Violin Shoulder Rest With Vertical Guards And Flexible Grips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional adjustable and collapsible shoulder rests for instruments like violins have numerous moving parts that increase the risk of malfunction and breakage, and often expose users to injury from unprotected pivot areas, with U-Shaped clamping ends providing inadequate friction for secure attachment.
Innovation Solution
A shoulder rest design featuring an elongated single piece body with vertical guards and universal gripping members that use pivot points instead of screws, bolts, or nuts, and flexible gripping ends with increased contact surface area to prevent slippage and protect fingers from injury.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If numerous moving parts (pins, bolts, screws) are used to achieve adjustability and collapsibility, then the shoulder rest can be adjusted and collapsed, but the chance of malfunction and breakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shoulder rest is divided into modular components (collapsible insert, vertical guards, gripping members) that can be independently adjusted and collapsed. The insert separates from the guards, and gripping members can be positioned independently, allowing flexible configuration with reduced overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates dynamic elements including collapsible inserts that can be folded parallel to the body, adjustable gripping members that can be repositioned along vertical stems, and flexible elastomeric pads that adapt to the instrument body. These dynamic features enable adjustability and collapsibility without requiring numerous rigid fastening components.
2Device complexity
If the pivot or collapsible area is left open and unprotected, then the structure remains simple, but potential injury to the user's fingers occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Vertical guards are introduced as intermediary protective elements between the user's fingers and the exposed pivot areas. These guards enclose the collapsible insert and pivot points, preventing finger injury while maintaining the collapsible functionality. The guards act as a protective barrier that does not interfere with the mechanical operation of the pivot mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If U-Shaped clamping ends are used, then the structure is simple, but the contact surface area is reduced creating less friction force
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping members feature localized quality enhancements with elastomeric pads that provide increased friction and conformability at the contact points with the instrument body. The pads are strategically positioned to maximize contact surface area and friction force where needed, while the overall gripping member structure remains relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping members combine rigid structural materials with flexible elastomeric pads to create a composite structure. The elastomeric material provides high friction and conformability to the instrument body edge, while the rigid portion provides structural support and the necessary clamping force. This composite approach increases contact surface area and friction without significantly increasing overall complexity.
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 design reduces the risk of malfunction and breakage by minimizing moving parts, enhances adjustability and collapsibility, and provides improved finger protection and secure instrument attachment through increased surface contact, promoting user safety and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
The undersurface may be comprised of a variety of material, including elastomeric pads or cloth
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of pivot points allow the collapsible inserts to be folded and collapsed inward and generally parallel to the elongated single piece body
Implementation Method 3
The separated gripping appendages reduces the chance of unwanted movement by the instrument body by increasing the amount of surface area contact on the sides, top and bottom of the general region on the instrument body being gripped
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable and collapsible shoulder rest for a violin or like instrument that has an elongated single piece body with a first and second end being vertically extended at both ends by vertical guards which protect and prevent injury to the user when attempting to collapse the left and right gripping members. Vertical guards may be positioned at a fixed tilted angle to improve and train users to apply proper playing posture. Left and right gripping members have flexible separated gripping appendages that increase the surface area gripping of the instrument body and reduce or negate completely, any unwanted movement or slippage of the instrument body. Left and right gripping members are securely attached to left and right collapsible inserts by stems.