Music – Instruments – Drum and cymbal beaters
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-19
2001-12-18
Hsieh, Shih-Yung (Department: 2837)
Music
Instruments
Drum and cymbal beaters
C084S422100, C084S422200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06331667
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention concerns a rhythm instrument for producing sounds by striking cymbals against each other, which are configured concave in the center and are also provided with a surrounding edge, and an operating device which makes possible to strike the cymbals against each other.
When playing music convex-shaped cymbals are also used as rhythm and percussion instruments, aside from the most different types of drums and kettledrums. Single or multiple cymbals can be used as percussion instruments with which sounds are produced with sticks or other adequate means. The cymbals can also be struck or moved against each other, while two cymbals, if possible identical in size, make contact at their edges. By striking the same against each other in this manner, the cymbals which are preferably made of metal, are shifted in their vibrations, which effects a particularly long-lasting sound. To the standard equipment of a percussion instrument belong also the so-called hi-hats. An essential part of these instruments are two cymbals, which are controlled by a pedal and are struck against each other, while producing a sound, in such a way that they—as described—meet at their edges. As a rule, the upper cymbal is movable, the lower cymbal is rigidly arranged. A spring-supported rod, which is located at the lower end inside a tube and at whose upper end is attached the upper cymbal, is pulled down by operating the pedal. The same strikes against a cymbal connected to the tube and facing toward it. In this way, the typical metallic and long-lasting sound is produced. In concerts as well as when recording on a sound carrier in a studio, hi-hats are used as rhythm instruments, which as a rule can be operated in rhythm by the foot of the drummer. The base drum is usually operated with the other foot. Such rhythm instruments, however, are also operated manually, while handles or the like are attached to the backs of the cymbals, which make possible a movement of the two cymbals toward each other. This is actually one of the oldest rhythm instruments, which is already known. The shape of this cymbal has not changed much during the course of the centuries. As a rule, they are hat-shaped, for which reason they are also called hi-hats. In the course of the decades and centuries, however, the shape has been adapted or changed under certain circumstances, the metal used has also varied, the rhythm instrument per se, however, remains unchanged in that the cymbals are tuned and shaped in such a way that they make possible different sound variations when striking against each other. This sound variation, however, is limited.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to provide a rhythm instrument which makes possible a greater variety of sounds.
The object is attained according to the invention in that at least one more cymbal is assigned to the cymbals to be struck against each other, which is configured to be struck together with another one of the cymbals or separately from this cymbal against the other cymbal, with the aid of an operating device. Such a hi-hat can also be called a triple hi-hat, because at least three cymbals are available, which are guided and struck against the middle cymbal or against each other.
Such a rhythm instrument can be operated manually like the ancient rhythm instruments in that both outer cymbals are moved against the middle fixed cymbal and strike against the same and against each other. In this way, the sound multiplicity is naturally increased, especially because the two movable cymbals move either regularly and simultaneously or at different rhythms against the middle cymbal. These different striking modes already make possible the production of an essentially greater sound multiplicity, aside from the fact that, via a corresponding shaping of the different cymbals, the sound variety is considerably greater than in the rhythm instruments known until now. It is, of course, also possible to provide an operating device with which two of the three cymbals are moved against each other and against the fixed cymbal and are struck against the same and against each other.
There are basically two techniques with which a simultaneous guiding down of the upper cymbal and a guiding up of the lower cymbal against the middle cymbal, as well as a parallel movement toward each other of both cymbals can also be achieved. This is achieved, on the one hand, pneumatically with a piston and corresponding cylinder chambers wherein the compressed air is diverted in such a way that, due to the stepping on the pedal, these opposite movements also take place when the outer tube moves upward against instrument the middle cymbal, while the rod is pulled downward in the opposite direction and, in this way, strikes the lower cymbal against the middle cymbal. On the other hand, this takes place also by means of a mechanic device, wherein the movement of the pedal is diverted via a cable mechanism and an overhead pulley.
The middle cymbal is fixedly arranged particularly on an operating device to be operated by the foot, while the two other cymbals are movable against the same. By means of a corresponding configuration of the operating device, it is therefore possible to move the upper and the lower cymbal simultaneously or also with a time delay against the middle cymbal. It has been shown to be particularly advantageous when the upper cymbal and the lower cymbal are configured convex and arranged with the curvature facing away from the middle cymbal to realize an ideal vibration behavior and corresponding tones.
As already mentioned, it is particularly advantageous when the middle cymbal is fixed and the two other cymbals are configured to be movable by the operating device against the middle cymbal and against each other, so that the drummer has the possibility of fully utilizing the sound variety provided by the separately movable or also simultaneously movable cymbals.
To guarantee an optimum vibration behavior of the cymbals, and with it especially of the middle cymbal, it is provided that the middle cymbal is configured with an undulated shape. This undulated-shaped arrangement makes possible to further vary and mold the sounds as may seem fit to each drummer. It is particularly advantageous therein when the middle cymbal has radial undulated-shaped elevations which flatten toward the edge. By means of the shape, number, and expansion of the individual elevations is ensured that the middle cymbal can still vibrate to a considerable extent also in the case when it is struck simultaneously with the upper and lower cymbals, which is absolutely desirable with respect to the quality of the sound. This effect is generated by the more flexible and less rigid structure of the cymbals, but also by their enlarged surface. By means of an exchange of the middle cymbal, the drummer can realize “his” ideal and favorite sound. Naturally, especially the form of the middle cymbal can also be advantageously influenced by striking the same with a stick or another rhythm tool.
To obtain additional sound variety and variation possibilities, it is provided that the cymbal arranged under the two other cymbals has a diameter which is different from at least one of the diameters of the two other cymbals and is operated via the operating device together with the upper cymbal or separately from the same. Nevertheless, all three cymbals can have a different diameter, but two can also have the same diameter and the third a different one. Completely new possibilities are also made available to the drummer for assembling his instrument in that he can select his three cymbals with respect to the desired sound. The variation possibilities have therefore no boundaries, since a variety of combinations of the three cymbals can be realized.
A preferred embodiment of the invention ensures that the upper cymbal has the smallest diameter and the lower cymbal has the greatest diameter of the cymbals. The cymbal arranged in the middle in this arrangement also has a diameter which is between
Creighton Wray James
Hsieh Shih-yung
Narasimhan Meera P.
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