Step-on type tone scale play device

• US 4,121,488 A
• Filed: 02/24/1977
• Issued: 10/24/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NEP Incorporated
• Original Assignee: NEP Incorporated
• Inventors: Akiyama, Kakunosuke
• Primary Examiner(s): Witkowski, Stanley J.
• Application Number:
  US05/771,663
• Time in Patent Office: 607 Days
• Field of Search: 84/1.01, 84/1.24, 84/470, 84/477 R, 84/478, 84/DIG. 7, 84/DIG. 8, 84/DIG. 25, 200/85 R, 200/86.5, 340/365 R, 340/365 A
• US Class Current: 84/720
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/32 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/348 Switches actuated by parts of the body other than fingers
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2220/341 Floor sensors, e.g. platform or groundsheet with sensors to detect foot position, balance or pressure, steps, stepping rhythm, dancing movements or jumping
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 84/07 Electric key switch structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 84/08 Keyed oscillators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 84/25 Pedal clavier

Abstract

A step-on type tone scale play device has a flexible mat within which is arranged a plurality of flexible switch elements in accordance with a tone scale and is adapted to produce corresponding music sounds when marks configured on the surface of a mat to indicate the position of each switch element are stepped on.

The device is very easy to keep and carry, and convenient to display or perform as compared to the conventional device, as the mat is light and capable of folding or rolling into a compact form.

Claims

1. A step-on type tone scale play device comprising

a flexible mat,

a plurality of switch elements arranged on said mat and representing the notes of a musical scale, said switch elements including

oppositely disposed flexible conductive sheets forming at least a part of said mat,

a flexible and resilient insulating cushion interposed in the space between said sheets, said cushion having means defining a plurality of holes, there being at least one such hole associated with each of said switch elements,

means defining at least one conductive member extending into each said hole forming between said sheets a normally open pair of contacts,

said mat further having means defining markings on a surface thereof corresponding to the positions of said switch elements,

an electronic control circuit adapted to produce an audible sound,

said switch elements being connected to said circuit and adapted to close the respective contacts and produce a discrete sound when the mat is stepped on at a position corresponding to one of said markings.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said insulating cushion being made in one piece extending all over said mat.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein one of said conductive sheets being made in one sheet extending all over said mat.

4. The device of claim 1 in which said conductive members comprise conductive projections carried on at least one of said sheets and extending into said holes.

5. The device of claim 1 in which said conductive members comprise projections formed on each of said sheets and extending toward each other within said holes.

6. The device of claim 1 in which said conductive members comprise discrete conductive elements received in said holes.

7. The device of claim 1 in which each said marking includes a plurality of said switch elements for reliability of operation.