Abstract:
A capo device for a stringed instrument for quickly and effectively clamping strings to the fingerboard of a stringed instrument. The capo device for a stringed instrument includes a frame capable of extending about a fingerboard of a stringed instrument; and also includes an assembly for clamping strings to the fingerboard of the stringed instrument; all features not described nor suggested by the prior art.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to guitar string clamps and more particularly pertains to a new capo device for a stringed instrument for quickly and effectively clamping strings to the fingerboard of a stringed instrument. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of guitar string clamps is known in the prior art. More specifically, guitar string clamps heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
     Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,969; U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,045; U.S. Pat. No. 4,324,165; U.S. Pat. No. 4,250,790; U.S. Pat. No. 4,104,947; and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 257,988. None of the prior art allows the user to essentially clip the capo device to the fingerboard of the stringed instrument unlike the present invention. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new capo device for a stringed instrument. The inventive device includes a frame capable of extending about a fingerboard of a stringed instrument; and also includes an assembly for clamping strings to the fingerboard of the stringed instrument; all features not described nor suggested by the prior art. 
     In these respects, the capo device for a stringed instrument according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of quickly and effectively clamping strings to the fingerboard of a stringed instrument. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new capo device for a stringed instrument which has many of the advantages of the guitar string clamps mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new capo device for a stringed instrument which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art guitar string clamps, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the capo device for a stringed instrument in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a new capo device for a stringed instrument which has many of the advantages of the guitar string clamps mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new capo device for a stringed instrument which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art guitar string clamps, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new capo device for a stringed instrument for quickly and effectively clamping strings to the fingerboard of a stringed instrument. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new capo device for a stringed instrument that is easy and convenient to set up and use. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new capo device for a stringed instrument that allows the user to quickly attach and detach the capo device to the fingerboard. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a new capo device for a stringed instrument according to the present invention and shown in use. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, a new capo device for a stringed instrument embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, the capo device for a stringed instrument  10  generally comprises a frame  11  capable of extending about a fingerboard  29  of a stringed instrument. The frame  11  includes an elongate main body  12 , and also includes a first arm  13  being integrally and conventionally attached to the elongate main body  12 , and further includes a second arm  15  also being integrally and conventionally attached to the elongate main body  12 . The first and second arms  13 , 15  are spaced apart and are essentially disposed perpendicular to the elongate main body  12 . 
     The first arm  13  further includes an opening  14  being laterally extended through a medial portion of the first arm  13 . The second and first arms  13 , 15  have ends which are integrally and conventionally attached to the elongate main body  12 . 
     A means for clamping strings  30  to the fingerboard  29  of the stringed instrument includes a lever  17  being movably disposed between the first and second arms  13 , 15  and being pivotally attached to a medial portion of the elongate main body  12 , and also includes a drive member  24  being threaded through the opening  14  of the first arm  13  and being engagable to the lever  17  for tightening the capo device  10  about the fingerboard  29 . The lever  17  has an end which is pivotally attached with a fastener to the medial portion of the elongate main body  12  with the lever  17  being curved with a front side  18  thereof facing the second arm  15  and with a back side  19  thereof facing the first arm  13  and with the front side  18  of the lever  17  being adapted to engage the fingerboard  29 . The drive member  24  includes a threaded shaft  25  and a knob  26  being integrally and conventionally attached at an end of the shaft  25 . 
     As a second embodiment, the elongate main body  12  is conventionally and integrally attached between a medial portion and an end of the second arm  15  with the second arm  15  having a handle portion  16  extending from the end and terminating at where the elongate main body  12  is attached thereto. The elongate main body  12  is also integrally and conventionally attached at an end of the first arm  13 . Further, for the second embodiment, the means for clamping the capo device  10  to a fingerboard includes a lever  17  having a hole  23  being laterally extended through a medial portion thereof with the elongate body member  12  being disposed through the hole  23 , and also includes a drive member  24  being disposed through the opening  14  of the first arm  13  and being biasedly urged against the lever  17 , and further includes a spring member  28  being disposed about the drive member  24  for urging the drive member  24  against the lever  17  and forcing the lever  17  toward the second arm  15 . The lever  17  also has a handle portion  20  integrally extending from an end thereof and terminating at the hole  23  for allowing a user to quickly clamp and unclamp the capo device  10  about the fingerboard  29 . The lever  17  has a beveled depression  21  disposed in a front side  18  thereof with the front side  18  facing the second arm  15 . The beveled depression  21  is disposed between the hole  23  and another end of the lever  17 . The lever  17  also has a slot  22  being disposed in a back side  19  thereof with the slot  22  being disposed between the hole  23  and the another end of the lever  17 . The drive member  24  has a shaft  25  about which the spring member  28  is disposed and also has a head portion  27  which is integrally and conventionally attached at an end of the shaft  25  with the shaft  25  having another end which is extended into the slot  22  of the lever  17 . 
     In use, the user places the capo device  10  about the fingerboard  29  of the stringed instrument and engages the lever  17  to the fingerboard  29  by using the drive member  24  with the second arm  15  engaging the strings  30  of the stringed instrument to effect the type of sound the user is trying achieve from the stringed instrument. 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the capo device for a stringed instrument. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.