Convertible tremolo apparatus for stringed musical instrument
US4869145A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 23, 1987 |
| Grant date | Sep 26, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 23, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG10D3/153
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A musical instrument comprises a tremolo apparatus which may be converted from a semi-floating mode in which a spring urged stop engages a movable sustain block in some positions thereof to a free-floating mode in which the spring-urged stop does not engage the sustain block in any position thereof. The spring-urged stop is provided with a releasable latch for latching it into the non-engaging position, the latch including a bayonet joint. An indicator apparatus indicates the position of the sustain block relative to a fixed reference target, to enable rapid location of the sustain block for the tuned position of the strings of the instrument. A pusher block of magnetic material is provided for insertion between the sustain block and the spring-urged stop for assistance in urging the spring to the position in which it is locked out of engagement with the sustain block, to establish the free-floating mode.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.