Accessories Patents (Class 84/453)
  • Patent number: 11551647
    Abstract: A keyboard instrument includes a keyboard and an instrument case having a through hole penetrating therethrough from a top surface side to a bottom surface side and a positioning part configured to decide on a position of a music stand when a part of the music stand is disposed in the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akihisa Hoshino, Atsushi Oshiro, Hirokatsu Katoh
  • Patent number: 11087722
    Abstract: A humidity modifying auxiliary tool having a superior humidity modifying effect is provided. A humidity modifying auxiliary tool capable of being installed in a condition where the humidity modifying auxiliary tool covers a sound hole provided on a body part of a stringed instrument includes: a lid portion capable of covering the sound hole; a frame portion provided at a back side of the lid portion, the frame portion being equipped with a humidity modifying sheet retaining portion to retain a humidity modifying sheet to modify humidity of the body part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: TECHNAD CO., LTD
    Inventor: Masumi Hara
  • Patent number: 11074895
    Abstract: A utility article for protecting and covering the strings of a musical instrument, while providing options for visibility and display. The utility article, including a covering member made of flexible material and having a front side and a rear side. Four flaps extend from the left edge and the right edge of the covering member, wherein two flaps extend outwards to form a sleeve and the two flaps extend rearwards wrapping the neck of the musical instrument. The two pockets will serve for holding the users common accessories and tools, while an attachable flap will allow the device to second as a guitar strap when not in its primary use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Inventor: Adam Grant
  • Patent number: 11076213
    Abstract: A specialized audio/instrument cable with built-in digital signal processing capabilities that adds user-defined audio effects (such as reverb, delay, chorus and/or distortion) from within the cable itself to affect the sound generated from an instrument or microphone such that the cable is the only connection needed between the instrument or microphone and an output device (such as an amplifier, PA, powered speaker, music mixer, or a recording device). The audio effects used by the cable can be changed via (i) an app from a smartphone, tablet, computer or other electronic device; (ii) a wireless controller that attaches to the instrument; (iii) a pedal, and/or (iv) any other type of wireless controller that has the ability to communicate with a smartphone/tablet/computer or other electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Prophet Productions, LLC
    Inventors: Bobby Elijah Aviv, David G. Aviv, Mark Schaffel, Guy Zohar
  • Patent number: 10971039
    Abstract: A display system for use in a sound hole of a guitar, the display system includes legs extending outwardly from a central point; a base connected to the legs; and a top plate rotationally connected to the base, the top plate having a weight such that the weight rotates to a bottom location during any manipulation of the base; the legs are to engage with the guitar to secure the display system within the sound hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Eric Nathaniel Burns
  • Patent number: 10964294
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for aiding in mounting strings to an instrument, which includes a frame having: a pair of opposing extension members, a cross-member connecting the opposing extension members at a distal end; and a support member extending laterally from each of the opposing extension members. The apparatus also includes a retention assembly and a tensile retaining mechanism supported about the cross-member and extending toward the neck portion of the musical instrument. The tensile retaining mechanism including clip member wherein the clip member of the tensile retaining mechanism is configured to receive a string for mounting to the instrument, the tensile retaining mechanism configured to maintain a desired lateral position along the neck portion and maintain a tensile force to the string during a tightening process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Inventor: Mark Alan Peters
  • Patent number: 10909607
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for monitoring and providing humidity control for an asset within a closed environment such as a storage container, with transmission of sensed humidity levels to at least one server that stores current and historical humidity levels and comprises a processor and stored executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, may recommend an optimal humidity controller to use for the asset, determine when the recommended humidity controller requires replacement and predictively recommend an optimal replacement humidity controller based on at least historical humidity data and trending thereof, execution of a sales transaction, that may be pre-scheduled based on asset type, asset size and/or historical data, for the optimal replacement humidity controller, and providing the proper replacement humidity controller to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: BOVEDA INC.
    Inventors: Rolf W. Biernath, Jason L. Schmitz, Robert L. Esse, Sean A. Knutsen, Brian Rice
  • Patent number: 10714059
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a device for, among other things, preventing picks from falling into soundholes of various musical instruments is disclosed. The device is both decorative and functional, including having multiple sizes, contours, and usages. Further, various methods of manufacturing the device are disclosed. The device can have various electronics incorporated therein, and in some embodiments communicates with a mobile application on a handheld computing device. The method of manufacture can include, in an embodiment, manufacturing a circular frame having an inner and outer diameter; manufacturing a circular screen also having an inner and outer diameter to be inserted within the frame in a non-movable snug-fit, fabricating the frame to have an instrument-facing surface and a string-facing surface, and preparing an instrument-facing surface of the frame to be suitable for attachment to a surface of the instrument, among potentially other steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Inventor: Mackenzie Taylor
  • Patent number: 10580392
    Abstract: Embodiments of devices to protect edges of objects are described. The objects can include musical instruments and the devices can be coupled to an edge of the musical instruments. One or more of the devices can be disposed around one or more portions of an edge of a musical instrument to minimize or prevent contact between the edge of the musical instrument and surfaces or other objects that may contact the musical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Inventors: William-Henry Chase Drake, Rochelle Marie Drake, William Lee Drake
  • Patent number: 10362397
    Abstract: A voice enhancement method for distributed system is disclosed. In the method of the present invention, a plurality of picking devices are disposed in a space for picking voice signal. The picking devices communicate with each other and have an enhancement operation on the voice information from each picking device to generate an enhanced voice signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Airoha Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Heng-Chih Lin, Wen-Sheng Hou, Chien-Chen Lin
  • Patent number: 10311844
    Abstract: A musical instrument recording system is provided. The system includes a recorder capable of receiving MIDI data from an instrument and recording the MIDI data onto a first memory. The recorder further renders the MIDI data into an audio file and store the audio file onto a second memory as stored data. The recorder transmits the stored data to a user device, such as a user's smart phone, a remote computer, etc., and/or to a cloud-based storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Inventor: Peter T. Godart
  • Patent number: 10140965
    Abstract: A performance system to allow a performer of an actual performance to more appropriately ascertain the progress of an automatic performance by a performance device. The performance system comprises a performance controller that causes a performance device to carry out an automatic performance of a musical piece, and a notification controller that causes a notification device to carry out an operation to visually notify a performer of an actual performance of a musical piece of the progress of the automatic performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10055781
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for monitoring and providing humidity control for an asset within a closed environment such as a storage container, with transmission of sensed humidity levels to at least one server that stores current and historical humidity levels and comprises a processor and stored executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, may recommend an optimal humidity controller to use for the asset, determine when the recommended humidity controller requires replacement and predictively recommend an optimal replacement humidity controller based on at least historical humidity data and trending thereof, execution of a sales transaction, that may be pre-scheduled based on asset type, asset size and/or historical data, for the optimal replacement humidity controller, and providing the proper replacement humidity controller to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Boveda Inc.
    Inventors: Jason L. Schmitz, Robert L. Esse, Sean A. Knutsen
  • Patent number: 10013963
    Abstract: Provided is a method of providing a melody recording based on a user humming melody in a user device. The method includes displaying a record button to be used to start recording of a humming melody of a user in response to an input of the user, and measuring a pitch of a sound that changes over time based on the humming melody of the user, and displaying a change in the pitch in real time. A region in which the change in the pitch is displayed includes at least a portion of a left region of a screen of the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: COOLJAMM Company
    Inventors: Keehwan Ka, Jiho Ahn, Yeonju Kang, Ji Eun Park
  • Patent number: 10002541
    Abstract: A method for producing modified music can be for facilitating playing of a musical instrument and/or facilitate learning of a song. Such methods can include several computer implemented steps which can be some or all of the following steps; digitally obtaining original note data about a song and/or original audio data of the song, creating modified note data for a musical instrument, synchronizing audio data of the song to the modified note data, and presenting the modified note data to a user. The steps can also be ordered as outlined above and below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Berggram Development Oy
    Inventor: Jussi Bergman
  • Patent number: 9691369
    Abstract: An adjustable guitar effects pedalboard for anchoring guitar effects pedals. More specifically, a pedalboard having an upper level and a lower, telescoping level that is configured to allow users to adjust the width of the pedalboard to fit their needs. The upper level and the lower, telescoping level are curved and further contain a plurality of holes on which users can use cable ties to anchor their guitar effects pedals. The lower, telescoping level is comprised of a first telescoping section and a second telescoping section, and the plurality of holes in each of the telescoping sections align with each other in various positions of expansion and contraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Chemistry Design Werks LLC
    Inventor: Christian Richard Trifilio
  • Patent number: 9646581
    Abstract: Soundhole cover accessories may act to prevent items from falling into the body of an instrument through its soundhole, such as guitar picks or the like. The accessories may include a body portion adapted to fit over the soundhole of the instrument and a mesh portion defined by a plurality of apertures that may be dimensioned so that items that may be used with the instrument (such as guitar picks) are substantially prevented from passing there through. The body portion may act as a base to which one or more adhesive fasteners may be attached. The body may be flexible or rigid, and may be placed over the soundhole and affixed into place by the adhesive fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Stanley Landis
    Inventor: Stanley Landis
  • Patent number: 9601028
    Abstract: A musical instrument training device has a sensor array cooperating with a remote device and an electronic controller to assist as a guide for finger placement on the strings of the instrument, and to provide feedback on proper finger use and placement, the sensor being removably mountable on an instrument neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventors: Paul G. Claps, Jeffrey C. Petrin, Mariusz Smialek
  • Patent number: 9521476
    Abstract: A sound box comprises a cover assembly, interior box assembly, compartment assembly, sound module assembly and frame assembly. The interior box assembly includes a receptacle for holding an item. A light-activated sound module contained within the frame in inside a compartment attached to the cover assembly top. The sound module comprises a sound chip, light sensor, speaker and power source in electrical communication. A flap containing a magnetic closure interacts magnetically with an interior box wall to close the sound box. The box is opened by lifting a flap and raising the top, allowing light to enter the light sensor after entering an opening in a compartment containing the sound module, causing the sound module to play back the sound recorded thereon. The sound can range from animal and/or environmental sounds, music, congratulatory messages, other types of voice recordings, bells, whistles and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventor: Shari Spiridigliozzi
  • Patent number: 9286868
    Abstract: A decorative drum pad and cymbal cover that includes a back plate with a back side and a top side, the back plate is secured in position by a cymbal or drum stand and a mounting, the mounting removably secures the back plate to the cymbal stand and an image holding area placed on the top side of the back plate. The decorative drum pad and cymbal cover also includes a protective cover placed on top of the image holding area, the protective cover protects the image holding area from a plurality of drumstick strikes from a user and an drum trigger that includes a back side and an electrical signal outlet jack, the electrical signal outlet jack is attached to the back side of the back plate with one or more fasteners and the electrical signal outlet jack is disposed on the back side of the drum trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: Paul L Fitzgerald
  • 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: 9123313
    Abstract: Apparatus for preventing a foot pedal assembly from moving away from a seat includes a mat having a top surface and an opposite bottom surface. The mat is shaped and dimensioned to receive the foot pedal assembly and to receive the seat. One of hook and loop material is disposed on the top surface of the mat, the one of hook and loop material positioned, shaped, and dimensioned to removably connect to the foot pedal assembly. The other of hook and loop material is disposable on the bottom surface of the foot pedal assembly, so that the foot pedal assembly can be removably connected to the mat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Inventor: Robert Norman Hyams
  • Patent number: 9029675
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for mounting a percussion instrument onto a stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Leslie Brian Meadows
    Inventors: Leslie Brian Meadows, Andrew Heydenrych
  • Patent number: 8981195
    Abstract: A cymbal edge guard. The edge guard can be described as a generally U-shaped, flexible annulus, the open end of the annulus being oriented toward the center of the annulus, the annulus being dimensioned to fit over the outer perimeter of a cymbal. The edge guard may further include a gripping tongue, formed within the U-shaped portion of the annulus. Additionally, a protective bulb may be integrally formed with the outer edge of the edge guard. A double cymbal edge guards may further be provided, dimensioned to fit over the outer parameters of a matched pair of cymbals, the cymbals being arranged bottom to bottom with their peripheral edges in registration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventor: Roderick D Johnston
  • Patent number: 8957294
    Abstract: The invention is a protective cover for a musical instrument. The musical instrument comprises stringed instruments such as various models of violins and violas. Another embodiment of the invention is a protective cover for chinrest of a musical instrument, and methods of making and uses thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventor: Shiho Toyonaga
  • Patent number: 8946532
    Abstract: A protective apron that protects a soft-metal musical instrument, where in the apron may have one, two, or more layers. The outer layer prevents the soft-metal musical instrument from being scratched, dented, or tarnished while said instrument is being played. An inner layer may be used to inhibit moisture from the player from reaching the soft-metal musical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventor: Jerald L. Boykin
  • Publication number: 20140345439
    Abstract: A protective apron that protects a soft-metal musical instrument, where in the apron may have one, two, or more layers. The outer layer prevents the soft-metal musical instrument from being scratched, dented, or tarnished while said instrument is being played. An inner layer may be used to inhibit moisture from the player from reaching the soft-metal musical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventor: Jerald L. BOYKIN
  • Patent number: 8878039
    Abstract: A drumstick holder, comprising: a member providing a surface; one or more retaining members (for example clips arranged to grip a drumstick) arranged to prevent or restrict free movement of a drumstick across the surface; a plurality of protrusions from the member; wherein the drumstick holder is adapted for fitting to a rim of a drum or further comprises means for fitting the member to a rim of a drum (for example a clamp); and when the drumstick holder is fitted to a drum rim, each respective protrusion engages a drum at a different respective position around a circumference of a drum rim. The surface may be substantially planar. The drum may be a bass drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: The Stageworks Gear Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard Ian Chambers, Matthew Douglas Chambers
  • Patent number: 8872009
    Abstract: Violin Sound Post inserting tool with a handle having a spring type clamp attached at right angle. One half of the clamp has a groove or cradle into which sound post is placed. The second half is a spring plate which secures the Sound Post in the clamp. After the sound post has been introduced and firmly set inside the violin sound box the spring plate of the clamp can be deflected by pressure against the sound post, thus opening the clamp. Also the spring plate has extended lip beyond the cradle, thus with the clamp open the sprig part is made to slide along the sound post without interference from the cradle of the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventor: Karol Siwko
  • Patent number: 8847052
    Abstract: A peg turner for a stringed instrument includes an elongate body portion extending along an axis. The body portion defines first and second opposing ends. A recess is formed in the first end of the body portion, and a tapered peg turner slot is formed in the recess. The tapered peg turner slot includes an opening at the first end of the body portion, sized to accept a tuning peg of a string instrument. Tapered sides extend from the opening along the rotational axis toward the second end of the body portion, tapering inward to form a compressive coupling for turning the selected peg about the axis with the body portion of the peg turner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventors: Sasha Wang Alsmeyer, Daniel Charles Alsmeyer, Lisa Ann Berman, Sheila R. Graves, Lyle Wayne Knudson, Daniel A. Freiberg, James Clair Burkhouse, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8841533
    Abstract: Provided is a tool for simultaneously correcting a radius of curvature of frets, a fretboard or a fingerboard of a stringed instrument and leveling the frets while strings are on the stringed instrument. In order to introduce the strings of the stringed instrument inside the tool, the tool includes grooves, provided at the bottom of the tool, and spaces leading from the grooves, provided inside the tool. The tool is moved back and forth, in a condition where the bottom of the tool contacts the polishing object, while the strings are on the stringed instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Inventor: Davide Bissoli
  • Publication number: 20140260899
    Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for describing and restoring a jungganbo, the method of describing a jungganbo including analyzing a structure of the jungganbo based on gaks, daegangs, and junggans constituting the jungganbo, and generating jungganbo structure data describing the structure of the jungganbo, based on a result of the analyzing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Yong Ju LEE, Keun Woo CHOI, Tae Jin PARK, Kyeong Ok KANG
  • Publication number: 20140238218
    Abstract: A tension adjustment hoop (1) for tensioning a resonant skin (13) on a musical instrument (6, 25), the tension adjustment hoop (1) being formed by a ring (2) with a centre axis (3) and with retention means (4) arranged to interact with coupling means (5) on the musical instrument (6, 25) for retention of the tension adjustment hoop (1), the tension adjustment hoop (1) having an opposing top side (7) and bottom side (8), where the tension adjustment hoop (1) comprises an inner fluid channel (17), provided with a pressure adjustment connection (26) in hydraulic connection with the fluid channel (17), and a plurality of pistons (10), each in hydraulic connection with the fluid channel (17), each with a free end (11) opposite the fluid channel (17), and each, under the influence of the pressure in the fluid channel (17), being displaceable in a direction parallel to the centre axis (3) of the tension adjustment hoop (1) between a first extreme position, where the free end (11) is within or level with the bottom s
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Dan JENSEN, Helle Dannemand PEDERSEN
  • Patent number: 8809661
    Abstract: A tuning device that facilitates the checking of the pitch of each sound is provided. The tuning device includes a pitch name display means including display positions that are arranged in a pitch order respectively corresponding to pitch names constituting an octave. A reference display position is lighted solely when the pitch of an input sound is in an in-tune state, namely, a difference between the reference pitch and the pitch of the input sound is in a range of ±? (?>0). When the pitch of the input sound is outside a predetermined range, the reference display position and an adjacent display position are both lighted in a way that the reference display position gradually becomes darker while the adjacent display position gradually becomes brighter as an absolute value of the difference (deviation degree of the input pitch relative to the reference pitch) increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Roland Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Seno, Shohei Okumura, Hirofumi Yui
  • Publication number: 20140225778
    Abstract: A musical instrument location transmitting device and system includes a musical instrument having a location transmitting device and an electric power source permanently secured in the musical instrument in a position that requires removal of a musical component of the musical instrument in order to remove the location transmitting device. The location transmitting device includes a location sensing unit and a wireless transmitter that outputs a location of the musical instrument. A system wirelessly monitors a location of the musical instruments. A method of making a musical instrument includes coupling a location transmitting device inside a musical instrument and closing the musical instrument to permanently install the location transmitting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventor: Michael John Schaal
  • Patent number: 8796525
    Abstract: A musical instrument stand is disclosed that includes at least, a pair of legs pivotally secured to a support portion and disposed within a leg retention channel of the support portion when the support portion is in a closed position, and extracted from the leg retention channel when the support portion is in an open position. Preferably, the support portion includes at least a position stop that limits the extent that each the open and closed positions of the support portion may attain. The musical instrument stand further preferably includes an over center latch assembly interposed between and communicating with the pair of legs, the over center latch maintains a predetermined separation between said first and second legs when the over center latch assembly is in a locked position, and nests within the pair of legs when the pair of legs are disposed within a leg retention channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: RKS Ventures, LLC
    Inventor: Ravi K. Sawhney
  • Patent number: 8785756
    Abstract: An angle adjuster for a music stand includes: a pair of thick portions having a thickness equivalent to a thickness of a two-fold hinge in a folded state and arranged to be mutually parallel; and an intermediate portion arranged between the pair of thick portions and recessed relative to upper surfaces of the thick portions perpendicular to a thickness direction thereof. The intermediate portion includes a plurality of catching portions provided mutually parallely along a longitudinal direction of the thick portions, each of the catching portions being configured to catch one end of a support bar to support the music stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kawai Gakki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Naotaka Murozono
  • Publication number: 20140196591
    Abstract: Musical instrument protection devices are provided based a removable impact absorbing ring that shields the bell of a musical instrument. A continuous offset slit in the ring receives the bell of an instrument while minimally intruding on the sound of the instrument. The absorbing ring pads and shields the bell of the instrument. Tubing of the instrument is protected with removable pieces from a resilient material which are held on with clip features. The clip features tightly fit around the circumference of the instrument's tubing. The padding provides protection from impact damage on commonly susceptible areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventor: Kyle James Comino
  • Publication number: 20140196590
    Abstract: A musical instrument string bending apparatus for a musical instrument having at least a first and second string is disclosed. The bending apparatus includes a bender lever pivotally secured to the musical instrument, a rocker arm pivotally secured to the instrument for varying the tension in the first string in response to movement of the bender lever between the first and second positions. A rocker arm mount secures the rocker arm to the first selected string in a first bending configuration or to the second selected string in a second bending configuration. The rocker arm is movable between the first selected string and the second selected string of the musical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventors: Joseph Glaser, II, John Russell ALFORD
  • Publication number: 20140194674
    Abstract: The Lotus massage systems and methods disclosed herein include various combined components that enhance the overall massage experience. These components integrate choreographed, mapped, synchronized, and freeform application of massage techniques with music, silence, ambient noise reduction, 360-degree site cancellation, aroma therapy, etc. The massage systems and methods disclosed herein may also involve choreographed, mapped, synchronized and/or freeform application of strokes and movements, by referencing one or more music body charts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventor: Sean W. Davis
  • Patent number: 8748723
    Abstract: A humidity control device for use in maintaining the desired humidity for wood musical instrument, art objects and museum artifacts, the device including a water vapor permeable pouch and a saturated aqueous solution having a suitable humidity control point for use with these objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Boveda, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Egberg, Robert L. Esse
  • Publication number: 20140116230
    Abstract: To provide a musical instrument holding angle adjusting apparatus and a musical instrument holder including the same, which involve small number of components and which are simply structured. With the musical instrument holding angle adjusting apparatus, not only the top to bottom tilt angle but also the axial rotation angle can be adjusted, and excellent operability is exhibited. Even more, excellent durability is exhibited without incurring impairment of the function even through a long period of use. Further, the tilt angle and the rotation angle having undergone adjustment and setting can be retained with a strong force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: SAKAE RHYTHM MUSICAL INSTRUMENT LTD.
    Inventors: Eizo NAKATA, Shunsaku TSUJI, Manabu MORIOKA
  • Publication number: 20140109749
    Abstract: A removable cover or protective device has been developed for the lower bout area of a guitar or like musical instrument, especially a classical or acoustic guitar, where the arm meets the instrument in a normal performing position. The device protects the instrument surface from perspiration and also can alleviate potential nerve damage created by resting the forearm on the edge of the instrument. In a typical form, the protective covering can be comprised of leather, faux leather, or leather like polymer, and can be secured to the instrument by the optional use of suction cups attached to the topside of the lower bout of the instrument in a removable manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventor: Robert T. Schulze
  • Publication number: 20140102284
    Abstract: A retention device for the retention of matched pairs of drumsticks. The device can include at least two retention clamps, each clamp enclosing a channel, and a coupler connecting the at least two retention clamps to each other. Each clamp can have sufficient flexibility so as to allow for the insertion of a drumstick into the channel and so as to frictionally retain a drumstick within the channel. Furthermore, each clamp can include a pair of arms, each arm having a distal end, the distal ends of the arms defining a gap therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Alexander RAMIREZ, Alex RAMIREZ
  • Patent number: 8697971
    Abstract: A teaching aid for players of brass instruments is described that includes at least one rectangular paddle connected to a handle at one end. The rectangular paddle is dimensioned to have a height appropriate for a type of player's instrument so that when the rectangular paddle when placed between the front teeth of the player, it holds the teeth apart a distance equal to the height of the paddle, that distance placing the player's mouth in a proper position for that instrument. The handle is preferably sized to fit through the opening in the mouthpiece of the player's instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Michael B. Williams
  • Patent number: 8678403
    Abstract: One embodiment of a small dolly structure containing separate and individual main support beams. Connected to the main support beams are wheels and brakes. A multi configurational and adjustable center beams section that when connected to the main support beams allows the main support beams to be reconfigured to many positions. The main support beams are made of a rigid material in a u channel shape and have wheels attached to the back side of the u channel. The u channel of the main support beam is used facing upward to accommodate the feet or base of proposed loads or attachments. Attached to the main support beams are clamping mechanisms for holding loads in place. The clamping mechanism may be repositioned along the main support beam or removed to accommodate various loads. There are holes, slots and notches in the main support beams and link frame assemblies for attaching accessories. Other embodiments are described and shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Inventor: Bruce Poston McCleave
  • Publication number: 20140076122
    Abstract: The invention is a protective cover for a musical instrument. The musical instrument comprises stringed instruments such as various models of violins and violas. Another embodiment of the invention is a protective cover for chinrest of a musical instrument, and methods of making and uses thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventor: Shiho Toyonaga
  • Patent number: 8674205
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for securing a media or audio player to a support and the related methods of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: Jeffry Voorhees
  • Patent number: 8642871
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for instructing students and players to read music notation and to play an instrument. The method includes presenting an interactive display including a graphical representation of at least a portion of a musical instrument and a plurality of lines having spaces therebetween. The plurality of lines and spaces represent a staff of musical notation. The method includes associating the lines and spaces with placement of at least one of a student's fingers to the instrument. The method further includes presenting, on the interactive display, a musical score including a plurality of notes by streaming each of the notes on one of the lines and spaces such that when each of the notes meets a portion of the graphical representation of the musical instrument the student, in response, manipulates a corresponding one of their fingers to play the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Piano Matchmaker LLC
    Inventor: Erica Vanderlinde Feidner
  • Patent number: 8642870
    Abstract: A mat is disclosed for engaging an object. A surface supports the mat. The mat comprises a flexible sheet defining a top surface, a bottom surface and an outer edge. A gripper layer is coupled to the bottom surface for resisting displacement of the flexible sheet relative to the surface. A top hook and loop layer is coupled to the top surface of the flexible sheet. An object hook and loop layer is coupled to the object. The top hook and loop layer and the object hook and loop layer interlock for coupling the object to the flexible sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Noel Rosa