US3967520A — Guitar chording device for keyboard instruments

Claim 1

Independent Claim 308 words

An apparatus comprising a plurality of individual tone generating sections, a plurality of output connecting means, one for each section, each of said sections including a plurality of tone source means each operable to form an audio frequency signal for a selected musical note and each section defining a different combination of notes from that of the other sections with selected notes repeated in different sections, a preferential switch and circuit means including switch means in each section for each of said note source means, each of said sections having circuit means connecting said switch means in each section to each other and to said output connecting means for connecting of said tone source means of a section to a corresponding output connecting means for that section, said switch means in each section being connected in a preferential order with said switch means completing the circuit from the connecting means to the one tone source means and breaking the circuit to the other tone source means of the same section and whereby with two switch means activated in one section only one preferred tone source means is connected to the output connecting means of said section to define a preferential order of notes in each section, said sections having a tone source means operable to develop the note which was disconnected in a different section by said switch means and connected to the related connecting means as a preferential note, and common means for operating of the switch means for all tone source means for the same note in said sections whereby simultaneously activating one or more of the switch means in said sections generates a selected note at each of said output connecting means, said preferential order controlling the particular note impressed on the output connecting means in each section and generates an audibly pleasing voicing sequence.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 308 words

An apparatus comprising a plurality of individual tone generating sections, a plurality of output connecting means, one for each section, each of said sections including a plurality of tone source means each operable to form an audio frequency signal for a selected musical note and each section defining a different combination of notes from that of the other sections with selected notes repeated in different sections, a preferential switch and circuit means including switch means in each section for each of said note source means, each of said sections having circuit means connecting said switch means in each section to each other and to said output connecting means for connecting of said tone source means of a section to a corresponding output connecting means for that section, said switch means in each section being connected in a preferential order with said switch means completing the circuit from the connecting means to the one tone source means and breaking the circuit to the other tone source means of the same section and whereby with two switch means activated in one section only one preferred tone source means is connected to the output connecting means of said section to define a preferential order of notes in each section, said sections having a tone source means operable to develop the note which was disconnected in a different section by said switch means and connected to the related connecting means as a preferential note, and common means for operating of the switch means for all tone source means for the same note in said sections whereby simultaneously activating one or more of the switch means in said sections generates a selected note at each of said output connecting means, said preferential order controlling the particular note impressed on the output connecting means in each section and generates an audibly pleasing voicing sequence.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 45 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein different sections include tone source means for the same note in different octaves and said preferential switch and circuit means operates to present to tone source means in different octaves and thereby create a musical chord in open harmony.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 30 words

The apparatus of claim 2 for generating of open harmony guitar chords, said source means being selected for each section to produce the notes created by a selected guitar string.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 29 words

The apparatus of claim 1 including an automatic strumming means connected to said output connecting means and operable to transmit the sound signal therefrom in a predetermined, delayed sequence.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 17 words

The apparatus of claim 4 including a strumming control means for selectively activating said automatic strumming means.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 35 words

The apparatus of claim 1 for playing essentially all musical chords wherein the several sections include tone source means for notes from different octaves and in combination provide all notes essential to the musical chords.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 291 words

In a keyboard type apparatus for generating of musical sound from a keyboard having a plurality of different note keys comrising a plurality of tone source means for generating the individual notes of string instrument chords, said tone source means arranged in a plurality of sequentially activated groups of tone source means, each group being related to a selected string of a plucked string instrument and having a corresponding string output line, each of said groups including preferential switching means including switch means for each of said note source means, each group having circuit means connecting said switch means in each section to each other and to said string output line for connecting the output of the tone source means in each group to the corresponding string output line said switch means in each group being connected in a preferential order with said switch means closing the circuit to the one tone source means and opening the circuit to other tone source means of the same group, whereby with two switch means activated in one group only one preferred tone source means is connected to the output connecting line of said group to define a preferential order of notes in each group, said groups having said tone source means distributed in different groups to develop the note of a tone source means which has been disconnected by the switch means in a different group and connected to the related output line as a preferential note, and common means for operating of the switch means for all tone source means for the same note in said groups whereby simultaneously activating a selected plurality of the switch means combines the tone source means to present tone signals playing a chord in open harmony.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 291 words

In a keyboard type apparatus for generating of musical sound from a keyboard having a plurality of different note keys comrising a plurality of tone source means for generating the individual notes of string instrument chords, said tone source means arranged in a plurality of sequentially activated groups of tone source means, each group being related to a selected string of a plucked string instrument and having a corresponding string output line, each of said groups including preferential switching means including switch means for each of said note source means, each group having circuit means connecting said switch means in each section to each other and to said string output line for connecting the output of the tone source means in each group to the corresponding string output line said switch means in each group being connected in a preferential order with said switch means closing the circuit to the one tone source means and opening the circuit to other tone source means of the same group, whereby with two switch means activated in one group only one preferred tone source means is connected to the output connecting line of said group to define a preferential order of notes in each group, said groups having said tone source means distributed in different groups to develop the note of a tone source means which has been disconnected by the switch means in a different group and connected to the related output line as a preferential note, and common means for operating of the switch means for all tone source means for the same note in said groups whereby simultaneously activating a selected plurality of the switch means combines the tone source means to present tone signals playing a chord in open harmony.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 61 words

The keyboard apparatus of claim 7 wherein said keyboard covers a plurality of octaves, each of said groups having the tone source means connected to all corresponding note keys of the several octaves whereby activation of a key in any octave energizes at least one of said preferential switching means to operatively connect said tone source means to the output line.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 64 words

The apparatus of claim 7 including a strumming means including an audio output means for producing an audible output and timing means connected to said string output lines and to said audio output means to sequentially transmit the signals from said string output lines providing for sequential presentation of the tone signal in accordance with the plucking of individual strings of a string instrument.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 60 words

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said timing means includes individual switch means connected between each of the string lines and a common audio input line, operators for sequentially closing said switch means and including means for activating of the second and all following string lines in times sequence after operation of the switch means for the first string line.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 88 words

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said keyboard includes a plurality of key registers one for each octave, the corresponding note keys of each register having individual switch means for opening and closing of a circuit path, each of the corresponding note keys of each of said registers being connected in parallel to the corresponding of said tone source means of said groups whereby the striking of the note key in any register results in closing of the circuit path for connection of all corresponding tone source means.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 35 words

The apparatus of claim 9 having a strumming control switch means extended along the length of the keyboard and operable essentially from any position on said keyboard while maintaining of the fingers on the keyboard.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 23 words

The apparatus of claim 7 including a releasable connection means connected to each of said string lines for selective connection to external devices.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 257 words

In the apparatus of claim 7 wherein said plurality of keys includes at least one group of keys covering a complete octave and adapted to be played by one hand of a performer, means connecting of said tone source means into said plurality of groups each of which is related to a guitar string to generate musical notes of the guitar string, each of said groups including a similar plurality of said tone source means with each group including tone source means of different octaves being distributed into different groups, tone switch means for each tone source means having a first normally closed conductive position connected in series with each of the other switches and each having an alternate conducting position connected to the output of the tone source means to thereby introduce said tone into said series circuit, the series connection of said switches defining said preferential order connection to the corresponding string output line, each of said tone switch means including an operator having an input means for operating of the switch means, each of the keys of said keyboard having a control switch means connected to the input means for the corresponding tone switch means to provide actuation of each of the switch means related to said tone independent of the octave whereby actuation of selected keys results in simultaneous connection of the different octave tone source means in the several groups to the corresponding string output line, said preferential switching resulting in connection of a single tone source means to each string line.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 53 words

The keyboard instrument of claim 9 wherein said strumming means includes separate sequential switch means for sequentially connecting of said string lines to the audio output means, and a strumming control switch means for activating of said strumming switching means to sequentially transmit the tone on said string lines in said predetermined order.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 35 words

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein strumming control switch means extend along the length of the keyboard and is operable essentially from any position on said keyboard while maintaining of the fingers on the keyboard.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 23 words

The apparatus of claim 14 including a releasable connection means connected to each of said string lines for selective connection to external devices.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 187 words

The apparatus of claim 14 including twenty-five tone source means divided into first, second, third, fourth and fifth string groups, a first group including tone source means covering notes from a first octave and defining a preferential order of the notes D, C sharp, C B and D sharp, said second string group including tone source means selecting signals for the second string and defining a preferential order of the notes G, F sharp, F, G sharp and A from the same octave as said first group, said third string group similarly including in preferential order tone source means for A sharp from the same octave as the first and second group and B, C, C sharp and D from a second octave, said fourth string group including tone source covering notes from the second octave and defining a preferential order of the notes E, D sharp, F, F sharp and G, and said fifth string group including tone source means defining a preferential order of the notes A, G sharp and A sharp from the second octave and notes B and C from a third octave.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 36 words

The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said strumming switching means activates a timing network to immediately transmit the first string and to sequentially actuate the second, third, fourth and fifth strings at succeeding 15 millisecond intervals.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1979-07-06	1980-01-05	1980-07-06	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1983-07-06	1984-01-05	1984-07-06	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1987-07-06	1988-01-05	1988-07-06	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Guitar chording device for keyboard instruments

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