Stringed Instrument Bridge Wedge Lock Saddle Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stringed instrument bridges face issues with loose or ill-fitting components, leading to loss of sustain, tone, and clarity, as well as misalignment and extraneous noises due to the use of multiple screws and hardware, which can cause the saddles to shift laterally and not hold securely.
Innovation Solution
A stringed instrument bridge design utilizing a wedge lock system with two wedge locks that securely attach to angled members, allowing for adjustable saddle positioning without the need for numerous screws, and incorporating a step block for setting string height and radius, minimizing hardware while ensuring rigid attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple screws and hardware are used to attach saddles, then the saddles can be securely held in place, but the components tend to rattle, come loose, or become ill-fitting resulting in loss of sustain, tone and clarity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple attachment functions into a single integrated wedge lock mechanism. The wedge lock simultaneously attaches the saddle to the bridge body and provides intonation adjustment, eliminating the need for multiple separate screws and hardware components that cause rattling and looseness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes unnecessary screws and hardware components from the traditional bridge assembly, retaining only the essential wedge lock mechanism. This extraction of extraneous parts eliminates the sources of rattling, loosening, and ill-fitting that degrade sustain, tone, and clarity.
2Reliability
If a set screw is used to tighten saddles, then loose saddles can be secured, but the alignment of the saddles shifts off to one side resulting in misalignment with the strings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the adjustment function from the attachment function by using a wedge lock mechanism that allows independent adjustment of saddle position and tightness. The wedge lock can be loosened for positioning and tightened for securing, maintaining alignment throughout the process rather than forcing both functions with a single set screw.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable cams are used for string height, then string height can be adjusted, but the strings are not exposed over the top of the bridge making it difficult to mute strings with the palm
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of hiding the string adjustment mechanism beneath the bridge body like traditional cams, the patent positions the wedge lock mechanism on the top surface of the bridge, exposing the strings over the bridge body. This inversion allows players to easily mute strings with their palm while maintaining full adjustability through the top-mounted wedge locks.
4Adaptability or versatility
If numerous components and hardware are used in the bridge, then adjustment functionality is provided, but the device complexity increases leading to more parts that can rattle or come loose
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge lock mechanism performs multiple functions simultaneously: it attaches the saddle to the bridge body, provides intonation adjustment by allowing lateral saddle movement, and secures the saddle in the adjusted position. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing overall device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides increased sustain, tone, and clarity of notes while reducing extraneous noises by securely holding the saddles in place and allowing for easy intonation and string height adjustments with minimal hardware, maintaining lateral alignment and comfort during play.
Implementation Method 1
when first screw is tightened and the second screw is tightened, the first and second wedge locks fixedly hold the saddles in the adjusted position
Implementation Method 2
the first wedge lock configured to attach to the bridge body at the first angled member via a first screw
Data Source
AI summary
A stringed instrument bridge comprising: a bridge body; a receiving surface that is generally flat and horizontal; a first angled member abutting a first side of the receiving surface, the first angled member having a first angled surface with a first threaded hole; a second angled member abutting a second side of the receiving surface, the second side on an opposite side from the first side, the second angled member having a second angled surface with a second threaded hole; a step block attachable to the receiving surface; the step block comprising a plurality of steps; a plurality of saddles, each saddle configured to sit on one of the steps; a first wedge lock, the first wedge lock having a first slotted screw hole, the first wedge lock configured to attach to the bridge body at the first angled member via a first screw configured to engage the first slotted screw hole and the first threaded hole; a second wedge lock, the second wedge lock having a second slotted screw hole, the second wedge lock configured to attach to the bridge body at the second angled member via a second screw configured to engage the second slotted screw hole and the second threaded hole; wherein when the first and second wedge locks are loosely attached to the first and second angle members, the saddles may be adjusted into an adjusted position with respect to the step block; and wherein when first screw is tightened and the second screw is tightened, the first and second wedge locks fixedly hold the saddles in the adjusted position. A stringed instrument bridge comprising: a bridge body; a receiving surface that comprises a plurality of steps; a bottom surface opposite the receiving, the bottom surface having a concave curve configured to allow the bridge body to attach to the top surface of a stringed instrument, where the top surface is curved; a first angled member abutting a first side of the receiving surface, the first angled member having a first angled surface with a first non-threaded hole; a second angled member abutting a second side of the receiving surface, the second side on an opposite side from the first side, the second angled member having a second angled surface with a second non-threaded hole; a first integral spacer extending from the bottom surface, the first integral spacer having an opening that is coincident with the first non-threaded hole; a second integral spacer extending from the bottom surface, the second integral spacer having an opening that is coincident with the second non-threaded hole; a plurality of saddles, each saddle configured to sit on one of the steps; a first wedge lock, the first wedge lock having a first slotted screw hole, the first wedge lock configured to attach to the bridge body at the first angled member via a first screw configured to engage the first slotted screw hole and the first non-threaded hole; a second wedge lock, the second wedge lock having a second slotted screw hole, the second wedge lock configured to attach to the bridge body at the second angled member via a second screw configured to engage the second slotted screw hole and the second non-threaded hole; at least one non-threaded slotted hole located in the bridge body and configured to align with at least one hole spacing on a stringed instrument; wherein when the first and second wedge locks are loosely attached to the first and second angle members, the saddles may be adjusted into an adjusted position with respect to the receiving surface; and wherein when first screw is tightened and the second screw is tightened, the first and second wedge locks fixedly hold the saddles in the adjusted position. A stringed instrument bridge comprising: a bridge body; a receiving surface that comprises a plurality of steps; a first angled member abutting a first side of the receiving surface, the first angled member having a first angled surface with a first threaded hole; a second angled member abutting a second side of the receiving surface, the second side on an opposite side from the first side, the second angled member having a second angled surface with a second threaded hole; a plurality of saddles, each saddle configured to sit on one of the steps; a first wedge lock, the first wedge lock having a first slotted screw hole, the first wedge lock configured to attach to the bridge body at the first angled member via a first screw configured to engage the first slotted screw hole and the first threaded hole; a second wedge lock, the second wedge lock having a second slotted screw hole, the second wedge lock configured to attach to the bridge body at the second angled member via a second screw configured to engage the second slotted screw hole and the second threaded hole; an integral tailpiece attached to one side of the bridge body, the tailpiece having a plurality of string holes configured to hold the end of a string above each of the plurality of steps; wherein when the first and second wedge locks are loosely attached to the first and second angle members, the saddles may be adjusted into an adjusted position with respect to the receiving surface; and wherein when first screw is tightened and the second screw is tightened, the first and second wedge locks fixedly hold the saddles in the adjusted position; and wherein the bridge body is configured to mount flat to the top of a stringed instrument.