Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a string changing assist apparatus and method. In particular, this invention relates to an apparatus and method for assisting in the changing of strings for musical instruments. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Stringed instruments require frequent tunning and adjustment. Inevitably, strings wear out or break and require replacement. The procedure for correctly replacing these strings is more of an art form than a purely mechanical act. In the typical stringed instrument, a guitar for example, one end of the string is first attached to the guitar by a guitar bridge. This end of the string typically has a metal bead or ball that fits into the bridge in a variety of ways, but which is held in place by tension on the string. In other cases, the guitar string has no metal ball and the end is wound around itself and only string tension holds the string in place. This tension requirement is the cause of most of the difficulty in restringing an instrument. The difficulty is that a person only has two hands and the job requires three: one to keep tension on the bead, or tied end, in the bridge, one to guide the string as it is wound around the tuning post and one to turn the tuning knob. A further complicating factor is that a proper wind about the tuning post requires the tuner to leave slack in the string so that when properly installed there is just the right amount of string on the post: not too little, which would not allow the string to catch properly on the tuning post, and not too much, which would create bulky, unstable windings. 
     The issue of properly stringing and tuning instruments is not a new one. A variety of prior art devices have attempted to solve tuning problems once the string has been attached. An early tuner device is disclosed in the Home patent, U.S. Pat. No. 341,846. More recent patents have issued for string tuners as shown in the Pease patent, U.S. Pat. No. 3,392,621, and the Richards patent, U.S. Pat. No. 3,443,467. 
     The applicant is also aware of one device for which a patent issued, U.S. Pat. No. 6,107,556 to Gilliam, that helps a user apply tension to the string with a single hand. 
     Nonetheless, the applicant is aware of no device or method that frees both of the user&#39;s hands to attend to the critical winding job while applying tension to the string and at the same time allowing for an appropriate amount of extra string or slack in the string. 
     Thus, there is a need in the art for providing an apparatus and method for assisting an individual in stringing an instrument that frees both of the individual&#39;s hands to attend to the winding of the string on the tuning post. It, therefore, is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus and method for assisting in the stringing of instruments such that both of a user&#39;s hands are free to ensure the string is properly wound on the tuning post while at the same time applying appropriate tension to the string, and providing an adequate amount of slack in the string. 
     SHORT STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the string changing assist apparatus of the present invention includes a support and a resilient extension connected to the support. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a connector is added for removably attaching the support to an instrument. In another preferred embodiment, the connector is a pair of hook and loop straps. In yet another preferred embodiment, the resilient extension includes a height adjuster. In another preferred embodiment, the resilient extension is a three sided form with an expandable base. In a preferred embodiment the three sided form is a triangle of four pieces, two pieces forming extended sides of the triangle and two pieces overlapping and forming the expandable base. 
     In still another preferred embodiment, the resilient extension is an L-shaped arm. In another preferred embodiment, an article receiver is connected to the apparatus for removably attaching articles to the apparatus. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the support and the resilient extension is the top of an inverted V-shaped wedge. In another preferred embodiment, a tension adjuster is provided for the inverted V-shaped wedge. 
     A preferred embodiment of the method of the invention includes the steps of constructing a support and connecting a resilient extension, movable between an extended and a collapsed position, to the support. Next, the support and resilient extension, in the extended position, is placed on an instrument. Then, one end of a string is attached to the instrument and the string is passed over the resilient extension in the extended position. Then, an individual is free to use both hands to insert the other end of the string into the tuning post and wind the string around the post under tension from the resilient extension. 
     In another preferred embodiment of the method, the step of adding a connector for removably connecting the support to the instrument is provided. In yet another preferred embodiment, a height adjuster is added to the resilient extension. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the string changing assist apparatus of the present invention in its extended position and, in dotted lines, in a collapsed position; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the invention of FIG. 1 in its unfolded position; 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the invention as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 in its assembled and extended position and with dotted lines showing the height adjustment feature of the invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4 shown in its fully collapsed position; 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of the invention illustrated in FIG. 5 shown in its folded position; 
     FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein the resilient extension is in the form of a L-shaped arm and illustrating the collapsing movement of the L-shaped arm as a string is wound around a tuning post; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein the support and the resilient extension is in the form of an inverted V-shaped wedge; and 
     FIG. 9 is a top view of the embodiment of the invention in FIG. 8, shown in the collapsed position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 1-9. With reference to FIG. 1, a string assist apparatus  10  includes a support  12  and a resilient extension  14  connected to support  12 . String  16  is shown with one end  18  connected to instrument  20  by means of bridge  22 . One end  18  is connected to the bridge  22 , the string  16  is passed over resilient extension  14  and the other end  24  of string  16  is connected to tuning post  26 . At this point, string  16  is tensioned by string assist apparatus  10 . This tension assists in keeping end  18  of string  16  in place in its attachment to bridge  22 . Further the height of string assist apparatus  10  adds the extra length needed for proper winding while still keeping the string  16  under tension. This extra length is the “slack” needed in all cases of string attachment, but which causes end  18  to slip from bridge  22  if not kept under tension. 
     FIG. 1 further illustrates the operation of the string assist apparatus  10  of the present invention by showing what happens as string  16  is wound around tuning post  26 . The dotted lines show that as string  16  is wound, string assist apparatus  10  is compressed in the direction of arrows  28 . That is, as the extra length, slack, is taken out of string  16  by winding it around tuning post  26 , resilient extension  14  is collapsed incrementally, all the while continuing to exert upward pressure in the direction opposite to arrows  28  on string  16 , thus keeping tension on string  18  throughout the entire string attachment process. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, first extension  30  is connected to second extension  32 . Lower base  34  (not shown) is connected to second element  32  and upper base  36  lies on top of lower base  32  thereby forming expandable base  38 . Connecting substrate  40  is used to connect first extension  30 , second extension  32  and lower base  34 . Connection substrate  40 , in a preferred embodiment, includes connector  42  for removably connecting string assist apparatus  10  to instrument  20 . In a preferred embodiment, connector  42  includes a pair of arms  44  with hook material  46  and loop material  48 . 
     FIG. 2 also illustrates stretchable, resilient, locator  50  with two ends,  52  and  54 . End  52  is connected to connecting substrate  40 . End  54  is connected to upper base substrate  56 . Upper base substrate  56  has hook material  46  as shown. 
     FIG. 3 shows lower base  34  in dotted lines as attached to, and covered by, connecting substrate  40 . FIG. 3 also shows loop material  48  and hook material  46  on connecting substrate  40  in the proper places to cooperate in the use of the invention as will be disclosed hereafter. FIG. 3 also shows attachment  58  for use in attaching items to the invention as will also be disclosed more fully hereafter. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the operation of the string assist apparatus  10  is more fully described. FIG. 4 shows the invention in the assembled and extended position. In this extended position, the invention has a height  60  which is achieved from the position illustrated in FIG. 2 by lifting first extension  30  up and bending it over to the end  54  of stretchable, resilient locator  50 . There loop material  48  on the back of first extension  30  cooperates, as is known in the art, with hook material  46  on upper base substrate  56  to form height adjuster  62 . Height adjuster  62 , in a preferred embodiment, works as shown in the dotted lines in FIG.  4 . That is, upper base substrate  56  having hook material  56  is pulled away from loop material  48  on the back of the connecting substrate where it covers first extension  30 . First extension  30  is then lifted thereby increasing the height of the invention from height  60  to height  64  and the hook material  46  is reattached to the loop material  48 , as shown in the dotted lines. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, the string assist apparatus  10  is shown in its fully collapsed position as is the case when string  16  is properly attached to the tuning post  26 . In this collapsed position, expandable base  38  is expanded completely and stretchable, resilient locator  50  is stretched. It is the nature of stretchable resilient locator  50  to resist stretching and to attempt to return upper base  36  to position approximately on top of lower base  34  as shown in FIG. 4, for example. For the purposes of the invention, stretchable, resilient locator  50  may be made of any stretchable, resilient material that tends to return to its previous position after stretching, such as rubber, elastic, and so forth. Because of the stretchable, resilient locator  50  in this embodiment of the invention, the downward force in the direction of arrows  28  in FIG. 1 is constantly resisted by upward force, thereby keeping tension on string  16  throughout the stringing process. After stringing, string assist apparatus  10  in the collapsed position is simply slid out from underneath the string  16  and removed. 
     It is not always necessary to physically attach the invention to an instrument  20 . If the instrument  20  is being restrung on a horizontal surface, string assist apparatus  10  is simply placed directly on the instrument  20 , including other strings that have already been attached, and operated as illustrated. Should the instrument  20  need to be restrung while in a non-horizontal location, however, connector  42  is used. The pair of arms  44  are opened and wrapped around the instrument  20 . Hook material  46  and loop material  48  then cooperate together to hold the invention in place. Once restringing is completed, the arms  44  are separated and the invention is removed as described above. Obviously, any type of convenient connector other than hook and loop material now known or hereafter developed is included within the scope of the present invention. 
     Referring now to FIG. 6, the string assist apparatus  10  as previously illustrated in FIGS. 2-5, is shown in the compact folded position. To fold the invention in this embodiment, upper base substrate  56  is detached from first extension  30 . First extension  30  is then folded on to second extension  32  and then the two are folded on top of stretchable locator  50  and upper base  36 . Upper base substrate  56  is then pressed into connection with the loop material  48  on the connecting substrate  40  covering second extension  32  so that the invention is firmly held in this folded position. 
     FIG. 6 also demonstrates the use of attachment  58 . Attachment  58  in a preferred embodiment is another section of resilient, elastic material such as used for stretchable, resilient locator  50 . With two ends of the attachment  58  secured to connecting substrate  40 , the center of the attachment  58  is free and useful in compressively holding a variety of necessary and useful instrument items. Peg winder  66  is shown held in place by attachment  58 , for example. Any other useful items, such as picks and so forth, may be kept with the invention as well. 
     Referring now to FIG. 7, another preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In this embodiment the two basic elements of the invention persist: support  12  and resilient extension  14 . Here however, support  12  is in the form of a clamp  68 . Clamp  68  is removably attachable to instrument  20  and may include a release trigger  70 , for opening the clamp  68 , as is known in the art. 
     Connected to clamp  68  is resilient extension  14 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, resilient extension  14  is an L-shaped arm  72 . L-shaped arm  72  is spring loaded in the up position  74  by any means known in the art. The use of the string assist apparatus  10  of this embodiment is identical to that previously described. After connecting end  18  of string  16  to bridge  22 , string  16  is passed over the top of L-shaped arm  72  and connected to the tuning post  26 . Winding string  16  around tuning post  26  causes L-shaped arm  72  to be forced downward to intermediate position  76  and finally, once string  16  is properly wound, to collapsed position  78 . From there L-shaped arm  72  is held in position by a retaining detent, not shown, or any other suitable means, the release trigger is operated and the invention removed from the instrument  20 . 
     FIG. 7 also illustrates another common feature, the height adjuster  62 . In this embodiment, L-shaped arm  72  includes an upper arm  80  and a lower arm  82 . Upper arm  80  is conformed to just fit within lower arm  82 . Knurled connector  84  is used to compressively secure upper arm  80  at the selected height by twisting knurled connector  84 , as is known in the art. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, another preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In this embodiment the two basic elements of the invention persist as well: support  12  and resilient extension  14 . 
     In this embodiment however, support  12  and resilient extension  14  are formed by inverted V-shaped wedge  86 . Inverted V-shaped wedge  86  is a spring loaded hinge with an apex  88  and two sides  90  and  92 . Sides  90  and  92  are connected at ends  94  to apex  88  and contact instrument  20  at ends  96 . Apex  88  is a resilient spring loaded hinge  98  to which both sides  90  and  92  are attached. In use, string  16  passes under one end  96  over apex  88  and under the other end  96  and holds inverted V-shaped wedge  86  in place. As string  16  is wound tight apex  88  is pressed in the direction of arrow  100  and ends  96  are moved away from each other as the inverted V-shaped wedge is flattened. 
     In other preferred embodiments, apex  88  includes a cover  102  on which string  16  would slide and a spring tension adjuster  104  for adjusting the tension in spring loaded hinge  98 . Height adjustment for this embodiment is easily accomplished by providing telescoping legs to sides  90  and  92  as described with L-shaped arrow  72  above. 
     FIG. 9 shows this embodiment of the invention in the collapsed position, from which the V-shaped wedge is simply slid out from underneath string  16  and the instrument is ready to play. 
     It should be understood that many variations of the invention are included within the scope of these preferred embodiments. The fundamental requirements are for a support  12  and a resilient extension  14 . As illustrated, the support  12  can take the form of expandable base  38  or clamp  68 . Other supports  12  are included as is apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     Further, resilient extension  14  can take the form of first extension  30  and second extension  32 . It can also take the form of L-shaped arm  72 . 
     Further the support  12  and resilient extension  14  can take the form of an inverted V-shaped wedge  86  with resilient apex  88  and sides  90  and  92 . 
     While the present invention has been disclosed in connection with the preferred embodiment thereof, it should be understood, again, that there may be other embodiments which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Technology Category: g