Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6635813
-
Patent Number
6,635,813
-
Date Filed
Friday, March 30, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, October 21, 200320 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 084 318
- 084 315
- 084 316
- 084 317
- 081 314
- 081 315
- 081 316
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A capo (10) for use with a stringed instrument having a plurality of strings (4) and a neck (2). The neck (2) comprising a fingerboard (6) and a back (8). The capo (10) comprising a string engaging arm (12) and a clamping arm (14) that are adapted to press against and clamp the strings (4). The arms (12,14) pivotally interconnected about a pivotal connection (16) and axis (1) at a position along said arms (12,14) that is adjacent a side of the neck (2). The pivotal connection includes a releasable locking means (18) which is operable to selectively lock and unlock the pivotal connection and the relative pivotal movement of the clamping arm (14) and string engaging arm (12) at least in a particular direction.
Description
The present invention relates to a capo for a stringed instrument, in particular a guitar, banjo or similar such instrument.
A capo, sometimes variously termed a capodastro, capodaster, capo tasto or cedilla, is a device well-known and used by players of stringed instruments and in particular guitar and banjo players. A capo can be used with a stringed instrument, for example a guitar or banjo, which has a neck and a set of strings extending along the length of the neck. The neck comprises a fingerboard portion adjacent to the strings and a back. The fingerboard includes a number of fret bars which protrude slightly from the fingerboard/neck surface and extend laterally across the neck. The capo, when applied, serves to hold the strings against the fingerboard provided along the neck, and in particular against one of the number of fret bars disposed along the length of the fingerboard and which extend from the fingerboard, to reduce the effective length of the strings and therefore adjust the pitch produced by the strings.
When a capo is in use on an instrument neck a string engaging portion or arm of the capo is arranged to press the strings against the surface of the fingerboard to sandwich the strings against the fret bars and/or fingerboard. In order to press the string engaging portion against the fingerboard the capo is required, and includes: suitable means for it, to be clamped to the neck. In a number of previous capo designs the clamping of the capo to the neck has been provided through the use of relatively cumbersome clamping mechanisms utilising screw mechanism, toggle levers and other means which are difficult to handle and/or time consuming to attach. In particular, the constructions of previous capos have generally been such that the acts of attaching one to an instrument neck, removing it, or moving its position have undesirably required the use of two hands.
With prior designs of capo including levers or screw mechanisms to apply the clamping load a degree of mechanical advantage is used to apply the clamping load and press the capo against the strings and towards the fingerboard. Whilst the use of such mechanical advantage makes applying sufficient clamping force easier it can cause problems. In particular with such arrangements, due to the mechanical advantage, it is relatively easy to, unintentionally and accidentally, apply too great a clamping force. This can lead to overstressing of the strings, especially when the capo is used close to a fret bar on the instrument, which can damage the strings, alter the tuning and/or in the extreme damage the instrument neck. The clamping force and pressure applied with such capos can also not be directly sensed or felt by the player. The player therefore loses a degree of ‘feel’ which, as would be understood, is undesirable. A yet further problem with some of these designs is that the clamping arrangements tend, to some extent, to be specific or require substantial adjustment, to particular instruments and the profile and sizes of neck of the instrument. It is therefore often difficult, time consuming, and cumbersome for such capos to be used on different instruments, different sized necks and/or on a single instrument which has a neck having a cross section which varies substantially along its length.
There are numerous examples of such capo designs including such clamping mechanisms. In particular examples of such designs are proposed and described in the following patents: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,492,045; 4,149,443; and 5,792,969.
In other prior capo designs spring mechanisms (generally torsion springs) are used to provide the clamping force. Examples of such capos are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,143,576 and 4,583,440. With these designs the string engaging arm is pivotally attached at one end to a clamping arm. In use the capo is fitted to the instrument neck with the string engaging arm abutting against the strings and press the strings toward the fingerboard whilst the clamping arm abuts and bears against the opposite rear surface of the neck. A torsion spring is provided within the pivotal mounting to urge the two arms together, with the strings and neck of the instrument sandwiched therebetween, and provide the clamping force.
As described in the prior patents such capo designs are easier and quicker to apply and can be fitted by the player one handed. There is however still the real possibility that the capo may overstress the strings and/or instrument since the torsion spring may be too strong for a particular instrument or position on the instrument neck. The clamping force provided by the spring will also vary depending upon how wide the arms are opened in order to accommodate the neck and consequently the clamping force may vary when the capo is used on different sizes of instrument necks. Furthermore with such capos the player has no control over the clamping force applied, with the clamping force being determined by the stiffness of the spring. Such lack of control over the clamping force and pressure applied is clearly undesirable for the musician. In addition if the spring is too stiff for a particular instrument then over stressing can occur. The position of the capo arms is also not locked or secured, with the capo simply relying on the resilience of the spring to hold it in place.
It is therefore desirable to provide an improved capo which addresses the above described problems by providing a capo which is simple and easy to apply and which will not overstress the strings or neck of the instrument and/or which offers improvements generally.
According to the present invention there is provided a capo as described in the accompanying claims.
In an embodiment of the invention there is provided a capo for use with a stringed instrument having a plurality of strings and a neck. The neck comprises a fingerboard and a back. The capo comprises a string engaging arm, a clamping arm and a pivotal connection to pivotally interconnect the two arms. The string engaging arm is adapted to extend across the fingerboard above the strings and in use press against the strings. The clamping arm is adapted, in use, to extend across and engage the back of the neck. The pivotal connection pivotally interconnects the clamping arm to the string engaging arm at a position along said arms that is arranged, in use, to be adjacent said neck such that the arms can be pivoted relative to each other in order to, in use, fit and clamp the strings and neck between said arms. Preferably the pivotal connection is disposed, in use, generally towards one side of the neck. The pivotal connection includes a releasable locking means which is operable to selectively lock and unlock the pivotal connection and the relative pivotal movement of the clamping arm and string engaging arm at least in a particular direction.
Such a capo of this embodiment of the invention addresses the above described problems with the locking mechanism providing a means for locking the position of the arms and the capo in the position set by the player. The clamping force applied by the capo can therefore be set by the player applying the required force to close the capo on the neck of the instrument with this clamping force then being maintained by the locking means which prevents the arms and capo from opening.
Preferably the locking means is operable to selectively lock and unlock the pivotal connection and relative pivotal movement of the clamping arm and string engaging arm away from each other and the neck of the instrument and so prevent opening of the capo when locked. Furthermore the releasable locking means may advantageously be biassed so that the pivotal connection is normally locked to prevent opening of the capo.
In this way the capo can then be closed on the neck and the required clamping force applied with the locking means already engaged. There is therefore no need to separately actuate the locking means as the required clamping force is applied so making the fitting of the capo even easier.
The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following figures in which:
FIG. 1
is a part sectioned side elevation of a capo according to the present invention installed on the neck of a stringed instrument;
FIG. 2
is a sectional view along plane I of the capo shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
is an exploded perspective illustration of the capo shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
;
FIGS. 4
to
6
show a capo according to a second embodiment of the present invention, with
FIG. 4
being a part sectioned side elevation of the capo,
FIG. 5
being an end view on arrow II of the capo of
FIG. 4
, and
FIG. 6
being an exploded view of the capo of
FIGS. 4 and 5
;
FIGS. 7
to
9
show a capo according a further embodiment of the present invention, with
FIG. 7
being a part sectioned side elevation of the capo,
FIG. 8
being a sectional view along plane III of the capo shown: in
FIG. 7
, and
FIG. 9
being an exploded view of the capo of FIGS.
7
and
8
.
A capo
10
according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown in
FIGS. 1
to
3
. Referring to
FIG. 1
the capo
10
is arranged to be applied to a stringed instrument which has a plurality of strings
4
which extend along the length of a neck
2
of the instrument with the strings
4
positioned adjacent to a fingerboard surface
6
of the neck
2
. The fingerboard includes a number of fret bars which are disposed along the neck, extend laterally across the neck, and protrude slightly from the surface of the fingerboard
6
. The capo
10
when installed is arranged to clamp the strings
4
, and press the strings
4
towards the fingerboard
6
of the neck
2
with the strings
4
generally sandwiched between the capo
10
and the fingerboard surface
6
of the neck
2
. Specifically the strings
4
are generally clamped against the fret bars of the fingerboard
6
by the capo
10
.
The capo
10
comprises a generally L shaped string engaging arm
12
. The arm
12
includes a main string engaging portion
7
which extends across the width of the neck
2
and which when the capo
10
is fitted to the neck
2
engages with the strings
4
to press the strings
4
towards and against the fingerboard
6
of the neck
2
and in particular against the fret bars of the fingerboard
6
. A resilient layer
11
is provided on the lower surface main portion
7
of the string engaging arm
12
, along a portion of the arm
12
which contacts with the strings
4
. A minor portion
9
of the string engaging arm
12
extends generally perpendicular to the main portion
7
and when the capo
10
is fitted to the neck
2
of the instrument and is generally perpendicular to the fingerboard surface
6
and extends along and adjacent to one side of the neck
2
.
A clamping arm
14
is pivotally attached via :pivot pin
16
to the string engaging arm
12
. The clamping arm
14
is generally L shaped with one side of the arm
14
of an arcuate profile to co-operate with the general, typical shape of the neck
2
of the instruments on which the capo
10
is to be applied. The clamping arm
14
has a main portion
15
which, when the capo
10
is fitted to the neck
2
, extends across the back of the neck
2
and abuts and bears against a back surface
8
of the neck
2
generally opposite to the fingerboard surface
6
. As shown a resilient layer of material
13
, to prevent damage to the neck
2
, is provided on the portion of the claiming arm
14
that is arranged to abut against the neck
2
of the instrument. A minor portion
17
of the clamping arm
14
is generally perpendicular to the main portion
15
and is arranged to extend along and adjacent to the side of the neck
2
. The pivot pin
16
which pivotally interconnects the string engaging arm
12
and clamping arm
14
is located towards one end of the arms
12
,
14
, within the minor portions
9
,
17
of the arms
12
,
14
and at a position which when the capo
10
is fitted to the instrument, is generally adjacent to and/or towards one side of the neck
2
. In use the arms
12
,
14
are pivoted about the pin
16
so that the neck
2
of the instrument is clamped between the arms
12
,
14
with the string engaging arm
12
pressing the strings
4
towards the fingerboard
6
, and specifically against the fret bars of the fingerboard
6
, whilst the clamping arm
14
abuts and presses against the back, opposite, surface
8
of the neck
2
.
The capo
10
also includes a releasable locking mechanism generally indicated at
18
, and a release lever
20
which is also pivotally mounted at one end about pivot pin
16
. The locking mechanism
18
locks the pivotal connection and the relative pivotal movement of the clamping arm
14
and string engaging arm
12
such that when locked, relative movement of the two arms
12
,
14
, at least in one direction (in this case in the opening direction) is prevented or restricted. By operating the release lever
20
the locking mechanism
18
is unlocked to allow the arms
12
,
14
to pivot about the pivot pin
16
and pivotal connection, allowing the arms
12
,
14
to pivot and move relative to each other, and in this case for the arms
12
,
14
to move apart and the capo
10
open.
The locking mechanism
18
comprises a wedge member in the form of a small roller
24
which is located and engagable within a tapered recess or clearance (indicated generally at
22
). The tapered recess
22
is defined between and, by, a flat angled end surface
28
of the minor portion
9
of the string engaging arm
12
and an opposite facing cooperating arcuate profiled surface
26
within the clamping arm
14
. The profile of the opposite facing arcuate surface
26
within the clamping arm
14
is centered about the center of the pivot pin
16
. The angled end surface
28
of the string engaging arm
12
is angled so as to produce the tapered recess or gap
22
between the two surfaces
26
,
28
which tapers and narrows towards the left as shown in FIG.
1
. Consequently the dimension of the recess
22
between the two surfaces
26
,
28
is at one end (the right hand end as shown in
FIG. 1
) slightly greater than the diameter of the roller
24
whilst at the narrow end (the left hand end in
FIG. 1
) it is slightly smaller than the diameter of the roller
24
. By virtue of the tapering of the recess
22
, pivoting the arms
12
,
14
such that they are moved away from each other and the capo
10
is opened up causes the roller
24
to become entrained and moved towards the narrower end so becoming engaged and jammed within the recess
22
. This locks the arms
12
,
14
and restricts the pivoting of the arms
12
,
14
. However pivoting the arms in the other direction i.e. closing the capo
10
and moving them towards each other in a clamping direction, will tend to urge the roller
24
towards the wider end of the recess
22
. This releases the roller
24
from locking engagement with the recess surfaces
26
,
28
and accordingly the arms
12
,
14
can be pivoted and moved in this direction.
The release lever
20
includes two projections
30
,
32
that define a slot
25
with which the ends of the roller
24
are loosely retained. A small spring
34
is disposed between the release lever
20
and minor portion
9
of the string engaging arm
12
and is biassed to pivot the end of the release lever
20
so that the roller
24
is urged into the recess
22
, towards the narrow end, by the projection
32
. This assists in locking the arms
12
,
14
and ensures that the locking mechanism
18
is automatically biassed into the locked position.
To unlock the arms
12
,
14
allowing the capo
10
to be opened and the arms
12
,
14
moved apart the release lever
20
is operated and moved such that the projection
30
towards the narrow end of the recess
22
moves the roller
24
towards the wider end of the recess
22
. The roller
24
is then disengaged from the recess
22
surfaces
26
,
28
and the jamming action released allowing the arms
12
,
14
be moved apart and the capo
10
opened.
A light spring
36
is provided between the string engaging arm
12
and clamping arm
14
. This spring
36
is arranged to urge the arms
12
,
14
to pivot towards each other, and accordingly to close the capo
10
and/or clamp the neck
2
of the instrument. It should be appreciated however that the spring
36
is preferably a very light spring and it only very gently forces the arms
12
,
14
together. The spring
36
typically does not provide a sufficient clamping force in order to apply the capo
10
. Indeed in other embodiments this biassing spring
36
may be omitted. Alternatively the light spring
36
may be arranged to urge the arms
12
,
14
to pivot apart and accordingly open the capo
10
. In this way removal and opening of the capo
10
from the neck
2
is made easier. Such movement however only occurring once the capo
10
and locking means
18
is unlocked.
In operation the capo
10
is opened by pressing the release lever
20
which allows the arms
12
,
14
to pivot and also since, the lever
20
is arranged to bear against a part of the string engaging arm
12
, it moves the arms
12
,
14
apart. The capo
10
is then positioned so that the arms
12
,
14
enclose the neck
2
of the instrument and the release lever
20
is released. The capo
10
is then closed on the neck
2
and the arms
12
,
14
moved towards each other, the locking mechanism
18
allowing such movement in this direction. This is assisted by the light spring
36
which, if fitted, will bias the arms
12
,
14
towards the closed position. The clamping pressure to locate the capo
10
on the neck
2
and to clamp the strings
4
against the fingerboard surface
6
is applied by the player squeezing the arms
12
,
14
together. In this way the player determines the clamping pressure and determines the level of pressure applied. The locking mechanism
18
, which is automatically engaged, inhibits the capo
10
opening up after this has been applied and maintains the arms
12
,
14
in the clamped, closed position maintaining the clamping force that has been applied. To remove the capo
10
the release lever
20
is pressed, which releases the locking mechanism
18
allowing the arms
12
,
14
to be pivoted apart and the capo
10
to be opened and removed from the neck
2
. The capo can also be easily and conveniently released and partially opened and then slid along the neck
2
to a different position along the neck
2
.
It should be noted from the above description that the capo
10
be very simply and easily applied. In particular the capo
10
can, if required, be applied using one hand with the locking mechanism
18
automatically being engaged to ensure that the arms
12
,
14
are locked in the correct applied position with the required clamping force.
Two further exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown in
FIGS. 4
to
9
. These are generally similar to the first embodiment described above and like reference numerals have been used for like items. In particular both of these further embodiments include a string engaging arm
12
which is pivotally connected to a clamping arm
14
with the pivot arranged towards an end of the arms
12
,
14
and arranged to be located in use adjacent to one side of the neck
2
of the instrument. The embodiments also including locking mechanism
18
to lock pivotal movement of the arms
12
,
14
and a release lever
50
,
62
which is operable to unlock the locking mechanism
18
. These embodiments are also applied in generally the same way as the first embodiment. The main significant difference between these embodiments is in the detail of the locking mechanisms
18
and the pivot arrangement of the arms
12
,
14
in order to accommodate these different locking mechanisms
18
.
In the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 4
to
6
the capo
40
includes arms
12
,
14
which pivot about a rotary locking mechanism
51
. The mechanism
18
comprises an outer ring member
45
which is located within and attached to the string engaging arm
12
. The outer ring member
45
may however alternatively be integral with the string engaging arm
12
. A spigot
47
extending from the clamping arm
14
is located within the ring
45
and the two arms
12
,
14
are thereby pivotally connected. Part of the spigot
47
is cutaway such that a tapered chamber
42
a
,
42
b
is defined between a surface
45
a,b
of the ring
45
and the cut out surface
47
a,b
of the spigot
47
. A roller
44
a,b
is located within the tapered recess
42
a,b
with the diameter of the roller
44
a
,
44
b
slightly greater than the narrow end of the tapered recess
42
a,b
and slightly smaller than the wider end of the recess
42
a,b
. A small spring
46
a
,
46
b
is also located within the recess
42
a
,
42
b
and is arranged to urge and bias the roller
44
a,b
towards the narrow end of the recess
42
a
,
42
b
and into engagement with the recess
42
a
,
42
b
defining surfaces
45
a
,
47
a
, &
45
b
,
47
b
. The roller
42
a
,
42
b
thereby acts like a wedge and becomes jammed within the recess
42
a
,
42
b
. Accordingly the movement of the arms
12
,
14
is restricted and by virtue of the taper direction the arms
12
,
14
are prevented and locked from being opened.
A release lever
50
is also pivotally mounted about the pivot axis
1
and includes a spigot
52
which defines the central pivot of the capo
40
. Two projections from the release lever
50
extend into the recesses
42
a
,
42
b
in a position proximate to the roller
44
a
,
44
b
. The projections
48
a,b
are arranged such that when the release lever
50
is moved the projections
48
a,b
urge the rollers
44
a,b
out of engagement with the recesses
42
a
,
42
b
and recess surfaces
45
a
,
47
a
and
45
b
,
47
b
, against the bias springs
46
a
,
46
b
, so unlocking the mechanism
18
and permitting the arms
12
,
14
to move.
Although the locking mechanism
18
shown in this embodiment comprises a pair of recesses
42
a,b
and rollers
44
a,b
it will be appreciated that any number could be used in other embodiments. The provision of additional recesses
42
a,b
and roller
44
a,b
simply increases the locking strength by increasing the surface areas, but this adds complexity to the device.
In the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 7
to
9
a capo
60
includes a locking mechanism
18
comprising a wrapped spring clutch assembly which is disposed around the pivotal connection between the arms
12
,
14
. The spring clutch assembly comprises a close wound helical spring
66
which is fitted tightly around a cylindrical pivot boss
69
at the end of the spring engaging arm
12
. The spring
66
and boss
69
fit coaxially within a cylindrical socket
71
defined within one end of the clamping arm
14
with the two arms
12
,
14
pivoting around the axis
1
of boss
69
and socket
71
. A release lever
62
is also pivotally mounted at one end around the boss
69
and spring
66
within the socket
71
coaxially with the pivot axis
1
. A first end
67
of the spring
66
projects radially outwardly and is engaged within a locating recess
70
in the clamping arm
14
. A second end
65
of the spring
66
similarly protects radially outwardly and is engaged within a locating recess
68
within the release lever
62
. The winding of the spring
66
is arranged such that moving the spring engaging arm
12
and clamping arm
14
towards each other and closing the capo
60
, for example to close the capo
60
onto the neck
2
of the instrument, opens the spring
66
coils hence allowing free pivotal movement of the arms
12
,
14
. Movement of the arms
12
,
14
in the opposite direction, in other words moving the arms
12
,
14
away from each other and opening the capo
60
, is inhibited by the spring coils closing more tightly on the boss
69
and therefore locking further movement of the arms
12
,
14
in this direction. Consequently once the capo
60
is closed and the setting pressure applied the arms
12
,
14
are restricted from moving apart and the capo
60
opening by the locking mechanism
18
.
To open the capo
60
and move the arms
12
,
14
apart, for example, in order to remove the capo
60
from the neck
2
, the release lever
62
is moved which opens the spring
66
coils such that they are no longer locked against the boss
69
. The arms
12
,
14
can then be moved and pivoted to open the capo
60
.
Although various preferable locking mechanisms
18
have been described in the various embodiments for locking the arms of the capo it will be appreciated that other known locking mechanisms
18
, and in particular rotary locking mechanisms, could be used in further embodiments of the invention.
In all of the above embodiments the locking mechanism
18
generally provides a releasable non reversible means of preventing pivotal movement of the arms
12
,
14
in one direction, namely moving the arms
12
,
14
apart to open the capo. The locking mechanism
18
however permits movement in the other, closing direction. This allows the capo to be easily fitted and closed on the neck
2
of the instrument with the capo remaining in the set applied position applying the required clamping force set by the player in closing the capo. Furthermore since the locking mechanism
18
allows closing movement there is no need to actuate a separate locking means to lock the capo in position since the locking mechanism
18
, as shown, can be arranged to be such that it is biassed to the locked position and in effect is automatically applied to keep the capo in the locked closed set position. In other words the capo is squeezed fitted into place with the required pressure and then is automatically held in place by the locking mechanism which prevents release of the capo but allows it to be clamped onto the neck. To remove the capo the locking mechanism is simply released, allowing the capo to open.
It will be appreciated though that other alternative locking mechanisms
18
could be used which when locked prevent pivotal movement of the arms
12
,
14
in the opening direction or even in both directions.
Examples of other suitable types of locking mechanisms which could be used possibly include sprag clutches or ratchet means. It will be appreciated though that there are however numerous other types of locking mechanisms that could be suitable.
With any locking mechanism
18
however there is the possibility that there may be some backlash in the mechanism
18
when locked. This should be minimised in order that the capo is secured correctly in position and applies the set clamping force. In order to remove any small backlash the resilient layers
11
and
13
on the arms may be adapted and made sufficiently resilient to accommodate any anticipated backlash.
Claims
- 1. A capo for use with a stringed instrument havinga plurality of strings and a neck, said neck comprising a fingerboard and a back, said capo comprising: a string engaging arm that is adapted to extend across the fingerboard above the strings and in use press against the strings; a clamping arm that is adapted, in use, to extend across and engage the back of the neck; a pivotal connection to pivotally interconnect the clamping arm to the string engaging arm at a position along said arms that is arranged, in use, to be adjacent said neck such that the arms can be pivoted relative to each other in order to, in use, fit and clamp the strings and neck between said arms; and a releasable locking mechanism which is operable to selectively lock and unlock the pivotal connection and the relative pivotal movement of the clamping arm and string engaging arm at least in a particular direction, the locking mechanism automatically adjusting to the thickness of the neck each time the capo is repositioned.
- 2. A capo as claimed in claim 1 in which the locking mechanism is operable to selectively lock and unlock the pivotal connection and relative pivotal movement of the clamping arm and string engaging arm away from each other and the neck of the instrument and so prevent opening of the capo when locked.
- 3. A capo as claimed in claim 1 in which the releasable locking mechanism is biased so that the locking mechanism is locked and the pivotal connection is normally locked to prevent opening of the capo.
- 4. A capo as claimed in claim 1 in which the pivotal connection includes a light spring which is arranged to urge the string engaging arm and clamping arm towards each other or apart.
- 5. A capo for use with a stringed instrument having a plurality of strings and a neck, said neck comprising a fingerboard and a back, said capo comprising:a string engaging arm that is adapted to extend across the fingerboard above the strings and in use press against the strings; a clamping arm that is adapted, in use, to extend across and engage the back of the neck; a pivotal connection to pivotally interconnect the clamping arm to the string engaging arm at a position along said arms that is arranged, in use, to be adjacent said neck such that the arms can be pivoted relative to each other in order to, in use, fit and clamp the strings and neck between said arms; and a releasable locking mechanism which is operable to selectively lock and unlock the pivotal connection and the relative pivotal movement of the clamping arm and string engaging arm at least in a particular direction, wherein the locking mechanism comprises at least one wedge, and at least one co-operating tapered recess that is defined by and between a first and second oppositely facing surfaces which move relative to each other during pivotal movement about the pivotal connection of the clamping and string engaging arms, the wedge adapted to be engaged within the recess and thereby restrict relative movement of the first and second surfaces and thereby lock the pivotal connection and prevent movement of the arms in at least one direction.
- 6. A cap as claimed in claim 5 in which the wedge comprises a rolling element.
- 7. A capo as claimed in claim 6 in which the wedge comprises a spherical element.
- 8. A cap as claimed in claim 5 in which the first surface comprises part of the string engaging amr and the second surface comprises part of the clamping arm.
- 9. A capo as claimed in claim 5 in which resilient means are provided to urge the wedge into the tapered recess and into engagement with the first and second surfaces.
- 10. A capo as claimed in claim 5 in which there is a release lever which is adapted to urge the wedge out of the tapered recess and out of engagement with the first and second surfaces.
- 11. A capo for use with a stringed instrument having a plurality of strings and a neck, said neck comprising a fingerboard and a back, said capo comprising:a string engaging arm that is adapted to extend across the fingerboard above the strings and in use press against the strings; a clamping arm that is adapted, in use, to extend across and engage the back of the neck; a pivotal connection to pivotally interconnect the clamping arm to the string engaging arm at a position along said arms that is arranged, in use, to be adjacent said neck such that the arms can be pivoted relative to each other in order to, in use, fit and clamp the strings and neck between said arms; and a releasable locking mechanism which is operable to selectively lock and unlock the pivotal connection and the relative pivotal movement of the clamping arm and string engaging arm at least in a particular direction, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a wrapped spring clutch which is disposed about the pivotal connection and which is arranged when applied to restrict pivotal movement about the pivotal connection.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
0008362 |
Apr 2000 |
GB |
|
US Referenced Citations (12)