GB1175038A - Electromechanical Vibration Generator for Electronic Musical Instruments - Google Patents

Abstract

1,175,038. Electrophonic musical instruments. MATTH. HOHNER A.G. 13 Sept., 1968 [16 Oct., 1967], No. 43705/68. Heading G5J. In an electronic instrument of the pianoforte type wherein a resonant body is struck or plucked by operation of a key on a keyboard, the resonant body includes a transducer and comprises a vibrator, such as tongues 34, Fig. 1, which is clamped to a carrier member 38 connected at a vibration node to an abutment 43 by means of an elastic member 39. In the arrangement shown the vibrator element 34 is loaded at one end by a head 36 and clamped at the other end to the bar-shaped carrier member 38. Excessive length of the member 38 may be avoided by loading the free end with a weight 44 or by bending over the end as shown in outline for carrier member 51. An inductive transducer 46 is located adjacent the free end of the vibrator element, and this may be replaced or supplemented by a capacitive pick-up. In the arrangement shown the elastic connecting member 39 comprises a layer of rubber or elastomeric material secured directly to the carrier 38 by vulcanization or adhesive bonding and to a metal plate 41 bolted to the abutment 43. The abutment 43 may be a divided arrangement with groups of carrier members 38 mounted on separate abutments. Vibrators tuned to different pitches may be clamped at a common point to a carrier member. In a modification, Fig. 2 (not shown), the connecting member comprises two semi-elliptical springs (144, 145) connected at their mid-points to the carrier member (137) and to the abutment (142) and joined at their ends to form an elliptical spring (143). In another arrangement, Fig. 3 (not shown), a semi-elliptical spring (155) is joined at its ends to the carrier member (137) and at its centre to the abutment (140). In a further arrangement, Fig. 4 (not shown), a number of carriers are bolted to an abutment with intervening strips and washers of rubber or elastomeric material. Each vibrator may be provided with a damping cushion 68 which is raised when the corresponding key is operated, and all the damping cushions may be raised by means of a pedal (not shown) which causes rotation of the shaft 60 via members 61-64. Means may be provided for clamping the carrier members when the lid of the instrument is closed, Fig. 2 (not shown).