Electronic musical instrument

• US 4,226,154 A
• Filed: 12/04/1978
• Issued: 10/07/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dean E. Easler
• Original Assignee: Dean E. Easler
• Inventors: Easler, Dean E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Witkowski, Stanley J.
• Application Number:
  US05/965,812
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• Field of Search: 84/1.01, 84/1.03, 84/1.17, 84/1.24, 84/DIG. 7, 84/DIG. 8, 84/DIG. 12, 84/DIG. 19, 84/DIG. 22, 84/470 R
• US Class Current: 84/686
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/00 Details of electrophonic musical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 84/12 Side; rhythm and percussion devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 84/22 Chord organs

Abstract

An electronic musical keyboard instrument has a unit separate from the main console and having switching means for performing the function of at least some of the keys and stops of the console that unit being adapted to be operated by a handicapped person.

Claims

1. An electronic musical keyboard instrument comprising a console including sound producing and modulating circuitry and operator actuated first switching means formed of a number of switches for controlling said circuitry and initiating production and modification of sounds, and a separate unit including a second switching means formed of a number of switches less than the number of switches of said first switching means for functionally duplicating only a portion of said first switching means for controlling said circuitry, said unit being specially adapted for operation by a physically handicapped person and being specially formed complementarily to the handicap of such person.

2. An instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein said number of switches in said first switching means is divided into plural sets of switches each of said sets being connected to said circuitry to control a different function of said circuitry and wherein said second switching means of said unit duplicates the function of at least one of said sets of said first switching means of said console.

3. An instrument as claimed in claim 2 wherein said unit includes electrical umbilicus, and means for releasably connecting said umbilicus to said console.

4. An instrument as claimed in claim 2 wherein at least two said units are provided, each one of which duplicates a function of a different one of said sets of said first switching means of said console.

5. An instrument as claimed in claim 4 wherein each unit is provided with means by which it is releasably connected to said console.

6. An instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein said unit comprises means by which it can be carried on the body of a user.

7. An instrument as claimed in claim 2 wherein said unit comprises means by which it can be carried on the body of a user.

8. An instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second switching means comprise means for pneumatically actuating the same by the respiration of the operator.

9. An instrument as claimed in claim 2 wherein said second switching means comprise means for pneumatically actuating the same by the respiration of the operator.

10. An instrument as claimed in claim 4 wherein the second switching means of at least one of said units comprise means for pneumatically actuating the same by the respiration of the operator.

11. An instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein said switching means comprise means for photo-electronically actuating the same by the operator.

12. An instrument as claimed in claim 2 wherein said second switching means comprise means for photo-electronically actuating the same by the operator.

13. An instrument as claimed in claim 4 wherein said second switching means comprise means for photo-electronically actuating the same by the operator.

14. An instrument as claimed in claim 8 wherein said second switching means further comprises means for photo-electronically actuating the same.

15. An electronic musical keyboard instrument comprising a console including sound producing and modulating circuitry, a keyboard capability, a series of rhythm stops operable to actuate a selected one of a plurality of components of said circuitry for producing a rhythmic effect, and a series of instrument stops operable to actuate a selected one of a plurality of components of said circuitry simulating the sound of a musical instrument, a unit comprising switching means for functionally duplicating only a portion of said keyboard capability, said series of rhythm stops and said series of instrument stops, said unit being specially adapted for operation by a handicapped person and being formed complementarily to the handicap of such person.

16. An instrument as claimed in claim 15 comprising electrical umbilicus means for releasably connecting said unit to said console.

17. An instrument as claimed in claim 15 wherein said switching means performs a function of a part of said keyboard and series of stops normally operated by a single limb.

18. An instrument as claimed in claim 15 comprising at least two said units, one or both of said units being releasably connectable to said console.

19. An instrument as claimed in claim 15 wherein said second switching means of said unit comprises means for pneumatically actuating the same by the respiration of the operator.

20. An instrument as claimed in claim 15 wherein said second switching means of said unit comprises means for photo-electronically actuating the same by the operator.

21. An electronic musical keyboard instrument of the type for providing sounds corresponding to a full musical ensemble, comprising:

a console including sound producing and modulating circuitry and first switching means for controlling said circuitry; and

a separate unit having second switching means for controlling said circuitry, said separate unit being shaped and said second switching means being arranged for operation by a person who is physically disabled by having the functioning of at least one limb impaired and constituting means specifically formed complementarily to the person'"'"'s impairment for operating said second switching means.