Flexible pitched sliding keyboard instrument and interface
OwnerClark Battleinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A musical keyboard interface capable of controlling either a string instrument or synthesizer controller includes a small, consistent keyboard interface that moves with each hand along one or both edges of a stationary ruler. The ruler segments measure the static location of each note in chromatic order. The keys are oriented in length perpendicular to the length of the ruler and each key is as wide as each ruler segment. As the keyboard moves along the ruler and its keys realign with new ruler segments, the keys become able to articulate the notes indicated by their position. The transformation is gradual, smoothly sliding notes and chords in varying magnitudes and directions simultaneously.
Claims20
A musical instrument comprising:
- an elongate ruler extending between opposite ends and defining a vector therebetween;
- at least one sliding keyboard assembly slidably coupled to the elongate ruler and slidably moveable along the vector relative to the elongate ruler;
- wherein the keyboard assembly includes a plurality of keys arranged adjacent each other in the direction of the vector;
- wherein the ruler includes a plurality of segments having a common segment width;
- where the keys have a width corresponding to the common segment width of the ruler;
- wherein each of the keys are configured to generate a note, wherein the note generated is dependent on the segment of the ruler aligned with the key;
- wherein slidable movement of the keyboard relative to the ruler alters the note generated by each key.
A musical instrument comprising:
- a plurality of strings extending between an upper carriage and a lower carriage, the upper carriage and lower carriage translatable along a support structure in a direction parallel to a first vector;
- a curved fret coupled to the support structure, the curved fret defining a curvature relative to the vector;
- wherein each of the plurality of strings are in contact with the curved fret at a contact point, wherein for each string contact with the curved fret defines an upper extent above the contact point a lower extent below the contact point of the string and the curved fret;
- wherein the upper carriage and the lower carriage are translatable relative to the ruler and the curved fret along the vector, wherein translation of the upper and lower carriages and the strings alters the upper extent and the lower extent for each of the strings.
A musical instrument comprising:
- an elongate ruler extending along a vector and defining a plurality of sectors;
- a curved fret defining a curvature and fixed relative to the elongate ruler;
- an upper rail and a lower rail disposed above and below the curved fret;
- the upper and lower rail configured to support a string in tension therebetween, wherein contact between the string and the curved fret defines an upper extent of the string extending between the curved fret and the upper rail and a lower extent of the string extending between the curved fret and the lower rail;
- wherein at least one of the upper rail and the lower rail are adjustable relative to the curved fret, wherein adjustment of the upper rail or the lower rail adjusts a break angle of the string over the curved fret or a string tension of the string at any point along the curved fret.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.