Vibration dampening device and a closed chamber deflectable accessory for a vibration dampening device

A capo for a stringed musical instrument is clamped on the neck of the instrument and has a flexible portion that is pressed against the strings between frets to change the tone of the instrument. The flexible portion may comprise various materials including a vessel wall structure filled with a fluid. Also, the flexible portion may comprise a silicone rubber.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a vibration dampening device or capo that can be deployed to damp the strings of a stringed instrument such as a guitar, banjo, or dulcimer, and is especially of value in connection with damping the strings of a stringed instrument comprising a fretted fingerboard; the fingerboard of such instrument is outfitted with a plurality of frets at selected spacings from one another along the fingerboard's length. A vibration dampening device can simultaneously alter the pitch of the entirety of strings along the musical scale or, alternatively, can be configured to only alter the pitch of selected ones of the strings. String instruments create different tones by varying the string thickness, tension and length. On a given instrument, the player may vary the tone on a selected string by pressing the string against a support base (like a fret board on a guitar) and by that action can shorten the length of the string and also change the tone. On some string instruments, a capo is used to create a temporary shortening of all strings to simplify playing in certain keys.

One type of capo—i.e., a vibration dampening device for stringed instruments—has been available commercially and comprises a pressure bar and a neck engaging jaw. The pressure bar of the vibration dampening device is moved into contact with the top of the strings along the fingerboard of the stringed instrument at a location between two successive frets. A clamping force which can optionally be provided as a variable clamping force is applied via a movement of the pressure bar and the neck engaging jaw toward one another and the clamping force is selected or calibrated to cause the pressure bar to press the instrument's strings down against the fingerboard or to press the instrument's strings downwardly toward the fingerboard to an extent that unwanted vibration or “buzzing” of the strings is foreclosed. The instrument's strings are thus downwardly depressed in the extent between the two respective successive frets. One known drawback of a vibration dampening device operated in this manner is that downward displacement of the strings between the two respective successive frets may lead to the stringed instrument being disposed into an “out of tune” condition, due to excessive force, during the clamping operation of the vibration dampening device. This necessitates restoring the instrument to its appropriate tune after installation of the vibration dampening device—that is, the pitch of the strings needs to be adjusted—so that the pitch of the strings is suitable to the user of the stringed instrument.

While the reliability and convenience of a vibration dampening devices for use with stringed musical instruments have been demonstrated, there still remains a need for a vibration dampening devices for use with stringed musical instruments that provides even greater convenience to a user and that reduces the risk that an excessive force will be applied to the stringed instrument.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one object of the present invention is to provide a vibration dampening device or capo that reduces the risk that an excessive force will be applied to a stringed instrument. It is another object of the present invention to provide a closed volume deflectable accessory for a vibration dampening device that reduces the risk that an excessive force will be applied to a stringed instrument.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vibration dampening device having a portion in contact with the strings of the stringed instrument that is comprised of silicone rubber formed of polydimethylsiloxane OH-terminated and polydimethylsiloxane Trimethyl-terminated. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a closed volume deflectable accessory for a vibration dampening device is provided and is specifically configurable as a component of a vibration dampening device of the type often called a capo or capotasto that is deployed in clamping engagement about the neck and fingerboard of a stringed instrument such as a guitar for the purpose of altering music properties of the stringed instrument. One particular type of capo on which the closed volume deflectable accessory is highly suitable in a capo that includes a portion in contact with the strings of the stringed instrument that is comprised of silicone rubber formed of polydimethylsiloxane OH— terminated and polydimethylsiloxane Trim ethyl-terminated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

As seen inFIGS. 1-9, one embodiment of a vibration dampening device generally designated as the vibration dampening device110is provided by the present invention for use with a stringed instrument such as, for example, a twelve string guitar112shown inFIG. 1. A guitar configuration with twelve strings is a known configuration, as is a guitar configuration with six strings; it is to be understood that the herein provided description of a twelve string guitar is merely for exemplary purposes and the vibration dampening device of the present invention can be deployed on any stringed instrument. A twelve string guitar typically includes some strings of a smaller diameter and the remaining strings of a larger diameter. As seen inFIG. 1, which is a perspective view of the guitar112that is to be understood as representative of the type of stringed instrument on which the vibration dampening device of the present invention can be deployed, the guitar112has a body portion114, a fingerboard116, and a headstock118. There are a total of twelve (12) strings extending over the fingerboard116with each string being secured at a respective one of a plurality of pegs120at the headstock118and each string extending over a bridge122on the body portion112whereat the strings are attached to the body portion at a securement location124.

As seen inFIG. 7, which is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the guitar112on which the vibration dampening device110is deployed and showing a topside bar of the vibration dampening device, the strings of the guitar112are comprised of a first sub-group of relatively thinner diameter strings126all of a uniform diameter and a second sub-group of relatively larger diameter strings128all of a uniform diameter and each of which has a greater diameter than the diameter of a relatively thinner string126. The strings126,128are configured to cooperate with a plurality of frets130which are laid out in accordance with a preference of the user of the guitar112for the purpose of shortening or lengthening the lengths of the strings126,128, which consequentially alters the musical notes provided by the guitar112. The frets130of the fingerboard116are parallel one to the other, and are spaced from another, along the length of the fingerboard116, and the frets are disposed perpendicular to a longitudinal axis132of the fingerboard116. As shown inFIG. 7, the fingerboard116is a planar fingerboard but the fingerboard116can alternatively be configured a curved fingerboard having a slight curve downwardly to each lateral side of a longitudinal mid-line. The fingerboard116, along with the frets130, forms the top surface of a neck134of the guitar112that extends from the body portion114.

As seen inFIG. 9, which is a front elevational view of the vibration dampening device110, the vibration dampening device110comprises a generally C-shaped frame236having a topside bar238and an underside base240that are integrally connected at one end by a liaison strut242. The topside bar238and the underside base240are disposed outwardly from the liaison strut242in a generally parallel alignment. In order to clampingly engage the vibration dampening device110about the neck and fingerboard of a stringed instrument such as the guitar112, any conventional clamping mechanism may be used and, for exemplary purposes only, the vibration dampening device110is shown as having a clamping configuration that comprises a neck engaging jaw244pivotally connected along the length of the liaison strut242and configured as an arm that extends outwardly from the liaison strut242between the topside bar238and the underside base240. The backside or underneath side of the necks of many stringed instruments are curved to conform to the curvature of a person's hand and the neck engaging jaw244is arcuately shaped to be in conformity therewith. Further, the neck engaging jaw244may be coated with a resilient material or padding along its concave surface so as to buffer the area of contact between the neck engaging jaw244and the neck of the instrument.

When the vibration dampening device110is deployed on the guitar112, the neck of the instrument passes between the topside bar238and the neck engaging jaw244. In order to secure the vibration dampening device110in a desired position, the lever is forced toward the topside bar238and into engagement with the neck of the guitar112by advancing an adjusting screw246. The adjusting screw246is threadingly engaged by the underside base240and has an adjusting knob248adjacent the outer end thereof. The forward end of the adjusting screw246is seated against the rear or convex surface of the neck engaging jaw244.

The topside bar238depresses or bows the strings126A,128A against the surface of the fingerboard116at the string contact location in between two adjacent frets130AA,130BB, or depresses the strings126,128to locations slightly spaced above the fingerboard116at the string contact location in between two adjacent frets130AA,130BB. This bowing of the strings126,128causes the strings to stretch tighter due to the installed vibration dampening device110which, in turn, causes the pitch of the strings to be correspondingly influenced.

With reference now toFIGS. 2-9, further details of the vibration dampening device110and its operation will now be described. As seen inFIG. 2, which is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the vibration dampening device110positioned for contacting a respective smaller diameter string126A and a respective larger diameter string128A, the vibration dampening device110in its deployed condition is disposed to contact all of the strings126,128, including the respective smaller diameter string126A and the respective larger diameter string128A, at a string contact location between a respective pair of adjacent frets130AA,130BB.FIG. 2shows the topside bar238of the vibration dampening device110extending transversely to the longitudinal axis132across all of the strings126,128(with only the respective smaller diameter string126A and the respective larger diameter string128A being shown for simplicity) with the topside bar238not in contact with the strings126,128. Although not shown inFIG. 2, the neck engaging jaw244(FIG. 9) is preferably seated against the underside of the neck134of the guitar112. If a user now rotates the adjusting screw246in a rotation direction that causes the spacing between the topside bar238and the neck engaging jaw244to be reduced, the topside bar238now begins to contact the strings126,128. As seen inFIG. 3, after some rotation of the adjusting screw246ofFIG. 9has been effected, the topside bar238has contacted the larger diameter string128A and has contacted, but not yet been displaced by, the smaller diameter string126A.

As seen inFIG. 4, further rotation of the adjusting screw246ofFIG. 9causes movement of the topside bar238relative to the larger diameter string128A and the smaller diameter string126A such that the larger diameter string128A has displaced the topside bar238at one location and the smaller diameter string126A has displaced the topside bar238at another location.FIG. 5illustrates further movement of the topside bar238as the spacing between the topside bar238and the neck engaging jaw244has become reduced, and it can be seen that the larger diameter string128A has continued to displace the topside bar238at the one location and the smaller diameter string126A has continued to displace the topside bar238at the other location.FIG. 6shows the topside bar238at the final selected spacing between the topside bar238and the neck engaging jaw244at which no further rotation of the adjusting screw246is undertaken. In this position of the vibration dampening device110, the neck engaging jaw244is firmly seated against the underside of the neck134of the guitar112and the topside bar238has been engaged by the larger diameter string128A at the one location and the smaller diameter string126A at the other location and the strings126,128have all been deflected the strings126A,128A against the surface of the fingerboard116at the string contact location in between two adjacent frets130AA,130BB, or have been depressed to locations slightly spaced above the fingerboard116at the string contact location in between two adjacent frets130AA,130BB. This bowing of the strings126,128causes the strings to stretch tighter due to the installed vibration dampening device110which, in turn, causes the pitch of the strings to be correspondingly influenced.

With reference again toFIG. 2andFIG. 9, further details of the topside bar238will now be described. The topside bar238includes a hollow metal overrider310that is connected to the liaison strut242and that has four sides and a nose end that together delimit a hollow interior volume. The topside bar238also includes a first blade segment314, designated by alternating thick and thin cross-hatching lines inFIG. 9, and a second blade segment316, designated by six-sided symbols inFIG. 9. The first blade segment314is intermediate the metal overrider310and the second blade segment316in the sense that the second blade segment316is closer to the strings126,128in the deployed position of the vibration dampening device110than both the metal overrider310and the first blade segment314, the first blade segment314is closer to the strings126,128in the deployed position of the vibration dampening device110than the metal overrider310but further from the strings126,128in the deployed position of the vibration dampening device110than the second blade segment316, and the metal overrider310is further from the strings126,128in the deployed position of the vibration dampening device110than both the first blade segment314and the second blade segment316. However, the “intermediate” position of the first blade segment314is not meant to imply that the first blade segment314is fully in contact with either the metal overrider310or the second blade segment316along the respective facing surfaces nor is the “intermediate” position of the first blade segment314meant to imply that the first blade segment314is configured to fulfill a specific role in an operational relationship between the metal overrider310and the second blade segment316.

The first blade segment314is comprised of a rubber preferably having a durometer as measured by the Shore A hardness scale of greater than 50 and more preferably greater than 60. The first blade segment has a top longitudinal surface that is adhered via suitable adhesive to the bottom underside surface of the metal overrider310. The top longitudinal surface of the first blade segment314is generally co-extensive with the bottom underside surface of the metal overrider310.

The second blade segment316preferably has a durometer as measured by the Shore A hardness scale of less than 50 and more preferably less than 35. The second blade segment has a top longitudinal surface that is adhered via suitable adhesive to the bottom underside surface of the first blade segment or, alternatively, the second blade segment may be secured to the bottom underside surface of the first blade segment via an inherent tackiness of the second blade segment itself. The second blade segment may be comprised of any suitable single material or any suitable combination of individual materials which impart the desired hardness and/or other characteristics that contribute to the suitability of the material for the operation of the second blade segment. In this respect, the modulus of the material—namely, the force required to obtain a certain elongation, which may be measured in pounds per square inch of a cross section of the material—may be evaluated to provide the desired performance of the second blade segment. Likewise, the flexibility of the material—namely, the property of the material to undergo deformation under stress, but not exhibit the ability to stretch and return to its original shape when the stress is relieved—may be evaluated to provide the desired performance of the second blade segment. Similarly, a recovery property of the material—namely, the ability of an elastic material to regain its shape after being deformed, which may be expressed as a percent of the length regained after release from a given elongation—may be evaluated to provide the desired performance of the second blade segment. Also, a fatigue property of a material—namely, the ability of the material to resist the development of cracks or crazes resulting from a large number of deformation cycles,—may be evaluated to provide the desired performance of the second blade segment. As an example of a material that may be suitable for the second blade segment, a gel comprising a relatively highly elastic gelatinous elastomer composition, exhibiting resistance to elastic deformation, and being capable of shape-memory recovery may be selected for use by itself or in combination with other materials. As another example of a material that may be suitable for the second blade segment, the material may be comprised of silicone rubber formed of polydimethylsiloxane OH-terminated and polydimethylsiloxane Trimethyl-terminated.

FIGS. 10-12each depicts a comparison of possible values for a material composition suitable for the second blade segment316of the vibration dampening device110(this material composition is denominated as “Blade Segment” in the comparisons inFIGS. 10-12) in comparison with other known materials found in various products when evaluated according to a protocol suitable for evaluating Shore A hardness, ultimate elongation, and ultimate tensile strength. The values given inFIGS. 10-12are not intended to regarded as “average” values for the respective products but are merely given as possible values for the respective products and presentations inFIGS. 10-12are intended to illustrate the respective property of a material composition suitable for the second blade segment316of the vibration dampening device110relative to a sampling of other products.

The topside bar238can alternatively be configured such that the second blade segment316, designated by six-sided symbols inFIG. 2, is intermediate the metal overrider310and the first blade segment314in the sense that the first blade segment314is closer to the strings126,128in the deployed position of the vibration dampening device110than both the metal overrider310and the second blade segment316, the second blade segment316is closer to the strings126,128in the deployed position of the vibration dampening device110than the metal overrider310but further from the strings126,128in the deployed position of the vibration dampening device110than the first blade segment314, and the metal overrider310is further from the strings126,128in the deployed position of the vibration dampening device110than both the the first blade segment314and the second blade segment316. In this alternative configuration of the topside bar238, the first blade segment314is comprised of a rubber preferably having a durometer as measured by the Shore A hardness scale of greater than 50 and more preferably greater than 60 and the second blade segment316preferably has a durometer as measured by the Shore A hardness scale of less than 50 and more preferably less than 35.

As seen inFIG. 13, which is a front elevational view of a variation of the vibration dampening device of the present invention, the vibration dampening device in this one variation is provided with a closed volume deflectable accessory in the form of a deflect and return component412. The vibration dampening device in this configuration does not comprise the first blade segment314but, instead, the deflect and return component412is provided at the same location at which the first blade segment314was located-namely, intermediate the metal overrider310and the second blade segment316at which the first blade segment314is located in the configuration of the vibration dampening device110described with respect toFIGS. 1-12. The deflect and return component412is comprised of a vessel wall structure414(FIG. 17) that delimits a single volume. The volume delimited by the vessel wall structure414is fillable with a fluid that may be in the form of a gas, a liquid, a solid, or any combination of a gas, a liquid, and/or a solid. The volume delimited by the vessel wall structure414is a closed volume in that the fluid in the volume remains contained within the volume even though the vessel wall structure414is subjected to certain forces that cause the vessel wall structure to deflect, so long as the vessel wall structure414is not subjected to an integrity comprising force that causes the formation of an aperture in the vessel wall structure through which fluid can leak from or exit from the vessel wall structure414. It is to be understood that evaporation, transpiration, or other phenomenon that result in a loss of a given fluid component from the volume delimited by the vessel wall structure414due to the natural properties of the materials comprised in the vessel wall structure414are not considered to be integrity comprising forces.

The vessel wall structure414is configured such that it deflects in response to the application thereagainst of a predetermined deflection force. The vessel wall structure414may be configured such that it autonomously or with the assistance of other components of the vibration dampening device110returns to its non-deflected shape after the application of a predetermined deflection force thereagainst has ceased. Alternatively, the vessel wall structure414may be configured to be returned to its non-deflected shape, in response to the actuation of a shape return mechanism (not shown), after the application of a predetermined deflection force thereagainst has ceased.

The closed volume property of the volume delimited by the vessel wall structure414is exemplary of one approach for selectively varying the pressure profile of the deflect and return component412to respond to certain contact situations of the second blade segment316with the strings of the guitar. It is contemplated that the deflect and return component412can be deployed such that the vessel wall structure414has direct contact with the item or items to be dampened—i.e., the strings of a guitar. Alternatively, the deflect and return component412can be deployed such that the vessel wall structure414does not have direct contact with the item or items to be dampened andFIG. 13illustrates one exemplary approach for deploying the deflect and return component412such that the vessel wall structure414does not have direct contact with the item or items to be dampened. As seen inFIG. 13, the deflect and return component412is deployed such that the second blade segment316, which is shown inFIG. 13merely for identification purposes as the structure having six-sided symbols thereon, is the component of the vibration dampening device110in direct contact with the items to be dampened—the strings of the guitar—while the vessel wall structure414has no direct contact with the item or items to be dampened. The deflect and return component412has a non-contact pressure profile that obtains when the second blade segment316of the deflect and return component412is not being deployed to alter the tonal characteristics of a guitar. The deflect and return component412selectively transforms from its non-contact pressure profile to a selected one of a group of contact pressure profiles when the second blade segment316is deployed to contact the strings of a guitar so as to alter the tonal characteristics of the guitar.

As noted, the capo includes a vessel wall structure that is configured to behave in a manner such that, if a force is applied on one location of the vessel wall structure, the entirety of the vessel wall structure is subjected an uniform increase in pressure. That is, the vessel wall structure414and the fluid retained in the volume delimited by the vessel wall structure414can be configured such that, if a force is applied on one location of the vessel wall structure, the entirety of the vessel wall structure is subjected an uniform increase in pressure—that is, the pressure is increased on the surfaces of the vessel wall structure equally in all directions and this behavior is illustrated in a schematic manner inFIGS. 14-16. As seen inFIG. 14, which is a schematic illustration of a fluid filled bladder whose wall is of a uniform thickness and formed of a homogenous material, the application of a force on the bladder at one location (schematically represented by a downward arrow exteriorly of the bladder) causes the fluid in the bladder to press outwardly at all locations along the inner surface of the bladder with the same or equal pressure (schematically illustrated by the plurality of outwardly facing arrows shown in the interior of the bladder). As seen inFIG. 15, which is a schematic view of the fluid filled bladder shown inFIG. 14disposed in a six-sided box, the fluid filled bladder is configured relative to the six-sided box such that the bladder, in its resting position, is in contact with the bottom inner surface of the box and the inner surface of a lower portion of each of the four sidewalls of the box with no gaps between the bladder and the respective inner surface. An air gap exists between the inner surface of the top of the box and the bladder. As seen inFIG. 16, which is a schematic view of the fluid filled bladder shown inFIG. 15during the application of an external force on the bladder, the application of a force on the bladder at one location (schematically represented by a downward arrow exteriorly of the bladder) causes the bladder to distend into the air gap that existed between the inner surface of the top of the box and the bladder in the resting position of the bladder in the box shown inFIG. 15. This externally applied force will cause an increased pressure on the inner surface of the bladder that is equal in all directions. However, a dimensional change and physical movement is only possible in one direction—namely, the bladder is only free to undergo a dimensional change (a distention) and move in the direction into the air gap that existed between the inner surface of the top of the box and the bladder in the resting position of the bladder in the box shown inFIG. 15. The total force applied downward by the external force onto the bladder has to be balanced with the sum of the forces upwards, which causes the unrestricted top of the bladder to expand upwards. Accordingly, it can be understood that a bladder configured with the properties of the bladder described with respect toFIGS. 14-16can be highly flexible in that the dimension of the bladder can change but the total force applied can still be distributed over a predetermined extent of the bladder despite the flexibility of the bladder.

Reference is now had toFIG. 17, which is a schematic exploded view of a portion of a version of the vibration dampening device110of the present invention that is a capo for selectively dampening one or more strings of a guitar. The capo includes the deflect and return component412with the vessel wall structure414that is configured to behave in a manner such that, if a force is applied on one location of the vessel wall structure414, the entirety of the vessel wall structure414is subjected an uniform increase in pressure. To this end, this deflect and return component412shown inFIG. 17has its volume delimited by the vessel wall structure414filled with a substantially incompressible fluid. The vessel wall structure414is supported in the restraining housing416of a uniform thickness and formed of a homogenous material. The restraining housing416allows movement in the vessel wall structure414only in one direction—namely, in the direction toward the second blade segment316. The restraining housing416has a top side that is fixedly secured to the topside bar238, four sidewalls, and an open bottom side. The top side, the four sidewalls, and the open bottom side collectively delimit a volume in which the vessel wall structure414is received and the vessel wall structure414is retained within this delimited volume via adhesive securement of a portion of the vessel wall structure414to the under surface of the top side of the restraining housing. The second blade segment316is secured to the vessel wall structure414along the underside of the vessel wall structure via adhesive securement. In the configuration shown inFIG. 17, the thickness of the vessel wall structure414is preferably in the range of 0.5-20 mm, and most preferably in the range of 1-6 mm and the thickness of the second blade segment316is preferably in the range of 0.1-20 mm, and most preferably in the range of 0.1-6 mm.

An example of the manner in which the pressure profile of the deflect and return component412selectively varies from its non-contact pressure profile to one of its contact pressure profiles can be seen in connection with the application of a force on the second blade segment316by a string generally centrally of the deflect and return component412when the vibration dampening device110is deployed to after the tonal property of a guitar. This force application results in a reduction in the cross section of the deflect and return component412generally laterally centrally and an enlargement of the cross section of the deflect and return component412at at least one location spaced from the lateral center of the deflect and return component412. The enlargement of the cross section of the deflect and return component412at at least one location spaced from the lateral center of the deflect and return component412varies as a function of the reduction in the cross section of the deflect and return component412generally laterally centrally. By virtue of suitable configuration of the deflect and return component412, the corresponding enlargement of the cross section of the deflect and return component412at at least one location spaced from the lateral center of the deflect and return component412can be configured such that a desired contact of the vibration dampening device110with the strings of the guitar is achieved.

Reference is now had toFIGS. 18 and 19in connection with a description of a further variation of the vibration dampening device of the present invention. As seen inFIG. 18, which is a front elevational view of a further variation of the vibration dampening device of the present invention, andFIG. 19, which is a schematic exploded view of a portion of this further version of the vibration dampening device of the present invention, the vibration dampening device510in this further variation is provided with a closed volume deflectable accessory in the form of a deflect and return component512.

The vibration dampening device510in this configuration comprises a second blade segment516, designated by six-sided symbols inFIG. 19, and a deflect and return component512. The deflect and return component512is located at the same location at which the first blade segment314was located as described with respect to the vibration dampening device discussed with respect toFIGS. 1-12namely, the deflect and return component512is intermediate the metal overrider310and the second blade segment516. A first contact skin550is disposed on the respective surface of the second blade segment516that faces the strings of the stringed instrument, whereupon this first contact skin550is intermediate the second blade segment516and the strings of the stringed instrument. The first contact skin550may be formed, for example, of a polymer, and is secured to the second blade segment516via, for example, an adhesive property of the second blade segment516, the first contact skin550, and/or another adhesive. The first contact skin550is relatively very thin and it is not mandatory that the first contact skin550extend in complete overlying relationship over the second blade segment516—in other words, the first contact skin550can have apertures at which a string of a stringed instrument may directly contact the second blade segment516. The first contact skin550is primarily provided to enhance the structural stability and integrity of the second blade segment516.

The deflect and return component512is comprised of a rubber liaison component560and a vessel wall structure514that delimits a single volume. The volume delimited by the vessel wall structure514is fillable with a fluid that may be in the form of a gas, a liquid, a solid, or any combination of a gas, a liquid, and/or a solid. The vessel wall structure514is disposed in contact with the second blade segment516. The rubber liaison component560has one surface in contact with the generally C-shaped frame236and an opposed surface in contact with the vessel wall structure514. As viewed in the direction from the strings of a stringed instrument on which the vibration dampening device510is disposed toward the generally C-shaped frame236, it can be seen that the various elements of the vibration dampening device510are sequentially arranged in this order: first contact skin550, the second blade segment516, the rubber liaison component560, and the vessel wall structure514.

The neck engaging jaw244of the vibration dampening device510ofFIG. 18may be provided with a closed volume deflectable accessory in the form of a deflect and return component that is similarly configured with respect to the deflect and return component412ofFIG. 17and this deflect and return component may comprise a vessel wall structure such as the vessel wall structure414ofFIG. 17that delimits a single volume. The volume delimited by the vessel wall structure is fillable with a fluid that may be in the form of a gas, a liquid, a solid, or any combination of a gas, a liquid, and/or a solid. If the neck engaging jaw244of the vibration dampening device510is provided with such a closed volume deflectable accessory, this enhances the capability of the neck engaging jaw244to provide a more precise engagement of the area of contact between the neck engaging jaw244and the neck of the instrument and possibly reduce the risk of excessive force being applied on the neck of the instrument.

Although this invention has been disclosed and described in its preferred forms with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include 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. Additionally, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred forms is only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of operation and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.