End-pin holder for string instruments
OwnerRalph Hollanderinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A resonating end-pin holder for cellos and other string instruments, the holder serving not only to stabilize the instrument with respect to the ground but also to enhance the playing qualities thereof. The holder is constituted by a back plate raised from the ground by feet, above which is a top plate having a socket adapted to receive the end-pin. The top plate, which is spaced from the back plate, is coupled thereto by a sound post that provides an acoustic coupling therebetween. The vibrations of the instrument are transmitted through an end-pin to the plates and radiated thereby but they are isolated from the ground whereby the holder functions as a sympathetic sound board to reinforce the sounds produced by the instrument and to improve its playing qualities.
Claims4
A resonating holder for a string instrument having a body formed by a sound box provided with a back plate acoustically coupled to a top plate by a sound post, the body having an end-pin extending from the lower end thereof, the end-pin when in direct engagement with the ground producing a dampening effect, said holder comprising:
- A. a back plate provided with ground-engaging feet formed of material serving to acoustically isolate the back plate from the ground whereby the back plate floats acoustically and is free to vibrate,
- B. a top plate supported in spaced relation above said back plate to define an open zone therebetween,
- C. a sound post interposed between and acoustically intercoupling said top plate and back plate, each plate being characterized by multiple natural resonance frequencies, and
- D. a socket for receiving the end-pin of the instrument and mounted on said top plate whereby said back plate and said top plate are excited into vibration by instrument vibrations transmitted thereto through said end-pin and said holder serves to acoustically reinforce said instrument without damping, said top and back plates being formed of material acoustically compatible with the top and back plates of the instrument being played.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.