GB2396476A

GB2396476A - One piece capo

Info

Publication number: GB2396476A
Application number: GB0229520A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Damien Nuttall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-12-18
Filing date: 2002-12-18
Publication date: 2004-06-23
Anticipated expiration: 2022-12-18
Also published as: GB2396476B; GB0229520D0

Abstract

For mounting on the neck of a guitar or other similar stringed instrument to change the pitch of strings a one piece capo comprises two limbs (20, 22) which are capable of flexure relative to each other. One of the limbs is a lower limb (22) adapted to extend transversely beneath the neck of the instrument and the other of the limbs is an upper limb (20) adapted to extend transversely above the strings to press them into contact with one of the frets on the upper surface of the neck of the instrument. The upper limb (20) may be provided with a looped portion (26) and/or a curved extension (23) to facilitate gripping by a user.

Description

l - 1 - 2396476

ONE-PIECE CAPO

This invention concerns a cape, which is a device mountable on the neck of a guitar or a similar stringed instrument, such as a banjo, in order to press the strings into contact with the fret board at a selected position therealong and thereby change the pitch of the strings without the need for retuning.

Capos are known in the prior art, as described, for example in US

4,143,576 and US 4,583,440. These are quite complex devices, comprising several parts including upper and lower clamping members which are pivotably connected and a spring which acts therebetween to clamp these to the neck of the instrument. The clamping force is generally quite strong and it is not usually possible for players to release the device and reposition it without using both hands. Such devices are fairly expensive and are not capable of functioning on the full range of stringed instruments to which capos may be applicable.

An object of the present invention is to provide a capo of simpler construction, which is less expensive than many known capos. A further object is to provide a capo which is readily mountable, adjustable and removable by players of all standards, experience and strength using only one hand.

Yet a further object is to provide a capo which is slidable along the neck of an instrument.

- 2 - Another object is to provide a capo which is substantially universal, i.e. fitting and functioning on all relevant stringed instruments (guitars and banjos) of different types and sizes.

With these objects in view, the invention provides a once piece capo comprising two limbs capable of flexure relative to each other, one of said limbs being a lower limb adapted to extend transversely beneath the neck of the instrument and the other of said limbs being an upper limb adapted to extend transversely above the strings to press them into contact with one of the frets on the upper surface of the neck of the instrument.

The upper limb is preferably provided with a looped portion, which may be a closed loop, but could be an open loop, to provide for gripping by or insertion of a finger of a user to facilitate fitting of the capo onto a guitar neck, or its repositioning by sliding therealong, or its removal therefrom.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an enlarged, somewhat schematic side view of a first embodiment of a capo in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation of a second, preferred, practical embodiment of the capo of the invention, this being viewed from the other side compared to the Figure 1 embodiment) Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing the Figure 2 embodiment of the capo fitted onto a guitar, this being viewed from the fret board side of thereof; and Figure 4 is a corresponding view showing the same capo viewed from the underside of the neck of the guitar.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, this basic version of the capo of the invention comprises a one piece moulding of a suitable plastics material, such as acetyl co-polymer which is commercially available under the name "DELRAN". The shape, as shown, is chosen to fit sideways around and across the neck of a guitar or banjo, there being an upper limb 10, which will extend across the strings at the fret board side, and a lower limb 12, which is joined via a bend 14 to the upper limb 10 and will extend across the underside of the guitar neck. The resilient flexure between these limbs 10, 12 and the precise curvature at the bend 14 and beyond as the lower limb 12 curves around is chosen so as to apply adequate pressure on the strings to bring them into contact with the respective frets on the guitar neck.

In this respect, it has been realised that a pressure as strong as achieved with many previously known capos is not necessary.

The angle between the limbs 10, 12 in the unstressed condition may vary from 20 to 65 before the lower limb 12 curves back in towards the upper limb 10.

A closed loop 16 is provided at the end of the upper limb 10 to facilitate the gripping of the capo by a user in order to position same, or remove same. This is accomplished just by pushing the cape on from one side, or conversely pulling it off.

It can also be slid along to different positions to hold the strings against any selected fret of the guitar. When not in use the capo can be clipped onto the head stock of the guitar, again by means of the upper and lower limb 10, 12 engaging around same.

The lower limb 12 has an outwardly curving terminal portion 18, which facilitates both the application and removal of the capo from the neck of the guitar.

- 4 Figures 2 to 4 show a preferred practical embodiment 30 of the capo. It still has the basic features of an upper limb 20 joined around a bend 24 to a lower limb 22, the limbs being capable of flexure relative to each other and being of a shape and size to fit around a guitar neck in the manner illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. The upper limb 20 is again formed with a closed loop 26 near its end, and the lower limb 22 is again formed with a terminal portion 28 curving away from the upper limb 20.

This version may also be moulded primarily from an acetyl co-

polymer. However, a secondary material, such as a second different grade of acetyl co-polymer, or a different compatible plastics material, which is softer, i.e. more resilient, than that forming the main body is applied to the surface of the lower limb 22. This can be accomplished by a secondary moulding operation and the precise extent and form of the surface layer will depend on the shape of the mould. Apertures may also be formed in the main body so that the secondary material can extend therethrough, and thus be form-locked to the main body. In the illustrated example a layer 32 of secondary material extends over the upper and lower surfaces of the lower limb 22 and, via transverse apertures in the lower limb discrete projections 34 are formed along side edges of the lower limb 22. The purpose of the secondary material is just to provide a softer layer to minimise risk of scratch damage to the guitar as the capo is clipped on and off and slid therealong.

Also in this second embodiment it will be noted that the upper limb 20 is enlarged to include a curved upward extension 23 having a thinner inner portion 25 and two strengthening ribs 27.

Other embodiments may vary in design details and precise configuration. The loop on the upper limb may not be closed and the secondary material may not be present.

Claims

l - 5 CLAIMS

1. A one piece capo mountable on the neck of a guitar or other similar stringed instrument and comprising two limbs capable of flexure relative to each other, one of said limbs being a lower limb adapted to extend transversely beneath the neck of the instrument and the other of said limbs being an upper limb adapted to extend transversely above the strings to press them into contact with one of the frets on the upper surface of the neck of the instrument. 2. A capo as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upper limb is provided with a looped portion to facilitate gripping by a user. 3. A capo as claimed in claim 2 wherein the looped portion is a closed loop.

4. A capo as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 which is formed at least partially from a plastics material, namely an acetyl co-polymer or a mixture of such co-polymers.

5. A capo as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 which is formed at least partially from spring steel.

6. A capo as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the lower limb is provided with a surface layer of protective, resilient material.

A capo as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the upper limb and the lower limb extend relative to each other in the unstressed condition at an angle in the range from 25 to 65 .

) - 6 - 8. A capo as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the lower limb has a terminal position which curves outwardly, away from the upper limb.

9. A capo as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the lower limb is shorter than the upper limb.

10. A one piece cape substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.