Music – Accessories
Reexamination Certificate
2003-06-03
2004-12-28
Lockett, Kimberly (Department: 2837)
Music
Accessories
Reexamination Certificate
active
06835882
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a case for musical instruments, in particular for string instruments such as guitars, with
a floor section and a lid section that are connected to one another by a hinge-like structure, in particular are sewn together, and can be kept closed by a closing device, in particular a zipper;
a positioning element to ensure that the musical instrument is correctly positioned within the case; and
a fixation device to keep the musical instrument releasably in place within the case in cooperation with the positioning element.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In conventional cases for musical instruments, in particular guitars, not only the body of the instrument but also its neck and head are directly apposed to the inner surface of the case. shell. As a result, impacts to which the case is exposed, for example when it is set down or during transport, are transmitted practically unattenuated to these parts of the instrument. In particular for the sensitive instrument head, comprising mechanical apparatus for tuning the strings, this presents the risk of damage.
The patent DE 201 14 494 U1 discloses a bag for a musical instrument, in particular a guitar, in which the position of the instrument within the bag is fixed inasmuch as the neck of the instrument is kept a specified distance away from the wall of the bag. This is achieved by an element that can be releasably fixed to the bag and partially encloses the neck of the instrument. The releasable fixation is implemented, for instance, by a Velcro® fastening between element and bag. So that the element can retain the instrument neck, retaining straps are provided on the element. The element. itself consists of a foam material. In addition, a pocket to contain accessories is attached to the element.
A disadvantage of this musical-instrument bag disclosed in DE 201 14 494 U1 is that the element provided to keep the instrument neck spaced away from the container walruses up a considerable amount of space in the bag, reducing the volume available for things that need to be transported.
The object of the present invention is a case for musical instruments in which the neck and head of the instrument are spaced apart from the inner surface of the bag, so that the capacity of the bag can be utilized more effectively, e.g. to store additional objects.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This object is achieved in accordance with the invention by providing a case for musical instruments in which the musical instrument positioning element consists substantially of a pocket-like structure. According to the invention, the positioning element comprises an accessible cavity that accounts for most of the volume occupied by the positioning element and that is suitable for storing additional objects such as accessories for the instrument. As a result, the space available within the musical-instrument case is more effectively utilized.
The neck of the instrument, and/or its head, is kept away from the inner surface of the case by a distance determined by the height of the positioning element above the point at which it is attached to said inner surface. This height can be made such that the instrument neck and/or head are/is substantially equidistant from all the inner walls of the case. Preferably the height of the positioning element is between 3 and 7 cm.
The musical-instrument case itself consists of a floor section and a lid section. The floor section is the side of the case that contacts a substrate, e.g. a floor, when the case is set onto that substrate in the prescribed manner. The lid section is on the side of the case opposite the floor section.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the positioning element is disposed on the floor section of the case. As a result, when the case has been placed on a substrate in the prescribed manner and is then opened, the instrument it contains remains in position when the lid section is open. It cannot fall out or slide out of place and thereby be damaged.
In a further development the pocket of which the positioning element mainly consists occupies substantially the entire volume enclosed by the surface of the positioning element.
In a specific embodiment the positioning element comprises a slitlike opening on one side. This arrangement makes the cavity in the interior accessible, so that the interior forms a pocket in which, for instance, -accessories such as cables or replacement items such as a spare -guitar strap can be stored.
In an advantageous embodiment the positioning element consists of a lower and an upper part. The lower part is on the side of the positioning element that contacts the place where the positioning element is attached to the -inside of the case. The upper part is on the side of the positioning element opposite the lower part. This upper part and this lower part of the positioning element are connected to one another in a hinge-like manner, in particular are sewn together, and can be closed together by a fastening device such as a zipper. Thus they form the pocket of which the positioning element substantially consists.
In a specific embodiment of the invention this pocket has a substantially rectangular shape. In this case the upper and lower parts of the positioning element can be hinged, in particular sewn together along one of the two short sides of the rectangular pocket or along one of its two long sides. On the other sides in either case they can be connected to one another by a zipper. Preferably this zipper connection extends continuously over all three of the remaining sides. This allows the pocket to be opened completely, so that its interior is readily accessible by raising the upper part.
An advantageous further development provides that on the free surface of the positioning element, which faces away from the associated floor or lid section, to achieve lateral fixation of the musical instrument at least two elongated auxiliary elements are attached, separated from one another by at least one crevice-like intermediate region. The width of this crevice-like intermediate region between the auxiliary elements should be between 0.5 cm and 4 cm, preferably between 1.0 cm and 2.5 cm. It is advantageous for the elongated auxiliary elements, and hence also the crevice-like intermediate region or regions between them, to be oriented parallel to the longer side of the rectangular pocket of the positioning element.
In an alternative embodiment, for the purpose of lateral fixation of the musical instrument a rectangular auxiliary element with at least one continuous crevice-like depression is attached to the positioning element on its free side, facing away from the associated floor or lid section. The width of this depression should be between 0.5 cm and 4 cm, preferably between 1.0 cm and 2.5 cm, and its depth should be between 1 cm and 3 cm, preferably about 2.0 cm. The at least one crevice-like depression is advantageously oriented parallel to the longer side of the rectangular pocket of the positioning element.
Both the crevice-like intermediate region between the elongated auxiliary elements and the crevice-like depression in a rectangular auxiliary element enable an instrument neck disposed therein to be partially enclosed and fixed so as to avoid lateral displacement.
In a specific advantageous embodiment the auxiliary element consists, or the auxiliary elements consist, at least in part, of a cushioning substance, in particular a foam material.
A further development provides that the height of the auxiliary element or elements above the positioning element is substantially the same over the entire length of the auxiliary element(s). Here the term “length” should be understood to mean the extent of the auxiliary element parallel to its long axis. The height should be between 2 cm and 6 cm, preferably between 3 cm and 5 cm.
An alternative further development provides that the height of the auxiliary element or elements above the positioning element increases along the long axis of the auxiliary element(s)
Lockett Kimberly
Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP
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