US4074606A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Musical instrument truss rod assembly
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-10-20
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Granted: 1978-02-21
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Expires: 1996-10-20
Abstract
Abstract In a truss rod assembly for adjusting the curvature of the neck of a musical instrument of the type including an elongate, curved truss rod positionable within the instrument neck and having one end thereof fixed thereto, the other end thereof being movable to increase or decrease the tension on the truss rod to adjust the curvature of the instrument neck, there is disclosed an improvement wherein a major part of the central portion of the truss rod is flattened to increase the flexibility thereof, such flattening of the truss rod being in a plane perpendicular to the plane of curvature of the truss rod.
Inventors
- 👤 C. Leo Fender
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 00:39
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10D; G10D1/00; G10D1/04; G10D1/05; G10D1/08; G10D3/00; G10D3/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
In a musical instrument of the type including a neck having a slot in one side thereof for receipt of a truss rod assembly, said truss rod assembly including an elongate, curved truss rod, a fixed anchor nut at one end of said truss rod, and a washer and tension nut at the other end of said truss rod, rotation of said tension nut increasing or decreasing the tension on said truss rod to adjust the curvature of said instrument neck, the improvement wherein a major portion of said truss rod, between said anchor nut and said washer, is flat in a plane perpendicular to the plane of curvature of said truss rod to increase the flexibility of said truss rod.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a musical instrument of the type including a neck having a slot in one side thereof for receipt of a truss rod assembly, said truss rod assembly including an elongate, curved truss rod, a fixed anchor nut at one end of said truss rod, and a washer and tension nut at the other end of said truss rod, rotation of said tension nut increasing or decreasing the tension on said truss rod to adjust the curvature of said instrument neck, the improvement wherein a major portion of said truss rod, between said anchor nut and said washer, is flat in a plane perpendicular to the plane of curvature of said truss rod to increase the flexibility of said truss rod.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
In a musical instrument according to claim 1, the improvement wherein said truss rod is initially entirely circular in cross-section and wherein said flat portion is subsequently flattened in a press.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
77 words
In a truss rod assembly for adjusting the curvature of the neck of a musical instrument of the type including an elongate truss rod positionable within said instrument neck and having one end thereof fixed thereto, the other end thereof being movable to increase or decrease the tension on said truss rod to adjust the curvature of said instrument neck, the improvement wherein the central portion of said truss rod is flattened to increase the flexibility thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
77 words
In a truss rod assembly for adjusting the curvature of the neck of a musical instrument of the type including an elongate truss rod positionable within said instrument neck and having one end thereof fixed thereto, the other end thereof being movable to increase or decrease the tension on said truss rod to adjust the curvature of said instrument neck, the improvement wherein the central portion of said truss rod is flattened to increase the flexibility thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
In a truss rod assembly according to claim 3, the improvement wherein said truss rod is flattened in a plane perpendicular to the plane of curvature thereof.
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) | 1981-02-20 | 1981-08-22 | 1982-02-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-20 | 1985-08-22 | 1986-02-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-20 | 1989-08-22 | 1990-02-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |