Grouped frets
By designing a grouped tuning bridge, the tuning bridge blocks connected by latches can be used to independently adjust the string length, solving the problem that the overall movement of the bridge affects multiple strings in existing technologies, and achieving precise tuning of stringed instruments.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202521124187.6
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-04
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-04
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-06-04
AI Technical Summary
The overall movement of the existing bridge will inevitably affect other strings, increasing the difficulty of precise tuning, and tilting the bridge has limited effect on the tuning of the middle strings.
The piano uses a grouped tuning bridge, which contains multiple tuning bridge blocks. The two adjacent tuning bridge blocks can be arranged in pairs perpendicular to the direction of the string extension using tenons. The relative positions of the tuning bridge blocks can be adjusted in groups along the direction of the string extension, and the effective string length can be adjusted independently to calibrate the pitch.
It enables precise calibration of multiple pitches on stringed instruments, avoids mutual interference between strings, and improves the accuracy and efficiency of tuning.
Smart Images
Figure CN224595244U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to a piano bridge, and more particularly to a grouped tuning piano bridge. Background Technology
[0002] Stringed instruments produce sound through the vibration of their strings. Taking instruments like the zhongruan or liuqin as examples, the two ends of the string rest on the headstock, nut, and bridge, respectively, thus defining the effective string length. The effective string length is a key factor in determining pitch. Generally, the shorter the effective string length, the higher the pitch. Conversely, the longer the effective string length, the lower the pitch.
[0003] In existing technology, when there is a pitch deviation in a stringed instrument, it can be calibrated by slightly moving or tilting the entire bridge, and the pitch can be corrected by fine-tuning the effective string length.
[0004] However, since the bridge is mostly a single piece, when tuning one string (i.e., adjusting the effective string length), the overall movement of the bridge inevitably affects other strings, significantly increasing the difficulty of precise tuning. Furthermore, calibrating by tilting the bridge is more effective for the outer strings located on either side of the bridge, while its corrective effect on the inner strings located in the middle of the bridge is very limited. Utility Model Content
[0005] Given that in existing technology, the overall movement of the bridge inevitably affects other strings, significantly increasing the difficulty of precise tuning. Furthermore, tuning by tilting the bridge has a more significant effect on the outer strings located on either side of the bridge, while the corrective effect of this adjustment method on the inner strings located in the middle of the bridge is very limited.
[0006] Therefore, the main objective of this utility model is to provide a grouped tuning bridge, comprising multiple tuning bridge blocks. Using tenons, adjacent tuning bridge blocks are arranged perpendicular to the string extension direction. When calibrating multiple pitches of a stringed instrument, the relative positions of the tuning bridge blocks are adjusted in groups along the string extension direction. This allows for grouping and adjusting multiple effective string lengths spanning the tuning bridge blocks and the headstock nut for tuning, thereby solving the aforementioned problems.
[0007] Based on the above, the necessary technical means adopted by this utility model to solve the problems of the prior art is to provide a grouped tuning bridge for supporting and tensioning multiple strings of a stringed instrument. The strings extend from a head nut of the stringed instrument along the direction of string extension to a tail nut of the stringed instrument. Preferably, the stringed instrument is a zhongruan, a liuqin, an erhu, or a violin.
[0008] The characteristic of a grouped tuning bridge is that it comprises multiple tuning bridge blocks. These blocks are positioned between the strings and the soundboard of the stringed instrument, and each block correspondingly abuts against and tensions the strings. Each tuning bridge block has at least one tenon, allowing adjacent blocks to be interlocked perpendicular to the string's extension direction.
[0009] When calibrating multiple pitches of a stringed instrument, the relative positions of the tuning bridges are adjusted in groups along the direction of the string extension. This grouping adjusts the effective string lengths spanning between the tuning bridges and the headstock nut to achieve tuning.
[0010] Based on the aforementioned necessary technical means, the following auxiliary technical means can be derived. Preferably, all tuning bridge blocks are made of wood.
[0011] Based on the aforementioned necessary technical means, the following auxiliary technical means can be derived. Preferably, all tuning bridge blocks are wedge-shaped tuning bridge blocks.
[0012] Based on the aforementioned necessary technical means, the following auxiliary technical means can be derived. Preferably, each tuning bridge block has at least one string slot, which corresponds to at least one string.
[0013] In summary, the grouped tuning bridge provided by this utility model includes multiple tuning bridge blocks. Using tenons, adjacent tuning bridge blocks are arranged perpendicular to the string extension direction. When calibrating multiple pitches of a stringed instrument, the relative positions of the tuning bridge blocks are adjusted in groups along the string extension direction. This allows for grouping and adjusting multiple effective string lengths spanning the tuning bridge blocks and the headstock nut, thereby solving the aforementioned problems.
[0014] The specific embodiments adopted in this utility model will be further explained through the following embodiments and accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description
[0015] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram showing a preferred embodiment of the grouped tuning bridge of the present invention;
[0016] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional exploded view of a grouped tuning bridge according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] Figure 3 This is a front plan view of a stringed instrument according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] Figure 4 This is a side perspective view of a stringed instrument according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] Figure 5This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram showing a portion of the preferred embodiment of the grouped tuning bridge that supports and tensions the strings.
[0020] Figure 6 This is a partial planar schematic diagram showing the grouped tuning bridge of the present invention supporting and tensioning the strings;
[0021] Figure 7 A partial perspective view showing the relative positions of the grouped adjustment tuning peg blocks in a preferred embodiment of this utility model; and
[0022] Figure 8 This is a partial planar schematic diagram showing the relative positions of the grouped adjustment tuning bridge blocks in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures
[0024] 100: Grouped tuning bridge
[0025] 200: Stringed instruments
[0026] 201a~201d: Strings
[0027] 202: String nut / nut of the violin head
[0028] 203: The nut at the end of the harp
[0029] 204:Soundboard
[0030] 1a~1d: Tuning bridge blocks
[0031] 11a: Clamp
[0032] 11b,11b': Tenon
[0033] 11c,11c': latch
[0034] 11d: Tenon
[0035] 12a~12d: String groove
[0036] ED: Direction of string extension
[0037] SL: Effective chord length Detailed Implementation
[0038] Because the grouped tuning bridge provided by this utility model can be widely used in different types of stringed instruments, its combinations and variations are countless. Here, only one preferred embodiment is given for specific illustration.
[0039] Please see Figures 1 to 4 , Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram showing a preferred embodiment of the grouped tuning bridge of the present invention; Figure 2This is a three-dimensional exploded view of a grouped tuning bridge according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 A front plan view of a stringed instrument according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 4 This is a side perspective view of a stringed instrument according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0040] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, a grouped tuning bridge 100 is used to support and tension multiple strings of a stringed instrument 200. In this embodiment, the stringed instrument 200 is a zhongruan, and the stringed instrument 200 includes four strings 201a to 201d, but is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the stringed instrument 200 may be, for example, a liuqin, an erhu, or a violin, and each may include a corresponding number of strings. The strings 201a to 201d extend from a headstock nut 202 of the stringed instrument 200 along a string extension direction ED to a tailstock nut 203 of the stringed instrument 200.
[0041] The grouped tuning bridge 100 includes multiple tuning bridge blocks. In this embodiment, it includes four tuning bridge blocks 1a to 1d, but is not limited to this. The tuning bridge blocks 1a to 1d are disposed between the strings 201a to 201d and the soundboard 204 of the stringed instrument 200, respectively correspondingly abutting and stretching the strings 201a to 201d.
[0042] In order to limit the movement of strings 201a to 201d when they are stretched at the top, the tuning bridge blocks 1a to 1d are respectively provided with string grooves 12a to 12d, and the string grooves 12a to 12d correspond to strings 201a to 201d respectively.
[0043] In this invention, the so-called grouping refers to the grouping of the strings, with each group of strings corresponding to a tuning bridge. Taking this embodiment as an example, the strings 201a to 201d are divided into four groups (i.e., one string per group), and corresponding tuning bridges 1a to 1d are used (each tuning bridge has one string slot). In other embodiments, for example, the four strings can be divided into two groups (i.e., two strings per group), and corresponding to two tuning bridges (each tuning bridge has two string slots).
[0044] The tuning bridge block has at least one tenon, allowing adjacent tuning bridge blocks to be arranged perpendicular to the string extension direction ED. In this embodiment, tuning bridge block 1a has one tenon 11a, tuning bridge block 1b has two tenons 11b and 11b', tuning bridge block 1c has two tenons 11c and 11c', and tuning bridge block 1d has one tenon 11d. As mentioned above, tenons 11a, 11b', and 11c' are all tenon heads, while tenons 11b, 11c, and 11d are all tenon grooves. The tenon heads can engage with the tenon grooves.
[0045] In this embodiment, the tuning bridge blocks 1a to 1d are all wooden tuning bridge blocks, made from high-density wood, but this is not a limitation. In other embodiments, the tuning bridge blocks 1a to 1d may be, for example, plastic tuning bridge blocks or metal tuning bridge blocks.
[0046] In this embodiment, to improve stability, the tuning bridge blocks 1a to 1d are all wedge-shaped tuning bridge blocks, but this is not a limitation. A wedge-shaped tuning bridge block refers to a trapezoidal shape that is wider at one end and narrower at the other. This structure can evenly distribute the pressure applied by the strings on the surface of the soundboard 204, ensuring that the tuning bridge blocks 1a to 1d can remain in a stable position during performance.
[0047] Please continue reading. Figure 5 and Figure 8 , Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram showing a portion of the preferred embodiment of the grouped tuning bridge that supports and tensions the strings. Figure 6 This is a partial planar schematic diagram showing the grouped tuning bridge of the present invention supporting and tensioning the strings; Figure 7 A partial perspective view showing the relative positions of the grouped adjustment tuning peg blocks in a preferred embodiment of this utility model; and Figure 8 This is a partial planar schematic diagram showing the relative positions of the grouped adjustment bridge blocks in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to the attached diagram. Figures 1 to 4 .
[0048] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the grouped tuning bridge 100 of this utility model can be used like a traditional bridge, in which case the surfaces of the tuning bridge blocks 1a to 1d are flush. Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, when calibrating multiple pitches of the string instrument 200, the relative positions of the tuning bridge blocks 1a to 1d are adjusted in groups along the string extension direction ED (in a staggered manner), thereby adjusting multiple effective string lengths SL (only one is indicated) of the strings 201a to 201d spanning between the tuning bridge blocks 1a to 1d and the nut 202 of the headstock for tuning.
[0049] Furthermore, since each group of strings in this embodiment contains only one string, when adjusting the group along the string extension direction ED, only one tuning bridge block can be adjusted, only the effective string length of the corresponding string can be changed, and thus only the pitch of the corresponding string can be adjusted without affecting the pitch of other strings.
[0050] Furthermore, when adjusting the relative positions of the tuning bridge blocks 1a to 1d, they remain in a tenon-and-mortise joint state and do not come apart. Therefore, there is sufficient restraint (friction) between the tuning bridge blocks 1a to 1d to ensure that the grouped tuning bridge 100 can be securely mounted on the string instrument 200 without easily deviating from its position during performance.
[0051] In summary, the grouped tuning bridge 100 provided by this utility model includes multiple tuning bridge blocks 1a to 1d. Using tenons, adjacent tuning bridge blocks are arranged perpendicular to the string extension direction ED. When calibrating multiple pitches of the stringed instrument 200, the relative positions of the tuning bridge blocks 1a to 1d are adjusted in groups along the string extension direction ED. This allows for the adjustment of multiple effective string lengths SL spanning between the tuning bridge blocks 1a to 1d and the nut 202 of the headstock, thereby solving the aforementioned problems.
[0052] The detailed description of the preferred embodiments above is intended to more clearly illustrate the features and spirit of this utility model, and is not intended to limit the scope of this utility model to the preferred embodiments disclosed above. Rather, the aim is to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements within the scope of the claims of this utility model.
Claims
1. A grouped tuning bridge for supporting multiple strings of a stringed instrument, said multiple strings extending from the headstock nut along the string extension direction to the tailstock nut of the stringed instrument, characterized in that, The grouped tuning bridge includes multiple tuning bridge blocks, which are disposed between the multiple strings and the soundboard of the stringed instrument, and respectively abut against and stretch the multiple strings. Each tuning bridge block has at least one tenon, so that the multiple tuning bridge blocks adjacent to each other can be arranged in a tenon-like manner perpendicular to the extension direction of the strings.
2. The grouped tuning bridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stringed instruments mentioned are the zhongruan, liuqin, erhu, or violin.
3. The grouped tuning bridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, All of the aforementioned tuning bridges are wooden tuning bridges.
4. The grouped tuning bridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, All of the aforementioned tuning bridge blocks are wedge-shaped tuning bridge blocks.
5. The grouped tuning bridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the tuning bridge blocks has at least one string slot and corresponds to at least one of the plurality of strings.