Resonance Devices Patents (Class 84/294)
  • Patent number: 11935505
    Abstract: A stringed instrument, such as a semi-acoustic electric guitar, can employ a resonance system that consists of a body having at least one internal cavity accessed by a soundhole continuously extending from a top cover. The soundhole may have a continuously curvilinear transition from the top cover and a length corresponding with an altered resonance frequency of the instrument body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Fender Musical Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy P. Shaw, Joshua D. Hurst, Brian C. Swerdfeger
  • Patent number: 11705095
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of devices and systems which may be reversibly coupled to a sound hole of a hollow-bodied stringed instrument for the generation of percussive musical sounds. Various embodiments herein disclosed comprise various means of reversibly coupling a percussive attachment with a musical instrument, and comprise adjustable device body lengths and angular orientations relative to the hollow body of musical instruments so as to allow percussive sound-generating elements to produce musical sounds from within a resonating chamber of the hollow-bodied instrument through interaction with an inner surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Inventor: Richard Calvin Clark
  • Patent number: 11380290
    Abstract: A body structural unit for an electric guitar can include a body that includes a wood portion, wherein when viewed from the direction of thickness of the body, the direction of the wood grain of the wood portion is at an angle in respect to the direction of length of the neck of the electric guitar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenta Ishizaka, Hideto Matsuda
  • Patent number: 11114070
    Abstract: An accessory for changing the timbre of a stringed instrument is provided, comprising a body having a vertical opening and a horizontal slot formed in the bottom surface from one edge into the vertical opening; an adjustment rod within the horizontal slot; and a dampener within the vertical opening associated with at least one string of the stringed instrument to which the accessory is attached. The adjustment rod has an upwardly angled inner end within the vertical opening in the body. The dampener comprises a dampener body; a soft fabric covering a top surface; and a bottom surface having a horizontal groove with a downwardly angled top surface matching the angle of the angle of the adjustment rod. Moving the adjustment rod inwardly moves the dampener upward and applies pressure to the string; moving the adjustment rod outwardly moves the dampener downward and reduces the pressure on the string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Inventor: Jonathan Langberg
  • Patent number: 10878783
    Abstract: A stringed instrument, such as a semi-acoustic electric guitar, can employ a resonance system that consists of a body having at least one internal cavity accessed by a soundhole continuously extending from a top cover. The soundhole may have a continuously curvilinear transition from the top cover and a length corresponding with an altered resonance frequency of the instrument body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Fender Musical Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy P. Shaw, Joshua D. Hurst, Brian C. Swerdfeger
  • Patent number: 10699679
    Abstract: A dead spot elimination apparatus for a stringed instrument utilizing a resonator having an adjustable frequency response via an elongated member. A weight body is mounted to the elongated member and an adjustable frequency damper is formed at the weight body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Inventor: Hideo Kamimoto
  • Patent number: 10679590
    Abstract: A sound resonator device for internal connection to a guitar or other musical instrument that has strings tensioned over any type of bridge piece. The resonator device includes a torsion arm affixed to a sound board of the instrument from which is connected one or more involute coil sets, and a connecting rod. A first version employs coils having a circular section. A second variety uses at least one, thicker ribbon shaped coil configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Inventors: Dwaine Moore, Joseph S. DeSimone, Ralph A. DeSimone
  • Patent number: 10593307
    Abstract: A resonator for stringed musical instruments with a resonance chamber, is suitable for both bowed and plucked stringed instruments with a resonance chamber which aims at increasing the volume as well as the sound projection and timbre quality of the instrument, thus improving its performance, by eliminating the residual air which remains inside the sound box. For that purpose, the resonator comprises a tube with a beveled inlet end and an exit end with an end-button, one or more holes at various angles to reduce the air intake pressure, together with one or more compressor tubes included inside which interfere with the balance variation of air pressure and speed towards the exit across a reed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Inventor: José María Lozano Martínez
  • Patent number: 10311837
    Abstract: An acoustic musical string instrument, such as a guitar, and related methods include one or more of 1) slanted sound posts extending between the front sound board and a lateral brace on the back plate of the guitar; 2) longitudinal braces extending between a lateral brace and a side wall of the guitar, 3) longitudinal blocks extending between adjacent lateral braces of the guitar, between a lateral brace and the neck block, or between a lateral brace and the tail block; and 4) a metal covered bridge plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: ZRM SOUND, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Harold Zaret, Dale K. Rodgers
  • Patent number: 10083677
    Abstract: A sound post, particularly for string instrument, having a variable length is described. The sound post consists of a first tubular component having a first end and a second end and a second tubular component having a first end and a second end, wherein the second tubular component is at least partially arranged in the first tubular component in a movable manner, and wherein a first pivotable end piece is arranged at the first end of the first tubular component. The sound post also comprises a counter-element and a tension fastener element which is rotatably arranged and suitable to be countered against the counter-element by rotation. A pivotable end piece is also arranged at the second end of the second tubular component. A sound post tool set for mounting the sound post in an instrument and a method for mounting the sound post in an instrument are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Wolfgang Hamberger
    Inventor: Wolfgang Hamberger
  • Patent number: 10004423
    Abstract: The embodiments relate to a local coil arrangement for an imaging MRI system, where the system is a head local coil or a head/neck local coil, which includes a mirror housing that is mounted in a rotatable manner on the local coil arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Daniel Driemel
  • Patent number: 9959843
    Abstract: A sound producing apparatus includes: a plurality of sound producing members with differing oscillation frequencies; dampers each corresponding to a respective sound producing member and suppressing vibration by contacting the corresponding sound producing members; a damper operation mechanism that moves each damper, thereby controlling a state of contact of the damper with a corresponding sound producing members; a soundboard that undergoes sympathetic resonance with sound producing members; a vibrator that vibrates the soundboard; an acquisition unit configured to acquire an audio signal; a signal output unit configured to: generate a drive signal for driving the vibrator with a vibration corresponding to the acquired audio signal; and output the drive signal to the vibrator; and a damper control unit configured to drive the damper operation mechanism to change a state of contact between the sound producing members and their corresponding dampers, based on frequency distribution of acquired audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenta Ohnishi
  • Patent number: 9626941
    Abstract: A sound resonator device for internal connection to a guitar or other musical instrument that has strings tensioned over a bridge piece. One embodiment of resonator includes a plurality of wound coils made of a harmonically predetermined (consistent or varying) thickness or gauge of metal wire secured to the instrument interior. A series of dampering devices are added for muting the effect of such sound resonation when desired. The dampering devices are activated using either a slider button (for felt dampers) or a rotating knob (for fiber threads).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Inventors: Dwaine Moore, Joseph S. DeSimone, Ralph A. DeSimone
  • Patent number: 9570051
    Abstract: A sound resonator device for internal connection to a guitar or other musical instrument that has strings tensioned over any type of bridge piece. The resonator device includes a torsion arm affixed to a sound board of the instrument from which is connected a plurality of involute coil sets, each made from a harmonically predetermined thickness (or gauge) of metal wire secured at its opposite end to the instrument interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Inventors: Dwaine Moore, Joseph S. DeSimone, Ralph A. DeSimone
  • Patent number: 9361862
    Abstract: A passive amplifier for a stringed instrument (such as an electric guitar) comprises a pickup and a resonator. The pickup is removably attached at one end to the headstock of the stringed instrument and extends substantially normal to the headstock. The resonator is attached to the other end of the pickup. The resonator has a generally flared structure. An aperture in the pickup extends from one end to the other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Inventor: Andrzej Marek Klemarewski
  • Patent number: 8975497
    Abstract: A vibration transmission adapter for the transmission of vibrations from strings of a string musical instrument to a sound reverberator device equipped with at least one spring is presented herein to enhance the sound generated by the instrument. The strings are supported in contact with a bridge saddle of the instrument. The vibration transmission adapter includes a rigid metallic member shaped to define a saddle connecting section and an integrally formed spring connecting section. The saddle connecting section is engageable into the bridge saddle and is shaped to extend between and spaced from at least two adjacent strings of a pair of strings. The spring connecting section extends in a rearward direction from a top end of the saddle connecting section and has a spring connecting free end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventor: Roberto Aspri
  • Publication number: 20150020673
    Abstract: A compound resonance driver or CRD may be used to enhance the tonal qualities of a bass drum system or other sound system. A CRD may comprise a flex ring having two hinge pieces. The flex ring may further comprise a plurality of magnets and the flex ring may be easily folded and placed in a drum and then unfolded. A fixed circular component with a complementary magnet orientation may secure the flex ring. The fixed circular component may be attached to outwardly facing components that resonate or otherwise improve upon the sound of a drum or any sound producing, or sound shaping device or instrument, encompassing properties of an acoustic enclosure. The mass and shape of the CRD may increase the excursion of a drumhead. This longer excursion produces a more natural low frequency waveform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventor: Samuel Earl Millender, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140345438
    Abstract: A back plate attachable to the back of a guitar is provided. The plate includes screw holes and string ferrule holes. The screw holes of the plate align with the screw holes on a guitar, and the string ferrule holes of the plate align with the string ferrule holes of the guitar. The plate may be bolted or screwed to the back of the guitar via the screw holes. Guitar strings may run through the string ferrule holes of the plate and guitar and attach to the pegs of the guitar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Scott Miller
  • Patent number: 8853511
    Abstract: A percussion attachment for a musical instrument. The attachment includes a body having at least one aerating hole formed therein. A clamp is mounted to the body that attaches the body to the musical instrument. The body may be struck and/or scraped by the stick of a bow to produce percussion as well as functioning simultaneously as a protector as the musical instrument is being played. The body may include ribs that are spaced along an outermost curved edge of the body such that contacting the ribs with the stick of a bow to produce a percussion sound. The body may also include pits spaced on a top surface of the body such that contacting the pits with the stick of a bow to produce a percussion sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventor: Wallace Earl DePue, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140150625
    Abstract: A sliding saddle system and a method of constructing a chordophone instrument comprising an underblock in slidable engagement with the bridge plate. A connector is located between the saddle and the underblock allowing the underblock to slide into position on the bridge plate until the connector is tightened, thereby locating the saddle on the sound board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Miltimore
  • Publication number: 20140144307
    Abstract: Guitar or other string instrument that includes a bridge located between the strings and the resonating surface, which has the advantage of being fixed to the front of the guitar by means of securing means placed at the ends of said bridge, which improves the durability of the bridge, without it detaching from the guitar despite use, and holds the strings at a suitable height above the fingerboard of the instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Inventor: Juan José Hugo Ceja Estrada
  • Patent number: 8735701
    Abstract: A tone control device is provided. The tone control device includes a weight assembly including at least a first magnet and a second magnet magnetically attracted to the first magnet, wherein the first magnet is positionable on a first surface of the bridge and the second magnet is positionable on a second surface of the bridge such that the weight assembly is securely coupled to the bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Clement De Jule
  • Patent number: 8710337
    Abstract: A tone enhancement bracket retrofitted to a guitar. The bracket includes an upper plate, a lower plate, and at least one cylinder mounted therebetween. The bracket may be installed in plurality to the body of a guitar. Once installed, the bracket or brackets increase the velocity of sound produced by the guitar, thereby enhancing and improving the tonal effects thereof. The bracket also allows the retrofitted guitar to produce notes possessing a higher degree of clarity, definition, and sustenance with respect to the pre-retrofitted guitar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventor: Fernando R. Gomes
  • Patent number: 8642860
    Abstract: A musical instrument having strings and a soundboard, wherein the soundboard is excited by the strings by a transducer and is associated with differential stiffening mechanism defining at least two zones of the soundboard that present complementary vibratory behaviors. The two zones are separated by a slot extending along a common boundary between the two zones. The transducer extends across the slot so as to be connected to both zones of the soundboard, such that both zones are excited simultaneously when action is taken on one of the strings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignees: Universite Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris 6), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Charles Besnainou, Adrien Mamou-Mani, Joël Frelat
  • Patent number: 8614383
    Abstract: A lap tapping instrument which takes the form of a guitar, has a main body, a top surface with a sound hold therethrough, a bottom surface, sidewalls extending between the surfaces, a neck section with a fingerboard, and guitar strings extending over the sound hold and neck section. A percussive member having a series of parallel extending upstanding ridges is permanently secured to the top surface of the main body and an opening located through the sidewall has a connection for interchanging a plurality of different percussive accessories and attaching the accessories to the body of the instrument. The main body also has an optional top side opening into which other percussive accessories can be attached. The accessories are connected to the main body and interchanged with other accessories as the musician's need arise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Inventor: Steven Scott Palais
  • Patent number: 8592668
    Abstract: A wolf note elimination device for a stringed instrument utilizing a base member which is attachable to the surface of the stringed instrument. An adjuster in the form of a plate slidingly mounts to the base. The slidable plate terminates on one end with two blades having weights. The blades are cantilevered from the base. The other end of the plate extends from the base and contacts an adjuster which exerts a force on the plate to effect sliding of the same relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventor: Hideo Kamimoto
  • Publication number: 20130283995
    Abstract: An apparatus to conduct sound waves through a musical instrument having at least one string mounted on a bridge to vibrate above a first surface of the musical instrument and at least one electrical pickup mounted to the first surface to receive sound waves from the at least one string, the apparatus including: a conductive member fixedly mounted to the musical instrument and spaced apart from the first surface to conduct sound energy from the at least one string to the at least one electrical pickup; and at least one bridge connector to conduct sound energy from the at least one string from the bridge to the conductive member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Steve Lynn Gorman, Johnathan Charles Gorman
  • Publication number: 20130228060
    Abstract: A device for use in connection with an electric guitar or bass has one or more strings tuned for notes, the device includes a body. The device further includes two or more resonators arranged to extend from the body and vibrate in relation to the body at the frequencies of the notes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventors: Jan LINDÉN, Olavi LINDÉN
  • Publication number: 20130145919
    Abstract: A tone control device is provided. The tone control device includes a weight assembly including at least a first magnet and a second magnet magnetically attracted to the first magnet, wherein the first magnet is positionable on a first surface of the bridge and the second magnet is positionable on a second surface of the bridge such that the weight assembly is securely coupled to the bridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Clement De Jule
  • Patent number: 8399758
    Abstract: A tone control device is provided. The tone control device includes a bridge configured to be mounted to an instrument. The bridge includes a body and an adjustment area located within the bridge. The adjustment area and the body define at least one recess in at least one surface of the bridge. The tone control device further includes a weight assembly configured to be movable within the at least one recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Clement De Jule
  • Patent number: 8389835
    Abstract: A sound system producing characteristic sounds from an acoustic instrument is provided. The sound system may include a stringed musical instrument and an electronic audio subsystem. The stringed musical instrument may include a neck extending away from a body toward a head. A plurality of strings may be stretched from a bridge on the body to the head at a terminal end of the neck. The bridge may be coupled to a soundboard and operable for connecting the plurality of strings to the body. The electronic audio subsystem may include at least one distributed mode loudspeaker. The distributed mode loudspeaker may be attached to the soundboard of the stringed musical instrument. The distributed mode loudspeaker may induce uniformly distributed vibration modes in the soundboard. A power amplification device may be disposed inside the body of the stringed musical instrument to provide power to the distributed mode loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventors: Sean Findley, Lynette Findley
  • Publication number: 20130042741
    Abstract: A vibration transmission adapter for the transmission of vibrations from strings of a string musical instrument to a sound reverberator device equipped with at least one spring to enhance the sound generated by the instrument, is described. The strings are supported in contact with a bridge saddle of the instrument. The vibration transmission adapter is comprised by a rigid metallic member shaped to define a saddle contacting section and an integrally formed spring connecting section. The saddle contacting section is shaped to extend between and spaced from at least two adjacent strings of a pair of strings of the string musical instrument. The spring connecting section extends in a rearward direction from a top end of the saddle contacting section and has a spring connecting free end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventor: Roberto ASPRI
  • Publication number: 20130014630
    Abstract: A stringed musical instrument that includes strings, each of which is adapted to create vibration of pre-determined range of frequency, a main body that amplifies the vibration created by the strings and a string support device that supports the strings and is connected to the main body. The strings are supported by a string tension adjust device around one end of the instrument. The strings are supported by a support piece that supports all of the strings together and is fixed to the main body around the other end of the instrument. A vibration medium is placed between the support piece and the main body. The frequency range for the vibration medium is substantially similar to the pre-determined range of frequency for the strings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventor: Jiyoung Um
  • Publication number: 20120260787
    Abstract: Improvements in acoustical and stringed musical instruments (e.g., guitars) are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel R. Nash, Jason M. Nash
  • Patent number: 8283551
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for seasoning stringed musical instruments comprises an electric vibration generator coupled to a string cradle. The string cradle is detachably attachable to the strings of the instrument through a plurality of flanges extending between the strings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Tonerite, Inc.
    Inventor: Agapitus B. Lye
  • Patent number: 8278538
    Abstract: A guitar comprising a sound box that comprises an upper sound board having a sound hole, a lower sound board, a resonator plate comprising a relatively thin sturdy material exhibiting a vibrational springy characteristic, with the resonator plate supporting a bridge, and a resonator conductor positioned between the upper and lower sound boards for transmitting vibrations directly from the resonator plate to the lower sound board and to create additional air vibrations within the sound box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Kerrick Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph S. D'Anda, Kerry Kilbride, Edric Adams, Jeffrey L. Abercrombie
  • Publication number: 20120234153
    Abstract: A guitar comprising a sound box that comprises an upper sound board having a sound hole, a lower sound board, a resonator plate comprising a relatively thin sturdy material exhibiting a vibrational springy characteristic, with the resonator plate supporting a bridge, and a resonator conductor positioned between the upper and lower sound boards for transmitting vibrations directly from the resonator plate to the lower sound board and to create additional air vibrations within the sound box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: KERRICK ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph S. D'Anda, Kerry M. Kilbride, Edric J. Adams, Jeffrey L. Abercrombie
  • Patent number: 8222503
    Abstract: A sound reverberator device for detachable connection to the strings of a string musical instrument which has strings tensioned over a bridge piece connected to the top wall of the sound box or the instrument. The reverberator comprises three spaced apart metal coil springs secured side-by-side at a common end to a spring support. A metallic string attachment member is secured to a free end of each of the springs. The attachment member has string engaging fingers for engaging a respective one of a pair of adjacent strings of the musical instrument. The attachment member further has a bridge abutment portion for contact with the bridge piece. When the reverberator is connected to the musical instrument, the springs are tensioned with the attachment member connected to the strings whereby vibrations imparted to the strings will be transmitted to the bridge piece and the associated spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventor: Roberto Aspri
  • Publication number: 20120174728
    Abstract: A method for increasing the resonance of an instrument such as a woodwind instrument having a cap holder inside and a pad coupled to the cap holder comprises: an agitation step for agitating a mixture of a conductive medium that contains at least one of platinum, gold, silver, copper, nickel, bronze, brass, phosphor bronze with solid silicon; a mixture heating step for heating the agitated mixture; a coagulation step for naturally cooling the heated mixture and coagulating into a solid; a mixture pulverization step for pulverizing the mixture; a mixture application step for applying the mixture to the inside of the cap holder; and a pad attaching step for attaching a pad to the interior of the cap holder after the mixture application step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Hyeon Su Oh, Min Sook Jeong
  • Patent number: 8217254
    Abstract: In an implementation of this invention, a stringed musical instrument has a resonator comprised of a bridge and a soundboard. Vibrations from the strings are transmitted through the bridge to the soundboard. A plurality of sensors are attached to or embedded in the soundboard. The sensors measure primarily the vibrations of the soundboard, rather than primarily the vibrations of the strings. Preferably, three or more sensors are used. Piezoelectric sensors sample vibrations in the soundboard. The resonator includes a printed circuit board that amplifies the signal from each sensor separately. Also, a signal processing device that is “onboard” the musical instrument processes the separate input signals to create one output signal. The resonator may be easily removed, enabling resonators to be interchanged. Also, the physical characteristics of a particular resonator, such as its mass or its boundary condition, may be adjusted, thereby changing the acoustic qualities of the soundboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Amit Shlomo Zoran, Marco Luigi Coppiardi
  • Publication number: 20120055314
    Abstract: The “Resonant Apparatus for Conducting Sound Waves” is for an electric string instrument, such as, but not limited to, a member of the guitar, bass, mandolin or violin family. The invention comprises a resonant apparatus and at least two connectors, to conduct sound waves from the vibrating string(s) of the musical instrument through the first connector to the resonant apparatus through the second connector to an electric pickup or plurality of pickups. The invention provides for proper phase alignment between the vibrating string or strings and the electric pickup or plurality of pickups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Steven Lynn Gorman, Johnathan Charles Gorman
  • Patent number: 8067685
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a musical instrument having a plurality of strings, wherein a global fundamental tone produces a sympathetic resonance in one or more of the plurality of strings. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a stringed musical instrument comprises a plurality of strings, and a vibration inducing device configured to create a global fundamental tone upon demand by a user, wherein at least a first string of the plurality of strings controllably produces a sympathetic resonance in response to the global fundamental tone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Inventor: Preston Parish
  • Publication number: 20110277614
    Abstract: A sound reverberator device for detachable connection to the strings of a string musical instrument which has strings tensioned over a bridge piece connected to the top wall of the sound box or the instrument. The reverberator comprises three spaced apart metal coil springs secured side-by-side at a common end to a spring support. A metallic string attachment member is secured to a free end of each of the springs. The attachment member has string engaging fingers for engaging a respective one of a pair of adjacent strings of the musical instrument. The attachment member further has a bridge abutment portion for contact with the bridge piece. When the reverberator is connected to the musical instrument, the springs are tensioned with the attachment member connected to the strings whereby vibrations imparted to the strings will be transmitted to the bridge piece and the associated spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventor: Roberto Aspri
  • Publication number: 20110252940
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for seasoning stringed musical instruments comprises an electric vibration generator coupled to a string cradle. The string cradle is detachably attachable to the strings of the instrument through a plurality of flanges extending between the strings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: TONERITE, INC.
    Inventor: Agapitus B. Lye
  • Patent number: 7977565
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for seasoning stringed musical instruments comprises an electric vibration generator coupled to a string cradle. The string cradle is detachably attachable to the strings of the instrument through a plurality of flanges extending between the strings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Tonerite, Inc.
    Inventor: Agapitus B. Lye
  • Publication number: 20110162506
    Abstract: The present invention provides a stringed instrument capable of corresponding to a preference of a player of the stringed instrument, a purpose of performance, and so on as much as possible. A resonance box portion fabricated by an additive fabrication method and a neck portion protruding from the resonance box portion are included, and material constants at a desired area of the resonance box portion is made different from material constants at an adjacent area adjacent to the desired area step by step or continuously. Vibrational characteristics of the instrument are changed by the partial difference of the material constants, and thereby, the stringed instrument capable of corresponding to the preference of the player, the purpose of the performance, and so on is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventor: Yukio Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 7928303
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for lowering the fundamental frequency of a cajon drum. A first side wall of the cajon drum is the drumhead. An opening is formed in a second side wall, wherein the opening may be circular, oval, rectangular or other shape. An insert having a cross-section conforming to the shape of the opening is slid into the opening and mounted to the side wall in which the opening is formed. Various techniques for connecting the insert to the side wall of the drum are disclosed. The insert may be fitted into the drum opening during the initial manufacture of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Riley Investments LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Earl Millender, Jr., Jesse M. Bradman
  • Patent number: 7915505
    Abstract: A musical instrument is provided. The instrument is light weight and portable. The instrument includes electrical pickup capabilities but also has the feel of an acoustic instrument. The instrument can be folded to an arrangement that is easy for transport. The folding instrument has maximum similarity to an acoustic cello, including the feel and size when unfolded. The instrument includes a floating soundboard to provide maximum acoustic feel. The instrument further includes an acoustic pickup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Eliton, LLC
    Inventor: Viacheslav Miniaev
  • Patent number: 7842867
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for improving the tonal characteristics of a stringed instrument. This has been accomplished using a device that interfaces acoustically with the soundhole. The device inhabits space where sound energy waves tend to interfere and redirects the sound energy out of the soundhole. This prevents distortion and delivers more fullness in sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Inventor: Eric Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7754951
    Abstract: A string musical instrument, such as but not limited to a guitar, whose sides are angled; and without relief holes in the instrument's soundboard, or top; with the absence of a hole on the instrument's top that allows more sound to be produced by the remaining material in the top, where the sound hole might have been; whose relief holes are located on the “inner back” which is attached to the angled sides; that embodies a second, or “outer back,” identically contoured or shaped like the inner back but whose outer dimensions are equal to the outer dimensions of the instrument's top, with a sound chamber created by the proximity of the inner back with the outer back, whose outer back embodies a shaped flange designed to direct the instrument's sound forward, and embodies a series of springs attached to both the bridge plate and inner back of the instrument, designed to create a reverb effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Inventor: Horace Greely Thornhill