Patent Publication Number: US-10762880-B1

Title: Under bridge apparatus and method

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of previously filed U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/595,163 filed Dec. 6, 2017 for a “Guitar Under Bridge Apparatus and Method”. The Applicant hereby claims the benefit of this provisional application under 35 U.S.C. § 119. The entire content of this provisional application is incorporated herein by this reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a musical instrument under bridge apparatus and method. In particular, in accordance with one embodiment, the invention relates to an under bridge, with a top and a bottom, a front and a back and a first end and a second end. An attachment device is connected with the under bridge where the attachment device is configured to attach the under bridge to a musical instrument such that when attached to a musical instrument the bottom of the under bridge is above the musical instrument and a space is created between the bottom of the under bridge and the musical instrument. A string retainer slot is provided in the bottom of the under bridge. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A problem exists with regard to the use of stringed musical instruments in that in order to play different notes or chords, a string must be pressed down against upward pressure of the tensioned string. That is, the state of the art for stringed musical instruments, for example only and not by way of limitation, as with a guitar, violin, etc., includes a head stock connected at an obtuse angle with the neck of the guitar such that the head stock is angled toward the bottom of the body of the guitar. A string is attached to the bridge on the guitar body on one end and with the head stock at the other. According to the prior art, the guitar string in the prior art passes over the “nut”, or for purposes of discussion herein the “over bridge”, located at the junction of the head stock and the upper or first end of the neck. This arrangement pulls the string over the top of the nut/over bridge and supports the guitar string above frets in the neck. Again, currently, to play a chord a user must press the guitar string down against the upward pressure of the over bridge/nut. This may change the tuning of the chord over time and is so difficult to do that it causes blisters and callouses to develop. 
     Thus, there is a need in the art for an improved stringed musical instrument assembly that allows chords to be played more easily, that maintains tuning longer and that is easy to assemble and use. 
     It therefore is an object of this invention to provide an improved musical instrument apparatus and method that allows chords to be played more easily, that maintains tuning longer and that is easy to assemble and use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the under bridge apparatus of the present invention, according to one embodiment, includes an under bridge, with a top and a bottom, a front and a back and a first end and a second end. An attachment device is connected with the under bridge where the attachment device is configured to attach the under bridge to a musical instrument such that when attached to a musical instrument the bottom of the under bridge is above the musical instrument and a space is created between the bottom of the under bridge and the musical instrument. A string retainer slot is provided in the bottom of the under bridge. 
     All terms used herein are given their common meaning such that all the references to elements found on a stringed musical instrument such as a guitar, used for example only and not by limitation, are as known in the art. As used herein the unique term “under bridge” of the present invention is used to identify a “nut” as that term is used in the art, where it is configured such that a string passes underneath it and not over it as is the function of nuts known in the art. 
     In one aspect, the apparatus further includes an attachment base where the attachment base is removably connectable with the attachment device with the musical instrument in between. 
     In another aspect, the first end and the second end of the under bridge extend beyond the bottom of the under bridge and are configured to connect with a musical instrument and support the bottom of the under bridge above the musical instrument. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, in a musical instrument, an under bridge apparatus includes a musical instrument with a head stock, a neck with a first end and a second end, a bridge and a body where the body has a front and a back. The head stock forms an angle with the first end of the neck such that the head stock is angled toward the front of the body. An under bridge, with a top and a bottom, a front and a back and a first end and a second end, is connected with the musical instrument between the head stock and the neck such that the bottom of the under bridge is spaced apart from the musical instrument and a space is created between the bottom of the under bridge and the musical instrument. 
     In one aspect, the first end and the second end extend beyond the bottom of the under bridge and are configured to connect with the musical instrument such that the space is created between the bottom of the under bridge and the musical instrument. 
     In another aspect, the apparatus further includes a string with a first end and a second end where the first end is connected with the bridge and where the second end passes under the under bridge and is connected with the head stock such that the string contacts the bottom of the under bridge. 
     In one aspect, the under bridge includes a string retainer slot in the bottom of the under bridge where the string is retained within the string retainer slot. In another aspect, there are more than one string retainer slots and more than one string and in another aspect there are six string retainer slots and six strings. 
     In a further aspect, the under bridge includes an attachment base where the attachment base is attached underneath the neck and to the under bridge with the neck in between. 
     In one aspect, the head stock forms an acute angle with the first end of the neck. 
     In another aspect, the musical instrument is a guitar. 
     According to another embodiment, in musical instruments, an under bridge method consists of:
     a. providing an under bridge, with a top and a bottom, a front and a back and a first end and a second end; an attachment device connected with the under bridge where the attachment device is configured to attach the under bridge to a musical instrument where, when attached to the musical instrument, the bottom of the under bridge is above the musical instrument and a space is created between the bottom of the under bridge and the musical instrument; and a string retainer slot in the bottom of the under bridge; and   b. connecting the under bridge to a musical instrument.   

     In one aspect, the musical instrument includes a head stock, a neck with a first end and a second end, a bridge and a body, where the body has a front and a back and includes connecting the head stock with the neck such that the head stock forms an angle with the first end of the neck such that the head stock is angled toward the front of the body. 
     In another aspect, the method further includes providing a string with a first end and a second end where the first end is connected with the bridge and where the second end passes under the under bridge and is retained in the string retainer slot and is connected with the head stock such that the string contacts the bottom of the under bridge. 
     In other aspects, there are more than one string retainer slot and more than one string and there are six string retainer slots and six strings. 
     In a further aspect, connecting the head stock with the neck forms an acute angle with the first end of the neck such that the head stock is angled toward the front of the body. 
     In further aspects, the musical instrument is a guitar and/or the musical instrument is selected from a group consisting of: guitars and violins. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a Prior Art stringed musical instrument; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a musical instrument including an under bridge of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a close up perspective view of the invention of  FIG. 2  showing the head stock, under bridge and first end of the neck with a string passing underneath the under bridge; and 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the invention of  FIG. 2  showing a string held up against the bottom of the under bridge as a result of the head stock connected to the neck at an angle toward the front of the body. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the invention be regarded as including equivalent constructions to those described herein insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     For example, the specific sequence of the described method may be altered so that certain processes are conducted in parallel or independent, with other processes, to the extent that the processes are not dependent upon each other. Thus, the specific order of steps described herein is not to be considered implying a specific sequence of steps to perform the process. In alternative embodiments, one or more process steps may be implemented by a user assisted process and/or manually. Other alterations or modifications of the above processes are also contemplated. 
     In addition, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used on other embodiments to yield a still further embodiment. Additionally, certain features may be interchanged with similar devices or features not mentioned yet which perform the same or similar functions. It is therefore intended that such modifications and variations are included within the totality of the present invention. 
     It should also be noted that a plurality of hardware devices, as well as a plurality of different structural components, may be utilized to implement the invention. Furthermore, and as described in subsequent paragraphs, the specific configurations illustrated in the drawings are intended to exemplify embodiments of the invention and that other alternative configurations are possible. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by way of example in  FIGS. 2-4 . With specific reference to Prior Art  FIG. 1 , for purposes of explanation of the present invention, stringed musical instrument  10 , such as a guitar for example only and not by limitation, has a head stock  12 , machine heads  14 , nut (“over bridge”)  16 , neck  18 , fret board  20 , frets  21 , body  22 , sides of body  24 , front of body  25  and back of body  26 , heel  27 , sound board  28 , sound hole  30 , pic guard  32 , bridge  34  and bridge saddle  36  all as are known in the art. Importantly, head stock  12  of the prior art is connected with the neck  18  such that it is angled toward the back  26  of the body  24 . Further, the prior art string(s)  50  are connected at one end to bridge  34  and pass over the top of nut (over bridge)  16 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the under bridge apparatus  38  of the present invention shown in use with a stringed musical instrument  10 , such as a guitar, with a head stock  12 , a neck  18  with a first end  40  and a second end  42 , a bridge  34  and a body  22 , with a front  25  and back  26 , all as before where, however, the head stock  12  is connected with the first end  40  of neck  18  at an angle (as more clearly shown in  FIG. 4 ) with the first end  40  of the neck  18  such that the head stock is angled toward the front  25  of body  22 . 
     An under bridge  44 , with a top  46  and a bottom  48 , a front  45  and a back  47  and a first end  49  and a second end  51  is connected with the musical instrument  10  between the head stock  12  and the neck  18 , as shown, such that the bottom  48  of the under bridge  44  is spaced apart from the musical instrument  10 . The term “spaced apart” describes a relationship where the bottom  48  of the under bridge  44  is located above the connection with the musical instrument  10  but not touching it and leaving a space  53  between the bottom  48  and the musical instrument  10  as more clearly shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
     Preferably, first end  49  and second end  51  of under bridge  44  are structured such that they extend beyond the bottom  48  of under bridge  44  and create “post like” extensions  55  and  57  (more clearly shown in  FIG. 3 ) that contact or connect with the surface of musical instrument  10  as illustrated and support the bottom  48  of under bridge  44  above the surface of musical instrument  10 . In this manner, space  53  is created and maintained as required by the present invention. Certainly other structures are available to accomplish this required space  53 . 
     Preferably, in use, the invention further includes a string  50  with a first end  52  and a second end  54  where the first end  52  is connected with the bridge  34  and where the second end  54  passes under the under bridge  44  and is connected with the guitar head stock  12  such that the guitar string  50  contacts the bottom  48  of the under bridge  44 . This unique structure holds the string(s)  50  in place and allows tuning, etc. as before but results in reduced resistance when a user presses the string  50  down toward the fret board  20 . Applicant has determined that it is easier to play and less damaging to a user&#39;s fingers than the long established prior art structure. 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  show that preferably the under bridge  44  includes a string retainer slot  56  in the bottom  48  of the under bridge  44  where the string  50  is retained within, and held in position by, the string retainer slot  56 . In a further aspect, there are more than one string retainer slots  56  and more than one string  50  and in one aspect, there are six string retainer slots  56  and six strings  50 , for example only and not by limitation, as shown in the Figures. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates that in one aspect, the under bridge  44  includes an attachment base  58  where the attachment base  58  is attached underneath the neck  18  and to the under bridge  44  with the neck  18  in between as illustrated in the Figures. The attachment base  58  allows precise location of the under bridge  44  not heretofore available in prior art devices. Preferably, attachment base  58 , as illustrated, includes attachment device  59  and, preferably, under bridge  44  includes a similar attachment device  61  as illustrated. Attachment devices  61  and  59  preferably include female receptor holes  63  into which a screw or bolt, not shown for clarity, is secured so as to connect attachment base  58  with under bridge  44 . In this manner, attachment base  58  is removably connected to under bridge  44  and then to the musical instrument  10  in any desired location. Certainly, attachment base  58  and under bridge  44  may be removably or permanently connected in any manner by any attachment device now known or hereafter developed. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the acute angle “A” is clearly shown as required in the connection of the head stock  12  to neck  18  such that the head stock  12  is angled toward the front  25  of the body  22  according to the unique structure of the present invention. The objective function of the angle, whether acute or not, is to provide an anchor location for the string  50  on the head stock  12  such that the string  50  is forced up against the bottom  48  of the under bridge  44 . As a result, the attachment angle is not limited to the preferred acute angle illustrated. 
     By way of further explanation, in the prior art, nut  16  (over bridge), on a stringed musical instrument  10 , is a small piece of hard material that supports the strings  50  at the end closest to the head stock  12  or scroll. The nut  16  marks one end of the vibrating length of each string  50 , sets the spacing of the strings across the neck  18 , and usually holds the strings  50  at the proper height above the fingerboard/fret board  20 . Along with the bridge  34 , the nut  16  (over bridge) defines the vibrating lengths (scale lengths) of the strings  50 . 
     To play most chords, the prior art requires a user to press down on the strings  50  with the tips of their fingers (not shown). This allows a user to apply maximum pressure to get the cleanest sound possible. Further the user must press down on string  50  with just the tip of the finger for maximum pressure and avoid touching other strings that shouldn&#39;t be pressed. 
     A traditional nut  16  (over bridge), with the string  50  passing over the top of the nut  16  and down to the head stock  12 , adds tension to the string  50  allowing it to hold pitch, but when pressed down to make a note or chord, the user adds more tension to the string  50  in order to make the note or chord ring out. Therefore, it&#39;s very hard to press down on the strings  50  for many beginners. This method also causes calluses and blisters to occur, thus making many beginners quit the instrument. 
     Importantly and uniquely, the present invention reverses the angle of the head stock  12  and reverses the nut  16  from an “over bridge” to an “under bridge” such that pressing a string in a downward position is easier in that a player uses gravity as an ally. The under bridge  44  of the present invention allows the tension of the string to be less because the string  50  is bent or pressed away from the nut  16  (under bridge  44 ) not over it, making it easier to play the note. In another advantage provided by the present invention, testing indicates that it increases the life and strength of the string  50 . 
     The description of the present embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. As such, while the present invention has been disclosed in connection with an embodiment thereof, it should be understood that other embodiments may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.