Violin Harness with Stabilizer Arm and Neck Strap
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Musicians, especially violinists and violists, often suffer from injuries and discomfort due to the conventional methods of supporting their instruments, which require excessive pressure on the chin and shoulder, limiting their movement and causing ergonomic issues, and existing straps fail to provide simultaneous instrument support and freedom of movement without structural damage to the instrument.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, adjustable neck strap system that clips onto a harness clamping around the instrument's C-bouts, providing ergonomic support without using the shoulders or neck, and includes a stabilizer and optional chest support arm, designed to be secure, adjustable, and aesthetically simple, while being collapsible and affordable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standard guitar strap is used to support the violin, then the instrument can be supported without using the chin and shoulder, but the strap threads under the tailpiece which sets excessive weight on the tailpiece and end pin causing structural damage
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into two separate components: a harness that attaches to the instrument body at safe locations (shoulder rest area and tailpiece area without threading under) and a strap that attaches to the harness. This segmentation prevents the tailpiece and end pin from bearing excessive weight while still providing instrument support.
Solution Approach 2:
The harness acts as an intermediary device between the strap and the instrument. Instead of the strap directly attaching to and stressing the tailpiece and end pin, the harness distributes the load across the instrument body at multiple attachment points, protecting the structural integrity of the tailpiece and end pin.
2Stability of the object's composition
If excessive pressure is applied between the chin and shoulder to pin the instrument in place during difficult pieces, then the instrument remains stable, but the musician incurs significant expense on chiropractic care and physical therapy for spine, nerves and muscles
Solution Approach 1:
The harness and strap system provides counterbalancing support that opposes the weight of the instrument, distributing it across the shoulder and chest area. This counterweight mechanism eliminates the need for excessive chin and shoulder pressure to maintain instrument stability during physically demanding performances.
Solution Approach 2:
The harness system allows for dynamic adjustment and movement. The strap can be adjusted in length and position, and the harness design accommodates natural movement of the shoulder and body during performance, maintaining instrument stability without requiring rigid, forceful clamping by the chin and shoulder.
3Volume of moving object
If a harness system is designed to be lightweight and collapsible for portability, then it fits in a standard instrument case, but it must still provide sufficient support strength
Solution Approach 1:
The harness components are designed to nest within each other or collapse into a compact form that fits inside the standard instrument case. The strap can be coiled and stored within the harness body, and the harness itself can be folded or compressed, maintaining portability while preserving full support capability when deployed.
Data Source
AI summary
An ergonomic harness for chin-free support of violins and violas that incorporates clamps for a stringed instrument, a support arm, and a stabilizer. A neck strap secures the harness system around the neck of a person playing a stringed instrument and holds the harness in place against the person's shoulder and/or chest. A support arm supports the weight of the instrument and a stabilizer prevents the support arm from rotating.