Patent US3592096A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3592096A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Pitch-varying apparatus for string instruments
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-08-04
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Granted: 1971-07-13
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Expires: 1989-08-04
Abstract
Abstract A tension-varying system and a mechanical linkage system therefor for varying the normal tones of guitar strings while the instrument is being played. The tension-varying system include for each guitar string two parallel, juxtaposed wires stretched between the end walls of and within the guitar body. One of the wires is connected at one end to the guitar body and at the other to a lever arm which by means of a spring is connected to the opposing wall of the guitar body. The other wire is likewise connected to one end to the same lever arm and at its other end to a second lever arm to which the guitar string is attached. When the former wire is depressed or further stretched it lowers the tone of the string while depressing or stretching the other wire raises the tone. In one embodiment (FIGS. 2-5) the second lever arm is straight and unitary while in a second, preferred embodiment (FIGS. 6-8) the lever arm is pivoted and two piece and can break inwardly or outwardly. The mechanical linkage system (FIG. 9) for actuating the tension-varying system by depressing one or the other of the wires, includes uniform elements which have flexibility and adjustability.
Inventors
- 👤 Bryan D Ritter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:00
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10D; G10D3/00; G10D3/14; G10D3/147
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A pitch-varying apparatus for stringed instruments having at least one sound-producing string (12,112) comprising: A. a first elongated, pliant member (4,104) fixedly attached at one end to the instrument; B. a movement-translating member (1,101a-101b) having the soundproducing string attached thereto; C. a second elongated, pliant member (3,103) attached at one end to said movement-translating member; D. restricted means (5,105), to which is attached the other ends of said first and second elongated members, for permitting movement of said other end of said second elongated member when said first elongated member is under added tension but not permitting movement when said second elongated member is under added tension; and E. mechanical actuating means (16-19) for selectively and independently putting said added tension on said first and second elongated members; whereby when said mechanical actuating means puts said added tension on said elongated members, the tension on the sound-producing string is varied.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A pitch-varying apparatus for stringed instruments having at least one sound-producing string (12,112) comprising: A. a first elongated, pliant member (4,104) fixedly attached at one end to the instrument; B. a movement-translating member (1,101a-101b) having the soundproducing string attached thereto; C. a second elongated, pliant member (3,103) attached at one end to said movement-translating member; D. restricted means (5,105), to which is attached the other ends of said first and second elongated members, for permitting movement of said other end of said second elongated member when said first elongated member is under added tension but not permitting movement when said second elongated member is under added tension; and E. mechanical actuating means (16-19) for selectively and independently putting said added tension on said first and second elongated members; whereby when said mechanical actuating means puts said added tension on said elongated members, the tension on the sound-producing string is varied.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said movement-translating member is a Class A or first order elongated lever arm (1) rotatable about an axis between its two extremities and having the sound-producing string (12) attached to one extremity of the lever arm and said second elongated member (3) attached to the other extremity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said movement-translating member includes at least two subelements (101a, 101b) connected together by a pivot element (102a), the sound-producing string (112) being attached to one and second elongated member (103) being attached to the other, the two subelements at its outer extremities being restrained (102b, 130) from translatory movement but capable of pivotal movement; whereby said movement-translating member can break inwardly or outwardly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said restricted means comprises an elongated arm pivotably mounted on the instrument, said two elongated members being attached to said lever arm on the same side of the pivot point, and relatively strong resilient means attached to said lever arm for permitting movement of said lever arm when said first elongated member is under added tension but not permitting movement when said second elongated member is under added tension.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said two elongated, pliant members are parallel, juxtaposed wires running a substantial extent along the length of the instrument.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said wires run generally parallel to the sound-producing string.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said mechanical actuating means comprises two parallel, independently rotatable rods (19) running perpendicularly across said two parallel wires, each of said rotatable rods having a projecting arm (94) extending along and parallel to one of said wires, said projecting arm having a connecting member (16,95) attached thereto and extending to said one of said wires and connected thereto; whereby tension is applied to each of said wires by rotating its corresponding rod.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
111 words
A pitch-varying apparatus for stringed instruments having at least one sound-producing string (12,112) comprising elongated, pliant means (3, 103, or 4, 104) connected to the sound-producing string for varying the tone or pitch thereof and mechanical actuating means (16-19) for applying tension to said elongated member to cause it to vary the tone or pitch of said sound-producing string, the said mechanical actuating means comprising a rotatable rod (19) having a projecting arm (94) extending generally parallel to said elongated member, said projecting arm having a connecting member (16,95) attached thereto and extending and connected to said elongated member; whereby tension is applied to said elongated member by rotating said rod.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
111 words
A pitch-varying apparatus for stringed instruments having at least one sound-producing string (12,112) comprising elongated, pliant means (3, 103, or 4, 104) connected to the sound-producing string for varying the tone or pitch thereof and mechanical actuating means (16-19) for applying tension to said elongated member to cause it to vary the tone or pitch of said sound-producing string, the said mechanical actuating means comprising a rotatable rod (19) having a projecting arm (94) extending generally parallel to said elongated member, said projecting arm having a connecting member (16,95) attached thereto and extending and connected to said elongated member; whereby tension is applied to said elongated member by rotating said rod.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said projecting arm is threaded and in screwing relationship with said rod and the length of the projecting portion of the arm can be varied by screwing the arm in and out; whereby the tension being applied on said elongated member can be easily varied.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said connecting member is connected to said elongated member by an open, hooking element (16); so that the connection can be simply and easily made anywhere along the length of said elongated member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said mechanical actuating means further includes an adjustable eyebolt projection (96) which can be screened in and out of said rod, a connecting rod (17) attached to said eyebolt, and a foot pedal attached to the other end of said connecting rod; whereby the amount of rotation of the rod can be easily varied by said eyebolt and said rod can be caused to rotate by depressing said foot pedal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3390600A
Cited
US3407697A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-12 | 1975-01-11 | 1975-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-12 | 1979-01-11 | 1979-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-12 | 1983-01-11 | 1983-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |