Patents by Inventor William J. Hannapel

William J. Hannapel has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8173882
    Abstract: A stringed instrument defines a hollow volume and includes at least one string. A tremolo assembly of the stringed instrument is adapted to vary tension in the string and comprises a tone block disposed within the hollow volume and operatively connected to the string. An arm extends from the tone block and is disposed within the volume of space. A handle extends from the arm and is spaced from the tone block and adapted to be displaced relative to the arm to operatively cause the tone block to correspondingly vary the tension in the string. A bridge plate is attached to the stringed instrument, connected to the string and tone block, and operatively connected to the arm. A connection mechanism operatively connects the bridge plate to the arm and is adapted to pull the bridge plate away from and toward the stringed instrument to correspondingly vary the tension upon the displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Inventor: William J. Hannapel
  • Publication number: 20110259172
    Abstract: A stringed instrument defines a hollow volume in an interior of the stringed instrument and includes at least one string. Operation of a tremolo assembly of the stringed instrument is adapted to vary tension in the string. The tremolo assembly comprises a tone block disposed within the hollow volume and operatively connected to the string. An arm extends from the tone block and is disposed within the volume of space. A handle extends from the arm and is spaced from the tone block, and a part of the handle is adapted to be displaced relative to the arm to operatively cause the tone block to correspondingly vary the tension in the string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: William J. Hannapel