Music – Instruments – Drums
Patent
1999-02-04
2000-08-01
Witkowski, Stanley J.
Music
Instruments
Drums
84403, G10D 1302
Patent
active
060969555
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for supporting a musical instrument, in particular a percussion instrument such as a xylophone, marimba or drum, comprising: instrument at a desired height and damping means for suppressing vibrations at least during playing of the instrument.
Such a device is known from the Netherlands patent application 9000633, wherein the adjusting means are designed as a screw spindle and the damping means are designed separately of the adjusting means as a plurality of shafts, each embedded in resilient material in the interior of a sleeve.
Prior art devices have the drawback that the construction thereof is complex. Related hereto the costs of a known device are high and ease of operation is poor. In addition, the damping means are bulky relative to the format of the frame and the musical instrument, which results in aesthetic terms in a not very attractive appearance of the device, which is a particular shortcoming for the intended use in combination with musical instruments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has for its object to provide a solution to at least the above stated drawback and provides for this purpose a device which is distinguished in that the adjusting means comprise at least one resilient mechanism adjustable in the length corresponding with the height of the musical instrument, wherein the adjusting means and the damping means form a unit.
In a device according to the present invention having at least the above stated properties an effective damping of vibrations is realized in addition to an elegant and simple appearance by using a small number of components, wherein the ease of operation is moreover improved. This smaller number of components is realized because the adjusting means and the damping means form a unit, wherein this unit is suitable to damp vibrations both during playing and during transporting of the musical instrument.
In a first preferred embodiment the mechanism is arranged for operation substantially between the frame and the carrier body. The simplicity of the device is herein optimal, wherein the design is very effective and attractive but nevertheless displays optimal damping characteristics. Particularly because of these damping characteristics a device according to the present invention is in addition eminently suitable to more than sufficiently damp vibrations occurring during transport of the instrument on the frame, this to protect the instrument.
In a second preferred embodiment a device according to the present invention has the property that the mechanism comprises a gas spring. A gas spring in particular is highly suitable to simultaneously fulfil the function of adjusting means and the function of damping means. The damping characteristic is hereby optimized and adjustment of the musical instrument to a desired playing height is very simple. The gas spring is of course provided for this purpose with a control handle. The damping of vibrations both during transport and during playing of the musical instrument is effected as a result of the free stroke a gas spring inherently displays, this without affecting to any noticeable extent the sensation of playing the musical instrument.
In a third embodiment the device has the property that the mechanism comprises spring means for a free stroke of at least 0.25 cm and at most 7.5 cm, and preferably of approximately 2.5 cm. In the case a gas spring is used as mechanism, such a free stroke can be effected inter alia by influencing or adjusting the pressure prevailing in the interior thereof. This pressure depends in this case on at least the weight of the musical instrument and of the carrier body and the desired free stroke. The pressure in the interior of the gas spring preferably amounts to approximately 250 N.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention is further elucidated with reference to the figure description of an embodiment following hereinbelow. In the drawing:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a part of a supporti
REFERENCES:
patent: 2194545 (1940-03-01), Firestone
patent: 5106157 (1992-04-01), Nagelkirk et al.
patent: 5531148 (1996-07-01), Wilson
Hsieh Shih-yung
Vancore Percussion Instruments B.V.
Witkowski Stanley J.
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