US4462294A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control unit for an electrical musical instrument
Assignee: KAZCO ENTERPRISES Inc A CORP OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
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Filing: 1982-10-06
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Granted: 1984-07-31
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Expires: 2002-10-06
Abstract
Abstract Manually operable control apparatus for an electrical musical instrument such as an electronic organ having automatic chord circuitry which includes a plurality of spaced apart individually operable chord switches less in number than the number of chords available on the organ and connected to the chord circuitry of the organ through a multi-position gang selector switch arranged for a preselected different combination of chords at each of the different positions thereof. The chord switches permit individually activating any one of the individual chords in each of the preselected combination for each of the different positions of the gang selector switch.
Inventors
- 👤 Ted Kazimer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:22
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/36; G10H1/38; G10H1/32; G10H1/34; G10H1/344; G10H1/348; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S84/00; Y10S84/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
An apparatus for selectively playing the chord section of an electrical musical instrument, for example, an electronic organ, having automatic chord circuitry with "n" number of chords comprising: (a) a plurality of manually-operable individual chord switches mounted on suitable mounting means in selected spaced apart relation relative to one another around a defined area; (b) a multi-position selector switch means switchable from one to another of a plurality of different positions and comprising a plurality of switches ganged together to operate in unison and connected to the chord circuitry so as to provide a different pre-selected combination of chords less than "n" at the respective different positions of the selector switch, said individual chord switches being operatively connected through the selector switch so as to permit individually activating each of the respective ones of the different chords in the preselected combination at each of the different positions of the multi-position selector switch; and, (c) means connecting said multi-position selector switch to the automatic chord circuitry of the electrical musical instrument.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
170 words
An apparatus for selectively playing the chord section of an electrical musical instrument, for example, an electronic organ, having automatic chord circuitry with "n" number of chords comprising: (a) a plurality of manually-operable individual chord switches mounted on suitable mounting means in selected spaced apart relation relative to one another around a defined area; (b) a multi-position selector switch means switchable from one to another of a plurality of different positions and comprising a plurality of switches ganged together to operate in unison and connected to the chord circuitry so as to provide a different pre-selected combination of chords less than "n" at the respective different positions of the selector switch, said individual chord switches being operatively connected through the selector switch so as to permit individually activating each of the respective ones of the different chords in the preselected combination at each of the different positions of the multi-position selector switch; and, (c) means connecting said multi-position selector switch to the automatic chord circuitry of the electrical musical instrument.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said chord switches are mounted in a support separate from the musical instrument for use at a location remote therefrom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said chord and selector switch are mounted on said musical instrument.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the remote control unit is foot-operable and includes a primary chord switch operable by the heel of the musician's foot, the remaining chord switches being connected by the selector switch to individual chords of the chord selector and positioned in a predetermined location relative to one another and the primary chord switch irrespective of the key selected for the primary chord switch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein two of said plurality of chord switches are mounted in a position for operation by respective opposite sides of the heel portion of the musician's foot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein another two of said plurality of chord switches are mounted in a position for operation by respective opposite sides of the musician's foot adjacent the toe portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein still another two of said plurality of chord switches are mounted for operation by forward and upward movement of the toe of the musician's foot.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said selector switch includes means visually indicating the preselected combination of chords at each of the different positions thereof and operable by designated different ones of the chord switches.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
145 words
Apparatus for use in playing the chord section of an electrical musical instrument such as an electronic organ having automatic chord circuitry, said apparatus comprising a foot support unit having a plurality of individually operable chord switches mounted thereon in spaced apart relation relative to one another around a selected area so as to be operable by limited horizontal and vertical movement of the musician's foot, said chord switches being fewer in number than the chords available in the chord section, a multiposition selector switch comprising a plurality of switches ganged together to operate in unison and operatively connecting the chord switches to the chord section in a different preselected combination of chords at each of the different positions thereof whereby the preselected combination of chords are individually playable by actuation of the chord switches for each of the different positions of the selector switch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
145 words
Apparatus for use in playing the chord section of an electrical musical instrument such as an electronic organ having automatic chord circuitry, said apparatus comprising a foot support unit having a plurality of individually operable chord switches mounted thereon in spaced apart relation relative to one another around a selected area so as to be operable by limited horizontal and vertical movement of the musician's foot, said chord switches being fewer in number than the chords available in the chord section, a multiposition selector switch comprising a plurality of switches ganged together to operate in unison and operatively connecting the chord switches to the chord section in a different preselected combination of chords at each of the different positions thereof whereby the preselected combination of chords are individually playable by actuation of the chord switches for each of the different positions of the selector switch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said selector switch is mounted on said foot support unit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein there are in the range of three to seven chord switches mounted on said foot support unit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said foot support unit has spaced apart side walls thereon limiting lateral movement of the musician's foot, wherein at least one of said side walls is adjustably movable toward and away from the other to accommodate different foot sizes and wherein some of said chord switches are mounted on said side walls.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
154 words
An apparatus for selectively playing the chord section of an electrical musical instrument, for example, an electronic organ, having automatic chord circuitry with "n" number of chords comprising: (a) a plurality of individually, manually-operable chord switches mounted on suitable mounting means in spaced apart relation relative to one another on said mounting means around a selected area; and, (b) a multi-position selector switch means switchable from one to another of a plurality of positions and comprising a plurality of switches ganged to operate in unison and arranged so as to provide a different preselected combination of chords less than "n" at the respective different positions, said individual chord switches being operatively connected through the selector switch to the automatic circuitry of the musical instrument so as to permit individually activating each of the respective ones of the different chords in the preselected combination at each of the different positions of the multi-position selector switch.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
154 words
An apparatus for selectively playing the chord section of an electrical musical instrument, for example, an electronic organ, having automatic chord circuitry with "n" number of chords comprising: (a) a plurality of individually, manually-operable chord switches mounted on suitable mounting means in spaced apart relation relative to one another on said mounting means around a selected area; and, (b) a multi-position selector switch means switchable from one to another of a plurality of positions and comprising a plurality of switches ganged to operate in unison and arranged so as to provide a different preselected combination of chords less than "n" at the respective different positions, said individual chord switches being operatively connected through the selector switch to the automatic circuitry of the musical instrument so as to permit individually activating each of the respective ones of the different chords in the preselected combination at each of the different positions of the multi-position selector switch.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein there are at least three chord switches.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein "n" equals 12 with chords 1 to 12 being respectively C, G, D, A, E, B, F sharp, C sharp, A flat, E flat, B flat and F, and wherein the preselected combination of chords at each of the different positions comprises at least three adjacent ones of the foregoing designated chords.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4276801A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-07-31 | 1988-01-30 | 1988-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-07-31 | 1992-01-30 | 1992-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-07-31 | 1996-01-30 | 1996-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |