Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6700043
-
Patent Number
6,700,043
-
Date Filed
Thursday, June 13, 200222 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, March 2, 200420 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Ostrolenk, Faber, Gerb & Soffen, LLP
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 084 314 N
- 084 314 R
- 084 293
- 084 318
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
An electric guitar with a tremolo unit that makes it easy to tune strings and install the strings. The electric guitar includes a lock device that prevents the strings from being shifted to offset positions. The lock device has a nut, which has an inclined support surface, and a clamp pad. The clamp pad clamps the strings with respect to the support surface. A front edge of the nut is located upward from a line, which extends along a contact point between pegs and the strings and a rear edge of the nut. Since the strings are bent by the nut at the front and rear edges, the strings are stopped from being separated from the support surface.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to electric guitars with tremolo units, and, more particularly, to lock devices that are attached to electric guitars to prevent strings from being shifted to offset positions.
In an electric guitar with a tremolo unit, tensions of all strings are adjusted at the same time by the tremolo unit for generating an impressive sound effect. The U.S. Pat. Publication No. 4,171,661 describes a conventional electric guitar, which maintains tuning of the guitar in a stable state even when a tremolo sound effect is used. More specifically, a tremolo unit of the electric guitar includes a saddle that locks proximal ends of strings. Further, with reference to
FIG. 6
, a lock device
30
, which is fixed near the head of the guitar, locks distal portions of the strings
15
. As locked by the lock device
30
, the strings
15
cannot be tuned by pegs. Thus, to enable the strings
15
to be finely tuned even in this state, the guitar is provided with a fine tuning device, which is located at the saddle of the tremolo unit.
With reference to
FIGS. 6 and 7
, the lock device
30
includes a nut
31
, which is fixed to an upper side of a neck
13
of the guitar, and clamp pads
32
. The nut
31
supports the clamp pads
32
. The clamp pads
32
are pressed against an upper side (a support surface
31
a
) of the nut
31
by fastening bolts
33
, such that the strings
15
are clamped between the clamp pads
32
and the support surface
31
a
. The support surface
31
a
of the nut
31
is inclined with respect to a hypothetical line L
1
, which extends along an edge of the nut
31
close to the proximal ends of the strings
15
(a contact point P
1
) and the proximal ends of the strings
15
(a contact point P
2
between the tremolo unit and the strings
15
), at angle α. The angle α is, for example, five degrees. A hypothetical line L
2
, which extends along the contact point P
1
and a front edge of the nut
31
(a contact point P
3
), is parallel with a hypothetical line L
3
, which extends along a contact point P
4
between the strings
15
and pegs (not illustrated) and the contact point P
1
. The head
14
is bent with respect to the neck
13
at angle γ. The angle γ is, for example, 10 degrees.
In the lock device
30
, the support surface
31
a
of the nut
31
is parallel with the line L
3
. The strings
15
are thus easily separated from the support surface
31
a
. In this case, tuning of the strings
15
becomes unstable. Also, the strings
15
are easily shifted to offset positions. Accordingly, to avoid these problems, the clamp pads
32
need be firmly pressed against the nut
31
by the fastening bolts
33
such that the strings
15
are reliably held by the support surface
31
a
. However, this may damage the strings
15
and decrease the durability of the fastening bolts
33
or damage the bolts
33
.
Further, to solve the problems, the electric guitar may include a retainer bar, which is located between the lock device
30
and the pegs for pressing the strings
15
against an upper side of the head
14
. However, in this case, when installing the strings
15
, the fastening bolts
33
and the clamp pads
32
must be removed from the nut
31
. The strings
15
are then passed through the space between the retainer bar and the head
14
. This complicates the installation of the strings
15
.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide an electric guitar with a tremolo unit that maintains tuning of strings in a stable state and prevents the strings from being shifted to offset positions.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide an electric guitar with a tremolo unit and a lock device that makes it easy to install strings.
To achieve the foregoing and other objectives and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, the invention provides an electric guitar with a tremolo unit that adjusts tensions of strings at the same time. The electric guitar includes a body, a neck, a head, a plurality of pegs, and a lock device. The body fixes proximal ends of the strings. The neck projects from the body and has an upper side that faces the strings. The head is fixed to a distal end of the neck and is bent downward from the upper side of the neck. The pegs are attached to the head. Each of the pegs is connected to a distal end of a different one of the strings. The lock device is fixed to the upper side of the neck for preventing strings from being shifted to offset positions. The lock device includes a nut, a pad, and a bolt. The nut has a support surface that supports the strings, a rear edge close to the body, and a front edge close to the pegs. The nut is located such that the front edge is located upward from a hypothetical line that extends along a contact point between the strings and the pegs and the rear edge. The pad presses at least one of the strings against the support surface. The bolt connects the pad to the nut.
Another perspective of the invention is an electric guitar with a tremolo unit that adjusts tensions of strings at the same time. The electric guitar includes a neck, a plurality of pegs, and a nut. The neck has an upper side that faces the strings. Each of the pegs is connected to a distal end of a different one of the strings. The nut is attached to the upper side of the neck. The nut supports the strings such that the strings are substantially parallel with one another. The nut has a front edge close to the distal ends of the strings, a rear edge close to proximal ends of the strings, and a support surface formed between the front edge and the rear edge. The support surface is inclined with respect to the upper side of the neck at a predetermined angle. The predetermined angle is smaller than an angle of portions of the strings between the pegs and the front edge with respect to the upper side of the neck.
Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention, together with objectives and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description of the presently preferred embodiments together with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1
is an enlarged view showing a lock device for strings according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2
is an exploded perspective view showing the lock device of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
is a plan view showing a head of an electric guitar according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4
is a side view showing the head of the electric guitar;
FIG. 5
is a plan view showing the electric guitar according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6
is a plan view showing a prior art lock device of an electric guitar; and
FIG. 7
is a cross-sectional view taken along line
7
—
7
of FIG.
6
.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERED EMBODIMENTS
An electric guitar
11
of an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to
FIGS. 1
to
5
.
FIG. 5
is a plan view showing the electric guitar
11
. In the following description, a side of the electric guitar
11
close to a viewer of the drawing is defined as an upper side of the electric guitar
11
.
The electric guitar
11
includes six strings
15
, a solid type body
12
, a neck
13
, and a head
14
. Proximal ends of the strings
15
are fixed to the body
12
. The neck
13
projects from the body
12
, while the head
14
is attached to a distal end of the neck
13
. The head
14
includes six pegs
16
and six knobs
17
. Each of the strings
15
is associated with a different one of the pegs
16
, and the distal end of each string
15
is wound around the associated peg
16
. Likewise, each of the knobs
17
is associated with a different one of the pegs
16
. A gear mechanism (not illustrated) connects each knob
17
to the associated peg
16
. In
FIG. 1
, only the peg
16
closest to the neck
13
is illustrated. The knobs
17
are manipulated to rotate the associated pegs
16
. This adjusts tensions of the strings
15
such that the pitches of the strings
15
are tuned. A lock device
18
, which is attached to an upper side of the neck
13
, locks the strings
15
without affecting the tensions of the strings
15
.
A tremolo unit
19
is attached to the body
12
. Between the tremolo unit
19
and the lock device
18
, the strings
15
are held substantially parallel with the upper side of the neck
13
and extend substantially parallel with one another. Pickups
12
b
, each of which converts vibration of an associated one of the strings
15
to an electric signal, are attached to the body
12
. The electric signal is sent to an amplifier by a cable (not illustrated) and is amplified and converted to a sound by the amplifier.
The tremolo unit
19
includes a tremolo arm
20
. The tremolo arm
20
is manipulated to adjust tensions of all strings
15
at the same time. This generates an impressive sound effect.
The lock device
18
will hereafter be described.
With reference to
FIG. 1
, a plurality of bolts B secures a nut
21
to the upper side of the neck
13
. The nut
21
, as shown in
FIG. 2
, includes a distal guide wall
21
b
, a proximal guide wall
21
c
, and a support surface
21
a
. The distal guide wall
21
b
and the proximal guide wall
21
c
respectively include guide grooves
21
d
and guide grooves
21
e
, which guide the strings
15
. The support surface
21
a
is formed between the guide walls
21
b
,
21
c
for supporting the strings
15
. Securing holes
21
f
, which are formed in the support surface
21
a
, receive the bolts B.
Clamp pads
22
, which press the strings
15
against the support surface
21
a
of the nut
21
, are fixed to the nut
21
by clamp bolts
23
. The clamp bolts
23
each include a threaded shaft
23
a
, which is engaged with a through hole
22
c
formed in each of the clamp pads
22
. A pair of pressing projections
22
a
,
22
b
projects from a lower side of each clamp pad
22
to face the support surface
21
a
of the nut
21
. The strings
15
are clamped between the pressing projections
22
a
,
22
b
and the support surface
21
a
of the nut
21
. Each clamp pad
22
has two upper side sections that are uniformly slanted in opposite directions with respect to a ridge
22
d
. The clamp pads
22
are fixed to the nut
21
such that the ridges
22
d
are substantially parallel with the strings
15
. A groove
23
c
is formed in a head
23
b
of each clamp bolt
23
. The clamp bolt
23
is thus easily rotated by a coin, for example, which is engaged with the groove
23
c.
A coil spring
24
is located between the nut
21
and each clamp pad
22
and serves as an elastic member for urging the clamp pad
22
upward.
In the following description, with reference to
FIG. 1
, a rear edge of the nut
21
close to the body
12
is defined as a first contact point P
1
, a bridge saddle of the tremolo unit
19
is defined as a second contact point P
2
, and a front edge of the nut
21
close to the peg
19
is defined as a third contact point P
3
. A contact point between the peg
16
and the string
15
is defined as an engaging point P
4
. A line that extends along the first contact point P
1
and the second contact point P
2
is indicated by L
1
. A line that extends along the first contact point P
1
and the third contact point P
3
is indicated by L
2
. A line that extends along the first contact point P
1
and the engaging point P
4
is indicated by L
3
. The inclination angle of the line L
2
with respect to the line L
1
is indicated by α, and the inclination angle of the line L
3
with respect to the line L
2
is indicated by β. The bending angle of the head
14
with respect to the neck
13
(the line L
1
) is indicated by γ.
It is preferred that the inclination angle α be 2.0-12.5 degrees. In this embodiment, the inclination angle α is 4.2 degrees. Likewise, it is preferred that the inclination angle β be 2.0-12.5 degrees. In this embodiment, the inclination angle β is 5.0 degrees. The bending angle γ is generally 10.0-18.0 degrees and, in this embodiment, is 14.0 degrees. The interval between the third contact point P
3
and the line L
3
is changed in relation to the angles α, β, γ. For example, the third contact point P
3
is spaced from the line L
3
by, for example, 0.5 to 3.5 millimeters.
If the bending angle γ is 14.0 degrees, it is preferred that the inclination angle α be 3.0-7.0 degrees and the inclination angle β be 3.0-7.0 degrees. In this embodiment, the pegs
16
at the standard height of 9.5 millimeters are used. Further, the interval between the contact points P
1
, P
3
is 15.5 millimeters, while the interval between the contact point P
3
and the engaging point P
4
is 36.5 millimeters. In addition, a minimum value of the inclination angle α and a minimum value of the inclination angle β are both set at 3.0 degrees such that the friction resistance between the strings
15
and the nut
21
exceeds a required minimum level. However, if the pegs
16
at the standard height of 3.7 millimeters, which are relatively short, are used, a maximum value of the inclination angle α and a maximum value of the inclination angle γ are both set at 7.0 degrees such that the friction resistance between the strings
15
and the nut
21
exceeds the required minimum level. For example, if the inclination angles α, β are both 3.0 degrees, the string
15
is spaced from the line L
3
at the contact point P
3
by 0.8 millimeters. Likewise, if the inclination angles α, β are both 7.0 degrees, the string
15
is spaced from the line L
3
at the contact point P
3
by 1.5 millimeters.
The operation of the lock device
18
will hereafter be described.
When installing the strings
15
, the clamp bolts
23
are loosened to separate the clamp pads
22
from the support surface
21
a
of the nut
21
at a predetermined interval. In this state, one end of each string
15
is fixed to the bridge saddle of the tremolo unit
19
, while the other is passed through an associated one of the guide grooves
21
e
. This end is then passed through the space between the support surface
21
a
of the nut
21
and the lower side of the associated clamp pad
22
and the guide groove
21
d
. The end of the string
15
is thus engaged with the associated peg
16
. Subsequently, while maintaining the clamp pads
22
as separated from the support surface
21
a
, the knobs
17
are manipulated to rotate the pegs
16
such that a predetermined tension is applied to each string
15
to tune the pitch of the string
15
. In this state, the strings
15
contact the support surface
21
a
of the nut
21
at the first contact point P
1
and the third contact point P
3
in a bent manner. The strings
15
are fixed to the nut
21
by fastening the clamp pads
22
to the support surface
21
a
of the nut
21
by the clamp bolts
23
.
The advantages of the lock device
18
are as follows.
(1) In the illustrated embodiment, the inclination angle β is 2.0-12.5 degrees and the third contact point P
3
is spaced upward from the line L
3
by 0.5-3.5 millimeters. The strings
15
are thus bent by the nut
21
at the first and third contact points P
1
, P
3
. This firmly holds the strings
15
in a state supported by the support surface
21
a
of the nut
21
, without using a retainer. The friction resistance between the nut
21
and the strings
15
is thus increased. This maintains tuning of the strings
15
in a stable state and prevents the strings
15
from being shifted to offset positions.
Further, the clamp pads
22
press the strings
15
against the support surface
21
a
of the nut
21
. Thus, without using a retainer, the tuning of the strings
15
is maintained in the stable state while the strings
15
are prevented from being shifted to offset positions. Also, the clamp pads
22
prevent the strings
15
from being longitudinally shifted to offset positions when the strings
15
are being locked. In addition, since it is unnecessary to fasten the clamp pads
22
by excessive force, the strings
15
are prevented from being damaged.
(2) In the illustrated embodiment, the support surface
21
a
of the nut
21
is flat. It is thus easy to fabricate the nut
21
such that the third contact point P
3
is located upward from the line L
3
.
(3) In the illustrated embodiment, the clamp pads
22
each include two pressing projections
22
a
,
22
b
. The projections
22
a
,
22
b
press the strings
15
against the support surface
21
a
of the nut
21
at two positions. This enables the clamp pads
22
to reliably clamp the strings
15
near the first contact point P
1
and the third contact position P
3
. The strings
15
thus reliably contact the nut
21
at the first and third contact points P
1
, P
3
.
(4) In the illustrated embodiment, the coil springs
24
are located between the support surface
21
a
of the nut
21
and the clamp pads
22
. When the clamp bolts
23
are fastened, the coil springs
24
urge the clamp pads
22
upward from the support surface
21
a
of the nut
21
. Thus, without removing the clamp pads
22
, the strings
15
can be installed and tuned. If the coil springs
24
are not provided, the clamp pads
22
contact the strings
15
when the clamp bolts
23
are loosened. This hampers accurate tuning of the strings
15
.
Further, tuning of the strings
15
can be maintained in a stable state when the strings
15
are being locked. In addition, the strings
15
are prevented from being shifted to offset positions when the clamp pads
22
are being fastened.
The support surface
21
a
of the nut
21
is inclined with respect to the upper side of the neck
13
. The angle between the support surface
21
a
and the upper side of the neck
13
is smaller than the angle of portions of the strings
15
between the pegs
16
and the front edge of the nut
21
, which corresponds to the first contact point P
3
, with respect to the upper side of the neck
13
. Accordingly, the strings
15
are bent by the nut
21
at two positions (the first and third contact positions P
1
, P
3
). The strings
15
are thus prevented from being separated from the support surface
21
a
of the nut
21
.
The illustrated embodiment may be modified as follows.
The height of the pegs
16
, or the projecting amount of the pegs
16
from the upper side of the head
14
, may be substantially minimized. In this case, the bending angle of the strings
15
at the third contact point P
3
is increased. The strings
15
thus contact the nut
21
by an accordingly increased friction force.
The present examples and embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalence of the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. An electric guitar (11) with a tremolo unit that adjusts tensions of strings at the same time, comprising:a body, wherein the body fixes proximal ends of the strings; a neck, which projects from the body, wherein the neck has an upper side that faces the strings; a head, which is fixed to a distal end of the neck, wherein the head is bent downward from the upper side of the neck; a plurality of pegs attached to the head, wherein each of the pegs is connected to a distal end of a different one of the strings; and a lock device fixed to the upper side of the neck for preventing the strings from being shifted to offset positions, wherein the lock device includes: a nut, wherein the nut has a support surface that supports the strings, a rear edge close to the body, and a front edge close to the pegs, and the nut is located such that the front edge is located upward from a hypothetical line, which extends along a contact point between the strings and the pegs and the rear edge so that the strings form a first angle of inclination between the hypothetical line and a first line which extends along a contact point between the strings and the rear edge and between the strings and the front edge at the front edge of the nut and a second angle of inclination between the first line and a second line which extends along a contact point between the strings and the rear edge and between the strings and the tremolo unit at the rear edge of the nut, the first angle of inclination and the second angle of inclination being substantially equal; a pad, wherein the pad presses at least one of the strings against the support surface; and a bolt, wherein the bolt connects the pad to the nut.
- 2. The electric guitar according to claim 1, wherein the support surface is a flat surface inclined with respect to the upper side of the neck.
- 3. The electric guitar according to claim 2, wherein:a bending angle between the upper side of the neck and the head is in the range of from 10.0 to 18.0 degrees; the support surface is inclined with respect to a hypothetical line that extends along a contact point between the tremolo unit and the strings and the rear edge of the nut at an angle of 2.0 to 12.5 degrees; and the support surface is inclined with respect to a hypothetical line that extends along a contact point between the strings and the pegs and the rear edge of the nut at an angle of 2.0 to 12.5 degrees.
- 4. The electric guitar according to claim 2, wherein:a bending angle between the upper side of the neck and the head is 14.0 degrees; the support surface is inclined with respect to a hypothetical line that extends along a contact point between the tremolo unit and the strings and the rear edge of the nut at an angle of 3.0 to 7.0 degrees; and the support surface is inclined with respect to a hypothetical line that extends along a contact point between the strings and the pegs and the rear edge of the nut at an angle of 3.0 to 7.0 degrees.
- 5. The electric guitar according to claim 1, wherein the pad includes at least two pressing projections that press at least one of the strings.
- 6. The electric guitar according to claim 1, wherein the lock device further includes an elastic member located between the support surface and the pad for urging the pad away from the support surface.
- 7. An electric guitar with a tremolo unit that adjusts tensions of strings at the same time, comprising:a neck, wherein the neck has an upper side that faces the strings; a plurality of pegs, wherein each of the pegs is connected to a distal end of a different one of the strings; and a nut, which is attached to the upper side of the neck, wherein the nut supports the strings such that the strings are substantially parallel with one another, the nut has a front edge close to the distal ends of the strings, a rear edge close to proximal ends of the strings, and a support surface formed between the front edge and the rear edge, the support surface is inclined with respect to the upper side of the neck at a predetermined angle, and the predetermined angle is smaller than an angle of portions of the strings between the pegs and the front edge with respect to the upper side of the neck so that the strings form angles at the front edge and at the rear edge that are substantially equal.
- 8. The electric guitar according to claim 7, further comprising:a pad, wherein the pad presses at least one of the strings against the nut; and a bolt, wherein the bolt connects the pad to the nut.
- 9. The electric guitar according to claim 8, further comprising two pressing projections, which project from the pad, wherein the pressing projections cooperate with the nut to clamp the at least one of the strings.
- 10. The electric guitar according to claim 8, further comprising an elastic member, which is located between the nut and the pad in a compressed state.
- 11. An electric guitar with a tremolo unit, comprising:a nut, which is attached to an upper side of a neck, wherein the nut supports strings such that the strings are substantially parallel with one another, the nut has a front edge close to distal ends of the strings and a rear edge close to proximal ends of the strings, and the strings are bent by the nut at the front edge and the rear edge so that the strings form an angle at the front edge substantially equal to an angle of the strings at the rear edge; a pad, wherein the pad presses at least one of the strings against the nut; and a bolt, wherein the bolt connects the pad to the nut; and an elastic member, which is held between the nut and the pad in a compressed state.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
2001-311521 |
Oct 2001 |
JP |
|
US Referenced Citations (4)