Patent US4878413A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4878413A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
String tuning and clamping device
Assignee: Fleet Capital Corp
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Filing: 1987-06-08
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Granted: 1989-11-07
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Expires: 2007-06-08
Abstract
Abstract A device for clamping and tuning strings which extend longitudinally between and past the nut and bridge of a musical instrument includes a base. The base includes a plurality of threaded shank elements. A plurality of threaded nuts are each threaded on a respective shank element. A plurality of actuators are each threaded on a respective threaded shank proximate to a respective threaded nut for selectively applying clamping pressure to a string position between a respective actuation means and threaded nut by rotating relative to a respective threaded nut and shank element. A plurality of cams are provided, each rotatably mounted on the base proximate to one of the strings at a position past the portion of the string between the nut and bridge for moving longitudinally relative to the extent of the string while displacing the string in a direction generally lateral to the longitudinal extent of the string when the cam is rotated for adjusting the pitch of the string by adjusting the tension of the string.
Inventors
- 👤 Ned Steinberger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 18:58
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10D; G10D3/00; G10D3/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A device for clamping and tuning strings which extend longitudinally between and past the nut and bridge of a musical instrument comprising: a base; clamping means mounted on the base for clamping the strings at a position past the portion of the string between the nut and bridge; and a plurality of cam means, each rotatably mounted on the base proximate to one of the strings at a position past the portion of the string between the nut and bridge and between the clamping means and one of the nut and bridge, for moving longitudinally relative to the extent of the string while displacing the string in a direction generally lateral to the longitudinal extent of the string when the cam means is rotated for adjusting the pitch of the string by adjusting the tension of the string.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
138 words
A device for clamping and tuning strings which extend longitudinally between and past the nut and bridge of a musical instrument comprising: a base; clamping means mounted on the base for clamping the strings at a position past the portion of the string between the nut and bridge; and a plurality of cam means, each rotatably mounted on the base proximate to one of the strings at a position past the portion of the string between the nut and bridge and between the clamping means and one of the nut and bridge, for moving longitudinally relative to the extent of the string while displacing the string in a direction generally lateral to the longitudinal extent of the string when the cam means is rotated for adjusting the pitch of the string by adjusting the tension of the string.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
166 words
A device for clamping and tuning strings which extend longitudinally between and past the nut and bridge of a musical instrument comprising: a base, the base including a plurality of threaded shank elements; a plurality of threaded nuts, each threaded on a respective shank element; and a plurality of actuation means, each threaded on a respective threaded shank proximate to a respective threaded nut for selectively applying clamping pressure to a string positioned between a respective actuation means and threaded nut by rotating relative to a respective threaded nut and shank element; and a plurality of tuning screws threaded into the base at a position past the portion of the string between the nut and bridge, each tuning screw having a proximal portion for manual engagement and distal portion for displacing a respective string in a direction generally lateral to the longitudinal extent of the string when the tuning screw is rotated for adjusting the pitch of the string by adjusting the tension of the string.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
166 words
A device for clamping and tuning strings which extend longitudinally between and past the nut and bridge of a musical instrument comprising: a base, the base including a plurality of threaded shank elements; a plurality of threaded nuts, each threaded on a respective shank element; and a plurality of actuation means, each threaded on a respective threaded shank proximate to a respective threaded nut for selectively applying clamping pressure to a string positioned between a respective actuation means and threaded nut by rotating relative to a respective threaded nut and shank element; and a plurality of tuning screws threaded into the base at a position past the portion of the string between the nut and bridge, each tuning screw having a proximal portion for manual engagement and distal portion for displacing a respective string in a direction generally lateral to the longitudinal extent of the string when the tuning screw is rotated for adjusting the pitch of the string by adjusting the tension of the string.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 2 including a plate means between the shank elements and the tuning screws for engaging the strings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 2 wherein the base includes slot means for confining lateral movement of the strings in the proximity of the tuning screws.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
170 words
A device for clamping and tuning strings which extend longitudinally between and past the nut and bridge of a musical instrument comprising: a base, the base including a plurality of threaded shank elements; a plurality of threaded nuts, each threaded on a respective shank element; and a plurality of actuation means, each threaded on a respective threaded shank proximate to a respective threaded nut for selectively applying clamping pressure to a string positioned between a respective actuation means and threaded nut by rotating relative to a respective threaded nut and shank element; and a plurality of cam means, each rotatably mounted on the base proximate to one of the strings at a position past the portion of the string between the nut and bridge for moving longitudinally relative to the extent of the string while displacing the string in a direction generally lateral to the longitudinal extent of the string when the cam means is rotated for adjusting the pitch of the string by adjusting the tension of the string.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
170 words
A device for clamping and tuning strings which extend longitudinally between and past the nut and bridge of a musical instrument comprising: a base, the base including a plurality of threaded shank elements; a plurality of threaded nuts, each threaded on a respective shank element; and a plurality of actuation means, each threaded on a respective threaded shank proximate to a respective threaded nut for selectively applying clamping pressure to a string positioned between a respective actuation means and threaded nut by rotating relative to a respective threaded nut and shank element; and a plurality of cam means, each rotatably mounted on the base proximate to one of the strings at a position past the portion of the string between the nut and bridge for moving longitudinally relative to the extent of the string while displacing the string in a direction generally lateral to the longitudinal extent of the string when the cam means is rotated for adjusting the pitch of the string by adjusting the tension of the string.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 5 including a plate means between the shank elements and the cam means for engaging the strings.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
142 words
A clamping device for the strings of a musical instrument comprising: a base, the base including a plurality of threaded shank elements, each threaded shank element including aperture means therethrough for confining a string; a plurality of threaded nuts, each threaded on a respective shank element; a plurality of two-sided movable clamping plates, one side of each plate being in opposed relation to a respective threaded nut, each movable clamping plate freely slidable relative to the threaded shank elements; and a plurality of actuation means, each threaded on a respective threaded shank element proximate to the other side of a respective movable clamping plate for selectively applying clamping pressure to a respective movable clamping plate by rotating relative to a respective threaded nut shank element and movable clamping plate, for clamping a string between a respective movable clamping plate and threaded nut.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
142 words
A clamping device for the strings of a musical instrument comprising: a base, the base including a plurality of threaded shank elements, each threaded shank element including aperture means therethrough for confining a string; a plurality of threaded nuts, each threaded on a respective shank element; a plurality of two-sided movable clamping plates, one side of each plate being in opposed relation to a respective threaded nut, each movable clamping plate freely slidable relative to the threaded shank elements; and a plurality of actuation means, each threaded on a respective threaded shank element proximate to the other side of a respective movable clamping plate for selectively applying clamping pressure to a respective movable clamping plate by rotating relative to a respective threaded nut shank element and movable clamping plate, for clamping a string between a respective movable clamping plate and threaded nut.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The clamping device of claim 7 wherein the movable clamping plate includes means for preventing rotation of the movable clamping plate relative to the base.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
The clamping device of claim 7 including stops, and wherein the threaded shank elements extend between the stops, and wherein the threaded nut, actuation means and movable clamping plate on each threaded shank are interposed between a pair of stops.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
93 words
A clamping device for the strings of a musical instrument comprising: a base, the base including a plurality of threaded shank elements, each threaded shank element including aperture means therethrough for confining a string; a plurality of threaded nuts, each threaded on a respective shank element; and a plurality of actuation means, each threaded on a respective threaded shank proximate to a respective threaded nut for selectively applying clamping pressure to a string positioned between a respective actuation means and threaded nut by rotating relative to a respective threaded nut and shank element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
93 words
A clamping device for the strings of a musical instrument comprising: a base, the base including a plurality of threaded shank elements, each threaded shank element including aperture means therethrough for confining a string; a plurality of threaded nuts, each threaded on a respective shank element; and a plurality of actuation means, each threaded on a respective threaded shank proximate to a respective threaded nut for selectively applying clamping pressure to a string positioned between a respective actuation means and threaded nut by rotating relative to a respective threaded nut and shank element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The clamping device of claim 10 wherein each threaded nut includes a circumferentially running thumb wheel portion means for facilitating rotation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The clamping device of claim 10 wherein the actuation means includes a lever portion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The clamping device of claim 10 wherein the plurality of threaded shank elements constitute a single threaded shank.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The clamping device of claim 10 wherein the base includes an integral string nut for the musical instrument.
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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) | 1992-11-06 | 1993-05-08 | 1993-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-06 | 1997-05-08 | 1997-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-06 | 2001-05-08 | 2001-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |