GB2365198A

GB2365198A - A foldable and collapsible electric guitar

Info

Publication number: GB2365198A
Application number: GB0007980A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stuart Raymond Wailing
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-04-01
Filing date: 2000-04-01
Publication date: 2002-02-13
Also published as: GB0007980D0

Abstract

A foldable and collapsible electric guitar that has a fretted neck section 1 which is pivotably connected to the body of the guitar 2. The neck 1 can be locked in the playing position and, when unlocked, can rotate through 180{ in a direction away from the fretboard 5, such that, in a frilly folded state, the neck 1 lies in the underside of the body 2. A locking arm (28, fig 11) acts on the bridge assembly 3 to retain it in a playing position. Lever (27, fig 11) is lifted to unlock the bridge assembly 3, simultaneously unlocking the mechanism of the neck pivot axis 8, which is connected to the locking arm (28, fig 11) by a pin (29, fig 11) and a sliding rod assembly (39, fig 16). As the neck is folded, the bridge assembly 3 is drawn towards the neck 1 and into the body 2 along angled runners 9 against a light spring tension. The spring also operates to return the bridge assembly 3 to near its playing position as the neck is unfolded. Collapsible and foldable body side elements (4, fig 1) are also provided. An amplifying circuit and speakers may also be built into the guitar.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> A FOLDABLE AND COLLAPSIBLE ELECTRIC GUITAR.

This invention relates to an electric guitar, specifically an improved design of a foldable and collapsible electric guitar. There are many stringed instruments, particularly guitars, which have a foldable neck section and/or collapsible body side elements. They are designed for ease of transportation or to reduce storage requirements and may be both small scale or small bodied instruments and instruments with a foldable neck section and/or collapsible body side elements. A standard electric guitar is generally ergonomically proportioned to offer comfort and playability to the user. Small scale or small-bodied guitars are not ergonomically proportioned; hence they are not favoured by musicians. Many collapsible instruments have been designed which involve a neck element, which will fold, relative to the body, about an axis at the join of these two elements, until the neck element has rotated through 180 degrees. There are three folding configurations, firstly folding about an axis perpendicular to the body face, secondly folding about an axis parallel to the body face onto the front of the body face, and thirdly folding about an axis parallel to the body face onto the back of the body. The third configuration is employed in the present invention and presents four design problems. Firstly the need to release string tension or at least one end of the anchored strings to enable folding. Secondly controlling the springy strings while the tension is released and the fold occurs. The third problem is the potential of damage to the strings in any form, including bending a string at too small a radius leading to kinks in the string, hence increasing the risk of breakage and affecting the vibration properties of the string. The fourth and final problem is returning to the exact tuned string tension after the guitar has been folded and unfolded. The first problem is addressed most simply by loosening the tension on each string using the instniments existing variable string tension device, usually a screw and worm wheel configuration commonly known as machine heads. This procedure is time consuming and requires additional devices if the strings are to be held in control while the guitar is being manipulated. Another solution is to disengage or move the common string anchor point as in the design by Jorgensen (US 4,073,211.) which has a common bridge unit that is provided with two anchor points for the collapsed and extended positions. Field and Steger (US 4,111,093) employ a string anchor in the form of a rotating hub about which the strings are wound. The hub is rotated by a drive connection between it and another hub at the end of the neck. As the neck rotates, the neck hub drives the first hub causing it to rotate at the same rate so that the strings unwind maintaining the tuned string tension throughout.

The second problem of controlling the string is effectively solved by Field and Steger by maintaining the tuned string tension throughout. Jorgensen requires manual placement of each string into grooves in the neck end of the bodysection. Another folding neck design by Le Cornec (FR 2,429,471) provides an arm behind the bridge that has the strings fitted to one end and pivoted at the other end. While in the playing position the arm is angled backwards. While folding, the arm pivots so as to move the string anchor point with the string movement. This enables the user to control the strings by manually applying a load to the strings, via the arm, during the fold. The third problem is partially solved by Field and Steger where the strings are held firmly against a relatively large radius hub. A potential problem with this method is that the full tuned string tension is'applied throughout the fold, while the strings are bent around a radius and this subjects the strings to unnecessary deformation Solutions to the final problem are difficult to achieve as steel stringed instruments go out of tune due to changing temperature causing differential thermal expansion between various materials used in the construction of the guitar and plastic deformation of new strings. Theoretically if the exact bridge position and string tension are restored, the correct tuning will be retained. An additional problem with all folding neck elements is that any slackness in the body/neck joint is amplified by

the length of the neck, rendering the tuning unstable.

Designs that involve folding side elements exist in several forms, but all of these are either too flimsy, not ergonomic, and/or difficult and/or fiddly to operate.

There has been small scale or small bodied guitars with a built in electronic amplifying circuit and speakers but electronic amplifying circuits and speakers have not been provided with a foldable and collapsible guitar. According to the present invention there is provided a foldable and collapsible electric guitar, which has a foldable neck section and collapsible body side elements (wings) for the purpose of easing transportation and reducing the storage requirements, and which feels and sounds like a conventional electric guitar when in the playing position.

There is also provided a folding neck which can be locked in the playing position with no slackness at the body/neck joint and which, when unlocked, can rotate towards the back of the guitar about it's joint with the body section, winding the strings around a neck hub at the said joint. There is also provided a string anchoring point which can be locked in the playing position and which, when unlocked, can move with the strings as the neck is folded against a small spring force holding the strings in control against the neck hub.

There is also provided body side wings which replicate the body of a standard electric guitar for the purpose of supporting the guitar while playing, and to give improved acoustic qualities.

There is also a lockable mechanism which rigidly supports the body side wings while in the playing position and maintains the attitude of the sides as they are collapsed.

There is also provided a mechanism which will lock all of collapsible and folding sections in the playing position with one action.

There is also provided a simple neck folding & body side wing collapsing action for ease of use.

There is also provided a connection between the string anchoring point and the body sides which conducts the vibration from the strings to the body side wings, substantially improving the tonal and acoustic qualities of the instrument.

There is also provided an amplifying circuit and speakers, built into the guitar to negate the need for transporting or storing additional amplification equipment.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure I shows an isometric top view of the guitar in the playing position.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the guitar indicating the folding action of the neck. Figure 3 shows cross sectional side view in the folded position Figure 4 shows cross sectional side view of the playing position.

Figure 5 shows an isometric top view of the guitar in the folded position. Figure 6 shows a side view of the neck assembly.

Figure 7 shows an isometric top view of the body assembly. Figure 8 shows an isometric top view of a body side wing.

Figure 9 show a top view of the body side mechanism locked in the playing position. Figure 10 show a top view of the body side mechanism in the folded position.

Figure I I shows a side view of the bridge assembly in the locked position. Figure 12 shows an end view of the bridge assembly.

Figure 13 shows an exploded side view of the locking mechanism components of the bridge assembly. Figure 14 shows the bridge assembly in the unlocked position.

Figure 15 shows a side view of the neck locking mechanism in the locked position, Figure 16 shows a side view of the neck locking mechanism in the unlocked position. Figure 17 shows a side view of the body side mechanism in the playing and locked position. Figure 18 shows a side view of the body side mechanism at a point where the neck is fully folded.

Fig. I illustrates the main elements of the guitar which are the neck assembly (1), the body assembly (2), the bridge assembly (3), the body side wings (4), the frets (5), the machine heads (6), and the strings (7).

With reference to Fig. 2, the neck assembly (1) is pivotally joined to the body assembly (2). The neck assembly (1) can be locked to the body assembly (2) when the guitar is in the playing position. When unlocked the neck assembly (1) can rotate about the neck pivot axis (8) by 1800, (as indicated by the arrow) until it is fully folded, lying in the back of the body assembly (2) Fig. 3 shows a side view of the guitar in the fully folded position.

With reference to Fig, 4, when the neck is folded the strings (7) pull the bridge assembly (3) against a light spring force, along runners (9) which are angled so that the bridge assembly (3) moves with the strings (7), down into the body assembly (2) as well as toward the neck assembly (1) (path indicated by the arrow).

With reference to Fig. 5, the body side wings (4) can slide toward each other from the position shown in Fig. I until they are in the position shown in Fig. 5 (opposite movement indicated by arrows) sliding over and covering the neck assembly Fig. 3 (1) and the bridge assembly (3).

With reference to Fig. 6, the neck assembly (1) consists of a standard guitar neck and, in this example, standard guitar machine heads (6) at one end, with the addition of a neck hub (10) fixed to the other end of the neck assembly (1), the neck pivot axis (8) of which is parallel to the frets (5).

With reference to Fig. 7, the body assembly consists of two parallel side plates (11) which each have an angled runner (9). Between the side plates (11), at one end, a bracing bar (12) is used to hold the side plates (11) together and mount a housing box for the amplifying circuit (not shown). At the other end of the two parallel side plates (11) is a neck axle bar (13). The neck hub Fig. 6 (10) is fitted to the neck axle bar Fig. 7 (13). A pin, neck hub stop (14) is fitted to the neck axle bar (13) going through a slot (not shown) cut through the neck hub Fig. 6 (10) both pin, neck hub stop Fig. 7 (14) and slot are perpendicular to the frets Fig. 6 (5). The pin, neck hub stop Fig. 7 (14) stops the neck hub Fig. 6 (10) from rotating when both the playing position and the folded position are reached. Also a pair of locking lugs Fig. 7 (15) are fixed to the side plates (11).

Fig. 8, shows one of the body side wings (4), which are half guitar shaped boxes, and the side wall (16).

Fig. 9 shows a top view of the body side mechanism (17). Part of the body side mechanism (17) shown in Fig. 9 is an arrangement of bars (18) which are parallel to each other ( If viewed from the side) and joined together at their centres, each aflowed to pivot relative to the other to form a cross (X) shape. One of these fixed to all four comers of each outside face of the parallel side plates (11). The mechanisms shown in Fig, 9 keeps the body side wings Fig. 8 (4) in the same orientation as they are extended or collapsed and provides a locking mechanism to lock them in the playing position. The top, inside ends Fig. 9 (19a & 19b) have top locking blocks attached to them (20a & 20b). The bottom inside ends (2 la & 2 lb) have rollers (not shown) attached to them, The top, outside ends (22a) are fixed by a side arm pivot block (23a) to the side plates (11) and the bottom outside ends (22b) are fixed by a side arm pivot block (23b) to the side wall Fig. 8 (16) of the body side wings (4). Fixed to one of the top locking blocks Fig. 9 (20a) is a led spring arm (24). There is a bar (not shown) which runs through the centre of the blocks (20a & 20b) and is fixed at its ends to the outside of the side plates (11). The bar (not shown) has the effect of stiffening the joint between the side plates (11) and the body side mechanism (17).

Fig. 10 illustrates the position of the body side mechanism (17) after being collapsed and how the top and bottom inside ends (I 9a & 2 1 a and l9b & 2 1 b) have moved towards each other in a horizontal plane.

Fig. I I shows the components of the bridge assembly (Fig. 4 (3)) consisting of a standard guitar bridge Fig- 11 (25) or other method of anchoring a standard ball end guitar string/s and a standard guitar pickup (26), and a locking mechanism which consists of a locking lever (27) and a locking arm (28). The locking arm (28) has a

locking arm pin (29) fixed through it which protrudes equally both sides of the locking arm (28). Also shown in Fig. 12 is a metal plate (30), side walls of metal plate, bridge assembly (3 1), precision roller bearings (32), screws, roller bearings (33), a wooden plate (34), a locking lever/side wall axis pin (35), and a shaped profile (36). With reference to Fig. 12, the bridge (25) is fixed to a wooden plate (34) and then a metal plate (30) which has a cross section profile of a square with the bottom removed. The side walls (3 1) of the metal plate (30) have the precision roller bearings (32) fixed to them by the screws, roller bearings (33). The precision roller bearings Fig. 11 (32) are arranged at the same angle as the nmners Fig. 7 (9) in the side plates (I 1).The precision roller bearings Fig. 11 (32) fit into the corresponding runners Fig. 7 (9) in the side plates (11). The bridge assembly Fig. 11 (3) can slide along the runners Fig. 7 (9) but is returned just short of the playing position when released by a return spring (not shown).The wooden plate Fig. 12 (34) is fixed to the metal plate (30). The wooden plate (34) is slightly smaller than the metal plate (30) along the longitudinal edges, forming a lip (3 7). The lip (3 7) is forced against the inside edge of the body side wings Fig. 8 (4) when the bridge assembly (3) is locked in the playing position. This has the effect of helping to transmit the vibration from the strings Fig. 4 (7) via the standard guitar bridge Fig- 12 (25) and/or wooden plate (34) to the body side wings Fig. 8 (4). This substantially improves the overall sound quality of the guitar. When playing, the whole of the standard guitar bridge Fig. 12 (25) will sit proud of the top edge of the side plates Fig. 7 (11). During the neck fold, the strings Fig. 4 (7) stay fixed relative to the neck assembly Fig. 6 (1). As the neck assembly (1) is rotated, the neck hub (10) acts as a roller and winds the strings Fig. 4 (7) around itself. Therefore the strings (7) pull the bridge assembly (3), against the return spring (not shown), toward the neck assembly (1). The bridge assembly (3) moves in the direction dictated by the precision roller bearings Fig. 11 (32) in the runners Fig. 7 (9), toward the neck assembly Fig. 4 (1) and down into the body assembly Fig. 7 (2), until the neck assembly Fig 1 (1) is fully folded. At this point the top of the standard guitar bridge Fig. 12 (25) is beneath the top edge of the side plates Fig. 7 (11). This allows the body side wings Fig. 8 (4) to slide over the bridge assembly Fig. 12 (3) while collapsing. The body side wings Fig. 8 (4) therefore also hold the neck assembly Fig. 3 (1) in the folded position. Fig. 13 shows how the locking lever (27), locking arm (28) and the side walls (3 1) of the metal plate (30) are fitted together. The locking lever (27)is fitted to the locking arm (28) by the axis pin locking arm/locking lever (38) and to the side walls (3 1) of the metal plate (30) by the axis pin, locking lever/side wall (35). When the guitar is locked or unlocked by rotating the locking lever (27) (both locking and unlocking are only possible while in the playing position) the neck assembly Fig. 4 (1), the bridge assembly (3) and the body side wings Fig. 8 (4) are locked or unlocked simultaneously. To unfold the guitar the body side wings Fig. 5 (4) are pulled in opposite directions causing them to slide apart until My extended. This movement causes the body side mechanism Fig. 10 (17) to move from the position shown in Fig. 10 to the position shown in Fig. 9. The neck assembly Fig. 3 (1), which was held in the folded position by the closed body side wings Fig. 5 (4), is rotated about its neck pivot axis Fig. 4 (8) until stopped by the pin, neck hub stop Fig. 7 (14). As the strings Fig. 3 (7) slacken as the neck assembly (1) is unfolded, the slack is taken up by the bridge assembly (3) being forced back by its return spring (not shown), therefore a small force is constantly applied to the strings (7) holding them in control, against the neck hub Fig. 6 (10). The following four paragraphs describe the action of the locking mechanisms. While the guitar is locked in the playing position, the neck assembly Fig 4 (1), the bridge assembly (3) and the body sides wings Fig. 5 (4) are locked in position; when locked, the bridge assembly Fig.4 (3) is in the position shown in Fig. I I - When the locking lever Fig. 14 (27) is rotated about its locking lever/side wall axis pin (35) it actuates the locking arm (28) w1fich is attached to the locking lever (27) via an axis pin, locking arm/locking lever (38). The locking arm (28) is spring loaded (load direction shown by arrow, Fig. I I & Fig. 14). The other end of the locking arm (28) is caused to run along a set route by the shaped profile (36).

With reference to Fig. 15 and Fig. 16, during the first part of the locking lever Fig. 14 (27) rotation from the position shown in Fig. 14, the locking arm pin (29) is caused to move by the shaped profile(36), from below, to level with the locking lugs Fig. 7 (15) that are fixed to the side plates (11),. The locking arm pin Fig. 14 (29) connects with the end of a sliding rod assembly (Fig. 15, 39, opposite end to that shown). The neck locking block (4 1) slides along the pin, neck hub stop (14, direction shown by arrow in Fig. 16), until in the position shown in Fig.15, engaging with a pair of hub locking studs (42, only one shown) locking the neck assembly (1) by arresting movement between the fixed pin (14) and the hub locking studs (42). The locking arm pin Fig. 14 (29) also contacts one of the pair of locking lugs Fig. 7 (15) pulling the bridge assembly Fig. 4 (3) toward the locking lugs Fig. 7 (15), tensioning the strings Fig. 4 (7). When the locking lever Fig. 14 (27) is fully rotated (once passed top dead centre) the direction of the force applied to the locking arm (28) causes a rotation force on the locking lever (27) which tries to rotate the locking lever (27) further, therefore holding the locking lever (27) in the locked position.

With reference to Fig. 17, as the bridge assembly Fig. 4 (3) moves during the locking process, the screw, roller bearings Fig. 17 (33a) which fixes the rear bridge precision roller bearing (32a) contacts with the inside, top locking block (20a) and holds it against a stop (40). The leaf spring arm (24) fixed to one top locking block (20a) engages between the two top locking blocks (20a and 20b). The unlocking of the bridge assembly Fig. 3 (3), the body side mechanism Fig. 9 (17) and the neck assembly Fig. 4 (1) is simply the reverse of the locking process. With reference to Fig. 18, the leaf spring arm (24) is disengaged by the screw (33b) that fixes the front precision roller bearing (32b) as the bridge assembly Fig. 3 (3) approaches the fully folded position.

Claims

Claims. I claim: 1. A stringed musical instrument comprising of; A fretted neck section incorporating, at one end, a method of clamping at least one string end or a method of clamping at least one string end and variably applying tension to said string/s and at the other end, a circular, off centre axis, hub, the axis of which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the neck and parallel to the frets, that can be rotationally fitted, with zero lateral play to an axle bar; A bridge assembly, consisting of a method by which at least one string end can be clamped or clamped and tensioned variably, saddles to support the string/s, bearing/s arranged at an angle that corresponds to diagonal slots or runners in the elongated flat plates and that they are able to hold the bridge assembly at the same orientation throughout it's slide; A body assembly comprising of two elongated flat plates arranged with their flat faces opposing each other, that incorporate said diagonal slots or runners; between said elongated flat plates, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the said plates, are filted said neck hub axle bar, bracing bar/s or block/s and said bridge assembly moveably fitted into said diagonal slots or runners in the said elongated flat plates, the slots positioned so that when the bridge assembly is at one extreme of it's slide, the bridge is in the playing position, at it's furthest from said neck hub axle bar with the bridge outside the edges of said elongated flat plates, on the same side as the fretted face of said neck section and at the other extreme of the slide is at it's closest to said neck hub axle bar with said bridge assembly entirely between said two elongated flat plates; A method of applying a load to said bridge assembly so that said bridge assembly will apply a tensile load, less than the full tuned string tension, to said string/s; A method of arresting the rotation of said neck section relative to said axle hub, when the longitudinal axis of said neck section is approximately in line and extended from the longitudinal axis of said elongated flat plates and only allowing rotation from this position in a direction away from the fretted face of said neck section; A mechanism that can lock said neck section relative to said neck hub axle bar, when the longitudinal axis of said neck section is approximately in line and extended from the longitudinal axis of said elongated flat plates; A mechanism that can pull said bridge assembly away from the said neck section to said extreme of it's slide, furthest from said neck section and apply full tuned tension to said string/s and lock said bridge assembly in that position; Body side elements fitted to one or both of the outside faces of said two elongated flat plates.

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2. A stringed musical instrument as claim 1 that has; One or more body side elements that contain a mechanism that allows said body side element/s to move from a fully extended position towards said elongated parallel plates maintaining the same orientation throughout the movement; A mechanism that can lock said body side elementIs in the fully extended, playing position.
3. A stringed musical instrument as claim I or claim 2 that incorporates one or more speakers and an amplifying circuit.
4. A stringed musical instrument as claimed in any proceeding claim that has a plate fitted to the bridge assembly so that when said bridge assembly is locked in the playing position the said plate presses against a section of said body side element so as to propagate any vibration of said string/s from said bridge assembly to said body side elements.
5. A stringed musical instrument as claimed in any proceeding claim that has a mechanism that can lock said neck section relative to said axle hub, when the longitudinal axis of said neck section is approximately in line and extended from the longitudinal axis of said elongated flat plates, that can lock said body side element/s in the fully extended, playing position and that can pull said bridge assembly away from the said neck section to said extreme of it's slide furthest from said neck section and apply full tuned tension to said string/s and lock said bridge assembly in that position in one action.
6. A stringed musical instrument as claimed in any proceeding claim that has an electric or electronic device for picking up the vibration of the string/s for amplification.