US5477765A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vibrato unit for a guitar
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1994-03-24
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Granted: 1995-12-26
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Expires: 2014-03-24
Abstract
Abstract A vibrato unit including a base plate constructed to fit on a guitar face, a mounting plate pivotally attached to the base plate, and a plurality of saddle mounts, each pivotally attached to the mounting plate. The vibrato unit also includes a plurality of springs, where each spring is affixed between a saddle mount and the base plate and biasing the saddle mount into the normal position. A plurality of vibrato track sections which provides a substantially continuous track along the vibrato unit are included, where one section is mounted on a common vibrato track mount, which is affixed to the mounting plate, and the rest are each mounted on one of the plurality of saddle mounts. Also, the vibrato unit includes a vibrato arm having a movable block attached to one end thereof for movement along the continuous track and when the arm is manipulated the mounting plate and/or the saddle mounts are moved to the vibrato position.
Inventors
- 👤 William C. Dietzman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:19
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10D; G10D3/00; G10D3/14; G10D3/147; G10D3/153
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
A vibrato unit comprising: a base plate constructed to fit on a guitar face; a mounting plate pivotally attached to the base plate for movement between a normal and a vibrato position; a plurality of saddle mounts, each pivotally attached to the mounting plate for movement between a normal and a vibrato position; a plurality of springs, one each affixed between each saddle mount and the base plate and biasing each saddle mount into the normal position; a common vibrato track mount affixed to the mounting plate; a plurality of vibrato track sections, one each mounted on the common vibrato track mount and the plurality of saddle mounts to provide a continuous track; and a vibrato arm having a movable block attached to one end thereof for movement along the continuous track, where when said block is positioned in the track section affixed to the common vibrato track mount and the arm is manipulated, the mounting plate and all the saddle mounts are moved to the vibrato position, and when said block is positioned in a track section affixed to a specific saddle mount and the arm is manipulated, only the specific saddle mount is moved into the vibrato position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
A vibrato unit comprising: a base plate constructed to fit on a guitar face; a mounting plate pivotally attached to the base plate for movement between a normal and a vibrato position; a plurality of saddle mounts, each pivotally attached to the mounting plate for movement between a normal and a vibrato position; a plurality of springs, one each affixed between each saddle mount and the base plate and biasing each saddle mount into the normal position; a common vibrato track mount affixed to the mounting plate; a plurality of vibrato track sections, one each mounted on the common vibrato track mount and the plurality of saddle mounts to provide a continuous track; and a vibrato arm having a movable block attached to one end thereof for movement along the continuous track, where when said block is positioned in the track section affixed to the common vibrato track mount and the arm is manipulated, the mounting plate and all the saddle mounts are moved to the vibrato position, and when said block is positioned in a track section affixed to a specific saddle mount and the arm is manipulated, only the specific saddle mount is moved into the vibrato position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A vibrato unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the springs can be one of a leaf and a spiral.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A vibrato unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of saddle mounts includes a saddle which accommodates a guitar string.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A vibrato unit as claimed in claim 3 wherein the saddle is constructed of one of brass, stainless steel, bone, and plastic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A vibrato unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of saddle mounts includes a tailpiece for holding a guitar string.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A vibrato unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base plate is L-shaped with an integrally formed arm at one end of the base plate and the arm is positioned in a groove in the guitar face for added stability.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
A vibrato unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the vibrato track section mounted on the common vibrato track mount and the vibrato track section mounted on a last saddle mount, each have a stop affixed to an opposite end thereof to keep the vibrato arm from moving past the opposite ends.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A vibrato unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the block attached to the end of the vibrato arm is dovetailed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A vibrato unit as claimed in claim 8 wherein the track is dovetailed to receive the block.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A vibrato unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the base plate is affixed to the guitar face by a plurality of bolts.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
253 words
A method of attaching a vibrato unit comprising the steps of: providing a guitar with a face and a plurality of strings; providing a vibrato unit comprising a base plate constructed to fit on the guitar face, a mounting plate pivotally attached to the base plate for movement between a normal and a vibrato position, a plurality of saddle mounts each pivotally attached to the mounting plate for movement between a normal and a vibrato position, a plurality of springs one each affixed between each saddle mount and the base plate and biasing each saddle mount into the normal position, a common vibrato track mount affixed to the mounting plate, a plurality of vibrato track sections one each mounted on the common vibrato track mount and the plurality of saddle mounts to provide a continuous track, and a vibrato arm having a movable block attached to one end thereof for movement along the continuous track, where when said block is positioned in the track section affixed to the common vibrato track mount and the arm is manipulated, the mounting plate and all the saddle mounts are moved to the vibrato position, and when said block is positioned in a track section affixed to a specific saddle mount and the arm is manipulated, only the specific saddle mount is moved into the vibrato position; affixing the base plate to the face of the guitar by a plurality of bolts; and inserting a plurality of guitar strings, one each into the plurality of saddle mounts.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
253 words
A method of attaching a vibrato unit comprising the steps of: providing a guitar with a face and a plurality of strings; providing a vibrato unit comprising a base plate constructed to fit on the guitar face, a mounting plate pivotally attached to the base plate for movement between a normal and a vibrato position, a plurality of saddle mounts each pivotally attached to the mounting plate for movement between a normal and a vibrato position, a plurality of springs one each affixed between each saddle mount and the base plate and biasing each saddle mount into the normal position, a common vibrato track mount affixed to the mounting plate, a plurality of vibrato track sections one each mounted on the common vibrato track mount and the plurality of saddle mounts to provide a continuous track, and a vibrato arm having a movable block attached to one end thereof for movement along the continuous track, where when said block is positioned in the track section affixed to the common vibrato track mount and the arm is manipulated, the mounting plate and all the saddle mounts are moved to the vibrato position, and when said block is positioned in a track section affixed to a specific saddle mount and the arm is manipulated, only the specific saddle mount is moved into the vibrato position; affixing the base plate to the face of the guitar by a plurality of bolts; and inserting a plurality of guitar strings, one each into the plurality of saddle mounts.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the step of providing a vibrato unit includes providing a vibrato unit including springs selected from one of a leaf and a spiral.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the step of providing a vibrato unit includes providing a vibrato unit wherein each of the plurality of saddle mounts has a saddle to accommodate one of the plurality of guitar strings.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the step of providing a vibrato unit includes providing a vibrato unit including the saddle being constructed of one of brass, stainless steel, bone, and plastic.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the step of providing a vibrato unit includes providing a vibrato unit wherein each of the plurality of saddle mounts has a tailpiece for holding a guitar string.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 15 wherein the step of inserting a plurality of guitar strings includes inserting the string under the tailpiece.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the step of providing a vibrato unit includes providing a vibrato unit wherein the base plate is L-shaped with an integrally formed arm at one end thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein the step of affixing the base plate includes making a groove in the guitar face.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the step of affixing the base plate to the face of the guitar includes the arm being positioned in a groove in the guitar face for added stability.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the step of providing a vibrato unit includes providing a vibrato unit wherein the vibrato track section mounted on the common vibrato track mount and the vibrato track section mounted on a last saddle mount, each have a stop affixed to an opposite end thereof to keep the vibrato arm from moving past the opposite ends.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the step of providing a vibrato unit includes providing a vibrato unit wherein the block attached to the end of the vibrato arm is dovetailed.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 21 wherein the step of providing a vibrato unit includes providing a vibrato unit including the track being generally dovetailed to receive the block.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the step of affixing the base plate to the face of the guitar includes drilling a plurality of holes in the guitar face for receiving the plurality of bolts.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1998-12-25 | 1999-06-26 | 1999-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-12-25 | 2003-06-26 | 2003-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-12-25 | 2007-06-26 | 2007-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |