US4106387A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stringed musical instrument
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-03-19
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Granted: 1978-08-15
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Expires: 1996-03-19
Abstract
Abstract A stringed musical instrument including a panel provided with a plurality of playing strings extended longitudinally thereon. Tuning keys are provided at one end of the panel and one end each of the playing strings is secured thereto, while the other ends of the playing strings are operatively associated to a pitch changing device. The pitch changing device is located at the other end of the panel and comprises a plurality of individual units, one for each string carried by the musical instrument. The individual units are capable of producing a bi-directional string tension adjustment in every string associated therewith in either direction, simultaneously, or separately, to provide an increase in the tension of the string, and therefore, raise the pitch thereof, or to provide a decrease in the tension of the string, and therefore, lower the pitch thereof. The bi-directional string tension adjustment can be accomplished by the mutual cooperation of a pair of levers pivotally mounted side by side on a shaft supported across the panel.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur William Alifano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:25
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10D; G10D3/00; G10D3/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
306 words
A stringed musical instrument including: a means supporting thereon a plurality of strings, a plurality of tuning keys each having one end of a corresponding string attached thereto for controllably tensioning said strings to a basic normally tuned condition corresponding to a predetermined nominal tone, tone changing means connected to the other end of each string including a shaft and a pair of operable members pivotally supported on said shaft and each capable of being rotated about said shaft from a normal first position to a second variable position, actuation of either of said members to its second variable position altering the pitch of the associated string by an amount dependent on the second variable position, the first of said operable members comprising an elongated flat member having an arcuate head, an oblong hole, and an eccentric cam slot means the other end of each of said strings being operatively connected to the upper end of a corresponding first member, the second of said operable members comprising substantially the same configuration as said first lever with a circular hole and an extending controlling pin, said oblong hole of said first lever being aligned with said circular hole of said second lever, said controlling pin registering within said eccentric cam slot means, a plurality of pedals and means for coupling any one of said pedals to either of said operable members for any said string to selectively change the pitch of any string by an amount dependent on which pedal is actuated, and means responsive to the concurrent actuation of a pair of pedals coupled respectively to both said operable members associated with any string to produce a third change of pitch of said string which is different from the amount of pitch change occuring in response to actuation of either of said pair of pedals alone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
306 words
A stringed musical instrument including: a means supporting thereon a plurality of strings, a plurality of tuning keys each having one end of a corresponding string attached thereto for controllably tensioning said strings to a basic normally tuned condition corresponding to a predetermined nominal tone, tone changing means connected to the other end of each string including a shaft and a pair of operable members pivotally supported on said shaft and each capable of being rotated about said shaft from a normal first position to a second variable position, actuation of either of said members to its second variable position altering the pitch of the associated string by an amount dependent on the second variable position, the first of said operable members comprising an elongated flat member having an arcuate head, an oblong hole, and an eccentric cam slot means the other end of each of said strings being operatively connected to the upper end of a corresponding first member, the second of said operable members comprising substantially the same configuration as said first lever with a circular hole and an extending controlling pin, said oblong hole of said first lever being aligned with said circular hole of said second lever, said controlling pin registering within said eccentric cam slot means, a plurality of pedals and means for coupling any one of said pedals to either of said operable members for any said string to selectively change the pitch of any string by an amount dependent on which pedal is actuated, and means responsive to the concurrent actuation of a pair of pedals coupled respectively to both said operable members associated with any string to produce a third change of pitch of said string which is different from the amount of pitch change occuring in response to actuation of either of said pair of pedals alone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The stringed musical instrument as defined in claim 1 wherein a stop bar mounted transversely with respect to said first member and said second member, behind the lowermost rearward portion thereof, provides positive counterclockwise positioning for said first member and said second member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The stringed musical instrument as defined in claim 2 wherein said second member is operatively connected to a tensed resilient link at the lower end thereof, whereby both members are bias loaded against said stop bar; said first member by the pulling action of the string tension and said second member by the pulling action of the tensed resilient link.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
170 words
The stringed musical instrument as defined in claim 1 wherein said eccentric cam slot means comprises a plurality of eccentric cam slot surfaces, a first cam surface adjacent to the upper rearward end of said first member, a second cam surface positioned below said first cam surface and having a curved crest extending in from the rearward portion of said first member, and a third cam surface positioned below said second cam surface extending downwardly toward the rearward portion of said first member, each of said cam surfaces cooperating with said controlling pin in an abutting engagement between said first and second members, whereby the relative rotation of said first member about the supporting shaft with respect to said second member in response to the pedal operated means will decrease the tension of the string associated with said members, and the relative rotation of said second member about said shaft with respect to said first member in response to said pedal operated means will increase the tension of said string.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
The stringed musical instrument as defined in claim 1 wherein said coupling means comprises a plurality of frames positioned substantially parallel to said strings and spaced vertically from one another, said frames comprising forward and rearward transverse members, and lateral end members defining a rectangular opening therethrough, said members extending downwardly through said opening, and a plurality of pedals each operatively connected to a respective one of said frames.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
90 words
The stringed musical instrument as defined in claim 5 which further comprises a plurality of screws adjustably mounted in said rearward transverse member and projecting therethrough; each said screw being co-planar with a respective one of said members and movable in and out of said opening for controlling the rotational movement of the associated member about the supporting shaft, whereby the degree of change in the tension of a predetermined string or strings may be selectively controlled by the relative position of said screws in and out of said opening.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
The stringed musical instrument as defined in claim 5 wherein said plurality of frames are slidably constrained to horizontal linear movement by supporting means extending vertically downwardly, each said frame being movable in parallel grooves in said supporting means; whereby upon actuation of a pedal produces translational movement of a corresponding frame to actuate selected ones of said members and change the pitch of the string associated therewith.
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) | 1981-08-14 | 1982-02-13 | 1982-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-08-14 | 1986-02-13 | 1986-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-08-14 | 1990-02-13 | 1990-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |