Interchangeable Accessory Attachment System for Musical Instruments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fasteners used to attach accessories to musical instruments are heavy, have large surface areas, and are susceptible to mechanical stress, affecting the playability of the instrument and limiting their ability to accommodate multiple accessories.

Innovation Solution

A kit comprising a versatile attachment system with a connector element that allows for the removably attaching multiple interchangeable accessories to various instruments, enhancing sound, functionality, and visual elements without compromising playability, using a clamp assembly, cylindrical attachment members, and quick release mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional fasteners are used to attach accessories to musical instruments, then accessories can be attached to enhance sound and functionality, but the fasteners are heavy and have large surface areas which affect playability of the instrument

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to attach accessoriesVSAvoidweight of fastener

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is divided into separate components: a connector element that attaches to the accessory and an attachment member that attaches to the instrument. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, resulting in a lighter overall fastener that does not compromise attachment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connector element acts as an intermediary between the accessory and the attachment member. This intermediary component enables the attachment of various accessories without requiring heavy, custom-designed fasteners for each accessory type, thus reducing overall weight while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional fasteners are used to attach accessories to musical instruments, then accessories can be attached to enhance sound and functionality, but the fasteners have large surface areas which affect playability of the instrument

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to attach accessoriesVSAvoidsurface area of fastener

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the fastener into a small connector element and a compact attachment member, the total surface area occupying the instrument is minimized. The connector element is designed to fit tightly to the accessory while the attachment member provides secure attachment without excessive surface area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment member incorporates flexible components such as elastic bands or thin-walled structures that provide sufficient attachment strength with minimal surface area, allowing the fastener to secure accessories without interfering with instrument playability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional fasteners are used to attach accessories to musical instruments, then accessories can be attached to enhance sound and functionality, but the fasteners are susceptible to mechanical stress exerted by the musical instrument, thereby further affecting the playability of the musical instrument

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to attach accessoriesVSAvoidresistance to mechanical stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system utilizes parameter changes in the form of adjustable tension through elastic bands or spring-loaded mechanisms. This allows the fastener to maintain consistent attachment reliability under varying mechanical stress conditions without compromising instrument playability or accessory security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment member incorporates dynamic elements such as elastic bands that can flex and adapt to mechanical stress in real-time. This dynamic response allows the fastener to maintain secure attachment while accommodating the natural movement and stress of the instrument during playability, thereby improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10502357B2Kit for attaching interchangeable accessories to an instrument

Publication Date: 2019.12.10 HEAD ON INNOVATIONS

AI summary

A kit for attaching one or more interchangeable accessories, for example, sound makers, fashion accessories, utility accessories, instrument accessories, etc., to an instrument, for example, a drum stick, a drum head, a post of a bass drum pedal or a hihat, a cajón, a microphone, a guitar, a stand, etc., to enhance sound, functionality, and visual elements of the instrument is provided. The kit includes one or more interchangeable accessories and at least one attachment system. The attachment system includes an attachment member and a connector element. The attachment member, for example, a clamp assembly with an accessory housing and a release assembly, or a generally cylindrical attachment member, or a cap member is removably attachable to a predetermined location of the instrument. The connector element is a female connector or a male connector for engageably connecting the attachment member to an opposing connector of one of the interchangeable accessories.