Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to musical instruments and more particularly to wind instruments such as recorders and flutes. More particularly, this invention relates to wind instruments that are made of translucent materials and have an associated light source. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   For many years, efforts have been made to create improved musical instruments. Despite such efforts, little change has occurred in the structure and operation of various wind instruments. For example, a recorder is a well-known type of wind instrument made from various materials such as wood, plastic and metal. It has a mouthpiece and an elongated body with air holes (i.e., apertures) that are selectively covered by a player&#39;s fingers during playing of the recorder. Music is produced from a recorder by blowing air through the mouthpiece and adjusting the pitch by covering one or more of the air holes. 
   Recorders are often used in the classroom setting for music education. The recorder is an optimal instrument for teaching students how to play music as its structure is simple and relatively easy for beginners to learn how to produce pleasant-sounding music in a relatively short period of time. 
   In order to promote additional interest in music, and in wind instruments such as recorders in particular, some efforts have been made to create improved products. For example, one desirable commercial recorder is sold under the trademark KINGSLEY by Macie Publishing Company of Rockaway, N.J. Various models of KINGSLEY recorders are available. Notwithstanding the differences between models of KINGSLEY recorders, a need still exists for an improved recorder structure. 
   Other parties have created recorders, flutes and various string instruments having an illumination source such as separately attachable light units or light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Examples of such products are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,685,373 to Novo; U.S. Pat. No. 6,225,344 to Sciortino; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,392,408 to Suzuki. 
   Notwithstanding the prior efforts to create desirable lighted instruments, a need still exists for an improved musical instrument, such as an improved recorder or the like, with a light source secured thereon to enhance playing of the instrument. Such an improved musical instrument will generate student enthusiasm, interest in music and the desire to learn, play and to practice playing on a new “cool” musical instrument. Further, a musical instrument with a light-emitting display will also provide an added interest in the playing of such instrument because it can incorporate into and enhance the performance of the musical selection being played, for example, use of a colored light display. Patriotic musical selections particularly lend themselves to the use of such lighting displays with the given patriotic musical selection. The present invention addresses such musical instruments with a light source for these objects and advantages. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Thus, in accordance with a first embodiment, the present invention comprises a wind instrument with an elongated body having first and second ends. A passageway is arranged within the body and extends longitudinally along at least a portion of the length thereof between the first and second ends. A mouthpiece is arranged at the first end of the elongated body and has an opening adapted to permit air to be blown therein such that the air will travel through at least part of the passageway. A plurality of apertures (air holes) are arranged along the elongated body and are open to the passageway. The apertures preferably have a central axis transversely arranged with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the passageway. Molded integrally with the elongated body is a compartment in which a light source is retained. The light source preferably transmits light through and longitudinally along the elongated body. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the elongated body is made of a translucent material. More preferably, the translucent material comprises a polymer, which may be clear or colored. 
   A power source, such as a battery, may be arranged within the compartment and is electrically connected to the light source for providing voltage and/or current thereto. The light source preferably comprises at least one light-emitting diode (LED), but may also comprise other light-emitting devices such as incandescent light bulbs or the like. 
   In an alternate embodiment, the light source may comprise a plurality of LEDs. In yet another alternate embodiment, the plurality of LEDs may comprise multiple colored LEDs adapted to transmit various colored light beams. 
   The illuminating attachment or assembly may also include a switch electrically connected in the circuit to the light source for permitting a user to selectively activate and deactivate the light source. The switch may be arranged partially within the compartment defined by the integrally formed illuminating attachment or assembly for the wind instrument and extend to the exterior of the illuminating assembly or attachment for access by the user playing such musical instrument with a light source. 
   Preferably, the elongated body comprises an upper side and lower side. At least some of the plurality of apertures are arranged at the upper side. The integral compartment in which the light source is retained may be arranged at the lower side such that the light source directs light longitudinally along the lower side of the elongated body. In a preferred embodiment, the light source directs light along the lower side of the elongated body in a direction away from the mouthpiece. 
   In the preferred embodiment where the elongated body is made of a translucent material, activation of the light source will preferably illuminate the entire elongated body itself as one or more light beams produced by the light source may be transmitted along through the translucent material of the body. 
   In the preferred embodiment where the compartment and associated light source are arranged at the lower side of the body of the musical instrument, the user may enjoy or achieve the desired illuminating effect when the light source is activated while avoiding the undesirable effect of light being directed into the eyes of a user during playing of the musical selection on the musical instrument. 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a recorder or other improved wind instrument with an associated light source arranged within the body of the instrument such that a desired visual effect may be selectively obtained while the instrument is being played to create musical sounds or a musical composition. 
   It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a musical instrument with an internal light assembly such that a coacting light display may be selectively obtained to enhance the musical sounds or selection being played on the musical instrument. 
   These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood when reference is made to the following detailed description below when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front or top view of a musical instrument, namely a recorder in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a back or bottom view of the recorder shown in  FIG. 1  showing the light assembly arranged on the body of the recorder; 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the recorder shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  partly in vertical section; 
       FIG. 4  is an end view of the mouthpiece end of the recorder shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is an end view of the shell or outlet end for operating air for the recorder shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 ; 
       FIG. 6  is an enlarged perspective view of the portion of the recorder showing one embodiment for the integral illuminating attachment as shown in  FIG. 1  partly in vertical section to show one form of the lighting device, the power source and the control switch for operating the illuminating attachment; 
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged perspective view of the portion of the recorder showing another embodiment for the light source as shown in  FIG. 1  partly in vertical section showing the same form of lighting device shown in  FIG. 6 , the power source and the control switch for operating the light source; 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic drawing of the circuitry including the lighting device, the power source and the control switch for operating the self-sustaining light source shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  6  and  7 ; and 
       FIG. 9  is another schematic drawing for the circuitry of the self-sustaining light source including multiple LEDs, with a multi-position control switch and operatively associated electronic controller to provide various types of illumination. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The present invention is directed to a musical instrument such as a recorder generally designated  10  and shown in the figures of the drawings. While the illustration of the present invention is shown with respect to a recorder, those skilled in the art will recognize that this instrument is used only for purposes of illustration and that the invention is equally applicable to other wind instruments such as flutes and the like which have bodies made of materials which are light-transmitting (i.e., translucent). Therefore, the illustrated embodiment is not by way of limitation of the scope of the present invention. 
   Recorder  10  has a generally elongated body  11  with an elongated passageway  12  extending along the longitudinal length thereof. The longitudinally extending passageway  12  is open to permit airflow during playing of the recorder  10  between a first end at mouthpiece  14  and a second end opening  13  remote from the mouthpiece  14 . The body  11  is preferably shaped to provide a bulbous portion as at  11   a  to aid in the diffusion of light when the musical instrument such as the recorder  10  is illuminated. 
   Along the body  11  of recorder  10 , a plurality of apertures  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c ,  15   d , etc. communicate with the elongated passageway  12 . Mouthpiece  14  is formed having an inlet opening  16  which communicates with the elongated passageway  12 . In operation a user or player of the recorder blows and forces air through the inlet opening  16  in the mouthpiece  14  which air flows through the elongated passageway  12  and will be allowed to escape through one or more of the apertures  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c ,  15   d , by finger or lever operation, not shown, for covering and uncovering these apertures to produce the desired musical tones and sounds for the music being played. Any excess air will escape through the end opening  13  in the second end remote from the mouthpiece  14  identified by bell-shaped outlet as at  13   a . The structure, operation and use of recorders as above described are well known to those skilled in the musical art and accordingly will not be more fully described. 
   An important characteristic of the musical instrument or recorder  10  in accordance with the present invention is that the body  11  will be molded, formed or fabricated from natural or synthetic materials which are translucent (colorless or colored) such that the material used is light-transmitting when light is directed in, along and/or through the body  11  of the recorder  10 . As used herein, the term “along” should be construed in accordance with its ordinary meaning and also is intended to cover light that is transmitted within, along or through the body  11 . Thus, the translucent body  11  enables light to diffuse and spread so that it may illuminate the entire body from the point where the light is introduced thereon or therein. Materials which can be used for fabricating the recorder to achieve this function or purpose are well known in the art and may include, but are not limited to, various preferred polymeric materials. 
   The translucent material from which the recorder  10  is fabricated enables it to be molded, formed or fabricated with a self-sustaining light assembly or assembly as at  17 . Light assembly  17  is arranged within a compartment  17   a  and is preferably formed on the body  11  on the underside thereof so that it is spaced from the outlets  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c ,  15   d  at the top side and does not interfere with the positioning of the fingers of the operator using and playing the recorder  10  and is easily accessible to place the light assembly  17  into operation, all of which is shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 . 
   The light assembly  17  and the associated compartment  17   a  is a generally open elongated rectangular box-like storage space which can be maintained closed by a removably mounted cover  17   b . The cover can be connected as by a threaded member, not shown, hinged or by slidable guides, also not shown, as is well known in the art to provide access to compartment  17   a  for changing and replacing the elements of the light assembly  17 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6 . 
   Light assembly  17  is self-sustaining in the sense that the compartment  17   a  holds the various elements to be connected into position for illuminating the musical instrument or recorder  10 . Thus, mounted in the compartment  17   a  is at least one and preferably a plurality of LEDs  18   a ,  18   b  and  18   c , a power source such as batteries  19   a ,  19   b  and  19   c  for operating the light-emitting members, and a switch  20  having a switch operating button  20   a  which extends to the exterior of the compartment  17   a  when it is closed by the cover  17   b . The switch  20  is connected to and is used for operating the LEDs  18   a ,  18   b  and  18   c  when it is desired to illuminate recorder  10  to achieve the advantageous results of the present invention. 
   While the light assembly  17 , compartment  17   a  and cover  17   b  are shown as rectangular, those skilled in the art will recognize that this shape is only for purposes of illustrating the present invention and that the light assembly  17  and associated compartment  17   a  may have many other shapes depending on the instrument in which it is being used. Further, while the compartment  17   a  is shown as preferably integrally molded, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the light assembly  17  can be arranged within a separately molded or formed housing and so affixed that it will form an integral part of the recorder  10  to achieve the same purposes and objects without departing from the scope of the present invention of the illuminating attachment as above described. 
   Light assembly  17  and the associated compartment  17   a  are also sized and shaped so that they will be large enough to provide space for the battery unit or units as at  19   a ,  19   b  and  19   c , the at least one or preferably more LEDs as at  18   a ,  18   b  and  18   c  or an incandescent or other light unit or units, as the case may be, and the switch  20  for placing the light assembly  17  into operation. The battery or batteries will have sufficient power to operate the light source, such as LEDs  18   a ,  18   b  and  18   c , for a reasonable period of time. Switch  20  can be any type of manually operated switch such as a push button type switch, which is normally open in the off position. 
   Further, one end wall  21  of the light assembly  17  and compartment  17   a  is disposed to project or face the bell-shaped end  13  of the frame  11  so that the LEDs  18   a ,  18   b  and  18   c  communicate with the bulbous portion  11   a  of the body  11  to enable the transmitted light to diffuse and pass in and through the body  11  of the recorder  10  to illuminate the entire instrument and create the desired lighting effect, as is shown in the embodiment of the present invention at FIG.  6 . 
   In an alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 7  where the same parts have the same character numerals, the end wall  21  of the light assembly  17  may also have an opening or window  22  to enable the light emitted or generated when the LEDs  18   a ,  18   b  and  18   c , in the compartment  17   a  are activated or in the on position to project, communicate or be directed to diffuse on, into, along and through the translucent material of body  11 . In this regard, the opening  22  can be shaped and sized to provide the optimum projection and communication of the emitted light with the material of the body  11  to allow the entire recorder  10  to be illuminated in accordance with the object and purposes of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8  shows that the electronic circuitry for the light assembly  17  is relatively basic or conventional. Thus, the battery power source at  19   a ,  19   b  and  19   c  are connected by current carrying line  23  to one side of the normally open switch  20 . The other opposite side of switch  20  is connected by current carrying line  24  to a bus bar  25  to which the LEDs  18   a ,  18   b  and  18   c  are in turn connected, to complete the circuit. The LEDs  18   a ,  18   b  and  18   c  are so positioned in the light assembly  17  so that when the switch  20  is moved manually to the closed or on position, the light beams emitted by the LEDs  18   a ,  18   b  and  18   c  will be directed as shown in  FIG. 6  into and through the bulbous section  11   a  of the translucent material of the body  11  and communicate or diffuse through the adjacent translucent material of the body  11  and thus illuminate the entire body  11  of the recorder  10  on which the light assembly  17  and its associated compartment  17   a  are formed, fabricated, molded or affixed to obtain the advantageous illuminating effects on the recorder  10 . 
   In the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , when the light-emitting members of the light assembly  17  are placed in the on position, the light in part can be projected along and over the body  11  as well as communicating with the translucent material to project and diffuse the light through the translucent material from which the body  11  is made to achieve the objects and purposes of the present invention. 
   Batteries, switches and LEDs are all well-known and conventional devices which will not be more fully described in connection with the present invention. Further, while LEDs are illustrated and preferred, because of their size and the limited power needed for their operation, those skilled in the art will recognize that other light units may also be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
   In operation, either before the recorder with the light assembly  17  and compartment  17   a  and the associated light source therein is played or operated, or while the recorder  10  is being played or operated, when the switch  20  is moved to the on position, current flows through line  23 , switch  20  and line  24  to the bus bar  25  and activates the LEDs  18   a ,  18   b  and  18   c  to transmit the light needed for illuminating the recorder  10 . This light is projected, communicates or is directed in, on and diffuses through the translucent material of which the body  11  of the recorder  10  is made to provide a desirable visual effect. 
     FIG. 9  shows a modified form of the electronic circuitry for the light assembly  17  in which a normally open multiple position switch  200  is disposed for operative association with an electronic control unit  201 . By selecting one of the multiple on positions of the switch  200 , the electronic control unit  201  will provide varying cycles to cause the LEDs to flash on and off in a given sequence. The LEDs can have different colors and thus vary the nature of the light projected, communicating or directed in, on and diffusing through the material of which the body  11  of the recorder  10  is made to produce an even more unusual effect than can be obtained with colorless illumination. Patriotic music lends itself particularly to varying forms of combined colored and colorless light displays in association with the musical selection being played. 
   Thus, an illuminated musical instrument has been described having a body with a light assembly for providing, projecting and communicating a light source for illuminating the musical instrument. 
   Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it will be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Technology Category: 3