CARRYING DEVICE FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

Abstract

A device for adjusting the length of a cord for carrying a wind instrument comprises two parts which can be pushed into one another, of which the first cup-shaped part has a recess and four openings and the second part has, as insert, a groove with a U-turn as well as a recess and two guide grooves. A cord piece is guided around the groove, out of the device and through an eyelet of a hook. A further cord piece is guided through the guide grooves and the four openings. The device allows the cord piece to be guided through the groove, which is completely separated from the guidance of cord pieces through the guide grooves. The guide grooves contain elements for deflecting and inhibiting the movement of the cord pieces. The device enables a stable and torsion-proof handling of the length adjustment of the cord. The device makes it possible that the cord length cannot adjust automatically, not even if the cord is not tensioned.

Claims

1. A device for adjusting the length of a cord comprising a first part formed in a cup-shaped manner and a second part formed as an insert, wherein the the first and second parts can be pushed into each other and a spring is arranged between the the first and second parts, wherein the cup-shaped first part has, in a circumferential edge, a recess or entrance opening for the purpose of guiding through two cord pieces or two straps and at least two further openings in the circumferential edge for two further cord pieces or two further straps, wherein the first of the at least two further openings is arranged adjacent to the recess or entrance opening and the second of the at least two further openings is arranged opposite the first said further opening in the circumferential edge, wherein the insert has a middle part, a circumferential edge, and a groove with a U-turn formed by the circumferential edge and the middle part, and the circumferential edge has a recess leading into the groove, and the insert comprises at least one channel for receiving one cord piece or one strap each such channel, wherein the at least one channel has in each case elements for deflecting and for inhibiting the movement of the cord or the strap and the at least one channel is completely separated from the groove with the U-turn.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least two further openings comprise: four further openings for one cord piece each, wherein the first and second openings of these four further openings are arranged on both sides of the recess or entrance opening in the cup-shaped first part and the third and fourth openings are arranged opposite the first and second opening in the circumferential edge, wherein the insert has on the outside of the circumferential edge and on both sides of the recess two lateral guide grooves, each for a respective one cord piece, and said lateral guide grooves having elements for deflecting and inhibiting the movement of a cord therein, wherein said lateral guide grooves are completely separated from the groove with the U-turn in the insert.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the insert has a recess in the middle part for accommodating the spring.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein the elements for deflecting and inhibiting the movement of a cord through the lateral guide grooves are formed by mutually angled surfaces.

5. The device according to claim 2, wherein the elements for deflecting and inhibiting the movement of a cord through the lateral guide grooves comprise projections in the cup-shaped first part and recesses in the insert, wherein the projections in the interior of the cup-shaped first part extend perpendicularly away from its base surface and the recesses in the insert are arranged in the circumferential edge of the insert, wherein the projections engage in the recesses and project into the lateral guide grooves.

6. The device according to claim 3, wherein the cup-shaped first part has in its interior a pin for fixing the position and alignment of the spring and the insert has in its middle part a recess into which the pin engages.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the recess or entrance opening in the the cup-shaped first part comprises an entrance opening for the purpose of guiding through two cord pieces or two straps, and the first further opening is arranged adjacent to the entrance opening and the second further opening is arranged opposite the first further opening on the circumferential edge of the cup-shaped first part, and wherein the insert has a channel formed as a passage, leading from an entrance adjacent the entrance opening to an exit opposite the entrance, wherein the passage comprises elements for deflecting and inhibiting the movement of cords or straps, and the groove of the insert is completely separated from the entrance of the channel.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the insert has in its middle part a recess for accommodating the spring.

9. The device according to claim 7 wherein, the elements for deflecting and inhibiting the movement of cords or straps are formed to inhibit the movement of a cord or strap through the passage by mutually angled surfaces.

10. The device according to claim 7, wherein the cup-shaped first part has in its interior a pin for fixing the position and alignment of the spring, and the insert has in its middle part a recess into which the pin engages.

11. A carrying device for carrying a musical instrument comprising a device according to claim 1 and at least one of a carrying strap for the neck of a user or a carrying frame for shoulders of a user, a cord and an attachment for the cord to the musical instrument.

12. The carrying device according to claim 11, wherein the attachment of the cord to the musical instrument is a hook with an eyelet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES, WHEREIN

[0040] FIGS. 1-14 show the first embodiment of the invention.

[0041] FIGS. 15-21 show the second embodiment of the invention.

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a musician with a carrying device for carrying a wind instrument, such as a saxophone, on which a first embodiment of the device according to the invention can be used,

[0043] FIGS. 2 and 3 show the carrying device from FIG. 1 alone with a cord for fastening to a musical instrument as well as carrying straps for the neck, as well as with the device according to the invention for adjusting the length of the cord,

[0044] FIG. 4 shows a cup-shaped first part of the device according to invention according to FIGS. 2 and 3 for length adjustment of the cord in one view in perspective,

[0045] FIG. 5a shows an insert of the device according to FIGS. 2 and 3 in a first view in perspective from below,

[0046] FIG. 5b shows the insert of FIG. 5a in a second view in perspective from above,

[0047] FIG. 6a shows a view of the insert from FIGS. 5a and 5b inserted in the first part in a sectional view at half height through the insert and cord pieces arranged therein and guided through the eyelet of a hook,

[0048] FIG. 6b shows the insert and first part from FIG. 6a without the cord pieces,

[0049] FIG. 6c shows an enlarged view of the insert and first part of FIG. 6a,

[0050] FIG. 7 shows a view of a section of the device according to the invention, comprising an assembled first part and insert, wherein the section is at the height of the upper edge of the cup-shaped part and the guide grooves of the insert,

[0051] FIG. 8 shows a view according to the section VIII-VIII in FIG. 7 of the device with the two interlaced parts and a cord piece which is tightly clamped with the spring released.

[0052] FIGS. 9-14 show a variant of the first embodiment of the invention, of which

[0053] FIG. 9 shows a carrying device with a cord for attachment to a musical instrument and a carrying strap for the neck, and with the variant of the first embodiment of the device according to the invention for adjusting the length of the cord,

[0054] FIG. 10 shows a cup-shaped first part of the variant of the first embodiment of the device according to the invention according to FIG. 9 in a view in perspective from above,

[0055] FIG. 11a shows an insert of the device according to FIG. 9 in a first view in perspective from above,

[0056] FIG. 11b shows the insert of FIG. 9 in a second view in perspective from below,

[0057] FIG. 12 shows a view in perspective of the insert from FIGS. 11a and 11b inserted into the first part in a section below the upper edge of the insert,

[0058] FIG. 13a shows a view in perspective of the insert from FIG. 12 inserted into the first part in a section at half height through the insert and cord pieces arranged therein,

[0059] FIG. 13b shows a view from above of the insert from FIG. 12 inserted into the first part in a section at half height through the insert and cord pieces arranged therein,

[0060] FIG. 14 shows a view according to the section XIV-XIV in FIG. 13b of the device with the two interlaced parts and a cord piece clamped with the spring released.

[0061] FIG. 15 shows an example of a second embodiment of the invention, a device for adjusting the length of straps or flat cords.

[0062] FIG. 16 shows a cross-section along A-A of the device of FIG. 15 rotated about a vertical axis.

[0063] FIG. 17 shows the use of the device of FIG. 15 with inserted straps.

[0064] FIG. 18 shows an enlargement of the cross-section from FIG. 16.

[0065] FIG. 19 shows the device according to the second embodiment with neck strap.

[0066] FIG. 20 shows the use of the device from FIG. 15.

[0067] FIG. 21 shows the cup-shaped part of the device from FIG. 15.

[0068] FIG. 22 shows the shape of the superimposed straps when placed in the device from FIG. 15.

[0069] The same reference numerals have respectively been used in the figures for the to same elements and initial explanations apply to all figures, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0070] FIGS. 1 to 2 show a carrying device 1 for a saxophone, for example, or similar wind instrument M with carrying strap 2 (also called neck strap), which the musician carries around the neck and at the ends of which a cord 4 is attached. The cord 4 leads into a device 3 according to invention for the length adjustment of the cord 4, wherein the cord 4 leads out again at the lower end of the device 3 and is guided in double loop through the eyelet of a hook 5. The hook 5 can be hooked into the musical instrument M and fastened thereto.

[0071] FIG. 3 shows the carrying device 1 slightly enlarged and in particular two parts of the device 3, an outer first part 10 and an inner second part 20. Single guided cord pieces 4 lead from the carrying strap 2 through openings in parts 10 and 20 at the upper end of the device 3 into these. Double guided cord pieces 4 lead through further openings in parts 10 and 20 at the lower end of the device 3 to the eyelet 5 of hook 5.

[0072] FIG. 4 shows a cup-shaped first part 10 of the device according to the invention from FIGS. 1-3, which is formed round in the embodiment shown and has a round base 11 with a circumferential edge 12. At one point of the circumferential edge 12 there is a recess 13 for accommodating a double guided cord piece, which can be guided through a groove with U-turn in the insert, as shown in FIG. 5a. Two openings 14 are arranged on both sides of the recess 13, through each of which a further cord piece can be guided. Opposite the two openings 14, two further openings 15 are arranged in the circumferential edge 12, through which the aforementioned cord pieces can be guided out of the device according to the invention. In the middle, inside the cup-shaped part 10, a pin 16 is arranged in this embodiment, which serves to position a spiral spring.

[0073] FIGS. 5a and b show an insert 20 that can be inserted into the cup-shaped part of FIG. 4. The shape of the insert 20 is adapted to the cup shape of the first part 10 and has an upper surface 21 and a circumferential surface 22. A recess 23 is arranged on the circumferential surface 22. If the insert 20 is inserted into the first part 10, the insert 20 is enclosed by the circumferential edge 12 and the recesses 13 and 23 of the two parts 10 and 20 coincide in their position.

[0074] The insert 20 has a groove 24 which extends away from recess 23 and forms a U-shaped turn or other similar turn, wherein the turn is approximately 180. In the middle of the insert 20, enclosed by the groove 24, there is a middle part 25 with a depression in which a spring 26 can be placed. When inserting the insert 20 into the cup-shaped part 10, the pin 16 engages in the depression as well as in the spring 26.

[0075] The insert 20 also has two symmetrically arranged lateral guide grooves 28 in the circumferential surface 22 which begin on both sides of the recess 23 and extend along the surface 22 around a part of the insert 20, wherein their ends are preferably disposed on the side of the insert 20 opposite the recess 23. The guide grooves 28 are used to guide cord pieces. According to the invention, they have elements for deflecting and inhibiting the movement of cords. In the illustrated embodiment, these elements are in the form of beveled surfaces 29, which lead to each other and meet in a tip 29.

[0076] FIGS. 6a-c show the composition of the two parts 10 and 20, wherein the device 3 is shown cut open. FIGS. 6a and c also show the arrangement of cord pieces in the device 3 according to the invention.

[0077] First a cord piece 4a is inserted into the insert 20, in particular into the groove 24 with the U-turn and around the middle part 25. The two ends of the cord piece 4a then lead through the recess 23 of the insert 20 and the recess 13 of the cup-shaped part 10 out of the device 3 and are tied through the eyelet 5 of the hook 5. After the eyelet 5, the two cord pieces, now marked 4b, lead back to device 3 and through the openings 14 of the cup-shaped part 10 and along the guide grooves 28 of the insert 20. The cord pieces 4b then lead on the opposite side out of the guide grooves 28 of the insert 20 and through the openings 15 of the cup-shaped part 10 out of the device 3 again. Then the cord pieces, now marked 4c, lead to a carrying strap or carrying frame as shown in FIGS. 1-3. In the guide grooves 28, the cord pieces are guided along the two surfaces 29 running towards each other and around the surface 29 which connects the surfaces 29, wherein the cord pieces are guided on the outer side of the groove 28 from the inner surface of the circumferential edge 12 of the cup-shaped part 10. The peculiarity of the invention is the separate guidance of the cord pieces 4a and 4b, in that these lead through separate openings or recesses 13, 14 and 23 and the cord piece in the groove 24 with U-turn does not touch the cord pieces in the lateral grooves 28.

[0078] If the length of the cord is changed, the length of the cord pieces 4a and 4b is changed, i.e. the length of the double guided cord is extended or shortened. The length of the single guided piece 4c also changes accordingly. With a length adjustment, however, the part of the cord which is located in the groove 24 with U-turn always remains in place. Only the parts of the cord move that lead through the guide grooves 28. The device 3 can be moved along the cord pieces in the guide grooves 28 when the insert 20 is pressed into the cup-shaped part 10 against the force of the spring 26, so that the openings 14 and 15 coincide most with the entrances and exits of the guide grooves 28. Then the device 3 can be moved up or down or the cord length can be shortened or lengthened. If the pressure on the insert 20 and on the spring 26 is decreased, the spring releases and the insert 20 moves slightly out of the cup-shaped part 10 again. In this process, the entrances and exits of the guide grooves 28 become narrower and the cord pieces are firmly clamped between the two parts 10 and 20.

[0079] FIG. 8 shows the device 3 in a section according to VIII-VIII in FIG. 7 and shows the mechanism of tightly clamping the cord pieces in the device 3 when the spring 26 is released. After the desired length of the cord has been selected, the insert 20 is pushed slightly out of the cup-shaped part 10 by the spring 26. In this process, the guide groove 28 also moves, so that its entrances and exits move over the height of the openings 14 and 15 of the cup-shaped part 10, and the cord 4 in the guide groove 28 is clamped between the edge 14 and 15 of the openings 14 and 15, respectively, and the one surface 28 of the guide groove 28 in the insert 20. This locks the movement of the cord 4.

[0080] The elements for deflecting the cord in the guide grooves, i.e. the surfaces 29 of the guide grooves 28 leading obliquely to each other, cause due to the friction that the position of the device according to the invention cannot change under the weight of the musical instrument. If the musical instrument weighs more, the friction in the deflection also increases. The spring 26 between the cup-shaped part 10 and the insert 20 of the device serves mainly to lock the device when the musical instrument is held high by the musician and the cord is not tensioned and the deflection does not generate friction.

[0081] FIGS. 9-14 show a variant of the first embodiment of the device 3 according to the invention. It again comprises a first, cup-shaped part 30 and an insert 40 that can be inserted into it. The functionality of this variant is the same as that of the device 3 from FIGS. 1-8. The shape of the cup-shaped part 30 and the insert 40 is angular in this variant. Part 30, as shown in FIG. 10, with a base 31 and a circumferential edge 32, again has a recess 33 in the edge 32 as well as two openings 34 and 35 each, through which the cord is guided. The two openings 34 are located on both sides of the recess 33, wherein the other two openings 35 are disposed on the opposite side of part 30. In the middle of the cup-shaped part 30, a pin 36 is arranged again for positioning a spring.

[0082] The associated insert 40, as shown in FIGS. 11a and b, having an upper surface 41 and circumferential side surface 42, comprises at one location a recess 43 leading into a groove 44 with a U-turn, wherein a middle part 45 surrounded by the groove is arranged in the center. The middle part 45 has a recess into which the spring 26 can be inserted. The insert 40 has a laterally extending guide groove 48 respectively on both sides of the recess 43, through which a cord can be guided. For assembled parts 30 and 40, the positions of the two recesses 33 and 43 correspond. Also the positions of the four openings 34 and 35 of the cup-shaped part 30 correspond with the entrances and exits of the guide grooves 48 of the insert 40. In the assembled device 3, as shown in FIGS. 13a and b, the cord is again placed in the groove 44 with the U-turn and guided through the recess 43 of the insert 40 and through the recess 33 of the cup-shaped part 30.

[0083] In this embodiment, the elements for inhibiting and deflecting the cord in the guide to grooves are formed by projections 37 in the cup-shaped part 30, which engage through correspondingly positioned recesses 47 in the insert 40 and project into the guide grooves 48. The projections 37 are shown in FIGS. 10 and 12. The corresponding recesses 47 in the guide grooves 48 of the insert 40 are shown in FIGS. 11a and b and indicated in FIG. 13a. In this case, the cord pieces 4a and 4b lead to a musical instrument and the cord pieces 4c lead again to a carrying strap or carrying frame on the musician. The cord pieces placed in the guide grooves 48 are guided over the projections 37 and thereby deflected, as shown in FIG. 13b. The deflection in this example is in the direction perpendicular to the base 31 of the part 30 and the surface 41 of the insert 40. In the example shown according to FIGS. 1-9, however, the deflection is in a direction parallel to the base surfaces 11 and 21 of the two parts 10 and 20. Their function of causing friction to increase the stability of the device is the same in both embodiments.

[0084] FIG. 14 shows in a cross-section the deflection of the cord 4 by means of the projections 37, which project through the recess 47 into the guide groove 48. The figure shows the situation with pressed spring. When the spring is released, the insert 40 lifts and the cord is clamped and locked between the upper edge 34 and 35 of the opening 34 or 35 and the lower surface 48 of the guide groove 48, as in the example in FIG. 8.

[0085] FIG. 15 shows the device 50 according to the second embodiment for use with flat cord straps. The device 50 for the length adjustment of straps or flat cords 4, 4 again has an outer, cup-shaped part 51 and an insert 52. The straps 4, 4, e.g. woven straps, lead through an eyelet 5 with a hook 5, which can be attached to a musical instrument, e.g. a saxophone.

[0086] FIG. 16 shows the guidance of the straps 4, 4 through the two parts 51 and 52.

[0087] For this purpose, the cup-shaped part 51 comprises an entrance opening 53 and the insert part comprises a first opening 54 and a second, opposite opening 55. These have an elongated cross-section which is adapted to a strap. The ends of the straps 4, 4 are held in the insert part 52 in a groove with a recess through which the straps 4, 4 are guided out. The insert 52 also has a channel 56, in this case a passage 56.

[0088] FIG. 17 shows the insert part 52 with a recess 57, into which two straps 4, 4 laid on top of each other are inserted, leading a groove 58 with a U-shaped U-turn. The groove 58 is formed by the circumferential edge 59 of the insert 52 and a middle part 60. In the middle part 60 there is a depression 61 for inserting a spring 62 (see FIG. 18). The straps 4, 4 have a hole near their ends, which is placed over the middle part 60 with the spring 62, thus holding the straps there.

[0089] FIG. 18 shows the guidance of the straps 4, 4 in the two parts 51 and 52. The two straps 4, 4 are arranged in the groove 58 by placing their hole over the middle part 62, wherein the middle part 62 engages in a depression 62 in the base of the cup-shaped part 51. The straps 4, 4 lead out of the device 50 from the groove 58 through the recess 57 of the insert 52 through the entrance opening 53 in the cup-shaped part 51. After passing through an eyelet (as shown in FIG. 15), the straps lead through the first opening 54 of the cup-shaped part 51 into the device 50 and through the entrance 63 into the passage 56 in the insert 52. In the passage 56, the straps 4, 4 are guided over elements for inhibiting their movement, which in this example are formed by surfaces 64 and 65 angled to one another, which are connected by another surface. Via an exit 66 of the passage 56, the straps lead out of the device to the second opening 55 of the cup-shaped part 51. The two straps 4, 4 then lead to a neck strap 2 as shown in FIG. 19, which can be wrapped around the neck of a musician.

[0090] FIG. 20 shows the insert part 52 in perspective with the groove 58 with middle part 60 to hold the straps. In the middle part 60 the depression 61 for the placement of a spring is shown. A recess 57 in the circumferential edge 59 of the insert part 51 leads into the groove and out of the groove 58. The entrance 63 to the passage 56 is arranged adjacent to the recess 57 and separated from the recess 57. In addition, the surfaces 64 and 65 angled to one another are shown in passage 56, which inhibit the movement of the straps through the passage. The exit 66 from passage 56 is located at the rear side of the insert part 52.

[0091] FIG. 21 shows the cup-shaped outer part 52 in perspective and in particular in its circumferential wall 70 the entrance opening 53 as well as the first opening 54 separated from it. The second opening 55 is located on the rear side of the cup-shaped part 51. The openings 53, 54 and 55 coincide with the recess 57, with the entrance 63 and with the exit 66 of the passage 56, respectively, when the two parts 51 and 52 are assembled. This means that when the spring is released, these openings partly coincide so that the straps are clamped in the openings. When the spring is compressed, the cross-sections of these openings coincide completely so that the straps can be moved. In the base of the outer part 52 the depression 62 is arranged, into which the middle part 60 fits.

[0092] FIG. 22 shows the shape of the straps 4, 4 as they would lie on top of each other in the device 50. Close to their ends they have a hole 67, which can be placed over the middle part 60.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0093] 1 Carrying device for carrying a musical instrument

[0094] 2 Carrying strap/neck strap

[0095] 3 Device for adjusting the length of a cord

[0096] 3 Variant of the first embodiment of the device for adjusting the length of a cord

[0097] 4 Cord

[0098] 4a,b,c Cord piece

[0099] 4, 4 Flat cord, strap

[0100] 5 Hook

[0101] 5 Eyelet

[0102] 10 First, outer part of the device for adjusting the length, cup-shaped part

[0103] 11 Base of the first part

[0104] 12 Circumferential edge of the first part

[0105] 13 Recess

[0106] 14 Openings at the bottom edge of the first part

[0107] 15 Openings at the upper edge of the first part

[0108] 16 Pin

[0109] 20 Second, inner part of the device for adjusting the length, insert part

[0110] 21 Upper surface of the second part, insert part

[0111] 22 Circumferential surface of the second part

[0112] 23 Recess

[0113] 24 Groove with U-turn

[0114] 25 Middle part of the groove 24 with recess for spring

[0115] 26 Spring

[0116] 27 Lateral guide groove

[0117] 28 Inner wall of lateral guide groove

[0118] 28 Surface of the guide groove 28

[0119] 29 Element for deflecting/inhibiting the movement of the cord

[0120] 29 Connection between surfaces 29

[0121] 30 Cup-shaped first part

[0122] 31 Base

[0123] 32 Circumferential edge

[0124] 33 Recess

[0125] 34 Openings at the lower end

[0126] 35 Openings at the upper end

[0127] 36 Pin

[0128] 37 Element to inhibit the movement of the cord, projection

[0129] 40 Insert part

[0130] 41 Upper surface

[0131] 42 Circumferential edge surface

[0132] 43 Recess

[0133] 44 Guide groove with U-turn

[0134] 45 Middle part of the groove with recess for spring

[0135] 47 Recess for projection 37

[0136] 48 Lateral guide groove

[0137] 48 Surface of the guide groove 48

[0138] 50 Device, second embodiment

[0139] 51 Cup-shaped part

[0140] 52 Insert part

[0141] 53 Entrance opening

[0142] 54 First opening

[0143] 55 Second opening

[0144] 56 Passage

[0145] 57 Recess

[0146] 58 Groove

[0147] 59 Circumferential edge

[0148] 60 Middle part

[0149] 61 Depression

[0150] 62 Spring

[0151] 63 Entrance to passage

[0152] 64 Angled surface

[0153] 65 Angled surface

[0154] 66 Exit from passage

[0155] 67 Hole in strap