EP1105866A1

EP1105866A1 - Device for positioning a guitar or a double bass

Info

Publication number: EP1105866A1
Application number: EP99936723A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marc Pappilon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-08-11
Filing date: 1999-08-11
Publication date: 2001-06-13
Also published as: WO2000010159A1; FR2782407A1; CA2305006A1; FR2782407B1; AU5171599A

Abstract

The invention concerns a device (1) comprising: a catching line (7) integral or adapted to be made integral with the back (19A) of a guitar (G) or double bass body (19); a strip (4) whereof one first end is linked or adapted to be linked with said catching line, said strip, when it is being used, substantially matching in shape the front of the musician's trunk; and means, while in use, for maintaining the angle between the general plane of said body (19) back and the part adjacent to the strip (4) at a predetermined value, preferably adjustable. The invention is useful for ergonomic positioning of electric or acoustic guitars, bass guitars and double basses.

Description

Guitar or double bass positioning device

The present invention relates to a device for positioning a guitar or a double bass. It applies in particular to the positioning of all types of guitars: dry guitars, electric guitars, bass guitars. The habitual wearing of these instruments generates malpositions which cause muscular tensions. These, in the long term, cause discomfort, pain and static problems in the player.

The object of the invention is to provide a device allowing the guitarist or the double bass player to place his instrument in the most physiological manner possible, thereby offering optimal comfort and freedom of play.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for positioning a guitar or a double bass, as described in claim 1.

The positioning device according to the invention may include one or more of the features of claims 2 to 8, taken in isolation or according to all their technically possible combinations. The invention also relates to a guitar with a shoulder strap or a double bass equipped with a device as described above. The back of the instrument body may have a recess for housing the strip during periods of non-use of the device. Examples of embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the appended drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a plan view of a device _. positioning according to the invention, arranged flat; Figure 2 shows the device in perspective, in its configuration of use; - Figure 3 shows in perspective the back of a body or a bass guitar body on which the device has been put in place;

- Figures 4 to 6 show, respectively from the front, from above and in perspective from three-quarters before, a standing guitarist who plays on the bass guitar of Figure 3;

- Figure 5A is a schematic top view illustrating the use of the device for positioning a double bass; - Figure 7 is a side view, partially in perspective, of a variant; Figures 8 to 11 illustrate in perspective four different positions of a player who uses a bass guitar equipped with the variant of Figure 7; - Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 1 of another embodiment of the following device

The invention;

- Figure 13 is a partial side view, in the position of use; - Figure 14 is a schematic side view, with partial longitudinal section, of a bass guitar according to the invention, with its positioning device in the use position; Figure 15 is a similar view, with the positioning device in the retracted storage position; - Figure 16 is a schematic top view corresponding to Figure 15; Figure 17 is a partial exploded view, schematic, illustrating the manufacture of the object of Figures 14 to 16;

- Figure 18 is a view similar to Figure 14 of a variant;

- Figure 19 is a schematic exploded view of another variant; and - Figure 20 shows in perspective another embodiment of the invention.

The positioning device 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 consists essentially of a plate 2 of rectangular shape of about 10 cm x 7 cm, of a rigid strip 3, with a length of the order of 20 cm , a strap 4 approximately the same length as the strip 3, and two suction cups 5. The plate 2 and the strip 3 are for example metallic, but can be made of another sufficiently rigid material, for example in a suitable plastic manner.

The plate 2 carries on a small edge a linear hinge 6 on which is articulated one end of the strip 3. One end of the strap 4 is fixed, by means of a few aligned rivets 7, along the opposite edge of the plate.

The strip 3 has, approximately half-length, an oblique fold 8, so that the parts 9 and 10 of this strip located on either side of this line form an obtuse angle α (Figure 2), by example of the order of 150 °, with in addition a warping effect. Another fold line 11, inclined in the opposite direction to the fold 8, is also provided near the free end of the strip 3, which is cut obliquely roughly parallel to the fold 8, to define an end heel 12 in the form of a parallelogram.

The strap 4 has at its free end two gussets 13A, 13B arranged on its same face (the bottom face in Figure 1), one behind the other.

The plate 2 comprises two arcuate slots 14, the edges of which are sinuous, so as to define several circular notches 15 connected by relatively narrow slots 16.

Each suction cup 5, made of flexible plastic, is provided with a foot 17 with an enlarged end, as can be seen in FIG. 7. By elastic compression, the intermediate part of this foot can pass from one notch 15 to the next of the corresponding light 14.

The lights 14 end near the strap 4. Two studs 18 of flexible material, for example felt, are glued in the two opposite corners of the plate, on the side of the suction cups 5. The flat configuration of the device shown in Figure 1 is the storage configuration of the device. For its use, the band 3 and the strap 4 are folded in the opposite direction to the suction cups 5, and the heel 12 is introduced into one of the two gussets, for example in the gusset 13A. The device then takes the general triangular configuration shown in Figure 2, in which the part 10 of the strip 3 forms an angle slightly less than 90 ° with the plate when the strap is tightened. The device 1 is fixed to the back 19A, of generally planar shape, of the body or of the body 19 of a guitar G, in this example a bass guitar, by means of the two suction cups 5, for example in the vicinity of the handle 20 of the instrument and slightly offset upward relative to the axis XX of this handle, as shown in Figure 3. The angular position of the plate relative to the axis XX can be adjusted at will, after this fixing, by placing the feet of the two suction cups in different notches of the lights 14.

Figures 4 to 6 represent a player, assumed right-handed, who plays on the guitar equipped with the device 1, in a standing position. The guitar is carried by a classic strap 21 on the player's left shoulder, whose left hand plays on the neck 20.

As can be seen in Figures 5 and 6, the strap 4 is applied to the player's abdomen, from a location slightly to the right of the navel to the iliac wing, the gussets of the strap being located roughly at the waist. Thus, the strap, in front view, extends obliquely downwards and towards the side of the player, and its part adjacent to the plate 2 forms with the latter, and therefore with the general plane of the back 19A of the body 19 of the guitar, an angle β (Figures 2 and 5) of the order of 60 to 80 °.

The instrument thus positions itself in an ergonomic position in three dimensions: - In front view (Figure 4), the X-X axis of the handle takes an inclined position at about 45 ° on the horizontal. This will prevent exaggerated flexion of the left wrist and reduce flexion of the right forearm.

- In top view (Figure 5), the general plane P of the instrument is oriented towards the front by creating an angle "x" of about 45 ° with respect to the frontal plane of the instrumentalist. This allows you to position the left shoulder in its position of physiological function (scapula pressed against the rib cage), thus offering total freedom to the rest of the upper limb and freeing the hand from all constraints. The risk of muscle-tendon overwork is thus reduced.

In addition, as illustrated by the arrows in Figure 4 and as seen in Figures 5 and 6, the device 1 allows to orient and wedge the instrument so that the front side of the guitar is turned upwards, roughly in the same plane as that of the right forearm, thus avoiding excessive flexion of the right wrist.

The instrument thus calibrated, its weight is better distributed. Instead of weighing only on the shoulder, the weight is distributed over the shoulder and over the pelvis (pelvic girdle). There are therefore fewer constraints on the shoulder muscles (upper trapezium), allowing the muscles of the shoulder girdle to be positioned and used as well as possible.

In addition, the instrumentalist is exempt from carrying the neck with his left hand, which removes any stress on the left thumb and brings the instrument into a comfortable position. He also doesn't need to wedge him with his right forearm. Once the instrumentalist has been freed from these constraints on the left hand and the right forearm, his shoulders can now optimally orient the two upper limbs in space. The two thumbs are only used for the general balance of the other fingers.

As shown diagrammatically in FIG. 5A, the device can also be used to correctly position a double bass C. For this, it is fixed in substantially the same position as above relative to the abdomen of the player, that is to say, in this case, with the strap 4 extending in a general direction approximately perpendicular to the general axis, approximately vertical, of the instrument. There is a predetermined angle β between the back 19A of the body 19 of the instrument and the adjacent part of the strap.

The double bass player no longer needs to wedge his instrument using his chest, knees or upper limbs, which then leaves his two shoulders and upper limbs completely free.

FIG. 7 represents a variant 101 of the device which differs from that described above by the fact that the strap 4 is extended, beyond the gussets 13A and 13B, by a belt 22. This belt is intended to go around the size of the player and to be fixed in an adjustable manner by its free end to the face of the strap 4 opposite the strip 3, for example by means of pieces 23, 24 of material of the "VELCRO" type. The player's comfort is then further increased. As shown in Figures 8 to 11 in relation to variant 101, once adjusted the overall position of the device on the back 19A of the guitar, the inclination of the plate relative to the axis of the neck, and the angle that the turntable does with strip 3 (in the example described by the choice of gusset 13A or 13B), the guitar is positioned in a determined manner with respect to the player, whatever the position of the latter, for example standing (Figure 8) or sitting / kneeling on a so-called "ergonomic" seat (Figure 9), or even sitting on a chair with the guitar outside your right hip (Figure

10) or between the legs (Figure 11). In the latter two cases, the guitar does not rest on the adjacent thigh. Thus, the guitarist can easily change position without ever losing the ergonomic advantages described above.

In the embodiment of Figures 12 and 13, the band 3 is deleted, and the strap 4 is replaced by a rigid band 4A. We see in Figure 13 that the strip 4A is curved, its general curved shape fitting well

1 abdomen.

The angle β of the strip 4A and of the plate 2 (Figure 13) is maintained by means of four strips 23, 24. The two strips 23 are articulated on the edges of the strip by hinges 25 and have on one side a head nail 26. The two strips 24 are articulated on the edges of the plate 2 parallel to the previous ones by hinges 27 and are each provided with two buttonholes 28 having a wide end which lets the head of the nails 26 pass and a narrow end which only lets through their stem.

For use, the strips 23 and 24 are brought into a position approximately perpendicular to the strip and the plate, and the nails 26, introduced into a pair of buttonholes 28, maintain the angle J3 at one of two possible values, as shown in Figure 13.

In the embodiment of Figures 14 to 17, there are the elements 2, 3 and 23 to 28 of Figures 12 and 13, but the suction cups 5, the lights 14 and the pads 18 are deleted. The plate 2 is permanently fixed to the back of the guitar by means of four screws 29, and constitutes the plate for fixing the neck 20 on the body 19.

Furthermore, the back of the body 19 has a recess 30 which makes it possible to accommodate the strip 4A in the position of non-use of the device 1 (Figure 15). A removable cover (not shown) can be provided. Alternatively (Figure 18), the plate 2 can be omitted and the strip 4A be directly articulated by the hinge 6 on the back of the instrument. The latter and the strip 4A then comprise suitable means (not shown) for releasable, and preferably adjustable, maintenance of the angle β, for example strips 23, 24 as described above.

In another variant (Figures 19 and 20), the plate 2 is fixed in a removable manner and adjustable in position and inclination by means of a support plate 31 mounted on the back of the body 19 of the guitar, in a circular recess of this back. The plate 31 is circular and pivots on a threaded rod 32 secured to the body 19. A knurled nut 33 screwed onto it makes it possible to fix its angular position. The plate 31 carries two parallel rails 34 in which four bolt heads 35 can slide. The bolts pass through holes in the plate 2, and their position along the rails 34 can be locked by means of four knurled nuts 35 screwed onto these bolts . The plate 2 also has a longitudinal slot 37 which starts from its rear edge and lets the nut 33 pass, as shown in phantom in Figure 19.

Thus, the instrumentalist, firstly, adjusts the position of the plate 2 along the rails 34, and fixes this position by means of the nuts 35, then, in a second step, he adjusts the angular position of the assembly plate 31-plate 2 by means of the nut 33.

It should be noted that, in all the embodiments described above, the angle β must only be maintained so as to prevent it from being closed during use of the device. Indeed, the latter has the essential function of maintaining a configuration predetermined space, generally triangular in shape from above (Figures 5 and 5A), between the player's abdomen and the back of the instrument body. It is therefore in this sense that the expression "maintenance of the angle β" must be understood.

In the embodiment 201 of FIG. 20, the plate 202 and the strip 203 are plastic plates. The hinge 206 which connects them is produced by an adhesive tape stuck transversely on the two plates. The front face of the plate 202 carries a piece of VELCRO® 38A, and a substantial part of the back 219A of the body 219 of the instrument is covered with a piece of complementary VELCRO® 38B.

The strap 204 is made in two parts: a part 204A which leaves from the free end of the strip 203, and a part 204B which leaves, towards the rear, from an intermediate point of the length of the plate 202. The opposite sides of these two parts are provided with complementary VELCRO® pieces 39A and 39B. Thus, the plate 202 can be positioned as desired on the back 219A, in height, length and orientation, using the pieces of VELCRO® 38A and 38B, and adjusting the angle of the plates 202 and 203 using the pieces of VELCRO® 39A and 39B. If the device 201 is not used, it folds flat and is very light and very compact.

In addition, the natural elasticity of the plastic plates used allows the plate 202 to adapt to a non-flat back 219A, and possibly cause the band 203 to bend slightly, providing a "suspension" effect of the instrument. .

Note that in Figure 20, the lower horn of the body of the instrument has been removed, to avoid any embarrassment for the instrumentalist when he sits while playing.

Claims

1 - Guitar or double bass positioning device, characterized in that it comprises:

- An attachment line (7) integral or adapted to be made integral with the back (19A) of the body (19) of a guitar (G) or a double bass (C);

- a band (4; 4A), a first end of which is connected or adapted to be connected to said attachment line, this band, in use, substantially matching the anterior face of the trunk of the instrumentalist; and

- Means (3; 23 to 28) for, in use, maintaining the angle (β) between the general plane of the back (19A) of said body (19) and the adjacent part of the strip (4; 4A) at a predetermined value, preferably adjustable.

2 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the strip (4; 4A) has a useful length greater than 15 cm and preferably adapted to be applied on the abdomen of the iliac wing until beyond the belly button. 3 - Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises means (5) for adjusting the position and / or the inclination of the attachment line (7) on the back (19A) of the body (19) of the instrument. 4 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the attachment line (7) is carried by a plate (2) for securing the device (1) to the instrument (G, C) .

5 - Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the plate (2) is provided with means (5) for removable fixing on the back (19A) of said body (19), including suction cups or pieces of sheet with hooks and loops (VELCRO®).

6 - Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the plate (2) is permanently fixed to the back (19A) of said body (19).

7 - Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the strip (4) is flexible, and in that the device comprises:

- A second strip (3), rigid, a first end of which is adapted to bear on the back of said body (19), in particular by means of a joint (6), and means (13A, 13B) for connect together, in particular in an adjustable manner, the second ends of the two bands (3, 4).

8 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it further comprises a belt (22) connected or adapted to be connected, by a first end, to the second end of the strip (4) and the other end (23) of which is adapted to be removably attached to the vicinity (24) of the first end of this strip (4).

9 - Guitar with shoulder strap or double bass, characterized in that it is equipped with a device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10 - Guitar shoulder strap or double bass according to claim 9, characterized in that the back (19A) of its body (19) has a recess (30) for housing the band (4) during periods of non-use of the device (1).