Stringed musical instrument with keyboard

• US 5,691,490 A
• Filed: 01/15/1997
• Issued: 11/25/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Maschon Williams
• Original Assignee: Maschon Williams
• Inventors: Williams, Maschon
• Primary Examiner(s): SPYROU, CASSANDRA
• Application Number:
  US08/784,265
• Time in Patent Office: 314 Days
• Field of Search: 84/170, 84/171, 84/267, 84/291, 84/423 R, 84/263
• US Class Current: 84/170
• CPC Class Codes: G10D 3/08 Fingerboards in the form of keyboards

Abstract

A stringed musical instrument such as an electric or acoustic guitar and a bass guitar in combination with a piano-type keyboard. The musical instrument of the present invention includes a body with a neck extending from the body and a plurality of strings extending across the neck and the body. The body has a portion extending outward from the strings upon which the keyboard is adjustably attached using a bracket The present invention provides a user with ready access to both the stringed instrument and the keyboard. The user may utilize the stringed instrument and keyboard separately alternating therebetween or simultaneously having one hand of the user play the keyboard as well striking and/or strumming the strings. The user also has the ability to adjust the positioning of the keyboard in relation to the stringed instrument. The adjustability of the keyboard allows the user to orient the keyboard in the most comfortable position for playing so that the user may excel at performing with the present invention.

Claims

1. A stringed musical instrument with keyboard, comprising:

a stringed musical instrument comprising;

a body;

a neck; and

a plurality of strings extending across said neck and said body;

an extending portion attached to said body and extending outward from said strings;

a keyboard having a plurality of keys; and

means for adjustably attaching said keyboard to said extending portion.

2. A stringed musical instrument with keyboard according to claim 1, wherein said body is hollow.

3. A stringed musical instrument with keyboard according to claim 1, wherein said body is solid.

4. A stringed musical instrument with keyboard according to claim 1, wherein said stringed musical instrument is an electric guitar.

5. A stringed musical instrument with keyboard according to claim 1, wherein said stringed musical instrument is a bass guitar.

6. A stringed musical instrument with keyboard according to claim 1, wherein said body includes electric pick-ups.

7. A stringed musical instrument with keyboard according to claim 1, wherein said stringed musical instrument is an acoustic guitar.

8. A stringed musical instrument with keyboard according to claim 7, said body having predetermined acoustical characteristics, said stringed musical instrument with keyboard further comprising means for attaching said extending portion to said body such that the acoustical characteristics of said body are not substantially effected by said attachment.

9. A stringed musical instrument with keyboard according to claim 8, wherein said body includes electric pick-ups.

10. A stringed musical instrument with keyboard according to claim 1, wherein said extending portion is recessed in relation to said body.

11. A stringed musical instrument with keyboard according to claim 1, wherein said means for adjustably attaching said keyboard to said extending portion comprises:

a bracket having means for slidably and pivotally mounting said bracket to said extending portion;

said bracket having means for slidably and pivotally mounting said keyboard to said bracket;

means for locking said bracket in a fixed position on said extending portion; and

means for locking said keyboard in a fixed position on said bracket.

12. A stringed musical instrument with keyboard according to claim 11, wherein said means for slidably and pivotally mounting said bracket to said extending portion comprises:

a channel defined through said extending portion; and

said bracket having a sleeve protruding therefrom into said channel, said sleeve being capable of rotating and sliding within said channel.

13. A stringed musical instrument with keyboard according to claim 12, wherein said channel has a first portion which extends in a direction substantially parallel to said strings and said channel has a second portion which extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to said strings.

14. A stringed musical instrument with keyboard according to claim 12, wherein said means for slidably and pivotally mounting said keyboard to said bracket comprises:

a pair of end portions on said bracket which protrude from said bracket in a direction opposite that of said sleeve, said end portions each having a slot therethrough; and

a pair of rods connected to said keyboard which each extend through said slot, said rods being capable of rotating and sliding within said slots.

15. A stringed musical instrument with keyboard according to claim 14, wherein said means for locking said bracket in a fixed position on said extending portion comprises:

threaded means internally of said sleeve; and

a grip having a threaded protrusion extending therefrom, said threaded protrusion extending through said extending portion and mating with said internal threads of said sleeve.

16. A stringed musical instrument with keyboard according to claim 15, wherein said means for locking said keyboard in a fixed position on said bracket comprises:

a pair of holes defined in said keyboard, said holes being internally threaded; and

said pair of rods each having a first end and a second end, said first end of said rods having a grip attached thereto, said second end of said rods being threaded, said second ends of said rods extending through said slots and mating with said internal threads of said holes.

17. A stringed musical instrument with keyboard, comprising:

a stringed musical instrument comprising;

a hollow body;

a neck; and

a plurality of strings extending across said neck and said body;

an extending portion attached to said body and extending outward from said strings; and

a keyboard having a plurality of keys, said keyboard being attached to said extending portion.

18. A stringed musical instrument with keyboard according to claim 17, said body having predetermined acoustical characteristics, said stringed musical instrument with keyboard further comprising means for attaching said extending portion to said body such that the acoustical characteristics of said body are not substantially effected by said attachment.

19. A stringed musical instrument with keyboard according to claim 18, wherein said body includes electric pick-ups.