Communications system, retrofit cabling kit, and retrofit connector interface

Abstract

A retrofit cabling kit is suitable for use connecting an organ and a speaker, wherein the organ may be one of a Hammond brand, model B3 or C3 organ and the speaker may be one 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.

Claims

1. A communications system configured to connect an output multi-pin socket having at least six conductors and an input multi-pin plug having at least six conductors, the communications system comprising: a first interface device having a multi-pin plug having at least six conductors configured 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 the at least six conductors of the multi-pin plug and the two conductors of the first power connector, the at least two conductors of the first speed signal connector, and the at least two conductors of the first audio signal connector; a second interface device having a multi-pin socket having at least six conductors configured 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 the at least six conductors of the multi-pin socket and the two conductors of the second power connector, the at least two conductors of the second speed signal connector, and the at least two conductors of the second audio signal connector; a power cable configured for connecting the first power connector and the second power connector; a speed cable configured for connecting the first speed signal connector and the second speed signal connector; and an audio cable configured for connecting the first audio signal connector and the second audio signal connector.

2. The communications system of claim 1, wherein the input multi-pin plug is a component of an amplifier assembly controlling a speaker assembly of the amplifier assembly.

3. The communications system of claim 2, wherein the speaker assembly includes a speaker configured for producing audio, a rotatable device adjacent the speaker configured to modify the audio produced by the speaker, and a motor configured for rotating the rotatable device, wherein when the multi-pin socket is operatively connected to the input multi-pin plug the power cable powers the amplifier assembly which in turn powers the motor, a signal transmitted via the speed cable controls a speed of the motor, and a signal transmitted by the audio cable activates the speaker to produce the audio.

4. The communications system of claim 3, wherein the amplifier assembly includes two of the speaker assemblies.

5. The communications system of claim 2, wherein the second interface device includes a housing configured for attachment to a housing of the amplifier assembly with the multi-pin socket connected to the input multi-pin plug.

6. The communications system of claim 5, wherein the housing of the second interface device is configured to be spaced from power sockets on the housing of the amplifier assembly used to power a motor used to rotate a rotatable device modifying audio produced by a speaker.

7. The communications system of claim 1, wherein the output multi-pin socket is a component of an electric keyboard instrument for providing power to the electric keyboard instrument, for providing a speed signal to the speed cable, and for providing an audio signal to the audio cable.

8. The communications system of claim 7, wherein the first interface device includes a housing configured for attachment to the electric keyboard instrument with the multi-pin plug connected to the output multi-pin socket.

9. The communications system of claim 1, wherein the output multi-pin socket is a component of one of a Hammond brand, model B3 or C3 organ and the input multi-pin plug is a component of one of a Leslie brand, model 122 or 147 speaker.

10. The communications system of claim 1, wherein the output multi-pin socket, the input multi-pin plug, the multi-pin plug, and the multi-pin socket each have one of six or eleven conductors.

11. A retrofit cabling kit configured to connect 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, the retrofit cabling kit comprising: a first interface device having at least six conductors configured 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 the at least six conductors of the first interface device and the two conductors of the first power connector, the at least two conductors of the first speed signal connector, and the at least two conductors of the first audio signal connector; a second interface device having at least six conductors configured 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 the at least six conductors of the second interface device and the two conductors of the second power connector, the at least two conductors of the second speed signal connector, and the at least two conductors of the second audio signal connector; a power cable configured for connecting the first power connector and the second power connector; a speed cable configured for connecting the first speed signal connector and the second speed signal connector; and an audio cable configured for connecting the first audio signal connector and the second audio signal connector.

12. The kit of claim 11, wherein the first interface device has a multi-pin plug connected to the at least six conductors of the first interface device configured for connection to the organ.

13. The kit of claim 11, wherein the second interface device has a multi-pin socket connected to the at least six conductors of the second interface device configured for connection to the speaker.

14. A retrofit cabling kit configured to connect 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, the retrofit cabling kit comprising: a first interface device having at least six conductors configured for connection to the organ, the first interface device also having a power inlet connector with two conductors configured for receiving mains power, a 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 of the first interface device configured for connection to the organ and the two conductors of the power inlet connector, the at least two conductors of the first speed signal connector, and the at least two conductors of the first audio signal connector; a second interface device having at least six conductors configured 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 ones of the at least six conductors of the second interface device and the two conductors of the second power connector, the at least two conductors of the second speed signal connector, and the at least two conductors of the second audio signal connector; a power cable configured for connecting the first power connector and the second power connector; a speed cable configured for connecting the first speed signal connector and the second speed signal connector; and an audio cable configured for connecting the first audio signal connector and the second audio signal connector.

15. The kit of claim 14, wherein the first interface device has a multi-pin plug connected to the at least six conductors of the first interface device configured for connection to the organ.

16. The kit of claim 14, wherein the second interface device has a multi-pin socket connected to the at least six conductors of the second interface device configured for connection to the speaker.

17. A retrofit connector interface configured to connect an organ and a speaker, wherein the organ is one of a Hammond brand, model B3 or C3 organ, the retrofit connector interface comprising: at least six conductors configured 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 ones of the at least six conductors and the two conductors of the power connector, the at least two conductors of the speed signal connector, and the at least two conductors of the audio signal connector.

18. The interface of claim 17, further including a multi-pin plug connected to the six conductors configured for connection to the organ.

19. The interface if of claim 17, further including 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.

20. A retrofit connector interface configured to connect an organ and a speaker, wherein the speaker is a Leslie brand, model 122 or 147 speaker, the retrofit connector interface comprising: at least six conductors configured 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 ones of the at least six conductors and the two conductors of the power connector, the at least two conductors of the speed signal connector, and the at least two conductors of the audio signal connector.

21. The interface of claim 20, further including a multi-pin socket connected to the at least six conductors.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a kit of the present disclosure connecting an organ and an amplifier cabinet.

(2) FIG. 2A is an isometric view of a legacy 11-pin plug and socket interface.

(3) FIG. 2B is an isometric view of a legacy 11-pin socket and plug interface.

(4) FIG. 3 is an end view of connectors of such a legacy 11-pin interface.

(5) FIG. 4 is an end view of connectors of a legacy 6-pin interface.

(6) FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a connector kit according to the present disclosure showing two connector boxes and connector and power cables.

(7) FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a connector box useful with an organ.

(8) FIG. 7 is a front view of the connector box of FIG. 6.

(9) FIG. 8 is a top view of the connector box of FIG. 6.

(10) FIG. 9 is a schematic view of one possible powered connector and conductor arrangement for the connector box of FIG. 6.

(11) FIG. 10 is a schematic view of one possible pass-through connector and conductor arrangement for the connector box of FIG. 6

(12) FIG. 11 an isometric view of a connector box useful with an amplifier cabinet, with its lid removed.

(13) FIG. 12 is a front (inverted) view of the connector box of FIG. 11.

(14) FIG. 13 is a top view of the connector box of FIG. 11.

(15) FIG. 14 is a side (inverted) view of the connector box of FIG. 11.

(16) FIG. 15 is an isometric view showing attachment of the connector box of FIG. 11 to an amplifier portion of an amplifier cabinet, as in FIG. 1, with one connector connected.

(17) FIG. 16 is an isometric view as in FIG. 15, with the connector box removed, showing connection points (6-pin socket and screws).

(18) FIG. 17 is a partial schematic cross-section showing connection of the connector box and amplifier portion as in FIG. 15.

(19) FIG. 18 is a schematic view of one possible connector and conductor arrangement for the connector box of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(20) 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.

(21) 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.

(22) 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 FIG. 16) having at least six conductors, which may be on an amplifier portion 76 of an amplifier cabinet 24. Interfaces may take the form of connector boxes 26 and 28 on the organ and amplifier, respectively, connected by cables 30, 32, and 34. In some embodiments, as discussed below multi-pin socket 40 and/or multi-pin plug 42 may be partially or wholly bypassed or eliminated via hardwiring to internal conductors within the respective organ and/or amplifier, and/or by using other types of connectors.

(23) 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.

(24) FIG. 10 shows that conductors 52a and 52b of pass-through version of box 26 provide power signals, conductors 54a and 54b provide speed signals, and conductors 56a and 56b provide audio signals to and from organ 22 via cable 38 and either 6-pin socket and plug 40, 44, or hardwiring. FIG. 7 shows an optional cover 86 in place over an electric socket 58 if it is not to be used in such pass-through design. FIG. 9 shows a modified powered version of box 26 in which electric mains cable 36 (see FIG. 1) provides input to box 26 via input socket connector 58. In FIG. 9 conductors 52c and 52d connect connector 46 to connector 58, and conductors 52e and 52f connect connector 58 to organ 22 via 6-pin socket and plug 40,44 or hardwiring. In all examples, a gland 60 or other secure opening cover may be provided for feeding conductors from box 26 to organ 22.

(25) 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.

(26) Second interface device may be box 28 having a multi-pin socket 62 (see FIG. 13) having at least six conductors for connection to the at least six conductors of the input multi-pin plug 42 (see FIG. 16). Second interface device has a second power connector 64 with two conductors, a second speed signal connector 66 with at least two conductors, a second audio signal 68 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 (conductors 70a and 70b), the second speed signal connector (conductors 72a and 72b), and the second audio signal connector (conductors 74a and 74b). Box 28 is attachable to amplifier portion 76 with 6-pin socket 62 attached to 6-pin plug 42. Box 28 is sized and configured to be removably attachable to amplifier portion 76 as located on legacy Leslie brand amplifiers at a bottom rear portion without damaging or unduly impeding access to other plugs and elements (tubes, etc.), for example using exciting hardware connectors already in place. As above, if desired, plug and socket 42,62 could be eliminated and conductors could be hardwired to the amplifier and/or one or more other connectors could be employed.

(27) 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.

(28) 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.

(29) 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.

(30) FIGS. 11-17 show aspects of the system that allows it to be used well with legacy amplifiers. As shown, amplifier portion 76 of amplifier cabinet 24 is located at a bottom edge and includes 6-pin connector 42. Other electric plug sockets 87a-e for connecting motors and other elements within the system are provided, adjacent a fuse 88, and amplified sound transmitting wires 90. Amplifier portion 76 has a bottom plate 92 for mounting to cabinet bottom 94 via a base plate 96, grommets 98a and 98b, nuts 100, bolts 102, and washers 104. To attach box 28, lid 106 of box 28 is removed using screws 108, and connector 62 is attached to connector 42. Nuts 100 are loosened (or removed) to allow washers 104 to move upwardly enough that flanges 110, 112 can be slid into place beneath washer using L-shaped slots 114, 116 in flanges to receive bolts 102. Nuts are then tightened to clamp flanges 110 and 112 beneath washers 104 to hold box 28 in place on amplifier portion 76. Lid 106 can then be replaced. If desired, a lower flange 118 can be provided to extend downwardly from box 28 to provide a further line of contact with cabinet bottom 94 to support and protect the connection and elements above.

(31) 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.