Abstract:
We have invented a carrying device to transport musical instrument cases or other cases which have handles, utilizing a method for securing cases which have handles. The carrier folds around the case, and straps are threaded through the handle of the case and secured, to keep the case in place. The carrier has backpack-style straps, as well as a removable shoulder strap, and can support and carry a wide variety of size and style instrument or other cases which have handles.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of PPA Number 62113304, filed Feb. 6, 2015 by the present inventors, which is incorporated by reference. Note: This application contains changes that were not included in the original provisional patent application. 
       BACKGROUND 
     Description of the Prior Art 
       [0002]    Any musician, amateur or professional, must regularly transport his or her instrument through a variety of conditions and obstacles. Such travel with instruments often includes various methods of transportation and distances. Musical instruments are usually delicate and often valuable, therefore requiring rigid, heavy cases to protect them while being transported. While such cases protect the instrument, they often impede travel on foot, through crowds, or for any substantial distance. Such cases are also difficult to maneuver in confined spaces. A heavy, protective case can cause strain and can tire the person carrying it when clutched in the hand for long periods of time. This is particularly problematic, since most musicians delicately employ their hands and arms in order to play their instruments. 
         [0003]    In addition, musicians must also carry sheet music and other accessories such as music stands and instrument stands, which do not always fit into their instrument case. Music students also sometimes need their hands free to carry books and notebooks for other school classes. 
         [0004]    One common solution is to use what is often referred to as a “gig bag,” which is a light-weight, soft, pliable case. Such soft cases have many inherent disadvantages. They offer an instrument little protection from bumps and can be easily knocked over or crushed. If an instrument in a soft case falls off the wearer, falls over while standing, or the wearer falls or stumbles, the instrument can easily be damaged. Such soft cases are designed and manufactured specifically to fit a certain style and type of instrument. An owner of multiple instruments must have a different soft case customized for each instrument. This considerable expense is usually in addition to the expense of a regular protective case yet compromises the instrument&#39;s protection in exchange for ease of transport. Also a soft case cannot be used to transport a musical instrument when travel circumstances necessitate that the instrument be stacked in a cargo hold or checked on public transportation. In such circumstance, a soft case would not offer the contained instrument the necessary protection to ensure its safe, undamaged transport. In addition, students who are renting an instrument are given a hard case, which cannot be modified. Also, new students may decide to switch instruments. They would need a new soft case for each instrument change. 
         [0005]    The bag for musical instruments (Wilfer, U.S. Pat. No. 6,505,762) relies upon a zipper to secure the instrument case, which creates an inherent point of weakness in the design because the weight of the instrument is being supported by only the strength of the zipper. Also, because the bag for musical instruments (U.S. Pat. No. 6,505,762) claims to have the shape of the musical instrument case, it does not lend itself to fit a variety of musical instrument cases, but must be custom tailored to each particular case for a proper fit. 
         [0006]    The multi-function backpack for musical instrument cases (Lucey, U.S. Pat. No. 8,292,138) secures instruments by means of bottom panels and two transverse straps that attach above the contours of the body of the case where the case&#39;s shape corresponds to the spot where the neck of the instrument meets the body of the instrument. It does not lend itself well to instrument cases that are rectangular and do not have a neck. In addition, the multi-function backpack for musical instrument cases (Lucey, U.S. Pat. No. 8,292,138) does not have a removable shoulder strap. This is an important option for students, who must carry their school supplies, as well as their instrument. Students who already carry a backpack for school need to have an alternate method for carrying their instrument. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,785 (Irose) discloses a harness and shoulder strap assembly to securely enclose, support, and form a carrying device for musical instrument cases. The case-engaging harness and shoulder straps comprise a plurality of adjustable strap loops connected by various fastenings, adjusters, releasable buckles, joiners, and fixing methods. The harness and shoulder strap assembly can safely support and carry a wide variety of size, shape, and style instruments and instrument cases. However, it is a strap system that is meant to be used as a backpack. It does not have a removable shoulder strap. In addition, it does not include any fabric that could protect the instrument case or provide pockets for music or accessories. 
         [0008]    A backpack strap system for carrying loads of various sizes and or shapes (Leep, U.S. Pat No. 6,889,882), uses a flexible rectangular fabric. Although it is primarily designed to carry oversized loads such as animal carcasses, firewood and injured people, it could possibly be used to carry a case with a handle. However, the strapping system is complex, as it is designed to be able to accommodate loads of many different shapes and sizes. The backpack strap system for carrying loads of various sizes and or shapes (Leep, U.S. Pat No. 6,889,882) is also designed to be very portable and easy to store when not in use. As a result, it does not include padding. Because many musical instrument or other cases with handles are rigid and heavy, padding is useful in protecting both the case and the person carrying the case. In addition, the backpack strap system for carrying loads of various sizes and or shapes (Leep, U.S. Pat No. 6,889,882) does not have the option of being used with a removable shoulder strap. 
       PRIOR ART 
       [0009]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 U.S. Patent Documents 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,785 
                 July, 1999 
                 Irose 
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 6,505,762 
                 July, 2001 
                 Wilfer 
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 6,889,882 
                 May, 2005 
                 Leep 
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 8,292,138 
                 October, 2012 
                 Lucey 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    Briefly stated, the adjustable carrier for musical instrument cases, utilizing a method for securing cases which have handles, includes rectangular padded fabric with a rigid top and bottom and a strap system that wraps around a musical instrument or other case with a handle, threads through the handle, and connects to itself. The fabric then folds over the case and connects to itself. In one embodiment of the invention, on the inside of the carrier, the fabric also includes an accordion-style pocket on one side and two or more pockets on the other side. The carrier has two backpack-style straps that can be tucked away under a flap when not in use. Near two of the four corners of the carrier, there is a D-ring. A removable, padded shoulder strap can be clipped to the rings. They can also be used to attach accessories. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  shows the inside view of the adjustable carrier for musical instrument cases, utilizing a method for securing cases which have handles. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows the outside view of the adjustable carrier for musical instrument cases, utilizing a method for securing cases which have handles. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  shows a case with handles and the method for securing said case. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the adjustable carrier for musical instrument cases, utilizing a method for securing cases which have handles. It demonstrates the operation of the adjustable carrier for musical instrument cases, utilizing a method for securing cases which have handles. 
       
    
    
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0015]      10   a  Fabric, inside top section 
         [0016]      10   b  Fabric, inside middle section 
         [0017]      10   c  Fabric, inside bottom section 
         [0018]      11   a  Fabric, outside top section 
         [0019]      11   b  fabric, outside middle section 
         [0020]      11   c  Fabric, outside bottom section 
         [0021]      12   a  Longitudinal strap, top part 
         [0022]      12   b  Longitudinal strap, bottom part 
         [0023]      14   a  Longitudinal strap, top part 
         [0024]      14   b  Longitudinal strap, bottom part 
         [0025]      16  Top strap 
         [0026]      18  Bottom strap 
         [0027]      20  Top rigid edge 
         [0028]      22  Bottom rigid edge 
         [0029]      24  Flap 
         [0030]      26   a  Hook and loop fabric 
         [0031]      26   b  Hook and loop fabric 
         [0032]      27   a  Hook and loop fabric 
         [0033]      27   b  Hook and loop fabric 
         [0034]      28  Backpack-style strap 
         [0035]      30  Backpack-style strap 
         [0036]      32  Flap 
         [0037]      34  Flap 
         [0038]      36   a  Hook and loop fabric 
         [0039]      36   b  Hook and loop fabric 
         [0040]      38   a  Hook and loop fabric 
         [0041]      38   b  Hook and loop fabric 
         [0042]      40  D-ring 
         [0043]      42  D-ring 
         [0044]      44  Handle 
         [0045]      46  Removable shoulder strap 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0046]    The adjustable carrier for musical instrument cases, utilizing a method for securing cases which have handles has many advantages over the prior art. It can be used with instruments of many different shapes and sizes. The user can use the same carrier for different musical instruments. In addition, the carrier has a removable shoulder strap that gives the user the option to wear it either as a backpack or over the shoulder. This is an important option for students, who must carry their school supplies, as well as their instrument. Students who carry a backpack for school can choose the option of wearing the adjustable carrier for musical instrument cases on their shoulders, and students who carry a messenger bag to school can wear the adjustable carrier for musical instrument cases on their backs. The padding on the carrier allows for some protection of both the case and the person carrying the case. It is also suggested that the adjustable carrier for musical instrument cases, utilizing a method for securing cases which have handles, can include pockets for accessories such as sheet music, marching lyres, music stands, and other accessories. Finally, the adjustable carrier for musical instrument cases, utilizing a method for securing cases which have handles is not limited to carrying musical instrument cases. The strap system allows the carrier to secure many cases of different shapes and sizes that have handles. 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the inside of the adjustable carrier for musical instrument cases, utilizing a method for securing cases which have handles, is shown. The fabric ( 10   a,    10   b,    10   c ) is laid flat. The longitudinal straps ( 12   a,    12   b  and  14   a,    14   b ) are attached to the inside. A case with a handle would be placed in the center of the carrier ( 10   b ), and the longitudinal straps  12   a  and  14   a  would be threaded through the handle of said case. Straps  12   a  and  14   a  would then be connected to straps  12   b  and  14   b,  respectively. In these drawings, the straps are being connected with releasable buckles. Once the straps are connected, the fabric ( 10   a,    10   c ) would be folded around the case. Strap  16 , (attached to rigid edge  20 ), would be connected to strap  18  (which is attached to rigid edge  22 ). In this drawing, the straps are being connected with releasable buckles. Then flap  24  would be folded over the top, over rigid edge  22 , and would be connected to the outside fabric. In this drawing, hook and loop fabric ( 26   a  and  27   a ) is used to secure the flap to the corresponding hook and loop fabric ( 26   b  and  27   b ), located on the outside of the carrier and shown as hidden in this drawing. 
         [0048]      FIG. 1  also shows the removable shoulder strap  46 , which connects to D-rings  40  and  42 , which are shown as hidden behind flap  24 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 1  also shows that handle  44 , which can be used to pick up or hang the adjustable carrier for musical instrument cases, utilizing a method for securing cases which have handles, is hidden behind flap  24 . 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the outside of the adjustable carrier for musical instrument cases, utilizing a method for securing cases which have handles, is shown. In this view, we see the back side of the fabric ( 11   a,    11   b,    11   c ). The handle  44  is also visible. Backpack-style straps  28  and  30  are attached to the fabric ( 11   a ). Flaps  32  and  34  are shown open. When closed, they cover backpack-style straps  28  and  30  and attach to one another and fabric  11   a.  In this drawing, hook and loop fabric [ 36   a,    36   b  (hidden),  38   a,    38   b ] is used. Also visible is strap  18  and hook and loop fabric ( 27   b,    26   b ). D-rings  42  and  40  are attached to rigid edge  20 . 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a case with a handle is placed on straps  12   a,    12   b,    14   a  and  14   b.    FIG. 3  shows straps  12   a  and  14   a  threaded through the handle of the case and connected to straps  12   b  and  14   b,  respectively. In this drawing, the straps are connected with releasable buckles. 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , we see an upright side view of the adjustable carrier for musical instrument cases, utilizing a method for securing cases which have handles, ready to be carried with the backpack-style straps. A case with a handle is shown secured to the carrier. Backpack-style strap  28  is visible and ready to be placed over the operator&#39;s right shoulder. Strap  14   a  and  14   b  is seen threaded through the handle of the case and connected. (Strap  12   a  and  12   b  is also connected but not visible.) In this drawing, the strap is connected with releasable buckles. Fabric  11   b  forms the bottom of the carrier. Fabric  11   a  and  11   c  are folded around the case and secured, with strap  16  connected to strap  18 . In this drawing, the straps are connected with releasable buckles. Flap  24  is folded over the top and connected to fabric  11   c.  Handle  44  is visible at the top of the carrier. D-ring  42  is also visible. Flap  32  is tucked under back-pack-style strap  28  and is in the closed position. 
         [0053]    Operation: 
         [0054]    The fabric ( 10   a,    10   b,    10   c ) is laid flat. A case with a handle would be placed upright on the carrier, in the center ( 10   b ). The longitudinal straps  12   a  and  14   a  would be threaded through the handle of said case. Straps  12   a  and  14   a  would then be adjusted for length and connected to straps  12   b  and  14   b,  respectively. Once the straps are connected, the fabric ( 10   a,    10   c,    11   a,    11   c ) would be folded around the case. Strap  16  would be connected to strap  18 . Flap  24  would then be folded over the top of the carrier and connected to the outside fabric ( 11   c ) using hook and loop fabric or other fastener. 
         [0055]    The carrier can then be transported by either using the backpack-style straps ( 28  and  30 ) or the removable shoulder strap  46 . Backpack-style strap  28  would go over the operator&#39;s right shoulder, and backpack-style strap  30  would go over the operator&#39;s left shoulder. If the backpack-style straps are used, the removable strap  46  can be removed from d-rings  40  and  42 . Flaps  32  and  34  would be tucked under the backpack-style straps and secured with hook and loop fabric or other fastener. If the removable shoulder strap  46  is used, the backpack-style straps can be covered with flaps  32  and  34 , which would be secured to each other and the outside fabric  11   c  with hook and loop fabric or other fastener. 
         [0056]    Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope: 
         [0057]    Thus, the reader can see that at least one embodiment of the adjustable carrier for musical instrument cases, utilizing a method for securing cases which have handles provides an effective solution to a musician looking for an easier method to transport an instrument. 
         [0058]    While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope, but rather as an exemplification of one embodiment, thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, straps  12   a,    12   b,    14   a,    14   b,    16 , and  18  could be secured by alternate methods, such as a hook and loop fabric, snaps, or other methods. 
         [0059]    The fabric  10   a,    10   b,    10   c,    11   a,    11   b,  and  11   c  can be made out of a variety of materials. Its shape can also be modified. Pockets can be added to the fabric ( 10   a,    10   c,  and  11   c ). For example, in one embodiment of the invention, on the inside of the carrier, the fabric  10   a  also includes an accordion-style pocket, with two or more pockets on fabric  10   c.    
         [0060]    The backpack-style straps can be modified to effectively carry the load. They may include a chest strap. There may also be a strap that clips around the waist of the operator. 
         [0061]    The removable shoulder strap  46  may be padded. It also may include removable padding. It may be attached to the D-rings ( 40  and  42 ) using a variety of methods. 
         [0062]    Additional D-rings may be added to the fabric. Other items such as keys and accessory pouches can be clipped to the D-rings. 
         [0063]    Furthermore, this carrier is not limited to use for cases containing musical instruments. 
         [0064]    Thus, the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.