MUSIC STAND EXTENSION PANEL

Abstract

A music stand extension panel for placement onto a music stand, comprising a main support plate having a width of at least approximately 35 inches, and a support ledge, wherein the main support plate and support ledge form a rigid construction.

Description

BACKGROUND

Music stands have been used for centuries to support sheet music. Typical music stands support two sheets, with a maximum of three if the sheets partially overlap and with the outer sheets hanging over at each side. In certain situations it is desirable to place additional sheets on the music stand. Music stand extensions are available to extend the desk width of the music stand. Certain music stand extensions consist of wings that are attached to the music stand so as to slide or hinge outwards to increase the desk space. However these wings are compatible with only a small range of music stands. In studios, Masonite™ or particle boards are known to be used for placement on the music stands. These boards can be thick and heavy. For example, it may be cumbersome to attach a standard music stand light to the board. Also, the boards are known to wear out at the corners and their support surface becomes pitted in time. Other music stand extensions are of a light weight foldable type. These tend to be unstable when positioned on the music stand.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of a perspective view of an example of a music stand extension panel placed onto a music stand;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view on a back of the example music stand extension panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the example music stand extension panel of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the example music stand extension panel of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective, exploded view on a front of an example of a music stand extension panel;

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart of an example of a method of manufacturing a music stand extension panel; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart of another example of a method of manufacturing a music stand extension panel.

DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. The examples in the description and drawings should be considered illustrative and are not intended as limiting to the specific example or element described. Multiple examples can be derived from the following description and drawings through modification, combination or variation of the different elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of a music stand 1 and a music stand extension panel 3 placed onto the music stand 1. The music stand 1 includes at least one support leg 5 and a desk 7. The desk 7 is attached to the support leg 5 in such a way to allow a desk angle to be reset. In the drawing, only the contour of the desk 7 is shown, in dotted lines, because the music stand extension panel 3 is placed on top of the desk 7. The support leg 5 may include a leg portion 9 and a foot portion 11. The foot portion 11 may include a tri-pod or a larger foot surface or the like. The desk 7 of the music stand 1 is to support sheet music. The desk 7 includes a desk back surface 13 and a desk lip 15. The desk lip 15 is to support bottom edges of sheet music and the desk back surface 13 is to support back surfaces of sheet music. The desk 7 may be inclined to a convenient angle wherein the inclination may be predefined or adjustable, depending on the music stand manufacturer.

The music stand extension panel 3 is illustrated in a perspective view in FIGS. 1 and 2, in a front view in FIG. 3 and in a side view in FIG. 4. The music stand extension panel 3 includes a main support plate 17 and a support ledge 19 that runs along a complete long edge 21 of the main support plate 17. The main support plate 17 and the support ledge 19 form a rigid construction. The main support plate 17 and the support ledge 19 may form a rigid, single cast, solid mass, hence providing for a robust panel 3. The ledge 19 aids in keeping a stable position on the music stand 1 and supporting additional sheet music. To that end, the ledge 19 may be substantially flat. For example the main support plate 17 and the support ledge 19 have a fixed angle of approximately 90 degrees. Hence, the panel 3 may be substantially L-shaped in a side view (FIG. 4). The support surface of the main support plate 17 consists of a substantially even surface, void of cracks, holes, screws, hinges or other protrusions or depressions, to facilitate writing on music sheets during sessions or rehearsals, without damaging the sheet music. Also the bottom surface and support surface of the ledge 19 may consist of a substantially even surface.

The long edge of the main support plate 17 has a width W of at least approximately 35 inches, for example between approximately 35 and approximately 72 inches, for example between approximately 38 and approximately 44 inches, for example approximately 40 inches. In one example, the main support plate 17 has a height H of between approximately 10 and approximately 20 inches, for example between approximately 12 and approximately 18 inches, for example approximately 14 inches. The extended width W may allow for placement of a relatively high number of sheets, for example at least four, at least five, at least six, or at least seven standard or oversize pages, while maintaining a stable and ready placement of the extension panel 3 on a music stand 1. The height H may readily support most standard or oversized sheet music pages.

The ledge 19 protrudes from the main support plate 17 over a depth D. The depth D is between approximately 1.7 and approximately 2.4 inches, for example between approximately 1.8 and approximately 2.2 inches, for example approximately 2 inches. The depth D of the ledge 19 may provide for enough space to readily place pencils, bows, tuners or other accessories, thereby inhibiting potential dropping of these accessories on the ground, which could disrupt a studio recording, while maintaining a stable position on a music stand lip 15.

In an example light emitters may be embedded in the ledge 19 to emit light onto the fronts of sheet music placed on the panel 3. In another example detachable light emitters may be provided as separate accessories.

The general contour of the main support plate 17 is rectangular, as best seen in FIG. 3. The music stand extension panel 3 can have four unsharpened corners. For example, the corners are rounded. For example the corners have a radius R of between approximately 0.06 inches and 0.16 inches, for example approximately 0.125 inches. In another example the corners are truncated, for example at an approximately 45° angle.

In one example the main support plate 17 and the ledge 19 comprise aluminum. In a further example the main support plate 17 and the ledge 19 substantially consist of said aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The ledge 19 may be bent with respect to the main support plate 17 at manufacturing stage. Thereby the panel 3 may form a continuous, bent surface. The support plate 17 and ledge 19 may have a thickness of between 0.03 and approximately 0.05 inches, for example approximately 0.04 inches. The music stand extension panel 3 may be comprised of a cut aluminum sheet, for example cut to shape out of standard size aluminum sheets for example of 48 inches by 72 inches having a 0.04 inch gauge. Such solid aluminum music sheet extension panel 3 may provide for a suitable weight and stability when placed on a music stand.

A further example of a music stand extension panel 3 is illustrated in a perspective, exploded view in FIG. 5. Sound insulating material 23 can be attached to a back of the main support plate 17 and a bottom of the ledge 19. A part of the sound insulating material 23 that extends at the back and bottom of the panel 3 is illustrated in dotted lines. The sound insulating sheet may prevent metal-on-metal contact sounds between a music stand 1 and the music stand extension panel 3. Such sounds are easily picked up by microphones during recording and are best avoided. In different examples, the insulating material 23 can be a sheet of fabric, sprayed-on or flocked material, plastic, felt or elastomeric sheet material. When applied to the back and bottom of the plate 17 and ledge 19, respectively, a side-view of the sound insulating material 23 may has an L-shape equal or similar to the L-shape of the panel 3. The sound insulating material 23 on the back and bottom may allow that the panel 3 can be displaced over the music stand desk in a sliding manner, relatively quietly. In one example a substantially continuous patch of sound insulating material 23 is applied to the back and bottom of the plate 17 and ledge 19, respectively. In another example separate patches are applied to the back and bottom of the plate 17 and ledge 19, respectively. In yet another example, only part of the back and/or bottom of the panel 3 is provided with sound insulating material 23. For example only the back of the main surface plate 17 is provided with sound insulating material 23 or only the bottom of the ledge 19 is provided with sound insulating material 23.

The sheet of sound insulating material 23 may cover most or all of the back and bottom of the main surface plate 17 and the bottom ledge 19, respectively. In one example, the sound insulating material 23 on the back surface may include magnet attracting components such as magnets that have a magnetic force strong enough to attract opposite pole magnets that are on the front surface of the main surface plate 17 through the plate 17. Such opposite pole magnets can be used for retaining sheet music.

The music sheet extension panel 3 may painted, coated or powder coated in a dark color, for example black, for example flat black. For example the music sheet extension panel 3 is flat black to provide for contrast with standard white sheet music and avoid reflections. In another example, magnet attracting components such as a steel coating can be applied to the front surface of the main surface plate 17 to allow for magnets to be attracted. Such magnet attracting components may be included in the point or powder coating.

In a further example, a total weight of the music stand extension panel is between approximately 2 pounds (approximately 0.9 kg) and approximately 4 pounds (approximately 1.8 kg), for example between approximately 2.5 pounds (approximately 1.1 kg) and approximately 3.5 pounds (approximately 1.6 kg), for example approximately 3 pounds (approximately 1.4 kg). In again a further example these weights correspond to using aluminum plate material for the panel 3.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart of an example of a method of manufacturing a music stand extension panel. The method includes providing a rigid plate having a thickness of between approximately 0.03 and 0.05 inches (block 100). The plate may comprise aluminum plate material. The method includes cutting the plate so as to have a long edge of approximately 35 to 72 inches and a short edge of between approximately 12 and 22 inches (block 110). The method includes forming a ledge by bending the plate over approximately 90 degrees over a line parallel to the long edge at between approximately 1.7 and 2.4 inches distance from said long edge (block 130). The method may further include attaching a sheet of sound insulating material to a bottom and/or back of the panel, for example substantially the entire bottom and back surface of the ledge and main surface plate, respectively (block 140).

A flow chart of another example method of manufacturing a music stand extension panel is illustrated in FIG. 7. The method may include providing a 48 by 72 inches rigid aluminum plate of 0.4 inches thick (block 200). In an example, the method includes cutting the plate to obtain at least one approximately 40 by approximately 16 inch plate (block 210). In a further example, the method includes truncating corners at an approximately 45° angle (block 220). In yet another example, the ledge is bent over an approximately 90° angle to obtain a ledge of approximately 2 inches (block 230). In a further example, the corners are further unsharpened, for example rounded, for example by cutting or grinding (block 240). In a further example, the resulting panel is sanded (block 250), at least at the main surface plate's front support surface and at the edges. In one example the sanding may facilitate better primer and/or paint and/or powder coating adhesion. In another example, edges of the panel are sanded to remove remaining sharp or jagged edges. In a further example, the resulting panel is cleaned (block 260), for example from grease and particles. In a further example, the resulting panel is heated (block 270), for example using ultraviolet radiation such as natural sunlight. In a further example, the panel is primed (block 280), dried, and subsequently painted black or powder coated (block 290), for example flat black, and dried again. In a further example sound insulating material is applied (block 300) to a back surface of the panel and a bottom surface of the ledge, to cover a back and bottom of the panel. In one example flocks of fabric or other suitable material are disposed onto the back and bottom in a process that is referred to as flocking. In another example, a sheet of sound insulating material is cut to fit the surfaces of the panel. The sound insulating material may include fabric, felt, plastics, elastomer, or any other suitable sound insulating material. The sound insulating sheet is applied to a back and bottom of the panel, for example by using glue and subsequently rolling over the material with a roller. When multiple panels have gone through at least some of the previous example manufacturing steps, the panels may be stacked using waxed paper between the panels, for example to press the sound insulating material more firmly into the glue and to dry the glue (block 310) while avoiding sticking of consecutively stacked panels. In a further example excess sound insulating material on the panel surfaces is removed (block 320), for example manually and/or using a rotary or other cutting device.

The music stand extension panel allows for a musician to open and place additional pages of sheet music at once onto the music stand extension panel, reducing page turns, for example up to a total of at least 5 pages, at least 6 or at least 7 pages. Page turns may disrupt studio recordings and may be prevented, at least to some extent, with the music stand extension panel of this disclosure. There may be enough space for separate pages that are not bound together.

The music stand extension panel of this disclosure may fit onto any standard music stand, including foldable music stands. The music stand extension panel can be made of aluminum and can therefore be light weight. Several extension panels can be lifted at a time by a wide range of people, for example 15 to 20 panels at a time. The shape allows for easy stacking of the panels, for example for transport or storage. At the same time the extension panel is robust enough to not be easily damaged by falling, bumping, etc. and can be stably positioned on the music stand.

As noted at the beginning of this description, the examples shown in the figures and described above illustrate but do not limit the invention. Other examples are possible. Therefore, the foregoing description should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A music stand extension panel for placement onto a music stand, comprising

a main support plate having a width of at least approximately 35 inches, and

a support ledge along a long edge of the main support plate, wherein the main support plate and support ledge form a rigid construction.

2. The music stand extension panel of claim 1, the main support plate having a substantially rectangular contour of between approximately 35 and approximately 72 inches wide and between approximately 12 and approximately 22 inches high.

3. The music stand extension panel of claim 1 wherein

the ledge extends along an entire long edge of the main support plate, and

a depth of the ledge is between approximately 1.7 and approximately 2.4 inches.

4. The music stand extension panel of claim 1 wherein the main support plate and the ledge are formed out of a single solid mass.

5. The music stand extension panel of claim 1 wherein the main support plate and the ledge comprise aluminum.

6. The music stand extension panel of claim 1 wherein a support side of the main support plate consists of a substantially even surface.

7. The music stand extension panel of claim 1 comprising sound insulating material applied to a back of the main support plate.

8. The music stand extension panel of claim 1 comprising sound insulating material applied to a back of the main support plate and a bottom of the ledge.

9. The music stand extension panel of claim 1 wherein the main support plate and ledge have a thickness of between approximately 0.03 and approximately 0.05 inches.

10. The music stand extension panel of claim 1 having a total weight of between approximately 2 and approximately 4 pounds.

11. The music stand extension panel of claim 1 having four unsharpened corners.

12. The music stand extension panel of claim 1 wherein the main support plate comprises a metal coating on its support surface.

13. A method of manufacturing a music stand extension panel, comprising

cutting a plate having a thickness of between approximately 0.03 and 0.05 inches so as to have a long edge of between approximately 35 and approximately 72 inches and a short edge of between approximately 12 and approximately 22 inches, and

forming a ledge by bending the plate over approximately 90 degrees over a line parallel to the long edge at between approximately 1.7 and approximately 2.4 inches distance from said long edge.

14. The method of claim 13, comprising applying sound insulating material to a main back surface of the panel.

15. The method of claim 13 comprising applying sound insulating material to a back of the main back surface and a bottom of the ledge.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the plate comprises aluminum.

17. The method of claim 18 wherein the panel is painted or coated with a dark color.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein the panel is at least one of

sanded,

cleaned,

heated, and

primed.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein multiple panels are stacked with waxed paper in between.

20. A solid panel to form a music stand extension for placement onto a music stand, comprising

a main support plate having a length of between approximately 35 and approximately 72 inches and a height of between approximately 10 and approximately 20 inches, and

a ledge extending along a long edge of the main support plate that bends inwards over approximately 90 degrees and protrudes between approximately 1.7 and 2.4 inches from the main support plate.