Patent Publication Number: US-7709720-B1

Title: Tuner guard

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/126,119, filed on Apr. 30, 2008, which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     This application generally relates to musical instruments, and more particularly to stringed musical instruments. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Stringed instruments, such as those in the guitar family, may be tuned by varying the tension of strings through rotational movement of tuning pegs or keys connected to the strings. Once a stringed instrument has been tuned so that the tuning pegs have a desired setting, the instrument may be transported, stored in a soft-sided case, and the like. The tuning pegs or keys of the stringed instrument may be subjected to inadvertent movement subsequent to tuning causing an undesirable change to the previous tuning settings. Thus, it may be desirable to utilize a technique to prevent the foregoing unintentional modification of tuning settings of the stringed instrument. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention is a device for preventing movement of tuning pegs on a stringed instrument. The device comprises an elongated body forming a sleeve opened at a first end thereof and having a slit formed therein. The body has a shape and dimensions in accordance with a shape and dimensions of a row of a plurality of tuning pegs of the stringed instrument so that the body is configured to enclose therein head portions of the plurality of tuning pegs. The slit is configured to have a length and width to extend around neck portions of the plurality of tuning pegs on the stringed instrument. The body may be enclosed at a second end thereof opposite said first end. The body may have a cross-sectional profile which is one of generally circular or elliptical. A portion of the slit may be tapered to increase in width for a length of the portion extending from a first point in the slit to said first end. The length of the portion of the slit which is tapered may be approximately 1 inch. The width of the portion at the first point may be approximately 0.24 inches. The slit may be configured with a malleable material running the length of the slit at an inner portion of the slit. The malleable material may be in contact with the tuning pegs of the stringed instrument when the device is installed on the stringed instrument. The body may be open at a second end thereof opposite the first end. The device may further comprise a plurality of pairs of feet extending from the body. The plurality of pairs of feet may be configured to have bottom portions which are substantially in a same plane. Each of the plurality of pairs of feet may be spaced approximately equidistant from one another. The device may be made of one or more materials including a thermo-plastic elastomer. A wall of said body may include a first portion extending from a first point to a second point at an edge of said slit, and the wall may decrease in thickness from said first point to said second point. A thickness of said wall at said first point may be approximately 0.10 inches and a thickness of said wall at said second point may be approximately 0.06 inches. The wall may include the first portion with respect a first edge of said slit and said wall may include a second portion with respect to a second edge of said slit opposing said first edge, said second portion extending from a third point to a fourth point at said second edge of said slit, wherein said wall may decrease in thickness from said third point to said fourth point, a thickness of said wall at said first point and said third point may be approximately the same and a thickness of said wall at said second point and said fourth may be approximately the same. The wall may have approximately a uniform thickness except for said first portion thereof and said second portion thereof. The length of the slit may be less than a length of said body. The device may have a hardness in accordance with a durometer reading of between 75 and 90, inclusively. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an example of an embodiment of a tuner guard; 
         FIG. 2  is an example of an embodiment of a tuner guard installed and in use with a stringed instrument; 
         FIGS. 3A ,  3 B and  3 C illustrate different views of the embodiment of the tuner guard of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3D  illustrates in more detail an insert portion as may be used in an embodiment of the tuner guard; 
         FIG. 3E  is a cross section view of an embodiment of the tuner guard illustrating in more detail the insert portion; 
         FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  4 C illustrate different views of the embodiment of the tuner guard of  FIG. 2  in use with a stringed instrument; 
         FIG. 5  is an example illustrating an embodiment of a tuner guard installed for use with a 6×1 tuning peg configuration; 
         FIG. 6A  is an example illustrating an embodiment of multiple tuner guards installed for use with a 2×3 tuning peg configuration; 
         FIG. 6B  is an example illustrating an embodiment of multiple timer guards installed for use with a 2×6 tuning peg configuration; 
         FIG. 7  is an example illustrating another embodiment of multiple tuner guards installed for use with a 2×3 tuning peg configuration utilizing a tethered tuning guard arrangement; 
         FIG. 8  is an example illustrating in more detail how the multiple tuner guards from  FIG. 7  may be connected in the tethered arrangement; 
         FIG. 9  is an example illustrating a side view of another embodiment of the tuner guard; 
         FIG. 10  is an example illustrating a first view of an embodiment of the tuner guard having a first end of the device which is open-ended and a second opposite end which is enclosed; 
         FIG. 11  is an example of a second view of an embodiment of the tuner guard of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12A  is an example illustrating a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 10  with additional detail; 
         FIG. 12B  is a an example illustrating a cross sectional view of  FIG. 12A  taken along lines A-A in one embodiment; 
         FIG. 12C  is an example illustrating in more detail the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 12B  in one embodiment; 
         FIG. 12D  is an example illustrating in more detail an enclosed end portion of one embodiment of the tuner guard; 
         FIG. 13A  is an example of a bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 10  illustrating the slit or opening in the tuner guard with additional detail; 
         FIG. 13B  is a an example illustrating a cross sectional view of  FIG. 13A  taken along lines B-B in one embodiment; 
         FIG. 13C  is an example illustrating in more detail the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 13B  in one embodiment; and 
         FIG. 14  is an example illustrating in more detail the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 13B  in one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S) 
     Described in following paragraphs are techniques that may be used in connection with stringed instruments, such as those of the guitar family, to prevent unintentional or other undesired movement of tuning pegs causing a variation to existing tuning settings. A stringed instrument, such as a guitar, may be tuned by rotating the tuning pegs connected to the strings to desired positions. The rotational position of the tuning pegs may be referred to as a tuning setting. Subsequently, the tuned stringed instrument may be stored in a soft-sided case and/or transported. During this time, the instrument may be subjected to conditions which undesirably alter the tuning settings through rotational movement of one or more of the tuning pegs. Movement of the tuning pegs or keys varies the tension of the strings connected to the tuning pegs and may cause an unwanted variation to the tuning settings. As such, described herein are techniques that may be used in connection with preventing the accidental alteration of tuning settings on guitars and other stringed instruments during transport and storage particularly in “gig bag” style soft cases and other situations where the unprotected tuning keys are vulnerable to unwanted change of position. 
     It should be noted that in following paragraphs, examples are set forth and may make reference to a particular stringed instrument, such as a guitar with a particular number of tuning pegs. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the techniques described herein have more generally applicability and should not be construed as limited to particular examples used for purposes of illustration. 
     Described herein are various embodiments of a device that, when slipped over the tuning peg or key heads of a stringed instrument, prevents the unintentional turning of the tuning pegs, and thus, prevents alteration to tuning settings. In following paragraphs, the device may be referred to as a tuner guard. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , shown is an example of one embodiment of the tuner guard. The example  10  shows a transparent single tuner guard in the form of an enclosed tube in an upright position while not in use with the stringed instrument. As described in following paragraphs, the tuner guard  10  may be positioned in line with a row of tuning pegs. The tuner guard  10  may then be moved in a linear direction from  10   a  to  10   c  to install or place the tuner guard in use with a stringed instrument resulting in the illustration of  FIG. 2 . 
     The example  10  of  FIG. 1  illustrates a tuner guard with a slit  11  along a surface of the tuner guard. The slit  11  provides an opening through an outer surface to the inner surface of one of the sidewalls of the tuning guard. Element  10   a  indicates one end of the slit  11  where the tuner guard is intended to first encounter the uppermost tuning peg on either side of the stringed instrument. Element  10   b  represents the entire shaded portion of the tuner guard illustrated. The portion  10   b  may be made of a malleable material, such as a rubber material, latex, plastic or other form-fitting or malleable material, to allow the tuner guard to posses a “sticky” or friction quality while in use. As illustrated, the portion  10   b  formed of the rubber type or other material has a slit  11  that runs the length of the tuning pegs when the tuner guard is slid onto and over the pegs in its installed position. Element  10   c  indicates another end of the slit  11  opposite that indicated by  10   a . Element  10   c  may represent a position where the uppermost tuning peg may reside while the tuner guard is in use and engages the tuning pegs of a stringed instrument. The slit  11  may have a length selected in accordance with the length associated with the distance between tuning pegs to be protected using the tuner guard. 
     The tuner guard body  8  may be formed from a plastic or other equivalent material with a circular opening at one end  10   a  and having a portion  10   b  as described above made of a rubber or other malleable material. The tuner guard body may be illustrated herein for exemplary purposes as transparent although the tuner guard may be transparent, translucent, or otherwise opaque or made of a variety of different colors. 
     An embodiment may manufacture each of the tuner guard tubes as illustrated in  FIG. 1  as a single unit with an opening on a side corresponding to the location at which the portion  10   b  is located. The material of portion  10   b  may then be placed into the opening in the tuner guard tube. Using the material forming portion  10   b , the tuner guard tube may be held in position and secured to the tuning pegs being protected. It should be noted that the portion  10   b  may also be referred to herein as an insert portion with the slit  11  formed therein. The portion  10   b  may be secured to the body  8 , for example, using an adhesive. It should also be noted that, depending on the material(s) comprising portion  10   b  and/or the size of the opening in the body  8  including portion  10   b , use of an adhesive or other additional means to secure the portion  10   b  in the body  8  may be unnecessary and omitted. That is, the portion  10   b  may remain secured to the body  8  without the need for adhesive based on the design of the portion  10   b  alone. For example, the portion  10   b  may be made of a malleable material which is inserted into an opening down the side of the body  8  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The opening may be made or otherwise formed in the body  8  to receive the portion  10   b  so that there is no slippage of portion  10   b  once inserted unless force is used to remove portion  10   b  such as by pulling. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , shown is an example illustrating a transparent view of the single tuner guard from  FIG. 1  when engaging tuning pegs of a stringed instrument. The example  20  illustrates the tuner guard of  FIG. 1  protecting  3  tuning pegs  20   a - 20   c  when the tuner guard is installed for use with the stringed instrument pegs. It should be noted that, as with  FIG. 1 , the tuner guard body is shown is being transparent for purposes of illustration only. In an embodiment in which the tuner guard body is not transparent, the pegs  20   a - 20   c  are enclosed within the body and are thus not viewable in the position illustrated in  FIG. 2 . An embodiment of the tuner guard may be used with any number of tuning pegs and may have a length suitably selected for use with the number of tuning pegs protected. Element  10   a  illustrates the end of the slit  11  where the tuner guard is first slid onto and over the pegs  20   a - 20   c  in a linear direction  14 . With the stringed instrument and tuning pegs remaining stationary, the tuner guard slit  11  is linearly aligned with the tuning pegs  20   a - 20   c . In particular, the slit end  10   a  is first positioned near peg  20   c . The tuning guard may then be moved in a linear direction  14  so, in order, tuning pegs  20   c ,  20   b , and  20   a  are engaged by the tuner guard within the slit  11 . When desired, the tuning guard may be removed by moving the tuning guard tube in a direction opposite to that indicated by arrow  14 . 
     It should be noted that the tuning pegs  20   a - 20   c  are illustrated in the example  20  inside the tuner guard. The tuning pegs are typically attached to the stringed instrument, however only the pegs themselves are shown in this example for the purpose of illustration. While in use, the tuner guard virtually eliminates the possibility of the tuning pegs from being moved or turned. This prevents the instrument from going out of tune and protects the stringed instrument from any damage that may result from accidental contact with other objects or persons while in storage and/or transport. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate one exemplary embodiment of the tuner guard formed from an enclosed tubular shaped body with an inner diameter slightly larger in diameter than the tuning peg head and a length slightly longer than the maximum cumulative dimension of the peg heads with relation to each other laterally. With reference back to  FIG. 1 , the embodiment of the tuner guard has a slit  11  extending from the one end  10   a  of the tuner guard to a point on the device  10   c  where the remaining length  10   d  may not contain the slit therethrough. The slit  11  may have an opening width selected in accordance with the size of the neck portion of the tuning pegs engaged by the slit  11  and the material comprising portion  10   b.    
     As a variation to the foregoing, the end  10   e  may be open rather than enclosed with the length of the tuner guard sufficient to protect the last tuning peg  20   c . Also, although the tuner guard body  8  is shown as having a rounded end  10   e  in  FIG. 1 , the tuner guard body may also have other shapes such as, for example, a flat end portion  10   e  that may be open or enclosed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3A , shown is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the tuner guard as illustrated in  FIG. 1  while not in use with a stringed instrument taken along line AA-BB of  FIG. 1 . The example  100  illustrates the slit opening  11  formed through a surface of the tuner guard.  FIG. 3B  illustrates a first or outside view of the tuner guard of  FIG. 1  when viewing the tuner guard from position  100   b  opposite from the tuner guard surface containing the slit  11 .  FIG. 3C  illustrates a second or underside view of the tuner guard of  FIG. 1  when viewing the tuner guard surface containing the slit  11 . Element  10   c  makes reference to the position of the uppermost tuning peg once the tuner guard is installed for use with a stringed instrument. Element  10   a  shows the bottom opening of the slit which enables the tuner guard to be slid onto the tuning pegs (not illustrated). It should be noted that the tuner guard body in  FIGS. 3B-3C  is shown as having a flat end  102  rather than a rounded end as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . However, as described above, the end  102  may be flat, rounded, and enclosed or open at the end. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3D , shown is an example illustrating in more detail the insert portion as may be included in an embodiment of the tuner guard. The example  110  illustrates in more detail element  10   b  of  FIG. 1 . The example  110  shows insert portion  112  including a slit  11  having ends  10   a  and  10   c . As described elsewhere herein, the tuner guard may be slid onto the tuning pegs by introducing the tuning pegs into the slit  11  at end  10   a  so that, in the installed position, the first peg introduced into the slit  11  resides at a position indicated by  10   c.    
     Referring to  FIG. 3E , shown is a cross section view of an embodiment of the tuner guard illustrating in more detail the insert portion including a slit formed therein when installed over a tuning peg. The example  114  includes a tuner guard body  8  and illustrates the sides  116   a  of the insert portion with the slit  11  formed therein when installed over the tuning peg  118 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4A , shown is an example of a cross-sectional view of both the tuner guard (as illustrated in  FIG. 3A ) and one tuning peg while the tuner guard is installed on the stringed instrument. The example  120  illustrates the slit  11  into which the tuning peg  120   b  is inserted. The neck portion  128  of the tuning peg is in contact with the material in the slit  11  so that the material comprising the slit  11  conforms around the outer surfaces of the neck portion  128 . Element  122  represents the guitar neck having through holes formed therein into which the tuning pegs are inserted. Element  124  represents an opening in the tuning peg through which a string may be coupled to the peg. Element  126  represents a surface of the tuning peg. The example  120  shows the tuning peg  120   b  in one of its adjusted positions while being protected by the tuner guard. In this example and angle of perspective, the tuning peg  120   b  appears to be flat displaying the most surface area possible of a surface of the tuning peg head. 
       FIG. 4B  is an example illustrating a front view  130  of the stringed instrument without the tuner guard installed.  FIG. 4C  is an example illustrating a side view  140  of the instrument without the tuner guard installed. Elements which are common in the different views of  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  4 C are similarly numbered. The front view  130  may be the view of the guitar or other stringed instrument when viewing the instrument held by another in the playing position. The head of the tuning peg  120   b  is located on the underside or a surface opposite that of the front view. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , shown is an example of an embodiment of the tuner guard installed for use with a “6×1” tuning peg configuration. In the example  200 , all six tuning pegs are in line with each other. The example  200  represents what is referred to elsewhere herein as a front view of the stringed instrument in connection with  FIG. 4B . 
     In the example  200 , the tuner guard  210  is installed in position (as indicated by the directional arrows in the figure) and is transparent for purposes of illustration allowing the tuning pegs  202  to be visible for illustration. The numbers  1 - 6  on the tuning peg heads represent peg positions. The dotted lines in  210  may represent the thickness of the tuner guard sidewalls. The thickness of the sidewalls may be selected in accordance with the height or length of the tuning peg neck. In this figure and others herein, the tuning pegs may be in an approximate linear arrangement with respect to one another and are shown as having approximately a same rotational position. As known in the art, a tuning peg may be moved in a rotational manner around its center axis to facilitate instrument tuning. Although the  FIG. 5  and others herein may illustrate the tuning pegs have approximately the same rotational position, the tuning pegs can be rotated in any position prior to the tuner guard being installed without having to make any adjustments to accommodate usage or installation of the device. All pegs may be fully adjusted so that the instrument is tuned prior to the tuner guard being installed. Once the tuner guard is placed on the tuning pegs, the tuning pegs are secured in position while the tuner guard is in place. The tuner guard can be removed without affecting the tuning or rotation of any tuning pegs by sliding the tuner guard in the opposite linear direction than as described herein for installation and use. 
     In the example  200 , element  10   c  (as also illustrated in other figures herein) may represent an ending position of the slit in the tuner guard  210 . Element  10   c  may also represent the position of the tuning peg denoted # 1  when the tuner guard is installed so that the peg # 1  is flush with the end  10   c  of the slit in the tuner guard. X indicates the distance or length of the slit spanning alongside the tuning pegs and runs the length of the cylindrical tube forming the tuning guard. Peg # 6  is the last peg to be covered by the tuner guard during installation. Peg # 6  is also the first peg to be exposed when removing the tuning guard. Similarly, peg # 1  is the last peg exposed when removing the tuning guard. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6A , shown is an example illustrating use of an embodiment of multiple tuner guards with a typical “2×3” peg configuration. In the example  300  with the 2×3 tuner peg configuration, there are 3 pegs are on each side of the stringed instrument. A first tuner guard  302  may be installed and used with a first set of 3 pegs. A second tuner guard  304  may be installed and used with a second set of 3 pegs. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6B , shown is an example illustrating use of an embodiment of multiple tuner guards with a typical “2×6” peg configuration. In the example  350  with the 2×6 tuner peg configuration, there are 6 pegs are on each side of the stringed instrument. A first tuner guard  352  may be installed and used with a first set of 6 pegs. A second tuner guard  354  may be installed and used with a second set of 6 pegs. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , shown is an example illustrating use of another embodiment of multiple tuner guards with a 2×3 peg configuration. The example  400  illustrates an embodiment of the multiple tuner guard tubes in a tethered configuration. In this example  400 , the tuner guard device comprises 2 tuner guard tubes  402  and  404  tethered together using connection  410 . The connection can be made of any one or more materials such as, for example, metal, rubber, nylon, a malleable plastic material, and the like. The materials of  410  may be chained or braided as well as a single or multiple twisted strand arrangement. The connection  410  is coupled to tube  402  at one end  406   a  and is also similarly coupled to tube  404  at one end  406   b . The connection  410  prevents the tubes  402  and  404  from being separated from one another while in use or storage. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , shown is an example illustrating in more detail how each of the tuner guard tubes of  FIG. 7  may be tethered together. In the example  450 , the tube  402  may include a small ring portion  452  to which one end of the connection  410  is attached. The tube  404  may also include a small ring portion  452  to which the other end of the connection  410  is attached. As a further example, the connection  410  may be a braided arrangement of nylon strands that may be looped through the opening of  452  and secured thereto using a knot. The other end of the connection  410  may be similarly secured through the opening of  452 . 
     As a variation to the foregoing, the connection  410  may be a metal chain including a mechanical clasp or fastener at each end. The mechanical clasp at each end may be used to secure the connection to each of  452  and  454 . The mechanical clasps at each end may provide for attachment and disconnecting the connection  410  from each of  452  and  454  as desired. As yet a further variation, the connection  410  may be more permanently secured to each of  452  and  454  so that the clasps or fasteners providing for repeated attachment and disconnecting by a user are omitted and the metal chain is directly and permanently coupled to  452  and  454 . As yet a further variation, an embodiment may provide an arrangement of the tuner guard in which the connection  410  may be attached and disconnected from one of  452  and  454  but not the other. An embodiment may use other materials for the connection  410  such as, for example, plastic, nylon, rubber, and the like, as well as other materials suitable for use as described herein. 
     The example  450  is merely one arrangement with described variations by which the two tuner guard tubes  402  and  404  comprising an embodiment of the tuner guard device may be connected together in the tethered option. Alternatively, as also described herein, multiple tuner guard tubes may be utilized without being connected to one another. 
     With reference back to  FIG. 1 , it should be noted that  FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of the tuner guard with an insert portion  10   b  having slit  11  formed therein. The body  8  includes an opening down one side into which the insert portion  10   b  is placed. An embodiment may also omit the insert portion  10   b  from the tuner guard body. In this latter embodiment omitting insert portion  10   b , the body  8  may include the opening formed therein as just described in the sidewall of the tuner guard body. The tuner guard may be installed for use over the tuning pegs so that the tuning pegs are in direct contact with the tuner guard body. The tuner guard may be installed in a manner similar to as just described herein when the insert portion  10   b  is utilized.  FIG. 9  is an example illustrating an embodiment of the tuner guard (tuning pegs not shown) as just described omitting insert portion  10   b  of  FIG. 1 . The example  500  is a side view of the tuner guard body  8  with the opening  504  in the sidewall having positions  10   a  and  10   c  as described above. The opening  504  formed through the sidewall of the tuner guard body  8  may have dimensions selected in accordance with the size of the tuning peg neck and head so that the body can be positioned over the tuning pegs by sliding as described herein. Such an embodiment in which the insert portion  10   b  is omitted may also optionally include a connection  502  at the end  10   a  connecting sides  506   a  and  506   b  of the opening  504 . The connection  502  may be used to secure the tuner guard in the installed position on the tuning pegs. Element  502  may be, for example, one or more strands or a band of material, such as nylon string, rubber, a metal chain, and the like, secured to both sides ( 506   a  and  506   b ) of the opening  504  at the end  10   a  to prevent the tuner guard from vertical movement or slippage from the installed position. The foregoing slippage may occur, for example, if a guitar is held upside down or otherwise positioned so that end  10   a  is below the horizontal. It should also be noted that the different variations described in connection with the tethering function of  FIG. 8  may also be used in connection with element  502 . 
     In connection with figures and illustrative embodiments described herein throughout the description, it should be noted that the dimensions and particular number, shape, and the like, of features provided are examples of ones that may be utilized in an embodiment and should not be construed as a limitation of techniques described herein. The dimensions, measurements, and the like, provided herein are approximate and are in units of inches or degrees unless otherwise specified. The foregoing dimensions, measurements, and the like, may be characterized as about or approximately a particular value in that a degree of error may be expected in connection with obtaining such measurement or dimension and/or producing a device having the specified measurement or dimension. Additionally, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that in the event that the dimensions, shapes, and the like, of a tuning peg or other instrument characteristic affecting installation and use of the device embodiments described herein may vary, the particular dimensions, shapes, and the like, of the tuner guard device described herein may also be accordingly varied. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , shown is an example illustrating a first view of an embodiment of the tuner guard having a first end of the device which is open-ended and a second opposite end which is enclosed. The example  600  includes the first end  620  of an elongated body  605  forming a sleeve where the first end  620  is open and the second opposing end  622  is enclosed. The profile or cross-sectional view of the body  605  may be characterized as generally oval or elliptical (e.g., see profile at end  620 ) so as to more closely approximate the outline or shape of a tuning peg to be inserted therein. The embodiment of  FIG. 10  includes four pair of feet (also referred to as ribs or gussets)  610 ,  612 ,  614 , and  616  at a bottom surface of the body. The feet functionally serve as an anti-rotational feature or element which provides increased stability to keep the tuner guard from rotating when installed. The feet  610 ,  612 ,  614  and  616  also facilitate use of the tuner guard on different models of instruments and pegs having varying dimensions. The feet also add to the rigidity and durability of the device. The feet may be shaped to have a curved edge portion extending outward away from the external tuner guard walls. The embodiment illustrated in  600  may also include a slit  602  in the bottom portion of the illustrated device where the slit  602  has a tapered opening at one end as illustrated by  630 . The opening  630  at end  620  is the point where the device is first installed onto the tuning pegs. In one embodiment, the slit may be tapered for a 1-inch portion, such as from the position of the last pair of feet  616  to the end  630 . The tapering along such a 1-inch portion may increase the slit width from the position of  616  to the end  630 . Having such a tapered slit at the opening  630  for the one-inch portion may facilitate installation and/or removal of the device with respect to the tuning pegs. Further details regarding the illustrated example  600  of  FIG. 10  are provided below. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , shown is an example of a second view of an embodiment of the tuner guard of  FIG. 10  with the open end  620  facing. Element  706  illustrates the curved edge portion of one of the feet. It should be noted that the surface of  710  (outer surface at facing end of the illustrated device) may be any shape such as flat or curved. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12A , shown is an example illustrating a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 10  with additional detail. The example  800  illustrates points  802   a - 802   d  where each of the pairs of gussets or feet may be positioned. In this example, the pairs of gusset or feet (4 in this example) at illustrated points  802   a - 802   d  are spaced approximately every 1.63 inches so that each pair of feet are spaced approximately equidistant from other pairs of neighboring feet. The pair of feet  802   d  closest to the open end  804  may be positioned approximately 1.0 inch from the end  804 . As described above in connection with  FIG. 10 , the slit or opening into which the tuning pegs are inserted during device installation may be tapered outwardly for a 1-inch portion defined from the position of the last pair of gusset or feet at point  802   d  to the open end  804  of the device. Each of the gusset or feet may have a width or thickness dimension  806  (in the illustrated side view) of approximately 0.12 inches. The length of the tuner guard measured as illustrated by  810  from one end to another may be 6.75 inches. The enclosed end of the tuner guard body illustrated by  812  may be characterized as dome-shaped or slightly rounded at the enclosed end. The enclosed rounded end as represented by  812  may have, for example, a radius of 0.72 inches as the rounded end transitions with respect to the upper and lower horizontal walls  812   a  and  812   b.    
     Referring to  FIG. 12D , shown is an example illustrating in more detail the rounded enclosed end  812  as may be included in one embodiment of the tuner guard device. The example  930  includes the rounded enclosed end portion  812  illustrating that the radius measurement of 0.72 inches may represent the radius formed with respect to the imaginary circle  932 . Thus, the lines denoted as A, B and C may approximate 0.72 inches. Element  934  represents a vertical line (including portions thereof denoted A and B, each of which represent a radius of the circle  932 ) connecting points  934   a  and  934   b , respectively, on walls  812   a  and  812   b . Points  934   a  and  934   b  represent approximately where the curving or rounding of the end portion  812  occurs or begins with respect to transitioning from the horizontal orientation of walls  812   a  and  812   b.    
     It should be noted that, as with other embodiments described herein, although the device is illustrated as having an enclosed end  812  with a rounded end, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that an embodiment may have utilize different variations of the end  812 . For example, the enclosed end  812  may have a different shape which is not rounded but is rather squarish or approximates another shape. The end  812  may not be enclosed but may rather be open in a manner similar to that as illustrated by opening  804  at the end opposite  812 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 12B , shown is an example illustrating a cross sectional view of  FIG. 12A  taken along lines A-A in one embodiment. The view along A-A is taken along a point of the tuner guard where feet are positioned at  802   a . The tuner guard wall thickness for the shaded portion corresponding to element  912  extending in a semi-circular fashion above the horizontal line denoted by  908  may have an approximate uniform thickness of 0.10 inches. The shaded portion corresponding to element  910  extending in a semi-circular fashion below the horizontal line denoted by  908  represents the cross-sectional view of the feet in combination with the remaining portion of the tuner guard wall extending below the horizontal line represented by  908 . The remaining portion of the tuner guard wall included in the shaded portion extending below the horizontal line represented by  908  may vary in thickness as will be illustrated and described in more detail below. The horizontal distance represented by  902  between external or outside walls of the tuner guard may measure 1.07 inches. The feet  922   a ,  922   b  may be shaped to have a curved outer portion as also illustrated and described above in connection with  FIGS. 10 and 11 . The bottom portion  914  of the feet may be formed to have an approximately flat surface conforming to the horizontal line or plane as represented by  916 . The bottoms of all feet of the device body may substantially conform to the same horizontal plane. 
     It should be noted that although the anti-rotational elements illustrated in  FIG. 12B  are pairs of feet having particular features such as flat bottom portions  914 , other variations and designs thereof are possible in connection with providing the anti-rotational function. The feet may prevent rotation of the body, for example, by having the bottom portion  914  of the feet on one side of the device come into contact with a surface of the head or stock of the instrument when forces are exerted on the device to try and rotate the device with respect to its center axis. For example, with reference back to  FIG. 4A  with the embodiment of the device as illustrated in  FIGS. 10 ,  11 , and  12 A- 12 C, when the device is rotated in a counterclock-wise manner, the feet of the device will come into contact with the guitar neck. 
     It should also be noted that the profile or shape of the opening  930  in the body may be configured to have sufficient dimensions and size in accordance with a tuning peg profile or cross-sectional view. Similarly, the dimensions of the tuning peg neck may be considered in connection with configuration of the slit size  932 . The foregoing may be considered so that the body of the device may accommodate tuning pegs of the stringed instrument to be used with the device. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12C , shown is an example illustrating in more detail the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 12B  in one embodiment. Element  960  may represent the center of the tuner guard with respect to the horizontal and vertical axes thereof. The length of the wall segment represented by  952  may be 0.24 inches. The thickness of the tuner guard wall at point  954  at the edge of the slit in the bottom of the tuner guard may be approximately 0.06 inches. Element  956  may represent the length of 0.42 inches as measured from the external or outside tuner guard wall at the top of the device to the horizontal plane passing through point  960 . Element  958  may represent the length of 0.51 inches as measured from the horizontal plane passing through point  960  to the horizontal plane of the bottom portion of the feet (e.g., as represented by  916  in  FIG. 12B ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 13A , shown is an example of a bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 10  illustrating the slit or opening in the tuner guard with additional detail. The example  1000  illustrates a slit or opening  1004  into which the tuning pegs are inserted during installation. The slit  1004  has an approximate width measurement of 0.24 inches as illustrated by  1002  at a closed end of the slit  1004 . The slit  1004  may have an approximately uniform width, such as of 0.24 inches, from the end of the slit illustrated by  1002  to the point  1006  where a set of feet are positioned (the set of feet closest to the open end  1008  of the slit). From point  1006  to the point  1008  at the open end of the slit  1004 , the width of the slit may increase so that the slit is tapered. As described elsewhere herein, the distance from  1006  to  1008  may measure approximately 1 inch. The width of the slit  1004  may increase from 0.24 inches at point  1006  to approximately 0.30 inches at point  1008 . Each of the inner walls  1010   a  and  101   b  of the slit may be tapered at an angle of approximately three (3) degrees with respect to the center axis  1005  of the device. 
     It should be noted that the slit width of approximately 0.24 inches may be selected in accordance with an average or expected diameter of the neck of the tuning peg to be used with the device. For example, in connection with the one illustrated embodiment, an average or expected width or diameter of the tuning peck neck is 0.24 inches and the slit width at the untapered end  1002  up point  1006  may also be 0.24 inches so as to approximate the size of the tuning peg neck. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13B , shown is an example illustrating a cross sectional view of  FIG. 13A  taken along lines B-B in one embodiment. The cross sectional view is taken at a point along the tuner guard wall where there are no feet or gussets. The shaded portion in the example  1100  represents the thickness of the tuner guard wall. Additional detail of  FIG. 13B  is illustrated and described in connection with  FIG. 13C  and  FIG. 14 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 13C , shown is an example illustrating in more detail the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 13B  in one embodiment. Element  1204  represents the distance of 0.87 inches as may be measured from the inside or inner walls of the tuner guard through the vertical plane as illustrated by line  1206  through the center point  960 . Element  1208  may represent the angular measurement of 21 degrees with respect to the illustrated lines 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , shown is an example illustrating in more detail the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 13B  and  FIG. 13C  in one embodiment. The tuner guard wall portion indicated by element  1302  may have a length measuring 0.31 inches. The tuner guard wall portion indicated by element  1304  may have a length measuring 0.45 inches and a thickness which decreases from 0.10 inches at point  1306  to 0.06 inches at point  1308 . In this illustrated embodiment, the edge of the slit at point  1308  may also be further tapered in a curved manner. It should be noted that the reference to “0.06 Typ” in the figure indicates that the width of the wall of 0.06 inches at the slit opening, as well as other dimensions, apply to the wall of the device with respect to both sides of the slit opening in a symmetrical fashion. 
     In connection with  FIG. 14 , it should be noted that the device wall thickness variation and tapering or decreasing from point  1306  to  1308  is illustrated with respect to one segment  1304  at one edge of the slit. The segment  1305  is also designed in a manner similar to that as described with respect to element  1304  to have thicknesses which are approximately the same as those as element  1304  at different points therein. 
     In connection with the embodiments described in  FIGS. 10 ,  11 ,  12 A-C,  13 A-C and  14 , the desired frictional qualities necessary to hold the device in its installed position on a particular instrument may be provided as a result one or more of the features of the device described herein such as, for example, as a result of one or more of the following: the material used, such as TPE, the durometer reading of the final cured device, the selected width of the slit in the device body with respect to the diameter of a tuning peg neck, and the tapering of the thickness of the tuner guard wall in a decreasing manner for a portion of the wall extending toward the slit into which the pegs are inserted. It should be noted that the embodiments described in  FIGS. 10 ,  11 ,  12 A-C,  13 A-C and  14  do not include a separate portion, such as element  10   b  of  FIG. 1 , nor is a connection element  502  of  FIG. 10  needed to hold the tuner guard in place. The desired frictional properties to facilitate holding an installed device on an instrument may be obtained as a result of features as described herein. With respect to the feature of wall thickness, such as varying from point  1306  to point  1308  on both sides of the slit, the dimensional variations of the wall thickness (e.g., decreasing wall thickness from  1306  to  1308 ) allow for mechanical flexibility of the device. Such mechanical flexibility facilitates used of the device with pegs having varying neck sizes with respect to the slit opening width while also providing the desired frictional qualities and snugness of fit of the slit around the peg neck when the device is installed. For example, with respect to the illustrated embodiment described above with a slit width of 0.24 inches (e.g., such as for the untapered portion between  1002  and  1006  with reference to  FIG. 13A ), the device may accommodate tuning peg necks having a diameter or width equal to that of the slit width of approximately 0.24 inches as well as those peg necks having a diameter or width that may be larger or smaller than the slit width in an embodiment. Flexibility of the device, such as with respect to the slit opening, may be desired because variations in tuning peg size and dimensions may be expected with different manufacturers and designs of tuning pegs. The inventors have found that a device having a particular slit width for the untapered portion work best with tuning pegs having a peg neck diameter which approximates the size of the slit width of the untapered portion thereof. 
     An embodiment of the tuner guard described herein may be formed using any suitable technique and material. As a further example, an embodiment of the device as illustrated in connection with  FIG. 10  may be formed from a thermoplastic material such as a thermo-plastic elastomer (TPE), urethane, or a similar polymer material. The device may be formed using injection molding. For example, one way in which the device may be produced utilizes a two-piece injection molded cavity design where the mold is formed from two portions which, when placed together, form the desired cavity for molding the device. With reference back to  FIG. 11 , the two pieces of the mold may form a cavity which is split or separated as illustrated by the horizontal plane passing through line  702  (extending into the slit where the pegs are inserted during installation). A seam created in the top portion  704  of the device by using such a two piece mold may not be visible to the human eye. The cavity of the mold may be filled, for example, using a cold runner or a hot runner injection molding process as well as other suitable molding techniques known in the art. The device may be removed from the mold when cured for a sufficient time in accordance with the particular method and material utilized. At the end of the curing time, the durometer reading may be, for example, in the range of 75-90, inclusively, for a device formed from TPE. In one embodiment in which a cold-runner injection molding process is used, the time (including injection and curing time to obtain a durometer reading of 75-90 for a device formed from TPE) may be, for example, 40 seconds. The foregoing durometer reading of 75-90 may be made using a Shore D durometer in accordance with hardness testing as defined by the ASTM standard, ASTM D2240-05 Standard Test Method for Rubber Property—Durometer Hardness. Such standards as provided by ASTM are known in the art. ASTM (ASTM International) is also known as the American Society for Testing and Materials which is an international standards organization that develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems, and services. 
     As also known to those skilled in the art, a durometer is an instrument which is used to perform a hardness test on different materials. The durometer measurement is dimensionless and may rather be characterized as representing a scaled value from 0-100 denoting a relative hardness for the particular scale utilized for a material where higher measurements indicate harder materials. As described above, the durometer reading of 70-90 may be made with a Shore D durometer. As will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the D indicates a particular scale used in providing the indicated hardness measurement. 
     The foregoing describes embodiments of a tuner guard that may be used to prevent the inadvertent (accidental) movement of tuning keys on stringed instruments during transport and storage such as, for example, in soft cases. Furthermore, the tuner guard may be easily placed on a tuned instrument and then subsequently easily removed for retuning, playing and, other subsequent uses. The tuner guard may also remain in place (installed) while an instrument is played. 
     It should be noted that the tuner guard embodiments described herein are illustrated as being tube-like and/or having a circular cross section. It will be appreciated that other cross sectional shapes, such as elliptical, rectangular, and the like, may be used in an embodiment. With respect to the various embodiment in the foregoing figures, such as for example  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 10 , the tuner guard may be characterized as having an elongated body forming a sleeve with a slit formed therein extending along a side of the body and having a length selected in accordance with the length of the tuning pegs on the instrument where the device is to be installed. The body may have a shape and dimensions in accordance with a shape and dimensions of a row of a plurality of tuning pegs of the stringed instrument so that the body is configured to enclose therein head portions of the tuning pegs. The slit is configured to have a length and width to extend around neck portions of the tuning pegs on the stringed instrument. 
     While the invention has been disclosed in connection with preferred embodiments shown and described in detail, their modifications and improvements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art.