Musical Instrument Endpin Support with Elastic Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional musical instrument supports, such as those using endpins, often damage floors due to their pointed tips and fail to effectively transmit the vibrancy of sounds produced by instruments, as they absorb vibrations and have weak fixing power, and are influenced by the floor surface, reducing the transmission of sound vibrancy.
Innovation Solution
A musical instrument support system with a first and second member having a predetermined gap to reduce sound absorption, elastic bottom portions to absorb load and vibrations, and adjustable components to minimize floor contact, allowing for secure fixing and optimal sound transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a rubber cap or dedicated stopper is attached to the endpin tip to prevent floor damage, then floor protection is improved, but sound vibrancy transmission deteriorates because vibrations are absorbed by the cap or stopper
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (the support device with first and second members) between the endpin and the floor. This intermediary transfers the load from the endpin to the floor through distributed contact points while maintaining vibration transmission pathways, thus protecting the floor from direct point-load damage while preserving sound vibrancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The support device segments the single point contact of the endpin into multiple contact points through the first member (with first contact portion) and second member (with second contact portion). This segmentation distributes the load across a larger floor area, preventing localized damage while maintaining structural support.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a rubber cap or dedicated stopper is used to protect the floor, then floor protection is improved, but fixing power deteriorates because these small components cannot sufficiently support the musical instrument
Solution Approach 1:
The support device segments the support function into multiple components: the first member with first contact portion, the second member with second contact portion, and the third member. This segmentation creates multiple load-bearing pathways that collectively provide sufficient fixing power to support the musical instrument's weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of floor protection and instrument support into a single integrated device. The first and second members work together to distribute load to the floor while simultaneously providing upward support force to the instrument, combining protective and supportive functions.
3Loss of energy
If the endpin transmits vibrations to the floor surface, then sound transmission is improved, but the system becomes influenced by the floor surface which reduces sound vibrancy in some situations
Solution Approach 1:
The support device acts as an intermediary between the endpin and the floor surface. It provides a controlled transmission pathway for vibrations while isolating the instrument from adverse floor surface conditions. The first and second members mediate the interaction, allowing beneficial vibration transmission while blocking harmful floor influences.
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 system securely fixes instruments while minimizing floor influence, allowing for enhanced sound vibrancy transmission and improved stability, ensuring that the original sound quality of the instrument is maintained.
Implementation Method 1
Between the receiving member 103 and the pressure-contact pin 104, a spring coil 105 that biases the pressure-contact pin 104 downward is provided
Implementation Method 2
a first bottom portion member with elasticity provided on a side of the first member opposite to the third members, and a second bottom portion member with elasticity provided on the load support portion
Data Source
AI summary
An endpin support 1 as an example of a musical instrument support to which the present invention is applied includes a lower plate member 2, an upper plate member 3, middle plate members4, and a load receiving member 5. The lower plate member 2 is a portion that vibrates by resonating with sounds of a musical instrument and spreads vibrancy of the sounds. The lower plate member 2 and the upper plate member 3 are joined at a position at which their one end sides are aligned by two middle plate members 4 to form a main body portion 6 that receives a load when supporting an endpin. The two middle plate members 4 are provided at positions of both ends of the lower plate member 2, and a space is formed between the lower plate member 2 and the upper plate member 3.