WO1990006571A1

WO1990006571A1 - Single axis locking tremolo

Info

Publication number: WO1990006571A1
Application number: PCT/GB1989/001455
Authority: WO
Inventors: Derek John Gray
Original assignee: Derek John Gray
Priority date: 1988-12-07
Filing date: 1989-12-06
Publication date: 1990-06-14

Abstract

A tremolo bridge assembly which rotates forward and rearward 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 a single axis mounted in a chassis (5). The two parts which lock together by the pull of the instrument strings (6) are rotated by the pull of the tension springs (4) until locked against the instrument body (10). The bridge block is rotated rearwards to raise the pitch of the strings, the bridge (2) and anchor (3) rotated forwards to lower the pitch. In each case the assembly will return itself to the central locked position thus reinstating the correct tuning of the instrument.

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

NOTE:

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

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be descri b way of example with reference to the accompanying drawi in which:-

Figure 1 - shows the tremolo in its central locked posit with the bridge block locked against anchor block and anc block locked against instrument body;

Figure 2 - shows the bridge block rotated rearwards about axis to raise the tension of the strings; Figure 3 - shows the bridge and anchor block assembly lac together and rotated forwards about the axis to lower tension of the strings.

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

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

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

In order to raise the tension of the instrument's strings ( an upward force is applied to the handle (1) which rota the bridge block (2) rearwards about the spindle (7) . W the handle is released the pull of the instrument's stri (6) returns the bridge to its locked position against t anchor block. A second set of tension springs (8) could be connected to th bridge block (2) and instrument body (10) to reduce th slamming as the bridge block is returned to its locke 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 t compensate for different gauges of string that may be used.

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

The instrument's strings (6) are secured directly to t bridge block (2) and remain accurately positioned on t bridge saddle (9) during both forward and rearward rotatio of the bridge block.

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

Claims

1) A locking tremolo system comprising of a chassis housin a bridge block and an anchor block which rotate about single axis. The bridge block and anchor block are designe to lock against each other when rotated towards each othe The locked assembly then rotates rearwards until the ancho block locks against the instrument body forming a rigi assembly allowing the accurate tuning of the instrument. Th instrument strings are connected to the bridge block. Th tension of the strings rotates the bridge block forward until it locks against the anchor block. Tension springs ar connected between the anchor block and instrument body. Th tension of the springs rotates the locked bridge and ancho assembly rearwards until it locks against the instrumen body. The spring tension is greater than the string tensio therefore the strings cannot unlock the assembly. A handl fitted to the bridge allows the bridge to be manually rotate forward or rearward about the axis. When the handle i released the bridge assembly is returned to its locke position by the pull of the strings and springs thus th instrument returns to its accurate tuned condition.

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

3) A single axis locking tremolo as claimed in claim 1 o Claim 2 wherein means is provided to adjust the tensio springs to allow for different string gauges that may b applied to the instrument. 4) A single axis locking tremolo as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the bridge block may be designe to allow any bridge saddle or microtuning bridge saddl 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 designe to incorporate any bridge saddle or microtuning bridge saddl 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 th bridge block assembly and remain accurately positioned on th bridge saddles during forward or rearward rotation of th 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 th chassis to allow the instrument strings to be positioned t the optimum height for the gauge of string and playing styl of the musician.