Abstract: Disclosed is an improved pivot or bridge plate that may be constructed originally or may be used to retrofit existing stringed instruments.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved pivot or bridge plate that may be constructed originally or may be used to retrofit existing stringed instruments.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved vibrato device. The typical components of the disclosed device include, but are not limited to, a dual spring-loaded lever arm 10. The lever arm 10 is intended to sit separate and away from the instrument's strings 70 to allow for the user to manipulate the instrument's vibrato while playing by manually moving the lever arm 10 closer to or farther from the instrument. The lever arm 10 connects to the dual spring system 15; the dual spring system 15 houses the vibrato device's springs that allow vibrato manipulation and sits attached to the tremolo system's tailpiece 60, which anchors the vibrato device to the instrument, and the pivoting metal bar 40. The pivoting metal bar 40 is the strings' 70 anchor-point at the base of the instrument, and the bar 40 pivots in response to the lever arm 10 being raised or lowered. When the bar 40 pivots, it either lessens the strings' 70 tension when the lever arm 10 is lowered or increases the strings' 70 tension when the lever arm 10 is raised.

Abstract: A pitch adjustment device for selectively adjusting the pitch of at least one of a plurality of strings on a stringed musical instrument. The device comprises a support frame configured to be mounted onto the stringed musical instrument. A string puller is rotatably coupled to the support frame. A string support is coupled to the string puller. The string support is adjustably positionable along the string puller to selectively position the string support on the string puller in alignment with each of the strings one at a time. The string support also has a string retainer for securing a string. A lever is coupled to the string puller such that pivoting the lever rotates the string puller and the string support relative to the frame about the first axis. The lever has a normal position and an actuated position in which the lever is pivoted to adjust the pitch.

Abstract: A pitch adjustment device for selectively adjusting the pitch of at least one of a plurality of strings on a stringed musical instrument. The device comprises a support frame configured to be mounted onto the stringed musical instrument. A string puller is rotatably coupled to the support frame. A string support is coupled to the string puller. The string support is adjustably positionable along the string puller to selectively position the string support on the string puller in alignment with each of the strings one at a time. The string support also has a string retainer for securing a string. A lever is coupled to the string puller such that pivoting the lever rotates the string puller and the string support relative to the frame about the first axis. The lever has a normal position and an actuated position in which the lever is pivoted to adjust the pitch.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and related methods for changing the pitch of a stringed instrument, such as an standard, fixed-pitch, resonating or Dobro-type guitar, by attaching the stringed instrument onto a transformable stand comprising a foot pedal assembly and string pitch changing mechanism. In one embodiment, the apparatus and related methods involve affixing the strings from an existing guitar to an improved pitch-changing mechanism, such as disclosed string pitch changer housing, that does not require the deconstruction of the guitar body. Rather, the existing guitar is securely placed on its back on a transformable stand with the use of specially designed plates that hold the instrument with screws, securing the body of the instrument to the stand.

Abstract: A pitch adjustment device for selectively adjusting the pitch of multiple strings of a stringed musical instrument from the open pitch (normal unadjusted pitch) while playing using a single lever, wherein the tension and pitch of different strings can be adjusted by different and adjustable amounts for each adjustable string. The device comprises a support frame configured to be mounted onto the stringed musical instrument and a string puller rotatably coupled to the support frame and rotatable about a first axis. At least two pitch adjusters are attached to the string puller. Each pitch adjuster has a string support for securing a respective adjustable string and is adjustable to adjust the respective string support to a plurality of different radial positions from the first axis. A lever coupled is the string puller such that pivoting the lever rotates the string puller relative to the frame about the first axis.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and related methods for changing the pitch of a stringed instrument, such as an standard, fixed-pitch, resonating or Dobro-type guitar, by attaching the stringed instrument onto a transformable stand comprising a foot pedal assembly and string pitch changing mechanism. In one embodiment, the apparatus and related methods involve affixing the strings from an existing guitar to an improved pitch-changing mechanism, such as disclosed string pitch changer housing, that does not require the deconstruction of the guitar body. Rather, the existing guitar is securely placed on its back on a transformable stand with the use of specially designed plates that hold the instrument with screws, securing the body of the instrument to the stand.

Abstract: An upstream bandwidth conditioning device that, in one embodiment, can be inserted into a signal transmission line of a CATV system in or proximate to a premise of a user includes a forward path and a return path with the return path being divided into a supplier side portion and a user side portion. The device further includes a supplier side termination device selectively connected to the supplier side portion and a user side termination device selectively connected to the user side portion. A signal amplifier is selectively connected to the supplier side portion and the user side portion by at least one amplifier switch.

Abstract: An upstream bandwidth conditioning device that can be inserted into a signal transmission line of a CATV system in or proximate to a premise of a user includes a main signal path divided into a forward path and a return path, the return path being divided into supplier side portion and a user side portion. The device further includes a supplier side termination device selectively connected to the supplier side portion by a supplier side termination switch, and a user side termination device selectively connected to the user side portion by a user side termination switch. A signal amplifier is selectively connected to the supplier side portion and the user side portion by at least one amplifier switch, and a switch controller is configured to actuate each of the supplier side termination switch, the user side termination switch, and the amplifier switch from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: A coaxial cable connector, comprising a post having a first end and a second end, the post configured to receive a coaxial cable having a protruding center conductor, a connector body attached to the post, a coupling member operably attached to the post, and a moveable sealing member disposed within the post, the moveable sealing member configured to move through the post to create a seal proximate the first end of the post is provided. Furthermore, associated methods are also provided.

Abstract: A coaxial cable connector, comprising a post having a first end and a second end, the post configured to receive a coaxial cable having a protruding center conductor, a connector body attached to the post, a coupling member operably attached to the post, and a moveable sealing member disposed within the post, the moveable sealing member configured to move through the post to create a seal proximate the first end of the post is provided. Furthermore, associated methods are also provided.

Abstract: Presented are method and apparatus embodiments to terminate an interruptible signal path when the interruptible signal path is unterminated. The apparatus can comprise a signal path from a supplier-side port thru a user-side port, a signal source arranged to provide a signal to the conductor; and a signal circuit arranged in the interruptible signal path. The apparatus can determine when the signal path is unterminated and, in that case, interrupt and terminate the signal path by putting a signal switching device in the appropriate state and/or sending signals from the signal path to a prescribed signal level connection point. When a user device is not connected or connected improperly, or the signals through the signal path are otherwise unterminated, the interruptible signal path can be interrupted and terminated. The method and apparatus embodiments can be used in various combinations with multiple signal paths having multiple signal branches.

Abstract: A pitch adjustment device for selectively adjusting the pitch of the string(s) of a stringed musical instrument. Each string of the instrument is attached to a respective pitch adjustment device. Each pitch adjustment device includes a pivotable string puller wherein pivoting of the string puller adjusts the pitch on the string. A pulley is rotatably mounted to the string puller such that movement of the pulley causes the string puller to pivot. A cable is wrapped around the pulley and has a first side extending from one side of the pulley and a second side extending form the other side of the pulley. A plurality of actuators are operably coupled to the first and second sides of the cable. The actuators move the cable, which moves the pulley, which in turn pivots the string puller, thereby adjusting the pitch of the string.

Abstract: A pitch adjustment device for selectively adjusting the pitch of the string(s) of a stringed musical instrument. Each string of the instrument is attached to a respective pitch adjustment device. Each pitch adjustment device comprises a pivotable string puller wherein pivoting of the string puller adjusts the pitch on the string. A pulley is rotatably mounted to the string puller such that movement of the pulley causes the string puller to pivot. A cable is wrapped around the pulley and has a first side extending from one side of the pulley and a second side extending form the other side of the pulley. A plurality of actuators are operably coupled to the first and second sides of the cable. The actuators move the cable, which moves the pulley, which in turn pivots the string puller, thereby adjusting the pitch of the string. Alternatively, the cable and pulley may be replaced by a mechanism of levers and pull rods.

Abstract: A connector, and a connector system that implements the connector, that exhibits a value of characteristic impedance that is responsive to a tuning insulator. In one embodiment, the connector includes a connector body that defines a longitudinal axis, and a conductor that is disposed in the connector body so that it is aligned coaxially with the longitudinal axis. The connector also includes a tuning insulator that has a pre-determined effect so that, when the insulator is positioned on a portion of the conductor, the value of characteristic impedance of the connector changes from a first value to a second value.

Abstract: A connector, and a connector system that implements the connector, that exhibits a value of characteristic impedance that is responsive to a tuning insulator. In one embodiment, the connector includes a connector body that defines a longitudinal axis, and a conductor that is disposed in the connector body so that it is aligned coaxially with the longitudinal axis. The connector also includes a tuning insulator that has a pre-determined effect so that, when the insulator is positioned on a portion of the conductor, the value of characteristic impedance of the connector changes from a first value to a second value.

Abstract: Presented are method and apparatus embodiments to terminate an interruptible signal path when the interruptible signal path is unterminated. The apparatus can comprise a signal path from a supplier-side port thru a user-side port, a signal source arranged to provide a signal to the conductor; and a signal circuit arranged in the interruptible signal path. The apparatus can determine when the signal path is unterminated and, in that case, interrupt and terminate the signal path by putting a signal switching device in the appropriate state and/or sending signals from the signal path to a prescribed signal level connection point. When a user device is not connected or connected improperly, or the signals through the signal path are otherwise unterminated, the interruptible signal path can be interrupted and terminated. The method and apparatus embodiments can be used in various combinations with multiple signal paths having multiple signal branches.

Abstract: An upstream bandwidth conditioning device that can be inserted into a signal transmission line of a CATV system in or proximate to a premise of a user includes a main signal path divided into a forward path and a return path, the return path being divided into supplier side portion and a user side portion. The device further includes a supplier side termination device selectively connected to the supplier side portion by a supplier side termination switch, and a user side termination device selectively connected to the user side portion by a user side termination switch. A signal amplifier is selectively connected to the supplier side portion and the user side portion by at least one amplifier switch, and a switch controller is configured to actuate each of the supplier side termination switch, the user side termination switch, and the amplifier switch from a first position to a second position.