Abstract: Embodiments of the inventive technology relate generally to item support apparatus. Although a focus of the inventive technology may, in some embodiments, be on support of musical related items such as musical instruments, keyboards, and sound speakers, the scope of the inventive technology and its applicability is not necessarily limited as such. In various embodiments, certain inventive technology provides enhanced functionality (e.g., stand adjustability), robust and simplified design (e.g., as may be found in a retention augmented item stand), enhanced performance (as may be found in a telescoping tube lock apparatus), and an ability to more easily control the elevation and lowering of heavy, stand supported items such as speakers.

Abstract: The inventive technology may relate to a retention apparatus (1) that in at least one embodiment comprises a compression sleeve element (2) established at least partially 5 around portions of a first elongated member (6) that telescopes from a larger elongated member (8) in which it may nest. A relative motion obstruction element (4) may disallow only certain types of motion, e.g., rotational and axial, of the compression sleeve element relative to the elongated members around which it may be at least partially established. As it instead may be the compression enhancement element (3)—which may be used to generate a retaining compression force element—that prevents perpendicular displacement of the compression sleeve element, deactivation and effective disengagement of the compression enhancement element may allow for a quick removal of the compression sleeve element without requiring that it be slid off an end of either elongated member.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the inventive technology may be a support apparatus that includes at least two item support rails supported by support legs coupled thereto by pivot coupler apparatus that enable rotatable motion of a coupled support rail about a substantially vertical axis, where at least one of the item support rails is a non-horizontal item support rail, and where a cable passes through at least a portion of one or more of the support rails. In certain embodiments, the couplers may be height adjust couplers that enable substantially purely vertical, translatory height adjustment of coupled support rails and/or the couplers may couple item support rails to rail support legs at an angle other than ninety degrees. Items that may be supported include but are not limited to electronic percussion instruments.

Abstract: Inventive musical instrument support apparatus and methods relative to independently inventive aspects of support technology. One aspect of the inventive technology may be directed to a collapsible musical instrument stand such as a guitar stand that includes a support element that exhibits an enhanced low profile in a retracted mode. Another aspect of the invention may focus on provision of the capability of simultaneous deployment and retraction of an assembly of multiple musical instrument supports upon reconfiguration of only one of the supports. Inventive musical instrument support stands may include either or both of the individually inventive aspects.

Abstract: Microphone stand attachment systems to attach a support base to a longitudinal axial element easily, quickly and securely. An attachment guide may include a threaded plug and a support base may include a threaded socket. In embodiments, a male tapered flange may frictionally lock with a female tapered element of a socket to secure a longitudinal axial element to a support base. Specific attachment structures, in embodiments, are also described, as are various plugs, tapers, sockets and methods of attaching a support base to a longitudinal axial element.

Abstract: A reducible support system for supporting various items is presented in various embodiments. A reducible support structure, may comprise an operation element which may be attached to an orthogonal element. Limbs, such as a tripod, may be attached to the operation element and a plug element may provide a slide so that the limbs or tripod may open and collapse easily.

Abstract: Apparatus for and associated methods of controlling movement of a microphone that may be held in some manner by a microphone support boom. More specifically, the invention focuses upon novel techniques for isolating yaw of a microphone support boom from the microphone stand that may provide a majority of the height required for a desired microphone spatial positioning. The invention also focuses on apparatus that may be used achieve preferential isolation of microphone support boom yaw with respect to motion in any other microphone support boom degree of freedom. A specific type of apparatus that may be used to achieve this preferential isolation—the double conical clutch—is also an aspect of the inventive technology.

Abstract: A reducible support system for supporting various items is presented in various embodiments. A reducible support structure, may comprise an operation element which may be attached to an orthogonal element. Limbs, preferably a tripod may be attached to the operation element and a plug element may provide a slide so that the limbs or tripod may open and collapse easily.

Abstract: A reducible support system for supporting various items is presented in various embodiments. A reducible support structure, may comprise an operation element which may be attached to an orthogonal element. Limbs, preferably a tripod may be attached to the operation element and a plug element may provide a slide so that the limbs or tripod may open and collapse easily.

Abstract: Apparatus for and associated methods of controlling movement of a microphone that may be held in some manner by a microphone support boom are disclosed. More specifically, the invention focuses upon novel techniques for isolating yaw of a microphone support boom from the microphone stand that may provide a majority of the height required for a desired microphone spatial positioning. The invention also focuses on apparatus that may be used achieve preferential isolation of microphone support boom yaw with respect to motion in any other microphone support boom degree of freedom. A specific type of apparatus that may be used to achieve this preferential isolation—the double conical clutch—is also an aspect of the inventive technology.

Abstract: The present invention may provide a support assistive device for a user having a frame assembly (1), a vertical pelvis support element (2) connected to the frame assembly which may primarily support the ischial tuberosities (34), and a horizontal pelvis support element (3) which may primarily support the anterior superior iliac spines (35) of a pelvis (1a). It may provide such support with minimal or no hand or arm support. By supporting on the anterior superior iliac spine (35) on either side, a moment can be created to assist in turning even without the use of hands by simply turning the direction of the pelvis (1a). The created moment of the present invention is more natural to the user in turning the pelvis and as a result the device. The present invention may also provide a fluidic braking assembly (53) for any rotatable elements (48), which can be advantaged to assist a user in supplying an increase of force to actuate the braking action.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the field of restraint systems. Specifically, it relates to clamp restraint systems to achieve the restraint of a particular object, which may be particularly applicable to systems requiring the various and frequent adjustment of the clamped object. More particularly, the invention may relate to clamping systems providing force optimization and direction, facilitating varying degrees of adjustment, and coordinated or varying adjustment of multiple clamped objects within a more complex construction or framework. The invention may be particularly applicable to systems for clamping particular support elements or parts of racks, shelves, stands, or desks, and more particularly, may be particularly applicable for music instrument stands or racks, bicycle stands, and dental racks and stands.

Abstract: A high strength, engineered collapsible support has separate shear bearing surfaces and pivot elements which permit efficient manufacture and higher strength. Unitary brace attachment is achieved with designs which can be molded and yet both efficiently manufactured and made acceptably strong such that heavy items such as performance or commercial speakers can be mounted stably. An extendible sleeve permits adjustment; a semiautomatic as well as manual clutch assembly permits quick securement of the top mast to the tripod; compression rings allow a secure fitting to be established between various pieces; leg upper end caps allow the legs of the tripod to be coupled to the main mast of the tripod; an end plug can serve to reduce the number of parts necessary to couple the various leg braces to the bottom of the main mast. Strength is achieved through multiple shear surfaces located at a distance from a pivot retention element and with parallel braces.

Abstract: A support assistive device for a user having a frame assembly, a vertical pelvis support element connected to the frame assembly which may primarily support the user in the ischial tuberosity region, and a horizontal pelvis support element which may primarily support the anterior superior iliac spine region of a pelvis. It may provide such support with minimal or no hand or arm support. By supporting on the anterior superior iliac spine on either side, a moment can be created to assist in turning even without the use of hands by simply turning the direction of the pelvis. The created moment of the present invention is more natural to the user in turning the pelvis and as a result the device. Additionally, a fluidic braking assembly for any rotatable elements is provided, which can be advantaged to assist a user in supplying an increase of force to actuate the braking action.

Abstract: An instrument support system having positive locking mechanisms to substantially fix the position of articulated members. One embodiment of the invention uses radially opposed force receiving surfaces to lock pivot members and to distribute the inherent and operational forces transmitted to the radially opposed force receiving surfaces to multiple vectors. Another embodiment of the invention juxtaposes antagonist locking surfaces to hold dual position support members in a storage position. A restraining collar is also disclosed having operation position and storage position locking detents and a releasably coupled collar closure.