Removable String Instrument Bow Guide with Flexible Inserts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bow guides for string instruments are often complex, require fastening, which can damage the instrument, alter tone, and are time-consuming to attach and detach, lacking a universal fit and easy disassembly.

Innovation Solution

A removably fitted bow guide with arc-shaped inserts and u-shaped memory strands that adjust to fit within the bouts of string instruments without fastening, providing a non-abrading, interference-free bow guidance system adaptable to various instruments and easy to disassemble, allowing for secure positioning without damaging the instrument.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a bow guide is fastened to the string instrument, then the bow guide is securely positioned, but the string instrument may be physically damaged and tone values are significantly altered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure positioningVSAvoidphysical damage and tone alteration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bow guide utilizes a flexible foam material that can be pressed into the bouts of the string instrument, creating a secure fit through elastic deformation rather than fastening. The flexibility allows the guide to conform to the contours of the instrument bouts, providing reliable positioning without mechanical attachment that could damage the instrument or alter its tone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If a bow guide is fastened to the string instrument, then the bow guide remains in place during use, but the process is time-consuming to fasten and unfasten

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebow guide retentionVSAvoidfastening and unfastening time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible foam material allows the bow guide to be quickly inserted into and removed from the instrument bouts by simple pressing and pulling motions, eliminating the time-consuming fastening and unfastening processes associated with traditional attachment methods while maintaining secure positioning during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Manufacturing precision

If a bow guide is designed to fit specific instrument bouts, then it provides accurate bow placement guidance, but it lacks universal fit across different string instruments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebow placement accuracyVSAvoiduniversal fit

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bow guide employs different foam densities in different regions - a denser foam for the bow placement guidance surfaces that contact the strings, and a less dense foam for the structural portions that fit into the bouts. This local variation in material properties allows the guide to maintain accurate bow placement functionality while adapting to various instrument bout dimensions and shapes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible foam construction allows the same bow guide design to be adapted to multiple types of string instruments (violins, violas, cellos, basses) by adjusting the overall dimensions and bout contours, providing universal applicability across the violin family while maintaining precise bow placement guidance functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Strength

If the bow guide material is hard and rigid, then it provides stable structural support, but it may scratch or harm the string instrument

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidscratching and harm to instrument

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bow guide is constructed from foam material that provides sufficient structural support and rigidity to maintain its shape and provide stable bow placement guidance, while the inherently soft foam composition prevents scratching or damaging the string instrument surfaces it contacts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 quick, damage-free fitting and adjustment of the bow guide across string instruments, maintaining tone integrity and facilitating easy storage within the instrument case, suitable for both teaching and advanced bow placement correction.

Implementation Method 1

Memory refers to the ability of the strands to attempt to return to an original shape when the outer ends are flexed in expansion or contraction with regard to the u-shaped strands

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMemory: Elastic Recovery

Data Source

PatentUS9190035B1String instrument bow guide

Publication Date: 2015.11.17 RANCK FIELDS REBECCA A

AI summary

A string instrument bow guide that selectively fits a bow played string instrument without being fastened to the string instrument. The guide has two arc shaped inserts that may be made of a flexible material and that removably fit within a pair of opposed bouts. A pair of holes is provided in each insert for selective fit of a pair of memory strands that arch above a highway of the strings. A range of desired spacing above the strings is provided by both an insert thickness of the inserts relative to a depth of the bouts and also by a selective fit of the strands within the inserts. The bow guide is selectively disassembled or collapsed to fit within a case of the string instrument.