Apparatus for supporting a stringed musical instrument

Abstract

An apparatus for supporting a stringed musical instrument on a user in which the apparatus comprises a harness that attaches to a single anchor point on the instrument and further cradles the body of the instrument along a length of the harness. The harness includes a tab for engaging the anchor point on the instrument and an adjustable strap forming a single closed loop that further engages the front, back and side surfaces of the instrument during use.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for supporting a stringed musical instrument, and specifically to a harness for holding and positioning a guitar about the body of a person to play the instrument while in a standing position. The apparatus is a simple device that cradles the lower portions of the instrument's body while resting on the shoulder of the person.

[0002] When performing, many guitarists prefer to stand and hold their musical instruments, a procedure that appears to be preferable among rock, country and folk musicians. Since it is difficult to both hold a guitar and simultaneously play the instrument, many musicians use a strap or harness to support the instrument in a comfortable playing position in order to free their hands to play the instrument.

[0003] Most conventional straps for guitars attach to the musical instrument at two anchor points on the body. These anchor points are characterized by a pin or stud that has been inserted into the body of the guitar or adhered to the outer surface of its body. One anchor point is typically located on a side of the instrument adjacent to the neck, while the other is on an opposite side of the instrument's body opposite the neck. When attached to the anchor points, such a strap can be placed around the person's neck and supported on their shoulder to hold the guitar in a convenient manner for playing the instrument.

[0004] Stringed instruments, in general, and some guitars, in particular, are equipped with at least two anchor points to which the strap can be attached. However, many classical and vintage guitars have only one or no anchor points on the instrument's body. Typically, the single anchor point is positioned opposite the neck to which the strap can be attached. In order to use such conventional guitar straps with two point attachments, the additional anchor points must be added to the instrument. Adding anchor points can damage the body of the guitar adversely affecting the sound of the instrument and reducing its value.

[0005] Other similar guitar straps or harnesses are available that clamp directly to the body of the guitar or have a plurality of straps that encircle the guitar. While these may not damage the body of the guitar, due to their cumbersome design they can be time consuming to install on an instrument and expensive to manufacture. Furthermore, clamps attaching to the sound board of the instrument can affect the sound quality of the instrument.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a simple, inexpensive and effective apparatus for supporting a stringed musical instrument that can readily engage and support the instrument on a person in a standing or upright position. The need also exists for an instrument supporting apparatus that requires only one anchor point for support, thereby eliminating the need for additional anchor points whose installation would damage the instrument and reduce its value.

SUMMARY

[0007] The present invention is directed to an apparatus for supporting a stringed musical instrument on a person. The apparatus comprises a harness which includes a fastening portion that is adapted to engage a single anchor point on the musical instrument. The harness also includes a strap that forms a closed loop attached to the fastening portion. The closed loop includes means for engaging a user and means for cradling the musical-instrument. The means for cradling the musical instrument wraps around the back, front and side surfaces of the instrument to distribute the weight of the instrument along a length of the loop, while securely holding the instrument on the harness.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that securely supports a stringed musical instrument on a user, with the instrument having only a single anchor point on the instrument.

[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a harness for a stringed musical instrument having an anchor point located on a side of the instrument opposite the neck, wherein the harness attaches to the anchor point and further engages the instrument's body along a line extending generally from the anchor point to the neck of the instrument.

[0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an instrument harness comprising a strap that distributes the weight of the instrument along a length of the strap.

[0011] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a harness for a guitar that supports the body of the instrument adjacent to the instrument's neck.

[0012] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a harness for supporting a guitar that does not require an anchor point on the instrument body adjacent to the instrument's neck.

[0013] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a guitar strap that cradles the lower side surface of the guitar's body in order to support the guitar.

[0014] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a guitar strap that cradles the lower side surface at the narrowed portion of the guitar's body in order to support the guitar.

[0015] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a harness for a guitar that can be adjusted for different sizes of instruments and for different sizes of musicians using the harness.

[0016] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a harness for a stringed instrument that can be readily installed on the instrument.

[0017] The apparatus for supporting a stringed musical instrument of the present invention is simple and can be readily installed for use. Since the strap only crosses one corner of the sounding board when installed on an instrument, minimal contact between the strap and the sounding board of the instrument occurs. This minimal contact decreases the probability of distorting the sound of the instrument.

[0018] The harness of the apparatus is fastened onto the instrument at a single anchor point on the instrument, while the strap wends around the instrument body to secure the instrument to the apparatus and ultimately to the musician.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which are shown illustrative embodiments of the invention and from which novel features and advantages will be apparent.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus for supporting a stringed musical instrument of the present invention shown supporting a guitar on a user.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus for supporting a stringed musical instrument of FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 2 supporting a guitar.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a planar bottom view of the guitar and apparatus of FIG. 3.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a planar back view of the guitar and apparatus shown by FIG. 3.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a perspective front view of a guitar with the apparatus of FIG. 2 in an alternate supporting arrangement from that shown in FIGS. 3-5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] A stringed musical instrument, such as a guitar (100) as shown by example herein in FIG. 1, is typically characterized by an elongated body (101) and a neck (102) attached to one end of the body (101). The elongated body (101) is formed by a front surface (103) comprising a sounding board, a back surface (104) and a contoured side surface (105). Both the front (103) and back (104) surfaces have a respective perimeter (107), wherein the perimeter (107) of the front surface (103) is adjoined to the perimeter (107) of the back surface (104) by the contoured side surface (105). The elongated body (101) includes a narrowed portion (108) near the mid-section of the body (101). The narrowed portion (108) is characterized by a smaller span across the front (103) and back (104) surfaces of the guitar (100). The neck (102) has two ends, one of which is a heel (109) attached to the elongated body (101). The other end is disposed opposite the heel (109) and includes a tuning pad (111). An anchor point (106), as given in this example, is a pin or stud (110) with an enlarged head. The anchor point (106) is generally located on the contoured side surface (105) of the elongated body (101) at a location positioned opposite the attachment location of the neck (102).

[0027] Referring now in detail to the referenced characters of the drawings of the present invention, a preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to be an apparatus (1) for supporting a stringed musical instrument (100). The apparatus (1), generally supported on the shoulder of a person during use, comprises a harness (10) and strap pad (11) which is disposed on the harness (10).

[0028] The harness (10) includes planar fastening portion (12), a strap (13) and means for adjusting the strap (13). The planar fastening portion (12) is a rectangularly-shaped tab having means for attaching the harness (10) to an instrument (100). The anchor point (106) on a musical instrument (100) generally comprises a pin or stud (110) with an enlarged head and the means for attaching the harness (10) to the instrument (100) is shown in a preferred embodiment to be a securing element such as a slot (14). The slot (14) is slipped around the pin or stud (110) to attach the harness (10) to the instrument (100). It should be noted that in the preferred embodiment this attachment only partially secures the harness (10) to the instrument (100) for use.

[0029] The strap (13) of the harness (10) is made up of a first elongated portion (15) and a second elongated portion (16). The first portion (15) includes a length and first (17) and second (18) ends. Similarly, the second portion (16) of the strap (13) has a length and third (19) and fourth (20) ends. Attached to the fastening portion (12) are the first (17) end of the strap's first portion (15) and the third end (19) of the strap's second portion (16).

[0030] Furthermore, the means for adjusting the strap (13) is disposed on the first (15) and second (16) portions of the strap (13). It comprises an adjustable connector (21) that releasably adjoins the first (15) and second (16) portions to form the strap (13) into a single, adjustable closed loop (22).

[0031] In a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the adjustable connector (21) comprises first (23) and second (24) cooperating parts. The first cooperation part (23) is a buckle (23) being positioned on the second end (18) of the strap's first portion (15), while the second cooperating part (24) is a plurality of apertures on the fourth end (20) of the second portion (16). When the adjustable connector (21) is engaged, the buckle (23) engages at least one of the apertures (24) and the first (15) and second (16) portions of the strap (13) form the closed loop (22). The first portion (15) of the strap (13) within the closed loop (22) comprises means for engaging a user and the second portion (16) comprises means for cradling a stringed musical instrument (100) along a portion of its length.

[0032] For comfort and ease of use, the apparatus (1) can be adjusted to fit differently sized musical instruments and/or differently sized people. When the adjustable connector (21) is released, the effective length of the strap (13) can be varied to change the size of the closed loop (22). The buckle (23) can be engaged with any one of the plurality of apertures on the strap (13) in order to vary the strap's effective length and the resultant size of the closed loop (22).

[0033] The strap pad (11) is an elongated member having a width that is greater than a width of the strap (13). The elongated member includes an upper surface (25), an opposing lower surface (26) and means for securing the strap pad (11) to the harness (10). The opposing lower surface (26) has a cushion (27) disposed thereon. The cushion (27) is adapted to lie adjacent to a person using the apparatus (1) in order to enhance comfort. The means for securing the strap pad (11) to the harness (10) comprises a series of openings (28) positioned along a length of the strap pad (11). The strap (13) is threaded through the openings (28) thereby securing the strap pad (11) to the harness (10). Preferably, the strap pad (11) is positioned on the strap (13) adjacent to the adjustable connector (21) in order to provide a cushioned buffer between the user and the first (23) and second (24) cooperating parts that might otherwise lie adjacent to and irritate the user. It should be appreciated that while the means for securing the strap pad (11) to the harness (10) comprises openings (28), other suitable means including loops cooperating snaps or rivets could be used instead to secure the strap pad (11) to the harness (10). Alternately, the strap pad (11) could be fixed to the strap (13) by adhesives or stitching. However, it is preferred that the strap pad (11) be movably mounted on the harness (10).

[0034] The harness (10) is preferably made from leather that is pliable enough to conform somewhat to the shape of the instrument (100) and the user's body. The first (15) and second (16) portions of the strap (13) are integrally formed with the planar tab of the fastening portion (12) and extend outwardly from a side of the rectangularly-shaped pad (11). Alternately, the harness (10) can be made of materials other than leather that exhibit suitable characteristics, including durability and flexibility, such as characterized by woven and spun natural fibers, nylon and plastics.

[0035] As shown in the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 3-5, the apparatus (1) is installed for use on the musical instrument (100) by attaching the fastening portion (12) to the pin (110) on the guitar (100). The means for engaging a user is positioned around the person and the means for cradling a stringed musical instrument (100) is positioned around the body (101) of the instrument (100).

[0036] Specifically, the slot (14) on the fastening portion (12) is attached to the pin or stud (110) of the anchor point (106), such that the fastening portion (12) extends from the anchor point (106) across the side surface (105) and toward the perimeter (107) of the back surface (104). Crossing the perimeter (107), the strap (13) of the closed loop (22) extends across the back surface (104) of the instrument (100) in a direction generally toward the narrowed portion (108) of the body (101). At the narrowed portion (108), the strap (13) extends across the perimeter (107) of the back surface (104) toward the front surface (103) and onto the contoured side surface (105). The strap (13) crosses the contoured side surface (105) and extends over the perimeter (107) of the front surface (103). From the front surface's perimeter (107) proximate the narrowed portion (108), the strap (13) extends across the front surface (103) of the instrument (100) towards the neck (102). The strap (13) then crosses the perimeter (107) of the front surface (103) and extends around behind the neck (102) of the guitar. The strap (13) then extends upwardly around the user and downwardly across the back surface (104) of the instrument's body (101) where it adjoins with the fastening portion (12) of the harness (10).

[0037] In another preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, the fastening portion (12) extends downwardly from the stud or pin (110) along the contoured side surface (105) of the elongated body (101). From the fastening portion (12) either the first (15) or second (16) portion of the strap (13) extends along the contoured side surface (105) to the narrowed portion (108) on the lower side of the instrument (100). At the narrowed portion (108), the strap (13) extends toward the perimeter (107) of the front surface (103) and crosses over it onto the front surface (103) of the elongated body (101). The strap (13) extends across the front surface (103) to the neck (102) at which area, it extends around the back of the instrument's neck (102) and upwards to engage a person using the apparatus. The strap (13) encircles the body of the user and extends downwardly across the back surface (104) of the guitar (100) where the strap (13) adjoins with the fastening portion (12).

[0038] The simplicity of the apparatus of the present invention allows ready installment on a musical instrument and also allows for quick removal therefrom. Since the present invention effectively supports the instrument by a one point attachment on the fastening portion combined with the strap cradling the instrument's body, a person can use the apparatus on most classical and vintage guitars without having to add another anchor point and risk damaging the instrument or compromising the sound quality. Furthermore, with contact between the apparatus and the front surface and sounding board being limited to a small area in the lower quadrant of the instrument's body, the sound quality of the instrument is not unduly affected when using the apparatus of the present invention.

[0039] Furthermore, the apparatus (1) is reversible and can be adapted to either left-handed users or right-handed users. By reversing the front to back positions of the first (15) and second (16) portions of the strap (13), the apparatus (1) can be alternated for use between left-handed and right-handed players.

[0040] It should be appreciated that while a guitar has been given as an example for a stringed musical instrument, the apparatus can be used with other stringed musical instruments having a similar body shape, as do some mandolins and dulcimers.

[0041] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.

Claims

1. An apparatus for supporting a stringed musical instrument, said apparatus comprising:

a fastening portion comprises means for attaching to the instrument, and

a strap;

said strap comprises a single closed loop which includes means for engaging a user and means for cradling the instrument, wherein said single closed loop is attached to said fastening portion.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for engaging a user comprises a first portion of the strap and said means for cradling the instrument comprises a second portion of the strap, said first portion having first and second ends with said first end attached to said fastening portion, and said second portion having third and fourth ends with said third end attached to said fastening portion; and

an adjustable connector for adjustably adjoining the second and fourth ends together, wherein said single closed loop is selectively variable in size.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said adjustable connector comprises first and second cooperating parts, wherein said first cooperating part is on the second end of said first portion, said second cooperating part is on the fourth end of said second section, and said first and second cooperating parts are releasably engaged.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said first cooperating part comprises a buckle and said second cooperating part comprises a plurality of apertures.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the-stringed musical instrument comprises a body having front, back and side surfaces, a neck attached to the body and an anchor point attached to the side surface opposite the neck, said body further having a mid-section with a narrowed portion, wherein the fastening portion engages the anchor point and said means for cradling the musical instrument is positioned adjacent to the back, side and front surfaces and neck of the instrument during use.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the means for attaching to the instrument is a slot disposed in the fastening portion which engages the anchor point on the instrument.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said means for cradling the instrument extends from said fastening portion across the back surface of the instrument to said narrowed portion, across said side surface at said narrowed portion to said front surface, across said front surface to said neck and around at least a portion of said neck.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising means for adjusting the strap, wherein a diameter of the single closed loop can be selectively varied.

9. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a strap pad disposed on the strap.

10. An apparatus for supporting a stringed musical instrument comprising a neck, a body and an anchor point, said body having front, back and side surfaces, and said neck and anchor point attached at generally opposite ends of the body, the body further comprises a mid-section with a narrowed portion, said apparatus comprises:

a strap; and

a fastening portion;

said fastening portion is a planar tab having a one-point attachment for engaging the instrument, said one-point attachment attaches to the anchor point on the instrument;

wherein said strap is attached to the planar tab and is adapted to engage the instrument and the user.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said strap comprises first and second elongated portions;

said first portion having first and second ends, wherein said first end is attached to said fastening portion and said first portion is adapted to engage a user;

said second portion having third and fourth ends, wherein said third end is attached to the fastening portion and said second portion is adapted to receive the front, back and side surfaces and neck of the instrument.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprises an adjustable connector, wherein said adjustable connector releasably adjoins the second and fourth ends of the first and second portions respectively, thereby forming the strap into a single closed loop;

wherein the adjustable connector is selectively adjustable to thereby vary effective lengths of the first and second portions and vary the size of the single closed loop.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said one-point attachment comprises a slot.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said fastening portion attaches to the anchor point on the instrument, said second portion extends from said fastening portion across the back surface to said narrowed portion, across said side surface at said narrowed portion to said front surface, across said front surface to said neck, and around at least a portion of said neck to adjoin said first portion; said first portion extends from said second portion around a user, and attaches to the fastening portion.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a strap pad disposed on said strap.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said fastening portion is attached to the anchor point on the instrument, said second portion extends from the fastening portion along the side surface of the instrument to the narrowed portion, where said second portion extends from the side surface, across the front surface to the neck, and around at least a portion of the neck, and adjoins the first portion, said first portion extends around a user and adjoins the fastening portion adjacent the anchor point.

17. An apparatus for supporting a guitar, wherein the guitar has an elongated body and a neck extending outwardly from the body, the body having front, back and side surfaces and an anchor point, the body further comprises a mid-section with a narrowed portion, the front and back surfaces each having a respective perimeter which are adjoined to the side surface, and the anchor point is disposed on the side surface of the elongated body opposite the neck, said apparatus comprises:

a harness; and

a strap pad;

said harness comprises a fastening portion, a strap, and means for adjusting the strap;

said fastening portion is a generally planar tab having a one-point attachment for attaching the harness to an instrument, said one-point attachment comprises a slot which engages the anchor point on the instrument;

said strap comprises a width and first and second elongated portions;

said first portion having first and second ends, wherein said first end is integrally attached to the fastening portion;

said second portion having third and fourth ends, wherein said third end is integrally attached to the fastening portion;

said means for adjusting the strap is an adjustable connector, wherein effective lengths of the first and second portions are varied as the strap is adjusted;

said adjustable connector comprises first and second cooperating parts, wherein said first cooperating part is disposed on said second end of the first portion and said second cooperating part is disposed on said forth end of the second portion;

wherein the first and second portions of said strap form a single, closed loop with said adjustable connector adjoining the second and fourth ends of said first and second portions, respectively;

said first portion includes means for engaging a user and said second portion includes means for cradling the instrument;

said strap pad comprises an elongated member having a width and an upper surface and a lower opposing surface, the width of the strap pad is greater than the width of the strap, said lower opposing surface having a cushion thereon, said strap pad further comprises a plurality of openings in the elongated member, wherein said harness is threaded through said openings; and

wherein to support the stringed musical instrument, said slot is attached to the anchor point on the instrument, the means for engaging a person extends around the person and said means for cradling the musical instrument extends around the instrument, such that said fastening portion extends from the anchor point and across--the side surface to the perimeter of the back surface, the first portion of the strap extends from said fastening portion across the back surface of the instrument and to the user, the second portion extends from the fastening portion at an acute angle to the first portion, across the perimeter and back surface of the body towards the narrowed portion of the body, across the perimeter of the back surface to the side surface at the narrowed portion, across the side surface at the narrowed portion to the perimeter of the front surface, across the perimeter of the front surface, across the front surface between the narrowed portion and the neck, across the perimeter of the front surface and around the neck, upwardly from the neck to the first portion, wherein said fourth end of the second portion is adjoined to the second end of the first portion by the adjustable connector.