Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a capo for use with a stringed musical instrument and which is engaged from the bottom portion of the neck of the musical instrument. The capo has a generally L-shaped frame connected to a lever and a pincher configured so that pressure applied to the lever causes the pincher to move toward the lever, allowing the space between the pincher and free end portion of the frame to receive the neck of the musical instrument. The exterior of the frame is configured to received interchangeable inlays, and the free end portion of the frame is configured to receive changeable neck pads.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/883,430 filed on Oct. 14, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/534,080 filed on Nov. 5, 2014 and now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,190,033 as of Nov. 17, 2015, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/902,711, filed on Nov. 11, 2013, all of which are incorporated by reference herein and for which benefit of the priority date is hereby claimed. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates to a capo, for use with a stringed musical instrument to effectively change the key in which the instrument is playing. More particularly, the present invention relates to a capo having quick implementation capability, changeable neck pads, and changeable inlays. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    A number of different capos are known for use with stringed musical instruments, particularly guitars, banjos and the like, which have a neck portion including a fretboard on which the strings are played. The capo is a clamping device which fits on the instrument neck, and which is used to selectively clamp the strings against the fretboard so as to alter the effective length of vibration of the strings, and thereby to selectively raise the respective tones produced thereby. 
         [0006]    A number of different capos are known and commercially available. Each of these is basically a clamping device in which a padded clamping bar is caused to press transversely across the strings by operation of an adjustable clamping mechanism that interacts with the underside of the neck below the fretboard. 
         [0007]    An invention is needed that specifically addresses the problem of quickly changing the key in which a guitar plays, preferably with one hand. It is very difficult to put on, take off and move around the neck any of the existing capos with one hand, especially the fret board hand. Most capos require two hands to properly position. Even to move the capo around the neck from fret to fret takes some effort with most of the capos on the market. Additionally, it would be advantageous to have a capo that provided for a certain amount of personalization. 
         [0008]    Most capos have neck pads comprised of fixed rubber cross bar that press down on the fret. Capos with different fixed neck pads can be used to change different characteristics. For example, a capo can come in 5 different models with neck pad lengths ranging from 40 mm to 65 mm. 
         [0009]    One style of capo is known as a strap-on. In a strap-on capo, a rubber-covered bar is placed over the strings and a strap is attached to either end of the bar (wrapped around the back of the neck of the instrument) which holds the bar tightly to the neck. A strap-on capo commonly features either an elastic strap, or a fabric strap which can be adjusted by some method to set tightness. 
         [0010]    Modern twists on the strap-on include a semi-flexible plastic “strap” connected to the bar on one side which is adjustable on the other side by a ratchet system. Strap-on capos vary from the other types of capos in that most other capos contain only rigid parts, and most other styles do not wrap entirely around the neck of the instrument. This full wrap allows for fairly even pressure of the capo bar across all of the strings of the instrument. The strap-on capo is commonly a low-cost capo option, and is one of the earlier styles of capo. Because the strap material is stretched to create a tight fit, the straps on these capos can be prone to stretching and wear. 
         [0011]    One of the more common modern capo styles is the spring-clamp “trigger-style”. The most common form of this type of capo has two bars: a rubber-covered bar to barre the strings, and another that presses against the back of the neck of the instrument to hold the first bar to the strings (this second bar is commonly curved or shaped to match the contour of the back of the neck). The two bars are attached on a pivot at one end; a spring presses the bars together. 
         [0012]    Each bar has a ‘grip’ attached at a right angle to the bar; the two grips, when squeezed together by the user, pull the two bars apart, allowing the user to quickly release the capo&#39;s grip, apply or adjust the capo, then release the grips, allowing the spring to pull the bars together again. The look of the grips, and the action of squeezing them is akin to a gun&#39;s trigger, leading to the name of this capo. These are the most common design referred to as “quick-release” capos. 
         [0013]    Though other styles also use that term, the trigger-style capo, because it can be operated by one hand in one single squeezing motion, is typically the quickest capo to apply or move on the instrument; other capos can be quicker and easier to remove from the instrument. One disadvantage to the trigger-style capo is that the pressure of the spring is not adjustable. The spring will apply its maximum pressure to hold the strings down, which could have an effect on the tuning of some guitars if not applied properly. These capos can typically be applied either to the treble or bass side of the instrument, depending on the player&#39;s preference. Trigger-style capos are engaged from the upper portion of the neck; in other words, as you are holding a stringed instrument in playing position with the neck horizontal, the capo is engaged with the neck by squeezing the capo to open it above the neck and bring it down from above the upper portion of the neck (distal to the ground on a horizontal plane) to engage with the neck. 
         [0014]    Certain manufacturers have created their own unique attempts to create the ideal capo. One of the more popular and well recognized capos is the Shubb capo. The Shubb capo is applied by holding the capo in its desired location, and closing a lever to secure the capo. The unique aspect of this capo is that the lever presses against a second arm that presses against the back of the neck of the instrument. The amount of pressure the lever exerts is adjustable by a screw so that the capo can exert the minimal amount of pressure required to hold down the strings. 
         [0015]    This is claimed to have the least impact possible on the tuning of the instrument. The Shubb capo has the disadvantage of requiring two hands to properly apply or move, and its adjustment is more complicated than some other capos; however, because of the lever design, the capo can be removed quickly by simply releasing the lever. This is particularly true if the capo is applied from the treble side of the instrument, which will allow the capo to drop off of the instrument in an instant. 
         [0016]    There are numerous other forms of capos, many of which are variations on the above-noted designs, including: a) a screw-on capo which has some form of surface that presses against the back of the neck of the instrument to hold the bar in place against the strings. This back surface is held to the neck by a screw which is tightened to apply direct pressure. One form of this capo is effectively a rubber-covered bar built into a C-clamp; b) a roller capo facilitates quick key changes in the middle of tunes or sets by having rollers both holding down the strings and behind the neck, allowing the capo to roll along the neck when needed. This is a particular advantage in playing Irish music on the guitar, as it enables the player to move quickly between keys without sacrificing drone strings; and c) fifth-string capo: The five-string banjo, with its short fifth string, poses a particular problem for using the capo. For many years now Shubb has had available a fifth-string capo, consisting of a narrow metal strip fixed to the side of the neck of the instrument, with a sliding stopper for the string. Other options are to use model railroad spikes to hold the string down at higher frets or simply to retune the string to fit with the pitch of the other strings with the capo applied. 
         [0017]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,250,790 to Shubb dated Feb. 17, 1981 discloses an adjustable locking capo wherein the capo is installed from the upper portion of the fretboard. The Shubb capo has the disadvantage of requiring two hands to properly apply or move, and its adjustment is more complicated than some other capos. Additionally, the Shubb capo does not provide engagement from the lower portion of the fretboard, self-centering features, variable pads or personalization features. 
         [0018]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,503,747 to Labbe dated Mar. 12, 1985 discloses a capo comprising a rollable member attached via a yoke. A roller capo facilitates quick key changes in the middle of tunes or sets by having rollers both holding down the strings and behind the neck, allowing the capo to roll along the neck when needed. However, this capo does not provide quick implementation, quick disengagement, one-handed operability, engagement from the lower portion of the fretboard, self-centering features, variable pads or personalization features. 
         [0019]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,823,670 to Gherman dated Apr. 25, 1989 discloses a capo mounted with flexible straps. U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,969 to Shubb dated Aug. 11, 1998 discloses a capo in which pressure is obtained through a screw driven adjustable stop. These capos provide adjustable tension, but do not provide quick implementation, quick disengagement, one-handed operability, engagement from the lower portion of the fretboard, self-centering features, variable pads or personalization features. 
         [0020]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,008,441 to Steinberger dated Dec. 28, 1999 discloses a capo comprising two hingedly connected jaws with a torsion spring, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,271,448 also to Steinberger dated Aug. 7, 2001 discloses a capo comprising a rollable member attached via a yoke capable of sliding. A roller capo facilitates quick key changes in the middle of tunes or sets by having rollers both holding down the strings and behind the neck, allowing the capo to roll along the neck when needed. However, these capos do not provide one-handed operability, engagement from the lower portion of the fretboard, self-centering features, variable pads or personalization features. 
         [0021]    Numerous patents disclose quick implementation and operation, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,459,025 to D&#39;Addario dated Oct. 1, 2002 which discloses a capo housing a ratchet and pinion gear assembly; U.S. Pat. No. 6,528,711 to Paige dated Mar. 4, 2003 which discloses a capo comprising spring biased jaw members; U.S. Pat. No. 6,635,813 to Campling dated Oct. 21, 2003 which discloses a capo adjacent to side of the neck with releasable locking means; U.S. Pat. No. 7,566,824 to Small dated Jul. 28, 2009 which discloses a capo with a second arm connected to a first arm at an angle less the 180 degrees; U.S. Pat. No. 7,745,710 to Campling dated Jun. 29, 2010 which discloses a capo wherein the pivotal connection is behind the fingerboard inboard of a side edge of the fingerboard; U.S. Pat. No. 7,932,450 to Chen dated Apr. 26, 2011 which discloses trigger implemented clamp with an adjustment end; U.S. Pat. No. 7,939,736 to Campling dated May 10, 2011 which discloses a capo in which pressure is obtained through a screw driven adjustable stop; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,973,227 to Paige dated Jul. 5, 2011 which discloses a yoke based capo. However, these capos do not teach self-centering functionality of the neck pad, variable neck pads, changeable inlays, or ability to engage the musical instrument from the lower portion of the neck, which provides quicker engagement, disengagement, and change of position than conventional capos. 
         [0022]    While the foregoing examples of capos and other tools are usable for their intended purposes, a need still exists in the art for an improved capo. In particular, there is a need for an improved capo, and method of engaging same, which is capable of being engaged, disengaged and adjusted quickly. Specifically, there is a need for a capo that can be engaged quickly, disengaged quickly, changed quickly, operated with one hand, whose tension can be adjusted, used as a slide, configured for multiple strings, self-centered, with interchangeable neck pads, with interchangeable inlays, and which can be engaged from the lower portion of the neck of a musical instrument. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for use with a musical instrument that provides for quick and flexible use, and provides personalization features to enhance the performer&#39;s presence. The subject capo has a generally L-shaped frame which is connected to a lever, thus providing a generally U-shaped device. In between the lever and the free end portion of the frame, a pincher with a generally slightly curved shape is connected to both the frame and the lever at the connecting point of the frame to the lever. A spring is positioned at the lever and the pincher such that when pressure is applied to the lever towards the free end portion of the frame, the pincher move back towards the lever, opening space to receive the neck of a musical instrument. When the pressure on the lever is removed, the spring pushes the pincher back towards the free end portion of the frame, thus putting pressure on the back of the neck of the musical instrument and pressing the fretted surface and strings against the free end portion of the frame, thus causing the strings to vibrate at a different frequency. 
         [0024]    In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a trigger-style capo which flips the lever around 180 degrees so that it can easily be pinched and put on and moved around the neck of the guitar with a pinching motion of the fret board hand. Specifically, the present invention is engaged from the lower portion, or treble side, of the neck; in other words, as you are holding a stringed instrument in playing position with the neck horizontal, the capo is engaged with the neck by squeezing the capo to open it below the neck and bring it up from below the lower portion of the neck (proximal to the ground on a horizontal plane) to engage with the neck. This enables the player to squeeze the capo with the fretting hand in its natural position on the neck. Additionally, this makes it easier to slide the capo up and down the neck while playing, greatly increasing the player&#39;s creative possibilities. The subject capo may also be engaged with the neck from the top portion, or bass side, of the neck, but some of the advantages of quick engagement and disengagement are lost in this configuration. 
         [0025]    One embodiment of the present invention comes with multiple neck pads that are easily swapped out by the user. Geometry of pad and frame allows for easy insertion and removal by user, enabling the user to quickly adapt to using different musical instruments with different numbers of strings. Unlike other capos, the present invention can be configured for use with musical instruments having 6-strings, 5-strings, classical configuration, slide configuration, and partial (3 strings). The neck pads can have different radii or curvature, so as to accommodate stringed instruments with different neck configurations. The neck pads can be configured to accommodate different musical styles, such as a 12 string version, a partial covering 3 strings, a drop D with a cutaway for the E string and covering the bottom 5 strings. Additionally, the neck pad can be manufactured from polyoxymethylene or similar material, which allows the neck pad to more easily center itself on the fretted surface of the musical instrument&#39;s neck and reduces wear grooves in the neck pad. In one embodiment of the present invention, the neck pad is manufactured from a mixture of polyoxymethylene and 5% polytetrafluoroethylene which provides less noise that just polyexymehylene when used as a slide. Additionally, when the neck pad is made of such a rigid material, the stringed instrument tends to stay in tune because the capo is not binding to the strings, but rather providing slidable pressure, and thus not stretching the strings. Additionally, the neck pad can replaced with a neck pad made of rubber for users who prefer. 
         [0026]    The pincher of the capo can be of a curved shape to more readily fit the back of a neck of a musical instrument. The capo can also include one or more pins to secure the frame to the lever and pincher. The capo can also include an axis pin around which the spring flexes, and around which the lever and pincher rotate when pressure is applied to the lever. A spring spacer may also be utilized to accommodate a spring of a specific size. 
         [0027]    One embodiment of the present invention comes with changeable inlays in the Capo allow for a variety of options to match guitar finishes, provide branding for the user, and generally allow the user to personalize the capo. In one embodiment of the present invention, the frame has a receptacle to accept a custom inlay. In one embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle comprises a channel formed be ridges running along the perimeter of the frame. Inlays comprising thin strips of material can easily be slid into the channel. Inlays can have variable designs, and can be constructed of various materials, including wood, wood veneers, leather, mother of pearl, of combinations thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]    A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which: 
           [0029]      FIG. 1  is a front oblique view diagram of a capo. 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  is a side view diagram of a capo. 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  is a side view exploded diagram of a capo. 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  is a front view diagram of a capo. 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  is a rear view diagram of a capo. 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  is a top view diagram of a capo. 
           [0035]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view diagram of a capo. 
           [0036]      FIG. 8  is a side cross-section view of a capo. 
           [0037]      FIG. 9  is an oblique view diagram of an inlay. 
           [0038]      FIG. 10  is an oblique view diagram of a lever. 
           [0039]      FIG. 11  is an oblique view diagram of a neck pad. 
           [0040]      FIG. 12  is an oblique view diagram of a pincher. 
           [0041]      FIG. 13  is a side view diagram of a tuning kit. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0042]    Before the invention is described in further detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims. 
         [0043]    Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed with the invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges is also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the invention. 
         [0044]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, a limited number of the exemplary methods and materials are described herein. 
         [0045]    It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0046]    All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited. The publications discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, if dates of publication are provided, they may be different from the actual publication dates and may need to be confirmed independently. 
         [0047]    It should be further understood that the examples and embodiments pertaining to the systems and methods disclosed herein are not meant to limit the possible implementations of the present technology. Further, although the subject matter has been described in a language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the Claims. 
         [0048]    Initially referring to  FIG. 1 , shown is a front oblique view of an embodiment of the present invention providing a trigger-style capo which flips the lever around 180 degrees so that it can easily be pinched and put on and moved around the neck of the guitar with a pinching motion of the fret board hand. The capo comprises a frame  110 , an inlay  120 , a lever  130 , a pincher  140 , and a pincher pad  150 . The generally L-shaped frame  110  is connected to the lever  130 , thus providing a generally U-shaped device. In between the lever  130  and the free end portion of the frame  110 , a pincher  140  with a generally slightly curved shape is connected to both the frame  110  and the lever  130  at the connecting point of the frame  110  to the lever  130 . When pressure is applied to the lever  130  towards the free end portion of the frame  110 , the pincher  140  moves back towards the lever  130 , opening space to receive the neck of a musical instrument. When the pressure on the lever  130  is removed, the pincher  140  moves back towards the free end portion of the frame  110 , thus putting pressure on the back of the neck of the musical instrument and pressing the fretted surface and strings against the free end portion of the frame  110 . 
         [0049]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , shown is a side view of a capo comprising the frame  110 , lever  130 , pincher  140 , as well as a neck pad  210 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the neck pad  210  which is used to transversely apply pressure to the strings of the guitar can be replaced with one of a plurality of neck pads of varying lengths, generally between 30-70 mm, to accommodate different type or styles of fretted musical instruments. The frame  110  contains a receptacle which can accept any of the various sizes of neck pads available. Additionally, once a neck pad  210  has been installed, it can easily be replaced with another neck pad of different size, enabling the capo to quickly adapt to another musical instrument. 
         [0050]    Turing now to  FIG. 3 , shown is a side exploded view of a capo comprising the frame  110 , lever  130 , pincher  140 , as well as a neck pad  210  and pincher pad  140 , and also showing two pins  310 , spring  320 , spring spacer  330 , and axis pin  340 . The two frame components  110  are covered on the exterior face with an inlay  120 . The interior free end portion the frame  110  provides the receptacle for neck pad  210 . The frame components  110  are attached by pins  310 . The connecting end of the frame components  110  provide means to attach the pincher  140 , lever  130  and spring  320 . Pincher  140  includes means of attaching pincher pad  150 , which provides transverse pressure against the back of the neck of the musical instrument. Pincher  140  is attached to frame components  110  by means of pins  310 . Spring  320  provides the torsional pressure to pincher  140 , which can be temporarily relieved by application of pressure to lever  130 , which rotates around axis pin  340 . 
         [0051]    Turning now to  FIG. 4 , shown is a front view diagram of a capo. The inlay  120  covers most of the face of the frame  110 , except for a narrow ridge which comprises the top of the inlay channel  410 , into which the inlay  120  is positioned. Inlays may be manufactured from many different types of decorative materials, including natural accents such as abalone shell, Zebrawood, Hawaiian Koa, mother of pearl, and birdseye maple. The inlays can further be personalized with engravings, such as names or patterns. 
         [0052]    Turning now to  FIG. 5 , shown is a rear view diagram of a capo showing the end of the free end portion of the frame  110 , a portion of the neck pad  210 , and the exterior face of the lever  130 . 
         [0053]    Turning now to  FIG. 6 , shown is a top view diagram of a capo showing an edge of the frame  110 , the top of the free end of the lever  130 , the pincher  140  and the front of the neck pad  210 . 
         [0054]    Turning now to  FIG. 7 , shown is a bottom view diagram of a capo, including the connecting end of the frame  100 , the inlay  120  and the connecting end of the lever  130 . 
         [0055]    Turning now to  FIG. 8 , shown is a side cross-section view of the frame  110  in which can be seen the inlay channel  410  running along the exterior face of the frame  110 . In an embodiment of the present invention, the frame  110  has a receptacle or inlay channel  410  to accept a custom inlay. In one embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle comprises an inlay channel  410  formed be ridges running along the perimeter of the frame. Inlays comprising thin strips of material can easily be slid into the inlay channel  410 . 
         [0056]    Turning now to  FIG. 9 , shown is an oblique view diagram of an inlay  120 . The inlay  120  can be comprised of any number of materials and designs that can be installed on the capo. Inlays  120  comprising thin strips of material can easily be slid into the channel. Inlays  120  can have variable designs, and can be constructed of various materials, including wood, wood veneers, leather, mother of pearl, of combinations thereof 
         [0057]    Finally,  FIG. 10  shows an oblique view diagram of lever  140 ,  FIG. 11  shows an oblique view diagram of a neck pad, and  FIG. 12  shows an oblique view diagram of a pincher. In one embodiment of the present invention, the capo is provided with a tuning kit comprising a plurality of neck pads with different characteristics to accommodate different neck or musical styles. Shown in  FIG. 13  is a tuning kit comprising six interchangeable neck pads. One neck pad  1310  has a 16.5″ radius for use with a twelve string guitar; another neck pad  1320  has a 13.5″ radius for use with a standard neck; neck pad  1330  has a 11.5″ radius; neck pad  1340  has a 7.5″ radius; neck pad  1350  has no radius; and neck pad  1360  has a partial radius. 
         [0058]    Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.