US 5,322,969 A · Piezoelectric transducer saddle for stringed musical instruments

Abstract

The piezoelectric transducer saddle of the present invention is a thin, generally rectangular member that is designed to fit into the bridge slot of a musical instrument such as a guitar. The piezoelectric element is oriented vertically in the saddle and constitutes a structural member of the saddle. In a first embodiment of the saddle, a piezoelectric element forms the saddle itself. Electrical contacts are engaged to the sides of the piezoelectric element to produce electrical output. A preferred embodiment of the saddle is a laminated structure wherein the laminated layers are disposed vertically, and a vertical layer composed of a piezoelectric material is generally centrally disposed within the laminated structure. A metallic electrical contact is engaged on each side of the piezoelectric material to receive electrical signals generated by the piezoelectric material. In one embodiment, one of the electrical contacts is formed as a metallic layer which rises to the upper surface of the saddle to make contact with the strings of the musical instrument, in order to provide a ground for the metallic musical strings of the instrument. Further embodiments of the present invention utilize multiple piezoelectric elements and shaped piezoelectric elements to produce enhanced performance.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A saddle for a stringed musical instrument, said saddle having a length dimension and a height dimension and a thickness dimension, said length, height and thickness dimensions being such that the saddle may be fit into a bridge slot of said stringed musical instrument, comprising:

at least one layer of piezoelectric material, said piezoelectric material layer extending substantially throughout said height dimension of said saddle, said piezoelectric material layer having an electrically active frontward face and an electrically active rearward face, said frontward and rearward faces being disposed in a perpendicular relationship to a musical instrument string that is disposed upon said saddle when said saddle is engaged within said bridge slot.

A saddle for a stringed musical instrument, said saddle comprising:

a laminated structure having a thickness that is adapted for insertion into an existing bridge slot of a musical instrument, said laminated structure including a plurality of layers, each said layer forming a portion of said thickness of said saddle, whereby said thickness of said saddle is comprised of said layers;
a first one of said layers including a first electrical contact;
a second one of said layers being composed of a piezoelectric material, said piezoelectric material layer having an electrically active frontward surface and an electrically active rearward surface;
a third one of said layers including a second electrical contact;
said first layer being electrically engaged to said frontward surface of said piezoelectric material layer, and said third layer being electrically engaged to said rearward surface of said piezoelectric material.

2 more elements

A musical instrument having an improved saddle, comprising:

a musical instrument body member having a frontward end including a musical string tension adjusting device and a rearward end including a musical string tie down device;
a plurality of musical strings disposed between said frontward end and said rearward end;
a saddle, said saddle being engaged to said body member, said saddle having a length dimension and a height dimension and a thickness dimension;
said saddle including at least one layer of piezoelectric material, said piezoelectric material layer extending substantially throughout said height dimension of said saddle, said piezoelectric material layer having an electrically active frontward surface and an electrically active rearward surface, said frontward and rearward surfaces being disposed in a perpendicular relationship to at least one of said musical instrument strings that is disposed upon said saddle when said saddle is engaged to said body member.

1 more element

A musical instrument having an improved saddle, comprising:

a musical instrument body member having a frontward end including a musical string tension adjusting device and a rearward end including a musical string tie down device;
a plurality of musical strings disposed between said frontward end and said rearward end;
a saddle, said saddle being engaged to said body member, said saddle having a length dimension and a height dimension and a thickness dimension;
said saddle including a plurality of layers, each said layer forming a portion of said thickness of said saddle, whereby said thickness of said saddle is comprised of said layers;
a first one of said layers including a first electrical contact;
a second one of said layers being composed of a piezoelectric material, said piezoelectric material layer having a frontward surface and a rearward surface;
a third one of said layers including a second electrical contact;
said first layer being electrically engaged to said frontward surface of said piezoelectric material layer, and said third layer being electrically engaged to said rearward surface of said piezoelectric material.
said saddle being engaged to said body member such that said frontward surface faces said frontward end of said musical instrument and said rearward surface faces said rearward end of said musical instrument.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Piezoelectric transducer saddle for stringed musical instruments

Life of this patent

Piezoelectric transducer saddle for stringed musical instruments

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22