U.S. patent number RE40,097 [Application Number 11/057,855] was granted by the patent office on 2008-02-26 for guitar or similar musical instrument comprising a detachable body support.
Invention is credited to Mark Erismann.
United States Patent |
RE40,097 |
Erismann |
February 26, 2008 |
Guitar or similar musical instrument comprising a detachable body
support
Abstract
Musical instrument including a removable guitar body having a
front side arranged to bear at least one string, a frame-shaped
body support comprising a plurality of supporting elements, and at
least one supporting element arranged as a bracing element
positionable between two opposite supporting elements of the
frame-shaped body support. Releasable connection elements are
arranged to releasably connect the guitar body to the support body
and to the at least one supporting element. The plurality of
supporting elements are removably couplable to each other to fold
the frame-shaped body support into a space saving unit.
Inventors: |
Erismann; Mark (CH-5012,
Schonenwerd, CH) |
Family
ID: |
25685804 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/057,855 |
Filed: |
September 29, 1999 |
PCT
Filed: |
September 29, 1999 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/CH99/00461 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
April 20, 2001 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO00/25296 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
May 04, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
09830012 |
Apr 20, 2001 |
06525246 |
Feb 25, 2003 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Oct 22, 1998 [CH] |
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2135/98 |
May 5, 1999 [CH] |
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0824/99 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
84/267; 84/327;
84/291 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G10D
1/085 (20130101); Y10S 84/03 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G10D
1/08 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;84/267,291,317 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1885390 |
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Jan 1964 |
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DE |
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8232675 |
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May 1983 |
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DE |
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Primary Examiner: Donovan; Lincoln
Assistant Examiner: Horn; Robert W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Greenblum & Bernstein,
P.L.C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A musical instrument comprising: a removable guitar body having
a front side arranged to bear at least one string; a frame-shaped
body support comprising a plurality of supporting elements; at
least one supporting element arranged as a bracing element
positionable between two opposite supporting elements of said
frame-shaped body support; releasable connection elements arranged
to releasably connect said guitar body to said body support and to
said at least one supporting element, wherein said plurality of
supporting elements are removably couplable to each other to fold
said frame-shaped body support into a space saving unit; and
wherein, when said musical instrument is in use, said plurality of
supporting elements are arranged to form an ergonomic shape
connected to said guitar body.
2. The musical instrument in accordance with claim 1, said
removable guitar body comprising a substantially flat shape and
being more narrow than a width of said frame-shaped .Iadd.body
.Iaddend.support .[.body.]. when said removable guitar body is
coupled to said frame-shaped .Iadd.body .Iaddend.support .[.body.].
, and said plurality of .[.support.]. .Iadd.supporting
.Iaddend.elements comprising a plurality of molded, substantially
rigid, rod-shaped elements.
3. The musical instrument in accordance with claim 1, wherein said
.Iadd.plurality of .Iaddend.supporting elements comprising tubes
which can be fitted into one another.
4. The musical instrument in accordance with claim 1, wherein a
portion of said .Iadd.plurality of .Iaddend.supporting elements are
fastened to one another by link joints which can be folded in a
plane of said frame-shaped body support and another portion of said
.[.support.]. .Iadd.plurality of supporting .Iaddend.elements are
fastened to each other by plug-in connections.
5. The musical instrument in accordance with claim 1, further
comprising at least one cord which runs through said frame-shaped
support body so that, when .[.the.]. coupling between said
.[.support.]. .Iadd.plurality of supporting .Iaddend.elements
.[.are.]. .Iadd.is .Iaddend.removed, a connection between .[.the
support.]. .Iadd.said plurality of supporting .Iaddend.elements
remains via said at least one cord.
6. The musical instrument in accordance with claim 5, wherein said
.Iadd.at least one .Iaddend.cord is fastened in two hollow spaces
in end regions of .[.support,.]. .Iadd.said plurality of supporting
.Iaddend.elements which can be fitted into one another, and wherein
said .[.removable.]. coupling is a plug-in connection.
7. The musical instrument in accordance with claim 5, wherein said
.[.cords are.]. .Iadd.at least one cord is .Iaddend.elastic.
8. The musical instrument in accordance with claim 1, further
comprising a link joint positioned between two supporting elements,
said link joint having a linkage point, such that, when said
frame-shaped .Iadd.body .Iaddend.support .[.body.]. is .[.opened.].
.Iadd.arranged .Iaddend.to support said removable guitar body, said
link joint is pushed into end regions of said two supporting
elements, and, when said frame-shaped .Iadd.body .Iaddend.support
.[.body.]. is being folded up, said two supporting elements are
pulled apart until said link joint is exposed between said end
regions.
9. The musical instrument in accordance with claim 8, further
comprising a stop provided in at least one of two mutually facing
.[.support.]. .Iadd.supporting .Iaddend.elements, wherein, when
said frame-shaped .Iadd.body .Iaddend.support .[.body.]. is folded
up, said stop permits said linkage point to be pulled out, but
prevents said .Iadd.two mutually facing .Iaddend.supporting
elements from sliding apart.
10. The musical instrument in accordance with claim 1, said
.Iadd.at least one .Iaddend.releasable connection .Iadd.comprising
connection .Iaddend.elements.Iadd., one of the connection elements
comprising a screw cap coupled to said frame-shaped body support
and another of the connection elements .Iaddend.comprising a recess
coupled to said .[.resonance box.]. .Iadd.removable guitar body and
.Iaddend.adapted to receive .[.a.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.screw cap
coupled to said frame-shaped .Iadd.body .Iaddend.support .[.body.].
.
11. The musical instrument in accordance with claim 1, said
.Iadd.at least one .Iaddend.releasable connection .[.elements.].
comprising a recess coupled to said removable guitar body .Iadd.and
.Iaddend.adapted to receive a screw cap coupled to said at least
one supporting element.
12. The musical instrument in accordance with claim 1, said musical
instrument being a guitar .Iadd.having a plurality of guitar
strings.Iaddend..
.Iadd.13. A musical instrument comprising: a guitar body having a
front side arranged to bear at least one string; a frame-shaped
body support comprising a plurality of supporting elements; said
guitar body being removably connectable to said frame-shaped body
support; at least one of said plurality of supporting elements
arranged as a bracing element positionable between two opposite
supporting elements of said frame-shaped body support, said bracing
element being releasably connected to said two opposite supporting
elements; said guitar body being releasably connected to the
bracing element of said frame-shaped body support via at least one
releasable connection, wherein said plurality of supporting
elements are removably couplable to each other, whereby said
frame-shaped body support is capable of assuming a space saving
arrangement; and wherein, when said musical instrument is in use,
said plurality of supporting elements are arranged to form an
ergonomic shape connected to said guitar body..Iaddend.
.Iadd.14. The musical instrument in accordance with claim 13, said
guitar body comprising a substantially flat shape and being more
narrow than a width of said frame-shaped body support when said
guitar body is coupled to said frame-shaped body support, and said
plurality of supporting elements comprising a plurality of
substantially rigid elements..Iaddend.
.Iadd.15. The musical instrument in accordance with claim 13,
further comprising a link joint positioned between two supporting
elements, said link joint having a linkage point, such that, when
said frame-shaped body support is arranged to support said guitar
body, said link joint is pushed into end regions of said two
supporting elements, and, when said frame-shaped body support
assumes the space saving arrangement, said two supporting elements
are pulled apart until said link joint is exposed between said end
regions..Iaddend.
.Iadd.16. The musical instrument in accordance with claim 13,
wherein said frame-shaped body support comprises a connecting
arrangement for connecting a carrying strap to said frame-shaped
body support, whereby an ergonomically correct position of the
plucking position of the musical instrument is ensured when played
while standing up..Iaddend.
.Iadd.17. The musical instrument in accordance with claim 16,
wherein said connecting arrangement comprises a first connection
for connecting the carrying strap to one part of said frame-shaped
body support and a second connection for connecting the carrying
strap to another part of the frame-shaped body
support..Iaddend.
.Iadd.18. The musical instrument in accordance with claim 13, said
frame-shaped body support projecting beyond one end of said guitar
body..Iaddend.
.Iadd.19. A musical instrument comprising: a guitar body having a
front side arranged to bear at least one string; a frame-shaped
body support comprising a plurality of supporting elements; said
guitar body being removably connectable to said frame-shaped body
support; at least one of said plurality of supporting elements
arranged as a bracing element positionable between two opposite
supporting elements of said frame-shaped body support; said guitar
body being releasably connected to said frame-shaped body support
via at least one releasable connection; a link joint positioned
between two supporting elements, said link joint having a linkage
point, such that, when said frame-shaped body support is arranged
to support said guitar body, said link joint is pushed into end
regions of said two supporting elements, and, when said
frame-shaped body support assumes the space saving arrangement,
said two supporting elements are pulled apart until said link joint
is exposed between said end regions; and a stop provided in at
least one of two mutually facing supporting elements, wherein said
plurality of supporting elements are removably couplable to each
other, whereby said frame-shaped body support is capable of
assuming a space saving arrangement; wherein, when said musical
instrument is in use, said plurality of supporting elements are
arranged to form an ergonomic shape connected to said guitar body,
and wherein, when said frame-shaped body support assumes the space
saving arrangement, said stop permits said linkage point to be
pulled out, but prevents said two mutually facing supporting
elements from sliding apart..Iaddend.
.Iadd.20. A guitar comprising: a guitar body having a front side
arranged to bear guitar strings; a frame-shaped body support
comprising a plurality of removably connected support elements; and
said guitar body being removably connected to said frame-shaped
body support, wherein, when said guitar is not in use, said
frame-shaped body support is capable of assuming a space saving
arrangement, and wherein, when said guitar is in use, said
plurality of support elements are arranged to form an ergonomic
shape connected to said guitar body, wherein at least one of the
plurality of support elements is arranged as a bracing element
positionable between opposite sides of said frame-shaped body
support, said bracing element being removably connected to said
guitar body via the at least one releasable
connection..Iaddend.
.Iadd.21. A guitar comprising: a guitar body having a front side
arranged to bear guitar strings; a frame-shaped body support
comprising a plurality of removably connected support elements;
said guitar body being removably connected to a bracing element
that is removably connected to two oppositely arranged support
elements of said frame-shaped body support; said guitar body
contacting said frame-shaped body support at different locations;
and wherein, when said guitar is not in use, said frame-shaped body
support is capable of assuming a space saving arrangement, and
wherein, when said guitar is in use, said plurality of support
elements are arranged to form an ergonomic shape connected to said
guitar body..Iaddend.
.Iadd.22. The guitar in accordance with claim 21, wherein said
frame-shaped body support contacts said guitar body at different
locations..Iaddend.
.Iadd.23. A guitar comprising: a guitar body having a front side
arranged to bear guitar strings; a frame-shaped body support
comprising a plurality of support elements removably connected to
each other; one of the plurality of support elements comprising a
bracing element positionable between two opposite support elements
of said frame-shaped body support; said guitar body being removably
connected to said frame-shaped body support via at least one
releasable connection; and said at least one releasable connection
being arranged to connect said bracing element and said guitar
body; wherein, when said guitar is not in use, said frame-shaped
body support is capable of assuming a space saving arrangement, and
wherein, when said guitar is in use, said plurality of support
elements are arranged to form an ergonomic shape connected to said
guitar body..Iaddend.
.Iadd.24. The guitar in accordance with claim 23, wherein said
guitar body contacts said frame-shaped body support at different
locations..Iaddend.
.Iadd.25. The guitar in accordance with claim 23, wherein said
frame-shaped body support contacts said guitar body at different
locations..Iaddend.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application is a .Iadd.reissue of U.S. Pat. No.
6,525,246, which is a .Iaddend.U.S. National Stage of International
Application No. PCT/CH99/00461 filed Sep. 29, 1999, and claims
priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 of Swiss Patent Application Nos.
2135/98 filed Oct. 22, 1998 and 824/99 filed May .[.4.].
.Iadd.5.Iaddend., 1999.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a guitar or musical instrument of
that kind having a removable, frame-shaped body support which is
formed from a plurality of rod-shaped supporting elements, and
having a flat and comparatively narrow removable guitar body which
bears at least one string on a front side.
2. Discussion of Background Information
German Utility Model DE-U-1885300 discloses an electric guitar of
the type mentioned at the beginning having a frame-shaped body
support. The frame-shaped body support includes two rod-shaped,
bent parts which are plugged on both sides into the resonance box
of the electric guitar and imitate the contours of a generally
known guitar resonance body. The frame-shaped body support is
designed in such a manner that it can be pulled out of the
resonance box for transportation. The handling of this body support
is comparatively simple, but it is fastened directly to the end of
the resonance box of the guitar, comparatively close to the
clamping mechanism of the strings. The resonance box therefore has
to be of a sufficient length that on the one hand the plucking
region of the electric guitar comes to lie at the ergonomically
correct position with regard to the body support, and that on the
other hand a possible carrying-strap fastening is able to comply
with the ergonomic conditions, which is crucial when playing
standing up. This guitar arrangement is particularly
disadvantageous if there is a desire to use it in a traveling
guitar having a comparatively short resonance box. This is because
the guitar body has to extend over the full length of the body
support fastened to the guitar body, in order to be able to fasten
the removable body support to the end of the guitar body. The
packing length of this guitar is determined by the relatively long
length of the guitar body. In its state ready for traveling, this
guitar is comparatively long and therefore unfavorable for
transportation.
German utility model DE-U1-8232675 discloses a further electric
guitar having a frame-shaped body support. In this electric guitar
the body support which imitates the contours of a generally known
guitar resonance body also includes two rod-shaped, bent parts
which are plugged on both sides into the resonance box of the
electric guitar. In this electric guitar, a resonance box extended
by a piece of wood is provided in order, on the one hand, to be
able to plug in the two halves of the body support at the end of
the resonance box extended by the block of wood in accordance with
the ergonomic conditions when the guitar is ready for playing, and,
on the other hand, in order to be able to transport the electric
guitar with a comparatively small resonance box with the block of
wood removed. This electric guitar is complicated when changing
between the state in which it is ready for playing and the
transportation state. In the transportation state with the block of
wood detached, care has to be taken that the loosened and no longer
clamped strings are not damaged or even become tangled up. For
these reasons, this electric guitar is disadvantageous as a
traveling guitar.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a guitar of the type mentioned at
the beginning which, for a guitar having a comparatively short
removable guitar body, has a lightweight, removable body support
which can be packed in a space-saving manner for transportation,
but ensures sufficient, mechanical stability and an ergonomically
correct body rest when playing the guitar, and which is simple to
handle and is cost-effective.
According to the invention, the removable body support is composed
of a plurality of molded, rigid, rod-shaped supporting elements
resulting in an inherently stable, frame-shaped body support and is
fastened to the guitar body by releasable connections, and by the
body support which is fastened to the guitar body projecting beyond
the end of the guitar body. At least one supporting element, which
serves as a bracing element, is fastened to the guitar body by
releasable connections provided between the two opposite, lateral
supporting elements of the frame-shaped body support, and by the
body support, after being detached from the guitar body and after
the mutual position of the individual, adjacent, rod-shaped
supporting elements is changed, being able to be folded up to form
a space-saving unit. The body support which is composed of the
rigid, rod-shaped supporting elements has sufficient mechanical
stability, so that the guitar bears firmly against the body during
playing. The frame-shaped body support is attached to the guitar
body of the guitar by releasable connections, with the result that
it can be removed and fastened again in a simple manner. By virtue
of the fact that the removable body support projects beyond the end
of the guitar body, a guitar body, which is as short as desired in
practice, can be equipped with the body support, in which case the
plucking position of the guitar remains at the ergonomically
correct position with regard to the body support which is decisive
for it, irrespective of the length of the guitar body. The body
support, which is at a distance from the guitar body, is composed
of a plurality of rigid supporting elements which can be folded up
in a space-saving manner for transportation. The body support is
cost-effective and simple to handle.
The rod-shaped supporting elements are advantageously tubes which
can be fitted into one another. The use of tubes results in
sufficient flexural strength at a comparatively low weight.
The rod-shaped supporting elements can be fastened to one another
partly by link joints which can be folded in the plane of the
frame-shaped body support and partly by plug-in connections. This
design variant of the body support forms a favorable development
because when preparing the body support for transportation the link
joints only have to be folded in a simple manner.
Advantageously fastened in the two hollow spaces in the end
regions, which can be fitted into one another, of in each case two
adjacent tubes are the two ends of a cord which, after the plug-in
connection is released, keeps the adjacent tubes spaced apart next
to one another in a non-confusable and captive manner. For this
reason, this arrangement is advantageous because after release of
the plug-in connections between the individual tubes, the tube ends
remain at least loosely stuck together, with the result that
searching for the tube ends which go together is eliminated during
re-assembly. This measure makes the handling of the body support
substantially easier. The cords lying between the tube ends which
go together are advantageously elastic.
There can be a link joint between two tubular supporting elements,
whose linkage point, when the body support is used, is designed
such that it can be pushed into the one end region of the two
mutually facing, tubular supporting elements until they come into
contact, and is designed such that it can be pulled out of it, when
the body support is folded up, until the linkage point is exposed.
When the body support is used, this releasable connection between
two supporting elements produces a visually advantageous,
infinitely variable intersection between the supporting elements.
When folding up the body support, by pulling apart the two abutting
supporting elements, the linkage point of the link joint can be
exposed and the body support can be folded in a plane at the
linkage points and therefore folded up effortlessly. In this case,
a stop which, when the body support is folded up, permits the
linkage point to be pulled out, but prevents the supporting
elements from sliding apart, can be provided in at least one of the
mutually facing, tubular supporting elements. The stop prevents the
mutually facing end regions of the supporting elements from
unintentionally sliding apart and a subsequent, laborious search
for the end regions which go together.
The present invention is directed to a musical instrument that
includes a resonance box having a front side arranged to bear at
least one string, a frame-shaped body support comprising a
plurality of supporting elements, and at least one supporting
element arranged as a bracing element positionable between two
opposite supporting elements of the frame-shaped body support.
Releasable connection elements are arranged to releasably connect
the resonance box to the support body and to the at least one
supporting element. The plurality of supporting elements are
removably couplable to each other to fold the frame-shaped body
support into a space saving unit.
In accordance with a feature of the instance invention, the
resonance box includes a substantially flat shape and is more
narrow than a width of the frame-shaped support body when the
resonance box is coupled to the frame-shaped support body, and the
plurality of support elements include a plurality of molded,
substantially rigid, rod-shaped elements.
According to another feature of the invention, the supporting
elements include tubes which can be fitted into one another.
Further, a portion of the supporting elements are fastened to one
another by link joints which can be folded in a plane of the
frame-shaped body support and another portion of the support
elements are fastened to each other by plug-in connections.
At least one cord is provided which runs through the frame-shaped
support body so that, when the coupling between the support
elements are removed, a connection between the support elements
remains via the at least one cord. The cord is fastened in two
hollow spaces in end regions of support elements which can be
fitted into one another, and wherein the removable coupling is a
plug-in connection. The cords are elastic.
A link joint is positioned between two supporting elements. The
link joint has a linkage point, such that, when the frame-shaped
support body is opened to support the resonance box, the link joint
is pushed into end regions of the two supporting elements, and,
when the frame-shaped support body is being folded up, the two
supporting elements are pulled apart until the link joint is
exposed between the end regions. A stop is provided in at least one
of two mutually facing support elements. When the frame-shaped
support body is folded up, the stop permits the linkage point to be
pulled out, but prevents the supporting elements from sliding
apart.
The releasable connection elements include a recess coupled to the
resonance box adapted to receive a screw cap coupled to the
frame-shaped support body.
Further, the releasable connection elements comprising a recess
coupled to the resonance box adapted to receive a screw cap coupled
to the at least one supporting element.
In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention,
the musical instrument is a guitar.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention are
described in greater detail with reference to the attached
drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 shows a guitar provided with a body support, in plan
view,
FIG. 2 shows the same guitar in a side view without a body
support,
FIG. 3 shows the body support removed from the guitar, in side
view,
FIG. 4 shows the securing plate attached to the resonance box of
the guitar, in plan view,
FIG. 5 shows the said securing plate in section,
FIG. 6 shows the same securing plate having a rod-shaped
supporting-element part in plan view, and
FIG. 7 shows the said securing plate in section,
FIG. 8 shows the assembled body support, in plan view,
FIG. 9 shows the same body support folded up for
transportation,
FIG. 10 shows the tube ends fitted into one another of two
supporting elements with an inserted cord, in longitudinal
section,
FIG. 11 shows the end region of a supporting element which is
provided with a snap-in projection and is plugged into a hole in
another supporting element, in section,
FIG. 12 shows an assembled body support partly with link joints and
partly with plug-in connections between the supporting elements, in
plan view,
FIG. 13 shows the same body support folded up for
transportation,
FIG. 14 shows the longitudinal section of a link joint, and
FIG. 15 shows the cross section of the same link joint,
FIG. 16 shows the end regions of two supporting elements with a
linkage point, with supporting elements pulled apart,
FIG. 17 .[.with.]. .Iadd.shows .Iaddend.supporting elements pushed
together, and
FIG. 18 shows the cross section over the linkage point of the
linkage point shown in FIG. 17.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
In FIG. 1, an electrical guitar 1 having a removable body support 2
is illustrated. The electric guitar can be any type of guitar, for
example a ukulele, bass guitar etc. The guitar body 3 of the
electric guitar 1 is flat and narrow and bears the strings 4 of the
electric guitar 1 on its front side. FIG. 2 shows the side view of
the electric guitar 1. A tone-detecting device 5 (only indicated
roughly in FIG. 2) is accommodated in the interior of the guitar
body 3. The strings 4 are secured to the upper end of the electric
guitar 1. A tuning and clamping device 6 for each string 4 is
situated at the lower end of the electric guitar 1. The tuning and
clamping device 6 is not described in greater detail here; any
known device can be selected for this purpose.
The guitar body 3 of the electric guitar 1 can be kept relatively
short with strings 4 secured to the upper end and by the strings 4
guided at the lower end through a tuning and clamping device 6. In
order to be able to play this electric guitar 1 in a manner such
that it bears against the body, a body support 2, which is suitable
for packing for traveling, is necessary. The body support 2
projects beyond the end of the guitar body 3 so that the plucking
position of the guitar lies at the ergonomically correct position
with regard to the end of the body support 2 bearing against the
body. The assembled body support 2 is an independent, rigid unit.
The body support 2 can be detached, for packing for traveling, from
the guitar body 3 of the electric guitar 1 (which can be seen in
FIG. 2), as FIG. 3 shows. The fastening elements between the guitar
body 3 of the electric guitar 1 and the removable body support 2
are described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7.
FIG. 4 shows a cut-out of the guitar body 3 of the electric guitar
1 with a screwed-on securing plate 7 which has a keyhole
opening.
FIG. 5 illustrates the cross section of this arrangement. The
recess 8 in the guitar body 3, which recess lies behind the
securing plate 7, is readily visible here. In FIG. 6, the
arrangement just described is illustrated together with part of the
removable body support 2. The interaction of the fastening elements
can be seen in the cross-sectional drawing in FIG. 7. Fastened to
the removable body support 2 is a cap screw 9 whose cap grips
behind the keyhole opening in the securing plate 7 after being
pushed in. A spring pad 10 present under the cap of the screw 9
ensures a snug connection between the securing plate 7 and cap
screw 9. The body support 2 can thereby be fastened to the guitar
body 3 of the electric guitar 1 in an easily removable manner, as
is also indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3.
FIG. 8 shows a body support 2 detached from the electric guitar 1,
in plan view. This body support 2 is composed of a plurality of
rigid, rod-shaped supporting elements 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15.
Releasable plug-in connections are present between the individual
supporting elements 11, 12; 12, 13; 13, 14; 11, 14; and 11, 18
which are designed as tubes. The supporting element 15 lies between
the two lateral supporting elements 11 and 13 and serves here as a
bracing element. This supporting element 15 can be fastened to the
guitar body 3 by the releasable connecting elements 7, 9 and
thereby ensures that the part of the body support 2 which projects
beyond the guitar body 3 has sufficient stability. After release of
the plug-in connections, the body support 2 can be folded up into a
space-saving unit (illustrated in FIG. 9) for transportation. A
carrying strap (not illustrated) for the electric guitar 1 can be
connected to the peg 30, which is attached to the body support 2,
and to the end 31 of the supporting element 11. The carrying strap,
which can be fastened to that part of the body support 2 which
projects beyond the guitar body 3, ensures the ergonomically
correct position of the plucking position of the guitar 1 when
playing while standing up.
FIGS. 10 and 11 show plug-in connections in section. The plug-in
connection which can be seen in FIG. 10 lies between two adjacent
supporting elements 12 and 13. The plug-in connection is secured by
a snug fit. Fastened in the two hollow spaces in the tubular
supporting elements 12, 13 are the two ends of a cord 16 which,
after the plug-in connection is released, keeps the supporting
elements 12, 13 spaced apart next to one another in a
non-confusable and captive manner. After release of the plug-in
connections, the cords 16 keep those end regions of the tubular
supporting elements 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 which go together for a
plug-in connection stuck loosely to one another. An elastic cord 16
makes it easier to work with the supporting elements 11 to 15 when
detached from one another. By this measure, when the body support 2
is re-assembled it is not necessary to search for the halves of
each plug-in connection which go together. In FIG. 11, the plug-in
connection between the tubular supporting elements 11 and 14 is
illustrated in section. The tube end of the supporting element 14
is provided with a resilient snap-in projection 17. The snap-in
projection 17 grips behind the edge of the hole in the supporting
element 11 and thereby secures the plug-in connection against
slipping apart.
FIG. 12 shows a further design variant of the body support 18. This
body support 18 is composed of the supporting elements 19, 20, 21,
22 and 23. The supporting element 23 serves again as a bracing
element between the two opposite, lateral supporting elements 19,
21 of the body support 18. This stable body support 18 is fastened
to the guitar body 3 by the releasable connections 7, 9. FIG. 13
shows this body support 18 in the folded-up state ready for
transportation. The rigid, rod-shaped supporting elements 19 to 23
are fastened to one another partly by link joints 24, 25 which can
be folded in the plane of the frame-shaped body support 18 and,
partly by plug-in connections 26, 27, 28, 29. The plug-in
connections 26, 27, 28, 29 are designed similarly to the way
illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 and also described there with
reference to these figures. A carrying strap (not illustrated) for
the electric guitar 1 can be connected to the peg 32, attached to
the supporting element 20, and to the end 33 of the supporting
element 19. The peg 32, which is attached to the body support 18
and is used for the carrying-strap fastening, does not bear against
the guitar body 3 and therefore, when the guitar body 3 is
comparatively short, can fulfil the ergonomic conditions for the
carrying strap. The link joint 24 is shown in longitudinal section
in FIG. 14 and in cross section in FIG. 15. The link joint 25 is of
similar design. The rod-shaped supporting elements 19 and 20 (shown
in FIG. 14) are formed such that they overlap and are held together
in an articulated manner by a rivet 28.
In FIGS. 16, 17, and 18, a further, releasable connection between
two supporting elements 26, 27 is illustrated. A link joint having
the linkage point 28 is arranged between the supporting elements
26, 27. The supporting element 26 contained a closely fitting peg
29 which constitutes an extension of the supporting element 26. The
other supporting element 27 is extended as far as the linkage point
28 by the slide 30 which can be displaced longitudinally in the
supporting element 27. The stop 31, which is fastened in the
supporting element 27, prevents the supporting elements 26 and 27
from unintentionally sliding apart.
After being pulled part, the supporting elements 26 and 27 can, as
is illustrated in FIG. 16, be folded in a plane about the linkage
point 28. A body support (not illustrated in greater detail) having
releasable connections of this type between the supporting elements
26, 27 can be folded up in a plane in a simple manner. When the
body support is used, the supporting elements 26, 27 are pushed
together until they come into contact, as is shown in FIG. 17. In
this state, the linkage point 28 is concealed in the supporting
element 27. The tubular supporting elements 26 and 27 butt against
one another in an infinitely variable manner, guided by the slide
30 and stop 31 lying within them, and give a visually advantageous
impression. The peg 29 lying in the tubular supporting element 26
and the slide 30 which is connected thereto confer an advantageous
flexural strength on the butt-jointed connecting point. This
arrangement is a favorable combination of a plug-in connection with
a link connection.
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