Patent Publication Number: US-2023142421-A1

Title: Customizable guitar stand

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to instrument stands, and more particularly to customizable guitar stands for displaying and storing guitars and guitar cases. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The guitar is a common musical instrument that is often played for professional performances or entertainment. The guitar player holds the guitar while playing it, but once the performance is over, the guitar must then be stored away. A traditional guitar stand, one that only allows the guitar player to store his instrument outside of the protective casing, subjects the guitar to unnecessary damages. Additionally, laying the guitar flat on the ground or leaning the guitar up against a wall may result in damage to the guitar, such as damage to the sound box or strings. Alternatively, other guitar stands, ones that allow the storage of the guitar case, are improperly designed to allow the artist to display his or her instrument. Thus, once the guitar is in a case, the musician needs to be able to store the case while also maintaining the ability to display the aesthetic nature of the instrument—especially if it is a vintage or custom guitar. Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for a stand that can be used to store guitars and display the guitars in their cases. 
     SUMMARY 
     The problems expounded above, as well as others, are addressed by the following inventions, although it is to be understood that not every embodiment of the inventions described herein will address each of the problems described above. The present disclosure provides a customizable instrument stand that can be used to display and store instruments, such as guitars and guitar cases. 
     In some embodiments, a stand for storing and displaying an instrument is provided, the stand includes a rectangular frame including four vertical posts, four upper horizontal supports, and four lower horizontal supports, where the vertical posts are connected to each of the four upper horizontal supports and the four lower horizontal supports, a shelf extending transversely within the frame and supported by the four vertical posts, where the shelf includes two sidewalls extending along its width and a back wall extending along its length, a music box attached to the rectangular frame at a height approximately level with the shelf, and a plurality of wheels attached to the frame. In this embodiment, the two sidewalls and the back wall may have a height of about 1 inch to about 5 inches. In further embodiments, the music box includes a lid having an overlapping lip. In still further embodiments, the frame has a length of about 40 inches to about 55 inches. In yet further embodiments, the frame has a width of about 12 inches to about 20 inches. 
     In other embodiments, a stand for storing and displaying an instrument is provided, the stand including a frame including four vertical posts, four upper horizontal supports, and four lower horizontal supports, where the vertical posts are connected to each of the four upper horizontal supports and four lower horizontal supports, a shelf extending transversely within the frame and supported by the four vertical posts, where the shelf includes two sidewalls extending along its width and a back wall extending along its length, a music box attached to the rectangular frame at a height approximately level with the shelf, where the music box includes a lid attached thereto by a hinge, a plurality of wheels attached to the frame, and where the stand has a length of about 43 inches to about 48 inches and a height of about 40 inches to about 43 inches. In this embodiment, the two sidewalls and the back wall may have a height of about 1 inch to about 3 inches. In further embodiments, the shelf is positioned at a height of about 15 inches to about 30 inches on the frame. In still further embodiments, the lid has an overlapping lid for ease of access. In yet further embodiments, the frame has a width of about 14 inches to about 18 inches. 
     In still other embodiments, a stand for storing and displaying an instrument is provided, the stand includes a rectangular frame including four vertical posts and a plurality of horizontal supports, at least three shelves extending transversely within the frame and supported by the four vertical posts, where each of the shelves includes two sidewalls extending along its width and a back wall extending along its length, and where each of the shelves are spaced in a parallel relationship with one another with a height of at least 12 inches therebetween, a music box attached to the rectangular frame at a height approximately level with one of the at least three shelves, and a plurality of wheels attached to the frame. In this embodiment, each of the shelves are spaced in a parallel relationship with one another with a height of at least 15 inches therebetween. In further embodiments, the stand includes one or more hooks attached to the vertical posts. In still further embodiments, the frame has a height of about 50 inches to about 80 inches. In yet further embodiments, the frame has a height of about 55 inches to about 70 inches. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further features and advantages can be ascertained from the following detailed description that is provided in connection with the drawings described below: 
         FIG.  1    is a front perspective view of a guitar stand according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a rear perspective view of the guitar stand shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a front perspective view of a guitar stand according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is a rear perspective view of the guitar stand shown in  FIG.  3   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art of this disclosure. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Well known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity or clarity. 
     The terms “about” and “approximately” shall generally mean an acceptable degree of error or variation for the quantity measured given the nature or precision of the measurements. Numerical quantities given in this description are approximate unless stated otherwise, meaning that the term “about” or “approximately” can be inferred when not expressly stated. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural (i.e., “at least one”) forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
     The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and the like are used herein to describe various features or elements, but these features or elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one feature or element from another feature or element. Thus, a first feature or element discussed below could be termed a second feature or element, and similarly, a second feature or element discussed below could be termed a first feature or element without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “above,” “under,” “below,” “lower,” “over,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another when the apparatus is right side up as shown in the accompanying drawings. 
     It is to be understood that any given elements of the disclosed embodiments of the invention may be embodied in a single structure, a single step, a single substance, or the like. Similarly, a given element of the disclosed embodiment may be embodied in multiple structures, steps, substances, or the like. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , a guitar stand  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The guitar stand  100  may be used to store a guitar case and display the guitar within the case. While the present disclosure is shown for use with a guitar, it should be understood that the present disclosure may be adapted for any stringed musical instrument, such as a violin, viola, harp, cello, or banjo, and may be adapted, in general, to any type of musical instrument, whether stringed or not, where the musician desires to display and store the case for the musical instrument. 
     The guitar stand  100  includes a frame  10  having a plurality of vertical posts  12   a - 12   d  and horizontal supports  18   a - 18   d  that form an outer structure of the guitar stand  100 . As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , there are four vertical posts  12   a,    12   b,    12   c,  and  12   d  and eight horizontal supports  18   a,    18   b,    18   c,    18   d,    18   e,    18   f,    18   g,  and  18   h  such that the frame  10  has a rectangular shape. Vertical posts  12   a  and  12   b  are operatively connected to each other by horizontal posts  18   f  and  18   h.  Vertical posts  12   c  and  12   d  are operatively connected to each other by horizontal posts  18   e  and  18   g.  Vertical posts  12   a  and  12   c  are operatively connected to each other by horizontal posts  18   b  and  18   c.  Vertical posts  12   b  and  12   d  are operatively connected to each other by horizontal posts  18   a  and  18   d.  The frame  10  may also include a support bar  24  located at the back of the guitar stand  100  that extends from the horizontal support  18   a  to the horizontal support  18   d.  While the frame  10  is shown as rectangular, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the frame  10  may have any other shape, such as a square shape, that allows for a guitar case to be displayed. 
     The frame  10  supports a shelf  14  that can be used to store and display a guitar case. The shelf  14  is formed within the frame  10  and is supported by each of the vertical posts  12   a - 12   d.  In the illustrated embodiment, the shelf  14  is formed in the center of the frame  10 . However, the shelf  14  may be formed within the frame  10  at any height desired by the user. The shelf  14  includes a top surface  16  for placement of the guitar case. The shelf  14  may have sidewalls  20  and a back wall  22 , as shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , to prevent the guitar case from falling off the stand  100 . The sidewalls  20  and back wall  22  should be of a sufficient height to prevent items from falling off the edges of the guitar stand  100 . In one embodiment, the sidewalls  20  and back wall  22  have a height of about 1 inch to about 5 inches, preferably about 2 inches. The sidewalls  20  and back wall  22  may be rectangular upturned lips that are integrally formed with the shelf  14 . In other embodiments, the sidewalls  20  and back wall  22  may be designed as separate pieces that are attached to the shelf  14 . 
     The shelf  14  may have any thickness that allows for the shelf  14  to hold the weight of the guitar case. For example, the shelf  14  may have a thickness of about 2 inches to about 5 inches, preferably about 3 inches. The shelf  14  may have a polygonal shape although the shape of the shelf  14  can be curved or have a combination of curved and straight edges. In a preferred embodiment, the shelf  14  is rectangular. The shelf  14  may be attached to the frame  10  by any suitable securing means, such as, for example, by screws, pins, nails, bolts, or brackets. 
     The guitar stand  100  may further include a music box  26 . As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the music box  26  is attached to the frame  10  in between vertical posts  12   a  and  12   b.  The music box  26  provides a space to store sheets of music or any other items useful for playing the displayed instrument. In the illustrated embodiment, a lid  28  is attached to the music box  26 , which protects the sheets of music and other stored materials. The lid  28  has an overlapping lip  30  that allows for ease of opening the lid  28 . In some embodiments, the lid  28  is secured to the music box  26  (but may still be opened and closed). For example, the lid  28  may be attached to the music box  26  by a hinged mechanism, such as a piano hinge, surface-mount hinge, butt hinge, side-rail hinge, quadrant hinge, barbed hinge, or barrel hinge. In other embodiments, the lid  28  may be completely removable such that the lid  28  can be detached from the music box  26  and set aside until further use. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the music box  26  is attached to the frame  10  in between vertical posts  12   a  and  12   b  at a height equivalent to the height of the shelf  14 . However, the music box  26  may be positioned at any location on the frame  10  that allows for the user to readily access the contents of the music box  26 . For example, the music box  26  may be positioned on the side opposite of that shown in  FIG.  1   , such as between vertical posts  12   c  and  12   d  at a height equivalent to the height of the shelf  14 . In other embodiments, the music box  26  may be positioned on the back side of the guitar stand  100 , such as on the horizontal support  18   a.  In still other embodiments, the music box  26  may be attached to the frame  10  at a height higher than the height illustrated in  FIGS.  1  and  2   . For instance, the music box  26  may be attached at horizontal support  18   f  or  18   e.    
     In some embodiments, the guitar stand  100  may include one or more hooks  32  for hanging certain objects. As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , two hooks  32  are attached to each of the vertical posts  12   c  and  12   d,  respectively. The hooks  32  are positioned proximate to the top of the guitar stand  100 . The hooks  32  are formed as having an inverted U-shape. However, the hooks  32  may have any curved shape known to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     In further embodiments, the guitar stand  100  is movable such that the user can move the stand  100  to different locations. As illustrated, the guitar stand  100  may include a plurality of wheels  34  for ease of mobility. The guitar stand  100  may have four wheels  34 , where each wheel  34  is attached to a bottom corner of the frame  10 . Though any other configuration and number of wheels may be utilized with the guitar stand  100 . The wheels  34  may include a locking mechanism, such as a brake, to prevent the guitar stand  100  from sliding or moving once it is positioned in the desired location. In still other embodiments, the guitar stand  100  may be stationary and not readily movable. 
     The guitar stand  100  (and the shelf  14  formed therein) may have any dimension that allows for the desired guitar case to be displayed on the stand  100 . In some embodiments, the guitar stand  100  may have a length of about 40 inches to about 55 inches. In another embodiment, the guitar stand  100  may have a length of about 42 inches to about 50 inches. In still another embodiment, the guitar stand  100  may have a length of about 43 inches to about 48 inches. For example, the guitar stand  100  may have a length of about 44 inches, preferably 44.5 inches. In some embodiments, the guitar stand  100  may have a width of about 10 inches to about 25 inches. In another embodiment, the guitar stand  100  may have a width of about 12 inches to about 20 inches. In still another embodiment, the guitar stand  100  may have a width of about 14 inches to about 18 inches. For instance, the guitar stand  100  may have a width of about 15 inches, preferably 15.25 inches. The guitar stand  100  may have a height of about 35 inches to about 50 inches. In some embodiments, the guitar stand  100  may have a height of about 38 inches to about 45 inches. In further embodiments, the guitar stand  100  may have a height of about 40 inches to about 43 inches. For example, the guitar stand  100  may have a height of about 42 inches. 
     In some embodiments, the shelf  14  may be placed at any height on the frame  10  that allows for sufficient clearance between the shelf  14  and the top horizontal supports  18   a  and  18   b  for the desired guitar case to be displayed. In one embodiment, the shelf  14  is positioned at a height of about 15 inches to about 30 inches above the horizontal supports  18   c  and  18   d.  In another embodiment, the shelf  14  may be positioned at a height of about 18 inches to about 25 inches above the horizontal supports  18   c  and  18   d.  In still another embodiment, the shelf  14  may be positioned at a height of about 20 inches to about 23 inches above the horizontal supports  18   c  and  18   d.  For instance, the shelf  14  may be positioned at a height of about 23 inches above the horizontal supports  18   c  and  18   d.    
     The music box  26  may be attached to the frame  10  at the same height as the shelf  14 , as illustrated in  FIGS.  1  and  2   . In other embodiments, the music box  26  may be positioned below or above the shelf  14 . The hooks  32  may be positioned above the shelf  14 , as shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   . For example, the hooks  32  may be positioned at a height of about 30 inches to about 40 inches above the horizontal supports  18   c  and  18   d,  preferably about 34 inches to about 36 inches above the horizontal supports  18   c  and  18   d,  and more preferably about 35 inches above the horizontal supports  18   c  and  18   d.    
       FIGS.  3  and  4    show a guitar stand  200  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the guitar stand  200  includes three shelves for storing and displaying three instruments, such as three guitars. However, as explained above, the guitar stands described herein are completely customizable and may include any number of shelves depending on the number of desired instruments to be stored and displayed. 
     The guitar stand  200  includes the frame  50  having the plurality of vertical posts  12   a - 12   d  and horizontal supports  18   a,    18   b,    18   e,  and  18   f  The frame  50  supports three shelves: a first shelf  14   a,  a second shelf  14   b,  and a third shelf  14   c  that can each be used to store and display a guitar case. The shelves  14   a,    14   b,  and  14   c  are formed within the frame  50  and are supported by each of the vertical posts  12   a - 12   d.  The frame  50  may also include the support bar  24  located at the back of the guitar stand  200  that extends from the horizontal support  18   a  to the bottom shelf  14   c.    
     In the illustrated embodiment, the third shelf  14   c  is positioned at the bottom of the frame  50 , while the first shelf  14   a  and the second shelf  14   b  are formed above the third shelf  14   c  at varying heights. The shelves  14   a,    14   b,  and  14   c,  however, may be arranged in any configuration and may be formed at varying heights within the frame  50 . For example, any of the shelves  14   a,    14   b,  and  14   c  may be formed at the top of the frame  50  with the other shelves positioned below at varying heights. Each of the shelves  14   a,    14   b,  and  14   c  includes the top surface  16  for placement of the guitar case. Each of the shelves  14   a,    14   b,  and  14   c  may have the sidewalls  20  and back wall  22 , as described above, to prevent the guitar case from falling off of the stand  200 . 
     Similar to the embodiment shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the guitar stand  200  may include the music box  26  attached thereto. As shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the music box  26  is attached to the frame  50  in between vertical posts  12   a  and  12   b.  In the illustrated embodiment, the music box  26  is attached to the frame  50  in between vertical posts  12   a  and  12   b  at a height equivalent to the height of the first shelf  14   a.  However, the music box  26  may be positioned at any location on the frame  50  that allows for the user to readily access the contents of the music box  26 . For example, the music box  26  may be positioned at a height equivalent to the height of the second shelf  14   b  or at a height equivalent to the height of the third shelf  14   c.  In still other embodiments, the music box  26  may be attached to the frame  50  on the side opposite of that shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   . For instance, the music box  26  may be attached to the frame  50  in between vertical posts  12   c  and  12   d  at varying heights. In further embodiments, the music box  26  may be positioned on the back side of the guitar stand  200 , such as on the horizontal support  18   a.    
     In some embodiments, the guitar stand  200  may include the hooks  32  described above. As shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , two hooks  32  are attached to each of the vertical posts  12   c  and  12   d,  respectively, at a height in between the first shelf  14   a  and the second shelf  14   b.  Though the hooks  32  may also be positioned higher on the stand  200 , such as above the first shelf  14   a.  In other embodiments, the guitar stand  200  may include the plurality of wheels  34  for ease of mobility. 
     The guitar stand  200  (and the shelves  14   a,    14   b,  and  14   c  formed therein) may have any dimension that allows for the desired guitar cases to be displayed on the stand  200 . The guitar stand  200  may have any of the length and width dimensions discussed above with respect to the embodiment shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   . Because the guitar stand  200  includes three shelves, the guitar stand  200  may have a greater height than the embodiment shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   . In some embodiments, the guitar stand  200  has a height of about 50 inches to about 80 inches. In another embodiment, the guitar stand  200  may have a height of about 55 inches to about 70 inches. In still another embodiment, the guitar stand  200  may have a height of about 58 inches to about 65 inches. For example, the guitar stand  200  may have a height of about 60 inches. 
     The shelves  14   a,    14   b,  and  14   c  may be placed at any height on the frame  50  that allows for sufficient clearance between the shelves  14   a,    14   b,  and  14   c  for the desired guitar case to be displayed. In one embodiment, the first shelf  14   a  may be positioned at a height of about 35 inches to about 50 inches above the third shelf  14   c.  In another embodiment, the first shelf  14   a  may be positioned at a height of about 38 inches to about 45 inches above the third shelf  14   c.  In still another embodiment, the first shelf  14   a  may be positioned at a height of about 40 inches to about 43 inches above the third shelf  14   c.  The remaining shelves, i.e., the second shelf  14   b  and the third shelf  14   c,  may be attached to the frame  50  below the first shelf  14   a  at varying heights. 
     In one embodiment, the clearance between each shelf  14   a,    14   b,  and  14   c  should be at least about 12 inches. In other embodiments, the clearance between each shelf  14   a,    14   b,  and  14   c  should be at least about 15 inches. In still other embodiments, the clearance between each shelf  14   a,    14   b,  and  14   c  should be at least about 18 inches. For example, the clearance between each shelf  14   a,    14   b,  and  14   c  should be at least about 19 inches, preferably at least about 20 inches. 
     The music box  26  may be attached to the frame  50  at the same height as the first shelf  14   a,  as illustrated in  FIGS.  3  and  4   . In other embodiments, the music box  26  may be positioned below the first shelf  14   a,  for instance, at the height of the second shelf  14   b.  The hooks  32  may be positioned above or below the first shelf  14   a.  In the illustrated embodiment, the hooks  32  are positioned below the first shelf  14   a.  For example, the hooks  32  may be positioned at a height of about 30 inches to about 40 inches, preferably about 34 inches to about 36 inches, and more preferably about 35 inches. 
     The guitar stands described herein may be constructed or manufactured from any material that is sufficiently durable to support the weight of instruments and their cases. In some embodiments, the guitar stands are constructed or manufactured from various polymers, plastics, stainless steel, aluminum, or wood. Similarly, the guitar stands described herein may be constructed according to various manufacturing methods including injection molding, milling, forging, extrusion, pressing, and other related manufacturing methods. 
     The foregoing description illustrates and describes the processes, manufactures, compositions of matter, and other teachings of the present disclosure. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only certain embodiments of the processes, manufactures, compositions of matter, and other teachings disclosed, but, as mentioned above, it is to be understood that the teachings of the present disclosure are capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and are capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the teachings as expressed herein, commensurate with the skill and/or knowledge of a person having ordinary skill in the relevant art. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain certain best modes known of practicing the processes, manufactures, compositions of matter, and other teachings of the present disclosure and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the teachings of the present disclosure in such, or other, embodiments and with the various modifications required by the particular applications or uses. Accordingly, the processes, manufactures, compositions of matter, and other teachings of the present disclosure are not intended to limit the exact embodiments and examples disclosed herein. Any section headings herein are provided only for consistency with the suggestions of 37 C.F.R. § 1.77 or otherwise to provide organizational queues. These headings shall not limit or characterize the invention(s) set forth herein.