- Rockin’ Patent®: US Patent No. 3,237,502
- Filed: 11 May 1964
- In the name of: Kimball International Inc
- Title: Stringed Musical Instrument
- What’s claimed: ”In a stringed musical instrument having a head, a body and an inter-connecting neck, and having a plurality of strings extending from said head along said neck to said body, the combination of: a manually adjustable anchor for said strings mounted on said body for simultaneously varying the tension in all said strings to produce a vibrato effect; and a bridge mounted on said body adjacent said anchor and over which said strings are stretched; said anchor including support means having a plurality of misaligned apertures therein for receiving said strings, means for anchoring said strings in respective ones of said misaligned apertures, means pivotally mounting said support means for rotation about an axis displaced to one side of said apertures and generally parallel to the plane of said body and displaced therefrom, resilient means for biasing said support means about said axis in a first angular direction, and manual control means for turning said support means about said axis in the opposite angular direction.”
- Why this patent rocks: This patent appears to relate to Semie Moseley’s vibrato unit to be used on Mosrite guitars in the mid-60s. The patent illustration appears to show a Mosrite guitar, used famously by Johnny Ramone. For a more detailed description of how it works, see here and scroll down for the ‘Mosrite vibrato’ or see here for more information on the Mosrite guitar.
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The information above is for general interest and information only and does not constitute legal advice.
