GB2472299A

GB2472299A - Accessory supporting apparatus for connection to musical instruments

Info

Publication number: GB2472299A
Application number: GB1012339A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Alexander Knott
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-07-28
Filing date: 2010-07-23
Publication date: 2011-02-02
Also published as: GB0913069D0; GB201012339D0

Abstract

The apparatus comprises an adjustable band 2 with a sleeve 4 and sleeve insert 10 for releasably connecting auxiliary devices such as sheet music, webcam, cameras, microphones and tuners to musical instruments. The band 2 may be made of leather and has an adjustable peripheral length to tighten around part of an instrument, such as a guitar (20). The band 2 is preferably secured using hook and loop fasteners 2A, 2B and a pocket style sleeve 4 is attached to the band 2. A sleeve insert 10, such as a metal tongue, is adapted to be removably inserted into the band sleeve The sleeve insert 10 carries a device which may comprise: an item such as a webcam, directly connected to the sleeve insert 10 by a magnet (16); or a flexible gooseneck arm 13 which may include a clip (14) or other attachment mechanism for supporting an accessory such as sheet music.

Description

INTELLECTUAL

. .... PROPERTY OFFICE Application No. GB 1012339.6 RTM Date:19 October 2010 The following terms are registered trademarks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Velcro Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk Title: Band with Sleeve and Sleeve Insert for Musical Instruments The present invention relates to a band with sleeve and sleeve insert for musical instruments.

It is often desirable to support one or more sheets of music andlor words adjacent a musical instrument (such as a guitar) when playing the instrument. It is known to provide music stands for this purpose, but these are not very portable even when folded. It has also been attempted to attach music stands to the end of guitar necks adjacent the machine heads, but such products can scratch or otherwise damage the instrument.

It is sometimes desirable to place other objects such a microphone or camera (e.g. webcams), adjacent a musical instrument (such as a guitar) when playing the instrument. Again stands for this purpose are not very portable.

The invention seeks to provide a solution to these problems.

According to the present invention there is provided a band with sleeve and sleeve insert for musical instruments comprising: a) a band having an adjustable peripheral length to tighten the band around part of an instrument, b) a sleeve attached to said band, and c) a sleeve insert adapted to be removably inserted into the band sleeve, said sleeve insert carrying a device, in use the band can be secured to an instrument and the device being releasably secured to the band by inserting the sleeve insert into the sleeve when required.

Preferably the band is a length of material with each end connectable to each other at varying points to adjust the peripheral length. Preferably the ends are connectable by Velcro to tighten the band around part of an instrument. The band may be formed of leather or artificial leather.

Preferably the sleeve insert includes a metal tongue.

In one embodiment the sleeve insert carries a device in the form of an arm having one end connected to the insert, and the other end supporting a clip to carry a sheet of paper. The arm may be a flexible "gooseneck". The clip may rotate in at least one plane relative to the arm other end. In another embodiment a clip is connected directly to the insert.

In another embodiment the insert carries a magnet to bond with metallic part of a device such as a tuner, microphone or camera.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a band with sleeve and sleeve insert carrying a device in the form of a goose neck and clip, Figure 2 shows a perspective view sleeve insert with a camera, and Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the band with sleeve insert of Figure 1 in use on a guitar.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a band with sleeve 1 and sleeve insert 10 for musical instruments such as guitars.

Band I is formed from a length of material such as leather (or artificial leather) strip 2 with each end 2A,2B carrying Velcro (trade mark) pads connectable to each other at varying points to adjust the peripheral length and to tighten the band around part of an instrument. A pad of leather 3 is sewn on three sides to the middle of strip 2 to create a sleeve 4 attached to strip 2.

Sleeve insert 10 has an L-shaped bracket 11 with a metal tongue 12 adapted to be removably inserted into the band sleeve 4. Bracket 11 is connected to one end 13A of a flexible gooseneck arm 13. The other end 13B of arm 13 is connected to a crocodile type clip 14 through a bracket 15. Bracket 15 allows clip 14 to rotate about "X" and "Y" in two planes as shown. Gooseneck 13, clip 14, and bracket 15 form a device carried on the sleeve insert.

In use, as shown in Figure 3, the band 1 can be secured to an instrument e.g. the neck of a guitar 20 with band 1 lying under the strings. The band I formed from strip 2 can be left in this position on a permanent basis and does not interfere with the playing of the instrument. The sleeve insert bracket 11 can be inserted into sleeve 4 on strip 2 to releasably secure the gooseneck 13, clip 14, and bracket 15 to the band I when required. Clip 14 can be used to hold a piece of paper "A" having words and/or music printed thereon. The flexible arm 13 allows the paper "A" to be positioned at variable positions to suit the musician. When not in use, the arm 13 with bracket 11, clip 14 and bracket 15, can be coiled up into a compact form. When coiled up the device can remain mounted on guitar in the sleeve, or it can be removed and carried in a trouser pocket. Clip 14 could be in the form of a magnet and a magnet keeper such as a metallic disc, and paper could be supported between the magnet and keeper. Also the gooseneck could be removed and a clip could be directly connected to the insert. Such a clip could be designed to support a sheet of paper in a curve so that it stands substantially vertically above the clip.

As shown in Figure 2, the device carried by the sleeve insert bracket 11 may be other than a gooseneck 13, clip 14, and bracket 15. In Figure 2 the device is a magnet 16 on bracket 11.

----Magnet 16 can attract other objects such as a camera (webcam) 17 with a metallic part 18, whereby the camera 17 is supported on the instrument. Instead of a camera 17, other items such as a tuner or microphone could be supported on an instrument. It is envisaged that a range of accessories could be sold to connect to bracket 11 using magnet 16.

It will be appreciated that the band 1 will not scratch or otherwise damage the instrument.

The invention may take a form different to that specifically described above.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A band with sleeve and sleeve insert for musical instruments comprising: a) a band having an adjustable peripheral length to tighten the band around part of an instrument, b) a sleeve attached to said band, and c) a sleeve insert adapted to be removably inserted into the band sleeve, said sleeve insert carrying a device, in use the band can be secured to an instrument and the device being releasably secured to the band by inserting the sleeve insert into the sleeve when required.
2. A band according to claim 1, wherein the band is a length of material with each end connectable to each other at varying points to adjust the peripheral length.
3. A band according to claim 2, wherein the ends are connectable by Velcro to tighten the band around part of an instrument.
4. A band according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the band may be formed of leather or artificial leather.
5. A band according to any preceding claim, wherein the sleeve insert includes a metal tongue.
6. A band according to any preceding claim, wherein the sleeve insert carries a device in the form of an arm having one end connected to the insert, and the other end supporting a clip to carry a sheet of paper.
7. A band according to claim 6, wherein the arm is a flexible "gooseneck".
8. A band according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the clip may rotate in at least one plane relative to the arm other end.
9. A band according to any of claims ito 5, wherein a clip is connected directly to the insert.
10. A band according to any of claims Ito 5, wherein the insert carries a magnet to bond with metallic part of a device such as a tuner, microphone or camera.
11. A band with sleeve and sleeve insert for musical instruments substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.