Patents by Inventor Phillip R. Coonce

Phillip R. Coonce 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).

  • Patent number: 6452080
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for a note locator for stringed instruments and method of use. Note locator (10) comprises a flexible planar top and bottom surface wherein the top surface has note position indicators (60) of color and the bottom surface has an adhesive for placement beneath the strings of the instrument along the fingerboard without interfering with the normal operation of the instrument. The user learns correct finger placement by visually identifying colors with notes of the equitempered chromatic scale. Diatonic scale note position indicators (32, 36, 38, 42, 46, 50, and 52) are indicated with various distinct colors while other half step note position indicators (30, 34, 40, 44, and 48) are indicated with a color different from that of the diatonic scale note position indicators. Segmentation (70,72) is provided for dividing note locator (10) so that segments can be added or removed from the fingerboard if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Inventor: Phillip R. Coonce
  • Patent number: 6218603
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for a note locator for stringed instruments, as well as a method of use, is presented. The application of acoustic laws allows calculation of the location for note position indicators upon the note locator. These locations are presented in a visual format. Note locator (10) comprises a flexible planar top and bottom surface wherein the top surface has note position indicators (60) of color and the bottom surface has an adhesive so that it can be placed beneath the strings of the instrument along the fingerboard without interfering with the normal operation of the instrument. Fingerboard alignment indicators (16, 18) aid in correct placement of the note locator. The user learns correct finger placement for playing the instrument by visually identifying colors with the notes of the equitempered chromatic scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Inventor: Phillip R. Coonce