Patent Publication Number: US-9430995-B1

Title: Harmonica automatic positioner and method

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates generally to harmonica holders, and particularly to automatically actuated harmonica holders. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is a challenge for musicians to alternately sing and play the harmonica, while keeping the harmonica ready for use. Generally, when a musician sings and plays the harmonica she must move the harmonica out of the zone of vocal projection in order to sing unencumbered. This moving of the harmonica may cause an interruption or delay in readiness to proceed with the performance. 
     Utilizing the harmonica holders currently available does not provide for ease in the transition between singing and playing. The currently available devices are set in a fixed position and generally stay fixed throughout the performance, requiring the player to sing around the device. 
     There exists many situations where it is preferred that a harmonica be at the ready for a performer, without being an encumbrance. 
     Thus there is a need for a harmonica automatic positioner that overcomes these and other disadvantages. 
     SUMMARY 
     The disclosed invention relates to a harmonica automatic positioner, comprising: a shoulder yoke configured to be worn over the shoulders of a user, the shoulder yoke having a first end and a second end configured for resting on opposite sides of the chest of the user; a harmonica support frame, rotatably attached to the first end and second end, the harmonica support frame having a first member and a second member configured to rotatably attach to the first end and the second end of the shoulder yoke, where the harmonica support frame is adapted to be wearable on a chest of a user and comprises a plurality of fasteners configured to hold a harmonica; a clutch mechanism that rotatably joins the first end and the first member, and rotatably joins the second end and the second member, where the clutch mechanism is configured to hold the harmonica automatic positioner in alternatively an at rest position and an at ready position, where in the at rest position the harmonica is out of the way of the user&#39;s mouth, and where at the at ready position the harmonica is near the mouth of the user such that the user can play the harmonica; an actuator in operable communication with the clutch mechanism, and configured to actuate the clutch mechanism from the at rest position to the at ready position, and further configured to actuate the clutch mechanism from the at ready position to the at rest position; and a switch mechanism in communication with the actuator and configured to actuate the actuator. 
     The disclosed invention also relates to A method of using a harmonica, the method comprising: actuating a harmonica automatic positioner to move a harmonica from a rest position to a ready position; playing the harmonica; and actuating the harmonica automatic positioner to move a harmonica from the ready position to the rest position. 
     The above described and other features are exemplified by the following figures and detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring now to the figures, which are exemplary embodiments, and wherein the like elements are numbered alike: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the harmonica automatic positioner. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the harmonica automatic positioner, fully extended. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of a foot-operated switch mechanism to actuate the harmonica automatic positioner. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of a button for remote actuation of the harmonica automatic positioner. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the motor control board for metering the actuation of the harmonica automatic positioner. 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing one embodiment of the disclosed method. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the harmonica automatic positioner  90  in the ready position. The harmonica automatic positioner  90  comprises a shoulder yoke  100  adapted to be worn over the shoulders of a musician. The shoulder yoke may have a first end  101  and a second end  102  configured for resting on opposite sides of the chest of the musician. The harmonica automatic positioner  90  further comprises a harmonica support frame  103 , the harmonica support frame  103  having a first member  104  and a second member  105  configured to attach to the first end  101  and the second end  102  of the shoulder yoke  100 , wherein the harmonica support frame  103  is adapted to be wearable on a chest of a musician and comprises a plurality of fasteners  106  enabled to hold a harmonica  94  on the harmonica support frame  103 . The harmonica automatic positioner  90  further comprises a clutch mechanism  107  that hingedly joins the first end  101  and the first member  104 , and hingedly joins the second end  102  and the second member  105 . The clutch mechanism  107  is configured to lock the harmonica automatic positioner  90  into at least an at rest position and an at ready position. The clutch mechanism  107  can be any suitable clutch, including but not limited to a wrap spring clutch, an electro-magnetic toothed clutch, a pneumatic clutch, or a hydraulic clutch. 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of the harmonica automatic positioner  90  from  FIG. 1 , with the positioner in generally an at rest position. As can be seen in this view, an actuator  108  engages a gear and pulley system  109  to alternatingly bring the harmonica automatic positioner automatically into the rest position or the ready position. The actuator  108  can be any suitable actuator; including but not limited to an electric actuator, hydraulic actuator, mechanical actuator, a brushed DC motor, a brushless DC motor, a servomechanism, a stepper motor, or any other suitable actuator, hydraulic actuator, or magnetic actuator. A battery  110  can be used to power the harmonica automatic positioner  90 . One or more condenser microphones  111  can be attached to the harmonica support frame  103 . There may be a plurality of through-holes  112  in the harmonica support frame  103 . 
     The through-holes  112  may be mounting holes for future options and to mount the support brackets of the harmonica or harmonicas and microphones. The holder itself may be hollow to accommodate the cables that may run from the back of the harmonica automatic positioner  90  to the pulley system to move the positioner from the at rest position to an at ready position, and vice versa. The angle between the at ready position and the at rest position may be about 108 degrees, but any suitable angle may be used. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a nonexclusive example of a foot pedal  11  example of the switch mechanism. The switch mechanism  11  can be a foot pedal or a wireless foot pedal with a button  113  to actuate the harmonica positioner. Thus, in use, a player may activate the switch with her foot, and cause the harmonica automatic positioner  90  to move the harmonica from an at rest position to an at ready position, and vice versa. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a nonexclusive example of a push-button  12  example of the switch mechanism. The switch mechanism  12  can be a remote switch or a wireless remote switch with a button  114  to actuate the harmonica automatic positioner. The switch mechanism may be placed in the player&#39;s pocket for easy access, or attached to her clothing, or anywhere where easily accessible by the player. In use, a player may activate the switch cause the harmonica automatic positioner  90  to move the harmonica from an at rest position to an at ready position, and vice versa. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a nonexclusive example of the motor control board  13 . The adjustment knobs  115  can be used to control the speed at which the harmonica automatic positioner moves from the rest to the ready position and the ready position to the rest position. The motor control board can be a variable speed DC drive. 
       FIG. 6  discloses a method of using the harmonica. The method may be used for playing and singing with a harmonica. In other embodiments, the method may be used as means of providing pulmonary function therapy. At act  200 , a user actuates a harmonica automatic positioner to move a harmonica from a rest position to a ready position. At act  204 , the user plays the harmonica. At act  208 , the user actuates the harmonica automatic positioner to move the harmonica from the ready position to the rest position. 
     The harmonica automatic positioner  90  can be used to alternately sing or play a harmonica. The player can activate the switch mechanism to actuate the harmonica automatic positioner to bring the attached harmonica to a position ready to be played, at a speed defined by the player. When desired, the player can activate the switch mechanism to actuate the harmonica automatic positioner to bring the attached harmonica to a rest position, out of the way of the player. In one non-limiting use, when the harmonica automatic positioner is in the rest position, the player may sing. 
     The harmonica automatic positioner can be used for pulmonary function therapy. An automated program can be created to raise or lower the harmonica to enable the patient to play the harmonica for defined periods of time with defined periods of rest. 
     The harmonica automatic positioner can be used in any situation where it is preferred that a harmonica be automatically ready for use or alternately out of the way of the wearer. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes can be made and equivalents can be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. The disclosed embodiments are illustrative, not restrictive. While specific configurations of the harmonica automatic positioner have been described, it is understood that the present invention can be applied to a wide variety of harmonica automatic positioners. There are many alternative ways of implementing the invention.