Foot Actuated Electronic Organ

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to musical instruments and is more particularly concerned with a musical instrument having a plurality of rows of main pedals for generating prescribed musical chords, the pedals being actuated selectively by one foot and a rhythm foot pedal actuated by the other foot. The instrument provides accompaniment music, controlled essentially by a musician's feet, as the musician's hands are essentially free to manipulate other instruments.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The applicants are aware of the following United States prior art patents: 873,146 3,197,542 2,499,244 3,433,881 2,625,070 3,585,893 2,900,862

The versatility and broad musical sound simulation ability of the modern electronic organ are almost unprecedented for live musical performances. However, this instrument grossly limits what the performer can do, otherwise, in that to play such an instrument, usually both hands and both feet are needed. Modern performances normally lean toward a lead instrument, such as the guitar, horn or reed instrument, with the electronic organ serving as background accompaniment. The present invention obviates these problems and permits a musician to play an organ with his feet while playing another instrument with his hands.

This invention provides a new musical instrument which has the sound flexibility of the electronic organ but which can be played with only the feet (using a hand-to-adjust "stops", occasionally) leaving the hands free to play one of the lead instruments. Obviously, it is not desirable to reproduce the organ keyboard for any foot arrangement, yet there is a potential for using the many sound combinations of the organ to be actuated by a series of foot pedals. The implementation of this concept is briefly described below:

The electronic organ consists typically of an upper manual keyboard, a lower manual keyboard, an octave of bass chords selected by foot pedals and a foot-actuated sound intensity control. In addition, there are "stops" which select various instrument sounds such as piano, harpsichord, oboe, flute, etc. as well as esoteric accompaniment such as "walking bass", "eight section rhythm", etc. characteristic of the promotional efforts of the various electronic organ manufacturers, although still powerful for full and pleasing sounds.

The invention described herein utilizes the optimum musical combinations of these instruments by fitting the already developed organ circuitry into a new and unique pedal arrangement which selects many chord and note combinations available in the organ circuits by the use of computer diode matrix logic or other equivalent forms of logic.

In the embodiment of the present invention depicted herein, there are sixty-five main foot pedals, although any number might be selected. These main pedals actuate switches which are connected to the computer diode matrix logic circuitry which, in turn, actuates various full chord combinations. The main pedals are arranged in horizontal and vertical rows so that there are thirteen vertical rows of pedals with five pedals per vertical row equally spaced from each other.

The first or lowest horizontal row of thirteen pedals selects thirteen major chord combinations that would be available by playing from the upper manual, lower manual and foot pedals of the electronic organ circuitry with total availability of the various stops and other controls.

The second lowest row of pedals respectively actuate thirteen minor chord-note combinations; the third row, the thirteen seventh chord-note combinations; the fourth row, the diminished chord-note combinations; and the fifth row, the augmented chord-note combinations. Obviously, any note-chord combinations could be prescribed, if desired.

Another feature of the invention is a "rhythm pedal" or auxiliary pedal which is actuated by the right foot. The "rhythm pedal" is spring biased and pivots both about a horizontal axis and a vertical axis. When pivoted about the horizontal axis it controls the connection of the upper manual circuitry of the organ to the sixty-five foot pedals and the logic associated, therewith.

Twelve notes are brought from the upper manual circuitry and thirteen chords are brought from the lower manual circuitry. With the rhythm pedal and a main pedal, simultaneously depressed, the logic selects any one of sixty-five, four or more note combinations from twelve sound generators of both the lower manual circuitry and the upper manual circuitry. With a main pedal alone, depressed, the logic selects one of sixty-five, four chord combinations directly from thirteen sound generators of the lower manual circuitry. The same main pedal also selects the appropriate chord of the organ pedal circuits. While this is being done the "eight section rhythm", the "walking bass", etc. of the rhythm section are energized or de-energized, depending on the lateral position of the rhythm pedal and are performing normally, when so energized.

The resulting sound, using the "rhythm pedal" and sixty-five main foot pedals is a melodious accompaniment consisting of nine chord-notes with appropriately rhythm paced four note combination melody. The performer is thus free to play his hand operated instrument, as the lead.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a musical instrument constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the instrument shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the console showing the pivot mounting of one row of main pedals of the instrument of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic wiring diagram showing the wiring for one vertical row of main pedals of the instrument shown in FIG. 1.

In general, the instrument of the present invention includes a main foot pedal console 10, an electronic organ 40, a rhythm or auxiliary pedal assembly 50 and a plurality of speakers 60 connected by cables 70, 80 and 90. In the arrangement of FIG. 1, the main foot pedals 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d and 19e form the keyboard of console 10 and are selectively operated by the left foot of a musician. The single auxiliary or rhythm pedal 51 is operated by the right foot of the musician.

The electronic organ consists of a bass 41, a rhythm section 42, a lower manual 43 and an upper manual 44. The electronic organ 40 in the present embodiment is a "Gulbransen Pacemaker" electronic organ to which is connected the "Leslie" speakers 60 via cable 90.

The function of the main foot pedals 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d and 19e is to energize prescribed organ pedal circuits of the base 41, to energize chord circuits of the lower manual 43 and to program compatible chord circuits of upper manual 44 for energization.

The functions of the auxiliary or rhythm pedal 51 is:

a. when it is rocked up and down to throw out and in, the programmed chord circuits of the upper manual 44, and

b. when rocked sidewise, to throw in the programmed rhythm section 42.

The pedals 19a of the lowest row are for the major chords, the pedals 19b are for the minor chords, the pedals 19c are for the 7th chords, the pedals 19d are for the diminished chords and the pedals 19e are for the augmented chords.

At the center of the keyboard the pedals 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d and 19e are for the C chord. To the right there are the "sharps" and to the left the "flats". Therefore, the vertical row of pedals next adjacent the center row, to the left is for the key of D (one sharp) and to the right is for the key of F (one flat), etc. Thus, from left to right, the vertical rows of pedals 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d and 19e are for the keys of G flat (6 flats), D flat (5 flats), A flat (4 flats), E flat (3 flats), B flat (2 flats), F (one flat), D, C, G (one sharp), D (two sharps), A (3 sharps), E (four sharps), E (5 sharps), and F sharp (6 sharps).

In more detail the console or housing 10 includes a straight rectangular back 11, a pair of opposed rectangular sides, such as side 12, extending forwardly from the edges of said back 11 and a pair of complimentary, forwardly tapered wing panels 13. The console 10 also has a flat top 14 and a base or bottom 15.

The forward arcuate edges 16 and 17 of the top 14 and bottom 15 are concentric and concaved, the forward edge portion of top 14 overhanging wing panel 13 and the forward edge portion of base 15 protruding forwardly of the wing panel 13 and edge 16.

Disposed between the upwardly and rearwardly inclined forward edges 18 of wing panel 13 and disposed also between top 14 and bottom 15 is the arcuate concaved front panel 20. The bottom edge 21 of the front panel 20 rests upon the upper surfaces of bottom 17 and is concentric with edges 16 and 17, the arcuate concaved surface of panel 20, however, has an axis inclined so as to be parallel with edges 18.

The panel 20 is provided with sixty-five apertures or holes 22 through which the forward end portions of the main foot pedals 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d and 19e, project. The holes 22 are arranged in five equally vertically and horizontally spaced horizontal rows or tiers, thirteen to a row. The holes 22 in each row are equally spaced from each other; however, alternate holes 22, in each vertical row of holes 22 are offset from the adjacent upper and/or lower hole 22 in that vertical row. Hence, the main foot pedals 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d and 19e which project through a vertical row of holes 22, are staggered vertically so that alternate foot pedals 19a, 19c, and 19e are vertically aligned, as are pedals 19b and 19d. Also, the main foot pedals 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d and 19e of each horizontal row are in a common plane parallel to the common plane of the other horizontal rows. The main foot pedals, 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d and 19e are also radially disposed with respect to a common vertical axis, the axis coinciding with the axis of the concentric edges 16, 17 and 21.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, each of the sixty-five pedals 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d and 19e are respectively, pivotally mounted by their mid portion on horizontally disposed pivot pins 24 carried by vertical struts 29 in the console 10, slightly inwardly of the front 20. In the central portion of the console 10, each pedal 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d and 19e is provided with a pair of opposed stops 25 and 26 carried by strut 29 which are disposed on opposite sides of the inner end portion of each pedal 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d or 19e and limit its movement. A spring 27, between the strut 29 and each pedal 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d or 19e normally urges the pedal 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d or 19e against its lower stop 26. Pressure downwardly on the outer end portion of a pedal 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d or 19e will pivot it against its upper stops 25 to close a pair of normally open switches, i.e. a bass circuit switch 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d or 30e and a control switch 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d or 32e. For example, the depressing of pedal 19a of FIGS. 3 and 4 will close the bass circuit switch 30a and the control switch 32a. In like manner in FIGS. 3 and 4, the depressing of pedal 19b will close switches 30b and 32b; the depressing of pedal 19c will close switches 30c and 32c; the depressing of pedal 19d will close switches 30d and 32d and the depressing of pedal 19e will close switches 30e and 32e.

In FIG. 4 a typical wiring diagram for one vertical row of pedals is provided. Such a vertical row includes the pedals 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d and 19e, for example, in the key of C row. The electrical circuitry for this selected "C" vertical row of FIG. 4 includes a neutral bus 31 connected by one end to the neutral bus 61 of the circuitry of bass 41. The other end of bus 31 is connected to the terminals of each of the switches 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d and 30e. Thus, neutral bus 31 is common to all switches 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d and 30e.

The other terminals of switches 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d and 30e, however, are respectively connected by basses 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, and 31e to the wires 62a, 62b, 62c, 62d and 62e, leading to the hot side of the respective pedal switches (not shown) of the bass 41. Thus, switches 30a, 30 b, 30c, 30d and 30e are disposed in parallel, respectively with and function to shunt the bass switches (not shown) which are conventionally controlled by the depression of the pedals of organ 40. Therefore, bass switches 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d and 30e selectively complete and break circuits to the oscillators or sound generators of the bass notes for generating appropriate base sounds in response to the depressing of a pedal 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d or 19e.

The control switches 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d and 32e are respectively coupled with switches 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d and 30e. These switches 32a, 32b, 32c, 32 and 32e control the lower manual 43 through a lower manual diode matrix or logic, denoted generally by numeral 33. These control switches 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d and 32e, as mentioned above, also program the upper manual 44, through the upper numeral diode matrix or logic, denoted generally by manual 34; however, energization and de-energization of the upper manual is controlled by a gate member, such as the relay 36, which, in turn, is controlled through switch 52 of the rhythm pedal assembly 50.

In more detail, the neutral bus 63 of the lower manual circuitry, i.e. lower manual 43, is connected to the terminals on one side of all switches 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d and 32e so as to be common to these switches. The other sides of switches 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d and 32e are, respectively connected via wires 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d and 36e, respectively through diodes 37a, 37b, 37c, 37d and 37e, to a wire 38, common to all the aforesaid diodes. Wire 38 is connected to the hot "C" wire 64 leading to the C key switch of the lower manual 43. Therefore, the closing of any one of switches 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d and 32e will cause the organ 40 to generate in its sound generators a note of C, as if the C key of the lower manual 43 had been depressed.

Connected to the C major switch 32a, i.e. wire 36a, are wires 39 and 39a. Wire 39 leads via diode 70a and wire 71a to the hot wire 64a for note G of the lower manual 43. Wire 39a leads, via diode 72a and wire 71b to the hot wire 64b for note E of the lower manual 43. Therefore, the closing of the C major switch 32a creates a chord including the notes C, E and G.

The following Table I gives the notes produced by respective depression of the pedals 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d and 19e through the closing switches 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d and 32e. The additional wiring therefore includes wires 46a and 36b connected to wire 36b. The wire 46a leads, via diode 72b, to wire 71b for producing a G note. The wire 46b leads, via diode 73a and wire 71c, to wire 64c in the upper manual circuitry for shunting the E flat key of the lower manual. Thus, depression of the C minor pedal 19b of the C chord produces C, F flat and G on the lower manual.

In like fashion, wires 47a, 47b and 47c are connected to wire 36c. The wire 47a leads, via diode 70b to wire 71a for producing an E note. The wire 47b leads via diode 72c to wire 71 for producing a G note and wire 47c leads, via diode 75a and wire 71d to wire 64d for shunting the B flat key of the lower manual. Thus, the depression of C seventh pedal 19c produces the notes C, E, G and B flat.

Connected to wire 36d for providing circuitry for switch 32d are wires 48a, 48b and 48c. Wire 48a leads, through diode 73b, to wire 71c for producing an E flat. Wire 48b leads, through diode 76 and wire 71f to the hot wire 64f of the lower manual circuitry for shunting the G flat key switch (not shown) of lower manual 43. Wire 48c leads via diode 77 and wire 71g to the hot wire 64g of the lower manual circuitry for shunting the A key switch (not shown) of the lower manual 43. Thus the depression of the C diminished pedal 19d will produce a chord consisting of the notes C, E flat, G flat and A.

The augmented C circuit includes wires 49a, 49b, and 49c all connected to wire 36e. The wire 49a is connected, through diode 70c to wire 71a. The wire 49b is connected through diode 75b to wire 71d. The wire 49c is connected by diode 78 to wire 71e which, in turn, is connected to the hot wire 64e of the lower manual circuitry. This hot wire 64e leads to the switch (not shown) of the G sharp key of the lower manual 43. Thus, the depressing of the C augmented pedal 19e will produce a chord including the notes C, E, B flat and G sharp.

The diode matrix logic 34 is a duplication of the diode matrix logic 33 to provide the same chords in the upper manual 44 as in the lower manual 43, except that an A note is added to the C major chord. The chords for each pedal are shown in Table II.

The wiring diagram of FIG. 4 includes wires 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d and 56e connected from wires 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d and 36e to the diode matrix logic 34. Each of wires 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d and 56e are connected to a common wire 58 through respective diodes 57a, 57b, 57c, 57and 57e. The wire 58 which is common to all wires 56a, 56b, 56c, 56d and 56e is connected to one terminal of a normally open switch 53 of the relay R1, the other terminal which is connected to hot wire 84 of the upper manual. The neutral bus 83 of the upper manual 44 is connected, by wire 55, to the neutral bus wire 35. Thus, the C note which will be generated by the closing of any one of the switches 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d or 32e will be generated through energization of wire 84, provided switch 55 is closed.

The wire 56a is connected by wire 59 and diode 90a to wire 91a and thence to a terminal of switch 54a. The other terminal of switch 53a is connected to hot wire 84a which is the hot wire for the E note of the upper manual. In like fashion, wire 59a which is connected to wire 56a leads through a diode 92a and by wire 91b to the terminal of switch 53b. The other terminal switch 53b is connected to the hot wire 84b of the upper manual 44 for creating a G note. Furthemore, wire 59b which is connected to wire 56a leads via diode 97a to wire 91g and to the teminal of switch 53g. The other teminal of switch 53g is connected to hot wire 84g of the upper manual circuitry of upper manual 44 for producing an A note. Therefore, the closing of switches 32a and 53 will cause the upper manual to generate a chord including the notes C, E, G and A.

In like fashion, the wire 56b is connected by wire 66a through diode 92b to the wire 91b. Also wire 56b is connected via wire 66b and diode 93a via wire 91c to switch 53c. The other terminal of switch 53c is connected to hot wire 84c of the upper manual 44 for producing an E flat. Therefore, upon the closing of switch 32b, and the switches 53b and 53c, the chord consisting of the notes C, G and E flat are produced by the upper manual circuitry of organ 40. The wire 56c is connected to wires 67a, 67b, and 67c, the wire 67a being connected through diode 90b to wire 91a; the wire 67b being connected through diode 92c to wire 91b and the wire 67c being connected through diode 95a to wire 91d. The wire 91d, in turn, is connected to the terminal of switch 53d, the other terminal of which is connected to hot wire 84d for producing a B flat note from the circuitry of the upper manual 44. Therefore, when switch 32c is closed and the switches 53, 53a, 53b and 53d are closed, a chord is sounded by the upper manual which includes the notes C, E, G and B flat.

The wire 56d is connected to wires 68a, 68b and 68c. The wire 68a leads through diode 97 to wire 91g which in turn is connected to one terminal of switch 53g, the other terminal of which is connected to the hot wire 84g for producing an A note in the upper manual circuitry of manual 44. The wire 68b is connected through diode 96 to wire 91f, which in turn is connected to one terminal of switch 53f, the other terminal of which is connected to hot wire 84f for producing a G flat from the circuitry of the upper manual 44. The wire 68c is connected through diode 93b to the wire 91c. Therefore, the depressing of foot pedal 19d for producing a C diminished, causes the upper manual to generate a chord which includes the notes C, E, G flat and A.

The wire 56e is connected to wires 69a, 69b and 69c. The wire 69a is connected by diode 90c to wire 91a. The wire 69b is connected by diode 95b to wire 91d and the wire 69c is connected by diode 98 to wire 91c. Therefore, the closing of switch 62e and the closing of switches 53, 53a, 53d and 53e will cause the upper manual to generate a chord consisting of C, E, G sharp and B flat. These chords, generated by the upper manual in response to the C pedals are contained in Table II. As seen in FIG. 4, the switch 51a of the rhythm pedal assembly is connected by wires 55a and 55b to the circuitry of the rhythm section 42 so as to cut down this rhythm section 42 on and off as the switch 51a is closed and open.

The spring loaded switch 52 is connected by wires 54a and 54b to the coil C1 of relay R1. The closing of switch 52, therefore, energizes coil C1 from a current source E so as to close simultaneously the switches 53, 53a, 53b, 53c, 53d, 53e, 53f and 53g. When the switch 52 is opened, the coil C1 is de-energized to permit switches 53, 53a, 53b, 53c, 53d, 53e, 53f and 53g to open. The capacitor C1 is to prevent excessive sparking of switch 52. As pointed out above the switch 51a is closed upon sidewise movement of the foot pedal or foot pedal assembly 51, white the switch 52 is closed upon depression of the foot pedal 51.

In FIG. 2, wires 90a, 90b supply current from current source E to light lamp L and to the conventional power supply P of organ 40. The organ 40 also has as is conventional a power amplifier A for amplifying the current to speaker 60.

A better understanding of the present invention will be had by reference to the accompanying tables wherein the chords generated upon depression of each of the foot pedals is listed.

On the lower manual 43 there are only about fifteen notes which are used, in the middle range of the keyboard. The first, third and fifth notes of the scale are used in the present embodiment for producing a major chord, in response to the depression of a foot pedal 19a, the first note being the root note. With the upper manual, a sixth note is added to the first, third and fifth notes, the producing the major chord when foot pedal 51 is depressed.

Only about fifteen notes of the upper manual are also used. Therefore, there are, in some instances, inversions, the matrices 33 or 34 prescribing that the fifth or sixth notes, for example, be an octave below or above the root note.

In the "Gulbransen Pacemaker" electronic organ 40, the base 41, which is actuated each time a pedal 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d or 19e is depressed, has a "walking base" producing four notes to a measure, playing through the notes of the selected chord. Other organs may have two-four time, which is basic, playing the first and fifth notes.

It will be understood that, in electronic organ 40, the rhythm section 32 and the base 41 are interconnected so that the base comes in, on time, at the preset tempo. The rhythm section 42, itself, i.e., the drum, symbols, etc. are cut in and out, as desired by sidwise movement of the pedal 51. When cut in, it will play at the preset tempo.

The hands of the musician are normally free of the organ 40 and can be used intermittently to actuate and deactuate the customary stops for the elements which are listed in Table XXVII below. Each such element is conventional.

From the foregoing, the operation of the device should be apparent. When the control elements of Table XXVII have been programmed in a conventional way on the machine, the musician sits in front of console 10 so that this left foot is used to depress selectively any one of the juxtaposed main pedals 19a, 19b, 19c, 19d or 19e so as to produce a chord from the lower manual 43 and from the bass 41. If rhythm, at a prescribed beat is desired, the rhythm section 42 is actuated by movement of this right foot so as to move pedal 51 sidewise. The rhythm section 42 and the bass 41 in organ 40 are conventionally interconnected so that the bass 41, be it a "walking bass", "two-four bass" or other, will be in time with the rhythm section 42. The musician, then, simply depresses and releases the pedal 51 with his right foot, periodically. This throws in and out, the chords of the upper manual 44.