Patents Assigned to Tectus Anstalt
  • Patent number: 7842869
    Abstract: A string instrument with improved acoustic properties includes taut strings fixed at both ends of the instrument. An element is arranged on at least one end of at least one string, between a fixing device of a first material and the string, said element of a second material having a conductive and absorbent capacity for sound waves in the audible frequency range created by striking the strings, which is lower than the conductive or absorbent capacity of the first material in said frequency range, in such a way that the string is protected against any contact with the fixing device. The invention also relates to a fixing plate for guitars, including electronic guitars or electronic bases, having a sleeve disposed in a string hole of the fixing plate at a terminating end of a string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Tectus Anstalt
    Inventor: Christopher Adams
  • Patent number: 7786373
    Abstract: A device for automatically tuning a stringed instrument, particularly a guitar, comprising: a detecting device for detecting a note produced by strumming a string and for outputting a digital signal corresponding to the detected note; a memory device for storing default digital signals corresponding to a desired note; a comparator for comparing the digital signal output by the detecting device with a digital signal, which is stored in the memory device and which corresponds to the desired note; an adjusting device for altering the tension of the strings; at least one drive for driving the adjusting device, and; a controller, which is connected to the comparator and which controls the at least one drive via a bus line based on a difference between the signals representing the produced note and the desired note, this difference being determined in the comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Tectus Anstalt
    Inventor: Christopher Adams
  • Patent number: 7692085
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for adjusting the tension of the strings of a string instrument, especially a guitar, preferably an electric guitar, or a bass, preferably an electric bass, said strings being secured at a first end to a winding mechanism and at a second end to another mount, said device having at least one motor, a gear connected to the motor and flexible shafts connected to the gear for transmission of a rotational movement generated by the combination of the motor and the gear to the winding mechanism whereby the device has fewer motors than there are strings on the string instrument. With this device it is possible to arrange a drive for automatic adjustment of the tension of the strings of the string instrument in a space-saving manner and in the smallest possible amount of space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Tectus Anstalt
    Inventor: Christopher Adams
  • Patent number: 7678982
    Abstract: A device and method for automatic tuning of a string Instrument, in particular, a guitar, comprising a recording device, for recording a tone generated by striking a string and for the output of a digital signal corresponding to the recorded tone, a memory device for storage of given digital signals which correspond to a desired tone, a comparator device for comparison of the digital signal output by the recording device with a digital signal corresponding to the desired tone stored in the memory device, an adjuster device for altering the tension of the strings, at least one actuator, for operating the adjuster device, a controller connected to the comparator device, which controls the at least one actuator using a bus line, by means of a difference determined in the comparator device between the signals representing the generated tone and the desired tone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Tectus Anstalt
    Inventor: Christopher Adams
  • Patent number: 7659467
    Abstract: A device for adjusting the tension of the strings of a guitar having at least two strings, particularly an electric guitar or a bass, particularly an electric bass, in which each string of the guitar or bass is, with one end, wound on a turning peg of an adjusting mechanism mounted on the neck of the guitar or of the bass. The adjusting mechanism contains a combination consisting of a worm shaft and of a worm wheel and, due to these, is provided with a self-locking ability. The aim of the invention is to improve the design of a device of the aforementioned type so that, without considerably altering the basic shape of the guitar or of the bass, this device can automatically adjust the tension of individual strings of the instrument reliably and precisely whereby ultimately enabling them to be tuned. To this end, a drive unit for each adjusting mechanism is mounted on the neck of the guitar or of the bass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Tectus Anstalt
    Inventor: Christopher Adams
  • Patent number: 7534955
    Abstract: The present invention describes a simple and effective method and a device for adjusting the tension of the string of a string instrument in which a holding section that is displaceable in or on the mounting block in relation to the latter and on which the first end of the string is attached is displaced by action of a hydraulic medium which is under a preselectable pressure for tightening or relaxing the string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Tectus Anstalt
    Inventor: Christopher Adams