US4681010A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multidirectionally adjustable vibrato device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1986-09-16
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Granted: 1987-07-21
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Expires: 2006-09-16
Abstract
Abstract A vibrato device for guitars which is easily omnidirectionally adjustable by a clamp screw and a pivot screw concentric therewith, both conveniently accessible from the rear of the device, and by elevation screws mounted in the string-supporting saddles and conveniently accessible from the top of the device. The brass saddles are provided with a steel block insert for improved resonance and damping, and the control lever can be conveniently either locked in one position, or allowed to swing freely, at any time during play. The device is provided with self-centering straight knife-edge bridge pivots. The free ends of the strings are clamped to the bottom of a steel sustain block depending from the bridge of the device, and the clamp screws for both the strings and the lateral saddle position adjustment are turnable with coins.
Inventors
- 👤 Trevor A. Wilkinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:01
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10D; G10D3/00; G10D3/14; G10D3/147
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A vibrato device for guitars, comprising: (a) a bridge; (b) a plurality of string-supporting saddles mounted on said bridge for limited omnidirectional movement with respect thereto; (c) a plurality of slotted spacing blocks slidably movable transversely with respect to said bridge; (d) a plurality of clamp screws; and (e) a plurality of pivot screws; (f) said clamp screws cooperating with said spacing blocks to selectively clamp said spacing blocks to said bridge; (g) each of said pivot screws passing axially through one of said clamp screws and through said slot in one of said spacing blocks to engage one of said saddles; (h) said slot being so shaped as to prevent transverse movement of said pivot screw therein but allowing free vertical movement thereof; and (i) said saddle being axially movable by rotating said pivot screw, the head of said pivot screw being biased against a vertical interior surface of said clamp screw; (j) whereby said saddle is pivotally vertically movable about the head of said pivot screw.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A vibrato device for guitars, comprising: (a) a bridge; (b) a plurality of string-supporting saddles mounted on said bridge for limited omnidirectional movement with respect thereto; (c) a plurality of slotted spacing blocks slidably movable transversely with respect to said bridge; (d) a plurality of clamp screws; and (e) a plurality of pivot screws; (f) said clamp screws cooperating with said spacing blocks to selectively clamp said spacing blocks to said bridge; (g) each of said pivot screws passing axially through one of said clamp screws and through said slot in one of said spacing blocks to engage one of said saddles; (h) said slot being so shaped as to prevent transverse movement of said pivot screw therein but allowing free vertical movement thereof; and (i) said saddle being axially movable by rotating said pivot screw, the head of said pivot screw being biased against a vertical interior surface of said clamp screw; (j) whereby said saddle is pivotally vertically movable about the head of said pivot screw.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device of claim 1, in which said saddle includes elevation screws for limiting the vertical movement of said saddle toward said bridge, said saddle being adapted to be vertically biased toward said bridge by the tension of the guitar string which it supports.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
The device of claim 1, in which said spacing block has a vertical rear surface and a screwthread extending rearwardly from said surface, said clamp screw has a vertical outer front surface and a screwthread extending forwardly therefrom, said bridge has a pair of spaced vertically extending shoulders, and said spacing block and clamp screw clamp said shoulders between said surfaces when said screwthreads are mated and tightened.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 3, in which said pivot screw passes freely axially through said screwthreads.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 3, in which the head of said clamp screw is provided with a slot of sufficient width to receive a coin for turning said clamp screw.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said bridge is pivotally mounted on said guitar to provide a vibrato effect.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-07-20 | 1991-01-19 | 1991-07-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-07-20 | 1995-01-19 | 1995-07-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-07-20 | 1999-01-19 | 1999-07-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |