Support device for stringed instrument

Abstract

To provide a support device for stringed instrument, which is superior in portability and supports a stringed instrument in a horizontal state.SOLUTION: A support device 100 includes: a support part 30; a first leg part 10 including a pair of legs extending from both end parts in a length direction of the support part 30; and a second leg part 20 which extends from both end parts of the support part 30 and can vary a rotation position to a closed leg position and an open leg position by relatively rotating with respect to the first leg part 10 around a rotation axis 40. When the second leg part 20 is in the leg closed position, the leg parts 10 and 20 are arranged in an axial direction of the rotation axis C0 and when the second leg part 20 is in the open leg position and tips of a pair of legs and a tip of the second leg part 20 are in an erected state contacting a floor face F, a reception face 31 can support the stringed instrument in a horizontal state in cooperation with the floor face F.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a support device for stringed instruments.

Background Art

[0002] Stands for stringed instruments that support stringed instruments such as guitars, basses, and double basses are known. As shown in Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3, stands for stringed instruments generally have a vertical support as a basis.

[0003] On the other hand, there are instruments (hereinafter referred to as electronic stringed instruments) that mainly produce sound based on signals detected from the vibration of strings in stringed instruments without a resonance box or with a very small resonance box. Since electronic stringed instruments do not require a resonance box, they are usually asymmetrical left and right. Such stringed instruments are likely to rotate when hung vertically on a wall or the like, so a vertical support device (stand) for electronic stringed instruments has also been proposed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the above support device has a strong structure for stably supporting an electronic stringed instrument, and thus has a large weight. Therefore, it is not easy to carry the support device together with the electronic stringed instrument. Therefore, there is room for improvement in stably supporting a stringed instrument while considering portability.

[0006] One object of the present invention is to provide a support device for a stringed instrument that is excellent in portability and can support the stringed instrument in a horizontally placed state.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a support device for a stringed instrument, comprising: a support portion including a receiving surface for receiving the stringed instrument; a first leg portion including a pair of legs extending from both end portions in the length direction of the support portion; and a second leg portion extending from the support portion between the both end portions of the support portion and being rotatable about a rotation axis relative to the first leg portion to vary a rotation position between a closed leg position and an open leg position. When the second leg portion is in the closed leg position, the first leg portion and the second leg portion are arranged in the axial direction of the rotation axis. In a standing state where the second leg portion is in the open leg position and the tips of the pair of legs and the tip of the second leg portion are in contact with the floor surface, the receiving surface can cooperate with the floor surface to support the stringed instrument in a horizontally placed state.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is excellent in portability and can support the stringed instrument in a horizontally placed state.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a side view of a support device for a stringed instrument and a stringed instrument according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] As the stringed instrument 200 supported by the support device 100, a stringed instrument without a resonance box or with a very small resonance box, which mainly produces sound based on a signal detected from the vibration of the strings (so-called electronic stringed instrument) is assumed. As the type of the stringed instrument 200, a bass or a contrabass is assumed. Note that the stringed instrument 200 is not limited to the above assumed instrument, and an acoustic stringed instrument may be supported by the support device 100. The stringed instrument 200 has a main body 60, and an end pin 53 is attached to the main body 60. Let the axis of the main body 60 be C1.

[0013] In FIG. 1, an example of a state where the stringed instrument 200 is supported by the support device 100 in a horizontally placed state is shown. The horizontally placed state is defined as a state where the angle formed by the axis C1 and the floor surface F is less than 45°.

[0014] FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 are a perspective view, a front view, a side view, and a side view of the support device 100, respectively. The support device 100 has a first leg portion 10 and a second leg portion 20, and can be changed between a closed leg state and an open leg state. The open leg state is shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, and the closed leg state is shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. The support device 100 is used in the open leg state when supporting the stringed instrument 200.

[0015] Note that the stringed instrument 200 is usually carried in a musical instrument storage case such as a guitar case. The musical instrument storage case is generally provided with a pocket for storing small items such as sheet music and cables. The support device 100 can be easily stored in the above pocket by being in the closed leg state. The detailed configuration of the support device 100 will be described.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the support device 100 has a first leg portion 10, a second leg portion 20, a support portion 30, and a connecting portion 50. The first leg portion 10 includes a pair of legs 11 and 12. The legs 11 and 12 extend from both ends (a first end portion 30a and a second end portion 30b) in the length direction of the support portion 30, respectively. The second leg portion 20 extends from the support portion 30 at a position between the first end portion 30a and the second end portion 30b (for example, a central position) in the length direction of the support portion 30.

[0017] The tip 11a of the leg 11 and the tip 12a of the leg 12 are connected by the connecting portion 50. Although the support portion 30 and the first leg portion 10 are integrally formed, they may be configured as separate components and fixed to each other. Also, although the connecting portion 50 and the first leg portion 10 are integrally formed, they may be configured as separate components and fixed to each other. Further, the support portion 30 may be composed of two members that sandwich the base of the second leg portion 20 from the front side and the back side.

[0018] The second leg portion 20 is relatively rotatable with respect to the first leg portion 10 about a rotation axis 40 (FIG. 3) provided on the support portion 30. The second leg portion 20 can vary its rotational position between a closed-leg position corresponding to a closed-leg state and an open-leg position corresponding to an open-leg state by rotating about the rotation axis 40.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, a first restricting portion 13 is provided on the connecting portion 50. A second restricting portion 14 is provided on the support portion 30. The first restricting portion 13 restricts the rotational position of the second leg portion 20 to the closed-leg position. The second restricting portion 14 restricts the rotational position of the second leg portion 20 to the open-leg position. Therefore, by the first restricting portion 13 and the second restricting portion 14 functioning as stoppers, the rotational range of the second leg portion 20 is restricted. Also, it is easy to stabilize the rotational position of the second leg portion 20 at the open-leg position and the closed-leg position. Further, since the first restricting portion 13 is arranged on the connecting portion 50 and can contact the tip 20a of the second leg portion 20, the rigidity of the first restricting portion 13 can be low, leading to weight reduction.

[0020] Note that the first restricting portion 13 may be formed integrally with the connecting portion 50 or may be a separate member attached to the connecting portion 50. The second restricting portion 14 may be formed integrally with the supporting portion 30 or may be a separate member attached to the supporting portion 30. Note that it is not essential to provide the first restricting portion 13 or the second restricting portion 14.

[0021] The supporting portion 30 includes a receiving surface 31 for receiving (supporting) the main body 60 of the stringed instrument 200 (FIGS. 2 and 3). A cushioning material (not shown) is provided on the receiving surface 31 to protect the stringed instrument 200, but the cushioning material is not essential.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 4, a state in which the second leg portion 20 is in the open-leg position and the respective tips 11a, 12a of the pair of legs 11, 12 and the tip 20a of the second leg portion 20 are in contact with the floor surface F is defined as the "standing state". In the standing state, the receiving surface 31 can support the stringed instrument 200.

[0023] The receiving surface 31 is provided with an inclination such that the height of the receiving surface 31 in the standing state changes in the axial direction of the rotation axis C0 (FIG. 3). That is, the height gradually decreases from the first end portion 30a to the second end portion 30b. By providing such an inclination, the stringed instrument 200 having an inclined surface on the side surface of the main body 60 serving as the supported portion can be stably supported horizontally. Note that the shape of the receiving surface 31 may be designed according to the shape of the stringed instrument 200 to be supported, and it is not essential that the receiving surface 31 has an inclined shape. Therefore, the receiving surface 31 may include a region in which the height in the standing state changes in the axial direction of the rotation axis C0.

[0024] When the support device 100 in the standing state supports the stringed instrument 200 to which the end pin 53 is attached in a horizontally placed state, the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 is obtained. The tip 53a of the end pin 53 is in contact with the floor surface F, and the receiving surface 31 (FIG. 3) of the support device 100 supports the side surface 60a of the main body 60 of the stringed instrument 200. That is, in the standing state, the receiving surface 31 cooperates with the floor surface F to support the stringed instrument 200 in a horizontally placed state.

[0025] Here, in the longitudinal direction (axial center C1 direction) of the string instrument 200, the position of the center of gravity G (Fig. 1) of the string instrument 200 is located between the support position of the string instrument 200 by the receiving surface 31 and the end pin 53. If the center of gravity G is located closer to the neck side than the support position, there is a risk that the end pin 53 will float from the floor surface F and the neck side will come into contact with the floor surface. However, since the center of gravity G is on the end pin 53 side rather than the support position, such a situation is avoided and the string instrument 200 is stably supported. Furthermore, it is desirable that the center of gravity G is at a position as close as possible to the support position between the support position and the end pin 53. Since the center of gravity G is close to the support position, it becomes difficult for a large load to be applied to the end pin 53 from a direction perpendicular to the axial center C1 direction due to gravity, so the burden on the end pin 53 is reduced.

[0026] Note that the center of gravity G shown in Fig. 1 indicates the position in the longitudinal direction of the string instrument 200. In reality, the center of gravity G may not be located on the axial center C1. However, by having the position of the center of gravity G in the longitudinal direction of the string instrument 200 have the above relationship with the support position, stable support is achieved.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 1, for a string instrument 200 such as a so-called electronic string instrument, a side plate unit 55 or a knee rest 52 may be attached. The side plate unit 55 may have an armrest 51 (protrusion) protruding from the main body 60 of the string instrument 200. The size of the support device 100 is designed so that these armrests 51 and knee rests 52 do not contact the floor surface F.

[0028] Also, as shown in Fig. 2, when the second leg portion 20 is in the open-leg position, a space S for the armrest 51 to enter is formed between the pair of legs 11 and 12. Therefore, when supporting the string instrument 200 in the standing state, as shown in Fig. 1, by having the armrest 51 penetrate the space S, interference between the armrest 51 and the support device 100 is avoided. Therefore, it is easy to stably hold a string instrument 200 of a type without or with a small resonance body.

[0029] When the second leg portion 20 is in the closed leg position, the first leg portion 10 and the second leg portion 20 are aligned in the axial direction of the rotation axis C0 (FIGS. 3 and 5). Therefore, since it is possible to reduce the thickness of the support device 100 in the closed leg state, the support device 100 can be easily carried, and it is also easy to accommodate it in the pocket.

[0030] Also, as shown in FIG. 5, when viewed from the axial direction of the rotation axis C0, the tips (11a, 12a) of the first leg portion 10 and the tip 20a of the second leg portion 20 are both tapered. Therefore, it is easy to insert the support device 100 in the closed leg state into the pocket from the tapered tip side.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, an appropriate design example of the size etc. of the support device 100 will be described.

[0032] In the standing state shown in FIG. 4, the load of the stringed instrument 200 is applied in the direction indicated by the arrow 201. From the viewpoint of reducing the burden on the second leg portion 20 and mainly making the first leg portion 10 receive the load of the stringed instrument 200, the direction of the arrow 201 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first leg portion 10.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, let the length of the first leg portion 10 be L. Let the height of the highest position of the support portion 30 in the standing state be H. Let the opening angle θ be the angle formed by the first leg portion 10 and the second leg portion 20 on the floor surface F side in the standing state.

[0034] When considering the typical dimensions of the stringed instrument 200 that is supposed to be supported, first, the total length EL (FIG. 1) from the tip 53a of the end pin 53 with the telescopic position being the shortest to the supported position of the stringed instrument 200 is about **********mm. The protruding amount AL (FIG. 1) of the arm rest portion 51 from the axis C1 is about **********mm. Considering the size for appropriately supporting such a stringed instrument 200 and ensuring portability, it is as follows.

[0035] The length L is less than 360 mm, the height H is 180 mm or more, and the leg-opening angle θ is 17° or more and 125° or less. In this way, by setting L < 360 mm, it is possible to fit into the above pocket, and good portability is ensured. By setting H ≥ 180 mm, it is possible to avoid the protrusions such as the armrest portion 51 from contacting the floor surface F. By setting 17° ≤ leg-opening angle θ ≤ 125°, the support device 100 is less likely to fall over, and the string instrument 200 is more easily and stably supported.

[0036] Next, consider the width to thickness of the first leg portion 10.

[0037] The direction orthogonal to the extension direction of the first leg portion 10 and the axial direction of the rotation axis C0 is defined as the thickness direction of the first leg portion 10. In a side view (FIG. 4), the maximum width of each of the pair of legs 11, 12 in the thickness direction is denoted as B1. On the other hand, in a front view (FIG. 3), the maximum width of each of the pair of legs 11, 12 in the axial direction of the rotation axis C0 is denoted as B2. The maximum width B1 is smaller than the maximum width B2.

[0038] With this design, the thickness of the first leg portion 10 can be mainly utilized in the axial direction of the rotation axis C0. In this way, by ensuring a large maximum width B2 and making the maximum width B1 as small as possible, while ensuring the necessary rigidity, it can be made compact in the closed-leg state and easily stored in the above pocket.

[0039] According to the present embodiment, when the second leg portion 20 is in the closed-leg position, the first leg portion 10 and the second leg portion 20 are aligned in the axial direction of the rotation axis C0. Also, in the standing state where the second leg portion 20 is in the open-leg position and the first leg portion 10 and the second leg portion 20 are in contact with the floor surface F, the receiving surface 31 can cooperate with the floor surface F to support the string instrument 200 in a horizontally placed state. Therefore, the support device 100 is excellent in portability and can support the string instrument 200 in a horizontally placed state.

[0040] Moreover, since it has a connecting portion 50 that connects the tips 11a, 12a of the pair of legs 11, 12, the rigidity can be enhanced, and weight reduction is facilitated.

[0041] Also, when the second leg portion 20 is in the open-leg position, a space S is formed between the pair of legs 11 and 12 for the armrest portion 51 protruding from the stringed instrument 200 to enter. Therefore, it is easy to stably hold a stringed instrument of a type without a resonance body or with a small resonance body.

[0042] Further, when viewed from the axial direction of the rotation axis C0, the tips (11a, 12a) of the first leg portion 10 and the tip 20a of the second leg portion 20 are both tapered. Therefore, it is easy to insert the support device 100 in the closed-leg state into the above-mentioned pocket.

[0043] Also, since the receiving surface 31 is provided with an inclination adapted to the side surface shape of the main body 60, a stringed instrument 200 having an inclined surface on its side surface can be stably supported horizontally.

[0044] Regarding the size of the support device 100, with the settings of L < 360 mm, H ≥ 180 mm, and 17° ≤ open-leg angle θ ≤ 125°, effects such as ensuring portability, avoiding contact between the armrest portion 51 and the floor surface F, and stably supporting the stringed instrument 200 can be obtained.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a front view of a support device 100 according to a modified example. It is not essential to provide the connecting portion 50 in the support device 100. In the modified example shown in FIG. 6, the difference is that the connecting portion 50 is abolished compared to the example shown in FIG. 3.

[0046] In this case, since there is no connecting portion 50, the first regulating portion 13 for regulating the rotation position of the second leg portion 20 to the closed-leg position cannot be arranged. Therefore, a regulating portion corresponding to the first regulating portion 13 may be arranged on the support portion 30.

[0047] Note that in the modified example shown in FIG. 6, the inclination provided on the receiving surface 31 in the example shown in FIG. 3 is abolished. However, an inclination may be provided. Other configurations of the support device 100 according to the modified example are the same as those of the example shown in FIG. 3.

[0048] As described above, the present invention has been described in detail based on its preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

Explanation of Symbols

[0049] 10 First leg part, 11, 12 Pair of legs, 11a, 12a Tips, 20 Second leg part, 20a Tip, 30 Support part, 30a First end, 30b Second end, 31 Receiving surface, 40 Rotation axis, 50 Connecting part, 200 String instrument, C0 Rotation axis, F Floor surface

Claims

1. A support part including a receiving surface for receiving a stringed instrument, a first leg part including a pair of legs extending from both ends in the length direction of the support part, a second leg part extending from the support part between the both ends of the support part and having a variable rotational position between a closed leg position and an open leg position by rotating about a rotation axis relative to the first leg part, and when the second leg part is in the closed leg position, the first leg part and the second leg part are arranged in the axial direction of the rotation axis, A support device for a stringed instrument, wherein in an upright state where the second leg part is in the open leg position and the tips of the pair of legs and the tip of the second leg part are in contact with the floor surface, the receiving surface can cooperate with the floor surface to support the stringed instrument in a horizontally placed state.

2. The support device for a stringed instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a connecting part connecting the tips of the pair of legs.

3. The support device for a stringed instrument according to claim 1, wherein when the second leg part is in the open leg position, a space is formed between the pair of legs for a protruding part protruding from the main body of the stringed instrument to enter.

4. The support device for a stringed instrument according to claim 1, wherein when viewed from the axial direction, the tips of both the first leg part and the second leg part are tapered.

5. The support device for a stringed instrument according to claim 1, wherein the receiving surface includes a region where the height in the upright state changes in the axial direction.

6. When supporting the stringed instrument with an end pin attached thereto in a horizontally placed state in the upright state, the tip of the end pin is in contact with the floor surface and the receiving surface supports the side surface of the main body of the stringed instrument. The support device for a stringed instrument according to claim 1.

7. The length of the first leg part is less than 360 mm, and the height of the highest position of the support part in the upright state is 180 mm or more, and the opening angle formed by the first leg part and the second leg part on the floor surface side in the upright state is 17° or more and 125° or less. The support device for a stringed instrument according to claim 1.

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