Pivoting Clamp Instrument Support for Variable Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing instrument support mechanisms for stringed instruments, such as classical guitars, often cause back strain due to asymmetric playing positions and fail to securely attach to instruments with varying thicknesses, leading to instability during performance.
Innovation Solution
A modular instrument support system with pivotally attached clamp members and a shuttle translation mechanism, allowing for adjustable attachment to instruments with uniform or varying thicknesses, and a telescoping support pillar for flexible positioning and rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a cushion is used to raise the instrument by placing it between the musician's knee and the instrument, then the instrument can be elevated to the correct position, but the cushion can be easily dislodged by movement and causes instability
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into separate functional components: a stable base member, pivotally attached clamp members for secure attachment, and a telescoping pillar for height adjustment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function reliably while maintaining overall stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp members are designed to pivot independently relative to each other and to the base member, allowing dynamic adjustment to accommodate instruments with varying thicknesses while maintaining secure attachment. The telescoping pillar provides dynamic height adjustment capability.
2Ease of operation
If temporary attachment mechanisms are used to make the support easy to transport and install, then the support causes no damage to the instrument and is easy to attach, but the attachment may not securely hold the support during expressive movement
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp members can pivot independently to adapt to different instrument thicknesses, providing secure attachment without requiring complex adjustment procedures. The mechanism maintains firm holding during movement while remaining relatively simple to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism uses separate clamp members that can operate independently, allowing each to secure to the instrument body at appropriate locations while maintaining overall ease of attachment and secure holding during performance.
3Reliability
If known clamp supports are used on instruments with uniform thickness, then the clamps can provide secure attachment, but they cannot be used on instruments with variable thickness such as classical guitars with raised fingerboards
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp members are designed to pivot independently relative to each other and to the base member, allowing dynamic adjustment to accommodate instruments with varying thicknesses. This dynamic capability enables reliable attachment on both uniform and variable thickness instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp system is segmented into independently pivoting members that can adjust their relative positions to match different instrument geometries, providing versatility across various instrument types while maintaining secure attachment.
4Reliability
If the instrument support is securely attached to prevent movement, then the support remains stable during performance, but the musician cannot move the instrument freely for expressive performance and technique development
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotally attached clamp members allow the support to adapt dynamically to instrument movement while maintaining secure attachment. The independent pivoting capability enables the support to follow natural playing motions without compromising stability or requiring excessive adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
A musical instrument support has pivoting clamp members, with a first clamp member attached to a base member and a second clamp member attached to a shuttle member, with an adjustable distance between the two clamp members. The first clamp member and the second clamp member pivot independently of each other, thereby allowing attachment to a musical instrument having a variable or uneven body thickness. The musical instrument support may also have a socket attached to the bottom of the member. A support pillar may be attached to the base member, such as by a ball end of the support pillar received within the socket, which allows the angle of the support pillar to be changed with respect to the base member and with respect to the instrument. An opposite end of the support pillar may be attached to a leg support or extend to the floor.