05/451743

10/07/1975

03/18/1974

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84/267

84/291, 84/297R, 84/312R

G10D1/08; G10D1/00; G10D3/00

84/267,290,293,297-302,304-305,312,275,291,1.16

Franklin, Lawrence R.

Amster & Rothstein

What is claimed is

1. A collapsible stringed musical instrument comprising a body including a rigid section, a neck section, means for pivotally connecting said neck section to said rigid section, a collapsible section connected to said rigid section, a tensioning device movably mounted on said rigid section, means for tuning said strings, said strings being connected between said neck section and said tensioning device, said tensioning device being movable between a first position in which said strings are under tension and a second position in which said string tension is released, said neck section being movable between a playing position when said strings are under tension and a collapsed position when said string tension is released, said collapsible section cooperating with said neck section to move between a playing position and a collapsed position to permit playing of the stringed instrument and to permit the stringed instrument to be reduced to a compact shape, respectively.

2. The collapsible stringed musical instrument of claim 1 wherein said collapsible section includes a plurality of movable frame elements, at least one of said frame elements being movable between a first position in which one or more of the other frame elements is held in an erect configuration and a second position in which one or more of the frame elements is in a collapsed configuration.

3. A collapsible stringed musical instrument comprising a body including a rigid section, a neck section connected to said rigid section forwardly thereof, a tensioning device mounted on said rigid section for movement about an axis, means for securing one end of said instrument strings to said neck section, means for securing the opposite end of said instrument strings to said tensioning device, said strings extending from said neck section rearwardly past and beneath said axis to said tensioning device, means for tuning said strings, said tensioning device being movable about said axis between a first position in which said strings are under tension and said axis is above said strings and a second position in which said string is released after passing through a third position in which said strings are under maximum tension.

4. The collapsible stringed musical instrument of claim 3 wherein said rigid section includes an inclined section extending rearwardly and downwardly from said axis for receiving said tensioning member when said tensioning member is in its first position.

5. The stringed musical instrument of claim 3 wherein said tensioning member further includes a plurality of tuning pegs, said strings being coupled to the individual tuning pegs to that each string can be separately tuned.

6. The stringed musical instrument of claim 5 wherein said tensioning member has a V-shaped portion and each string passes around said V-shaped portion to its respective peg.

7. A collapsible stringed musical instrument comprising a body including a rigid section, a neck section positioned forwardly of said rigid section and mounted for movement with respect to said rigid section, a combined tensioning and tuning device mounted on said rigid section for movement about an axis, means for securing the forward ends of said instrument strings to said neck section, means for securing the rearward ends of said instrument strings to said combined tensioning and tuning device, said instrument strings extending rearwardly from said neck section past and below said axis to said combined tensioning and tuning device, said tensioning and tuning device being movable between a first position in which said strings are below said axis and under tension and in position for the instrument to be played and a second position in which the rearward ends of said strings are above said axis and said string tension is released, said neck section being movable about said rigid section when said combined tensioning and tuning device is in said second position to collapse said stringed musical instrument.

8. The stringed musical instrument of claim 7 wherein said body further includes a collapsible section connected to said rigid section for cooperating with said neck section, said collapsible section having a first position in which a collapsible section extends outwardly from said body section and the instrument is ready to be played and a second collapsed position arranged to cooperate with said neck section so that when the collapsible and neck sections are in the second position said stringed musical instrument is formed into a compact configuration for storage and transport.

The present invention relates generally to stringed musical instruments and, in particular, to a collapsible stringed musical instrument which includes a collapsible body and a device for applying or releasing the tension on all strings simultaneously so that the neck may be folded between a playing position and a position adjacent to the bottom of the instrument body.

Stringed musical instruments which may be collapsed into a compact configuration for transport or storage have been developed in the past. For example, guitars have been constructed in which the neck may be folded with respect to the body to produce a more compact instrument for transport or storage. However, such collapsible stringed musical instruments have not been completely satisfactory. For example, before the neck may be folded with respect to the instrument body, it is necessary to release the tension on the strings of the instrument. Typically, in the past this has been accomplished by releasing the tension on each of the strings individually. However, not only is this procedure time-consuming, it is usually necessary to retune each of the strings of the instrument after the neck has been returned to its playing position. Of course, it would be desirable to eliminate the need for releasing the tension on each string individually and the need for retuning each string.

Moreover, although the above-described collapsible musical instruments reduce the longitudinal extent of the instrument by folding the neck relative to the body, the body of the instrument remains relatively wide and a rather large case is still needed to transport and/or store the instrument. Accordingly, it has long been desired to further reduce the compactness of stringed musical instruments, especially a guitar of the electrical type in which the body is not used to produce sounds as in an acoustical guitar.

Accordingly, it is an overall object of the present invention to provide a collapsible stringed musical instrument which realizes one or more of the aforesaid objectives. In its collapsed configuration, the instrument may be economically transported and stored in a minimum of space yet may be easily and quickly erected when ready for use. In its commercial form, the instrument is of relatively simple construction, is readily manufactured by mass production techniques at relatively low cost and includes a number of simple and relatively indestructible components.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a stringed musical instrument in which not only is the neck foldable relative to the body of the instrument, but the body of the instrument may also be collapsed and substantially reduced in size.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a stringed musical instrument which includes a tensioning device which operates by snap action to release or apply tension on all of the strings of the musical instrument simultaneously so that it may easily be collapsed or erected.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a string tensioning device for stringed musical instruments which reapplies the tension on the strings of the instrument without the need for readjustment or retuning to obtain the original tuning.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment demonstrating objects and features of the present invention, there is provided a collapsible stringed musical instrument which includes a body having a rigid section and a collapsible section and a foldable neck hingedly connected to the rigid body section. A tensioning device is pivotally mounted on the rigid body section and operates by snap action to release or apply the string tension on all strings simultaneously. Pivoting the tensioning device away from the body automatically releases the tension on all of the strings simultaneously so that the neck of the instrument may be folded into a position adjacent the bottom of the instrument body. In addition, the collapsible body section includes two collapsible assemblies attached to the respective sides of the rigid body section. Each of the assemblies include a plurality of frame elements which may be collapsed into flat configurations adjacent the sides of the rigid body section. To erect the instrument from its collapsed configuration, the neck is folded into its playing position and the tensioning device is snapped into contact with the rigid body section which automatically reapplies the string tension on all of the strings simultaneously without the need of the strings being readjusted or retuned. To erect each assembly of the collapsible body section it is only necessary to move one of the frame elements into its erected position and attach another frame element to the rigid body section.

The above description as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of the presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative embodiment in accordance with the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the stringed musical instrument of the present invention in its completely erected configuration;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view in detail illustrating the means for attaching the strings of the instrument to one end of the neck;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the musical instrument of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view, partially in section, taken along the line 4--4 in FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows, illustrating one side of the rigid body section and neck of the instrument of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged elevational view, partly in section, illustrating in detail the means for adjusting the string height relative to the neck of the instrument;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view illustrating the manner in which the musical instrument of the present invention is collapsed by pivoting the tuning instrument upwardly to its tension-releasing position so that the neck may be folded relative to the instrument body;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view showing the neck in its folded position and illustrating the manner in which the collapsible body section is collapsed into a flat configuration;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view illustrating in detail the operation of one of the frame elements of the collapsible body section; and

FIG. 9 is a top plan view illustrating the neck in its folded position and the collapsible body section almost completely collapsed.

Referring now specifically to the drawings and in particular FIG. 1, there is shown a stringed musical instrument 10, such as an electrical guitar, embodying features of the present invention. It is be to understood that although this invention is being illustrated with respect to an electrical guitar, the present invention has application in other types of stringed musical instruments. The guitar 10 includes a body 12 and a foldable neck 14 hingedly connected to the body at 16. The guitar body 12 includes a rigid section 18 and a collapsible section 20, as will be more fully explained below. A snap-action tensioning device 22 is pivotally mounted on rigid body section 18 for controlling the tension on strings 24. Although in this illustrative form of the invention, six strings are employed, it should be understood that this is only for the purposes of illustration and the invention is not limited thereto. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, one end of strings 24 are connected to tensioning device 22, in a manner to be explained, and the other end of strings 24 are connected to the end 14a of neck 14. More particularly, as shown in FIG. 2, neck end 14a includes a recess 14b in which the ends of strings 24 are movable. Each string 24 includes a stop 24a for securing the string within recess 14b.

Turning now to FIGS. 1 through 6, the constructional details of rigid body section 18 and tensioning device 22 of the present invention are clearly illustrated. More particularly, rigid body section 18 includes an inclined surface 18a on which tensioning device 22 rests when strings 24 are under tension. Adjacent inclined surface 18a, rigid body section 18 includes a raised surface 18b on which control knobs 30, 32 for volume and tone are mounted. An electrical pickup 34 is also movable or slidable within a recess 18c formed in the top of rigid body section 18. In addition, a tuning bridge 36 is mounted on the top of rigid body section 18 and includes individually adjustable members 36a which may be adjusted in any suitable manner, such as by screws 36b, mounted on rigid body section 18.

As shown most clearly in FIGS. 3 to 5, rigid body section 18 also includes two hinge mounting members 18d, 18e extending from one end thereof for hingedly mounting foldable neck 14 at 16. The pivotally mounted end 14c of foldable neck 14 includes a lower section 14d and an upper section 14e. Lower section 14d extends between mounting members 18d, 18e with neck 14 hingedly connected to rigid body section 18 in any suitable manner, such as by hinge pins 18f to form hinge connections 16. Upper neck section 14e is essentially V-shaped in configuration (see FIG. 1) and rests within a recess 18g formed on one end of rigid body section 18. Recess 18g is formed by an extension 18h extending between the main portion of rigid body section 18 and mounting members 18d, 18e. As shown most clearly in FIG. 5, extension 18h is formed with a recess 18j in which an adjustable screw 38 is mounted. The upper end of screw 38 engages a recess 14f formed in the bottom of upper neck section 14e. Accordingly, as screw 38 is adjusted within recess 18j, it engages recess 14f and thereby raises or lowers the height of upper neck section 14e relative to rigid body extension 18h.

Of course, if the height of upper neck section 14e is raised, the opposite end 14a of neck 14 is lowered so that the height of strings 24 relative to frets 40 is decreased. And, as will be clearly understood, if screw 38 is adjusted so that upper neck section 14e moves towards rigid body extension 18h, the height of strings 24 relative to frets 40 will be increased. Accordingly, in the present invention, the height of strings 24 relative to frets 40 may be adjusted with one set screw 38 at the neck hinge and thereby avoids the need of having tuning bridge 36 mounted on rigid body section 18 so that it is adjustable in height.

As shown in FIG. 3, the bottom of guitar body 12 includes two female jacks 40a, 40b. Jack 40a is connected to pickup 34 so that it may be connected to an amplifier. Jack 40b is adapted to receive a pair of earphones which actuate a batterypowered amplifier for private listening.

Turning now to the constructional details of tensioning device 22, it is pivotably mounted at 42 on rigid body section 18 by upstanding brackets 44 fixedly connected on both sides of rigid body section 18. In this illustrative form of the invention, tensioning device 22 incorporates the tuning instrument of the guitar. However, it should be clear that the tuning instrument may be separate from tensioning device 22. For example, a conventional tuning instrument may be mounted at neck end 14a and tensioning device 22 may be mounted as shown in the drawings. Or, a combined tensioning device and tuning instrument could be mounted at neck end 14a. However, in the preferred embodiment, tensioning device 22 is essentially V-shaped in configuration and includes the conventional tuning pegs 22a for individually adjusting the tension on each of the strings 24. Each tuning peg 22a includes the conventional worm gear arrangement and a winding spool 22b which extends into a V-shaped member 22c. Member 22c is circular in cross section so that strings 24 may be passed under a smooth surface, rather than a sharp or pointed surface. In this manner, strings 24 extend beneath and around circular member 22c and are wound on their respective winding spool 22b so that the tension on each of the strings 24 may be individually adjusted by tuning pegs 22a. Further, as shown most clearly in FIG. 4, pivot point 42 of each of the brackets 44 is always above the height of strings 24 when tensioning device 22 is in its tension-applying position. Accordingly, as long as strings 24 are below the height of pivot points 42 when they are under tension, the tension of strings 24 are sufficient to maintain tuning instrument 22 in its tension-applying position. It should also be understood that tensioning device 22 may take other forms for applying and releasing string tension by snap-action. For example, tensioning device 22 may be in the form of a snap-action toggle arrangement.

To release the tension on strings 24, tensioning device 22 is manually pivoted upwardly out of contact with inclined surface 18a about pivot points 42. It should be understood that as tensioning device 22 is pivoted upwardly, as shown in FIG. 6, from its tension-applying position to its tension-releasing position, strings 24 will first experience an increase in tension as tensioning device 22 passes through a position of maximum tension in which it is approximately perpendicular to brackets 44. In this position of maximum tension, tensioning device 22 is at equilibrium or is stable in the sense that there is no net component of force in an upward or downward direction tending to move tensioning device 22 toward its tension-applying or releasing positions. However, once tensioning device 22 is manually snapped through this point of maximum tension, the tension on all strings 24 will be simultaneously released and foldable neck 14 may be folded about hinge connection 16 from its playing position to its collapsed position in which it is adjacent the bottom of rigid body section 18 and is in a plane parallel therewith. Of course, to erect the collapsed guitar, neck 14 is folded back about hinge connection 16 to its playing position in which it is coplanar with rigid body section 18. Then, tensioning device 22 is pivoted downwardly about pivot points 42 and snapped into engagement with inclined surface 18a to thereby reapply the tension to strings 24. Advantageously, with the present invention, in one motion or snap-action, that is by pivoting tensioning device 22 between its tension-applying position and its tension-releasing position, and passing through its position of equilibrium or maximum tension, the tension on all of the strings is simultaneously applied or released.

In addition, it should also be pointed out that when tensioning device 22 is returned to its tension-applying position, strings 24 do not have to be completely retuned as the strings are returned to substantially the same position and tuning which existed before tensioning device 22 was pivoted upwardly to its tension-releasing position. More particularly, each string 24 is constrained to wind about its respective winding spool 22b and can only move laterally along the short width of winding spool 22b between tuning peg 22a and V-shaped member 22c. In addition strings 24 have a tendency to be held under tension in a position adjacent V-shaped member 22c and have a tendency to return to that position after the tension has been released and reapplied. As a result, strings 24 are automatically returned to their original alignment and tuning. Accordingly, the V-shaped configuration of member 22c avoids the problem of strings 24 becoming tangled as tensioning device 22 is moved between its tension-applying and tension-releasing positions and also insures that strips 24 will be returned to their original position and alignment.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 through 9, the constructional details of collapsible body section 20 are most clearly shown and include two separately operable collapsible assemblies 50, 52 which are essentially identical in structure and operation. Each collapsible assembly 50, 52 is attached to one side of rigid body section 18, is separately operable and may be formed from any suitable material which will allow the assemblies to be moved between their erected and collapsed configurations. In this illustrative form of the invention, collapsible assemblies 50, 52 are formed from a flexible material such as plastic, and are therefore resilient. In addition, each of the collapsible assemblies 50, 52 may be formed from a plurality of frame elements which are constructed and arranged to simulate the shape and size of a guitar body or each may be formed from only one or two continuous frame elements. In this illustrative form of the invention, each of the collapsible assemblies 50, 52 is formed from a plurality of frame elements which are connected so as to be movable between a collapsed configuration and an erected configuration in which the frame elements simulate the shape and size of a guitar body. However, it should be understood that this is only for the purposes of illustration and that the invention is not limited by the number of frame elements employed.

As collapsible assemblies 50, 52 are identical in structure and operation and are separately operable, it will only be necessary to describe collapsible assembly 50 with corresponding prime numbers being used to describe collapsible assembly 52. Turning now to collapsible assembly 50, it includes an outer frame element 54 connected at 54a to an inner support member 56 and connected at 54b to an inner frame element 58. Connections 54a, 54b may be formed in any suitable manner, such as by rivets, or frame element 54 and frame element 58 may even be one continuous element. In addition, the other end of outer frame element 54 is shown removably attached to one end of rigid body section 18 and includes a slotted end 54c and a pin-receiving hole 54d adjacent thereto. A slot-receiving member 18m and a pin 18n are formed on the end of rigid body section 18 and, to removably attach the end of outer frame element 54 to rigid body section 18, the slotted end 54c of outer frame element 54 is placed about slot-receiving member 18 m and, in order to insure that outer frame element 54 is maintained in position, pin-receiving hole 54d is placed about pin 18n. Of course, it would also be possible to collapse frame element 54 even if it were fixedly attached at 18m, by providing a hinge or by scoring frame element 54 at 54e (see FIG. 3).

Inner support member 56 is fixedly connected at 56a to one side of rigid body section 18. In addition, inner support member 56 is formed from one strip of a resilient plastic material which has been partially scored at its respective ends 56b, 56c to form hinges or pivot points so that inner support member 56 may be movable with respect to outer frame element 54 and rigid body section 18, as will be explained below. Collapsible assembly 50 also includes an inner frame element or operating member 60 which operates in one position to maintain collapsible assembly 50 in its erected configuration and operates in another position to allow assembly 50 to be collapsed. One end of inner frame element 60 is fixedly connected to rigid body section 18 at 60a and the other end 60b is movable between an erected position and a collapsed position, as will be explained. In this illustrative form of the invention, inner frame elements 58, 60 are formed from one continuous strip of plastic which has been partially scored at 58a, 60c to form hinges or pivot points. In this manner, inner frame element 58 is movable about hinge or scoreline 58a and inner frame element 60 is movable about hinge or scoreline 60c so that collapsible assembly 50 may be moved between its erected and collapsed configurations. In this illustrative form of the invention, frame elements 54, 56, 58 and 60 are of a width approximately equal to the height of rigid body section 18 between its top and bottom surfaces so that they simulate the thickness or height of a conventional guitar body.

It should also be pointed out that frame elements 54, 56, 58 and 60 have been formed from a resilient material and have been connected and arranged so as to form a spring-like construction which is normally urged or biased toward its collapsed configuration. However, when inner frame element or operating member 60 is in its erected position in which it engages connection 54a, it maintains collapsible assembly 50 in its erected configuration and prevents assembly 50 from collapsing as a result of its spring-like construction. However, when the movable end 60b of inner frame element 60 is moved about hinge 60c to its collapsed position between hinge connections 56a, 69a, there is no longer any force tending to hold collapsible assembly 50 in its erected configuration against the biasing effect of spring-like elements 54, 56 and 58 and, accordingly, collapsible assembly 50 is urged or biased toward its collapsed configuration, as shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 shows collapsible assembly 50 in its almost completely collapsed condition in which the inner frame member 58 approaches a coplanar relationship with the element 60 which has been moved in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 7. When completely collapsed, the elements 58 and 60 are essentially coplanar running from the hinge connection 56a to hinge connection 60a to connection 54b. In addition, when inner frame element 56 is in its completely collapsed position, it will be adjacent to and engage inner frame element 60. Further, when outer frame element 54 is in its completely collapsed position, it will be adjacent to and engage inner frame element 56 and the side of rigid body section 18. Of course, collapsible assembly 52 is collapsed in an identical manner.

Accordingly, in order to provide a complete understanding of the present invention, a typical sequence of operation will now be described illustrating the manner in which body section 20 is collapsed from its erected configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to its collapsed configuration shown in FIG. 9. More particularly, as shown in FIG. 7 slotted end 54c and pin-receiving slot 54d of outer frame element 54 are removed from slot-receiving member 18m and pin 18n, respectively. Then, the movable end 60b of inner frame element 60 is pivoted about hinge 60c from its erected position where it engages hinge connection 54a to its collapsed position, shown in dotted lines in FIG. 7, where it engages the side of rigid body section 18 and is of such a size to fit between hinge connections 56a, 60a. As explained above, once inner frame element 60 is moved to its collapsed position, there is no longer any force tending to hold collapsible assembly 50 in its erected configuration against the bias of its spring-like construction, and the remaining frame elements 54, 56 and 58 of collapsible assembly 50 are urged or biased toward their collapsed configuration shown in FIG. 9. Of course, collapsible assembly 52 is collapsed in an identical manner so that body section 20 is completely collapsed.

Accordingly, with collapsible assemblies 50, 52 of collapsible body section 20 in their completely collapsed configuration and with foldable neck 14 folded to its collapsed position in which it is adjacent to the bottom of rigid body section 18, the collapsible stringed musical instrument of the present invention is extremely compact in size and may be easily transported and/or stored. In addition, as the stringed musical instrument of the present invention may be stored with the tension on the strings released, weakening or stretching of the strings is thereby prevented so that the useful life of the strings is greatly increased. Moreover, stringed musical instrument 10 may be erected from its compact and collapsed configuration simply and quickly. More particularly, the free end of outer frame element 54 is urged away from rigid body section 18 causing inner frame elements 56, 58 to assume a partially erected configuration. Then, the end 60b of inner frame element 60 is moved from its collapsed position adjacent the side of rigid body section 18 to its erected position in engagement with hinge connection 54a to maintain collapsible assembly 50 in its erected configuration against the bias of its spring-like construction which normally urges or biases it toward its collapsed configuration. Then, the free end of outer frame element 54 is connected by slotted end 54c and pin-receiving slot 54d to slot-receiving member 18m and pin 18n, respectively. Similarly, the same steps are followed to erect collapsible assembly 52. In this manner, collapsible body section 20 is erected to simulate the size and shape of the body of a conventional guitar. Of course, as explained above, to completely erect guitar 10, foldable neck 14 is folded about hinge connection 16 and is returned to its playing position so that it is coplanar with rigid body section 18. Then tensioning device 22 is pivoted downwardly about pivot points 42 into engagement with inclined surface 18a and into its tension-applying position. In this manner, all of the strings 24 are simultaneously returned to their original positions and tuning, without the need of any substantial adjusting of tuning pegs 22a.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that there has been provided in accordance with the present invention a collapsible stringed musical instrument which may be quickly and easily collapsed or erected. Advantageously, the body of the musical instrument includes a rigid body section and a collapsible body section so that the body of the instrument may be reduced in size for transport and/or storage and easily returned to its erected configuration. In addition, the neck of the musical instrument may be quickly folded with respect to the body without the need for releasing or reapplying the tension on each of the strings individually. In the present invention, the snap-action tensioning device is pivotally mounted on the the body so that the tension on all of the strings may be simultaneously applied or released in one simple snapping motion without substantially changing the original tuning of the strings.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in certain instances, some features of the invention will be used without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the present invention.