CA2016878C - Bridge locker device - Google Patents
Bridge locker deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA2016878C CA2016878C CA002016878A CA2016878A CA2016878C CA 2016878 C CA2016878 C CA 2016878C CA 002016878 A CA002016878 A CA 002016878A CA 2016878 A CA2016878 A CA 2016878A CA 2016878 C CA2016878 C CA 2016878C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- bridge
- guitar
- floating
- tongue
- groove
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
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
- G10D3/14—Tuning devices, e.g. pegs, pins, friction discs or worm gears
- G10D3/147—Devices for altering the string tension during playing
- G10D3/153—Tremolo devices
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Stringed Musical Instruments (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The floating guitar bridge is a common mechanical device attached to a guitars' strings and body which allows the guitar player to raise or lower the pitch of the guitar strings. This type of bridge is generally called a floating bridge because it is not stable. In other words, the floating bridge has a tendency to move while playing the guitar which can cause many problems. The BRIDGE LOCKER is a guitar bridge locking mechanism which locks floating type mechanical string bending guitar bridges thus disabling the floating bridges' ability to move forwards or backwards, thus making the bridge stable or locked in position.
the object of the BRIDGE LOCKER device is to allow the guitar player to lock and un-lock the floating function of the floating guitar bridge without hindering the guitarist's playing style.
the novelty of the BRIDGE LOCKER is that it locks the bridge to the body of the guitar. Prior art relative to this subject matter teaches a guitar having a bridge with locking mechanisms which lock the strings to the bridge or the position of the tremolo arm.
The floating guitar bridge is a common mechanical device attached to a guitars' strings and body which allows the guitar player to raise or lower the pitch of the guitar strings. This type of bridge is generally called a floating bridge because it is not stable. In other words, the floating bridge has a tendency to move while playing the guitar which can cause many problems. The BRIDGE LOCKER is a guitar bridge locking mechanism which locks floating type mechanical string bending guitar bridges thus disabling the floating bridges' ability to move forwards or backwards, thus making the bridge stable or locked in position.
the object of the BRIDGE LOCKER device is to allow the guitar player to lock and un-lock the floating function of the floating guitar bridge without hindering the guitarist's playing style.
the novelty of the BRIDGE LOCKER is that it locks the bridge to the body of the guitar. Prior art relative to this subject matter teaches a guitar having a bridge with locking mechanisms which lock the strings to the bridge or the position of the tremolo arm.
Description
BAC~G~QUND OF THE INv~NElQ~
Vibrato systems (or tremolo 6ystems) are well known a6 shown for example in U.S. patont #4681010, or 4171661, or 4608g06.
These system~ are generally sold as an attachment to existing guitars and c~n be operated by way of a tremolo arm (or actuating lev~r) to simultaneou~ly relax or increase the tension oS all the strings of the guitar, thereby de-tuning it.
Existing vlbrato eystems have the disadvantage of constantly belng in an unstablo state due to the f~ct that they are on a pivot ~yste~ which gives the vibrato device the ability to move forward and bnckward whic~ is not always desirable in ~any playing conditions where a fixed or stable bridge i~ required.
Many guitari~ts would consider it d~sirablo to have a vibrato system that offerad both a moving vibr~to type action and a fixed action where the bridqe does not move.
SUN~U~L QF THE INv~E~ IQN
The pre~ent invention ~THE BRIDGE LOCKER" overcomes the probleus of the prlor art by providing a ~y~tem which effectively lock~ the vibrato ~y~te~ to the body of the guitar thus addressing the need ~or a fixed or non-moving bridge and can be unlocked to roturn the vibrato ~ystea to its original state without altering the players ~tyle. This i~ acco~pli~hed by having a tongue attached to the arm which engaqe~ it self with a groove whlch is attached to the body of the guitar thus for~ing a tongu~ and groovo typ~ ~olnt whioh can be made or undone by ~oving the arm.
The novelty of thq bridge locker iB that it lock6 the bridge to the body of the guitar. Prior ~rt teaches a guitar having a bridge with locking ~echanis~s which lock the string~ to the bridge or the position of the tremolo ar~.
'~
~-`. 'i~1 ``, ....
. . . .
. . .. ,. .: :
.. . .
- : .
.
8'~8 This invention relates to a manually operated device for locking and unlocking floating guitar bridqe6 to the body or the guitar. From here on in thi~ device shall be know~ as a ~'BRIDGE
LOCKERn .
Part #1 (re: Diagrams for Di~closure Page #1 & #3) i6 the ~tonguen. The tongue is manufactured on a machinist lathe from 1 inch round aluminum stock. The hole on the tongue (re: diagram~
for dlsclosure Page #4 top view) i8 done with a drill pre6s. The two threaded hole6 ~re: diagrams for disclosure Page #4 top view and page 7)are done wit~ a drill press and then threaded with a tap.
P~rt #2 (re: Diagram~ for disclosure pate #1,3~ is the "groove". The groove i8 made from 3/8 ~quare aluminum stock.
First the aluminum i6 cut in 5/8" lengths with a band ~aw. The 810t i~ cut with a horizontal milling machine. Tne two thread holes (re: ~iagram~ for di6closure pag #4) are done with a drill press and then threaded with a tap.
Part #3 (re: Diagrams for di6clo~ure Page #1,3) iB the ~groove holdern. The groove holder iB m~de from 1/2" X 3/4"
aluminum angle iron. Flr~t th~ alu~inu~ angle iron is cut on band 5aw to a length of 5/8~. Two slots are cut into the 5/~"
piece of alu~inum angle iron with a drill mill.
Part #4 (re: Diaqra~s for dis¢losure Paqe #2,3,4) i8 the ~plate washern. The plate washer 18 m~de from 1~32" sheet aluminum. The sheot aluminum i~ cut with a ~hear to a dimension of 3/8~ X 5/8" and then two holes are drilled through the 3/8" X
5/8" piece of sheet aluminum with a drill pr~s.
Part #5 (re: Diagr~m~ for disclosure Page t2,3) is the wood ~crews. Wood screws are a commonly available part which is purcha~ed at a hardware store ~nd is not manufactured by the inventors.
Part t6 (re: Diaqrams for di~closure Page #2,3) i~ the allen ~et ~Grews. Allen ~et scr~ws are a commonly available part which i~ purcha~ed at a hardware store and i8 not manufactured by the invontors. Two are to fasten the tongue to the ~r~ and two are used to raise, lower, and orfset the groove.
Part t7 (re: Diagram~ or di~closure P~ge #2,3) i8 the socket head machino ~crew~. Socket head machlne screws are a com~only available part wnich 18 purcha~ed at a hardware ~tore and lo not manufactured by the lnventors.
Wben all of the afSormentioned component~ are a~sembled one has ~ ~brldgo lockern. The steps involved in assembling the ~bridge lockor~ are cle~rly and consicely explained in the documont entitled ~How to in6tall and operate the "Bridge Locker".
Thi8 docu~ent fully describes the op~ration and use of thi~
invention as contemplated by the invontors. The ex~miner can use this document to aid in vi6ualizing the overall scopo of the invention and should be consldered a8 part of the disclo6ure.
RE: Description of the preferred e~bodiment) .. . ~ .
. ~ ~.. ... .
' - - ~, ~
,: - , , - , 8'~'~8 HOW ~O INS$AL$ AN~ Q~ERATE THE BR~ LOCK~
STEP 1: Attach the tongue to the arm. This ls done by pushing the arm through the hole in the tongue a~ best ~hown in Fig. 1 and lA.
STEP 2: Secure the tongue to the arm by tigntening the Allen set screws as best snown in Fig. 2 and 3. The tongue should be in line with the arm~ Tnl8 i8 just a re~erence point and can be a~justed as best shown in Fig. 2. The Allen screws should be ~ust snug. This will allow you to mak~
a final adjustment later as best ~hown in Fig. 3.
STEP 3: Put the arm with tongue into the arm receptacle on the guitar's bridge as best shown in Fig. 4 and 5.
STEP 4: Loo~en the Allen ~et screws on the tongue 80 that it can be moved up and down on the arm. Adjust the height of the tongue ~o that the tongue does not touch the bridge as best shown in Fig. 6.
STEP 5: With the tongue facing the groove holder the groo~e holder should be paralell to the bridge and 7/32" to 1/4" away from the end of the tongue. Fasten the groove holder to the body of the guitar with the two wood screws a6 best shown in Fig. 7.
STEP 6: Fasten the groove to the groove holder with the two machine screws between the groove holder an the ~achine screws as be~t ~ho~n in Fig. 8 and 9. The m~chine ~crews should be p~rtially loose 80 the ~roove can move up and down on the groove holder. This is required to allow ad~ustment~ to be ~ade.
STEP 7: Nove the tongue throuqh the groove. Use the two off6et and height ~d~u6ting allen ~et ~crews to raise and or lower and of f ~et the groove. Move the tongue throught the groove and if they don't ~esh smoothly, ad~ust the orf~et and height ad~uting allen set screws accordingly. If your bridge locker does not h~ve thi~ option, ad~ust the groove manually.
After they are aligned gently tighten the two ~achine screws a8 be6t shown if ~ig. 10 and 11.
STE~ 8: TNE BRIDGE LOCKER is now installed a~ be~t shown by Fig.
12 and 13 and sould require only periodlo adiustments, due to the gultar strlngs fluctuating tonsion. ~he fluctuating tension of the guitar strings is caused by temperature change and wear. With the arm in it~ nor~al restlng po~ition as best shown if Fig. 1~ the bridge i8 locked~ Since the tongue which is attaahed to the arm ha~ engaqea with the groove which is attached to the body via the groove holder, the bridge locker doo~ not ahanqe the way one normally plays th~
guitar. Sinc~ it i8 only engaqed when the arm is not in u~e in its nor~al ro~ting position a8 best ahown in Fig. 12, tne ~08t common po~i~ions Yor the arm when it i8 in use ~re best ~hown in Flg. 13~ IP th~ players style diatates that the locked an unlocked position~ be different than the ones illustrated in Fig. 12 and 13, the tongue attached to the arm can ~o~o 360 deqrees thus allow~ng the locked and unlocked position Or the bridge loaker to be determinod by the us~r.
. . . - , ~ .
"
- . .. .. .-. -, :
Vibrato systems (or tremolo 6ystems) are well known a6 shown for example in U.S. patont #4681010, or 4171661, or 4608g06.
These system~ are generally sold as an attachment to existing guitars and c~n be operated by way of a tremolo arm (or actuating lev~r) to simultaneou~ly relax or increase the tension oS all the strings of the guitar, thereby de-tuning it.
Existing vlbrato eystems have the disadvantage of constantly belng in an unstablo state due to the f~ct that they are on a pivot ~yste~ which gives the vibrato device the ability to move forward and bnckward whic~ is not always desirable in ~any playing conditions where a fixed or stable bridge i~ required.
Many guitari~ts would consider it d~sirablo to have a vibrato system that offerad both a moving vibr~to type action and a fixed action where the bridqe does not move.
SUN~U~L QF THE INv~E~ IQN
The pre~ent invention ~THE BRIDGE LOCKER" overcomes the probleus of the prlor art by providing a ~y~tem which effectively lock~ the vibrato ~y~te~ to the body of the guitar thus addressing the need ~or a fixed or non-moving bridge and can be unlocked to roturn the vibrato ~ystea to its original state without altering the players ~tyle. This i~ acco~pli~hed by having a tongue attached to the arm which engaqe~ it self with a groove whlch is attached to the body of the guitar thus for~ing a tongu~ and groovo typ~ ~olnt whioh can be made or undone by ~oving the arm.
The novelty of thq bridge locker iB that it lock6 the bridge to the body of the guitar. Prior ~rt teaches a guitar having a bridge with locking ~echanis~s which lock the string~ to the bridge or the position of the tremolo ar~.
'~
~-`. 'i~1 ``, ....
. . . .
. . .. ,. .: :
.. . .
- : .
.
8'~8 This invention relates to a manually operated device for locking and unlocking floating guitar bridqe6 to the body or the guitar. From here on in thi~ device shall be know~ as a ~'BRIDGE
LOCKERn .
Part #1 (re: Diagrams for Di~closure Page #1 & #3) i6 the ~tonguen. The tongue is manufactured on a machinist lathe from 1 inch round aluminum stock. The hole on the tongue (re: diagram~
for dlsclosure Page #4 top view) i8 done with a drill pre6s. The two threaded hole6 ~re: diagrams for disclosure Page #4 top view and page 7)are done wit~ a drill press and then threaded with a tap.
P~rt #2 (re: Diagram~ for disclosure pate #1,3~ is the "groove". The groove i8 made from 3/8 ~quare aluminum stock.
First the aluminum i6 cut in 5/8" lengths with a band ~aw. The 810t i~ cut with a horizontal milling machine. Tne two thread holes (re: ~iagram~ for di6closure pag #4) are done with a drill press and then threaded with a tap.
Part #3 (re: Diagrams for di6clo~ure Page #1,3) iB the ~groove holdern. The groove holder iB m~de from 1/2" X 3/4"
aluminum angle iron. Flr~t th~ alu~inu~ angle iron is cut on band 5aw to a length of 5/8~. Two slots are cut into the 5/~"
piece of alu~inum angle iron with a drill mill.
Part #4 (re: Diaqra~s for dis¢losure Paqe #2,3,4) i8 the ~plate washern. The plate washer 18 m~de from 1~32" sheet aluminum. The sheot aluminum i~ cut with a ~hear to a dimension of 3/8~ X 5/8" and then two holes are drilled through the 3/8" X
5/8" piece of sheet aluminum with a drill pr~s.
Part #5 (re: Diagr~m~ for disclosure Page t2,3) is the wood ~crews. Wood screws are a commonly available part which is purcha~ed at a hardware store ~nd is not manufactured by the inventors.
Part t6 (re: Diaqrams for di~closure Page #2,3) i~ the allen ~et ~Grews. Allen ~et scr~ws are a commonly available part which i~ purcha~ed at a hardware store and i8 not manufactured by the invontors. Two are to fasten the tongue to the ~r~ and two are used to raise, lower, and orfset the groove.
Part t7 (re: Diagram~ or di~closure P~ge #2,3) i8 the socket head machino ~crew~. Socket head machlne screws are a com~only available part wnich 18 purcha~ed at a hardware ~tore and lo not manufactured by the lnventors.
Wben all of the afSormentioned component~ are a~sembled one has ~ ~brldgo lockern. The steps involved in assembling the ~bridge lockor~ are cle~rly and consicely explained in the documont entitled ~How to in6tall and operate the "Bridge Locker".
Thi8 docu~ent fully describes the op~ration and use of thi~
invention as contemplated by the invontors. The ex~miner can use this document to aid in vi6ualizing the overall scopo of the invention and should be consldered a8 part of the disclo6ure.
RE: Description of the preferred e~bodiment) .. . ~ .
. ~ ~.. ... .
' - - ~, ~
,: - , , - , 8'~'~8 HOW ~O INS$AL$ AN~ Q~ERATE THE BR~ LOCK~
STEP 1: Attach the tongue to the arm. This ls done by pushing the arm through the hole in the tongue a~ best ~hown in Fig. 1 and lA.
STEP 2: Secure the tongue to the arm by tigntening the Allen set screws as best snown in Fig. 2 and 3. The tongue should be in line with the arm~ Tnl8 i8 just a re~erence point and can be a~justed as best shown in Fig. 2. The Allen screws should be ~ust snug. This will allow you to mak~
a final adjustment later as best ~hown in Fig. 3.
STEP 3: Put the arm with tongue into the arm receptacle on the guitar's bridge as best shown in Fig. 4 and 5.
STEP 4: Loo~en the Allen ~et screws on the tongue 80 that it can be moved up and down on the arm. Adjust the height of the tongue ~o that the tongue does not touch the bridge as best shown in Fig. 6.
STEP 5: With the tongue facing the groove holder the groo~e holder should be paralell to the bridge and 7/32" to 1/4" away from the end of the tongue. Fasten the groove holder to the body of the guitar with the two wood screws a6 best shown in Fig. 7.
STEP 6: Fasten the groove to the groove holder with the two machine screws between the groove holder an the ~achine screws as be~t ~ho~n in Fig. 8 and 9. The m~chine ~crews should be p~rtially loose 80 the ~roove can move up and down on the groove holder. This is required to allow ad~ustment~ to be ~ade.
STEP 7: Nove the tongue throuqh the groove. Use the two off6et and height ~d~u6ting allen ~et ~crews to raise and or lower and of f ~et the groove. Move the tongue throught the groove and if they don't ~esh smoothly, ad~ust the orf~et and height ad~uting allen set screws accordingly. If your bridge locker does not h~ve thi~ option, ad~ust the groove manually.
After they are aligned gently tighten the two ~achine screws a8 be6t shown if ~ig. 10 and 11.
STE~ 8: TNE BRIDGE LOCKER is now installed a~ be~t shown by Fig.
12 and 13 and sould require only periodlo adiustments, due to the gultar strlngs fluctuating tonsion. ~he fluctuating tension of the guitar strings is caused by temperature change and wear. With the arm in it~ nor~al restlng po~ition as best shown if Fig. 1~ the bridge i8 locked~ Since the tongue which is attaahed to the arm ha~ engaqea with the groove which is attached to the body via the groove holder, the bridge locker doo~ not ahanqe the way one normally plays th~
guitar. Sinc~ it i8 only engaqed when the arm is not in u~e in its nor~al ro~ting position a8 best ahown in Fig. 12, tne ~08t common po~i~ions Yor the arm when it i8 in use ~re best ~hown in Flg. 13~ IP th~ players style diatates that the locked an unlocked position~ be different than the ones illustrated in Fig. 12 and 13, the tongue attached to the arm can ~o~o 360 deqrees thus allow~ng the locked and unlocked position Or the bridge loaker to be determinod by the us~r.
. . . - , ~ .
"
- . .. .. .-. -, :
Claims (3)
- Claim 1:
A bridge locking device, for use with a stringed musical instrument comprising an instrument body and a floating bridge with tremolo arm, said bridge locking device comprising:
(a) a grooved member and grooved member holder adapted to be securely fastened to the instrument body, and (b) a tongue secured to said tremolo arm, said tongue configured to slide in and out of said groove as the tremolo arm is rotated, so that a player can, by changing the rotational position of the tremolo arm, select whether to operate the instrument in a locked-bridge or in a floating-bridge mode of operation, characterized in that the grooved member is adapted to be mounted to the instrument body in such a way that the tongue can enter and depart from the groove at either side of the groove. - Claim 2:
The bridge locking device of claim 1 further characterized in that the grooved member is adjustably secured to the grooved member holder, so that the orientation of the groove, with respect to the instrument body, may be adjusted to suit the player. - Claim 3:
The bridge locking device of claim 1 or 2 further characterized in that the outside arc of the tongue has a ridge of increased thickness, so as to reduce the amount of contact area between tongue and groove.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002016878A CA2016878C (en) | 1990-05-16 | 1990-05-16 | Bridge locker device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002016878A CA2016878C (en) | 1990-05-16 | 1990-05-16 | Bridge locker device |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2016878A1 CA2016878A1 (en) | 1991-11-16 |
| CA2016878C true CA2016878C (en) | 1992-06-30 |
Family
ID=4144995
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002016878A Expired - Lifetime CA2016878C (en) | 1990-05-16 | 1990-05-16 | Bridge locker device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2016878C (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ITUB20160430A1 (en) * | 2016-02-02 | 2017-08-02 | Emanuele Chiarlone | HYBRID BRIDGE SYSTEM FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6812389B2 (en) | 2003-02-19 | 2004-11-02 | Aaron Rhett Trooien | Locking device for a tremolo |
-
1990
- 1990-05-16 CA CA002016878A patent/CA2016878C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ITUB20160430A1 (en) * | 2016-02-02 | 2017-08-02 | Emanuele Chiarlone | HYBRID BRIDGE SYSTEM FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2016878A1 (en) | 1991-11-16 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |