Adjustable carrier for musical instrument cases, utilizing a method for securing cases which have handles

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.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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

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.

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.

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'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.

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.

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'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.

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.

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

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

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.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

10aFabric, inside top section

10bFabric, inside middle section

10cFabric, inside bottom section

11aFabric, outside top section

11bfabric, outside middle section

11cFabric, outside bottom section

26aHook and loop fabric

26bHook and loop fabric

27aHook and loop fabric

27bHook and loop fabric

36aHook and loop fabric

36bHook and loop fabric

38aHook and loop fabric

38bHook and loop fabric

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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.

Referring toFIG. 1, the inside of the adjustable carrier for musical instrument cases, utilizing a method for securing cases which have handles, is shown. The fabric (10a,10b,10c) is laid flat. The longitudinal straps (12a,12band14a,14b) are attached to the inside. A case with a handle would be placed in the center of the carrier (10b), and the longitudinal straps12aand14awould be threaded through the handle of said case. Straps12aand14awould then be connected to straps12band14b,respectively. In these drawings, the straps are being connected with releasable buckles. Once the straps are connected, the fabric (10a,10c) would be folded around the case. Strap16, (attached to rigid edge20), would be connected to strap18(which is attached to rigid edge22). In this drawing, the straps are being connected with releasable buckles. Then flap24would be folded over the top, over rigid edge22, and would be connected to the outside fabric. In this drawing, hook and loop fabric (26aand27a) is used to secure the flap to the corresponding hook and loop fabric (26band27b), located on the outside of the carrier and shown as hidden in this drawing.

FIG. 1also shows the removable shoulder strap46, which connects to D-rings40and42, which are shown as hidden behind flap24.

FIG. 1also shows that handle44, 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 flap24.

Referring toFIG. 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 (11a,11b,11c). The handle44is also visible. Backpack-style straps28and30are attached to the fabric (11a). Flaps32and34are shown open. When closed, they cover backpack-style straps28and30and attach to one another and fabric11a.In this drawing, hook and loop fabric [36a,36b(hidden),38a,38b] is used. Also visible is strap18and hook and loop fabric (27b,26b). D-rings42and40are attached to rigid edge20.

Referring toFIG. 3, a case with a handle is placed on straps12a,12b,14aand14b.FIG. 3shows straps12aand14athreaded through the handle of the case and connected to straps12band14b,respectively. In this drawing, the straps are connected with releasable buckles.

Referring toFIG. 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 strap28is visible and ready to be placed over the operator's right shoulder. Strap14aand14bis seen threaded through the handle of the case and connected. (Strap12aand12bis also connected but not visible.) In this drawing, the strap is connected with releasable buckles. Fabric11bforms the bottom of the carrier. Fabric11aand11care folded around the case and secured, with strap16connected to strap18. In this drawing, the straps are connected with releasable buckles. Flap24is folded over the top and connected to fabric11c.Handle44is visible at the top of the carrier. D-ring42is also visible. Flap32is tucked under back-pack-style strap28and is in the closed position.

The fabric (10a,10b,10c) is laid flat. A case with a handle would be placed upright on the carrier, in the center (10b). The longitudinal straps12aand14awould be threaded through the handle of said case. Straps12aand14awould then be adjusted for length and connected to straps12band14b,respectively. Once the straps are connected, the fabric (10a,10c,11a,11c) would be folded around the case. Strap16would be connected to strap18. Flap24would then be folded over the top of the carrier and connected to the outside fabric (11c) using hook and loop fabric or other fastener.

The carrier can then be transported by either using the backpack-style straps (28and30) or the removable shoulder strap46. Backpack-style strap28would go over the operator's right shoulder, and backpack-style strap30would go over the operator's left shoulder. If the backpack-style straps are used, the removable strap46can be removed from d-rings40and42. Flaps32and34would be tucked under the backpack-style straps and secured with hook and loop fabric or other fastener. If the removable shoulder strap46is used, the backpack-style straps can be covered with flaps32and34, which would be secured to each other and the outside fabric11cwith hook and loop fabric or other fastener.

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.

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, straps12a,12b,14a,14b,16, and18could be secured by alternate methods, such as a hook and loop fabric, snaps, or other methods.

The fabric10a,10b,10c,11a,11b,and11ccan be made out of a variety of materials. Its shape can also be modified. Pockets can be added to the fabric (10a,10c,and11c). For example, in one embodiment of the invention, on the inside of the carrier, the fabric10aalso includes an accordion-style pocket, with two or more pockets on fabric10c.

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.

The removable shoulder strap46may be padded. It also may include removable padding. It may be attached to the D-rings (40and42) using a variety of methods.

Additional D-rings may be added to the fabric. Other items such as keys and accessory pouches can be clipped to the D-rings.

Furthermore, this carrier is not limited to use for cases containing musical instruments.

Thus, the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.