Patent US3758698A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3758698A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fretted instrument fingerboard chord slide rule
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-10-12
•
Granted: 1973-09-11
•
Expires: 1992-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A 248/229 slide rule that simulates the finger board of fretted instruments is provided. The slide rule includes a housing having a plurality of longitudinally extending channels or guideways each of which is adapted to receiving an axially displaceable slide, one for each string of the instrument. A mask is provided having a number of openings arranged in a grid-like pattern that overlays the channels and the slides and which coincides with the strings and the frets of the instrument. One surface of each of the slides includes a reference mark that is visible as a distinctively colored dot through a selected one of the openings in the mask while the opposite or rear surface of each slide includes a sequential array of musical notes of the chromatic scale of the respective strings. The written note symbols on the rear surface of each slide successively register through openings in the rear surface of the housing in order to identify by letter the designation of the corresponding musical note indicated by the reference mark. The aforementioned abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application which, of course, is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
Inventors
- 👤 J Matyas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:06
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B15/00; G09B15/001; G09B15/004; G09B15/005; G09B15/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
A slide rule for a fretted musical instrument having a plurality of differently tuned strings, said slide rule comprising: a. a housing including a plurality of channels corresponding to the strings of the instrument, said channels being defined by a plurality of longitudinally extending, laterally spaced apart walls and a common base wall, there being further included a row of transversely oriented openings in said base wall, each of said base wall openings being in registry with one of said channels; b. a mask covering said channels, said mask having a plurality of openings therethrough, said openings being arrayed in a grid-like pattern defined by a plurality of generally longitudinally extending columns and a plurality of generally transversely extending rows, each of said columns of openings being in registry with one of said channels, said rows of openings being spaced apart from each other in the same proportion as the frets of the musical instrument; and c. an elongated, axially movable slide member positioned in each of said Channels, one surface of each of said slide members including a reference marker thereon, the other surface of each of said slide members including a sequential array of letter symbols representing the chromatic scale of the string corresponding to each said channel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
A slide rule for a fretted musical instrument having a plurality of differently tuned strings, said slide rule comprising: a. a housing including a plurality of channels corresponding to the strings of the instrument, said channels being defined by a plurality of longitudinally extending, laterally spaced apart walls and a common base wall, there being further included a row of transversely oriented openings in said base wall, each of said base wall openings being in registry with one of said channels; b. a mask covering said channels, said mask having a plurality of openings therethrough, said openings being arrayed in a grid-like pattern defined by a plurality of generally longitudinally extending columns and a plurality of generally transversely extending rows, each of said columns of openings being in registry with one of said channels, said rows of openings being spaced apart from each other in the same proportion as the frets of the musical instrument; and c. an elongated, axially movable slide member positioned in each of said Channels, one surface of each of said slide members including a reference marker thereon, the other surface of each of said slide members including a sequential array of letter symbols representing the chromatic scale of the string corresponding to each said channel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The slide rule in accordance with claim 1 wherein said row of base wall openings are proximate one end of said housing and said reference markers are proximate the other end of said housing when said slide members are inserted in said channels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The slide rule in accordance with claim 1 wherein said columns of openings in said mask converge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The slide rule in accordance with claim 1 wherein there is further included a transparent cover positioned over said mask.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The slide rule in accordance with claim 1 wherein each said reference marker is defined by an area having a color different than the remainder of said slide member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The slide rule in accordance with claim 1 wherein said housing further includes an end wall for limiting the inward movement of said slide members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The slide rule in accordance with claim 1 wherein there is further included a depression on each of said slide members proximate one end thereof for limiting the inward movement thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The slide rule in accordance with claim 1 wherein there is further included a bent tab integral with one end of each of said slide members for limiting the inward movement thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The slide rule in accordance with claim 1 wherein each slide member includes a longitudinal rib and said housing includes groove means for slidably receiving said ribs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The slide rule in accordance with claim 1 wherein said markers and symbols are raised whereby they may be sensed by a blind person.
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) | 1976-09-10 | 1977-03-12 | 1977-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-10 | 1981-03-12 | 1981-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-10 | 1985-03-12 | 1985-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |