US2938420A - Pickups for electrical musical instrument - Google Patents

Pickups for electrical musical instrument Download PDF

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Publication number
US2938420A
US2938420A US733040A US73304058A US2938420A US 2938420 A US2938420 A US 2938420A US 733040 A US733040 A US 733040A US 73304058 A US73304058 A US 73304058A US 2938420 A US2938420 A US 2938420A
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United States
Prior art keywords
armature
coil
vibrator
relative
pickups
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Expired - Lifetime
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US733040A
Inventor
Jacob T Kunz
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SCHULMERICH ELECTRONICS Inc
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SCHULMERICH ELECTRONICS Inc
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Priority to US733040A priority Critical patent/US2938420A/en
Priority to GB2427958A priority patent/GB900245A/en
Priority to CH6302858A priority patent/CH366730A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US2938420A publication Critical patent/US2938420A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H3/00—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means
    • G10H3/12—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument
    • G10H3/14—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument using mechanically actuated vibrators with pick-up means
    • G10H3/20—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument using mechanically actuated vibrators with pick-up means using a tuning fork, rod or tube

Definitions

  • This invention relates toelectroiu'c musical instruments and particularly to a transducer means for converting mechanical vibrations into electrical vibrations, especially in bell-like tone instruments.
  • Oneof the'objects of the invention is to provide an efficient transducer which will convert more of the mechanical energy than prior arrangements.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a transducer which is relatively insensitive to large variations in position between the armature and pickup coil.
  • a still further object is to provide a transducer in which there are no electrical connections between the armature and the pickup coil.
  • a magnetic armature is arranged to be moved by a vibrator relative to a non-magnetic coil, the magnetic flux of the armature cutting the turns of the coil as it is moved relative thereto.
  • a signal is produced which can be fed to the voltage ratio and filter circuits of an amplifier, the amplifier in turn being connected to a loud speaker for producing the resultant musical notes.
  • the armature is placed adjacent the end of the vibrating bar and is mounted so that the axis of the armature will be parallel or substantially parallel to the direction in which the rod vibrates.
  • the magnetic coil is held stationary and the armature moves therein, the armature preferably passing completely through the coil so that the amplitude of the coil induced voltage will be insensitive to armature position within the coil.
  • the armature should be acoustically integral with the rod.
  • the pickup can be used for various purposes such as on fixed-free rods or on free-free rods as described in applicants copending application Serial No. 733,101 filed May 5, 1958.
  • Fig. 1 is a plan view of one form of assembly of tone generators with which the invention can be used.
  • Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of thetone generators of Fig. 1.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic showing of one combination in which the invention can be'used.
  • Fig. 5 is a modified form of the invention.
  • Thetransducer can be used with various types of tone generators, but it will be described herein in conjunction with afree-free rod such as described in the aforemen tioned copending application Serial No. 733,101.
  • Base 10 has a pluralitycf'rods 11, 11 comprising the tone generators of the assembly.” Suspensions for the rods are located adjacent either end so as to exert force for eachrod can be attached at one endto a spring 15, the other end of the spring'being carried by a post 16. Thread 14 is supported freely in guide posts 17, l8.and can be attached to the. rod at 19. The opposite end of a rod can be carried by flexible thread fastened to posts 21 and to the rods at 22. 'Damping pins 23 can be provided for frictionally engaging thread 20 so as to provide the desired low frequency movement damp- A permanent magnet armature 27 can be fastened to the rods, armature 27 preferably being made acoustically integral with the rod.
  • the armature should be made of a high permeability magnetic material such as that sold under the name Alnico.
  • Non-magnetic coil 28 can be supported in bracket 29 (Fig. 3) mounted on base 10 of the assembly
  • the coil has an aperture 30 there through for receiving in juxtapositioned relationship; armature 27.
  • the armature preferably is made of such" When such is the case the amplitude of the coil induced voltr. age will be insensitive to armature position within 'the' a length that it passes clear through the coil.
  • the armature When the vibrator is struck or activated by a striker, such as 47, the armature will move relative to the nonmagnetic coil so that the magnetic flux thereof will cut the turns of wire of the coil and set up a voltage therein in accordance with relative movement therebetween. The only energy required is that needed to cut the lines of force and thus there is no force on the rod or coil. It should also be apparent that the arrangement will be insensitive to relatively large variations between the armature and coil.
  • Fig. 4 schematically shows a keyboard at 35 which may have keys for each of the notes of the scale. Connections can be made through the stop control 36 and the various assemblies of tone generators at 37, 38 and 39. Each assembly may have rods and striker means for producing various combinations of partials.
  • the voltage generated from the various pickups can be connected through adjustable filter and voltage circuit means 49 to amplifier 41. Amplifier 41 in turn is connected to loud speaker means 42.
  • FIG. 5 An alternative form of pickup is seen in Fig. 5 wherein rod 11 has armatures 43 and 44 extending from either side thereof through non-magnetic coils 45, 46.
  • the coils can be suitably connected to the amplifier circuits.
  • An electric music instrument tone generator including base means and a vibrator mounted thereon, permanent magnet armature means mounted on said vibrator, said armature means having magnetic flux associated therewith, a non-magnetic electric coil juxtapositioned relative to said armature means and'fixedly piounted relative to said base means, circuit means for connecting said coil to said instrument for reproducing of said vibra' tor therein, and strike means operable to strike said vibrator for setting the same into vibration, the magnetic flux of said armature means moving relative to said coil when said vibrator is set into vibration to generate a voltage in said coil and circuit means in accordancewith the frequency and amplitude of movement of said coil means and armature means relative to each other.
  • an electric music instrument tone generator including base means and a vibrator, a permanent magnet armature means acoustically integral with said vibrator, saidarmature meanshaving magnetic flux associated't'her'ewith, non-magnetic electric coil means juxtapositioned relative. to said armature means, and through which said armature means can move, means fixedly mounting said coil means relative to said base means, and vibrator activating means for setting said vibrator into vibration, the magnetic flux of said armature means moving relative to said coil means to generate a voltage in said coil means and circuit means in. accordance with the frequency and amplitude of movement of said coil means and armature means relative to each other.
  • An electric music instrument tone generator including base means and a vibrator, permanent magnet armature means mounted on said vibrator and extending in opposite directions on either side thereof, said armature means having magnetic flux associated therewith, nonmagnetic electric coil means on either side of said vibrator and in which said armature means can move, said coil means being fixedly mounted relative to said base means, circuit means for connecting said coil means to said instrument for reproducing vibrations thereof, and striker means actuatable to strike said vibrator for setting the same into vibration, the magnetic flux of said armature moving relative to said coil means when said vibrator is set into vibration to generate voltage in said coil means coil means having an aperture therethrough and being juxtapositioned relative to said armature means, and through which said armature means can move, said armature means normally extending through said aperture, means fixedly mounting said coil means relative to said base means, and vibrator activating means for setting said vibrator'into vibration, the magnetic flux of said armature means'moving relative to said coil means to generate a voltage in said coil means and circuit

Description

May 31, 1960 J. T. KUNZ 2,938,420
PICKUPS FOR ELECTRICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed May 5, 1958 0 HF |q,1
A :53 B C 39 57/- TON E TONE TONE GENERATOR GENERATOR GENERAT R Assznau ASSEMBLY nsscnany m: 4-9 INVENkOUR If HA- BgawbT. '8
United States Patent 2,938,420 7 PICKUPS FOR ELECTRICAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Jacob T. Km, Collegeville, Pa., we: to Schulmerlch Electronics, Inc., Sellersville, Pa a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed May 5,'1958,'Ser. e. 133,040
4 emuls ons-+1.15
This invention relates toelectroiu'c musical instruments and particularly to a transducer means for converting mechanical vibrations into electrical vibrations, especially in bell-like tone instruments.
Various types oftone generators have been used in electric music instruments, such as bars or rods for generating vibrations when struck. Mechanical-electrical pickups or transducers have been used for translating the vibrations, the electrical vibrations being amplified, modified as needed, and then reproduced by a loud speaker so as to provide the desiredresultant notes or sound sensations heard by the listener; The instruments involvedherein have been found particularly useful for producing bell tones, such as those of a cup-shaped or campaniform bell tone. Various types of transducers have been used in the past, su'cha's' those known as the capacitan'ce type and the magnetic reluctance type.
Oneof the'objects of the invention is to provide an efficient transducer which will convert more of the mechanical energy than prior arrangements.
Another object of the invention is to provide a transducer which is relatively insensitive to large variations in position between the armature and pickup coil.
A still further object is to provide a transducer in which there are no electrical connections between the armature and the pickup coil.
In one aspect of the invention, a magnetic armature is arranged to be moved by a vibrator relative to a non-magnetic coil, the magnetic flux of the armature cutting the turns of the coil as it is moved relative thereto. As a result, a signal is produced which can be fed to the voltage ratio and filter circuits of an amplifier, the amplifier in turn being connected to a loud speaker for producing the resultant musical notes. In a preferred form, the armature is placed adjacent the end of the vibrating bar and is mounted so that the axis of the armature will be parallel or substantially parallel to the direction in which the rod vibrates. The magnetic coil is held stationary and the armature moves therein, the armature preferably passing completely through the coil so that the amplitude of the coil induced voltage will be insensitive to armature position within the coil. The armature should be acoustically integral with the rod. The pickup can be used for various purposes such as on fixed-free rods or on free-free rods as described in applicants copending application Serial No. 733,101 filed May 5, 1958.
These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings which are merely exemplary.
In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a plan view of one form of assembly of tone generators with which the invention can be used.
Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of thetone generators of Fig. 1.
along the axis of the rods. .Flexible string or thread 14 Fig. 4 is a schematic showing of one combination in which the invention can be'used.
Fig. 5 is a modified form of the invention.
Thetransducer can be used with various types of tone generators, but it will be described herein in conjunction with afree-free rod such as described in the aforemen tioned copending application Serial No. 733,101.
Base 10 has a pluralitycf'rods 11, 11 comprising the tone generators of the assembly." Suspensions for the rods are located adjacent either end so as to exert force for eachrod can be attached at one endto a spring 15, the other end of the spring'being carried by a post 16. Thread 14 is supported freely in guide posts 17, l8.and can be attached to the. rod at 19. The opposite end of a rod can be carried by flexible thread fastened to posts 21 and to the rods at 22. 'Damping pins 23 can be provided for frictionally engaging thread 20 so as to provide the desired low frequency movement damp- A permanent magnet armature 27 can be fastened to the rods, armature 27 preferably being made acoustically integral with the rod. The armature should be made of a high permeability magnetic material such as that sold under the name Alnico. Non-magnetic coil 28 can be supported in bracket 29 (Fig. 3) mounted on base 10 of the assembly The coil has an aperture 30 there through for receiving in juxtapositioned relationship; armature 27. [The armature preferably is made of such" When such is the case the amplitude of the coil induced voltr. age will be insensitive to armature position within 'the' a length that it passes clear through the coil.
coil.
When the vibrator is struck or activated by a striker, such as 47, the armature will move relative to the nonmagnetic coil so that the magnetic flux thereof will cut the turns of wire of the coil and set up a voltage therein in accordance with relative movement therebetween. The only energy required is that needed to cut the lines of force and thus there is no force on the rod or coil. It should also be apparent that the arrangement will be insensitive to relatively large variations between the armature and coil.
As an example of the manner in which the invention can be used in conjunction with a bell carillon or the like, Fig. 4 schematically shows a keyboard at 35 which may have keys for each of the notes of the scale. Connections can be made through the stop control 36 and the various assemblies of tone generators at 37, 38 and 39. Each assembly may have rods and striker means for producing various combinations of partials. The voltage generated from the various pickups can be connected through adjustable filter and voltage circuit means 49 to amplifier 41. Amplifier 41 in turn is connected to loud speaker means 42.
An alternative form of pickup is seen in Fig. 5 wherein rod 11 has armatures 43 and 44 extending from either side thereof through non-magnetic coils 45, 46. The coils can be suitably connected to the amplifier circuits.
It is to be understood that variations may be made in details of construction without departing from the spirit of the invention except as defined in the appended claims.
What is claimed is:
1. An electric music instrument tone generator including base means and a vibrator mounted thereon, permanent magnet armature means mounted on said vibrator, said armature means having magnetic flux associated therewith, a non-magnetic electric coil juxtapositioned relative to said armature means and'fixedly piounted relative to said base means, circuit means for connecting said coil to said instrument for reproducing of said vibra' tor therein, and strike means operable to strike said vibrator for setting the same into vibration, the magnetic flux of said armature means moving relative to said coil when said vibrator is set into vibration to generate a voltage in said coil and circuit means in accordancewith the frequency and amplitude of movement of said coil means and armature means relative to each other.
2. In an electric music instrument tone generator, the combination including base means and a vibrator, a permanent magnet armature means acoustically integral with said vibrator, saidarmature meanshaving magnetic flux associated't'her'ewith, non-magnetic electric coil means juxtapositioned relative. to said armature means, and through which said armature means can move, means fixedly mounting said coil means relative to said base means, and vibrator activating means for setting said vibrator into vibration, the magnetic flux of said armature means moving relative to said coil means to generate a voltage in said coil means and circuit means in. accordance with the frequency and amplitude of movement of said coil means and armature means relative to each other.
3. An electric music instrument tone generator including base means and a vibrator, permanent magnet armature means mounted on said vibrator and extending in opposite directions on either side thereof, said armature means having magnetic flux associated therewith, nonmagnetic electric coil means on either side of said vibrator and in which said armature means can move, said coil means being fixedly mounted relative to said base means, circuit means for connecting said coil means to said instrument for reproducing vibrations thereof, and striker means actuatable to strike said vibrator for setting the same into vibration, the magnetic flux of said armature moving relative to said coil means when said vibrator is set into vibration to generate voltage in said coil means coil means having an aperture therethrough and being juxtapositioned relative to said armature means, and through which said armature means can move, said armature means normally extending through said aperture, means fixedly mounting said coil means relative to said base means, and vibrator activating means for setting said vibrator'into vibration, the magnetic flux of said armature means'moving relative to said coil means to generate a voltage in said coil means and circuit means in accordance with the frequency and amplitude of move ment of said coil means and armature means relative to each other.
References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 788,484 Lyon Apr. 25, 1905 1,543,124 1 Ricker June 23, 1925 2,273,333 Schlut'er Feb. 17, 1942 2,301,871 Hancrt Nov. 10, 1942 2,413,062 Miessn'er Dec. 24, 1946 2,492,919 Hings Dec. 27, 1949' 2,588,295 Rowe Mar. 4, 1952 2,606,474 Kunz Aug. 12, 1952 2,655,069 Marshall Oct. 13, 1953 2,703,504 Rowe i Mar. 8, 1955 2,734,434 Frank July 10,1956 2,799,196 Alvarez luly 16, 1957
US733040A 1958-05-05 1958-05-05 Pickups for electrical musical instrument Expired - Lifetime US2938420A (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US733040A US2938420A (en) 1958-05-05 1958-05-05 Pickups for electrical musical instrument
GB2427958A GB900245A (en) 1958-05-05 1958-07-28 Improvements relating to electric music instruments
CH6302858A CH366730A (en) 1958-05-05 1958-08-16 Electronic musical instrument

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3221120A (en) * 1964-01-31 1965-11-30 Motorola Inc Electromechanical frequency responsive translating device
US3509264A (en) * 1967-12-29 1970-04-28 Allen J Green Electric drum or other percussion instrument

Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US788484A (en) * 1904-08-31 1905-04-25 Gustave Frantz Lyon Musical instrument.
US1543124A (en) * 1924-07-09 1925-06-23 Western Electric Co Frequency standard
US2273333A (en) * 1939-04-24 1942-02-17 Jack C Deagan Vibrant bar and method of tuning the same
US2301871A (en) * 1940-10-14 1942-11-10 Hammond Instr Co Electrical musical instrument
US2413062A (en) * 1941-11-01 1946-12-24 Miessner Inventions Inc Apparatus for the production of music
US2492919A (en) * 1946-03-20 1949-12-27 Cornell Dubilier Electric Electrical musical instrument
US2588295A (en) * 1949-01-07 1952-03-04 Maas Rowe Electromusic Corp Apparatus for producing chime tones and method of tuning musical bars
US2606474A (en) * 1948-11-17 1952-08-12 Schulmerich Electronics Inc Musical instrument
US2655069A (en) * 1950-10-06 1953-10-13 Stromberg Carlson Co Means for and method of tuning vibrating bars or rods
US2703504A (en) * 1949-01-07 1955-03-08 Maas Rowe Electromusic Corp Tone adjustment for vibrant bars
US2754434A (en) * 1954-02-10 1956-07-10 Micro Balancing Inc Magnetic pickup means
US2799196A (en) * 1952-11-12 1957-07-16 Alvarez Octavio Jose Electrical musical instrument

Patent Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US788484A (en) * 1904-08-31 1905-04-25 Gustave Frantz Lyon Musical instrument.
US1543124A (en) * 1924-07-09 1925-06-23 Western Electric Co Frequency standard
US2273333A (en) * 1939-04-24 1942-02-17 Jack C Deagan Vibrant bar and method of tuning the same
US2301871A (en) * 1940-10-14 1942-11-10 Hammond Instr Co Electrical musical instrument
US2413062A (en) * 1941-11-01 1946-12-24 Miessner Inventions Inc Apparatus for the production of music
US2492919A (en) * 1946-03-20 1949-12-27 Cornell Dubilier Electric Electrical musical instrument
US2606474A (en) * 1948-11-17 1952-08-12 Schulmerich Electronics Inc Musical instrument
US2588295A (en) * 1949-01-07 1952-03-04 Maas Rowe Electromusic Corp Apparatus for producing chime tones and method of tuning musical bars
US2703504A (en) * 1949-01-07 1955-03-08 Maas Rowe Electromusic Corp Tone adjustment for vibrant bars
US2655069A (en) * 1950-10-06 1953-10-13 Stromberg Carlson Co Means for and method of tuning vibrating bars or rods
US2799196A (en) * 1952-11-12 1957-07-16 Alvarez Octavio Jose Electrical musical instrument
US2754434A (en) * 1954-02-10 1956-07-10 Micro Balancing Inc Magnetic pickup means

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3221120A (en) * 1964-01-31 1965-11-30 Motorola Inc Electromechanical frequency responsive translating device
US3509264A (en) * 1967-12-29 1970-04-28 Allen J Green Electric drum or other percussion instrument

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