Stabilizer for tremolo bridge

• US 6,943,284 B2
• Filed: 10/14/2003
• Issued: 09/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edward William Didan
• Original Assignee: Edward William Didan
• Inventors: Didan, Edward William
• Primary Examiner(s): HSIEH, SHIH YUNG
• Application Number:
  US10/683,980
• Publication Number:
  US 20050076766A1
• Time in Patent Office: 700 Days
• Field of Search: 843/13, 843/12.R
• US Class Current: 84/313
• CPC Class Codes: G10D 3/153 Tremolo devices

Abstract

A stabilizer for a tremolo bridge prevents disablement of an instrument in the event of string failure. A cam, operated by the player, serves to support a tremolo bridge such that pre-failure tuning of the remaining strings is restored. A method is disclosed for stabilizing a tremolo bridge, comprising steps of ascertaining the normal position of the bridge with strings intact and the tremolo not actuated, providing a retractable stabilizer capable of maintaining the bridge in that position, and selectively using the stabilizer to oppose disabling movement of the tremolo bridge in the event of a string failure, or for purposes of facilitating tuning of the instrument. Novel designs of the components of the stabilizer are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A stabilizer for a tremolo device of the type having a tremolo bridge plate movably coupled to the body of an instrument, strings coupled to the bridge plate, spring means coupled to the bridge plate and opposing the tension of the strings and a tremolo actuator arm coupled to the bridge plate, said stabilizer comprising:

a cam operatively associated with the bridge plate, said cam having a first inoperative position and a second operative position in which it stabilizes the bridge plate by limiting movement of the bridge plate in one direction in response to the spring means, means for maintaining said cam in said first position and said second position comprising of a frictional restraint in contact with said cam, method for establishing the normal position of the bridge, said cam and said means being coupled to said bridge plate for movement therewith.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, and a limit stop coupled to said bridge plate for movement therewith, said cam having thereon means to maintain said cam in said second position when engaged with said limit stop.

3. A method for stabilizing a tremolo bridge associated with a stringed instrument, comprising the steps of positioning the tremolo bridge with a stabilizer in an operative position, adjusting a spring anchor screw means such that a spring means constrains the stabilizer to the body of the instrument, tuning all strings individually on the instrument by conventional means, moving the stabilizer to an inoperative position, retuning all strings simultaneously using the spring anchor screw means, thereby establishing the normal position of the bridge, and selectively moving the stabilizer to the operative position, in which the stabilizer maintains the bridge in said normal position, in response to failure of a string or for purposes of efficiently tuning the instrument.