Music – Instruments – Stringed
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-01
2001-12-04
Nappi, Robert E. (Department: 2837)
Music
Instruments
Stringed
C084S421000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06326531
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(a) Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a device and method for supporting an instrument case in a manner that allows the case to present the instrument to a user. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a stand that includes four independently movable arms that extend from a central junction or hub. The arms are used to grasp the instrument case and to support the instrument case while presenting the musical instrument, in the case, to the musician.
(b) Discussion of Known Art
Musicians often rely on several musical instruments, each instrument serving as a backup for another instrument or simply providing a different sound. Thus, there is a need for a device that supports these instruments while not in use by the musician. Examples of devices that support guitars while not in use include U.S. Pat. No. 5,959,225 to Hsu, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,497 to Pirchio et al.
The approach taken by Hsu and Pirchio et al. serve as good examples of other known devices in that they have been adapted for accepting an instrument, such as a guitar, directly on the stand. This approach, however, exposes the guitar to the possibility of harm from falling objects, accidental collisions with passers by, or harm from falling due to the misplacement of the guitar on the stand. With this type of device the guitar is also exposed to dust and climatic conditions, such as humidity, that may harm the instrument.
To protect musical instruments, such as guitars, it is customary to provide a case that cradles and protects the instrument while stored or in transport. These cases typically include rigid sides and a padded internal compartment that will protect the instrument from accidents, such as falls, collisions, or spills. In order to play the instrument, the musician typically removes the instrument and places the unprotected instrument on a stand, such as the Hsu stand or the Pirichio et al. stand.
Other examples of guitar stands can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,957,417 to Yu, 5,836,552 to Yu, or 5,744,735 to Liao. These devices provide folding legs and a rest that accepts the back portion of the body of the guitar, allowing the guitar to be laid back against the rest. These devices suffer from the same limitations as the Hsu or Pirchio et al device in that they leave the guitar or musical instrument very exposed to external forces.
Other known stands for supporting musical instruments include devices such as the device described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,649 to Eason, or U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,204 to Terada. These mechanisms, however, have been designed for providing planar support as is required in supporting a keyboard or the like while playing.
A review of known devices reveals that there remains a need for a device or system that allows a person to provide support to a musical instrument, such as a guitar, and the protection of a guitar case. Additionally, there remains a need for a simple device that allows a user to store a guitar or other musical instrument in its case until ready to be played.
Still further, there remains a need for a device that can securely hold a musical instrument without placing excessive force directly on the instrument.
SUMMARY
It has been discovered that problems left unanswered by known art can be solved by providing a stand for and presenting a musical instrument while the musical instrument is held in a case adapted for carrying the musical instrument. A preferred example of the disclosed invention includes:
a base portion; and
a grasping portion having a pair of opposing arms that extending above the base and is supported by the base. The arms are biased towards one another to allow the disclosed invention to grasp and support the case over the base portion.
According to a highly preferred embodiment of the invention the grasping portion includes at least one movable arm. The movable arm is urged against the other arm to squeeze or grasp a portion of the instrument case between the two arms. In one highly preferred example, an elastic or resilient member such as a spring or bungee chord provides the squeezing force.
In a highly preferred example, the invention includes a pair of movable arms pivotally supported from a central hub portion. Each of the arms includes a connector for accepting a section of bungee chord and a section adapted for contacting the case.
The arms are supported from a base portion that connects to the hub and provides a suitable foundation for supporting the invention over the floor. In a highly preferred example of the invention the base includes a pair of collapsing legs that are pivotally connected to the hub portion. It is important to note, that while this preferred embodiment includes a pair of pivoting legs, it is also contemplated that the disclosed invention may be practiced by providing a single leg that can accept a shelf that is similar to the shelf used with a highly preferred embodiment of the invention.
The disclosed invention will preferably incorporate at least one shelf portion that is attached to the base. The shelf, which may be formed from a single section of metal or other rigid material, provides support for the case and further enhances the security of the support provided by the invention.
Once the instrument case is mounted on the stand, access to the instrument is facilitated by including a removable, pivotable, arm or retainer that cooperated with the lid of the instrument case to hold the lid in an opened position. Thus, with the cased instrument on the stand, and with the lid held in an opened position, the user can remove or replace the instrument from the case as needed. Once the user is finished playing the instrument, he may then simply close the case and leave the instrument protected until needed again.
It should also be understood that while the above and other advantages and results of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, showing the contemplated novel construction, combinations and elements as herein described, and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it should be clearly understood that changes in the precise embodiments of the herein disclosed invention are meant to be included within the scope of the claims, except insofar as they may be precluded by the prior art.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4869147 (1989-09-01), Hoshino
patent: 5054357 (1991-10-01), Pyle
patent: 5505413 (1996-04-01), Hennessey
patent: 5833051 (1998-11-01), Tiefenbrun et al.
patent: 5959225 (1999-09-01), Hsu
Crabtree Edwin H.
Lockett Kim
Nappi Robert E.
Pizarro Ramon L.
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