Combination chair and support for sousaphones

Nov. 20, 1951 η. j. wenger 2,575,540

COMBINATION CHAIR AND SUPPORT.FOR SOUSAPHONES

Filed July 12, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 1

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Fig. 4

INVENTOR.

Harry J- Wenger

ATTORAJE/S

Nov. 20, 1951 η. j. wenger 2,575,540

COMBINATION CHAIR AND SUPPORT FOR SOUSAPHONES

Sheets-Sheet 2

Filed July 12, 1948

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‘3 /Attorney's

INVENTOR.

Harry J. V/enger

Nov. 20, 1951

H. J. WENGER

2,575,540

COMBINATION CHAIR AND SUPPORT FOR SOUSAPHONES

Filed July 12, 1948

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f/G.S

Sheets-Sheet 3

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INVENTOR.

Harry S. Wenger /A-r-roRNE-ys ί

Nov. 20, 1951

H. J. WENGER

2,575,540

COMBINATION

CHAIR AND SUPPORT

FOR S.OUSAPHONES

Filed July

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INVENTOR.

HARR Y Ji WINGER

Patented Nov. 20, 1951

2,575,540

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

3,575,540

COMBINATION CHAIR AND SUPPORT FOR SOUSAPHONES

Harry J. Wenger, Owatonna, Minn.

’ Application July 13,1

Claims. (C

This invention relates to a new and novel combination seat and support or holder for musical instruments, and more particularly to large brass instruments, such as sousaphones.

A sousaphone, because of its size and the man- 5 ner in which it is supported on the player’s body, makes it necessary that the player be provided with considerable space or room in a band in order that he may freely manipulate the instrument. These instruments are very common in 1' all brass bands and particularly in military, high school, and college bands. High school and college bands usually devote considerable time to rehearsals, and often in rehearsal rooms which may not be sufficiently large to avoid some 1 crowding of the band members, whereby the members may sometimes be seated too close together to permit adequate freedom of movement of the individual players, particularly the sousaphone players, because of the size of their in- 2 struments.

This condition may be aggravated if the student sousaphone players do not sit squarely in their seats or are inclined to cant their instruments to one side or another. Under such 2 •crowded conditions the sousaphone section of a band may present a problem, it being understood that the instrument is usually always so positioned that its bell faces directly forwardly.

The present invention is a result of consider- 3 able experimental work in an attempt to provide a combination chair and support or holder for a sousaphone, and an important object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus which is so constructed that the actual space occupied 3 by the player when seated in a band is reduced to a minimum and, in addition, the player is provided a comfortable seat and a substantial support for his instrument, said support carrying the entire weight of the instrument and also supporting it in proper position upon the player and with respect to the audience, the support also permitting the player to freely move his body within certain limits without shifting the position of the instrument.

A further object of the invention is to provide a combination chair and sousaphone support comprising a seat for the player and a plurality of vertically adjustable supports secured to and extending upwardly from the seat portion of the apparatus and having means at their upper ends for engaging and supporting the instrument in the position in which it is to be held when in use, and whereby the instrument will be properly suported in playing position at all

48, Serial No. 38,208

1. 155—188) times, regardless of the player shifting his body more or less within the usual coils of the instrument tubing.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of the class described comprising a seat for the player and a plurality of independently adjustable instrument-supporting members, cooperating to support the instrument in substantially the same relative position with respect to the player’s body, as when the instrument is carried directly upon the player’s body when the player is standing or marching in·a band, and whereby it is not necessary to relatively adjust the bell upon the instrument body when switching from 5 concert playing to marching in a band, or vice versa, as the bell will always be facing in the correct forward direction.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of the class described comprising a supporting 0 structure having a plurality of upright tubular posts, and members being telescopically received in said upright posts and adapted for independent vertical adjustment therein, said,members having means at their upper ends for en5 gaging portions of the sousaphone and cooperating to support the instrument in playing position relative to the player’s body.

A further object is to provide a combination chair and instrument support comprising a seat 0 portion and a plurality of vertically adjustable members having means at their upper ends -cooperating to provide an adjustable support or holder for a large musical instrument, and whereby the mouthpiece and finger valves will be 5 properly positioned with respect to a player seated upon the chair, the player also being assured that the instrument will correctly face the audience before which the player may be performing.

A further and more specific object is to provide a combination chair and sousaphone support or holder comprising a seat portion secured to and carried by a plurality of tubular upright supporting members or posts, and members be5 ing telescopically mounted in certain of said upright posts and extending upwardly therefrom and having means for adjustably securing them, in fixed position in said posts, said members be-, ing provided at their upper ends with means for 0 engaging portions of a musical instrument, such as a sousaphone, whereby the instrument may be supported in proper position relative to a player seated upon the seat portion of the apparatus, and whereby the player’s body is? freed 5 of the weight of the instrument, and also whereby

2,575,540 the mouth piece and the usual finger-actuated valves of the instrument are correctly located with respect to the player.

Other objects of the invention reside in the arrangement and relation between the various 5 vertically adjustable supporting members of the apparatus whereby they may be independently adjusted to properly position the instrument with respect to a player seated ori the apparatus, and whereby the weight of the instrument may be balanced on the chair; in the provision of such a device which may readily be adjusted to support a conventional sousaphone or other instrument for players of different sizes, and whereby when the player is seated upon the apparatus in playing position, the weight of the instrument is carried by the apparatus whereby the player may, when necessary, arise to a standing position without requiring the manipulation of separate securing elements, said adjustable supporting members being positioned to receive the instrument when the player again resumes a sitting position; in the provision of a combination chair and sousaphone support which is so constructed as to require a minimum of floor space, whereby the invention is particularly useful for supporting instruments of this type in crowded practice rooms in high schools and colleges where several such instruments are frequently used in the bands; in the provision of a substantial support for a musical instrument comprising a plurality of supporting members having means for quickly securing them in adjusted position independently of one another to thereby support the instrument at the proper angle and elevation for the player and audience, and whereby the player may leave his chair or seat with the assurance that when he returns to resume playing, the instrument will be in proper position; in the provision of such an apparatus having means whereby it may be quickly adapted for supporting musical instruments of different sizes; and in the provision of an apparatus of the class described which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture -in quantity production.

These and other objects of the invention and ί the means for their attainment will be more apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown, as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved combination chair and instrument support showing the telescopically mounted members for supporting the instrument in adjusted position upon the apparatus;

Figure 2 is a side view of the apparatus;

Figure 3 is a sectional view substantially on the line 3—3 of Figure 2, showing the preferred bottom construction of the apparatus; .

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view on the line 4—4 of Figure 2;

Figure’ 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view substantially on the line 5—5 of Figure 6 with some of the parts shown in elevation.

Figure 6 is a sectional plan view on the line G—6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a detail sectional view showing the

-la

SO as preferred construction of one of the instrumentengaging members;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the apparatus showing a sousaphone supported in playing position thereon;

Figure 9 is a view showing a player seated upon the apparatus with the mouth piece and the usual finger valves in proper position with respect to the player;

Figure 10 is a view showing a chair of slightly different construction which may be collapsed to facilitate transportation;

Figure 11 is a top view of Figure 1;

Figure 12 is a view showing the various movable parts of the chair swung into collapsed or folded positions;

Figure 13 is a view showing the collapsed chan· placed on its side, as when resting on a floor; and

Figure 14 is a fragmentary view showing the tiltability of the chair seat.

The novel combination chair and instrument support herein disclosed is shown comprising a suitable supporting structure including a seat portion 2 secured to an angle iron frame 3 which preferably is square in configuration, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. The frame 3 is suitably secured to a plurality of upright posts 4, 5, 6 and 7, the posts 4 and 5 being made integral with a lower horizontal member 8, and the upright members 6 and 7 being made integral with a horizontal member 9. The above parts are so constructed for the sake of economy, it being understood that said upright posts may be made independently of the lower horizontal members 8 and 9, if so desired, without departing from the scope of the invention.

The upright posts 4, 5, 6 and 7 engage the corners.of the angle iron frame 3 and are suitably welded thereto whereby the angle iron frame 3 and said upright posts or legs cooperate to provide a very rugged and substantial supporting structure, as will be understood.

Suitable tie members 11 and 12 are secured respectively to the lower portions of the members 8 and 9 at the front and rear of the apparatus. The end portions 10 of the tie members 11 and 12 are preferably shaped or bent as best shown in Figure 1, to facilitate welding the tie members to the horizontal members 8 and 9. The offset portions (3 have their terminals bent outwardly, as shown at 13 in Figure 1, to provide feet adapted to engage the floor jointly with the bottoms of the horizontal members 8 and 9, and whereby the apparatus may be firmly supported upon a floor without danger of rocking thereon, provided, of course, that the floor or surface upon which it is supported is level and smooth.

To facilitate explanation, the portion 14 of the apparatus will hereinafter be referred to as the “front,” and the opposite side 15, as the “rear” of the apparatus.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the means provided in combination with the seat portion 2 for supporting a musical instrument, such as a sousaphone, in position on the chair whereby the entire weight of the instrument will be carried thereby independently of the player’s body, and also whereby the mouth i piece and finger valves of the instrument will be properly positioned for the player.

To thus support an instrument, the posts 4, 5 and 7 are extended upwardly above the seat portion 2, and each is provided at its upper end with i a clamping device, generally designated by the £,575^40 numeral 16. These devices are of well known construction and therefore need not be described in detail. Suffice it to say that each comprises a flexible band 20 adapted to encircle the upper end of its respective post, and each band has an 5 adjusting element IT which may be actuated to contract the upper ends of their respective posts 4, 5 and T, as will be understood. The posts 4, 5 and 7 are tubular in cross-section, and have their upper ends slit, as shown at 18 in Figure 5, κ whereby the walls thereof may readily be contracted by manipulation of the clamping devices 16.

In order that the posts. 4, 5 and 7 may be extended upwardly above the seat portion 2, the p corners of the rear portion of the seat are cut away, as clearly illustrated in Figure 3, whereas the corner of the seat above the leg 6 is shown projecting. outwardly over the top of said leg, as shown in Figures 1 and 8. 2

To support an instrument in playing position upon the apparatus, a member or rod 19 is telescopically mounted in the rear post 4 and is adapted for vertical adjustment therein, as indicated by the full and dotted lines in Figure 1. 2 The member 13 may be secured in adjusted position in the post 4 by the clamping device 16 provided thereon. A hook-like element 21 has one end secured to the member- 19 and is positioned to engage a portion of the instrument, as shown 3 in Figures 8 and 9. A similar member or rod 22 is telescopically received in the front post 5 and, like the member 19, is vertically adjustable therein, and may be secured in adjusted position by its clamping device 16. A U-shaped element 23 3 is secured to the upper end of the rod 22 adapted to engage a portion of the instrument in a manner similar to the element 21.

The elements 2! and 23 are shaped to substantially fit the curvature of the lower portion 4 of the instrument tubing and cooperate to carry the weight of the instrument, as will be understood.

Adjustably mounted in the rear leg or post 7 is an. upright member or rod 24 adapted to be j secured in fixed position by its clamping device 16. A cross arm or element 25 is fixed to the upper end of the rod 24 and is adapted to be engaged by the intermediate portion of the instrument, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, and thus co- : operates with the elements 21 and 23 to support the instrument in the correct angular position for a player seated upon the seat 2. See Figure 9.

The elements 21, 23 and 25 are preferably 5 covered with a soft, non-scratching, material such as rubber or fabric whereby they are not likely to mar the finish of instruments supported thereon.

The novel combination, chair and sousaphone g support and holder herein disclosed provides a very practical and convenient support for an instrument of this type, in that the instrument is supported directly over the seat portion 2 of the apparatus and at. the correct angle for the player. It will also be noted that the mouth piece and finger valves, will be correctly, located with respect to the players mouth and fingers.

Because of the center of gravity of the instrument being supported directly over the center 7 of the seat portion 2, the combined chair and instrument, including the player, will take up a minimum of floor space, which is of utmost importance in the average practice or rehearsal rooms where the players are often very crowded 7 because of lack of adequate space for a band having a large membership.

With the instrument supported, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the operator may at any time leave his chair and instrument with the assurance that the bell of the instrument will be facing in the. proper direction when he again returns to his position on the chair. The position of the body of the instrument upon the support ) corresponds substantially to the position of the body of the instrument when supported directly upon, the player’s body, as when marching in a band. This is a highly desirable feature because it makes it unnecessary to readjust the bell of 5 the instrument upon the body thereof each time the player switches from concert or stage playing to marching in a band, or vice versa. Most sousaphones are so constructed that the bell of the instrument may be rotatably adjusted there0 on whereby the bell may always be directed in the proper forward direction, regardless of the position of the body of the instrument upon the player’s body. Conventional sousaphone supports now in common use, do not support the 5 instrument in the same relative position in which it is supported upon the player’s body when marching in a band, and it is therefore usually necessary when utilizing such supports to relatively adjust the bell of the instrument upon 0 the body thereof, each time the player switches from concert playing to marching in a band, or vice versa, in order that the bell may be correctly positioned with respect to the audience or line of march.

_k The entire apparatus with the exception of the seat portion may be constructed of cylindrical stock or tubing which readily lends itself to forming whereby with the proper dies and fixtures, the entire apparatus may be manufactured in 0 quantity production at extremely low cost.

While the apparatus herein disclosed is shown as being designed more particularly for supporting a conventional sousaphone, it is to be understood that if desired, it may be used for sup.5 porting other instruments capable of being supported thereon.

In Figures 10 to 14, inclusive, there is illustrated a combination chair and support which differs from the one shown in the previous figures ,0 in that it may readily be collapsed or folded into a compact unit to facilitate handling when transporting the apparatus from one place to another, as when used by a member of a traveling or touring band, of which there are now many.

The collapsible chair here shown comprises a hub-like portion' 26 having a plurality of vertically disposed apertures 27 therein adapted to receive and support a plurality of supporting legs, generally designated by the numeral 28. 0 Each leg, it will be noted, has a shank portion 29 adapted to be received in one of the apertures 27, and cotter pins 31 may be utilized to secure the legs against accidental detachment from the hub. portion 26. By thus mounting the legs in 3 the hub portion 26, they may be folded into parallel relation, as illustrated in Figures 12 and 13, when it is desired to collapse the chair to facilitate transportation. Suitable means, not shown, may be provided for locking the legs 3 in q their operative position, as shown in Figures 10 and 11.

Relatively smaller apertures 32 are shown provided in the hub portion 26 between the apertures 27. Instrument supporting members 33,

34 and 35 are shown provided with elongated

2,575.540 shanks 36, 37 and 38, respectively, adapted to be received in the apertures 32, as clearly illustrated in Figure 10. Thumb screws 39 may be provided in the hub portion 26 for securing the members 32, 34 and 35 against relative rotation in the hub 26, and also to secure said members in adjusted position. The instrument engaging members are shown provided with pad-like elements 4i, 42 and 43, respectively, adapted to engage portions of the instrument in a manner similar to the structure illustrated in Figures 8 and 9.

The seat 44 is shown pivotally mounted on a fitting 45 whereby the seat 44 may be tilted to an upright position, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 14, and full lines in Figure 12, when it is desired to collapse the chair. A threaded shaft or rod 47 has its upper end secured in the fitting 45 and is received in threaded engagement with the central bore provided in the hub portion 26. By thus mounting the seat 44 in the hub 26, the seat may be vertically adjusted with respect to the floor in a manner similar to the seat portion of a conventional piano stool, thereby making it possible to quickly adapt the chair to individuals of different sizes, particularly heights.

The form of chair shown in Figures 10 and 14, inclusive, may be quickly adjusted to almost any size individual in such a manner that the instrument will be correctly supported upon the members 33, 34 and 35. The entire chair may be quickly collapsed or folded into the position shown in Figure 13, by simply swinging the members 33, 34 and 35 into the positions shown in Figures 12 and 13, and then folding the legs into similar positions and tilting the seat to the position shown in Figure 12, whereby the entire chair may be placed upon a floor in a fully collapsed position, as shown in Figure 13.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that I have accomplished at least the principal objects of my invention, and it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments herein described may be variously changed and modified without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that the invention is capable of uses and has advantages not herein specifically described; hence it will be appreciated that the herein disclosed embodiments are illustrative only, and that my invention is not limited thereto.