EP3756181A1 - Saddle/bridge assembly for stringed musical instruments - Google Patents

Saddle/bridge assembly for stringed musical instruments

Info

Publication number
EP3756181A1
EP3756181A1 EP19787672.5A EP19787672A EP3756181A1 EP 3756181 A1 EP3756181 A1 EP 3756181A1 EP 19787672 A EP19787672 A EP 19787672A EP 3756181 A1 EP3756181 A1 EP 3756181A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
saddle
modified
footing
musical instrument
bridge
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP19787672.5A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3756181A4 (en
EP3756181B1 (en
Inventor
Robert L. Oberg
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US15/958,874 external-priority patent/US10497342B2/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP3756181A1 publication Critical patent/EP3756181A1/en
Publication of EP3756181A4 publication Critical patent/EP3756181A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3756181B1 publication Critical patent/EP3756181B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10D—STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACCORDIONS OR CONCERTINAS; PERCUSSION MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; AEOLIAN HARPS; SINGING-FLAME MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10D3/00—Details of, or accessories for, stringed musical instruments, e.g. slide-bars
    • G10D3/04—Bridges
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H3/00—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means
    • G10H3/12—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument
    • G10H3/14—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument using mechanically actuated vibrators with pick-up means
    • G10H3/18—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument using mechanically actuated vibrators with pick-up means using a string, e.g. electric guitar
    • G10H3/185—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument using mechanically actuated vibrators with pick-up means using a string, e.g. electric guitar in which the tones are picked up through the bridge structure
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H2220/00—Input/output interfacing specifically adapted for electrophonic musical tools or instruments
    • G10H2220/461—Transducers, i.e. details, positioning or use of assemblies to detect and convert mechanical vibrations or mechanical strains into an electrical signal, e.g. audio, trigger or control signal
    • G10H2220/465—Bridge-positioned, i.e. assembled to or attached with the bridge of a stringed musical instrument
    • G10H2220/471—Bridge-positioned, i.e. assembled to or attached with the bridge of a stringed musical instrument at bottom, i.e. transducer positioned at the bottom of the bridge, between the bridge and the body of the instrument
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H2220/00—Input/output interfacing specifically adapted for electrophonic musical tools or instruments
    • G10H2220/461—Transducers, i.e. details, positioning or use of assemblies to detect and convert mechanical vibrations or mechanical strains into an electrical signal, e.g. audio, trigger or control signal
    • G10H2220/465—Bridge-positioned, i.e. assembled to or attached with the bridge of a stringed musical instrument
    • G10H2220/501—Two or more bridge transducers, at least one transducer common to several strings

Definitions

  • the present invention is a continuation in part of US patent application serial number 15/852,127, filed on 12/22/2017 and a continuation in part of US patent application 15/659,438 filed on 07/25/2017, both of which are incorporated herein by reference, and relate more particularly to a saddle/bridge assembly, hereinafter simply referred to as a saddle assembly, the preferred embodiment of which, can be universally used with any stringed musical instrument, inclusive of a violin, cello, bass violin, guitar, ukulele and banjo, for supporting the strings at an elevated position above the sound board of the musical instrument, enhancing and resonating the transmission of sound from the vibration of the strings and providing sound transmission via a conventional transducer pick up incorporated within the saddle assembly
  • U.S application serial number 15/852,127 is itself a continuation in part of U.S. application serial number 15/659,438
  • a stringed musical instrument employs structural support means such as a saddle and/or bridge to support the strings at a given elevation above the sound board of the musical instrument depending upon the type of stringed musical instrument being played.
  • structural support means such as a saddle and/or bridge to support the strings at a given elevation above the sound board of the musical instrument depending upon the type of stringed musical instrument being played.
  • a saddle is conventionally used to support the strings at one given elevation with respect to the soundboard
  • a violin, cello, bass violin and banjo a bridge is conventionally used to support the strings at another preferred elevation above the soundboard.
  • the sound board of the stringed musical instrument corresponds, in general, to the anatomical front board of the musical instrument.
  • the anatomical front board and the anatomical rear board of a musical instrument may be simultaneously used as sound boards for the musical instrument.
  • a bridge plats is mounted on both the front and rear sound boards of e.g., an acoustical guitar with only a single set of strings strung through the interior body of the guitar over a saddle in a bridge plate mounted on each of the two sound boards.
  • the saddle may have a conventional transducer pick up incorporated in the body of the saddie. Sound is transferred from a soundboard in the stringed musical instrument to the atmosphere through sound openings, referred to herein as “ports”, which in a violin, violin bass and cello are conventionally Identified as“f- holes” and in a conventional guitar and ukulele conventionally identified as a sound hole.
  • the saddle assembly of the present invention comprises a saddle footing which enlarges the contact surface area between the bridge or saddle and the soundboard in all stringed musical instruments and the surface area on the soundboard in contact with the bridge or saddle and bridge plate which increases sonic transmission.
  • the saddle assembly of the present invention improves the accuracy of intonation and tuning by alleviating any tendency of the bridge or saddle to bend during play thereby holding the strings at a given tension for longer periods of time during play relative to the use of a conventional bridge and/or saddle which typically bends causing detuning and inaccurate intonation.
  • the preferred embodiment of the saddle footing in the saddle assembly of the present invention is universally applicable, with appropriate size modification, to all stringed musical instruments.
  • the saddle footing in the saddle assembly of the present invention will accommodate the use of either a conventional bridge or a conventional saddle for supporting the strings in a stringed musical instrument at an elevated position relative to the soundboard and will accommodate the use of a modified bridge and/or modified saddle to provide greater control for supporting the strings and for enhancing sound transmission from the strings through the saddle assembly.
  • the saddle assembly of the present invention may further comprise a conventional transducer pick up integrated into the body of the saddle footing and/or integrated in the body of a modified bridge and/or modified saddle for use with the saddle footing in the saddle assembly of the present invention and further comprises wire cables incorporated in the saddle assembly and/or in the modified bridge and/or modified saddle to facilitate the transmission of electrical signals generated from a transducer pick up in the saddle assembly and/or in the modified bridge and/or saddle to one or more preamplifier(s) or amplifier(s) in the stringed musical instrument.
  • modified bridge and/or a modified saddle is preferred to the use of a conventional bridge and/or conventional saddle in the saddle assembly of the present invention in that the modified bridge and/or modified saddle provides greater contact surface area engagement to the saddle footing increasing structural support and sonic enhancement between the strings and the soundboard of the musical instrument.
  • the modified bridge and modified saddle, used with the saddle footing in the saddle assembly of the present invention may include a conventional transducer pick up integrated into the body of the modified bridge or modified saddle to permit direct conversion of string vibrations into eiectrical signals which can be transmitted at a reduced signal to noise ratio from the transducer pick up to a preamplifier or amplifier.
  • the saddle assembly of the present invention incorporates one or more conventional transducer pick up’s the saddle assembly transforms a conventional stringed musical instrument such as a violin, bass violin and cello into an electric counterpart thereof,
  • the saddle assembly of the present invention comprises a saddle footing having a body of any desired geometry and a surface curvature compatible for mounting the body of the saddle footing onto a soundboard of a violin, bass violin, cello, arch type semi-hollow guitars or a banjo or for inserting the body of the saddle footing into a bridge plate mounted on a soundboard of a guitar or ukulele.
  • a preferred embodiment of the saddle footing in the saddle assembly of the present invention includes an elongated slot adapted to accommodate the insertion of a conventional bridge or a conventional saddle for elevating the strings in the stringed musical instrument relative to the soundboard thereof or may alternatively accommodate the insertion of a modified bridge or modified saddle for use with the saddle footing in the saddle assembly of the present invention to elevate the strings to a predetermined height relative to the soundboard.
  • the saddle footing in the saddle assembly of the present invention may function directly as a bridge plate to be mounted on a soundboard of a stringed musical Instrument, particularly a conventional semi-hollow guitar, and may have a body upon which a modified saddle may be mounted for elevating the strings relative to the soundboard.
  • the saddle footing may include adjustable thumb wheels as well as shims for elevating support posts in the modified saddle mounted thereon to raise or lower the elevation of the strings in the guitar and to adjust for proper fretboard height.
  • the body of the saddle footing in the saddle assembly of the present invention has a surface curvature conforming to the surface curvature of the soundboard in the respective stringed musical instrument upon which it is directly or indirectly mounted or connected
  • the modified bridge, modified saddle and saddle footing in the saddle assembly of the present invention may each have a body including a conventional transducer pick up integrated therein.
  • the body of the modified saddle for use with the preferred saddle footing of the present invention preferably comprises a geometry having a “T" configuration in cross section independent of whether a conventional transducer pick up is integrated in the body of the modified saddle.
  • the saddle assembly of the present invention may further comprise a shim as a component thereof for placement between the saddle footing in the saddle assembly of the present invention and a bridge plate, mounted upon the soundboard of the guitar or ukulele, to provide for height adjustment of the saddle assembly relative to the bridge plate.
  • the saddle assembly of the present invention Includes a saddle footing which may be universally used, when adjusted for size, in any stringed musical instrument inclusive of a violin, bass violin, cello, banjo, guitar and ukulele for elevating the strings relative to the soundboard of the stringed musical instrument
  • the saddle footing must be sized for compatibility with the size of the stringed musical instrument with which it is to be used and must have a surface curvature conforming to either the flat or arched surface curvature of the soundboard of the stringed musical instrument in which it is to be used.
  • the saddle assembly of the present invention may be used in any stringed musical instrument which may include additional features such as having one or more sound ports in addition to the presence of a sound hole for use in a conventional stringed musical instrument such as a guitar and ukulele and in addition to the T sound holes present in a conventional violin, bass violin, cello and arch top guitars.
  • the stringed musical instrument may also include curved or flat dividers for use within the body of a hollow or semi-hollow musical instrument for providing additional structural support between the soundboard and the body of the musical instrument.
  • Fig, 1 is an exploded perspective view of the saddle assembly of the present invention for use in a stringed musical instrument such as a guitar or ukulele comprising a saddle footing which, in its preferred embodiment, includes an elongated slot adapted to receive either a conventional saddle or a modified saddle for insertion into a bridge plate adapted to be mounted on the soundboard of the guitar or ukuieie with the modified saddle having a body into which one or more conventional transducer pick up’s are integrated and with the saddle assembly further comprising at ieast one shim as an optional component thereof;
  • Figs,2a-2b are alternative perspective views of modified saddles for use with the preferred saddle footing embodiment shown in figure 1 with the modified saddle in both Figs.2a ⁇ 2b possessing a body having a“T" configuration in cross section but with the modified saddle in Figure 2a having a plurality of upper members spaced apart from one another for holding the strings of the musical instrument and with the modified saddle in Figure 2b having only one upper member having a pyramid geometry for holding the strings of the musical instrument ; Fig.
  • FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of an alternative saddle assembly of the present invention
  • a saddle footing having a body which functions directly as a bridge plate for a soundboard of a stringed musical instrument, particularly a conventional semi-hollow guitar, with the saddle footing including adjustable thumb wheels and with the saddle assembly further comprising a modified saddle adapted to be mounted on the thumbwheels extending from the saddle footing with the modified saddle having a body including a plurality of support members for supporting the strings in the musical instrument, with the height of the support members above the soundboard of the musical instrument being adjustable for adjusting the height of elevation of the strings by manually adjusting the thumbwheels in the saddle footing;
  • Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the saddle assembly of the present invention for use in a violin, bass violin, cello and banjo with the saddle assembly comprising a saddle footing, having an elongated slot substantially equivalent to the saddle footing shown in Fig.
  • Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the saddle assembly of the present invention for use in a banjo comprising a saddle footing, substantially equivalent to the preferred embodiment of the saddle footing shown herein in figures 1 and 4, and having an elongated slot adapted to receive either a conventional bridge or a modified bridge having a body equivalent to the body of the modified bridge shown in Fig, 4 and preferably including a conventional transducer pick up integrated into the body of the modified bridge.
  • the saddle assembly 10 of the present invention for use in a stringed musical instrument is shown in Figure 1 comprising a saddle footing 12 having a body 14 of any desired geometry, preferabiy a rectangular geometry, which, in its preferred embodiment, includes an elongated slot 16 extending from each opposite end of the body 14 into which a conventional saddle 18 or a modified saddle 20 is placed.
  • the slot 16 in the saddle footing 12 has a geometry which conforms, in cross section, to the geometry of the conventional saddle 18,
  • the modified saddle 20 has a body 21 which includes a central section 22, an upper section 23 and a lower section 24 which extend from opposite ends of the central section 22.
  • the upper and lower sections 23, 24 of the modified saddle 20 are much smaller in width relative to the width of the central section 22 such that the central section 23 and the lower section 24 form a configuration, in cross section, which conforms to the shape of the letter "T”.
  • the lower section 24 of the modified saddle 20 has a geometry and dimensions which conform to the geometry and dimensions of the slot 16 so that a tight fit occurs when the lower section 24 of the modified saddle 20 is inserted into the slot 16 of the saddle footing 12.
  • the upper section 23 of the modified saddle 20 is divided into a multiple number of spaced apart members 28, shaped in the form of posts, extending from the central section 22 and conforming in number to the number of strings in the guitar or ukulele into which the saddle assembly 10 is mounted for supporting the strings at a given elevated height above the soundboard of the musical instrument.
  • the saddle footing body 14 is adapted to be mounted directly on the soundboard of a violin, bass violin, cello or banjo or is alternatively Inserted into a bridge or bridge plate 30 adapted to be mounted on or in the soundboard of a conventional guitar or ukulele.
  • the bridge plate 30 has an internal slot 32 adapted to receive the saddle footing 12.
  • the width of the slot 32 in the bridge plate 30 is preferably enlarged so that it conforms in dimension to the width of the body 14 of the saddle footing 12 so as to provide a relatively large surface area of engagement between the saddle footing 12 and the bridge plate 30 upon insertion of the saddle footing 12 into the slot 32 of the bridge plate 30.
  • the geometry of the body 14 of the saddle fooling 12 should conform to the geometry of the internal slot 32 to create a tight fit between the saddle footing 12 and the slot 32 in the bridge plate 30
  • the saddle footing 12 preferably includes one or two conventional transducer pick up’s 33 which are integrated within the body 14 of the saddle footing 12 on the opposite sides 34 and 35 of the elongated slot 16 in the saddle footing 12,
  • electrical cables 37 which have Jacks 38 are attached to each of the transducer pick up’s 33 and preferably extend through openings 36 in the internal slot 32 of the bridge plate 30,
  • the bridge plate 30 includes openings 39 through which the strings of the musical instrument are strung.
  • the saddle assembly 10 may further comprise at least one shim 31 for placement into the internal slot 32 of the bridge plate 30 to increase the height of the saddle assembly 12 by increasing the height which the saddle 18 or modified saddle 20 projects from the internal slot 32 of the bridge plate 30. This provides some control to the user of the musical instrument for adjusting the elevated height of the strings relative to the level of the soundboard in the stringed musical instrument.
  • the body 14 of the saddle footing 12 may also be sanded down to lower the height of elevation of the strings relative to the level of the soundboard In the stringed musical instrument
  • Figures 2a and 2b are perspective views showing alternative embodiments of modified saddles for use with the saddle footing 12 in the saddle assembly 10 of the present invention shown in Figure 1.
  • Figure 2a shows an alternative modified saddle 40 having a body 41 which includes a central section 42, a lower section 44 and a plurality of upper members 43 each of which are mounted on the central section 42of the saddle body 41.
  • the upper members 43 are separated from one another to form support posts to support the strings of the musical instrument.
  • Each upper member 43 is mounted upon and connected to a manually adjustable gear 46 threadably associated with each of a plurality of threaded openings 47 which extend along the width of the central section 42 at the top end thereof to permit the position of each upper member 43 to be laterally adjusted relative to the central section 42 . This allows for precise length adjustment of each string for tuning the intonation of each string independent of each other,
  • each of the upper members 43 and the lower section 44 of the modified saddle 40 have a width which is much smaller in dimension relative to the width of the central section 42 so that the combination of the centra! section 42 and lower section 44 of the modified saddle 40 form, in cross section, a configuration equivalent in shape to the leter“T", with the lower section 44 of the modified saddle 40 having a geometry conforming in geometry and dimensions to the geometry of the slot 16 in the saddle footing 12 to create a tight fit when the modified saddle 40 is inserted into the saddle footing 12, in addition each upper member 43 of the modified saddle 40 has an upper end 48 which has a pyramid shaped geometry which includes a cut out notched section 45 upon which each of the strings of the musical instrument rest.
  • Figure 2b shows another alternative modified saddle 50 for the saddle footing 12 in the saddle assembly 10 of the present invention shown in Figure 1 having a body 51 which includes a central section 52, a lower section 54 which extends from the centra! section 52, and having an upper section 53 extending from the central section 52 with the upper section 53 having a triangular shape in cross section and forming an apex 56 upon which each of the strings of the musical instrument rest.
  • the width of the lower section 54 and the width of the upper section 53 are much smaller in comparison to the width of the central section 52 so that the central section 52 in combination with the lower section 54 forms, in cross section, a configuration having the shape of the letter "T" with the geometry of the lower section 54 conforming in geometry and dimensions to the geometry and dimensions of the slot 16 in the saddle footing 12.
  • the upper section 53 may comprise a plurality of separate pyramid shaped posts as shown in the modified saddle 20 in figure 1.
  • FIG 3 is an exploded view of an alternative saddle assembly of the present invention comprising a saddle footing 60 having a body 61 adapted to be directly mounted on the soundboard of a musical instrument particularly the soundboard of a conventional semi-hollow guitar, in which case the saddle footing 60 functions as that of a conventional bridge plate when directly mounted on or in the soundboard of the musical instrument.
  • the curvature of the body 61 should conform to the curvature of the soundboard upon which it is to be mounted.
  • the body 61 of the saddle footing 60 may be substantially rectangular in geometry or may be configured info any other desired shape and size and may comprise two thumb wheels 63 fixedly mounted on two externally threaded posts 64 which threadably engage corresponding threaded openings in the body 61 of the saddle footing 60 with the posts 64 vertically extending from the upper surface 74 of the saddle footing 60.
  • a conventional transducer pick up 62 may be integrally incorporated within the body 61 of the saddle footing 60 with a wire cable 67 extending therefrom.
  • the wire cable 67 may have a Jack 71 for connecting the transducer pick up 62 to a preamplifier or amplifier in the musical instrument.
  • the saddle assembly of figure 3 further comprises a modified saddle 65 adapted to be mounted directly into the elongated slot 16 of the saddle footing 12 of the saddle assembly shown in figure 1 representing a modified version thereof or alternatively mounted upon or directly connected to the support posts 64 extending from the saddle footing 60 for forming an alternative saddle assembly of the present Invention.
  • the modified saddle 65 comprises a body 66 including a plurality of support members 68 separated from one another to form support posts for supporting the strings of the musical instrument at an elevated position above the soundboard in the stringed musical instrument.
  • Each upper member 68 is mounted upon or connected to a manually adjustable gear 73 threadably associated with each of a plurality of threaded openings 72 which extend along the width of the body 86 to permit the position of each upper member 88 to be laterally adjusted relative to body 6Q of the modified saddle 65 in the same manner as the plurality of upper members 42 are laterally adjusted in the modified saddle 40 in Figure 2a.
  • the height of all of the support members 68 above the soundboard of the musical instrument may be manually adjusted by manually turning the thumbwheels 63 in the saddle footing 60. Accordingly, this allows for precise length adjustment of the strings independent of one another and for height adjustment of all the strings relative to the soundboard for accurate intonation tuning of the strings.
  • FIG. 4 An exploded perspective view of a violin 80 employing the saddle assembly of the present invention is shown in Figure 4 with the saddle assembly comprising a saddle footing 82 which is substantially identical to the saddle 12 shown in figure 1 for use with a guitar and ukuiele.
  • the saddle footing 82 is mounted directly on the soundboard 84 of the violin 80 at a location preferably between the two“f" holes on opposite sides of the violin 80.
  • the saddle footing 82 may similarly be mounted directly on the soundboard of a conventional bass violin or cello although the dimensions of the saddle footing 82 should preferably be sized to account for the relatively substantial difference in size between a violin and a bass violin or cello respectively.
  • the saddle footing 82 has an elongated slot 85 adapted to receive either a conventional violin bridge 88 or a modified violin bridge 87
  • the modified violin bridge 87 has a solid base 88 at the bottom end of the bridge 87 to provide additional engagement and surface area between the modified bridge 87 and the saddle footing 82 upon insertion of the modified bridge 87 into the saddle footing 82
  • the modified saddle 87 may include a conventional transducer pick up 90 integrated therein with a wire cable 92 extending therefrom having a jack 93 at the end of the wire cable 92 for connecting the transducer pick up 90 to a preamplifier or amplifier either in the violin or external thereto.
  • the saddle footing 82 may have a conventional transducer pick up 94 integrated into the body of the saddle footing 82 similar to integration of the transducer pick up 33 in the body 14 of the saddle footing 12 of the saddle assembly 10 shown in Figure 1.
  • a wire cable 95 would extend from the conventional transducer pick up 94 and be connected to a Jack 96 in the body of the violin 80.
  • the violin 80 should preferably Include at least one sound port 99 as shown in figure 4 which is preferably located in the anatomical front soundboard 84 of the violin 80.
  • the sound port 99 should be constructed as taught in applicants corresponding patent application Serial Number 15/659,438 the description of which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • the sound port 99 should preferably comprise a geometry which !s either parabolic or cylindrical such as that a hollow tube 102 which is adapted to be inserted through an opening formed in the soundboard 84 at the end of the violin 84 adjacent the upper bout 104 with the opening essentially equal in dimension and diameter to the diameter of the tube 102 so that the tube 102 tightly engages the opening in the soundboard 84 when inserted therein.
  • the hollow tube 102 should extend to within the interior 105 of the body of the violin 80
  • the sound port 99 can be separately tuned to any desired frequency range proportional to the resonant frequency of the violin. Although only one sound port 99 is shown additional sound ports may be added and located within the violin 80 either in the front soundboard 84 or the rear board or in either the upper bout 104 or any of the other sides of the violin 80. It should be understood that one or more sound ports 99 may also be included into any other stringed musical instrument including a bass violin, cello, guitar or ukulele in which the saddle assembly 10 of the present invention is included. The use of one or more sound ports 99 in the stringed musical instrument improves the quality of the sound particularly by increasing the frequency range of the generated sound through the musical instrument.
  • the violin 80 should also preferably include one or more panels 97 each preferably having a curved serpentine like geometry substantially in the shape of the letter“S" as shown in figure 4 or may include geometrically straight i.e. flat panels, as taught in applicants corresponding application Serial Number 15/659,438.
  • the curved panels 97 are mounted within the interior 105 of the violin 80 and extend from the top block 98 and the bottom block 106 at each opposite end of the violin 80 toward the middle of the violin 80 with each panel 97 aligned relatively close to the opposite sides of the violin 80.
  • the soundboard 84 of the violin 80 is mounted over the body of the violin 80 so that member 108 which extends from the fingerboard 114 fits into the top block 98 and that member 110 which protrudes from the tailpiece 112 fits into the bottom block 106 of the body of the violin respectively.
  • the curved panels 97 permit sound to be tunneled or vented toward the sound ports 99 and function as sound posts in addition to proving structurai support.
  • Figure 5 shows a saddle footing 120 for the saddle assembly of the present invention similar to Figure 4 but mounted on the soundboard of a banjo.
  • the saddle footing 120 may incorporate a conventional transducer pick up 122 with a cable wire 124 for transmitting the electrical signals generated by the conventional transducer pick up 122 to a preamplifer or amplifier In the banjo or external thereto.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Stringed Musical Instruments (AREA)

Abstract

A saddle assembly for a stringed musical instrument comprising a saddle footing having a body of any desired geometry and a surface curvature compatible with and conforming to the surface curvature of the soundboard of the stringed musical instrument upon which the body of the saddle footing is mounted with or without the use of a bridge plate, with the saddle footing adapted to accommodate either a conventional bridge or conventional saddle for elevating the strings in the stringed musical instrument relative to the soundboard or upon which a modified bridge or modified saddle is mounted having a geometry which conforms in geometry and curvature to the geometry and curvature of the elongated slot in the saddle footing.

Description

SADDLl/BfllPtS E ASiEfiBUf FOB STBi N G EP II If SIC AL INSTRUMENTS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a continuation in part of US patent application serial number 15/852,127, filed on 12/22/2017 and a continuation in part of US patent application 15/659,438 filed on 07/25/2017, both of which are incorporated herein by reference, and relate more particularly to a saddle/bridge assembly, hereinafter simply referred to as a saddle assembly, the preferred embodiment of which, can be universally used with any stringed musical instrument, inclusive of a violin, cello, bass violin, guitar, ukulele and banjo, for supporting the strings at an elevated position above the sound board of the musical instrument, enhancing and resonating the transmission of sound from the vibration of the strings and providing sound transmission via a conventional transducer pick up incorporated within the saddle assembly U.S application serial number 15/852,127 is itself a continuation in part of U.S. application serial number 15/659,438
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A stringed musical instrument employs structural support means such as a saddle and/or bridge to support the strings at a given elevation above the sound board of the musical instrument depending upon the type of stringed musical instrument being played. For a guitar and ukulele a saddle is conventionally used to support the strings at one given elevation with respect to the soundboard whereas in a violin, cello, bass violin and banjo a bridge is conventionally used to support the strings at another preferred elevation above the soundboard. The sound board of the stringed musical instrument corresponds, in general, to the anatomical front board of the musical instrument. However, as taught in corresponding US patent application serial number 15/059.438, the anatomical front board and the anatomical rear board of a musical instrument may be simultaneously used as sound boards for the musical instrument. To use the anatomical front board and the anatomical rear board simultaneously, a bridge plats is mounted on both the front and rear sound boards of e.g., an acoustical guitar with only a single set of strings strung through the interior body of the guitar over a saddle in a bridge plate mounted on each of the two sound boards. The saddle may have a conventional transducer pick up incorporated in the body of the saddie. Sound is transferred from a soundboard in the stringed musical instrument to the atmosphere through sound openings, referred to herein as “ports”, which in a violin, violin bass and cello are conventionally Identified as“f- holes” and in a conventional guitar and ukulele conventionally identified as a sound hole.
A common requirement for all stringed musical instruments is the need to continually readjust string tuning during play to correct intonation and tuning. This is partially attributable to the limited contact surface area provided between a conventional bridge and soundboard in a violin, bass violin, cello and banjo and to the limited contact surface area between a conventional saddle and bridge plate mounted on the soundboard of a guitar and ukulele respectively. The saddle assembly of the present invention comprises a saddle footing which enlarges the contact surface area between the bridge or saddle and the soundboard in all stringed musical instruments and the surface area on the soundboard in contact with the bridge or saddle and bridge plate which increases sonic transmission. As a result, the saddle assembly of the present invention improves the accuracy of intonation and tuning by alleviating any tendency of the bridge or saddle to bend during play thereby holding the strings at a given tension for longer periods of time during play relative to the use of a conventional bridge and/or saddle which typically bends causing detuning and inaccurate intonation.
In addition, the preferred embodiment of the saddle footing in the saddle assembly of the present invention is universally applicable, with appropriate size modification, to all stringed musical instruments. The saddle footing in the saddle assembly of the present invention will accommodate the use of either a conventional bridge or a conventional saddle for supporting the strings in a stringed musical instrument at an elevated position relative to the soundboard and will accommodate the use of a modified bridge and/or modified saddle to provide greater control for supporting the strings and for enhancing sound transmission from the strings through the saddle assembly. To enhance and amplify sound transmission, the saddle assembly of the present invention may further comprise a conventional transducer pick up integrated into the body of the saddle footing and/or integrated in the body of a modified bridge and/or modified saddle for use with the saddle footing in the saddle assembly of the present invention and further comprises wire cables incorporated in the saddle assembly and/or in the modified bridge and/or modified saddle to facilitate the transmission of electrical signals generated from a transducer pick up in the saddle assembly and/or in the modified bridge and/or saddle to one or more preamplifier(s) or amplifier(s) in the stringed musical instrument.
The use of a modified bridge and/or a modified saddle is preferred to the use of a conventional bridge and/or conventional saddle in the saddle assembly of the present invention in that the modified bridge and/or modified saddle provides greater contact surface area engagement to the saddle footing increasing structural support and sonic enhancement between the strings and the soundboard of the musical instrument. Moreover, the modified bridge and modified saddle, used with the saddle footing in the saddle assembly of the present invention, may include a conventional transducer pick up integrated into the body of the modified bridge or modified saddle to permit direct conversion of string vibrations into eiectrical signals which can be transmitted at a reduced signal to noise ratio from the transducer pick up to a preamplifier or amplifier. In addition, when the saddle assembly of the present invention incorporates one or more conventional transducer pick up’s the saddle assembly transforms a conventional stringed musical instrument such as a violin, bass violin and cello into an electric counterpart thereof,
The saddle assembly of the present invention comprises a saddle footing having a body of any desired geometry and a surface curvature compatible for mounting the body of the saddle footing onto a soundboard of a violin, bass violin, cello, arch type semi-hollow guitars or a banjo or for inserting the body of the saddle footing into a bridge plate mounted on a soundboard of a guitar or ukulele. A preferred embodiment of the saddle footing in the saddle assembly of the present invention includes an elongated slot adapted to accommodate the insertion of a conventional bridge or a conventional saddle for elevating the strings in the stringed musical instrument relative to the soundboard thereof or may alternatively accommodate the insertion of a modified bridge or modified saddle for use with the saddle footing in the saddle assembly of the present invention to elevate the strings to a predetermined height relative to the soundboard. As a further alternative, the saddle footing in the saddle assembly of the present invention may function directly as a bridge plate to be mounted on a soundboard of a stringed musical Instrument, particularly a conventional semi-hollow guitar, and may have a body upon which a modified saddle may be mounted for elevating the strings relative to the soundboard. In this case the saddle footing may include adjustable thumb wheels as well as shims for elevating support posts in the modified saddle mounted thereon to raise or lower the elevation of the strings in the guitar and to adjust for proper fretboard height.
The body of the saddle footing in the saddle assembly of the present invention has a surface curvature conforming to the surface curvature of the soundboard in the respective stringed musical instrument upon which it is directly or indirectly mounted or connected
The modified bridge, modified saddle and saddle footing in the saddle assembly of the present invention may each have a body including a conventional transducer pick up integrated therein. However, the body of the modified saddle for use with the preferred saddle footing of the present invention preferably comprises a geometry having a “T" configuration in cross section independent of whether a conventional transducer pick up is integrated in the body of the modified saddle.
The saddle assembly of the present invention may further comprise a shim as a component thereof for placement between the saddle footing in the saddle assembly of the present invention and a bridge plate, mounted upon the soundboard of the guitar or ukulele, to provide for height adjustment of the saddle assembly relative to the bridge plate.
The saddle assembly of the present invention Includes a saddle footing which may be universally used, when adjusted for size, in any stringed musical instrument inclusive of a violin, bass violin, cello, banjo, guitar and ukulele for elevating the strings relative to the soundboard of the stringed musical instrument The saddle footing must be sized for compatibility with the size of the stringed musical instrument with which it is to be used and must have a surface curvature conforming to either the flat or arched surface curvature of the soundboard of the stringed musical instrument in which it is to be used.
The saddle assembly of the present invention may be used in any stringed musical instrument which may include additional features such as having one or more sound ports in addition to the presence of a sound hole for use in a conventional stringed musical instrument such as a guitar and ukulele and in addition to the T sound holes present in a conventional violin, bass violin, cello and arch top guitars. The stringed musical instrument may also include curved or flat dividers for use within the body of a hollow or semi-hollow musical instrument for providing additional structural support between the soundboard and the body of the musical instrument. The above features inclusive of the addition of one or more sound ports and the incorporation of curved or flat dividers are taught and explained in greater detail in applicants corresponding US patent application serial number 15/852,127 filed on 12/22/2017 the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference . BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other advantages of the subject invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:
Fig, 1 is an exploded perspective view of the saddle assembly of the present invention for use in a stringed musical instrument such as a guitar or ukulele comprising a saddle footing which, in its preferred embodiment, includes an elongated slot adapted to receive either a conventional saddle or a modified saddle for insertion into a bridge plate adapted to be mounted on the soundboard of the guitar or ukuieie with the modified saddle having a body into which one or more conventional transducer pick up’s are integrated and with the saddle assembly further comprising at ieast one shim as an optional component thereof;
Figs,2a-2b are alternative perspective views of modified saddles for use with the preferred saddle footing embodiment shown in figure 1 with the modified saddle in both Figs.2a~2b possessing a body having a“T" configuration in cross section but with the modified saddle in Figure 2a having a plurality of upper members spaced apart from one another for holding the strings of the musical instrument and with the modified saddle in Figure 2b having only one upper member having a pyramid geometry for holding the strings of the musical instrument ; Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of an alternative saddle assembly of the present invention comprising a saddle footing having a body which functions directly as a bridge plate for a soundboard of a stringed musical instrument, particularly a conventional semi-hollow guitar, with the saddle footing including adjustable thumb wheels and with the saddle assembly further comprising a modified saddle adapted to be mounted on the thumbwheels extending from the saddle footing with the modified saddle having a body including a plurality of support members for supporting the strings in the musical instrument, with the height of the support members above the soundboard of the musical instrument being adjustable for adjusting the height of elevation of the strings by manually adjusting the thumbwheels in the saddle footing;
Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the saddle assembly of the present invention for use in a violin, bass violin, cello and banjo with the saddle assembly comprising a saddle footing, having an elongated slot substantially equivalent to the saddle footing shown in Fig. 1 , adapted to receive either a conventional bridge or a modified bridge with the modified bridge having a surface curvature compatible with the surface curvature of the saddle footing in which it is to be mounted, and having, in the preferred embodiment thereof, a conventional transducer pick up integrated into the body of the modified bridge and showing in figure 4 an artist rendition of a violin having a soundboard upon which the saddle assembly is adapted to be mounted with the violin having a body which includes additional features for use selectively or in combination with the saddle assembly of the present invention; and
Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the saddle assembly of the present invention for use in a banjo comprising a saddle footing, substantially equivalent to the preferred embodiment of the saddle footing shown herein in figures 1 and 4, and having an elongated slot adapted to receive either a conventional bridge or a modified bridge having a body equivalent to the body of the modified bridge shown in Fig, 4 and preferably including a conventional transducer pick up integrated into the body of the modified bridge.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The saddle assembly 10 of the present invention for use in a stringed musical instrument is shown in Figure 1 comprising a saddle footing 12 having a body 14 of any desired geometry, preferabiy a rectangular geometry, which, in its preferred embodiment, includes an elongated slot 16 extending from each opposite end of the body 14 into which a conventional saddle 18 or a modified saddle 20 is placed. The slot 16 in the saddle footing 12 has a geometry which conforms, in cross section, to the geometry of the conventional saddle 18, The modified saddle 20 has a body 21 which includes a central section 22, an upper section 23 and a lower section 24 which extend from opposite ends of the central section 22. The upper and lower sections 23, 24 of the modified saddle 20 are much smaller in width relative to the width of the central section 22 such that the central section 23 and the lower section 24 form a configuration, in cross section, which conforms to the shape of the letter "T”. The lower section 24 of the modified saddle 20 has a geometry and dimensions which conform to the geometry and dimensions of the slot 16 so that a tight fit occurs when the lower section 24 of the modified saddle 20 is inserted into the slot 16 of the saddle footing 12.
The upper section 23 of the modified saddle 20 is divided into a multiple number of spaced apart members 28, shaped in the form of posts, extending from the central section 22 and conforming in number to the number of strings in the guitar or ukulele into which the saddle assembly 10 is mounted for supporting the strings at a given elevated height above the soundboard of the musical instrument.
The saddle footing body 14 is adapted to be mounted directly on the soundboard of a violin, bass violin, cello or banjo or is alternatively Inserted into a bridge or bridge plate 30 adapted to be mounted on or in the soundboard of a conventional guitar or ukulele. The bridge plate 30 has an internal slot 32 adapted to receive the saddle footing 12. The width of the slot 32 in the bridge plate 30 is preferably enlarged so that it conforms in dimension to the width of the body 14 of the saddle footing 12 so as to provide a relatively large surface area of engagement between the saddle footing 12 and the bridge plate 30 upon insertion of the saddle footing 12 into the slot 32 of the bridge plate 30. The geometry of the body 14 of the saddle fooling 12 should conform to the geometry of the internal slot 32 to create a tight fit between the saddle footing 12 and the slot 32 in the bridge plate 30
The saddle footing 12 preferably includes one or two conventional transducer pick up’s 33 which are integrated within the body 14 of the saddle footing 12 on the opposite sides 34 and 35 of the elongated slot 16 in the saddle footing 12, In addition, electrical cables 37 which have Jacks 38 are attached to each of the transducer pick up’s 33 and preferably extend through openings 36 in the internal slot 32 of the bridge plate 30, The bridge plate 30 includes openings 39 through which the strings of the musical instrument are strung.
The saddle assembly 10 may further comprise at least one shim 31 for placement into the internal slot 32 of the bridge plate 30 to increase the height of the saddle assembly 12 by increasing the height which the saddle 18 or modified saddle 20 projects from the internal slot 32 of the bridge plate 30. This provides some control to the user of the musical instrument for adjusting the elevated height of the strings relative to the level of the soundboard in the stringed musical instrument. The body 14 of the saddle footing 12 may also be sanded down to lower the height of elevation of the strings relative to the level of the soundboard In the stringed musical instrument
Figures 2a and 2b are perspective views showing alternative embodiments of modified saddles for use with the saddle footing 12 in the saddle assembly 10 of the present invention shown in Figure 1. Figure 2a shows an alternative modified saddle 40 having a body 41 which includes a central section 42, a lower section 44 and a plurality of upper members 43 each of which are mounted on the central section 42of the saddle body 41. The upper members 43 are separated from one another to form support posts to support the strings of the musical instrument. Each upper member 43 is mounted upon and connected to a manually adjustable gear 46 threadably associated with each of a plurality of threaded openings 47 which extend along the width of the central section 42 at the top end thereof to permit the position of each upper member 43 to be laterally adjusted relative to the central section 42 . This allows for precise length adjustment of each string for tuning the intonation of each string independent of each other,
Each of the upper members 43 and the lower section 44 of the modified saddle 40 have a width which is much smaller in dimension relative to the width of the central section 42 so that the combination of the centra! section 42 and lower section 44 of the modified saddle 40 form, in cross section, a configuration equivalent in shape to the leter“T", with the lower section 44 of the modified saddle 40 having a geometry conforming in geometry and dimensions to the geometry of the slot 16 in the saddle footing 12 to create a tight fit when the modified saddle 40 is inserted into the saddle footing 12, in addition each upper member 43 of the modified saddle 40 has an upper end 48 which has a pyramid shaped geometry which includes a cut out notched section 45 upon which each of the strings of the musical instrument rest.
Figure 2b shows another alternative modified saddle 50 for the saddle footing 12 in the saddle assembly 10 of the present invention shown in Figure 1 having a body 51 which includes a central section 52, a lower section 54 which extends from the centra! section 52, and having an upper section 53 extending from the central section 52 with the upper section 53 having a triangular shape in cross section and forming an apex 56 upon which each of the strings of the musical instrument rest. The width of the lower section 54 and the width of the upper section 53 are much smaller in comparison to the width of the central section 52 so that the central section 52 in combination with the lower section 54 forms, in cross section, a configuration having the shape of the letter "T" with the geometry of the lower section 54 conforming in geometry and dimensions to the geometry and dimensions of the slot 16 in the saddle footing 12. It should be understood that the upper section 53 may comprise a plurality of separate pyramid shaped posts as shown in the modified saddle 20 in figure 1.
Figure 3 is an exploded view of an alternative saddle assembly of the present invention comprising a saddle footing 60 having a body 61 adapted to be directly mounted on the soundboard of a musical instrument particularly the soundboard of a conventional semi-hollow guitar, in which case the saddle footing 60 functions as that of a conventional bridge plate when directly mounted on or in the soundboard of the musical instrument. The curvature of the body 61 should conform to the curvature of the soundboard upon which it is to be mounted. The body 61 of the saddle footing 60 may be substantially rectangular in geometry or may be configured info any other desired shape and size and may comprise two thumb wheels 63 fixedly mounted on two externally threaded posts 64 which threadably engage corresponding threaded openings in the body 61 of the saddle footing 60 with the posts 64 vertically extending from the upper surface 74 of the saddle footing 60. A conventional transducer pick up 62 may be integrally incorporated within the body 61 of the saddle footing 60 with a wire cable 67 extending therefrom. The wire cable 67 may have a Jack 71 for connecting the transducer pick up 62 to a preamplifier or amplifier in the musical instrument.
The saddle assembly of figure 3 further comprises a modified saddle 65 adapted to be mounted directly into the elongated slot 16 of the saddle footing 12 of the saddle assembly shown in figure 1 representing a modified version thereof or alternatively mounted upon or directly connected to the support posts 64 extending from the saddle footing 60 for forming an alternative saddle assembly of the present Invention. The modified saddle 65 comprises a body 66 including a plurality of support members 68 separated from one another to form support posts for supporting the strings of the musical instrument at an elevated position above the soundboard in the stringed musical instrument. Each upper member 68 is mounted upon or connected to a manually adjustable gear 73 threadably associated with each of a plurality of threaded openings 72 which extend along the width of the body 86 to permit the position of each upper member 88 to be laterally adjusted relative to body 6Q of the modified saddle 65 in the same manner as the plurality of upper members 42 are laterally adjusted in the modified saddle 40 in Figure 2a.. The height of all of the support members 68 above the soundboard of the musical instrument may be manually adjusted by manually turning the thumbwheels 63 in the saddle footing 60. Accordingly, this allows for precise length adjustment of the strings independent of one another and for height adjustment of all the strings relative to the soundboard for accurate intonation tuning of the strings.
An exploded perspective view of a violin 80 employing the saddle assembly of the present invention is shown in Figure 4 with the saddle assembly comprising a saddle footing 82 which is substantially identical to the saddle 12 shown in figure 1 for use with a guitar and ukuiele. The saddle footing 82 is mounted directly on the soundboard 84 of the violin 80 at a location preferably between the two“f" holes on opposite sides of the violin 80. It should be understood that the saddle footing 82 may similarly be mounted directly on the soundboard of a conventional bass violin or cello although the dimensions of the saddle footing 82 should preferably be sized to account for the relatively substantial difference in size between a violin and a bass violin or cello respectively. The saddle footing 82 has an elongated slot 85 adapted to receive either a conventional violin bridge 88 or a modified violin bridge 87, The modified violin bridge 87 has a solid base 88 at the bottom end of the bridge 87 to provide additional engagement and surface area between the modified bridge 87 and the saddle footing 82 upon insertion of the modified bridge 87 into the saddle footing 82, In addition the modified saddle 87 may include a conventional transducer pick up 90 integrated therein with a wire cable 92 extending therefrom having a jack 93 at the end of the wire cable 92 for connecting the transducer pick up 90 to a preamplifier or amplifier either in the violin or external thereto.. Likewise, the saddle footing 82 may have a conventional transducer pick up 94 integrated into the body of the saddle footing 82 similar to integration of the transducer pick up 33 in the body 14 of the saddle footing 12 of the saddle assembly 10 shown in Figure 1. A wire cable 95 would extend from the conventional transducer pick up 94 and be connected to a Jack 96 in the body of the violin 80.
The violin 80 should preferably Include at least one sound port 99 as shown in figure 4 which is preferably located in the anatomical front soundboard 84 of the violin 80. The sound port 99 should be constructed as taught in applicants corresponding patent application Serial Number 15/659,438 the description of which is incorporated herein by reference. The sound port 99 should preferably comprise a geometry which !s either parabolic or cylindrical such as that a hollow tube 102 which is adapted to be inserted through an opening formed in the soundboard 84 at the end of the violin 84 adjacent the upper bout 104 with the opening essentially equal in dimension and diameter to the diameter of the tube 102 so that the tube 102 tightly engages the opening in the soundboard 84 when inserted therein. The hollow tube 102 should extend to within the interior 105 of the body of the violin 80 The sound port 99 can be separately tuned to any desired frequency range proportional to the resonant frequency of the violin. Although only one sound port 99 is shown additional sound ports may be added and located within the violin 80 either in the front soundboard 84 or the rear board or in either the upper bout 104 or any of the other sides of the violin 80. It should be understood that one or more sound ports 99 may also be included into any other stringed musical instrument including a bass violin, cello, guitar or ukulele in which the saddle assembly 10 of the present invention is included. The use of one or more sound ports 99 in the stringed musical instrument improves the quality of the sound particularly by increasing the frequency range of the generated sound through the musical instrument.
The violin 80 should also preferably include one or more panels 97 each preferably having a curved serpentine like geometry substantially in the shape of the letter“S" as shown in figure 4 or may include geometrically straight i.e. flat panels, as taught in applicants corresponding application Serial Number 15/659,438. The curved panels 97 are mounted within the interior 105 of the violin 80 and extend from the top block 98 and the bottom block 106 at each opposite end of the violin 80 toward the middle of the violin 80 with each panel 97 aligned relatively close to the opposite sides of the violin 80. The soundboard 84 of the violin 80 is mounted over the body of the violin 80 so that member 108 which extends from the fingerboard 114 fits into the top block 98 and that member 110 which protrudes from the tailpiece 112 fits into the bottom block 106 of the body of the violin respectively. The curved panels 97 permit sound to be tunneled or vented toward the sound ports 99 and function as sound posts in addition to proving structurai support.
Figure 5 shows a saddle footing 120 for the saddle assembly of the present invention similar to Figure 4 but mounted on the soundboard of a banjo. Likewise the saddle footing 120 may incorporate a conventional transducer pick up 122 with a cable wire 124 for transmitting the electrical signals generated by the conventional transducer pick up 122 to a preamplifer or amplifier In the banjo or external thereto.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1 , A saddle assembly for a stringed musical instrument comprising a saddle footing having a body of any desired geometry and a surface curvature compatible with and conforming to the surface curvature of the soundboard of the stringed musical instrument upon which the body of the saddle footing is mounted with or without the use of a bridge plate, with the saddle footing comprising an elongated slot adapted to accommodate either a conventional bridge or conventional saddle for elevating the strings in the stringed musical instrument relative to the soundboard or into which a modified bridge or modified saddle is inserted having a geometry which conforms in geometry and curvature to the geometry and curvature of the elongated slot in the saddle footing,
2 A saddle assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the body of the saddle footing includes at least one conventional transducer pick up incorporated therein and further comprises a wire cable extending from each transducer pick up which is adapted to transfer electrical signals, generated from the transducer pick up, corresponding to the vibrations from plucking the strings in the stringed musical instrument, to a pre-amplifier or amplifier located within or external to the stringed musical instrument,
3, A saddle assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the modified bridge or modified saddle comprises a body which includes at least a conventional transducer pick up incorporated therein and comprises a wire cable extending from the transducer pick up for transferring electrical signals generated from the transducer pick up, corresponding to the vibrations from plucking the strings in the stringed musical instrument, to a pre-amplifier or amplifier located within or externa! to the stringed musical instrument.
4. A saddle assembly as defined in claim 2 in which the modified saddle comprises a body having a central section and a lower section with the width of the central section being substantially larger than the width of the lower section such that the centra! section and lower section form in cross section a configuration substantially conforming in shape to the shape of the letter“T”, with the lower section having a geometry which conforms to the geometry of the elongated slot in the saddle footing so that a tight fit occurs when the lower section of the modified saddle is inserted into the elongated slot of the saddle footing.
5. A saddle assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein the body of the modified saddle further comprises an upper section including a multiple number of spaced apart members, shaped in the form of posts, mounted upon the central section and conforming in number to the number of strings in the stringed musical instrument in which the saddle assembly is mounted for supporting the strings at an elevated height above the soundboard of the musical instrument.
8. A saddle assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein said central section of the modified saddle comprises a top surface, a plurality of threaded openings spaced apart from one another and aligned parallel to the width of the central section with each threaded opening extending to the top surface thereof, a gear threadably mounted within each threaded opening of the central section with each of the members of the upper section connected to a gear to permit the position of each upper member to be laterally adjusted relative to the central section by manually adjusting each gear in the modified saddle.
7. A saddle assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein the body of the modified saddle further comprises an upper section having a triangular shape in cross section for supporting the strings in the stringed musical instrument at an elevated height above the soundboard of the musical instrument.
8. A saddle assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the modified bridge or saddie comprises a body having a solid base at the lower end thereof adapted for insertion Into the elongated slot in the saddle footing with the solid base being of uniform dimension extending from each opposite end of the modified bridge or saddle and with the geometry of the solid base of the modified bridge or saddle conforming to the geometry of the elongated slot in the saddle footing such that the surface area of the modified bridge or saddle conforms to the surface area of the elongated slot upon engagement therewith.
9. A saddle assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein the stringed musical instrument comprises at least one sound port having a hollow member with a parabolic or cylindrical geometry extending through the sound board Into the interior of the musical instrument for tuning the sound port to a desired frequency range proportional to the resonant frequency of the guitar,
10 A saddle assembly as defined in claim 9 wherein the stringed musical instrument further comprises at least several curved panels having a curvature substantially in the shape of the letter "S” for tunneling or venting sound through the sound port,
11. A saddle assembly for a stringed musical instrument comprising a saddle footing having a body of any desired geometry and a surface curvature compatible with and conforming to the surface curvature of the soundboard of the stringed musical instrument upon which the body of the saddle footing is directly mounted with the body of the saddle footing comprising an upper surface upon which a saddle is mounted for elevating the strings in the stringed musical instrument relative to the soundboard and having at least one conventional transducer pick up incorporated within the saddle footing and a wire cable extending from the transducer pick up for transferring electrical signals, generated from the transducer pick up, corresponding to the vibrations from plucking the strings in the stringed musical instrument, to a pre-amplifier or amplifier located within or external to the stringed musical instrument
12. A saddle assembly for a stringed musical instrument as defined in claim 11 wherein the saddle footing has a body adapted for directly mounting a modified bridge or modified saddle upon the saddle footing with the modified saddle bridge or modified saddle including a conventional transducer pick up integrated within the body of the modified bridge or modified saddle, a wire cable extending from the transducer pick up for transferring electrical signals from the transducer pick up to a pre-amplifier or amplifier located within or external to the stringed musical instrument and with the body of the modified bridge or modified saddle having an upper section mounted upon the body of the modified bridge or modified saddle for supporting the strings in the musical instrument at an elevated height above the soundboard in the musical instrument.
13. A saddle assembly for a stringed musical instrument as defined in claim 12 wherein the saddle footing includes an elongated slot and wherein the modified bridge or modified saddle includes a lower section extending from the body of the modified bridge or modified saddle at an end thereof opposite the upper section with the width of the body of the modified bridge or modified saddle being substantially larger than the width of the lower section such that the body of the modified bridge or modified saddle in combination with the lower section forms, in cross section, a configuration substantially conforming in shape to the shape of the letter“T”, with the lower section having a geometry which conforms to the geometry of the elongated slot in the saddle footing so that a tight fit occurs when the lower section of the modified bridge or saddle is inserted into the elongated slot of the saddle footing.
14. A saddle assembly for a stringed musical instrument as defined in claim 12 wherein the body of the saddle footing further comprises at least two thumb wheels affixed!y mounted upon two corresponding threaded posts extending from the saddle footing and into which each threaded post is threadab!y connected with the body of said modified saddle bridge or modified saddle being mounted upon said threaded posts such that by manually adjusting the thumb wheels the height of the modified bridge or modified saddle is varied relative to the level of the soundboard of the stringed musical instrument upon which the saddle footing rests.
EP19787672.5A 2018-04-20 2019-04-18 Saddle/bridge assembly for stringed musical instruments Active EP3756181B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US15/958,874 US10497342B2 (en) 2017-07-25 2018-04-20 Saddle/bridge assembly for stringed musical instruments
PCT/US2019/028194 WO2019204657A1 (en) 2018-04-20 2019-04-18 Saddle/bridge assembly for stringed musical instruments

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6613968B1 (en) * 2000-01-27 2003-09-02 Sharon C. Devereaux Guitar bridge and tailpiece
JP3656609B2 (en) * 2002-03-18 2005-06-08 ヤマハ株式会社 Saddle for stringed instrument and pickup device using the same
US6706957B1 (en) * 2003-03-03 2004-03-16 Merkel Steven L Intonation system for fretted instruments
US9978346B2 (en) * 2016-07-25 2018-05-22 Robert L. Oberg Stringed musical instrument for generating sound from two sound boards on opposite sides of the instrument and a method of construction

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