Abstract: A stringed instrument soundboard is provided, including composite structure that includes first and second opposed layers of a stiffened graphite sheet material and a low-density core material interposed between the first and second opposed layers. Methods of making the soundboard and stringed instruments including the soundboard are also provided.

Abstract: A drummer's practice pad and method for production thereof. The practice pad very closely simulates an actual drum head (the striking surface is as close to actual drumskin as possible), and this allows more efficient practice in the following areas: stick control on the pad surface; finger and hand development; and uniform stick response and rebound. The pad includes a cylindrical practice pad base having a shallow upper recess into which an elastomer pad compound is poured. The pad compound self-levels and hardens in a thin layer to provide an improved striking surface. A polyurethane coating is then applied. This improved striking surface is very realistic of an actual drumskin, and it muffles sound without muting it. It is durable and will not wear out or become depressed. Moreover, the process for making the pad is well-suited for mass production since it is simple and employs readily available materials.

Abstract: A musical tool for striking an instrument comprises a shaft and a head connected to one end of the shaft. A layer of short fibers is adhered to the surface of the head. The short fibers have inner and outer ends, the inner end adhered to the head and the outer end projecting outwardly from the head in a direction generally normal to the point of adherence.

Abstract: A composition and method of making bodies and necks for stringed musical instruments is provided. The composition is basically an unsaturated compound poly-urethan resin and an inorganic filler, or components comparable thereto, which are combined with a hardener and then molded to form a guitar body, neck or other component of a stringed instrument. The method of making a body or neck of the present invention generally includes the steps of preparing the composition mixture, adding a hardener to the mixture, delivering the mixture and hardener to a mold, and molding the composition. Various appropriate actions may be undertaken upon completion of the molding process including machining, finishing, etc., although the molding process tends to obviate the need for further machining.

Abstract: A percussion instrument made of durable synthetic tubing which is longitudinally rigid and radially flexible. The tubes are precisely tunable to specific musical pitches through combining proper diameters and lengths of the tubes. The sound is produced primarily by vibration of the column of air within and exiting the tube, which results from striking the tube with an object such as a mallet or from striking another object, including the human body, with the tube. The nature of the sound produced varies greatly with the resonant and textural qualities of the struck object. Accordingly, multi-textured percussion blocks are provided for striking with the tubes. In addition, a cap is provided for the end of the tube which will lower its pitch about one octave and which, when combined with a second cap, will create a cavity in which pellets, such as steel shot or dried beans, may be placed to produce a rattle.

Abstract: Moisture proof and wear resistant mallet heads are made of polyurethane foam. The mallet heads are substantially spherical in shape, and are attached to the handle by an aluminum sleeve that fits over a portion of the handle have a reduce diameter. The product is an improvement over the use of mallets with felt heads which readily deteriorate when exposed to moisture and wear. The products of the invention are known for their strength that is reflected in their durability and wearability.

Abstract: A device for modifying the sound of a drum or other percussion instrument comprises a sheet-like body of a soft, flexible polymer such as a gelled plastisol. The device includes a planar bottom surface which establishes a vacuum seal to a vibratable surface of the instrument.

Abstract: A slide bar for use with stringed instruments, such as the guitar or the dobro, includes two longitudinal halves with each half having a semi-cylindrical configuration. The two halves are made of different materials and are joined to form a hollow cylinder or tube. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, three members each made of different materials are joined to form a hollow cylinder.

Abstract: A method of treating a nylon or other non-ferromagnetic musical instrument string so that its movement is detectable by a ferromagnetic pickup includes applying ferromagnetic material to a portion of the string when the string is mounted to an instrument. The preferred method is to paint the string with a fluid material comprising a suspension of nickel particles in a solvent, and permitting the solvent to evaporate to leave a residue of nickel particles on the string.

Abstract: A guitar belly for a guitar body including a rear or reverse plate and a side plate around and standing up from the rear plate, which are integrally formed of the same plastic material. A separate cover plate is attached over the edge of the side plate to close the guitar belly. Reinforcing ribs are integrally formed of the same material as and along with the reverse plate. These include two or three longitudinal ribs extending from at or near the top front end of the reverse plate to the bottom end thereof, two horizontal ribs, one at the narrower width part and one at the greater width part of the belly, and two oblique ribs, each extending obliquely from the center of the belly and toward the one end of the belly and respectively outward from the center of the belly in opposite directions. Some or all of the ribs also extend up the side wall of the guitar belly. The ribs cooperate to prevent distortion of the belly due to string tension or other causes including playing the guitar.

Abstract: An improved acoustic guitar soundboard comprising a composite sheet formed of multiple layers of epoxy impregnated graphite fibers which have been accurately preimpregnated at about 33% resin to 67% fiber, after which they are layed up in laminates of unidirectional fibers with a woven graphite fiber fabric located as both top and bottom surfaces. The fiber orientation is preferably three to four times as many fibers in the longitudinal direction as in the latitudinal direction. The layups also are always equal and opposite in layered sequence so as to eliminate uneven stress. The sheet is cured in a heated platen press at uniform pressure and temperature. The soundboard may also have either standard wood bracing, rib-like bracing or no bracing at all. The waves applied in radial orientation enhance vibration, while orienting the waves into surrounds for individual sound plates tend to create individual resonance reservoirs for specific sound frequencies.

Abstract: A bearing structure in a piano action part which can always maintain the torque of rotation of a pin shaft supporting a hammer member within a predetermined range characterized in that the bearing structure comprises a pin shaft fixed to a hammer member, a support member having through-holes through which the pin shaft passes and cloth members with which the spaces between the through-holes and the pin shaft inserted through the through-hole are packed, and that the support member is made of a cellulose derivative resin composition containing silica having a number of silanol groups of 3.0 or less per 100 square .ANG. and a BET specific surface area of 100 to 210 m.sup.2 /g, and a transmission structure in a piano characterized in that the transmission structure comprises a hammer member and the above-mentioned bearing structure.

Abstract: A piano key cover having a body of synthetic material pigmented to resemble natural ivory defines a top playing surface having a random orientation of peak-to-valley texture and a multiplicity of fine pores to replicate a surface of natural ivory. A multiplicity of the pores have diameters generally in the range of 0.0002 to 0.0012 inch (0.005 to 0.030 mm). The synthetic material is selected from the group consisting of acrylic polymer, polyurethane, epoxy and the like. A method for forming such a piano key cover and a piano having key covers of the invention are also described.

Abstract: A black key making of a resin composition comprising a cellulose derivative resin, silicon oxide and at least 0.3 part by weight of a carbon black based on 100 parts by weight of the cellulose derivative, the carbon black having a pH of 6 and below and a BET specific surface area of 260 m.sup.2 /g and above, a keyboard comprising white keys and above-described black keys and a musical instrument having the above-described keyboard are disclosed. The black key is excellent in productivity and processability and is hygroscopic and excellent in the touch to fingers during playing. The black key is preferably made by injection molding.

Abstract: A piano key cover is formed of synthetic material pigmented to resemble natural ivory and having a top playing surface with a random orientation of peak-to-valley texture and a multiplicity of fine pores replicating natural ivory. The key cover is formed by providing a mold, engraving a surface of the mold with a randomly-oriented pattern of peak-to-valley texture replicating natural ivory, placing in the mold a composition of suitable synthetic material pigmented to resemble natural ivory and filler, the filler having the characteristic of being removable from a molded article by further treatment, forming the piano key cover within the mold, and treating the piano key cover to remove the filler thereby causing the surface of the paino key cover to define a plurality of fine pores replicating the surface of natural ivory. A piano including the key cover of the invention, and formed by the above method, is also described.

Abstract: A bow musical instrument in which at least the front (1) is constituted by a thin wall of composite material comprising at least two superposed sheets (A, B, C, D, . . . ) of crossed and directed long fibers, the wall being covered on at least one of its faces with a lining material (Y, Z) of considerably lower density than the fibers, wherein the deposition of the sheets of fibers is such that the ratio of the longitudinal modulus of elasticity divided by the transverse modulus of elasticity of the wall is higher in a wall zone close to the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the instrument than it is for a zone close to the sides of the instrument.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the body structure of a wind instrument and a procedure for making a wind instrument body presenting said structure. The body of a wind instrument, such as a flute, consists of an elongated tube composed of one or several parts (1), in said tube apertures (2) openable and closable with separate keys as required by playing, are made. As taught by the invention, the tube or its parts are made of plastic material, with which one or several fiber courses (4,5) are combined for reinforcement. An appropriate plastic material is epoxy plastic, and appropriate fibers are e.g. carbon fibers. With these is obtained a body construction which has a high rigidity and low mass and which produces sound with minimal blowing energy.

Abstract: A rotary valve for brass wind instruments with improved lubricating and durability properties is provided. The valve body 2 or both the valve body 2 and casing 1 of the rotary valve comprise(s) a machinable ceramic-resin composite material. The rotary valve can be readily produced by a method which comprises impregnating a machinable ceramic article containing substantially continuous micropores with a liquid resin material and hardening the resin material; machine-processing the resulting machinable ceramic-resin composite article into a shape of the valve body or shapes of the valve body and casing; and assembling the valve body into a rotary valve having the valve body 2 of the composite material rotatably contained in the casing 1 of the composite material or a metal material.

Abstract: A soundboard for an acoustic guitar is made of a composite-materials plate having an area density matching that of wooden soundboards while having a bulk density exceeding the bulk density of wooden soundboards. The soundboard is preferably made of a lay-up of woven polymer (preferably aramid) fabric and a layer of unidirectional graphite fibers followed by a layer of decorative fabric (e.g., silk), all embedded in a resin matrix. The side and back are made of at least one layer of woven fabric embedded in a resin matrix. The neck is made of a foam plastic core preferably covered with a woven fabric layer and a decorative fabric layer embedded in a resin matrix. The head is preferably cast of fiber-filled thermoplastic covered with a fabric layer embedded in a resin matrix. The head and neck are channelled to receive a composite-materials reinforcing rod, a fret board of similar material being bonded thereto.

Abstract: The invention relates to the manufacture of a violin (and other instruments of the violin family), in which the component parts of the acoustic box are made from sheet material. The sheet material is composed of substantially unidirectionally oriented man-made fibres, for example of carbon or boron, set in a matrix of epoxy resin. Thus the fibres are substantially all aligned from end to end in the front plate and in the back plate, we well as in the lengths of the side pieces and bass bar. Using this alignment of fibres that have a high modulus of elaticity, coupled with relatively low specific gravity and low flexural friction in vibration, a design for an instrument's acoustic box is specified which provides for instruments having vibrational systems, similar to that found in traditional instruments, but in which, for the same loudness of sound propagated, there are substantial economies in the proportional of force inherent in a vibration that is deployed in propagating sound.

Abstract: A strip of fiber-reinforced plastic composite is wrapped around a neck and peghead insert positioned right-side up in a neck mold. A pressure plate having a fingerboard secured thereto is then lowered onto the mold and pressure applied to integrally mold the instrument neck with the fingerboard bonded thereto.

Abstract: A soundboard for an acoustic guitar is made of a composite-materials plate having an area density matching that of wooden soundboards while having a bulk density exceeding the bulk density of wooden soundboards. The soundboard is preferably made of a lay-up of woven polymer (preferably aramid) fabric and a layer of unidirectional graphite fibers followed by a layer of decorative fabric (e.g., silk), all embedded in a resin matrix. The side and back are made of at least one layer of woven fabric embedded in a resin matrix. The neck is made of a foam plastic core preferably covered with a woven fabric layer and a decorative fabric layer embedded in a resin matrix. The head is preferably cast of fiber-filled thermoplastic covered with a fabric layer embedded in a resin matrix. The head and neck are channelled to receive a composite-materials reinforcing rod, a fret board of similar material being bonded thereto.

Abstract: A trombone has an other slide member fabricated from graphite tube. The graphite tube is 60-66% graphite and 40-34% expoxy resin and has a wall thickness in the range between 0.023 and 0.029 inches. The resulting trombone is lightweight and durable, resistant to bending or denting of the tube and has a smooth slide action.

Abstract: A neck for stringed musical instruments which is solid in form and constructed of alternating layers of an epoxy resin and powdered carbon mixture, and of longitudinally laid carbon fibers, preferably in the form of carbon fiber ribbon, which have been coated with the epoxy resin and powdered carbon mixture, with any remaining space within the form also filled with the epoxy resin and powdered carbon mixture. The preferred epoxy resin and powdered carbon mixture is thirty percent powdered carbon, by volume. A method for construction includes a three-piece form within whose cavities the alternating layers of carbon fiber ribbon and epoxy resin and powdered carbon mixture are laid.

Abstract: Improved neck structure for a stringed instrument which utilizes fiber-oriented graphite composite for formation of an elongated T-bar element that serves as the rigidifier and primary part connected between the instrument body and the peghead. The neck structure further utilizes a plurality of pin-connected frets which do not require transverse scoring or grooving of the fingerboard portion of the neck structure.

Abstract: A keyboard for a musical instrument is composed of a resin composition, having a durometer hardness of 82 or larger, and the composition comprises a cellulose derivative resin and a silica having 3.0 or less silanol groups in the area of 100 square angstrom and a BET specific surface area of 10 to 210 m.sup.2 /g. It may comprises a substrate and the keyboard.

Abstract: An insert for a chinrest for a violin or viola is disclosed for providing the chinrest with a contoured shape to conform to the shape of a performer's chin and jaw. The insert comprises a volume of malleable material capable of retaining an imprint of the performer's chin. The insert is secured to the chinrest and covered with a soft absorbent material. The method of utilizing the insert to modify existing chinrests is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tenon gasket for a musical wind instrument comprises a strip of plastic material having an adhesive layer on one side and adhered around the tenon of the instrument in the form of a sleeve with the ends of the strip butted. Preferably, a thinner buildup strip of adhesive is adhered around the tenon first with the plastic material strip being superimposed thereover and adhering both to the adhesive buildup strip and directly to the tenon. The buildup strip shapes the outer surface of the sleeve. Preferably the plastic material is cross-linked polyethylene exhibiting a lubricated surface property. These strips can be sold as a gasket repair kit in a transparent bag with the adhesive surfaces of the strips releasably covered with paper layers.

Abstract: A pad for the key cups of wind musical instruments for use in selectively sealing tone holes and spit holes, comprising a plastic disc made up of two layers, one of which is suited for sealing the hole and the other of which is less stiff and carries a layer of contact adhesive and a release paper. The invention is used by forcing the disc into the key cup which causes the paper to take a set on the inside concavity of the key cup thus exposing an annulus of adhesive coated surface. This annulus sticks to the sides of the key cup to securely hold the pad in place while automatically correcting for minor misalignments and the like. The pad is preferably made slightly oversized with respect to the key cup diameter.

Abstract: A molded plastic guitar top has a sounding board with a circular sound hole located between its upper and lower ends. A plurality of integral circular reinforcing ribs concentrically arranged relative to the sound hole, project from the inner surface of the sounding board. Integral rectilinear ribs which intersect the circular ribs extend generally longitudinally of the guitar top and diverge from the circular ribs and relative to each other in the direction of the lower end of the guitar top. An integral liner projects from the inner surface of the sounding board and extends generally along the outer marginal portion of the sounding board. The guitar top is molded from thermosetting plastic sheet molding compound which comprises 40% glass and 60% resin. The sounding board portion of the top essentially comprises a mat of random glass fibers ranging in length from three inches to two feet. The reinforcing ribs or braces are formed by random chopped glass fibers not greater than one-half inch in length.

Abstract: A violin is constructed with an acoustic box formed of composite materials, sheets of unidirectional graphite fibre in a resin matrix. The soundboard is constructed of paired sheets of the composite material overlaid and bonded with the sheets symmetrically placed. The fibres of a first pair of sheets are aligned with the longitudinal axis of the soundboard to transmit vibrations through the full length of the soundboard. The fibres of a second pair of sheets are oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to provide structural strength in a perpendicular direction. The fibres of a third pair of sheets are oriented at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis, fibres of one sheet oriented at about 45 degrees to the axis, and those of the other sheet at about minus 45 degrees. The third pair provides torsional rigidity, and provides additional stiffness in the longitudinal direction, thereby affecting the tonal qualities of the violin.

Abstract: A piano pedal assembly includes a plurality of pedals attached to a support member. The support member is of unitary construction, and includes a flat surface area having depressions therein adapted to contain the pedals in the assembly. Each pedal contains a pivot pin which fits into openings on the surface area. The pedals are maintained within their respective depressions by a plurality of clips which attach to the flat surface area of said support assembly to maintain said pins within said depression.

Abstract: A key cover plate for a piano or the like is injection-molded thermoplastic material marbleized by incomplete mixing of a color agent. The cover plate simulates the grain of natural ivory and has a Munsell hue of between 4.5Y to 8.8Y to 6.6YR. The cover plate also has a Munsell chroma of between 1.0 to 2.6 and a Munsell value of between 8.3 to 9.3. A contrast ratio of the plastic ivory material is between 70 to 90.

Abstract: An arcuate rim shot segment of plastics material is provided for attachment to a drum adjacent the metal hoop thereof to prevent damage to a wooden drum stick during rim shot. The rim shot segment has a semi-cylindrical cross-sectional configuration with the flat surface thereof adapted to engage and extend above the internal circumferential surface of the drum hoop. Flexible plastic strips of material extend about the arcuate segment in spaced relation and define tabs for securement between the drum hoop and the drum shell.

Abstract: A synthetic woodwind reed for use in woodwind instruments such as clarinets, oboes and bassoons. The reed is formed from a plurality of spaced longitudinal ribs fabricated of a graphite reinforced epoxy resin having a high modulus of elasticity and a low density. The spaces between the ribs are filled with a low density binder material such as a suitable epoxy resin preferably filled with small hollow plastic spheres, such as microballoons. A plastic film of a material such as Mylar is cemented to one or both sides of the reed to strengthen the structure. The width of the ribs, particularly at the tip portions thereof, and the number of ribs employed are chosen so that the finally formed and assembled reed has the proper modulus of elasticity and the proper density to provide an optimum natural vibration frequency for the reed, which should be 2000 Hz or higher.

Abstract: The keyboard for pianos and similar musical instruments has key shanks (levers) formed of structural foam containing glass fibers, there being only one shank construction for all the white keys and another for all the black. The shanks are connected, at their outer ends, to self-positioning hollow key caps. Each shank rests, at a laterally thickened central portion, on a synthetic resin balance rail from which an integral balance pin projects into a slot in such central portion. The outer end of each shank rests on a synthetic resin guide rail having a guide pin formed integrally therewith and extending into the shank. The laterally thickened central portions of the shanks are sufficiently close to each other to provide a strengthening effect creating much resistance to side forces such as occur, for example, during shipment. The balance rail and guide rail, with their integral pins, are injection molded of solid synthetic resin.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a foamed polymeric material in the fabrication of solid-bodied, stringed musical instruments with the preferred material being a homogeneous body of foamed polystyrene having a density of from about 0.5 to about 6 pounds per cubic feet. Since the neck assembly must of necessity have greater structural strength than the body, it is contemplated using a relatively simple disconnect mechanism for coupling same to the body. Although the essence of the invention lies in the fact that with the foamed solid body additional sounding amplification means are unnecessary, electrical amplification can optionally be added to said instruments.

Abstract: A keyboard assembly for toy musical instruments, such assembly being executed in plastic and including a base with an upper section for receiving a plurality of tone bars and a lower section for receiving a like plurality of keys. Each key is removably mounted upon a discrete upstanding column on the base by a friction fit defined between the column and a pair of supports on the underside of the key; each column is formed of two resilient halves separated by a gap. Each key is an integrally formed, molded member comprised of several components with interrelated functions, such as (1) a key lever for manual depression, (2) a hammer at the end remote from the key lever, (3) a flexible segment for propelling the hammer against a tone bar in response to depression of a key lever, and (4) cooperating abutments for damping out reverberations of the hammer that might cause repeated strikings of the tone bar and/or chattering of the hammer.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument having a high stiffness dimensionally stable neck attached to a conventional instrument body made of hard wood. The neck is made of graphite fiber reinforced plastic material which produces a lighter, stiffer and more rigid structure than a conventional wooden neck. This high stiffness and the dimensional stability of the graphite composite, even under adverse temperature and humidity conditions, prevents warping and distortion of the instrument neck. The dimensional stability along with the high stiffness to density ratio and minimal sound damping characteristics of the graphite composite neck produce improved and stable acoustic tonal qualities from the instrument.

Abstract: A rotary valve for a wind brass instrument comprises, as usual, a housing having a cylindrical wall with four duct connecting pieces fixed thereto about the circumference thereof. It also comprises a rotating member including a continuous metal shaft with end portions forming journals, a middle portion having a core element made of plastic material which does not swell in a wet environment, a metal jacket snugly fitted upon the core element and forming a fluid-tight joint with the cylindrical wall of the housing, and one or more pins engaged in respective bores extending diametrically through the jacket, core and shaft.

Abstract: A snare for a musical drum is comprised of a set of molded plastic cords having integrally molded enlargements or nodules evenly spaced along the length of each cord. The cords are attached to metal or plastic end pieces, and in the case of plastic end pieces the end pieces and cords may all be molded as a single one-piece unit.

Abstract: A cast plastic toy having a unitary U-shaped body including the side and top walls of the sound box, a bridge, a neck, apertures in pegboard at one end of the neck, strengthening ribs, and a barrier at the juncture of the neck and sound box. A paperboard bottom wall completes the sound box, and pegs are inserted through the apertures in the pegboard. Strings extend between the pegs and the bridge, and a continuous ridge on the upper surface of the sound box receives a paperboard insert therewithin. Apertures are formed in the sound box, and simulated manual control buttons are located on the upper surface of the sound box.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing shells of plastic material, such as methyl methacrylate, for percussion musical instruments. The shells are formed from flat pieces of plastic material which may be clear plastic, transparent colored or opaque plastic material of one or more colors. The invention contemplates providing an infinitesimal number of color design combinations. After the pieces of plastic material are cut, prepared and fastened together by novel methods, the material is formed into a cylindrical product which is joined at one location to provide an integral shell. By cutting the flat pieces of plastic material in various ways and joining them together, an extremely wide range of different visual designs are produced.

Abstract: For use in the pivotal connections of wooden members in a piano action, a bushing formed of a suitable plastic or elastomeric material, such as Teflon, is inserted in bushing holes in each arm of a forked action member for supporting a bearing pin secured to the tongue portion of a mating action member. The bushing has an internal bore of substantially uniform diameter throughout its length, and an outer diameter at the end portions of that portion received in the bushing hole smaller than the outer diameter over the portion thereof mediate the end portions, whereby the bushing can rotate along its axis relative to the bushing hole so as to be self-aligning with the bearing pin received in the internal bore. Because of the "barrel shape" of the bushing, variations in the tolerance on the size of the bushing holes are taken up by compression, causing a slight reduction in the diameter of the internal bore and thereby providing a low-friction essentially line contact between the bushing and the bearing pin.