The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 18, 1998
Filed:
May. 16, 1996
Shinji Kumano, Shizuoka-ken, JP;
Tsuyoshi Sato, Shizuoka-ken, JP;
Yamaha Corporation, Hamamatsu, JP;
Abstract
A keyboard apparatus has a first frame (support member), and a keyboard including a plurality of white keys and black keys, each of the keys having a fulcrum and movably about the fulcrum with respect to the support member. Each of the black keys has an extension section connected to one end of each of the black keys. The extension section extends under operation sections of two adjacent white keys toward the free ends of the white keys. A white key driving section is provided adjacent to a free end portion of each of the white keys. A black key driving section is provided adjacent to a free end portion of each of the extension sections. The white key driving sections and the black key driving sections are located at substantially the same distance from their respective fulcrums, and drive movable sections such as mass body assemblies (action members) or key switches that are operated in association with the corresponding white keys and the black keys.