WO2006090357A2

WO2006090357A2 - Bridge for stringed instruments

Info

Publication number: WO2006090357A2
Application number: PCT/IL2006/000122
Authority: WO
Inventors: Guy Fayman; Refael Rotstein
Original assignee: Guy Fayman; Refael Rotstein
Priority date: 2005-02-22
Filing date: 2006-01-31
Publication date: 2006-08-31
Also published as: WO2006090357A3

Abstract

The present invention provides a bridge installed in various stringed instruments. The bridge (22) is provided in the instrument body (10) beneath the strings and allows a tremolo effect to the string (12). The bridge (22) comprises at least one burrow (30) provided along and below the string (12) at least one sliding element (28) through which the string (12) passes adapted to slide within the burrow (30) from a predetermined position. The bridge (22) further comprises at least one resilient element (32) adapted to reposition the sliding element (28) to the predetermined position and a pulley provided in the sliding element (28) wherein the string (12) rests on the pulley (42). The tremolo effect is achieved when the sliding element (28) is moved from the predetermined position and reposition. The bridge (22) of the present invention allows a tremolo effect on each string ( 12) individually while each string (12) can be manipulated simultaneously in different direction.

Description

BRIDGE FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to bridge for stringed instruments, especially a guitar. More particularly, the present invention relates to a guitar bridge adapted to be installed on various types of guitars and adapted to allow variety of tremolo effects during playing on the guitar.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Musical instruments of different kinds were developed over the years of human being evolvement. String instruments are mentioned already in the bible. King David was playing on a guitar like instrument and basically, thousand of string instrument were develop over the years through out the world. The love of people to music and yearn for versatility and novelty were the trigger to develop instruments having different effects and sounds. In order to do so, different devices as well as add-on devices were designed in order to perform those different effects. For stringed instruments, devices forming a Tremolo effect were developed and variety Tremolo effects were performed, especially by music specialists.

Among the devices and methods that were developed, the most popular one is described in several patents of Rose. As an example, patent no. 4,171 ,661 "Guitar Tremolo method and apparatus" filed in 1977. The method and apparatus teaches the use of Tremolo devices complimented by string restraining assemblies for guitars that are designed in such manner that that the Tremolo device can be used without altering the basic tuning when the Tremolo device returns to the normal, inactive position. The method and device incorporate the use of a Tremolo device base plate anchoring means anchoring the base plate to the face of the guitar at a tilt point in such manner that there is no movement allowed other than the normally desired tremolo tilting movement. Another patent of Rose is disclosed in US patent number 5,705,760 "tuning systems for stringed instrument" was filed in 1995. This instrument allows prior adjustment of the cords. The Floyd Rose bridges have the disadvantage of being in inactive or activated ^"positions while the transformation between the inactive and active positions during playing the guitar is impossible. One should play with the tremolo effect or without it.

Other devices were developed too, such as described in US patent no. 6,384,311 "Guitar having tremolo device on each string thereof by Cota. The described string instrument comprises, in combination, a body with a neck extending forwardly therefrom. The neck has a tuning portion mounted opposite the body which is adapted to receive one end of a plurality of strings. The tuning portion adjusts the tension on each of the plurality of strings. The other end of the plurality of strings is attached to the body. A plurality of pickup elements is positioned on the body proximate to the neck. A plurality of tremolo mechanisms corresponding to the plurality of strings is attached to the end of the plurality of strings attached to the body. The described device is hard to operate and it seems like the musician has to have too many hands in order to activate the tremolo effect. Another device for obtaining favorable vibrato effect is disclosed by Kato et al. in US patent no. 4,782,732 "Split tremolo device" filed in 1988. the tremolo device comprises a string support assembly consisting of at least two individually pivoted segments, each individually carrying a string anchoring member, a spring for biasing the string support assembly in the direction for applying tension to the string and a handle bar for pivoting the segment against the biasing force of the string in the direction to reduce the tension of the string. By selectively or jointly moving the handle bars of the different segments, hitherto unknown special vibrato effects can be created. In another device explained in US patent no. 4,742,750 "adjustable fine tuning bridge system and tremolo for stringed musical instrument" by Storey filed in 1986, there is a unique mounting system and a bridge. Pair of screws having blade- like heads are connected with the body of the musical instrument. The tremolo is arranged in a recess in the body of the instrument. Again and as described in many of the devices, the tuning is performed before starting to play on the guitar. Performing changes during playing is impossible.

Since new and unique effects are always desirable in music, there is always the need to form new devices enabling the performance of new tones and tremolo effects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bridge adapted to be installed on various stringed instruments.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a bridge for stringed instruments adapted to allow the musician playing on a stringed instrument to perform a Tremolo effect.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a bridge for stringed instruments adapted to allow Tremolo effect by sliding on the string rather then pulling it.

In addition, it is another object of the present invention to provide a bridge for stringed instrument adapted to allow tremolo effect on each string individually while each string can be manipulated simultaneously in different direction.

It is therefore provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a bridge for stringed instruments adapted to be provided in the instrument body beneath the strings and to allow a tremolo effect to a string, the bridge comprising: at least one burrow provided along and below the string; at least one sliding element through which the string passes, wherein each one of said at least one sliding element is partially provided within one of said at least one burrow and is adapted to slide within said one burrow from a predetermined position; at least one resilient element adapted to reposition said at least one sliding element to said predetermined position; a pulley provided in said at least one sliding element wherein the string rests on said pulley; whereby the tremolo effect is achieved when said at least one sliding element is moved from said predetermined position and reposition. Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said predetermined position is adapted to be a position from which said at least one sliding element can be moved to both sides. Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said sliding element is adapted to be moved upwardly and downwardly so as to accord the height of the string.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said sliding element comprises a portion that is moved within said burrow and an adjustable portion that is adjustably connected to said portion so as to allow said adjustable portion to change its height relative to said portion.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, each one of said at least one burrow is provided with a slot through which the sliding element protrudes toward the string.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said resilient element comprises two springs that are provided within the burrow and are connected to the sliding element from both sides and wherein said two springs are connected also to the bridge. Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said two springs are connected to the bridge through a screw that is provided in the burrow and wherein fine adjustments of the position of the sliding element can be performed by adjusting said screw.

Additionally, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said sliding element comprises a supporting bar in its bottom portion and wherein said supporting bar is moves within a recess beneath said burrow. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In order to better understand the present invention and appreciate its practical applications, the following Figures are attached and referenced herein. Like components are denoted by like reference numerals.

It should be noted that the figures are given as examples and preferred embodiments only and in no way limit the scope of the present invention as defined in the appending Description and Claims.

Figure 1 illustrates a guitar bridge in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, incorporated in a guitar's body.

Figure 2 illustrates in details an isometric and partially cross sectioned view of the guitar bridge shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of a sliding element and the adjustment means in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 illustrates in details an isometric view of a guitar bridge in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INEVNTION AND FIGURES

The guitar bridge of the present invention provides a new and unique device adapted to allow special effects on the strings in order to produce virtuosic music. The effect is made on each string individually and can be performed during playing without the need to pre-adjust the strings in advance. The device of the present invention is an add-on device that can be installed in all types of stringed instrument and especially guitars.

The bridge of the present invention is installed beneath each string so that the effect can be performed on each string. The tremolo effect of the present invention is performed by sliding mechanism is oppose to existing mechanisms that are based on pulling the strings. Since the sliding operation is so easy to perform, one can easily operate it while playing the guitar.

The sliding mechanism enables the player of the guitar to play with the tunes so that the pitch can be increased or decreased according to the decision of the player on the spot.

Reference is made to Figure 1 illustrating a guitar bridge in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, incorporated in a guitar's body. A guitar's body 10 has six strings 12 extending from the head of the guitar (not shown in the Figures) to a bridge unit 14. Pick ups 16 such as a treble pick-up, mid pick-up or bass pick-up are provided in a regular manner within guitar's body 10. Volume control 18 and tune control 20 are also provided on guitar's body 10. The present invention comprises an additional bridge 22 that is connected to guitar's body 10 beneath strings 12 using preferably four screws 24. Along each string, bridge 22 is provided with a slot 26 beneath which a connected burrow 30 is provided. Burrow 30 is substantially parallel to slot 26 and extends outwardly from both sides of the slot substantially all through the length of bridge 22.

A sliding element 28 is provided in bridge 22, wherein the sliding element is adapted to slide along and within slot 26, and therefore, sliding element 28 comprises an upper portion that protrudes outwardly of the slot and a bottom portion that is positioned within burrow 30. String 12 passes through a hollow in the upper portion of sliding element 28 (the hollow is not shown in Figure 1 and is shown in the detailed figures herein after). Sliding element 28 slides within slot 26 while the string is held within the hole so that a tremolo effect is formed when it slides upon the string. After the effect is achieved, sliding element 28 is returned automatically to its original position. It can be seen that the sliding elements can slide in both direction in order to achieve even better interesting and versatile tremolo or vibration effect.

In order to better understand the structure of the bridge, reference is now made to Figure 2 illustrating in details an isometric and partially sectioned view of the guitar bridge shown in Figure 1.

Fine tuning of sliding element 28 can be performed using two springs 32 and 34 that are provided within burrow 30 and are connected in the following manner: each spring has two ends wherein one end is connected to a screw 36 that is provided at the outer end of burrow 30 and a second end that is connected to an adjustment means 38 that is provided substantially in the center of burrow 30. In this way, adjustment means 38 is connected from both sides to springs 32 and 34 that are connected to the ends of the burrow that substantially extend all through bridge 22. Screwing inwardly or outwardly screws 36 will cause small misplacements of adjustment means 38 that can be adjusted in this manner. Adjustment means 38 is connected to the bottom portion of sliding element 28 so that when adjustment means 38 is slightly misplaced, sliding element 28 is also misplaced accordingly.

The upper portion of sliding element 28 is designed to have a hole 40 that pass through the element from both sides so that a string (shown in Figure 1) pass through hole 40. A sliding pulley 42 is provided within hole 40 and is supported by an axle 44 that is connected to sliding element 28 using a screw 46. The strings of the guitar pass through hole 40 and rests on sliding pulley 42. When sliding element 28 is moved from its positioning, a tremolo effect is achieved due to the contact point between the string and the pulley. As a default, all sliding elements 28 are aligned as shown in Figure 1 ; however, the player playing on the guitar can push using his fingers the sliding elements as shown in Figure 2 according to arrows 50. After the tremolo effect was achieved, the sliding elements are repositioned to their original positioning by the force of springs 32 and 34. In order to achieve another tremolo effect, the player can remove the sliding elements again. It is important to notice that the sliding elements can be removed to both sides of the bridge as mentioned herein before so as to achieve an effect to both sides to acquire an effect that is more interesting. The player can move one sliding element to one side while the other can be moved to the other side. Moreover, the effect can be achieved and changed during playing on the guitar, a fact that improves markedly the instrument when compared to existing stringed instruments.

Reference is now made to Figure 3 illustrating an exploded view of a sliding element and the adjustment means in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As mentioned herein before, the bottom portion of sliding element 28 is connected to adjustment means 38. Bottom portion 52 of sliding element 28 is adapted to be inserted within a hole 54 provided within adjustment means 38. The height of sliding element 28 relative to adjustment means 38 can be changed according to the convenience of the player. Since the strings rests on the sliding element, its height will affect the height of the strings from the guitar's body. After the height of the sliding element has been determined by the player, bottom portion 52 is fastened using an Ellen screw 56 that is screwed into adjustment means through an appropriate tunnel 58 that is perpendicular to bottom portion 52.

Optionally, the height adjustment is not possible and the sliding element is incorporated with the adjustment means as a united unit.

Reference is now made to Figure 4 illustrating in details an isometric view of a guitar bridge in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fine tuning of sliding element 100 can be performed using two springs as described herein before, in the previous embodiment. The upper portion of sliding element 100 is designed also in the same manner as previously explained. A hole 40 that pass through the element from both sides so that a string (shown in Figure 4) pass through it. A sliding pulley 42 is provided within hole 40 and is supported by an axle 44 that is connected to sliding element 100 using a screw 46. The tremolo effect is achieved in the same manner as explained herein before. The sliding element 100 as shown in Figure 4 comprises a bottom portion rendering the sliding elements enhanced stability. Adjustment means 38 is provided with an additional bottom portion that is built as a supporting bar 102 that is provided beneath burrow 30, in an elongated recess 104 that is adapted to allow supporting bar 102 to slide within the recess. Supporting bar 102 renders stability to sliding element 100. All other mechanisms are similar to the embodiment shown herein before.

It should be noted that the number of burrows and sliding elements accord the number of strings that is provided in the stringed instrument.

It should be clear that the description of the embodiments and attached Figures set forth in this specification serves only for a better understanding of the invention, without limiting its scope as covered by the following Claims.

It should also be clear that a person skilled in the art, after reading the present specification can make adjustments or amendments to the attached Figures and above described embodiments that would still be covered by the following Claims.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. A bridge for stringed instruments adapted to be provided in the instrument body beneath the strings and to allow a tremolo effect to a string, the bridge comprising: at least one burrow provided along and below the string; at least one sliding element through which the string passes, wherein each one of said at least one sliding element is partially provided within one of said at least one burrow and is adapted to slide within said one burrow from a predetermined position; at least one resilient element adapted to reposition said at least one sliding element to said predetermined position; a pulley provided in said at least one sliding element wherein the string rests on said pulley; whereby the tremolo effect is achieved when said at least one sliding element is moved from said predetermined position and reposition.

2. The bridge as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein said predetermined position is adapted to be a position from which said at least one sliding element can be moved to both sides.

3. The bridge as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein said sliding element is adapted to be moved upwardly and downwardly so as to accord the height of the string.

4. The bridge as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said sliding element comprises a portion that is moved within said burrow and an adjustable portion that is adjustably connected to said portion so as to allow said adjustable portion to change its height relative to said portion.

5. The bridge as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein each one of said at least one burrow is provided with a slot through which the sliding element protrudes toward the string.

6. The bridge as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said resilient element comprises two springs that are provided within the burrow and are connected to the sliding element from both sides and wherein said two springs are connected also to the bridge.

7. The bridge as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said two springs are connected to the bridge through a screw that is provided in the burrow and wherein fine adjustments of the position of the sliding element can be performed by adjusting said screw.

8. The bridge as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein said sliding element comprises a supporting bar in its bottom portion and wherein said supporting bar is moves within a recess beneath said burrow.

9. A bridge for stringed instruments substantially as described in the above specification, attached Figures and appending Claims.