Removable Bow Tip Insert for Easy Re-hairing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Low-cost bows used by students often have glued tip plugs that make re-hairing expensive and labor-intensive, leading to frequent replacement and discarding, which is economically unsustainable for students and schools.

Innovation Solution

A bow tip insert system that non-permanently secures to the bow tip using a fastener, allowing for easy installation and removal of bow hair, featuring a main body with projections and a slotted projection to trap hair and a threaded cavity for screw attachment, enabling DIY re-hairing without professional assistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a glued tip plug is used to support bow hairs, then the bow hair can be securely attached, but the tip plug cannot be removed easily and re-hairing becomes expensive and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachment of bow hairVSAvoidre-hairing process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The tip plug is divided into two separate components: a removable tip insert and a permanent tip housing. The tip insert contains the hair trapping constriction and can be easily removed and replaced, while the tip housing remains glued to the bow. This segmentation allows for easy re-hairing without removing the entire tip assembly, resolving the contradiction between secure attachment and ease of repair.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hair trapping functionality is extracted from the permanent tip plug and placed into a separate removable tip insert. This extracted component can be easily removed when hair needs replacement, eliminating the need to remove the entire glued tip assembly. The extraction of the functional element enables easy repair while maintaining secure attachment through the constriction mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If a glued tip plug is used, then bow hair can be securely attached, but the cost of labor for re-hairing exceeds the cost of a new bow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachment of bow hairVSAvoidcost of re-hairing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the tip plug into a removable insert and permanent housing, the invention enables cost-effective re-hairing. Only the inexpensive tip insert needs to be replaced rather than the entire tip assembly, making maintenance affordable for students and schools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tip insert is designed as a disposable or easily replaceable component that can be made from inexpensive materials. When hair needs replacement, the entire tip insert can be discarded and replaced with a new one, eliminating the need for expensive professional re-hairing services.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Device complexity

If a glued tip plug is used, then the bow can be manufactured simply, but the bow cannot be easily maintained and must be replaced frequently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetip plug structureVSAvoidbow lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The tip plug is segmented into a permanent housing and removable insert, creating a structure that is both simple to manufacture and easy to maintain. The segmentation allows the bow to be maintained throughout its lifespan without requiring complex disassembly or professional service.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tip plug structure transitions from a static glued assembly to a dynamic system where the insert can be easily removed and replaced. This dynamic capability extends the bow's usable lifespan by enabling maintenance without compromising the simplicity of the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of repair

If a non-permanent fastener is used to secure the tip insert, then re-hairing becomes easy and cost-effective, but the attachment strength may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvere-hairing processVSAvoidattachment strength of tip insert

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The screw fastener creates a mechanical interference fit through threading, generating strong attachment strength while remaining easily removable. The threaded engagement provides robust securing of the tip insert to the tip housing, eliminating concerns about attachment strength despite the non-permanent nature of the connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the chemical bonding of glue with a mechanical fastening system (screw and threaded cavity). This mechanical system provides equal or superior attachment strength while enabling easy removal and re-hairing, resolving the contradiction between strength and ease of repair.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11948539B1Violin bow tip insert and bow re-hairing system

Publication Date: 2024.04.02 SEARS ZACHARY C

AI summary

A system for re-hairing a bow of a musical instrument provides a bow tip insert configured to install into a tip cavity within a tip of the bow, wherein the bow tip insert is configured to non-permanently secure to the tip of the bow, and wherein the bow tip insert is further configured to affix bow hair to the bow when the bow tip insert is installed in the tip cavity.