Guitar Neck Joint with Rounded Tenon for Heel-Free Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional guitar designs face challenges in providing structural stability and resonance while allowing easy access to high notes, as the heel obstructs hand movement and traditional square neck joints are inefficient in distributing tension and enhancing resonance.
Innovation Solution
A bolt-on guitar design with a neck joint featuring an elongated protrusion that fits into a corresponding pocket on the guitar body, eliminating the need for a heel and utilizing rounded corners for a secure, tension-bearing contact that enhances resonance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a heel is added to the neck joint for structural stability, then the neck joint strength is improved, but the accessibility to high frets deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the heel component entirely from the neck joint design. Instead of adding a protruding heel for structural support, the invention uses a recessed pocket in the body that receives the neck tenon, eliminating the obstruction to high fret access while maintaining joint strength through the pocket-tenon fit and bolt connection.
2Ease of manufacture
If a traditional square neck joint is used, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the tension distribution efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional square neck joint with a rounded neck joint featuring a curved tenon that fits into a corresponding curved pocket. This rounded geometry allows for more efficient distribution of string tension across the joint interface, improving strength and resonance while remaining manufacturable through standard woodworking techniques.
3Strength
If the neck joint contacts the body at multiple points, then the resonance is enhanced, but the structural stability under tension deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different functional qualities to different parts of the neck joint. The rounded tenon and pocket provide distributed contact for resonance enhancement, while the bolt connection provides concentrated, high-strength anchoring for structural stability under string tension. This local differentiation of functional qualities resolves the contradiction between resonance and stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A neck joint for an electric guitar, comprising an elongated protrusion with rounded corners fitting into a similar-shaped pocket with similarly rounded corners, which creates a strong enough connection between the neck and the body that the neck no longer requires a heel, improving the range of the guitar and the sound of the instrument.