Abstract:
A method and an apparatus provides for an optimum musical stringed instrument dynamic force chain comprised of simultaneous axial witness point adjustment mechanism, adjustable truss rod, high energy resilient and low friction tremolo bearing and mechanically optimized inline sensor structure.  
     The invention provides simple to achieve accurate intonation adjustment of a vibrating string in relationship to a fixed divisional pitch system which optimizing the instruments energy balance.  
     An inline vibration sensor is provided within the witness point structures whose mechanical impedance is tuned to provide optimum force chain admittance and is comprised of a piezoelectric composite or embedded within the entire instrument or various structural members.  
     An adjustable truss rod is provided to insure optimum curvature of the neck and fingerboard insuring intonation and stability.  
     A tremolo bearing comprised of hard and resilient material is provided under the tremolo pivot contact surfaces.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This is a continuation-in-part of the U.S. Pat. No. 5,986,190: String bearing and tremolo device method and apparatus for stringed musical instrument, which is hereby incorporated by reference.  
         [0002]    We claim bit from the U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/356,592 filed Feb. 14, 2002. 
     
    
     
       REFERENCES CITED  
       U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS  
         [0003]    [0003]                                               D302563   August 1989   Sirmon et al.           2959085   November 1960   Porter   84/314.       4295404   October 1981   Smith.       4464970   August 1984   Mischakoff.       4541320   September 1985   Sciuto.       4696219   September 1987   Plescia   84/314.       4709612   December 1987   Wilkinson   84/314.       4742750   May 1988   Storey   84/298.       4768414   September 1988   Wheelwright   84/307.       4852450   August 1989   Novak.       4867031   September 1989   Fender.       5208410   May 1993   Foley   84/298.       5288344       Peker       5404783   April 1995   Feiten et al.       5481956   January 1996   LoJacono et al   84/314.       5600079   February 1997   Feiten et al.       5728956   March 1998   Feiten et al.       5750910   May 1998   LoJacono.       5932822   August 1999   Bernstein   84/314.       5955689       Feiten et al.       5986190   November 1999   Wolff, Erickson   84/297R; 84/307;                   84/313        6156962       Poort.       6188005   February 2001   White   84/291.       6429367       Fishman       6433264   August 2002   Gimpel   84/314.                    
         STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0004]    N/A  
         REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX  
         [0005]    N/A  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    Axially Self Adjusting Witness Point  
           [0007]    Mechanical Impedance Matching Inline Transducer  
           [0008]    Adjustable Truss Rod  
           [0009]    High Energy Resilient Tremolo Bearing  
           [0010]    The present invention relates to the tuning of stringed musical instruments. More particularly, it relates to a tuning system comprised of intonation correcting witness points and elements of the dynamic force chain tuned to optimize the mechanical impedance and transducer sensitivity thereby affecting and improving sound quality.  
           [0011]    Axially Self Adjusting Witness Point  
           [0012]    The present invention is designed to optimize the string dynamics that are involved in the movement of the string over the two Witness Point devices. Current devises allow movement with only radial force present, due to a highly linear and high stiffness structure and have zero axial force present due to resistance and, or friction. The present invention is designed to allow the micro-displacement movements of the guitar neck/body movements and a vibrating string to move freely in both the axial and radial directions.  
           [0013]    For years, inventors of string musical instruments have wrestled with the problem of properly designing an instrument that will play in tune to itself with proper intonation and thus be able to play in tune with other instruments. There is a difficulty with fretted string instruments because the fret placements are fixed and the string is stretched between 2 points, the bridge and nut. The string is said to be open or unchanged which we designate (Lopen). The open string in then pushed down with your finger against the string until it contacts a fret, which shortens the length of the remainder of the string producing an higher or raised pitch. The frets, being placed in a set pattern using a method called the rule of 18, are fixed in their positions so as to produce the next semitone higher according to the scale system of modern western music. In a perfect scaling system of frets the string would produce the correct semitone and all cross-string pitch relationships would stay in tune to each other. But in actuality, additional stresses are incurred which cause pitch shifts to take place. The string at Lopen is forced downward to meet the fret top which has the effect of stretching the string, which lengthens it, while increasing the strings tension and thus raising or sharpening the pitch beyond what is desirable.  
           [0014]    In order for to compensate for this problem various devices have been constructed to allow for the pitch difference between open string and the fretted notes. This problem and the attempts at adjustment to the length of the string by intonation adjustment at the nut and or the bridge is not new and should be considered public domain. The earliest adjustments to modern guitars, at the nut, were done by a company in the sixties called Microfrets. Since then many inventors have experimented with new designs to compensate for the string stretch. LoJacono, patented a nut (U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,910 LoJacono) that looks very much like the Gibson patented Tune-o-matic Bridge, Buzz Feiten patented a method (U.S. Pat. No. 5,955,689) by which you add a little extra string length to the intonation adjustment at the bridge. After shortening the fingerboard, at it&#39;s nut end, he assigns a broad and very vague amount of required change to the string length adjustment at the bridge. Poort (U.S. Pat. No. 6,156,962) designed a new method to make an ever widening nut. All three alterations to the nut require a shortening of the fingerboard. Poort requires the shortening be done at an angle to the first fret to compensate for the larger diameter strings retaining less length to account for more stretch and greater pitch change. The string stretches downward under pressure from your finger but since the amount of stretch varies from instrument to instrument the adjustments required by these previous designs still create a cause for tuning concerns. It can be demonstrated that in the above described methods as with all previous methods, there is a failure to produce an exact methodology for adjusting the strings length versus height at the nut and bridge, therefore the correct methodology is still in question.  
           [0015]    Since the implementation of adjusting the string&#39;s length is something that takes place during the design and construction of a stringed musical instrument, it would seem that a methodology to compensate for the differences in string stretch and string thickness is necessary and unique. No person to date has devised a methodology that correctly accounts for the pitch shift due to string stretch. It is the contention of this invention that a methodology and apparatus have been designed that will allow the group of all fretted stringed musical instruments to be adjusted in order to intonate correctly.  
           [0016]    Many theories have centered around changing the length of a string by shortening or lengthening it in relationship to it&#39;s scale length. Any alteration thus far suggested to the rule of 18 used traditionally by stringed instrument makers to perform the calculations for the placement of the frets has proven to be vague and produced inconsistent results. The shortening of the fingerboard length at the nut end which in turn causes a shortening of the length of the nut to the first fret thereby requiring additional changes to the bridge saddles intonation adjustment inconsistent with the rule of 18 by adding additional percentages to the saddle adjustments has proven fruitless. The rule of 18 is based on the sound principles of the Pythagoras Theorem and does not need to be altered.  
           [0017]    Mechanical Impedance Matching Inline Transducer  
           [0018]    Any transducer inline to the dynamic force chain will affect the intonation and tonal quality of the instrument. Inline transducers include all those where the transducer structure is placed within the witness point structure. These include transducers from Fishman U.S. Pat. No. 6,429,367 among others. Many transducers place a piezoelectric sensor beneath the 6 string guitar bridge blade seated within its slot.  
           [0019]    When the mechanical impedance of the inline transducer is too high or low the intonation reliability, sound quality and the charge or voltage sensitivity may be adversely affected.  
           [0020]    Adjustable Truss Rod  
           [0021]    This design provides for adjustments to the tension of a truss rod within a stringed musical instrument neck. The truss rod is made in several sections with provisions to be adjusted from the side of the neck at various points. The circular Truss rod sections have been machined a “V” shaped wedge. Provision is made for the “V” shaped end of the truss rod to be draw toward its sectional counterpart by onforming inserts on two sides of the truss rod a threaded screw passes through the inserts to draw them together. One section of the screw has reversed threads, as does its corresponding inserts, so as to provide a squeezing or tension in action against the individual ends&#39; of the truss rod sections. This embodiment provides for adjustment perpendicular to the force of the truss rod within the musical instruments neck.  
           [0022]    High Energy Resilient Tremolo Bearing  
           [0023]    Many tremolos use a metal to metal surface bearing. The stick-slip nature of such a bearing within the dynamic force chain adversely affects the intonation reliability and sound quality.  
           [0024]    General (from prev patent)  
           [0025]    String dynamics are what provides for various degrees of sustain, harmonics &amp; tone, tuning stability, and tremolo action and reaction. The problems with both of the nut witness point systems is that they do not fully provide an environment that supports the string/neck/body unitary structural combination with the proper support to optimize each of the aforementioned attributes. A major contributor to the diminishment of each of these attributes is the stick/slip action of a standard brass and bone type nut witness point. With this traditional design a V or U shaped grove is supplied to fit the individual diameter of each string, as well as that of it&#39;s relative vertical and horizontal position. However, the nature of the brass or bone material is that the string always presses its way into the material by it&#39;s axial movement and radial pressure. This is often desired by the usual thinking, and provides not only a solid radial force but, in the negative a large axial frictional force of the stick/slip kind. This force is easily overcome by the change in string tension due to tuning machine adjustment, but NOT by the micro-movements in the axial displacement component of the string motion during vibration. The nature of this type of frictional motion is highly non-linear and stochastic in nature. In addition, the nature of this type of force in combination with tuning peg problematic movement, versus intentional tuning adjustments, and knife edged and/or hook return spring based tremolo bridges, constitutes a serious departure from the structural support requirements of the ideal string dynamics as discussed herein.  
           [0026]    Secondly tremolo design has been nearly exclusively based upon variations in metal to metal bearings or the knife edge pivot point and roller.  
           [0027]    Our strong opinion, and the basis for part of the Sting Bearing invention, is that in order to optimize the string dynamics as previously discussed one must allow the string to move axially over the Witness Point with only radial force present. A highly linear and high stiffness structure must provide near zero axial force due to resistance or friction. This must occur for the micro-displacement movements caused by the combinatorial motion of the string and guitar neck/body movements. These motions are on the order of acoustic and flexural displacement axial motions present in a vibrating structure such as a guitar or other stringed instrument.  
           [0028]    We should further point out that standard bone or brass type nuts with fixed cut string groove, require adequate down pressure of the strings into the nut grooves. These grooves are intentionally cut to provide very high grabbing friction from the sides of the nut&#39;s grooves to the strings. This friction can be overcome by tuning adjustments. These structures therefore impose a large axial friction force on the strings due to the micro-displacement movements of the strings during play, thus producing an additional undesirable and adverse affect on the string dynamics. Additionally such typical nuts provide low radial stiffness whose characteristics are not linear. Moreover, when a tremolo type bridge is used the normal axial forces imposed by the tremolo action on the strings cause a stick-slip friction response by the V groove and nut interface. This type of force dynamic has an additional adverse effect on the string dynamics.  
           [0029]    The value of solving the problem of the nut witness point lies in improving the string dynamics which in turn allows the user to experience longer sustain, greater tone, more stable tone and phase decay, better feel, stable tuning, improved intonation accuracy, smoother tremolo action/reaction, and force feedback. Operational and mechanical improvements should include: no nut wrench or handle adjustments required, strings do not become plastically deformed (kinked), tuning adjustments are single step only, intonation adjustments are easier, no string tree guides should be required, and strings should not cut themselves deeper into the nut grooves with time. These improvements reduce maintenance cost as well.  
           [0030]    The requirements for a novel solution to these problems should provide a basis that allow the dynamics of the strings and instrument structure combination to truly move freely in the axial direction while simultaneously transmitting the vibratory forces of the strings into the instrument without loss or distortion in the radial direction.  
           [0031]    The ideal in an acoustic wave sense for a witness point and tremolo bridge is to allow the acoustic mechanical stress waves to pass through the tremolo structure without gross mechanical impedance changes and without resonant structures with resonant frequencies either in the band of interest or with transient responses much less than those of the neck and strings and the other major mechanical guitar components.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0032]    The deficiencies of the prior art are substantially over come by the intonation system according to the present invention, which includes a witness point self adjusting axial mechanism, an transducer inline to the witness point whose mechanical impedance has been tuned to those of its neighbors, an adjustable truss rod, and a tremolo bearing composed of a high resiliency material.  
           [0033]    Axially Self Adjusting Witness Point  
           [0034]    The self adjusting witness point in one embodiment uses a gear mechanism to compute the axial position from the changed height adjustment.  
           [0035]    Mechanical Impedance Matching Inline Transducer  
           [0036]    An inline transducer in one embodiment is constructed from a composite or laminate structure within the witness point structure where the composite&#39;s Modulus of Elasticity is chosen to create a mechanical impedance match to the neighbors in the dynamic force chain.  
           [0037]    Adjustable Truss Rod  
           [0038]    A truss rod is provided in a left and right piece with a wedge screw adjustment mechanism pulling them together.  
           [0039]    High Energy Resilient Tremolo Bearing  
           [0040]    A fulcrum tremolo bearing inserted between the tremolo friction plates and constructed from Ruby or other hard and high energy resiliency materials.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0041]    Axially Self Adjusting Witness Point  
         [0042]    Mechanical Impedance Matching Inline Transducer  
         [0043]    Adjustable Truss Rod  
         [0044]    High Energy Resilient Tremolo Bearing  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 1 shows string bearing  14  supporting a stretched string  18 . The gear teeth  78  are visible.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 2 shows the intonation correcting adjustable witness point  12  within the cylindrical height/length adjustment barrel  22  being adjusted via the worm screw  76  using a hex wrench inserted in the head of the worm screw.  
         [0047]    In addition the horizontal adjustment is via the threaded intonation screw  124 .  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 2 a  shows a plurality of intonation correcting adjustable witness point  12  illustrating various height adjustments.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 3 shows the intonation correcting adjustable witness point  12  within the cylindrical height/length adjustment barrel  22 , the worm screw  76  and the threaded intonation screw  124 .  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 4 shows an additional view of the intonation correcting adjustable witness point  12  and the notched cylinder or rod  20 .  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 5 shows  56  the assembly of horizontally, vertically, and axially adjustable string bearing bridge witness point.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 6 shows  74  inner bearing surface and  60  witness point element  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 7 shows  72  outer bearing surface and  46  horizontal adjustment screw  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 8 shows a side view  22  cylindrical height/length adjustment barrel supporting the  78  pinion shaft.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 9 shows a acoustic guitar bridge  54  with its  126  bridge saddle retaining slot.  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 10 shows the that is to be inserted into the a acoustic guitar bridge  54  with its  126  bridge saddle retaining slot. A string is shown  18 .  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 11 shows  128  slotted bracket rectangular post for bridge retain slot. A pluarility of the adjustable string bearing assemblies  102  are mounted using the  98  mounting apparatus.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 12 shows an additional view of the adjustable string bearing assembly  102 .  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 13 shows the string  18  curling through the adjustable string bearing assembly  102  and the  62  string termination ball end is terminated in the  64  wedge tightening bridge pin.  
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 13 a  shows a schematic illustration of the string bearing assemblies  102 .  
         [0061]    [0061]FIG. 14 shows additional views of the adjustable string bearing assembly  102  installed into an acoustic guitar bridge.  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 14 a  shows additional views of the adjustable string bearing assembly  102  installed into an acoustic guitar bridge.  
         [0063]    [0063]FIG. 15 shows additional views of the adjustable string bearing assembly  102  installed into an acoustic guitar bridge.  
         [0064]    [0064]FIG. 16 shows additional views of the adjustable string bearing assembly  102  installed into an acoustic guitar bridge.  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 17 shows  130  Nut assembly on a guitar nut on the  132  Neck base.  
         [0066]    [0066]FIG. 17 a  shows a plurality of the adjustable nut  130  assemblies.  
         [0067]    [0067]FIG. 18 shows the  136  Ring bearing.  
         [0068]    [0068]FIG. 18 a  shows the side view of the adjustable nut  130 .  
         [0069]    [0069]FIG. 19 shows an cam adjustable nut with its  147  String Bearing surface for string.  
         [0070]    [0070]FIG. 20 shows the cam adjustable nut cross-section with the  149  Threaded screw for cam riser and the  150  Cam riser rod.  
         [0071]    [0071]FIG. 21 shows an alternative  150  Cam riser rod cross-section.  
         [0072]    [0072]FIG. 22 shows the adjustable truss rod and the various  153  arc apex and the  154  resultant gaps between the Upper and Lower Rods.  
         [0073]    [0073]FIG. 23 a - d  shows Sectional Truss rod  165  wit the  160  Right hand Threaded Wedge Rod or insert with ball grips.  
         [0074]    [0074]FIG. 24 shows with wedge grips.  
         [0075]    [0075]FIG. 25 shows an alternative wedge grip.  
         [0076]    [0076]FIG. 26 shows the  167  Tremolo Block with Tremolo bearings  171  low friction material.  
         [0077]    [0077]FIG. 27 shows a cylindrical embodiment of the inline transducer with the  183  PZT material adhered to polymer tube on opposing sides or covering entire circumference and its electrical connector  181  micro 5 pin din plug.  
         [0078]    [0078]FIG. 28 shows a planar embodiment of the inline transducer where the  193  Piezo material Is folded into the  192  polymer film sheet bent into “S” shape after printing trace.  
         [0079]    [0079]FIG. 28 b  shows a planar embodiment of the inline transducer where the polymer sheet is a single layer.  
         [0080]    [0080]FIG. 29 shows the inline transducer within the neck interface of the  168  Musical instrument body.  
         [0081]    [0081]FIG. 29 b  shows a detailed view of the laminated vertical  193  Piezo material.  
         [0082]    [0082]FIG. 30 shows a detailed view of the layers of  199  layer of Piezo fiber wrapped around the  200  Positive circuit trace and the  203  Polymer tube. 
     
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS  
       [0083]    FIGS.  1  to  21   
         [0084]    [0084] 12  intonation correcting adjustable witness point  
         [0085]    [0085] 14  manually height adjustable string bearing  
         [0086]    [0086] 16  v-notch in nut witness point element  
         [0087]    [0087] 18  string  
         [0088]    [0088] 20  notched cylinder or rod  
         [0089]    [0089] 22  cylindrical height/length adjustment barrel  
         [0090]    [0090] 24  witness point  
         [0091]    [0091] 26  bridge witness point element  
         [0092]    [0092] 28  v-notch in bridge witness point element  
         [0093]    [0093] 30  adjustable witness point  
         [0094]    [0094] 32  assembly of horizontally, vertically, and axially adjustable string bearing nut witness point  
         [0095]    [0095] 34  base plate  
         [0096]    [0096] 36  saddle with adjustment  
         [0097]    [0097] 38  height or vertical adjustment screw  
         [0098]    [0098] 40  string bearing inserts front and back on each saddle  
         [0099]    [0099] 42  high hardness string bearing fret  
         [0100]    [0100] 44  adjustable string bearing bridge witness point riser saddle  
         [0101]    [0101] 46  horizontal adjustment screw  
         [0102]    [0102] 48  axial adjustment screw  
         [0103]    [0103] 52  bridge string bearing inserts front and back per saddle  
         [0104]    [0104] 54  bridge base plate  
         [0105]    [0105] 56  assembly of horizontally, vertically, and axially adjustable string bearing bridge witness point  
         [0106]    [0106] 58  high hardness finger board string bearing  
         [0107]    [0107] 60  witness point element  
         [0108]    [0108] 62  string termination ball end  
         [0109]    [0109] 64  wedge tightening bridge pin  
         [0110]    [0110] 66  bridge pin hole for string termination  
         [0111]    [0111] 68  worm gear threads  
         [0112]    [0112] 70  string termination points  
         [0113]    [0113] 72  outer bearing surface  
         [0114]    [0114] 74  inner bearing surface  
         [0115]    [0115] 76  worm screw  
         [0116]    [0116] 78  pinion shaft  
         [0117]    [0117] 80  set screw  
         [0118]    [0118] 82  rotational control cylindrical height/length adjuster  
         [0119]    [0119] 84  cylindrical height/length adjuster  
         [0120]    [0120] 88  longitudinally cut rod  
         [0121]    [0121] 90  plate  
         [0122]    [0122] 92  post in the center diameter  
         [0123]    [0123] 94  acute break angle  
         [0124]    [0124] 96  additional intonation apparatus  
         [0125]    [0125] 98  mounting apparatus  
         [0126]    [0126] 100  adjustment barrel  
         [0127]    [0127] 102  slotted bracket  
         [0128]    [0128] 104  retaining hole  
         [0129]    [0129] 106  adjustment screw  
         [0130]    [0130] 108  bottom bearing surface  
         [0131]    [0131] 110  solid base plate  
         [0132]    [0132] 112  bearing surfaced cylindrical ring  
         [0133]    [0133] 114  hex head barrel screw  
         [0134]    [0134] 116  bearing surface  
         [0135]    [0135] 118  threaded nut saddle  
         [0136]    [0136] 120  tie rod  
         [0137]    [0137] 122  pivot  
         [0138]    [0138] 124  threaded intonation screw  
         [0139]    [0139] 126  bridge saddle retaining slot  
         [0140]    [0140] 128  slotted bracket rectangular post for bridge retain slot  
         [0141]    [0141] 129  Head stock  
         [0142]    [0142] 130  Nut assembly  
         [0143]    [0143] 131  Fingerboard  
         [0144]    [0144] 132  Neck base  
         [0145]    [0145] 133  Receptacle hole for mechanical string tensioner  
         [0146]    [0146] 134  Nut saddle  
         [0147]    [0147] 135  Tubular hex screw  
         [0148]    [0148] 136  Ring bearing  
         [0149]    [0149] 137  String bearing surface  
         [0150]    [0150] 138  Adjustment Hole  
         [0151]    [0151] 139  Tie Rod  
         [0152]    [0152] 140  wedge block for height Adjustment  
         [0153]    [0153] 141  Adjustable nut mounting base  
         [0154]    [0154] 142  Tension screw for wedge block  
         [0155]    [0155] 143  nut base channel  
         [0156]    [0156] 144  Nut saddle riser block  
         [0157]    [0157] 145  Ring bearing  
         [0158]    [0158] 146  Threaded hole for height adjustment  
         [0159]    [0159] 147  Bearing surface for string  
         [0160]    [0160] 148  String hole  
         [0161]    [0161] 149  Threaded screw for can riser  
         [0162]    [0162] 150  Cam riser rod  
         [0163]    [0163]FIG. 22 
         [0164]    [0164] 151  Rods are Welded Together at this point  
         [0165]    [0165] 152  Truss Rod Wedge Block  
         [0166]    [0166] 153  Arc Apex  
         [0167]    [0167] 154  Resultant between Upper and Lower Rods  
         [0168]    [0168] 155  No Resultant Gap between Upper and Lower Rods  
         [0169]    [0169] 156  Upper truss rod  
         [0170]    [0170] 157  Lower Truss rod  
         [0171]    [0171] 151  Rods are Welded Together at this point  
         [0172]    [0172] 152  Truss Rod Wedge Block  
         [0173]    [0173] 153  Arc Apex  
         [0174]    [0174] 154  Resultant between Upper and Lower Rods  
         [0175]    [0175] 155  No Resultant Gap between Upper and Lower Rods  
         [0176]    [0176] 156  Upper truss rod  
         [0177]    [0177] 157  Lower Truss rod  
         [0178]    [0178] 158  Upper section of Truss Rod  
         [0179]    [0179] 159  Low section of Truss Rod  
         [0180]    FIGS.  23 - 25   
         [0181]    [0181] 160  Right hand Threaded Wedge Rod or insert  
         [0182]    [0182] 161  Right hand Threaded Wedge Block or insert  
         [0183]    [0183] 162  Screw with both right hand and left hand treads  
         [0184]    [0184] 163  Left hand threaded Wedge Rod or insert  
         [0185]    [0185] 164  Left hand Threaded Wedge Block or insert  
         [0186]    [0186] 165  Sectional Truss Rod  
         [0187]    [0187]FIG. 26 
         [0188]    [0188] 166  Tremolo face plate  
         [0189]    [0189] 167  Tremolo Block  
         [0190]    [0190] 168  Musical instrument body  
         [0191]    [0191] 169  Tremolo face plate to body interface plate  
         [0192]    [0192] 170  Tremolo Block Receptacle Cavity  
         [0193]    [0193] 171  low friction material  
         [0194]    [0194] 172  Pivot point on body surface surface  
         [0195]    [0195] 173  Pivot point on tremolo plate surface  
         [0196]    [0196] 174  Anchor screw holes  
         [0197]    [0197] 175  Intonation screw holes  
         [0198]    [0198] 176  String retainer holes  
         [0199]    [0199] 180  NA— 
         [0200]    [0200]FIG. 27 
         [0201]    [0201] 181  micro 5 pin din plug  
         [0202]    [0202] 182  polymer 5 hole tube  
         [0203]    [0203] 183  PZT material adhered to polymer tube on opposing sides or covering entire circumference  
         [0204]    [0204] 184  notches coated with conductive ink  
         [0205]    [0205] 185  conductive ink printed in electronic trace pattern  
         [0206]    [0206] 186  shielding material sleeve  
         [0207]    [0207] 187  Longitudinal lumen holes  
         [0208]    FIGS.  28 - 29   
         [0209]    [0209] 191  Conductive gromet holes for wire connection  
         [0210]    [0210] 192  polymer film sheet bent into “S” shape after printing trace  
         [0211]    [0211] 193  Piezo material  
         [0212]    [0212] 194  plastic or insert for pressure  
         [0213]    [0213] 195  conductive ink printed in electronic trace pattern  
         [0214]    [0214] 196  Piezo material adhered to polymer film and the traces on the film sheet  
         [0215]    [0215] 197  polymer film  
         [0216]    [0216] 198  horizontal electrodes  
         [0217]    [0217]FIG. 30 
         [0218]    [0218] 199  layer of Piezo fiber  
         [0219]    [0219] 200  Positive circuit trace  
         [0220]    [0220] 201  Negative circuit trace  
         [0221]    [0221] 202  layer of Piezo fiber  
         [0222]    [0222] 203  Polymer tube  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0223]    Axially Self Adjusting Witness Point  
         [0224]    Mechanical Impedance Matching Inline Transducer  
         [0225]    Adjustable Truss Rod  
         [0226]    High Energy Resilient Tremolo Bearing  
         [0227]    Axially Self Adjusting Witness Point  
         [0228]    Describe Invention  
         [0229]    Proper intonation of any string during play requires that the fretted pitch must be in tune within 10 cents of frequency. Typically the string gains additional tension when fretted. This extra tension during fretting can be offset by adjusting the axial position of the nut witness point. The axial displacement can be calculated for each height adjustment using mechanical or computational means.  
         [0230]    The preferred embodiment of the invention to perform the calculation is to use a worm and spline gearing mechanism.  
         [0231]    Prove of the Invention by Calculation  
         [0232]    Background Question  
         [0233]    One would think that if the fretted (Lbridge_f12) string length ratio is ½ of the open string (Lopen) then the frequency ratio would be exactly 2.0 and therefore pitch perfect (Ffret_f12) but the reality is that the extra stretch due to the fretting of the string pulls the fretted string frequency away from this ideal goal of 2.0 of the open string frequency [Fopen].  
         [0234]    Achieving the perfect pitch when a sting is fretted is the goal of the invention and we intend to prove this via the calculations that follow.  
         [0235]    We have derived equations that show that the Axially Self Adjusting Witness Point apparatus and methods do insure that a string can be in-tune for both its open pitch but also for its fretted pitch if the length of the open string (Nut to Bridge witness point length, herein referred to as Lopen) is shortened for a particular raising of the height of the nut.  
         [0236]    Formulas and Theory for String Instrument Intonation Adjustments  
         [0237]    We have derived equations that show that our apparatus and methods do insure that a string can be in-tune for both its open pitch but also for its fretted pitch if the length of the open string (Nut to Bridge witness point length, herein referred to as Lopen) is shortened for a particular raising of the height of the nut. This must follow a specific function in order to achieve this goal.  
         [0238]    Conclusion:  
               Conclusion        :            
            Ffret_f12   Fopen     =         Lopen   ·          {       Stretch                 due                 to                 fretting     +     Stretch                 of                 open                 tuned                 string       }             Lbridge_f12   ·          {     Stretch                 of                 open                 tuned                 string     }                                                                
 
         [0239]    One can examine the included spreadsheets to see that this has been demonstrated.  
         [0240]    The calculations are broken up into 3 areas:  
         [0241]    1. Effect of shortening Lopen with increasing Fretted string stretch.  
         [0242]    2. Effect of raising Nut height without the shortening of the Lopen.  
         [0243]    3. Effect of raising Nut height with the shortening of the Lopen.  
         [0244]    In each area one can see that certain combinations lead to a negative pitch ratio (in cents) indicating a flattening of the note.  
         [0245]    The goal here is to prove that when one raises the nuts height one must shorten the open length of the string in order to achive perfect tune. This has been demonstrated by our calculations.  
         [0246]    Therefore we contend that our apparatus and methods achieve the stated objects of the invention in a way that is superior to all prior art.  
         [0247]    String and Nut Witness Point Physics Derivation  
         [0248]    Frequency Equation and Parameters  
         [0249]    A strings frequency is  
           f={ 1/(2 ·L })·{square root}( T·G/M )  
         [0250]    L is the witness length  
         [0251]    T is the tensions  
         [0252]    A strings Tension is:  
         
       T=Acore·E·Lstretch/Ltotal  
     
         [0253]    M=AWaverage·B  
         [0254]    The parameters are:  
         [0255]    M Mass per unit length of the string (can weigh 1 cm and get X grams)  
         [0256]    fcore cross sectional Area of string&#39;s core (element of stiffness)  
         [0257]    AWaverage the area of the Average Winding  
         [0258]    E modulus of Elasticity for the string material  
         [0259]    D Density of string including windings if present  
         [0260]    G Gravitational constant.  
         [0261]    Basic Formula  
         [0262]    Assumptions:  
         [0263]    None  
         [0264]    Pitch Formula for any string.  
         Frequency=Kstring·[1/Lopen]·{square root}[Lstretch_open/Listat] 
         [0265]    Frequency  
         [0266]    Resultant pitch of the string (Hz or Radians per second)  
         Kstring=5·{square root}{force· E·G/M}   
         [0267]    It is the constant multiplier of a string&#39;s internal force (Tension) and weight (Mass) due to its stretch (due to tuning) resulting in an open string frequency.  
         [0268]    It is the constant value that is an expression of the forces that must be exerted on a string to bring it to a desired pitch with regards to its modulus of elasticity, density, and tension and that this is a constant value for all strings of similar physical properties.  
         [0269]    Ltotal  
         [0270]    The total length of the string from the Tuner to the Tail piece terminations.  
         [0271]    Specific Formula  
         [0272]    To determine the affect on the pitch (frequency) by the geometry especially the nut geometry  
         [0273]    Assumptions:  
         [0274]    The Luthier always tunes the open string to the target pitch (Fopen) after any nut, bridge or string changes before measuring the accuracy of the fretted string&#39;s pitch (Ffret12) for example.  
         [0275]    No assumptions are required for the geometry because it is general.  
         [0276]    Fretting beyond the 0% level can be handled.  
         [0277]    Neck 3D geometry and real neck bending can also be handled.  
         [0278]    Scope:  
         [0279]    These formulas are exact and give a good general idea of the requirements but are VERY dependent on the specific geometry such as changes in Lopen, Lstretch_open.  
         [0280]    This requires knowing the exact geometry for valid calculations.  
         [0281]    Ltotal  
         [0282]    The total length of the string from the Tuner to the Tail piece terminations.  
         [0283]    Lopen  
         [0284]    The witness length from Nut center to Bridge center.  
         [0285]    It is a ruler length, stretch is not relevant here.  
         [0286]    Lfreted_fx  
         [0287]    The witness length from Nut center to Fret center.  
         [0288]    It is a ruler length, stretch is not relevant here.  
         [0289]    Lbridge_fx  
         [0290]    The witness length from Fret X center to Bridge center.  
         [0291]    It is a ruler length, stretch is not relevant here.  
         [0292]    Lstretch_open  
         [0293]    Stretch of the open tuned string.  
         [0294]    This is the additional length due to the stretching of the string to reach the open strings desired frequency.  
         [0295]    This is not a ruler measurement.  
         [0296]    Lfreted_fx+Lbridge_fx−Lopen  
         [0297]    Stretch due to fretting string  
         [0298]    This is the additional length due to the stretching of the string to reach the fretted strings desired frequency and it is added to the open string&#39;s stretch. This is not a ruler measurement.  
         [0299]    Lfreted_fx+Lbridge_fx=Lopen+Lstretch_open  
         [0300]    Stretch due to fretting string+Stretch of open tuned string  
         [0301]    Open String Frequency Due to Stretch of Open String (Tuned)  
         Fopen=Kstring·[1/Lopen]·{square root}[Lstretch_open/Ltotal] 
         [0302]    Stretch of open tuned string  
         [0303]    Fretted String Frequency due to Fretting of the String Down to Fret X  
         Ffret_fx=Kstring·[1/Lbridge_fx]·{square root}[{Lfreted_fx+Lbridge_fx−Lopen+Lstretch_open}/Ltotal  
         [0304]    Stretch due to fretting string+Stretch of open tuned string  
         [0305]    We can eliminate the physical string parameters if we work with a ratios from the Fopen frequency to the target frequency Ffret_fx.  
         Ffret_f12/Fopen=2.0  
         [0306]    An octave is the correct ratio for our target.  
         Ffret_f12/Fopen=       Ffret_f12   =       Kstring   ·     (     1   /   Lbridge_fx     )     ·            [       {     Lfreted_fx   +   Lbridge_fx   -   Lopen   +   Lstretch_open     }     /   Ltotal     ]       /         Kstring   ·     [     1   /   Lopen     ]     ·          [     Lstretch_open   /   Ltotal     ]                                   
         [0307]    We can eliminate Kstring and Ltotal and thereby resolves down to:  
         Ffret_f12/Fopen=         Ffret_f12   /   Fopen     =         [     1   /   Lbridge_fx     ]     ·          [     {     Lfreted_fx   +   Lbridge_fx   -   Lopen   +   Lstretch_open     }     ]             [     1   /   Lopen     ]     ·          [   Lstretch_open   ]                                   
         [0308]    Or:  
               Or        :                       
            Ffret_f12   Fopen              =           =                Lopen   ·     [     {     Lfreted_fx   +   Lbridge_fx   -   Lopen   +   Lstretch_open     }               Lbridge_f12   ·          {   Lstretch_open   }                                                                
 
         [0309]    Which is:  
       Which                 is        :               Ffret_f12   Fopen              =           =                  Lopen   ·          {       Stretch                 due                 to                 fretting     +     Stretch                 of                 open                 tuned                 string       }             Lbridge_f12   ·          {     Stretch                 of                 open                 tuned                 string     }                                            
 
         [0310]    One would think that if the F ratio is 2.0 then the L ratio would be 1/2.0 but the reality is that the extra stretch due to the fretting of the string pulls the fretted frequency away from this goal.  
         [0311]    One can offset this by using a shorter Lopen.  
         [0312]    When changing the Nut Height Knut and/or X distance Knut then Lopen and Lfreted_f12 will also change. The only way to “flatten” the freq ratio is to reduce Lopen because the other terms only increase it although−Lfreted_f12 will also reduce.  
         [0313]    Reduce Lopen by the inversion of:  
       Reduce                 Lopen                 by                 the                 inversion                 of        :                    {       Stretch                 due                 to                 fretting     +     Stretch                 of                 open                 tuned                 string       }                {     Stretch                 of                 open                 tuned                 string     }                                          
 
         [0314]    therefore multiply Lopen by:  
       therefore                 multiply                 Lopen                 by        :             Lopen   ·              {     Stretch                 of                 open                 tuned                 string     }                           {       Stretch                 due                 to                 fretting     +     Stretch                 of                 open                 tuned                 string       }                               
 
         [0315]    to approximately return the fretted frequency back down to the target frequency.  
         [0316]    Approximately because the Stretch due to fretting term contains elements affecting Lopen.  
         [0317]    Still this gives us an approximation of the required and proper procedure to correct for string pitch “sharpening” when fretted.  
                                                                                                                                                                                                       Example Calculation to Determine the Compesating Axial Witness point dimension to       achieve the Correct Pitch as defined as close to zero Cents frequency difference            Effest of               shortening               Lopen with               Increasing   0 Cents           Fretted string   Off is the   No height change Is for Illustration       stretch.   goal   purposes                                                O   CentsPitch                               KFret_f12/Fopen   Change           Hnut   Lbridge_f12 tring   Sfretings   Sopenstring            Pitch Ratio   Cents Off   Lopen   XnutChange   Change   Fret Stretch Parameter                    ✓   2.000079565   0.07   25.4375   0   0   12.75   0.005   1           1.997131045   2.49   25.4   0.0375       12.75   0.005   1           1.969268324   −9.31   25.3   0.1375       12.75   0.005   1           1.961405604   −16.17   25.2   0.2375       12.75   0.005   1           1.973542883   −23.05   25.1   0.3375       12.75   0.005   1           2.005048715   4.36   25.4375   0       12.75   0.010   1       ✓   2.002092869   1.81   25.4   0.0375       12.75   0.010   1           1.994210613   −5.02   25.3   0.1375       12.75   0.010   1           1.986328358   −11.88   25.2   0.2375       12.75   0.010   1           1.978446103   −18.76   25.1   0.3375       12.75   0.010   1           2.010005579   8.64   25.4375   0       12.75   0.015   1           2.007042426   6.09   25.4   0.0375       12.75   0.015   1       ✓   1.999140684   −0.74   25.3   0.1375       12.75   0.015   1           1.991238942   −7.60   25.2   0.2375       12.75   0.015   1           1.983337201   −14.48   25.1   0.3375       12.75   0.015   1           2.01495025       12.89   25.4375   0       12.75   0.020   1           2.011979807   10.34   25.4   0.0375       12.75   0.020   1       ✓   2.004058627   3.51   25.3   0.1375       12.75   0.020   1           1.99613707   −3.35   25.2   0.2375       12.75   0.020   1           1.988216266   −10.23   25.1   0.3375       12.75   0.020   1           2.019882816   17.13   25.4375   0       12.75   0.025   1           2.016905102   14.57   25.4   0.0375       12.75   0.025   1           2.006964531   7.74   25.3   0.1375       12.75   0.025   1       ✓   2.001023959   0.89   25.2   0.2375       12.75   0.025   1           1.993083388   −6.00   25.1   0.3375       12.75   0.025   1           2.024803366   21.34   25.4375   0       12.75   0.030   1           2.021818398   18.78   25.4   0.0375       12.75   0.030   1           2.013858483   11.95   25.3   0.1375       12.75   0.030   1           2.005898568   5.10   25.2   0.2375       12.75   0.030   1       ✓   1.997938653   −1.79   25.1   0.3375       12.75   0.030   1                extreme               stretch                2.185520401   153.57   25.4375   0       12.75   0.200   1           2.162298504   151.02   25.4   0.0375       12.75   0.200   1           2.173706777   144.19   25.3   0.1375       12.75   0.200   1           2.165115051   137.33   25.2   0.2375       12.75   0.200   1           2.156523324   130.45   25.1   0.3375       12.75   0.200   1                  
 
         [0318]    Mechanical Impedance Matching Inline Transducer  
         [0319]    See FIGS. 27 and 28.  
         [0320]    Mechanical coupling is necessary when reducing frequencies from a musical instrument. The coupling between the bridge and the top of the instrument body is crucial for accurate frequency response and reproduction. The present invention considers a new methodology for constructing an inline transducer with improvement in mechanical coupling.  
         [0321]    Force transducers require differential displacement in order to produce a signal. The existing piezo transducers do not allow enough mechanical displacement for accurate transduction. It is the assertion of this invention to allow for an instruments top and bridge displacement to be mechanically coupled to the transducer with little or no loss to the mechanical displacement.  
         [0322]    Transducers, sensors and/or excitors, are placed within the force chain of the instrument. The placement can be under the sting&#39;s witness point, bridge, nut, fingerboard, within the neck and within the body.  
         [0323]    The transducer is configured to provide and optimum mechanical impedance by the choice of structure and materials. The optimum tuning is via the compliant materials that the transducer materials are embedded within. The laminate structure can be cylindrical or rectangular cross-section. The piezoelectric or piezo-magnetic materials are fibers laid within the laminate comprised of the witness point, bridge, body or neck. The ratio of the volume of the compliant materials and supporting structure to active piezo fibers determine the optimum electrical output of the sensor, excitation impedance, and mechanical sound quality.  
         [0324]    The standard use of braded copper or braided stainless steel for the shielding of unwanted electro static energy from entering the signal horizon of the transducer. The stiffness of these material hampers the ability of the transducer to mechanically couple with the displacement of the instruments top. Additionally the constant string pressure pulling against the bridge asserted by the strings can change the shape of the top of most acoustic instruments. The string saddle which is positioned between the strings vibrational force and the transducer has little ability to keep even coupled pressure on the transducer if the instrument tops shape bows or curves more than the saddles ability to follow the same bow or curve. A sensor is therefore needed that can retain mechanical coupling whether the top is curved or not and also move freely with the displacement modes of the vibrating instruments top, strings and saddle.  
         [0325]    In the current invention PZT fibers are used to form a cylindrical shape around a tube of compliant material such as plastic with multiple lumen holes in various shapes extruded in the tube longitudinally. These holes allow for a spring action in the tube to accommodate the changing shapes required by the mechanical and physical coupling of the saddle and the instruments top or bridge. In a further variation the PZT fibers are placed on a substrate which is folded back and forth into layers with a flexible material between the layers. The flexible material can also have lumen holes throughout designed with the correct amount of tensional force to allow for the correct displacement and mechanical coupling. Additionally the material can be physically altered in it shape to account for the different pressures and displacement associated with the different string tensions.  
         [0326]    An additional variation calls for the musical instruments top to be coated, embedded, or integrated with the PZT fibers, with the above mentioned correct amount of tensional force to allow for the correct displacement and mechanical coupling.  
         [0327]    The piezo fibers can be arranged in several ways. The fibers can be laid across the direction of the strings parallel to the direction of the bridge, or short fibers can laid parallel to or perpendicular to the direction of the strings. They can be laid into the surface layers of the body, fingerboard and neck.  
         [0328]    Embedded piezoelectric materials are comprised of but not limited to PZT, Tournaline, PVDF, and Quartz, biopolymers including collagen, polypeptides like polymethylglutamate and poly-benzyl-L-glutamate oriented films of DNA, poly-lactic acid, Chitosan, and Keratin, and Chitin, a polysaccharide glucose derivative (N-acetyl-d-glucosamine).  
         [0329]    The optimum combination of choice of piezo-electric or piezo-magnetic material, fiber material, size and orientation, intra-embedded material, and supporting structure shape and materials determine high performance charge and/or voltage sensitivity and achieve signal to noise ratio and bandwidth.  
         [0330]    Adjustable Truss Rod  
         [0331]    The adjustable truss rod is comprised of two sections joined in the middle by a adjusting mechanism. Adjustable truss tensions provides for te optimum mechanical impedance of the truss rod which is an important link in the complex dynamic force chain.  
         [0332]    The adjusting mechanism is comprised of a pair of wedge blocks linked by a threaded rod or screw.  
         [0333]    See FIG. 22  
         [0334]    Assumption: Truss Rod is embedded in Stringed instrument neck and has pressure due to exact all around surface fit of wood Slot and Fingerboard  
         [0335]    Truss Rod Wedge Block Applies pressure to separate upper and lower a Truss Rods  
         [0336]    The Resultant gap or Separation of the upper and lower rods causes the rods to bow. An arc apex is created depending upon where pressure is applied over the length of the rods. The current design calls for pressure to be applied at one or several points along the rods length in order to effect changes in the truss rods arc apex.  
         [0337]    Thereby changing the Arc Apex in the Normally utilized Standard Over-under Truss Rod Design to affect changes in pressure with in the stringed musical instruments neck.  
         [0338]    See FIGS. 23 a - d  Adjustable Truss Rod Tension Units  
         [0339]    This design provides for adjustments in the tension of a truss rod within a stringed musical instrument neck. The truss rod is made of 2 rods with provisions to be adjusted from the side of the neck at various points. The circular Truss rods have “V” shaped wedges positioned between the upper and lower rods. Provision is made for the “V” shaped end of the wedge to be draw towards its wedge counterpart by a threaded screw that passes through the inserts to draw them together. One section of the screw has reversed threads, as does its corresponding inserts, so as to provide a squeezing or tension in action against the individual sides of the truss rods. This embodiment provides for adjustment perpendicular to force the truss rods to spread only from each other thus increasing attention at that point within the musical instruments neck. This wedging action is provided for and various points along a light of the neck. In another embodiment the spreading wedges are replaced by round rods or ball bearing shaped inserts.  
         [0340]    See FIGS. 24 a - 24   b  Adjustable Truss Rod Tension Units  
         [0341]    This design provides for adjustments to the tension of a truss rod within a stringed musical instrument neck. The truss rod is made in several sections with provisions to be adjusted from the side of the neck at various points. The circular Truss rod sections have been machined a “V” shaped wedge. Provision is made for the “V” shaped end of the truss rod to be draw toward its sectional counterpart by conforming inserts on two sides of the truss rod a threaded screw passes through the inserts to draw them together. One section of the screw has reversed threads, as does its corresponding inserts, so as to provide a squeezing or tension in action against the individual ends&#39; of the truss rod sections. This embodiment provides for adjustment perpendicular to the force of the truss rod within the musical instruments neck.  
         [0342]    See FIGS. 25 a - 25   b  Adjustable Truss Rod Tension Units  
         [0343]    This design provides for adjustments to the tension of a truss rod within a stringed musical instrument neck. The truss rod is made in several sections with provisions to be adjusted from the side of the neck at various points. The circular Truss rod sections have been machined a “V” shaped wedge on one side and a “T” shaped groove on the other. Provision is made for the “V” shaped end of the truss rod to be draw toward its sectional “T” shaped counterpart by conforming inserts on two sides of the truss rod. A threaded screw passes through the inserts to draw them together. One section of the screw has reversed threads, as does its corresponding inserts, so as to provide a squeezing or tension in action against the individual ends&#39; of the truss rod sections. This embodiment provides for adjustment perpendicular to the force of the truss rod within the musical instruments neck.  
         [0344]    High Energy Resilient Tremolo Bearing  
         [0345]    See FIG. 26  
         [0346]    Low friction material is installed under the tremolo pivot point are provided to prevent rubbing on the finished surface of the instrument. The low friction material is embedded in the bridge plate or into an intermediary plate so the low friction pivot inserts bridge between the instrument body and the tremolo bridge plate. These components are specifically designed to lower the friction between parts to allow the tremolo to return to it balanced centered tensional position in order to reach an acceptable amount of intonation while increasing the sustain and tonal response of the instrument.  
         [0347]    The tremolo bearing is comprised of very smooth, hard, and energy resilant materials including but not limited to Saphire, Ruby, Alumina, BN, SiC, “diamond” coatings