Hinged stand with breakaway action

Abstract

The present invention provides a hinged stand for supporting an article, which includes a first member that includes a first support recess and a first bearing surface; a second member that includes a second support recess and a second bearing surface; and a breakaway hinged connection between the first and second members, which includes a hinge; and a first bias to constrain the first and second members at an operational non-zero angle relative to one another about the hinge. Another embodiment provides a hinged stand for supporting an article, which includes a first member that includes a hinge pin, a first support recess, and a first bearing surface; and a second member that includes a hook-shaped hinge support, a second support recess, and a second bearing surface; wherein the hook-shaped hinge support is adapted to receive the hinge pin, the hook-shaped hinge support and hinge pin cooperating to provide a breakaway hinged connection between the first and second members. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method, which includes contacting, supporting, or displaying at least one article selected from the group including a musical instrument, stringed musical instrument, guitar, book, sign, picture, placard, display case, and painting with the hinged stand.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design Patent Application Serial No. 29 / 193,721, filed Nov. 13, 2003, pending, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a hinged stand for supporting or displaying an article. More particularly, the present invention relates to a hinged stand for supporting or displaying a musical instrument, e.g., a guitar or other stringed instrument. [0004] 2. Related Art [0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,282 discloses a guitar stand with a tripod-like structure having three rods, two of which are pivotable within a clamping band. U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,021 discloses a compact collapsible guitar stand with support legs connected to a T-hinge assembly. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,058,850 and 5,388,798 disclose easels, which are formed from a flat, generally diamond-shaped unitary member. U.S. Pat. N...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Such stands, however, are often large and bulky and are difficult to transport and store.

Even when these types of stands are broken down or disassembled, they occupy a large volume or have an awkward shape, which makes them difficult to transport and store.

The awkward or bulky disassembled form is also subject to damage during storage or transport, for example, in the case of a traveling musical group.

Such stands are easily and irreversibly broken, for example, when accidentally knocked over or stepped upon.

Collapsible stands and folding stands are known, but they do not solve the problems outlined above.

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