IP Library Granted Patent US 8,344,230
Granted Patent B2
US 8,344,230 · App. 12/439,818 · Granted Jan 1, 2013

Method for improving the sound of musical instruments

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,344,230
App. No.
12/439,818
Granted
Jan 1, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to a method for improving the sound of acoustic musical instruments by decoupling the part of a musical instrument that is directly responsible for producing the primary sound event from the elements and components that are not directly involved in producing the primary sound event. The limitation of the acoustically active part prevents elements ( 6, 7 ) that have primarily static or optical functions or serve to produce variety of playing technique from vibrating or emitting sound, since they may lead to interferences and distortions of the primary sound event. According to the invention, an intermediate layer produced from a material ( 1 ) that reduces sound conduction is arranged in the connecting zones between the elements.

Claims (6)

1. A method for reducing sound conduction between components of a musical instrument, the method comprising disposing an intermediate layer of a material that reduces sound conduction at connection points between said components, wherein said material that reduces sound conduction is disposed at only one or more limited regions of the musical instrument, and said material that reduces sound conduction has a density of at least 2.45 g/cm 3 to 2.7 g/cm 3 and a sound velocity of less than 150 m/s.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more limited regions of the musical instrument where said material that reduces sound conduction is disposed includes at connection points between active components that are directly required for producing sound and passive components that are non-requisite for producing sound, of said musical instrument.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more limited regions of the musical instrument where said material that reduces sound conduction is disposed includes at connection points between a said component equipped with mechanically movable elements and an adjacent said component.

4. A method comprising using a material having a density of 2.45 g/cm 3 to 2.7 g/cm 3 and a sound velocity of less than 150 m/s as an intermediate layer at only one or more limited regions of the musical instrument, including at connection points between components of a musical instrument.

5. A method comprising using a material having a density of 2.45 g/cm 3 to 2.7 g/cm 3 and a sound velocity of less than 150 m/s in at least one intermediate layer of a multi-layer structure of only one or more limited regions of a component of a musical instrument, for acoustical quieting of said musical instrument.

6. A musical instrument having at least two components, where a material having a density of 2.45 g/cm 3 to 2.7 g/cm 3 and a sound velocity of less than 150 m/s is interposed at only one or more limited regions of the musical instrument, including at connection points between said two components.

Assignments (6)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 21, 2018
From: STEINWAY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, INC.; STEINWAY, INC.; CONN-SELMER, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 044983/0967 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 20, 2018
From: STEINWAY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, INC.; STEINWAY, INC.; CONN-SELMER, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 044977/0837 →
RELEASE OF SECOND LIEN PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 30, 2014
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: STEINWAY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, INC.; CONN-SELMER, INC.; ARKIVMUSIC, LLC; STEINWAY, INC.
Reel/Frame 033084/0142 →
ABL PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 23, 2013
From: STEINWAY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, INC.; CONN-SELMER, INC.; ARKIVMUSIC,LLC; STEINWAY, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031290/0067 →
SECOND LIEN PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 23, 2013
From: STEINWAY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, INC.; CONN-SELMER, INC.; ARKIVMUSIC, LLC; STEINWAY, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031290/0235 →
FIRST LIEN PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 23, 2013
From: STEINWAY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, INC.; CONN-SELMER, INC.; ARKIVMUSIC, LLC; STEINWAY, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031290/0367 →