(Fender) Rhodes related patent numbers

[Mark II]

Hi there. I am looking for all (fender) rhodes related patent numbers cause they are a valuable source for further information beyond service manuals. All I need is the patent number, I will look up the additional info like listed below myself.
If you want to browse the original patents and read the descriptions of the inventor yourself go to:
http://patft.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/srchnum.htm and type in the patent number. patents before 1970 are only available as tiff, click on <images>.
You'll need a free tiff viewer add-in to view the images in your browser: http://www.alternatiff.com/ or http://www.internetiff.com/
I have made good experience with internetiff and IE 6.0.

On this site and freddan's page I found these patents:

2469667
title: piano
desciption: Army AirCorps Piano 1942
filed: june 12, 1945
patented: may 10, 1949


2972922:
title: electronical musical instruemnt in the nature of a piano
desciption: tone bar
filed: march 09, 1959
patented: feb 28, 1961


thanks for your support in advance
Mark II

[willedsmithmo]

Haha weird, I wanted info on the patents so i used the search button and it came up with this brand new post that i failed to see!

Thanks for the site and tiff reader! Those designs are really nice to see especially the first Rhodes design! With loudspeaker and amp incorporated and no pedestals etc!! Reminds me of how many times the design changes on stuff i make (my instrument in particular).

For anyone who can't be bothered to go and look, the Patent Numbers on my Rhodes at least are:

3,270,608 - This seems to be the design for the Rhodes' such as the student model.
2,972,922 - This is the original tone bar and piano design
3,285,116 - This is the original suitcase (with sustain pedal) design
Des. 200,439 - This is the external design for the Stage
Des. 200,440 - This is the external design for the final suitcase

[Mark II]

geez, thanks for your help.
I have to say sorry. I was so glad to find all the important patent numbers of the hammond organ printed on the serial plate that I didnt manage to look at the serial number sticker of my rhodes piano. How stupid.  :twisted:

so, here they are (from a 1980 Mark II stage model (wood keys, all plastic hammers):

2972922
3270608
3285166
3384699
3418417
3644656
DES200439
DES200440

I would love to have every rhodes owner (no matter what model) write the numbers down next time you have your harp cover removed.
Thanks

Mark II

[willedsmithmo]

Interesting!

3,384,699 seem to be more original plans
3,418,417 is an updated (second generation) tonebar design
3,644,656 is the updated (possibly most recent) tonebar patent

I have also come across even more patents!

2,469,667 is a wonderful design! Quite funny considering how much cooler it finally looked

3,090,274 is actually an electric piano design by Leo Fender!

3,270,608 more old action and hammer designs

2,456,321 an interesting original damper design with a flexy pushrod which runs through a wire!

[Mark II]

I have also come across even more patents!

2,469,667 is a wonderful design! Quite funny considering how much cooler it finally looked

3,090,274 is actually an electric piano design by Leo Fender!

3,270,608 more old action and hammer designs

2,456,321 an interesting original damper design with a flexy pushrod which runs through a wire!

nice, and where did you find these ?
Mark II

[willedsmithmo]

They came up with the most recent of your MKII patents (tonebar 1970)