Reversible assembly device for a stringed instrument

Abstract

The invention relates to a reversible assembly device (100) for a stringed instrument (1000) comprising a body (1100) and a solid neck (1200), allowing the neck to be assembled and disassembled from the body. The device comprises a set of plates including only two plates (110, 120): a first plate (110) adapted to be attached to the rear face of the neck (1200) of the instrument (1000), and a second plate (120) adapted to be attached to the front face of the body (1100), comprising a projection (124) facing away from the first plate (110). This projection is configured to fit into a cavity (1124) in the front face of the body (1100) that has a shape complementary to the projection (124). The two plates are configured to fit together to assemble or disassemble the instrument. neck (1200) and body (1100) of the instrument (1000). Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Reversible assembly device for a stringed instrument TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The field of the invention is that of violin making.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a reversible assembly device for a body and a neck of a stringed instrument. It also relates to a stringed instrument comprising this reversible assembly device.

[0003] The invention finds applications in particular for string instruments comprising a solid neck. STATE OF THE ART

[0004] A conventional stringed instrument has a neck that is screwed or glued to its body. Repeatedly removing and reattaching the neck of an instrument to its body with wood screws can damage the wood and will create play in the neck. Although necks can also be screwed into bolts with metal screws, the process of removing the neck to transport the instrument is not ergonomic and is intended to remain permanently attached to instruments equipped with this device.

[0005] The existing and commercialized solutions for repeatedly removing the neck of a stringed instrument from its body to facilitate its transport are bulky mechanical devices that are difficult to use because they can modify the integrity of the instrument as we know it, or they can include a significant technical part to be inserted into the body of the instrument and / or into the neck, which can sometimes radically change the original construction of the electric guitar and the simplicity of use.

[0006] Some existing devices rely on a hand-tightening screw at the rear of the instrument, which takes up a lot of space and detracts from the aesthetics of the instrument. Hand-tightening results in a lower tightening torque and increases the risk that the device may loosen.

[0007] Other, more complex solutions are based on a set of three plates. One plate seems to be positioned in the back of the neck, and the other two on either side of the body. This solution adds a significant weight to the instrument with the installation of plates that are not already installed on the instrument. In addition, they do not have the particularity of being hidden so they alter the integrity of the instrument. The installation and connection of the three plates is not ergonomic for a layman. Statement of the invention

[0008] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the state of the art cited above.

[0009] The invention relates to a reversible assembly device for a stringed instrument comprising a body and a solid neck, making it possible to assemble and disassemble said neck from said body, the neck and the body each comprising a front face on which at least one string runs, and a rear face, opposite the front face.

[0010] According to the invention, said reversible assembly device comprises a set of plates comprising two plates, a first plate capable of being secured to the rear face of the neck of the instrument, a second plate capable of being secured to the front face of the body, the two plates being configured to assemble with each other in order to assemble or disassemble the neck and the body of the instrument,

[0011] Furthermore, the second plate comprises a projection facing away from the first plate when the two plates are assembled with each other, said projection being configured to be fitted into a cavity of a shape complementary to the projection in the front face of the body.

[0012] Thus, the reversible assembly device, also called an assembly device, allows a neck to be manually assembled and disassembled from a guitar body very easily, without altering the construction. Indeed, the two plates are not visible when the body and neck are assembled. In addition, the assembly device allows a musician to retain sensations such as vibrations that can pass through the body and neck without being interrupted.

[0013] The assembly device has the particularity of comprising a set of plates comprising only two plates: this advantageously makes it easier to integrate it into a stringed instrument, such as a guitar. The assembly device can be integrated into a stringed instrument having a body that can be separated from its neck in a non-destructive manner. For example, this integration can be during the manufacture of the instrument or retroactively on existing instruments, the body and neck of which can be separated without causing damage to them. The manipulations to carry out this integration are very simple and quick to carry out, since there are only two plates to fix.

[0014] In a particular embodiment, the projection comprises a hole and the first plate comprises a threaded orifice such that when the two plates are assembled and the projection is positioned in the cavity, the hole and the threaded orifice are aligned and crossed by a central screw capable of being inserted and removed in the rear face of the body by an operator.

[0015] This embodiment has the advantage of fixing the body more securely to the neck while allowing the reversible assembly operation to be carried out manually and simply by an operator. Thus, the musician will be able to handle his guitar with great freedom, without fear of disassembly of the neck with the body.

[0016] In addition, the screw undergoes limited forces resulting from the assembly between the handle and the body, because these forces are also supported by the projection. Thus, the service life of the screw is particularly high.

[0017] Alternatively or additionally, the first plate comprises a central lug, directed towards the second plate, configured to fit into a central cavity of the second plate of a shape complementary to said central lug.

[0018] This provides a better distribution of the forces exerted between the two plates, and allows increased durability of the assembly device. In particular, the forces on the central screw are reduced compared to an embodiment without a central lug.

[0019] Advantageously, the projection has the shape of a right circular cylinder. This is particularly simple to manufacture, and again allows for better distribution of forces, which provides better durability of the assembly device and the instrument.

[0020] In an alternative embodiment, the projection has a cylinder shape having a hexagonal base.

[0021] Alternatively or in addition, the two plates are made of metal.

[0022] This embodiment offers good resistance to forces, and improves the ergonomics of the assembly device. It allows for simple manufacture of the assembly device.

[0023] In a particular embodiment, the first plate comprises three lugs and the second plate three cavities such that when the plates are assembled with each other, the lugs fit into the cavities.

[0024] This embodiment offers good distribution of forces and ease of fitting for an operator.

[0025] Advantageously, the first plate comprises a system for fixing to the handle, comprising six through holes capable of receiving six screws and the second plate comprises a system for fixing to the body comprising three through holes capable of receiving three screws.

[0026] This allows good fixing of the plates to the body and neck of the instrument and good distribution of the forces exerted on the fixing system. Also, this allows simple mounting of the assembly device on the instrument.

[0027] The invention also relates to a string instrument comprising a solid neck and a body, in which a reversible assembly device is integrated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0028] Other advantages, aims and particular characteristics of the present invention will emerge from the following non-limiting description of at least one particular embodiment of the devices of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: • [Fig.l] is a perspective view of a reversible assembly device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; • [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the reversible assembly device installed on a stringed instrument according to the embodiment illustrated [Fig.l] • [Fig.3] is a front view of the body of a guitar including the assembly device in a separate configuration according to the embodiment illustrated [Fig.l]; • [Fig.4] is a back view of the neck of a guitar incorporating the device assembly in a separate configuration according to the illustrated embodiment [Fig.l]; • [Fig.5] is a perspective view of a first plate of the reversible assembly device according to the embodiment illustrated [Fig.l]; • [Fig.6] is a perspective view of a second plate of the reversible assembly device according to the embodiment illustrated [Fig.l]. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] The present description is given without limitation, each characteristic of an embodiment being able to be combined with any other characteristic of any other embodiment in an advantageous manner.

[0030] It should be noted, from now on, that the figures are not to scale. Example of a particular embodiment

[0031] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of a reversible assembly device 100 for a string instrument 1000, shown [Fig. 2], comprising a body 1100 and a solid neck 1200, called a neck. The reversible assembly device 100, also called an assembly device in the remainder of the description, makes it possible to reversibly assemble the neck 1200 of the body 1100 of the instrument 1000. In other words, it makes it possible to assemble and separate the neck 1200 from the body 1100 manually. This operation can be carried out by an operator in less than a minute.

[0032] Said assembly device has two configurations: an assembled configuration and a separated configuration. In the assembled configuration, the handle 1200 and the body 1100 are assembled. On the contrary, in the separated configuration, the handle 1200 and the body 1100 are disassembled.

[0033] In the separate configuration, when the operator loosens the string(s) of the instrument 1000, the operator can thus fold the neck onto the body, which makes it easier to transport the instrument 1000 by making it more compact than in the assembled configuration.

[0034] It should be noted that the instrument 1000, shown in Figures 2 and 3, is a guitar, but the invention can also be installed on a bass, or any other stringed instrument comprising a body and a solid neck.

[0035] The neck 1200 and the body 1100 each comprise a front face on which at least one string runs, and a rear face, opposite the front face.

[0036] According to [Fig.l], the assembly device 100 comprises a set of plates 110,120, comprising only two plates, namely a first plate 110 and a second plate 120. The two plates 110,120 are configured to be held together when the body 1100 and the handle 1200 are assembled.

[0037] As shown [Fig.4], the first plate 110 is capable of being secured to the rear face of the handle 1200. It can, for example, be embedded on the rear face of said handle 1200.

[0038] The first plate 110 may have a rectangular shape and a width smaller than that of the handle 1200, as well as a thickness thinner than that of the handle 1200.

[0039] The first plate 110 can be made of metal, such as stainless steel.

[0040] It can also be made of composite material.

[0041] Preferably, the handle 1200 may comprise, on its rear face, a recess of the size and thickness of the first plate 110. Thus, this first plate 110 may be embedded in such a way that the handle 1200 does not have an additional thickness or a roughness at the location of the first plate.

[0042] The recess is then positioned on one end of the back face of the neck closest to the body of the guitar, when the body is assembled to the neck.

[0043] The first plate, shown in detail [Fig. 5], can be secured to the handle 1200, for example, by a fixing system 1111. Said fixing system of the first plate can comprise several through holes, for example, six through holes 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, configured to accommodate the same number of screws, here, six screws. Said screws make it possible to fix the first plate 110 to said handle 1200. The through holes can have a thread or not.

[0044] The screws have a length allowing the first plate 110 to be held against the handle 1200, and so that they do not protrude from the front face of the handle 1200.

[0045] The through holes may be distributed symmetrically along an axis of symmetry in the axis of the length of said first plate 110, and an axis of symmetry in the axis of the width of said first plate 110.

[0046] In addition, the first plate 110 may comprise a central lug 130, which may be positioned in the center of the first plate 110, directed towards the second plate 120. This central lug 130 may be in the shape of a right circular cylinder. It is configured to fit into a central cavity 140 in the second plate 120 of a complementary shape. The central lug 130 may be made of metal. Its height is preferably equal to the thickness of the second plate 120.

[0047] The central lug 130 and the central cavity 140 may be adjusted, that is, have dimensions such as to hold the central lug 130 in the central cavity 140. The dimensions may be adjusted such that the two plates are held against each other when the assembly device 100 is in the assembled configuration, with a radial clearance of less than two millimeters.

[0048] Thus, the central lug 130 allows both to keep the neck 1200 assembled to the body, but also to distribute the forces and prevent the guitar from being damaged.

[0049] The first plate 110 may comprise an orifice 131, called a central orifice, configured to accommodate a central screw 141. The central screw 141 traditionally comprises a body and a head. The orifice may be positioned in the center of the rectangular plate, and in the center of the central lug 130. The orifice 131 may or may not be threaded.

[0050] The central screw 141 makes it possible to hold the assembly of the body 1100 and the handle 1200 more securely than an assembly device in an embodiment in which there would be no central screw 141.

[0051] The first plate 110 may comprise one or more lugs 117, 118, 119, configured to be fitted into several cavities 127, 128, 129 in the second plate 120 of a shape complementary to the lugs when the handle 1200 is assembled to the body 1100.

[0052] The shapes and dimensions of the lugs can be determined so as to limit the play between the two plates and maximize the points of contact between the lugs and the cavities positioned opposite said lugs.

[0053] The lugs preferably have a truncated cone shape. They may be identical. Preferably, the first plate 110 comprises three lugs and the second plate 120 comprises three complementary cavities.

[0054] The truncated cone shape advantageously allows the operator to be guided when he wishes to assemble the instrument handle 1200 with the body 1100. This reinforces the ergonomics of the invention.

[0055] This shape advantageously allows the operator to simplify handling for assembling and disassembling the handle 1200 to the body 1100.

[0056] According to [Fig. 6], the second plate 120 may have a fixing system 1211 to the body 1100. The fixing system 1211 of the second plate may comprise several through holes, for example, three through holes 121,122,123, configured to accommodate the same number of screws, here, three screws. The three screws allow the second plate 120 to be fixed to said body 1100. The through holes 121,122,123 may have a thread.

[0057] The second plate 120 can also be rectangular. It can be made of metal, such as stainless steel.

[0058] The second plate 120 can also be made of composite material.

[0059] The second plate 120 may also have a thinner thickness than that of the body 1100.

[0060] The second plate 120 may comprise a projection 124 directed opposite the first plate 110 when the two plates 110, 120 are assembled with each other. This projection is preferably positioned in the center of the second plate. The projection may also be positioned at the rear of the central cavity 140, opposite the first plate 110. It is therefore oriented towards the rear face of the body when the plates are assembled. The projection 124 may be of a height equal to the thickness of the body 1100 at the location where the second plate 120 is positioned.

[0061] When the two plates 110, 120 are assembled with each other, said projection being configured to be fitted into a cavity 1124 of a shape complementary to the projection in the front face of the body.

[0062] The shapes and dimensions of the projection 124 and the complementary cavity 1124 can be determined so as to limit the clearance between the two plates and maximize the contact points between the projection and the cavity.

[0063] Additionally, the body 1100 has a recess of the size and thickness of the second plate 120. Thus, this second plate 120 comprising the projection 124 can be embedded in the body 1100 such that the body 1100 does not have an additional thickness or a roughness at the location of the second plate 120.

[0064] Preferably, the cavity 1124 passes through the body. The projection 124 may comprise a hole 1224, configured so that when the handle 1200 is assembled to the body 1100, the central screw 141 passes through the hole 1224 of the projection 124. The hole 1224 is preferably aligned with the orifice 131. The orifice 131 may then also be passed through by the central screw 141.

[0065] The projection 124 may have a chamfer 125. The chamfer may have a shape, dependent on the configuration of the head of the central screw 141, such that the head of the central screw 141 is aligned with the body of the guitar, and does not protrude outside the rear face of the body. This configuration reinforces the ergonomics of the assembly device 100. The chamfer 125 also makes it possible to avoid disturbing a user of the instrument and to protect the head of the central screw 141.

[0066] The central screw 141 is thus able to be inserted and removed in the rear face of the body 1100. Thus, the height of the projection 124 is configured according to the thickness of the body 1100 such that the head of the central screw 141 does not protrude from the body 1100.

[0067] Thus, this makes it possible to make the central screw 141 accessible to the operator, who can very easily screw and unscrew it from the rear face of the body 1100 to lock or release the handle 1200 from the body 1100, when the two plates 110, 120 are assembled.

[0068] The operator can screw or unscrew the central screw 141 manually or using a wrench.

[0069] The projection 124 may have the shape of a right circular cylinder. The cavity may have a complementary shape. This advantageously makes it possible to better distribute the forces when the neck is assembled to the body of the guitar.

[0070] In an alternative embodiment, the projection 124 has a cylinder shape having a hexagonal base.

[0071] The invention also relates to a string instrument comprising a solid neck, called neck 1200 and a body 1100, in which a reversible assembly device 100 is integrated.

[0072] The handle 1200 has a recess the size and thickness of the first plate 110 on its rear face.

[0073] The body 1100 comprises a recess of the size and thickness of the second plate 120, and the projection 124. Thus, this second plate 120 comprising the projection 124 can be embedded in the body 1100 such that the body 1100 does not have an additional thickness or a roughness at the location of the second plate 120.

Claims

Claims

1. Reversible assembly device (100) for a stringed instrument (1000) comprising a body (1100) and a solid neck (1200), making it possible to assemble and disassemble said neck from said body, the neck (1200) and the body (1100) each comprising a front face on which at least one string runs, and a rear face, opposite the front face, said reversible assembly device being characterized in that it comprises a set of plates comprising only two plates (110, 120), a first plate (110) capable of being secured to the rear face of the neck (1200) of the instrument (1000), a second plate (120) capable of being secured to the front face of the body (1100), the two plates being configured to assemble with each other in order to assemble or disassemble the neck (1200) and the body (1100) of the instrument (1000),and in that the second plate (120) comprises a projection (124) facing away from the first plate (110) when the two plates (110,120) are assembled with each other, said projection being configured to be fitted into a cavity (1124) of a shape complementary to the projection (124) in the front face of the body (1100).,

2. A reversible assembly device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the projection (124) comprises a hole (1224) and the first plate comprises a threaded orifice (131) such that when the two plates (110, 120) are assembled and the projection (124) is positioned in the cavity (1124), the hole (1224) and the threaded orifice (131) are aligned and crossed by a central screw (141) capable of being inserted and removed in the rear face of the body (1100) by an operator.

3. Reversible assembly device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first plate (110) comprises a central lug (130), directed towards the second plate (120), configured to fit into a central cavity (140) of the second plate (120) of a shape complementary to said central lug.

4. A reversible assembly device (100) according to any preceding claim, wherein the projection (124) has a right circular cylinder shape.

5. Reversible assembly device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the projection (124) has a cylinder shape having a hexagonal base.

6. Reversible assembly device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the two plates (110, 120) are made of metal.

7. A reversible assembly device (100) according to any preceding claim, wherein the first plate (110) comprises three lugs (117,118,119) and the second plate (120) three cavities (127,128,129) such that when the plates are assembled together, the lugs fit into the cavities.

8. Reversible assembly device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first plate (110) comprises a system for fixing to the handle (1200), comprising six through holes (111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116) capable of receiving six screws and the second plate comprises a system for fixing to the body (1100) comprising three through holes (121, 122, 123) capable of receiving three screws.

9. Stringed instrument (1000) comprising a solid neck (1200) and a body (1100), in which is integrated a reversible assembly device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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