Abstract:
An instrument stand for supporting a musical instrument, such as and particularly a guitar or electric bass, when in use or at rest, with an adjustable mounting portion to hold the instrument close to the instrument player&#39;s body and a flexible extending shaft that allows the instrument player to be mobile or move around while operating the instrument on the stand and use the flexible stand for adding intonation or musicality to the performance.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention is related to devices that assist a player of a musical instrument, and in particular, to a stand for supporting a musical instrument such as a guitar or electric bass instrument, when in use or at rest, with an adjustable mounting portion to hold the instrument close to the instrument player&#39;s body with a flexible extending shaft that allows the player to move the instrument around while operating the instrument.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Musical instruments are commonly rested on special stands when not in use. These stands hold and support the instrument in a stable position and prevent the musician to lay the instrument on the floor and to stoop over to pick it up. There are also devices available to support the weight of the instrument while the musician is playing it. Such devices are usually attached to the musician&#39;s neck or leg and limit his movement while playing the instrument.  
           [0003]    There are different kinds of stands that support a musical instrument such as a guitar in a resting position. These devices range from conventional stands that are very bulky and hard to set up to others that are collapsible and easier to use. There have been numerous attempts to make a stand that is easily mountable, dismantled and compact. The most favorable forms of stands are strong, lightweight and easily installed or removed, and are adjustable for varying shapes of tuning heads of guitars or electric basses.  
           [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,829 issued on Apr. 3, 2001 to Yu et al teaches a stand that holds a guitar. This is one of the stands that has the advantage of being operated easily and folded into a compact composition.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,121 issued on Jan. 18, 2000 to Reid et al describes a collapsible stand that supports a guitar in an upright position. It is advantageous because it is easy to use, quick to erect, dismantle or fold away. This stand is light, easily portable, and compact.  
           [0006]    These stands are rigid, and do not allow for use during performance with the instrument. Furthermore, they are not resilient or flexible, to provide resistance in playing and for ease of movement and to take the weight off the shoulder.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,742,751 to Cherry shows use of a device for holding the weight of an instrument while standing, which however, places or distributes the weight of the instrument across the shoulders and back, arms and neck, with potential for cumulative adverse, long-term effect. There are different types of neck straps and leg supports to accomplish this. The disadvantage of shoulder straps is that despite providing support for the weight of the instrument, they limit the capacity of the player to completely manipulate the instrument. Most of the leg straps on the other hand, are unappealing and require manual adjustments.  
           [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,493,941 issued on Feb. 27, 1996 to Verge describes a holder for a musical instrument which permits an instrument player to support the entire weight of the instrument through the holder while at the same time allowing maximum movement of the instrument. This device consists of a member that attaches to the back of the instrument and a second member that attaches to the belt of the instrument player and the two members are interlocked together. The disadvantage of this device is that the instrument player still has to support considerable weight of the instrument because it is attached to the player&#39;s belt. Therefore, there is a need for a freestanding support apparatus.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,158 issued on Feb. 20, 2001 to Lehoux et al describes a rest support for a guitar that is supported by a shoulder strap or waist belt allowing the guitar to hang down in the player&#39;s hip area. This distributes the weight of the guitar and prevents player fatigue.  
           [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,158 B1 issued on Feb. 20, 2001 to Lehoux describes an apparatus for supporting and positioning a guitar by a shoulder strap or waist belt that allows the guitar to hang down in the vicinity of the player&#39;s hip. This device still has the above mentioned disadvantage because it does not relieve the instrument player from the heavy and uncomfortable weight of a guitar when it loosely hangs at the strumming end of the instrument.  
           [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,592,265 issued on Jun. 3, 1986 to Steinberger teaches a foldable leg rest for a stringed musical instrument that rests on the leg of a seated musician and it can be easily opened and closed. This device is designed to maintain a substantially streamlined appearance of the body.  
           [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,062 issued on Oct. 30, 1990 to Driggers teaches a guitar support apparatus for use while the guitarist is in the sitting position. This apparatus consists of a leg support strap supporting three legs hinged together and a guitar support means opposite the strap. This apparatus sits on the guitar player&#39;s lap and supports the weight of the guitar. This device can not however be used when the musician is standing up.  
           [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,492 issued on Feb. 14, 1995 to Olson describes a similar guitar support that attaches with suction cups to the guitar from beneath and rests on the guitarist&#39;s leg during use. When not in use, it can be flattened against the side of the guitar making it possible to fit in the case.  
           [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,252,150 B1 issued on Jun. 26, 2001 to Johnson teaches yet another similar guitar fulcrum used for releasable attachment to a body of a guitar and holding the guitar above a guitar player&#39;s leg when the player is in a seated position. This fulcrum includes a leg pad with soft cushion material. This device can be maneuvered around and held in various upright positions prior to or when playing the guitar. This device has the same limitations of the above mentioned devices.  
           [0015]    There are some stands that hold a guitar in playing position. U.S. Pat. No. 4,742,751 issued on May 10, 1988 to Cherry, referenced above, teaches such an apparatus that is used for holding a guitar in playing position. The limitations of this device is that it is very rigid and does not allow the guitar player to tilt the guitar around. It is a further disadvantage of this device that the guitar has to be mounted on the stand and also has to be attached to a neck strap. Furthermore, the device is freestanding, not simply an aid or stand for a musical instrument.  
           [0016]    As such, it can be seen that currently available devices have many shortcomings and there is a need for a freestanding instrument support that can hold the instrument during use and also be flexible enough to give the instrument player freedom of movement for increasing intonation and musicality.  
         SUMMARY AND ADVANTAGES  
         [0017]    In view of the foregoing limitations and shortcomings of the prior art, there exist a need for a stand that solves the above mentioned problems. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for holding a musical instrument, and, in particular a guitar which obviates for practical purposes, the above mentioned limitations.  
           [0018]    An object and advantage of the present invention is to provide a mounting portion to accommodate varying shapes of instrument bodies, including various shaped guitar bodies. The mounting portion is in the form of an adjustable clip that accommodates different shapes and thicknesses of instruments. Another embodiment of the mounting portion is in the form of a clamp that also adjusts to different body shapes and thicknesses of the instrument.  
           [0019]    Another object and advantage of the present invention is to provide support for a musical instrument while at rest that is also light in weight and very easy to use. The stand should be convenient to assemble and dismantle and transport.  
           [0020]    A further object and advantage of the present invention is to provide support for a musical instrument while a musician is playing the instrument, for adding intonation and musicality. This stand allows the musician to conveniently hold and play the instrument at the same time. This relieves the musician from carrying the weight of the entire instrument.  
           [0021]    Yet another object and advantage of the present invention is to provide mobility, resistance and resilience for the musician while playing the instrument. The extended shaft of the present invention is a flexible rod that allows the musician to deviate from the upright position and tilt the shaft to the sides. This helps the musician tremendously by increasing freedom of motion, increases resistance, and possibly varying flexibility.  
           [0022]    In summary, the present invention is an improved instrument stand that overcomes the shortcomings of currently available musical stands.  
           [0023]    Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0024]    The invention is illustrated below and represented schematically in the following drawings:  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1 is a representative schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the instrument stand  100  of the present invention holding a guitar in playing position.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2 is a representative schematic view of preferred embodiments of methods of use of the guitar stand  100  of the present invention while in use and with the guitar player  99  holding and playing the guitar in different positions.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 3A is a representative schematic front view of a preferred embodiment of the guitar stand  100  of the present invention containing a mounting portion  300  made up of a clip portion  302 .  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 3B is a representative schematic side view of a preferred embodiment of the guitar stand  100  of the present invention containing a mounting portion  300  made up of a clip portion  302 .  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 4A is a representative schematic front view of a preferred embodiment of the guitar stand  100  of the present invention with an alternative mounting portion  400 .  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 4B is a representative schematic side view of a preferred embodiment of the guitar stand  100  of the present invention with an alternative mounting portion  400 .  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 5A is a representative schematic front view of yet another preferred embodiment of the guitar stand  100  of the present invention containing a spring clamp  500 .  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 5B is a representative schematic side view of the preferred embodiment of the guitar stand  100  of the present invention containing a spring clamp  500 .  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 5C is a representative schematic top view of a preferred embodiment of the spring clamp  500 .  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 6 is a representative schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the rod portion  600  and its components of the guitar stand  100  of the present invention.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 7 is a representative schematic view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the rod portion  700  and its components of the guitar stand  100  of the present invention.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 8A is a representative schematic plan view of the mounting plate  800  of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 8B is a representative schematic section view of the mounting plate  800  of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 8C is a representative schematic detail view of a preferred embodiment of the barrel portion  810  of the present invention to be recessed into an instrument body. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0039]    The description that follows is presented to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the present invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principals discussed below may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments disclosed, but the invention is to be given the largest possible scope which is consistent with the principals and features described herein.  
         [0040]    It will be understood that in the event parts of different embodiments have similar functions or uses, they may have been given similar or identical reference numerals and descriptions. It will be understood that such duplication of reference numerals is intended solely for efficiency and ease of understanding the present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting in any way, or as implying that the various embodiments themselves are identical.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 1 is a representative schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the instrument stand  100  of the present invention holding a guitar in playing position. The instrument stand  100  has a rubber or other non-slip, high-friction material or structure foot  102 , a flexible rod-like leg portion  104 , and a coupling portion  106  that supports a guitar or other instrument  108  in a resting or playing position. The coupling portion  106  grips the guitar body and assists in the support of the weight of the guitar. The musician  99  can use this stand  100  to support the guitar or other instrument  108  at rest or when playing.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 2 is a representative schematic view of preferred embodiments of methods of use of the guitar stand  100  of the present invention while in use and with the guitar player  99  holding and playing the guitar or other instrument  108  in different positions. It will be understood that the musician or other instrument player  99  can utilize the flexible, leg-like instrument stand  100  of the present invention to support the instrument  108  in a number of different ways, including straight up, or by flexing the rod-like leg portion  104  to any side or otherwise from above or from any axis or at any angle, including 90 degrees, with respect to the floor the player  99  is seated or standing on. Thus, it will be possible for the instrument stand  100  to provide support to the instrument in an essentially vertical orientation such as shown in FIG. 1. It will also be possible for the musician to maneuver the instrument so as to obtain support from the instrument stand  100  while the instruments stand  100  is in an angled position, or such that the elongated leg portion  104  of the instrument stand  100  is allowed to bend, bow, flex or develop a curvature. The strength of the material used for the instrument stand  100  and the leg portion  104  thereof will dictate the degree of curvature or bend which can be developed in the instrument stand without failure due to stress or deformation.  
         [0043]    The preferred methods of use of the present invention include use of the instrument stand  100  as a type of leg or crutch to assist in the support of an instrument  108 . The instrument stand need not be free-standing or self-supporting, but it does serve as an assistant to support of the instrument  108  while performing or playing. In particular, the instrument stand  100  of the present invention is particularly adapted for use with shoulder-held instruments, such as electric or acoustic guitars, including folk or classical guitars, electric bass guitars, shoulder-supported keyboards and synthesizers, percussion instruments, etc.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 3A is a representative schematic front view of a preferred embodiment of the guitar stand  100  of the present invention containing a mounting portion  300  made up of a clip portion  302 . FIG. 3B is a representative schematic side view of a preferred embodiment of the guitar stand  100  of the present invention containing a mounting portion  300  made up of a clip portion  302 . The clip portion  302  can be spring steel or other flexible, resilient material appropriate for such use, optionally lined such as with lining  306  of neoprene or foam or other material. This lining  306  will serve to protect the finish of the instrument  108  as well as to grip or grasp or couple to the instrument  108 .  
         [0045]    Optional pad member  304  can be reversible, and shaped to accommodate concave or convex instrument body.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 4A is a representative schematic front view of a preferred embodiment of the guitar stand  100  of the present invention with an alternative mounting portion  400  made up of U-shaped metal or plastic material clip portion  402  having a straight or flat foam pad  404  for supporting the instrument, the foam pad  404  having a straight top, or curved as described above for matching the concavity or convexity of an instrument body placed thereupon.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 4B is a representative schematic side view of a preferred embodiment of the guitar stand  100  of the present invention with an alternative mounting portion  400  made up of U-shaped metal or plastic material clip portion  402 , optionally lined with compressible foam or other material lining  406 .  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 5A is a representative schematic front view of yet another preferred embodiment of the guitar stand  100  of the present invention containing a spring clamp  500  made up of plastic or metal. FIG. 5B is a representative schematic side view of the preferred embodiment of the guitar stand  100  of the present invention containing a spring clamp  500 . The tip of the clamps are lined with neoprene or other foam padding material  502 . This drawing also illustrates a foam pad portion  504  at the bottom of the clamp. It will be understood that the jaws  506  of the clamp portion  500  may be manually actuated by operation of lever portions  508 .  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 5C is a representative schematic top view of a preferred embodiment of the spring clamp  500 . In a preferred embodiment, the jaws  506  of the clamp portion  500  will be spring-biased or spring-actuated to a closed or tightened position so as to firmly couple on to, grasp or grip the body of the instrument placed into the instrument stand  100  of the present invention.  
         [0050]    Thus, it will be understood that central differences between FIGS. 3 and 4- 5  is that FIGS.  3  are formed using spring steel and are flexible, while FIGS. 4 and 5 are essentially rigid clamps. Likewise, pad elements  304 ,  404  and  504  are interchangeable between the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3,4 and  5 .  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 6 is a representative schematic detail view of a preferred embodiment of the rod portion  600  and its components of the guitar stand  100  of the present invention. The distal end  604  of the flexible rod-like leg portion  600  is placed into a rubber foot  602 . The foot portion  602  maintains the rod-like leg portion  600  in place and from sliding, slipping, skipping or skidding during use. The rod portion  600  can have different sections, such as starting with a tapered or reducing diameter fiber composite or other type of material flexible shaft portion  604 .  
         [0052]    In a preferred embodiment, the present invention includes an optional tensioner rod  606  with thumb screw such as at the distal end or the proximal end of the leg portion  600  or elsewhere on the instrument stand  100 . Additional sections  604 , either tapered or straight, can be joined such as at junctions  608  and can be added on to the system to develop any desired length. The internal tensioner rod  606  can be formed through the entire leg portion  600  or it can extend only through certain portions thereof. In preferred embodiments, the internal tensioner rod  606  can adjust the leg portion  600  through a range of stiffnesses or flexibilities, from completely rigid to slightly resilient to very flexible and bow-like.  
         [0053]    In a preferred embodiment, the top or proximal portion of the rod is a rigid shaft portion  610  that locks into the flexible shaft portion  604  at a distal end and into the collar  612  at the proximal end. An optional rubber gasket or washer  614  can also be placed at the collar  612  to couple securely to the coupling portion  106 . It will be understood that any combination of flexible and rigid shaft portion combinations can be utilized in the present invention, with or without an internal tensioner rod  606 .  
         [0054]    It will be understood that different lengths of overall leg portion  600  can be used to provide instrument stands  100  of the present invention adapted for players of different heights or having different playing styles. Shorter or taller performers may require custom lengths or heights. In a preferred embodiment, the overall length of the leg portion ranges at least between about 25 inches to about 34 inches. In another preferred embodiment, the overall length of the leg portion ranges at least between about 34 inches and about 43 inches. In another preferred embodiment, the overall length of the leg portion ranges at least between about 43 inches and about 48 inches long.  
         [0055]    In preferred embodiments, the length of the leg portion  600  is adjustable. A telescoping leg portion  600  or sliding shafts with a twist locking mechanism for selecting any desired length can be utilized.  
         [0056]    Materials which can be particularly useful in the elongated leg portion, the rigid portion and/or the flexible, tapered section include, but are not limited to, wood, reed or natural fiber materials, synthetic fiber, carbon, metal, tubular, solid, laminate, resin, composite or other appropriate natural or synthetic material.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 7 is a representative schematic view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the rod portion  700  and its components of the guitar stand  100  of the present invention that includes a plurality of upper or proximal rigid shaft portions  708  to adjust the rod length. It will be understood that the placement or position of the rigid portions  708  and flexible and/or tapering shaft portions can be altered or adapted for various applications, and all these adaptations and variations shall be considered to lie within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 8A is a representative schematic plan view of the mounting plate  800  of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8B is a representative schematic section view of the mounting plate  800  of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. It consists of a metal plate  800  that is attached to underside of the instrument body with screws  802 . The plate  800  can be hinged with hinges  806  laterally positioned with side flange  808 . In a preferred embodiment, the mounting plate  800  has an opening or female-threaded portion  804  to accept a screw-in collar portion  612  from the proximal rigid portion  610  of the leg portion  600  (as also shown in FIG. 6).  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 8C is a representative schematic detail view of a preferred embodiment of the barrel portion  810  of the present invention to be recessed into an instrument body (not shown). The barrel  810  can be fluted and inset into the instrument body (not shown), and internally threaded surfaces allow the barrel  810  to accept a screw-threaded shaft portion of the instrument stand  100 . It will be understood that there will become immediately apparent to those skilled in the art numerous ways and means for coupling the flexible leg portion or other portion of the instrument stand  100  to the underside or any other portion of the instrument body in an operative manner, including any of various female and corresponding male-threaded nipples, collars or adapters, bayonet-mounting, twist-lock or snap-lock type coupling systems.  
         [0060]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described. All publications and patent documents referenced in the present invention are incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0061]    While the principles of the invention have been made clear in illustrative embodiments, there will be immediately obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, the elements, materials, and components used in the practice of the invention, and otherwise, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from those principles. The appended claims are intended to cover and embrace any and all such modifications, with the limits only of the true purview, spirit and scope of the invention.