US4867030A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bridge for stringed instruments
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-11-21
•
Granted: 1989-09-19
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Expires: 2008-11-21
Abstract
Abstract A bridge for stringed instruments including a base member and a saddle member affixed thereto. The saddle is constructed of two or more adjacent, discrete, and homogeneous units of differing material, each of which are in contact with selected strings of the instrument to provide desired sound characteristics upon activation of the strings. A variety of sounds of varying timbre and sustain may thereby be provided. Contact of selected units with the base member also provides varying sound characteristics. The units of differing substances may be in laminated form or may be in the form of discrete rods placed in a common body portion of the saddle. In the use of rods in a common body, the rods may be grooved to receive the string or the string may be strung so as to contact the side of the rod.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter E. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:12
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10D; G10D3/00; G10D3/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A bridge for guitars comprising: a horizontally oriented base member affixed to the top of the guitar; and a raised saddle member affixed to said base member, said saddle member being constructed of at least two adjacent, discrete, and homogeneous units of differing materials, at least one of which is metal, each unit engaging a string of said guitar to produce a sound of unique timbre upon activation of the string.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
A bridge for guitars comprising: a horizontally oriented base member affixed to the top of the guitar; and a raised saddle member affixed to said base member, said saddle member being constructed of at least two adjacent, discrete, and homogeneous units of differing materials, at least one of which is metal, each unit engaging a string of said guitar to produce a sound of unique timbre upon activation of the string.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The bridge as described in claim 1 wherein said saddle member includes a first unit of one material and at least one other unit of differing material adjacent to and parallel with said first unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The bridge as described in claim 2 wherein said units are in laminated orientation relative to one another.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The bridge as described in claim 2 wherein said first unit is constructed of wood.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The bridge as described in claim 1 wherein said saddle member includes a first unit defining an elongated body portion and further including a selected number of other insert units, mounted within said body portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The bridge as described in claim 5 wherein selected insert units are each provided with a groove through which selected strings of said guitar are strung.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The bridge as described in claim 5 wherein said insert units are rod-like in form.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The bridge as described in claim 5 wherein a selected number of said insert units are in physical contact with said base member of said bridge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
79 words
A bridge for guitars comprising: a horizontally oriented base member affixed to the top of the guitar; and a saddle member, said saddle member being constructed of a body portion of one material and at least one or more laminates, each of said laminates composed of a differing material, at least one of which is metal, and said body portion and each of said laminates provided with one or more aligned grooves for receiving respective strings of said guitar.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
79 words
A bridge for guitars comprising: a horizontally oriented base member affixed to the top of the guitar; and a saddle member, said saddle member being constructed of a body portion of one material and at least one or more laminates, each of said laminates composed of a differing material, at least one of which is metal, and said body portion and each of said laminates provided with one or more aligned grooves for receiving respective strings of said guitar.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The bridge as described in claim 9 wherein said body portion of said saddle member and said base member are of unitary construction.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-09-18 | 1993-03-20 | 1993-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-09-18 | 1997-03-20 | 1997-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-09-18 | 2001-03-20 | 2001-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |