Apparatus for attaching a strap to a guitar or bass guitar

Abstract

The present invention is an apparatus used to connect a typical guitar strap in non-traditional positions on the body of a guitar or bass guitar, which affixes to the instrument to provide stability and balance. The core components of the apparatus are a resilient hollow plastic outer shell with an external protrusion extending from the apex, a protective non-slip thermoplastic rubber inner layer, and metal hardware, suitable for use with virtually all guitar straps presently in use, attached to the external protrusion. The invention can be used to attach a strap to a guitar or bass guitar securely, without damaging the finish or affecting the tonal integrity of the instrument. Furthermore, it should be noted that the apparatus is generally a parabolic shape, intended to securely fit over the upper or lower horn of a guitar or bass guitar.

Claims

1. An apparatus for balancing a guitar or bass guitar comprising: a resilient plastic outer shell with a hollow cavity, wherein said resilient plastic outer shell is entirely in the shape of an upper horn of a guitar or bass guitar; a protrusion extending from an apex of said resilient plastic outer shell; a guitar strap connector button secured with a fastener to said protrusion of said resilient plastic outer shell; and a protective non-slip inner layer secured to the hollow cavity of said resilient plastic outer shell.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a cross-section view of the outer and inner layers and fasteners of an apparatus for attaching a strap to a guitar or bass guitar in a non-traditional position on the body of the instrument in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

(2) FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus affixed to the lower horn of a bass guitar, and a guitar strap affixed to the apparatus, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

(4) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus affixed to the upper horn of a bass guitar, and a guitar strap affixed to the apparatus, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) The present invention is directed to an apparatus for attaching a strap to a guitar or bass guitar

(6) In its most complete version, the apparatus is made up of the following components: (1) a resilient hollow plastic outer shell in the shape of the horn of a guitar or bass guitar comprising at least four sides, with a curved or tapered apex and an open underside exposing a hollow interior cavity, of at least two to four millimeters in thickness, at least two to four inches in height and at least one to two inches in width, having four sides: a right side and a left side, with the right and left sides being substantially identical and parallel to each other, a front side and a back side, with the back side curving and tapering, and being slightly longer than the front side, and the front side slightly curving inward and then outward, an external protrusion extending from the apex measuring approximately one-half inch in diameter and at least four millimeters in height and with a hole in the center of the protrusion; (2) a protective non-slip thermoplastic rubber material of one half millimeter to two millimeters thick, that is secured into the cavity such that it is bonded to the interior of the resilient hollow plastic outer shell on all sides; (3) fasteners, consisting of a well nut, a ferrule, a strap connector button placed on the ferrule, and a screw, all aligned with the hole in the center of the external protrusion extending from the apex, with the screw inserted into the strap connector button, through the ferrule, and tightened into threaded insert or well nut to secure the guitar strap connector button to the apparatus. Once assembled, the apparatus slips on to the guitar or bass guitar, where it is secured with manual pressure, and a typical guitar strap is attached to the guitar strap connector button that is part of the apparatus.

(7) Shown in FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a side sectional view of an apparatus for attaching a strap to a guitar or bass guitar in a non-traditional position on the body of the instrument in accordance with one exemplary embodiment. As shown, the apparatus includes a resilient hollow plastic outer shell in the shape of the horn of a guitar or bass guitar 100 with an external protrusion extending from the apex measuring approximately one-half inch in diameter and at least four millimeters in height 101 with a hole in the center of the protrusion 102 and with an open underside exposing a hollow inner cavity 103, lined with a protective non-slip thermoplastic rubber material affixed to the entirety of the inner cavity 104, with a well nut 106 inserted into the hole 102 in the center of the external protrusion extending from the apex 101, with a ferrule 107 placed on top of the well nut 106 and a strap connector button 108 placed on top of the ferrule 107, with a screw 109 inserted into the guitar strap connector button 108 and through the ferrule 107 and tightened into the well nut 106.

(8) By way of example, the resilient hollow plastic outer shell of the apparatus 100 may be substantially parabolic in shape. In one particular and illustrative, yet non limiting, embodiment of the outer shell 100, it may at its widest section have a width of approximately one to two inches and at its tallest section a height of approximately two to four inches. These measurements are merely illustrative and apparatus of any width and any length that include the features described herein are intended to be within this disclosure and make up the overall invention, which has many different embodiments.

(9) It is noted that the outer shell of the apparatus 100 may alternatively be shaped with a more pointed or more rounded top than depicted herein, the shape being selected based on the model and design of the guitar or bass guitar to which the apparatus (FIG. 1) will be affixed. It is further noted that the screw 109 may vary in length, the length being selected based on the model and design of the guitar or bass guitar to which the apparatus (FIG. 1) will be affixed, along with additional ferrules, such that it is of sufficient length to remediate any imbalance in the guitar or bass guitar resulting from a heavy neck.

(10) Shown in FIG. 2 is a side view of the invention, showing the resilient hollow plastic outer shell 100, external protrusion extending from the apex 101, with an exploded view of the well nut 106, ferrule 107, strap connector button 108 and screw 109 to be inserted through the hole in the center of the external protrusion extending from the apex 102.

(11) Shown in FIG. 3 is a front view illustration of a guitar 116, with the apparatus affixed to the upper horn 114, with a standard guitar strap 112 attached to the strap button 108 on the apparatus, such that the center of gravity of the guitar extends further toward the neck 113, thus balancing the guitar and remediating neck dive.

(12) Of note is the traditionally-placed strap connector button 108 positioned on the back side of the guitar 116, which, when used with a standard guitar strap 112, can unbalance the guitar, resulting in neck dive and a loss of control of the instrument.

(13) Shown in FIG. 4 is a front view illustration of a right-handed bass guitar, with another embodiment of the apparatus affixed to the lower horn 110 of the body of the bass guitar 111, with a standard guitar strap 112 attached to the strap button 108 on the apparatus, thus enabling a left-handed person to play the right-handed bass guitar in an upside-down position with no impediment to the neck 113 of the bass guitar.

(14) Of note is the traditionally-placed strap button 108 on the upper horn 114 of the right-handed bass guitar, which, when attached to a standard guitar strap 112, impedes access to the neck 113 for a left-handed person playing a right-handed bass guitar in an upside-down position, as shown.

(15) Different features, variations and multiple different embodiments have been shown and described with various details. What has been described in this application at times in terms of specific embodiments is done for illustrative purposes only and without the intent to limit or suggest that what has been conceived is only one particular embodiment or specific embodiments. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to any single specific embodiments or enumerated variations. Many modifications, variations and other embodiments will come to mind of those skilled in the art, and which are intended to be and are in fact covered by this disclosure. It is indeed intended that the scope of this disclosure should be determined by a proper legal interpretation and construction of the disclosure, including equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the complete disclosure present at the time of filing.