Abstract:
A mechanism for supporting the weight of a piano lid is disclosed. One or more pneumatic cylinders and arms are used to assist a user in opening and closing the piano lid. In one embodiment, a guiding cup can be removably attached to the frame of the piano below each pneumatic cylinder. When the piano lid is open, the piston arm of the pneumatic cylinder engages the guiding cup. Because the pneumatic cylinder is not attached to the piano frame, the piano lid can be completely removed without the use of tools. Another embodiment provides a mounting bracket that fits over the rear frame of a piano, allowing the mechanism to be retrofit to any existing piano without any damage thereto.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefits of provisional application No. 61/021,263 filed Jan. 15, 2008 and is a continuation-in-part of international application PCT/US2009/030859 filed Jan. 13, 2009, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a mechanism and method for assisting users in lifting and supporting a piano lid. More specifically, it consists of a mechanism which uses at least one pneumatic cylinder to assist a user in opening and closing a piano lid. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is often necessary to open the lid of a piano and hold it open. Hinges and braces have been used to open a piano lid and support its weight for some time. Several difficulties exist in opening a piano lid, keeping it open, and eventually closing it. The piano lid is very heavy and can be difficult to raise. Once the lid is raised, it can be difficult to place the end of the brace into the receiving mechanism. Many braces can be easily knocked out of place, causing the lid to drop. When the heavy lid is closed, it can easily overcome the user&#39;s strength and fall too quickly, potentially injuring either the user or the piano. Additionally, traditional hinges and braces do not allow a user to bring a piano lid to rest anywhere between an open and closed position. 
     The foregoing example of the related art and limitations related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings. 
     SUMMARY 
     An aspect of the invention is to assist the user in opening a piano lid. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to damp the closing motion of a piano lid. 
     A further aspect of the invention is to stop a piano lid at any point between open and closed. 
     The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tool and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other improvements. 
     One embodiment discloses a pneumatic cylinder attached to the frame of a piano. An arm is pivotally attached to the lid of the piano. The pneumatic cylinder and arm are connected. The disclosed embodiment has one arm and one pneumatic cylinder. More arms and cylinders are possible. The pneumatic cylinder and arm can be retrofit to a piano. 
     Another embodiment discloses an internal brace attached to the frame of the piano. An arm is removably attached to the lid of the piano. The brace has two pneumatic cylinders removably attached to it. The brace and cylinders are pivotally attached to the arm. More arms and cylinders are possible. The pneumatic cylinder and arm can be retrofit to a piano. 
     A further embodiment discloses two arms removably attached to the lid of a piano. Each arm is attached to a pneumatic cylinder. A guiding cup is removably attached to the frame of the piano below each arm and pneumatic cylinder. When the piano lid is closed, the base of the pneumatic cylinder engages the guiding cup. More arms and pneumatic cylinders are possible. Because the pneumatic cylinder is not attached to the piano frame, the piano lid can be completely removed without the use of tools. 
     Another embodiment discloses an arm removably attached to a housing. The housing is removably attached to a mounting bracket. The arm is attached to a pair of pneumatic cylinders. Guiding cups are mounted in the housing below each arm and pneumatic cylinder. When the piano lid is closed, the base of the pneumatic cylinder engages the guiding cup. The mounting bracket can be placed over the rear frame of the piano without any modification to the piano. 
     In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of an embodiment of a mechanism for supporting the weight of a piano lid. 
         FIG. 2  is a longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of a mechanism for supporting the weight of a piano lid. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a longitudinal sectional view of a third embodiment of a mechanism for supporting the weight of a piano lid. 
         FIG. 5  is a similar view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  with the lid partially open. 
         FIG. 6  is a similar view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  with the lid lifted more than 90° open and separated from the piano. 
         FIG. 7  is a longitudinal sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a mechanism for supporting the weight of a piano lid. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view of a grand piano. 
     
    
    
     Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown, since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring first to  FIG. 1  a piano  100  includes a lid support  1000  and has an arm  101  attached to the underside of the lid  102 . The lid  102  is attached to the rear frame  104  of the piano  100  by hinge  114 . The lid  102  is shown in the open position. Arm  101  is approximately 40 inches long, approximately 1 inch wide and approximately 1 inch high. Alternatively, arm  101  can end at point P, which represents the center of gravity of the lid  102 . Extending arm  101  beyond point P reduces stress on hinge  114 . In the depicted embodiment, arm  101  is 16 gauge mild steel. While 16 gauge mild steel is depicted, any material of similar strength and rigidity, including, but not limited to metals, plastics and ceramics, could be used. Roller  116  rolls on the interior portion of a second end of arm  101 . In the depicted embodiment, roller  116  is approximately 15 mm in diameter and 20 mm in width and is nylon. While a nylon roller is depicted, a roller made of any material of similar strength and rigidity could be used. Roller  116  protrudes from the second end of arm  101  approximately 1-2 mm and contacts lid  102 . No special treatment of the underside of lid  102  is required. Arm  101  is substantially parallel to the underside of lid  102  when lid  102  is in a closed position. As lid  102  is rotated from a closed to an open position, the second end of arm  101  traverses the underside of piano lid  102  and the angle α (depicted in  FIG. 2 ) between the second end of arm  101  and piano lid  102  increases to a range of approximately 1-3 degrees. 
     A first end of arm  101  is attached at pivot point  115  to mounting bracket  112 . Mounting bracket  112  has a leg  113  that extends downward through a hole  110  in the sounding board  111 . In the depicted embodiment, mounting bracket  112  is 1″×1″ angle, mild steel. While 1″×1″ angle, mild steel is depicted, any material of similar strength and rigidity, including, but not limited to metals, plastics and ceramics, could be used. Hole  110  has an approximate diameter of 2 inches. Mounting bracket  112  is attached to the upper interior portion  103  of rear frame  104 . The top of mounting bracket  112  is substantially coplanar with hinge  114 . The joint of hinge  114  is located on the opposing side of rear frame  104  from mounting bracket  112 . 
     An adjustable pivotal connector  105  is removably attached to arm  101  at a distance determined by the equation W=(X·F)/L, where W=the weight to lift, X=the distance from the center of pivot point  119  to the center of pivot point  115 , L=the distance from roller  116  to pivot point  115  and F=the force needed in pneumatic cylinder  107  to lift the weight of lid  102 . Bolt  120  is slideable within slot  117  to adjust pivotal connector  105 . The piston arm  106  of a pneumatic cylinder  107  is removably attached to the adjustable pivotal connector  105  at pivot point  119 . The lower portion  108  of the pneumatic cylinder  107  is pivotally attached to the leg  113  of mounting bracket  112 . Leg  113  is connected to the lower interior portion  109  of the rear frame  104  of piano  100 . For the purposes of this application, the rear frame of piano  100  refers to the side on which the hinge for the piano lid is located. 
     Once lid support  1000  is installed, piano lid  102  can be opened and closed with ease. Additionally, piano lid  102  can now be stopped at any point between open and closed. A user can open, close or stop the lid with as little as one half Newton of force, the equivalent of the force exerted by a single finger. 
     In the disclosed embodiment pneumatic cylinder  107  can be a range of sizes exerting between approximately 50 Newtons of force to approximately 1,300 Newtons of force. In the depicted embodiment, pneumatic cylinder  107  has an extended length of 7½ inches, a diameter of 1 inch, a ⅜ inch cylinder rod, a 2 inch stroke and exerts 1,000 Newtons of force. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a second embodiment, lid support  2000 , a mechanism for supporting weight of piano lid is shown. Lid  202  is attached to the rear frame  204  of piano  100  by hinge  214 . For the purposes of this application, the rear frame of piano  100  refers to the side on which the hinge for the piano lid is located. Lid  202  is shown in the open position. An arm  201  rolls on the underside of the lid  202 . No special treatment of the underside of lid  202  is required. A first end of arm  201  is attached to the rear upper portion  212  of a bracket  213  at pivot point  215 . Bracket  213  is attached to the upper interior portion  203  of the rear frame  204  of piano  100  and the sounding board  211 . The top of bracket  213  is substantially coplanar with hinge  214 . The joint of the hinge  214  is located on the opposing side of rear frame  204  from bracket  213 . In the depicted embodiment, bracket  213  is made from 1″×1″ square tube, 16 gauge mild steel. While 1″×1″ square tube, 16 gauge mild steel is depicted, any material of similar strength and rigidity, including, but not limited to metals, plastics and ceramics, could be used. 
     Arm  201  is approximately 40 inches long, approximately 1 inch wide and approximately 1 inch high. Alternatively, arm  201  can end at the center of gravity of lid  202 . Extending arm  201  beyond the center of gravity of lid  202  reduces stress on hinge  214 . In the depicted embodiment, arm  201  is made from 16 gauge mild steel. While 16 gauge mild steel is depicted, any material of similar strength and rigidity, including, but not limited to metals, plastics and ceramics, could be used. Roller  216  is attached to the interior portion of a second end of arm  201 . In the depicted embodiment, roller  216  is approximately 15 mm in diameter, 20 mm in width and is nylon. While a nylon roller is depicted, a roller made of any material of similar strength and rigidity could be used. Roller  216  protrudes from the second end of arm  201  approximately 1-2 mm and contacts lid  202 . Arm  201  is substantially parallel to the underside of lid  202  when lid  202  is in a closed position. As lid  202  is rotated from a closed to an open position, the angle represented by α increases from approximately 0 degrees to approximately 1-3 degrees, the angle represented by β increases to approximately 132-150 degrees and the angle represented by γ increases to approximately 32-45 degrees. 
     Adjustable pivotal connector  205  is removably attached to opposing sides of the arm  201  at a distance determined by the equation W=(X·F)/L, where W=the weight to lift, X=the distance from the center of pivot point  219  to the center of pivot point  215 , L=the distance from roller  216  to pivot point  215  and F=the force needed in pneumatic cylinders  207 ,  207   a  to lift the weight of lid  202 . Bolt  220  is slideable within slot  217  to adjust pivotal connector  205 . The piston arms  206  of pneumatic cylinders  207 ,  207   a  are removably attached to adjustable pivotal connector  205  at pivot point  219 . The lower portion  208  of pneumatic cylinders  207 ,  207   a  are removably attached to opposing sides of area A of the bracket  213  at pivot point  224 . 
     Optionally, a leg  223  can be attached to the lower portion of bracket  213  to provide structural support. Leg  223  extends through a hole  210  in the sounding board  211  and is removably attached to bracket  221  with nuts  222   a ,  222   b . In the depicted embodiment, hole  210  has an approximate diameter of ½ inch. Bracket  221  is attached to the lower portion  209  of the rear frame  204  of piano  100  with bolt  224 . 
     Once lid support  2000  is installed, piano lid  202  can be opened and closed with ease. Additionally, piano lid  202  can now be stopped at any point between open and closed. A user can open, close or stop the lid with as little as one half Newton of force, the equivalent of the force exerted by a single finger. 
     In the disclosed embodiment pneumatic cylinder  207  can be a range of sizes exerting between approximately 50 Newtons of force to approximately 1,300 Newtons of force. In the depicted embodiment, pneumatic cylinder  207  has an extended length of 7½ inches, a diameter of 1 inch, a ⅜ inch cylinder rod, a 2 inch stroke and exerts 1,000 Newtons of force. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6 , a third embodiment, lid support  3000 , a mechanism for supporting the weight of piano lid  302 , has an arm  301  attached to the underside of the lid  302  of piano  100 . A first end  316  of arm  301  has a recessed opening  317 . Arm  301  is approximately 40 inches long, approximately 1 inch wide and approximately 1 inch high. Alternatively, arm  301  can end at the center of gravity of the lid  302 . In the depicted embodiment, arm  301  is 16 gauge mild steel. While 16 gauge mild steel is depicted, any material of similar strength and rigidity, including, but not limited to metals, plastics and ceramics, could be used. 
     Adjustable pivotal connector  305  is removably attached to opposing sides of arm  301  at a distance determined by the equation W=(X·F)/L, where W=the weight to lift, X=the distance from the center of pivot point  319  to the center of pin  315 , L=the distance from the second end of arm  301  to pin  315  and F=the force needed in pneumatic cylinder  307  to lift the weight of lid  302 . Bolt  320  is slideable within slot  317  to adjust pivotal connector  305 . 
     The piston arm  306  of a pneumatic cylinder  307  is attached to adjustable pivotal connector  305  at pivot point  319 . The upper portion  318  of a bracket  313  is attached to the upper portion of the rear frame  304  of piano  100 . A guiding cup  321  is attached to area D of bracket  313 . Area D is approximately one third of the distance total depth of bracket  313  from the frontal portion of bracket  313 . Guiding cup  325  is conical in shape. The base E of guiding cup  325  is just large enough to accept the piston arm  322  of pneumatic cylinder  307 . When lid  302  is closed, gravity will pull piston arm  322  into guiding cup  321 . The conical shape of guiding cup  325  will cause the piston arm  322  of pneumatic cylinder  307  to rest in the base E of guiding cup  325 . 
     In the depicted embodiment, bracket  313  is made from 1″×1″ square tube, 16 gauge mild steel. While 1″×1″ square tube, 16 gauge mild steel is depicted, any material of similar strength and rigidity, including, but not limited to metals, plastics and ceramics, could be used. In the depicted embodiment, pneumatic cylinder  307  can be a range of sizes exerting between approximately 50 Newtons of force and approximately 1,300 Newtons of force. In the depicted embodiment, the cylinder has an extended length of 7½ inches, a diameter of 1 inch, a ⅜ inch cylinder rod, a 2 inch stroke and exerts 1,000 Newtons of force. 
     The interaction of the upper portion  318  of bracket  313  and recessed opening  317  of arm  301  acts as a hinge to attach lid  302  to the rear frame  304  of piano  100 . A pin  315  is inserted in recessed opening  317  and acts as a joint for the created hinge. The interior portion  333  of pin  315  is missing a portion of its circumference. In the depicted embodiment, pin  315  is approximately 2½ long. The missing portion of the circumference of the interior portion  333  of pin  315  and the size of recessed opening  317  are proportionate. Recessed opening  317  of arm  301  extends greater than 180 degrees around the circumference of pin  315 . Thus, lid  302  must be lifted beyond 90 degrees (see dotted line of 90 degrees marked “90°” in  FIG. 6 ) in order to remove the lid  302  from piano  100 . Once lid  302  is lifted beyond approximately 90 degrees, the missing portion of the circumference of the interior portion  333  of pin  315  allows lid  302  to be completely removed from piano  100 . Extending arm  301  beyond the center of gravity of lid  302  reduces stress on the upper portion  318  of bracket  313  and recessed opening  317  of arm  301 , which act as the hinge to attach lid  302  to piano  100 . 
     Optionally, a leg  323  can be attached to the lower portion of bracket  313  to provide structural support. Leg  323  extends through a hole  310  in the sounding board  311  and is removably attached to bracket  321  with nuts  322   a ,  322   b . Hole  310  has an approximate diameter of ½ inch. Bracket  321  is attached to the lower portion  309  of the rear frame  304  of the piano  100  with bolt  324 . For the purposes of this application, the rear frame of piano  100  refers to the side on which the hinge for the piano lid is located. 
     The disclosed third embodiment  3000  has an arm assembly on the opposite side of the piano that is a mirror image of that disclosed in  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6 . 
     Once lid support  3000  is installed, piano lid  302  can be opened and closed with ease. Additionally, piano lid  302  can now be stopped at any point between open and closed. A user can open, close or stop the lid with as little as one half Newton of force, the equivalent of the force exerted by a single finger. 
       FIG. 4  shows the lid  302  in the closed position. 
       FIG. 5  shows the lid  302  raised from the closed position.  FIG. 6  shows the lid  302  completely removed from the piano. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a fourth embodiment, lid support  4000 , a mechanism for supporting the weight of piano lid  402 , has a mounting bracket  413  placed over the rear frame  404  of the piano  100 . For the purposes of this application, the rear frame of piano  100  refers to the side on which the hinge for the piano lid is located. In the depicted embodiment, bracket  413  is 16 gauge mild steel sheet metal. While 16 gauge mild steel sheet metal is depicted, any material of similar strength and rigidity, including, but not limited to metals, plastics and ceramics, could be used. The internal surface of mounting bracket  413  is coated with felt so as not to scratch the surface of the piano. While felt is the preferred material, any material that would prevent scratching could be used. Mounting bracket  413  has a recessed portion  414  in the approximate center of its front face  415 . Mounting bracket  413  has holes (not shown) on either side of recessed portion  414 . Connector  428   a  extends generally perpendicular to front face  415  of mounting bracket  413 . Connector  428   a  includes slots  429   a . A mirror image connector extends from the other side of mounting bracket  413  and is not shown. The top of mounting bracket  413  is substantially coplanar with the hinge connecting lid  402  to the rear frame  404  of piano  100 . The joint of the hinge connecting lid  402  to the rear frame  404  of piano  100  is located on the opposing side of rear frame  1404  from front face  415  of mounting bracket  413 . In the disclosed embodiment, mounting bracket  413  is approximately 10 inches long, approximately 1.25 inches high and approximately 1.5-2 inches wide. In the disclosed embodiment, recessed portion  414  of mounting bracket  413  is approximately 2.5 inches long. 
     A housing  417  is attached to mounting bracket  413 . In the depicted embodiment, housing  417  is 16 gauge mild steel sheet metal. While 16 gauge mild steel sheet metal is depicted, any material of similar strength and rigidity, including, but not limited to metals, plastics and ceramics, could be used. Housing  417  has a width approximately equal to that of the recessed portion of mounting bracket  413 . In the disclosed embodiment, housing  417  has a length of approximately 4 inches, a height of approximately 5.5 inches, and a width of approximately 2.5 inches. Housing  417  has extension  418   a . In the disclosed embodiment, extension  418   a  has a width of 0.75 inches. Extension  418   a  extends behind front face  415  of mounting bracket  413  and is attached thereto via screw  419   a . In the disclosed embodiment screw  419   a  is a socket head bolt 5/16″-18×¾″. The rear face of extension  418   a  is coated with felt. While felt is the preferred material, any material that would prevent scratching could be used. Housing  417  has a mirror image extension on its other side, which is not shown. Screw  430   a  further attaches housing  417  to mounting bracket  413 . Screw  430   a  is slideable within slot  429   a . In use, the interaction of screw  430   a  and slot  429   a  functions to prevent connector  428   a  and housing  417  from moving when bolt  419   a  is tightened. Bracket  406   a  also functions to prevent connector  428   a  and housing  417  from moving when bolt  419   a  is tightened. Screw  430   a , slot  429   a  and bracket  406   a  can all be used together. Alternatively, a user may choose to use either screw  430   a  and slot  429   a  or bracket  406   a . It should be understood that any method that can prevent connector  428   a  and housing  417  from moving when bolt  419   a  is tightened may also be used. The base  419  of housing  417  has guiding cups  421   a ,  421   b  in area D. Area D is approximately one third of the distance from the frontal portion of housing  417 . Guiding cups  421   a ,  421   b  are conical in shape. 
     An arm  401  is attached to housing  417  via a pin  420 . Pin  420  transverses a first end of arm  401  and mounts in housing  417 . In the disclosed embodiment pin  420  has a diameter of approximately ⅜″. A second end of arm  401  rolls on the underside of lid  402  via roller  416 . No special treatment of the underside of lid  402  is required. Roller  416  is attached to the interior portion of the second end of arm  402 . Arm  401  is substantially parallel to the underside of lid  402  when lid  402  is in a closed position. As lid  402  is rotated from a closed to an open position, the second end of arm  401  traverses the underside of piano lid  402  and the angle represented by a increases from approximately 0 degrees to approximately 1-3 degrees, the angle represented by β increases to approximately 132-150 degrees and the angle represented by y increases to approximately 32-45 degrees. 
     Arm  401  is approximately 40 inches long, approximately 1 inch wide and approximately 1 inch high. In the depicted embodiment, arm  401  is 16 gauge mild steel. Alternatively, arm  401  can end at the center of gravity of the lid  402 . Extending arm  401  beyond the center of gravity of lid  402  reduces stress on the existing hinges. In the depicted embodiment, roller  416  is approximately 15 mm in diameter, 20 mm in width and is nylon. While a nylon roller is depicted, a roller made of any material of similar strength and rigidity could be used. Roller  416  protrudes from the second end of arm  401  approximately 1-2 mm and contacts lid  402 . 
     Bracket  423  is removably attached to the underside of arm  401 . A pin  424  is attached to bracket  423 . Pneumatic cylinders  407   a ,  407   b  are attached via eyelets  425   a ,  425   b  to either side of pin  424 . In the disclosed embodiment pin  424  and eyelets  425   a ,  425   b  each have a diameter of approximately ⅜″. The location of bracket  423  on arm  401  is determined by the equation W=(X·F)/L, where W=the weight to lift, X=the distance from the center of pin  424  to the center of pin  420 , L=the distance from roller  416  to pin  420  and F=the force needed in pneumatic cylinder  407   a ,  407   b  to lift the weight of lid  402 . 
     The base E of guiding cups  421   a ,  421   b  is just large enough to accept the piston arms  422   a ,  422   b  of pneumatic cylinders  407   a ,  407   b . When lid  402  is closed, gravity will pull piston arms  422   a ,  422   b  into guiding cups  421   a ,  421   b . The conical shape of guiding cups  421   a ,  421   b  will cause the piston arms  422   a ,  422   b  of pneumatic cylinder  407   a ,  407   b  to rest in the base E of guiding cups  421   a ,  421   b.    
     Pneumatic cylinder  407  can be a range of sizes exerting between approximately 50 Newtons of force and approximately 1,300 Newtons of force. In a preferred embodiment, the cylinder has an extended length of 7½ inches, a diameter of 1 inch, a ⅜ inch cylinder rod, a 2 inch stroke and exerts 1,000 Newtons of force. 
     In use, mounting bracket  413  is placed over the rear frame  404  of a piano  100  at a chosen point between the existing hinges. Screws  419   a ,  419   b  are used to tighten lid support  4000  onto the piano  100 . Piano lid  402  can now be opened and closed with ease. Additionally, piano lid  402  can now be stopped at any point between open and closed. A user can open, close or stop the lid with as little as one half Newton of force, the equivalent of the force exerted by a single finger. 
       FIG. 9  shows a top plan view of a grand piano. Grand piano lid  502  has a width, measured between W 1  and W 2 , of approximately 150 cm. Grand piano lid  502  has a length, measured between L 1  and L 2 , of between approximately 140 cm and 275 cm, depending on the type of grand piano. Grand piano lid  502  weighs between 21 and 65 pounds, depending on the type of grand piano. The center of gravity P for grand piano lid  502  is located between 55 and 60% of the total length of piano lid  502  when measured from L 2  and between 40 and 45% of the total width of piano lid  502  when measured from W 1 . Variation in the center of gravity is caused by variations in the size and shape of piano lid  502 . The lid support of the present invention can be adjusted along the length of the piano  100  during installation to locate the exact center of gravity. The disclosed embodiments of the present invention can be used with a grand piano as disclosed in  FIG. 9 . A single lid support of the present invention can support a lid of up to approximately 45 pounds having a length of up to approximately 214 cm. Two lid supports of the present invention are utilized to support a lid of greater than approximately 45 pounds having a length of greater than 214 cm. 
     While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations therefore. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims hereinafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations are within their true spirit and scope. Each apparatus embodiment described herein has numerous equivalents.