U.S. patent number 3,596,754 [Application Number 04/782,880] was granted by the patent office on 1971-08-03 for combination shipping and carrying container.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Oscar Schmidt-International, Inc.. Invention is credited to Glen R. Peterson, Jr..
United States Patent |
3,596,754 |
Peterson, Jr. |
August 3, 1971 |
COMBINATION SHIPPING AND CARRYING CONTAINER
Abstract
A combined shipping and carrying package for a stringed musical
instrument of the zither type having strings on one face thereof,
said package comprising a molded cellular body having a recess for
the reception of the musical instrument in inverted position, a
fitted cover for said body with closure means and a handle for
selectively carrying the body and contained musical instrument,
said fitted cover being foldable for reception within said recess
together with the musical instrument during shipping, and a
disposable shock-resistant wrapper for enclosing said body and
contents during shipping.
Inventors: |
Peterson, Jr.; Glen R. (Summit,
NJ) |
Assignee: |
Oscar Schmidt-International,
Inc. (Union, NJ)
|
Family
ID: |
25127469 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/782,880 |
Filed: |
December 11, 1968 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/184; 206/523;
206/14; 206/592 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
81/022 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
81/02 (20060101); B65d 085/54 (); A45c
011/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;206/16,13,1,46F,47,14
;190/35 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Leclair; Joseph R.
Assistant Examiner: Caskie; John M.
Claims
I claim:
1. A package for a stringed musical instrument of the zither type
having strings on one face thereof and a folded fabric case
selectively usable for carrying said stringed musical instrument,
said package including a container comprising a molded,
substantially rigid, crushable cellular body, said body having a
recess for the reception of said stringed musical instrument snugly
in inverted position and spaced from the periphery of said body,
said fabric case including closure means and a carrying handle and
being foldable for reception within the recess in said body and
superimposed upon the back of said stringed musical instrument, the
depth of the recess in said body being complementary to the
combined height of the musical instrument and folded fabric
carrying case.
2. A package as set forth in claim 1 including a nonrigid,
crushable, shock-resistant wrapping means surrounding the body for
protecting it during shipment only.
3. A package as set forth in claim 1 including strap means for
securing the recessed stringed musical instrument and folded fabric
case within said body against inadvertent displacement.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention is in the field of shipping and carrying cases for
items such as relatively small musical instruments, particularly of
the type used by children. Musical instruments are frequently
loaned to children over a period of time when they are taking
lessons at school or elsewhere. These are ordinarily carried in
cases which may receive rough handling, for example, by dropping,
bumping, exposure to water, and the like. Such handling may damage
the carrying case as well as the instrument. Conventional carrying
cases do not provide adequate protection against severe shock and
moisture and are relatively expensive.
Resultantly, a substantial element of expense in connection with
musical instruments used by children, especially in school
programs, has been caused by damage to the instruments and the
carrying cases. Carrying cases for instruments generally consisted
of a boxlike receptacle with a hinged cover and latch, shaped
generally to conform to the instrument, and of a cardboard or
fiberboard material.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention includes an inexpensive molded cellular body having
an internal recess on one side shaped to snugly receive the
instrument and appurtenances. A fitted case or cover of cloth or
the like having a closable opening and a handle snugly receives the
plastic body with the instrument mounted therein for ordinary
carrying. The cover is preferably of waterproof material such as
rubberized fabric. The plastic body is of such material that it
protects the instrument against possible injury resulting from
shock even if it is dropped. Both the cover and the plastic body
are inexpensive, costing only a fraction of that of a conventional
case, even the least expensive.
For shipping purposes, the instrument is mounted in the body, the
same as for carrying, the case is folded and placed on the
instrument within its recess, and a disposable shock-resistant
wrapping such as corrugated board is secured around the body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective of the container arranged for shipping;
FIG. 2, an exploded view illustrating the tray and shipping
container or wrapping, separately;
FIG. 3, a perspective of the tray in which the instrument is
housed;
FIG. 4, a plan of the tray;
FIGS. 5 and 6, enlarged sections on the lines 5-5 and 6-6 of FIG.
4;
FIG. 7, a perspective on a larger scale of the tray within the open
carrying case; and
FIG. 8, a perspective of the closed carrying case.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With further reference to the drawings, the invention includes a
tray or body 10 which may be of substantially rectangular
configuration having a recess 11 for receiving an instrument 12
such as a zither. The zither or other instrument is of irregular
configuration and may have strings on one side which require
protection while the instrument is being carried. The recess 11 is
shaped to snugly receive the instrument and has a ledge 13 spaced
from the top and bottom of the recess sufficiently to mount the
instrument with the strings, or other protuberances, spaced from
the bottom of the recess. The ledge spacing and the depth of the
tray and recess are preferably such as to position the uppermost
portion of the instrument beneath the plane of the upper portion of
the tray as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 7. A supplementary recess 14
may be provided for an appurtenance such as a tuning wrench 15 as
indicated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 7.
The border of the recess may have depressions 16, 17 to improve the
carrying characteristics of the case and also to provide spaces for
insertion of the fingers to assist in the removal of the
instrument. For maximum protection, the instrument is preferably
mounted face down as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 7, and may have
feet 19 on spaced portions on which the instrument may rest while
in use and to which a lifting tab 20 may be attached.
In order to insure retention of the instrument and avoid
inadvertent dislodgement, a strap 21 is preferably placed around
the tray with the instrument therein, suitably provided at the
sides of the tray for positioning the strap, including its buckle
22.
When the instrument is normally carried, it is recessed within the
tray and the tray is placed within a fitted cover or case 25,
having a lower portion 26 with a handle 27 and a top 28. A closable
fastener such as a zipper 30 permits easy opening of the case,
which snugly fits the tray. The cover is preferably of relatively
inexpensive material such as cloth which is treated to make it
water resistant, such as rubberized fabric, or the like.
When the instrument is shipped, the cover 25 is folded and held by
the strap 21 on the back of the instrument and is protected by a
nonrigid, crushable, shock-resistant shipping container such as a
corrugated sleeve 32, which may be conventionally secured by
tape.
The tray is preferably made of an inexpensive cellular foam which
is relatively rigid such as polystyrene. This plastic produces a
lightweight rigid closed cell foam having excellent shock-resistant
properties since the cell structure permits crushing under impact
or load, depending on the nature and force thereof, and is
water-resistant and buoyant. Such materials are known for use as
shipping containers and have generally been discarded after
shipment. Since the material is subject to abrasion and is
generally white and easily soiled, it has disadvantages if used as
the sole container for an instrument that is frequently carried.
However, when protected within a closely fitting but inexpensive
cover, it provides the body to give the cover an attractive shape,
is itself protected against abrasion, and with the cover prevents
foreign matter and moisture from reaching the instrument. Hence the
tray and the cover cooperate to produce an inexpensive carrier of
superior characteristics. As compared with a conventional carrier,
the present carrier can be produced at substantially less cost and
is vastly superior for protecting the instrument, as compared to a
conventional carrier. Either the tray or the cover may be replaced
if either is damaged instead of having to replace an entire
carrying case as with conventional cases.
* * * * *