EP4100944A1

EP4100944A1 - Improved harmonica

Info

Publication number: EP4100944A1
Application number: EP21702508.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jérôme PEYRELEVADE; Jean-Noël KULICHENSKI
Original assignee: Alien Beats Records
Current assignee: Alien Beats Records
Priority date: 2020-02-05
Filing date: 2021-02-04
Publication date: 2022-12-14
Also published as: WO2021156384A1; KR20220130816A; FR3106925A1; US12027142B2; CN115104149A; AU2021217772A1; FR3106925B1; BR112022015262A2; US20230096049A1; JP2023513199A; US11763783B2; US20230377539A1; CA3165773A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a harmonica (100) comprising at least: a. a comb (130) comprising a plurality of chambers (131); b. a first plate (110) comprising a plurality of blow reeds (111); c. a second plate (120) comprising a plurality of draw reeds (121); the harmonica (100) being characterised in that: d. each chamber of the plurality of chambers (131) comprises at least one material extension, each material extension being configured to reduce the oscillatory space of a draw reed (121); and in that it comprises at least one additional plate (150) arranged above the first plate (110) and comprising a plurality of additional material extensions (155), each additional material extension (155) of the plurality of additional material extensions (155) being configured to reduce the oscillatory space of a blow reed (111).

Description

Harmonica perfected

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to the field of harmonicas, and more generally to wind instruments with free reeds. It finds a particularly advantageous application in the field of diatonic harmonicas.

STATE OF THE ART

Traditionally, a diatonic harmonica, as shown in Figure 1, has comprised: a. a bed base 11 comprising a plurality of chambers 131; b. two metal plates 110 and 120 with reeds 111 and 121, a plate 110 for the blown reeds 111 and a plate 120 for the suction reeds 121, the blown reeds 111 and the suction reeds 121 facing each other; vs. and two 160 hoods to hold the 10 harmonica.

It should be noted that when you blow into a harmonica, most of the air is evacuated through the blown reed 111, which vibrating creates a sound, but a little air also escapes through the The sucked reed 121. Likewise when sucking, most of the air passes through the sucked reed 121, but a little air also passes through the blown reed 111.

In some very specific cases, the user would like the reverse, that is to say to vibrate only the sucked reed 121 by blowing or to vibrate only the blown reed 111 when sucking. This situation is possible when the user is an experienced user, that is to say that he has a good mastery of the instrument and when he positions his tongue very particularly while he is breathing or inhaling. This technique is difficult to master, and depends on several factors endogenous such as the control of the breath, the musculation of the tongue, etc., and of several exogenous factors, linked for example to the instrument itself.

Remember that the chambers 131 of a 10 harmonica are not airtight spaces, so the air passes through all possible places when the user is blowing or inhaling. This poses several problems, mainly in certain instrumental techniques which require, for example, different positions of the user's tongue for better control of the pressure of the air flow. These different techniques make it possible to obtain notes that are not native to the instrument, and this mainly by playing on the air flow inside and around the chambers.

The other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent on examination of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It is understood that other advantages can be incorporated.

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a harmonica, preferably diatonic, comprising at least: a. A box spring comprising a plurality of chambers each comprising an opening configured to allow the breath of a user to pass, each chamber defining an oscillatory space for a blown reed and an oscillatory space for a sucked reed, the blown reed and the sucked reed of each chamber defining a pair of complementary reeds; b. A first plate comprising a plurality of blown reeds, the first plate being disposed opposite a first face, preferably an upper face, of the bed base, each blown reed of the plurality of blown reeds being configured to oscillate in its space oscillatory when the user blows at least into the chamber defining said oscillatory space; vs. A second plate comprising a plurality of sucked reeds, the second plate being disposed opposite a second face, preferably a lower face, of the bed base, each sucked reed of the plurality of sucked reeds being configured to oscillate in its space oscillatory when the user aspirates at least from the chamber defining said oscillatory space;

The harmonica being characterized in that: d. At least part of the chambers of the plurality of chambers comprises at least one material advance, each material advance being disposed at least in part opposite a portion of a sucked reed and being configured, preferably to reduce the pressure. oscillatory space of said sucked reed and, to allow in some cases the oscillation of the blown reed, in other cases the faster redirection of the air towards the end of the sucked reed to make it more reactive ( put it into oscillatory movement more quickly) and, to allow the oscillation of the blown reed of the complementary torque of said sucked reed when the user sucks from the chamber of said sucked reed, preferably by positioning his tongue so as to make oscillate the blown reed, advantageously when the position of the user's tongue minimizes the space available for air to pass between it and the palate, whether by moving the back of the tongue back towards the throat, or by moving the mid-portion of the tongue towards the teeth; and / or e. And in that it comprises at least one additional plate arranged opposite a face of the first plate, preferably opposite a face of the first plate opposite to the face of the first plate opposite the first face of the bed base, and comprising at least a plurality of advances of additional material, each advance of additional material being disposed at least in part opposite a portion of a blown reed and being configured, preferably to reduce the oscillatory space of said blown reed and, in some cases to allow the oscillation of the sucked reed, in other cases the more rapid redirection of the air towards the end of the blown reed to make it more reactive (put it faster in oscillatory movement) and, to allow the oscillation of the sucked reed of the complementary torque of said blown reed when the user blows into the chamber of said blown reed, preferably by positioning his spell tongue e to oscillate the sucked reed, advantageously when the position of the user's tongue minimizes the space available for the air to pass between it and the palate, whether this is by moving the back of the tongue back towards the throat, or by advancing the middle part of the tongue towards the teeth.

The present invention allows better control of the air flow inside each chamber. In particular, the box spring, according to the present invention, makes it possible to achieve notes not present natively on the instrument with the reeds sucked in and this in a much simpler way for the user, by directing the air more directly towards where he has to get out of the room.

In addition, the box spring, according to the present invention, also makes it possible to achieve non-native notes with the blown reeds or the sucked reeds, which can then be a function of the position of the user's tongue.

In particular, the box spring helps to direct the air well. The fact that it includes material advances further compacts the airflow to force it to go only where it is most efficient. In particular, the additional plate makes it possible to reach notes not present natively on the instrument with the blown reeds and this in a much simpler way for the user, by directing the air more directly towards where it must come out of the room.

In addition, the additional plate also makes it possible to achieve non-native notes with the reeds sucked or blown, which can then be dependent on the position of the user's tongue.

In particular, the additional plate helps to direct the air well. The fact that it includes additional material advances and lugs further compacts the airflow to force it to go only where it is most efficient.

The present invention also makes it possible to better manage the tightness of a harmonica, in particular of the chambers of a harmonica.

The present invention also makes it possible to better manage the air flow inside the chambers, to considerably improve the playability of the instrument. The present invention improves the airtightness of the chambers of a harmonica, in part thanks to a spring cleverly designed to solve a problem endemic to diatonic harmonicas: structurally suppressing air leaks between the spring and the plates.

The present invention also makes it possible to improve the reactivity of the reeds, in particular for playing the notes that are most difficult to trigger.

The present invention makes it easier to obtain all of the notes on the instrument, including notes that are generally difficult to access.

The present invention makes it possible to homogenize the obtaining of all the marks. In particular, the present invention makes it possible to vibrate the sucked reeds when the user is blowing, mainly at the low and medium notes. Likewise, the present invention makes it possible to vibrate the blown reeds when the user inhales, mainly at the high notes.

The present invention makes it possible to easily trigger the 36 existing notes over 3 octaves, and even a few additional notes above the highest note.

The present invention allows a great reactivity of the harmonica whatever the note to be played.

The present invention gives the harmonica a very smooth playability allowing the 36 notes to be reached and chained to create phrasing in all tones.

The present invention makes it possible to easily play in all 12 tones on a diatonic harmonica, which is however supposed to play in only one tone.

The present invention makes it easy to play all songs with a single diatonic harmonica, where usually a harmonica player uses one harmonica per song key.

The present invention makes it possible to reduce or even eliminate the spin effect, mainly through the use of the lugs.

The present invention achieves laminar pressure in the chamber so as to trigger the opposite reed. Surprisingly, the present invention makes it possible to achieve a laminar regime much faster, and to maintain it more reliably.

Advantageously, each advance of material from the bed base serves to trigger a sucked reed when the user blows so as to trigger a sucked reed, avoiding leaks at the base of the sucked reed and along a portion of the reed. suction reed, thus allowing the air to be compacted and thus helping to trigger the suction reed.

Advantageously, each advance of material of the bed base serves to trigger a blown reed when the user sucks so as to trigger a blown reed, avoiding leaks at the base of the sucked reed and along a portion of the reed. suction reed, thus allowing the air to be compacted and thus helping to redirect the air towards the blown reed.

Advantageously, each advance of additional material from the additional plate serves to trigger a blown reed when the user sucks so as to trigger a blown reed, avoiding leaks at the base of the blown reed and along a line. portion of the blown reed, thus allowing the air to be compacted and thus helping to trigger the blown reed. Advantageously, each advance of additional material from the additional plate serves to trigger a sucked reed when the user blows so as to trigger a sucked reed, avoiding leaks at the base of the blown reed and along a line. portion of the reed blown, thus allowing the air to be compacted and thus helping to redirect the air towards the sucked reed.

Preferably, the harmonica according to the present invention can comprise only one of the box spring and the additional plate. Indeed, the bed base alone can at least partially solve the problems indicated above, and the same is true of the additional plate. The harmonica according to the present invention can thus comprise one of the additional plate and the box spring, or else include the box spring and the additional plate.

Advantageously, the bed base and the additional plate work in synergy with one another so as to resolve at least some of the problems previously indicated even more effectively. Surprisingly, the bed base and the additional plate are complementary as regards the confinement of the air flow in the chamber.

The present invention also relates to a base for harmonica, preferably diatonic, comprising a first plate comprising a plurality of blown reeds and a second plate comprising a plurality of sucked reeds, said base comprising a plurality of chambers, each chamber of the plurality. of chambers being associated with a complementary pair of reeds comprising a blown reed and a sucked reed, each chamber of the plurality of chambers each comprising an opening configured to allow the user's breath to pass and each intended to define an oscillatory space for a blown reed and for a sucked reed, said base being characterized in that each chamber of the plurality of chambers comprises at least one advance of material, each advance of material being intended to be disposed in part at least opposite a portion of a sucked reed and, preferably to reduce the oscillatory space of said sucked reed and, to allow the oscillation of the blown reed of the complementary torque of said sucked reed when the user sucks from the chamber of said sucked reed, preferably by positioning his tongue so as to make the blown reed oscillate, advantageously when the position of the user's tongue minimizes the space available for air to pass between it and the palate, whether by moving the back of the tongue back towards the throat, or by advancing the mid-section of the tongue towards the teeth.

The present invention improves the tightness of the chambers of a harmonica, in part thanks to a cleverly designed box spring to solve a problem endemic to diatonic harmonicas: structurally suppressing air leaks between the box spring and the plates.

Additional plate for harmonica, preferably diatonic, comprising a first plate comprising a plurality of blown reeds and a second plate comprising a plurality of sucked reeds, each blown reed forming a complementary pair of reeds with a sucked reed, said additional plate being intended to be disposed above the first plate, and being characterized in that it comprises at least a plurality of advances of additional material, each advance of additional material being partially arranged in the less opposite a portion of a blown reed and being intended, preferably to reduce the oscillatory space of said blown reed and, in certain cases to allow the oscillation of the sucked reed, in other cases the faster redirection of the air towards the end of the blown reed to make it more reactive (put it into oscillatory movement more quickly) and, to allow the oscillation of the sucked reed of the complementary torque of said blown reed when the user blows into the chamber of said blown reed, preferably by positioning his tongue so as to oscillate the sucked reed, advantageously when the position of the user's tongue minimizes the space available for air to pass between it and the palate, whether by moving the back of the tongue back towards the throat, or by moving the medium part of the tongue towards the teeth.

The present invention improves the tightness of the chambers of a harmonica, in part thanks to an additional plate cleverly designed to solve a problem endemic to diatonic harmonicas: structurally suppressing air leaks between the base and the plates. .

Kit for harmonica, preferably diatonic, comprising at least one base according to the present invention and at least one additional plate according to the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The aims, objects, as well as the characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of an embodiment thereof which is illustrated by the following accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates an exploded view of a harmonica according to the prior art.

Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of a harmonica according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 illustrates a top view of a box spring according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view and in section of the bed base of FIG. 3.

Figure 5 illustrates a top view of a box spring according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 illustrates a bottom view of the box spring of Figure 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view and in section of the bed base of FIG. 6.

Figure 8 illustrates a top view of a box spring according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the box spring according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 illustrates a perspective view of an additional plate according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic sectional and profile view of a harmonica according to an embodiment of the present invention when the user is blowing and wishes to vibrate the blown reed. FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic sectional and profile view of a harmonica according to an embodiment of the present invention when the user sucks in and wishes to vibrate the sucked reed.

Figure 13 illustrates a schematic sectional and profile view of a harmonica according to an embodiment of the present invention when the user is blowing and wishes to vibrate the sucked reed.

Figure 14 illustrates a schematic sectional and profile view of a harmonica according to one embodiment of the present invention when the user sucks in and wishes to vibrate the blown reed.

Figures 15-17 show schematic perspective views of various embodiments of chambers of a harmonica according to embodiments of the present invention. The drawings are given by way of example and are not limiting of the invention. They constitute schematic representations of principle intended to facilitate understanding of the invention and are not necessarily on the scale of practical applications. In particular, the dimensions are not representative of reality.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before embarking on a detailed review of embodiments of the invention, optional features which may optionally be used in combination or alternatively are set out below.

According to one example, each chamber of the plurality of chambers has a bottom opposite the opening and configured to stop the user's breath, two side walls configured to separate one chamber from the other contiguous chambers, the upper part of the chamber being defined in part at least by at least part of a blown reed and the lower part of the chamber being defined in part at least by at least part of the sucked reed complementary to said blown reed.

This helps to channel the flow of air into a room.

According to one example, at least part of the chambers of the plurality of chambers has a rounded bottom, preferably concave.

This improves the responsiveness of blown reeds in the highs, and thus helps trigger notes that do not exist natively in the highs, while retaining the responsiveness of native notes.

According to one example, at least a portion of the chambers of the plurality of chambers has a width extension dimension greater than the width extension dimension of at least another portion of the chambers of the plurality of chambers.

A larger width makes it easier to trigger the blown reeds by vacuuming. Due to the distribution of the notes, it is more useful for high notes, hence the fact that these large chambers are those corresponding to chambers 7 to 10.

According to one example, at least part of the chambers of the plurality of chambers has a dimension of extension in width less than the dimension of extension in width of at least another part of the chambers of the plurality of chambers. A narrower width makes it easier to trigger the sucked reeds by blowing. Due to the distribution of notes, it is more useful for low notes, hence the fact that these narrow chambers are those corresponding to chambers 1 to 6.

According to one example, at least a part of the chambers of the plurality of chambers comprises side walls having a dimension of extension in width greater than the dimension of extension in width of the side walls of at least another part of the chambers of the chamber. plurality of rooms.

This allows for rooms that are narrower in width than other rooms. According to one example, at least one side wall of a part of the chambers of the plurality of chambers comprises an additional surface, preferably this additional surface comprising a bevel.

This helps to thicken the side wall.

This helps to form a guide for the flow of air entering and exiting the chamber through its opening.

This makes it possible to maintain an opening width of the conventional chamber while the width of the chamber is reduced.

This ensures that the user is not disturbed by a change in the width of the opening when the width of the chamber has been changed.

This helps keep the surface area in contact with the user's mouth equal to that of a prior art harmonica so the player is not confused when moving from room to room.

This therefore makes it possible to add material to the side walls of the chamber so that it is narrower.

A bevel shape allows material to be added just after opening the chamber, and extends from the base of the blown reed to the bottom of the chamber.

It also helps to maintain a constant airflow from one end of the instrument to the other, that is, between all the chambers, because the width of each opening is constant.

According to one example, at least a part of the chambers of the plurality of chambers comprises side walls having a dimension of extension in width less than the dimension of extension in width of the side walls of at least another part of the chambers of the chamber. plurality of rooms.

This makes it possible to have rooms that are wider than other rooms. According to one example, at least one side wall of a portion of the chambers of the plurality of chambers includes a recess located between the bottom of the chamber and the opening of the chamber.

This helps reduce the thickness of the side wall.

This helps to form a cavity for the flow of air entering and exiting the chamber through its opening.

This makes it possible to maintain an opening width of the conventional chamber while the width of the chamber is greater. This allows the user not to be disturbed by a change in the width of the opening while the width of the chamber has itself been changed.

This therefore makes it possible to remove material from the side walls of the chamber so that it is wider.

According to one example, each advance of matter extends from the back of his chamber towards the opening of his chamber.

According to one example, each advance of material includes a dimension of extension in thickness, this dimension of extension in thickness decreasing from the bottom of its chamber towards the opening of its chamber, preferably defining a ramp.

This makes it easier to trigger the sucked reed when the user blows for this purpose.

This allows that when the blown reed locks up, the air, which until then has gone all the way to the bottom of the chamber and exits through the end of the blown reed, can be turned around to exit through the sucked reed.

This allows the airflow to turn around, directing the airflow from the end of the blown reed to that of the sucked reed.

This allows the already compacted air to be redirected more quickly to the tip of the sucked reed when the user is blowing in order to trigger it.

According to one example, at least part of the material advances defines a plateau with the bottom of their chamber, this plateau extending in a plane orthogonal to the plane of extension of the side walls of their chamber.

According to one example, the lower part of each chamber of the plurality of chambers comprises an air passage for a sucked reed, and each advance of material extends in part at least so as to partially obstruct at least the passage of the air of a sucked reed.

According to one example, each advance of material has a dimension of extension in length and the passage of the air of a sucked reed has a dimension of extension in length, the ratio between the dimension of extension in length of each projection of material and the lengthwise extension dimension of the air passage of a sucked reed is between 0.1 and 0.9, preferably between 0.2 and 0.5 and advantageously equal to 0.33.

According to one example, the upper part of each chamber of the plurality of chambers comprises an air passage for a blown reed, and each advance of additional material extends at least in part so as to partially obstruct at least the passage. air from a blown reed. According to one example, each advance of additional material has a dimension of extension in length and the air passage of a blown reed has a dimension of extension in length, the ratio between the dimension of extension in length of each advanced material additional dimension and the lengthwise extension dimension of the air passage of a blown reed is between 0.1 and 0.9, preferably between 0.3 and 0.7 and advantageously equal to 0.5.

According to one example, each advance of additional material has a width extension dimension and a length extension dimension, and each blown reed of the plurality of blown reeds includes a width extension dimension and a length extension dimension. extension in length, and each advance of additional material is associated with a blown reed of the plurality of blown reeds, and the ratio between the dimension of extension in length of a projection of additional material and the dimension of extension in length of its blown reed is between 0.1 and 0.9, preferably between 0.3 and 0.7 and advantageously equal to 0.5.

According to one example, each chamber of the plurality of chambers comprises a dimension of extension in width and a dimension of extension in length, and each advance of additional material has a dimension of extension in width equal to the dimension of extension in length. width of their chamber, and a lengthwise extension dimension less than the lengthwise extension dimension of their chamber.

According to one example, the ratio between the dimension of extension in length of an advance of additional material and the dimension of extension in length of its chamber is between 0.1 and 0.9, preferably between 0.3 and 0.7 and advantageously equal to 0.5 .

According to one example, each advance of additional material has an interior face turned towards the interior of its chamber and an exterior face turned toward the exterior of its chamber, and each advance of additional material comprises at least one lug disposed on its interior face. .

In one example, each lug extends from the entrance of each chamber towards the bottom of each chamber in an extension dimension in length.

In one example, the lug extends at least in part into the air passage of a blown reed. According to one example, each blown reed of the plurality of blown reeds comprises a dimension of extension in width and a dimension of extension in length, and each lug is associated with a reed blown of the plurality of blown reeds, and the ratio between the dimension of extension in length of a pin and the dimension of extension in length of its blown reed is between 0.01 and 0.9, preferably between 0.1 and 0.7 and advantageously equal to 0.2.

According to one example, each advance of material has a width extension dimension and a length extension dimension, and each sucked reed of the plurality of sucked reeds includes a width extension dimension and an extension dimension. in length, and each advance of material is associated with a sucked reed of the plurality of sucked reeds, and the ratio between the length of extension dimension of a projection of material and the dimension of length extension of its reed aspirated is between 0.1 and 0.9, preferably between 0.2 and 0.5 and advantageously equal to 0.33.

According to one example, each chamber of the plurality of chambers comprises a dimension of extension in width and a dimension of extension in length, and each advance of material has a dimension of extension in width equal to the dimension of extension in width. of their chamber, and a lengthwise extension dimension less than the lengthwise extension dimension of their chamber.

According to one example, the ratio between the length extension dimension of a material feed and the length extension dimension of its chamber is between 0.1 and 0.9, preferably between 0.2 and 0.5 and advantageously equal to 0.33.

According to one example, each advance of material has an interior face facing the interior of its chamber and an exterior face facing the exterior of its chamber, and the advance of material comprises at least one protuberance disposed on its exterior face.

This improves the sealing of the chamber.

This helps reduce or even eliminate the spin effect, primarily through the use of protrusions.

This helps to improve the containment of the air flow in the chamber.

According to one example, the protuberance has a dimension of extension in length proportional to the dimension of extension in length of the advance of material comprising said protuberance under consideration.

According to one example, the ratio between the lengthwise extension dimension of a protuberance and the lengthwise extension dimension of its chamber is between 0.01 and 0.9, preferably between 0.1 and 0.5 and advantageously equal to 0.19.

In one example, the protuberance extends at least in part into the air passage of a sucked reed.

In one example, each protrusion extends from the bottom of each chamber towards the entrance of each chamber in the lengthwise extension dimension.

According to one example, the base has a flexibility greater than the flexibility of the first plate and the flexibility of the second plate.

This improves the airtightness of the chambers and therefore the containment of air flow. This allows the bed base to deform locally in order to locally play a joint role. Advantageously, the base is more flexible than the first plate and / or the second plate. Thus, this allows the bed base to improve the seal between the bed base and the first plate and / or the second plate.

Indeed, an endemic problem with diatonic harmonicas of the prior art is the lack of tightness, and in particular the air which infiltrates between the box spring and the plates. However, any loss of air makes it difficult to trigger the opposite reed. Generally, the prior art seeks to improve this seal by adjusting the manufacturing process to make the plates and the bed base as flat as possible, for example by sandblasting them manually, and by using increasingly dense materials.

Thus, the present invention preferably uses a more flexible box spring than the first and second plates instead of having a very flat and very dense box spring.

Surprisingly, by deciding to steer the development of this invention in a direction contrary to the teaching of the prior art, the seal is improved. Indeed, the invention preferably uses a flexible base and having crevices so that it fits. compresses and the material spreads along the plate (s) and thus in the mouth of the air pockets.

Cleverly, this improved seal achieved by a spring more deformable than the first and second plates works in synergy with advances in material to further improve the sealing of the chambers.

Advantageously, the bed base has a greater flexibility index on its upper part and on its lower part than in its central part depending on its dimension in thickness.

The present invention, via the preferred use of this so-called flexible bed base, makes it possible to have non-perfectly flat plates, to have a non-perfectly flat base, to create adhesion at the joint between the plates and the base by a slight compression of the bed base. Indeed, it suffices to tighten the screws very lightly, and the material forming the bed base deforms, compresses, and extends along the plates, which will further strengthen the seal.

The fact of having less flexibility in its center, that is to say the heart of the bed base, allows the bed base not to deform completely, and to preserve the integrity of the bedroom.

In the prior art with a rigid bed base, the screws are tightened as much as possible to prevent as much air as possible from passing between the bed base and each of the plates. Over time, the plates deform at the level of the screws, which paradoxically will create new air pockets, and the instrument will gradually lose its tightness. The present invention cleverly and preferably uses a flexible, that is to say flexible, base, so the tightening of the screws can be done to a minimum. It is enough to position them just enough to ensure the maintenance of the elements between them. The flexibility of the edges of the box spring takes care of sealing the chambers, as described above.

According to one example, each advance of material includes an end remote from the opening and the bottom of its chamber.

According to one example, the end of each advance of material is arranged in its chamber so as to allow the passage of an air flow via the suction reed corresponding to its chamber.

The present invention relates to a modified base for harmonica, as well as to an additional plate for harmonica, and finally to a harmonica integrating these two innovative elements. Each of these two elements is innovative and each of these innovations is based on the same inventive principle: better control of the air flow in the chamber, and preferably at the periphery of the chamber, of a harmonica, allowing the user to obtain more easily and better control certain musical notes that are difficult to reach otherwise.

Advantageously, this innovative box spring as well as this innovative additional plate can also work together, which further improves the responsiveness of the instrument, the effects of each innovative element being reinforced by those of the other innovative element.

Thus, according to one embodiment, the harmonica is a preferably diatonic harmonica. The harmonica 100, according to a preferred embodiment and illustrated in FIG. 1, comprises at least: a. A cleverly designed 130 box spring; b. A first plate 110 comprising a plurality of blown reeds 111; vs. A second plate 120 comprising a plurality of sucked reeds 121; d. A cleverly designed additional plate 150; e. Preferably, covers 160 arranged on either side of the aforementioned elements

In Figure 2, only the location of the additional plate 150 has been mentioned for clarity. This additional plate 150 is shown according to one embodiment in FIG. 10 and will be described in detail below.

Advantageously, the first plate 110 is disposed above the bed base 130. The second plate 120 is disposed below the bed base 130. And the additional plate 150 is disposed above the first plate 110. In this configuration, the covers 160 are arranged one under the second plate 120, the other above the additional plate 150.

As illustrated through FIGS. 11 to 14, the first plate 110 therefore comprises the plurality of blown reeds 111. This first plate 110 is therefore disposed above the base 130. Each blown reed 111 is thus configured to oscillate in a clean oscillatory space 112 when the user blows into the chamber 131 defining said clean oscillatory space 112. The blown reeds 111 extend from the opening 135 of the chamber 131 towards the bottom 136 of the chamber 131. Thus, the end of the blown reed 111 integral with the first plate 110 is at the level of the opening 135 of chamber 131, preferably above opening 135 of chamber 131, and the oscillating end of blown reed 111 is towards the bottom 136 of chamber 131. When blown reed 111 oscillates, its free end performs back-and-forth movements. Conventionally, the lengthwise extension dimension of each blown reed 111 is preferably proportional to the lengthwise extension dimension 132 of the corresponding chamber 131.

Similarly, the second plate 120 includes a plurality of sucked reeds 121. The second plate 120 is disposed below the base 130. Each sucked reed 121 of the plurality of sucked reeds 121 is configured to oscillate in an oscillatory space 122. clean when the user aspirates from the chamber 131 defining said clean oscillatory space 122. The sucked reeds 121 extend from the bottom 136 of the chamber 131 towards the opening 135 of the respective chamber 131. Thus, the end of the sucked reed 121 integral with the second plate 120 is located at the level of the bottom 136 of the chamber 131, preferably below the bottom 136 of the chamber 131, and the oscillating end of the reed suction 121 is located towards the opening 135 of the chamber 131. When the suction reed 121 oscillates, its free end performs reciprocating movements. Conventionally, the lengthwise extension dimension of each sucked reed 121 is preferably proportional to the lengthwise extension dimension 132 of the corresponding chamber 131.

It will therefore be noted that the sucked reeds 121 are mounted head-to-tail with respect to the blown reeds 111, and that the sucked reeds 121 and the blown reeds 111 are mounted on either side of the base 130, preferably of the plurality of chambers. 131.

According to a preferred embodiment and as illustrated in FIG. 3, the bed base 130 comprises a plurality of chambers 131. Each chamber 131 comprises an opening 135 configured to let pass an incoming or outgoing air flow 170 depending on whether the user breath or suck. Each chamber 131 defines an oscillatory space, respectively 112 and 122, for, respectively, a blown reed 111 and a sucked reed 121. Advantageously, the blown reed 111 and the sucked reed 121 of each chamber 131 define a pair of complementary reeds. According to an advantageous and preferred embodiment, and as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 for example, at least one chamber 131 of the plurality of chambers 131 comprises at least one advance of material 140. Advantageously, each chamber 131 of the plurality of chambers 131 comprises an advance of material 140.

This advance of material 140 is configured to reduce the oscillatory space 122 of the sucked reed 121. Preferably, this advance of material 140 is configured to allow the oscillation of a blown reed 111 when the user sucks in the reed. air from said chamber 131, preferably by positioning its tongue at a particular angle relative to the direction of the air flow 170. Preferably, this advance of material 140 is configured to reduce the oscillatory space 122 of the sucked reed 121 and to allow the oscillation of a blown reed 111, a complementary reed of said sucked reed 121, when the user sucks from the chamber of said sucked reed 121.

The present invention is preferably designed so that this phenomenon occurs when the user positions his tongue so as to oscillate the blown reed 111, i.e. when the position of the user's tongue minimizes the pressure. 'space available for the air to pass between it and his palate, whether by moving the back of the tongue back towards the throat, or by advancing the medium part of the tongue towards the teeth. In this particular configuration, and as described below, the sucked reed 121 will not vibrate as much as the blown reed 111 while the user is however sucking air through the chamber. 131. Indeed, surprisingly, the sucked reed 121 will be blocked in its vibration through a set of pressures being established in the chamber 131 considered. It will be noted that, preferably, the sucked reed 121 does not come into contact with the advance of material 140, and that a pressure effect makes it possible to block the vibration thereof.

Cleverly, the present invention advantageously takes advantage of a set of pressures established in the chamber 131 and making it possible to block the vibration of a reed while allowing the vibration of the complementary reed.

According to one embodiment, this set of pressures is based on the formation of an underpressure in the chamber 131 at the level of the sucked reed 121 when the user sucks in a configuration intended to vibrate the blown reed 111. In this configuration, the suction creates an underpressure in the chamber 131, consequently causing an overpressure outside the chamber 131 at the lower level 138 and at the upper level 139 of the chamber 131. In particular, the overpressure at the level of the sucked reed 121 blocks the latter, while the overpressure at the level of the blown reed 111 will cause the latter to vibrate. In fact, the air circuit 170 in the chamber 131 in this configuration has less resistance passing via the blown reed 111 than via the suction reed 121. Therefore, the suction makes it possible to vibrate the blown reed 111. This situation is for example illustrated in FIG. 14. In FIG. 14, the air flow circulates via the blown reed 111 while the user sucks from it. the chamber 131, this then allowing the vibration of the blown reed 111 while blocking by said set of pressures the reed suctioned 121. Conversely, the case of normal suctioning is illustrated in FIG. 12, the user sucks in air from the chamber 131 and thus vibrates the suctioned reed 121, this when he does not have available. his language in a special way.

Advantageously, the set of pressures establishing in the chamber 131 allows the sucked air to have no choice but to flow through the blown reed 121, thereby causing the latter to vibrate. In this configuration the user can reach a note not foreseen by the instrument by sucking from a chamber 131 and consequently causing the blown reed 111 to vibrate, and this much more easily than on a “classical” harmonica, thanks to the present invention.

Particularly advantageously, each advance of material 140 makes it possible to vibrate a blown reed 121 when the user sucks in a chamber 131, while reducing, or even avoiding, air leaks in the lower part of the chamber; Indeed, the advance of material 140 makes it possible to compact the air in the chamber 131 and thus to block the vibration of the sucked reed 121 while allowing the vibration of the blown reed 111.

Cleverly, each feed 140 allows a blown reed to vibrate when the user sucks into a chamber 131 via an advantageous feed geometry.

According to one embodiment, and as illustrated in FIG. 4, the advance of material 140 comprises a variable thickness along its lengthwise extension dimension 141; This thickness thus defines a ramp; this ramp allows the air 170 to be redirected faster at the end of the sucked reed 121 than without a ramp. This therefore facilitates the oscillation of the sucked reed 121 as the user blows into the chamber 131.

According to one embodiment, this ramp can have various shapes, such as for example a straight shape, a concave or even a convex shape. Preferably, and as illustrated in Figures 15 and 16, the ramp has a convex shape.

According to one embodiment, the advance of material 140 forms a right angle with respect to the bottom 136 of the chamber 131. Preferably, the upper surface of the advance of material 140 extends in a plane orthogonal to the plane of extension of the side walls 137 of the chamber 131. According to one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 17, at least part of the upper surface of the advance of material 140 extends in a plane orthogonal to the plane of extension of the side walls 137 of the chamber 131 and then defines a plate 148.

According to one embodiment, each advance of material 140 makes it possible to reduce the space for the passage of air 170 at the base of the sucked reed 121 when the user sucks so as to trigger, that is to say. say to vibrate, a blown reed 111; This facilitates the blocking of the suction reed 121 and the vibration of the blown reed 111.

Preferably, and as illustrated in Figures 3 to 9, each chamber 131 comprises a bottom 136 opposite the opening 135. This bottom 136 is configured to stop the user's breath and define one of the limits of the chamber 131. Each chamber 131 also includes two side walls 137 configured to separate a chamber 131 from other adjoining chambers 131. The upper part 139 of each chamber 131 is defined by a blown reed 111 and the lower part 138 of each chamber 131 is defined at least in part by an advance of material 140 and by at least part of the suction reed 121 complementary to said blown reed 111.

Cleverly, and according to one embodiment, the bottom of certain chambers 131 has a rounded bottom 136. This rounded bottom 136 is concave. Figures 3 and 9 illustrate such funds 136.

According to one embodiment, the chambers 131 linked to high notes, advantageously the chambers linked to the numbered holes 7 to 10 of the harmonica 100, have a concave bottom 136 as illustrated in FIG. 9. This makes it possible to promote the passage. air 170 through the end of the blown reed 111, and therefore facilitate the vibration of the blown reed 111 when the user inhales with his tongue in the configuration described above. This allows you to draw in the note of the blown reed 111 and that of the sucked reed 121 together quickly, easily and smoothly. This improves the playability of hard-to-access notes and easy-to-access notes. This helps reduce any latency between the playability of these two notes. A concave shape of the bottom

136 of the chamber 131 helps to give an advantageous direction to the air 170.

It will be noted that the bottom 136 of the chamber 131 can also be flat or square. In particular, FIGS. 5 and 8 and 9 illustrate funds 136 of flat chambers 131. According to one embodiment, the bottom 136 can be flat. According to one embodiment, the bottom 136 defines a straight edge with the base 130

It will be noted, for example according to the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 9, that only certain chambers 131 have a rounded bottom 136, as illustrated in FIG. 17 for example, while the other chambers 131 have a flat bottom 136. Likewise in Figure 9, we note that only the chambers 131 having a rounded bottom 136 have a plate 148 as described above, and as illustrated in Figure 17 for example. Preferably, and as in FIG. 17, the bottom 136 may have a rounded shape and a plate 148. According to one embodiment, the bottom 136 defines a curved edge with the base 130.

And advantageously, it is these same chambers 131 which have side walls

137, the extension dimension of which in thickness 137a is reduced, thus presenting a recess 147 at the level of the opening 135 of these chambers 131, as illustrated in FIG. 17 for example. Conversely, the other chambers 131 have side walls 137 whose thickness extension dimension 137a is increased, via the addition of bevels 146, as illustrated in FIG. 16 for example.

According to one embodiment, the present invention provides a bottom 136 of chamber 131 geometrically configured to promote underpressure at the free end of the blown reed 111 during suction, allowing it to vibrate. more easily while the sucked reed 121 is blocked in its vibration via the set of pressures.

According to one embodiment, and as illustrated through FIGS. 3, 4, 9 and 17, it will be noted that the bottom 136 of the chamber 131 can have a plate 148, that is to say a hook between the bottom 136 of the chamber 131 and the advance of material 140.

One way of interpreting this geometric modification of the bottom 136 of the chamber 131 is to consider that, unlike the advance of material 140, the bottom 136 of the chamber 131 comprises a material removal. This removal of material thus forms the plate 148 and the bottom 136, preferably concave, of the chamber 131. This removal of material promotes the passage of air 170 at the end of the blown reed 111, and thus makes it possible to facilitate the vibration of the blown reed 111 when the user inhales with his tongue in the correct configuration.

It should be noted that due to the distribution of the notes on the instrument, it is particularly advantageous in the treble to facilitate the triggering of the blown reed 111 when the user inhales. However, these are the notes that require the most skill from the user. The reeds being very small in the treble, they are less handy. On a prior art harmonica, the user will manually move the sucked reed 121 closer to the second plate 120 to help lock it in and trigger the chuck reed 111 when sucking. But in this case, the natural note, that is to say obtaining the vibration of the sucked reed 121 when the user sucks, is more difficult to play, and especially the sequence between the note obtained with the blown reed 111 and the note obtained with the sucked reed 121, when the user sucks is very difficult. In addition, a latency is created when returning to the natural note.

According to one embodiment, the present invention advantageously makes it possible to leave more space at the end of the blown reed 111 so that the air escapes more easily through its end free to oscillate.

According to a preferred embodiment, the harmonica 100 can include chambers 131 of various geometries, such as those previously discussed. Thus, the same harmonica 100 can integrate chambers having different geometries from one another. According to an advantageous embodiment, the same harmonica 100 can comprise: a. chambers 131 according to the embodiment of FIG. 15, preferably for the chambers 131 numbered traditionally 1, 2 and 3, b. chambers 131 according to the embodiment of FIG. 16, preferably for the chambers 131 numbered traditionally 4, 5 and 6, c. chambers 131 according to the embodiment of FIG. 17, preferably for the chambers 131 numbered traditionally 7, 8, 9 and 10.

According to one embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, some chambers 131 have a width extension dimension 133 less than that of other chambers 131, or vice versa.

Advantageously, the chambers 131 corresponding to low notes, that is to say the holes 1 to 6, have a dimension of extension in width 133 less than the dimension of extension in width 133 of the other chambers 131. This makes it possible to promote the formation of an overpressure in the chamber 131 necessary for controlling the blocking or the vibration of the reeds. Indeed, surprisingly, the narrower the chamber 131, the more easily the sucked reed 121 vibrates when the user blows to vibrate the sucked reed 121. Surprisingly, the airflow is more compact, more compressed, which at the same time blocks more easily, and more quickly, the blown reed 111 and makes react more easily, and more quickly, the sucked reed 121. The present invention thus makes it possible to facilitate the setting in vibration of the sucked reeds. 121 when the user is blowing. In particular, according to one embodiment, these chambers 131 whose width extension dimension 133 is reduced have thicker side walls 137. Preferably, these walls 137 comprise bevels 146 at their surfaces facing the interior of the chamber 131 considered as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. This bevelled shape 146 allows support for the air flow 170 in the chamber. chamber 131, in the direction of the upper part 139 of the chamber 131, preferably like the ramp formed by the advance of material 140. These bevels 146 extend from a proximal part of the opening 135 in the direction of from the back 136 of room 131.

Advantageously, the chambers 131 corresponding to high notes, that is to say the holes 7 to 10, have a dimension of extension in width 133 greater than the dimension of extension in width 133 of the other chambers 131. This makes it possible to promote the vibration of the blown reed 111 during suction by use, thus creating an underpressure in the chamber 131.

Surprisingly, the larger the chamber 131, the easier the high notes are achieved by vibrating the blown reeds 111 as the user sucks. Thus, the present invention has been achieved by advantageously choosing a width 133 of chamber 131 which depends on the difficulty of reaching the note considered, while ensuring that this does not interfere with the making of the other notes of this same chamber 131 considered.

Thus, in a clever and surprising way, and as illustrated through FIG. 9, the chamber 7 for example is much wider than the others, because it is the one in which the setting in vibration, also called the trigger, of the blown reed 121 by sucking is the most difficult in the absence of the present invention.

The chambers 8, 9 and 10 are preferably less wide than the chamber 7 on the one hand to maximize the space of the chamber 7, and on the other hand because increasing the width of the chambers 131 means reducing the thickness of the chambers. walls 137, which makes the timbre of the notes more acute. Since these are already very high notes from chamber 8, the present invention is advantageous.

In particular, according to an embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, these chambers 131, the width of which is enlarged, have thinner side walls. These walls include flanges 147, otherwise called recesses, at the opening 135 of the chamber 131 in question. This keeps the surface in contact with the user's mouth identical to what they are used to so as not to disrupt the user's habits.

As described in Figures 4 and 7 for example, and according to a preferred embodiment, each advance of material 140 extends from the bottom 136 of its chamber 131 towards the entrance of its chamber 135.

Each advance of material 140 has a dimension of extension in thickness, in width 142 and in length 141. Preferably, the dimension of extension in width 142 of each advance of material is equal to the dimension of extension in width 133 of the chamber 131 considered. It will be noted that the dimension of extension in thickness of the advance of material 140 is less than or equal to the dimension of extension in thickness 134 of the chamber 131, that is to say of the base 130. According to one embodiment, the dimension of extension in thickness of some, preferably of the whole, of the advances of material 140 decreases from the bottom 136 of its chamber 131 and the inlet 135 of its chamber 131. This then defines a ramp as shown in Figures 4 and 7.

According to this embodiment, the proximal part of the advance of material 140 relative to the bottom 136 of the chamber 131 has a dimension of extension in thickness greater than the dimension of extension in thickness of the distal part of the projection. of material 140 relative to the bottom 136 of the chamber 131, as illustrated in Figures 15, 16 and 17 for example. According to an advantageous embodiment, the distal part of the material advance, also called the end 140c of the material advance, is arranged between the bottom 136 of the chamber 131 and the opening 135 of the chamber 131. Advantageously, the end 140c of the advance of material 140 is distant from the opening 135 and from the bottom 136 of the chamber 131. Preferably, the end 140c of the advance of material 140 is disposed in the chamber 131 of so as to allow the passage of an air flow via the corresponding suction reed 121. According to another embodiment, the dimension of extension in thickness of each advance of material 140 is constant over its entire dimension of extension in length 141.

Advantageously, each advance of material 140 has a lengthwise extension dimension 141 extending from the bottom 136 of the chamber 131 towards the opening 135 of the chamber 131. Advantageously, this extension dimension length 141 is proportional to the length extension dimension 132 of chamber 131.

According to one embodiment, the length extension dimension 141 of a material feed 140 is proportional to the length extension dimension of the sucked reed 121 associated with said material feed 140 considered.

As shown in Figures 4, 7 and 11-14, each chamber 131 has an air passage 138a for its sucked reed 121 and an air passage 139a for its blown reed 111. The air passage 139a for the blown reed 111 includes the oscillatory space 112 of the blown reed 111 under consideration. The air passage 138a for the suction reed 121 includes the oscillatory space 122 of the suction reed 121 under consideration. Thus, as the airflow 170 circulates in the harmonica 100, it can pass through the air passages 139a and / or 138a of the blown reeds 111 and / or the sucked 121 to set them in vibration.

Advantageously, the air passage 139a for the blown reed 111 has dimensions of extension in length and in width respectively greater than the dimensions of extension in length and in width of the blown reed 111 in question.

Advantageously, the air passage 138a for the suction reed 121 has dimensions of extension in length and in width respectively greater than the dimensions of extension in length and in width of the suction reed 121 in question.

Preferably, the advance of material 140 comprises a portion extending parallel to the passage of air 138a for the sucked reed 121, advantageously, the advance of material 140 at least partially obstructs the passage of air 138a. for the suction reed 121 considered. In a particularly clever manner and as illustrated through FIGS. 11 to 14, each advance of material is configured to face, preferably directly, the sucked reed 121 corresponding to its chamber 131. Preferably, the advance of material 140 is configured to be in direct view of at least part of the sucked reed 121, that is to say that there is no solid material between the advance of material 140 and the reed aspirated 121 considered. In this configuration, this allows the advance of material 140 to reduce the oscillatory space 122 of the sucked reed 121 by generating a set of pressures inside the chamber 131, advantageously when the user sucks from the chamber. 131 of said sucked reed 121, preferably by positioning its tongue so as to oscillate the blown reed 111.

Indeed, the principle as presented previously is that under certain conditions, the suction produces a different note from that associated with the sucked reed 121. For this, it is not the sucked reed 121 that vibrates, but the blown reed 111, the only possible alternative for air circulation. Indeed, by positioning the tongue in order to minimize the space available to the air to pass between it and the palate, whether by moving the back of the tongue back towards the throat, or by advancing the medium part of the tongue. the tongue towards the teeth, the user can vibrate the blown reed 111 while sucking by means of the present invention. To help him reach this note not present in the instrument, the present invention limits the oscillation of the sucked reed 121 in this configuration, which therefore allows the user to more easily make the chugged reed oscillate. 111 while sucking. In fact, the sucked air now passes through the blown reed 111, causing it to vibrate since the sucked reed 121 is blocked by the set of pressures created in the chamber 131 and explained above. This advance of material 140, as previously illustrated, is advantageously disposed between a part of the sucked reed 121 and the interior of the chamber 131.

It is thus the presence and the configuration of these material advances 140 which at least partly allow the production of musical notes not foreseen by the instrument and easy to access, that is to say easy to produce via the present invention.

According to one embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, each advance of material has an inner face 140a facing the inside of a chamber 131, and an outer face 140b facing the outside of a chamber 131, facing , preferably direct, of the sucked reed 121. Preferably, each outer face 140b of part or all of the advances of material 140 may include a protrusion 143. This protrusion 143 has dimensions proportional to the dimensions of. extension of the advance of material 140 to which it corresponds, that is to say on which it is arranged. Each of these protrusions 143 is configured to improve the insulation of the chamber 131 to which the advance of material 140 corresponds. In particular, the dimension of extension in length 144 of a protrusion 143 is advantageously proportional to the dimension of lengthwise extension 141 of the advance of material 140 supporting it.

In particular, in FIG. 6 which illustrates the lower face 130b of the bed base 130, the presence of the protuberances 143 and the variation of their lengthwise extension dimension 144 as a function of the lengthwise extension dimension 132 of the chambers 131 are noted. . In particular, we note in Figure 7 the positioning of the protuberances 143 relative to the ramp formed by the advance of material 140 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Indeed, although located outside the chamber 131, and as illustrated through Figures 11 to 14, each protuberance comes to the level of the base of the suction reed 111 corresponding to the chamber 131 considered.

As illustrated in Figures 7 and 11-14, the protrusion 143 of a material advance 140 extends at least in part into the air passage 138a for the suction reed 121 under consideration. This makes it possible to improve the tightness of said air passage 138a and to obstruct it even more effectively. Each reed, whether blown 111 or aspirated 121, has a longitudinal body comprising a head and a base corresponding to a part integral with the corresponding support plate 110 or 120. It is the head which corresponds to the oscillating end of the reed. the reed. A reed can be thought of as a vibrating beam, one end of which is fixedly mounted, called the base, on a plate, and the other end, called the head, is free to oscillate in an oscillatory space. These protrusions 143 are configured and positioned to face, preferably directly, the base of the sucked reeds 121 so as to improve the confinement of the air 170 in the chamber 131 and thus reduce any leakage. It is surprising to note that the quality and control of the air flow 170 in a harmonica, especially in a chamber 131, is a function of the geometric configuration of the chamber 131 and the quality of the insulation so to favor certain paths instead of others, for the air 170 whether it is blown or sucked.

When the user sucks in order to vibrate the blown reed 111, these protuberances 143 make it possible to further limit the passage of air 170 through the base of the sucked reed 121, and therefore to improve the confinement of the air. 170 and thus to compact the air flow 170 more efficiently. When the user sucks in order to vibrate the blown reed 111, these protuberances 141 make it possible to reduce the oscillatory space 122 of the sucked reed 121, and therefore to help its blocking, and the triggering of the blown reed 111. .

Particularly advantageously, these protuberances 141 also make it possible to limit the twist effect, or even to eliminate it. The spin effect is an oscillatory phenomenon occurring in the reeds. For example, when the user sucks in order to trigger a blown reed 111, it often happens with the harmonicas of the prior art that the sucked reed 121 starts to twist, that is to say to vibrate not in its dimension of extension in length, but in its dimension of extension in width, which produces a high note which is added to the note produced by the blown reed 111. This spin effect is due to the air 170 which escapes through the sides of the base of the suction reed 121.

It will also be noted that according to one embodiment, the bed base 130 may be flexible, that is to say comprise a material having a coefficient of hardness along an axis normal to the upper face of the bed base of between 15A and 100A depending on the Shore A scale.

This flexibility of the base 130 makes it possible to increase the effect of confining the air, when the various elements of the harmonica 100 are joined together, for example via screws. The flexibility of bed base 130 makes it possible to further improve the confinement of the air in the chambers 131 by playing the role of a locally deformed seal, for example.

Indeed, the use of a so-called flexible bed base 130 allows a local deformation of the latter so as to conform in part to at least part of the perimeter of the reeds.

Preferably, the bed base 130 has a flexibility greater than the flexibility of the first plate 110 and of the second plate 120.

Advantageously, the bed base 130 has a hardness coefficient along an axis normal to its upper face 130a that is lower than the hardness coefficients along axes normal to the main surfaces of the first 110 and second 120 plates.

Cleverly, the flexible nature of the bed base 130 according to the present invention limits, or even prevents, air leaks between the bed base 130 and the first 110 and second 120 plates. As these are very often not flat, the flexibility of the bed base 130 greatly contributes to the tightness of the instrument, and therefore to the management of a more compact air flow 170 in the chamber 131.

According to one embodiment, the harmonica 100 further comprises an additional plate 150. FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of this additional plate 150. This additional plate 150 is intended to be placed above the first plate 110. This additional plate 150 comprises a plurality of advances of additional material 155, and preferably openings 153 intended to allow the passage of air 170, and preferably the oscillation of the blown reeds 111. According to a preferred embodiment, described below, this additional plate 150 also comprises a plurality of pins 151.

Advantageously, each advance of additional material 155 makes it possible to minimize the air passing through the base and along a blown reed portion 111 when the user sucks in order to trigger the blown reed 111. Preferably, each advance of material Additional 155 helps to compact and direct the air more directly towards the end of the blown reed 111, which is triggered all the more easily.

Advantageously, each advance of additional material 155 makes it possible to minimize the air passing through the base and along a portion of the blown reed 111 when the user blows to trigger the sucked reed 121. Preferably, each advance of additional material 155 helps to compact and direct the air more directly towards the end of the sucked reed 121, which is all the more easily triggered.

These advances of additional materials 155 may have a dimension of extension in variable length depending on the desired effect. This dimension is advantageously proportional to the length extension dimension of the blown reed 111 considered. The fillings thus created facing the base of the blown reed 111 allow the air to be compressed there. This promotes the vibration of the end of the blown reed 111 without impeding the length of the blown reed 111 which is vibrated, thus avoiding altering its timbre.

Cleverly, the slots 153 also have an extension dimension in variable length depending on the desired effect. This dimension is here again advantageously proportional to the dimension of extension in length of the blown reed 111 considered. FIG. 10 illustrates the internal surface 154 of the additional plate 150. This internal surface 154 is intended to be opposite and preferably in contact with the upper face of the first plate 110 so that the additional material advances 155 are opposite. blown reeds 111.

In a particularly clever way, this additional plate 150 makes it possible to limit air leaks at the base of the blown reeds 111 and preferably over part of their lengthwise extension dimension.

Preferably, each advance of additional material 155 comprises a portion extending parallel to the passage of air 139a for the blown reed 111, advantageously, each advance of additional material 155 at least partially obstructs the passage of air 139a. for the blown reed 111 considered.

It will be noted, in particular through FIGS. 11 to 14, that each projection of additional material 155 comprises an interior face 155a and an exterior face 155b. The interior face 155a of each projection of additional material 155 is intended to be opposite at least part of a blown reed 111. Preferably, the interior face 155a of each projection of additional material 155 is carried by the internal surface. 154 of the additional plate 150. The outer face 155b of each advance of additional material 155 is intended to be opposite at least part of the cover 160.

In a particularly advantageous manner, these additional material advances 155 play a similar role for the blown reeds 111 to the role played by the material advances 140 for the aspirated reeds 121.

According to one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 14 for example, the distal part of the advance of additional material 155, also called the end 155c of the advance of additional material 155, is arranged between the opening 135 of the chamber 131 and the bottom 136 of the chamber 131. Advantageously, the end 155c of the advance of additional material 155 is distant from the bottom 136 and from the opening 135 of the chamber 131. Preferably, the end 155c of the 'advance of additional material 155 is disposed in the chamber 131 so as to allow the passage of an air flow via the corresponding blown reed 111.

According to an advantageous embodiment described in FIG. 10 for example, each projection of additional material 155 can comprise on its internal face 155a at least one lug 151. Thus, according to this embodiment, the additional plate 150 comprises a plurality of lugs. 151.

Preferably, each lug 151 is configured to face a portion of a blown reed 111. Thus, cleverly and according to one embodiment, each lug 151 makes it possible to minimize the air passing through the base and the base. along a blown reed portion 111 when the user sucks to trigger the blown reed 111. Preferably, each lug 151 helps to compact and direct the air more directly towards the end of the blown reed 111. , which is triggered all the more easily.

Preferably, each lug 151 is configured to face a portion of a blown reed 111. Thus, cleverly and according to one embodiment, each lug 151 makes it possible to minimize the air passing through the base and the base. length of a portion of reed blown 111 when the user blows to trigger the sucked reed 121. Preferably, each lug 151 helps to compact the air and redirect the air more quickly towards the end of the sucked reed 121, which is triggered all the more. easily.

Particularly advantageously, the lugs 151 also make it possible to limit the twist effect, or even eliminate it, like the protuberances for sucked reeds. Indeed, when the user blows to trigger a sucked reed 121, it often happens with the harmonicas of the prior art that the blown reed 111 starts to twist, that is to say to vibrate not in its dimension of extension in length, but in its dimension of extension in width, which here again produces a high note which is added to the note produced by the sucked reed 121. This twist effect is also due to the air which 170 escapes through the sides of the base of the blown reed 111, very close to the opening 135 of the chamber 131.

Advantageously, each lug 151 is configured to reduce the oscillatory space 112 of a blown reed 111 when the user blows into the chamber 131 of said blown reed 111 to vibrate the sucked reed 121. And this preferably when the user positions his tongue so as to oscillate the sucked reed 121, that is to say when the user positions his tongue so as to minimize the space available to the air to pass between it and the palate , whether by moving the back of the tongue back towards the throat, or by moving the midrange part of the tongue towards the teeth.

In a particularly advantageous manner, these lugs 151 play a similar role for the blown reeds 111 to the role played by the protuberances 143, for the sucked reeds 121.

In addition, the additional material feeds 155 and the lugs 151 play a similar role for the blown reeds 111 to the role played by the material feeds 140 and the protrusions 143 for the suction reeds 121.

In fact, each lug 151 is configured to face, preferably directly, the blown reed 111 corresponding to its chamber 131. Preferably, each lug 151 is configured to be directly opposite at least part of the lug. 'blown reed 111, that is to say that there is no solid material between the lug 151 and the blown reed 111 considered.

In this configuration, this allows the lug 151 to reduce the oscillatory space 112 of the blown reed 111 by generating a set of pressures inside the chamber 131, advantageously when the user blows from the chamber 131 of said blown reed 111, preferably by positioning its tongue so as to oscillate the sucked reed 121.

Preferably, each lug 151 extends from the entrance 135 of each chamber 131 towards the bottom 136 of each chamber 131 in a lengthwise extension dimension 152 as illustrated in Figure 10.

According to one embodiment, this lengthwise extension dimension 152 is proportional to the lengthwise extension dimension 132 of the chamber 131 considered, and therefore of the blown reed 111 considered.

According to another embodiment, this dimension of length extension 152 is a function of the desired effect, that is to say of the phenomenon that it is desired to promote. Indeed, according to one embodiment, the lengthwise extension dimensions 152 of the lugs 151 are configured to meet the needs of the user. For example, the advance of additional material 155 and / or the lug 151 of the chamber 7 could be lengthened or thickened in order to further facilitate the triggering of the blown reed 111 when sucking.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4, 7 and 11 to 14, each lug 151 extends at least in part in the air passage 139a for a blown reed 111. This makes it possible to increase the tightness of said passage of the air. air 139a, and therefore from room 131.

As previously indicated, the present invention advantageously takes advantage of a set of pressures established in the chamber 131 and making it possible to block the vibration of a reed while allowing the vibration of the complementary reed.

This set of pressures is based on the formation of an overpressure in the chamber 131 at the level of the blown reed 111 when the user blows in a configuration intended to make the sucked reed 121 vibrate. In this configuration, the blast creates a overpressure in chamber 131. In particular, according to one embodiment, overpressure at the level of the blown reed 111 blocks the latter, while the overpressure at the level of the sucked reed 121 will cause the latter to vibrate. Indeed, the air circuit 170 in the chamber 131 in this configuration has less resistance passing through the sucked reed 121 than through the blown reed 111. Therefore, the breath makes it possible to vibrate the sucked reed. 121.

Thus, in a particularly advantageous manner, the additional plate 150 makes it possible to limit air leaks at the base of the blown reed 111, and therefore to compact the air flow 170 in the chamber 131 when the user blows to trigger the sucked reed 121.

The additional plate 150 also limits or even eliminates the spin effect.

Preferably, the additional plate 150 allows, when the user blows to trigger the sucked reed 121, to reduce the oscillatory space 112 of the blown reed 111 and therefore helps to block it and trigger the reed. sucked reed 121.

This situation is for example illustrated in FIG. 13. In FIG. 13, the air flow circulates via the sucked reed 121 while the user blows from the chamber 131, this then allowing the vibration of the sucked reed. 121 while blocking by said set of pressures the blown reed 111. Conversely, the case of a normal breath is illustrated in Figure 11, the user blows air from the chamber 131 and thus vibrates the 'blown reed 111, this when he does not have his tongue in a particular way.

Thus, and this in a clever way, the modifications made to the bed base 130 and the addition of this additional plate 150 allow a user to more easily reach certain notes which are usually difficult to reach, notes which generally require many hours of training. , but which are here more directly accessible. These modifications and this addition also allow better control of these notes in a playing situation.

The present invention facilitates the triggering, that is, the setting in vibration, of the "opposite reed", the reed blown by sucking, or the reed sucked by blowing.

Figures 11 to 14 illustrate normal tripping situations and opposite tripping situations. Figure 11 illustrates the case where the user blows into the chamber vibrating the blown reed. FIG. 12 illustrates the case where the user sucks from the chamber, vibrating the sucked reed.

Figure 13 illustrates the situation opposite to that of Figure 11. Figure 13 illustrates the case where the user blows into the chamber so as to vibrate the suction reed.

Figure 14 illustrates the situation opposite to that of Figure 12. Figure 14 illustrates the case where the user aspirates from the chamber so as to vibrate the blown reed.

In the case of the opposite sucked reed, so when the user is blowing, less air escapes at the base of the blown reed, and preferably along part of its lengthwise extension dimension. , advantageously of the order of 50% thereof. Thus, the air is more compacted in the chamber, this makes it possible to create an overpressure coming to block the blown reed all the more quickly, and allowing the air flow to move all the more quickly towards the end of the reed. the sucked reed so as to leave the chamber while triggering the sucked reed.

In the case of the opposite blown reed, so when the user inhales, the air is more compacted towards the vibrating end of the blown reed since it can escape less from the base of this same reed, and suddenly it creates an underpressure in the chamber. This underpressure blocks the sucked reed and allows the triggering of the blown reed.

The present invention facilitates the handling of a harmonica and allows experienced players to manipulate notes not present on the instrument in a simple, easy and reproducible manner. Indeed, the issue of reproducibility is essential. Here, the present invention reduces the number of parameters influencing whether or not these particular scores are obtained. Cleverly, the cooperation between the additional plate with the first plate is similar to the cooperation of the box spring according to the present invention with the second plate. It is the implementation of the same inventive concept applied symmetrically to two elements of the harmonica that achieves this ease of play and reproducibility. This reproducibility is linked in particular to the improvement of the partitioning of the rooms, that is to say to the improvement of the control of the air circulation in the rooms.

Thus, the present invention makes it possible to make it easier to obtain certain musical notes, for example as soon as the instrument is purchased, and advantageously without requiring long and difficult learning for the user.

In a particularly clever way, each element of the present invention provides something independent of the others, and combined together they maximize the ease of playing of the harmonica according to the present invention. Cleverly, each element of the present invention improves the seal inside the chamber and compacts the airflow a little more, so the pressure plays are sharper, and therefore the reeds more responsive.

It will be noted that advantageously, the base and the additional plate according to the present invention have technical advantages independently of one another, and when combined together they maximize the ease of playing of the harmonica according to the present invention. In a clever way, the box spring and the additional plate act in synergy with each other to improve the tightness inside the chamber and to compact the air flow a little more, so the pressure plays are more crisp, and therefore more responsive reeds. Thus, the harmonica according to the present invention can either comprise one of the base and the additional plate, or include the base and the additional plate.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and extends to all the embodiments covered by the claims.

List of references

10 Harmonica of the prior art

11 Bed base of the prior art

100 Harmonica

110 First plate

111 blown reed

112 Oscillatory space of a blown reed

120 Second plate

121 reed sucked

122 Oscillatory space of a sucked reed

130 Box spring

130a Upper face of the bed base 130b Bottom face of the bed base

131 Room

132 Extension dimension in length

133 Extension dimension in width

134 Height extension dimension

135 Aperture

136 Background

137 Side wall

137a Extension dimension in width of a side wall

138 Lower part

138a Air passage for the suction reed

139 Upper part

139a Air passage for the blown reed

140 Advanced material

140a Inner face of the material feed 140b Outer face of the material feed 140c End of the material feed

141 Length extension dimension of the material advance

142 Extension dimension in width of the material advance

143 Protuberance

144 Length extension dimension of a protuberance

145 Rounded

146 Bevel

147 Recess 148 Tray

150 Additional plate

151 Ergot

152 Extension dimension in length of the lug

153 Light

154 Internal surface of additional plate

155 Advance of additional material

155a Inner face of additional material feed 155b Outer face of additional material feed 155c End of additional material feed 160 Hood 170 Air flow

Claims

1. Harmonica (100), preferably diatonic, comprising at least: a. A box spring (130) comprising a plurality of chambers (131) each including an opening (135) configured to allow a user's breath to pass, each chamber (131) defining an oscillatory space (112) for a blown reed (111) and an oscillatory space (122) for a sucked reed (121), the blown reed (111) and the sucked reed (121) of each chamber (131) defining a pair of complementary reeds; b. A first plate (110) comprising a plurality of blown reeds (111), the first plate (110) being disposed opposite a first face, preferably an upper face (130a), of the base (130), each reed the blast (111) of the plurality of blown reeds (111) being configured to oscillate in its oscillatory space (112) when the user blows at least into the chamber (131) defining said oscillatory space (112); vs. A second plate (120) comprising a plurality of sucked reeds (121), the second plate (120) being disposed opposite a second face, preferably a lower face (130b), of the base (130), each reed aspirated (121) of the plurality of aspirated reeds (121) being configured to oscillate in its oscillatory space (122) when the user aspirates at least from the chamber (131) defining said oscillatory space (122);

The harmonica (100) being characterized in that: d. At least a part of the chambers (131) of the plurality of chambers (131) comprises at least one advance of material (140), each advance of material (140) being disposed at least in part opposite a portion of a sucked reed (121) and being configured to allow the oscillation of the blown reed (111) of the complementary torque of said sucked reed (121) when the user sucks from the chamber (131) of said sucked reed (121), preferably by positioning its tongue so as to oscillate the blown reed (111); and / or e. And in that it comprises at least one additional plate (150) disposed facing a face of the first plate (110), preferably facing a face of the first plate (110) opposite to the face of the first plate (110) facing the first face of the bed base (130), and comprising at least a plurality of advances of additional material (155), each projection of additional material (155) being disposed at least partially opposite of a portion of a blown reed (111) and being configured to allow the oscillation of the sucked reed (121) of the complementary torque of said blown reed (111) when the user blows into the chamber (131) of said blown reed (111), preferably by positioning its tongue so as to oscillate the sucked reed (121).

2. Harmonica (100) according to the preceding claim wherein each chamber (131) of the plurality of chambers has a bottom (136) opposite the opening (135) and configured to stop the user's breath, two side walls (137) configured to separate a chamber (131) of other adjoining chambers (131), the upper part (139) of the chamber (131) being defined in part at least by at least part of a blown reed (111) and the lower part (138) of the chamber (131) being defined at least in part by at least part of the sucked reed (121) complementary to said blown reed (111).

3. Harmonica (100) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least part of the chambers (131) of the plurality of chambers (131) has a bottom (136) rounded, preferably concave.

4. Harmonica (100) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least part of the chambers (131) of the plurality of chambers (131) has a dimension of extension in width (133) greater than the dimension of. extension in width (133) of at least another part of the chambers (131) of the plurality of chambers (131).

5. Harmonica (100) according to any preceding claim wherein at least part of the chambers (131) of the plurality of chambers (131) has a dimension of extension in width (133) less than the dimension of. extension in width (133) of at least another part of the chambers (131) of the plurality of chambers (131).

Harmonica (100) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least part of the chambers (131) of the plurality of chambers (131) comprises side walls (137) having an extension dimension in width (137a). ) greater than the dimension of extension in width (137a) of the side walls (137) of at least another part of the chambers (131) of the plurality of chambers (131).

7. Harmonica (100) according to the preceding claim wherein at least one side wall (137) of part of the chambers (131) of the plurality of chambers (131) comprises an additional surface, preferably this additional surface comprising a bevel. (148).

Harmonica (100) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least part of the chambers (131) of the plurality of chambers (131) comprises side walls (137) having an extension dimension in width (137a). ) less than the extension dimension in width (137a) of the side walls (137) of at least another part of the chambers (131) of the plurality of chambers (131).

9. Harmonica (100) according to the preceding claim wherein at least one side wall (137) of a portion of the chambers (131) of the plurality of chambers (131) comprises a recess (148) located between the bottom (136) of the chamber (131) and the opening (135) of the chamber (131).

10. Harmonica (100) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each advance of material (140) extends from the bottom (136) of its chamber (131) towards the opening (135) of its chamber (131). ).

11. Harmonica (100) according to the preceding claim wherein each advance of material (140) comprises a dimension of extension in thickness, this dimension of extension in thickness decreasing from the bottom (136) of its chamber (131) towards the end. opening (135) of its chamber (131), preferably defining a ramp.

12. Harmonica (100) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least part of the material advances (140) defines a plate (148) with the bottom (136) of their chamber (131), this plate (148 ) extending in a plane orthogonal to the extension plane of the side walls (137) of their chamber (131).

13. Harmonica (100) according to any preceding claim wherein the lower portion (138) of each chamber (131) of the plurality of chambers (131) comprises an air passage (138a) for a sucked reed. (121), and in which each advance of material (140) extends at least in part so as to at least partially obstruct the passage of air (138a) of a sucked reed (121).

14. Harmonica (100) according to any preceding claim wherein the upper portion (139) of each chamber (131) of the plurality of chambers (131) comprises an air passage (139a) for a blown reed. (111), and wherein each advance of additional material (155) extends at least in part so as to at least partially obstruct the air passage (139a) of a blown reed (111).

15. A harmonica (100) according to any preceding claim wherein each chamber (131) of the plurality of chambers (131) comprises an extension width dimension (133) and an extension length dimension (132). ), and wherein each advance of additional material (155) has a dimension of extension in width equal to the dimension of extension in width of their chamber (131), and a dimension of extension in length less than dimension d 'lengthwise extension of their chamber (131).

16. Harmonica (100) according to the preceding claim wherein the ratio between the dimension of extension in length of an advance of additional material (155) and the dimension of extension in length (132) of its chamber (131) is between 0.1 and 0.9, preferably between 0.3 and 0.7 and advantageously equal to 0.5.

17. Harmonica (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each projection of additional material (155) has an interior face (155a) facing the interior of its chamber (131) and an exterior face (155b) facing. towards the outside of its chamber (131), and in which each projection of additional material (155) comprises at least one lug (151) disposed on its inner face (155b).

18. Harmonica (100) according to the preceding claim in combination with any one of claims 2 to 14 wherein each lug (151) extends from the entrance of each chamber (135) towards the bottom (136) of each chamber (131) in a lengthwise extension dimension (152).

19. Harmonica (100) according to any one of the two preceding claims in combination with claim 14 wherein the lug (151) extends at least partly in the air passage (139a) of a reed. blown (111).

20. Harmonica (100) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each advance of material (140) comprises an end (140c) remote from the opening (135) and from the bottom (136) of its chamber (131).

21. Harmonica (100) according to the preceding claim wherein the end (140c) of each advance of material (140) is arranged in its chamber (131) so as to allow the passage of an air flow via the sucked reed (121) corresponding to its chamber (131).

22. Harmonica (100) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each advance of material (140) is configured to face, preferably directly, the suction reed (121) corresponding to its chamber (131).

23. Harmonica (100) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each advance of additional material (155) comprises an end (155c) remote from the bottom (136) and from the opening (135) of its chamber (131). .

24. Harmonica (100) according to the preceding claim wherein the end (155c) of each advance of additional material (155) is disposed in its chamber (131) so as to allow the passage of an air flow via the 'blown reed (111) corresponding to its chamber (131).

25. Harmonica (100) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each advance of additional material (155) is configured to face, preferably directly, the blown reed (111) corresponding to its chamber (131). .

26. A harmonica (100) according to any preceding claim wherein each chamber (131) of the plurality of chambers (131) comprises an extension width dimension (133) and an extension length dimension (132). ), and wherein each advance of material (141) has a dimension of extension in width (142) equal to the dimension of extension in width (133) of their chamber (131), and a dimension of extension in length (141) less than the lengthwise extension dimension (132) of their chamber (131).

27. Harmonica (100) according to the preceding claim in which the ratio between the dimension of extension in length (141) of an advance of material (140) and the dimension of extension in length (132) of its chamber (131). ) is between 0.1 and 0.9, preferably between 0.2 and 0.5 and advantageously equal to 0.33.

28. Harmonica (100) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each advance of material (140) has an interior face (140a) facing the interior of its chamber (131) and an exterior face (140b) facing. the exterior of its chamber (131), and in which the advance of material (140) comprises at least one protuberance (143) disposed on its exterior face (140b).

29. Harmonica (100) according to the preceding claim in which the protuberance (143) has a dimension of extension in length (144) proportional to the dimension of extension in length (141) of the advance of material (140) comprising said protuberance (143) considered.

30. Harmonica (100) according to any one of the two preceding claims in combination with claim 13 in which the protuberance (143) extends at least in part into the air passage (138a) of a sucked reed. (121).

31. Harmonica (100) according to any one of the three preceding claims in combination with any one of claims 2 to 14 wherein each protrusion (143) extends from the bottom (136) of each chamber (131) towards the entrance (135) of each chamber (131) along the lengthwise extension dimension (144).

32. Harmonica (100) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the bed base (130) has a flexibility greater than the flexibility of the first plate (110) and the flexibility of the second plate (120).

33. Base (130) for harmonica (100), preferably diatonic, comprising a first plate (110) comprising a plurality of blown reeds (111) and a second plate (120) comprising a plurality of sucked reeds (121) , said base (130) comprising a plurality of chambers (131), each chamber (131) of the plurality of chambers (131) being associated with a complementary pair of reeds comprising a blown reed (111) and a sucked reed (121) ), each chamber (131) of the plurality of chambers (131) each including an opening (135) configured to allow the user's breath to pass and each intended to define an oscillatory space (112, 122) for a blown reed ( 111) and for a sucked reed (121), said base (130) being characterized in that each chamber (131) of the plurality of chambers (131) comprises at least one advance of material (140), each advance of material ( 140) being intended to be disposed in part at least opposite a porti of a sucked reed (121) and to allow the oscillation of the blown reed (111) of the complementary torque of said sucked reed (121) when the user sucks from the chamber (131) of said sucked reed (121) ), preferably by positioning its tongue so as to oscillate the blown reed (111).

34. Additional plate (150) for harmonica (100), preferably diatonic, comprising a first plate (110) comprising a plurality of blown reeds (111) and a second plate (120) comprising a plurality of sucked reeds (121). ), each blown reed (111) forming a complementary pair of reeds with a sucked reed (121), said additional plate (150) being intended to be disposed above the first plate (110), and being characterized in that that it comprises at least a plurality of advances of additional material (155), each advance of additional material (155) being disposed at least in part opposite a portion of a blown reed (111) and being intended for allow the oscillation of the sucked reed (121) of the complementary torque of said blown reed (111) when the user blows into the chamber (131) of said blown reed (111), preferably by positioning his tongue so as to oscillate the suction reed (121).

35. Kit for harmonica (100), preferably diatonic, comprising at least one base (130) according to claim 33 and at least one additional plate (150) according to claim.