Music – Instruments – Wind
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-16
2001-12-11
Donels, Jeffrey (Department: 2837)
Music
Instruments
Wind
C084S327000, C084S423001
Reexamination Certificate
active
06329582
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a saxophone having an electronic musical keyboard attachment.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The saxophone can be a cumbersome instrument to hold and play, making it difficult for a musician to play the saxophone while simultaneously playing an electronic musical keyboard or other instrument. Accordingly, it would be an advancement in the art if a musician would be able to play a saxophone while at the same time being able to play another instrument, or to obtain the sounds of another instrument, by playing an electronic musical keyboard capable of imitating the sounds of other instruments. The present invention described herein permits a musician to play a saxophone while simultaneously playing an attached electronic musical keyboard capable of producing various sounds.
Through the use of a musical instrument digital interface (“MIDI”) connection to an electronic musical keyboard attachment, a musician is able to program a number of sounds that may be played using the keyboard. The advantage of using a MIDI connection is that both instruments can be played in real time, or live, since the use of the MIDI connection permits a musician to play the saxophone while simultaneously playing an electronic musical keyboard attachment, thereby being able to “sample,” or play selected keys from the saxophone, that have been previously recorded. The use of the MIDI connection also allows a musician to play chords in real time.
The sounds are often digitally recorded on a computer, which may be connected to the electronic musical keyboard attachment using a MIDI connection. When the programmed keys are played by a musician, the sounds that have been assigned to a play through the depression of a particular key or keys on the electronic musical keyboard attachment can be played using the MIDI connection. Thus, it is possible for a musician playing a saxophone to accompany himself in real time on the saxophone, by playing prerecorded keys or chords on the electronic musical keyboard attachment using a MIDI connection. For a detailed description of MIDI connections, see the article entitled, “How Much For Just The Midi?,” and the references cited therein, in the October 1989 issue of North Texas Computer Center Newsletter, “Benchmarks,” which publication is incorporated herein by reference.
The prior art reveals attempts to connect electronic musical keyboards to instruments, but none to a saxophone. In addition, the prior art does not reveal the mounting system found in the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention would be an improvement to this art.
To be efficient, the electronic musical keyboard attachment should have keys of standard size, such as the keys often found on pianos or stand-alone keyboards. Also, due to the nature of the saxophone and the importance of balance to the instrument for a musician's comfort, any attachment must be lightweight and not interfere with the playing of the saxophone itself. In addition, the electronic musical keyboard attachment must be connected to the saxophone without deadening the sound quality of the saxophone.
Also, the electronic musical keyboard attachment must be conveniently located on the instrument and be capable of easy attachment and detachment from the instrument. The keys found on the electronic musical keyboard attachment should be readily visible to a musician while a musician is holding the saxophone in a normal playing position. Finally, the invention is designed for the electronic musical keyboard attachment to be played with the right hand. Since the left hand is responsible for the majority of sounds created by a saxophone, use of the right hand to play the electronic musical keyboard attachment affords a musician the greatest opportunity to play a saxophone while simultaneously playing a keyboard. The positioning of the present invention permits a saxophone to be played with the left hand while the right hand may play the electronic musical keyboard attachment.
All of these desirable qualities as stated above are provided by the invention and their incorporation into a practical working electronic musical keyboard mounting device for a saxophone represent the objects of the invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A device for mounting an electronic musical keyboard attachment on a saxophone having a modified bell key guard mounted on a plurality of vertical posts attached to the saxophone. The device comprises a resilient mounting pad attached to the bell key guard area of a saxophone. The resilient mounting pad has a bottom, sides, and a top. It also has a front and a back. There is also provided a quick release, two-piece locking latch. The first piece of the latch is positioned on the top of the resilient mounting pad, while the second piece of the latch is located on the bottom of an electronic musical keyboard attachment.
In a preferred embodiment, the resilient mounting pad has a bottom, sides, and a top containing a plurality of holes that communicate with a sleeve horizontally positioned below the holes in the resilient support. The plurality of holes in the top of the sleeve are aligned with the holes in the top of the resilient mounting pad. A further element is a quick release locking assembly within the sleeve for receiving and locking pins located on the bottom of an electronic musical keyboard attachment. These pins are positioned to mate with and engage the holes in the top of the resilient mounting pad and the top of the sleeve. The pins on the bottom of the electronic musical keyboard attachment are notched so as to permit the device to be easily attached to the resilient mounting pad with one hand, thereby allowing the musician to attach the keyboard quickly between songs.
Further, the resilient mounting pad is positioned above the keys of the saxophone to allow for normal playing of the keys of the saxophone. Also, the resilient mounting pad holds the keyboard angled forwardly from the vertical and inwardly tilted towards the saxophone. Preferably, the resilient mounting pad is positioned on and attached to the vertical posts and functions as a bell key guard. The invention as described actually replaces the bell key guard normally found on a saxophone. Desirably, the resilient mounting pad is made from an elastomer. Use of an elastomer helps to lessen the vibrations caused by playing the electronic musical keyboard attachment, thereby minimizing the effect on the sound quality of the saxophone itself.
Most preferably, the sleeve has a closed front end containing a spring. Also provided is a rod having front and rear ends and slideably moveable within the sleeve. The front end of the rod engages the spring.
There are a series of notches on the rod positioned to align with the holes in the resilient mounting pad and the holes in the sleeve when the spring is compressed. Also, in this embodiment, there are pins located on the bottom of an electronic musical keyboard, which pins are positioned to mate with and engage the holes in the top of the resilient mounting pad and the top of the sleeve and the notches of the sleeve when the spring is compressed. Desirably, the pins are notched where they engage the notches of the rod. The front end of the rod extends beyond the electronic musical keyboard attachment and has a handle. Further, the keyboard contains at least 12 keys and, preferably, 17 keys.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 310090 (1990-08-01), Stone et al.
patent: 1615961 (1927-09-01), Smith
patent: 3034392 (1962-05-01), Seiller et al.
patent: 3437002 (1969-04-01), Urban et al.
patent: 4341146 (1982-07-01), Massa
patent: 4342244 (1982-08-01), Perkins
patent: 5105711 (1992-04-01), Barnard
patent: 5691490 (1997-11-01), Williams
patent: 5736662 (1998-04-01), Spector
“How Much For Just The Midi?”; Oct. 1989 issue of North Texas Computer Center Newsletter, “Benchmarks”.
Donels Jeffrey
Kemp, Esq. Robert F.
Premo, Esq. John G.
LandOfFree
Electronic musical keyboard attachment for a saxophone does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Electronic musical keyboard attachment for a saxophone, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electronic musical keyboard attachment for a saxophone will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2595699