Patent ID: 8188354

Claim:
A device for supporting a musical instrument on a stand while playing the instrument comprising: a support structure for transmitting at least a substantial portion of a weight of the musical instrument to the stand while enabling relative movement between the musical instrument and the stand that permits the pivoting of the support structure relative to the stand while the instrument is being moved by a user during playing of the instrument and supports the instrument during the pivoting of the support structure at the height at which the instrument is currently held by said support structure or at another height to which the user moves the instrument, the support structure comprising an engaging structure for securely engaging with the stand; a support seat mounted to the support structure for engaging with and supporting the musical instrument, wherein the support seat is provided to contact the musical instrument directly; and, a securing mechanism mounted to at least one of the support structure and the support seat for securing engagement of the musical instrument with the support seat during the relative movement; wherein the support structure is configured for relative movement in regard to the support seat so that the support structure is movable by a user during the playing of the instrument; wherein the support structure comprises a first mechanism for enabling rotational movement of the musical instrument about at least one of three axes, the three axes being oriented other than parallel to each other; wherein the engaging structure comprises a support post, a longitudinal axis of the support post being oriented substantially vertical when engaged with the stand, the support post being engaged with the stand such that it is rotatable movable about the longitudinal axis of the support post; and, wherein the support structure comprises a pivotable support comprising a first portion mounted to the support post and a second portion pivotable movable mounted to the first portion, the second portion being rotatable movable about a pivot axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support post.