Patents by Inventor Devon Smullen

Devon Smullen 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).

  • Publication number: 20240331671
    Abstract: A stringed instrument having a swappable and configurable electronic pickup module. The pickups in the module may detect vibrations in each string. In embodiments, the swappable pickups may be stored in a cavity that is accessible at the top face of the body of the stringed instrument under the strings. One may remove a first swappable electronic pickup module and connect a second swappable electronic pickup module. The electronic pickup module may be electronically coupled to an audio output circuit of the musical instrument such that the electric signal from the pickups is altered according to the pickup profile and any intervening pre-amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventor: Devon Smullen
  • Publication number: 20240013761
    Abstract: A stringed instrument having a swappable and configurable pre-amplifier. pickups may detect vibrations in each string then transduce the vibration signal into an electrical signal. The electrical signal may be processed in differing manners including attenuation of amplitude, filtering across a frequency spectrum or otherwise altered according to one or more transfer functions embodied in a swappable and configurable pre-amplifier. In embodiments, this swappable pre-amplifier may be stored in a cavity that is accessible at the rear of the body of the stringed instrument. One may remove a first swappable pre-amplifier and connect a second swappable pre-amplifier. The pre-amplifiers may be electronically coupled to an audio output circuit of the musical instrument such that the electric signal from the pickups is altered according to the pre-amplifier profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Applicant: Devon Bass
    Inventor: Devon Smullen
  • Patent number: 11663995
    Abstract: Systems and methods for translating strings of a stringed instruments as well as providing for adjustable tensioning. In embodiments, a stringed instrument, may include an instrument body having a front side and a back side wherein, as with most stringed instruments, the strings are disposed on the front side of the body for playing. Different from conventional stringed instruments though, at least a portion of at least one string may be disposed on the backside of the body as well. Thus, a first set of string anchor points are disposed on front side and a second set of string anchor points are disposed on the back side. That is, the strings are translated form the front side to the back side by passing the one or more translated strings through an aperture in the body called a through-bridge. Further, embodiments may include additional versatility by having adjustable tensioning systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Devon Bass
    Inventors: Devon Smullen, Gary Richter
  • Publication number: 20220208151
    Abstract: Systems and methods for translating strings of a stringed instruments as well as providing for adjustable tensioning. In embodiments, a stringed instrument, may include an instrument body having a front side and a back side wherein, as with most stringed instruments, the strings are disposed on the front side of the body for playing. Different from conventional stringed instruments though, at least a portion of at least one string may be disposed on the backside of the body as well. Thus, a first set of string anchor points are disposed on front side and a second set of string anchor points are disposed on the back side. That is, the strings are translated form the front side to the back side by passing the one or more translated strings through an aperture in the body called a through-bridge. Further, embodiments may include additional versatility by having adjustable tensioning systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Devon Smullen, Gary Richter