Vibrato mechanism

Abstract

A vibrato mechanism 300 for a stringed instrument 500. An embodiment includes a bar 310 with a plurality of segments, each respective segment of the plurality of segments configured to be connected to a respective string of a plurality of strings 525 of the stringed instrument. In some embodiments, a first segment of the plurality of segments has a first size and is configured to be connected to a first string of the plurality of strings having a first tension, and a second segment of the plurality of segments is configured to be connected to a second string of the plurality of strings having a second size different from the first size and a second tension different from the first tension. An embodiment includes an actuator arm 304 operably connected to the bar such that when the actuator arm is engaged, it rotates the bar about its longitudinal axis.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to vibrato mechanisms for stringed instruments. Certain embodiments of the present disclosure relate to vibrato mechanisms that include a bar with segments of various sizes. In some embodiments, the vibrato mechanism includes protrusions that, when in contact, prevent rotation of the bar in a given direction about its longitudinal axis. [Background technology]

[0002] Stringed instruments, such as guitars (sometimes called stringed instruments), generally consist of a solid or hollow resonating body, typically made from one or more pieces of wood or similar material. Attached to this main instrument body is an elongated extension, commonly called a neck, to which are attached a number of strings secured by adjustable pegs used to control the tension of the strings. The distal ends of the strings are attached to a bridge, where the vibrations of the strings are transmitted to the body of the instrument, thereby amplifying the string vibrations and making them audible.

[0003] The vibrating length of the string is determined by two fixed contact points perpendicular to the length of the string, one near an adjustable fixed peg and the other on the body of the guitar (e.g., the bridge and / or tailpiece). The string is pulled under tension on these two contact points. A musician strums or plucks these strings, setting them in motion and producing a note. The pitch of the note played is determined by stopping the strings against the neck and varying their voicing or vibrating length and corresponding frequency.

[0004] A vibrato mechanism, sometimes called a tremolo mechanism, generally includes a bar to which the guitar strings are connected and a component (e.g., an actuator arm) that, when engaged by a guitar player, rotates the bar, thereby modulating the pitch produced by the string when strummed or plucked. Thus, a vibrato mechanism can easily vary the tension applied to the string to produce a vibrato effect.

[0005] Existing vibrato mechanisms generally have two problems. First, when a player lowers the pitch of a string with the actuator arm of the vibrato mechanism, the strings do not all lower the pitch by the same amount due to differences in tension and elasticity of the strings themselves. Second, when a player bends a string on a guitar that has a vibrato mechanism attached to it, the vibrato mechanism may lower the pitch of other strings to balance the overall string tension.

[0006] Thus, there is a need in the art for an improved vibrato mechanism that overcomes the shortcomings of existing designs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Design Patent No. 169,120 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Design Patent No. 170,109 Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present disclosure relates generally to vibrato mechanisms for stringed instruments.

[0009] One embodiment provides a vibrato mechanism comprising: a bar including a plurality of segments, each respective segment of the plurality of segments configured to be connected to a respective string of a plurality of strings of a stringed instrument, a first segment of the plurality of segments having a first size and configured to be connected to a first string of the plurality of strings having a first tension, and a second segment of the plurality of segments having a second size different from the first size and configured to be connected to a second string of the plurality of strings having a second tension different from the first tension; and an actuator arm operably connected to the bar such that when the actuator arm is engaged, the actuator arm rotates the bar about its longitudinal axis.

[0010] Another embodiment provides a vibrato mechanism comprising: a bar configured to be connected to a plurality of strings of a stringed instrument; and an actuator arm operatively connected to the bar such that when the actuator arm is engaged, the actuator arm rotates the bar about its longitudinal axis, the bar including a first stop protrusion configured to contact a second stop protrusion attached to the vibrato mechanism when the actuator arm is not engaged, the contact between the first stop protrusion and the second stop protrusion preventing the bar from rotating about its longitudinal axis in a given direction.

[0011] Another embodiment provides a guitar that includes one of the vibrato mechanisms described above.

[0012] So that the above-listed features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the present disclosure, briefly summarized above, can be made with reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be noted, however, that since the present disclosure may admit of other equally effective embodiments, the accompanying drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore should not be considered as limiting its scope. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a vibrato mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a vibrato mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 1C] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a vibrato mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 1D] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a vibrato mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 1E] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a vibrato mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 1F] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a vibrato mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 1G] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a vibrato mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 1H] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a vibrato mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 1I] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a vibrato mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2A] 1 illustrates an exemplary manner in which strings are attached to a vibrato mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2B] 1 illustrates an exemplary exploded view of a string fixing bar of a vibrato mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2C] 1 illustrates an exemplary exploded view of a tension roller of a vibrato mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3A] 1A-1D are diagrams of a vibrato mechanism according to different embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 3B] 1A-1D are diagrams of a vibrato mechanism according to different embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 3C] 1A-1D are diagrams of a vibrato mechanism according to different embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4A] 1 illustrates a stop mechanism for a vibrato mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4B] 1 illustrates a stop mechanism for a vibrato mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] 1 illustrates a guitar configured with a vibrato mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] The present disclosure relates to vibrato mechanisms having different diameters suited to the expected characteristics of each string and / or having stop mechanisms to prevent unintended string movement.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the vibrato mechanism comprises a tailpiece unit for a stringed instrument. Examples of existing designs for such units are shown in U.S. Design Patent No. 169,120 and U.S. Design Patent No. 170,109, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0016] The basic components of such a vibrato mechanism may include a bar with a string attached and an actuator arm operatively connected to the bar such that when the actuator arm is engaged (e.g., by pressing the actuator arm towards the body of the instrument or by pulling the actuator arm away from the body of the instrument), it rotates the bar about its longitudinal axis, thereby decreasing or increasing the tension in the string and, therefore, lowering or raising the pitch of the string when strummed or plucked. A short, stiff spring attached between the base of the unit and a cup attached to the actuator arm returns the bar to its rest position when the actuator arm is released, thereby restoring the normal pitch of the string.

[0017] However, in existing designs, differences in string properties, such as tension and / or elasticity (which may be based, for example, on the material from which the strings are formed, the diameter of the strings, whether the strings are wound, and / or the like), cause the pitch of the strings to not change uniformly when the bar is rotated. Thus, during operation of vibrato mechanisms having existing designs, the pitches of different strings deviate by different relative intervals, resulting in dissonant chords when such vibrato mechanisms are engaged.

[0018] There have been prior attempts to solve these problems with certain vibrato designs that include multiple moving parts that attempt to individually control the movement of each string, but these designs have certain drawbacks. For example, the complexity introduced by including multiple moving parts to accommodate small movements makes these designs unreliable and prone to misalignment. Furthermore, the vibrato effect produced by these designs often has poor sound quality due to string energy losses from the multiple moving pieces. As a result, none of these designs have been widely adopted for use by players.

[0019] Thus, as described in more detail below with respect to FIGS. 1A-1F, the technology described herein includes a vibrato mechanism having a bar (e.g., which may be referred to as a string fixing bar) that includes a separate segment (which may be referred to as a string sheet or string ramp) for each string, the segments differing in size (e.g., thickness, which may mean diameter or major axis, and / or shape) based on the expected properties of the different strings. If the vibrato mechanism is configured for a guitar, the bar may include six segments of various sizes, and each of the guitar's six strings may be attached to a corresponding segment. The size of a segment (e.g., diameter for a round bar, major axis for an oval bar, or shape for variously shaped segments) is determined based on one or more properties of the string it corresponds to. For example, producing a given magnitude of pitch change for a string with greater tension may require a greater change in string length than is required to produce the same magnitude of pitch change for a string with less tension. Thus, taking these differences into account, the size of the segments to which the higher tension strings are attached may be larger than the size of the segments to which the lower tension strings are attached, thereby achieving a greater string length change for the higher tension strings than for the lower tension strings with the same amount of bar rotation. As a result, when the actuator arm is engaged, the pitch of the higher tension strings and the lower tension strings change uniformly. Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure improve upon existing vibrato designs by taking into account the relative differences in properties between the strings through size variations between the segments of the bar to which the strings are attached. It is noted that in some embodiments, segments of different shapes may be used to achieve different magnitudes of string length change corresponding to the expected properties of the strings.

[0020] It should be noted that the "size" of a segment, as used herein, generally refers to the thickness, diameter (e.g., for a circular segment), major axis (e.g., for an elliptical segment), or similar dimension of the segment, and generally does not refer to the width of the segment along the length of the bar. Segments of different sizes may have different shapes, such that the difference in shape at least partially explains the difference in size. For example, the segments may be elliptical cylindrical segments with different lengths of their major axes, but not necessarily different lengths of their minor axes, and thus different sizes (and shapes).

[0021] Although certain embodiments are described with respect to a guitar having six strings, the vibrato mechanisms described herein may be utilized with guitars having a different number of strings and / or other types of stringed instruments.

[0022] The vibrato mechanisms described herein avoid the shortcomings of other designs developed to address relative differences in pitch change among strings. For example, by avoiding the complexities associated with designs in which each string is attached to an independently moving component (e.g., with its own spring mechanism) that must be precisely tuned to the characteristics of each individual string, embodiments of the present disclosure avoid the impracticality, potential for misalignment, and loss of string energy associated with such designs.

[0023] Additionally, in some embodiments, the vibrato mechanism may include a stop mechanism to prevent unintended string movement, such as when a player bends the string. The stop mechanism may include a first stop protrusion attached to the bar and a second stop protrusion attached to a base piece of the vibrato mechanism. The first stop protrusion and the second stop protrusion may contact when the actuator arm is at rest, and the contact between the first stop protrusion and the second stop protrusion may prevent the bar from rotating in a given direction about its longitudinal axis. Pressure from a spring disposed between the base of the vibrato mechanism and the actuator arm may urge the first stop protrusion against the second stop protrusion when the actuator arm is not engaged. For example, the stop mechanism may prevent the bar from rotating in a manner that increases the tension of the string (e.g., prevents the corresponding string pitch from increasing), thereby limiting the rotation of the bar in a direction that decreases the tension of the string (e.g., allows the corresponding string pitch to decrease). In one example, the stop mechanism functions such that the actuator arm can be pushed toward the body of the instrument to lower the pitch of the string, but cannot be pulled away from the body of the instrument to raise the pitch of the string. The stop mechanism allows pressure from the spring to overcome the increase in string tension, such that when a player bends one string (e.g., thereby increasing the pressure on that one string), the spring pressure prevents unintentional changes in tension on other strings that would otherwise occur (e.g., due to accidental rotation of the bar in an attempt to balance the overall string tension). For example, with a stop mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the spring pressure is no longer used to balance the string tension, but instead is only used to return the string tension to its initial state when the actuator arm is released.

[0024] The stop mechanism according to the embodiments of the present disclosure avoids the shortcomings of existing designs for stop mechanisms. For example, some existing stop mechanisms rely on the body of the instrument as a stopper. However, these designs require the instrument to have a solid body and a top that is a completely flat surface, which is often not the case with electric guitars. Other existing stop mechanisms include modified springs with built-in hard stops that can be utilized only with combination bridge and tailpiece units. However, the components in these designs often create unintended issues such as undesirable stickiness associated with engaging the actuator arm. Thus, by utilizing protrusions that contact each other to prevent rotation of the bar in a given direction, the stop mechanism described herein is compatible with guitars that do not have a solid body and / or a flat top, can be used with vibrato mechanisms that are not combination bridge and tailpiece units, and avoids the stickiness associated with springs modified to include built-in hard stops.

[0025] Some embodiments further include an additional bar configured to contact the strings at a location between the string fixing bar and the neck of the stringed instrument. The additional bar may be referred to as a tension roller bar and may function to ensure that the strings have sufficient tension to remain in place (e.g., in one or more saddles) during playing. Additionally, the additional bar may standardize the pressure and angle at which the strings seat in the saddles of the separate bridge units. In a conventional vibrato mechanism with a string fixing bar having a uniform diameter, the angle is the same for all strings as the strings extend away from the string fixing bar. However, when the string fixing bar includes segments of various sizes as described herein, the angle is different for each string without this component.

[0026] For example, the additional bar may be configured such that the strings extend between the additional bar and the body of the stringed instrument and contact the bottom surface of the additional bar. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the additional bar may include multiple independently rotating components to account for different amounts of linear string movement of different strings caused by operation of a vibrato mechanism according to embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the independently rotating components may be separate cylinders rotating about a common shaft. In some cases, the independently rotating components may be separated by a partition (e.g., formed from a low density material such as rubber or silicone) to prevent friction. The independently rotating components may help isolate the string movements from each other and avoid the movement of one string affecting the movement of the other strings.

[0027] Figures 1A-1I show different views of a vibrato mechanism 100 for a stringed instrument. Figure 1A is a plan view, Figure 1B is an isometric view, Figure 1C is a side view, Figure 1D is another side view, Figure 1E is another side view, Figure 1F is another side view, Figure 1G is a side cross-sectional view, Figure 1H is another side cross-sectional view, and Figure 1I is yet another side cross-sectional view of the vibrato mechanism 100.

[0028] As shown, the vibrato mechanism 100 includes a base 102 and a bracket 106 configured to be attached to a stringed instrument (e.g., to the top and side of the stringed instrument, respectively). In some embodiments, the vibrato mechanism 100 may be attached to the stringed instrument via one or more screws.

[0029] The vibrato mechanism 100 includes an actuator arm 104 operatively connected to a bar 110 such that when the actuator arm 104 is engaged (e.g., pressed towards the instrument), the bar 110 is caused to rotate about its longitudinal axis. The actuator arm 104 is connected to a spring 108 that extends between the base 102 and a component 109 below the actuator arm 104 and returns the actuator arm 104 to its rest position when the actuator arm 104 is released.

[0030] The bar 110 (which may also be referred to as a string fixing bar) is made up of a number of segments 112 of various sizes. a~f (which may be collectively referred to as segments 112 and individually as segments 112). For example, segment 112 f has the maximum size, and segment 112 a has a minimum size. The size of each segment 112 may be based on expected properties, such as expected tension and elasticity, of the string to which the segment 112 is configured to be connected. In one embodiment, the segments 112 are round cylindrical segments, and the size of each segment 112 refers to its diameter. In another embodiment, the segments 112 are elliptical cylindrical segments, and the size of each segment 112 refers to its major axis. In other embodiments, the segments 112 may take different forms, such as elliptical and / or oval camshafts, slots of irregular length ground to a specific diameter, and / or the like. In some embodiments, the segments 112 may have different shapes. For example, the segments 112 may be cylindrical segments of different shapes, such as circular and / or elliptical segments with different dimensions (e.g., one segment may be circular while another segment may be elliptical with specific dimensions). In alternative embodiments, the segments 112 may be square, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, and / or the like.

[0031] The segments 112 include protrusions 114 to which the strings of a stringed instrument are attached. For example, as described in more detail below with respect to Figure 2, a loop at the end of a given string may be attached to the protrusion 114 of a given segment 112. Other techniques for attaching the strings to the segments 112 may also be employed.

[0032] In one embodiment, the size (e.g., diameter) of each segment 112 is calculated and / or determined empirically as a function of one or more properties of the string to which the segment is configured to be connected, such as string diameter, tension, elasticity, and / or the like. Various formulas and / or techniques may be used to determine segment size, and the disclosure is not limited to any particular formula or technique. Additionally, alternative embodiments may include a bar or other type of component (e.g., having various sized segments as described herein) that rises and falls or performs some other type of motion rather than rotates to produce linear string movement when the actuator arm is engaged.

[0033] In some embodiments, different versions of the vibrato mechanism 100 may be created for different sets of strings. For example, an alternative version of the vibrato mechanism 100 may be configured for a string set that includes a wound G string, which may require more tension in the segment 112 than that used for a non-wound G string (e.g., as shown) due to the higher tension of the wound G string compared to the non-wound G string. d For this purpose, the diameter may be larger.

[0034] One or more of the segments 112 may be configured as grooves in the bar 110 (e.g., separated by raised portions of the bar 110) so that the strings remain in place in their corresponding segments 112.

[0035] As will be described in more detail below with respect to Figures 3A and 3B, the vibrato mechanism 100 includes a stop mechanism including stop protrusions 116 and 118. Stop protrusion 116 is attached to the bar 110 and stop protrusion 118 is attached to the base 102. When the actuator arm 104 and bar 110 are at rest, stop protrusion 116 contacts stop protrusion 118. Pressure from the spring 108 presses the stop protrusions 116 and 118 against each other. The stop protrusions 116 and 118 increase the pressure of the spring 108 to a point where it is strong enough to overcome changes in string tension. Because the spring pressure is not used as a balance, but rather as a means to return the actuator arm 104 and bar 110 to their rest positions when the actuator arm 104 is released.

[0036] When the actuator arm 104 is pressed towards the top surface of the instrument (overcoming the pressure of the spring 108), the resulting rotation of the bar 110 about its longitudinal axis in a first direction (e.g., counterclockwise from the perspective of FIG. 1C) separates the stop protrusion 116 from the stop protrusion 118. When the actuator arm 104 is released, the resulting return of the bar 110 to its rest position as a result of the spring 108 (e.g., via a clockwise rotation about its longitudinal axis from the perspective of FIG. 1C) brings the stop protrusion 116 back into contact with the stop protrusion 118. The contact between the stop protrusion 116 and the stop protrusion 118 when the actuator arm 104 and the bar 110 are in their rest positions prevents the bar 110 from rotating about its longitudinal axis in the other direction (e.g., clockwise from the perspective of FIG. 1C). Thus, any attempt to pull the actuator arm 104 away from the top surface of the instrument will not result in any rotation of the bar 110 or any resulting lift in string pitch. This stop mechanism (and the amount of spring pressure it allows) prevents unintentional rotation of the bar 110, such as by the player bending the strings, thereby preventing unintentional changes in string pitch.

[0037] In some embodiments (not shown), the stop protrusion 116 and / or the stop protrusion 118 may be retractable or movable such that the stop mechanism may be dynamically disengaged when the player desires to use the vibrato mechanism 100 to raise the pitch of the string. For example, the stop protrusion 116 and / or the stop protrusion 118 may be configured to be retracted into corresponding recesses in the bar 110 and / or the base 102 (e.g., when pressed into the corresponding recesses and / or when some other retraction trigger is actuated) or may be moved to one or more different positions such that they do not contact one another when the actuator arm 104 and the bar 110 are at rest. The stop mechanism may then be dynamically reengaged, such as by pulling, pushing, and / or moving the stop protrusion 116 and / or the stop protrusion 118 and / or actuating some other trigger to return the stop protrusion 116 and the stop protrusion 118 to contact one another.

[0038] It should be noted that other embodiments of vibrato mechanism 100 may not include stop protrusions 116 and 118. Additionally, some embodiments of vibrato mechanism 100 may include stop protrusions 116 and 118 without including segments 112 (e.g., instead including bars having a uniform size, or different types of components for attaching strings to vibrato mechanism 100).

[0039] The vibrato mechanism 100 further includes an additional bar 120, which may be referred to as a tension roller. As shown, the bar 120 includes multiple independently rotating components 122 separated and partitioned by dividers 142. The components 122 may be separate cylindrical cams that rotate about a common underlying shaft. The dividers 142 may be formed from a low density material such as rubber or silicone and may help isolate the components 122 from each other and prevent friction as the components 122 rotate. Thus, the components 122 and dividers 142 of the bar 120 may increase string tension (e.g., by applying pressure to the strings) without affecting the movement of one string on the other strings, preventing loss of string energy that may otherwise occur due to friction between moving parts. In the illustrative embodiment, the strings attached to segments 112 of bar 110 via protrusions 114 extend under bar 120 at a point between bar 110 and the neck of the stringed instrument, with components 122 contacting the strings to increase string tension and optimize string break angles.

[0040] If a conventional tension roller were used in conjunction with bar 110 rather than bar 120, the coordinated rotation of the conventional tension roller across all of the strings would interfere with the independent amounts of linear string movement caused by the various diameters of segments 112. Thus, bar 120 includes components 122 that rotate independently for each string.

[0041] It should be noted that some embodiments of the vibrato mechanism 100 may not include a tension roller, such as bar 120.

[0042] FIG. 2A is a diagram 200 of the manner in which strings may be attached to a vibrato mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] FIG. 200A includes the vibrato mechanism 100 of FIGS. 1A-1F, which includes a bar 110 with segments 112 and protrusions 114. A plurality of strings 210 are attached to the protrusions 114 via loops 212 at the ends of the strings 210. For example, each loop 212 is connected to a corresponding protrusion 114 such that the loop 212 surrounds the corresponding protrusion 114. The strings 210 extend upward (e.g., toward the neck of the guitar) around the segments 112. The connections between the loops 212 and the protrusions 114 hold the strings 210 in place on the bar 110, such that when the bar 110 rotates about its longitudinal axis (e.g., as a result of an actuator arm being engaged), the strings 210 undergo a corresponding linear string movement (e.g., proportional to the diameter of the segments 112) resulting in a pitch change.

[0044] FIG. 2B is an exploded view 200B of a string locking bar according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 200B, segment 112 f surrounds the shaft of the bar 110 and has a string fixing pin 114 (e.g., segment 112 f The segments 112 may be separate components attached to the bar 110 via holes in the bar 110 that are inserted through openings in the segments 112 and into corresponding openings in the underlying portion of the bar 110. f may not be a separate component from the remainder of the bar 110 and / or one or more of the other segments 112 may be separate components. In some instances, one or more of the segments 112 may be ground, rolled, or otherwise include a recess into the shaft of the bar 110. In some embodiments, the segments 112 f may be attached to the shaft of the bar 110 in some other manner other than by using the string fixing pin 114.

[0046] The shaft of the bar 110 may be inserted into an opening in the component 109 and / or may be attached to the component 109 and / or base 102 by one or more other methods. In some embodiments, the bar 110 may be attached to the component 109 and / or base 102 via one or more snap rings and / or mounting screws.

[0047] FIG. 2C is an exploded view 200C of a tension roller according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 200C, the bar 120 may include independently rotating components 122 and a common shaft surrounded by a partition 142. The independently rotating components 122 may rotate about the common shaft independently of one another, and the partition 142 prevents friction and isolates the movement of the independently rotating components 122 from one another. In some embodiments, the bar 120 may be attached to the base 102 by one or more snap rings and / or mounting screws.

[0049] Figures 3A-3C show different views of a vibrato mechanism 300 for a stringed instrument. The vibrato mechanism 300 is an alternative design to that shown in Figures 1A-1F. Figure 3A is a top view, Figure 3B is an isometric view, and Figure 3C is a side view of the vibrato mechanism 300.

[0050] As shown, the vibrato mechanism 300 includes a base 302 configured to be attached to a stringed instrument (e.g., to the top surface of the stringed instrument). In some embodiments, the vibrato mechanism 300 may be attached to the stringed instrument by one or more screws.

[0051] The vibrato mechanism 300 includes an actuator arm 304 operatively connected to a bar 310 such that when the actuator arm 304 is engaged (e.g., pressed towards the instrument), the bar 310 is caused to rotate about its longitudinal axis. The actuator arm 304 is connected to a spring 308 that extends between the base 302 and a cup 309 below the actuator arm 304 and returns the actuator arm 304 to its rest position when the actuator arm 304 is released.

[0052] The bar 310 (which may also be referred to as a string fixing bar) is made up of a number of segments 312 of various sizes. a~f (which may be referred to collectively as segments 112 and individually as segments 112). Segments 312 are similar to segments 112 of FIGS. 1A-1F. In some embodiments, segments 312 may have a different shape.

[0053] The segments 312 include protrusions 314 to which the strings of a stringed instrument are attached. For example, as described in more detail below with respect to Figure 2, a loop at the end of a given string may be attached to the protrusion 314 of a given segment 312. Other techniques for attaching the strings to the segments 312 may also be employed.

[0054] Vibrato mechanism 100 includes a stop mechanism including stop protrusions 316 and 318, which may function similarly to stop protrusions 116 and 118, described above and below in connection with Figures 1A-1I. In alternative embodiments, vibrato mechanism 300 may not include a stop mechanism.

[0055] The vibrato mechanism 300 further includes an additional bar 320 (similar to the bar 120 of FIGS. 1A-1F) that may be referred to as a tension roller. As shown, the bar 320 includes multiple independently rotating components 322 separated and partitioned by dividers 342. The components 322 may be separate cylindrical cams that rotate about a common underlying shaft. The dividers 342 may be formed from a low density material such as rubber or silicone and may help isolate the components 322 from each other and prevent friction as the components 322 rotate. In an exemplary embodiment, the strings attached to the segments 312 of the bar 310 by the projections 314 extend below the bar 320 at a point between the bar 310 and the neck of the stringed instrument, and the components 322 contact the strings to increase string tension and optimize the string break angle.

[0056] It should be noted that some embodiments of the vibrato mechanism 300 may not include a tension roller, such as bar 320.

[0057] 4A and 4B show a stop mechanism for a vibrato mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] Figure 4A includes a view of the stop mechanism when the actuator arm 104 and bar 110 of the vibrato mechanism 100 are in their rest positions. It should be noted that the stop mechanism of Figures 4A and 4B is described with respect to the vibrato mechanism 100 of Figures 1A-1F, but may also be utilized with the vibrato mechanism 300 of Figures 3A-3C.

[0059] As shown, the stop protrusion 116 attached to the bar 110 and the stop protrusion 118 attached to the base 102 are in contact with each other. The contact between the stop protrusions 116 and 118 prevents the bar 110 from rotating about its longitudinal axis in a given direction (clockwise from the perspective of FIG. 4A). Thus, the stop protrusions 116 and 118 prevent the actuator arm 104 from being pulled away from the body of the instrument. Furthermore, the stop protrusions 116 and 118 make the pressure of the spring 108 strong enough to overcome changes in string tension (e.g., due to the player bending the strings) and prevent unintended rotation of the bar 110 and the resulting unintended change in string pitch.

[0060] FIG. 4B includes a diagram of the stop mechanism when the actuator arm 104 is engaged (eg, by forcing the actuator arm 104 towards the top surface of the instrument).

[0061] As shown, stop protrusions 116 and 118 are no longer in contact with one another because rotation of bar 110 about its longitudinal axis (e.g., counterclockwise from the perspective of FIG. 3B) has caused stop protrusion 116 to move away from stop protrusion 118. Thus, as shown in FIG. 4B, the stop mechanism rotates bar 110 in one direction while engaging actuator arm 104 (e.g., toward the body of the instrument) and preventing bar 110 from rotating in the opposite direction.

[0062] It should be noted that stop protrusions 116 and 118 are included as examples, and other types of stop protrusions may be used. For example, rather than cylindrical pegs as shown, the stop protrusions may be formed in other shapes, such as flat, rectangular, or triangular protrusions. Additionally, the stop protrusions may alternatively be located at different locations on the vibrato mechanism 100. For example, the stop protrusions may alternatively be located at opposite ends of the bar 110 (e.g., opposite the actuator arm 104 rather than adjacent to the actuator arm 104).

[0063] 5 illustrates a guitar 500 configured with a vibrato mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Although guitar 500 is shown with vibrato mechanism 300 of Figures 3A-3C, guitar 500 may also include vibrato mechanism 100 of Figures 1A-1F.

[0064] In the example of FIG. 5, guitar 500 is an electric guitar. The guitar includes a body 510, a neck 520, and a headstock 530. The strings, including string 525, extend from the headstock, where the strings are tightened to a desired tension by keys 540, to the vibrato mechanism 300, where the strings are secured to segments 312 of bar 310 (shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B) by protrusions 314 (shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B), one protrusion 314 for each string. A nut 560 is located at the end of a fingerboard 565 adjacent to the headstock and controls the string spacing, i.e., the distance from the edge of the fingerboard, and the height of the strings above the first fret 570 on the fingerboard 565. The strings are slightly splayed over their length and extend over one or more saddles 575. The portion of the string that vibrates to produce sound when plucked is the portion that extends between the nut 560 and the bar 320 and / or bar 310. The string is stopped or effectively shortened when it is pressed down behind a fret.

[0065] It should be noted that, although certain embodiments are described with respect to a guitar, the techniques presented herein may be employed in conjunction with other types of stringed instruments. While the above is directed to embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the present disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope of the disclosure, which scope is determined by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A vibrato mechanism, A bar including a plurality of segments, each respective segment of the plurality of segments configured to be connected to a respective string of a plurality of strings of a stringed musical instrument; a first segment of the plurality of segments having a first size and configured to be connected to a first string of the plurality of strings having a first tension; a bar, a second segment of the plurality of segments having a second size different from the first size and configured to be connected to a second string of the plurality of strings having a second tension different from the first tension; an actuator arm operatively connected to the bar such that, when engaged, the actuator arm rotates the bar about its longitudinal axis; Equipped with a vibrato mechanism.

2. 2. The vibrato mechanism of claim 1, wherein the bar is configured to produce a first amount of linear string movement for the first string and a second amount of linear string movement for the second string as the bar rotates about its longitudinal axis, the first amount of linear string movement and the second amount of linear string movement having a proportional relationship to the first size and the second size.

3. The vibrato mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of segments comprises cylindrical segments having different diameters or different major axes.

4. The vibrato mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the vibrato mechanism is configured to be attached to a top surface of the stringed instrument.

5. 10. The vibrato mechanism of claim 1, further comprising an additional bar configured to contact the plurality of strings at a location between the bar and a neck of the stringed instrument.

6. 6. The vibrato mechanism of claim 5, wherein the additional bar includes a plurality of independently rotating elements, each respective independently rotating element of the independently rotating elements configured to contact a respective string of one of the plurality of strings.

7. 2. The vibrato mechanism of claim 1, wherein each respective string of said plurality of strings is connected to a respective protrusion attached to a respective segment of said plurality of segments.

8. 2. The vibrato mechanism of claim 1, wherein the bar includes a first stop protrusion configured to contact a second stop protrusion attached to the vibrato mechanism when the actuator arm is not engaged.

9. 9. The vibrato mechanism of claim 8, wherein contact between the first and second stop projections prevents the bar from rotating in a given direction about its longitudinal axis.

10. A vibrato mechanism, a bar configured to be connected to a plurality of strings of a stringed instrument; an actuator arm operatively connected to the bar such that, when engaged, the actuator arm rotates the bar about its longitudinal axis; the bar includes a first stop protrusion configured to contact a second stop protrusion attached to the vibrato mechanism when the actuator arm is not engaged; A vibrato mechanism, wherein contact between the first stop protrusion and the second stop protrusion prevents the bar from rotating about its longitudinal axis in a given direction.

11. the bar includes a plurality of segments; each respective segment of the plurality of segments is configured to be connected to a respective string of the plurality of strings; a first segment of the plurality of segments having a first size and configured to be connected to a first string of the plurality of strings having a first tension; 11. The vibrato mechanism of claim 10, wherein a second segment of the plurality of segments has a second size different from the first size and is configured to be connected to a second string of the plurality of strings having a second tension different from the first tension.

12. 11. The vibrato mechanism of claim 10, further comprising an additional bar configured to contact the plurality of strings at a location between the bar and a neck of the stringed instrument.

13. 13. The vibrato mechanism of claim 12, wherein the additional bar includes a plurality of independently rotating elements, each respective independently rotating element of the independently rotating elements configured to contact a respective string of one of the plurality of strings.

14. It's a guitar. Neck and Body and Top and a vibrato mechanism attached to the top, the vibrato mechanism comprising: A bar including a plurality of segments, each respective segment of the plurality of segments is configured to be connected to a respective string of the plurality of strings of the guitar; a first segment of the plurality of segments having a first size and configured to be connected to a first string of the plurality of strings having a first tension; a bar, a second segment of the plurality of segments having a second size different from the first size and configured to be connected to a second string of the plurality of strings having a second tension different from the first tension; an actuator arm operatively connected to the bar such that, when engaged, the actuator arm rotates the bar about its longitudinal axis; Equipped with a guitar.

15. 15. The guitar of claim 14, wherein the bar rotates about its longitudinal axis, the bar configured to produce a first amount of linear string movement for the first string and a second amount of linear string movement for the second string, the first amount of linear string movement and the second amount of linear string movement having a proportional relationship to the first size and the second size.

16. 15. The guitar of claim 14, wherein the plurality of segments comprises cylindrical segments having different diameters or different major axes.

17. 15. The guitar of claim 14, further comprising an additional bar configured to contact the plurality of strings at a location between the bar and a neck of the stringed instrument.

18. 18. The guitar of claim 17, wherein the additional bar includes a plurality of independently rotating elements, each respective independently rotating element of the independently rotating elements configured to contact a respective one of the plurality of strings.

19. 15. The guitar of claim 14, wherein the bar includes a first stop protrusion configured to contact a second stop protrusion attached to the vibrato mechanism when the actuator arm is not engaged.

20. 20. The guitar of claim 19, wherein contact between the first stop protrusion and the second stop protrusion prevents the bar from rotating in a given direction about its longitudinal axis.

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