US3733953A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stringed musical instrument with optoelectronic pickup sound amplifier
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-12-30
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Granted: 1973-05-22
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Expires: 1991-12-30
Abstract
Abstract A stringed instrument, such as an acoustical guitar, is provided with a compact, battery powered sound amplification unit attached thereto in an arrangement including cooperating optoelectronic devices situated adjacent the instrument''s strings. Each string intersects with a path of a light beam sent from a first lightemitting device toward a second light-detecting device so that vibration of a string modulates the intensity of light from the first device impinging on the second device to produce an electronic signal corresponding to the musical tone associated with any particular string vibration rate. The unit can be affixed to an acoustical guitar and utilized to drive a speaker or equivalent acoustic transducer situated within the sound box of the guitar so as to cause the transducer to produce amplified musical tones corresponding to the musical notes played on the strings of the guitar. The source of electric power for operating this device shall be situated on or within the guitar to provide a self-contained device that is not dependent on a source of domestic electric power.
Inventors
- 👤 D Ferber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:56
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H3/00; G10H3/12; G10H3/14; G10H3/18; G10H3/181; G01; G01H; G01H9/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
367 words
In combination with a musical instrument having a sound box in which an opening is fOrmed over which a plurality of parallel, laterally spaced, tensioned strings extend that are formed from a material that is less light conductive than air, an assembly operatively associated with said musical instrument for amplifying the sound from said strings when the latter are vibrated, said assembly including: a. electrically operated, sound reproduction means; b. a source of electric power; c. electric amplifier circuit means that connects said sound reproduction means and said source of electric power; and d. a plurality of electrically operated light emitting and light sensing means located on opposite sides of said strings and connected to said electric amplifier circuit means, with said strings so situated as to at least partially obstruct the beams of light between said light emitting and light sensing means, said strings when vibrating cooperating with said light emitting means to subject said light sensing means to a plurality of spaced pulses of light of the same frequencies as those at which said strings vibrate, and said light sensing means imparting electric signals to said electric amplifier circuit means to cause said sound reproduction means to reproduce the sounds of said vibrating springs at an amplified level, with said light sensing means including: 1. first and second NPN junctions that each includes a base, collector and emitter; 2. first, second and third resistors; 3. a first plurality of conductors that connect the base of said first NPN junction to said first resistor, the emitter of said second NPN junction to said second resistor, the collector of said second emitter to said third resistor, the collector of said first NPN junction to the collector of said second PN junction, and the emitter of said first NPN junction to the base of said second NPN junction; 4. a second conduit that connects said first and second resistors to the ground; 5. a third conductor connected to said third resistor, with said second and third conductors connected to said source of power; and 6. a fourth conductor connected to said collector of said second NPN junction, and said signal being emitted by said third and fourth conductors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
367 words
In combination with a musical instrument having a sound box in which an opening is fOrmed over which a plurality of parallel, laterally spaced, tensioned strings extend that are formed from a material that is less light conductive than air, an assembly operatively associated with said musical instrument for amplifying the sound from said strings when the latter are vibrated, said assembly including: a. electrically operated, sound reproduction means; b. a source of electric power; c. electric amplifier circuit means that connects said sound reproduction means and said source of electric power; and d. a plurality of electrically operated light emitting and light sensing means located on opposite sides of said strings and connected to said electric amplifier circuit means, with said strings so situated as to at least partially obstruct the beams of light between said light emitting and light sensing means, said strings when vibrating cooperating with said light emitting means to subject said light sensing means to a plurality of spaced pulses of light of the same frequencies as those at which said strings vibrate, and said light sensing means imparting electric signals to said electric amplifier circuit means to cause said sound reproduction means to reproduce the sounds of said vibrating springs at an amplified level, with said light sensing means including: 1. first and second NPN junctions that each includes a base, collector and emitter; 2. first, second and third resistors; 3. a first plurality of conductors that connect the base of said first NPN junction to said first resistor, the emitter of said second NPN junction to said second resistor, the collector of said second emitter to said third resistor, the collector of said first NPN junction to the collector of said second PN junction, and the emitter of said first NPN junction to the base of said second NPN junction; 4. a second conduit that connects said first and second resistors to the ground; 5. a third conductor connected to said third resistor, with said second and third conductors connected to said source of power; and 6. a fourth conductor connected to said collector of said second NPN junction, and said signal being emitted by said third and fourth conductors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
5 words
first, second and third resistors;
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
5 words
first, second and third resistors;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
An assembly as defined in claim 1 in which said instrument is an acoustic guitar, and with said sound reproduction means so positioned within said sound box as to direct the reproduced sounds of said strings away from said opening, and said sound box acting as a resonator to further amplify the reproduced amplified sounds of said strings from said sound reproduction means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An assembly as defined in claim 2 in which said sound reproduction means is an acoustic transducer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
a first plurality of conductors that connect the base of said first NPN junction to said first resistor, the emitter of said second NPN junction to said second resistor, the collector of said second emitter to said third resistor, the collector of said first NPN junction to the collector of said second PN junction, and the emitter of said first NPN junction to the base of said second NPN junction;
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
a first plurality of conductors that connect the base of said first NPN junction to said first resistor, the emitter of said second NPN junction to said second resistor, the collector of said second emitter to said third resistor, the collector of said first NPN junction to the collector of said second PN junction, and the emitter of said first NPN junction to the base of said second NPN junction;
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
a second conduit that connects said first and second resistors to the ground;
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
a second conduit that connects said first and second resistors to the ground;
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
An assembly as defined in claim 2 in which said sound reproduction means is a dynamic speaker.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
An assembly as defined in claim 1 which in addition includes: e. means for effecting relative lateral adjustment between said strings and said light emitting and light sensing means whereby said strings obstruct at least portions of said beams of light prior to the latter impinging on said light sensing means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
a third conductor connected to said third resistor, with said second and third conductors connected to said source of power; and
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
a third conductor connected to said third resistor, with said second and third conductors connected to said source of power; and
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
a fourth conductor connected to said collector of said second NPN junction, and said signal being emitted by said third and fourth conductors.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
a fourth conductor connected to said collector of said second NPN junction, and said signal being emitted by said third and fourth conductors.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
102 words
An assembly as defined in claim 1 in which said musical instrument includes a bridge over which said tensioned strings extend, and said assembly in addition including: e. a plurality of laterally adjustable supports mounted on said sound box adjacent said bridge, with each of said supports having one of said light emitting means and light sensing means mounted in spaced relationship thereon, and each of said supports being movable relative to one of said strings to a position where said string obstructs at least a portion of the beam of light from said light emitting means when said string is stationary.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
An assembly as defined in claim 1 in which said source of electric power is at least one battery removably situated at a fixed position relative to said sound box.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-21 | 1976-11-20 | 1977-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-21 | 1980-11-20 | 1981-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-21 | 1984-11-20 | 1985-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |