Abstract:
A shoulder supported carrier structure supports percussion instruments on shoulder shoulders of a user is disclosed. A connecting member that spans between the shoulder supporting member behind the user or performer. The connecting member is joined to an arm that is connected to at a back member that allows the back member to pivot and translate relative to the two shoulder supporting members to allow the back member to align with a back of a user. The connecting member may be joined to the one arm with a frictional connection. The arm may be connected to the back member with a frictional connection. The back member at least partially contours to the shape of the back and may further include an inflatable cushioning bladder and is positioned between and under shoulder blades of the user to increase arm mobility.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to provisional application 61/500,961 filed on Jun. 24, 2011 and is a continuation-in-part of applicant&#39;s co-pending application Ser. No. 11/893,871 filed Aug. 18, 2007 and is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/021,596 filed Dec. 23, 2004 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,326,842 on Feb. 5, 2008 the entire contents of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0004]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0005]    This invention relates to a shoulder mounted percussion instrument carrier for one or an array of drums of various sizes. More particularly, the present invention relates to a carrier for one or more drums and replaces traditional “J” rods components. The elimination of the “J” rod components eliminates the interference with the user&#39;s legs and more particularly the user&#39;s thighs and provides a more natural stride of the user. Since the vertical or horizontal slots or saddle are not holes, that are commonly found with “j” rod carriers, the drum mounting structure can be repositioned or translated within the vertical or horizontal slots. The carrier allows the drum to be rigidly mounted in a variety of positions relative to the user. The mounting consists of a plurality of sliding connections that move independently from any adjustments from the carrier. The cantilevered weight of the drum(s) locks the drums into a vertical or horizontal slots or saddle. The structure also eliminates the necessity of a structurally rigid fixed abdomen plate and allows for use of a flexible and conforming abdomen plate. 
         [0006]    Description of Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98: 
         [0007]    The prior art discloses examples of carriers using “j”-rods on an instrument carrier to support one or an array of drums. A number of drum holding apparatus have been patented and used, but none provide the combination of features disclosed and claimed herein. 
         [0008]    La Flame U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,683 discloses a carrier for percussion instruments having an abdominal plate connected at one end of a unitary frame partly encircling the wearer at the waist and having an upstanding rear portion pivotally connected to a back pressure plate. Shoulder bars are connected to the back-pressure plate and wrap about shoulders and support straps connect to the abdominal plate. 
         [0009]    Hsieh U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,610 shows a carrier for percussion instruments having a “T” bar, a pair of shoulder bars, and a belly plate. The shoulder bars are bolted on a lateral plate of the “T” bar. The lateral plate has arc-like slots and spaced semi-circular holes permit bolts to slide in the slots. The fastening end of each shoulder bar has a hole and an arc-like slot from the upper portion to the lower portion permitting angular adjustment of the shoulder rightward or leftward for various applications. 
         [0010]    La Flame U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,032 shows a carrier for various instruments such as marching bells, a marching xylophone or a marching marimba, which are supported on the apparatus by the use of suitably-constructed extension arms. The carrier frame is a U-shaped bent bar welded or otherwise attached to a belly plate and has extension arms, which project from the belly plate to engage and support the instrument. 
         [0011]    La Flame GB patent 2,123,676 (based on U.S. Pat. No. 4,453,442) discloses a carrier for percussion instruments or the like which includes the combination of a belly plate with a carrier bracket for supporting an instrument at an outwardly-overhung position about a fulcrum area of contact with the front waistline area of the person, a rigid band with a generally bent contour to extend along a portion of the waistline area of the person to the back of the person, a back-plate riser arm supported by the ban to extend in a generally upward direction such that a portion of the arm will extend along the back thoracic region of the person, and means carried by the arm for imparting to the thoracic back region of the person a reactive force to the overhung weight of the instrument about the aforesaid means forming a fulcrum area of contact with the person. 
         [0012]    Various patents from the applicant May have been issued covering carriers with “J” rods or similar attachment mechanisms for securing musical instruments, patents with this type of mechanism are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,691,492, 6,028,257, 6,323,407, 6,329,583, 6,172,290, 6,403,869, 6,770,805, 6,881,886, 7,071,401, and published applications US2005/0040,193, US2006/0096,443, US2005/0103,183 and US2005/0183,565, but none of these disclose the carrier structure disclosed within this application. 
         [0013]    Various prior inventions have been disclosed that attempt to provide mounting for one or a plurality of drums. Most of these products have the drum(s) fixed to the carrier or use “J” rods to secure the drum(s) to the carrier. These carriers have limitations that require an abdominal plate that is an integral part of the carrier. Because of the mechanical structure of these carriers they restrict or alter natural walking or rapid stride movement of the user. The proposed carrier provides improvements that eliminate the aforementioned limitations. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    It is an object of the shoulder mounted apparatus is to provide a carrier that allows a user to carry and play one or more drums while they transport the drum such as when they are walking, marching or rapidly moving. The mounting allows for the drum(s) to be maintained in a horizontal or rotated vertical orientation where the drumheads are oriented in a horizontal configuration allowing the drum to be played by striking the drumhead(s). 
         [0015]    It is another object of the drum mounting apparatus, when it is configured with a single sliding (mono) post, to provide a simplified mounting apparatus that allows height of the horizontal playing surface of the drum to be raised and lowered by sliding the drum mounting apparatus on the single (mono) post. The mounting apparatus on the carrier has a vertical slot and the mounting apparatus on the drum has a horizontal pin or rod that slides into the vertical slot to secure the drum on the carrier. The drum is quickly removed from the carrier by lifting the pin or rod out of the slot. 
         [0016]    It is another object of the drum mounting apparatus, when it is configured as with two or more posts to provide a stable box structure for the drum(s) to be supported on the carrier. The box structure refers to the two sets of slides or tracks that are mounted to the carrier and a corresponding two sets of slides are mounted on hardware having vertically or horizontally oriented slots or saddle. An array of drums is mounted to a tenor rail that engages onto the vertically or horizontally oriented slots or saddle to support the drums on the carrier. The overhung cantilevered weight of the drums secures the drum array in the vertically or horizontally oriented slots or saddle. The ability to integrate the slides onto the carrier allows the drums to be more rigidly secured to the carrier and significantly reduces flexing of the drum or drum array with the carrier to improve the stability of the playing surface when the user is moving or playing the drums. When the drums are brought closer to the user the overhung distance is decreased and the cantilevered load is decreased and reduces the strain on the back of the user. Since the tenor rail rests in the vertically or horizontally oriented slots or saddle the tenor rail can be slid horizontally in the carrier to justify the drums left or right of the center of the user. A user can place one or more marks on the tenor rail to identify specific balancing or positioning locations for the drum array when drums of different sizes and weights are placed in the drum array. 
         [0017]    It is another object of the drum mounting apparatus to allow the drum or drum array to be easily installed and removed from the carrier to allow the drum or drum array to be placed in a floor mounted stand. 
         [0018]    It is another object of the drum mounting apparatus to provide connection for an abdomen plate that can float or be removed from the carrier. This allows the abdomen plate to move with the user. Since the majority of the load from the drum(s) is from gravity the vertical load on the abdomen plate is essentially zero and the abdomen plate can be removed, secured on a pivoting mechanism with temporary securing means that does not penetrate the abdomen plate such as hook and loop fasteners. 
         [0019]    It is another object of the carrier to provide a carrier where structure eliminates the necessity of a structurally rigid fixed abdomen plate and allows for use of a flexible and conforming abdomen plate. 
         [0020]    It is another object of the carrier to include a connecting member that spans between the shoulder supporting member behind the user or performer. The connecting member is joined to an arm that is connected to at a back member that allows the back member to pivot and translate relative to the two shoulder supporting members to allow the back member to align with a back of a user. The connecting member may be joined to the one arm with a frictional connection. The arm may be connected to the back member with a frictional connection. The back member at least partially contours to the shape of the back and may further include an inflatable cushioning bladder and is positioned between and under or evades the shoulder blades of the user to increase arm mobility. 
         [0021]    It is still another object of the carrier to integrate the two sets of dovetailed sliders is a parallel arrangement to allow the drums to be easily raised and lower on the carrier in a linear sliding arrangement. 
         [0022]    Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the carrier with a bass drum attached. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is an exploded isometric diagram of the carrier with the components of the bass drum carrier shown. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  shows a view of the drum tracking system for use with a single drum. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is an alternate embodiment of the drum tracking system shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  shows the components of a dual track system that is mounted to an instrument carrier. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  shows an instrument carrier according to a preferred embodiment. 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a compound adjustable hinge mechanism. 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  is a detailed isometric exploded view of the components from  FIG. 7 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  is an isometric view of another embodiment of a compound hinge mechanism. 
           [0032]      FIG. 10  is a detailed view of an inflatable back member in one possible embodiment. 
           [0033]      FIG. 11  is a cross-section of one contemplated embodiment of a cushion. 
           [0034]      FIG. 12  shows a rear view of the conforming and articulating back member. 
           [0035]      FIG. 13  shows a top view of the conforming and articulating back member. 
           [0036]      FIG. 14  shows a rear view of the conforming and articulating back member as a contemplated variation of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 15  shows a rear view of the conforming and articulating back member as a contemplated variation of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 16  shows a rear view of the conforming and articulating back member as a contemplated variation of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 17  shows a rear view of the conforming and articulating back member as a contemplated variation of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an isometric view of the carrier with a bass drum attached. From this figure a bass drum  100  is shown attached to a carrier  200 . The carrier is shown as a tubular constructed instrument carrier. In the preferred embodiment, the carrier is made in tubular construction, but the carrier can be T-bar, vest, a combination of the types listed or another configuration that is capable of retaining the mounting components to retain a bass drum. The carrier shown consists of shoulder straps  210 . The shoulder straps have padding  212  placed in the area that makes contact with the shoulders of the user. The padding provides a cushioning of the shoulder straps to improve the comfort when a person is using the carrier with the bass drum. The shoulder straps can be adjustable or removable to better fit the size of the user. The carrier has a back member  220  attached to the free ends of the carrier. The back member may be adjustable, and or removably attached to the carrier. The back member may also have padding  222  attached to the side of the back member that makes contact with the user. The shoulder straps attach to the front portion of the carrier. The front of the carrier extends down in front of the user and connects to a belly plate  230 . The belly plate curves slightly to wrap around the frontal area of the user and provide a greater area contact. The side of the belly plate that makes contact with the user may also be padded to provide comfort to the user. In the area where the shoulder straps connect to the front of the carrier a connection device is located that allows attachment of a bass drum. This is best viewed in  FIG. 2  that shows an exploded view of the carrier and the attachment components. 
         [0041]    In  FIG. 2  the carrier is shown as a complete assembly with the belly plate  230  not connected to the carrier. The belly plate is shown not attached in this figure to show that the location of the belly plate can be adjusted up or down to accommodate users of different sizes. In the preferred embodiment, at least one attachment mechanism is a J-bolt or a similarly shaped device  224  and  226 . The length of the J-bolts can be varied by replacing the J-bolts with longer or shorter J-bolts or by threading the J-bolts into the carrier to different depths. It is further contemplated that J-bolts of different lengths can be used to tip the drum to one side or the other to accommodate the preference of the user. The belly plate can also be replaced with belly plates of different sizes or shapes to accommodate the different sizes of users. In the preferred embodiment the belly plate is attached to the tubular constructed carrier using threaded hardware. The hardware attaches the belly plate through holes or slots locate in the tubes  240 ,  242  of the vest. If the attachment of the belly plate is with holes, the belly plate is located in finite increments where the holes are located on the tubes. If the attachment of the belly plate is with slots, the belly plate can be loosened on the tubes and slid into an infinite number location to accommodate each user. On the opposite side of the tubes of the carrier a lift base  250  forms a bridge between the tubes  240  and  242  of the carrier. The lift base has two semi-circular openings on each end where the tubes of the vest pass through. Refer to  FIG. 4  to see the semi-circular openings where the tubes pass through the lift base. The lift base is attached to the tubes of the vest using a threaded fastener such as item  254  that clamps the lift base onto the tube(s)  240 ,  242 . The lift base can slide on the tubes of the carrier to locate or position the lift base on the carrier. 
         [0042]    A tube  260  slides into the center portion of the lift base. Two slots that run lengthwise down the sides of tube  260 . These slots provide a guide and a retaining mechanism for the tube on the lift base. The tube can slide on the lift base, and be locked into position on the lift base with hardware such as item  258 . A bass drum support slider  270  is also attached and slides in the slots that exist on the side of tube  260 . The bass drum support slider can be moved on tube  260 , and locked into a fixed position on tube  260  using hardware  272  or similar hardware. The bass drum support slider can be placed onto the tube  260  in either orientation based upon where the user wants to orient the remainder of the pieced of the bass drum support, and where they want to position the bass drum. A horn shaped member  280  attaches to the bass drum support slider with hardware such as item  282  and  283 . This hardware allows the two members to pivot with each other and also be locked into position by tightening the nut  283  on the bolt  282 . 
         [0043]    The horn shaped member  280  is free to rotate on the bass drum support slider. Based upon the location of the bass drum support slider, and the location of the bass drum, the angular relationship between the horn shaped member and the bass drum support slider is established. At the opposite end of the horn shaped member a drum support member  290  is located that provides support to the bass drum. The connection between the horn shaped member and the drum support member is with hardware such as  284  and  285 . This hardware allows the two members to pivot with each other and also be locked into position by tightening the nut  285  on the bolt  284 . 
         [0044]    On the flat portion of support member  290  a pad or cushion can be attached to reduce movement and damage to the bass drum  100 . This pad cushions the drum if it moves up or down as the user is walking, marching or moving. 
         [0045]    The primary function of components  250 ,  260 ,  270 ,  280  and  290  is to provide vertical and horizontal positioning of the bass drum. This positioning allows the bass drum to be moved up, down, closer and further away from the user. This allows the drum to be positioned in various locations for the comfort of the user. These components consist of a single contact point for the drum. The single contact point is one of three points that make contact with and or secure the drum to the carrier. Two remaining contact points are J-bolts  224  and  226 . 
         [0046]    The bass drum has the two eyebolts attached through the shell of the bass drum. The bass drum is attached to the J-bolts on the carrier by positioning the eye bolts over the J-bolts, and “hooking” the eyebolts onto the J-bolts. Once hooked together, the drum is rotated down until it comes in contact with the pad on the support member  290 . The user can slide and position components  250 ,  260 ,  270 ,  280  and  290  to locate the drum in the playing position that the user prefers. 
         [0047]      FIG. 3  shows a view of the drum tracking system for use with a single drum  11 . This figure shows a Tubular type carrier  10  that is similar in construction to the carrier for percussion instruments shown and described in  FIG. 1 . The carrier  10  comprises an abdomen plate  30 , with lower support rods  32  and  34 . The figure also has upper body vertical support rods or tubes  42  and  44 . The upper and lower body support rods or tubes are connected to each other with a retainer that keeps the tubes in a parallel relationship. The retainer is shown and described in  FIGS. 11 and 12  in this application and in my May U.S. Pat. No. 7,673,776. 
         [0048]    The lower rods or tubes  32  and  34  independently spread to parallel portions  36  and  38  where they attach to supporting abdomen plate  30 . Upper rods or tubes  42  and  44  having out-turned portions  45  and  46  supporting rigid shoulder straps  50  and  55  and back bar  70 . Back bar  70  may be removably secured to shoulder straps  50  and  55  or may be fixed as by welding or the like. Shoulder straps  50 ,  55 , and back bar  70  have cushions  60 ,  62  and  64 . The cushions are of a type used to pad the interior of football and other sports helmets and are shown in more detail in co-issued May U.S. Pat. No. 6,028,257. The cushions have a backing strip of polyvinyl plastic film. A thin sheet of polyvinyl film encloses blocks of closed pore plastic (e.g., polystyrene or polyurethane) foam and is sealed to the backing strip to enclose separate blocks which are separately compressible and provide more comfort to the wearer of the carrier when fully loaded. 
         [0049]    The abdomen plate  30  is secured to the bridge supports  90  with a pivot  22  that extends through ears  24  on the abdomen plate  30 . The placement of the pivot through the center of the bridge support  90  allows the abdomen plate to rotate a limited amount on the pivot(s)  22 . The pivoting allows the abdomen plate to move with the user without significantly altering the position of the carrier on the user. The pivots can be tightened slightly to provide frictional or limited pivoting as well as loosened to allow for free pivoting. It is also contemplated that the abdomen plate  30  is removably secured on carrier. 
         [0050]    Clamping receptacle(s)  92  and  94  consist of a semi-circular receptacle that tubes  45  and  46  fit through. Tightening hardware  98  and  99  clamps the tube or rod to secure them within the receptacle and prevent movement  41 . The clamping receptacle(s)  82  and  83  are secured on abdomen plate  30  as bridge  78 . The receptacles are shown mounted to the abdomen plate  30 , and the tubes can be re-positioned within the receptacle, but the receptacles can be mounted to slots that allow the locations of the receptacles to be moved. The upper, out-turned ends  45  and  46  of supporting rods or tubes are supported in clamping receptacles  92  and  94  on shoulder straps  50  and  55 . Clamps  92  and  94  hold rods or tubes  45  and  46  on the shoulder supports. Clamping mechanisms  92  and  94  consist of a semi-circular receptacle that tubes  45  and  46  fit through. Tightening hardware  98  and  99  clamps the tube or rod to secure them within the receptacle and prevent movement  41 . A single tube or shaft  260  is used to connect with a single drum  11  through a sliding cradle  84 . 
         [0051]    The sliding cradle  84  connects to the single tube or shaft  260  with dovetail grooves. A second set of dovetail grooves exist on the bridge support member  78 . The bridge support member  78  has male dovetail grooves that mate with the female dovetail groves in the tube or shaft  260 . A similar set of male dovetail features  85  exist on the sliding cradle  84 . These dovetail features are arranged to allow the sliding cradle to slide past the bridge support member  78 . The sliding cradle  84  has a recessed cradle  87  for connection with the hinge pins  15  of a single drum  11 . The hinge pin  15  is secured to the drum  11  with a rotation hinge plate. The rotation hinge plate  12  and its connection to the drum is shown and described in more detail in my May U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,691,492, 7,326,842 and published application 2009/0045235. 
         [0052]      FIG. 4  is an alternate embodiment of the drum tracking system shown in  FIG. 3 . Only the lower portion of the carrier is shown with the drum connecting portion with the independently spread to parallel portions  36  and  38  where they attach to supporting abdomen plate  30 . The connection of the abdomen plate is described with  FIG. 3 . Clamping receptacle(s)  80  and  81  consist of a semi-circular receptacle that tubes  36  and  38  fit through. Tightening hardware  82  and  83  clamps the tube or rod to secure them within the receptacle and prevent movement. A single tube or shaft  260  is used to connect with the single drum mounting hardware through a sliding cradle  84 . 
         [0053]    The sliding cradle  84  is secured to plate  88  with securing blots  97 . Movement of the cradle  84  on the single tube or shaft  260  is prevented by locking set screws, or similar hardware, through access hole  95 . The securing plate  88  has two drum rotators  89  that where a drum is slide  96  down the elongated tabs of the drum rotators  89 . Gravity holds a drum in the elongated tabs. To rotate a drum thumbscrew  91  is loosened and the drum rotors are turned in the plate  88 . The rotation of the drum is limited to the travel of the thumbscrew(s)  91  is slot  93 . The structure that connects this hardware to a drum is described in May U.S. Pat. No. 5,691,492. 
         [0054]      FIG. 5  shows the components of a dual track system that is mounted to an instrument carrier. For a better understanding of the components and how they relate,  FIG. 6  should be viewed in combination with  FIG. 5 . In  FIG. 5  the first bifurcated structure  310  is shown. This first bifurcated structure  310  has a radiused back that matches the contour of the abdomen plate that the structure in mounted on. On the front of first bifurcated structure  310  a pair of linear tracks  340  and  341  are integrated. The parallel tracks provide a first dual track structure. The tracks are located essentially parallel to the abdomen plate and at a location that is distal from the abdomen plate in a vertical orientation. It is contemplated that the abdomen plate  30  can float on the structure without being rigidly secured to first bifurcated structure  310 . The first bifurcated structure  310  further includes mounting clamps  320  for securing tubular shafts for connection with the shoulder supporting portion of a carrier. The connection with the tubular portion of the shoulder supported portion of the carrier. A locking mechanism is threaded or fastened into the carrier at  330  to pinch or thread into the tube(s)  36  and or  38  ( FIG. 4 ). 
         [0055]    In  FIG. 5  tubes  260  and  261  are slid  301  and  302  into the linear tracks  340  and  341  respectively. The linear tracks  340  and  341  have male dovetail recesses that engage in female dovetail recesses in tubes or rods  260  and  261 . The tube and linear track is essentially the same configuration as shown and described in  FIGS. 1-4 . The tubes or shafts  260  are locked in location on the linear tracks of the first bifurcated structure  310  with a securing means such as a set screw or similar retaining or clamping mechanism  331 . The second bifurcated structure  350  engages on the tubes  260  between the first bifurcated structure  310  to allow independent movement of the second bifurcated structure  350 . The second bifurcated structure  350  has similar recess  351 ,  352  and dovetail engagement with the tubes or shafts  260  as in the first bifurcated structure  350 . The second bifurcated structure  350  is secured to the tubes or rods  260  with securing means such as a set screw  332  or equivalent securing or clamping mechanism. In the front of the second bifurcated structure a pair of essentially vertically oriented slots exists for loading at least one drum or an array of drums  410  ( FIG. 6 ). The vertical slots have a bottom radius or saddle  353  and a top radius  354  for locating the drum or drum array in the essentially vertically oriented slots. 
         [0056]    In  FIG. 6 , the tubular carrier shown includes an abdomen plate  30  that is secured or can float on the structure without being rigidly secured to the halves of the first bifurcated structure  311  and  312 . The support rods or tubes  34  and  36  of the carrier bend and extend into their respective halves of the first bifurcated structure  340  and  341  where they are positionable and lockable in position. The tubes  260  slide in their respective halves of the first bifurcated structure  340  and  341  to allow for positioning  402  of the drum array  410  and drum hardware independently from the positioning of the distance between the shoulder supports  50 ,  55  and the abdomen plate  30 . In operation the drum array tube  420  from the drum array is lowered  401  into the essentially horizontal saddle  403  until the tube  420  from the drum array rests on the bottom radius of the half tube saddle portion  62 . The cantilevered weight of the drum array will rotate the drum array until the upper tube  422  is nested into radius  354 . The drum array tubes  420  and  422  can side horizontally along second bifurcated structure  350  where the drum array is justified left or right of the player. 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , there is shown a compound hinge  300  from  FIG. 3 . This configuration of a compound hinge is described in the inventor prior U.S. Pat. No. 7,166,790. The compound hinges allow pivoting on two axes  306  and  307 .  FIG. 12  is a detailed view of the compound hinge mechanism.  FIG. 8  is a detailed view of the compound hinge shaft from  FIG. 7  where some of the parts are shown in exploded view to provide additional details regarding the construction of the compound hinge. The two axes are connected to a tubular construction carrier. Where tubes  42  and  44  are part of the upper portion of the carrier and  32  and  34  are connected to the lower portion of the carrier. Axis  306  and  307  can move rotate freely from each other. The components in each axis consist of central hex shaft  308  and  309  that bolts  313 ,  314 ,  315 , and  316  thread into. A hex shaft is used so the shaft is easier to hold while the adjustment bolts are tightened or loosened. The tubes  32 ,  34 ,  42  and  44  have pivoting members  371  to  574  connected to the ends of the tubes. The pivoting mechanism also includes links  362  and  364 . The bolts  313  to  316  go through connectors  371  to  374 , then through links  362  and  364 , and thread into central hex shafts  308  and  309 . The bolts can be independently tightened or loosened to adjust that amount of movement in each hinge. Refer now to  FIG. 8  that show details regarding the interface between members  362 ,  372  and members  362 ,  371 . From  FIG. 8 , washers  381  and  382  are shown connected between bolts  314 ,  313  and members  371 ,  362 . These washers are shown here as flat washers, but the washers may be any variety of washers including but not limited to wave washers, compression washers, and fiber washers or may be optionally excluded. The purpose of the washers is to provide a bearing surface for the bolts to rotate upon as they are being tightened. The interface surface between member  362  and members  371  and  372  can be a variety of types. 
         [0058]    In the preferred embodiment, the interface between the mating bearing surfaces of member  362 ,  364  and members  371 ,  372 ,  373 ,  374  is smooth. In the case of smooth mating surfaces, one or all of bolts  313  to  316  can be loosened to allow the components of the compound hinge to move, rotate freely or provide infinite locking positions. While only two sets of compound hinge components are shown and described, more than two hinges can be utilized in the construction of the carrier. It is also contemplated that an entire carrier could be constructed with hinge components where each hinge can be individually adjusted. If the interface between the member  362  and members  371  and  372  are smooth an infinite number of angular settings can be made and locked with bolts  313  and  314  to fix the angular relationship between the compound hinge components. Using smooth interfacing surfaces, bolts  313  to  316  can be partially tightened to allow various degrees of frictional movement between the compound hinge components, or locked into position or a combination thereof. 
         [0059]    An alternate embodiment of the mating surfaces of the compound hinge is shown with a ball  391  and hole  392  configurations. In this embodiment, one or more balls or raised areas exist of one member. The ball or raised member is shown here as  391  on item  372 , the hole or recess is shown here as  392  on item  362 . In this embodiment, the members can be locked in 45-degree increments, or in the positions where the ball or raised area falls into the hole or depressed area. In another embodiment of the mating surfaces of the compound hinge is shown as radial lands and groves as identified as items  395  and  396 . In this embodiment four, eight or more radial lands and groves exist on the mating members  372  and  362 . In this embodiment, the members can be locked in 45-degree increments, but can be manufactured with any number of increments, or positions where a land in one component falls into a groove in the mating component. In the previous described embodiment the angle between the members is adjusted by loosening bolts  313  to  316  rotating the members into position and tightening bolts  313  to  316 . Three different types of mating surfaces have been described, but other types can be utilized that allow the hinge components to move and or lock in various positions. 
         [0060]      FIG. 9  show an orientation where one axis  306  of the compound hinge  300  is locked and the second axis  307  can rotate. This figure shows motion  311  where the drum can swing with only one axis fixed  306  or  307 . A frictional member such as a bearing, felt, washer, wave washer or other spacer material may be used between the joined hinge members to provide some resistance to rotation or pivoting. 
         [0061]    Refer now to  FIG. 10  that shows a detailed view embodiment of the pads were the pads are corrugated in configuration and connected to the shoulder straps and back members. A portion of a tubular carrier  10  is shown in this figure. This corrugated configuration allows the same adjusted to fit the contour of a person but also reduces the contact area with the user. In this figure, a single valve to  72  fills the pad on one shoulder cushion  60  and a second single to  74  fills the cushions  62  on the other shoulder straps  12 . The back pad  64  can be filled through a single valve  76 . In this figure, the back member is attached to the shoulder straps using three separate pieces. Connecting members  65  and  66  are each connected to the shoulder straps while adjoining component  13  spans the connecting members  65  and  66 . This three-piece configuration of the back member, allows the components of the back member to telescope or slide inside each other to allow for adjusted for the back member. While this telescoping configuration is shown with three pieces it can also be accomplished with as few as one piece with an elongated slot, two or more than three pieces that will accomplish the same result. 
         [0062]    In  FIG. 11  show a cross-sectional view of the pad and expandable bladder  100  portion of the cushion on a member such as a back or shoulder  150 . The expandable bladder is made from a flexible minimally stretching material such as Mylar, vinyl, PVC, Polyester, polycarbonate, polyurethane, but the bladder may be made from an expanding material such as rubber or latex. The expandable bladder(s) are shown and described in more detail in my May U.S. Pat. No. 7,810,684. 
         [0063]    The optional front pad  110  is a semi-firm pad made of felt, rubber, Latex, Neoprene or other similar material that allows improved comfort in addition to a surface that breaths to reduce perspiration of the user. A covering such as Mylar  120  or similar material can be located between the pad  110  and an expandable bladder  130 . The Mylar sheet provides a rigid surface for the bladder to push against. This rigid surface helps to keep the bladder flatter as the bladder is filled with air to reduce ballooning of the pad. The pad  110  is can be attached directly to an expandable bladder  130  that can be filled or emptied of air. Varying amounts of air can be placed into or removed from the expandable cushion to provide varying amounts of expansion. The bladder is attached to the shoulder support/shoulder strap  12  and or the back member/back support  13  that provides additional support to the bladder cushion. The attachment of the pad to the Mylar and the Mylar to the bladder can be made using a variety of methods including, adhesive, ultrasonic, two part adhesives, Velcro or thermal bonding. The pad  130  is attached to the shoulder strap or back member using various methods including adhesive, ultrasonic, two part adhesives, Velcro or thermal bonding. In the preferred embodiment an adhesive  140  or Velcro pad(s) are used to removably attach the expandable pad to member  150 . 
         [0064]    The expandable bladder  130  is connected to a hose  160  that is used to fill and empty the expandable bladder. The hose allows for a flexible connection from the bladder(s) to the filling location. Multiple pads or bladders can be connected together with similar hoses to allow the multiple bladders to be adjusted at the same time. A spring-loaded valve  170  is located at the end of the tube to maintain pressure inside the bladder or cushion. A manual pump  175  can be inserted into the spring-valve  170  and when squeezed, air is removed or vacuumed from the hose assembly, making the bladder collapse, and pull against the shoulder strap. 
         [0065]    In the preferred embodiment, the bladder is expanded with air, but the bladder can be filled or expanded with any gas or medium that can expand the bladder such as CO2, Argon, Helium, water, or even a powder. 
         [0066]      FIG. 12  shows a rear view of the conforming and articulating back member. The view of the articulating back member is shown mounted on a user where the shoulder supports or straps  12  extend over the shoulders of a user. The end of the shoulder straps  12  are connected with hardware  121  and  122  to extenders  18  and  19 . The extender  18  and  19  allow for adjustment of the length of the shoulder supports or straps down the back of a user. Slots or multiple holes are used to extend the length of the shoulder members or straps  12 . The extenders  18  and  19  are connected with hardware  123  and  124  to a horizontal connecting member  111  that both connects the two shoulder members and creates a pivoting axis  142  that allows the back member  17  to swing into the performer on arm  114 . Hardware  123  and  124  can be loosened and repositioned or slid in holes or slots in the horizontal connecting member  111  to change the width and or angle of the shoulder members  12 . 
         [0067]    Hardware  115  secures the arm  114  around the horizontal connecting member. This hardware  115  can be adjustable to change the frictional resistance for pivotal movement  142 . Arm  114  pivots  142  on one end with the horizontal connecting member  111  and on the other end  141  through connector  113  that is secured to a bracket  112  that is connected to the back member  17 . The arrangement of the pivoting axes  142  and  113  allows the back member to move  143  towards and away from the back of the performer to provide an even pressure on the back of the performer to more evenly distribute loads that push into the back of the performer. The shape of the back member  17  is contoured to bridge between the shoulder blades thereby reducing restriction of arm movement. 
         [0068]      FIG. 13  shows a top view looking down from the top of the instrument carrier onto the conforming and articulating back member  17 . In this figure, a portion of the tubes of the upper rods or tubes  42  and  44  are shown as they extend over the shoulder where pads  27  cushion the apex of the shoulders. It is further contemplated that a pivotable connection can exist near the apex of the shoulder pads  27 . The head of the performer passes through the open area between the shoulder pads  27 . The shoulder supports  12  connect with hardware tube clamps  93  to the though connector  111 . Because the upper rods are tubes  42  and  44 , the position of the back member  17  can be adjusted by changing the position of the tube clamps  93  on the tubes. Pivot arm  114  connects to mounting bracket  112  and into the back member  17 . Pad  16  is shown attached to the back member  17 . The pad provides a cushion to more evenly distribute to load of the back member onto the user&#39;s back. In one embodiment it is contemplated that the pad can be a gel or air filled bladder as previously described in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . It is also contemplated that the tubes can be broken and hinged at some point near or a distance from the apex of the shoulders to allow the distance between the front of the carrier and the back member  17  to be adjusted. 
         [0069]      FIG. 14  shows a rear view of the conforming and articulating back member as a contemplated variation of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 . In this contemplated variation the tube clamps  126  are used to connect the securing arm  114  between the extenders  18  and  19 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 15  shows a rear view of the conforming and articulating back member as a contemplated variation of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 . In this contemplated embodiment the compound hinge  300  as shown and described in  FIGS. 7 and 8  connects between the shoulder support extenders  18  and  19  and the back member  17 . 
         [0071]      FIG. 16  shows a rear view of the conforming and articulating back member as a contemplated variation of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0072]      FIG. 17  shows a rear view of the conforming and articulating back member as a contemplated variation of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12  where member  116  connects between the shoulder member(s)  12  and the back member  17 . 
         [0073]    Thus, specific embodiments and applications for a carrier with single and dual front mounted linear slides 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.