US3858480A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stringed instrument
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-10-26
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Granted: 1975-01-07
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Expires: 1993-10-26
Abstract
Abstract A stringed instrument, such as a guitar, having an elongated, relatively rigid frame designed to withstand compression loads greater than the combined tension load of the strings. Flexibly connected at opposite ends to the frame is a fretted neck which is shaped toit the hand of the player, without consideration of structural strength. The strings are attached at opposite ends to the top and bottom ends of the frame, and extend lengthwise over the fretted neck, passing over a bridge and electrical pickup transducer mounted on the frame. The tuning gears for the strings are also mounted on the frame near the bottom end thereof. The fretted neck is connected to a cross piece on the frame by tension-adjusting screws, which can be tightened to exert a tension on the neck so as to pull it straight. The tension load of the strings is carried entirely by the frame, and the fretted neck is supported under tension just below the strings, the said tension serving to pull it straight.
Inventors
- 👤 William A Schneider
- 👤 Stanley C Hirsch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:16
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10D; G10D1/00; G10D1/04; G10D1/05; G10D1/08; G10D1/085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A stringed instrument comprising in combination: an elongated, relatively rigid frame designed to withstand a compression stress applied to the ends thereof at least equal to the tension load of the strings; a fretted neck extending generally parallel to said frame and attached at opposite ends to the frame, said neck being flexibly connected at one end to said frame, whereby bending stresses are prevented from being transmitted to the neck from the frame; a plurality of strings attached to opposite ends of said frame and extending lengthwise of said fretted neck just above the top surface thereof; a bridge on said frame over which said strings are carried; means for adjusting the tension in each of said strings so as to tune them; and means for amplifying the musical tones produced by said strings; said frame taking the entire tension load of said strings, leaving said fretted neck entirely free of compression stresses.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A stringed instrument comprising in combination: an elongated, relatively rigid frame designed to withstand a compression stress applied to the ends thereof at least equal to the tension load of the strings; a fretted neck extending generally parallel to said frame and attached at opposite ends to the frame, said neck being flexibly connected at one end to said frame, whereby bending stresses are prevented from being transmitted to the neck from the frame; a plurality of strings attached to opposite ends of said frame and extending lengthwise of said fretted neck just above the top surface thereof; a bridge on said frame over which said strings are carried; means for adjusting the tension in each of said strings so as to tune them; and means for amplifying the musical tones produced by said strings; said frame taking the entire tension load of said strings, leaving said fretted neck entirely free of compression stresses.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A stringed instrument as in claim 1, wherein said fretted neck is connected under tension to said frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A stringed instrument as in claim 2, wherein said fretted neck is connected at one end to said frame by means of screw-threaded members which can be turned to adjust the tension in the neck.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
104 words
A stringed instrument as in claim 1, wherein said frame comprises a pair of laterally spaced, generally parallel, lengthwise extending side members which are connected together at their ends by top and bottom cross pieces; said fretted neck being disposed between said side members and generally parallel thereto, the neck being flexibly connected at one end to said top cross piece, and at the other end to said frame at a point remote from said top cross piece; said bridge, string tension adjusting means, and amplifying means being mounted on said frame between said side frame members below said other end of said neck.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A stringed instrument as in claim 4, wherein said frame has a third cross piece extending between said side members between said top and bottom crOss pieces; said fretted neck being connected at said other end to said third cross piece.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A stringed instrument as in claim 5, wherein said other end of said fretted neck is connected to said third cross piece by tension-adjusting screws.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A stringed instrument as in claim 5, wherein said amplifying means includes an electrical pickup transducer mounted on said third cross piece below said strings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A stringed instrument as in claim 5, wherein said fretted neck is connected at its top end by first hinge means to said top cross piece, and at its bottom end by second hinge means to said third cross piece.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
77 words
A stringed instrument as in claim 5, wherein said frame also includes another piece disposed midway between said side members and extending generally parallel thereto, said other piece being connected at one end to said bottom cross piece, and at the other end to said third cross piece; said string tension adjusting means and said bridge being mounted on said other piece; and said amplifying means including an electrical pickup transducer mounted on said third cross piece.
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) | 1978-01-06 | 1978-07-08 | 1979-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-06 | 1982-07-08 | 1983-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-06 | 1986-07-08 | 1987-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |