FR3106927A1 - The present invention relates to a device for recognizing the tone of a harmonica for a blind person, while preserving the existing acoustics of the instrument. - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for recognizing the tone of a harmonica for a blind person. The invention relates to a device for adding characters corresponding to the tone of the harmonica, in Braille, while preserving the acoustics of the instrument. It consists of an engraving in Braille which can be directly cut into the material, or of a piece added to the base of the harmonica. It may also have a protrusion on the side of the harmonica to recognize the direction of use and the reading direction of writing, only by touch. The device according to the invention is particularly intended for the instrumental making of diatonic harmonicas. Figure for the abstract: fig. 6

Description

The present invention relates to a device for recognizing the tone of a harmonica for a blind person, while preserving the existing acoustics of the instrument.

The key of a harmonica is usually written by the letters A, B, C, D, E, F and G (for the notes from A to G), followed by the signs # and b for unnatural tones. The inscriptions are not in relief and are not readable by a blind person.

The device according to the invention overcomes this problem. It has a glued or crimped part on which extra thick points are added. This part will be glued or inserted on the base (sometimes also called “comb” or “body”, see Fig. 1) of the harmonica, at the back or on one of the sides of the instrument (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3), so as not to have any impact on the acoustics. Braille writing could also be carved directly into the material of the box spring.

The dots would correspond to the Braille translation of the letters A, B, C, D, E, F and G, as well as the characters # and b where applicable. The goal here is for them to be readable by anyone who can read Braille (and therefore worldwide).

The dots in Braille writing should not have protruding edges so as not to injure the reader.

However, the writing should be large enough to be legible.

In order to recognize both the direction of reading braille and the direction of use of the harmonica, the bed base may have the particularity of not being symmetrical. A protrusion on the side of the box spring will have little effect on the acoustics of the instrument. For a right-handed musician, we will tend to place this hook on the right side so that he / she normally holds it with the left hand.

See Fig. 4, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6.

The attached images illustrate the invention:

Figure 1 shows the anatomy of a diatonic harmonica, so there is no ambiguity about what the box spring is.

Figure 2 shows the possible locations of the tone's braille writing on the sides of the harmonica

Figure 3 shows the possible locations of the tone's Braille writing on the back and sides of the harmonica.

Figures 4 to 6 show a prototype including the protrusion as well as a possible location for the braille writing

In our case, this braille writing piece could have these characteristics:

• Piece made of metal, wood or plastic.
• The room must not protrude from the base in height or width. However, it can be a little thicker in order to indicate to the reader the readable surface.
• The extra thick points can be hollowed out in the material or added later. In the case of industrial use, we can imagine 3D printing, digital milling. But it can also be for example, a brass plate pierced with holes of about 1mm, and copper wire / silver wire of the same thickness welded / brazed / glued in the holes of the plate.
• Particular attention will be paid to the rounding of the room, so as not to hurt the reader.
• The writing should be large enough to be readable but small enough to fit the thickness of the bed base (generally around 5mm)

The device according to the invention is particularly suitable for the industrial (but also artisanal) production of musical instruments comprising tones, in particular to allow the clientele of blind harmonica players not to be limited to a single instrument, and thus substantially increase the sales volume.

Claims (4)

The device for writing the tone of the harmonica in Braille characterized in that its location does not or little change the acoustics of the instrument, depending on its placement on the harmonica. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the size of the writing is large enough to be readable by touch. Device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that no projecting edge would injure the reader. The protuberance device on one side of the diatonic harmonica is characterized by the absence of a hook on the side allowing the instrument to be made non-symmetrical, and thus to recognize its sense of use only by touch.