Abstract:
A violin shoulder rest that facilitates the optimal positioning of a violin relative to a violin player&#39;s body for increased comfort and reduced physical stress, and facilitates the optimal positioning of a microphone relative to the violin to achieve the desired volume and tonal qualities of the sound produced by the instrument. The violin shoulder rest includes an elongated base conformable to a violin player&#39;s body, clamping members coupled at opposing ends of the base for clamping the shoulder rest to a violin, and a securement mechanism to secure the respective clamping members to the base. The violin shoulder rest accommodates at least one electrical signal input, and amplification circuitry or other signal processing circuitry for pre-amplifying or otherwise processing the electrical signal input. The violin shoulder rest is configured to mount a positionable microphone subassembly adjacent a respective signal input connector.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/349,040 filed Jan. 16, 2002 entitled VIOLIN SHOULDER REST, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/357,784 filed Feb. 19, 2002 entitled VIOLIN SHOULDER REST. 
     
    
     
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    N/A  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to shoulder rests for use with musical instruments such as violins and similar stringed instruments, and more specifically to a violin shoulder rest configured to mount a positionable microphone, and to accommodate one or more electrical signal inputs.  
           [0004]    Violin shoulder rests are known that allow a violin player to rest a violin against his or her body with increased comfort and reduced physical stress while playing the instrument. A conventional violin shoulder rest is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,270,474 (the “&#39;474 patent”) filed Aug. 20, 1990 entitled VIOLIN OR THE LIKE SHOULDER REST. The conventional violin shoulder rest described in the &#39;474 patent includes an elongated base configured to conform to a violin player&#39;s shoulder, a pair of clamping members coupled to opposing ends of the base and configured to clamp the shoulder rest to a violin, and a mechanism for securing the respective clamping members to the base, and for allowing limited pivotal movement of the clamping members. The conventional violin shoulder rest allows the violin player to adjust the transverse inclination of the shoulder rest base relative to the violin, thereby facilitating the positioning of the violin to increase the comfort of the violin player while playing the instrument.  
           [0005]    In recent years, many violin players have sought to amplify or otherwise electronically process the sound that they produce with their violins. Such violin players typically position themselves and their violins near one or more standalone microphones, which generate electrical signals representative of the sound produced by the instruments. The electrical signals generated by the microphones are normally provided to amplification circuitry or other signal processing circuitry, which subsequently provides amplified or otherwise processed signals to one or more loudspeakers, thereby producing sound having the desired volume and tonal qualities.  
           [0006]    One drawback of using a standalone microphone when amplifying and/or conditioning the sound produced by a violin is that it is often difficult to optimally position the microphone relative to the violin. This is typically because violin players rarely remain stationary when playing their instruments. For example, during musical performances, violin players frequently make significant bodily movements to attain the desired emotional impact of a piece. As a result, the violin may significantly deviate from the optimal positioning near the microphone, and the desired amplification and conditioning of the sound may not be achieved.  
           [0007]    It would therefore be desirable to have a violin shoulder rest that allows a violin player to rest a violin against his or her body with increased comfort and reduced physical stress while playing the instrument. Such a violin shoulder rest would facilitate the optimal positioning of the violin relative to the violin player&#39;s body. It would also be desirable to have a mechanism for facilitating the optimal positioning a microphone near the violin during a musical performance.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    In accordance with the present invention, a violin shoulder rest is disclosed that not only facilitates the optimal positioning of a violin relative to a violin player&#39;s body for increased comfort and reduced physical stress, but also facilitates the optimal positioning of a microphone relative to the violin to achieve the desired volume and tonal qualities of the sound produced by the instrument. The presently disclosed violin shoulder rest is configured to mount a positionable microphone near the violin, and to accommodate electronic circuitry for amplifying and/or otherwise processing electrical signals provided by the microphone and optionally at least one more electrical signal input device.  
           [0009]    In one embodiment, the violin shoulder rest includes an elongated base configured to be conformable to a violin player&#39;s body, a pair of clamping members coupled at opposing ends of the base and configured to clamp the shoulder rest to a violin, and a securement mechanism configured to secure the respective clamping members to the base. The securement mechanism is further configured to allow pivotal movement of the clamping members to facilitate the optimal positioning of the violin relative to the violin player&#39;s body, and linear movement of the clamping members for fine adjustment of the spacing between the clamps, and the spacing between each clamp and the elongated base.  
           [0010]    The violin shoulder rest is configured to accommodate at least one electrical signal input, and optional amplification circuitry or other signal processing circuitry for pre-amplifying or otherwise processing the electrical signal input. The elongated base of the violin shoulder rest includes a pair of substantially rigid hollow enclosures at opposing ends of the base, and a flexible hollow section disposed between the opposing enclosures. The opposing hollow enclosures are configured to house the amplification and/or signal processing circuitry, which may include at least one printed circuit board and one or more active/passive integrated and/or discrete electrical/electronic components. The opposing enclosures are further configured to accommodate a plurality of connectors for receiving the electrical signal input and for providing at least one electrical signal output, and one or more controls for mixing a plurality of electrical signal inputs and/or for adjusting sound volume and tone. A respective hollow enclosure may be configured to house a wireless transmitter circuit to obviate the need for a cable to convey the processed signal output. The flexible section between the rigid enclosures not only allows the violin shoulder rest to conform to the contours of the violin player&#39;s body, but also serves as a conduit for conductors passing between the circuitry, connectors, and controls disposed within the opposing rigid enclosures. At least one of the opposing enclosures is further configured to accommodate a compartment for housing a battery to power the active electrical/electronic components. The connectors, the controls, and the battery compartment are optimally situated relative to the rigid enclosures for easy access by the violin player. Moreover, a foam pad is attached to the elongated base of the violin shoulder rest for enhanced violin playing comfort.  
           [0011]    The violin shoulder rest is further configured to mount a positionable microphone subassembly adjacent a respective signal input connector. The microphone subassembly includes a flexible boom, a microphone attached to the distal end of the boom, and a connector coupled to the opposing end of the boom and configured to connect to the signal input connector. In the preferred embodiment, the flexible boom is configured as a conduit for conductors passing between the microphone and the microphone connector. Further, the boom has length and flexibility characteristics that allow the microphone to be easily and optimally positioned near the violin, for example, adjacent one of the violin sound holes. A foam cover may be placed over the microphone to minimize the adverse effects of wind and vibration on the amplified violin sound.  
           [0012]    Other features, functions, and aspects of the invention will be evident from the Detailed Description of the Invention that follows. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       [0013]    The invention will be more fully understood with reference to the following Detailed Description of the Invention in conjunction with the drawings of which:  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of a violin shoulder rest including an elongated base, first and second opposing clamping members, and a positionable microphone subassembly, according to the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the violin shoulder rest of FIG. 1;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a first exploded view of a first securement mechanism for securing the first clamping member to the elongated base of FIG. 1;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a second exploded view of the securement mechanism of FIG. 3;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 a  is an exploded view of a second securement mechanism for securing the second clamping member to the elongated base of FIG. 1;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 b  is a cross-sectional view of the elongated base showing a portion of the securement mechanism of FIG. 5 a;    
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the interior of a first rigid hollow enclosure, and the interior of a flexible hollow mid-section, of the elongated base of FIG. 1;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the elongated base of FIG. 6;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 8 is an end view of a violin illustrating how the violin shoulder rest of FIG. 1 is attached to the instrument;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a first friction element employed with the securement mechanism of FIG. 3; and  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the interior of a second rigid hollow enclosure showing a second friction element employed with the securement mechanism of FIG. 5 a.    
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]    U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/349,040 filed Jan. 16, 2002 entitled VIOLIN SHOULDER REST, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/357,784 filed Feb. 19, 2002 entitled VIOLIN SHOULDER REST, are incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0026]    A violin shoulder rest is provided that facilitates the optimal positioning of a violin relative to the violin player&#39;s body, and also facilitates the optimal positioning of a microphone relative to the violin. The violin shoulder rest includes a mount for the positionable microphone, and an elongated base that conforms to the contours of the violin player&#39;s shoulder, and accommodates optional electronic circuitry that may be employed to amplify or otherwise process electrical signals provided by the microphone.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1 depicts a first perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of a violin shoulder rest  100 , in accordance with the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the violin shoulder rest  100  includes a base  101 , a plurality of clamping members  102 - 103  secured at opposing ends of the base  101 , and a microphone subassembly  104 . The base  101  is elongated substantially transversely relative to a violin  180  (see FIG. 8), when the violin shoulder rest  100  is attached to the instrument. Further, the base  101  is configured to be conformable to a violin player&#39;s shoulder (not shown). Specifically, the base  101  (see FIG. 1) has the shape of a relatively shallow curvature and a flexible section  202  disposed substantially midway between the opposing ends of the base  101  to allow the base  101  to flexibly conform to the contours of the violin player&#39;s shoulder.  
         [0028]    As shown in FIG. 1, the clamping member  102  includes a pair of curved clamping fingers  102   a - 102   b  and a violin supporting portion  102   c  disposed between the fingers  102   a - 102   b.  Similarly, the clamping member  103  includes a pair of curved clamping fingers  103   a - 103   b,  and a violin supporting portion  103   c  disposed between the fingers  103   a - 103   b.  The clamping members  102 - 103  are configured to securely clamp the violin shoulder rest  100  to edges of the underside  181  of the violin  180  (see FIG. 8). In the preferred embodiment, the clamping members  102 - 103  are either rubberized or provided with a soft coating or respective pads to engage the violin  180  without scratching the violin&#39;s finish or otherwise damaging the instrument&#39;s surface. The soft coating or respective pads on the clamping members  102 - 103  also provide the violin with a degree of isolation from vibrations that may be imparted to the violin shoulder rest  100 . The clamping members  102 - 103  are secured at the opposing ends of the base  101  by securement mechanisms  114 - 115 , respectively.  
         [0029]    In the presently disclosed embodiment, the microphone subassembly  104  is mounted at an adjustable angle relative to the elongated base  101  adjacent the securement mechanism  114  of the clamping member  102 . The microphone subassembly  104  includes a microphone  204 , a flexible boom  205 , and a connector  206 . In the illustrated embodiment, the flexible boom  205  is configured as a conduit for conductors passing between the microphone  204  and the microphone connector  206 , which may comprise a coaxial connector or any other suitable type of electromechanical connector. It is noted that the violin shoulder rest  100  includes a signal input connector  105  (see also FIG. 2) configured to mate electrically and mechanically with the microphone connector  206 . The flexible boom  205  has length and flexibility characteristics that allow the microphone  204  to be easily and optimally positioned near the violin  180  (see FIG. 8), e.g., near one of the violin sound holes. The microphone subassembly  104  further includes an optional foam cover  207  that may be placed over the microphone  204  to minimize the adverse effects of wind and vibration on the amplified violin sound. In an alternative embodiment, electrical signals from the microphone  204  may pass through a cable (not shown) external to the flexible boom  205  configured for direct connection to the connector  105 .  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 2 depicts a second perspective view of the violin shoulder rest  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, both of the securement mechanisms  114 - 115  are configured to allow pivotal movement of the clamping members  102 - 103 , respectively, as depicted by directional arrows  120 - 121 , thereby facilitating the optimal positioning of the violin relative to the violin player&#39;s body. Further, one or both of the securement mechanisms  114 - 115  are configured to allow longitudinal movement of the clamping members  102 - 103 , respectively, as depicted by directional arrows  122 - 123 , for fine adjustment of the spacing between the clamps  102 - 103 . As shown in FIG. 2, the violin shoulder rest  100  may also include at least one second signal input connector, e.g., a signal input connector  106  disposed next to the signal input connector  105 . For example, the signal input connector  106  may be configured to mate with a connection to a piezoelectric bridge transducer (not shown) operatively connected to the violin bridge, or any other suitable signal input device. Accordingly, depending on the embodiment, the violin shoulder rest  100  may be provided with the microphone subassembly  104  and the cooperating electromechanical input connector  105 , the discrete electrical signal input connector  106 , or both.  
         [0031]    FIGS.  3 - 4  depict exploded views of the securement mechanism  115  for securing the clamping member  103  to the elongated base  101  of the violin shoulder rest  100  (see FIG. 1). It is understood that the securement mechanism  114  securing the clamping member  102  to the base  101  is substantially like the securement mechanism  115 . As shown in FIGS.  3 - 4 , the securement mechanism  115  includes a pivot joint  225 , a pivot joint support  226 , and a plurality of pivot adjustment screws  227 . The pivot joint  225  includes a right-angled end portion  228 , a cylindrical stop mechanism  229  at the opposite end of the pivot joint  225 , and a cylindrical portion  230  connecting the end portion  228  to the stop mechanism  229 . The end portion  228  is configured for rotatably holding the clamping member  103 . In the illustrated embodiment, the clamping member  103  includes a screw portion  103   d,  and the end portion  228  includes a threaded hole  234  configured to receive the screw portion  103   d.  In this way, the pivot joint  225  can securely hold the clamping member  103 , while allowing the spacing between the clamping member  103  and the elongated base  101  to be adjusted (as indicated by directional arrows  125 ) by rotating the clamp  103  clockwise or counter-clockwise.  
         [0032]    The pivot joint support  226  of the securement mechanism  115  includes a first split sleeve  231  configured to at least partially fit over the cylindrical portion  230  of the pivot joint  225 , and a second split sleeve  232  configured to at least partially fit over the stop mechanism  229  of the pivot joint  225 . In the preferred embodiment, the pivot joint support  226  is configured to allow the cylindrical portion  230  to be snap-fit into the first sleeve  231 , allowing limited rotation of the cylindrical portion  230  and the stop mechanism  229  within the respective sleeves  231 - 232 . In this way, the securement mechanism  115  allows pivotal movement of the clamping member  103 , as depicted by the directional arrows  120  (see FIG. 2).  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 5 a  depicts an exploded view of the securement mechanism  114  securing the clamping member  102  to the elongated base  101  of the violin shoulder rest  100  (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 5 a,  the securement mechanism  114  includes a pivot joint  215 , which is substantially similar to the pivot joint  225  of the securement mechanism  115 . Moreover, the pivot joint  215  is configured to securely hold the clamping member  102  in substantially the same way that the pivot joint  225  holds the clamping member  103 , allowing the spacing between the clamping member  102  and the elongated base  101  to be adjusted (as indicated by directional arrows  125 ) by rotating the clamp  102  clockwise or counter-clockwise. It is noted that a pivot joint support  172  (see FIG. 10) is incorporated within the elongated base  101  to allow limited rotation of the pivot joint  215 , thereby allowing pivotal movement of the clamping member  102 , as depicted by the directional arrows  121  (see FIG. 2). As indicated by the directional arrows  120 - 123  and  125 - 126 , the securement mechanisms  114 - 115  are configured to allow the violin player to adjust the clamping members  102 - 103 , respectively, in at least three degrees-of-freedom.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 5 b  is a cross-sectional end view of the base  101 , showing the stop mechanism  219 . It is understood that the stop mechanism  229  of the pivot joint  225  (see FIGS.  3 - 4 ) is substantially like the stop mechanism  219 . As shown in FIG. 5 b,  the stop mechanism  219  has a radius R, and a pair of slots S 1 -S 2  (see also FIGS. 5 a  and  10 ) formed around a partial circumference of the mechanism  219 . Moreover, the stop mechanism  219  is disposed within the base housing  101  so that fixed projections  170  of the base  101  are at least partially disposed in the respective slots S 1 -S 2 . As a result, the fixed projections  170  limit the range of pivotal rotation of the stop mechanism  219  to an angle θ by impinging on opposing ends of the respective slots S 1 -S 2 .  
         [0035]    It is appreciated that when the stop mechanism  229  (see FIGS.  3 - 4 ) is operatively disposed in the second sleeve  232  of the pivot joint support  226 , the adjustment screws  227  perform substantially the same function as the fixed projections  170 , with the exception that the screws  227  allow the range of pivot rotation of the stop mechanism  229  to be adjusted. In the preferred embodiment, the screws  227  and the fixed projections  170  allow pivotal rotation of the respective stop mechanisms  229  and  219  within the angle θ ranging from about −10° to about 40° (or a predetermined subset thereof) relative to a reference axis  290  substantially perpendicular to the base  101 . It is noted that the adjustment screws  227  may also be employed to lock the stop mechanism  229  at a predetermined angle within the total range of about 50°.  
         [0036]    In the preferred embodiment, friction elements  260  and  262  (see FIGS.  9 - 10 ) are employed to facilitate rotation of the pivot joints  225  and  215 , respectively, to predetermined angular positions. In the illustrated embodiment, the friction elements  260  and  262  comprise stationary O-rings, which make contact with friction surfaces  270  and  272 , respectively.  
         [0037]    As shown in FIGS.  3 - 4 , the violin shoulder rest  100  further includes an adjustment screw  240  that engages with a dove-tail clamp portion  233  of the pivot joint support  226  of the securement mechanism  115 . The adjustment screw  240  can be manually adjusted, e.g., via a thumb-wheel  241 , to allow longitudinal movement of the clamping member  103 , as depicted by the directional arrows  122 , for fine adjustment of the spacing between the clamps  102 - 103 .  
         [0038]    As described above, the violin shoulder rest  100  may include both the first and second signal input connectors  105 - 106  (see FIG. 2). Accordingly, the elongated base  101  is configured to accommodate electronic circuitry that may be employed to amplify or otherwise process the electrical signals provided via the input connectors  105 - 106 . It is understood that such electrical signals are provided by input devices such as the microphone subassembly  104 , the piezoelectric bridge transducer (not shown), or any other suitable input device.  
         [0039]    Specifically, the elongated base  101  (see FIG. 1) includes a pair of substantially rigid hollow enclosures  201  and  203  disposed at opposing ends of the base  101 , and the flexible section  202  disposed between the rigid enclosures  201  and  203 . In the preferred embodiment, the flexible section  202  is also hollow. For example, the flexible section and the enclosures  201 - 203  may be made of a suitable high-impact plastic, or any other suitable material. The rigid enclosures  201  and  203  are configured to house the above-mentioned amplification and/or signal processing circuitry, and the flexible section  202  is configured to serve as a conduit for conductors passing between the circuitry, connectors, and controls disposed within the opposing rigid enclosures  201  and  203 .  
         [0040]    FIGS.  6 - 7  depict perspective views of the interior of the rigid enclosure  203  and the flexible section  202 . As shown in FIGS.  6 - 7 , the rigid enclosure  203  is configured to house a Printed Circuit Board (PCB)  190 , which may include a plurality of active/passive integrated and/or discrete electrical/electronic components (not shown). Further, the flexible section  202  serves as a conduit for a ribbon cable  192  operatively coupled between the PCB  190  and, e.g., an optional second PCB (not shown) similarly disposed in the housing of the rigid enclosure  201 .  
         [0041]    For example, the circuitry implemented on the PCB  190  may include pre-amplification, frequency adjustment, or any other suitable signal processing capability, either pre-set or adjustable via controls  112 - 113 . Further, the circuitry and the controls  112 - 113  may be employed to mix the electrical signal inputs provided at the signal inputs  105 - 106 , and/or to adjust the resulting sound volume and tone. The amplified/processed electrical signal(s) are then provided to a signal output connector  107  (see FIG. 5) for subsequent amplification and processing. For example, the signal output connector  107  may comprise a standard ¼-inch output jack. It is noted that the circuitry implemented on one or more of the PCBs within the rigid enclosures  201  and  203 , e.g., the PCB  190 , may comprise a wireless transmitter circuit to obviate the need for a cable (not shown) connected to the output connector  107 . For example, such a wireless transmitter circuit may generate a low-power Radio Frequency (RF) signal or similar signal. In this case, the signal output connector  107  may be provided as a transmitter.  
         [0042]    As shown in FIGS.  1 - 2 , one embodiment of the rigid enclosure  201  of the violin shoulder rest  100  includes a compartment  109  for housing a battery to power the active electrical/electronic circuit components. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery compartment  109  includes a door  110  that may be slid open, as depicted by the directional arrow  124 , to install or replace the battery, which may comprise a disk battery or any other suitable battery for powering the amplification and/or signal processing circuitry. As shown in FIG. 10, the violin shoulder rest  100  includes a holder  280  for the battery.  
         [0043]    Having described the above illustrative embodiments, other alternative embodiments or variations may be made. For example, such alternative embodiments of the violin shoulder rest  100  (see FIG. 1) may include only a single signal input, only passive controls, or no on-board electronics. In such alternative embodiments, the microphone subassembly  104  would be mounted to the elongated base  101 , as illustrated in FIG. 1, however, any amplification or other processing of the signal provided by the microphone  204  would typically be performed external to the violin shoulder rest. For example, the violin shoulder rest may include a direct electrical signal path between the input connector  105  and the output connector  107 .  
         [0044]    It will further be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that modifications to and variations of the above-described violin shoulder rest may be made without departing from the inventive concepts disclosed herein. Accordingly, the invention should not be viewed as limited except as by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.