Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a tuner mounting device for mounting a tuner to a musical instrument. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   As a mounting device for a conventional tuner which is directly mounted to an instrument, and which displays the tuning state of a sound generated from the instrument on a display portion, there has widely been adopted a clip type device which is mainly of a clothespin-like configuration (see, for example, JP 2003-255932 A). 
   A tuner of this type has in its main body a vibration sensor and a microphone as main input devices. 
   In many cases a generally used clip type tuner has a joint-like structure in a connecting portion between the clip portion and the main body portion. 
   This is due to the necessity to direct the display portion such that it is easily visible to the user when the clip is mounted to the instrument. In many cases, such a clip type tuner has a joint mechanism of two or more axes. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 25 , a clip-type tuner is mounted to a part of an instrument  600  by the grasping force of a clip  100  connected to a tuner main body. 
   The clip  100  includes a pair of arms  101  and  102  having grasping portions  103  and  104  on the inner sides of the respective distal end portions thereof, and an opening/closing portion  105  containing an elastic member such as a spring urging the pair of arms  101  and  102  so as to close the distal end portions of the pair of arms  101  and  102 . 
   Since the instrument part (e.g., head portion of a guitar)  600  is held between the distal end portions of the arms  101  and  102  by the urging force of the elastic member (not shown) constituting the opening/closing portion  105  of the clip  100 , when the instrument part  600  is inserted to a position where it is brought into contact with the opening/closing portion  105 , which is a hard structure situated at the depth of the clip, with the distal end portions of the arms  101  and  102  of the clip  100  being open, there is a risk that the instrument is scratched. 
   In order that the instrument to which the tuner is mounted may not easily be scratched, the grasping portions  103  and  104  provided on the inner sides of the distal end portions of the pair of arms  101  and  102  of the clip  100  are often formed of a soft material such as rubber. 
   When, for example, rubber is used as the material of the grasping portions  103  and  104 , there is a risk that the rubber is allowed to be rubbed off on the instrument depending upon the kind of rubber, thus staining the expensive instrument. 
   Further, in the case of the clip-type instrument, it cannot be mounted to a large object whose side is beyond the movable range of the opening/closing portion  105  of the clip. As illustrated in  FIG. 26 , in the case, in particular, of a fat-tube instrument like a bass instrument, the mounting of the tuner to a fat tube portion  601  may be rather difficult to perform. 
   Many generally used clip-type tuners have a joint mechanism of two axes or more, and contain a vibration sensor for detecting vibration generated upon operation of the instrument and transmitted therefrom.  FIGS. 27 and 28  schematically illustrate the construction of a tuner in which a tuner main body  700  is connected to the clip  100  via a connecting portion  702  containing a joint mechanism. 
     FIG. 28  illustrates how vibration generated from the instrument is propagated via the clip  100  to a vibration sensor  701  contained in the tuner main body  700 . 
   In  FIGS. 27 and 28 , the tuner main body  70  is fixed to the instrument part (e.g., head portion of a guitar)  600  by means of the clip  100 . 
   When the instrument is operated in this state, vibration  250  generated from the instrument is propagated, as illustrated in  FIG. 28 , in the following order: the instrument part  600  to which the tuner main body  700  is fixed by the clip  100 , the clip  100 , the connecting portion  702  (joint mechanism), and the vibration sensor  701  in the tuner main body  700 . When there exist rubber, a hinge, a joint mechanism, etc. in the propagation route for the vibration  250 , the vibration  250  generated from the instrument is attenuated at this joint mechanism portion, making it rather difficult in some cases to obtain a sufficient sensitivity for the tuner. In particular, in an instrument in which the vibration generated through playing quickly attenuates as in the case of a string instrument, the failure to obtain a sufficient sensitivity may prove fatal to the tuning performance of the product. 
   In order to improve the sensitivity of a clip-type tuner, it is more important to provide the tuner on the clip side so that the tuner is close to the instrument during use of the tuner, than to provide within the tuner main body a vibration sensor for detecting the vibration generated from the instrument. This is due to the fact that the larger the length of the propagation route for the vibration  250 , the larger the degree to which the vibration  250  is attenuated. 
   When, in the clip-type tuner, it is necessary to provide a vibration sensor on the clip side, it is necessary to electrically connect the vibration sensor provided on the clip side and an electronic circuit contained in the tuner main body. However, as described above, the joint mechanism exists between the clip and the tuner main body, and the joint mechanism, which is freely movable, constitutes an obstacle to attaining electrical connection. 
   At present, the commercially available clip-type tuners that are provided with a vibration sensor on the clip side have a connecting portion of a very complicated structure between the clip and the tuner main body. Due to the complicated structure of the connecting portion between the clip and the tuner main body, the clip-type tuner provided with a vibration sensor on the clip side is subject to failure, resulting in many claims from the users and high cost due to its structure. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems in the related art. It is an object of the present invention to provide a tuner mounting device which does not scratch the instrument and which provides a satisfactory sensitivity to the vibration generated from the instrument. 
   In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a tuner mounting device according to the present invention includes a tuner mounting device for mounting a tuner to be attached to an instrument, in which a tuner main body is fixed to a part of the instrument by a hook-and-loop fastener. 
   In the tuner mounting device of the present invention constructed as described above, the tuner main body is fixed to the part of the instrument by the hook-and-loop fastener 
   In this way, in the present invention, the hook-and-loop fastener is used as the mounting device, which means there is used a material softer than the clip of the conventional device; thus, when fixing the tuner to the target instrument, the possibility of the instrument being scratched or the material being rubbed off on the instrument like rubber is low, and hence the user is free from care when using the device. 
   Further, when the tuner is fixed to the instrument by a hook-and-loop fastener as in the case of the tuner mounting device of the present invention, the mounting possible regardless of the size of the instrument through adjustment of the length of the hook-and-loop fastener, and hence it is possible to attain a high degree of freedom in terms of the size of the instrument to which the tuner mounting device is applied. 
   Further, since the tuner main body can be mounted to the hook-and-loop fastener, it is possible to mount the tuner main body at a position nearest to the instrument when compared with the conventional clip-type device, and, there exists no joint mechanism in between as in the conventional clip-type device. Thus, the vibration propagation distance to the vibration sensor is reduced, whereby the attenuation of the vibration generated through operation of the instrument is mitigated, and the sensitivity of the tuner is improved. 
   Further, in the tuner mounting device of the present invention, a vibration sensor for detecting vibration generated through operation of the instrument is contained in the tuner main body. 
   In the tuner mounting device of the present invention, constructed as described above, the vibration sensor is contained in the tuner main body. However, since the tuner main body can be mounted to the hook-and-loop fastener itself, it is possible to mount the tuner main body at a position nearest to the instrument when compared with the conventional clip-type device, and there exists no joint mechanism in between as in the case of the conventional clip-type device. Thus, the vibration propagation distance to the vibration sensor is reduced, and the attenuation of the vibration generated through operation of the instrument is mitigated, thereby achieving an improvement in terms of the sensitivity of the tuner. 
   Further, in the tuner mounting device of the present invention, the hook-and-loop fastener is provided with a vibration sensor for detecting vibration generated through operation of the instrument. 
   In the tuner mounting device of the present invention constructed as described above, the hook-and-loop fastener is provided with the vibration sensor. 
   As a result, it is possible to bring the vibration sensor into direct contact with the instrument, and hence the vibration generated through operation of the instrument can be detected more effectively, thereby achieving an improvement in terms of the sensitivity of the tuner. 
   Further, by providing the hook-and-loop fastener with a plurality of vibration sensors, it is possible to achieve higher tuner sensitivity. 
   Further, a tuner mounting device according to the present invention includes a tuner mounting device for mounting a tuner to be attached to an instrument, 
   in which a tuner main body containing a vibration sensor for detecting vibration generated through operation of the instrument is placed on an upper surface of a part of the instrument through an intermediation of a buffer material, and 
   in which, in this state, the tuner main body is fixed to the instrument so as to integrally surround and fasten the instrument and the tuner main body by a hook-and-loop fastener. 
   In the tuner mounting device of the present invention constructed as described above, 
   the tuner main body containing the vibration sensor is placed on the upper surface of the part of the instrument through the intermediation of the buffer material, and, 
   in this state, the tuner main body is fixed to the instrument so as to integrally surround and fasten the instrument and the tuner main body by the hook-and-loop fastener. 
   As a result, it is possible to prevent the instrument from being scratched due to the buffer material (e.g., silicone rubber) provided between the instrument and the tuner main body when the tuner main body is fixed to the instrument. 
   Although the vibration generated in the instrument is attenuated to some degree due to the presence of the buffer material, it is possible to attain a sufficient sensitivity. 
   Further, a tuner mounting device according to the present invention includes a tuner mounting device for mounting a tuner to be attached to an instrument, in which a first hook-and-loop fastener constituting a base is affixed to the surface of a part of the instrument on a constant basis, 
   in which a second hook-and-loop fastener is fixedly installed on a lower surface of a tuner main body containing a vibration sensor for detecting vibration generated through operation of the instrument, and 
   in which the tuner main body is fixed to the part of the instrument by attaching the first and second hook-and-loop fasteners to each other. 
   In the tuner mounting device of the present invention constructed as described above, the first hook-and-loop fastener constituting the base is placed on the surface of the part of the instrument on a constant basis, the second hook-and-loop fastener is fixedly installed on a lower surface of a tuner main body containing the vibration sensor. The tuner main body is fixed to the part of the instrument by attaching the first hook-and-loop fastener and the second hook-and-loop fastener to each other. 
   In this way, by providing both the instrument and the tuner main body with a hook-and-loop fastener, it is possible to attach and detach the tuner main body as needed. 
   Further, in a tuner mounting device of the present invention, 
   a mounting base portion for fixing a tuner main body to a part of the instrument is fixed to the instrument on a constant basis by a hook-and-loop fastener, 
   a structure to be fitted into the mounting base portion is provided on a lower surface of the tuner main body containing a vibration sensor for detecting vibration generated through operation of the instrument, and 
   the tuner main body is fixed to the part of the instrument by attaching the structure to the mounting base portion. 
   In the tuner mounting device of the present invention constructed as described above, 
   a mounting base portion for fixing the tuner main body to the part of the instrument is fixed to the instrument on the constant basis by the hook-and-loop fastener, the structure to be fitted into the mounting base portion is provided on the lower surface of the tuner main body containing the vibration sensor. The tuner main body is fixed to the part of the instrument by attaching the structure to the mounting base portion. 
   As a result, the tuner main body can be reliably fixed to the instrument; further, the tuner main body can be easily attached and detached to and from the instrument. 
   Further, in a tuner mounting device of the present invention, 
   a mounting base portion for fixing a tuner main body to a part of the instrument is fixed to the instrument on a constant basis by a hook-and-loop fastener, with a structure to be fitted into the mounting base portion being provided on a lower surface of a tuner main body containing a vibration sensor for detecting vibration generated through operation of the instrument, 
   the mounting base portion has a power source portion and a power supply contact, with the structure having an electrical contact corresponding to a power supply contact provided on the mounting base portion, and 
   the tuner main body is fixed to the part of the instrument by attaching the structure to the mounting base portion, with power being supplied to an electronic circuit inside the tuner main body from the power source portion contained in the mounting base portion via the power supply contact and the electrical contact provided on the structure. 
   In the tuner mounting device of the present invention constructed as described above, 
   the mounting base portion for fixing the tuner main body to the part of the instrument is fixed to the instrument on the constant basis by the hook-and-loop fastener, with the structure to be fitted into the mounting base portion being provided on the lower surface of the tuner main body containing the vibration sensor for detecting vibration generated through operation of the instrument. 
   The mounting base portion has the power source portion and the power supply contact, with the structure having an electrical contact corresponding to the power supply contact provided on the mounting base portion. The tuner main body is fixed to the part of the instrument by attaching the structure to the mounting base portion, with power being supplied to the electronic circuit inside the tuner main body from the power source portion contained in the mounting base portion via the power supply contact and the electrical contact provided on the structure. 
   In this way, the power source portion (e.g., battery) necessary for the tuner main body is provided on the side of the mounting base portion fixed to the instrument main body, and hence it is possible to reduce the size of the tuner main body. 
   Further, in a tuner mounting device of the present invention, 
   a mounting base portion for fixing a tuner main body to a part of the instrument is fixed to the instrument on a constant basis by a hook-and-loop fastener, with a structure to be fitted into the mounting base portion being provided on a lower surface of the tuner main body, 
   the mounting base portion has a vibration sensor for detecting vibration generated through operation of the instrument and a vibration sensor signal contact, with the structure having an electrical contact corresponding to the vibration sensor signal contact provided on the mounting base portion, and 
   the tuner main body is fixed to a part of the instrument by attaching the structure to the mounting base portion, with the vibration sensor contained in the mounting base portion being connected to an electronic circuit inside the tuner main body via the vibration sensor signal contact and an electrical contact provided on the structure. 
   In the tuner mounting device of the present invention constructed as described above, 
   the mounting base portion for fixing the tuner main body to the part of the instrument is fixed to the instrument on the constant basis by the hook-and-loop fastener, with the structure to be fitted into the mounting base portion being provided on the lower surface of the tuner main body. 
   The mounting base portion has the vibration sensor and the vibration sensor signal contact, with the structure having the electrical contact corresponding to the vibration sensor signal contact provided on the mounting base portion. 
   The tuner main body is fixed to the part of the instrument by attaching the structure to the mounting base portion, with the vibration sensor contained in the mounting base portion being connected to the electronic circuit inside the tuner main body via the vibration sensor signal contact and the electrical contact provided on the structure. 
   In this way, when the vibration sensor is provided on the side of the mounting base portion fixed to the instrument main body, and the tuner main body is fixed to the instrument, the vibration sensor is electrically connected to the electronic circuit in the tuner main body, and hence it is possible to achieve a reduction in the size of the tuner main body. 
   Further, in a tuner mounting device of the present invention, 
   a mounting base portion for fixing a tuner main body to a part of the instrument is fixed to the instrument on a constant basis by a hook-and-loop fastener, with a structure to be fitted into the mounting base portion being provided on a lower surface of the tuner main body, 
   the mounting base portion has an power source portion, a vibration sensor for detecting vibration generated through operation of the instrument, a power supply contact, and a vibration sensor signal contact, with the structure having a first electrical contact corresponding to the power supply contact and a second electrical contact corresponding to the vibration sensor signal contact, and 
   the tuner main body is fixed to the part of the instrument by attaching the structure to the mounting base portion, and power is supplied to an electronic circuit inside the tuner main body from the power source portion contained in the mounting base portion via the first electrical contact provided on the structure, with the vibration sensor being connected to the electronic circuit inside the tuner main body via the vibration sensor signal contact and the second electrical contact. 
   In the tuner mounting device of the present invention constructed as described above, 
   the mounting base portion for fixing the tuner main body to the part of the instrument is fixed to the instrument on a constant basis by the hook-and-loop fastener, with the structure to be fitted into the mounting base portion being provided on the lower surface of the tuner main body. 
   Further, the mounting base portion has the power source portion, the vibration sensor, the power supply contact, and the vibration sensor signal contact, with the structure having the first electrical contact corresponding to the power supply contact and the second electrical contact corresponding to the vibration sensor signal contact, and 
   the tuner main body is fixed to the part of the instrument by attaching the structure to the mounting base portion, and power is supplied to the electronic circuit inside the tuner main body from the power source portion contained in the mounting base portion via the first electrical contact provided on the structure, with the vibration sensor being connected to the electronic circuit inside the tuner main body via the vibration sensor signal contact and the second electrical contact. 
   In this way, when the power source portion (e.g., battery) necessary for the tuner main body and the vibration sensor are provided on the side of the mounting base portion fixed to the instrument main body, the tuner main body is fixed to the instrument, the vibration sensor is electrically connected to the electronic circuit within the tuner main body, and power is supplied to the electronic circuit from the power source portion. Thus, it is possible to achieve a further reduction in the size of the tuner main body. 
   Further, in the tuner mounting device of the present invention, a mounting base portion for fixing a tuner main body to a part of the instrument is fixed to the instrument on a constant basis by a hook-and-loop fastener through the intermediation of a material having stretchability, with a structure to be fitted into the mounting base portion being provided on a lower surface of the tuner main body. Further, the tuner main body is fixed to a part of the instrument by attaching the structure to the mounting base portion. 
   In the tuner mounting device of the present invention constructed as described above, 
   the mounting base portion for fixing a tuner main body to the part of the instrument is fixed to the instrument on a constant basis by the hook-and-loop fastener through the intermediation of a material having stretchability, with the structure to be fitted into the mounting base portion being provided on the lower surface of the tuner main body. Further, the tuner main body is fixed to the part of the instrument by attaching the structure to the mounting base portion. If the above mounting base portion is not used, it is possible to mount the tuner main body to the part of the instrument by the hook-and-loop fastener alone, utilizing a material having stretchability. 
   In this way, by constantly fixing the mounting base portion to the instrument by the hook-and-loop fastener through the intermediation of an expandable material, and attaching to the mounting base portion the structure provided on the lower surface of the tuner main body, it is possible to firmly hold the tuner main body and the instrument in intimate contact with each other and to prevent their detachment. 
   Further, in the tuner mounting device of the present invention, 
   functional portions of the tuner are formed as a plurality of assemblies, and 
   the plurality of assemblies are connected together while being electrically connected to each other by a conductive hook-and-loop fastener, and are fixed to the instrument in the connected state by the hook-and-loop fastener. 
   In the tuner mounting device of the present invention constructed as described above, 
   the functional portions of the tuner are formed as the plurality of assemblies, and wherein the plurality of assemblies are connected together while being electrically connected to each other by the conductive hook-and-loop fastener, and are fixed to the instrument in the connected state by the hook-and-loop fastener. 
   In this way, the functional portions of the tuner are formed as a plurality of assemblies, and the plurality of assemblies are connected together while being electrically connected by the conductive hook-and-loop fastener, and hence it is possible to individually replace the functional portions of the tuner, making it possible to easily build a system meeting the needs of the user. 
   Further, in the tuner mounting device of the present invention, 
   the tuner has on the outside a display means having a radio communication function, with functional portions constituting the tuner except for the display means being formed as a plurality of independent assemblies. 
   Further, the plurality of assemblies include a communication means having a radio communication function, with the plurality of assemblies being fixed to the instrument by a conductive hook-and-loop fastener while being electrically connected to each other by the conductive hook-and-loop fastener, and the communication means transmits data indicating the instrument tuning state to the display means on the outside through radio communication. 
   In the tuner mounting device of the present invention constructed as described above, the tuner has on the outside a display means having a radio communication function, with the functional portions constituting the tuner except for the display means being formed as a plurality of independent assemblies. 
   Further, the plurality of assemblies include a communication means having a radio communication function, with the plurality of assemblies being fixed to the instrument by a conductive hook-and-loop fastener while being electrically connected to each other by the conductive hook-and-loop fastener, and the communication means transmits data indicating the instrument tuning state to the display means on the outside through radio communication. As a result, the display device receives data indicating the instrument tuning state from the communication unit, and displays the instrument tuning state. 
   As a result, it is possible to display the instrument tuning state through the display device installed externally and having a radio communication function. 
   As described above, according to the present invention, the hook-and-loop fastener is used as the mounting device, which means there is used a material softer than the clip of the conventional device, and hence, when fixing the tuner to the target instrument, the possibility of the instrument being scratched or the material being rubbed off on the instrument as in the case of rubber is low. As a result, the user is free from care when using the mounting device. 
   In the case in which the tuner is fixed to the instrument by the hook-and-loop fastener as in the case of the tuner mounting device of the present invention, the mounting is possible regardless of the size of the instrument through adjustment of the length of the hook-and-loop fastener, and hence it is advantageously possible to achieve a high degree of freedom in terms of the size of the target instrument. 
   Further, since the tuner main body can be mounted to the hook-and-loop fastener itself, it is possible to mount the tuner main body at a position nearest to the instrument as compared with the clip-type conventional device. In addition, since no joint mechanism exists in between as in the conventional device, the vibration propagation distance to the vibration sensor is reduced. As a result, the attenuation of the vibration generated through operation of the instrument is mitigated, and it is possible to achieve an improvement in terms of the sensitivity of the tuner. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the accompanying drawings: 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  are explanatory views illustrating how a hook-and-loop fastener is wrapped around and fastened to a part of an instrument; 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  are diagrams illustrating construction of a tuner mounting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating construction of a tuner mounting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating construction of a tuner mounting device according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating a rear surface structure of a tuner main body in the tuner mounting device according to the third embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating a state during tuning of the tuner mounting device according to the third embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating an accommodated state of the tuner mounting device according to the third embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating a modification of the tuner mounting device according to the third embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating construction of a tuner amounting device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating a rear surface structure of a tuner main body in the tuner mounting device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 9 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a diagram illustrating a state during tuning of the tuner mounting device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 12  is a diagram illustrating an accommodated state of the tuner mounting device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 13  is a diagram illustrating construction of a tuner amounting device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 14  is a diagram illustrating construction of a tuner amounting device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 15  is a diagram illustrating construction of a tuner amounting device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 16  is a diagram illustrating a state during tuning of the tuner mounting device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 17  is a diagram illustrating an accommodated state of the tuner mounting device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 18  is a diagram illustrating the state during tuning of a modification of the tuner mounting device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 19  is a diagram illustrating the accommodated state of the modification of the tuner mounting device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 20  is a diagram illustrating construction of a tuner mounting device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 21  is a diagram illustrating construction of a tuner mounting device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 22  is a diagram illustrating construction of a tuner mounting device according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 23A and 23B  are a sectional view and a plan view illustrating an example of construction of a connecting portion between an assembly and a hook-and-loop fastener; 
       FIGS. 24A through 24C  are sectional views and a plan view illustrating an example of construction of a connecting portion between hook-and-loop fasteners; 
       FIG. 25  is an explanatory view illustrating an example of a state in which a part of the instrument is grasped by a clip of a clip-type tuner; 
       FIG. 26  is an explanatory view illustrating another example of the state in which a part of the instrument is grasped by the clip of the clip-type tuner; 
       FIG. 27  is a schematic explanatory view illustrating construction of a tuner constructed such that the tuner main body is connected to the clip through an intermediation of a connecting portion including a joint mechanism; and 
       FIG. 28  is an explanatory view illustrating how vibration generated from the instrument is propagated to a vibration sensor contained in the tuner main body via the clip. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   In the following, embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the drawings. Tuner mounting devices according to embodiments of the present invention basically use a hook-and-loop fastener instead of the conventional clip-type clip of the tuner mounting device. 
     FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate how a hook-and-loop fastener is fixed to a part of an instrument through wrapping and fastening;  FIG. 1A  illustrates how a hook-and-loop fastener  2  is fixed, for example, to a head portion  1  of a guitar through wrapping and fastening, and  FIG. 1B  illustrates how the hook-and-loop fastener  2  is fixed, for example, to a fat tubular portion  1 A of a bass instrument through wrapping and fastening. 
   First Embodiment  
     FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate the construction of a tuner mounting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the tuner main body is fixed to a part of an instrument (e.g., the head portion of a guitar) by a hook-and-loop fastener.  FIG. 2A  illustrates how a tuner main body  10  is fixed to a head portion  1  of a guitar by a hook-and-loop fastener  2 . In this example, the hook-and-loop fastener is affixed, for example, to the bottom portion of the tuner main body  10 , and the tuner main body  10  is placed on the guitar head portion around which a hook-and-loop fastener of a different kind is wrapped and fastened, whereby it is possible to fix the tuner main body  10  to the guitar head portion  1 . 
   Further, it is also possible to mount a member for belt insertion to the tuner main body  10 , and to pass the hook-and-loop fastener  2  wrapped and fastened around the guitar head portion  1  through the same, thereby fixing the tuner main body  10  to the guitar head portion  1  by wrapping and fastening the hook-and-loop fastener  2  so as to press the tuner main body to the guitar head portion  1 . 
   Here, the kind of hook-and-loop fastener used is one consisting of one surface which is raised in hook-like manner and another surface which is raised in loop-like manner arranged closely together. As is well known, they are attached together by being pressed against each other, and allow separation. 
   In the example illustrated in  FIG. 2A , a vibration sensor  20  for detecting vibration  50  generated through operation of the instrument is contained in the tuner main body  10 . 
   In the example of  FIG. 2A , a hook-and-loop fastener is used as a mounting device, and hence the material used is softer than the clip of the conventional device; thus, the possibility of the target instrument being scratched or the material being allowed to rubbed off on the instrument at the time of fixation of the tuner is low, making the user free of care when using the device. 
   Further, the tuner main body is fixed and mounted to an instrument by means of a hook-and-loop fastener, and hence the mounting is possible to regardless of the size of the instrument through adjustment of the length of the hook-and-loop fastener, which advantageously leads to a high degree of freedom in terms of the size of the target instrument. 
   Further, since the tuner main body can be mounted to the hook-and-loop fastener itself, it is possible to mount the tuner main body at a position nearest the instrument, and no joint mechanism exits in between as compared with the conventional clip-type device, and hence the propagation distance to the vibration sensor is reduced, and the vibration attenuation due to operation of the instrument is mitigated, making it possible to achieve an improvement in terms of the sensitivity of the tuner. 
   While in the example of the tuner mounting device illustrated in  FIG. 2A  the vibration sensor is contained in the tuner main body, because the tuner main body can be mounted to the hook-and-loop fastener itself, it is possible to mount the tuner main body at a position nearest to the instrument as compared with the clip-type conventional device, and no joint mechanism exists in between as in the clip-type conventional device, and hence the vibration propagation distance to the vibration sensor is reduced, and the attenuation of the vibration generated through operation of the instrument is mitigated, thereby improving the sensitivity of the tuner. 
   In the example illustrated in  FIG. 2B , a vibration sensor is provided on the hook-and-loop fastener  2  of the tuner mounting device, which fixes the tuner main body to a part of an instrument by means of the hook-and-loop fastener. As illustrated in the drawing, the tuner main body  10  is fixed, for example, to the guitar head portion  1  by means of a hook-and-loop fastener  2  having vibration sensors  21  and  22 . In this example, the hook-and-loop fastener  2  is affixed, for instance, to the bottom portion of the tuner main body  10 , and the tuner main body  10  is placed on the guitar head portion  1  around which the hook-and-loop fastener which is different from that affixed to the bottom portion is wrapped and fastened, whereby it is possible to fix the tuner main body  10  to the guitar head portion  1 . 
   As a result, it is possible to hold the vibration sensor in direct contact with the instrument, and hence the vibration generated through operation of the instrument can be detected effectively, thereby achieving an improvement in terms of the sensitivity of the tuner. 
   Further, by providing the hook-and-loop fastener  2  with a plurality of vibration sensors  21  and  22 , it is possible to enhance the sensitivity of the tuner. The number of vibration sensors installed is not restricted to two, and it may also be three or more. 
   Second Embodiment 
   Next,  FIG. 3  illustrates the construction of the tuner mounting device of the second embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in the drawing, in the tuner mounting device of the second embodiment of the present invention, the tuner main body  10  containing the vibration sensor  20  for detecting vibration generated through operation of the instrument is placed on the upper surface of the instrument part  1  through the intermediation of a buffer material  30 , and, in this state, the instrument part  1  and the tuner main body  10  are integrally surrounded and fastened by the hook-and-loop fastener  2  via belt loops  23  and  24 , thereby fixing the tuner main body  10  to the instrument. 
   As the buffer material, there is used, for example, silicone rubber, which should not be construed restrictively, and it is possible to use various other materials. 
   In the tuner mounting device of the second embodiment of the present invention, the tuner main body containing the vibration sensor is placed on the upper surface of a part of the instrument through the intermediation of a buffer material, and, in this state, the instrument and the tuner main body are integrally surrounded and fastened by the hook-and-loop fastener, and hence it is possible to prevent the instrument from being scratched when fixing the tuner main body to the instrument due to the presence of the buffer material provided between the instrument and the tuner main body. 
   When the vibration generated in the instrument is attenuated to some degree when detected by the vibration sensor due to the presence of the buffer material. However, it is possible to attain a sufficient sensitivity for the tuner. 
   Third Embodiment 
   Next,  FIG. 4  illustrates the construction of the tuner mounting device of the third embodiment of the present invention. 
   In the tuner mounting device of the third embodiment of the present invention, a first hook-and-loop fastener  2 A serving as a base is installed on a constant basis on the surface of the instrument part  1 , and a second hook-and-loop fastener  2 B is fixedly provided on the lower surface of the tuner main body  10  containing the vibration sensor  20 . 
   By attaching the first hook-and-loop fastener  2 A and the second hook-and-loop fastener  2 B to each other, the tuner main body  10  is fixed to the instrument part  1 . 
   In this way, in the tuner mounting device of the third embodiment of the present invention, both the instrument and the tuner main body are equipped with a hook-and-loop fastener, whereby it is possible to attach and detach the tuner main body as needed. 
   Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , it is also possible to affix a third hook-and-loop fastener  2 C for accommodation to the back surface  10 A of the tuner main body  10  on a constant basis. That is, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , at the time of tuning, the tuner main body  10  is fixed to the instrument part  1  by attaching to each other the first hook-and-loop fastener  2 A provided on the instrument side and the second hook-and-loop fastener  2 B provided on the tuner side. 
   Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , when accommodating the tuner main body  10  on the instrument part  1 , the first hook-and-loop fastener  2 A provided on the instrument side and the third hook-and-loop fastener  2 C affixed to the back surface  10 A of the tuner main body  10  may be attached to each other, thereby accommodating the tuner main body  10  on the instrument part  1 . 
   In this way, the surface of the tuner main body mounted to the instrument when not in use is made different from the surface thereof when tuning is to be performed, whereby the tuner main body can be accommodated on the instrument in a compact fashion. 
   Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , in addition to the first hook-and-loop fastener  2 A of the instrument part  1 , a fourth hook-and-loop fastener  2 D is provided on a constant basis on a surface different from that on which the first hook-and-loop fastener  2 A is provided, and the third hook-and-loop fastener  2 C affixed to the back surface  10 A of the tuner main body  10  is attached to the fourth hook-and-loop fastener  2 D provided on the instrument side, whereby the tuner main body  10  is accommodated on the instrument part  1 . 
   Fourth Embodiment 
   Next,  FIG. 9  illustrates the construction of the tuner mounting device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in the drawing, in the tuner mounting device of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, a mounting base portion  40  for fixing the tuner main body  10  containing the vibration sensor  20  to the instrument part  1  is fixed to the instrument on a constant basis by means of the hook-and-loop fastener  2 . Further, a structure  41  to be fitted into the mounting base portion  40  is provided on the lower surface of the tuner main body  10 . 
   By attaching the structure  41  provided on the lower surface of the tuner main body  10  to the mounting base portion  40 , the tuner main body  10  is fixed to the instrument part  1 . 
   In this way, in the tuner mounting device of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the mounting base portion is fixed to a part of the instrument by means of a hook-and-loop fastener, and the mounting base portion and the structure provided on the lower surface of the tuner main body  10  are detachable with respect to each other, and hence the tuner main body can be reliably fixed to the instrument and, further, the tuner main body can be easily attached and detached to and from the instrument. 
   Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , it is also possible to provide on the back surface  10 A of the tuner main body  10  an accommodation structure  42  to be fitted into the mounting base portion  40 . That is, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , at the time of tuning, the structure  41  provided on the lower surface of the tuner main body  10  is attached to the mounting base portion  40 , thereby fixing the tuner main body  10  to the instrument part  1 . 
   Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , when accommodating the tuner main body  10  on the instrument part  1 , the structure  42  provided on the back surface  10 A of the tuner main body  10  is attached to the mounting base portion  40  provided on the instrument side, thereby accommodating the tuner main body  10  on the instrument part  1 . 
   In this way, the surface of the tuner main body to be mounted to the instrument when not in use is made different from the surface thereof mounted to the instrument at the time of tuning, whereby it is possible to accommodate the tuner main body on the instrument in a compact fashion. 
   Fifth Embodiment 
   Next,  FIG. 13  illustrates the construction of the tuner mounting device of the fifth embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in the drawing, in the tuner mounting device of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, a mounting base portion  60  for fixing the tuner main body  10  to the instrument part  1  is fixed on a constant basis to the instrument part  1  by means of the hook-and-loop fastener  1 , and a structure  63  to be fitted into the mounting base portion  60  is provided on the lower surface of the tuner main body  10  containing the vibration sensor  20  for detecting the vibration generated through operation of the instrument. 
   The mounting base portion  60  has a power source portion  61  and power supply contacts  62 . 
   Further, the structure  63  has electrical contacts  64  in correspondence with the power supply contacts  62  provided on the mounting base portion  60 . 
   By attaching the structure  63  to the mounting base portion  60 , the tuner main body  10  is fixed to the instrument part  1 , and power is supplied from the power source portion  61  contained in the mounting base portion  60  to the electronic circuit in the tuner main body  10  via the power supply contacts  62  and the electrical contacts  64  provided on the structure  63 . 
   In the tuner mounting device of the present invention constructed as described above, the requisite power source portion (e.g., battery) for the tuner main body is provided on the side of the mounting base portion fixed to the instrument, and hence it is possible to achieve a reduction in the size of the tuner main body. 
   Sixth Embodiment 
   Next,  FIG. 14  illustrates the construction of the tuner mounting device of the sixth embodiment of the present invention. 
   As illustrated in the drawing, in the tuner mounting device of the sixth embodiment of the present invention, a mounting base portion  70  for fixing the tuner main body  10  to the instrument part  1  is fixed on a constant basis to the instrument by means of the hook-and-loop fastener  2 , and a structure  72  to be fitted into the mounting base portion  70  is provided on the lower surface of the tuner main body  10 . 
   The mounting base portion  70  has the vibration sensor  20  for detecting the vibration generated through operation of the instrument and vibration sensor signal contacts  71 . 
   Further, the structure  72  has electrical contacts  73  in correspondence with the vibration sensor signal contacts  71  provided on the mounting base portion  70 . 
   By attaching the structure  72  provided on the lower surface of the tuner main body  10  to the mounting base portion  70 , the tuner main body  10  is fixed to the instrument part  1 , and the vibration sensor  20  contained in the mounting base portion  70  is connected to an electronic circuit in the tuner main body  10  via the vibration sensor signal contacts  71  and the electrical contacts  73  provided on the structure  72 . 
   In this way, the vibration sensor is provided on the side of the mounting base portion fixed to the instrument main body, and when the tuner main body is fixed to the instrument, the vibration sensor is electrically connected to the electronic circuit in the tuner main body, and hence it is possible to achieve a reduction in the size of the tuner main body. 
   Seventh Embodiment 
   Next,  FIG. 15  illustrates the construction of the tuner mounting device of the seventh embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in the drawing, in the tuner mounting device of the seventh embodiment of the present invention, a mounting base portion  80  for fixing the tuner main body  10  to the instrument part  1  is fixed on a constant basis to the instrument by means of the hook-and-loop fastener  2 , and a structure  83  to be fitted into the mounting base portion  80  is provided on the lower surface of the tuner main body  10 . 
   Further, the mounting base portion  80  has a power source portion  81 , the vibration sensor  20  for detecting the vibration generated through operation of the instrument, power supply contacts, and vibration sensor signal contacts  82 . 
   Further, the structure  83  has first electrical contacts corresponding to the power supply contacts and second electrical contacts  84  corresponding to the vibration sensor signal contacts. 
   By attaching the structure  83  to the mounting base portion  80 , the tuner main body  10  is fixed to the instrument part  1 , and power is supplied from the power source portion  81  contained in the mounting base portion  80  to the electronic circuit in the tuner main body  10  via the power supply contacts  82  and the first electrical contacts  84  provided on the structure  83 , and the vibration sensor  20  is connected to the electronic circuit in the tuner main body  10  via the vibration sensor signal contacts  82  and the second electrical contacts  84 . 
   In this way, the power source portion (e.g., battery) necessary for the tuner main body and the vibration sensor are provided on the side of the mounting base portion fixed to the instrument main body. When the tuner main body is fixed to the instrument, the vibration sensor is electrically connected to the electronic circuit within the tuner main body, and power is supplied to the electronic circuit from the power source portion, and hence it is possible to achieve a further reduction in the size of the tuner main body. 
   As in the fourth embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 10 , also in the seventh embodiment of the present invention, there may be provided on the back surface of the tuner main body  10  the accommodation structure  42  to be fitted into the mounting base portion  80 . That is, as illustrated in  FIG. 16 , at the time of tuning, the structure  83  provided on the lower surface of the tuner main body  10  is attached to the mounting base portion  80 , whereby the tuner main body  10  is fixed to the instrument part  1 . 
   Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 17 , when accommodating the tuner main body  10  on the instrument part  1 , the structure  42  provided on the back surface  10 A of the tuner main body  10  is attached to the mounting base portion  80  provided on the instrument side, thereby accommodating the tuner main body  10  on the instrument part  1 . 
   In this way, the surface of the tuner main body to be mounted to the instrument when not in use is made different from the surface thereof mounted to the instrument at the time of tuning, whereby it is possible to accommodate the tuner main body on the instrument in a compact fashion. 
   A modification of the fourth embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to  FIGS. 18 and 19 . As illustrated in  FIG. 18 , in this modification, in addition to the construction of the tuner mounting device of the fourth embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9 , an accommodation mounting base  43  is further fixed to the instrument part  1  by means of the hook-and-loop fastener  2  on a constant basis, together with the mounting base portion  40 , on the surface of the instrument part  1  on the side opposite to the surface where the mounting base portion  40  is provided. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 18 , in the above-mentioned construction, at the time of turning, the structure  41  provided on the lower surface of the tuner main body  10  is attached to the mounting base portion  40 , whereby the tuner main body  10  is fixed to the instrument part  1 . 
   Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 19 , when accommodating the tuner main body  10  on the instrument part  1 , the structure  41  provided on the lower surface of the tuner main body  10  is attached to the accommodation mounting base  43 , whereby the tuner main body  10  is fixed to the instrument part  1 . 
   In this way, in this modification, the surface of the instrument to which the tuner main body is fixed when not in use can be made different from that to which the tuner main body is fixed at the time of tuning. 
   Eighth Embodiment 
   Next,  FIG. 20  illustrates construction of a tuner mounting device of an eighth embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 20 , in the tuner mounting device of the eighth embodiment of the present invention, a mounting base portion  91  for fixing the tuner main body  10  to the instrument part  1  is fixed on a constant basis to the instrument by means of the hook-and-loop fastener  2  through the intermediation of a material  90  having stretchability. The mounting base portion  91  is provided with the vibration sensor  20  for detecting the vibration generated through operation of the instrument. 
   Further, a structure  93  to be fitted into the mounting base portion  91  is provided on the lower surface of the tuner main body  10 . 
   By attaching the structure  93  to the mounting base portion  91 , the tuner main body  10  is fixed to the instrument part  1 . 
   In this way, by constantly fixing the mounting base portion  91  to the instrument by the hook-and-loop fastener  2  through the intermediation of the material  90  having stretchability, and attaching to the mounting base portion  91  the structure  93  provided on the lower surface of the tuner main body  10 , it is possible to firmly hold the tuner main body  10  and the instrument in intimate contact with each other. 
   Ninth Embodiment 
   Next,  FIG. 21  illustrates construction of a tuner mounting device of a ninth embodiment of the present invention. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 21 , in the tuner mounting device of the ninth embodiment of the present invention, the functional portions of the tuner, such as a display portion  200 , a processing portion  201 , and a power source portion  202 , are formed as a plurality of independent assemblies. 
   The plurality of assemblies  200 ,  201 , and  202  are connected to each other while being electrically connected by means of conductive hook-and-loop fasteners  210 ,  220 , and  230 , and in the connected state, the assemblies  200 ,  201 , and  202  are fixed to an instrument (not shown) by those hook-and-loop fasteners. 
     FIGS. 23A and 23B  illustrate an example of the structure of the connecting portions between the assemblies and the hook-and-loop fasteners.  FIGS. 23A and 23B  illustrate the structure of a portion X in  FIG. 21 , that is, the structure of the connecting portion between the assembly  200  and the hook-and-loop fastener  210 .  FIG. 23A  is a sectional view thereof, and  FIG. 23B  is a plan view of the connecting portion of the hook-and-loop fastener  210 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 23A and 23B , a hook-and-loop fastener  300  is affixed to the lower surface of the assembly  200 , and a male type connector portion  301 A is formed at the center thereof. At the distal end of the connector portion  301 A, there is formed a conductive portion  303 , to which wiring  302  is connected, with the wiring  302  being connected to an electronic circuit in the assembly  200 . 
   On the side of the hook-and-loop fastener  210  connecting the assemblies, there is formed a female type connector portion  301 B to which the male type connector portion  301 A formed on the hook-and-loop fastener  300  on the assembly  200  side is attached. A conductive portion  212  is formed at the bottom of the female type connector portion  301 B, and wiring  211  is connected to the conductive portion  212 . When connecting the assemblies by the hook-and-loop fasteners, the wiring  211  is connected so as to attain electrical conduction by the two hook-and-loop fasteners. 
   By attaching the male type connector portion  301 A formed on the hook-and-loop fastener  300  on the assembly  200  side to the female type connector portion  301 B of the hook-and-loop fastener  210 , the assembly  200  and another assembly are electrically connected to each other via the wiring of the hook-and-loop fastener  210 . 
     FIGS. 24A through 24C  illustrate the structure of a portion Y in  FIG. 21 , that is, the structure of the connecting portion between the hook-and-loop fastener  210  and the hook-and-loop fastener  220 .  FIG. 24A  is a sectional view of the structure of the connecting portion of the hook-and-loop fastener  210 ,  FIG. 24B  is a sectional view of the structure of the connecting portion of the hook-and-loop fastener  220 , and  FIG. 24C  is a plan view of the connecting portion of the hook-and-loop fastener  220 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 24A through 24C , a male type connector portion  400 A is formed on the back surface of the hook-and-loop fastener  210 , and a conductive portion  213  is formed at the distal end of the male type connector portion  400 A. 
   Further, on the surface of the hook-and-loop fastener  220 , there is formed a female type connector portion  400 B to which the male type connector portion  400 A is attached. At the bottom of the female type connector portion  400 B, there is formed a conductive portion  222 , and wiring  221  is connected to the conductive portion  222 . 
   By attaching the male type connector portion  400 A formed on the hook-and-loop fastener  210  to the female type connector portion  400 B of the hook-and-loop fastener  220 , the hook-and-loop fastener  210  and the hook-and-loop fastener  220  are electrically connected to each other. The other hook-and-loop fasteners are connected together by similar structure to thereby attain electrical connection. 
   In this way, the functional portions of the tuner are formed as a plurality of independent assemblies, and the plurality of assemblies are connected to each other while being electrically connected by conductive hook-and-loop fasteners to thereby fix the tuner to the instrument by hook-and-loop fasteners, and hence it is possible to individually replace the functional portions of the tuner, making it possible to easily build a system meeting the needs of the user. 
   Tenth Embodiment 
   Next,  FIG. 22  illustrates construction of a tuner mounting device of a tenth embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 22 , in the tuner mounting device of the tenth embodiment of the present invention, the tuner has on the outside a display portion  400  having a radio communication function. 
   The functional portions forming the tuner except for the display portion form, for example, a communication portion  350 , a processing portion  351 , and a power source portion  352  as a plurality of independent assemblies. 
   Of the plurality of assemblies  350 ,  351 , and  352 , the assembly  350  has a radio communication function, and the plurality of assemblies  350 ,  351 , and  352  are connected together while being electrically connected to each other by conductive hook-and-loop fasteners  310 ,  320 , and  330 , with the assemblies being fixed to the instrument in the connected state by those hook-and-loop fasteners. 
   The communication portion  350  has a function to transmit data indicating the instrument tuning condition by radio communication to an external display portion (desktop type)  400  or a wristwatch type display portion  500  having a radio communication function. 
   The display portion  400 ,  500  receives data indicating the instrument tuning condition from the communication portion  350 , and displays the instrument tuning condition. 
   As a result, it is possible to display the instrument tuning condition on an external display means having a radio communication function.

Technology Category: g