Removable Guitar Hand Support with Elastic Fingers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing string musical instrument hand supports either damage the instrument with permanent attachments, lack adjustability for different hand sizes, or fail to provide optimal support for speed, accuracy, and tone production.
Innovation Solution
A hand support apparatus with a 'U'-shaped design featuring a beam and extension members, along with elastic fingers for removable engagement, providing a non-contacting scaffold over the strings for support without damaging the instrument, and allowing adjustable positioning for optimal tone and hand size compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hand rest is permanently attached to the instrument body, then the hand rest provides stable support and a fixed pivot point for rocking the wrist or hand, but the attachment method damages the instrument body by leaving holes or crimping marks
Solution Approach 1:
The hand rest is divided into separate components: a body portion and an attachment mechanism that can be detached. This allows the hand rest to be removed without leaving permanent damage to the instrument body, while still providing stable support when attached.
Solution Approach 2:
A retention member acts as an intermediary between the hand rest and the instrument body. This retention member can be engaged with retention features on the instrument body to provide secure attachment, or disengaged to remove the hand rest without damaging the body.
2Reliability
If the hand rest is permanently installed with a clamping mechanism, then the hand rest can be securely attached, but the clamping mechanism protrudes above the guitar and interferes with the motion of the hand while strumming
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is designed to be substantially flush with the prime surface of the instrument body when engaged. This localized design ensures that the retention features do not protrude above the body surface, allowing free hand motion during strumming while maintaining secure attachment.
3Measurement precision
If the hand rest provides a fixed anchor point, then the player has support and a tactile reference point to the string locations, increasing accuracy, but the anchor point location is determined by the player's hand size and may not be optimal for tone production
Solution Approach 1:
The hand rest is designed to be positionable at different locations on the instrument body. This allows the anchor point to be dynamically adjusted according to the player's hand size and tone preferences, rather than being fixed in a single location.
Solution Approach 2:
The hand rest serves multiple functions: it provides a tactile reference point for accuracy, adjustable support for different hand sizes, and the ability to optimize tone production by positioning the anchor point at different locations on the instrument body.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the hand rest is made to be removable, then the instrument body is protected from permanent damage, but the attachment and removal process may be complex or time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is segmented into simple engagement features: retention features on the instrument body and a retention member on the hand rest. This segmentation allows for easy attachment and removal without complex mechanisms, while still protecting the instrument body from permanent damage.
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 secure, adjustable, and damage-free support for stringed instruments, reducing hand and wrist fatigue while improving playing speed and accuracy, and optimizing tone production for various hand sizes.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic finger having a primary end portion and an opposing secondary end portion, the primary end portion is affixed on one end to the flank surface and the primary end portion depends away from the principal surface in a direction toward the first and second extension members on an opposing end of the primary end portion having a means for removable engaging a body retention feature
Data Source
AI summary
A removably engagable string musical instrument hand support apparatus that includes a beam having a first end portion and a second end portion, a principal surface, a minor surface, and a peripheral surface. Further included are first and second extension members that both extend from the minor surface, wherein the extension members contact a body of the musical instrument and the beam forms a non-contacting scaffold over a string of the musical instrument. Also included is an elastic finger having a primary end portion affixed to the peripheral surface and a secondary end portion affixed to an opposing peripheral surface, the primary and secondary ends both oppositely depend away from the beam towards the body with the ends having structure to removably engage opposing features of the body. Wherein the beam principal surface supports a user's hand over the musical instrument string for instrument playing.