GB2494000A - A stringed instrument with a folding neck - Google Patents

Abstract

A stringed instrument, such as a guitar, comprises a neck 4 which is capable of being folded onto the body 2 of the instrument. Preferably, the neck 4 is folded onto the body 2 of the by a rotating heel 5, such that the tension on the strings is reduced to allow the neck 9 to be folded with the strings still attached. In the folded position the rotating heel 5 may include a telescopic extension arm 11 to create an arc of more than 180 degrees, thus allowing the heel 5 to be secured inside the body. A lid may be fitted to the instrument body 2 after the neck 4 is folded, thus forming a case for the instrument from the body 2 and the lid. This collapsible arrangement allows the instrument to be easily carried while travelling.

Description

Stringed Musical Instrument With Folding Neck and Rotating Heel This invention relates to arrangements for simpfltying the carrying of stringed musical instruments.

When carrying a stringed instrument such as a guitar, for example when travefling, the size and dehcacy of the instrument often means that either the instrument has to be heavily protected with a case, or is by replaced by smaller scale version of the instrument.

However, these solutions can lead to a number of difficulties. Firstly, when placed n a case of sufficient rigidity to protect the instrument, the resulting load is of increased size and weight, which can lead to difficulties when carrying the instrument.

Secondly, when the instrument is replaced by a smaller scale version to ease carrying difficulties, a smailer instrument may still be delicate and liable to be damaged. In addition a smaller scale instrument may lack the performance characteristics of a fulksize instrument, which may render this solution inappropriate.

To overcome these problems, the present invention proposes a standard sized stringed instrument with a neck which can be folded via a rotating heel and placed onto the body of the instrument.

WTh a body composed of sufficiently robust material, and the neck folded as described, the attachment of a lid means that the instrument fomis its own case.

A folding neck as described means that the strings of the instrument need not be removed during the folding operation.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example, using a guitar by way of illustration, and with reterence to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 shows the instrument before the neck is folded; Figure 2 is a side view of the instrument before the neck is folded and shows the rotating heel; Figures 3 is a side view of the instrument after the neck has been folded through degrees and shows the rotating heel; Figure 4 is a side view of the instrument after the neck has been folded through degrees and shows the rotating heel; Figures 5 is a side view of the instrument after the neck has been folded through degrees.

Figures 6 is a side view of the instrument after the neck has been folded through degrees and the lid has been attached.

In Figure 1, a tailpiece 1, which in this example is of the trapeze-type but need not be, is attached to the body 2 of the instrument in usual place, behind the bridge 3.

The neck 4 is in the usual playing position.

It may be that a trapeze-style tailpiece is either not necessary or su]table for certain instruments. For example some other form of string retaining device, combined with a bridge or otherwise, may be suitable. The key characteristics of any such alternative are that it should be capable of performing satisfactorily when the instrument is being played, and be capable of remaining in place when the neck has been folder through 180 degrees on top of it, allowing the tension on the instrument's strings to be reduced as the neck is folded without the need for the strings to be removed.

It may be that some mechanism forms part of the bridge 3 or the tailpiece 1 in order to secure the neck 4 once it has been folded. The key characteristics of any such method are that it should he capable of allowing the instrument to perform satisfactorily when the instrument is being played, and be capable of being fastened and unfastened easily to facilitate the movement of the neck.

In Figure 2, the rotating heel 5 is shown in detail and in the playing position. In this position the neck 4 is attached to the body 2 and both parts of the firigerboard, 6 and 7, are touching in a vfrtuafly seamless fashion. The joint on the fingerboard 6 and 7 may be either a straight line, perhaps at a fret on a guitar, or fashioned to provide additional locking, on a fretless instrument perhaps. In this variation of the rotating heel 5, an extending heel collar 11 which works in a telescopic fashion is used to provide the extra reach necessary to allow the rotating heel 5 to create an arc of more than 180 degrees and thus to secure the rotating heel 5 inside the body 2 when the neck is rotated through 180 degrees as per Figure 4, The extending heel collar 11 is free to move as described herein but is secured to the rotating heel 5 by a suitable method such as a pin and groove combination or some other variation to allow the extending heel collar 11 to extend and contract but ensure that it may not separate from the rotating heel 5. In other variations other extra reach, arc extension and rotating heel securing methods may be used to allow the rotating heel 5 to create an arc of more than 180 degrees and thus to secure the rotating heel 5 inside the body 2 when the neck is rotated through 180 degrees as per Figure 4 such as different rotating heel shapes or an extension arm to the rotating heel 5 attached in elbow fashion to the collar end of the rotating heel 5. The rotating heel 5 is attached to the neck 4 and sits inside the body 2. In Figure 2 the extending heel collar 11 sits either inside or outside the rotating heel 5 depending upon the chosen variation and beneath the underside of the fingerboard 7. The rotating heel 5, and thus the neck 4, is held in place by a simple bolt 8 at bolt-holes 9 and 10. The head of the bolt 8 may be either ridged around the sides in order to Facilitate fastening and unfastening with finger pressure, or angular in order to facilitate fastening and unfastening with a tool.

Or the rotating heel 5 and the neck 4 may be secured by some other secure method not requiring bolts such as spring-loaded push buttons. In any variation when secured in the position as shown in Figure 2, the head of the bolt 8 of other fastening mechanism must not interfere with the instrument's playability. For example in this variation, the head of the bolt 8 mLlst sit flush with the surface of the fingerboard 6 & 7.

In Figure 3, the rotating he& 5 is shown after the bolt 8 at bolt-holes 9 and 10 have been removed and the neck 4 has been rotated through 90 degrees towards the fingerboard 7. The division of the fingerhoard 6 and 7 can be seen clearly. The extending heel collar 11 still sits either inside or outside the rotating heel 5 depending upon the chosen variation.

In Figure 4, the rotating heel 5 is shown after the neck 4 has been rotated through degrees towards the fingerboard 7. The rotation action and the action of gravity means that the extending heel collar ii is now extended and anchored inside the body 2 by virtue of its shape and thus allows the rotating heel 5 to create an arc of more than 180 degrees and thus secures the rotating heel 5 in the body 2 and prevents the rotating heel 5, and thus the neck 4, from coming completely free of the body 2. At this point the bolt 8 may be inserted at bolt-holes 9 & 10 to secure the neck 4.

Figure 5 shows a side view of the instrument in which the neck 4 and head 12 have been moved as per Figure 4. onto the instrument body 2 by the operation of the rotating heel 5. The dimensions and the scaie of the instrument and should be such that the neck 4 and head 12 can be accommodated on the body 2. In this example the instrument body shape is of the bowlS-shape variety but this need not be the case and the provisions of this invention will appy to other instrument body shapes.

In Figure 6, is a side view in which the lid 13 is attached to the body 2. The lid 13 will cover and thus secure the folded neck 4 and head 12 as at Figure 5. The lid 13 may be made horn the same material as the body 2 thus ensuring both strength and visual appeal. The lid 13 may be attached to the body 2 in a number of ways. It may be attached using bolts smaller but similar to the simple bolt 8 at Figure 2 which may be inserted through the lid 13 into the body 2. Or the lid 13 may attach to the body by some other secure method such as folding locks. The lid 2 may have a variety of handles and straps attached to it to facilitate the carrying of the instrument. It might also contain compartments for carrying accessories, The principles and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated herein by way of example. However it must be understood that this invention may be practised otherwise than as specificafly explained and iHustrated herein without departing from its spirit and scope, and many other modifications of the exact detafis of the embodkrent herein, a'ong with the suggested aterraUves and vadaHons her&n, wifi be apparent to those skified n the art.

Claims (6)

1. <claim-text>S</claim-text> <claim-text>Claims 1. A stringed instrument with a neck which can he folded onto the body of the instrument, 2. A stringe.d instrument according to c!aim 1, in which the neck and head are folded into onto the body of the histrument.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A stringed instrument according to claim 1. in which the neck can be folded by a rotating heel.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A rotating heel according to claim 3, in which the heel rotates by a rotor mechanism.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A stringed instrument according to claim 1. in which a lid can he fitted to the instrument body after the neck is folded, thus forming a case for the instrument from the body and the lid.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A stringed instrument according to claim 5, in which the lid is attached to the instrument body and secures the folded neck.* A stringed instrument according to claim 6, in which carrying straps and handles can be attached to the case.Amendments to the claims have been made as follows: Claims 1. A stringed instrument in which the instrument body and the Ud which fits onto the body are made from materials which are sufficiently robust so as to -aHow them to act as the instrument cariying case when the Hd is fitted to the body.
2. 2, A stringed instrument according to daim 1, in which the lid is attached to the instrument body and secures the folded neck.
3. 3. A stringed instrument according to claim 1, in which carrying straps and handles can be attached to the case.
4. 4. A stringed instrument according to claim 1, in which the neck and head can be folded onto the body ot the instrument.
5. 5. A stringed instrument according to claim 4, in which the neck can be folded by a rotating heel.
6. 6. A rotating heel according to claim 5, in which the heel rotates by a rotor C) mechanism. Ce)</claim-text>