Guitar Neck Joint Clamping via Flexible Protrusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stringed musical instruments with removable necks require complex and unsightly metal mechanisms for quick neck changes, lacking a simple method to secure the neck to the body without visible metal parts and efficient removal/replacement.
Innovation Solution
A clamping mechanism where the neck base slides into a body pocket and is clamped by a flexible protrusion drawn by a threaded fastener, with most of the assembly hidden inside the instrument, using only a threaded fastener and insert on the body, allowing for quick and tool-free neck changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a complex metal clamping system is used to secure the neck, then the neck can be quickly removed and replaced, but the device becomes visually unsightly and structurally complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes visible metal clamping parts from the exterior of the instrument. The clamping mechanism is extracted and hidden inside the body cavity, with only a small access hole visible. This eliminates the unsightly appearance of external metal parts while maintaining the quick-release functionality through internal mechanical action.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping mechanism is nested within the body cavity of the instrument. The metal clamping parts are positioned inside the body, with the clamping action occurring internally rather than externally. This nesting approach hides the complex mechanism within the instrument's structure, preserving aesthetic appearance while enabling quick neck changes.
2Strength
If metal parts are attached to the neck base for clamping, then secure attachment is achieved, but the neck structure becomes more complex and visible metal parts are added
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the metal clamping parts from the neck base and relocates them to the body cavity. The neck base itself remains simple and free of attached metal components. The clamping action is achieved through metal parts positioned in the body that engage with the neck base, rather than metal parts attached to the neck base itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a flexible protrusion as an intermediary element between the neck base and the metal clamping mechanism. This flexible protrusion transmits the clamping force from the internal metal parts to the neck base, allowing secure attachment without directly attaching metal parts to the visible neck base structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If visible metal clamping parts are used, then the clamping mechanism is simple and accessible, but the aesthetic appearance of the instrument is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping mechanism is nested within the body cavity, with metal parts positioned internally rather than externally. This nesting conceals the mechanical components within the instrument's aesthetic form, preserving the visual appearance while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through straightforward internal positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a small access hole or opening in the body to provide limited visibility or access to the clamping mechanism, while the majority of the metal parts remain hidden within the body cavity. This localized approach balances aesthetic appearance with manufacturing accessibility.
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
Enables rapid and tool-free neck removal and replacement without visible metal parts, enhancing convenience and aesthetics while maintaining secure clamping, addressing the complexity and visibility issues of prior art.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible protrusion is drawn toward the pocket by a fastener thereby clamping the base of the neck to the instrument body
Implementation Method 2
a flexible protrusion, both made of the body material. The flexible protrusion is drawn toward the pocket by a fastener
Data Source
AI summary
An improved body for a stringed instrument wherein the base of the neck slides into a body pocket and onto a flexible protrusion, both made of the body material. The flexible protrusion is drawn toward the pocket by a fastener thereby clamping the base of the neck to the instrument body. No metal parts attach to the base of the neck. The only metal parts involved are the threaded fastener which draws the flexible protrusion toward the pocket and the threaded insert in the flexible protrusion to which this fastener threads. Most of the clamping assembly is hidden inside the body and neck and is not visible when the body and neck are connected. The neck can be removed and replaced rapidly allowing instrument storage in a smaller space and allowing necks of varying scale lengths, fret configurations, or fretboard radius to be attached to the same instrument.