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US3854370A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Training aid for stringed musical instrument

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-05-01
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Granted: 1974-12-17
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Expires: 1994-05-01
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Abstract

Abstract A fingerboard having a light transmitting substrate is spaced from the neck of a guitar or similar musical instrument. A plate, having a finger placement pattern thereon, is received in the space between the neck and the fingerboard. In one embodiment, the plate is opaque and the pattern comprises light transmitting areas. Light is transmitted from a source within the neck through the light transmitting areas to the fingerboard. According to an alternate embodiment, the light source is integral with the plate. Several plates are provided, each having a designated finger placement pattern thereon.

Inventors

  • 👤 S Sapinski

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-28 20:22
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10D; G10D1/00; G10D1/04; G10D1/05; G10D3/00; G10D3/06

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim 134 words
A training aid for stringed instruments of the type having a neck and fingerboard, including guitars and mandolins, for assisting the player thereof in the proper placement of fingers on the fingerboard, said training aid comprising in combination: a. a stringed instrument neck; b. a fingerboard carried by said neck including i. an elongate light transmitting substrate spaced from said neck, ii. a plurality of spaced transverse frets upon the outer Surface of said substrate, and iii. a plurality of spaced strings extending longitudinally of said substrate over said frets; c. a fingering indicator including i. a plate insertable between said neck and said substrate carrying illuminatable indicia corresponding to a preselected fingering pattern; d. means for illuminating said indicia, and e. locating and retaining means for registering said chord indicator with said fingerboard.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 134 words
A training aid for stringed instruments of the type having a neck and fingerboard, including guitars and mandolins, for assisting the player thereof in the proper placement of fingers on the fingerboard, said training aid comprising in combination: a. a stringed instrument neck; b. a fingerboard carried by said neck including i. an elongate light transmitting substrate spaced from said neck, ii. a plurality of spaced transverse frets upon the outer Surface of said substrate, and iii. a plurality of spaced strings extending longitudinally of said substrate over said frets; c. a fingering indicator including i. a plate insertable between said neck and said substrate carrying illuminatable indicia corresponding to a preselected fingering pattern; d. means for illuminating said indicia, and e. locating and retaining means for registering said chord indicator with said fingerboard.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US1324274A Cited
US3153970A Cited
FR1325933A Cited
US3218904A Cited
FR1428567A Cited
US3403591A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1977-12-16 1978-06-17 1978-12-17 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1981-12-16 1982-06-17 1982-12-17 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1985-12-16 1986-06-17 1986-12-17 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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