Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to provisional application 61/927,863 filed on Jan. 15, 2014 and is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 13/315,816, filed on Dec. 9, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,633,365 issued on Jan. 21, 2014 which claims the benefit of Provisional 61/422,787 filed Dec. 14, 2010 the entire contents of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0004]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0006]    This invention relates to improvements in an instrument, speaker and amplifier lift stand. More particularly, the present stand is a collapsible stand that rigidly supports instruments, speakers and amplifier. The lift stand also functions to elevate a speaker with the collapsible stand. The stand supports all or the majority of the weight of the instrument or speaker in a static position to relieve the performer or technician of the weight of the musical instrument or speaker. The stand can articulate an amplifier to adjust the direction of the sound or access to the controls. 
         [0007]    2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 
         [0008]    Several products and patents have been. Exemplary examples of patents covering these products are disclosed herein. Musical instrument stands are desirable for supporting various articles and instruments since they provide selective height adjustment and a stable support. They are particularly useful is supporting such things as cameras, video equipment, telescopes, surveying instruments, and musical instruments. Musical instrument stands for brass instruments, however, raise special problems when used on steps or stairs of an auditorium or stadium. 
         [0009]    There are several patents that describe various adjustable musical instrument stand devices. Bruneau U.S. Pat. No. 1,517,825 shows a tripod support for a table having adjustable legs. This invention is an improvement over the inventor&#39;s, May, U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,910. The US patent office has issued several musical instrument stands to May that disclose and provide support for musical instruments namely U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,438,266, 7,588,228, 7,703,725 and 7,718,878. It is distinguished over the prior art in general, and these patents in particular by an adjustable musical instrument stand with independently adjustable legs which comprises a longitudinal extensible upright portion of telescoping tubular members, a plurality of collar members slidably mounted on the upright portion which are longitudinally adjustable relative to one another and to the upright portion for selective positioning thereon, and a plurality of movable leg members are operatively connected to upper and lower collar members for selective independent longitudinal positioning and radial extension relative to the upright portion and to one another. One leg of the musical instrument is adjustable in length, a sufficient amount, to permit support on two different stairs or steps of an auditorium or stadium. 
         [0010]    Boehm, U.S. Pat. No. 3,570,130 discloses a holding device for surveying instruments which includes a channel-like mounting bracket with a pair of instrument gripping clamps and a pair of adjustable legs thereon which cooperate with the instrument to form a musical instrument type support for supporting the instrument in a reference position. 
         [0011]    When the upper leg supporting collar and the corresponding lower collar are moved toward each other on the upright portion, the bottom of the leg connected thereto will be extended radially outward to be positioned an unequal distance from the center of the upright portion relative to the other legs, and the upper leg supporting collar and the corresponding lower collar are moved away from each other, the bottom of the leg connected thereto will be drawn radially inward to be positioned an unequal distance from the center of the upright portion relative to the other legs. The one adjustable leg of the musical instrument allows the stand to be erected on multi-level surfaces. 
         [0012]    Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    It is therefore an object of the present stand to provide an adjustable musical instrument stand that has independently adjustable movable legs. 
         [0014]    It is another object of this stand to provide an adjustable musical instrument stand that allows for multiple angularities and musical instrument configurations. 
         [0015]    Another object of this invention is to provide a stand that has two or more independently adjustable movable legs providing versatility and stability in the support system. 
         [0016]    Another object of this stand is to provide an adjustable musical instrument stand that allows for the body of the stand to be oriented in an off-axis position while maintaining the center of gravity in a stable support system. 
         [0017]    Another object of the stand is to allow collars that support the legs, to be slidably adjusted past each other to allow for a greater variety of adjustment. 
         [0018]    Another object of the stand is to provide an adjustable support leg positioned on the musical instrument stand and under a musical instrument to provide additional support to the musical instrument while it is being played. 
         [0019]    Another object of the stand is to provide a spring or gas charged strut within the musical instrument stand that assists in the extension of telescoping members. 
         [0020]    Another object of the stand is to provide additional extension legs that can be used in combination with the legs of the musical instrument stand to give greater extension capability for placement of the musical instrument stand on uneven surfaces. 
         [0021]    Another object of the stand is for the geometry of the center tube and the legs to be essentially the same to allow for part commonality and interchangeability. 
         [0022]    Another object of the stand is to allow the position of the leg brace to be adjustable to allow the angular arc or position of the leg to be adjusted beyond a single fixed fulcrum brace point. 
         [0023]    It is another object of this stand is to provide an adjustable musical instrument stand for supporting articles which is simple in construction, light-weight, economical to manufacture, rugged and reliable in use. 
         [0024]    It is another object of the present stand to provide an expandable musical instrument stand made from extruded sections where the extruded sections include a dovetail feature that allows the extruded tubular sections to be locked together. 
         [0025]    It is another object of this stand to utilize dovetail locking features to engage tubular sections and allow the stand to become longer. The leg section creates both the leg support and the locking mechanism for the additional tubular extension. 
         [0026]    It is another object of this stand to allow the overall height of the instrument stand significantly reduced make the stand easier to transport and store, the long center tube support can be split into two or more pieces and assembled using an existing leg clamp to secure the two center tube sections rigidly together. 
         [0027]    It is another object of this stand is to provide an adjustable tripod stand that has two or more independently adjustable movable legs providing versatility and stability in the support system. 
         [0028]    It is another object of this stand is to provide an adjustable tripod stand that allows for the body of the stand to be oriented in a greater off-axis position while maintaining the center of gravity in a stable support system. 
         [0029]    It is another object of the stand is to allow collars that support the legs, to be slidably adjusted past each other to allow for a greater variety of adjustment. 
         [0030]    It is another object of the stand to support an amplifier and allows the amplifier to articulate and be locked between approximately 0 degree and 45 degree positions. These positions allow a performer to set the amplifier at the desired angle for optimal sound and access to the amplifier controls. 
         [0031]    It is still another object of the stand to utilize an assisted lifting mechanism, such as a spring or gas strut, to make adjusting the height of the playing surface of the musical instrument easier. The assisted lifting mechanism allows for an infinite number of heights that the instrument can be adjusted and the adjustment can be made quickly by a performer. Various lifting mechanisms can be used based upon the required force and the amount of extension that is required. 
         [0032]    Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0033]      FIG. 1  shows a back isometric view of the sousaphone stand on a stadium stand supporting a sousaphone. 
           [0034]      FIG. 2  shows a front perspective view of a tuba mounted in the stadium stand. 
           [0035]      FIG. 3  shows a front perspective view of the sousaphone stand on a stadium stand supporting a sousaphone. 
           [0036]      FIG. 4  shows a side perspective view of the sousaphone stand. 
           [0037]      FIG. 5  shows a tubular clamp in an open configuration. 
           [0038]      FIG. 6  shows the tubular clamp from  FIG. 4  receiving a tube. 
           [0039]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the tubular clamp from  FIGS. 4 and 5  grasping a tube. 
           [0040]      FIG. 8  shows a top perspective view of the sousaphone stand. 
           [0041]      FIG. 9  shows the collapsed pieces of the sousaphone stand ready for transportation. 
           [0042]      FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the extension mechanism. 
           [0043]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the clamping mechanism for the extension lift mechanism. 
           [0044]      FIG. 12  is an isometric view of the extendable tripod stand with a vertically mounted bass drum. 
           [0045]      FIG. 13  shows a top perspective view of a compound lift mechanism. 
           [0046]      FIG. 14  shows a detailed view of a compound lift mechanism. 
           [0047]      FIG. 15  shows a perspective view of the compound lift in a retracted condition with a top mounted speaker. 
           [0048]      FIG. 16  shows a perspective view of the compound lift in an extended condition with a top mounted speaker. 
           [0049]      FIG. 17  shows an elevated front view of the amplifier stand. 
           [0050]      FIG. 18  shows an upper front perspective view of the amplifier stand. 
           [0051]      FIG. 19  shows a side view of the amplifier stand at an approximately 0 degree angle. 
           [0052]      FIG. 20  shows a side view of the amplifier stand at an approximately 45 degree angle. 
           [0053]      FIG. 21  shows a view of the amplifier stand in a collapsed configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0054]      FIG. 1  shows a back isometric view of the sousaphone stand on a stadium stand supporting a sousaphone.  FIG. 2  shows a front perspective view of a tuba mounted in the stadium stand.  FIG. 3  shows a front perspective view of the sousaphone stand on a stadium stand supporting a sousaphone and  FIG. 4  shows a side perspective view of the sousaphone stand. From  FIG. 1  a sousaphone  10  is shown resting upon the stand. The stand has two sets of legs,  30 ,  31  and  40 ,  41  that are configured to slide on a central tube  20 . The two sets of legs are independently connected to the central tube  20  to allow the legs to be placed on different elevations whereby allowing the first set of legs  30 ,  31  to be placed on the ground and the second set of legs to be placed on a bench seat  11  or similar raised platform that might be found in a stadium. While in some of the figures the legs are shown at different elevations they may also be placed on the same elevation or slightly offset in elevation to prone the stand in an off axis orientation. 
         [0055]    The sousaphone is placed on the stand where the upper curved tube of the sousaphone  10  rests in the cradle of the arc sector or “V” receivers  60  and  61  that are covered with padding  62  to cushion the sousaphone  10 . The padding can be a variety of different materials including but not limited to felt, cloth, rubbers, plastics or elastomeric. The arc padded sectors  60  and  61  are connected to a head  21  with arms  63  and  64 . While arc sector or “V” receivers are shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the head may be replaced with an elbow  73  that is connected to a single clamp as shown and described in  FIGS. 4 to 5 . The cantilevered weight of the sousaphone  10  naturally rotates the sousaphone  10  in the arc sector or “V” receivers  60  and  61  such that the lower portion of the sousaphone  10  rests on pads  50  and  51 . 
         [0056]    The pads  50  and  51  are pivotable on pivot pads  52  and  53  and can slide  54  on a second set of legs  40  and  41  to allow the pads  50  and  51  to be placed at a location that provides protection of the instrument. The pivoting and sliding of the pads  52  and  53  allows for player customization to accommodate placement of the pads  52  and  53 . 
         [0057]    The first set of legs  30  and  31  are slidably connected to the central tube  20  with two independent dovetail tubular first upper collar slider  32  and first lower collar slider  33 . The first upper collar slider  32  is pivotably  35  connected to one end of each leg  30  and  31 , while the first lower collar slider  33  is pivotably  35  connected to leg brace(s)  34  that are then slidably  38  and pivotably  35  connected to an opposing end of each leg  30  and  31 . A tension screw  36  on each first upper and lower collar slider  32  and  33  secures each slider on the central tube  20 . The lower end of each leg  30  and  31  has a foot pad  37  to protect the surface where the stand is placed upon. 
         [0058]    The second set of legs  40  and  41  are slidably connected to the central tube  20  with two independent dovetail tubular second upper collar slider  42  and second lower collar slider  43 . The second upper collar slider  42  is pivotably  45  connected to one end of each leg  40  and  41 , while the second lower collar slider  43  is pivotably  45  connected to leg brace(s)  44  that are then slidably  48  and pivotably  45  connected to an opposing end of each leg  40  and  41 . A tension screw  46  on each first upper and lower collar slider  42  and  43  secures each slider on the central tube  20 . The lower end of each leg  40  and  41  has a foot pad  47  to protect the surface where the stand is placed upon. 
         [0059]    The collar sliders  32 ,  33 ,  38 ,  42 ,  43 , and  48  are configured with reverse facing dovetail edges having a wrap angle of less than 180 degrees of wrap on the central tube and the legs  30 ,  31 ,  40  and  41  that allows the collar sliders to slide past each other on the central tube  20  and or the legs  30 ,  31 ,  40  and  41 . In addition, because both the upper and lower collar sliders are independent, the angle of the leg  32 ,  33 ,  42  and  43 and or leg more brace(s)  34  and  44  are adjustable to alter the distance between the foot pads  37 ,  47  and the central tube  20 . 
         [0060]    The central tube  20  has an internal extension tube  70  that can be adjusted in extension to raise or lower the height of the arc sector or “V” receiver  60 ,  61  pads  62 . The extension tube  70  can further be removed, as shown in  FIG. 9 , for storage or transportation. The extension tube is securable in position on the central tube  20  with a tube clamp  69  that operates with a cam  72  on a lever to allow for quick clamping and releasing of the extension tube  70 . 
         [0061]    In  FIG. 2 , the bottom of the tuba  14  is placed onto the arc sector or “V” receivers  60  and the tube of the tuba  14  is secured in clamp  80 .  FIGS. 5 to 7  show and describe the clamp in greater detail. 
         [0062]      FIG. 5  shows a tubular clamp in an open configuration,  FIG. 6  shows the tubular clamp  80  from  FIG. 4  receiving a tube and  FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the tubular clamp  80  from  FIGS. 4 and 5  grasping a tube. This clamp  80  can be placed on the extension tube  70  to grasp the tube  12  of a musical instrument. The riser tube  75  is held with elbow  73  in position on the instrument stand. The position of the tubular clamp on the stand is adjustable and secured with screw clamp  92 . 
         [0063]    The tubular clamp  80  has a first arc sector or “V” receiver  81  and a second arc sector or “V” receiver  82  that grasps at least partially around the tube  12  of a musical instrument. The first arc sector or “V” receiver  81  pivots on a pivot axis  83  while the second arc sector or “V” receiver  82  pivots on a pivot axis  84  that extends through the body  91  of the tubular clamp  80 . The inside edges  93  limits the amount that the arc sector or “V” receivers will open. Each arc sector or “V” receiver  81  and  82  is padded or cushioned  86  to both frictionally grip the instrument tube  12  and to prevent damage to the instrument tube  12 . When the instrument tube is pushed into the tubular clap  80  the arc sector or “V” receivers  81  and  82  will pivot until holes  89  engage into pins  88  that will hold the arc sector or “V” receivers  81  and  82  in a closed orientation as shown in  FIG. 7 . When release  85  is pulled back  87  the pins  88  will be pulled out of retentions holes  89  whereby releasing the arc sector or “V” receivers  81  and  82  and spring  94  will pull  90  the arc sector or “V” receivers  81  and  82  open to release the tube  12 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 8  shows a top perspective view of the sousaphone stand that is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . This orientation of the stand represents the orientation where a performer will place the sousaphone into the stand. Because of the weight and cost of a sousaphone performers must often support the weight of the instrument by placing the instrument on their legs as they rest on the stadium. Using this instrument stand, a performer can place the instrument stand in a stadium and adjust the height of legs  30 ,  31  and  40 ,  41  to accommodate the geometry of the stadium seat or bleacher. The performer will loosen the cam clamp  72  to raise or lower the extension tube  70  from the central tube  20  and then tighten the tube clamp. The performer will then rest the upper tube of the sousaphone in the pads  62  of the arc sector or “V” receivers  60  and  61  that exist on the ends of arms  63 ,  64  from head  21 . The sousaphone will then naturally rotate onto pads  50  and  51  that can also be adjustable on legs  30  and  31  to cushion the sousaphone. It is contemplated that to assist in positioning the extension tube  70  that a spring, gas filled strut or other similar lifting mechanism are can be incorporated into the central tube  20  to assist a performer to extend the extension tube  70  out of the center tube  20  as shown and described in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 9  shows the collapsed pieces of the sousaphone stand ready for transportation. In this figure the central tube  20  including the cam clamp  72 , extension tube  70 , head  21  and the padded arc sector or “V” receiver musical instrument supports are separated from the leg assemblies. The leg assemblies will include the first leg set  30 ,  31 , sliders and foot pads  37 . The leg assemblies also include the second leg set that are partially visible behind the first leg set  30 ,  31 . The pads  50  and  51  are shown rotated against the pivoting sliders to minimize storage size. The slide collar  42  is shown removed from the central tube  20 . While  FIG. 9  shows the sousaphone stand, the tuba stand is disassembled in a similar manner. 
         [0066]    Referring now to  FIG. 10  that shows an exploded view of the extension mechanism  39 . The extension/lift mechanism can be a variety of different mechanism. In  FIG. 6  it is shown as a compression spring. In this figure the lift/extension mechanism is shown and described as a strut. The strut shown is a gas filled extension mechanism that naturally exists in an extended orientation. Pushing upon the two ends will compress the strut. Various different forces and extension lengths are available. When using the strut in the embodiments shown, the strut must be stopped med stroke at the length desired by the user. One contemplated embodiment of the clamping mechanism is shown and described in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0067]    The strut  39  has end caps  53  and  55  that are installed with the tubes  34  and  26 . A set screw or stops  51  and  58  retain the end caps  53  and  55  within the tubes  34  and  26 . In one embodiment the end caps sit on the screws  51  and  58 . In another embodiment the screws  51  and  58  bind the end caps  53  and  55  to prevent the inner tube  34  from being accidentally removed from the outer tube  26 . A guide  54  exists in the middle of the strut  39  to reduce axial loading on the strut that could harm the seals of the strut  39 . The extension mechanism can be either inserted into the inner tube  34  or in the outer tube  26 . A securing means for securing a musical instrument is attached to the end of the upper tube  34 . The instrument securing means allows a performer to install a musical instrument such as a drum or other musical instrument onto the stand. Various types of percussion musical instruments are shown in the figures. In this figure the securing means is a saddle  62  where a musical instrument is placed vertically into the securing means  60 . 
         [0068]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the clamping mechanism  69 . Referring briefly to  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  4 ,  8  and  9  the clamping mechanism  69  is shown where the lower tube  26  and the upper tube  34  intersect. The clamping mechanism is an extrusion  60  with a central hole  62  where the lower portion of the clamping mechanism  69  is secured to the lower or outer diameter tube  26 . The clamping mechanism is partially split into a lower portion that is secured to the lower tube  26  (not shown) and an upper section that can temporally hold the upper tube  34  (not shown) the split  63  separates these two section and allows separate flexibility for clamping the upper and lower parts of the clamping mechanism  69 . A screw  64  closes the lower portion of the clamping mechanism  69  on the lower tube. A separate screw  65  passes through the upper portion of the clamping mechanism  69  where it is threaded into as shoulder bolt  67  with a threaded hole that the screw  65  threads into. A nut  68  retains the shoulder bolt  67  on a cam arm. The cam arm  66  has an eccentric hole that allows the upper portion of the clamping apparatus/griping means to close the gap  61  onto an upper tube to prevent extension of the upper tube  34  (not shown). 
         [0069]    In  FIG. 12  the extendable stand is mounted with a vertically mounted on a bass drum. In each of the configurations the drum can be quickly removed from a performer&#39;s body mounted carrier and installed onto the adjustable stand. In all of these configurations the base or legs  23  extend from the lower central tube  26 . The extension mechanism exists inside one of the tubes where it is secured or located with screws  58  and or  51 . In all of these figures the upper tube  34  is shown partially pushed out of the lower tube  26 . The amount of extension of the upper tube  34  out of the lower tube  26  is determined by the performer preference and an infinite number of different heights are adjustable. The force and extension length of the extension mechanism is variable based upon the type and weight of instrument that is being supported. In the preferred embodiment the force of the extension mechanism is selected to allow for minimal force by the user to raise or lower the musical instrument  79  and the weight of the musical instrument is sufficient to approximately equal the force from the extension mechanism. 
         [0070]    The strut can be fixed to the stand, or can be changeable. The clamping apparatus/griping means  69  grips the upper tube to prevent undesirable movement of the upper tube  70  while a performer is performing. The location of the tube  70  is quickly adjustable with the eccentric cam arm  66 . A securing means for securing a musical instrument  81  is attached to the end of the upper tube  70 . The instrument securing means  81  allows a performer to install a musical instrument  81  such as a drum or other musical instrument onto the stand. In some cases a support brace or bracket  71  is used to reduce the moment arm of the musical instrument on the stand. In the figures a further support arm  71  extends from the brace or bracket  70  to the drums  81  that is mounted. 
         [0071]    The inventor of this disclosure has also been awarded U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,438,266, 7,588,228, 7,703,725 and 7,718,878 that may disclose tripod type stands. It is distinguished over the prior art in general, and these patents in particular by an adjustable musical instrument stand with independently adjustable legs  23  which comprises a longitudinal extensible upright portion  26  of telescoping tubular members, a plurality of collar members  69  slidably mounted on the upright portion  26  which are longitudinally adjustable relative to one another and to the upright portion  26  for selective positioning. The lift mechanism further creates additional improvement and user performance features that were not obvious and are novel over the inventors&#39; prior patents. 
         [0072]      FIG. 13  shows a top perspective view of a compound lift mechanism,  FIG. 14  shows a detailed view of a compound lift mechanism,  FIG. 15  shows a perspective view of the compound lift in a retracted condition with a top mounted speaker, and  FIG. 16  shows a perspective view of the compound lift in an extended condition with a top mounted speaker. In  FIGS. 13 and 14  a second or compound lift member  76  is mounted aside the lower central tube  26 . The parallel structure of the lower central tube with the compound lift member  76  provides additional stability when the parallel members are clamped. Releasing the lower clamping mechanism  69  allows the internal extension/lift mechanism rod  98 , as shown and described in  FIG. 10 , pushes upon connecting elbow  73  to extend as the guides  54  slide along the outrigger lift tube  76 . A second extension/lift mechanism  70  is exists within the outrigger lift tube  76  to provide a second lift to further extend the lift height of the stand by releasing upper clamping mechanism  74 . 
         [0073]    In  FIG. 15  a speaker  99  is mounted to the top of the stand and shown in a lowered condition. In  FIG. 16  one of the legs  23  is shown slightly displaced to show an adjustment for placement of the stand on an uneven surface.  FIG. 16  also shows the speaker more fully elevated with both the first stage extension tube  98  and the second stage extension tube  70  released and extended. Once the tubes are extended to the desired extension, clamps  68  and  74  are secured. These clamps  68  and  74  are shown and described in more detail with  FIG. 11  herein. 
         [0074]      FIG. 17  shows an elevated front view of the amplifier stand, and  FIG. 18  shows an upper front perspective view of the amplifier stand. The base of the amplifier stand is essentially the same four legged structure shown and described in the previous figures where there are two front supporting legs  30 ,  31  and two separate supporting legs  40 ,  41 . The legs are supported through sliding supporting brackets  35 ,  38  and support arms  34 ,  44 . The legs slide and are supported on a rear central tube  119  that is connected to a front tube  120 . In addition to the supporting legs, two supporting arms are pivotable connected  111 ,  121  to the stand. 
         [0075]    The right arm, sections  112  and  114  are connected  111  on one side while left arm sections  122  and  124  are connected  121  on the opposing side of the rear central front tube  119 . The ends of the arms  115  and  125  contact and support the rear of the amplifier  100 . The length of the arms are individually adjustable with locking members  113  and  123 . The bottom of the amplifier  100  is supported on pads  56  that extend from arms  57  and connector  59  that is supported on the front tube  120 . A mechanical lift or extension mechanism is located within the rear central tube  119 . The height of the pivoting location  111  and  112  of the left  122 / 124  and right arm  112 / 114  sections is essentially fixed, based upon the height of the collar  118 . The tube  98  extends from the collar  118  position. 
         [0076]    As the lift mechanism lifts the tube  98  the head  110  is also moved along with the front tube that moves the supporting pads  56 . As the supporting pads  56  are raised, the position of the pads  56 , relative to the fixed position of the collar  118 , forces the amplifier  100  to rotate from an initial 0 degree to a final approximately 45 degree position. The amplifier  100  can be stopped at any desired position between 0 and 45 degrees. While 0 and 45 degrees are specifically identified in this disclosure, greater and lesser angles are contemplated. This articulation is shows and described in more detail in other figures shown in this disclosure. The back of the speaker can rest on a rear supporting feature  117  where the speaker is supported on the supporting pads  56  and on the rear supporting feature  117  that can be a pad or cushion that lifts with the front tube  120 . The angle of the speaker is altered by changing the position of the legs on the central tube  119 . 
         [0077]      FIG. 19  shows a side view of the amplifier stand at an approximately 0 degree angle and  FIG. 20  shows a side view of the amplifier stand at an approximately 45 degree angle. From these two figures it is shown that as the tube  98  extends the lift from the bottom of the amplifier  100  causes the (fixed length) arms  112 ,  114  to pivot at  111  on slider  116  to alter the angle of the amplifier  100  on the stand. 
         [0078]      FIG. 21  shows a view of the amplifier stand in a collapsed configuration to allow the stand to be stored or transported in a smaller configuration. Essentially the legs and supports arms fold inward thereby providing a smaller packaged size. 
         [0079]    Thus, specific embodiments of a stand have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.

Technology Category: 2