Music – Instruments – Drums
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-29
2001-07-24
Donels, Jeffrey (Department: 2837)
Music
Instruments
Drums
C084S41100A, C084S413000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06265650
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to drums, that is to say percussion instruments, such as snare drums, tom-toms, bass drums, tympani, and the like. The invention is particularly concerned with the attachment of fittings to drum shells.
In conventional drums, the skin of the drum head is stretched over the open end of a cylindrical drum shell and is held in position by means of a counter-hoop which bears on the rim of the head. The skin is tensioned by means of tensioning bolts which act on the counter-hoop and engage tapped fittings fixed to the drum shell. When these bolts are tightened, the counter-hoop is urged against the rim, thus tensioning the skin. These tapped fittings are fixed to the shell by bolts which pass through the drum shell. Other fittings, such as snare fittings for snare drums, legs for floor tom toms, bass drum spurs, and hanging tom-tom fixings (both on the tom toms and the bass drum) are also attached to the respective drum shells by bolts passing through the respective drum shells.
Currently, there is a view, particularly amongst drummers, that the sound made by a drum is adversely affected if the integrity of the shell is compromised. Thus, by drilling holes through conventional drum shells, to attach the various fittings, the drum sound is less than optimum.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a drum design in which the fittings can be attached without drilling holes in the shell.
To an extent, this is achieved in the designs shown in the present Applicants' co-pending: British Patent Application No. 9617963.5. This is directed to a drum comprising: a drum shell, a drum head having a skin extending over an open end of the shell and a circumferential hoop lying outside the open end of the shell; a counter-hoop lying over the head hoop; and a shell ring attached to and surrounding the shell in the vicinity of the open end. The counter-hoop and the shell hoop each have a radially outwardly extending portion, the outwardly extending portions being such that the counter-hoop portion is inclined downwards and/or the shell hoop portion is inclined upwards. The drum also includes a clamp ring which surrounds the drum shell and engages the two outwardly extending portions, the clamp ring being capable of radial expansion and contraction. Thus, as the clamp ring contracts, it exerts an inward compression force which tends to draw the counter-hoop towards the shell hoop which tensions the drum skin.
In this design, the fittings for attaching and tuning the drum head are attached to the drum shell without having to drill holes in the shell. However, other fittings such as snare fittings, tom-tom attachment fittings and leg fittings still require drilled holes in the shell.
According to the invention, there is provided a drum shell formed with a circumferential channel in its external surface, a shell hoop located in the channel and at least one fixing member; in which the shell hoop has a radially outwardly inclined portion arranged to engage a clamp ring, and the fixing member includes means for attaching drum fittings, the fixing means being fixed relative to the: shell hoop.
Preferably the fixing member is of stainless steel and comprises first and second flat portions joined by an inclined intermediate portion. The first portion may be located within the channel while the intermediate portion extends out of the channel and the second portion may lie against the outside surface of the shell.
The means for attaching fittings may be constituted by bolts extending outwards from the second portion of the fixing member. A fitting can then be located on the bolt and fixed in position by a nut, such as a wing-nut. However, any other convenient means for attaching fittings can be employed.
The fixing member may be located in the channel, preferably underlying the shell hoop and attached to the shell hoop by bolts, adhesive or welding. Alternatively, the fixing member may simply be located in the channel and gripped by the shell hoop. Preferably, the fixing member has a portion extending out of the channel.
In a preferred form, the fixing member may be outside the channel and welded to the shell hoop. It may include a portion which is spaced from the drum shell, with means such as holes or bolts for the attachment of fittings. There may be a support pad between the spaced portion and the shell. Preferably, however, the fixing member lies adjacent the drum shell.
There are preferably several fixing members located as required about the periphery of the drum. The fixing members are preferably located at both drum heads. The fixing members may be relatively long and may be located relative to a shell hoop at both ends of the drum.
In a preferred embodiment., the invention can be considered to provide a drum comprising: a drum shell having a circumferential channel in its outer surface, a drum head having a skin extending over an open end of the shell and a circumferential hoop lying outside the open end of the shell; a counter-hoop lying over the head hoop; and a shell hoop located within the channel in the vicinity of the open end; the counter-hoop and the shell hoop each having a radially outwardly extending portion, the outwardly extending portions being such that the counter-hoop portion is inclined downwards and/or the shell hoop portion is inclined upwards; the drum also including a clamp ring which surrounds the drum shell and engages the two outwardly extending portions, the clamp ring being capable of radial expansion and contraction; the drum also including a fixing member including means for attaching drum fittings, the fixing member being fixed relative to the shell hoop, preferably by welding. The fixing member preferably includes the means for attaching drum fittings.
Thus, as the clamp ring contracts, it exerts an inward compression force which tends to draw the counter-hoop towards the shell hoop which tensions the drum skin.
The counter-hoop bears directly on the head hoop. However, optionally, a compression ring may be located between the counter-hoop and the head hoop. The location of the shell hoop can be achieved with considerable accuracy, thus minimising the likelihood of uneven forces being applied to the head hoop by the counter-hoop.
The outwardly extending-portion of the counter-hoop is preferably a continuous flange. The shell hoop may be discontinuous and may even be constituted by circumferentially spaced blocks or bosses, however, the shell hoop is preferably a continuous ring and the outwardly extending portion is preferably a continuous flange. The shell hoop is let into the channel formed in the shell, preferably overlying the fixing member. An outer clamp ring (such as a hose-clip) may be used additionally to hold the shell hoop in place.
Preferably, the counter-hoop is of stainless steel which is preferably polished. The compression ring (if included) may be of any suitable deformable material and is preferably also resilient; a convenient material is NEOPRENE™.
The clamp ring is preferably made of a strong non-elastic but resilient material such as steel. It preferably includes radially inwardly extending rails which are inclined in a way which corresponds to any inclination of the outwardly extending portions of the counter-hoop and shell hoop. Preferably, the inclinations are symmetrical.
The clamp ring may be radially contractible by reducing its circumferential length. This may be achieved by the clamp ring being in the form of a breached circular band with two ends; by moving the ends relative to each other circumferentially, the effective circumference of the clamp ring can be varied. In order to control this adjustment, the clamp ring may have a screw thread arrangement spanning the breach. Preferably a first end of the clamp ring on one side of the breach has an internally threaded member, while the second end of the clamp ring on the other side of the breach has a bush. A bolt may then pass through the bush and into the threaded member, so that as the bolt is rotated, it is drawn through the threaded memb
Donels Jeffrey
Lockett Kim
Patterson Thuente Skaar & Christensen P.A.
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