One-Piece Maintenance Mat with Integrated Neck Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing maintenance mats and neck supports for stringed instruments are typically two-piece systems, leading to instability during string changes, potential damage to instruments, and difficulties in transportation and storage, especially for touring musicians.
Innovation Solution
A portable, one-piece maintenance mat with a built-in neck support that rolls up for easy storage, featuring a non-slip surface and adjustable indent to accommodate various instruments, secured with a closure system such as hook and loop, snap, or tie, providing stability and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If two separate maintenance mats and neck supports are used, then each component can be optimized independently, but the user must constantly reposition the pieces as they slide around and may misplace or lose pieces while moving from location to location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the maintenance mat and neck support into a single integrated unit. The neck support is constructed as one continuous piece with the maintenance mat, eliminating the need for separate components. This integration prevents pieces from sliding around or being misplaced while maintaining the functional benefits of both the mat and neck support.
2Ease of manufacture
If two separate maintenance mats and neck supports are used, then each component can be optimized independently, but the user is constantly repositioning as the two pieces slide around
Solution Approach 1:
The maintenance mat and neck support are merged into a single integrated unit with a unified non-slip base. This integration ensures that the entire assembly moves as one piece, eliminating the constant repositioning issue that occurs with separate components sliding around independently.
3Ease of operation
If a one-piece maintenance mat with neck support is used, then transport and storage are simplified, but the mat must be designed to roll around the neck support and fasten in a closed configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The maintenance mat is designed with flexible, rollable material that can be conveniently stored by rolling around the neck support. The integration of the closure element allows the rolled mat to be securely fastened, creating a compact portable unit that is easy to transport without requiring complex mechanisms.
4Reliability
If the maintenance mat is made non-slip to ensure stability, then the instrument remains stable during string changes, but the underside material must have specific friction properties
Solution Approach 1:
The maintenance mat utilizes composite material construction with a top layer optimized for instrument protection and an underside layer with specific non-slip friction properties. This composite approach allows the mat to provide both protective functions and stable positioning without compromising ease of manufacture, as the non-slip properties are integrated into the material selection rather than requiring additional components.
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 solution ensures stable and damage-free string changes, reduces the risk of lost components, and facilitates easy transportation and storage by integrating the mat and neck support into a single, secure unit.
Implementation Method 1
Owing to the non-slip nature of the underside of the mat, the device will remain stable and will not slide
Implementation Method 2
secured with a closure system such as hook and loop, snap, or tie
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a portable one piece maintenance mat with neck support. The maintenance mat has a neck support cushion having a having a centrally located indent on the topside adapted to receive the neck of a stringed instrument. The neck support is attached at the proximal end of the mat to the bottom side of said neck support. Closures are attached to the distal end of the mat. The mat is adapted to roll around said neck support and be removably secured by the closure.