WO2013040405A2

WO2013040405A2 - Accessory attachment clamp for guitars

Info

Publication number: WO2013040405A2
Application number: PCT/US2012/055504
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gaylon Brooks HUBBERT III
Original assignee: Purple Mangrove, Inc.
Priority date: 2011-09-14
Filing date: 2012-09-14
Publication date: 2013-03-21
Also published as: WO2013040405A3

Abstract

An accessory attachment clamp formed from an L- shaped support structure [30] having a receptacle member [32] positioned perpendicular to a fixed back plate [50]. A clamping plate [80] is slidable within the receptacle member [32] employing an adjustment plate [96] secured to the clamping plate [80] includes locking tabs [100] to mesh with engagement teeth [72, 74] for securing the attachment clamp to a guitar. An adjustment button [106] formed integral with the locking tabs [100] allows for ease of removal. At least one device holder [120], and as many as three, having a front side surface [122] for receipt of an electronic device such as a smart phone, iPhone/iPod, PDA or the like electronic device can be attached to the device holder and secured to the attachment clamp.

Description

ACCESSORY ATTACHMENT CLAMP FOR GUITARS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of music and more specifically to an attachment clamp for use in mounting a smart phone, iPhone/iPod, PDA or the like electronic device to a guitar.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Guitars are well known for their unique sound and have influenced music in most every society. Guitars consist of a body having a fingerboard upon which six strings are drawn across to make the instrument operate as a sound box. The hollow body guitars are known as acoustic and have a design that can be traced back hundreds of years. Electric guitars are relatively new, dating back to the 1930' s, and typically employ a solid body wherein the six strings are used to electronically manipulate tone. Regardless of the type of guitar or music being played, current musicians can take advantage of technological advancement in the form of electronic attachments that can used to enhance the guitar playing experience.

Electronic devices such as smart phones, iPhone/iPod, PDA or the like are all unique in their portability and allow an individual to read music as if the printed music sheet was presented. Advancements in the technology have increased where the electronic devices can be used to display music interactively wherein an individual's ability to play music can be advanced. Further, such devices allow for streaming video wherein an individual may play their instrument along with others in either a live or recorded mode. Still further the devices allow an individual to include the use of digital recordings and/or digital sounds to be played directed from the electronic device through an amplifier. For instance, a guitar player could employ an electronic device to play additional sounds wherein an audience could hear multiple sounds as if the guitar player was accompanied by other musicians. Thus, a musician could blend the conventional technology of an electric guitar with the latest technology, i.e. a smart phone, iPhone/iPod, PDA, or the like device wherein the guitarist could sound like he/she is being accompanied by another musician or even an entire band. By attachment of such electronic devices directly to a guitar, the musician can organize and partially conceal interconnecting wires such as headphones and amplifier hook-ups.

Unique to the advancement and miniaturization of electronic devices is the ability to position the electronic device in a location convenient to the user. A number of electronic device attachment clamps are known in the prior art. For instance, U.S. Publication No. 2010/0264182 discloses a cellular phone attachment device for securing to the handlebar of a baby stroller, treadmill, bicycle or elliptical exercise machine. U.S. Patent No. 7,074,998 discloses an electronic tuner holder for guitars consisting of a hook shaped holder that secures to the sound hole of a guitar. U.S. Patent No. 7,531,732 discloses a sheet music holder employing a suction cup type device that secures to a guitar. U.S. Patent No. 7,861,985 discloses a device that has an electronic device holder on one end, a clamp for securing to a table at the other end, and flexible gooseneck extender therebetween.

Also known in the art is an electronic device holder marked under the mark CASTIV - Sidekick. The holder permits attachment of a phone, media player, recorder, or a tuner to a guitar. However, the device is limited to attachment to the guitar headstock and does not allow for ease of placement and removal.

Another known electronic holding device is marketed under the mark Strumbuddy Troubadour which is a phone holder for a guitar designed for attachment to the headstock. The holding device is secured by a clamp having a knurled nut to adjust pressure. This device does not allow for attachment to base of the guitar or allow for attachment of multiple electronic devices.

Accordingly, what is lacking in the art is an accessory attachment clamp that allows for ease of attachment to the body, neck or headstock of a guitar and can allow placement of a smart phone, iPhone/iPod, PDA in multiple positions, or allowing for mounting of multiple electronic devices from the same mounting bracket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is an accessory attachment clamp for attaching a smart phone, iPhone/iPod, PDA, or the like digital device to a guitar. The accessory attachment clamp allows securement of a digital device to the front of the guitar, the top of the guitar, the back of the guitar, or any variation of the three positions. In addition, the accessory attachment clamp can be secured to the guitar at different locations allowing the musician to position the electronic devices at the most appropriate position including the neck or headstock of the guitar.

The accessory clamp permits the attachment of various electronic devices to a guitar wherein the electronic device can be used to record music, display sheet music, playing videos of music for training or playing along, attaching sound tuners, and cooperating with video games where the guitar can be used as a game controller. With more than 50,000 music smartphone apps available for guitar players, the attachment clamp allows the guitarist a versatile attachment device for ease of access in most any configuration .

It is an objective of the instant invention is to disclose an attachment clamp for mounting an electronic device such as an iPhone/iPod, PDA or the like devices to the body, neck or headstock of a guitar.

Another objective of the instant invention is to disclose an attachment clamp capable of securing electronic devices to a guitar along numerous placement positions and, at each position allow placement to the front, top, or back of the guitar.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide an attachment clamp that allows for attachment of multiple devices to the attachment clamp.

Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 is a front plane view of the attachment clamp secured to a guitar with a single electronic device;

Figure 2 is a perspective view thereof; Figure 3 is a top view thereof;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the attachment clamp secured to a guitar with three electronic devices attached thereto;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the attachment clamp with three electronic devices attached thereto;

Figure 6 is a right perspective view of the attachment clamp with one electronic device attached thereto;

Figure 7 is a left perspective view of the attachment clamp with one electronic device attached thereto;

Figure 8 is an end view of the attachment clamp with one electronic device attached thereto;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the attachment clamp with the device holder;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the attachment clamp without the device holder;

Figure 11 is a top perspective view of the receptacle member;

Figure 12 is a bottom perspective view of the receptacle member;

Figure 13 is a top left perspective view of the clamping plate;

Figure 14 is a top right perspective view of the clamping plate;

Figure 15 is a top perspective view of the device holder;

Figure 16 is a top perspective view of the device holder; and

Figure 17 is a front view of the device holder with an iPhone. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figures 1-3 depict the attachment clamp [10] of the instant invention having a first electronic device [200] secured to a guitar [202] . The guitar defined by a base [204], a fingerboard or neck [206] and a headstock [208] . The attachment clamp [10] is based upon an L-shaped support structure [30] formed from a receptacle member [32] positioned perpendicular to a fixed back plate [50] . The L- shaped structure in this illustration fits over an edge [212] of the base [204], noting that the fixed back plate [50] extends very little past the back [214] of the guitar. Figures 4-5 depicts the ability of the instant invention to secure multiple electronic devices to the attachment clamp [10] of the instant invention. A first electronic device [200] , a second electronic device [201] and a third electronic device [203] are illustrated and secured to a guitar [202] by the attachment clamp [10] . The first electronic device [200] is attached to clamping plate [80] , the second electronic device [201] is attached to the receptacle member [32] and the third electronic device [203] is secured to the fixed back plate [50] . For ease of illustration, an iPhone is depicted as the electronic devices [200, 201, 203] . However, any type of smart phone, iPhone/iPod, PDA, or the like electronic device can be used with the appropriate device holder. Further, any combination of electronic devices may be used. For instance, an iPhone could be combined with an iPod which could be combined with an Android smart phone.

Now referring to the drawings in general, set forth an accessory attachment clamp [10] for guitars. The accessory attachment clamp is based upon an L-shaped support structure [30] formed from a receptacle member [32] positioned perpendicular to a fixed back plate [50] . The receptacle member [32] is further defined by an upper surface [34], first and second opposing side edges [36, 38], a receptacle front end [40], a back end [42], and a lower surface [44] . The fixed back plate [50] is defined by an upper end [52] adjoining the receptacle back end, an engagement surface [54], an outer surface [56], first and second opposing side edges [58, 60] forming continuous side edges with said receptacle opposing side edges [36, 38], and bottom edge [62] . A non-marring foam cushion [64] is secured to the engagement surface [54] to prevent slippage of the attachment clamp [10] and prevent any marring to the finish of the guitar.

A first receptacle slot [46] is positioned along a lower surface [44] of first side edge [36] . A second receptacle slot [48] is positioned along the lower surface [44] of the second side edge [38] . Elongated aperture [70] extends from the lower surface [44] to an upper surface [34] . Engagement teeth [72, 74] are positioned adjacent said elongated aperture [70] along the lower surface [44] .

A clamping plate [80] has a first upper rail [82] slidable within the first receptacle slot [46] . A second upper rail [84] is slidable within the second receptacle slot [48] . An engagement wall [88] depends perpendicular from the rails, the engagement wall [88] having an inner surface [90], an outer surface [92], a lower end [94] and an upper end [94] .

An adjustment plate [96] is secured to the upper end [94] of the clamping plate [80] . The adjustment plate [96] has an upper surface [98] biasing against the lower surface [44] . The adjustment plate [96] further includes locking tabs [100] to mesh with the engagement teeth [72, 74]. An adjustment button [106] is formed integral with the locking tabs [100] and is attached to the adjustment plate [96] by a living hinge [102]. The inner surface [90] of the clamping plate [80] includes a non-marring foam cushion [104] secured thereto. The engagement teeth [72, 74] are preferable angled so that the locking tab is slidable toward the engagement wall allowing ease of installment. For removal, the adjustment button [106] is depressed allowing the locking tab [100] to be moved away from the engagement teeth [72, 74] allowing removal of the attachment clamp.

Device holder [120] has a front side surface [122] for receipt of an electronic device and a back side surface [124] having cleats [138, 140] for releasable securement to keepers formed along an edge wall of the attachment clamp. The front side surface [122] of the device holder [120] has a first and second raised corner tab [128, 130] sized to capture corner edges of an electronic device and a centrally located biased locking tab [132] positioned opposite the corner tabs. The corner tabs [128, 130] include flanges formed along the top of the tabs and extending inwardly to prevent the electronic device from separating. The biased locating tab [132] secures the electronic device against said front side surface [122]. In the preferred embodiment, the device holder [120] is constructed an arranged to hold an iPhone/iPod, PDA or the like electronic device. For additional security, raised corners [131, 133] fully capture the electronic device and protects the edges of the electronic device against impact. Raised corner [131, 1333] do not need flanges as found in corner tabs [ 128, 130] as the locking tab [132] operates to maintain the edge of the electronic device in position. In a preferred embodiment, all members of the attachment clamp are constructed from impact resistant plastic.

In one mode of attachment, the back side surface [124] of the device holder [120] has a first biased flange [134] having cleat [138] securable to a first device keeper [76] formed in one side edge of the receptacle member. A second biased flange [136] having cleat [140] is securable to a second device keeper [78] formed in a second side edge of the receptacle member. Multiple device holders can be coupled to the attachment device. For instance, in a second mode of attachment a second attachment device having a biased flange [134] with cleat [138] is securable to a first device keeper [61] formed in one side edge of the fixed back plate [50] and a second biased flange [136] having cleat [140] securable to a second device keeper [63] formed in a second side edge of the fixed back plate. In this manner an electronic device can be place on the front and the top edge of the guitar. Further, the clamping plate can accept a holder wherein the back side surface [124] of the device holder [120] has a first biased flange [134] having cleat [138] securable to a first device keeper [91] formed in one side edge of the clamping plate [80] and a second biased flange [136] having cleat [140] securable to a second device keeper [93] formed in a second side edge of the clamping plate [80] . The placement of an electronic device along the front surface allows the musician the functionality of playing tunes directly on the electronic device while playing the guitar. For instance, there are many apps wherein the touch screen resembles a key board or other musical instrument. Placement of an electronic device on the edge of the guitar allows a musician a direct view of sheet music, lyrics, video watching and so forth. As the musician naturally looks down toward the base and string playing the electronic device is in the line of sight. Placement of an electronic device on the back of the guitar provides the musician with a hidden reference. For instance, the musician may includes items on the hidden reference such as using the device in a recording mode, displaying a song playlist, or any number of displays that the musician does not need to disclose to the public. In this manner the guitar is tilted slightly outward to reveal the display as needed.

All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein.

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

Claim 1. An accessory attachment clamp for guitars comprising:

an L-shaped support structure formed from a receptacle member positioned perpendicular to a fixed back plate, said receptacle member having a first and second receptacle slot positioned along a lower surface and an elongated aperture placed between said receptacle slots extending from said lower surface to an upper surface, said elongated aperture having engagement teeth adjacent thereto along said lower surface ;

a clamping plate having rails slidable within said receptacle slots and an engagement wall depending therefrom, an adjustment plate secured to an upper end of said clamping plate, said adjustment plate including an upper surface constructed and arranged to bias against sail lower surface of said receptacle member, at least one locking tab formed in said adjustment plate to mesh with said engagement teeth; and at least one device holder releasable securable to said attachment clamp along said receptacle member, said fixed back plate and/or said clamping plate.

Claim 2. The accessory attachment clamp for guitars according to Claim 1 wherein said receptacle member is further defined by an upper surface, first and second opposing side edges, a receptacle front edge end, a back end, and a lower surface; said fixed back plate is further defined by an upper end adjoining said receptacle back end, an engagement surface, an outer surface, first and second opposing side edges forming continuous side edges with said receptacle opposing side edges, and bottom edge.

Claim 3. The accessory attachment clamp for guitars according to Claim 1 wherein said device holder has a front side surface for receipt of an electronic device and a back side surface having cleats for releasable securement to keepers formed along an edge wall of the attachment clamp.

Claim 4. The accessory attachment clamp for guitars according to Claim 2 including a non-marring foam cushion secured to said engagement surface.

Claim 5. The accessory attachment clamp for guitars according to Claim 1 wherein said engagement teeth are angled, said locking tab slidable toward the engagement wall whereby said locking tab can be moved away from the engagement wall by depressing an adjustment button.

Claim 6. The accessory attachment clamp for guitars according to Claim 1 wherein said inner surface of said clamping plate includes a non-marring foam cushion secured thereto .

Claim 7. The accessory attachment clamp for guitars according to Claim 1 wherein said front side surface of said device holder has a first and second raised corner tab sized to capture corner edges of an electronic device and a centrally located biased locking tab positioned opposite said corner tabs, said locking tab securing the electronic device against said front side surface.

Claim 8. The accessory attachment clamp for guitars according to Claim 7 wherein said back side surface of said device holder has a first biased flange having a first cleat securable to a first device keeper formed in one side edge of said receptacle member and a second biased flange having a second cleat securable to a second device keeper formed in a second side edge of said receptacle member.

Claim 9. The accessory attachment clamp for guitars according to Claim 7 wherein said back side surface of said device holder has a first biased flange having a first cleat securable to a first device keeper formed in one side edge of said fixed back plate and a second biased flange having a second cleat securable to a second device keeper formed in a second side edge of said fixed back plate.

Claim 10. The accessory attachment clamp for guitars according to Claim 7 wherein said back side surface of said device holder has a first biased flange having a first cleat securable to a first device keeper formed in one side edge of said clamping plate and a second biased flange having a second cleat securable to a second device keeper formed in a second side edge of said clamping plate.

Claim 11. The accessory attachment clamp for guitars according to Claim 1 wherein said locking tab includes an adjustment button formed integral thereto, said adjustment button and said locking tabs attached to said adjustment plate by a living hinge.