Patent Publication Number: US-2022230610-A1

Title: Musical instrument pickup

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     This disclosure relates generally to musical instruments and in particular to method and apparatus for picking up for amplification musical vibrations in an instrument. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Musical instruments commonly produce the desired sounds by vibration of a string or other portion of the instrument at the desired frequency. Such instruments have existed for centuries. However, in recent times it is frequently desirable to amplify the sounds produced by an instrument for a larger audience or for playing to remote audience. 
     This need to amplify music from an instrument is particularly problematic for acoustic instruments, such as acoustic guitars and the like. Previous attempts to amply acoustic guitars have ben unsatisfactory. In particular, attempts have been made to locate conventional string pickups in the body of acoustic guitars, to pick up vibrations of the strings directly. Such designs however lose the unique sonic characteristics of the acoustic guitar body itself by rendering those portions of the guitar other than the strings irrelevant. 
     Furthermore, other attempts have been made to provide a microphone in the guitar to pick up the direct acoustic sounds produced by the guitar. It will be appreciated, however that such microphones are quite sensitive to the placement location and therefore may be difficult for users to find the best location for their tastes. 
     Furthermore, attempts have been made to utilize transducers, such as piezoelectric transducers which are commonly located under the saddle or on the soundboard of the guitar to sense movement or compression of the saddle or other elements of the instrument. However, such transducers are known to have difficulty producing accurate sounds when the instrument is amplified loudly or prone to feedback. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     According to a first embodiment, there is disclosed a pickup for a musical instrument comprising a ferromagnetic core having an electrical winding wound therearound, the electrical winding having an output wire operable to output a signal for receipt by an amplifier representing sound vibrations produced by the musical instrument, an activation magnet, and a flexible mount wherein one of the ferromagnetic core and the activation magnet are rigidly secured to the musical instrument and wherein the flexible mount is located the ferromagnetic core and activation magnet so as to permit a degree of movement by the other of the ferromagnetic core and activation magnet relative to the musical instrument under vibration thereof. 
     One of the ferromagnetic core and the activation magnet may be secured within a cavity in the musical instrument. The flexible mount may be permanently secured to the musical instrument. 
     The ferromagnetic core may be rigidly connected to the musical instrument and wherein the activation magnet is located within the flexible mount. The activation magnet may be rigidly connected to the musical instrument and wherein the ferromagnetic core is located within the flexible mount. 
     The flexible mount may comprise a sheet of pliable material magnetically clamped between the ferromagnetic core and the activation magnet. The sheet of pliable material may be selected from the group consisting of silicone, foam and rubber. 
     The ferromagnetic core may include a permanent magnet attached thereto. The ferromagnetic core may comprise an iron core having the electrical winding therearound defining an axis therethrough. The pickup may further comprise a permanent magnet secured to the iron core perpendicularly to the axis. The iron core may have a substantially rectangular cross section. 
     The pickup may further comprise a body selectably coupleable to the musical instrument having the ferromagnetic core connected thereto. The flexible mount may include a connector operable to selectably couple and decouple the flexible mount to the musical instrument. The connector may comprise a clamp. 
     The flexible mount may include a pocket adapted to receive the activation magnet. The pocket is sized to compressibly receive one of the ferromagnetic core and the activation magnet therein. The output wire may extend down a neck of the guitar to a plug in a body of the guitar. The output wire may be located within a truss rod extending through the neck. 
     According to a further embodiment, there is disclosed a method for amplifying a musical instrument comprising providing a ferromagnetic core having an electrical winding wound therearound, the electrical winding having an output wire operable to output a signal for receipt by an amplifier representing sound vibrations produced by the musical instrument, locating a flexible mount between the ferromagnetic core and an activation magnet, rigidly securing one of the ferromagnetic core and the activation magnet to the musical instrument and magnetically coupling the ferromagnetic core and the activation magnet together with the flexible mount therebetween as to have a degree of movement relative to each other under vibration from the musical instrument. 
     According to a further embodiment, there is disclosed a kit for amplifying a musical instrument comprising a ferromagnetic core having an electrical winding wound therearound, the electrical winding having an output wire operable to output a signal for receipt by an amplifier representing sound vibrations produced by the musical instrument, an activation magnet and a flexible mount securable between the ferromagnetic core and the activation magnet wherein one of the ferromagnetic core and the activation magnet are rigidly securable to the musical instrument and wherein the other of the ferromagnetic core and activation magnet is magnetically secured thereto with the flexible mount therebetween so as to have a degree of movement relative to the musical instrument under vibration thereof. 
     Other aspects and features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings constitute part of the disclosure. Each drawing illustrates exemplary aspects wherein similar characters of reference denote corresponding parts in each view, 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the neck of an acoustic guitar having a pickup according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure thereon. 
         FIG. 2  is a detailed rear perspective view of the pickup of  FIG. 1  being applied to the head of an acoustic guitar. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the pickup of  FIG. 2  as taken along the line  3 - 3 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the flexible mount of the pickup of  FIG. 2  being applied to the head of a guitar. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of the neck of an acoustic guitar with a wire from the electrical winding extending down the truss rod thereof. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of a pickup according to a further embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of a pickup according to a further embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Aspects of the present disclosure are now described with reference to exemplary apparatuses, methods and systems. Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary apparatus for sensing mechanical vibrations in a musical instrument according to a first embodiment is shown generally at  10  secured to a guitar  8 . It will be appreciated that although the present disclosure relates to the application of the present method and apparatus to a guitar that such methods, kit and apparatus may also be applied to another musical instrument to provide amplification therefore. Examples of such musical instruments may include, but are not limited to, stringed instruments including Chellos, ukuleles and banjos, pianos, violins, stand up base or a mandolin although it will be appreciated that it may be useful with other instruments as well. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the apparatus comprises a ferromagnetic core  20  having at least one electrical winding (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) therearound and an activating magnet  40 . One of the ferromagnetic core  20  or activating magnet  40  is rigidly connected to the musical instrument and the other of the ferromagnetic core  20  and activating magnet  40  is connected to a flexible mount  50  which is connected to the instrument. The flexible mount  50  permits the ferromagnetic core or magnet located therein to move independently of the musical instrument such that a relative movement is created between the ferromagnetic core and the magnet by the vibrations of the musical instrument. This relative movement between the ferromagnetic core and the magnet creates a fluctuation current in the winding which can be received at an amplifier to be converted into sound according to known means. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the ferromagnetic core  20  is received within a void  12  in the head  6  of the guitar  8 . The void  12  may be formed as a bore extending through the head  6  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3  or may optionally be formed as a blind bore extending only into one of the front or rear surface of the head. The ferromagnetic core  20  is formed of any suitable ferromagnetic material, such as, by way of non-limiting example, iron or the like as are commonly known. As illustrated, the ferromagnetic core  20  is formed in a cylindrical shape, although it will be appreciated that other shapes may also be utilized. The ferromagnetic core  20  may have a length selected to be contained within the void  12 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the ferromagnetic core  20  includes at least one electrical winding  22  therearound as are commonly known. The electrical winding  22  may be of any conventional type and formed of any conventional materials as are known in the art of musical amplification. The electrical winding  22  includes a lead wire  24  extending away therefrom which may be electrically connected to an amplifier or the like to receive frequencies picked up by the electrical winding in use. Optionally, the ferromagnetic core  20  and electrical windings  22  may be formed to have a diameter to be snugly fit within the void  12  so as to enable securing therein. 
     The activating magnet  40  may be of any suitable permanent type including without limitation, ferromagnetic or rare earth and may be of any suitable shape and size. The activating magnet  40  as illustrated is received within the flexible mount body  50  which is secured to the instrument proximate to the void  12  containing the ferromagnetic core  20 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the flexible mount  50  is secured to the rear of the head  6  of the guitar so as to cover the void  12  although other locations may be utilized as well. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , the flexible mount  50  is securely connected to the head of the guitar  6  by any conventional means, such as, by way of non-limiting example, fasteners adhesives or the like. The flexible mount  50  is formed, at least in part, of a flexible or pliable material adapted to receive the magnet therein in a compression fit. Although the flexible mount  50  appears in  FIG. 2  to be of a uniform construction, it will be appreciated that it may be formed of more than one element such that it may include an outer casing to facilitate connection to the musical instrument and an interior formed of a pliable or flexible material adapted to hold the activating magnet  40  therein as will be more fully described below. 
     The flexible mount  50  includes a bore  52  therein defined by an outer wall  54  having a diameter. The material surrounding the flexible mount  50  is, in particular, formed of the pliable or flexible material such that any magnet located therein is permitted a degree of movement under vibration due to the flexibility of the material. In particular, the diameter of the bore  52  may be selected to be smaller than an outer surface  42  of the activating magnet  40  so as to form an interference fit therebetween. By way of non-limiting example, the flexible mount  50  and in particular the portion surrounding the bore  52  may be selected from foams, foam rubbers, rubbers silicone or the like. The bore  52  may optionally include a cover or other securing means to ensure the activating magnet  40  is retained therein. 
     Although the above description includes the apparatus  10  in the head  6  of a guitar, it will be appreciated that it may also be located in any other location in the guitar as well as in any other instrument whereby the sound of the instrument is produced by vibration of a portion of the body thereof. It will also be appreciated that although a single ferromagnetic core and magnet are illustrated and described above, that multiple ferromagnetic cores and multiple magnets (in matching or different quantities) may also be utilized. It will be appreciated that utilizing multiples of such ferromagnetic cores and magnets will permit a degree of personalization of the sound output of the apparatus according to known amplification techniques, including without limitation varying the gauge, material and windings of the electrical windings. 
     Additionally, although the ferromagnetic core and windings are illustrated and described above as fixedly connected to the instrument with a flexibly coupled magnet, it will be appreciated that the relative positions of the magnet and ferromagnetic core may be swapped. In such configurations, the magnet may be secured within a bore of the instrument, by way of non-limiting example with a flexibly coupled ferromagnetic core. Such configurations may permit the flexible mount to be coupled and decoupled to the instrument with the wire  24  extending away therefrom. It will be appreciated that such configuration would advantageously permit the replacement of the electrical winding and ferromagnetic core so as to adjust the sound characteristics produced thereby. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , a further embodiment is illustrated generally at  100  comprising a body  102  connectable to an instrument and having a flexible mount  120  connected thereto. The body  102  may include a clamp  104  or other coupling means as are commonly known for securing the body  102  to an instrument. The body  102  includes a bore  106  therein adapted to securely receive one of the ferromagnetic core  20  or a activating magnet  40  therein. The body further includes a flexible mount  120  secured thereto as set out above which flexible mounts the magnet (as illustrated in  FIG. 4 ) or the ferromagnetic core therein. It will be appreciated that the apparatus as illustrated in  FIG. 4  permits the application to an existing musical instrument without modification of the instrument. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 5 , according to a further embodiment, the guitar  8  may include a truss rod  30  extending through the neck  7  as is commonly known. The truss rod  30  may be adapted to be substantially hollow having a central bore  32  extending the length thereof. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the wire  24  may be passed through the central bore  32  of the truss rod  30  so as to terminate at a plug  26  in the body of the guitar as is commonly known. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6 , according to a further embodiment, the pickup  200  may comprise a body  102  having a clamp  104  as set out above. The ferromagnetic core  20  may be formed of an iron core  202  surrounded by the electrical winding  22 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the iron core  202  may have any suitable shape such as rectangular, circular or otherwise as are known wherein the electrical windings  22  define an axis  204  extending therethrough. A permanent magnet  206  may be secured to the iron core at an open end of the electrical winding  22  perpendicularly to the axis  204  and the entire ferromagnetic core  20  may then be secured to the body  102 . In operation, a flexible mount, in the form of a sheet of pliable material  210  may be located over the ferromagnetic core  20  and the activation magnet  40  located thereover so as to magnetically clamp the sheet  210  therebetween. The sheet  210  may be formed of any suitable pliable material, such as, by way of non-limiting example, foams, foam rubbers, rubbers silicone or the like. In practice it has been found that a silicone sheet having a thickness of approximately 30 thousandths of an inch has been useful although it will be appreciated that other materials and thicknesses may be useful as well depending upon the instrument, strengths of the magnets and number and dimensions of the electrical windings. 
     It will also be appreciated that the use of a sheet to form the flexible mount may also be utilized in permanently installed pickup. As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the ferromagnetic core may comprise a magnetic pin  220  located with the electrical winding  22  within a bore  12  in the instrument. In use, the flexible sheet  210  may be located thereover and the activation magnet  40  magnetically coupled to the pin  220  so as to clamp the sheet therebetween. 
     While specific embodiments have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative only and not as limiting the disclosure as construed in accordance with the accompanying claims.