Patent Publication Number: US-7211719-B2

Title: Stringed instrument

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In a principal aspect the present invention comprises a stringed instrument, such as a guitar, having an ergonomic design to facilitate comfort when the instrument is being played. The construction is especially applicable to an acoustic instrument. 
   Stringed instruments have an extremely long and varied history. In ancient times a lyre constituted a type of stringed instrument wherein the strings were generally mounted in a parallel array on a frame so that they could be easily plucked to provide sound as a result of string vibration. Over time, stringed instruments were mounted on a body or a sounding board with an acoustic chamber to facilitate propagation of the sound generated by plucking or other means of effecting vibration of the strings, for example, by means of a bow as with a violin. During the twentieth century and with the development of acoustic sensitive microphones, a range of electric stringed instruments such as electric guitars has become popular, though acoustic instruments still remain popular. 
   Instrumentalists who are skilled in the playing of a stringed instrument often are faced with the necessity to contort portions of their body such as their fingers, wrists, arms and the like in order to properly play the stringed instrument. As a consequence, various maladies may be contracted by the instrumentalist such as carpal tunnel syndrome. In order to combat such circumstances, ergonomically designed stringed instruments have been proposed. Various approaches have been suggested with respect to such designs including suggestions incorporated in the following patents: 
   
     
       
         
             
             
             
           
             
                 
             
             
               Patent No. 
               Title 
               Issue Date 
             
             
                 
             
           
          
             
               6,657,112 B1 
               Note Bending by Neck Pivoting 
               Dec. 02, 2003 
             
             
               6,034,308 
               Ergonomic String Instrument 
               Mar. 07, 2000 
             
             
               5,852,249 
               Elongated String Support for a 
               Dec. 22, 1998 
             
             
                 
               Stringed Musical Instrument 
             
             
               4,311,078 
               Bow Playable Guitar 
               Jan. 19, 1982 
             
             
               3,785,239 
               Fret Board For Guitar 
               Jan. 15, 1974 
             
             
               3,739,072 
               Guitar Construction 
               Jun. 12, 1973 
             
             
               3,398,623 
               Musical Instruments 
               Aug. 27, 1968 
             
             
               3,398,622 
               Musical Instruments 
               Aug. 27, 1968 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   Other stringed instrument designs have been suggested to enhance the playability of the instruments such as configuring the instrument in a manner that facilitates playability. Following are some of the patents which could be classified as having such features: 
   
     
       
         
             
             
             
           
             
                 
             
             
               Patent No. 
               Title 
               Issue Date 
             
             
                 
             
           
          
             
               6,573,439 B2 
               Ergonomic Multi-Position Guitar with 
               Jun. 03, 2003 
             
             
                 
               Locking Fingertip Tremolo and Pick 
             
             
                 
               Holders 
             
             
               5,994,633 
               Stringed Musical Instruments 
               Nov. 30, 1999 
             
             
               5,637,820 
               Stringed Instrument with On-Board 
               Jun. 10, 1997 
             
             
                 
               Tuner 
             
             
               5,528,971 
               Musical Instrument Having 
               Jun. 25, 1996 
             
             
                 
               Stabilization Apparatus 
             
             
               4,890,530 
               Stringed Musical Instrument 
               Jan. 02, 1990 
             
             
               4,339,981 
               Soft Body Guitar 
               Jul. 20, 1982 
             
             
               4,919,029 
               Asymmetric Insert Loaded Stringed 
               Apr. 24, 1990 
             
             
                 
               Instrument 
             
             
               D351,181 
               Ergonomic Guitar 
               Oct. 04, 1994 
             
             
               D314,783 
               Guitar Body 
               Feb. 19, 1991 
             
             
               D256,026 
               Guitar 
               Jul. 22, 1980 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   Stringed instruments also have enjoyed the imagination of instrument makers in the context of wide variability in the design of such instruments. Following is a listing of various types of stringed instruments and, in particular, guitars which employ multiple variations in terms of their design: 
   
     
       
         
             
             
             
           
             
                 
             
             
               Patent 
               Title 
               Issue Date 
             
             
                 
             
           
          
             
               6,649,818 
               Multiple Neck Integral Body Musical 
               Nov. 18, 2003 
             
             
                 
               Instrument 
             
             
               3,392,618 
               Multirange Fretted Guitar Type 
               Mar. 18, 1966 
             
             
                 
               Instrument 
             
             
               2,250,402 
               Guitar 
               Aug. 26, 1940 
             
             
               1,684,467 
               Stringed Musical Instrument 
               Apr. 30, 1923 
             
             
               1,183,369 
               Guitar 
               May 16, 1916 
             
             
               D964,660 
               Stringed Musical Instrument 
               Jul. 19, 1910 
             
             
               D224,567 
               Stringed Musical Instrument 
               Aug. 01, 1972 
             
             
               D224,566 
               Stringed Musical Instrument 
               Aug. 01, 1972 
             
             
               D222,562 
               Stringed Musical Instrument 
               Nov. 02, 1971 
             
             
               D28,300 
               Harp-Guitar Frame 
               Feb. 15, 1898 
             
             
               6,667,431 
               Stringed Instrument 
               Dec. 23, 2003 
             
             
               6,608,247 
               Stringed Musical Instrument with 
               Aug. 19, 2003 
             
             
                 
               Soundbox Extension 
             
             
               5,251,526 
               Rotating Electrical Stringed 
               Oct. 12, 1993 
             
             
                 
               Instrument 
             
             
               4,616,550 
               String Support and Neck Device for 
               Oct. 14, 1986 
             
             
                 
               Stringed Instrument 
             
             
               4,606,255 
               Hayashi et al. 
               Aug. 19, 1986 
             
             
               3,858,480 
               Schneider et al. 
               Jan. 07, 1975 
             
             
               D812,049 
               Musical Instrument 
               Feb. 06, 1906 
             
             
               D767,023 
               Musical Instrument 
               Aug. 09, 1904 
             
             
               D552,116 
               Stringed Musical Instrument 
               Dec. 31, 1895 
             
             
               D474,120 
               Stringed Instrument 
               May 03, 1892 
             
             
               D417,691 
               Electric Guitar 
               Dec. 14, 1999 
             
             
               D311,413 
               Guitar Body 
               Oct. 16, 1990 
             
             
               D293,118 
               Guitar 
               Dec. 08, 1987 
             
             
               D277,292 
               Solid Body Guitar 
               Jan. 22, 1985 
             
             
               D52,539 
               Musical Instrument 
               Oct. 08, 1918 
             
             
               D45,566 
               Musical Instrument 
               Apr. 07, 1914 
             
             
               D32,088 
               Violin Body 
               Jan. 01, 1900 
             
             
               D26,424 
               Mandolin 
               Dec. 22, 1896 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   While there is a wide variety of designs for stringed instruments including guitars, to address multiple concerns such as playability, comfort, sound quality and the like, there has developed, with the advent of the electric types of instruments, a need for improved ergonomic benefits along with a desire to provide unique designs. With this background, the present invention was conceived. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Briefly, the present invention comprises a stringed instrument such as a guitar which includes a body, a neck and a fret board or finger board extending from the body, a bridge positioned on the body and a nut assembly at the end of the neck and fret board with strings extending from the body to the nut assembly. The body is uniquely configured and includes at least two, but preferably three generally longitudinal sectors which extend in the direction of the strings and are angled, one with respect to the other. A middle sector supports the bridge and neck. One sector on one side of the middle sector provides a resting surface for the arm of the instrumentalist and another sector on the opposite side of the middle sector provides a lap support for the instrument. The instrument, in the form of a guitar, typically includes lateral side horns incorporated in the side sectors, but may also include a support for a second array of strings connected between a side sector horn and the body. 
   Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an ergonomically designed stringed instrument which enhances the comfort and playability of the instrument. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide a stringed instrument which is capable of having multiple aesthetic designs incorporated therein. 
   A further object of the invention is to provide an acoustic, stringed instrument, such as a guitar, which enhances playability while simultaneously providing ergonomic benefits. 
   These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in a detailed description which follows. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures: 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a first preferred embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a front side plan view of the instrument of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a top side plan view of the instrument of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a bottom side plan view of the instrument of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a back side plan view of the instrument of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a left hand end view of the instrument of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a right hand end view of the instrument of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 8  is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a front plan view of the instrument of  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a top plan view of the instrument of  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a bottom plan view of the instrument of  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a left hand end view of the instrument of  FIG. 8 ; and 
       FIG. 13  is a right hand end view of the instrument of  FIG. 8 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring to the figures, and in particular  FIGS. 1–7 , there is illustrated a first embodiment of the stringed instrument of the invention. The particular embodiment of  FIGS. 1–7  is an electric guitar. The guitar includes a body  20  having a lower end  22  or foot end  22 , an upper or head end or head stock  24 , a front or string side  26  and a back side  28 . The body  20  further includes a top side or upper edge  30  and a bottom side or lower edge  32 . A longitudinal axis  34  extends between the foot end  22  and head end  24 . The design of the body  20  is generally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal, centerline axis  34  except as described hereinafter. It should be noted, however, that the design of the body  20  need not be symmetrical about the longitudinal axis  34 . That is, the configuration of the body  20  on each side of the axis  34  may be distinctive in size and configuration. 
   The body  20  supports a fret board or finger board or neck  36  projecting generally axially from the body  20  and attached to the body  20 . The fret board or finger board  36  includes a series of frets, such as fret  29 . A bridge  40  is affixed to the front side or string side  26  of body  20 . Strings, such as strings  42 , connect from the body  20  over bridge  40  and extend longitudinally along the neck  36  where they are connected to a trim nut or nut assembly  44 . Inasmuch as the embodiment of  FIG. 1  is an electric guitar, an acoustic pickup, such as pickup  46 , is provided within and on the body  20 . Controls  48  are associated with the acoustic pickup  46 . Connections for the acoustic pickup  46 , such as the connections  50  and  52 , are also incorporated in the body  20 . 
   The body  20  is generally divided into two and preferably three longitudinal sectors which are generally angled with respect to each other. Thus, the body  20  includes a first sector or upper section  60 , a second or middle sector or section  62  and a third or lower sector  64 . In a preferred embodiment the sectors  60 ,  62  and  64  are each generally planar and extend longitudinally generally parallel to the axis  34 . The sectors  60 ,  62  and  64 , however, form an angle with respect to one another. That is, the body  20  is typically comprised of generally uniformly thick wood material stock which is formed by combining the three longitudinal sectors  60 ,  62 ,  64  connected together along boundaries  61 ,  63 . In particular, the first sector  60  defines a first included obtuse angle  66  with middle sector  62 . The angle between the plane of the first sector  60  and the plane of the second sector  62  is typically in the range of about 1 to 45° with the preferred range about 8 to 20° Stated another way, this included obtuse angle between sectors  60  and  62  is in the range of about 135° to 179°. 
   In a similar fashion, the third sector  64  forms an included obtuse angle with the middle or second sector  62 . That angle is generally in the range of the first obtuse angle  66  as described herein. In a preferred embodiment the first and third sectors  60  and  64  are generally planar and generally parallel to one another. Thus, the cross-sectional shape of the body  20  transverse to axis  34  for the embodiment depicted is generally in the form of an S or Z-shape as depicted in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Note that the sectors may be curved rather than planar to more clearly define an S shaped cross section. Further, the configuration of a non-planar body may be S or Z shaped on the front or the back face or both faces or sides. 
   The functionality associated with the shape of the body  20  contemplates that an instrumentalist playing the guitar, if that instrumentalist strums the strings with the right hand, will rest his right arm upon the first or upper sector  60 . The lower sector  64  may then be positioned comfortably against the musician&#39;s body to facilitate maintaining the instrument in an appropriate orientation for playing. The first sector  60 , upon which an arm may rest, enables or facilitates finger comfort and playability of the instrument. Note that the neck and fret board  36  remains generally coplanar with respect to the middle or second sector  62 . In other words, the neck and fret board  36  is typically not twisted with respect to the middle sector  62  in the preferred embodiment although it may be angled about longitudinal axis  34  with respect to the second sector  62  in order to further facilitate playability. An alternative embodiment provides for tilting of the fret board  36  and strings  42  rotationally about axis  34 . 
   The middle or second sector  62  comprises the playable area or region of the instrument and the first and third sectors  60 ,  64  provide a means for orienting and maintaining the orientation of the instrument comfortably. As previously mentioned, the angle of orientation may be adjusted for each individual instrumentalist by altering the angular relationship between the sectors  60 ,  62 ,  64 . Such differentiation may occur during the manufacturing process, for example, on a customized basis. Such differentiation may be distinct for each sector relative to the next adjacent sector. 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the instrument includes design characteristics such as the generally longitudinally projecting horns  70  and  72  which are incorporated as part of the first and third sectors  60 ,  64 , respectively. The design features of the guitar may be varied significantly however by providing various alternative aesthetically desired horn or other configurations. 
     FIGS. 8–13  disclose another feature that may be incorporated in such a stringed instrument. In these figures, there is depicted a stringed instrument that does not, but may, incorporate the multiple sector features of the first embodiment. The second embodiment, however, further employs a horn construction which, as depicted in  FIG. 8 , enables the incorporation of a second set of strings  70 . More specifically, a body  79  of the guitar may include a first or top sector  80 , a middle or second sector  82 , and a bottom or third sector. The sectors  80 ,  82 ,  84  may be coplanar or angled as described for the embodiment of  FIGS. 1–7 . A first sector  80  of the instrument includes a first horn  86  which extends longitudinally and over a fret board  87 . A second horn  88  associated with third sector  84  of the body  79  may also extend either over or under the fret board  86  or may be omitted entirely. In any event, a set of strings  92  may be connected between the first horn  86  and the second horn  88 . The second set of strings  92  may also be coupled with a fret board (not shown) extending between the third sector  84  over the main fret board  87  and connected to the horn  86 . Thus, a dual set of fret boards passing over one another may be incorporated in an embodiment of a guitar to provide an alternative sound which may or may not be amplified depending upon the array and arrangement of the pickups associated with the guitar. 
   With the design of the invention wherein the body of the guitar is configured ergonomically, it is possible to incorporate wings or horns of multiple designs to provide aesthetic characteristics as well as functional characteristics as described. Further, the instrument may be electric or acoustic with an internal sound chamber. The size and configuration of the sectors may be varied. The instrument may be a six, eight or other multi-stringed instrument. 
   Thus, it is possible to vary the construction in a configuration of the stringed instrument in a multiple number of ways without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. The invention is therefore to be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.