Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ADJUSTABLE AND FOLDABLE SHOULDER REST FOR VIOLIN
OR VIOLA
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to shoulder rests for
violins or
violas.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A shoulder rest is an accessory device that can be attached to a
violin or
viola. Typically, the shoulder rest has fork-shaped clamping members or "feet"
for
detachably mounting the shoulder rest to the sides of the back of the violin
or viola.
The shoulder rest spaces the instrument at a comfortable height for the
musician.
The shoulder rest may have a body profile that generally conforms to the
natural
curves of the human shoulder and clavicle.
[0003] To accommodate both instruments of different sizes and musicians'
body
structures and posture preferences, some shoulder rests are adjustable in
height
and distance between the fork-shaped clamping members.
[0004] Some examples of adjustable shoulder rests are disclosed in U.S.
Patent
5,270,474 (Kun) entitled "Violin or the Like Shoulder Rest", U.S. Patent
5,419,226
(Kun) entitled "Violin Shoulder Rest", U.S. Patent 5,567,893 (Kun) entitled
"Shoulder
Rest for Violin or Like Instrument", U.S. Patent 6,031,163 (Cullum et al.)
entitled
"Adjustable Shoulder Rest for Violins or the Like", U.S. Patent 7,265,284
(Muir et al)
entitled "Violin or the Like Instrument".
[0005] To permit more compact storage, some shoulder rests are foldable (or
"collapsible") such as the one disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,731,531 (Kun)
entitled
"Shoulder Rest for Violin or Like Instrument".
[0006] The body or bridge of the shoulder rest may be made of different
materials such as polymers, composite materials, metals, or woods. U.S. Patent
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6,291,750 (Farha) entitled "Bridge for a Violin or Viola Shoulder Rest",
discloses a
body or bridge made of a laminate that includes a plurality of wood veneers.
[0007] Other improvements in shoulder rest ergonomics are disclosed in U.S.
Patent 7,385,124 (Clemente) entitled "Clamping Member for a Violin Shoulder
Rest".
[0008] Although adjustable and foldable shoulder rests are known in the
art,
further improvements in adjustability and ergonomics remain highly desirable.
SUMMARY
[0009] The present invention provides a novel shoulder rest that is
adjustable
and foldable. The shoulder rest includes two independently operable pull-tab
adjustment mechanisms for independently adjusting, i.e. extending or
retracting, the
foldable forks. On its shoulder-engaging side, the shoulder rest has a foam
cushion
with openings. The forks of the shoulder rest are rotationally mounted to
drums
encapsulated with slidable end members. Other features and aspects of the
invention are described below in the detailed description and are illustrated
in the
accompanying drawings.
[0010] Accordingly, one inventive aspect of the present disclosure is an
adjustable and foldable shoulder rest for a violin or viola. The shoulder rest
comprises a shoulder-engaging body having a first end and a second end, the
body
also having a shoulder-engaging side and an instrument-facing side. The
shoulder
rest comprises a first foldable fork-shaped clamping member disposed at the
first
end for clamping the violin or viola, wherein the clamping member is foldable
from
an engaged position to a folded position. The shoulder rest comprises a second
foldable fork-shaped clamping member disposed at a second end for clamping the
violin or viola wherein the clamping member is foldable from an unfolded
position to
a folded position. The shoulder rest comprises a first slidable end member for
receiving a threaded stem that supports the first clamping member, the first
slidable
end member being slidable between a retracted position and an extended
position,
the first slidable end member also having an arcuate channel through which the
stem rotates as the clamping member is pivoted between the unfolded and folded
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positions, wherein the first slidable end member is slidable within a first
slot in the
instrument-facing side of the body to extend or retract the first clamping
member.
The shoulder rest comprises a second slidable end member for supporting the
second clamping member, the second slidable end member being slidable between
a retracted position and an extended position, the second slidable end member
also
having an arcuate channel through which the stem rotates as the clamping
member
is pivoted between the unfolded and folded positions, wherein the second
slidable
end member is slidable within a second slot in the instrument-facing side of
the body
to extend or retract the second clamping member. The first slidable end member
comprises a first protrusion shaped to engage one of a first plurality of
apertures
disposed in the first slot and the second slidable end member comprises a
second
protrusion shaped to engage one of a second plurality of apertures disposed in
the
second slot.
[0011] Another
inventive aspect of the present disclosure is a shoulder rest for a
bowed string instrument, the shoulder rest comprising a shoulder-engaging body
having a shoulder-engaging side and an instrument-facing side, a first
foldable fork
for attaching to the instrument, wherein the fork is foldable from an unfolded
position
to a folded position, and a second foldable fork for attaching to the
instrument
wherein the fork is foldable from an unfolded position to a folded position.
The
shoulder rest comprises a first slidable end member for receiving a stem that
supports the first fork, the first slidable end member being slidable between
a
retracted position and an extended, cantilevered position, the first slidable
end
member also having an arcuate channel through which the stem rotates as the
fork
is pivoted between the unfolded and folded positions, wherein the first
slidable end
member is slidable within a first slot in the instrument-facing side of the
body to
extend or retract the first fork. The shoulder rest comprises a second
slidable end
member for supporting the second fork, the second slidable end member being
slidable between a retracted position and an extended, cantilevered position,
the
second slidable end member also having an arcuate channel through which the
stem rotates as the fork is pivoted between the unfolded and folded positions,
wherein the second slidable end member is slidable within a second slot in the
instrument-facing side of the body to extend or retract the second fork. The
first
slidable end member comprises a first protrusion adapted to engage one of a
first
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plurality of apertures disposed in the first slot. The second slidable end
member
comprises a second protrusion adapted to engage one of a second plurality of
apertures disposed in the second slot.
[0012] Yet another inventive aspect of the present disclosure is a shoulder
rest
for a violin or viola, the shoulder rest comprising a shoulder-engaging body
having a
first end and a second end, the body also having a shoulder-engaging side and
an
instrument-facing side, a first foldable fork attachable to the violin or
viola and
foldable from an unfolded position to a folded position, and a second foldable
fork
attachable to the violin or viola and foldable from an unfolded position to a
folded
position. The shoulder rest includes a first slidable end member for receiving
a
threaded stem that supports the first fork, the first slidable end member
being
slidable between a retracted position and an extended position, the first
slidable end
member also having an arcuate channel through which the stem rotates as the
first
fork is pivoted between the unfolded and folded positions, wherein the first
slidable
end member is slidable within a first slot in the instrument-facing side of
the body to
extend or retract the first fork. The shoulder rest further includes a second
slidable
end member for supporting the second fork, the second slidable end member
being
slidable between a retracted position and an extended position, the second
slidable
end member also having an arcuate channel through which the stem rotates as
the
second fork is pivoted between the unfolded and folded positions, wherein the
second slidable end member is slidable within a second slot in the instrument-
facing
side of the body to extend or retract the fork. The shoulder rest further
includes a
foam cushion disposed on the shoulder-engaging side. The foam cushion may
comprise an optional plurality of openings.
[0013] Yet another inventive aspect of the present disclosure is a shoulder
rest
for a violin or viola, the shoulder rest comprising a shoulder-engaging body
having a
first end and a second end, the body also having a shoulder-engaging side and
an
instrument-facing side, a first foldable fork attachable to the violin or
viola and
foldable from an unfolded position to a folded position, and a second foldable
fork
attachable to the violin or viola and foldable from an unfolded position to a
folded
position. The shoulder rest comprises a first slidable end member for
receiving a
threaded stem that supports the first fork, the first slidable end member
being
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slidable between a retracted position and an extended position, the first
slidable end
member also having an arcuate channel through which the stem rotates as the
first
fork is pivoted between the unfolded and folded positions, wherein the first
slidable
end member is slidable within a first slot in the instrument-facing side of
the body to
extend or retract the first fork. The shoulder rest includes a first rotatable
drum
encapsulated within a rotational housing of the first slidable end member. The
shoulder rest includes a second slidable end member for supporting the second
fork, the second slidable end member being slidable between a retracted
position
and an extended position, the second slidable end member also having an
arcuate
channel through which the stem rotates as the second fork is pivoted between
the
unfolded and folded positions, wherein the second slidable end member is
slidable
within a second slot in the instrument-facing side of the body to extend or
retract the
fork. The shoulder rest includes a second rotatable drum encapsulated within a
rotational housing of the second slidable end member.
[0014] This summary is provided to highlight certain significant inventive
aspects
but is not intended to be an exhaustive or limiting definition of all
inventive aspects
of the disclosure. Other inventive aspects may be disclosed in the detailed
description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Further features and advantages of the present technology will
become
apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with
the
appended drawings, in which:
[0016] FIG. us an isometric view of one embodiment of the shoulder rest in
a
retracted position;
[0017] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the shoulder rest in an extended
position;
[0018] FIG. 3 is another isometric view of the shoulder rest in the
retracted
position;
[0019] FIG. 4 is another isometric view of the shoulder rest in the
extended
position;
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[0020] FIG. 5 is a top view of the shoulder rest in the retracted position;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a top view of the shoulder rest in the extended position;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a side view of the shoulder rest in the retracted
position;
[0023] FIG. 8 is side view of the shoulder rest in the extended position;
[0024] FIG. 9 is an end view of the shoulder rest in the retracted
position;
[0025] FIG. 10 is another end view of the shoulder rest in the extended
position;
[0026] FIG. ills a bottom view of the shoulder rest in the retracted
position;
[0027] FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the shoulder rest in the extended
position;
[0028] FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the shoulder rest in the retracted
position,
shown with the shoulder-engaging cushion facing upwardly;
[0029] FIG. 14 is another isometric view of the shoulder rest in the
extended
position;
[0030] FIG. 15 is another isometric view of the shoulder rest in the folded
position;
[0031] FIG. 16 is an isometric view of the shoulder rest in the folded
position,
shown with the instrument-facing side facing upwardly;
[0032] FIG. 17 is another isometric view of the shoulder rest in the folded
position;
[0033] FIG. 18 is an exploded (assembly) view of the shoulder rest;
[0034] FIG. 19 is an isometric view of the base member;
[0035] FIG. 20 is another isometric view of the underside of the base
member;
[0036] FIG. 21 is an isometric view of the foam cushion or pad with its die-
cut
holes;
[0037] FIG. 22 is a side cross-sectional view of the shoulder end;
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[0038] FIG. 23 is a side cross-sectional view of the pull-tab adjustment
mechanism for extending or retracting the slidable shoulder end member and its
fork;
[0039] FIG. 24 is a side cross-sectional view of the clavicle end;
[0040] FIG. 25 is a side cross-sectional view of the pull-tab adjustment
mechanism for extending or retracting the slidable clavicle end member and its
fork;
[0041] FIG. 26 is a side cross-sectional view of the slidable shoulder end
member;
[0042] FIG. 27 is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of the slidable
shoulder
end member showing a stem mounted to a rotatable encapsulated drum;
[0043] FIG. 28 is a side cross-sectional view of the slidable clavicle end
member;
[0044] FIG. 29 is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of the slidable
clavicle
end member showing a stem mounted to a rotatable encapsulated drum;
[0045] FIG. 30 is an isometric view of the slidable shoulder end member;
[0046] FIG. 31 is an isometric view of the underside of the slidable
shoulder end
member;
[0047] FIG. 32 is an isometric view of the shoulder end member retaining
plate
showing interior structure;
[0048] FIG. 33 is an isometric view of the shoulder end member retaining
plate
showing the exterior face;
[0049] FIG. 34 is an isometric view of the slidable clavicle end member;
[0050] FIG. 35 is an isometric view of the underside of the slidable
clavicle end
member;
[0051] FIG. 36 is an isometric view of the clavicle end member retaining
plate
showing interior structure;
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[0052] FIG. 37 is an isometric view of the clavicle end member retaining
plate
showing the exterior face;
[0053] FIG. 38 is an isometric view of a threaded fork drum;
[0054] FIG. 39 is another isometric view of the threaded fork drum;
[0055] FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view of the threaded fork drum;
[0056] FIG. 41 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the shoulder
rest
having a thumbscrew;
[0057] FIG. 42 is a top view of the shoulder rest of FIG. 41;
[0058] FIG. 43 is a side view of the shoulder rest of FIG. 41;
[0059] FIG. 44 is an exploded (assembly) view of the shoulder rest of FIG.
41;
[0060] FIG. 45 is a side cross-sectional view of the shoulder end with the
thumbscrew adjustment mechanism; and
[0061] FIG. 46 is a side cross-sectional view of the clavicle end with the
thumbscrew adjustment mechanism.
[0062] It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like
features are
identified by like reference numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0063] FIG. 1 depicts an adjustable and foldable shoulder rest for a violin
or viola
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The shoulder rest,
which is denoted by reference numeral 10, includes a shoulder-engaging body
(or
"bridge") 20 and a foam cushion or pad 30. The body (bridge) 20 has a first
end 40
and a second end 50. The body 20 has an instrument-facing side 60 and a
shoulder-engaging side 70. A first foldable fork-shaped clamping member (or
"fork")
80 having a pair of tines, prongs or fingers 82 is disposed at the first end
of the body
for clamping the violin or viola. The fork has a hole 84 for receiving a
threaded
stem. The clamping member (or fork) is foldable from an unfolded position to a
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folded position. A second foldable fork-shaped clamping member (or fork) 90
having a pair of tines, fingers or prongs 92 is disposed at a second end of
the
body/bridge for clamping the violin or viola. The second fork 90 has a hole 94
for
receiving a threaded stem 96. The second clamping member (second fork) is also
foldable from an unfolded position to a folded position.
[0064] The shoulder rest 10 depicted in FIG. 1 is adjustable to increase or
decrease the distance between the forks 80, 90. The shoulder rest 10 includes
a
pair of adjustment mechanisms to adjust the distance between the forks. Each
adjustment mechanism in the shoulder rest of FIG. 1 includes a slidable end
member 100, 110 having respective pull-tab adjustable sliders 102, 112
actuated by
lifting pull tabs 104, 114. The adjustment mechanism enables the slidable end
members (shoulder end member 100 and clavicle end member 110) to slide in
slots
relative to the base 20. In this manner the end members 100, 110 may be
extended
or retracted. In FIG. 1 the end members 100, 110 are shown fully retracted.
FIG. 2
shows the end members 100, 110 partially extended. When partially or fully
extended, the end members 100, 110 are also said to be cantilevered as shown
in
FIG. 2. The slidable end members 100, 110 have encapsulated drums 106, 116
that rotationally support the forks as will be described in greater detail
below.
[0065] FIG. 2 also depicts the slidable end members sliding in respective
slots.
A tongue-shaped slider 102 comprises on its underside a protrusion shaped to
engage one of a first plurality of apertures 24, e.g. transverse grooves, that
are
formed in the slot 28.
[0066] FIGS. 3 and 4 depict (from another perspective) the shoulder rest 10
in
both retracted and extended postures, respectively. For the purposes of this
specification, the first end 40 is also referred to as the "shoulder end" and
the
second end 50 is also referred to as the "clavicle end". The shoulder end is
not to
be confused with the shoulder-engaging side 70. The shoulder-engaging side
contacts the musician's shoulder, i.e. the musician rests on the shoulder-
engaging
side to thus provide the shoulder rest. The shoulder end and clavicle end
instead
refer to the slidable end members 100, 110 (also known as "slidable support
members") .
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[0067] As
depicted in FIGS. 1-6, the body (bridge) 20 is asymmetrical. Viewed
from above in FIGS. 5-6, the body curves laterally (i.e. bends to one side)
while the
width generally increases from the clavicle end toward the shoulder end,
except for
a rounding off at the shoulder end. Likewise, when viewed from above in FIG.
6, it
is apparent that the slots 28 or slide paths are at an angle relative to each
other (i.e.
they are not parallel or aligned with each other). Accordingly, the tongue-
shaped
sliders 102, 112 are not parallel or aligned with each other as shown in FIG.
5.
[0068] As
illustrated in FIGS. 7-8, the shoulder end member 100 is shorter in
height than the clavicle end member 110. Viewed from the side in FIGS. 7-8,
the
body 20 curves upwardly from the clavicle end to the shoulder end. The
shoulder
end is convex and the clavicle end is concave as shown in FIGS. 7-8. The
shoulder
end member is convex to match the curvature of the convex shoulder end. The
clavicle end member is concave to match the curvature of the concave clavicle
end.
More specifically, the first slot at the shoulder end is convex whereas the
second
slot at the clavicle end is concave. The sliding movement of the shoulder end
member follows an arcuate generally convex path. The sliding movement of the
clavicle end member follows an arcuate generally concave path. When viewed
from
the side in FIGS. 7-8, it is apparent that these paths are at an angle
relative to each
other (i.e. they are not parallel or aligned).
[0069] As
further illustrated in FIGS. 7-8, the forks 80, 90 are preloaded so that
they clamp or grip the violin or viola with a desired gripping or clamping
force. The
angle of pitch of the forks determines the amount of preload. The angle of the
fork
changes (i.e. opens) when the forks are mounted to the violin or viola. In
other
words, when attached to the instrument, the angle of the forks is greater
(more
"open") relative to their unattached posture. This angle of pitch varies as
the forks
are extended or retracted relative to the body.
[0070] Because
the tongue-shaped sliders slide in the recessed slots, the sliders
are flush with the body 20 as can be seen in FIGS. 7-8. In other words, the
top
curved surfaces of the sliders of each of the end members 100, 110 is flush
with the
base member 20 for an embellished appearance.
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[0071] FIGS. 9-10 also show how the body 20 curves upwardly and to the left
from the clavicle end to the shoulder end.
[0072] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11-15, the shoulder rest 10
further
comprises a foam cushion or pad 30 attached to the instrument-facing side of
the
body (bridge) to provide a cushioned or padded shoulder rest.
[0073] As depicted in FIGS. 11-15, 18 and 21, the foam cushion 30 may
optionally include a plurality of apertures, openings or holes 32. The
openings 32
may be die-cut or manufactured using another technique. The foam cushion with
openings provides a number of advantages. The openings make the foam cushion
lighter. The openings provide more traction on the shoulder to prevent the
shoulder
rest from slipping on the shoulder. In other words, the openings provide an
enhanced grip. The openings in the cushion also embellish the appearance of
the
shoulder rest. The cushion may be made of NBS, neoprene (polychloroprene) or
other equivalent synthetic rubbers, sponges or foams. The openings may be
elongated openings as shown in the figures. The openings may be elongated and
curved, with the curvature increasing from the ends towards the middle. Other
shapes and sizes of openings may be substituted.
[0074] As noted above, the shoulder rest is both adjustable and foldable.
FIG.
11 depicts the shoulder rest with its forks 80, 90 retracted and unfolded in
an
engaged (unfolded) posture for mounting or clamping to a violin or viola
whereas
FIG. 12 depicts the forks 80, 90 extended or cantilevered. The forks are
independently adjustable and independently foldable (or "collapsible"). FIGS.
13
and 14 are isometric views of the shoulder rest in the retracted and extended
positions. The forks may be folded for storage or transport. FIGS. 15-17 show
the
forks folded.
[0075] In this illustrated embodiment, the fork-shaped clamping members (or
"forks") 80, 90 are asymmetric. The forks are also rotatable in this
illustrated
embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the forks are threaded onto
threaded
stems 86, 96 (shown in FIG. 18) that permit the forks to be raised or lowered
and
that also permit the forks to be rotated relative to the base. The forks can
also be
folded or unfolded (i.e. closed or opened).
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[0076] To recap, the shoulder rest 10 further includes a first slidable end
member for receiving a threaded stem that supports the first clamping member,
the
first slidable end member being slidable between a retracted position and an
extended position, the first slidable end member also having an arcuate
channel or
slot through which the stem rotates as the clamping member is pivoted between
the
unfolded and folded positions. The first slidable end member is slidable
within a first
slot in the instrument-facing side of the bridge to extend or retract the
first clamping
member relative to the bridge. Likewise, the shoulder rest 10 further includes
a
second slidable end member for supporting the second clamping member, the
second slidable end member being slidable between a retracted position and an
extended position, the second slidable end member also having an arcuate
channel
through which the stem rotates as the clamping member is pivoted between the
unfolded and folded positions, wherein the second slidable end member is
slidable
within a second slot in the instrument-facing side of the bridge to extend or
retract
the second clamping member relative to the bridge.
[0077] In the illustrated embodiment, there is no locking mechanism to lock
the
forks in the folded or unfolded postures. However, in other embodiments, there
may
be a locking mechanism to lock the forks in the folded or unfolded postures.
Alternatively, there may be an indexing or friction fit for the fork-folding
mechanism.
[0078] The shoulder rest is thus adjustable by extending or retracting the
forks.
The forks are also rotatable as noted above to provide further adjustability.
When
extended, the slidable end members and their respective forks are
cantilevered.
When fully extended (cantilevered) there is some lateral and/or torsional play
or
tolerance to provide a further degree of adjustability. In other words, when
extended
(cantilevered), the slidable end members may twist to fit the instrument
and/or may
twist when torque is applied to the attached shoulder rest.
[0079] The first slidable end member comprises a first protrusion shaped to
engage one of a first plurality of apertures disposed in the first slot.
Similarly, the
second slidable end member comprises a second protrusion shaped to engage one
of a second plurality of apertures disposed in the second slot.
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[0080] In the
illustrated embodiment, the first plurality of apertures comprises
traverse grooves disposed substantially orthogonally to an axis of sliding
motion of
the first support member within the first slot and wherein the second
plurality of
apertures comprises traverse grooves disposed substantially orthogonally to an
axis
of sliding motion of the second support member within the second slot and
wherein
the protrusion is a transverse rib shaped to engage one of the transverse
grooves.
The traverse grooves are disposed only in an inward half of each slot in the
illustrated embodiment.
[0081] In the
illustrated embodiment, each of the first and second slidable end
members comprises a pull-tab unlocking member that flexes when pulled away
from
the slot to disengage the protrusion from the aperture, the pull-tab unlocking
member being elastically biased to return to an unflexed posture against the
slot. In
the illustrated embodiment, the pull-tab unlocking member comprises an
elongated
tab terminating in a curved rounded tip that curves away from the slot. The
tab has
a tab thickness less than a slidable end member thickness and the tab has a
tab
width less than a slidable end member width.
[0082] FIG. 18
is an exploded or assembly view of the main components of the
shoulder rest 10, namely the body (bridge) 20, cushion 30, forks 80, 90,
slidable end
members 100, 110, drums 106, 116 and retainer cover plates 120, 130. FIG. 19
is
an isometric view of the body (bridge) 20. To assemble the shoulder rest, the
pad
30 is attached to the body 20. The stems of the forks are fastened to the
drums
106, 116 which are rotationally housed within the bores of the end members
100,
110. The retainer cover plates 120, 130 are snapped into place to hold the
drums
inside the bores of the slidable end members.
[0083] The body
(or bridge) 20 may have a chamfer 21 along the sides of the
body as illustrated in FIG. 19. The chamfered body makes it easier to hold and
manipulate the body and also embellishes the appearance of the body. The body
20
has first and second slots 28 having a plurality of apertures, e.g. transverse
grooves
24. These may be disposed on a forward (innermost) half of the slot. A pair of
guide lips or grooves 26 extend along the sides of the slot to retain the
tongue-
shaped slider.
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[0084] FIG. 20 is an underside isometric view of the body 20 of the
shoulder rest.
The underside may have a lip or rim 22 extending around the perimeter of the
body
into which the cushion may be partially recessed.
[0085] FIG. 21 is an isometric view of the foam cushion 30 or foam pad. As
shown the cushion has a plurality of openings, holes or apertures 32. The foam
cushion or pad as illustrated in FIG. 21 has a contour or shape that matches
the
body. As further illustrated, the cushion or pad has a uniform thickness
although
this is not necessarily so in other embodiments. The cushion is a single
integral
piece of foam in FIG. 21 although in other embodiments it may be constituted
of two
or more pieces.
[0086] FIGS. 22-40 depict structural details of the slidable shoulder end
member
and the slidable clavicle end member.
[0087] FIG. 22 shows the shoulder end 40. This figure shows that the fork
80 is
mounted onto its threaded stem 86. This enables the fork 80 to be raised or
lowered relative to the base 20 and also enables the fork to be rotated
relative to the
base. The stem threads into a correspondingly threaded collar or bore within
the
rotatable drum. As illustrated, the first slidable end member (shoulder end
member)
100 comprises a cylindrical drum-like component. FIG. 23 shows the pull-tab
adjustment mechanism for the slidable shoulder end member. Note that the
sliding
path is convex at the shoulder end 40 as shown in FIG. 22. FIGS. 22 and 23
show
that the transverse grooves 24 may be tapered or flared to receive a similarly
shaped protrusion 105 or tooth. Six grooves 24 are depicted although this
number
may be varied in other embodiments. Accordingly, the protrusion may be seated
in
any one of six positions to provide six different degrees of linear extension.
FIG. 23
shows how the pull tab 104 may be arcuate or curved although other shapes or
profiles may be employed. This figure also shows how there is a forward space
107
to provide sufficient finger or thumb clearance to lift the pull tab 104.
[0088] FIG. 24 shows the clavicle end 50, which provides a concave sliding
path
for the tongue-shaped slider 112. FIG. 25 shows the pull-tab adjustment
mechanism for the slidable clavicle end member 110. The pull tab 114 is lifted
or
pulled to displace the protrusion from one groove 24 to another. A front space
117
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is provided for finger or thumb access to the pull tab 114. Sliding the
clavicle end
member 110 shown in FIG. 24 causes the fork 90 and its fingers or tines 92 to
move. The fork 90 is supported by threaded stem 96 and is rotatable with the
drum
as will be explained in greater detail below.
[0089] FIG. 26 shows the slidable shoulder end member 100 which includes a
bore B for receiving and encapsulating a drum. A gap G is provided by a
narrowing
or thinning of the tongue-shaped slider in the zone immediately before the
protrusion
to augment local flexure. A cavity C is provided below the bore B for
receiving the
retainer cover plate. FIG. 27 is an enlarged side view of the slidable
shoulder end
member 100 showing a stem 86 fastened to the rotatable encapsulated drum 106.
A retainer cover plate 120 is snapped into place in the cavity in the bottom
of the
end member 100 to hold the drum 106 in place.
[0090] FIG. 28 is a side view of the slidable clavicle end member 110
having
analogous bore B, cavity C and gap G as described above. FIG. 29 is an
enlarged
side view of the slidable clavicle end member 110 showing a stem 96 fastened
to a
rotatable encapsulated drum 116. A retainer cover plate 130 is snapped into
place
into the cavity C to retain the drum inside the bore B of the slidable
clavicle member
110.
[0091] FIG. 30 illustrates the slidable shoulder end member 100. The
slidable
shoulder end member 100 has a pull tab 104 and a rounded or semicircular
forward
end 148 defining a finger access space 107 for accessing the pull tab 104. The
pull
tab is integrally formed with a tongue-shaped slider 102 and is partly
laterally
separated from the slider by two narrow grooves or channels 144, 146. Running
along the edges of the end member are lips 142 for sliding within the grooves
26 of
the slot 28 in the body 20 as shown in FIG. 19. The rounded front 140 of each
lip
142 facilitates insertion into the grooves. As depicted in FIG. 30, the end
member
100 has a rotational housing 149 defining a bore B for receiving and
encapsulating
the drum 106. The rotational housing 149 has a first arcuate slot 150 to
permit the
stem to rotate when the fork is folded. The housing 149 also has a second
arcuate
slot 152 to provide clearance for rotation of the bottom portion of the stem
when the
fork is lowered. In other words, the bottom portion of the stem may extend
beyond
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the drum when the fork is lowered, thereby requiring rear clearance for the
bottom
extended portion of the stem to rotate with the drum.
[0092] FIG. 31 depicts the underside of the slidable shoulder end member
100.
The underside has a cavity C. Two protuberances 154 are provided for snap
connection to sockets 122 shown in FIG. 32. The underside view of FIG. 31 also
shows the protrusion 105.
[0093] FIG. 32 illustrates the shoulder end member retaining plate
(retainer
cover plate) 120. A retainer guide fin 124 is provided to both retain the drum
in
place and also to guide the drum as it rotates. FIG. 33 shows the smooth
exterior
face of the shoulder end member retaining plate.
[0094] The structure of the clavicle end member is similar and analogous to
that
of the shoulder end member as can be seen from FIG. 34. The clavicle end
member 110 has the pull tab 114, channels 144, 146, side edge lips 142 with
rounded front 140, rotational housing 149 defining the bore B and first and
second
arcuate slots 150, 152. In the underside view of FIG. 35, there is a cavity C
and
protuberances 154 for snap connection to sockets 134 of cover plate 130 shown
in
FIG. 36. A retainer guide fin 134 retains and guides the drum. The fin 134 is
taller
than fin 124. The exterior face of the clavicle end member retaining plate is
smooth
as shown in FIG. 37.
[0095] As depicted in FIGS. 38-40, the cylindrical drum-like component
("drum")
116 has concave sides 116b with which to hold the drum between a finger and a
thumb. As shown in FIGS. 38-40, the drum has recessed concave side surfaces.
In other embodiments, the concave drum 116 may be replaced with another
suitable
rotating element that achieves the same or similar kinematics. The drum is
encapsulated within a respective end member (slidable support member). The
drum
116 has a bore 116a for the stem and an arcuate slot 116c.
[0096] FIGS. 41-46 depict a shoulder rest with a thumbscrew adjustment
mechanism in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
[0097] As depicted in FIGS. 41-43, the shoulder rest 10 has the same body
20
and foam cushion 30 as was described above. Likewise, the shoulder rest has
one
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fork 80 (with tines, prongs or fingers 82) at the shoulder end and another
fork 90
(with tines, prongs or fingers 92) at the clavicle end. The shoulder end
member 100
has a tongue-shaped slider 102. The clavicle end member 110 has a tongue-
shaped slider 112. A first thumbscrew 160 fastens the first tongue-shaped
slider
102 in place on the shoulder end. Similarly, a second thumbscrew 162 fastens
the
second tongue-shaped slider 112 in place on the shoulder end. These thumbscrew
adjustment mechanisms are an alternative to the pull-tab adjustment mechanisms
described in the first embodiment.
[0098] FIG. 44 shows how the shoulder rest is assembled by connecting the
body 20 to the cushion/pad 30 and by encapsulating the drums 106, 116 within
the
end members 100, 110. The retainer cover plates 120, 130 hold the drums 106,
116 inside the bores of the end members 100, 110 as described previously. As
illustrated in FIG. 44, the shoulder end member 100 has a threaded bore 164
into
which the thumbscrew 160 is threaded. The clavicle end member 110 has a
threaded bore 166 into which the thumbscrew 162 is threaded. As shown in FIG.
45, the tip 161 of the thumbscrew 160 protrudes into one of the plurality of
apertures, e.g. transverse grooves to lock the slider 102 in place. Similarly,
as
shown in FIG. 46, the tip 163 of the thumbscrew 162 extends into one of the
transverse grooves 24 to lock the slider 112 in place.
[0099] The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be
exemplary only. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art,
to whom
this specification is addressed, many obvious variations, modifications, and
refinements can be made to the embodiments presented herein without departing
from the inventive concept(s) disclosed herein. The scope of the exclusive
right
sought by the applicant(s) is therefore intended to be limited solely by the
appended
claims.
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