Portable guitar

Abstract

Portable guitar (100) comprising a head element (110), a neck element (120) and a body element (130), wherein a first end (121) of the neck element (120) is detachably connected to the head element (110), wherein a second end (122) of the neck element (120) is detachably connected to the body element (130), characterized in that a saddle (123) of the guitar (100) is arranged on the neck element (120).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable guitar and a system comprising such a guitar.

[0002] Guitars, and acoustic guitars in particular, are generally quite large and unwieldy, making them difficult to transport, for example, when traveling. Several approaches to making guitars more portable already exist, such as smaller body shapes, detachable necks, or foldable designs. However, these solutions often have drawbacks, such as a reduction in sound quality or stability. Furthermore, there is still room for improvement regarding the packed size of portable guitars. For example, many portable guitars, even when disassembled or folded, are still too large to comply with standard airline carry-on baggage regulations.

[0003] Furthermore, portable guitars are known in the prior art in which not only the neck can be detached from the body, but also the headstock can be separated from the neck. In such guitars, the break separating the headstock and neck can, for example, run between the nut and the first fret. While this allows for particularly small packing dimensions, it also results in a comparatively complex construction, which entails elaborate and costly manufacturing.

[0004] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a portable guitar that is easy and inexpensive to manufacture despite a comparatively small pack size and is also sound-stable.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the invention, this problem is solved by a portable guitar comprising a head element, a neck element and a body element, wherein a first end of the neck element is detachably connected to the head element, wherein a second end of the neck element is detachably connected to the body element, and wherein a saddle of the guitar is arranged on the neck element.

[0006] A headstock is a section of a guitar located at the first end of the neck element, away from the body element, and which has a tuning mechanism for attaching the first end of each string and for tensioning the strings.

[0007] The neck is a section of a guitar that has an elongated shape and is located between the headstock and the body. The neck may have a fingerboard over which the strings run. It may also have multiple frets. A truss rod may be integrated into the neck to counteract the tension of the strings and compensate for any resulting neck flex.

[0008] The body section is a part of a guitar located at the far end of the neck, opposite the headstock, and to which the strings are attached. The body section can be hollow, as in an acoustic guitar, or solid, as in an electric guitar.

[0009] A nut is a component of a guitar located near the tuning pegs of the headstock, designed to guide the strings securely over the neck. For example, the strings may pass through slots in the nut, preventing them from slipping out of position across the length of the neck. Alternatively, the strings may pass through holes in the nut. The design of the nut affects the string action, i.e., the distance between the strings and the fretboard. When a string is plucked without a fret being pressed on the neck, the nut provides a fixed endpoint for the string's vibration. In other words, the nut limits the length of the string that vibrates freely.

[0010] A bridge is a component of a guitar that is attached to or mounted on the body and serves to guide the strings securely. For example, the strings can run through notches in a saddle insert, preventing them from slipping out of position across the length of the neck. Alternatively, the strings can also pass through holes in a saddle insert. The design of the bridge also affects the string action. When a string is plucked without a fret being pressed on the neck, the bridge acts as a second fixed end for the string's vibration. In other words, the bridge limits the freely vibrating length of the string at a second end. If the body includes a resonating chamber, as in an acoustic guitar, the bridge also transfers the vibrational energy of the strings to the resonating chamber.

[0011] The term "scale length" refers to the length of the freely vibrating strings, i.e., the distance between the nut and the bridge, in particular between the nut and a saddle insert of the bridge.

[0012] A fret is a component of a guitar located on the neck, running perpendicular to one of its lengths, to divide the neck into sections. A fret can be formed by a fret wire, typically made of metal. Multiple frets can be arranged on the fingerboard of the neck. The purpose of frets is to shorten the vibrating length of the strings when fretting, thus producing different pitches.

[0013] When a string is pressed down on the neck element, especially on a fingerboard of the neck element, the vibrating length of the string is shortened by the nearest fret.

[0014] According to the first aspect of the invention, the portable guitar comprises a headstock, a neck, and a body, wherein a first end of the neck is detachably connected to the headstock, and a second end of the neck is detachably connected to the body. This design allows for a particularly compact size when packed, since the length of the neck can be further reduced by removing the headstock. In particular, this ensures that the neck meets the standard maximum dimensions for carry-on luggage in air travel.

[0015] Furthermore, according to the first aspect of the invention, the guitar's nut is arranged on the neck. This means that the break separating the headstock and neck is located between the nut and the tuning peg. This allows for a simpler design compared to the prior art, resulting in less complex and more cost-effective manufacturing. For example, a standard truss rod can be integrated into the guitar's neck. In contrast, in the prior art, where the break is located, for example, between the nut and the first fret, either the truss rod must also be interrupted, or another mechanism is required to counteract the string tension. Compared to both of these alternatives, a guitar according to the first aspect of the invention achieves a simplified design without significantly increasing the guitar's overall size.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the first aspect, the first end of the neck element is detachably connected to the head element by means of a plug connection. Such a plug connection can be designed, for example, as a tenon joint or as a precisely fitting plug system with at least one guide pin and at least one corresponding receptacle. In one embodiment, the plug connection can be realized by the neck element having at least two metal pins that are precisely received by at least two bores in the head element. Alternatively, the metal pins can also be arranged on the head element and the bores in the neck element. The bores can have an inner lining, for example in the form of a metal sleeve, to reduce or prevent bore enlargement due to material wear during repeated assembly.By using a plug-in connection for the detachable connection between the first end of the neck element and the head element, quick and tool-free assembly and disassembly of the guitar can be achieved, which improves the handling and portability of the guitar.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the first aspect, the second end of the neck element is detachably connected to the body element by means of a screw connection. Such a screw connection can be realized, for example, by one or more screws, threaded bolts, thumbscrews, or knurled screws. In one embodiment, the screw connection can be realized by at least two thumbscrews or knurled screws with metric external threads, which are passed through corresponding holes in the neck element and engage in at least two complementary metric internal threads arranged in bores of the body element. Particularly high stability can be achieved if the screw connection is realized by four thumbscrews or knurled screws. A thumbscrew is understood to be a screw with a specially designed head shape that allows the screw to be loosened and tightened by hand.For example, a thumbscrew can have a star-shaped head or a cylindrical head with external knurling. Using a screw connection for the detachable joint between the second end of the neck joint and the body joint ensures a stable and secure connection, thus maintaining the structural integrity of the guitar and providing a secure grip while playing. Furthermore, the use of thumbscrews or knurled screws allows for quick and tool-free assembly and disassembly of the guitar.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment of the first aspect, the headstock has a solid headstock with a tuning mechanism. In this case, the guitar may include a mechanism designed to prevent at least one string from slipping off the tuning mechanism when the guitar is disassembled. A headstock is understood to be a section of the headstock to which the tuning mechanism for the individual strings is attached. A solid headstock is also known as a "closed headstock." It may, for example, be formed by a solid headstock with holes, the holes being substantially perpendicular to the two principal directions of expansion of the headstock. Rotatably mounted axles, on which the individual strings can be wound, may pass through each of the holes.The solid-type headstock, particularly the solid headstock with holes just described, may feature side wings for tuning the strings. A solid-type headstock is relatively easy to manufacture. However, a pivoting axle for winding a string typically has an exposed end from which the string can slip off when not under tension, i.e., when the guitar is disassembled. The mechanism mentioned above can prevent this slippage, thus improving guitar handling. This mechanism may, for example, include a bracket attached to the headstock that can be tilted from an open to a closed position, securing the guitar strings against slippage in the closed position.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment of the first aspect, the headstock has a perforated headstock with a tuning mechanism. A perforated headstock is also known as an "open headstock." It can be formed, for example, by a headstock with cutouts, in which pivots rotatably mounted, essentially parallel to a main direction of extension of the headstock, run, and on which the individual strings can be wound. The perforated headstock, in particular the headstock with cutouts just described, can especially have rear wings for tuning the strings. A perforated headstock eliminates the need for a mechanism that prevents the strings from slipping off.Because on a headstock of a cutaway type, a rotatable axle for winding a string typically has no exposed end from which the string can slide off when not under tension. Consequently, improved handling of the guitar can also be achieved here.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment of the first aspect, the guitar is an acoustic guitar. An acoustic guitar is understood to be a guitar with a soundboard that mechanically amplifies the played notes by transferring the vibrations of the strings to the soundboard and thereby amplifying them. The soundboard can, for example, be contained within the body. The body can, for instance, be designed as a hollow body. The transmission of the string vibrations can occur, for example, via a bridge. The increase in volume achieved through mechanical amplification by means of the soundboard, and the resulting sound, can be influenced in an acoustic guitar by the guitar's construction, the materials used, and the individual playing technique. Examples of acoustic guitars include classical guitars, steel-string acoustic guitars, and travel guitars.Because the guitar is an acoustic guitar according to the first aspect, it can be played without the need for electric amplification, which is particularly advantageous for mobile use.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment of the first aspect, the guitar has six or more strings. This ensures that, despite its small size, the guitar is a fully functional guitar and not another portable stringed instrument such as a ukulele with only four strings. If the guitar has more than six strings, it can, in particular, have twelve strings. Such a guitar with twelve strings is also referred to as a "12-string".

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment of the first aspect, the guitar has a scale length between 640 mm and 660 mm, preferably between 645 mm and 655 mm. This ensures that, despite its small size when packed, the guitar is a full-size guitar and not a guitar with a shortened scale length, such as a 3 / 4 or 7 / 8 guitar.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment of the first aspect, the neck element has between 21 and 23, preferably 22 frets. This also ensures that the guitar, despite its small size, is a fully functional guitar and not another portable stringed instrument such as a ukulele, which typically has twelve to twenty frets.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment of the first aspect, the neck element has a length of a maximum of 55 cm, preferably a maximum of 51 cm. This allows for a compact size when the guitar is disassembled, which is particularly relevant to the standard hand luggage regulations of airlines. Transporting a guitar as hand luggage, i.e., in the passenger cabin of an aircraft, is advantageous because damage can occur during transport in the cargo hold.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment of the first aspect, the body element has a maximum length of 45 cm and / or a maximum width of 32 cm. This also allows for a small packed size of the guitar when disassembled, so that the guitar can be easily transported, for example, in a backpack or a rolling suitcase with hand luggage dimensions.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment of the first aspect, the guitar has at least one pickup. A pickup can be, for example, a piezo pickup, a contact-based pickup, or an internal microphone. One or more piezo pickups can, for example, be arranged under the bridge. One or more contact-based pickups can, for example, be arranged on or attached to the body element, such as on a top of the body element or on the bridge. The top of the body element refers to the upper plate of the body element located on the front of the body element, on which the bridge is mounted. One or more internal microphones can, for example, be located in the body element of the guitar, particularly in a hollow section of the body element. The one or more internal microphones can, for example, be condenser microphones.Equipping a guitar with at least one electric pickup allows the sounds played to be electronically captured, amplified, or recorded. This doesn't preclude the guitar from still being considered an acoustic guitar. For example, an acoustic guitar with at least one electric pickup can be played both acoustically and amplified, thus expanding its versatility and enabling flexible use in various musical situations.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment of the first aspect, the guitar has an integrated tone control. A tone control is understood to be an electronic circuit that allows the timbre of an electrical output signal from the guitar to be adjusted. For example, the tone control may include an equalizer with at least two individually adjustable frequency bands. For example, the equalizer may be a 3-band equalizer or a 4-band equalizer. For example, the equalizer may be a parametric or graphic equalizer. The tone control may have an on / off switch. A tone control allows a user to adjust the sound of the guitar, thus enabling more flexible use.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment of the first aspect, the power supply for the integrated tone control also simultaneously provides power to the at least one pickup. This reduces the number of power supplies required. The power supply can, for example, comprise a battery or several batteries connected in series or parallel.

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment of the first aspect, the guitar has an integrated tuner. This allows the guitar to be tuned quickly and precisely anytime and anywhere, without the need to carry a separate tuner. Tuning the guitar may be advisable, for example, after assembly. The integrated tuner thus increases the ease of use and readiness of the instrument when traveling or in changing environmental conditions.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment of the first aspect, the power supply for the integrated tone control and / or the at least one pickup also simultaneously provides power to the integrated tuner. This also reduces the number of power supplies required. The power supply can, for example, comprise a single battery or several batteries connected in series or parallel.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment of the first aspect, the body element is made at least partially of wood and / or plastic. Traditional tonewoods such as spruce, mahogany, or maple, which offer particularly good tonal qualities, can be used as wood materials. ABS plastic, for example, can be used as the plastic material. ABS stands for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. The advantages of ABS plastic are that the material is stable, easy to process, and relatively inexpensive. In a preferred embodiment, the top of the body element can be made of wood, and at least part of the rest of the body element can be made of plastic.

[0032] According to a second aspect of the invention, the aforementioned problem is also solved by a system comprising a guitar according to the first aspect and at least one clamping device for fixing the strings. A first clamping device can, for example, be provided and included in the system if the headstock has a solid headplate with a tuning peg. In this case, the first clamping device can be configured to be attached to the headstock of the guitar to prevent at least one string from slipping off the tuning peg when the guitar is disassembled. Alternatively or additionally, a second clamping device can be provided and included in the system. The second clamping device can be configured to be attached to the strings at the level of the body to prevent the strings from becoming tangled when the guitar is disassembled.The first clamping device and / or the second clamping device can be designed, for example, as a clamp or a clip. The presence of at least one clamping device to secure the strings thus improves the handling of the guitar.

[0033] Further embodiments and advantages of the invention can be found in the following detailed description of some exemplary embodiments of the present invention, particularly in conjunction with the drawing. The drawing shows in Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a portable guitar according to the first aspect of the invention in an assembled state, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of the portable guitar made of Fig. 1 in a disassembled state, Fig. 3 an enlarged representation of the connection between the body element and the neck element, Fig. 4 an enlarged representation of the connection between the neck element and the head element, and Fig. 5 a schematic representation of the portable guitar made of Fig. 1 with attached clamps for fixing the strings.

[0034] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a portable guitar according to the first aspect of the invention. The guitar 100 is in Fig. Figure 1 shows the guitar in an assembled state. The guitar comprises three parts: the headstock 110, the neck 120, and the body 130. The first end 121 of the neck 120 is detachably connected to the headstock 110, as shown below in connection with Fig. 4 will be described in more detail. The dividing point between head element 110 and neck element 120 is in Fig. 1 indicated by the dashed line 115. The second end 122 of the neck element 120 is detachably connected to the body element 130, as shown below in connection with Fig. 3 will be described in more detail.

[0035] The guitar 100 is an acoustic guitar 100, in which the body element 130 acts as a resonating chamber, thus mechanically amplifying the notes played on the guitar 100. The vibrations of the strings 125 are transferred to the resonating chamber via the bridge 134. Furthermore, the body element 130 has a soundhole 136.

[0036] The guitar 100, for example, has six strings (125). More than six strings, such as twelve, would also be conceivable. The scale length, i.e., the distance between the nut (123) and the bridge saddle (134a), is 648 mm. The guitar 100 is therefore a fully-fledged acoustic guitar. The number of frets (124) is 22, which is also typical for a fully-fledged acoustic guitar.

[0037] Furthermore, the headstock element 110 has a solid headplate 111 with a tuning mechanism 112. The tuning mechanism 112 includes, in particular, a rotatably mounted axle 113 for each string, on which the string is wound and which passes through a bore in the headplate 111. The tuning mechanism 112 also includes, in particular, a side-mounted wing 114 for each string, which can be rotated to tune the string.

[0038] In this embodiment, the body element 130 is made of wood and plastic. More precisely, the top 131 is made of tonewood, while the side panel 132 and the back panel (not shown) are made of ABS plastic.

[0039] Fig. 2 shows the guitar 100 from Fig. 1 in a disassembled state. In particular, in Fig. Figure 2 shows that the saddle 123 is arranged on the neck element 120. In this way, a conventional truss rod (not shown) can be integrated into the neck element 120, thus achieving a simplified construction without significantly increasing the packed size of the guitar 100.

[0040] The length of the neck section 120 with the headstock section 110 removed is 51 cm in this example. The body section 130 is 45 cm long and 32 cm wide. This allows for a particularly small packed size for the guitar 100 when disassembled, which is also a result of the guitar 100's three-piece construction.

[0041] Fig. Figure 3 shows a screw mechanism 300 for connecting the body element 130 and the neck element 120. The body element 130 and the neck element 120 are shown separately. As in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3, the body element has four holes 301, 302, 303, and 304. A hand screw (not shown) with a metric external thread made of metal can be inserted through each of these holes. The neck element 120 has four corresponding recesses 305, 306, 307, and 308 on its back side, each containing a complementary metric internal thread made of metal. The hand screws can thus engage in the respective internal threads. In this way, a stable yet easily detachable connection between the body element 130 and the neck element 120 can be achieved. In this example, the holes 301, 302, 303, and 304 pass through a wooden block of the body element 130. This wooden block rests against the back of the neck element 120 when assembled, which contributes to the stability of the connection.Washers can be used at the contact points of the heads of the hand screws with the back of the body element 130 to reduce wear on the body element.

[0042] In Fig. Figure 3 also shows that the guitar has an integrated tone control 133 in the form of a 4-band equalizer 133. In this context, the guitar also has at least one pickup (not shown). The at least one pickup (not shown) and the integrated tone control 133 are powered by a common power supply (not shown). Furthermore, the guitar may also have an integrated tuner. If present, the integrated tuner may also be powered by the common power supply (not shown).

[0043] Fig. Figure 4 shows a plug-in mechanism 400 for connecting the neck element 120 and the head element 110. The neck element 120 and the head element 110 are shown separately. As in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 4, the neck element 120 has two metal pins 401, 402 that fit precisely into two bores 403, 404 in the head element 110. This creates a stable yet easily detachable connection between the neck element 120 and the head element 110. The bores 403, 404 are each lined with a metal sleeve to reduce wear on the head element 110. The tension of the strings firmly fixes the head element 110 to the neck element 120.

[0044] In Fig. 5 is the guitar 100 out Fig. Figure 1 shows two accessories in the form of clamps 501 and 502. The first clamp 501 can be attached to the headstock 110 to prevent the strings 125 from slipping off the axes 113 of the tuning mechanism 112 when the guitar 100 is disassembled. Instead of the first clamp 501, a pivoting bracket (not shown) can also be provided, which is attached to the guitar 100 and secures the strings. If, unlike in this embodiment, the guitar has a perforated headstock, both the first clamp 501 and the bracket can be omitted, since, by design, the strings cannot slip off the axes of the tuning mechanism with such headstocks. The second clamp 502 can be attached to the strings 125 at the height of the sound hole 136 of the body element 130 to prevent the strings 125 from becoming tangled when the guitar 110 is disassembled.

[0045] Based on the one in Fig.In the state shown in Figure 1, the guitar 100 can be disassembled as follows: First, the strings 125 are secured with the clamps 501, 502, or with the bracket just described. This step is optional, however, and can be omitted. Next, the thumbscrews connecting the neck section 120 and the body section 130 are loosened and removed. Optionally, the strings 125 can then be loosened by turning the wings 114 to facilitate disassembly. After loosening and removing the thumbscrews, the neck section 120 can be tilted forward, releasing the tension on the strings. The neck section 120 and the headstock section 110 can then be separated, for example, by pulling the headstock section 110 off the neck section 120. The head element 110 and the neck element 120 can finally be positioned next to the body element 130 to store the guitar 110 when disassembled.

[0046] To assemble the guitar 100, first attach the headstock 110 to the neck 120. Then, attach the neck 120 to the body 130, tilt it backward, and secure it with the thumbscrews. If the strings 125 are fixed with clips 501, 502, or with a bracket, the clips 501, 502 can be removed or the bracket folded back. After assembly, tuning the guitar 100 is recommended, for which a tuner, if integrated, can be used.

[0047] Terms used in the claims, such as "comprise," "exhibit," "include," "contain," and the like, do not exclude further elements. The phrase "at least partially" encompasses both "partially" and "completely." The phrase "and / or" should be understood to mean that both the alternative and the combination are disclosed; thus, "A and / or B" means "(A) or (B) or (A and B)." A plurality of units, persons, or the like, in the context of this specification, means multiple units, persons, or the like. The use of the indefinite article does not preclude a plurality. A single device can perform the functions of several units or devices mentioned in the claims. Reference numerals specified in the claims are not to be considered as limitations on the means and steps employed.

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