GB2516324A

GB2516324A - Resonating string assembly for musical instruments

Info

Publication number: GB2516324A
Application number: GB201401649A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joanna Maxine Miller
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-07-19
Filing date: 2014-01-31
Publication date: 2015-01-21
Also published as: GB201312942D0; GB201401649D0

Abstract

A resonating string assembly for musical instruments such as guitars, wherein a string assembly 1 has a core wire 2, around which is a helically wound wrap wire 3 that has a static point of articulation as close to the core wire as practical. Adjacent windings of the wrap wire are spaced apart, except for at a point of articulation 7 next to the core wire. The wrap wire can have a cross-sectional shape of trapezoidal outline, with vertices that are radiused. The outermost surface 4 and the innermost surface 5 are preferably parallel to each other, and the side surfaces 6 are preferably inclined with respect to each other. In an alternative embodiment, an articulation element (10) is helically wound around the core wire and interleaved with the wrap wire, wherein the articulation element abuts the adjacent windings of the wrap wire at the point of articulation.

Description

Resonating Strlnu Assembly For Musical Instruments.

Background

This invention relates to the type of string assembly that is intended to resonate at a relatively low frequency when mechanically excited, and is used for such purposes as generating tenor and bass tones in stringed musical instruments.

A plain string is not practical for this purpose, as the greater thickness of the string that would be required to achieve these lower intonations would result in a string that was increasingly difficult to use. Therefore the basic, conventional form of these string assemblies consists of a core wire (or equivalent, e.g. natural or synthetic fibres), around which is a helically wound wrap wire (or equivalent). The core wire can consist of a single or multiple strands, and the wires can be of circular, or other (e.g. hexagonal), cross-sectional shape. The wrap wire can consist of one or more wires, in one or more layers, and the wires can be of circular, or other (e.g. square), cross-sectional shape. In use, the core wire is placed in tension, so that It resonates when mechanically excited. The wrap wire is not tensioned, but serves to add more mass to that of the core wire, and therefore lower the resonant frequency of the string assembly. In this manner, the core wire Is relatively thin, which keeps the tension level within manageable limits, and the wrap wire adds mass with minimal effect on the overall flexibility of the string assembly.

In use, those strings made with a wrap wire of circular cross-sectional shape typically offer the advantage of a brighter sound as compared to those strings made with a wrap wire of square cross-sectional shape. However, the latter typically offers the practical advantages of less handling noise, less wear to the frets or fingerboard, as well as a longer useful life.

Summary of invention

In order to improve the mechanical behaviour of the string assembly, the present invention proposes the use of a helically wound wrap wire that has a static point of articulation as close to the core wire as practical.

According to the invention there is therefore provided a string assembly for a musical instrument (i.e. a string assembly suitable for vibrating when under tension), the string assembly comprising: a core wire; and a wrap wire helically wound around the core wire, wherein adjacent windings of the wrap wire are spaced from each other except at a point of articulation located next to the core wire.

The wrap wire may have a contact surface that abuts an outer surface of the core wire, and wherein the point of articulation between adjacent windings of the wrap wire is at the outer surface of the core wire. The contact surface may lie wholly against the outer surface of the core wire, or it may be bowed or have a recess which means a smaller area is in contact with the outer surface of the core wire.

The wrap wire has an outer surface that may have any suitable shape. For example, it may lie parallel to the contact surface. It may be flat, convex, or recessed.

Preferably, the adjacent windings of the wrap wire abut each other at the point of articulation.

For example, the point of articutatlon may be provided by a protrusion from a side surface of the wrap wire. Alternatively, the wrap wire may have angled side surfaces arranged such that opposing side surfaces of adjacent windings of the wrap wire are Inclined away from each other.

The wrap wire may have a trapezoidal cross-section. The vertices of the trapezoidal cross-section may be rounded. With this arrangement, the outermost surface and the Innermost surface of the wrap wire are parallel to each other, and the side surfaces are inclined with respect to each other. The point of articulation where the adjacent turns of the wrap wire abut against each other is placed as low and as close to the surface of the core wire, and therefore the centroidal axis of the string assembly, as is practical. The side surfaces of the wrap wire above these points of articulation are flat, and angled back and away from the opposite face of the adjacent turns of the wrap wire. The angle of the sides may be between 3° and 5°. The outermost surface is therefore smaller in width than the innermost surface.

Both the outermost surface and the innermost surface may be flat, and lie parallel to the centroidal axis of the string assembly. The innermost surface may lie against the core wire.

The trapezoidal cross-section may symmetrical or non-symmetrical.

In an alternative arrangement, the string assembly may include an articulation element helically wound around the core wire and interleaved with the wrap wire, wherein the articulation element abuts the adjacent windings of the wrap wire at the point of articulation. The articulation element may be an additional wire.

AdvantageS The point of articulation between the adjacent turns of the wrap wire is placed as low and as close to the core wire, and therefore the centroldal axis of the string assembly, as is practical, in order to maximise the overall flexibility of the string assembly, and therefore allow the production of a brighter and richer sound.

This would also facilitate some commonly used guitar-playing techniques such as "finger vibrato" and that known as "string-bending".

The side surfaces of the wrap wire above these points of articulation are flat, and angled back so that they do not come into contact with the opposite face of the adjacent turns of the wrap wire when the string is flexed or resonates, which would result in the point of articulation migrating upwards and away from the centroidal axis of the string assembly. This would have the effect of making the string assembly less flexible, and it would feel stiffer to the player. When the string assembly resonates, the gap between the adjacent turns would open and close periodically, which would provide a form of self-cleaning action to help prevent the build-up of oil and dirt residues, and so prolong the useful life of the string.

The outermost surface is flat and parallel to the centroidal axis of the string assembly, in order to minimise handling noise and wear to the frets or fingerboard.

S The innermost surface is flat so as to provide a stable base for the wrap wire, lower the centre of mass of the wrap wire as much as possible, and minimise friction when the string resonates.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 shows an example of prior art, a schematic view of a section of a conventional string assembly with a wrap wire of circular cross-sectional shape.

FIGURE 2 shows an example of prior art, a schematic view of a section of a conventional string assembly with a wrap wire of square cross-sectional shape.

FIGURE 3 shows a schematic view of a section of a string assembly in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 4 shows an enlarged schematic view of a section of a string assembly in accordance with the present invention, with further detail.

FIGURE S shows a schematic view of a section of a string assembly, with a wrap wire whose cross-sectional shape is of trapezoidal outline, but which has been modified to incorporate recessed side surfaces, and a recessed Innermost surface.

FIGURE 6 shows a schematic view of a section of a string assembly, but using a variant method of lowering the point of articulation, by incorporating a protrusion.

FIGURE 7 shows a schematic view of a section of a string assembly, but using a variant method of lowering the point of articulation, by utilising a secondary wire.

Detailed description

Throughout all the figures, the same or corresponding elements may generally be indicated by the same reference numerals. The various embodiments S shown in the drawings are Illustrated In the form of a schematic view. The proportions need not correspond to the intended real proportions. Individual parts may be shown in a highly enlarged schematic view for the purpose of better understanding Individual drawings can show embodiments of string assemblies that do not show all the features relevant to the invention if this is useful for the purpose of a better and clearer illustration, with such illustrations or embodiments thereby not contradicting the invention.

FIGURE 1 shows a schematic view of a conventional string assembly 1 intended for the purpose of producing a low tone, having a core wire 2, around which is a helically wound wrap wire 3 with a circular cross-sectional shape. The IS core wire 2 can consist of more than the one element as shown in the illustration, to achieve the same functionality. The wrap wire 3 can consist of more than the one element as shown in the illustration, and in more than the one layer shown, to achieve the same functionality.

FIGURE 2 shows a schematic view of a conventional string assembly 1, having a core wire 2, around which is a helically wound wrap wire 3 with a square cross-sectional shape.

FIGURE 3 shows a schematic view of the present invention, the string assembly 1 having a core wire 2, around which is a helically wound wrap wire 3 with a cross-sectional shape of trapezoidal outline, with vertices that are radlused.

FIGURE 4 shows an enlarged schematic view of the present invention, the string assembly 1 having a core wire 2, around which is a helically wound wrap wire 3 with a cross-sectional shape of trapezoidal outline, with vertices that are radiused.

The outermost surface 4 and the innermost surface S are parallel to each other, and the side surfaces 6 are inclined with respect to each other. The point of articulation 7 where the adjacent turns of the wrap wire 3 abut against each other is placed as low and as close to the surface of the core wire 2, and therefore the centroidal axis 8 of the string assembly 1, as is practical. The side surfaces 6 of the wrap wire 3 above these points of articulatIon 7 are flat, and angled back and away from the opposite face of the adjacent turns of the wrap wire 3. The outermost surface 4 is therefore smaller in width than the innermost surface 5.

Both the outermost surface 4 and the Innermost surface 5 are flat, and lie parallel to the centroidal axis 8 of the string assembly 1. The innermost surface S lies against the core wire 2.

FIGURE 5 shows a schematic view of a section of a string assembly 1, having a core wire 2, and a wrap wire 3 with a cross-sectional shape of trapezoidal outline, but which has been modified to incorporate a recessed Innermost surface 5, and recessed side surfaces 6.

FIGURE 6 shows a schematic view of a section of a string assembly 1, having a core wire 2, but using a variant method of lowering the point of articulatIon 7, by incorporating a protrusion 9, which abuts against the adjacent turn of the wrap wire 3. The protrusion 9 can be single-sided as shown, or double-sided.

FIGURE 7 shows a schematic view of a section of a string assembly 1, having a core wire 2, but using a variant method of lowering the point of articulation 7, by utilising a secondary wire 19, which is placed between the adjacent turns of the primary wrap wire 3. This secondary wire may be partially recessed into the sides of the primary wrap wire 3.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A string assembly for a musical instrument, the string assembly comprising: a core wire; and a wrap wire helically wound around the core wire, wherein adjacent windings of the wrap wire are spaced from each other except at a point of articulation located next to the core wire.
2. A string assembly according to claim 1, wherein the wrap wire has a contact surface that abuts an outer surface of the core wire, and wherein the point of articulation between adjacent windings of the wrap wire is at the outer surface of the core wire.
3. A string assembly according to claim 2, wherein the wrap wire has an outer surface that lies parallel to the contact surface.
4. A string assembly according to claim 2, whereIn the contact surface of the wrap wire is bowed.
5. A string assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the wrap wire has angled side surfaces arranged such that opposing side surfaces of adjacent windings of the wrap wire are inclined away from each other.
6. A string assembly according to any preceding claIm, wherein the adjacent windings of the wrap wire abut each other at the point of articulation.
7. A string assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the point of articulation is provided by a protrusion from a side surface of the wrap wire.
8. A string assembly according to claim 6, wherein the wrap wire has a trapezoidal cross-section.
9. A string assembly according to claim 8, wherein the vertices of the trapezoidal cross-section are rounded.
10. A string assembly according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the trapezoidal cross-section is symmetrical.
11. A string assembly according to claIm 8 or 9, wherein the trapezoidal cross-section is non-symmetrical.
12. A string assembly accordIng to any one of claims 1 to S having an articulation element helically wound around the core wire and Interleaved with the 1 5 wrap wire, wherein the articulation element abuts the adjacent windings of the wrap wire at the point of articulation.
13. A string assembly according to claim 12, wherein the articulation element is an additional wire.