Tension regulator for stringed instruments
OwnerJonathan A. Barneyinventor
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Abstract
A string tension regulation system and method is provided comprising a spring element formed of a superelastic alloy material tensioned, compressed or otherwise strained to its superelastic state and being provided in mechanical communication with the vibratory string so as to maintain proper tension and pitch. One or more optional heating elements may be used (with or without feedback control) to precisely control or adjust the temperature of the tension regulation element and to thereby more precisely regulate and/or adjust the tension of each vibratory string.
Claims19
A string tension regulation system comprising:
- a spring element formed of a superelastic alloy material provided in mechanical communication with a selected vibratory string under tension desired to be regulated;
- said spring element being tensioned, compressed or otherwise strained to the point of causing at least some stress-induced crystalline transformation from an austenitic crystalline structure to a martensitic crystalline structure.
A string tension regulation system for a guitar of the type having a tremolo comprising a pivotable bridge plate and a depending foot, said string tension regulation system comprising:
- one or more spring elements formed of a superelastic alloy material provided in mechanical communication with said foot, said one or more spring elements being tensioned, compressed or otherwise strained to the point of causing at least some stress-induced crystalline transformation from an austenitic crystalline structure to a martensitic crystalline structure.
A method for regulating the pitch of a vibratory string in a musical instrument comprising the following steps:
- selectively heating said vibratory string by passing an electrical current through said vibratory string to thereby modify its pitch;
- continuing to heat said vibratory string until a desired pitch is attained.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.