US4208941A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable bridge saddle
Assignee: Norlin Industries Inc
•
Filing: 1979-03-14
•
Granted: 1980-06-24
•
Expires: 1999-03-14
Abstract
Abstract A guitar or other fretted stringed musical instrument includes intonation adjustment means comprising an aperture underlying a string at the instrument's bridge and a saddle rotatably received within the aperture. The saddle carries a string supporting surface operable in a cam-like manner for adjusting the vibrating length of the string in response to rotation of the saddle within the aperture.
Inventors
- 👤 Abraham J. Wechter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:34
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10D; G10D3/00; G10D3/04; G10D3/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
In a stringed musical instrument of the type having tuning peg means for anchoring one end of a string and means for anchoring the opposite end of said string, the improvement comprising: means defining an aperture having a circular cross-section disposed diametrically underlying said string near said opposite end thereof; and saddle means having a generally cylindrically shaped body portion rotatably received within said aperture, a head portion extending beyond said aperture for rotation about a common axis with said body portion and a generally semi-circular string supporting surface disposed in fixed relation on said head portion, said string supporting surface having a diameter smaller than the extent of said head portion and an axis offset from the axis of said head portion, whereby said string supporting surface is operable for adjusting the vibrating length of said string in response to rotation of said saddle means within said aperture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a stringed musical instrument of the type having tuning peg means for anchoring one end of a string and means for anchoring the opposite end of said string, the improvement comprising: means defining an aperture having a circular cross-section disposed diametrically underlying said string near said opposite end thereof; and saddle means having a generally cylindrically shaped body portion rotatably received within said aperture, a head portion extending beyond said aperture for rotation about a common axis with said body portion and a generally semi-circular string supporting surface disposed in fixed relation on said head portion, said string supporting surface having a diameter smaller than the extent of said head portion and an axis offset from the axis of said head portion, whereby said string supporting surface is operable for adjusting the vibrating length of said string in response to rotation of said saddle means within said aperture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
98 words
In a guitar or other fretted stringed musical instrument of the type having a tuning peg for anchoring one end of a string, means for anchoring the opposite end of said string, and frets located at spaced intervals along said string for determining musical pitches; the improvement comprising: means defining an aperture having a circular cross-section disposed diametrically underlying said string near said opposite end thereof; and saddle means received within said aperture having a string supporting surface operable for adjusting the vibrating length of said string in response to rotation of said saddle means within said aperture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
98 words
In a guitar or other fretted stringed musical instrument of the type having a tuning peg for anchoring one end of a string, means for anchoring the opposite end of said string, and frets located at spaced intervals along said string for determining musical pitches; the improvement comprising: means defining an aperture having a circular cross-section disposed diametrically underlying said string near said opposite end thereof; and saddle means received within said aperture having a string supporting surface operable for adjusting the vibrating length of said string in response to rotation of said saddle means within said aperture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
80 words
The improvement according to claim 2 wherein said saddle means comprises: a generally cylindrically shaped body portion rotatably received within said aperture; a head portion extending beyond said aperture for rotation on a common axis with said body portion; and a generally semi-circular string supporting surface disposed in fixed relation on said head portion, said string supporting surface having a diameter smaller than the extent of said head portion and an axis offset from the axis of said head portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement according to claim 3 wherein all points along said string supporting surface are spaced inwardly from the periphery of said head portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improvement according to claim 3 wherein said head portion is configured for facilitating rotation thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The improvement according to claim 5 wherein said head portion comprises a hexagonally shaped structure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improvement according to claim 2 wherein said means defining an aperture comprises a bridge base secured on the soundboard of said guitar.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improvement according to claim 2 wherein said aperture and saddle means include cooperating threaded portions enabling said saddle means to be raised and lowered within said aperture in response to rotation thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
80 words
In a stringed musical instrument of the type having tuning peg means for anchoring one end of a string and means for anchoring the opposite end of said string, the improvement comprising: means defining an aperture underlying said string near said opposite end thereof; and saddle means received within said aperture having a string supporting surface operable for adjusting the vibrating length of said string in response to rotation of said saddle means about an axis perpendicular to said string.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
80 words
In a stringed musical instrument of the type having tuning peg means for anchoring one end of a string and means for anchoring the opposite end of said string, the improvement comprising: means defining an aperture underlying said string near said opposite end thereof; and saddle means received within said aperture having a string supporting surface operable for adjusting the vibrating length of said string in response to rotation of said saddle means about an axis perpendicular to said string.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
94 words
The improvement according to claim 9 wherein said aperture is of circular cross-section disposed for diametrically underlying said string and wherein said saddle means comprises: a generally cylindrically shaped body portion rotatably received within said aperture; a head portion extending beyond said aperture for rotation on a common axis with said body portion; and a generally semi-circular string supporting surface disposed in fixed relation on said head portion, said string supporting surface having a diameter smaller than the extent of said head portion and an axis offset from the axis of said head portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-06-24 | 1983-12-24 | 1984-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-06-24 | 1987-12-24 | 1988-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-06-24 | 1991-12-24 | 1992-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |