Folding Stringed Instrument Neck Pivot Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Folding guitars often remain bulky due to the arrangement where the fretboard lies on the front of the body, requiring it to be folded out against string tension, which is inefficient and complex to maintain.
Innovation Solution
A folding stringed instrument design featuring a pivotally connected neck and body with a tension member that reacts string tension on a roller, allowing the neck to fold under the body while maintaining or relieving tension, using a stop and roller arrangement to manage string tension during folding and playing positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the fretboard lies on the front of the body and is folded out against string tension, then the instrument can be folded compactly, but the structure becomes bulky and the mechanism becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional folding direction by having the neck fold underneath the body rather than lying on the front. This reversal allows the fretboard to fold in the same direction as the strings' natural tension, eliminating the need to fold against tension and simplifying the overall mechanism while achieving compact folded dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the tension management function from the folding mechanism itself by introducing a separate stop mechanism. This stop prevents over-folding and manages string tension independently, allowing the main folding structure to focus solely on achieving compact size without the added complexity of integrated tension management.
2Reliability
If a mechanism is provided to maintain string tension throughout folding, then string tension is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stop mechanism automatically manages string tension during folding without requiring active control systems. As the neck folds underneath the body, the strings naturally tension against the stop, which prevents over-folding and maintains appropriate tension passively. This self-regulating approach maintains reliability while avoiding complex active tension maintenance mechanisms.
3Volume of moving object
If the neck folds under the body towards the back face, then the instrument becomes compact, but string tension management becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The stop acts as an intermediary element between the folding neck and the string tension system. It mediates the interaction by providing a fixed reference point that automatically manages tension as the neck folds underneath the body, making the process straightforward and eliminating the need for complex tension management operations.
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 design results in a compact, stable instrument that maintains string tension during play and relieves tension during folding, enabling the instrument to fit in normal luggage without the complexity of maintaining permanent string tension.
Implementation Method 1
the tension in the strings is reacted on the roller and the strings hold the neck in its position stopped by the stop
Implementation Method 2
a pivot between the neck and the body at the body end of the neck and the neck end of the body
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A folding stringed instrument (1) has a narrow body (2), a neck (3) with a fret board (4) and strings (5). Tuning pegs (6) and a bridge (7) are provided on a front face (8) of the body, together with an optional microphone pick-up (99 and a stand (10) at the end of the body. The neck and the body are pivotally connected about a pivot (11) set back from the face, whereby the neck can swing under the body. Centrally this is of wood board (12) with a deeper aluminium edging flange (13) for stiffness, enabling the neck to be swung against the board between opposite sides of the flange. The pivot (11) comprises a pin (14) between the opposite sides of the flange and a secondary roller (15). The neck is formed of a shallow aluminium channel (16), with the fret board secured to one side and a closure plate (17) closing the channel. Trunnions (18) extend from the channel at the body end of the neck for pivotal connection to the pin (14). At the head end, the web of the channel is cut away and the flanges (19) bent inwards in a lazy Z manner to support a further pivot pin (20) for a primary roller (21) around which the strings pass. A non-shown bearing is provided for the roller (21) on the pin (20).