Surface-Mount Tremolo Bridge with Gauged Rollers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tremolo devices for stringed instruments often cause strings to go out of tune when used, due to friction and unequal force distribution across strings of different gauges, requiring adjustments and tuning after deployment.
Innovation Solution
A surface-mountable tremolo device with a pivot plate and string seats that include gauged rollers and a compensating screw system, allowing for precise tension adjustment and minimizing friction, ensuring strings return to their original pitch and tuning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional tremolo devices move the bridge to vary string tension, then pitch control is improved, but strings go out of tune due to friction and unequal force distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the bridge structure into multiple independent components: a bridge body, individual string seats for each string, and separate rollers for each string. This segmentation allows each string to be handled independently, enabling precise tension control without affecting other strings, thereby maintaining tuning stability while improving pitch control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces rollers as intermediary elements between the string and the bridge body. These rollers act as mediators that reduce direct friction between the string and the bridge structure. The rollers are mounted on individual string seats and can rotate freely, allowing the string to pass over them with minimal friction while still transmitting tension forces effectively.
2Device complexity
If conventional tremolo devices apply equal force to all strings, then structural simplicity is maintained, but strings of different gauges experience unequal force distribution causing tuning issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing individual string seats and rollers for each string, allowing each component to be optimized for its specific string's requirements. The string seats can be positioned and sized according to the specific gauge and properties of each string, enabling precise local force distribution that accounts for differences between strings of various gauges.
3Ease of operation
If conventional tremolo devices require routing in the instrument body, then mechanical functionality is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and instrument body modification are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tremolo mechanism from the instrument body by designing it as a surface-mounted assembly that does not require routing or modification of the body. The bridge assembly can be attached to the exterior surface of the instrument body, eliminating the need for complex routing operations and preserving the integrity of the instrument body while achieving full mechanical functionality.
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 tremolo device maintains string tuning and pitch accuracy by reducing friction and evenly distributing force across strings, allowing for smooth operation and precise pitch control without requiring routing in the instrument body.
Implementation Method 1
A spring disposed between the base plate and the pivot plate maintains the pivot plate in a first position relative to the base plate until a user provides an action to pivot the pivot plate relative to said base plate. The spring returns the pivot plate to the first position when the user action is terminated.
Implementation Method 2
The string seat includes a keyed portion that slidably attaches the string seat to the pivot plate in a keyed slot provided in a bottom surface of the pivot plate
Data Source
AI summary
A tremolo device for a stringed instrument is described in which a base plate is configured for surface mounting to a body of the instrument. A pivot plate is pivotally coupled to the base plate along an edge of the pivot plate. Each string is associated with a string seat. The string is threaded through the string seat receiving a terminal end of the string. The string seat includes a keyed portion that slidably attaches the string seat to the pivot plate in a keyed slot provided in a bottom surface of the pivot plate. A spring disposed between the base plate and the pivot plate maintains the pivot plate in a first position relative to the base plate until a user provides an action to pivot the pivot plate relative to said base plate. The spring returns the pivot plate to the first position when the user action is terminated.