- Rockin’ Patent: US Patent No. 8,952,232
- Filed: 14 January 2013
- In the name of: PianoArc LLC
- Title: Circular Piano Keyboard
- What’s claimed: “A curved digital piano keyboard, comprising: a plurality of natural and accidental piano keys, the piano keys being in a single plane and collectively forming an inward-facing arc toward a central reference point, wherein a size of the piano keys conforms generally to a conventional dimension of natural and accidental piano keys at least at a play location of the respective keys; a key action mechanism configured to return each piano key to an original position after being depressed and subsequently released; and electronic sensor circuitry configured to generate sensor signals when one or more piano keys are being depressed, the sensor circuitry having a radius which falls within a range of a radius of a front of accidental keys and a common radius of the accidental keys, wherein each piano key has a top, bottom, front, and back, and wherein the key action mechanism comprises: a lever having a front and back; one or more fasteners attaching the front of the lever to the top and back of a respective piano key; one or more springs having a top and bottom, the top of the one or more springs attached to the back of the lever and the bottom of the one or more springs are attached to an underlying structure beneath the bottom of the piano key, wherein the one or more springs are configured with tension to return the piano key to an original position after being depressed and subsequently released; and a pivot point for the lever, the pivot point contacting the top of the respective piano key, wherein the one or more fasteners comprise a first and second screw on opposing sides of the pivot point, and wherein adjusting the first and second screws adjusts the tension of the one or more springs.”
- Why this patent rocks: This patent appears to relate to the Brock360 Circular Keyboard. The list of inventors includes Lady Gaga’s lead keyboardist Brockett Parsons. Consisting of 288 custom machined keys (24 octaves), the Brock 360 comprises four 72-note keyboard sections. The user stands in the middle and the keyboard surrounds them. If you’d like to see the Brock360 in action, see here for a video of Parsons playing it. If you would like to know more about PianoArc’s circular piano, see here for a link to their website.
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The information above is for general interest and information only and does not constitute legal advice.
