String tensioner for stringed instrument
OwnerCosmos Lylesinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A string tensioner for a stringed musical instrument is configured to apply a constant or near-constant tension to a musical string of the instrument. The string tensioner employs a primary spring that applies a primary force coaxial with the string. Each string tensioner also employs one or more secondary springs that apply a secondary force in a direction crossing the axis of the string. The secondary force has an axial force component that changes as the angle of the secondary spring changes. The primary and secondary springs are selected so that as the string changes in length over time the change in the secondary force axial component approximates the change in force applied by the primary spring so that the axial force applied to the string remains generally constant.
Claims19
A string tensioner for a stringed musical instrument, comprising:
- an elongated base extending from a base proximal end to a base distal end, the base comprising a base primary spring mount;
- an elongated carrier extending from a carrier proximal end to a carrier distal end, the carrier comprising a string holder and a carrier primary spring mount;
- a primary spring extending from the base primary spring mount to the carrier primary spring mount, the primary spring configured to exert a primary spring tension in an axial direction along a longitudinal axis of the string tensioner;
- and
- a distal secondary spring extending from the base distal end to the carrier distal end, the secondary spring configured to apply a distal secondary spring force in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.
A string tensioner for a stringed musical instrument, comprising:
- an elongated base extending from a base proximal end to a base distal end, the base comprising a base primary spring mount;
- an elongated carrier extending from a carrier proximal end to a carrier distal end, the carrier comprising a string holder and a carrier primary spring mount, the base and carrier configured so that the carrier can move longitudinally relative to the base along a longitudinal axis;
- a primary spring assembly extending from the base primary spring mount to the carrier primary spring mount, the primary spring configured to exert a primary spring tension in an axial direction along the longitudinal axis;
- and
- a secondary spring assembly extending between the base and the carrier and configured to apply a secondary spring force between the base and the carrier in a manner so that an axially-directed portion of the secondary spring force varies as the carrier moves longitudinally relative to the base.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.