Dampp-Chaser Patent #6,133,519

[paul bruesch]

Thank you Roger for that clarification.

It's just occurred to me that, at the least, you have prevented someone else
from developing, patenting, and marketing the idea, even while offering to
turn a blind eye to someone who goes to Jo-Ann Fabrics when that proves more
expeditious for the tech and/or the customer. For my part, I stated earlier
I will simply order the DC undercover as a convenience, but now also as a
courtesy.

Paul Bruesch
Stillwater, MN

On 5/1/07, Roger Wheelock <roger at dampp-chaser.com> wrote:
>
>  Dear List,
>
>
>
> Avery has asked that I post to the list regarding the Dampp-Chaser patent
> on the undercover and the backside cover.  As a manufacturer, we maintain
> a strong business relationship with our local patent attorneys.  When we
> come up with a new idea we get their law firm involved.  They complete an
> initial evaluation of potential patentability.  If they make a positive
> recommendation, we work with them to complete an application.  They
> obviously use their "special" terminology and illustrations that deliver a
> document designed to meet a government patent inspector's expectations.  Then
> we enter into a review and appeal process that after some (often seemingly
> endless) period of time can result in a patent being issued.  Sometimes we
> are told that the idea is obvious and not patentable at the end of this
> journey.  Costs are considerable as the attorneys charge by the minute at
> a rate equivalent to $250 per hour.
>
>
>
> Patents are often drafted to include "anything under the sun" type claims.
> Then some claims get rejected during the iterative review process.  The
> patent as issued can then have some inconsistencies within the document
> based on these activities.  With regard to the patent under discussion, I
> believe we had a long list of materials for use as an undercover or backside
> cover and tried to achieve maximum material design freedom in the final
> document subject to the judgments of the patent inspector.
>
>
>
> The Mylar was initially used on upright pianos, but was never tried on a
> grand.  We feel that our current material falls within the scope of the
> patent as do most materials purchased at fabric stores, but others may
> disagree.  We have heard the argument that the patent was issued for an
> obvious idea.  Indeed this topic is in the news with a recent Supreme
> Court ruling saying that too many patents have been issued for obvious
> ideas.  With these changes in the air, critics of our patent may have a
> means to "reverse" it in the future………if they have the time, energy and
> money to participate in the process.
>
>
>
> Kindly note we have not been pushy about the patent.  In the numerous
> training programs we conduct I simply mention the patent, explain that we
> are not the patent police, and ask technicians to do what they feel is
> right.
>
>
>
> Our intention was and is to develop a climate control system that provides
> maximum benefit to the piano.  I was skeptical of the undercover benefit
> at first, but over the years I have seen it improve system performance in
> many grand installations.  In this regard, we are considering making it
> standard equipment in the grand systems sold in Europe.  I do appreciate
> the kind comments about our product in this thread that has certainly
> morphed from a data logger discussion.  I also thank you for your support
> of our organization over the years.
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
> Roger Wheelock, VP
>
> Dampp-Chaser Corporation
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* Avery <avery1 at houston.rr.com>
> *To:* Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org>
> *Sent:* Monday, April 30, 2007 11:21 PM
> *Subject:* Re: Dampp-Chaser Patent #6,133,519
>
> John & others,
>
> I just sent this to Roger Wheelock at Dampp-Chaser. Maybe he'll have
> something
> to say.
>
> Avery
>
> At 08:54 PM 4/30/2007, you wrote:
>
> Paul,
>
> I looked at this last night. (www.uspto.gov) It appears to be the only
> patent for a cover to be used in conjunction with a DC system. I
> didn't look everywhere, but this was one of the three patents I found
> for Dampp-Chaser Corp.
>
> Anyway, what this appears to be talking about is the older way of
> doing it with the mylar type plastic material. I think I installed
> only one of those, as it was right around the time that I started
> working full-time as a piano tech.
>
> The undercover in use now is speaker fabric.
>
> There is a possibility that there might be a patent pending. Maybe
> someone could contact Dampp-Chaser and find out. Or maybe someone from
> there will comment here on the list.
>
> There are a number of us who want to abide by the law, and it would be
> helpful to know exactly what that is.
>
> JF
>
> P.S. After reading the patent lingo, one thing I hope I never have to
> become is a patent lawyer. Ugh!  :-)  No offense to any of you who
> like that kind of thing.
>
> On 4/30/07, paul bruesch <tunergeek at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I found the Dampp-Chaser's patent online:
> http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6133519.pdf
> (you might have to create an account to look at the pdf, for some darned
> reason)
>
> According to the abstract, the under/back cover patent is for a
> "...moisture
> impervious aperture free sheet...".  In the detail of the patent write-up,
> under "Background of the Invention" it specifies "MYLAR or felt" (caps
> theirs) "... having a plurality of apertures or holes..." (which, to my
> mind, contradicts the abstract portion... but then again I'm not a
> lawyer.)
>
> So, what sort of fabric/material is Dampp-Chaser's under/back cover made
> of?  I'm not a rocket scientist, nor even a acoustic engineer, heck, I'm
> not
> even an RPT, but the idea of Mylar back/under cover on a piano sounds to
> me
> like it would sound a bit bizarre. Wouldn't it?? And wouldn't felt mute
> and
> muffle the sound?  (see previous disclaimers regarding my qualifications)
>
> I wonder what a "plurality of apertures or holes" means... several holes
> and/or apertures in the cover, or is that phrase intended to include an
> open
> weave like speaker cloth, being what it sounds like many techs are using.
> An open weave certainly has a "plurality of holes," but it would make a
> lot
> more better sense to say "open weave fabric."
>
> Please understand that I'm not trying to get around anyone's patent, or
> infringe on same... when the time comes I'll order the DC cover simply for
> the convenience of it, if for no other reason. My curiosity is piqued
> about
> this patent for a new way to use a piece of cloth... and I'd just like to
> understand it better. Judging from the amount of traffic generated by this
> topic, I don't think I'm alone.
>
> Paul Bruesch
> Computer Geek and PTG Associate, who typically plays by the rules but
> wants
> to understand them. And I don't run with scissors.
>
>
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/20070501/c8b1b514/attachment.html