Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
084315000 | Fingering devices | 44 |
20090217796 | Forearm wrap fretboard - A soft, removable forearm wrap worn on the user's forearm toward the wrist, which has “raised” artwork on it's exterior which faces away from it's user. This artwork has the appearance of part of a musical instrument fret board such as a guitar fret board (bass guitar, banjo, etc.) on it's exterior side (facing away from the user) and Velcro attachments on the inter side. | 09-03-2009 |
20100083807 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A DIGITAL STRINGED INSTRUMENT - Systems and methods for detecting a finger position on the playing surface of an instrument are described. A sensor module located at a selected location of the playing surface emits light that is reflected or diffused by a finger or an object near the selected location. The reflected or diffused light is sensed by the sensor module, which generates a signal indicative of the amount of light detected. Based on the signal, a location of the finger or object is determined. When the finger placement corresponds to a specific note or effect, a digital signal is generated indicating the note or effect. | 04-08-2010 |
20100083808 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A DIGITAL STRINGED INSTRUMENT - Systems and methods for detecting the movement of strings of an instrument are disclosed. According to some embodiments, one or more light emitting devices provide light to an array of photosensitive elements. One or more strings are disposed between the light emitting devices and the array such that the strings block a portion of the light form the light emitting devices over a portion of the array. A status of the one or more strings is determined based on the regions of detected and blocked light. | 04-08-2010 |
20150090095 | FINGERTIP SLIDES FOR GUITAR PLAYING - A guitar slide adapted to be worn on a musician's finger has an annular end including a hole adapted for receiving the musician's finger, and a semiannualar end adapted to extend over a tip of the musician's finger. The semiannualar end-forms a recess adapted for the musician's finger to rest within and is configured such that the recess becomes wider as the distance from the annular end increases. | 04-02-2015 |
084317000 | For chords | 34 |
20100326255 | CHORDED ZITHER HAVING ADJUSTABLE CHORD BAR RACK - An improved chorded zither is disclosed herein which may be characterized in that it comprises a novel adjustably positionable chord bar assembly (which assembly enables the playing of every key in the normal chromatic scale of 12 keys). In a preferred embodiment, the inventive chord bar assembly comprises a slidable chord bar rack operably connected to a plurality of chord bars, with the chord bar rack being interposed between the top surface of a body and a plurality of strings (associated with a stringed musical instrument). The plurality of chord bars is positioned above chord bar rack and perpendicular relative to the plurality of tensioned strings. The chord bar assembly is configured to be adjustably positionable between at least a set up key position, a sharpened key position, and a flatted key position. | 12-30-2010 |
20110005368 | SLIDING CHORD PRODUCING DEVICE FOR A GUITAR AND METHOD OF USE - The present invention is a sliding chord producing device and method of use for a user playing a guitar with a neck, a plurality of strings and a plurality of frets. The device has a generally tubular metal handle with two metal support rods that can be grasped by the user that are perpendicularly attached to the handle. There is also a vertical generally tubular metal slide and a diagonal generally tubular metal slide that are in movable contact with the neck, the strings and the frets that are perpendicularly attached to the handle by the support rods at a fixed angle forming the device. The device can also be made of glass. | 01-13-2011 |
20120279374 | Finger Positioner for Musicians - The invention relates to a finger positioner that facilitates playing musical instruments. The finger positioner comprises a wedge ( | 11-08-2012 |
20130239772 | CHORD PLAYING ATTACHMENT - A chord playing attachment and related method is disclosed. The chord playing attachment may be attached to a guitar or similar stringed instrument, and the user may use the chord playing attachment to learn to play the instrument. Unlike other chord playing attachments, the present invention discloses a design that does not function as a capo, which allows the user play chords in standard keys. The present invention also discloses tabs that may be removed or swapped by the user to allow the user to play some chords by pressing the strings directly and some by pressing a finger pad. The present invention encourages novices to learn to play the instrument in stages and eventually remove the invention entirely. A companion teaching manual is also disclosed. | 09-19-2013 |
20150090096 | Pedal Operated Configurable Guitar Chord Player - A pedal operated configurable guitar chord player is used in conjunction with a selection software and includes a chord actuator, an actuator assembly, and a pedal. The chord actuator provides a support structure, wherein the actuator assembly is positioned within a casing and connected to a base and a mounting frame. A first clamp and a second clamp attached to the base allow the chord actuator to be attached to the neck of a guitar, wherein a plurality of actuators of the actuator assembly is positioned overtop each of the guitar strings. The plurality of actuators is controlled by a microcontroller that is communicably coupled to an electronic device through an electronic device connection means. The pedal signals the microcontroller to progress the plurality of actuators to form the subsequent chords, wherein the order of chords is determined through the selection software. | 04-02-2015 |
084318000 | Capo tastos | 29 |
20090064842 | CAPO - A capo for use with a stringed musical instrument includes a frame that includes a first arm configured to extend across a neck of the instrument, and a second arm connected to the first arm and extending from the first arm at a first angle less than 180°, the capo further including a pivot arm that is substantially Y-shaped, includes base, actuator, and clamp portions and is pivotally connected to the frame to move between open and closed positions, a proximal end of the clamp portion is connected to the distal end of the base portion, the clamp portion extending away from the base portion toward the first arm when the pivot arm is in the closed position, the base portion being biased away from the second arm such that the clamp portion is biased toward the first arm. | 03-12-2009 |
20090241752 | Capo tasto - To provide a capo tasto for fixing on a neck of a stringed musical instrument, comprising a string contact device, a tensioning band for fixing the string contact device on the neck of the stringed musical instrument and a fixing device for fixing the tensioning band on the string contact device, which is universally usable and easy to operate, it is proposed that there be disposed on the string contact device at least one clip, by means of which the capo tasto may be hooked on the neck of the stringed musical instrument. | 10-01-2009 |
20100077901 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR A MULTIPLE FRET VARIABLE STRING CAPOTASTO - The present invention provides a multiple fret variable string capotasto implementing a trigger per string/fret location paradigm as well as triggers that adjust for the variable thickness and distance of the strings from the neck and/or device of the present invention. | 04-01-2010 |
20100154616 | ADJUSTABLE LEVER ARM CAPO | 06-24-2010 |
20100224049 | Guitar Capo With Rotatable Member - The inventive subject matter which provides a capo for a stringed musical instrument comprising of a rotatable member containing at least one capo configuration which the user can select different capo configurations by turning the rotatable member either clockwise or counter-clockwise. The capo of the inventive subject matter comprising of a first portion, second portion, a rotatable member comprising of at least one capo configuration. Each capo configuration being comprised of an elastomeric-like pad. The rotatable member being interchangeable to allow the possibilities of different capo configurations. | 09-09-2010 |
20100251873 | QUICK-FIX CAPO HAVING DUAL ADJUSTABILITY MODES FOR USE WITH A STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT, AND METHOD OF USING SAME - A capo is structured and configured to permit rapid installation and tightening thereof on a stringed instrument. The capo includes a yoke with a central support member, a string-contacting clamping bar which is pivotally attached to the yoke, and a spring-loaded release member which fits into a first hollow bore in the central support member of the yoke. The capo also includes a substantially Y-shaped saddle member having a stem which slidably fits through a second hollow bore of the central support member, and an adjustment member for positioning the saddle member in the yoke. The engagement/release member is releasably held in position against the adjustment member by spring pressure. Rapid positioning of the saddle member is enabled by both coarse and fine adjustment of the adjustment member, made possible by buttressed threads present both inside of the engagement/release member and outside of a threaded shaft of the adjustment member. | 10-07-2010 |
20100269666 | Tuner with capo - A combination of a capo with attached tuner having a sensor that picks up vibrations through the capo. The capo and tuner are connected together as a unitary accessory that is attachable along the neck of the guitar, in the manner of a conventional capo, but with the significant advantage of automatic and continuous visibility of the tuner display while tuning at a particular capo position and while pausing between songs. | 10-28-2010 |
20100275757 | CLAMP | 11-04-2010 |
20110023683 | CAPO TASTO - Capo tasto for fixing on a neck of a stringed musical instrument, comprising a first arm on which a string engaging region is arranged, a second arm on which a engaging region for a neck rear side is arranged, a slide bearing for holding the first arm for displacement on the second arm, the slide bearing having a displacement guide which is formed by at least one slot or at least one groove with an opening direction transverse to a displacement direction, at least one first contacting surface which is formed on the first arm, and at least one second contacting surface which is formed on the second arm, a movability apart of the first arm and the second arm, which increases the spacing between the string engaging region and the neck rear side engaging region being lockable by contact of the at least one first contacting surface and the at least one second contacting surface, and the opening direction being oriented at least approximately parallel to the first contacting surface and at least approximately parallel to the second contacting surface. | 02-03-2011 |
20120011986 | MOVABLE CAPO DEVICE - A guitar capo device utilized by a user on a guitar fret board that includes a casing that includes a generally rectangular portion and a side attachment portion that runs across the guitar fret board, a roller that is disposed underneath the generally rectangular portion of the casing and a clamp lever to secure the guitar capo device to the guitar fret board that is integral to a spring that is housed in the casing. The device includes a felt contact pad that is disposed on the clamp lever and has direct contact with the guitar fret board to secure the device to the guitar fret board and a relief lever that is depressed to release pressure against the spring to open and loosen the clamp lever against the back of the guitar fret board. | 01-19-2012 |
20120036978 | CAPO - The invention relates to a capo for use with a stringed instrument. In one aspect, the capo can comprise at least one string compressor, a frame having a longitudinal axis, and a means for individually moving the at least one string compressor that is configured to allow for the individual movement of contact portions of the at least one string compressor from a raised position to a depressed position, which is at a predetermined depth from a bottom surface of the frame. This movement of the string compressor allows for the selective application of pressure to at least one string on the instrument so that, in the depressed position, the contact portion of the selected string compressor presses a selected string among the at least one strings against the fretboard of the stringed instrument. | 02-16-2012 |
20120125175 | CONVERTER FOR FRETTED INSTRUMENTS - A device for converting a conventional Spanish guitar into an instrument which can be played like a Hawaiian guitar and/or used to modify the tone, pitch, key, timber and/or chord of a stringed instrument by selectively engaging the strings of a stringed instrument and selectively raising and/or lowering such strings relative to a fret board. | 05-24-2012 |
20120227565 | Accessory For String Instruments - An accessory for a string instrument including a body portion and a clamping portion that is coupled to the body portion by a connecting portion having at least one point of connection. The body potion includes at least one surface capable of altering the position or sound of one or more strings of an instrument. The body portion can include a slide, a capo, both, and/or other surfaces or features configured to alter the sound or position of the instrument's strings. | 09-13-2012 |
20120255419 | Transposable Capo System and Method - A transposable capo system for a stringed musical instrument includes at least one magnetic capo stud having a string slot adapted to receive a string on the instrument. | 10-11-2012 |
20130055877 | CAPO DEVICE - A capo device comprising: a substantially planar plate member having a string contacting material provided at a first face of the plate member; a strap extending from one end of the plate member for winding around the neck of an instrument in a first winding direction; a retaining member provided at the plate member and adapted to slidably retain the strap such that a portion of the strap can be doubled back in a second and opposing winding direction; and means for releasably fixing the doubled back portion of the strap. | 03-07-2013 |
20130118334 | STRING DEPRESSING DEVICE FOR A STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT - A string depressing device is useable to fret at least one string of a stringed musical instrument. The string depressing device includes a frame that, when adjacent to a fingerboard of the stringed musical instrument, extends both along and across the fingerboard and above the strings. A plurality of protruding compressible resilient members extend from the frame toward the fingerboard. When the frame is pressed against the fingerboard, each protruding member sufficiently depresses an underlying string to fret that string. In an operative position, some of the protruding members are positioned over corresponding strings at desired positions along the fingerboard. A capo can be placed around the neck of the stringed instrument and over the frame to press the frame towards the fingerboard. This presses at least some protruding members against corresponding strings, and effectively frets those strings against the fingerboard at the desired positions to form a musical chord. | 05-16-2013 |
20130186256 | CAPO FOR STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS - A tuning apparatus for a musical instrument is provided. The instrument includes a neck having a front surface over which a plurality of strings is stretched. The apparatus includes a clamp and a plurality of string-contacting members. The clamp is adapted to removably attach to a desired longitudinal position on the neck. Each of the members is rotatably supported by the clamp and is adapted to rotate on the clamp independently of the other members, this rotation occurring along a plane which is substantially parallel to either a given string or course of strings. Each of the members is further adapted to adjustably impinge upon and urge the given string or course of strings toward a user-selectable one of three different longitudinal positions on the front surface, these positions including a home position, a home− | 07-25-2013 |
20130192442 | Adjustable Strap-On Capotasto with Replaceable Strap and Method of Use - Generally disclosed is a capo and related methods of use. Operably, the capo may be secured to the neck of stringed musical instruments to barre its strings. Suitably, the capo may (1) generally feature a replaceable and adjustable strap, (2) be configured for quick relocation among the frets of a stringed musical instrument with a tapering neck, and (3) be configured for quick adjustment of the pressure applied to strings barred thereby. | 08-01-2013 |
20140013924 | CAPO - A capo, which can be manufactured at relatively low cost, comprised a top arm configured to extend across the strings of a musical instrument, with a side arm extending, in use, laterally of the instrument neck. A lower arm having one end pivotally attached to the side arm at a pivot point provides an adjustable clamping function by virtue of an adjuster mechanism. A resilient material is provided on a string facing side of the top arm that extends from the top arm onto the side arm, toward the location of the pivot point. The material includes an enlarged portion that provides a biasing force against an end of the lower arm away from the back of the neck, such that an additional metal spring or the like is not necessary. | 01-16-2014 |
20140060283 | CAPO FOR STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS - A tuning apparatus for a musical instrument is provided. The instrument includes a neck having a front surface over which a plurality of strings is stretched. The apparatus includes a clamp and a plurality of string-contacting members. The clamp is adapted to removably attach to a desired longitudinal position on the neck. Each of the members is rotatably supported by the clamp and is adapted to rotate on the clamp independently of the other members, this rotation occurring along a plane which is substantially parallel to either a given string or course of strings. Each of the members is further adapted to adjustably impinge upon and urge the given string or course of strings toward a user-selectable one of three different longitudinal positions on the front surface, these positions including a home position, a home−1 position, and a home+1 position. | 03-06-2014 |
20150013520 | CAPO - A capo for use with a stringed instrument that includes a first arm | 01-15-2015 |
20150107436 | CAPO DEVICE - A capo device for selectively altering the pitch range of a stringed instrument, the capo device being adapted to engage a variety of stringed instrument neck sizes and/or geometries while maintaining desired sound and pitch quality. | 04-23-2015 |
20150107437 | CAPO FOR FRETTED STRINGED INSTRUMENT AND METHOD OF USING SAME - The invention comprises a capo for fretted stringed instruments. The capo comprises a string pressure plate sized and shaped to cover two adjacent frets and simultaneously press strings of the fretted stringed instrument into contact with the two adjacent frets of the fretted stringed instrument. The capo also comprises an attachment mechanism that attached the string pressure plate to a fretboard of the fretted stringed instrument. A method of using the capo is also disclosed. | 04-23-2015 |
20150128783 | ADJUSTABLE CAPO DEVICE FOR FRETTED STRINGED INSTRUMENTS - An inventive set of small devices (‘capo elements’) to mechanically secure a string or strings of a guitar or other fretted stringed instrument at selected fret positions in order to selectively vary the string vibrational length and pitch when the string is plucked. This plurality of capo elements comprises a series of individual rectangular shaped blocks having formed on their upper portions a groove running parallel to the strings so shaped as to secure the string using an interference fit, thus preventing vibration at the distal end of the string and changing its pitch when plucked. Said capo elements feature a lip in the underside of the proximal portion of each capo element, so shaped as to overhang the raised fret, to ensure correct positioning of the capo element, and to secure the string at the same length as would otherwise have been achieved by fretting the string in the regular manner. Said capo elements have an adhesive bottom surface to secure them temporarily to the instrument fretboard. Said capo elements are made of a hard plastic so as not to dampen any vibration and deaden the tone, and are so sized as to enable them to be used adjacently on the same fret without impeding the movement of the musician's fretting hand. A plurality of capo elements are provided, one for each of the strings, though the musician has the option to leave desired strings unaltered without fitting capo elements. After use, the elements are removed manually and should not mark the fretboard. | 05-14-2015 |
20150128784 | Capo - The present invention is directed to a capo for use with a stringed musical instrument and which is engaged from the bottom portion of the neck of the musical instrument. The capo has a generally L-shaped frame connected to a lever and a pincher configured so that pressure applied to the lever causes the pincher to move toward the lever, allowing the space between the pincher and free end portion of the frame to receive the neck of the musical instrument. The exterior of the frame is configured to received interchangeable inlays, and the free end portion of the frame is configured to receive changeable neck pads. | 05-14-2015 |
20150371624 | PICKUP ASSEMBLY FOR AN ELECTRICAL STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT - A pickup for an electrical, stringed musical instrument includes a first assembly and a second assembly. The first assembly includes a base plate, a pole that extends upward from the base plate and a coil of wire wrapped around the pole above the base plate. The second assembly includes a housing that has a fastening feature that allows the second assembly to be user attachable and detachable from the first assembly independently of any electrical connections made by the first assembly. The second assembly also includes a magnet seated within the housing. The pickup is further constructed so that the second assembly readily attaches and detaches to the first assembly such that when attached, the pole of the first assembly is in magnetic cooperation with the magnet of the second assembly. | 12-24-2015 |
20160125853 | Capo with Decorative Inlays - The present invention is directed to a capo for use with a stringed musical instrument and which is engaged from the bottom portion of the neck of the musical instrument. The capo has a generally L-shaped frame connected to a lever and a pincher configured so that pressure applied to the lever causes the pincher to move toward the lever, allowing the space between the pincher and free end portion of the frame to receive the neck of the musical instrument. The exterior of the frame is configured to received interchangeable inlays, and the free end portion of the frame is configured to receive changeable neck pads. | 05-05-2016 |
20160133235 | FULLY-ADJUSTABLE CAPO FOR STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS - A tuning apparatus for a musical instrument is provided. The apparatus includes a clamp, a plurality of string-contacting members, and a string-contacting member spacing adjustment mechanism. The clamp removably attaches to a desired longitudinal position on the instrument's neck. Each member is rotatably supported by the clamp and rotates thereon independently of the other members. Each member also adjustably impinges upon and urges a given string or course thereof on the instrument toward a user-selectable one of three different longitudinal positions on the neck's front surface, these positions including a home position, a home−1 position, and a home+1 position. The mechanism allows a user to adjust the location of the members as a group on the clamp so as to substantially center the plane of rotation of each member over a different string or course thereof, and to maintain substantially equal spacing between each different adjacent pair of members. | 05-12-2016 |
20160155431 | VIBRATION DAMPENING DEVICE AND A CLOSED CHAMBER DEFLECTABLE ACCESSORY FOR A VIBRATION DAMPENING DEVICE | 06-02-2016 |
084319000 | Stopping fingers or blocks | 6 |
20090266220 | Guitar Slide - A musical instrument slide including a body portion and a light source. The light source includes a switch for selective activation, enabling the slide body to emit light when activated. As the musician moves the slide across the strings as the instrument, such as a guitar, is played, a visual effect is created by the movement of the light. The body portion preferably is constructed of a material to pass light therethrough, and can be either wholly or partially clear or translucent, or a combination of both. Alternatively or in addition to the light source, the slide body can include an eccentric motor that causes the slide body to vibrate. This vibration, in turn, causes vibration of the guitar strings, or other string instrument, as the slide is positioned on the strings, or moved along the strings, by the musician. | 10-29-2009 |
20100269667 | Slide for use with fretted instruments - A tubular shaped slide having first and second spaced ends for use with a fretted musical instrument, the first end having a diameter greater than the second end. The slide is positioned on the finger of a wearer such that the wearer's fingertip extends beyond the second end of the slide; the second end of the slide being formed at an angle to the vertical. | 10-28-2010 |
20110061511 | Guitar slide holder - This is a device that will securely store and hold a guitar slide while allowing the user to perform single-handed guitar slide transitions (installation or removal of a guitar slide) with minimal interruption. | 03-17-2011 |
20110192267 | Slide for use with fretted instruments - A tubular shaped slide having first and second spaced ends for use with a fretted musical instrument, the first end having a diameter greater than the second end. The slide is positioned on the finger of a wearer such that the wearer's fingertip extends beyond the second end of the slide; the second end of the slide being formed at an angle to the vertical. A sizing slot extends along the length of the slide. | 08-11-2011 |
20120297955 | FINGER PUPPET GUITAR SLIDE - A finger puppet guitar slide and a finger puppet for a guitar slide are disclosed. In one embodiment, a finger puppet is sewn onto a cylindrical hollow metal piece comprising at least one hole on the surface of said metal piece through which a thread may enter. In a second embodiment, a finger puppet comprises an inner mould that allows the finger puppet to fit snugly only a typical guitar slide. In both embodiments, the finger puppet comprises a head portion and a body portion. The head portion covers the top of the guitar slide or cylindrical hollow metal piece, and the body portion covers some portion of the guitar slide or cylindrical hollow metal piece. The remaining uncovered portion of the guitar slide or cylindrical hollow metal piece can be placed upon strings of a musical instrument to vary vibrating length and pitch. | 11-29-2012 |
20160063969 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR ALTERING TONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT - Apparatus and methods for altering the tonal characteristics of output of a stringed instrument are disclosed. The stringed instrument may include a neck and a plurality of strings, the plurality of strings disposed about the neck. The apparatus may include a slide bar, the slide bar for contacting one or more strings of the plurality of strings and a support arm attached to the slide bar. The apparatus includes a retractable string depressor retractably connected to the support bar, the retractable string depressor for depressing one or more strings of the plurality of strings at a location on the neck forward of the slide bar. | 03-03-2016 |