Abstract
A docking system for an electromagnetic pickup of a musical instrument comprises an electromagnetic pickup mounting plate upon which the electromagnetic pickup is mounted and a body mounting plate. The electromagnetic pickup mounting plate includes a first electrical contact configured to be electrically connected to the electromagnetic pickup. The body mounting plate includes a second electrical contact configured to electrically connect to the first electrical contact of the electromagnetic pickup mounting plate and configured to be electrically coupled to external electronics for receiving electrical signals from the electromagnetic pickup and a mechanical detent configured to mechanically interface with the electromagnetic pickup mounting plate to detachably secure the electromagnetic pickup mounting plate to the body mounting plate.
Claims
1. A docking system for an electromagnetic pickup of a musical instrument, the docking system comprising: an electromagnetic pickup mounting plate upon which the electromagnetic pickup is mounted, the electromagnetic pickup mounting plate including a first electrical contact configured to be electrically connected to the electromagnetic pickup; a body mounting plate including: a second electrical contact configured to electrically connect to the first electrical contact of the electromagnetic pickup mounting plate and to be electrically coupled to external electronics for receiving electrical signals from the electromagnetic pickup; and a mechanical detent configured to mechanically interface with the electromagnetic pickup mounting plate to detachably secure the electromagnetic pickup mounting plate to the body mounting plate.
2. A detachable electric stringed instrument pickup system for an electrical stringed instrument that comprises: a removable pickup system is attached to a body of an electrical stringed instrument under a plurality of strings; and a base plate attached by screws to said instrument; and a first connector means for electrical connection mounted on said base plate; and an assembly mount; and a second connector means for electrical connection mounted on said assembly mount and detachably into said first connector; and a means for an electromagnetic pickup mounted on said assembly mount and having at least one magnet and at least one conducting coil of wire having a beginning and an end, wound around said magnet with the beginning and end of said conducting coil of wire electrically connected to said second connector means.
3. The detachable electric stringed instrument pickup system of claim 2 further comprising a compliant electric contacts system.
4. The detachable electric stringed instrument system of claim 2 further comprising a bobbin mounting plate and a body mounting plate that when attached to one another with an interference fit ensuring a vibration profile similar to a single member over the music spectrum.
5. A detachable electric stringed instrument pickup system for an electrical stringed instrument that comprises: a mounting fixture wherein said mounting fixture is attached to a body of an electrical stringed instrument under a plurality of strings; and a base plate attached by height adjustment screws to said mounting fixture; and a height adjustment spring biasing said base plate away from said mounting fixture; and a first connector means for electrical connection mounted on said base plate; and a second connector means for electrical connection mounted on said base plate; and an assembly mount; and a third connector means for electrical connection mounted on said assembly mount; and a fourth connector means for electrical connection mounted on said assembly mount; and a means for electromagnetic pickup mounted on said assembly mount and having at least one magnet and at least one conducting coil of wire having a beginning and end wound around said magnet with said beginning of said conducting coil of wire electrically connected to said third connector means and said end of said conducting coil of wire electrically connected to said fourth connector means; and wherein said first connector means is aligned with said third connector means and said second connector means is aligned with said fourth connector means; and wherein said assembly mount is detachably connected to said base plate through said opening in said mounting fixture such that said first connector means connects to said third connector means and said second connector means connects to said fourth connector means.
6. The detachable electric stringed instrument pickup system of claim 5, wherein said first connector and second connector means each comprise a compliant contact and said third connector means and fourth connector comprise a compliant contact.
7. In a detachable electric stringed instrument pickup system for an electrical stringed instrument, having a mounting fixture having an opening wherein said mounting fixture is attached to the body of the electrical stringed instrument under the strings, a base plate attached by height adjustment screws to the mounting fixture, and a height adjustment spring biasing the base plate away from the mounting fixture, wherein the improvement comprises: a first connector means for electrical connection mounted on said base plate, an assembly mount, a second connector means for electrical connection mounted on said assembly mount and detachably connected into said first connector means through an opening in said mounting fixture and a means for electromagnetic pickup mounted on said assembly mount and electrically connected to said second connector means.
8. In a detachable electric stringed instrument pickup system according to claim 7, wherein said means for electromagnetic pickup comprises a conducting coil wound around at least one magnet, said conducting coil having a beginning and an end, wherein said second connector means comprises a first contact electrically connected to said beginning of said conducting coil and a second contact electrically connected to said end of said conducting coil and wherein said first connector means comprises a first compliant contact mounted on said base plate in alignment with said first complaint contact mounted on said assembly mount and a second compliant contact mounted on said base plate in alignment with said second plug mounted on said assembly mount such that said first compliant contact is detachably pluggable into said first compliant contact and said second complaint contact is detachably pluggable into said second contact.
9. In a detachable electric stringed instrument pickup system according to claim 7, wherein said means for electromagnetic pickup comprises a plurality of conducting coils each wound around at least one magnet, each of said plurality of conducting coils having a beginning and an end, wherein said second connector means comprises a matching plurality of first male connectors each electrically connected to said beginning of one of said plurality of conducting coils and a matching plurality of second male connectors each electrically connected to said end of one of said plurality of conducting coils and wherein said first connector means comprises a matching plurality of first female connectors mounted on said base plate in alignment with said matching plurality of first male connectors mounted on said assembly mount and a matching plurality of second female connectors mounted on said base plate in alignment with said matching plurality of second male connectors mounted on said assembly mount such that each said first male connector is detachably pluggable into each said first female connector and each said second male connector is detachably pluggable into each said second female connector.
10. In a detachable electric stringed instrument pickup system according to claim 7, wherein said means for electromagnetic pickup comprises a plurality of conducting coils each wound around at least one magnet, each of said plurality of conducting coils having a beginning and an end, wherein said second connector means comprises a matching plurality of first female connectors each electrically connected to said beginning of one of said plurality of conducting coils and a matching plurality of second female connectors each electrically connected to said end of one of said plurality of conducting coils and wherein said first connector means comprises a matching plurality of first male connectors mounted on said base plate in alignment with said matching plurality of first female connectors mounted on said assembly mount and a matching plurality of second male connectors mounted on said base plate in alignment with said matching plurality of second female connectors mounted on said assembly mount such that each said first female connector is detachably pluggable into each said first male connector and each said second female connector is detachably pluggable into each said second male connector.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is an illustration of the detachable pickup system mounted in an instrument and shows two embodiments of the invention outside of the instrument.
[0017] FIG. 2 is an illustration to show the details of the pickup bobbin mounting plate, the bobbin assembly, the contacts and the body mounting plate of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a section view illustration of the compliant electrical contacts as assembled.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a detailed cross section illustration of the snap fit and compression foam to create an opposing force to the main connecting members.
[0020] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a second embodiment of the invention with an alternative single pivot and snap attachment method.
[0021] FIG. 6 is an illustrious of multiple conductors and wires.
[0022] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a key feature.
DESCRIPTION
[0023] Section of the Description
[0024] The present invention is a detachable electronic instrument pickup system, made for high SPL playing as well as a plurality of environmental conditions common with today's live performances and for ease of use. FIG. 1 shows that it is comprised of a detachable pickup system 10 with an electronics control system 20 to an instrument like an electric guitar 30.
[0025] FIG. 2 shows a view of one embodiment of the pickup system removable pickup assembly 100. It is comprised of bobbin assembly 101, a second bobbin assembly 102, a bobbin mounting plate 103, bobbin mounting plate electric contacts 105 which are connected to wires 106 for the flow of electrical signal from the bobbin assembly to the bobbin mounting plate electric contacts 107 with their associated wires 106. The bobbin assembly 101, is comprised of a wire coil 110, magnets 111, and a magnet and coil holder 112. The bobbin assemblies 101 and 102 are mounted to the bobbin mounting plate 103 via a screw 104 or glue or snap fit or any plurality of fastening methods or combination thereof creating a removable pickup assembly 100. The body mounting plate 130 is attached to the instrument 30 via a plurality of methods known to instrument manufacturers, typically using screws to hold the pickup in place, these screws also may provide height adjustment in some embodiments.
[0026] FIG. 3 shows the a cross section of the detachable pickup assembly 100 connecting the wire coil 110 to a wire 106 or directly to the bobbin mounting plate's 103 bobbin mounting plate electrical contact 105, that transfers the pickup signal to the contacts on the body mounting plate 130 via the body mounting plate's electrical contact 107. The mounting plate contacts 107 are then connected to the instrument's 30 electronics 20 through the wires 106 and the electronics 20 may modify the signal in amplitude and/or frequency response. The signal then flows to an amplifier that convert the electric signal to sound waves via a speaker. The bobbin mounting plate contact 105 is affixed to the bobbin mounting plate 103 and connected to the wire coil 110 at one or more places, most often at the start and end of the coil. In some embodiments a third coil output wire may be attached at the center of the coil wind, or at 25% of the wind, and at any point along the coil or a plurality of points on the coil. The system can accommodate a plurality of wire coil output wires and associated electrical contacts. The body mounting plate contact 107 performs a similar function as the bobbin mounting plate contact 105 in that it creates a connection from the contact to the wires however it allows the signal to move to the instrument's 30 electronics. These contacts are design to be compliant in order to allow for tolerance differences in the pickup assembly's 10 components, allow for any instrument's 30 design, endure a plurality of vibrations and operating through any changes in operating temperature without losing contact and thus electrical signal. By using compliant contacts, the system allows for normal variability in the system's design and manufacturing and allows the signal to flow through the contacts unimpeded. Compliant contacts are made of ductile, conductive materials that keep electrical contact over a variety of operating temperatures, vibrations, tolerance stacks and other influences that may disrupt the connection and flow of signal. In this embodiment, these contacts 105 and 107 serve no mechanical fastening or retention purpose and are free to flex and stay connected over a plurality of operating scenarios such as while vibrating, with temperature changes, accommodating tolerance stacks, and other scenarios to retain electrical contact as known to those knowledgeable in the art.
[0027] FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of an assembly method that allows for the removable pickup system's 100 bobbin mounting plate 103 to snap into place with the body mounting plates 130 using a flexible snapping feature 141 which allows for simple removal of the assembly 100 while creating with a very strong retaining force. The strong retaining force may come from a designed interference fit uses the snapping features 141 clamping force to hold the bobbin mounting plate 103 firmly to the body mounting plate 130. In some embodiments the snapping feature 141 may be integrated into the bobbin mounting plate 103 instead of the body mounting plate as shown in FIG. 4. In some embodiments, a compressible foam spacer 142 may be used to create an opposing force to the snapping feature 141 to create a retaining force in order to eliminate microphonic feedback caused by vibrations due to high Sound Pressure Levels (SPL). This strong retaining force makes the removable pickup assembly 100 act as one unit at the bobbin mounting plate 103 and the body mounting plate 130, meaning the assembly behaves as though they are a single component in vibration response and characteristics over the operating parameters of music making from low to high Sound Pressure Levels and over the entire frequency range of music. For those knowledgeable in the art, there are many methods for creating the clamping force for the mounting mechanism so that the two members vibrate similarly to a single component over the frequency range of music, such methods may include, but are not limited to, compressible foam, springs, compliant plastic features, compression zones, compression features, interference fits, and any number of concepts known to create an opposing force to the mechanical connections retaining force to causing a clamping force and minimize/mitigate/eliminate differing vibrations over a specified frequency range. Another method for creating a strong retaining force between the bobbin mounting plate 103 and the body mounting plate 130 is a screw, or plurality of screws connecting the two mounting plates. Though this does not allow for pickup changes to happen without a tool, or as quickly as a snap fit, it does allow for pickup changes to happen much faster, and with lower technical skills, than a conventional pickup system. To those knowledgeable in the art, there are many methods for creating the strong and removable connection between the bobbin mounting plate 103 and the body mounting plate 130 that enable the two pieces to behave in a vibrating environment as a single unit over the frequency range of music, including, but not limited to, snap fits, screws, quarter-turn fasteners, cam locks, magnets, expandable shaft and ferrule, pinned shafts, low tack adhesives, and the like, and in any combination of one or more of these methods. It is possible to use any of these features in one or more locations to connect the bobbin mounting plate 103 to the body mounting plate 130.
[0028] In FIG. 5 shows a single bobbin embodiment of the pickup assembly 10 that uses a body mounting plate 130 with additional features and electric connection features integrated into the bobbin assembly 100, versus being a separate part as show in FIG. 1 item 103 onto which the bobbin assembly 101 is mounted. Due to space limitation in the body of the instrument 30, a design where the magnet and coil holder 112 integrates features for mechanical attachment may provide a more useful solution for some instruments 30 based on their existing or future designs, effectively combining the functions of the magnet and coil holder 112 and the bobbin mounting plate 103 into one part. FIG. 5 shows a locking feature that is not a snap fit, but a retaining pocket 521 and a retaining protrusion 522 that is used to hold one side of the bobbin mount plate 103 to the body mounting plate 130 by using a pivot point concept and rotating the bobbin assembly 100 into a snap fit 141. This methodology accommodates smaller spaces in the instrument because only one snap fit 141 needs room/volume to flex during insertion and removal of the pickup assembly 100. This pivot point may also be shaped to act as a cam and get tighter as the pickup is rotated into place and held by the snap fit feature 141. A plurality of methodologies can be used exclusively or in combination to ensure the bobbin mounting plate 520 and the body mounting plate 130 act as one in vibration such as, but not limited to, snap fits, screws, quarter turn fasteners, cam locks, magnets, etc. used singularly or in combination with other retention concepts. This embodiment also shows an assembly cover 523 that is optional on bobbin assembly 101 or may cover a plurality of robin assemblies at the same time with one cover.
[0029] It is possible for the system to have a plurality of wires and contacts to accommodate any number of coils used to convert the string vibrations to electric signals and any number of wiring options for the body of the guitar, FIG. 6 shows a four conductor embodiment of the removable pickup assembly 100 shown in FIG. 1, where four bobbin mount plate contacts 105 and four body mounting plate contacts 107, each with associated wires 106, as examples of a plurality of contacts and wires as described in FIG. 3. It is possible to have any number of contacts as required by the pickup style and/or instrument style. This split coil option is very popular in dual coil pickups, often called humbucking pickup assemblies. The pickup assembly 10 in this embodiment has 4 contacts 105 and 107 along with 4 wires 106, and the electronics in the instrument 20 are designed to accommodate the 4 conductor 106 system and to control the flow of electricity in a number of ways using switches, potentiometers, capacitors and the like.
[0030] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the detachable pickup system 10 with a keying feature 701 to ensure proper installation alignment and compatibility of a bobbin mounting plate 103 into a body mounting plate 130. This alignment feature is useful for making sure the contacts are properly aligned, or as a blocking or keying feature for instruments that have active electronics which use a battery to create a DC voltage or signal in the bobbin assembly. For pickups that are not designed to accommodate this DC voltage, the DC voltage would likely damage the pickup. To prevent the accidental installation of an inappropriate removable pickup system 100, a blocking or keying feature 701 may be used. For example, a square protrusion may be added to the bobbin mounting plate 103 that will not fit in a round hole on the body mounting plate 130, thus preventing an improper installation. Likewise, a protrusion may be designed on the body mounting plate 130 with a receiving keying feature in the bobbin mounting plate 103. This concept works for an integrated bobbin mounting plate 520 as shown in FIG. 5. Keying features are used in many applications in electronics and safety systems, and come in a plurality of styles, designs and material considerations, and are well known to those knowledgeable in the art.
[0031] U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,210 teaches that a double coil mounting plate can accommodate a single coil pickup assembly. Likewise, the invention can accommodate a plurality of coil shapes, counts and assembly styles to those knowledgeable in the art.
[0032] It is to be understood that the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
