Stand for supporting a musical instrument

• US 6,422,522 B1
• Filed: 06/05/2000
• Issued: 07/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey K. Woollen
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey K. Woollen
• Inventors: Woollen, Jeffrey K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stodola, Daniel P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOVOSAD, JENNIFER ELEANORE
• Application Number:
  US09/587,469
• Time in Patent Office: 778 Days
• Field of Search: 248/166, 248/463-465, 248/454-456, 248/169-171, 248/683, 248/688, 248/518, 248/176.1, 248/126, 248/351, 248/354.5, 248/354.6, 248/441.1, 248/443, 248/444, 248/447, 248/457, 248/459, 211/85.6, 843/27, 842/80, 842/91, 844/53
• US Class Current: 248/166
• CPC Class Codes: G10G 5/00 Supports for musical instruments cellopins or components therefor G10D3/01

Abstract

A stand (10) for supporting a musical instrument (12), such as a guitar, in an upright position when not in use and for retention on the instrument when the instrument is in use. The stand comprises a mounting base (22) secured to the rear surface of the instrument (18), and a support member (24) pivotally connected to the mounting base (22) and containing first and second foot portions (34A & B) and third foot portion (56). The pivotal attachment allows the support member (24) to be transitioned between a storage position adjacent the rear surface of the instrument (18) and a deployed position spaced away from the rear surface of the instrument (18) where, together with the bottom edge of the instrument (20), the first and second foot portions (34A & B) act to support the instrument (12). Third foot portion (56) engages a floor or other support surface providing fixative force to the support member allowing the instrument and mounting base to be pivoted away from the support member to the deployed position without the need to touch the stand. The support member (24) is spring-loaded and automatically returns to the storage position when the instrument (12) is lifted for use.

Claims

1. A musical instrument stand for an instrument having a rear surface and a bottom edge, the stand comprising:

(a) a mounting base (22) having a first end, a second end, a rear surface and a front surface which defines a plane;

(b) attachment means (36A-C) disposed on the front surface of the mounting base for attaching the mounting base substantially parallel to the instrument rear surface;

(c) a support member (10) having a first end and a second distal end, a rear surface and a front surface defining a plane, whereby an opening is disposed adjacent the first end of the support member and extending between the front and rear surfaces thereof, whereby the first end of the support member is pivotally attached to the first end of the mounting base and the support member being rotatable between a storage position wherein the front surface of the support member lies substantially in the same plane as the front surface of the mounting base and the mounting base lies within the opening, thereby allowing the rear surface of the instrument to be disposed adjacent the front surface of the support member, and a deployed position wherein the support member is spaced away from the mounting base thereby defining a predetermined angle therebetween, and allowing the instrument bottom edge to rest on a horizontal surface so that the instrument is disposed at an angle relative to the horizontal surface;

(d) limiting means disposed adjacent the first end of the mounting base and the first end of the support member for limiting the pivotal rotation of the support member relative to the mounting base to the predetermined angle defined between the support member and the mounting base;

(e) retracting means (40A and 40B) disposed generally between the mounting base and the support member; and

(f) engaging means located adjacent the second end of the support member and configured to rest on the horizontal surface,

wherein when the support member is placed in the deployed position the engaging means imparts a fixating force on the support member to hold the support member in the deployed position and when the instrument is lifted the retracting means causes the support member to rotate towards the mounting base and into the storage position.

2. The stand of claim 1 wherein the attachment means comprises suction cups.

3. The stand of claim 1 wherein the second end of the support member comprises a bifurcated tail section which terminates in first and second foot portions spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance.

4. The stand of claim 1 wherein said limiting means comprises:

(a) a stop surface integral with the first end of the support member; and

(b) a facing stop surface integral with the first end of the mounting base, whereby the predetermined angle is defined between the stop surface and the facing stop surface so that when the support member is rotated to the predetermined angle the stop and facing stop surfaces interfere with one another to thereby prevent further rotation.

5. The stand of claim 1 wherein the retracting means comprises one or more springs.

6. The stand of claim 1 wherein the second end of the support member comprises a bifurcated tail section which terminates in first and second foot portions spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance and the engaging means comprises the first and second foot portions.

7. The stand of claim 1 wherein the second end of said support member comprises a bifurcated tail section which terminates in first and second foot portions spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance, and wherein said engaging means comprises a third foot portion extending from said support member approximately midway between said first and second foot portions, said third foot portion being movably attached to said support member such that said third foot portion can be moved between an extended position wherein said third foot portion extends beyond a line projected between said first and second foot portions by a predetermined distance, and a depressed position wherein said third foot portion is approximately even with said line, and wherein said movement between said extended position and said depressed position is resisted by one or more springs.