Abstract:
A device for converting a conventional Spanish guitar into an instrument which can be played like a Hawaiian guitar and/or used to modify the tone, pitch, key, timber and/or chord of a stringed instrument by selectively engaging the strings of a stringed instrument and selectively raising and/or lowering such strings relative to a fret board.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority to prior filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/409,430, filed Nov. 2, 2010, the complete contents of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention related generally to clamping devices and more specifically to capo-type devices for use with fretted instruments. 
         [0004]    2. Background 
         [0005]    Generally, on stringed instruments a plurality of strings extend in parallel juxtaposition along the upper surface of an elongated neck. These strings are plucked by the player with the fingers of one of his hands, and the different notes are established by pressure of the finger tips of his other hand against the strings at different points longitudinally thereof. There are different types of guitars, but in the conventional type the upper surface of the neck is provided with a plurality of frets that extend transversely across the neck of the guitar and which are spaced from each other in a direction longitudinally of the neck. The strings in such guitars are arranged to extend slightly above these frets and the frets assist the player in locating the proper place for his fingers for establishing a certain note, which he does when he presses his finger or fingers against selected frets or, more specifically, against the upper surface of the neck of the guitar at a point slightly behind a selected fret (i.e., towards the “headstock” of the guitar). Another type of guitar is the Hawaiian guitar, which is similar to a steel guitar. These guitars differ from the conventional guitars in that the strings are positioned at such a height above the neck of the guitar that they cannot conveniently be brought into contact with the neck of the guitar by finger pressure on the player&#39;s part. Due to this difference, the player can slide an implement know as a “steel” longitudinally along the strings during play producing a peculiar “sobbing” sound effect that is typical for Hawaiian-type music. 
         [0006]    Typically, a player wishing to play this Hawaiian-type music would require a guitar designed for such. What is needed is a device to convert a conventional guitar into an instrument suitable for playing Hawaiian-type music. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  and  FIG. 1   a  are a perspective view of one embodiment of the present device. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a transverse cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present device in use on a conventional guitar. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the present device shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the present device. In some embodiments, a substantially U-shaped member  102  can comprise a first extension  104  and a second extension  106 , which can be substantially parallel to one another. In some embodiments, the first extension  104 , and the second extension  106  can have substantially circular cross-sectional geometries. However, in alternate embodiments the first extension  104  and/or the second extension  106  can have any other known and/or convenient geometries. As shown in the embodiment in  FIG. 1 , a U-shaped member  102  can be substantially orthogonal relative to the first extension  104  and/or the second extension  106 . However, in alternate embodiments the U-shaped member  102  can be rounded or any other known and/or convenient geometry and/or be in any known and/or desired relationship/configuration relative to either the first extension  104 , the second extension  106  and/or both. In some embodiments, the U-shaped member  102  can be made of metal, plastic, polymer. However, in alternate embodiments the U-Shaped member  102  can be comprised of any other known and/or convenient material and/or materials. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, a first extension  104  can have a longitudinal groove  108  running substantially along the length of the first extension  104 . In some embodiments, the longitudinal groove  108  can have a substantially V-shaped cross-sectional geometry, having a vertex point substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of a first extension  104 . In alternate embodiments, the longitudinal grove  108  can be parabolic in shape. However, in still further alternate embodiments, the longitudinal groove  108  can have any other known and/or convenient geometry adapted to selectively engage a fret on a guitar. 
         [0012]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a first extension  104  can have a covering  110 . In some embodiments, a covering  110  can comprise a sleeve to surround the exterior surface of the first extension  104 , but in other embodiments can have any other known and/or convenient configuration and/or the covering may partially cover the first extension  104  and/or can be absent. In some embodiments, the covering  110  can have substantially the same interior cross-sectional geometry as the cross-sectional geometry of a first extension  104 , such that a longitudinal groove  108  can be maintained on the outer surface of a covering  110 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the covering  110  can have a substantially smooth surface, but in alternate the covering  110  embodiments can have any other known and/or convenient surface texture. However, in other embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 1   a , a covering  110  can comprise a plurality of circumferential grooves  112 , configured to receive guitar strings. Circumferential grooves  112  can have a substantially V-shaped, orthogonal, semi-circular, or any other known and/or convenient cross-sectional geometry. In alternate embodiments the circumferential groves can have a semi-circular, parabolic and/or any other known, convenient and/or desired shape. In some embodiments, covering  110  can be made of rubber, plastic, polymer, or any other known and/or convenient material. In some embodiments, covering  110  can be interchangeable and/or selectively disengagable such that it can be exchanged for alternate coverings  110  of different wall thicknesses to establish selectively different distances above the frets of a guitar neck, depending upon the dimensions of the neck and the frets of a particular guitar. 
         [0013]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a second extension  106  can comprise a sleeve  114 , which can be made of rubber, plastic, polymer, or any other known, desired and/or convenient material and/or materials. In some embodiments, the composition of the sleeve  114  can be a substantially resilient material. However, in alternate embodiments the composition can be have any known, convenient and/or desired properties. In some embodiments, sleeve  114  can have an interior cross-sectional geometry compatible with the exterior cross-sectional geometry of a second extension  106 . In some embodiments, sleeve  114  can have a substantially circular cross-sectional geometry, but in other embodiments can have any other known, desired and/or convenient cross sectional geometry and/or geometries. As shown in  FIG. 1 , sleeve  114  can cover a second extension  106  such that the free end of the second extension  106  can be left uncovered. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, an elastic, flexible member  116  can extend parallel to the second extension  106 . Additionally, in some embodiments, a flexible member  116  can have a pair of openings  118 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the pair of openings  118  can be spaced along the flexible member  116  such that the distance between openings  118  can be substantially congruent with the length of a second extension  106 . As such, as shown in  FIG. 1 , one of a pair of openings  118  can receive the terminal end of a second extension  118 , while the other opening  118  can receive the opposite end of a second extension  106 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, a flexible member  116  can be positioned proximal to a sleeve  114 . A flexible member  116  can be further connected to a terminal end of a second extension  106  via a friction fit, adhesive, or any other known and/or convenient method and mechanism. 
         [0015]    In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the free ends of flexible member  116  can be connected via adjustable connectors  120 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the connectors  120  can be snaps. However, in alternate embodiments, flexible member  116  can be connected by hook-and-loop fastener material, clips, and/or any other known, desired and/or convenient closure mechanism and/or method. In some embodiments, the closure mechanism can be permanent, semi-permanent and/or selectively engagable/disengagable. 
         [0016]    In use, as shown in  FIG. 2 , an embodiment of the present device can be positioned substantially orthogonally across the neck of a guitar or other stringed instrument. A first extension  104  can be placed underneath the strings  202  and positioned such that the longitudinal groove  108  can selectively engage a desired fret  204 . Strings  202  can be raised a desired height above a fretboard  206 , depending on the diameter and/or thickness of a first extension  104  and/or the thickness of covering  110 . A second extension  106  can be placed above the strings  202  and behind (i.e., toward the headstock  208 ). Additionally, the apparatus can be disengagably and/or fixedly engaged relative to the stringed instrument via the flexible member  116 . 
         [0017]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , a flexible member  116  can be wrapped around the neck  210  of a stringed instrument. The flexible member  116  can be stretched to create a tensile force within a flexible member  116 . When wrapped around a neck  210  and selectively and/or fixedly secured in place, this can pull a second extension  106  toward a fretboard  206 , allowing a second extension  106  to apply a compressive force holding strings  202  against a fretboard  206 . 
         [0018]    In some arrangements, the strings  202  can be raised sufficiently above the frets  204  on the neck  210  of a guitar to allow playing the instrument with a “steel” in the manner of a Hawaiian guitar. However, in alternate embodiments the strings  202  can be raised and/or lowered relative to the frets  204  and/or fret board  206  on the neck  210  to create any known, convenient and/or desired instrumental tone, pitch, timber, key and/or chord. By interchanging coverings  110 , a user can change the desired height of the stings  202  above the frets  204 . By positioning an embodiment of the present device at various fret  204  positions along a fret board  206 , a user can also play in different keys. 
         [0019]    Although the method has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the method as described and hereinafter claimed is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.