Music – Instruments – Drums
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-30
2001-10-23
Ro, Bentsu (Department: 2837)
Music
Instruments
Drums
C084S422300, C181S161000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06307133
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the area of musical instruments. More particularly, the invention is directed to a drumhead and a device for adjustably dampening the undesirable sounds produced by a drumhead to provide an effective musical tone.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Drumhead dampening devices, also known as internal and external tone controls, have existed in the prior art for many years. Internal tone controls typically are mounted inside the drumshell with a pressure adjustment knob or actuator element mounted through the shell wall to give the musician easy access to operate the device. The internal tone control employs a head element with a felt pad or some other suitable object that presses against the underside of the drumhead, which effects the dampening or “cutting off” of the sound. External tone control devices have the same ultimate effect, i.e. to dampen the sound from the drumhead, though this version of the device employs an external mount, which may be attached to any suitable component of the drumshell, such as the counterhoop. Instead of the head element or pad pressing against the underside of the drumhead, as with the internal control, pressure is exerted from above, upon the drumhead's upper surface. The actuator can be an external lever, a knob or any other suitable device. With both versions, the actuator must be manually operated by the drummer to lock the felt pad or some other suitable element in place against the drumhead. The pressure exerted by these devices is constant. Neither device provides the pad the means to be automatically adjusted to the musician's requirements to selectively eliminate undesirable tones at various times during play. Specifically, prior art tone control devices lack the means to adjust the pressure of the pad against the drumhead surface or the location of the pad on the surface once the device is situated. Maximum dampening is achieved when the pad is positioned near the center of the drumhead. Minimum dampening is achieved when the pad is positioned near the edge of the drumhead. Yet, the prior art devices are without the means to accomplish even this seemingly simple adjustment.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art to provide a dampening device for a drumhead that has an external mounting feature with the means to easily adjust the location of the pad that presses against the drumhead surface, adjust the amount of pressure the pad exerts on the drumhead surface, and adjust the time interval (“gate time”) the pad exists off the drumhead surface in response to an object striking the surface. The device should also be easy to mount on an external component of the drum, such as the counterhoop, simple to remove and easy to operate without any significant interference with the playing of the instrument.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a device for use in combination with a musical drum for dampening extraneous and undesirable tones produced by the drumhead. The invention consists of a means for affixing the device to the drum, such as, for example, a clamp assembly, mounted on a counterhoop. Connected to the clamp assembly is an L-shape bracket, which extends generally above the clamp and over a section of the edge portion of the drumhead surface where it attaches in pivotal relation to a horizontally extending arm. This horizontal arm is connected on its opposite end to a casing. An aperture is formed within the casing and extends entirely from the top end of the casing to the bottom. A vertically disposed plunger arm is slidably received through the aperture, and is connected at the bottom end to a plunger head. The plunger head includes a base portion and a felt pad or some similarly suitable material mounted thereon to act as the contact surface with the drumhead.
Attached to the plunger arm at points above and below the casing are restraining mechanisms or O-rings provided to adjust “gate time,” i.e. the time interval the plunger head exists off the drumhead in response to an object striking the drumhead surface. The “gate time” is determined by adjusting the bottom O-ring. The lower down on the plunger arm the O-ring is set, the greater the “gate time.” The higher up on the plunger arm the bottom O-ring is set, the lesser the “gate time.” In combination with the L-shape bracket and the horizontal oriented arm of the clamp mechanism is a rotatable nut, which is employed to level the plunger head relative to the drumhead surface.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a device that selectively dampens undesirable drumhead ring.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an externally mounted device for dampening undesirable drumhead ring.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for dampening undesirable drumhead ring that can adjust to various positions on the drumhead surface to minimize or maximize the dampening effect.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device for dampening undesirable drumhead ring with the means to adjust the level of the plunger head relative to the drumhead surface.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device for dampening undesirable drumhead ring with the means to adjust the “gate time,” which is the time interval the plunger head exists off the drumhead in response to an object striking the head surface.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device for dampening undesirable drumhead ring that is easy for the musician to operate while playing the instrument.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device for dampening undesirable drumhead ring that is easy and cost effective to manufacture.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following specifications when considered in light of the attached drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.
REFERENCES:
patent: 590182 (1897-09-01), Bower
patent: 3951032 (1976-04-01), LaPorta et al.
patent: 5763797 (1998-06-01), Loendorf
patent: 5877440 (1999-03-01), Chaffee et al.
patent: 5959227 (1999-09-01), Shapiro
patent: 5986197 (1999-11-01), Allen
May James H.
Weckl Dave
Whittington Christopher J.
Gitlin, Esq. Larry F.
Lockett Kim
Rapkin & Gitlin
Remo Inc.
Ro Bentsu
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