Abstract:
A universal upper back support primarily for piano and organ benches has been created, and is easily attached to any wooden bench used for instrument playing. The back support contains a cushion which is positioned at the correct angle by two vertical side pieces for engagement with the musician&#39;s upper back, and allows free movement of the arms, hips, and legs in any direction without any hindrances while the musician plays a selected instrument. The vertical side pieces may each optionally have a lower front indentation to allow easy opening of the hinged top seat of a music bench having an interior storage space, and the back support can be alternatively made with a manual adjustment mechanism that allows finger-activated vertical height adjustment of its cushion in selected pre-drilled holes. The back support can be provided with an installation template for ease of user installation.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims domestic benefit from U.S. provisional patent application 62/012,687, filed on Jun. 16, 2014, by one of the co-inventors herein, Franklin Eatherly. The application herein has subject matter substantially similar to that in the earlier filed provisional application, which has the title of Universal Back Support for Piano/Organ/Etc Benches. Since the 1-year term of U.S. provisional patent 62/012,687 has not yet expired, and the other conditions for domestic priority have been met, the applicant&#39;s claim for domestic priority is proper and should be approved. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The field of this invention is related to back supports, particularly to upper back supports for music benches, such as piano and organ benches. 
     2. Problems Solved and Description of Related Art 
     Musicians are often seated on a wooden bench while playing a piano or an organ. These wooden benches offer no back support and are often uncomfortable for the musician to sit on for long periods of time. While sitting, a musician&#39;s back can become tired and he/she will often slouch forward in an unprofessional looking position. Also, positioning of the musician on the bench could be incorrect without a proper form of upper back support. In addition, musician endurance levels can become lower without a proper form of back support, leaving the musician feeling tired and frustrated while playing. 
     All of these problems can be effectively reduced and/or eliminated by using the universal back support of the present invention for piano and organ benches. It can be used with padded or non-padded benches. Also, the unique, stylish, and innovative present invention back support utilizes a comfortable padded cushion in combination with a support frame, with the lower front ends of the frame&#39;s two vertical side pieces connected via bolts directly to the bottom wooden rail in the rear portion of a conventional wooden piano or organ bench. During use of the present invention back support, musicians can play their music for longer periods of time while maintaining a professional-looking, upright, and most importantly, comfortable, position during practice or performance. 
     No existing upper back support is known to provide all the features and advantages of this universal back support for music benches, including piano and organ benches. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A universal back support has been created which is easily and securely attached to any wooden bench used for instrument playing by use of a template which shows the exact location for two holes to be drilled into the rear portion of the bench for receiving needed rail bolts. The present invention back support contains a cushion which is positioned correctly for the musician&#39;s back while allowing for free movement of the musician&#39;s arms, hips, and legs in any direction while playing the instrument. Top and middle rails enclose the cushion area while a bottom rail is present between the two vertical side pieces for extra support. There is also an indentation on the lower front surface of each vertical side piece which is positioned to allow for a hinged bench lid to be raised for interior access. The rail bolts at the bottom of each vertical side piece of the cushion&#39;s support frame attach to the bottom horizontal rail of the rear portion of the bench frame. Rabbeted areas on the interior surface of each vertical side rail, the bottom surface of the horizontal top rail, and the top surface of the horizontal middle rail, create a space within which the edges of the plywood and cushion unit become fixed into their desired position of use via fasteners and/or other fastening means. 
     PURPOSE AND BENEFITS 
     The present invention back support provides piano and organ players with a comfortable back rest while sitting on a conventional wooden bench with or without a cushioned seat. 
     It features a cushion positioned correctly for the back in order to accommodate long periods of playing music. 
     It also prevents a musician from becoming tired while playing music longer in the correct upright position that encourages good posture. 
     It further enables the free movement of the musician&#39;s arms, hips, and legs in any direction without any hindrances for playing, so that in piano and organ applications the musician&#39;s hands are free to move up or down the keyboard and feet can easily work all pedals. 
     In addition, it benefits any musician who is required to play for both short and long periods of time by keeping them comfortable and sitting in an upright position, and its preferred colonial or contemporary styling is suited for use in a wide variety of applications, and from concert halls to music practice rooms. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of the most preferred non-adjustable universal back support of the present invention showing the upper portion of a specially designed left vertical side piece supporting a padded cushion. The right vertical side piece, which in  FIG. 1  is hidden behind the left vertical side piece, is a mirror image of the left vertical side piece. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the horizontal top rail in the most preferred non-adjustable embodiment of present invention showing its rabbeted out lower configuration. Although an enlarged view of the horizontal middle rail is not shown in the accompanying illustrations, the horizontal middle rail is preferably identical in configuration to the horizontal top rail, but inverted in its orientation during use so that it has a rabbeted out upper configuration. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the bottom rail in the most preferred non-adjustable embodiment of present invention showing it having a generally rectangular shape, without any rabbeted out areas. 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of a piece of cover trim that is used in the most preferred non-adjustable embodiment of present invention on the back support&#39;s rear surface adjacent to portions of the vertical side pieces, the horizontal top rail, and the horizontal middle rail. 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the plywood and attached cushion in the most preferred non-adjustable embodiment of present invention, which further shows the cushion having a beaded edge. 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged rear view of the back support in the most preferred non-adjustable embodiment of present invention showing its vertical side pieces, the horizontal top rail, the horizontal middle rail, the horizontal bottom rail, the plywood used for cushion support, and several pieces of cover trim secured to the plywood. 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of the back support in the most preferred non-adjustable embodiment of present invention showing its vertical side pieces, the horizontal top rail, the horizontal middle rail, the horizontal bottom rail, the cushion with its beaded edge, and the indentation on the front lower surface of each vertical side piece allowing for a bench lid to be raised for interior access. 
         FIG. 8A  is rear view of the plywood showing wooden guides used to receive the adjustment mechanism unit with a center spring and manual adjustment rods in the most preferred adjustable embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8B  is an enlarged perspective view of the spring holder previously shown in  FIG. 8A  and usable as a part of the most preferred adjustable embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8C  is an enlarged end view of the adjustment mechanism unit previously shown in  FIG. 8A  and usable as a part of the most preferred adjustable embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8D  is an enlarged side view of the center spring previously shown in  FIG. 8A  and usable as a part of the most preferred adjustable embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8E  is an enlarged perspective view of one of the manual adjustment pieces previously shown in  FIG. 8A  and used to contain the ends of the center spring during its compression and extension. 
         FIG. 8F  is a perspective view of the separate rabbeted support piece attached to the front surface of the right vertical side piece in the most preferred adjustable embodiment of the present invention back support, which is employed to mount the adjustment mechanism unit in its desired position of use. The left vertical side piece and rabbeted support piece combination is a mirror image of the structure shown in  FIG. 8F . 
         FIG. 8G  is an enlarged perspective view from one end of a portion of the piece of plywood secured in its desired position of used within the rabbeted out areas created between the two opposed support pieces in the most preferred adjustable embodiment of the present invention back support. 
         FIG. 8H  is an enlarged perspective view of one of the caps shown in  FIG. 8F  that is usable as a part of the most preferred adjustable embodiment of present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the most preferred non-adjustable embodiment of the present invention upper back support assembly previously shown in whole or in part in  FIGS. 1-7 , with  FIG. 9  showing preferred positioning for a rail bolt in the lower front end of each of the opposed vertical side pieces. 
     
    
    
     COMPONENT NUMBERS 
     
         
           1 A,  1 B Vertical Side Pieces—left and right 
           2  Plywood 
           3  Cushion 
           4  Horizontal Top Rail 
           5  Horizontal Middle Rail 
           6  Horizontal Bottom Rail 
           7  Cover Trim Pieces 
           8  Wooden Guides 
           9  Adjustment Mechanism Unit 
           10  Wooden Glide 
           11  Center Spring 
           12 A,  12 B Manual Adjustment Rods—left and right 
           13  Spring Holder 
           14  Rail Bolts 
           15 A,  15 B Indentations on the lower front portion of Vertical Side Pieces  1 A and  1 B to allow opening of a bench lid for interior access 
           16 A,  16 B Manual Adjustment Pieces on each side of Adjustment Mechanism Unit  9  that are used to contain Center Spring  11  during its compression and extension and provide an exterior surface that can be engaged by a user&#39;s opposing finger and thumb to allow height adjustment of Cushion  3  by moving the distal ends of Manual Adjustment Rods  12 A and  12 B into different Holes  21  Pre-Drilled in the Vertical Side Pieces  1 A and  1 B 
           17  Caps placed on top and bottom of the Rabbeted Support Pieces  18  used in the adjustable embodiment of the present invention back support 
           18  Rabbeted Support Pieces attached to each of the opposed Vertical Side Pieces  1 A and  1 B for securing the Adjustment Mechanism Unit  9  into its desired position of use in the adjustable embodiment of the present invention back support 
           19  Beaded Edge of Cushion  3   
           20  Fasteners 
           21  Pre-Drilled Holes used in the Vertical Side Pieces  1 A and  1 B that receive Manual Adjustment Rods  12 A and  12 B in adjustable embodiments of the present invention for height adjustment of Cushion  3   
           22  Rabbeted Configurations in Vertical Side Pieces  1 A and  1 B, Top Rail  4 , Middle Rail  5 , Wooden Guides  8 , and Rabbeted Support Pieces  18  made of wood (in other materials used to manufacture universal upper back support unit  1 A- 6 , the number  22  represents a recess, groove, or cutout in an edge or surface needed to receive the edge of another component) 
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The most preferred embodiments of the universal upper back support unit ( 1 A,  1 B,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , and  6 ) for piano and organ benches enables a musician to sit in a more comfortable position while on a wooden bench (not shown). It may be made in different sizes, and can be used by professional and non-professional musicians, adults and children alike. It also may be made primarily from wood (such as mahogany or lauan, but not limited thereto) that is preferably glued and screwed together to provide sturdy construction with a colonial or contemporary appearance, or it can be optionally made from other materials providing a different appearance, such as but not limited to, aluminum, fiberglass, or wrought iron. The universal upper back support unit assists in raising a musician&#39;s endurance level while playing music for longer periods of time. The invention comprises a cushion  3  typically attached to a piece of plywood  2 , or other suitable material, which are fastened together (optionally with staples) and mounted to a frame comprising a horizontal top rail  4 , a horizontal middle rail  5 , a horizontal bottom rail  6 , and two vertical side pieces  1 A and  1 B. The most preferred cushion  3  is high density and medium soft. Once it is assembled, this upper back support unit ( 1 A- 6 ) is then attached by rail bolts  14  (and also washers and nuts, not shown) to the bottom wooden rail (horizontal piece) on the rear surface of a conventional wooden music bench, with the washers and nuts remaining hidden within the interior of the bench. The two vertical side pieces  1 A and  1 B of the upper back support unit ( 1 A- 6 ) are arranged at a desired spaced-apart distance from one another and attached together using the three horizontal rails ( 4 ,  5 , and  6 ), which are glued and preferably screwed into the vertical side pieces  1 A and  1 B. The cushion  3  and plywood  2  assembly is then screwed from the back to top rail  4  and middle rail  5  with fasteners  20  (shown in  FIG. 6 ). Thereafter, the front lower end of each of the vertical side pieces  1 A and  1 B can be secured with a rail bolt  14  to connect the present invention back support unit ( 1 A- 6 ) to the bench in a desired position of use.  FIGS. 1-7 and 9  show a non-adjustable embodiment of the present invention, while  FIGS. 8A-8H  show the adjustment mechanism unit  9  and how it is employed in adjustable embodiments of the present invention to allow several options for vertical height adjustment of cushion  3 . Typical height adjustment of cushion  3  is between approximately two and three inches, but not limited thereto. 
     In preferred adjustable embodiments of the present invention back support unit ( 1 A- 6 ) for a music bench, it has been altered by adding a separate rabbeted support piece  18  that is glued and preferably screwed to the front surface of each of the vertical side pieces  1 A and  1 B to receive the plywood  2  with its attached cushion  3 . The rear surface of the plywood  2  also receives adjustment mechanism unit  9 , which comprises two wooden guides  8  and a wooden glide  10 , in combination with a holder piece  13  for the center spring  11  and manual adjustment pieces  16 A and  16 B positioned on each side of the adjustment mechanism unit  9  that provide an exterior surface engaged by a user&#39;s opposing finger and thumb to allow height adjustment of cushion  3  by moving the distal ends of associated manual adjustment rods  12 A and  12 B into different holes  21  pre-drilled into the interior surfaces of the vertical side pieces  1 A and  1 B. 
     The universal back support for piano and organ benches according to preferred embodiments of the present invention can be constructed using wood, aluminum, iron, fiberglass, or other suitable materials. Exact size, measurement, construction, and design specifications may vary upon manufacturing and the intended application. 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of the most preferred embodiment of the non-adjustable universal back support showing a specially designed left vertical side piece  1 A with a rabbeted area (similar to the rabbeted configuration  22  shown in  FIG. 8G ) on the inside edge of the left vertical side piece  1 A receiving the adjacent vertical edge of plywood  2  while it is supporting cushion  3 . Two vertical side pieces  1 A and  1 B are used (see  FIGS. 6, 7, and 9 ), with each vertical side piece  1 A and  1 B also containing rabbeted areas to accept portions of the three rails (top rail  4 , middle rail  5 , and bottom rail  6 ). In addition, the top rail  4  and middle rail  5  are rabbeted out to receive the opposed horizontal edges of plywood  2  while it is supporting cushion  3 . The right vertical side piece  1 B is not visible in  FIG. 1 , however in appearance it is the mirror image of the left vertical side piece  1 A, as shown in  FIGS. 6, 7, and 9 .  FIG. 1  also shows cushion  3  having a beaded edge  19  and the left vertical side piece  1 A having a lower front indentation (marked by the number  15 A) allowing the lid of an associated bench to be opened for interior access.  FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of the top rail  4  rabbeted out on its lower surface to receive the top horizontal edge of plywood  2  while it supports cushion  3 . While an enlarged view of the middle rail  5  is not shown, it would appear as an inverted mirror image of top rail  4 , with part of its upper surface rabbeted out to receive the bottom horizontal edge of plywood  2  while it supports cushion  3 .  FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the stabilizing bottom rail  6  that is connected between the lower portion of vertical side pieces  1 A and  1 B for extra support.  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one of the wooden cover trim pieces  7  used against the rear surface of plywood  2 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . Cover trim pieces  7  are preferably positioned adjacent to the two vertical side pieces  1 A and  1 B, and the two rails  4  and  5 . However, another cover trim piece  7  is preferably positioned vertically across the center of plywood  2  (as also shown in  FIG. 6 ). Although the cross sectional configuration of the cover trim piece shown in  FIG. 4  is preferred, it is not critical. Also, in wooden embodiments the present invention back support unit ( 1 A- 6 ) the cover trim pieces  7  are preferably glued to plywood  2 .  FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a portion of cushion  3  attached to plywood  2 , and cushion  3  also having a beaded edge  19 . Although the configurations and relative dimensions shown in  FIGS. 1-5  for vertical side pieces  1 A and  1 B, plywood  2 , cushion  3 , rails  4 ,  5 , and  6 , cover trim pieces  7 , indentations  15 A and  15 B, and beaded edges  19 , are preferred in most embodiments of the present invention upper back support unit ( 1 A- 6 ), they are not critical, and other configurations and dimensions can be used as long as all present invention back support components can still fulfill their intended functions. 
       FIG. 6  shows the rear surface of the back support in the most preferred non-adjustable embodiment, with vertical side pieces  1 A and  1 B connected to horizontal railings  4 ,  5 , and  6 . The plywood  2  with its attached cushion  3  (which is not visible in  FIG. 6 ) has been placed in the rabbeted area defined by rabbeted out portions of the vertical side pieces  1 A and  1 B, top rail  4 , and middle rail  5 .  FIG. 6  also shows the cover trim pieces  7  applied to plywood  2  adjacent to the visible interior edges of vertical side pieces  1 A and  1 B, top rail  4 , and middle rail  5 , as well as vertically in the center of plywood  2 . Although not limited thereto, cover trim pieces  7  are typically glued to plywood  2 .  FIG. 6  also shows preferred locations of fasteners  20  securing plywood  3  to top rail  4  and bottom rail  5 .  FIG. 7  is the front view of the back support in the most preferred non-adjustable embodiment of the present invention with the vertical side pieces  1 A and  1 B, and the top rail  4 , the middle rail  5  and the bottom rail  6  all in an assembled configuration. Cushion  3  is visible in  FIG. 7  (but not its attached plywood  2 ) and the cushion unit ( 2 ,  3 ) has been placed in the rabbeted area defined by the rabbeted bottom surface of top rail  4 , the rabbeted top surface of middle rail  5 , and the two opposed rabbeted interior surfaces of vertical side pieces  1 A and  1 B. Lower front indentations  15 A and  15 B are also respectively visible in  FIG. 7  on vertical side pieces  1 A and  1 B which allow for the lid of an attached bench to be raised for interior access. 
       FIGS. 8A-8H  show manual adjustment mechanism components that can be used in the alternative to create an adjustable embodiment of the present invention back support unit ( 1 A- 6 ) that allows height adjustment of its cushion  3 , typically a distance of approximately two to three inches, although not limited thereto in all applications.  FIG. 8A  is rear view of the plywood  2  showing attached wooden guides  8  used as a part of the most preferred adjustable embodiment of the present invention to receive the adjustment mechanism unit  9 , a spring holder  13 , a center spring  11 , a wooden glide  10 , and two manual adjustment rods  12 A and  12 B. As shown in  FIG. 8A , but not in  FIG. 8C , spring holder  13  is located in the center of adjustment mechanism unit  9 , and holds the spring  11  in its usable position.  FIG. 8B  is an enlarged perspective view of spring holder  13 , while  FIG. 8D  provides an enlarged view of center spring  11 . The numbers  16 A and  16 B in  FIG. 8A  represent the manual adjustment pieces used to contain the ends of the center spring  11  during its compression and extension while inserted through the central bore of spring holder  13 . See  FIG. 8E  for an enlarged view of one of the substantially rectangular manual adjustment pieces  16 A. Although not shown in a separate enlarged illustration, the second manual adjustment piece  16 B is identical in structure to manual adjustment piece  16 A. It is these manual adjustment pieces  16 A and  16 B that a user compresses and releases with an opposed finger and thumb to cause compression or expansion of center spring  11  to release the distal ends of manual adjustment rods  12 A and  12 B from pre-drilled holes  21  and allow height adjustment of cushion  3  before the user&#39;s finger and thumb grip on manual adjustment pieces  16 A and  16 B is released, allowing the distal ends of manual adjustment rods  12 A and  12 B to become inserted in newly selected pre-drilled holes  21  in the interior surfaces of the left and right vertical side pieces  1 A and  1 B.  FIG. 8C  shows an enlarged end view of the adjustment mechanism unit  9  components previously shown in  FIG. 8A , including wooden glide  10 , manual adjustment rods  12 A and  12 B, and the rabbeted wooden guides  8  used to hold wooden glide  10  adjacent to the rear surface of plywood  2 . Although not shown in the accompanying illustrations, in adjustable embodiments of the present invention the manual adjustment mechanism  9  components are typically hidden from view behind an unadorned and easily removable cover member. 
       FIGS. 8F-H  show the preferred configuration of a rabbeted support piece  18 , one of which is attached to the front surface of each of the opposed vertical side pieces  1 A and  1 B and used for securing the adjustment mechanism unit  9  into its desired position of use in adjustable embodiments of the present invention back support unit ( 1 A- 6 ).  FIG. 8F  is a perspective view of the separate rabbeted support piece  18  attached to the front of right vertical side piece  1 B with several fasteners  20 .  FIG. 8F  also shows vertical side piece  1 B having a front indentation  15 B below rabbeted support piece  18  and similar caps  17  attached to the top and bottom ends of rabbeted support piece  18 .  FIG. 8G  is an enlarged perspective view from one end of a portion of the vertical edge of plywood  2  secured into its desired position of use within the rabbeted out area defined between the two opposed rabbeted configurations  22  of left and right support pieces  18 .  FIG. 8H  is an enlarged perspective view of one of the caps  17  shown in  FIG. 8F  attached to the top and bottom ends of rabbeted support piece  18 . The rabbeted support pieces  18  are glued and fastened (preferably with screws, but not limited thereto) to the front surface of the vertical side pieces  1 A and  1 B to define a rabbeted out area where the vertical edges of plywood  2  can fit while supporting cushion  3  on its front surface and the adjustment mechanism unit  9  on its opposed back surface.  FIG. 8F  shows the interior surface of vertical side piece  1 B having three pre-drilled holes  21 , each hole  21  sized to receive the distal end of one manual adjustment rod  12 B. Also, although the use of three pre-drilled holes  21  is preferred, the number of pre-drilled holes  21  used as a part of the present invention adjustable upper back support unit ( 1 A- 6 ) may be higher or lower than the number shown in  FIG. 8F . Furthermore, although not shown in the accompanying illustrations, as long as manual adjustment rods  12 A and  12 B are aligned, vertical side piece  1 A will have the same number and positioning of pre-drilled holes  21  shown in  FIG. 8F  for vertical side piece  1 B. Although the configurations and relative dimensions of present invention components shown in  FIGS. 8A-8H  are preferred in most embodiments of the present invention upper back support unit, they are not critical, and other configurations and dimensions can be used as long as all present invention back support components can still fulfill their intended functions. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the non-adjustable present invention back support previously shown in  FIGS. 1-7  in an assembled condition. The vertical side pieces  1 A and  1 B, the cushion  3 , the rails  4 ,  5 ,  6 , and the rail bolts  14  used to attach the assembled back support to a bench, are depicted. As is more clearly shown in  FIG. 1 , the front edges of vertical side pieces  1 A and  1 B adjacent to their respective middle portions and positioned above indentations  15 A and  15 B are each rearwardly inclined relative to the substantially vertically extending front edges of vertical side pieces  1 A and  1 B adjacent to their respective lower portions positioned below indentation  15 A (and below the indentation  15 B, behind  15 A, that remains hidden in  FIG. 1 ), allowing the front surface of attached cushion  3  to have fixed rearward-inclined positioning relative to a piano bench connected to both of the lower portions of vertical side pieces  1 A and  1 B via the substantially vertically extending front edges of the lower portions.  FIG. 9  also shows indentations  15 A and  15 B respectively on the lower front surfaces of vertical side pieces  1 A and  1 B, below cushion  3 , which allow the lid of an associated bench to be raised for interior access, when present. In  FIGS. 1, 8F, and 9 , the front-to-back width dimension of the lower portions of the vertical side pieces are shown to be greater than those of said middle portions, and lid-accommodating indentations  15 A and  15 B are shown to be rearwardly narrowing and asymmetrical. In addition,  FIG. 9  shows the preferred beaded edge  19  of cushion  3 . The rail bolts  14  shown in  FIG. 9  are attached to the rear surface of the bench frame with washers and nuts (not shown), which remain hidden within the bench interior. The broken lines around the cushion represent the preferred rabbeted areas on the vertical side pieces  1 A and  1 B, top rail  4 , and middle rail  5 , defining a rabbeted space or channel for insertion of the vertical edges of plywood  2  while attached to cushion  3 . 
     While the written description of the invention herein is intended to enable one of ordinary skill to make and use its best mode, it should also be appreciated that the invention disclosure only provides examples of specific embodiments and methods, and many variations, combinations, and equivalents also exist which are not specifically mentioned. The present invention should therefore not be considered as limited to the above-described embodiments, methods, and examples, but instead encompassing all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed and defined in the accompanying claims.