Abstract:
A string dampener for a musical instrument is disclosed for dampening extraneous string noise caused by sympathetic vibrations. The disclosed dampener includes an attachment apparatus that releaseably attaches the string dampening apparatus to a portion of a stringed instrument. The dampener also includes dampening material to dampen string vibrations. Finally, an arm section is included that is rotatably coupled to the attachment apparatus and has the dampening material disposed on at least a portion of the arm section. The arm section is used to selectively engage and disengage contact of the dampening material with one or more strings of the stringed instrument by rotation with respect to the attachment apparatus. The disclosed string dampener affords quick attachment and detachment from a stringed instrument as well as easy engagement and disengagement of the dampener with the strings of an instrument with a requisite amount of pressure on the strings to effect proper dampening of sympathetic vibrations.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The present application relates to a string dampener for a stringed musical instrument, and more particularly to a string dampener that is detachably mountable to the stringed musical instrument.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     When using stringed musical instruments, such as guitars, bass guitars, mandolins, banjos, etc., different tonal effects are desired for different styles of music and different techniques of play. For example, it is known to use a “hammering” technique where a player produces tones by fingering various notes on a fingerboard (e.g., a fret board) without strumming or plucking the strings with the other hand at or near a body of the instrument. When playing in such a manner, however, especially with electrically amplified musical instruments, extraneous or “sympathetic” vibrations of other “open” strings can occur, resulting in unwanted noise or frequencies being produced. In order to mitigate or prevent these sympathetic vibrations, various devices are known in the art to dampen such extraneous noise.  
         [0003]     In particular, string dampeners are known for limiting the string vibrations initiated by a musician&#39;s hands. Essentially, the purpose of string dampeners is to purify all musical notes by eliminating unwanted or extraneous sounds which can occur because of sympathetic vibrations. It is noted here that string dampeners are different from other devices known in the art such as string mutes, which are typically attached at an instrument&#39;s body, such as near a bridge device for a guitar, bass or banjo, as examples. The purpose of the mute is not for eliminating unwanted sounds, but rather to change the timbre of the sound, such as to produce a staccato sound or a muted note.  
         [0004]     Because even with clean, direct fingering by the musician, sympathetic vibrations in the strings not touched occurs near the neck of a stringed instrument, string dampeners are typically placed near the nut of a guitar, for example, to prevent vibrations in the untouched strings. One known apparatus is simply a strip of felt or other dampening material that is permanently attached to the fingerboard, lying under the strings at the 1st fret. This apparatus, however, is not easily removable and requires both of the musician&#39;s hands to remove or adjust the apparatus.  
         [0005]     For stringed instruments such as guitars, bass guitars, mandolins, etc., another string dampener is also known that is a mechanical attachment with a base that is screwed or glued to the headstock of the guitar or other stringed instrument and a post attached to the base. An arm is pivotally attached to the post and includes a piece of dampening material that is placed against the string to achieve limited damping of the string by rotating the arm with respect to the base. Such a device, however, requires adhesive or some other means such as screws to secure the device to the instrument, and thus leaves an ugly scar or adhesive mark when the device is removed. Additionally, such a device is not quickly removable as the device is essentially a permanent fixture. Thus, removal of such a device is time consuming, laborious and requires either the use of tools or solvents.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     According to an example, a string dampener for use with a musical instrument includes an attachment apparatus configured to releaseably attach the string dampening apparatus to a portion of a stringed instrument. The dampener also includes dampening material configured to dampen string vibrations. Finally, an arm section is included that is rotatably coupled to the attachment apparatus and also having the dampening material disposed on at least a portion of the arm section, the arm section being configured to selectively engage and disengage contact of the dampening material with one or more strings of the stringed instrument. These and other features of the disclosed string dampener afford quick attachment and detachment from a stringed instrument as well as easy engagement and disengagement of the dampener with the strings of an instrument with a requisite amount of pressure on the strings to effect proper dampening of sympathetic vibrations. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary string dampening apparatus according to the present application as attached to a stringed instrument such as a guitar.  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates a top plan elevation view of the string dampening apparatus of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  illustrates a fragmentary side elevation view of the string dampening apparatus taken upon on the line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  illustrates a fragmentary side elevation view of the string dampening apparatus taken upon on the line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective assembly diagram of the string dampening apparatus of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary string dampening apparatus according to the present application having a T-shaped arm as attached to a stringed instrument. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a string dampening apparatus  10  that is attached to a stringed instrument  12 , such as a guitar. As shown, the dampening apparatus is connected to the instrument  12 , such as at a head stock  14  of the instrument  12 , with a clamping apparatus  16  that clamps or attaches in some similar manner around a portion of the instrument  12  (e.g., the head stock  14 ). The clamping apparatus, which will be discussed in more detail to follow, is specifically configured to releasably attach the dampening apparatus  10  to the instrument  12 . This affords ease of attachment, allowing the dampening apparatus  10  to be easily and quickly attached or detached from the instrument  12 . Additionally, this affords attachment of a string dampener to the instrument without the need to permanently affix the dampener, which is undesirable, as discussed previously in the background.  
         [0014]     Dampening apparatus  10  also includes an arm section  18  that is rotatably coupled to the clamping apparatus  16 . In this disclosed example, the arm section  18  is “L” shaped and includes various pieces. These pieces include lower and upper extension arms  20  and  22 , which are joined at their proximal ends to a vertically protruding portion  24  of the attachment apparatus  16 . Holes ( 30  and  32  as shown in  FIG. 5 ) located in the lower and upper extension arms  20 ,  22  align with one of a plurality of holes  34  in the vertically protruding portion  24  of the attachment apparatus  16  and are secured thereto with a partially threaded screw  26 , such as a knurled thumb screw, engaged through the holes ( 30 ,  32 ,  34 ) and fastened with a threaded nut  28 , such as a lock nut. By joining the arms  20 ,  22  to the protruding portion  24  with a screw  26  and lock nut  28  (or similar device), the arm section  18  can pivot with respect to attachment apparatus  16 .  
         [0015]     It is noted that the arm section  18  may be attached by the screw  26  and threaded nut  28  to the vertically protruding portion  24  using any of the plurality of holes  34  in the vertically protruding portion  24 . This allows the arm section  18  to be adjusted to varied heights and varied reaches of the arm to accommodate different instruments or achieve different tonal effects. The threaded nut  28 , as mentioned above, may be a lock nut that is used to ensure that, after tensioning the nut to a desired tension, the selected tension is set to ensure that a constant and appropriate level of tension can be applied to the strings of an instrument by the dampener  10 . One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the level of tension could also be adjustable by a user by using a normal threaded nut, for example. Additionally, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any one of a number of various devices having an equivalent function to a screw and threaded nut may be utilized to pivotally connect the arm portion  18  to the attachment apparatus  16  as well as provide tension.  
         [0016]     As discussed above, the arm section  18  includes lower and upper extension arms  20 ,  22  that connect to the attachment apparatus  16  at their proximal ends. At the distal end of the upper extension arm  22  is a widened portion  36  having one or more holes ( 38  as shown in  FIG. 5 ). The lower extension arm  20  also includes a horizontal section  40  having one or more holes ( 42  as shown in  FIG. 5 ). As shown in  FIG. 1 , the arm section  18  includes an “L-shaped” extension arm  44  that serves to extend the reach of the arm section  18  and also hold a dampening material  46 . The L-shaped extension arm  44  connects to the lower and upper extension arms  20 ,  22  by placement between the widened portion  36  and the horizontal section  40 . A plurality of holes  48  within the L-shaped extension arm  44  are configured to align with the holes  32 ,  34  in the lower and upper extension arms  20 ,  22 , respectively. The extension arm  44  is affixed to extension arms  20 ,  22  with a fastening device, such as a screws  50  and complementary flanged nuts  52 . By including a plurality of holes  48  in the L-shaped extension arm  44 , the reach of the arm section  18  is adjustable.  
         [0017]     It is noted that one skilled in the art will appreciate that various other ways of constructing the arm section  18  may be contemplated. For example, the arm section  18  may be a singular piece, rather than being constructed of a number of pieces. Additionally, the means for adjusting the reach of the arm (e.g., the plurality of holes  48  matching with holes in the extension arms  20 ,  22 ) may instead have other constructions such as a telescoping arm, and the means for securing the movable portions such as the L-shaped extension arm  44  (e.g., screws  50  and flanged nuts  52 ) may instead include any other suitable structure afford ease of disconnection or loosening to allow adjustment of the arm with respect to other portions of the arm section  18 .  
         [0018]     Dampening material  46  is attached to a portion  54  of L-shaped extension arm  44 , which is oriented approximately parallel to frets  56  on the finger board  58  of the instrument  12 . The dampening material  46  may be constructed of any material sufficient to dampen vibration of the strings  62  of the instrument  12 . As examples, the material  46  may be constructed from felt, such as piano felt, or foam rubber. Additionally, although the drawings illustrate the material  46  in a monolithic shape, any number of various shapes are contemplated that will sufficiently engage with the strings  62  to achieve dampening. Moreover, although the drawings illustrate that the dampening material  46  engages with all of the strings  62  of the instrument  12 , the material could be shaped and constructed such that it only engages a number of the strings  62  less than the total amount of strings.  
         [0019]     Dampening material  46  may be affixed to the underside of portion  54  with an adhesive. Alternatively, the portion  54  could include one or more holes  60 , shown dashed, through which could be used to stitch or affix the material  46  in some other suitable way. Additionally, the dampening material  46  also could include an attached sleeve of material (not shown), which is appropriately sized and configured to engage around the portion  54 . One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many different suitable ways to attach the dampening material  46  to the arm  18  could be envisioned.  
         [0020]     The L-shaped extension arm  44  may also include a handle or finger piece  64  that allows a user to more easily engage and disengage the arm section  18  such the dampening material is brought into engagement or taken out of engagement with the strings  62 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3  the disengaged position of the arm section  18  is illustrated with dashed lines.  
         [0021]     Turning to the attachment apparatus  16 , the example illustrated includes first and second brackets such as an upper bracket  66  and a bottom bracket  68  that respectively engage with a top side  70  and a bottom side  72  of the headstock  14 . These brackets may be seen in  FIGS. 1-5 . On those surfaces of the brackets that engage with the headstock, pieces of foam rubber  74  and  75  may be affixed thereto in order to protect the finish of the instrument, as well as ensure proper force and positioning on headstocks not having parallel top and bottom sides  70 ,  72  as may be seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Each of the brackets  66  and  68  include holes  76  at each end portion of the brackets that receive a threaded screw  78  used to join the brackets  66  and  68  together around the head stock  14 . Also, the upper bracket  66  may be a single piece member that includes the vertically protruding portion  24  that essentially extends vertically at a 90° angle as shown or some other angle, either acute or obtuse, from a horizontal portion  80  of the upper bracket  66 . The horizontal portion  80 , as shown, engages with the top side  70  of the headstock  14  underneath the strings  62  behind a “nut”  79  of the instrument  12 , thus not interfering with the strings  62  or the fret board  58 . The threaded screws  78  may have a flat head and the holes  76  includes a bezel or partial bore such that the heads of the screws are flush or level with a surface of the brackets  66 ,  68 . The screws  78  at the different ends of the brackets  66 ,  68  are shown oriented 180° from one another, but may alternatively be oriented the same direction.  
         [0022]     When screws  78  are engaged in the holes  76  of each of the brackets  66 ,  68 , the attachment assembly  16  is then secured with complementary threaded nuts  82 , which may be knurled for ease of turning by hand. By screwing the nuts  82 , the attachment assembly  16  is securely attached to the instrument. This arrangement also permits ease of detachment of the dampening apparatus  10  from the instrument  12 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  illustrates a top plan elevation view of the string dampening apparatus  10  as attached to the stringed instrument  12 . As shown, the arm section  18  is engaged with the strings  62  in order to effect dampening of the strings. This view illustrates the disposal of the lower and upper extension arms  20 ,  22  on respective sides of the vertically protruding portion of upper bracket  66 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 3  illustrates a fragmentary side elevation view of the string dampening apparatus  10  taken upon on the line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2  as engaged with an instrument  12 . As illustrated, when the arm section  18  is engaged in a position for performing string dampening, a bottom surface  83  of the dampening material  46  engages or touches the strings  62 . Preferably, the arm portion is tensioned sufficiently with the thumb screw  26  to maintain a measure of tension of the bottom surface  83  of the dampening material  46  against the strings  62  to ensure optimal dampening of the strings.  62 .  FIG. 3  additionally illustrates that the L-shaped arm  44  adjusted with respect to the lower and upper extension arms  20  (and  36  as the visible portion of upper extension arm  22 ) so that the material  46  engages with the strings closer to the nut  79 . A portion  81  of the arm  44  can be seen extending past the widened portion  36  of the upper extension arm  22  illustrating this adjustment.  
         [0025]      FIG. 4  illustrates a fragmentary side elevation view of the string dampening apparatus  10  taken upon on the line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2  as engaged with an instrument  12 . Here the arm  18  is shown in an engaged position such that the dampening material  46  is engaged with the strings  62 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 5  illustrates an assembly diagram of an exemplary construction of the disclosed string dampening apparatus. From this view, it can be seen that the bracket screws  78  may be constructed to have a flat head such that head can seat as unobtrusively as possible on surfaces of the upper and bottom brackets  66 ,  68 . These surfaces may also include a bezel or sink such the top surfaces of the head of the screws  78  may be flush with these surfaces. Additionally, this figure illustrates sleeves  84  that surround the screws  78  for that portion of the screws  78  between the upper and lower brackets  66 ,  68  that could potentially come into contact with finished surface of the instrument. These sleeves may be cylindrical as shown and constructed of any suitable material that will not damage the finish of the stringed instrument, such as plastic or rubber.  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  also illustrates the foam rubber pads  74 ,  75  that may be respectively affixed to those surfaces of the upper and bottom brackets  66 ,  68  that face surfaces of the instrument. The material of pads  74 ,  75  may include any suitable material that will not damage the finish of the stringed instrument. Moreover, various washers  85  are illustrated being placed around various screws in this particular example.  
         [0028]     When attaching the dampener  10  to the instrument  12 , the upper bracket  66  is inserted underneath the strings  62  at the head stock  14  of the instrument as may be seen in  FIGS. 1-4 . The bottom bracket  68  is then positioned on the bottom side of the headstock  14  and the screws  78  of each of the brackets  66 ,  68  aligned with the corresponding holes  76  in the other of the brackets  66 ,  68 . The thumb screws  82  are then screwed onto the screws  78  and tightened to secure the attachment apparatus  16  to the head stock  14  of the instrument  12 .  
         [0029]     Concerning engagement of the dampening material  46  with the strings  62  to effect dampening, the arm portion  18  is simply rotated until the dampening material is pressed down onto the strings  62  with suitable pressure to ensure proper dampening. The handle or finger piece  62  is helpful to provide a portion of the arm portion  18  for the user to grab for engaging and disengaging the arm portion  18  with one hand.  
         [0030]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary string dampening apparatus according to the present application having a T-shaped arm as attached to the stringed instrument. In this example, same reference numbers are used as with the previous example to denote similar parts. As shown, the string dampening apparatus in the example of  FIG. 6  includes a T-shaped arm  88  to more uniformly distribute force or tension on the strings with the dampening material  46 . The arm  88  may be pivotally attached to a vertical protruding portion  90  extending from the upper bracket  66 . This vertical protruding portion  90  extends approximately vertical from a center portion of the upper bracket  66  that lies between center strings of the instrument that separate at some angle a labeled with reference number  86 . The vertical protruding portion  90  may have a unitary construction with the upper bracket  66 . In such case, the apparatus would have to be attached to the instrument prior to stringing of the instrument since the bracket  66  would not be able to pass underneath the strings as in the example of  FIGS. 1-5 .  
         [0031]     Alternatively, the vertical protruding portion  90  could be a separate piece from the upper bracket  66  that is affixed to bracket  66  after the bracket is attached to the instrument. A means of attaching  92  is shown in the figure simply as a line, which indicates a junction between the portion  90  and the upper bracket  66 . This means of attaching  92  could be any number of devices, such as a hinge, where the protruding portion  90  may be rotated downward toward the upper bracket  66  when being inserted underneath the strings during attachment and then rotated to a vertical position for attachment of the arm  88 . Alternatively, the portion  90  could have at least one tab, hooked tab, or slot in the surface abutting the bracket  66  that mates with a complementary slot, tab or hooked tab in the bracket  66  in order to secure the portion  90  to the bracket  66 . It is noted that one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the means of attaching  92  may be any suitable device or devices allowing the protruding portion  90  to be either movable or removable to allow the upper bracket  66  to be attached under the strings of the stringed instrument without removal of the strings themselves. It is also noted that the exemplary dampening apparatus of  FIG. 6  is more likely to be used with instruments having a larger angle  86  between the center strings of the instrument to allow for the vertically protruding portion  90  to fit between them the center strings without touching the strings.  
         [0032]     In light of the foregoing discussion, the disclosed string dampener affords quick attachment and detachment from a stringed instrument. Additionally, the releasable nature of the attachment apparatus of the dampener affords the ability to connect the dampener without the need for permanent means of affixing the dampener such as adhesive or screws. The pivoting arm of the dampener, which includes a means for tensioning (e.g., a tensioning screw), affords easy engagement and disengagement of the dampener with the strings with a requisite amount of pressure on the strings to effect proper dampening of sympathetic vibrations.  
         [0033]     The above-detailed examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and description only and not by limitation. It is therefore contemplated that the present disclosure cover any additional modifications, variations, or equivalents that fall with in the spirit and scope of the basic underlying principles disclosed above and the appended claims.