Abstract:
A string instrument comprising an instrument body, a neck, a bridge, and at least one string extending forwardly and rearwardly over the instrument body. The instrument body is topped by a sound table. The bridge may be removably located onto the sound table by virtue of a tension applied to the at least one string.

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0001]    Generally disclosed herein is a bridge for string instruments. Henceforth, the term “string instrument” may comprise any musical instrument having at least one string extending approximately in parallel to a sound table and/or soundboard. The bridge may be mounted on the sound table, with at the least one string extending over the bridge. More particularly, the present disclosure is related to a bridge for string instruments which may be removably secured to the sound table. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    Generally, a string instrument comprises a sound table [also known as ‘sound board’ and/or ‘soundboard’] with at least one string extending generally in parallel thereabove, defining an “up” and “down” direction, with the at least one string extending generally linearly, defining a longitudinal direction. The string extends away from a generally rearwardly-disposed string tail towards a generally forwardly-disposed string head, thus defining a forward-to-rearward direction. 
         [0003]    The bridge is intended for supporting the strings on the stringed instrument and to assist in transmitting vibrations thereof to other structural components of the string instrument, comprising, inter alia, the sound table, in an intent to transfer sound to surrounding air. Typically, the bridge is placed generally perpendicularly to the at least one string and the sound table (which are roughly parallel to one another) with tension of the at least one string pressing down on the bridge and thus onto the sound table there beneath. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,945,614 titled “Modular guitar system” to White, Timothy P. recites, inter alia, “An improved, modular guitar system is disclosed and includes a guitar body frame, which has a central member disposed along a longitudinal axis of the body frame and a peripheral rim member defining a peripheral shape of the body frame. The system also includes a separate acoustic grill, which is made up of first and second grill sections that are removably attached to the peripheral rim member of the body frame only. The system also includes a removable guitar neck and headstock assembly, which includes a headstock/string retention mechanism, which allows the guitar to be disassembled without allowing the strings to unravel from the guitar string tuning machines. The system also includes an inflatable acoustic chamber, which is attached to the guitar body frame along the guitar body frame peripheral rim member. The inflatable acoustic chamber includes a membrane communicating with the guitar body acoustic grill sections when the acoustic chamber is inflated.” 
         [0005]    It would be desirable to have a bridge which may be removably secured to the string instrument, facilitating greater moving/positioning freedom while maintaining, if not improving, sonic characteristics of the string instrument. This may be attained with the subject matter set forth in this disclosure as well as in accordance with the attached claims. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0006]    In the following disclosure, aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, and not limiting in scope. 
         [0007]    The present disclosure is broadly related to a string instrument comprising an instrument body, a neck, a bridge, and at least one string extending forwardly and rearwardly over the bridge defining a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction. The instrument body comprises a longitudinally and transversely extending sound table defining “up” and “down” direction and having a table top facing generally up, and a generally opposing table bottom facing generally down. The bridge is preferably releasably mounted onto the sound board and comprises at least one generally forwardly disposed nose floor facing generally down and at least one generally rearwardly disposed prong top facing generally up. The bridge is disposed between the sound table and the at least one string. With the bridge located onto the sound table, at least one nose floor faces towards the table top, while the at least one prong top faces generally towards the table bottom. 
         [0008]    Optionally, when the string instrument is assembled, the at least one string bears down towards a ridge top of the bridge, thus bearing down on the bridge while applying a nose floor-down, prong top-up moment, thereby securing the bridge onto the sound board. 
         [0009]    Potentially, the bridge is secured to the sound board only by a tension on the at least one string. 
         [0010]    Moreover, the bridge may comprise a plurality of prongs projecting away from a ridge back of the bridge. 
         [0011]    Alternatively, the bridge may comprise one continuous prong extending away from the ridge back of the bridge. 
         [0012]    Furthermore, at least one transversely extending slot is formed in the sound table, facilitating insertion and/or removal of the at least one prong into and/or out of the instrument body through the sound board. 
         [0013]    According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a bridge for a string instrument, the string instrument comprising at least one generally longitudinally extending string extending over a sound table of an instrument body. The bridge extends generally transversely and comprises at least one nose floor and at least one prong top. With the at least one string not tensioned, the bridge may be removably mounted onto the sound table with the at least one prong top being inserted through at least one slot formed in the sound table, and subsequently rotated, so that an at least one nose floor of the bridge pushes is adjacent a table top of the sound table, and the at least one prong top is adjacent a table bottom of the sound table. Tightening the at least one string wedges the bridge onto the sound table. 
         [0014]    In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the figures and by study of the following detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    Exemplary and/or illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure will be presented herein below in the following figures, by way of example only. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized and/or roughly shown and/or omitted entirely, to show details of particular components, intending that the present disclosure may become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying schematic figures, wherein: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a generalized perspective view of an exemplary impression of a in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  schematically illustrates a so-called ‘exploded’ partial perspective view of the first embodiment string instrument schematically illustrated on  FIG. 1 , illustrating a partial generalized first embodiment sound table and a generalized first embodiment bridge; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  schematically illustrates a partial top view of the string instrument showing the general first embodiment bridge of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the general first embodiment bridge, taken along line IV-IV on  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5 a    schematically illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the first embodiment sound table and the first embodiment bridge, in an insertion/removal position of the first embodiment bridge relative to the first embodiment sound table; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5 b    schematically illustrates the longitudinal cross-sectional view through the first embodiment sound table and the first embodiment bridge, in an intermediate position of the first embodiment bridge relative to the first embodiment sound table; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5 c    schematically illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the first embodiment sound table and the first embodiment bridge, in a secured position of the first embodiment bridge relative to the first embodiment sound table; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  schematically illustrates a generalized perspective view of an exemplary impression of a string instrument in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  schematically illustrates a so-called ‘exploded’ partial perspective view of the second embodiment string instrument schematically illustrated on  FIG. 6 , illustrating a partial generalized second embodiment sound table and a generalized second embodiment bridge; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  schematically illustrates a partial top view of the string instrument showing the general second embodiment bridge of  FIG. 6 ; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the general second embodiment bridge, taken along line IX-IX on  FIG. 8 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    Attention is presently drawn to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . An exemplary first embodiment of a string instrument  100  is schematically illustrated. While this particular embodiment shows a string instrument reminiscent to a guitar, the spirit and scope of the present disclosure relates to other, similar instruments, such as, in solely exemplary manner, Balalaika, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Oud, Tanbur, etc., to name but a few of similar string instruments. Henceforth, elements related to the exemplary first embodiment of the present disclosure will be termed as “first [element]”. 
         [0028]    The first string instrument  100  generally comprises a first embodiment sound table  200  [also known as ‘sound board’ and/or ‘soundboard’] with an at least one string  300  extending generally above the sound table  200 , defining height dimension H extending generally transversely away from a first table top  210  towards a generally opposing table bottom  212  (see  FIG. 4 ) of the first sound table  200 . The at least one string  300  extends generally linearly, defining a longitudinal dimension L extending away from a generally rearwardly-disposed string tail  310  (see  FIG. 4 ) towards a generally forwardly-disposed string head [not shown], thus defining a forward-to-rearward direction. 
         [0029]    The first sound table  200  further comprises a plurality of table slots  220 . Each of the plurality of table slots  220  is roughly rectangular in shape, having a transverse extent generally larger than a longitudinal extent. Each table through-slot  220  extends along the height dimension H generally away from the first table top  210  to terminate the table bottom  212  (See  FIG. 4 . Each table through-slot  220  comprises a front slot wall  222  and a generally opposing rear slot wall  224 . A left slot wall  226  and a generally opposing right slot wall  228  merge with the front slot wall  222  and with the rear slot wall  224 . The front, rear, left and right slot walls  222 ,  224 ,  226 ,  228  respectively, connect and merge with the table top  210  and the table bottom  212 . The plurality of table slots  220  are disposed spaced apart generally transversely and co-linearly. The table bottom  212  may be provided with braces. Exemplary braces may comprise a front beam  214  and/or a rear pad  216  and/or both, among other optional braces [not shown]. The front beam  214  extends generally transversely and is positioned forwardly of the plurality of table slots  220 . The rear pad  216  extends generally transversely and is located rearwardly the plurality of table slots  220 . 
         [0030]    Attention is presently further directed to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . A first embodiment bridge  400  is generally located between the at least one string  300  (not shown on  FIG. 3 ) and the first table top  210 , extending generally transversely to the longitudinal direction L and defining a transverse direction T, and rising along the height direction H [not shown on  FIG. 3 ). The first bridge  400  extends away from a leftwardly-disposed left terminus  410  towards a rightwardly-disposed right terminus  420  and may be removably mounted onto the first table top  210 . When viewed from above the first bridge  400  looks like having a generally transversely extending bar-shape. The first bridge  400  may be fashioned by any known or discovered method from any known or discovered substance and/or any combination of substances, be it fabricated, cast, moulded, shaped, laminated, or otherwise combined material. 
         [0031]    As may be best seen on  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the first bridge  400  comprises a plurality of bridge prongs  480 , defining a plurality of transversely distributed pronged regions  482  alternating with a plurality of transversely distributed prong-free regions  484 , with each of the plurality of pronged regions  482  being flanked by two of the plurality of prong-free regions  484 . As there may be similar elements that belong to pronged regions and free regions, similar names and nomenclature will be used, with names and numerals relating to a pronged region will be identified by an appended apostrophe [&#39;] while those belonging to free regions will be annotated by an appended double apostrophe [“]. 
         [0032]    Attention is additionally directed to  FIG. 4 . Both pronged regions  482  and prong-free regions  484  of the first bridge  400  comprise a bridge face  420  extending generally along the height dimension H to merge with a ridge front  422  extending generally upwardly therefrom to meet a ridge top  424  extending generally away therefrom and generally transversely thereto to meet a ridge back  426  extending generally transversely to the ridge top  424  and generally away therefrom. Each pronged region  482  comprises a pronged ridge back  426 ′ and each prong-free region  484  comprises a free ridge back  426 ″. 
         [0033]    Each free ridge back  426 ″ meets a free ridge floor  428 . The free ridge floor  428  extends generally in a direction away from the free ridge back  426 ″ and generally transversely thereto. In this particular embodiment, the free ridge floor  428  extents to meet an optional free ditch  550 ″. The free ditch  550 ″ may extend transversely continually, and/or may be interrupted. A nose floor  440  merges with the free ditch  550 ″ and extend in a direction away therefrom, towards the bridge face  420 . 
         [0034]    wsEach pronged ridge back  426 ′ extends to merge with a prong top  460 . The prong top  460  extends in a direction away from the pronged ridge back  426 ′ and generally transversely thereto, towards a prong rear  462 . The prong rear  462  extends in a direction away from the prong top  460  and generally transversely thereto towards a prong bottom  464 . The prong bottom  464  extends in a direction away from the prong rear  462  and generally transversely thereto, to merge with a prong wall  468  via a prong transition  466 . The prong wall  468  extends away from the prong transition  466  to meet an optional pronged ditch  550 ′. The pronged ditch  550 ′ may extend transversely continually and co-linearly with the free ditch  550 ″, and/or may be interrupted. A nose floor  440  merges with the pronged ditch  550 ′ and extend in a direction away therefrom, towards the bridge face  420 . 
         [0035]    The string tail  310  of the at least one string  300  of the first embodiment string instrument  100  passes through a ridge through-hole  452  extending between and opening to the ridge front  442  and the ridge rear  444  generally parallel to the ridge top  446 . In the first embodiment string instrument  100 , after passing through the ridge through-hole  452 , the at least one string  300  is then tied about itself, as is generally known in the art. 
         [0036]    Attention is presently directed to  FIGS. 5 a    to  5   c,  showing stages in mounting the bridge  400  onto the sound table  200  of the exemplary-only string instrument  100 . While  FIG. 5 a    to  FIG. 5 c    schematically illustrates the first exemplary embodiment bridge  400  and the first exemplary embodiment sound table  200 , other and/or different embodiments should be included in the spirit and scope of the disclosed invention, as claimed.  FIG. 5 a    illustrate the first bridge  400  in an insertion stage, wherein the first bridge  400  is rotated with the bridge face  420  pointing upwards and with the prong back  462  facing back, towards the first table top  210 . In  FIG. 5 b   , there is schematically illustrated an interim stage, wherein the first bridge  400  is positioned so that the prong back  462  is inserted through a corresponding table through-slot  220  to be located below the table bottom  212 . In  FIG. 5 c   , there is schematically illustrated a final stage, wherein the first bridge  400  is fully rotated, with the prong back  462  located rearwardly of the rear slot wall  224 , and with the nose floor  440  rests on the table top  210 . 
         [0037]    Attention is presently drawn to  FIG. 6  to  FIG. 9 . An exemplary second embodiment of a string instrument  1100  is schematically illustrated. Henceforth, elements related to the exemplary second embodiment of the present disclosure will be termed as “second [element]”. Similar elements will be named similar names and numerated with similar numerals, with those elements of the second embodiments have been given reference numerals that are the reference numerals used for the first exemplary embodiment increased by  1000 .The second string instrument  1100  generally comprises a second embodiment sound table  1200  [also known as ‘sound board’ and/or ‘soundboard’] with an at least one string  1300  extending generally above the sound table  1200 , defining height dimension H extending generally transversely away from a second table top  1210  of the second sound table  1200 . The at least one string  1300  extends generally linearly, defining a longitudinal dimension L extending away from a generally rearwardly-disposed string tail  1310  towards a generally forwardly-disposed string head [not shown], thus defining a forward-to-rearward direction. 
         [0038]    The second sound table  1200  further comprises a table slot  1220 . The table slot  1220  is roughly rectangular in shape, having a transverse extent generally larger than a longitudinal extent. The table through-slot  1220  extends along the height dimension H from away from the second table top  1210  to terminate at a table bottom  1212  generally opposing the second table top  1210 . The table through-slot  1220  comprises a front slot wall  1222  and a generally opposing rear slot walk  1224 . A left slot wall  1226  and a generally opposing right slot wall  1228  merge with the front slot wall  1222  and with the rear slot wall  1224 . The front, rear, left and right slot walls  1222 ,  1224 ,  1226 , and  1228  respectively, connect and merge with the table top  1210  and the table bottom  1212 . The table slot  1220  is disposed generally transversely. The table bottom  1212  may be provided with braces. Exemplary braces may comprise a front beam  1214  and/or a rear pad  1216  and/or both, among other optional braces [not shown]. The front beam  1214  extends generally transversely and is positioned forwardly of the table slot  1220 . The rear pad  216  extends generally transversely and is located generally rearwardly of the table slot  1220 . 
         [0039]    A second embodiment bridge  1400  is generally located between the at least one string  1300  and the second table top  1210 , extending generally transversely to the longitudinal direction L and defining a transverse direction T, and rising along the height direction H. The second bridge  1400  extends away from a leftwardly-disposed left terminus  1410  towards a rightwardly-disposed right terminus  1420  and may be removably mounted onto the second table top  1210 . When viewed from above the second bridge  1400  looks like having a generally transversely extending bar-shape. The second bridge  1400  may be fashioned by any known or discovered method from any known or discovered suitable substance, be it a monolithic, fabricated, laminated, or otherwise combined material. The second embodiment at least one string  1300  may comprise a string tail  1310 , which, in this exemplary—only embodiment, passes over the second embodiment bridge  1400  to be tied to a peg  1590  insert able through the second embodiment sound table  1200 . 
         [0040]    The second bridge  1400  comprises a bridge prong  1480 , defining a pronged region  1482  flanked on either side thereof by a prong-free region  1484 . Henceforth, only elements related to the pronged region  1482  will be described and by an appended apostrophe [&#39;]. The pronged region  1482  of the second bridge  1400  comprise a bridge face  1420  extending generally along the height dimension H to merge with a ridge front  1422 . The ridge front  1422  extends generally upwardly away from the bridge face  1420  to meet a ridge top  1424 . The ridge top  1424  extends generally away from the ridge face  1422  and generally transversely thereto to meet a pronged ridge back  1426 ′. The pronged ridge back  1426 ′ extends generally transversely to the ridge top  1424  and generally away therefrom. The ridge top  1424  comprises a generally transversely extending niche  1488  accommodating an inserted saddle  1490  over which the at least one string  1300  passes and bears against, as is well known in the art. 
         [0041]    The pronged ridge back  1426 ′ extends to merge with a prong top  1460 . The prong top  1460  extends in a direction away from the pronged ridge back  1426 ′ and generally transversely thereto, towards a prong rear  1462 . The prong rear  1462  extends in a direction away from the prong top  1460  and generally transversely thereto towards a prong bottom  1464 . The prong bottom  1464  extends in a direction away from the prong rear  1462  and generally transversely thereto, to merge with a prong wall  1468  via a prong transition  1466 . The prong wall  1468  extends away from the prong transition  1466  to meet an optional pronged ditch  1550 ′. The pronged ditch  1550 ′ may extend transversely continually along the transverse direction T and/or may be interrupted. A nose floor  1440  merges with the pronged ditch  1550 ′ and extend in a direction away therefrom, towards the bridge face  1420 . The at least one string  1300  of the second embodiment string instrument  1100  passes over the saddle  1490  to be tied and inserted through the second sound table  1200  by a pin  1510  as is well known in the art. 
         [0042]    Throughout the specifications of the present disclosure, the term “comprising” means including but not necessarily to the exclusion of other elements or steps. In other words, the term comprising indicates an open list. Furthermore, all directional references (such as, but not limited to, upper, lower, inner, outer, upward, downward, inwards, outwards, right, left, rightward, leftward, inside, outside, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counter=clockwise, lineal, axial and/or radial, or any other directional and/or similar references) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader&#39;s understanding of illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure, and may not create any limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use unless specifically set forth in the claims. Moreover, all directional references are approximate and should not be interpreted as exact, but rather as describing a general indicator as to an approximate attitude. 
         [0043]    Similarly, joinder references (such as, but not limited to, attached, coupled, connected, accommodated, and the like and their derivatives) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of segments and relative movement between segments. As such, joinder references may not necessarily infer that two segments are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. 
         [0044]    In some instances, components are described with reference to “ends” having a particular characteristic and/or being connected with another part. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present disclosure is not limited to components which terminate immediately beyond their points of connection with other parts. Thus, the term “end” should be interpreted broadly, in a manner that includes areas adjacent, rearward, forward of, or otherwise near the terminus of a particular segment, link, component, part, member or the like. Additionally, all numerical terms, such as, but not limited to, “second”, “second”, “third”, “fourth”, or any other ordinary and/or numerical terms, should also be taken only as identifiers, to assist the reader&#39;s understanding of the various embodiments, variations and/or modifications of the present disclosure, and may not create any limitations, particularly as to the order, or preference, of any embodiment, variation and/or modification relative to, or over, another embodiment, variation and/or modification. 
         [0045]    In methodologies directly or indirectly set forth herein, various steps and operations are described in one possible order of operation, but those skilled in the art will recognize that steps and operations may be rearranged, replaced, or eliminated without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims. 
         [0046]    While exemplary embodiments were described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad present disclosure, and that the present disclosure may not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various, other modifications and/or adaptations may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is to be understood that individual features, which may have been shown or described for the exemplary embodiments, should be understood in the context of functional segments and that such features may be replicated, or be omitted within the scope of the present disclosure and without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure as may be defined in the appended claims. Similar elements that nay have appear edand/or mentioned in association with more than one embodiments should not be taken as instructing and/or implying any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure as may be defined in the appended claims. While some features were shown and/or discussed in the context of one exemplary embodiment, and other features may have been shown and/or discussed in the context of another exemplary embodiment, such features may appear mixedly, or omitted, all without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure as may be defined in the appended claims.