US3784935A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Touch sensitive polyphonic musical instrument
Assignee: Fender Musical Instruments Corp
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Filing: 1972-06-15
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Granted: 1974-01-08
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Expires: 1992-06-15
Abstract
Abstract A touch sensitive device is associated with at least one key of an electronic musical instrument such as an electronic organ, inclues a layer of a pressure responsive, variable conductance material, and exhibits a switching action when subjected to pressure beyond a threshold pressure, any increase in pressure thereafter providing an increase in conductance up to a saturation pressure. The device may be used either as a combined switch and amplitude control or may be used in associated with one or more capacitors to provide either a high pass or low pass touch-control audio filter. In a totally polyphonic instrument a tone generator and touch-control filter are respectively associated with and responsive to each key depression, the output signal from each activated filter being coupled preferably to audio mixer circuitry.
Inventors
- 👤 A Pearlman
- 👤 D Colin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:52
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/02; G10H1/04; G10H1/053; G10H1/055; G10H1/0556
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A device for use in association with a keyboard of a musical instrument for providing an electrical conductance below a predetermined cutoff frequency variable in response to pressure, said device comprising: a plurality of bodies each formed of a mixture of elastically deformable electrically insulating material having particles of electrically conductive material dispersed therein in stacked relation to each other along the direction of pressure; spaced-apart electrically conductive elements disposed one each between each pair of said bodies, and at each end of said stack; wherein each of said bodies includes two slabs separated by an aperture plate; and a plurality of capacitors each connected to one of said elements to form a low pass filter network.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
117 words
A device for use in association with a keyboard of a musical instrument for providing an electrical conductance below a predetermined cutoff frequency variable in response to pressure, said device comprising: a plurality of bodies each formed of a mixture of elastically deformable electrically insulating material having particles of electrically conductive material dispersed therein in stacked relation to each other along the direction of pressure; spaced-apart electrically conductive elements disposed one each between each pair of said bodies, and at each end of said stack; wherein each of said bodies includes two slabs separated by an aperture plate; and a plurality of capacitors each connected to one of said elements to form a low pass filter network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein the values of said capacitors are selected so that at a predetermined applied pressure the time constants of each stage comprising the network are substantially the same.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as defined in claim 1 wherein all said capacitors have substantially the same value.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
131 words
A device for use in association with a keyboard of a musical instrument for providing an electrical conductance above a predetermined cutoff frequency variable in response to pressure, said device comprising: a plurality of bodies each formed of a mixture of elastically deformable electrically insulating material having particles of electrically conductive material dispersed therein in stacked relation to each other along the direction of pressure; a pair of spaced apart electrically conductive elements in contact with respective portions of each of said bodies at points along the direction of pressure; a layer of electrically insulating material separating said elements from one another; wherein each of said bodies includes two slabs separated by an aperture plate; and a plurality of capacitors interconnEcted with said elements to form a high pass filter network.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
131 words
A device for use in association with a keyboard of a musical instrument for providing an electrical conductance above a predetermined cutoff frequency variable in response to pressure, said device comprising: a plurality of bodies each formed of a mixture of elastically deformable electrically insulating material having particles of electrically conductive material dispersed therein in stacked relation to each other along the direction of pressure; a pair of spaced apart electrically conductive elements in contact with respective portions of each of said bodies at points along the direction of pressure; a layer of electrically insulating material separating said elements from one another; wherein each of said bodies includes two slabs separated by an aperture plate; and a plurality of capacitors interconnEcted with said elements to form a high pass filter network.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device as defined in claim 4 wherein the values of said capacitors are selected so that at a predetermined applied pressure the time constants of each stage comprising the network are substantially the same.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device as defined in claim 4 wherein all said capacitors have substantially the same value.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-07 | 1977-07-09 | 1978-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-07 | 1981-07-09 | 1982-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-07 | 1985-07-09 | 1986-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |