Music stand

There is provided a new and useful music stand comprising a base having at least three outwardly extending legs and at least one outwardly extending lower instrument support yoke; an upright section supported by the base; and a top section carried on the upright and including at least one integral upper instrument support yoke.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This application relates to music stands. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
There has been a need for an improved music stand and, more generally for 
an improved stand for supporting various of the paraphernalia which is 
from time to time associated with music playing. It is evident that a 
musician or a more youthful practising musician will improve playing where 
distraction are minimized. Thus, for example, having sheet music, 
microphones and other paraphernalia and accessories readily available and 
conveniently positioned will contribute to increased concentration. It has 
in the past frequently been necessary to utilize a variety of stands for 
holding music, microphones, picks and the like, and for supporting 
instruments not in use. This has often resulted in a rather cluttered set 
up. Adjustments become difficult because of the clutter. As well, it 
becomes more difficult to reach extra sheet music and other needed items. 
A music stand has now been provided which integrates a number of 
requirements of a musician to provide a more organized and substantially 
less cluttered environment which thereby lessens distractions and 
contributes to the ability to concentrate on music. 
PRIOR ART 
Applicant is unaware of any prior documents which describe a music stand 
which is in any way relevant to the present invention. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The invention provides a music stand comprising a base having at least 
three outwardly extending legs and at least one outwardly extending lower 
instrument support yoke; an upright section supported by the base; and a 
top section carried on the upright and including at least one integral 
upper instrument support yoke.

While the invention will be described in conjunction with illustrated 
embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the 
invention to such embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover 
all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within 
the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 a music stand 10 comprises a 
base 12, upright section 14 and top section 16. The base 12 comprises a 
series, preferably 3, outwardly extending legs 18, 20 and 22. 
Legs 18 and 20 carry the parts 24 and 26 of a lower instrument support yoke 
28. As is most clearly shown in FIG. 1, parts 24 and 26 are profiled as at 
30 to receive the end of an instrument such as a guitar. Parts 24 and 26 
are secured respectively to legs 18 and 20 by screws 32. 
The legs 18, 20 and 22 preferably sit on feet 34. 
The upright section 14 is supported on and secured to base 12. 
The top section 16 is secured to upright section 14. Top section 16 
includes an integral upper instrument support yoke 36 which is oriented in 
proper alignment with yoke 28 to receive the top of an instrument such as 
a guitar which is resting in yoke 28. A strap 38 is provided for securing 
the instrument in the yoke, if desired. 
Both the upright section 14 and top section 16 are preferably adapted to 
receive clamps on the bottom of sheet music or microphone support arms. 
Thus, upright section 14 preferably includes means 40 intermediate the 
ends 42 and 44 for this purpose. Means 40 is preferably a shelf which 
extends outwardly of at least one side of upright section 14. 
At least a part 46 of top section 16 forms a flat shelf like area also 
adapted to receive clamps. 
In the preferred embodiment the top section 16 includes threaded 
projections 48 and 50 for receiving threaded support posts for sheet music 
and microphone support arms. 
In the preferred embodiment the upright section 14 has secured thereto a 
means such as cylinder 52 which is hollow and open at the top for 
receiving and supporting a beverage container. 
The music stand 10 preferably includes the music and bookshelf 54. The 
longer side 56 is preferably located along the outwardly extending leg 22. 
The bookshelf 54 is thus supported by the leg 22 and is also secured to 
the upright section 14. 
In this configuration the bookshelf 54 will add to the stability of stand 
10 by acting as a counterbalance for an instrument secured in the yokes 28 
and 36. 
Bookshelf 54 is preferably constructed with open sides as at 58, 60 and 62 
to provide easy location of music and music books. The bookshelf 54 is 
also preferably provided with a hinged lid 64 which will enable the stand 
to be readily moved without the necessity for removing the material from 
the bookshelf 54. 
A hook or a pair of hooks 65 may be provided for purposes of hanging 
accessories such as a tuner case (not illustrated) by the case strap. 
Additional preferred features of the invention are illustrated in the 
embodiment of FIGS. 4 to 6. In that embodiment the upright section 14 is 
provided with a second upper yoke 66 from which a smaller instrument such 
as a violin may be hung. A strap 68 is provided for extra security. 
A lower pad 69 is provided to abut with a protective surface against a 
lower part of an instrument hung in yoke 66. 
All of the yokes and pads 68 are preferably well padded for protection of 
instruments placed in them. 
The FIG. 4 to 6 embodiment also illustrates a second format of bookshelf 
and storage container. Thus the bookshelf 70 is oriented transverse to the 
leg 22. Notches 72 and 74 are provided in upright section 1 and leg 22 to 
receive the edges 76 and 78 respective of bookshelf 70. In this embodiment 
the bookshelf 70 has an open front for easy access to books and music. As 
is evident in FIG. 4, the bookshelf 70 is oriented at an angle to the 
vertical to more securely retain materials placed in it. 
A second storage container 80, closed and with a hinged lid 82 is supported 
on the top 84 of bookshelf 70 and is secured alongside 86 to upright 
section 14. 
A beverage container holder 88 is secured to one side of container 80. 
Container 80 is particularly well adapted for containing microphone cord 
and the like. 
A further smaller closed container 90 having hinged lid 92 is positioned on 
the top of container 80 and secured to the upright section 14. This 
container is particularly well adapted for storage of small accessories 
such as picks, connectors and the like. 
Thus it is apparent that there has been provided in accordance with the 
invention a music stand that fully satisfies the objects, aims and 
advantages set forth above. While the invention has been described in 
conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many 
alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those 
skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it 
is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations 
as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the invention.