Abstract:
A laser apparatus for a musical instrument, such as a guitar, is adapted to mount to the instrument and generate laser beams for illuminating selected portions of the instrument during a performance. The apparatus includes a positioning assembly for fixably adjusting the angular orientation of each of the laser beams. The laser apparatus is also capable of being adapted for use with a wide variety of different instruments.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/615,886 filed Oct. 5, 2004. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to musical instrument accessories. In particular, the invention relates to visual enhancement accessories for stringed instruments.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Stringed instruments are widely used in musical performances. These instruments include guitars, violins, cellos, pianos, and harps in their various configurations and embodiments. Conventionally, these instruments are often played in public performances before live audiences. Increasingly, over the past fifty years, these performances have included visual effects designed to enhance the enjoyment of the audience. For example, lighting, pyrotechnics, fog, confetti, smoke, foam, and/or bubbles have been incorporated into the performances. Occasionally, lasers have been used to project beams of light onto surfaces to create patterns and to create images in the space above an audience.  
         [0004]     A laser is commonly considered to be a device that produces a monochromatic light. This light is often visually striking due to its brilliance and intensity. Lasers, because of their visual brilliance, have often been used to capture the attention of onlookers. Lasers are available in a variety of colors, in addition to lasers which emit light in non-visible wavelengths. For example, lasers can, depending on their configuration, produce red, green, and blue beams of light. The color of the laser is directly related to the wavelength of light the laser emits. For example, a red laser typically emits a light of about 650 nanometers whereas a green laser typically emits a light of about 532 nanometers.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     Briefly stated, the invention in a preferred form is a laser apparatus having a laser emitting element which produces a laser beam. The laser emitting element is mounted to the instrument such that the emitted laser beam can directly or indirectly impinge or otherwise interact with a portion of a musical instrument and/or the musician. The laser emitting element can be adjusted in its orientation relative to surfaces on the musical instrument. This adjustable orientation, when used with a stringed instrument, can allow an emitted laser beam to be aligned relative to a string or other portion of the instrument.  
         [0006]     The laser apparatus may include several laser emitting elements. Each laser emitting element may each be aligned relative to a separate string of the instrument.  
         [0007]     The laser apparatus may include a mounting assembly which allows the orientation of the laser apparatus to be selectively varied relative to portions of the instrument while the instrument is being played. This can produce a visually stimulating effect.  
         [0008]     When multiple laser emitting elements are used, the multiple beams can be scanned, played, or otherwise directed across portions of the instrument. The orientation of the laser apparatus can be manually varied by direct or indirect connection with an extension projecting from the laser apparatus. The orientation of the laser apparatus can alternatively be automatically varied by direct or indirect connection with an actuator in mechanical communication with the laser apparatus.  
         [0009]     When the laser apparatus is fixed to a guitar, the emitted laser beams may be interact with the frets and/or the fret board. The emitted laser beams may also interact with a player&#39;s fingers or hands, thereby creating a striking visual image.  
         [0010]     An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for visually enhancing the operation of a musical instrument.  
         [0011]     Another object of the invention is to provide an efficient apparatus to direct a laser beam along a defined portion of a musical instrument.  
         [0012]     A further object of the invention is to produce a visual effect which is attractive, stimulating, and/or pleasing to an observer of a musical performance.  
         [0013]     Still another object of the invention is to incorporate laser emitting elements on a stringed instrument such that light from the emitting elements interact with portions of the instrument and/or the performer.  
         [0014]     A further object of the invention is to produce a musical instrument device which in its various embodiments can be easily attached for use with musical instruments and particularly stringed instruments. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]     Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a portion of a guitar incorporating a laser apparatus consistent with the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view, partly in diagram form, of a laser apparatus and mount consistent with the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a top schematic view of a laser apparatus and mount consistent with the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are, respectively, an elevated side view of a laser beam stop used in conjunction with a laser apparatus consistent with the present invention; and a laser apparatus, laser beam pathway and laser beam stop arrangement which is consistent with the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a laser apparatus and an example of the relative height displacement associated with the laser apparatus consistent with the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of a guitar having a body, a neck, a fret board with frets, and a head stock which is associated with laser apparatus consistent with the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view, partly in phantom, of a laser beam stop for use with a laser apparatus consistent with the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIGS. 7B and 7C  are enlarged fragmentary perspective views, partly in phantom; of a guitar and the laser beam stop of  FIG. 7A  from an opposite location thereof and respectively illustrating the closed and open positions.  
         [0024]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are, respectively, a head stock with the relative strings and laser beams; and a rear view of a guitar body with associated laser apparatus consistent with the present invention.  
         [0025]      FIGS. 9A, 9B ,  9 C and  9 D show various configurations of orientation positioning elements that can be included with a laser apparatus consistent with the present invention.  
         [0026]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  are, respectively, a laser apparatus and mount from a rear view; and a top view of a guitar body with associated laser apparatus consistent with the present invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 11  is a top perspective view of a laser apparatus, with the cover thereof removed, mounted to a guitar.  
         [0028]      FIG. 12  is a top perspective view of a mounting portion of the laser apparatus and guitar of  FIG. 11  with a laser module portion of the apparatus being removed to illustrate a preferred mounting bracket.  
         [0029]      FIG. 13  is a fragmentary simplified side view of the laser apparatus and guitar of  FIG. 12 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 14  is a fragmentary side exploded view, partially in schematic, of the laser apparatus and guitar as depicted in  FIG. 13 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 15A  is a transverse sectional view of the laser apparatus of  FIG. 11 , partially in schematic and with portions removed illustrating a positioning assembly for various laser elements.  
         [0032]      FIG. 15B  is a transverse sectional view similar to that of  FIG. 15A  illustrating positions for positioning the laser elements in alternative positions to those of  FIG. 15A .  
         [0033]      FIG. 15C  is a top fragmentary sectional view, partly in broken lines and partly exploded, to illustrate how the laser elements may be secured in a fixed angular position.  
         [0034]      FIG. 16  is a simplified side view, partially in schematic, illustrating how the laser module assembly may be removably mounted to a bracket in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0035]     With reference to the drawings wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several figures, a laser apparatus in accordance with the present invention is generally designated by the numeral  10 . The laser apparatus  10  is adapted to enhance the performance aesthetics of an associated musical instrument.  
         [0036]     In one embodiment of the invention, the laser apparatus  10  is attached to a stringed instrument, for example a guitar  12 . Typically, the guitar  12  will have a body  14 , a neck  16 , and a head stock  18 . It should be understood that the present invention can be adapted for use with other musical instruments.  
         [0037]     The laser apparatus  10 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , includes a housing  20 . The housing  20  is configured to be attached to the guitar body  14  either directly or indirectly. The attachment can include an intermediate bracket  22  (shown in  FIG. 6 ). The intermediate bracket  22 , in one embodiment of the invention, is a flexible or otherwise pliable material. For example, the intermediate bracket  22  can be formed of rubber, silicone, plastic, foam, and/or felt. The intermediate bracket  22 , depending on the material, allows for movement, as shown by the double ended arrow in  FIGS. 1, 5  and  6 , of the housing  20  relative to the guitar body  14 . Movement of the laser apparatus may be facilitated by a bar  11  (shown in  FIG. 5 ). This bar  11  can be similar to what is known as a Tremolo arm. In addition, this bar  11  can be connected to an actuator (not shown) which may be manually activated by pressing a button, or may be automatically activated, by such things as receiving sounds or changes in ambient light levels.  
         [0038]     The housing  20 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , may include an end tab  24  through which a fastener, such as a screw  26  can pass. The screw  26  fixes the housing to the guitar body  14 . In one preferred embodiment, the tab attaches through the strap nut  56  of the guitar. The housing  20 , in one embodiment of the invention, is alternatively fixed to the guitar body  14 , mount  54 , and/or intermediate bracket  22  by adhesive.  
         [0039]     The housing  20 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , includes a laser emitting element holder  28 . The laser emitting element holder  28  is configured to receive and stably retain a laser emitting element  30 . In one embodiment of the invention, the holder  28  is tubular or quasi-tubular, and the laser emitting element  30  is substantially cylindrical and has a rating of about 1 to about 5 mW at wavelengths between about 670 and about 635 nm. It should be understood that lasers having substantially greater or lesser ratings and/or having substantially different wavelengths may be used.  
         [0040]     The laser emitting element  30  may be of a variety of shapes and sizes. For example, the laser emitting element  30  may be cylindrical, have a power input  31  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ), and have a laser emission orifice  32 . The laser element holder  28 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , includes a lateral direction adjustment mechanism  34  and a vertical height adjustment mechanism  36 . Lateral direction and vertical height of the laser emitting element  30  can be adjusted in various ways. For example, screws, slides, swivels, gimbals, joints, articulations, flexures, tubes, guides, and/or rods can be used to make lateral direction and vertical height adjustments.  
         [0041]     A desirable characteristic of any of the lateral direction and vertical height adjustment mechanisms is to provide for a stable alignment of the laser emitting element  30 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 9A-9D , the laser emitting element  30  can be associated with a pair of tubes which cooperate to provide the positioning. The first tube  38  has an off center cavity for retaining the laser emitting element  30 . The second tube  40  retains the first tube  38 . A screw  42  may extend through a wall of the second tube  40  such that the screw  42  holds the first tube  38  in place and prevents rotation of the first tube  38  inside the second tube  40 . When not held in place, the first tube  38  may, for example, be rotated in order to adjust lateral direction and vertical height due to the off center retention position of the laser emitting element  30 .  
         [0042]     The lateral direction adjustment mechanism  34  and a vertical height adjustment mechanism  36 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , allows a laser beam  44  to be aligned with a string  46  of, for example, a guitar  12 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the string  46  and the laser beam  44  may be aligned such that the laser beam  44  is located in a relative position which is above and to the side of the string  46 . This positioning allows the laser apparatus  10  to, when moved, project a laser beam  44  such that the laser beam  44  can strike a fret  48  and/or fret board elements  50  on the neck of the guitar  12 . For example, the laser beam  44  can be relatively positioned about 1/16, ⅛, 3/16, or ¼ inch above and about 1/16, ⅛, 3/16, or ¼ inch to the side of the string  46 . It should be understood that other distances or combinations of distances can be employed.  
         [0043]     In one embodiment of the invention, the laser apparatus  10  allows lateral swinging alignment of the laser emitting element  30 . This allows the laser emitting element  30  to be adjusted such that the tapered configuration, as shown in  FIG. 4 , of multiple strings on, for example, a guitar, is taken into account. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , swivel element  52  may allow the laser emitting element  30  to move side to side about a central axis, and may allow the laser emitting element  30  to be held securely in that position.  
         [0044]     In one embodiment of the invention, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the laser emitting element  30  is connected electrically to a power supply  58 . The electrical connection may be made by wires  56 .  
         [0045]     The laser apparatus  10 , in one embodiment of the invention is attached to a bracket  54 . The bracket  54 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , can be attached to a rear portion of the guitar body  14  by means of the guitar strap nut  56 . This mount can provide an attachment to a wide variety of instruments, for example, from different manufacturers.  
         [0046]     As shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 11-14 , a laser assembly especially adapted for a six string guitar is designated by the numeral  100 . A platform  110  mounts six quasi-tubular holders  120  which receive pen-type lasers  22 . A battery power supply  130  provides power, and a switch  132  controls power to each of the lasers. With additional reference to  FIGS. 15A, 15B  and  15 C, the underside of each holder  120  has a swivel extension which terminates in a ball  140 . The platform forms corresponding laterally spaced sockets  142  which correspondingly receive each of the balls  140  of the holder tubes. The front edge of the platform includes a set screw  144  which corresponds to each of the ball/socket joints and may be torqued to clamp the balls at a given angular position within the socket, such as schematically shown in  FIGS. 15A and 15B .  
         [0047]     It will be appreciated that the foregoing universal ball/socket swivel joints provide a means wherein the effective lateral spacing of the lasers, as well as the angular vertical and lateral orientation of the lasers, may be selectively adjusted to accommodate a wide range of guitar configurations which will vary according to the various makes of the guitar. It is usually desirable that the lasers be angularly oriented so that they are parallel to the strings in a one to one correspondence with the strings. However, the bridge of the guitar may have a different height above the body different for guitars. In addition, the lateral spacing of the guitar strings will vary from guitar to guitar. The universal mount provided by the ball/socket type mount allows for the laser module assembly  100  to be adapted to a wide variety of guitars or other string instruments.  
         [0048]     In one preferred embodiment of the invention as best illustrated in  FIG. 16 , a specially configured bracket  200  having an inverted L-shaped configuration mounts the base-like platform to the guitar. The leg portion of the bracket includes an opening  202  which allows the bracket to be attached to the guitar through the guitar strap nut  204 . The platform  100  may then be removably latched to the bracket. In one form of the invention, the bracket defines a lateral slot  206 . A latch  210 , which includes a forwardly projecting tongue  212 , is mounted to the underside of the platform. The tongue  212  is slidably receivable in the slot  206 . A resilient catch  214  is biased into an upper lateral slot  208  for securing the platform in a fixed position. A depressable  150  button at the top of the platform releases the catch to allow the platform to be slidably withdrawn from the bracket.  
         [0049]     It should be appreciated that various brackets of different dimensional and shapes may be provided so that specific configurations of a given guitar may be accommodated for a given platform/laser module. The brackets will then accommodate such constraints as the platform height above the guitar body, the spacing of the laser module assembly relative the body and the strings and the height of the module asembly relative to the bridge as well as various shape and dimensional specifics for a given guitar.  
         [0050]     In one embodiment, the bracket has a spring-like quality and the platform is suspended in a cantilever-type fashion. A rigid cover  150  over the platform is also provided. The cover  150  may be depressed by the player to also intermittently vary the laser beam orientation of the laser module assembly relative to the strings during the performance. A damping material such as felt  220 ,  222  may be attached at the underside of the bracket and the platform to dampen vibrations from the instrument.  
         [0051]     It should be appreciated that for a four string guitar the laser module assembly would essentially include four supports and four laser elements instead of six.  
         [0052]     As shown in  FIGS. 4A, 4B ,  7 A,  7 B and  7 C a laser beam stop  60  which is a modified capo may also be included. The laser beam stop  60  includes a base  64  which can be fixed to the guitar at, for example, the neck. As shown in  FIG. 7A-7C , an arm  62  is attached to the base  64  by a hinge  70  and may also be opened or closed. The hinge may have a limiting stop  66  to limit travel of the arm  62 . The arm  62 , when closed, may be latched in the closed position by a latch  68  which mechanically associates with the base  64 . The laser beam stop  60  includes passages which allow strings  46  to pass through the laser beam stop  60 . The laser beam stop  60  includes a surface  72  which is configured to be illuminated by the laser beam  44 . The surface  72  can be composed of material that is designed to achieve minimal refraction and/or maximal absorption of the laser beam  44 . For example, a textured flat black material.  
         [0053]     While preferred embodiments of the foregoing invention have been set forth for purposes of illustration, the foregoing description should not be deemed a limitation of the invention herein. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.