Abstract: A pillow muffle is a permanent and integral part of a bass drum and includes a handle provided exteriorly of the bass drum which may be easily activated by the drummer to move the pillow muffle which is disposed interiorly of the bass drum into and out of engagement with one of the drum heads to achieve desired muffling or non-muffling effects.

Abstract: A drumhead particularly adapted for use on tom tom drums used in marching bands has an impact resistant protective overlay located asymmetrically on a tone producing membrane. The protective overlay has a generally symmetrical ovoidal shape, and is located on that semi-circular region of a drumhead most likely to be impacted by a beater wielded by a drummer having a plurality of tom tom drums arrayed on an arc in front of the drummer.

Abstract: An impact pad with a unique irregular shape that protects the drum head while allowing it to smoothly flex reducing drum head distortion for enhanced sound projection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus permitting the player of a set of drums such as bongo or conga drums to alter the character of the sound produced, selectively and with complete freedom as to exactly when such effect will occur, through the use of a foot pedal which controls a set of damping elements mounted upon an adjacently located but separate damper arm and stand assembly.

Abstract: A mute device for a cymbal of the kind mounted on a cymbal post. The device include a strike plate assembly having a mount for engaging an upper part of a cymbal post, and at least one foot projecting from the strike plate assembly to rest on the cymbal. A cymbal mute assembly projects from the strike plate assembly to receive part of an outer circumference of the cymbal. The mute assembly includes a muting part of sound dampening material arranged to contact the cymbal in a rest position, and a strike piece arranged to strike the cymbal in response to a percussion force on the strike plate assembly.

Abstract: A cymbal (10) sound muffling device (18) for use during practice includes a flexible circular disc (20) of elastic sheet rubber or plastic with an edge margin (24) that extends back onto the disc lower surface (25). In assembly, the edge margin (24) is stretched over the cymbal edges such that disc covers the cymbal upper surface and the edge margin (24) contacts the cymbal lower surface. Practice striking of the so-enclosed cymbal with a drumstick (26) provides an authentic playing feel to the practicing musician.

Abstract: A sound attenuating drum head that comprises a support ring, a synthetic membrane carried by the ring, a thin coating extending in an annular direction on the membrane, and acting to attenuate vibration of the head, when struck.

Abstract: An improved drumhead construction for drums of the type used in percussion sections of bands and orchestras utilizes a sound absorbing muffling ring attached to the drumhead to minimize the amplitude and duration of undesirable resonance sounds or over-ringing. The muffling ring according to the present invention includes a flat annular ring having a sound absorbing surface such as felt adjacent to the inner, or non-battered surface of a drum head membrane. The sound absorbing ring is attached to the drumhead membrane only at certain locations of the ring, thereby permitting unattached portions of the ring to float with respect to the drumhead membrane, away from the membrane in response to initial brisk movement of the membrane in response to a drum beat, thereby minimizing attenuation of initial drumhead membrane vibrations which produce desired sharp attack sounds.

Abstract: A mute device for use with music drums including tom-toms, snares, and the like. The device includes a drum stick strike plate, and at least one sound post projecting from the strike plate. The sound post contacts the drum skin at a location where the skin is supported on the drum shell housing, when the strike plate is mounted on the drum.

Abstract: An adjustable sound enhancing muffler device for a percussion instrument includes a first arm member having structure to be connected to a percussion instrument which is cooperative with a second arm member having a plurality of pad members having sound-muffling characteristics. The second arm member is selectively and removably connected to the first arm member at a point adjacent a slot of the first arm member to provide for a variety of radial and axial positioning of the second arm member with respect to the first arm member. The plurality of pad members may be maintained in a constant set contact with a membrane of a percussion instrument at a selected tension by means of a threaded screw cooperating with a tension spring.

Abstract: A polymer film drumhead having indentations in the surface, the indentations placed strategically by size, number and placement near the periphery of the drumhead to control the vibrational characteristics and the overtone content of the drumhead when struck.

Abstract: A device for muting the sound emanating from a bass drum is disclosed. The device is attached to the rim of the bass drum and provides a striking surface that allows the drummer to practice without all of the sound volume normally generated by the drum but still allowing for the natural tone of the drum and response of the drum head.

Abstract: A drum of the type including a casing (1), with which along at least one end edge (1A) thereof there is associated a membrane (3). With the edge (1A) there is associated at least one annular element (2; 9) allowing the membrane (3) to rest correctly on the edge of the casing (1).

Abstract: A damped percussion instrument has a vibratable surface. A damping gel patch is attached to the surface.

Abstract: A musical instrument comprises a body, at least one element movable relative to the body and producing sound, and an inflatable cushion arranged so as to be in contact with the element during playing the instrument.

Abstract: A double pocket drum mute having a structure which is made of three layers, namely an outer sheet (22), an inner sheet (24), and a padding sheet (20). The inner sheet exhibits a slot dividing the inner sheet into two parts. Each part of the inner sheet together with the padding sheet form a pocket. The slot allows to put an ingot into each pocket. The structure exhibits two holes disposed near edges running parallel to each other. A latchet string is threaded through the holes and tied. The double pocket drum mute is bound to the drum by the latchet string to mute the undesirable overtones.

Abstract: Contained herein are the details of a new drum muffling system for muffling harmonics and overtones of any commercially available drum. The assembly also has the ability to suspend a microphone in proper placement as required by so many modern recording and amplification techniques. The assembly allows for zero interference in the proper seating of the skin on the shell of the drum. The assembly rests against the skin of the drum, and no holes need be drilled in the shell and no part of the system touches the skin of the drum except the actual muffler. The tension against the skin is fully adjustable to muffle overtones of as each application requires.

Abstract: A device for modifying the sound of a drum or other percussion instrument comprises a sheet-like body of a soft, flexible polymer such as a gelled plastisol. The device includes a planar bottom surface which establishes a vacuum seal to a vibratable surface of the instrument.

Abstract: A removable practice apparatus for musical instruments, namely, a drum is provided and more particularly to a removable drumhead noise reducer having a double sided drumhead construction with a sound absorber therein, for positioning upon an existing drum, permitting drumstick practice to be played on top of the existing drum without losing the actual tactile feel and sound tone of an actual drum.

Abstract: An apparatus (32) for modifying the percussive sound emanating from a drum (10) includes a hollow skirt (34) having a first end (36) and a second end (38) that define openings (40) and (42) that are in opposition and communication with each other. The skirt (34) is generally configured to be conical or quasi-conical in shape, the first end (36) forming the base of the conical shape and the second end (38) forming the vertex. The opening (42) is large enough for a stand (24) upon which the drum (10) is mounted to pass through. The material or materials selected for the skirt (34) depends upon the desired tonal results of the apparatus.

Abstract: A new and improved sound damping device to improve the resonance of the shells of drums comprising, a drum shell formed of a rigid material in a cylindrical configuration, a drum head formed of a resonating member extending over the ends of the drum shell, a strip of foam material in a circular configuration, the cross section of the material including long parallel sides positionable in a vertical orientation and short parallel end edges extending cylindrically in a horizontal orientation, means to secure the material with the radially exterior long face in contact with the interior surface of the drum shell with the lower short edge of the material line in the plane of the lower circular edge of the drum shell in contact with the lower drum head.

Abstract: A drum damper for reducing drum overtones comprises a soft cushion (11) attached to a dense foam body (10). Anchors (16) attached to the inside of a drum by existing screws (23) allow a fastening strap (15) to hold the foam body, which has a sloped rear portion (12), securely inside the drum. The body urges the cushion in compression against the drum heat (22). The strap can be adjusted to control the amount of force it exerts against the sloped rear portion so as to control the force the body exerts against the cushion, and hence the cushion against the drum head. The tighter the cushion is compressed against the drum head, the greater the overtone reduction.

Abstract: A muffling device for enhancing the sound and feel of a bass drum. The muffling device includes a flat pad and a pillow which is hinged to the pad and which exerts spring resistance to flexure about the hinge. The underside of the pad has a pair of fastening strips for application to mating fastening strips on the drum body to secure the pad in the drum body with the pillow flexed about its hinge and resting against the batter head of the drum to apply a tension force to it. The pad and pillow have sound absorbing cores continued within netting having mesh openings through which the cores are exposed.

Abstract: A bass drum having a curved side wall and two heads, sound muffling means comprising a pillow having longitudinally spaced opposite ends and length between the ends greater than the spacing between the heads; the pillow having lateral width which decreases away from each of the opposite ends toward the center of the pillow; the pillow having a surface which is outwardly and widthwise convex along the pillow length to engage the drum curved side wall of the inner side thereof, as the pillow is endwise compressed by engagement of the pillow opposite ends with the heads.

Abstract: A drum includes a hollow drum body, a drum skin frame supported by the walls of the hollow drum body, a drum skin stretched on the drum skin frame, and a drum head frame tightly clamping the peripheral; edges of the drum skin frame and the drum skin. A damping member, disposed between the drum head frame and the drum skin frame, absorbs the vibrations of the two drum frames and filters out the sound they produce whenever the drum skin is beaten.

Abstract: A drum mute for eliminating overtones and ringing that occurs when a drum head to which the mute is affixed is struck. The drum mute has a thin, flexible, resilient sheet which may be adhered to the drum head. The undersurface of the sheet includes an adhesive to adhere it to the drum head and an area of felt. Preferably, the sheet has an angled bend to resiliently hold the felt against the drum head.

Abstract: A device is provided for the attachment to the resonating membrane of a musical drum to overcome the ringing phenomenon associated with drum membranes fabricated of synthetic materials, and enhance the projected sound of the attack membrane. The device is comprised of a base portion and a ball portion. The base is attached to a circular opening cut into the resonating membrane and disposes the device within the drum with the larger distal end and directed toward the attack membrane. The device has an axis of symmetry which is vertically oriented to the resonating membrane. The internal periphery of the device, directed toward the axis, is fabricated of sound reflective material. The outside surface of the device is fabricated or porous sound absorbent material.

Abstract: A damper or muffler assembly for a cymbal of the type used in combination with a set of drums and played by striking repeatedly the cymbal with a drumstick. The assembly comprises a plurality of switch mechanisms manually and automatically operable to position a clamping assembly into operative and clamping position relative to the cymbal so as to render it immovable, when clamped, thereby dampening the sound issuing therefrom.

Abstract: A drum mute used to dampen a drum and remove unwanted ringing overtones is installed on the inside of the drum in contact with the drum skin and supported in position by a mounting rod having its ends spanning the drum body, the midsection of the mounting rod engaging the drum mute to support it in position. The drum mute may be either an inflatable member or a resilient foam member.

Abstract: A resonance eliminator for a drum head. The resonance eliminator includes a body having a first and second pivotally connected sections. A clamp is provided for detachably mounting the first section of the body on the rim of a drum. The resilient pad is attached to the second section of the body and engages the surface of the drum to eliminate resonance of the drum head caused by vibrations from the drum set itself or external sources. The second section is pivotal with respect to the first section to enable normal sounds to be exhibited by the drum head during play of the drum. Counterweight means are provided in one embodiment to insure that the second section of the body remains in a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the first section of the body. The latter embodiment is suitable for use on the bottom drum head.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sound altering device for a drum comprising a shell, head fastening means and a head with a playing surface and a rim. The sound altering means comprising a circular base with at least one aperture, and a rim mounting means integral with circular base, the rim mounting means being adapted to fit over the edge of the shell so that the circular base is suspended underneath the playing surface, the rim mounting means being adapted to be held between the edge of the shell and the rim.

Abstract: A mute for drums to reduce unwanted acoustical overtones and ringing. The mute includes a strip of leather, preferably suede, placed adjacent to the drum rim and lying loosely on the drumhead. Attaching flanges extend from the mute and are releasably attached to the drum rim, preferably by hook and teazle material. One such mute, or a plurality, may be used on a single drumhead as desired.

Abstract: A rimless drum structure in which a drumhead has a membrane attached to an outer ring and an adjustment ring is disposed beneath the membrane within the outer ring. Tuning devices are spaced around the rings and are adjustable to urge the inner ring against the underside of the membrane, and thereby varying the tension and the tuning of the membrane. Two of such drumheads may be assembled in opposing fashion through the use of a plurality of rigid spacer members attached between the brackets of the upper and lower drumheads. An adjustable snare device having a cam type quick release mechanism and a snare tension adjustment device, may be mounted on the dual headed assembly. Sound control devices having bumpers exerting an adjustable amount of force on the upper drumhead membrane may also be used and these devices may be moved to positions at variable distances from the center of the drumhead to vary the sound effect.

Abstract: A baffling system for altering the sound produced by a drum of the type having a tubular drum shell with a central longitudinal drum axis and at least one batter head attached at one end of the drum shell including: a first set of baffles for dampening vibrations in the drum batter head mounted in fixed relationship with the inner wall of the drum shell and contracting an inner peripheral surface portion of the drum batter head; second set of baffles for deepening the drum tone positioned in radially inwardly spaced relationship from the drum shell inner wall and spaced radially outwardly from the drum central longitudinal axis in contacting relationship with an inner surface of the drum batter head; and a floating baffle suspension for resiliently biasing said second set of baffles against the batter head inner surface and for maintaining said second set of baffles in radially fixed axially displaceable relationship relative said drum shell whereby said second set of baffles makes substantially continuous co

Abstract: An adjustable muffler for a percussion instrument, such as a bass drum. The muffler includes a supple material which is situated contiguous to the head of the drum, one or more elastic strips to maintain the supple material in contiguous relationship with the drum head, and a cord situated to selectively withdraw successive portions of the supple material from contiguous relationship to the drum head in order to alter the degree of muffling produced. The supple material, which may be of felt, fur or any other suitable soft, flexible material, lies adjacent only a portion of the drum head bounded by a chord and the circumference of the drum head. The cord is attached through the top of the supple material and is located so that as the cord is tensioned, successive portions of the supple material are selectively withdrawn from contiguous relationship to the drum head.

Abstract: A drumhead ring reducer for minimizing objectionable drumhead ring, in which a body of porous pliable material, such as polyester foam, is disposed within the drum shell and reacts with the drum membrane. An adhesive layer is disposed on the body for attaching the body to the drum shell, and a protective layer covers the adhesive during packaging and distribution. The body may be of a single segment or of a plurality of segments, each in contact with the membrane and disposed adjacent each other around the inner surface of the drum shell. The bodies will remain attached to the shell and operate effectively with a replacement membrane if the original membrane is removed.

Abstract: A device for deadening drumheads, to reduce the ringing phenomenon associated principally with synthetic membranes, in which a plurality of bodies of porous, pliable material are disposed around the preferred attack area of the drum membrane. Each of the bodies has an adhesive layer on one surface, and the adhesive layer is used to attach the body to a drumhead membrane. When the device is secured to the membrane, the bodies do not interfere substantially with the initial vibrations induced when the drum membrane is struck by the drummer; however, the bodies absorb the reflected vibrations which return toward the center of the drum and cause the ringing phenomenon. The bodies may be circular, square, rectangular, or of other shapes, and may be in a variety of colors.

Abstract: A device for muting the snares of a drum to prevent remotely induced or extraneous vibrations from interfering with the normal playing of the drum.

Abstract: A drumhead deadening device in which a body of porous, pliable material has an adhesive layer on one surface and the adhesive layer is used to attach the body to a drumhead membrane. An opening is disposed in the body to correspond with the preferred attack area of the drum membrane. When the device is secured to the membrane, the material with the opening therein does not substantially interfere with the initial vibrations induced when the drum membrane is struck by the drummer; however, the material does absorb the reflected vibrations which return toward the center of the drum after having been reflected by the rim of the drum, thus substantially minimizing the ringing phenomenon associated with synthetic drumheads. The body may be annular, or of other shapes, and in a variety of different colors.

Abstract: An electric percussion instrument having at least one drum head is provided with a mute assembly arranged near the drum head and at least one mechanical-electric convertor containing a vibration responsive pickup element is incorporated into the mute assembly. Direct collection of the drum head vibrations via the mute assembly successfully precludes undesirable mixing of external vibratory noises which are transmitted to the drum frame.