Stringed instrument that maintains relative tune
OwnerCosmos M. Lylesinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A stringed musical instrument includes a string mounting arrangement that enables multiple strings to be maintained in relative tune as the pitch of the strings is simultaneously varied. In one embodiment, a composite musical string comprises multiple segments, each segment having a different density, but the composite string will maintain substantially the same tension throughout its length. As the tension is increased or decreased, the pitch of the instrument changes, but the relative tuning between the strings remains. In another embodiment, a composite string comprises musical string segments joined end-to-end with bending segments. The musical segments are adapted to emit desired notes and tones at tension. The bending segments are adapted to easily bend about pivots such as a tuning knob or pulley.
Claims22
A stringed musical instrument, comprising:
- a composite string comprising a first elongate segment and a second e1ongate segment joined end-to-end, the second segment being more pliable in bending than the first segment;
- a string mounting system, the mounting system having a pivot member;
- and
- at least one vibration separator, a mount zone being defined on one side of the separator, a playing zone defined on the opposite side of the separator, and the composite string is drawn across the vibration separator;
- wherein the second segment is at least partially wrapped about the pivot member so that the direction of the composite string changes at the pivot;
- and
- wherein the vibration separator is configured so that string vibrations are substantially blocked from being communicated across the separator.
A stringed musical instrument, comprising:
- a composite string comprising a first elongate segment and a second elongate segment joined end-to-end, the first and second segments being formed separately from one another and being selectively detachable from one another, the second segment being more pliable in bending than the first segment;
- and
- a string mounting system, the mounting system having a pivot member;
- wherein the second segment is at least partially wrapped about the pivot member so that the direction of the composite string changes at the pivot.
A stringed musical instrument, comprising:
- a composite string comprising a first elongate segment and a second elongate segment joined end-to-end, the first and second segments being formed separately from one another, the second segment having a width and a thickness, the width is being greater than the thickness, the second segment being more pliable in bending than the first segment;
- and
- a string mounting system, the mounting system having a pivot member;
- wherein the second segment is at least partially wrapped about the pivot member so that the direction of the composite string changes at the pivot.
A stringed musical instrument, comprising:
- a composite string comprising a first elongate segment and a second elongate segment joined end-to-end, the first and second segments being formed separately from one another, the second segment comprising a plurality of longitudinally-extending filaments and being more pliable in bending than the first segment;
- and
- a sting mounting system, the mounting system having a pivot member;
- wherein the second segment is at least partially wrapped about the pivot member so that the direction of the composite string changes at the pivot.
A stringed musical instrument, comprising:
- a composite string comprising a plurality of musical string segments and a plurality of bending string segments, a bending segment being interposed between adjacent musical segments;
- a string mounting system having a plurality of pivots, the composite string at least partially wrapped about the pivots so that a direction of the composite string changes at each pivot, the mounting system configured so that the bending segments engage the pivots and the musical segments do not engage the pivots;
- wherein each musical string segment has a harmonic frequency corresponding to a string tension and a string length so that vibration of the musical string segment at the harmonic frequency emits sound at a corresponding musical note;
- wherein each bending segment is more pliable in bending than the adjacent musical segments;
- wherein the string mounting system is configured to hold each string segment at a desired tension so that the plurality of musical string segments are tuned so that each of the musical segments emits a different musical note in accordance with a relative tuning pattern when the composite string is held at a tension;
- and
- a string tension adjustment system configured to simultaneously change the tension of each of the plurality of string segments in a manner so that the emitted musical notes of the musical string segments change with the changing tension, but the relative tuning pattern of the notes emitted by the respective musical string segments remains substantially the same.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.