US3724312A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Soundboards for string instruments having plastic foam body with harder outer layers
Assignee: Nippon Gakki Co Ltd
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Filing: 1971-03-23
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Granted: 1973-04-03
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Expires: 1991-03-23
Abstract
Abstract A soundboard is made of a body of plastic foam material which is supplemented by means for improving the vibration transmission characteristics. The means may be a pair of cross-grained thin sheets of harder material than the plastic foam material bonded on both surfaces of the body or may be inserts of harder material disposed in through-holes perforated in the soundboard, the inserts abutting directly on a bridge and ribs, respectively, coupled to both surfaces of the soundboard.
Inventors
- 👤 T Yamada
- 👤 T Matsumoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 11:51
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B7/00; B32B7/02; B32B7/022; B32B5/00; B32B5/22; B32B5/24; B32B5/245; B32B5/02; B32B5/12; B32B5/18; B32B5/26; G; G10; G10D; G10D3/00; G10D3/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A soundboard for use in a string musical instrument comprising: a body of plastic foam material; a bridge attached on one surface of said body; rib members attached on the other surface of said body and crossing said bridge at angles thereto; said body having through-holes perforated between said bridge and said rib members; and a plurality of inserts of harder material than said plastic foam material, said inserts being disposed in said through-holes and abutting on said bridge and rib members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
A soundboard for use in a string musical instrument comprising: a body of plastic foam material; a bridge attached on one surface of said body; rib members attached on the other surface of said body and crossing said bridge at angles thereto; said body having through-holes perforated between said bridge and said rib members; and a plurality of inserts of harder material than said plastic foam material, said inserts being disposed in said through-holes and abutting on said bridge and rib members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
72 words
A soundboard for use in a string musical instrument comprising: a body of plastic foam material, said body having generally opposing major surfaces; and first and second reinforcement members bonded respectively on both major surfaces of said body, said reinforcement members having substantially unidirectionally running fibers, the fibers of said reinforcement members crossing substantially at right angles to one another, and said reinforcement members being formed of harder material than said body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
A soundboard for use in a string musical instrument comprising: a body of plastic foam material, said body having generally opposing major surfaces; and first and second reinforcement members bonded respectively on both major surfaces of said body, said reinforcement members having substantially unidirectionally running fibers, the fibers of said reinforcement members crossing substantially at right angles to one another, and said reinforcement members being formed of harder material than said body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A soundboard as claimed in claim 2 wherein the fibers of said first reinforcement member run substantially in one direction, and the fibers of said second reinforcement member run in a direction substantially perpendicular to said one direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A soundboard as claimed in claim 2 wherein each of said first and second reinforcement members comprises a plurality of layers bonded together, the fibers of adjacent ones of said layers crossing substantially at right angles to each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
A soundboard as claimed in claim 2 further comprising third and fourth reinforcement members bonded respectively on said first and second reinforcement members, said third and fourth reinforcement members being formed of harder material than said body, said third and fourth reinforcement members being smaller in area than said first and second reinforcement members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A soundboard as claimed in claim 5 wherein said third and fourth reinforcement members are disposed substantially on the central part of said soundboard body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
74 words
A soundboard as claimed in claim 5 further comprising: a bridge attached on the outer surface of said third reinforcement member; rib members attached on the outer surface of said fourth reinforcement member, said rib members crossing said bridge at angles thereto; and a plurality of inserts of harder material than said plastic foam material, said inserts being disposed in througH-holes perforated in said soundboard body and abutting on said bridge and rib members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A soundboard as claimed in claim 5 wherein said third and fourth reinforcement members have a higher Young''s Modulus than that of said body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
72 words
A soundboard as claimed in 2 further comprising a bridge attached on the outer surface of said first reinforcement member; rib members attached on the outer surface of said second reinforcement member, said rib members crossing said bridge at angles thereto; and an insert of harder material than said plastic foam material, said insert being disposed in a through-hole perforated in said soundboard body and abutting on said bridge and rib members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A soundboard as claimed in claim 9 comprising a plurality of said inserts disposed in respective through-holes perforated in said soundboard body, said inserts abutting on said bridge and rib members.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A soundboard as claimed in claim 2 wherein said reinforcement members are substantially thinner than said body of plastic foam material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A soundboard as claimed in claim 2 wherein said reinforcement members comprise members formed of hard wood.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A soundboard as claimed in claim 2 wherein said reinforcement members comprise members formed of plastic material reinforced with unidirectionally running glass fibers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A soundboard as claimed in claim 2 wherein said reinforcement members have a higher Young''s Modulus than that of said body.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A soundboard as claimed in claim 2 wherein said reinforcement members comprise members formed of wooden material, said unidirectionally running fibers comprising the grain of said wooden material.
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) | 1976-04-02 | 1976-10-02 | 1977-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-02 | 1980-10-02 | 1981-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-10-02 | 1985-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |