GB2226176A

GB2226176A - Single axis locking tremolo assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2226176A
Application number: GB8916842A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Derek John Gray
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-12-07
Filing date: 1989-07-24
Publication date: 1990-06-20
Anticipated expiration: 2009-07-24
Also published as: GB2226176B; GB8828491D0; GB8916842D0

Abstract

A tremolo bridge assembly which rotates forwards and rearwards about a single axis (7) to lower or raise the pitch of a musical note, locks in a central position when not being operated to allow accurate tuning of the instrument's strings (6). The tremolo comprises two parts, bridge block (2) and anchor block (3), which rotate about the single axis (7) of a chassis (5). The two parts which lock together by the pull of the instrument strings (6) are rotated by the pull of tension springs (4) until locked against the instrument body (10). The bridge block (2) is rotated rearwards to raise the pitch of the strings, the bridge block (2) and anchor block (3) being rotated towards to lower the pitch. In each case the assembly will return itself to the central locked position when released thus reinstating the correct tuning of the instrument. <IMAGE>

Description

SINGLE AXIS LOCKING TREMOLO This invention relates to a single axis locking tremolo system for stringed instruments.

Tremolos are well known devices which raise or lower the pitch of a string's note by increasing or decreasing the tension of the instrument's strings.

This is achieved typically by having a pivoted bridge which is pulled in one direction by the tension of the instrument's strings and in the other direction by springs. The bridge rests at a point where the string tension is equal to the spring tension. A handle attached to the bridge allows it to be rocked forward or rearward to lower or raise the string tension.

However, as the spring tension is equal to the combined tension of all the strings, any alteration to the tension of one string alters the tension on all the others resulting in the instrument being difficult to tune accurately and difficult to keep in tune during playing.

According to the present invention there is provided a locking tremolo system comprising of a chassis housing a bridge block and an anchor block which rotate about a single axis. The bridge block and anchor block are designed to lock against each other when rotated towards each other. The locked assembly then rotates rearwards until the anchor block locks against the instrument body forming a rigid assembly allowing the accurate tuning of the instrument.

The instrument strings are connected to the bridge block.

The tension of the strings rotates the bridge block forwards until it locks against the anchor block. Tension springs are connected between the anchor block and instrument body. The tension of the springs rotates the locked bridge and anchor assembly rearwards until it locks against the instrument body. The spring tension is greater than the string tension, therefore the strings cannot unlock the assembly. A handle fitted to the bridge allows the bridge to be manually rotated forward or rearward about the axis. When the handle is released the bridge assembly is returned to its locked position by the pull of the strings and springs and the instrument returns to its accurate tuned condition.

NOTE: For the purposes of this specification FORWARDS ROTATION is deemed to be rotation in the direction of the instrument strings (anti-clockwise on the drawings provided) REARWARD ROTATION is deemed to be rotation in the direction of the tension springs (clockwise on the drawings provided).

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 - shows the tremolo in its central locked position with the bridge block locked against anchor block and anchor block locked against instrument body; Figure 2 - shows the bridge block rotated rearwards about the axis to raise the tension of the strings; Figure 3 - shows the bridge and anchor block assembly locked together and rotated forwards about the axis to lower the tension of the strings.

Referring to the drawings the tremolo comprises a bridge block (2) which rotates forward or rearward about a spindle (7) which is mounted in a chassis (5). An anchor block (3) which rotates forwards about the same spindle (7) but is prevented from rotating rearwards by the instrument body (10). The anchor block (3) is rotated towards the instrument body by the pull of the tension springs (4). the instrument strings (6) are attached to the bridge block (2). The pull of the instrument strings rotates the bridge block until it locks against- the anchor block. The pulling force of the strings (6) is less than the pulling force of the tension springs (4) and therefore cannot rotate the anchor and bridge assembly forward. A handle (1) is attached t the bridge block (2) to allow manual rotation forwards and rearwards of the bridge block.

In order to lower the tension of the instrument's strings a downward force is applied to the handle which rotates the bridge (2) and anchor (3) assembly forward about the spindle (7).

When the handle is released the tension springs (4) return the assembly to its locked position against the instrument body (10).

In order to raise the tension of the instrument's strings (6) an upward force is applied to the handle (1) which rotates the bridge block (2) rearwards about the spindle (7). When the handle is released the pull of the instrument's strings (6) returns the bridge to its locked position against tha anchor block.

A second set of tension springs (8) could be connected to the bridge block (2) and instrument body (10) to reduce the slamming as the bridge block is returned to its locked position against the anchor by the pull of the strings.

These should have a lower tension than the strings.

Tension adjusters (11) should be fitted to the springs to compensate for different gauges of string that may be used.

The bridge block (2) may be designed to allow any bridge saddle or microtuning bridge saddle system to be attached to it. Alternatively the bridge block (2) may be designed to incorporate a bridge saddle or microtuning bridge saddle system as part of the bridge block assembly.

The instrument's strings (6) are secured directly to the bridge block (2) and remain accurately positioned on the bridge saddle (9) during both forward and rearward rotation of the bridge block.

Height adjusters (not shown) may be fitted to the chassis to allow the instrument strings to be positioned to the optimum height for the gauge of strings and playing style of the musician.

Claims

1) A locking tremolo system comprising of a chassis housing a bridge block and an anchor block which rotate about a single axis. The bridge block and anchor block are designed to lock against each other when rotated towards each other.

The locked assembly then rotates rearwards until the anchor block locks against the instrument body forming a rigid assembly allowing the accurate tuning of the instrument. The instrument strings are connected to the bridge block. The tension of the strings rotates the bridge block forwards until it locks against the anchor block. Tension springs are connected between the anchor block and instrument body. The tension of the springs rotates the locked bridge and anchor assembly rearwards until it locks against the instrument body. The spring tension is greater than the string tension, therefore the strings cannot unlock the assembly. A handle fitted to the bridge allows the bridge to be manually rotated forward or rearward about the axis.When the handle is released the bridge assembly is returned to its locked position by the pull of the strings and springs thus the instrument returns to its accurate tuned condition.

2) A single axis locking tremolo as claimed in Claim 1 wherein additional tension springs are connected to the bridge block and instrument body to reduce the slamming as the assembly is returned to its locked position by the pull of the strings.

3) A single axis locking tremolo as claimed in claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein means is provided t adjust the tension springs to allow for different string gauges that may be applied te the instrument.

4) A single axis locking tremolo as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the bridge block may be designed to allow any bridge saddle or microtuning bridge saddle assembly to be fitted to it.

5) A single axis locking tremolo as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2, or Claim 3 wherein the bridge block may be designed to incorporate any bridge saddle or microtuning bridge saddle assembly as part of the bridge block assembly.

6) A single axis locking tremolo as Claimed in Claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 wherein the strings are secured directly to the bridge block assembly and remain accurately positioned on the bridge saddles during forward ot rearward rotation of the bridge block.

7) A single axis locking tremolo as claimed in Claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ot 6 wherein height adjusters are fitted to the chassis to allow the instrument strings to be positioned to the optimum height for the gauge of string and playing style of the musician.