ZIPPER GUITAR STRAP

Abstract

An adjustable length strap assembly adapted for use with a stringed musical instrument such as a guitar is disclosed. The strap assembly comprises: a first portion defined in part by a length of a strapping material having a terminal end configured to be secured to an anchoring point located on a head portion of a body of the stringed musical instrument, said length of strapping material threaded through a first leveraging portion of a substantially ring-shaped leveraging member and folded, such that a section of the length of the strapping material is folded over itself, to form a two ply configuration of strapping material consisting of a first top ply and a second bottom ply, with slid-able longitudinal movement of each ply relative to the other leveraged by said first leveraging portion of the substantially ring-shaped leveraging member; and a second portion defined by a tongue capable of swivelling about a second leveraging portion of the substantially ring shaped leveraging member; wherein the slid-able longitudinal movement of the second bottom ply relative to the first top ply is regulated by movement of a slider of a longitudinally oriented slide-fastening mechanism formed integrally to the first top ply.

Claims

1. An adjustable length strap assembly (500) adapted for use with a stringed musical instrument (450) of the type held in front of a user of the instrument or performer while it is being played by strumming of its strings by the user or performer, particularly a guitar, the adjustable length strap assembly (500) comprises: a first portion (100) defined in part by a length of a strapping material (50) having a terminal end configured to be secured to an anchoring point (456) located on a head portion of a body (452) of the stringed musical instrument (450), said length of strapping material (50) threaded through a substantially ring-shaped leveraging member (150) via a first leveraging portion (152) and folded, such that a section of the length of the strapping material (50) is folded over itself, to form a section having a two ply (102, 112) configuration of strapping material (50) consisting of a first top ply (102) and a second bottom ply (112), with slid-able longitudinal movement of each ply (102, 112) relative to the other leveraged by said first leveraging portion (152) of the substantially ring-shaped leveraging member (150); and a second portion (200) defined by a tongue (202) capable of swivelling about a second leveraging portion (154) of the substantially ring shaped leveraging member (150), the tongue (202) configured to attach to an anchoring point (456) located at the back of the body (452) of the stringed musical instrument (450); characterized in that; the slid-able longitudinal movement of the second bottom ply (102) of strapping material (50) of the first portion (100) of the strap assembly (50) relative to the first top ply (102) of strapping material (50) of the first portion (100) of the strap assembly (500) is regulated by movement of a slider (104b) of a longitudinally oriented slide-fastening mechanism (104) formed integrally to the first top ply (102); and wherein the slider (104b) is mechanically linked to a terminal portion of the second bottom ply (112) by way of a flexible mechanical interlink (108) such that longitudinal slid-able motion of the slider (104b) of the slide-fastening mechanism (104) formed integrally to the first top ply (102) allows a corresponding slid-able longitudinal movement of the second bottom ply (112) and thereby provides for an adjustable length of strapping material (50) of the strap assembly (500) to be worn over a shoulder and around a neck and back of the performer.

2. An adjustable length strap assembly (500) according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinally oriented slide-fastening mechanism (104) formed integral to the first top ply (102) of strapping material (50) of the first portion (100) of the adjustable length strap assembly (500) is selected from the list comprising a zip-lock mechanism and a zipper mechanism.

3. An adjustable length strap assembly (500) according to claim 2, wherein the slide-fastening mechanism (104) is a zipper mechanism having a slider (104b) incorporating a locking mechanism which prevents motion of the slider (104b) along a track (104g. 104h) of the zipper mechanism when the locking mechanism is engaged.

4. An adjustable length strap assembly (500) according to claim 3, wherein the slider (104b) of the slide-fastening mechanism (104) is selected from the list comprising a pin-lock slider and a key-lock slider.

5. An adjustable length strap assembly (500) according to claim 2, wherein the zipper mechanism is a closed-bottom zipper mechanism.

6. An adjustable length strap assembly (500) according to claim 1, wherein the flexible mechanical interlink (108), mechanically interlinking the slider (104b) of the slide-fastening mechanism (104) to the terminal portion of the second bottom ply (112) of strapping material (50), is a chain-link flexible mechanical interlink.

7. An adjustable length strap assembly (500) according to claim 1, wherein the first top ply (102) of strapping material (50) of the first portion (100) of the strap assembly (500) is further disposed with a plurality of spaced apart positional locking tab members (105) distributed alongside the entire length of the longitudinally oriented slide-fastening mechanism (104); wherein each positional locking tab member (105) is configured to act in cooperation with the slider (104b) of the longitudinally oriented slide-fastening mechanism (104) to limit the longitudinal mobility of the slider (104b) over a predefined interval of length by way of a latching member (110) adaptably received and housed by the slider (104b) and serving to mechanically latch and interlock the slider (104b) to a given positional locking tab member (105).

8. An adjustable length strap assembly (500) according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of spaced apart positional locking tab members (105) are equidistantly spaced apart.

9. An adjustable length strap assembly (500) according to claim 7, wherein the latching member (110) is selected from the including a carabiner and any hook like latch implement.

10. An adjustable length strap assembly (500) according to claim 1, wherein the substantially ring shaped leveraging member (150) is fabricated from a material selected from the list, which includes metal, nylon coated metal, electro-plated metal, plastics and resin.

11. An adjustable length strap assembly (500) according to claim 1, wherein the strapping material (50) of the first portion (100) and second portion (200) of the strap assembly (500) is manufactured from a material selected from the list, which includes faux leather, leather and webbing made from any one of nylon, cotton fibres, polypropylene and neoprene.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates a cut-away plan view of the adjustable length strap assembly for a stringed musical instrument in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates a partial view of the adjustable length strap assembly for a stringed musical instrument in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates a partial view of the first portion of the adjustable length strap assembly for a stringed musical instrument in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention which is directed at providing a close-up view of an exemplary slide-fastening mechanism formed integral to the first top ply of strapping material of the first portion of the adjustable length strap assembly;

[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of the substantially ring shaped leveraging member of the adjustable length strap assembly for a stringed musical instrument in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 5 illustrates a second portion of the adjustable length strap assembly for a stringed musical instrument in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0035] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the adjustable length strap assembly for a stringed musical instrument in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention and how it may be attached to anchoring points located at the back portion of the body of the stringed musical instrument and a head portion of the body of the stringed musical instrument.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of an exemplary embodiment and is not intended to represent the only form in which the embodiment may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence for constructing the exemplary embodiment. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of this disclosure.

[0037] The present invention which alludes to an adjustable length strap assembly for stringed musical instruments, will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 appended herewith. More particularly, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, the present invention provides an adjustable length strap assembly 500 adapted for use with a stringed musical instrument of the type held in front of a performer or musician or user of the instrument, while it is being played by strumming of its strings by the performer, particularly a guitar. The adjustable length strap assembly 500 comprises:

[0038] a first portion 100 defined in part by a length of a strapping material 50 having a terminal end configured to be secured to an anchoring point located on a head portion of a body 452 of the stringed musical instrument 450, said length of strapping material 50 is threaded through a substantially ring-shaped leveraging member 150 via a first leveraging portion 152 and folded, such that a section of the length of the strapping material 50 is folded over itself, to form a section having a two ply 102, 112 configuration of strapping material 50 consisting of a first top ply 102 and a second bottom ply 112, with slid-able longitudinal movement of each ply 102, 112 relative to the other leveraged by said first leveraging portion 152 of the substantially ring-shaped leveraging member 150; and a second portion 200 defined by a tongue 202 capable of swivelling about a second leveraging portion 154 of the substantially ring shaped leveraging member 150, the tongue 202 configured to attach to an anchoring point 456 located at the back of the body 452 of the stringed musical instrument 450;

[0039] characterized in that;

[0040] the slid-able longitudinal movement of the second bottom ply 112 of strapping material 50 of the first portion 100 of the strap assembly 500 relative to the first top ply 102 of strapping material 50 of the first portion 100 of the strap assembly 500 is regulated by movement of a slider 104c of a longitudinally oriented slide-fastening mechanism 104 formed integrally to the first top ply 102; and wherein the slider 104c is mechanically linked to a terminal portion of the second bottom ply 112 by way of a flexible mechanical interlink 108 such that longitudinal slid-able motion of the slider 104b of the slide-fastening mechanism 104 formed integrally to the first top ply 102 allows a corresponding slid-able longitudinal movement of the second bottom ply 112 and thereby provides for an adjustable length of strapping material 50 of the strap assembly 500 to be worn over the shoulder and around the neck and back of the user of the instrument, who can be referred to as a musician or a performer.

[0041] In accordance to an embodiment of the adjustable length strap assembly 500, the substantially ring shaped leveraging member 150 is fabricated from material selected from a list including metal, nylon coated metal, electro-plated metal, plastics and resin.

[0042] In accordance to an embodiment of the adjustable length strap assembly 500, the strapping material 50 of the first portion 100 of the strap assembly 500 is manufactured from material selected from a list including webbing made of nylon, cotton fibres, polypropylene and neoprene. In accordance to another embodiment of the adjustable length strap assembly 500, the strapping material 50 of the first portion 100 of the strap assembly 500 is manufactured from material selected from a list including leather and faux leather.

[0043] In accordance to a preferable embodiment of the present invention, the slide-fastening mechanism 104 formed integral to first top ply 102 of strapping material 50, is a zipper mechanism. More preferably, the slide-fastening mechanism 104 is a closed bottom zipper mechanism. More particularly, in accordance to said preferable embodiment, the slide-fastening mechanism 104, is a zipper mechanism as evident from any of FIGS. 1 to 3 appended herewith, and as such comprises a slider 104b engaged to a pull-tab 104c configured to allow the application of a pulling force by a user to allow movement of the slider 104b; a pair of toothed tracks 104g, 104h that each have tooth that mate complimentarily with tooth from the other track 104g, 104h, when forced into position by the slider 104b; a tape 104a of material stitched to the toothed tracks 104g, 104h that serves to interface the slide-fastening mechanism 104 with material surrounding edges of a slit formed on the first top ply 102 of the strapping material 50 of the first portion 100 of the adjustable length strap assembly 500 subjected to the fastening and unfastening action of the slide-fastening mechanism 104; a bottom stop 104d which serves to define a beginning point of the slide-fastening mechanism fastening action along the pair of toothed tracks 104g, 104h; and a pair of top stops 104e for each toothed track 104g, 104h which serves to define a terminal point of the slide-fastening mechanism 104 fastening action. In accordance to said preferable embodiment of the strap assembly 500 of the present invention, the slider 104b of the zipper mechanism, is a slider 104b having a locking mechanism integrated therein which prevents motion of the slider 104b along the tracks 104g, 104h of the slide-fastening mechanism 104 when the locking mechanism is engaged. Exemplarily, the slider 104 of the zipper mechanism in accordance to said preferable embodiment of the present invention, is a slider 104b selected from a list comprising a pin-lock slider and a key-lock slider. In accordance to said preferable embodiment of the length adjustable strap assembly 500 of the present invention, the slide-fastening mechanism 104 which is a closed bottom zipper mechanism having a slider 104b which is either a pin lock slider or key-lock slider, moving the slider 104b toward the bottom stop 104d, splits the two toothed tracks 104g, 104h apart to reveal an opening defined by the slit formed on the first top ply 102 of the first portion 100 of the length adjustable strap assembly 500. Conversely, moving the slider 104b toward the pair of top stops 104e, effectively causes the tooth of the pair of toothed tracks 104g, 104h to mate and thereby effectively fastens or seals the opening defined by the slit formed on the first top ply 102 of the first portion 100 of the length adjustable strap assembly 500.

[0044] In terms of construction of the integrally formed slide-fastening mechanism 104 on the first top ply 102, aforementioned slide-fastening mechanism is stitched into said first top ply 102 of strapping material 50, by presumably stitching the tape 104a attached to the toothed tracks 104g, 104h around spaced apart edges of an elongated slit (i.e. which defines an opening) formed on the first top ply 102 of the strapping material 50. The length of the slit formed on said first top ply 102 of the strapping material 50, roughly corresponds to an amount of length adjustment of the adjustable length strap assembly 500 that is required by design and accordingly also corresponds to a length of the second bottom ply 112 of strapping material 50 that extends outwardly from the first leveraging portion 152 of the substantially ring shaped leveraging member 150.

[0045] Reiterating again, in the context of the length adjustable strap assembly 500 as provided in an aspect of the present invention as described in the preceding paragraphs of this detailed description section, the slide-fastening mechanism 104 (i.e. a zipper mechanism, in accordance to a preferable embodiment) which is integrally formed on the first top ply 102 of the strapping material 50 of the first portion 100 of the strap assembly 500, serves the purpose of regulating movement of the second bottom ply 112 of the strapping material 50 via the first leveraging portion 152 of the substantially ring-shaped leveraging member 150. This is achieved by mechanically interlinking movement of the slider 104b of the slide-fastening mechanism 104 disposed and formed integrally on the first top ply 102 of strapping material 50, to the terminal portion of the second bottom ply 112 of strapping material 50 that extends outwardly and below the first top ply 102 of strapping material 50 from the first leveraging portion 152 of the substantially ring shaped leveraging member 150. More particularly, in accordance to said preferable embodiment of the adjustable length strap assembly 500 of the present invention, the pull tab 104c of the slide-fastening mechanism 104 which is mechanically engaged to the slider 104b is adapted to attach to a flexible mechanical interlink 108 which is also adaptably attached to a terminal portion of the second bottom ply 112 of strapping material 50.

[0046] In accordance to an embodiment, the pull tab 104c of the slide-fastening mechanism 104 is a perforated pull tab 104c capable of slidably receiving a ring-member 106 secured to a first end 108a of a flexible mechanical interlink 108 and the terminal portion of the second bottom ply 112 of strapping material 50 is retrofitted with a loop member 118 capable of slidably receiving a ring member 116 secured to a second end 108b of the flexible mechanical interlink 108, thereby mechanically interlinking the slider 104b of the slide-fastening mechanism 104 disposed on the first top ply 102 of strapping material 50 to the terminal portion of the second bottom play 112 of strapping material 50, via its pull-tab 104c. In accordance to an embodiment, the flexible mechanical interlink 108 mechanically interlinking the slider 104b of the slide-fastening mechanism 104 to the terminal portion of the second bottom ply 112 of strapping material 50, is a chain-link flexible mechanical interlink.

[0047] Moving on, due to the mechanical interlink formed by way of the flexible mechanical interlink 108 between the slider 104b of the slide-fastening mechanism 104 disposed on the first top ply 102 of strapping material 50 and the terminal portion of the second bottom ply 102 of strapping material 50, any travel or motion of the slider 104b along the tracks 104g, 104h of the slide-fastening mechanism 104, is coupled to the terminal portion of the second bottom ply 112.

[0048] Specifically, in accordance to the preferable embodiment of the adjustable length strap assembly 500 alluded to in FIGS. 1 to 6 appended herewith, travel of the slider 104b of the slide-fastening mechanism 104 disposed on the first top ply 102, toward the bottom stop 104d, results in undoing of the mating between the tooth of the tracks 104g, 104h to reveal the opening defining the elongated slit mentioned previously, and since the movement or travel of the slider 104b is mechanically interlinked to the terminal portion of the second bottom ply 112 by the flexible mechanical interlink 108 via the pull-tab 104c of the slider 104b, the second bottom ply 112 is effectively released for movement toward the direction of travel of the slider 104 (i.e. toward the bottom stop 104d), allowing rapid and hassle-free length adjustment of the length of strapping material 50 of the strap assembly 500 to be worn over a shoulder and around a neck and back of a musician/performer, by allowing the retracting by the musician/performer, of a portion of the effectively released second bottom ply 112 of strapping material 50 which corresponds to the length of travel of the slider 104c of the slide-fastening mechanism 104 disposed on the first top ply 102 of strapping material 50, via the first leveraging portion 152 of the substantially ring-shaped leveraging member 150. This corresponds to an increase of the length of strapping material 50 to be worn over a shoulder and around a neck and back of a musician/performer.

[0049] Likewise, travel of the slider 104b of the slide-fastening mechanism 104 disposed on the first top ply 102, toward the pair of top stops 104e of the pair of toothed tracks 104g, 104h, results in the mating of the tooth of the tracks 104g, 104h to seal the opening defining the elongated slit mentioned previously, and since the movement or travel of the slider 104b is mechanically interlinked to the terminal portion of the second bottom ply 112 by the flexible mechanical interlink 108 via the pull-tab 104c of the slider 104b, the second bottom ply 112 is urged forward, toward the direction of travel of the slider 104b (i.e. toward the pair of top stops 104e), which in turn draws a portion of the first top ply 102 of strapping material 50 via the first leveraging portion 152 of the substantially ring shaped leveraging member 150 to fold over itself and form part of a lengthened second bottom ply 112 of strapping material 50, once again allowing hassle-free length adjustment of strapping material 50 of the strap assembly 500 to be worn over a shoulder and around a neck and back of a musician/performer, by allowing the advancing by the musician/performer, of a portion of the effectively urged second bottom ply 112 of strapping material 50 which corresponds to the length of travel of the slider 104c of the slide-fastening mechanism 104 disposed on the first top ply 102 of strapping material 50. This corresponds to a decrease of the length of strapping material 50 to be worn over a shoulder and around a neck and back of a musician/performer.

[0050] It should be noted that in accordance to preferable embodiments of the adjustable length strap assembly 500 described in the preceding paragraphs above, since the slider 104c of the slide-fastening mechanism 104 (i.e. a zipper mechanism, in accordance to the preferable embodiments described herein) is selected from a list including a pin-lock slider and a key-lock slider, in which the motion or travel of the slider 104b along the tracks 104g, 104h of the slide-fastening mechanism 104 is prevented when the locking mechanism is engaged, it is possible for a desired length adjustment effected by a given sliding movement of the slider 104c of the slide-fastening mechanism 104 either toward the bottom stop 104d or the pair of top stops 104e of the adjustable length strap assembly 500 to be maintained. In this regard, it may be most preferable to employ a slide-fastening mechanism 104 having a slider 104b which is a key-lock slider as a slide-fastening mechanism 104 having a slider 104b which is a pin-lock slider suffers from the disadvantage of inadvertent disengagement of its locking mechanism.

[0051] Additionally, in accordance to a preferable embodiment of the adjustable length strap assembly 500 of the present invention, the first top ply 102 of strapping material 50 of the first portion 100 of the strap assembly 500 is further disposed with a plurality of equidistantly spaced apart positional locking tab members 105 distributed alongside the entire length of the longitudinally oriented slide-fastening mechanism 104. Specifically, in accordance to said preferable embodiment, each positional locking tab member 105 is configured to act in cooperation with the slider 104b of the longitudinally oriented slide-fastening mechanism 104 to limit the longitudinal mobility of the slider 104b over a predefined interval of length of the slide-fastening mechanism 104 by way of a latching member 110 adaptably received and housed by the slider 104b and serving to mechanically latch and interlock the slider 104b to a given positional locking tab member 105. More particularly, in accordance to said preferable embodiment of the adjustable length strap assembly 500 of the present invention, the pull-tab 104c of the slider 104b of the slide-fastening mechanism 104 is a perforated pull-tab 104c that slidably receives and houses a ring member 106 that in turn is capable of slidably receiving and housing a latching member 110. Exemplarily, the latching member 110 is selected from a list including a carabiner and any hook like latch implement. In accordance to said preferable embodiment of the adjustable length strap assembly 500 of the present invention, each positional locking tab member 105 exemplarily takes the form a small loop of material stitching on to the first top ply 112 of strapping material 50.

[0052] Accordingly, in view of the description of the preceding paragraphs above, in accordance to a preferable embodiment of the length adjustable strap assembly 500 of the present invention, the combination of firstly, a slider 104b of the slide-fastening mechanism 104 having an integrated locking mechanism in which the motion or travel of the slider 104b along the tracks 104g, 104h of the slide-fastening mechanism 104 is prevented when the locking mechanism is engaged and secondly, the provision of the plurality of equidistantly spaced apart positional locking tab members 105 distributed alongside the entire length of the longitudinally oriented slide-fastening mechanism 104 which act in cooperation the latching member 110 secured to the perforated pull-tab 104c that is configured to mechanically latch to a given positional locking tab member 105 depending on a user's selection, to limit the longitudinal mobility of the slider 104b over a predefined interval of length of the slide-fastening mechanism 104, enables a given length adjustment of the length adjustable strap assembly 500 of the present invention to be maintained, while still allowing a limited degree of change to the adjustment which may occur due to movement of a performer's body.

[0053] In accordance to an embodiment of the adjustable length strap assembly 500 of the present invention, the terminal end of the length of strapping material 50 of the first portion 100 of the strap assembly 500 is adaptably configured to attach to an anchoring point 456 located on a head portion of a body 452 of a stringed musical instrument 450 by way of being disposed with a slit aperture 102a adapted to snugly fit over an anchoring point 456 taking the form of a strap attachment stud or strap attachment button. In accordance to said embodiment of the adjustable length strap assembly 500 of the present invention, the tongue 202 of the second portion 200 of the strap assembly 500 is disposed on its substantially planar surface with a slit aperture 202a adapted to snugly fit over an anchoring point 456 located at a back portion of the body 452 of a stringed musical instrument 450, the anchoring point 456 taking the form of a strap attachment stud or strap attachment button.

[0054] Specifically, the tongue 202 of the second portion 200 of the adjustable length strap assembly 500 of the present invention, simply comprises, exemplarily a length of strapping material 50 folded over itself via the second leveraging portion 154 of the substantially ring-shaped leveraging member 150, with the resulting overlap of strapping material 50 being stitched together at an outwardly projecting portion, to form a flap of material that is free to swivel about the second leveraging portion 154 of the substantially ring-shaped leveraging member 150. In accordance to an embodiment of the adjustable length strap assembly 500, the tongue 202 of the second portion 200 of the strap assembly 500 is manufactured from material selected from a list including webbing made of nylon, cotton fibres, polypropylene and neoprene. In accordance to another embodiment of the adjustable length strap assembly 500, the tongue 202 of the second portion 200 of the strap assembly 500 is manufactured from material selected from a list including leather and faux leather.

[0055] It would be understood by those skilled in the art to which the length adjustable strap assembly 500 of the present invention pertains, that the length of the slide fastening mechanism 104 disposed on the first top ply 102 of strapping material 50, the length of the second bottom ply 112 of strapping material 50, the number of the positional locking tab members 105 of the plurality of positional locking tab members 105 distributed alongside the longitudinally oriented slide fastening mechanism 104, the longitudinal spacing between each positional locking tab member 105 of the plurality of positional locking tab members 105, and thereby the length of strapping material 50 of the adjustable length strap assembly 500 that is worn over the shoulder and around the neck and back of a user/performer/musician among others, represent variable design parameters which may be varied based on design requirements determined viable for commercialization.

[0056] Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from its scope. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description.