# US 12,008,980 B2 · Guitar case > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,008,980 B2 - Document ID: US12008980B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/420,973 - Filed: 2020-01-06 - Published: 2022-03-31 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2019-01-08 - Applicants: Wolfgang Ritter - Inventors: Wolfgang Ritter - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12008980B2 ## CPC - G10G 7/005: {Carrying cases for musical instruments (interior fittings for luggage A45C13/02)} - G10G 5/00: Supports for musical instruments {(cellopins or components therefor G10D3/01)} - G10G: REPRESENTATION OF MUSIC; RECORDING MUSIC IN NOTATION FORM; ACCESSORIES FOR MUSIC OR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. SUPPORTS (music stands A47B; non-musical aspects of musical toy instruments A63H5/00; metronomes G04F5/02; teaching music G09B15/00) ## Abstract A guitar case comprising a resiliently flexible first teardrop oval shell defining a guitar receptacle for operatively receiving a guitar, the first shell including a guitar suspension arrangement comprising a body strap configured to operatively secure a body of the guitar away from a side of the receptacle, and a neck strap configured to operatively secure a neck of the guitar within the receptacle. Case 10 also includes a resiliently flexible second teardrop oval shell configured to operatively complementarily engage the first shell in a clamshell manner, and fastening means configured to fasten the shells together such that at least the upper shell elastically deforms over the guitar receptacle to sandwich the guitar suspended within the receptacle between the shells. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A guitar case comprising: a resiliently flexible first shell having a guitar suspension arrangement defining a receptacle for receiving a guitar, the guitar suspension arrangement comprising body and neck straps configured to secure the guitar within the receptacle such that a buffer zone is defined about the guitar; a resiliently flexible second shell configured to complementarily engage the first shell in a clamshell manner; and fastening means configured to fasten the resiliently flexible first shell and the resiliently flexible second shell together, the receptacle configured such that, when the resiliently flexible first shell and the resiliently flexible second shell are fastened, the receptacle causes at least one of the resiliently flexible first shell or the resiliently flexible second shell to elastically deform and become non-planar adjacent to the fastening means to sandwich the guitar between the resiliently flexible first shell and the resiliently flexible second shell. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The guitar case of claim 1, wherein a Young's modulus for a material comprising the resiliently flexible first shell and the resiliently flexible second shell is selected such that elastic deformation of the resiliently flexible first shell and the resiliently flexible second shell due to external compressive loads on the guitar case extends only into the buffer zone without reaching the guitar. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The guitar case of claim 1, wherein the resiliently flexible first shell and the resiliently flexible second shell are each manufactured from a polymer material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The guitar case of claim 1, wherein the resiliently flexible first shell and the resiliently flexible second shell both comprise a teardrop oval shape. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The guitar case of claim 1, wherein the body and neck straps of the guitar suspension arrangement comprise: at least one body strap for securing a body of the guitar away from a side of the receptable; and at least one neck strap configured to operatively secure a neck of the guitar within the receptacle. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The guitar case of claim 5, wherein the suspension arrangement includes a removable neck support configured to raise the neck of the guitar, when secured by the at least one neck strap, within the receptacle. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The guitar case of claim 6, wherein one or more of the at least one body strap and the at least one neck strap comprises a hook and loop fastener to allow adjustability in securing the guitar within the receptacle. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The guitar case of claim 1, wherein one or more of the resiliently flexible first shell and the resiliently flexible second shell includes an inner layer of padding material for operatively padding the guitar against shocks. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The guitar case of claim 1, wherein the receptacle comprises at least one cushioned support for cushioning the guitar within the receptacle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The guitar case of claim 9, wherein the at least one cushioned support is configured as a removable storage pouch. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The guitar case of claim 1, wherein the fastening means comprises a slide or zip fastener or clasp locker arranged around a portion of a periphery of each of the resiliently flexible first shell and the resiliently flexible second shell includes to facilitate elastic deformation of at least one of the resiliently flexible first shell and the resiliently flexible second shell includes to sandwich the guitar within the receptacle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The guitar case of claim 11, wherein the resiliently flexible first shell and the resiliently flexible second shell includes are fastened with each other along a portion of the side of the receptacle via a hinge arrangement. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The guitar case of claim 1, wherein one or more of the resiliently flexible first shell and the resiliently flexible second shell includes outer connection points for operatively receiving a carrying strap. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The guitar case of claim 1, wherein one or more of the resiliently flexible first shell and the resiliently flexible second shell includes a carrying handle to facilitate carrying of the guitar case.