GB2548095A

GB2548095A - Guitar hanger

Info

Publication number: GB2548095A
Application number: GB1603873.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Foster Andrew
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-03-07
Filing date: 2016-03-07
Publication date: 2017-09-13
Also published as: GB201603873D0

Abstract

A clamping unit comprising a length of cable C which is fixed at the extremities C1, C2 of two spring loaded arms Sp1, Sp2. The cable is allowed to move freely over a shared load balancer B so that when enough force is applied to the holding cradle Cr the offset lever L rotating around the pivot point P forces the spring loaded arms Sp1, Sp2 to retract at the two junctions J1, J2 thus holding an item clamped in a lockable secure state. When the enough force is removed from the cradle Cr the spring loaded arms Sp1, Sp2 can return to their default open state. The device may be used to securely hang or mount a guitar in an upright position by the neck.

Description

Title; Guitar Hanger Background;

Expensive equipment such as guitars, garden implements, bicycles or scientific equipment etc often need to be mounted or stored safely and securely. Although during normal circumstances a basic yolk or Ύ' shaped hanger will suffice, for peace of mind (especially with very expensive items) this device will ensure that the item is hung securely by clenching around the neck and only being released when the item is lifted up and off the hanger's cradle. This same clenching action could also be used as a temporary fast-throughput workbench facility, whereby an item is dropped into the cradle (such as a bicycle being maintained or built), worked on briefly and then removed ready for the next item thus securing temporarily and for very little effort on the user's part (easily operated without actually touching the hanger directly). The aforementioned closing fingers can also be locked together when in the clenched position making for a secure way of storing expensive equipment both from the perspective of general accidents and also theft.

There are closing mechanisms already available on the market but one of the advantages of this unit (as opposed to the rocker type locking mechanism or secondary physical locking of say a gate or bar) is the clenching motion that is triggered (and powered) by the movement of the levering arm and as such could also be of use in the robotics industry for the fine motor movement of simulated "hands" and arm or leg joints for example. statement of invention:

This device has taken the principle of real-world physical "fingers" that are controlled by "tendons" inside protective sheaths to aid smooth transition / movement and also to reduce wear on the tendon cable itself. The fingers are sprung loaded so that they naturally want to open up but with enough applied force, the energy in those said springs can be overidden and at which time, the tendon cables pull the fingers into a clenched/closed position which can then be locked or simply held in that state indefinitely (by not removing the force that is being applied to the cradle). To release the item, the aforementioned applied force is removed or reduced (the item is lifted) and the fingers then try to return to their open state. In other applications, this same principle could be reversed whereby the fingers are sprung loaded to close and the same (but reversed) levered action on the tendon cable would then open the fingers up (instead of closing them). The strength of the closing action could be brought into question in this reversed scenario however, simply due to the potential energy that the installed springs could apply. At a later date, the sprung loaded fingers could also be tendon cable driven replacing the springs and by applying those new tendons to the the upward levered action as opposed to the downward closing action.

To reiterate, this invention is claiming the use of a lever action on a cable tendon to facilitate a clenching action (like a fist) that will remain clenched while there is enough force on the cradle to keep the said fingers clenched whereby upon removing or reducing the force on the lever, the clenched fingers return to their open ready state.

Diagrams; • Figure 1 shows the working prototype of this mechanism in the first (natural) state of the mechanism - Fingers open and ready to receive. • Figure 2 shows the working prototype in the second state - Fingers closed securely holding the item. Please note, the tuning keys of the displayed guitar have been omitted so as to show the inner workings of the prototype more clearly.

The remaining diagrams successively strip away the superfluous prototype build aspects until finally leaving JUST the application of the idea to the stated task (i.e. sprung loaded fingers that can close around an item when enough force is applied to a cradle area). • Figures 3, 5 and 7 show the working prototype in the open state (in plan and section). • Figures 4, 6 and 8 show the working prototype in the closed state (in plan and section). • Figures 3 and 4 are schematics of the working prototype. • Figures 5 and 6 follow on from figures 3 and 4 by exposing the inner workings of the working prototype. • Figures 7 and 8 follow on from figures 5 and 6 by showing just the actionable parts (the springs and the tendon cables).

For all diagrams in this application, the following keys have been used:

Detailed description;

The natural state of this unit is in the open or "ready to receive" state which is achieved by spring loading two fingers that protrude outwards either side of the cradle area (Cr) so that with no force (F) being placed on the cradle (Cr), the fingers want to stretch out or open up in an outward direction from the cradle (Cr) as if reaching or stretching. The hanger can therefore be summed up as a sprung loaded levered gravity (or other inertia) induced clamping mechanism using tension mechanics. The unit will remain in the clamped / clenched position whilst there is enough force (F) being applied to cradle (Cr) keeping the fingers closed (the force on the cradle and cable tendon is greater than the potential energy in the sprung loaded fingers). When in the clenched or closed position, the fingers can be locked (or padlocked), thus securing the clenched item from theft.

When enough force (F) is applied to the cradle (Cr), the sprung loaded fingers (Spl, Sp2) are placed under yet more tension due to the springs being stretched. This puts them into a more than ready state to pull back to the ready/open position when the force (F) on the cradle (Cr) is subsequently removed.

There is also a "Guard" which is present to not allow the Lever (L) to pass beyond a safe angle whereby the secured item could drop out of the cradle (Cr) completely on a catostrophic failure of the cable tendon (B, C, Cl, C2). Many different types of guard could be used, such as a chain or limiter to the Lever's (L) or Pivot's (P) ranges and so is merely mentioned as part of the overall prototype design.

The item can be released from the unit when the user lifts it up and out of the unit's cradle (Cr), in effect making the hanger relinquish control to the user on a positive "you now have control" action. Gravity acting on the mass of the item to be hung will provide the force (F) for this clamping action based on the user initially "dropping" the item into the cradle (Cr), although in an industrial setting (not specifically for a guitar but for other equipment or as part of a larger manufacturing process for example), this required force (F) could be actioned by motors, other factory processes or movement of other parts of a larger system.

The amount of force or load between the two fingers' tendons is balanced naturally by allowing the single shared tendon cable (C) to pass over a simple load Balancer (B) (e.g. if the left finger needs more cable or is too tight, it can take some of the slack available on the right finger and vice versa) and hence the "grip" on both fingers (Spl, Sp2) should equal itself out over time.

Claims

Claims:

1. Sprung loaded arms that can clench around an item when enough force is applied to a cradle area using a cable tendon principle.

2. Based on claim 1, the use of a lever action on the cable tendon to facilitate a clenching action that will remain clenched while there is enough force on the lever to keep said fingers clenched.

3. Based on claim 2, sprung loaded fingers override a zero force being applied to a levered cradle ensuring the tendon cable is under no tension thus having no effect and the fingers remain in the open and ready state.

4. Based on claim 3, when a force is applied to the levered cradle, the tendon cable is put under tension which with enough force, pulls the fingers into a clenched position around the neck of the item.

5. Based on claim 4, the load force on the tensed tendon cable is balanced between the two fingers at their extremities by allowing the tendon cable to roll over a shared balance point.

6. Based on claim 4, when in the clenched position, the fingers can be locked together to secure the clenched item from theft or accidental dislodging.

7. Based on claim 4, as the force being applied to the cradle is removed, the potential energy in the springs in said fingers will begin to override the tension in the tendon cable until they are completely opened and in the original open and ready state.