EP3580748B1 - Attachment for improving the sound of bowed stringed instruments - Google Patents

Description

Field of invention

The present invention is concerned with changing the sound of a string instrument by means of an attachment which is attached to the bow of the string instrument and serves to improve the sound result of string instruments.

State of the art

To produce sound, string instruments are used to strike the strings with a bowed bow. The stick-slip effect is used here, through which there is a rapid change in static friction and movement between the bow hair and the string, which stimulates the string to vibrate. The sheet covering, known as the cover, is typically made of horsehair, which is rubbed with rosin to increase the static friction. The string vibration is transmitted to the resonance body of the string instrument via a bridge, which creates an audible tone. The sound of the instrument is accordingly influenced not only by the resonance body but also by the vibration behavior of the string, e.g. by the excited vibration spectrum of the string and the damping or decay behavior. The string interacts with the bowed instrument or the bow at three points: on the bridge of the instrument, between the string and the reference, and at the point at which the string is pressed onto the fingerboard. The sound of an instrument is also influenced by the physical fitness and mobility of the player, as these lead to audible changes when playing.

The aim of the present invention is to influence the vibration behavior to change the sound, in particular to improve the sound, of the string instrument to reach. Since the sound of the instrument when playing is negatively influenced by a cramped hand position and thus too rigid a coupling between hand and bow ("scratching" on the line), the aim is to provide means that counteract this.

Summary of the invention

The solution is to influence the interaction between the string and the reference by adding an attachment made of an elastic material in order to influence the vibration behavior of the strings and thus change the sound characteristics of the string instrument. As a kind of damping element, this supports a loose hand position and thus leads to a sound improvement.

According to the invention, the problem is solved by an arch attachment with the features of claim 1.

Advantageous refinements and developments of the invention result from the features of the subclaims.

Brief description of the drawing

• Figur 1 eine abgewickelte Ansicht einer Ausführungsform eines Bogenaufsatzes zeigt;
• Figur 2 eine 3D-Ansicht des Bogenaufsatzes zeigt;
• Figur 3 eine abgewickelte Ansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines Bogenaufsatzes zeigt;
• Figur 4 eine Ansicht in Längsrichtung einer Ausführungsform des Bogenaufsatzes zeigt; und
• Figur 5 eine Ansicht in Längsrichtung einer weiteren Ausführungsform des Bogenaufsatzes mit anderer Laschen-Konfiguration zeigt.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the figures, wherein

• Figure 1 shows a developed view of an embodiment of a bow attachment;
• Figure 2 shows a 3-D view of the arch attachment;
• Figure 3 shows a developed view of another embodiment of a bow attachment;
• Figure 4 shows a view in the longitudinal direction of an embodiment of the arch attachment; and
• Figure 5 shows a view in the longitudinal direction of a further embodiment of the arch attachment with a different tab configuration.

Detailed description of the invention

In the Figures 1 and 2 the structure of an embodiment of a bow attachment 1 is shown. Fig. 1 shows an unfolded (flattened) view of the structural elements of the in Fig. 2 Arch attachment shown in a 3D view. In Fig. 2 is further a handle end of a bow 21 is shown on which the bow attachment 1 is to be placed. For the sake of simplicity, the bow is shown without bow wrapping and without thumb leather, the arrangement of which is known to those skilled in the art.

A central element of the arch attachment 1 made of an elastic material forms the carrier element 2, which is manufactured and which has an elongated shape, the shape being adapted so that the carrier element 2 at the handle end of a bow 21 can rest on a rod 22 of the bow . In the figures, the carrier element 2 is sketched flat, but it can have a more general shape. The carrier element will preferably be rounded in such a way that it is adapted to a round shape of the arched rod 22 and can rest on it in a form-fitting manner, smaller deviations being compensated for by the elasticity of the material. In the case of a (circular) round arched rod 22, the carrier element thus has approximately the shape of a circular arc or half of a circular cylinder jacket, which was cut parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cylinder, ie the circular arc is not to be understood as a line here, but circular arc with a certain thickness in the radial direction. This is in Fig. 4 shown, which shows a view in the longitudinal direction of an exemplary arch attachment. The width of the support element is then to be understood as the extension perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the imaginary line in relation to the arc rod, i.e. in the case of a semicircular arc approximately the diameter and not the circumference of the circular arc.

The adaptation of the shape of the support element primarily relates to an adaptation to a round circumference of the arch rod, but can also relate to an adjustment to a longitudinal curvature of the arch rod, the latter mostly not being necessary due to the elasticity of the material. However, it is possible to provide a cavity or depression (not shown in the figures) on the side of the carrier element that comes to rest on the arch, so that parts of the arch, e.g. the arch wrapping or the thumb leather, are located there Damage to be protected. At this point, the carrier element has a correspondingly smaller thickness. This recess is preferably located in the vicinity of the second fastening element.

Furthermore, a first gripping surface 10 is arranged on a longitudinal side of the carrier element 2, which is also made of the elastic material and has a first section 12 and a second section 14. The first section 12 is adapted in such a way that it is suitable for at least partially resting against one side of a bow frog 26. With the typical bow hand position, the ends of the middle and ring fingers are placed here. The second section 14 (on which the tip of the index finger or the inside of the index finger rests) of the first grip surface 10 adjoins the first section 12 in the direction of the center of the arch (the direction here relates to the orientation when the attachment is attached to the arch) and is dimensioned in its extension perpendicular to the elongated carrier element 2 in such a way that it is ensured that the second section 14 does not hinder the play, ie the cover 24 must not be touched by the second section 14.

A stabilizing surface 6 and a second gripping surface 8 are arranged on the other longitudinal side of the carrier element 2. The stabilizing surface 6 is adapted in such a way that it can rest at least partially on the bow frog 26 on the side opposite the first section 12 of the first gripping surface 10. The second grip surface 8 adjoins the stabilization surface on the side facing away from an end of the carrier element to be attached to a rod end. Similar to the second section 14 of the first gripping surface, its extension is adapted to the arch 21 in such a way that it cannot come into contact with the cover 24. The thumb comes to rest on the second grip surface with the normal bow hand position. A gap preferably remains open between the stabilizing surface 6 and the second gripping surface 8 in order to enable the second gripping surface 8 to be bent inwardly around the bow bar 22.

According to the invention, the carrier element 2 is made thicker than the stabilizing surface 6 and the first and second gripping surfaces 10, 8. The carrier element 2 is relatively stiff and dimensionally stable. This makes it possible on the longitudinal side of the carrier element 2, on which the stabilizing surface 6 and the second gripping surface 8 are also arranged, to further arrange a tab 4 adjacent to the second gripping surface 8, which extends outward from the top of the bow bar 22, ie the tab 4 extends approximately perpendicular to the plane which runs through the rod 22 and cover 24 of the arch 21 when the attachment attached to the bow. When playing, the index finger can be placed here, which leads to a change in the guidance of the bow arm and thus to a change in sound.

The structural design of the arch attachment 1 is therefore as follows: the first grip surface 10 is parallel to the stabilization surface 6 and to the second grip surface 8, which are arranged in a common plane; the first grip surface 10 on the one hand and the stabilization surface 6 and the second grip surface 8 on the other hand are adapted to rest on opposite sides of the grip end of the bow 21 and are connected by the support element 2, which is adapted to rest on the top of the bow bar 22. The stabilizing surface 6, the second gripping surface 8 and the tab 4 are, as seen from the end of the bow attachment 1 to be arranged at the end of the bow, arranged one after the other on the same side of the carrier element 2, the tab 4 being approximately perpendicular to the stabilizing surface 6 or to the second gripping surface 8 extends.

The thin elastic material of the second gripping surface 8 and the second section 14 of the first gripping surface 10 enable the second gripping surface 8 and the second section 14 to adapt to the shape of the bow bar 22 and to wrap around it due to the finger pressure of the player, so that an optimal holding of the bow 21 is achieved when playing.

To fasten the arch attachment 1, fastening elements 16, 18 are attached to the ends of the elongated carrier element 2 (in Figure 1 represented symbolically; their exact arrangement and size may vary). A first fastener 18 is adapted to be attached to the bow pole end on which the frog screw 28 is located. The first fastening element 18 is preferably designed such that it can be brought into engagement with the rod end, for example an elastic eyelet which can be slipped over the rod end. A second fastening element 16 is adapted to be fastened to the arch rod, wherein it is preferably designed such that it can be brought into engagement with the arch rod 22, for example a U-shaped elastic element which is slid over the rod 22 so that it comes to rest between the two legs of the U-shaped element. In these examples it is the elasticity of the eyelet or the U-shaped Elements a force that holds the fastening elements and thus the arch attachment in place. The fastening elements 16, 18 are mainly fastened to the carrier element 2. At least partial attachment to the ends of the first gripping surface 10 and the stabilizing surface 6 is also possible; this makes it possible, in particular, to stabilize the shape of the first grip surface and the stabilization surface at the edges.

On a longitudinal side of the carrier element 2, the first section 12 of the first gripping surface 10 is arranged adjacent to the first fastening element 18 and the second section 14 of the first gripping surface 10 is arranged adjacent to the second fastening element 16. On the other longitudinal side of the carrier element 2, the stabilizing surface 6 is arranged adjacent to the first fastening element 18, the second gripping surface 8 is arranged adjacent to the stabilizing surface 6 in the direction of the second fastening element 16 and, if applicable, the tab 4 is arranged adjacent to the second fastening element 16.

Furthermore, the outer surfaces, ie the surfaces that should face away from the arch, of the carrier element 2, the stabilizing surface 6 and the first 10 and second gripping surface 8 are provided with knobs (not shown in the figures). The entire outer surface (surface of the arch attachment facing away from the arch when it is placed on the arch) of the arch attachment is therefore provided with knobs. The inventors have found that this embodiment is advantageous because it leads to an improvement in the sound, that is to say to an increase in the volume of the sound; the sound of the instrument becomes more intense, fuller, cleaner (intonation). The knobs also increase the grip of the bow attachment, thus preventing the player's fingers from slipping, which in turn enables the bow to be held with less effort (more loosely). So it takes place in a loosening of the bow grip, which reduces impairment of the oscillation behavior of the bow and the cover and in particular can also help to compensate for technical errors (scratching the line) of the player. The knobs also lead to a massage effect or stimulation of the player's fingers, through which the fingers become more flexible and adapt better to the arch. This creates an optimal transfer - optimal in the sense of the individual player and his anatomical and physical requirements - of force, pressure and speed to the Bow guidance, which has an impact on the sound change and also facilitates longer, fatigue-free and painless playing.

The arch attachment is made of a plastic or a plastic-like material, namely an elastomer, e.g. rubber. The carrier element 2, the tab 4, the stabilizing surface 6, the first gripping surface 10 and the second gripping surface 8 are preferably made of the same material, the arch attachment 1 being more preferably made in one piece. The fastening elements 16, 18 are also preferably made of an elastomer, a relatively rigid design being selected here in order to enable secure attachment to the arch 21. In the case of the material used, particular attention must be paid to a possible plasticizer, as this can have harmful effects on the paintwork of the stringed instrument and the bow. Furthermore, the material is expediently specified by its hardness, which should preferably be between Shore-A 40 and Shore-A 60. Furthermore, a hardness of the elastic material between Shore A 40 and Shore A 94 is possible. For further stabilization, it is possible to provide reinforcements made of plastic or metal.

The dimensions of the bow attachment are selected to match the bow of the bowed instrument. In the following statements, “length” relates to a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the elongate carrier element 2, “width” to a direction perpendicular thereto and “thickness” to the thickness of the essentially flat material. Dimensions according to the invention for the carrier element 2 are a length of 8 cm to 20 cm, preferably 12 cm to 16 cm, a width of 0.5 cm to 2.0 cm, preferably 0.8 cm to 1.2 cm, and a thickness of 0.05 cm to 0.5 cm, preferably 0.1 cm to 0.3 cm. The carrier element 2 is preferably so long that the second fastening element 16, as seen from the end of the bow rod (at which the bow is gripped), is attached to the bow rod behind an arch wrapping in order to prevent the wrapping from being damaged. The thickness of the tab 4 corresponds approximately to the thickness of the carrier element 2 and has a length of 5 cm to 10 cm and a width of 0.5 cm to 2 cm.

The stabilizing surface 6 and the first and second gripping surfaces 10, 8 are relatively thin and soft. The thickness of the material on these areas is 0.05 cm to 0.2 cm. The length of the first section 12 of the first gripping surface 10 is 4 cm to 8 cm, preferably 5 cm to 7 cm. The length of the second section 14 of the first gripping surface 10 is 4 cm to 12 cm, preferably 7 cm to 9 cm. The length of the stabilization surface 6 is 2 cm to 6 cm, preferably 3 cm to 5 cm. The length of the second gripping surface 8 is 2 cm to 5 cm, preferably 3 cm to 4 cm. The widths of the stabilizing surface 6 and the first section 12 of the first gripping surface 10 are in the range from 2 cm to 5 cm, preferably from 3 to 4 cm. The widths of the second grip surface 8 and the second section 14 of the first grip surface 10 are in the range from 1 cm to 5 cm, preferably from 2 to 3 cm.

The knobs are distributed over the outer surface and have a diameter of 0.1 cm to 1.0 cm, preferably 0.3 cm to 0.7 cm, more preferably 0.5 cm, and a height of 0.1 cm to 1.0 cm, preferably from 0.3 cm to 0.7, more preferably 0.5 cm. These dimensions relate to the knob diameter at the base of the knob where the knob is attached to the respective surface. The knobs preferably initially extend essentially vertically away from the surface with a constant - or only slowly decreasing - diameter and then taper in an upper height region of the knob, which preferably takes up about a third of the total height. In the case of an exemplary knob with a height of 0.5 cm, the diameter initially decreases from 0.5 cm to 0.3 cm at a height of 0.33 cm and then decreases to zero at a height of 0.5 cm ( equal to the total height). This last decrease preferably runs in such a way that a rounded shape - essentially a spherical segment - is formed.

The distance between adjacent knobs is expediently specified as a multiple of the diameter of the knobs used. Here, a distance between the centers of the knobs is preferred that is one to two times the knob diameter. Any arrangement is possible, for example a parallel or offset row, a square grid, a diamond arrangement, a hexagonal grid, or even a non-regular arrangement.

Since the arch attachment 1 has to be adapted to the arch 21 (and its dimensions) in essential parts, a person skilled in the art will select the respective specific dimensions from the above ranges, in particular with the widths of the second grip surface 8 and the second section 14, that playability of the entire length of the cover 24 of the sheet 21 should be guaranteed, and accordingly this should not extend as far as the cover 24. Of course, there will also be an adaptation to the respective sheet size (1/1 sheet, 3/4 sheet, 1/2 sheet, ...).

In terms of the length dimensions, it is preferred that the length of the first grip surface 10 and / or the sum of the lengths of the stabilization surface 6, second grip surface 8 and tab 4 equal the length of the carrier element 2.

Regarding the shape of the individual components, in particular the individual surfaces, i.e. stabilization surface, first and second grip surface, first and second section of the first grip surface, of the arch attachment, it should be noted that this has a shape other than that shown in the figures (rectangle, rounded) (Rectangle, rounded) can have. For example, it is conceivable to round corners, to make the surfaces trapezoidal, triangular, in the form of a general square, or to round off individual edges of the surfaces. Any other desired shape is also possible; the person skilled in the art will select this accordingly together with the necessary dimensions. The dimensions given above then represent a mean or maximum dimension / extent of the respective component of the arch attachment.

The second section (14) of the first gripping surface (10) tapers in the direction of the second fastening element (16). This is exemplified in Fig. 3 shown, otherwise the Fig. 1 corresponds to. The width of the second section (14), as before, between 1 cm and 5 cm, preferably between 2 cm and 3 cm, on the wider side between 0.3 cm and 2.0 cm, preferably between 0.8 cm and 1.5 cm, on the narrower side.

Figure 5 which are similar to the Figure 4 is, represents a further embodiment of the Arch attachment in a longitudinal view. This embodiment largely corresponds to the embodiment described above; With the exception of the difference mentioned below, the above description is also valid here. Again, a tab 40 is arranged adjacent to the second gripping surface 8 on the longitudinal side of the carrier element 2. The only difference to the tab 4 of the above embodiment is that the tab 40 of this embodiment, when placed on the arch, does not extend essentially perpendicular to the second grip surface 8, but rather forms an angle α with the second grip surface 8 that is between 110 ° and 150 °. The flap 40 thus extends further upwards from the bow, so that a configuration suitable for low strings, for example cello, is formed.

In an alternative arrangement not according to the invention, the tab can overlap somewhat with the carrier element 2. The tab is then no longer arranged on a longitudinal side of the carrier element 2, but approximately in a center of the carrier element 2. This alternative arrangement is shown in FIG Figure 5 represented by a tab 42 drawn with dashed lines (the tab 40 drawn with solid lines is then correspondingly omitted). Otherwise, the above in connection with FIG. 4 applies to the tab 42 with an alternative arrangement Figure 5 With respect to the tab 40 stated. In relation to the longitudinal direction, the tab 42 is located with an alternative arrangement between the second gripping surface 8 and the second fastening element 16. The angle α measured at the position where the (alternative) tab 42 is attached to the carrier element 2 (which is not shown again) is determined accordingly between a plane that runs in the tab 42 and a plane that runs parallel to the second gripping surface 8.

In a further embodiment, the tab can be provided with knobs.

List of reference symbols

1

Arch attachment

2

Support element

4th

Tab

6th

Stabilization surface

8th

second grip surface

10

first grip surface

12th

first section

14th

second part

16

second fastening element

18th

first fastening element

21

arc

22nd

Bow pole

24

reference

26th

Bow frog

28

Frog screw

40

Tab

42

Tab, with an alternative arrangement

α

Angle between tab and second grip surface

Claims (8)

1. Bow attachment (1) made of an elastic material for a bow of a stringed instrument, wherein the bow attachment is made of an elastomer, comprising:

   an oblong support element (2), which has been adapted to lie on a grip end of the bow stick, and which essentially has the shape of an arc when viewed in the longitudinal direction;

   a first and a second fastening element (16, 18), which are attached to the two ends of the oblong support element,

   wherein the first fastening element (18) is adapted to be attached to the bow-stick end, and the second fastening element (16) is adapted to be attached to the bow stick;

   a first grip surface (10) attached to a first longitudinal side of the support element;

   a stabilizing surface (6) and a second grip surface (8), which are attached to a second longitudinal side of the support element opposite the first grip surface;

   wherein a first section (12) of the first grip surface and the stabilizing surface (6) are adapted to be at least partially attached to opposite sides of a bow frog, wherein the first section (12) of the first grip surface and the stabilizing surface (6) are arranged adjacent to the first fastening element (18);

   wherein a second section (14) of the first grip surface and the second grip surface (8) are adapted at least partially to lie on opposite sides of the bow stick and each have a width perpendicular to the longitudinal side of the support element, which are adapted to be less than the distance of tensioned bow hair to a top side of the bow rod, wherein the second section (14) of the first grip surface is arranged adjacent to the second fastening element (16) and the second grip surface (8) is arranged adjacent to the stabilizing surface (6),

   and wherein the support element (2), the stabilizing surface (6) and the first and second grip surfaces (8, 10) are provided with nubs;

   characterized in that

   the support element (2) has a length within a range of 8 cm - 20 cm, a width within a range of 0.5 cm - 2.0 cm, and a thickness within a range of 0.05 cm - 0.5 cm, and the thicknesses of the stabilizing surface (6) and the first and second grip surfaces (8, 10) are within a range of 0.05 cm - 0.2 cm, wherein the thickness of the support element (2) is greater than the thickness of the stabilizing surface (6) and of the first and second grip surfaces (8, 10); and

   the support element (2) on the second longitudinal side between the second grip surface (8) and the second fastening element (16) has a lug (4), which is arranged adjacent to the second fastening element (16) and which is set up in such a way that it extends essentially perpendicular to the second grip surface (8) in the set-up state on the bow or extends at an angle (α) between 110° and 150° to the second grip surface (8).
2. Bow attachment (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the support element (2) on the side, which is adapted to lie on the bow, has a recess in the form of a region with reduced thickness.
3. Bow attachment (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the nubs have a diameter of 0.1 cm - 1.0 cm, preferably 0.3 cm - 0.7 cm, being furthermore preferred, 0.5 cm, a height of 0.1 cm - 1.0 cm, preferably 0.3 cm - 0.7 cm, being furthermore preferred 0.5 cm, and a distance of one to two times the diameter of the nubs, thereby being measured as the distance of the centre points of the nubs.
4. Bow attachment (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the elastic material of the bow attachment has a hardness between Shore-A 40 und Shore-A 94, preferably between Shore-A 40 and Shore-A 60,
5. Bow attachment (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bow attachment (1) is made as a single piece.
6. Bow attachment (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second fastening means (16, 18) are adapted to be engaged with the bow-stick end or the bow stick.
7. Bow attachment (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the stabilizing surface (6), the first and second section (12, 14) of the first grip surface, the second grip surface (8) and the lug (4) each have a shape that has been selected from the following: Rectangle, trapezoid, triangle, general square, rectangle with rounded corners and/or edges, trapezoid with rounded corners and/or edges, triangle with rounded corners and/or edges, general square with rounded corners and/or edges.
8. Bow attachment (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second section (14) of the first grip surface (10) tapers in the direction of the second fastening element (16), wherein the width of the second section (14) decreases from a range of 1 cm - 5 cm, preferably 2 cm - 3 cm, to a range of 0.3 cm - 2.0 cm, preferably 0.8 cm - 1.5 cm.

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