Abstract:
A versatile system is provided for transporting stringed instruments between venues, for use during a concert or for convenience during maintenance of an instrument. Storage options within or detachably joined cases are also provided. One or a plurality of instruments may be used in the system.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to musical instrument cases with special features for a user. More particularly a system including cases that are adaptable for transporting guitars or other stringed instruments and providing features of particular value to a performer is provided. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Cases for stringed musical instruments are normally designed to protect the instrument from physical damage and to provide a handle for carrying. Guitar cases, in particular, are commonly available is sizes for containing acoustic or electric guitars. They may be made from a variety of materials, from paper to hard plastics or metal. While such devices are adequate for the hobbyist, they fall far sort of satisfying the requirements of professionals, who often change venues for performances and have multiple space and time restrictions. Many musicians can benefit from a system that not only considers the transport of their instrument, but that supports activities necessary during maintenance and use of their instruments. 
         [0005]    Multiple instruments are sometimes moved between performance venues. A safe method is needed for stacking cases so that they can be moved by one person. Each musician requires various devices to repair or maintain an instrument. A detachable storage space that can transport tools or devices with the instrument or instruments when needed is desirable. When strings must be replaced on an instrument, a convenient platform for performing the replacement is needed. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,804 discloses a dual-chambered carrying case for a musical instrument. The case includes a humidity control system. U.S. Pat. No. 4,223,785 discloses a combination case and stand for a stringed instrument. There is an instrument-display position and an instrument-carrying position. A storage compartment is included in the case. U.S. Pat. No. 4,352,480 discloses a foldable guitar stand for multiple guitars. The stand may be telescoped and folded into a structure sized for a carrying case. 
         [0007]    A system for facilitating movement of instruments between performance venues, for allowing easy placement and retrieval of an instrument during a performance and for transporting ancillary supplies and devices used with a string instrument is needed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the base case opened and an instrument in carrying position for a system that may include multiple cases. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the base case opened and an instrument placed in concert position for a system that may include multiple cases. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the base case opened and an instrument in repair position for a system that may include multiple cases. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of the base case closed with a detachable supply box and a retractable handle assembly underneath. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the base case closed. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the base case closed and a second closed case adapted for transporting with the first case. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the first case closed with wheels and a handle for transport with multiple additional cases. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a cross-section view of a detent mechanism used for holding stacked cases together. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , base case  10  of a system that may include cases that are adaptable for transporting guitars or other stringed instruments and providing features of particular value to a performer is illustrated in the open position. Base case  10  is adapted to support extra storage box  11 , which may be removed when not needed. Base case  10  includes bottom member  12  and top member  13 , which are joined by hinges  14 . Top member  13  may include tracks  13   a  to increase structural strength. Fasteners  15  allow securely closing top member  13  and bottom member  12 . Wheels  16 , preferably inset within bottom member  12  at its distal end, may be used in moving base case  10  and other cases. Internal storage compartments  17  and  19  may be provided. Handle  18  may be used to carry base case  10 . Although a guitar is illustrated in the figures, the system may be used with any stringed instrument. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , rack  20  is illustrated in the concert position. Rack  20  may be foldable toward top member  13  or may be rigid and adapted to fit between storage box  19  and bottom member  12  when case  10  is closed. Instruments may be placed as shown in the figure and removed easily. Cut-outs  20   a  in rack  20  are provided to support an instrument in a plane that is approximately perpendicular to bottom member  12  by confining the neck of the instrument. Neck support  24  may be used when an instrument is stored. Flip-up support  22  is shown in a stored position and will be described further below. Body support  26  may be formed from foam, memory foam or other materials and covered with a fabric. All surfaces inside base case  10  are selected to avoid damage to delicate surfaces of instruments. 
         [0018]      FIG. 3  illustrates rack  20  as foldable and in the stored position and flip-up support  22  in the use position, where it may be used during repair of strings or other parts of an instrument. 
         [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates extra storage box  11  detached from bottom member  12  of base case  10 . Fastener  15  and hinges (not shown) may be the same as on base case  10 . Box  11  may be joined to bottom member  12  of base case  10  by fasteners  42 , which may be selected to operate outside or inside bottom member  12  and storage box  11 . Grooves  40   a  are provided in box  11  and the bottom member of base case  10  to allow handle mechanism  40  to be located approximately flush with box  11  and base case  10 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of open base case  10  and handle mechanism  40 . Handle mechanism  40  provides a telescopic in-and-out movement of extension  40   a  at the proximate end of case  10 , which can be extended when base case  10  is to be moved on wheels  16  at the distal end of base case  10 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is a side view of closed base case  10 . Wheels  16  are preferably inset into case  10  such that the wheels extend the outside length or height of the case only a small distance or none at all. The outside dimensions of base case  10  and other cases are preferably selected for ease in shipment or storage. 
         [0022]      FIG. 7  shows isometric drawings of base case  10  and second case  70 . Protruding members  70   a  on the bottom surface of second case  70  are adapted to be inserted into receptacle  70   b  in top member  13  of base case  10 . These members and receptacles prevent sliding of one case over another and may further include a detent mechanism, as described below. Tracks  70   b  on case  70  may be used to increase structural strength of the case. Of course, protrusions and receptacles in cases may be interchanged. 
         [0023]      FIG. 8  shows a side view of three cases: base case  10 , second case  70  and third case  80 , stacked and ready for transport using extendable handle  40   b . Tracks  80   b ,  70   b ,  13   a  and  12   a  may be used to increase structural strength of the cases. Straps may be used in the tracks to hold cases together. Straps may be stored conveniently in handle mechanism  40  or other locations in the system of cases and transport devices. Cases  70 ,  80  or other cases that may be used in the system may include internal storage compartments or flip-up support as shown in base case  10 . All cases are preferably formed from polypropylene or a copolymer with propylene, but may be formed from metal or any other material having sufficient structural strength. 
         [0024]      FIG. 9  illustrates a simple detent mechanism that may be used to hold stacked cases together. Protrusion  70   a  may have bump or ridge  70   x  and be adapted to fit into receptacle  70   b , with bump or ridge  70   x  fitting into pit or groove  70   y.    
         [0025]    Although the present invention has been described with respect to specific details, it is not intended that such details should be regarded as limitations on the scope of the invention, except to the extent that they are included in the accompanying claims.