Patents Examined by Kimberly Lockett
  • Patent number: 9275614
    Abstract: A wind instrument includes a body defining a body with a plurality of tone holes. A plurality of keys are attached to the body, each key of the plurality of keys further including a key pad that is configured to selectively seal at least one of the plurality of tone holes to produce notes of different pitch. In one example, the body includes one monolithic piece of a metal extrusion having a “D”-shaped cross-section that provides a substantially flat upper surface and a lower curved surface. In another example, a biasing member includes a pair of magnets associated with each key, each pair of magnets including a first magnet attached the body and second magnet attached to one of the keys. A position of at least one of the first and second magnets is selectively adjustable relative to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventor: John Ingalls
  • Patent number: 9263019
    Abstract: A percussion instrument including a first acoustic chamber housing having a tapered shape, a second acoustic chamber housing having the tapered shape, a sound board having the tapered shape arranged between the first acoustic chamber housing and the second acoustic chamber housing to form a first acoustic chamber defined by the first acoustic chamber housing and the sound board, and a second acoustic chamber defined by the second acoustic chamber housing and the sound board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Jon Greg Dahl
  • Patent number: 9263011
    Abstract: A removable bass drum head cover with a printed display is provided. The drum head cover may be releasably attachable to a bass drum head. In certain embodiments, the drum head cover may be releasably attachable to the bass drum head cover by a hook and loop fastener. Therefore, drummers may easily interchange the designs, artwork, and band names displayed on their bass drum heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Angie Wdowiak
  • Patent number: 9257110
    Abstract: Disclosed is a torque suppressor for bodies having a forward assembly comprising an extension having a rear-portion, a mid-portion, and a fore-portion, wherein the fore-portion is configured to attach to the forward assembly, the rear-portion is configured to attach to the body at a forward point of attachment, and the mid-portion is configured to attach to a first end of a shoulder strap, the shoulder strap having a second end configured to attach to a rear point of attachment of the body. The device is effective in eliminating neck dive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventor: Gordon S. Smith
  • Patent number: 9257107
    Abstract: A musical drum comprised of a drumshell and a drumhead, which includes a composite of tonal modifiers acting synergistically for dampening drum sounds by eliminating high frequencies and overtones. The tonal modifiers include a first tonal modifier comprised of synthetic material, a second tonal modifier bonded to the synthetic material in overlaying relation, a third tonal modifier positioned upon the second tonal modifier in overlaying relation, and a fourth tonal modifier bonded to the central portion of the third tonal modifier in overlaying relation, the combination of which cooperate to break down the various levels of harmonics to their purest form resulting in a unique sound and vibrational experience provided in a therapeutic context for the well-being of a person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: REMO, INC.
    Inventors: Remo D. Belli, Christopher J. Whitttington
  • Patent number: 9257109
    Abstract: Eyebolt mounting devices are disclosed. In an aspect, the present disclosure provides an eyebolt bracket assembly for mounting a musical instrument to a rod. The assembly has a bracket having a first side having a first opening, a second side having a second opening, and a top side having a third opening. The bracket houses an eyebolt member having a threaded portion and an eye opening portion. The eye opening portion has an eye opening, an outer surface, and inner surface. A spring is disposed on the threaded portion and to apply a variable tension force to the eyebolt member. The threaded portion passes through the third opening and receives a washer and a fastener. The eyebolt member is held to the bracket by the fastener and is movable within the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: DRUM WORKSHOP, INC.
    Inventors: Andrzej J Krol, Victor Filonovich, Sergio G. Bonsignore
  • Patent number: 9241563
    Abstract: An attachable book holder is disclosed for a piano having a music rest, where the music rest has upper and lower outer surfaces. The attachable book holder comprises an elongate finger element and an attachment means which is connected to the elongate finger element at a connection point. The attachment means is attachable to at least one of the outer surfaces of the music rest at one or more contact regions. The elongate finger element is adjustable between a first orientation in which the finger element extends upwards from the connection point and a second orientation. The attachable book holder can be used on modern pianos which are supplied without book holders as part of the music rest, or alternatively the attachable book holder can be used to replace faulty or missing book holders on older pianos. In the former case there is no need to drill the casing of the book rest to attach the book holder to the music rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: KATZKLIP COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Pablo Reuben Katz
  • Patent number: 9245504
    Abstract: An instructional drum practice pad overlays a larger polygon base containing preferably twelve typical rudiments used in teaching musical drum playing to students. Preferably the polygonal base is a twelve sided polygon, known as a dodecagon. The lightweight durable base has a diameter of preferably about 13 inches and a height of about ½ inch, with the upper pad having a diameter of about 10 inches and being preferably a ? inches thickness pad of 40 durometer gum rubber. There is a bottom base of neoprene that is about 3/16 inch thick. Rudiments, or symbolic music note symbols to teach the proper drum music beats, are provided in a peripheral array around the base frame, while leaving the striking pad free of any visual distractions. Optionally, multiple rudiment bearing rings can be stacked over the upper drum practice pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Inventors: Gerard McSweeney, Maryann McSweeney, Ryan McSweeney, Sean McSweeney, Dennis Ricci, Jerry Ricci
  • Patent number: 9240167
    Abstract: A guitar aid enables a user to selectively position and control tension and angle of a guitar pick for a richer sound with decreased strain on the user's hand and fingers. The guitar aid includes a band that can be adjustably sized to fit a user's finger. A guitar pick can be coupled directly to the band. The guitar pick can define a raised portion or ridge on the upper surface of the pick that serves as a first engagement feature for a first user finger, such as the user's thumb. The lower surface of the pick can include at least one outwardly projecting rib that serves as a second engagement feature for a second user finger, such as the user's index finger. The positioning of the pick with respect to the ring and the pair of engagement features cause a user to hold the pick at the proper angle and with appropriate tension when playing a guitar or other stringed instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Inventor: Kay Caccia
  • Patent number: 9236037
    Abstract: A piccolo comprising a conical-bore headjoint, and a cylindrical-bore main body having toneholes of particular size disposed at particular intervals along the length of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Inventor: Kanichi Nagahara
  • Patent number: 9230522
    Abstract: A hitting device for cajon includes a base having a cajon hitting assembly, a shaft, and a driving portion assembled thereon. When the treading portion is treaded, the first end of the bar member is pivoted about the pivoting portion, so that the bar member drives the driving member to move longitudinally and the arm drives the shaft to rotate along a direction where the cajon hitter moves forward the hitting surface of the cajon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: E Bin Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsi Tan Lin
  • Patent number: 9230525
    Abstract: A method and devices for changing and dampening guitar strings are disclosed. The string changing device comprises a flexible urethane foam having trapezoidal sides so that the front face of the device can be inserted into the space between the Bigsby tailpiece and a front face of a guitar to temporarily hold at least one eyelet of a guitar string onto a pin of the Bigsby tailpiece while a guitar string installer is installing a string on a headstock tuning peg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Inventors: Steve Hunter, Karen Hunter
  • Patent number: 9230523
    Abstract: A cymbal mounting assembly that has a housing with a through hole. A mounting rod of a cymbal stand is to be conducted through the through hole with therebeing a loose fit between the mounting rod and the housing. A cymbal is loosely mounted on the housing so it can freely pivot or rock. The assembly includes a tightening nut with a friction feature included to adjust the amount of clamping force being applied to the cymbal. This friction feature prevents unauthorized adjusting of the rocking or pivoting motion (action) of the cymbal and this preselected amount of action by the drummer is maintained even when the cymbal is placed in storage when the drummer moves to another playing location and is only changed when the drummer decides to do so. The assembly may also include a centering clip within the through that prevents the housing from contacting the mounting rod in the area of the upper portion of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Inventor: Daniel John Spriggel
  • Patent number: 9224371
    Abstract: A three-in-one drum includes a drum chamber, a drum skin and pressing rings. A beating tray is vertically and adjustably disposed in the drum chamber and covered with a cushion. The bottom of the beating tray has a microphone vibrator connected to a loudspeaker box. When the adjusting rod is rotated clockwise, the beating tray rises and the cushion is close to the drum skin. The drum skin does not ground when being beaten, this is the mute drum function. An beating trigger connected with an electronic sound source sends electronic signal to perform the electric drum function. The microphone vibrator amplifies the audio frequency signal to perform the audio amplification function. When the adjusting rod is rotated counter clockwise, the beating tray is lowered and the cushion is located away from the drum skin which sounds when being beaten to perform the raw sound drum function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Tianjin Jinbao Musical Instruments Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dingjun Wu, Yongcai Dai, Xiaohu Pei
  • Patent number: 9218796
    Abstract: A clamp includes a flexible, interior conical component in contact with a barrel and a rigid, exterior conical component in contact with the interior component. The interior component has a longitudinal cut over its entire length and has, at the part that contacts the barrel, two central recesses. The exterior component acts on the interior component, and has the same conicity as the interior component. The exterior component prevents unwanted opening of the interior component by exerting a pressure on the interior component. Both components have a central recess, which form, as a whole, a mouthpiece resonating box that provides greater sound volume and different timbres, depending on the size of the recess and on the material from which it is produced. The flexibility of the interior component prevents breaking of the barrel even though three interior rings thereof are placed in different planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Investigaciones Machegas, S.L.
    Inventor: Francisco Espinosa Ferrando
  • Patent number: 9214141
    Abstract: A stand and cradle suitable for resting a bass or cello instrument upon a floor includes an angled base forming a back support and C-bout support upon which a bass or cello may be rested. The base is further supported by a pivotally coupled angled support which maintains the angle of incline of the base. In one embodiment, a pair of generally planar wood members are used to fabricated the base and angled support. In an alternative embodiment, the base is formed of a pair of tubular legs pivotally joined to together with a pivotally secured angle support also formed of a tubular member. In each embodiment, the cradle and base support is foldable to a collapsed configuration for easy storage and transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Inventor: Dennis McNutt
  • Patent number: 9214142
    Abstract: A percussion instrument holder that allows attachment to a user mounted carrier. The holder allows adjustment for positioning about the user, and pivoting of the holder to allow the holder to pivot or rotate up to allow the holder with instruments to fit a narrower space. The holder further allows for pivotal attachment of individual drums to link or pivot allowing the linked drums to articulate. The holder can also consist of members that allow a connected drum to move in horizontal position, angle, or height of the drum. A plurality of unique drum connecting members is disclosed that allow the connecting members to connect onto drum tension rods or on a drum lug. The plurality of connecting members can be fabricated from multiple pieces that can interconnectably be locked into position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Inventor: Randall Lee May
  • Patent number: 9202446
    Abstract: A stringed instrument plectrum cover that includes a formed structure having a conformal shape adapted to match the tear-drop shape of an instrument pick. The cover comprises a thickened member having an open interior. The plucking end of the pick is exposed while the body of the pick is retained within the thickened member, whereby the member increases the thickness of the pick and improves purchase thereof. The surface of the cover includes decorative features such as phosphorescent decals and designs thereon for personalization and for identification of the pick in low light. The pick is inserted through the open end of the thickened member, whereby the pick is supported within a channel in the padded member while its plucking end and its body section is exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Inventor: David Gauthier
  • Patent number: 9196232
    Abstract: A tunable bridge for a string musical instrument is provided to enable a user to rapidly switch between two pre-selected string tunings simply by movement of an actuator arm. The actuator arm controls the position of a cam roller assembly, which in turn controls the pivotal movement of a rocker arm between a lower position and an upper position. A multiplicity of string fingers are mounted for pivotable movement between respective first and second tuning positions. A plurality of manually-adjustable tuning screws with engagement tips are threadedly disposed in the rocker arm. Each engagement tip is configured to press against a respective string finger when the rocker arm is placed in its upper position, thereby further stretching the strings attached to the respective string fingers and increasing their pitch in accordance with the second pre-selected tuning. Mounting of the tunable bridge does not require permanent modification of the string instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Hipshot Products, Inc.
    Inventor: David Joshua Borisoff
  • Patent number: 9196231
    Abstract: A capo for an instrument having a plurality of strings elevated above a fretboard such as a dobro, slide guitar, Hawaiian guitar, or similar raised stringed instrument. This capo uses a sliding wedge adjuster that is installed in the upper milled slot of bar member. The sliding link assembly is installed thru the sliding wedge adjuster slot, into the hole in the center of bar member aligned properly. The string tension bar is installed in sliding link assembly hole and cushion tubes are installed on tension rod, each side of sliding link assembly. The sliding wedge adjuster raises the sliding link assembly as sliding wedge adjuster is pushed inward into bar member. This action compresses the strings to bottom of bar member. This sliding wedge function is unique to this improved capo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Inventor: Charles Forrest McClary