US3059517A

US3059517A - Accordion attachment for treble grill

Info

Publication number: US3059517A
Application number: US9900A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frank D Orsolini
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1960-02-19
Filing date: 1960-02-19
Publication date: 1962-10-23
Anticipated expiration: 1979-10-23

Description

Oct. 23, 1962 F. D. ORSOLINI ACCORDION ATTACHMENT FOR TREBLE GRILL Filed Feb. 19, 1960 INVENTOR. Frank D. Orsolini Patented Oct. 23, 1962 3,059,517 ACCORDION ATTACHMENT FOR TREBLE GRILL Frank D. Orsolini, 15654 Montreal, San Leandro, Calif. Filed Feb. 19, 1960, Ser. No. 9,900 3 Claims. (Cl. 84-376) This invention relates to a new and improved accordion attachment fitting over the treble grill of the instrument.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to achieve full sound and full resonance of the instrument distributed evenly throughout its tonal range. This even distribution of sound is accomplished regardless of how far apart notes which may be played on the treble keys may be.

Accordingly the present invention produces a pleasing, clear sound.

A further feature of the invention is. the fact that the attachment directs the sound in such manner that it is concentrated toward the keyboard of the accordion. Inasmuch as the keyboard is generally smooth and hard, the sound thus directed by the attachment is reflected and hence a further improvement in the tonal characteristics is provided.

A still further feature of the invention is the provision of a spacer between the attachment, hereinafter described in detail, which spacer may be cut away to receive a conventional microphone such as is used with amplifiers as Well understood in the accordion art.

In essence, the present invention provides an attachment for existing accordions or a structure which may be incorporated in accordions as initially manufactured and which results in an improved sound reaction as compared with otherwise identical instruments.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following description in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the accordion with the present invention incorporated therein. 1

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view through the structure of FIG. 1, partially broken away in section to reveal internal construction.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the grill as viewed from its underneath side.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the spacer block showing a microphone incorporated therein.

The present invention is used in conjunction with an existing accordion 11 which has numerous working parts and a fairly complicated structure which forms no part of the present invention and hence such parts are not herein described in detail or illustrated in the drawings. Such an accordion has a treble casing 12 and a bass casing 13 interconnected by a bellows 14. Projecting upwardly and at a slightly oblique angle from the treble casing 12 is a keyboard 16 having white keys 17 and black keys 18. The keyboard 16 is mounted on an extension 19 of treble casing 12. On most accordions there is also provided centrally of the base of the keyboard 16 a plurality of treble switches 21 which affect the tonal characteristics of the instrument. The treble switch control mechanism 22 is located interiorly of the casing 12.

As conventionally supplied, accordions are provided with the grill 23 fitting over the end of and a portion of the side of the casing 12. The sound produced by the instrument on its treble side is discharged through the openings in grill 23. The shape of grill 23 as shown in FIG. 2 is generally that of a right angle having a flat top 24 and side 26 merging in a central radial portion 27. The treble switch mechanism 22 is located inside grill 23. A layer of cotton or other accoustical material 28 lines the inside of grill 23. In accordance with the present invention, a deflector 29 which may be a piece of wood or similar material is located on the inside of grill 23 lining the side 26 thereof. The function of deflector 29 is to reflect the sound at least partially back toward the keyboard 16.

Further in accord with the present invention there is provided an outer grill 31 which may be decorative in appearance and which overlies and is spaced from the inner grill 23. Outer grill 31 has a flat top 32 parallel to top 24 and a side 33 generally parallel to side 26 and lying in close proximity thereto. Top 32 and side 33 merge in a radial portion 34 so that the two

surfaces

32 and 33 are substantially at right angles to each other and surface 32 is parallel to surface 24. Openings 36 in the form of grill work are formed in outer grill 31 throughout a considerable portion of its surface and at least a portion of the sound produced by the instrument is discharged through openings 36. The outer edge of top 32 is cut away in an opening 37 which provides clearance for the treble switches 21. Side edges 38 extend down from the top 32 and sides 33 fit over the margin of the sides of treble casing 12. Screws 39 hold the top 32 in engagement with grill 23. Various means may be employed to hold the bottom edge of sides 33 in engagement with the casing 12. One means comprises snaps 41 on the inside edge of outer grill 31 which snap onto mating snaps (not shown) on casing 12.

To assist in positioning outer grill 31 spaced from but parallel to the top surface of inner grill 23, a spacer block 46 is preferably constructed of a porous wood, such as balsa, so that it partially absorbs the sounds produced by the accordion. To accommodate the treble switches 21, spacer block 46 is formed with a cutout 47 to permit movement of said switches. It is sometimes desirable to use an amplifier in connection with an accordion, particularly when used professionally. For such purpose it is necessary to use a microphone, preferably located inside the casing. One such microphone may be located in spacer block 46 which is hollowed out in a cavity 48 with microphone 49 imbedded therein. It will be understood that the location and the number of such microphones 49 is subject to considerable variation.

One of the important features of the present invention is the use of padding 51 which fills the space between grill 31 and inner grill 23. Padding 51 is preferably cotton and glass fibers in approximately equal proportions, and preferably intermixed to form a homogeneous mass. The padding 51 accomplishes a considerable portion of the evening out of the tonal characteristics of the instrument.

As has been stated, the attachment heretofore described may be installed as initial equipment in an accordion as manufactured or may be added to an existing accordion. The accordion is played in a conventional manner and no special skills are required to use this attachment over and above the skill required to play any such device. The deflector 26 and to some extent the spacer bar 46 concentrate the direction of the sound so that it bounces off the keyboard 16. Inasmuch as the keyboard 16 is smooth and hard, the sound is reflected out into the area of the audience. Further, the sound reaction of the instrument is affected by the attachment so that the distribution of the full sound and full resonance of the notes played is even throughout its range. Thus the pleasing, clear tone of the present invention is one of its principal results.

Although the above invention has been set forth in considerable detail, it will be understood that its scope is subject to considerable variation Within the spirit of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an accordion, a casing for the treble side, a keyboard disposed at an oblique angle to an end of said treble ther provided a microphone for an amplifier imbedded in 10 said spacer.

3. An accordion according to claim 1 which further comprises a deflector mounted interiorly of said inner grill remote from said keyboard and positioned to reflect sound toward said keyboard. 1

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,576,480 Rienscheck Nov. 27, 1951 2,798,397 *Frigo July 9, 1957 2,938,419 Gentul May 31, 1960 2,950,643 Scherer Aug. 30, 1960 1A l- J