Patents by Inventor William (Billy) L. Johnson

William (Billy) L. Johnson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20100037750
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for maximizing the punch of any double membrane drum and simultaneously minimizing the ringing of the drum. An insert is provided having a body adapted to be slid into an opening formed in either the batter membrane or resonant membrane of the drum. The insert is held in contact with the membrane by one of several mounting techniques. The weight of the insert and the length and width of the body of the insert are sized in a manner to increase the “punch” of the drum and to minimize “ringing” of the drum. The insert may be retrofitted into an existing drum or attached to a batter head membrane or resonant membrane during original manufacture of the drum. The insert may be used with drum openings of any shape by making the cross-sectional shape of the insert conform to the shape of the drum opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Samuel Earl Millender, JR., Jesse M. Bradman, William 'Billy' L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7582820
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for maximizing the punch of a bass kick-drum and simultaneously minimizing the ringing of the drum. An insert is provided having a cylindrically shaped body adapted to be slid into a conventional circular opening formed in the resonant membrane of the drum. The cylindrical insert is held in contact with the resonant membrane by one of several mounting techniques. The weight of the insert and the length and diameter of the body of the insert are sized in a manner to lower the fundamental frequency of the resonant membrane and to increase the amplitude of the fundamental resonant frequency and to simultaneously dampen the vibration of the resonant membrane, which three factors are all part of increased “punch.” The ringing of the drum is minimized by quickly dampening the vibration of the resonant membrane wherein the increased dampening is caused by the weight and shape of the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Inventors: Samuel Earl Millender, Jr., Jesse M. Bradman, William (Billy) L. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20080210078
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for maximizing the punch of a bass kick-drum and simultaneously minimizing the ringing of the drum. An insert is provided having a cylindrically shaped body adapted to be slid into a conventional circular opening formed in the resonant membrane of the drum. The cylindrical insert is held in contact with the resonant membrane by one of several mounting techniques. The weight of the insert and the length and diameter of the body of the insert are sized in a manner to lower the fundamental frequency of the resonant membrane and to increase the amplitude of the fundamental resonant frequency and to simultaneously dampen the vibration of the resonant membrane, which three factors are all part of increased “punch.” The ringing of the drum is minimized by quickly dampening the vibration of the resonant membrane wherein the increased dampening is caused by the weight and shape of the insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Samuel Earl Millender, Jesse M. Bradman, William 'Billy' L. Johnson