WO1997033123A1

WO1997033123A1 - Collapsible portable stand for musical instruments

Info

Publication number: WO1997033123A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/004812
Authority: WO
Inventors: Oleg Garbuzov; Leonid Garbuzov
Original assignee: Oleg Garbuzov; Leonid Garbuzov
Priority date: 1996-03-07
Filing date: 1997-03-05
Publication date: 1997-09-12
Also published as: AU2344897A

Abstract

The collapsible portable stand is flat and compact in its folded position and deploys into a 3-dimensional stand (10) to receive and support different sizes and shapes of musical instruments, and is particularly useful for the support of saxophones. The stand (10) is comprised of a main frame (12) into which the other parts recess when folded and extend when raised. A base bar (42) is pivoted to the body. The base bar (42) carries two legs (66, 68) pivoted thereon. The leg pivots are arranged to spread the legs (66, 68) as they swing out of the base bar (42). A support bracket (74) is pivoted on the base bar (42) and locks with respect to the body (12) to hold the body (12) in the raised position. A horn support (36) is pivoted on the upper end of the body (12) to swing into supporting position.

Description

COLLAPSIBLE PORTABLE STAND FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a collapsible portable stand for musical instruments which folds into a flat, compact configuration and erects with spread support legs and a horn support to securely support a musical instrument.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most musical instruments are contained in protective cases for storage and transportation. These musical instruments are taken out of their cases, in some cases are assembled, and are then played. However, there is an intermediate condition wherein the instrument is not held in the hands for immediate play, and yet accessibility is required because the instrument is soon to be played. A stand is necessary to support the musical instrument in a position convenient to the musician so that he has quick access to the instrument. Such a support should not only be available to the instrumentalist at his base, but should also be available to him when he plays his instrument away from his base. Thus, the support should be readily foldable, transportable, and deployable so that convenience iε achieved. In the folded condition, the support should be aε light and flat as possible for convenience in transportation from one site to another. Many of these needs are met by my prior U.S. Patent No. 5,165,634, but there is room for still further advancement in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to aid in the understanding of this invention, it can be stated in essentially summary form that it is directed to a collapsible portable stand for musical instruments. The stand has a body into which the other parts pivot to define a small, compact stand when in the closed position. The stand has a base bar which pivotally receives two legs. The pivots are angularly arranged so that the legs swing laterally out from their pockets in the base bar. The main frame is pivotally mounted with respect to the base bar. A support bracket iε pivotally mounted on the base bar and locks in a slot in the main frame to hold the main frame up in the unfolded supporting position.

It is thus one aspect of this invention to provide a collapsible portable stand for musical instruments wherein the support folds into a substantially flat structure for convenient storage and transportation and erects for the support of various musical instruments.

It is another aspect of this invention to provide a collapsible portable stand for musical instruments which can be inexpensively produced so as to be widely available to provide support for various types and sizes of musical instruments.

It is a further aspect of this invention to provide a collapsible portable stand for musical instruments which, in the folded position, lies in a flat, rectangular package and which, in the erected poεition, provides for the εupport of a musical instrument.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation may be best understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 is a side-elevation of the collapsible portable stand for musical instruments in accordance with this invention shown in the erected unfolded position, and showing in dashed lines a saxophone being supported thereby.

FIGURE 2 is an isometric view of the collapsible portable stand in the raised position.

FIGURE 3 is an isometric view of the upper side of the collapsible portable stand of this invention in the folded position.

FIGURE 4 is an isometric view of the underside of the collapsible portable stand of this invention.

FIGURE 5 is a plan view thereof in the folded position with parts broken away to show the nesting of the various parts with respect to each other.

FIGURE 6a is an enlarged side view of the main frame showing the interengagement between the support bracket and the main frame, in the closed position, with parts broken away.

FIGURE 6b is a view thereof in the partially raised position.

FIGURE 6c is a view thereof with the collapsible portable stand in the fully raised position.

FIGURE 7 is a section taken generally along line 7-7 of FIGURE 6a, with parts broken away.

FIGURE 8 is an exploded isometric view of the end of one of the support legs, showing how an auxiliary device can be detachably mounted on the end of the support leg.

FIGURE 9 is an exploded side-elevational view of the end of a support leg, with parts broken away and parts taken in section, showing an auxiliary device ready for attachment to the end of the extended leg of the collapsible portable stand. FIGURE 10 is a view similar to FIGURE 9, showing the attachment inserted into the end of the leg of the collapsible portable stand.

FIGURE 11 is a section taken generally along line 11-11 of FIGURE 10. FIGURE 12 is an isometric view of a portion of the collapsible portable stand of this invention as seen generally from the underside of the base bar, with the stand positioned as if raised and held in the hand during the unfolding operation, showing the stand partly unfolded. FIGURE 13 is an enlarged view of the horn support as seen generally along line 13-13 of FIGURE 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The collapsible portable stand for musical instruments in accordance with this invention is generally indicated at 10 in FIGURES 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 12. The stand 10 comprises three principal parts which are foldable with respect to each other, as well as other related parts. The main frame 12 forms the external portion of the stand when it is in its folded, closed position, as seen in FIGURE 3. The main frame has left and right side rails 14 and 16. As seen in FIGURES 2 and 3, the side rails are joined by cross rails 18, 20 and 22. The cross rails have recesses in them to provide clearance for a musical instrument supported thereon. The upper cross rail 18 is set slightly down from the top of the main frame 12 for purposes described below. The side rails are generally L-shaped, with the front panel 24 in an outside wall panel 26, see FIGURE 12, to define the structure of the device. As seen in FIGURE 12, the back of lower cross rail 22 is contiguous with the front panel 24. In addition to this structure, about midway along the length of each of the side rails there is a bottom wall. These bottom walls are seen in FIGURE 4 and identified as bottom wall 28 and bottom wall 30 respectively on side rails 14 and 16. These bottom walls thus define recesses 32 and 34 respectively. These recesses are respectively seen in FIGURES 4 and 2. Recess 34 is also seen in FIGURES 3, 6a, 6b, 6c and 7.

Horn support 36 is shown in FIGURES 2 and 13 as being located between and pivoted between left and right side rails 14 and 16, see FIGURES 2 and 13. The horn support is configured so that, when it is in its unfolded position seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, it rests against the top of the upper cross rail 18. This forms a stop for the horn support. Horn support pads 38 and 40 face each other to define a yoke, see FIGURE 13. These pads are pivoted on the horn support so as to be able to engage behind the bell of a horn, as seen in FIGURE 1. In FIGURE 1, saxophone 41 is shown in dashed lines and is shown as having its bell engaged between the horn support pads. The curved recesses on the top of cross rails 18, 20 and 22 help provide clearance for the horn.

When not in use, the horn support and the pads pivoted thereon swing from the unfolded position shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 to the folded position shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. The horn support pads are pivoted on the horn support to accommodate different horn sizes as well as to fit within the limited space provided, as seen in FIGURE 4.

Base bar 42 is the portion of stand 10 which engages directly on the supporting surface 44, see FIGURES 1 and 2. The shape of the base bar 42 is best seen in FIGURE 12, which figure represents the partial unfolding of the stand 10 while it is being held in the hands. Base bar 12 is pivoted on bracket 46, which has two ears which are formed as part of the main frame 12. The base bar is pivoted thereon and on a lateral axis so that it can swing out from the plane of the main frame 12. The base bar has a top panel 48 which carries a downwardly directed central flange 50. Outer flanges 52 and 54 define channels 56 and 58.

Opposite the end at which it is pivoted to main frame 12, base bar 42 has a head 60. The head 60 is formed continuously with top panel 48, and central flange 50 is joined thereto. The head 60 has angular faces 62 and 64 which lie at about 25 degrees away from the center line defined by central flange 50. Legs 66 and 68 are respectively pivoted against these faces. As seen in FIGURE 4, these legs have angular portions adjacent the pivot points so that, when in the folded position, the legs lie in the channels 56 and 58. Furthermore, the outer portions 70 and 72 of the legs, see FIGURE 4, have similar bends so that, in the folded position, they embrace the end of the base bar which is pivoted to main frame, see FIGURE 4. The angle of the legs adjacent the pivots is the same as the angle of faces 62 and 64 so that the legs lie in their channels in the folded position. This means that, when folded out, the central portions of the legs are about 100 degrees with respect to each other. This is a desirable spread to provide stability to the stand 10. The outer portion of the legs lies at about a 50 degree angle with respect to the central portion. This means that the outer portions of the legs are spread about 200 degrees to achieve the desired stability. The legs fold in and have a stop in the folded position against the inside of the channels in which they lie. In the open position, they engage under the top panel 48, which serves as a εtop in the opening direction. In this poεition, the underside of the legs lies in the same plane as the underside of base bar 42 so that they provide proper support and stability to the stand.

The structure thus described provides a main frame which carries the horn support and describes a base bar with legs which pivot out to provide stability in the erected position. Support bracket 74 is a U-shaped bracket with arms 76 and 78 which lie just inside the bottom walls defining recesses 32 and 34, respectively, see FIGURE 4. The juncture 80 of these arms joins them around head 60. They are pivoted to head 60 on pivot pin 82, see FIGURE 12. The arms are separate from each other at the end opposite their juncture 80 because they are separated by the legs, as seen in FIGURE 4.

The recesses 32 and 34 have slots in the bottom, with the slot 84 shown in side rail 16 in FIGURES 6a, 6b and 6c. The slot 84 has a hook 86 in its right end. Arm 78 of support bracket 74 has a lock pin 88 thereon which engages in the slot. There is a similar structure in recess 32. In the folded position of FIGURE 6a, the lock pin is in the left end of the slot. As the base bar 42 is pivoted out of the underside of main frame 12, the pin 88 slides to the right along the slot. FIGURE 6b shows an intermediate position of unfolding. As the base bar 42 moves to its unfolded position, the support bracket 74 moves up with its pins in the slots, and in the top position, the pin engages in the hook 86. In this position, the stand 10 is locked in its unfolded position shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. As soon as the base bar is pivoted out of the main frame, the legs 66 and 68 can be swung to the unfolded position shown in FIGURE 2. Also, the horn support can be pivoted up to its horn- supporting position and the stand is ready to use. It must be noted that the arms 76 and 78 extend out between the left and right side rails 14 and 16 and are curved inwardly to present end bosses which partially engage around the instrument to aid in its support.

Folding to the closed position is easily achieved by rotating in the horn support and the legs. The lock pin is then disengaged from hook 86 so that the main frame 12, the base bar 42 and support bracket 74 swing into the closed, folded position of FIGURE 4, which is very compact. The structure is light and compact for convenient storage and transport.

As an additional feature of the invention, bushings 90 and 92 are respectively mounted on the ends of the legs 66 and 68. The bushing 90 is seen in more detail in FIGURES 8, 9, 10 and 11. 'x'he bushing 90 has a cylindrical bore 94 therethrough and a larger, eccentric cylindrical bore 96 partway therethrough. As seen in FIGURE 9, at one side the bores may lie in line with each other. Accessory 98 has a pin extending downwardly therefrom. The pin has a cylindrical lower portion which slip- fits into the bore 94 and an upper eccentric portion 102 which slip-fits into the eccentric bore 96. When the eccentric portions are properly in line, the pin on the accessory device slips into the bushing. When the accesεory device is rotated in either direction, the eccentric causes it to lock in place. The accessory device may be any convenient structure such as a mute or a mounting for a mute. Furthermore, the accessory device may be sized to fit the bell of a straight horn, so a clarinet or trumpet may be placed thereon, while not in use. A convenient collapsible portable stand for musical instruments is thus achieved.

This invention has been deεcribed in itε preεently contemplated best modes, and it is clear that it is susceptible to numerous modifications, modes and embodiments within the ability of those skilled in the art and without the exercise of the inventive faculty. Accordingly, the scope of this invention is defined by the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A collapsible portable stand for musical instruments comprising: a base bar having a length direction; first and second legs pivotally mounted on said base bar to swing from a folded position wherein a subεtantial length of said legs lies generally parallel to said length direction, said legs being pivotally mounted on said base bar on pivot axes which are at an acute angle with respect to said length direction so that as said legs are pivoted out from said folded position to an unfolded position, said legs swing away from the general length direction of said base bar, said base bar and said legs when in an unfolded poεition defining a support plane; a main frame, said main frame being pivotally mounted on εaid baεe bar to swing from a folded position wherein said base bar and said legs lie within said main frame to a position wherein said main frame is above the support plane when said legs and said base bar are on the support plane; a horn support pivotally mounted on said main frame, said horn support being swingable from a folded position wherein it lies within said main frame to an unfolded position wherein a horn can be engaged thereon; and a support bracket interengaging said base bar and said main frame to releasably hold said main frame in an unfolded position above said base bar.

2. The collapsible portable stand for musical instruments of Claim 1 wherein said horn support compriseε a horn support member pivotally mounted on said main frame and comprises first and second horn pads pivotally mounted on εaid horn support member.

3. The collapsible portable stand for musical instruments of Claim 2 wherein said main frame has first and second spaced side rails and said horn support member is pivotally mounted therebetween so that said horn support member can unfold from the position wherein said horn support member and said horn support pads lie between said side rails to an unfolded position wherein said horn support pads are positioned to receive a portion of a musical instrument to be supported thereby.

4. The collapsible portable stand for musical instruments of Claims 1 to 3 wherein said support bracket has first and second arms and said support bracket is pivotally mounted on said base bar so that in the folded position said arms lie adjacent said base bar.

5. The collapsible portable stand for musical instruments of Claim 4 wherein said arms of εaid support bracket are separate at one end so that they lie adjacent said baεe bar in the folded position and said arms are joined at a juncture away from εaid free ends and said εupport bracket is pivoted on said base bar adjacent said juncture.

6. The collapsible portable stand for musical instruments of Claim 4 wherein said main frame has first and second side rails and said arms of said support bracket lie adjacent said side railε, and said arms and said side rails having interengagement means for releasably maintaining said stand in the unfolded position.

7. The collapsible portable stand for musical instruments of Claim 6 wherein said engagement means between said arms and said side rails comprises a pin engaging in a slot.

8. The collapsible portable εtand for uεical instruments of Claim 7 wherein there is a slot in at least one of said side rails and a pin engaging in said slot, said pin being mounted on one of said arms so that moving said base bar and said support bracket from the unfolded position causes said pin to move in said slot.

9. The collapεible portable stand for musical instruments of Claim 8 wherein said slot has a hook therein and when said pin is engaged in said hook in said slot, said stand is retained in its unfolded position.

10. The collapεible portable εtand for muεical inεtruments of Claim 7 wherein said slot has a hook therein and when said pin is engaged in said hook in said slot, said stand is retained in its unfolded position.

11. The collapsible portable stand for musical instrumentε of Claim 9 wherein said horn support comprises a horn support member pivotally mounted on said main frame and comprises first and second horn pads pivotally mounted on said horn support member.

12. The collapsible portable stand for muεical instrumentε of Claim 11 wherein εaid main frame has firεt and second spaced side rails and said horn support member is pivotally mounted therebetween so that said horn support member can unfold from the position wherein said horn support member and said horn support pads lie between said εide railε to an unfolded position wherein said horn support pads are positioned to receive a portion of a musical instrument to be supported thereby.

13. A collapεible portable stand for musical instruments comprising: a main frame, said main frame having left and right spaced side rails and cross rails interconnecting said side rails to retain said side rails, one of said cross rails being adjacent one end of said side rails; a base bar pivotally mounted to said one croεε rail, said baεe bar being configured to lie between said side rails when in a folded position, said base bar having first and second angular surfaceε thereon adjacent the end thereof opposite said pivotal mounting to said main frame; first and second legs respectively mounted on said angular surfaceε of said base bar, εaid legs being configured so that when in the folded position, they lie substantially parallel to said base bar and in the unfolded position, pivoted out on said pivot mounting on said angular surface, said first and second legs spread away from each other so that said base bar and said legs define a support plane upon which said musical stand can rest; a horn εupport pivotally mounted on εaid main frame εo that horn εupport can be moved from the folded position between said side rails to an unfolded horn-supporting position; and a εupport bracket interconnected between said main frame and said base bar for releasably holding said main frame in an unfolded position with respect to said base bar.

14. The collapsible portable stand for musical instruments of Claim 13 wherein said εupport bracket iε pivoted to said base bar on the opposite end of said base bar from εaid pivot on which said main frame is pivoted to said base bar, said legs being pivoted to said base bar intermediate said main frame pivot and said support bracket pivot.

15. The collapsible portable stand for musical instruments of Claim 14 wherein said εupport bracket iε formed with first and second spaced arms and said arms lie on opposite sides of said base bar when said support bracket and said base bar are in folded poεition between εaid εide railε of said main frame.

16. The collapsible portable stand for musical instruments of Claim 15 wherein said arms of said support bracket are joined adjacent said pivot of said support bracket on said baεe bar.

17. The collapεible portable stand for muεical instruments of Claims 13 to 16 wherein at least one of said legs has attachment means thereon and there is an auxiliary device configured to detachably attach to said attachment means.

18. The collapsible portable stand for musical instruments of Claim 17 wherein said attachment means compriseε first and second eccentric surfaces on said leg and first and second eccentric surfaces on said auxiliary device so that when said surfaces are interengaged and said auxiliary devices rotate with respect to said leg, said surfaces tighten against each other.

19. The collapsible portable stand for musical instruments of Claim 18 wherein said eccentric surfaceε on εaid leg form a cylindrical opening and said eccentric surfaces on said auxiliary device comprise a pin for entering said opening.

20. The collapsible portable stand for musical instruments of Claims 13 to 16 wherein said arms of εaid support bracket lie adjacent said side rails of said main frame and there is disengageable engagement means between said arms and said side railε for releasably holding said main frame in an unfolded position with respect to said base bar, said disengagable engagement means comprising a pin in a slot.