US2446267A - Violin bridge - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 3, 1948. HN 2,446,267

VIOLIN BRIDGE Filed May 24, 1945 Y Inventor Gear-96 Z Z/777 -By M Patented Aug. 3, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VIOLIN BRIDGE George. Dahn, Richmond, Va.

Application May-24, 1945, Serial No. 595,552,

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to an improved violin bridge characterized by certain structural improvements and refinements such as coordinate, it is believed, in providing a bridge which better fulfills the requirements of volume plus resonance of tone.

It is a consensus of opinion, I believe, that two types of wooden violin bridges are most commonly in use. For example, there is the ever popular Stradivarius and the more recently popular Gosparlin. The Gosparlin bridge is shown, for example, in U. S. Patent 1,783,117 of November 25, 1930, whereas the somewhat conventional Stradivarius type is shown, but not claimed in a patent to E. D. Dennis, U. S. 1,519,982 of October 7, 1924. Various other styles and varieties have been manufactured, sold and experimented with, no doubt.

I have mentioned the aforementioned bridges in order to lay the foundation for the fact that in carrying out the principles of the instant invention, I have evolved and produced what is believed to be a more excellent and better balanced bridge which incorporates the essential features of both the Stradivarius and Gosparlin bridges and, in addition, introduces other features of design and construction, these all contributing to the production of a strong but nevertheless flexible bridge in which each string has an individual responsive and vibratory seat or foundation.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is atop view, that is, a view observin the upper curvate edge of a bridge as constructed in accordance with my idea.

Figure 2 is a face or elevational view of the same.

Figure 3 is an end view observing either end of the bridge.

Figure 4. is the central vertical or transverse section, this on the plane of the line 4--4 'of Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawings by distinguishing reference numerals, it will be seen that the bridge, as a unit, is denoted by the numeral '5 and to the unobserving eye, resembles any ordinary wooden violin bridge. It includes a characteristically shaped and tapered body of standard dimension and has a central notch -B at its bottom defining feet I which rest on the belly of the violin. In the lower half portion, I provide outwardly and downwardly inclining slots 8 opening through the vertical ends or edges 9 and terminating at their inner ends in enlarged holes In. These are also more or less conventional features in violin bridges.

To observe the distinctions and refinements which characterize the improved structure, the bridge should be imaginatively divided into three regions or zones A, B and C. The central zone is provided with a so-called vertical slot II, this being at the direct center of the opposite half-portions A and C. This slot I I opens at its outer end through the usual crown or curvate edge I2 which is receptive of the four strings A, E, D and G. Thus, at properly spaced points I provide the customary seats I3, I4, [5 and 1,6 for said strings.

On opposite sides and at equidistant points I provide auxiliary slots IIa which coordinate with slot l I and these having the usual enlarged-holes I! at the inner ends. These slots a are companion tothe slot II and therefore open through the crown edge I2 and converge slightly. It followsthat the slot II divides the upper region of the bridge into halves A and C, and that the respective auxiliary slots Ila extend into these areas or regions A and 'C as shown. All three slots II and I la open through the edge I 2 between the seats I4 and 15, that is the string seats for the strings A and D. Next, the areas or zones A and C are provided with short narrow kerfs or slots I8l8 and these actually divide the zones A and G into halves, as it were. Finally, there are di agonal slots I9 at opposite end portions having customary holes 2!] at their inner ends, these slots l'9 intersecting and opening through the corners, that is, the corners defined by the 'coacting edges 9 and I2, respectively. It will be noted that the string seats l3 and I6 for the E and G strings are between the respective pairs of slots l8 and I9, respectively. It follows that this multiple arrangement of slots actually defines four distinguishable sectors, one sector for each string, each sector being individually flexible and therefore responsive to the string it accommodates.

My improved bridge is constructed so that it embodies the principles behind the Stradivarius bridge, plus the Gosparlin bridge. It actually embraces several Stradivarius bridges, as it were. The principles of the Gosparlin bridge are employed to splice the bridge not in one but three places so that each bridge of the three has full freedom to respond and vibrate. Other bridges beside the Stradivarius bridge in the past have tried to depart from the Stradivarius ideas resulting in either a poor quality of tone or simply a bridge with volume causing the instrument to sound as though it were fashioned of tin. The Gosparlin bridge is probably the most constructive bridge ever patented. Yet, in my opinion neither Gosparlin nor Stradivarius attained the perfect violin bridge each desired to make. For that reason I have consolidated in one both such bridges.

The bridge may be used on any of the violin family. Though it may appear weak it is actually stronger than the Gosparlin bridge, even when the bridge is less than an eighth of an inch thick at the foot and gives a, brilliant tone devoid of any tin sound. It will improve the tone of a harsh loud violin as well as a violin which has a feeble and sweet tone for Stradivarius strove for sweetness of tone, while the Gosparlin bridge stressed volume. Combining the principles of ing feet and having the usual curvate crownboth bridges there is reason to believe that this is a bridge which may be the ideal bridge.

A careful consideration of the foregoing description in conjunction with the invention as illustrated in the drawings will enable the reader to obtain a clear understanding and impression of the alleged features of merit and novelty sufficient to clarify the construction of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Minor changes in shape, size, materials and rearrangement of parts may be resorted to in actual practice so long as no departure is made from the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. A violin bridge of conventional rectangular form including a body having pair of supporting feet and having the usual curvate crownedge for reception of regular notches to seat the usual strings, the crown portion of said body having a central slot terminating at its inner end at the median zone of the body having its outer end opening through said crown-edge, and being further provided, on opposite sides of said central slot with auxiliary slots, the latter converging toward said central slot and also opening at their edge for reception of regular notches to seat the usual strings, said crown-edge and the adjacent portion ofsaid body having a central slot terminating at its inner end at the median zone of the body and having its outer end opening through said crown-edge, said body being further provided, on opposite sides of said central slot with auxiliary slots, the latter converging toward said central slot and also opening at their outer ends through said crown-edge and said open outer ends being spaced and disposed equi-distant on opposite sides of said central slot, and a pair of individual diagonal corner-slots, each opening at its outer end through a co -acting corner of the body.

- GEORGE DAHN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,783,117 Gosparlin Nov. 25, 1930 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 63,157 Switzerland Mar. 10, 1913

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