Music – Instruments – Stringed
Reexamination Certificate
2001-08-24
2003-06-03
Lockett, Kim (Department: 2837)
Music
Instruments
Stringed
C084S290000, C084S327000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06573439
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electric guitar or other stringed instrument ergonomically designed to maximize comfort and stability of playing positions, both sitting and standing, while producing a minimum amount of fatigue in the instrumentalist.
2. Related Background Art
Heretofore devices exist for use with the guitar in order to make it more easily playable and expressive. One of the most common problems associated with playing the guitar is physical discomfort—particularly back and shoulder pain—derived from holding the instrument. Patents: U.S. Pat. No. RE 31,722; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,592,265; 3,955,461; U.S. Pat. No. DES 410,699; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,339,981 are just a few of the attempts at producing a more comfortable or stable guitar.
Most guitar designs require the instrumentalist's back to twist when seated with the guitar. The back twists to the right when the guitar is placed upon the right thigh and to the left when the guitar is placed upon the left thigh. Also, when placed upon the left thigh, additional stands or footrests are often used under the left foot, throwing the hips out of alignment. Shoulder strain is often induced from holding the instrument in these positions as well.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a stringed instrument, which maximizes comfort of the instrumentalist in multiple playing positions.
The objects of the present invention are fulfilled by providing an ergonomically designed stringed instrument comprising: a main body portion having first and second spaced distal end faces longitudinally thereof, and spaced distal top and bottom faces vertically thereof, and spaced front and rear surfaces; an elongated fingerboard extending from a first one of said end faces; a bridge for supporting strings of the instrument disposed closely adjacent to the second one of the end faces; a leg rest attached to a second end face and extending therefrom, said leg rest being angularly adjustable between selectable supporting positions; an upper horn extending from a region of the top face of the body, said upper horn having a contoured rear surface shaped to conformingly engage the upper body of the instrumentalist; and a belly rest extending from the rear surface of the instrument for engagement with an instrumentalist's abdomen.
It is the intention of this invention to eliminate the aforementioned problems by allowing the instrumentalist to sit almost perfectly at ease; with a straight back, even hips, and relaxed shoulders. One significant point in achieving this is shaping the guitar body below the bridge as close to the bridge as possible. This shape allows the guitar bridge to rest just above the instrumentalist's right thigh, as opposed to off the right side of the instrumentalist's right thigh (the norm in traditional guitar body design). This straightens the instrumentalist's back as the guitar moves to center, as well as reduces strain in the right shoulder.
With the guitar body contacting the instrumentalist's right thigh at a point below the bridge near the end of the guitar, a significant amount of the weight of the guitar is shifted to the instrumentalist's left. This weight is held, and the guitar kept in balance, by the multi-adjustable leg rest. The legrest curves toward the back of the guitar so that it more appropriately rests upon the instrumentalist's left thigh as opposed to toward his knee. This provides a better sense of balance and stability. The legrest curvature also provides a better angle for the legrest to rest on the chair which the instrumentalist is seated upon when this option is chosen.
Use of the legrest allows the position of the guitar's neck (and body) to be set to the instrumentalist's preference and comfort. However, it is the observation of the inventor that even a “perfect” playing position can cause fatigue and physical discomfort if it is maintained unchanged for a long period of time. Thus the adjustable features of this guitar body design (legrest, armrest, and side rest) allow the instrumentalist to position himself within a range of ideal positions with instant adjustments. Even odd positions, such as sitting back on a soft sofa or on the floor, can be accommodated. The use of a guitar strap with this instrument will also provide variations in stability and comfort. No other guitar provides such a wide range of adjustable comfort and support options.
The adjustable armrest is designed to reduce tension and fatigue in the instrumentalist's right shoulder. Typical guitar design requires that the instrumentalist often hold his arm in an up, outward, or back position which can produce fatigue (especially over long periods of time). The adjustable armrest allows the weight of the arm to be held in a natural, relaxed position with a minimum of effort and therefore fatigue. The curvature of the armrest can provide horizontal support, which prevents the weight of the instrumentalist's arm from falling towards the ground, as well as vertical support, which prevents the instrumentalist's arm from falling in towards his body. The armrest can pivot as well as slide along a support arm. A variety of armrests, with different heights and curvatures, can also be quickly selected or changed with the use of the quick release armrest clamp. The instrumentalist may also play the guitar with the armrest removed for further variety and comfort.
It is the inventor's observation that when weight of the right arm rests upon the body of a guitar (traditional design or the current invention) that the guitar tends to spin and fall toward the back of the instrumentalist. This requires extra effort to hold the guitar in place and produces fatigue. To remedy this common problem, the current invention includes an adjustable side rest placed at the back of the guitar just behind the armrest. The side rest transfers weight placed upon the armrest to the instrumentalist's side and eliminates the guitar's tendency to spin. Fatigue is greatly reduced and stability increased as the armrest can more fully support weight applied to it. The side rest is quickly adjustable by sliding it along a support base. Different side rest adjustments provide varying degrees of support.
Other ergonomic guitar body features include: a belly rest to provide stability where the instrument contacts the instrumentalist's abdominal area; a long inward curving upper horn for support against the instrumentalist's chest, as well as balance; strap buttons located at the end of the long upper horn as well as at the end of the armrest support base arm—this provides for better balance of the instrument and does not pull the instrument uncomfortably into the instrumentalist's body as in traditional guitar design where the strap buttons are located in the same plane as the guitar's main body (the human body is round, not flat); guitar body shaped and tapered to meet the instrumentalist's right arm at approximately 90 degrees; the lower edge of the guitar and legrest shaped at approximately 15 degree angle to accommodate the slight backward tilt of the guitar body in playing position; guitar body shaped to allow full fingerboard access; smooth body shaping (cutaway) where the back of the guitar meets the instrumentalist's ribcage area; and overall smooth body shaping and rounding with a minimum of body size and weight.
Performance related improvements to this guitar include the fixed tremolo bar and fixed tremolo bar locking mechanism. A significant amount of prior art exists describing tremolos as well as several tremolo locks. The basic function of tremolos is to add musical expressiveness by allowing the lowering and/or raising of the pitch of the guitar strings. The disadvantage with most tremolo arms is that they often have to be grabbed for when their effect is desired and then pushed away or allowed to fall when no longer needed. A fixed trem
Birch Anthony L.
Lockett Kim
Wilson Kenneth H.
LandOfFree
Ergonomic multi-position guitar with locking fingertip... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Ergonomic multi-position guitar with locking fingertip..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Ergonomic multi-position guitar with locking fingertip... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3148609