US3742113A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stringed musical instrument with electrical feedback
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-04-28
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Granted: 1973-06-26
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Expires: 1991-04-28
Abstract
Abstract This application discloses a stringed musical instrument including a means responsive to the vibrations of a string as it is plucked or hit, and a means for driving the oscillations of the string electromechanically. The means responsive to the vibration generates an electrical signal which is amplified and supplied to the driving means which causes continued vibration of the string. Means are disclosed wherein the string''s vibrations can be sustained for an arbitrary period of time at its fundamental frequency or at higher harmonics thereof, or at a mixture of fundamental and harmonics, producing a sound rich in overtones unique to this instrument. Also disclosed are means whereby the player selects at will which of a plurality of strings will be driven continuously as drones, which will be driven only when played upon, and which will remain undriven. The effect is to make possible the creation of aesthetically pleasing sounds which are entirely different than those created by standard stringed instruments.
Inventors
- 👤 M Cohen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:57
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H3/00; G10H3/12; G10H3/24; G10H3/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
A musical instrument including: a plurality of strings; means securing each of the strings at their opposite ends to maintain them in tension whereby they can be vibrated to produce a musical sound; a transducer in proximity with a string for generating an electrical signal proportional to the vibration of the string as it is vibrated; means for amplifying the electrical signal so generated; the improvement comprising driving means positioned adjacent the string for producing a varying magnetic field effective to vibrate the string; means for connecting said driving means to said amplifying means to cause the string to vibrate in response to the output of said amplifying means; a volume control resistor connected to the output of said transducer and to the input of said amplifying means; an adjustable impedance circuit connected between said amplifying means and said resistor for passing desired harmonic components of the electrical signal across said resistor to said amplifying means; switching means for selectively connecting and disconnecting said amplifier to said driving means; a controllable bidirectional semiconductor switching device having a first pair of terminals and a gate control terminal; means connecting one of said first pair of terminals to said switching means and the other of said pair of terminals to said driving means; and means including a switch for selectively connecting and disconnecting said gate control terminal to a source of gate control voltage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
232 words
A musical instrument including: a plurality of strings; means securing each of the strings at their opposite ends to maintain them in tension whereby they can be vibrated to produce a musical sound; a transducer in proximity with a string for generating an electrical signal proportional to the vibration of the string as it is vibrated; means for amplifying the electrical signal so generated; the improvement comprising driving means positioned adjacent the string for producing a varying magnetic field effective to vibrate the string; means for connecting said driving means to said amplifying means to cause the string to vibrate in response to the output of said amplifying means; a volume control resistor connected to the output of said transducer and to the input of said amplifying means; an adjustable impedance circuit connected between said amplifying means and said resistor for passing desired harmonic components of the electrical signal across said resistor to said amplifying means; switching means for selectively connecting and disconnecting said amplifier to said driving means; a controllable bidirectional semiconductor switching device having a first pair of terminals and a gate control terminal; means connecting one of said first pair of terminals to said switching means and the other of said pair of terminals to said driving means; and means including a switch for selectively connecting and disconnecting said gate control terminal to a source of gate control voltage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A musical instrument as set forth in claim 1 wherein the movable contact of said switch selectively connecting said gate control terminal to said source of gate control voltage is constituted by said string and the fixed contact thereof is constituted by a fret.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A musical instrument as set forth in claim 2 including a pair of oppositely poled rectifiers selectively connectable between said switching means and said driving means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
154 words
A musical instrument including: a plurality of strings; means securing each of the strings at their opposite ends to maintain them in tension whereby they can be vibrated to produce a musical sound; a feedback circuit comprising a transducer in proximity with a string for generating an electrical signal proportional to the vibration of the string as the string is vibrated; amplifying means having an input connected to the output of said transducer; driving means positioned adjacent the string and connected to the output of said amplifying means for producing a force effective to vibrate the string at frequencies and amplitudes proportional to those of the signal supplied thereto; means connected to the said input of said amplifying means for controlling the amplitude of the said signal supplied to said driving means; and separate means serially connected in said feedback circuit for modifying the frequency content of the signal supplied to said driving means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
154 words
A musical instrument including: a plurality of strings; means securing each of the strings at their opposite ends to maintain them in tension whereby they can be vibrated to produce a musical sound; a feedback circuit comprising a transducer in proximity with a string for generating an electrical signal proportional to the vibration of the string as the string is vibrated; amplifying means having an input connected to the output of said transducer; driving means positioned adjacent the string and connected to the output of said amplifying means for producing a force effective to vibrate the string at frequencies and amplitudes proportional to those of the signal supplied thereto; means connected to the said input of said amplifying means for controlling the amplitude of the said signal supplied to said driving means; and separate means serially connected in said feedback circuit for modifying the frequency content of the signal supplied to said driving means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A musical instrument as set forth in claim 4 wherein said separate means is connected between the output of said transducer and the input of said amplifying means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A musical instrument as set forth in claim 4 wherein said separate means comprises a rectifier connected between the output of said amplifier and said driving means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
A musical instrument as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means for controlling the amplitude of the signal supplied to said driving means is constituted by a volume control resistor connected to the output of said transducer and said separate means is constituted by an adjustable impedance circuit connected between said amplifying means and said resistor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A musical instrument as set forth in claim 4 wherein said separate means is constituted by a wave-shaping circuit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A musical instrument as set forth in claim 4 wherein said separate means is constituted by a harmonic selector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A musical instrument as set forth in claim 5 including a rectifier connected between the output of said amplifier and said driving means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A musical instrument as set forth in claim 5 including a pair of oppositely poled rectifiers connected between the output of said amplifier and said driving means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |