Patent Publication Number: US-7906717-B2

Title: Locking device for retaining a musical instrument

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is directed to a locking device for retaining a musical instrument and more particularly to a locking device that can be utilized, for example, with a musical stand or other support structure for operatively suspending a musical instrument during performance and in storage. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Guitar stands and other supports for musical instruments have been utilized by musicians for a number of years. Typically a guitar stand rests on the floor and supports a guitar from the base and/or the tuning head of the guitar. Alternatively, various structures have been utilized as attachments to walls or to existing stage equipment such as audio speakers, thereby maximizing the available stage space for the performer. 
     Tripod musical stands frequently use a fork-like structure that can hold musical instruments such as an acoustical guitar suspended in a state of suspension in an offset manner from the stand. Some stands provide an ability to also support the base of the guitar and in most cases, the supporting stand holds musical instruments such as a guitar for relatively ready access during times when the musician does not want to use the instrument or is unable to handle the musical instrument directly. 
     Such occasions frequently occur during a stage performance, during the playing of the instrument, or when the musician is playing another instrument. Preferably the support stand permits a musician to easily place the instrument onto the stand, as well as to be able to quickly retrieve it from the musical stand. Desirably this should be done with a single hand as the musician&#39;s other hand may not be free to handle the musical instrument. 
     The use of a standard neck fork while facilitating a relatively easy placement and retrieval of the guitar, does not necessarily securely hold it in place while stored on the stand. As can be appreciated, musical instruments can be extremely valuable and can be damaged if they fall from the stand. 
     Additionally, a performance stage can be a fairly chaotic environment which is further exacerbated by relatively poor or dim lighting conditions between musical performances when the stage lights may be dimmed or turned off. In this environment, a musician frequently changes instruments and would be either placing and/or retrieving a musical instrument from an instrument stand. 
     The Hsieh (U.S. Pat. No. 6,513,768) discloses a guitar stand with a locking mechanism to retain the neck of a guitar on a musical instrument stand. 
     Hsieh (U.S. Pat. No. 6,881,884) discloses a guitar stand having arms that can clamp the neck of a guitar that are biased to a closed position. Manually compressing a spring with a handle member can open the arms for receipt of the guitar. 
     Hsieh (U.S. Pat. No. 7,105,732) discloses a movable bracket for receiving a guitar with rotating locking palms on a stationary collar to secure the guitar. 
     Wilfer (U.S. Pat. No. 7,259,310) discloses a wall holder for a musical instrument with relatively movable guide bar brackets. 
     Chen (U.S. Pat. No. 7,423,209) discloses a guitar stand having two arms that are driven along arcuate slots upon receiving the weight of a guitar. The links rotate to secure the guitar neck. 
     The prior art is still seeking an effecting locking device for retaining a musical instrument on a stand or other support structure and to facilitate an easy release of a musical instrument. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention permits the storing and retrieving of a musical instrument from a stand that enables a musician to quickly and effectively place the instrument in the instrument stand with one hand and to likewise retrieve the instrument with one hand. 
     The present invention can be applied to a number of different musical instruments including but not limited to, guitars of electrical and acoustical versions, banjos, violins, violas, cellos and other handheld instrument categories such as brass and woodwinds, that have a portion of the musical instrument that be grasped and held in storage. 
     The present invention provides relatively simple structures utilizing low cost components with reliability and durability. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, gravitational forces can be exerted with counterweights so that a camming surface can rotate when the instrument is inserted and when removed. Locking crank parts can be rotated to an open state when a weight is removed from the camming structure, thereby facilitating the insertion of a portion of a musical instrument to a secure locking position with an easy release from our locking device. The locking device can have a trapezoidal configuration and counterweights can be held in an outer inclined position to avoid potential contact with the instruments. Flexible cushion surfaces can be positioned for further reducing the prospects of marring the surface of the instrument. 
     A stand assembly, for example, with a lower tripod base and an elevated pole can permit a desired positioning of a locking device that can be removably secured to the elevated pole. 
     A base member on the locking device is configured to support the musical instrument while a support unit is connected to the base member with an entrance opening for a musical instrument. The support unit is positioned to contact and rotate in contact with a musical instrument as the musical instrument is both operatively positioned within the support member for storage and is removed for retrieval. 
     A locking member, or preferably a pair of locking members, can be movably mounted on the support unit and are configured to open and close an entrance opening through which a portion of the musical instrument can move, whereby the support unit rotates the locking member from an open to a closed position in a first direction of movement. A second direction of movement of the musical instrument provides an open position for the locking members. 
     In a second embodiment of the present invention, a locking device can also be removably attached to a musical stand and includes a base member configured to support the musical instrument. 
     A support unit having a receptacle portion, for receiving a portion of a musical instrument, is rotatably connected to the base member so that when a musical instrument is operatively positioned for storage within the receptacle position, the musical instrument&#39;s weight can rotate the support unit. 
     A locking member or a pair of locking members can be movably mounted on an entrance of the receptacle portion and are configured to open and close the entrance opening. A first rotation of the support unit will move the locking members into a locking position to retain the musical instrument while a second pivotal rotation, in a direction opposite to the first pivotal rotation of the support member, will enable the locking members to be moved to a release position for removal of the musical instrument. 
     The support unit can have a planar viewed Y-shape with a locking member biased to an open position at either side of the entrance of the receptacle portion. A cable is operatively connected at one end to each of the locking members to close the locking members when the support unit is rotated to a closed position by the weight of the musical instrument. Pulleys can guide each cable in the receptacle portion with the other end of the cables being adjustably mounted in the base member, whereby rotational movement of the support unit provides a force to the locking members through the respective cables to overcome the bias to provide the closed position. 
     A pedestal support can be provided on a musical stand elevated pole, to limit the movement of the support member in a horizontal closed position. When a musical instrument is removed, the support member is raised to an inclined open position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2A  is a schematic drawing showing a guitar neck being placed in the locking device of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2B  discloses the locking device in a storage mode; 
         FIG. 2C  discloses a musical instrument being removed and releasing the counterweights to open the locking members; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the locking device of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the locking device of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view of the second embodiment storing a musical instrument; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the locking device of the second embodiment in an open position; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a locking device of the second embodiment in a closed position; and 
         FIG. 9  is a partial exploded view of the locking device of the second embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention which set forth the best modes contemplated to carry out the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention. 
     The locking device alone or in combination with the support stand of the present invention has been illustrated for a musical instrument such as a guitar. However, other musical instruments having a neck or similar taper, in particular a stringed instrument such as bass guitars, ukuleles, banjos, violins, violas, cellos, as well as other handheld instruments such as brass and woodwinds which can be hung, fastened or stored in a similar manner as a guitar, can utilize the advantages of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , and  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  2 C, a musical instrument such as a guitar, is disclosed positioned on musical support stand  4  having an elevated and adjustable pole  6 . As can be appreciated, these instruments can have a tripod base as shown. A locking device  2  of the first embodiment is shown for locking the neck portion of the musical instrument so that it is suspended in a stored storage mode. A cantilevered arm  7  (see  FIG. 5 ) extending horizontally outward from the pole  6  can distance the body of the guitar away from the pole  6 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2A , the neck portion of the musical instrument is being inserted into the locking device  2  and contacts pivotable support units  12  having locking members  16  in an open position. While not shown, the musician&#39;s hand has placed the musical instrument  8  within the locking device  2  and releases the support of the musical instrument so that the support units  12  are contacted and bear the weight of the musical instrument and rotates with that portion of the musical instrument  8  in contact. Alternatively, the musician can pull the instrument  8  downward to contact and activate the locking device rather than rely on a gravitational pull on the instrument  8 . Counterweights  24  which extend off of a central support rod or shaft  26  are rotated outward approximately 90° as shown in  FIG. 2B  and the integral locking members  16  or crank portions close the entrance opening  14  in a locked mode of storage. 
     When the musician again grasps the musical instrument  8  and lifts it upward, its weight is released from the locking device  2  and the support members  18  on the support units  12  and the counterweights  24  can then rotate under the force of gravity to the lower position to in turn rotate the locking member  16  upward and away from blocking the entrance opening  14  to thereby permit a release of the musical instrument  8 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the base member  10  is configured for mounting on the elevated pole  6  of the support stand  4 . The support unit includes a pair of U-shaped arms  28  and  30 , as seen from a side view. The U-shaped arms are inclined outward in a trapezoidal configuration from the front or entrance view  14 . The U-shaped arms  28  and  30  extend substantially parallel to respectively define the entrance opening  14  and then an extended rivet member or rod  26  can be fastened through the bore openings  32  and  34  to rotatably mount the support members  18 , the integral locking member  16 , and the counterweight  24 . The support members  18  can have a resilient surface portion  20  or covering operatively configured to contact the enlarged head of the musical instrument and extending over the counter weight  24  and the interior surface of the lock members. The resilient surface portion  20  not only prevents any marring or scratching of the neck, for example of the guitar, but is further positioned to rotate with a downward and upward movement of the guitar during a respective storage and release mode of operation. The counterweights  24  can be limited in movement by the roller surface or seat  36  of the respective U-shaped arms. As a result, the counterweights cannot extend within the cavity between the respective U-shaped arms  28  and  30  and will not contact nor mar the musical instruments. Additionally, a defined open position is assured for the respective locking members  16 . 
     A rear resilient pad  22  of a trapezoidal shape can be mounted on the base member  12  to further protect the musical instrument  8 . Preferably, the rear resilient pad can be molded and adhered to a channel on the face of the base member at the rear surface between the U-shaped arms  28  and  30 , as shown in  FIG. 4  and can also limit, at the side edges, the rotational movement of the support members  18  by extending into the space between the support units  18 . 
     As can be seen in the respective embodiments of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a relatively simple but effective locking device  2  is provided in the first embodiment with components that can be cast or machined to provide a relatively inexpensive and durable locking device. Alternatively it can be made from molded plastic resin compounds. Additionally, the assembly is relatively easy and the locking device can be readily mounted in various forms of musical stands. 
     A second embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in the perspective view of  FIG. 5  of a locking device  38  mounted at the top of a pole  6  on the musical support stand  4 . 
     A base unit  40  is attached to the top of the pole  6  with a lower pedestal support portion  42 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , a support unit  44  of the locking device  38  has a receptacle portion  46  of a plastic Y shape that can receive the musical instrument when the arms  48  and  50  have their respecting locking members  52  and  54  in an open position. 
     The perspective view of  FIG. 6  shows the musical instrument  8 , such as a guitar, with its neck portion located within the receptacle portion  46  and the respective locking members  52  and  54  in a closed or locking clamped position for storage purposes. As can be appreciated, the supporting unit  44  has been lowered to a horizontal position as further limited by contact with the lower pedestal support  42 . The body of the musical instrument  8  is positioned away from the pole  6  by the cantilevered arm  7  with appropriate resilient pads as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     In comparison with the position of the support unit  44  in  FIG. 5 , the support unit  44  is biased to an open position by a tension arm spring  64  so that it is inclined slightly in an upward direction relative to the connection to the pole  6  as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     Referring also to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a cross-sectional view of the support unit  44  with the receptacle portion  46  in an open position, is disclosed. Note, the upper covering  82  ( FIG. 9 ) is removed in these views. Locking members  52  and  54  are extended to an open position and their inward surfaces are provided with flexible cushion pads  56  and  58 , respectively. The respective locking members  52  and  54  have an L-shape configuration with an open bore at a corner of the L-shape capable of mounting rivets  60  and  62 , respectively, to provide a pivot position on the arms  48  and  50 . The bottom legs of the L-shaped locking members  52  and  54  have open bores for mounting pins  66  and  68  to respectively capture connections at the ends of cables  70  and  72 . 
     The L-shaped locking members  52  and  54 , respectively, have torsion springs  74 , one of which is shown in  FIG. 9 , that are captured by the respective pivots  60  and  62  which bias the respective locking members  52  and  54  to an open position, as shown in  FIG. 7 . As can be seen in  FIG. 7 , respective flexible cables  70  and  72  are guided at the base of the Y by a central pulley  76  by respective pulleys  78  and  80  located in the arms  48  and  50  of the receptacle portion  46 . 
     When the support unit  44  is lowered by the weight of the musical instrument from the open position shown in  FIG. 7 , the particular offset mounting of the respective cables  70  and  72  holds the respective locking members  52  and  54  to the closed position in  FIG. 8 . The pivotal movement of the support unit is displaced from the anchor position of the cables  70  and  72  to pull the cables relatively backward. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , the support unit  44  has an upper Y-shaped covering  82  and a lower Y-shaped covering  84 . When the covers are connected together by attachment of the rivets  60  and  62  that also serve to function as pivoting shafts and the mounting of the pivot rivet  86  through the lower covering  84  and the base unit  40 , permits the relative movement of the support unit  44 . The tension arm spring  64  is also held in place by the pivot rivet  86  and biases the support unit  44  to an open position inclined upward from the horizontal support position. 
     A stop member  88  extends in the base member across the lower surface of the lower covering  84  and when contacted holds the support unit  44  in a horizontal closed position. 
     The ends of the cable  70  and  72  are adjustably mounted onto a fixed block member  90  having a traverse hole for securing the ends of the cable  70  and  72 . A set screw  94  is utilized to lock the cable block  90  in the desired position at an anchor pivot position offset radially from the pivot rivet  86 . 
     Since the pivot rivet  86  is offset and displaced from the anchor point of the cables  70  and  72  on the cable block  90 , the rotation of the support unit  44  against the bias of the tension arm spring  64 , when a musical instrument&#39;s weight is deposited in receptacle portion  46 , permits the ends of the cables  70  and  72  to be guided by the respective pivots  76  and  78 , to close the respective locking members  52  and  54  against the respective torsion spring  74  to a locking position. Conversely, when the weight of the musical instrument  8  is removed from the receptacle portion  46  as the musician lifts, for example, the guitar upward, the support unit  44  is moved upward by the tension arm spring  64  and the cable pull is released so that the respective torsion springs  74  can force open the locking members  52  and  54  whereby the guitar is released from the locking device. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the amended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.