Violin Shoulder Cradle with Adjustable Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoulder cradles for stringed instruments, such as violins, lack adaptability to different musicians' sizes and techniques, and they do not provide sufficient portability while maintaining secure clamping to the instrument, leading to potential shifting during use.
Innovation Solution
A shoulder cradle with pivotally mounted retaining legs and an adjustable mounting system that allows for repositioning of the base relative to the foundation without tools, using a coupling structure with studs and tubes or magnetic coupling, enabling better fit and comfort for various musicians and allowing the instrument to be easily moved during performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the shoulder cradle uses a fixed mounting system, then the structure is simple and robust, but it cannot adapt to different musicians' sizes and techniques
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system transitions from a fixed structure to a dynamically adjustable one. The base can be repositioned relative to the foundation along at least one axis, allowing the shoulder cradle to adapt to different musicians' anatomies and playing techniques while maintaining structural integrity through controlled movement mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is divided into separable components - the base and the foundation - that can be independently positioned and adjusted. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while enabling flexible configuration through the adjustable connection between them.
2Weight of moving object
If the shoulder cradle is designed for portability, then it is easy to carry and store, but it may lack the clamping force to securely hold the instrument
Solution Approach 1:
The shoulder cradle concentrates clamping force at specific localized points where the base contacts the instrument body, rather than distributing weight uniformly. This allows the overall structure to remain lightweight for portability while generating sufficient localized pressure to securely hold the instrument during performance.
3Ease of operation
If the shoulder cradle uses a tool-free adjustment mechanism, then it is easy to reposition during performance, but the coupling structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism between the base and foundation is designed to be self-adjusting, allowing the musician to reposition the base without requiring external tools. The coupling structure incorporates features such as friction-fit connectors or spring-loaded latches that automatically engage and disengage through simple manual manipulation, enabling quick adjustments during performance.
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 shoulder cradle effectively adapts to different musicians' anatomies and techniques, providing improved comfort and preventing instrument shifting, while being portable and requiring minimal maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
this retaining structure is provided by magnetic coupling including one or more magnets are provided in either the foundation or base, and a corresponding member of ferromagnetic material is provided in the other of the foundation and base
Data Source
AI summary
A violin shoulder cradle is provided which provides for compact storage and for adjustment of the position of the violin to which the cradle is clamped relative to the shoulder of the wearer. The shoulder cradle hereof includes a base including a pair of clamping legs which are pivotally mounted to the base for movement between a retracted storage position and an extended violin-clamping position. It further includes a connection between the base which may include an array of studs and a corresponding grid pattern or matrix of tubes in a receiver, and/or at least one magnet which magnetically holds the foundation to the base.