Bass or guitar bridge with spreader

Abstract

Stringed instrument, in particular a guitar, with a body and a neck and a plurality of strings (18) running along the neck, and with a bridge (1) which absorbs the vibrations of the string (18) and has a plurality of string saddles (3), wherein the respective string saddle (3) is designed to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the neck relative to a base of the bridge (1) and at least one adjustment means (9) is provided for this purpose, characterized in that the respective string saddle (3) is guided in an associated saddle groove (2) and is fixed in a spreading manner in the saddle groove (2) with the aid of the adjustment means (9).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a stringed instrument, in particular a guitar, having a body and a neck as well as a plurality of strings running along the neck in its longitudinal direction, and having a bridge which absorbs vibrations of the string and is attached to the body and has a plurality of string saddles for supporting the strings located thereon, wherein the respective string saddle is designed to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the neck and thus also of the body relative to the bridge and at least one adjustment means is provided for this purpose.

[0002] Such guitar bridges for transmitting string vibrations to the guitar body are known from the prior art, for example from US 6,875,910 B2. According to the teaching therein, the bridge also has string saddles that are adjustable in the longitudinal direction. According to the teaching therein, the respective string saddles are designed in two parts, with a saddle resting on an anvil. The saddle is attached to the respective anvil using a fixing screw. The longitudinal adjustability is achieved using a screw that can generally be screwed into the anvil at an angle. The screw is screwed into a lateral hole in the anvil, so that longitudinal adjustability is ensured by a more or less advanced screwing process. The screws are guided or fastened in the bridge or in a form-fitting hole in the bridge.

[0003] US 2025 / 069570 A1 works in a similar way. The teaching therein also uses a bridge with multiple string saddles, whereby the respective string saddles are designed to be movable longitudinally relative to the bridge. The longitudinal displacement is also adjusted here with a screw that engages in a threaded hole located in the respective string saddle. Depending on the rotation, the string saddle is therefore moved on the bridge so that the position of the string saddle can be individually adjusted. The teaching therein also shows that the hole in the string saddle which accommodates the screw cannot be centered and also functions as the only locking device. Furthermore, the string support there, in particular as a triangular recess, is positioned away from the central axis of the respective side saddle.

[0004] Based on the previously mentioned prior art, several disadvantages exist. The prior art generally uses an adjustment mechanism located off-center relative to the string saddle, usually a threaded screw, which allows the respective string saddle to be moved longitudinally. It is striking that the adjustable screw in the prior art is generally not additionally secured and can therefore be loosened, particularly by vibrations transmitted to the bridge. In particular, the prior art does not provide for the adjustment screw to hold the string saddle in position in any special way; only the thread position is intended to achieve this.Furthermore, the state of the art shows that the decentrally mounted adjustment mechanism could become unstable, especially under the quite high tracking forces exerted by the guitar strings, especially in the transverse direction, causing the adjacent string saddles to jam, for example. The invention aims to remedy this situation.

[0005] The invention is therefore based on the technical problem of further developing such a stringed instrument with associated bridge or instrument bridge in such a way that a simple and space-saving construction is observed and, furthermore, a self-locking adjustment solution is achieved.

[0006] To solve this technical problem, a stringed instrument of this type is characterized in that the string saddle in question is guided in a corresponding saddle groove and is fixed in the saddle groove by means of the adjusting means.

[0007] For this purpose, the string saddle is preferably equipped with at least two expansion legs. The string saddle is preferably designed symmetrically to the centrally extending saddle axis in the longitudinal direction. The expansion legs can have an at least partially wider contact section at the end, which extends from an opening and tapers towards the saddle axis. According to the invention, an even number of expansion legs is preferably provided, for example, two, four, six, or eight expansion legs. The expansion legs can, for example, be arranged one above the other.

[0008] In one embodiment of the invention, the adjustment means moves between the spreading legs, spreading the spreading legs apart. The adjustment means preferably moves along the saddle axis in the longitudinal direction and toward the body of the stringed instrument. The adjustment means can initially move freely between the spreading legs before making contact, for example, at the contact section, so that the spreading process subsequently takes place. The spreading process preferably involves pushing the spreading legs apart in the transverse direction starting from the saddle axis. This causes the spreading legs to rest on the edges of the saddle groove and become wedged in the saddle groove.

[0009] For this purpose, the respective string saddle is preferably U-shaped. The U-shape can, for example, consist of a bulbous intermediate space or the aforementioned opening and a spreading space, e.g., spanned by or between the two contact sections. The design is such that the spreading process is initiated only in the spreading space, for example, by the contact of the adjustment means with the spreading legs or, in particular, the contact section of the spreading legs. The U-shape also includes a shape in which the spreading legs converge at the ends.

[0010] Preferably, each string saddle is equipped with expansion legs connected to a common base. The base is preferably formed as a one-piece component of the side saddle. The base itself preferably has a hollow bore or a hollow thread for receiving the adjustment means. The central axis of the hollow bore or hollow thread is preferably coaxial with the saddle axis. Accordingly, the hollow bore or hollow thread is located centrally between the expansion legs. In the case of multiple expansion legs (one above the other), such as four, six, or eight, the central axis is preferably located centrally between the respective expansion legs. This centering is advantageously supported by the preferred U-shape of the string saddle.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the adjustment means is designed as a screw. The screw can have an external thread, preferably corresponding to the hollow thread of the base. The screw is particularly preferably made of metal, in particular stainless steel. The screw can preferably have a tool holder at the end, for example, an industry-typical hexagonal Allen key tool holder.

[0012] The adjustment means preferably has a conical expansion section at the end. The expansion section is preferably a component of the adjustment means, and accordingly preferably part of the one-piece adjustment means. The conical expansion section can be variably adapted, in particular to the expansion legs. A conical angle of 45° is preferably provided. The expansion section, and in particular the conical shape, can essentially determine the expansion process and, in particular, the speed of the expansion process and the force transmission in interaction with the expansion legs.

[0013] For this purpose, the contact section of the respective expansion legs can also have an angled shape, preferably adapted to the conical expansion section, which deviates from the saddle axis. According to the invention, the spreading process performed by the adjustment means and the expansion leg particularly advantageously ensures that the respective string saddle is fixed in the bridge. Conversely, the spreading force acting on the expansion legs from the adjustment means also ensures that the adjustment means is held in position and prevents any possible rotation of the adjustment means.

[0014] Preferably, the string saddle is equipped with a string rest spanning the two expansion legs and the base. According to the invention, the string rest is preferably designed as a one-piece component of the string saddle. Furthermore, the string rest is the only section or component of the bridge in contact with the string or instrument string. For this purpose, the string rest preferably has a recess, in particular an elongated recess, adapted to the string.

[0015] The string rest is preferably oriented centrally in the longitudinal direction above the base or above the adjustment device holder, as viewed from above. The preferably elongated recess for the respective string is also oriented centrally in the longitudinal direction and preferably parallel to the nut axis. This central location and symmetrical design ultimately ensure particularly high support stability. This centrality ultimately also ensures that, according to the invention, a vertical force from the string is transferred to the string rest or the string saddle and subsequently to the bridge in a particularly stable manner. This ensures optimal vibration transmission to the body while maintaining stability.

[0016] Preferably, the string rest is oriented centrally in the transverse direction above the adjustment means receptacle. This orientation, according to the invention, particularly advantageously enables a compact design. The orientation of the string saddle is selected according to the invention such that the string rest is oriented toward the side of the bridge closest to the strings, and conversely, the spreader legs are oriented toward the side of the bridge closest to the guitar neck.

[0017] The saddle groove is preferably designed as a T-slot. The saddle groove serves to guide the string saddle longitudinally on or in the bridge. The T-slot is preferably designed to form a positive fit with a T-slide located on each side of the string saddle. This allows the string saddle to be moved longitudinally in the saddle groove like a slide.

[0018] The string saddle is preferably made of metal, in particular stainless steel. In this context, it is particularly preferred that the string saddle be formed integrally with at least the expansion legs, the base, and the string rest.

[0019] In a further preferred embodiment, the bridge is designed to be adjustable in the transverse direction relative to the body. This adjustability of the bridge can be achieved, for example, by at least two connecting mechanisms, each located laterally and releasably coupled to the guitar body. These are preferably screw connections, preferably with a connecting element, a recess, and a body thread. The connecting element can extend through the recess located here and then be releasably connected to the body. The adjustability in the transverse direction is preferably achieved by a transversely extending design of the recess.

[0020] Preferably, the bridge can be designed to be adjustable in the longitudinal direction. This can be achieved, for example, via a recess similar to the one previously described in the transverse direction, now in the longitudinal direction.

[0021] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to drawings that represent only one exemplary embodiment. They show: Fig. 1 a bridge according to the invention in plan view, Fig. 2 the bridge in side or cross-sectional view with a string saddle located in a saddle groove, Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B a string saddle according to the invention in side view and in plan view.

[0022] The Fig. 1 shows a bridge 1 according to the invention for a stringed instrument. On the bridge 1, there are four guide slots 2, for example, which run longitudinally along the bridge 1. A string saddle 3 is arranged in the respective guide slot 2 and is longitudinally adjustable, and is guided longitudinally by the guide slot 2. In this case, the string saddle 3 has two opposing spreading legs 4. The spreading legs 4 are formed integrally with the side saddle 3 and further form a U-shape. This U-shape is essentially achieved by a bulbous free space or an intermediate space or an opening 5 between the spreading legs 4. In this context, the spreading legs 4 also have a structure that becomes thicker at the ends and has a contact section 6.This thickening runs in the direction of a saddle axis A, which runs centrally in the longitudinal direction along the string saddle 3 and in the longitudinal direction of a body of the stringed instrument and transversely to the bridge 1. Preferably, the string saddle 3 is designed symmetrically to the plane running through the saddle axis A and the two spreading legs 4 mirroring the plane.

[0023] Each string saddle 3 has a bore 7 with an internal thread 8, which together form a hollow thread 7, 8. This hollow thread 7, 8 runs along the saddle axis A and is located in the string saddle 3 on the side farthest from the neck. The hollow thread 7, 8 is designed to accommodate a screw 9 with an external thread 10. When the screw 9 rotates, it moves either forwards or backwards along the saddle axis A, depending on the direction of rotation. In the embodiment shown, the design is selected such that a clockwise rotation results in a forward movement in the longitudinal direction along the saddle axis A.

[0024] The spreading process of the spreading device 2, 3, 4, 9 is carried out as follows: In a non-locking position, which represents the starting position, according to Fig. 1 (left outermost side saddle 3), the string saddle 3 is designed to be freely movable along the guide slot 2. In this position, the screw 9 is only in contact with the external thread 8, whereby a conical expansion section 11 located on the screw 9 is located contactlessly in the free space 5. To start an expansion process, the screw 9 is rotated clockwise, so that subsequently the screw 9 moves along the saddle axis A in the longitudinal direction. The expansion process begins as soon as the expansion section 11 of the screw 9 comes into contact with the contact section 6 of the expansion legs 4, as shown in Fig. 1 (second saddle 3 from the left). Particularly advantageously, the contact section 6 has a contour 12 that is adapted to the conical shape of the screw 9 or to the shape of the expansion section 11, in order to ensure particularly efficient force transmission from the screw 9 to the expansion legs 4.

[0025] Based on the Fig. 1 (second saddle 3 from the left), the spreading process takes place when the screw 9 rotates clockwise. Subsequently, the screw 9 moves further along the saddle axis A in the longitudinal direction and spreads the spreading legs 4 apart in the transverse direction. This spreading process, or the resulting locking position of the saddle 3, is shown in the Fig. 1 at the string saddle 3, third from the left. The spreading process is essentially determined by the diameter of the screw 9 used in conjunction with the distance between the spreading legs 4. When the spreading legs 4 are sufficiently spread, the respective spreading legs 4 are pressed outward in the transverse direction against the slotted walls 13 of the guide slot 2, subsequently locking the string saddle 3 in the guide slot 2.

[0026] The resulting forces in the transverse direction are represented by force vectors F in the Fig. 1 and also ensure that if the screw 9 is moved sufficiently longitudinally towards the neck, the locking of the screw 9 can be achieved by these transverse forces.

[0027] The bridge 1 can be moved transversely in the guide slots 2, independently of the movement of the string saddles 3. This is achieved, as shown in the exemplary embodiment, by an adjusting screw 15, which engages in a thread (not shown) located in the body and passes through a preferably oval-shaped recess 14 located in the bridge 1. When the adjusting screw 15 is loosened, the bridge 1 can therefore be adjusted transversely, at least within the tolerances of the recess 14.

[0028] The Fig. 2 shows the bridge 1 in side view and cross-sectional view. As in Fig. 2, the string saddle 3 is equipped with a string rest 16. The string rest 16 serves to support a string or guitar string 18 against the body and for this purpose has a support recess 17. This also extends in the longitudinal direction of the body and parallel to the nut axis A and also in a plane E. The string rest 16 or the support recess 17 is therefore positioned centrally on the string saddle 3. This centering ensures in particular that the vertical bearing force of the guitar string 18 is transmitted to the bridge 1 particularly efficiently and with stable support. This also helps to transmit the vibrations from the guitar string 18 to the bridge 1 or to the guitar body with particular detail and low loss.

[0029] To ensure particularly secure and, in particular, loss-proof guidance of a string saddle 3 in the guide slot 2, the guide slot 2 is designed as a T-slot with a T-slot recess 19. The string saddle 3 has guide pins 20 that positively engage in these T-slot recesses 19. This enables the string saddle 3 to be moved longitudinally, preferably like a slide, in the guide slot 2. Furthermore, this prevents the string saddle 3 from falling out of the guide slots 2, at least in the vertical direction.

[0030] According to the invention, it is also conceivable for the guide slots 2 to have different depths H. For example, a bass string 18, which may have a larger diameter and also a higher weight or string tension, may have a deeper guide slot 2 to ultimately position the strings 18 on one level. This is common practice and is particularly important for the playability of the instrument. Furthermore, a deeper guide slot 2 also ensures that greater string stability can be ensured by the slot walls 13.

[0031] Fig. Figure 3A shows an isolated side view or cross-sectional view of a string saddle 3. It can be seen in particular that the string support 16, together with the support recess 17, has a curvature sloping toward a string tensioning device 21. In this way, the guitar string 18 is pressed particularly stably and efficiently against the string support 16, so that the vibrations can be transmitted particularly easily and efficiently to the bridge 1 and the guitar body.

[0032] Fig. Figure 3B shows the string saddle 3 in an isolated top view. In particular, it can be seen that the string rest 16 is centered over the bore 8. This configuration of the string rest 16 relative to the underlying base 22 ensures that a particularly stable support surface is provided for the guitar string 18. List of reference symbols 1 bridge 2 guide slots 3 string saddle 4 spreader legs 5 Free space 6 Contact section 7 Hole 8 internal threads 9 Screw 10 external threads 11 Spreading section 12 Contour 13 diaphragm walls 14 Recess 15 Adjustment screw 16 string rest 17 Support recess 18 guitar strings 19 T-slot recess 20 guide pins 21 String tensioning device 22 Base A saddle axle F force vectors H Slot depth E Level QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 6,875,910 B2

[0002] US 2025 / 069570 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Stringed instrument, in particular guitar, with a body and a neck and several strings (18) running along the neck, and with a bridge (1) absorbing the vibrations of the string (18) and having several string saddles (3), wherein the respective string saddle (3) is designed to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the neck relative to a base of the bridge (1) and at least one adjusting means (9) is provided for this purpose, characterized by that the string saddle (3) in question is guided in an associated saddle groove (2) and is fixed in the saddle groove (2) by means of the adjusting means (9). [2] Stringed instrument according to claim 1, characterized by that the string saddle (3) is equipped with at least two spreading legs (4). [3] Stringed instrument according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the adjusting means (9) moves between the spreading legs (4) and thereby spreads the spreading legs (4) apart. [4] Stringed instrument according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the respective string saddle (3) is U-shaped overall. [5] Stringed instrument according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the respective string saddle (3) is equipped with the spreading legs (4) which are connected to a common base (22). [6] Stringed instrument according to claim 5, characterized by that the base (22) in turn has a hollow bore (7,8) or a hollow thread (7, 8) for receiving the adjusting means (9). [7] Stringed instrument according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the adjusting means (9) is preferably designed as a screw. [8] Stringed instrument according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the adjusting means (9) has a conical expansion section (11) at the end. [9] Stringed instrument according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized bythat the string saddle (3) is equipped with a string support (16) spanning the two spreading legs (4) and the base (22). [10] Stringed instrument according to claim 9, characterized by that the string support (16) is oriented centrally in the longitudinal direction and in plan view above the base (22) or above the adjustment means holder (7, 8). [11] Stringed instrument according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by that the string support (16) is oriented centrally in the transverse direction above the adjustment means holder (7, 8). [12] Stringed instrument according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by that the saddle groove (2) is designed as a T-groove. [13] Stringed instrument according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by that the string saddle (3) is made of metal, in particular stainless steel. [14] Stringed instrument according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized by that the bridge (1) is adjustable in the transverse direction.

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