Retractable device and utility case

The retractable stand device may include an upper device 161, a top device 171, and a lower device 181 that may hold a musical instrument such as a guitar. In addition, the retractable stand device may be in combination with a utility case 100 or it may be a kit with installation hardware. The utility case 100 may include a hinged lid 122 for access to an upper compartment 120, a base 140 for amplifiers, fixed compartments 130, movable compartments 128, handles 118, and wheels 142. Numerous combinations of stand devices and utility case options are included.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of a device for holding and protecting musical instruments that may be used in combination with a utility case. The utility case with an upper compartment may have numerous unique combinations of utility case and retractable devices.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

There is a need for a more efficient device for holding musical instruments even though many have been attempted. There is also a need for better utility cases for transporting musical instruments and equipment for many years as evidenced by the numerous U.S. patents issued in this area. In addition, there is a need for a combination of a device for holding musical instruments and a utility case for transporting musical equipment.

SUMMARY

A retractable device includes an upper device comprising an upper u-shaped member with an open end; a means for locking the upper device in at least one position; a means for moving the upper u-shaped member between an upper retracted position and an upper extended position; and the upper device is attachable with an approximately vertical object. The retractable device may further include a lower device including an elongated frame wherein the elongated frame further comprises a rubber coating with the elongated frame for protecting a musical instrument from damage and for securing the musical instrument on the lower device; a means for locking the elongated frame member in position; a means for moving the elongated frame between a lower retracted position and a lower extended position; and the lower device is attachable with the approximately vertical object.

A retractable stand device for holding a musical instrument comprising a top device attachable with an approximately horizontal object for holding a neck of a musical instrument secure on a top surface for working on the musical instrument, the top device comprising a top u-shaped member hinged for extending and holding the neck of the musical instrument, and a pivot point for rotating from a horizontal retracted position to a vertical extended position wherein the pivot point further comprises a locking means such that the top u-shaped member may be held in the extended position by moving the top u-shaped member into a locked position, and a retraction means to retract the top u-shaped member when not locked in the extended position.

A retractable device includes an upper device comprising an upper u-shaped member with an open end; a means for locking the upper u-shaped member in at least one position; a means for moving the upper u-shaped member between an upper retracted position and an upper extended position; and the upper device is attachable with a an approximately vertical object. The retractable device may further include a lower device including an elongated frame member wherein the lower device further comprises a rubber coating with the elongated frame member for protecting a musical instrument from damage and for securing the musical instrument on the lower device; a means for locking the elongated frame member in position; a means for moving the elongated frame member between a lower retracted position and a lower extended position; and the lower device is attachable with the approximately vertical object in combination with a utility case, the utility case comprising: a base, and a cover wherein the cover comprises at least one cover side and a cover top, wherein the cover is attachable with the base for transporting the utility case; wherein the at least one cover side of the utility case is the approximately vertical object wherein the upper device and the lower device are attached.

A utility case including a base, an upper compartment, and a cover in which the cover comprises at least one cover side and a cover top, in which the cover is attached with the base for transporting the utility case, in which the cover further comprises a lid in an upper portion of the cover in which the lid is hinged with the cover for access to the upper compartment formed in the upper portion of the cover below the hinged lid, in which the upper compartment further includes at least two movable compartments within the upper compartment that may be adjusted in size to meet the size of the equipment and devices to be placed in the movable compartments, and foam cushion lining for protection of delicate equipment, in which the utility case further includes handles for lifting the utility case, and wheels for moving the case.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 8, a retractable stand device may comprise a combination of an upper device161, a lower device171, and a top device181that support, hold, or secure a musical instrument such as a guitar. For stability these retractable stand devices may be attached with a vertical object and or a horizontal object. The vertical or horizontal objects include many objects such as a utility case100, a wall, and a table but are not limited to these objects. A upper u-shaped member162, elongated frame member172, and top u-shaped member182are retractable and may be locked in the extended or retracted position and the devices have a means for moving between the extended and retracted positions. The retractable stand device may be in combination with a utility case100or it may be a kit with installation hardware. The utility case100may include a cover110, a hinged lid122for access to an upper compartment120, a base140for amplifiers, fixed compartments130, movable compartments128, handles118, and wheels142. Numerous combinations of retractable stand device and vertical and horizontal object combinations including a utility case option are included.

The Retractable Stand Device

FIGS. 1,2,2A,2B,3,6,7, and8illustrate retractable stand devices attached with a utility case100on a side or top of a cover110. One such retractable stand device is an upper device161in which the upper device161includes an upper u-shaped member162with an open end, a means for moving the upper u-shaped member162between an upper retracted position and an upper extended position, and a means for locking the upper device161in the extended or the retracted position, wherein the upper device161is attachable with an approximately vertical object. The upper u-shaped member162allows a neck of a musical instrument to rest in a u-shape167wherein the u-shape167helps to secure the musical instrument for protecting and restraining the musical instrument on the stand devices. The upper u-shaped member162may have the u-shaped opening to open toward the left, right, or center when the upper u-shaped member162is extended horizontally. The upper device161may further comprise a means for securing the neck of the musical instrument in the open end of the upper u-shaped member162. The means for securing the neck of the musical instrument may include a spring loaded bar166wherein the spring loaded bar166pivots168over the open end of the upper device u-shaped member162to allow the upper u-shaped member162to receive the neck of the musical instrument and to remove the neck of the musical instrument from the upper u-shaped member162. The spring loaded bar166may be spring loaded to return to close the open end of the upper u-shaped member162and thereby hold the musical instrument in position.

The upper device161may be used without the assistance of a lower device171to hold the musical instrument in place. However, a retractable stand device that includes the upper device161would typically include the lower device171. The lower device171comprises an elongated frame member172, normally a length of material bent to form the elongated frame member172; a means for locking the lower device171in position; a means for moving the elongated frame member172between a lower retracted position and a lower extended position; and the lower device171is attachable with an approximately vertical object. The lower device171elongated frame or rectangular shaped member172may also include a rod or tube shaped in a rectangular shape172. The lower member171may further comprise a rubber coating177with the elongated frame member172for protecting the musical instrument, especially the lower bout when the musical instrument is a guitar, from damage and to help secure the musical instrument on the lower device171. The lower device171is attachable with an approximately vertical object that may include a utility cover as depicted inFIGS. 1,2, and7. In this embodiment the lower device171typically is on the same side of the cover110as the upper device161and located below the upper device161. The lower device171may be positioned in relation to the upper device161such that the base of the musical instrument rests on the lower device171and the upper device161is positioned above the lower device171at a height that would effectively secure the neck of the musical instrument in the upper device161. Several upper and lower devices161,171may be spaced around a utility case100.

The retractable stand device may further include a top device181. The top device181comprises a top u-shaped member182with an open end; a means for moving the top u-shaped member182between a top retracted position and a top extended position; a means for locking the top device181in the top extended and or top retracted position; and the top device181is attachable with an approximately horizontal object as shown inFIGS. 1,2,2A,2B,3, and8. The top device181may be used for holding a neck of a musical instrument secure on the top of a horizontal object such as the top of a utility case100while working on the musical instrument. The top u-shaped member182may be hinged for extending and holding the neck of a musical instrument, and include a pivot point163for rotating between the horizontal retracted position and the vertical extended position. The top u-shaped member182may open upward when the top u-shaped member182is extended in the vertical position. The top device181may include a retractions means165. The upper and top u-shaped members162,182may be manufactured such that they are interchangeable. In this embodiment the upper device161may be attached with a horizontal object to function as a top device181and the top device181may be attached with a vertical object to function as an upper device161. In addition, the upper and top u-shaped members162,182may also include a cushion protective substance177wherein the musical instrument neck is protected when resting in the u-shaped member162,182.

Means for Moving:

The upper device161, the lower device171, and the top device181include a means for moving that may comprise a pivot point163for rotating or moving between the retracted position and the extended position. The means for moving the upper u-shaped member162between an upper retracted position and an upper extended position; the means for moving the elongated frame member172between a lower retracted position and a lower extended position; or the means for moving the top u-shaped member182between a top retracted position and a top extended position may include but are not limited to any combination of: gravity, a pivot point with a spring, or a physical movement by the user. In addition, the upper device161may include a retraction means165to retract the upper u-shaped member162when the upper u-shaped member162is not locked in the extended position. The means for moving may comprise a retraction means165that may include a spring mechanism that retracts the upper u-shaped member162to a retracted position whenever there is not a force present to restrict movement of the upper u-shaped member162from the retracted position or a force to hold the upper u-shaped member162away from the retracted position. The lower device171may include an elongated frame or a rectangular shaped member172with a pivot point163for rotating from the retracted position to the extended position. The lower device171may also include a retraction means165to retract the elongated frame member172when a force is not applied to hold elongated frame member172in the extended position or a force to hold the elongated frame member172in the retracted position. The top device181may include a top u-shaped member182hinged for extending and holding the neck of a musical instrument, a pivot point163for rotating from the horizontal retracted position to the vertical extended position and the top device181may further comprise a retraction means for retracting the top u-shaped member182when the top u-shaped member182is not locked in the extended position. The top u-shaped member182opens upward when the top u-shaped member182is extended in the vertical position. The top device181may include a retractions means165.

Means for Locking:

The upper device161, the lower device171, or the top device181include a means for locking wherein a pivot point163may cooperate with a locking means164such that the upper u-shaped member162, the elongated frame member172, or the top u-shaped member182may be held in the extended position. One locking means may include a notch164wherein the upper u-shaped member162, the elongated frame member172, or the top u-shaped member182with the pivot point163may be positioned by moving or sliding the upper u-shaped member162, the elongated frame member172, or the top u-shaped member182into a locked position by sliding the upper u-shaped member162, the elongated frame member172, or the top u-shaped member182left or right into the notch164while the upper u-shaped member162, the elongated frame member172, or the top u-shaped member182is in the extended position. The notch164restrains the upper u-shaped member162, the elongated frame member172, or the top u-shaped member182from returning to the retracted position. The upper device161, and the lower device171may be attached with the approximately vertical object such that the pivot point163is above the upper u-shaped member162or the elongated frame member172such that gravity would retract the member when the member is not locked in the extended position. The upper, lower, and top devices161,171,181may include a stop with the means to move between the extended and the retracted position such that the movement is limited to approximately ninety degrees. The utility case100handle118may have a stop such that as the user lifts the handle118it stops at approximately ninety degrees thus the handle118is rotated to an extended position defined by the stop for lifting the utility case118. The upper and lower devices161,171may use this same principle except lowering the u-shaped member162or the elongated frame member172approximately ninety degrees to a stop for an extended position instead of raising the u-shaped member162or the elongated frame member172approximately ninety degrees to the stop as for the handle118. In some embodiments gravity may hold the member162,172, or182in the extended position. The top device181may use an over-centered stop wherein the top u-shaped member182rotates past ninety degrees to maintain the top device181in an extended position. In addition, the locking means for preventing movement of the members162,172, and182may include but is not limited to a clip, snap, slide with notch, and friction between the moving parts of the device161,171,181for locking the device in the retracted position or the extended position or locking the device between these positions.

The Utility Case:

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 5, a combination utility case100includes: a cover110and a base140. The cover110and the base140may be combined with an upper compartment120including a lid122for access to the upper compartment120. The cover110and base140may be combined with a device or devices161,171,181that extend and retract in relationship with the utility case100that may hold a musical instrument such as a guitar stand may hold a guitar. A typical combination utility case100may include a utility case100combined with an upper device161and a lower device171on one side of the utility case cover110for extending and holding a guitar with the upper and lower device161,171. Another combination utility case100may include a utility case100combined with a top device181for holding a guitar in position while working on the guitar such that the instrument may rest on top112of the utility case100with the top device181holding the neck of the guitar in position while adjusting or repairing the guitar. Still another combination may include a utility case100combined with an upper compartment120in the upper portion of the utility case100cover wherein a lid122is included with the top112of the cover110to allow access to the upper compartment120. A number of different combinations of these elements along with the use of one or more sides as musical instrument stands are envisioned within the metes and bounds of this specification.

The Cover110:

As depicted inFIGS. 1 through 5, the utility case100for musical instrument equipment generally includes two components, a cover110and a base140. The cover110includes at least one side113. Typically, the cover110includes a top112and four sides, a front side114, a left side115, a rear side116, and a right side117. The cover110may also include an upper compartment120in the upper portion of the cover110. The upper compartment120may be formed by addition of an upper compartment floor121attached with the upper portion of the cover110. In addition to one large upper compartment, the upper compartment120may be divided into several smaller compartments. These compartments may be adjustable for the size of the equipment to be stowed in the adjustable compartment128. In the multiple adjustable compartment application, an adjustable wall129may be used to adjust the compartment size. The adjustable wall129may vary from being able to move a simple piece of foam placed in the desired location to separate the equipment and hold the equipment in place as it is transported, to a more sophisticated snap-in adjustable wall that can be snapped out and snapped into several locations. The upper compartment120may also have a fixed size compartment130within the upper compartment120. This fixed size compartment may be desirable in applications where an adjustable size is not needed but a certain size in routinely used for the application. A fixed wall131may be secured with fasteners including but not limited to rivets, screws, epoxy, glue, and joints joining the fixed wall131and the upper compartment120or other fixed walls131. The upper compartment120may also include a combination of both fixed130and adjustable compartments128in the same embodiment. The fixed or adjustable walls129,131, upper compartment120, and cover110may include foam lining124for protection of delicate equipment. The top112of the cover110may include a hinged lid122and fasteners125for securing the hinged lid122in place or releasing the hinged lid122to allow the hinged lid122to be pivoted open for access to the upper compartment120. The hinged lid122may have a hinge stop to allow only a limited number of degrees of rotation when opening the hinged lid122. The cover110may have at least one handle118for moving and/or lifting the utility case100and or lifting the cover110off of the base140. The cover110and the base140may have fasteners125to secure the cover110with the base140. The fasteners125may be releasable buckle-type fasteners.

The Base140:

As shown inFIGS. 1 through 5, the base140may include fasteners125that are releasable for attaching the base140with the cover110. The base140may support amplifiers or other larger equipment used with musical instruments. Typically, the base140will be foam lined124to protect delicate equipment. The base140may also have casters or wheels142for ease of moving the utility case100from one location to another. The base140and the cover110may be made of durable plastic or aluminum or similar material for durability and light weight.

Upper Compartment with Adjustable and Fixed Foam Lined Compartments:

As depicted inFIGS. 1 through 5, one embodiment may include a utility case100and an upper compartment120combination wherein the combination comprises: a base140, and a cover110wherein: the cover110comprises at least one cover side113and a cover top112, the cover110is attached with the base140for transportation of the utility case100, and the cover110further comprises a lid122in an upper portion of the cover110wherein the lid122is hinged with the cover110for access to the upper compartment120formed in the upper portion of the cover110below the hinged lid122, wherein the upper compartment120further comprises at least two movable compartments128within the upper compartment120that may be adjusted in size to meet the size of the equipment and articles to be placed in the movable compartments, and foam cushion lining124for protection of delicate equipment, wherein the utility case100may further comprise handles118for lifting the utility case100or the cover110, and wheels142for moving the case100.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1,2,6, and7, one embodiment of the retractable device may comprise a kit including an upper device161comprising an upper u-shaped member162, a pivot point163for rotating from the vertical retracted position to the horizontal extended position wherein the pivot point163further comprises a locking means164such that the upper u-shaped member162may be held in an extended position by moving the upper u-shaped member162into a locked position, a retraction means165to retract the upper u-shaped member162when not locked in the extended position; a lower device171comprising an elongated frame or a rectangular shaped member172with a pivot point163for rotating between the vertical retracted position and the horizontal extended position wherein the pivot point163further comprises a locking means164such that the elongated frame member172may be held in the extended position by moving the elongated frame member172with the pivot point163into a locked position, a retraction means165to retract the elongated frame member172when not held in the extended position, wherein the lower device elongated frame member172may comprise a rod or tube shaped in a rectangular fashion and a rubber coating177with the elongated frame member172to protect the musical instrument from damage and to secure the musical instrument on the lower device171; and an assortment of hardware for attaching the upper device161and the lower device171with the utility case100.