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WO1985001376A1 - Sourdine amelioree pour instruments a cordes - Google Patents

Sourdine amelioree pour instruments a cordes Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1985001376A1
WO1985001376A1 PCT/US1983/001407 US8301407W WO8501376A1 WO 1985001376 A1 WO1985001376 A1 WO 1985001376A1 US 8301407 W US8301407 W US 8301407W WO 8501376 A1 WO8501376 A1 WO 8501376A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
engaging
bridge
engaging surface
holder
mute
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US1983/001407
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Richard Goldner
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to EP19830903142 priority Critical patent/EP0156797A4/fr
Priority to JP58503204A priority patent/JPS60502229A/ja
Priority to PCT/US1983/001407 priority patent/WO1985001376A1/fr
Publication of WO1985001376A1 publication Critical patent/WO1985001376A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10D—STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACCORDIONS OR CONCERTINAS; PERCUSSION MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; AEOLIAN HARPS; SINGING-FLAME MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10D3/00—Details of, or accessories for, stringed musical instruments, e.g. slide-bars
    • G10D3/046—Mutes; Mute holders

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for the muting of the sound of stringed instruments and, in particular , to an improved mute which overcomes the disadvantages inherent in prior art muting devices.
  • the muting of the sound of stringed instruments is an effect in musical performance frequently used by composers . Muting is achieved by partially impeding the transmission of the energy of the oscillating strings through the bridge of the resonating body of the instrument. Muting is achieved by temporarily (for the duration of the muted effect) increasing the mass of the bridge by adding to such bridge a muting device. Such devices are well known to musicians of stringed instruments.
  • muting devices comprise either a prong-like structure which is wedged onto the bridge of the string instrument or a device which is slideably attached to the strings between the bridge and the tail piece so as to permanently remain on the instrument. Both types of devices have serious disadvantages.
  • the prong ⁇ like structures must be firmly wedged over the bridge so as not to "buzz” or rattle during the playing of the instrument. Care must be taken so that none of the prongs contact any of the strings. Also, there is the danger that -2-
  • Mutes which are slideably attached to the strings between the bridge and the tail piece are generally more convenient and have negligible projection above the bridge so that they are not readily dislodged or knocked off by the bow hand of a musician.
  • Such devices have a considerable disadvantage in that the frequent sliding on the strings to achieve the muted effect is destructive of the string windings. Is is not uncommon during the playing of the instrument to carelessly move the device so as to either dislodge it or knock down the bridge resulting in serious damage to the stringed instrument.
  • the prongs should automatically adjust to any thickness and taper of any bridge so as to remain snuggly and completely in contact with both surfaces of the bridge. The present invention achieves this objective.
  • an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages associated with conventional mute devices and to provide a mute which affords beautifully muted sounds while retaining the intrinsic quality of the instrument itself .
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide a mute which is easily placed on or removed from the bridge of the stringed instrument and which maintains a very low projection with respect to said bridge. The quality and degree of muting can be precisely effected by the mass and configuration of the mute.
  • It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mute which automatically centers and stabilizes so as to avoid touching any of the strings in the playing area while retaining full engagement with the bridge even during the heaviest playing of double stops and chords.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide a mute which can, if desired, have multiple selected degrees -4-
  • Still another objective is to design a mute such that it can remain permanently on the instrument, can be safely guided from a resting position near the tail piece to the operative position on the bridge and also can be removed from the instrument in a split second.
  • the fast and easy removal is desirable because most soloists prefer to be able to remove a mute from the instrument for pieces of music which do not require a mute.
  • the present invention provides a mute which easily fits onto the bridge of stringed instruments .
  • the present invention provides a mute which comprises a holder and a first engaging surface that is adapted to engage or grip a major surface of a bridge.
  • a second engaging surface is provided which is movably positionable such that it may abut either the first engaging surface or the opposite major surface of the instrument bridge.
  • a means is provided for mounting the first and second engaging surfaces to the holder .
  • a biasing means is attached to the holder such that the first and second engaging surfaces are biased toward one another with sufficient force to retain the mute on the bridge and to adapt the orientation of the first and second engaging surfaces to the orientation of the two major surfaces of the bridge.
  • the holder includes a pair of engaging surfaces. Additionally the holder contains a slot extending transverse to its pair of engaging surfaces. Into the slot is inserted a member with two additional engaging surfaces either of which is adapted to abut a major surface of the instrument bridge. The lower extremity of the inserted member may have an elongated dimension transverse to the longitudinal direction of the instrument strings which exceeds the spacing between adjacent strings to facilitate the positioning of the mute.
  • a biasing means comprising a doubled-baek resilent strip may be retained in the holder by engagement with the transverse slot to bias engaging surfaces of the inserted member toward facing engaging surfaces of the holder to secure the mute onto the bridge.
  • the invention provides a mute which comprises a holder including a first engaging surface adapted to engage or grip a major surface of the bridge.
  • a second engaging surface is movably positioned within the holder such that it may abut the first engaging surface of the holder or the opposite major surface the instrument bridge.
  • a biasing means is confined within the holder to bias the second engaging surface towards the first engaging surface to clamp the mute onto the instrument bridge.
  • a confining means is included to confine the biasing means and the second engaging surface within the holder . The confining means permits pivotal movement of the second engaging surface within the holder such that it may automatically be oriented parallel to its engaged major surface of the instrument bridge, but not necessarily parallel to the first engaging surface.
  • OMPI iVATIO In various embodiments of the present invention it is preferable to include facilities for eontrollably adding mass to the mute to control the degree of muting which results. Accordingly the mute, which is normally fabricated from an elastomeric or plastic material, may have additional mass in the form of metal embedded in the member containing the second engaging surface of the mute. In the case where two movable engaging surface supporting members are utilized, the added masses may be different for each to provide the different degrees of muting described above. Further, because the mutes according to the present invention may be physically quite small, heavy muting may be achieved by adding mass to the engaging surfaces which are attached to the holder .
  • the mutes of the present invention provide a most beautiful muted sound which retains the intrinsic quality of the stringed instrument.
  • the small size, pivotable orientation of engaging surfaces, and secure retention characteristics due to the biasing means provides a mute that retains full engagement with the instrument bridge during periods of heaviest playing such as double stops and chords.
  • Figure 1 is an perspective view of a violin showing the placement of a mute on the violin bridge in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a perspective side view of a preferred embodiment of the mute in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 3 is an elevated end view of the mute shown in Figure 2 attached to a violin bridge;
  • Figure 4 is a side view of a mute according to the present invention having a single slideable and pivotable member supporting a bridge engaging surface;
  • Figure 5 is an end view of the mute shown in Figure 4 attached to a violin bridge;
  • Figure 6 is a perspective view of the mute shown in Figure 4 with the confining means removed for purposes of clarity;
  • Figure 7 is a mute according to the present invention having a pair of slideable and pivotable members, each supporting engaging surfaces to provide two degrees of muting.
  • a violin 10 including a resonating body portion 12 , a bridge 14 , a tail piece 16 , and a plurality of strings 18 extended longitudinally thereacross.
  • a mute 20 according to the present invention is shown in its operational position atop the bridge 14 of violin 10.
  • mute 20 includes a holder 22 having a pair of opposed arms 24 and 26 depending therefrom. Arms 24 and 26 form and support a pair of facing engaging surfaces 28 and 30 , respectively, which are adapted to grip the bridge 14.
  • Within the top section of holder 22 between opposed arms 24 and 26 is an elongated transverse slot 32.
  • a tab end portion 34 of an engaging member 36 is inserted and retained in slot 32.
  • Engaging member 36 also includes a body portion 38 which forms and supports a pair of opposed surfaces 40 and 42, oriented to face engaging surfaces 28 and 30 , respectively, and a pair of lower protusions 44 and 46 which extend in a direction generally normal to the strings 18 when the mute 20 is engaged to bridge 14 in its operational position.
  • Protusions 44 and 46 each include an upper guide surface 48 and 50 , respectively, for purposes to be discussed more fully below.
  • Biasing means 52 is secured to holder 22 between arms 24 and 26 in any convenient manner .
  • biasing means 52 may comprise a doubled-back elongated strip of resilient material, e. g. , rubber or plastic, having a pair of tabs 54 and 56 at the ends thereof for insertion and retention in slot 32.
  • biasing means 52 may also comprise other conventional spring-like mechanisms conveniently oriented between arms 24 and 26.
  • Biasing means 52 forms and supports a pair of oppositely facing engaging surfaces 58 and 60 , and serves to simultaneously bias:
  • biasing means 52 also includes radiused edge surfaces 62 and 64 generally normal to engaging surfaces 58 and 60 , as best shown in Figure 3.
  • the mute 20 is commonly oriented in one of two stationary positions; an operational position atop the bridge 14 as best shown in Figures 1 and 3 , and a rest or non- operational position (not shown) adjacent the tail piece 16 of violin 10.
  • the mute 20 is generally associated to the violin 10 by turning the mute 20 so that protusions 44 and 46 of engaging member 36 extend generally parallel to strings 10 , inserting protusions 44 and 46 between and below adjacent selected ones of strings 18 , and turning mute 20 again to the general relative orientation shown in
  • FIG. 1 whereby the extension of protusions 44 and 46 to a distance greater than the distance between adjacent ones of strings 18 loosely retains mute 20 in position on violin 10.
  • the mute 20 conveniently adopts a position adjacent the tail piece 16 due to the downward slope of strings 18 , which position is herein referred to as the rest position .
  • the mute 20 provides no muting effect while in the rest position, maintains a low
  • OMPI profile to avoid disruption of play, and remains conveniently available for rapid deployment into its operational position without requiring the player to divert his eyes to determine its position.
  • a player familiar with the operation of mute 20 may quickly reach to the rest position, grasp the mute 20 adjacent holder 22 , and eontrollably move mute 20 toward bridge 14 with the upper guide surfaces 48 and 50 of engaging member 36 sliding along the lower surfaces of adjacent ones of strings 18.
  • the mute 20 is maintained automatically between the selected strings 18 during its course from the rest position toward the operational position and is prevented from being inadvertently pulled off the instrument by the action of the guide surfaces 48 and 50.
  • the engaging member 36 is preferably formed of a resilient rubber or plastic material, no danger exists of damaging strings 18 during the passage of guide surfaces 48 and 50 thereacross .
  • mute 20 in accordance with the present invention includes the distinct advantage of providing a plurality of different degrees of muting effect from the same device.
  • each of the engaging surface-sets is provided with differing amounts of contact areas with the major surfaces of bridge 14.
  • the contact area provided by engaging surface-set 60 - 40 is greater than that provided by engaging surface-set 42 - 30 , which in turn is greater than that provided by engaging surface-set 28 - 58. Accordingly, a player is provided with great flexibility in selecting the degree of muting desired.
  • the mute 20 Upon biasing a selected engaging surface-set over the bridge 14, the mute 20 conveniently automatically centers itself between its adjacent strings 18 through the action of the radiused edge surfaces 62 and 64 of biasing means 52.
  • both engaging member 36 and biasing means 52 are so retained within slot 32 that each is movable both longitudinally and pivotally relative to holder
  • any selected engaging surface set automatically aligns itself with the angular relationship of the major surfaces of the bridge to which it is engaged, thereby assuring full contact area engagement with a resulting consistent degree of muting effect and an assured level of frictional engagement to the bridge to avoid inadvertent disengagement of the mute 20 during vigorous play.
  • a second embodiment of the invention including a mute 70 having a holder 72 from which an arm 74 depends.
  • Arm 74 forms and supports an engaging surface 76 on its inboard side.
  • a second, generally L-shaped arm 78 also depends from holder 72 opposite from arm 74, to movably and pivotally retain an insert member 80 therebetween.
  • Insert member 80 forms and supports an engaging surface 82 in facing relation to engaging surface 76
  • biasing means 84 is positioned between arm 78 and insert member 80 to bias engaging surface 82 toward engaging surface 76.
  • engaging surfaces 76 and 82 each include radiused lower edge portions to facilitate the sliding entry of a bridge 14 therebetween, and also preferably insert member 80 includes additional radiused corner portions, e. g. , corner 86 , to facilitate pivotal motion thereof within the confines of arm 78 and holder 72.
  • biasing means 84 may be conveniently formed of a section of resilient tubing material of a suitable dimension .
  • mute 70 also includes confining means 88 which conveniently snaps onto the lower section of arm 78 and retains the insert member 80 and biasing means 84 within the confines of holder 72 and arm 78 , while not limiting pivotal or longitudinal movement thereof.
  • a weighted element 89 may be interchangably mounted within the inserted member 80 , whereby its mass and thereby the degree of muting effect realized may be conveniently adjusted.
  • a plurality of insert members 80 each having different mass, may be conveniently provided to alter the degree of muting achieved.
  • the mute 70 is conveniently mounted on the instrument by biasing the major surfaces of bridge 14 between engaging surfaces 76 and 82 , with the characteristic cross sectional configuration of confining means 88 being provided to avoid undesirable engagement with adjacent strings.
  • the common non-parallel orientation of the major surfaces of bridge 14 presents troublesome difficulties.
  • a third embodiment of the invention including a mute 90 having a holder 92, a pair of depending arms 94 and 96 , a pair of insert member 98 and 100 , and a biasing means 102 positioned between insert members 98 and 100 to bias each toward its adjacent arm 94 and 96 , respectively.
  • a confining means 104 is provided to retain the insert members 98 and 100 and biasing means 102 in position relative to holder 92.
  • each of insert members 98 and 100 are movably and pivotally mounted, whereby two alternative sets of bridge engaging surfaces exist. Differing degrees of muting effect may be thus, provided by varying the masses of weighted elements 106 and 108 which are positioned within insert members 98 and 100 , respectively.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Stringed Musical Instruments (AREA)

Abstract

Sourdine améliorée (20) pour instruments à cordes. L'invention comprend un support (22) et une première surface de prise (30) en contact avec une des surfaces principales du chevalet d'un instrument à cordes tel un violon. Au moins une deuxième surface de prise (42) peut être positionnée de manière mobile par rapport à la première surface de prise, de sorte qu'elle peut s'appuyer soit contre l'autre surface de prise soit contre la surface principale opposée du chevalet. Des organes (32, 34) permettent de monter les surfaces en prise sur le support pour qu'elles se trouvent généralement l'une en face de l'autre et qu'elles soient mobiles et pivotantes. Des organes (52) permettent également de solliciter la première surface de prise contre la deuxième surface de prise avec une force suffisante pour maintenir la sourdine sur le chevalet.
PCT/US1983/001407 1983-09-16 1983-09-16 Sourdine amelioree pour instruments a cordes Ceased WO1985001376A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19830903142 EP0156797A4 (fr) 1983-09-16 1983-09-16 Sourdine amelioree pour instruments a cordes.
JP58503204A JPS60502229A (ja) 1983-09-16 1983-09-16 弦楽器用改良弱音器
PCT/US1983/001407 WO1985001376A1 (fr) 1983-09-16 1983-09-16 Sourdine amelioree pour instruments a cordes

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1983/001407 WO1985001376A1 (fr) 1983-09-16 1983-09-16 Sourdine amelioree pour instruments a cordes

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1985001376A1 true WO1985001376A1 (fr) 1985-03-28

Family

ID=22175439

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1983/001407 Ceased WO1985001376A1 (fr) 1983-09-16 1983-09-16 Sourdine amelioree pour instruments a cordes

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0156797A4 (fr)
JP (1) JPS60502229A (fr)
WO (1) WO1985001376A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2626820A (en) * 2023-02-03 2024-08-07 Perry Montague Mason A mute for a stringed instrument
WO2024161370A1 (fr) 2023-02-03 2024-08-08 Montague Mason Perry Sourdine pour instrument à cordes

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US417292A (en) * 1889-12-17 Muffling attachment for violins
US551067A (en) * 1895-12-10 Mute for string-instruments
US2363350A (en) * 1944-02-11 1944-11-21 Walter P Nail Tool for servicing battery terminals
US2483268A (en) * 1947-07-10 1949-09-27 Fawick Flexi Grip Co Mute for musical instruments
US3994196A (en) * 1975-08-01 1976-11-30 Hamil David W Mute for stringed instrument

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1721826A (en) * 1921-01-13 1929-07-23 Edwin Hopkins Violin mute
US2495343A (en) * 1946-02-26 1950-01-24 Ohab Stanley Mute for string instruments
US3489051A (en) * 1968-03-18 1970-01-13 Sidney A Weiss Mute for stringed instruments
US3552255A (en) * 1969-05-26 1971-01-05 Henryk Kaston Mute for stringed instruments

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US417292A (en) * 1889-12-17 Muffling attachment for violins
US551067A (en) * 1895-12-10 Mute for string-instruments
US2363350A (en) * 1944-02-11 1944-11-21 Walter P Nail Tool for servicing battery terminals
US2483268A (en) * 1947-07-10 1949-09-27 Fawick Flexi Grip Co Mute for musical instruments
US3994196A (en) * 1975-08-01 1976-11-30 Hamil David W Mute for stringed instrument

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of EP0156797A4 *

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2626820A (en) * 2023-02-03 2024-08-07 Perry Montague Mason A mute for a stringed instrument
WO2024161370A1 (fr) 2023-02-03 2024-08-08 Montague Mason Perry Sourdine pour instrument à cordes
GB2628882A (en) * 2023-02-03 2024-10-09 Perry Montague Mason A mute for a stringed instrument

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS60502229A (ja) 1985-12-19
EP0156797A1 (fr) 1985-10-09
EP0156797A4 (fr) 1986-11-10

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