Drop tuner for fulcrum tremolo

Abstract

The Drop Tuner comprising a pivoting lever element and two ring-like elements in an arrangement operable to quickly alter the position of a macro-tuner or other string tuning element on the instrument body to change the tension of a musical instrument string from one pre-selected pitch to another and back by moving the lever to one of two corresponding adjustable pre-selected positions. “Drop Tuner” refers to an adjustment device added to a string tuner element, macro-tuner or similar, with the capacity to quickly change from one adjustable predetermined pitch to another adjustable predetermined pitch and back comprising at least two adjustable predetermined tensioning positions.

Claims

1. A stringed musical instrument comprising an apparatus for a fulcrum tremolo, the stringed musical instrument further comprising a body, a neck, a head, the neck extending outwardly from the body to the head, a plurality of strings extending from the body to the head, a nut to form a first critical point for each of the strings, a bridge element forming a second critical point for supporting each of the plurality of strings on the body, a head arrangement for securing the plurality of strings to the head and a tailpiece for securing the plurality of strings to the body, each the plurality of strings operable to be laced under tension for play, each of the plurality of strings placed under tension for play having a pitch, the fulcrum tremolo pivotally mounted on the body for pivotally supporting the plurality of strings, the fulcrum tremolo further comprising a macro-tuner element, the macro-tuner element comprising the tailpiece element for a string, the string comprising one string of the plurality of strings, the macro-tuner element operable to raise and adjust the string to pitch for play, the macro-tuner element further comprising a tuning arrangement variably connected to the body, the tuning arrangement comprising a tuning knob and tuning pin, the tuning knob threadedly connected to the tuning pin, the tuning knob operable to variably position the tuning pin to vary the tension of the string, the apparatus connected to the macro-tuner element, the apparatus further comprising: a lever element, the lever element comprising a free end and a cam-like end, the cam-like end comprising a lever pivot axis, the cam-like end further including a first surface, and a second surface, the first surface generally aligning to the lever pivot axis, the second surface formed larger than the first surface, the second surface extending the cam-like end by the difference between the first surface and the larger second surface to form an offset, the lever element further comprising a first position, the first position comprising the offset generally extending in a first direction, the lever element further comprising a second position, the second position generally comprising the offset extending in a second direction, the lever element operable to variably rotate the offset between the first position and a second position, a first ring-like element, the first ring-like element comprising a bracket portion, the bracket portion to pivotally support pivoting of the lever element, a second ring-like element, the second ring-like element connected to the first ring-like element, the second ring-like element further comprising a stop portion, the stop portion operable to variably receive the offset, the second ring-like element further formed to secure the second ring-like element relative to the macro-tuner body, the first ring-like element and the second ring-like element further formed to receive a portion of the tuning knob and tuning pin arrangement therethrough, positioned between the macro-tuner body and tuning knob and tuning pin arrangement, the string tensioned to a pitch for play: wherein pivoting the lever element to the first position is operable to activate the offset to make bearing contact with the stop portion to position the first ring-like element and, thereby, the tuning knob and tuning pin arrangement, away from the second ring-like element to quickly tension the string to obtain a pitch comprising a first adjustable predetermined tension, and wherein pivoting the lever element to the second position is operable to quickly position the first ring-like element, and, thereby, the tuning knob and tuning pin arrangement, adjacent to the second ring-like element to relax the string to obtain a pitch comprising a second adjustable predetermined tension.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the stop portion further comprises a setscrew, the setscrew threadedly connected to the stop portion, the setscrew operable to make bearing contact with the lever.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the offset comprises a continuous variable surface relative to the pivot axis.

4. A stringed musical instrument comprising an apparatus for a fulcrum tremolo, the stringed musical instrument further comprising a body, a neck extending outwardly from the body, a plurality of strings extending in a direction from the body to the neck, a nut to form a first critical point for each of the strings, a plurality of bridge element forming a second critical point for supporting each of the plurality of strings on the body, the fulcrum tremolo pivotally mounted on the body for pivotally supporting the plurality of strings, the fulcrum tremolo further comprising a tuner element for a string, the string comprising one string of the plurality of strings, the tuner element further comprising a tuning pin, the tuning pin comprising a tailpiece element, a tuning knob, the tuning knob threadedly connected to the tuning pin, the tuning pin variably connected to a tuner body operable to vary tension of the string, the apparatus connected to the stringed musical instrument, the apparatus further comprising: a lever element, the lever comprising a free end and a pivoting end, the pivoting end comprising a lever pivot axis, a first ring-like element, the ring-like element comprising a bracket portion, the bracket portion to pivotally support the lever element, a second ring-like element, the second ring-like element connected to the first ring-like element, the second ring-like element further formed to limit a position relative to the fulcrum tremolo, the first ring-like element and the second ring-like element each formed to receive a portion of the tuning knob and tuning pin arrangement therethrough, positioned between the tuner body and tuning knob and tuning pin arrangement, the first ring-like element connected to the tuner knob, the first ring-like element connected to the second ring-like element, the second ring-like element connected to the tuner body, the string tensioned to pitch for play, the lever element operable to shift the first ring-like element to a first position away from the second ring-like element relative to the nut to quickly increase tension of the string to a pitch comprising a first adjustable predetermined tension, and, the lever element operable to release the first ring-like element to a second position contacting the second ring-like element to quickly decrease tension of the string to a pitch comprising a second adjustable predetermined tension.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the second ring-like element includes a stop portion operable to limit the lever element in the first position, the stop portion further comprises a variable surface, the variable surface further comprises a set screw, the set screw threadedly connected to the stop portion wherein the set screw operable to adjust the lever in first position to further adjust the pitch comprising a first adjustable predetermined tension.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the first ring-like element further forming a first cooperating portion, the second ring-like element further forming a second cooperating portion, the first cooperating portion in variable contact with the second cooperating portion in and between the first and second position, operable to vary the distance between the tuner element and the nut to vary the tension of the tuner element and, thereby, the pitch achieved.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein pivoting the lever element is operable to rotate the first ring-like element relative to the second ring-like element to vary the distance between the tuner element and the nut.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein at least the first cooperating surface or the second cooperating surface comprises a gradient.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein at least the first cooperating surface and the second cooperating surface comprise a threaded portion.

10. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the fulcrum tremolo includes a stop mechanism to impede the pivoting in one direction at initial position.

11. An apparatus for a stringed musical instrument, the stringed musical instrument further comprising a body, the apparatus located on the body, a head, a neck, the neck extending outwardly from the body to the head, a plurality of strings extending in a direction from the body to the neck, each of the plurality of strings placed under tension for play, each of the tensioned strings having a pitch, a nut to form a first critical point for each of the strings, a bridge element forming a second critical point for supporting each of the plurality of strings on the body, a head arrangement for securing the plurality of strings to the neck and a tailpiece for securing the plurality of strings to the body, the apparatus positioned on the body, the apparatus operable to variably secure one of each of the plurality of strings to the body, the apparatus further comprising: an elongated element, the elongated element comprising a free end and a cam-like end, the cam-like end comprising a elongated element pivot axis, the cam-like end forming an offset, the elongated element further comprising a first position, the first position comprising the offset generally extending in a direction of the nut, the elongated element further comprising a second position, the second position generally comprising the offset extending in a direction opposite of the nut, the elongated element operable to variably rotate the offset between the first position and a second position, a bracket element, the bracket element to pivotally support pivoting of the elongated element, a stop element, the stop element operable to variably receive the offset to limit the pivoting of the elongated element, string tensioned to a pitch for play: wherein placing the elongated element in the first position is operable to activate the offset to make bearing contact with the stop to position the bracket element to quickly tension the string to obtain a pitch comprising a first adjustable predetermined tension, and wherein placing the elongated element in the second position is operable to quickly relax the string to obtain a pitch comprising a second adjustable predetermined tension.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising at least one macro-tuner element for a string, the string comprising one string of the plurality of strings, operable to raise and adjust a string to pitch for play, the at least one macro-tuner element comprising a tuning arrangement variably connected to a macro-tuner body, the tuning arrangement comprising a tuning knob and tuning pin, the tuning knob threadedly connected to the tuning pin, the tuning knob operable to variably position the tuning pin within the macro-tuner body to vary the tension of the string and, therefore, the pitch held by the least one macro-tuner, wherein the bracket element and the stop element further formed to receive a portion of the tuning knob and tuning pin arrangement therethrough, positioned between the macro-tuner body and tuning knob and tuning pin arrangement.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprises a fulcrum tremolo pivotally mounted on the body for pivotally supporting the plurality of strings.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 is a plan view of an electric guitar embodying the present inventions.

(3) FIG. 2 is a side view of the tremolo mechanism showing the spring holder element advanced towards the riser posts and, therefore, the direction of the nut (not shown) in a position about 0.125″ relative to the main inertia block. An extended portion of the holder element makes contact with the tremolo pocket. In this depiction, the spring holder element is shown in this position to block the rotation of the tremolo in one direction from initial position. A setscrew or adjustment member is shown threadedly connected to the base element to make variable contact with the thumbwheel shaft.

(4) The improved locking macro-tuner mechanism is shown comprising an articulated extended tip of extended lever-like clamp improvement to facilitate threading a string through the nose slot to pivot or lift the clamp lever for successful loading of the string from a direction opposite or distinct from the traditional direction of operation carried out from the direction the tailpiece portion securing the string to the instrument.

(5) FIGS. 3A and 3B shows a preferred embodiment of the Drop Tuner, an auxiliary string tension adjustment mechanism, capable of quickly changing the tension of a first pre-selected pitch to second pre-elected pitch and back to the first pre-selected pitch for tuning mechanisms in general, and macro-tuners, in particular. The Drop Tuner is shown positioned between the end of the macro-tuner body and the tuner knob. FIG. 3 A shows one position of the lever holding an adjustable predetermined higher pitch, say, “E”, and, FIG. 3B shows alternative position for an alternative adjustable predetermined lower pitch, say “D”. Flipping the lever from the first position to the second position will quickly change tension, and thereby, pitch held by the tuning element.

(6) FIG. 4 shows an exploded perspective view of the elements associated with the preferred embodiment of the Drop Tuner. The apparatus comprising a rotatable cam-based lever, supported by a mounting assembly comprising two ring-like elements, is positioned between the end of the macro-tuner body and the tuner knob. A first-ring like element pivotally supports the cam-based lever. A second ring-like element provides a surface for the cam and, can, further, include lever stops comprising adjustment screws or similar arrangements, etc, to increase accuracy of limiting at least the second position of the mechanism. Flipping the lever from a first position to second position will change the relative position of the first ring to the second ring to reposition the tuner knob and tuner pin arrangement relative to the nut operable to switch accurately between two pre-selected pitches. A partial thumbwheel or partial cylindrical shape could be used to substitute for the lever.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) In FIG. 1, an electric guitar 1 is illustrated comprising head 2 at one end, a body 3 at the other end, with neck 4 extending between head 2 and body 3. Six of each string 6 extends from head 2 to body 3 over neck 4. Neck 4 forms fret board or fingerboard 5 for guitar 1. At head 2, each string 6 extends over nut 7 forming first critical point 8 for each string 6. Nut 7 is located at the transition of neck 4 to head 2. Each string 6 is secured on head 2 by a corresponding tuning peg element 9. On body 3, strings 6 are secured to fulcrum tremolo 10. Fulcrum tremolo 10 has arm 11 for pivoting tremolo 10 to provide the vibrato effect on the strings. Fulcrum tremolo 10 has six intonation modules 12, one for each string 6. By manipulating tremolo arm 11, the entire fulcrum tremolo 10, not including the riser posts and inserts (and in varied designs, related bearing assembly elements) can be pivoted to achieve the desired tremolo effect.

(8) Intonation module 12, shown as a macro-tuner, incorporating the function of bridge or saddle and tailpiece elements, is provided to support string 6. Intonation module 12 is slideably adjustable on base plate 13 to adjust the relative distance between first critical point 8 and second critical point 16 (FIG. 2) to adjust the harmonic tuning as such. Fulcrum tremolo 10 comprises a second critical point 16, one for each string 6, sometimes characterized as an intonation point, witness point or bridge point.

(9) The invention is shown for on electric guitar 1 with six strings 6 and it should be understood that the invention could be used on a variety of stringed musical instruments. In body 3 of guitar 1 there are electric pickups shown without numbers. In the following description, fulcrum tremolo 10 will be described in greater detail.

(10) FIG. 2 displays fulcrum tremolo 10 in a partial cross-section side view showing body 3 further comprising tremolo pocket 28 and tremolo spring pocket 29, tremolo stop mechanism 20 and locking macro-tuner 12. Second critical point 16 is located on intonation module 12 at string opening 17. The leading-edge portion of base plate 13 (not shown) adjustably supports base plate 13 pivotally relative to body 3. Base element 21 connected to the base plate 13, holder element 22 including extended portion 23, thumbwheel 24, setscrew 25 and washer 26 comprise a spring block arrangement.

(11) Apparatus 35 in profile comprising a rotatable lever 36, with cam portion 37 forming continuously variable surface 49 and smaller first surface stop portion 47, pivotally connected to first ring element or bracket element 38 by support pin 41 within first ring element opening 40 and lever pin opening 48 in first ring element or bracket element 38, to make variable contact with tuner knob 14. Second ring element or stop portion 42 operable to make variable contact with first ring or bracket element 38. Second ring element 42 provides setscrew 45 threadedly engaged with second ring element 42 threaded opening 44 in second ring support 43 to provide stop element 46 to make variable contact continuous variable surface 49 to modify the limiting at least one position.

(12) Both FIGS. 3A and 3B display fulcrum tremolo 10 in a partial cross-section side view showing body 3 further comprising tremolo pocket 28 and tremolo spring pocket 29, tremolo stop mechanism 20 and locking macro-tuner 12. Second critical point 16 is located on intonation module 12 at string opening 17. The leading-edge portion of base plate 13 (not shown) adjustably supports base plate 14 pivotally relative to body 3. Base element 21 connected to the base plate 13, holder element 22 including extended portion 23, thumbwheel 24, setscrew 25 and washer 26 comprise a spring block arrangement.

(13) FIG. 3A shows a profile view of the preferred embodiment of Drop Tuner 35 on macro-tuner 12 where a position of rotatable lever 36 secured by first ring element or bracket element 38 by support pin 41 within first ring element opening 40a and lever pin opening 48 places continuous variable surface 49 of cam portion 37 to make bearing contact with alternate bearing surface 46 to displace first ring element 38 away from second ring element 42, and, thereby, tuner knob 14, to tension string 6. Stop provides setscrew 45 threadedly engaged with threaded opening 44 in second ring support 43 operable to vary at least one position. Stop portion 46 comprising the tip of setscrew 45 makes variable contact with the cam 37 continuous variable surface 49 to fine tune the tension of string 6 and, thereby, the pitch held by the tuning element. FIG. 3B shows a preferred embodiment of Drop Tuner 35 and another position of rotatable lever 36 secured by first ring element or bracket 38 places smaller first surface 47 to ensure alternate bearing surface 46 is no longer operable to make variable contact with cam contact area 47, to lessen the tension of string 6 and, thereby, the pitch held by tuning element 12 and head 2.

(14) FIG. 4 illustrates in a perspective exploded view the individual parts comprising the Drop Tuner 35. The apparatus 35 comprising a rotatable lever 36 with cam portion 37 comprising offset 49 pivotally connected to first ring element 38 by support pin 41 within first ring element opening 40a and first ring element threaded opening 40b of bracket portion 39 and lever pin opening 48 (positioned between the end of the macro-tuner body and the tuner knob—not shown). Second ring element or stop portion 42 operable to make variable contact with first ring element 38. Second ring element 42 provides setscrew 45 threadedly engaged with second element 42 threaded opening 44 to provide stop portion 46 comprising the tip of setscrew 45 sample to make variable contact with cam 37 continuously variable surface 49 to increase accuracy of limiting at least one position. Flipping lever 36 from a first disengaged position to second position, generally 180° from the first position, will activate cam 37 cam contact area stop portion 47 to make to variably bearing contact to reposition tuner knob 14 and tuner pin 15 relative to nut 7 in order to switch accurately between two adjustable preselected pitches.

(15) The various features of novelty, which characterize the invention, are intended to improve the upward spiral of Light and are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had by the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrations and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

(16) While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.