Friction reduction in an electric guitar
OwnerMark V. Herrmanninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A reduced-friction pad is positioned between a tremolo and a guitar body. The pad substantially prevents direct contact between the tremolo and the guitar body, and reduces friction produced when the tremolo is pivoted or moved. The result is a tremolo which more reliably returns to its original position. The guitar also includes a roller block for accommodating a guitar string. The block includes a chamber which houses at least one low-friction shim, and a low-friction roller, the shim and roller being held within the chamber by a snap spring. The roller block can be implemented at either or both ends of the guitar, and can also be installed on a tremolo. The roller block reduces friction on the string, and enables the guitar to be more reliably tuned.
Claims20
A guitar having a tremolo, the tremolo being mounted on a body of the guitar, the guitar having a tremolo pad, the tremolo pad comprising a thin sheet of low-friction material, the tremolo pad being positioned between the tremolo and the body of the guitar.
A roller block for guiding a string of a guitar, comprising:
- a) a chamber, the chamber defining a space within which a string can be seated, and through which the string can extend,
- b) at least one shim disposed in the chamber,
- c) a roller, the roller contacting one of said at least one shim, and
- d) a snap spring which holds the roller and shim within the chamber.
A guitar having a tremolo, the tremolo being mounted on a body of the guitar, the guitar comprising a tremolo pad, the tremolo pad comprising a thin sheet of low-friction material, the tremolo pad being positioned between the tremolo and the body of the guitar,
- the guitar also including a roller block for guiding a string of the guitar, the roller block comprising:
- a) a chamber, the chamber defining a space within which a string can be seated, and through which the string can extend,
- b) at least one shim disposed in the chamber,
- c) a roller, the roller contacting one of said at least one shim, and
- d) a snap spring which holds the roller and shim within the chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.