USOO82225 03B2

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 8,222,503 B2

Aspri (45) Date of Patent: Jul. 17, 2012
(54) SOUND REVERBERATOR DEVICE FOR 5,581,043 A * 12/1996 Bowar ............................ 84,291
DETACHABLE CONNECTION TO THE s s f 38 N. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.
s’ s IIl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
STRINGS OF ASTRING MUSICAL 7,855,330 B2 * 12/2010 Lyles etal 84,297 R
INSTRUMENT 7.977.565 B1* 7/2011 Lye ................................. 84f723
2010/0083806 A1* 4/2010 Peavey ............................ 84,294
(76) Inventor: Roberto Aspri, Montréal (CA) 2011/0277614 A1* 1 1/2011 Aspri .............................. 84,294
* cited by examiner
(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this y
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 Primary Examiner — Elvin G Enad
U.S.C. 154(b) by 134 days. Assistant Examiner — Robert W Horn
(21) Appl. No.: 12/777,307 (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Norton Rose Canada LLP
(22) Filed: May 11, 2010 (57) ABSTRACT
A sound reverberator device for detachable connection to the
(65) Prior Publication Data strings of a string musical instrument which has strings ten
US 2011 FO277614 A1 Nov. 17, 2011 Sioned over a bridge piece connected to the top wall of the
sound box or the instrument. The reverberator comprises
(51) Int. Cl. three spaced apart metal coil springs secured side-by-side at a
GOD 3/02 (2006.01) common end to a spring Support. A metallic String attachment
member is secured to a free end of each of the springs. The
(52) U.S. Cl. ......................................................... 84/294 ttachment ber has stri ing fi F gs.
(58) Field of Classification Search ..................... 820 allacnment member nas string engaging Ingers Ior engaging
See application file for complete search histo a respective one of a pair of adjacent strings of the musical
pp p ry. instrument. The attachment member further has a bridge
(56) References Cited abutment portion for contact with the bridge piece. When the
reverberator is connected to the musical instrument, the
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS springs are tensioned with the attachment member connected
231,084 A * 8, 1880 Peake ............................. 84/295
to the strings whereby vibrations imparted to the strings will
685,920 A * 11/1901 Heck ... ... 84,294 be transmitted to the bridge piece and the associated spring.
936,624 A * 10/1909 Hale ... 84,297 R The spring will then vibrate and transmit its vibrations to the
1,513,159 A * 10/1924 Cremer ........................... 84,295 sound box through the bridge piece whereby to modify the
1,539,961 A * 6/1925 Scott ... ... 181 (181 tonality Sound generated by the Soundbox. A sound damping
1,560.372 A * 1 1/1925 Berge ... ... 84,270 device also provides progressive Sound damping produced by
1,588,730 A * 6/1926 Hessel ... ... 84,294
4,762,046 A * 8/1988 Asprietal. ... ... 84,294 the springs.
D314.968 S * 2/1991 Asprietal. ...... D17.20
5,567,895 A * 10/1996 Asprietal. ..................... 84,294 9 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets

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U.S. Patent Jul. 17, 2012 Sheet 5 of 6 US 8,222,503 B2

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U.S. Patent Jul. 17, 2012 Sheet 6 of 6 US 8,222,503 B2
 US 8,222,503 B2
1. 2
SOUND REVERBERATORDEVICE FOR of the sound generated by the sound box. Variable sound
DETACHABLE CONNECTION TO THE damping means is displaceably Supported from a non-sound
STRINGS OF ASTRING MUSICAL damping position to a progressively sound damping position.
INSTRUMENT
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
TECHNICAL FIELD
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now
The present invention relates to a sound reverberator be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in
device which is detachably securable to the Strings of a string which:
musical instrument whereby the vibrations imparted to the 10 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a string instrument to which
strings will be transmitted to springs contained in the device is secured the sound reverberator device of the present inven
with the spring vibration being transmitted into the soundbox tion;
of the musical instrument through the bridge piece whereby FIG. 2 is a side view of the sound instrument showing the
to enhance the Sound generated by the Sound box. manner in which the sound reverberator device of the present
15 invention is installed;
BACKGROUND ART FIG. 3 is a elongated side section view of the sound rever
berator device;
It is well known that in order to enhance the tonality of a FIG. 4 is a front view of the sound reverberator device;
Sound box of a musical instrument, to incorporate within the FIG. 5 is section of the sound reverberator device showing
Sound box a large spring which can respond to the vibrations its installation on the top wall of the sound box of a musical
of the strings of the musical instrument to give maximum instrument and its manner of attachment thereto;
resonant effect and amplify and modify the tones generated FIG. 6 is a enlarged fragmented view of one form of attach
by plucking, frictioning, stricking or otherwise vibrating the ment ember;
strings of the instrument. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another form of the attach
It is known to secure large springs to a frame to Suspend the 25 ment member;
springs vertically above the Strings of the instrument over the FIG. 8 is a fragmented side view of the sound box of a
top wall of the sound box and at a location, in front of the modified String musical instrument showing the Sound rever
bridge piece. A loop at the free end of the springs connects berator device of the present invention as connected thereto
directly to two strings and vibrates with the strings to enhance by utilizing the attachment member of FIG. 7:
the sound of the instrument. The device can be easily removed 30 FIG. 9 is a front view of the sound reverberator device of
or disconnected if the original Sound of the musical instru FIG. 8 showing the attachment members secured to the
ment is required. However, this device has many disadvan strings of a western type guitar;
tages, in that it is unsightly, it does not provide good attach FIG. 10 is a elongated side section view of a modified
ment of the springs to the strings, it is difficult to install, is sound reverberator device of the present invention;
cumbersome, and also it provides obstruction to the area of 35 FIG. 11 is a partly fragmented end view showing the man
the instrument where the user must place his hand to pluck or ner of adjustably securing the hinge clamp to the side walls of
otherwise activate the strings to vibrate them. the housing:
FIG. 12 is a perspective schematic view showing the con
SUMMARY OF INVENTION struction of a further embodiment of a hinge clamp;
40 FIG. 13A is a fragmented section view showing the con
It is a feature of the present invention to provide an struction of a Sound damping mechanism secured to the hous
improved sound reverberator device. ing of the metal springs secured in the reverberator housing
Another feature of the present invention is to provide a showing the damping means in a non-sound damping posi
sound reverberator device which is detachably connectable to tion;
the strings of a string instrument, which is not cumbersome, 45 FIG. 13B is a view similar to FIG. 13A showing the sound
which is aesthetically pleasing, which is easy to install, and damping mechanism in a maximum sound damping position;
which greatly enhances the tonality of the Sound emanating FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional end view showing the construc
from the sound box of the instrument and wherein sound tion of the Sound damping mechanism;
damping can be progressively adjusted. FIG. 15 is a fragmented top view showing the construction
According to the above feature, from a broad aspect, the 50 of the finger engaging slide member secured to the Support of
present invention provides a sound reverberator device for the sound damping pad and its displacement relative to guide
detachable connection to the strings of a string musical instru slots provided in the top wall of the housing:
ment having strings tensioned over a bridge piece connected FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the ramp forming part of
to a top wall of the sound box of the instrument. The rever the Sound damping mechanism; and
berator comprises three spaced-apart metal coil springs 55 FIG.17 is a fragmented side view showing the construction
secured side-by-side at a common end to a spring Support. A of a connecting jack secured to the springs and to a transducer
metallic String attachment member is secured to a free end of and an amplifier for amplifying the Sound of the springs in the
each of the springs. The attachment member has string engag sound reverberator of the present invention.
ing means for engaging a respective one of a pair of adjacent
strings of the musical instrument. The attachment member 60 DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
further has a bridge abutment portion for contact with the EMBODIMENTS
bridge piece. Means is provided to tension the springs with
the attachment member connected to the Strings whereby Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to
vibrations imparted to the strings will be transmitted to the FIG. 1 there is shown generally at 10 the sound reverberator
bridge piece and associated spring. The spring being vibrated 65 device of the present invention as secured to a string musical
by the associated Strings, transmits its vibration to the Sound instrument, herein a classical guitar 11. As herein shown, the
box through the bridge piece whereby to modify the tonality sound reverberator device 10 is connected to the strings 12 of
 US 8,222,503 B2
3 4
the guitar and disposed rearwardly of the bridge piece 13 37 also act as a wedge against the bottom rear edge 13' of the
located rearwardly of the opening 14 of the soundbox 15. The bridge piece 13. A rubberized cover 38 is disposed over these
sound reverberator device 10 is secured to the strings 12, as legs at a free end thereof to prevent slippage of the housing. A
will be described later and retained flat over the top wall 15 of rubber support pad 39 is also secured to the outer surface 26
the sound box by a clamp 16. 5 of the bottom wall 26 to abut the top wall 15 of the soundbox
Referring now additionally to FIGS. 3 to 6, the sound to also prevent slippage of the housing and maintains the
reverberator of the present comprises essentially three, housing elevated above the top wall 15 when the rear end
spaced-apart, metal coil springs 17 which are secured at a rear portion of the housing 20 is disposed against this top wall 15'.
end 18 to a support, herein constituted by the rear wall 19 of This is not the case as shown in the installation of FIG. 5.
the housing 20. A metallic string attachment member 21 is 10 With the sound reverberator device 10 positioned at loca
secured to a loop end 17" of the spring 17 at a forward end tion 10", as shown in FIG. 2, the housing is then drawn
thereof and when not connected to the strings, abut against a rearwardly and downwardly in the direction of arrow 36 and
front edge 23 of two dividing walls 22 disposed on each side this causes the springs 17 to be stretched to their position as
of the center spring 17". The walls 22 isolate the springs from shown in FIG.5 freeing the spring connecting flange 31 from
one another. The housing 20 protects and conceals the springs 15 its engagement with the slots 23' formed in the front edge of
and is preferably constructed of a plastic material and as the dividing walls 22. The clamp 16 is then engaged with the
herein shown, consists of a top wall 24, opposed side walls 25 rear end wall 11 of the musical instrument by either position
and bottom wall 26. The front end of the housing is opened for ing the flange portion 16' of the clamp under the bottom wall
access to the springs and permit for the springs to be stretched. 11" of the housing or by attaching it to the knob 39 as secured
The springs 17 are normally tensioned between their front the rear wall 11 of a western type guitar, as shown in FIG. 8.
end and rear end connections although this is not essential as The clamp 16 as shown in FIG. 8 is of course shaped differ
the tension can be adjusted by other means as will be ently from that as shown in FIG. 2, but obvious to a person
described later. skilled in the art.
The string attachment member 21, as more clearly shown With the sound reverberator device 20 installed as shown in
in fragmented view in FIG. 6, is provided with a string engag 25 FIG.5, the tension applied on the spring connecting flange 31,
ing means in the form of two spaced-apart contact fingers 28 in the direction of arrow 40, imparts an upward force in the
and 28' which are formed integrally at the free end of a bridge direction of arrow 41 onto the contact fingers 28 to provide
attachment portion 29. This bridge attachment portion 29 is a good frictional contact with its associated Strings 12. Thus,
narrow rib dimensioned to fit between a pair of strings, in when a string 12 is plucked, it imparts a vibration which is
non-obstructing relationship thereto and projects from the 30 transmitted to the sound box via the string support bridge 35
bottom edge of a spring connecting wall or arm 30. This of the bridge piece 13 but this vibration is also transmitted to
connecting arm 30 is connected and formed integral with a the spring 17 via the bridge abutment portion 29 and the
unitary spring connecting flange 31 provided with three spring connecting arm 30 and flange 31. The spring is thus set
spaced-apart holes 32 to which a respective one of the springs into vibration and this spring vibration is also transmitted
17 is attached. Accordingly, there are three spring connecting 35 back to the sound box 15 through the support bridge 35 and
arms 30 disposed side-by-side and depending from the spring the bridge piece 13. This added vibration provides a resonant
connecting flange 31. Sound and amplify, give Volume, prolong and further modify
As seen more clearly in FIGS. 4 and 6, the fingers 28 and the tones usually generated by the vibrated string of the
28' depend downwardly from the bridge abutment portion and instrument.
then are flared outwardly in opposed directions and in align 40 Referring now to FIGS. 7 to 10, there is shown a modified
ment with one another. When the sound reverberator device version of the attachment member. As shown more clearly in
10 is not in use, the spring connecting flange 31 is retained FIG. 7, the attachment member, herein designated by refer
within a retention slot 23' formed within the front edge 23 of ence numeral 21", is a generally u-shaped, narrow flat strip,
the dividing walls 22 and by the pulling force exerted by the member having opposed side arms 42 and 42" and a top
tension in the spring 17. 45 intermediate integral top arm portion 43. A contact finger 44
Referring now more specifically to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, there is formed in a forward free edge portion of each of the side
will be described the manner in which the sound reverberator arms 42 and 42 by an outwardly extending integral flange
device of the present invention is secured to the strings and the which depends from the lower edge 45 to fit under the strings,
Soundbox of a string musical instrument Such as the guitar 11. as previously described with reference to contact fingers 28.
As shown in FIG. 2, the sound reverberator device is disposed 50 The rear end edge 45 of each of the side arms 42 and 42
substantially at the location as shown at 10" with the attach constitute the bridge abutment portion. The spring connecting
ment member 21 extending diagonally over the strings arm is constituted by the side arms 42 and 42 and the top
whereby to position the contact finger 28 in the area between intermediate integral arm portion 43. This arm portion 43 is
the strings. The housing 20 is then displaced to assume the provided at its apex with a hole 46 centrally disposed therein
position as shown at 10' with the bridge arm 29 extending 55 for receiving a connecting loop end ofanassociated one of the
between a respective pair 12 of the string 12 and the contact springs 17.
finger 28 located under a respective one of the strings of a pair As shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, a connecting loop end of an
12'. The housing is then pulled back to the position as shown associated one of the springs 17. As shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and
at 10" in FIG. 2 and until the bridge abutment portion 29 is 10, a connecting bar 48 is secured rearwardly of the loop ends
located above the string support bridge 35 of the bridge piece 60 49 of the springs 17 to maintain the springs interconnected
13. This support bridge 35 is usually made from ivory mate spaced-apart and to maintain the springs 17 under tension by
rial which is a good vibration conducting material. In this locating the connecting bar 48 in the slots 23 of the dividing
position, the contactfingers are disposed immediately in front walls 22, as previously described with reference to FIGS.3 to
of the string support bridge 35. As can be seen in FIG. 5, a pair 5. The attachment members 21' are preferably for use with a
of legs 37 depends angularly frontwards from a front edge of 65 western type guitar and it can be seen that these attachment
a bottom wall 26 of the housing 20 to support the housing 20 members are individually connected to associated ones of the
elevated from the top wall 15 of the sound box 15. These legs springs 17. They are secured to respective ones of pairs of
 US 8,222,503 B2
5 6
strings 12 as more clearly shown in FIG. 9 and these are springs to an amplifier89 connected to speakers 90 to amplify
disposed over the string support bridge 35 of the bridge piece the sound produced by the reverberator of the present inven
13 in the manner as more clearly illustrated in FIG. 8. tion. The female connecting jack 85 is secured by a wire 91 to
As shown more clearly in FIGS. 5 and 11, the bottom wall a metal connecting bar 92 secured to the spring rear ends 17.
26 of the housing 20 is provided with an opening in a respec Although, the reverberation device 10 as herein described
tive rear corner thereof whereby to receive therein the pivot is shown attached to a guitar, the device may also be used with
ing end connection 51 of the clamping arm 52 of the clamp 16 other String instruments such as violins, mandolins, basses,
for hingedly securing the hinge end 51 in a selected one of a etc.
plurality of cavities 53 formed in an inner surface of the side It is within the ambit of the present invention to cover any
walls 25. This provides adjustment for the clamp 16 to fit 10 other obvious modifications of the examples of the preferred
musical instruments having Sounding boxes of different embodiment described therein, provided such modifications
thicknesses. Also these cavities permit longitudinal adjust fall within the scope of the appended claims.
ment of the clamp to adapt to sound box 15 having different
lengths from the rearedge 13' of the bridge piece 13 to the rear I claim:
wall 11" of the Sound box 15. 15 1. A sound reverberator device for detachable connection
Referring now to FIG. 10, there is shown another modifi to the strings of a string musical instrument having strings
cation of the sound reverberator device 10 in that the springs tensioned over a bridge piece connected to a top wall of the
17 are connected at their inner ends 55 to a displaceable Soundbox of said instrument, said reverberator comprising a
connecting wall 56 which is guided in a transverse plane housing openata front end thereof, two or more metal springs
between opposed guide rails 57. This wall 56 is displaceable disposed side-by-side in said housing and secured at a rear
by a threaded bolt 58 extending through the rear wall 19 of the end to a spring Support, a metallic attachment member
housing 20 and axially rotatable by a knob 59. By rotating the secured to a free end of said spring, said attachment member
bolt 58, the position of the wall 56 is displaced and the tension has string engaging means for engaging a predetermined
on the spring 17 is also varied whereby to adjust the tonality number of said strings in association with respective ones of
of the sound. This knob 59 thus acts as a fine tuning adjust 25 said springs, said attachment member further having a bridge
ment to vary the tonality of the reverberation of the sound abutment portion for contact with said bridge piece, and
which is generated by the vibration in the springs 17. means to tension said spring with said attachment member
Referring now to FIGS. 13A to 16, there will be described connected to said strings whereby vibrations imparted to said
the construction operation of the variable sound damping strings will be transmitted to said bridge piece and said asso
means of the present invention. The Sound damping means is 30 ciated spring; said spring being vibrated by said associated
comprised of a sound damping pad 70 which is displaceably string and transmits its vibrations to said sound box through
supported spaced above the one or more metal springs 17 and said bridge piece whereby to modify the tonality of the sound
displaceable against a biasing sloped ramp 71 to progres generated by said Sound box as a result of setting the strings
sively push the damping pad 70 against the metal springs 17. in vibration, and a Sound damping paddisplaceably Supported
as shown in FIG. 13B, whereby to produce a progressive 35 from a non-sound damping position to a progressively sound
damping Sound when the strings 12 are vibrated, thereby damping position, said Sound damping pad being spaced
transmitting vibration into the springs. The damping pad 70 is above said one or more metal springs and displaceable against
a suitable rubber pad which is immovably secured to a dis a biasing sloped ramp to progressively push said damping pad
placeable flat flexible wall member 72 formed of a plastic against said metal springs to produce a progressive damping
material or spring metal capable of having a memory to 40 Sound when said strings are vibrated to transmit vigration into
restore to its initial position when being flexed by displace said springs.
ment in the direction of arrow 73 and against the slope surface 2. A sound reverberator device as claimed in claim 1
74 of the ramp 71. wherein said damping pad is a rubberpad immovably secured
The biasing slope ramp 71 is immovably secured to an to a displaceable flat flexible wall member having a memory
inner wall 75 of the top wall 20' of the housing 20 by suitable 45 for restoring same to its initial shape when flexed by its
means such as glue. The biasing slope ramp has its sloping displacement against said sloped ramp.
surface 74 diminishing towards the rear end of the metal 3. A sound reverberator device as claimed in claim 2
springs to a ramp entrance position 76. As can be seen, the wherein said biasing sloped ramp is immovably secured to an
displaceable flat flexible wall member 72 abuts over the ramp inner wall of said top wall of said housing spaced above said
entrance 76 when at the non-damping position with its finger 50 springs, said biasing sloped ramp having a sloped surface
engaging slide member 77 positioned in the OFF position 78 diminishing towards said rear end of said metal springs to a
as shown in FIG. 15. The finger engaging slide member 77 is ramp entrance, said displaceable flat flexible wall member
connected to the flat flexible wall member 76 by post connec abutting over said ramp entrance when at said non-damping
tions 79 as better seen in FIG. 14. There are two post connec position.
tions 79 and they extend respectively through guide slots 80 55 4. A sound reverberator device as claimed in claim 3
formed in the top wall 20' of the housing 20 as shown in FIG. wherein said flat flexible wall member is secured to a finger
15. The post connections snap-fit within holes provided in the engaging slide member connected thereto by post connec
body portion 99 of the wall member 72. As shown in FIG. 16, tions and displaceable over a top surface of said top wall of
the ramp 71 is also provided with guide slots 81 which are said housing, said post connections extending through guide
positioned in alignment with the guide slots 80 and under the 60 slots in said top wall of said housing and said biasing sloped
top wall 20' to permit passage of the post connections 79 ramp.
while the flexible wall member flexes thereunder, as illus 5. A sound reverberator device as claimed in claim 4
trated in FIG. 13B, to dampen the vibration of the spring 17. wherein said attachment member is an integrally formed
Referring now to FIG. 17, there is shown a female connect member, said string engaging means being constituted by two
ing jack 85 secured to the rear end wall 19 of the housing 20 65 spaced-apart contact fingers disposable in pressure contact
for receiving a connective prong 86 having a lead connection under a pair of associated Strings when said reverberator
87 to a transducer 88 which feeds the sound from the vibrating device is secured in its position of use over said sound box.
 US 8,222,503 B2
7 8
6. A sound reverberator device as claimed in claim 5 connecting arms and extending forwardly thereof, said pair of
wherein said attachment member is pivotally secured to said contactfingers being formed integrally with each said bridge
Springs. abutment portion adjacent a free end thereof, each finger of
7. A sound reverberator device as claimed in claim 5 said pair offingers extending on a respective one of opposed
wherein said bridge abutment portion extends rearwardly of 5 sides of said bridge abutment portion.
said contactfingers and is dimensioned to fit between a pair of 9. A sound reverberator device as claimed in claim 1,
said strings, and a spring connecting arm extending above wherein there is further provided a female connecting jack
said bridge abutment portion for connection to said springs. secured to said rear end wall of said housing for receiving a
8. A sound reverberator device as claimed in claim 7 conductive prong having lead connection of a transducer
wherein said string attachment member has a unitary spring 10 secured to an amplifier, said female connecting jackhaving an
connecting flange to which said springs are connected at an electrical connection to a metal connection to said rear end of
end in spaced relationship, there being three of said spring all of said two or more metal springs to provide for an ampli
connecting arm formed integral with said flange and depend fied sound transmission of said reverberator device.
ing therefrom in a spaced-apart relationship, said bridge abut
ment portion being formed in a bottom edge of each said three