EP2908311A1 - Improvement of a free-reed musical instrument, such as an accordion or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a musical instrument with free reeds vibrated by a flow of air generated by a reserve and able to flow from the reserve in two directions respectively called suction and expiration, the instrument comprising at least one right box (1) and one left box (2) movable relative to each other according to movements of approximation or spacing, a series of free reeds mounted inside said boxes (1 , 2), a mechanism for actuating valves, the opening and closing of which allows the reeds to be solicited or not by the air flow, this mechanism comprising in particular operating keys mounted on the right box (1), and a so-called register mechanism (7) able to move slides (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) provided with holes (8) and able to be moved from an inactive position to an active position, and vice versa, by means of links (9) operated by slides to (10) for the selection of a specific stamp. It comprises a housing (23) connecting the air inlets and outlets in order to limit the saturation of the sounds emitted, said second housing (23) comprises substantially rectangular slots (24) and extends behind the right box,

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to an improvement to a musical instrument with free reeds such as an accordion or the like and more particularly to an improvement improving the registration of accordions.

PRIOR ART

In the field of musical instruments, it is well known wind instruments called free reeds such as accordions, harmoniums, organs, positives or limonaires for example. These instruments use a reed system made of wood or metal, fixed on one side, and free to move on both sides of its rest position, the displacement of the air column putting this reed in vibration which can to be the instrumentist's breath, an arm or foot mechanism or a mechanical wind tunnel.

An accordion comprises two caissons connected by a bellows forming an enclosure. On each of these boxes in the enclosure, there are soundboards with openings, mechanisms for clearing and closing these openings. These tables of harmonies generally bear several sommiers which are supports of many modules. These modules are placed in front of the openings to be traversed or not by the air flows generated by the bellows, depending on the keys actuated. Each module is actually the sound production element and includes a blade holder. A module comprises two windows each having a blade fixed by one of its ends provided with a heel on said blade holder. The blade is extended by its free part also called tongue in this window. This tongue, vibrated by the flow of air passing through the window, makes it possible to produce sounds. Depending on the nature, thickness, dimensions length / width and cutting the tab, we get sounds corresponding to the desired notes.

In the known accordions, each module has, for the same note, two windows and two blades for each of the two possible directions of the wind. One of the blades is riveted to one of the faces of the module facing the first window and the other blade is riveted to the other face opposite the other window. Thus, for one of the wind directions, the corresponding blade is vibrated and produces the note while the valve on the other window limits air leakage through the other window.

In addition, many accordions have so-called register mechanisms that make it possible to open or close series of doors through which the air of the bellows can pass or not to reach a series of reeds carried by the sommiers. Thus, the registers which generally consist of a flat strip pierced with holes, and placed between the soundboard and the mattress, allow or forbid a series of reeds to vibrate. Control means such as a zipper or a lever adapted to slide the slide in two positions. In one position, it hides the holes of the bed base corresponding to a voice and thus neutralizes all the reeds corresponding to this voice. In the second position it opens on the contrary the access of the air to these reeds. Said control means may be located above the right or left crates or both. They can be shaped like mushrooms and can be manipulated vertically or have the form of small levers placed behind the keyboards and are maneuverable while playing. They may also consist of push-buttons, placed against the body near the keyboards.

The right-hand registers hide or activate the available voices, usually from 2 to 4 voices. In this respect, it will be recalled that a voice is a single note emitted by a single reed that vibrates, actuated by a button, two voices is a composed note emitted by two reeds vibrating simultaneously, and actuated by a single button, three voices is a composite note emitted by three reeds that vibrate simultaneously, and operated by a single button, etc ...

For example, on the box of the left hand, the most common register is the one that allows to remove or operate the third parties agreements. There are also registers to operate or remove deep bass (2 octaves below the "normal" voice).

However, these prior art register systems have only a limited number of possibilities.

In addition, there are a large number of systems allowing felting sounds emitted; however, these systems for felting sounds consist essentially of boxes or resonance pits which have the disadvantage of being heavy and expensive to install

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the aims of the invention is therefore to remedy this drawback by proposing an improvement to the registers of accordions of simple and inexpensive design allowing a large number of combinations of predetermined registers.

Another object of the invention is to provide an accordion-type instrument playing soft sounds without decreasing the sound volume.

Another object of the invention is to provide an accordion-type instrument playing unsaturated sounds.

For this purpose, and in accordance with the invention, there is provided a musical instrument with free reeds vibrated by a flow of air generated by a reserve and able to flow from the reserve in two directions respectively said suction and expiration, the instrument comprising at least two boxes movable relative to each other according to movements of approximation or spacing, a series free reeds mounted inside said boxes, a valve actuating mechanism whose opening and closing allows the solicitation or not of the reeds by the air flow, this mechanism comprising in particular operating keys mounted on the mobile pedestals, and a so-called register mechanism adapted to move slides provided with holes and able to be moved from an inactive position to an active position, and vice versa, by means of rods actuated by sliders for the selection of a definite stamp; said instrument is remarkable in that at least one of the box comprises a cap covering the reeds and closing said box, said cap having a bottom wall, an upper wall extending substantially parallel to the bottom wall and side walls integral with the walls lower and upper, the lower wall having a width less than the width of the opening of the box and the upper wall also having a width less than the width of the opening of said box so that said lower and upper walls are offset to form a "baffle" for the outgoing air.

Thus, it will be observed that the hood according to the invention is particularly light, easy to install and allows felting sounds without decreasing the sound volume unlike the devices of the prior art.

In addition, the bottom wall has at its distal end a rim bearing on the front edge of the box.

Preferably, the distal end of the flange comprises an elastomeric seal.

Advantageously, the register mechanism comprises at least a first stage of at least two first sliders that can be actuated by a first series of buttons able to respectively actuate one or more slides and a second stage of at least two sliders extending to above the first stage of sliders actuated by a second series of buttons able to actuate one or more slides.

It will be observed that a configuration with at least two stages of at least two slides makes it possible to obtain at least 16 different possibilities of registers.

Each slider has a first row of substantially rectangular lights, a button-operated stud of the first row of buttons extending through each of these slots to provide translation of the sliders, and a second row of lights also substantially shaped. Rectangular extending parallel to the first row of lights, a pin actuated by a button of the second row of buttons extending through these lights to provide the translation of the slides.

Advantageously, the instrument according to the invention also comprises at least one casing covering the valves in order to fuse the sounds without reducing the sound volume of the instrument.

Said housing consists of a bottom wall, a longitudinal wall, two side walls, transverse inner walls and holes in the longitudinal wall opening into the volume defined by two side interior walls.

The ratio between the volume defined between two transverse inner walls expressed in cubic centimeters and the surface of the hole opening into said volume, said area being expressed in square centimeters, is between 18 and 22.

Incidentally, the instrument according to the invention comprises a second box putting in communication the inputs and the air outlets in order to limit the saturation of the sounds emitted.

Said second housing has substantially rectangular lights and extends behind the right keyboard, just above the valves.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective éclatée d'un accordéon conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une seconde vue en perspective éclatée d'un accordéon conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective éclatée du caisson droit d'un accordéon conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 4 est une vue de dessus du caisson droit de l'accordéon conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 5 est une vue de côté des coulisseaux permettant l'actionnement des registres de l'accordéon suivant l'invention,
• la figure 6 est une vue de dessus du coulisseau supérieur des registres de l'accordéon suivant l'invention,
• la figure 7 est une représentation schématique des boutons d'actionnement des registres de l'accordéon suivant l'invention,
• la figure 8 est une représentation schématique des combinaisons de registres de l'accordéon suivant l'invention,
• la figure 9 est une vue de dessous d'un boitier coiffant les voix afin de feutrer les sons émis par lesdites voix de l'accordéon suivant l'invention,
• la figure 10 est une vue de côté du boitier coiffant les voix de l'accordéon suivant l'invention représenté sur la figure 9,
• la figure 11 est une vue d'un caisson ouvert muni de moyens anti-saturation du son émis de l'accordéon suivant l'invention,
• la figure 12 est une vue en perspective éclatée du caisson droit d'un accordéon conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 13 est une vue arrière du capot fermant le caisson droit d'un accordéon conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 14 est une vue de dessous du capot fermant le caisson droit d'un accordéon conforme à l'invention.

Other advantages and features will emerge more clearly from the following description of several variant embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples, of the musical instrument according to the invention, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• the figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an accordion according to the invention,
• the figure 2 is a second exploded perspective view of an accordion according to the invention,
• the figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the right box of an accordion according to the invention,
• the figure 4 is a top view of the right box of the accordion according to the invention,
• the figure 5 is a side view of the sliders for actuating the registers of the accordion according to the invention,
• the figure 6 is a top view of the upper slider of the registers of the accordion according to the invention,
• the figure 7 is a schematic representation of the buttons for actuating the registers of the accordion according to the invention,
• the figure 8 is a schematic representation of the combinations of registers of the accordion according to the invention,
• the figure 9 is a view from below of a casing covering the voices in order to fel out the sounds emitted by said voices of the accordion according to the invention,
• the figure 10 is a side view of the case covering the voices of the accordion according to the invention shown in the figure 9 ,
• the figure 11 is a view of an open box provided with anti-saturation means of the emitted sound of the accordion according to the invention,
• the figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of the right box of an accordion according to the invention,
• the figure 13 is a rear view of the hood closing the right box of an accordion according to the invention,
• the figure 14 is a bottom view of the hood closing the right box of an accordion according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be noted that, in accordance with industry practice, different views are not necessarily drawn to scale. Indeed, the dimensions of the different elements can be arbitrarily increased or reduced for the sake of clarity. Furthermore, in the remainder of the description, an example of application to an accordion will be described; However, it is obvious that the invention will find applications for all instruments with free reeds such as harmoniums, organs, positives or limonaires for example without departing from the scope of the invention.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2 the accordion according to the invention comprises, in a well-known manner, two caissons (1, 2), a right caisson (1) and a left caisson (2), connected by a bellows (3) which provides the "wind" necessary for the emission of sounds. The right box (1) is held almost fixed, by the straps on the one hand and by the thumb of the right hand which is pressed firmly on the edge to maintain it. When the left hand pulls the bellows (3), it sucks air. When it pushes on the left box (2), it closes the bellows (3) which expires its air. Each box (1, 2) comprises a plurality of valves, not shown on the Figures 1 and 2 , which are opened directly by the buttons of the keypads (4,5) right respectively box (1) and left (2), said valves closing when releasing the button. The air current, directed by a button pressed, goes on a reed and makes it vibrate, which generates a sound. Said reeds are mounted on a metal support, the frame, each frame having two lights which are nothing other than rectangular openings. The set of frames is mounted on a support, usually made of wood, commonly called bed base (6). In this exemplary embodiment, each box (1, 2) comprises three bed bases (6) carrying the frames of the reeds, said bed frames (6) being secured inside the boxes (1, 2) by any appropriate means well known in the art. the skilled person.

Moreover, with reference to Figures 3 and 4 , each box (1, 2) comprises registers (7) extending between the soundboard and the box springs (6) and making it possible to open or close series of doors through which the air of the bellows (3) ) can pass or not to reach a series of reeds carried by the sommiers (6). Each register (7) consists of a slide (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) provided with holes (8) and able to be moved from an inactive position to an active position, and vice versa, by means of rods (9). actuated by sliders (10), said sliders being displaced in translation by buttons (11), with reference to the figure 2 , or levers for example. In this particular embodiment, the accordion has four wings (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d); however, it is obvious that the accordion may include any number of slides (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) without departing from the scope of the invention. Said slides (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) and links (9) consist, for example, in actuating rods and slides as described in US Pat. US 2,527,912 .

It is obvious that the control means of the sliders (10) may consist of any control means well known to those skilled in the art such as a zipper or a lever adapted for example without departing from the scope of the invention .

According to an essential characteristic of the invention, with reference to Figures 4 to 7 , the accordion according to the invention comprises three first slides (10a, 10b, 10c) operable by a first series of buttons (11a), with reference to the figure 7 , able to respectively actuate one or more slides (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) and two slides (10d, 10e) extending above the first three slides (10a, 10b, 10c) operable by a second series of buttons (11b), with reference to the figure 7 and able to operate one or more slides (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d). Each slider (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e), with reference to the figure 6 , has a substantially rectangular shape, at least one longitudinal edge is provided with teeth (12) adapted to cooperate with the fingers integral with the actuating arm rods (9). Furthermore, each slide (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e) comprises a first row of lights (13) substantially rectangular, a bolt (14) actuated by a button (11) of the first row of buttons (11a) extending through each of these lumens (13) to provide translation of the sliders (10a, 10b, 10c), with reference to the figure 5 , and a second row of lights (15) also of substantially rectangular shape extending parallel to the first row of lights (13), a pin (16) actuated by a button (11) of the second row of buttons (11b ) extending through these lumens (13) to provide the translation of the slides (10d, 10e), with reference to the figure 5 . In this way, by actuating the buttons (11) of the first row of buttons (11a) and / or the second row of buttons (11b), the musician can obtain a large number of register combinations as schematically represented on the figure 8 . More specifically, in this particular embodiment, the first row of buttons (11) comprises four buttons (11a) actuating the second stage of sliders (10c, 10d) and the second row of buttons (11) comprises eight buttons (11b). actuating the first stage of slides (10a, 10b, 10c) so that it is possible to obtain 32 possibilities of registers.

It will be noted that the first stage of three sliders (10a, 10b, 10c) may be substituted by a stage having only two sliders. In this case, the instrument will have a first row of buttons (11) having four buttons (11a) actuating the second stage of two sliders and a second row of buttons (11) also includes four buttons (11b) actuating the first stage of two slides so that it will be possible to obtain 16 possibilities of registers.

Furthermore, it is obvious that the instrument according to the invention may comprise more than two stages of slides, actuated by several rows of buttons (11), without departing from the scope of the invention.

It will be observed that such a configuration makes it possible to provide a greater number of registers than the instruments of the prior art while requiring a small space on the caissons (1,2).

Moreover, with reference to Figures 9 and 10 , said instrument according to the invention comprises a housing (17) capping the valves to felter sounds without decreasing the sound volume. Said housing (17) consists of a bottom wall (18), a longitudinal wall (19), two side walls (20), transverse inner walls (21) and holes (22) formed in the longitudinal wall (19) opening into the volume defined by two transverse inner walls (21). Preferably, the ratio between the volume delimited between two transverse inner walls (21) expressed in cubic centimeters and the surface of the hole (22) opening into said volume, said area being expressed in square centimeters, is between 18 and 22, and preferably equal to 20.

It will be observed that the pairs of transverse inner walls (21) may be substituted by single walls of greater thickness without departing from the scope of the invention.

Furthermore, it will be noted that said housing (17) will advantageously be removable so that the musician may possibly remove it to modify the properties of sounds emitted at leisure. In addition, regardless of the registration system described above, the instrument may include one or more boxes (17) positioned above the valves of the right (1) and / or left (2) box without departing from the scope of the 'invention.

Incidentally, with reference to figure 11 said musical instrument according to the invention comprises a second housing (23) placing the inputs and the air outlets in communication in order to limit the saturation of the sounds emitted. Said housing (23) can be made of wood, or any other material, and comprises lights (24) substantially rectangular, four in this particular embodiment. Said housing (23) extends behind the right keyboard, just above the valves, also called valves, and advantageously allows to limit or even eliminate the saturation of sounds emitted. Note that the lights (24) of said housing (23) communicates with the interior of the accordion. By "saturation" is meant the distortion of the sound. The same way as previously, this second housing (23) is advantageously removable so that the musician will be able to remove it if necessary.

Note that this second housing (23) can be implemented on an instrument independently of the registration system and the first housing (17) described above.

In addition, with reference to Figures 12 to 14 , the left box (2) of the accordion according to the invention comprises a cap (25) capping the valves and closing said box (2). Said cover (25) has a bottom wall (25a), an upper wall (25b) extending substantially parallel to the bottom wall (25a) and side walls (25c) integral with the lower (25a) and upper (25b) walls. . The bottom wall (25a) has at its distal end a flange (26) bearing on the front edge of the box (2). Furthermore, the bottom wall has a width less than the width of the opening of the box (2) and the upper wall also has a width less than the width of the opening of said box (2) so that said lower wall ( 25a) and upper (25b) are offset to form a "baffle" for the outgoing air. Said cover (25) is obtained in any material such as wood or plastic for example and is fixed to the box (2) by any appropriate means such as screws, not shown in the figures, for example. Incidentally, the distal end of the flange (26) has an elastomeric seal (27). Said cover (25) makes it possible to felter the emitted sound without reducing the volume of the instrument.

It will be observed that this hood (25) can be implemented on an instrument independently of the registration system and / or the first housing (17) and / or the second housing (23) described above.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, those skilled in the art must understand that they can make various modifications, substitutions and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 'invention. Consequently, all such modifications, substitutions and modifications are intended to be included in the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims (9)

Musical instrument with free reeds vibrated by a flow of air generated by a reserve and able to circulate from the reserve in two directions, respectively called suction and exhalation, the instrument comprising at least one right chamber (1) and a left box (2) movable relative to each other according to movements of approximation or spacing, a series of free reeds mounted inside said boxes (1, 2), a valve actuating mechanism, the opening and closing of which allows the reeds to be solicited or not by the air flow, this mechanism comprising in particular operating keys mounted on the right box (1), and a mechanism known as register (7) able to move slides (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) provided with holes (8) and able to be moved from an inactive position to an active position, and vice versa, by means of rods (9) actuated by sliders (10) for selecting a ti determined male, characterized in that it comprises a housing (23) placing in communication the air inlets and outlets in order to limit the saturation of the emitted sounds, said second housing (23) comprises substantially rectangular slots (24) and extends behind the right box, Musical instrument, according to claim 1, characterized in that the right box (1) comprises a cover (25) covering the valves and closing said box (1), said cover (25) having a bottom wall (25a), a upper wall (25b) extending substantially parallel to the bottom wall (25a) and side walls (25c) integral with the lower (25a) and upper (25b) walls, the lower wall (25a) having a width less than the width the opening of the box (1) and the upper wall also having a width smaller than the width of the opening of said box (1) so that said lower (25a) and upper (25b) walls are offset to form a " baffle "for outgoing air Musical instrument according to claim 2, characterized in that the bottom wall (25a) has at its distal end a flange (26) bearing on the front edge of the box (1, 2). Musical instrument according to claim 3, characterized in that the distal end of the rim (26) has an elastomeric seal (27). Musical instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the register mechanism (7) comprises at least a first stage of at least two first slides (10a, 10b, 10c) operable by a first series buttons (11a) operable respectively one or more slides (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) and a second stage of at least two slides (10d, 10e) extending above the first stage sliders (10a). , 10b, 10c) and operable by a second series of buttons (11b) able to actuate one or more slides (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d). Musical instrument according to claim 5, characterized in that each slider (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e) comprises a first row of substantially rectangular slots (13), a stud (14) actuated by a button (11) of the first row of buttons (11a) extending through each of these lumens (13) to provide translation of the slides (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e), and a second row of lumens (15) also of substantially rectangular shape extending parallel to the first row of lumens (13), a bolt (16) actuated by a button (11) of the second row of buttons (11b) extending through these lumens (15) to provide translation of the slides (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e). Musical instrument according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises at least one casing (17) covering the valves in order to fuse the sounds without reducing the sound volume of the instrument. Musical instrument according to claim 7, characterized in that said housing (17) consists of a bottom wall (18), a longitudinal wall (19), two side walls (20), transverse inner walls (21) and holes (22) formed in the longitudinal wall (19) opening into the volume defined by two transverse inner walls (21). Musical instrument according to claim 8, characterized in that the ratio between the volume delimited between two transverse inner walls (21) expressed in cubic centimeters and the surface of the hole (22) opening into said volume, said area being expressed in square centimeters , is between 18 and 22.

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