US3722345A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stringed musical instrument body construction
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-10-23
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Granted: 1973-03-27
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Expires: 1990-10-23
Abstract
Abstract A structure for the soundbox of a stringed musical instrument is disclosed wherein the peripheral side wall is formed with channels at its bottom and top edges. The bottom and top of the body of the stringed instrument have flange portions on their peripheral edges which engage the channels on the side wall to form the soundbox. Mechanical and/or chemical means for strengthening the coupling between top and bottom flange portions of the body and the side wall channels is provided.
Inventors
- 👤 R Dopera
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 03:42
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10D; G10D3/00; G10D3/02; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/4957; Y10T29/49574
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
In a soundbox for a stringed musical instrument having a bottom portion having a first flange along its periphery and facing generally vertically upward; a top portion of shape matching the bottom portion, and having a second flange along its periphery facing generally vertically downward; a peripheral side wall of shape matching the bottom and top portions and having two edges, an upper edge and a lower edge, the lower edge of the side wall having a first channel adapted to receive said first flange to form a first joint and the upper edge of the side wall having a second channel adapted to receive said second flange to form a second joint, whereby the soundbox is formed; the improvement comprising: a plurality of parallel, longitudinally extending decorative material receiving grooves on the outer surface and extending the length of said peripheral side wall, and corresponding parallel, longitudinally extending ribs on the peripheral inner surface of said side wall, said ribs serving to reinforce said side wall.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
In a soundbox for a stringed musical instrument having a bottom portion having a first flange along its periphery and facing generally vertically upward; a top portion of shape matching the bottom portion, and having a second flange along its periphery facing generally vertically downward; a peripheral side wall of shape matching the bottom and top portions and having two edges, an upper edge and a lower edge, the lower edge of the side wall having a first channel adapted to receive said first flange to form a first joint and the upper edge of the side wall having a second channel adapted to receive said second flange to form a second joint, whereby the soundbox is formed; the improvement comprising: a plurality of parallel, longitudinally extending decorative material receiving grooves on the outer surface and extending the length of said peripheral side wall, and corresponding parallel, longitudinally extending ribs on the peripheral inner surface of said side wall, said ribs serving to reinforce said side wall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The soundbox of claim 1, wherein said grooves are dovetailed in order to receive and hold decorative inlay strips correspondingly dovetailed.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
289 words
A method of making a soundbox for a stringed musical instrument which comprises the steps of: a. extruding an elongated sheet having an upper and a lower edge and first and second ends, while forming a first channel in said upper edge, a second channel in said lower edge, a plurality of grooves in one surface of said sheet extending the length of said sheet, and a plurality of ribs in the other surface of said sheet extending the length of said sheet, and said grooves and ribs being parallel to said upper and lower edges and said grooves being adapted to receive decorative inlay strips; b. locating decorative inlay strips in said grooves; c. wrapping said sheet around a forming block, said block being shaped to the desired contour of a sidewall for said soundbox and having grooves on its peripheral wall surface corresponding to the ribs formed in the inner surface of said sheet, the ribs on said sheet fitting into the grooves on said block as said sheet is wrapped around said block, d. securing the two ends of the sheet material together to retain the shape of said side wall; e. forming a top portion of said soundbox, said top portion being formed with a flange extending generally vertically downward; f. forming a bottom portion for said soundbox, said bottom portion being formed with a flange extending generally vertically upward; g. fitting the downwardly extending flange of the top portion into the first channel of the peripheral side wall to form a first joint; h. Fitting the upwardly extending flange on the bottom portion into the second channel of the peripheral side wall to form a second joint, thereby completing the assembly of said soundbox.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
289 words
A method of making a soundbox for a stringed musical instrument which comprises the steps of: a. extruding an elongated sheet having an upper and a lower edge and first and second ends, while forming a first channel in said upper edge, a second channel in said lower edge, a plurality of grooves in one surface of said sheet extending the length of said sheet, and a plurality of ribs in the other surface of said sheet extending the length of said sheet, and said grooves and ribs being parallel to said upper and lower edges and said grooves being adapted to receive decorative inlay strips; b. locating decorative inlay strips in said grooves; c. wrapping said sheet around a forming block, said block being shaped to the desired contour of a sidewall for said soundbox and having grooves on its peripheral wall surface corresponding to the ribs formed in the inner surface of said sheet, the ribs on said sheet fitting into the grooves on said block as said sheet is wrapped around said block, d. securing the two ends of the sheet material together to retain the shape of said side wall; e. forming a top portion of said soundbox, said top portion being formed with a flange extending generally vertically downward; f. forming a bottom portion for said soundbox, said bottom portion being formed with a flange extending generally vertically upward; g. fitting the downwardly extending flange of the top portion into the first channel of the peripheral side wall to form a first joint; h. Fitting the upwardly extending flange on the bottom portion into the second channel of the peripheral side wall to form a second joint, thereby completing the assembly of said soundbox.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 3, which further comprises placing rivets at spaced locations through said first and second joints to secure said top and bottom portions to said peripheral side wall.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 4, which further comprises applying an epoxy resin to the first and second flanges and to the first and second channels before fitting the flanges into the respective channels to form the first and second joints.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-26 | 1976-09-25 | 1977-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-26 | 1980-09-25 | 1981-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-09-25 | 1985-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |