GB2478730A

GB2478730A - Adjustable amplifier or loud-speaker stand

Info

Publication number: GB2478730A
Application number: GB1004297A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Gooday
Original assignee: Ashdown Design & Marketing Ltd
Current assignee: Ashdown Design & Marketing Ltd
Priority date: 2010-03-15
Filing date: 2010-03-15
Publication date: 2011-09-21
Also published as: GB201004297D0

Abstract

A stand with adjustable dimensions for a music amplifier or loudspeaker comprises a top frame formed from a plurality of connector members 20 and a plurality of link members 22, each link member being slidably mounted between two of the connector members, so that the width and length of the top frame can be adjusted. The frame further comprises locking means (26, figure 2) fix the link members and the connector members with respect to each other. The stand further comprises a plurality of leg members arranged to project in use orthogonally from the plane of the top frame, the leg members each comprising a first leg part 32 and a second leg part 34 in telescopic arrangement so that the height of the stand can be adjusted by independently altering the length of each leg member. The legs may be hingedly mounted to the top frame (figure 3) and may comprise leveling feet (figure 6).

Description

An Amplifier or Loudspeaker Stand

Technical Field

This invention relates to a stand, in particular an amplifier or loudspeaker stand for musical instruments.

Background to the Invention

Music amplifiers and speaker packages (combos) often come in different sizes and shapes. In addition, when used on stage, they often need to be accommodated in different positions.

Summary of the Invention

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a stand for a music amplifier or loudspeaker, the stand comprising a top frame onto which in use an amplifier or loudspeaker can be mounted, the top frame comprising a plurality of connector members and a plurality of link members, each link member being slidably mounted between two of the connector members, the connector members and link members forming an enclosed area within the top frame, the dimensions of the top frame being alterable by slidably extending the link members from the connector members, the frame further comprising locking means arranged to lock the link members and the connector members with respect to each other so as to prevent relative sliding movement therebetween and thereby fix the dimensions of the top frame, the stand further comprising a plurality of leg members arranged to project in use orthogonally from the plane of the top frame, the leg members each comprising a first leg part and a second leg part arranged in sliding relation so as to allow the length of a leg member to be independently altered.

The locking means may comprise a spring loaded ball bearing.

The connector members may be tubular, and the link members are slidably mounted within the tubular connector members. The connector members may be corner pieces and the link members may be straight pieces. Four corner pieces and four link members may form a rectangular top frame.

* The leg members may hingedly be mounted onto the top frame or onto the connector members. The leg members may further comprise levelling feet, each of the levelling feet disposed at a distal end of each of the leg members.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the stand with an extended top unit and unfolded leg units; Figure 2 is a side view of the stand with the extended top unit and unfolded leg units; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the stand with a compressed top unit and folded leg units; Figure 4 is a side view of the stand with the compressed top unit and folded leg units; Figure 5 is a partial view of a hinge member; and, Figure 6 is a sectional view of a levelling feet.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

According to a first embodiment, Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a stand 10 comprising a top frame and a plurality of leg members 30.

The top frame 20 comprises a plurality of link members 22 and a plurality of connector members 24. Each link member 22 is slidably mounted between two of the connector members 24 forming an enclosed area within the top frame 20. The top frame 20 further comprises locking means 26 which are arranged to lock the link members 22 and the connector members 24 with respect to each other. The locking means 26 prevents relative sliding movement between the link members 22 and the connector members 24 and determines the dimensions of the top frame 20, The dimension of the enclosed area is altered by slidably extending the link members 22 from the connector members 24.

Each of the leg members 30 comprise a first leg part 32 and a second leg part 34. The first leg part 32 is slidably mounted in the second leg part 34 so as to allow alteration of the length of a leg member 30. Each of leg members 30 further comprises a locking means 36. The locking means 36 prevents relative sliding movement between the first leg part 32 and the second leg part 34. The plurality of leg members 30 is arranged to project orthogonally downwards from the plane of the top frame 20 when in use.

In the first embodiment the leg members 30 are hingedly mounted onto the connector members 20. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the stand 10 further comprises hinge members 40. The hinge members 40 are mounted on the connector members 20 and the leg members 30 are hingedly attached to the hinge members 40. A leg member 30 rotates about an axle 42. The locking member 36 of the leg members 30 locks into a first aperture 43 or a second aperture 45 of the hinge member 40.

The locking means 26, 36 can be a spring loaded ball bearing, arranged to at least partially project though locking apertures provided in the leg member 30, and/or the link members 22 andlor connector members 24, to thereby lock the respective members so as to prevent relative sliding motion therebetween. In another embodiment the locking means 26, 36 comprises pegs or bolts that are removably inserted into locking apertures in the leg members and/or the link members 22 and/or connector members 24, to thereby lock the respective members and prevent relative sliding motion therebetween.

In one embodiment the connector members 24 are tubular and the link members 22 are slidably mounted within the tubular connector members 24.

In another embodiment of the invention, the connector members 24 are corner pieces and the link members 22 are straight pieces. Therefore, four of the connector members 24 and four of the link members 22 can form a rectangular top frame.

In another embodiment of the invention, the leg members 30 further comprise self-levelling feet 50 disposed at the distal ends thereof For example, one self-levelling feet 50 may comprise a floor-engaging base 54 that houses a ball bearing 52 which is attached to the first leg part 32 so that the base may swivel universally so as to flatly engage the floor, irrespective of the angle of the leg to which it is attached. The levelling feet 50 may be of a different form other then ball bearing 52.

When the stand 10 is in use the plurality of leg members 30 is arranged to project orthogonally downwards from the plane of the top frame 20. As shown in Figure 2, the leg members 30 are locked orthogonally by the locking member 36 locking into the first aperture 43 of the hinge member 40. Furthermore, the height of the stand 10 can be changed to cater individual need by altering the leg members 30 by sliding the first leg part 32 inlout of the second leg part 34. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, in order to accommodate the different size of amplifiers the top frame 20 can also extend by sliding the linking members 22 relative to the connector members 24.

The height of the leg members 30 can vary individually. Therefore, for example, the speaker or Combo placed on the stand can be tilted by setting the height of a pair of leg members 30 on one side different to a pair of leg members 30 on the other side. By tilting the stand dispersal of the sound can be directed making the sound system more effective. Note that because the leg members 30 can have their height individually and independently set, that it is possible for the stand 10 to tilt about more than one axis. That is, it is not necessary for the heights of legs to be set in pairs -instead, each leg height can be set independently to achieve the desired tilt, and hence sound directionality and dispersal, required.

When the stand 10 needs storing away each of the plurality of leg members 30 can be rotated about the axle 42 of hinge member 40. In a such instance, the locking member 36 locks into the second aperture 45 of the hinge member 40 folding the legs members 30 to a position in parallel of the plane of the top frame 20. The top frame 20 can also be altered to shorten the length of the link members 22 so that less space is required when storing the stand, and also making it easier to transport the stand 10.

Furthermore, the locking means 36 of the plurality of the leg members 30 are used to lock the legs into different apertures 43, 45 therefore no extra components are required to lock the leg members into folded and unfolded position, saving manufacturing costs. The locking means 26, 36 are made easy to use without having to use any tools to operate the stand 10.

Claims

Claims 1. A stand for a music amplifier or loudspeaker, the stand comprising a top frame onto which in use an amplifier or loudspeaker can be mounted, the top frame comprising a plurality of connector members and a plurality of link members, each link member being slidably mounted between two of the connector members, the connector members and link members forming an enclosed area within the top frame, the dimensions of the top frame being alterable by slidably extending the link members from the connector members, the frame further comprising locking means arranged to lock the link members and the connector members with respect to each other so as to prevent relative sliding movement therebetween and thereby fix the dimensions of the top frame, the stand further comprising a plurality of leg members arranged to project in use orthogonally from the plane of the top frame, the leg members each comprising a first leg part and a second leg part arranged in sliding relation so as to allow the length of a leg member to be independently altered.
2. A stand according to claim 1 wherein the locking means comprises a spring loaded ball bearing.
3. A stand according to claim I or claim 2 wherein the connector members are tubular, and the link members are slidably mounted within the tubular connector members.
4. A stand according to any of the preceding claims wherein the connector members are corner pieces and the link members are straight pieces.
5. A stand according to claim 4 wherein four corner pieces and four link members form a rectangular top frame.
6. A stand according to any of the preceding claims wherein the leg members are hingedly mounted onto the top frame.
7 A stand according to claim 6 wherein the leg members are hingedly mounted onto the connector members.
8. A stand according to any of the preceding claims wherein the leg members further comprise levelling feet, each of the levelling feet disposed at a distal end of each of the leg members.
9. A stand substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.