WO2000042598A1

WO2000042598A1 - Mechanism adjusted to manipulate chromatic harmonicas without the assistance of hands

Info

Publication number: WO2000042598A1
Application number: PCT/GR2000/000002
Authority: WO
Inventors: Efthimios Giokas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-01-13
Filing date: 2000-01-13
Publication date: 2000-07-20
Anticipated expiration: 2001-07-13
Also published as: EP1068610A1; AU2252000A

Abstract

The invention concerns a mechanism adjusted to the chromatic harmonica and pushes the blot, consisting by a system of sliding parts and a system of levers in combination. The mechanism is activated with the help of the jaw. The invention solves the problem that faces the musician who wants to play at the same time with chromatic harmonica or the diatonic one and the accompaniment instrument such as guitar, piano, etc. There are two other variations of the mechanism. The first variation is used for the creation of a vibrato (sound vibration) for the harmonica. At the second variation is adapted a pair of diatonic harmonica. Both activated with the help of the jaw.

Description

MECHANISM ADJUSTED TO MANIPULATE CHROMAΗC HARMONICAS WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF HANDS

The invention concerns a mechanism adjusted to the chromatic harmonica and pushes the bolt without the assistance of hands, consisting of a system of sliding parts and two systems of levers, one simple and one of balance type, which are supported by a base consisting of two parts: one carries the

5 systems and the other which rests against the base of the musician's neck.

The only thing known is the base supporting the harmonica consisting of two parts, the on one in the shape of a petal or of the letter U which the musician rest against his neck base ant the other in the shape of a π which

10 keeps the harmonica by the musician's mouth. In this way, the musician can play at the same time a musical accompaniment instrument such as a guitar, piano, etc. The stabilization of the two parts of the base in that position is made by a thumbscrew which is used as a pin too. The disadvantages of the construction is that it cannot be surely stabilized in its appropriate position as

15 the thumbscrew, which serves as a pin too, tightens small surfaces around the holes the one over the other and therefore the tightening cannot be safe and controlled.

However the main disadvantage is that the chromatic harmonica loses its property as a chromatic one and keeps to a diatonic harmonica. In that case,

20 there is no possibility of tonality change or any other change necessitated by a musical piece in a specific moment because the musician's hands are bound by the accompaniment instrument and there no other way of actuation of bolt for the requisite changes.

25 The invention as described, aims to eliminate these disadvantages. It solves the problem of the activation inability of bolt whereas the musician's hands are bound with the accompaniment instrument. The power needed by a hand finger is now applied from the jaw of the musician player with a very levers by pushing the bolt.

The advantages provided by the inventor is that the chromatic harmonica can play at the same time with an accompaniment Instrument such as guitar, piano, etc., by keeping all the properties of the chromatic harmonica. Thus, the form chromatic harmonica - accompaniment instrument by the same musician simplifies the problem of the second accompanying musician and eliminates the difficulties that would be arisen from such a duet: such as rhythm synchronization, coordination to the music Idea, the expression etc.

In one first variation there is a vibrato mechanism (sound vibration) adapted to the already existed mechanism for a diatonic ans chromatic harmonica consisted by a parallelepiped empty box divided into three parts and place for a battery, air chamber and a place for a motor which activates the transformation mechanism of the rotation to retrogressive movement.

The vibrato production (sound vibration) is achieved with hands and not with a mechanism, jointed in order to create a sort of sound-box under the output of harmonica sound by opening and closing the output.

Such a way of vibrato production binds the musician's hands, demands practice, and it is tiring after a certain time of play

The advantages provided by the invention are that the musician's hands are released and can play at the same time an accompaniment instrument such as guitar, piano etc. together with a chromatic harmonica and diatonic having the mechanism adapted. If the contemporary performance with an accompaniment instrument cannot be effected, in that case we can play the vibrato harmonica without any fatigue or previous practice.

A further advantage concerns the mechanism when the diatonic harmonica is adapted. Due to its small size, an important part of Its mouthpiece is covered Therefore, the glottis are been excited and the retrogression of air inside the chamber and in this way polyphonies are created that they could not be achieved by the musician's blow.

In a second variation, a pair of diatonic harmonica consisted of a system of levers and sliding parts rested on the basis is adapted to the mecnaπism.

The only thing known is the base supporting the diatonic harmonica consisting of two parts, the on one in the shape of a petal or of the letter U which the musician rest against his neck base ant the other in the shape of a π where the harmonica is supported.

Both parts are joined between them by their ends with a pin and a screw- pin in such a way that both parts being stabilized by creating an angle with the petal shaped part to touch the base of the neck and the π shaped part by the musician's part, The stabilization in that position is achieved by a thumbscrew that is used as a pin. The support base of the harmonica releases the musician's hands and can be used in order to play at the same time with the accompaniment instrument.

The disadvantages of the construction is that cannot assist to the tonality change or to any other change that could demand a musical piece in a specific time, as the diatonic harmonica Is In any case constructed for monotonicity. In that way, the instrument properties even if there is an accompaniment are limited.

The support base as well has the disadvantage that it cannot be surely stabilized in its appropriate position as the thumbscrew, which serves as a pin too, tightens small surfaces around the holes the one over the other and therefore the tightening cannot be safe and controlled.

Ths invention as described, aims to render the diatonic harmonica a full

Instrument, It solves the problem of monotonicity without eliminating its poiyphoniclty. II improves as well the stabilization on the support base as the screw is positioned in a distance from the pin and tightens the one over the other bigger surfaces. The advantages of this invention is that assists the harmonica to become polytonic and to acquire the properties of the full instrument and to preserve the property to be accompanied by the same musician with an accompaniment instrument such as piano, guitar etc.

A way of the invention application in the following with references to designs that explicate only a special implementation where»

The design 1 consists the front of the mechanism, Designs 2 and 3 are details in enlargement of the mechanism part that pushes the bolt of holes change to the mouthpiece of the harmonica in front and side face with its fulcrum as an Incision on its base.

Design 4 is a side face of the mechanism with the mechanism of the vibrato creation incorporated. Design 5 is a side face of the part where a place is positioned for the battery that feeds with current the vibrato mechanism.

Design 6 is a section of its box in shape of a parallelepiped with an aspect of the mechanism in a first variation.

Design 7 is an aspect of the box side that carries the cover in place of the battery and reception for a screw (24a) in the case that the vibrato mechanism is supported to a base that musician uses so as to play at the same time an accompaniment istrument.

Design 8 is the front of a sound grille and the side face of the mechanism with the pulley and the support base. Design 9 is the front of the invention with the harmonica adapted to the reception place.

Design 11 is a side face of the mechanism where it Is shown even the position of the musician's mouth in the one harmonica as well as a part of the support base, Design 12, on the same sheet is a detail in enlargement showing the governor that fluctuates length and distance,

Design 13 is a prospect design of the one of the two sliding parts with the harmonica adapted on.

Referring to the design the main mechanism from the slider (19) of the chromatic harmonica takes effect not with the assistance of hands but with the help of the jaw, is consisted mainly by a carrier on which is drawn the united part (3,4,5) consisted of two posts (1 ) from both sides that are strongly joined between them in a beam (2).

It is also consisted of a support base (5,3) of the harmonica (β) which is connected to the posts (1) through the parts (4). In that way it results the unified sliding part (5,3,4),

This unified part is connected to the system of levers with the form of a ba'ance in the shape of a π, reverted for forces balance, consisted by two arms (10, 11 ) and a beam (9) resting on the beam (2).

It is consisted also by the π shaped part reverted too but smaller whose both legs (22) are rested firmly on a uniform part (3,4,5). Both legs are connected between them with a pillow (20) and its base (21 ). Finally, the earner (1 ,2) is connected to the petal shaped part (27), with two holes and pins (30) ana is stabilized with a screw (31 ) which screws the right or left post in a distance from the pin.

According to a preferable realization of the invention, the carrier (1,2) is consisted by the posts (1) and the beam (2) which firmly connects the posts parallel between them at thθ same level with screws (23) in a distance 1/4 of the length of post in each small side (24) of the post triangles for stronger juncture. The beam (2) is an important part of the carrier and consists a light, powerful and firm construction due to the two triangles. The posts have a fine and light construction, but strong because of their π shape, design 5, sheet 2. All parts (4) slide along the channel being created by the configuration connected to the posts with a familiar mechanism of rollers of linear movement.

The support base of the harmonica consisted by the part (3) with an opening of sound output and a reception (ridge) and the two parts (5) from both sides of the harmonica with the appropriate receptions.

The parts (5) where the arms (22) are fixed in a position of ridge with a screw (25) each. To the left part (5) is fixed the pin (13) which passes freely to the hole of the left arm (10). The right part (5) has a hole in which the fulcrum (16) passes freely and Is connected to the part with safety (26), design 3, sheet 1.

The parts (5) are connected on the left and on the right, to the sliding parts (4) with screws as well as to the part (3) also with screws, in order to consist altogether a unified part moving without friction on the posts (1 ) by performing the requisite up and down small route.

The system of the levers of a balance shape is connected to the unified part (4,6,3) on the left with the way we aforementioned and on the right through the lever system with the right arm (1 1 ) that carries a hole through which passes freely the pin (14) which is fixed to the lever (15). A basic part of the laver system balance shaped is the beam (9) based on the pin (12) which are fixed to the beam (2) of the carrier and passes freely from the hole positioned on the middle of the beam.

The beam (9) is connected to the left arm with a pin which is based on the left end of the beam (θ) and passes freely from the arm hole. With the right arm, the beam is not connected but is adjacent to the lower end of the arm (11 ) in a reception (26) of a conical shape design 2, so as the two parts of the mechanism, that is the one moving on the posts and the balance shaped lever, to be possible to be quickly released if it is needed.

The arms (22) connθcted to the sliding part as described, are configured as a T shape, design 4, sheet 2, In order to be resistant and not io add weight on the construction, bend on the edges by 130 40^β, des. 3, sheet 2.

With such an inclination, they receive the base (21) of the pillow (20) for the

Jaw and they are connected together with screws (29) one in each end.

The base (21 ) of the pillow (20) has the same configuration with the one of the post (1 ) and has the same mechanism with a roller of linear movement,

The mechanism helps the pillow to move right and left parallel to the mouthpiece of the hermonica and resets to its initial position with a spring (30) made by metal or rubber, when the jaw stops exercising a force. The pillow is consisted by three piles, the hard one which is connected to the sliding mechanism, ihe soft one and a third one which is of soft texture that comes to direct contact with the jaw. When a force is applied with the jaw to the pillow, the uniform part (4,5,3) comes down, the left arm (10) transfers the force to the beam (9) which raises the right arm (11 ), and this last one transfers via lever (15) the force to the head (18) which pushes the bolt (19) of the harmonica. When the force stops to be exercised, the bolt with the assistance of the reset spring and of a second one (28) of the mechanism resets the uniform part (4,5,3) to its initiai position. For enabling the position of the jaw on the pillow, the posts (1) are connected to the petal shaped base (27) which rests on the base of the musician's neck and is stabilized firmly to the appropriate position with the rest of the mechanism part with a screw (32) which screws to the left or right post (1) in a distance from the pin (31 ), by tightening firmly the contact surfaces of the post and the part (33).

The part (33) has an opening of an arc of circle shape having as a radius the distance of the centers of the screws holes (32) and the pin (31).

In respect of the first variation concerning the mechanism of vibrato production for the harmonica Is consisted basically by a box (1a) parallelepiped shape which is divided into three parts: a place for battery (2a), the air chambe^r (3a) and the place (4a) for the base (21a) which carries the mechanism of rotation movement (9a. 8a, 15a). At the upper opening of the air chamber there is a reception place (6a) of the harmonica (5a).

It is also consisted by the mechanism which transforms the rotation movement to retrogression movement (9a, 8a, 15a, 10a, 13a). The cover (12a) which covers the mechanism, the switch (6a) and the voltage fluctuates (23a). According to the present invention, when the circuit is close is activated the mechanism of rotation consisted of the motor (9a), the belt (15a), the puiley (8a) and with the help of an arm (connecting rod) (10a) which is connected to the pulley (8a) with a pin which is fixeα to the pulley and passes freely from the lower hole of the connecting rod (10a). The upper end of the connecting rod carries the pin, which passes freely to the arm hole

(11a) of the sound grille (13a). The uniform part of the arm (11a) and the sound grille (13a) is connected to the body of the box (1a) with a pin which enters freely to the receptions (14a), des. 5, which have projections (18a) to the body of the box.

With this disposition the grille sound (13a) opens and closes the sound output (17a) having as a result the air of the chamber to vibrate measuredly creating a sound vibration (vibrato).

According to the preferable realization of the invention the disposition of the mechanism of rotation movement consisting by the motor (9a) carrying the pulley (16a) of small diameter with a channel for belt, 3V, continuous current, 3.000mm turns, the pulley (8a) and with a relevant weight, approximately eight times bigger in diameter than the pulley (16a) of the motor carrying a respective channel for belt, has the same base (20a) which Is connected by fastening (21a) and firmly to the position (4a) with the body of the box, so as the pulley (8a) arms and the motor (9a) to be vertical to the levels of the box sides (1a) and parallel to the spindle (22a) of the sound grille (13a).

The spindie (22a) of the sound grille (13a) has conical ends and moves freely to the conical receptions (14a) of the projections (18a) consisting by two parts, the one fixed to ihe body of the sound grille (13a) and the other to fall back into the body of the grille pushed by, but having also the possibility to be reset by a spring (19a) and to take its position to the conical reception (14a). The two parts of the spindle are in the same line.

The reception place (6a) of the harmonica 95 has a band of elastic material (7a) that encloses airtightly the harmonica and at the same time stabilizes it. At the electric circuit is interposed a voltage fluctuator (23a) for the adjustment of turnings at will. The cable from the battery up to the motor passes from the outer side of the box inside the channel a bit lower from the side surface. The activation of the circuit is effected by a switch (25a). The part of the mechanism which converts the rotation movement to a retrogressive one is covered by a cover that carries two openings to its two parallel sides for the output of the sounα As far as the second variation of the mechanism is concerned, in which is adapted two harmonicas of relative tonalities, consisting by two support posts (1b), two frames (2b), carrying holes through which the spindle passes (3b). The one frame carries smail wheels (4b) that support the sliding supports (5b). The parts (5b) carries a channel (6b) and are connected to the part (8b), that on its turn is connected to the arm (11b). The arm (11b) is connected to the system of levers of balance shape consisting by a smaller arm (15b), the shaft (19b), with the fulcrum (20b) fixed to the post (1b). A basic part of the balance shaped lever system is the part (16b) of fl shape which folds the two posts and supports the base of the pillow (14b) and finally the reset spnngs (25b).

According to a preferable realization of the invention the two posts (1b) are connected between them via a beam with triangles from both sides for a strong connection either with agglutination or with screws, so as to be parallel between them and at the same level. The two frames (2b) do not have the same size and are connected to the posts firmly with screws In order to form a unified part.

The biggest frame has 2 pins fixed in a special position so as to the small wheels (4b) to enter, which are those that support and facilitate the sliding parts (5b) to move forth and back without frictions.

The parts (5b) carries a channel (6b) and the wheel touches the two parallel sides (7b) of the channel

Each of the two parts (5b) bearing a channel, is connected to the respective other part without a channel in order to be created a unified part of π shape where between and In base with the reception is places each of the two harmonica The lengthwise imaginable axis of the two unified parts, are in a right angle in respect of the levels of frames (2b). The part (8b) is consisted by two parts unified to a beam in order to have a unified part, To the beam of this part is fixed a spindle that passes freely from the two holes (3b) of the 2 frames (2b) and in right angle with their levels. This unified part (8b) is connected to the parts which have a reception base for the hatmonicas, with four pins (9b, 10b) fixed to the body of the part (8b) and pass freely from the respective four holes of the parts (5b) by forming a right angle with the levels of the 2 frames.

The arm (11b) is connected to the right leg of the part (8b) via hole (12b) which is near to the hole (3b) with a pin fixed to the arm (11b).

The arm consists a part of the system of the balance shaped levers system, consisting of a smaller arm (15b), the shaft (19b) rested on the pin (20b), fixed to a post (1b) and the shaft (16b) of π shape.

The pin (20b) passes freely through the hole of the shaft. The shaft with the arm is connected through governor (21b) that has a fixed pin (13b), des.

2 detail. The governor (21b) moves up and down in a reception place (22b) in the inner side of the arm (11b) and is stabilized in a proper position with a screw (23b) of large head.

Finally, the main part of the balance shaped levers system is the part (16b) of fl shape that fold posts of π shape (1 ). It Is based on two pins (24b) fixed to posts, in the same imaginable vertical line to the posts

The pins (24b) pass freely through holes of the shaft (16b). The angle formed by the legs of the part (16b) with the posts are about 80°

The part (16b) has a base on which a pillow is supports (14b). When a force is applied with the jaw of the musician in anu point along the pillow (14b) is activated the balance shaped levers system, the arm (11b) raises the force upwards by pushing the part (8b).

The part (8b) draws the upper of the two parts backwards (5b), while it raises the down part towards the place of the musician mouth. At those two parts (5b) are adapted the two harmonicas wiih some distance between them so as the one not to touch the other during the retrogressive movement of the parts (5b). When the jaw goes down in order to apply a force to the pillow (14b) the position of the mouth is a bit lower, exactly at the new position of the below harmonica.

When the jaw does not apply a force, the parts reset to their initial position with the springs (25b).

The posts (1b) supporting the whole mechanism are based on their turn on the petal shaped part, that touches the neck base. The juncture way is described at the advantages of the invention.

Claims

1. The mechanism adjusted to the chromatic harmonica which induce the blot without the use of the hands, consisted of a carrier (1 ,2) upon which a system of parts (4,5,3,6,22,20,21) rest and moves, which is pulled in connection with a system of levers in a balance shape with pins which run freely through the holes, is characterised by the fact that the strength applied on any part along the pillow (20) in order the mechanism of the blot actuation to be activated derives from the jaws of the musician resting on the pillow (20). For the jaws to rest on the pillow, the mechanism is connected with the bottom (27) of the carriage U, which rests on the base of the neck and is steadying by a screw (32), which screwed on the right or left column (1 ) distant from the pin.

The pillow has the capability of rectilinear movement right-left parallel to the mouthpiece of the harmonica and distant from it, in a slightly longer distance from the distance of the jaws from the mouth. It is consisted of three parts:

The first one connects the pillow with the mechanism of ball-bearing of the base (21 ) and forms the support basis of the other two, the middle one made from soft material and that which adjoins the jaw of smooth and polished surface.

Furthermore, it is characterised by the combination of sliding parts and a system of levers of balance shape and a simple lever for the transfer of the strength to the head (18) for the thrust of the blot (19) of the harmonica following its rectilinear movement.

The arms (10,11 ) are in a straight line, which define a level parallel to that defined by the straight lines -βf each of the columns (1 ). The pins of the levers are vertical to these two levels. The mechanism is constructed also in two different variations. In the first variation we have the forming of vibrato in the harmonica, while in the second variation we have a adjustment of diatonic harmonica.

2. The actuation mechanism according to the clause 1 is characterised by the fact the distance between the pillow (20) and the mouthpiece is adjustable,

3. The thrust mechanism of the latch according Io the claim 1 is characterised by t e fact that the right arm (11 ) is not connected with the beam (9), but instead enters in a socket of conic shape for a quicker release from the beam.

4. The thrust mechanism of the latch of the chromatic harmonica according to the claim 1 and 3 is characterised by the fact the right arm (11) is connected with the beam (9) through a hole and pin which runs freely through the hole,

5. The actuation mechanism of the blot of the chromatic harmonica according to the claim 1 , is characterised by the fact the it bears a adjusted mechanism of vibrato forming.

6. The mechanism of variation, as on the claim 1 of vibraio forming for the diatonic and chromatic harmonica consisted of a box (1a) divided into three parts, with a place (2a) for battery, air chamber (3a) with two openings: input (6a) and output (17a) of the sound and a place (4a) which has a projection (21a) for the adjustment of the base (20a) which has a respective female receptor and brings a motor (9a) that moves the conversion mechanism of the rotation movement to a retrogressive one and is characterised by the cover (13a) of the grille of the sound output (17a) that vibrates over the sound output of the air chamber while against the input is located the harmonica in the reception place (6a) with the band (7a) made by elastic that closes alrtightly the input by allowing the air to pass only from the instrument holes.

7. A mechanism of vibrato production for the harmonica according to the clause 6 is characterised by the fact that is based on the base consisting from two parts: one that touches the base of the musician's neck and the other that supports the mechanism.

8. The Mechanism in the second variation as in clause 1 , to which is adjusted a pair of diatonic harmonica consisting from a lever system, a simple lever and a lever of balance shape in combination to the sliding parts that are rested on a base is characterised by the fact that the force applied along the pillow (14b) in order to activate the mechanism that brings alternately the harmonicas in the mouth of the musician is coming from the musician's jaw and not from his hands, The pillow (14b) has the property of a straight movement right-left parallel to the mouthpieces of each harmonica and in a distance from them a little bigger from the distance of the jaw from the mouth. It is consisted from three parts:

The first connects the pillow with the connecting rod mechanism of the base (26) and consists a support base of the two other, that Is the middle made by soft material and the one touching the jaw of a smooth and silky surface.

It is also characterized by the combination of the sliding parts and the system of the balance shaped levers and the simple lever, the base of shape U that touches the base of the musician neck and is connected to the posts

(1b) with two pins. The base and the posts (1b) are stabilized by forming an angle, In the appropriate position for the jaw, with a screw which is positioned in a distance from the pin.

9, The Mechanism to which is adapted the pair of the diatonic harmonica according to the clause 8 is characterized from the fact that the distance of the pillow (14) from the place that take the mouthpieces each time, is adjusted with a governor (21,23).

10. The mechanism to which is adapted the pair of the diatonic harmonica according to clauses 8,9 is characterized by the fact that the force is applied with hands at the part of the mechanism which is consisted by the simple lever (8b) with the fulcrum that passes from the holes (3b) of the two frames (2b) and is transferred to the sliding parts (5b) which carry by turns the harmonicas in the mouth of the musician. At the mechanism do .not participate the part consisting by the pillow (14b) and the lever of balance shape that has the π shape shaft (16b), the small arm (16b), the shaft (19b) and the big arm (11b) with the governor (21b, 23b), While the springs of reset are repσsitioned to the appropriate place in the used part,

1. The Mechanism in which a pair of diatonic harmonica Is adapted according to clauses 8,9 and 10 carries wheels (4b) positioned in the appropriate place on the two moving in straight movement parts (5b) and channels for the small wheels in the big frame (2b).