Abstract:
The invention relates to a protective tuner cover for the tuning section of a stringed musical instrument, such as a guitar. The tuner cover is sized to enclose the instrument headstock, or a substantial portion thereof, and includes a section that encloses and protects the tuning keys and knobs of the musical instrument. When constructed as a unitary structure, the tuner cover can be slid onto the instrument headstock. When constructed from separable components, the tuning cover can be opened and closed over the headstock in a bivalve manner if hinged, or by appropriately spaced latching mechanisms if completely separable. The tuner cover can be constructed to enclose and protect one or two rows of tuning keys and knobs, depending on the type of musical instrument.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/949,436, filed on Jul. 12, 2007. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to protective covers for stringed musical instruments. One example of such a protective cover is a cover for the headstock of a stringed musical instrument such as a guitar. The protective cover helps to prevent inadvertent physical contact with the tuning keys, reducing the frequency of adjustments needed to keep the instrument in tune. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A stringed musical instrument such as a guitar is typically protected from damage during storage or transport by a hard or soft case that encloses the entire instrument. Such traditional cases do not necessarily protect the instrument from being jarred out of tune. The tuning keys of the instrument, protruding from one or both sides of the instrument&#39;s head or headstock, are at risk from inadvertent physical contact. This contact can occur with the interior walls of a loosely fitting hard instrument case, the fabric of a soft instrument cover as it is being pulled over the instrument, or objects in the immediate environment that contact the tuning keys either directly or through a soft cover. Physical contact with the knobs of the tuning keys can cause them turn slightly, changing the pitch of the instrument&#39;s strings. 
         [0004]    A hard instrument case may be able to protect the tuning keys from movement, but only if the interior of the case is custom-fitted to the particular dimensions of the instrument. A custom-made hard case of this type is relatively expensive, bulky and heavy. This type of protection is not even possible with a soft instrument cover. Thus, it would be highly desirable to have a protective cover for a stringed musical instrument that encloses the tuning keys and is secured against the instrument&#39;s headstock to prevent either the cover itself or any other object from contacting the knobs of the tuning keys. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention provides an elongate, preferably rigid, protective tuner cover capable of enclosing the tuning keys on one or both sides of the headstock of a stringed musical instrument. The tuner cover is at least long enough to enclose all of the tuning keys including the tuning knobs. Preferably, the length of the tuner cover approximately matches that of the instrument headstock, and its shape roughly matches the shape or contour of the headstock. 
         [0006]    The headstock of the stringed instrument has a first side corresponding to the string-mounted side, an opposing second side; and it has a third side and fourth side on opposing sides of the headstock that are in generally perpendicular alignment with the first side and second side. The tuning knobs are mounted on or project above either the third side or fourth side, or both. The tuner cover is an elongate container that encloses the headstock and tuning knobs, and includes a tuner enclosure for enclosing the tuning knobs and/or the tuning keys. Headstocks having two rows of tuning keys and knobs, one row at the third side and another row at the fourth side of the headstock, can be enclosed by a tuning cover having two tuner enclosures, one for each row of tuning knobs or keys. The tuner cover can consist of two stabilizer/cover sections, one to enclose the first side and the other to enclose the second side of the instrument headstock. The first side stabilizer/cover encloses at least part of the face (first side) of the headstock on which the strings are located. The second side stabilizer/cover encloses at least part of the second side of the headstock. The two stabilizer/cover sections can be constructed to be a unitary assembly, or can be constructed to be separable. 
         [0007]    For guitars having a single row of tuning keys, the tuning keys and tuning knobs are lined up along the single third side or fourth side of the instrument headstock. To cover and protect these tuning knobs, the tuner enclosure section of the tuner cover extends from the first side stabilizer/cover to the second side stabilizer/cover, and defines an enclosure large enough to accommodate the tuning knobs without contacting them. The tuner cover is normally equipped with a tuner interlock bar on the inside of the first side stabilizer/cover, and runs along a substantial portion of the length of the first side stabilizer/cover near the side of the headstock having the tuning keys. The interlock bar projects inwardly from the inside surface of the stabilizer/cover. The interlock bar may jut over the third side or fourth side of the headstock or both, and the side of the interlock bar may make contact with that side of the headstock. The face of the interlock bar (roughly perpendicular to the side of the interlock bar) can make contact with the shafts of the tuning knobs, thereby helping to secure the tuner cover against the headstock. Alternatively, the face of the interlock bar can make contact with the first side of the headstock near the third side or the fourth side, whichever is associated with the tuning keys and knobs. The tuner cover is also normally equipped with a guide rail on the inside of the second side stabilizer/cover, which projects inwardly from the inside surface of the second side stabilizer/cover. The guide rail runs along a substantial portion of the length of the second side stabilizer/cover, and contacts the second side of the headstock near the area where the tuning keys attach to the headstock. The tuner interlock bar and the guide rail can apply opposing forces against the headstock to keep the tuner cover securely in place, so that the tuning knobs are protected from contact with the interior of the tuner enclosure section. 
         [0008]    The tuner cover can be constructed of two components separable on one side, and attached together on the opposing side by a hinge or by a flexible polymeric or plastic material, allowing the tuner cover to open and close in a bivalve fashion. The separable sides of each tuner cover component can be configured to make contact with each other when the tuner cover is in a closed position. The separable sides of each tuner cover component can be releasably connected to each other when the tuner cover is in a closed position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a front view of a left-handed tuner cover for a guitar having a single row of tuning keys, one side having a tuner enclosure section, and the opposite side aesthetically shaped to conform to the contour of a particular guitar headstock. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional view of the tuner cover of  FIG. 1 , revealing the area of the tuner enclosure that surrounds the knobs of the tuning keys, and the open feature of the opposite side, which allows the tuner cover to be slid onto a guitar headstock. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional view of a tuner cover designed for a guitar having a row of tuning keys on both lateral sides of the headstock, which is capable of enclosing both rows of tuning knobs. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional view of a tuner cover for a headstock having a single row of tuning keys, assembled by joining the first side stabilizer/cover to the second side stabilizer/cover with a hinge on the same side as the tuning keys and a latch on the opposite side. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  shows a cross-sectional view of a tuner cover for a headstock having two rows of tuning keys, assembled by joining the first side stabilizer/cover to the second side stabilizer/cover with a hinge on one lateral (third or fourth) side and a latch on the opposing lateral side of the tuner cover. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    As used herein, the term “headstock” refers to the tunable component of a stringed musical instrument at the opposite end of the body, and separated from the body by the neck of the instrument. The tuning keys of the instrument are attached to the headstock. A tuning key includes a tuning key post around which an instrument string is wound, and a tuning knob—the portion of the tuning key that is grasped to turn the tuning key post to adjust the pitch of the string. In most guitars, the tuning knob is oriented at a ninety degree angle to the tuning key post by means of an intervening mechanical gear assembly located on the back of the headstock. The input to the gear assembly consists of a tuning knob shaft that terminates at the tuning knob. The output from the gear assembly consists of a tuning post shaft that penetrates the headstock and terminates at the tuning post on the string side of the headstock. Certain guitars, as well as other stringed musical instruments, have tuning keys in which the tuning knob is in a direct line with the tuning key post. In either case, the tuning knobs protrude laterally from the headstock. 
         [0015]    The “first side” of the headstock refers to the side on which the strings are located, and the “second side” of the headstock refers to the opposing side of the headstock, which generally faces the musician. In a headstock in which there are two rows of tuning keys, the “third side” and “fourth side” of the headstock refer to the lateral sides of the headstock, generally perpendicular in alignment to the first side and second side, above which the tuning knobs project. In a headstock in which there is only one row of tuning keys, the “third side” is the side above which the tuning knobs project, and the “fourth side” is the opposing side of the headstock that typically has a contour giving the headstock a distinctive shape. The neck side of the headstock is that part which transitions into the neck of the instrument. The terminal side of the headstock is the end of the headstock furthest from and opposite the neck. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a front view of tuner cover  10  shows how it can be shaped overall to mimic the appearance of the guitar headstock it is designed to cover. The tuner cover  10  has only a single tuner enclosure section  11  when all of the tuning keys are situated near one side (the third side) of the headstock. The opposing (fourth) side of the tuner cover  10  can be shaped to conform to the style of the headstock (here resembling the Fender Squier Stratocaster guitar headstock).  FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the tuner cover  10  shows a tuner enclosure section  11  and two stabilizer/cover sections  14  and  15 . One stabilizer/cover section, the first side stabilizer/cover  15 , encloses at least part of the side of the instrument headstock (first side) on which the strings are situated. A second stabilizer/cover section, the second side stabilizer/cover  14 , encloses at least part of the opposing second side of the instrument headstock. In a tuner cover  10  for a headstock with a single row of tuning keys, a tuner enclosure section  11  spans the space at the third side  1 A of the headstock  1  between first side stabilizer/cover  15  and the second side stabilizer/cover  14 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the tuner cover  20  can alternatively include two tuner enclosure sections  21 A and  21 B, corresponding to the third side  1 A and the fourth side  1 B, respectively, of the headstock  1  and spanning the space between the first side stabilizer/cover  25  and the second side stabilizer/cover  24 , in order to accommodate stringed instruments with tuning keys near both the third side  1 A and the fourth side  1 B of the headstock  1 . 
         [0017]    Returning to  FIG. 2 , the tuner cover  10  can incorporate a tuner interlock bar  12  that projects inwardly from the enclosure side of the first side stabilizer/cover  15 . In single-row tuning key arrangements, the interlock bar  12  is configured to jut over the third side  1 A of the instrument headstock  1  and make contact with the tuning knob shafts  4  of the tuning keys  2 . The jutting side of the interlock bar  12  could also make contact with the third side  1 A of the headstock  1 . Alternatively (not shown), the face  12  of the interlock bar  12  can be positioned to make contact with the first side of the headstock  1  near its third side  1 A. The tuner cover  10  can additionally incorporate a second side stabilizer/cover guide rail  13  that projects inwardly from the enclosure side of the second side stabilizer/cover  14 . The guide rail  13  is configured to make contact with the second side of the instrument headstock  1 , near the attachment points of the tuning keys  2 A. The interlock bar  12  and the guide rail  13  contact the instrument headstock  1  and/or the tuning knob shafts in a manner to ensure a secure fit of the tuner cover  10  over the tuning knobs  5  of the tuning keys  2 . Thus, any contact between the tuning knobs  5  and tuner enclosure  11  is prevented during movement of the instrument. 
         [0018]    In single-row tuning key arrangements as shown in  FIG. 2 , the tuner cover  10  is preferably open over the fourth side  1 B of the instrument headstock  1 . In many guitars, the fourth side  1 B of the headstock opposite the third side  1 A (tuning key side) is aesthetically shaped. Preferably, the fourth sides of the first side stabilizer/cover  15  and second side stabilizer/cover  14  of the tuner cover  10  are shaped to conform to the shape of this side of the headstock, as shown in  FIG. 1 . The neck end  9  of the tuner cover  10  closest to the neck of the instrument is open, allowing the tuner cover  10  to be slid onto the terminal end of the headstock, and advanced toward the neck to completely cover the headstock. The terminal end  8  of the tuner cover  10  can enclose the terminal end of the instrument headstock by means of a terminal headstock cover  7  extending from the first side stabilizer/cover  15  to the second side stabilizer/cover  14  on that end. Preferably, the terminal headstock cover  7  is shaped to conform to the contour of the terminal end of the headstock, as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0019]    A tuner cover  10  as shown in  FIG. 1  can be installed by sliding it onto the instrument headstock from its terminal end. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the user aligns the tuner interlock bar 12  with the third side  1 A of the headstock  1  and the tuning knob shafts  4 , and aligns the guide rail with the second side of the headstock below the attachment points  2 A of the tuning keys  2  to the headstock  1 . The tuner enclosure  11  is spacious enough to avoid making contact with the tuning knobs  5  above the third side  1 A of the headstock  1 . The tuner cover  10  is slid onto the headstock  1  until the terminal end  8  of the tuner cover  10  meets the terminal end of the headstock  1 , or at least until all of the tuning keys  2  are covered by the tuner enclosure  11 . 
         [0020]    Turning to  FIG. 4 , the first side stabilizer/cover  35  and second side stabilizer/cover  34  of the tuner cover  30  can be hinged on the tuner enclosure side  31 , allowing the tuner cover  30  to open and close in a bivalve or clamshell manner over the instrument headstock  1 . Alternatively (not shown), the hinges  36  can be located on other portions of the third side  30 A of the first side stabilizer/cover  35  or second side stabilizer/cover  34  of the tuner cover  30  near the tuner enclosure  31 . An advantage of a hinged tuner cover is that the first side stabilizer/cover  35  and second side stabilizer/cover  34  can be constructed less expensively (for example, using injection molding techniques), and then assembled into the tuner cover  30  by attaching hinges  36  to the tuner enclosure side  31  of the first side stabilizer/cover  35  and second side stabilizer/cover  34 . A hinged tuner cover  30  also allows the fourth side  30 B of the first side stabilizer/cover  35  and second side stabilizer/cover  34  to alternatively (not shown) angle inwardly toward each other to completely enclose the fourth side  1 B of the headstock  1 . A latching mechanism or other locking feature can then releasably lock the fourth sides of the first side stabilizer/cover  35  and second side stabilizer/cover  34  together. Alternatively, the lower lateral side  30 B of the tuner cover  30  can be secured by a locking bar or rod  37 , as long as the fourth sides of the first side stabilizer/cover  35  and second side stabilizer/cover  34  extend sufficiently to clear the fourth side  1 B of the headstock  1 . 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the tuner cover  20  can be adapted for use with stringed instruments having tuning keys on both sides  1 A and  1 B of the headstock  1 . For example, the tuner cover  20  can have two tuner enclosures  21 A and  21 B, one each for the separate rows of tuning keys  2 . There can also be two tuner interlock bars  22 A and  22 B projecting inwardly from the enclosure side of the first side stabilizer/cover  25 . Each interlock bar  22 A and  22 B can be configured to jut over the sides  1 A and  1 B of the instrument headstock  1 , with the faces of the interlock bars  22 A and  22 B making contact with the tuning knob shafts  4  of the tuning keys  2 . The jutting sides of the interlock bars  22 A and  22 B can also be constructed to make contact with the sides  1 A and  1 B of the headstock  1 . The faces of the interlock bars  22 A and  22 B alternatively could make contact with the first side of the headstock  1 , each interlock bar situated near its corresponding side  1 A and  1 B of the headstock  1 . The tuner cover  20  can additionally incorporate a second side guide rail  23  that projects inwardly from the enclosure side of the second side stabilizer/cover  24 . The second side guide rail  23  is configured to make contact with the second side of the instrument headstock  1 , between the attachment points  2 A and  2 B of the tuning keys  2 . The interlock bars  22 A and  22 B and the guide rail  23  contact opposite sides of the instrument headstock  1  and/or the tuning knob shafts  4 , ensuring a secure fit of the tuner cover  20  over the tuning knobs  5  of the tuning keys  2 , and preventing any contact from occurring between the tuning knobs  5  and the tuner enclosures  21 A and  21 B during movement of the instrument. 
         [0022]    Returning again to  FIG. 2 , the first side stabilizer/cover  15  and second side stabilizer/cover  14  alternatively can extend at the fourth side  10 B sufficiently to cover a second row of tuning keys (not shown) near the fourth side  1 B of the headstock  1 . Leaving the fourth side  10 B of the tuner cover  10  open assists in allowing the tuner cover  10  to be slid onto a headstock having two rows of tuning keys. 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , a hinged tuner cover  40  can accommodate an instrument having rows of tuning keys  2  on both sides  1 A and  1 B of the headstock  1 . A hinged tuner cover  40  can be opened or closed over the headstock  1  without having to be slid over the headstock  1 . A locking or latching mechanism  47  can be attached to the side opposite the hinge  46  to secure the tuner cover  40  in a closed position. In this case, the hinge can be placed on either first side  40 a or second side  40   b  of the tuner cover  40 . This design allows the tuner cover  40  to be made in a shape that conforms more closely to the overall contour of the headstock because the entire length of the tuner cover  40  does not have to slide past the widest point of the headstock  1 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0024]    Alternatively, a hinge can be placed on the terminal end  7  of a tuner cover for a headstock having either a single row or dual row of tuning keys (not shown). A latching mechanism can be placed near the neck end  9  of the tuner cover. Also, the tuner cover can be constructed to exist as two separable components (e.g., first side plus second side), having two or more latches disposed at suitable complementary locations on the two components. 
         [0025]    The tuner cover can also be adapted and configured for stringed musical instruments having tuning knobs connected in a direct line with the tuning key posts. Many stringed instruments have this feature, including, for example, violins, violas, cellos, and bass instruments, as well as various plucked instruments. It is contemplated that further modifications in the tuner cover may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. For example, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that adjustments in the various dimensions of the tuner cover or its components will be necessary to accommodate variations in the shapes of headstocks of the various stringed instruments available on the market, including various types of guitars, cellos, basses, violins, violas, and the like. 
         [0026]    The tuner covers depicted in  FIGS. 2-5  can be constructed from a polymeric material (such as, for example, polycarbonate, plexiglass, plastic, or other composite material), wood, metal, or other suitable rigid or semi-rigid material. The material must bestow a sufficient degree of rigidity to the tuner cover to protect the enclosed tuning keys and tuning knobs from impact with external forces. The components (including, for example, the interlock bar, guide rail and tuner enclosure) can be assembled onto the string-side and back-side covers with adhesive, screws or other suitable fasteners. The reduced manufacturing costs associated with injection molding techniques may favor the construction and assembly of hinged tuner covers from component parts as depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . After the components are produced and cooled, hinges and latches can then be applied to the first side and second side stabilizer/covers to complete the assembly. Alternatively, rather than using separately manufactured hinges, the hinged portion of the tuner enclosure can be constructed of a flexible polymer that allows repeated openings and closings of the first side and second side stabilizer/covers. The hinged portion may consist of a thinner and more flexible portion of the same material comprising the rest of the tuner cover, or it may be constructed from a different and inherently more flexible polymer, which is fused to the remainder of the tuner cover by an adhesive or any other suitable means. Any components that make contact with the headstock or tuning knob shafts (including, for example, the interlock bars and guide rails depicted in  FIGS. 2-5 ) can be covered with a suitable soft material such as cotton, felt or other synthetic cloth or cushion, in order to prevent marring or wearing of the finish on the headstock or the tuning knob shafts.