U.S. patent application number 10/161340 was filed with the patent office on 2003-12-04 for musical instrument stand.
Invention is credited to Stevens, Robert W..
Application Number | 20030221538 10/161340 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29583407 |
Filed Date | 2003-12-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030221538 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stevens, Robert W. |
December 4, 2003 |
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STAND
Abstract
An easily disassembled, rugged stand for supporting musical
instruments does not require moving parts, hinges, or screws. The
stand is made of two similar interlocking supports, a cap and a
removable, flexible strap. The supports are adapted to be fastened
together and contain the cap when the stand is disassembled.
Further, the flexible strap may be fastened to the supports and
used as a handle. When the stand is assembled, the supports are
further stabilized by the cap, and the flexible strap may be
attached to the cap and used to hold, for example the neck of a
guitar.
Inventors: |
Stevens, Robert W.; (Laurel,
MD) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VALERIE E. LOOPER
THE LAW OFFICES OF VALERIE E. LOOPER
11726 Lightfall Court
Columbia
MD
21044
US
|
Family ID: |
29583407 |
Appl. No.: |
10/161340 |
Filed: |
June 3, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
84/327 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M 2200/08 20130101;
G10G 5/00 20130101; F16M 11/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
84/327 |
International
Class: |
G10D 003/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A stand for a musical instrument comprising two interlocking
supports adapted to be fastened together in a mirror-image manner,
and also adapted to contain a cap, one or both of the supports
further adapted to be releasably fastened to a removable handle.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to stands for supporting
musical instruments, and more specifically, a stand that is robust
and easily both assembled and disassembled, without any requirement
for moving parts, hinges, or screws. The stand is made of two
similar interlocking supports, a cap and a removable, flexible
strap. The supports are adapted to be fastened together and contain
the cap when the stand is disassembled, and the flexible strap may
be fastened to the support pieces and used as a handle. When the
stand is assembled, the instrument sits on an upper surface of the
base of each support, the cap supports the neck of the instrument,
and the flexible strap fastens the neck of the instrument to the
cap.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] There are any number of known designs for stands to hold
musical instruments that, if handled gently, will provide useful
service for many years.
[0003] For example, see U.S. Pat. No. Des. 353,729 issued to
MacOwan Dec. 27, 1994. The illustrations show a beautiful
turned-wood support seated on a fixed tripod and having a top piece
adapted to hold the neck of an instrument. This stand is not
designed for travel.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 3,737,137 issued to Sheehan Jun. 5, 1973
relates to a stand for detachable supporting an acoustic guitar in
a not-quite-vertical position. Again, the illustrations show a
decorative support that is probably not adapted for travel.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,744,735 issued to Liao Apr. 28, 1998
discloses a folding guitar stand that includes a top member, two
legs pivotably connected to the bottom side of the top member, two
connecting rods pivotably connected to the legs for supporting a
guitar, and two foot members respectively fixed to the legs at the
bottom, with each foot member having two balance rods being
pivotable in opposite directions for supporting the stand on the
ground. This stand is designed to be assembled and disassembled,
with multiple moving parts.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,323,406 issued to Park Nov. 27, 2001 relates
to a foldable guitar stand having two hinged rest frames, two back
support arms, two tilt prevention feet, and two stoppers. This
stand is primarily designed to display an instrument in a shop,
rather than for use in travel.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,323,405 issued to Yu Nov. 27, 2001 relates
to a guitar stand with a tripod stand, a telescoping pipe, a
T-joint and various holders for different devices.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,316,706 issued to Sammons Nov. 13, 2001
relates to multipurpose entertainer stand that has a tripod
support, a telescoping mast, and various holders for devices, all
telescoping and pivotally adjustable, as well as a holder for an
instrument.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,121 issued to Reid Jan. 18, 2000 relates
to a stand with hinged sides that fold up to support an
instrument.
[0010] As a practical matter, these stands must be assembled,
disassembled, and transported on a nearly daily basis, often at
night, after a hard day's work, possibly in the dark. As a result,
all of the currently commercially available stands have an
unrepaired service lifetime of about six months in the hands of a
working musician.
[0011] Various other types of display stands are known, but have
not, to the inventors' knowledge, been adapted to the uses of
musicians. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,784, issued to Blahout
Jul. 9, 1991, discloses a display stand having bendable, tubular
joints.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 3,282,437 issued to H. O. Hansen Nov. 1, 1966
relates to a display holder that relies on interlocking slot
fasteners.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 3,593,955 issued to Hind Jul. 20, 1971,
relates to a book holder that has interlocking supports and a
cap.
[0014] There exists a need for a rugged, dependable instrument
stand that is simple to assemble and disassemble, easily
transported, that does not require the use of moving parts, hinges,
screws, or telescoping pieces.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention relates to an instrument stand that is
robust, and easily assembled and disassembled. More specifically,
it relates to a stand for a musical instrument comprising two
interlocking supports and a cap. The supports are further adapted
to be fastened together in a mirror-image manner, and also to
contain the cap for transport. One or both of the supports is
further adapted to be releasably fastened to a removable handle.
The interlocking supports are substantially planar, and one or both
of them preferably has a recess to accommodate the cap when the
supports are fastened together. When the supports are disassembled
and fastened together, the handle may be fastened to the supports
and used to transport the stand. The cap also is adapted to be
releasably fastened to both the support(s) and the removable
handle. When the stand is assembled, the handle may be fastened to
the cap, and used to secure the instrument. This invention was
originally made for use with both acoustic and electric guitars.
Although a single-guitar stand is illustrated for simplicity in the
drawings, the present invention is readily adapted to hold two
instruments. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that
the invention is generally applicable to musical instruments,
including smaller and larger stringed instruments as well as other
types of instruments.
[0016] In one embodiment of the invention, the stand is preferably
made of heavy duty, foam injected plastic. A preferred material is
resilient enough to avoid marring the surface of an instrument, yet
sturdy enough to tolerate the stress of repeated use. Such
materials are readily available, and may be produced in a variety
of colors, and with surface designs. Further, the invention has
considerable visual appeal, and if desired, can be made of visually
appealing materials such as, for example, furniture-grade wood or
water-clear plastic.
[0017] Any type of releasable fastener could be used for the
fasteners or sets of fasteners described herein. Releasable
fasteners include hook, elastic, slide and snap fasteners, peelable
fasteners, and adhesives. In one embodiment of the present
invention, all of the various fasteners or sets of fasteners are
preferably peelable fasteners, a readily available example being
self-stick Velcro peelable fasteners.
[0018] An advantage of the present invention is that the stand is
robust and does not require the use of parts that are likely to
break, including telescoping parts, screws, hinges, or metal
tubing. Further, the invention is self-contained when disassembled
for transport and, depending upon the material of manufacture, does
not require any additional protective packaging.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIGS. 1A-D is an exploded of the various parts of the
present invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the stand when it is
assembled for use
[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the stand when it is packed
for travel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1A shows a first support (10) with one or more first
releasable fasteners (11a,11b), a holder (12) adapted to contain a
cap (30)(shown in detail in FIG. 1C), one or more second releasable
fasteners (13a,13b), and a means for interlocking (14) with a
second support (shown in detail in FIG. 1B). In a preferred
embodiment, the first support has a pad (15) covering the portion
of its surface that will directly support the instrument.
[0023] FIG. 1B shows a second support (20) with the counterpart
fasteners (21a,21b) to the first releasable fasteners (11a,11b) a
holder (22) adapted to contain the cap (30), and one or more third
releasable fasteners (23a,23b) which may be used instead of, or in
cooperation with the second releasable fasteners (13a, 13b). In a
preferred embodiment, the holder (22) is a recess equipped with one
or more fourth releasable fasteners (24a, 24b), that have their one
or more counterparts (34a, 34b, shown on FIG. 1C) on the cap (30).
In a preferred embodiment, the second support (20) also has a pad
(25) covering the surface that will directly support the
instrument. The angle of intersection between the areas of the
supports (10 and 20) that are covered by the pads (15 and 25) is
preferably somewhat less than 90 degrees. This configuration more
easily supports the instrument, and also is more stable upon
assembly.
[0024] FIG. 1C shows a cap (30) that has two releasable fifth
fasteners (31a,31b) and conceptually has a first layer (32) that is
solid and a second layer (32) cut to fit the shape of the two
supports (10 and 20) when they are interlocked. The cap also has
the counterpart(s) (34a, 34b) to the one or more fourth releasable
fasteners (24a, 24b) in FIG. 1B.
[0025] FIG. 1D shows a flexible handle (40) with releasable
fasteners (41a,41b) that are the counterparts to releasable
fasteners (13a,13b and 23a,23b) on the supports (10 and 20).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] How to Assemble the Stand
[0027] The stand assembled for travel has a carry strap and
contains the cap. To disassemble, pull off the carry strap. Grasp
the top (small part) of each support (one piece in each hand), and
separate them by pulling in opposite directions. The cap is stored
inside one of the two larger pieces. The cap is preferably
releasably fastened inside the second member, which has an opening
so that the cap can easily be pushed from its recess. Align the
pieces perpendicular to one another, and then align the grooves,
sliding the pieces together. Push down until the pieces have formed
the base of the instrument stand, so it sits evenly on the ground.
When viewed from above, the stand will form an "X" shape. Position
the cap on top of the "X" and push firmly. The carry strap can be
fastened to the cap, to form a holder around the neck of an
instrument.
[0028] How to Disassemble the Stand
[0029] Remove the holding strap and cap from the top of the stand.
Turn stand upside down and grasp one support with both hands while
pushing the other support away the thumbs. Replace the cap in the
storage space, making sure the fasteners connect. Position the
supports in a mirror-image fashion so that they touch at the base
and form a "V". Close the pieces together, matching the fasteners.
Attach the carry strap to the top (small end).
* * * * *