Case

Abstract

A case (1) for a musical instrument, in particular a stringed instrument, in particular a guitar, having means (3) for displaying the humidity inside case (1). The air temperature inside case (1) may be also be displayed by display (4), so that case (1) need not be opened to check displays for humidity and temperature inside case (1). Both humidity and temperature may be read from the same hygrometer (2) in one or more embodiments of the invention. Means may be provided by eg. a moist sponge inside case (1) to maintain air humidity inside case (1). Displays (3) and (4) may be analog or digital or both.

Description

The invention is a case for musical instruments, preferably for guitars or other stringed instruments, requiring a certain air humidity when the content or contents are stored or transported.

Guitar cases may have provision for keeping the air inside sufficiently humid to protect the wood of the guitar from becoming too dry. A damp sponge or other element in the case may keep the air sufficiently humid. A hygrometer may be kept inside the case to monitor the humidity. To read the hygrometer, the case must be opened which allows the humid air to escape, which is undesirable if the guitar is not going to be played. Several cases with guitars may be stored at home or eg. in a guitar shop or warehouse. These must be opened every time the humidity in the cases is to be checked. The air may contain too much humidity for the wood or other contents. This amount of humidity should also be monitored.

It is the purpose of the invention to provide a case whose internal air humidity, eg. percentage of relative humidity, may be checked without opening the case.

A hygrometer which displays the amount of air humidity inside the case is positioned or attached inside the case in such a way that the display showing the air humidity can be read through an opening or openings in the case, from outside the case, without opening the case. There may also be provision for showing air temperature inside the case. This is attached within the case with its display being read through an opening, from outside the case. Both humidity and temperature may be read through the same opening or window in one or more embodiments. Both may be read from the same hygrometer unit. At least one element such as eg. a damp sponge may be housed inside the case, eg. in the accessory compartment, to maintain air humidity within the case.

A transparent window or windows on the case may protect the display or displays from abuse and weather, allowing the display of humidity or relative humidity to be read through the window. A cover on the case may be provided over the display or the window, which may be opened to read the display. The case may have an analog display or a digital, eg. LCD display, or both. The display or displays may be attached to the case, separate from the hygrometer but connected to it, in one or more embodiments. A display, eg an LCD display may, in one embodiment, be switched from humidity to temperature.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described in the description and the drawing.

FIG. 1 shows a bottom view of a guitar case.

FIG. 1 shows a bottom view of guitar case 1. A hygrometer 2 having digital displays 3 showing air humidity and 4 showing air temperature 4 inside case 1 is attached to the inside of case 1. Window 5 made of transparent polycarbonate plastic is attached to case 1 and protects displays 3 and 4 from outside influences. Hygrometer 2 is attached to the inside of case 1 where the guitar inside case 1 does not interfere with hygrometer unit 2. A damp sponge (not shown) is stored in the accessory compartment (not shown) in case 1 to maintain air humidity inside case 1.

Claims

1. A case, preferably a case for a musical instrument, preferably for at least one guitar, wherein means is provided for indicating air humidity inside said case (1) without having to open said case (1) to view said means for indicating said air humidity.

2. A case as in claim 1 wherein said means for indicating said air humidity is activated by a hygrometer (2).

3. A case as in claims 1 and 2 wherein said means for indicating air humidity is at least one display (3).

4. A case as in claims 1-3 wherein said at least one display (3) is an analog display (3).

5. A case as in claim 1-3 wherein said at least one display (3) is a digital display (3).

6. A case as in claims 1-5 wherein means is provided for displaying air temperature inside said case without opening said case.