STRING INSTRUMENT WITH RESONATOR

Abstract

The present invention relates to a string instrument (1; 100) comprising a resonator (2), a handle (3) and a tailpiece (4; 40), wherein the handle (3) and the tailpiece (4; 40) are bound to the resonator (2) for combining at least one string to the instrument, further comprising at least one couple of magnets essentially opposed each other, a first magnet (11; 110) of the at least one couple of magnets bound to the resonator (2) and a second magnet (12; 120) of the at least one couple of magnets arranged at a first distance from the first magnet, so that to apply, between the first magnet (11; 110) and the second magnet (12; 120), a repulsive force or an attractive force, respectively, depending on the opposed polarities, equal or opposite, of the first magnet and the second magnet, wherein the attractive force or the repulsive force is active on the resonator (2).

Claims

1. A string instrument (1; 100) comprising a resonator (2), a handle (3) and a tailpiece (4; 40), wherein said handle (3) and said tailpiece (4; 40) are bound to said resonator (2) for combining at least one string to said instrument, said instrument comprises at least one magnet pair generally opposed each other, a first magnet (11; 110) of said at least one magnet pair being bound to said resonator (2), a second magnet (12; 120) of said at least one magnet pair being arranged at a first distance from said first magnet, so that to apply, between said first magnet (11; 110) and said second magnet (12; 120), a repulsive force or an attractive force, respectively, depending on the opposed polarities, equal or opposite, of said first magnet and said second magnet, said attractive force or said repulsive force being active on said resonator (2).

2. The string instrument according to claim 1, further comprising first movement means (16) for the displacement of at least one from said first magnet (11; 110) and said second magnet (12; 120) of said at least one magnet pair with respect to the other from said first magnet (11; 110) and said second magnet (12; 120) of said at least one magnet pair, to adjust said first distance between said first magnet (11; 110) and said second magnet (12; 120) of said at least one magnet pair.

3. The string instrument according to claim 1, wherein said resonator (2) comprises a sound board (7).

4. The string instrument according to claim 3, wherein said first magnet (11; 110) and said second magnet (12; 120) of said at least one magnet pair are arranged on a same side with respect to said sound board (7).

5. The string instrument according to claim 3, wherein said resonator (2) comprises a sound box (6), said sound board (7) constituting at least one portion of a side of said sound box (6).

6. The string instrument according to claim 5, wherein said sound box (6) comprises a back (18) and a side rib (14) extended between said sound board (7) and said back (18), said sound box (6) comprising at least one sound hole, said at least one sound hole being extended at least in part on said side rib (14).

7. The string instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a bridge-shaped element (8; 80) bound to said resonator (2), said at least one magnet pair being generally arranged at said bridge-shaped element.

8. The string instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of magnet pairs including respective pluralities of said first and second magnets.

9. The string instrument according to claim 1, wherein said tailpiece (4) is bound to a front portion of said resonator (2), said force applied between said at least one magnet pair being an attractive force.

10. The string instrument according to claim 1, wherein said tailpiece (40) is bound to a side portion of said resonator (2), said force applied between said at least one magnet pair being a repulsive force.

11. The string instrument according to claim 10, wherein said tailpiece (40) comprises at least one first portion (21) apt to be combined with said at least one string, wherein said at least one first portion (21) of said tailpiece (40) has a second adjustable distance from said resonator (2), said instrument (100) comprising second movement means (22) acting on said tailpiece (40) for the adjustment of said second distance.

12. The string instrument according to claim 1, wherein said instrument is: a guitar, a bass, a double bass, a mandolin, a violin, a viola, or a cello.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0044] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more evident from a review of the following specification of some preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments shown for illustration purposes only and without limitation, with the aid of the attached drawings, in which:

[0045] FIG. 1 depicts schematically a front view of a string instrument with resonator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] FIG. 2 depicts a portion of the string instrument of FIG. 1 with separated parts;

[0047] FIG. 3 depicts a side view along the axis X-X of FIG. 1, of a detail of the instrument in accordance with the present invention;

[0048] FIG. 4 depicts schematically a front view of a string instrument with resonator in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] FIG. 5 depicts a portion of the string instrument of FIG. 4 with separated parts;

[0050] FIG. 6 depicts an inner and perspective view of a detail of the instrument of FIG. 4;

[0051] FIG. 7 depicts a side view of another detail of the instrument of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, with the numeral 1 a chordophone is denoted on the whole, i.e. a musical string instrument, specifically a guitar, more particularly a guitar named classical or acoustic.

[0053] The instrument 1 comprises essentially a resonator 2, a handle 3 and a tailpiece 4 arranged essentially in line with the handle 3, wherein the handle 3 and the tailpiece 4 are constrained to the resonator 2 in order to combine at least one string to the instrument 1, specifically six strings depicted with numeral 5 on the whole.

[0054] In detail, the resonator 2 comprises a sound box 6 whose side facing the strings 5 is closed by a sound board 7 on which the tailpiece 4 is bound.

[0055] In a known way, the tailpiece 4 is provided with a bridge-shaped element 8 (saddle) and a plurality of passages for the strings 5, the latter then having a first end fixed to the tailpiece 4 itself whereas a second opposed end of the strings 5 is fixed to the handle 3 at a portion thereof distal with respect to the resonator 2, therefore to the tailpiece 4 itself.

[0056] In particular, the second end of the strings 5 is fixed to the handle 3 by suitable mechanical parts 9 adjustable to tune the instrument, which are arranged on a handle portion named headstock depicted with numeral 10.

[0057] According to the invention, the instrument 1 further comprises a plurality of couples of magnets, wherein the magnets of each couple are essentially arranged mutually opposed, and in particular according to the examples of the afore said figures it comprises four couples of magnets.

[0058] Precisely, the instrument 1 comprises four first magnets 11 combined with the resonator 2, which are specifically bound to the sound board 7 at one side thereof inside the sound box 6, and four second magnets 12 arranged in front of the first magnets 11, at respective first distances, and housed inside the sound box 6.

[0059] The first distances among the first magnets 11 and the second magnets 12 can be the same or different from one another, and in every case, according to another aspect of the invention, they can be adjusted also independently from one another, as it will be better evident in the following.

[0060] Still in accordance to the present invention and the examples of FIGS. 1-3, the first magnets 11 and the second magnets 12 are arranged so that opposite polarities are opposed one to the other, therefore so that they apply an attractive force one to another.

[0061] In this way also an attractive force is applied to the resonator 2 and, particularly, to the sound board 7, i.e. a force towards the instrument 1 that advantageously counters the tractive force the strings 5 of the instrument 1 apply on the sound board 7 when they are tightened for the instrument use.

[0062] From a purely structural point of view, still according to the examples of FIGS. 1-3, the instrument 1 comprises supporting means 13 for sustaining the second magnets 12 housed inside the sound box 6 and bound to a side rib 14 of the latter, the possibility of providing supporting means bound to the back of the sound box not being excluded.

[0063] Concretely, the supporting means 13 are a frame comprising a plurality of crosspieces 15, the possibility of providing supporting means substantially paneled not being excluded in order to make a double compartment in the sound box, and in particular a first compartment comprised between the sound board and the paneled supporting means, and a second compartment comprised between the paneled supporting means and the back of the sound box, the latter possibilities not being in the illustrated figures.

[0064] In detail, the second magnets 12 are combined with the supporting means 13 and, precisely, they are advantageously arranged at the crosspieces 15 by suitable movement means, herein denoted as first movement means 16, that allow adjusting the relative first distances individually from the respective first magnets 11.

[0065] In this regard, the first movement means 16 comprise a plurality of threaded rod-shaped elements, as many as the couples of magnets, which removably engage the respective through holes provided in the crosspieces 15, the second magnets 12 being fixed on the ends thereof proximal to the sound board 7.

[0066] For driving the first movement means 16, therefore for accessing to the threaded rod-shaped elements, the instruments 1 comprises also openings 17 that can be in case closed, provided in the sound box 6 in particular on the back 18 thereof opposed to the sound board 7.

[0067] Substantially, the first movement means 16 allow moving the second magnets 12 closer or away to/from the first magnets 11, to respectively increase or decrease the interaction force among them, in case to the point of making it null.

[0068] For this purpose the first movement means 16, therefore the threaded rod-shaped elements, comprise leading parts 24 for their movement by a tool, for example a screwdriver.

[0069] Referring to the first magnets, it has to be mentioned that they can be directly bound to the sound board, for example by suitable fixing means, or they can be housed, possibly by interlocking them, in suitable seats provided in the sound board and/or they can be bound indirectly to the sound board by the interposition of suitable joining or supporting elements.

[0070] In each case, in accordance with the invention, both the first magnets and the second magnets are preferably removable from the instrument 1, therefore they can be replaced if needed.

[0071] In detail, in accordance with what hereinbefore described and the examples of the afore said figures, the instrument 1 comprises adhesive strips 19 for directly combining two first magnets 11 with the sound board 7, in particular two first magnets longitudinally arranged in the instrument 1, and it comprises also a lever element 25 for indirectly combining the other two first magnets 11 with the sound board 7, in particular two first magnets arranged transversely in the instrument 1.

[0072] As depicted in the example of FIG. 3, the lever element 25 is integral with the tailpiece 4 and, substantially, constitutes a support for the afore said two first magnets 11.

[0073] In this way, the interaction among the first magnets and the second magnets 12, at the lever element 25, counters the torsional force the bridge-shaped element 8 is subjected to, caused by the traction of the strings 5, as particularly shown in the example of FIG. 3 by the arrows.

[0074] Still advantageously, the couples of magnets are arranged with regular geometry with respect to the handle 3 and/or with respect to the tailpiece 4, therefore with respect to the bridge-shaped element 8.

[0075] The instrument 1 further comprises a sound hole 20 having acoustic functions and provided in the sound box 6 at a peripheral portion of the sound board 7, the possibility of providing such a sound hole in, or also in, the side rib of the sound box not being excluded.

[0076] Referring to FIGS. 4-7, a variation of the implementation of the string instrument according to the invention is described, which is depicted with numeral 100 on the whole and whose parts structurally and functionally corresponding to those of the above depicted instrument 1 have the same reference numerals.

[0077] The instrument 100, specifically still a so-called classical or acoustic guitar, differs from the previously described instrument 1, to which reference is made, essentially for the tailpiece position, therefore in that it provides for a tailpiece and a bridge-shaped element separated and placed at a given distance from one another, and in that magnets interacting to one another are provided and develop a repulsive force.

[0078] In brief, the instrument 100 comprises essentially a resonator 2, a handle 3 and a tailpiece 40 arranged substantially as opposed to the handle 3, wherein the handle 3 and the tailpiece 40 are bound to the resonator 2 in order to combine a plurality of strings 5 to the instrument 100.

[0079] In its turn, the resonator 2 comprises a sound box 6 comprising essentially a back 18 and a sound board 7 among which a side rib 14 is comprised.

[0080] In a known way, the tailpiece 40 is provided with a plurality of passages for the strings 5, which have a first end fixed to the tailpiece 40 itself whereas a second opposed end of the strings 5 is fixed to the handle 3 at a portion thereof distal with respect to the resonator 2.

[0081] In particular, the second end of the strings 5 is fixed to the handle 3 by suitable mechanical parts 9 adjustable to tune the instrument, which are arranged on a handle portion named headstock depicted with numeral 10.

[0082] According to this variation of the implementation, the tailpiece 40 is bound to the resonator 2 laterally, i.e. it is bound to the side rib 14 of the sound box 6 in a position substantially opposite to the handle 3, whereas a bridge-shaped element (saddle) 80 is frontally combined with the resonator 2, therefore it is bound to the sound board 7 in a position comprised between the handle 3 and the tailpiece 40.

[0083] According to the invention, the instrument 100 further comprises a plurality of couples of magnets, wherein the magnets of each couple are essentially arranged mutually opposed, and in particular according to the examples of the FIGS. 4-7 it comprises four couples of magnets.

[0084] Precisely, the instrument 100 comprises four first magnets 110 combined with the resonator 2, which are specifically bound to the sound board 7 at the side thereof inside the sound box 6, and four second magnets 120 arranged in front of the first magnets 110, housed inside the sound box 6.

[0085] The respective first distances among the first magnets 110 and the second magnets 120 can be the same or different from one another, and in every case, according to the invention, they can be adjusted also independently from one another.

[0086] Still in accordance to the present invention and the examples of FIGS. 4-7, the first magnets 110 and the second magnets 120 are arranged so that opposed polarities are equal to one another, therefore so that they apply a repulsive force one to another.

[0087] In this way also a repulsive force is applied to the resonator 2 and, particularly, to the sound board 7, i.e. a force substantially outwards the instrument 100 that advantageously counters the compressive (pressure) force the strings 5 of the instrument 100 apply on the sound board 7 when they are tightened for the instrument use, in particular by the bridge-shaped element 80.

[0088] From a purely structural point of view, still according to the examples of FIGS. 4-7, the instrument 100 comprises supporting means 13 for sustaining the second magnets 120 housed inside the sound box 6 and bound to the side rib 14 of the latter, the possibility of providing supporting means bound to the back of the sound box not being excluded.

[0089] Concretely and advantageously, the supporting means 13 are a frame comprising a plurality of crosspieces 15, the possibility of providing supporting means substantially paneled not being excluded in order to make a double compartment in the sound box, and in particular a first compartment comprised between the sound board and the paneled supporting means, and a second compartment comprised between the paneled supporting means and the back of the sound box, the latter possibilities not being in the illustrated figures.

[0090] In detail, the second magnets 120 are combined with the supporting means 13 and, precisely, they are advantageously arranged at the crosspieces 15 by suitable movement means, herein denoted as first movement means 16, that allow adjusting the respective first distances individually from the first magnets 110.

[0091] In this regard, the first movement means 16 comprise a plurality of threaded rod-shaped elements, as many as the couples of magnets, which removably engage the respective through holes provided in the crosspieces 15, the second magnets 120 being fixed on the ends thereof proximal to the sound board 7.

[0092] For driving the first movement means 16, therefore for accessing to the threaded rod-shaped elements, the instruments 100 comprises also openings 17 that can be in case closed, provided in the sound box 6 in particular on the back 18 thereof opposed to the sound board 7.

[0093] Substantially, the first movement means 16 allow moving the second magnets 120 closer or away to/from the first magnets 110, to respectively increase or decrease the interaction force among them, in case to the point of making it null.

[0094] For this purpose the first movement means 16, therefore the threaded rod-shaped elements, comprise leading parts 24 for their movement by a tool, for example a screwdriver.

[0095] Referring to the first magnets, it has to be mentioned that they can be directly bound to the sound board, for example by suitable fixing means, or they can be housed, possibly by interlocking them, in suitable seats provided in the sound board and/or they can be bound indirectly to the sound board by the interposition of suitable joining or supporting elements.

[0096] In case of the examples of FIGS. 4-7 a plurality of adhesive strips 19 are provided for a direct combining of the first magnets with the sound board 7.

[0097] In each case, in accordance with the invention, both the first magnets and the second magnets are preferably removable from the instrument 100, therefore they can be replaced if needed.

[0098] Advantageously, the couples of magnets are further arranged with regular geometry with respect to the handle 3 and/or with respect to the tailpiece 40, therefore with respect to the bridge-shaped element 80.

[0099] The instrument 100 further comprises a sound hole 20 having acoustic functions and provided in the sound box 6 at a peripheral portion of the sound board 7, the possibility of providing such a sound hole in, or also in, the side rib of the sound box not being excluded.

[0100] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the tailpiece 40 comprises a first portion 21 proximal to the handle 3, practically the portion with the holes for the passage of the strings 5 that has a second distance adjustable from the resonator 2 and, in particular, from the sound board 7.

[0101] The movement of such a first portion 21 advantageously allows adjusting the distance of the strings from the sound board, in particular depending on the action the interaction among the couples of magnets causes in the sound board.

[0102] In this regard, the instrument 100 comprises second movement means 22 acting on the tailpiece 40 for adjusting the position of the first portion 21 of the tailpiece, therefore for adjusting the afore said second distance.

[0103] In accordance with the example of FIG. 7, the second movement means 22, substantially constituting also means combining the tailpiece with the resonator, are a flathead screw bounding the tailpiece 40 to the side rib 14 of the sound box 6, in particular at a second portion 23 of the tailpiece 40 distal from the handle 3.

[0104] By acting on the second movement means moving closer or away from the sound box, the first portion of the tailpiece moves closer or away, along a substantially orthogonal direction, to/from the sound board, as particularly shown by the arrows of the example in FIG. 7.

[0105] In this regard, in order to stabilize the combining and the movement between the tailpiece 40 and the resonator 2, the instrument 100 comprises coupling means 26 that advantageously are a projection 27 and a throat 28 engaged by the projection 27, wherein the projection 27 extends from the sound board 7 beyond the side rib 14 of the sound box 6 and the throat 28 is obtained on the tailpiece 40 substantially in a junction area between the first and the second tailpiece portions.

[0106] The advantages of the present invention, already become evident during the afore stated description, can be summarized by pointing out that a string instrument is provided that has a resonator as integral part of the instrument, with an improved structural flexibility becoming a better sound performance with respect to similar string instruments provided by the known art, all preserving the necessary toughness.

[0107] In fact, the instrument according to the present invention allows an improved propagation of the sound waves to the resonator, therefore of vibrations generated by the strings, thereby increasing the sound volume of the instrument, as it were.

[0108] In order to meet incidental and specific requirements, several variations and modifications could be made by a field technician to the illustrated and described embodiments of present invention, provided that all are included in the scope of protection of the invention as defined by the following claims.