AU2013100639A4 - A stand for a musical instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

A STAND FOR A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT 5 According to the present invention, a stand for a musical instrument comprises a toy character adapted to hold at least one musical instrument. The toy character has a body, a head, and four limbs being two arms and two legs and wherein the two legs of the toy character form a base on which the stand is supported on the floor and the two arms extend from the body to form 10 a support for holding a musical instrument. The base of the stand includes at least one wheel such that the stand can be titled onto the wheel and moved to a different location. The stand also includes one or more devices for use with a musical instrument. .... ....... ...................... LL ................... .......... ...... ............. * .................. .............. ................ CY) ................. ........ ... cz r ................. .......................... .. i ........... .......... . :X.: ::X .: : : : : : : : :::: : :::: ........... ..... .... .... ... ..... ....... ..... .... . ..................... .. ......... q ............... ............ .. ...... .... .......... .... . ....................... .................. .. .... .... .... .. ... ... ... .... ....................... .............. .................. ...... .. ... ... . 440 .. ................... .... .. . .. . .. . .. . ............. ... ........... .... .... .... .. ........... ... ...... ...... .................. ................ .............. : .......................... ...................... ......................... ...................... ...................... ... ................. .... ................. ........................ .... .... ......... C) .... ......

Description

1 A STAND FOR A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 This invention relates to stands for musical instruments. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It should be noted that reference to the prior art herein is not to be taken as an 10 acknowledgement that such prior art constitutes common general knowledge in the art. Stands can be used to store and protect musical instruments when not in use. Some such stands include metal legs which support the stand on the floor and 15 metal hooks or arms which hold the instrument above the floor. Some of these stands may include padded or bendable hooks or arms to reduce wear on the instrument. However, these stands are unattractive and do not appeal to young users in particular. Furthermore, these stands cannot be moved easily when holding an instrument and the instrument must be removed in order to 20 move the stand to a different position or location. There are many devices available for use with a musical instrument to facilitate tuning, timing or playing a musical instrument or to help organise playing time or music sheets. Some such devices include instrument tuners, 25 metronomes, clocks, timers, stopwatches, recording and playback devices among others. It is desirable to store any such devices in close proximity to the instrument they are used with such that they are easily locatable when required. Furthermore, it is desirable for a person to have easy access to such devices or that such devices are in a position of easy viewing for the 30 person when playing an instrument. When children are learning to play an instrument, in particular, it is also advantageous to provide tools or devices which are interesting and help to encourage or motivate the learner.

2 Clearly it would be advantageous of the present invention to provide a contrivance which ameliorates the disadvantages set forth above or at least provides an alternative to the prior art. 5 STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention a stand for a musical instrument comprises a toy character adapted to hold at least one musical instrument. 10 Preferably the toy character has a body and at least one limb. Preferably the toy character has a body, a head and four limbs wherein two of said limbs form a support which can hold a musical instrument. In one embodiment the toy character resembles a boy. In a second embodiment the toy character 15 resembles a girl. In a third embodiment the toy character resembles an animal. In a fourth embodiment the toy character resembles an action figure. In another embodiment the toy character resembles a superhero. In a further embodiment the toy character resembles a science fiction character. In one embodiment the character is kneeling. In another embodiment the character 20 is sitting with crossed legs. Preferably, the four limbs of the toy character include two legs and two arms wherein the legs of the toy character form a base on which the stand is supported on the floor and the arms extend from the body to form supports for 25 holding an instrument. In one embodiment the arms of the character extend away from the body at a gently declining angle and the hand at the end of each arm forms a lip to retain the instrument on the arms. Alternatively, the toy character has a body and two limbs which form a base 30 on which the stand is supported on the floor and which form supports for holding a musical instrument. In yet a further alternative embodiment, the toy character may include a body and four limbs wherein all four of said limbs form supports for holding a musical instrument.

3 Preferably, the stand also includes at least one device for use with a musical instrument. Specifically, the stand can support the device to facilitate use of the device when playing an instrument. Alternatively, the body of the character includes a storage chamber which can hold one or more separate 5 devices, the chamber having a securable door. In one embodiment the securable door is on the back of the character body. In a second embodiment, the door is on the front of the character body. In a preferred embodiment, at least one device is housed in the body of the toy character. In one embodiment the at least one device is inbuilt in the body of the character. 10 Alternatively, the at least one device is removably securable in the body of the character. Preferably, the toy character houses one or more devices chosen from the following: instrument tuner, metronome, timer, stopwatch, clock, recording or 15 playback device. Even more preferably these devices are combined and housed together in the body of the toy character. Optionally, the device may include a port to allow a user to download information or share information with other devices. 20 In an alternative embodiment, the character head may have a flat top which can be used to support one or more devices. In a further embodiment, the head may include a notch or recess for holding one or more devices or for holding sheet music. 25 Preferably the stand includes securing means which can secure the instrument to the stand. In one embodiment the securing means comprises straps of hook and loop fasteners. In an alternative embodiment the securing means comprises elastic straps. In yet a further embodiment the securing means comprises a clip. Preferably, the body of the toy character is moulded 30 or has indents to more securely receive a musical instrument. Preferably the stand includes at least one wheel on the base of the stand such that the stand can be titled onto the wheel and moved by pushing the stand on 4 the wheel to the desired location. In a preferred embodiment the base includes two wheels at the rear side of the stand. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 5 For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: 10 Figure 1 is an isometric view of the stand of the present invention; Figure 2 is a front view of the stand of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the stand of Fig 1; and Figure 4 is a back view of the stand of Figure 1; and Figure 5 is a side view of the stand of Figure 1 holding a guitar; and 15 Figure 6 is a side view of an alternative embodiment wherein the legs of the character are supporting a guitar. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 20 The stand shown in Figures 1 to 4 comprises a toy character 1 adapted to hold at least one musical instrument. Toy character 1 has body 2, head 3, and four limbs 4. Two of said limbs 4 form a support 5 which can hold a musical instrument. Four limbs 4 include two arms 4a and 4b and two legs 4c and 4d wherein legs 4c and 4d form base 6 on which the stand is supported 25 on the floor and arms 4a and 4b extend from body 2 to form supports for holding a musical instrument. Arms 4a and 4b extend from body 2 at a gently declining angle, as shown in Figure 3. Hand 7 at the end of each arm forms lip 8 to retain the instrument supported on arms 4a and 4b. 30 Toy character 1 shown in Figures 1 to 4 resembles a punk boy character kneeling such that the front of legs 4c and 4d forms base 6 and the inside of arms 4a and 4b forms support 5 for a musical instrument. A person skilled in the art would understand that the stand could resemble any other suitable character such as a girl, an animal, an action figure, a superhero or a science 5 fiction character for example. Furthermore, it would be obvious to a person skilled in the art that character 1 may also be assembled in an alternative position such as sitting cross legged or any other suitable position. The stand also includes at least one device (not shown) for use with a musical 5 instrument. Said device may include one or more devices chosen from the following: instrument tuner, metronome, timer, stopwatch, clock, recording or playback device. Body 2 of toy character 1 may have a storage chamber with a securable door 10 in which a number of devices may be housed. Alternatively, the devices may be combined and housed together in body 2 of toy character 1 such that the devices can be operated whilst in character 1. Head 3 of character 1 may also have a flat top which can be used to support one or more devices. Head 3 of character 1 may also have a notch or recess for holding one or more 15 devices or for holding sheet music for use by a person while playing a musical instrument. The devices may be removable to allow for customisation of the stand to suit individual requirements. The stand includes at least one wheel (not shown) on base 6 of the stand 20 such that the stand can be tilted onto the wheel and moved by pushing the stand on the wheel to the desired location. Ideally, the stand has two wheels at the rear of base 6. The stand can be stationary if rested on the entire base 6 and can be titled back onto the wheels to enable the stand to be moved. 25 The stand includes securing means (not shown) which can secure the instrument to the stand. Securing means comprises straps of hook and look fasteners such as Velcro@. It would be obvious to a person skilled in the art that other securing means could be used such as straps of elastic or a clip or any other suitable means. Body 2 of toy character 1 may also be moulded or 30 have indents to more securely receive a musical instrument. The stand can be configured to hold one or more instruments from the following: guitar, double bass, violin, cello, trumpet, trombone, tuba, cornet, saxophone, clarinet or flute.

6 Preferably the stand is constructed from resin cast in a silicon mould of toy character 1. Alternatively, the stand may be constructed from fibreglass or by injection or blow moulding. The stand could be made in various sizes and heights to suit different musical instruments. 5 The stand of the present invention provides a fun and engaging musical instrument stand that appeals to all markets but in particular to children. The stand allows for easy storage of a musical instrument as well as easy movement of the stand while holding a musical instrument. Furthermore, the 10 stand also provides a storage place for various devices used when playing a musical instrument and can even provide a convenient place to hold said devices during use. It will be realized that the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative 15 example only and that all other modifications and variations as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth. Alternative characters and character arrangements may be used to support an 20 instrument. For example, Figure 5 illustrates toy character 1 in a kneeling position holding a guitar on arms 4a and 4b however, character 1 could be sitting with legs 4c and 4d crossed, with legs 4c and 4d straight in front, lying down or any other suitable position. Furthermore, arms 4a and 4b may be arranged in any other position suitable for holding a musical instrument such 25 as above head 3, to one side of character body 2. In addition, legs 4c and 4d may alternatively or additionally be adapted to hold a musical instrument. Legs 4c and 4d may be adapted to support a musical instrument behind body 2 of character 1 such that the front of character 1 is fully viewable even when an instrument is supported by the stand, as shown in Figure 6. Alternatively, 30 both arms 4a and 4b and legs 4c and 4d may be adapted to hold an instrument which enables the stand to hold multiple instruments at the same time.

7 Limbs 4 may be moveable with flexible joints or may even be flexible or bendable. This may enable the limbs to be moved to suit different spaces or to support different musical instruments. Furthermore, in an arrangement where legs 4c and 4d are in front of body 2 and are used to support a musical 5 instrument, arms 4a and 4b may then be used to secure the musical instrument to the stand. Any suitable method of constructing or attached limbs 4 with body 2 could be used for example rotary, ball or axle joints, a bendable metal frame inside a silicone mould and may include friction, ratchet or locking mechanisms which allow limbs 4 to retain a position once bent into shape. 10 Furthermore, alternative devices may be incorporated in the stand depending on the requirements of the market and advances in technology. Similarly, it would be apparent that other construction methods may be used to provide a strong stand and other securing means may be used to secure a musical 15 instrument to the stand. Throughout the description and claims of this specification the words "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising" are not intended to exclude other additives components integers or steps. 20 The drawings herein do not display definitive specifications as they are for explanatory and demonstration purposes only. The dimensions, appearance, materials or devices used in this accessory may be varied to suit different instruments or different levels of musician. 25

Claims (5)

1. A stand for a musical instrument, the stand comprising a toy character adapted to hold at least one musical instrument. 5

2. The stand of claim 1 wherein the character has a body and at least one limb.

3. The stand of claim 2 wherein the character has a body, a head and four 10 limbs, two of which form a support which can hold a musical instrument.

4. The stand of any one of the preceding claims wherein the stand also includes at least one device for use with a musical instrument. 15

5. The stand of any one of the preceding claims wherein the stand includes securing means which can secure the instrument to the stand.