Abstract:
A removable chord playing attachment and related method is disclosed. The chord playing attachment may be attached to a guitar or similar stringed instrument, and the user may use the chord playing attachment to learn to play the instrument. The present invention discloses a design that does not function as a capo, which allows the user play chords in standard keys. The present invention includes a specially configured nut or connector or anchor that forms a removable connection with a chord playing unit. The present invention encourages novices to learn to play the instrument in stages and eventually remove the invention entirely. A companion teaching manual is also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a non-provisional of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/620,743, filed 5 Apr. 2012, and incorporated herein by reference. Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/620,743, filed 5 Apr. 2012, is hereby claimed. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
     Not applicable 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to chord playing attachments and specifically to a specially configured chord playing attachment that may be used to play a guitar or be employed as a teaching tool, and wherein a specially configured nut arrangement enables disassembly of the chord playing portion from the nut in order to play the guitar without the chord playing portion. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Two problems present themselves when a student attempts to learn the guitar or a similar stringed instrument. The guitar strings injure the student&#39;s fingertips until the student develops calluses; and the student faces a steep learning curve prior to playing actual music. The latter problem often causes severe frustration, which in turn causes most novices to quickly abandon their learning attempts. Teaching the student a series of musical chords allows the student to play music quickly, which encourages the student to keep playing until greater understanding is gained and reduces frustration. 
     Various chord attachments have been developed to allow the user to play chords easily without injuring their fingers. None of these devices have ever attained widespread popularity because none of them have been designed as teaching tools. Many of the older versions were intricate, heavy, and hard to use. Some even mask the strings from the user&#39;s view, resulting in the user being unable to learn any chords while using the device. Newer versions are more usable, but do not encourage the user to play any strings directly. This forces the user to build up calluses all at once and forces the user to make the mental leap directly from playing by pressing buttons to playing by depressing complex string combinations. None of the previous chord attachments allow the user to take an intermediate step or steps to ease them into the process of playing without the aid of training devices. Also, none of the previous chord attachments were paired with a user friendly training manual to teach the user how to play chords in the right order to create songs without requiring the user be able to read standard sheet music. Additionally, many of the previous chord attachments depress all of the guitar strings at a specific point, which causes those devices to act as a capo. A capo device is undesirable because it changes the key of all of the chords played, which means that any attempts to play the guitar with the attached device will result in music that is nonstandard. 
     Therefore, what is needed is a chord playing attachment. The chord playing attachment should allow the user to play some chords by hand and some chords by depressing buttons. The chord playing attachment should also be used in combination with a color-coded training manual. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent when this background of the invention is read in conjunction with the subsequent detailed description of the invention, appended claims, and the accompanying drawings. 
     My PCT Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US11/44002, filed 14 Jul. 2011, and published on 19 Jan. 2012 under publication no. WO 2012/009533, is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention advantageously fills the aforementioned deficiencies by providing a specially configured chord playing attachment. The chord playing attachment of the present invention includes chord members (e.g., levers) with color-coded finger pads that enable a user to depress the strings necessary to play a chord or part of a chord. The chord playing attachment is also usable in combination with a color-coded training manual for easy learning. In one embodiment, the levers and buttons are removable from a specially configured guitar “nut” so that a user can play the guitar without the chord playing portion. 
     The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description, and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings contained herein exemplify two of the embodiments of the claimed invention. The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. The embodiments shown are purely examples, and the invention is capable of many variations of said embodiments. In the drawings, 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a partial top view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial top view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial side view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial side view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial end view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a partial end view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a partial front elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a partial rear elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a partial top view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a partial bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a partial side view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a partial side view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 18  is a partial perspective exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1-18  show the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral  10 . Guitar apparatus  10  provides a body  11 , neck  12 , head  16  and strings S. The neck  12  has a first neck side  13  and a second neck side  14 . The neck  12  provides a fret board  15 . The head  16  carries a plurality of tuning pegs  17  for adjusting tension of each string S. The fret board  15  has a plurality of parallel frets  18 . The body  11  can provide a pick guard  19 . Bridge  20  is provided on body  11 . String S attach to bridge  20 . 
     As part of the method and apparatus of the present invention, a slot  21  can be cut or milled in neck  12  next to head  16  as seen in  FIG. 3 . The slot  21  is receptive of a specially configured nut or connector or anchor  22 . 
     The nut or connector or anchor  22  provides a base portion  23  having a lower surface  28  that registers against the neck  12 . If a slot  21  is milled in neck  12 , the base  23  rests in the slot  21 . Spaced apart openings  29  can be provided in nut/connector/anchor  22  for attaching it to the neck  12  using fasteners  63  such as threaded wood screws (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     Nut/connector/anchor  22  has a raised portion  30  having a plurality of string depressions  24 , each receptive of a different one of the guitar string S. A pair of spaced apart side anchors or projections  25 ,  26  are provided. In between the side anchors or projections  25 ,  26  there can be provided a socket or longitudinal slot  27  (see  FIG. 11 ). The longitudinal slot or socket  27  can provide a generally horizontal surface  31  and a generally vertical surface  32 . 
     Nut/connector/anchor  22  has a front  33  and a rear  34 . Nut/connector/anchor  22  has a first side  35  and a second side  36 . Each of the side anchors or projections  25 ,  26  extends away from a side  35 ,  36  as shown in  FIGS. 11-17 . Preferably, first side  35  and second side  36  of nut/connector/anchor  22  are aligned with first neck side  13  and second neck side  14 , respectively. When sides  35 ,  36  of nut/connector/anchor  22  are aligned with neck sides  13 ,  14 , nut projections  25 ,  26  will extend beyond the sides of the neck  12 . 
     A chord playing attachment  40  (see  FIGS. 2-10 ) is removably connectable to nut/connector/anchor  22  at the side anchors or projections  25 ,  26 . The chord playing attachment  40  provides a frame  41  that can be of plastic (e.g., transparent plastic), metal or other material. The chord playing attachment  40  has opposed sides  42 ,  43  that form an arch  62  with transverse section  48 . Diagonally extending tabs or angled flanges  44 ,  45  can extend down and away from sides  42 ,  43  as shown in  FIGS. 9, 10 . Each of the sides  42 ,  43  provides an opening. Side  42  provides opening  46 . Side  43  provides opening  47 . Each of the openings  46 ,  47  is sized and shaped to receive and connect with a side anchor or projection  25 ,  26 . The distance  37  between sides  35 ,  36  can be equal to or slightly greater than the distance  38  between sides  42 ,  43  of frame  41  (see  FIGS. 10 and 15 ). In this fashion, the sides  42 ,  43  clamp the nut/connector/anchor  22  with a clamping or interference fit connection. 
     When a side anchor or projection  25  or  26  extends into an opening  46  or  47 , a side  35  or  36  of nut/connector/anchor  22  abuts or engages a side  42 ,  43  of frame  41  as shown in  FIG. 3 . In order to disconnect the chord playing attachment  40  from the nut/connector/anchor  22 , a user simply grasps each of the sides  42 ,  43  or angled flanges/diagonally extending tabs  44 ,  45  and moves them apart in the direction of arrows  64  in  FIG. 3 . The arch  62  thus flexes to disconnect frame  41  from the nut/connector/anchor  22 . 
     A central post/leg/flange  49  can extend downwardly from transverse portion  48  at a position midway between sides  42 ,  43  of chord playing attachment  40 . The post  49  engages and occupies the longitudinal slot or socket  27  when chord playing attachment  40  is connected to nut/anchor/connector  22  and surface  65  engages surface  31 . 
     Frame  41  supports a plurality of levers  50 ,  51 ,  52 ,  53 . Each of the levers or depression members  50 - 53  can be provided with a button  54 ,  55 ,  56  or  57 . In this fashion a user can push on a button  54 - 57  as selected for a particular chord in order to depress a selected lever  50 ,  51 ,  52  or  53 . The buttons  54 - 57  can be the same as described in my prior PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US11/44002, filed 14 Jul. 2011, and published on 19 Jan. 2012 under publication no. WO 2012/009533. Each of the levers  50 - 53  is provided with a depression member  58 - 61 . The depression members  58 ,  59 ,  60 ,  61  move down and contact and depress a string (or strings) S when a user presses on a selected lever  50 - 53  or its button  54 - 57 . The depression members  58  are a part of lever  50 . The depression members  59  are part of the lever  51 . The depression member  60  is a part of the lever  52 . The depression members  61  are a part of the lever  53 . Each lever  50 - 53  can be integrally or removably attached to frame  41  at arch  62  as seen in  FIG. 5 . 
     The attachment apparatus of the present invention can be sized for ½ size guitars, ¾ size guitars, and full size guitars. The present invention includes both the attachment apparatus and the guitars to which the attachment apparatus is attached. 
     The present invention as shown in  FIGS. 1-18  is commercially available from Peavey for ¾ size guitars, and full size guitars. 
     The inventor also plans to market a smaller attachment apparatus for ½ size guitars similar to what is shown in  FIGS. 1-18 . In the prototype, the overall length is 94 mm, the width is 47 mm, and the “B” string stud was moved down the neck approximately 7 mm. Optionally, the finger buttons can be built into the clear plastic mold and colored tabs (such as colored self-adhesive paper) can be added after manufacture of the clear plastic part. The main function of the present invention (to be sold by Perry&#39;s Music as ChordBuddy Jr. guitar apparatus) is to allow a student to gain the skill of strumming chords and proper timing without having to concern themselves with making the chord shapes, while building up finger dexterity and strength in the chord-making hand. 
     The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention: 
     PARTS LIST 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 PARTS LIST 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Parts Number 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 10 
                 guitar apparatus 
               
               
                 11 
                 body 
               
               
                 12 
                 neck 
               
               
                 13 
                 neck side 
               
               
                 14 
                 neck side 
               
               
                 15 
                 fret board 
               
               
                 16 
                 head 
               
               
                 17 
                 tuning pegs 
               
               
                 18 
                 frets 
               
               
                 19 
                 pick guard 
               
               
                 20 
                 bridge 
               
               
                 21 
                 slot 
               
               
                 22 
                 nut/connector/anchor 
               
               
                 23 
                 base portion 
               
               
                 24 
                 string depression 
               
               
                 25 
                 side anchor/projection 
               
               
                 26 
                 side anchor/projection 
               
               
                 27 
                 socket/longitudinal slot 
               
               
                 28 
                 lower surface 
               
               
                 29 
                 opening 
               
               
                 30 
                 raised portion 
               
               
                 31 
                 horizontal surface 
               
               
                 32 
                 vertical surface 
               
               
                 33 
                 front 
               
               
                 34 
                 rear 
               
               
                 35 
                 side 
               
               
                 36 
                 side 
               
               
                 37 
                 distance 
               
               
                 38 
                 distance 
               
               
                 40 
                 chord playing attachment 
               
               
                 41 
                 frame 
               
               
                 42 
                 side 
               
               
                 43 
                 side 
               
               
                 44 
                 angled flange/diagonally extending tab 
               
               
                 45 
                 angled flange/diagonally extending tab 
               
               
                 46 
                 opening 
               
               
                 47 
                 opening 
               
               
                 48 
                 transverse portion 
               
               
                 49 
                 central post/leg/flange 
               
               
                 50 
                 lever/depression member 
               
               
                 51 
                 lever/depression member 
               
               
                 52 
                 lever/depression member 
               
               
                 53 
                 lever/depression member 
               
               
                 54 
                 button 
               
               
                 55 
                 button 
               
               
                 56 
                 button 
               
               
                 57 
                 button 
               
               
                 58 
                 depression member 
               
               
                 59 
                 depression member 
               
               
                 60 
                 depression member 
               
               
                 61 
                 depression member 
               
               
                 62 
                 arch 
               
               
                 63 
                 fasteners 
               
               
                 64 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 65 
                 surface 
               
               
                 S 
                 strings 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise. 
     The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.