08/12/14

Number of documents: 3

US7977565 Vibration apparatus and method for seasoning stringed musical instrumentsTONERITE

WO200721784 Apparatus and method for vibrating stringed musical instrumentsAGAPITUS B LYE;; LYE AGAPITUS B; TONERITE; .

US7227068 String-mounted conditioner for stringed musical instrumentsTONERITE

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Vibration apparatus and method for seasoning stringed musical instruments

US7977565

Patent Assignee•TONERITE

Inventor•LYE AGAPITUS B; Lye Agapitus B.

International Patent Classification•G01D-003/02; G10H-003/00

US Patent Classification•PCLO=084723000 PCLX=084294000

ECLA Code•G10D-001/00B; G10D-003/00;; G10H-003/22;

Publication Information•US7977565 B1 2011-07-12 [US7977565]

Priority Details•2008US-12063553 2008-02-11 2008US-61083406 2008-07-242009US-12508687 2009-07-24 2011US-13170275 2011-06-28

Fampat family•US7977565 B1 2011-07-12 [US7977565]US2011252940 A1 2011-10-20 [US20110252940]US8283551 B2 2012-10-09 [US8283551]

Abstract:•(US20110252940)Apparatus and method for seasoning stringed musicalinstruments comprises an electric vibration generator coupled toa string cradle. The string cradle is detachably attachable to thestrings of the instrument through a plurality of flanges extendingbetween the strings.

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English Claims(US20110252940)1. Apparatus for seasoning a stringed musical instrument, comprising: a string cradle having a plurality of outwardly extendingflanges, each flange dimensioned for extension between strings of a stringed musical instrument; andmeans for transmitting mechanical vibrations to the strings through the flanges without the stringed musical instrument beingplayed.2. The apparatus recited in claim 1 further comprising a groove between adjacent flanges, each grove defined by opposing sidewalls.3. The apparatus recited in claim 2 further comprising means for gripping each string against a side wall of a groove to enhancethe transmission of the vibrations to the strings.4. The apparatus recited in claim 3 wherein the gripping means comprises indentations along the side wall of the correspondinggroove dimensioned to receive a string.5. The apparatus recited in claim 4 wherein the side wall of each groove tapers outwardly in a direction away from the outerextremity of each flange.6. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein the means for generating vibrations comprises a vibration generator mounted with thestring cradle.7. The apparatus recited in claim 6 wherein the vibration generator is mounted along an outer surface of the string cradle oppositethe extending flanges.8. The apparatus recited in claim 7 wherein the vibration generator and the string cradle are formed together as an integral unit.9. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein the flanges are generally parallel and each is generally equidistantly spaced fromadjacent flanges.10. A method for seasoning a stringed musical instrument comprising the steps of: providing a stringed musical instrument to beseasoned;providing a string cradle having plurally outwardly extending flanges, each flange dimensioned for extension between adjacentstrings of the stringed musical instrument;fitting the string cradle into engagement with the strings of the stringed musical instrument by inserting each flange intoengagement with at least one string of the stringed musical instrument; andtransmitting mechanical vibrations to the strings through the flanges.11. The method recited in claim 10 further comprising the step of inserting each flange into engagement with two strings of thestringed musical instrument, each on an opposite side of each flange.12. The method recited in claim 10 wherein the string cradle defines a groove between adjacent flanges with each groove definedby opposing side walls, and further comprising the step of gripping each string against a side wall to enhance the transmission ofvibrations to the strings.13. The method recited in claim 12 wherein the gripping step further comprises inserting each string into an indentation along therespective side wall.14. The method recited in claim 13 further comprising the step of tapering the side walls of each groove outwardly in a directionaway from the outer extremity of each flange.15. The method recited in claim 10 further comprising the step of integrally packaging a vibration generator with the string cradle.16. The method recited in claim 10 wherein the stringed musical instrument comprises a bridge, and wherein the string cradle isfitted to the strings at a point spaced from the bridge.17. Apparatus for seasoning a stringed musical instrument having a known spacing dimension between strings, the apparatuscomprising: a vibration transmission member having plural projections, the lengthwise dimension of the projections permittingextension through the strings when the vibration transmission member is positioned over the strings opposite the stringed musicalinstrument, the projections spaced apart by the known spacing dimension of the stringed musical instrument;means along each projection for gripping each string of the stringed musical instrument against a corresponding one of theprojections; andwherein vibrations passing from the vibration transmission member through the projections further cause vibrations in the stringsand resulting seasoning of the stringed musical instrument.18. The apparatus recited in claim 17 wherein each projection engages two strings, each on opposite sides thereof.19. The apparatus recited in claim 18 wherein each projection is defined by opposing sloped side walls, with the gripping meanscomprising elongated indentations dimensioned to receive a corresponding string.20. The apparatus recited in claim 17 wherein the vibration transmission member comprises: a string cradle with the projectionsextending therefrom; andan electrically-powered vibrator fitted with the string cradle.21. The apparatus recited in claim 20 wherein the vibration generator and the string cradle are integrally packaged as a unit.22. The apparatus recited in claim 17 wherein the projections are tapered at least at one end.

Object of Invention(US7977565)The invention also provides a method for seasoning a stringed musical instrument.One embodiment of the invention is an apparatus comprising an electric vibration generator and a string cradle coupled to theelectric vibration generator.

Advantages / Prev. Drawbacks(US7977565)It will be appreciated that the sloped sides of the flanges 118 forming the grooves 117 assist in insuring that the strings arecammed into place in a respective indentation 119 when the integral string cradle-vibration generator apparatus 115 is fitted ontothe stringed instrument A.

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In another specific arrangement, at least one of the leading edges of each flange is tapered to make better contact with the bridgeof the instrument if it is desired to make contact with the bridge.

Independent Claims(US7977565)1. Apparatus for seasoning a stringed musical instrument, comprising: a string cradle having a plurality of outwardly extendingflanges, each flange dimensioned for extension between strings of a stringed musical instrument; and means for transmittingmechanical vibrations to the strings through the flanges; a groove between adjacent flanges, each grove defined by opposing sidewalls; and means for gripping each string against a sidewall of a groove to enhance the transmission of the vibrations to thestrings; wherein the gripping means comprises indentations along the sidewall of the corresponding groove dimensioned toreceive a string.4. Apparatus for seasoning a stringed musical instrument, comprising: a string cradle having a plurality of outwardly extendingflanges, each flange dimensioned for extension between strings of a stringed musical instrument; and means for transmittingmechanical vibrations to the strings through the flanges; wherein the means for generating vibrations comprises a vibrationgenerator mounted with the string cradle; and wherein the vibration generator is mounted along an outer surface of the stringcradle opposite the extending flanges.7. A method for seasoning a stringed musical instrument comprising the steps of: providing a stringed musical instrument to beseasoned; providing a string cradle having plurally outwardly extending flanges, each flange dimensioned for extension betweenadjacent strings of the stringed musical instrument; fitting the string cradle into engagement with the strings of the stringed musicalinstrument by inserting each flange into engagement with at least one string of the stringed musical instrument; inserting eachflange into engagement with two strings of the stringed musical instrument, each on an opposite side of each flange; andtransmitting mechanical vibrations to the strings through the flanges.9. A method for seasoning a stringed musical instrument comprising the steps of: providing a stringed musical instrument to beseasoned; providing a string cradle having plurally outwardly extending flanges, each flange dimensioned for extension betweenadjacent strings of the stringed musical instrument; fitting the string cradle into engagement with the strings of the stringed musicalinstrument by inserting each flange into engagement with at least one string of the stringed musical instrument; and transmittingmechanical vibrations to the strings through the flanges; wherein the string cradle defines a groove between adjacent flanges witheach groove defined by opposing sidewalls, and further comprising the step of gripping each string against a sidewall to enhancethe transmission of vibrations to the strings; and wherein the gripping step further comprises inserting each string into anindentation along the respective sidewall.12. A method for seasoning a stringed musical instrument comprising the steps of: providing a stringed musical instrument to beseasoned; providing a string cradle having plurally outwardly extending flanges, each flange dimensioned for extension betweenadjacent strings of the stringed musical instrument; fitting the string cradle into engagement with the strings of the stringed musicalinstrument by inserting each flange into engagement with at least one string of the stringed musical instrument; and transmittingmechanical vibrations to the strings through the flanges; wherein the stringed musical instrument comprises a bridge, and whereinthe string cradle is fitted to the strings at a point spaced from the bridge.13. Apparatus for seasoning a stringed musical instrument having a known spacing dimension between strings, the apparatuscomprising: a vibration transmission member having plural projections, the lengthwise dimension of the projections permittingextension through the strings when the vibration transmission member is positioned over the strings, the projections spaced apartby the known spacing dimension of the stringed musical instrument; and means along each projection for gripping each string ofthe stringed musical instrument against a corresponding one of the projection; wherein vibrations passing from the vibrationtransmission member through the projections further cause vibrations in the strings and resulting seasoning of the stringedmusical instrument; and wherein each projection engages two strings, each on opposite sides thereof.17. Apparatus for seasoning a stringed musical instrument having a known spacing dimension between strings, the apparatuscomprising: a vibration transmission member having plural projections, the lengthwise dimension of the projections permittingextension through the strings when the vibration transmission member is positioned over the strings, the projections spaced apartby the known spacing dimension of the stringed musical instrument; and means along each projection for gripping each string ofthe stringed musical instrument against a corresponding one of the projection; wherein vibrations passing from the vibrationtransmission member through the projections further cause vibrations in the strings and resulting seasoning of the stringedmusical instrument; and wherein the projections are tapered at least at one end.

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Apparatus and method for vibrating stringed musical instruments

WO200721784

Patent Assignee•AGAPITUS B LYE;; LYE AGAPITUS B; TONERITE; .

Inventor•LYE AGAPITUS B; Rye Agapitasu Bee; .

International Patent Classification•G01D-003/02; G10D-001/00; G10D-003/00; G10D-003/02;G10G-007/00; G10H-003/00

US Patent Classification•PCLO=084723000 PCLX=084294000

ECLA Code•G10D-001/00B; G10D-003/00;

Publication Information•WO2007021784 A1 2007-02-22 [WO200721784]

Priority Details•2005US-60707460 2005-08-11 2006US-11063553 2006-08-102006US-60779875 2006-03-06 2006WO-US31107 2006-08-10

Fampat family•WO2007021784 A1 2007-02-22 [WO200721784]CA2619467 A1 2007-02-22 [CA2619467]KR20080042125 A 2008-05-14 [KR20080042125]EP1924987 A1 2008-05-28 [EP1924987]IN1820/DELNP/2008 A 2008-06-27 [IN2008DN01820]US2008190260 A1 2008-08-14 [US20080190260]EA200800558 A1 2008-08-29 [EA200800558]CN101263550 A 2008-09-10 [CN101263550]EP1924987 A4 2008-11-19 [EP1924987]JP2009505137 A 2009-02-05 [JP2009505137]US7678987 B2 2010-03-16 [US7678987]JP4999194 B2 2012-08-15 [JP4999194]CA2619467 C 2014-07-08 [CA2619467]

Abstract:•(WO200721784)This invention provides apparatus and methods for seasoningstringed musical instruments. For stringed instruments having abridge, the apparatus comprises an electric vibration generatorattached to a bridge cradle, the bridge cradle being sized andconfigured for detachable attachment to a bridge of theinstrument, the bridge cradle comprising a main body portionsized and configured to be placed upon the bridge in sufficientcontact therewith to permit the transfer of vibration generated bythe vibration generator into the bridge of the instrument. Forstringed instruments having a sound hole, the apparatuscomprises an electric vibration generator attached to a vibrationcradle, the vibration cradle being sized and configured fordetachable attachment between the body and strings of theinstrument, the vibration cradle comprising a base sized andconfigured to be placed in sufficient contact with the sound holeto permit the transfer of vibration generated by the vibrationgenerator into the body of the instrument. (From CA2619467 C)

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English Claims(WO200721784)CLAIMS1. An apparatus comprising an electric vibration generator attached to a bridge cradle, the bridge cradle being sized andconfigured for detachable attachment to a bridge of a stringed musical instrument, the bridge cradle comprising a main bodyportion sized and configured to be placed upon the bridge in sufficient contact therewith to permit the transfer of vibrationgenerated by the vibration generator into the bridge of the instrument.2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the bridge cradle further comprises two spaced-apart side walls extending from themain body portion, each of the side walls forming a plurality of spaced-apart, elongate flanges extending from the main bodyportion, the distance between each set of adjacent flanges being sufficient to accommodate a string of the instrument therein whenthe cradle is placed upon the bridge, and the distance between the two spaced-apart side walls being sufficient to receive at leasta portion of the bridge therebetween.3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the electric vibration generator is further characterized by at least one of the followingcharacteristics: it comprises a power switch; it is configured to accept electric current from an external source.4. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein vibrations in the vibration generator are generated by an electromagnet coupled to apermanent magnet on an arm.5. Apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein the electric vibration generator is further characterized by at least one of the followingcharacteristics: it comprises a power switch; it is configured to accept electric current from an external source.6. Apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein vibrations in the vibration generator are generated by an electromagnet coupled to apermanent magnet on an arm.7. Apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein the main body portion of the bridge cradle is arched.8. Apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein the flanges have at least one of the following characteristics: a) they are co-extensive;b) those in each side wall are equidistantly spaced; c) those extending from the same side wall are coplanar; and d) those fromopposite side walls are directly opposite each other.9. Apparatus according to Claim 8 wherein the flanges have all of the characteristics.10. Apparatus according to Claim 8 wherein the main body portion of the bridge cradle is arched.11. Apparatus according to Claim 9 wherein the main body portion of the bridge cradle has at least one of the followingcharacteristics: it is arched; it has end members extending from the main body portion and perpendicular to the side walls, witheach end member sealably connecting to a flange on each side wall.12. A method for seasoning a stringed musical instrument having a bridge, which method comprises i) attaching to the bridge ofthe instrument a vibration generating device, which device comprises an electric vibration generator attached to a bridge cradle,the bridge cradle being sized and configured for detachable attachment to a bridge of a stringed musical instrument, the bridgecradle comprising a main body portion sized and configured to be placed upon the bridge in sufficient contact therewith to permitthe transfer of vibration generated by the vibration generator into the bridge of the instrument, and ii) actuating the vibrationgenerating device so as to generate vibrations within the instrument to simulate vibration produced within the instrument duringnormal play.13. A method according to Claim 12 wherein the device is actuated to generate vibrations by a supply of electricity thereto.14. An apparatus comprising an electric vibration generator attached to a vibration cradle, the vibration cradle being sized andconfigured for detachable attachment between the body and strings of a stringed musical instrument having a sound hole, thevibration cradle comprising a base sized and configured to be placed in sufficient contact with the sound hole to permit the transferof vibration generated by the vibration generator into the body of the instrument.15. Apparatus according to Claim 14 wherein the device has an attachment to the vibration cradle, which attachment is anappropriate thickness of reversibly compressible material.16. Apparatus according to Claim 14 wherein the electric vibration generator is further characterized by at least one of thefollowing characteristics: it comprises a power switch; it is configured to accept electric current from an external source.17. Apparatus according to Claim 14 wherein vibrations in the vibration generator are generated by an electromagnet coupled to apermanent magnet on an arm.18. A method for seasoning a stringed musical instrument having a sound hole, which method comprises i) placing over at least aportion of a sound hole of the instrument a vibration generating device, which device comprises an electric vibration generatorattached to a vibration cradle, the vibration cradle being sized and configured for detachable attachment between the body andstrings of a stringed musical instrument having a sound hole, the vibration cradle comprising a base sized and configured to beplaced in sufficient contact with the sound hole to permit the transfer of vibration generated by the vibration generator into theinstrument, and ii) actuating the vibration generating device so as to generate vibrations within the instrument.19. A method according to Claim 18 wherein the device has an attachment to the base of the vibration cradle, which attachment isan appropriate thickness of reversibly compressible material.20. A method according to Claim 18 wherein the sound hole is nearly completely or completely covered by the base of thevibration cradle.21. A method according to Claim 18 wherein the device is actuated to generate vibrations by a supply of electricity thereto.

Object of Invention(WO200721784)[0024] [0021] The invention also provides a method for seasoning a wood-bodied stringed musical instrument having a bridge.[0009] [0005] In another embodiment, this invention provides a method for seasoning a stringed musical instrument having abridge.[0010] [0007] In still another embodiment, this invention provides a method for seasoning a stringed musical instrument having asound hole.

Independent Claims

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(WO200721784)1. An apparatus comprising an electric vibration generator attached to a bridge cradle, the bridge cradle being sized andconfigured for detachable attachment to a bridge of a stringed musical instrument, the bridge cradle comprising a main bodyportion sized and configured to be placed upon the bridge in sufficient contact therewith to permit the transfer of vibrationgenerated by the vibration generator into the bridge of the instrument.12. A method for seasoning a stringed musical instrument having a bridge, which method comprises i) attaching to the bridge ofthe instrument a vibration generating device, which device comprises an electric vibration generator attached to a bridge cradle,the bridge cradle being sized and configured for detachable attachment to a bridge of a stringed musical instrument, the bridgecradle comprising a main body portion sized and configured to be placed upon the bridge in sufficient contact therewith to permitthe transfer of vibration generated by the vibration generator into the bridge of the instrument, and ii) actuating the vibrationgenerating device so as to generate vibrations within the instrument to simulate vibration produced within the instrument duringnormal play.14. An apparatus comprising an electric vibration generator attached to a vibration cradle, the vibration cradle being sized andconfigured for detachable attachment between the body and strings of a stringed musical instrument having a sound hole, thevibration cradle comprising a base sized and configured to be placed in sufficient contact with the sound hole to permit the transferof vibration generated by the vibration generator into the body of the instrument.18. A method for seasoning a stringed musical instrument having a sound hole, which method comprises i) placing over at least aportion of a sound hole of the instrument a vibration generating device, which device comprises an electric vibration generatorattached to a vibration cradle, the vibration cradle being sized and configured for detachable attachment between the body andstrings of a stringed musical instrument having a sound hole, the vibration cradle comprising a base sized and configured to beplaced in sufficient contact with the sound hole to permit the transfer of vibration generated by the vibration generator into theinstrument, and ii) actuating the vibration generating device so as to generate vibrations within the instrument.

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String-mounted conditioner for stringed musical instruments

US7227068

Patent Assignee•TONERITE

Inventor•VAN DOREN CLAYTON LEE

International Patent Classification•G10D-003/14

US Patent Classification•PCLO=084297000R

ECLA Code•G10D-001/00B;; G10D-003/00

Publication Information•US7227068 B1 2007-06-05 [US7227068]

Priority Details•2004US-10847264 2004-05-17

Fampat family•US7227068 B1 2007-06-05 [US7227068]

Abstract:•(US7227068)A device ( 10 ) for conditioning a stringed musical instrument (20 ), comprising a vibrator ( 30 ) mounted on a transversesupporting member ( 14 ) which attaches removably to one ormore strings ( 26 ) of the instrument and makes no othercontact with the instrument. The vibrations produced by thedevice are transmitted via the normal mechanical chain from thestrings ( 26 ) to the bridge ( 24 ) to the sounding board ( 22 ) ofthe instrument.

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English Claims(US7227068)I claim:1. A device for conditioning a stringed musical instrument, comprising: a. a supporting member attaching removably to one ormore strings of said instrument and making no other contact with said musical instrument, andb. a means for producingmechanical vibrations, mounted on said supporting member and making no contact with said musical instrument,wherebymechanical vibrations produced by said means for producing mechanical vibrations will be transmitted to said strings and therebyto the body of said musical instrument.2. The device of claim 1 wherein said musical instrument is selected from the group consisting of all members of the guitar family,all members of the violin family, and all members of the mandolin family.3. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for producing mechanical vibrations comprises a direct current motor, a drive shaft ofsaid motor, and an asymmetric cam attached to said motor by way of said drive shaft.4. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for producing mechanical vibrations is placed in a protective housing.5. The device of claim 4 wherein said protective housing is made of a material selected from the group consisting of metal, plastic,ceramic and wood.6. The device of claim 1 wherein said support member is attached transversely across two or more strings of said instrument.7. The device of claim 1 wherein said support member is attached longitudinally along one or more strings of said instrument.8. A musical accessory for artificially aging a stringed musical instrument, comprising: a. a supporting member attaching to one ormore strings of said instrument and making no other contact with said musical instrument, andb. a vibrator mounted on saidsupporting member and making no contact with said musical instrument,whereby mechanical vibrations produced by said vibratorwill be transmitted to said strings and thereby to the body of said instrument.9. The device of claim 8 wherein said musical instrument is selected from the group consisting of all members of the guitar family,all members of the violin family, and all members of the mandolin family.10. The device of claim 8 wherein said means for producing mechanical vibrations comprises a direct current motor, a drive shaftof said motor, and an asymmetric cam attached to said motor by way of said drive shaft.11. The device of claim 8 wherein said means for producing mechanical vibrations is placed in a protective housing.12. The device of claim 11 wherein said protective housing is made of a material selected from the group consisting of metal,plastic, ceramic and wood.13. The device of claim 8 wherein said support member is attached transversely across two or more strings of said instrument.14. The device of claim 8 wherein said support member is attached longitudinally along one or more strings of said instrument.15. A method for conditioning a stringed musical instrument, comprising: a. attaching a supporting member to one or more stringsof said instrument and making no other contact with said musical instrument, andb. activating a vibrator, mounted on saidsupporting member and making no contact with said musical instrument,thereby transmitting the mechanical vibrations from saidvibrator to said strings and thereby to the body of said instrument.

Object of Invention(US7227068)A device (10) for conditioning a stringed musical instrument (20), comprising a vibrator (30) mounted on a transverse supportingmember (14) which attaches removably to one or more strings (26) of the instrument and makes no other contact with theinstrument. The vibrations produced by the device are transmitted via the normal mechanical chain from the strings (26) to thebridge (24) to the sounding board (22) of the instrument.

Advantages / Prev. Drawbacks(US7227068)This uncertainty makes it difficult to compare instruments critically, and the buyer must wait for an extended period of time until theinstrument achieves its optimum sound.is relatively difficult to remove and attachThe disadvantages and deficiencies of these previous inventions may be responsible for the complete absence of anycommercially-available stringed instrument conditioner.

Independent Claims(US7227068)1. A device for conditioning a stringed musical instrument, comprising: a. a supporting member attaching removably to one ormore strings of said instrument and making no other contact with said musical instrument, andb. a means for producingmechanical vibrations, mounted on said supporting member and making no contact with said musical instrument,wherebymechanical vibrations produced by said means for producing mechanical vibrations will be transmitted to said strings and therebyto the body of said musical instrument.8. A musical accessory for artificially aging a stringed musical instrument, comprising: a. a supporting member attaching to one ormore strings of said instrument and making no other contact with said musical instrument, andb. a vibrator mounted on saidsupporting member and making no contact with said musical instrument,whereby mechanical vibrations produced by said vibratorwill be transmitted to said strings and thereby to the body of said instrument.15. A method for conditioning a stringed musical instrument, comprising: a. attaching a supporting member to one or more stringsof said instrument and making no other contact with said musical instrument, andb. activating a vibrator, mounted on saidsupporting member and making no contact with said musical instrument,thereby transmitting the mechanical vibrations from saidvibrator to said strings and thereby to the body of said instrument.

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