# US 7,745,710 B2 · Spring capo > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,745,710 B2 - Document ID: US7745710B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/015,777 - Filed: 2008-01-17 - Published: 2008-07-17 - Granted: 2010-06-29 - Earliest claimed: 2007-01-17 - Assignees: C7th Limited - Inventors: Nicholas John Campling - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7745710B2 ## CPC - G10D 3/053: Capos, i.e. capo tastos - G10D: STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACCORDIONS OR CONCERTINAS; PERCUSSION MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; AEOLIAN HARPS; SINGING-FLAME MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (organs, harmoniums or similar wind musical instruments with associated blowing apparatus G10B; pianos, harpsichords, spinets or similar stringed musical instruments with one or more keyboards G10C; automatic musical instruments G10F; electrophonic musical instruments in which tones are generated by electromechanical means G10H) ## Abstract A capo for use with a stringed instrument having a plurality of strings a neck comprising a fingerboard and a back comprises a string-engaging arm, a clamping arm, and a pivotal connection to pivotally interconnect a string-engaging arm and clamping arm. The string-engaging arm adapted to in use extend across the fingerboard above the strings and in use press against the strings. The clamping arm is adapted to, in use, extend across engage the back of the neck. The pivotal connection is disposed, in generally towards one side of the neck and at a position behind the fingerboard inboard of a side edge of the fingerboard. This arrangement and location of the pivotal connection reduces the forces required in use to operate the capo. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A capo for use with a stringed instrument having a plurality of strings and a neck comprising a fingerboard and a back, the capo comprising: a string-engaging part having a string-engaging arm adapted to in use extend across the fingerboard above the strings and in use press against the strings; a clamping part having a clamping arm adapted to, in use, extend across and engage the back of the neck; a pivotal connection to pivotally interconnect the string-engaging part and clamping part; and a spring which is adapted to urge the string-engaging arm and clamping arm together; wherein the pivotal connection is disposed, in use, generally towards one side of the neck and at a position behind the fingerboard inboard of a side edge of the fingerboard. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The capo of claim 1 wherein the pivotal connection is located at a position between a centerline of the neck and the side edge of the fingerboard of the neck. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The capo of claim 2 wherein the pivotal connection is located at a position from the centerline of the neck between 30 to 90% of the distance between the centerline of the neck and the side edge of the fingerboard of the neck. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The capo of claim 1 wherein the clamping arm is adapted in use to engage the back of the neck substantially on a centerline of the neck. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The capo of claim 1 wherein the clamping arm is adapted in use to engage the back of the neck to one side of a centerline of the neck. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The capo of claim 1 wherein the string-engaging part has a portion which is adapted to in use extend along a side edge of the fingerboard and neck, and around at least a part of the back of the neck. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The capo of claim 6 wherein said portion of the string-engaging part extends from the side edge of the fingerboard and neck, and around at least a part of the back of the neck beyond a centerline of the neck. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The capo of claim 1 wherein the pivotal connection pivotally interconnects the clamping part to the string-engaging part at a point part way along the clamping part. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The capo of claim 1 wherein the pivotal connection pivotally interconnects the clamping part to the string-engaging part at an end of the clamping arm. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The capo of claim 1 wherein the clamping part extends though an aperture defined in the string-engaging part. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The capo of claim 1 wherein the spring is disposed between the string-engaging part and the clamping part, to urge the arms together. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The capo of claim 1 wherein the string-engaging part and the clamping part further comprise lever arms attached to each of the clamping and string-engaging parts for opening and moving the string-engaging and clamping arms with respect to each other. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The capo of claim 12 wherein the lever arms lie and extend adjacently to each other. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The capo of claim 12 wherein an end portion of the clamping arm forms the lever arm of the clamping part. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The capo of claim 12 wherein the lever arm of the string-engaging part comprises an extending arm portion projecting from the remainder of the string-engaging part. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The capo of claim 1 wherein the string-engaging part and the clamping part comprise lever arms for opening and moving the string-engaging and clamping arms with respect to each other, and wherein the pivotal connection is located at a position from a centerline of the neck between 30% to 90% of the distance between the centerline of the neck and the side edge of the fingerboard of the neck. ### Claim 17 A capo for use with a stringed instrument having a plurality of strings and a neck comprising a fingerboard and a back, the fingerboard having first and second side edges that extend along a length of the neck, the capo comprising: a string-engaging part having a string-engaging arm adapted to in use extend across the fingerboard above the strings and in use press against the strings; a clamping part having a clamping arm adapted to, in use, extend across and engage the back of the neck; a pivotal connection that pivotally interconnects the string-engaging part and the clamping part, the pivotal connection defining a pivot axis about which the clamping part is pivotable relative to the string-engaging part; and a spring that urges the string-engaging arm and clamping arm together; wherein the pivot axis is disposed, in use, at a position behind the fingerboard between the side edges of the fingerboard. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The capo of claim 17 wherein, in use, the pivot axis is spaced away from a centerline of the neck at a first distance that is between 30% and 90% of a second distance from the centerline to one of the side edges of the fingerboard, and wherein the spring is disposed between the string-engaging part and the clamping part to urge the arms together. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The capo of claim 17 wherein, in use, the pivot axis is spaced away from one of the side edges of the fingerboard by a distance that is between 10% and 30% of a width of the fingerboard. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The capo of claim 17 wherein the clamping part is generally straight, and wherein the pivotal connection pivotally interconnects the clamping part to the string-engaging part at an end of the clamping part.