专利摘要:
In the invention an end-pin holder (100) is formed that comprises at least four parts: a support part (121), two side parts (104, 106) and a middle part (103). These parts fold over each other for storing or transporting the end-pin holder. The support part has several holes (112) or other structures to accommodate the end-pin of the instrument (119). The side parts are to be placed on the floor and underneath some parts of the musician's chair (120) in order to keep the end-pin holder in place during play. The musician can safely change the position of the instrument by placing the end-pin into another hole.
公开号:FI20177127A1
申请号:FI20177127
申请日:2017-11-02
公开日:2018-12-18
发明作者:Harri Österman
申请人:Oesterman Harri;
IPC主号:
专利说明:

The invention relates to an end-pin holder for a musical instrument that is played from a sitting position in a chair, and said musical instrument has an end-pin.
BACKGROUND
The violoncello or cello is the bass member of the violin family and is tuned an octave below the violin. These instruments are large in size and hence played in a sitting position.These are fitted with a projecting end-pin that engages the floor so that the instrument may be held in from an almost vertical position to 45 degrees. Among other instruments also having end-pins or end-rests and are played in a sitting position is for example the double bass.
The end-pin is a component that makes contact with the floor to support the instrument's weight. It is made of metal, carbon fibre, or some other material such as wood, and is extensible from the bottom of the instrument, and secured there with a thumbscrew or similar arrangement. End-pins are tipped with a point to stick to the floor, and the tip is sometimes capped with black rubber or similar so as not to damage the floor and to provide friction to keep the instrument in place. Generally, end-pins are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the instrument, but some cellists and bassists fit their instruments with a Tortelier-style end-pin, which angles more towards the floor, improving mobility at the expense of stability. Also, some endpins have a secondary extension. The end-pin also may have notches cut in it, allowing it to have extra holding strength at these points. This design is particularly common on string basses and beginner-level cellos. The former often require these because of their greater weight.
There are some problems associated with the end-pin. The pressure exerted on the instrument may cause the end-pin to slip on the floor which may cause accidents or at the very least prove a distraction to the musician. Pointed end-pins can cause damage to the floor. Especially susceptible to damage are tile and wooden floorings. Many floors bear evidence of this in the form of a multitude of small holes or chips. To prevent this, rubber tips, suction cups or end-pin holders with an adhesive tip facing the floor are used. However, these do not work on carpets. The end-pin may punch a hole in the carpet or cause it to tear. Also, it is possible that the sharp end-pin penetrates the rubber tip or a similar stopper. The end-pin holder can also be a strap or a string of which one end attaches to the end-pin and the other end is a loop or similar arrangement that can be attached to the musi cian’s chair. The problem with these kinds of end-pin holders is that the string is prone to entanglement. Also, it is practically impossible for a musician to change his or hers playing position during the concert.
Patent publication US 4018129 discloses an end-pin holder for cellos and other string instruments. The end-pin holder is a box-like structure having four legs in the corners of the structure. The main goal of this end-pin holder is to reinforce the sounds produced by the instrument and to improve its playing qualities. According to the publication, the end-pin of a string instrument, though necessary to enable playing from a sitting position, has a negative effect on the playing qualities of the instrument in that it acts as an acoustic leakage path between the instrument and the ground and thereby transmits vibrations thereto. This leakage dampens and otherwise impairs the tonal characteristics of the instrument. However, the described end-pin holder is not applicable all kinds of surfaces. It may not keep the instrument in its place during play. Also, it demands exact positioning before use. In addition, the publication hints that it is difficult to predetermine the optimum thickness of the top and back plates that will impart the desired resonance frequencies to the body of the instrument i.e. it is possible that the end-pin holder may have an undesirable effect on the sound of the instrument.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
The object of the invention is a solution that can significantly reduce the disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. In particular, the object of the invention is a solution that provides an end-pin holder that is secure, suitable for different types of surfaces, safe and allows for fast changes in position and does not influence the sound quality significantly.
The object of the invention is attained with an arrangement that is characterised by what is stated in the independent patent claim. Some advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.
In the invention an end-pin holder is formed that comprises at least four parts, a support part, two side parts and a central part, which parts are foldable on each other when storing or transporting the end-pin holder. The support part has several holes or other support structures for the end-pin of the instrument. The side parts are to be placed between the floor and some parts of the musician’s chair in order to keep the end-pin holder securely in place during play. The musician can safely change the position of the instrument by inserting the end-pin into another hole.
When reference is made in the text to the upper or the lower parts or respective directions, a situation is described in which the apparatus according to the invention is in its normal deployed configuration.
In one embodiment of the invention is an end-pin holder for a musical instrument that is played in a sitting position on a chair, and said musical instrument has an end-pin. In one advantageous embodiment of the invention the end-pin holder comprises at least four plate-like parts having each an top surface and a bottom surface, and when the end-pin holder is in use the bottom surfaces are towards the floor or a similar surface. The parts are a support part having a first end of the support part and a second end of the support part, a middle part having a first end of the middle part, a second end of the middle part, a first side of the middle part and a second side of the middle part, a first side part having two sides, a first end of the first side part and a second end of the first side part, and a second side part having two sides, a first end of the second side part and a second end of the second side part. The end-pin holder further comprises a first hinge arrangement between the first side of the middle part and a side of the first side part and a second hinge arrangement between the second side of the middle part and a side of the second side part and a third hinge arrangement between the second end of the support part and the first end of the middle part. The first side part and the second side part are configured to fold over the top surface of the middle part, and the support part is configured to fold over the top surface of the middle part. In the support part is a support structure on the top surface of the support part for receiving the end-pin and the support structure is configured to have several shapes for placing the instrument in different positions relative to the musician. The first side part and the second side part are configured in a way that they are between some part of the chair and the floor or similar surface when the end-pin holder is in use.
In one embodiment of the end-pin holder according to the invention the support structure is a multitude of holes or pits. These, and other shapes of the support structure, can be arranged in a geometrical pattern to make it easier to identify and find the right position for the instrument.
In a second embodiment of the end-pin holder according to the invention the first side part has a first stopping arrangement and the second side part has a second stopping arrangement, and the stopping arrangements serve to keep the end-pin holder in place in relation to the chair i.e. preventing the chair from sliding over the second ends of the side parts. In a third embodiment the first stopping arrangement and the second stopping arrangement are wall-like structures on the second ends of the side parts. The stopping arrangements can be customised for different types of chairs.
In a fourth embodiment of the end-pin holder according to the invention the third hinge arrangement is configured in a such way that there is a gap between the second part of the support part and the first end of the middle part, and the width of the gap equals at least the thickness of the side part.
In a fifth embodiment of the end-pin holder according to the invention the first hinge arrangement and the second hinge arrangement are configured in a such way that there is a first gap between the first side part and the middle part and a second gap between the second side part and the middle part, and the width of the first gap and the second gap at least equals the thickness of the support part.
In a sixth embodiment of the end-pin holder according to the invention the hinge arrangement providing the gap between parts is a double-hinged arrangement.
In a seventh embodiment of the end-pin holder according to the invention the support part is configured to comprise a first part of the support part and a second part of the support part, and between the first part of the support part and the second part of the support part is a fourth hinge arrangement that is configured in a such way that the upper surfaces of the first part of the support part and the second part of the support part are placed against each other when they are folded.
In an eighth embodiment of the end-pin holder according to the invention the hinge arrangements are fixed onto the upper surfaces of the parts.
In a ninth embodiment of the end-pin holder according to the invention the length of the support part or the length of the first part of the support part or the length of the second part of the support part is approximately equal to the length of the middle part.
In a tenth embodiment of the end-pin holder according to the invention the side parts are configured to fold over each other.
In an eleventh embodiment of the end-pin holder according to the invention the support part is configured to fold over the side parts, both of which also fold over the middle part.
In a twelfth embodiment of the end-pin holder according to the invention the shape of the support structure are placed at least partly symmetrically. The symmetry axis could be longitudinal or transverse in relation to the support part.
In a thirteenth embodiment of the end-pin holder according to the invention there is a folded position of the end-pin holder and in said position the other parts are folded over the middle part, and there is a sign on the bottom surface of the part that is topmost and the sign indicates the position in which the folded end-pin holder is to be placed to make the upper surfaces face away from the floor or a similar surface when the folded end-pin holder is unfolded. This sign makes it easier to position the folded end-pin holder on the floor in preparation for use. In some embodiments the sign indicates also the direction relative to the chair.
In a fourteenth embodiment of the end-pin holder according to the invention there is a marking arrangement that marks the preferred position for placing the instrument in the support structure. This marking arrangement could be for example a sleeve placed around a hole. Of course, there can be more than one sleeve or some other means of marking can be employed.
It is an advantage of the invention that it provides a solution where the position of the instrument is sturdy. It is applicable to different kinds of end-pins and instruments.
It is a further advantage of the invention that it protects the floor and other horizontal surfaces.
It is a further advantage of the invention that it makes it possible to change the position of the instrument even during a concert.
It is a further advantage of the invention that it makes it possible to have exactly similar positions for the instrument indifferent places.
An advantage is also that the end-pin holder is easy to transport and deploy. It also is safe and does not influence the sound of the instrument.
The end-pin holder according to invention can also used on an uneven surface, for example in a yard or on rocky surface, where it is normally inconvenient to find a good playing position.
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE FIGURES
In the following, the invention is described in detail. The description refers to the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 shows an example of an embodiment of an end-pin holder, and
Figure 2 shows a folding process of a second embodiment of an end-pin holder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE FIGURES
The embodiments in the following description are given as examples only and someone skilled in the art can carry out the basic idea of the invention also in some other way than what is described in the description. Though the description may refer to a certain embodiment or embodiments in several places, this does not mean that the reference would be directed towards only one described embodiment or that the described characteristic would be usable only in one described embodiment. The individual characteristics of two or more embodiments may be combined and new embodiments of the invention may thus be provided.
Figure 1 shows an example of an embodiment of an end-pin holder 100.There is an instrument 119 having an end-pin that is supported by the end-pin holder. In the figure are also some parts of a chair 120 that the musician of the instrument is sitting on. In the figure the end-pin holder is ready for use and it is examined from above.
In this example the end-pin holder 100 comprises five parts that are fixed to each other to form a foldable structure. The parts are a first part of the support part 101, a second part of the support part 102, a middle part 103, a first side part 104 and a second side part 106. The first part of the support part and the second part of the support part form together a support part 121. The parts are plate-like constructs and they have a top surface and a bottom surface. When the end-pin holder is in use, the bottom surfaces of the parts face the floor or some other surface and the top surfaces face upward. Of course, when transporting or folding the end-pin holder, the surfaces could face different directions. The material of the parts can be for example wood, plastic, carbon fibre or similar or some combination thereof. Advantageously the chosen material does not resonate or otherwise distort the sound of the instrument 119. The parts have first ends and seconds ends and sides. The ends are named in a way that when the end-pin holder is in use, the first ends are pointing away from the musician and second ends are pointing toward the musician. The first sides of the parts are left sides of the parts from the musician’s vantage point and the second sides of the parts are right sides of the parts from the musician’s vantage point.
The first part of the support part 101 has a first end of the first part of the support part 113 and a second end of the first part of the support part 114. The first end of the first part of the support part is also the first end of the support part 121. The second part of the support part 102 has a first end of the second part of the support part 115 and a second end of the first part of the support part 116. The second end of the second part of the support part is also the second end of the support part 121.
On the support part 121 is a support structure 112. The support structure is for receiving and holding the end-pin of the instrument 119. The support structure is configured to have several shapes for placing the instrument in different positions in relation to the musician. In this embodiment the shapes of the support structure are a multitude of pits on the top surface of the support part. There are pits on the first part of the support part 101 and they extend to the second part of the support part 102. Advantageously the pits or other shapes are placed in some geometrical pattern so as to make it easy for the musician to find the right position for the instrument. The favourite pit can be marked by a marking arrangement. This can be for example a sleeve or a similar removable appendage. The support structure can also comprise grooves or holes or similar shapes. It is essential that these shapes can receive the end-pin and provide support for it so the instrument stays in the desired position. Advantageously the shapes are such that moving the end-pin is easy but they still reliably secure the instrument.
Between the first part of the support part 101 and the second part of the support part 102 is a fourth hinge arrangement 111. The first part of the support part can be folded over the second part of the support part in such a way that the top surfaces of both parts are facing each other.
The middle part 103has a first end of the middle part 117, a second end of the middle part 118, a first side of the middle part 123 and a second side of the middle part 124. The middle part is fixed to the support part 121 with a third hinge arrangement 110. In this embodiment the third hinge arrangement is a double hinge. There is a first barrel pivot and a second barrel pivot and a hinge plate between them. The third hinge arrangement is fixed in such a way that the first barrel pivot is on the first end of the middle part 117 and the second barrel pivot is on the second end of the support part 116 (i.e. the second end of the second part of the support part). The middle part rotates in relation to the hinge plate and the support part rotates in relation to the hinge plate. Due to the hinge plate there is a gap 122 between the middle part and the support part. The width of the gap depends on how the end-pin holder is folded. Its width equals at least the thickness of some part. When the end-pin holder is folded i.e. the parts are folded over the middle part, the third hinge arrangement provides necessary spacing between the support part and the top surface of the middle part. In one embodiment the side parts are folded over the middle part and the support part is in turn folded over them. There is also an embodiment where the first part of the support part 101 is folded over the second part of the support part 102 and both are then folded over the middle part and then the side parts are folded over the support part. The hinge arrangements can be conventional metal or plastic hinges but naturally they can be contructions made of cloth or leather or similar material. Essential is that the hinge arrangements allow parts to move in relation to each other.
The first side part 104 has two sides, a first end of the first side part and a second end of the first side part. On the first side part is a first stopping arrangement 105. The stopping arrangement serves to prevent the chair 120, that is placed on the end-pin holder 100, from sliding off the second end of the first side part. The stopping arrangement in this embodiment is a wall-like structure on the second end of the first side part. Naturally, there are many embodiments for the stopping arrangement. Of course, the stopping arrangement could be implemented by selecting a material for the side part that provides sufficient friction between the chair and the side part for so as to prevent undesirable movement when the end-pin holder is in use. In some embodiments the stopping arrangement is configured to fit some shaping for example on the middle part when the end-pin holder is folded. Between the first side part and the middle part is a first hinge arrangement 108. The first hinge arrangement is fixed to the second side of the first side part and the first side of the middle part 123. The first side part can be folded over the middle part. In some embodiments the first hinge arrangement is a double hinge.
The second side part 106 has two sides, a first end of the second side part and a second end of the second side part. The second side part has a second stopping arrangement 107. The second stopping arrangement is similar to the first stopping arrangement. Between the second side part and the middle part is a second hinge arrangement 109. The second hinge arrangement is fixed to the first side of the second side part and the second side of the middle part 124. The second side part can be folded over the middle part. In some embodiments the second hinge arrangement is a double hinge.
In some embodiments there is some stopping arrangements on the middle part 103.
Hinge arrangements are fixed onto the top surfaces of the parts or in such a way that the bottom surfaces of the parts form a flat surface i.e. there are no protrusions under the end-pin holder 100 when it is prepared for use.
There are embodiments where the length of the support part, i.e. the distance from the first end to the second end, or the length of the first part of the support part 101 or the length of the second part 102 of the support part approximately equals the length of the middle part 103. This prevents the support part from extending over the second end of the middle part 118 and thus makes moving and storing the folded end-pin holder easier. In this example the length of the whole support part is twice the length of the middle part 103.
When the end-pin holder 100 is in a folded position i.e. the other parts are folded over the middle part 103, there is a sign on the bottom surface of the part that is topmost. The sign indicates the position in which the folded end-pin holder is to be placed in order to make the upper surfaces face away from the floor or a similar surface when the folded end-pin holder is opened for use.
When preparing the end-pin holder 100 for use it is placed on a surface and opened if it is still folded. The chair 120 is placed on the end-pin holder in such a way that some parts of the chair rest on some part of the end-pin holder. Those parts are the side parts and the middle part. When the musician sits on the chair the parts of the chair placed on the end-pin holder apply pressure on the end-pin holder, holding it in place. To enhance this effect the stopping arrangements can further hold the chair stationary. The sitting musician then places the end-pin of the instrument into the support structure 112 to achieve a position that the musician considers optimal.
Figure 2 shows a second example of an embodiment of an end-pin holder 200 and the process of folding the end-pin holder. The end-pin holder is seen from above. The end-pin holder comprises a first part of the support part 201, a second part of the support part 202, a middle part 203, a first side part 204 and a second side part 205. Four hinge arrangements are used here for fixing the parts to each other. The first part of the support part and the second part of the support part are fixed to each other. The first side part is fixed to the middle part. The second side part is also fixed to the middle part. The second part of the support part is fixed to the middle part and between them is a gap 206. The fixing arrangement is practically similar to that was described in the embodiment of figure 1.
In figure 2a the end-pin holder 200 is ready for use. The top surfaces of the parts are visible.
In figure 2b the first side part 204 is folded over the middle part 203. In figure 2c the second side part 205 is folded both over the middle part and the first side part.
In figure 2d the first part of the support part 201 is folded over the second part of the support part 202, leaving a wholly folded support part. The hinge arrangement between the support part and the middle part 203 is configured in such a way that there is a gap 206. The hinge arrangement could be a double hinge as was described earlier. The width of the gap in this embodiment equals the combined thickness of the first side part 204 and the second side part 205. Due to this, when the folded support part is folded over the middle part, the first side part and the second side part as shown in figure 2e, the support part lays smoothly over them. The end-pin holder 200 is now in a completely folded configuration. If there is a sign that indicates the upward position for the folded end-pin holder, it is in this embodiment on the bottom surface of the second part of the support part 202.
Some advantageous embodiments of the method and device according to the invention have been described above. The invention is however not limited to the embodiments described above, but the inventive idea can be applied in numerous ways within the scope of the claims.
权利要求:
Claims (15)
[1] 1. An end-pin holder (100; 200) for a musical instrument (119) that is played in a sitting position on a chair (120), and said musical instrument has an end-pin, characterised in that the end-pin holder comprises at least four plate-like parts having each an top surface and a bottom surface, and when the end-pin holder is in use the bottom surfaces are towards the floor or similar surface, and the parts are
- a support part (121) having a first end of the support part (113) and a second end of the support part (116)
- a middle part (103; 203) having a first end of the middle part (117), a second end of middle part (118), a first side of the middle part (123) and a second side of the middle part (124)
- a first side part (104; 204) having two sides, a first end of the first side part and a second end of the first side part
- a second side part (106; 205) having two sides, a first end of the second side part and a second end of the second side part, and there is a first hinge arrangement (108) between the first side of the middle part and a side of the first side part and a second hinge arrangement (109) between the second side of the middle part and a side of the second side part and a third hinge arrangement (110) between the support part second end and the middle part first end, and the first side part and the second side part are configured to fold over the top surface of the middle part, and the support part is configured to fold over the top surface of the middle part, and in the support part is a support structure (112) on the top surface of the support part for receiving the end-pin and the support structure is configured to have several shapes for placing the instrument in different positions relative to the musician, and the first side part and the second side part are configured in a way that they are between some part of the chair and the floor or similar surface when the end-pin holder is in use.
[2] 2. The end-pin holder (100; 200) according to claim 1, characterised in that the support structure (112) is a multitude of holes or pits.
[3] 3. The end-pin holder (100; 200) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the first side part (104; 204) has a first stopping arrangement (105) and the second side part (106; 205) has a second stopping arrangement (107), and the stopping arrangements serve to keep the end-pin holder in place in relation to the chair (120) i.e. preventing the chair from sliding over the second ends of the side parts.
[4] 4. The end-pin holder (100; 200) according to claim 3, characterised in that the first stopping arrangement (105) and the second stopping arrangement (107) are wall-like structures on the second ends of the side parts.
[5] 5. The end-pin holder (100; 200) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the third hinge arrangement (110) is configured in a such way that there is a gap (122; 206) between the second end of the support part (116) and the first end of the middle part (117), and the width of the gap equals at least the thickness of the side part.
[6] 6. The end-pin holder (100; 200) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the first hinge arrangement (108, 109) and the second hinge arrangement are configured in a such way that there is a first gap between the first side part (104; 204) and the middle part (103; 203) and a second gap between the second side part (106; 205) and the middle part, and the width of the first gap and the second gap at least equals the thickness of the support part.
[7] 7. The end-pin holder (100; 200) according to claims 5 or 6, characterised in that in the hinge arrangement (110) providing the gap (122; 206) is a doublehinged arrangement.
[8] 8. The end-pin holder (100; 200)according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the support part (121) is configured to comprise a first part of the support part (101; 201) and a second part ofthe support part (102; 202), and between the first part of the support part and the second part of the support part is a fourth hinge arrangement (111) that is configured in a such way that the upper surfaces of the first part of the support part and the second part of the support part are placed against each other when they are folded.
[9] 9. The end-pin holder (100; 200) according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the hinge arrangements (108, 109, 110, 111) are fixed onto the upper surfaces of the parts.
[10] 10. The end-pin holder (100; 200) according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the length of the support part (121) or the length of the first part of the support part (101; 201) or the length of the second part of the support part (102; 202) is approximately equal to the length of the middle part (103; 203).
[11] 11. The end-pin holder (100; 200) according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the side parts (104, 106; 204, 205) are configured to fold over each other.
[12] 12. The end-pin holder (100; 200) according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the support part (121) is configured to fold over the side parts (104, 106; 204, 205) which also fold over the middle part (103; 203).
[13] 13. The end-pin holder (100; 200) according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the shapes of the support structure (112) are placed at least partly symmetrically.
[14] 14. The end-pin holder (100; 200) according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that there is a folded position of the end-pin holder and in said position other parts are folded over the middle part (103; 203), and there is a sign on the bottom surface of the part that is topmost and the sign indicates the position in which the folded end-pin holder is to be placed to make the upper surfaces face away from the floor or a similar surface when the folded end-pin holder is unfolded.
[15] 15. The end-pin holder (100; 200) according to any of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that there is a marking arrangement that is configured to mark the preferred shape for placing the instrument (119) in the support structure (112).
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同族专利:
公开号 | 公开日
FI20177127A|2018-12-18|
FI128240B|2020-01-15|
引用文献:
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