| JP10207450 | GUITAR TYPE OR ACCORDION TYPE 'ELECTONE (R)' |
| JP07055092 | SWIVEL JOINT WITH CLAMPER |
| JP3528705 | STAND FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENT |
GAMBA, Samuele (Via S. Francesco 11, pd Tavo Di Vigodarzere, I-35010, IT)
GAMBA, Jonni (Via Spinetti 6, pd Tavo Di Vigodarzere, I-35010, IT)
GAMBA, Samuele (Via S. Francesco 11, pd Tavo Di Vigodarzere, I-35010, IT)
| Claims 1. A case for a musical instrument (2), in particular for a stringed instrument, comprising: a case body (3) and a case lid (4) which may be separated and coupled along a coupling profile (5) and reciprocally locked with respect to one another, support means (7) associated with the case body (3) in order to support the body in a standing position angled with respect to a support surface, so as to support the instrument contained in the case body in this position, characterized in that the case body (3) comprises localized support members (20, 21) for the instrument which form support points for the instrument in order to hold it, when housed in the body, in a spaced relationship from the coupling profile (5), at the location of the lower portion (5a) of the profile closest to the support surface, when the case is in the standing position, and in that the localized support members (20, 21) project transversely from the case body (3) from an edge (3a) of the body (3) defining the coupling profile (5) so as to make at least a lower portion of the instrument close to the surface supporting the case at least partially accessible when the case is in the standing position. 2. A case according to claim 1, wherein the case body (3) has a transverse spatial requirement, between a base of the body and the edge (3a) defining the coupling profile (5), which is smaller than the corresponding transverse spatial requirement of the case lid (4), at least at the location of the lower portion (5a) of the coupling profile (5). 3. A case according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the localized support members comprise a pair of projections (20, 21) extending in the same direction from the base of the case body, which are parallel and spaced from one another, and each of which includes a surface (20a, 21a) forming the corresponding support zone for the instrument. 4. A case according to claim 3, wherein means for retaining the instrument, intended to prevent slippage from the support members, are provided on each of the support projections, the means including respective projections (25) projecting from the free ends of the support projections (20, 21). 5. A case according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the instrument comprises a body (2a) having connectors provided in the lower portion of the instrument body (2a), the distance between the connectors and the lower portion (5a) of the coupling profile (5) being selected so as to make the insertion of connection pins (22) in the connectors readily accessible when the instrument is housed in the standing position in the case body (3) . 6. A case according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support means comprise a rod-shaped support (8) having one end (8a) articulated on the case body (3) and an opposing end (8b) connected to a crossbar (9) intended to enable the support to bear on the ground, and wherein the rod-shaped support (8) may pivot between a position retracted into the case body (3) and an extended position whose angle is pre-selected in relation to the case body (3). 7. A case according to claim 6, wherein the crossbar (9) is provided at its opposing ends with wheels mounted to rotate thereon so that the support and, attached thereto, the case, may bear and move on the ground. 8. A case according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the support means further comprise a pair of support feet (11) which may be retracted and are mounted in an articulated manner on the case body (3), each at the location of one of the support members (20, 21), and wherein the support feet (11) can be pivoted between an extended position in which the case, as a result of the simultaneous bearing on the ground of the feet (11) and the rod-shaped support (8), is further spaced from the support surface, and a retracted position in which the feet (11) are housed in respective seats ( 12) provided in the case body (3). 9. A case according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the rod-shaped support (8) is housed in a substantially concealed manner, in the retracted position, in a respective seat (13) provided in the case body (3), and wherein the free ends of the crossbar (9) of the support (8) are able in this position to engage corresponding cavities (15) positioned at the free ends of the feet (11) when housed in their seats (12) so as to retain the support (8) in the retracted position. 10. A case according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising detachable means for retaining the rod-shaped support (8) in the extended position, the means comprising at least one resiliently deformable projection (27) provided on either the support (8) or the case body (3) and able to be snap-locked on a respective counterpart provided on the other of the support or case body in order detachably to lock the support (8) in the extended angled position. |
Technical field
The present invention relates to a case for a musical instrument, in particular for a stringed instrument, having the features set out in the preamble of main claim 1.
Technological background
The invention is used particularly though not exclusively in the specific sector of cases for guitars, or similar musical instruments, suitable both for the transport of the instrument and for the support thereof during temporary stops in use. Such cases are typically constituted by a case body and a case lid, which are structurally rigid and can be coupled to each other along a coupling profile. The lid can further be separated from the case body. In order to support the instrument temporarily, it is known to provide tripod-like supports which retain it in a standing position, slightly angled with respect to the vertical.
Other known solutions make provision for the tripod, or other similar supports, to be secured to the case body, for example, by means of an articulated joint which can be pivoted in a limited manner and which allows movement of one or more legs of the support between an extended position, for the support of the case, and a position closed on the case body.
A disadvantage encountered in known solutions is that, when the musical instrument, for example, a guitar, is temporarily received in the case body in the vertical position, it is received practically completely in the case body without affording any accessibility to side or lower portions, in particular of the body of the instrument. If there are devices connected to the body of the instrument, for example, plugs or connectors for connection to loudspeakers or similar equipment, the case interferes with those devices and obliges the musician to disconnect the relevant connectors in order to be able to house the guitar in the case body. That operation is extremely inconvenient and is often unacceptable during any temporary pauses during the musical performance. On the other hand, it is equally advantageous to be able to put the instrument back in a standing position inside the case body, separate from the lid, during the above-mentioned temporary stops, thereby giving rise to the disadvantage set out above, apparent in the known solutions.
Statement of invention
A main object of the invention is to provide a case for a musical instrument, in particular for a stringed instrument, which is structurally and functionally configured so as to allow the disadvantages set out with reference to the cited prior art to be overcome.
This object and other objects which will appear below are achieved by the invention by means of a case for a musical instrument constructed in accordance with the appended claims.
Brief description of the drawings
Other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of one preferred embodiment which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a case constructed according to the invention,
- Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views of the case of Figure 1 , supported in a standing position,
- Figure 4 is another perspective view of the case of the preceding Figures shown in the operating condition supporting the musical instrument,
- Figure 5 is a side elevation view of the detail of a case of Figure 4,
- Figure 6 is a partial perspective view, drawn to an enlarged scale, of a detail of the case of the preceding Figures,
- Figure 7 is a partial perspective view of another detail of the case according to the invention,
- Figure 8 is a partially sectioned, side elevation view of the detail of a case of Figures 5 and 6.
Preferred embodiment of the invention
With reference to the Figures set out, there is generally designated 1 a case for a musical instrument 2, in particular for a guitar, which is constructed in accordance with the invention. The case comprises a case body 3 which is suitable for receiving the guitar and a case lid 4, which can be separated from each other and which can be coupled to each other along a coupling profile 5 which is defined by the peripheral edges of the body and the case lid, which are designated 3a and 4a, respectively. There are designated 6 engagement members which are known per se for the locking of the lid 4 on the case body 3.
The case 1 further comprises support means which are generally designated 7 and which are capable of supporting the case body 3, when it is separated from the lid, in a standing position which is angled with respect to a support surface P so as to support the instrument 2, when it is received in the case body, substantially in a standing position, slightly inclined relative to the vertical relative to the support surface.
The support means 7 comprise a rod-shaped support 8 which is preferably constructed from a tubular profile-member and which has an end 8a secured in an articulated manner to the case body and an opposing axial end 8b which is connected to a crossbar 9 which is intended to enable the support to bear on the support surface P (for example, bear on the ground). The support 8 can be pivoted in a limited manner between a non-operative retracted position which abuts the case body and an extended operative position whose angle is preselected in relation to the case body. The positions mentioned are clearly shown in Figures 1 and 5, respectively.
The crossbar 9 extends, from the point of connection to the support 8, over a first and a second portion 9a, 9b, of equal length, which extend in continuation of each other, and at the free ends of which there are provided rubber caps 10a, 10b, respectively, which are capable of ensuring stability of support on the ground. Alternatively, the portions 9a, 9b of the crossbar 9 can be provided with wheels (not illustrated) which are mounted loose on the crossbar in a mutually coaxial manner so that the case can be transported by the above-mentioned wheels being supported for running on the ground.
The support means further comprise a pair of retractable support feet which are both designated 11 and which are mounted in an articulated manner on the case body at a lower portion of the body, the portion that is directed towards the support surface P when the body 3 is supported in a standing position.
Each foot 11 is articulated, with an end 11a thereof, to the case body so as to be pivotable in a limited manner and has an opposing end 11b which is intended to enable supporting contact on the ground, as clearly illustrated in Figure 2.
Owing to the articulated assembly, each foot 11 can be pivoted between a retracted position in which it is received, in a concealed manner, in a seat 12 which is formed in the case, and an extended position in which it is moved away from that seat, in retaining abutment with a surface 12a of that seat. In the extended position, the pair of feet 11 together with the crossbar 9, which is also in an extended position, define the contact locations for supporting the case on the surface P.
The support 8 and the crossbar 9, in the retracted position of Figure 1, are also capable of being received, in a substantially concealed manner, in a seat 13 which is of suitable form and which is constructed in the case body 3 in such a manner that, when they are received in the seat 13, both the support 8 and the crossbar 9 do not project beyond the surface profile of the case body 3, thereby remaining within the transverse spatial requirement thereof, as illustrated in Figure 1.
Each free end of the crossbar 9 is further provided with a pin-like formation 14 which projects from and is coaxial with the corresponding portion 9a, 9b of the crossbar and which is capable of engaging, in the closed position of Figure 1, with a recess 15 which is provided at the free end of the relevant support foot 11 when the foot is retracted into its seat 12. By means of that mutual engagement, the support is held in the retracted position and can be pivoted in extension only after the pin-like formations 14 have been disengaged from the relevant receiving recesses (by the feet 11 being pivoted in extension).
According to a main feature of the invention, the case 1 comprises on the body 3 a pair of localized support members 20, 21 for the instrument 2 defining support points for the instrument in order to hold it, when it is received in the case body 3, in a spaced relationship from the coupling profile 5 at a lower portion 5a of the profile, the one nearest the support surface P, when the case body is in the standing position. In greater detail, the support elements 20, 21 project transversely from the case body 3 from the edge 3a defining the coupling profile 5 so as to make at least the lower portion of the instrument 2 near the support surface P of the case partially accessible when the case is in a standing position. That portion of the instrument is identifiable, in the case of a guitar, in a lower portion of the body of the instrument designated 2a in the Figures.
The support elements 20, 21 are preferably constructed in the form of projections which extend in the same direction from the base of the case body 3, which are parallel with and spaced-apart from each other, and each of which has a surface 20a, 21a which defines the corresponding point-like zone of localized support of the case 2a of the guitar.
Owing to the provision of the localized support elements, the lower portion of the body of the instrument 2 of the guitar is retained in a spaced position both vertically relative to the profile 5 and in a position transversely remote from the profile itself, that positioning making the lower portion of the body of the instrument 2a readily accessible when the guitar is received in the case body. That configuration makes it possible to insert and retain in position connection pins which are connected to connection elements which are provided in the body 2a, such as those provided for connection to loudspeakers or similar equipment. As is clearly apparent in Figure 8, the assembly of pins 22, also called "jacks" in the specific field, connected to the relevant connection sockets provided in the body 2a can readily be carried out and the support of the instrument in a standing position, in a state received in the case body, does not result in any interference with respect to the presence of those connection devices, those devices therefore also being able to remain connected during temporary stops in use of the musical instrument, during which the instrument is put back in the case body in a standing position.
It will be noted how the case body 3 has a transverse spatial requirement, between the bottom itself and the opposite edge 3a defining the profile 5, that is less than the corresponding transverse spatial requirement of the case lid 4, as can clearly be seen in Figure 5, where it will further be appreciated that the spatial requirement profile of the guitar in turn projects from the coupling profile 5 of the case body, that configuration also being aesthetically pleasing because it makes the instrument more visible with respect to the case body in which it is received.
It will further be noted how the seats 12 which receive the feet 11 in the case body are advantageously formed in recesses which are formed inside the projections which form the localized support elements 20, 21 of the instrument.
There are further designated 25 projections which project from the free ends of the support projections 20, 21, which serve to prevent the instrument from slipping from the projections themselves.
There are generally designated 26 releasable means for holding the rod- shaped support 8 in the retracted position, those means comprising at least one resiliently deformable projection 27 which is provided on the support 8 and which is capable of being snap-locked against an engagement member which is provided on the case body in order to block the support in a releasable manner in the extended angled position.
The invention thereby achieves the objects set out, resulting in the advantages set out over known solutions.
A first advantage is that, owing to the support of the instrument in the case body with a spaced-apart relationship, the lower portion of the instrument is made readily accessible, thereby allowing any connections to be positioned for equipment which can be connected to the instrument, that positioning also being possible when the instrument is being supported on the case body fixed in a standing position by the support means of the case.
Another advantage is to facilitate the movement of the case by providing support means which are integrated in the case body and which can be actuated rapidly and conveniently, with stability in terms of support on the ground being ensured.
Furthermore, owing to the fact that the above-mentioned support means are housed in a substantially concealed manner in the case body, transport of the case is made more convenient when the support means are not in use for supporting the case. Owing to the invention, an appreciable aesthetic impact is further conferred on the case body, in which the instrument is received, in particular in the vertically upright position, when the instrument is put back in the case body in the temporary stops during the musical performance.