Capo

Abstract

To provide a capo tasto capable of quickly and easily pressing different frets for each string. [Solution] The capo 1 comprises a support part 2 configured to be supported against the neck 21 of a stringed instrument 20, and a plurality of pressing parts 3 attached to the support part 2 and capable of pressing one or more of the strings 22 strung on the stringed instrument 20 against the fingerboard 23 side of the neck 21, and each of the plurality of pressing parts 3 is configured so that its installation position can be changed along the longitudinal direction of the neck 21 when the support part 2 is supported by the neck 21.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a capo. [Background technology]

[0002] A capo is a device attached to the neck of a stringed instrument, such as a guitar, near the frets to hold down the strings. A capo typically has a rod-shaped element that is positioned transverse to the longitudinal direction of the neck and presses down all the strings. This allows you to play a chord (also known as a barre chord) in which one finger presses down all the strings on the same fret without having to press down the strings with your fingers.

[0003] Patent Document 1 also discloses a capo (also known as a capo tasto) that has multiple clamps that press down on each string individually, with each clamp pressing down and releasing one string at a time. This capo is known by the product name Spider Capo.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a stringed instrument set in which string pressers are inserted and held in insertion holes provided on the surface of the fingerboard of a stringed instrument, and press any open string of the stringed instrument against the surface of the fingerboard in order to set the desired sound for each string. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 7,563,969 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-109463 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Conventional capos generally press all strings on the same fret. In contrast, the capo in Patent Document 1 has multiple pressers that each press and release a single string. Therefore, this capo only allows for two settings: pressing the fret near the position of the presser or releasing the string.

[0007] When playing a string instrument, the open strings are usually tuned to a typical pitch (regular tuning). However, to allow for greater flexibility in playing string instruments, the open strings may be tuned to an irregular pitch (alternate tuning).

[0008] However, alternate tunings require turning the tuning pegs of a stringed instrument set to regular tuning, which takes time and effort. Therefore, if you want to play both regular and alternate tunings, you may need to prepare two or more stringed instruments, which is cumbersome to carry around and takes time to switch between instruments. Therefore, if a tool could be used that allows you to press different frets on each string, it would be easier to set alternate tunings and other chords, giving players more freedom in how they play and expanding the possibilities for new string instrument performances.

[0009] The string holder in Patent Document 2 can press different frets for each string, but it requires forming holes in the surface of the fingerboard of the stringed instrument, which makes it difficult to apply to existing stringed instruments, and the formed holes may affect the way the stringed instrument resonates.

[0010] The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a capo that can quickly and easily press different frets for each string. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to solve the above problems, the capo of the present invention employs the following means. In other words, the capo tasto of the present invention comprises a support portion configured to be supported on the neck of a stringed instrument, and a plurality of pressing portions installed on the support portion and capable of pressing one or more of the strings strung on the stringed instrument toward the fingerboard side of the neck, and each of the plurality of pressing portions is configured so that its installation position can be changed along the longitudinal direction of the neck when the support portion is supported on the neck.

[0012] According to this configuration, the support portion can be supported by the neck of the stringed instrument, and multiple pressing portions are attached to the support portion, and each of the multiple pressing portions can press one or more of the strings strung on the stringed instrument against the fingerboard side of the neck. The multiple pressing portions are each attached to the support portion, and are configured so that their installation positions can be changed along the longitudinal direction of the neck when the support portion is supported by the neck. This allows each pressing portion to quickly and easily press a different string, and each pressing portion can press the string at a different position (for example, a different fret).

[0013] In the above device, the pressing portion has a contact portion that can contact the string and a rod-shaped sliding portion with the contact portion provided on one end side, and the support portion may have a through hole that is formed to penetrate in one direction and through which the sliding portion is inserted.

[0014] According to this configuration, the pressing part has a contact part and a sliding part, and the contact part can contact the string, and the contact part is provided on one end of the rod-shaped sliding part. The support part has a through hole that penetrates in one direction, and the sliding part is inserted into the through hole. By moving the sliding part along the through hole, the installation position of the contact part of the pressing part is changed along the longitudinal direction of the neck when the support part is supported by the neck.

[0015] In the above device, the support portion may have a base portion on which the pressure member is placed, the base portion being positioned on the fingerboard side when supported by the neck, and a clamping portion being positioned on the back side of the neck opposite the fingerboard when supported by the neck, and configured to be able to clamp the neck together with the clamping portion.

[0016] According to this configuration, the support portion has a base portion and a clamping portion. The base portion has a pressing portion attached thereto, and is positioned on the fingerboard side when the support portion is supported by the neck. The clamping portion is configured to be able to clamp the neck together with the pressing portion, and is positioned on the back side of the neck opposite the fingerboard when the support portion is supported by the neck. The support portion and pressing portion clamp the neck from the fingerboard side and the back side of the neck, and are fixed to the neck. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] This invention allows players to quickly and easily press different frets for each string, making it easier to set up alternate tunings and other chords, increasing the player's freedom in playing styles and expanding the possibilities for new performances on stringed instruments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a capo tasto according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the state where it is installed on a stringed instrument. [Figure 2] 1 is a front view of a capo according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the state where it is installed on a stringed instrument. [Figure 3] 1 is a side view of a capo according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the state where it is installed on a stringed instrument. [Figure 4] 1 is a plan view of a capo tasto according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the state where it is installed on a stringed instrument. [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view showing a capo support part according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] A capo tasto 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4, the capo 1 according to this embodiment is used on a stringed instrument 20 having frets 25, such as a guitar, ukulele, or banjo, and is configured to be detachable from the stringed instrument 20. By installing the capo 1 on the stringed instrument 20, the capo 1 can press any fret 25 on any string 22 according to settings made by the user.

[0020] The capo 1 is roughly divided into a support part 2 and a holding part 3 . The support part 2 is configured to be able to be supported by the neck 21 of the stringed instrument 20. As a result, the capo 1 is supported by the support part 2 on the neck 21 of the stringed instrument 20. The support part 2 is also configured to be detachable from the stringed instrument 20. As a result, the support part 2 can be attached to and detached from the stringed instrument 20.

[0021] A plurality of pressing units 3 are provided on the support unit 2. Each pressing unit 3 is capable of pressing one of the plurality of strings 22 strung on the stringed instrument 20 toward the fingerboard 23 of the neck 21 at the support unit 2. For example, if the stringed instrument 20 is a guitar having six strings 22 and each pressing unit 3 is configured to be able to press one string 22, six pressing units 3 are provided on the support unit 2. In this way, each of the plurality of pressing units 3 is provided on the support unit 2, and is configured so that the installation positions can be changed along the longitudinal direction of the neck 21 when the support unit 2 is supported by the neck 21.

[0022] This allows each holding member 3 to quickly and easily hold down a different string 22, and each holding member 3 to hold down the string 22 at a different fret 25. By attaching the capo 1 to the stringed instrument 20, the stringed instrument 20 can be easily set to any chord depending on the position of the holding member 3 on each string 22. As a result, the performer has more freedom in how they play, and new possibilities for playing the stringed instrument 20 are expanded.

[0023] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the pressure member 3 is capable of pressing one string 22 on the fingerboard 23 side of the neck 21, but the present invention is not limited to this example. That is, the pressure member 3 may have a width that allows it to press two or more strings simultaneously. In this case, five or fewer pressure members 3 can press six strings 22.

[0024] Next, a detailed configuration of the support part 2 for supporting the capo 1 on the neck 21 will be described. Note that the configuration of the support part 2 is not limited to the example described in this specification, and other configurations may be used as long as the capo 1 can be supported on the neck 21 of the stringed instrument 20.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the support portion 2 has a base portion 4 and a clamping portion 5. A plurality of (six in this embodiment) pressure members 3 for pressing down on the strings 22 are mounted on the base 4. The base 4 is positioned on the fingerboard 23 side with the support member 2 supported by the neck 21. The base 4 is, for example, a straight rod-like member, and when supported by the neck 21, is positioned in a direction that intersects with the longitudinal direction of the neck 21 (parallel to the frets 25).

[0026] A through hole 4A is formed in the base 4, through which the slide portion 12 is inserted. The through hole 4A is formed to penetrate the main body of the base 4 in one direction, that is, along the longitudinal direction of the neck 21 when the capo tasto 1 is attached to the neck 21.

[0027] The clamping unit 5 is located on the back 24 side of the neck 21, opposite the fingerboard 23, when the support unit 2 is supported by the neck 21. The clamping unit 5 is configured to be able to clamp the neck 21 together with the pressing unit 3. The support unit 2 and the pressing unit 3 are fixed to the neck 21 by sandwiching the neck 21 from the fingerboard 23 side and the back 24 side of the neck 21.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the clamping portion 5 has a frame portion 6, a movable portion 7, and a receiving portion 8. The frame 6 is, for example, a U-shaped member, and when the capo 1 is attached to the neck 21, the neck 21 is positioned inside the frame 6. The movable part 7 moves relative to the frame 6. The movable part 7 is formed with a male screw, and as shown in FIG. 5, is screwed into a threaded hole 6A formed in the frame 6 by the male screw. The position of the movable part 7 changes depending on the amount of screwing of the frame 6 into the threaded hole.

[0029] The receiving portion 8 is attached to one end of the movable portion 7 and is movable by the movable portion 7 toward or away from the neck 21 located inside the frame portion 6. When the receiving portion 8 contacts the back surface 24 of the neck 21, the support portion 2 and the pressing portion 3 sandwich the neck 21 from the fingerboard 23 side and the back surface 24 side of the neck 21. As a result, the capo 1 is fixed to the neck 21. The receiving portion 8 is a plate-like member, and as shown in FIG. 3 , it is preferable that the receiving portion 8 be a long member parallel to the longitudinal direction of the neck 21 so that the neck 21 can be sandwiched regardless of the installation position of the abutment portion 11 of the pressing portion 3. Furthermore, the receiving portion 8 is connected to the movable portion 7 at its joint with the movable portion 7 in a manner that prevents it from rotating when the movable portion 7 is screwed in.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 5, the support part 2 is provided with a hinge part 9 at one end and a lock part 10 at the other end. The base part 4 and the clamping part 5 are joined by a hinge part 9, and the base part 4 can be opened and closed relative to the clamping part 5. When the base part 4 and the clamping part 5 are in an open state, the neck 21 can be inserted inside the support part 2. The locking part 10 is rotatably connected to the frame part 6 of the clamping part 5, and has a U-shape so that it can press the upper surface of the end part of the base part 4. The base part 4 is fixed to the clamping part 5 by the locking part 10, so that the base part 4 and the clamping part 5 are maintained in a closed state.

[0031] Next, the detailed configuration of the pressing portion 3 will be described. The configuration of the pressing portion 3 is not limited to the example described in this specification, and other configurations may be used as long as they are capable of pressing the strings 22 against the fingerboard 23 side of the neck 21.

[0032] A plurality of pressing parts 3 (six in this embodiment) are provided on the support part 2, and each pressing part 3 is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped base part 4 on the base part 4 of the support part 2. As a result, when the capo tasto 1 is attached to the neck 21, each pressing part 3 is arranged along the width direction of the neck 21.

[0033] The contact portion 11 can come into contact with the strings 22. One end of the contact portion 11 protrudes vertically (perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the slide portion 12). Here, the vertical direction refers to the direction perpendicular to the surface of the fingerboard 23 when the capo tasto 1 is attached to the neck 21.

[0034] When the contact portion 11 is to be brought into contact with the string 22, the tip of the contact portion 11 faces the fingerboard 23 (downward). This causes the contact portion 11 to press down on the string 22 near the fret 25. On the other hand, when the contact portion 11 is not to be brought into contact with the string 22, the tip of the contact portion 11 faces away from the fingerboard 23 (upward). This causes the contact portion 11 not to press down on the string 22 near the fret 25, so the string 22 is in an open string state.

[0035] The portion of the contact portion 11 that comes into contact with the string 22 may be made of a hard material (plastic, metal, wood, etc.) or a relatively soft material (sponge, felt, leather, etc.). If the contact portion 11 is made of a hard material, the string 22 is securely held down by the fingerboard 23, producing a clear sound when the string 22 is plucked. On the other hand, if the contact portion 11 is made of a relatively soft material, the string 22 is allowed to vibrate to a certain extent, producing a sound with a different tone than when made of a hard material.

[0036] The slide portion 12 is a rod-shaped member, and is provided at one end with the contact portion 11. The slide portion 12 is inserted into a through-hole 4A formed in the base portion 4 of the support portion 2.

[0037] The slide portion 12 is moved along the through-hole 4A of the base portion 4. This changes the installation position of the contact portion 11 of the pressing portion 3 along the longitudinal direction of the neck 21 when the capo tasto 1 is attached to the neck 21 by the support portion 2.

[0038] The length of the slide portion 12 is determined by the position where the support portion 2 is fixed to the neck 21 and the position of the string 22 that can be pressed by the abutment portion 11. If the abutment portion 11 is to press only the vicinity of the fret 25 that is close to the fixed position of the support portion 2, the length of the slide portion 12 may be relatively short. If the abutment portion 11 is to also press the vicinity of the fret 25 that is far from the fixed position of the support portion 2, the length of the slide portion 12 needs to be relatively long.

[0039] The slide portion 12 can be inserted into the through-hole 4A of the base portion 4 from both sides. When it is desired to press the strings 22 closer to the body of the stringed instrument 20 than the support portion 2, the slide portion 12 is inserted from the body side, and the abutment portion 11 is positioned on the body side. Conversely, when it is desired to press the strings 22 closer to the head of the stringed instrument 20 than the support portion 2, the slide portion 12 is inserted from the head side, and the abutment portion 11 is positioned on the head side.

[0040] The sliding portion 12 has, for example, a circular cross section. In this case, the through-hole 4A of the base 4 corresponding to the sliding portion 12 is also circular in shape. This allows the contact portion 11 to rotate while the sliding portion 12 is inserted through the through-hole 4A. This makes it easy to switch between a state in which the contact portion 11 contacts the string 22 and a state in which the contact portion 11 does not contact the string 22.

[0041] The sliding portion 12 may have a polygonal cross section, such as a square. In this case, the shape of the through-hole 4A of the base 4 is a polygon corresponding to the sliding portion 12. In this case, the sliding portion 12 cannot be rotated while inserted through the through-hole 4A. Therefore, when switching between a state in which the contact portion 11 contacts the string 22 and a state in which the contact portion 11 does not contact the string 22, it is necessary to remove the sliding portion 12 from the through-hole 4A and change the orientation.

[0042] The sliding portion 12 may have ring-shaped rubber attached to both sides of the base portion 4. This prevents the sliding portion 12 from sliding through the through-hole 4A of the base portion 4 during use (playing), and allows the contact portion 11 to reliably press the string 22.

[0043] Next, we will explain how to use the capo tasto 1. First, when attaching the capo 1 to the stringed instrument 20, the base 4 and clamping portion 5 of the support portion 2 are opened using the hinge portion 9 as a fulcrum, and the neck 21 of the stringed instrument 20 is inserted inside the support portion 2. Next, the base 4 and clamping portion 5 are closed, and the base 4 is fixed to the clamping portion 5 by the locking portion 10. In this state, the support portion 2 is not fixed to the neck 21.

[0044] To secure the support part 2 to the neck 21, the receiving part 8 of the clamping part 5 of the support part 2 must come into contact with the back surface 24 of the neck 21. To do this, at the position where you want to secure the support part 2, you screw in the movable part 7 of the clamping part 5 and move the receiving part 8 toward the back surface 24. When the receiving part 8 comes into contact with the back surface 24 of the neck 21, the support part 2 and the pressing part 3 sandwich the neck 21 from the fingerboard 23 side and the back surface 24 side of the neck 21. This secures the support part 2 to the neck 21.

[0045] Once the support part 2 and the pressing part 3 completely sandwich the neck 21, the pressing part 3 cannot be moved. Therefore, the contact part 11 of the pressing part 3 is moved in advance to the vicinity of the fret 25 at which the string 22 is to be pressed. Also, if the contact part 11 is not to press the string 22 to set an open string, the tip of the contact part 11 of the pressing part 3 is turned upward. This procedure is performed for each pressing part 3, and the position of the contact part 11 is set for each string 22, or to set an open string.

[0046] After the position of the holding part 3 is determined, the movable part 7 of the clamping part 5 is screwed in tighter until the support part 2 and the holding part 3 completely clamp the neck 21. This attaches the capo 1 to the neck 21.

[0047] If you want to move the position of the support part 2 of the capo 1, or if you want to slide the pressing part 3 while keeping the position of the support part 2 fixed, loosen the screw on the movable part 7 and move the receiving part 8 away from the back surface 24 of the neck 21. This releases the neck 21 from being sandwiched between the support part 2 and the pressing part 3, allowing you to move the capo 1 along the neck 21.

[0048] To remove the capo 1, simply loosen the screw on the movable part 7, move the receiving part 8 away from the back surface 24 of the neck 21, and then release the locking part 10 from the base part 4 and the clamping part 5. Then, by opening the base part 4 and the clamping part 5 of the support part 2 using the hinge part 9 as a fulcrum, the neck 21 can be removed outside the support part 2.

[0049] As described above, the capo 1 according to this embodiment allows quick and easy pressing of different strings 22 for each pressing part 3, and allows the strings 22 to be pressed at different positions (for example, different frets 25) for each pressing part 3. As a result, it becomes easier to set alternate tunings and other chords, increasing the freedom of the performer's playing method and expanding the possibilities for new performances of the stringed instrument 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1: Capo 2: Support part 3: Clamping part 4: Base 4A: Through hole 5: Holding part 6: Frame 7: Moving part 8: Receiving part 9: Hinge part 10: Lock section 11: Contact part 12: Slide section 20: String instruments 21: Neck 22: Strings 23: Fingerboard 24: Back 25: Fret

Claims

1. a support portion configured to be supported on a neck of a stringed instrument; a plurality of pressing sections that are installed on the support section and that are capable of pressing one or more strings out of a plurality of strings strung on the stringed instrument against a fingerboard side of the neck; Equipped with A capotasto in which the multiple holding portions are each configured so that their installation positions can be changed along the longitudinal direction of the neck when the support portion is supported by the neck.

2. The support portion is a base portion, which is supported by the neck and positioned on the fingerboard side, and on which the pressure member is placed; a clamping portion that is located on the back side of the neck opposite the fingerboard when supported by the neck and that is configured to clamp the neck together with the pressing portion; and The clamping unit is a frame portion having a U-shape; a movable portion that moves relative to the frame portion; a receiving portion attached to the movable portion and capable of contacting a rear surface of the neck; and 2. A capo as described in claim 1, wherein, when supported by the neck, the length of the receiving portion parallel to the longitudinal direction of the neck is longer than the length of the frame portion parallel to the longitudinal direction of the neck.

3. The holding portion is a contact portion that can contact the string; a rod-shaped slide portion having the abutment portion provided on one end side; and 3. The capo tasto according to claim 1, wherein the support portion has a through hole formed to penetrate in one direction and through which the slide portion is inserted.

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