Abstract: Improvements in an expandable musical instrument stand where the components of the stand are constructed with tubular sections. The tubular section telescope with an extension mechanism placed between the tubular members to assist in adjusting the playing height of the musical instrument. The expandable construction allows the musical stand to be broken down into smaller sections to make it easier to transport and simple to erect. The expandable section is ideally used with the center tube with a three or four leg stand where the legs can be collapsible on the center tube or the legs can be constructed with the same or similar construction as the center tube where they can be stacked and clamped with a collar.

Abstract: A percussion instrument muting apparatus that dampens the volume or tone from a drum. The apparatus is mounted within a drum, and the muting level can be adjusted with a tube that extends from the muting assembly out an existing breather hole, and to an adjustment bulb. The muting assembly is an expandable or inflatable bladder that makes contact with a portion of the drumhead or drum skin when the drum is played.

Abstract: An expandable musical instrument stand where the components of the stand are constructed with tubular sections. The tubular section are extruded to include dovetail cross sectional areas that can be stacked and a semi-circular locking collar slides into the dovetail guide and locks the tubular sections together. The expandable construction allows the musical stand to be broken down into smaller sections to make it easer to transport and simple to erect. The expandable section is ideally used with the center tube with a three or four leg stand where the legs can be collapsible on the center tube or the legs can be constructed with the same or similar construction as the center tube where they can be stacked and clamped with a collar.

Abstract: A percussion instrument holder that allows attachment to a user mounted carrier. The holder allows adjustment for positioning about the user, and pivoting of the holder to allow the holder to pivot or rotate up to allow the holder with instruments to fit a narrower space. The holder further allows for pivotal attachment of individual drums to link or pivot allowing the linked drums to articulate. The holder can also consist of members that allow a connected drum to move in horizontal position, angle, or height of the drum.

Abstract: A drum gauge is disclosed that provides a measurement of the length of the tension rods. In operation the gauge is compressed, placed around each tension rod and released. A display on the gauge provides a numerical value for the relative exposed length of the tension rod(s). The gauge is then moved to each tension rod to determine the length of each rod or the gap or space between the hoops or between the hoop and the lug casings. A nut on the end of each tension rod is adjusted until all the tension rods are adjusted to the same length. The gauge allows the head to be evenly adjusted so the same pitch exists in all locations on the drum head. The gauge has a lip to ensure it is placed consistently on each tension rod and further includes posts to allow the gauge to be used with drums made with different tension rods, counter hoops, claws and lug casings.

Abstract: Drum hardware and drum secured thereon are preferably supported on a vest type carrier or a T-bar carrier having a plurality of separate parts removable from each other and formed of a rigid plastic, light metal such as magnesium, aluminum or titanium. The removable hardware includes a removable back support member. The instrument carrier includes an expandable and or adjustable front section(s) that allows for at least one front adjustment of the carrier to adjust the overall length of the carrier to accommodate users of different sizes.

Abstract: A drum key for adjusting the bolts that secure and tune the drum heads or skin that close one or more ends of a drum. The key is constructed in an elongated body with one end having a socket configured for engaging onto the head of a tightening bolt used to tighten and tune the drum head or skin. When the body of the key is articulated arms or wings embodied within the body of the key extend, deploy or spread to provide a leaver arm for tightening the tuning bold on a drum. After the tightening and or tuning operation is complete, the arms or wings are securable back within the body of the drum key.

Abstract: An expandable musical instrument stand where the components of the stand are constructed with tubular sections. The tubular section are extruded to include dovetail cross sectional areas that can be stacked and a semi-circular locking collar slides into the dovetail guide and locks the tubular sections together. The expandable construction allows the musical stand to be broken down into smaller sections to make it easer to transport and simple to erect. The expandable section is ideally used with the center tube with a three or four leg stand where the legs can be collapsible on the center tube or the legs can be constructed with the same or similar construction as the center tube where they can be stacked and clamped with a collar.

Abstract: A carrier with attachment apparatus that allows mounting of large drums where the playing surface of the drum is vertically oriented. The mounting consists of three or more connection points where one or more of the connection points is adjustable for vertical and or horizontal locating on the drum, and the remaining connection points stabilize the drum on the carrier. The apparatus further includes fasteners for at least one of the connection points that allow rigid locking of the drum to the carrier. The rigid locking can be easily secured and released without tools. The rigid locking fastener consists of a threaded J or eyebolt and a locking nut that captures and clamps the J or eyebolt.

Abstract: A drum key for adjusting the bolts that secure and tune the drum heads or skin that close one or more ends of a drum. The key is constructed in an elongated body with one end having a socket configured for engaging onto the head of a tightening bolt used to tighten and tune the drum head or skin. When the body of the key is articulated arms or wings embodied within the body of the key extend, deploy or spread to provide a leaver arm for tightening the tuning bold on a drum. After the tightening and or tuning operation is complete, the arms or wings are securable back within the body of the drum key.

Abstract: An electro-acoustically amplified drum mixer or sound level adjuster for amplifying a hollow drum shell having at least one open end, a drumhead spaced from the open end of the said drum shell and supported thereon. One or more microphones are supported on, and positioned within said drum shell and adapted for connection to an external amplifier and speaker. A second or additional microphones may be included with the internal mounting or may be adapted for mounting outside the drum housing.

Abstract: Drum hardware and drum secured thereon are preferably supported on a vest type, T-bar or tubular carrier having a plurality of separate parts removable from each other and formed of a rigid plastic, light metal such as magnesium, aluminum or titanium. The removable hardware includes a removable back support member. The instrument carrier includes an articulating hinge that allows for positive, negative or neutral horizontal positioning of the instruments. The articulating hinge assembly further allows the carrier to be folded for easier transportation and storage in a smaller area.

Abstract: A tunable drum having a hollow drum shell, and imperforate drumhead closing at least one end of said drum shell. One or more opening extend through the drum shell for acoustic venting, and valves are provided for adjusting the size of the openings to vary the amount of acoustic venting, effecting the drums volume, pitch, tone, timbre and stick or hand response. The valves may be movable slid valves, e.g., slidable or pivotable, between an open and a closed position or “F-holes”. Valves may consist of a ring member positioned for rotation inside said drum and slidable endwise of the drum to cover or uncover said drum openings, or the ring member may have openings that match the drum openings and operable to cover or uncover the openings or rotation. A handle for rotation of the ring member extends outside the shell for movement by the drummer.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for carrying percussion instruments, particularly drums of various kinds, which comprises a combination of a carrier assembly with a novel receptacle for supporting J-rods thereon. The carrier is a vest-type or T-bar-type carrier with clamps for tubes or J-rods having a base and overlying portion configured to engage the tube or J-rod at a plurality of distinct and separate points. Variations are shown which have one or more clamps on a single base. In other embodiments, a plurality of clamps are adjustably positioned on the carrier.

Abstract: An adjustable tripod stand having independently adjustable legs that includes an upright tube member for supporting an object, such as a drum, at its upper end. Independently movable collar members slidably mounted on the upright member and longitudinally adjustable relative to and past one another and to an upright portion for selective positioning thereon. A releasable fastener on the collars secures them to the upright member at selected positions. Three movable leg members are connected at their upper ends, two to one of the collar members and one to the other collar member. Movement of the collar members permits the stand to be erected in limited or confined areas. The stand preferably includes a leg extender member slidably mounted on the exterior one of the leg members, which is movable a selected distance permitting the stand to be positioned on different levels, such as stairs.

Abstract: A tunable drum is shown having a hollow drum shell, and imperforate drumheads closing the ends of said drum shell. One or more opening extend through the drum shell for acoustic venting, and valves are provided for adjusting the size of the openings to vary the amount of acoustic venting, and consequently the volume, pitch, tone, timbre and stick response of said drum. The valves may be slide valves movable, e.g., slidable or pivotable, between an open and a closed position. A preferred valve consists of a ring member positioned for rotation inside said drum and slidable endwise of the drum to cover or uncover said drum openings, or the ring member may have openings that match the drum openings and operable to cover or uncover the openings or rotation. A handle for rotation of the ring member extends outside the shell for movement by the drummer.

Abstract: A portable griddle stove has two non-stick cooking surfaces, either of which can withstand being on the underside of the cooking surface in use and the heat applied to the underside surface. A heat shield and heat diffuser control the temperature applied to the underside of the cooking surface by providing radiant heat to the center portion of the cooking surface and cooling the combustion gas diffused to the perimeter of the cooking surface. Secondary air provided through openings in case the and heat shield assist in cooling the combustion gas.

Abstract: Drum hardware and drum secured thereon are preferably supported on a vest type carrier or a T-bar carrier having a plurality of separate parts removable from each other and formed of a rigid plastic, light metal such as magnesium, aluminum or titanium. The removable hardware includes a removable back support member. The removable back support member consists of hardware or configuration that can be removed or securely attach to the carrier with or without tools. The back member may be adjustable in width using slotted holes, telescoping components or sliding members. The adjustment to the back support member can be performed by adjusting the shoulder straps. The back member may be secured to changeable and or adjustable shoulder straps.