US 5,672,835 AGranted

Tremolo devices

OwnerColin David Doughtyinventor

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Abstract

A tremolo device for an electric guitar consists of pivotal upper and lower plates with fulcrums. The upper plate holds the ends of the guitar strings. The tremolo arm is on the upper plate. There is a relative angle limiting means between the upper and lower plates. A spring urges the second plate into a stopped position against the guitar body. The arrangement of the device is such that in a neutral position the tremolo is locked rather than floating. The tremolo device has a large arc of travel but at the same time is highly sensitive.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A tremolo device for a guitar having a body, neck, strings and head, the device comprising:

an upper plate having a leading edge toward said head and a trailing edge away from said head pivotal about a first pivot point, said first pivot point being mountable on said guitar body, said upper plate having a retaining means at or near said trailing edge of said upper plate for releasably retaining an end of each of the strings of said guitar whereby said strings pivot said upper plate upwardly,
a lower plate having a leading edge toward said head and a trailing edge away from said head pivotal about a second pivot point, said second pivot point being mountable either on said guitar body or on said upper plate,
said upper plate having a lowermost plane, said lower plate having an uppermost plane, said lowermost plane of said upper plate intersecting with said uppermost plane of said lower plate to form a relative angle of pivot therebetween,
a tremolo arm mounted in said upper plate so as to be able to pivot said upper plate about said first pivot point,
limiting means operable between said upper plate and said lower plate to limit the relative angle of pivot between said upper and lower plates,
first spring means on said lower plate and mountable in said guitar body to urge said lower plate downwardly into a stopped position relative to said guitar body,
said tremolo device being adapted to be fitted to said guitar body with said strings mounted thereon whereby:
a) when said tremolo device is in a neutral position, said lower plate is retained in said stopped position by said first spring means and said upper plate is retained by tension in said guitar strings and by said limiting means so that said relative angle of pivot is at a maximum limit.
b) when said tremolo device is pivoted in a first direction from said neutral position, said upper and lower plates pivot upwardly while said relative angle of pivot remains at said maximum limit;
and
c) when said tremolo device is pivoted in a second opposite direction from said neutral position, said lower plate remains in said stopped position and said upper plate pivots downwardly thereby reducing said relative angle of pivot.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

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Abstract

A tremolo device for a guitar having a body, neck, strings and head, the device comprising:

an upper plate having a leading edge toward said head and a trailing edge away from said head pivotal about a first pivot point, said first pivot point being mountable on said guitar body, said upper plate having a retaining means at or near said trailing edge of said upper plate for releasably retaining an end of each of the strings of said guitar whereby said strings pivot said upper plate upwardly,
a lower plate having a leading edge toward said head and a trailing edge away from said head pivotal about a second pivot point, said second pivot point being mountable either on said guitar body or on said upper plate,
said upper plate having a lowermost plane, said lower plate having an uppermost plane, said lowermost plane of said upper plate intersecting with said uppermost plane of said lower plate to form a relative angle of pivot therebetween,
a tremolo arm mounted in said upper plate so as to be able to pivot said upper plate about said first pivot point,
limiting means operable between said upper plate and said lower plate to limit the relative angle of pivot between said upper and lower plates,
first spring means on said lower plate and mountable in said guitar body to urge said lower plate downwardly into a stopped position relative to said guitar body,
said tremolo device being adapted to be fitted to said guitar body with said strings mounted thereon whereby:
a) when said tremolo device is in a neutral position, said lower plate is retained in said stopped position by said first spring means and said upper plate is retained by tension in said guitar strings and by said limiting means so that said relative angle of pivot is at a maximum limit.
b) when said tremolo device is pivoted in a first direction from said neutral position, said upper and lower plates pivot upwardly while said relative angle of pivot remains at said maximum limit;
and
c) when said tremolo device is pivoted in a second opposite direction from said neutral position, said lower plate remains in said stopped position and said upper plate pivots downwardly thereby reducing said relative angle of pivot.

8 more elements