EP2255356B1

EP2255356B1 - Capodaster

Info

Publication number: EP2255356B1
Application number: EP09723181A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Georg Vochezer
Original assignee: Rudolf Wittner & Co KG GmbH; Wittner GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Rudolf Wittner & Co KG GmbH; Wittner GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2008-03-19
Filing date: 2009-03-13
Publication date: 2011-11-09
Anticipated expiration: 2029-03-13
Also published as: CN101978417A; EP2255356A1; KR20100127229A; JP2011515709A; US20110023683A1; CA2718694A1; ES2377182T3; US8093476B2; CN101978417B; AT533144T; DE102008015583A1; BRPI0908976A2; WO2009115461A1; JP5064599B2

Abstract

Capodaster for fixing to a neck of a stringed musical instrument, comprising a first arm where a string seating area is located, a second arm where a seating area for a neck backside is located, a sliding bearing by means of which the first arm is held slidably at the second arm, said sliding bearing comprising a sliding guide that is formed by at least one slot or at least one notch with a direction of opening perpendicular to a direction of sliding, at least one first contact surface formed at the first arm and at least one second contact surface formed at the second arm, wherein through contact of the at least one first contact surface and the at least one second contact surface the first arm can be prevented from slipping away from the second arm, and thus causing the distance between the string seating area and the neck backside seating area to enlarge, and wherein the direction of opening is oriented at least approximately parallel to the first contact surface and at least approximately parallel to the second contact surface.

Description

The invention relates to a capo for fixing to a neck of a stringed musical instrument with strings, comprising a first arm, on which a string conditioning area is arranged, and on which at least a first contact surface is formed, a second arm, on which a neck rear abutment area for a neck rear side of the stringed musical instrument is arranged, and on which at least a second contact surface is formed, and a sliding bearing, via which the first arm is slidably supported on the second arm and which has a displacement guide, which by at least one slot or at least one groove is formed with an opening direction transverse to a displacement direction is formed.
Capo to shorten the vibrating length of strings of a stringed musical instrument. A capo is stretched between two frets around the neck of the stringed musical instrument and presses the strings onto the frets. In terms of playing technique, the string length then remains between a bridge of the stringed musical instrument and the fret which is closest to the bridge.
From the DE 382 448 For example, a tuning apparatus for lutes and similar musical instruments is known in which a string bridge is movably disposed on an angle-shaped lever whose arm protrudes over the sides and the fulcrum of the angle-shaped lever is supported at the upper end of an S-shaped bracket.
From the US 5,492,045 For example, a capo is known which comprises a force member for acting on the neck of a musical instrument on a side opposite to strings.
From the DE 1 208 164 is a capo is known in which a crossbar for each string is equipped with a pressure piece, which is arranged vertically displaceable in a bed and resiliently supported.
From the DE 10 2006 059 821 B3 a capo is known, which comprises a string-conditioning device, a strap for fixing the string-conditioning device to the neck and a fixing device for fixing the tension band to the string-conditioning device. At least one tab is arranged on the string contact device, by means of which the capo is susceptible to the neck of the stringed musical instrument.
From the EP 1 143 408 B1 For example, a capo is known which comprises a string contact arm, a clamp arm, and a pivotal connection pivotally interconnecting the clamp arm and the string contact arm at a position along the arms. The pivotal connection includes a releasable locking device that selectively locks the pivotal connection as well as the relative pivoting movement of the clamping arm and the string contact arm against movement in an opening direction while allowing relative pivoting movements in a closing direction.
From the US 4,793,234 For example, a capo is known which has a rigid arm which is intended to extend across the neck over strings of a stringed musical instrument. A string contact part is arranged on this arm. A resiliently formed C-shaped part is connected to the arm. About this part can exert a clamping force.
From the US 2,604,805 a capo is known, which comprises two L-shaped parts, which are connected by a bolt with screwed wing nut.
From the GB 2 141 860 A is a capo with a U-shaped frame known.
From the US 6,573,440 B1 Another capo is known.
From the DE 358 280 is a string pusher for lutes and similar musical instruments with spring for pressing down on the strings known. There are two provided with handles semicircular legs, which lie within a coil spring so that they stand when lifting the bridge associated with them from the strings. There are provided rolls which slide on the neck of the instrument.
The invention has for its object to provide a capo of the type mentioned, which is fixed in a simple manner to the neck of a stringed musical instrument and has advantageous properties.
This object is achieved according to the invention in the aforementioned capo that the opening direction of the at least one slot or the at least one groove is oriented at least approximately parallel to the strings, when the capo is clamped to the neck, wherein the opening direction at least approximately parallel to the first Contact surface and at least approximately parallel to the second contact surface is oriented and that by contact of the at least one first contact surface and the at least one second contact surface is a Auseinander-displaceability of the first arm to the second arm, which increases the distance between the string conditioning area and the neck rear side abutment area, lockable.
The capo tasto according to the invention can be produced in a simple manner with a minimization of the number of required components.
It is a one-handed operation of the capo possible; this can be put on with one hand and the fixation can be solved.
The contact surfaces can be formed so that they are only effective when a pressure force is exerted on the arms through the neck, d. H. if a fixation or pre-fixing has been done on the neck of the stringed musical instrument. It can thereby perform a clamping pressure metering. Too great a tension on a string can cause a detuning of the string. A too low clamping pressure can cause a whirring of the string. In the solution according to the invention an optimized setting is possible.
The sliding bearing has a displacement guide, which is arranged on the second arm. Such a displacement guide can be formed in a simple manner. The displacement guide is formed by at least one slot or at least one groove on an arm (such as the second arm). In this at least one slot or in the at least one groove can be the other arm (for example, the first arm) or a fixed to the other arm element lead.
If the opening direction of the at least one slot or the at least one groove is parallel to the first contact surface and the second contact surface, then in a simple structural design, the Auseinander-displaceability can be locked in a simple manner when the capo is clamped on the neck without others Aid for detection (such as screws or the like) are necessary. This allows easy one-hand operation. The number of required components is minimized. In addition, an adjustment of the pressure force in a simple manner possible, since a Aufeinanderzu-displaceability is possible.
The opening direction is a direction transverse to the direction of displacement. It points in the outer space and is a dipping direction, over which (at least) one pin element of the other arm is immersed in the at least one slot or the groove. The opening direction is at least approximately parallel to the strings. It is also oriented transversely to a side surface of the corresponding arm.
The opening direction is that direction, to which the at least one slot or the at least one groove is not limited at least on one side by material of that arm on which the at least one slot or the at least one groove is formed.
The at least approximately parallelism of the opening direction to the first contact surface and the second contact surface is present at each contact position of the first contact surface and the second contact surface before and in particular in each position of the first arm to the second arm.
In known from the prior art Kapodastern, in which a first arm and a second arm are purely pivotable to each other, the fundamental problem occurs that can not optimally align a string conditioning area with the beginning of the fixation. Until reaching a final clamping position, an arm performs a circular movement due to the pivotal mounting. In the inventive solution is by the Sliding a linear movement of the first arm possible, which is aligned transversely and in particular at least approximately perpendicular to the strings of the musical instrument. As a result, a uniform pressure distribution on all strings can be achieved and any errors due to inaccurate placement of the capo can be corrected easily.
In the solution according to the invention, the first arm or the second arm may each be formed in one or more parts.
It is advantageous if the at least one first contact surface and the at least one second contact surface are formed such that the contact-apart mobility is blocked when the capo is clamped on the neck. It then acts a compressive force, which blocks the movement apart of the first arm on the second arm. However, an operator can still move the first arm on the second arm, if the clamping force is to be increased.
It is favorable when the at least one first contact surface and the at least one second contact surface are designed such that a Aufeinanderzu-displaceability of the first arm and the second arm in the opposite direction to a disengaging direction of the first arm and the second arm is released. This allows you to adjust the clamping force.
In particular, the displacement guide is a linear guide. It is sufficient if the first arm on the second arm is linearly displaceable.
It has proved to be advantageous if the at least one second contact surface is at least approximately parallel to the displacement guide. As a result, a fixation position can be secured in a simple manner.
In a structurally simple embodiment, the first arm is held on at least one pin element on the displacement guide. Via the at least one pin element, which is immersed in the displacement guide, a mobility of the first arm on the second arm can be realized in a simple manner. The at least one pin element may be a separate from the first arm and fixed to this element. It can also be formed in one piece on the arm. It may for example also be designed as a pin.
A longitudinal extension direction of the at least one pin element is parallel to the opening direction of the at least one slot or the at least one groove. This longitudinal extension direction is then parallel to the first contact surface and the second contact surface.
In an advantageous embodiment, the sliding bearing is designed as a pivot sliding bearing, wherein the first arm is pivotable relative to the second arm. This can facilitate the placement and release of the capo on the neck of the stringed musical instrument. By a pivoting apart of the first arm and the second arm can be easier to put on the neck, in particular a one-handed placement is facilitated. Furthermore, the release can be easier.
In particular, a pivot axis of the pivot sliding bearing is perpendicular to the displacement direction. As a result, the pivot sliding bearing can be formed in a simple manner. A pin element, which serves for the displacement guidance of the first arm on the second arm, can also serve as a shaft for the pivotal mounting. The pivot axis is preferably parallel to the opening direction and thereby also parallel to the first contact surface and the second contact surface.
Conveniently, the pivot sliding bearing has a shaft which is guided displaceably in a displacement guide and in the displacement guide is rotatable. The corresponding capo can thus be produced with minimal effort.
It is particularly advantageous if the displacement guide is oriented at least approximately perpendicular to the strings when placed on the neck capo. This allows a uniform pressure distribution on the strings realize; By a linear and at least approximately vertical mobility of the first arm with the string conditioning area on the string during clamping, it can be achieved that all strings are at least approximately uniformly pressurized.
It is particularly advantageous if a pivotable rocker is arranged on the first arm, on which the string conditioning area is seated. The pivot bearing is arranged in particular centrally on the rocker. The swiveling rocker distributes the clamping pressure of the string conditioning area evenly over the strings. This prevents the distribution of pressure on the strings from being different, which may cause some strings to be out of tune and other strings to be buzzing due to low pressure. As a result, the operator is also a larger pressure range or range available before strings are audibly detuned. Furthermore, an inventive capo is universally applicable by providing a pivotable rocker; it is no longer necessary to adapt individual span widths to individual instruments. The uniform clamping pressure distribution allows use with different bundle lengths.
In capo scavengers known from the prior art, the fundamental problem arises that fixation takes place immediately upon contact and, as a result, optimal alignment of a string conditioning area is no longer possible. In the solution according to the invention, due to the displaceability of the first arm on the second arm, a linear movement of the first arm oriented transversely and, in particular, at least approximately perpendicular to the strings can be performed. If the capo tasto invention If a user is not set up quite precisely, this error can be compensated for by the swiveling rocker.
In particular, a pivot axis of the rocker is parallel to a pivot axis of a pivot sliding bearing, via which the first arm is held on the second arm. As a result, an optimized distribution of forces can be achieved in a simple manner.
In one embodiment, the string conditioning area is formed by means of an elastic material. This allows a simple way to achieve a uniform force distribution.
It is particularly advantageous if the string conditioning area is formed by an elastic pad. This is for example in one piece. As a result, a uniform pressure distribution on the strings can be achieved even with a curved neck of a stringed musical instrument.
It is particularly advantageous if the elastic pad has a varying contact surface for strings transverse to a string extension direction, wherein the effective contact surface for strings with a larger diameter is smaller than for strings with a smaller diameter. The effective contact surface, with which a string rests against the elastic pad, results from the diameter of the string times the contact length of the string with the elastic pad. For strings with a larger diameter would result in the same contact length on the elastic pad a larger effective contact surface. This could cause the string to penetrate less deeply into the cushion. By the corresponding varying formation of the contact surface for the strings, which ensures that the contact length of strings of different diameters for the system on the contact surface is different, it is ensured that the effective contact surface of different strings is at least approximately equal. This prevents, for example, thicker strings (bass strings) penetrating less deeply into the elastic pad than thinner strings. This in turn will the Danger reduces that thicker strings can dodge while playing the stringed musical instrument.
In a manufacturing technology favorable embodiment, the elastic padding on a triangular space. Through this triangular space can provide a varying string contact surface, which increases in one direction. This direction is transverse to the string extension directions. This can provide at least approximately equal effective string conditioning surfaces for thicker strings and thinner strings.
It is particularly advantageous if the contact area for the back of the neck is formed by an elastic pad. This avoids damage by applying the second arm to the back of the neck. Furthermore, a fixation of the capo tasto on the neck is possible in a simple manner. By applying pressure to the elastic pad this is compressed and thereby, when a corresponding displacement position of the first arm is present to the second arm, achieve a blocking position by contact of the at least one first contact surface and at least one second contact surface. The blocking position can in turn be canceled in a simple manner, if a further force is exerted on the elastic pad to allow relative pivoting between the first arm and the second arm.
In a structurally favorable embodiment, the first arm has a channel-shaped area with raised side edges, on which the string conditioning area is arranged. As a result, the string conditioning area can be easily fixed to the first arm and, in particular, pivotally fixed.
In particular, a rocker is pivotally fixed to the raised side edges. At the side edges, a pin element can be fixed, which forms, for example, an outer shaft for the rocker.
It has proven to be advantageous if the string conditioning area extends beyond a front end of the first arm, d. H. with respect to one end of the string conditioning region, which is closest to the second arm, the string conditioning region has a greater length than the first arm. It has been shown that this is a uniform clamping pressure on the strings exercisable.
It is advantageous if a spring device is arranged between the first arm and the second arm, which exerts a force by means of which the first arm is displaceable and / or pivotable away from the second arm. This makes it easy to fix a capo tasto according to the invention on the neck and the fixation can be solved in a simple manner. When fixing the first arm and the second arm then have a maximum opening width relative to each other, so that a simple placement is possible. The solution can be implemented by appropriate exercise of a telescope.
In particular, the spring means is supported on the first arm and the second arm to effect a corresponding application of force.
It is particularly advantageous if the spring device has a spring region and in particular a free end, which is displaceable relative to the second arm and is supported thereon. As a result, the spring action is not influenced by the displaceability of the second arm on the first arm, on the other hand, the mobility of the first arm is ensured on the second arm.
In a compact design, one or more windings of the spring device are arranged around a shaft of a pivot slide bearing.
It is advantageous if the at least one contact surface is formed by an outer contour region of the first arm, which faces the second arm is. This results in a compact design. The contact surfaces are then produced via appropriate design of the outer contours.
For the same reason, it is favorable if the at least one second contact surface is formed by an outer contour region of the second arm, which faces the first arm.
Manufacturing technology, it is also advantageous if the at least one first contact surface is integrally formed on the first arm. For the same reason, it is favorable if the at least one second contact surface is formed integrally on the second arm. It must therefore be fixed to the respective arm no further components to form a contact surface.
Conveniently, the one arm at a coupling region with the other arm is fork-shaped with opposite fork elements, which engage over the other arm. The other arm can be immersed in an intermediate region between fork elements. As a result, the two arms can be held together in a simple manner, wherein also contact surfaces for blocking a fixing position can be realized in a simple manner.
In particular, at least one contact surface for the other arm is formed at an intermediate region between the fork elements. As a result, a capo tasto according to the invention can be made compact and also easy to operate and in particular operate with one hand.
It is favorable if the at least one spring device is arranged and designed such that a fixing position on the neck can be released by applying pressure to the first arm in the direction of the neck rear-side abutment region. In particular, this releasability is possible by applying pressure in the vicinity of a front end of the first arm. As a result, a capo can be solved in a simple manner via one-hand operation.
The following description of preferred embodiments is used in conjunction with the drawings for further explanation of the invention. Show it:

FIG. 1: a perspective view of an embodiment of a capo tasto according to the invention with a section of a neck of a stringed instrument;
FIG. 2: the same view as in FIG. 1 wherein the capo is fixed to the neck;
FIG. 3: a side view of the capo according to FIG. 1 , where hidden elements are drawn in broken lines;
FIG. 4: a sectional view taken along line 4-4 according to FIG. 1 (opened capo tasto);
FIG. 5: a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 according to FIG. 2 (fixed capo tasto);
FIG. 6: a further embodiment of a capo according to the invention in sectional view; and
FIG. 7: a sectional view of the capo according to FIG. 6 along the line 7-7.

A capo is a device that serves to shorten the vibrating length of strings 10 of a stringed musical instrument such as a guitar, a mandolin or a banjo. A capo is placed between two frets 12a, 12b ( FIGS. 1 . 2 ) is applied to a neck 14 of the stringed musical instrument and stretched around the neck 14. As a result, the strings 10 are pressed onto the collars 12a, 12b. The technically usable string length is then the length between a bridge of the stringed musical instrument and the Federation of the two frets, which is closest to the bridge. In the embodiment according to FIG. 2 this is the covenant 12b.
Capodasters are used, for example, to adapt the corresponding stringed musical instrument to a vocal part. The stringed musical instrument sounds higher through the string shortening over a capo; as a result, a piece of music no longer has to be transposed into a suitable destination key. Capo toasters are also used to transform a piece of music into a technically simple form, without having to change the key in which it sounds.
An embodiment of a capo tasto invention, which in the FIGS. 1 to 5 shown and designated 16, includes a first arm 18 (string contact arm) and a second arm 20 (neck back contact arm). The first arm 18 is for abutment with the strings 10 and includes or holds a string abutment portion 22. The second arm 20 is for abutment with a rear face 24 of the neck 14 and includes or holds a neck rear abutment portion 26.
The first arm 18 is slidably supported on the second arm 20 via a sliding bearing 28. In the embodiment shown and described, the sliding bearing is designed as a pivot slide bearing 30, via which the first arm 18 is also pivotable relative to the second arm 20.
The arm 20 has a C-shaped configuration with a first portion 32 on which the pivot slide bearing 30 is disposed, and a second portion 34 on which the neck rearward abutment portion 26 is disposed.
At the first region 32 a in a linear direction 36 extending displacement guide 38 is arranged. The displacement guide 38 is oriented transversely and in particular at least approximately perpendicular to the strings 10 when the capo is mounted (see FIG. 3 ).
At least in the region of the displacement guide 38, the second arm 20 has a laterally outwardly covered interior space 40 (FIG. FIG. 4 ). This interior is open to one side 42. On the side 42, the second arm 20 has an outer contour 44, which is at least approximately parallel to the linear direction 36. As will be described in more detail below, a second contact surface 46 for the first arm 18 is formed via this outer contour 44.
The displacement guide 38 is formed by through slots 48, which are aligned aligned with each other in walls 50 which define the interior 40 laterally. The slots 48 have an opening direction 51 ( Figures 5 and 7 ). In the opening direction, the slot 48 is not limited by material. The opening direction 51 points into the outer space.
The second region 34 is arranged at an angle to the first region 32. At the transition from the first region 32 to the second region 34, the second arm 20 is provided with a curved outer contour. Opposite side surfaces 52a, 52b of the second arm 20 are substantially flat and parallel to each other. The neck back abutting portion 26 is formed by an elastic structure such as an elastic pad 54 fixed to or near a front end of a second portion 34 of the second arm 20.
In the illustrated embodiment, when no compressive forces are applied thereto, the resilient pad 54 has a triangular shape in cross-section with a rounded tip toward the string conditioning portion 22.
The first arm 18 has approximately the shape of a large L. Via a coupling region 56, it is connected to the second arm 20. The coupling region 56 is fork-shaped with a first fork element 58a and a second fork element 58b (FIG. FIG. 4 ). The first fork element 58a and the second fork member 58b are spaced from each other with a gap 60 between them. The second arm 20 is immersed in the space 60, and the first fork member 58a and the second fork member 58b surround the second arm 20 on the side surfaces 52a and 52b.
A pin member 62 is fixed to the first fork member 58a and the second fork member 58b. This has penetrated through the slots 48 in the second arm 20. A penetration direction is parallel to the opening direction 51. The pin element 62 is displaceable in the displacement guide 38 in a direction / opposite direction 64. As a result, the first arm 18 is also displaceable relative to the second arm 20. The displacement direction 64 lies transversely and, for example, perpendicular to the opening direction 51. A longitudinal extension direction of the pin element 62 is at least approximately parallel to the opening direction 51.
The pin member 62 is rotationally fixed or rotatably fixed to the coupling portion 56 of the first arm 18. It is guided in the displacement guide 38 with such play that it is rotatable in this. The pin member 62 thereby forms a shaft 66 of the pivot sliding bearing 30, by means of which the first arm 18 is pivotable relative to the second arm 20 about a pivot axis 68. The pivot axis 68 is perpendicular to the direction / opposite direction 64 (i.e., also perpendicular to the linear direction 36). The pivot axis 68 is preferably parallel to the opening direction 51.
On the first arm 18 and the second arm 20, a spring device 70 is arranged. This comprises a coil spring 72, which is supported on the first arm 18 and the second arm 20. The coil spring 72 includes spring coils 74 which are disposed on the second arm 20 about the pin member 62. The inner diameter of the spring coils 74 is larger than the outer diameter of the pin member 62; the coil spring 72 is thereby held loosely on the pin member 62.
A spring region 76 extends from an associated last winding into a fixing region 78 of the first arm 18. This spring region 76 is firmly fixed to the fixing region 78.
From the first winding, a spring arm 80 leads to the second arm 20 and is "loosely" supported in the inner space 40. The support is such that the displaceability of the first arm 18 is not impeded by the spring means 70, d. H. the spring arm 80 is displaceable in the inner space 40. However, the spring arm 80 is constantly supported on the second arm 20 in order to exert a spring force on the first arm 18 can.
The spring force of the spring means 70 acts to tend to move the first arm 18 away from the second arm 20, i. H. to increase the distance between the string conditioning portion 22 and the neck back abutting portion 26.
The first arm 18 has an upper surface 82 having a first well region 84 at or near the coupling region 56 and a second well region 86 disposed at or near a forward end 88. The first well region 84 serves as a user's finger engaging surface when the capo 16 is to be fixed to the neck 14. The second trough area 86 serves as a contact surface for a user's finger when the capo 16 is to be released from a fixing position.
The top 82 of the first arm 18 is smooth. Toward the neck rear abutment region 26, the first arm 18 is channel-shaped with raised side edges 92a, 92b, between which there is a gap 94 which is open to the neck rear abutment region 26.
On the first arm 18, a rocker 90 is pivotally mounted. For this purpose, a pin member 96 is fixed to the side edges 92a, 92b, which extends through the intermediate space 94. The rocker 90 is seated on this pin element 96. The pin member 96 forms an (outer) shaft of a pivot bearing 98. A pivot axis 100 of this pivot bearing 98 is parallel to the pivot axis 68 of the pivot sliding bearing 30th
On the rocker 90 turn the string conditioning area 22 is arranged. This has a width such that it can extend over all the strings of a fingerboard of the corresponding stringed musical instrument.
The rocker 90 has an inner side of the first arm 18 facing such a shape that a pivoting in a certain angular range such as between -5 ° and + 5 ° is possible.
The rocker 90 extends with a front end 102 beyond the front end 88 of the first arm 18.
Arranged on the first arm 18 is a first contact surface 104 which, in cooperation with the second contact surface 46, blocks a fixing position of the capo tasto 16 on the neck 14. (It is also possible to provide a plurality of first contact surfaces 104 and second contact surfaces 46; for example, such a plurality of contact surfaces is realized by the provision of partial surfaces.) For the sake of simplicity, the following is always referred to as a contact surface, which in principle can also be designed in several parts.)
The opening direction 51 is oriented parallel to the first contact surface 104 and the second contact surface 46.
The first contact surface 104 is formed at the coupling portion 56 between the first fork member 58a and the second fork member 58b. The second arm 20 with its second contact surface 46 dives, depending on the displacement position of the first arm 18, in the intermediate space 60 and the first contact surface 104 may abut the second contact surface 46.
The first contact surface 104 and the second contact surface 46 are each integrally formed on the associated arm 18 and 20, respectively. They are formed on an outer contour facing the other arm. The outer contour 44 of the second arm 20, on which the second contact surface 46 is formed, then faces a boundary surface of the intermediate space 60, on which the first contact surface 104 is formed. Accordingly, an outer contour of the first arm 18 to the coupling region 56 of the outer contour 44 of the second arm 20 to.
The first arm 18 and the second arm 20 are made of a plastic material, for example. Also, the rocker 90 is made of a plastic material.
In one embodiment, which in the FIGS. 6 and 7 is shown, the string conditioning portion 22 is formed as an elastic pad 106. It is especially one-piece. This elastic pad 106 is disposed on the rocker 90. The elastic pad 106 has a contact surface 108 for strings 10, with which it acts on the strings 10. The contact surface 108 has in a direction 110 which is transverse to the strings 10, a varying shape: The contact surface 108 increases away from the pivot slide bearing 30. For example, the elastic pad 106 has a free space 112 which is triangular in shape. As a result, the elastic pad 106 has a first flank 114a and a second flank 114b, between which the free space 112 lies. The free space 112 has no contact area for the strings 10. The first flank 114a and the second flank 114b are connected in the area of the front end 102 of the rocker 90 via a bridge element 116.
The elastic pad 106 has a wedge-shaped recess over the free space 112. This shortens the contact area of a string 10 on the string conditioning area 22.
Often, the neck 14 of a stringed musical instrument is arched. Due to the elastic pad 106, such a curvature transverse to the strings 10 can be compensated.
Musical instruments are covered with different thick strings. Thicker strings are used to produce deeper notes and thinner strings are used to produce higher notes. By forming the contact surface 108 of varying shape, these differences, which cause different effective contact surfaces, can be compensated for on the capo 16. The effective contact surface of a string on the elastic pad 106 results from the product of the diameter of the corresponding string 10 and the contact length of the corresponding string 10 on the pad 106. The free space 112 makes it possible to shorten the contact length on the pad, since in the direction 110 the contact area is reduced. As a result, at least approximately the effective contact surfaces of all strings can be matched to each other; for thinner strings, which are farther away from the pivot slide bearing 30, the diameter is smaller, but the contact length at the elastic pad 106 is larger. For strings which are closer to the pivot sliding bearing 30 (low tone strings), the diameter is larger and the contact length is smaller due to the clearance 112.
It can thereby achieve a uniform penetration depth of all strings 10 in the elastic pad 106. In particular, this prevents thinner strings penetrating deeper into the elastic pad 106 than thicker strings, which could cause the thicker strings to move laterally during play.
The neck rear abutment region 26 is formed, for example, by an elastic pad 118, which is pushed onto the second arm 20 and, for example, in a region 120 (FIG. FIG. 6 ) is hooked with this. The elastic pad 118 is additionally glued to the second arm 20, for example. It preferably extends over an entire area 122 of the second arm 20, which may come into contact with the neck 14 of the stringed musical instrument.
Otherwise, the first arm 18 and the second arm 20 are the same as described above.
The capo tasto according to the invention works as follows:

When the pin member 62, as in FIG. 1 shown, the string conditioning portion 22 has the greatest distance to the neck rear abutment portion 26. The spring force of the spring means 70 pushes the first arm 18 in a pivoting direction about the pivot axis 68 of the second arm 20 away until a surface which defines the gap 60, abuts an upper portion of the outer contour 44. The capo 16 then has a maximum opening width, and it can be easily placed on the neck 14 of a stringed musical instrument.

It is a one-hand operation possible.
The capo 16 is placed on the stringed musical instrument so that thicker strings (bass strings) are closer to the pivot slide bearing 30 and thinner strings (high tone strings) are farther away. This ensures that the contact length of the corresponding strings on the elastic pad 106 behaves at least approximately reciprocally to the diameter of the corresponding string 10.
An operator then slides the arm 18 down the translation guide 38 in the direction / opposite direction 64, displacing the string abutment portion 22 toward the neck rear abutment portion 26.
This can be achieved in the simplest way, if the second arm 20 is held at the bottom with one or more fingers and the thumb of the user in the first well region 84 acts on the first arm 18 for its displacement.
The operator exerts pressure on the first arm 18. It is done by sliding on the strings 10 and a tensing. A pivoting movement no longer takes place.
Due to the at least approximately vertical orientation of the displacement guide 38 to the strings 10 is a uniform pressurization of all strings 10; Since there is no pivoting movement, which basically causes different strings to be subjected to different levels of pressure, the result is uniform string pressure on the collars 12 a, 12 b for all the strings 10.
The fixation is achieved in that an operator presses, for example, with his thumb on the second well region 86. At the same time he exerts a tension on the second arm 20 from below. Due to the elastic formation of the neck rear abutment portion 26, the fixation can be solved and the arm 18 pushes up on the second arm 20 in the displacement guide 38 due to the spring force of the spring means 70 high.
As mentioned above, the fixation and locking is possible with one hand.
It is possible that if too high a clamping pressure was selected or the position of a fixed capo 16 must be changed to perform the solution without manual conversion. The thumb then only has to be shifted from the first well region 84 into the second well region 86.
The spring device 70 and the pivotable mounting of the first arm 18 on the second arm 20 are used for easy Aufsetzbarkeit / solvability of the capo 16 on the neck 14. For fixed holding the capo 16 on the neck 14 is sufficient to provide a "only" sliding bearing and the provision of a first contact surface 104 and a second contact surface 46th
When the capo tasto 16 is held under pressure on the neck 14, the first contact surface 104 presses against the second contact surface 46 and a locking position is fixed. To fix this blocking position no additional tools such as screws or the like are necessary. The parallel orientation of the opening direction 51 to the first contact surface 104 and the second contact surface 46 results in the fixation of the blocking position. If a greater clamping force (clamping force on the strings 10) to be exercised, then the first arm 18 can be moved further in the displacement guide 38. So it is a dosage of the clamping force possible. The movement apart of the first arm 18 and the second arm 20 is blocked by the first contact surface 104 and the second contact surface 46 only in one direction, which increases the distance between the string conditioning region 22 and the neck rear abutment region 26. In the opposite direction to another agility (under exercise of force) to increase the clamping force is possible.
By the rocker 90, on which the string conditioning area 22 is arranged, the clamping pressure can be distributed evenly on the strings 10. For this purpose, in particular the pin member 96, which forms a shaft for the rocker 90, arranged centrally on the rocker 90, just to allow the uniform clamping pressure distribution.
As a result, it is no longer absolutely necessary in the solution according to the invention for the capo tasto 16 to be placed exactly on the strings 10. (Precise placement on the strings is absolutely necessary in the case of capodashers known from the prior art, otherwise the pressure distribution on the strings is very different.) A very different pressure distribution can lead to a part of the strings being detuned due to excessive pressure. while on other strings the pressure is too low, which can lead to a whirring of a corresponding string.)
In the solution according to the invention an operator also has a larger pressure range available before strings 10 are audibly detuned.
Basically, it is the case that different stringed musical instruments have different fret lengths. Since in the solution according to the invention a uniform pressurization of the strings 10 can be achieved, no span adjustment must be made to the respective bundle length. This means that the capo 16 is universally applicable.
The clamping pressure with which the string conditioning area 22 acts on the strings 10 can be adjusted individually by an operator.

Claims

Capo tasto for fixing on a neck (14) of a stringed musical instrument with strings (10), comprising
- a first arm (18) on which a string engaging region (22) is arranged and on which at least one first contacting surface (104) is formed,

- a second arm (20) on which a neck rear side engaging region (26) for a neck rear side (24) of the stringed musical instrument is arranged and on which at least one second contacting surface (46) is formed, and

- a slide bearing (28; 30) by means of which the first arm (18) is held for displacement on the second arm (20), and which has a displacement guide (38) which is formed by at least one slot (48) or at least one groove with an opening direction (51) transverse to a displacement direction (64),
characterized in that the opening direction (51) of the at least one slot (48) or of the at least one groove is oriented at least approximately parallel to the strings (10) when the capo tasto is clamped on the neck (14), the opening direction being oriented at least approximately parallel to the first contacting surface (104) and at least approximately parallel to the second contacting surface (46), and in that a movability apart of the first arm (18) and the second arm (20), which increases the spacing between the string engaging region (22) and the neck rear side engaging region (26), is lockable by contact of the at least one first contacting surface (104) and the at least one second contacting surface (46).
Capo tasto in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the at least one first contacting surface (104) and the at least one second contacting surface (46) are so constructed that upon contact the movability apart is locked when the capo tasto (16) is clamped on the neck (14).
Capo tasto in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one first contacting surface (104) and the at least one second contacting surface (46) are so constructed that a movability towards each other in a direction opposite to the movability apart of the first arm (18) and the second arm (20) is enabled.
Capo tasto in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one second contacting surface (46) is at least approximately parallel to the displacement guide (38).
Capo tasto in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first arm (18) is guided by means of at least one pin element (62) on the displacement guide (38).
Capo tasto in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slide bearing (28) is constructed as a pivot-slide bearing (30), with the first arm (18) being pivotable relative to the second arm (20), and, in particular, in that a pivot axis (68) is oriented perpendicularly to the displacement direction (64), and, in particular, in that the pivot-slide bearing (30) has a shaft (66) which is guided for displacement in the displacement guide (38) and is rotatable in the displacement guide (38).
Capo tasto in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the displacement guide (38) is oriented at least approximately perpendicularly to the strings (10) when the capo tasto is fitted on the neck (14).
Capo tasto in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a pivotable rocker (90) with the string engaging region (22) seated thereon is arranged on the first arm (18), and, in particular, in that a pivot axis (100) of the rocker (90) is parallel to a pivot axis (68) of a pivot-slide bearing (30), as which the slide bearing is constructed, and by means of which the first arm (18) is mounted for pivotal movement and displacement on the second arm (20).
Capo tasto in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the string engaging region (22) is formed by an elastic material, and, in particular, in that the string engaging region (22) is formed by an elastic pad (106), and, in particular, in that the elastic pad (106) has an engaging surface (108) which varies transversely to a direction of extent of the strings when the capo tasto is clamped on the neck (14), the engaging surface (108) thus being smaller for strings (10) of larger diameter than for strings (10) of smaller diameter, and, in particular, in that the elastic pad (106) has a triangular free space (112).
Capo tasto in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the engaging region (26) for the neck rear side (24) is formed by an elastic pad (54).
Capo tasto in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first arm (18) has a channel-shaped region with upwardly extending side rims (92a, 92b) at which the string engaging region (22) is arranged, and, in particular, in that a rocker (90) is pivotally fixed on the upwardly extending side rims (92a, 92b).
Capo tasto in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the string engaging region (22) extends beyond a front end (88) of the first arm (18).
Capo tasto in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a spring mechanism (70) is arranged between the first arm (18) and the second arm (20) to exert a force for pushing and/or pivoting the first arm (18) away from the second arm (20), and, in particular, in that the spring mechanism (70) is supported on the first arm (18) and the second arm (20), and, in particular, in that the spring mechanism (70) has a spring region (80) which is displaceable relative to the second arm (20) and is supported thereon, and, in particular, in that a winding or several windings (74) of the spring mechanism (70) is or are arranged around a shaft (66) of a pivot-slide bearing (30), as which the slide bearing (28) is constructed, and, in particular, in that the at least one spring mechanism (70) is so arranged and constructed that a fixing position on the neck (14) is releasable by exerting pressure on the first arm (18) in the direction of the neck rear side engaging region (26) when the capo tasto is clamped on the neck (14).
Capo tasto in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one first contacting surface (104) is formed by an outer contour region of the first arm (18), which faces the second arm (20), and/or in that the at least one second contacting surface (46) is formed by an outer contour region (44) of the second arm (20), which faces the first arm (18), and, in particular, in that the at least one first contacting surface (104) is integrally formed on the first arm (18), and, in particular, in that the at least one second contacting surface (46) is integrally formed on the second arm (20).
Capo tasto in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one arm (18), which is either the first arm (18) or the second arm (20), is constructed at a coupling region (56) with the other arm (20), which is either the second arm (20) or the first arm (18), in the shape of a fork, with opposed fork elements (58a, 58b) engaging over the other arm (20), and, in particular, in that at least one contacting surface (104) for the other arm (20) is formed in an intermediate region between the fork elements (58a, 58b).