US2460408A - Amplified accordion - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 1, 1949. w. J. BABICKY 2,460,408

AMPLIFIED ACCORDION Filed June 28, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ail/0mm Patented Feb. 1, 1949 2,466,4dii

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AMPLIFIED ACCORDION Walter J. Babicky, Milwaukee, Wis.

Application June 28, 1946, Serial No. 680,314

Claims.

This invention relates to an amplified accordion, or the like.

Accordions have been one of the most diificult musical instruments to amplify in a manner pleasing to the ear. Attempts to attach the microphone to the inside of the casing have resulted in the pickup of noise from the keys, valves and bass mechanism, vibrato of the steel reeds, and an excessive disproportionate amplification of the treble part as compared to the bass part of the music.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an accordion amplification in which the noises referred to are eliminated and in which the treble and bass parts are more nearly equally amplified to produce music pleasing to the ear.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel accordion amplification which is more accurate for the player and which does not require special training to adjust the touch of the keys and the playing to the idiosyncrasies of the amplifier pickup.

Another object is to reduce the amount of work to play an accordion.

Another object is to provide an amplification pickup for an accordion that is more accurate and less apt to pick up noises.

A more specific object is to provide a mounting for the microphone inside the accordion, that will greatly improve the quality of amplification.

Another specific object is to provide an improved connection for the microphone in the accordion.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of an accordion showing the amplifier hookup thereto;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the accordion opened up, with the microphone mounting in clear view;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged top plan view of the microphone mounted in the accordion;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the microphone mounted in the accordion;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a similar section taken at right angles to Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a transverse detail section through the case taken axially of the lead wire connector.

The invention is applicable to any type of accordion and is generally used in connection with large concert accordions such as the one illustrated in the drawing.

The amplifier pickup for the accordion I should comprise a very light weight microphone 2, preferably of the crystal type having but a single lead wire 3 therefore. Contact type microphones such as those employed for electric guitars and violins should not be used, as they have a tendency to pick up noises.

The microphone 2 should be shielded from casing vibrations by a cushion mounting 4 and the lead wire 3 should be electrically shielded from interference, the latter shield constituting a ground lead from the microphone and encasing the lead 3.

For the purpose of completely shielding the microphone 2 from casing vibration the microphone is suspended in mid-air inside the accordion by rubber bands 5 stretched between suitable posts 6 on a copper frame l and choir cling the microphone in a circumferential groove 8 in the latter.

The frame 1 may be rectangular with the posts 6 disposed at the opposite corners, as shown. It is mounted on the piano side reed blocks 9 with the microphone 2 preferably facing the bass side of the accordion, in a space where it will not be touched or interfere with the operation of the accordion.

The mounting comprises a pair of wood screws [0 passing through thin sheet metal straps H which encircle the opposite sides of the frame, and into the corresponding wood reed blocks. A rubber or felt washer I2 lies beneath each strap ll and between it and the corresponding reed block, and a rubber tube l3 encircles each screw I0 and is confined between the screw head and strap II.

The corners of frame 1 rest on felt pads 44 glued to the wood reed blocks 9.

The shielded lead wire 3 is secured to the back of microphone 2 and extends outwardly to a screw connector l5 clamped through the outer casing wall of-the accordion with suitable rubber Washers l6 th-erebetween. The ground shield encasing wire 3 is secured to the connector 55.

The connector I5 is adapted to receive a removable coupling connector H and shielded cable leading to the amplifier set l8 and loud speaker IS.

The amplifier set l8 and speaker l9 should be set to favor bass amplification.

With the pickup constructed and mounted as described it has been found that the key and valve noises are not picked up. The floating microphone picks up all musical tones directly from the reeds and without distortion or echoes. All transmittal of tonal vibrations through the casing of the microphone are avoided. The tonal quality of amplification is far superior to any obtainable heretofore Where microphones Were attached directly to the casing and the like.

The invention may have various modifications and embodiments Within the scope of the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. The combination With a musical instrument having reed blocks and piano keys at one side thereof, of an amplifier pickup comprising a light Weight microphone and a floating mounting therefor, and fastening means for securing the mounting to the piano side reed blocks in an otherwise unused space in the instrument.

In an accordion having reed blocks and up comprising a crystal microphone, a floating support for said microphone, and cushion means piano keys at one side thereof, an amplifier pick- 4 making amplifier pickup difiicult, an amplifier pickup comprising a microphone, a floating mounting therefor, and fastening means for securing the mounting upon the reed blocks of the instrument.

*5. In an accordion having reed blocks and piano keys at one side thereof, an amplifier pickup comprising a crystal microphone, a frame surrounding said microphone, rubber bands held by said frame and encircling said microphone to float the same in mid-air, means securing said frame to the piano side reed blocks of the accordion in the central space in the accordion with said microphone facing the bass side of the accordion, and cushion means disposed between said frame and said reed blocks to prevent pick up of noises by the microphone.

WALTER J. BABICKY.

REFERENCES CITED The foiiowing references are of record int'he of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

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