Patent Description:
<CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> disclose guitar cases.

An electric guitar requires amplification and loudspeakers in order that the sound of the guitar can be heard. This means that a performer who uses a an electric guitar requires a lot of equipment in order to perform, and this is very inconvenient to transport, often requiring help from others to carry equipment, or necessities several trips, even if a vehicle is used to transport the equipment.

Guitar cases can have other disadvantages, such as offering inadequate protection to the guitar, as well as consuming excessive storage space when not in use for its primary and only function of transportation.

The object of the present invention is to provide a guitar case that overcomes these problems.

According to the present invention, there is provided a musical instrument case according to claim <NUM>.

The case described here is particularly for a guitar, but can be applied to other musical instruments/equipment, particularly string instruments having a fretboard and neck.

The terms 'upper' and 'lower' are used herein to correspond to the illustrations; it will be realised though that the case can be inverted so that the upper portion is oriented to the ground and the lower portion spaced from the ground.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, of which.

Referring to <FIG>, the guitar case <NUM> comprises an upper body <NUM> and a lower body <NUM>. The upper body <NUM> has a front wall <NUM>, a rear wall <NUM>, side walls <NUM> and a top wall <NUM>, while the lower body <NUM> has a front wall <NUM>, a rear wall <NUM>, side walls <NUM> and a bottom wall <NUM>. The guitar case <NUM> is generally cuboid, so that the front walls <NUM>, <NUM> of the upper body <NUM> and lower body <NUM> lie in the same plane and in the closed position of the guitar case <NUM> form a single surface, as do the rear walls <NUM>, <NUM> of the upper body <NUM> and lower body <NUM>, and each pair of side walls <NUM>, <NUM>. <FIG> shows the guitar case <NUM> in the closed position. The guitar case <NUM> includes carry straps <NUM> for carrying the guitar case <NUM>, and feet <NUM> upon which the guitar case <NUM> can be laid on the on the ground with the side walls <NUM>, <NUM> parallel to and adjacent the ground.

The upper body <NUM> and lower body <NUM> are both formed of rigid material, apart from some or all of the front wall <NUM> as will be explained below. A frame runs around the guitar case <NUM>, reinforcing the side walls <NUM>, <NUM>, top wall <NUM> and bottom wall <NUM>. The frame is split into two parts, with an upper frame <NUM> formed in a U-shape to run along the side walls <NUM> and top wall <NUM> of the upper body <NUM>, and a lower frame <NUM> also formed in a U-shape (though rotated <NUM>° with respect to the upper frame <NUM>) running along the side walls <NUM> and bottom wall <NUM> of the lower body <NUM>, the two frame parts meeting to form a continuous band around the guitar case <NUM>.

Referring also to <FIG>, the upper body <NUM> has a long opening <NUM>, which is covered by a flap <NUM> of material (fabric or hard material), which can be secured or detached along the length of the opening <NUM> by a zipper, one side of the zipper running the length of the edge of the opening <NUM>, and the other side co-operating side of the zipper running the length of the edge of the flap <NUM>. Part of the material of the flap <NUM> adjacent the top wall <NUM> is attached to the upper body <NUM>, so that the flap <NUM> remains attached to the upper body <NUM> even when the zipper is fully released. The zipper may feature two sliders, joined by a handle <NUM>, so that both long sides of the flap <NUM> can be opened or closed by raising or lowering the handle in a single motion.

Referring to <FIG>, the upper body <NUM> is attached to the lower body <NUM> by a hinge <NUM> that extends between the abutting edges of the rear walls <NUM>, <NUM>. The hinge may be mechanical, such as a piano hinge type, or it may be a length of pliable material joining the upper body <NUM> and the lower body <NUM>. When engaged, clasps <NUM> constrain the upper body <NUM> and lower body <NUM> in the positions illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>; when the clasps <NUM> are disengaged, the upper body <NUM> may be rotated relative to the lower body <NUM> about the hinge <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

Referring also to <FIG>, the upper body <NUM> is rotatable relative to the lower body <NUM> about the hinge <NUM> until the front wall <NUM> of the upper body <NUM> abuts or rests adjacent the rear wall <NUM> of the lower body <NUM>, and the top wall <NUM> of the upper body <NUM> rests on the ground. In this position, the guitar case <NUM> is fully open.

The lower body <NUM> includes a spine <NUM> that extends upwards as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. The spine is dimensions so that it can pass through the opening <NUM> (when the flap <NUM> has been opened to expose the opening <NUM>) as the upper body <NUM> is pivoted about the lower body <NUM> so that the spine <NUM> does not impede the opening of the guitar case <NUM>. The spine <NUM> is rigid, and protects the neck of the guitar, particularly when the guitar case <NUM> closed and is being carried, when it may be subjected to knocks. The spine <NUM> is preferably retractable, as is explained below.

The lower body <NUM> is substantially hollow and features a cavity <NUM> that can accommodate a guitar <NUM>, and which is accessible through an upper opening of the lower body <NUM> when the guitar case <NUM> is in the fully open position shown in <FIG>. Referring also to <FIG>, the lower body <NUM> may include padding material, such as front padding <NUM>, side padding <NUM> (which also extends across the bottom of the lower body <NUM>) and rear padding (not here shown). Referring also to <FIG>, upper padding <NUM> may be included, preferably at the bottom of the upper body <NUM>, and could be used to cover the amplifier controls <NUM>. The upper padding <NUM> may include recessed sections to accommodate protruding buttons or knobs of the amplifier controls <NUM>. The upper padding <NUM> may include a layer of fabric or leather, part of which is secured to the speaker cabinets <NUM> so as to act as a hinge by which means the speaker cabinets <NUM> can be accessed by pivoting the upper padding <NUM> about arrow a. Alternatively, the upper padding <NUM> could instead be included as a removable or pivotable part of the lower body <NUM>.

The guitar case <NUM> is in the open position shown in <FIG>, a guitar <NUM> can be placed in the cavity <NUM> of the lower body <NUM>, which the neck of the guitar extending upwards outside the cavity <NUM>. The upper body <NUM> includes two speaker cabinets <NUM>, that each include a speakers <NUM>, the two speaker cabinets <NUM> being spaced apart by a yoke <NUM>. The yoke <NUM> is positioned against the rear wall <NUM> of the upper body <NUM>, and its thickness is such that an elongated cavity <NUM> is defined between the speaker cabinets <NUM>, coincident with the opening <NUM>.

The front padding includes a channel <NUM> which receives the spine <NUM>, so that the spine <NUM> can be retracted into and extracted from this channel <NUM>; the spine <NUM> and channel <NUM> may include co-operating stop means which ensure that the spine cannot be completely removed from the channel <NUM>. When the guitar <NUM> has been placed in the cavity <NUM>, the spine <NUM> can be extracted from the channel <NUM> to protect the neck of the guitar. When the upper body <NUM> is pivoted about the hinge <NUM> to the closed position with the flap <NUM> open, the elongated cavity <NUM> accommodates the neck of the guitar <NUM> and the extended spine <NUM>. Once the upper body <NUM> is in the closed position, the flap <NUM> may be zipped shut, and the clasps <NUM> secured, so that the guitar case <NUM> may be carried with the guitar <NUM> housed safely within it. The guitar <NUM> may be removed by reversing this operation.

The speaker cabinets <NUM> include an amplifier to amplify and process a signal from an electric guitar. When the guitar case <NUM> is in the fully open position shown in <FIG>, the amplifier controls <NUM> are fully exposed and facing upwards. The amplifier controls <NUM> include one or more guitar jacks, and other controls associated with an electric guitar amplifier, such as volume controls, balance, and guitar effects. The amplified signal is then fed to the speakers <NUM>. Thus, in the open position shown in <FIG>, a guitar can be plugged into the amplifier controls <NUM> and the guitar case <NUM> functions as an amplifier and speaker system. The speaker cabinets <NUM> may include a rechargeable battery, and/or a power lead may be used to power the amplifier and speakers or recharge the battery. The front wall <NUM> is formed of sound transparent fabric, which protects the speakers <NUM>, but allows sound to pass without substantial attenuation.

Thus, the guitar case <NUM> houses a guitar and allows it to be transported safely, as well as providing an integrated amplify and speaker system. In the open position shown in <FIG>, the guitar case <NUM> has a lower centre of gravity and contacts the ground across a greater width than when the guitar case is closed, leading to a stable configuration for use as an amplifier and speaker system.

The spine <NUM> could include amplifier controls. Referring to <FIG>, the spine could also include a cradle to allow a tablet <NUM> or other computer device to be supported and/or docked to it, and include connection means so that the amplifier and speakers could be controlled by the tablet. As will be described in more detail below, the spine could also incorporate support means to allow the guitar to be attached or supported by it when the guitar case is in the open position shown in <FIG>, so that the guitar case functions as a guitar stand.

Referring back to <FIG>, although the speaker cabinets <NUM> are shown here with a yoke <NUM> spacing them, they may equally be secured in the upper body <NUM> in a spaced arrangement without a yoke, but still provide an elongated cavity <NUM> to accommodate the guitar neck and headstock. The amplifier could be housed in one speaker cabinets <NUM>, or the electronics be distributed between the speaker cabinets <NUM>; it could likewise be accommodated elsewhere in the upper body <NUM>. Likewise, any battery or charging system could be accommodated in one or both speaker cabinets <NUM>, or situated elsewhere in the upper body <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the guitar case <NUM> may include carry straps <NUM>, here shown on the rear wall <NUM> and rear wall <NUM>, although it will be realised that the position may be varied. Padding <NUM> may be included on the rear walls <NUM><NUM> behind the carry straps <NUM> for the comfort of the user. The carry straps <NUM> ideally include adjustment buckles <NUM> so that their length may be varied as required.

The lower body <NUM> may include wheels <NUM> at the lower end of the lower body <NUM>, mounted on the bottom wall <NUM> and/or the rear wall <NUM>, and a handle <NUM> mounted at the upper end of the upper body <NUM> on the top wall <NUM> and/or rear wall <NUM>, so that the user can place the guitar case <NUM> on the ground and pull the case by the handle <NUM>, carried by the wheels <NUM>. The handle may be a T-bar type handle, and could be telescopic i.e. retractable into and extendable from the upper body <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the lower body <NUM> of the guitar case <NUM> features a stabiliser foot <NUM> supported on telescopic arms <NUM>, <NUM>. The telescopic arms <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged in a parallel manner to extend substantially horizontally outwards from the region on the lower body <NUM> where the front wall <NUM> and bottom wall <NUM> meet. The stabiliser foot <NUM> rests upon the ground, and ensures that the guitar case <NUM> cannot topple over. When not required, the telescopic arms <NUM>, <NUM> can be retracted into the lower body <NUM>, the stabiliser foot <NUM> being housed in a recess so that its outer surface is flush with the lower body <NUM>.

Also referring to <FIG>, the spine <NUM> can be used to hang a guitar <NUM>, a hanger <NUM> being provided on the spine <NUM> for this purpose. Referring to <FIG>, the hanger <NUM> comprises two shaped arms <NUM>, <NUM> are provided on a hanger stub <NUM>, the hanger stub <NUM> being engageable with a locating hole <NUM> on the spine <NUM>. The locating hole <NUM> features a locating lug <NUM>, which engages with a corresponding recess <NUM> on the hanger stub <NUM>, so that the orientation of the hanger <NUM> is constrained. The hanger stub <NUM> and locating hole <NUM> are both oval or stadia shaped, having a longer major axis and a shorter minor axis. The hanger stub <NUM> is then secured be means of a swivel clip <NUM> which is oriented along the major axis when the hanger stub <NUM> is first inserted, and then rotated so as to align with the minor axis and secure the hanger stub <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. To remove the hanger <NUM>, the sequence is reversed. <FIG> also show the cradle <NUM> for the tablet <NUM>.

The guitar case <NUM> could be provided substantially as described, but without the speaker cabinets <NUM> and amplifier. Alternatively, the case and amplifier could be further integrated, so that the case is effectively an amplifier that can house a guitar or similar equipment. The case herein is shown as folding so that the upper body <NUM> comes to rest in the open state directly abutting the lower body <NUM>, however it will be realised that the upper body could be partially opened so at to form an angle with the lower body (e.g. a <NUM> degree angle), and form a stable amplifier system. It will also be realised that the case and speaker cabinets <NUM> could be disposed in an inverted sense, so that the speaker cabinets <NUM> are in the lower body <NUM>, with the guitar being disposed so that the body of the guitar is housed in the upper body and the neck and headstock housed in the lower body <NUM>. It will also be realised that the configuration of upper body <NUM>, lower body <NUM> and speaker cabinets <NUM> could be supplied without a spine <NUM>.

Also, the speaker cabinets <NUM> could be supplied without the guitar case <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the housing of the speaker cabinets <NUM> may be formed from panels, such as a top <NUM>, base <NUM>, back <NUM>, two inner sides <NUM>, two outer sides <NUM>, an inner back <NUM>, and two baffles <NUM>. When assembled as shown in <FIG>, these two compartments <NUM> for the loudspeakers, with speaker holes <NUM> each of which will be covered by felt (not here shown) secured by a baffle brace <NUM>.

The base <NUM> and top <NUM> each have a cutout portion <NUM>, so that the two compartments <NUM> of the speaker cabinets <NUM> are separated by yolk or channel <NUM> as previously described, which can accommodate a guitar neck. As previously described, the electronics for the amplifier are housed in the speaker cabinets <NUM>.

Thus the speaker cabinets <NUM> can be placed or installed in a suitably dimensioned conventional rectilinear guitar case to provide a convenient portable set of speakers and amplifier while still providing room for the guitar to be housed in the guitar case, and could also be formed integrally with a generally rectilinear case, including a case which open in a conventional fashion, that is, where the guitar body, neck and headstock are housed in one side of the case and the other side of the case opens to reveal the entire guitar.

Claim 1:
A musical instrument case (<NUM>) comprising a rigid upper body (<NUM>), which includes a cavity capable of accommodating a neck and headstock of a musical instrument such as a guitar (<NUM>);
a rigid lower body (<NUM>), pivotally connected to the upper body, the lower body capable of accommodating a body of a musical instrument such as a guitar;
such that the upper body (<NUM>) and lower body (<NUM>) have a first closed configuration, capable of housing a musical instrument such as a guitar (<NUM>), the stowed musical instrument extending between the upper body and the lower body, the upper body (<NUM>) and lower body (<NUM>) have a second open configuration where the upper body (<NUM>) is pivoted adjacent to the lower body characterised in that the upper body (<NUM>) includes a long opening (<NUM>) which allows the neck and headstock of a musical instrument such as a guitar to pass through the long opening as the upper body (<NUM>) is pivoted between the first closed position and the second open position.