Transformable stand with an improved foot operated pitch changing mechanism for stringed instruments

摘要

Disclosed are apparatus and related methods for changing the pitch of a stringed instrument, such as an standard, fixed-pitch, resonating or Dobro-type guitar, by attaching the stringed instrument onto a transformable stand comprising a foot pedal assembly and string pitch changing mechanism. In one embodiment, the apparatus and related methods involve affixing the strings from an existing guitar to an improved pitch-changing mechanism, such as disclosed string pitch changer housing, that does not require the deconstruction of the guitar body. Rather, the existing guitar is securely placed on its back on a transformable stand with the use of specially designed plates that hold the instrument with screws, securing the body of the instrument to the stand.

主权项

1. A device for mounting an existing fixed-pitch musical instrument that provides the capability of selectively changing a string pitch of such instrument by utilizing foot pedals comprising:
a frame that is configured to support the musical instrument, said frame featuring at least two bell cranks; a leg assembly defined by at least one adjustable leg; a pedal assembly with at least two pedals that are each mechanically coupled to a bell crank of the frame; a pivot plate; a pitch changer disposed within an assembly housing and coupled to a string of the instrument, said pitch changer with (a) a lowering lever with a pivot groove and (b) a raise lever, wherein said lowering lever and raise lever are pivotally coupled via a pivot pin, wherein said raise lever is mechanically coupled to one of the bell cranks so that depressing one of the pedals causes the raise lever to pivot around the pivot pin, and wherein said lowering lever is mechanically coupled to the other bell crank so that depressing the other pedal causes the lowering lever to pivot around one end of the pivot plate in the pivot groove; and, wherein the lowering lever is coupled to a compression spring so that the compression spring compresses when the lowering lever is pivoted around said end of the pivot plate to lower a pitch of a string.