IP Library Granted Patent US 7,439,427
Granted Patent B2
US 7,439,427 · App. 11/446,076 · Granted Oct 21, 2008

Guitar body reinforcement

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,439,427
App. No.
11/446,076
Granted
Oct 21, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A support for a body of a stringed instrument includes a brace structure having a plurality of legs radially disposed about a central body. The brace structure has a substantially flat first surface. A portion of the plurality of legs conforms to a soundhole opening which is integrated into the body of the stringed instrument. A brace for a body of a guitar includes a unitary structure adapted to mount to a soundboard of the guitar. The unitary structure has a plurality of arms radially disposed about a central body. A method of assembling a guitar includes mounting a brace structure to a soundboard of the guitar. Again, the brace structure has a plurality of legs radially disposed about a central body.

Claims (10)

1. A method of making a stringed musical instrument, comprising:

providing a body having a soundboard with a soundhole formed through the soundboard;

providing a headblock mechanically coupled to the body; and

mounting a support brace to the soundboard, the support brace having a plurality of legs extending radially from a central body, the legs and central body being a unitary structure, wherein first and second legs conform to the soundhole and the central body has notches for receiving the headblock.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the support brace has substantially flat upper and lower surfaces.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the support brace is made of composite material.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the composite material varies in rigidity.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the support brace is bonded to the body of the stringed musical instrument using an epoxy material.

6. The method of claim 1 , further including providing a shim structure substantially conforming in shape to the support brace for mounting the support brace to the body of the stringed musical instrument.

7. The method of claim 1 , further including forming an aperture in the central body for securing the support brace to the body.

Assignments (15)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2025
From: FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 072768/0372 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 29, 2025
From: FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION; PRESONUS AUDIO ELECTRONICS, INC.
To: TIGER FINANCE, LLC
Reel/Frame 072802/0844 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 17, 2022
From: FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION; PRESONUS AUDIO ELECTRONICS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 059173/0524 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (047729/0940) Recorded Dec 2, 2021
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: ROKR VENTURES, INC.; FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 058296/0143 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 10, 2018
From: FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION; ROKR VENTURES, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 047729/0940 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 7, 2018
From: FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION; ROKR VENTURES, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 047711/0146 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (041193/0835) Recorded Dec 7, 2018
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION; ROKR VENTURES, INC.
Reel/Frame 048904/0818 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 7, 2017
From: FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION; ROKR VENTURES, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 041193/0835 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 7, 2017
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION; KMC MUSIC, INC. (F/K/A KAMAN MUSIC CORPORATION)
Reel/Frame 041649/0926 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 17, 2013
From: FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 030441/0596 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded May 16, 2013
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 030437/0602 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 13, 2011
From: WADE, DONALD SCOTT, JR.
To: FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 026274/0714 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 27, 2007
From: FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 019477/0787 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 27, 2007
From: FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 019477/0799 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 7, 2006
From: KROEGER, KEVIN M.; LABERGE, MEAULNES; SHAW, TIMOTHY P.; SMITH, DANIEL J.
To: FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 017893/0940 →