(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)

(19) World Intellectual Property

Organization
International Bureau
(10) International Publication Number
(43) International Publication Date WO 2014/142683 Al
18 September 2014 (18.09.2014) PO PCT

(51) International Patent Classification: (81) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
G10D 3/04 (2006.01) kind of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM,
AO, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BH, BN, BR, BW, BY,
(21) International Application Number:
BZ, CA, CH, CL, CN, CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM,
PCT/PH20 13/000021
DO, DZ, EC, EE, EG, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, GT,
(22) International Filing Date: HN, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IR, IS, JP, KE, KG, KN, KP, KR,
14 November 2013 (14.1 1.2013) KZ, LA, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LY, MA, MD, ME,
MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MY, MZ, NA, NG, NI, NO, NZ,
(25) Filing Language: English OM, PA, PE, PG, PH, PL, PT, QA, RO, RS, RU, RW, SA,
(26) Publication Language: English SC, SD, SE, SG, SK, SL, SM, ST, SV, SY, TH, TJ, TM,
TN, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VC, VN, ZA, ZM,
(30) Priority Data: ZW.
1201 300081 12 March 201 3 (12.03.2013) PH
(84) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
(72) Inventor; and kind of regional protection available): ARIPO (BW, GH,
(71) Applicant : TIMUAT, Adolfo, Toyoda [PH/PH]; No. 2 GM, KE, LR, LS, MW, MZ, NA, RW, SD, SL, SZ, TZ,
Lumbang Street, Amparo Subdivison, Novaliches, Ca- UG, ZM, ZW), Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, RU, TJ,
loocan City (PH). TM), European (AL, AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK,
EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LT, LU, LV,
MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, SK, SM,
TR), OAPI (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GQ, GW,
KM, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG).
Declarations under Rule 4.17 :
— of inventorship (Rule 4. 1 7(iv))
Published:
— with international search report (Art. 21(3))

[Continued on next page]

(54) Title: A GUITAR BRIDGE SYSTEM

00

(57) Abstract: The present invention relates to guitar bridge system comprising a generally plano-convex shaped main body having
a first slot at the forward portion and a second slot at the central portion thereof, said second slot is formed by a downwardly inclin -
o ing wall commencing proximate the position of said first slot and terminating to an inner vertical wall being formed therein; a base
provided on said first slot, said base having an auxiliary slot formed at the central portion thereof; a first supporting means provided
on said auxiliary slot and upwardly extending therefrom; a second supporting means provided on said inner vertical wall; a third
o supporting means provided on the rearward portion of said main body; and a plurality of spaced apart main holes provided on said
third supporting means and extending up to said second supporting means.
 w o 20 14 / 142683 Al II II II I I
11 11 II I
II III 11 lllll II I 111 III II 11 II

before the expiration of the time limit for amending the

claims and to be republished in the event of receipt of
amendments (Rule 48.2(h))
 S PECI FI CA T I O N
A GUITAR BRIDGE SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates in general t o bridge systems for stringed

instruments, but more particularly t o a bridge system for SpanisrT ¾ fe ¾
using softwood materials such as cedar or spruce.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Heretofore, guitar bridge systems for Spanish guitars are made of

hardwood materials which are secured to the soft wood materials used in
soundboard construction (guitar top). I n the the construction of conventional
guitar bridges for Spanish guitars, hardwood materials such as rosewood or
ebony or similar woods having the same acoustic properties are commonly
used. Hardwood materials are used for guitar bridges in order t o make the
bridge durable and prevent the same from being detached from the guitar
soundboard which is caused primarily by the constant tensile pull of the
strings and the weather elements such as humidity, heat, moisture and the
like. However, using hardwood materials for guitar bridge construction makes
the soundboard very heavy and thus restraining the vibration of the
soundboard, and, consequently, repressing the expected dynamic volume,
tone quality and other acoustic properties of the instrument. An ideal
soundboard should be light in weight in order bring out the intended dynamic
volume, tone quality and other acoustic properties of the instrument.
To compensate for the weight problem and consequent volume and
acoustic drawbacks brought about by using hardwood as bridge construction
material, the present bridge systems for Spanish guitars are constructed by
reducing the amount of hardwood material on the opposite side portions of
the bridge resulting in a bridge construction having a raised central portion for
string support and attachment purposes and reduced opposed flank portions
extending from the central portion thereof. Until now the use of soft wood
materials for the guitar bridge systems has not been seriously considered
because of durability considerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is/therefore, the main object of the present invention to provide a new

constructional feature for a guitar bridge system using soft wood or the same
wood material that is used for the guitar soundboard such as spruce or cedar.
With this construction the soundboard will be very light in weight and thus
would easily and readily bring out the intended dynamic volume, tone quality
and other acoustic properties of the instrument.
Another object of the present invention is to provide guitar bridge system
that is easy to build and install.
Still, another object of the present invention is t o provide a guitar bridge
system which can be easily manufactured using locally available materials and
technology.
These and other objects and advantages of the present utility model will
become more apparent upon a reading of the ensuing detailed description
taken in conjunction with the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the present utility model for a guitar
bridge system;
Figure 2 is a rear perspective view thereof;
Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of figure 1;
Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of figure 1; and
Figures 5 is a detailed view showing how a guitar string is secured t o the
bridge system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Before describing the present utility model in detail, it is t o be that the
phraseologies and terminologies used herein are for the purposes of
description and should not be regarded as limiting.
 Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate
the steps, components or elements throughout the ensuing enabling
description, the present invention provides for a guitar bridge system
designated as 10.
The guitar bridge system 10 comprises of a generally plano-convex
shaped main body 11 provided with a first slot 12 and a second slot 13
disposed at the central area of the main body 11. As shown in figures 1 and
2, the main body 11 is elongated and is formed by a flat bottom 11a and a
convex upper portion lib, wherein the center 11c is formed and is thicker
than the opposed edges lid, lid'. The center 11c uniformly and gradually
thickens as it extends from both opposed edges lid, lid'.
Referring now to figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, the first slot 12 is generally
elongated in shape and disposed at the forward portion of the main body 11,
while the second slot 13 which is disposed at the center of the main body 1 1
is formed by a downwardly inclining wall 13a commencing proximate the
position of the first slot 12 and terminating to an inner vertical wall 13b which
is formed therein.
Referring again to the drawings, guitar bridge system 10 further comprises
of an elongated base 14 provided within the first slot 12, the base 14 is
provided with elongated auxiliary slot 14a. A first supporting means 15 is
provided on the auxiliary slot 14a and upwardly extends to an extended
portion 15a. Likewise, a second supporting means 16 is provided on the inner
vertical wall 13b formed on the second slot 13, and a third supporting means
17 is provided on the rearward portion of the main body 11. In accordance
with the present invention, the first, second and third supporting means are
made of bone material.
As shown in figure 2 of the drawings, a plurality of spaced apart main
holes 18 are uniformly provided on the third supporting means 17 and
extends up to the second supporting means 16. Each of the main holes 18
comprises of three spaced apart auxiliary holes 18a, 18b and 18c. In the
Figure 5 shows a partial top view of the herein guitar bridge system 10
and shows one way on how a guitar string 19 is secured to a main hole 18. As
shown, a string end portion 19a is first inserted through the center auxiliary
hole 18b and is extended and inserted through the another auxiliary hole 18a
and over the string portion 19b, and finally extended and inserted through
the auxiliary hole 18c and is finally secured on a string portion 19a. With this
system of installing guitar stings in the bridge 10, the direction of the tensile
force or force of pull is now parallel to the neck and fretboard of the guitar.
This prevents the bridge to be detached from the soundboard or the top
portion of the guitar. I n the conventional way of attaching the strings to the
guitar bridge, the strings tend to pull the bridge in an upward angle with
respect to the horizontal plane of the bridge which tends to detach the bridge
from the soundboard.
The main body 1 1 of the guitar bridge system and the soundboard of the
guitar according to the present invention is made of the same softwood
material. The present invention provides a bridge 10 wherein the main body
1 1 is made of softwood such as cedar or spruce in combination with the

soundboard which is also made of soft wood such as cedar or spruce. This
makes the total weight of the bridge and soundboard much lighter than
conventional soundboards which use bridge materials that are very much
heavier than the soundboard material. For instance, in conventional classical
guitars, the top is usually made of lightweight soft wood or tone woods such
as spruce or cedar materials and in combination with a guitar bridge made of

hard wood such as rosewood or ebony. I n accordance with the present

invention, the combination of the soft wood bridge system and the soft wood
sound board will enhance the volume and tone quality of the guitar
instrument because of the lightweight and tone enhancing properties of the
materials
As further shown in the drawings, the base 14 is made of hardwood,

preferably rosewood or ebony and is secured within the auxiliary slot 14a by
glue or any other conventional securing means. The hardwood base 14 is
provided to further support the first supporting means 15 and the strings 19
on the main body 11.
 Additional advantages and modifications of the present invention will
readily occur to those skilled in the art in view of these teachings. The
present invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details,
representative contrivances, and illustrative examples shown and described
herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the general concept as defined in the appended
claims and their equivalents.
CLAIMS:
1. A guitar bridge system comprising:

a generally plano-convex shaped main body having a first slot'^t t

forward portion and a second slot at the central portion thereof, said second
slot being formed by a downwardly inclining wall commencing proximate the
c v e
position of said first slot and terminating to an inner vertical wall being
formed therein;
a base provided on said first slot, said base having an auxiliary slot fo ned
at the central portion thereof;
a first supporting means provided on said auxiliary slot and upwardly
extending therefrom;
a second supporting means provided on said inner vertical wall;
a third supporting means provided on the rearward portion of said main
body; and
a plurality of spaced apart main holes provided on said third supporting
means and extending up t o said second supporting means.
2 . A guitar bridge according to claim 1, wherein the main body is made of

the same material as the soundboard of the guitar.

3 . A guitar bridge according t o claims 1 or 2, wherein said main body is
made of soft wood material.
4 . A guitar bridge according to claim 3, wherein said main body is made of
cedar wood material.
5. A guitar bridge according t o claim 3, wherein said main body is made of

spruce wood material.

6 . A guitar bridge according to claims 3, wherein said base is made of

hard wood material.

7. A guitar bridge according t o claims 3, wherein said base is made of

ebony wood.
8 . A guitar bridge according to claims 3, wherein said base is made of

rosewood material.
9 . A guitar bridge according t o claims 3, wherein said first, second and

third supporting means is made of bone material.

 10. A guitar bridge according to claim 1, wherein a main hole comprises of

three spaced apart auxiliary holes.

A . CLASSIFICATION O F SUBJECT MATTER
INV. G10D3/04
ADD.

According to International Patent Classification (IPC) o r t o both national classification and IPC

B . FIELDS SEARCHED
Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classification symbols)
G10D

Documentation searched other than minimum documentation to the extent that such documents are included in the fields searched

Electronic data base consulted during the international search (name of data base and, where practicable, search terms used)

EPO-Internal , WPI Data

C . DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED T O B E RELEVANT

Category* Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate, of the relevant passages Relevant to claim No.

Les Stansel l "Cl assi c Gui tar Bri dge 1-10

Bui l di ng" ,

16 February 2011 (2011-02-16) ,

XP054975452 ,
Retri eved from the Internet:
URLr http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=UmoaNh
l eAO
[retri eved on 2014-07-16]
the whol e document

DD 251 222 Al ( FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM VEB [DD] ) 1-10

4 November 1987 (1987-11-04)
page 2 , l i nes 4-5
f i gure 1

-/-

X| Further documents are listed in the continuation of Box C . See patent family annex.

* Special categories of cited documents :

"T" later document published after the international filing date o r priority
date and not in conflict with the application but cited to understand
"A" document defining the general state of the art which is not considered
the principle o r theory underlying the invention
to be of particular relevance
"E" earlier application o r patent but published o n o r after the international
"X" document of particular relevance; the claimed invention cannot be
filing date considered novel o r cannot b e considered to involve a n inventive
"L" documentwhich may throw doubts o n priority claim(s) orwhich is step when the document is taken alone
cited to establish the publication date of another citation o r other
"Y" document of particular relevance; the claimed invention cannot be
special reason (as specified)
considered to involve a n inventive step when the document is
"O" document referring to a n oral disclosure, use, exhibition o r other combined with one o r more other such documents, such combination
means being obvious to a person skilled in the art
"P" document published prior to the international filing date but later than
the priority date claimed "&" document member of the same patent family

Date of the actual completion of the international search Date of mailing of the international search report

17 July 2014 04/08/2014

Name and mailing address of the ISA/ Authorized officer
European Patent Office, P.B. 5818 Patentlaan 2
N L - 2280 HV Rijswijk
Tel. (+31-70) 340-2040,
Fax: (+31-70) 340-3016 Mi rkovi c , Ol i nka
C(Continuation). DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT

Category* Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate, of the relevant passages Relevant to claim No.

CH 685 728 A5 (ALFRED STAUFFER) 1-10

15 September 1995 (1995-09-15)
f i gure 3

DE 24 50 010 Al ( LEVY MOSHE) 1-10

29 Apri l 1976 (1976-04-29)
f i gures 3-8

TREVOR GORE: "Wood for gui tars" , 2-10

161ST MEETING, ACOUSTICAL SOCI ETY OF
AMERICA, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON ,
vol . 12 , 24 June 2011 (2011-06-24) ,
1-22 , XP002727321 ,
D0I : 10. 1121/1 .3610500
Secti on : Bri dge woods ;
pages 17-18
 Patent document Publication Patent family Publication
cited in search report date member(s) date

DD 251222 Al 04-11-1987 NONE

CH 685728 A5 15-09-1995 NONE

D E 2450010 Al 29-04-1976 NONE