Electronic musical keyboard operated by foot for amusement and exercise

• US 6,743,971 B1
• Filed: 01/13/2003
• Issued: 06/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Red Tower Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Red Tower Incorporated
• Inventors: Chen, Chan-Chuan
• Primary Examiner(s): Donels, Jeffrey W.
• Application Number:
  US10/340,823
• Time in Patent Office: 505 Days
• Field of Search: 847/21, 847/46
• US Class Current: 84/746
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1068 being specially adapted to detect the point of contact of the player on a surface, e.g. floor mat, touch pad
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8047 Music games
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/32 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/141 Games on or about music, i.e. based on musical knowledge, e.g. musical multimedia quizzes teaching of music per se G09B15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/256 foldable or rollable, e.g. for transport
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/341 Floor sensors, e.g. platform or groundsheet with sensors to detect foot position, balance or pressure, steps, stepping rhythm, dancing movements or jumping shoe sensors G10H2220/336

Abstract

An electronic amusement-exercise device includes a keyboard, an electronic circuit board disposed in the keyboard, and a plurality of keys mounted on the keyboard. As the keys are treaded on by the feet of a person, musical tones are reproduced through a loud speaker which is fastened to the keyboard.

Claims

1. A dual-purpose amusement device comprising:

a keyboard panel formed of a flexible material, said keyboard panel having a top edge and a bottom edge;

an electronic circuit board positioned in a housing adjacent said top edge of said keyboard panel;

a plurality of keys arranged in generally parallel rows on said keyboard panel, and parallel rows extending between said electronic circuit board and said bottom edge of said keyboard panel, said keyboard panel being foldable between said parallel rows such that the keys of one row overlie the keys of an adjacent row, said plurality of keys being connected to said electronic circuit board so as to control a reproduction of musical tones, said keys positioned so as to be activated by action of human feet; and

at least one loudspeaker mounted on said keyboard panel adjacent said top edge and within said housing, the loudspeaker producing an audible tone when the key is activated by the feet.

2. The device of claim 1, on of said plurality of keys being a tone volume controller, said tone volume controller positioned generally centrally along one of the parallel rows.

3. The device of claim 1, one of said plurality of keys being a tone selector, said tone selector positioned generally centrally along one of the parallel rows.

4. The device of claim 1, said keyboard panel being foldable such that all of said parallel rows are folded in stacked relationship upon each other in a position below said housing.