IP Library Granted Patent US 7,459,617
Granted Patent B2
US 7,459,617 · App. 11/330,711 · Granted Dec 2, 2008

Locking bridge

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,459,617
App. No.
11/330,711
Granted
Dec 2, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

Included herein is an instrument component for mounting to the body of an instrument having strings, for example a guitar. The instrument component comprises a plurality of attachment devices, an elongated bracket, and a biasing element. The elongated bracket includes a plurality of attachment apertures where each aperture includes a center and is shaped to accept one of the attachment devices. A biasing element is positioned in each attachment aperture wherein each biasing element engages one of the attachment devices. Each biasing element includes a plurality of protrusions wherein each protrusion biases the attachment device toward the center of the attachment aperture.

Claims (22)

1. An instrument component for mounting to the body of an instrument having strings, the component comprising:

a plurality of attachment devices;

an elongated string support bracket having a plurality of attachment apertures, each attachment aperture shaped to accept one of the attachment devices and including a center; and

an annular resilient biasing element positioned in each attachment aperture, each biasing element engaging one of the attachment devices and including at least three protrusions spaced around the attachment aperture, each protrusion resiliently biasing the attachment device toward the center of said attachment aperture.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each protrusion biases the attachment device toward the other protrusions.

3. The component of claim 1 , wherein the elongated string support bracket further includes a plurality of string supports positioned between the attachment apertures to engage the strings of the instrument.

4. The component of claim 1 , each attachment device further including a head, an anchor end located distal from the head, and an annular disk positioned between the head and the anchor end.

5. The component of claim 4 , wherein each biasing element engages the head of one of the attachment devices.

6. The component of claim 5 , wherein the attachment aperture is circular and substantially encompasses the head of each attachment device.

7. The component of claim 4 , wherein the elongated string support bracket rests on the annular disks of the attachment devices.

8. The component of claim 4 , wherein the anchor end of each attachment device is shaped to attach said attachment device and the elongated string support bracket to the body of the instrument.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each protrusion of the biasing element presses the attachment device against another protrusion of said biasing element.

10. An instrument component for mounting to the body of an instrument having strings, the component comprising:

a plurality of attachment devices;

an elongated string support bracket having a plurality of attachment apertures, each attachment aperture shaped to accept one of the attachment devices and including a center; and

an annular biasing element positioned in each attachment aperture, each biasing element engaging one of the attachment devices and including at least three resilient protrusions spaced around the attachment aperture, each protrusion positioned to resiliently bias the attachment device toward the other protrusions of said biasing element.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , each protrusion biasing said attachment device toward the center of said attachment aperture.

12. An instrument component for mounting to the body of an instrument having strings, the component comprising:

a plurality of attachment posts;

a string bridge including a plurality of attachment openings, a plurality of string supports positioned between the attachment openings to engage the strings of the instrument, and a center axis positioned in each attachment opening, each attachment opening shaped to accept one of the attachment posts; and

an annular resilient biasing element positioned in each attachment opening, each annular resilient biasing element engaging one of the attachment posts and including an internal rim and a plurality of resilient projections extending from the internal rim, each projection positioned to resiliently bias said attachment post toward the other projections of said biasing element and toward the center axis of the attachment aperture.

13. The component of claim 12 , each attachment post further including a head, an anchor end located distal from the head, and an annular disk positioned between the head and the anchor end, wherein each biasing element substantially encompasses the head of one of the attachment posts.

Assignments (15)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 10, 2022
From: GIBSON BRANDS, INC.
To: KKR LOAN ADMINISTRATION SERVICES LLC
Reel/Frame 061639/0031 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST : RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME - 047384/0215 Recorded Dec 21, 2020
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: GIBSON BRANDS, INC.
Reel/Frame 054823/0016 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 9, 2019
From: CORTLAND CAPITAL MARKET SERVICES LLC; WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION; BANK OF AMERICA, NA
To: GIBSON BRANDS, INC.
Reel/Frame 048841/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 1, 2018
From: GIBSON BRANDS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 047384/0215 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 24, 2018
From: GIBSON BRANDS, INC.
To: CORTLAND CAPITAL MARKET SERVICES LLC
Reel/Frame 046239/0247 →
SECOND LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 21, 2017
From: GIBSON BRANDS, INC.; GIBSON INTERNATIONAL SALES LLC; GIBSON PRO AUDIO CORP.; GIBSON INNOVATIONS USA, INC.; BALDWIN PIANO, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 041760/0592 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 15, 2016
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 039687/0055 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 16, 2013
From: GIBSON GUITAR CORP.
To: GIBSON BRANDS, INC.
Reel/Frame 031029/0942 →
SECOND LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 7, 2013
From: GIBSON BRANDS, INC.; GIBSON INTERNATIONAL SALES LLC; GIBSON PRO AUDIO CORP.; GIBSON HOLDINGS, INC., AS A GUARANTOR; GIBSON CAFE & GALLERY, INC., AS A GUARANTOR; CONSOLIDATED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, INC., AS A GUARANTOR
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 030983/0692 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2013
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: GIBSON GUITAR CORP.
Reel/Frame 030939/0119 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 1, 2013
From: GIBSON BRANDS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 030922/0936 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 13, 2011
From: GIBSON GUITAR CORP.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 026113/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 7, 2011
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
To: GIBSON GUITAR CORP.
Reel/Frame 026091/0136 →
MERGER Recorded Aug 19, 2010
From: LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 024850/0903 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 5, 2007
From: GIBSON GUITAR CORP.
To: LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 020218/0516 →