard musical instrument embodying the present invention comprises an acoustic piano
350
and an image producing system
360
. In this instance, the acoustic piano
350
is a grand piano similar to that of the second embodiment except a music rack assembly
351
, and component parts are labeled with the same references designating corresponding component parts of the second embodiment without description.
The music rack assembly
351
includes a desk board
352
and a ridge
353
. The desk board
352
laterally extends on the front cover board
225
, and is turnable as similar to the left portion
282
. The ridge
353
is spaced from the bottom portion of the desk board
225
, and extends in parallel to the desk board
352
. The space between the desk board
352
and the ridge
353
is regulated in such a manner that a piano score or a score book stands against the desk board
353
. The ridge
353
keeps the music score or the score book on the desk board
352
, and allows a pianist to turn over the leaves of the music score.
The image producing system
360
includes a visual display
361
. The other component parts of the image producing system are similar to those of the second embodiment. The visual display
361
is independent of the music rack assembly
351
, and, accordingly, a pianist three-dimensionally changes the attitude of the visual display
361
. The visual display
361
independent of the music rack assembly
351
according to the present invention is applicable to an electric keyboard, another acoustic keyboard musical instrument such as, for example, a harpsichord, the silent piano and an automatic playing piano.
Sixth Embodiment
Referring to
FIG. 31
of the drawings, an acoustic piano embodying the present invention largely comprises a housing
400
, a keyboard
401
, a sound generating system
402
and an image producing system
403
. In this instance, the acoustic piano is categorized in a grand piano, and the housing
400
, the keyboard
401
, the sound generating system
402
and the image producing system
403
are similar to those of the second embodiment. For this reason, boards and parts of the housing/the keyboard/the sound generating system/the image producing system
400
/
401
/
402
/
403
are labeled with the same references designating corresponding boards and corresponding parts of the second embodiment without detailed description.
FIGS. 32
,
33
,
34
and
35
show the appearance of the grand piano. The housing
400
defines an upper opening, and a pianist opens and closes a front cover board
225
and a split top board
420
. When the pianist lowers the front cover board
225
and the split top board
420
onto the housing, the sound gencrating system
402
is enclosed inside the housing
400
. On the other hand, when the pianist lifts the front end of the front cover board
225
and a side portion of the split top board
420
, he inclines the front cover board
225
and the split top board
420
with respect to the housing, and the sound generating system
402
is exposed through the upper opening to the ambience.
The front cover board
225
is similar to that of the second embodiment, and is rotatably connected at both sides thereof to the side board
201
by means of the pins
226
. For this reason, the front cover board
225
is labeled with the same reference. While a pianist is playing a tune on the keyboard
401
, the front cover board
225
does not expose the sound generating system
402
to the ambience, and prevents the sound generating system
402
from dust and damages. The upper surface of the front cover board
225
is wide enough to put a metronome thereon.
The split top board
420
is similar to the split top board of the first embodiment, and the grand piano implementing the sixth embodiment is a combination of the first and second embodiments. In detail, the split top board
420
has a front sub-board
421
and a rear sub-board
422
, and the front sub-board
421
and the rear sub-board
422
are independently hinged to the straight portion
220
a
of the housing
201
. Lid prop assemblies
423
/
424
are hinged to the other side portion of the housing
400
, and keep the sub-boards
421
/
422
inclined over the upper opening. Thus, the sub-boards
421
/
422
are selectively opened.
On the front cover board
225
is provided a music rack assembly
440
which is rotatably connected to the front cover board
225
. The music rack assembly
440
extends in the lateral direction, and is wider than a music rack assembly of a standard grand piano. A visual display
441
is built into the right portion of the music rack assembly
440
, and the remaining portion serves as a desk board
442
which a document such as, for example, a piano score stands against. In this instance, the video display
402
is implemented by a liquid crystal display. A ridge may be formed along the lower end of the music rack assembly
440
in order to make the document remain stationary. The visual display
441
forms a part of the image producing system
403
.
The upper beam
202
is wider than an upper beam of a standard grand piano, and a cushion
203
is attached to the upper edge of the upper beam
202
. For this reason, the front cover board
225
offers a flat upper surface, and the music rack assembly
440
is rotatably supported by means of a display stand
445
on the flat upper surface as shown in FIG.
36
. The music rack assembly
440
is laid on the flat upper surface of the front cover board
225
. When a pianist uses the music rack assembly
440
, he rotates the music rack assembly
440
, and directs the front surface and the visual display
441
toward him. Thus, any rail member is not required for the music rack assembly
440
, and the manufacturer can reduce the number of component parts.
A control box
450
is attached to the back surface of the front cover board
225
, and forms a part of the image producing system
403
. Though not shown in the drawings, a display driver is incorporated in the control box
450
, and supplies scanning signals and image-carrying signals to the visual display
441
. Thus, most of the component parts of the image producing system
403
are outside of the music rack assembly
440
, and, accordingly, make the music rack assembly
440
light and thin.
Of course, the upper mean
225
a
is available for the grand piano according to the present invention. In this instance, the front cover board
225
is replaced with a front cover board
225
a
as shown in FIG.
37
. The front cover board
225
a
is bent so as to be brought into contact with the cushion
203
on the upper beam
202
a.
A data processing unit
250
is connected through a suitable interface to a manipulating panel
251
and the control box
450
, and the data processing unit
250
and the manipulating panel
251
form parts of the image producing system
403
. The data processing unit
250
is accommodated in a space formed in the key bed
231
, and the manipulating panel
251
is exposed to the pianist. Thus, only the manipulating panel
251
is exposed to the pianist, and the grand piano according to the present invention has an appearance like that of the standard grand piano.
Switches and a cursor controller are provided on the manipulating panel
251
, and a slot is formed in the manipulating panel
251
. A CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) disc is inserted into the slot, and is loaded onto a disc driver. The disc driver is also connected through the interface to the data processing unit
250
, and transfers digital codes representative of pieces of information from the disc to a suitable memory incorporated in the data processing unit
250
. The pieces of information relate to how to use the grand piano and how to tune the equalizer as will be described hereinlater.
FIG. 38
illustrates the image producing system
403
. The data processing unit
250
includes a microprocessor, a program memory, a working memory, an interface and a shared bus interconnecting the components. The digital codes are transferred from the disc through the interface to the working memory. The microprocessor periodically checks the manipulating board to see whether or not a pianist manipulates any one of the switches or the cursor controller. When the pianist wants prompt messages, he manipulates the switches on the manipulating board
251
. Then, the image producing system
403
sequentially produces images on the visual display
441
. The images may represent a sequence of questions. The data processing unit
250
instructs the display controller
450
to produce an image representative of a list of questions, and the pianist selects one of the questions. Then, the data processing unit
250
instructs the display driver
450
to produce an image representative of the next list of questions. When the pianist selects one of the next questions, the data processing unit
250
instructs the display driver
450
to produce an answer to the selected question. In this way, the pianist obtains the information from the image producing system
403
. The information to be required is how to tune the equalizer or the split top board. The pianist establishes the grand piano into the desired mode through conversation with the data processing unit
250
. Thus, the image producing system
403
serves as a prompter. The pianist may select the question through a touch panel produced on the screen of the visual display
441
. Otherwise, the data processing unit
250
instructs the display driver
450
to produce a cursor on the screen, and periodically checks the manipulating panel
251
to see whether or not the pianist moves the cursor. If the pianist moves the cursor, the data processing unit
250
instructs the display driver to change the cursor to the position requested by the pianist. The data processing unit
250
further checks the manipulating panel
251
to see whether or not the pianist selects a question indicated by the cursor. If the pianist confirms the question, the data processing unit
250
proceeds to the next step. The questions are arranged in hierarchy. Of course, the questions may be listed.
The pianist is assumed to request a piece of information regarding how to emphasize a register. When the pianist requests a list of questions to the data processing unit
250
, the data processing unit
250
instructs the display driver
450
to produce images representative of the list of questions on the visual display
441
as shown in FIG.
39
. The pianist is assumed to move the cursor C to the first question “HOW TO EMPHASIZE HIGHER REGISTERED TONES”.
When the pianist confirms that the cursor C is indicative of the question which he has, the data processing unit
250
instructs the display driver
450
to produce images shown in
FIG. 40
on the visual display
441
. The image represents the grand piano where the front sub-board
421
and the rear sub-board
422
are respectively opened and closed, and a comment is given as “CLOSE REAR SUB-BOARD. OPEN FRONT SUB-BOARD.” Even though the pianist is a beginner, he can understand how to tune the equalizer or the split top board from the image of grand piano.
The pianist lifts the front sub-board
421
, and keeps it inclined by means of the lid prop assembly
423
as shown in FIG.
41
. The pianist keeps the rear sub-board
422
closed. The front sub-board
421
radiates the higher registered tones, and the rear sub-board
422
impedes the radiation of lower registered tones. As a result, the higher registered tones are emphasized. The split line between the sub-boards
421
and
422
crosses the treble bridge
64
a
around the mid point thereof at right angle. The mid point virtually splits the treble bridge
64
a
into the left part and the right part, and the left part is convexly curved toward the pianist who sits on a chair in front of the keyboard
401
.
Sensors may be provided in association with the sub-boards
421
/
422
. In this instance, the sensors have informed the data processing unit
250
of the current status of the split top board
420
. The data processing unit
250
instructs the display driver
450
to sequentially produce images representative of the manipulation to be required. The motion picture makes the pianist exactly understand how to tune the equalizer.
The data processing unit
250
may instruct the display driver to produce characters representative of the names of the parts such as “FRONT SUB-BOARD” and “REAR SUB-BOARD” beside the image of grand piano.
On the other hand, the pianist is assumed to move the cursor to the second question “HOW TO EMPHASIZE LOWER REGISTERED TONES”. When the pianist confirms that the cursor is indicative of the question which he has, the data processing unit
250
instructs the display driver to produce images on the visual display
441
as shown in FIG.
42
. The image of grand piano has the front sub-board
421
and the rear sub-board
422
, which are closed and opened, respectively, and the messages are read as “CLOSE FRONT SUB-BOARD. OPEN REAR SUB-BOARD”.
The pianist opens the rear sub-board
422
, and closes the front sub board
421
in accordance with the comments (see FIG.
43
). The closed front sub-board
421
impedes the radiation of the higher registered tones. However, the rear sub-board
422
allows the strings to radiate the lower registered tones to the ambience. As a result, the lower registered tones are emphasized.
When the pianist requests an answer to the question that how he decreases the loudness of all the tones, the data processing unit
250
instructs the display driver to produce an image of piano with closed sub-boards
421
/
422
and a message read as “CLOSE BOTH SUB-BOARDS”.
Although the split top board
420
is not familiar with pianists, the pianist obtains the information from the visual display
441
, and easily establishes the grand piano to a desired emphasizing mode.
The data processing unit
250
is further responsive to the inquiry that how the pianist plays the grand piano. The inquiry may relate to the damper pedal. The data processing unit
250
instructs the display driver
450
to produce an image of grand piano with the damper pedal indicated by an arrow and comments for teaching an effect imparted to the piano tones.
Seventh Embodiment
Turning to
FIG. 44
of the drawings, a silent piano is fabricated on the basis of the grand piano implementing the sixth embodiment. The silent piano has the split top board
420
and the image producing system
403
. For this reason, component parts corresponding to those of the sixth embodiment are labeled with the same references without detailed description.
The silent piano further comprises a silent system and an electronic sound generating system
480
. The silent system includes a hammer stopper
470
laterally extending over the hammer shanks, a pedal and a link mechanism. The hammer stopper
470
is linked with the pedal (see FIG.
45
), and is changed between a free position and a blocking position. Accordingly, the silent piano is selectively established in an acoustic sound mode and a silent mode. While the hammer stopper
470
is staying in the free position, the hammers
237
strike the associated sets of strings. However, when the pianist changes the hammer stopper
470
to the blocking position, the hammers
237
rebound on the hammer stopper
470
before striking the strings, and any piano tone is generated from the strings.
The electronic sound generating system
480
includes key sensors
481
, which are respectively associated with the black/white keys
234
. Each of the key sensors
481
is implemented by a combination of a shutter plate
482
and a photo-coupler
483
. The shutter plate
482
is attached to the lower surface of the associated black/white key
234
, and the photo-coupler
483
radiates a light beam across the trajectory of the associated black/white key
234
. When the pianist selectively depresses a black/white key
234
, the shutter plate
482
interrupts the light beam, and gradually reduces the amount of photo-current generated in the photo-coupler
483
. The photo-current is converted to a potential, and the potential is varied depending upon the current key position. Thus, the key sensors
481
monitors the associated black/white keys
234
, and produce key position signals representative of the current key positions.
The electronic sound generating system
480
further includes a controller
490
and a headphone
492
. The controller
490
is shared between the electronic sound generating system
480
and the image producing system
403
. For this reason, switches for the electronic sound generating system
480
are provided on a manipulating panel
494
together with the switches and the slot for the image producing system
403
.
The controller
490
serves as similar to the data processing unit
250
, and instructs the display driver
450
to produce images. In this instance, the controller
490
periodically scans the interface to see whether or not any one of the black/white keys
234
changes the current key position, and determines the key code assigned to each depressed black/white key
2334
. Furthermore, the controller
490
calculates the key velocity for each depressed black/white key
234
, and decides a timing for generating an electronic sound and a timing to decay the electronic sound. The controller
490
has a tone generator, and the tone generator produces an audio signal from the pieces of music data information. The audio signal is supplied to the headphone
492
, and the headphone
492
generates an electronic sound.
In this instance, the image producing system
403
teaches the pianist how to play a tune without any piano tones. When the pianist requests the image producing system
403
to teach how he changes the silent piano to the silent mode, the controller
490
instructs the display driver
450
to produce images shown in FIG.
45
. An image of silent piano is accompanied with an arrow, which indicates the rightmost pedal. A message reads “STEP ON THE RIGHTMOST PEDAL”. The rightmost pedal is linked with the hammer stopper
470
. When the pianist steps on the rightmost pedal, the hammer stopper
470
is changed to the blocking position, and prohibits the strings from the vibrations due to the strikes with the hammers
237
. Thus, even if a pianist is not familiar with the silent system, the image producing system
403
teaches the pianist how to establish the silent piano into the silent mode, and he can practice the fingering without piano tones.
The silent system may have a sensor for detecting the current position of the hammer stopper
470
. When the sensor detects the hammer stopper
470
enters into the blocking position, the sensor supplies a detecting signal to the controller
490
. In this instance, the controller
490
instructs the display driver to keep the images shown in
FIG. 45
until the sensor detects the hammer stopper
470
in the blocking position. When the detecting signal arrives at the controller
490
, the controller
490
instructs the display driver to produce a message such as “Enjoy a silent performance”.
The silent system may have a mute mode. The hammer stopper
470
is positioned between the free position and the blocking position, and the hammers
237
are brought into contact with the hammer stopper concurrently with striking the strings. Thus, the hammers
237
faintly strike the strings, and soft piano tones are radiated from the strings. When a pianist inquiries how to establish the silent piano to the mute mode, the controller
490
instructs the display driver to produce an appropriate image and message on the visual display
441
.
The image producing system
403
may teach how to tune the silent piano. Of course, the image producing systems incorporated in the second to fifth embodiments may also teach how to tune the grand piano. The image producing system may give instructions for other maintenance works to an operator through the visual display
441
.
FIG. 46
shows a modification of the image producing system responsive to the request for guiding a tuning work. A microphone
496
is connected to the interface of the controller
490
, and picks up piano tones radiated from the strings.
In the tuning work, an operator is assumed to request the controller
490
to guide the tuning work. The controller
490
instructs the display driver
450
to produce a message read as “DEPRESS KEY”. The operator depresses one of the black/white keys
234
, and a piano tone is generated from the associated set of strings. The key sensor
481
detects the key motion, and reports the depressed black/white keys
234
to the controller
490
. The controller
490
specifies the key code assigned to the depressed black/white key
234
, and reads out a set of digital data codes representative of pieces of music data information from the memory for the depressed black/white key
234
. The microphone
496
picks up the piano tone, and supplies an electric signal representative of the piano tone to the controller
490
. The controller
490
analyzes the electric signal for the attributes such as a pitch and a beat, and produces a set of digital data codes. The controller
490
compares the digital data codes with the digital data codes read-out from the memory to see whether or not a unison tuning, an octave tuning and other tuning works are to be required, and diagnoses the set of strings associated with the depressed key
234
. The controller
490
instructs the display driver to produce characters representative of the diagnosis, and the characters are produced on the visual display
441
. The diagnosis may indicate a deviation from the target pitch such as, for example, “−5 cent”.
The image producing system
403
may store intervals between the tuning works. The intervals are fixed, or are variable together with frequency in use, by way of example. In this instance, the sets of digital data codes, the microphone
496
and the key sensors
481
are unnecessary for the image producing system
403
, and the image producing system is made simple. The controller
490
compares the lapse of time from the previous tuning work with the interval to see whether or not the silent/grand piano requires a tuning work. If the tuning work is to be required, the controller
490
instructs the display controller
450
to produce a message on the visual display
441
.
The image producing system
403
may urge a pianist to input a question through images shown in FIG.
47
. An image of silent/grand piano and a message “MOVE THE CURSOR TO A PART WHICH YOU ARE GOING TO ASK ME A QUESTION ABOUT, AND CLICK THERE” are produced on the visual display
441
. When the pianist moves a cursor to a part such as the split top board and clicks there, the controller
490
instructs the display driver to produce a list of questions or messages/comments together with an image on the visual display
441
. If the pianist has a question about the split top board, he moves the cursor to the split top board, and clicks there. Then the controller
490
instructs the display driver to produce the image of silent/grand piano, the name of the board and further questions.
The front cover board
225
may be replaced with a front cover board
297
shown in FIG.
48
. The front cover board
297
has a generally L-letter shaped cross section, and a flat cover plate
297
a
is connected to a connecting plate
297
b
at right angle. The connecting plate
297
b
is connected at both sides thereof to the side board
201
by means of the pins
226
, and a display stand
499
is fixed to the flat cover plate
297
a
. The visual display
411
is rotatably supported by the display stand
499
, and a pianist freely inclines the visual display
211
with respect to the flat cover plate
297
a
. The flat cover plate
297
a
is lower than the front cover board
225
, and the manufacturer uses the upper beam
202
a
of the standard grand piano. However, the display stand
499
keeps the visual display
411
as high as the visual display
411
on the front cover board
225
. Thus, the front cover board
297
allows the manufacturer to use the upper beam
202
a
of the standard grand piano without sacrifice of the visual angle.
Eighth Embodiment
Turning to
FIG. 49
of the drawings, an automatic player piano is fabricated on the basis of the grand piano implementing the sixth embodiment. However, the split top board
421
may be replaced with a standard non-split top board. An automatic playing system
500
and a recording system
501
are incorporated in the automatic player piano, and a controller
502
is shared between the image producing system
403
, the automatic playing system
500
and the recording system
501
. The controller
502
is connected to a manipulating panel
503
, and switches for the automatic playing/recording systems
500
/
501
are provided on the manipulating panel
503
together with the switches and slot for the image producing system
403
.
The automatic playing system
500
further includes solenoid-operated key actuators
510
. The solenoid-operated key actuators
510
are respectively associated with the black/white keys
234
, and mounted on the key bed
231
. The solenoid-operated key actuators
510
are connected to a driver circuit incorporated in the controller
503
, and a microprocessor of the controller
503
instructs the driver circuit to selectively energizes the coils of the solenoid-operated key actuators
510
. Then, the plungers upwardly projects from the coils, and move the associated black/white keys
234
without fingering. A set of music data codes is transferred from a disc to a memory of the controller
503
, and the microprocessor supplies instructions to the driver circuit at appropriate timings on the basis of the set of music data codes. The pianist can change the tempo or the loudness through the controller
503
in the playback.
The recording system
501
further includes key sensors
520
and hammer sensors
530
. The key sensors
520
are provided under the black/white keys
234
, respectively, and produce key position signals representative of current positions of the associated black/white keys
234
. On the other hand, the hammer sensors
530
are respectively provided for the hammers
237
, and produce hammer position signals representative of impact timings against the sets of strings. The key sensors
520
and the hammer sensors
530
are connected in parallel to an interface of the controller
502
, and the microprocessor periodically checks the interface to see whether or not the black/white keys
234
and the hammers
237
change the current positions. Thus, the key motions and the hammer motions are reported to the microprocessor, and the microprocessor produces a set of music data codes representative of a performance on the keyboard
401
.
In this instance, the image producing system
403
also serves as a prompter. A pianist asks the prompter how he tunes the equalizer or the split top board
420
and how he establishes the automatic player piano in the recording mode or the automatic playing mode. Further, the pianist requests the controller
503
to teach how he changes the tempo and the loudness in the playback. The controller
503
instructs the display driver to produce appropriate images and messages/comments on the visual display
441
.
All the modifications for the sixth and seventh embodiments are applicable to the automatic player piano.
Ninth Embodiment
FIGS. 50
,
51
,
52
,
53
and
54
show a keyboard musical instrument embodying the present invention. The keyboard musical instrument is categorized in one of the grand piano, the silent piano and the automatic player piano. Boards and parts are labeled with the references designating corresponding boards and parts of the grand piano implementing the sixth embodiment without detailed description.
An image producing system
600
is also incorporated in the keyboard musical instrument, and includes a visual display
601
, which is independent of a music rack assembly
602
. In this instance, the music rack assembly
602
is implemented by a desk board
603
and a ridge
604
. The desk board
603
is hinged to the front cover board
25
, and is tiltable. The ridge is fixed to the front cover board
225
, and extends along the lower edge of the desk board
603
. A document such as, for example, a music score stands against the desk board
603
, and the ridge
604
prevents the document from slippage.
The visual display
601
is connected to a display stand
605
, which is fixed to the front cover board
225
. The display stand
605
allows a pianist to tilt the visual display
601
(see
FIG. 53
) and turn therearound (see FIG.
54
). Thus, the visual display
601
is three-dimensionally moved with respect to the front cover board
225
, and the pianist can regulate the visual display to an appropriate direction. Thus, the visual display
601
is independent of the music rack assembly
602
, and, accordingly, the pianist directs the screen to him through the three-dimensional motion.
Though not shown in the figures, the control box
450
is attached to the back surface of the front cover board
225
, and the controller
250
/
490
/
502
is embedded in the key bed
231
. The manipulating board
251
/
491
/
503
is exposed to the pianist, and the controller
250
/
490
/
502
is connected to the manipulating board
251
/
491
/
503
and the control box
450
. The image producing system of the keyboard musical instrument also serves as a prompter, and the controller
250
/
490
/
502
is responsive to the request from the pianist so as to produce images and comments/messages on the visual display
601
. The images and the comments/messages may be similar to those described hereinbefore.
Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
For example, a split top board according to the present invention may have more than two sub-boards.
Another kind of visual display such as, for example, a plasma display is available for the keyboard musical instrument according to the present invention.
A touch panel may be produced on the screen of the visual display
283
. In this instance, the manipulating panel
251
may be deleted from the controller
250
. The music rack assembly
280
or the combination of the desk board and the visual display
330
may be provided for an upright piano.
The image producing system may be provided for a mute piano, which has a movable board attached to the wooden frame. The loudness of piano tones is varied in dependent on the position of the board. In this instance, the image producing system teaches the pianist how to move the board for changing the loudness. When the pianist wants to know how he decreases the loudness, the controller instructs the display driver to produce an image of the mute piano with the wooden frame covered with the board together with an appropriate message. On the other hand, when the pianist wants to know how he recovers the mute piano from the soft tones, the controller instructs the display driver to produce an image of the mute piano with the wooden frame uncovered with the board together with an appropriate message.
The image producing system may communicate with a pianist so as to obtain pieces of control data information such as, for example, the data information disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,864,078 and 5,908,997.
The messages and the comments may be given through a speaker system or the headphone.
Claims
- 1. An acoustic keyboard musical instrument in the category of a grand piano comprisinga housing having an upper opening, a front cover board turnable with respect to said housing and assigned a front part of said upper opening, plural music strings stretched inside of said housing and assigned notes of a scale, respectively, a sound board supported by said housing and extending under said plural music strings, a bass bridge mounted on said sound board and giving tension to the music strings serving as a part of said plural music strings and assigned to lower registered acoustic sounds, a treble bridge mounted on said sound board and giving tension to the music strings serving as another part of said plural music strings and assigned to other lower registered acoustic sounds and to higher registered acoustic sounds, a keyboard exposed to a player and having plural keys assigned said notes of said scale, respectively, plural vibration generating mechanisms respectively linked with said keys and selectively actuated by the associated keys manipulated by said player for producing acoustic sounds through vibrations of said associated music strings, and a split top board having plural sub-boards respectively assigned parts of said upper opening and independently changed between open positions where associated parts of said plural music strings are open to the ambience and closed positions where said associated parts are covered with the associated plural sub-boards.
- 2. The acoustic keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 1, in which said split top board has a front sub-board and a rear sub-board, and a split line between said front sub-board and said rear sub-board crosses said treble bridge at a boundary between said music strings assigned to said other lower registered acoustic sounds and said music strings assigned to said higher registered acoustic sounds.
- 3. The acoustic keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 2, in which a left part of said treble bridge from said boundary with respect to said player is curved in such a manner as to project toward said player.
- 4. The acoustic keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 1, in which said plural sub-boards have respective end portions rotatably connected to a side portion of said housing so that lid prop assemblies keep said plural sub-boards at angles with respect to said housing in said open positions.
- 5. The acoustic keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 4, in which the lengths of said lid prop assemblies are independently regulable so as to change said angles.
- 6. The acoustic keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 1, in which a music rack assembly is provided on said front cover board.
- 7. The acoustic keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 1, in which said plural sub-boards are supported by means of respective lifters each connected to both sides of associated one of said plural sub-boards, and said lifters are projectable from and retractable into the inside of said housing.
- 8. A keyboard musical instrument comprising:a housing defining an inner space; a keyboard supported by said housing, and including plural keys respectively assigned notes of a scale and selectively depressed by a player; a sound generating system accommodated in said housing, and generating sounds having the notes identical with the notes assigned to the depressed keys; a desk board supported by said housing, and keeping a document standing there against for providing a piece of information to said player; and an image producing system including a video display independent of and adjacent to the side of said desk board, supported by said housing and responsive to an image-carrying signal for producing visual images on a screen thereof and a controller responsive to instructions of said player for generating said image-carrying signal.
- 9. The keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 8, in which said visual display is slidable in a lateral direction of said housing.
- 10. The keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 9, in which said desk board is slidable in said lateral direction, and allows said visual display to be partially overlapped therewith.
- 11. The keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 8, in which said visual display further has a display stand three-dimensionally changing the attitude of said screen with respect to said housing.
- 12. The keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 8, in which said sound generating system includeshammer action mechanisms respectively associated with said keys and actuated by said depressed keys, plural music strings respectively associated with said keys and selectively vibrating for generating said sounds and hammers respectively associated with said hammer, selectively driven for rotation by the associated hammer action mechanisms actuated by said depressed keys, thereby striking the associated music strings, said keyboard musical instrument further comprising a top board rotatably supported by said housing and changing an attitude thereof for closing said sound generating system in said inner space and exposing said sound generating system through a rear part of an upper opening defined by said housing to an ambience depending upon said position and a front cover board rotatably supported by said housing and offering an upper surface when said front cover board closes a front part of said upper opening, said visual display and said desk board being independently connected to said upper surface.
- 13. The keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 12, in which said visual display further has a display stand three-dimensionally changing the attitude of said screen with respect to said front cover board.
- 14. The keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 8, in which said controller teaches how to use said keyboard musical instrument through said visual images.
- 15. An acoustic keyboard musical instrument comprisinga housing having an upper opening, plural music strings stretched inside of said housing and assigned notes of a scale, respectively, a keyboard exposed to a player and having plural keys assigned said notes of said scale, respectively, plural vibration generating mechanisms respectively linked with said keys and selectively actuated by the associated keys manipulated by said player for producing acoustic sounds through vibrations of said associated music strings, a split top board having plural sub-boards respectively assigned parts of said upper opening and independently changed between open positions where associated parts of said plural music strings are open to the ambience and closed positions where said associated parts are covered with the associated sub-boards, and an information providing means supported by said housing and including a document stand directing a document to said player for providing a first piece of information and a visual display adjacent to said document stand and producing visual images on a screen thereof for providing a second piece of information together with said first piece of information.
- 16. The acoustic keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 15, in which said document stand is a part of a music rack assembly, and said visual display is embedded in another part of said music rack assembly.
- 17. The acoustic keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 15, in which said visual display is independent of said document stand.
- 18. The acoustic keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 17, in which said visual display is three-dimensionally movable with respect to said housing.
- 19. The acoustic keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 18, in which said visual display is provided on a front cover board laterally extending over a front part of an upper opening defined by said housing, and said document stand is rotatably supported by said front cover board.
- 20. The acoustic keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 15, each of said vibration generating mechanisms has a hammer action mechanism actuated by one of said plural keys and a hammer driven for rotation by said one of said plural keys for striking one of said plural music strings.
- 21. The acoustic keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 20, in which said document stand is a part of a music rack assembly, and said visual display is embedded in another part of said music rack assembly.
- 22. The acoustic keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 21, further comprising an electronic sound generating system responsive to a fingering on said keyboard for producing electronic sounds and a silent system changed between a free position and a blocking position, said hammer being allowed to strike said one of said plural music strings in said free position and rebounding on said silent system before striking said one of said plural music strings in said blocking position.
- 23. The acoustic keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 21, further comprising an automatic playing system having plural key actuators for selectively moving said plural keys without a fingering thereon.
- 24. The acoustic keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 20, in which said visual display is independent of said document stand.
- 25. The acoustic keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 24, in which said visual display is three-dimensionally movable with respect to said housing.
- 26. The acoustic keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 24, further comprising an electronic sound generating system responsive to a fingering on said keyboard for producing electronic sounds and a silent system changed between a free position and a blocking position, said hammer being allowed to strike said one of said plural music strings in said free position and rebounding on said silent system before striking said one of said plural music strings in said blocking position.
- 27. The acoustic keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 24, further comprising an automatic playing system having plural key actuators for selectively moving said plural keys without a fingering thereon.
- 28. The acoustic keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 15, in which said information providing means further has a controller for producing images on said visual display, and said controller teaches how to use said acoustic keyboard through said images.
- 29. The acoustic keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 28, in which said controller teaches how to selectively emphasize said acoustic sounds through said images.
Priority Claims (3)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
11-258091 |
Sep 1999 |
JP |
|
11-288711 |
Oct 1999 |
JP |
|
11-288712 |
Oct 1999 |
JP |
|
US Referenced Citations (9)