GB2370981A

GB2370981A - A case convertible to a music stand

Info

Publication number: GB2370981A
Application number: GB0200693A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Wheway
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-01-12
Filing date: 2002-01-14
Publication date: 2002-07-17
Anticipated expiration: 2022-01-14
Also published as: GB0100816D0; GB0200693D0; GB2370981B

Abstract

A case 10/60 which converts to a self-supporting music stand comprises pivotally connected first 12/64 and second 14/62 portions, the first portion defining a compartment and the second portion forming a cover therefore, mounted such that when opened, the case may be stood on the free ends of the two portions with a support member 44/94 for supporting sheets of paper when used as a display stand. The portions may be locked in the open/closed position and the lock may comprise a ratchet mechanism. A stop may be provided to limit the relative pivotal movement between the portions. The case may have a handle 24, which may retract into a recess formed in one side of the case or which may be pivotable relative to the first and second portions. The support member may be a hinged flap 44/94 and may be ribbed or provided with clips to retain sheets of paper thereon. The case may comprise a front wall 34 and a rear wall 36, with a space there between to accommodate sheets of paper, and a support member 14 attached to the case and moveable between a carrying position, where it lies against a wall of the case, and a standing position in which it makes an angle with, and supports, the rear wall. The case may be moulded from a plastics material. In use, the case provides a case for sheet music which can also function as a self-supporting music stand.

Description

Case

The invention relates to a case, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a case for sheet music.

Written musical compositions such as musical scores and the like often consist of loose or loosely bound sheets of music. Between performances or rehearsals, for example, such sheet music is commonly stored and transported in a repository, referred to as a music case.

A traditional music case includes two walls hingedly connected to one another and between which sheet music or the like can be contained when the case is in a closed position. The outside of the music case includes a closure member, in the form of a bar attached to one wall of the case by two straps, one at each end of the bar, and a handle attached to the other wall.

When the walls are in the closed position, i. e. with the free ends of the walls brought hingedly together, a flap extending from the handle wall is folded over the free ends of the walls and the bar is lifted over the flap and located on the handle on the other side of the case, thereby holding the flap in position over the free ends of the walls.

This known arrangement is convenient to quickly open and close the case, but has the disadvantage that the case is susceptible to abuse by over filling with sheet music or the like, which can lead eventually to breakage of the handle and/or the straps. Furthermore, the sheet music or the like often suffers comer damage and, if the case is dropped, may fall out due to the lack of a positive fastening device.

Sometimes one or more small instruments, such as a recorder, a fife or ocarina, is also carried in such a music case. However, the construction of the case affords little protection to the instruments which can be easily damaged when carried therein.

Children sometimes have difficulty carrying such music cases due to the length of their handles. This problem can be exacerbated by the need to carry a separate music stand and

other items required for school, for example, since music stands are of a problematic shape and weight, which render them particularly awkward to carry, especially for children. It is an object of the invention to provide a case in which at least some of these disadvantages are reduced or substantially obviated.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a case for sheet music or the like comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion defining a compartment for receiving sheet music or the like, the second portion defining a cover, the first and second portions being pivotably connected so as to be movable relative to one another between a closed position, in which the compartment is closed by the first portion, and an open position in which sheet music or the like may be removed or introduced into the compartment, and wherein, in the open position, the first and second portions are at angle to one another and the case is adapted to be stood on a surface by means of the free ends of the first and second portions, for forming a generally triangular configuration with the surface, and in which the case comprises means for supporting sheet music on one of the first and second portions when the case is stood on a surface, such that the case can be used as a music stand.

In a preferred embodiment, locking means are provided to hold the first and second portions in the open position and/or the closed position.

Preferably, the locking means is associated with the pivotal connection between the first and second portions.

Conveniently, the first and second portions are pivotably connected by means of at least one pivot pin and the locking means co-operates with the at least one pin to hold the first and second portions in the open position and/or closed position. Alternatively, the first and second portions are pivotably connected by means of two pivot pins and a locking means is associated with both of the pivot pins.

The locking means may comprise a ratchet mechanism.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a music case comprising a front wall, a rear wall, a space therebetween for accommodating sheets of music or the like, and a support member attached to the case and moveable between a carrying position in which the support member lies flat against one of the walls, and a standing position in which the support member makes an angle with the rear wall, whereby when the music case is in the standing position and is positioned on a substantially horizontal surface, one of the walls provides a surface for supporting music.

Conveniently, the support member serves as a lid for the music case, when in the carrying position, and the support member is hingedly mounted along an upper edge of the music case.

Other preferred features of the invention can be found in the dependent claims.

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a case according to a first embodiment of the invention with the case in a closed position, ready for carrying; Figure 2 shows an alternative perspective view of the case of Figure 1 with the case in an open position, ready for use in supporting sheet music; Figures 3A, 3B and 3C show schematically a sequence in the opening of the case of Figure 1 in end elevation, from the closed position to the fully open position; Figure 4 shows an end elevation of an alternative embodiment of the invention with the case in a standing position; Figure 5 is a partial view of an end portion of the case shown in Figure 4 in a closed or

carrying position ; I Figure 6 is a perspective view from above of a further alternative embodiment of the invention, with the case in the closed position;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the case shown in Figure 6 in a standing position ; I Figure 8 is a perspective view of a part of the upper end of the case of Figure 7; Figure 9A is a view of the encircled area E as viewed from the direction of arrow G in Figure 7; Figure 9B is a view of the encircled area F in Figure 7; and Figure 10 is a partial view from the side of the free ends of the case of Figure 7 in a partially open position.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a case for sheet music is indicated at 10 and consists of a storage compartment 12 for receiving sheet music or the like, and a cover 14 connected to the upper end of the storage compartment 12 by a hinged connection 16. The case 10 is movable between a closed or carrying position, as shown in Figure 1, and a fully open position, as shown in Figure 2.

The hinged connection 16 includes a central portion 18 formed on the upper end of the storage compartment 12, having a pair of spigots (not shown), one on either side of the central portion 18 and each extending outwardly with respect to the transverse axis of the case 10. The cover 14 has a pair of circular sockets 20 at its upper end, in which the spigots are located, to enable the cover 14 and storage compartment 12 to be hingedly moved relative to one another, between the fully open and closed positions.

A recess 22 is formed in the central portion 18 in which a handle 24 is retractably provided.

The handle 24 consists of a grip portion 26 and two pairs of spring members 28, one at either end of the grip portion 26. The spring members 28 are biased into contact with the internal walls of the recess 22, to maintain the handle 24 in a carrying position, as shown in Figure 1, or a stowed position, as shown in Figure 2. The grip portion 26 has a shaped underside 30, corresponding to an exaggerated profile of the fingers of a hand in a gripping position. Both the recess 22 and grip portion 26 include indentations 32, whereby, when the handle 24 is in the stowed position, a fingernail may be introduced to engage the underside of the grip portion 26, for example, to enable the handle 24 to be moved to the carrying position shown in Figure 1.

The storage compartment 12 includes a front wall 34 and a rear wall 36 in a spaced apart relationship with one another, the front wall 34 having an aperture 38 through which objects may be removed or introduced, whereby the storage compartment 12 forms a repository 40 for receiving sheet music or the like. When the case 10 is in the carrying position, as shown in Figure 1, the cover 14 lies flat against the front wall 34, parallel with the rear wall 36, over the aperture 38.

The upper end of the storage compartment 12 includes a stop surface 42, whereby the cover 14 is in contact with the stop surface 42, when the case 10 is in the fully open position, for limiting the rotational movement of the cover 14 about the hinged connection 16 in the fully open position. In this position, the case 10 is able to stand on a surface with the cover 14 and the storage compartment 12 forming a triangular configuration with the surface, i. e. with the case 10 in a standing position, in which the cover 14 is at an acute angle to the rear wall 36 of the storage compartment 12, with the free ends of cover 14 and the storage compartment 12 in contact with the surface.

A locking mechanism in the form of a spring biased ratchet mechanism (not illustrated) is provided in the hinged connection 16, to automatically lock the cover 14 into the fully open position or the closed position.

The cover 22 is released from the locked positions by depressing a button 54 located in the

hinged connection 16. In another arrangement (not shown), a pair of locking mechanisms are provided in the hinged connection 16 at both ends of the case 10, and buttons at each of the respective ends must be pressed simultaneously to release the cover from the locked positions A support flap 44, for supporting sheet music or the like, is hingedly mounted to the bottom edge of the front wall 34 at 46. The support flap 44 is moveable between a first position lying flat against the front wall 34, as shown in Figure 1, and a second position protruding from the front wall 34, as shown in Figure 2. The cover 14 and support flap 44 are separated on the front wall 34 by a projecting rib 48 which extends across the front wall 34.

The bottom edges 50 and 52 of the storage compartment 12 and the cover 14, respectively, are provided with a non-slip material or coating (not shown) to prevent slipping of the case 10 when it is in the standing position.

The case 10 is preferably manufactured from injection moulded plastics material, such as ABS or polypropylene.

Figure 3A shows the case in a closed or storage position with the handle 24 retracted into the recess 22 and the cover 14 locked in a closed condition by the locking mechanism. The case 10 is shown with the lower end of the storage compartment in contact with a planar surface, with the support flap 44 in a closed position, flat against the front wall 34.

To release the cover 14 from the closed condition, the button 54 is depressed which releases the locking mechanism, to enable the cover 14 to be hingedly moved with respect to the storage compartment 12.

In Figure 3B, the cover 14 is shown in three positions as it rotates about the upper end of the case 10, in the direction of arrow B. The support flap 44 is hingedly moved from a closed to an open position in the direction of arrow C.

Figure 3C shows the case 10 in the fully open position, standing with the free end of the cover 14 and the lower edge of the rear wall 36 in contact with the planar surface. The cover 14 is locked in the fully open position by the locking mechanism and is in contact with the stop surface 42, to prevent further rotational movement of the cover 14, anti-clockwise as shown, relative to the storage compartment 12.

The cover 14 makes an acute angle X of 60 degrees with the rear wall 36 of the storage compartment 12. In alternative embodiments, not illustrated, the angle X may be in the range of 30 degrees to 90 degrees.

The support flap 44 extends away from the front wall 34, for sheet music or the like to be supported on the case 10, to enable the case 10 to function as a music stand.

In order to help retain sheet music or the like, the support flap 44 may be longitudinally ribbed (not shown) and/or music retaining clips (not shown) may be provided on the front wall 34.

To return the case 10 from the position shown in Figure 3C to the position shown in Figure 3A, the button 54 is depressed to release the locking mechanism, and the cover 14 is rotated, clockwise as shown, relative to the storage compartment 12, to the closed position.

When the case 10 is not in use, the handle 24 is retracted into the recess 22, and the cover 14 and support flap 44 are both closed, to lay flat against the front wall 34. In this position, shown in Figure 3A, the case 10 is similar in shape and size to a standard box file and can be stored easily. To carry the case 10, the handle 24 is pulled out by means of the detents 32, as described above.

When the case 10 is open, sheet music and the like can be introduced or removed from the storage compartment 12. When the case 10 is closed, sheet music or the like contained within the storage compartment 12 can be stored or transported.

In an alternative embodiment, shown in Figures 4, and 5, when the case 10 is in the closed position, the cover 14 extends across the complete extent of the front wall 34. Therefore, when the cover 14 is functioning in the standing position as shown, the cover 14 and storage compartment are of substantially similar dimensions.

In this arrangement, the front wall 34 is generally flat, with the support flap 44 is received in a recess 56. A lip (not shown) may be provided on the bottom edge of the front wall 34 for securably locating the cover 14, when the case 10 is in the closed position.

In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated), the cover 14 may be held removably in place in the closed position by means of one or more inter-engaging formations provided on the cover 14 and the storage compartment 12, respectively.

Referring to Figures 6 and 7, a case according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. is indicated at 60. The case 60 includes front and rear portions 62 and 64, respectively, pivotally connected to one another at the upper end of each portion 62,64, as described below, and movable between a closed or carrying position, as shown in Figure 6, and a fully open or standing position, as shown in Figure 7.

The front and rear portions 62,64 each define a wall 66, whereby, when the case 60 is in the closed position, the walls 66 are in a spaced apart relationship for receiving sheet music or the like therebetween. Put another way, one portion 64 defines a compartment for retaining sheet music or the like, and the other portion 62 defines a cover for sheet music retained in the compartment when the case 60 is in the closed position.

The front and rear portions 62,64 are of generally similar construction, and the construction of the upper end of the rear portion 64 will now be described with reference to Figure 7, by way of example.

A comer formation 68 is formed at the upper right hand (as viewed) comer of the rear portion

64, which includes an internal flange 70 extending substantially perpendicular to the wall 66. z

A projection 72 extending substantially perpendicular to the wall 66 is formed adjacent the upper left hand comer of the rear portion 64. Reinforcing formations 74 are provided adjacent either side of the flange 70 and projection 72, only one of either being visible in Figure 7.

It will be appreciated that the construction of the front portion 62 corresponds generally to the construction of the rear portion 64 described above.

When the case 60 is assembled, the front and rear portions are positioned such that the comer formation 68 on each portion 62,64 is adjacent the projection 72 on the other portion. The internal flange 70 of each comer portion 68 is pivotally connected by means of a pin (not shown) with the adjacent projection 72, to pivotally connect the front and rear portions 62, 64. The arrangement being such that the front and rear portions 62,64 can be pivotally moved about the pins with respect to one another, between the closed and fully open positions.

A handle portion 76 is pivotably connected to the upper end of the case 60 between the projections 72. Hence, the handle portion 76 is pivotally movable relative to the front and rear portions 62,64. The handle portion 76 includes an aperture 78 for carrying the case 60.

Hence, in the closed position, the handle portion 76 and aperture 78 provide a handle for carrying the case 60. When the case 60 is in the fully open position, the handle portion 76, may be pivotably moved with respect to the front and rear portions 62,64, in order to accommodate large pieces of sheet music having dimensions greater than the vertical extent of the walls 66, as shown in Figure 8.

Lugs 80 are formed on the underside of the handle portion 76 for engagement with the upper edge of the walls 66. When the case 60 is in the closed position, the lugs 80 engage the inner side of the walls 66, to prevent pivotal movement of the handle portion 76 relative to the front and rear portions when the case is being carried.

The front portion 62 is provided with a pair of clips 82 for engagement with the rear portion

64, to lock the front and rear portions 62, 64 together when the case 60 is closed. Both the front and rear portions are provided with locking formations 84 defining a grooved channel 86 for slideably receiving a clip 82, and a locking recess 88 for receiving a locking flange 90 on the clips 82. However, in this embodiment, the clips 82 are only provided on the front portion 62, slidably received in the grooved channel 86 on the front thereof, for sliding movement in the direction of the transverse axis of the case 60, as indicated by arrow D in Figure 6.

The locking formations 84 are shown in Figures 9A and 9B. The clip 82 is movable in the direction of arrow D between a retracted position, as illustrated, for engagement with a locking recess on an opposing locking formation, when the case 60 is closed, and an extended position (not illustrated) in which the clip extends away from the front portion 62, for releasing the case 60 from a locked position..

Hence, when the case 60 is in a closed position and the locking flanges 90 on the clips 82 on the front portion 62 are received in the locking recesses 88 on the rear portion 64, the case 60 is prevented from opening, as shown in Figure 6.

The clips 82 have arrowhead shaped ribs 92 for contact with a thumb or fingers when sliding the clips 82 within the locking formations 84.

As can be seen in Figure 7, a support member 94 for supporting sheet music or the like is hingedly mounted on the rear portion 64, by a spigot (not shown) provided on either end of the support member 94, which engage in sockets 96 provided in the locking formations 84.

The support member 94 is movable between a support position, in which the support member extends from the rear portion 64 for supporting sheet music or the like, as shown in Figure 10, and a stowed position in which the support member 94 is hingedly rotated from the extended position to enable the case 60 to be closed. Hence, when the case 60 is in an open position, with the support member in an extended position and with sheet music supported thereon, the case 60 is able to function as a music stand. The support member 94 has lips 95 for retaining sheet music or the like. In addition, the support member can be longitudinally

ribbed (not shown) and/or may be provided with clips (not shown), in order to help retain sheet music or the like on the case 60. Retaining clips 98 are also provided on the rear portion 64 for retaining sheet music or the like positioned on the support member 94.

Inserts 100 consisting of non-slip material, such as rubber, are provided in recesses formed in the lower end of each portion 62,64. When placed on a planar surface, for example, in either the closed or the fully open position, the case 60 may stand with the inserts 100 in contact with the surface, to help limit slipping of the case 60 relative to the surface.

As shown in Figure 7, the front portion 62 makes an acute angle of 60 degrees with the rear portion 64. In this position, the case 60 is able to stand on a surface with the front portion 62 and the rear portion forming a triangular configuration with the surface, with the free ends of front and rear portions 62,64 in contact with the surface.

The case 60 is produced by injection moulding from plastics, such as ABS or polypropylene.

The pivotable connection between the front portion 62, rear portion 64 and handle portion 76 may include means for locking the case in the fully open position and partially open positions. The angle between the front and rear portions 62,64 may be between 30 degrees and 90 degrees.

In alternative arrangements (not illustrated), the case may incorporate any one of, or all of, an integrated digital metronome, a pen holder, pockets, and an audio record and playback facility. The case may also be provided with indicia, such as school colours or a name.

Claims

1. A case for sheet music or the like comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion defining a compartment for receiving sheet music or the like, the second portion defining a cover, the first and second portions being pivotably connected so as to be movable relative to one another between a closed position, in which the compartment is closed by the first portion, and an open position in which sheet music or the like may be removed or introduced into the compartment, and wherein, in the open position, the first and second portions are at angle to one another and the case is adapted to be stood on a surface by means of the free ends of the first and second portions, for forming a generally triangular configuration with the surface, and in which the case comprises means for supporting sheet music on one of the first and second portions when the case is stood on a surface, such that the case can be used as a music stand.

2. A case as claimed in claim 1, in which locking means are provided to hold the first and second portions in the open position and/or the closed position.

3. A case as claimed in claim 2, in which the locking means is associated with the pivotal connection between the first and second portions.

4. A case as claimed in claim 3, in which the first and second portions are pivotably connected by means of at least one pivot pin and the locking means co-operates with the at least one pin to hold the first and second portions in the open position and/or closed position.

5. A case as claimed in claim 4, in which the first and second portions are pivotably connected by means of two pivot pins and a locking means is associated with both of the pivot pins.

6. A case as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, in which the locking means comprises a ratchet mechanism.

7. A case as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6, in which the locking means is releasable by means of a push button to enable the first and second portions to be moved between the open and closed positions.

8. A case as claimed in any preceding claim, in which, in the open position, the front and rear portions make an acute angle with one another.

9. A case as claimed in claim 8, in which the acute angle is in the range of 30 degrees to 90 degrees.

10. A case as claimed in claim 8, in which the acute angle is 60 degrees.

11. A case as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a stop is provided on the first portion for limiting pivotal movement of the second portion relative thereto.

12. A case as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a handle is provided along one edge of the case for carrying the case when the case is in the closed position.

13. A case as claimed in claim 12, in which the handle is retractable into a recess formed in said one edge of the case.

14. A case as claimed in claim 12, in which the handle is pivotable relative to the first and second portions, at least when the first and second portions are in the open position.

15. A case as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the compartment includes first and second walls in a spaced apart relationship, having an aperture provided in one of walls through which sheet music or the like is removed or introduced.

16. A case as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the support member is provided proximal to the free edge of the first portion.

17. A case as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the support member is a flap pivotably mounted to one of the first and second portions for movement between a stowed position and an extended position, in which the support member projects from the first portion for supporting sheet music or the like.

18. A case as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the support member is ribbed and/or is provided with clips, to help prevent sheet music or the like supported thereon from slipping off.

19. A case as claimed in any preceding claim, in which clips are provided on the first portion for retaining sheet music or the like in the compartment.

20. A case as claimed in any preceding claim, in which non-slip means are provided on the free edges of the first and second portions to prevent slipping movement of the case when it is in a standing position on a surface.

21 A case as claimed in claim 20, in which the non-slip means consist of a non-slip coating applied to the free edges of the first and second portions.

22. A case as claimed in claim 20, in which the non-slip means consist of non-slip inserts mounted to the free edges of the first and second portions.

23. A case as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the case is manufactured from plastics material using injection moulding techniques.

24. A music case comprising a front wall, a rear wall, a space therebetween for accommodating sheets of music or the like, and a support member attached to the case and moveable between a carrying position in which the support member lies flat against one of the walls, and a standing position in which the support member makes an angle with the rear wall, whereby when the music case is in the standing position and is positioned on a substantially horizontal surface, one of the walls provides a surface for supporting music.

25. A music case as claimed in claim 24, in which the support member serves as a lid for the music case, when in the carrying position, and the support member is hingedly mounted along an upper edge of the music case.

26. A music case substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as

illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, or Figures 4 and 5, or Figures 6 to 9 of the accompanying I drawings.