Patents Examined by Kimberly R. Lockett
  • Patent number: 11227568
    Abstract: In order to produce a sound post system that is easy to deploy, is position-variable and can be adjusted with little technical outlay even by less technically skilled operators, the disclosure proposes a sound post system that comprises a sound post and an adjustment tool, wherein the sound post comprises a tube that has a contact element hinged to one end of the tube and, at the other end of the tube, a screw mechanism with a support element, said screw mechanism being formed by a mating thread on the tube and a threaded component connected to said support element, wherein a further hinged contact element is disposed on the side of the support element that faces away from the tube and, by actuating the screw mechanism, the distance between said two contact elements can be varied, both the support element and the tube comprising radial holes for the introduction of torque forces, and the adjustment tool comprising a rod for inserting into a radial hole, and a handle that is connected to said rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: DIASTRAD E. K.
    Inventor: Willi-Paul Balsereit
  • Patent number: 11222617
    Abstract: A snare pad includes a pad body, a batter surface member, and a dummy snare wire member. The batter surface member is coupled to the pad body. The dummy snare wire member is arranged in the pad body. The dummy snare wire member includes a plate-shaped first rigid member and a second rigid member that is arranged in a manner allowing for contact with the first rigid member. The batter surface member is coupled to the pad body without the pad body being located between the batter surface member and the dummy snare wire member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: HOSHINO GAKKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Hirasawa, Atsushi Honjo
  • Patent number: 11211037
    Abstract: A keyboard apparatus includes a first key assembly, a second key assembly, and a third key assembly. The first key assembly includes a first key being slidably in contact with a first member at a first position and a second member at a second position. A first minimum distance between the first key assembly and the second key assembly at the rear ends thereof is larger than a second minimum distance between the first key assembly and the second key assembly at the second position within a range of rotation of the first key assembly. A third minimum distance between the first key assembly and the third key assembly at the rear ends thereof being larger than a fourth minimum distance between the first key assembly and the third key assembly at the second position within the range of rotation of the first key assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ken Takahashi, Kento Ogawa, Hirotsugu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11200873
    Abstract: Percussion instruments configured for outdoor installation are disclosed. The percussion instrument comprises a support post, wherein the support post is configured for attachment to an outdoor surface, a mounting base secured to the support post, one or more metal discs, wherein each metal disc is tuned to produce a note on a musical scale when struck by a user, and one or more fasteners securing the one or more metal discs to the mounting base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Playcore Wisconsin, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Cooke
  • Patent number: 11200871
    Abstract: A string instrument pick holder assembly including a pouch operable to store one or more instrument picks. The pouch having an inner surface configured to contain the one or more picks, and an outer surface located opposite the inner surface. The string instrument pick holder assembly further including a saddle having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface is located opposite the first surface, and a strap coupled with the saddle, wherein the strap is operable connect the saddle with a string instrument. A first portion of a fastener is connected with the outer surface of the pouch, and a second portion of the fastener is coupled with the first surface of the saddle. The second portion of the fastener is operable to detachably connect with the first portion of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Innoversal Products, LLC
    Inventor: Nicholas James Higgins
  • Patent number: 11183156
    Abstract: An illuminating musical bow for visually enhanced performance when playing stringed instruments is disclosed. The illuminating musical bow may include a light source disposed within a hollow or cavity that is disposed within a transparent or translucent stick of the bow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Chaos Manufacturing, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Zachary G. Austad
  • Patent number: 11183157
    Abstract: A wind instrument neck receiver tension mechanism is provided having a body, a retaining ridge, and a tension band. The body has a lower body end and a upper body end. The upper body end defines a thin collar seating wall, which has at least one notch. In some embodiments there are four equally sized notches. A retaining ridge extends from the thin collar seating wall and a tension band having an adjustable compression ring, the adjustable compression ring disposed between said thin collar seating wall and the retaining ridge. When adjusted to a first position, the compression ring compresses the thin collar seating wall in a uniform compression around a circumference of a neck receiver of a wind instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Cannonball Musical Instrument, LLC
    Inventor: Ryan Lillywhite
  • Patent number: 11183158
    Abstract: An exemplary snare drum system comprises a shell, a batter head, a snare head, and a set of wires coupled to the snare head. The system comprises a tensioner coupleable to the set of wires of the snare drum. The tensioner comprising a base, a coarse adjuster, and a fine adjuster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Inventor: Steven Stecher
  • Patent number: 11176916
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a keyboard device and an electronic musical instrument. The keyboard device includes: a plurality of keys 60 arranged in a left-right direction (scale direction); a base member 50 supporting the keys 60; a vibration transmission member 70 being in contact with the base member 50 across an arrangement region of the keys 60 in the left-right direction; and a vibrator 72 fixed to the vibration transmission member 70 and vibrating based on pressing of the key 60. Therefore, the vibration of the vibrator 72 is transmitted to each of the keys 60 (base member 50) arranged on the left and right via the vibration transmission member 70. As the vibration transmission member 70 has higher rigidity than the base member 50 made of resin, the vibration of the vibrator 72 is easily transmitted in the left-right direction through the vibration transmission member 70.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventors: Tateki Yamamura, Yoshiki Takaki, Yukihide Takata, Hitoshi Sato
  • Patent number: 11176912
    Abstract: This invention describes a new Modular Multi-Plate Stringed Instrument Body Architecture that utilizes a front plate or plurality of front plates, a back plate or plurality of back plates, and central stiffening and connecting assembly and/or spacer blocks that connect the plates and distribute the forces created by string tension throughout the system in order to create an instrument body that is light weight, modular, modifiable and repairable. The use of modern composites such as carbon fiber allows for the instrument body to be designed as a beam structure such that the stiffness, resonance, and tone of the system can be controlled by varying the thickness, geometry, and material of the plates and connecting members. Said assembly can be dismantled and components changed to meet the user's needs and desires giving increased control over performance parameters compared to existing designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Inventor: Kevin Loren Moon
  • Patent number: 11170744
    Abstract: A pick for plucking a string of a stringed musical instrument is provided. The pick includes a planar body having front and rear sides, a distal end having a curved tip for plucking the string, a proximal end for gripping by a user; and a plurality of raised formations provided on at least one of the front and rear sides of the planar body at the distal end, the raised formations being structured and arranged at the distal end to strike the string more than once when the distal end plucks the string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Acoustik Attak, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Labbe, Michael DePietro
  • Patent number: 11170743
    Abstract: A musical instrument includes a softwood core and an opening formed in the softwood core. The softwood core is formed by combining a plurality of softwood boards. A hardwood plug is disposed in the opening of the softwood core. A first hardwood plate is disposed over a first surface of the softwood core. A second hardwood plate is disposed over a second surface of the softwood core. The hardwood plug extends from the first hardwood plate to the second hardwood plate. The softwood core, first hardwood plate, and second hardwood plate are cut into an instrument body. An instrument neck is attached to the instrument body. A bridge is attached to the hardwood plug using a screw or other fastener extending through the bridge and into the hardwood plug. An opening is formed through the hardwood plug. A string is disposed through the opening of the hardwood plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Fender Musical Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy P. Shaw, Joshua D. Hurst
  • Patent number: 11170742
    Abstract: A sostenuto mechanism linked to a sostenuto pedal and a sostenuto rod of a keyboard instrument, and the keyboard instrument are provided. The sostenuto mechanism includes a fixed member configured to be fixed to at least one of a middle beam or a key bed of the keyboard instrument, a movable member movably supported by the fixed member, and a movement transmission. The movement transmission is configured to be interposed between the sostenuto pedal and the movable member to transmit movement of the sostenuto pedal to the movable member. The moveable member is movable relative to the fixed member to turn the sostenuto rod in response to depression of the sostenuto pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Murakami, Yusuke Takashima
  • Patent number: 11170745
    Abstract: A quick-release clamp for releasably attaching an instrument, in particular a percussion instrument, to a stand includes a passage opening for the stand, at least one movable clamping jaw for changing a cross-section of the passage opening, an operating element for influencing a position of the clamping jaw, and a housing. In the rest position of the at least one clamping jaw there is a form-fit connection between the at least one clamping jaw, the operating element and the housing to prevent the movement of the clamping jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: SONOR GmbH
    Inventor: Hernán Javier Cabo
  • Patent number: 11164549
    Abstract: An instrument string guide for changing the path of a string on a musical instrument is disclosed. The instrument string guide engages the musical instrument string between the end of operational length and point of string termination. This device comprises a base 1 and tapered radiused slot 2 to attach to the musical instrument. The tapered radiused slot 2 keeps the devise attached to the musical instrument. The tapered radiused slot also guides the string around the radiused edge more easily to reduce friction. The instrument string guide rests against a part of the instrument to become stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Inventor: Derrick Baird
  • Patent number: 11158293
    Abstract: A modular stringed instrument comprising a precision-machined components which are assembled “out of the box” to build an instrument having a desired, reproducible sound is disclosed. The modular design of the stringed instrument allows for complete customization to a player's tastes such as allowing the player to select head stock styles, handedness, neck thicknesses, scale length, body style, and electronics. A custom designed bridge and mounting system allow for analog bridge placement along the mounting plate which can be custom machined to accommodate a players wishes. The placement of the bridge is precision both in forward/back position but also in height and, if desired, in up to six degrees of freedom. Each string height is adjustable as well as integral to the bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Inventor: Paul Milligan
  • Patent number: 11145281
    Abstract: The broken string energy absorbing device includes a fixing mechanism and a cushioning and energy absorbing mechanism. The fixing mechanism is configured to fix the broken string energy absorbing device to a neck of the stringed instrument. The cushioning and energy absorbing mechanism is configured to absorb and weaken the energy when a string of the stringed instrument is broken. The present invention can sufficiently protect the user from not being exploded by the broken string when tuning the strings, which effectively ensures the safety of the user when tuning. The user no longer has the psychological burden of worrying about whether the string will be broken, so that the user can safely tune the strings, which provides good user experience and is favorable for the user to further learn the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: SHENZHEN MEIDEAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zhihui Liang
  • Patent number: 11145282
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel woodwind mouthpiece, which comprises: a main body having an elongated streamlined shape; a hollow chamber and a bore inside the main body; a reed table on one side of the main body and partially suspended from the main body; a beak on an opposite side to the reed table on the main body; a reed rail surrounding the beak and connecting to two lateral sides of the reed table to form an opening window between a reed and the hollow chamber inside the main body; and a tip opening disposed between the reed rail at a tip of the beak and an virtual surface extending from a surface of the reed table, wherein the woodwind mouthpiece is made of a plastic, a metal, an alloy, a composite, wood or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Inventor: Mien-Huei Tzeng
  • Patent number: 11145278
    Abstract: There is provided a keyboard instrument in which a plurality of white keys and a plurality of black keys are arranged in a widthwise direction, a total width dimension of the plurality of white keys that constitute one octave is set to 160 mm or less, and a width dimension of an upper surface of each of the black keys is set to 9 mm or more and 10.5 mm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihide Takata, Yoshiyasu Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 11138957
    Abstract: A main body fixing member is disclosed. The main body fixing member fixes an endpin including a shaft portion having a first end housed in a musical instrument main body and a second end stood on a floor. The shaft portion is provided with a recess. The main body fixing member includes a fitting portion, a through hole through which the shaft portion of the endpin extends, an opening disposed orthogonal to the through hole and having a bottom surface, a columnar member, a biasing portion, and a pressing portion. The columnar member is provided with a hole through which the shaft portion extends, and an engagement protrusion engaged with the recess of the shaft portion. The engagement protrusion is formed on an inner surface of the hole. The pressing portion presses the shaft portion inserted into the through hole and the hole via the columnar member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Inventors: Yoshitomo Arai, Yoshiyuki Arai