Variable rhythm metronome

Claim 2

A rhythm-producing instrument comprising a plurality of independently operable strikers, control means to set anyone or any number of said strikers in operative position, actuating means extending opposite each striker and adapted, when all the strikers are set in operative position, to engage all the strikers in succession at equal time intervals to cause all the strikers to successively strike adjoining members to produce a constant rhythm of maximum frequency, a nonconstant rhythm or a slower frequency constant rhythm being produced when said control means allow some of said strikers to remain in inoperative position.

Claim 3

A rhythm-producing instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein said strikers are arranged side-by-side in a row and said actuating means include a rotatably mounted shaft extending along said row of strikers, power means to rotate said shaft at uniform speed and a plurality of arms secured to said shaft, each opposite a striker, each arm extending radially from the shaft in progressively and equally shifted angular positions, all the arms extending through a full circle around said shaft.

Claim 4

A rhythm-producing instrument as claimed in claim 2, wherein said control means comprises one cam control member for each of the strikers and operatively associated therewith to selectively vary the rest position thereof, each cam control member being provided with a limited number of determining positions defining a similar number of striker rest positions, and further including a rest plank, said rest plank and said cam control members underlying said strikers and constituting said adjoining members which are sequentially struck by the operative strikers.

Claim 5

A rhythm rhythm-producing instrument as claimed in claim 3, wherein each striker is pivotally connected at one edge to a supporting structure such as to project in the field of action of said actuating arms when set in the operative position, said actuating arms lifting the strikers set in operative position and allowing them to fall and strike either said rest plank or said cam control member.

Claim 6

A rhythm-producing instrument as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of said cam control members is fixedly mounted on an actuating rod and a manual control knob is fixed at one end of said rod for bodily rotation of said rod with the associated cam control member.

Claim 7

A rhythm-producing instrument comprising a plurality of strikers, control means adapted to set the desired number of said strikers in operative position, actuating means adapted to sequentially operate the strikers set in the operative posItion to cause them to successively strike adjoining members, such as to produce a rhythm arrangement, each striker being pivotally connected at one edge to a supporting structure such as to project in the field of action of said actuating means when set in the operative position, said actuating means being rotatably mounted adjacent said strikers and being adapted, when actuated, to lift the strikers set in operative position and to drop them to cause the same to fall and strike said adjoining members, said control means comprising one cam control member for each of the strikers and operatively associated therewith to selectively vary the rest position thereof, each cam control member being provided with a limited number of determining positions defining a similar number of striker rest positions, and wherein a rest plank and said cam control members are underlying said strikers and constitute said adjoining members which are sequentially struck by the operative strikers.

Claim 8

A rhythm-producing instrument comprising a plurality of strikers, control means adapted to set the desired number of said strikers in operative position, actuating means adapted to sequentially operate the strikers set in the operative posItion to cause them to successively strike adjoining members, such as to produce a rhythm arrangement, each striker being pivotally connected at one edge to a supporting structure such as to project in the field of action of said actuating means when set in the operative position, said actuating means being rotatably mounted adjacent said strikers and being adapted, when actuated, to lift the strikers set in operative position and to drop them to cause the same to fall and strike said adjoining members, said control means comprising one cam control member for each of the strikers and operatively associated therewith to selectively vary the rest position thereof, each cam control member being provided with a limited number of determining positions defining a similar number of striker rest positions, and wherein a rest plank and said cam control members are underlying said strikers and constitute said adjoining members which are sequentially struck by the operative strikers.

Claim 9

A rhythm-producing metronome as defined in claim 6, wherein said strikers form elongated rectilinear members pivotally connected at one end to a longitudinal platform forming part of said supporting structure, said strikers being serially arranged parallel to each other with the free ends thereof projecting outwardly from one side of said platform.

Claim 10

A rhythm-producing metronome as claimed in claim 7, wherein the actuating means comprises an axle mounted in spaced-apart parallel relationship relative to said elongated platform along said one side thereof, and an helix assembly disposed around said elongated axle for bodily movement therewith, such that rotation of said axle and helix assembly will cause said helix to sequentially operate the strikers set in the operative position.

Claim 11

A rhythm-producing metronome as claimed in claim 8, wherein said rest plank extends longitudinally in the space between said one side of the platform and the axle and helix assembly in coplanar relationship with said platform.

Claim 12

A rhythm-producing metronome as claimed in claim 9, wherein each of said cam control members is fixedly mounted on an actuating rod and a manual control knob is fixed at one end of said rod for bodily rotation of said rod with the associated cam control member.

Claim 13

A rhythm-producing metronome as claimed in claim 10, wherein said helix assembly comprises a series of actuating arms, one for each striker, fixed along said axle and extending radially therefrom in progressively and equally shifted angular positions, one relative to another.

Claim 14

A rhythm-producing metronome as claimed in claim 11, comprising a second platform and a second axle and helix assembly, strikers and cam control members cooperatively associated with said second platform and second axle and helix assembly and a chain drive between said axles adapted to synchronously drive one axle with regard to the other, the two helix assemblies extending through a full circle.

Claim 15

A rhythm-producing metronome as claimed in claim 12, comprising an electric motor and belts and pulleys adapted to transmit the rotation of said motor to said two axles.