# US 5,350,881 A · Portable electronic apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,350,881 A - Document ID: US5350881A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 07/890,543 - Filed: 1992-07-10 - Granted: 1994-09-27 - Earliest claimed: 1986-05-26 - Assignees: Casio Computer Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Yukio Kashio; Yoneaki Arai - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5350881A ## CPC - G10H 1/34: Switch arrangements, e.g. keyboards or mechanical switches specially adapted for electrophonic musical instruments - G10H 2220/185: Stick input, e.g. drumsticks with position or contact sensors - Y10S 84/07: Electric key switch structure - Y10S 84/12: Side; rhythm and percussion devices - G10H: ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract A striker designed to strike or be swung for playing music is provided with a musical sound-initiating command signal-generating device including switching members. When the striker strikes or swings, the switching members perform a switching action which triggers the transmitting of a musical sound-initiating command signal from the musical sound-initiating command signal-generating device. A desired musical sound is produced by a musical sound producing unit in response to the musical sound-initiating command signal. A number of different timbres can be selectively used for a musical tone, by operating a timbre-selecting switch provided on the striker. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electronic percussion instrument, comprising: a drum sound generator having an electronic circuit and energizable in response to momentary electrical trigger signal to effect generating of audible drum-like sound outputs in response to a trigger signal; a normally open switch connected to the electronic circuit and being momentarily closable for developing the momentary electrical trigger signal for effecting energizing of the drum sound generator when momentarily closed and generating the drum-like sound outputs; and a drumstick mounting the switch and movable in a striking motion in any desired direction momentarily at will while moving in said any direction for effectively generating the electrical trigger signal; wherein said switch having effecting means for effecting momentary closing of the switch and for effecting generating of the momentary electrical trigger signal. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electronic percussion instrument according to claim 1, in which said electronic circuit is a musical sound producing circuit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The electronic percussion instrument according to claim 1, in which said effecting means comprises a deflectable electrical contact deflected into a position in which it momentarily closes the switch and self-restoring to a position in which it opens the switch. ### Claim 4 An electronic percussion instrument, comprising: a portable enclosure having therein, a drum sound generator having an electronic circuit and energizable in response to momentary electrical trigger signal to effect generating of audible drum-like sound output in response to a trigger signal; a power source connected in said electronic circuit and a normally open control switch connected to the electronic circuit and the power source and being momentarily closable for effecting developing of the momentary electrical trigger signal by effecting energizing of the drum sound generator when momentarily closed for generating the drum-like sound output; and a drumstick mounting said control switch and movable in a striking motion in any desired direction momentarily at will while moving in said any direction for effectively controlling generating of the electrical trigger signal; wherein said control switch having effecting means for effecting momentary closing of the control switch and thereby effecting generating of the momentary electrical trigger signal. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The electronic percussion instrument according to claim 4, in which said electronic circuit is a musical sound producing circuit. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The electronic percussion instrument according to claim 4, in which said effecting means comprises a deflectable electrical contact deflected into a position in which it momentarily closes the control switch and self-restoring to a position in which it opens the control switch. ### Claim 7 An electronic percussion instrument comprising: a drum sound generator having an electrically powered electronic circuit and energizable in response to momentary electrical trigger signal to effect generating of audible drum-like sound output in response to a trigger signal; a normally open control switch connected in the electronic circuit and being momentarily closable for effecting developing of the momentary electrical trigger signal by effecting energizing of the drum sound generator when momentarily closed for generating the drum-like sound output; and a drumstick mounting the control switch and movable in a striking motion in any desired direction momentarily at will while moving in said any direction for effectively controlling generating of the electrical trigger signal at any desired point in said striking motion; wherein said control switch having effecting means for effecting momentary closing of the control switch and thereby effecting generating of the momentary electrical trigger signal. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The electronic percussion instrument according to claim 7, in which said electronic circuit includes a source of music for generating the drum-like sound.