Supports – Easel; book – copy or music score holder
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-15
2001-09-25
Chin-Shue, Alvin (Department: 3632)
Supports
Easel; book, copy or music score holder
C248S461000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06293511
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to collapsible stands of the type used by musicians to hold sheet music at a convenient height and orientation so that the musician can see the music while playing a musical instrument. The stand can be disassembled and packed as a self-contained structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Although this invention will be described with reference to use by musicians, it will be evident that the invention can be used by anyone who wishes to display papers or a book at a convenient height and orientation.
Musicians use music stands to display two or three sheets of music while the musicians play various instruments. The stands usually allow for height adjustment so that the music can be placed at the most advantageous height as required by the musician, who could be in a sitting or standing position. Consequently, the structures must be designed to support the music at a variety of heights above a supporting surface, and also permit disassembly so that musicians can transport the stands along with musical instruments when travelling from engagement to engagement. Also, the structures cannot be flimsy or easily deformed because they must provide a stable support for the sheet music.
As a result of these design criteria, it would be advantageous if music stands were designed to be collapsible into a more convenient size for travelling. It would be a further advantage if the structure could be collapsed into a self contained package which is easily handled and stored. An example of a structure made with these features in mind is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,719 to the present inventor. In that structure, the parts of the music stand can be partially disassembled and stored partly within one another before entry into a convenient carrying bag. It has been found that while the structure taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,719 is acceptable, it would be preferable to make the music stand totally self contained after it is collapsed. Such a structure must also have sufficient rigidity when assembled to display the sheet music without undue flexibility sufficient to affect the use of the sheet music by the musician.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one of its aspects the invention provides a collapsible music stand made up of a music support and a base. The music support has rectangular first and second platens and a hinge disposed about a hinge axis and coupling the first and second platens along adjacent longer sides. The first and second platens are moveable about the hinge axis between a closed position in which the platens are parallel and an open position in which the platens are adjacent one another and coplanar for supporting the music. Each of the first and second platens includes respective peripheral walls extending about three sides of the respective platens and meeting when the platens are in the closed position to define a cavity within the support bordered by the peripheral walls and hinge. The base is releasably attachable to the music support and includes a telescopic post and legs releasably attachable to the post so that on assembly the base can be placed on a horizontal surface to carry the music support in a position to display sheet music. The telescopic post and legs are separable for storage in the cavity so that the base can be stored in the support with the first and second parts in the closed position thereby presenting a convenient package for carrying and storage.
In another of its aspects, the invention provides a collapsible stand of the type used to display sheet music for a musician and having a music support and a hinge disposed about a hinge axis and attached to the music support. A base is releasably attachable to the hinge, and the base has a telescopic post and legs releasably attachable to the post. On assembly the base can be placed on a longitudinal surface to carry the music support in a position to display sheet music and each of the legs has an end piece. The telescopic post extends about a post axis and has upper and lower ends and a coupling is attached to the lower end. The coupling defines longitudinally extending recesses, and each of the legs has a flange for engagement in a respective one of the recesses by moving the flange axially of the post towards the upper end of the post. This permits assembly and disassembly of the legs and the legs provide a firm support on assembly.
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Chin-Shue Alvin
Petersen Designs INC
Scott Christopher R.
LandOfFree
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