Guitar string case

Abstract

A packaging system for musical instrument strings comprising: a cylindrical disk-shaped casing comprising a top casing member and a mate-able bottom casing member; and at least one linked insertable string module, said module comprising a flat disk for supporting a wound string and a rim surrounding the outer periphery of the disk to support and hold the string on to the disk.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to the field of guitar strings. In particular, the present invention is directed to the field of guitar boxes, packaging and cases.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are over 30 million guitar playing Americans. There are a significant number of guitar types. All of these share the feature of requiring strings. There have long been a significant number of guitar string-related technologies.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,563,037 discloses a tool for use with a guitar for establishing a proper degree of pre-tightening slack in each of a plurality of guitar strings attached to respective head and rear locations of the guitar and prior to final tightening and wrapping of the strings.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,643 discloses a guitar string support insert located between the saddle block of a guitar tremolo and each string passing over the saddle block which is held thereto by a string retaining screw operated device in order to reduce string breakage.

There have been a number of technologies directed to guitar string tuning and fastening technologies. These include systems such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,696,218 and 5,477,764.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,257 comprises a method of manufacturing a guitar string. There have also been several design patents in the area of guitar string tuning devices and housings. These include U.S. Design Pat. Nos. D280,330; D267,410; and D256,471.

While there have been a significant number of technologies directed toward guitars, there have been no technological improvements in the areas of the packaging for the guitar strings themselves.

Most guitar strings are sold in simple rectangular cardboard boxes. The strings are frequently placed loose in the box in loops. This type of packaging arrangement can lead to the strings falling out of the box, getting lost, becoming misplaced, or becoming entangled.

There is a long felt need for a guitar string packaging arrangement which is more consistent and compatible with the looped manner in which the strings are manufactured. There is a further longstanding need to provide a packaging system in which the strings can be individually packaged in a separate packaging module.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel guitar string packaging system.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel guitar string packaging system in which the guitar strings are individually packaged.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a string packaging system which can be used for guitars and banjos.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a guitar string packaging system in which the strings are packaged individually and packaged in a disk shaped container.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description which follows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance, the present invention discloses a packaging system for musical instrument strings; a cylindrical disk shaped casing comprising a top casing member and a mate-able bottom casing member; and at least one insertable string packaging module for holding a guitar string within the casing.

In the preferred embodiment, the present invention has connected string packaging modules to quickly and easily display an array of strings, string type, string gauges. Accordingly, the connected string packaging modules are folded similar to an accordion style arrangement. In the preferred embodiment, a tab located on the first string packaging modules is utilized to lift and unfold all the string packaging modules from their folded configuration.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the invention discloses a packaging system for musical instrument strings comprising a cylindrical disk-shaped casing comprising a top casing member and a mate-able bottom casing member; and at least one insertable string module, said module comprising a flat disk for supporting a wound string and a rim surrounding the outer periphery of the disk to support and hold the string on to the disk.

In still a further embodiment, this invention is a musical instrument string packaging system comprising a disk shaped casing comprising a first top casing member and a second mate-able bottom casing member; a plurality of string packaging modules for placement in the casing wherein the module comprises a disk shaped flat packaging module for holding a wound string; said disk having a rim surrounding the periphery of the disk to support the wound string and at least one lip extending from the rim to hold the string.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an overhead view of the novel guitar storing case design of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a first packaging module of the present invention.

FIG. 3 reveals perspective views of the casings of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the casing and packaging module.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the casing with packaging modules, in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 6 is an alternative packaging module with a string.

FIG. 7 is the alternative packaging module with strings being removed.

FIG. 8 is an isolated view of the string being removed from the packaging module.

FIG. 9 is an overhead view of the alternative packaging module in a casing.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the linked individual string packaging modules being lifted out of the casing.

FIG. 11 is top view of the first string packaging module with a lifting tab.

FIG. 12 is the top view of the unfolded linked string packaging modules.

FIG. 13 is the side view of the individual string packaging modules being folded into the organized compact configuration.

FIG. 14 is the top view of the unfolded linked square string packaging modules with magnetic materials to ensure the folded configuration stays neat.

FIG. 15 is the side view of the linked square string packaging modules with a clasp to ensure the folded configuration stays folded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In the preferred embodiment, the present invention has connected string packaging modules 26 to quickly and easily display an array of strings, string type, string gauges. Accordingly, the connected string packaging modules are folded similar to an accordion style arrangement. In the preferred embodiment, a tab 110 located on the first string packaging modules is utilized to lift and unfold all the string packaging modules from their folded configuration. Additionally, said tab may be a loop, nob, or any thing known to persons in the art. Additionally, the string packaging modules may be in any shapes such as oval, square, circular, etc. Further, the string packaging module opening 120 may be sealable with snaps, forced sealed, ziplock zipper, or anything known to persons skilled in the art.

Additionally, magnet and/or magnetic materials 140 are located on each string packaging module to ensure the folded configuration stays neat. Alternatively, at least one clasp 160 may be utilized on the first and last string packaging module to ensure the folded configuration does not unintentionally unravel. Additionally, any type of locking mechanism may be utilized to ensure the string packaging modules are in the folded configuration known to persons skilled in the art.

An alternative configuration may include a Velcro attachment on the last string packaging module so that the strings packaging maybe adhered to any surface such as but not limited to guitar case, instrument stand, podium, wall, desk, or chair.

Additionally, the string packaging modules can be produced in materials such as but not limited to plastics, paper, card board, or anti corrosive films. In the plastics configuration each string packaging modules attached to the other on a hinge.

The anti corrosive film which may be utilized with this invention can be the Intercept Technology resin was invented by Lucent Technologies Bell Labs. Additionally, any form of anticorrosive may be utilized with this invention that is known to persons skilled in the art.

Alternative embodiments include the entire string packaging modules being produced by the anti corrosive film. Also the string packaging modules may be partially or entirely lined with the anti corrosive film. Alternatively, the case 12, 14 is lined with the anti corrosive film.

Additionally, the sting packaging modules may be labeled with string type, string gauge or any other form of labeling to assist the artist.

The present invention is described with reference to the Figures wherein the same numbers are utilized where applicable. Referring to FIG. 1, the invention comprises a cylindrical disk shaped casing 10. The casing has a top cover 12 and a mate-able bottom cover 14. The casing has a side wall 16 which owns a cylindrical ring. The top cover 12 fits over the bottom cover 14 and forms a lid. The casing 10 may be constructed from a variety of materials, including plastics, paper, wood or metals.

As shown in FIG. 2, the casing 20 is designed to hold and store a plurality of guitar strings, each of which is secured in an individualized packaging module 18.

The individually packaged module 18 in a preferred embodiment is a flat disk with a rim 22 which surrounds the outer periphery of the disk and which supports and holds a wound guitar string. The rim 22 forms two opposing lips 24 which surround the string. The lips hold and support each of the strings. FIG. 3 illustrates the packaging module for the strings 26 within the lower casing 14. FIG. 4 is a side perspective and overhead view of the casing 10 and the packaging module 18. As shown in FIG. 5, the box is shown as holding a plurality of string modules 22. The casing 14 can hold and support up to seven to eight string modules 22.

Referring to FIGS. 6 through 9, in an alternative embodiment, the module can comprise a plastic sleeve or envelope which holds an individual wound string. As shown in FIG. 9, the module is placed in the case.

While the above invention has been described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. One skilled in the art may find variations of these preferred embodiments which, nevertheless, fall within the spirit of the present invention, whose scope is defined by the claims set forth below.

Claims

1. A musical instrument string packaging system comprising: a plurality of linked string packaging modules wherein the module comprises a disk shaped flat packaging module for holding a wound string; each said string packaging module engages one coiled musical instrument string within a pocket configured on the module for sliding insertion/removal of said coiled string; and said disk having a rim surrounding the periphery of the disk to support the wound string and at least one lip extending from the rim to hold the string; and at least one pulling tab to quickly unfold the linked string packaging modules.

2. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein the musical instrument is a guitar.

3. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein the musical instrument is a stringed instrument.

4. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein a locking mechanism is utilized to keep the string packaging modules in the folded state.

5. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein an anti corrosive film is utilized with the system to prevent strings from corroding.