US2920851A

US2920851A - Cornet supporting stand

Info

Publication number: US2920851A
Application number: US730218A
Authority: US
Inventors: Louis M Carlini
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1958-04-22
Filing date: 1958-04-22
Publication date: 1960-01-12
Anticipated expiration: 1977-01-12

Description

Jan. 12, 1960 L. M. cARLlNl 2,920,851

CORNET SUPPORTING STAND Filed April 22, 195s 2 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR.

3/ /5 M. CL//V/ BY o @D /50 WM UM@ Jan. 12, 1960 L. M. cARLxNl 2,920,851

CORNET SUPPORTING STAND Filed April' 22, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

00/5 M. CARU/w /r BY W10. MMM@ ATTORNEY United States Patent() 2,920,851 i i `CORNET SUPPORTING STAND Louis M. Carlini, Paterson, NJ. V Application April 22, 195s, serial No. 130,213

9 claims. (c1. 24a-171)4 This invention relates to a stand for supporting a musical instrument such as a cornet.

The invention has among its objects the provision of a novel collapsible stand for supporting a musical instrument such ras a cornet.

Another object of the invention is the provisionof an improved collapsible stand of the type indicated which is simple and rugged in construction, and which is easily collapsed and extended.

`Yet another object lies in the provision of an instru- .ment supporting stand which cushions the instrument while the latter is being placed on the stand, and which is cushioned against damage either to it or to the instrument upon the imposition of tipping forces upon the instrument.

The above and further objects and novel features of the present invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description when the same is read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended as'a definition of the limits of the invention. Reference for this latter purpose being had primarily to the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters referto like parts throughout the several views,

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of an illustrative embodiment of the stand of the invention with a cornet mounted thereon,.the wall of the horn of the instrument facing the reader being broken away to show the stand;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the stand in collapsed condition; l

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the stand in extended condition, portions of the foot members being broken away, the upper portion of the stand being shown in vertical section along line 3 3 of Fig. 5 and the intermediate portion of the stand being shown in vertical section along line 3 3 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the stand showing its cooperation with the horn of a cornet, certain parts of the stand being broken away;

Fig. 5 is a view in plan of the instrument bracing means of the stand, the view being taken from line 5 5 yof Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a view in horizontal section through the extendedstand, the section being taken along line 6 6 of Fig. 3;

. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view in bottom plan of the extended stand, and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view in plan of the extended stand.

The stand of the invention is designed to receive musical horns such as comets and the like. It is adapted for use by a musician who vwishes to support his instrument within easy reach when the instrument is temporarily not being played.

. For such purpose, it is desirable'that the stand be compact even when extended, that it be easily collapsible, and not scratch or mar the instrument. The stand of the present invention combines these characteristics. In addition, it is simple, rugged, is economical to make, and further, provides a desirable cushioning of the instrument as it is placed on the stand, and cushions the stand and instrument against damage from tipping forces applied thereto.

The supporting device of the invention is generally designated by the reference character 10. In Fig. 1 it is shown in operative position, supporting a cornet, which is generally designated 11. The bell mouth portion of the cornet, with which the supporting device coa'cts, is generally designated 12.

The supporting device has a main column or standard 14 of heavy rod-like form. The lower end of standard 14 has four equally angularly spaced ears 15 thereon, as indicated in Fig. 7, to which are pivotally secured four similar elongated members 16. Members 16 extend generally radially outwardly from the bottom of standard 14 and act as feet when the supporting device is in opera'- tive position (Fig. 4) and are folded to extend alongside the standard when the supporting device is collapsed (Fig. 2).

The pivotal'connection between each of members 16 and standard '14 is made up of one of the aforesaid ears 15 on the standard, upstanding opposed side flanges 17 attached to the sides of member 16 and receiving an ear 15 therebetween, and a pivot pin 19 extending through flanges 17 and ear 15. For reasons to appear hereinafter, the radially inner ends 20 of foot members 16 extend inwardly beneath the lower end of standard 14 when members 16 are extended in operative position. The pivot pins 19 are preferably so located relative to the lower surface 21 of standard 14 that ends 2t) of members 16 engage surface 21 to form a stop against further downward pivoting of members 16 when members 16 have pivoted downwardly slightly past a horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 4. To allow the inner ends 20 of members 16 closely to interit when extended,vthey are preferably bevelled, as shown at 22 in Fig. 7.

The foot members 16 are selectively moved into the extended position of Fig. 4 and retracted therefrom into the position of Fig. 2 by the following mechanism. A sleeve member 24 embraces standard 14 and is slidable therealong. Attached to member 24 are the upper ends of four leaf springs 25 which are located in the respective radial planes of the members 16. The upper ends of the springs are disposed in shallow vertically extending grooves in member 24; a ferrule 26 overlies the ends of the springs in such grooves, and it and the ends of the springs beneath it are secured to sleeve member 24 by pins 27.

The lower ends of springs 25, which are curled to provide pin receiving formations 29, are received between opposed upstanding flanges 30 on side plate members secured to the respective foot members 16 intermediate the length thereof. A pivot pin 31 extending through flanges 30 and formation 29 secures the lower end of each spring 25 to its member 16.

The leaf springs 25 connect sleeve member 24 to foot members 16 so that the foot members are extended or retracted simultaneously by movement of the sleeve member downwardly or upwardly, respectively, along standard 14. The springs 25 preferably have a generally straight relaxed configuration, so that when sleeve member. 24 is released from the position of Fig. 4 the springs tend to thrust the sleeve member upwardly a substantial extent toward its position in Fig. 2, and in the position of Fig. 2 the springs lie generally flat and close to standv ard 14.v In the extended position of the supporting device shown in Pig. 4, the springs 25 are resiliently bowed i inwardly to a substantial degree, whereby -lirmly but yieldingly to urge the foot members 16 into their extended position. Sleeve member v24 may selectively be held in its downwardly position I"(Fig.-4)-`fbyia"spring biased latchmernber'32. MemberZthas abody^"sl`idab'le radially of standard 14 ina bore 34`therein-and-f`is urged outwardly by a coil compression-springl-SS. The nose or outer end portion of member-32`overlies theupper edge of sleeve 24 when thestandis extended, v'as-shown in Fig. 4, thereby retaining the stand inlesuch position. The stand may be released in order to collapse t,f f-by pressing latch members -32 'linwa'r'dly andi'sliding "sle'eve 'member 24 upwardly' pastit. Extensionof Lthestand from the collapsed position of 'Figlftothefully extended position of Fig. 4 may be effected#simplyby-Kpllingithe upper '(Fig, 2) yend's of opposite footnierbers-1G-away sleeve 24 overlies a substantial length of the -iinglers'44 Yof "bracing meansl 36, preferably at least--tothe level at which the ngers lie avmaximum distance radially away from the axis of body 37. As a result, the lingers are collapsed into the shape shown in Fig. 2, the outer n surfaces of the fingers lying no further outward than along standard 14. A cam -g'roove'36 inthe-'in'ner` sur- -face of sleeve 24 atthe lower end thereof iri'laligr'irnent with latch member 32A permitslthe-sleevelautomatically to depre'ssthe latch memberandltor-ride`- over it-inthe Adownward travel of such sleeve.

yAs shown most clearly in Figi 3,- the'-is'tandofi'the invention is adapted to receive av bell mouthed musical instrument in upright position, andto `retain linstably in such position. The upper end ofthe standardf14 tits upwardly within the neck of the instrument for a substantial distance, and engages the finnersurfaceithereof to hold the instrument from tipping. The main'lweight of the instrument is borne byrtheleaf1springs'25,.-.upon which the bell mouth 12 of theinstrument rests. Y-In order to steady the instrument and to retainit `without tipping, a bracing means generally designated 36 lis-provided at the upper end of the 'standard':14"to"engage and center the inner wall ofthe horn ofthe instrument relative to standard 14. The construction and function of bracing means 36 will be moretreadily apparent ,upon consideration of Figs. 3,- 4,` and 5. As 'shown in,Fig.'=3, means 36 is made in the forrn of afsub-assembly which is secured to the top of standard :.14. Theisub-assembly has a body 37 having a central stem 39thereon'received in an axial bore 44)'in vthe upper. end-.offstar'rdardy 14.

Body 37`is retained on the standard'by apin`41 extend- 'i ing through itand the ,stem 39. vTheupper end of 'body 37 has three equally spacedlongitudinally extending slots 42 therein, as shown in Fig, 5. -Su'chslotsreceive instrument-bracing spring Iingers44. The lower ends .of fingers 44 are rmly secured on body 37 by a sleeveor ferrule 45 overlying them and secured tothemand body 37 as by pins (not shown). The' outer diameter'offerrule 45 is the `same as that of standard 14. The springfngers arev in the form' of leaf-springs vlongitudinally curved-in section so as to conform generally to the inner `surface ofthe horn of the instrument whichl theyconfront. `Fingers 44 have a relaxed :shape longitudinal-ly ythereof which is shown in Fig. 3. Above the generally .straight lower end portion underlying sleeve 45 each linger curves the outer surface of sleeve 45.

To prevent scratchingand marring of the inner surface of the horn `of the instrument, the upper surfaces of springs 25 and'the'outer'surfacesof "spring fingers 44 are preferably provided with coatingsjof :soft material such as cork, felt, or the like. In the embodiment shown a coating 47 ofcork iscemented to`each-ispiin'gl25, and a layer of cork 49 isfcemented towthe vouter surface of each spring finger 44. Such coating on fingers 44 is further of advantage in providing appreciable friction between the ngers 44 and sleeve 24 to oppose movement of the sleeve downwardly from the collapsed position of thefstand shown iniFig.- 2. yThus ltheflstandi remains stably in its collapsedipo'sit'ionmuntil#itliislfdeliberately extended. Y After the-s'leeve`24hasibeenl moved downwa'rdly on body 37A and standard# f14lsucently'fto-*move below ngers 44, however, the sleeve?slidesismeo'thlyto permit-the facile-erection-of-ithe stand. vUpon-release ofthe sleeve 24 -fronithe position of Fig.A 3," the springs 25 tend to fstraighten/andtofmove therparts towardftco'l lapsed position.

-As noted inconnection with Fig.-'3l1thebottorn surfaces -of opposite foot members" 16 lie latan angle with respect to each other when'thereis no load on the stand. A typical value of a is 17.7. Such arrangement -is advantageous in that it provides the stand with a cushioning effect when a load such as an instrument is imposed thereon, the foot membersfl =then\pivotingffslightly so that their bottomslie flat on theA floor'fSO. The :springs 25 provide an additional cushioning -leffe'ct upon thefinstrument as it` isfplaced onfthestand, since :they yield somewhatfdownwardly as theyare -frsti engaged vby `the bell of the horn. Should the stand or'the 'stand with the instrument mounted thereon be subjectedtoatipping force applied to the'upper end thereof, vthe'foot member or members in line with such force will yieldfsomewhat and-pivot 'upwardly to a small ydegree about .pivot pins 19. This prevents the 'impositionl'of damaging forces upon either the stand or'the instrument. v

Although'only a limited number'ofiemb'o'diments of the invention have been illustrated in-the'faccompanying drawings and described in the foregoing"specification, it isto be expressly understood'thatvarious changes, such as in the relative dimensions of thep'arts, fma'terials used, and the like, as well as the :suggested manner'of use of the apparatus of`r thefi'nventiom may` be made therein withoutl departing fromthevspirit' andscope of the invention as will nowA beapparent to ithosell skilled smoothly upwardly and outwardlyfrom the axis of body 37 and then inwardly again, the general shape of the ngers'being roughly Vpart-circular. Thel upper, inwardly directed ends of fingers 44 are spaced somewhat radially outwardly of body 37 when they-are relaxed, and lie above the bottom of a central slotted`fportion'46'at the Y upper end of body 37. When-the fingers arecollapsed as shown in Fig. 2 thebodies of vthe-fingers'lie mainly in slots 42 and the upper inwardlydirectedfends Vthereof lie in slot 46. The relaxed congurat-ion offingers v44is such that they then lie somewhatfradiallyY outwardly `of their positions when operativelyengaged with the'iinner surface of the horn ofthe instrument (Eig-4). --Thus the lingers resiliently engage *the horn tomaintain it stably in place on the stand. t

-The length of the standard' 14lis such, 'and' theipar'ts` are so arranged that whenthestnd isieollapsd the in the art. l

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible supportadapted'to receive thehorn of a musical instrument; said supportieor'npris'ing a vertical standard, `a'plurality of-generally`` radially disposed foot members spaced angularly aboutthejstandard and pivotally connected attheir inner endsto theilower end of the standard, a sleeve slidable along the standard labove suchwpivotal c'onnection,`eln'gted leaf .spring members interposed 'i between' the sleeve' andthe foot members at vlocations spaced from the,lower-end`;'of the standard, stop means to retain the footmembers` in an extended position, wherein their lower surfacesfzlie y generally in the transverse plane containing the lower end of the Vstandard,and-meansato =retainfthe-sleevein ailowered positionwh'enf'the'footirnernbersiare extended, the lowered position ofthe"sleevebeing `such that the elongated leaf spring-rnembers l=areresilientlyf bowed inwardly toward the lower end of the standa`rd\, the HP1-3er surface of -jsaidibowe'dY spring members-serving tofsupport the lower bell surface of the horn of an inverted musical instrument.

2. A collapsible support adapted to hold a horned musical instrument in inverted upright position, said support comprising a vertical standard adapted to have the upper end thereof inserted upwardly into the horn of the inverted instrument, a plurality of foot members spaced angularly about the standard and pivotally connected at their inner ends to the lower end of the standard, said foot members being pivotable from a retracted position, in which they lie close alongside and generally parallel to the standard, to an extended position, in which they lie extended generally in the transverse plane containing the lower end of the standard, stop means at the lower end of the standard to retain the foot members in said extended position, a sleeve slidable along the standard, elongated spring members interposed between the sleeve and the foot members at locations spaced from the base of the standard, and means to retain the sleeve in a lowered position when the foot members are extended, the flowered position of the sleeve being such that the elongated spring members are resiliently bowed, the upper surface .of said bowed spring members serving to support the lower bell surface of the horn of an inverted musical instrument.

3. A collapsible support as defined in claim 2, said support comprising bracing means disposed adjacent the upper end of the standard and adapted to engage the surface of an inner part of the horn of the instrument when the outer end portion of the horn rests upon said elongated spring members.

4. A collapsible support as defined in claim 3, wherein the leaf spring members are pivotally connected to the foot members, and the connections between the upper ends of the leaf spring members and the sleeve are such that, when the sleeve is in its lowered position, the leaf spring members are bowed inwardly.

5. A collapsible support as dened in claim 3, wherein the bracing means comprises a plurality of elongated spring fingers attached to the standard and angularly spaced thereabout.

6. A collapsible support as defined in claim 5, wherein the spring fingers are collapsible radially inwardly of the standard, and the sleeve at least partially overlies the spring fingers to collapse them when the sleeve is raised to collapse the foot members.

7. A collapsible support as dened in claim 6, wherein the spring fingers have a soft resilient coating on their outer surfaces, such coating having a relatively high c oeicient of friction, whereby to serve frictionally to retard the sleeve from downward movement when it is in its upper, stand-collapsed, position.

8. A collapsible support as defined in claim 2, wherein the stop means retains the foot members in their fully extended, substantially unloaded, position in which they extend downwardly past a plane transverse to the standard at a small angle with respect to such plane, such foot member being free to pivot upwardly with respect to the standard in response to the imposition of a force thereto which overpowers its respective leaf spring member.

9. A collapsible support as defined in claim 8, wherein said stop means acting between the standard and the foot members are disposed at the pivotal connection between the standard and the foot members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,043,530 Millar Nov. 5, 1912 1,268,363 Lamont June 4, 1918 FOREIGN PATENTS 93,140 Sweden Oct. 31, 1938