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US6806411B1 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Microtuner for stringed musical instruments

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 2003-04-03
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Granted: 2004-10-19
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Expires: 2023-04-03
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Abstract

Abstract The invention is a microtuner, for stringed musical instruments with a headstock and individual strings, that includes a roller cam assembly which receives an individual string, and a tuner assembly, which receives the individual string from the roller cam assembly and adjustably presses down onto the individual string. There is also a lever lock string system assembly that pinches down onto the individual string and releasably locks it into position. A clamp or screw assembly secures the microtuner to the headstock. The cam of the microtuner can also be made of a variety of materials to produce an overall sharper sound or an overall softer sound.

Inventors

  • 👤 Timothy M. Allen

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 19:12
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10D; G10D3/00; G10D3/14

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 136 words
A microtuner for a stringed musical instrument with a headstock and individual strings, comprising: a roller cam assembly which receives an individual string, the roller cam assembly including a cam to receive the individual string, a cam housing to hold the cam, a removable cam pin through the housing for rotatably mounting the cam, and a height adjustment screw to both secure the housing in place and also adjust the height of the individual string by vertically adjusting the position of the housing; a tuner assembly which receives the individual string from the roller cam assembly and adjustably presses down onto the individual string; a lever lock string system assembly that pinches down onto the individual string and releasably locks it into a single position; and a clamp assembly that secures the microtuner to the headstock.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 136 words
A microtuner for a stringed musical instrument with a headstock and individual strings, comprising: a roller cam assembly which receives an individual string, the roller cam assembly including a cam to receive the individual string, a cam housing to hold the cam, a removable cam pin through the housing for rotatably mounting the cam, and a height adjustment screw to both secure the housing in place and also adjust the height of the individual string by vertically adjusting the position of the housing; a tuner assembly which receives the individual string from the roller cam assembly and adjustably presses down onto the individual string; a lever lock string system assembly that pinches down onto the individual string and releasably locks it into a single position; and a clamp assembly that secures the microtuner to the headstock.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 16 words
The microtuner according to claim 1 , where the cam is made of hard metal material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 16 words
The microtuner according to claim 1 , where the cam is made of soft nonmetal material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 110 words
A microtuner for a stringed musical instrument with a headstock and individual strings, comprising: a roller cam assembly which receives an individual string; a tuner assembly which receives the individual string from the roller cam assembly and adjustably presses down onto the individual string, the tuner assembly including an adjustable screw with a bottom end that threads an aperture on a casing and can be screwed down or screwed up towards the individual string below the adjustable screw; a lever lock string system assembly that pinches down onto the individual string and releasably locks it into a single position; and a clamp assembly that secures the microtuner to the headstock.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 110 words
A microtuner for a stringed musical instrument with a headstock and individual strings, comprising: a roller cam assembly which receives an individual string; a tuner assembly which receives the individual string from the roller cam assembly and adjustably presses down onto the individual string, the tuner assembly including an adjustable screw with a bottom end that threads an aperture on a casing and can be screwed down or screwed up towards the individual string below the adjustable screw; a lever lock string system assembly that pinches down onto the individual string and releasably locks it into a single position; and a clamp assembly that secures the microtuner to the headstock.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 23 words
The microtuner according to claim 4 , where the adjustable screw has a horizontal shim between the bottom end and the individual string.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 98 words
A microtuner for a stringed musical instrument with a headstock and individual strings, comprising: a roller cam assembly which receives an individual string; a tuner assembly which receives the individual string from the roller cam assembly and adjustably presses down onto the individual string; a lever lock string system assembly that pinches down onto the individual string and releasably locks it into a single position; and a clamp assembly that secures the microtuner to the headstock, the clamp assembly having a ball hinge clip that is used to releasably wrap around the headstock of the stringed musical instrument.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 98 words
A microtuner for a stringed musical instrument with a headstock and individual strings, comprising: a roller cam assembly which receives an individual string; a tuner assembly which receives the individual string from the roller cam assembly and adjustably presses down onto the individual string; a lever lock string system assembly that pinches down onto the individual string and releasably locks it into a single position; and a clamp assembly that secures the microtuner to the headstock, the clamp assembly having a ball hinge clip that is used to releasably wrap around the headstock of the stringed musical instrument.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2007-10-19 2008-04-19 2008-10-19 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2011-10-19 2012-04-19 2012-10-19 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2015-10-19 2016-04-19 2016-10-19 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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