Patent Application
20150356959
The present invention relates generally to the field of harmonica storage systems for carrying and/or transport of multiple harmonicas. The present invention also relates generally to a car visor storage system for attachment to a vehicle's sun visor.
It is desirable for individuals and/or musicians on-the-go to be able to conveniently and securely transport multiple harmonicas (in different keys) in a carrier case. It is even more desirable for such a carrier to provide the individual with quick and easy access to each harmonica. This is particularly true today with the advent of devices designed to play music media at any time and place such as iPods, tablets, computers, smart phones, portable music players, car stereo systems, and the like. Because harmonica players are often inspired to play along and/or accompany music they hear, a carrier that also provides quick and easy access to each harmonica is highly advantageous so that the harmonica in the appropriate key may be slideably accommodated by the carrier, easily accessed by the individual and played on the ready. In addition, harmonica musicians desire a convenient means for transforming their carrier case into a display stand for their multiple harmonicas during musical performances.
Current harmonica carrier cases and/or systems function as either a traditional closed briefcase-like (hard) carrier case which fails to provide quick and easy access to the harmonicas and can be bulky and difficult to travel with, particularly when limited by the spatial constraints of stowaway compartments on trains and airplanes. Other carriers and/or systems which provide access to the harmonicas inconvenience the user by having to wear a belt or harness-like contraption. In addition, none of the current harmonica carrier cases or systems provide for removable attachment to a vehicle's sun visor.
While harmonica support and/or harmonica carrier systems and/or car visor organizers are readily available and may be found, for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 499,831; 4,781,409; 4,844,311; 5,195,668; 5,433,362; 5,516,018; 5,653,364; 5,718,364; 5,711,469; 6,659,529; 7,638,698; and Application Number DE 202010011478 U1; none of these references disclose the embodiments of harmonica carrier disclosed herein.
Therefore, there is a need in the field for a harmonica carrier which provides a convenient and secure means for transport, carry, support, easy access, and/or display of a musician's multiple harmonicas (such as, for example, the different keys of harmonicas).
All documents and references cited herein and in the referenced patent documents, are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
The present inventor has constructed an innovative harmonica carrier which provides a convenient and secure means for transport, carry, support, easy access, and/or display of a musician's multiple harmonicas (such as, for example, the different keys of harmonicas).
Disclosed herein is a harmonica carrier comprising two or more jointed panels and a plurality of harmonica-retaining pouches, wherein the panels are capable of foldable arrangement for removable attachment to a visor of a vehicle.
In another embodiment, the two or more jointed panels of the harmonica carrier case are three jointed panels.
In another embodiment, the plurality of harmonica-retaining pouches is six harmonica-retaining pouches.
In another embodiment, the jointed panels of the harmonica carrier are capable of foldable arrangement into a free-standing harmonica display.
In another embodiment, the jointed panels of the harmonica carrier are capable of foldable arrangement into a harmonica carrier case.
In another embodiment, the harmonica retaining pouches comprise closure means for securing a harmonica in the harmonica retaining pouch. In a further embodiment, the closure means are selected from the group consisting of Velcro®, tabs, straps, zippers, snaps, and a combination thereof.
In another embodiment, the jointed panels comprise connective means for securing the harmonica carrier to a visor. In a further embodiment, the connective means is selected from the group consisting of Velcro®, tabs, straps, elastic bands, clips, snaps, and a combination thereof.
In other embodiments, the harmonica carrier disclosed herein in the preceding paragraphs may be incorporated in kits. In addition, such kits may include a set of harmonicas.
In other embodiments, the harmonica carrier in the preceding paragraphs may additionally incorporate any of the preceding or subsequently disclosed embodiments.
The Summary of the Invention is not intended to define the claims nor is it intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following Drawings, Detailed Description, and the Claims.
The present invention is illustrated in the drawings and description in which like elements are assigned the same reference numerals. However, while particular embodiments are illustrated in the drawings, there is no intention to limit the present invention to the specific embodiment or embodiments disclosed. Rather, the present invention is intended to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. As such, the drawings are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this technology belongs.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are depicted in
The harmonica carrier disclosed herein provides a convenient and secure means for transport, carry, support, easy access, and/or display of a musician's multiple harmonicas (such as, for example, the different keys of harmonicas). For the purposes of the invention, the terminology “carrier” and/or “carrier case” and/or “carry case” means and/or may be used interchangeably with the terminology “travel case” and/or “travel carrier case” and/or “travel carry case.”
For the purposes of the present invention, the terminology “harmonica” means and/or may be used interchangeably with the terms “harmonicas” or “harp” or “harps.” A harmonica is well known and readily available in the art and sometimes referred to as a French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ. Different types of harmonicas are well known and readily available in the art. These types include, without limitation, diatonic, chromatic, tremolo, octave, orchestral, and bass versions of harmonicas. Harmonicas often come in sets of harmonicas because a harmonica player will play the appropriate harmonica of a particular key depending on the key of the music to be played. For example, a diatonic harp will come in twelve (or more) versions tuned to a particular key, such as, without limitation, key of C, key of A, key of G, key of D, key of E, key of F, key of Bb, and key of Eb. In addition, for advanced and/or skillful players, there are diatonic harps in the key of high G and low F. And, therefore, a harmonica player will almost always have a need to carry multiple harmonicas, or a set of harmonicas, on-the-go.
For the purposes of the present invention, the terminology “multiple” means “more than one.” For example, a harmonica player will likely require two or more harmonicas on-the-go. While the harmonica carrier disclosed herein is shown with an exemplary six harmonica-retaining pouches, such a feature may be customized to accommodate any number of harmonica-retaining pouches.
For the purposes of the present invention, the terminology “corresponds to” means that there is a functional and/or mechanical and/or structural relationship between objects which correspond to each other. For example, the shape and size of a harmonica corresponds with and therefore slideably fits within the shape and size of a harmonica-retaining pouch of the harmonica carrier disclosed herein. In other words, such a harmonica-retaining pouch slideably accommodates a harmonica.
The 10 harmonica carrier disclosed herein may be provided as a kit. Such kits comprise the 10 harmonica carrier and a set of 44 harmonicas, i.e., a plurality of harmonicas or multiple harmonicas, such as two or more harmonicas.
The 10 harmonica carrier disclosed herein may be manufactured and/or constructed in any size variation and/or can be scaled up or down in accordance with the customizability of the product to the customer's needs.
The 10 harmonica carrier disclosed herein may be customized on its surface(s) to include logos, graphics, designs, and/or text such as, without limitation, logos, graphics, designs, text and/or combinations thereof relating to and/or inspired from musical themes, bands, businesses, brands, and/or may include any desired logo, graphic, design and/or text whether already known or newly created.
The 10 harmonica carrier disclosed herein is made of materials well known and readily available. Materials may range from a wide variety of available materials such as, without limitation, ballistic nylon, polyester, woven mesh, Velcro®, elastic, rigid board and/or combinations thereof.
The 10 harmonica carrier of the present invention may incorporate reasonable design parameters, features, modifications, advantages, and variations that are readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which this technology pertains.
Without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention, reasonable features, modifications, advantages, and design variations of the claimed apparatus will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art by following the guidelines set forth in the preceding detailed description and embodiments.
