System for fixing and tensioning strings of a stringed musical instrument

Abstract

A system for fixing and tensioning strings of a stringed musical instrument comprises a string holder provided on one end of a neck, an upper nut provided on a second end of the neck and adjusting screw mechanisms in an amount that corresponds to the amount of strings, while each of the strings is configured so that its first end can be fixed in the string holder, the second end can be passed through grooves of the upper nut and fixed on the adjusting screw mechanism. An arrangement for directing the strings is mounted after the upper nut on a face surface of the neck, in a form of a curved plate, which has guides for the strings provided therein. The adjusting screw mechanisms are arranged at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the neck in a frame fixed on a back surface of the neck. A neck reinforcement member can be mounted in a central portion of the neck along the entire length.

Claims

1. A system for fixing and tensioning strings of a stringed musical instrument, the system comprising a string holder provided on one end of a neck, an upper nut provided on a second end of the neck and adjusting screw mechanisms in a number that corresponds to the number of strings, each of the strings being configured so that a first end of the string can be fixed in the string holder, and a second end of the string can be passed through a groove of the upper nut and fixed on the adjusting screw mechanism, wherein an arrangement for directing the strings is mounted after the upper nut on a face surface of the neck, the arrangement being made in a form of a curved plate, which has respective guides for the strings provided therein; wherein the adjusting screw mechanisms are arranged at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the neck in a direction that is opposite to a direction of directing the strings from the side of the curved plate and are arranged in a frame fixed on a back surface of the neck; wherein a neck reinforcement member is mounted in a central portion of the neck longitudinally along the length of the neck, each screw mechanism being a tension screw having an arrangement for fixing the strings in the form of a female screw that is immovably mounted in the metal frame, the female screw having a slot provided in an upper portion thereof, and a collar, which upper portion is provided with a cavity for placing the string that is coupled to the slot of the female screw, the collar is equipped, in the location of the second end of the string, with a member that separates it from the screw, while the second end of each string is equipped with a tip having a width that exceeds a width of the cavity of the collar.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the frame is provided with respective mounting seat for each adjusting screw mechanism along the axis of the neck, the seats are arranged symmetrically successively opposite one another.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the frame is made of metal.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein a truss rod is used as the neck reinforcement member.

5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a cover on the face and/or back surfaces of the neck.

6. The system according to claim 1, further comprising electrical contacts coupled to a controller of an electrical board arranged inside the neck and mounted between the upper nut and the curved plate from the inner side of the curved plate.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the curved plate and the collar member that separates the string from the screw are made of an electrically insulating material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention disclosed herein will be more clearly understood from the following exemplary embodiment and the corresponding accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIGS. 1A-1C are general views of the neck with the assembled system for fixing and tensioning the strings. FIG. 1A is a top view, FIG. 1B is a bottom view, and FIG. 1C is a side view.

(3) FIGS. 2A and 2B are fragments of the neck with the system for fixing and tensioning the strings. FIG. 2A is a general view, and FIG. 2B is a top view.

(4) FIG. 3 is a general view of the screw mechanisms for tensioning the strings.

(5) FIGS. 4A and 4B are fragments of a portion of the neck with the arrangement for directing the strings. FIG. 4A is a top view, and FIG. 4B is a rear portion view.

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates constituent portions of the screw mechanism for tensioning the strings.

(7) FIG. 6 is a general view of the neck with the system for fixing and tensioning the strings with the reinforcement member (the truss rod).

(8) FIG. 7 is a section of the fragment of the neck with the system for fixing and tensioning the strings.

(9) Figure drawings that illustrate the invention claimed as well as particular embodiments are merely exemplary in nature and are in no way intended to limit the claims appended hereto but to assist in explaining the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (INFORMATION CONFIRMING THE POSSIBILITY OF EMBODIMENT)

(10) A system for fixing and tensioning strings of a musical instrument is arranged on a neck 1. Nuts 2 with frets 3 located therebetween are arranged on a front portion of the neck 1. A string holder 4 is arranged at one of the ends of the neck 1, with the system for fixing and tensioning strings being arranged on the second end and on the rear side. The system and the neck 1 are preferably arranged under a protective cover 5. The strings 6 are tensioned over the nuts 2 and frets 3. The system for fixing and tensioning strings consists of an arrangement 7 for directing the strings arranged behind an upper nut 8 on a face surface of the neck 1. The arrangement 7 for directing the strings is designed as a curved plate, which has guides 9 for the strings 6 provided therein in the form of recesses. Fixing and tensioning of the strings 6 is made by means of adjusting screw mechanisms 10 arranged at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the neck on a metal frame 11. The strings 6 pass along the guides of the arrangement 7 for directing the strings, wherein one of the ends of each string is provided with a tip having a width that exceeds a width of the cavity of the collar that provides fixing of the string 6 to the adjusting screw mechanism 10. Each adjusting screw mechanism 10 comprises a tension screw 12 having an arrangement for fixing the strings in the form of a female screw that is immovably mounted in the metal frame, the female screw having a slot provided in an upper portion thereof, and a collar 13, which upper portion is provided with a cavity for placing the string 6 that is coupled to the slot of the female screw. The collar is equipped, in the location of the end of the string, with a member 14 that separates it from the screw, and the member is made of an electrically insulating material. A reinforcement member preferably, (a truss rod) 15 is mounted along the entire length of the neck. In case of using this system for fixing and tensioning strings for electrical instruments, electronic components of the system, e.g., electrical contacts 16 coupled to an electrical board 17, may be arranged in the middle of the neck housing.

(11) The operation principle of the system for fixing and tensioning strings of a stringed musical instrument will next be described.

(12) Fixing and tensioning of the strings 6 is accomplished as follows: one end of each string 6 is extended into the string holder 4. Second ends of the strings 6, which are provided with the tips for fixing, are extended through the arrangement 7 for directing the strings that is shaped as a curved plate, wherein the strings 6 are placed on the guides 9, which separate them from each other. The strings 6 are brought through the guides 9 to the back side of the neck and fixed on the adjusting screw mechanism 10. Fixation of the strings to the screw mechanism is performed by fixation of the tips of the strings in the cavity of the collar. Tensioning and tuning of the strings 6 is performed by tension screws 12.

(13) A set of features, namely: arranging the arrangement for directing the strings on the face surface of the neck, arranging the adjusting screw mechanism for tensioning and tuning the strings on the back side of the neck, providing the strings with the tips for fixing and arranging the electronic components in the middle of the neck reduce its overall size and shorten the time for tensioning and tuning the strings. Providing the face and back surfaces of the neck with the cover avoids its contamination and brings a more aesthetically pleasing view to the neck. By making the frame of the system of a material, durable preferably metal, reliability thereof is increased and service life of the system is increased. Presence of the truss rod provides additional rigidity and avoids deformation of the neck.