| WO/2012/080342 | SHOULDER SUPPORT FOR A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT |
| JP2004183739 | MOUNTING TOOL |
HANZEK, Mato (Ivana Gorana Kovacica 27/I, Varazdin, 42000, HR)
NOVAK, Zlatan (Vladimira Nazora 6, Nedelisce, Puscine, 40305, HR)
MESEK, Darko (Zrinskih i Frankopana 21, Varazdin, 42000, HR)
HANZEK, Mato (Ivana Gorana Kovacica 27/I, Varazdin, 42000, HR)
NOVAK, Zlatan (Vladimira Nazora 6, Nedelisce, Puscine, 40305, HR)
| PATENT CLAIMS 1. The ergonomic chinrest for violins/violas using a new method of attachment onto the body of an instrument where forces that secure the chinrest originate by hitching the violin strings that stretch the string of the tailpiece (15) over the tailpiece (7) , and when passing over the bending point in the purfling (18) , partially span across the bridge of the chinrest (19) and the end button (9) is characterized whereby the integral band/suspender of the ergonomic chinrest (1) is laid upon the elastic upper (14) and side insert (13) on the body of the violin while it is affixed with an extension of the chinrest (17) and end button (9) . 2. The ergonomic chinrest for violins/violas using a new method of attachment onto the body of an instrument according to patent claim 1 is characterized whereby the additional stability of the ergonomic chinrest (1) achieved as the prong of the end button (16) holds the extension of the chinrest (17), accepting the major portion of the forces acting thereon that tend to bend the body of the ergonomic chinrest due to the pressure of the violinist's or violist's chin. 3. The ergonomic chinrest for violins/violas using a new method of attachment onto the body of an instrument according to patent claim 2 is characterized whereby the stabilization of the end button (9) against withdrawal is achieved in the manner that after embedding the end button (9) in the bore of the lower block of the violin (8), the screw (12) is tightened, which results in the nut (11) pressing the elastic rubber seal (10) , which expands under pressure, and further transmits pressure on the interior wall of the bore of the lower block of the violin (8) . 4. The process of producing the ergonomic chinrest (1) according to any of the aforementioned claims is characterized whereby the following actions are involved: i. 3D micron scanning of instruments in order to obtain a precise and measurable 3D model ii. taking double imprints, and a 3D micron scan and referencing thereof iii. processing and analysis of the acquired data in order to obtain unique and specific ergonomic dimensions of the chinrest iv. final production of the chinrest in accordance to the acquired specifications with an appropriate production process. 5. The process of producing the ergonomic chinrest (1) according to patent claim 4 is characterized whereby with 3D micron scanning of the instrument, spatial scanning of the violin/viola and of all additional parts thereof is executed in order to obtain a representation thereof in the form of an exact, precise and measurable 3D model, which is the basis for further dimensioning of the ergonomic chinrest (1) . 6. The process of producing the ergonomic chinrest (1) according to patent claim 4 is characterized whereby such is executed by taking a double imprint with a rapid contracting compound, which provides a precise imprint of the violin that includes a portion of the upper panel of the resonant box together with the edge of the violin and a portion of the groove that is permanently attached to the violin or viola at the lower portion of the rapid contracting compound, and an imprint of the position of the musician's head i.e. chin on the upper side of the rapid contracting compound, hereby completely defining the three- dimensional position of the chin i.e. head in respect to the position of the violin or viola, while simultaneously acquiring and individual anatomic ergonomic imprint of the chin i.e. head, which is referenced in respect to the violin/viola as a referencing object at the moment of taking the imprint. 7. The process of producing the ergonomic chinrest (1) according to patent claim 6 is characterized whereby referencing refers to the harmonization or transformation of a local coordinate system onto the coordinate system of the referenced object, where the referenced object is the violin/viola, and the object referenced thereto is the double imprint. 8. The process of producing the ergonomic chinrest (1) according to patent claim 7 is characterized whereby referencing is possible with the aid of a mutual identical surface that represents the surface of the violin/viola and is found imprinted on the lower portion of the double imprint . The process of producing the ergonomic chinrest according to any patent claim from 6 to 8 is characterized whereby the double imprint is taken using a material having : a characteristic of plasticity i.e. deformation of the surface according to the shape of the body that executes pressure thereon, a characteristic of subsequent contraction and formation of a solid object that represents a precise double imprint, and a non-toxicity characteristic for humans as well as for the string instrument in the sense of any undesired consequences. 10. The process of producing the ergonomic chinrest (1) according to patent claim 4 is characterized whereby upon taking the double imprint, the processing and analysis of the acquired data is executed, which includes the 3D scanning process and the creation of a 3D model of the double imprint, and the computerized return of the double imprint to the identical position in respect to the violin, or viola, at the moment when the imprint was taken is further implemented. 11. The process of producing the ergonomic chinrest (1) according to patent claim 10 is characterized whereby the following is executed during the computer return process: removal of the upper surface of the referenced double imprint (the surface created by pressure of the chin, or head) , with the condition of withholding its initial spatial position created when taking the double imprint (referencing) , the base of the chinrest is further adapted by projection onto the referenced and removed portion of the upper surface of the double imprint, which likewise becomes the upper anatomic ergonomic surface of the chinrest' s base. 12. The process of producing the ergonomic chinrest (1) according to patent claim 10 is characterized whereby during the 3D scanning process, in addition to executing precise determination of individual anatomic ergonomics with referencing in respect to an instrument, it likewise averages multiple imprints that results in creating the upper surface of the chinrest' s base according to a group of musicians that characterize a similar chin i.e. head position in respect to the violin/viola. 13. The process of producing the ergonomic chinrest (1) according to patent claim 4 is characterized whereby it further includes production of the chinrest in accordance with the acquired specifications using an appropriate production process. 14. The process of producing the ergonomic chinrest (1) according to patent claim 13 is characterized whereby the appropriate production process is chosen among: milling, injection press or lamination. 15. The process of producing the ergonomic chinrest (1) according to patent claims 4 to 11 is characterized whereby it can be used for all types of chinrests regardless of the type of suspender on the instrument. |
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Technical field
The subject invention refers to an ergonomic chinrest for string instruments - violins and violas, with its novel manner of attachment onto the body of the instrument and the method of producing the ergonomic surface of the chinrest. According to the international patent classification, this invention belongs to the technical field of G10D3/18: Chinrests, hand rests or protectors as parts of musical instrument accessories.
The essence of the invention
The function of the chinrest for string instruments is that it serves as a support that facilitates playing the instrument for the violinist and violist in the manner where the violinist ' s/violist' s chin rests on the chinrest. In this manner, a direct and more comfortable contact with the instrument is achieved, facilitating musicality. The problem that arises refers to the mechanical attachment of the chinrest with a suspender of metal clasps on the body of the violin and viola, which causes a damping effect on the resonant characteristics of the instrument. Thus, the technical problem is finding a solution that will minimally affect the tone of the sound of the violin and viola, simultaneously freeing the body of the resonant box from the detrimental effects of the problematic suspenders of the metal clasps.
Likewise, the pressure of the chin, i.e. the head on the chinrest causes undesired consequences that are visible as bruises and superficial injuries of the skin, jawbone, neck vertebrae and neck muscles. The consequences of an inadequate chin, or head, pressure on the chinrest results in decreased concentration and technical ability to play music. Furthermore, every violinist has a unique head/chin orientation in three- dimensional space in respect to the violin or viola string instrument, which presents a problem when using a universal chinrest .
The described problem is completely resolved with the subject invention, which minimally affects the sound of the violin, and simultaneously provides the musician with an ergonomically formed chinrest that is completely adapted to each individual user, i.e. to the shape of their chin and the manner of holding the instrument.
Previous state of the art
With the current solution of a violin/viola chinrest, the chin, i.e. the position of the head must be adapted to the design of the chinrest. The purpose of this invention is just the opposite, the attainment of the "perfect" adaptation of the chinrest to the individual anatomy of the chin and position of the head in the referenced relation with the string instruments, violins and violas. The basic purpose of the invention is to find the best solution concerning the ergonomic adaptation of the chinrest base (which serves as a support for the chin i.e. head of the musician while playing) for the chin itself, i.e. the head of the musician, and that the procedure for taking (approximately 15 minutes is necessary for taking an imprint) and producing an ergonomic imprint is sufficiently simple and inexpensive for final production.
Another aspect of this invention that applies to the mechanical attachment of the chinrest has been considered in the document HR P20060375A2 of the applicant VSP d.o.o.; however, the solution elaborated therein does not resolve the problem regarding the poor attachment of the chinrest during its prolonged use, and inevitable loosening of the chinrest during its use. Likewise, the solution according to document P20060375A2 does not take into consideration the need for ergonomics of the chinrest' s upper surface on which the chin lies. Both problems are now completely resolved with the subject invention as shall be shown further.
Detailed description of the invention
The technical solution of the chinrest according to this invention is comprised of such that its attachment to the resonant box is achieved without using usual metal braces; in other words, it is possible to produce individual adapted chinrests by taking double imprints of the musician's chin and of the body of the violin/viola at the moment of playing the instrument. Other than individually adapted chinrests, it is possible to produce partially adapted chinrests, where based on previously produced ergonomic imprints, the average of numerous imprints is used, which results in an upper surface of the chinrest' s base according to a group of musicians that characterize a similar position of the chin i.e. head in respect to the violin/viola. Such a partially adapted chinrest would be considerably less expensive than a completely individualized chinrest, and could be used by children whose head and chin are developing and growing, and when the production of a completely individualized ergonomic chinrest, even though possible, is not economically justified.
The individualized anatomic and referenced upper surface of the chinrest' s base as shall be explained enables the greatest amount of comfort for the musician according to his personal playing manner, in respect to the position of his chin i.e. head in respect to the instrument. Likewise, the anatomic and referenced upper surface of the chinrest' s base decreases the occurrence of physical problems caused by skin irritation and the bruising thereof due to constant pressure of the chin on the chinrest' s base; in other words, the chinrest protects the health of the neck vertebrae and muscles. Among other properties, this product enables better concentration and focus on the creation of music.
The individualistic anatomic and referenced replica of the chin in respect to the violin or viola transferred onto the surface of the chinrest' s base is exclusively possible using only the double imprint of the chin and violin with three-dimensional micro scanning, and by processing and analyzing the acquired data for obtaining the result of unique, specific, ergonomic dimensions of the chinrest.
Short description of the figures
The subject invention is displayed in figures 1-8, whose short description follows:
Figure 1 displays the 3D model of a violin with basic parts thereof, created with 3D micron scanning
Figure 2 displays the ergonomic chinrest in its attached state on the violin in the figure
Figure 3 displays cross-section A-A of the ergonomic chinrest from figure 2
Figure 4 displays cross-section B-B of the ergonomic chinrest from figure 2
Figure 5 provides a display of referencing the double imprint upon identical surfaces on the violin or viola that represents the referent object
Figure 6 displays the upper portion of the double imprint (chin imprint i.e. musician's head)
Figure 7 displays the lower portion of the double imprint (imprint of the violin or viola portion)
Figure 8a) shows the double imprint referenced in respect to the violin or viola from a side view
Figure 8b) shows the separated upper surface of the referenced double imprint in respect to the violin or viola from a side view
Figure 8c) shows the chinrest with the individual anatomic, ergonomic and referenced upper surface of the base from a side view
Figure 9a) displays the double imprint referenced in respect to the violin or viola in a frontal view
Figure 9ab) displays the separated upper surface of the referenced double imprint in respect to the violin/viola in a frontal view
Figure 9ab) displays the chinrest with the individual anatomic, ergonomic and referenced upper surface of the base in a frontal view
Figure 10a) displays the double imprint referenced in respect to the violin/viola in a spatial view
Figure 10b) displays the separated upper surface of the referenced double imprint in respect to the violin/viola in a spatial view
Figure 10c) displays the chinrest with the individual anatomic, ergonomic and referenced upper surface of the base in a spatial view
The constructive details of the invention' s implementation are given in detailed analysis of the positions on the mentioned figures .
The anatomically shaped ergonomic chinrest (1) is created in the manner that a new integral suspender of the ergonomic chinrest is laid upon the upper (14) and side elastic insert (13) on the body of the violin while it is affixed with an extension of the chinrest (17) and end button (9) in the lower portion.
The body of the ergonomic chinrest (1) is fastened in respect to the instrument in a manner that the forces that secure the chinrest arise by hitching the violin strings that stretch the string of the tailpiece (15) over the tailpiece (7), and when passing over the bending point in the purfling (18) , partially span across the bridge of the chinrest (19) and the end button (9) . The side and upper elastic inserts (13) and (14) act by conveying forces onto the violin, and are elastic so that damage is not brought upon the violin, and are most frequently manufactured of thin rubber.
Additional stability is achieved as the prong of the end button (16) holds the extension of the chinrest (17) , accepting the major portion of the forces acting thereon that tend to bend the body of the ergonomic chinrest due to the pressure of the violinist's or violist's chin.
The stabilization of the end button (9) against withdrawal is achieved in the manner that after embedding the end button in the bore of the lower block of the violin (8) , the screw (12) is tightened, which results in the nut (11) pressing the elastic rubber seal (10) , which expands under pressure, and further transmits pressure on the interior wall of the bore of the lower block of the violin (8) . In this manner, the actualized pressure created with the assistance of the rubber seal (10) is sufficient to completely prevent the movement of the body of the ergonomic chinrest (1) during musicality, i.e. the withdrawal of the end button (9) from the bore of the lower block of the violin (8) .
Another aspect of this invention that refers to the technical solution of obtaining the anatomic ergonomic upper surface of the chinrest according to the invention is that it consists of a combination of scientific, surveying and mathematical approaches .
The production of the chinrest' s ergonomic surface is actualized by utilizing the following technological actions: i. 3D micron scanning of instruments in order to obtain a precise and measurable 3D model
ii. taking double imprints, and a 3D micron scan and referencing thereof
iii. processing and analysis of the acquired data in order to obtain unique and specific ergonomic dimensions of the chinrest
iv. final production of the chinrest in accordance to the acquired specifications with an appropriate production process All of the aforementioned actions are described in detail hereinafter . i) 3D micron scanning:
Technology enables the spatial scanning of any object (in this case a violin, viola and all additional parts thereof, such as a tailpiece, end button, lower block of the violin, etc.) , and a representation thereof in the form of an exact, precise and measurable 3D model. Such a 3D model becomes the basis for the further design of parts and accessories of the violin and viola, with emphasis on the chinrest. The same technology is used for the three-dimensional scanning of the double imprint as one of the basic parameters of this invention, which is explained hereinafter . ii) Taking a double imprint:
As the basic portion of this invention and with the aid of a rapid contracting compound, this method enables the acquisition of precise imprints of violin parts (potions of the upper panel of the resonant box together with the edge of the violin and a portion of the groove that is permanently attached to the violin or viola in its entirety on its lower side with a rapid contracting compound) , and an imprint of the position of the musician's head i.e. chin on the upper side of the rapid contracting compound while the compound i.e. material is still soft i.e. adaptable at the moment forces act upon it. In this manner, the three-dimensional position of the chin i.e. head is defined as a basis in respect to the position of the violin or viola. An individual anatomic ergonomic imprint of the chin i.e. head is simultaneously acquired, which is referenced in respect to the violin/viola as a referencing object at the moment of taking the imprint.
Referencing one object in respect to another in this text refers to the harmonization or transformation of its local coordinate system onto the coordinate system of the referenced object. In this case, the referenced object is the violin/viola, and the object referenced thereto is the double imprint. Referencing is possible with the aid of a mutual identical surface. This surface originates during the creation of the imprint, which is described in detail hereinafter.
The upper portion of the double imprint ultimately represents the referenced anatomic ergonomic surface of the chinrest's upper portion (base) , which serves as a support for the chin, i.e. head of the musician when playing the instrument.
The compound or material for taking imprints must have the properties, i.e. the possibility of plasticity i.e. the deformation of the surface according to the shape of the body that executes pressure thereon. In this specific case, we have the simultaneous pressure of the chin, i.e. the head on one side and the pressure of the string instrument on the other side.
An additional characteristic of the material that must be fulfilled is the characteristic of subsequent contraction and further formation of a solid object that represents a precise double imprint as previously described herein. It is important for the material to be non-toxic for human use as well as harmless for the string instrument in the sense of any undesired consequences. The compound has the characteristic of rapid contraction, and ultimately defines the precise imprint of the chin, or head, on one side, which is securely connected with the imprint of the portion of the violin or viola on the lower side. In this manner, the musician's imprint (his chin i.e. head in the individual position of his method of musicality) is in direct association with the position of the violin at the moment of providing the imprint. With further computer processing, the individual spatial position of the musician's chin i.e. head in the referenced relation with the violin or viola is transferred onto the base of the chinrest. iii) Processing and analysis of the acquired data
After 3D scanning and the creation of individual and precise 3D models of the violin or viola string instrument and of the double imprint, the computerized return of the double imprint to the identical position in respect to the violin, or viola, at the moment when the imprint was taken follows. Such computerized return or referencing is possible with the impressed surfaces of the violin' s or viola' s portions on the double imprint and associated surfaces of the instrument.
The next action involves the removal of the upper surface of the referenced double imprint (the surface created by pressure of the chin, or head) with the basic condition of withholding its initial spatial position created when taking the double imprint (referencing) . Furthermore, the chinrest's base is adapted by projection onto the referenced and removed portion of the upper surface of the double imprint, which likewise becomes the upper surface of the anatomic ergonomic surface of the chinrest's base and as such a support, satisfies the requirements of the individual position of the musician's chin i.e. head while playing the instrument.
This processing method, as a constituent part of the invention, other than being used for the precise determination of individual anatomic ergonomics with referencing in respect to a violin/viola, is likewise used for projecting the anatomic ergonomics, which averages multiple imprints and ultimately represents the upper surface of the chinrest's base according to a group of musicians that characterizes a similar chin i.e. head position in respect to the violin/viola. iv) Production of the chinrest
Furthermore, in accordance with the acquired data and calculated specifications, the production of the ergonomic chinrest for a violin/viola using a new method of attachment onto the body of an instrument is possible by using an appropriate production process. The production process to be used can be milling, injection press or lamination.
Industrial use of the invention
The stated invention can be utilized in production and with the use of musical instruments (especially violins and violas) and with the accessories and components thereof.
LIST OF REFERENCED DESIGNATIONS
1 ergonomic chinrest
2 neck of the violin
3 body
4 rib
5 bridge of the violin
6 sound hole
7 tailpiece
8 lower block of the violin
9 end button
10 rubber seal
11 nut
12 screw
13 elastic side insert
14 elastic upper insert
15 string of the tailpiece
16 prong of the end button
17 extension of the chinrest
18 purfling
19 bridge of the chinrest