Appeal No. 1999-1112
Application No. 08/683,705
instruments is improved by sensing vibrations from the acoustical musical instrument structure and
coupling an actuator to the vibration sensor for adjusting the vibrations emanating from the structure.
Representative independent claim 1 is reproduced as follows:
1. An acoustic musical instrument having a structure which vibrates to produce sound, the
improvement comprising means for sensing vibrations from said structure and actuator means coupled
to said means for sensing vibrations for adjusting the vibrations emanating from said structure to
improve sound quality.
The examiner relies on the following references:
Eland 2,568,797 Sept. 25, 1951
Fricke et al. (Fricke) 4,151,368 Apr. 24, 1979
Holland 4,236,433 Dec. 02, 1980
Groupp 4,245,540 Jan. 20, 1981
Nourney 4,484,508 Nov. 27, 1984
Maloney 4,697,491 Oct. 06, 1987
Fishman 4,911,057 Mar. 27, 1990
Wachi et al. (Wachi) 5,056,400 Oct. 15, 1991
Claims 1-6 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(b). As evidence of anticipation, the examiner cites
any one of Nourney, Holland or Wachi or Groupp or Eland or Fricke with regard to claims 1-3 and
cites any one of Maloney, Nourney or Wachi with regard to claims 4-6.
Claims 7 and 8 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as unpatentable over either one of Maloney,
Nourney or Wachi in view of Fishman.
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