GB2335394A - Detachable cello trolley - Google Patents

Abstract

A trolley for attaching to a cello case comprises a wheeled chassis 11, a handle 28 and attachment straps 14,15,16 which can be readily attached to detached from the cello case. The wheeled chassis has a suspension system comprising soft supports (12, fig 2) provided between the frame of the chassis and the case and also tunable suspenders (13, fig 3) supporting the wheeled axle.

Description

2335394 DETACRABLE CELLO TROLLEY This invention relates to a detachable

wheeled suspension means, manoeuvering means and attachment means, hereafter collectively referred to as a "trolley", for attachment to standard proprietary cello cases.

Cellos together with their carrying cases are cumbersome instruments and are especially difficult to manhandle, particularly over long distances between performance locations. This manhandling can result in physical stress to the individual, usually the musician, and can in time threaten the musician's performance, health and livelihood, through physical weariness or damage of an orthopaedic nature.

Although proprietary cello cases are available with integral wheels, they are relatively very expensive, large and heavy, adding significantly to the problems of lifting and manhandling. Cello players therefore require that both weight and size are kept to an absolute minimum for ease of manhandling. These requirements must be balanced against their priority concern for the protection of their instruments from damage during transportation; assembly integrity together with adequate suspension to isolate vibrations and shock loading during transit are of paramount importance.

According to the present invention there is provided a detachable cello "trolley" for fitment to proprietary cello cases, comprising a wheeled chassis, a means for securing the chassis to the cello case and a means for manoeuvering the cello and case when mounted on the wheeled chassis, the chassis being equipped with both wheel suspension and cello case support systems.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: - Figure 1 shows the cello case and fixtures, together with the trolley assembled to the standard cello case.

Figure 2 illustrates the wheeled chassis and means of locating and attaching to the standard cello case.

Figure 3 illustrates the chassis to wheels suspension features.

Referring to the drawing, the "trolley" comprises a wheeled chassis assembly 11, a manoeuvering means 14, 23 & 28, and chassis attachment means, possibly straps or other devices 15, 16, which utilize the standard cello case 27 attachment fixtures, possibly the carrying strap attachment "D" rings 17, 19, 20, 22.

In order to achieve satisfactory case lid opening whilst the "trolley" is attached the wheeled chassis must be located on the lower corner of the unhinged edge of the case (Fig 1) by utilizing a standard case fixture, possibly the standard carrying strap attachment "D" ring 17. This "D" ring would provide positive location within an aperture 18, or alternative means (not shown) on the chassis which would be retained by suitable means, possibly with strap system 15 attaching between the first "D" ring 17 to the "D" ring 19 located adjacent to the neck of the case on the same side, but a padlock, or alternative means (not shown), may be used on the first "D" ring 17 alone for increased security. The chassis may be made secure to the case by utilizing the second lower "D" ring 20 or alternative fixture (on the hinged edge 26 of the case). The strap system 16 may be used to connect the chassis to this "D" ring and both strap systems 15 & 16 may then be tensioned by means of a strap tensioning device within these strap systems. The chassis 30 (Fig 3) is provided with a suitable profile and access hole 31 to allow access to the otherwise obscured case latch 21 and incorporate a displaceable case lid support means (within item 12) which together with the previously specified chassis location on the case permits unlatching, unrestricted opening & re-latching of the case with the "trolley" attached. The chassis may be quickly detached from the case 27, if required, by means of quick release connections in straps 15 & 16 or alternatives (not shown). Otherwise detachment would be in the reverse order of the attachment procedure.

Ergonomic manoeuvering of the "trolley" is achieved by a manoeuvering means such as a strap system 14 attached between the two "D" rings 19 & 22 on either side of the case neck. This strap system may incorporate an adjustable pick-up point 23 for the attachment of a handle, strap or other pulling / pushing device 28 which can be readfly adjusted to suit personal needs throughout the are 35. Ergonon-de manoeuverability is also aided by the design of the wheel suspension means; by suitably positioning the solid axle 32 relative to the cello centre of gravity the cello case can be rotated onto the "trolley" wheels with minimum effort. Likewise, appropriate positioning of the manoeuvering means 28 to suit user needs will give the desired balance of minimum manoeuvering forces (horizontal pulling effort and downward weight component) when in use. The design lends itself equally well to pulling or pushing the "trolley".

The case and cello are protected from ground transmitted loads during manoeuvering by two suspension means. The first is the soft support means 12 (Fig 2), which may be of single or multi piece construction, located at the chassis / case interface to provide even support and to help absorb transient external forces. the second is the wheel suspension means 13 (Fig 3) to absorb ground loads applied through the wheels 36 (typically two). The stiffness of the suspension system may be tuned to meet specific customer needs by adjusting the axial positions 33 of the suspension units 13 (typically two) on the solid axle 32 relative to the wheel 36 positions. The wheels are maintained in this relative position by means of co-axial spacers 34, Dynamic stability is achieved by wide wheel spacing 24 together with the wheel suspension referred to above. Static stability results from the fitment of substitute feet 25 (typically two) to the base of the chassis (in lieu of those fitted to the case) together with the vertical positioning of the wheels to ensure adequate ground clearance when parked 29. Additionally, general stability is achieved from the low chassis profile and the associated very low centre of gravity of the additional "trolley" weight.

Claims (16)

1. A detachable cello "trolley" for fitment to proprietary cello cases, comprising a wheeled chassis, a means for securing the chassis to the cello case and a means for manoeuvering the cello and case when mounted on the wheeled chassis, the chassis being equipped with both wheel suspension and cello case support systems.

2. A detachable cello "trolley" as in claim 1 wherein the wheeled chassis is adapted to locate at the lower corner of the cello case on the latched (hinge free) side in order to facilitate in situ case lid opening and closing.

3. A detachable cello "trolley" as in claim 1 or 2 wherein the chassis is provided with an engagement means to locate positively to the case, possibly utilizing the lower (hinge-free side) carrying strap "D" ring fixture provided on-proprietary cello cases.

4. A detachable cello "trolley" as in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the chassis is provided with a lightweight attachment means possibly with quick release features and possibly utilizing straps with quick release couplings, to attach to carrying strap "D" ring fixtures, provided on proprietary cello cases, or alternative means.

5. A detachable cello "trolley" as in any previous claim wherein a lightweight manoeuvenng means is provided to readily secure to case fixtures, possibly by utilizing lightweight straps locating on standard "D" ring fixtures on proprietary cello cases, or an altemative means.

6 A detachable cello "trolley" as in claim 5 wherein the manoeuvering means is provided with a lightweight position adjustment means in order to meet specific user ergonomic and other requirements, possibly utilizing lightweight straps and adjustments.

T A detachable cello "trolley" as in any previous claim wherein a lightweight case support means is provided to offer stable, low stress support and protection to the cello case and contents, possibly utilizing a single piece chassis formed to follow the case contours and fitted with a suitably supportive interface to the chassis upper surface.

8. A detachable cello "trolley" as in claim 7 wherein a means to temporarily displace the chassis / case lid interface support is provided, possibly by pivoting, hinging, compressing or otherwise, to permit unrestricted case lid opening and closing with the wheeled chassis secured to the case.

9. A detachable cello "trolley" as in any preceding claims wherein the attachment means of the wheels (typically two) to the chassis is provided by lightweight suspension means, possibly comprising bonded rubber to metal suspension units (typically two) or equivalent means.

10. A detachable cello "trolley" #s in claim 9 wherein a lightweight W. spension tuning means is provided, possibly by controlling the axial location of each suspension unit on the chassis and axle, to achieve the specific cello protection from ground transmitted forces and dynamic stability stipulated by the user.

11. A detachable cello "trolley" as in claim 9 or 10 wherein the suspension means is provided with a secure lightweight axle location means, possibly with a suitable through hole to position the axle relative to the case body.

12. A detachable cello "trolley" as in claim 11 wherein a lightweight wheel axial location means is provided, possibly by utilizing suitably dimensioned lightweight concentric axle spacers, to stabilize the position of the wheels relative to the suspension means.

13. A detachable cello "trolley" as in any preceding claim wherein the chassis is adapted to allow access to all case latches, possibly by means of a suitable chassis profile, access holes or other means, to facilitate fully secure lid closing and opening.

14. A detachable cello "trolley" as in any preceding claim wherein a support means is provided on the chassis underside to faci-litate static stability when the assembly is in the upright parked position.

15. A detachable cello "trolley" as in any preceding claim wherein the wheels are provided not to make ground contact when the cello case assembly is in the upright parked position, to facilitate static stability.

16. A detachable cello "trolley" substantially as described herein with reference to Figs 1 3 of the accompanying drawings.