Patent Abstract:
The present invention includes a retractable stringed musical instrument; specifically a stringed musical instrument having a tailpiece, a body coupled to the tailpiece, a neck coupled to the body and a fingerboard coupled to the neck. The fingerboard and the neck extends and retracts relative to the body. The retractable stringed instrument further comprises a mechanism to maintain tension on the strings of the instrument regardless if the neck is in the extended or retracted position.

Full Description:
[0001]    REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
         [0002]    This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/004,453, filed Jan. 22, 2016, now pending, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates generally to stringed instruments. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]      FIG. 1  shows a prior art musical instrument  100 . The musical instrument  100  shown in  FIG. 1  is a six stringed electrical guitar. The musical instrument  100  shown in  FIG. 1  includes a body  112 , a neck  114  extending from the body  112  and a nut  116  extending transversely across the neck  114 . A headstock  124  extends from the neck  114 , and is shown in  FIG. 1 . The stringed musical instrument  100  also includes a bridge  118 . A plurality of strings  120  is supported between the nut  116  and the bridge  118 .  FIG. 1  also shows a plurality of frets  122  extending perpendicular across the neck  114 . 
         [0005]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , conventional stringed musical instruments are typically equipped with a neck or fingerboard which is used to control the length, and therefore the vibrational frequency of the strings  120  being plucked, strummed, bowed, or otherwise activated. 
         [0006]    In the conventional fretted stringed musical instrument, the string length is achieved through the fingers of the fretting hand pressing them against pieces of wire, the fret  122 , imbedded in slots in the fingerboard. The string, being pressed against the hard surface of the fret  122  and thereby stopped, is effectively shortened by the amount of distance of the fret to the bridge  118 , which defines the effective vibrating length of the string, thus altering its pitch (or ‘frequency of vibration’). 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0007]    The invention includes a musical instrument having a body and a neck slidably mounted for movement longitudinally of the body between a first position and a second position. A head portion is disposed on the distal end of the neck. A depression in the neck extends along a least a portion of the neck and receives a trolley that moves therein between a first position and a second position. 
         [0008]    The instrument also includes a tailpiece having a plurality of tuning machines affixed to the trailing end (bottom) of the body. The strings having a first end and a second end wherein the first end of each of the plurality of strings is attached to the trolley and the second end of each of the plurality of strings is attached to one of the plurality of tuning machines on the tailpiece. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a stringed instrument of the prior art; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2A  is a front view of an illustrative embodiment of a stringed instrument having a slidable neck in an extended position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2B  is a back view of an illustrative embodiment of a stringed instrument having a slidable neck in an extended position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3A  is a front view of an illustrative embodiment of a stringed instrument having a slidable neck in retracted position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3B  is a back view of an illustrative embodiment of a stringed instrument having a slidable neck in retracted position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is an orthogonal top view of a slidable neck according to an illustrative embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is an orthogonal bottom view of a slidable neck according to an illustrative embodiment; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a side view of a slidable neck according to an illustrative embodiment; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the body of an illustrative embodiment of a stringed instrument; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the body and tail piece of a stringed instrument according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the body and neck of a stringed instrument according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  shows a view of the proximal portion of the neck with the fret board removed; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  shows a view of the distal portion of the neck with the fret board removed; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  shows a view of the distal portion of the neck with the fret board attached; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 13A and 13B  are detail views of the tailpiece; 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a rear view of the proximal portion of the neck illustrating the locking mechanism; 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is an isometric view of a first stand for use with the inventive instrument; 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  is an isometric view of a first stand for use with the inventive instrument; 
           [0028]      FIGS. 17A through 17C  are plan view of an alternate means of applying tension to the device according to an alternate embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  is a plan view of an alternate means of applying tension to the device according to an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0030]    The device will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figures. In all Figures, like numerals correspond to like elements. The device is directed to an apparatus and method for providing a hand-held stringed instrument that can vary in length between and extended and retracted state. Specific details of the device and its use are disclosed more completely below. 
         [0031]    By way of background, the term “stringed instrument” is intended to be directed to a wide variety of hand-held stringed instruments. Suitable, non-limiting examples include the acoustic guitar, electric guitar, acoustic bass guitar and electric bass guitar, banjo, mandolin, and similar type instruments. Although the Figures depict a six stringed electric guitar, the scope of this disclosure includes instruments with more or fewer strings 
         [0032]    Terms of location such as “upper” and “lower” are used merely for convenience. As are relative terms such as “proximal” and “distal.” Unless otherwise specified the terms “upper,” “lower,” “above” and “below” are used in the context of the instrument as if it were standing upright, such as in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . The terms “proximal” and “distal,” generally, refer to parts of the inventive instrument in relation to an intended user as the device would be during ordinary use. “Leading” and “trailing” are used to describe a relation as though the device where moving in a path of travel along an axis from its lower to upper end. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all terms (including those of relative location) are to be construed in the context in which they are presented and are not restricted to the guiding principles set forth above. 
         [0033]    Turning now to  FIGS. 2A through 3B , a general embodiment of the inventive retractable stringed instrument is shown. In these figures, instrument  10  is depicted as an electric guitar. As with traditional guitars, instrument  10  includes body  20  with neck  60  attached to the upper end thereof. Neck  60  further includes head  80  at its distal end, relative to body  20 . Instrument  10  further includes tailpiece  40  located on its lower end , relative to neck  60 . In a preferred embodiment, tailpiece  40  is affixed to the surface of body  20 . Other arrangements are, however, possible. For example, tailpiece  40  could be attached to the sidewall of body  20  at its lower end and thereby extend outward. As shown in  FIG. 2B , instrument  10  also includes integrated stand  90  for use in extending neck  60  (as discussed below) or when the instrument is not in use. 
         [0034]    As more closely seen in  FIGS. 4 through 6 , neck  60  includes a base section  62  positioned at the proximate end thereof and opposite head  80 . As discussed in further detail below, it is base section  62  of neck  60  that engages with, and moves within, body  20 . 
         [0035]    Proximal end  60   a  of neck  60  with base section  62  thereof. A standard pickup  61  is affixed to the surface of base section  62  at the proximal end thereof. As shown, rails  64  extend outwardly from the sidewalls of base section  62 . Rails  64  are received by, and slidably move within, channels  28  of body  20  (discussed below). Locking palls  88  extend outwardly from rails  64  to fix neck  60  in predetermined locations and are part of the locking mechanism (discussed below). 
         [0036]    Neck  60  includes depression  63  which extends from a location adjacent head  80  to a location adjacent pickup  61 . Depression  63  is preferably uniform in width along its length is substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of neck  60 . 
         [0037]    Body  20 , shown in  FIG. 7  with tailpiece  40  removed, has a leading end ( 20   a ) adjacent neck  60  and trailing end ( 20   b ). Tailpiece  40 , in a preferred embodiment, is affixed to the upper surface of center block  22  as shown in  FIG. 8 . Body  20  further includes wing elements  24   a  and  24   b . Each wing is connected to center block  22  at its lower end, at least, to form body  20 . This arrangement forms interior space  26  which is defined by sidewalls  26   a  and lower wall  26   b . Each side wall  26   a  includes a channel  28  extending at least partially between leading end  20   a  of body  20  and bottom wall  26   b . Interior space  26  receives base section  62  of neck  60  and it is within interior space  26  that base section  62  travels as it moves between the extended and retracted positions. Channels  28  further include apertures  29  to receive palls  88  of the locking mechanism (discussed below) to selectively secure neck  60  in desired positions. 
         [0038]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of body  20  and neck  60 . Also shown are recess A and B which receive electronics associated with the instrument. For example, recess A could house a speaker (not shown) that is covered by speaker cover A 1 . Recess B can hold additional electronics common in the industry (not shown) that are in turn covered by pickguard B 1 . 
         [0039]    An important feature of the inventive instrument is the ability to maintain tension on the strings whether the neck of the instrument is in the extended or retracted position. This is accomplished by an intricate tensioning mechanism as discussed below. 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , a portion of neck  60  is shown with fret board  16  removed. Trolley  70  moves longitudinally within depression  63  and is substantially rigid. The distal ends of strings  12  are connected to trolley  72 . In one embodiment, flange  72  extends upward from trolley  70  and received strings  12 . In such an embodiment the overall height of trolley  70  and flange  72  do not exceed the depth of depression  63 . Trolley  70  is secured within depression  63  by means of flanges extending therefrom which are received by groves  65  formed in the sidewalls of the depression. 
         [0041]    A first end of spring  74  attached to trolley  70  opposite flange  72 . Spring  74  provides the biasing force needed to maintain tension on strings  12  regardless of the relative position of neck  60 . The second end of spring  74  is attached to an anchoring point  76  affixed within the proximal end of depression  63 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , slip rings  75  can be used to adjust the tension of spring  74  as well as facilitate the attachment thereof to anchor  76 . Slip rings  75  can also be used to attach spring  74  to trolley  70  (see also  FIG. 11  below). 
         [0042]      FIG. 11  shows trolley  70  within depression  63  of neck  60  at the distal end thereof (adjacent head  70 ). This indicates the instrument is in the extended position. A metal stop  66  adjacent the distal end of depression  63 . As it can be seen, the distal ends of strings  12  are attached to trolley  70  via flange  72 . The strings extend upward from flange  72  toward head  80  and around rollers  82  disposed therein. Rollers  82  can rotate on an axle ( 83 ) extending across head  80 . Alternatively, strings can simply lie over a transverse member having a sufficient radius to allow the strings to move there over as neck  60  travels between an extended and retracted position (and vice versa). 
         [0043]      FIG. 12  shows the distal end  60   a  of neck  60  with fret board  16  attached thereto. Strings  12  on the upper side of rollers  82  extend downward toward trailing end  20 ( b ) of body  20  passing under keeper  84 . Nut  86  includes numerous slots  86   a  through which strings  12  pass to aid in maintaining string alignment. 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , the tensioning mechanism of instrument  10  is hidden during use by removable fret board  16 . Tines extending from fret board  16  are received by and engage receptacles  67  on neck  60  (see  FIGS. 7 and 8 ). Fret board lock  78  ( FIG. 7 ) holds fret board  16  in place when it is in position. 
         [0045]    The proximal ends of strings  12  connect to various tuning machines  46  on tail piece  40  (see  FIGS. 13A and 13B ). Tuning machines  46  work in much the same manner as those on traditional stringed instrument, with the exception of their placement. As discussed above, tailpiece  40  (which includes tuning machines  46 ) is located on the lower (proximal) end of body  20  and not a headstock on the distal end of neck  60 . This arrangement provides numerous advantages in combination with the retractable neck of the instant invention. This placement also, however, provides numerous advantages when used with a traditional stringed instrument as will be appreciated by the skilled artisan. 
         [0046]    Tailpiece  40  has proximal  42  and distal ends  44 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 13 , the tailpiece has a stepped shape and substantially hollow center. This allows strings  12  to remain as straight as possible in their path between head  80  and the respective tuning machine  46 . Similar to nut  86 , leading end  42  of tailpiece  40  has numerous slots  42   a  to accommodate strings  12 . Cap  48  covers leading end  42  of tailpiece  40  to prevent strings  12  from leaving slots  42   a  if tension on the strings is lost. Leading end  42  serves the same function as a bridge found on standard string instruments. One advantage of placing the bridge structure in the manner shown in  FIGS. 13A and 13B  is that the bridge has a fixed position and does not need to be displaced during retraction as in some instruments of the prior art. It should be noted that the use of tailpiece  40  can be used in conjunction with a retractable instrument, as described herein, or on a standard instrument of the prior art. Cover  42   b  serves to help retain strings  12  in slots  42   a . 
         [0047]    Movement of the neck relative to the body (extension and retraction) is controlled by the locking mechanism shown in  FIG. 14 . As previously discussed, locking palls  88  extend from rails  64  on the base section  62  of neck  60  to engage apertures  29  in channels  28  on body  20 . Extension and retraction (locking and unlocking) of palls  88  are controlled by dial  82  located on the back (underside) of base section  62 . Turning dial  82  causes coincident rotation of locking base  84 . This movement translates to joined arms  86  which are attached to palls  88 . 
         [0048]    Also shown in  FIG. 14  is bracket  28  which holds wings  24   a  and  24   b  in fixed relative position as well as providing an inward bias to help secure base section  62  within interior space  26 . Bracket  28  also serves as a positive stop, preventing over extension of neck  60 . Removal of neck  60  from body  20  can be achieved by removing bracket  28  and sliding base section  62  upwardly (distally, in a leading direction) until it is clear of interior space  26 . 
         [0049]    Additionally, instrument  10  includes stand  90  attached to trailing end  20 ( b ) of body  20 . Stand  90  not only provides a means to hold instrument  10  in an upright position when not in use, but also provides leverage when extending neck  60 . Alternate embodiments of stand  90  are shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 . 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 15 , stand  90  is attached to the instrument (shot shown) via mechanical fasteners extending through plate  92 . Plate  92  is connected to base  94  through hinge  96 . Support  98  is hingidly connected to plate  92  and swings outwardly when in use. Support  98  contacts and engages base  94  to provide the structural integrity to support the instrument. 
         [0051]      FIG. 16  shows an alternate embodiment of stand  90   a . The instrument (not shown) is received by the cradle portion  92   a  of the stand. Frame  94   a  extends upwardly and in contact with the back (underside) of body  20 . Support arm  96  is pivotally connected to frame  94   a  and swings outwardly to provide the structural integrity to support the instrument. 
         [0052]    Lastly, with reference to  FIGS. 17A, 17B and 17C  an alternate embodiment is shown which provides an alternative to stand  90  of  FIG. 15  to provide the leverage needed to extend neck  60  when it is under tension. In this embodiment bracket  28  of  FIG. 14  is replaced by a similar device comprising upper bracket  28   a  which is hingidly connected to lower bracket  28   b . Handle area  28   c  provides a gripping surface so that the necessary force can be safely placed on neck  60  during extensions and retraction. Once lower bracket  28   b  is depressed and comes in contact with segmented plates  28   d  the back of the instrument, the mechanism pushes the neck up one step at a time and ultimately into position and not require the manual process of standing on the hinge and extending the neck manually. 
         [0053]      FIG. 18  shows yet another embodiment wherein the neck is advance through use of a ratcheting mechanism. Manipulation of handle  28   e  causes a corresponding toothed cog  28   f  to engage segmented plates  28   g . The motion of which causes the neck of the instrument to extend or retract (dependent upon which of the paired ratcheting devices is actuated). 
         [0054]    Those ordinarily skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention could be applied to many types of stringed instrument in many different forms. It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall there between. Relative terminology, such as “substantially” or “about,” describe the specified materials, steps, parameters or ranges as well as those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed inventions as whole (as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art). Now that the invention has been described,

Technology Classification (CPC): 6