Magic chorder

• US 4,228,718 A
• Filed: 08/28/1978
• Issued: 10/21/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert L. Smith
• Original Assignee: Robert L. Smith
• Inventors: Smith, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Franklin, Lawrence R.
• Application Number:
  US05/943,197
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: 84/315-319, 84/444
• US Class Current: 84/317
• CPC Class Codes: G10D 3/08 Fingerboards in the form of keyboards

Abstract

Both finger and foot operated, electrical keyboards supply current through connectors to fret selecting devices which are mounted on fretted, stringed, musical instruments, said devices being guided in an array of note and chord formations so that notes and chords are formed when the devices are activated.

Claims

1. A stringed instrument fretting device, comprising:

body means adapted to be secured to the neck of said instrument;

a plurlaity of fretting rods located within said body means in string fretting locations;

electromanetic means for actuating said rods;

circuit means for selectively activating said electromagnetic means;

finger-operated switches mounted on said body means and electrically connected with said circuit means for actuating a single rod to fret a single selected note; and

foot-operated switches spaced from said body means but electrically connected with said circuit means for actuating a plurality of said rods to fret selected chords.

2. The fretting device of claim 1 wherein said body means consists of a base panel, at least one pair of spacing bars, a guide panel, and a housing panel, said base panel and said spacing bars defining a neck receiving cavity, said guide panel having rod guiding apertures therethrough and said housing panel having recesses therein to house said electromagnetic means;

and connecting means for removably securing said panels and bars together and for removably securing said body means to said stringed instrument neck.

3. The fretting device of claim 1 wherein said body means consists of a base panel, at least one pair of spacing bars, a guide panel, and a housing panel, said base panel and said spacing bars defining a neck receiving cavity, and said guide panel having rod guiding apertures therethrough and having recesses concentric with said aperture for receiving said electromagnetic means.

4. The fretting device of claim 2 or 3 wherein said finger-operated switches are located on said base panel.

5. The fretting device of claim 2 or 3 wherein said electromagnetic means comprises solenoids.

6. The fretting device of claim 2 or 3 wherein said apertures have plastic tubes therein enclosing said rods and said rods have shock absorbing material affixed to the string contacting end.