Patent landscapes › Electronics & gadgets
Is a guitar capo patented?
Short answer: specific designs of a guitar capo have been patented many times, but "a guitar capo" as a general idea is not what is protected. What matters is the exact combination of features in your version.
What our index shows
- 154 US and WO patent publications since 2000 have a title matching “capo” or a close variant (our index of 9.7 million patent families; one publication per family).
- Among the 80 best keyword matches we examined, 16 were published in 2020 or later, and the earliest was published in 2000.
- Most frequent assignees in those matches: C7TH LTD (7), PAIGE BRYAN (3), DUNLOP MFG INC (2), SHENZHEN FZONE TECH CO LTD (2).
- Most common patent classes (CPC subclasses): G10D (78), G10G (3), G09B (1), B67B (1).
Counts come from keyword matching on titles and abstracts, so they are indicative, not a legal count. Some matches are different products that share a word.
14 real patent publications related to a guitar capo
- Spring cushioned clamp capo US-12633274-B1 2026 · MCBRIDE COLE ESHEE HEVE
A capo for stringed instruments comprises a clamping mechanism with a Y-shaped lower base and a pivotally attached top brace. The lower base has two upward-extending arms that surround the instrument neck. One arm is selectively d…
View on Google Patents - Clamping mechanism for guitar capo US-11398209-B2 2022 · SHENZHEN FZONE TECH CO LTD
The present application discloses a clamping mechanism for a guitar capo, including an upper clamp (1) and a lower clamp (9). A slider rail (2) is fixedly installed inside the upper clamp (1), a rebound torsion spring fixing pin (…
View on Google Patents - Guitar capo having tuner WO-2021114461-A1 2021 · NAMKUNG SUNGSUB
Disclosed is a guitar capo having a tuner, comprising a fixed handle, a movable handle, an elastic member, and a tuner assembly. One end of the movable handle is rotatably mounted on one end of the fixed handle. The tuner assembly…
View on Google Patents - Capo for stringed instruments such as guitar and banjo US-10839775-B2 2020 · MCCLARY DAVID WARREN
Method and apparatus for a capo for a fretted instrument with a plurality of strings. The capo base having been bent into a u-shape, with a barrier of Velcro on the bottom side where the capo contacts on the strings, protecting th…
View on Google Patents - Guitar capo with universal device mount US-9899009-B2 2018 · NG ERNIE CHAK TIN
Described herein is a combination guitar capo with universal electronic device mount for placement onto a guitar. The mount allows a user to view the attached device while playing the guitar.
View on Google Patents - Guitar capo applicable to different kinds of guitars US-10002593-B2 2018 · HU TAO
A guitar capo applicable to different kinds of guitars, having upper shell silica gel fixed onto an upper shell; lower shell silica gel fixed onto a lower shell; a groove provided at a center position of each of the upper shell si…
View on Google Patents - Adjustable capo device for fretted stringed instruments US-9293120-B2 2016 · WEST JONATHAN CHARLES DEVLIN
An inventive set of small devices (‘capo elements’) to mechanically secure a string or strings of a guitar or other fretted stringed instrument at selected fret positions in order to selectively vary the string vibrational length …
View on Google Patents - Capo for a dobro, slide guitar, Hawaiian guitar, or similar raised string instrument US-9196231-B2 2015 · MCCLARY CHARLES FORREST
A capo for an instrument having a plurality of strings elevated above a fretboard such as a dobro, slide guitar, Hawaiian guitar, or similar raised stringed instrument. This capo uses a sliding wedge adjuster that is installed in …
View on Google Patents - Capo for fretted stringed instrument and method of using same US-2015107437-A1 2015 · CANNON JAMES L
The invention comprises a capo for fretted stringed instruments. The capo comprises a string pressure plate sized and shaped to cover two adjacent frets and simultaneously press strings of the fretted stringed instrument into cont…
View on Google Patents - Device for use with capo to keep stringed musical instrument in tune US-8203060-B1 2012 · BREWSTER JERRY J
This invention provides a device for keeping a stringed musical instrument, such as a guitar, in tune while playing same with the use of a capo. The device comprises a bar of lightweight molded plastic material or the like having …
View on Google Patents - Guitar Capo With Rotatable Member US-2010224049-A1 2010 · TRAN JOHN
The inventive subject matter which provides a capo for a stringed musical instrument comprising of a rotatable member containing at least one capo configuration which the user can select different capo configurations by turning th…
View on Google Patents - Method, system and apparatus for a multiple fret variable string capotasto US-2010077901-A1 2010 · ARTIOLI SAMUEL T
The present invention provides a multiple fret variable string capotasto implementing a trigger per string/fret location paradigm as well as triggers that adjust for the variable thickness and distance of the strings from the neck…
View on Google Patents - Capo applicable to dobro and slide guitars, and other raised-string instruments US-7390948-B2 2008 · WALWORTH BRUCE
A capo for Dobro® and slide guitars, and other raised-string instruments is lever-operated and compression adjustable, enabling one-handed placement and removal and precise, consistent chord formation.
View on Google Patents - Guitar fretboard capo US-6835880-B1 2004 · DUNLOP MFG INC
A C-clamp capo comprises a string press for clamping down on the strings of a string-instrument against a front side of a fretboard. An extension arm curves behind and has an idler clamp with a first pivot attachment. Such enables…
View on Google Patents
What this means for your idea
Because patents cover specific combinations of features, the useful question is not “has a guitar capo been patented?” but “has my combination of features been described before?” Consumer electronics are among the most heavily patented areas; the specific circuit, mounting, or interaction is what distinguishes a design.
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Guides that help with this
First-look landscape. Not exhaustive. Not legal advice. This page lists keyword-matched publications from a limited database; it does not say whether any product is or isn't covered by a patent, whether a patent is still in force, or whether your idea is patentable. Consult a registered patent attorney or agent.