Abstract:
Improvements in an expandable musical instrument stand where the components of the stand are constructed with tubular sections. The tubular section telescope with an extension mechanism placed between the tubular members to assist in adjusting the playing height of the musical instrument. The expandable construction allows the musical stand to be broken down into smaller sections to make it easier to transport and simple to erect. The expandable section is ideally used with the center tube with a three or four leg stand where the legs can be collapsible on the center tube or the legs can be constructed with the same or similar construction as the center tube where they can be stacked and clamped with a collar.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of applicant&#39;s co-pending application Ser. No. 11/450,679 filed Jun. 9, 2006 the entire contents of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not Applicable 
   THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
   Not Applicable 
   INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
   Not Applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1 Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates generally to an expandable musical instrument stand stands, and more particularly the expandable music stand has a gas strut or similar self expanding device that can be stopped by a user at various amounts of extension to place an instrument on the stand at the desired height. 
   2 Description of Related Art including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98: 
   Today many tripod and or other types of stands are configured to be collapsible or extendable. One of the major benefits of making stands collapsible or extendable is that that stands can be transported and stored in a smaller size. Most of these stands are desirable for supporting various articles and instruments since they provide selective height adjustment and a stable support. They are particularly useful is supporting such things as cameras, video equipment, telescopes, surveying instruments, and musical instruments. Tripod stands for drums, however, raise special problems when used on steps or stairs of an auditorium or stadium. 
   There are several patents that describe various adjustable tripod stand devices. Bureau U.S. Pat. No. 1,517,825 shows a tripod support for a table having adjustable legs. 
   Some patents describe tubular construction where tubes nest inside at least a portion of each other to extend the length of the tubular structure, examples of this type of extendable construction are found in Cantwell et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,827,958, Tiballi U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,873, Tidwell U.S. Pat. No. 6,038,802 and Burris U.S. Pat. No. 6,857,607. While these each disclose stacking tubular sections upon each other to form a longer tubular section, they all require the joining to be formed with members that engage within each other. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,643,966 issued to Schmitt is formed with rectangular tubes and an internal member is placed between each tubular section to join the tubes together. A pin or other similar hardware is placed through the tubular sections to retain them in place. While these each disclose stacking tubular sections upon each other to form a longer tubular section, they all require the joining to be formed with members that engage completely within each other. 
   Boehm, U.S. Pat. No. 3,570,130 discloses a holding device for surveying instruments which includes a channel-like mounting bracket with a pair of instrument gripping clamps and a pair of adjustable legs thereon which cooperate with the instrument to form a tripod type support for supporting the instrument in a reference position. 
   This invention is an improvement over May U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,910. It is distinguished over the prior art in general, and these patents in particular by an adjustable tripod stand with independently adjustable legs which comprises a longitudinal extensible upright portion of telescoping tubular members, a plurality of collar members slidably mounted on the upright portion which are longitudinally adjustable relative to one another and to the upright portion for selective positioning thereon, and a plurality of movable leg members are operatively connected to upper and lower collar members for selective independent longitudinal positioning and radial extension relative to the upright portion and to one another. One leg of the tripod is adjustable in length, a sufficient amount, to permit support on two different stairs or steps of an auditorium or stadium. 
   What is needed is an adjustable extension mechanism to assist in lifting a musical instrument. The ideal system would allow a performer to expedite raise and lower a musical instrument mounted on an instrument stand with minimal effort where the extension mechanism offsets the weight of the musical instrument and a securing mechanism on the stand maintains the adjusted height. The proposed musical instrument stand with assisted extension satisfies these needs. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore an object of the present musical instrument stand to provide an expandable musical instrument stand made from extruded sections where the extruded sections include a dovetail feature that allows the extruded tubular sections to be locked together. 
   It is another object of this musical instrument stand to utilize dovetail locking features to engage tubular sections and allow the stand to become longer. The leg section creates both the leg support and the locking mechanism for the additional tubular extension. 
   It is another object of this musical instrument stand to allow the overall height of the instrument stand significantly reduced make the stand easier to transport and store, the long center tube support can be split into two or more pieces and assembled using an existing leg clamp to secure the two center tube sections rigidly together. 
   Another object of this musical instrument stand is to provide an adjustable tripod stand that has two or more independently adjustable movable legs providing versatility and stability in the support system. 
   Another object of this musical instrument stand is to provide an adjustable tripod stand that allows for the body of the stand to be oriented in a greater off-axis position while maintaining the center of gravity in a stable support system. 
   Another object of the musical instrument stand is to allow collars that support the legs, to be slidably adjusted past each other to allow for a greater variety of adjustment. 
   Another object of the musical instrument stand is to provide additional extension legs that can be used in combination with the legs of the tripod stand to give greater extension capability for placement of the tripod stand on uneven surfaces. 
   Another object of the musical instrument stand is for the geometry of the center tube and the legs to be essentially the same to allow for part commonality and interchangeability. 
   Another object of the musical instrument stand is to allow the position of the leg brace to be adjustable to allow the angular arc or position of the leg to be adjusted beyond a single fixed fulcrum brace point. 
   Another object of the musical instrument stand to utilize an assisted lifting mechanism, such as a spring or gas strut, to make adjusting the height of the playing surface of the musical instrument easier. The assisted lifting mechanism allows for an infinite number of heights that the instrument can be adjusted and the adjustment can be made quickly by a performer. Various lifting mechanisms can be used based upon the required force and the amount of extension that is required. 
   A still further object of this musical instrument stand is to provide an adjustable tripod stand for supporting articles which is simple in construction, light-weight, economical to manufacture, rugged and reliable in use. 
   A further object of the present musical instrument stand to provide an adjustable tripod stand that has independently adjustable movable legs for supporting cantilevered drums, including bongos, tenors and snare drums. 
   Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present musical instrument stand will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the musical instrument stand, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a preferred, adjustable-tripod-stand for bongo drums in accordance with one embodiment of the present musical instrument stand. 
       FIG. 2  is a view in side elevation of the adjustable tripod stand shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is an end view of one of the center tubes or legs of the tripod. 
       FIG. 4  is an isometric view of one of the leg clamps positioned on the center tube or leg tube of the tripod. 
       FIG. 5  is an isometric view of one of the clamps for the tripod shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
       FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of another embodiment of the stand. 
       FIG. 7  is a detailed view of the collar portion of the stand shown in  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 8  is an alternate detailed view of the collar portion of the stand shown in  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of the leg extender shown in  FIGS. 1 , and  2 . 
       FIG. 10  is an isometric view of the tripod leg on which the extender is supported. 
       FIG. 11  is a side view of the leg extender shown in  FIGS. 1 , and  2 . 
       FIG. 12  is an end view of one of the center tubes or legs of the tripod. 
       FIG. 13  is an end view of a slider that operates with the center tube and leg tube as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 14  is an exploded view of the extension mechanism. 
       FIG. 15  is an exploded view of the clamping mechanism for the extension lift mechanism. 
       FIG. 16  is an isometric view of the extendable tripod stand with a high tension snare drum. 
       FIG. 17  is an isometric view of the extendable tripod stand with a vertically mounted bass drum. 
       FIG. 18  is an isometric view of the extendable tripod stand with a drum array. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  6 ,  7  and  8 , a preferred adjustable tripod stand  10  having a longitudinal lower upright center tube  11  and longitudinal upright center tube  26 , which is fluted with a plurality of circumferentially spaced grooves  12 , shown in the cross section of tubes  11  and  26  in  FIG. 3 , extending longitudinally of its exterior surface. There are four grooves  12  which are equally spaced and dovetail shaped in cross section. Fluted tubes  11  and  26  are used for the upright support of the tripod and for the legs  23 . These legs can be the same geometry and diameter or could be constructed with different geometry or different diameters. 
   The upper apex of two of the legs  23  is connected to the central tube  11  with a semi-circular (half tube) leg support collar member  14 . A second semi-circular (half tube) leg support collar member  14  attaches two of the legs  23  to the leg braces  24  in the mid portion of lower tube  11 . It should be noted here that the semi-circular leg support  14  is used as both an upper and a lower support for the two legs where they slide and attach to the center tube  11 . The upper apex of one of the legs  23  is connected to the central tube  11  with a semi-circular leg supporting collar member  13 . A second semi-circular leg support collar  13  also attaches the leg  23  to the leg brace  24  in the mid portion of the lower tube  11 . It should be noted here that the semi-circular leg support  13  is used as both an upper and a lower support for a single leg where they slide and attach to the center tube  11  and in addition the leg support  13  is utilized as a connection from a single tube to another tube and from a single tube to a brace such as item  25 . These collars  13  and  14  are slidably mounted on center tube  11 . Semi-circular leg brace support collar members  13  for one of the legs  23  and a collar member  14  for two of the legs  23  are slidably mounted on center tube  11 . The center tubes and legs are shown with different diameter tubing but in some embodiments the center tube and the legs are constructed from the same tubular material. 
   The position of the leg brace on the leg is adjustable to change the angular arc for the leg position. Ideally the leg brace is placed in the middle of the length of the leg, but other locations of the leg brace can be set to change how far the leg can be extended from the center tube. In one contemplated embodiment one leg is shorter that the other two legs. The position of the collar  13  on the shorter leg is placed at the apex where the longer legs are secured to center tube  11 . This provides additional support to the tripod stand to prevent or reduce flexing or motion while an instrument is being played. 
   As described above, the legs may also be extended radially inward and outward. This allows for placement of the stand on an uneven or multi-level surface or platform and also in limited or confined areas. The legs may be adjusted relative to an uneven or multi-level surface to cause the vertical axis of the stand to be disposed in an off-vertical axis position for placing the center of gravity of the supported article relative to the center of the supporting legs even if they are at different heights. 
   If one of the upper leg collar members  13  and its corresponding leg brace collar member  13  is moved closer together on the center tube  11 , the bottom of the leg(s) connected thereto will be extended radially outward to be positioned an unequal distance from the center of the center tube  11  relative to the other leg(s). 
   When one of the upper leg collar members  13  and its corresponding leg brace collar members  13  is moved away from the other on the center tube  11 , the bottom of the leg(s) connected thereto will be drawn radially inward to be positioned an unequal distance from the center of the tube  11  relative to the other leg(s). 
   As seen in  FIG. 1 , the upper leg collar members  13 ,  14  and leg brace collar members  13 ,  14  are movable from a position where the tripod legs are collapsed to a position where the bottom of the legs will extend radially an equal distance from the center of tubular member  11 . 
   One collar members  13  is shown detailed in  FIG. 4 , and collar member  14  as shown detailed in  FIG. 5 . Members  13  and  14  are semi-circular in cross section with the longitudinal ears  18  and edges  17  formed inwardly to fit in the dovetail longitudinal grooves of the center tubes  11  and  26  as shown in cross sectional detail in  FIG. 3 . The geometry of the center tube ( FIG. 3 ) and the geometry of the leg(s)  23  as show in  FIG. 6-8  could be essentially the same allowing for interchangeability of the center tube and leg components. Collar members  13  ( FIG. 4) and 14  ( FIG. 5 ) have ears  19  with holes  20  for receiving a hinge bolt  21 .  FIG. 3  shows a preferred embodiment of the dovetail longitudinal grooves  12  arranged in 90 degree orientation pattern, but other arrangements including but not limited to 30, 45, 60, and 120 degree orientations or combinations thereof are contemplated that will provide the desired result. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8  that show various details of the semi-circular locking collar  40  with the locking edges  17  in the collar  40  and corresponding dovetail grooves  42  in recesses  12  in the tubes. Because the playing height of a drum or other percussion instrument requires the instrument stand to be assembled in a tall configuration that can be difficult to transport and store, the dovetail locking feature allows the stand to be broken into shorter sections, and re-assembled into an elongated support stand. The semi-circular collar  40  partially encircles tubes  11  and  26 . In the preferred embodiment, the collar is a circular arc of about 180 degrees, but it is contemplated that angles as small as 119 to less than 360 degrees can accomplish locking the tubes. The shape of the collar is fabricated from an aluminum extrusion or casting that is an elongated circular ring sector. At or near the proximal edges tabs  17  configured as tapered dovetail tabs exist. The tubes  11  and  26  have multiple recesses  12  with mating tapered grooves  42  that the dovetail edges on the collar members  17  engage in. When the collar  40  is brought into position on the tube  11  or  26  such that the collar extends beyond the end of the tube, the collar  40  is locked onto one of the tubes where it binds the collar onto one of the tubes. The locking or binding is from one or more threaded fasteners such as wing screw  47  that secures the collar  40  on the first lower center tube  11  and screw  22  that secures the second upper center tube  26  in the collar  40  ( FIGS. 6 &amp; 7 ) that wedges the collar dovetail tabs into the corresponding dovetail grooves in the tube  11 . 
   In the preferred embodiment one of the legs is configured in a different length than the other legs. The difference in length of the one leg produces and places the center tube in an off vertical axis or prone condition that is ideal for cantilevered placement of a percussion instrument. The cantilevered orientation allows the player to position themselves closer to the instrument being played with minimal interference from the leg(s). In the embodiments shown in  FIG. 6  one leg is shorter than the remaining two legs, but it is also contemplated that the odd leg be configured longer than the odd remaining two legs. One or more of the legs can be adjusted to altered the central tube(s)  11  and  26  from a vertical orientation to effectively center the tripod base under an instrument. Referring briefly to  FIGS. 16 and 18  the central tube is off of vertical and the tripod base is shown essentially under the musical instrument(s) drum(s)  80  and  82 . 
   Each of the collar members  13 ,  14  and  40  ( FIGS. 1-2 ,  6 ,  7  and  8 ) is independently movable relative to the others on tubular member  11  and  26 . Wing screws  22  and  47  are provided on the collar members  13 ,  14 ,  40  and when tightened, the collar members are locked in a desired position on center tube  11  and  26  or leg tube  23 . 
   The leg brace support collar members  13  ( FIG. 2 ) are substantially similar in construction and operation to the upper leg support collar members  14  ( FIG. 1 ). Each collar member  13  is semi-circular (half tube) in cross section with the longitudinal edges bent inwardly to fit in the longitudinal grooves  12 . 
   Each collar member  13  has a wing screws  22  or thumb screw  47  for locking it in place in the same manner as collar members  13 . Thus, each collar  13  is independently movable relative to the others on the center tube, and each may be locked in a desired position on the tube  11 , or leg  23 . 
   This allows for placement of the stand in limited or confined areas. If the legs are supported on a level surface, this adjustment will cause the longitudinal, vertical axis of the stand to be disposed in an off-vertical axis position for placing the center of gravity of the supported article relative to the center of the supporting legs. This adjustment also provides a minimum or maximum peripheral support base. 
   It can be seen from detailed  FIGS. 7 and 8  that the collar  40  is locked in a position that extends above the lower tube  11 . This extension above the lower tube allows the upper tube  26  to be slid down the collar and placed into position in an abutted orientation with the lower tube  11 . The upper tube  26  is similar or the same extruded construction as the lower tube  11  which includes multiple recessed  12  with mating tapered grooves  42  that the dovetail edges  17  engage in. One or more threaded fasteners  22  or  47  ( FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8 ) wedge the collar dovetail tabs into the corresponding dovetail grooves in tube  26  to form an extended support shaft. In the configuration shown the collar is combined with the leg support, but other embodiments are contemplated that do not include the leg support with the collar. Only one collar is shown in the figures but it is contemplate that multiple collars, each with an extending tube can be us used to extend the assembly to a greater length. It is also contemplated that the collars can be used with the legs of the stand to provide a wider support base. 
   An elongate telescoping inner tubular member  34  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) is slidably received within the center tube  11  and or  26  and anchored in position by a wing screw or locking clamp. It is contemplated that the telescoping tubular member can be fluted, indexed or keyed to prevent or limit rotation of the members and they extend. The upper end of inner telescoping tubular member  34  has a bracket  35  and pivoted locking member  36  for securing drums  37  in place. This tripod is designed for supporting a bongo drum but other drums may be supported if desired. In  FIG. 6 , a portion of upper tube  26  has been cut away showing a lift mechanism  39  that assists the inner telescoping tubular member  34 . While a spring has been shown as the lift assisting mechanism other lifting mechanisms including but not limited to a spring, gas filled strut or other similar lifting mechanism are contemplated to assist a user to extend the telescoping inner tube member  34  out of the center tube  26 . An embodiment shown and describing a gas filled lift strut is found in  FIG. 9  herein. 
   The top portion of the stand may have various conventional tripod mounting hardware for mounting a variety of articles and instruments including but not limited to such things as cameras, video equipment, telescopes, surveying instruments, and musical instruments. It should be understood that the particular tripod stand illustrated has a top portion configured to support musical drums however other top portions may be provided for supporting such things as cameras, video equipment, telescopes, surveying instruments, and the like. 
   Each of leg members  23  optionally includes a leg extender member  27  slidably supported thereon as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  9  and  10 . Leg extender member  27  has a semi-circular (half tube) collar portion  28  and a rigid leg portion  29 . Collar portion  28  has longitudinal edges  30  ( FIG. 13 ) formed inwardly  17  to fit in the dovetail longitudinal grooves  12  ( FIG. 12 ) for sliding movement to extend one of the leg members  23 . 
   Center tube  11  is adjustable up or down relative to collar members  14  and  13 . Leg extenders  27  are adjustable to permit the tripod assembly  10  to fit on extreme different levels, when the tripod is used on the stairs or steps of a stadium or auditorium. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 9 and 10  that show a side elevation view and isometric view of the tripod and snare drums installed on the steps or stairs of a stadium or auditorium. Each of leg members  23  may have a leg extender member  27  slidably supported thereon. The leg extender member  27  has a semi-circular (half tube) collar portion and a rigid leg portion. The collar portion has longitudinal edges formed inwardly to fit in the dovetail longitudinal grooves  12  for sliding movement to extend one of the leg members  23 . The bottom of the extendable leg member  27  is extended until it reaches ground, or in the figures shown, a lower bench  98  ( FIG. 9 ). Foot pad  33  increases the friction between the leg extension  27  and the bench  98  to reduce movement of the stand. In  FIG. 9  a pivoting bracket  52  pivots and extends from the collar to the far underside of the drum in this figure. The collar  50  may provide the link coupling of the upper and lower tube into an extended unit. The collar and bracket provide additional support to the drum to reduce the cantilevered weight of the drum and reduce movement of the drum when it is being played. The collar member engages into the dovetail elongated grooves of the center tube and includes a locking mechanism to prevent movement on the center tube. 
   A semi-circular (⅓ of a circle tube) upper leg support collar members  40  for one of the legs as shown in the inventor&#39;s prior applications and patents. These three sets of sliders allow the three sets of legs to move and slide independent of each other and past each other. Two or all three of the collars can be connected or linked using the holes  55  and  56  on each flange to lock the collars together. In the preferred embodiment two of the collars are linked together and the third collar is independent from the other two. The linking of the collars provides for fewer components to adjust in the field and allows for faster set-up and take down. 
   Each of the collar members  40  is semi-circular in cross section with the longitudinal edges  17  formed inwardly to fit in the dovetail  42  longitudinal grooves  12 . Collar member(s)  40  have portion  45  with in-turned portions with dovetail features  17  and ears  19  with holes  20  for receiving a hinge bolt. 
   Each of the collar members  40  is independently movable relative to the others on tubular members  11  and  26 . Wing screws  22  are provided on the collar members  40  and when tightened into hole  46 , the collar members  40  are locked in a desired position on center tube  11  or  26 . One hole is used with a fastener to lock the collar on one tube member  11  while the other hole is used with a fastener to lock the collar on a second tube member  26 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 11 and 13 , a wing screw  22  fits threaded aperture  32  ( FIG. 13 ) in leg extender member  27  for locking in any selected position. The bottom end of each leg extender member  27  has a footpad  33  ( FIGS. 1 and 11 ) formed of resilient material. It should be understood that the bottom end of each leg member  27  may have a wheel or caster (not shown). 
   In addition to the adjustment described above,  FIG. 1  shows that the upper leg support collars  14  and the leg brace collars  13  may be positioned in vertically spaced pairs relative to the other vertically spaced pair. For example, one of the upper leg collar segments  14  and its corresponding leg brace collar segment  13  may both be moved upward on the tubular member  11  relative to the other pair and the bottom of the leg(s) connected to the upper pair will be raised relative to the other leg(s) to adapt to higher or lower elevations without the need for a leg extender. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 9 and 10  that show a side elevation view and isometric view of the tripod and snare drums installed on the steps or stairs of a stadium or auditorium. Each of leg members  23  may have a leg extender member  27  slidably supported thereon (construction being the same as in  FIGS. 11-13 ). The leg extender member  27  has a semi-circular (half tube) collar portion and a rigid leg portion. The collar portion has longitudinal edges formed inwardly to fit in the dovetail longitudinal grooves  12  for sliding movement to extend one of the leg members  23 . The bottom of the extendable leg member  27  is extended until it reaches ground, or in the figures shown, a lower bench  98  ( FIG. 9 ). Foot pad  33  increases the friction between the leg extension  27  and the bench  98  to reduce movement of the stand. In  FIG. 9  a pivoting bracket  52  pivots and extends from the collar to the far underside of the drum in this figure. The collar  50  may provide the link coupling of the upper and lower tube into an extended unit. The collar and bracket provide additional support to the drum to reduce the cantilevered weight of the drum and reduce movement of the drum when it is being played. The collar member engages into the dovetail elongated grooves of the center tube and includes a locking mechanism to prevent movement on the center tube. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 14  that shows is an exploded view of the extension mechanism  39 . The extension/lift mechanism can be a variety of different mechanism. In  FIG. 6  it is shown as a compression spring. In  FIG. 14  the lift/extension mechanism is shown and described as a strut. The strut shown is a gas filled extension mechanism that naturally exists in an extended orientation. Pushing upon the two ends will compress the strut. Various different forces and extension lengths are available. When using the strut in the embodiments shown, the strut must be stopped med stroke at the length desired by the user. One contemplated embodiment of the clamping mechanism is shown and described in  FIG. 15 . 
   The strut  39  has end caps  53  and  55  that are installed with the tubes  34  and  26 . A set screw or stops  51  and  58  retain the end caps  53  and  55  within the tubes  34  and  26 . In one embodiment the end caps sit on the screws  51  and  58 . In another embodiment the screws  51  and  58  bind the end caps  53  and  55  to prevent the inner tube  34  from being accidentally removed from the outer tube  26 . A guide  54  exists in the middle of the strut  39  to reduce axial loading on the strut that could harm the seals of the strut  39 . The extension mechanism can be either inserted into the inner tube  34  or in the outer tube  26 . A securing means for securing a musical instrument  59  is attached to the end of the upper tube  34 . The instrument securing means  59  allows a performer to install a musical instrument such as a drum or other musical instrument onto the stand. Various types of percussion musical instruments are sown in  FIGS. 16-18 . In this figure the securing means is a saddle  56  where a musical instrument is placed vertically into the securing means  59 . 
     FIG. 15  is an exploded view of the clamping mechanism  69 . Referring briefly to  FIGS. 16-18  the clamping mechanism  69  is shown where the lower tube  26  and the upper tube  34  intersect. The clamping mechanism is an extrusion  60  with a central hole  62  where the lower portion of the clamping mechanism  69  is secured to the lower or outer diameter tube  26 . The clamping mechanism is partially split into a lower portion that is secured to the lower tube  26  (not shown) and an upper section that can temporally hold the upper tube  34  (not shown) the split  63  separates these two section and allows separate flexibility for clamping the upper and lower parts of the clamping mechanism  69 . A screw  64  closes the lower portion of the clamping mechanism  69  on the lower tube. A separate screw  65  passes through the upper portion of the clamping mechanism  69  where it is threaded into as shoulder bolt  67  with a threaded hole that the screw  65  threads into. A nut  68  retains the shoulder bolt  67  on a cam arm. The cam arm  66  has an eccentric hole that allows the upper portion of the clamping apparatus/griping means to close the gap  61  onto an upper tube to prevent extension of the upper tube  34  (not shown). 
     FIGS. 16 to 18  show the adjustable stand with various different percussion  80 - 82  instruments mounted to the stand. In  FIG. 16  the extendable tripod stand on a high tension snare drum. In  FIG. 17  the extendable stand is mounted with a vertically mounted on a bass drum. In  FIG. 18  the adjustable stand is configured with a tenor array of drums. In each of the configurations the drum can be quickly removed from a performer&#39;s body mounted carrier and installed onto the adjustable stand. In all of these configurations the base or legs  23  extend from the lower central tube  26 . The extension mechanism exists inside one of the tubes where it is secured or located with screws  58  and or  51 . In all of these figures the upper tube  34  is shown partially pushed out of the lower tube  26 . The amount of extension of the upper tube  34  out of the lower tube  26  is determined by the performer preference and an infinite number of different heights are adjustable. The force and extension length of the extension mechanism is variable based upon the type and weight of instrument that is being supported. In the preferred embodiment the force of the extension mechanism is selected to allow for minimal force by the user to raise or lower the musical instrument  80 - 82  and the weight of the musical instrument is sufficient to approximately equal the force from the extension mechanism. 
   The strut can be fixed to the stand, or can be changeable. The clamping apparatus/griping means  69  grips the upper tube to prevent undesirable movement of the upper tube  34  while a performer is performing. The location of the tube  34  is quickly adjustable with the eccentric cam arm  66 . A securing means for securing a musical instrument  57  and  59  is attached to the end of the upper tube  34 . The instrument securing means  57  and  59  allows a performer to install a musical instrument  80 - 82  such as a drum or other musical instrument onto the stand. In some cases a support brace or bracket  70  is used to reduce the moment arm of the musical instrument on the stand as shown in  FIGS. 16 and 18 . In  FIG. 18  a further support arm  72  extends from the brace or bracket  70  to the array of drums  82  that are mounted on a tenor rail  73  that is secured to the tenor rail saddle  57 . In  FIG. 17  a series of drum supports  71  hold the vertically mounted drum  81 . 
   Thus specific embodiments and applications for an adjustable tripod stand have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.