Patents Examined by Robert W. Horn
  • Patent number: 11682372
    Abstract: An effector mounting plate is provided, which can protect wiring when carried while enabling work on the wiring. A back surface side of a plate is covered by a back case, and wiring (not shown) can be stored in a space formed between the plate and the back case. Therefore, when the plate and the back case are used as an effect pedal or carried, an external force can be prevented from acting on the wiring. Therefore, the wiring (jack) can be prevented from falling off an effector or from being forcibly bent and broken. By removing fastening screws, the back case can be removed from the plate to open the back surface side of the plate. Therefore, work on the wiring such as work of connecting/disconnecting the wiring to/from the effector and work of checking the wiring before performance can be easily performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Fukuda, Norihiko Wada
  • Patent number: 11676561
    Abstract: A plectrum for use with a stringed musical instrument is provided. The plectrum includes a rigid outer shell and an inlay portion, partially inserted within, and secured to, the outer shell. A portion of the inlay portion extends beyond the outer shell. The outer shell includes a first material configured to produce first tonal properties in a string of a stringed musical instrument when placed in contact with the string, and the inlay portion includes a second material configured to produce second tonal properties in the string when placed in contact with the string. The first tonal properties are different from the second tonal properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Inventor: Mark S. Gardner
  • Patent number: 11670188
    Abstract: A method for online music learning of playing a musical instrument, that may be a string instrument, a woodwind instrument, a brass instrument, a percussion instrument, or vocal (singing) is described. A client device, such as a smartphone or a tablet notifies a person, such as visually by a display or audibly by a sounder, of a sequence of musical symbols that may be part of a musical piece to be played on the musical instrument. The pace or tempo of the notified sequence is adapted according to a stored skill level value of the person and the pace or tempo associated with the musical piece. The client device, monitors, using a microphone(s) in the client device, the errors in the playing of the sequence, and using a predefined accordingly updates the stored skill level value, and accordingly changes the arrangement, pace and/or tempo of the next sequence of musical symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: JoyTunes Ltd.
    Inventors: Eran Aharonson, Yuval Kaminka, Oded Zewi, Amitay Dobo
  • Patent number: 11670268
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a device and process designed to accelerate the maturation of stringed musical instruments, composed of but not limited to a broad spectrum audio generator coupled with one or more fasteners via one or more armatures dimensioned to allow easy installation, secure attachment, and easy uninstallation from the stringed musical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Inventors: Gerald Francis Brown, Isaac Daniel Derr
  • Patent number: 11670264
    Abstract: A device integrally joined with the ported opening of a musical bass drum resonant drumhead for regulating the amount of vibrating airflow passing through the inside of a bass drumshell and continuing through the ported opening for effectively controlling undesirable higher frequency drum sounds precipitated by the airflow produced upon the striking of the batter head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: REMO, INC.
    Inventors: James H. May, Scott Renolds
  • Patent number: 11666963
    Abstract: A instrument string stretching assembly for stretching instrument strings during the manufacturing process includes a curved panel that has a plurality of channels each extending through the curved panel. A plurality of instrument strings can be inserted into a respective one of the channels having each of the instrument strings extending outwardly through the respective channel. A stretching unit is aligned with each of the plurality of channels in the curved panel and the stretching unit is actuatable into a lifting condition or a lowering condition. A clamping unit is attached to the stretching unit to grip each of the plurality of instrument strings. The stretching unit lifts the clamping unit upwardly thereby stretching the instrument strings along the plurality of channels in the curved panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Inventor: Joseph Anthony Zarola
  • Patent number: 11657791
    Abstract: A musical sound producing apparatus includes a plurality of keys, a sound production information generator that generates sound production information for producing a musical sound based on a first key operation on any key among the plurality of keys, a control information generator that generates control information for controlling, on the basis of a second key operation different from the first key operation, a mode of the musical sound produced on the basis of the first key operation, and a musical sound signal generator that generates a musical sound signal on the basis of the sound production information and the control information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiko Hasebe, Shinichi Ito, Kenichi Nishida, Masahiro Kakishita, Shinichi Ohta
  • Patent number: 11657790
    Abstract: An operation detection device for a key operation of a keyboard device includes a conductive unit configured to be disposed on each of keys, a substrate configured to be disposed facing each of the keys in a pressing direction of the keys. The substrate is provided with a sensor including at least first and second coils, the sensor being configured to be disposed spaced from one key so that at least one of the first or second coil outputs a signal corresponding to a distance between the one key and the respective sensor. The operation detection device includes a detection unit configured to detect a displacement of the one key in at least one of a yaw direction or a roll direction based on signals output from the first and second coils during a key pressing stroke of the one key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi Nishida, Harumichi Hotta, Jun Ishii
  • Patent number: 11657785
    Abstract: A hands-free diatonic harmonica configured to be held by the mouth only, permitting harmonica to be easily played and manipulated solely by player's mouth, jaw, teeth, lips, and tongue and attachable elongated ergonomic and acoustical bullet shaped harmonica microphone housing with mirror image top and bottom access ports and through rod(s) accommodating multiple microphones digital processing and adhesive pads providing or modifying mouth alone attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Inventor: Paul Daniel Kerian
  • Patent number: 11651755
    Abstract: A drum includes a low volume drum head, a pellet chamber, and a magnetic choke. The pellet chamber is located beneath the low volume drum head. The pellet chamber is configured to hold a plurality of pellets, and the pellet chamber defines a plurality of apertures in a wall of the pellet chamber. The magnetic choke carries at least one magnet. The magnetic choke is configured to move relative to the pellet chamber so as to adjust a magnetic force imparted on the pellet chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Play Music With Friends LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Sever Stocksmith
  • Patent number: 11651753
    Abstract: A piano tuning retention system includes first and second bushings, each having a threaded upper longitudinal end and a lower longitudinal end that defines a polygonal interior for mating with a polygonal end of a respective piano tuning pin, first and second threaded fasteners corresponding to the threaded upper longitudinal ends of the bushings, first and second sleeves that fit over the bushings, each of the sleeves having an upper longitudinal end with an inward radial extension that defines a reduced inner diameter and a lower longitudinal end that defines a catch (e.g. a notch) extending in a circumferential direction of the sleeve for engagement with a piano string, and a bridge configured to be sandwiched between the threaded fasteners and the inward radial extensions of the sleeves with the bushings disposed within the sleeves and the threaded fasteners fastened to the threaded upper longitudinal ends of the bushings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Inventor: Timothy Jenson
  • Patent number: 11646002
    Abstract: A capo for a musical instrument with a neck and a plurality of parallel strings disposed above the neck. The capo includes a U-shaped yoke having first and second branches, and a clamping bar assembly pivotally attached to one of the yoke branches. The clamping bar assembly includes a main bar body and a plurality of separate string clamp members, which are operatively attached to the main bar body and formed of a substantially rigid plastic material. The clamping bar assembly also includes one or more flexibly resilient cushion members provided between the string clamp members and the main bar body. The main bar body may have sockets formed therein which receive individual cushion members and portions of the string clamp members. Alternatively, the string clamp members may share a single elongated cushion member, and may have passages formed therethrough allowing for slidable mounting on a solid main bar body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Inventor: Bryan Paige
  • Patent number: 11631385
    Abstract: A guitar slide for use with a finger of a person on guitar strings of a guitar comprises a hollow body open at a first end and at a second end. The hollow body has an outside surface adapted for contacting the guitar strings of the guitar simultaneously, and an inside surface adapted to receive the person's finger therein. A spring clip is fixed with the inside surface of the hollow body and is adapted to pivot between a first position and a second position. The spring clip includes an urging mechanism to urge the spring clip into the first position. As such, the person inserts his finger into the hollow body, causing the spring clip to pivot towards the second position. The urging mechanism applies pressure to the person's finger to keep the guitar slide in place on the person's finger by friction, while the person plays the guitar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventors: Cole Eshee Heve McBride, Andres Luciano Somasco
  • Patent number: 11626225
    Abstract: A device for generating an electric charge, having: a base; at last one capacitor; at least one magnet; a cover; a splitter; a load; a conductive core; a frictionless surface; and at least one discharge point. The at least one capacitor adapted and configured to store electricity generated from the electric charge. The splitter is adapted and configured to receive a first portion of electricity from the conductive core and divert a second portion of electricity back to the at least one capacitor and further divert a third portion of electricity to the load. The load is adapted and configured to store electricity and use a fraction of the total electricity generated by the device. The at least one magnet is adapted and configured to levitate and rotate on an electromagnetic rail around said conductive core in an infinite loop, wherein said rotation causes a magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Inventor: Ryan Letts
  • Patent number: 11626089
    Abstract: The invention provides a method, system and tuning devices for reed and flue pipes for automatically tuning or checking the tuning of a pipe organ. The invention enables the tuning of the reed pipes to the same pitch as flue pipes if the fluctuation of temperature and humidity has caused a change in the pitch of the flue pipes, and to restore the tuning of the reed pipes in case of random loss of tuning. The invention allows to reduce the tuning time and to tune the pipes that require more frequent tuning (i.e. the reed pipes) unobtrusively to the organist and listeners during the playing of the organ. It is possible to employ the method of the invention on all pipes of an organ or only on a selection of them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Inventor: Priit Humal
  • Patent number: 11615771
    Abstract: The present invention provides a drum snare including a fixed seat, an actuation column, an actuation handle, a pull-down seat, an adjustment bolt, and a packing assembly. The actuation handle passes through a lateral hole to connect and fix to the actuation column. The lateral hole includes two snap-in slots pressing against the actuation handle. The pull-down seat includes a clamping seat and a non-circular rod body passing through the fixed seat in a non-rotation manner. The non-circular rod body includes an internal thread hole. The adjustment bolt is rotatably fixed on the actuation column. The adjustment bolt includes a thread section penetrating in the internal thread hole. The packing assembly is provided between the adjustment bolt and the actuation column. Therefore, a friction force between the adjustment bolt and the actuation column is increased through the packing assembly, and looseness of the adjustment bolt can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Inventor: Tsun-Chi Liao
  • Patent number: 11615770
    Abstract: A percussive response unit, and percussion instruments with same, including a rod having a rod shaft and a first retaining element, such a first head, disposed at a first rod end and having a first head width. At least a first striker set of at least one striker is disposed along a first portion of the rod shaft and is positionable near the first head. Each striker defines an opening that is larger than the outer diameter of the rod shaft to enable at least one direction of movement. A second retaining element such as a second head is connected to the second rod end to secure the first striker set on the rod shaft. Other embodiments include percussion instruments with multiple internal resonance cavities, internal resonance members, and internal and/or external strikers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Inventor: Alan T. Snyder
  • Patent number: 11610567
    Abstract: A musical instrument support apparatus for displaying a guitar in a plurality of viewing positions may include a securement frame configured to be rotatably mounted to a vertical surface and including a plurality of bars connected together; a pair of side arms pivotably mounted to the securement frame, each arm in the pair of side arms configured to pivotably adjust to contact the body of the guitar; and a wall mount bracket attached to the securement frame and configured to be attached to the vertical surface. The support apparatus may be designed to secure the guitar with the body disposed on the support plate and the pair of sides of the body secured within the pair of arms, wherein the securement frame is rotatably adjusted relative to the support base to display the secured guitar in one of the plurality of viewing positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventor: Elie Maalouf
  • Patent number: 11610565
    Abstract: A tremolo device for electric guitars including: a) a tremolo mount resiliently mountable on a guitar body adjacent at least one string and the tremolo mount selectively moveable relative to the guitar body; b) a string mount mounted on the tremolo mount in order to receive an end of at least one string of a guitar and the string mount having separate limited movement to the selective movement of the tremolo mount and allow the at least one string to be tunably tensioned; wherein the resilient mounting of the tremolo mount is at least partially decoupled from the tensioned string held by the string mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventor: James Hildebrandt
  • Patent number: 11610505
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a music chords conversion device. The device is used for providing instant representation showing conversion or correlation of major chords to minor chords and vice versa. The device can come in two variants (1) a physical device (2) a digital device. The physical device has a chords conversion component and a minor chords component wherein the minor chords component is configured to slide into the chords conversion component through a cut-out opening. The minor chords can be correlated to the major chords and displayed in a viewing region of the chords conversion component. The digital device includes a memory for storing the chords conversion and also includes a digital display for displaying the converted minor and major chords.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventor: Dionisios Nicholas