Music – Instruments – Drum and cymbal beaters
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-06
2001-10-30
Nappi, Robert E. (Department: 2837)
Music
Instruments
Drum and cymbal beaters
C084S422100, C084S422200, C084S402000, C084S403000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06310277
ABSTRACT:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
U.S. Letters Pat. Nos. D297,015; 4,114,502; 4,807,510; and 4,911,056; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/239,212 filed Jan. 28, 1999 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/132,148 filed May 3, 1999 are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A conventional cymbal comprised as a concave circular disc or plate, usually made of brass or bronze. The tone of high quality cymbals contain a blend of virtually all the notes of the scale or their harmonic compliments, made up of a fundamental tone or bell tone, and overtones. Cymbals can vary from one another quite distinctly in tone. Cymbals of a seeming identity may have a distinct tone, according to its unique dominate pitch in response to sympathetic vibration. The usual sound affect desired from a cymbal is a “crash.”
Cymbals are made in various categories according to variations in size, weight, surface curvature, the latter variation including various tapers, surface curvature varying from a substantially uniform or flat topped curvatures to those having a central cup or bell, which is of a shorter radius in the remainder or bow of the cymbal and raised above it. Cymbals are also made especially for different uses, such as those played singly, and paired cymbals which are struck together, hand-held or by foot petal stand. Various attempts have been made to produce a cymbal having an improved sound. Such cymbals are disclosed is U.S. Letters Pat. Nos. D301,893; D297,015; 4,320,687; 4,114,502; and 4,807,510. U.S. Letters Pat. No. D297,015 discloses an octagon shaped cymbal having a smooth surface. U.S. Letters Pat. No. D301,893 discloses a circular cymbal having pitted regions randomly dispersed throughout the top of the cymbal. U.S. Letters Pat. No. 4,114,502 discloses a cymbal have multiple mounting apertures at the top of the cymbal. U.S. Letters Pat. No. 4,320,687 discloses an elliptical cymbal.
Cymbals have been designed to include circular tonal grooves. These tonal grooves are in the shape of circular arcs which increase in diameter from the center of the cymbal. Score lines have also been added to cymbals. Score lines are non-uniform grooves that extend from the top to the edge of the cymbal. The score lines have varying widths and depths, are not uniformly spaced from one another, and are limited to a small region on the cymbal. Typically 1-5 score lines are contained in a small region on the cymbal. These cymbals generally 1 to 3 regions of score lines, which are separated from one another on the cymbal.
Cymbals have also been designed to be used as crash cymbals. These cymbals are typically struck with a drum stick with a large force to produce a “crash” sound. Typically these cymbals are made from a thin material to enhance to the amount of vibration and sound generated when the cymbal is struck. However, these cymbals have a tendency to crack or shatter after periods of short use. This can become very inconvenient if the cymbal cracks or breaks during a song or concert.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention pertains to the art of musical instruments and more particularly to musical instruments that are struck to produce a sound. The invention specifically pertains to cymbals that have been modified to include a unique design which produces a richer and fuller sounds when struck, and which resist damage during play and will be described with particular reference thereto; however, the invention has broader applications and can be used in other percussion instruments such as bells, chimes and the like.
The invention is applicable to all cymbals of all categories, but more particularly cymbals played individually and which are provided with a central aperture to receive a pin on a support stand to suspend the cymbal for playing. The support stand is usually provided with an adjustable top by which the suspension of the cymbal may be varied from horizontal to various angles thereto to suit the convenience of the player.
The improved cymbal includes a unique design that produces a rich sound when struck, and which resists damage when struck by a large force. The advantages of the improved cymbal are obtained by including a plurality of ribs or ridges on the surface of the cymbal. The ribs are designed to enhance the strength and/or rigidity of the cymbal so as to resist being cracked or shattered during play. The ribs are be of any desired shape and/or size. The number, size and shape of the ribs affects the type and amount of sound produced by the cymbal. The more ribs included on the cymbal, the more rigid the cymbal. The more rigid cymbal has enhanced resistance to damage; however, the cymbal may produced a reduced “crash” type sound. The ribs are generally 0.001 to 0.5 inch thick (i.e. height); however, other thicknesses can be used. In one preferred embodiment, all the ribs on the cymbal are the same shape and size. In another preferred embodiment, at least one rib on the cymbal has a different shape and/or size from another ribs. In one specific embodiment, at least a majority of the ribs are substantially linear in shape. In another specific embodiment, at least a majority of the ribs have a generally arcuate shape that is generally uniform along the longitudinal length of the rib.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the cymbal includes a plurality of ribs that extend from the top of the cymbal toward the edge of the cymbal. In one preferred embodiment, at least one rib extends to the edge of the edge of the cymbal. In one specific embodiment, at least a majority of the ribs extend to the edge of the cymbal. In another preferred embodiment, none of the ribs extend to the edge of the cymbal. In still another preferred embodiment, at least one ribs extends to the top center of the cymbal. In still yet another preferred embodiment, non of the ribs extend to the top center of the cymbal. In on e s pecific embodiment, at least a majority of the ribs extend to the bell of the cymbal, which bell is position about the top center of the cymbal.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the cymbal includes a plurality of ribs positioned on the top and/or bottom surface of the cymbal. In one preferred embodiment, at least a majority of the ribs are positioned on the top surface of the cymbal. In another preferred embodiment, at least a majority of the ribs are positioned on the bottom side of the cymbal. In still another embodiment, the number of ribs on the top and bottom side of the cymbal are the same.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the cymbal includes a plurality of ribs that are substantially symmetrically positioned about the surface of the cymbal. The symmetrical positioning of the ribs enhances the uniformity of sound generated by the cymbal when struck. The symmetrical positioning of the ribs also maximizes the strength and rigidity of the cymbal as a function of the number of ribs used in the cymbal.
In accordance with still yet another aspect of the present invention, the cymbal the ribs are formed by stamping and/or molding techniques. The stamping process forms a rib on one surface of the cymbal and a complimentary groove on the other surface. The molding process can form the same type of rib or a rib on one surface and a non-complimentary shape on the other surface.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the cymbal has an other shape that is a function of the number of ribs incorporated of the cymbal. A cymbal having two ribs has a generally circular or elliptical shape. A cymbal having three ribs has three outer edges forming a generally triangular shape. A cymbal having four ribs has four outer edges forming a generally square shape. A cymbal having five ribs has five outer edges forming a generally pentagon shape. A cymbal having six ribs has six outer edges forming a generally hexagon shape; and etc. In one preferred embodiment, the cymbal has three to ten ribs. In one specific embodiment, the cymbal has five ribs that forms five outer edges forming
Lockett Kim
Nappi Robert E.
Universal Percussion, Inc.
Vickers Daniels & Young
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