Stringed musical instrument using spring tension

Abstract

A stringed musical instrument employs springs to apply tension to corresponding musical strings. Each spring is chosen and configured for its ability to impart a string tension generally matched to the appropriate tension of the string at perfect tune. Preferably, the spring is selected and arranged so that the tension in the string maintains at or near perfect tune even as the string elongates or contracts over time. In one embodiment, once a string is placed in appropriate tune, a mechanical visual indicator is set. As such, if tune of the string changes due to string elongation or contraction, the change is reflected by misalignment of the mechanical visual indicator even if the change cannot be aurally detected. Perfect tune can be reestablished by realigning the indicator. In another embodiment, a force modulating member is interposed between a spring and its corresponding musical string. The force modulating member is adapted so that the tension actually applied to the string by the spring is not linearly related to the force exerted by the spring as the spring changes in length.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a guitar employing a string mounting system depicted schematically and having aspects described herein.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a guitar employing an embodiment of a string mounting system having aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a close up view of the guitar of FIG. 2 taken along lines 3-3, and showing portions of the string mounting system partially cutaway.

FIG. 3A is a close up view of a stop member in a position relative to a corresponding tube and spring connector when a corresponding string has just been placed in correct tune.

FIG. 3B shows the arrangement of FIG. 3A after the stop member has been moved to align the stop tune indicator with the tube reference indicator.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the portion of the guitar shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a close up perspective view of another embodiment of a guitar with a string mounting system having aspects in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a string tensioner used in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6A is a diagram schematically representing certain relationships of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the string tensioner of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is another perspective view of the string tensioner of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the string tensioner of FIG. 6 but showing a shuttle 250 of the string tensioner disposed in a different position.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a plurality of string tensioners arranged into the string mounting system of a guitar.

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the string tensioners of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a back side of the guitar of FIG. 5 showing a portion of the string tensioner system disposed in a cavity formed in the guitar body.

FIG. 13 is a graph depicting the change in spring force as the arm of the spring tensioner of FIG. 6 moves counter clockwise.

FIG. 14 is a graph depicting the change in effective lever arm of the spring as the arm of the spring tensioner of FIG. 6 moves counter clockwise.

FIG. 15 is a graph depicting the change in effective string tension resulting from the effects shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 as the arm of the spring tensioner moves counter clockwise.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a guitar employing an embodiment of a string tensioning system having aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a top view of the guitar of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a side view of yet another embodiment of a string tensioner having aspects in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a top view of another embodiment of a string mounting system employing tensioners as in FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a string mounting system having aspects in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a schematic view of yet another embodiment of a string mounting system having aspects in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a schematic view of still another embodiment of a string mounting system having aspects in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 23A is a side view of yet another embodiment of a string tensioner having aspects in accordance with the present invention

FIG. 23B is a side view of the string tensioner of FIG. 23A showing the spring force modulating member portion in a different rotational position.

Claims

1. A stringed musical instrument, comprising: a musical string;a spring member;a mechanical interface interposed between the string and the spring member, the mechanical interface adapted to communicate force from the spring to the string so that the spring provides substantially all of the tension in the musical string;a first reference provided on at least one of the string, spring and interface, the first reference being movable without affecting string tune; anda second reference provided in a location fixed relative to the string, spring and interface;whereby a condition of tune can be visually determined by comparing the position of the first and second references.

2. A stringed musical instrument as in claim 1, wherein the first reference is disposed on the interface.

3. A stringed musical instrument as in claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the interface is threaded, and the first reference is threadingly advanceable over the threaded portion.

4. A stringed musical instrument as in claim 1, wherein the first and second references comprise at least one of a phosphor and a reflective coating.

5. A stringed musical instrument as in claim 1 additionally comprising a source of light specifically adapted to illuminate the first and second references.

6. A stringed musical instrument as in claim 1 additionally comprising a sensor adapted to detect when the first reference is not aligned with the second reference.

7. A stringed musical instrument as in claim 6, wherein the sensor is adapted to generate a signal upon detecting when the first reference is not aligned with the second reference.

8. A stringed musical instrument as in claim 7 additionally comprising means for realigning the first reference with the second reference upon generation of a signal indicating misalignment.

9. A stringed musical instrument as in claim 1, wherein the mechanical interface conditions the force exerted by the spring so that the force exerted by the spring is different than the tension in the string.

10. A stringed musical instrument as in claim 1, wherein the mechanical interface is configured so that the force exerted by the spring is substantially the same as the tension in the string.

11. A method of maintaining tune of a stringed musical instrument, comprising: providing a musical string, a spring, and a mechanical interface interposed between the string and the spring and configured to communicate tension so that the spring provides substantially all of the tension in the musical string;providing a fixed reference in a location that is fixed relative to the string, spring and interface;tuning the string so that the string is at a desired tension to emit a desired tone; andpositioning a string reference on at least one of the string, spring and interface so that the string reference is visually aligned with the fixed reference so as to establish a visual indicator corresponding to a desired tune.

12. A method as in claim 11 additionally comprising maintaining desired tune after the passage of time from initial tuning, wherein maintaining desired tune comprises visually inspecting the alignment of the references and, if the references are not aligned, adjusting the string tension until the references are again aligned.