Adjustable Guitar Strap with Zipper Slider for Rapid Length Modification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional guitar straps lack adjustable length options, leading to discomfort and inefficiency during performance, as musicians must repeatedly adjust the strap length while playing, and existing adjustable straps do not allow for rapid adjustments to accommodate changes in music tempo and instrument positioning.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable length strap assembly featuring a ring-shaped leveraging member with slid-able strapping material and a swiveling tongue, integrated with a longitudinally oriented slide-fastening mechanism, such as a zipper, allowing for quick and subtle adjustments of the strap length over the shoulder and around the neck.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed length strap assembly is used, then the strap structure is simple, but the musician cannot adjust the strap length to optimize playing comfort and positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustable strap lengthVSAvoidstrap structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The strap assembly incorporates a dynamic adjustment mechanism featuring a ring-shaped leveraging member with a slider that can move along the strap length. This allows the strap to transition from a fixed configuration to an adjustable one, enabling the musician to modify the strap length while playing without removing the instrument.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The strap is divided into multiple segments including a first portion with the slider, a second portion with the tongue, and anchoring portions. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of strap length while maintaining the overall structural integrity and simplicity of the design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If conventional adjustable strap assemblies are used, then length adjustment is possible, but the adjustment must be executed before donning the instrument and cannot be changed rapidly during performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverapid adjustment during performanceVSAvoidtime to adjust strap length

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The slider mechanism is designed to be easily operable by the musician's hand while the instrument is worn. The musician can quickly adjust the strap length by simply moving the slider along the strap, without needing to remove the guitar or perform complex manipulation steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment mechanism is pre-configured with the slider positioned along the strap length, allowing immediate adjustment at any point during performance. The ring-shaped leveraging member and tongue are pre-assembled to enable quick length modification without additional preparation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the strap length is fixed, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the strap cannot accommodate different musicians' anthropometrics and playing positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of different musiciansVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The strap incorporates a dynamic adjustment mechanism that allows the same strap to serve multiple musicians with different body types and playing preferences. The slider can be positioned at various locations along the strap length to accommodate different anthropometrics, eliminating the need for multiple fixed-length strap variants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If the strap ends are secured to anchor points, then the instrument is securely held, but removing the instrument requires laborious removal of strap ends from anchor points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequick instrument removalVSAvoidstrap attachment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The strap assembly is segmented into adjustable portions and fixed anchoring portions. The slider and tongue mechanisms are separated from the anchor point attachments, allowing the strap ends to remain securely attached to the instrument while the adjustable portion can be easily manipulated for instrument removal or adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11688371B2Zipper guitar strap

Publication Date: 2023.06.27 LANSAKARA CRISHAN KENNETH

AI summary

An adjustable length strap assembly, including a length of a strapping material having a terminal end secured to an anchoring point located on a rear portion of a body of a stringed instrument, said length threaded through a first leveraging portion of a leveraging member and folded, such that a section of the length of the strapping material is folded over to form a two ply configuration of strapping material consisting of a top ply and a bottom ply, with slid-able longitudinal movement of each ply leveraged by said first leveraging portion of the leveraging member; and a second portion defined by a tongue capable of swivelling about a second leveraging portion of the leveraging member; wherein the slid-able longitudinal movement of the bottom ply relative to the top ply is regulated by movement of a slider of a longitudinally oriented slide-fastening mechanism formed integrally to the top ply.