Portable stand and mount for securing a portable media or audio player to a support

Disclosed is an apparatus for securing a media or audio player to a support and the related methods of use.

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention is in the field of an apparatus for securing a portable media or audio player to a drum kit or other musical instrument or a support.

2. Background of the Invention

Various types and sizes of media or audio players are available for use by a musical instrument playing musician. Frequently, musicians, especially drummers, use the media/audio players to produce accompaniment for practicing or performing the operation of their chosen musical instrument. Accordingly, the musician must change, from time-to-time, between operation of the media/audio player and the musical instrument.

Under such circumstances, conventional use and operation methods for the media or audio players have typically been inadequate. Typically, the musician cannot always have the musical instrument and the media/audio player within operable reach, thereby increasing the down-time associated with operating the media/audio player. Furthermore, the typical location for the musician to place the media/audio player is not readily adaptable to media/audio players of differing sizes and shapes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and the associated methods for placing a media and audio player within the operable reach of a musician playing a musical instrument, possibly even on the instrument itself.

It is an object of the present invention to provided an apparatus and the associated methods for providing a location wherein media/audio players of different physical dimensions and shapes may be placed.

It is an object of the present invention to provided an apparatus and the associated methods for facilitating the media/audio player accompaniment of a musician playing a musical instrument.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provided an apparatus adjustable to accommodate different devices and positions as well as rapid placement and removal.

It is to be noted, however, that the appended figures illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments that will be appreciated by those reasonably skilled in the relevant arts. Also, figures are not necessarily made to scale but are representative.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In general, the apparatus1of the present invention defines a means for placing different sized and shaped media/audio players within the operable reach of a musician playing a musical instrument. In general operation, the apparatus1may: be removably attached to a support and positioned within the operable reach of a musician; be customized to the size and/or shape of a media/audio player; and, receive a media/audio player.

FIG. 1illustrates an overhead perspective view of the apparatus1of the present invention. As seen in the figure, the apparatus1typically comprises three main features: (1) a support platform100; (2) a base200; and (3) a means for securing a particular media/audio player300to the apparatus1.

FIG. 2also illustrates an overhead perspective view of the apparatus1, but, unlikeFIG. 1,FIG. 2illustrates the securing means300in one of many different configurations.

FIGS. 3 and 4respectively depict a top view of the apparatus1in theFIG. 1andFIG. 2configurations.FIGS. 3 and 4also depict the preferable structure of the support platform100. Still referring toFIGS. 3 and 4, the support platform100may be defined by a surface101planarly extending around the top of the base200. Preferably, the surface101features an adhering means102for removably and repeatably associating the surface101with the securing means300(compareFIG. 3withFIG. 4wherein a portion of the securing means300has been detached from the surface101of the apparatus1to create a different securing means300configuration). However, as discussed below, a cooperating adhering means302may also be provided to the securing means300. In the preferable embodiment, the cooperating adhering means102and302may be a hook and loop fastener system, as has been marketed under Velcro® trademarks or some other adhesive for repeatable attachment/removal.

FIGS. 5 and 6respectively depict a side view of the apparatus1in theFIG. 1andFIG. 2configurations.FIGS. 3 through 6also depict the preferable structure of the base200. Still referring toFIG. 3 through 6, the base200is preferably defined by a connecting wall201, a bottom202, and an aperture203. In one embodiment, the base200may define a depression on the support platform100(i.e., the wall201merges into both the bottom202and the surface101). In another embodiment, the base200may be a separate component from the surface101and (in such a case) adhesive, weld, fasteners (including male-female screw and nut insertion of the base200into the platform100), and other fasting means known to one of skill in the art may be employed for assembling the base200and support platform100. Finally, the aperture203may define a means for attaching the apparatus1to a support via a nut and bolt system, or the like, interacting therewith.

FIGS. 1 through 6respectively illustrate two different configurations of the apparatus1. More specifically,FIGS. 2,4, and6depict the apparatus1wherein the securing means300has been adapted to a different configuration than depicted inFIGS. 1,3, and5. A comparison of the two depicted configurations, discloses information about the structure and function of the securing means300.

FIGS. 1 and 2best depict the preferable structure of the securing means300. As seen in the stated figures, the securing means300is defined by a plurality of support structures301. The specific dimensions of the support structures301may vary depending on the media/audio player to be supported. Subject thereto, the support structures are preferably between the thickness (i.e., distance protruding from the surface101) of zero-point-one centimeters (0.1 cm) and four inches (4 in). It should be noted that the size of the securing means300may vary in size and shape in order to accommodate plugs and volume controls used with the media/audio player (see the photos appended to the drawings). As seen by comparingFIGS. 1 and 2, structures301composing the securing means300may be exchanged, depleted or supplemented with structures301of the same or varying dimensions (see alsoFIGS. 7 through 10). The support structures301may be made of foam, wood, rubber, plastic, metal, and etcetera. As discussed above support structures may preferably feature an adhering means302for cooperating with the adhering means102on the surface101. In an alternate embodiment, the support structures301may feature an independent adhering means302or none at all. In the preferable embodiment, the adhering means102and302are a hook and loop fastener system, as has been marketed under Velcro® trademarks or some other adhesive for repeatable attachment/removal or some other adhesive for repeatable attachment/removal. In alternate embodiments of the securing means300, the securing means300may feature a strap that extends over a media/audio player to retain it within the securing means.

FIGS. 3 and 4best depict the preferable function of the securing means300. As seen in the stated figures, the location of the support structures301may be manipulated about the surface101to fit the size and shape of the would-be supported media/audio player. Manipulation of the support structure301location may be accomplished via detaching the individual support structures301from the surface101(i.e., disengaging the adhering means102and103) and subsequently refastening the structure301to a different spot on the surface101. For example, a structure301from the apparatus1configuration ofFIG. 3may be removed to create the apparatus1configuration ofFIG. 4in order to accommodate a media/audio player of greater length.

FIG. 7illustrates the top view of the apparatus with the securing means300entirely removed for supporting a media/audio player that occupies the substantial portion of the surface101.FIG. 8 through 10illustrate variations and of the securing means300configuration on the apparatus1.

FIG. 11illustrates a contextual view of the apparatus1provided to a support3. As depicted in the figure, a media/audio player2has been provided to a securing means300adapted to the size and shape of the player2. Also seen in the figure is the support3to which the apparatus1is provided. In this particular embodiment, the support3is a stand-alone structure with multiple degrees of freedom for positioning the surface101of the platform100toward the musician and at a height whereby the media/audio player may be rapidly operated, placed, and removed. The apparatus1is provided to the support3via a screw and nut system operating through the aperture203.

FIG. 12illustrates a contextual view of the apparatus1provided to a drum kit4. As depicted in the figure, a media/audio player2has been provided to a securing means300adapted to the size and shape of the provided player2. Also seen in the figure is the support3to which the apparatus1is provided. In this particular embodiment, the support3is coupled to a cymbal stand and the surface101of the platform100is directed toward a drummer at a height whereby the media/audio player may be rapidly operated, placed, and removed while the drummer is playing the associated drum kit. The apparatus1is provided to the support3via a screw and nut system operating through the aperture203.

It should be noted that the apparatus1may take on the general appearance of a cymbal in order to visually blend with the drum kit. Furthermore, the apparatus1may be mounted to a drum kit in a manner similar to a cymbal or on a cymbal stand. The stated features assist the drummer in maintaining fluency during drumming because the drummer will not likely be distracted by an apparently foreign object.

FIG. 13A-13Hare respectively a perspective view, a front view, a back view, a top view, a bottom view, a right side view, a left side view, and an environmental view of another apparatus1000. As seen in these figures, the apparatus1000typically comprises three main features: (1) a support platform1100; (2) a base1200; and (3) a means for securing a particular media/audio player1300to the apparatus1000. The disclosed apparatus1000operates generally in the manner disclosed above in connection with the apparatus1(depicted inFIGS. 1-12) and its securing means1300are suitably positioned on the support surface1100to accommodate media/audio players of the tablet computer variety (e.g., iPad (trademark of Apple, Inc.). The support platform1100generally operates like, and has similar components as, the support platform100of the apparatus1(depicted inFIGS. 1-12), except that the platform1100is made larger to accommodate media/audio players of the tablet variety via extensions1110. The base1200generally operates like, and has similar components as, the base200of the apparatus1(depicted inFIGS. 1-12). The securing means1300generally operate like, and have similar components as, the securing means300of the apparatus1(depicted inFIGS. 1-12). In the depicted embodiment, the securing means1300are affixedly positioned thereon the support platform to accommodate the dimensions of a media/audio player of the tablet variety rather than being adhered thereto in said configuration via an adhering means.

In summary, what is disclosed may be a method of accompanying a musical instrument comprising the steps of: obtaining a media/audio player2; obtaining an apparatus1featuring a securing means300; obtaining a support; attaching the apparatus1to said support; manipulating the securing means300to the size and dimensions of said media/audio player; placing said media/audio player within the apparatus1; and moving said apparatus1and media player2within the operable reach of a musician; and operating the media/audio player2. What is disclosed may also be an apparatus1comprising a base, support platform, and a securing means. What is disclosed may also be a method of setting-up a support apparatus comprising the steps of: obtaining an apparatus1featuring a securing means300; obtaining a support; attaching the apparatus1to said support; manipulating the securing means300to the size and dimensions of a media/audio player; and moving said apparatus1to within the operable reach of a musician.

It should be noted that the figures and the associated descriptions are of illustrative importance only. In other words, the depictions and descriptions of the present invention should not be construed as limiting of the subject matter in this application. The apparatuses, assemblies, components, order and inclusion of steps, and methods discussed hereby are susceptible to modification without changing the overall concept of the disclosed invention. Such modifications might become apparent to one skilled in the art after reading this disclosure.