Patent US3910152A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3910152A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stringed musical instrument having an attachment for changing musical key
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-05-13
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Granted: 1975-10-07
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Expires: 1994-05-13
Abstract
Abstract A stringed musical instrument employes a head portion, a sounding body, an interconnecting neck portion, a set of strings extending from the head portion along the neck portion to the body, a manually adjustable bridge device slidably mounted on the sounding body and over the extending strings, and base means on the bridge device provided with tongue and groove bearing means for making the adjustment, whereby the player of the musical instrument can selectively change the musical key to the desired pitch of the key without interrupting his playing thereof. The tongue and groove bearing means is either a rail-notch or projection-channel arrangement. In a modification, the bridge device is actuated by foot-pedals.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshinari Kusakawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:22
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10D; G10D3/00; G10D3/14; G10D3/147
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A stringed musical instrument comprising: a head portion, a sounding body, and an interconnecting neck portion, a set of strings extending from said head portion along said neck portion to said body, a manually adjustable bridge device slidably mounted on said sounding body and under said extending strings, said bridge device including base means for providing said adjustment hereto, said base means and said sounding body employing elongated tongue and groove bearing means engaging each other in a slidable manner and wires attached to spaced apart portions of said bridge device, each of said wires passing through a separate tubular bearing passageway in said sounding body and each terminating in a separate movable foot pedal means whereby when a foot pedal is depressed it will move the attached wire, which will in turn slide said bridge device with respect to said sounding body, whereby the player of the musical instrument can selectively change the musical key to the desired pitch of the key without interrupting his playing thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A stringed musical instrument comprising: a head portion, a sounding body, and an interconnecting neck portion, a set of strings extending from said head portion along said neck portion to said body, a manually adjustable bridge device slidably mounted on said sounding body and under said extending strings, said bridge device including base means for providing said adjustment hereto, said base means and said sounding body employing elongated tongue and groove bearing means engaging each other in a slidable manner and wires attached to spaced apart portions of said bridge device, each of said wires passing through a separate tubular bearing passageway in said sounding body and each terminating in a separate movable foot pedal means whereby when a foot pedal is depressed it will move the attached wire, which will in turn slide said bridge device with respect to said sounding body, whereby the player of the musical instrument can selectively change the musical key to the desired pitch of the key without interrupting his playing thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A stringed musical instrument according to claim 1 wherein the bearing surfaces of said tubular passageways in said sounding body have a smooth sliding finish.
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) | 1978-10-06 | 1979-04-07 | 1979-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-06 | 1983-04-07 | 1983-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-06 | 1987-04-07 | 1987-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |