Under Bridge Guitar System for Vibrato Tailpiece

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flattop guitars face a challenge in using a vibrato tailpiece due to the elevated string height caused by a bridge-mounted saddle, which prevents proper string positioning for effective tailpiece operation.

Innovation Solution

An under bridge system is designed with a bridge secured under the guitar's top surface, featuring female threaded inserts and adjustable studs to lower the saddle and rollers to the desired height for string alignment with the tailpiece.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a bridge-mounted saddle is used on a flattop guitar, then the strings are supported and vibrations are transferred to the top surface, but the strings are raised too high for a vibrator tailpiece to be used

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestring support and vibration transferVSAvoidstring height adjustment for tailpiece

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of mounting the saddle on top of the bridge as in conventional guitars, this patent inverts the arrangement by mounting the saddle underneath the guitar top surface. The bridge is secured to the underside of the top, and the saddle is attached to the bridge from below, allowing the strings to be positioned at the correct height for tailpiece operation while maintaining proper vibration transfer to the top surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent moves the saddle from the traditional horizontal plane on top of the bridge to a vertical arrangement underneath the top surface. By operating in a different spatial dimension (underneath rather than on top), the system achieves both proper string height for tailpiece use and effective vibration transfer to the resonant surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If the saddle is mounted on the top surface of the guitar, then the structure is simple, but the string height cannot be adjusted to the correct level for tailpiece use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebridge and saddle mounting structureVSAvoidstring height adjustability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates adjustable studs with threaded inserts that allow the saddle height to be dynamically changed. The studs can be turned to raise or lower the saddle relative to the top surface, providing adaptability for different string heights and tailpiece configurations while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows adjustment of the saddle position parameter (height) through threaded studs and inserts. By changing this geometric parameter, the system can accommodate different tailpiece requirements and string configurations without requiring a completely different structural design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8586844B2Under bridge system for guitars

Publication Date: 2013.11.19 SWENNEY THOMAS EDWARD

AI summary

An under bridge system is provided having a bridge designed to be secured under the top surface of a guitar and at least one female threaded insert in a top surface of the bridge. The bridge may be adapted to be operationally connected to a saddle on the top surface of the guitar. Each of the at least one threaded inserts is coupled with male threads of a corresponding stud extending downward from the bottom of the saddle through the top surface of the guitar. Each stud is turnable to adjust the height of the saddle above the top surface of the guitar.