Patent Abstract:
In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a first section including a protrusion-engaging portion and a second section including a first coupling member adapted to mate to a second coupling member attachable to a guitar cord.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/999,464 filed on Oct. 18, 2007, and entitled “Guitar Cord Securing Apparatus.” The complete disclosure of the aforementioned Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/999,464 is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention generally relates to musical instruments, and more particularly to a new and improved apparatus for securing and protecting electric guitar cords. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Electric guitars are supported by the player during use with guitar straps. These guitars traditionally make use of electrical cords or coaxial-type cables that are attached, on one end, to sockets on the guitar face or side. During use, the cord is subject to inadvertent removal relative to the socket on the instrument when, for instance, the player (or another person) steps on the cord as the player is moving. This risk has led some players to feed the cord between the guitar strap and the player&#39;s body before attaching it to the cord socket. While this provides some protection, it is not always effective, particularly during substantial movement. 
         [0004]    Therefore, there is a need for an apparatus that is easy to use and effective in securing a cord to the electric guitar so as to prevent inadvertent removal. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention relates to a cord securing apparatus that functions to keep guitar players from stepping on or tripping over their guitar cords and to protect the cord and guitar from damage due to inadvertent stepping onto the cord as it lies on the ground. 
         [0006]    The cord securing apparatus of this invention advantageously allows the player to easily secure the cord to the guitar strap/button or locking system and to easily unsecure it after use. 
         [0007]    The cord securing apparatus includes a first section including a protrusion-engaging portion and a second section including a first coupling member adapted to engage to a second coupling member attachable to a guitar cord. Preferably, the apparatus includes the second coupling member. A cord connector is preferably included to be engageable with the cord and the second coupling member. 
         [0008]    The cord securing apparatus further includes a floating button member adapted to engage the protrusion-receiving hole of the apparatus. The floating button member preferably includes a base and a protrusion adapted to pass through a strap hole and securably engage with the protrusion-receiving portion. 
         [0009]    The protrusion-receiving portion of the cord securing apparatus preferably includes a hole formed in a surface proximate thereto and alternatively can include a removeable tie strap adapted for integration with the first section. 
         [0010]    The cord connector of the cord securing apparatus preferably permits the second coupling member to move along the guitar cord when it is engaged thereto. 
         [0011]    Another aspect of the present invention is the floating strap button member that includes a base and protrusion adapted to engage through a strap hole. It is preferable that the floating strap button member further includes a functional member adapted to engage with the protrusion. The functional member could include a cord securing apparatus. 
         [0012]    Other aspects, features and embodiments of the invention will be more fully apparent from the ensuing disclosure and appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    Embodiments of the invention may be best understood by referring to the following description and accompanying drawings, which illustrate such embodiments. Reference numbers are the same for those elements that are the same across different Figures. In the drawings: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary cord securing apparatus, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  illustrates the exemplary cord securing apparatus of  FIG. 1 , one end as attached to the cord and showing an exploded view of the other end in relation to a guitar button apparatus. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary cord securing apparatus, according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  illustrates an additional aspect of the present invention for use in conjunction with the apparatus. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  illustrates the aspect of  FIG. 4  in conjunction with the cord securing apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  illustrates another view of the aspect of  FIG. 4  in conjunction with the cord securing apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is similar to  FIG. 5  and shows an exemplary inventive apparatus adjacent one of several possible guitar strap holes. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is similar to  FIG. 7  but shows an exemplary inventive apparatus adjacent a guitar strap button. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a detailed view of an exemplary inventive apparatus including a floating button that can be secured to a guitar strap. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  shows an exemplary inventive apparatus secured to a strap hole of an electric guitar with another hole of the strap engaged with a guitar strap button. 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  shows an exemplary inventive apparatus secured to a strap hole of an electric guitar with the same hole of the strap engaged with a guitar strap button such as may be found in strap locking system. 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  shows an exemplary inventive apparatus secured to a strap hole of an acoustic-electric guitar with another hole of the strap engaged with a guitar strap button that is integral with a pick-up of the acoustic-electric guitar. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0026]      FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of the cord securing apparatus  1 . The apparatus includes two portions, a first attachment portion  9  and a protrusion-receiving portion  5 . Preferably, the protrusion-receiving portion includes a hole  7  that is adapted to securely engage with a guitar button or post. It is preferable that the cord securing apparatus  1  also include a second attachment portion  11  adapted to engage with the first attachment portion when in use. These attachment portions can be male and female mating structures or other engageable physical structures as are known to those skilled in the art. In one or more embodiments, the attachment portions can be mating halves of a plastic side-release buckle of the kind used for belts, backpacks, and the like. Of course, other structures could be used, for example, center-release plastic buckles. Preferably, the second attachment portion  11  is formed with a recess or similar configuration  13  for engaging with a cord binding member  15 . The cord binding member  15  serves to secure the apparatus to a guitar cord  30 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . While the cord binding member is shown to be a plastic cable tie, one skilled in the art would appreciate that alternative binding devices could be used, such as clips or closures, lengths of string or cord, and the like. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  illustrates the cord securing apparatus of  FIG. 1  in relation to a strap locking system such as the Dunlop STRAPLOK SYSTEM® brand of quick release fastener for musical instrument harness (registered mark of Dunlop Manufacturing, Inc. Corporation Assignee Of California 150 Industrial Way Benicia California 94510) (hereinafter referred to as a strap locking system). The cord securing apparatus of  FIG. 2  includes the separate second attachment portion  11 . As shown, the associated cord binding member  15  has been secured to the guitar cord  30 . It will be appreciated that when it is desired to have element  11  slide along cord  30 , member  15  may be loosely fastened, while if it is desired to fix element  11  to cord  30 , member  15  may be tightly fastened. The first attachment portion  9  and the protrusion-receiving portion  5  are aligned with an exploded view of the portions of the strap locking system including the lock  21 , recessed washer  23 , guitar strap  25  with hole  26 , washer  27  and strap button  29  (additional components of locking system shown in  FIG. 5 ). It is preferable that the protrusion-receiving portion  5  have a substantially flat face so as to easily fit within this standard strap locking system. While, in this embodiment, the protrusion-receiving portion  5  engages with the lock  21  of the strap lock system (and under washer  23 ), the cord securing apparatus of the present invention can be used simply with a standard guitar button or post, such as item  29  in  FIG. 2 . Once secured to the locking system (or guitar button/post), the guitar player can simply engage one attachment portion to the other so that the guitar strap is secured to the system as well. As a result, any pulling of the cord will result in strain on the cord  30  and strap  25  by the cord securing apparatus  1 , as opposed to putting strain on the cord plug  102 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the cord securing apparatus  1  where the first attachment portion  9  includes a receptacle  10  adapted to receive a binding member  16  that functions to bind the first attachment portion  9  to the guitar button or locking system lock  29  and, ultimately, the strap  25 . One skilled in the art can appreciate that the receptacle can be formed in many different manners such as a recess, hole, a channel, two protruding ears with holes, and so on, and that the binding member  16  can be formed of a plastic cable tie (as shown) or some other clip or closure member, for example, as discussed above with regard to member  15 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  shows a multi-hole guitar strap  35  with holes  37  (strap  25  was depicted with a single hole  26 ). An aspect of the present invention is to enable use of the cord securing apparatus with an open (unused) hole of the strap  35 . To facilitate this engagement, a floating button  130  is provided. The floating button  130  includes a base  31  and a protrusion  32  for protruding through a strap hole  37  for engagement with the cord securing apparatus of the present invention. Preferably, the base  31  is substantially flat or completely flat. It can be shaped in a circle or oval for ease of use. The front surface  33  generally abuts the back face of strap  35  with protrusion  32  extending outwardly through hole  37  to engage hole  7  of protrusion-receiving portion  5 . It is also preferable for the back surface  34  of the base  31  to include a soft surface material such as felt (for example, in the form of a felt punching  134 , shown in  FIG. 5 ) to protect the guitar face from scratching. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 5 and 6  show the floating button  130  engaged to the first attachment portion  9  of the cord securing apparatus of an exemplary embodiment of the invention (only protrusion  32  of floating button  130  is visible in  FIG. 6 ). Furthermore, retaining ring  28  of the strap locking device, which was omitted from  FIG. 2 , is shown in  FIG. 5 . In  FIG. 5 , the button  130  is shown from a side view as engaged with the first attachment portion  9  and in relation to the multi-hole guitar strap  35 . In  FIG. 6 , the floating button  130  is behind the multi-hole guitar strap  35  and further receiving and engaged to the first attachment portion  9 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , an additional first attachment portion  9  is secured to the locking system lock (having recessed washer  23 ) which is provided in another strap hole  37 . In this embodiment, the guitar player can choose to secure the cord  30  to the floating button assembly via protrusion  32  or to the locking system assembly (having recessed washer  23 ), each via the exemplary inventive apparatus.  FIG. 5  also shows a United States Quarter Dollar coin  132  to give an exemplary sense of the size of components  11 ,  9 ,  5 ,  130 , and so on, it being understood that other sizes and proportions can be employed for the various components. 
         [0031]      FIG. 7  is similar to  FIG. 5  but omits the felt portion  134  and floating button  130 , showing protrusion receiving portion  5  with hole  7  aligned with an outermost hole  37  of multi-hole strap  37 , it being understood that any of the holes could be engaged by the inventive apparatus. 
         [0032]      FIG. 8  is similar to  FIG. 5  but omits the felt portion  134  and floating button  130 , showing protrusion receiving portion  5  with hole  7  aligned with button  29  for purposes of being secured thereto and to a guitar (not shown) or other musical instrument. 
         [0033]      FIG. 9  shows the elements depicted in  FIG. 1  with a United States Quarter Dollar coin  132  to give an exemplary sense of the size thereof (in this exemplary embodiment), and also shows floating button  130  with base  31  and protrusion  32 . Again, in other embodiments, different sizes or proportions may be employed. 
         [0034]      FIG. 10  shows a multi-hole strap  35  secured to a conventional button  29  of electric guitar  150 . An exemplary inventive apparatus including first attachment portion  9  with protrusion receiving portion  5  is secured in another hole  37  of strap  35  via protruding portion  32  of floating button  130 . Protruding portion  32  may, for example, snap securely into hole  7  of portion  5 . Cord  30  is secured to second attachment portion  11  via tie  15 , and tensile loads on cord  30  are passed through the inventive apparatus to strap  35  and then to button  29 , so that the chance of plug  102  unplugging from the guitar  150  is substantially reduced or eliminated. 
         [0035]      FIG. 11  shows a multi-hole strap  35  secured to an electric guitar  150  via a strap locking system of the kind described above. Protrusion receiving portion  5  (not labeled in  FIG. 11 ) of the exemplary inventive apparatus is located under recessed washer  23  of the strap locking system. Cord  30  is secured to second attachment portion  11  via tie  15 , and tensile loads on cord  30  are passed through the inventive apparatus to the button of the strap locking system, to which recessed washer  23  is secured, so that the chance of plug  102  unplugging from the guitar  150  is substantially reduced or eliminated. 
         [0036]      FIG. 12  shows a multi-hole strap  35  secured to a combined button/cord insertion jack  154  of acoustic-electric guitar  152 . An exemplary inventive apparatus including first attachment portion  9  with protrusion receiving portion  5  is secured in another hole of strap  35  via protruding portion  32  of the floating button. Protruding portion  32  may, for example, snap securely into the hole of portion  5 . Cord  30  is secured to second attachment portion  11  via tie  15 , and tensile loads on cord  30  are passed through the inventive apparatus to strap  35  and then to combined button/cord insertion jack  154 , so that the chance of plug  102  unplugging from the guitar  152  is substantially reduced or eliminated. 
         [0037]    Many variations are within the inventive scope. For example, these include different embodiments of the assembled apparatus, an assembly (combination) including the apparatus and a strap and/or guitar (or other similar instrument), and a kit of parts (which may be appropriately packaged) including some or all of the parts described with assembly instructions describing how to employ same. Furthermore, other types of musical instruments besides guitars are within the inventive scope, for example, electric banjos. In addition, it should be noted that except for the felt portion  134 , elements of the inventive apparatus are preferably made from injection-molded plastic. Also, it should be noted that users may add holes to single-hole straps  25  to facilitate use with some embodiments of the invention. 
         [0038]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. 
         [0039]    In another aspect, turning back to  FIG. 2 , an extra first attachment portion  9  and a protrusion-receiving portion  5  could be secured, for example, to a non-instrument structural member such as a column  500  of a microphone stand or music stand. A binding member  16  or other suitable member could be used for such securing function. Extra portion  9  could also be formed according to the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 3 . When changing instruments, the musician can unplug the cord of the instrument that is not going to be used, place element  11  for the cord into extra portion  9  secured to the column, and the cord would then be readily available when the next instrument is to be plugged in.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6