Abstract:
An asymmetrical stringed instrument bridge incorporating, among other elements, an integral member, a string mounting edge, a foot edge, a treble edge, and a bass edge. The asymmetrical stringed instrument bridge is adapted to rest on a belly plate of a violin, or other stringed instrument, and support a plurality of strings. The asymmetrical stringed instrument bridge may include a plurality of tuning recesses along the edges and apertures in the integral member so as enable one to acoustically tune the bridge while taking into account the unique attributes of each string to optimize the energy transfer and movement of the bridge. The plurality of recesses may also form a treble foot, treble leg, bass foot, and bass leg.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to the field of stringed musical instruments; particularly, to an asymmetrical stringed instrument bridge that improves the sound generated by such instruments. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Musicians have long-recognized the need for innovations to improve the sound generated from musical instruments. Many musical instruments have remained relatively unchanged in design and quality of sound generated since their advent. Such long-felt needs have been particularly prevalent in the field of stringed instruments and more particularly bowed string instruments such as the violin family, including, but not limited to, the violin, viola, cello, and bass violin. 
     A violin generally consists of a sounding box having two sound holes and a neck. Four strings extend from the distal end of the neck to a tailpiece. The strings are attached to individual tuning pegs at the distal end of the neck. The tailpiece is attached to the sounding box and secures the strings. The strings are supported near the center of the violin by a bridge. The bridge generally rests on the sound box through two feet known as the bass foot and the treble foot. When properly tuned, the four strings of the violin produce approximately 20 pounds of force straight down through the bridge to the sounding box. A bass bar consisting of a strip of wood is glued to the inside of the sounding box and runs lengthwise below the bass foot of the bridge. 
     Additionally, a vertical post located inside the sounding box transmits vibrations between the two major surfaces of the sounding box, generally known as the belly plate and the back plate. The bridge is supported by the belly plate, sometimes referred to as the top plate. The vertical post is known as the sound post and is held between the belly plate and back plate by friction. In most violins the sounding post is located approximately 5 to 6 millimeters below the treble foot of the bridge, however this location varies with the type of stringed instrument and the particular construction. 
     The close proximity of the treble foot to the sound post restricts the motion of the treble foot. Therefore, the bass foot is much easier to move up and down. In other words, the top of the sound box, i.e. the belly plate, is more rigid near the treble foot of the bridge and more elastic near the bass foot of the bridge. Therefore, as a violin string is driven from side to side by a bow, the bridge tends to pivot about the treble foot. The importance of the bridge&#39;s pivoting motion in the resulting sound has not been optimized in prior bridge designs. 
     The importance of the violin bridge has long been recognized. The bridge holds and supports the strings of the instrument and transmits some of the energy of the strings vibrations from the strings to the body of the instrument. Such vibrations then pass to the belly plate through the bass bar and to the back plate through the sound post. The bridge is not fastened to the sounding box in any way and is held in place by the forces exerted on the bridge by the four strings. The transmission and resonant qualities of the bridge determine the tonal qualities and volume of the instrument. Traditionally, violin makers have believed that the transmission and resonant qualities of the bridge play an important role in determining the tonal qualities and volume of the instrument. 
     Traditionally, bridges have been symmetric in design. Prior art bridges of the traditional style are illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,120,145 to Weinreich, U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,459 to Strait, U.S. Pat. No. 4,286,494 to Jaquith, U.S. Pat. No. 4,354,416 to Strait, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,389,917 to Tiebout. Symmetrical bridge designs do not fully optimize the qualities of the individual strings, as the strings all vibrate at different frequencies and amplitudes. Symmetric bridge designs do not allow for optimization of the various vibrations created by the frequencies of the individual strings to be transferred to the instrument either by way of those vibrations traveling through the bridge, as is the case with the minor vibrations, or by way of actual movement of the bridge, as is the case with the major vibrations, upon it&#39;s pivotal point, the treble foot. 
     While musicians have long “tuned” their bridges by removing wood from various places on the bridge, they have always placed an emphasis on keeping the bridge symmetrical. In fact, U.S. Pat. No. 4,389,917 to Tiebout illustrates that the prior art has emphasized a belief that a symmetrical design with a central pivot point is essential to a bridge&#39;s performance. Additionally, the prior art, including the &#39;917 patent, have taught that there must be a minimum distance above the highest opening in a bridge for a violin to work properly. 
     Accordingly, the art has needed a means for improving the musical qualities of a violin and increasing the power of the instrument by uniquely considering the qualities of each string of the instrument and considering the elasticity of the sound box. Prior art devices have failed to recognize the importance of the actual movement of the bridge as a whole. While some of the prior art devices attempted to improve the state of the art of string instrument bridges, none has achieved an asymmetrical design that considers individual string qualities, improves the transfer of vibrational energy, and optimizes the actual movement of the bridge, that is easy to manufacture and provides the qualities of the present invention. With these capabilities taken into consideration, the instant invention addresses many of the shortcomings of the prior art and offers significant benefits heretofore unavailable. Further, none of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     In its most general configuration, the present invention advances the state of the art with a variety of new capabilities and overcomes many of the shortcomings of prior devices in new and novel ways. In its most general sense, the present invention overcomes the shortcomings and limitations of the prior art in any of a number of generally effective configurations. In one of the many preferable configurations, the asymmetrical stringed instrument bridge incorporates, among other elements, an integral member having a centroid, a string mounting edge, a foot edge, a treble edge, and a bass edge. The asymmetrical stringed instrument bridge is adapted to rest on a belly plate of a violin, or other stringed instrument, and support a plurality of strings, including treble and bass strings, and transfer vibrational energy of the plurality of strings to the belly plate. 
     The asymmetrical stringed instrument bridge of the present invention is unique in that treble edge and the bass edge are asymmetric about the centroid, center of gravity, or any point on the integral member allowing more efficient transfer of the energy from the strings to the violin. The string mounting edge is adapted to releasably receive the plurality of strings. The string mounting edge is important in that it is the only point upon which the strings contact the asymmetrical stringed instrument bridge. 
     The string mounting edge may be formed with at least one horizontal tuning recess. The at least one horizontal tuning recess allows the asymmetrical stringed instrument bridge to vibrate more at the top of the bridge than traditional bridge designs. In one exemplary embodiment, the string mounting edge is formed to include a horizontal tuning recess between each pair of strings, resulting in a total of three horizontal tuning recesses. The added flexibility near the string mounting edge improves the sound generated and the amount of energy transferred by the asymmetrical stringed instrument bridge, while still allowing the strings to work together. Prior attempts to improve the vibrational qualities of bridges near the string mounting edge have involved thinning out the bridge in the vicinity of the string mounting edge, often resulting in weakened bridges. Each of the at least one horizontal tuning recesses may be formed into a shape that maximizes the transfer of vibrational energy of the neighboring strings and allows control of the influence that one string may have upon another. In other words, the shape of each recess may be unique depending on the location on the string mounting edge, therefore allowing the string mounting edge to be effectively tuned to create preferred predetermined tones. In one preferred embodiment, the at least one horizontal tuning recess will generally extend into the integral member up to approximately fifty percent of the maximum height of the integral member. 
     The foot edge is adapted to bear on the belly plate. The foot edge may be formed to include at least one mounting tuning recess. In the embodiment wherein at least one mounting tuning recess is formed in the foot edge, the at least one mounting tuning recess may further define a treble foot, having a treble foot length, and a bass foot, having a bass foot length. As with traditional bridges, the bass foot of the present invention generally rests on the belly plate over the bass bar. The present invention allows the treble foot length and the bass foot length to be adjustable to allow for optimum transfer of energy from the bridge to the instrument. 
     The treble edge is located on the side of the integral member that is closest to the most treble string, by way of example and not limitation, the E-string of the violin. The treble edge may be formed to include at least one treble tuning recess. The at least one treble tuning recess of the present embodiment is characterized by smoothly flowing curves, unlike traditional bridges which include oval side openings and elements commonly known as “hanging wings.” 
     Additionally, the at least one treble tuning recess may by formed to extend substantially into the integral member. In this embodiment, the at least one treble tuning recess has the effect of creating a ledge upon which the most treble string is mounted. This configuration allows more of the vibrational energy of the most treble string to be transferred to the instrument through both the treble foot and the bass foot. The present embodiment most notably substantially increases the transfer of energy through the bass foot when compared to traditional bridges. The increased high frequency energy transferred to the belly plate produces additional desirable overtones. 
     Further, various embodiments allow the at least one treble tuning recess and the at least one mounting tuning recess to work together in defining a treble leg formed in the integral member. The size and configuration of the at least one mounting tuning recess and the at least one treble tuning recess may establish predetermined characteristics of the treble leg, such as the width, length, and orientation. Such predetermined characteristics may be unique to a specific violin in order to allow the optimum transfer of vibrational energy to the violin. In one particular embodiment the treble leg is generally oriented in the direction of the centroid from the treble foot. Such orientation allows the at least one treble tuning recess to aggressively, yet smoothly, extend into the integral member achieving the desirable effects previously described. 
     The bass edge is located on the side of the integral member that is closest to the most bass string, by way of example and not limitation, the G-string of the violin. The bass edge may be formed to include at least one bass tuning recess. The at least one bass tuning recess of the present embodiment is characterized by smoothly flowing curves, unlike traditional bridges which include oval side openings and elements commonly known as “hanging wings.” Additionally, the at least one bass tuning recess may by formed to extend substantially into the integral member, however the bass tuning recess preferably does not extend into the integral member as far as the treble tuning recess. 
     Further, various embodiments allow the at least one bass tuning recess and the at least one mounting tuning recess to work together in defining a bass leg formed in the integral member. The size and configuration of the at least one mounting tuning recess and the at least one bass tuning recess may establish predetermined characteristics of the bass leg, such as the width, length, and orientation. Such predetermined characteristics may be unique to a specific violin in order to allow the optimum transfer of vibrational energy to the violin. In one particular embodiment the bass leg is generally oriented orthogonal to the belly plate. This configuration allows a majority of the vibrational energy of the most bass string to be transferred directly through the bass leg, bass foot, and belly plate to the bass bar. 
     The asymmetrical stringed instrument bridge may include at least one bridge tuning aperture formed in the integral member. The at least one bridge tuning aperture may be configured to take advantage of each string&#39;s individual vibrational qualities, rather than take the traditional shape of a heart. The at least one bridge tuning aperture may take advantage of asymmetry in providing yet another means of tuning the asymmetrical stringed instrument bridge. 
     Various alternate embodiments may include at least one decorative element on any of the edges. Such at least one decorative element may resemble elements of traditional bridges so as to elicit a feeling of familiarity from the user. Similarly, further alternative embodiments include those wherein the integral member is constructed of materials having varying densities. Additionally, the thickness of the integral member may vary throughout to take advantage of the properties of the individual strings. 
     These variations, modifications, alternatives, and alterations of the various preferred embodiments, arrangements, and configurations may be used alone or in combination with one another as will become more readily apparent to those with skill in the art with reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying figures and drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Without limiting the scope of the present invention as claimed below and referring now to the drawings and figures: 
     FIG. 1 shows a stringed instrument in top plan view, in reduced scale; 
     FIG. 2 shows a partial section taken along section lines  2 — 2  of FIG. 1, illustrating an asymmetrical stringed instrument bridge in front elevation view, in reduced scale; and 
     FIG. 3 shows a partial section taken along section lines  2 — 2  of FIG. 1, illustrating an asymmetrical stringed instrument bridge in front elevation view, in reduced scale. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The asymmetrical stringed instrument bridge of the instant invention enables a significant advance in the state of the art. The preferred embodiments of the apparatus accomplish this by new and novel arrangements of elements that are configured in unique and novel ways and which demonstrate previously unavailable but preferred and desirable capabilities. 
     The detailed description set forth below in connection with the drawings is intended merely as a description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the designs, functions, means, and methods of implementing the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and features may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     With reference generally now to FIGS. 1 through 3, in one of the many preferable configurations, the asymmetrical stringed instrument bridge  100  incorporates, among other elements, an integral member  102  having a centroid  104 , a string mounting edge  130 , a foot edge  140 , a treble edge  110 , and a bass edge  120 . The asymmetrical stringed instrument bridge  100  is adapted to rest on a belly plate  80  of a violin  10 , or other stringed instrument, and support a plurality of strings and transfer vibrational energy of the plurality of strings to the belly plate  80 . The plurality of strings always include a most treble string and a most bass string no matter what stringed instrument utilizes the asymmetrical stringed instrument bridge  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, that of the violin, the most treble string is the E-string  60  and the most bass string is the G-string  66 , while intermediate strings include the A-string  62  and the D-string  64 . 
     With reference now specifically to FIG.  2  and FIG. 3, the asymmetrical stringed instrument bridge  100  of the present invention is unique in that treble edge  110  and the bass edge  120  are asymmetric. The treble edge  110  and the base edge  120  are asymmetric about an imaginary line IL, seen in FIG. 3, extending from a point equidistant between the most treble spring  60  and the most bass string  66  to the belly plate  80  such that the line IL is substantially perpendicular to the belly plate  80 . This asymmetry, particularly the asymmetry in the portions of the treble edge  110  and the bass edge  120  between the centroid  104  and the string mounting edge  130 , facilitates more efficient transfer of the energy from the strings  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66  to the violin  10 . The string mounting edge  130  is adapted to releasably receive the plurality of strings  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 . The string mounting edge  130  is important in that it is the only point upon which the stings  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66  contact the asymmetrical stringed instrument bridge  100 . Additionally, the maximum height of the integral member is labeled as M in FIG.  2 . 
     The string mounting edge  130  may be formed with at least one horizontal tuning recess  170 . The at least one horizontal tuning recess  170  allows the asymmetrical stringed instrument bridge  100  to vibrate more at the top of the bridge  100  than traditional bridge designs. In one exemplary embodiment, the string mounting edge  130  is formed to include a horizontal tuning recess  170  between each pair of strings, resulting in a total of three horizontal tuning recesses. The added flexibility near the string mounting edge  130  improves the sound generated and the amount of energy transferred by the asymmetrical stringed instrument bridge  100 , while still allowing the strings  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66  to work together. Prior attempts to improve the vibrational qualities of bridges near the string mounting edge  130  have involved thinning out the bridge in the vicinity of the string mounting edge  130 , often resulting in weakened bridges. Each of the at least one horizontal tuning recesses  170  may be formed into a shape that maximizes the transfer of vibrational energy of the neighboring strings and allows control of the influence that one string may have upon another. In other words, the shape of each recess  170  may be unique depending on the location on the string mounting edge  130 , therefore allowing the string mounting edge  130  to be effectively tuned to create preferred predetermined tones. In one preferred embodiment, the at least one horizontal tuning recess  170  will generally extend into the integral member  102  up to approximately fifty percent of the maximum height of the integral member  102 . 
     The foot edge  140  is adapted to bear on the belly plate  80 . The foot edge  140  may be formed to include at least one mounting tuning recess  200 . In the embodiment wherein at least one mounting tuning recess  200  is formed in the foot edge  140 , the at least one mounting tuning recess  200  may further define a treble foot  150 , having a treble foot length  152 , and a bass foot  160 , having a bass foot length  162 . The treble foot  150  is substantially in-line with the sound post  30 , as shown in FIG.  1  and FIG.  2 . As with traditional bridges, the bass foot  162  of the present invention generally rests on the belly plate  80  over the bass bar  20 . The present invention allows the treble foot length  152  and the bass foot length  162  to be adjustable to allow for optimum transfer of energy from the bridge  100  to the instrument  10 . 
     The treble edge  110  is located on the side of the integral member  102  that is closest to the most treble string, by way of example and not limitation, the E-string  60  of the violin. The treble edge  110  may be formed to include at least one treble tuning recess  180 . The at least one treble tuning recess  180  of the present embodiment is characterized by smoothly flowing curves, unlike traditional bridges which include oval side openings and elements commonly known as “hanging wings.” 
     Additionally, the at least one treble tuning recess  180  may be formed to extend substantially into the integral member  102 . In this embodiment, the at least one treble tuning recess  180  has the effect of creating a ledge upon which the most treble string  60  is mounted. This configuration allows more of the vibrational energy of the most treble string  60  to be transferred to the instrument through both the treble foot  150  and the bass foot  160 . The present embodiment most notably substantially increases the transfer of energy through the bass foot  160  when compared to traditional bridges. The increased high frequency energy transferred to the belly plate  80  produces additional desirable overtones. 
     Further, various embodiments allow the at least one treble tuning recess  180  and the at least one mounting tuning recess  200  to work together in defining a treble leg  154  formed in the integral member  102 . The size and configuration of the at least one mounting tuning recess  200  and the at least one treble tuning recess  180  may establish predetermined characteristics of the treble leg  154 , such as the width, length, and orientation. Such predetermined characteristics may be unique to a specific violin  10  in order to allow the optimum transfer of vibrational energy to the violin  10 . In one particular embodiment the treble leg  154  is generally oriented in the direction of the centroid  104  from the treble foot  150 . Such orientation allows the at least one treble tuning recess  180  to aggressively, yet smoothly, extend into the integral member  102  achieving the desirable effects previously described. 
     The bass edge  120  is located on the side of the integral member  102  that is closest to the most bass string, by way of example and not limitation, the G-string  66  of the violin. The bass edge  120  may be formed to include at least one bass tuning recess  210 . The at least one bass tuning recess  210  of the present embodiment is characterized by smoothly flowing curves, unlike traditional bridges which include oval side openings and elements commonly known as “hanging wings.” Additionally, the at least one bass tuning recess  210  may by formed to extend substantially into the integral member  102 , however the bass tuning recess  210  preferably does not extend into the integral member  102  as far as the treble tuning recess  180 . 
     Further, various embodiments allow the at least one bass tuning recess  210  and the at least one mounting tuning recess  200  to work together in defining a bass leg  164  formed in the integral member  102 . The size and configuration of the at least one mounting tuning recess  200  and the at least one bass tuning recess  210  may establish predetermined characteristics of the bass leg  164 , such as the width, length, and orientation. Such predetermined characteristics may be unique to a specific violin  10  in order to allow the optimum transfer of vibrational energy to the violin  10 . In one particular embodiment the bass leg  164  is generally oriented orthogonal to the belly plate  80 . This configuration allows a majority of the vibrational energy of the most bass string  66  to be transferred directly through the bass leg  164 , bass foot  160 , and belly plate  80  to the bass bar  20 . 
     The asymmetrical stringed instrument bridge  100  may include at least one asymmetric bridge tuning aperture  190  formed in the integral member  102 . The at least one asymmetric bridge tuning aperture  190  may be configured to take advantage of each string&#39;s individual vibrational qualities, rather than take the traditional shape of a heart. The at least one asymmetric bridge tuning aperture  190  may take advantage of asymmetry in providing yet another means of tuning the asymmetrical stringed instrument bridge  100 . 
     Various alternate embodiments may include at least one decorative element  220  on any of the edges  110 ,  120 ,  130 ,  140 . Such at least one decorative element  220  may resemble elements of traditional bridges so as to elicit a feeling of familiarity from the user. Similarly, further alternative embodiments include those wherein the integral member  102  is constructed of materials having varying densities. Additionally, the thickness of the integral member  102  may vary throughout to take advantage of the properties of the individual strings. 
     Numerous alterations, modifications, and variations of the preferred embodiments disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art and they are all anticipated and contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the instant invention. For example, although specific embodiments have been described in detail, those with skill in the art will understand that the preceding embodiments and variations can be modified to incorporate various types of substitute and or additional or alternative materials, relative arrangement of elements, and dimensional configurations. Accordingly, even though only few variations of the present invention are described herein, it is to be understood that the practice of such additional modifications and variations and the equivalents thereof, are within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.