Anita T Feldman

US Patent:

49552767, Sep 11, 1990

Filed:

Jun 23, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/370602

Inventors:

Anita Feldman - Port Washington NY
Daniel Schmidt - Berkeley CA

International Classification:

G10D 1308

US Classification:

84403

Abstract:

A tap dance platform for producing pitched sounds in response to energy imparted onto the surface of the platform having a flat base surface and parallel spaced-apart supports disposed on the flat base. Disposed on each of the spaced-apart supports are a plurality of flat spaced-apart keys which define a sound chamber between the base and the bottom of the keys. The supports are spaced-apart to engage the keys at their vibrational nodes. On the top surface of each of the spaced-apart supports are resilient strips to insulate the keys from the supports and the base to enhance the tonal sound. There are also provided side apertures in both the vertical supports and the side walls of the platform, to allow the sound to come out and to determine the desired sound quality. The ends of the platform are also recesses so that sound can travel out of each end of the platform. Thus, tap dancers can dance on the keys and create unique pitched, percussionlike sounds resembling a marimba.