GB2481674A

GB2481674A - A stringed musical instrument muting device

Info

Publication number: GB2481674A
Application number: GB1107812.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Clacy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-06-29
Filing date: 2011-05-11
Publication date: 2012-01-04
Also published as: GB201010875D0; GB201107812D0

Abstract

A muting device 13, for a stringed instrument such as a guitar, banjo or mandolin, comprises a vibration absorbing material of a length sufficient to span two or more adjacent strings of the stringed instrument. In an embodiment, opposed first and second elongate arms (42, 44) are joined at a first end (46) and are lined with a strip of damping material (46) such as foam. At the opposite, second end of the muting device (33), a recess is formed extending part-way along the longitudinal extent of each arm (42, 44) towards the first end thereby defining an interior channel or slot. At, or near the free-end of the channel, each strip of damping material (46) has a bevelled cut (48) providing a generally V-shaped notch or groove 50 which is used for aligning the device with the strings. In other embodiments the muting device 13 is formed from a single piece of damping material (15) that is supported by a relatively rigid strip (17); the damping material (15) may include slits (19) into which the strings of the instrument slide.

Description

Muting Device for Stringed Instrument

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a muting device for a stringed instrument, for example for a guitar.

Background of the Invention

Players of stringed instruments often wish to dampen noise levels during playing, for example when playing at night to avoid disturbing others. A muting or damping device can be used to reduce the vibration of all strings simultaneously; this may be by means of a manual method in which the player rests the heel of their hand on the strings adjacent to the bridge, or by placing a fabric material such as a cloth between the strings and the underlying guitar body. Such methods are cumbersome and by no means reliable or consistent. Use of a cloth, for example, is unlikely to dampen all strings to the same degree and can easily fall out during playing.

Summary of the Invention

In one sense, the invention provides a muting device for an instrument having a plurality of adjacent strings, the device comprising an elongate strip of vibration-absorbing material having a width sufficient to transversely span the adjacent strings of the instrument.

The strip may, for example, have a plurality of slits each corresponding to a respective one of the strings, the slits extending upwards from an underside surface, part-way into the body of the material, with the spacings between adjacent slits corresponding to the spacings between adjacent strings.

The device is therefore able to dampen all strings simultaneously, and to the same degree, by means of the slits being slidably engaged over corresponding strings. In use, therefore, the attached device reduces the noise emitted when the guitar is played. The device can be moved up and down the strings, longitudinally, Le. along the axis of the guitar neck, to vary the muting level.

The device is portable, removable and relatively cheap to produce. The device works in-situ and does not require the user to hold it when playing the instrument.

The elongate strip of the device is preferably formed of a material such as open or closed-cell polyurethane foam or other material having similar vibration absorbing properties.

Typically, though not essentially, the material will be compressible to some extent and resilient.

The strip may comprise six slits to cater for standard acoustic, classical or electric guitars, four for standard bass guitars or with other numbers of slits to cater for different instruments, e.g. banjos, ukuleles and mandolins.

A further strip of material, relatively rigid compared with the vibration-absorbing material, can be adhered to the upper surface of the elongate strip, i.e. on the opposite face to the underside surface having the slits. This further material makes handling, location and adjustment of the device's position more convenient due to its rigidity. It also reduces the chances of damage and deformation to the more flexible absorbent material.

According to a further aspect, there is provided a muting device for an instrument having a plurality of adjacent strings, the device comprising an elongate body having opposed upper and lower surfaces with a vibration-absorbing material on the upper surface, the width of the upper surface being sufficient to transversely span the adjacent strings of the instrument.

Preferably, there is also a low-friction material provided on the lower surface.

The device is suitable for in-situ use between the underside of the strings and the body of the instrument.

Preferably, the thickness of the device is arranged such that it is thicker than at least part of the gap defined between the strings and the underlying instrument body. Therefore, in use, the muting device can be located in said gap, and then slidably moved to a location where said gap narrows in order that the device becomes wedged by virtue of its compressible properties (e.g. of the vibration-absorbing material and/or the low-friction material. This will commonly involve locating the device beneath the strings in the region of the instrument's sound hole, where said gap is relatively wide, and then sliding the device towards the bridge where said gap narrows. The device can therefore be wedged between the strings and the body with the low-friction material allowing the sliding motion along the body during insertion and removal. The device remains wedged on the instrument and requires no holding by the user. Removal is facilitated by the reverse procedure of the user sliding the device to a location where the gap widens, e.g. away from the bridge towards the sound hole, and then removing the device transversely.

The low-friction material also avoids scratching the guitar body during removal and adjustment. Felt or a similar fabric may be used for the low-friction material. The vibration-absorbing material may be a foam-type material such as closed-cell polyurethane. Its inherent resilience helps ensure the device remains in place.

The vibration-absorbing material on the upper surface may be continuous across the width spanning the strings, or broken, for example with inter-string regions of the upper surface comprising some other material.

The device may comprise a relatively rigid part, e.g. made of wood, plastics or metal, with the vibration-absorbing material being fixed or adhered onto the upper side and the low-friction material fixed or adhered onto the lower side.

According to a yet further aspect, there is provided a muting device for an instrument having a plurality of adjacent strings, the device comprising a pair of opposed jaws for clamping over the strings, the inner surface of one or each jaw comprising a vibration-absorbing material the width of which is sufficient to transversely span the adjacent strings of the instrument.

The device may comprise a pair of normally-closed jaws, e.g. in the manner of a bulldog clip or one-piece clothes peg. In use, the jaws are opened to separate the inner vibration-absorbing surface or surfaces, the surface(s) then being located either side, above and below, the strings and closed over them to provide the damping or muting effect. Again, adjustment is provided by sliding the device along the strings. The jaws may be connected by a pivot which enables opening and closing by user action or by forcing the free, distal, ends of the closed jaws over the strings from one side.

In the preferred embodiment, the free, distal end of each jaw has a tapered part so that the jaws, when closed, define a substantially V-shaped opening into which the strings can be introduced. In such a setup, the jaws are forced open as the strings are received into the opening from the side. When all the strings are located within the vibration absorbing material on the upper and/or lower jaws, an equal damping is applied to all strings.

According to a further aspect, there is provided a stringed instrument muting device, comprising a pair of opposed arms of a length sufficient to transversely span plural adjacent strings of an instrument, the arms being arranged in use to be placed either side of the strings, the inner surface of one or both arms being provided with a vibration-absorbing material.

Brief Description of the DrawinQs

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of part of a guitar instrument, the view being useful for understanding the basic parts of a stringed instrument; Figure 2 is a perspective and bottom plan view of a muting device in accordance with a first embodiment; Figure 3 is a plan view of the muting device of Figure 2 when connected over the strings of the guitar shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the muting device of Figure 2 when connected over the strings as shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a muting device in accordance with a second embodiment; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the muting device of Figure 5 when connected for use beneath the strings of the guitar shown in Figure 1; Figure 7 is a side view of the muting device of Figure 5 when connected for use as shown in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a side view of a muting device in accordance with a third embodiment; Figure 9 is a side view of the muting device shown in Figure 8 relative to a set of guitar strings prior to attachment; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the muting device shown in Figure 8 when connected over the strings of the guitar shown in Figure 1; and Figure 11 is a side view of a muting device in accordance with a fourth embodiment;

Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment

Referring to Figure 1, a typical guitar is shown in part, in this case an acoustic or classical -type guitar. The guitar has a hollow wooden body 1, six strings 3 spaced apart transversely and connected lengthwise between the head of the guitar (not shown) and a bridge 5 where the strings terminate using respective bridge pins 7. A bridge bar 9 extends transversely beneath the six strings 3 and is raised to ensure an even tension is applied. A sound hole 11 is cut into the upper surface of the body 1 so that the resulting sound waves caused by vibration of the strings are amplified by the hollow interior.

Figure 2 shows a first embodiment muting device 13. The muting device 13 comprises an elongate block 15 made of a foam material, for example a closed-cell polyurethane foam or other resilient material. The width of the elongate block 15 is sufficient to transversely span the adjacent strings 3 of the guitar. Along the upper surface of the foam block 15 is provided a strip 17 of relatively rigid material, for example a plastics, wooden or metal material which acts as a grip or handle by means of which the muting device can be connected, adjusted or removed from the strings 3. Six slits 19 are cut into the lower surface, extending towards the upper surface; the slits extend part way into the block by the same amount. Each slit 19 corresponds with a respective one of the six guitar strings 3 and the spacings between the slits and strings are substantially identical.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the muting device 13 is employed by means of the user aligning the slits 19 with the corresponding strings 3 of the guitar, from above, and applying pressure to the block 15 in the direction of the strings. The strings 3 are slidably introduced within corresponding slits 19, preferably until they are fully located at the upper end of the slits. The narrowness of the slits 19, together with the resilient nature of the material, ensure the muting device 13 remains in place over the strings 3.

The material of the muting device 13 acts to reduce the vibration of the guitar strings 3 when played, hence providing the desired muting effect. It will be appreciated that, in the context of this application, the term muting' is not intended to indicate a complete absence of vibration/sound, but rather a reduction. The term may be considered interchangeable with damping'. The degree of muting or damping is adjustable by sliding the muting device 13 along the strings 3 between the bridge bar 9 and the sound hole 11. The nearer the muting device 13 is to the sound hole 11, the greater the damping.

A second embodiment will now be described with reference to Figures 5 to 7. Referring to Figure 5, a second form of muting device 23 comprises an elongate body made up of three layers. A first, body layer 25 comprises a relatively rigid piece of rectangular material, for example made of wood, plastics or metal. The body 25 comprises upper and lower substantially planar surfaces. A second layer comprises a rectangular strip of felt 27 which is adhered to the lower surface of the body 25. The felt 27 has a lower-coefficient of friction compared with the body layer 25.

A third layer comprises a rectangular strip of vibration-absorbing material 29 which is adhered to the upper surface of the body layer 25. The vibration-absorbing material 29 is preferably a closed-cell polyurethane foam material, and its purpose is likewise to dampen the vibration of the guitar strings 3.

The width of the muting device 23 is sufficient to transversely span the adjacent strings 3 of the guitar, although if different widths are used for the three layers 25, 27, 29, the device will still operate correctly provided the width of the third layer 29 sufficiently spans the strings (so, hypothetically, narrower first and/or second layers can be used).

Unlike the first embodiment device 13, the second form of muting device 23 is arranged, in use, to be connected beneath the guitar strings 3, more particularly wedged between the strings and the upper surface of the guitar body 1 so that it is held in situ between the two.

As indicated in Figure 7, the gap between the strings 3 and the guitar body 1 tends to narrow, when viewed from side-section, as the strings extend over the sound hole 11 towards the bridge bar 9. Accordingly, the thickness t of the muting device 23, measured from the top surface of the third layer 29 to the bottom surface of the second layer 27, is arranged so as to be less than, or substantially the same as, the gap N in the region of the sound hole 11 but thicker than the gap n adjacent the bridge bar 9.

Attachment of the muting device 23 involves locating it, felt-side 27 down, beneath the strings 3 in the region of the sound hole 11. The felt 27, by virtue of its lower coefficient of friction, allows the muting device 23 to slide over the guitar body 1 whilst minimising the chances of damage that might otherwise be caused by the first or third layers 25, 29 rubbing on its surface. When the width of the vibration-absorbing layer 29 spans the width of the strings 3, the device is slid backwards in substantial alignment with the strings, as indicated by arrow 24. This continues until the muting device 23 is wedged between the guitar body 1 and the strings 3 as they converge. The resilient properties of the vibration-absorbing layer 29 ensures a firm, temporary, fixture of the muting device 23 to the guitar and the user does not need to hold the device in order for it to remain in place. The upper vibration-absorbing layer 29 will of course act to mute or dampen string vibration equally across all strings 3 and adjustment can be achieved by sliding the muting device 23 so that it is nearer or further from the sound hole 11.

Removal of the muting device 23 is achieved by reversing the above procedure, i.e. by sliding it towards the sound hole 11 in the opposite direction to arrow 24, then sliding it transversely to this direction so that it is removed sideways.

As will be appreciated, the muting device 23 can be formed of just two layers, namely the felt layer 27 and the vibration-absorbing layer 29, although the central body 25 does provide rigidity which is useful in terms of providing a grip and reduces the chances of deformation or damage of the more flexible felt and polyurethane layers.

Alternative low-friction materials can be used in place of the felt 27, provided the material has a lower coefficient of friction than the layer directly above it.

A third embodiment will now be described with reference to Figures 8 to 10.

Referring to Figure 8, a third form of muting device 33 comprises an elongate clamp 35 comprising a pair of longitudinal arms which acts as jaws 41. The jaws 41 are connected at a pivot point 36 and are arranged so as to be normally closed, as shown. On the interior face of each jaw is adhered a vibration-absorbing layer 39 which can be a closed-cell polyurethane foam, as described previously. The width of each vibration-absorbing layer 39 is sufficient to transversely span the adjacent strings 3 of the guitar. At the free, distal end of each jaw 41 is a tapered surface extending inwardly to the slit 37 defined between the jaws.

The tapered surfaces therefore define an enlarged, V-shaped, entrance which, in use, direct the guitar strings 3 towards the slit 37.

Referring to Figure 9, the muting device 33 is connected to the guitar strings 3 by means of sliding the jaws 41 over the strings 3 in the transverse direction indicated by arrow 42. The first, leftmost string 3a is easily introduced within the slit 37 by means of the V-shaped end of the jaws and the remaining strings follow suit with pressure applied by the user. The muting device 33 is correctly attached when all six stings 3 are clamped between the vibration-absorbing layers 39 of the jaws, as shown in Figure 10. The position of the muting device 33 can be adjusted by sliding the device longitudinally along the strings 3.

The embodiment shown in Figures 8 to 10 employs a one-piece clamp 35 with separately adhered vibration-absorbing layers 39; however, the whole muting device 33 could be made of one piece of material, e.g. a relatively rigid rubber material, or using multiple parts. As an alternative, a normally-open type clamp could be provided with the user being required to close and lock the jaws over the strings 3.

A fourth embodiment will now be described with reference to Figure 11. The muting device here comprises a generally U-shaped plastics body having opposed first and second elongate arms 42, 44 which are joined at a first end 46. The body can be formed of a single piece of moulded material, with the arms being integrally joined during moulding, or by using two portions which are joined together during manufacture, e.g. by adhesive, riveting and so on. The body has a generally forked -shaped appearance.

At the opposite, second end of the body, a recess is formed extending part-way along the longitudinal extent of each arm 42, 44 towards the first end thereby defining an interior channel or slot. Onto each of the interior upper and lower surfaces of the arms 42, 44 around the channel or slot is adhered a strip 46 of damping material, for example a strip of open or closed -cell foam, each strip extending substantially along the length of the channel.

At, or near the free-end of the channel, each opposed strip 46 of damping material has a bevelled cut 48 extending inwards to the surface where the strips meet. As a result, a generally V-shaped notch or groove 50 is provided. This notch or groove 50 makes it easy to align and introduce the instrument strings between the arms 42, 44. By providing the notch or groove 50 in the foam rather than the plastics arms 42, 44 it is easier and less expensive than providing said groove in the arms.

In use, the jaws defined by the arms 42, 44 are normally closed, in the sense that the strips 46 of damping material are touching. By virtue of their flexibility and resilience, the strips 46 deform as the strings are received in the channel or slot and provide damping to a plurality of adjacent springs over which the muting device 40 is applied.

For the second, third and fourth embodiments, the vibration-absorbing material is preferably continuous across the width spanning the strings, but can also be broken, for example with inter-string regions comprising some other material.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A stringed instrument muting device, comprising a pair of opposed arms of a length sufficient to transversely span plural adjacent strings of an instrument, the arms being arranged in use to be placed either side of the strings, the inner surface of one or both arms being provided with a vibration-absorbing material.
2. A device according to claim 2, wherein both inner surfaces are provided with a vibration-absorbing material and wherein the arms are normally-closed such that the material on both arms are normally in contact.
3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the arms are connected or joined at a first end and have a recess formed in a second, opposite end, to define a slot extending partway along the longitudinal extent of the arms, the vibration-absorbing material being provided on the or each inner surface of the arms within the slot.
4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the pair of arms are arranged such that they define a generally U-shaped body in longitudinal cross-section.
5. A device according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the end adjacent the slot opening has a tapered or bevelled portion.
6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the tapered or bevelled portion defines a generally V-shaped slot opening.
7. A device according to 5 or claim 6, wherein the tapered or bevelled portion is formed in the vibration-absorbing material.
8. A muting device for a stringed instrument, comprising a pair of opposed arms of, or lined with, a vibration absorbing material, the length of each arm being sufficient to transversely span the strings of the instrument.
9. A muting device according to claim 8, wherein the arms are formed of a relatively rigid plastics material, are co-joined at one end thereof, with a longitudinal slot extending between the arms away from the joined portion, and with a foam-type vibration absorbing material lining on the inner faces of the arms over the slot.
10. A muting device according to claim 9, wherein the foam-type vibration absorbing material lining both arms is tapered or bevelled to define a generally V-shaped slot opening at the end opposite the co-joined end.s
11. A muting device constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore shown and described with respect to the accompanying drawings.*::r: INTELLECTUAL . ... PROPERTY OFFICE 11 Application No: GB1107812.8 Examiner: Rhiannon Jenkins Claims searched: 1-10 Date of search: 8 June 2011 Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17 Documents considered to be relevant: Category Relevant Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance to claims X,Y X: 1-4, 8 US 2007/272069 Al & 9 Y: 5-(LEE) -See the figures and paragraphs [0040] to [0060] 7 & 10 X 1, 2 & 8 Us 1772725 A (LEWIS) -See the figures and pages 1 & 2 X 1,2&8 US 3971287 A (ITO) -See the figures and column 3 line 14 to column 4 line 20 Y 5-7 & 10 US 2007/209496 Al (LENZI) -See the figures and paragraphs [0027] to [0029] A -GB 597093 A (PIPER) -See figure 1 and page 1 Categories: X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive A Document indicating technological background and/or state step of the art.Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if P Document published on or after the declared priority date but combined with one or more other documents of before the filing date of this invention.same category.& Member of the same patent family E Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:Search of GB, EP, WO & US patent docjments classified in the following areas of the UKCX Worldwide search of patent documents classified in the following areas of the IPC G1OD The following online and other databases have been used in the preparation of this search report WPI, EPODOC International Classification: Subclass Subgroup Valid From G1OD 0003/04 01/01/2006 Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk