Stringed instrument improvements
OwnerBrent Douglas Deckinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This disclosure relates to improvements to a stringed musical instrument, and to guitar embodiments for use with transposing and non transposing vibrato mechanisms. Vibrato devices for guitars are known. The device and method disclosed improve the ability to of a player to bend entire chords in a manner that maintains harmonic relationship between individual strings. The disclosure also includes improved manual controls and means to extend the transposing range of such a vibrato device.
Claims23
A device for altering string tension on a stringed musical instrument, said instrument configured to suspend at least two strings in tension above a structure defining a body, said device configured to engage at least two said strings and comprising,
- a first member moveable relative to a first base, and
- a second member moveable relative to a second member base,
- wherein each of said first and second members is configured to directly or indirectly engage each string of a first set comprising at least one string such that a said motion of said member relative to its respective base induces displacement relative to said base in the portion of said string engaged by said member,
- and further comprising
- a control lever configured to be rotated by a user about at least one control axis,
- wherein said lever is configured to directly or indirectly engage each of said first and second members, such that
- each of said first and second members is moveable simultaneously with the other relative to its respective base by said rotation of said lever,
- such that the tension in at least one string is altered to a degree substantially determined by the combination of said displacements caused by said simultaneous motion of said first and second members.
A biasing mechanism for association with a moveable component of a vibrato device, said moveable component configured to engage a set of strings such that motion of said moveable component relative to a base causes an increase or decrease in tension of said strings, said biasing mechanism comprising
- at least one cam, said cam or cams comprising a first and second operative cam surface,
- at least one cam follower,
- at least one spring configured to urge engagement of said first cam surface with a cam follower, where engagement of a said cam follower with said first or second cam surface defines a first or second cam engagement, respectively,
- where said moveable component is associated with a cam or cam follower of said first cam engagement,
- where said base is associated with a cam or cam follower of said second cam engagement,
- said device further comprising a control lever associated with at least one said cam and/or follower and configured to be pivotable about at least one control axis, such that a force applied to said lever urging rotation in a first or second control direction urges said first or second cam engagement, respectively,
- and further such that
- urging said lever in said first control direction urges said moveable component in a direction of increasing string tension, and such that
- urging said lever in said second control direction urges displacement of a cam or cam follower engaged in said first cam engagement in a direction opposed by at least one said spring,
- said displacement enabling motion of said moveable component in a direction of decreased string tension.
A device to alter the tension of a string of a stringed instrument when said instrument is equipped with a vibrato mechanism comprising a component defining a main member pivotable about a main axis, said main member configured to alter the tension of multiple strings when pivoted about said main axis from an at rest position, said device comprising
- a lever and at least one stop,
- said lever configured to be pivotable from a first position to a second position relative to said main member,
- said lever configured to directly or indirectly engage a string such that pivoting said lever from said first to said second position when said main member is at rest alters the tension of a said string by an adjustably fixed interval, said interval defining a pitch interval,
- said lever and/or said main member comprising at least one guide configured to engage a string or intersect its axis at a radius from said main axis defining a radius of engagement such that motion of said lever from said first to said second position when said main member is at rest displaces a said string or its axis from a first radius of engagement to a second radius of engagement, the difference between said first and second radii defining a radius interval,
- said device comprising at least two adjusters,
- at least one said adjuster configured to enable a user to define the magnitude of said pitch interval when said main member is at rest, and
- at least one said adjuster configured to enable a user to define at least one of said first and second radii of engagement,
- such that each of said pitch interval and said radius interval are adjustably fixed.
A device for changing pitch in a stringed instrument, said instrument having multiple strings suspended in tension, said device comprising
- a main member pivotable about a main axis, said main axis substantially parallel to a bridge,
- at least two adjusters,
- at least two guides, each of at least two said guides defining a radius of engagement of said main member with a string or a string axis relative to said main axis, with
- at least two extenders,
- each of at least two said guides associated with an extender,
- each said extender configured to support a said guide in a position extended from said main member,
- at least one said adjuster configured to enable a user to alter a said radius of engagement by adjustment of the degree of extension of a said guide-and-extender combination relative to said main member,
- at least two surfaces of engagement between said extender and said main member defining a cam and cam follower, and
- said guide configured to engage a string or string anchor such that said string tension urges said cam and cam follower together,
- such that when said main member is at rest, adjustment of said extender causes said guide to follow a path defined in part by engagement of said cam with said cam follower.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.