Abstract:
A musical instrument apparatus including multiple parallel strings defining a string line and a keyboard overlay positioned at an acute angle to the string line to allow for consistent playing feel by consistently positioning the hammers on the keys while allowing large key spacing with minimized distance between the strings. The hammers are directly mounted to the keys and are adapted to either cause vibration of the strings or clamp the strings against the upper surface of a neck board so that the strings may have multi tonal capabilities as is commonly used with a fret board neck on a guitar. The strings can be played with just the keyboard, but the strings also extend past an edge of the keyboard overlay so that the user can directly play the multiple parallel strings to achieve a guitar sound. Both an electrical pickup and an acoustical body are provided for further sound variety.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Not Applicable.  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not Applicable.  
       REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX  
       [0003]     Not Applicable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0005]     The present invention relates to the field of musical instruments in general. In particular, the present invention relates specifically to a keyboard guitar shown as a musical instrument combining a chromatically scaled piano type keyboard angled across a guitar type string arrangement to achieve a unique instrument with new playing capabilities while achieving space efficiency with standard keyboard spacing. The keys are directly connected to hammers in a consistent manner and are arranged in a nonparallel manner to the strings to orient the hammers in a consistent position across the varying string lengths. This consistent hammer positioning enables consistent playing feel or action of the instrument and the extension of the strings past the keyboard overlay provides both the key playing and strumming capability on the same strings. In one method of playing, when the keys are depressed a hammer strikes the strings that makes the strings vibrate. Another aspect of the invention is the ability to press a key to act like a finger on a fret board such that the string vibrates at a different frequency which is combined with an extension of the strings allowing the user to strum, pluck, pick, and/or other wise play the strings to cause vibration. This provides a unique instrument arrangement with unique capabilities over the known art. In this manner, a musical instrument of new design is provided combining the chromatically scaled piano like keyboard and the guitar.  
         [0006]     Known art may be found in U.S. Class 84, Music, Subclass 267, Guitars, Subclass 291, Bodies, and Subclass 423r Keyboards; along with Class 984 Musical Instruments, Subclass 157 for combinations of different musical instruments, and Subclass 212 for combinations of two or more instruments as well as in other classes and subclasses.  
         [0007]     2. Description of the Known Art  
         [0008]     For many years, pianos, harpsichords, clavichords and clavinets have produced musical sounds from a chromatic keyboard action. The keys when depressed strikes the strings of these types of instruments making the strings vibrate. All of these instruments have only this type of means of vibrating the strings.  
         [0009]     The guitar, mandolin, violin, banjo and other stringed musical instruments have also been around for many years. These instruments produce their sounds by articulating the fingers on the finger board and picking, plucking, strumming and bowing the strings as the means of vibrating the strings.  
         [0010]     As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a keyboard and/or a string may be used in various processes used to create a musical tone. Details of a typical combination of these basic elements are contained in: U.S. Pat. No. 522,048 issued to Duvivier on Jun. 26, 1894; U.S. Pat. No. 726,084 issued to Menze on Apr. 21, 1903; U.S. Pat. No. 778,882 issued to Muller on Jan. 3, 1905; U.S. Pat. No. 1,040,232 issued to Mecera on Oct. 1, 1912; U.S. Pat. No. 1,425,032 issued to Milito on Aug. 8, 1922; U.S. Pat. No. 2,910,906 issued to Libera on Jul. 1, 1957; U.S. Pat. No. 4,091,702 issued to Murakami on May 30, 1978; U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,157 issued to Williams on Jan. 21, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 5,691,490 issued to Williams on Nov. 25, 1997; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,111,179 issued to Miller on Aug. 29, 2000. Each of these patents is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety. Several of these are worth additional discussion.  
         [0011]     U.S. Pat. No. 522,048 issued to Duvivier on Jun. 26, 1894 discloses a moveable keyboard as in  FIG. 3  having the keyboard in question placed upon its neck.  
         [0012]     U.S. Pat. No. 1,040,232 issued to Mecera on Mar. 4, 1912 discloses an object of the invention to produce a zither or like musical instrument having an improved construction and arrangement of key operated means for striking the strings.  
         [0013]     An additional patent for consideration is U.S. Pat. No. 5,691,490 issued to Williams on Nov. 25, 1997 which discloses a stringed musical instrument such as an electric or acoustic guitar and a bass guitar in combination with a piano-type keyboard.  
         [0014]     Thus, it may be seen that these prior art patents are very limited in their teaching and utilization, and an improved combination string and keyboard instrument is needed to overcome these limitations.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]     The present invention is directed to improved musical instrument combining the chromatically scaled piano like keyboard angularly positioned in relation to a guitar type string board.  
         [0016]     The keyboard guitar is like the keyboard action of the piano, harpsichord, clavichord and clavinet, in that it is a chromatic keyboard action. The keys when depressed strike the strings making the strings vibrate, however unlike these instruments this is not the only means of vibrating the strings. The keyboard guitar is also like the guitar, mandolin, violin, banjo and other stringed musical instruments in that it can be picked, plucked, strummed, and bowed as a means of vibrating the strings also, however unlike these instruments the finger board is replaced with the keyboard. The keyboard guitar has a sound and playing action of the guitar with all of its styles, sounds like, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, jazz guitar, rock guitar and metal guitar are all easy to play. The keyboard action makes it easy to play and the picked, plucked, strummed and bowed action make it authentic sounding. The player depress the keys which starts the strings vibrating and then holds the keys down while strumming the exposed strings to add rhythm to the song. The strings are amplified from electronic pick ups located near the strings to an external amp. A volume knob, tone knob, and switching network are the controls on the body of the keyboard guitar for a full range of tonal quality like the electric guitar. The instrument can also be acoustic if the body is built with a wood box resonator like the acoustic guitar. An all digital version of the keyboard guitar may also be manufactured with a virtual string pad for the strumming effect, drums and bass rhythm section and its own speakers similar to an electronic keyboard.  
         [0017]     In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a musical instrument apparatus is provided including multiple parallel strings defining a string line and a keyboard overlay positioned at an acute angle to the string line to allow for consistent playing feel for the user. The consistent feel is achieved by consistently positioning the hammers on the keys while allowing large key spacing with minimized spacing distance between the strings. In the preferred embodiment, the hammers are directly mounted to the keys and are adapted to either cause vibration of the strings or clamp the strings against the upper surface of a neck board so that the strings may have multi tonal capabilities as is commonly used with a fret board neck on a guitar.  
         [0018]     The strings can be played with just the keyboard, but the strings also extend past an edge of the keyboard overlay so that the user can directly play the multiple parallel strings to achieve a guitar sound. Both an electrical pickup and an acoustical body are provided for further sound variety.  
         [0019]     Advantages of the present invention include: multiple tones and sounds for both keyboard and guitar type playing; simple construction, standardized playing feel for the user, as well as other advantages that will be apparent from the disclosed embodiment. These and other objects and advantages of the present invention, along with features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear or become apparent by reviewing the following detailed description of the invention.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]     In the following drawings, which form a part of the specification and which are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible to indicate like parts in the various views:  
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention being played by a user.  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a partial head end view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a partial nut mounting side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is a partial perspective nut mounting side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  is a partial perspective nut mounting side view with the keyboard overlay removed.  
         [0026]      FIG. 6  is a partial underside view of the keyboard overlay.  
         [0027]      FIG. 7  is a partial bridge end view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 8  is a schematic representation of the hammer line and string line orientation of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 9  is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 10  is a partial nut mounting side view.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0031]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view and  FIG. 9  is a top view of the keyboard guitar musical instrument apparatus  10  shown as exemplary embodiments of the present invention. In  FIG. 1 , the keyboard guitar musical instrument apparatus  10  is being played by a user  5  with the user&#39;s left hand illustrating the ability to play the instrument with the keys and the right hand further illustrating the ability of the user to directly contact the strings. This particular configuration is also useful for using a slide bar in combination with either hand playing of the strings or striking of the strings with the keyboard hammers to present an even further range of sounds.  
         [0032]     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 9 , the keyboard guitar musical instrument apparatus  10  includes a body  12  defining a hollow acoustic resonant area  14  with a front surface sound board  16  similar in principle to that used in an acoustic guitar. The multiple parallel strings  30  extend parallel to a string line  32  to the intonation rod  56  (see  FIGS. 2-5 ,  8 ) and the adjustable tensioning cylinder  58  mounted on the nut mounting side  26  of the body  12 . A strap  28  is mounted to the body  12  so that the keyboard guitar musical instrument apparatus  10  can be worn by the user  5  in a manner similar to that for a standard electric or acoustic guitar. Multiple pickups  62  are mounted on the body  12  with typical electronic controls  64  (see  FIG. 7 ) such as volume, tone, switching network and effects that may be built into the electronics on the instrument  10 . A standard cord connection  66  (see  FIG. 7 ) is used for connection into an amplifier or other electronics. Note that it is envisioned that typical improvements may be made to the present device such as a tremolo device or other well known improvements.  
         [0033]      FIGS. 1 and 9  also show the positioning of the keyboard overlay  70  mounting for keys  72  including a standard chromatic layout of white keys  74  and black keys  76  separated by the standard key separation distance  78 . The multiple parallel strings  30  extend past an edge  96  of the keyboard overlay  70  to allow for strumming, picking, plucking, or otherwise playing the strings  30  directly.  
         [0034]      FIG. 2  is a partial head end view of  FIG. 1  showing the keyboard guitar musical instrument apparatus  10 . The body  12  may be clearly seen with the intonation rod  56 , adjustable tensioning cylinder  58 , and tensioning head  60  visible on the nut mounting side  26 . The intonation rod  56  sets the length of the string and redirects the string to its connection to the adjustable tensioning cylinder  58 . Rotation of the adjustable tensioning cylinder  58  controls the tension on the string by wrapping the first string end  36  around the adjustable tensioning cylinder  58 . Similar to a standard guitar head, the position of the adjustable tensioning cylinder  58  is controlled by rotation of the tensioning head  60  which is connected by a gear thread to the internal portion of the adjustable tensioning cylinder  58  as is well known in the art.  FIG. 2  further shows the position of the keyboard overlay  70  and the key separation distance  78  is further shown for clarity.  
         [0035]      FIGS. 3 and 10  are a partial nut mounting side view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 9 .  FIG. 3  shows the hand of the user  5  pressing a key  72  which shows the movement of the hammer  86  and hammer head  90  associated with the key  72 . As illustrated in this cutout of this figure, the body  12  includes a hollow acoustic resonant area  14  with a front surface sound board  16  for mounting of the strings  30  for playing the instrument  10 . The nut mounting side  26  is clearly visible with first string ends  36  connected at the side placement head  54  of the instrument across the intonation rod  56  to the adjustable tensioning cylinder  58  adjusted by the tensioning head  60 . Each string  30  is connected in a similar manner with the intonation rod  56  positioning controlling the length of the string  30  from the bridge  48 . The keyboard overlay  70  is indicated with the keys  72  showing a black key  76  being depressed. The key separation distance  78  is visible from this view for understanding of the standard keyboard spacing. The hammers  86  are clearly visible showing the hammer body  88  that is connected to the appropriate key  72  and the use of the hammer head  90  for contacting one of the strings  30 . The linear relationship of the hammers  86  and the keys  72  may also be easily seen in this view. Note that one advantage of the present invention may be understood from this view by noting that a tremolo effect may be produced by varying the force on the keys to press the string harder and softer into the string to stretch the string in a varying amount to produce the effect much like a tremolo bar on a normal guitar.  
         [0036]      FIG. 4  is a partial perspective nut mounting side view of the keyboard guitar musical instrument apparatus  10 .  FIG. 4  shows the body  12  supporting the multiple parallel strings  30  along the string line  32  with the first string end  36  connected as previously described. Also shown is the keyboard overlay  70  as previously described with hammers  86  using a hammer body  88  to extend downward to a hammer head  90  for contacting the strings  30 . As may be seen in this illustration, the hammers  86  are positioned in a hammer line  92  that is at an acute angle  94  to the string line  32 . See  FIG. 8  for further clarification of this advantage.  
         [0037]      FIG. 5  is a partial perspective nut mounting side view of the multiple parallel strings  30  positioned along the string line  32  as shown with the keyboard overlay  70  removed. The strings  30  pass across the front surface sound board  16  of the hollow acoustic resonant area  14  and pass across the neck area  50  having a raised upper surface  52  which the hammer  86  presses the string  30  against. The first string end  36  is shown passing through dampening material  71 , yarn interwoven into the strings, on its way to the to the intonation rod  56 . In the preferred embodiment, the yarn is interwoven and braided with crossovers amongst the strings  30  to provide the dampening material  71 . As shown, the string length  42  passes across the raised upper surface  52  such that when the hammer  86  presses these string  30  against the raised upper surface  52  a reduced string length  44  is achieved. Note that the raised upper surfaces  52  are positioned under the location of the hammers  86  such that they are positioned on the hammer line  92  at an acute angle  94  to the string line  32   
         [0038]      FIG. 6  is a partial underside view of the keyboard overlay showing the user  5  depressing a key  72  such that the position of a key finger  22  and stop dampener  24  may be seen as they are used to catch the key stop  84  built in as part of the hammer body  88  to control the maximum upward movement of the keys  72 . As shown, the keyboard overlay  70  includes keys  72  including white keys  74  and black keys  76  spaced at a key separation distance  78 . Each key has a hammer  86  including a built in key stop  84  with a downwardly extending hammer body  88  holding a hammer head  90  for contacting the strings  30 . The keys  72  and the associated hammers  86  are consistently lined up in the normal keyboard fashion with a consistent hammer line  92  along the keys  72  such that the keys  72  maintain a consistent playing feel.  
         [0039]      FIG. 7  is a partial bridge end view of the keyboard guitar musical instrument apparatus  10 .  FIG. 7  shows the body  12  with string catch  18  supporting catch fingers  20 . Each of the multiple parallel strings  30  is shown as an individual string  34  is mounted along the string line  32  with a second string end  38  having a loop  40  adapted to catch a catch finger  20 . The string separation distance  46  may be seen from this view as the strings cross the bridge  48  that hold them above the neck area (hidden by overlay) and the upper surfaces (hidden by overlay) of the body  12 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 7  also clearly denotes the location of the pickup  62  and the electronic controls  64  and their associated electrical connection into the cord connection  66  as is well known on conventional guitars. Note that a tremolo device may be used on the present invention although one is not shown here due to the complexities of the present invention. The overlay support  73  of the keyboard overlay  70  above the body  12  is shown and the pivot connection  80  and biasing spring  82  may be seen for holding the key  72  in the rest position. As is shown, when the key  72  is depressed, it rotates around the pivot connection  80  and the spring  82  is stretched which biases the key  72  to the rest position. After the key is released, the spring  82  draws the key  72  on the pivot  80  to bring it back to the rest position. Also illustrated in  FIG. 7  is the extension of the strings past the edge  96  of the keyboard overlay  70  which allows for a hand contact playing area  75  for the strumming of the strings  30 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 8  is a schematic representation of the hammer line and string line orientation of the keyboard guitar musical instrument apparatus  10 . The body  12  is shown with the strings  30  positioned over the front surface sound board  16 . The strings  30  extend along the string line  32 . The strings  30  extend from the loop of the string positioned on the catch finger  20  of the string catch  18  across the bridge  48 , above the upper surface  52 , through the dampening material  71 , to the intonation rod  56  and adjustable tensioning cylinder  58  adjusted by the tensioning head  60 . In this manner, each string is defined with a string length  42  extending from the bridge to the intonation rod  56  which may be segmented by the hammers  86  (not shown) pressing the strings against the upper surfaces  52  to form a string with a reduced string length  44  extending from the upper surface to the bridge. As noted in this figure, the strings  30  are separated by a string separation distance  46  measured perpendicular to the string line  32  and the hammers are separated by the key separation distance  78  measured perpendicular from the hammer line  92 . It may also be noted the string line  32  and the hammer line  92  intersect at an acute angle  94  which allows for the compact arrangement of the instrument while maintaining the key separation distance  78  commonly known by pianists.  
         [0042]     Reference numbers used throughout the written specification and drawings are provided as follows: 
        User  5      Keyboard Guitar Musical Instrument Apparatus  10      Body  12      Hollow acoustic resonant area  14      Front surface sound board  16      String catch  18      Catch finger  20      Key finger  22      stop dampener  24      Nut mounting side  26      Strap  28      Multiple parallel strings  30      String line  32      String  34      First string end  36      Second string end  38      Loop  40      a string length  42      a reduced string length  44      a string separation distance  46      Bridge  48      Neck  50      Upper surface  52      Head  54      Intonation rod  56      Adjustable tensioning cylinder  58      Tensioning head  60      Pickup  62      Electronic controls  64      Cord connection  66      Tremolo device     Keyboard overlay  70      Dampening material  71      Keys  72      overlay support  73      White keys  74      Hand contact playing area  75      Black keys  76      a key separation distance  78      pivot connection  80      spring bias  82      key stop  84      hammers  86      hammer body  88      hammer head  90      a hammer line  92      an acute angle  94      an edge  96  of the keyboard overlay        
 
         [0091]     From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention well adapted to obtain all the ends and objects herein set forth, together with other advantages which are inherent to the structure. It will also be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.