CA2898562C - Feet for supporting a non-self-standing musical instrument in a self-supported standing position on a support surface - Google Patents
Feet for supporting a non-self-standing musical instrument in a self-supported standing position on a support surface Download PDFInfo
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- CA2898562C CA2898562C CA2898562A CA2898562A CA2898562C CA 2898562 C CA2898562 C CA 2898562C CA 2898562 A CA2898562 A CA 2898562A CA 2898562 A CA2898562 A CA 2898562A CA 2898562 C CA2898562 C CA 2898562C
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- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 2
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- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009408 flooring Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003292 glue Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011121 hardwood Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
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- 238000004513 sizing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000087 stabilizing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 125000000391 vinyl group Chemical group [H]C([*])=C([H])[H] 0.000 description 1
- 229920002554 vinyl polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
- G10G—REPRESENTATION OF MUSIC; RECORDING MUSIC IN NOTATION FORM; ACCESSORIES FOR MUSIC OR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. SUPPORTS
- G10G5/00—Supports for musical instruments
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- Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
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- Auxiliary Devices For Music (AREA)
Abstract
A stand for supporting a musical instrument on a support surface is disclosed. The musical instrument is shaped so as to not be self-supportable for standing on the support surface. Thus, the stand features feet which are attached to a tail-end of a body of the instrument in spaced relation to one another so that the musical instrument is disposable on the support surface in a self-supported standing position.
Description
FEET FOR SUPPORTING A NON-SELF-STANDING MUSICAL
INSTRUMENT IN A SELF-SUPPORTED STANDING POSITION ON A
SUPPORT SURFACE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to musical instruments, and more particularly to supporting or standing a musical instrument on a support surface.
BACKGROUND
Many musical instruments are not shaped in a manner in which the respective musical instrument is self-supportable on a support surface such as a conventional flat floor, thus requiring the use of stands which are separate accessories from the musical instruments for storing same.
In many instances, stands that are known in the art are bulky and unaesthetically pleasing. Furthermore, the stands are required to be transported separately of the musical instruments with which the stands are used, which may add extra equipment that a musician has to transport with him- or herself.
It is therefore desirable to provide a new type of stand for musical instruments which may overcome the aforementioned potential shortcomings of the stands known in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided musical instrument in combination with a stand for supporting the musical instrument on a support surface, the combination comprising:
the musical instrument having a body, a neck extending from the body,
INSTRUMENT IN A SELF-SUPPORTED STANDING POSITION ON A
SUPPORT SURFACE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to musical instruments, and more particularly to supporting or standing a musical instrument on a support surface.
BACKGROUND
Many musical instruments are not shaped in a manner in which the respective musical instrument is self-supportable on a support surface such as a conventional flat floor, thus requiring the use of stands which are separate accessories from the musical instruments for storing same.
In many instances, stands that are known in the art are bulky and unaesthetically pleasing. Furthermore, the stands are required to be transported separately of the musical instruments with which the stands are used, which may add extra equipment that a musician has to transport with him- or herself.
It is therefore desirable to provide a new type of stand for musical instruments which may overcome the aforementioned potential shortcomings of the stands known in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided musical instrument in combination with a stand for supporting the musical instrument on a support surface, the combination comprising:
the musical instrument having a body, a neck extending from the body,
2 and a tail-end of the body that is opposite the neck;
the musical instrument being shaped such that it is non-self-supportable for standing on the support surface;
the stand comprising a plurality of feet attached to the body of the musical instrument at the tail-end of the body in spaced relation to one another so that the musical instrument is disposable on the support surface in a self-supported standing position.
The embodiment as described in more detail hereinafter may remain connected to the instrument at all times because the feet do not hinder or impede the normal operation or functionality of the instrument. Thus, the stand of the present arrangement does not necessarily have to be transported separately of the musical instrument which it supports. Also, the feet are sized small in comparison to the musical instrument such that the feet add a negligible amount of mass to the instrument and so that the feet are "functionally invisible" ¨ that is, the feet are visually insignificant such that in the standing position it may appear as if the musical instrument is resting directly on the support surface.
Preferably, the tail-end of the body is spaced above the support surface in the standing position.
In one instance, the feet are attached so as to be permanently fixed to the body.
Preferably, the plurality of feet comprises a front set of the feet which are closer to a front side of the body than to a back side thereof and a rear set of the feet which are closer to the back side of the body than to the front side thereof, each one of the front and rear sets of the feet holding each of the front and back sides of the body at the tail-end thereof at a different height spaced from the support surface so as to
the musical instrument being shaped such that it is non-self-supportable for standing on the support surface;
the stand comprising a plurality of feet attached to the body of the musical instrument at the tail-end of the body in spaced relation to one another so that the musical instrument is disposable on the support surface in a self-supported standing position.
The embodiment as described in more detail hereinafter may remain connected to the instrument at all times because the feet do not hinder or impede the normal operation or functionality of the instrument. Thus, the stand of the present arrangement does not necessarily have to be transported separately of the musical instrument which it supports. Also, the feet are sized small in comparison to the musical instrument such that the feet add a negligible amount of mass to the instrument and so that the feet are "functionally invisible" ¨ that is, the feet are visually insignificant such that in the standing position it may appear as if the musical instrument is resting directly on the support surface.
Preferably, the tail-end of the body is spaced above the support surface in the standing position.
In one instance, the feet are attached so as to be permanently fixed to the body.
Preferably, the plurality of feet comprises a front set of the feet which are closer to a front side of the body than to a back side thereof and a rear set of the feet which are closer to the back side of the body than to the front side thereof, each one of the front and rear sets of the feet holding each of the front and back sides of the body at the tail-end thereof at a different height spaced from the support surface so as to
3 balance the musical instrument in the standing position against tilting in fore and aft directions. At least one of the front and rear sets of the feet may comprise a pair of the feet, each one of the pair of the feet of said at least one of the front and rear sets being spaced from one another in a direction along a respective one of the front and back sides of the body so as to hold the respective one of the front and back sides of the body at the tail-end thereof at said different height. In one instance, said at least one of the front and rear sets of the feet comprising the pair of the feet includes the front set of the feet and the rear set of the feet. In one instance, each one of the front set of the feet are spaced from one another at a first distance and each one of the rear set of the feet are spaced from one another at a second distance which is different from the first distance. In one instance, the second distance is larger than the first distance such that each one of the rear set of the feet is spaced farther apart from one another than the respective ones of the front set of the feet. One of the front set and the rear set of the feet may be sized larger than another one of the front set and the rear set of the feet so as to hold the respective one of the front and back sides of the body at the tail-end thereof at said different height. In one instance, said larger one of the front set and the rear set of the feet comprises the rear set of the feet being sized larger than the front set. It is preferred that the front set of the feet and the rear set of the feet are spaced apart from one another in a direction from the front side of the body to the back side at a selected distance so as to hold the respective one of the front and back sides of the body at the tail-end thereof at said different height.
The body includes a body axis lying parallel to the neck that portions the body into left and right body portions. Preferably, the plurality of feet comprises a left set of the feet and a right set of the feet spaced apart from one another so as to be respectively located on opposing sides of the body axis such that the musical
The body includes a body axis lying parallel to the neck that portions the body into left and right body portions. Preferably, the plurality of feet comprises a left set of the feet and a right set of the feet spaced apart from one another so as to be respectively located on opposing sides of the body axis such that the musical
4 instrument is balanced in the standing position against tilting in directions transversely of the body axis. In particular, the transverse directions refer to those which are transverse to the fore and aft directions. Preferably, the left set of the feet is spaced from the body axis at a first distance and the right set of the feet is spaced from the body axis at a second distance so as to balance the musical instrument in the standing position against tilting in the directions transversely of the body axis.
(Note that the first and second distances referred to in this paragraph are not related to those mentioned hereinbefore). It will be appreciated that one or more feet may belong to more than one of the front, rear, left, and right set of the feet as will become apparent hereinafter. For example, the left set and the front set may have one of the feet in common.
More particularly, in an arrangement having up to four feet, each foot belongs to more than one of the front, rear left, and right set of the feet. Typically, the body axis is located centrally of the musical instrument such that left and right side portions of the musical instrument to either side of the body axis are substantially equal in mass.
The first and second distances may be equal so that the left set of the feet and the right set of the feet are equidistant from the body axis. Each of the left and right sets of the feet may comprise a front one of the feet closer to the front side of the body than to the back side thereof and a rear one of the feet which is closer to the back side of the body than to the front side thereof, the front ones of the feet of the left and right sets being spaced from the body axis at different distances and the rear ones of the feet of the front and rear sets being spaced from the body axis at different distances so as to balance the musical instrument in the standing position in the directions transversely of the body axis. When the body axis is located centrally of the musical instrument, each of the front ones of the feet of the left and right sets may be equally spaced from the body axis so as to be equidistant therefrom and each of the rear ones of the feet of the left and right sets may be equally spaced from the body axis so as to be equidistant therefrom. Thus, spacing between the left set of the feet and the body axis relative to spacing between the right set of the feet and the body axis affects balance of the musical instrument in the standing position in the directions transversely of the body axis. The left and right
(Note that the first and second distances referred to in this paragraph are not related to those mentioned hereinbefore). It will be appreciated that one or more feet may belong to more than one of the front, rear, left, and right set of the feet as will become apparent hereinafter. For example, the left set and the front set may have one of the feet in common.
More particularly, in an arrangement having up to four feet, each foot belongs to more than one of the front, rear left, and right set of the feet. Typically, the body axis is located centrally of the musical instrument such that left and right side portions of the musical instrument to either side of the body axis are substantially equal in mass.
The first and second distances may be equal so that the left set of the feet and the right set of the feet are equidistant from the body axis. Each of the left and right sets of the feet may comprise a front one of the feet closer to the front side of the body than to the back side thereof and a rear one of the feet which is closer to the back side of the body than to the front side thereof, the front ones of the feet of the left and right sets being spaced from the body axis at different distances and the rear ones of the feet of the front and rear sets being spaced from the body axis at different distances so as to balance the musical instrument in the standing position in the directions transversely of the body axis. When the body axis is located centrally of the musical instrument, each of the front ones of the feet of the left and right sets may be equally spaced from the body axis so as to be equidistant therefrom and each of the rear ones of the feet of the left and right sets may be equally spaced from the body axis so as to be equidistant therefrom. Thus, spacing between the left set of the feet and the body axis relative to spacing between the right set of the feet and the body axis affects balance of the musical instrument in the standing position in the directions transversely of the body axis. The left and right
5 sets of the feet may be spaced as far apart as possible from one another such that in the standing position the tail-end of the body is maintained in spaced relation from the support surface. In other words, spacing between the left and right sets of the feet may be maximized such that spacing between the tail-end of the body and the support surface is minimized in the standing position.
In one instance, the plurality of feet comprises four feet which are individually attached to the body.
Preferably, the feet are sized smaller than the body of the musical instrument in a manner so as to be visually insignificant compared to the musical instrument in the standing position.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of installing feet on a musical instrument for supporting the musical instrument on a support surface, the method comprising:
providing the musical instrument which includes a body having a front side and a back side, a neck extending from the body, and a tail-end of the body that is opposite the neck;
the musical instrument being shaped such that it is non-self-supportable for standing on the support surface;
attaching the feet to the body of the musical instrument at the tail-end of the body in spaced relation to one another in a manner converting the musical instrument to be self-supportable in a standing position on the support surface.
In one instance, the plurality of feet comprises four feet which are individually attached to the body.
Preferably, the feet are sized smaller than the body of the musical instrument in a manner so as to be visually insignificant compared to the musical instrument in the standing position.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of installing feet on a musical instrument for supporting the musical instrument on a support surface, the method comprising:
providing the musical instrument which includes a body having a front side and a back side, a neck extending from the body, and a tail-end of the body that is opposite the neck;
the musical instrument being shaped such that it is non-self-supportable for standing on the support surface;
attaching the feet to the body of the musical instrument at the tail-end of the body in spaced relation to one another in a manner converting the musical instrument to be self-supportable in a standing position on the support surface.
6 Preferably, the spaced relation of the feet on the body comprises strategically chosen spaced positions of the feet at the tail end of the body such that the musical instrument is balanced in the standing position against tilting in fore and aft directions and directions transverse thereto.
Preferably, the method includes a step of disposing the musical instrument on the support surface in the standing position in which the feet are engaging the support surface and the tail-end of the body is spaced above the support surface.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a musical instrument in combination with a stand for supporting the musical instrument on a support surface, the combination comprising:
the musical instrument having a body including a front side and a back side, a neck extending from the body generally parallel to a body axis, and a tail-end of the body that is opposite the neck and between the front side and the back side;
the body axis providing transversely on either side thereof a left side portion of the body and a right side portion of the body;
the musical instrument having a center of gravity and a central location on the tail-end lying along a common axis;
the musical instrument having an existing shape by which the musical instrument is non-self-supportable for standing on the support surface whereby the common axis is not maintainable in an upright orientation by the shape of the musical instrument;
the stand comprising a plurality of feet directly attached to the body of the musical instrument at the tail-end in spaced relation to one another about the central location on the tail-end so that the musical instrument is disposable on the support surface in a self-supported standing position with the tail-end facing the support surface
Preferably, the method includes a step of disposing the musical instrument on the support surface in the standing position in which the feet are engaging the support surface and the tail-end of the body is spaced above the support surface.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a musical instrument in combination with a stand for supporting the musical instrument on a support surface, the combination comprising:
the musical instrument having a body including a front side and a back side, a neck extending from the body generally parallel to a body axis, and a tail-end of the body that is opposite the neck and between the front side and the back side;
the body axis providing transversely on either side thereof a left side portion of the body and a right side portion of the body;
the musical instrument having a center of gravity and a central location on the tail-end lying along a common axis;
the musical instrument having an existing shape by which the musical instrument is non-self-supportable for standing on the support surface whereby the common axis is not maintainable in an upright orientation by the shape of the musical instrument;
the stand comprising a plurality of feet directly attached to the body of the musical instrument at the tail-end in spaced relation to one another about the central location on the tail-end so that the musical instrument is disposable on the support surface in a self-supported standing position with the tail-end facing the support surface
7 and the common axis oriented substantially perpendicularly to the support surface such that the musical instrument is oriented upright;
the plurality of feet including:
a front grouping of the feet which is closer to the front side of the body than to the back side;
a rear grouping of the feet which is closer to the back side of the body than to the front side;
a left grouping of the feet which is located at the left side portion;
a right grouping of the feet which is located at the right side portion;
wherein at least one of the plurality of feet belongs to more than one of the front grouping, rear grouping, left grouping, and right grouping of the feet;
wherein the front and rear groupings of the feet are arranged in spaced relation to one another in a direction from the front side of the body to the back side such that the musical instrument is balanced in the standing position against tilting in fore and aft directions;
wherein the left and right groupings of the feet are arranged in spaced relation to one another in a direction along a respective one of the front and back sides of the body such that the musical instrument is balanced in the standing position against tilting in side-to-side directions which are transverse of the body axis and transverse to the fore and aft directions;
wherein each one of the plurality of feet is localized to an area of the tail-end between the front side and the back side of the body so that in the fore and aft directions the feet reach no farther than the front side and back side of the body in the standing position.
Preferably, the feet are adhesively attached to the body.
the plurality of feet including:
a front grouping of the feet which is closer to the front side of the body than to the back side;
a rear grouping of the feet which is closer to the back side of the body than to the front side;
a left grouping of the feet which is located at the left side portion;
a right grouping of the feet which is located at the right side portion;
wherein at least one of the plurality of feet belongs to more than one of the front grouping, rear grouping, left grouping, and right grouping of the feet;
wherein the front and rear groupings of the feet are arranged in spaced relation to one another in a direction from the front side of the body to the back side such that the musical instrument is balanced in the standing position against tilting in fore and aft directions;
wherein the left and right groupings of the feet are arranged in spaced relation to one another in a direction along a respective one of the front and back sides of the body such that the musical instrument is balanced in the standing position against tilting in side-to-side directions which are transverse of the body axis and transverse to the fore and aft directions;
wherein each one of the plurality of feet is localized to an area of the tail-end between the front side and the back side of the body so that in the fore and aft directions the feet reach no farther than the front side and back side of the body in the standing position.
Preferably, the feet are adhesively attached to the body.
8 In one arrangement, in cooperation with the spaced relation of the front and rear groupings, one of the front grouping and the rear grouping of the feet is sized larger than another one of the front grouping and the rear grouping of the feet such that the musical instrument is balanced in the standing position.
In one arrangement, the plurality of feet comprises four feet which are individually attached to the body and which are free of another member interconnecting the feet.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of installing feet on a musical instrument for supporting the musical instrument on a support surface, the method comprising:
providing the musical instrument which includes a body having a front side and a back side, a neck extending from the body generally parallel to a body axis, and a tail-end of the body that is opposite the neck and between the front side and the back side;
the body axis providing transversely on either side thereof a left side portion of the body and a right side portion of the body;
the musical instrument having a center of gravity and a central location on the tail-end lying along a common axis;
the musical instrument having an existing shape by which the musical instrument is non-self-supportable for standing on the support surface whereby the common axis is not maintainable in an uptight orientation by the shape of the musical instrument;
installing the feet on the musical instrument by directly attaching the feet to the body at the tail-end in spaced relation to one another in an area about the central location on the tail-end such that the feet are arranged into (i) a front grouping of the
In one arrangement, the plurality of feet comprises four feet which are individually attached to the body and which are free of another member interconnecting the feet.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of installing feet on a musical instrument for supporting the musical instrument on a support surface, the method comprising:
providing the musical instrument which includes a body having a front side and a back side, a neck extending from the body generally parallel to a body axis, and a tail-end of the body that is opposite the neck and between the front side and the back side;
the body axis providing transversely on either side thereof a left side portion of the body and a right side portion of the body;
the musical instrument having a center of gravity and a central location on the tail-end lying along a common axis;
the musical instrument having an existing shape by which the musical instrument is non-self-supportable for standing on the support surface whereby the common axis is not maintainable in an uptight orientation by the shape of the musical instrument;
installing the feet on the musical instrument by directly attaching the feet to the body at the tail-end in spaced relation to one another in an area about the central location on the tail-end such that the feet are arranged into (i) a front grouping of the
9 feet which is closer to the front side of the body than to the back side, (ii) a rear grouping of the feet which is closer to the back side of the body than to the front side, (iii) a left grouping of the feet which is located at the left side portion, and (iv) a right grouping of the feet which is located at the right side portion thereby converting the musical instrument to be self-supportable in a standing position on the support surface with the tail-end facing the support surface and the common axis oriented substantially perpendicularly to the support surface such that the musical instrument is oriented upright;
wherein at least one of the plurality of feet belongs to more than one of the front grouping, rear grouping, left grouping, and right grouping of the feet;
the front and rear groupings of the feet being spaced from one another at a distance in a direction from the front side of the body to the back side such that the musical instrument is balanced in the standing position against tilting in fore and aft directions;
the left and right groupings of the feet being spaced from one another at a distance in a direction along a respective one of the front and back sides of the body such that the musical instrument is balanced in the standing position against tilting in side-to-side directions transversely of the body axis and transverse to the fore and aft directions;
each one of the plurality of feet being arranged so as to be localized to an area of the tail-end between the front side and the back side of the body so that in the fore and aft directions the feet reach no farther than the front side and back side of the body in the standing position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a front view of a musical instrument with a stand according to 5 the present invention attached to the musical instrument.
Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the musical instrument and the stand of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a bottom view of the musical instrument and the stand of Figure 1.
wherein at least one of the plurality of feet belongs to more than one of the front grouping, rear grouping, left grouping, and right grouping of the feet;
the front and rear groupings of the feet being spaced from one another at a distance in a direction from the front side of the body to the back side such that the musical instrument is balanced in the standing position against tilting in fore and aft directions;
the left and right groupings of the feet being spaced from one another at a distance in a direction along a respective one of the front and back sides of the body such that the musical instrument is balanced in the standing position against tilting in side-to-side directions transversely of the body axis and transverse to the fore and aft directions;
each one of the plurality of feet being arranged so as to be localized to an area of the tail-end between the front side and the back side of the body so that in the fore and aft directions the feet reach no farther than the front side and back side of the body in the standing position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a front view of a musical instrument with a stand according to 5 the present invention attached to the musical instrument.
Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the musical instrument and the stand of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a bottom view of the musical instrument and the stand of Figure 1.
10 Figure 4 is an enlarged side view of the musical instrument and stand of Figure 1 showing one possible configuration of the stand in which feet thereof are all the same size.
Figure 5 is an enlarged side view of the musical instrument and stand of Figure 1 showing another possible configuration of the stand in which a rear set of feet are sized larger than a front set of feet.
Figure 6 is another enlarged side view of the musical instrument and stand as in Figure 5 but more clearly illustrating different heights of a front side and back side of a body at a tail-end of the instrument above a support surface.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the accompanying figures, there is illustrated a stand generally indicated by reference numeral 100 for supporting a musical instrument 1 on a support surface 10. An acoustic guitar is shown in the figures for illustrative purposes
Figure 5 is an enlarged side view of the musical instrument and stand of Figure 1 showing another possible configuration of the stand in which a rear set of feet are sized larger than a front set of feet.
Figure 6 is another enlarged side view of the musical instrument and stand as in Figure 5 but more clearly illustrating different heights of a front side and back side of a body at a tail-end of the instrument above a support surface.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the accompanying figures, there is illustrated a stand generally indicated by reference numeral 100 for supporting a musical instrument 1 on a support surface 10. An acoustic guitar is shown in the figures for illustrative purposes
11 of the description and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention which comprises the stand. As such, the stand 100 may be suited for use with a variety of musical instruments which on their own are not shaped in a manner suitable for being disposed on the support surface 10 in a self-supported standing position as is possible with the present invention. The standing position of the illustrated embodiment is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
String instruments, such as the acoustic guitar illustrated, are one example of the variety of musical instruments that typically are not shaped for being self-standing on the support surface 10. Such a musical instrument 1 most generally comprises a body 2 and a neck 4 extending from the body. A tail-end 2A of the body 2 is opposite the neck 4 and comprises a portion of the body providing a suitable location for attaching the stand to the musical instrument. A structure of the acoustic guitar depicted in the figures is known in the art and is thus not further described herein.
Furthermore, as provided, the musical instrument is unable to stand upwardly from the support surface 10 in an upright position by resting the tail-end 2A on the support surface due to a curvature of the body 2 at the tail-end 2A.
Therefore, the stand 100 comprises a plurality of feet 102 which are attached to the body 2 of the musical instrument at the tail-end 2A of the body. The feet 102 are coupled to the body 2 in spaced relation to one another such that the feet are arranged on the body in strategically chosen spaced positions at the tail-end 2A so that the musical instrument 1 is disposable on the support surface 10 in the self-supported standing position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. From a physical or physics standpoint, the self-supported standing position is achieved by situating a center of gravity of the musical instrument indicated at 'G' over a central point of the stand 'S' so that an axis 'A' passing through points G and S is perpendicular to a plane `P defined by the support
String instruments, such as the acoustic guitar illustrated, are one example of the variety of musical instruments that typically are not shaped for being self-standing on the support surface 10. Such a musical instrument 1 most generally comprises a body 2 and a neck 4 extending from the body. A tail-end 2A of the body 2 is opposite the neck 4 and comprises a portion of the body providing a suitable location for attaching the stand to the musical instrument. A structure of the acoustic guitar depicted in the figures is known in the art and is thus not further described herein.
Furthermore, as provided, the musical instrument is unable to stand upwardly from the support surface 10 in an upright position by resting the tail-end 2A on the support surface due to a curvature of the body 2 at the tail-end 2A.
Therefore, the stand 100 comprises a plurality of feet 102 which are attached to the body 2 of the musical instrument at the tail-end 2A of the body. The feet 102 are coupled to the body 2 in spaced relation to one another such that the feet are arranged on the body in strategically chosen spaced positions at the tail-end 2A so that the musical instrument 1 is disposable on the support surface 10 in the self-supported standing position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. From a physical or physics standpoint, the self-supported standing position is achieved by situating a center of gravity of the musical instrument indicated at 'G' over a central point of the stand 'S' so that an axis 'A' passing through points G and S is perpendicular to a plane `P defined by the support
12 surface. When this balanced condition is satisfied, achieved by strategic placement of the feet at the tail-end of the body, the musical instrument is balanced against tilting in directions transverse of the axis 'A' in the standing position. It will be appreciated that locations of points such as G and S are generally indicated without detracting from description of the concept of aligning the center of gravity of the instrument and the center of gravity of the stand in a vertical axis to achieve the standing position.
The feet 102 comprise four general groupings or sets of feet: a front set 104, a rear set 106, a left set 108, and a right set 110. More specifically, the front set 104 of the feet are closer to a front side 2B of the body 2 than to a back side 20 thereof, and the rear set 106 of the feet are closer to the back side 20 of the body than to the front side 2B thereof. Note that in the illustrated case the front side 2B
refers to the side of the body 2 at which the instrument 1 is strung. Furthermore, the left set 108 and right set 110 of the feet are located on opposing sides of a body axis 'B' of the musical instrument. The body axis B lies parallel to the neck 4 and portions the body into left and right side portions 6 and 8. Typically, the body axis B is located centrally of the musical instrument 1 in alignment with the neck 4, and the left and right side portions 6, 8 are equal in mass. In the illustrated embodiment, the left and right side portions 6, 8 of the musical instrument are also substantially symmetrical to one another.
Also, the body axis B may be considered to lie in a central vertical plane (which may also be referred to as a body plane) that portions the body into the left and right side portions 6, 8. Thus, the axis A lies in this central plane.
A pair of opposing sets of the feet 102 cooperate to balance the musical instrument 1 in the standing position in one of fore/aft directions shown by arrows 'F/A' and left/right or side-to-side directions perpendicular to the fore/after directions that are shown by arrows `S/S'. It will be appreciated that a particular number (i.e., specific
The feet 102 comprise four general groupings or sets of feet: a front set 104, a rear set 106, a left set 108, and a right set 110. More specifically, the front set 104 of the feet are closer to a front side 2B of the body 2 than to a back side 20 thereof, and the rear set 106 of the feet are closer to the back side 20 of the body than to the front side 2B thereof. Note that in the illustrated case the front side 2B
refers to the side of the body 2 at which the instrument 1 is strung. Furthermore, the left set 108 and right set 110 of the feet are located on opposing sides of a body axis 'B' of the musical instrument. The body axis B lies parallel to the neck 4 and portions the body into left and right side portions 6 and 8. Typically, the body axis B is located centrally of the musical instrument 1 in alignment with the neck 4, and the left and right side portions 6, 8 are equal in mass. In the illustrated embodiment, the left and right side portions 6, 8 of the musical instrument are also substantially symmetrical to one another.
Also, the body axis B may be considered to lie in a central vertical plane (which may also be referred to as a body plane) that portions the body into the left and right side portions 6, 8. Thus, the axis A lies in this central plane.
A pair of opposing sets of the feet 102 cooperate to balance the musical instrument 1 in the standing position in one of fore/aft directions shown by arrows 'F/A' and left/right or side-to-side directions perpendicular to the fore/after directions that are shown by arrows `S/S'. It will be appreciated that a particular number (i.e., specific
13 quantity) of the feet 102 belonging to each one of the front, rear, left, or right sets is not important so long as at least one foot fulfills the role of the respective set. As such, one foot may belong to more than one set of feet. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of feet 102 comprises four feet which are individually attached to the body 2 and so as to be separate from one another, and therefore two individual feet comprise each set of the feet and each individual foot belongs to two sets of the feet. In other embodiments, there may be two feet, each having two individual contact surfaces so as to generally resemble the arrangement of the illustrated embodiment;
however, in contrast to the illustrated arrangement, the feet of this particular alternative embodiment comprise an intermediate portion that structurally connects between or bridges the two individual contact surfaces located at the strategically spaced positions. The functionality of the arrangement of the present invention will now be described in more detail.
Returning to the structure of the illustrated embodiment, the front and rear sets 104, 106 of the feet balance the musical instrument in the fore and aft directions F/A by holding each of the front and back sides 2B, 2C of the body at the tail-end 2A
thereof at a different height spaced from the support surface 10 so as to balance the musical instrument in the standing position against tilting in the fore and aft directions F/A. In order to hold each of the front and back sides 2B and 20 at the respective height, each one (foot) of the pair of the feet of the front and rear sets 104, 106 is spaced from one another in a direction along the respective one of the front and back sides 2B or 2C of the body, that is, in a direction transversely perpendicular of the body axis B. For example, spacing the feet of one of the front and rear sets farther apart along the respective side of the body lowers the respective side towards the support surface 10;
in contrast, spacing the feet closer to one another raises the respective side away from
however, in contrast to the illustrated arrangement, the feet of this particular alternative embodiment comprise an intermediate portion that structurally connects between or bridges the two individual contact surfaces located at the strategically spaced positions. The functionality of the arrangement of the present invention will now be described in more detail.
Returning to the structure of the illustrated embodiment, the front and rear sets 104, 106 of the feet balance the musical instrument in the fore and aft directions F/A by holding each of the front and back sides 2B, 2C of the body at the tail-end 2A
thereof at a different height spaced from the support surface 10 so as to balance the musical instrument in the standing position against tilting in the fore and aft directions F/A. In order to hold each of the front and back sides 2B and 20 at the respective height, each one (foot) of the pair of the feet of the front and rear sets 104, 106 is spaced from one another in a direction along the respective one of the front and back sides 2B or 2C of the body, that is, in a direction transversely perpendicular of the body axis B. For example, spacing the feet of one of the front and rear sets farther apart along the respective side of the body lowers the respective side towards the support surface 10;
in contrast, spacing the feet closer to one another raises the respective side away from
14 the support surface 10. In the illustrated embodiment, front ones of the front set 104 of the feet (referring to each individual foot of the front set) are spaced from one another at a first distance and rear ones of the rear set 106 of the feet (referring to each individual foot of the rear set) are spaced from one another at a second distance 'D2'.
The second distance D2 is different from the first distance D1 so as to achieve the different heights of the front and back sides 2B, 2C of the body at the tail-end 2A thereof relative to the support surface 10. In particular, the second distance D2 is larger than the first distance D1 (i.e., D2 > D1) in the illustrated embodiment such that the rear ones of the feet are spaced farther apart from one another than the front ones of the feet.
Alternatively or additionally, one of the front set 104 and the rear set 106 of the feet is sized larger than another one of the front set and the rear set of the feet so as to hold each of the front and back sides 2B and 20 at the respective height. In the illustrated embodiment, the rear set 106 of the feet is sized larger than the front set 104 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 (illustrating possible configurations of the stand 100). It will be appreciated that using larger feet 102 for the rear set 106 may allow the second distance 02 to be larger than that if same sized feet were used for both the front and rear sets for achieving the appropriate height of the front and back sides 2B, 20. This larger second distance D2 in the case of larger feet 102 for the rear set 106 may grant more stability than that in the case of same sized feet in front and rear. In other embodiments, sizing one of the front and rear sets feet larger than the other may be used for holding the respective one of the front and back sides of the body higher above the support surface than the other one thereof.
Alternatively or additionally, the front set 104 and the rear set 106 are spaced apart from one another in a direction from the front side of the body to the back side, as indicated at D3, at a selected distance so as to hold the respective one of the front and back sides of the body at the tail-end 2A thereof at the different height compared to the other one of the sides of the body. Note that D3 as labelled in FIGS.
4-6 does necessarily mean that the amount of spacing between the front and rear sets 104, 106 of the feet is the same in the illustrated configurations of the stand 100.
5 As such, there are three possible factors by which the front and back sides 2B and 2C of the body, at the tail-end 2A, may be held at different heights from the support surface. It is expected that at least two of these factors must be exploited so as to balance the musical instrument in the standing position and optimize the standing position for greatest stability. For example, the front and rear sets 104, 106 having feet 10 which are sized the same, as in FIG. 4 (illustrating one such possible configuration of the stand 100), suggests that spacing in the direction along the sides of the body and spacing from front to back sides 2B, 20 thereof are used to set or control the appropriate heights. When, for example, the rear set 106 of the feet are sized larger than the front set 104, the difference in size of the feet is usable for holding the back side 20 of the
The second distance D2 is different from the first distance D1 so as to achieve the different heights of the front and back sides 2B, 2C of the body at the tail-end 2A thereof relative to the support surface 10. In particular, the second distance D2 is larger than the first distance D1 (i.e., D2 > D1) in the illustrated embodiment such that the rear ones of the feet are spaced farther apart from one another than the front ones of the feet.
Alternatively or additionally, one of the front set 104 and the rear set 106 of the feet is sized larger than another one of the front set and the rear set of the feet so as to hold each of the front and back sides 2B and 20 at the respective height. In the illustrated embodiment, the rear set 106 of the feet is sized larger than the front set 104 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 (illustrating possible configurations of the stand 100). It will be appreciated that using larger feet 102 for the rear set 106 may allow the second distance 02 to be larger than that if same sized feet were used for both the front and rear sets for achieving the appropriate height of the front and back sides 2B, 20. This larger second distance D2 in the case of larger feet 102 for the rear set 106 may grant more stability than that in the case of same sized feet in front and rear. In other embodiments, sizing one of the front and rear sets feet larger than the other may be used for holding the respective one of the front and back sides of the body higher above the support surface than the other one thereof.
Alternatively or additionally, the front set 104 and the rear set 106 are spaced apart from one another in a direction from the front side of the body to the back side, as indicated at D3, at a selected distance so as to hold the respective one of the front and back sides of the body at the tail-end 2A thereof at the different height compared to the other one of the sides of the body. Note that D3 as labelled in FIGS.
4-6 does necessarily mean that the amount of spacing between the front and rear sets 104, 106 of the feet is the same in the illustrated configurations of the stand 100.
5 As such, there are three possible factors by which the front and back sides 2B and 2C of the body, at the tail-end 2A, may be held at different heights from the support surface. It is expected that at least two of these factors must be exploited so as to balance the musical instrument in the standing position and optimize the standing position for greatest stability. For example, the front and rear sets 104, 106 having feet 10 which are sized the same, as in FIG. 4 (illustrating one such possible configuration of the stand 100), suggests that spacing in the direction along the sides of the body and spacing from front to back sides 2B, 20 thereof are used to set or control the appropriate heights. When, for example, the rear set 106 of the feet are sized larger than the front set 104, the difference in size of the feet is usable for holding the back side 20 of the
15 body at the tail-end 2A higher than the front side 2B. It will be appreciated that larger spacing between the front and rear sets 104, 106 of the legs as measured between the front and back sides 2B, 2C of the body may afford better stability of the musical instrument 1 in the standing position in the fore and aft directions F/A than smaller spacing between the front and rear sets. Similarly, larger spacing between the pair of feet of the front and rear sets 104, 106 may afford better stability of the instrument in the standing position in the side-to-side directions S/S ¨ that is, in directions transverse of the body axis B. In addition, the respective pair of the feet are spaced as far apart from one another such that in the standing position the tail-end 2A of the body is maintained in spaced relation from the support surface 10 so that the body 2 of the musical instrument is free of engagement with the support surface in the standing
16 position.
Since the tail-end 2A of the body extends from the front side 2B to the back side 20 in a manner such that the tail-end is free of curvature in the direction from the front side 2B to the back side 20 of the body in the illustrated case, altering the spacing D1 between the pair of feet of the front set 104 of the feet and the spacing D2 between the pair of feet of the rear set 106 of the feet is mainly used to achieve the respective height of the front and back sides 2B, 2C at the tail-end 2A for balancing the musical instrument against tilting in the fore and aft directions F/A. As such, the spacing D3 between the front and rear sets 104 and 106 of the feet primarily impacts stability of the musical instrument in the standing position in the fore and aft directions F/A. It will be appreciated that altering the spacing D3 between the front and rear sets 104, 106 may also change the respective height of the front and back sides 2B, 20 of the body although these heights may not be as sensitive to the spacing D3 as these heights are to the spacing D1 between the pair of feet of the front set 104 or the spacing D2 between the pair of feet of the rear set 106. When differently sized feet are used for one of the front and rear sets 104, 106 with the instrument 1 of the illustrated case, the heights of the front and back sides 2B, 2C of the body at the tail-end 2A may become more sensitive to the spacing D3 between the front and rear sets 104 and 106.
In the standing position of the conventionally shaped acoustic guitar of the illustrated case, the front side 2B of the body at the tail-end 2A is typically held higher above the support surface 10 than the back side 20 of the body at the tail-end 2A as more clearly shown in FIG. 6 such that the body axis B is non-perpendicular with the support surface 10 in the fore and after directions F/A. That is, in the illustrated embodiment the body axis B forms an acute angle with the support surface 10 at the back side 2C of the body in a manner so as to be leaning or inclined rearwardly to
Since the tail-end 2A of the body extends from the front side 2B to the back side 20 in a manner such that the tail-end is free of curvature in the direction from the front side 2B to the back side 20 of the body in the illustrated case, altering the spacing D1 between the pair of feet of the front set 104 of the feet and the spacing D2 between the pair of feet of the rear set 106 of the feet is mainly used to achieve the respective height of the front and back sides 2B, 2C at the tail-end 2A for balancing the musical instrument against tilting in the fore and aft directions F/A. As such, the spacing D3 between the front and rear sets 104 and 106 of the feet primarily impacts stability of the musical instrument in the standing position in the fore and aft directions F/A. It will be appreciated that altering the spacing D3 between the front and rear sets 104, 106 may also change the respective height of the front and back sides 2B, 20 of the body although these heights may not be as sensitive to the spacing D3 as these heights are to the spacing D1 between the pair of feet of the front set 104 or the spacing D2 between the pair of feet of the rear set 106. When differently sized feet are used for one of the front and rear sets 104, 106 with the instrument 1 of the illustrated case, the heights of the front and back sides 2B, 2C of the body at the tail-end 2A may become more sensitive to the spacing D3 between the front and rear sets 104 and 106.
In the standing position of the conventionally shaped acoustic guitar of the illustrated case, the front side 2B of the body at the tail-end 2A is typically held higher above the support surface 10 than the back side 20 of the body at the tail-end 2A as more clearly shown in FIG. 6 such that the body axis B is non-perpendicular with the support surface 10 in the fore and after directions F/A. That is, in the illustrated embodiment the body axis B forms an acute angle with the support surface 10 at the back side 2C of the body in a manner so as to be leaning or inclined rearwardly to
17 achieve the standing position because the height of the back side 20 of the body at the tail-end 2A as indicated at H2 is lower than the height of the front 2B side of the body at the tail-end as indicated at H1.
Turning now to the left and right sets 108 and 110 of the feet, the left set 108 of the feet and the right set 110 of the feet are spaced apart from one another so as to be respectively located on opposing sides of the body axis B such that the musical instrument is balanced in the standing position against tilting in the side-to-side directions S/S transversely of the body axis B. Generally speaking, it is a spacing between the left set 108 of the feet and the body axis B ¨ the left set being defined by left ones of the feet of the front and rear sets 104 and 106 that are located on a left side of the body axis B relative to a spacing between the right set 110 of the feet and the body axis B ¨ the right set being defined by right ones of the feet of the front and rear sets 104 and 106 that are located on a right side of the body axis B ¨ which affects the balance of the musical instrument 1 in the side-to-side directions S/S. Since the body axis B is located centrally of the instrument 1 and the instrument itself is symmetrical about the body axis B in the illustrated embodiment, the front set 104 and the rear set 106 are respectively centered relative to the body axis B such that the left one and the right one of the feet of each of the front and rear sets are equidistant to the body axis B
relative to the respective one of the first and second distances D1, D2. The equal spacing between left and right ones of the front set 104 of the feet relative to the body axis B is shown by 1/2D1 for each respective spacing. Similarly, the equal spacing between left and right ones of the rear set 106 of the feet relative to the body axis B is shown by 1/2D2 for each respective spacing.
In the case of the conventionally shaped acoustic guitar as in the illustrated embodiment, the body axis B is perpendicular to the support surface 10 in
Turning now to the left and right sets 108 and 110 of the feet, the left set 108 of the feet and the right set 110 of the feet are spaced apart from one another so as to be respectively located on opposing sides of the body axis B such that the musical instrument is balanced in the standing position against tilting in the side-to-side directions S/S transversely of the body axis B. Generally speaking, it is a spacing between the left set 108 of the feet and the body axis B ¨ the left set being defined by left ones of the feet of the front and rear sets 104 and 106 that are located on a left side of the body axis B relative to a spacing between the right set 110 of the feet and the body axis B ¨ the right set being defined by right ones of the feet of the front and rear sets 104 and 106 that are located on a right side of the body axis B ¨ which affects the balance of the musical instrument 1 in the side-to-side directions S/S. Since the body axis B is located centrally of the instrument 1 and the instrument itself is symmetrical about the body axis B in the illustrated embodiment, the front set 104 and the rear set 106 are respectively centered relative to the body axis B such that the left one and the right one of the feet of each of the front and rear sets are equidistant to the body axis B
relative to the respective one of the first and second distances D1, D2. The equal spacing between left and right ones of the front set 104 of the feet relative to the body axis B is shown by 1/2D1 for each respective spacing. Similarly, the equal spacing between left and right ones of the rear set 106 of the feet relative to the body axis B is shown by 1/2D2 for each respective spacing.
In the case of the conventionally shaped acoustic guitar as in the illustrated embodiment, the body axis B is perpendicular to the support surface 10 in
18 the side-to-side directions S/S because the instrument 1 is symmetric about the body axis B such that the instrument does not have to be held biased to one of the left and right sides to achieve the balanced standing position.
Thus, the strategic placement of the feet 102 along the tail-end 2A of the body uses the shape of the instrument 1 to achieve balance in the standing position.
Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the feet 102 frictionally engage the support surface 10 so as to enhance the stability of the instrument in the standing position. Frictional engagement of the support surface 10 may be provided by a material such as rubber from which the feet 102 are made or which covers at least a portion of each foot. Frictional engagement of the support surface 10 by the feet may be suited for stabilizing the musical instrument in the standing position on any type of surface but especially on a smooth and/or slippery surface such as hardwood, laminate, or vinyl flooring.
Further to the placement of the feet, the feet 102 are sized smaller than the body 2 of the musical instrument 1 thereby affording several benefits.
Firstly, the \
feet 102 are therefore visually insignificant compared to the musical instrument 1 in the standing position so as to be functionally invisible and lend to an attractive appearance of the musical instrument in the standing position. Also, the feet 102 add a negligible amount of mass to the musical instrument 1, which is suitable for permanently affixing the feet to the musical instrument as is true of the illustrated embodiment.
Furthermore, the feet do not hinder or impede a normal operation or functionality of the musical instrument 1 which may be, at least in part, due to location of attachment and small size of the feet.
In use, the feet 102 are attached, permanently or temporarily, to the body 2 at the tail-end 2A thereof in the strategic spaced relation as described herein. The
Thus, the strategic placement of the feet 102 along the tail-end 2A of the body uses the shape of the instrument 1 to achieve balance in the standing position.
Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the feet 102 frictionally engage the support surface 10 so as to enhance the stability of the instrument in the standing position. Frictional engagement of the support surface 10 may be provided by a material such as rubber from which the feet 102 are made or which covers at least a portion of each foot. Frictional engagement of the support surface 10 by the feet may be suited for stabilizing the musical instrument in the standing position on any type of surface but especially on a smooth and/or slippery surface such as hardwood, laminate, or vinyl flooring.
Further to the placement of the feet, the feet 102 are sized smaller than the body 2 of the musical instrument 1 thereby affording several benefits.
Firstly, the \
feet 102 are therefore visually insignificant compared to the musical instrument 1 in the standing position so as to be functionally invisible and lend to an attractive appearance of the musical instrument in the standing position. Also, the feet 102 add a negligible amount of mass to the musical instrument 1, which is suitable for permanently affixing the feet to the musical instrument as is true of the illustrated embodiment.
Furthermore, the feet do not hinder or impede a normal operation or functionality of the musical instrument 1 which may be, at least in part, due to location of attachment and small size of the feet.
In use, the feet 102 are attached, permanently or temporarily, to the body 2 at the tail-end 2A thereof in the strategic spaced relation as described herein. The
19 feet 102 may be attached by, for example, an adhesive, such as glue or tape, which is suitable for attaching to the body 2 of the musical instrument or by threaded fasteners disposed on a surface of the body at the selected spaced positions of the feet. Thus, the stand 100 effectively converts the musical instrument from one which is non-self-supportable for standing on the support surface 10 to one which can be disposed in the self-supported standing position. The strategically chosen spaced positions of the feet 102 at the tail-end of the body balance the musical instrument 1 in the standing position against tilting in fore and aft directions F/A and directions transverse thereto (e.g., the side-to-side directions S/S). Once the feet are attached to the musical instrument, the instrument can be disposed on the support surface 10 in the standing position, in which the feet 102 are engaging the support surface and the tail-end 2A of the body is held spaced above the support surface 10.
In other embodiments, the feet 102 may comprise three individual feet which are sized and located at the tail-end to provide similar balance in the standing position as the illustrated embodiment. For example, one of the feet may be placed along the central plane (related to the body axis B), and the remaining feet straddle the central plane such that the central plane is located halfway between the remaining feet.
The remaining feet are spaced from one another so as to provide the balance of the musical instrument in the standing position.
In further alternative embodiments, the feet 102 are attached temporarily to the body 2 of the instrument.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
In other embodiments, the feet 102 may comprise three individual feet which are sized and located at the tail-end to provide similar balance in the standing position as the illustrated embodiment. For example, one of the feet may be placed along the central plane (related to the body axis B), and the remaining feet straddle the central plane such that the central plane is located halfway between the remaining feet.
The remaining feet are spaced from one another so as to provide the balance of the musical instrument in the standing position.
In further alternative embodiments, the feet 102 are attached temporarily to the body 2 of the instrument.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
Claims (15)
1. A
musical instrument in combination with a stand for supporting the musical instrument on a support surface, the combination comprising:
the musical instrument having a body including a front side and a back side, a neck extending from the body generally parallel to a body axis, and a tail-end of the body that is opposite the neck and between the front side and the back side;
the body axis providing transversely on either side thereof a left side portion of the body and a right side portion of the body;
the musical instrument having a center of gravity and a central location on the tail-end lying along a common axis;
the musical instrument having an existing shape by which the musical instrument is non-self-supportable for standing on the support surface whereby the common axis is not maintainable in an upright orientation by the shape of the musical instrument;
the stand comprising a plurality of feet directly attached to the body of the musical instrument at the tail-end in spaced relation to one another about the central location on the tail-end so that the musical instrument is disposable on the support surface in a self-supported standing position with the tail-end facing the support surface and the common axis oriented substantially perpendicularly to the support surface such that the musical instrument is oriented upright;
the plurality of feet including:
a front grouping of the feet which is closer to the front side of the body than to the back side;
a rear grouping of the feet which is closer to the back side of the body than tb the front side;
a left grouping of the feet which is located at the left side portion;
a right grouping of the feet which is located at the right side portion;
wherein at least one of the plurality of feet belongs to more than one of the front grouping, rear grouping, left grouping, and right grouping of the feet;
wherein the front and rear groupings of the feet are arranged in spaced relation to one another in a direction from the front side of the body to the back side such that the musical instrument is balanced in the standing position against tilting in fore and aft directions;
wherein the left and right groupings of the feet are arranged in spaced relation to one another in a direction along a respective one of the front and back sides of the body such that the musical instrument is balanced in the standing position against tilting in side-to-side directions which are transverse of the body axis and transverse to the fore and aft directions;
wherein each one of the plurality of feet is localized to an area of the tail-end between the front side and the back side of the body so that in the fore and aft directions the feet reach no farther than the front side and back side of the body in the standing position.
musical instrument in combination with a stand for supporting the musical instrument on a support surface, the combination comprising:
the musical instrument having a body including a front side and a back side, a neck extending from the body generally parallel to a body axis, and a tail-end of the body that is opposite the neck and between the front side and the back side;
the body axis providing transversely on either side thereof a left side portion of the body and a right side portion of the body;
the musical instrument having a center of gravity and a central location on the tail-end lying along a common axis;
the musical instrument having an existing shape by which the musical instrument is non-self-supportable for standing on the support surface whereby the common axis is not maintainable in an upright orientation by the shape of the musical instrument;
the stand comprising a plurality of feet directly attached to the body of the musical instrument at the tail-end in spaced relation to one another about the central location on the tail-end so that the musical instrument is disposable on the support surface in a self-supported standing position with the tail-end facing the support surface and the common axis oriented substantially perpendicularly to the support surface such that the musical instrument is oriented upright;
the plurality of feet including:
a front grouping of the feet which is closer to the front side of the body than to the back side;
a rear grouping of the feet which is closer to the back side of the body than tb the front side;
a left grouping of the feet which is located at the left side portion;
a right grouping of the feet which is located at the right side portion;
wherein at least one of the plurality of feet belongs to more than one of the front grouping, rear grouping, left grouping, and right grouping of the feet;
wherein the front and rear groupings of the feet are arranged in spaced relation to one another in a direction from the front side of the body to the back side such that the musical instrument is balanced in the standing position against tilting in fore and aft directions;
wherein the left and right groupings of the feet are arranged in spaced relation to one another in a direction along a respective one of the front and back sides of the body such that the musical instrument is balanced in the standing position against tilting in side-to-side directions which are transverse of the body axis and transverse to the fore and aft directions;
wherein each one of the plurality of feet is localized to an area of the tail-end between the front side and the back side of the body so that in the fore and aft directions the feet reach no farther than the front side and back side of the body in the standing position.
2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the tail-end of the body at the front side and the back side is spaced above the support surface in the standing position.
3. The combination according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the feet are adhesively attached to the body.
4. The combination according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the front and rear groupings of the feet hold the front and back sides of the body at the tail-end at a different height spaced from the support surface so as to balance the musical instrument in the standing position against tilting in the fore and aft directions.
5. The combination according to claim 4 wherein at least one of the front and rear groupings of the feet comprises a pair of the feet with one of the pair of the feet defining at least part of the left grouping and another one of the pair of the feet defining at least part of the right grouping, and each one of the pair of the feet of said at least one of the front and rear sets is spaced from the other in the direction along a respective one of the front and back sides of the body so as to hold the respective one of the front and back sides of the body at the tail-end at said different height.
6. The combination according to claim 5 wherein said at least one of the front and rear groupings of the feet comprising the pair of the feet includes the front grouping of the feet and the rear grouping of the feet.
7. The combination according to claim 6 wherein each one of the front grouping of the feet are spaced from one another at a first distance and each one of the rear grouping of the feet are spaced from one another at a second distance which is different from the first distance.
8. The combination according to claim 7 wherein the second distance is larger than the first distance such that each one of the rear grouping of the feet is spaced farther apart from one another than the respective ones of the front grouping of the feet.
9. The combination according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein, in cooperation with the spaced relation of the front and rear groupings, one of the front grouping and the rear grouping of the feet is sized larger than another one of the front grouping and the rear grouping of the feet such that the musical instrument is balanced in the standing position.
10. The combination according to claim 9 wherein said one of the front grouping and the rear grouping of the feet sized larger than said another one of the front and rear groupings comprises the rear grouping of the feet being sized larger than the front grouping.
11. The combination according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the left grouping of the feet is spaced from the body axis at a first distance and the right grouping of the feet is spaced from the body axis at a second distance so as to balance the musical instrument in the standing position in the side-to-side directions.
12. The combination according to claim 11 wherein the body axis is located centrally of the musical instrument such that the left and right side portions of the musical instrument are substantially equal in mass and the first and second distances are equal so that the left grouping of the feet and the right grouping of the feet are equidistant from the body axis.
13. The combination according to any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the plurality of feet comprises four feet which are individually attached to the body and which are free of another member interconnecting the feet.
14. A method of installing feet on a musical instrument for supporting the musical instrument on a support surface, the method comprising:
providing the musical instrument which includes a body having a front side and a back side, a neck extending from the body generally parallel to a body axis, and a tail-end of the body that is opposite the neck and between the front side and the back side;
the body axis providing transversely on either side thereof a left side portion of the body and a right side portion of the body;
the musical instrument having a center of gravity and a central location on the tail-end lying along a common axis;
the musical instrument having an existing shape by which the musical instrument is non-self-supportable for standing on the support surface whereby the common axis is not maintainable in an upright orientation by the shape of the musical instrument;
installing the feet on the musical instrument by directly attaching the feet to the body at the tail-end in spaced relation to one another in an area about the central location on the tail-end such that the feet are arranged into (i) a front grouping of the feet which is closer to the front side of the body than to the back side, (ii) a rear grouping of the feet which is closer to the back side of the body than to the front side, (iii) a left grouping of the feet which is located at the left side portion, and (iv) a right grouping of the feet which is located at the right side portion thereby converting the musical instrument to be self-supportable in a standing position on the support surface with the tail-end facing the support surface and the common axis oriented substantially perpendicularly to the support surface such that the musical instrument is oriented upright;
wherein at least one of the plurality of feet belongs to more than one of the front grouping, rear grouping, left grouping, and right grouping of the feet;
the front and rear groupings of the feet being spaced from one another at a distance in a direction from the front side of the body to the back side such that the musical instrument is balanced in the standing position against tilting in fore and aft directions;
the left and right groupings of the feet being spaced from one another at a distance in a direction along a respective one of the front and back sides of the body such that the musical instrument is balanced in the standing position against tilting in side-to-side directions transversely of the body axis and transverse to the fore and aft directions;
each one of the plurality of feet being arranged so as to be localized to an area of the tail-end between the front side and the back side of the body so that in the fore and aft directions the feet reach no farther than the front side and back side of the body in the standing position.
providing the musical instrument which includes a body having a front side and a back side, a neck extending from the body generally parallel to a body axis, and a tail-end of the body that is opposite the neck and between the front side and the back side;
the body axis providing transversely on either side thereof a left side portion of the body and a right side portion of the body;
the musical instrument having a center of gravity and a central location on the tail-end lying along a common axis;
the musical instrument having an existing shape by which the musical instrument is non-self-supportable for standing on the support surface whereby the common axis is not maintainable in an upright orientation by the shape of the musical instrument;
installing the feet on the musical instrument by directly attaching the feet to the body at the tail-end in spaced relation to one another in an area about the central location on the tail-end such that the feet are arranged into (i) a front grouping of the feet which is closer to the front side of the body than to the back side, (ii) a rear grouping of the feet which is closer to the back side of the body than to the front side, (iii) a left grouping of the feet which is located at the left side portion, and (iv) a right grouping of the feet which is located at the right side portion thereby converting the musical instrument to be self-supportable in a standing position on the support surface with the tail-end facing the support surface and the common axis oriented substantially perpendicularly to the support surface such that the musical instrument is oriented upright;
wherein at least one of the plurality of feet belongs to more than one of the front grouping, rear grouping, left grouping, and right grouping of the feet;
the front and rear groupings of the feet being spaced from one another at a distance in a direction from the front side of the body to the back side such that the musical instrument is balanced in the standing position against tilting in fore and aft directions;
the left and right groupings of the feet being spaced from one another at a distance in a direction along a respective one of the front and back sides of the body such that the musical instrument is balanced in the standing position against tilting in side-to-side directions transversely of the body axis and transverse to the fore and aft directions;
each one of the plurality of feet being arranged so as to be localized to an area of the tail-end between the front side and the back side of the body so that in the fore and aft directions the feet reach no farther than the front side and back side of the body in the standing position.
15. The method according to claim 14 further comprising a step of disposing the musical instrument on the support surface in the standing position in which the feet are engaging the support surface and the tail-end of the body is spaced above the support surface.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2898562A CA2898562C (en) | 2015-07-27 | 2015-07-27 | Feet for supporting a non-self-standing musical instrument in a self-supported standing position on a support surface |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2898562A CA2898562C (en) | 2015-07-27 | 2015-07-27 | Feet for supporting a non-self-standing musical instrument in a self-supported standing position on a support surface |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2898562A1 CA2898562A1 (en) | 2015-09-25 |
| CA2898562C true CA2898562C (en) | 2016-07-05 |
Family
ID=54250564
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2898562A Active CA2898562C (en) | 2015-07-27 | 2015-07-27 | Feet for supporting a non-self-standing musical instrument in a self-supported standing position on a support surface |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2898562C (en) |
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2015
- 2015-07-27 CA CA2898562A patent/CA2898562C/en active Active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2898562A1 (en) | 2015-09-25 |
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