Electronic keyboard alignment tool and method of use

{
  "publication_number": "US10262637B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Electronic keyboard alignment tool and method of use",
  "abstract": "A musical instrument keyboard alignment tool comprises a central member having defined therein a slot dimensioned to receive a key stop member of an electronic musical instrument keyboard, at least one handle extending from the central member, and an elongate foot extending from the central member. A distance between the bottom of the slot to the bottom surface of the foot corresponds to a calibration distance from the bottom of a key stop to a reference portion of the key bed of a keyboard. The described tool and methods of use significantly reduces the time required to perform a complete key stop alignment of an electronic musical instrument keyboard.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An electronic musical instrument keyboard alignment tool, comprising: a central member having defined therein a slot dimensioned to receive a key stop of an electronic musical instrument keyboard; at least one handle extending from the central member; and an elongate foot extending from the central member.",
    "2. The musical instrument keyboard alignment tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein the slot is L-shaped.",
    "3. The musical instrument keyboard alignment tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein a distance d between a bottom surface of the slot and a bottom surface of the foot corresponds to a calibration distance from the bottom of a key stop to a reference portion of the key bed of a keyboard.",
    "4. The musical instrument keyboard alignment tool in accordance with claim 3, wherein the distance d is about 36 mm.",
    "5. The musical instrument keyboard alignment tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one handle extending from the central member includes a handle extending vertically from the central member.",
    "6. The musical instrument keyboard alignment tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one handle extending from the central member includes a handle extending horizontally from the central member.",
    "7. The musical instrument keyboard alignment tool in accordance with claim 1, wherein the length of the elongate foot is adjustable.",
    "8. A method of aligning a key stop of an electronic musical instrument keyboard, comprising: providing a tool, comprising: a central member having defined therein a slot dimensioned to receive a key stop of an electronic musical instrument keyboard; at least one handle extending from the central member; and an elongate foot extending from the central member; engaging the slot with the key stop; and manipulating the tool to bring the key stop into proper alignment.",
    "9. The method of aligning a key stop of an electronic musical instrument keyboard in accordance with claim 8, further comprising: confirming proper alignment of the key stop by observing that a bottom surface of the elongate foot is in light contact with a surface of a key bed support rail.",
    "10. The method of aligning a key stop of an electronic musical instrument keyboard in accordance with claim 8, further comprising: adjusting the length of the elongate foot.",
    "11. An electronic musical instrument keyboard alignment kit, comprising: a plurality of electronic musical instrument keyboard alignment tools, each comprising: a central member having defined therein a slot dimensioned to receive a key stop of an electronic musical instrument keyboard; at least one handle extending from the central member; and an elongate foot extending from the central member, wherein a distance d between a bottom surface of the slot and a bottom surface of the foot corresponds to a calibration distance from the bottom of a key stop to a reference portion of the key bed of a keyboard, and wherein each one of the plurality of electronic musical instrument keyboard alignment tools includes a different distance d to account for different alignment standards.",
    "12. The electronic musical instrument keyboard alignment kit in accordance with claim 11, wherein the distance d of individual ones of the plurality of electronic musical instrument keyboard alignment tools ranges from about 35 mm to about 37 mm in 0.5 mm increments."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present disclosure relates generally to the maintenance and refurbishment of a keyboard for an electronic musical instrument, and in particular, to a tool for adjusting and aligning individual key stops of an electronic musical instrument keyboard.\n\nElectronic organs, pianos, synthesizers and other electrical musical instruments include keyboards with switches which are operated to activate tone generators, or to key signals therefrom, to selectively provide signals representing various musical notes. One such keyboard is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,845,683, issued Nov. 5, 1974 to Alfred H. Lehmann, assigned to Pratt-Read Corporation, which is incorporated by reference herein. The keyboard design described therein has enjoyed great commercial success and has received many accolades for its durability and playability. However, wear and tear combined with the effects of age-related deterioration of certain components will eventually require refurbishment of the keyboard to maintain good performance.\n\nIn particular, the keyboard includes individual keys stops, one for each key, which define the upper and lower limits of key travel. The key stops include a neoprene sleeve (sometimes referred to as a “bumper” or “bushing”) which absorbs the impact of the key hitting the key stop to provide a pleasing feel to the player and to eliminate mechanical clacking noises. Repeated blows over years of playing eventually cause the key stops to deform, which throws the keys out of alignment. This causes unevenness between the keys, impairing the playability and aesthetic appearance of the instrument.",
  "cpc": [
    "G10G 7/00",
    "G10C 9/00",
    "G10H 1/344",
    "G10H 2230/365"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "G10C 9/00",
    "G10G 7/00",
    "G10H 1/34"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Russell Stephen Salerno"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2018-03-17",
  "publication_date": "2019-04-16",
  "grant_date": "2019-04-16",
  "priority_date": "2018-03-17",
  "application_number": "US-201815924192-A",
  "family_id": "66098654",
  "cited_by_count": 4,
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}