GB2121567A - A metronomic signalling device and a method of metronomic and tempo signalling - Google Patents

Abstract

Metronomic signalling devices and method for generating and transmitting silent and nonvisible metronomic impulses by sense of touch, i.e. to users' skin so that the users thereby receive tempo guidance by feeling the impulse through the skin.

Description

SPECIFICATION A metronomic signalling device and a method of metronomic and tempo signalling This invention relates to metronomic signal transmission devices and method, and is more particular ly concerned with such devices and method which will terminate useful metronomic signals without audio or visual transmission.

Conventional metronomic devices transmit sig nals to the user audibly or visually, or both. Instru mentsforthis purpose mark exact time by a regularly repeated tick or similar sound for audible guidance of a user, or by a flashing light or swinging pendulum in respect to the visual metronomic signals.

Both the audible(acoustic) and visual(optical) types of metronomic signalling have the shortcom ings that they may interfere with the user's concentration upon the effort intended to be enhanced by the signals. For example, during music making, the audible signals may interfere with user's proper concentration upon tone and pitch. Visual metronomic signalling may additionally interfere with concentration upon note reading. Similar remarks apply when metronomes are designed to be used during musical performance, in which instance metronomic signals of a noninterfering kind may be utilised to advantage.

An important object of the present invention, therefore, is to overcome the aforementioned shortcomings in respect to the prior modes of metronomic signalling, and to provide a novel nonauditory, nonvisual method of and means for metronomic signal transmission.

Another object of the invention is to provide metronomic signalling devices, and method for transmitting silent and nonvisible but touch sensible metronomic impulse signals.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel method of and means for nonauditory and nonvisual metronomic signalling by use of a device adapted to be worn by the user.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a metronomic signalling device comprising means for generating silent and nonvisible metronomic impulse signals, means for effecting control in the tempo of the impulses, and means for transforming the signals into touch sensitive impulses and for transmitting the impulses directly to the skin of a user so that the user thereby receives tempo guidance by feeling the impulses through the skin.

The present invention also provides a method of metronomic signalling which comprises generating silent and nonvisible metronomic impulse signals, effecting control in tempo of the impulse signals, and translating the signals into dyanmic impulses and transmitting the impulses sensibly to a users' skin so that the users thereby receive tempo guidance by feeling the impulses through the skin.

Other object, features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent in the following description of representative embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying draw ing, although variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts embodied in the disclosure and in which:: Figure 1 is a plan view of a metronomic signalling device embodying the invention, and partly broken away and in section to reveal details; Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the device of Figure 1 with parts broken away and in section for revealing details; Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view showing a modification; Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view showing another modification; Figure 5 is a schematic view showing how a plurality of metronomic devices according to the present invention may be motivated and controlled through a common control means; and Figure 6 is a schematic electrical diagram relevant to the operation of the device.

A metronomic signalling device 10 (Figures 1 and 2) embodying the invention, and enabling practice of the method of the present invention, is desirably of a size and shape which will permit the device to be worn on the person of the user. To this end, the device comprises a body base portion 11 of generally rectangular form and which may be molded or otherwise shaped from any suitable material, but for practical purposes, desirably formed from a lightweight, durable plastic material. Removably carried by the base 11 is a snap-on detachable cover 12 formed from suitable thin plastic material so that a rim flange 13 with a lower edge inwardly projecting retaining bead 14 is retaining engageable with a complementary latching shoulder 15 at the inner side of a rabbet groove 17 which provides an upwardly facing shoulder on which the edge of the flange 13 seats.

Within a housing space 18 provided by the assembled base portion 11 and cover 12, means are provided for generating silent and invisible but physically sensible metronomic signal impulses, comprising in an advantageous arrangement a balanced, cooperative pair of agitator electromagnetic 19 mounted in respective diametrically opposite spaced bosses 20 located at the rim of a cavity 21 defined within a preferably integral thickened area 22 within the housing on the base member 11.

The arrangement and relationship of the electromagnets 19 is such that when the electromagnets are energized, they will attract cooperatively related, normally gapped, arms 23 of a metronomic impulse signaler, preferably disc-shaped member 24 of soft iron material and from which the arms 23 integrally project divergently and tangentially from diametrically opposite locations on the disc member 24, and in complementary positions for actuation by the respective electromagnets 19. Preferably, the impulse transmitter disc 24 is carried by a resilient, flexible diaphragm 25 to which is secured fixedly the outwardly facing surface or face of the disc 24, while the arms 23 project from the inwardly facing surface of the disc. Any suitable and preferably soft rubber or rubber-like elastic material may be employed for the diaphragm 25.On its outer face, the diaphragm 25 desirably has an array of preferably rounded, spaced node prods 27. About its perimeter, the diaphram 25 has means for securing it to the base member 11, comprising a preferably continuous peripheral attachment flange 28 which is adapted to be firmly clamped against an annularfrustoconical shoulder 29 provided in an annular outwardly opening affixation cavity 30 concentric with the inwardly opening cavity 21 in the thickened base area 22, and receptive of a clamping ring nut 31 adapted to be threadedly engaged by means of threads 32 with the base 11 within the annular cavity 30 and driven with its complementary frustoconical clamping surface 33 against the diaphragm flange 28 to clamp it securely against the clamping shoulder 29.

Pulsing operation of the electromagnets 19 is adapted to be effected by electrical means (Figures 1,2 & 6) comprising an electrical circuit 34, components of which may be carried on a circuit board 35 mounted as by means of a thin mounting panel 37 on the inside roof surface provided by the top of the cap 12. Means such as a pulse cycling transister 38 and capacitor 38a electrically are connected to the electromagnetic 19 and to a power source such as a battery 39. An on/off electrical switch 40 for the electrical circuit has suitable actuating means mounted conveniently on the cover 12. A pulse frequency or tempo control device 41 in the circuit 34 is adapted to be adjusted as by means of a knob 42 conveniently located on the cover 12 and desirably provided with an indicator 43 for visualizing adjustment relative to a tempo or pulse rate scale 44.

Through this arrangement, when the circuit 34 is closed, the electromagnets 19 are energized and de-energized with a frequency determined by the adjustment of the tempo control 41. At each energization of the electromagnets 19 in each cycle, the impulse signalling device arms 23 are drawn toward the electromagnets. This causes the impulse generator disc 24 to push outwardly on the diaphram 25 and at the same time torque slightly in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 1. This causes the projections 27 to thrust toward and impart an impulse to the skin S (Figure 2) of a user contacted by the diaphragm surface. Thereby the user receives tempo guidance by feeling the impulses through the skin.In Figure 1,the double-headed arrow 45 indicates the oscillating cycle of the disc 24 as it is alternately actuated in a pulse and release cycle by the electromagnets 19. A double-headed arrow 47 in Figure 2 indicates the axial impulse and release cycle of the disc 24. As a result, the user receives a definite and dual combined twisting and thrust sensation for each impulse. This is especially effective where an article of clothing intervenes between the device and the user's skin.

For convenience in use, the device 10 may be dimensioned to be carried in a garment pocket with the impulse diaphragm 25 contiguous to the user's body. If preferred, the device 10 may be attached to the user's arm or leg or to any other convenient part of the user's body, and for this purpose attachment strand or strap means 48 may be provided attached to suitably positioned integral ears 49 at opposite ends of the base member 11 of the device.

Means may be provided for connecting a plurality of metronomic signalling devices 10 together for tempo guidance of a plurality of persons simultaneously. Forthis purpose, the device 10 may be provided with one or more jack outlets 50 which may, as best seen in Figure 6 be connected in the circuit 34 in parallel relation with the electromagnetic 19. In such an arrangement, the additional metronomic signalling devices may be strippeddown versions of the device 10 in that they will operate in slave relation and will therefore require only the metronomic signalling means comprising the electromagnets 19, the diaphram 25 and the diaphram actuating member 24 with its arms 23, with the electromagnetics 19 of the slave unit connected in parallel with the fully equipped device 10.

Where it is desired to provide only thrusting reciprocations, without oscillation, of the thruster 24' as in Figure 3, the arm 23' of the thruster may, as shown, have terminal 51 which overlies the associated electromagnet 19' in a rectilinear fashion, wherein the electromagnet is located in a straight front-to-back relation rather than the diagonal relation as shown in Figure 2. Thereby, at each energization of the electromagnet 19' of the device 10', the impulse imparting means or transducer 24' simply thrusts outwardly on the diaphram 25 to drive the prod pad 27 towards the skin of the user for imparting the tempo guidance feeling sensation. In other respects, the device 10' may be identical with the device 10 of Figures 1 and 2, and common reference numerals identify substatially identical parts.

If only oscillatory metronomic impulses are desired, the arrangement depicted in Figure 4 may be utilised. In this instance, the device 10" may be essentially the same as the device 10 of Figure 1 and 2, except that the electromagnets 19" are located on a substantially horizontal axes considered in comparison to the vertical axes of Figure 3 or the diagonal axes of Figure 2, and the impulse transmission disc 24" has its arm with its end facing in gap relation toward its associated electromagnet 19" so that as the electromagnet 19" is periodically energized, the impulse agitator 24" will be caused to move in one direction, that is laterally in Figure 4, and upon de-energization of the associated electromagnet and release will ocillate in the opposite direction as indicated by the double-headed arrow.

The associated diaphram 25 will move with the agitator 24" and the transmission prods on the diaphram will impart tempo guidance sensation to the user's skin.

A battery arrangement of metronomic signalling devices 53 is schematically depicted in Figure 5, and in which all of the devices 53 are connected in slave relation to a common control unit 54. Each of the slave units 53 may comprise any of the metronomic impulse transforming and transmitting means of Figures 1-4 with a respective thin flexible electric lead 55 connected to the control box 54. The control box in essence is similar in every aspect to the device of Figure 1 described above except the power source 39 and the circuit 34 are of greater capacity to accommodate the demand of X number of slave units 53.

If necessary, electromagnets 19 may be replaced by silent relays to control secondary power circuits to drive the slave units 53 without affecting the working of the signal circuit 34 itself. Such secondary circuits may simply consist sets of electric leads 55 from the relays to the slave units 53 and to the battery 39. These relays or translators, when substituted for the electromagnets 19, powered by the circuit 34 cause the secondary circuits to close and open corresponding to the impulse of the circuit 34, thereby energizing all slave units 53 as if they were energised by the circuit 34. The secondary circuit 63 can also be closed or opened by a simple digital switch 62 such as the kind used in a door bell and thereby manually actuating the tempo signal output to the slave units 53. As will be apparent, the arrangement of Figure 5 permits a conductor with a baton 60 to provide either a steady tempo through the use of machine timed or a flexible tempo by manually actuated tempo guidance silently for a large group of musicians individually and simultaneously.

Claims (17)

1. A metronomic signalling device comprising: means for generating silent and nonvisible metronomic impulse signals; means for effecting control in the tempo of said impulse signals; and means for translating and transforming said signals into touch sensitive impulses and for transmitting said impulses directly to users' skin so that the users thereby receive tempo guidance by feeling said impulse through the skin.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said generating means comprises electrical circuits.

3. A device according to claim 2, comprising a housing enclosing said electrical circuits and carrying said means for effecting control in the tempo of said impulse signals and including a manually actuable member.

4. A device according to claim 1, comprising a self-contained unit adapted to be worn on the user's person.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein said self-contained unit comprises a housing, and means for attaching said housing to a selected area on a user.

6. A device according to claim 1, including a housing carrying all of said means, and said translating, transforming and transmitting means comprising a electrogmagnetic actuator and a transmitter or transducer actuated by the actuator for translating and transforming said signals dynamically into said touch sensitive impulses.

7. A device according to claim 6, including a diaphram carrying said transmitter and having means thereon for accentuating tactile impulses of said transmitter.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein said actuator causes oscillatory and reciprocatory impulse movements of said transmitter.

9. A device according to claim 1,wherein said generating means and said means for transforming and transmitting comprise separately housed units, and means operatively connecting said units.

10 A device according to claim 9, wherein said means for effecting manual tempo actuation includes a conductor's baton.

11. A method of metronomic and tempo signalling, comprising: generating silent and nonvisible metronomic impulse signals; effecting manual actuation in the generating of said impulse signals; and transmitting said signals into touch sensitive impulses and transmitting said impulses sensibly to users' skin so that the users thereby receive tempo guidance by feeling said impulses through the skin.

12. A method according to claim 11, which comprises generating said impulse signals electromagnetically and transmitting said signals mechanically.

13. A method according to claim 11, which comprises transforming and transmitting said signals into impulses having reciprocable, lateral and torsinal components of impulse motion.

14. A method according to claim 11, comprising transmitting said impulses through a plurality of separate units in contact with separate persons, and generating said metronomic impulse signals and effecting said tempo guidance at a location remote from said units.

15. A method according to claim 14, which comprises effecting said tempo guidance from a conductor's baton.

16. Ametronomicsignalling device substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

17. A method of metronomic and tempo signalling substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.