US2785595A - Musical instrument - Google Patents

Description

March 19, 1957 R. A. SMITH MUSICAL. INSTRUMENT 4 Sheets-Sneet l Filed Oct. 24, 1955 Q7 .4 38 j INVENTOR.

P055127 HSM/TH March 19, 1957 R. A. SMITH MUSICAL INSTRUMENT 4 Sheets-Sneet 2 Filed Oct. 24. 1955 flTTOBNEYS March-19, 1957 R. A. SMITH 2,785,595

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed Oct. 24, 1955 4 Shets-Sneet s Q N I ME.

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March 19, 1957 R. A. SMITH MUSICAL INSTRUMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ROBERT H. Sm TH Filed Oct. 24, 1955 Fig. 2.

United States Patent MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Robert A. Smith, Seattle, Wash. Application October 24, 1955, Serial No. 542,250

7 Claims. (Cl. 84-402) This invention relates to musical instruments, and it has reference more particularly to an instrument that is equipped with a keyboard comprising keys, arranged like those of a piano, and which instrument is adapted to be played substantially in the same manner as a piano is played, and wherein the musical tones produced are made by the picking or plucking of metal rods or vibrators and are like those produced by the reeds in the playing of an old fashioned type of music box.

It is the primary object of this invention to provide an instrument of the above character wherein a novel form of plectrum mechanism is associated with each of the individual rods or vibrators and each mechanism is individually actuated by a key of the keyboard corresponding thereto.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an instrument as above stated, characterized by the combination of the tone producing rods; the rod plucking or plectrum mechanisms, and the keys of the keyboard for the actuation of the plectrum mechanisms that operate much after the fashion of a piano to produce musical tones which are like those of a music box.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an instrument of the above stated character wherein the ends of the rod picking elements or fingers as associated with the individual rods, are given an endwise and rotary motion, to engage their ends with the rod ends in passing, and wherein the plectrum mechanisms are energized by the pressing of the fingerboard keys corresponding theret0.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention reside in the provision of a musical instrument that is easily portable; that is practical for use as an instrument for adult entertainment as well as for chlidren, and which is relatively inexpensive.

Still further objects of the invention reside in the details of construction and in the ararngement of its plectrum mechanisms and in their mode of operation, as will hereinafter be fully described.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I have provided the improved details of construction,

the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a musical instrument embodied by the present invention, a part of an endwall of the enclosing housing or case being broken away to illustrate the construction and location of its sound box.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, cross-section of a part of the instrument taken in a vertical plane and showing keys of the keyboard and the rod picking or plectrum mechanisms.

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section taken substantially on line 3-3 in Fig. 2, showing the arrangement and relationship of plectrum mechanism actuating levers, relative to the keys of the keyboard.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section on line 44 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on line 5-5 in Fig. 6 is an enlarged horizontal section taken on line 6-6 in Fig. 2, showing the crank mounting of a rod plucking finger.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the rod holding and adjusting clamps.

Fig. 8 is a vertical section on line 8-8 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of two of the keys and their plectrum actuating means.

Ref rring more in detail to the drawings:

In its present preferred form of construction, the instrument of this invention is as shown in Fig. 1. It comprises what, if desired, may be a decorative enclosing case or housing having a front wall 10, back wall 11, opposite end walls i2i2, a bottom formed in two sections, at different levels and designated respectively at 13 and 13' and top wall 14. Also, the case includes as a part thereof, a hinged :lid 14x comprised of parts that can be closed over the keyboard portion and which, in its open position, serves as a music rack. Set within the case somewhat above the bottom, is a horizontal baseboard or floor 15 which divides the case into an upper or key compartment 16 and a lower or plectrum and vibrator containing compartment 17. The sound box is designated at 13x and it is loca.ed immediately below the bottom section 13' which forms the top thereof. Set within the compartment 16 are the keys which make up the keyboard; this being designated in its entirety in Fig. l by reference character K.

It will be understood, more particularly by reference to Fig. 2, that the keyboard is disposed in the forward portion of the case between the levels of the top wall 14 and the horizontal floor plate 15, and is made up of a succession of individually operable keys like those of a piano keyboard, and intended to be actuated in the same manner. The white keys are herein designated by numeral 18 and the black keys by numeral 19.

Mounted within the case, upon the rearward and slightly elevated section 13 of the case bottom, and in rows that are parallel with and relatively close to the back wall 11, are the tone producing elements 20. Each of these is in the form of a short resilient rod of vibrant metal, independent of the others, and clamped at its rearward end, and horizontally and forwardly directed from the upper end of a short, vertical post 21 that, in-turn, is rigidly and adjustably fixed upon the bottom wall section 13. All rods 2%) of the same row are so mounted as to normally be parallel with each other and to extend in the same plane, and also after adjustment, their free ends are substantially in alignment.

It is shown in the drawings that the rods 20 are clamped at their rearward ends between the fiat upper end surfaces of their mounting posts 21 and securing caps 21' that are applied thereover and drawn down tight by a pair of laterally spaced screw bolts 2222 that are applied, as

shown in Fig. 7, through the caps and are threaded into the posts. Each rod is brought to proper tone by its endwise adjustment and the succession of rods are properly tuned to the tones of the chromatic scale. In the present device, the keyboard covers a range of five octaves, but it might be of more or less extent.

in order to eifect a line accurate adjustment of each rod, 1 provide each post 21 with a rod adjusting screw 23 that is threaded into the post at the side opposite that from which the rod extends with the flat under surface of its head portion 23 engaged against the rod end, which is projected slightly beyond the clamp block. In making an adjustment, the rod is first held by the cap rather loosely, then it is plucked to sound a tone and while vibrating, the screw is tightened to cause its head to push that end of the rod inwardly and the vibrating end of the rod outwardly. When the tone drops to that desired, the cap bolts are drawn down tight to secure the adjustment.

In the preferred arrangement of rods 29, those which correspond to the white keys of the instrumentand those which correspond to the black keys are arranged in separate rows. Those for the white keys are mounted in a row that is forward of the row for the black keys and also iat a lower level. This arrangement is not of necessity but is to give better clearance and an easier assemb 'q t a sin the playing of the instrument, the rods 20 are picked, or plucked at their ends; this being incident to the pressing down of keys of the keyboard corresponding thereto, as in the playing of a piano. The picking or plucking is accomplished by use of plectrum mechanisms as shown in figs 2 and 5. it is herein shown that all keys 18 and 19 of the keyboard rest pivotally intermediate their ends on in horizontal center rail 24 that extends from end to end of the case and which is secured upon the horizontal floer each key being held in position on the rail by a vertical post 25 fixed in the'rail and extended ppwardly therefrom to loose fit into a slot 26 formed vertically through the key. At their inner ends, all keys have counterweights 2'7 fixed thereto whereby, after being depressed or struck and released, they will be brought back to normal position of rest with their rear ends engaged against a padded bar 28 that is fixed in the case along the rear wall 11. The arrangement and design is such as to approximate as near as possible the touch of the standard piano keyboard.

Associated with each key is a plectrum or rod plucking mechanism which is actuated upon the striking of the key, to cause the corresponding rod to be plucked. All mechanisms are substantially alike and therefore the following description as applied to a white key operated mechanism will apply equally to the black key operated mechanisms.

Located below the floor plate 15 and in the vertical plane of a white key 18, is a lever 30. All levers 3.0 are coextensive and are pivoted substantially medial of their ends on a horizontal rod 31 that is supported at spaced intervals along its length by a plurality of triangular brackets 32 fixed to the bottom wall 13. The forward end of each lever 30, that being the end at the left hand side in Fig. 2, is located directly below the forward or finger engaged end portion of the corresponding key 18, and is adapted to be engaged and downwardly actuated by a vertical post 33 which extends freely through a padded opening 34 in the horizontal floor 15, resting at its lower end upon the forward end of lever 30, and having its upper end engaging the key in a socket 35 formed in its underside. When the key 18 is struck as in playing, it actuates the corresponding lever 30 from a horizontal position in which it is normally resting to an upwardly and rearwardly inclined position as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The forward end of the lever then engages a stop 36 supported from the front wall of the case.

Mounted directly below the rearward end portion of each lever 30 and extended in the same direction thereof, is a plectrum 37 for the corresponding rod 20. Each plectrum 37 is in the form of a bar or lever with a flat under surface 37] at its forward end resting for guided travel upon a roller 38 supported between the upper ends of vertical plates 39 fixed upon the bottom wall section 13. Near its rearward end, the plectrum lever is sup ported by the throw of a crank 4%} between spaced supports 4141 that are fixed upon the bottom section 13'. The crank 40 is mounted for rotary action by which the plectrum lever is given a reciprocal action and at the same time so moved that its rearward end portion is caused to follow in a substantially circular path such as that indicated by the dash line circle 43 shown in Fig. 2.

The rearward end of the lever 30 is connected With'the rearward end of the corresponding plectrum lever 37 by means of a flexible hanger 44. Also, as shown in Fig. 2, each plectrum lever 37 is connected intermediate its supports by a link 45 with one end of a tensioning spring 46 4 that is fixed to the bottom section 13' near the crank supports.

The above described manner ,of mounting the levers, and manner of connecting them with each other and with spring 46 is such that when a key 18 is struck or depressed in playing, the corresponding lever 36 is rocked on the pivot shaft 31, and its rearward end is swung upwardly, pulling the rearward end of the plectrum upwardly. The rotary movement of the supporting crank 46 causes the plectrum lever 37 to be swung rearwardly and upwardly, thus causing the pointed rear end portion 37x thereof, in passing, to pluck the free end ofthe corresponding rod 20. When the plectrum lever has reached the upper limit of its circular travel, the spring tension and crank action is such as to carry it forwardly across the top of the arc of travel and then to return it and lever 39 to normal position ready for a subsequent actuation.

The proper plucking of the tone producing rods 2a is dependent to certain extent on the proper adjustment of the rod supporting posts 21 toward or from the plectrum levers 37. In order thatsuch adjustment may be effected easily and speedily, Ihave provided special mountings for each post 21, as has been-shown in Fig. 2 wherein it is noted that the posts are engaged flatly and slidably against the floor l3 and also are slidable on threaded rods 60 that extend horizontally therethrough. These rods are fixed at their ends in blocks 61-61 bolted to the floor. Nuts 62 are threaded on the rods and are adjustable therealong to push the posts toward the plectrum levers and to hold them when set at a proper position for best plucking action.

A black key operated plectrum has been shown in Figs. 2 and 9 along with the previously described white key operated mechanism which will not be described in detail since the mechanism already described applies equally thereto. However, to differentiate the black key operated mechanism from the white key mechanism, the reference numerals as applied thereto correspond to those applied to part-s of the-white key actuated mechanism butreach is supplemented by letter b-.

The principal elements of the present invention are shown in Fig. 2 and it is in their combination and mode of operation in combination with the keys of the keyboard that the novelty resides.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a musical instrument of the character described having a keyboard comprising individually operable keys; a vibratory tone producing rod corresponding to each key fixed at one .end in a mounting post, and extended from its mounting for vibratory action, a movably mounted plectrum lever for each rod, and a crank shaft mounting for vone end of each plectrum lever, operable by the depressing of a key of the keyboard to impart rotary motion to the corresponding crank shaft to actuate its plectrum lever whereby one end of said lever will be moved in an orbit that will cause it to pluck the end of the rod in passing it.

2. The musical instrument of claim 1 wherein each plectrum lever is disposed substantially in alignment with the corresponding tone producing rod, and is supported at the end thereof which is farthest from the rod for endwise sliding movement, and has the crank-shaft mounting adjacent its opposite end portion whereby that end of the lever is caused to move in an orbit when rotary motion'is imparted to the crank shaft mounting by the depression of the corresponding key.

3. The musical instrument of claim 2 wherein a rocker lever is supported .above and along each plectrum lever, with a flexible lifting connection at one end with the crank shaft supported end of the plectrum lever, and wherein depression of the key actuates the rocker lever to lift the plectrum lever'through the initial portion of its orbital travel for the plucking of the tone producing rod, and spring means acts yieldingly on each plectrum lever to return it to a position of rest after actuation by the corresponding rocker lever.

4. The musical instrument of claim 3 wherein said spring means is connected to the plectrum lever under tension, between the points of support of said lever and acts in a direction opposite to the lifting action of the rocker lever.

5. The musical instrument of claim 3 wherein each rod has an individual mounting post, and each post is supported for movement to adjust the free end of the rod relative to the orbital path of the end of the corresponding plectrum lever.

6. In an instrument of the character described, a tone producing rod, a mounting means for the fixed support of said rod with a vibratory portion extending from the clamp for contact by a plectrum movable through a fixed orbit to contact with the rod end, means for adjusting the mounting means of the rod to adjust the position of the end of the rod relative to the orbital path of the plectrum; said mounting including a clamp and said rod being adjustable in the clamp to shorten or lengthen the vibratory portion thereof to establish the pitch of the tone produced thereby.

7. In a musical instrument of the character described, having a keyboard comprising individually operable keys; at vibratory ton'e producing rod corresponding to each key fixedly mounted at one end and extended free from said mounting, a plectsum lever mounted in alignment with each rod, having a roller support at the end which is farthest from the rod, and a crank shaft form of support at its other end whereby that end of the lever is caused to travel in an orbit when motion is imparted thereto, and to pluck the end of the corresponding rod in making its orbit, spring means attached under tension to said plectrum lever between its supports to return it to position of rest after actuation, a rocker lever mounted above each plectrum lever, means connecting one end of the rocker lever with the end of the plectrum lever that has the orbital motion, and means operable by the key corresponding to the rocker lever for striking its outer end upon depression of the key to impart motion to the plectrum lever.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,992,317 Loar Feb. 26, 1935 1,995,316 Loar Mar. 26, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS 93,553 Germany Aug. 14, 1897 98,240 Germany July 12, 1898

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