US3680427A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for tuning stringed instruments
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-10-16
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Granted: 1972-08-01
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Expires: 1990-10-16
Abstract
Abstract An improved device for use in tuning stringed instruments of a type having a fingerboard and including thereon transversely oriented frets and a plurality of substantially parallel strings traversing said frets. The device conforms to an elongated bar adapted to be mounted on a fingerboard and includes an integrated pitch pipe, a plurality of raised fretting surfaces and a plurality of reliefs paired with the fretting surface so that a first string can be tuned to the tone of the pitch pipe, with all other strings thereafter being tuned in sequence as the bar is rotated in a manner such that one string of a pair of adjacent strings is fretted for producing a selected tone while the other string of the pair remains unfretted for accommodating a tuning thereof. A particular feature of the invention resides in its unitary and simplistic configuration which includes paired fretting surfaces and reliefs as well as an integrally related pitch pipe.
Inventors
- 👤 Pete P Valentino
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:48
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10D; G10D3/00; G10D3/053
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
An improved device for use in tuning a stringed instrument of the type having an elongated fingerboard including thereon transversely oriented frets and a plurality of substantially parallel strings traversing said frets comprising: A. an elongated bar of a substantially unitary configuration including means for mounting the bar on said fingerboard, adjacent a single fret, in a substantially transverse and contiguous relationship with said plurality of strings; and B. means integral with said bar, including a surface thereof, positionable in fretting relation with one string and in unfretted relation with an adjacent string for establishing a selected tone for said one string, to which said adjacent string is tuned.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
An improved device for use in tuning a stringed instrument of the type having an elongated fingerboard including thereon transversely oriented frets and a plurality of substantially parallel strings traversing said frets comprising: A. an elongated bar of a substantially unitary configuration including means for mounting the bar on said fingerboard, adjacent a single fret, in a substantially transverse and contiguous relationship with said plurality of strings; and B. means integral with said bar, including a surface thereof, positionable in fretting relation with one string and in unfretted relation with an adjacent string for establishing a selected tone for said one string, to which said adjacent string is tuned.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
94 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said means integral with said bar further includes a plurality of planar fretting surfaces, and means defining a plurality of transversely related reliefs, each having a length coinciding with the width of said bar and arranged adjacent a selected fretting surface, the combined length of said fretting surface and the relief being such as to accommodate a fretting of the one string and a release of the adjacent string, whereby the adjacent string can be tuned to the tone of the adjacent string fretted by the fretting surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
6 words
a plurality of fretting surfaces, and
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
6 words
a plurality of fretting surfaces, and
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
means defining a plurality of reliefs, each having a width coinciding with the width of said bar and arranged adjacent a selected fretting surface, the combined length of said fretting surface and the relief being such as to accommodate a fretting of one string and a release of an adjacent string, whereby the adjacent string can be tuned to the tone of said one string.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
means defining a plurality of reliefs, each having a width coinciding with the width of said bar and arranged adjacent a selected fretting surface, the combined length of said fretting surface and the relief being such as to accommodate a fretting of one string and a release of an adjacent string, whereby the adjacent string can be tuned to the tone of said one string.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
88 words
An improved device for use in tuning a stringed instrument of the type having an elongated fingerboard including thereon transversely oriented frets and a plurality of substantially parallel strings traversing said frets comprising: A. an elongated bar of a substantially unitary configuration including means for mounting the bar on said fingerboard in a substantially transverse and contiguous relationship with said plurality of strings; and B. means integrally related with said bar for accommodating an establishment of a selected tone for each string of said plurality of strings including,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
88 words
An improved device for use in tuning a stringed instrument of the type having an elongated fingerboard including thereon transversely oriented frets and a plurality of substantially parallel strings traversing said frets comprising: A. an elongated bar of a substantially unitary configuration including means for mounting the bar on said fingerboard in a substantially transverse and contiguous relationship with said plurality of strings; and B. means integrally related with said bar for accommodating an establishment of a selected tone for each string of said plurality of strings including,
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said means integrally related with said bar further includes means comprising an uninterrupted surface for simultaneously fretting all of said strings of said plurality for accommodating a changing of the key of the instrument.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said fretting surfaces are of substantially planar configuration and are arranged in a plurality of angularly related planes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said plurality of reliefs are employed sequentially, and wherein each relief of said plurality of reliefs is contiguous to a preceding relief and is disposed within a plane extending normally to the plane in which the preceding relief is disposed, whereby each succeeding relief and fretting surface is rendered effective by rotating said bar about its own axis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
72 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said elongated bar is of a length sufficient to traverse said fingerboard, the means for mounting the bar on said fingerboard includes a pair of coaxially related, and oppositely extended pivot pins supported at the opposite ends of said bar in coaxial relationship therewitH, and a resilient strap adapted to pass beneath the fingerboard instrument and includes eyelets adapted to receive said pair of pivot pins.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 5 further comprising a continuous surface defining a CAPO for use in changing the key of the instrument.
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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) | 1975-08-01 | 1976-01-31 | 1976-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-01 | 1980-01-31 | 1980-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-01 | 1984-01-31 | 1984-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |