Patents Examined by Kimberly R. Lockett
  • Patent number: 11972744
    Abstract: A plastic ukulele has a sound board, a fretboard, a head plate and a lower half of the body integrated into a complete ukulele body. Attached to the bottom surface of the sound board are two paralleled outline reinforcing ribs which are in parallel with the outline of soundboard on the inside. The sound board has a sound hole in the upper middle part. Around the sound hole are two sets of lengthwise and widthwise paralleled reinforcing ribs. The part of sound board which is surrounded by the lower widthwise reinforcing ribs and the lower bout of outline reinforcing ribs is resonance section with a thickness of 1.0-1.4 mm only. Attached to the bottom surface of resonance section is a grid bracing structure in a one-piece molding with the sound board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Inventor: Zhengliang Cao
  • Patent number: 11967301
    Abstract: A ligature for a woodwind mouthpiece includes a ligature strap with a carbon fiber portion and at least one flexible strap portion attached to and extending from the carbon fiber portion along one of the side edges. The flexible strap portion is folded over to form two layers of flexible strap, and a pair of rods are disposed between the two layers of one of the flexible strap portions. A closure mechanism passes through the flexible strap portion and each rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Rovner Products Incorporated
    Inventor: George Reeder
  • Patent number: 11961497
    Abstract: The invention relates to an alto flute set having a flute body (5) with tone holes, one mouthpiece (1), a straight extension (3) connectable to the flute body (5) and to the one mouthpiece (1), a curved extension (4) connectable to the flute body (5) and to the one mouthpiece (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Inventor: Tobias Mancke
  • Patent number: 11955103
    Abstract: The present specification relates to a sound-generating reed for a wind instrument which contains at least one thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: neo-plastic Dr. Roetsch Dierspeck GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Kraus, Hubertus Freiherr von und zu Franckenstein
  • Patent number: 11948540
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing a musical instrument string includes positioning an elongate wrap wire in a position to be wound about an elongate core wire having a round cross-sectional shape, the core wire including a core, a coating surrounding the core and a cylindrical outer surface. Winding of the wrap wire about the core wire is performed under winding conditions to cause the wrap wire to form a helical impression in the coating in which the wrap wire is situated. Material of the coating is selected to enable the coating to flow and form the impression and move upward into spaces between adjacent wrap wire windings. The winding conditions include tension on the core wire, tension on the wrap wire, winding speed and a temperature to which the core wire and/or wrap wire are heated. Glue or another adhesive is not used to bond the wrap wire and the core wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: DR Music, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Klukosky
  • Patent number: 11948541
    Abstract: The present invention provides a trombone finger positioner, comprising a cylindrical structure, wherein said cylindrical structure having a pointer finger cut-out, a middle finger cut-out ,and a thumb cut-out; said cylindrical structure also incorporates a vertical cut and an opening along its full length; the pointer finger cut-out and middle finger cut-out have a major axis aligned along the Y-axis and the minor axis aligned along the X-axis, and the center of both the grooves are in the Y-axis; and said thumb cut-out is opposite to the middle finger cut-out and their centers are on the same axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Inventor: Mihir Mahesh
  • Patent number: 11942064
    Abstract: An apparatus for removably attaching gripping members to a mute to hold the mute inside the bell of a musical instrument while the instrument is being played or moved. The apparatus has a gripping member that grips the inner surface of the bell, a rail associated with the outer surface of the mute and a tray member that removably engages the rail while moveably supporting the gripping member. In one configuration, adhesives attaches the rail to the mute and the gripping member to the tray member and the tray member slidably engages the rail. A latch securely locks the tray member on the rail. The system includes the apparatus, additional gripping members, mute and instrument. The method describes the steps of attaching and replacing gripping members on a mute to easily and quickly reposition the mute in the bell or allow use of the mute with other instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Inventor: Nathan James Sobieralski
  • Patent number: 11935506
    Abstract: A device for playing a stringed musical instrument comprises (a) a handle-like member to be gripped by a hand of a user; and ((b) a plectrum holder of a mechanically connectable to the handle-like member. The plectrum holder is configured for releasably clamping a plectrum. The receptacle comprises a resilient receptacle having a cavity for receiving said plectrum therewithin configured for receiving and snugly fitting the plectrum. The holder is resiliently connected to said handle-like member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: P.M.D -PRO MUSIC DEVELOPMENT LTD.
    Inventors: Yehoshua Sender, Noam Sander
  • Patent number: 11915674
    Abstract: A resonance podium includes a plurality of walls defining a frame of the resonance podium. A top panel is coupled to the plurality of walls to form a top surface that supports a performer playing a musical instrument on the resonance podium. A resonant panel is also coupled to the plurality of walls and isolated from the top panel. The resonant panel is configured to receive a portion of the musical instrument and to project structurally-transmitted vibrations from the musical instrument for acoustical amplification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: The Trustees of Indiana University
    Inventor: David J. Tagg
  • Patent number: 11915673
    Abstract: A tremolo block suitable for installation into in a Fender Stratocaster® that includes a raised ridge across the width of the tremolo block approximately halfway down from the top wherein the ridge abuts the body side of the tremolo cavity. It is intended that the ridge will be located at the spot where it presses most firmly against the wood of the guitar body while still as close to neutral or standard location as possible so that the player feels comfortable with the guitar because the guitar feels just as familiar as prior to the installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Inventor: Dennis Scott Rayfield
  • Patent number: 11915676
    Abstract: A rotating mallet assembly for generating a continuous note from a standing bell includes a base, which is positionable on a substantially horizontal surface. A fastener engaged to an upper surface of the base can selectively engage a bottom of a standing bell so that the standing bell is removably engaged to the base. An arm is engaged to and extends from the base. A mallet is pivotally engaged to and extends from the arm distal from the base so that the mallet frictionally contacts a rim of the standing bell. A motor is engaged to the arm and is operationally engaged to the mallet. The motor is positioned to selectively rotate the mallet relative to the standing bell to excite continuous vibrations in the standing bell so that a continuous note is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Inventor: Craig Boyd
  • Patent number: 11908437
    Abstract: The stringed instrument-playing machine is an electromechanical device. The stringed instrument-playing machine is a musical instrument. The stringed instrument-playing machine is an automated structure. The stringed instrument-playing machine automatically announces the musical notes of a song. The stringed instrument-playing machine comprises a stringed instrument and a playing device. The stringed instrument-playing machine incorporates a stringed instrument and a playing device. The stringed instrument is a mechanical structure that generates audible sounds in the form of a plurality of notes. The playing device is an electromechanical device. The playing device is an electrically powered device. The playing device mechanically plays the stringed instrument. By playing the stringed instrument is meant that the playing device determines and causes the stringed instrument to generate: a) the notes that are played; b) the order that the notes are played; and, c) the length of time each note is played.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: Olayinka Adetoye
  • Patent number: 11908436
    Abstract: An instrument pick has a triangular planar body; a concave thumb platform; and an index finger slot. The body has rounded vertices, including a plucking vertex. The thumb platform has concentric grooves and a thumb cavity sidewall extending between the thumb platform and the body to form a drainage cavity. The thumb platform sidewall has an opening that connects to the drainage cavity. The finger slot has a base flanked by a pair of curved side walls. The side walls taper together to form a ridge that resist the user's index finger from sliding towards the plucking vertex. The finger slot has ventilation openings that connect to the drainage cavity to collect perspiration. The pick stays in place between thumb and finger even with a loose grip and can be customized for different playing styles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: Kevin Randall Goold
  • Patent number: 11908435
    Abstract: Percussion instruments configured for outdoor installation are disclosed. The percussion instrument comprises a support post, wherein the support post is configured for attachment to an outdoor surface, a mounting base secured to the support post, one or more metal discs, wherein each metal disc is tuned to produce a note on a musical scale when struck by a user, and one or more fasteners securing the one or more metal discs to the mounting base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: PLAYCORE WISCONSIN, INC.
    Inventor: Richard Cooke
  • Patent number: 11900899
    Abstract: A capo device for stringed instruments, comprising: a substantially J-shaped main body having an elongate arm and a short arm, a pivot arm pivotally coupled with said short arm of said J-shaped main body, an elastomeric component pivotally and compressably coupled between a portion of said elongate arm of said J-shaped main body and a proximal end of said pivot arm and a main arm pivotally coupled with said pivot arm and said main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Inventors: David Adam, James A. Dunlop
  • Patent number: 11900901
    Abstract: A versatile guitar and bass guitar strap is disclosed. This instrument carrying strap eliminates the need to detach and reattach the strap when adjustment is required for twisting, and also eliminates the wear and tear associated with having to detach and reattach the strap. A swivel connector is applied to at least one terminal end of the strap at a connection point with the instrument. The swivel connector has a first and a second rotator that are carried on an axial pin for rotational movement relative to each other. Rotator arms are configured for coupling with the strap and a connector tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Inventor: Jose Jeune
  • Patent number: 11900898
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable one piece maintenance mat with neck support. The maintenance mat has a neck support cushion having a having a centrally located indent on the topside adapted to receive the neck of a stringed instrument. The neck support is attached at the proximal end of the mat to the bottom side of said neck support. Closures are attached to the distal end of the mat. The mat is adapted to roll around said neck support and be removably secured by the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Inventor: Gabriel Crisp
  • Patent number: 11887564
    Abstract: A resonance counterweight structure for audio effect article includes a hollow counterweight main body and an assembling section connected with the counterweight main body. The assembling section can be mounted in a predetermined position of a musical instrument. The counterweight main body at least includes an upper wall, a lower wall and a peripheral wall connected between the upper and lower walls. The upper wall, the lower wall and the peripheral wall define a chamber of the counterweight main body. At least one counterweight fine-adjustment unit is received in the chamber. The counterweight main body and the counterweight fine-adjustment unit help the audio effect article to modify the music so as to achieve more idealistic timbre effect. A player can more diversely select or replace the counterweight structure, whereby one single musical instrument can selectively output different timbre effects according to the requirements of different playing situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Inventor: Hsin-Jung Lu
  • Patent number: 11881194
    Abstract: A folding marimba may include a first set of spaced apart rails; a first set of tone bars suspended from the first set of spaced apart rails; a second set of spaced apart rails; and a second set of tone bars suspended from the second set of spaced apart rails; wherein the first and second sets of spaced apart rails are configured for hinged rotation about a hinge line such that the marimba is configurable in an unfolded configuration having a first length and a folded configuration having a second length that is less than the first length. For example, the second length may be about half of the first length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Jim Melhart Piano and Organ Company
    Inventor: Jimmie Ray Melhart
  • Patent number: 11881197
    Abstract: The dual keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer is designed for use with a pair of keyboard sustain foot pedals. The dual keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer comprises a stabilizer base, a first pedal-retention area in cooperative engagement with the stabilizer base, a second pedal-retention area in cooperative engagement with the stabilizer base, and an underside of the stabilizer base having a non-slip surface. The first and second pedal-retention areas each include retaining structures proximate to the stabilizer base. The retaining structures enable secure retention of the keyboard sustain foot pedals within the pedal retention area. The dual keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer provides stable footing for the musician on damp floors for both feet while providing a dual keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer that stabilizes either one or two keyboard sustain foot pedals. The dual keyboard sustain pedal stabilizer has no moving parts and is compatible with essentially any keyboard sustain foot pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Inventor: Fred Palmer