Music – Instruments – Stringed
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-02
2001-02-06
Witkowski, Stanley J. (Department: 2837)
Music
Instruments
Stringed
C084S298000, C084S31200P
Reexamination Certificate
active
06184450
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to tuning devices for musical instruments, and, more particularly, to an improved, universal, multi-position, tuning mechanism and bridge for stringed musical instruments.
2. Description of the Related Art
As is well known, guitars are a popular form of musical expression in the United States and worldwide. The majority of guitars utilize a single tuning configuration, allowing only one setting of tuned strings per instrument. This tuning must be provided for each string before a song can be played in tune via string manipulation.
Many artists who perform with stringed instruments, such as guitars, wish to be able to change tuning occasionally. This is desired to change the sound that the strings make, and, consequently, the sound that the instrument can create. Artistic expression of the artist is, therefore, limited, if the musician cannot change the tuning configuration of the strings of a guitar quickly and efficiently.
Changing the tension of guitar strings manually can be a time-consuming process. It takes time to tune all the strings to be “on note” or “on key.” Performing this task between songs, as during a concert performance, is difficult if not impossible to accomplish. Changing the tuning of a guitar during a song with traditional tuning means is all but impossible, especially given the sophistication of today's live audiences, who can sense an out of tune string on a guitar.
Devices in the previous art, therefore, were designed to replace the traditional stop piece on guitars that incorporate separate stop piece/bridge configurations and permit the quick and accurate adjustment of string tension of a stringed instrument, thus providing the musician with more flexibility to facilitate artistic expression and creativity.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,438,902, issued in the name of Baker, discloses a multi-tuner for stringed musical instruments wherein an adjustable cam mechanism allows the user to select different predefined string tensions for all of the strings by rotating the cam.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,479,917, issued in the name of Zitnik, Jr. et al., discloses a multiple lever tone changer for guitars wherein individual levers are provided to allow the musician to create a vibrato effect, either on single strings or on the entire set of strings.
Two patents disclose bridge assemblies for guitars that incorporate adjustable intonation means: U.S. Pat. No. 4,867,031, issued in the name of Fender and U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,353, issued in the name of Juszkiewicz et al.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,599,524, issued in the name of Jones, discloses an adjustable bridge assembly for guitars wherein individual string saddles replace the nut and bridge, allowing for intonation adjustment from both ends of the string.
Several patents disclose bridge assemblies for guitars that incorporate adjustment means for changing individual string tension, intonation and saddle height: U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,613, issued in the name of Steinberger, U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,461, issued in the name of Stroh, U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,512, issued in the name of Kubicki et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,143, issued in the name of Rose.
Several patents disclose automatic string tension adjusting means for stringed instruments that maintains a predefined tone for each string by electronically monitoring the string tone and adjusting it via an electric motor. These include U.S. Pat. No. 2,624,027, issued in the name of Clark, U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,563, issued in the name of Murata et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,797, issued in the name of Zacaroli. Such devices, however, are expensive and complicated, and as such are prone to electronic component failure with repeated use.
A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention.
Of considerable relevance is U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,330, issued in the name of Borisoff. The '330 patent discloses a multi-tuner for stringed musical instruments wherein an adjustable lever mechanism allows the user to select, on a per string basis, from three different predefined string tensions.
There are several problems with the '330 device, however. First, the '330 device is designed to use the mounting mechanism on Fender™ guitars. Since the '330 device is designed to function only with a Fender™ type guitar configuration, it is not designed to be used with the vast majority of stringed instruments. Second, the '330 configuration is complex. Third, the '330 device connects to the guitar face behind the bridge, therefore, taking up additional space on the face of the guitar face and, consequently, limiting the location where the device can be positioned on the guitar. This limitation on placement location further limits the '330's applicability to non-Fender™ type guitars.
While the general concept of the per string, multi-position tuning feature is incorporated into this invention in combination, other elements are different enough as to make the combination distinguished over the inventors' own prior art. Consequently, a need has therefore been felt for an improved but less complex mechanism that provides per string multi-position tuning capabilities for stringed musical instruments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved, universal, multi-position, tuning mechanism and bridge for stringed musical instruments of simplified design, that can be used with all existing guitar configurations, including Fender™ guitars, is easy to install, provides improved multi-position tuning capabilities, provides the musician with two preset tuning positions per string, is capable of permitting variations in intonation, permitting instantaneous adjustments in string tuning between and during songs, without altering the acoustic characteristics of the soundboard to prevent structural damage to the instrument, and is comfortable to the musician while playing the musical instrument.
Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, an improved, universal, multi-position, tuning mechanism and bridge for stringed musical instruments is disclosed, designed to provide quick, easy adjustment of the tension of each string of musical instruments between one of two predetermined tension levels, as well as precise adjustment mechanisms for the traditional tension settings of each string, with all components being safely housed in an easily accessible main body.
The present invention comprises a support plate mounted to the front surface of the body of a musical instrument. A main body and roller-type bridge are mounted to the top of the support plate. Inside the main body, a plurality of levers, spring loaded plungers and tension adjustment screws are individually adjustable to change the tension of each of a particular string. A multi-tuning lever arm adjusts the tension of each string between one of two predetermined tension levels. A lever arm adjustment means allows quick and precise adjustment of the tension in each of these two predetermined settings.
It is envisioned that in an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the main body is mounted just behind the head of the guitar, and is used in conjunction with a roller type nut, positioned on the guitar neck, just behind the main body.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that functions with not only a Fender™ type guitar configuration, but also with the vast majority of stringed instruments.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device onto which a bridge of a guitar can be mounted. This configuration provides several benefits. First, there are fewer pieces to buy. Second, the configuration is sturdier. Third, the present invention is easy to install. Fourth, more streamline aesthetic appearance is created. Fifth, the configuration permits the present invention to be mounted in a plurality of position along the elongated centerline of the face of the guit
Gugliotta John D.
Witkowski Stanley J.
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