IP Library Granted Patent US 42,769
Granted Patent E1
US 42,769 · App. 12/893,803 · Granted Oct 4, 2011

Guitar body reinforcement

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 42,769
App. No.
12/893,803
Granted
Oct 4, 2011
Kind
E1
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 (38)

1. A stringed musical instrument, comprising:

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

a headblock mechanically coupled to the body; and

a brace structure mounted to the soundboard, the brace structure having a plurality of legs extending radially from a central body, the legs and central body being a unitary structure and uniform in construction, the brace structure having substantially flat upper and lower surfaces, wherein first and second legs conform to the soundhole and third and fourth legs extend in opposite directions across the soundboard and fifth and sixth legs radiate outward from the central body with increasing distance between the fifth and sixth legs, the central body having first and second notches disposed between the fifth and sixth legs for receiving the headblock.

2. The stringed musical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the brace structure is made of composite material.

3. The stringed musical instrument of claim 2 , wherein the composite material varies in rigidity.

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

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

6. The stringed musical instrument of claim 1 , further including an aperture formed in the central body for securing the brace structure to the body.

7. A stringed musical instrument, comprising:

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

a headblock mechanically coupled to the body; and

a support brace mounted 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, the support brace having substantially flat upper and lower surfaces, wherein first and second legs conform to the soundhole and the central body includes notches for receiving the headblock.

8. The stringed musical instrument of claim 7 , wherein the support brace is made of composite material.

9. The stringed musical instrument of claim 8 , wherein the composite material varies in rigidity.

10. The stringed musical instrument of claim 7 , wherein the support brace is bonded to the body of the stringed musical instrument using an epoxy material.

11. The stringed musical instrument of claim 7 , further including a shim structure substantially conforming in shape to the support brace for mounting the support brace to the body of the stringed musical instrument.

12. The stringed musical instrument of claim 7 , further including an aperture formed in the central body for securing the support brace to the body.

13. A stringed musical instrument, comprising:

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

a support brace mounted 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, the support brace having substantially flat upper and lower surfaces, wherein first and second legs conform to the soundhole.

14. The stringed musical instrument of claim 13 , further including:

a headblock mechanically coupled to the body;

wherein the central body includes notches for receiving the headblock.

15. The stringed musical instrument of claim 13 , wherein the support brace is made of composite material.

16. The stringed musical instrument of claim 15 , wherein the composite material varies in rigidity.

17. The stringed musical instrument of claim 13 , wherein the support brace is bonded to the body of the stringed musical instrument using an epoxy material.

18. The stringed musical instrument of claim 13 , further including a shim structure substantially conforming in shape to the support brace for mounting the support brace to the body of the stringed musical instrument.

19. The stringed musical instrument of claim 13 , further including an aperture formed in the central body for securing the support brace to the body.

20. A method of manufacturing a guitar, comprising:

providing a body having a soundboard with a soundhole formed through the soundboard; 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, the support brace having substantially flat upper and lower surfaces, wherein first and second legs conform to the soundhole.

21. The method of claim 20 , further including:

providing a headblock; and

mechanically coupling the headblock to the body, wherein the central body includes notches for receiving the headblock.

22. The method of claim 20 , wherein the support brace is made of composite material.

23. The method of claim 20 , wherein the composite material varies in rigidity.

24. The method of claim 20 , further including forming an aperture in the central body for securing the support brace to the body.

Assignments (10)
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 →