← Back to Patent Explorer
US3709084A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Transducer volume control for stringed musical instruments

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-08-16
•
Granted: 1973-01-09
•
Expires: 1991-08-16
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract The amplified output of a stringed musical instrument is momentarily reduced by a variable amount during intervals of engagement. Magnetic sensing means detecting such engagement provides a trigger pulse of short duration which is operative through a volume reducing control circuit to vary the output of an amplifier through which sound is fully amplified only during periods when the strings undergo free vibration.

Inventors

  • 👤 G Stobaugh

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 15:21
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/46; G10H3/00; G10H3/12; G10H3/14; G10H3/18; G10H3/182

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 111 words
In combination with a musical instrument having a string adapted to be vibrated by intermittent engagement during short intervals, an amplifier for increasing the volume of sound produced by free vibration of the string and volume changing means momentarily reducing the output of the amplifier during said short intervals, the improvement comprising proximity sensing means mounted in spaced adjacency to said string for detecting engagement of the string, signal generating means connected to the sensing means for developing a short duration signal during said intervals and signal transferring means connecting the signal generating means to the volume changing means for varying the output of the amplifier in response to said signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 111 words
In combination with a musical instrument having a string adapted to be vibrated by intermittent engagement during short intervals, an amplifier for increasing the volume of sound produced by free vibration of the string and volume changing means momentarily reducing the output of the amplifier during said short intervals, the improvement comprising proximity sensing means mounted in spaced adjacency to said string for detecting engagement of the string, signal generating means connected to the sensing means for developing a short duration signal during said intervals and signal transferring means connecting the signal generating means to the volume changing means for varying the output of the amplifier in response to said signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 28 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said sensing means comprises electromagnetic means connected to the signal generating means for establishing a magnetic field through which the string extends.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 32 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein the string is adapted to be engaged by a pick containing a material affecting the magnetic field to induce a trigger voltage in the electromagnetic means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 44 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein the signal generating means includes a source of voltage connected to the sensing means for operation thereof and switch control means connected to the source of voltage in parallel with the signal transferring means for shunting the same.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 44 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the signal generating means includes a source of voltage connected to the sensing means for operation thereof and switch control means connected to the source of voltage in parallel with the signal transferring means for shunting the same.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 28 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein said sensing means comprises electromagnetic means connected to the signal generating means for establishing a magnetic field Through which the string extends.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 121 words
In combination with a musical instrument having a string adapted to be vibrated by intermittent engagement during short intervals, an amplifier for increasing the volume of sound produced by free vibration of the string and volume changing means momentarily reducing the output of the amplifier during said short intervals, the improvement comprising magnetic sensing means underlying said string for establishing a magnetic field through which the string extends, signal generating means connected to the sensing means for developing a signal limited to said short intervals in response to said intermittent engagement of the string and signal transferring means connecting the signal generating means to the volume changing means for varying the amount by which the output of the amplifier is reduced.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 121 words
In combination with a musical instrument having a string adapted to be vibrated by intermittent engagement during short intervals, an amplifier for increasing the volume of sound produced by free vibration of the string and volume changing means momentarily reducing the output of the amplifier during said short intervals, the improvement comprising magnetic sensing means underlying said string for establishing a magnetic field through which the string extends, signal generating means connected to the sensing means for developing a signal limited to said short intervals in response to said intermittent engagement of the string and signal transferring means connecting the signal generating means to the volume changing means for varying the amount by which the output of the amplifier is reduced.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 50 words
The combination of claim 7 wherein the signal generating means includes a source of voltage connected to the sensing means for operation thereof and switch control means connected to the source of voltage in parallel with the signal transferring means for shunting the same in the absence of said signal.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US1838886A Cited
US2961912A Cited
US3290425A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1976-01-09 1976-07-10 1977-01-09 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1980-01-09 1980-07-10 1981-01-09 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1984-01-09 1984-07-10 1985-01-09 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag