Instrument Supports Patents (Class 84/327)
  • Patent number: 8026433
    Abstract: The MRS NAP apparatus is disclosed for carrying marching percussion or other objects, particularly but not exclusively drums of various sizes and amalgamations and other objects carried at a person's frontal area near waist height. The apparatus is worn about the user's waist and the utility uses the person's hips to bear the instrument's load. Current state of the art places a majority of the load upon the shoulders and spine. The apparatus relieves the shoulder and spine of weight and pressure and also allows more upper body movement. The MRS NAP apparatus consists of an exoskeleton load bearing frame for a solid platform to hold the carried object stably, an endoskeleton padded for comfort, a vertical spinal column brace, and straps from the apex of the spinal column brace for stability of larger objects. The MRS NAP apparatus is adjustable for various consumers of diverse sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Inventors: Ned Allen Place, Mikel Rust Shelton
  • Patent number: 8020817
    Abstract: A musical instrument stand includes a top seat including a seat body and a holding unit. The holding unit includes two pivot members, a torsion spring, and two holding rods. Thus, when the musical instrument is pulled upward relative to the holding unit to detach from the two holding rods of the holding unit, the two pivot members of the holding unit are pushed upward by the restoring force of the torsion spring so that the two pivot members of the holding unit are moved upward to the expanding position, and the two holding rods of the holding unit are moved to space from each other such that the neck of the musical instrument can be removed from the two holding rods of the holding unit easily and conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Inventor: Tsung-Yao Yu
  • Publication number: 20110219935
    Abstract: Device for supporting a guitar (1) or another string instrument, with a support (2) which is fastened on its upper part to a guitar body (9) in a lockable hinge (4). In an unfolded position the support (2) creates an angle at approximately 45° to the length axis through the guitar body (9), in such manner that the guitar can rest on the support (2). When mounted on an electric guitar the support is placed in grooves at the back of the guitar, and can be pivoted from the guitar body when the locking mechanism is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventor: Egil Amland
  • Publication number: 20110203441
    Abstract: One example embodiment includes a guitar weight for helping to align a guitar in a correct playing position. The guitar weight includes a body, wherein the body is configured to add a desired mass to a guitar. The mass added by the body is configured to balance the weight of the guitar neck. The guitar weight also includes a means for attachment, where the means for attachment attaches the body to the guitar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: J. NAYLOR, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph F. Naylor
  • Patent number: 7973228
    Abstract: A guitar strap 10 includes an adjuster 13 by which the length of a second belt section 17 is adjusted. The adjuster 13 includes a base 31, a lever 32 manipulated to adjust the length of the second belt section 17, and a torsion spring 38 urging the lever 32 to pivot in a first direction. The second belt section 17 is clamped by the base 31 and the lever 32 due to urging force of the torsion spring 38. The second belt section 17 is released from a state clamped by the base 31 and the lever 32 by pivoting the lever 32 in a second direction, which is different from the first direction, against the urging force of the torsion spring 38.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Hoshino Gakki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Furuta, Yuko Naganawa
  • Patent number: 7964781
    Abstract: An assembly for mounting musical instruments comprises a base, a bearing, the bearing secured to the base, a post, the post comprising a head, the head comprising a plurality of mounting flanges for mounting a musical instrument, and a body, the body fixedly connected to head at a first end, the body further rotatably engaged to the bearing at a second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: KMC Music, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy Lovvorn, Andrzej Krol, Ray Enhoffer, Richard Simons
  • Publication number: 20110107897
    Abstract: A musical instrument stand is disclosed that includes at least, a pair of legs pivotally secured to a support portion and disposed within a leg retention channel of the support portion when the support portion is in a closed position, and extracted from the leg retention channel when the support portion is in an open position. Preferably, the support portion includes at least a position stop that limits the extent that each the open and closed positions of the support portion may attain. The musical instrument stand further preferably includes an over center latch assembly interposed between and communicating with the pair of legs, the over center latch maintains a predetermined separation between said first and second legs when the over center latch assembly is in a locked position, and nests within the pair of legs when the pair of legs are disposed within a leg retention channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: RKS Guitars, LLC
    Inventor: Ravi K. Sawhney
  • Publication number: 20110107896
    Abstract: A harp support assembly is provided for supporting a portion of a harp. The harp support assembly includes a rod, a base assembly and a harp support member. The rod has a first and a second end. The base assembly is positioned near the first end of the rod, The base assembly has a plurality of legs spread apart and positioned on a surface. The harp support member is positioned near the second end of the rod. The harp support member has at least one support arm providing a harp receiving space to receive the harp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Gaye LeBlanc, David Steffens, Michael K. Stewart, II
  • Patent number: 7939737
    Abstract: The body support (2) for a guitar (1) or similar musical instruments can be removed and is shaped like a frame. It comprises a single bass clef-shaped body, the two ends (3,4) of which are attached to the guitar body (5) at a distance from each other. The body support (2) protrudes on both sides and at the end of the guitar body (5), thus facilitating the handling of the guitar (1) and accessibility to the tuning elements (6). An elastic padding (12) is provided in the holding region of the body support (2). The body support can be removed and folded for transporting the guitar (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Triff Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Mark Erismann
  • Patent number: 7932451
    Abstract: At least one embodiment of the inventive technology may be an item support apparatus (1) that comprises at least two fee (4); a base (5) from which said feet extend at a first retention element (6); at least two risers (7) retained to the base by a second retention element (8); and at least one arm (9) retained to each riser by an arm retainer (10). Disclosed is a novel, efficient yet strong item support stand that may be used to support an item such as a musical instrument (a keyboard, as but one example) and that may be collapsible and/or adjustable in certain embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Swift Distribution, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Workman, David Roberts, Julie T Petit, Todd B Eimen, Donald H Eason
  • Publication number: 20110088532
    Abstract: An enclosure is provided for a musical instrument, particularly for a guitar. The enclosure has a flexible rear panel having a laterally enlarged lower portion to cover the back side of the guitar. The enclosure further includes a flexible front side being substantially of the same size and shape as the rear side of the enclosure. A side panel, which is substantially continuous, interconnects the rear side and the front side of the enclosure. Preferably, the front side is clear or transparent so that the guitar may be viewed from outside the enclosure. An opening is provided in the bottom of the side wall and the opening is sized and shaped to allow the passage of the guitar in and out of the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventor: Michael W. Klemp
  • Publication number: 20110088531
    Abstract: Two guitar storage supports have L-shapes. A first support is rigid, and a second support is resilient. A first arm of the first support attaches to a surface. The second arm of the first support is connected to a guitar strap peg. A first arm of the second resilient support is adjustably connected to the surface. The second arm of the resilient support is flexed to receive a second strap peg on the guitar. The resilient second support is released to resiliently return to its L-shape, thereby attaching the second peg to the second support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: John Colin Woodland, Adrian Woodland
  • Patent number: 7915506
    Abstract: An electronic guitar harness component connector uses ribbon cables and circuit boards to interconnect electronic components in an electric guitar harness. The use of ribbon cables and circuit boards to interconnect electronic components in the harness solves the problem of hand-soldered joints of discrete wires. It eliminates the need for the hand-soldered joints of discrete wires, and multiple wires. Discrete wires are replaced with a single ribbon cable and/or circuit boards to interconnect electronic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Inventor: Bruce Ledley Jacob
  • Patent number: 7906717
    Abstract: A locking device for retaining a musical instrument can be attached to a stand assembly by a base member. A support unit with an entrance opening supports a portion of the instrument. A force such as gravitational can cause the support unit to rotate a biased locking member to close the entrance opening. Removal of the instrument permits a biasing force to open the locking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: SoundKing Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xianggui Wang
  • Patent number: 7900881
    Abstract: A stand for a musical instrument is sturdy, durable and easy to construct. The stand supports a musical instrument, such as a guitar, in a substantially upright, readily accessible manner, yet the stand is easy to disassemble for ready transport or store in a low volume configuration. One embodiment of a stand includes a base for supporting a lower section of a musical instrument and a detachable neck that engages an upper section of the musical instrument. The base includes a front support rod, a back support rod spaced apart and extending parallel to the front support rod and a pair of side support rods extending between and connecting the front support rod and the back support rod. A plurality of legs extend from the base to provide stability. The neck support can be magnetically secured to the base in a substantially upright position when the stand is in an assembled configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventor: Anthony J. Campagna
  • Publication number: 20110048211
    Abstract: One example embodiment includes a guitar strap for helping to align a guitar in a correct playing position. The guitar strap includes a strip of material, where the strip of material includes a first end and a second end, and a first attachment, where the first attachment is connected to the first end of the strip of material and where the first attachment is configured to connect to the bottom (side furthest from the guitar neck) of a guitar. The guitar strap also includes a weight pocket, where the weight pocket is located near the first end of the strip of material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: J. NAYLOR, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph F. Naylor
  • Patent number: 7893332
    Abstract: A support for a wind instrument is formed of a structural-supporting stand having a soft fabric support slung between the structural members of the stand for temporary support of a wind instrument. The structural members of the stand are preferably held together during use by elastic bands extending along certain of the structural members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventor: Eric R. Lundberg
  • Patent number: 7888573
    Abstract: A multi-purpose holding device and method for use with guitar shaped instruments, wherein the device comprises: a pivot axle member having attachment means for attaching the member to a guitar, a U-shaped mounting bracket member having first attachment means for attaching the member to a first substrate, the U-shaped mounting bracket member having second attachment means for attaching the member to a second substrate, the U-shaped mounting bracket member having third attachment means for attaching the member to a third substrate, the U-shaped mounting bracket member having fourth attachment means for attaching the member to a fourth substrate, the pivot axle member has a plate that attaches to the back of the guitar, the guitar with the pivot axle member has a slot for slidable connecting to the U-shaped mounting bracket members of the substrate's one through four, thereby allow a user to quickly and easily detach and reattach the holding substrate for the guitar, wherein the substrates one through four are d
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Inventor: Paul Campbell Darbon
  • Patent number: 7888572
    Abstract: This invention is a guitar strap lock apparatus for connection to a guitar strap button on a guitar. The apparatus has a lock body defining a cavity with a resilient retainer latch attached to the lock body. The resilient retainer latch partially protrudes over a side opening in the lock body so that a securing portion of the button is secured within the latch when the button is received in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Gibson Guitar Corp.
    Inventors: James Richard Rosenberg, Richard Taylor Akers
  • Publication number: 20110000357
    Abstract: A strap lock is provided. The strap lock includes a sleeve, a slider and a spring. The slider fits within the sleeve and moves from a locked position to an unlocked position. The spring biases the slider into a locked position. The sleeve may be attached to a strap end having a keyhole such that the slider covers a portion of the keyhole when in a locked position and uncovers the keyhole when in an unlocked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: LOCK-IT & ROCK-IT, LLC
    Inventor: Chris Perrotta
  • Publication number: 20100319515
    Abstract: A wearable instrument supporting means comprising: an instrument mountable support (10) having a surface (11); and a wearable support (1) having at least one region (4) that has a non-slip relationship with said surface (11) of the instrument mountable support (10); and wherein said at least one region (4) is positioned to contactably align with the surface (11) of the instrument mountable support (10) when the instrument (15) is in normal use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventor: John J. P. Cadd
  • Publication number: 20100313731
    Abstract: The V type electric guitar footrest (2) which is attached to the lower part of the input socket device (5) consists of an L-sectioned, half triangular component (1) on the lower edge of the V type electric guitar and a triangular stabilizing backrest (3) that is attached to the rear side of the half triangular component (1). An alternative way of stabilizing the V type electric guitar inside the footrest is to attach a pair of retaining straps (4) on the rear side of the L-sectioned, half triangular component (1). A second alternative way of stabilizing the V type electric guitar inside the footrest (without having to use a stabilizing triangular part nor any retaining straps) is to use a U-sectioned (Ia) instead of an L-sectioned half triangular component (1), like the one mentioned in the first application method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventor: Konstantinos Markakis
  • Publication number: 20100307325
    Abstract: A system for playing music includes an guitar with two audio output channels, a cable to connect to the two output channels to an amplifier, an amplifier having two channels, an effects apparatus, and a guitar tuner mounted within the guitar. A looping circuit is connected to record instrument performances and play a looped playback of the performance, permitting the performer to accompany his earlier performance. Multiple channel looping circuits are provided. A guitar strap is provided with a vocal microphone that is connected through the strap end for amplifying the vocal signal. An alternate guitar strap includes an instrument input, an amplifier, battery and speaker positioned near the player's ear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher T. Appel
  • Patent number: 7829775
    Abstract: A novel display and storage hanger for a musical instrument, and particularly, a guitar which provides for user unobtrusive, secure mounting at a selected angular rotation to achieve a desired display or storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Inventor: Marvin Morrow
  • Patent number: 7825316
    Abstract: A body adapter for a stringed musical instrument, comprising: a bottom portion and a varying thickness perimeter sidewall portion, where a space bounded by the bottom portion and an inside portion of the perimeter sidewall portion, forms a receiving compartment. The receiving compartment has a shape adapted to releasably receive the body of a stringed musical instrument and thereby change the shape of the instrument as it is held by a user for playing, from that of the outside shape of the musical instrument, to the outside shape of the body adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Inventor: Alan Stagg
  • Patent number: 7818851
    Abstract: A strap lock is provided. The strap lock includes a sleeve, a slider and a spring. The slider fits within the sleeve and moves from a locked position to an unlocked position. The spring biases the slider into a locked position. The sleeve may be attached to a strap end having a keyhole such that the slider covers a portion of the keyhole when in a locked position and uncovers the keyhole when in an unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Inventor: Chris Perrotta
  • Patent number: 7781656
    Abstract: A strap for a guitar has a strap belt and two strap connectors each of which is provided at each end of the strap belt. Each strap connector includes a base plate having a first opening, a second opening, and a slit. The first opening has a diameter greater than a head portion of a connector pin. The second opening has a diameter smaller than a neck portion of the connector pin. The slit connects the first and second openings and has a width smaller than the diameter of a neck portion of the connector pin. In the strap connector, a portion of the base plate adjacent to the slit is bendable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Hosino Gakki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hajime Furuta
  • Patent number: 7775491
    Abstract: A guitar hanger for hanging a guitar having a neck and head on a closet rod. The hanger includes a first member in the form of a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end configured into a first hook sized to receive the closet rod and a distal end configured on a second hook for engaging a second member. The second member is in the form of U-shaped yoke section sized to receive a guitar neck between legs of the U-shaped yoke section but not a guitar head. The second member also includes a transitional section having a body and a keyed slot configured within the body sized and shaped such that the keyed slot will removably receive the second hook in a first orientation and will secure the transitional section to the second hook in a second orientation such that the second member is removable from the first member only in the first orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher A. Samu
  • Patent number: 7777110
    Abstract: A stand for a musical instrument having a body and a neck includes a main body and a pair front legs coupled to the main body. The pair of front legs is configured to receive a portion of the body of the musical instrument therein. A neck rest of the stand is removably coupled to the main body and is configured to receive a portion of the neck of the musical instrument therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Dingo Products, Inc
    Inventor: Timothy D. Wallis
  • Patent number: 7772471
    Abstract: In order to allow a two-sided instrument case to also serve as a stand for guitars and the like, when the case is in its open position, a flat plate having a central notch in one end is adapted to be supported between the open case side so it is closely spaced relative to the hinge which joins the case sides. When the case is moved to the closed position, the plate may either be removed for storage in the case with the instrument, or may be alternatively positioned so that it may be folded into a closed position within the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Inventor: James M. Bustamante
  • Patent number: 7744047
    Abstract: A support device for supporting a musical instrument includes a base, the base includes a first side portion and a second side portion. The support device also includes a support body rotatably coupled to the base. The support body includes a first support surface and a second support surface. The first support surface defines a channel in the support body, the second support surface is substantially planar. The support body is configured to rotate between at least a first position and a second position around an axis intersecting the first side portion and the second side portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Inventor: Ron Thorn
  • Patent number: 7732688
    Abstract: A portable instrument stand has a base, two legs retractably mounted in the base, two arms foldably mounted in the base and a main cover mounted pivotally on the base. While unfolding the instrument stand, the legs, the main cover and the arms are sequentially unfolded in the base to allow a guitar or the like to be held on the arms. While folding the instrument stand, the arms and the legs are respectively stored in the base and the main cover is mounted on the base. The instrument stand is light, aesthetically pleasing, and has no sharp protrusions that may damage instruments being carried with the instrument stand or a person carrying the stand so is convenient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: K.H.S. Musical Instrument Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wu-Hong Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7732689
    Abstract: One embodiment of a foldable and height adjustable playing support for musical instrument that supports an instrument such as a guitar in the playing position while the musician is in the seated position. When in use it supports the instrument's bottom surface with its top instrument supporting surface and its bottom portion, the body contacting surface, rests on the performer's thigh. The support provides the performer various height adjustments to achieve the most comfortable playing position. When not in use it can be flattened to a form that is easy to carry and travel with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventors: Ying Jiang, Lily Wen Ruo Yan
  • Publication number: 20100126329
    Abstract: A guitar strap attachment means (also called the “strap plug” herein) preferably comprises two main components that are integrally formed together. A shaft member, in a preferred embodiment is generally the same size and shape of the shaft of a TRS (tip, ring, sleeve) connector that is typically plugged into the electric audio jack. The shaft member is cylindrical in nature, and includes a tip, a ring and a sleeve portion. A head member is attached to the end of the sleeve (on the end opposite the tip), and in a preferred embodiment is enlarged and round in shape. The shaft member extends in axial relation from the center of the head member. The strap plug may be made of plastic or any other suitable material. In use, the shaft member is run through the end loop of a guitar strap, and the strap plug is then inserted into the electric audio jack of the guitar. The head member serves to hold the loop in place so that the guitar does not accidentally become detached from the guitar strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventor: Joseph Anthony Bowen
  • Patent number: 7718875
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a first section including a protrusion-engaging portion and a second section including a first coupling member adapted to mate to a second coupling member attachable to a guitar cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventor: Daniel Shereda
  • Patent number: 7717378
    Abstract: Disclosed is a saxophone-supporting stand including two legs and a connective apparatus. The legs can be open and closed. The connective apparatus is used to keep the legs open. The connective apparatus includes a first link, a second link and two rods. The first link includes a first end pivotally connected to one of the legs and a second end. The second link includes a first end pivotally connected to the other leg and a second end pivotally connected to the second end of the first link so that the first and second links are open when the legs are open. Each of the rods is obliquely raised from a related one of the first and second links so that the rods form a V-shaped structure for supporting a portion of the saxophone when the first and second links are open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventor: Tsung Yao Yu
  • Publication number: 20100107850
    Abstract: A strap for a guitar has a strap belt and two strap connectors each of which is provided at each end of the strap belt. Each strap connector includes a base plate having a first opening, a second opening, and a slit. The first opening has a diameter greater than a head portion of a connector pin. The second opening has a diameter smaller than a neck portion of the connector pin. The slit connects the first and second openings and has a width smaller than the diameter of a neck portion of the connector pin. In the strap connector, a portion of the base plate adjacent to the slit is bendable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: Hajime Furuta
  • Patent number: 7709720
    Abstract: Described are techniques for preventing movement of tuning pegs on a stringed instrument. Described is a device comprising an elongated body forming a sleeve opened at a first end thereof and having a slit formed therein. The body has a shape and dimensions in accordance with a shape and dimensions of a row of a plurality of tuning pegs of the stringed instrument so that the body is configured to enclose therein head portions of the plurality of tuning pegs. The slit is configured to have a length and width to extend around neck portions of the plurality of tuning pegs on the stringed instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventors: James D. Shippey, Kenneth P. Smith, Anthony Manbucca
  • Patent number: 7709714
    Abstract: A guitar or musical instrument harness is disclosed that includes a waist belt and a shoulder strap. A circular or oval loop is attached to the waist belt. The belt is worn by the user so that the loop is situated over the spine of the user. The shoulder strap is disposed through the loop and the distal ends extend upward along the back and over the shoulders of the user. The strap includes attachment holes or apertures at the distal ends thereof to receive guitar strap buttons mounted on a guitar. The strap also includes typical length adjustment features. An alternate embodiment includes an additional mounting ring clip through which the strap is inserted. The mounting ring clip is removably attachable to the loop portion of the waist belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventors: Steven R. Harbaugh, Joseph M. Kunzer
  • Publication number: 20100089218
    Abstract: The body support (2) for a guitar (1) or similar musical instruments can be removed and is shaped like a frame. It comprises a single bass clef-shaped body, the two ends (3,4) of which are attached to the guitar body (5) at a distance from each other. The body support (2) protrudes on both sides and at the end of the guitar body (5), thus facilitating the handling of the guitar (1) and accessibility to the tuning elements (6). An elastic padding (12) is provided in the holding region of the body support (2). The body support can be removed and folded for transporting the guitar (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventor: Mark Erismann
  • Publication number: 20100077902
    Abstract: A guitar strap 10 includes an adjuster 13 by which the length of a second belt section 17 is adjusted. The adjuster 13 includes a base 31, a lever 32 manipulated to adjust the length of the second belt section 17, and a torsion spring 38 urging the lever 32 to pivot in a first direction. The second belt section 17 is clamped by the base 31 and the lever 32 due to urging force of the torsion spring 38. The second belt section 17 is released from a state clamped by the base 31 and the lever 32 by pivoting the lever 32 in a second direction, which is different from the first direction, against the urging force of the torsion spring 38.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: Hajime Furuta, Yuko Naganawa
  • Patent number: 7669299
    Abstract: A connector for securing a guitar to a strap, having a body with an opening and an engagement member slidable within the body. The engagement member has an opening with two portions. The first portion is large enough to receive the anchor post and the second portion is narrow enough to prevent the anchor post from passing through it. The user slides the first portion into alignment with the opening in the body and inserts the anchor post. Then, the user slides the engagement member so that the second portion impedes the release of the anchor post. The body may also have an opening for removal of the engagement member and/or an opening to facilitate sliding of the engagement member. Also there is disclosed a flexible support with one or more connectors and a strap, and a system including connector(s), a strap and a guitar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Inventor: Donald Eugene McAnelly
  • Publication number: 20100037747
    Abstract: A portable instrument stand has a base, two legs retractably mounted in the base, two arms foldably mounted in the base and a main cover mounted pivotally on the base. While unfolding the instrument stand, the legs, the main cover and the arms are sequentially unfolded in the base to allow a guitar or the like to be held on the arms. While folding the instrument stand, the arms and the legs are respectively stored in the base and the main cover is mounted on the base. The instrument stand is light, aesthetically pleasing, and has no sharp protrusions that may damage instruments being carried with the instrument stand or a person carrying the stand so is convenient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: K.H.S. MUSICAL INSTRUMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wu-Hong Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7659468
    Abstract: A guitar stand system including a bracket, a strap, and one or more studs. The bracket is provided with an upper portion having a horizontally projecting brace and a lower portion having a pair of downwardly projecting legs defining a slot therebetween. A pair of spaced apart hitches is provided on the upper portion of the bracket. The studs may be mounted on a stable object or structure and the bracket may be slidably engaged on the studs. A guitar may be leaned adjacent to the bracket. The strap, which is provided with an “O” ring at each end, may be drawn across the guitar neck and the “O” rings may be engaged on the hitches to confine the guitar securely on the stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventor: Donald Gottlieb
  • Patent number: 7645928
    Abstract: A bass drum system and method is provided. The bass drum system is comprised of a bass drum including at least one connector and an anchoring harness. The anchoring harness includes at least one first securing point, an anchoring body, and at least one second securing point. The at least one first securing point is connected to the anchoring body at a predefined distance from the at least one second securing point, also connected to the anchoring body. The at least one first securing point attaches to the at least one connector of the bass drum and the anchoring body contacts a seat structure used by a musician. The at least one second securing point attaches to the at least one connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Inventors: James Leverne Graham, Michael Robert Lizarraga
  • Patent number: 7638698
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus which enables a harmonica to be removably attached to a string instrument such as a guitar without having to modify the physical aspects of the guitar and which retains the harmonica so that it can be immediately located and grasped into a playing condition so that a musician can play the guitar or other string instrument, immediately switch to playing the harmonica, and then return the harmonica to its location on the guitar and continue to play the guitar. More broadly defined, the present invention includes the concept of removably retaining a first musical instrument to a second musical instrument by a magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventor: Emilio T. Bellissimo
  • Patent number: 7635809
    Abstract: A cover 78d, having a static cling property, is formed in a cover perimeter pattern, and with a plurality of holes 82b, 84b, 98b and 100b in accordance with a cover hole-location pattern. The cover 78d is formed from a clear plastic static cling sheet 80, or a white plastic static cling sheet, each having a thickness of 7.5 mil, and may have a decorative design 110 applied to one surface thereof. In a preassembled guitar 48, strings 64 are located over a body top 52, with pickups 56 extending outward from the body top toward, but spaced from, the strings by a pickup-to-strings space, which is greater than 7.5 mil. While the guitar remains preassembled, the cover 78d can be moved into the pickup-to-strings space, and into static clinging engagement with the body top 48.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Trickguard, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Higgs, Duane R. Regula
  • Publication number: 20090308222
    Abstract: In order to allow a two-sided instrument case to also serve as a stand for guitars and the like, when the case is in its open position, a flat plate having a central notch in one end is adapted to be supported between the open case side so it is closely spaced relative to the hinge which joins the case sides. When the case is moved to the closed position, the plate may either be removed for storage in the case with the instrument, or may be alternatively positioned so that it may be folded into a closed position within the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: James M. Bustamante
  • Patent number: 7629523
    Abstract: A supporting device for a stringed instrument, for example a guitar, comprises: a cradle portion for spanning the bottom side of the guitar body; a wrap portion for extending over the top side of the guitar body opposite the cradle portion and for being connected to the cradle portion for securing the cradle portion against the bottom side of the guitar body; and a strap portion extending between a first end for connection to the cradle portion opposite the guitar neck and a second end for connection to one of cradle portion or the wrap portion adjacent the guitar neck such that the body is suspended by the strap portion. The cradle portion, wrap portion and strap are formed of soft material without any fasteners required so as not to damage the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Inventor: George Neagle
  • Patent number: RE42630
    Abstract: A support for a body of a stringed instrument includes a brace structure having a plurality of legs radially disposed about a central body. The brace structure has a substantially flat first surface. A portion of the plurality of legs conforms to a soundhole opening which is integrated into the body of the stringed instrument. A brace for a body of a guitar includes a unitary structure adapted to mount to a soundboard of the guitar. The unitary structure has a plurality of arms radially disposed about a central body. A method of assembling a guitar includes mounting a brace structure to a soundboard of the guitar. Again, the brace structure has a plurality of legs radially disposed about a central body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Fender Musical Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin M. Kroeger, Meaulnes Laberge, Timothy P. Shaw, Daniel J. Smith, Donald Scott Wade, Jr.