A support device for a pivotal member of a keyboard instrument, in which opposite ends of a pivotal pin fixed to a pivotal member can be each properly positioned in the center of a pin hole, to thereby enable the pivotal member to perform efficient and stable pivotal motion. The support device that pivotally supports the pivotal member pivotally moved by key depression includes a flange body including two support walls opposed to each other with a predetermined spacing therebetween, and two pin holes which are formed in the respective support walls and in which opposite ends of the pivotal pin are inserted, respectively, and two bearings fixed in the pin holes in an inserted state and having opposite ends of the pivotal pin inserted therein, for pivotally supporting the pivotal. Each bearing is formed by a braid formed in a hollow cylindrical shape.

A stopper rail of a silent piano, which can make collision noise generated when a hammer shank collides against the stopper rail, blurred in the sense of pitch thereof and difficult to be recognized by the human ear, in a silent performance mode. In this mode, the stopper rail is contacted by the hammer shank of a hammer being pivotally moved to stop pivotal movement of the hammer. The stopper rail includes a rail body having a predetermined flexural rigidity allowing vibration, a first cushion provided on one surface of the hammer shank, for being contacted by the hammer shank being pivotally moved, and a vibration suppressing portion provided on an opposite surface of: the rail body to the first surface so as to apply a load to the rail body to suppress vibration of the rail body when the hammer shank contacts the rail body.

A stopper rail of a silent piano, which can make collision noise generated when a hammer shank collides against the stopper rail, blurred in the sense of pitch thereof and difficult to be recognized by the human ear, in a silent performance mode. In this mode, the stopper rail is contacted by the hammer shank of a hammer being pivotally moved to stop pivotal movement of the hammer. The stopper rail includes a rail body having a predetermined flexural rigidity allowing vibration, a first cushion provided on one surface of the hammer shank, for being contacted by the hammer shank being pivotally moved, and a vibration suppressing portion provided on an opposite surface of: the rail body to the first surface so as to apply a load to the rail body to suppress vibration of the rail body when the hammer shank contacts the rail body.

A keyboard apparatus includes a first key assembly, a second key assembly, and a third key assembly. The first key assembly includes a first key being slidably in contact with a first member at a first position and a second member at a second position. A first minimum distance between the first key assembly and the second key assembly at the rear ends thereof is larger than a second minimum distance between the first key assembly and the second key assembly at the second position within a range of rotation of the first key assembly. A third minimum distance between the first key assembly and the third key assembly at the rear ends thereof being larger than a fourth minimum distance between the first key assembly and the third key assembly at the second position within the range of rotation of the first key assembly.

A keyboard apparatus includes a first key assembly, a second key assembly, and a third key assembly. The first key assembly includes a first key being slidably in contact with a first member at a first position and a second member at a second position. A first minimum distance between the first key assembly and the second key assembly at the rear ends thereof is larger than a second minimum distance between the first key assembly and the second key assembly at the second position within a range of rotation of the first key assembly. A third minimum distance between the first key assembly and the third key assembly at the rear ends thereof being larger than a fourth minimum distance between the first key assembly and the third key assembly at the second position within the range of rotation of the first key assembly.

Elliptical silicone knuckle or roller for grand piano action with customized durometer reading is an elliptical cylinder shaped knuckle or roller for a grand piano hammer assembly with an elliptical cylinder shaped core that is made of silicone thermoset resin material, which can be molded or manufactured at any desired durometer reading of 10-100 units to yield a piano action and hammer assembly for a grand piano with the exact feel of escapement that is desired by any particular pianist. Escapement is the process whereby the jack stops driving the knuckle just before the hammer hits the strings where the hammer travels the last 1 to 2 mm to the strings on its own inertia and without any contact with the jack. Two embodiments of elliptical silicone knuckle or roller are presented: a wide embodiment and a narrow embodiment.

Elliptical silicone knuckle or roller for grand piano action with customized durometer reading is an elliptical cylinder shaped knuckle or roller for a grand piano hammer assembly with an elliptical cylinder shaped core that is made of silicone thermoset resin material, which can be molded or manufactured at any desired durometer reading of 10-100 units to yield a piano action and hammer assembly for a grand piano with the exact feel of escapement that is desired by any particular pianist. Escapement is the process whereby the jack stops driving the knuckle just before the hammer hits the strings where the hammer travels the last 1 to 2 mm to the strings on its own inertia and without any contact with the jack. Two embodiments of elliptical silicone knuckle or roller are presented: a wide embodiment and a narrow embodiment.

A keyboard device for a keyboard instrument, capable of obtaining excellent touch feeling and stable key stroke without giving sponge feeling or unpleasant vibration during key depression. The keyboard device includes a keyboard chassis, keys pivotally supported on the chassis, hammers swingably supported on the chassis and swinging along with key depression, a hammer upper limit stopper provided on a chassis rear end and contacted by a hammer rear end from below during key depression, and a key lower limit stopper provided on a chassis front end and contacted by front ends of the keys from above during key depression. The hammer upper limit stopper has predetermined flexibility that allows deformation of the hammer upper limit stopper such that after contact of a hammer during key depression, an associated key reaches its lowest position in a state in contact with the key lower limit stopper.

A keyboard device for a keyboard instrument, capable of obtaining excellent touch feeling and stable key stroke without giving sponge feeling or unpleasant vibration during key depression. The keyboard device includes a keyboard chassis, keys pivotally supported on the chassis, hammers swingably supported on the chassis and swinging along with key depression, a hammer upper limit stopper provided on a chassis rear end and contacted by a hammer rear end from below during key depression, and a key lower limit stopper provided on a chassis front end and contacted by front ends of the keys from above during key depression. The hammer upper limit stopper has predetermined flexibility that allows deformation of the hammer upper limit stopper such that after contact of a hammer during key depression, an associated key reaches its lowest position in a state in contact with the key lower limit stopper.

A keyboard device for a keyboard instrument, capable of obtaining excellent touch feeling and stable key stroke without giving sponge feeling or unpleasant vibration during key depression. The keyboard device includes a keyboard chassis, keys pivotally supported on the chassis, hammers swingably supported on the chassis and swinging along with key depression, a hammer upper limit stopper provided on a chassis rear end and contacted by a hammer rear end from below during key depression, and a key lower limit stopper provided on a chassis front end and contacted by front ends of the keys from above during key depression. The hammer upper limit stopper has predetermined flexibility that allows deformation of the hammer upper limit stopper such that after contact of a hammer during key depression, an associated key reaches its lowest position in a state in contact with the key lower limit stopper.