GB2466249A

GB2466249A - A pivoting support for an instrument

Info

Publication number: GB2466249A
Application number: GB0822879A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Laurence William Davies
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-12-16
Filing date: 2008-12-16
Publication date: 2010-06-23
Also published as: GB2466373A; GB0921936D0; GB0822879D0; WO2010070339A1

Abstract

A support (10) for supporting an instrument, such as a guitar 21, comprises first and second sections 11, 12 that are pivotally coupled by means 13 such as a hinge. Preferably the hinge includes means, such as a coil spring, for biasing the first and second sections 11, 12 in open and closed configurations. In the open configuration the first and second sections 11, 12 may be disposed on top of each other and extend in the same direction, while in the closed configuration they may be disposed side by side and extend in opposite directions. The first section 11 comprises securing means, apertures (14) through which screws pass, for securing the support (10) to a body such as a speaker box 15. The second section 12 comprises means such as a U-shaped cut-away portion (16) for receiving part of an instrument, for example the neck 20 of a guitar 21.

Description

A Support The present invention relates to a support, and particularly, but not exclusively to a support for supporting an instrument.

In order to protect an instrument when not in use, it is common to support the instrument in an upright configuration on a stand. Such stands are typically of the foldable variety and made lightweight to enable to stand to be folded and carried easily.

However, folded stands occupy a considerable space and are easily knocked over when in use, by virtue of their lightweight.

I have now devised a support which alleviates the above-mentioned problems.

In accordance with the present invention as seen from a first aspect, there is provided a support for supporting an instrument, the support comprising a first section and a second section pivotally coupled by coupling means, wherein, the first section comprises securing means for securing the support to a body and the second section comprises means for receiving a portion of an instrument.

Accordingly, by securing the first section to a speaker box for example, the second section can be pivoted away from the speaker box to enable the second section to accommodate a neck of a guitar, for example, and therefore support the guitar.

Speaker boxes are typically quite heavy and so the support is not easily moved once secured to the box. As a result, the guitar, for example becomes rigidly secured in place.

Preferably, the coupling means comprises biasing means for biasing the first and second sections in a first configuration in which the first and second sections extend in substantially the same direction, and a second configuration in which the first and second sections extend in substantially opposite directions.

Preferably the biasing means comprises a coil spring. Preferably, the coupling means comprises a hinge.

Preferably, the means for receiving a portion of an instrument comprises a cut-away formed in the second section.

The securing means preferably comprises at least one aperture through which fastening means can pass to secure the support to the body.

Preferably, the body comprises a speaker box.

In accordance with the present invention as seen from a second aspect, there is provided a speaker box, the box comprising a support according to the first aspect disposed thereon.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the support according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the support of figure 1 in an open configuration; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the support of figure 1 in a closed configuration; and, Figure 4 is a perspective view of the support of figure 1 during use.

Referring to figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a support 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The support may be formed of a metal or rigid plastics material, for example and comprises a first section 11 and a second section 12 that are coupled together by a hinge 13.

The first section 11 comprises a substantially, rectangular, planar shape, formed with a plurality of apertures 14 therein for receiving fasteners (not shown), for example screws, nails and the like, for securing the support 10 to a speaker box 15, for example. The second section 12 is also substantially planar and comprises a portion that has been cut away to define a substantially U-shape section 16.

The hinge 13 that couples the first and second section 11, 12 comprises biasing means (not shown) for biasing the first and second sections 11, 12 in an open configuration, as shown in figure 2, in which the first and second sections extend in substantially opposite directions, either side of the hinge 13, and a closed configuration, as shown in figure 3, in which the first and second sections 11, 12 extend substantially in the same direction. The biasing means (not shown) comprises a coil spring (not shown) that is mounted between the first and second section 11, 12, such that as the first and second sections 11, 12 rotate with respect to each other, beyond an intermediate configuration in moving to the open or closed configuration, the spring (not shown) causes the first and second sections 11, 12 to "snap" open or closed, respectively.

The second section 12 further comprises a recessed portion 17 formed in a surface thereof that faces the first section 11 when the support 10 is arranged in a closed configuration, such that the second section 12 can lie substantially parallel to the first 1 5 section 11 when the support 12 is arranged in the closed configuration.

In use, the support 10 is arranged in an open configuration by rotating the first and second section 11, 12 with respect to each other, and the first section 11 is secured upon an upper face 18 of a speaker box 15 for example, by passing screws (not shown), for example, through the apertures 14 formed in the first section 11, into the upper face 18 of the speaker box 15. The support 10 is orientated upon the speaker box 15 such that the hinge 13 extends substantially adjacent an upper edge 19 of the box 15, so that the second section 12 extends over the edge 19 when the support 10 is arranged in the open configuration.

Once the support 10 has been secured in place, a neck 20 of a guitar 21 for example may then be positioned within the U-shaped second section 12 to support the guitar 21 in an upright manner. When the support 10 is no longer required, a user (not shown) may then rotate the second section 12 onto the first section 11 and the coil spring (not shown) serves to prevent any inadvertent opening of the support 10. Once closed, the support 10 extends substantially flush with the upper face 18 of the speaker box 15 and thus presents a minimal obstruction.

From the foregoing therefore, it is evident that the support of the present invention provides a compact and effective means of supporting instruments when not is use.

Claims

Claims 1. A support for supporting an instrument, the support comprising a first section and a second section pivotally coupled by coupling means, wherein, the first section comprises securing means for securing the support to a body and the second section comprises means for receiving a portion of an instrument. /
2. A support according to claim 1, wherein the coupling means comprises biasing means for biasing the first and second sections in a first configuration in which the first and second sections extend in substantially the same direction, and a second configuration in which the first and second sections extend in substantially opposite directions.
3. A support according to claim 2, wherein the biasing means comprises a coil spring. * * * ** *
4. A support according to any preceding claim, wherein the coupling means comprises a hinge. * . * Is.
5. A support according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for receiving a portion of an instrument comprises a cut-away formed in the second section. *5I * S
6. A support according to any preceding claim, wherein the securing means comprises at least one aperture through which fastening means can pass to secure the support to the body.
7. A support according to any preceding claim, wherein the body comprises a speaker box.
8. A speaker box, the box comprising a support according to the first aspect disposed thereon.