IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

An International Application for a: MUSICAL INSTRUMENT CASE

Invented by: ALEX J. WILKERSON

Related Application

This application claims the benefit of priority from United States Application Serial No. 11/308,037 filed March 03, 2006

Technical Field

This application relates generally to the field of devices that are used for the carrying of instruments. More specifically, this application relates to a musical instrument case that provides a microfiber surface about a portion of the case interior to prevent the scratching of the instrument contained therein.

Background Art

Musicians or would be musicians frequently carry their instruments in musical instrument cases that are designed to protect them during transport. Such traditional cases are lined with a variety of materials, however, in such traditional cases the materials used to line the cases cause damage to the instruments by imparting scratches to them while being carried and or when they are place in or removed from the case. Such scratches lessen the luster, overall appearance, and potentially the value of the instrument. As such, this application discloses various embodiments that

enable a user to safely protect an instrument in a musical instrument case that will not cause scratches because of the use of microfiber about a portion of the case interior.

Disclosure of Invention

This application discloses various embodiments that enable a user to safely protect an instrument in a musical instrument case that will not cause scratches because of the use of microfiber about a portion of the case interior. The embodiments are economical to produce, of simple construction and capable of mass production.

In particular, the application discloses a musical instrument case comprising: a body defining an outer surface and an inner surface, a support layer affixed within said inner surface; and, a microfiber layer affixed upon said support layer, wherein said microfiber layer has a denier of approximately less than 1.0.

The application also discloses a musical instrument case comprising: a body defining an outer surface and an inner surface, a support layer affixed within said inner surface; and, a microfiber layer affixed upon said support layer, wherein said microfiber layer has a denier between approximately 0.6 and approximately .02.

Finally, the application also discloses a musical instrument case comprising: a body defining an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein said body is made of second and first members; hinging means attached to said second and first members so as to allow said second and first members to be movable between an open and closed position; a support layer affixed within said inner surface; a microfiber layer affixed upon said support layer, wherein said microfiber layer has a denier of

approximately less than 1; latching means to prevent the case from inadvertently opening; and, carrying means for carrying said case.

Brief Description of Drawings

The drawings, when considered in connection with the following description, are presented for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected.

FlG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the instrument case shown with the cover in its open position;

FTG. 2 is a top plan view of the instrument case of FIG. 1 with the cover in the closed position;

FTG. 3 is a front view of the instrument case of FIG. 1 with the cover in the closed position;

FTG. 4 is a rear view of the instrument case of FIG. 1 with the cover in the closed position;

FTG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the instrument case shown with the cover in its open position;

FTG. 6 is a top plan view of the instrument case of FIG. 5 with the cover in the closed position;

FTG. 7 is a front view of the instrument case of FIG. 5 with the cover in the closed position;

FTG. 8 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the instrument case shown with the cover in its open position;

FTG. 9 is a top plan view of the instrument case of FIG. 8 with the cover in the closed position;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the instrument case of FIG. 8 with the cover in the closed position;

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the instrument case of FIG. 8 with the cover in the closed position;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the instrument case shown with the cover in its open position;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the layer structure of the instrument case of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the layer structure on the instrument case of FIG.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the musical instrument case 10 includes a body 12 which defines an outer 14 and inner surface 16, first 13 and second members 15, and a support layer 18 affixed within the inner surface of said body that is contoured to mateably receive a particular instrument. The body of the instrument case is made of either a rigid or flexible material. For example, with the rigid or "hard case," material such as wood, metal, plastic, fiberglass or any other similar rigid material can be used. See FIG. 1. A latching assembly 11 is provided upon the outer surface 14 to keep the case 10 from inadvertently opening. Such latching means are well known in the art, and include hinges, hasps, drawbolts, locks, zippers, and are attached to the case 10 using standard fastening means, which are well known in the art. Further, the body 12 of the case 10 includes hinging means 11' which are well known in the art and that are attached using standard means such as rivets of other like means to the first 13 and second members 15 which allow the case 10 to move between an open and closed position. The case 10 also includes carrying means 17 that are well known in the art (such as a handle) and which attach using standard means known in the art. The outer surface 14 of the case may also be covered with an external layer, for example made of leather, or other weather resistant material (not shown).

Internally, the support layer 18 is made of foam (polypropylene or other similar material) that covers the entire or at least a portion of the inner surface 16 of the body 12. The support layer 18 is affixed to the inner surface 16 of the case using standard means that are well known in the art, including staples, rivets, glue, sewing or any other suitable means. The support layer 18 can be shaped or cut to mateably receive

the desired instrument to be carried such that the support layer's inner dimensions are similar to the external dimensions of the musical instrument. See FIG. 1. Or, in a further embodiment, the support layer 18 may consist of a series of padding elements 42 that are positioned about the external dimension of the musical instrument so as to allow for the suspension of the instrument within the case. Here the term "suspension" is appreciated to mean that the periphery of the instrument is contact with the case. See FIG. 12. In this embodiment the support layer 18 receives the instrument in a discontinuous manner, but still provides the desired support. In this embodiment, it is further appreciated that the support layer padding elements 42 are of a rigid nature so as to adequately support the weight of the instrument and sufficiently rigid to prevent impact of the instrument when the case receives an impact.

Referring to FIG. 12, each padding element 42 is made of a relatively high density foam, or similar material, that is affixed to the inner surface 16 of the case 10 in ways known in the art, including sewing, Velcro®, double sided adhesive tape, and any other like means.

Affixed to the support layer 18 and/or padding elements 42 is a layer of microfiber 19. See FIGS. 1 and 12. Microfiber or "micro fiber" and its characteristics and mode of production are well know in the arts. Microfiber is produced from a variety of synthetic fibers. One common microfiber combines two basic fibers, Polyester and Polyamide. As well known in the art, these fibers are usually "split" and formed into a woven fabric of 80% Polyester and 20% Polyamide. Microfiber is also formed in a similar manner as above using a 70% Polyester and 30% Polyamide weave. Both types and equivalent fibers that fall in the approximately less than one

denier rating are contemplated for use in this invention. Microfiber that falls in the range of approximately 0.6 and approximately 0.02 is particularly preferred. The microfiber layer 19 is affixed to the support layer 18 and/or padding elements 42 using standard means that are well known in the art, including staples, rivets, glue, Velcro®, double sided adhesive tape, sewing or any other suitable means. It is contemplated that the microfiber layer may be affixed either to the entire surface of the support layer 18 and/or padding elements 42, only in portions where the support layer 18 and padding elements 42 come in contact with instrument when carried in the case, and variations that fall between such degrees.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view illustrating the multilayer structure of the case 10 shown in FIGS. 1-4. To restate, the case 10 includes a body 12 which defines an outer 14 and inner surface 16, first 13 and second members 15, and a support layer 18 affixed within the inner surface 16. Affixed to the support layer 18 is a layer of microfiber 19.

Referring to FIGS. 5-7, a further embodiment is shown. Here the musical instrument case 20 has a flexible or non-rigid body 22 which defines an outer 24 and inner surface 26. The body 22 is made of a lightweight durable material such as nylon or other similar material, such as, for example Cordura™. Flexible cases of this type are commonly known as "gig bags."

A latching assembly 21 is provided upon the outer surface 24 to keep the case 20 from inadvertently opening. Such latching means are well known in the art and for such flexible cases, zippers are generally preferred, however, other latching means are contemplated which include hinges, hasps, drawbolts, locks, and are attached to the

case 20 using standard fastening means, which are well known in the art. Further the body 22 of the case 20 includes hinging means 21' which are well known in the art and that are attached using standard means such as rivets of other like means to the first 23 and second members 25 which allow the case 20 to move between an open and closed position. With flexible bags, the hinging means is generally the folding of the fabric back on itself when the case is opened. The case 20 also includes carrying means 27 that are well known in the art (such as a handle) and which attach using standard means known in the art. The outer surface 24 of the case may also be covered with an external layer, for example made of leather, or other weather resistant material (not shown).

Internally, the support layer 28 is made of foam (polypropylene or other similar material) that covers the entire or at least a portion of the inner surface 16 of the body 12. The support layer 28 is affixed to the inner surface 26 of the case using standard means that are well known in the art, including staples, rivets, glue, sewing or any other suitable means. The support layer 28 can be shaped or cut to mateably receive the desired instrument to be carried such that the support layer's inner dimensions are similar to the external dimensions of the musical instrument. See FIG. 5. Or, in a further embodiment, the support layer 28 may consist of a series of padding elements 42 as shown in FIG. 12 that are positioned about the external dimension of the musical instrument so as to allow for the suspension of the instrument within the case. Here the term "suspension" is appreciated to mean that the periphery of the instrument is contact with the case. See FIG. 12. In this embodiment the support layer 28 receives the instrument in a discontinuous manner, but still provides the desired support. In

this embodiment, it is further appreciated that the support layer padding elements 42 are of a rigid nature so as to adequately support the weight of the instrument and sufficiently rigid to prevent impact of the instrument when the case receives an impact.

Affixed to the support layer 28 and/or padding elements 42 is a layer of microfiber 29. See FIGS. 5 and 12. The microfiber layer 29 is affixed to the support layer 28 and/or padding elements 42 using standard means that are well known in the art, including staples, rivets, glue, sewing or any other suitable means. It is contemplated that the microfiber layer may be affixed either to the entire surface of the support layer 28 and/or padding elements 42, only in portions where the support layer 28 and padding elements 42 come in contact with instrument when carried in the case, and variations that fall between such degrees. The microfiber types described above and equivalent fibers that fall in the approximately less than one denier rating are contemplated for use in this invention. Microfiber that falls in the range of approximately 0.6 and approximately 0.02 is particularly preferred.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view illustrating the multilayer structure of the case 20 shown in FIGS. 5-7. To restate, the case 20 includes a body 22 which defines an outer 24 and inner surface 26, first 23 and second members 25, and a support layer 28 affixed within the inner surface 26. Affixed to the support layer 28 is a layer of microfiber 29.

In the embodiments and figures described above, the musical instrument case is shaped to carry a guitar, however, it is contemplated that the present disclosure is applicable to all types of musical instruments. The musical instrument case disclosure

would apply to all string, brass, percussion, woodwind, and any other types of musical instruments. For example, FIGS. 8-11, indicate a musical instrument case of the present disclosure for a brass instrument. Referring to FIGS. 8-11, the musical instrument case 30 includes a body 32 which defines an outer 34 and inner surface 36, first 33 and second members 35, and a support layer 38 affixed within the inner surface of said body that is contoured to mateably receive a particular instrument. The body of the instrument case 32 is made of either a rigid or flexible material. For example, with the rigid or "hard case," material such as wood, metal, plastic, fiberglass or any other similar rigid material can be used. See FIG. 8. A latching assembly 31 is provided upon the outer surface 34 to keep the case 30 from inadvertently opening. Such latching means are well known in the art, and include hinges, hasps, drawbolts, locks, zippers, and are attached to the case 30 using standard fastening means, which are well known in the art. Further the body 32 of the case 30 includes hinging means 31' which are well known in the art and that are attached using standard means such as rivets of other like means to the first 33 and second members 35 which allow the case 30 to move between an open and closed position. The case 30 also includes carrying means 37 that are well known in the art and which attach using standard means known in the art. The outer surface 34 of the case may also be covered with an external layer, for example made of leather, or other weather resistant material (not shown).

Internally, the support layer 38 is made of foam (polypropylene or other similar material) that covers the entire or at least a portion of the inner surface 36 of the body 32. The support layer 38 is affixed to the inner surface 36 of the case using standard

means that are well known in the art, including staples, rivets, glue, sewing or any other suitable means. The support layer 38 can be shaped or cut to mateably receive the desired instrument to be carried such that the support layer's inner dimensions are similar to the external dimensions of the musical instrument. See FIG. 8. Or, in a further embodiment, the support layer 38 may consist of a series of padding elements 42 that are positioned about the external dimension of the musical instrument so as to allow for the suspension of the instrument within the case. Again, the term "suspension" is appreciated to mean that the periphery of the instrument is contact with the case. See FIG. 12. In this embodiment the support layer 38 receives the instrument in a discontinuous manner, but still provides the desired support. In this embodiment, it is further appreciated that the support layer padding elements 42 are of a rigid nature so as to adequately support the weight of the instrument and sufficiently rigid to prevent impact of the instrument when the case receives an impact.

Affixed to the support layer 38 and/or padding elements 42 is a layer of microfiber 19. See FIGS. 8 and 12. The microfiber layer 39 is affixed to the support layer 38 and/or padding elements 42 using standard means that are well known in the art, including staples, rivets, glue, sewing or any other suitable means. It is contemplated that the microfiber layer may be affixed either to the entire surface of the support layer 38 and/or padding elements 42, only in portions where the support layer 38 and padding elements 42 come in contact with instrument when carried in the case, and variations that fall between such degrees. The microfiber types described above and equivalent fibers that fall in the approximately less than one denier rating

are contemplated for use in this invention. Microfiber that falls in the range of approximately 0.6 and approximately 0.02 is particularly preferred.

Although the present disclosure has been described hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the spirit and nature of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims.

Industrial Applicability

The disclosed inventions would be valuable to the instrument case manufacturing industry, as they would enable the production of improved cases that provide instrument players a means of storing or carrying an instrument without the worry of having the case cause damage by imparting scratches on the instruments surface. Musicians are benefited likewise by having a case that does not lessen the luster of the instrument and allows them to maintain the value of an instrument that in many cases is of significant value both emotionally and financially.