US3183759A

US3183759A - Rigidized reed bar

Info

Publication number: US3183759A
Application number: US207571A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harald E W Bode
Original assignee: Wurlitzer Co
Current assignee: Wurlitzer Co
Priority date: 1962-07-05
Filing date: 1962-07-05
Publication date: 1965-05-18
Anticipated expiration: 1982-05-18
Also published as: GB1042057A

Description

May 18, 1965 H. E. w. BODE RIGIDIZED REED BAR 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 5, 1962 May 18, 1965 H. E. w. BODE RIGIDIZED REED BAR 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 5, 1962 ,W INVENTOR j amlaffi. 4139a? film, W Mam; wa

May 18, 1965 H. E. w. BODE RIGIDIZED REED BAR 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 5, 1962 HUHU:

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May 18, 1965 H. E. w. BODE RIGIDIZED REED BAR 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 5, 1962 QZYMJ W MM E E E- WWW United States Patent 3,183,759 RllGlDlZED REED BAR i-llarald E. W. Bode, North Tonawanda, N.Y., assignor to The Wurlitzer Qompany, Chicago, 1512., a corporation of Ohio Filed Lluly 5,1962, Ser. No. 2d7,57l 14 (Ilaims. (Cl. tit- W2) This invention relates generally to electronic musical instruments, more particularly to electronic musical in struments employing vibratile reeds as tone generators, and especially to support structures for vibratile reeds.

The structures heretofore used in electronic musical instruments for supporting vibratile reeds have generally comprised a single, relatively massive plate, flat in form and having a gradually diminishing total transverse section proceeding from the bass register end to the treble register end. A particularly vexing problem has arisen in the use of these reed support structures, namely the deadening of one or more reeds due to the relationship of their tuned frequency to the resonant frequency of the support structure. in the past, this dead reed probem has been solved by increasing the mass of the support structure using supplemental weights added to the basic structure in empirically established locations. However, the additional mass thus incorporated has materially interfered with the desired portability of the instrument because rather substantial supplementary weights have ordinarily been required.

Therefore, a general object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved support structure for vibratilc reeds.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a support structure whose mechanical response to vibration of the reeds does not interfere with the proper operation thereof.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a lightweight support structure which does not inhibit vibration of the reeds mounted thereon.

And still another object of the invention is to provide a highly rigidized reed bar assembly.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a reed bar assembly which is arranged to preclude development of a reasonant air column.

A further obiect of the invention is to provide a reed bar assembly incorporating a longitudinal reaction memher.

A yet further object of the invention is to provide an electronic musical instrument having a reed bar arrangement which is segmented, each segment thereof including a reaction member that is tailored to the frequencies of the reeds mounted thereon.

And. a further object of the invention is to provide an electronic musical instrument in which the reed bar arrangement is mounted in the instrument case so as to improve the mechanical response of the reed bar arrangement to vibration of reeds mounted thereon.

These and other obiects and features of the invention will become more apparent upon a reading of the following descriptions.

A support structure in accord with the invention includes a bar having a plurality of reed-mounting formations spaced along the length thereof and a relatively wide flange coupled to the bar adjacent the formations and extending along a substantial portion of the length or"- the bar to provide a member for mechanically reacting to the vibrations of the reeds.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the following disclosure and drawings forming a part thereof, wherein:

P16. 1 is a side view, partially in cross-section of a 'ice support structure for vibratile reeds shown in relation to the action mechanism Which is used in percussively actuating one of the reeds;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary front elevaticnal view taken through the electronic musical instrument and showing the mounting of the reed support structure to the instrument case;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of the treble register reed bar assembly incorporated in the arrangement of HG. 2;

PEG. 4 is an enlarged bottom perspective View of the bass register reed bar assembly used in the arrangement of FIG. 2;

PEG. 5 is a top plan view of the treble register reed bar assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the reed bar assembly of MG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged end elevational view of the reed bar assembly of FIG. 5;

PEG. 8 is a view similar to the showing of FIG. 7 but taken in cross-section to reveal details of construction;

PEG. 9 is an enlarged top plan view of the reed bar assembly of FIG. 4;

PEG. 10 is a front elevational View of the reed bar assembly of FIG. 9;

FIG. ii is an enlarged end elevational view of the reed bar assembly of FIG. 9; and

PEG. 12 is a view similar to the showing of FIG. 11 but shown in cross section to reveal details of construction.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, specifically to FIG. 1, an electronic musical instrument indicated generally by the numeral it? will be seen to include an instrument case 22 in which there is mounted an action mechanism 24. The action mechanism is arranged to be operated by a key lever 26 for percussively actuating a vibratile reed 28 which is mounted on a support structure 3s.

A keybed 32 is rigidly mounted in the instrument case 22 supportingly to receive a front rail 34 and a balance rail 36. The key lever 26 is fulcrumed 011 the balance rail 36 using one or more balance rail pins 38. A resilient stop dil is aiiixed to the keybed 32 for limiting the downward movement of the inner end of key lever 26; and the outer or front end of the key lever is guided by means of front rail pins 42 which ride in appropriately shaped slots fashioned in the forward end of the key lever.

A inainrail 44 is also mounted within the instrument case 22 by suitable means such as action brackets, not shown; and each of the individual action mechanisms 24 is fixed to the mainrail id for support. Furthermore, a hammer rail 4-5 is mounted within the instrument case 22 for supportingly receiving the hammer of action mechanism 24 in the rest position thereof. Similarly, a damper lever rail 48 is mounted within the instrument case 22 generally parrallel with the mainrail 44 and with the hammer rail 46, although it is recognized that the damper lever rail as may be combined with the mainrail 44 if desired.

The action mechanism 24- includes a whip 5b which is pivotally mounted to the mainrail 44 by means of a Whip flange 52. In addition, a hammer shank 54 is pivotally mounted to mainrail 44. by a hammer flange 56, shank 54. carrying a head 58 which is provided with a felt tip 69. A fly or jack 62 is pivotally mounted to the whip 5% on an integral flange 64, and the fly 52 includes a let-off arm 66 and a nose 68 disposed in right angular relationship. A compression spring it? acts between the whip 5d and the let-off arm 66 to bias the fly 62 generally toward the mainrail 454 whereas the nose 63 of the fly is arranged to cooperate with a felt-lined pocket '72 fashioned in the butt portion of hammer shank 54. A regulating screw 74 is adjustably threadedly engaged with the hammer rail 4r: to confront the upper surface of let-off arm 66, and a capstan screw it; is secured to the rear end of key lever 26 underlying the whip 511 in the vicinity of spring 7i). Advantageously, felt pads 73, 86 and 82 are disposed resiliently to engage the hammer shank 54, the regulating screw 74 and the capstan screw '76 respectively.

A damper release wire 84 is pivotally attached to whip 50 on the end thereof which is opposite from the felt 82; and the damper release wire 84 is connected to a damper lever 86 that is pivotally mounted to rail 8 by means of a damper lever flange 88. The damper release wire 84 is specifically connected to the damper lever 86 by passing through a bore 90 formed therein, whereby to receive a felt washer 92 and a nut 94 on its threaded, free end. The other end of damper lever 86 carries a felt pad 96 which normally bears against the reed 28 to preclude vibration thereof. A leaf spring 98 acts between flange 88 and damper lever 86 to bias the felt pad 96 into engage ment with the reed 28.

In use, manual depression of the front end of key lever 26 results in an upward movement of capstan screw 76 against the underside of whip 5t), specifically against the felt pad 82. The Whip 5d pivots in response to this movement driving the fly 62 into the felt lined pocket 72 of the hammer shank S4. Simultaneously, the pivotal movement of Whip 50 causes the damper lever 86 to pivot, raising the felt pad 96 out of engagement with reed 28. Then, as the action of fly 62 on hammer shank 54 actuates the hammer head 53 into striking engagement with the reed 28, the reed will have been released from the stopping action of the felt pad 96. Thus, percussive engagement of the hammer head 58 against the reed 23 causes a vibration of the reed which can be converted to a desired musical tone.

In producing the desired musical tone, the vibration of the percussively actuated reeds is converted into electric oscillations which are converted electronically into sound. Specifically, a pickup member 100 is associated with the free ends of the cantilevered reeds to form with the reeds capacitors which vary in capacity in accordance with the vibrations of the reeds whereby to convert the mechanical oscillations of the reeds to electronic oscillations. The pickup member 1% comprises a conductive sheet which is provided with a series of notches 102 which open from one edge to define channels in which the free ends of the reeds may vibrate.

The pickup member 1% is affixed to the support structure by cap screws 10 i, insulating bushings 1% and an insulating pad 108 whereby to insulate the pickup member electrically from the support structure.

Each of the reeds 28 is mounted with its upper surface coplanar with the bottom surface of the pickup member; and advantageously, each of the reeds 23 is electrically connected to the support structure 39 to avoid spurious variations in electrical capacity. Therefore, the reeds 28 are fastened directly to the support structure 3%} by means of cap screws 11d and lock washers 112.

The reeds 28 and the pickup member 1% are usefully fabricated from steel, and the bass reeds and some of the middle register reeds may be provided with small weights 114 attached to their free ends for lowering the frequency of vibration without making the reeds unduly large. These weights are conveniently fashioned from the lead for ease in changing their mass for proper tuning of the corresponding reed.

In compliance with one important feature of the invention, the support structure 3-13 is sectioned or divided at approximately mid-range into a treble register reed bar 118 and a bass register reed bar 120 as is Well shown in FIG. 2. In accordance with the specific embodiment which is illustrated, the support structure 31 is sectioned so that the treble register reed bar 118 accommodates thirty-two reeds and bass register reed bar also accommodates thirty-two reeds. Moreover, the support structure 31) is sectioned or divided in order that each of the resulting reed bars may be fashioned to include a reaction member that is tailored to the frequencies of the reeds which are mounted thereon as will be described more fully hereinafter.

Segmenting the support structure 30 also permits mounting of the resultant reed bars in the instrument case 22 so as to improve the mechanical response of the reed bars to the vibration of the reeds which are mounted thereon. With continued reference to FIG. 2, a pair of wooden blocks, blocks 122 and 124, are screwed and glued to the inside surfaces of the lateral walls of the instrument case 22; and at the center of the instrument case, a steel bracket 126 having T-shaped cross-section is mounted approximately parallel with the wooden blocks 122 and 12 A mechanically isolating coupling 127 is used in mounting the low note end of the treble register reed bar 118 to the steel bracket 126 whereas a rigid coupling 128 is used in mounting the high note end of reed bar 113 to the Wooden block 122; and in compliance with a further feature of the invention, a rigid coupling 130 is used in mounting the relatively low note end of the bass register reed bar 120 to wooden block 124 whereas a mechanically isolating coupling 132 is employed in mounting the relatively high note end of the bass register reed bar to the bracket 126. This rigid coupling of the relatively low note end of the bass register reed bar and the relatively high note end of the treble register reed bar to the mass of instrument case 22 has been found to achieve a desired prolongation of the ringing time for the reeds.

The coupling 128 comprises a bolt 134 and an elastomeric pad 136, bolt 134 passing through a counterbored passageway 138 fashioned in the reed bar 118 and pad 136 being dis osed between the reed bar and the underlying support element. A steel channel member 141 may be situated between the elastomeric member 136 and the Wooden block 122. Similarly, the isolating coupling 132 includes a bolt 142 which passes through a counterbored passageway 144 formed in the relatively high note end of bass register reed bar 120, the coupling 132 additionally including an elastomeric pad 146 which is disposed between the reed bar 120 and the bracket 126. On the other hand, each of the rigid couplings 130 and 127 includes a bolt 148 which passes through a counterbored passageway 150 fashioned in the reed bar, the rigid couplings 131i and 127 additionally incorporating a tubular boss 152 raised from the bottom surface of the reed bar as is particularly well shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. As will be noted from the showing of FIG. 3 as Well as FIG. 4, the four corners of each of the reed bars 118 and 120 are adapted to be mounted on the instrument case 22.

In compliance with another important feature of the invention, the treble register reed bar 118 and the bass register reed bar 1211 individually comprise a substantially flat plate or bar,

plates

154 and 156 respectively, and a relatively wide, longitudinally extending flange, flanges 158 and 169 respectively, each of the flanges acting to provide a member for mechanically reacting to the vibrations of the reeds which are mounted on the corresponding plates.

Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 5-8 for a more detailed description of the treble register reed bar 118, the plate 154 will be seen comprised of a first relatively long tapering member 162, a second relatively long tapering member 16 1 and relatively short side members 166 and 163 which interconnect the relatively long members in spacedapart, substantially coplanar relationship. Thus, the plate 154 defines a longitudinally extending open space 171) which is adapted to accommodate the vibrational operation of the free ends of the reeds mounted thereon and to provide clearance for the hammers. This construction is well shown in FIG. 5.

The member 164 is provided with spaced, tapped bores 172 by which a pickup member M can be mounted thereto, and the member 162 is fashioned with reedmounting formations 174 spaced along the length thereof for receiving the reeds 28 in fixed relationship. Each of the reed-mounting formations 174 specifically includes a tapped bore 176 for receiving the cap screw llll by which the reed is mounted.

Particular value has been found in fashioning the flange 153 to take trapezoidal shape and in coupling the major base of the trapezoidalflange 3158 to the bar 3154 intermediate the

side members

166 and 168 as is well shown in FIG. 6. So disposed, flange 158 extends from a position adjacent the first of formations 174 to a position adjacent the last of the series of these formations. Moreover, the flange 158 is coupled to the plate 154' at the member 152 generally adjacent the axis defined by the reed-mounting formations 174; and in order to provide proper mass to the reed bar 118, a solid backup element 178 is situated in the angle formed between flange 153 and the plate 154.

In further accord with the invention, triangular webs 180 are individually coupled to the flange 153 and to the

members

162 and 164 in right angular relationship there with. The hypotenuses of the triangular webs 180 are generally disposed along lines drawn between the member 164 and that edge of the flange 158 which is away from the member 162. Furthermore, the webs 18% are asymmetrically disposed along the longitudinal dimension of the reed bar 118 in order to eliminate substantially the eifect of standing waves and their deleterious effect on the operation of the vibratile reeds.

The bass register reed bar 126 will now be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 9-12. In certain respects, reed bar 129 is similar to reed bar 118. For example, the plate 156 of reed bar 126 includes a pair of relatively long members,

members

182 and 184 respectively; and these relatively long members are interconnected in spaced-apart, substantially coplanar relationship by relatively

short side members

186 and 188 respectively. Thus, the plate 156 also defines a longitudinally extending open space 190 which is adapted to accommodate the vibrational operation of the free ends of the reeds 28 which are mounted thereon and to provide clearance for the hammers. The member 182 is provided with spaced, tapped bores 192 by which a pickup member liltl is aflixed thereto; and similarly, the member 184 is provided with reed-mounting formations 1% which are spaced along the length thereof and which are employed in securing the reeds 28 thereto. Specifically, the reed-mounting formations 194 include tapped bores 196 which are adapted to receive the cap screws 11d by which the reeds are mounted in place.

Furthermore, the flange 166 is fashionedin trapezoidal shape with the major base thereof coupled to the plate 156 at the member 184, specificall adjacent the reedmounting formations W4 and extending from a position adjacent the first of the formations 194 to a position adjacent the last in the series of these formations. As will be observed, the flange 16% is situated generally intermediate the side members 186 and Eds.

The bass register reed bar 120 does not incorporate a backup element of the type employed in reed bar 11.8. Rather, reed bar 12% is fashioned with a complemental flange 198 which is similar in size and shape to flange 1662. In addition, the axis which is defined by the reedmounting formations 19-4- is disposed generally intermediate the

flanges

160 and 198 as is shown in FIG. 11. These variations have been provide din order to tailor the reaction members in reed bars 118 and 1255 to the frequencies of the reeds mounted thereon.

Transverse webs are also provided in the bass register reed bar 129. These Webs are indicated by the numeral 2d!) and are asymmetrically disposed along the longitudinal dimension of the reed bar. Unlike the webs 180, however, the webs 20% are rectangular in shape and extend between

members

182 and 184 generally between the top and bottom surfaces thereof. The webs 18d and Edd tend to prevent the development of undesirable, standing waves in the frame structure and resonant air columns in the open spaces provided in

plates

154 and 156. Similarly, the tapered shape of the flanges res and 198 tends to prevent the development of a resonant air column therebetween.

In accordance with another important feature of the invention, the various components of the reed bars lift and 126 are integrally joined together to form unitary structures; and since the bending or flexural modulus of a structure is a function of the material from which it is fabricated, as well as its shape, the reed bars 118 and 126 have been found to be usefully fashioned from metal, pa .icularly aluminum alloys. The aluminum alloy which is designated S.A.E. 0-355 alloy has been usefully employed in this regard. However, the geometry of the reed bars is of prime importance in achieving the desired results.

The support structure for vibratile reeds which has been described hereinabove is characterized by comparative lightness in weight and absence of any substantial inhibiting effect on the vibrational operation of the reeds which are mounted thereon. The described structure is of a still or rigid nature in order to provide proper reaction to the vibrating reeds and is, moreover, arranged to preclude the development of resonant air columns in the structure itself and to preclude the development of undesired shock excitation transients which might otherwise be generated by transient motion of the reed mounting members relative to the electrode mounting members at the instant of reed excitation. Accordingly, the specific examples herein shown and described are to be considered as being primarily illustrative. Various changes may occur to those skilled in the art; and these changes are to be understood, therefore, as forming a part of this invention insofar as they fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed. as follows:

1. A support structure for vibratile reeds comprising: a bar having a plurality of reed-mounting formations spaced along the length thereof and disposed to situate said reeds in coplanar relationship; and a relatively wide flange coupled to said bar with its longest axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said bar and with its second longest axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of said reeds, said flange being coupled to said bar to radiate therefrom free of contact with other structure, said flange being situated adjacent said formations and extending along a substantial portion of the length of said bar to provide a member for mechanically reacting to the vibrations of said reeds.

2. A support structure according to claim 1 wherein said flange is trapezoidal in shape and wherein the major base of the trapezoidal flange is coupled to said bar.

3. A support structure according to claim 1 wherein said formations include centers of attachment for said reeds, said centers being aligned to define an axis; wherein said flange is disposed on one side of said axis; and wherein said support structure further comprises a complemental flange coupled to said bar on the other side of said axis to provide a second member for mechanically reacting to the vibrations of said reeds.

4. A support structure according to claim 1 and further comprising a relatively massive backup element disposed in the angle formed between said flange and said bar.

5. A support structure according to claim 1 and further comprising transverse elements coupled to said bar and to said flange in right angular relationship therewith.

6. A reed bar assembly comprising: a first relatively long member having a plurality of reed-mounting formations spaced along the length thereof and disposed to situate said reeds in coplanar relationship; vibratile reeds mounted on said formations to extend from said member in cantilevered relationship; a relatively wide flange coupled to said member with its longest axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said member and with its second longest axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of said reeds, said flange being coupled to said member to radiate therefrom free of contact with other structure, said flange being situated adjacent said formations and extending from a position adjacent the first of said formations to a position adjacent the last of said formations to provide a member for mechanically react ing to the vibrations of said reeds; a second relatively long member having pickup mounting means thereon; side members interconnecting said first and second members in spaced-apart, substantially coplanar relationship to define open space for the vibrational operation of the free ends of said reeds; and pickup means mounted on said second member in cooperative relationship with the free ends of said reeds.

7. A reed bar assembly according to claim 6 wherein said flange is trapezoidal in shape; wherein the major base of the trapezoidal flange is coupled to said first relatively long member; and wherein said flange is situated intermediate said side members.

8. A reed bar assembly according to claim 6 and further comprising webs individually coupled to said flange and to said first and second members at right angles thereto.

9. A reed bar assembly according to claim 8 wherein said Webs are asymmetrically disposed along the length of said first and second members.

10. A reed bar assembly according to claim 8 wherein said webs are triangular and wherein the hypotenuses of the triangular webs are disposed along lines drawn generally between said second member and the edge of said flange away from said first member.

11. A reed bar assembly according to claim 6 and further comprising a relatively massive backup element disposed in the angle formed between said flange and said first relatively long member.

12. In an electronic musical instrument, the combination comprising: a structural framework; a treble register reed bar assembly including an elongated member, vibratile reeds mounted on said member in coplanar relationship and a relatively wide flange coupled to said member with its longest axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said member and with its second longest axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of said reeds, said flange being coupled to said member to radiate therefrom free of contact with other structure, said flange being situated adjacent the mounted ends of said reeds and extending along a substantial portion of the length of said member, said flange providing mechanical reaction to the vibration of said reeds; means mounting said reed bar assembly on said framework; a bass register reed bar assembly including an elongated mem ber, vibratile reeds mounted on said last mentioned member in coplanar relationship and a pair of relatively wide, parallel disposed flanges coupled to said last mentioned member with their respective longest axes substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said last mentioned member and with their respective second longest axes substantially perpendicular to the plane of said last mentioned reeds, said parallel disposed flanges being coupled to said last mentioned member to radiate therefrom free of contact with other structure, said parallel disposed flanges being situated adjacent the mounted ends of said last mentioned reeds to extend along a substantial portion of the length of said last mentioned member, said pair of flanges providing mechanical reaction to the vibration of said last mentioned reeds; and means mounting said bass register reed bar assembly on said framework.

13. In an electronic musical instrument, the combination comprising: a structural framework; a treble register reed bar assembly including an elongated member, vibratile reeds mounted on said member in coplanar relationship and a relatively wide flange coupled to said member with its longest axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said member and with its second longest axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of said reeds, said flange being coupled to said member to radiate therefrom free of contact with other structure, said flange being situated adjacent the mounted ends of said reeds and extending along a substantial portion of the length of said member for providing mechanical reaction to the vibration of said reels; a brass register reed bar assembly including an elongated member, vibratile reeds mounted on said last mentioned member in coplanar relationship and a pair of relatively wide, parallel disposed flanges coupled to said last mentioned member with their respective longest axes substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said last mentioned member and with their respective second longest axes substantially perpendicular to the plane of said last mentioned reeds, said parallel disposed flanges being coupled to said last mentioned member to radiate therefrom free of contact with other structure, said parallel disposed flanges being situated adjacent the mounted ends of said last mentioned reeds to extend along a substantial portion of the length of said last mentioned member, said pair of flanges providing mechanical reaction to the vibration of said last mentioned reeds; mechanically isolating coupling means mounting the relatively high note end of said bass register reed bar assembly and the relatively low note end of said treble register reed bar assembly to said framework; and means rigidly coupling the relatively low note end of said bass register reed bar assembly and the relatively high note end of said treble register reed bar assembly to said framework.

14. In an electronic musical instrument, the combina tion according to claim l2 wherein said reed bar assemblies have closely similar numbers of reeds mounted thereon.

References @itesl by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 375,833 1/88 Plant et al. 84-403 903,968 11/08 Gilmore 84-408 1,008,161 11/11 Knabe 84-188 1,364,541 1/21 Brandcs 84-195 2,492,919 12/49 Hings 84404 X 2,532,070 11/50 Moore et al 84-188 2,538,801 1/51 Schneider 84-195 X 2,561,883 7/51 Pegrum 84-189 2,826,109 3/58 Miessner .a 84-360 2,850,933 9/58 Andersen 84-404 2,974,555 3/61 Andersen 84-351 X FOREIGN PATENTS 10,504 5/96 Great Britain.

LEYLAND M. MARTIN, Primary Examiner.

LEO SMILOVV, Examiner.

Claims

1. A SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR VIBRATILE REEDS COMPRSING: A BAR HAVING A PLURALITY OF REED-MOUNTING FORMATIONS SPACED ALONG THE LENGTH THEREOF AND DISPOSED TO SITUATE SAID REEDS IN COPLANAR RELATIONSHIP; AND A RELATIVELY WIDE FLANGE COUPLED TO SAID BAR WITH ITS LONGEST AXIS SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID BAR AND WITH ITS SECOND LONGEST AXIS SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO THE PLANE OF SAID REEDS, SAID FLANGE BEING COUPLED TO SAID BAR TO RADIATE THEREFROM FREE OF CONTACT WITH OTHER STRUCTURE, SAID FLANGE BEING SITUATED ADJACENT SAID FORMATIONS AND EXTENDING ALONG A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THE LENGTH OF SAID BAR TO PROVIDE A MEMBER FOR MECHANICALLY REACTING TO THE VIBRATIONS OF SAID REEDS.