US2231235A

US2231235A - Case for electrophonic instruments

Info

Publication number: US2231235A
Application number: US239681A
Authority: US
Inventors: Chester T Weir
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1938-11-09
Filing date: 1938-11-09
Publication date: 1941-02-11
Anticipated expiration: 1958-02-11

Description

FebQ 11, 1941. c. T. wElR 2,231,235

CASE FOR ELECTROPHONIC INSTRUMENTS Filed Nov. 9, 1938 haga/M nNVNToR @m55-wrm TS wma Patented Feb. 11, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to electrophonicv stringed instruments.

It is an object of the invention to simplify the task of the musician who is called upon to give a number of recitals during the days work, by

providing a portable case which may house builtin amplifying and speaker units, as well as the instrument itself.

A further object of the invention is to so fashion the instrument case that it may be used as an easel for sheet music, so that the instrumentalist may have readily available the music, the electrical controls of the device, and the necessary accessories for aiding in playing the instrument.

The invention will also be found to reside in the location of the loud speaker in a position where best acoustic effects may be obtained, and in other structural features which are kmore specifically described in the accompanying specification and drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a. side elevation of the case in closed position;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the case in open position;

25 Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the case, as

viewed in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the small cover section showing the ledge attachment; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the volume control attachment.

The case I0 includes a rectilinear body I I having an open side I2 which is closed by a pair of hinged cover sections I3 and I4. The larger of the cover sections I3 is connected by hinges I5 to one of the long sides I6 of the body, and thus it is adapted to open laterally. The cover section I4 is connected fby hinges II to the end wall of the body. The section I3 carries a protective weather strip I8, which covers the adjacent margins of the section I4 when in closed position. Clasps 20, of the usual type, are provided to fasten the sections to the body, and the body is provided with a centrally located carrying handle 2I.

A rest 22 is mounted on a support 23 at one end of the body compartment, while a bracket 24 containing an angular notch 25 is secured to the corner of the opposite end of the body. These members serve as a. support for a guitar 21, or other stringed instrument, the sound box or head 21a thereof being positioned in a form fitting pocket 22a in the rest 22, and the tongue board 2lb being received in the notch 25 of the bracket 24.

An amplifying unit 30 is secured within the (Cl. 20G- 13) body to the side I6 in a position where it clears the supported guitar. The bottom wall 3I ofn the body contains a circular aperture 32 located opposite the cover section I4, and it is covered by a speaker unit 33.

As Will be seen in Fig. 1, the case I0 containing the guitar and electrical units, is in convenient form to be carried from place to place, as its bulk, due to the compact arrangement of the enclosed elements, is but little larger than the usual instrument case.

On location, the guitar is removed, and the case is positioned on its end 33, as shown in Fig. 2, with the large hinged cover section I3 swung open to provide a support. The section I4 is likewise swung open to a fixedposition limited by a hinged brace 34, and thus it forms an inclined easel for the reception of sheet music. The instrumentalist is seated behind the open case, where the controls of the electrical elements are conveniently available. In addition, the cover section I 3 is supplied with a pocket 35, wherein may be stored the sheet music, which is available for selection and positioning on the easel section I4. The section I4 at its lower edge I4a carries a pair of studs 38 for receiving the slotted portions 39 of a ledge member 40. When the case is opened, the member 40 is raised to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, where it serves as a support for the sheet music. The member 40 is formed with a tail piece 4I, which, when in retracted position, abuts the end of a leaf spring 42 secured to the interior of the section I4. The spring is formed with a curved seat portion 43 which engages the tail piece when the ledge member is moved to its operative position, and thus retains it against accidental displacement. It will be observed that the adjoining ends or walls I3a, I4a of the cover sections and the body of the ledge member 40 are notched to clear the neck 21o of the guitar when the case is closed.

In the operation of the loud speaker unit, it will be observed that the case positions it in an elevated position, which is desirable for proper acoustic effects. The operation of electrophonic stringed instruments is so well known in the art that it is not deemed necessary to show specific circuits, and the like. In the present device, the amplifying unit 30 is connected to a power source S through a cord 50, while the electrical portion of the guitar is connected to the unit 30 by a cord 5 I, as shown in Fig. 3.

When playing the instrument, 'it is advantageous to free the hands of the labor of adjusting the volume control of the unit 3U. This is Cil accomplished by providing a spring-pressed lever 55, which is pivoted as indicated by the numeral 56 to the rest 22 (Fig. 3). The projecting arm 5l of the lever carries a rod 58 which extends upward for connection with an arm 60, which is secured to the pintle 6| of the tone control instrumentality of the unit 30. As best shown in Fig. 5, it will be observed that a pedal 62 is pvotally mounted on the arm 5l' of the lever 55, and it is formed with a lug 63 which engages the lower side of the arm 5l', and thus unites the pedal and lever for unitary downward movement. When it is desired to close the case, the projecting pedal @2 is swung upward to an unob-4 structive position.

It will be apaprent to those skilled in the art that the arrangement of elements and the general design of the case may be varied in accordance with the shape of the instrument and the character of the electrical units without departing from the inventive concept, as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. An elongated rectilinear instrument case having a bottom and an opposed open side, said bottom being formed with an aperture adjacent one end thereof, electrically connected ampliying and speaker units mounted within the case with the speaker unit disposed over the aperture of the case bottom, said amplifying unit including an adjustable control instrumentality, means for removably supporting an electrophonic stringed instrument within the casing, a ilexible electrical connection between the instrument and the amplifying unit, a laterally hinged closure for the open side of the case, said closure when open being adapted to serve as a support when the case is positioned on an end opposite said speaker unit, control operating means comprising a pedal supported within said last named end of the casing and having an extensible section movable to a position exterior of the casing when the closure is opened, and a mechanical linkage between said pedal and said control instrumentality of the amplifying unit,

2. An elongated rectilinear instrument case having a bottom and an opposed open side, said bottom being formed with an aperture located adjacent one end thereof, electrically connected amplifying and speaker units mounted within the case with the speaker unit disposed over the aperture of the case, a supporting structure within the opposite extremity of the case for removably receiving the head of an electrophonic stringed instrument, other supports in the casing located adjacent said units for receiving the tongue board of the instmment, a flexible electrical connection between the instrument and the amplifying unit, and a laterally hinged closure for the open side of the case, said case being adapted to be stood on said last named end with said closure in open position sewing as a supporting element.

3. An elongated rectilinear instrument case aving a bottom and an opposed open side, said bottom being formed with an aperture located adjacent one end thereof, electrically connected amplifying and speaker units mounted within the case withthe speaker unit disposed over the aperture of the case, a supporting structure within the opposite extremity of the case for removably receiving the head of an electrophonic stringed instrument, other supports in the case located adjacent said units for receiving the tongue board of the instrument, a flexible electrical connection between the instrument and amplifying unit, a pair of cover members coope erating to close the open side of the case, one cover member being hinged at said iirst end of the case, the free extremity of said first cover member having a marginal projecting member secured thereto to provide a support for sheet music, braces in the case for supporting the rst cover member in an angular open position to provide a music easel when the case is supported on its remaining end, the second cover member being hinged to the case for lateral opening movement whereby when in open position it serves as a supporting structure for the case. CHESTER T. WEIR.