Compliant bridge transducer for rigid body string musical instruments
OwnerMartin R. Clevingerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved bridge transducer for rigid non-acoustic body string musical instruments, enabling production of tonal character and quality associated with flexible acoustic body instruments using a novel compliant suspension supporting a string bridge, which is equally responsive to plucked or bowed strings, is interactive with the strings in a manner similar to acoustic body supported bridges, while eliminating problems of diminished string sustain, and air coupled loud speaker feedback, uneven frequency response, and is economical to manufacture. A sound pickup device is coupled to the suspended string bridge for detection and amplification of motion induced by played strings.
Claims34
An improved string instrument of the type having a plurality of strings that are tensioned across a body and which can be set into motion by bowing or plucking, the improvement comprising a compliant bridge pickup including
- bridge span means for supporting the strings and for transmitting the motion of the strings;
- means for compliantly supporting the bridge span means relative to the body which includes a folded suspension structure connected between the bridge span means and the body;
- and
- transducer means coupled to the bridge span means for receiving the transmitted string motion and for converting it into an electrical signal which is suitable for conversion into sound.
A bridge pick-up for use in string instruments of the type having a plurality of strings that are tensioned across a body and which can be set into motion by bowing or plucking, the pick-up comprising
- bridge span means for supporting the strings and for transmitting the motion of the strings;
- means for compliantly supporting the bridge span means relative to the body including a folded suspension structure connected to the bridge span means and the body;
- and
- transducer means coupled to the bridge span means for receiving the transmitted string motion and for converting it into an electrical signal which is suitable for conversion into sound.
An improved bridge for use in string instruments of the type having a plurality of strings that are tensioned across a body and which can be set into motion by bowing or plucking, and pickup means for converting the string motion into electrical signals, the improvement comprising
- bridge span means for supporting the strings and for transmitting the motion of the strings;
- means for compliantly supporting the bridge span means relative to the body including a folded suspension structure connected to the bridge span means and the body, wherein the compliant supporting means are shaped and constructed so as to be compliant to store energy from the transmitted string motion with low energy loss, and to return the stored energy to the bridge span means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.