U.S. patent application number 09/776070 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-23 for backpack attachment system for hardshell musical instrument case.
Invention is credited to Flynn, Timothy R..
Application Number | 20010015365 09/776070 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25106372 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010015365 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Flynn, Timothy R. |
August 23, 2001 |
Backpack attachment system for hardshell musical instrument
case
Abstract
A backpack attachment system for a hardshell musical instrument
carrying case includes rings that are permanently attached to the
exterior of the case, thereby allowing quick access for using a
backpack type strap or straps for carrying the case. The strap set
itself is optionally removable, but the attachment rings are not,
being permanently mounted to the case, using, for example, rivets,
screws, snaps or equivalent means.
Inventors: |
Flynn, Timothy R.; (Elkhorn,
WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROWN PINNISI & MICHAELS
400 M & T BANK BUILDING
118 NORTH TIOGA ST
ITHACA
NY
14850
|
Family ID: |
25106372 |
Appl. No.: |
09/776070 |
Filed: |
February 2, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/259 ;
224/627; 224/645; 224/910 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G10G 7/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/259 ;
224/627; 224/645; 224/910 |
International
Class: |
A45F 003/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A backpack attachment system for a hardshell musical instrument
carrying case, comprising: attaching means affixed to said case for
removably attaching a strap set thereto; and a backpack-style strap
set for carrying said case, removably attached to said attaching
means.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein said attaching means comprises
one or more rings and one or more mounting brackets compatible with
said one or more rings.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for attaching is
selected from the group consisting of D rings, O rings, triangular
rings and rectangular rings.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein said rings are selected from the
group consisting of metal rings, plastic rings, and equivalents
thereof.
5. The system of claim 2, wherein said rings are spring-loaded,
such that said rings remain flat against the exterior of said case,
when said rings are not in use.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein said strap set comprises one or
more straps.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein said strap set comprises one or
more snaphooks for attaching said strap set to said attaching
means
8. The system of claim 1, comprising means for affixing said
attaching means to said case.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein said affixing means comprise
fasteners selected from the group consisting of screws, rivets,
snaps, glue and cement.
10. The system of claim 9, comprising one or more plates for
reinforcing the interior of said case.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein said attaching means are
recessed into the exterior of said case.
12. The system of claim 2, wherein said bracket and said ring are
constructed as an integral one-piece assembly.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates generally to musical instrument
carrying cases, and in particular, to a hardshell musical
instrument carrying case that includes a permanently mounted
backpack strap attachment system.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Amateur and professional musicians regularly transport their
musical instruments through a wide variety of conditions and
obstacles. Such travel with instruments often includes various
modes of transportation and distances. Musical instruments are
usually delicate and often valuable, therefore requiring rigid,
heavy cases to protect them, while in transport. While such cases
protect the instrument, they often impede travel, particularly by
foot, through crowds, or for any substantial distance. Such cases
are also difficult to maneuver in confined spaces. Heavy,
protective cases can cause strain and tire the carrier when
clutched in the hand or hanging off a shoulder for long periods of
time. This is particularly problematic, since most musicians
delicately employ their hands and arms in order to play their
instruments. Typically, prior art devices for transporting musical
instruments more comfortably tend to compromise the protective
traits of rigid cases in order to be lighter and easier to
transport.
[0005] Various solutions have been attempted to solve this problem.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,785 (Irose) discloses a harness
and shoulder strap assembly to securely enclose, support, and form
a carrying device for musical instrument cases. The case-engaging
harness and shoulder straps comprise a plurality of adjustable
strap loops connected by various fastenings, adjusters, releasable
buckles, joiners, and fixing methods. The harness and shoulder
strap assembly can safely support and carry a wide variety of size,
shape, and style instruments and instrument cases.
[0006] There are several problems with such prior art systems. For
example, the straps are not permanently attached to the musical
instrument case, thus, the harness and shoulder strap assembly must
be assembled and attached before departing for travel and
disassembled upon arrival, each time the system is used to
transport an instrument. Further, the harness and shoulder strap
assembly can be lost or misplaced, since it is not attached
permanently to the musical instrument carrying case.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Briefly stated, a backpack attachment system for a hardshell
musical instrument carrying case includes one or more rings affixed
to the carrying case, a strap set comprising one or more straps,
and snap fasteners for attaching the straps to the rings, thereby
providing quick access for using a backpack type system to carry
the case. According to an embodiment of the invention, the strap
set assembly is removable, but the attachment rings are permanently
mounted to the case, using, for example, rivets, screws, epoxy or
similar means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0008] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a musical instrument
carrying case having rings affixed to the exterior of the case for
attaching a strap set thereto, according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a backpack-type strap set
and snap hooks for attaching the strap set to rings affixed to a
musical instrument carrying case, according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 shows a view of several examples of snap hooks for
attaching a backpack type strap set to rings affixed to a musical
instrument carrying case, according to an embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERED EMBODIMENT
[0011] Referring now to FIG. 1, one or more brackets 1 are affixed
to a hardshell musical instrument carrying case (e.g., wood,
plastic, fiberglass, or metal), using, for example, rivets, screws,
snaps, glue, cement, or other relatively permanent fastening means.
Brackets 1 are compatible with and hold rings 2, consisting of, for
example, D rings, O rings, triangular rings or rectangular rings.
Rings 2 are optionally spring loaded, such that the rings remain
flat against the exterior of the case, when the rings are not in
use. In addition, rings 2 are optionally recessed into the exterior
of the case, such that they are flush with the surface of the
exterior of the case. Further, one or more plates optionally are
used to reinforce the case, such as, for example, by placing the
plates on the interior of the case, thereby adding structural
strength to the point of attachment of rings 2. Rings 2 may be
constructed of any suitable material, such as, for example, metal,
plastic, a composite or any other suitable material. Optionally,
the bracket 1 and ring 2 is constructed as a one-piece
assembly.
[0012] Typically, the carrying case of the present invention
includes bumpers, studs, molded protrusions, or similar foot
structures for resting the case on a hard flat surface, such as a
floor or table, such that the case does not rest on the brackets,
rings and shoulder straps of the present invention. The case of the
invention also typically includes a suitable handle for carrying
the case when the backpack carrying system is not being used, as
well as hardware for closing and securing the case.
EXAMPLE
[0013] Backpack Attachment System for Hardshell Case
[0014] Referring now to FIG. 2, a strap set 3 is removably attached
to rings 2, thereby providing a user means for carrying the musical
instrument case as one would carry a backpack. Removable attachment
of the strap set to the rings is accomplished using, for example,
one or more snaphooks 4. The snaphooks preferably are of metal or
plastic construction and can include a variety of designs.
Typically, the snaphooks have a moveable lever type piece, or a
sliding piece that allows the snaphook to be fastened to a ring.
There is also typically a ring at the top of the snaphook, which
allows the strap material to loop through and attach to the
snaphook assembly. Snap hooks are optionally stationary or swivel,
depending on the preferred design. Typically, the snaphooks are
zinc die cast and include a swivel, however, they are optionally
made from any suitable materials, including other metals, plastic,
composites, etc. FIG. 3 shows several examples of suitable snaphook
designs, however, essentially any suitable design is contemplated
by the present invention.
[0015] The strap set is also optionally made from a multitude of
suitable materials. Typically, polypropylene webbing material is
used, which is preferably about 1 inch to about 11/2 inches wide.
However, other suitable materials, such as leather, plastic, etc.,
are optionally used. With the addition of a tri-ring, the strap set
is optionally adjustable in length. The strap set can also comprise
combination of materials, such as foam covered polyester padding,
thereby providing extra softness and protection to a user, when
carrying the case using the backpack feature.
[0016] Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiments of
the invention herein described are merely illustrative of the
application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to
details of the illustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the
scope of the claims, which themselves recite those features
regarded as essential to the invention.
* * * * *