Patents by Inventor Stephen J. Boulanger

Stephen J. Boulanger 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: 5305819
    Abstract: A method by which many identical wooden necks for solid-body electric guitars are manufactured, these being of the conventional type wherein the inner neck ends are connected to the solid bodies by screws. Edge regions of the undersides of at least some of the necks are then routed-out to form a tongue on each routed neck, the tongue extending longitudinally of the neck. Solid wooden bodies are provided for the routed necks, and there are formed in such bodies tongue pockets that correspond generally to the tongues and are shaped to receive them. The tongues are then mounted in the respective tongue pockets and adhesively secured there.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Fender Muscial Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen J. Boulanger, John F. Page, John W. Black
  • Patent number: 5125311
    Abstract: A set-neck guitar in which the inner neck end has a tongue that seats in and is glued in a pocket in the body and in a protuberance on the body. Corresponding sidewalls of the tongue and pocket are parallel to the center line of the body, while other sidewalls are at an angle thereto so as to create a wedge relationship. A cam and bearing element is provided to force the wedge surfaces together and improve the connection. The underside of the protuberance on the body is carved back, as is part of the neck, to create a generally integral-seeming joint. Crush points are provided to facilitate the operation and enhance esthetics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Fender Musical Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen J. Boulanger, John F. Page, John W. Black
  • Patent number: 4793236
    Abstract: A self-aligning neck joint for releasably securing the neck of an electric guitar to the guitar body and maintaining the neck in fixed proper alignment with the body. The neck joint includes a first bracket secured in a channel in the underside of the upper end of the neck and a second bracket secured in a neck pocket in the guitar body such that upon securing the brackets together the neck is secured to and fixed in proper alignment with the guitar body. The brackets each define a pair of rows of interlocking undercut teeth with one of the rows of teeth on the second bracket being moveable in a transverse direction for selective engagement and disengagement with the mating teeth on the first bracket to allow the brackets to be moved out of engagement and the neck separated from the guitar body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignees: Albert J. Carness, Michael D. McGuire
    Inventors: Michael D. McGuire, Stephen J. Boulanger