Patent Publication Number: US-8113342-B2

Title: Instrument housing case

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an instrument housing case, which allows an instrument such as a violin or a cello to be readily taken in and out of the instrument housing case even in a limited space. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Conventionally, various instruments are carried while being housed in a predetermined case. Among the instruments, stringed instruments, such as a violin and a cello, which are long in one direction, are generally housed in the following case. 
     That is, there has been widely used a case, which includes: a main body case having a longitudinal box shape, which extends along a longitudinal direction of the instrument; and a cover body, which is fixed to one side along a longitudinal direction of the case through hinges so as to be opened and closed. Further, by opening the cover body in a lateral direction with respect to the main body case, the main body case is opened so as to allow the instrument to be taken in and out of the case. 
     As the laterally-openable case described above, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2004-61802 to be described below discloses a stringed instrument case including: a main body case (case body) that is formed in a rectangular box-like shape whose upper portion is opened; a cover body; a body fixing member for fixing a body of the stringed instrument therein; and a neck fixing member for fixing a neck of the stringed instrument therein. Further, in a fitting line between the main body case and the cover body, there are provided fasteners (locks) for holding the cover body in a closed state with respect to the main body case. Further, after the fasteners are unlocked, the cover body is laterally opened with respect to the main body case, and then the instrument is taken in and out of the case. 
     In Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2004-61802, the instrument housing case allowing the instrument to be taken in and out of the instrument housing case is generally provided with the fasteners for holding the cover body in a closed state with respect to the main body case. However, there is risk in that, in a case where the instrument housing case is lifted up in a state in which the fasteners are left unlocked, or in a case where the fasteners are forced to be unlocked during conveyance, the cover body is widely and laterally opened with respect to the main body case with a result in which the instrument falls out of the main body case. 
     In addition, the above-mentioned instrument housing case has a structure in which the cover body is widely and laterally opened with respect to the main body case and is closed with respect to the main body case in such a manner that a limb portion of the cover body comes into contact with a limb of an opening portion of the main body case. However, it is relatively difficult for peripheral wall portions of the main body case and the cover body, which are opened and closed and come into contact with each other, to ensure their stiffness, and hence those portions need often to be increased in wall thickness. That leads to an increase in weight of the instrument housing case. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an instrument housing case, which is capable of preventing the instrument from falling down, and which is capable of achieving a reduction in weight. 
     In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the present invention, there is provided an instrument housing case for housing an instrument which is long in one direction, the instrument housing case including: a main body case which is defined by an upper surface and a lower surface each having a larger width, and both side surfaces each having a smaller width and both end surfaces closing, to thereby form a cylindrical shape as a whole, the main body case including an opening portion cut out a portion ranging from a middle portion in a longitudinal direction of the upper surface through a middle portion in a longitudinal direction of each of the both side surfaces to a vicinity of one of the end surfaces; and a cover body which forms a shape adapted for the opening portion of the main body case and which is pivotably fixed through a hinge to an edge portion of the opening portion in the upper surface of the main body case, the edge portion being away from the one of the end surfaces. 
     According to the above-mentioned invention, it is possible to open the cover body so as to take the instrument in and out of the instrument housing case through the opening portion of the main body case. Since the instrument is housed in the main body case including the both end surfaces closing so as to form a cylindrical shape as a whole, the instrument does not easily bounce out from the opening portion and the instrument can be prevented from falling out of the instrument housing case even in a case where the instrument housing case is lifted up in a state in which fasteners are left unlocked after the cover body is closed, or even in a case where the fasteners are forced to be unlocked during conveyance. 
     Further, the main body case forms the cylindrical shape as a whole, in which the upper surface and the both side surfaces of the main body case are partially opened, and the opening portion is covered with the cover body. Thus, in comparison with a conventional instrument housing case having a lower case and an upper case to open and close, it is easier to maintain the stiffness of the instrument housing case even when the instrument housing case has a relatively light weight. Therefore, it is possible to achieve a reduction in weight of the instrument housing case. 
     In the instrument housing case according to the present invention, it is preferred that the instrument housing case be formed of a resin reinforced with woven fabric containing carbon fiber. According to this aspect, it is possible to provide an instrument housing case having light weight and high stiffness. 
     In the instrument housing case according to the present invention, it is preferred that the opening portion be defined by: portions extending along a width direction of the instrument housing case in the middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the upper surface and in the vicinity of one of the end surfaces of the main body case; portions extending along a longitudinal direction of the instrument housing case in middle portions in a height direction of the both side surfaces of the main body case; and obliquely inclined portions linking both ends of the portions extending in the width direction of the upper surface and both ends of the portions extending in the longitudinal direction of the both side surfaces to each other, and that each of the obliquely inclined portions be inclined toward a center of each of the portions extending in the longitudinal direction of the instrument housing case. According to this aspect, it is possible to set the opening portion of the main body case to be large as possible, and to maintain strength of the main body case because of the obliquely inclined portions. 
     In the instrument housing case according to the present invention, it is preferred that the instrument include a rubbed string instrument including: a main body portion; a neck extending from the main body portion; a bridge portion arranged on a front side of the main body portion; a string tensioned through the bridge portion on the front side of the main body portion and on a front side of the neck; and a chinrest fixed with an end pin to an end portion of the main body portion on a side opposite to the neck, that a first retaining portion for supporting a vicinity of the end pin be provided in an inner periphery of one of the end surfaces of the main body case, which is away from the opening portion, that a second retaining portion for sandwiching the neck be provided on an inner surface of the main body case, which is opposed to the cover body, and on an inner surface of the cover body, and that an area in which a painted surface of the instrument is held in contact with an inner surface of the instrument housing case be set to be 10% or less of an entire of the painted surface. According to this aspect, the instrument is retained by the first retaining portion for supporting the vicinity of the end pin and the second retaining portion for sandwiching the neck, and the painted surface of the instrument is prevented, as much as possible, from being held in contact with the inner surface of the instrument housing case. Thus, it is possible to avoid a disadvantage in that the painted surface is damaged or has marks generated due to adhesion of a cushion member. 
     In one aspect of the instrument housing case according to the present invention, it is preferred that the second retaining portion include: a first holding member, which is fixed on the inner surface of the cover body, and holds a back surface side of the neck of the instrument; and a second holding member, which is fixed on the inner surface of the main body case, and with which a fingerboard provided on the front side of the neck of the instrument comes into contact, and that the fingerboard be supported in substantially parallel to the inner surface of the main body case. According to this aspect, the back surface portion (not painted portion) of the neck is held by the first holding member and the fingerboard (portion formed of material resistant to damages and marks) is held by the second holding member. Thus, it is possible to retain the instrument in a state in which the painted surface thereof is not held in contact with any part. Further, the fingerboard is supported in substantially parallel to the inner surface of the main body case, and hence it is possible to efficiently house the rubbed string instrument in the instrument housing case because of a decrease in an unnecessary space, and to retain more stably the instrument in the instrument housing case. 
     In another aspect of the instrument housing case according to the present invention, it is preferred that the second retaining portion include: a first holding member, which is fixed on the inner surface of the cover body, and holds a front surface side of the neck of the instrument; and a second holding member, which is fixed on the inner surface of the main body case, and supports a back surface side of the neck of the instrument, and that the front surface side of the neck of the instrument be arranged on a side of the opening portion of the main body case. According to this aspect, the back surface side of the neck is held by the second holding member and the front surface side of the neck is held by the first holding member. The front surface side of the neck of the instrument is arranged on the opening portion side of the main body case. As a result, it is easier to check positions of the strings with respect to the instrument housing case. Therefore, it is possible to take the instrument in and out of the instrument housing case while taking care to prevent the strings from coming into contact with the inner surface of the instrument housing case. 
     In the instrument housing case according to the present invention, it is preferred that, between the first retaining portion and the second retaining portion in the inner surface of the main body case, which is opposed to the cover body, a recessed portion for arranging the bridge portion of the rubbed string instrument while preventing the bridge portion from coming into contact with the inner surface of the instrument housing case be formed. According to this aspect, the recessed portion for arranging the bridge portion of the rubbed string instrument while preventing the bridge portion from coming into contact with the inner surface of the instrument housing case is formed between the first retaining portion and the second retaining portion. Thus, when the rubbed string instrument is taken in and out of the instrument housing case, the bridge portion is not allowed to readily come into contact with the inner surface of the instrument housing case. Further, when the instrument is housed in the instrument housing case, it is possible to retain the bridge portion while preventing the bridge portion from coming into contact with the inner surface of the instrument housing case, to thereby effectively protect the bridge portion. 
     In the instrument housing case according to the present invention, it is preferred that, in a vicinity of one of the end surfaces in the lower surface of the main body case, which is away from the opening portion, an inclined surface gradually increasing in height toward the one of the end surfaces so as to reach to the first retaining portion be provided. According to this aspect, when the rubbed string instrument is housed in the instrument housing case so that the end pin is first inserted therein, the end pin of the rubbed string instrument is guided by the inclined surface, and moves gradually into the instrument housing case. Then, the thin neck, which extends from the main body portion, is arranged substantially along the inner surface of the main body case. At the same time, the end pin is lifted up toward the inside of the instrument housing case with respect to the neck. Thus, in the above-mentioned state, it is possible to house and retain the rubbed string instrument in a balanced and stable posture in the instrument housing case. 
     In the instrument housing case according to the present invention, it is preferred that the first holding member be structured so as to come into contact with an edge portion, which is on a side opposite to the end pin of the main body portion of the instrument, from a back surface side of the instrument when the cover body is closed, to thereby hold the main body portion against the first retaining portion. According to this aspect, the vicinity of the end pin of the main body portion of the instrument is supported by the first retaining portion, and the edge portion on the side opposite to the end pin is held and retained by the first holding member against the first retaining portion. Therefore, the both ends of the main body portion of the instrument are securely supported, and it is possible to more stably retain the instrument in the instrument housing case. 
     In the instrument housing case according to the present invention, it is preferred that bow-retaining portions be provided on both sides of the inner surface of the main body case, which is opposed to the cover body, that each of the bow-retaining portions include: a guide wall portion for regulating both side positions of a bow; and a fixture for detachably fixing the bow to the inner surface, and that at least one of the guide wall portions include a cavity therein so as to house components therein. According to this aspect, the bow can be retained in the bow-retaining portion. Further, it is possible to house components such as the bow in the cavity in the inside of the guide wall portion, and hence it is possible to increase a convenience for a user of the instrument housing case. 
     In the instrument housing case according to the present invention, it is preferred that the instrument housing case further include: a grip handle provided in a center portion of one of the both side surfaces of the main body case so as to be gripped for carrying the instrument housing case in a laid posture; and a shoulder strap used for carrying the main body case on the back of a user of the instrument housing case in a state in which a longitudinal direction of the main body case is oriented in a vertical direction, the shoulder strap including both ends fixed to two portions away from each other in the longitudinal direction of the main body case or fixed to two portions away from each other in the longitudinal direction of the main body case and the cover body. According to this aspect, it is possible not only to carry the instrument housing case in the laid posture while gripping the grip handle of the main body case, but also to retain the instrument housing case remaining arranged in the upright posture by slinging the shoulder strap over the shoulder of a user. Further, when the instrument housing case remaining arranged in the upright posture is retained, the one end surface of the main body case is upwardly oriented, and hence it is possible to prevent rain water and the like from readily getting into the instrument housing case. 
     In the instrument housing case according to the present invention, it is preferred that protection layers formed of an elastic resin be formed in corner portions of the end surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the main body case. According to this aspect, when impact force is applied on the instrument housing case, for example, due to falling of the instrument housing case, it is possible to alleviate the impact force so as to prevent the instrument housing case from being damaged. 
     According to the present invention, since the instrument is housed in the main body case including the both end surfaces closing so as to form a cylindrical shape as a whole, the instrument does not easily bounce out from the opening portion and the instrument can be prevented from falling out of the instrument housing case even in a case where the instrument housing case is lifted up in a state in which fasteners are left unlocked after the cover body is closed, or even in a case where the fasteners are forced to be unlocked during conveyance. Further, the main body case forms the cylindrical shape as a whole, in which the upper surface and the both side surfaces of the main body case are partially opened, and the opening portion is covered with the cover body. Thus, in comparison with a conventional instrument housing case having a lower case and an upper case to open and close, it is easier to maintain the stiffness of the instrument housing case even when the instrument housing case has a relatively light weight. Therefore, it is possible to achieve a reduction in weight of the instrument housing case. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the accompanying drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an instrument housing case according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a transparent perspective view of the instrument housing case according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the instrument housing case according to the embodiment of the present invention in a state in which an opening portion thereof is closed; 
         FIG. 4  is a partially enlarged explanation view illustrating a vicinity of a fitting line of the instrument housing case according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a side explanation view illustrating a state in which the opening portion is completely opened by pivoting a cover body by approximately 180° in a horizontal position and an instrument is housed in the instrument housing case according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a side explanation view illustrating a state in which the instrument is being taken out of a main body case in the instrument housing case according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a side explanation view illustrating a state in which the instrument is further pulled out from the state illustrated in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a side explanation view illustrating a state in which a bow is being taken out of the main body case; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view illustrating one example of the instrument to be housed in the instrument housing case according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is an explanation view illustrating one example upon carrying the instrument housing case according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an instrument housing case according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a side explanation view illustrating a state in which an instrument is housed in the instrument housing case according to the other embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 13  is a side explanation view illustrating a state in which the instrument is being taken out of a main body case in the instrument housing case according to the other embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 10 , an instrument housing case according to one embodiment of the present invention is described. 
     The instrument housing case houses an instrument which is long in one direction. The instrument housing case allows the instrument to be taken in and out of the instrument housing case in a state in which the instrument housing case is placed while its longitudinal direction is oriented in a vertical direction with respect to a placement surface. As illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the instrument housing case  10  includes a main body case  20  and a cover body  30 . The main body case  20  includes an opening portion  27 . The cover body  30  is pivotably fixed to the main body case  20  through hinges  40 , and covers the opening portion  27  so as to open and close the same. 
     Further, as the instrument, which is long in one direction and is housed in the instrument housing case  10 , there are exemplified a so-called rubbed string instrument such as a violin, a cello, or a contrabass, and a so-called plucked string instrument such as a guitar, a koto (long Japanese zither with thirteen strings), or a biwa (four-stringed Japanese lute). Of those instruments, a rubbed string instrument as illustrated in  FIG. 9  is preferred. Specifically, such a rubbed string instrument includes: a main body portion  2 ; a neck  3  extending from one side in a longitudinal direction of the main body portion  2 ; a fingerboard  4  provided by a predetermined length over a front surface side of the neck  3  and a front surface side of the main body portion  2 ; a bridge portion  8  fixed in a substantially center on the front surface side of the main body portion  2 ; a plurality of strings  4   a  supported by the bridge portion  8  and tensioned along a longitudinal direction of the fingerboard  4 ; and a chinrest  6  fixed with end pins  5  to an end portion of the main body portion  2 , on a side opposite to the neck  3 . Further, an instrument  1  as the rubbed string instrument includes bows  7  (see  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 8 ). Each of the bows  7  includes: a stick  7   a ; and a bow hair  7   b  tensioned along a longitudinal direction of the stick  7   a  in parallel to the stick  7   a.    
     First, the main body case  20  is described with reference to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 5 . The main body case  20  is defined by an upper surface  21  and a lower surface  22  (see  FIG. 5 ) extending by a predetermined length so as to be long to one direction and having a larger width, and by both side surfaces  23  and  24  (see  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 ) having a smaller width. The both side surfaces  23  and  24  are orthogonally connected to end portions of the upper surface  21  and the lower surface  22 . Further, the main body case  20  includes both ends in a longitudinal direction thereof, which are connected to both end surfaces  25  and  26  (see  FIG. 5 ). In this manner, the main body case  20  forms a cylindrical shape as a whole. 
     Further, of the main body case  20 , the upper surface  21  and a portion ranging from a middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the both side surfaces  23  and  24  to a vicinity of the one end surface  25  are cut out. In this way, the opening portion  27  is formed. The opening portion  27  is defined by width-direction-portions  21   a  and  21   b , longitudinal-direction-portions  23   c  and  24   c , and inclined portions  23   a ,  24   a ,  23   b , and  24   b . The width-direction-portions  21   a  and  21   b  extend along a width direction of the main body case  20  at the middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the upper surface  21  of the main body case  20  and at the vicinity of the one end surface  25 , respectively. The longitudinal-direction-portions  23   c  and  24   c  extend in the longitudinal direction at a middle portion in a height direction of the both side surfaces  23  and  24  of the main body case  20 . The inclined portions  23   a ,  24   a ,  23   b , and  24   b  are obliquely inclined and link both ends of the width-direction-portions  21   a  and  21   b  of the upper surface  21  and both ends of the longitudinal-direction-portions  23   c  and  24   c  of the both side surfaces  23  and  24  to each other. The inclined portions  23   a ,  24   a ,  23   b , and  24   b  are inclined toward a center of the longitudinal-direction-portions  23   c  and  24   c  corresponding to the inclined portions  23   a ,  24   a ,  23   b , and  24   b.    
     The opening portion  27  is formed as described above, and hence it is possible to set the opening portion  27  of the main body case  20  to be large as possible, to thereby smoothly take the instrument  1  in and out of the instrument housing case  10 . Further, it is possible to maintain strength of the main body case  20 . 
     As described above, the main body case  20  includes the larger-width upper surface  21  and the larger-width lower surface  22 , and the smaller-width both side surfaces  23  and  24  orthogonal to the larger-width upper surface  21  and the larger-width lower surface and  22 , and forms a flat shape as a whole. Therefore, it is possible to set the opening portion  27  to have as large opening width as possible without deteriorating stiffness of the main body case  20 , to thereby readily take the instrument  1  in and out of the instrument housing case  10 . Note that, forming the flat shape as a whole means extending long in one direction so as to form a flat shape when viewed from the end surface  25  or  26  side. For example, the both end surfaces  25  and  26  may form so as to have a lateral wide square shape or an oval shape having a large diameter and a smaller diameter, while the upper and lower surfaces and the both side surfaces forming correspondingly to the shape of the both end surfaces  25  and  26 . 
     Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , an angle θ 1  of the inclined portions  23   a  and  24   a  with respect to the lower surface  22  of the main body case  20  is preferably set to range from 0 to 90°, and is more preferably set to range from 30 to 90°. Also, an angle θ 2  of the inclined portions  23   b  and  24   b  with respect to the lower surface  22  of the main body case  20  ranges preferably from 0 to 90°, and more preferably, from 30 to 90°. As the above-mentioned angles θ 1  and θ 2  are closer to the right angle, the opening portion  27  becomes larger. Therefore, in this case, it is easier to take the instrument out of the instrument housing case, and the strength of the main body case  20  tends to decrease. In contrast, as the above-mentioned angles θ 1  and θ 2  are smaller, the strength of the main body case  20  increases, but it is more difficult to take the instrument out of the instrument housing case. Note that, the inclined portions  23   a ,  24   a ,  23   b , and  24   b  may form curved lines such as circular arc lines. 
     In addition, the main body case  20  forms a shape in which both side corner portions  22   d  and  22   d  of the smaller-width lower surface  22  are chamfered by predetermined angles when viewed from the both end surfaces in the longitudinal direction thereof (see  FIG. 3 ). As a result, the entire main body case  20  is formed so as to be thinner and slimmer. In this way, it is possible to reduce the weight and size of the instrument housing case. Meanwhile, both side corner portions  21   d  and  21   d  of the upper surface  21  of the main body case  20  and both side corner portions  31   d  and  31   d  of the cover body  30  described later form a rounded circular arc shape. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the end surface corner portions in the longitudinal direction of the main body case  20  are provided with protective layers  70  formed of elastic resins such as urethane resins, fluororubbers, or silicone rubbers. Here, onto outer peripheries of the both end surfaces  25  and  26  in the longitudinal direction of the main body case  20 , there are mounted frame bodies  71  of elastic resins, respectively. The protective layers  70  are provided so as to extend from the corner portions toward a center of each of the end surfaces  25  and  26 . In this manner, each of the corner portions of the end surfaces  25  and  26  is protected. The above-mentioned protective layers  70  are provided, and hence, when the instrument housing case  10  falls down or something bumps against the instrument housing case  10 , and the impact force is applied to the instrument housing case  10 , it is possible to suppress the impact force so as to prevent the instrument housing case  10  from being damaged. 
     In addition, in a center portion in the longitudinal direction of the one side surface  23  of the main body case  20 , there is fixed a grip handle  44  to be gripped for carrying the instrument housing case  10  in a laid posture. In addition to the grip handle  44 , there is provided a shoulder strap  45  for carrying the main body case  20  on the back of a user thereof in a state in which the longitudinal direction of the main body case  20  is oriented in the vertical direction. One end of the shoulder strap  45  is fixed to a vicinity of the end surface  26  of the side surface  23  of the main body case  20 , and the other end of the shoulder strap  45  is fixed to a position, which is obliquely opposed to the fixing position of the one end, of the cover body  30  (see  FIG. 3 ). Note that, the shoulder strap  45  may be obliquely fixed to, for example, the both ends in the longitudinal direction of the lower surface  22 , and a fixing way is not especially limited. Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in the center of the one end surface  25  of the main body case  20 , there is fixed a slide-type grip handle  25   a . With this, it is possible to grip the slide-type grip handle  25   a  for carrying the instrument housing case  10  in an upright posture. 
     Meanwhile, the cover body  30  in this embodiment forms a shape adapted for the opening portion  27  of the main body case  20 . The cover body  30  includes a front wall  31  and both side walls  33  and  34 . The front wall  31  forms a surface obtained by extending the upper surface  21  of the main body case  20 . The both side walls  33  and  34  form surfaces obtained by extending the both side surfaces  23  and  24  of the main body case  20 . The both side walls  33  and  34  form shapes bent from width-direction both side edges of the front wall  31  through the rounded both side corner portions  31   d  and  31   d  so as to be orthogonal to the front wall  31 . Both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the both side walls  33  and  34  form shapes obliquely cut out so as to be aligned with each of the inclined portions  23   a ,  24   a ,  23   b , and  24   b  of the main body case  20 . 
     Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , when the opening portion  27  is closed by pivoting the cover body  30 , the front wall  31  of the cover body  30  is aligned with the upper surface  21  of the main body case  20  so as to form the same smooth surface including no step together with the upper surface  21 . In the same time, the both side walls  33  and  34  of the cover body  30  are also aligned with the both side surface  23  and  24  of the main body case  20  so as to form the same smooth surfaces including no step together with the both side surface  23  and  24 . 
     Further, in an edge portion of one end of the cover body  30  and one of the edge portions (one of the edge portions, which is closer to the end surface  26 ) of the opening portion  27  of the main body case  20 , which is further away from the end surface  25 , there are fixedly provided two pairs of hinges  40  and  40  which are disposed at a predetermined interval. Through the hinges  40 , the cover body  30  is fixed with respect to the main body case  20  so as to be pivotable in the vertical direction. Note that, the hinges  40  may be arranged on a back side of the main body case  20  and the cover body  30  for the purpose of preventing the hinges from being seen from the outside when the opening portion  27  is closed by downwardly pivoting the cover body  30 . Also their structures are not especially limited. 
     Further, by downwardly pivoting the cover body  30 , the obliquely cut out both end portions of the both side walls  33  and  34  of the cover body  30  come into contact with the respective inclined portions  23   a ,  24   a ,  23   b , and  24   b  of the opening portion  27  of the main body case  20 . At the same time, the corresponding end portions of the cover body  30  come also into contact with the width-direction portions  21   a  and  21   b  and the longitudinal-direction portions  23   c  and  24   c  of the main body case  20 , to thereby close the opening portion  27 . 
     As described above, the opening portion  27  of the main body case  20  is closed with the cover body  30 . In this case, the respective end portions of the main body case  20  and the respective end portions of the cover body  30  come into contact with each other, and thus a fitting line  41  is formed. 
     Further, it is preferred that the fitting line  41  be provided with the following members.  FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the fitting line  41  between the main body case  20  and the cover body  30 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in the longitudinal-direction portions  23   c  and  24   c  of the both side surfaces  23  and  24  of the main body case  20  and the corresponding end portions of the both side walls  33  and  34  of the cover body  30 , there are provided elastic members  41   a  and  41   b  each formed of an elastomer, a rubber, or the like. A contact surface of the elastic member  41   a  is recessed. A contact surface of the elastic member  41   b  has a convex shape adapted for the recessed portion of the elastic member  41   a . The above-mentioned elastic members  41   a  and  41   b  are formed in an entire periphery of the fitting line  41 . 
     Therefore, by downwardly pivoting the cover body  30 , the convex portion of the elastic member  41   b  fits elastically into the recessed portion of the elastic member  41   a . Thus, while the fitting line  41  is formed in a state in which the main body case  20  and the cover body  30  are held in close contact with each other, the opening portion  27  of the main body case  20  is closed (see  FIG. 3 ). As a result, through the two elastic members  41   a  and  41   b , the cover body  30  is closed. Thus, it is possible to further increase a sealing property of the opening portion  27 , to thereby prevent the moisture and the like from getting into the instrument housing case  10  from the outside. Note that, the recessed portion may be provided to the elastic member  41   b  and the convex portion may be provided to the elastic member  41   a . In addition, a shape of each of the elastic members is not limited to those illustrated in  FIG. 4 , and another structure may be employed. 
     Further, to the above-mentioned main body case  20  and cover body  30 , there are provided fasteners  43  for locking the cover body  30  in a closed state when the opening portion  27  is closed by pivoting the cover body  30 . In this embodiment, the fasteners  43  and  43  are fixed at positions closer to the end surface  25  of the fitting lines  41  and  41  along the both side surfaces  23  and  24  of the instrument housing case  10 , respectively (see  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 ). 
     The above-mentioned main body case  20  and cover body  30  are formed of a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin, an unsaturated polyester resin, a vinyl ester resin, and a polyimide resin, or a thermoplastic resin such as a polyethylene, a polypropylen, a polytetrafluoroethylene, a polycarbonate, an acrylic resin, a nylon, and an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin. In this case, the above-mentioned main body case  20  and cover body  30  are preferably formed of a resin reinforced with reinforced fiber, and more preferably, of a resin reinforced with woven fabric containing carbon fiber. By using the above-mentioned fiber reinforced resin, it is possible to provide the instrument housing case  10  having light weight and high stiffness. 
     It is possible to house, in the instrument housing case  10  having the above-mentioned structure, the instrument  1  as the rubbed string instrument as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . The above-mentioned instrument  1  is applied with multi-layer paint such as varnish and a polyurethane for the purpose of improving an acoustic property of the instrument  1  and protecting the instrument  1  from the moisture. The above-mentioned paint takes at least several months to be completely dried. During a time period until the paint is completely dried, it is desired to house the instrument  1  in the instrument housing case  10  so that other members do not come into contact with painted surfaces. 
     In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the instrument housing case  10  according to this embodiment, the following internal structure is employed. In the following, an internal structure of the instrument housing case  10  is described. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 5  to  FIG. 8 , of the inner surface on the end surface  26  side of the main body case  20 , in a center in a width direction of the larger-width upper surface  21  and the larger-width lower surface  22 , there is provided a first retaining portion  50  for supporting a vicinity of end pins  5  of the instrument  1 . 
     A portion adjacent to the end surface  26  in the lower surface  22  of the main body case  20  is provided with an inclined surface  50   b . The inclined surface  50   b  gradually increases in height toward the end surface  26  so as to reach a lower portion  50   a  of the first retaining portion  50 . Further, a rib-like engaging portion  50   c  is provided so as to protrude from the end portion on the upper surface  21  side of the first retaining portion  50 . The rib-like engaging portion  50   c  is a portion engaging to the back side of the end pins  5  of the instrument  1  (see  FIG. 5 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 5 , on an inner surface of the main body case  20  opposed to the cover body  30  and on an inner surface of the cover body  30 , there is provided a second retaining portion  52  for sandwiching the neck  3  of the instrument  1 . The second retaining portion  52  includes a first holding member  53  and a second holding member  54 . The first holding member  53  is fixed on the inner surface of the cover body  30 , and holds a back surface side of the neck of the instrument  1 . The second holding member  54  is fixed on the inner surface of the main body case  20 , and the fingerboard  4  on a front side of the neck of the instrument  1  comes into contact with the second holding member  54 . The fingerboard  4  is supported in substantially parallel to the inner surface of the main body case  20 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a base portion of the first holding member  53  is fixed to the both side walls  33  and  34  of the cover body  30 . The first holding member  53  protrudes toward an inside of the instrument housing case by a predetermined height. In its protruding end portion, there is formed a holding recessed portion  53   a  corresponding to the shape of the neck, and both sides of the holding recessed portion  53   a  form shoulder portions  53   b  and  53   b  rounded so as to have circular arcs. The first holding member  53  comes into contact with an edge portion on a side opposite to the end pins  5  of the main body portion  2  of the instrument  1  from the back surface side when the cover body  30  is closed, to thereby hold the main body portion  2  against the first retaining portion  50 . 
     Meanwhile, the second holding member  54 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , is provided at a position, which is corresponding to the first holding member  53  of the cover body  30 , of the lower surface  22  of the main body case  20 . The second holding member  54  is arranged in the center in the width direction of the lower surface  22 , and extends in the longitudinal direction so as to form a plate shape having the same width as that of the first retaining portion  50 . Further, the end surface  26  side of the second holding member  54  forms a tapered shape gradually decreasing in height toward the end surface  26 . Thus, there is formed a recessed portion  56  between the second holding member  54  and the first retaining portion  50  of the lower surface  22  of the main body case  20 . With the recessed portion  56 , when the rubbed string instrument is taken in and out of the instrument housing case or when the rubbed string instrument is housed and retained in the instrument housing case, the bridge portion  8  of the rubbed string instrument is not held in contact with the inner surface of the instrument housing case (see  FIGS. 2 and 5 ). 
     In addition, a pair of neck retaining portions  55  and  55  are provided so as to protrude in the both side edge portions on the recessed portion  56  side of the upper surface of the second holding member  54  (see  FIG. 2 ). The pair of neck retaining portions  55  and  55  retain the neck  3  of the instrument  1  from both side portions thereof upon housing in the instrument housing case. In this way, it is possible to prevent the neck  3  from being laterally offset, etc. Note that, an inner surface of each of the pair of neck retaining portions  55  forms a tapered shape. In this way, it is easy for the pair of neck retaining portions  55  and  55  to receive the neck  3  therein. 
     Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , on the both side portions of the inner surface of the lower surface  22  of the main body case  20 , there are fixed guide wall portions  60  for regulating both side positions of the bows  7  as accessories of the instrument  1 . An inside of each of the guide wall portions  60  forms a housing portion  48  for housing the bow  7 . Each of the guide wall portions  60  forms a square column shape including a cavity  61  formed therein, and extends from the first retaining portion  50  up to the second retaining portion  52 . Between an end portion on the first retaining portion  50  side of each of the guide wall portions  60  and the first retaining portion  50 , there are arranged bow supporting portions  62  and  62 . 
     Further, on the both sides in a vicinity of the end surface  25  of the main body case  20  of the plate-like second holding member  54 , there are fixed bow supporting portions  63  and  63 . Each of the bow supporting portions  63  and  63  includes a groove portion opened toward the inside of the instrument housing case. On a deep side (end surface  26  side) of the instrument housing case with respect to the bow supporting portions  63  and  63 , there are mounted fixtures  49  for detachably fixing the bows  7  in the instrument housing case. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , each of the fixtures  49  includes a plate-like base portion  49   a  and a plate-like rotary clamp portion  49   b . The plate-like base portion  49   a  is fixedly provided in the lower surface  22  of the main body case  20 . The plate-like rotary clamp portion  49   b  is rotatably fixed with respect to the base portion  49   a . Further, in a normal state, the rotary clamp portion  49   b  remains being rotated in the same direction with respect to the base portion  49   a . In order to retain each of the bows  7  housed in the housing portion  48 , after the rotary clamp portion  49   b  is sandwiched between the stick  7   a  and the bow hair  7   b  of the bow  7 , the rotary clamp portion  49   b  is rotated by 90° with respect to the base portion  49   a . In this way, the bow  7  can be locked and retained (see  FIG. 2 ). By the fixtures  49  and the above-mentioned guided wall portions  60 , a bow-retaining portion according to the present invention is constituted. 
     Further, the instrument  1  is housed and retained in the instrument housing case  10  as follows. Specifically, the bottom portion of the instrument  1  is supported by the first retaining portion  50  and the neck  3  of the instrument  1  is sandwiched by the second retaining portion  52  including the first holding member  53  and the second holding member  54  (see  FIG. 5 ). The above-mentioned process is performed in such a manner that an area in which the painted surface of the instrument  1  is held in contact with the inner surface of the instrument housing case  10  is preferably 10% or less of the entire painted surface, and more preferably, 3% or less. Further, each of the retaining portions  50  and  52  is formed of a soft material having cushioning characteristics such as polyurethane foam. 
     Next, a using method for the instrument housing case  10  structured as described above according to the present invention is described. 
     In order to house the instrument  1  in the instrument housing case  10 , the cover body  30  is upwardly pivoted so as to open the opening portion  27  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , each of the bows  7  is inserted into the bow-retaining portion. In this time, the lower end portion of the bow  7  is inserted until the lower end portion of the bow  7  comes into contact with the bow supporting portion  62 , and the upper end portion of the stick  7   a  of the bow  7  is caused to fit into the groove portion of the bow supporting portion  63 . After that, the rotary clamp portion  49   b  of the fixture  49  is rotated by 90° with respect to the base portion  49   a . In this way, the bow  7  can be retained in the bow-retaining portion. As described above, it is possible to retain the bow  7  by the bow-retaining portion, and to house components such as auxiliary strings of the bow  7  in the cavity  61  of the guide wall portion  60  constituting the bow-retaining portion. Therefore, it is possible to increase a convenience for a user of the instrument housing case. 
     After that, the instrument  1  is inserted into the main body case  20  while the back surface of the instrument  1  is oriented to the opening portion side so that the main body portion  2  side of the instrument  1  is first inserted in the opening portion  27 . Then, through the inclined surface  50   b  provided in front of the first retaining portion  50 , the end pins  5  side of the instrument  1  is guided and gradually moves into the instrument housing case. After that, when the end pins  5  are pushed thereinto until the end pins  5  come into contact with the first retaining portion  50 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a vicinity of the end pins  5  is supported by the first retaining portion  50  in a state in which the end pins  5  side of the instrument  1  is lifted up along the inclined surface  50   b . At the same time, the neck  3  of the instrument  1  is inserted into a pair of neck retaining portions  55  and  55  on the second holding member  54 , and the fingerboard  4  of the instrument  1  is caused to come into contact with the plate-like second holding member  54 . 
     As described above, in this embodiment, the above-mentioned inclined surface  50   b  is provided, and hence the thin neck  3  side extending from the main body portion  2  is arranged substantially along the inner surface of the main body case and the end pins  5  side is lifted up toward the inside of the instrument housing case with respect to the neck  3  side. Thus, it is possible to house and retain the instrument  1  in the instrument housing case in a balanced stable posture. Further, in the above-mentioned state, the rib-like engaging portion  50   c  is engaged to the back side of the end pins  5  of the instrument  1 , to thereby prevent the instrument  1  from being lifted up (see  FIG. 5 ). 
     Next, the cover body  30  is downwardly pivoted. Then, the neck  3  of the instrument  1  is fitted into the holding recessed portion  53   a  of the first holding member  53 . At the same time, both the shoulder portions  53   b  and  53   b  of the first holding member  53  come into contact with the edge portion on the side opposite to the end pins  5  of the main body portion  2  of the instrument  1  from the back surface side. Then, the main body portion  2  is pushed toward the first retaining portion  50 , and the neck  3  is sandwiched between the first holding member  53  and the second holding member  54 . In the above-mentioned state, the opening portion  27  of the main body case  20  is closed, and the instrument  1  is housed and retained in the instrument housing case (see  FIG. 1 ). As described above, the edge portion on the side opposite to the end pins  5  is inserted by being pushed toward the first retaining portion  50  by the first holding member  53 , and hence it is possible to readily and surely insert the instrument  1  into the instrument housing case  10 . 
     By closing the cover body  30  as described above, an outer periphery of the cover body  30  comes into contact with an inner periphery of the opening portion  27  of the main body case  20  through the elastic members  41   a  and  41   b . In this way, the opening portion  27  is closed (see  FIG. 2 ). In this time, the elastic members  41   a  and  41   b  (see  FIG. 4 ) respectively provided to the main body case  20  and the cover body  30  fit into each other. Thus, the fitting line  41  is formed in a state in which the main body case  20  and the cover body  30  are held in sealing contact with each other. 
     Further, in this embodiment, the area in which the painted surface of the instrument  1  is held in contact with the inner surface of the instrument housing case  10  is set to be 10% or less of the entire painted surface. Therefore, when the instrument  1  is retained by the first retaining portion  50  and the second retaining portion  52 , it is possible to prevent, as much as possible, the painted surface of the instrument  1  from being in contact with the inner surface of the instrument housing case. As a result, it is possible to prevent the painted surface from being damaged and from having marks generated due to adhesion of a cushion member. 
     In addition, the second retaining portion  52  includes the first holding member  53  and the second holding member  54 . The first holding member  53  holds the back surface side of the neck. The fingerboard  4  on the front side of the neck  3  comes into contact with the second holding member  54 . The fingerboard  4  is supported in substantially parallel to the inner surface of the main body case  20 . Thus, the back surface portion (not painted portion) of the neck  3  is held by the first holding member  53  and the fingerboard  4  (portion formed of material resistant to damages and marks) is held by the second holding member  54 . Thus, it is possible to retain the instrument  1  in a state in which the painted surface thereof is not held in contact with any part. Further, the fingerboard  4  is supported in substantially parallel to the inner surface of the main body case  20 , and hence it is possible to efficiently house the instrument  1  in the instrument housing case  10  because of a decrease in an unnecessary space, and to retain more stably the instrument  1  in the instrument housing case  10 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , in a state in which the instrument  1  is housed and retained in the instrument housing case, the back surface side of the neck  3  of the instrument  1  is held by the first holding member  53  and the fingerboard  4  on the front side of the neck is caused to come into contact with the second holding member  54 . Thus, a front side of the strings  4   a , which are tensioned on the front side of the neck, comes into contact with the second holding member  54 , elastically. Therefore, for example, even when impacts and oscillation act from the outside of the instrument housing case, those impacts and oscillation are absorbed because of elastic force of the strings  4   a  elastically held in contact with the second holding member  54 . Thus, it is possible to suppress unfavorable effects provided to the main body portion  2  and the like of the instrument  1  by a maximum degree. 
     In addition, in this embodiment, the recessed portion  56  for arranging the bridge portion  8  of the instrument  1  so as to prevent the bridge portion  8  from coming into contact with the inner surface of the instrument housing case is formed between the first retaining portion  50  and the second retaining portion  52 . Thus, in a state in which the instrument  1  is housed and retained in the instrument housing case, it is possible to retain the bridge portion  8  while preventing the bridge portion  8  from coming into contact with the inner surface of the instrument housing case because the bridge portion  8  is positioned in the recessed portion  56  (see  FIG. 5 ). Further, by providing of the recessed portion  56 , even when the instrument  1  is taken in and out of the instrument housing case  10 , the bridge portion  8  is not allowed to readily come into contact with the inner surface of the instrument housing case. As described above, by providing of the recessed portion  56 , when the instrument  1  is housed in the instrument housing case and when the instrument  1  is taken in and out of the instrument housing case, it is possible to prevent the bridge portion  8  from strongly coming into contact with the inside of the instrument housing case, and it is possible to effectively protect the bridge portion  8 . 
     As described above, after the opening portion  27  is closed by downwardly pivoting the cover body  30 , the cover body  30  is locked in the closed state by the fasteners  43  and  43 . As a result, the cover body  30  is retained so as not to be opened with respect to the main body case  20 , and hence it is possible to carry the instrument housing case  10  in the laid posture while gripping the grip handle  44 . Alternatively, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , it is possible that a user carries the instrument housing case  10  on his or her back with the shoulder strap  45  slung over his or her shoulder in a state in which the longitudinal direction of the instrument housing case  10  is oriented in the vertical direction. 
     As described above, in the instrument housing case  10  in this embodiment, two kinds of carrying styles are appropriately employed. That is, it is possible not only to carry the instrument housing case  10  in the laid posture while gripping the grip handle  44  of the main body case  20 , but also to retain the instrument housing case  10  remaining arranged in the upright posture by slinging the shoulder strap  45  over the shoulder of a user. Thus, it is possible to increase the convenience for a user. Further, when the instrument housing case  10  remaining arranged in the upright posture is retained, the one end surface  25  of the main body case  20  is upwardly oriented, and hence it is possible to prevent rain water and the like from readily getting into the instrument housing case. 
     Further, in order to take the instrument  1  out of the instrument housing case  10 , the main body case  20  is placed at a predetermined position. Next, locking of the fasteners  43  is released, and the cover body  30  is opened in the longitudinal direction thereof by upwardly pivoting the cover body  30 . After that, the neck  3  of the instrument  1  is gripped, and the instrument  1  is lifted obliquely upward. In this way, the instrument  1  is pulled out through the opening portion  27 , and thus the instrument  1  can be taken out of the instrument housing case (see  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 ). Then, the rotary clamp portion  49   b  of the fixtures  49  is pivoted with respect to the base portion  49   a , to thereby release locking against the bow  7 . In this way, it is possible to take the stick  7   a  out of the bow supporting portion  63  and take the bow  7  out of the instrument housing case through the opening portion  27  (see  FIG. 8 ). 
     Further, in the instrument housing case  10 , since the instrument is housed in the main body case  20  including the both end surfaces closing so as to form a cylindrical shape as a whole, the instrument  1  does not easily bounce out from the opening portion  27  and the instrument  1  can be prevented from falling out of the instrument housing case even in a case where the instrument housing case is lifted up in a state in which the fasteners  43  are left unlocked after the cover body  30  is closed, or even in a case where the fasteners  43  are forced to be unlocked during conveyance. Further, the main body case  20  forms the cylindrical shape as a whole, in which the upper surface  21  and the both side surfaces  23  and  24  of the main body case  20  are partially opened, and the opening portion  27  is covered with the cover body  30 . Thus, in comparison with a conventional instrument housing case having a lower case and an uppercase to open and close, it is easier to maintain the stiffness of the instrument housing case even when the instrument housing case has a relatively light weight. Therefore, it is possible to achieve a reduction in weight of the instrument housing case. 
       FIG. 11  to  FIG. 13  illustrate an instrument housing case according to another embodiment of the present invention. Note that, the substantially same portions as those of the above-mentioned embodiment are denoted by the same reference symbols, and the description thereof is omitted. 
     The instrument housing case  10   a  according to this embodiment is different from the instrument housing case  10  according to the above-mentioned embodiment, in which the strings  4   a  tensioned on the front side of the neck of the instrument  1  are arranged on the inner surface wide of the main body case, in that the strings  4   a  are arranged on the opening portion  27  side. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , a second retaining portion  57  for sandwiching the neck  3  of the instrument  1  in this embodiment includes a first holding member  58  and a second holding member  59 . The first holding member  58  is fixed on the inner surface of the cover body  30 , for holding the front side of the neck of the instrument  1 . The second holding member  59  is fixed on the inner surface of the main body case  20 , for supporting the back surface side of the neck of the instrument  1 . The strings  4   a  on the front side of the neck of the instrument  1  are arranged on the opening portion  27  side of the main body case  20 . 
     The first holding member  58  forms a plate shape, and protrudes from the inner surface of the front wall  31  of the cover body  30  toward the inside of the instrument housing case by a predetermined height. Meanwhile, the second holding member  59  forms a column shape having a larger width. The second holding member  59  protrudes by such a height that the second holding member  59  abuts against the first holding member  58  toward the inside of the instrument housing case when the opening portion  27  is closed with the cover body  30  from a position where the second holding member  59  is aligned with the first holding member  58  on the inner surface of the lower surface  22  of the main body case  20 . In a protruding end surface of the second holding member  59 , there is formed a retaining recessed portion  59   a  corresponding to the shape of the neck of the instrument  1 . Note that, the first retaining portion  50  forms a shape protruding toward the inside of the instrument housing case higher than the first retaining portion  50  according the above-mentioned embodiment. 
     Further, in a state in which the cover body  30  is upwardly pivoted, the main body portion  2  is inserted into the opening portion  27  while the neck side of the instrument  1  is oriented toward the opening portion side. In this way, the end pins  5  are supported by the first retaining portion  50 . At the same time, the neck  3  is fitted into the retaining recessed portion  59   a  of the second holding member  59  (see  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13 ). When the opening portion  27  is closed by downwardly pivoting the cover body  30  in the above-mentioned state, the first holding member  58  comes into contact with the second holding member  59 . Then, the neck  3  is sandwiched between the first holding member  58  and the second holding member  59 . At the same time, the vicinity of the end pins  5  is supported by the first retaining portion  50 . In this manner, the instrument  1  can be housed in the instrument housing case. Meanwhile, in order to take the instrument  1  out of the instrument housing case, the opening portion  27  is opened by upwardly pivoting the cover body  30 . The neck  3  is gripped, and the instrument  1  is pulled out of the instrument housing case through the opening portion  27  (see  FIG. 13 ). In this way, the instrument  1  can be taken out of the instrument housing case. 
     In this embodiment, the back surface side of the neck is held by the second holding member  59  and the front surface side of the neck is held by the first holding member  58 . The strings  4   a  on the front side of the neck of the instrument  1  are arranged on the opening portion  27  side of the main body case  20 . As a result, it is easier to check positions of the strings  4   a  with respect to the instrument housing case. Therefore, it is possible to take the instrument  1  in and out of the instrument housing case while taking care to prevent the strings  4   a  from coming into contact with the inner surface of the instrument housing case and the like.