GB2576226A

GB2576226A - Guitar accessory

Info

Publication number: GB2576226A
Application number: GB1907481.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Delahaye Tony; David Charles Cooper Andrew
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-05-28
Filing date: 2019-05-28
Publication date: 2020-02-12
Also published as: GB2574200A; GB201907481D0; GB201808686D0

Abstract

A guitar accessory for use when fitting a string to a tremolo unit comprises a wedge shaped body. The body has a blunt end and a sharp end joined by first and second opposing and non-parallel surfaces. The guitar accessory is configured to be inserted beneath a bridge bar of a tremolo unit on a guitar to hold a guitar string in place whilst the string is being fitted. The surfaces of the wedge are preferably deformable and may be made from rubber or plastic. The angle between the first and second opposing surfaces is preferably between 5 and 30 degrees. The accessory may display indicia and may include an LED. The blunt end may form a deformable and high friction mouth to receive a tuning key to facilitate tightening of the guitar string. Claims to a kit of parts and to a method of using the accessory are also disclosed.

Description

GUITAR ACCESSORY

Field of Invention

This invention relates to a guitar accessory. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a guitar accessory having a wedge shaped body configured to be inserted below a bridge bar of a tremolo unit on a guitar to hold a guitar string in place whilst the string is being fitted. The invention also relates to a kit of parts comprising a guitar accessory and a tremolo unit, and to a method of fitting a guitar string using a guitar accessory.

Background to the invention

As a guitarist, knowing how to change your strings is an essential maintenance skill. Guitar strings have a way of breaking at the most inopportune times, like during a performance. Knowing how to change a broken string right there and on the spot is a must. It can be a fiddly process especially for the novice guitarist. But a broken string isn't the only reason to change your strings.

While old guitars improve with age, old strings typically do not. As guitar strings age, tone and intonation are negatively affected by a build-up of dirt, sweat, dead skin, and oils found naturally on the fingers. Strings can start to sound dull, become difficult to play, and are prone to breakage. A fresh set of strings will remedy this. New strings have a brighter tone. They stay in tune better and are easier on the fingers. Strings break and they need changing.

Guitars fitted with tremolo units or whammy bars can be very awkward and fiddly to change guitar strings on and if a string breaks during a live performance, the most inopportune times, the speed at which you change that string is all important. Not all guitarist will have a back up guitar ready to take over or the support of a guitar technician in the “wings” ready to jump into action to and change a broken string. Most guitarists performing live will have to sort it by themselves, there and then and usually in low light, hot, humid conditions, uncomfortable position and of course now under pressure to get back to the performance.

Even considering a professional guitar technician on tours and festivals around the globe, they need to get vital and preferred instruments back to the performer as quickly as possible. Many guitarists and guitar techs would welcome a “third hand” or some support when changing a tremolo unit guitar string and usually that extra help is never around when you need it and when you are under pressure to get the guitar back to the guitarist on stage.

Summary of invention.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a guitar accessory having a wedge shaped body comprising a blunt end and a sharp end joined by first and second opposing and non-parallel surfaces, wherein the guitar accessory is configured to be inserted beneath a bridge bar of a tremolo unit on a guitar to hold a guitar string in place whilst the string is being fitted.

The guitar accessory is ready to go at any time and support the changing of the string and speed up the time it takes to fit a string on a tremolo unit.

It may be that the blunt end forms a mouth configured to receive a tuning key to facilitate tightening of the guitar string.

Placing the mouth over the tuning key allows for faster winding than would normally be possible which reduces the time taken to fit a string.

The guitar accessory may comprise a deformable and high friction insert inside the mouth configured to flex and grip different tuning key sizes.

At least one of the first and second opposing surfaces may be a high friction surface for holding the string. It may be that both the first and second opposing surfaces are high friction surfaces for holding the string.

At least one of the first and second surfaces may comprise ribs for holding the string.

It may be that the guitar accessory comprises a layer of high friction material attached to one or both of the first and second opposing surfaces.

It may be that at least one of the first and second opposing surfaces is a deformable surface configured to yield to the guitar string with the application of pressure from a user. Both the first and second opposing surfaces may be deformable surfaces configured to yield to the guitar string with the application of pressure from a user.

It may be that the guitar accessory comprises a layer of deformable material attached to one of both of the first and second opposing surfaces.

A deformable surface in contact with the sting may let the string ‘dig in’ to the surface, this increases the friction acting on the string since the string is surrounded by the deformable material or surface.

The body may be formed of rubber.

Alternatively, the body may be formed of plastic.

It may be that the body is formed of a single unitary piece.

It may be that the angle between the first and second opposing surfaces is in the range 5° to 30°. It may be that the angle is in the range 10° to 25°. It may be that the angle is in the range 14° to 20°. It may be that the angle is 16.6°.

Having the surfaces at an angle specifically designed for insertion below the bridge bar allows the guitar accessory to be easily fitted into the tremolo unit without snagging, catching, or damaging the string.

One or more surfaces of the guitar accessory may be provided with indicia.

It may be that the guitar accessory comprises an LED.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts comprising a tremolo unit, and a guitar accessory according to the first aspect.

The kit of parts may further comprise a guitar wherein the tremolo unit is optionally fitted to the guitar.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of fitting a guitar string to a guitar having a tremolo unit using a guitar accessory according to the first aspect to hold the string on the tremolo whilst securing the opposite end of the string to a corresponding tuning post.

The method may further comprise the step of tightening the string by rotating the tuning key using the mouth in the blunt end of the body.

It will be understood that where mentioned herein, the terms guitar accessory, guitar tool, tool, DogTooth, and DogToothTM are interchangeable. All refer to the guitar accessory defined in claim 1 and described below.

The DogToothTM is a functional easy to use guitar tool made from lightweight construction materials and has NO moving parts offering a lifetime of easy string changing assistance on electric guitar tremolo set-ups. Having a DogTooth in your pocket and ready to hand means Professionals, Semi-professionals and novices alike can with ease and speed change strings on tremolo units with the DogToothTM.

Brief description of drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure la shows the guitar accessory in use, inserted below the bridge bar of a tremolo unit on a guitar.

Figure lb shows an embodiment of the guitar accessory in use, placed over a tuning key to facilitate tightening of a string.

Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the guitar accessory with indicia provided on a surface.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the guitar accessory with indicia provided on a surface.

Figure 4 shows a profile of an exemplary embodiment of a guitar accessory according to the invention.

What does it do?

The DogToothTM is a small wedge type peg, which is specifically designed for easy and faster string changing on electric guitars with Tremolo units or Whammy Bars, which are either fitted at point of manufacture, or for Guitars, which are fitted with various Tremolo units post manufacture.

The DogToothTM aids the fitting of a string by acting as a securing wedge, holding the string into place on a tremolo unit or whammy bar 1 leaving the guitarist or guitar technicians hands free to work on fitting the string through and onto the other parts of the guitars string tuning mechanism.

What is it made from?

The DogToothTM tool can be made from a various materials including Rubber, Plastics, Wood and Metal compounds. The type of material used will depend on the level of guitarist using the DogToothTM. For the novice it could be a cheaper, more cost-effective material for the professional where the “look” of a guitar tool is as important as the guitar its self-more expensive materials may be use.

The materials could be of any colour and could match the guitar colour completing look and feel for the guitar. The tool could also have a luminous effect or small LED fitted so the tremolo could be clearly seen in dark conditions such as a concert and easily found or picked up if set aside for the one moment when the guitar string breaks. A small hole could be drilled through the DogToothTM where a string could be fitted thus enabling the tool to be hung up or even worn around the neck on a key fob.

There is a certain vanity associated with guitar tooling at the high end of the market and the professional guitarist would be happy to pay for the same functionality at a higher price if the look and feel of the tool is of a higher quality. The intension would be to cater the DogTooth for the different price and style markets its will be used in. At the very high end of the market there would even be “custom made” DogToothTM

What are its features?

The DogToothTM is designed to be easily handled and depending on the material it can be lightweight and almost unnoticeable if made from plastic or rubber. If status or look are key to the user it could be constructed in a more expensive, refined material adding weight and feel to the tool, something someone would pick up and immediately recognise as quality item.

The wedge is designed to be an optimum angle to be easily fitted into the tremolo unit or whammy bar without snagging or catching and importantly without damaging the new string being fitted.

Depending on the specific type of tremolo unit or whammy bar the DogToothTM can have a slightly raised ribbed effect to aid and support the fitting process and hold the string securely in place while the string changing takes place. The ribbing effect would be high enough to hold it into position but not too much as to catch any components on the tremolo unit or whammy bar ensuring the string is not snagged while inserting or removing the tool. The ribbing feature would be symmetrical on both sides so as to add to the look and feel of the DogToothTM tool.

The unit is designed to be comfortable to handle during fitting and removal. The wide end of the DogToothTM tool can be cut out as in the figures shown and this could be an extra feature enabling the tool to be used as a guitar turning key. However, it is also expected to be manufactured in a solid and basic wedge version this is catering for the more purist guitarist that knows what they want a tool to do with no other features.

Other design features could include logos on the DogToothTM tool 3 or engraving a name or short message for that personal touch and ideal for branded giveaways at functions and exhibitions.

How does it work?

Tool position, a.

The Dogtooth’s innovative wedge design can fit Tremolo units and Whammy Bars. It is positioned by placing the sharp end of the tool under the bridge string carrier bar holding the string in place on the bridge pins, which are mounted on the bridge bar. This then secures the string holding it in place firmly then enabling the string to be thread into the tuning key at the top of the Guitar neck, the string is then part wound on until enough purchase has been made to hold the string on the bridge of the tremolo bar.

Tool position with a key turner cut. b.

The Dogtooth can then be simply removed from its a. position and then placed into its b. position on the tuning Key 5 located at the end of the guitars neck. The dogtooth unit can then be fast wound using an index finger winding action in a clockwise motion. Tightening the string ready for finer tuning. The Spanner or mouth end 4 of the tool Unit is either made from a flexible compound or a rubber insert is placed within the spanner mouth to allow it to flex and grip various sizes of tuning keys which are positioned on the guitars neck enabling it to be then used as a fast stringwinding tool to finish off the string change.

Summary of technical design

The Design of the Dogtooth unit has been specifically engineered so it can be used on many types of tremolo units. The sharp wedge end of the unit (figure a.) has been designed to simply secure the string on the bridge pin of a Tremolo. The Tooth end or Spanner (figure b.) has been specifically designed to grip a range of tuning key sizes. This is obtained using either an entirely rubber or plastic moulded unit or in case of other materials being used in production a rubber sleeve is placed within the mouth of the spanner unit enabling it to again grip various Tuning Keys and designs found on electric Guitars. The tool speeds up and simplifies the string changing process on guitars with tremolo units fitted.

Claims

1. A guitar accessory having a wedge shaped body comprising a blunt end and a sharp end joined by first and second opposing and non-parallel surfaces, wherein the guitar accessory is configured to be inserted beneath a bridge bar of a tremolo unit on a guitar to hold a guitar string in place whilst the string is being fitted.

2. A guitar accessory according to claim 1, wherein the blunt end forms a mouth configured to receive a tuning key to facilitate tightening of the guitar string.

3. A guitar accessory according to claim 2, wherein the guitar accessory comprises a deformable and high friction insert inside the mouth configured to flex and grip different tuning key sizes.

3. A guitar accessory according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least one of the first and second opposing surfaces is a high friction surface for holding the string.

4. A guitar accessory according to claim 3, wherein both the first and second opposing surfaces are high friction surfaces for holding the string.

5. A guitar accessory according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the first and second surfaces comprises ribs for holding the string.

6. A guitar accessory according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the guitar accessory comprises a layer of high friction material attached to one or both of the first and second opposing surfaces.

7. A guitar accessory according to any preceding claim wherein at least one of the first and second opposing surfaces is a deformable surface configured to yield to the guitar string with the application of pressure from a user.

8. A guitar accessory according to claim 7, wherein both the first and second opposing surfaces are deformable surfaces configured to yield to the guitar string with the application of pressure from a user.

9. A guitar accessory according to any preceding claim, wherein the guitar accessory comprises a layer of deformable material attached to one of both of the first and second opposing surfaces.

10. A guitar accessory according to any preceding claim, wherein the body is formed of rubber.

11. A guitar accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the body is formed of plastic.

12. A guitar accessory according to any preceding claim wherein the body is formed of a single unitary piece.

13. A guitar accessory according to any preceding claim, wherein the angle between the first and second opposing surfaces is in the range 5° to 30°.

14. A guitar accessory according to claim 13, wherein the angle is in the range 10° to 25°.

15. A guitar accessory according to claim 14, wherein the angle is in the range 14° to 20°.

16. A guitar accessory according to claim 15, wherein the angle is 16.6°.

17. A guitar accessory according to any preceding claim, wherein one or more surfaces of the guitar accessory are provided with indicia.

18. A guitar accessory according to any preceding claim, wherein the guitar accessory comprises an LED.

19. A kit of parts comprising a tremolo unit having a bridge bar, and a guitar accessory according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

20. A kit of parts according to claim 19, further comprising a guitar wherein the tremolo unit is optionally fitted to the guitar.

21. A method of fitting a guitar string to a guitar having a tremolo unit having a bridge bar, using a guitar accessory according to any of claims 1 to 18 to hold the string on the bridge bar whilst securing the opposite end of the string to a

5 corresponding tuning key.

22. A method of fitting a guitar string according to claim 21 using a guitar accessory according to claim 2, or any of claims 3 to 18 when dependent on claim 2, further comprising the step of tightening the string by rotating the tuning key using

10 the mouth.