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.

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.

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.