Abstract: A shoulder rest for a violin or viola comprises a bridge beam having a first end and a second end and a shoulder-engaging pad mounted to a block having a beam-engaging portion that is shaped to slide over the bridge beam. The shoulder rest includes a first foot disposed at the first end for gripping the violin or viola and a second foot disposed at the second end for gripping the violin or viola. In another implementation, the shoulder rest includes a first shoulder-engaging pad mounted to a first arm that is connected to an arm carriage disposed within a groove in the bridge beam and a second shoulder-engaging pad mounted to a second arm that is connected to the arm carriage.

Abstract: A shoulder rest for a bowed string instrument comprises a curved base with a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface has a first attachment element. A resilient pad has a second attachment element facing the first attachment element. The second attachment element is configured to removably couple to the first attachment element. A plurality of engagement members is coupled to the bottom surface of the curved base and configured to prevent the curved base from contacting the bowed string instrument during use.

Abstract: A shoulder support for a musical instrument is proposed, which includes a holding device, by means of which the shoulder support is fixable or fixed to the musical instrument, at least one arm, which is fixable or fixed to the holding device, and a shoulder abutment element, which is fixable or fixed on the at least one arm and has a pad and a pad holder, the pad holder being movably held on an arm connecting part of the shoulder abutment element by means of a pad holder joint device.

Abstract: A clamping device for holding shoulder rest to violin and viola includes a holding member, a plurality of clamping members, and a shaft. The holding member has a base portion and an extended portion outward extended from the base portion. The clamping members are connected to the extended portion. The shaft is extended through the clamping members and the extended portion. With these arrangements, a shoulder rest can be very conveniently assembled to a violin or a viola and can be freely adjusted in angle for use.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and apparatus for protecting a musical instrument and the player of said instrument. One embodiment is an apparatus that includes a first layer including a moisture permeable and wicking material configured to wick fluid and moisture across and through the layer. The first layer includes a first player-facing surface and a first musical instrument facing surface. The apparatus also includes a second layer including a second player-facing surface and a second musical instrument facing surface, wherein the second player-facing surface abuts the first musical instrument facing surface of the first layer. The second layer includes a moisture impermeable material configured to prevent the wicked fluid and moisture to come into contact with the musical instrument.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and apparatus for protecting a musical instrument and the player of said instrument. One embodiment is an apparatus that includes a first layer including a moisture permeable and wicking material configured to wick fluid and moisture across and through the layer. The first layer includes a first player-facing surface and a first musical instrument facing surface. The apparatus also includes a second layer including a second player-facing surface and a second musical instrument facing surface, wherein the second player-facing surface abuts the first musical instrument facing surface of the first layer. The second layer includes a moisture impermeable material configured to prevent the wicked fluid and moisture to come into contact with the musical instrument.

Abstract: A chin-rest of a violin is attached to an edge of the resonating box of a violin. An opening is provided in the chin-rest through which an elastic knot for stretching the strings can pass through. This is attached at one place to the string holder and is drawn in a stretched state through the opening of the chin-rest. The opposite end is attached to a fixed end pin so that it comprises a portion of the chin-rest attachment. The chin-rest does not rest on the upper panel of the resonating box of the violin, instead, it is above it by a specified distance “d” and above the string holder.

Abstract: The shoulder rest for a violin and a viola is formed in the manner that the basis of the shoulder rest (1) is partially rolled up in the opposite direction and that enables maximal adjustment to physiological characteristics of the violinist. The strain leg holder (2) is rotated for 180° C. in each direction in the way that the shoulder rest length is reduced from the functional shoulder rest length for one fourth.

Abstract: A viola/violin shoulder rest includes a first pad and a second pad made of soft foamed plastic material. A retainer is fixed between the first pad and the second pad. Each of the first pad and the second pad is formed with a sound reflection area which is a through hole. The sound reflection area of the first pad is alternatively stuffed with a natural sponge block. The sponge block is selectively coated at its top a gold foil. A number of feet made of silicon gel are fixed on the first pad in delta arrangement. A number of fastening posts are disposed on an upper surface of the retainer. A resilient band extends through where between the retainer and the second pad for the viola/violin player to deliver optimal sound color and quality.

Abstract: A chin rest for a musical instrument comprises a body, a first support, a second support, a chin pad and a third support. The first support extends from a first end portion of the body and has at least one clamping member for engaging an upper rim of a musical instrument body. Similarly, the second support extends from a second end portion of the body and has at least one clamping member for engaging the upper rim of the musical instrument body in a position spaced from the first support. The chin pad includes a chin receiving surface for receiving a chin of a performer of the musical instrument, and is coupled to the body. The third support may contact a position along the upper rim of the musical instrument, e.g., between the first and second supports when the chin rest is mounted to a corresponding instrument.

Abstract: An adjustable and collapsible shoulder rest for a violin or like instrument that has an elongated single piece body with a first and second end being vertically extended at both ends by vertical guards which protect and prevent injury to the user when attempting to collapse the left and right gripping members. Vertical guards may be positioned at a fixed tilted angle to improve and train users to apply proper playing posture. Left and right gripping members have flexible separated gripping appendages that increase the surface area gripping of the instrument body and reduce or negate completely, any unwanted movement or slippage of the instrument body. Left and right gripping members are securely attached to left and right collapsible inserts by stems.

Abstract: The inventive clamping member is a rigid clamp having a generally “U”-shaped configuration the base of which is defined by two arms each terminating in an upwardly directed clamping finger adapted to engage the rim of a bottom of a violin or the like at opposed sides of the body of the instrument. A pivot, usually in the form of a threaded stem projects from the base of the “U” in a direction opposite to that of the projection of the clamping fingers. It normally secures free pivotal mounting of the clamping members at the ends of a shoulder rest bridge. The stem defines an axis of pivot of the clamping member which is offset to one of the clamping fingers, whereby the two arms are of uneven length. The shorter arm is relatively proximal to the tail of the instrument, while the longer arm is relatively distal from the tail.

Abstract: An instrument support may be used to support an instrument, such as a violin or a viola, against collar-bone/shoulder and chest regions of a player. The instrument support may include a collar-bone rest and a chest rest, providing a dual plane design. The rests may be adjustable to adjust the location on the back of the instrument and to adjust the heights and angles with respect to the instrument to suit the anatomical differences between players.

Abstract: A stringed instrument having a stationary support; one part of the instrument interfacing with the musician's sternum, another part pivotally interfacing with the support using two pivot axes mounted perpendicular to each other, first axis dependent on second axis. The longitudinal axis of the instrument is aligned with the musician's anatomical median plane; the support enabling congruent movement between the instrument and the musician's swaying torso while preventing rotation of the instrument around its longitudinal axis, thus improving ergonomic posture and technique. The instrument has an effective string length less than that of a cello and greater than that of a viola, for enabling such ergonomic positioning.

Abstract: The construction of a shoulder rests for violins and the like comprising a generally rectangular open top elongated body having a bottom wall, opposed longitudinal side walls and opposed transverse side walls, said opposed longitudinal side walls having a plurality of protruding lugs, each having protective rubber rests at their top ends, provided thereon, and said opposed transverse side walls having flexible arms fixedly secured near the middle portion thereof.

Abstract: A chinrest pad system designed to hold a standard chinrest used with a string instrument that minimizes dampening of vibration and prevents damage caused by the metal components touching the edges of the instrument. The system includes pads located under the support surface of the chinrest member and on top of the lower lip plate used on the lower clamping member. The pads are specifically designed to partially engage the instrument's upper and lower edges and match the curvature of instrument surface immediately adjacent to the edge. Each pad also includes a rear extending lip that bends slightly around the upper or lower edge and extends rearward to prevent the metal rods used with the turnbuckles from contacting the rear surface. During assembly, the pads are positioned over the upper and lower edges so that the compression forces exerted by the support surface and the lower lip plate are centrally located over the sidewall transverse axis, thereby minimizing dampening of vibration.

Abstract: Shoulder rest for use with violin is disclosed. The rest includes a base including two half portions each including a central channel, a guide rail along either side of the base, a rack rail at either side of the channel, and two half sections each comprising clamping means; a support including a leg inserted into the channel, two latched members slidably fastened at underside of the channel, and two toothed stops engaged with the rack rail; and pivotal means comprising a body having a top hole for receiving a threaded stem of the clamping means, a parallel snapping element, and a bar interconnected the body and the snapping element, the bar being pivotal about a cavity of the support having a bifurcation sandwiched by the body and the snapping element. Two side flanges of the support are mounted to the guide rails. Thus, the support is moveable along the channel.

Abstract: A steplessly adjustable shoulder rest for violin or the like includes an elongated base having two oppositely spaced recesses provided on an upper surface thereof. Two guiding and locking bolts are separately located at and projected from an outer side of a center of the two recesses to engage with long slots on two adjusting slides, so that the adjusting slides are slidably located in said recesses. Outer ends of the two adjusting slides are two vertical end walls, to outer sides of which two binding elements are screwed to move along with the adjusting slides. Two nuts are tightened to or loosened from the two guiding and locking bolts upward projected from the adjusting slides, so the adjusting slides may be steplessly adjusted to desired positions for the binding elements to best fitly connect the shoulder rest to a lower rear end of the violin or the like.

Abstract: A violin shoulder cradle is designed for coupling to a violin to provide improved ergonomics and quality of sound when the violin is played. The violin shoulder cradle includes a shoulder support and coupling structure for attaching the cradle to the violin. The shoulder support includes a resonance chamber which is hollow for adding to the beauty of the sounds of the violin without detracting from the appearance of the violin during playing.

Abstract: Improved Stringed Instrument Stand with an L shaped bracket having a centrally located clevis joint, a hinged flat stand member, and a retaining clip, the L shaped member capable of retaining a washer, the washer having a plurality of engagement fingers that are able to engage with one of a plurality of mating linear engagement receptacles. The washer has a centrally located aperture that allows the retention of a strap holding screw of a stringed instrument. The washer is able to be placed higher or lower within the L shaped bracket thereby allowing stringed instruments having different body thickness's to be accommodated by the bracket without having to drill additional holes in the body the stringed instrument. A hinged flat stand member folds open to help hold the instrument in an upright position when being placed on a flat surface and folded closed when the instrument is being played.

Abstract: A violin shoulder cradle is designed for coupling to a violin to provide improved ergonomics and quality of sound when the violin is played. The violin shoulder cradle includes a shoulder support and coupling structure for attaching the cradle to the violin. The shoulder support includes a resonance chamber which is hollow for adding to the beauty of the sounds of the violin without detracting from the appearance of the violin during playing.

Abstract: A violin shoulder rest that facilitates the optimal positioning of a violin relative to a violin player's body for increased comfort and reduced physical stress, and facilitates the optimal positioning of a microphone relative to the violin to achieve the desired volume and tonal qualities of the sound produced by the instrument. The violin shoulder rest includes an elongated base conformable to a violin player's body, clamping members coupled at opposing ends of the base for clamping the shoulder rest to a violin, and a securement mechanism to secure the respective clamping members to the base. The violin shoulder rest accommodates at least one electrical signal input, and amplification circuitry or other signal processing circuitry for pre-amplifying or otherwise processing the electrical signal input. The violin shoulder rest is configured to mount a positionable microphone subassembly adjacent a respective signal input connector.

Abstract: A shoulder rest for violin or the like capable of improving tone quality includes at least an elongated base and binding elements provided at two upper outer ends of the elongated base for fixing the latter to a back of a violin or the like. The elongated base is provided with a plurality of spaced and differently sized through holes corresponding to a plurality of bass and treble strings provided at a top of the violin or the like, and can therefore resonate with the strings to make the musical sound produced by playing the violin or the like even more sonorous and sweeter.

Abstract: A violin chin rest includes a chin rest pad, an adjusting device and a fixture. The adjusting device comprises an adjusting rod, a connecting base and a sleeve secured to the fixture. The adjusting rod has one end connected to the chin rest pad while the other end is in a ball-shaped bolt. The connecting base has male threads on an outer surface and an arcuate surface at the top inner wall to be engaged with the adjusting rod. The sleeve also comprises female threads at the inner wall to be threaded with the connecting base to move upward or downward with respect to the connecting base. The sleeve is secured to the fixture.

Abstract: A shoulder rest for an instrument such as a violin or viola comprising an elongated support suitable for resting on a user's shoulder, ends of the support having attachment devices for holding the instrument spaced away from the support. The attachment devices each include a base part having a socket portion with an internal cavity, and a pedestal including a nut member rotatable within the cavity and having a threaded bore, and a normally upright threaded stem mounted in the threaded bore and carrying a clamping member engageable with the instrument back. The nut member has hand manipulatable means allowing it to be rotated manually within the cavity about the bore axis to raise or lower the stem relative to the base part so as to adjust the height of the clamping member relative to the support while the clamping member remains connected to the instrument.

Abstract: The disclosed bridge (10) of a violin or viola shoulder rest is made from a laminate of wood veneers (23-29) the grain of which alternates generally at right angles to each other. In the embodiment disclosed, the number of veneers is seven. The top veneer (23) and the bottom veneer (29) have their grain oriented generally longitudinally of the bridge (10).

Abstract: In order to improve a chin rest for a musical instrument having a chin support and a holding device for holding the chin support on the musical instrument, with the holding device comprising at least one clamping element which is adjustable for clamping the chin support to the musical instrument in a clamping direction, such that it is easy and safe to use, it is proposed that the chin support be provided with an insertion guide for the at least one clamping element, and that the insertion guide be arranged and designed such that the inserting direction is at an incline to the clamping direction.

Abstract: The adjustment of the distance between clamping elements (13, 14) of a shoulder rest for violin or the like instrument is effected by a stem-like fastener, preferably a thumbscrew (37) passing through one of generally equidistantly spaced apart openings (29, 30) in a foot member (17) and through that opening (29, 30) which is aligned with one of at least two nuts (33, 34) embedded in an elongated base (10) of the shoulder rest.According to the invention, the longitudinal spacing between the openings (29, 30) differs from that of the nuts (33, 34) preferably such that one spacing is one-half of the other, whereby a fine adjustment of the clamping distance can be achieved, while the number of the nuts (33, 34) and/or the openings (29, 30) is relatively small, in the embodiment shown, two of each, permitting a total of four different adjustments of the clamping distance.

Abstract: A device for a stringed instrument to maintain the tone emitted from the instrument which is otherwise dampened by the user's body. The device includes a plate having an outer contour approximately matching that of a back surface of the instrument and at least one space. The plate remains in place against the back surface of the instrument while the instrument is being played. The device may also include a plurality of pads that space the plate from the back surface of the instrument.

Abstract: A shoulder rest for use with a stringed musical instrument, such as a violin or viola, includes a substantially rigid body, defining a hollow resonating chamber, and supporting feet mounted to the body for engaging the underside of the instrument and spacing the body from the instrument when the shoulder rest is attached thereon. A fastener is provided for removably attaching the shoulder rest to the underside of the instrument.

Abstract: A shoulder rest for an instrument such as a violin or viola, comprising an elongated support suitable for resting on a user's shoulder, and an attachment device adjacent each end of the support for attachment to the instrument with the support spaced away from the back of the instrument. The attachment devices each include a base part upstanding from the support, and a pedestal mounted on the base part and carrying a clamping member terminating in recesses engageable with a back portion of the instrument. The invention provides a single shaft connecting the base part and the pedestal which passes through a bore in the pedestal which bore is elongated in cross-section and allows the pedestal to both tilt relative to the base part and to fold down onto the support when the shoulder rest is detached from the instrument, so as to reduce the height for storage.

Abstract: This support includes a stirrup (2) brought to be secured in the usual manner on the violin. The stirrup includes a plate in which is formed a channel (17) having a dovetail cross-section. An arm (5) forming part of a shoulder support exhibits a like cross-section at its fastening end (14). Furthermore such arm is split in order to accommodate a control element (18). The latter, through rotation thereof around the axis (X--X) of the slot (13), can spread apart the branches (5a and 5b) of the arm in order to clamp it in the channel (17). The control element (18) is assembled on the shoulder support (4) in a manner to prevent loss thereof. Application of the invention is to stringed instruments played at the shoulder.

Abstract: This violin shoulder rest essentially comprises a support piece (1) intended to rest against the shoulder of the violinist, and a rigid arm (2) fastened to the base (3) of the chin rest. The support piece (1) is rigidly attached to the arm (2) by three clamping pieces but in an adjustable manner, in slope and angle relative to the arm (2) and in distance to the end of the violin. When such adjustments have been effected, the rigid attachment of the support piece (1) to the arm (2) is obtained by means of a single screw (25) which does not risk coming unscrewed in an untimely manner.

Abstract: A chin or shoulder pad for use with violins and violas is disclosed which includes a soft, flexible, resilient body having gradually rounded sides and a flexible, resilient neck attached to or near one rounded corner of the body and extending diagonally therefrom. The body mounts flush against the underside surface of the resonance body of the musical instrument on a lower end portion thereof below the C-shaped bouts such that the neck extends around and over the chin rest turnbuckle or screw assembly. A pair of straps connect opposite corner portions of a distal end of the neck to corresponding corners at the base of the body to form a pair of loops which extend around lower inside corners of the resonance box bouts. The straps connecting the pad to both bouts tends to inhibit sliding movement of the body and neck caused by rubbing movement of a musician thereagainst.

Abstract: Support for a string instrument belonging to the violin family which, when played upon, is kept in position between the jawbone and the collar bone with the aid of an anatomically well shaped chin rest (15) with a suitable protuberance (10), comprising a bow-member (1) contouring the human body, bendable, during playing in contact with three relative motionless spots on the players body, namely the collarbone, the chest about between the 2nd and 4th ribs about vertical below the chin tip and the Musculus Trapezius about between the 2nd and the 4th vertebra, between the back bone and the left shoulder blade; in the part which crosses the collar bone the bow-member supports a mounting plate (4) arranged to keep the violin in playing position with the assistance of details existing on the instrument; the stringholder cord (24), its saddle (21), and button (17) as well as in contact with the violin's rounded bottom edge (29); whereby the mounting-plate's upper part (23) has been given a shape which, when mounted

Abstract: A shoulder support for a violin or similar string instrument secures to the periphery of the instrument by clamping on an axis generally aligned with the peripheral vertical edge, i.e., the rib, of the instrument. The support comprises a mounting device which clamps to the instrument and a padded rest which may be readily assembled to and disassembled from the mounting device. The position and orientation of the padded rest is adjustable relative to the mounting device and body of the string instrument. The mounting device may also include means for mounting a conventional chin rest on the upper portion of the instrument.

Abstract: An improved shoulder rest for an instrument and, in particular, a violin, viola, or the like, having a chin rest and a supporting clamp engaging a back portion of the instrument generally opposite the chin rest, is provided which includes a mounting base securable between the supporting clamp and the back portion of the instrument. An arm is detachably securable to the base at a number of different locations. A shoulder rest element which rests against the user's shoulder is, in turn, secured to the arm in such a manner so as to permit sliding, rotational, and tilting adjustable movement of the rest element relative to the arm. Thereafter, the shoulder rest element may be locked in the desired and stationary position of orientation relative to the arm.

Abstract: A chinrest pad system designed to hold a standard chinrest used with a string instrument that minimizes dampening of vibration and prevents damage caused by the metal components touching the edges of the instrument. The system includes pads located under the support surface of the chinrest member and on top of the lower lip plate used on the lower clamping member. The pads are specifically designed to partially engage the instrument's upper and lower edges and match the curvature of instrument surface immediately adjacent to the edge. Each pad also includes a rear extending lip that bends slightly around the upper or lower edge and extends rearward to prevent the metal rods used with the turnbuckles from contacting the rear surface. During assembly, the pads are positioned over the upper and lower edges so that the compression forces exerted by the support surface and the lower lip plate are centrally located over the sidewall transverse axis, thereby minimizing dampening of vibration.