The present disclosure relates generally to connector interfaces, cabling kits, and communications systems useful with legacy models of organs and amplifier cabinets.
Use of electronic and amplified instruments to make music generally requires multiple electrical connections be made between instruments, amplifiers, and other items, whether performing for an audience or recording in a studio. Most such connections have conventionally been made using cords to transmit power, audio, midi, control, and other signals.
Certain legacy equipment is highly prized by musicians for classic, often recognizable tones and abilities. Among such items are Hammond® brand organs (such as for example models known as B3, C3, etc.) and Leslie® brand power amplifiers (such as for example models known as Type 122, Type 147, etc.). Hammond® brand organs have been often used with Leslie® brand power amplifiers as the characteristics of each are considered to complement each other well.
Hammond® brand organs have employed a pin and socket connector-out design for cable communication with power amplifiers different from many other pieces of musical equipment. Such connectors on the organs are “female” connectors, with multiple pin-receiving sockets arranged generally in a circle for connection to a single plug “male” connector with correspondingly-arranged pins. The sockets can transmit power, or various audio and control signals between the organ and the power amplifier through an attached cable. One common standardized connector type in legacy Hammond® brand organs includes six pins and sockets, although other models include for example five, nine, eleven, or twelve pins and sockets. Some such connectors include different sized pins and sockets to ensure proper orientation, while others included a central, keyed dummy pins and socket for proper alignment. Wires corresponding to each pin/socket run along the connector cable to a connector on the amplifier end. Thus, wires of such connectors carried in a single sheath both power, control, and audio signals.
By way of example,
Leslie® brand power amplifiers adopted the Hammond® brand organ pin/socket connector design, in part for convenience because the items were often used together due to their functional characteristics and abilities. Corresponding connector cables included one male plug connector for connection to the organ and one female socket connector for connection to the power amplifier. The amplifier employed the male plug multi-pin design, similar to that of the end of the cable attached to the organ socket.
While such cables and connectors work well for their intended purpose, the cables can be quite large and heavy, and there are drawbacks and limitations to having all the audio, control and power wires run though a single cable. For example, disconnecting the cable disconnects all connections, whereas at times a user may wish to disconnect only some of the connections and leave others (e.g., power) in place. Such is impossible between such legacy equipment using the typical legacy connector cables.
Accordingly, connector interfaces, cabling kits, and communications systems useful with legacy models of organ and amplifier cabinets, that address one or more drawbacks of existing equipment, or one or more of the above issues, that are readily manufactured and installed, that are cost effective, and/or that address any other issues would be welcome.
According to certain aspects of the disclosure, a retrofit cabling kit and its variously separately usable components is suitable for use connecting an organ and a speaker, wherein the organ is for example one of a Hammond® brand, model B3 or C3 organ and the speaker is one for example of a Leslie® brand, model 122 or 147 speaker. The kit may include interfaces for attachment to each of the organ and the speaker and cables connecting the interfaces. The description, claims, and drawings herein all show different aspects of the components and collective uses of the components and kits made from some or all of the components.
According to certain other aspects of the disclosure, a communications system usable between an output multi-pin socket having at least six conductors and an input multi-pin plug having at least six conductors may include a first interface device having a multi-pin plug having at least six conductors for connection to the at least six conductors of the outlet multi-pin socket, the first interface device also having a first power connector with two conductors, a first speed signal connector with at least two conductors, a first audio signal connector with at least two conductors, and at least six wiring connections between respective conductors of the multi-pin plug and the first power connector, the first speed signal connector, and the first audio signal connector. A second interface device has a multi-pin socket having at least six conductors for connection to the at least six conductors of the input multi-pin plug, the second interface device also having a second power connector with two conductors, a second speed signal connector with at least two conductors, a second audio signal connector with at least two conductors, and at least six wiring connections between respective conductors of the multi-pin socket and the second power connector, the second speed signal connector, and the second audio signal connector. A power cable connects the first power connector and the second power connector. A speed cable connects the first speed signal connector and the second speed signal connector. An audio cable connects the first audio signal connector and the second audio signal connector. Various options and modifications are available.
For example, the system may further include an amplifier cabinet having an amplifier assembly and at least one speaker assembly, the input multi-pin plug being attached to the amplifier assembly for controlling the speaker assembly.
The speaker assembly may include a speaker for producing audio, a rotatable device adjacent the speaker to modify the audio produced by the speaker, and a motor for rotating the rotatable device, the power cable powering the amplifier assembly which in turn powers the motor, a signal transmitted via the speed cable controlling a speed of the motor, and a signal transmitted by the audio cable activating the speaker to produce the audio.
The amplifier may include two of the speaker assemblies.
The second interface device may include a housing configured for attachment to a housing of the amplifier assembly with the multi-pin socket connected to the input multi-pin plug.
The housing of the second interface device may be configured to be spaced from power sockets on the housing of the amplifier assembly used to power the motor.
The system may further include an electric keyboard instrument, the output multi-pin socket being attached to the electric keyboard instrument for providing power to the electric keyboard instrument, and to provide a speed signal, and an audio signal to the speed cable and the audio cable respectively.
The first interface device may include a housing configured for attachment to the electric keyboard instrument with the multi-pin plug connected to the output multi-pin plug.
An output multi-pin socket may be located on one of a Hammond® brand, model B3 or C3 organ and the input multi-pin plug may be located on one of a Leslie® brand, model 122 or 147 speaker.
The output multi-pin socket, the input multi-pin plug, the multi-pin plug, and the multi-pin socket may each have one of six or eleven conductors.
According to certain other aspects of the disclosure, a retrofit cabling kit suitable for use connecting an organ and a speaker, wherein the organ is one of a Hammond® brand, model B3 or C3 organ and the speaker is one of a Leslie® brand, model 122 or 147 speaker may include a first interface device having at least six conductors for connection to the organ, the first interface device also having a first power connector with two conductors, a first speed signal connector with at least two conductors, a first audio signal connector with at least two conductors, and at least six wiring connections between respective conductors and the first power connector, the first speed signal connector, and the first audio signal connector. A second interface device having at least six conductors for connection to the speaker, the second interface device also having a second power connector with two conductors, a second speed signal connector with at least two conductors, a second audio signal connector with at least two conductors, and at least six wiring connections between respective conductors and the second power connector, the second speed signal connector, and the second audio signal connector. A power cable connects the first power connector and the second power connector. A speed cable connects the first speed signal connector and the second speed signal connector. An audio cable connects the first audio signal connector and the second audio signal connector.
Various options and modifications are possible. For example, the first interface device may have a multi-pin plug connected to the at least six conductors of the first interface device for connection to the organ. Also, the second interface device may have a multi-pin socket connected to the at least six conductors of the second interface device for connection to the speaker.
According to certain other aspects of the disclosure, a retrofit cabling kit suitable for use connecting an organ and a speaker, wherein the organ is one of a Hammond® brand, model B3 or C3 organ and the speaker is one of a Leslie® brand, model 122 or 147 speaker may include a first interface device having at least six conductors for connection to the organ, the first interface device also having a power inlet connector with two conductors for receiving mains power, first power connector with two conductors connected to the power inlet connector, a first speed signal connector with at least two conductors, a first audio signal connector with at least two conductors, and at least six wiring connections between respective ones of the at least six conductors for connection to the organ and the power inlet connector, the first speed signal connector, and the first audio signal connector. A second interface device has at least six conductors for connection to the speaker, the second interface device also having a second power connector with two conductors, a second speed signal connector with at least two conductors, a second audio signal connector with at least two conductors, and at least six wiring connections between respective conductors and the second power connector, the second speed signal connector, and the second audio signal connector. A power cable connects the first power connector and the second power connector. A speed cable connects the first speed signal connector and the second speed signal connector. An audio cable connects the first audio signal connector and the second audio signal connector.
Various options and modifications are available. For example, the first interface device may have a multi-pin plug connected to the at least six conductors of the first interface device for connection to the organ. Also, the second interface device may have a multi-pin socket connected to the at least six conductors of the second interface device for connection to the speaker.
According to certain other aspects of the disclosure, a retrofit connector interface usable for connecting an organ and a speaker, wherein the organ is one of a Hammond® brand, model B3 or C3 organ may include at least six conductors for connection to the organ; a power connector with two conductors; a speed signal connector with at least two conductors; an audio signal connector with at least two conductors; and at least six wiring connections between respective conductors and the power connector, the speed signal connector, and the audio signal connector.
Various options and modifications are available. For example, the interface may further include a multi-pin plug connected to the six conductors for connection to the organ, or may further include a power inlet connector with two conductors for receiving mains power, wherein the two conductors of the power connector are connected to the two conductors of the power inlet connector.
According to certain other aspects of the disclosure, a retrofit connector interface suitable for use connecting an organ and a speaker, wherein the speaker is a Leslie® brand, model 122 or 147 speaker may include a at least six conductors for connection to the speaker; a power connector with two conductors; a speed signal connector with at least two conductors; an audio signal connector with at least two conductors; and at least six wiring connections between respective conductors and the power connector, the speed signal connector, and the audio signal connector.
Various options and modifications are available. For example, the interface may include a multi-pin socket connected to the at least six conductors.
Detailed reference will now be made to the drawings in which examples embodying the present disclosure are shown. The detailed description uses numeral and letter designations to refer to features in the drawings. Like or similar designations in the drawings and description have been used to refer to like or similar parts of the disclosure.
The drawings and detailed description provide a full and enabling description of the disclosure and the manner and process of making and using it. Each embodiment is provided by way of explanation of the subject matter not limitation thereof. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made to the disclosed subject matter without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment.
Generally speaking, the Figures depict several examples of a communications system 20 usable between an output multi-pin socket 40 having at least six conductors, which may be on an electrical keyboard musical instrument such as an organ 22, and an input multi-pin plug 42 (see
The communications system 20 may include a first interface device, such as connector box 26, having a multi-pin plug 44 having at least six conductors for connection to the at least six conductors of the outlet multi-pin socket 40. The first interface device includes connectors such as a first power connector 46 with two conductors, a first speed signal connector 48 with at least two conductors, a first audio signal connector 50 with at least two conductors, and at least six wiring connections (extending within cable 38) between respective conductors of the multi-pin plug 44 and the first power connector, the first speed signal connector, and the first audio signal connector. If desired, the wiring conductors within cable 38 may be attached directly to corresponding elements within organ 22 without use of multi-pin plug 44 or multi-pin socket 40 (i.e., via hardwiring ends of conductors within cable 38 to corresponding points within organ 22). Connectors 46,48,50 may be conventional Neutrik® brand socket connectors for use with cables 30, 32, and 34 which may be PowerCon and SpeakOn brand cables, or others.
All of conductors 52, 54, and 56 may be located in cable 38 in a legacy 6-conductor cable or within three separate 2-conductor cables separated according to function. Also, as noted, some or all of the conductors may be fed to and connected to different points via hardwiring or other connectors within organ 22 rather than the depicted connector 40. Thus, interface box 26 provides a connection and break-out capability, both powered and pass-though (discussed below), for further connection to amplifier 24 via cables 30, 32, and 34 and interface box 28.
Second interface device may be box 28 having a multi-pin socket 62 (see
Power cable 30 connects the first power connector 46 and the second power connector 64; speed cable 32 for connects the first speed signal connector 48 and the second speed signal connector 66; and audio cable 34 connects the first audio signal connector 50 and the second audio signal connector 68.
Different legacy system amplifiers and organs may operate in different ways, so that different types of signals may be carried by the cables 30, 32, and 34. For example, in amplifiers with at least one and commonly two speakers 78 and 80 and two respective rotating sound altering devices 82 and 84, each device may be driven by a dual motor arrangement (not shown) in which the dual motors for each device 82/84 cause the devices to rotate at different speeds (generating different sounds). Some legacy organ and amplifier system use a 120V AC on/off signal (organ to amplifier) through conductors of the legacy cables/6-pin connectors to provide such signaling. The speed signal can control a mechanical relay switch to select which of the dual motors is to be operated for the desired sound. Thus, such signal can be provided by cable 32 and its various connector and conductors from organ connector 40 to amplifier connector 42, incorporating and such signaling controls typically sent or received by the organ and/or amplifier. Alternatively, in some legacy systems, such motor control and/or switching signal is provided as an imbedded 32V DC signal embedded within the audio signal. In such case, power cable 32 can carry a 300V DC/ground signal from amplifier to organ, as is commonly done using conductors of existing legacy cables. Separating the power, control, and audio signals into separate cables may allow for better transmission and shielding, and more connection/disconnection options than use of legacy connectors. Such benefits are also available if 11-pin connector systems are used to carry the various signals that legacy organ and amplifier systems may require, although additional connectors and cables, and/or different multi-conductor connectors and cables, etc., may be required. Additionally, newer connector designs as employed herein allow twist-lock, spring-loaded engagements and such for more secure connection and prevention of disconnection than legacy 6- and 11-pin connectors.
Thus, the disclosed system may be employed as a retrofit cabling kit suitable for use connecting an organ 22 and an amplifier/speaker 24, wherein the organ is one of a Hammond® brand, model B3 or C3 organ and the speaker is one of a Leslie® brand, model 122 or 147 speaker. The system may be employed in whole or in part (i.e., just replacing a connection interface at the amp or the organ with a box 26 or 28 at one or the other), and modifying cables accordingly (i.e., having a legacy style six-pin connector attached at one end with cables that separate into the equivalent of cables 30, 32, and 34 at the other end). Also, as noted, plug and socket multi-pin connections to the organ and/or amplifier may be replaced with hardwired and/or other connections.
While one or more preferred embodiments have been described above, it is to be understood that any and all equivalent realizations of the disclosed subject matter are included within the scope and spirit thereof. Thus, the embodiments depicted are presented by way of example only and are not intended as limitations upon the present invention. Thus, while particular embodiments have been described and shown, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in this art that the present invention is not limited thereto since many modifications can be made. Therefore, it is contemplated that any and all such embodiments are included in the present invention as may fall within the literal or equivalent scope of the appended claims.
The present application is a Non-Provisional patent application and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/961,432, filed Jan. 15, 2020, which is incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62961432 | Jan 2020 | US |