US3955461A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Musical instrument stabilizer
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-03-17
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Granted: 1976-05-11
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Expires: 1995-03-17
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for stabilizing a stringed musical instrument, while held by a musician, of the type having a body and fretted neck. The apparatus may comprise: a support member for resting against the trunk of the musician's body; a rod member attached at one end to the support member and projecting generally away from the musician's body trunk; and a mounting member attached to the back of the instrument body and engageable by the other end of the rod member to generally support the instrument in an oblique plane for better viewing of the fretted neck.
Inventors
- 👤 Clarence L. Ivie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:10
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10G; G10G5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for stabilizing a stringed musical instrument, while held by a musician, of the type having a body and fretted neck, said apparatus comprising: a support member for resting against the trunk of said musician's body; a rod member attached at one end to said support member and projecting generally away from said musician's body trunk; and a mounting member attached to the back of the body of said instrument and engageable by the other end of said rod member to generally support said instrument in an oblique plane for better viewing of said fretted neck, said mounting member being disengageable by said other end of said rod member to facilitate storage of said instrument.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for stabilizing a stringed musical instrument, while held by a musician, of the type having a body and fretted neck, said apparatus comprising: a support member for resting against the trunk of said musician's body; a rod member attached at one end to said support member and projecting generally away from said musician's body trunk; and a mounting member attached to the back of the body of said instrument and engageable by the other end of said rod member to generally support said instrument in an oblique plane for better viewing of said fretted neck, said mounting member being disengageable by said other end of said rod member to facilitate storage of said instrument.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said mounting member and said other end of said rod member make up a swivel joint about which said instrument may swivel within predetermined limits.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 in which said swivel joint comprises a ball member at said other end of said rod member engageable with a socket on said mounting member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 in which said rod member is bent so that its axis near said other end is further away from the horizontal than its axis at said one end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said one end of said rod member and said support member are connected by adjustable connection means to permit limited extension and retraction of said rod member relative to said musician's trunk.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 including lock means for locking said adjustable connection means to prevent further extension and retraction of said rod member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 in which said adjustable connection means comprises cooperable male and female threads on said support member and one end of said rod member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
121 words
Apparatus for stabilizing a stringed musical instrument, while held by a musician, of the type having a body and fretted neck, said apparatus comprising: an arcuate support member for resting against the trunk of said musician's body; a rod member attached at one end to said support member and projecting generally away from said musician's body trunk; a ball member at the other end of said rod member; and a socket member mounted on the body of said instrument and engageable by said ball member to generally support said instrument in an oblique plane for better viewing of said fretted neck and disengageable by said ball member to leave said instrument free of said support, rod and ball members for storage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
121 words
Apparatus for stabilizing a stringed musical instrument, while held by a musician, of the type having a body and fretted neck, said apparatus comprising: an arcuate support member for resting against the trunk of said musician's body; a rod member attached at one end to said support member and projecting generally away from said musician's body trunk; a ball member at the other end of said rod member; and a socket member mounted on the body of said instrument and engageable by said ball member to generally support said instrument in an oblique plane for better viewing of said fretted neck and disengageable by said ball member to leave said instrument free of said support, rod and ball members for storage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 in which said rod member is adapted for limited extension and retraction relative to said musician's body trunk.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 in which the axis of said ball member is further away from the horizontal than the axis of said rod member at said one end.
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) | 1979-05-11 | 1979-11-10 | 1980-05-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-05-11 | 1983-11-10 | 1984-05-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-05-11 | 1987-11-10 | 1988-05-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |