US1890729A - Foldable stand for musical instruments - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 13, 1932. J. GANSON FOLDABLE STAND FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed Oct. 27. 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Invcnlor Dec. 13, 1932. J. GANSON FOLDABLE STAND FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed Oct. 27, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 13, 1932. J. GANSON FOLDABLE STAND FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed Oct. 27. 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Invenlor /pTyyeZ G 812 30 2 By @maodh flllomey Patented Dec. 13, 1932 PATENT OPZFI'CE mssn LEWIS unison,

F WALLACE, KANSAS FOLDAIBI'E STAN D FOB MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Application filed october 27, 1981. Serial No. 571,434.

This invention relates to a novel collapsible or foldable stand expressly designed to serve.

as a convenient holder for a plurality of musical instruments.

Visualized more specifically, the invention comprehends a novel knock-down portable stand characterized by a plurality of readily distinguishable holders especially designed and fashioned to support a combination of musical instruments suchas for example a violin and its bow, a. clarinet, and a saxaphone.

It is a matter of common knowledge to those skilled in this particular line of endeavor that present day musicians in order to be successful must be of a; versatile type,

capable of performing proficiently on a number of different kinds of musical instruments. For example, in modern dance bands and orchestras as well as regulation theatre orchestras, many musicians are called upon to double \on closely allied, and sometimes remotely different instruments. For instance, a violinist frequently lays a saxophone and doubles on a clarinet, and be- A cause of the ever changing characteristics of musical compositions used for dance and stage work, the instrument must be supported in an orderly manner within convenient reach of the player to facilitate selection, use and replacement.

Obviously, this requires the provision of a practical stand having expeditiously usable holders. The idea of a multiple holder is not broadly new. Admittedly then, the present invention has to do with the rovision of a structure whlch is believ to be an improved contribution to the art in that it is characterized by structural in dividuality and many. appreciable refinements as contrasted 'toknown stands em- 17 ployed for this purpose.

. One advantage is'predicated upon the provision of a quick foldable structure capable of expeditious collapsing for easy transportation and handling, and equally capable of rapid erection for expeditious use.

In carrying the inventive iconception into actual practice, I have evolvedand produced a structure which will, accomplish the afore-.

said results, and which is susceptible of fulfilling the requirements of a stand of this class in a practical and successful manner.

'. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a pers ective view of the complete stand set up or use showing several instruments (in dotted lines) in suspended position ready for selection and use.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the instruments removed and parts of the stand 5 collapsed into a compact package for conyenient carrying in a conventional musical instrument case.

Figure 3 is a detail 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a section taken approximately on the plane of the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a section taken somewhat on the plane of the line-55 of Figure 1 with the parts in section and elevation.

Figure 6 is a section through the base, the section being on the line 6'6 of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of one of the foldable parts of the base.

meralfi'is composed of three primary parts;

section on the line The base, generally designated by the nunamely, a rectangular plate 9 and a pair of duplicate foldable supporting arms'or rests 10 and 11respectively. Each arm is somewhat channel-shaped in cross-sectional shape and provided at opposite ends with blocks 12 constituting feet to engage the floor. The plate 9 is providedwith longitudinallyelongated edge slots 13 and 14 res'pectively, the slot 13 serving to accommo-' date the arm 10 ahd the slot 14 the arm 11.

7 Each arm is provided with a headed bolt 15 as seen in Figure 6 passing through the complemental slot and provided with a thumb nut 16 and a retention coiled spring This connection has a three fold purpose. It provides a pivot for the arm, allowing it to be folded beneath the plate 9, and provides a means for permitting the space between the respective arms to be regulated by adjusting the arms, and the spring and 'bolt' arrangement provides a frictional retainer for holding the arm in set position.

The plate 9 is also formed with an interi the slot 18 through the medium of a fastening screw and washer 21. This block has a horizontal bore serving as a bearing for-the laterally directed lower end 22 of a supporting rod 23, and is further provided with an upstanding grooved lug 24 which serves as a keeper seat for holding the rod in perpendicular position. v

The portion 22 serves as a journal and extends through and beyond the bearing block where it is provided with a terminal abutment washer 25 and a sustaining expansion spring 26. This is a coil spring surrounding the journal and bearing at one end aga nst the block and at the opposite end against the washer. Thus, the vertical portion of the rod 23 is yieldably held in the keeper seat 24 when the holder is in position. When the holder is not in use and folded down against the base, as seen in Figure 2, the spring allows the rod to snap out of the seat 24 in an obvious manner.

Theupper portion of this rod is provided with a claw 27 suitably covered and shaped to embrace the neck of the violin just beneath the scrolled peg box. One arm of the claw is formed with a finger extension 28 suitably shaped to serve as a hanger for the violin how 29. The numeral 30 merely designates an additional ornamental covering used for protective purposes to prevent marring of the instrument.

In Figure 1, the numeral 31 designates a conventional saxophone, such as for example an E-flat alto, and this has its individual rack so that it may be supported conveniently in the position shown in this figure. The rack comprises a longitudinally curved bar 32 of rectan lar cross section having its upper end bi urcated, the furcations being denoted by the numerals 33. These furcations carry a pivot pin on which an attaching ear 34 carried by the intermediate portion of the fork- 35, is mounted. This fork is suitably shaped to embrace the bell of the instrument. The fork is pivotally mounted between the furcations 33 in such a way that it may be swung into close proximity of the base when not in use as depicted in Figure 2, or it can be swung back to a supporting position when the rack is erected for use.

Directing attention to Figure 5, I call attention to a short standard 36 having a base flange 37 fastened by a screw 38 in such a manneras to permit it to be slid back and forth n the slot. Secured by a coupling pin 39 between ears on the upper end of the standard is a'union 40 which has swivel connection at 41 with the lower end of the rod 32, and a polygonal sleeve 42 is slidably arranged here so as to couple the rod 32 to the standard 36 to provide a rigid temporary connection. It is evident however that by sliding the sleeve 42 up beyond the upper end of the standard 36, the hinge joint between the parts 36 and 40 is exposed to allow the rack to be folded down against the base. In fact, by sliding the sleeve still further up, the swivel joint is rendered effective to permit the rod 32 and fork 35 to be turned as a unit to position the fork in the desired direction with respect to the performer.

I now call attention to the device or appurtenance used on the base for supporting the clarinet 43 shown in Figure 1. Incidently, I would like to mention that this same device is usable elficiently in supporting a straight soprano saxophone such as for example a C-natural saxophone, and it may be also employed to support a trumpet. Broadly it comprises a slidable foldable frusto-conical receiver 44 suitably covered to protect the plating of the instrument.

In this position, and having this shape, it fits snugly as a core in the bell of the instrument as shown in Figure 1.

In Figure 4, I have shown the preferred embodiment thereof and it will be seen that the body portion is formed with a socket 45 having a closing plug 46 in its upper end. The lower portion of the body is centrally bored, and the bore communicates with the socket. A sectional connecting member is provideda'nd, the lower section 47 has a flange 48 attached by a fastening 49 to the slotted portion of the plate 9.

The upper section, which is in the nature of an elongated stem or rod 50 is pivotally connected at 51 to the lower section, the pivot occurring in the intermediate portion of the bore. There is a head 52 on the upper end of this rod and this serves as an abutment for one end of the coiled spring 53, the

spring being confined in the socket.

In order to fold the holder 44 from the position shown in full lines in Figure 4 to the dotted line position, it is necessary to catch hold of it and lift it up against the tension of the spring 53 until the hinged joint 51 is exposed and this allows the joint to collapse and permit folding.

The co-relative position of parts shown in Figure 1 when the stand is in use, and the intimate relation is shown in Figure 2 when the parts are collapsed or folded when the stand 1s ready to be placed in the performers case for transportation. The swingable rest or arms 10 and 11 are foldable underneath the base plate 9 and are of proportions to fold within the confines or limits of said plate for compactness and convenience. Likewise, all three of the instrument holders may be swung down in an orderly manner against the top of the plate in proper succession and order so as to convert the structure from the position seen in Figure 1 to the position shown in Figure 2, and as before stated in the latter position the stand constitutes a novel compact unit for handy transportation and subsequent expeditious erection.

In interpreting the structure, it will be observed that there are certain common characteristics which add to the intimacy of relationship of parts. For example, the devices 10 and 11 constituting the supporting arms or rests for the base plate are duplicate and interchangeable. Moreover the various instrument supports individually are interchangeable with respect to the slots 18, thus permitting the order to be arranged to suit the convenience of the player. Thus, each instrument support comprises a foldable upright having a flanged lower end portion with a part extending slidably through the slot 18 and a standard type fastening screw to provide the connection between said part and the plate 9. Consequently the diversified construction of the device adapts it nicely to a versatile performer.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparent.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts provided that such changes fall Within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A multiple instrument stand of the class described comprising a base plate formed adjacent its longitudinal edges with elongated slots, a pair of duplicate arms being adapted to occupy positions intersecting the longitudinal axis of said plate when the latter is in use, and said arms being proportioned to fold beneath and within the limits of the marginal edges of said plate when not in use, and said plate being formed between said first named slots with a longitudinally elongated central slot, and a plurality of instrument supports adjustably mounted in said lastnamed slot and including instrument holders foldable into close proximity with said plate when not in use.

2. A stand of the class described comprising a base, a bearing block on said base, a rod having a laterally directed lower end constituting a journal, said journal being mounted rockably in said bearing block, said bearing block having a grooved lug constituting a keeper seat for co-operation with an adjacent portion of the rod to hold it in perpendicular supporting position,'the terminal of said journal being formed with a stop element, a coiled spring surrounding said terminal end and engaging the stop element at one end and the block at its opposite end to hold said rod yieldably and releasably insaid seat, and the upper end of said rod being formed with a claw one portion of which is formed with an extension finger, said claw and finger serving as a dual hanger for a violin and bow.

'3. A saxophone rack of the class described comprising a base including a plate, a standard slidably mounted on said plate, a bar member, a union interposed between the bar member and standard, said union being pivotally connected with said standard and swivelly connected with said bar member, and a sleeve slidably mounted on the standard, union and bar member for the purpose specified, said bar member being formed at its top with a pivotally mounted fork to embrace the bell end of a saxophone.

4. In a stand structure of the class described, a base plate, a substantially frustoconical covered body constituting a receiver for a musical instrument and formed with a socket and a communicating longitudinal bore, a headed rod slidable in said socket and bore, a spring surrounding said rod and confined in the socket bearing at one end against the bottom of the socket and the opposite end against the head of the rod, and a companion member projecting into said bore and pivotally connected with said rod member.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JESSE LEWIS GANSON.

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