Patent US4213369A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4213369A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Appalachian dulcimer lapboard
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1978-06-27
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Granted: 1980-07-22
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Expires: 1998-06-27
Abstract
Abstract A lapboard for an Appalachian dulcimer or like instrument holds the instrument in position on a person's lap and out of contact with the lap to enhance the tone level and quality of the instrument. Spring-loaded flap members of the lapboard contact the person's legs to prevent movement of the lapboard and of the instrument while the instrument is being played.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L. Swartwout
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 10:23
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10D; G10D1/00; G10D1/12; G10G; G10G5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
Apparatus for supporting a dulcimer on a person's lap, said apparatus comprising: first means for supporting and gripping said dulcimer; means attached to said first means for grasping the person's legs, whereby said apparatus and said dulcimer are held in substantially fixed position on the person's lap; said first means including a substantially planar base member and support means in operative relationship with said base member for receiving said dulcimer and for positioning said dulcimer in spaced apart relationship with respect to said base member; and said support means including first support members fixedly attached to and adjacent a first end of said base member and extending above the substantially planar surface of said base member, and second support members movably attached to and adjacent to a second end of said base member and extending above the substantially planar surface of said base member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
Apparatus for supporting a dulcimer on a person's lap, said apparatus comprising: first means for supporting and gripping said dulcimer; means attached to said first means for grasping the person's legs, whereby said apparatus and said dulcimer are held in substantially fixed position on the person's lap; said first means including a substantially planar base member and support means in operative relationship with said base member for receiving said dulcimer and for positioning said dulcimer in spaced apart relationship with respect to said base member; and said support means including first support members fixedly attached to and adjacent a first end of said base member and extending above the substantially planar surface of said base member, and second support members movably attached to and adjacent to a second end of said base member and extending above the substantially planar surface of said base member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said leg grasping means include: a first flap member hingedly attached to said base member at a predetermined, fixed location on said base member; a slide member movably attached to said base member; and a second flap member hingedly attached to said slide member, whereby the distance between said flap members can be adjusted by movement of said slide member to accommodate different lap sizes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said base member defines a first pair of elongated openings extending in substantially parallel relationship to one another and located between said first and second support members, said apparatus further including first fastening means extending through said openings and attached in adjustable relationship to said slide member for enabling said second flap member and said slide member to be moved relative to said first flap member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said base member defines a second pair of elongated openings located adjacent said second end of said base member, said apparatus further including second fastening means extending through said second pair of openings and attached in adjustable relationship to said second support members for enabling said second support members to be moved to accommodate dulcimers or other like instruments of various sizes and shapes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein each of said first support members includes a first support surface located above and substantially parallel with respect to said planar surface of said base member for receiving and supporting a portion of said dulcimer, and an arcuate surface extending upwardly from and substantially at a right angle with respect to said support surface for engaging said dulcimer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein each of said second support members includes a second support surface located above and substantially parallel with respect to said planar surface of said base member for receiving and supporting a portion of said dulcimer, and an additional surface extending upwardly from and substantially at a right angle with respect to said second surface for engaging said dulcimer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as in claim 6 further including a cork material attached to each of said first and second support surfaces and to each of said arcuate and additional surfaces for protecting the dulcimer against damage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as in claim 7 further including spring-loaded hinges attaching said first and second flap members to said base member and to said slide member, respectively.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
97 words
Apparatus as in claim 8 wherein each of said flap members defines an inner surface for contacting the person's legs and an outer surface opposed to said inner surface, said apparatus further including a first spring attached to said outer surface of said first flap member and also attached to said base member, and a second spring attached to said outer surface of said second flap member and also attached to said slide member, said springs acting to prevent said flap members from hitting against said base member when the apparatus is removed from the person's lap.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
135 words
In a stringed musical instrument to be played on a person's lap and having a sound box at least partially defined by a bottom plate, the improvement comprising: a base member spaced apart from said bottom plate; mounting members permanently attached to and between said bottom plate and said base member for maintaining said bottom plate and said base member in spaced apart relationship; means attached to said base member for grasping the person's legs, whereby said instrument is held in substantially fixed position on the person's lap and whereby the sound quality of the instrument is enhanced by avoiding contact of the bottom plate of the sound box with the person's lap; and wherein said bottom plate and said base member are substantially the same size and shape and wherein each is substantially planar.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
135 words
In a stringed musical instrument to be played on a person's lap and having a sound box at least partially defined by a bottom plate, the improvement comprising: a base member spaced apart from said bottom plate; mounting members permanently attached to and between said bottom plate and said base member for maintaining said bottom plate and said base member in spaced apart relationship; means attached to said base member for grasping the person's legs, whereby said instrument is held in substantially fixed position on the person's lap and whereby the sound quality of the instrument is enhanced by avoiding contact of the bottom plate of the sound box with the person's lap; and wherein said bottom plate and said base member are substantially the same size and shape and wherein each is substantially planar.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
72 words
An instrument as in claim 10 wherein said leg grasping means include: a first flap member hingedly attached to said base member at a predetermined, fixed location on said base member; a slide member movably attached to said base member; and a second flap member hingedly attached to said slide member, whereby the distance between said flap members can be adjusted by movement of said slide member to accomodate different lap sizes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
An instrument as in claim 11 further including spring-loaded hinges attaching said first and second flap members to said base member and to said slide member, respectively.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
98 words
An instrument as in claim 12 wherein each of said flap members defines an inner surface for contacting the person's legs and an outer surface opposed to said inner surface, said instrument further including a first spring attached to said outer surface of said first flap member and also attached to said base member, and a second spring attached to said outer surface of said second flap member and also attached to said slide member, said springs acting to prevent said flap member from hitting against said base member when the instrument is removed from the person's lap.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-07-22 | 1984-01-21 | 1984-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-07-22 | 1988-01-21 | 1988-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-07-22 | 1992-01-21 | 1992-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |