Abstract:
A stand for a musical keyboard is both stable in a deployed configuration and conveniently compact and portable in a collapsed configuration. The separation of the arms and legs may not change in width as the height of the stand is adjusted. The stand has two “floating” V&#39;s, one for the arms and one for the legs. These components slide vertically in slots in a central column and are locked in place with clamps that wrap around the column. To adjust the height of the stand, a user loosens either or both the top and/or bottom clamp (arm clamp or leg clamp) and slides the associated floating V up or down along the center column, then re-tightening the clamp when adjustments are finished. For transport and storage, the user loosens each clamp and rotates the arms or legs in, towards the column.

Description:
[0001]    This claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/968,420, filed Mar. 21, 2014 and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a stand for supporting electronic piano type keyboard boxes, commonly referred to as keyboards, and cased equipment used by disc jockeys or DJ&#39;s (commonly referred to as DJ coffins) in different vertical positions in a horizontal orientation to facilitate a variety of users operating the keyboard from either a standing or sitting position. 
         [0003]    The desire to support items has been known in some industries for many years. In a basic form, the concept may involve a readily deployable and collapsible support stand that is able to accommodate and support anticipated loads. In general, an electronic instrument type of keyboard and DJ coffins comprise a relatively long, narrow and low box-like configuration. The keyboards and coffins are portable and generally are moved about from place to place for use at different places or for storage. Thus, a suitable, lightweight, portable and foldable stand is needed to support the keyboard and coffin when desired. Different stand constructions have been made available in the past, but generally, these are relatively expensive, complicated or cumbersome in construction. 
         [0004]    In the musical instrument support stand industry, particular attention has been paid to the development of apparatus that are collapsible into a storage or transport configuration and later deployable into an operational configuration, perhaps compatible with a variety of differently sized items (e.g., a variety of differently sized keyboards) and different user requirements. The collapsibility feature has evolved, at least in part, from the need for musicians to set up and stage their instruments, perhaps at a different venue each evening. Because compatibility may be a desired feature of some stands, the music industry has developed several stands that have adjustable support structures. 
         [0005]    Particularly where a supported item (e.g., a keyboard) is used while it is supported by the stand, adjustability of a stand may be a desired feature (e.g., to accommodate different users&#39; heights). Additionally, it may even be that a keyboard player, musician, performer or DJ who plans to aggressively play a high pitched percussive piece would want a broader support base than a similarly sized player playing a less aggressive piece substantially at the center of the keyboard, DJ coffin or other equipment. These and other factors relative to musicians and the instruments they play make an ability to change certain features of a deployed stand to accommodate different users, styles and instruments a desired stand feature. 
         [0006]    One type of prior keyboard support stand has been formed of two H-shaped units, with elongated center bars pivotally connected together and arranged in an upright position. Thus, the legs of the H-shaped stand, being horizontally arranged, act as upper supports upon which a keyboard may be rested, and lower feet engage the ground. This type of support stand may be folded to place the two upright legs closely adjacent, or alternatively the legs may be spread apart at different angles for providing the desired height location of the keyboard. Straps, which interconnect the upper supports and the lower feet, have been used to set the distances between the respective supports or feet and, consequently, the resulting height of the supported keyboard. 
         [0007]    Another type of known musical keyboard stand is often referred to as an X-type stand. This stand may be the simplest and least expensive design, and the most popular of all keyboard stands. The design is simple and includes two symmetrical cross members pivotally joined in the center. The height of the stand is adjusted by changing the angle of the cross members, thereby raising or lowering the keyboard mounting height. 
         [0008]    The most common method of locking the height of this type of stand is by a pin being inserted into a plate with holes at the pivot. Other methods include a “saw-tooth” bar extending from one cross member to another and an enclosed ratchet housed about the center pivot. 
         [0009]    One drawback of X-type stands is that the stability of the stand is compromised as the height of the keyboard or DJ coffin is raised since the lateral distance between the opposing arms and legs decreases as the height increases. A secondary defect is that at lower positions the width of the arms is too great to be used with smaller keyboards or coffins. 
         [0010]    Another known type of musical keyboard stand is a Z-type. Even though this type of stand is portable, Z-type stands are much less portable than X-type stands. This design includes two Z-shaped end frames connected by horizontal crossbars for lateral stability. Z-type stands have the advantage of independent width and height adjustment. The disadvantage of this type of stand is its size, especially when folded for storage. Even when it is collapsed, this type of stand is not very compact. An additional drawback of the design is difficulty in folding. There are several knobs to be loosened to achieve the smallest size for transport and the frames have to be removed from the cross members. The required effort and time to collapse this type of stand is significant. 
         [0011]    Another type of known stand is a T-type. These stands are like a folding table; four legs, locking leg-supports and a flat, table-like top. Width and height are independently adjustable. While these stands fold to a relatively flat form for transport, they, like the Z-type, take a significant amount of effort to get them as small as possible. 
         [0012]    C-type stands are the most expensive of all the common stand types. Their design is based on an extruded aluminum column with blind slots for holding the support arms and legs. The arms are pivoted and locked in place with either player-facing or side-facing clamps. The advantages are infinite height adjustment along the column that is independent of the support arm width and a distinctive, identifiable look. Disadvantages are that the stand is no more stable than an X-type stand, and often less stable. The column limits horizontal adjustment of the keyboard and is bulky to transport, being typically 48 inches long. Some models do not have storage for the arms and legs within the column, while some do. 
         [0013]    Therefore, a need exists for a musical equipment stand that does not suffer from these identified problems while still providing for a stable support for a variety of different configurations while still being easily and efficiently collapsible to a compact configuration 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    In various embodiments, a stand according to this invention is portable and stable while providing the advantage of the spacing between the arms and between the legs do not change in width as the height of the stand is adjusted. 
         [0015]    In various embodiments, a stand of this invention has two “floating” V&#39;s, one for the arms and one for the legs. These components slide vertically in slots in an extruded aluminum column and are locked in place with clamps that wrap around the column. To adjust the height of the stand, a user loosens either the top or bottom clamp (arm clamp or leg clamp) and slides the associated floating V up or down along the center column, then re-tightening the clamp when adjustments are finished. 
         [0016]    For transport and storage, the user loosens each clamp and rotates the arms or legs in, towards the column. If desired, the height location of each clamp can remain in the operational location so that the user can easily return to the previous stand height. When folded in its smallest position, the stand is very compact. 
         [0017]    The clamps interleave into each other on the sides to provide compliance for dimensional difference and to allow for tightening of the clamps. This feature also provides for “locking” the front and back parts of the clamp so they do not bind when the arms and legs are moved along the column. 
         [0018]    The clamps may also have guide pins on their internal face. The guide pins engage the slots in the column and provide guidance for the clamps, thereby reducing the likelihood of the clamps locking when the arms and legs are being slid along the column. 
         [0019]    The backside (player facing side) of the bottom clamp has a lip or hand-grip. When adjusting the height location of the legs, a user may loosen the clamp knobs, holding the clamp by the hand-grip and move the column rather than holding the column and moving the leg assembly. 
         [0020]    The column may be a modified I-beam with the arms and legs located between the flanges of the I-beam. The flanges of the column are flexible to allow for dimensional differences and clamping force. The expanded center section of the I-beam provides torsional stability and a force-carrying surface. 
         [0021]    The arms and legs may have angled end pieces that bear against the center section of the column when in use. The arms and legs pivotally move within the flange of the column about a bolt that passes from one side of the clamp, through a slot in the column, through the arm/leg tubing, through the end pieces, through the slot in the opposing column flange and through the opposite clamp member. The bolt is held in place by a tension knob. 
         [0022]    In use, part of the downward force of the keyboard and the player&#39;s actions are carried as a side load through the bolts which exert force against the outer edge of the slots while the angled end pieces carry part of the force into the expanded center of the column. 
         [0023]    The tension knob is used to secure the arms and/or legs in location between the clamps and column flanges. When the tension knob is loosened, the arms and/or legs can be slideably adjusted up or down to adjust height or rotated in or out for storage or performance positioning. Advantageously, the width between the arms and/or between the legs does not change during height adjustment so that a variety of keyboard sizes (lengths) can be securely supported on the stand over a range of heights. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    The features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a stand for supporting a musical electronic keyboard, shown in phantom, according to this invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  rear perspective view of the stand of  FIG. 1  being collapsed; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2A  is an enlarged view of a junction between a central column and the leg assembly of the stand of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIG. 2  with the stand in a different configuration; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the junction between the central column and an arm assembly of the stand; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a rear elevational view of one embodiment of a stand supporting a musical electronic keyboard according to this invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is a rear elevational view of stand of  FIG. 2  in a collapsed configuration; 
           [0032]      FIG. 7A  is an enlarged rear elevational view of the central column of the stand of  FIG. 2  with the leg and arm assemblies being collapsed with a portion of the central column being cut-away; 
           [0033]      FIG. 7B  is a view similar to  FIG. 7A  with the leg and arm assemblies being pivoted toward the central column; 
           [0034]      FIG. 7C  is a view similar to  FIG. 7B  with the stand in a collapsed configuration; 
           [0035]      FIG. 8  is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the central column according to this invention; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of the stand according to this invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0037]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-7C , one embodiment of a stand  10  adapted to support a musical electronic keyboard  12  according to this invention is shown. The invention herein is described for use with a keyboard  12 , but any musical item or other work piece may be used on the stand  10 . The stand  10  includes a central, generally vertically extending member or column  14 . Coupled to a lower portion of the column  14  is a leg assembly  16  adapted to support the stand  10  on a floor surface or the like. An arm assembly  18  is coupled to the upper portion of the column  14 . The column  14  includes a central post  20  which, in various embodiments, has two pairs of flanges  22  extending on opposite lateral sides of the post  20 . Each flange  22  has an upper and a lower slot  24 ,  26  generally vertically oriented. The leg assembly  16  includes a pair of oppositely extending legs  28 . A foot  30  extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of each leg  28  at a distal end of each leg and may include a rubber footer  32  or grommet at each end of the foot  30 . A proximal end of each leg  28  is captured between the flanges  22  of one of a pair of lateral extending flanges on the central column  14 . 
         [0038]    Similarly, the arm assembly  18  includes a pair of oppositely extending arms  34  with the proximal end of each arm positioned between each flange of one of the pairs of flanges. A supporting mount  36  extends generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of each arm  34  and is mounted to the distal end of the arm. A rubber support  38  may be added to each end of the support arm. 
         [0039]    While the multiple slots are shown and described herein, one of ordinary skill will appreciate that fewer or more slots could be utilized within the scope of this invention. For example, a single slot could be utilized for all of the arms and legs, a slot  24   a  on each side of the central column  22  as shown in  FIG. 8  could be utilized to couple the arm and the leg on that side of the central column, a pair of slots on each side of the central column could be utilized with one of the arms or legs being pivotally coupled to each slot, or another arrangement and number of slots could be provided within the scope of this invention. Additionally, while slots are shown and described to pivotally couple the legs and arms to the central column and to guide their longitudinal movement relative to the central column, another arrangement could be utilized. For example, a square, rectangular or other shaped column with no flanges or slots in which the ends of the arms and the legs still bear against the column, transferring part of the force to the column, but the horizontal and vertical forces would be carried by the clamps alone, not by the flange(s). Moreover, a channel, a groove, a series of holes or pockets or another arrangement or member could be utilized within the scope of this invention and the term “slot” is intended to encompass all such arrangements to facilitate pivotal and/or longitudinal movement of the arm or leg relative to the central column. 
         [0040]    As shown most clearly in  FIG. 4 , the leg assembly and arm assembly are each adjustably coupled to the central column  14  by a clamp assembly  40 . Each clamp assembly  40  includes a saddle bracket  42  which is adapted to receive a guide pin assembly  44  to selectively secure the associated leg or arm of the stand  10  to the central column  14 . The saddle bracket  42  includes a pair of holes  46 , each of which is aligned with one of the slots  24 ,  26  in one of the pairs of laterally extending flanges  22 . A guide pin or bolt  48  extends through a hole  50  in the associated arm  34  or leg  28  and pivotally couples the associated arm or leg to the central column  14  and extends through one of the holes  46  in the saddle bracket  42 . A retainer  52  is also coupled to each end of the saddle bracket  42  on the front of the column  14  and cooperates with the guide pin assembly  44 . Each retainer  52  includes an outwardly open channel  53  extending toward the bracket  42 . Each guide pin assembly  44  includes the pin  48  which extends through a hole  56  in the retainer  52  and the hole  46  in saddle bracket  42  as well as the hole  50  adjacent the proximal end of the associated foot or arm. One end of the pin  48  includes a head  58  which secures the retainer  52  to the saddle bracket  42 . The pin  48  is threaded and the distal end of the pin  48  receives a knob  60  for rotation on the pin  48 . Rotation of the knob  60  in a first direction tightens the clamp assembly  40  to secure the associated foot or arm in a desired position relative to the central column  14 ; whereas, opposite rotation of the knob  60  loosens the clamp assembly  40  for adjustment of the associated foot or arm relative to the central column  14 . 
         [0041]    Each saddle bracket  24  includes a pair of forwardly extending tabs  54  which are seated within one of the channels  53  of the associated retainer  52  (see  FIGS. 7A-7C ). The saddle bracket  42  for the leg assembly  16  may include a lip or hand grip  62  ( FIGS. 5 and 7C ) for a user to reposition the saddle bracket  42  and associated clamp assembly  40  relative to the central column  14  as will be described herein below. 
         [0042]    According to various embodiments of the stand  10  of this invention, the vertical positions of the leg assembly  16  and of the arm assembly  18  may be independently adjusted by a user relative to the central column  14  ( FIG. 7A ). Moreover, an angular position of each leg  28  and of each arm  34  relative to the central column  14  may be independently adjusted relative to the remaining arms or legs ( FIG. 7B ). With the knobs  60  rotated to an adjustment or loosened position, the angular orientation of the associated leg  28  or arm  34  may be adjusted relative to the central column  14 . Likewise, when both the knobs  60  on the clamp assembly for the leg or arm assembly  16 ,  18  are loosened, the entire assembly  16 ,  18  may be slidably adjusted within the slots  24 ,  26  relative to the central column  14 . The hand grip  62  on the saddle bracket  42  of the leg assembly  16  may assist a user in positioning the saddle bracket  42  and associated leg assembly  16  relative to the central column  14  when the associated knobs  60  are loosened. The proximal end of each leg  28  and of each arm  34  may include a rubber face or grommet  64  for frictional engagement with the post  20  of the central column  14  to minimize any noise which may be generated by movement of the adjacent components of the stand  10  and increase frictional interaction with the post  20 . 
         [0043]    The entire height of the stand  10  may be adjusted in a variety of manners. For example, the angular position of the legs  28  may be adjusted to adjust the overall height of the stand  10 ; the angular position of the arms  34  may be adjusted to adjust the overall height of the stand  10 ; the leg assembly  16  may be vertically adjusted relative to the central column  14  to adjust the overall height of the stand  10  and/or the arm assembly  18  may be vertically adjusted relative to the central column  14  to adjust the overall height of the stand  10 . Unlike past keyboard and DJ Coffin stands, the spatial separation of the arms  34  relative to one another may be adjusted, but is not required to be adjusted, when the height of the stand is adjusted to a desired position and to accommodate different heights and styles of players. Similarly, the spatial separation of the legs  28  may be adjusted, but is not required to be adjusted, when adjusting the overall height of the stand  10 . Under most operating conditions, the arms  34  and legs  28  are pivoted outwardly to fully seat the associated face  64  against the post  20  for a stable and secure support (see  FIG. 7B ). In this angular orientation of the arms  34  and of the legs  28 , the overall height of the stand  10  may be adjusted without changing the arms  34  or legs  28  angular orientation. 
         [0044]    To convert the stand  10  according to various embodiments of this invention to a collapsed configuration for storage and/or transport, one or more of the knobs  60  may be loosened to collapse the associated leg  28  or arm  34  toward the central column  14  so that it is seated between the pair of the flanges  22  to which it is connected (see  FIGS. 7B-7C ). The longitudinal axis of each leg  28  or arm  34  may be generally parallel with the central column  14  in the collapsed configuration (see  FIGS. 6 and 7C ). 
         [0045]    An additional advantage of various embodiments of the stand  10  according to this invention is that the vertical position of the clamp assembly  40  and/or the associated arm assembly  18  or leg assembly  16  does not need to be adjusted relative to the central column  14  to convert the stand  10  into a collapsed configuration; however, movement of the clamp assembly  40  vertically toward one another may provide for the most compact configuration of the stand  10 , if desired. 
         [0046]    One alternative embodiment of this invention is shown in  FIG. 9  in which a single flange  22   a  extends laterally from each side of the central column  14 . Each flange  22   a  may have upper and lower slots  24 ,  26  as shown in  FIG. 9  or may have a single slot similar to the embodiment in  FIG. 8  or another arrangement. The respective arms  34  and legs  28  are each adjustably coupled to the associated flange  22   a  via a clamp assembly including a knob  60  threadably mounted on a bolt or similar fastener for tightening and loosening engagement with the flange  22   a.  A slot  34   a  may be provided in each arm  34  and a similar slot (not shown) may be provided in each leg  28  in which the flange  22   a  is positioned. The length of the respective slot  34   a  may allow for at least partial or full collapse of the arms  34  and legs  28  relative to the central column  14 , similar to the arrangement shown in  FIG. 7C  for an alternative embodiment. 
         [0047]    From the above disclosure of the general principles of this invention and the preceding detailed description of at least one embodiment, those skilled in the art will readily comprehend the various modifications to which this invention is susceptible. Therefore, I desire to be limited only by the scope of the following claims and equivalents thereof.