Patent ID: 7208673
Filing Date: 2007-04-24
Classification: G10H,H01H

Abstract:
1. An electrical switch apparatus for use on various types of stringed musical instruments such as electric guitars comprising: an actuator means, said actuator means to enable manual selection of settings, said actuator means to have multi-directional freedom of travel, said actuator means to provide corresponding control over electrical contact means; an electrical contact means, said electrical contact means to comprise a plurality of electrically isolated conductors wherein various pairs or groups of conductors alternate directly between absolute open circuit and absolute closed circuit states according to both specific longitudinal and specific transverse displacement of said actuator means and wherein said pairs or groups of electrical contacts either make direct contact with each other or are selectively abridged by another intermediary conductor of negligible electrical resistance; a detent means, said detent means to impart a tactile indexing action upon the travel of said actuator means so as restrict the static orientation of said actuator means to a limited number of pre-defined positions which are clearly distinguishable and readily repeatable, said detent means to define indexing actions subject to both longitudinal and transverse displacement of said actuator means, said detent means to provide for stable positioning of said actuator means, said detent means to co-operate with said electrical contact means; a housing means, said housing means to integrate said actuator means, said electrical contact means and said detent means; wherein, said switch apparatus is an electrically passive device which does conduct electricity through said contacts but does not consume electricity in order to function; wherein, said musical instrument further comprises a plurality of pickup coil conductors which are terminated upon said electrical contact means, and wherein, individual pickup coils will be rendered into a limited series of isolated circuits which are selected by manual displacement of the actuator means which will index between corresponding distinguishable positions in accordance with said detent means.