Strap assembly for playing a musical instrument in a sitting or standing position with the instrument in a face-up position

A strap assembly worn by a player in a sitting or standing position for supporting a guitar or similar instrument in a generally horizontal face-up position, stabilizes the instrument while it is being played without impeding freedom of movement of the player's hands. The strap assembly includes an elongate shoulder strap, a shoulder pad slidably mounted on the shoulder strap, an instrument headstock strap releasably connected to a first end of the shoulder strap having a looped end for attachment to the instrument headstock, an instrument body strap releasably connected to a second end of the shoulder strap for attachment to the body of the instrument, and a forearm loop mounted on the instrument body strap for receiving the forearm of the picking-hand of the instrument player.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to support straps for supporting musical instruments, and, more particularly, to an instrument strap assembly to be worn by a player in a sitting or standing position for supporting a musical instrument, such as a guitar, in a face-up horizontal position that stabilizes the instrument while being played without impeding freedom of movement of the player's hands.

2. Background Art

A conventional “two-point” guitar strap typically has a buttonhole at each end that is slipped over a small strap button (also known as a lug, end pin, or knob), one at the bottom end of the guitar body or “lower bout”, and the other at the neck end or fret board end, of the body, that are secured to the guitar by a variety of fastening means. The conventional “two-point” guitar strap is designed primarily to support the guitar on front of the player by the strap buttons at the bottom end of the guitar body or “lower bout”, and the neck end or heel of the fret board with the face and playing surface or strings of the guitar facing outwardly from the player.

An acoustic lap steel guitar, also commonly referred to as a “DoBro”, or resonator or resophonic guitar, or slide guitar are played using a metal slide called a “steel” (or tone bar) or a tube slipped over a finger to engage the strings of the guitar instead of pressing down on the string to engage the frets of the guitar. These types of guitars are often played with the guitar disposed horizontally with the strings facing upward with the guitar supported across the knees of a seated player, or on a stool or platform in front of the seated player. The metal slide is held by, or the tube is slipped over a finger of, the player's left hand and moved along the strings to change the instrument's pitch while the right hand plucks the strings (if they are right hand players). As used herein, the term “fret-hand” refers to the hand that moves the bar or slide. The term “picking-hand” refers to the opposite hand of the fret-hand; this is the hand that plucks the strings.

The “DoBro” guitar, introduced in 1928 by the Dopyera Brothers, is an acoustic slide guitar which has a metal resonator in the middle of the soundboard. The term “DoBro” is a contraction of Dopyera and Brothers, and has become a generic term to identify guitars having a metal resonator on the soundboard.

The “DoBro” type guitars are preferably played in a standing position with the guitar disposed horizontally and the face and strings of the guitar facing upward. This is because the standing position permits full output from the acoustic instrument because the backside of the guitar is free to resonate, as opposed to being pressed against the player's body or lap. These types of guitars also project sound better in a position tilted slightly away from the body and toward the listener or microphone.

It is very difficult to stabilize and to play a “DoBro” or acoustic lap steel instrument, or an electric lap steel in a standing position while maintaining the face and strings of the guitar facing upward using a conventional two-point guitar strap because the guitar is supported at a point at each end of the guitar and tends to rotate or roll about the horizontal axis of the guitar body. In some cases, the guitar will roll such that the strings face either toward the player's stomach, or face outwardly away from the player's stomach.

Another problem with suspending these types of guitars horizontally from a conventional two-point strap with the face and strings of the guitar facing upward is that the shape of the body is usually the traditional figure-8 shape with a rounded butt-end, similar to the shape of regular acoustic guitars. Thus, the playing surface (fret board) is disposed to the left of center of the player's body (for a right handed player), and the guitar tends to center itself on the two-point strap, which can move the fret board out of the preferred position, such that the player's fret-hand (the hand that moves the bar or slide) cannot easily access the higher frets of the guitar.

Some players attempt to stabilize the guitar with the underside of their right forearm (if they are right-handed players), or with the heel of their right hand (“picking-hand”). Other players (if they are right-handed players) place the shoulder strap over their left shoulder, and place their right forearm under the right hand end of the strap to stabilize the guitar. Still other players (if they are right-handed players) place their right arm over top of the strap then around the outside and under the strap such that the strap has a half twist around their right forearm.

With these techniques, the right arm and left shoulder area are the main points of contact on the player's body that hold the weight of the guitar and the forearm of the “picking-hand” is trapped between the strap and the guitar body. These methods of support also limit the freedom of movement of the player's “picking-hand” that plucks the strings, and also tend to move the fret board and headboard around. In the standing position, after extended play, there is a tendency for the picking-hand to become numb from lack of blood circulation to the hand. A portion of the instrument weight and a portion of the downward force caused by barring the frets and picking the strings are transferred to the player's forearm and picking-hand via the strap. These loads are transferred because the forearm is trapped and the portion of the strap at the player's shoulder does not carry the entire playing load.

Peavey et al, U.S. Pat. No. 7,586,029 discloses a guitar and strap for playing in a standing configuration wherein the guitar is suspended from a strap about a player's shoulder with a front plane of the guitar oriented generally horizontally. The guitar includes a horn extending from the body transversely with respect to the neck to a tip of the horn, the horn including a curvate edge extending from the tip toward a bottom of the body for engaging a fret-hand side of the player. The tip and the curvate edge of the horn are sized and shaped such that the body and neck are offset towards the fret-hand side of the player when suspended, thereby giving the player ready access to higher frets of the neck. In preferred embodiments, the guitar includes at least three strap buttons disposed about the neck and body; and a strap coupled to the strap buttons such that the guitar is suspended from the strap at three points.

There are also several patents directed toward support straps for supporting musical instruments, such as guitars, with the face and playing surface or strings thereof facing outwardly from the player, but are not particularly suited to for supporting an instrument, such as a guitar, from a player in a standing position with the instrument disposed horizontally with the face and playing surface or strings thereof facing upward.

Healy, U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,103 discloses a belt-hook assembly that is attached to the rear surface of the body of an instrument, and the musician wears a belt assembly having a depending strap segment fastened thereto which buckles to a second strap segment that is attached to the base of the instrument's body.

Ruzika et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,315 discloses a shoulder strap having an arcuate or bow-like curved first support portion configured to lie across the back of the player, and a linear second support portion that lies across the player's shoulder. Each end of the shoulder strap is adapted to attach to a musical instrument by means of a pivot member and a connecting element.

Tonon, U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,158 discloses a three-point harness strap for suspending a musical instrument which has a main body and an extension, with a first connector for attaching the strap to the main body of the instrument, a second connector for attaching the strap to the extension of the instrument from its main body, and a third connector between the first and second connectors and for attachment to the instrument between its main body and extension for limiting the extent to which the strap can be displaced from the body of the instrument.

D'Addario et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,293, which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a quick release musical instrument strap attachment, known as the Acoustic-Quick Release System which is manufactured and marketed by the Planet Waves division of D'Addario & Company, Inc., of Farmingdale, N.Y. The quick release system includes a strap attachment unit and a musical instrument attachment unit. The strap attachment unit has a female receiving quick release portion with a base portion and a hollow body portion for receiving and locking a male quick release portion with a first cord having both ends thereof attached to the base portion of the female quick release portion to form a loop. The musical instrument attachment unit has a male quick release insertion unit with a base portion and an insertion means adapted for insertion and locking into the hollow body portion of the female receiving quick release portion, and a second cord having both ends thereof attached to the base portion of the male receiving quick release portion to form a loop. The strap attachment unit is attachable to a strap and the musical instrument attachment unit is attachable to the musical instrument.

Beck, U.S. Pat. No. 5,880,384 discloses a connecting device for attaching a shoulder strap to the neck of the instrument. The device has a looped portion which extends beneath the strings along one side of the neck, and across the bottom of the neck to encircle the neck with opposite ends adjacent the top edge of the neck. A fastener joins the end portions of the looped portion together, and is provided with a stem and a head over which a slotted end of the guitar strap may be manipulated to rest on the stem and be retained on the fastener by the head.

Lehoux, U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,731 discloses a double strap harness having right and left shoulder strap systems and a back connecting system for supporting and positioning a guitar or similar instrument in front of a player with the strings facing outwardly from the player. The right shoulder strap system extends over the right shoulder and is mounted on the strumming end of the guitar. The left shoulder strap system includes two straps extending over the left shoulder mounted to the front and back of the player, and a strap mounted on the fret end of the guitar. The back connecting system ties the right and left strap systems together.

Miller, U.S. Pat. No. 7,470,842 discloses a cradle for a musical instrument, which consists of a support having a figure-8 configuration including a pair of loops adapted to support the musical instrument without the use of any fastening device. The cradle has a strap with a pair of ends, each of which is connected to a loop of the support. A buckle may be provided to adjust the length of the strap. In use, a musical instrument is positioned in the inventive cradle with the loops supporting the instrument in front of a player with the strings facing outwardly from the player.

Furuta, U.S. Pat. No. 7,781,656 discloses a strap for a guitar that 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 with 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.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the aforementioned problems and is distinguished over the prior art in general, and these patents in particular by a instrument strap assembly to be worn by a player in a sitting or standing position for supporting a musical instrument, such as a guitar, in a horizontal face-up position that stabilizes the instrument while being played without impeding freedom of movement of the player's hands. The strap assembly includes an elongate shoulder strap, a shoulder pad slidably mounted on the shoulder strap, an instrument headstock strap releasably connected to a first end of the shoulder strap having a looped end for attachment to the guitar headstock, an instrument body strap releasably connected to a second end of the shoulder strap for attachment to the body of the guitar, and a forearm loop pivotally mounted on the instrument body strap for receiving the forearm of the picking-hand of the guitar player.

One of the significant features and advantages of the present strap assembly is that it supports each end of the guitar in a horizontal face-up position in a manner that prevents the tendency of the guitar to rotate or roll about the horizontal axis of the guitar body.

Another significant feature and advantage of the present strap assembly is that it will better maintain the fret board in a preferred playing position and stabilize the instrument while being played without impeding freedom of movement of the player's hands, and provide control of the tendency of the instrument to turn about the player's body.

Another feature and advantage of the present strap assembly is that it will stabilize the guitar and eliminate the practice of a player trying to stabilize the guitar with the underside of their forearm or heel of their picking-hand, or placing the forearm of their picking-hand under the strap or twisting the strap to stabilize the guitar.

Another feature and advantage of the present strap assembly is that it will eliminate trapping the forearm of the picking-hand between the strap and the guitar body, and will allow freedom of movement of the player's picking-hand, and aid in maintaining the wrist of the picking-hand in a neutral position.

Another feature and advantage of the present strap assembly is that the strap provides swivel connections between the ends of the shoulder strap and the neck and the body of the guitar which allows the shoulder strap to lie flat against the player's back and also allows the forearm loop to lie flat around the top of the forearm of the picking-hand.

A further feature and advantage of the present strap assembly is that it will eliminate transferring the instrument weight and downward force to the forearm of the player's picking-hand.

Still further features and advantages of the present strap assembly are that it is attractive in appearance, simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and rugged and reliable in use.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from time to time throughout the specification and claims as hereinafter related.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown inFIGS. 1,1A, and1B, a preferred instrument strap assembly10in accordance with the present invention. As described in greater detail hereinafter, the major components of the strap assembly10includes an elongate main shoulder strap11, a shoulder pad12slidably mounted on the main shoulder strap, a quick-release instrument headstock strap assembly15releasably connected to a first end of the main shoulder strap having a looped end for attachment to the guitar headstock, an instrument body strap20releasably connected to a second end of the shoulder strap for attachment to the body of the guitar, and a forearm loop22mounted on the instrument body strap for receiving the forearm of the picking-hand of the guitar player.

The main shoulder strap11is an elongate flexible strap made of a sturdy flexible material such as, for example, nylon webbing, leather, or other suitable flexible material, having opposed first and second ends11A and11B, respectively. The main shoulder strap11is fed through a longitudinally spaced pair of transverse slots12A of the shoulder pad12such that the shoulder pad is slidably mounted on the main shoulder strap between the opposed ends11A and11B. A buckle13is secured to the first end11A of the main shoulder strap11. The second end11B of the main shoulder strap11is fed though through the eyelet14A of a quick disconnect snap-hook swivel connector14and then doubled back over itself and sewn together.

The quick-release instrument headstock strap assembly15includes a strap member16made of a sturdy flexible material such as, for example, nylon webbing, leather, or other suitable flexible material, having a first end16A which is fed through the buckle13at the first end11A of the main shoulder strap11to form an adjustable loop that allows the length of the strap member16to be adjusted. A reinforcement tab17may be sewn onto the first end16A of the strap member16after it is fed through the buckle13to increase its thickness and prevent it from pulling out of the buckle.

The second end16B. of the strap member16is secured to the female member18A of a quick-release connector18. A preferred quick release connector18, as illustrated in the drawings, is a side-release buckle of the type sold by ITW Nexus Global of Des Plains, Ill., and covered by U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,464, which is incorporated herein by reference. The quick-release connector18includes the separable female receptacle18A and a male clasp member18B, preferably molded of a thermoplastic material. The clasp member18B includes a pair of resilient arms having locking tabs18C thereon for releasably engaging locking slots of the receptacle member18A. The receptacle member18A also includes a pair of grooves for slidably engaging cooperating raised ridges formed on a central arm of the clasp member for guiding the clasp member during insertion and removal from the receptacle member (conventional and therefore not shown in detail). The quick-release instrument headstock strap assembly15includes a flexible cord18D formed into a loop18E, the ends of which are secured to the male clasp member18B of the quick release connector18by conventional means, such as by an adhesive, or a molding process. The flexible cord18D is formed of a relatively sturdy material, such as nylon.

While this type of connector is preferred, other forms of quick release connectors or buckles may also be employed. The connector elements18A,18B, of the quick release connector18are easily connected such that the looped cord18E extends from the second end11A of the strap member16at the end of the main shoulder strap11. It should be understood that either of the male or female member18A or18B of the quick-release connector18may be secured to the strap member16, and the other connector member provided with the looped cord18E.

The looped cord18D of the instrument headstock strap assembly16may be passed around the headstock of the guitar under the strings between the endmost two sets of the tuning knobs or keys, and the male connector element18B of the quick release connector18passed through the loop18E formed by the cord in order to tightly secure the instrument headstock strap16and connector18B to the guitar. Thus, it should be understood, that the looped cord18D may remain secured to the headstock of the instrument, and that the strap16at the end of the main shoulder strap11can be selectively connected thereto and therefrom by the male and female connector elements18A and18B. When connected, the flexible cord18D of the headstock strap assembly15provides a swivel joint between the first end11A of the main shoulder strap11and the neck of the instrument.

As described above, the second end11B of the main shoulder strap11is fed though through the eyelet14A of a quick disconnect snap-hook swivel connector14and then doubled back over itself and sewn together.

The instrument body strap20is a flexible strap made of a sturdy flexible material such as, for example, nylon webbing, leather, or other suitable flexible material, having opposed first and second ends20A and20B, respectively. A ring21is secured to the first end20A of the instrument body strap20by passing the end of the strap through the eyelet of the ring, doubling it back over and securing it to itself. The ring21is sized and shaped to receive the quick disconnect snap-hook swivel connector14at the second end11B of the main shoulder strap11. When connected, the quick disconnect snap-hook swivel connector14provides a swivel joint between the second end11B of the shoulder strap11and the body of the instrument. The second end20B of the instrument body strap20is provided with a somewhat teardrop-shaped aperture20C having a larger opening near the outer end of the strap for receiving a conventional strap button secured to the guitar body at its bottom end or lower bout.

In this embodiment, the forearm loop22is an adjustable flexible strap made of two straps22A and22B formed of a sturdy flexible material such as, for example, nylon webbing, leather, or other suitable material. One end of each strap22A and22B is secured to the instrument body strap20in longitudinally spaced relation a distance inwardly from the button receiving aperture20C, such as by sewing. A buckle22C is secured to the free end of the first strap22B, and the free end of the second strap22A is fed though through the buckle22C to form an adjustable loop that allows the length of the forearm loop22to be adjusted to ergonomically fit the forearm of the player.

Depending upon the material used for the instrument body strap20and the forearm loop22, reinforcement tabs23may be sewn onto the straps22A and22B when they are secured to the instrument body strap to prevent separation. A reinforcement tab23may be also be sewn on the free end of the second strap22B of the forearm loop22after it is fed through the buckle22C to prevent it from pulling out of the buckle and allowing separation of the adjustable forearm loop22. This feature further prevents loss of the holding mechanism, or in the catastrophic case, prevents the instrument from falling to the ground.FIG. 1Bshows the main shoulder strap11placed over the shoulder of a player and the player's picking-hand PH placed through the adjustable forearm loop22with the instrument disposed generally horizontally with the face and strings facing upward.

Referring now toFIGS. 2 and 2A, a second embodiment of the strap assembly10A in accordance with the present invention is shown. This embodiment is substantially similar the embodiment ofFIG. 1and includes many of the same components. The components that are the same as described previously are assigned the same numerals of reference, but will not be described again in detail to avoid repetition.

In this embodiment, the strap assembly10A includes an elongate main shoulder strap11, and the shoulder pad12slidably mounted on the main shoulder strap, the quick-release instrument headstock strap assembly15releasably connected to a first end of the main shoulder strap having a looped end for attachment to the guitar headstock, and the instrument body strap20, as shown and described previously.

This embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in that a first buckle13A is secured to the first end11A of the main shoulder strap11and a second buckle13B is secured to the second end11B of the main shoulder strap11, and an intermediate adjustment strap24made of a sturdy flexible material such as, for example, nylon webbing, leather, or other suitable flexible material, has a first end24A which is fed through the buckle13B at the second end11B of the main shoulder strap11to form an adjustable loop that allows the length of the strap member24to be adjusted. The intermediate adjustment strap24has a second end24B that is fed though through the eyelet14A of a quick disconnect snap-hook swivel connector14and then doubled back over itself and sewn together.

In this embodiment, the ring21secured to the first end20A of the instrument body strap20receives the quick disconnect snap-hook swivel connector14at the second end24B of the intermediate adjustment strap24. The intermediate adjustment strap24and the swivel connector14provide a swivel joint between the second end11B of the shoulder strap11and the body of the instrument. As with the previous embodiment, the second end20B of the instrument body strap20is provided with a somewhat teardrop-shaped aperture20C having a larger opening near the outer end of the strap for receiving a conventional strap button secured to the guitar body at its bottom end. As best seen inFIG. 2A, the tapered sides of the teardrop-shaped aperture20C converge into a small hole20D opposite the wider end of the aperture.

The forearm loop in this embodiment also differs from the previous embodiment. In this embodiment, the forearm loop25for receiving the forearm of the picking-hand of the guitar player is a flexible strap made of a sturdy flexible material such as, for example, nylon webbing, leather, or other suitable material, having first and second ends25A,25B which are joined together and pivotally mounted by a pivot connection26on the instrument body strap20a distance inwardly from the button receiving aperture20C.

Referring now toFIGS. 3 and 3A, a third embodiment of the strap assembly10B in accordance with the present invention is shown. This embodiment is substantially similar the previous embodiments ofFIGS. 1 and 2, and includes many of the same components. The components that are the same as described previously are assigned the same numerals of reference, but will not be described again in detail to avoid repetition.

In this embodiment, the strap assembly10B includes an elongate main shoulder strap11, a shoulder pad12slidably mounted on the main shoulder strap, a length adjustment strap30connected to a first end of the main shoulder strap, a quick-release instrument headstock strap assembly33releasably connected to the length adjustment strap, an instrument body strap36, and an adjustable forearm loop38.

The main shoulder strap11is an elongate flexible strap made of a sturdy flexible material such as, for example, leather, nylon webbing, or other suitable flexible material, having opposed first and second ends11A and11B, respectively. The main shoulder strap11is fed through a longitudinally spaced pair of transverse slots12A of the shoulder pad12such that the shoulder pad is slidably mounted on the main shoulder strap between the opposed ends11A and11B. A first ring31A is secured to the first end11A of the main shoulder strap11. The second end11B of the main shoulder strap11is fed though through the eyelet14A of a quick disconnect snap-hook swivel connector14and then doubled back over itself and sewn together.

A length adjustment strap30made of a sturdy flexible material such as, for example, leather, nylon webbing, or other suitable flexible material, has a first end30A which is fed through the first ring31A at the first end11A of the main shoulder strap11, and a second end30B looped through a second ring31B a distance therefrom and secured by a first slide buckle32A. The free end of the length adjustment strap30is secured to a second slide buckle32B slidably mounted on the length adjustment strap to form an adjustable loop that allows the length of the adjustment strap to be adjusted.

In this embodiment, the quick-release instrument headstock strap assembly33utilizes a conventional commercially available quick release instrument strap attachment of the type known as the Acoustic-Quick Release System, manufactured and marketed by the Planet Waves division of D'Addario & Company, Inc., of Farmingdale, N.Y., and covered by U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,293, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The quick-release instrument headstock strap assembly33includes a strap attachment unit34and a musical instrument attachment unit35. The strap attachment unit34includes a separable female receptacle34A with a first flexible cord34B having both ends thereof attached to the female receptacle to form a first loop34C. The first looped cord34B passes through the second ring31B at the second end30B of the length adjustment strap30, and the female receptacle34A is passed through the loop34C formed by the cord to secure the female receptacle to the length adjustment strap. The musical instrument attachment unit35of the quick-release instrument headstock strap assembly33includes a male clasp member35A with a second cord35B having both ends thereof attached to the clasp member to form a second loop35C. The male clasp member35A includes resilient arms having locking tabs35D thereon for releasably engaging locking apertures of the female receptacle member34A. The quick-release instrument headstock strap assembly33is a conventional commercially available device, and therefore the internal components are not shown or described in detail.

The female receptacle34A and male clasp35A of the quick-release headstock strap assembly33are easily connected such that the first looped cord34B extends from the ring31B at the second end30B of the length adjustment strap30at the first end11A of the main shoulder strap11and the second looped cord35B extends from the male clasp member35A. The second looped cord35B may be passed around the headstock of the guitar under the strings between the endmost two sets of the tuning knobs or keys, and the male clasp35A passed through the second loop35C formed by the cord in order to tightly secure the quick-release headstock strap assembly33to the guitar. Thus, it should be understood, that the male clasp35A of quick-release headstock strap assembly33may remain secured to the headstock of the instrument, and that the female receptacle member34A at the end of the length adjustment strap30can be selectively connected thereto and therefrom. When connected, the flexible cords34B and35B of the quick-release headstock strap assembly33provide a swivel joint between the main shoulder strap11and the neck of the instrument. It should be understood that looped cord of either of the female receptacle or male or female member may be secured to the length adjustment strap33, and the other cord attached to the headstock of the guitar.

As described above, the second end11B of the main shoulder strap11is fed though through the eyelet14A of a quick disconnect snap-hook swivel connector14and then doubled back over itself and sewn together.

The instrument body strap36is a flexible strap made of a sturdy flexible material such as, for example, leather, nylon webbing, or other suitable flexible material, having opposed first and second ends36A and36B, respectively. A ring37is secured to the first end36A of the instrument body strap36. The ring37is sized and shaped to receive the quick disconnect snap-hook swivel connector14at the second end11B of the main shoulder strap11. When connected, the quick disconnect snap-hook swivel connector14provides a swivel joint between the second end11B of the shoulder strap11and the body of the instrument. The second end36B of the instrument body strap36is provided with a somewhat teardrop-shaped aperture36C having a larger opening near the outer end of the strap for receiving a conventional strap button secured to the guitar body at its bottom end. A plurality of holes36D are formed in the instrument body strap36in longitudinally spaced relation a distance inwardly from the button receiving aperture36C.

In this embodiment, the forearm loop38is formed of a flexible strap38A made of sturdy flexible material such as, for example, leather, nylon webbing, or other suitable material. A first end38B of the forearm loop strap38A is secured to the instrument body strap36a short distance inwardly from the button receiving aperture36C, such as by sewing. Depending upon the material used for the instrument body strap36and the forearm loop38, a reinforcement tab39may be sewn onto the strap38B when it is secured to the instrument body strap to prevent separation. The free end38C of the forearm loop strap38A is provided with a hole38D which can be axially aligned with a selected respective hole36D of the instrument body strap36. A commercially available separable fastener40, such as a “Chicago fastener” is removably installed through aligned holes36D,38D. Thus, the free end of the forearm loop38can be secured at selected distances from the attached end to allow the length of the forearm loop to be adjusted to ergonomically fit the forearm of the player.

It should be understood that the components of the strap assembly described above may be interchanged to form instrument strap assemblies in accordance with the present invention. For example,FIG. 4shows a modification of the strap assembly10C which incorporates the quick-release instrument headstock strap assembly15ofFIG. 1, and the main shoulder strap11, shoulder pad12, length adjustment strap30, instrument body strap36, and forearm loop38ofFIG. 3. The components described previously are assigned the same numerals of reference, but will not be described again in detail to avoid repetition.

In this modification, the main shoulder strap11is fed through a longitudinally spaced pair of transverse slots12A of the shoulder pad12. The first end30A of the length adjustment strap30is secured to the first end11A of the main shoulder strap11by a conventional fastener, and its free end30B is looped through female receptacle18A of the quick-release connector18, and secured to a slide buckle32B slidably mounted on the length adjustment strap to form an adjustable loop that allows the length of the adjustment strap to be adjusted. A preferred quick release connector18, as illustrated in the drawings, is a side-release buckle of the type sold by ITW Nexus Global of Des Plains, Ill., and covered by U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,464, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The quick-release connector18includes the female receptacle18A and a male clasp member18B, as shown described in detail previously.

The quick-release instrument headstock strap assembly15includes a flexible cord18D formed into a loop18E, the ends of which are secured to the male clasp member18B of the quick release connector18by a short strap member16and a conventional fastener. The flexible cord18D is formed of a relatively sturdy material, such as nylon.

While this type of connector is preferred, other forms of quick release connectors or buckles may also be employed. The connector elements18A,18B, of the quick release connector18are easily connected such that the looped cord18E extends from the second end11A of the strap member16at the end of the main shoulder strap11. It should be understood that either of the male or female member18A or18B of the quick-release connector18may be secured to the strap member16, and the other connector member provided with the looped cord18E.

The looped cord18D of the instrument headstock strap assembly16may be passed around the headstock of the guitar under the strings between the endmost two sets of the tuning knobs or keys, and the male connector element18B of the quick release connector18passed through the loop18E formed by the cord in order to tightly secure the instrument headstock strap16and connector18B to the guitar. Thus, it should be understood, that the looped cord18D may remain secured to the headstock of the instrument, and that the strap16at the end of the main shoulder strap11can be selectively connected thereto and therefrom by the male and female connector elements18A and18B. When connected, the flexible cord18D of the headstock strap assembly15provides a swivel joint between the first end11A of the main shoulder strap11and the neck of the instrument.

As described previously above with reference toFIGS. 3 and 3A, the second end11B of the main shoulder strap11is fed though through the eyelet14A of a quick disconnect snap-hook swivel connector14and then doubled back over itself and sewn together.

The instrument body strap36and the forearm loop38in this modification is essentially the same as described previously above with reference toFIGS. 3 and 3A. A ring37is secured to the first end36A of the instrument body strap36and receives the quick disconnect snap-hook swivel connector14at the second end11B of the main shoulder strap11. The first end38B of the forearm loop strap38A is secured to the instrument body strap36a short distance inwardly from the button receiving aperture36C. The free end38C of the forearm loop strap38A can be axially aligned with a selected hole36D of the instrument body strap36and hole38D and removably secured by a commercially available separable fastener40, such as a “Chicago fastener”. Thus, allowing the length of the forearm loop to be adjusted to ergonomically fit the forearm of the player.

Operation

In the following discussion and related drawing figures, the instrument strap assembly10C ofFIG. 4is used for purposes of example only, and not limited thereto, and the components of the strap assembly are illustrated somewhat schematically inFIGS. 5,6,7,8, and9.

In use, if not previously connected, the looped cord18D of the quick-release headstock strap assembly15is connected around the headstock of the guitar under the strings, and the aperture36C of the instrument body strap36is fastened over the strap button B at the bottom end, or lower bout, of the guitar body. The quick-release instrument headstock strap15is connected to the length adjustment strap30at the first end of the main shoulder strap11by connecting the quick-release elements of the quick release connector18. The instrument body strap36is connected to the second end of the main shoulder strap11by connecting the snap-hook swivel connector14to the ring of the instrument body strap, as described previously.

As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the main shoulder strap11is placed over the shoulder of the player's fret-hand FH, and the player's picking-hand PH is placed through the forearm loop38such that the forearm loop resides around the top of their forearm F. When properly positioned, the guitar G is disposed generally horizontally with the face and strings of the guitar facing upward.

The flexible cords of the of the quick-release headstock strap assembly15provide a first swivel joint between the main shoulder strap11and the neck N of the instrument, and the swivel connection14between the shoulder strap and the instrument body strap36provides a second swivel joint between the shoulder strap and the body of the instrument. These swivel joints allow the shoulder strap11to lie flat against the player's back and also allow the forearm loop38to lie flat around the top of the forearm F of the picking-hand PH (FIGS. 5 and 6).

For purposes of comparison,FIG. 6shows the instrument body strap36worn over the top of the player's forearm F simulating the most common method of wearing or utilizing conventional shoulder straps. In this manner, with conventional straps, the player has difficulty rotating the instrument in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed from the top of the image), while playing, or requiring the use of both hands to move or reposition the instrument. With the present strap, when the forearm F of the player's picking-hand PH placed through the forearm loop38, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 7, the player is able to precisely move the instrument by moving the picking hand forearm. It should be noted that the range of motion is limited to the strap length, location and method of attachment to the instrument, and by pressing against the player's body.

The ability to switch modes of forearm location is a key feature for players needing to play with the picking hand very far up the neck of the instrument on a particular song. The forearm loop38of the present invention allows a similar extended range of motion for the picking hand.

Thus, the forearm loop38allows various playing positions and playing angles, and the player's picking-hand forearm is not trapped by the shoulder strap, nor is the forearm subjected to the weight of the instrument or the playing loads applied to the instrument.

FIG. 7also shows a much clearer view of the swivel connection14between the shoulder strap11and the instrument body strap36disposed behind the player's back and more clearly shows how the picking hand PH passes through the forearm loop38without being subjected to the full instrument weight or heavy handed playing load applied in a downward direction. The swivel connection14behind the player's back allows for two different fit angles to occur between the main shoulder strap11and the forearm loop38. This arrangement provides an important ergonomic and comfort feature that allows the forearm loop38to lie flat along the top of the player's forearm F. The swivel connection14also provides a convenient disconnecting means to take off the guitar.

FIG. 8shows a view looking straight down on the player's hands either in the sitting or standing position. As can be seen, the present instrument strap provides side to side stability of the instrument, left to right as shown, while providing ease of rotational stability around the player's body.FIG. 8also more clearly shows the attachment point of the of the cords of the quick-release headstock strap assembly15as far away from the first fret as possible.

FIG. 9shows a player with both hands away from the instrument. The player is able to move about without losing control of the instrument. This feature is not possible with other known conventional strap designs.

Although the present strap assemblies have been described for purposes of example as being used with a guitar, it should be understood that they may be used with a wide range of different acoustic and electric instruments that may be played in a horizontal position with the playing surface disposed upwardly, such as for example, but not limited thereto, a lute, mandolin, bouzouki, sitar, oud, shoulder synthesizer, or keytar, to name a few. It should also be understood that the present strap assemblies may also be used with other musical instruments, such as shoulder supported keyboards and accordions. It should also be understood that that the present strap assemblies may also be used with various types of tools, such as powered lawn edgers, leaf blowers and vacuums supported in front of a user's body, especially when usage of such tool would be facilitated by a shoulder strap having a forearm loop for supporting and stabilizing the tool and reducing fatigue of the operator.

While the present invention has been disclosed in various preferred forms, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention and are not to be considered in a limiting sense in interpreting the claims. The claims are intended to include all novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various elements, features, functions, and/or properties disclosed herein. Variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art from this disclosure, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed in the following claims defining the present invention.