Pivot mechanism and keyboard apparatus
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A pivot mechanism providing for an attachment between a stationary part and a pivotable part, the pivot mechanism comprising:
- a shaft with a shaft length portion and ends, at least one of the ends being secured to one of the stationary part and the pivotable part;
a shaft length portion receiver secured to the other of the stationary part and the pivotable part and comprising a c-shaped member, made of a flexing material, defining an opening in which the shaft is to be inserted, the shaft length portion receiver being configured to contact the shaft at a first contact and a second contact and configured to pivot about a pivot axis relative to the shaft;
an arm secured to either an end or an intermediate part of the c-shaped member and extending away from the opening, the arm comprising an elbow at one end of the arm; and
a blocker arm, made of a flexing material, extending from the elbow to face the opening of the shaft length portion receiver and having a blocking position when the blocker arm is not flexed and a non-blocking position when flexed, the blocker arm being configured to contact the shaft at a third contact, and bendable in a direction different from a direction from the pivot axis toward the third contact,wherein a distance between the pivot axis and the third contact is less than each of a distance between the pivot axis and the first contact and a distance between the pivot axis and the second contact.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pivot mechanism includes: a shaft portion; a bearing configured to contact the shaft portion at a first contact and a second contact and configured to pivot about a pivot axis relative to the shaft portion; and a supporter secured to the bearing, configured to contact the shaft portion at a third contact, and bendable in a direction different from a direction from the pivot axis toward the third contact.
30 Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A pivot mechanism providing for an attachment between a stationary part and a pivotable part, the pivot mechanism comprising:
-
a shaft with a shaft length portion and ends, at least one of the ends being secured to one of the stationary part and the pivotable part; a shaft length portion receiver secured to the other of the stationary part and the pivotable part and comprising a c-shaped member, made of a flexing material, defining an opening in which the shaft is to be inserted, the shaft length portion receiver being configured to contact the shaft at a first contact and a second contact and configured to pivot about a pivot axis relative to the shaft; an arm secured to either an end or an intermediate part of the c-shaped member and extending away from the opening, the arm comprising an elbow at one end of the arm; and a blocker arm, made of a flexing material, extending from the elbow to face the opening of the shaft length portion receiver and having a blocking position when the blocker arm is not flexed and a non-blocking position when flexed, the blocker arm being configured to contact the shaft at a third contact, and bendable in a direction different from a direction from the pivot axis toward the third contact, wherein a distance between the pivot axis and the third contact is less than each of a distance between the pivot axis and the first contact and a distance between the pivot axis and the second contact. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A pivot mechanism providing for an attachment between a stationary part and a pivotable part, the pivot mechanism comprising:
-
a shaft with a shaft length portion and ends, at least one of the ends being secured to one of the stationary part and the pivotable part; a shaft length portion receiver secured to the other of the stationary part and the pivotable part and comprising a c-shaped member, made of a flexing material, defining an opening in which the shaft is to be inserted, the shaft length portion receiver being configured to contact the shaft at a first contact and a second contact and configured to pivot about a pivot axis relative to the shaft; an arm secured to either an end or an intermediate part of the c-shaped member and extending away from the opening, the arm comprising an elbow at one end of the arm; and a blocker arm, made of a flexing material, extending from the elbow to face the opening of the shaft length portion receiver and having a blocking position when the blocker arm is not flexed and a non-blocking position when flexed, the blocker arm being configured to contact the shaft at a position on the pivot axis, and bendable in a direction away from at least one of the first contact and the second contact. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A keyboard apparatus, comprising:
-
a key; a hammer assembly configured to pivot, in response to pressing of the key, about a pivot mechanism providing for an attachment between a stationary part and a pivotable part, the pivot mechanism comprising (i) a shaft with a shaft length portion and ends, at least one of the ends being secured to one of the stationary part and the pivotable part, (ii) a shaft length portion receiver secured to the other of the stationary part and the pivotable part and comprising a c-shaped member, made of a flexing material, defining an opening in which the shaft is to be inserted, the shaft length portion receiver being configured to contact the shaft at a first contact and a second contact and configured to pivot about a pivot axis relative to the shaft, (iii) an arm secured to either an end or an intermediate part of the c-shaped member and extending away from the opening, the arm comprising an elbow at one end of the arm, and (iv) a blocker arm, made of a flexing material, extending from the elbow to face the opening of the shaft length portion receiver and having a blocking position when the blocker arm is not flexed and a non-blocking position when flexed, the blocker arm being configured to contact the shaft at a third contact, and bendable in a direction different from a direction from the pivot axis toward the third contact; a sensor disposed below the key and configured to detect an operation of the key; and a sound source section configured to produce a sound waveform signal in response to an output signal of the sensor, wherein a distance between the pivot axis and the third contact is less than each of a distance between the pivot axis and the first contact and a distance between the pivot axis and the second contact.
-
-
14. A pivot mechanism providing for an attachment between a stationary part and a pivotable part, the pivot mechanism comprising:
-
a shaft with a shaft length portion and ends, at least one of the ends being secured to one of the stationary part and the pivotable part; a shaft length portion receiver secured to the other of the stationary part and the pivotable part and comprising a c-shaped member, made of a flexing material, defining an opening in which the shaft is to be inserted, the shaft length portion receiver being configured to contact the shaft at a first contact and a second contact and configured to pivot about a pivot axis relative to the shaft; an arm secured to either an end or an intermediate part of the c-shaped member and extending away from the opening, the arm comprising an elbow at one end of the arm; and a blocker arm, made of a flexing material, extending from the elbow to face the opening of the shaft length portion receiver and having a blocking position when the blocker arm is not flexed and a non-blocking position when flexed, the blocker arm being configured to contact the shaft at a third contact, and bendable in a direction different from a direction from the pivot axis toward the third contact, wherein the supporter is engaged with the shaft portion at the third contact and is bent with pivotal movement of the shaft portion.
-
Specification