Patent ID: 8348055

Claim:
A musical instrument carrying case and stand, comprising: a case having a bottom side, a top side, a back side, and a front side that collectively define an internal cavity configured to accommodate and enclose a musical instrument, the case being formed from a non-rigid material, the case and internal cavity having a first portion in which can be accommodated a main body portion of a string instrument and a second elongate portion in which can be accommodated an elongated neck portion of the string instrument; the front side having a vertical slit and a horizontal slit that collectively define a first flap and second flap both of which are disposed above the horizontal slit and a front panel disposed below the horizontal slit, the horizontal slit disposed at a first predetermined distance from the bottom of the case so as to define a pocket within the case corresponding to a lower portion of the internal cavity; a first fastening element having a first part being attached to the first flap and a second part being attached to the second flap, and the first part being adapted to selectively engage the second part to vertically fasten the first flap to the second flap; a second fastening element having a third part attached to the first flap, a fourth part attached to the second flap, and a fifth part attached to the front panel, the third part being adapted to selectively engage the fifth part to horizontally fasten the first flap to the front panel, the fourth part being adapted to selectively engage the fifth part to horizontally fasten the second flap to the front panel straps secured to the back side of the case to enable the case to be worn as a backpack by a person; a first member and a second member affixed to the back side of the case and extending generally along the direction of the vertical slit and generally orthogonal to the horizontal slit; each of the first and second member being rigid and a support element having a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotally attached to the back side at a point, wherein the support element pivots between a first position in which the support element is substantially parallel with the back of the case and a second position in which the second end of the support element is at least a second predetermined distance away from the bottom of the case such that the support element supports the lower portion of the internal cavity of the case when the musical instrument is removed from the pocket, wherein, the second predetermined distance is set such that when the support element is in the second position, the support element, the first member and the second member cooperate to maintain the back side of the case in a sufficiently rigid and substantially upright manner so that, when the vertical and horizontal slits are open, (a) the pocket remains in an open position and (b) the case and stand provide a instrument stand in which the string instrument can be stored openly accessible in a substantially upright position.