WO2020157588A1 - Système de fixation des cordes d'un instrument à cordes - Google Patents

Système de fixation des cordes d'un instrument à cordes Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020157588A1
WO2020157588A1 PCT/IB2020/050252 IB2020050252W WO2020157588A1 WO 2020157588 A1 WO2020157588 A1 WO 2020157588A1 IB 2020050252 W IB2020050252 W IB 2020050252W WO 2020157588 A1 WO2020157588 A1 WO 2020157588A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
strings
bridge unit
stringed instrument
bridge
unit
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2020/050252
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Anish Sudhanva KOLHATKAR
Original Assignee
KOLHATKAR, Sudhanva Madhav
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by KOLHATKAR, Sudhanva Madhav filed Critical KOLHATKAR, Sudhanva Madhav
Publication of WO2020157588A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020157588A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10D—STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACCORDIONS OR CONCERTINAS; PERCUSSION MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; AEOLIAN HARPS; SINGING-FLAME MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10D3/00—Details of, or accessories for, stringed musical instruments, e.g. slide-bars
    • G10D3/04—Bridges
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10D—STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACCORDIONS OR CONCERTINAS; PERCUSSION MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; AEOLIAN HARPS; SINGING-FLAME MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10D3/00—Details of, or accessories for, stringed musical instruments, e.g. slide-bars

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to the field of musical instruments. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a system for fastening strings of a stringed instrument.
  • Tuning of stringed musical instrument or lute instrument such as a guitar can be achieved either by increasing or decreasing the tension on a given string of the instrument, thereby raising or lowering, respectively, the pitch of the string.
  • the other type of string tuning is referred to as intonation or string length tuning, which is accomplished by altering the distance between the points at which a given string contacts the bridge and nut elements of the instrument.
  • Lute instrument incorporates a bridge and nut assembly to engage the two ends of the strings of the instruments. Tuning of the strings is done by varying the tension in the strings between the nut and the bridge.
  • the pivot axis about which the bridge pivots has high friction. High friction prevents the bridge from coming back to perfect neutral position when force on the bridge (arm of bridge) is removed.
  • the friction can be minimized by either having a knife edge pivot or by using bearings. Knife edge tends to wear over time and becomes blunt, thereby increasing friction and failing to operate as intended.
  • Patent document number US4549461 discloses a fine-tuning apparatus which functions as the bridge element of a stringed instrument.
  • the fine-tuning apparatus includes a base element and a series of fine-tuning elements, one for each string.
  • Each fine-tuning element includes a forward block element and a rear block element which is rotatable relative to the forward block element.
  • a string of the musical instrument makes critical contact with the fine- tuning apparatus at point on the rear block element and maintains surface contact with the rear block element as the surface slopes downwardly and rearwardly from the bridge critical contact point, until the point where the string is clamped against surface.
  • Means are provided for adjusting the rotatable position of the rear block element relative to the forward block element, which results in a change in the tension of the string and hence the fine tune of the string
  • the cited patent document provides an apparatus for fine tuning stringed instrument which includes a floating type bridge for countering the bending of the strings. Besides, it does not cater to limit the high friction at the pivot point of the bridge while floating and does not provide any means for adjusting the height and intonation of the strings. Also, sliding of the strings at the end point causes loss in tuning. Further, the bridge has no locking means to lock it at a desired angle.
  • the numbers expressing quantities or dimensions of items, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term“about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
  • the present disclosure relates to the field of musical instruments. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a system for fastening strings of a stringed instrument.
  • An aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a system for fastening strings of a stringed instrument, the system including: a bridge unit pivotally coupled to a body of the stringed instrument, said bridge unit may include a plurality of string anchor means for engaging one end of a plurality of strings of the stringed instrument, wherein the bridge unit pivots about a first axis extending transversely to the strings of the stringed instrument and parallel to the top surface of the stringed instrument body and enables movement of the one end of the plurality of strings in the direction of the plurality of strings; a nut unit configured to a neck of the stringed instrument and at a distal end defined at a position away from the body of the stringed instrument, said nut unit comprising: a plurality of grooves for engaging a second end of the plurality of strings of the stringed instrument; and a plurality of clamping means configured to limit deflection of the second end of the plurality of strings at the plurality of grooves; a lever
  • the bridge unit may include one or more springs configured to counter a moment produced due to movement of the one end of the plurality of strings in the direction of the plurality of strings.
  • a spring compression adjuster may be configured with the one or more springs to adjust its compression.
  • an intonation adjustment means may be configured to the plurality of string anchor means to adjust intonation of the strings of the stringed instrument.
  • a height adjustment means may be configured to the plurality of string anchor means to adjust the height of the plurality of strings relative to the bridge unit.
  • the bridge unit may be pivotally coupled to the body of the stringed instrument body by a shaft and bearing means.
  • the locking means may include a locking shaft with a wedge profile, wherein the locking shaft is configured to rotate in a hole positioned in the bridge unit.
  • the bridge unit may include a channel for engagement of the wedge profile of the locking shaft, when the bridge unit is in locked position.
  • the lever may be configured to facilitate rotation of the locking shaft in the hole of the bridge unit.
  • surface of the plurality of grooves and surface of the plurality of clamping means of the nut unit may have a curvature, which enables limiting the deflection of the second end of the plurality of strings at the nut unit.
  • FIGs. 1A to ID illustrate exemplary perspective views and side views of bridge unit of the proposed system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary perspective views of the nut unit of the proposed system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIGs. 3A and 3B illustrate bottom view the bridge unit in an unlocked position and a locked position respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIGs. 4A to 4C illustrate the bridge unit in a floating state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the present disclosure relates to the field of musical instruments. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a system for fastening strings of a stringed instrument.
  • a system for fastening strings of a stringed instrument, the system including: a bridge unit pivotally coupled to a body of the stringed instrument, said bridge unit comprising a plurality of string anchor means for engaging one end of a plurality of strings of the stringed instrument, wherein the bridge unit pivots about a first axis extending transversely to the strings of the stringed instrument and parallel to the top surface of the stringed instrument body and enables movement of the one end of the plurality of strings in the direction of the plurality of strings; a nut unit configured to a neck of the stringed instrument and at a distal end defined at a position away from the body of the stringed instrument, said nut unit including a plurality of grooves for engaging a second end of the plurality of strings of the stringed instrument; and a plurality of clamping means configured to limit deflection of the second end of the plurality of strings at the plurality of grooves; a lever
  • the bridge unit can include one or more springs configured to counter a moment produced due to movement of the one end of the plurality of strings in the direction of the plurality of strings.
  • a spring compression adjuster can be configured with the one or more springs to adjust its compression.
  • an intonation adjustment means can be configured to the plurality of string anchor means to adjust intonation of the strings of the stringed instrument.
  • a height adjustment means can be configured to the plurality of string anchor means to adjust the height of the plurality of strings relative to the bridge unit.
  • the bridge unit can be pivotally coupled to the body of the stringed instrument body by a shaft and bearing means.
  • the locking means can include a locking shaft with a wedge profile, wherein the locking shaft is configured to rotate in a hole positioned in the bridge unit.
  • the bridge unit can include a channel for engagement of the wedge profile of the locking shaft, when the bridge unit is in locked position.
  • the lever can be configured to facilitate rotation of the locking shaft in the hole of the bridge unit
  • surface of the plurality of grooves and surface of the plurality of clamping means of the nut unit can have a curvature and angled clamping surfaces, which can enable limiting the deflection of the second end of the plurality of strings at the nut unit.
  • FIGs. 1A to ID illustrate exemplary perspective views and side views of a bridge unit of the proposed system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • bridge unit 100 (also referred to as bridge 100, herein) of the proposed system can include a bearing support 102 (also referred to as a bearing support base 102, herein) mounted on a top surface of a stringed instrument body (not shown in figure) positioned on the top surface of the stringed instrument in line with a neck of the stringed instrument, a base plate 104 coupled to the bearing support 102 and parallel to the top surface of the stringed instrument body, said base plate 104 can include a plurality of string anchor means 106 (also referred to as saddles 106, herein) to engage one end of the plurality of strings 101 (also referred to as strings 101, herein)of the stringed instrument, and a locking base 108 coupled to the base plate 104 to facilitate the locking of the bridge unit 100 at a pre-defined angle.
  • a bearing support 102 also referred to as a bearing support base 102, herein
  • said base plate 104 can include a plurality of string anchor means 106 (also referred
  • the base plate 104 can be coupled between bearing supports, namely 102-1 and 102-2 (collectively referred to as bearing supports 102, herein), and parallel to the top surface of the stringed instrument.
  • a locking shaft 110 can be fastened in a vertical hole provided on the base plate 104 near the locking base 108 side and configured to freely rotate in the vertical hole.
  • a lever 112 can be coupled to the locking shaft 110 to enable the rotation of the locking shaft 110 in the vertical hole of the base plate 104.
  • a locking shaft plate 114 can be coupled to a top surface of the vertical shaft 110 by a shaft nut 116, but not limited to the likes.
  • the lever 112 can be coupled to the locking shaft plate 114, parallel to the base plate 104 in the direction of a first axis, to enable the movement of the locking shaft 110.
  • the first axis extending parallel to the top surface of the body of the stringed instrument, and in the perpendicular direction of the strings 101.
  • bearings 118 can be configured between the base plate 104 and the bearing support 102, which can be clamped in a groove of the bearing support 102 by a bearing clamp 142 and bearing clamping screw 120, enabling the movement of the base plate/bridge unit about the first axis.
  • the lever 112 can facilitate the movement of the bridge unit 100 about the first axis for adjusting the tension of the strings 10 las per convenience and thereby varying the pitch of the instrument.
  • the rotation of the locking shaft 110 by the movement of the lever 112 can enable the locking shaft 110 to engage with the locking base 108, which can prevent the movement of the bridge unit 100 about the first axis and lock the bridge unit 100 at the pre-defined angle.
  • rotation of the lever 112 towards a direction away from the first axis can enable the locking shaft 110 to engage with the locking base 108.
  • the locking of the bridge unit 100 corresponds to a stationary or rigid bridge.
  • unlocked bridge unit corresponds to a floating bridge unit, where the bridge unit is free to rotate about the bearing along the first axis, enabling the variation in the tension of the strings 101 of the stringed instrument.
  • the bridge unit 100 can be configured with a spring 122 to counter the moment produced due to the tension exerted by the strings 101 of the stringed instrument when tuned to pitch.
  • the spring 122 produces a force countering the tension exerted by the strings 101 and can facilitate bringing the bridge unit into equilibrium state (moment produced due to the strings equals the compression or expansion of the spring). At the equilibrium state, any force applied to the lever 112 in order to lift or depress the bridge unit 100 can momentarily change the balance point.
  • the bridge unit can be configured with a plurality of springs to counter the moment of the strings 101.
  • a block 124 (also referred to as a bridge block 124, herein) can be coupled to the base plate 104 and the bearing support 102 for coupling the spring 122 to the bridge unit 100.
  • the one end of the strings 101 can be clamped at the plurality of string anchor means, which can prevent the deflection of the one end of the strings 101 over the plurality of string anchor means 106.
  • the one end of the strings 101 can be engaged with the plurality of string anchor means 106 by a string clamping screw 126, but not limited to the likes.
  • the spring 122 can be configured with a spring compression adjustment wheel 128 (also referred to as wheel 128 or spring compression adjuster, herein) to adjust the compression of the spring 122.
  • a screw mount 130 can be fastened to the body of the instrument, such that rotation of the wheel 128 threaded in the screw mount 130 produces a linear motion of a screw shaft 140, parallel to the strings 101 and thereby the adjustment of the compression of the spring 122.
  • the screw shaft 140 can be configured in between the spring 122 and the screw mount 130.
  • the plurality of string anchor means 106 can be configured with a plurality of height adjustment means 132 to facilitate the adjustment of the height of the strings 101 associated to it.
  • the plurality of height adjustment means 132 can include a height screw 134 (also referred to as height adjustment screw 134, herein), whose rotation can facilitate the adjustment of the height of the strings 101.
  • the plurality of string anchor means 106 can be configured with a plurality of string intonation means 136 to facilitate adjustment of intonation of the strings, thereby varying the effective vibrating length of the plurality of strings.
  • the plurality of string intonation means can include an intonation screw 138, whose rotation can facilitate the adjustment of the intonation of the string.
  • the bridge unit 100 can be rotatably coupled to the top surface of the stringed instrument body by a knife edge pivot or a bearing, but not limited to the likes.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary perspective view of the nut unit of the proposed system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • a nut unit 200 (also referred to as nut 200 or nut assembly, herein) of the proposed system can be mounted on a top surface of the stringed instrument body and positioned at a location toward a neck of the stringed instrument.
  • the nut unit 200 can include a plurality of grooves 202-1 to 202-N (collectively referred to as plurality of grooves 202, herein) to accommodate other end (also referred to as a second end) of the strings 101 of the stringed instrument.
  • the nut unit 200 can include a plurality of nut clamps 204 configured on top of the plurality of grooves 202 to enable clamping of the other end of the strings 101 of the stringed instrument at the nut unit, in such a way that the plurality of nut clamps 204-1 to 204-3 (collectively referred to as plurality of nut clamps 204, herein) can prevent the deflection of the other end of the strings 101 of the stringed instrument over the plurality of grooves 202.
  • the plurality of nut clamps 204 can be configured to the nut unit 200 by a plurality of nut clamp screw 206- 1 to 206- 1 (collectively referred to as plurality of nut clamp screws 206, herein).
  • a tuner can be provided near the nut unit side to enable varying the tension in the strings of the stringed instrument.
  • angle of the nut (or surface of the plurality of grooves 202 of nut) and clamping surface of the plurality of nut clamps 204 can be such that, when the strings 101 are under tension, the strings 101 are always in contact with two surfaces of the plurality of grooves 202 and the plurality of clamps 204. Hence when the plurality of clamps is tightened by the plurality of nut clamp screws 206, the strings 101 can be clamped at the nut unit 200 without any deflection.
  • the surface of the nut and the surface of the plurality of nut clamps 204 can have a curvature.
  • string angle of the strings 101 near a head stock of the instrument can be greater than the angle of the surface of the nut 200, such that the strings 101 remains clamped without any deflection when the nut clamp is tightened.
  • FIGs. 3A and 3B illustrate bottom view the bridge unit in an unlocked position and a locked position respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the locking means of the bridge unit 100 can include a locking base 108 coupled to the base plate 104, a locking shaft 110 fastened in a vertical hole provided on the base plate 104 near the locking base side and configured to freely rotate in the vertical hole, and a lever 112 coupled to the locking shaft 110 to enable the rotation of the locking shaft 110 in the vertical hole of the base plate 104.
  • the rotation of the lever 112 can enable the locking shaft 110 to rotate in the vertical hole provided on the base plate 104.
  • the rotation of the locking shaft can enable engagement of a wedge 302 of the locking shaft 110 near its bottom to engage with a channel 304 of the locking base 108.
  • the engagement of the wedge 302 with the channel 304 can lock the bridge unit 100 and prevent further movement of the bridge unit 100 about the first axis.
  • the lever 112 is coupled to the locking shaft 110 and oriented in a direction towards the first axis and parallel to the base plate.
  • the wedge 302 of the locking shaft can disengage with the channel 304 of the locking base 108, when the lever 112 is along the direction of first axis.
  • the lever 112 can be in a direction perpendicular to the first axis, away from the base plate.
  • the wedge 302 of the locking shaft can engage with the channel 304 of the locking base, thereby disabling the movement of the bridge unit 100 about the first axis.
  • FIGs. 4A to 4C illustrate the bridge unit in a floating state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the bridge unit 100 in an unlocked position can correspond to a floating bridge unit, which can enable the movement of the bridge unit about the first axis 402.
  • moment generated by the strings of the stringed instrument can either be greater or lesser than the moment generated by the spring 122. This can cause the bridge unit to either lift up or lift down.
  • the bridge unit is in an equilibrium position, wherein the moment generated by the strings equals the moment generated by the spring of the stringed instrument.
  • the bridge unit can either lift up or dip down once it is in unlocked position, now in order to bring it back into tuning.
  • the wheel (as explained in FIGs. 1A and IB) can be rotated to adjust the compression of the spring, until the bridge unit comes to the same position as that of the locked position. At this position, the bridge unit return into perfect tuning (i.e. locked position and equilibrium position coincides).
  • the moment generated by the strings of the stringed instrument is greater than the moment generated by the spring. This can cause the bridge unit to lift upwards.
  • the spring 122 can be adjusted to change the moment produced by the spring force and vary this force to bring the bridge unit 100 in to equilibrium state to coincide with the locking position, thereby bringing the bridge unit 100 from a lifted position to the equilibrium position.
  • the wheel (as elaborated in FIGs. 1A and IB) can be rotated clockwise or anticlockwise to increase or decrease the compression in the spring 122, thereby either lifting up or lifting down the bridge unit 100.
  • the wheel can be rotated to increase the compression of the spring to counter the moment generated by the strings of the stringed instrument, thereby bringing the bridge unit from the lifted-up position to the equilibrium position.
  • the moment generated by the spring 122 is greater is greater than the moment generated by the strings of the stringed instrument. This can cause the bridge unit 100 to lift downwards.
  • the wheel can be rotated clockwise or anticlockwise to increase or decrease the compression in the spring, thereby lifting up or lifting down the bridge unit.
  • the wheel can be rotated to adjust the compression of the plurality of springs, thereby bringing the bridge unit 100 from the lifted down position to the equilibrium position.
  • the present disclosure provides a system for fastening strings of a stringed instrument.
  • the present disclosure provides a system for fastening strings of a stringed instrument, which can vary the height of the strings relative to a bridge of the instrument.
  • the present disclosure provides a system for fastening strings of a stringed instrument, which can vary the intonation of the strings.
  • the present disclosure provides a bridge assembly for a stringed instrument.
  • the present disclosure provides a bridge assembly for a stringed instrument, which can be used as a stationary bridge as well as a floating bridge.
  • the present disclosure provides a bridge assembly for a stringed instrument, which can be locked at a pre-defined angle with respect to a top surface of the instrument.
  • the present disclosure provides clamping facility at the bridge assembly and the nut, which prevents sliding and deflection of the strings.
  • the present disclosure provides clamping facility at the nut without deformation of strings, which prevents detuning of the instrument after clamping and hence not requiring fine tuners

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système de fixation des cordes d'un instrument à cordes. Le système comporte une unité à pont (100) et une unité à écrou (200), permettant de venir en prise avec deux extrémités de cordes d'un instrument à cordes. Le pont (100) est monté sur un corps de l'instrument et peut tourner à l'aide d'un levier (112) accouplé à l'unité à pont. Le pont (100) comporte un moyen de verrouillage permettant de verrouiller le pont (100) selon un angle prédéfini. Le pont comporte une pluralité de moyens d'ancrage de cordes (106), permettant de venir en prise avec une extrémité des cordes. L'unité à écrou (200) est conçue pour limiter la déviation de la seconde extrémité des cordes. La pluralité de moyens d'ancrage de cordes (106) comprend des moyens de réglage de hauteur (132) et des moyens de réglage d'intonation de cordes (136), permettant de régler respectivement la hauteur et l'intonation des cordes.
PCT/IB2020/050252 2019-01-30 2020-01-14 Système de fixation des cordes d'un instrument à cordes WO2020157588A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IN201921003666 2019-01-30
IN201921003666 2019-01-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2020157588A1 true WO2020157588A1 (fr) 2020-08-06

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PCT/IB2020/050252 WO2020157588A1 (fr) 2019-01-30 2020-01-14 Système de fixation des cordes d'un instrument à cordes

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Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20170301323A1 (en) * 2014-08-22 2017-10-19 William Cardozo Guitar Tremolo Bridge
US9818382B2 (en) * 2011-01-11 2017-11-14 Floyd D. Rose Top mounted tremolo and tuning apparatus

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9818382B2 (en) * 2011-01-11 2017-11-14 Floyd D. Rose Top mounted tremolo and tuning apparatus
US20170301323A1 (en) * 2014-08-22 2017-10-19 William Cardozo Guitar Tremolo Bridge

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