Music – Instruments – Stringed
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-02
2001-02-20
Nappi, Robert E. (Department: 2837)
Music
Instruments
Stringed
C084S327000, C084S453000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06191347
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a strap clip for a musical instrument for installing a strap, e.g., a shoulder strap, on such a musical instrument as a guitar, etc.
DESCRIPTION OF A PRIOR ART EMBODIMENT
This embodiment is described with reference to
FIGS. 7 and 8
. Strap S is made of either leather or cloth and is used for supporting a musical instrument G on a musician's shoulder for playing. The strap is installed on the main body Ga of a musical instrument G, such as a guitar, etc. as shown in FIG.
7
. At both end regions, the strap S has a cut Sa through it, including an enlarged opening Sb. The strap S is freely detachably installed on the musical instrument Ga on a respective protuberant button or member
50
for strap installation (called a strap pin or a strap button, etc.). Those buttons
50
are fastened at two required locations on the musical instrument Ga. Each button is inserted into and engages in its cut Sa in the strap.
In the past, it has been customary for the protuberant member
50
to be formed approximately in the shape of an inverted cone, wherein the outer diameter at the top
52
is greater than the outer diameter at the base
51
(toward the musical instrument) or alternatively approximately in a columnar shape, with a jaw formed at its top (this version not being shown in the drawing).
Irrespective of the shape or profile of the protuberant member
50
, the outer diameter at its base is formed approximately equal to the diameter of the opening Sb of the cut Sa of the strap
5
, with the base
51
of the protuberant member
50
and the opening Sb of the cut Sa to be engaged subsequent to insertion of the protuberant member
50
into the cut Sa in the strap S.
An installation screw
53
fastens the protuberant member
50
on the instrument Ga. An elastic washer of felt, etc. is interposed between the instrument Ga and the protuberant member
50
for protecting the musical instrument Ga from damage.
Where a strap S is installed on the musical instrument Ga by a protuberant member
50
as described above, however, it is easy to engage the strap S with the protuberant member
50
. But there is a problem that the strap S may be dislodged from the protuberant member
50
, depending upon the posture of the performer during a performance. Specifically, in the vicinity of the cut Sa, the strap S is deformed in direction Z, which is the direction of the installation axis of the protuberant member
50
which crosses the strap installation surface at a right angle. The cut Sa is “rolled”, for instance, and the strap S is easily dislocated from the protuberant member
50
.
In the conventional product, moreover, the cut Sa of the strap S gradually expands due to repeated attachment and detachment of the strap S on the instrument Ga. This deteriorates the engagement between the cut Sa and the protuberant member
50
, and eventually makes it impossible to install the strap S on the musical instrument, necessitating frequent replacement of the strap.
A strap installation structure with a lock system has recently been proposed wherein the strap and the protuberant member are fixed by bolts and nuts, for solving the previously described problem. However, that complicates the structure as the number of parts involved increases, so that it takes a longer time for installation and manufacturing cost rises.
Further, the strap installation lock system firmly engages the strap and the protuberant member, making it difficult for the strap to be disengaged from the protuberant member. If the performer moves rapidly with the instrument, a huge burden is placed on the linking part of the strap, causing mutilation of the strap in some cases.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to overcome the above described problems. The invention provides a strap clip primarily useful for a musical instrument, but useful for other applications where a strap is attached to a body or to a surface which enables smooth installation of a strap on the musical instrument, by a simple construction and with few parts involved. Subsequent to installation, moreover, it is difficult for the strap to be disengaged from the instrument or other body, and satisfactory engagement with the strap is maintained for a long period of time. Further, it eliminates inconveniences, such as a cut-off of the strap, due to fast movement of the performer.
The invention relates to a strap clip for musical instrument or other body which is installed on the musical instrument or body and is inserted into a cut in a strap. The clip comprises an installation seat having an installation hole to be screwed to the musical instrument or body, a narrow width bent up hook which is integral with the rear part of the installation seat, and an insertion part which is integrally folded back over the top of the installation seat from the bent hook and is wide at its center region but tapers toward its tip. The tapered tip is also adapted, e.g., bent down, to approach the installation seat.
The strap clip further includes an insertion window in the wide center region of the insertion part for permitting passage of an installation screw. The window is positioned above the screw installation hole of the installation seat.
In addition, the strap clip may be freely rotated with respect to the musical instrument or body.
Other objects and features of the invention are explained below with reference to the attached drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4279396 (1981-07-01), Bendock
patent: 4897898 (1990-02-01), Chapin
Hoshino Gakki Co. Ltd.
Hsieh Shih-yung
Nappi Robert E.
Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen, LLP
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