US 8,940,987 B2 · Harmonica support with magnetic cradle

Abstract

A supporting frame and magnetic cradle for playing a harmonica hands-free, the frame providing two positions: a “playing” position for rigidly supporting the harmonica in proximity to the mouth and an “at-rest” position for retaining the harmonica within reach but out of the way. The frame provides means for pivoting the harmonica between the two positions and a memory hinge feature so that, once adjusted, the preferred playing position is reliably recovered at each use. A magnetic lock is used to secure the harmonica to its playing cradle, unexpectedly improving the sound quality. Multiple harmonicas may be magnetically exchanged in and out of the cradle, permitting the musician to quickly and flexibly change keys, timbre, or add tremolo, for example, during a performance. The frame does not interfere with simultaneous performance with other instruments, such as guitar or microphone, and thus finds use for a soloist musician.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A harmonica holder apparatus with magnetic cradle for hands-free playing of a harmonica, the harmonica having a magnetically susceptible coverplate, the harmonica holder comprising:

a) a shoulder engaging yoke adapted to be worn over the shoulders of a musician, said shoulder yoke having a first end and a second end configured for resting on opposite sides of the chest of a musician;
b) a harmonica support frame bridgingly joining said first end and said second end of said shoulder yoke, wherein said harmonica support frame is adapted to be wearable on a chest of a musician and comprises a cradle enabled to hold a harmonica on a superior medial aspect thereof, said cradle having
i) a generally planar upper surface, wherein said planar upper surface is bounded by a harmonica-bracing anteriosuperior raised lip adapted to stop an anterioinferior aspect of a harmonica from sliding when engaged thereon;
and
ii) a magnetic member disposed in said cradle, said magnetic member having a pull force configured to act cooperatively with said anteriorsuperior raised lip so as to reversibly hold the harmonica in said cradle during hands-free playing and to release the harmonica when exchanging one harmonica for another.

2 more elements

A harmonica holder apparatus for hands-free playing of a harmonica, the harmonica holder comprising:

a) a shoulder yoke adapted to be wearably supported on the shoulders of a musician, said shoulder yoke having opposite ends including a right yoke end and a left yoke end, wherein said yoke ends are adapted to be positioned in use on opposite sides of the chest of a musician;
b) a spanning frame section having opposite ends including a right frame end and a left frame end, wherein said right and left frame ends are bridgedly connected to said right yoke end and said left yoke end of said shoulder yoke,
c) a magnetic harmonica cradle supported on said spanning flame section, said magnetic harmonica cradle having a magnetic member, said magnetic member having a pull force enabled to detachably hold a harmonica therein, and wherein said magnetic harmonic cradle further comprises a generally planar upper surface, said upper surface having a harmonica-bracing anteriosuperior raised lip adapted to laterally support an anterioinferior aspect of a harmonica engaged thereon:
and,
further wherein said magnetic harmonica cradle is rotatable on said shoulder yoke between a play position defined by an upward rotation of said cradle so that a harmonica disposed therein is contactably supported proximate to a musician's mouth and an at-rest position defined by a downward rotation of said cradle so that a harmonica disposed therein is wearably supported away from a musician's face and within a musician's reach.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Harmonica support with magnetic cradle

Life of this patent

Harmonica support with magnetic cradle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21