Patent Application
20050087056
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to guitar string clamps and more particularly pertains to a new capo device (or string spacing device) for a stringed instrument for clamping strings to the fingerboard of a stringed instrument and modifying string spacings and/or alternate tunings quickly and effectively.
2. Background
The use of guitar string clamps is known in the prior art. More specifically, known guitar string clamps generally consist of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
While these known devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, such devices have not addressed the problem of changing string spacings of a guitar (for example), in a quick and efficient manner, nor have the known devices offered the ability for a player to change tunings in a quick and efficient manner.
Embodiments of the present invention address the problems with the prior art and present a string spacing/capo device which allows musicians to easily change tunings as well as establish alternate spacings of the strings across the width of the guitar neck to take advantage of the full width of the guitar fretboard (for example).
Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, a musical instrument string spacing device, is provided and may include a first member for interaction with one or more strings positioned on a top surface of a neck of a musical instrument. The first member may include a plurality of sides, where each side may include a plurality of recesses arranged in a respective predetermined spaced apart relationship, and where each recess may be used for receiving a respective string of the musical instrument. Each of the sides of the first member may be positioned to interact with one or more strings of the musical instrument. The string spacing device may also include a second member in a compressive arrangement with the first member, where the second member engages a lower surface of the neck of the musical instrument.
The string spacing member may also be in the form of a capo device.
Such embodiments may also include a lateral member connecting the first member and the second member, where at least one of the first member and second member are pivotable relative to the lateral member, and may also include compression means for producing compression between the first member and the second member. Such compression means may include, for example, a spring and/or a locking arm. The locking arm may include an adjustable set screw for engagement with the second member, and may also be pivotable relative to at least one of the lateral member, the first member and the second member.
The first member may include a structural support arm and a string engagement member having the plurality of sides. The string engagement member may be alternately positioned relative the structural support arm so that each side positioned for engaging one or more strings of the musical instrument. Moreover, the string engagement member may be rotatable relative to the structural support arm.
In another embodiment, a method for spacing strings apart across the neck of a guitar is disclosed and may include providing a first member for interaction with one or more strings positioned on a top surface of a neck of a guitar, the first member including a plurality of sides, where each side including a plurality of recesses arranged in a respective predetermined spaced apart relationship and each recess receives a respective string of the guitar, and a second member in a compressive arrangement with the first member, the second member for engagement with a lower surface of the neck. The method may also include engaging one or more strings with respective recesses in a side of the first member and compressing the one or more strings of the guitar toward the fretboard of the guitar behind a fret.
Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention address at least the problems pointed out in the background section of the present application, and present a new capo device for a stringed instrument which departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art. Specifically, the embodiments of the present invention present a capo which allows players to quickly and efficiently change the spacings of strings on a guitar (for example) and/or change the tuning of the guitar (e.g., drop D, open D, open G, etc.).
Features of some of the embodiments may be used with any capo device, and used along with other features of such devices. For example, features of the present invention may be used with devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,823,247 (Bauerfeind), 5,623,110 (Hoglund et al.), 4,104,947 (Oster), 4,250,790 (Shubb), 4,793,234 (Geis), and 6,573,440 (Rodriguez), each disclose of which, in its entirety, is herein incorporated by reference.
Some embodiments of the invention are illustrated in
More specifically with regard to member 112, this member is preferably a multi-sided object (preferably two or more sides for interaction with the strings of the instrument). The illustrated embodiments may include four independent sides, with each side having the ability to include a series of specific notch/groove patterns for respective strings for gripping respective strings and spacing them apart from one another according to a predetermined arrangement (or clamping some strings down while allowing others to freely vibrate in an open position). Accordingly, when a respective notch of member 112 receives a respective string, the depth of the notch is formed such that not only is the string moved to a new position upon interaction with the string, but an adequate amount of downward pressure is supplied to the string from member 112, via the clamping force of the other members of the capo, that respective strings are contacted with a chosen fret on the neck of the stringed instrument. This allows the string to be held steadfast in its new position. Thus, each notch provides an adequate amount of shoulder area (left and/or right) to interact with a respective string to move it to a new position and retain it in the new position.
As shown in
As shown in
As an example of an embodiment of the invention showing how the member 112 interacts with the strings is illustrated in
Accordingly, in order to use the alternate spacings, the player simply removes the capo (e.g., relief of clamping pressure) and moves the member 112 to a new position so that a new set of spacings face the guitar strings. The capo is then clamped back on the neck of the instrument which is then ready to play.
Member 112 may be manufactured in a manner which allows it to easily pivot, relative to structural member 104, to a new position, so that a particular side of member 112 faces the strings. Accordingly, the spacer/tuning member may be made of any material that is resilient enough to be used many times over, not damage the strings or instrument, and hold the strings effectively. Accordingly, such materials may be rubber, wood, plastic, natural and synthetic materials.
In addition, each side of member 112 may include a number or letter or other symbol, to that a user can easily distinguish between the spacings. Moreover, such a symbol system may be an ascending/descending type of system, in that a higher number or letter, or larger symbol, may be used for larger/bigger string spacings.
The spacer/tuning member may also be mounted to the structural member of the capo, such that is may be easily rotated relative thereto. Accordingly, such an embodiment may include a hub/wheel device with or without bearings to provide for a smooth rotation. Alternatively, one embodiment is simply directed to a spacer/tuning member 112 made of, for example, rubber, having opening 118 (
The spacer/tuning member may be shaped in the form of any multi-faceted shape including, for example, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, etc. Moreover, member 112 may be round, and the recesses helical around member 112, so that an infinite number of string spacings may be selected by a player of the guitar. Further yet, a plurality of different members 112, each having a particular number of tunings and/or spacings, may be provided, so that a player can replace one member 112 with another, thereby increasing the utility of the device.
Having now described a few embodiments of the invention, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing is merely illustrative and not limiting, having been presented by way of example only. All embodiments may be structured for use on any current or future capo device. Numerous modifications and other embodiments are within the scope of ordinary skill in the art and are contemplated as falling within the scope of the invention.
This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/515,321, filed Oct. 28, 2003, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60515321 | Oct 2003 | US |
