Foldable and storable stand for musical instruments

Abstract

A collapsible and storable stand for musical instruments, comprising a main body of the stand and at least two support feet rotatably connected to the two ends of the main body of the stand, characterized in that a guide groove is provided on the side wall of the main body of the stand, wherein a positioning section for locking is provided at one end of the guide groove, and wherein each support foot is provided with a corresponding support foot adjustment mechanism comprising a handle, wherein the handle is movably guided through the associated guide groove and connected to the support foot so that the handle can slide along the guide groove;wherein when the support leg is rotated into the unfolded position, the handle engages with the positioning section in a locking engagement to limit rotation of the support leg, and wherein when the handle is pressed inwards to release the locking engagement, the handle can slide along the guide groove to guide and limit the support leg along a predetermined path to the folded position.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA The present invention relates to the technical field of support devices for musical instruments, in particular a stand for musical instruments for supporting musical instruments such as electric pianos and keyboards. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND Currently, most folding instrument stands on the market use simple hinge mechanisms combined with spring-loaded balls or separate locking mechanisms to secure and fold the support legs. These designs have the following main disadvantages: Cumbersome operation and lack of intuitiveness: Folding and unfolding the stand requires the step-by-step manipulation of locking mechanisms or rotary knobs. The process is complicated and difficult for the user to learn quickly. Unreliable locking with safety risks: With the common locking mechanism that uses spring-loaded balls to engage in recesses, the locking effect is unclear. Wear and tear from years of use, accidental vibrations, or accidental contact can easily lead to unintentional unlocking, causing the instrument stand to collapse.Loosely assembled after folding and large packaging volume: Due to a lack of precise guidance for the folding movement of the support legs and the absence of fixed end stops, the support legs have different orientations after folding, resulting in an irregular overall shape. This makes minimalist packaging difficult and requires considerable space for transport and storage. Difficult to transport: Most instrument stands are either not equipped with a dedicated carrying handle, or the protruding handle compromises the instrument's stability and is prone to snagging during transport and storage. Furthermore, most instrument stands lack a dedicated storage compartment for headphones. Therefore, musicians often encounter the problem of a lack of space for headphones while practicing or performing.Arbitrary storage easily leads to loss or impairs usability. CONTENT OF THE PRESENT APPLICATION In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention aims to provide a foldable and storable stand for musical instruments in order to solve the technical problems of existing stands for musical instruments, such as complicated folding operation, unreliable locking, large and irregular volume after folding, and poor portability. The technical solution of the present invention is: A foldable and storable stand for musical instruments, comprising a stand body and at least two support feet rotatably connected to the two ends of the stand body, wherein a guide groove is provided on the side wall of the stand body, wherein a positioning section for locking is provided at one end of the guide groove, and wherein each support foot is provided with a corresponding support foot adjustment mechanism comprising a handle, wherein the handle is movably guided through the associated guide groove and connected to the support foot so that the handle can slide along the guide groove;wherein when the support leg is rotated into the unfolded position, the handle engages with the positioning section in a locking engagement to limit rotation of the support leg, and wherein when the handle is pressed inwards to release the locking engagement, the handle can slide along the guide groove to guide and limit the support leg along a predetermined path to the folded position. Preferably, the positioning section is a positioning bore connected to one end of the guide groove, wherein the diameter of the positioning bore is larger than the groove width of the guide groove; the handle comprises a thin section that interacts with the guide groove in a clearance fit, and a thick section that can form an interference fit with the positioning bore; the support foot adjustment mechanism further comprises an elastic return element that applies a force to the handle which tends to snap the thick section into the positioning bore. Preferably, the elastic return element comprises a pin and a return spring, wherein the pin is connected to the thick section of the handle, and wherein the return spring is arranged on the pin, one end of which acts on the support foot or on a component firmly connected to the support foot and the other end of which acts on the thick section to provide a spring force that displaces the thick section outwards. Preferably, an annular groove is provided on the thick section of the handle, into which a limiting element is engaged and which is arranged on the inside of the support foot to prevent the handle from slipping outwards. Preferably, the number of support feet is four, distributed symmetrically on both sides of the lower part of the main body of the stand. Preferably, a U-shaped main beam is fixedly attached to each of the two lower ends of the main stand body, the main beam together with the side wall of the main stand body enclosing a mounting space for receiving the end of the support foot. Preferably, the support foot comprises a support foot bracket attached to its end, the support foot bracket being received in the mounting space and rotatably connected to the main stand body and the main beam via pivot axes. Preferably, support foot mounting grooves are provided on the base of the main stand body to accommodate the support feet in the folded state. Preferably, a handle mounting groove is provided on the surface of the main stand body, in which a handle strap is attached. The handle strap is an elastic, stretchable strap that, in its natural state, is received in the handle mounting groove and whose surface is not higher than the surface of the main stand body. Preferably, a headphone hook for hanging headphone accessories is provided on the bottom of the main stand body. Compared to the prior art, this invention has the following advantageous effects: (1) Regarding the problem of cumbersome folding and unfolding operation: The uniform, coherent operating logic of "push to unlock - followed by turn" and the forced guidance of the movement path by the guide groove simplifies operation to a single intuitive process. This achieves the advantageous effect of extremely simple and easy-to-learn handling. (2) Regarding the problem of unreliable locking and the risk of unintentional unlocking: A locking mechanism is used by means of an interference fit between the thick section of the handle and the positioning bore, combined with the constant contact force from the return spring.This achieves the beneficial effects of a stable locking mechanism, a clear and distinct operating feel, and high resistance to vibrations and shocks, thereby significantly improving operational reliability.(3) Regarding the problem of the loose structure and large packaging volume after folding: By means of a fixed end stop for the folding path of the support legs through the guide groove, in combination with the support leg receiving grooves provided on the base of the main stand body, it is ensured that all support legs can always be folded and received in the specified receiving grooves. This allows the support legs to become a single unit with the main stand body, resulting in the beneficial effect of an extremely compact, orderly folded state with minimal and uniform overall thickness, and significantly facilitating packaging, transport, and storage.(4) Regarding the problem of complex mechanics, numerous components, and high risk of damage: The locking, guiding, and unlocking functions are highly integrated into the compact module consisting of a guide groove, a stepped handle, and a spring element, thus replacing conventional complex multi-joints and separate snap locks. This achieves the advantageous effects of a compact design, fewer components, simple assembly, high durability, and low maintenance costs. (5) Regarding the problem of insufficient stability or complicated assembly of the support leg joint structures: By arranging the main support beam, which together with the main body of the stand encloses an assembly space, the support leg beam, welded to the top of the support leg, is placed within this space and articulated at two points via joint axes. This increases the rigidity and stability of the joint area, smoother rotation, more reliable load-bearing capacity, and simplifies assembly.(6) Regarding the problem of cumbersome portability and the impairment of stability caused by the carrying handle: By installing a recessed elastic handle strap on the surface of the main stand body – extended for carrying, concealed in the handle mounting groove when not in use, and flush with its surface – the advantageous effect of effortless, convenient portability is achieved without compromising the flatness and stability of the support surface. (7) Regarding the problem of insufficient space for headphone accessories while gaming: By installing a headphone hook on the bottom of the main stand body, the easy temporary storage of headphone accessories during gaming is made possible, further optimizing the user experience. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of the three-dimensional structure of the foldable and storable stand for musical instruments according to the present invention in the unfolded state. Fig. 2 shows a schematic side view of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows a schematic bottom view of the structure of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 shows an enlarged sectional view of area A (support leg adjustment mechanism) from Fig. 3. Fig. 5 shows an exploded view of the stand for musical instruments and the support leg carrier. Fig. 6 shows an enlarged exploded view of area B (components of the support leg adjustment mechanism) from Fig. 5. Fig. 7 shows a schematic representation of the individual structure of the handle. Fig. 8 shows a schematic representation of the three-dimensional structure of the foldable and storable stand for musical instruments according to the present invention in the fully folded state.Figure 9 shows a schematic representation of Figure 8 from a different angle. Figure 10 shows a schematic three-dimensional representation of the connection between the headphone hook and the stand main body according to the present invention. Figure 11 shows a side view of Figure 10. Reference symbol list: 1 Stand main body; 11 Side wall; 111 Guide groove; 112 Positioning bore; 12 Main support; 13 Mounting space; 14 Support foot mounting groove; 15 Handle mounting groove; 2 Support foot; 21 Support foot support; 3 Support foot adjustment mechanism; 31 Handle; 311 Thin section; 312 Thick section; 3121 Ring groove; 32 Pin; 33 Return spring; 34 Limiting element; 4 Joint axis; 5 Handle strap; 6 Headphone hook; 7 Fastening element. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings: As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 to 9, the present invention provides a foldable and storable stand for musical instruments, comprising a stand body 1 and at least two support feet 2 rotatably connected to the two ends of the stand body 1, wherein a guide groove 111 is provided on the side wall 11 of the stand body 1, a positioning section for locking is provided at one end of the guide groove 111, and wherein each support foot 2 is provided with a corresponding support foot adjustment mechanism 3 comprising a handle 31, wherein the handle 31 is movably guided through the associated guide groove 111 and connected to the support foot 2, so that the handle 31 slides along the guide groove 111 can. As shown in Fig.As shown in Figure 1, the handle 31 engages with the positioning section in a locking engagement to limit rotation of the support leg 2 when the support leg is in the extended position. When the handle 31 is pressed inwards to release the locking engagement, it can slide along the guide groove 111 to guide and limit the support leg 2 along a predetermined path to the folded position shown in Figure 8. The core of the foldable and storable musical instrument stand provided by the present invention is that a highly integrated support leg adjustment mechanism 3 enables simplified folding and unfolding of the support leg 2, reliable locking, and compact storage.By forming a special guide groove 111 in the side wall 11 of the main body of the stand 1 and allowing the handle 31 of the support leg adjustment mechanism 3 to be inserted more smoothly through this guide groove 111, the folding process is simplified to a single, continuous action: "push to unlock - rotate in the corresponding direction." The sliding of the handle 31 within the guide groove 111 forces the support leg 2 to move along the single predetermined path, thus achieving intuitive operation with "one-click unlock and smooth rotation," which significantly improves ease of use. Specifically, the foldable and storable stand for musical instruments, as shown in Fig. 1, comprises an elongated main body 1 of the stand, at both ends of which four support legs 2 are symmetrically arranged. This arrangement provides stable support for instruments such as electric pianos or keyboards. Each support leg 2 is articulated to the main body 1 and can be rotated relative to it to allow the stand to be folded and unfolded. In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, U-shaped main beams 12 are welded to both ends of the base of the main stand body 1 to provide a stable and secure hinge connection. The main beam 12, together with the side wall 11 of the main stand body 1, forms a U-shaped assembly space 13, as shown in Fig. 2. A total of four assembly spaces 13 are formed on the base of the main stand body 1 to accommodate the four support feet 2. A support foot bracket 21 is welded to the top of each support foot 2. During assembly, the support foot bracket 21 is inserted into the corresponding assembly space 13. Then, two hinge pins 4 (e.g., rivets) are inserted through the main stand body 1, the support foot bracket 21, and the main beam 12 and the support foot bracket 21.This creates a two-point rotatable connection between the support foot 2, which is welded to the support foot carrier 21, and the main column 1 and the main beam 12. This increases the rigidity and stability of the joint area, ensures smoother rotation and more reliable load-bearing capacity. It also simplifies assembly and guarantees smooth rotation and high load-bearing capacity. It should be emphasized that the handle 31 of the support leg adjustment mechanism 3 is movably inserted through the corresponding guide groove 111 and its inner end is connected to the support leg bracket 21 welded to the top of the support leg 2. This connection allows the handle 31, on the one hand, to perform a certain axial movement relative to the support leg 2 (push movement) and, on the other hand, to rotate about the pivot point together with the support leg 2. At the same time, the section inserted through the guide groove 111 is strictly limited and can only slide along the path of the guide groove 111. As shown in Fig. 6, in this preferred embodiment the positioning section arranged at one end of the guide groove 111 is specifically designed as a positioning bore 112 connected to the end of the guide groove 111, wherein the bore diameter of the positioning bore 112 is larger than the groove width of the guide groove 111. As shown in Fig. 7, the handle 31 has a special design for fulfilling the locking function and comprises a thin section 311 and a thick section 312. The diameter of the thin section 311 is matched to the width of the guide groove 111 and has clearance so that it can slide smoothly in the groove. The diameter of the thick section 312 is slightly larger than the bore diameter of the positioning bore 112 and is designed to form an interference fit with the positioning bore 112. The interference fit between the positioning bore 112 and the thick section 312 of the handle, together with the constant locking force of the return spring 33, achieves a secure mechanical lock. The locking state is unambiguous, the interference resistance is high, and thus the safety and confidence of the user are increased. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the support foot adjustment mechanism 3 for automatic locking further comprises an elastic return element. In a specific embodiment, the elastic return element consists of a pin 32 and a return spring 33. The pin 32 is connected to the inner region of the thick section 312 of the handle 31. The return spring 33 is pushed onto the pin 32, one end of which acts on the support foot carrier 21, which is rigidly connected to the support foot 2, and the other end of which acts on the thick section 312 of the handle 31. The return spring 33 is constantly in a compressed or pre-tensioned state, so that it exerts a constant spring force on the thick section 312 of the handle 31, causing a displacement outwards, i.e., in the direction of the positioning bore 112.The locking mechanism, achieved by means of a press fit between the thick section 312 and the positioning bore 112, in combination with the permanent pressure force of the return spring 33, provides advantageous effects such as a secure locking mechanism, a clear and distinct operating feel, and high resistance to vibrations and shocks, thereby significantly improving operational reliability. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, a circumferential annular groove 3121 is formed on the thick section 312 of the handle 31 to prevent it from slipping completely out under spring force. A limiting element 34 (for example, a snap ring) engages in this annular groove 3121 and is located on the inside of the support foot carrier 21, thereby reliably limiting the handle assembly. As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, a support foot receiving groove 14 is provided on the base of the main stand body 1 at the position where the support foot 2 is folded in, in order to achieve optimal folding and storage functionality. As shown in Fig. 8, the main part of the support foot 2 can be inserted into this support foot receiving groove 14 when folding. The positive locking of the end of the folding path of the support foot 2 by means of the guide groove 111, in combination with the support foot receiving groove 14 provided on the base of the main stand body 1, ensures that all support feet 2 can be folded and received precisely in the designated space of the support foot receiving groove 14 each time. This allows the support feet 2 to become a single unit with the main stand body 1, resulting in advantageous effects such as an extremely compact and neat folded position, minimized and uniform overall thickness, and significantly simplifying packaging, transport, and storage. As shown in Fig. 9, a handle mounting groove 15 is provided on the top of the main stand body 1 to facilitate carrying without compromising stability. A handle strap 5 is attached to this handle mounting groove 15. Preferably, an elastic tension band is used as the handle strap 5. In its natural state, the handle strap 5 contracts and is completely enclosed in the handle mounting groove 15, with its surface not rising above the top of the main stand body 1. This ensures a complete and flat support surface. When needed for carrying, the handle strap 5 can be easily pulled out, providing a comfortable grip and thus combining convenient portability with a flat surface. As shown in Figs. 1, 10, and 11, a headphone hook 6 is attached, either permanently or removably, to the base of the main stand body 1—for example, on the inside of one of the main supports 12 or at a suitable location on the underside of the main stand body 1—to further enhance ease of use. In the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 10, the headphone hook 6 is screwed firmly to the underside of the main stand body 1 by means of fastening elements 7 (for example, screws). The headphone hook 6 can be made of bent metal wire, manufactured as a single-piece injection-molded plastic part, or be of another known design. The musician can temporarily hang their headphones and accessories here while playing or practicing, so that they are always within easy reach. This significantly increases ease of use and keeps the playing area tidy. The operation of the foldable and storable stand for musical instruments in the present invention is as follows: Unfolding and locking state: To unfold the stand for musical instruments, the support leg 2 is pivoted outwards. During this process, the thin section 311 of the handle 31 slides along the guide groove 111. When the support leg 2 has pivoted to the end position of being fully unfolded, the guide groove 111 guides the thick section 312 of the handle 31 precisely into the alignment position with the positioning bore 112. At this point, the handle 31 is released, so that the thick section 312 is quickly pushed into the positioning bore 112 under the spring force of the return spring 33. Since the thick section 312 is in an interference fit with the positioning bore 112, a high frictional resistance results.This securely locks the support leg 2 in the unfolded position, prevents it from rotating freely, and ensures a safe and reliable condition. Unlocking and folding process: To fold and store the stand, the user pushes the head of the handle 31 towards the inside of the instrument stand. The handle 31 moves the pin 32 inwards, compressing the return spring 33. As soon as the thick section 312 is fully extended from the positioning bore 112 and only the thin section 311 remains in this area, the locking mechanism is released. At this point, the user maintains pressure and simultaneously pivots the support foot 2 towards the main body of the stand 1. Since the thin section 311 of the handle 31 is permanently guided in the guide groove 111, the pivoting movement of the support foot 2 is positively controlled along the single predefined path (namely, the path of the guide groove 111). This continues until the support foot 2 is aligned parallel to the main body of the stand 1 and its main section pivots into the lower support foot receptacle groove 14.The handle 31 is released, thus completing the folding of one support leg 2. The remaining three support legs 2 are operated using the same procedure, so that the entire stand for musical instruments is folded into a compact, flat structure. Transport: To carry, simply grasp the center of the handle strap 5 in the handle mounting groove 15 with your fingers and pull it upwards. The elastic handle strap 5 can be extended to a comfortable length. After use, the handle strap 5 automatically retracts into the handle mounting groove 15 and returns to its concealed position, so that setting down the instrument is not affected. Through the aforementioned specific design, the invention cleverly combines guiding, locking, and resetting functions, achieving an overall effect of simple operation, reliable locking, space-saving storage, and convenient transport. This effectively enhances the user experience and the practical value of the product. The foregoing are merely preferred embodiments of the invention. All equivalent changes and modifications made within the scope of the invention's claims shall fall within the scope of protection of the invention's claims.

Claims

A collapsible and storable stand for musical instruments, comprising a stand body and at least two support legs rotatably connected to the two ends of the stand body, characterized in that a guide groove is provided on the side wall of the stand body, wherein a positioning section for locking is provided at one end of the guide groove, and wherein each support leg is provided with a corresponding support leg adjustment mechanism comprising a handle, wherein the handle is movably guided through the associated guide groove and connected to the support leg so that the handle can slide along the guide groove;wherein when the support leg is rotated into the unfolded position, the handle engages with the positioning section in a locking engagement to limit rotation of the support leg, and wherein when the handle is pressed inwards to release the locking engagement, the handle can slide along the guide groove to guide and limit the support leg along a predetermined path to the folded position. A collapsible and storable stand for musical instruments according to claim 1, characterized in that the positioning section is a positioning bore connected to one end of the guide groove, wherein the diameter of the positioning bore is larger than the groove width of the guide groove; wherein the handle comprises a thin section that interacts with the guide groove in a clearance fit, and a thick section that can form an interference fit with the positioning bore; wherein the support foot adjustment mechanism further comprises an elastic return element that applies a force to the handle which tends to snap the thick section into the positioning bore. A collapsible and storable stand for musical instruments according to claim 2, characterized in that the elastic return element comprises a pin and a return spring, wherein the pin is connected to the thick section of the handle, and wherein the return spring is arranged on the pin, one end of which acts on the support foot or on a component firmly connected to the support foot and the other end of which acts on the thick section to provide a spring force displacing the thick section outwards. Collapsible and storable stand for musical instruments according to claim 3, characterized in that an annular groove is provided on the thick section of the handle, into which a limiting element is engaged and is arranged on the inside of the support foot to prevent the handle from slipping outwards. Collapsible and storable stand for musical instruments according to claim 1, characterized in that the number of support feet is four, which are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the lower area of ​​the main body of the stand. Collapsible and storable stand for musical instruments according to claim 5, characterized in that a U-shaped main support is fixedly attached to each of the lower ends of the main body of the stand, wherein the main support together with the side wall of the main body of the stand encloses a mounting space for receiving the end of the support foot. Collapsible and storable stand for musical instruments according to claim 6, characterized in that the support foot comprises a support foot carrier attached to its end, wherein the support foot carrier is received in the assembly space and is rotatably connected to the main body of the stand and to the main support via joint axes. Collapsible and storable stand for musical instruments according to claim 1, characterized in that support foot receiving grooves are provided on the bottom of the main body of the stand for receiving the support feet in the folded state. Collapsible and storable stand for musical instruments according to claim 8, characterized in that a handle fastening groove is provided on the surface of the main body of the stand, in which a handle strap is attached, wherein the handle strap is an elastic stretchable strap which in its natural state is received in the handle fastening groove and whose surface is not higher than the surface of the main body of the stand. Collapsible and storable stand for musical instruments according to claim 1, characterized in that a headphone hook for hanging headphone accessories is attached to the bottom of the main body of the stand.

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