US3647930A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tuning device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-07-07
•
Granted: 1972-03-07
•
Expires: 1989-07-07
Abstract
Abstract A tuning device of the capo-tasto-type for stringed instruments, wherein a supporting crossbeam carries a plurality of resilient pressure pieces, each contacting some of the strings of the instrument. In a preferred embodiment, the pressure pieces are spaced from the crossbeam and supported by individual supporting bridges above each string.
Inventors
- 👤 August H Wowries
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:17
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10D; G10D3/00; G10D3/053
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
A tuning device for plucking and strumming instruments, such as guitars, lutes and banjos, having a neck, a fingerboard and a plurality of strings extending longitudinally of the fingerboard, said tuning device comprising a crossbeam mounted on the neck and spanning the fingerboard, and at last two pressure pieces mounted on said crossbeam, each of said pressure pieces engaging at least some of the strings and comprising an elastic yieldable material into which each of the strings is pressed to a depth proportional to the diameter of the respective string, a leaf spring fixably arranged relative to the crossbeam, said leaf spring carrying said pressure pieces and being capable of being pressed in an arcuate configuration into the crossbeam against the effect of its own spring action between the free ends thereof, whereby said tuning device may be mounted on an instrument having a fingerboard of arcuate cross section, said crossbeam being provided with a groove bridged by said leaf spring, said leaf spring being pressed into said groove intermediate its ends, and the free ends of the leaf spring being supported by shoulders on the crossbeam which limit the length of the groove.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
A tuning device for plucking and strumming instruments, such as guitars, lutes and banjos, having a neck, a fingerboard and a plurality of strings extending longitudinally of the fingerboard, said tuning device comprising a crossbeam mounted on the neck and spanning the fingerboard, and at last two pressure pieces mounted on said crossbeam, each of said pressure pieces engaging at least some of the strings and comprising an elastic yieldable material into which each of the strings is pressed to a depth proportional to the diameter of the respective string, a leaf spring fixably arranged relative to the crossbeam, said leaf spring carrying said pressure pieces and being capable of being pressed in an arcuate configuration into the crossbeam against the effect of its own spring action between the free ends thereof, whereby said tuning device may be mounted on an instrument having a fingerboard of arcuate cross section, said crossbeam being provided with a groove bridged by said leaf spring, said leaf spring being pressed into said groove intermediate its ends, and the free ends of the leaf spring being supported by shoulders on the crossbeam which limit the length of the groove.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The tuning device as claimed in claim 1 including a headed screw, the head of the screw being sunk iN the crossbeam centrally with respect to the groove, the screw extending through an aperture in the leaf spring and a nut threaded onto the screw for supporting the leaf spring on the crossbeam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
A tuning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pressure pieces are spaced from said crossbeam, and further comprising a plurality of upstanding supporting bridges corresponding in number to the number of strings, each of said supporting bridges being disposed parallel to and aligned with one of the strings, said pressure pieces being supported by said crossbeam only at said supporting bridges.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US1823683A
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GB1048545A
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US3227028A
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US3185012A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-07 | 1975-09-06 | 1976-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-07 | 1979-09-06 | 1980-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-07 | 1983-09-06 | 1984-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |