Abstract:
A chromatic harmonica having a boom mounted yoke for supporting the harmonica in front of the user, a solenoid mounted on one arm of the yolk for moving the valve actuator of the harmonica and a foot-operated switch for energizing the solenoid depending upon whether the harmonica is to produce sharp or flat tones.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is related to means for remotely operating a chromatic harmonica and more specifically to a foot-operated electrical device for remotely operating a chromatic harmonica so that the user can employ his hands for playing a second instrument. 
     Chromatic harmonicas are commonly used by musicians because of the wide range of tones that can be produced by moving a valve member that extends either beyond one end or the bottom of the harmonica. The valve member changes the harmonica tones for either sharps or flats depending upon its position. 
     Some musicians prefer to simultaneously play several instruments. It is necessary for the musician to have his hands available to play more than one instrument. One approach for using a harmonica as part of such an ensemble is to hang the harmonica around the user&#39;s neck and employ a foot-operated cable to remotely change the harmonica tones from sharps to flats. Such an arrangement was disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,818,792 to Gerbetz. However, such an arrangement has several drawbacks. Its sensitivity is limited because of its mechanical nature. Further the length of the cable reduces its utility because if the cable is made sufficiently long for the performer to stand, it has a tendency to kink or bind if he assumes a seated position. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The broad purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved foot-operated actuator for a harmonica including an electrically-actuated solenoid, mounted on a boom-supported yoke, to actuate the valve member, and a foot-operated switch arranged to energize the solenoid depending upon the position of the operator&#39;s foot. Such an arrangement provides several advantages over a mechanical actuator. For example, an electrically energized actuator is much more responsive to the user&#39;s foot and therefore more closely approaches the quickness of the user&#39;s hand than a mechanically actuated cable. A flexible electrical cord between the foot-operated switch and the solenoid permits the user to stand, sit or assume another position without interferring with the performance of the apparatus. 
     Still further objects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains upon reference to the following detailed description. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The description refers to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a chromatic harmonica supported by a boom and connected to a foot-operated actuator in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a view of a harmonica in its supporting yoke with the cover plate of the solenoid housing removed; 
     FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the foot-operated switch; and 
     FIG. 4 is a view of the supporting yoke housing with the harmonica removed. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the drawing, FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional chromatic harmonica 10 having a conventional electrically-actuated amplifier 12. The harmonica is mounted in a yoke 14 which is suspended on the end of a conventional boom 16. 
     Yoke 14 is preferrably a one-piece member with a pair of spaced parallel arms 16 and 18 having their lower ends connected to a base 20. A pair of channel-shaped members 22 24 are mounted adjacent arms 16 and 18, respectively. A fastener 76 is mounted on arm 16 and connected to channel shaped member 22 to permit it to pivot with respect to the yoke. Similarly fastener 28 connects channel-shaped member 24 to arm 18 so that member 24 can be pivoted with respect to the yoke. A &#34;U&#34; shaped member 30 is mounted between and connected to the channel shaped members to pivot with them. 
     Harmonica 10 is elongated and as best illustrated in FIG. 2, has a valve member 32 adapted to change the tone produced by the harmonica between sharps and flats as desired. The harmonica has an internal spring which biases valve member 32 towards its extended position. Referring to FIG. 4, housing means 34 is connected by fastener means 28 to arm 18 so that the housing means pivots with the channel-shaped member and &#34;U&#34; shaped member 30. Housing means 34 has an opening 36. The harmonica is mounted between the channel-shaped members with its lower edge in abutment with the midsection of member 30 in such a position that the outer end of the valve member is received in opening 36. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, a hook member 38 is pivotally connected to base 20 by a pin not shown and locked in position by hex head screw 40. Conventional boom 42 is received in a split jaw 44 and connected by a hex screw 46 to member 38 so that the position of the yoke is adjusted with respect to the boom to accommodate the position of the harmonica with respect to the user. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, an electrically-actuated solenoid 50 is mounted in housing 34. Solenoid 50 has a magnetic plunger 52. A lever 54 is pivotally mounted on pin 56. One end of the lever is connected to plunger 52 by pin 58. A finger 60 is connected by pin 62 to the opposite end of lever 54 in such a manner that as the plunger is retracted by the solenoid, the lever pushes harmonica valve member 32 to the left as viewed in FIG. 2. When the plunger is extended, it permits the spring in the harmonica to return the valve member toward its extended position. 
     An electrical cable 66 is connected to a connector 68 mounted in the housing. A pair of electrical wires 70 and 72 connect the connector 66 to solenoid 50. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, a foot support housing 70 is mounted on the floor (not shown) and has an electrical cord 72 adapted for connection to a source of electrical power 74. Cord 72 is connected internally in housing 70 to a transformer 76. An &#34;on&#34; and &#34;off&#34; switch 78 is mounted on the housing to provide an electrical connection between source of electrical energy 74 and a micro switch 80. Microswitch 80 is internally connected by electrical connector 82 to electrical connector 66. 
     A hard rubber pad 84 is mounted on the top of the housing approximately midway along its length. The housing has the length to accommodate foot 86 of the user so that his heel can rest adjacent one end of the housing but be pivoted about rubber pad 84. 
     Micro switch 80 has a plunger 88 mounted above the top surface of the housing beneath the user&#39;sole, as illustrated. By pivoting his foot he can depress the micro switch plunger and thereby energize the solenoid to move the harmonica valve member. The arrangement is such that the valve member is very responsive to the motion of the micro switch because of the elimination of mechanical connections between the foot-operated support and the solenoid. Connector 66 is flexible so that the user can either stand, sit or move about without affecting the responsiveness of the harmonica to the foot control. The assembly can be easily adjusted on the boom to accommodate the position of the user and permits him to simultaneously play another instrument such as a guitar while playing the harmonica. 
     Although the harmonica has been illustrated as having a valve member extending beyond one of its ends, it is apparent that the invention can also be employed as a harmonica having a valve member button mounted in other positions such as the bottom of the harmonica case.