US 8,940,986 B1 · Tremolo and bridge device for stringed instruments

Abstract

A tremolo device for a stringed instrument is described in which a base plate is configured for surface mounting to a body of the instrument. A pivot plate is pivotally coupled to the base plate along an edge of the pivot plate. Each string is associated with a string seat. The string is threaded through the string seat receiving a terminal end of the string. The string seat includes a keyed portion that slidably attaches the string seat to the pivot plate in a keyed slot provided in a bottom surface of the pivot plate. A spring disposed between the base plate and the pivot plate maintains the pivot plate in a first position relative to the base plate until a user provides an action to pivot the pivot plate relative to said base plate. The spring returns the pivot plate to the first position when the user action is terminated.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A tremolo device for a stringed instrument, comprising:

a base plate configured for surface mounting to a body of the instrument;
a pivot plate pivotally coupled to said base plate proximal to an edge of said pivot plate;
a string seat configured to receive a string of the instrument and having a tapered notch into which a terminal end of the string is seated, and a keyed portion configured for slidably attaching said string seat to said pivot plate by engaging said keyed portion with a keyed slot in said pivot plate;
a spring disposed between said base plate and said pivot plate, said spring configured to maintain said pivot plate in a first position relative to said base plate until a user action pivots said pivot plate relative to said base plate, and to return the pivot plate to the first position when the user action is terminated.

1 more element

A stringed instrument comprising:

a body;
a neck attached to said body;
a nut at an end of said neck, opposite said body;
a headstock attached to said neck at said nut, said headstock including tuner pegs for receiving a terminal end of a string;
a bridge defining a second terminal end of the string, said bridge being positioned on said body;
and
a tremolo device positioned between said bridge and said second terminal end of the string, wherein said tremolo device further comprises:
a base plate configured to be surface mounted on said body;
a pivot plate pivotally attached to said base plate at a lateral edge of said pivot plate along a pivot axis;
a string seat configured to receive a string of the stringed instrument having a tapered notch into which a terminal end of the string is seated, and a keyed portion configured for slidably attaching said string seat to said pivot plate by engaging said keyed portion with a keyed slot in said pivot plate;
and
a spring positioned between said pivot plate and said base plate to maintain a fixed position of said pivot plate relative to said base plate when said tremolo device is not in use.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tremolo and bridge device for stringed instruments

Life of this patent

Tremolo and bridge device for stringed instruments

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20