Stringed Musical Instrument Adjustable Neck Joint

• US 20180218717A1
• Filed: 03/27/2018
• Published: 08/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ray Varona
• Original Assignee: Ray Varona
• Inventors: Varona, Ray
• Granted Patent: US 10,559,287 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/10 Bag-type containers
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/1406 Septums, pierceable membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/18 Arrangements for indicating condition of container contents, e.g. sterile condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/201 having one piercing end
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2055 having gripping means
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2065 having aligning and guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/2096 Combination of a vial and a syringe for transferring or mixing their contents
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/20 Colour codes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3103 Leak prevention means for distal end of syringes, i.e. syringe end for mounting a needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1072 with a septum present in the connector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/10 Tube connectors; Tube couplings A61M39/02 takes precedence; connecting needles to syringes or hubs A61M5/34; connecting catheter tubes to hubs A61M25/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/1011 Locking means for securing connection; Additional tamper safeties A61M39/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/34 Constructions for connecting the needle , e.g. to syringe nozzle or needle hub connecting catheter tubes to hubs A61M25/0014

Abstract

An adjustable neck system for ease of action adjustment within a wide range of possible string heights and vibrating string lengths while not impeding on the vibrating area of the soundboard and adding minimal mass to the headblock assembly and allowing for significant rigidity to allow for greatly improved tuning stability is described. The system includes a neck joint utilizing a neck that pivots into a slightly mortised headblock with a floating, cantilevered fingerboard that does not contact the surface of the soundboard. The neck heel features extensive reinforcement in conjunction with headblock reinforcement to allow for increased torque on between the captive bolts and pivot points for greater rigidity and stability without the need for locking screws. By laminating the headblock and cantilevering the fingerboard, mass and soundboard contact area is not significantly greater than with traditional assemblies for minimal effect on weight balance and tone.

Claims

1. A musical instrument adjustable neck joint comprising:

lengthwise neck reinforcement bars providing stiffness and dimensional stability for a neck shaft and fingerboard extension;

pivot set screws establishing pivot points from which the neck can rotate to establish a neck angle with control over lateral alignment; and

an adjustment bolt providing neck angle adjustment by adjusting a length or distance of a gap between a heel and a body of the instrument.

2. The musical instrument adjustable neck joint of claim 1, further comprising a coupling bolt capable of drawing the neck into contact with the pivot points to stabilize the neck.

3. The musical instrument adjustable neck joint of claim 1, wherein the adjustment bolt is capable of adjustment by way of an adjustment tool.

4. The musical instrument adjustable neck joint of claim 1, further comprising a retaining plate capable of providing pressure to prevent unwanted movement in a moment counter to a string pull.

5. The musical instrument adjustable neck joint of claim 1, further comprising threaded barrel inserts capable of providing grip and tracking for the coupling and adjusting bolts.

6. The musical instrument adjustable neck joint of claim 1, further comprising a central reinforcement capable of strengthening the heel after clearing material from installation of the threaded inserts.

7. The musical instrument adjustable neck joint of claim 1, further comprising a plug capable of providing a surface for flanged threaded inserts to prevent localized crushing and long-term deformation of headblock wood.

8. The musical instrument adjustable neck joint of claim 1, further comprising a washer capable of providing tension in the coupling bolt and neck assembly.

9. The musical instrument adjustable neck joint of claim 1, further comprising headblock laminations in alternating right angles of grain direction, which headblock laminations are capable of providing sufficient strength and resistance to splitting to withstand added tension from the coupling bolt and pivot points while maintaining headblock dimensions.

10. The musical instrument adjustable neck joint of claim 1, further comprising an adjustment access opening capable of enabling user control of the neck adjustment.

11. The musical instrument adjustable neck joint of claim 1, further comprising a set of linings and strips capable of providing a seal between the neck and body.

12. The musical instrument adjustable neck joint of claim 1, further comprising t-section heel reinforcements comprising carbon-fiber composite.

13. The musical instrument adjustable neck joint of claim 1, wherein the lengthwise neck reinforcement bars comprise carbon-fiber composite.

14. The musical instrument adjustable neck joint of claim 3, wherein the adjustment tool is an Allen wrench.

15. The musical instrument adjustable neck joint of claim 7, wherein the plug is a conical plug.

16. The musical instrument adjustable neck joint of claim 7, wherein the surface for the flanged threaded inserts to prevent localized crushing and long-term deformation of the headblock wood is a flush surface.

17. The musical instrument adjustable neck joint of claim 7, wherein the flanged threaded inserts comprise dense hardwood endgrain, such as ebony.

18. The musical instrument adjustable neck joint of claim 8, wherein the washer is a conical washer.

19. The musical instrument adjustable neck joint of claim 8, wherein the washer is a flat washer.

20. The musical instrument adjustable neck joint of claim 10, wherein the adjustment access hole is dimensioned to fit an Allen wrench.

21. The musical instrument adjustable neck joint of claim 11, wherein the set of linings and strips capable of providing a seal between the neck and body are comprised of a compressible, non-marring material such as felt or cork.