Semi-Rigid Neck-Brace Case for Stringed Instrument Protection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stringed musical instrument cases fail to adequately protect instruments from damage, particularly the vulnerable neck and headstock, especially during falls or lateral impacts, and often compromise between protection and convenience.

Innovation Solution

A protective case design featuring a semi-rigid neck-brace with a retaining band that secures the instrument neck, suspended between the case's bottom and cover, preventing contact with the ground and sidewalls, and incorporating a deformable layer for compatibility with various instrument necks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a flexible gig-bag case is used, then convenience and light weight are improved, but protection against damage from falls and impacts deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveconvenienceVSAvoidprotection against damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The case is divided into distinct functional zones: a flexible outer shell for convenience, a rigid neck brace for headstock protection, and a deformable layer for shock absorption. Each segment serves a specific protective function while maintaining overall flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The case combines multiple materials with different properties: flexible fabric for the outer shell, rigid material for the neck brace, and deformable shock-absorbing material. This composite structure provides both convenience and protection simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a hard-shell case is used, then protection against damage is improved, but convenience and light weight deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against damageVSAvoidconvenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the entire case hard-shell, only the neck brace area uses rigid material where headstock protection is most critical. The rest of the case remains flexible for convenience, providing localized protection without sacrificing overall ease of use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a semi-rigid neck-brace with retaining band is added, then protection for neck and headstock is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection for neck and headstockVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The neck brace and retaining band are integrated into a single unified component rather than separate parts. This merging reduces the number of components and assembly steps while maintaining the dual function of neck support and headstock protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The deformable layer automatically adjusts to the instrument neck shape and provides shock absorption without requiring adjustment or intervention. The retaining band self-adjusts to secure the neck, reducing complexity compared to rigid adjustable systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If a deformable layer is incorporated, then compatibility with various instrument necks is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with various instrument necksVSAvoidprecision requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The deformable layer's physical properties (softness, elasticity) are optimized to accommodate variations in neck dimensions and shapes. By controlling the material parameters rather than precise geometric dimensions, manufacturing precision requirements are reduced while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides enhanced protection for the neck and headstock, reducing the risk of damage from falls and impacts while maintaining the convenience and light weight of flexible cases, and accommodating different instrument dimensions.

Implementation Method 1

incorporating a deformable layer for compatibility with various instrument necks

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS8212134B2Cases for the protection of stringed musical instruments

Publication Date: 2012.07.03 MONO CREATORS

AI summary

Cases for the protection of stringed musical instruments having a bottom, a sidewall of a predetermined height extending from the bottom and a cover which is hingedly connected to the sidewall and which can be closed and secured with an appropriate fastener are described herein. The cases include a semi-rigid neck-brace having a height approximately the same as the inner height of the sidewall and being affixed to the bottom. The cases further include at least one retaining band that may be used to releasably secure the instrument neck to the neck-brace. Instrument damage may be prevented in the event of a sideways or backward fall, in at least part, because the neck-brace suspends the headstock between the bottom, sidewall and cover of the case and thereby prevents it from making contact.