Music – Instruments – Electrical musical tone generation
Reexamination Certificate
2002-12-09
2004-08-24
Fletcher, Marlon (Department: 2837)
Music
Instruments
Electrical musical tone generation
C084S745000, C084S453000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06781050
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
U.S. Patent Documents
Patent #
Date
Inventor
U.S. Class
6,121,537
19 Sep. 2000
Pawar, et al
84/728
5,780,760
14 Jul. 1998
Riboloff
84/726
5,763,808
09 Jun. 1998
Thomson
84/728
4,711,149
08 Dec. 1987
Starr
84/742
6,253,654
03 Jul. 2001
Mercurio
84/267
5,136,918
11 Aug. 1992
Riboloff
84/723
4,854,210
08 Aug. 1989
Palozzolo
84/726
4,872,386
10 Oct. 1989
Betticare
84/726
6,271,457
7 Aug. 2001
Hudak
84/731
6,316,713
13 Nov. 2001
Furst, et al
84/726
5,311,806
17 May. 1994
Riboloff
84/728
5,136,919
11 Aug. 1992
Wolstein
84/742
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to variable tone electric guitars and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, it relates to an improved wiring/circuitry system for interchanging the selection and combination of pickup outputs, volume and tone controls, and tonality select switch(s) to provide a wide variety of output sounds.
2. Description of Related Art
This invention relates broadly to electrical musical instruments of the string type and more particularly to an improved wiring apparatus for the provision of a variable tone electric guitar. It is typically applicable to an electrical guitar or similar musical instrument having a plurality of stretched strings extending across a body and a neck, between the head of the instrument and a bridge assembly connected to the body, in which the strings are caused to vibrate by plucking or picking same. However, the invention is capable of broader application and can be used in any musical or other instrument that uses magnetic coupling means of disposed adjacent vibrating string members to generate energy or music. It is directed toward the art of electric guitar circuit switching, more particularly, the invention to an electric guitar that enables quick changes of circuitry to establish different electrical relationships between one or more pickups, one or more volume and tone controls, and one or more switches through the present invention, the modular apparatus. Different tonal modes are selected by means of a modular wiring apparatus. In this way, the guitar is able to produce a variety of tonal characteristics that might otherwise be provided by using more than one guitar. The present invention provides a simple and intuitive modular circuitry system for generating and selecting multiple tonalities and tonal blends that are familiar to most musicians. It differs from previous related art by enabling an improved electronic circuitry relationship of the electric pickups, volume and tone controls, and switch(s) of a stock instrument connected through a passive modular wiring apparatus that determines which combinations of pickups, volume and tone controls, and switches on the guitar are connected at any one time.
Historically, many musicians desired to play guitars that generated tonalities beyond the limit of a single guitar. While previous related art allowed altering tonality of an instrument, they generally relied on hardwire modifications of a specific component that limited the capability to dynamically alter tonal characteristics. Musicians rejected guitars that produced entirely new tones and those that introduced active electronics, new and different knobs or buttons, and multiple hard-to-use switches. Male modules of the present apparatus may be quickly interchanged to allow a dynamic and unlimited combination of electronic profiles through various male modules of the apparatus without altering the external appearance or feel of the stock instrument. It does not change the outward appearance of the instrument nor the number or positioning of the pickups, volume and tone controls, and switch(s) of the stock instrument. Thus, the musician maintains his familiarity with the layout and operation of the pickups, volume and tone controls, and switch(s). Additionally, the modular apparatus is configured to complete a specified and finite set of selection variables that enables a plurality of popular and well recognized tonalities and tone blends, to be played on a single guitar selectively using simple switches, volume and tone controls, and pickup units disposed on the guitar body at well known locations that are familiar to electric guitarists. Unplugging the modular apparatus and replacing it with another wired to provide a different circuitry relationship yields another set of specified and finite set of selection variables that enable a different plurality of tones using the same pickups, and/or volume and tone controls, and/or switch(s) that are familiar to electric guitarists. The modular apparatus permits changing of circuits within minutes and in some cases, seconds, rather than hours previously required to disassemble, rewire, test, and reassemble the instrument. Accordingly, the present invention provides a new and improved approach to electric guitar circuitry design, wiring, and installation that overcomes the above-referenced problems. The compact size of the interchangeable male module allows an individual access to various multiple wiring circuit profiles contained within specific models of the male module and is limited only by the models and number of male modules the artist possesses. Should other tonalities be desired, the individual need only insert a different module rather than purchase a new instrument.
PREVIOUS RELATED ART REFERENCED
The present invention exceeds the capabilities of the referenced patents of previous related art. Each is described as to the capability with a statement as to how the present invention surpasses the described capability.
Pawar, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,121,537 produced a fixed wiring system to select a plurality of Gibson and Fender tonalities on a single guitar. In addition to the fixed wiring system, Pawar included a set of multiple and complicated switches to achieve the desired plurality of sounds. The present invention enables a wider plurality of tonalities through interchangeable wiring circuitry profiles resident on the male module of the apparatus without altering the guitar's existing pickups, volume and tone controls, switch(s), and output jack.
Riboloff, U.S. Pat. No. 5,780,760 developed a guitar pickup switching system for a three-pickup guitar to allow the artist to select outputs of the pickups in any one of seven combinations. Two volume controls enable the artist to vary the blend of the treble pickup output and middle and rhythm pickup outputs from the switching system. Although this invention improves on the tonality provided from a single guitar, it modifies the visible appearance of the stock guitar and is limited in the tonalities provided. The present invention enables a wider plurality of tonalities through interchangeable wiring circuitry profiles resident on the male module of the apparatus without altering the guitar's existing pickups, volume and tone controls, switches, and output jack.
Thomson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,763,808 developed a switching apparatus for electric guitar pickup coils having dual coil bridge humbucker pickups, dual coil fingerboard humbucker pickups and a single coil intermediate pickup. The apparatus comprised a four-gang three-way switch and a two-gang five-way switch interconnect so that the guitarist may control which combination of pickups operate at any one time thereby providing the tonal characteristics of a STRATOCASTER, a LES PAUL, or a “coil tapped” LES PAUL guitar optional “out of phase” tonalities. Although this invention improves on the tonality provided from a single guitar, it modifies the visible appearance of the stock guitar and is limited in the tonalities provided. The present invention enables a wider plurality of tonalities through interchangeable wiring circuitry profiles resident on the male module of the apparatus without altering the guitar's existing pickups, volume and tone controls
Olvera Gordon Alan
Olvera John Charles
Fletcher Marlon
Harleston Kathleen M.
Harleston Law Firm LLC
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