Patent Publication Number: US-2016225354-A1

Title: Portable component marimba

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 14/951,161 filed on Nov. 24, 2015 and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/083,569 filed on Nov. 24, 2014, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/111,434 filed on Feb. 3, 2015, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/156,967 filed on May 5, 2015, the contents of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC AND INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF THE MATERIAL 
     Not Applicable. 
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an improved design for a marimba. More particularly, the invention relates to a marimba or similar instrument that may be easily disassembled, transported and reassembled. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A marimba is a type of idiophone similar to a xylophone, but having a more resonant and lower pitched tessitura than the xylophone. The marimba is a percussion instrument typically consisting of a set of wooden horizontal bars struck with mallets to produce musical tones. The bars are often arranged as those of a piano, with the accidentals raised vertically and overlapping the natural bars, in a manner similar to that of a piano. The most significant distinction between a marimba and a xylophone is the use of resonators. Resonators are typically cylindrical tubes extending downward from the bars and amplifying the sound generated by striking the bars. The resonators are often made from a metal or metal alloy, but may also be constructed of wood, plastic or other material. 
     Marimbas typically generate a distinctive sound due to the acoustic properties of rosewood, which is the preferred material for constructing the horizontal bars. However, rosewood is relatively expensive compared to plastic composites that last longer and are more easily replaced. Manufacturers of marimbas have experimented with a multitude of different materials and composites in order to better mimic the distinctive sound of rosewood. 
     One of the most difficult aspects of rosewood to imitate is its sustain, or rate of decay of the sound. Rosewood typically has a 2-3 second sustain. Bars made of synthetic material, metal or plastic all have a substantially longer sustain. Stop pedals similar to those used in pianos may shorten the sustain of composite materials but do not well imitate the natural fade of the sustain of rosewood. 
     Marimbas historically are also relatively bulky and must be transported using a van, truck or other large vehicle. This makes them impractical compared to other instruments such as guitars, drums, electric keyboards and other instruments. 
     In view of the foregoing, it is desirable to provide a system and method for accurately reproducing the sound produced by natural rosewood bars in a marimba. 
     It is also desirable to provide a marimba that is easily disassembled, transported and reassembled. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Disclosed is a portable component marimba comprising a first stand having a first mounting block and two web supporting posts. A second stand also having a second mounting block and two web supporting posts is positioned facing, or opposing, the first stand. A resonator support bracket is mounted on the first and second mounting blocks and extends between the stands. A resonator assembly having a linearly arranged series of resonators and two resting tabs located on each side of the series of resonators may be placed on and in the support bracket. The resting tabs are configured to lie on top of and flush with the resonator support bracket. A tone bar assembly extends between the web supporting posts of the first stand and the second stand. The tone bar assembly has a linear series of tone bars held in place by a tone bar web. The tone bar web extends between the web supporting posts of the first stand and the web supporting posts of the second stand. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a marimba made of a few components that may be easily and quickly assembled and disassembled for transportation. It is another object of the invention to provide a means for suspending tone bars over the resonators using a web capable of modulating the sustain and other audio qualities of the tone bars. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims. There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a portable component marimba in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded side view of a portable component marimba in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of components of a frame of a portable component marimba in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a partially assembled frame of a portable component marimba in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a crossbeam of a portable component marimba in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of a crossbeam of a portable component marimba in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of a frame of a portable component marimba in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of a resonator assembly of a portable component marimba in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of another resonator assembly of a portable component marimba in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a top plan view of a resonator assembly of a portable component marimba in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a top plan view of a resonator support rack for a portable component marimba in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective side view of a resonator support rack for a portable component marimba in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a partially exploded side view of a portable component marimba in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a top plan view of a partially assembled portable component marimba in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a top plan view of a tone bar assembly of a portable component marimba in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a side view of a tone bar assembly of a portable component marimba in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a top plan view of a tone bar support rack of a portable component marimba in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a side view of a tone bar support rack of a portable component marimba in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 19  is a front plan view of a dampening lace support bracket of a marimba in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 20  is a partially exploded side view of a portable component marimba in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 21  is a top plan view of a portion of a portable component marimba in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 22  is an exploded view of a portable component marimba in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 23  is an enlarged view of a dampening lace support bracket and tone bar support rack of a portable component marimba in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 24  is an enlarged side view of dampening lace support brackets being inserted into a tone bar support rack of a portable component marimba in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 25  is a side view of a sustain dampener engaged with a series of tone bars in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 26  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a sustained dampener engaged with a series of tone bars in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 27  is a side view of a balanced resonator in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 28  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a balanced resonator in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 29  is a perspective view of a portable component marimba incorporating a plurality of balanced resonators in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 30  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a portable component marimba having a plurality of balanced resonators having tuner caps. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     Disclosed is an invention for providing an improved marimba having dampener mechanisms that may allow use of tone bars composed of various materials to accurately imitate the sustain of natural rosewood tone bars. The invention also provides a marimba composed of discrete components that may be disassembled and reassembled in accordance with principles of the invention. 
     Two frame sections may be positioned opposing, or facing, each other. Each frame section may include one or more mounting blocks on an upper crossbeam. A resonator support rack may attach to mounting blocks on each frame section and extend between them. Resonators may have lateral support brackets on either side of the resonators and which rest upon the resonator support rack and allow the resonators hang from the rack. Resonators may be grouped into linear series which share lateral support brackets. The frame sections may include mounting posts on either side of the mounting blocks. Tone bar racks may be extended between the mounting posts of opposing frame sections and may include web support brackets. Tone bars, interconnected by a web, may be aligned above the tone bar support racks such that the lie between the web support brackets and the web is supported by the brackets. Assembly and disassembly of the discrete components may be accomplished rapidly by hand. 
       FIG. 1  shows a portable component marimba  10  in accordance with the principles of the invention. The portable component marimba  10  may include a frame  12  supporting several resonators  14  and several tone bars  16 , wherein each tone bar is position directly above a corresponding resonator  14 . The tone bars  16  may be interconnected by two laces  18  that travels through channels extending horizontally through the tone bars  16 . The laces  18  are supported by a plurality of lace bar support brackets extending upward from a tone bar support rack  20  and cradle portions of the laces  18  between adjacent tone bars  16 . The laces  18  may be anchored by being tied to cleats  48 . In some embodiments, the frame  12  may be comprised of two components, a first frame section  22  and a second frame section  24 . 
       FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of the portable component marimba  10  of  FIG. 1 . The tone bars  16  have been lifted above the other components and the laces  18  have been detached from the cleats  48 . The exploded view of  FIG. 2  reveals that the resonators  14  are components of two separate resonator assemblies  15  and  19 . Also visible is the resonator support rack  17 . The resonator support racks  17  may be supported by two opposing mounting blocks  44 , one on each of the frame sections  22  and  24  and configured to face each other. Also visible are the mounting posts  46  by which the tone bar support rack  20  is attached to the frame sections  22  and  24 . 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  also show several components of the frame  12  for a portable component marimba  10 .  FIG. 2  shows the various components of the frame  12  disassembled from each other for transportation. The frame may include two frame sections  22  and  24 . The first frame section  22  includes a strut  26  supporting a crossbeam  28 . At the bottom of strut  26  is an elongate footer  30  having two distal downwardly extending rotating wheels  32 . Similarly, second frame section  24  may include a strut  34  supporting a crossbeam  36 . At the bottom of strut  34  is a footer  38  having to distal downwardly extending rotating wheels  40 . The frame may also include of two stabilizer bars  42  that may be bolted to each other and to the first member  12  and second member  14 . Both of the frame sections  22  and  24  may include on their respective crossbeams  28  and  36  one or more mounting blocks  44 , mounting posts  46  and web cleats  48 , the functions of which will be described in more detail below.  FIG. 3  shows the first frame section  22  and second frame section  24  partially assembled, having the stabilizer bars  42  connected, and facing one another such that their respective mounting blocks  44  and mounting posts  46  each other. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  show a crossbeam  50  having two mounting blocks  56  and  60 , each having two mounting posts  54  on either side. It may be seen in  FIG. 4  that mounting block  56  may have a substantially flat facing side  57  and a curved rear side  55 . The rear side  55  of mounting block  56  may also include a shoulder  58  that may be used to support a resonator rack, described in more detail below. The mounting block  60  includes a substantially flat facing side  62  and a curved rear side, but does not include a shoulder. The facing sides  62  and  57  of the mounting blocks  60  and  56  are located on the facing side  52  of the crossbeam  50 . The facing sides  52 ,  62 , and  57  are so designated because they face an opposing second frame section having reciprocal components. 
       FIG. 7  shows the crossbeam  50  of  FIGS. 5 and 6  facing a second crossbeam  68  to which crossbeam  50  is attached by stabilizing bars  70  such that cross beams  50  and  68  face each other. The second crossbeam  68  may be substantially symmetric with crossbeam  50  such that they represent mirror images of each other. Alternatively, one crossbeam may be wider than another in order to accommodate tone bars and resonators of gradually increasing size as the progress across the distance between the opposing crossbeams. Crossbeam  68  may include a mounting block  70  opposite to the mounting block  60  of crossbeam  50 , and facing side  72  of mounting block  70  faces the facing side  62  of mounting block  60 . Similarly, mounting block  76  may be positioned opposite to mounting block  56  such that facing side  78  of mounting block  76  is opposite to and faces facing side  57  of mounting block  56 . Mounting block  76  may also include a rear side  80  that is curved and includes a shoulder  82 . Crossbeam  68  may also include mounting posts  84  opposite to mounting posts  54  of crossbeam  50 . 
       FIGS. 8, 9 and 10  show to resonator assemblies  90  and  96 . Resonator assembly  90  includes five resonators  92  arranged in a linear series between two lateral resonator support brackets  94 . The resonators  92  may be arranged such that there top ends  91  lie flush with each other and with the lateral resonator support brackets  94 . The resonators  92  may have different lengths and widths and therefore extend different distances downward from the lateral support brackets  94 . The bottom surfaces  95  of the lateral support brackets  94  may be substantially flat, or may be otherwise configured to have a surface complementary to the top surface of a resonator support rack. Typically, resonators are aligned such that they are progressively longer in one direction. Those skilled in the art of marimba operation will appreciate that resonators have lengths and widths that increase in correlation to the widths of their respective tone bars. 
     The resonator assembly  96  shown in  FIG. 9  includes a series of linearly aligned resonators  100  having lengths and widths that increase progressively in downward but whose top ends  101  all lie flush with each other and the lateral resonator support brackets  98 . It may be desirable for the resonators of a marimba to be separated into resonator assemblies according to their range. For example, the resonator assembly  90  may include resonators for tone bars in a soprano range while the resonator assembly  96  may include resonators for tone bars in an alto range. The lateral resonator support brackets  94  may be separated by a distance  95 , which also may be approximately equal to the diameter of the resonators  92 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the lateral resonator support brackets  94  of resonator assembly  90  may have a distance that increases along with the increases in width of the progressively larger resonators  92 . The resonator assemblies may generally have substantially bilateral symmetry. The bottom surfaces  99  of the lateral support brackets  98  may be substantially flat, or may be otherwise configured to have a surface complementary to the top surface of a resonator support rack. 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  show a resonator support rack  102  in accordance with the principles of the invention. Resonator support rack  102  may be formed as a single unitary body or may be comprised of one or more separate pieces that may be bolted or otherwise removably connected to one another. The resonator support rack  102  may include two elongate substantially parallelepiped arms  104  extending between two curved collars  102 . The collars  103  and  106  may be configured to abut the rear sides of mounting blocks found on crossbeams as described above. An opening  108  between the arms  104  of the resonator support bracket  102  may be separated by a distance  109  that may be increase along the length of the arms  104  from the smaller collar  103  to the larger collar  106  corresponding to the change in distance between lateral support brackets of a resonator assembly, for example, the changing distance  95  between brackets  94  of resonator assembly  90 . As a result, the support brackets  94  may align with the rack arms  104  such that the resonator assembly may rest nested within the bracket  102 . Optionally, the resonator support rack  100  to may be comprised of a material sufficiently flexible to allow the opening  108  to be pulled wide enough to temporarily permit passage of an entire resonator assembly, but will retract to its original distance  109  when the arms  104  are not forcibly held apart. The top surface  105  of the resonator support rack  102  may be substantially flat or may be otherwise configured to be complementary to the bottom surfaces of lateral resonator support brackets. 
     In the embodiment shown, the resonator assemblies  90  and  96  include resonators  92  and  100  that have increasing diameter along the length of the assembly. It may be desirable to use resonators having substantially the same diameters and lateral support brackets that are substantially parallel to one another. In that case, a corresponding resonator support rack may have arms that are substantially parallel. So long as the lateral resonator support brackets are configured to overlap the resonator support rack arms, the geometry of the resonator support rack and the lateral resonator brackets may be suitable for use in accordance with the principles of the invention. 
       FIG. 13  shows the resonator support rack  102  and the resonator assemblies  90  and  96  being installed on to crossbeams  68  and  50 . For clarity, the resonator support racks and resonator assemblies are shown as having uniform widths rather than a graduated widths. The crossbeams  68  and  58  are positioned opposite to and facing each other as shown in  FIG. 7 . The resonator support rack  102  may be placed over the crossbeams  68  and  50  and lowered onto them such that the collars  106  wrap around the rear sides of the mounting blocks  60  and  70 . A stabilizing rod  110  may facilitate proper orientation and distance of the two crossbeams  50  and  68  relative to each other. When the collars  106  of the resonator support rack one and two lie flush with the rear sides of the mounting blocks  60  and  70 , gravity may hold the resonator support rack  102  in place. 
     Once the resonator support rack  102  has been mounted on two the crossbeams  50  and  68  by placing the collars  106  around the rear sides of the mounting blocks  60  and  70 , the resonator assemblies  90  and  96  may be incorporated into the portable component marimba  112 . As explained above, the arms  104  of the support rack  102  are spaced apart a distance sufficient to allow passage of the resonators  92  and  100 . The resonators of the resonator assemblies  90  and  96  may therefore be lowered into the space  108  between the support rack&#39;s arms  104  until the lateral support brackets  94  and  98  impinge upon the upper surface  105  of the resonator support rack  104 . Because the lower surfaces  95  and  99  of the lateral resonator support brackets may be configured to be complementary to the top surface  105  of the resonator support rack  102 , they will rest upon the top surface  105  of the resonator support rack  102  and not pass through opening  108 . The action of gravity may retain the resonator assemblies in place on the resonator support rack  102 . 
       FIG. 14  shows the portable component marimba  112  wherein the lateral support brackets  94  and  98  lie atop the resonator support rack  102 . The resonator assemblies may abut one another and/or the crossbeams, thereby further securing the engagement of the resonator support rack  102  with the mounting blocks  60  and  70 . The resonator support rack  102 , the resonator assemblies  90  and  96  as well as the mounting blocks  70  and  60 , the arms  104  of the resonator support rack  102  and the lateral resonator brackets  94  and  98  may all be substantially aligned with and parallel to a longitudinal axis  113 . 
       FIGS. 15 and 16  show a tone bar assembly  114  in accordance with the principles of the invention. The tone bar assembly  114  may include a plurality of tone bars  116  arranged as a linear series. Typically the tone bars  116  are arranged in an order of progressively increasing or decreasing tones. Each tone bar may be configured to aligned with a particular resonator. The tone bars  116  may be interconnected by two laces  118  that may be threaded through transverse lateral channels  117  at or near the bar nodes that extend through the tone bars  116 . The channels  117  may be transverse to the length of a tone bar but substantially parallel to the alignments of the resonators. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are other configurations possible for connecting the laces  118  with the tone bars  116  that may or may not include transverse lateral channels  117 . The distal ends  120  of the laces  118  may extends a distance beyond the tone bars  116  sufficient to provide enough length to be tied off on cleats on the crossbeams or otherwise anchored in accordance with the principles of the invention. 
       FIGS. 17 and 18  show a tone bar rack  130  in accordance with the principles of the invention. A tone bar rack  130  may be an elongate beam or plank that may be mounted onto two opposing mounting posts on to frame sections facing each other. In this embodiments, the tone bar rack  130  has a parallelepiped, substantially orthogonal configuration. The top surface  132  may be substantially flat but may optionally be curved or include other geometries. The bottom surface  140  may include two small hollow bores  144  configured to receive mounting posts on two opposing crossbeams such that the tone bar support rack  130  extends between the two facing crossbeams. 
     A series of lace support brackets  134  may be arranged substantially equidistant from one another along the length of the tone bar rack  130  and may correspond to the interstices  115  of a tone bar assembly in accordance with the principles of the invention. The lace support brackets  134  may suspend the laces  18 , and thus the tone bars  116 , at a predetermined height and positioned relative to the resonators and other components of a portable marimba components in accordance with the principles of the invention. The lace support brackets  134  may also retain the tone bars  116  in a proper orientation above each tone bar&#39;s corresponding resonator. 
       FIG. 19  provides an enlarged view of a dampening lace support bracket  134  and accordance with principles of the invention. The dampening lace support bracket  134  may have a body  136  and an upper groove configured to support a lace  118  of the tone bar assembly  114 . The body  136  of the dampening lace support bracket  134  may be formed from elastomeric compounds such as rubber. The use of rubber or similar material when constructing the dampening lace support bracket  134  provides dampening of the sustain of the tone bars  116  and acts as a shock absorber preventing or minimizing the transfer of vibrations to other components of the instrument. 
     When the tone bars  116  are comprised of a plastic or composite material instead of natural rosewood, the use of dampening lace support brackets, in conjunction with adjusting the tension of the laces, may provide an indirect dampening of the tone bars. This may facilitate a means of accurately imitating the natural sustain of a Rosewood tone bar. This may provide a more accurate means of adjusting the sustain of the notes than other methods that may use more rigid posts or rubber dampeners applied directly to the tone bars. While the dampening lace support bracket  134  shown here is incorporated into a portable component marimba, a dampening lace support bracket comprised wholly or partially of an elastomeric or other vibration absorbing material may be incorporated into any marimba, xylophone or similar mallet percussion instruments. 
       FIGS. 20 and 21  illustrate the addition of a tone bar assembly  142  and tone bar rack  130  on to the crossbeam  50  subsequent to attachment of the resonator assemblies as shown in  FIG. 13  in accordance with the principles of the invention. Two tone bar support racks  130  may be attached to each of the crossbeams by lowering them in the direction of arrow  145  such that the mounting posts  54  may be inserted into the bores  144  on the bottom surface  140  of the tone bar support racks  130  rest upon the top of the crossbeams. As with the resonator support rack  102 , the tone bar support racks  130  may be secured in place primarily by the action of gravity. 
     Once the tone bar support racks  130  are in place, the tone bar assembly  114  may be laid across it such that the tone bars  116  are placed in the interstices  136  between the lace support brackets  134 . The lace support brackets  134  the position of the tone bars in the correct position above their corresponding resonators. The ends  120  of the laces  118  may be pulled taut and fastened to the cleats  64 . The cleats  64  may be a porn cleats, a cam cleats having spring loaded cams to pinch a lace, a jam cleats having a V-shaped slot, a clam cleat or other device suitable for tying off the end  120  of the laces  118 . When assembling a portable component marimba, an operator may adjust the tension of the laces  118  by adjusting their attachment to the cleats  64 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 20 , it may be seen that the tone bar assembly  114  and the tone bar support racks  130  may also be aligned with longitudinal axis  113  and that the individual tone bars  116  are spaced, in part due to the positioning of the lace support brackets  134 , such that each tone bar  116  is correctly positions above its respective resonator. 
     The above figures and description explain the assembly of a frame, resonators and tone bars, along with the necessary racks and brackets, of a portable component marimba in accordance with the principles of the invention. A marimba and accordance with the invention may have a single series of tone bars as shown in  FIG. 21  or the process may be repeated with other mounting blocks, tone bar assemblies and resonator assemblies to form additional rows that may be substantially adjacent to the one shown.??. 
       FIG. 22  shows an exploded view of another alternative embodiment of a portable component marimba  150  in accordance with the principles of the invention. The portable component marimba  150  may include a tone bar assembly  152 , two tone bar racks  154 , a resonator assembly  150 , a resonator support rack  158  and a frame  160 . The tone bar assembly  152  may include a plurality of tone bars  162  interconnected by two lateral laces  164 . As with the other embodiments shown, the laces  164  have free ends  168  that may be attached to a cleat. 
     The portable component marimba  150  may also include two tone bar support racks  154  having a top side from which a plurality of lace support brackets  176  extend and may engage the laces  164 . The bottom  172  of the support rack  154  may include two slots for receiving a mounting post. 
     The portable component marimba  150  may also include a resonator assembly  156  having a plurality of resonators  178  which are arranged in a linear series such that they are tops  180  are flush with one another. The resonator assembly  156  may also include two lateral resonator brackets  182 . The resonator support rack  158  may be configured to engage the lateral support brackets  182 . 
     The frame  160  may include two symmetric, mirror image sections having a stanchions  184  supporting crossbeams  186 . Each crossbeam may include a mounting block  188  configured to engage and supports the resonator support rack  158 . Each of the mounting blocks  188  may include a shoulder  194  engaging the resonator support rack  158 . Each crossbeam  186  may also include two mounting posts  192  for attachment of the tone bar support rack  154 . The crossbeams  186  may also include two cleats  194  associated with each mounting post and to which the ends  168  of the laces  164  may be removably attached. 
       FIGS. 23 and 24  show an alternative embodiment of a dampening lace support bracket  200 . In the construction of marimbas and similar devices, it is common to provide two posts through which laces, strings or twine to lie between. These post both properly align the tone bars and keep them separated from one another. They are typically of a very solid material such as metal. Thus, may transmit some of the vibration into other components of the marimba. The dampening lace support brackets  200  of the present invention, on the other hand are designed to have a dampening effect to the instrument. As with the dampening lace support bracket shown in  FIG. 19 , the dampening lace support bracket  200  may be incorporated into a portable component marimba or may be similarly incorporated into other mallet percussion instruments such as vibraphones and the like where holes are placed in laterally through the bar at the nodes of the fundamental vibration. The dampening lace support brackets may be completely wholly or partially of an elastomeric material or other material capable of absorbing vibrations. 
     A dampening lace support bracket  200  may include a body  202  having a dowel  204  extending downward from the body  202  and an upper lace groove  206  that cradles the laces. The dampening lace support bracket  200  may be comprised of rubber or other elastomeric materials. As a result, instead of transmitting vibrations from a tone bar, it isolates the vibrations of a tone bar, providing a cleaner sound for the overall instrument especially over time. Typically the posts or other guides used to support and position laces or strings are typically permanently affixed to a support bracket. As a result if one or more of them break, it is very time-consuming and difficult requiring a craftsman to repair. 
     As shown in  FIG. 23 , the insertion pin  204  of the dampening lace support bracket  200  fits inside a slot  210  in the upper side of the tone bar support bracket  208 . The dowel  204  and the slot  210  may form a friction fit, thereby securing the dampening lace support bracket  200  in place. (Solid rubber construction is the dowel which fits into a slot. There is a set screw through the rail, slot and rubber dowel making them easily replaceable). Should the dampening lace support bracket  200  become damaged or otherwise require replacement, it may simply be pulled out of the slot  210  and replaced with minimal effort. 
       FIG. 24  shows three dampening lace support brackets  200  in successes stages of being inserted into slots  210  of a tone bar support bracket  208 . Optionally, an operator of a marimba or other mallet percussion instrument may use a plurality of interchangeable dampening lace support brackets  200 , each providing a different amount of absorption of vibrations. He or she may interchange the various dampening lace support brackets in order to adjust the sustains of the tone bars. 
       FIG. 25  shows a sustain dampener  220  comprising a loop of elastic material weaved over and under the tone bars  222  of the instrument and under tension applied in part by the dampener  220  being anchored by two opposing posts  224 . By applying this dampener  220  over and under the tone bars, their sustains are limited and adjustable with variations in tension. As with the dampening lace support brackets shown in  FIGS. 19, 23 and 24 , the sustain dampener  220  may be incorporated into other mallet percussion instruments such as, for example, a xylophone. 
     Similarly,  FIG. 26  shows an alternative sustain dampener  228  comprising two elastic cords  230  and  232  woven between the tone bars  234  and tied off at posts  238  by simply forming knots  236 . The tension may be increased or decreased by adjusting the knots  236 . It may be desirable to utilize one or more sustained dampeners on a single series of tone bars. It may also be desirable to utilize a dampening loop or two interwoven cords of different strengths to adjust the dampening of the tone bars. The sustain dampener  228  may be, as a dampener  220 , be incorporated into other mallet percussion instruments. 
       FIG. 27  shows a balanced resonator  240  for use in accordance with the present invention. Resonator  240  may be affixed to two opposing lateral support brackets  244  for mounting in a marimba as described above. Many resonators used with marimbas are short enough to extend straight downward below the tone bars without touching the ground. However, marimbas utilize very long resonators for the lower pitched keys that may be too long to fit below a marimba placed about 3 feet above the ground. As a result, most long resonators for low notes are L-shaped, having a substantial portion running along the ground underneath the marimba. This may make a marimba particularly cumbersome and ungainly. It also results in resonators that are not amenable to being suspended in a gravity fit manner as described above. 
     In order to provide very long resonators that may be easily assembled and disassembled, the present invention provides U-shaped balanced resonator tube  240 . Resonator tube  240  has a 180° crook or bend  246  such that the distal region  243  of the resonator is substantially parallel to the proximal region  245  of the resonator. It may be desirable to connect the distal region  243  and proximal region by a brace  250 . The proximal region  245  may also include a bend  248  and the resonator that results in the center of gravity of the resonator  242  lie at a point on a line  252  that is equidistant from the two opposing lateral support brackets  244 . Thus, as used herein, a “balanced resonator” generally refers to a resonator constructed such that its center of gravity is equidistant from both lateral support brackets and lies along a vertical line  252  equidistant between opposing lateral support brackets. This may generally be achieved by bending a proximal region of a resonator to provide for the proper placement of the center of gravity. By adjusting the center of gravity of a resonator  240  by incorporating the bend  248 , a long resonator may be used in accordance with the principles of the invention. 
     The distal region  243  terminates at the resonator&#39;s distal end  247 . The end  247  may include a tuner cap  271 . The tuner cap  271  may prevent dust and other objects from entering the resonator, but may also allow an operator to adjust the tone of the resonator, as explained in  FIG. 29  below. 
       FIG. 28  shows another alternative embodiment of a relatively long resonator tube  260  in accordance with the principles of the invention. The resonator tube  260  includes a distal region  263  and a proximal region  262  connected by a crook  368 . The bend  266  in the proximal region  262  shifts the center of gravity of the resonator  260  such that it lies along line  270  that runs vertically equidistant between the two opposing lateral support brackets  264 . Because the distal region  263  of the resonator  260  is relatively small, there is no need for a breaks. By aligning the center of gravity equidistant between the opposing lateral support brackets  264 , the resonator may be included in a resonator assembly that may be installed into a portable marimba as described above and secured in a proper position by gravity alone. In this embodiment, the distal end  267  does not include a tuner cap. 
       FIG. 29  shows a cross-section of the distal end  247  of the resonator  240 . The tuner cap  271  includes a body  272  that may abut the inside wall  276  of the resonator  240 . The cap  271  may be affixed to the distal end  247  of the resonator  240 . In this embodiment, the tuner cap body  272  is affixed to the resonator  240  by means of bolts  273 . Optionally, the cap  271  may be attached by screws, dowel rods, friction fit, threading, tabs fitting into slots or other mechanisms. The cap  271  may include an annular flange  279  that extends outward from the top  269  of the body  272 . The annular flange  279  may extend a sufficient distance to substantially cover the rim of the resonator tube. 
     The tuner cap  271  includes a piston  274  extending downward from the body  272 . The piston  274  may be substantially cylindrical and have a size that provides a snug fit between it and the interior wall  276  of the resonator  240 . The piston  274  may also include a rubber seal ring ( 0 , D, or X ring)  275  to ensure a compression fit with the interior wall  276 . A threaded stem  277  extends through a threaded bore  279  in the body  272 . The threaded stem  277  extends out of the body  272  and has a knob  278 . By turning the knob  278 , an operator may upwardly and downwardly adjust the position of the piston  274 . By adjusting the position of the piston  274 , an operator may adjust the effective length of the resonator  240 , thereby adjusting its volume and resonance of sound as well as providing moderate adjustment of the sustain. The length or volume of any resonator required to amplify the sound of the vibrating bar varies with temperature due to the speed at which sound moves through air. Warmer temperatures require the resonators to be longer than cooler temperatures because the sound waves move faster in warmer air. The fine tuning instrument adjustment allows the effective length or volume of the resonator to match the instrument&#39;s air temperature, another important feature to portability. 
       FIG. 30  shows a partially assembled portable marimba  280 . The portable marimba  280  includes a support frame  282  having to mounting blocks  284  and  286 . Two resonator support racks  288  and  290  have been placed on top of the mounting blocks  284  and  286 , respectively. As described above, the support racks  288  and  290  remain fixed in place primarily as a results of the force of gravity. 
     A first resonator assembly  292  may consist of a series of resonators  294  constructed in a manner similar to those shown in  FIG. 26 . The lateral brackets  296  may rest upon the resonator support rack  288  and may be secured in place by the action of gravity. Similarly, a second resonator assembly  298  may consist of a series of resonators  300  having a linear arrangement between two lateral support brackets  302  that may rest upon the resonator support rack  290 . As with the first resonator assembly  292 , the second resonator assembly  298  may be secured in place by the action of gravity. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that this simplifies the assembly and disassembly of the marimba while also providing a wider range of sounds without requiring additional space. 
     The portable marimba  280  shown in  FIG. 28  also includes tone bar support racks  302  each having a linear series of lace support brackets  306  comprised of rubber or a similar or other elastomeric material for dampening vibrations emanating from the tone bars once the assembly is complete. Cleats  308  for tying off the laces, cords or other web being used to interconnect the tone bars may also be seen. Although not shown, posts, tens or other devices for tying off a sustained dampener may be incorporated into the distal ends of the tone bar support racks  302 . 
     The resonators shown in  FIGS. 26, 27 and 28  have a sigmoidal design. It may be desirable to construct resonators having alternative configurations so long as the center of gravity remains equidistant between two opposing lateral support brackets. Furthermore, the use of the sigmoidal resonators shown here may be incorporated into a portable component marimba or into other more stationary marimbas and order to more efficiently use the space available. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of alternative configurations may be used for various components of the invention. For example, the mounting blocks have been generally described as having curved rear sides and a circular shoulder corresponding to the curved collars of the resonator support racks. Instead of curved, the collars and shoulders and rear sides of the support racks and mounting blocks may be angular, orthogonal or other varying designs. Any geometry may be suitable that may provide removable engagement of the resonator support racks with the crossbeams, and geometries and mechanisms relying primarily on gravity to hold the marimba components secure may be preferable. Similarly, the mounting posts and the slots within the tone bar support rack may be modified to have a variety of different configurations. Optionally the mounting blocks and mounting posts may include cam locks or other mechanisms but mechanisms providing for substantially secure engagement of the components primarily by means of the force of gravity may be preferred. The laces may be comprised of any suitable material such as rope, twine or other fibrous material and may optionally be comprised of cloth, carbon fiber or even a rigid or semi rigid material. 
     Whereas, the present invention has been described in relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention. Descriptions of the embodiments shown in the drawings should not be construed as limiting or defining the ordinary and plain meanings of the terms of the claims unless such is explicitly indicated. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.