Foldable guitar

Abstract

A foldable guitar has a guitar body. The guitar body includes a main body and a rotating bar fixed to the main body. The rotating bar has a top end and a bottom end. Each of the top end and the bottom end is pivoted to the main body. A shape of the rotating bar matches a profile shape of the main body, and the rotating bar is foldable, such that a size of the guitar body is reduced when the rotating bar is folded toward the main body.

Claims

1. A foldable guitar having a guitar body, the guitar body comprising: a main body; and a rotating bar having a top end and a bottom end, wherein each of the top end and the bottom end is pivoted to the main body, a shape of the rotating bar matches a profile shape of the main body, and the rotating bar is foldable, such that a size of the guitar body is reduced when the rotating bar is folded toward the main body; wherein at least one of the top end and the bottom end of the rotating bar comprises a ball bearing disposed therein, an outer portion of the ball bearing receives a force pressing the ball bearing inward toward the main body, and the inner portion of the ball bearing is exposed toward the main body; wherein the main body comprises a first hole and a second hole configured to receive the ball bearing; wherein when the ball bearing slip fits with the first hole, the rotating bar is in an extended position such that the foldable guitar can be used normally; and wherein when the ball bearing slip fits with the second hole, the rotating bar is in a folded position such that the rotating bar is folded on the main body.

2. The foldable guitar according to claim 1, wherein a set screw is placed at the outer side of the ball bearing, and the set screw is used to adjust the force pressing the ball bearing inward toward the main body.

3. The foldable guitar according to claim 1, further comprising a retractable leg rest, a vertical support beam, and a sleeve, wherein the retractable leg rest is fixed to the vertical support beam, the sleeve is sleeved on the vertical support beam, and the sleeve is fixed in the main body.

4. The foldable guitar according to claim 3, wherein a receptacle the retractable leg rest resides in allows for multiple locking positions of the retractable leg rest, a locking positioning of the leg is performed with a spring loaded toggle bolt locking mechanism, the toggle bolt is configured such that an end user does not require any tools to activate the adjustment of the retractable leg rest, the spring loaded toggle bolt is retractable from locking position by means of a spring loaded push button release, the toggle bolt can reside in multiple holes located in the sleeve residing in the main body of the foldable guitar.

5. The foldable guitar according to claim 1, further comprising an electric amplifier attachable and removable from the main body of the guitar, wherein an output signal from the guitar vibrating string is feed into the attachable electric amplifier by means of permanent magnetic inductor or inductors.

6. A foldable guitar having a guitar body, the guitar body comprising: a main body; a rotating bar having a top end and a bottom end, wherein each of the top end and the bottom end is pivoted to the main body, a shape of the rotating bar matches a profile shape of the main body, and the rotating bar is foldable, such that a size of the guitar body is reduced when the rotating bar is folded toward the main body; a retractable leg rest; a vertical support beam; and a sleeve, wherein the retractable leg rest is fixed to the vertical support beam, the sleeve is sleeved on the vertical support beam, and the sleeve is fixed in the main body; and wherein a receptacle the retractable leg rest resides in allows for multiple locking positions of the retractable leg rest, a locking positioning of the leg is performed with a spring loaded toggle bolt locking mechanism, the toggle bolt is configured such that an end user does not require any tools to activate the adjustment of the retractable leg rest, the spring loaded toggle bolt is retractable from locking position by means of a spring loaded push button release, the toggle bolt can reside in multiple holes located in the sleeve residing in the main body of the foldable guitar.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and together with the written description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements of an embodiment.

(2) FIG. 1 schematically shows a three dimensional front view of a guitar completely assembled according to one embodiment of the present invention, where the guitar is in a completely extended or work position.

(3) FIG. 2 schematically shows a three dimensional front view of a guitar completely assembled according to one embodiment of the present invention, where the guitar is in a completely folded position.

(4) FIG. 3 shows schematically a back view of an assembled guitar body of a guitar according to one embodiment of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 4A shows schematically a back view of the details of a locking mechanism of a rotating bar attachment at the bottom of the guitar body according to one embodiment of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 4B is a sectional view of FIG. 4A.

(7) FIG. 5 shows schematically a three dimensional view of a locking plate according to one embodiment of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 6A shows schematically a back view of the details of a locking mechanism of a rotating bar attachment at the top of the guitar body according to one embodiment of the present invention.

(9) FIG. 6B is a sectional view of FIG. 6A.

(10) FIG. 7 shows the rear side view of a leg rest assembly with vertical beam according to one embodiment of the present invention.

(11) FIG. 8 is a sectional view from the rear end of the leg rest assembly with vertical beam.

(12) FIG. 9 is a schematic three dimensional view of a leg rest sleeve according to one embodiment of the present invention.

(13) FIG. 10 shows the rear side view of a leg rest assembly with vertical beam according to one embodiment of the present invention, where the leg rest sleeve is removed to show other details.

(14) FIG. 11 schematically shows a three dimensional view of a button retainer plate according to one embodiment of the present invention.

(15) FIG. 12A schematically shows how a leg rest sleeve of the foldable guitar is fixed to the main body according to one embodiment of the present invention.

(16) FIG. 12B is an enlarged view of the circled part in FIG. 12A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(17) The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

(18) The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the invention, and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used to describe the invention are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the practitioner regarding the description of the invention. For convenience, certain terms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotation marks. The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaning of a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the same context, whether or not it is highlighted. It will be appreciated that same thing can be said in more than one way. Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein, nor is any special significance to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms discussed herein is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the invention or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the invention is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification.

(19) It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being on another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being directly on another element, there are no intervening elements present. As used herein, the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

(20) It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

(21) The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms a, an and the are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms comprises and/or comprising, or includes and/or including or has and/or having when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

(22) Furthermore, relative terms, such as lower or bottom and upper or top, may be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another element as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. For example, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as being on the lower side of other elements would then be oriented on upper sides of the other elements. The exemplary term lower, can therefore, encompasses both an orientation of lower and upper, depending of the particular orientation of the figure. Similarly, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as below or beneath other elements would then be oriented above the other elements. The exemplary terms below or beneath can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of above and below.

(23) Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

(24) As used herein, around, about, substantially or approximately shall generally mean within 20 percent, preferably within 10 percent, and more preferably within 5 percent of a given value or range. Numerical quantities given herein are approximate; meaning that the term around, about, substantially or approximately can be inferred if not expressly stated.

(25) The description will be made as to the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in FIGS. 1-8. In accordance with the purposes of this invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, this invention, in one aspect, relates to a foldable guitar.

(26) This following explanation provides description detail of the numbered items in FIGS. 1-12B including assemble and function process.

(27) As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the whole guitar body 1 includes a main body 2 and a rotating bar 3. The main body 2 and the rotating bar 3 substantially respectively form a left side portion and a right side portion of the guitar body. The rotating bar 3 is attached or hinged to the main body 2. The shape of the rotating bar 3 conforms to the shape of the main body 2. This provides a proper slip fit when the rotating bar 3 is folded onto the main body 2 to form a folded travel position. The rotating bar 3, after being folded, is located at the same side as the main body 2. This makes the whole guitar body 1 in the optimal efficient compact size, and makes the guitar easier to be shipped and carried and provides the means to prevent damage when the guitar is transported.

(28) The rotating bar 3 has a top end and a bottom end that make full permanent contact to the main body 2. As shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 6A and 6B, there are two limiting holes 4 and two limiting holes 21 placed respectively at the two ends of the rotating bar 3. Referring to FIG. 4B, a spring 5 and a ball bearing 6 are received in the limiting hole 4. For the limiting hole 4 located at the bottom end of the rotating bar 3, the spring 5 is located at the bottom side, and the ball bearing 6 is located at the top side. The spring 5 and the ball bearing 6 are held in place into the hole 4 by means of a screw 22. The amount of tension threading the screw 22 screwing into the hole 4 is used to adjust the firmness of the lock of the ball bearing 6. The ball bearing 6 locks the rotating bar 3 into either the folded or the fully extended position with the aid of a locking plate 7. In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the locking plate 7 has three holes. These holes are identified as a mounting hole 23, a folded position locking hole 24, and an extended position locking hole 25. The ball bearing 6 is able to move inward or outward from the hole 4 by means of compressing the spring 5, when an external force is applied to the rotating bar 3. This enables the ball bearing 6 to be flush to the surface of the rotating bar 3, allowing freedom of the rotating bar 3 to rotate. When the rotating bar 3 is rotated into the full rotated position or the folded position, the ball bearing 6 is extended outward from the surface of the rotating bar 3 to the folded position locking hole 24 on the locking plate 7. By means and force provided by the spring 5, the amount of force of the locking procedure is set by the screw 22. Under this situation, the ball bearing 6 is aligned and engaged with the locking hole 24 on the locking plate 7, the rotating bar 3 is press fit with the main body 2 through the ball bearing 6 and the locking hole 24, and the rotating bar 3 is in the folded position. The ball bearing 6 is also able to lock the rotating bar 3 into the fully extended position. When the rotating bar 3 is rotated into the full extended rotated position or the working position, as shown in FIG. 4B, the ball bearing 6 is extended outward from the surface of the rotating bar 3 to the extended position locking hole 25. Under this situation, the ball bearing 6 is aligned and engaged with the locking hole 25 on the locking plate 7, the rotating bar 3 is press fit with the main body 7 through the ball bearing 6 and the locking hole 25, and the rotating bar 3 is in the extended or working position. A screw 20 attaches the rotating bar 3 and the lock plate 7 to the main body 2. The screw 20 goes through a hole 21 as slip fit on the rotating bar 3. The screw 20 also goes through the hole 23 on the lock plate 7. The lock plate 7 is fitted between the rotating bar 3 and the main body 2. The screw 20 is threaded into a hole 26 on the main body 2. In other words, the screw 20 passes sequentially the hole 21 on the rotating bar 3, the hole 23 on the lock plate 7, and the hole 26 on the main body 2, to rotatably fix the rotating bar 3 to the main body 2. The screw 20 not only secures the rotating bar 3 to the main body 2, but also provides center pivot point to the rotating bar 3. The profile of the locking plate 7 is located in counter bore recess in the main body 2 to keep the locking plate 7 in permanent fixed position relative to the main body 2. Counter bore on the main body 2 matches the shape of the locking plate 7, this method of attaching the locking plate 7 reduces the materials needed to keep the locking plate 7 in desired fixed position. The union of the locking plate 7 and the main body 2 provide accurate prescribed locking positions for the rotating bar 3. In certain embodiments, the locking plate 7 is integrally formed with the main body 2.

(29) As shown in FIGS. 7-12B, leg rest components 4 includes leg rest 8, vertical beam 9, leg rest sleeve 10, leg rest position hole 11, push rod 12, toggle bolt 13, guide pin 14, spring 15, spring 16, push rod button 27, button retainer plate 28, button retainer plate mount hole 29, button retainer button hole 30, leg rest button retainer plate mount hole 31, button retainer plate screw 32, leg rest sleeve mounting hole 33, leg rest sleeve guide pin channel 34, and leg rest sleeve mount screw 35.

(30) In certain embodiments, the leg rest 8 is attached to the main body 2 through the leg rest sleeve 10. The leg rest sleeve 10 is permanently fixed to the main body 2 through the leg rest sleeve mounting screw 35. The leg rest sleeve mounting screw 35 has slip fit through the leg rest sleeve mounting hole 33. The mounting screw 35 is firmly threaded into the main body 2 and fixes the leg rest sleeve 10 to the main body 2. The vertical beam 9 is inserted inside the leg rest sleeve 10. The leg rest 8 is permanently fixed to the vertical beam 9. The vertical beam 9 is attached to the leg rest sleeve 10 by means of the guide pin 13 and the toggle bolt 13. The vertical beam 9 has the guide pin 14 pressed into press fit hole on the vertical beam 9 after vertical beam 9 is inserted into the leg rest sleeve 10. The guide pin 14 is held in place on the leg rest sleeve 10 by means of the leg rest sleeve guide pin channel 34. The vertical beam 9 is also held in place by means of the toggle bolt 13. The toggle bolt 13 can be engaged or disengaged into the leg rest position hole 11 located on the leg rest sleeve 10. The leg rest 8 has capability of being positioned in multiple prescribed positions. This is achieved using the toggle bolt 13 loaded with the spring 15 and the spring 16. The toggle bolt 13 can be drawn inward into the vertical beam 9 by pushing the push rod button 27. The push rod button 27 makes contact to the push rod 12 when the push rod button 27 is pushed inward. The push rod 12 has beveled edge that contacts the toggle bolt 13. The toggle bolt 13 has opposing beveled edge that the beveled edge of the push rods 12 makes contact with. When the push rod button 27 is pushed, the bevel of the push rod 12 engages with the bevel of the toggle bolt 13, and the more the contact occurs the more inward the toggle bolt 13 moves inside the vertical beam 9. The push rod 12 and the toggle bolt 13 are mounted with springs 15 and 16, which can return the toggle bolt 13 into upward locking position. The spring 15 is in direct contact with the toggle bolt 13 always applying upward pressure. The spring 16 is in direct contact with the push rod 12 always applying upward pressure to disengage the push rod 12 from the toggle bolt 13. The spring 15 has enough pressure to push the toggle bolt 13 up through the hole 11 located in the leg rest sleeve 10. When the toggle bolt 13 is engaged into the hole 11 of the leg rest sleeve 10, it then locks the leg rest 8 into one of many locking positions. The action of the toggle bolt 13 is held together in the housing provided by the vertical beam 9 and combines movements of the push rod 12, the toggle bolt 13, the spring 15, the spring 16, the push rod button 27, the button retainer plate 28, and the button retainer screw 32.

(31) The purpose and advantage according to certain embodiments of this invention are to provide a full size stringed musical instrument that has familiar feel, to position stringed instrument to a status that musicians are accustomed to, and to provide a full size stringed musical instrument that is portable and easier to move with traveling musicians. This invention also provides an instrument more resilient against damage while being transported. This invention can provide more portable means to any Spanish or Classical style stringed musical instrument. Most notable electric guitar and bass instruments, including the Classical style large Upright bass type of stringed musical instrument.

(32) The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention has been presented only for the purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.

(33) The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and their practical application so as to activate others skilled in the art to utilize the invention and various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from its spirit and scope. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and the exemplary embodiments described therein.