John E Sherlock

US Patent:

6420639, Jul 16, 2002

Filed:

Jan 17, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/744070

Inventors:

John Sherlock - Palo Alto CA 95062

International Classification:

G10D 300

US Classification:

84313, 84298, 84299, 84307

Abstract:

A vibrato apparatus ( ) for a stringed instrument ( ), the instrument having a body ( ) and a neck ( ) extending from the body, the apparatus comprising, tuning elements ( ) on the neck and a bridge member on the body ( ) to demarcate a string plane and a vibrating portion of the strings which extend in a longitudinal direction in the string plane. The vibrato apparatus ( ) is secured on and is pivotal about a pivot axis which is essentially parallel to but distanced from the string plane and transversely oriented in the longitudinal direction. A plurality of vertically pivoting rocker arms ( ) each securing the body end ( ) of a respective string and operably secured to a lever which is resistibly secured to a spring and to the vibrato member. A slug tuning element ( ) allows for vertical adjustments of the plurality of rocker arms ( ) so that by varying a lever moment of the lever the plurality of rocker arms are each selectively moved thereby altering the tuning of the strings. A bus bar ( ) is operably linked to the lever ( ) by a switch linkage ( ) which allows for independent control of tuning and pitch for each string by selective pivoting of the vibrato member.

US Patent:

60875704, Jul 11, 2000

Filed:

Aug 11, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/909386

Inventors:

John Sherlock - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G01D 304

US Classification:

84307

Abstract:

A vibrato apparatus for a stringed instrument, the instrument having a body and a neck extending from the body, the apparatus comprising, tuning elements on the neck and a bridge member on the body to demarcate a string plane and a vibrating portion of the strings which extend in a longitudinal direction in the string plane. A vibrato member is secured on and is pivotal about a pivot axis which is essentially parallel to but distanced from the string plane and transversely oriented in the longitudinal direction. A plurality of vertically pivoting rocker arms each securing the body end of a respective string and operably secured to a lever which is resistibly secured to a spring and to the vibrato member. A slug tuning element allows for vertical adjustments of the plurality of rocker arms so that by varying a lever moment of the lever the plurality of rocker arms are each selectively moved thereby altering the tuning of the strings. A bus bar is operably linked to the lever by a switch linkage which allows for independent control of tuning and pitch for each string by selective pivoting of the vibrato member.