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US 9,875,728 B1Granted
Musical key-changing apparatus for stringed instruments
OwnerJohn Paul Pallayinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention, a key-changing apparatus for stringed musical instruments, automatically sets all the strings to the necessary flats and sharps for any key signature selected. This allows musicians, particularly novices, to play musical scores in any key signature without having to remember to flatten or sharpen all the multiple notes required by the key signature.
Claims5
A zither comprising:
- a. a zither case
- b. a plurality of strings with each string of said plurality of strings having a first predetermined length corresponding to a plurality of flattened musical notes, with said plurality of strings attached to said zither
- c. a spindle apparatus to set one of a plurality of key signatures onto said plurality of strings while maintaining a home identity of each individual said string of said plurality of strings in each of said plurality of key signatures, with said spindle of said spindle apparatus attached to said zither case near to and transverse to said plurality of strings in a plane parallel to said plurality of strings with said spindle at a first calculated distance from one set of ends of said plurality of strings for a first calculated length of strings corresponding to natural musical notes and with said spindle having a plurality of rotatable key signature positions, with said spindle for each said string in each said key signature position having in a first instance a first predetermined radius to contact and fret each said string of said plurality of strings at said first calculated length corresponding to a natural note when said one of said plurality of key signatures requires said natural note for said string
- d. said spindle apparatus to further include a sharp fret transverse and near to said plurality of strings, with said plurality of strings sandwiched between said sharp fret and said spindle, and with said spindle for each said string in each said key signature position having in a second instance, when said one of said plurality of key signatures requires a sharp note for said string, a second predetermined radius to push said string against said sharp fret with said sharp fret at a second calculated distance from said one set of ends of said plurality of strings consistent with a second calculated length of said string corresponding to said sharp note in said second instance.
1 more element
A zither comprising:
- a. a zither case
- b. a plurality of strings with lengths corresponding to a plurality of musical notes
- c. a plurality of string anchor pins to connect a first set of ends of said plurality of strings to said zither
- d. a plurality of tuning pins to connect a second set of ends of said plurality of strings to a tuning-pin block which is attached to said zither case
- e. a spindle means to change a key signature of said plurality of strings while maintaining a home identity of each string of said plurality of strings regardless of said key signature change.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.