Abstract: An improved drumhead comprising a substantially annular hoop having a generally planar upper member spaced apart from a generally planar lower member, a circumferential inner rim and a circumferential outer rim. Also provided is a film material or membrane, which is generally co-planar with the annular hoop, for constituting a drumming surface, which extends flat across the area defined within the circumferential inner rim and the circumferential outer rim. The drumhead is adaptable for use with a large variety of percussion instruments including toms, snare drums, bass drums, tambourines, congas, bongos and many other types of ethnic and other drums. The invention can also be employed separately as a hand held drum with the flat annular hoop section of the instrument functioning as a drumshell.

Abstract: A device for use with a skateboard and a skateboard truck assembly to facilitate the removal and replacement of various component parts of a skateboard truck assembly including the bushings and the tension bolt, which is used to join the base plate and the axle assembly. The bolt, which is inserted through the aligned apertures in the axle assembly and the base plate, penetrates into the area beneath the base plate where it emerges and mates with the threaded nut. The device is supported by the bottom surface of the board and held stationary inside a pocket formed within the underside of the base plate and consists of integrally formed components including a generally flat base, a sloped guide platform situated upon the base, and an upstanding heel section formed at the base of the sloped guide platform. The guide platform is constructed according to a specific angle of inclination to fix the nut's orientation and to enable the nut and the threaded end of the bolt to properly align and engage.

Abstract: A device for use in combination with a musical drum for dampening extraneous and undesirable tones produced by the drumhead consisting 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, which 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, which includes a base portion and a felt pad or some similarly suitable material mounted thereon to act as the contact surface with the drumhead.

Abstract: A drumhead lamination comprising upper and lower layers of synthetic plastic sheet materials and a layer of impregnated polyester or natural fabric sheet material sandwiched in between the systhetic plastic layers. A substance employed to impregnate the fabric, typically a liquid resin, causes the fabric to harden and stiffen to enable it to vibrate synergistically in concert with the vibrating synthetic plastic layers when the drumhead is struck by a drumstick or a similarly hard object. Laminating adhesive is used to bond the layer together. Epoxy or a similar substance is applied to the top and bottom exposed surfaces of the drumhead as a protective coating.

Abstract: A device comprising a generally cylindrical shaped resilient cover with openings at opposite ends to receive in slidable relation the elongated rod component of a drum lug nut assembly. A slit is provided in combination with one of the openings to enable that end of the cover to expand and connect with the portion of the rod extending either below or above the nut component, as the situation requires. A portion of the back section of the cover is open to enable the cover to easily fit over and around the nut and the other components of the drum lug nut assembly that protrude beyond the surface of the drumshell.

Abstract: A head of a drum or similar kind of musical instrument comprising a synthetic plastic sheet material containing surfaces with variegated color shadings to give the texture and appearance of a natural animal skin. A method of manufacture of the improved drumhead including the steps of fine sanding to produce minor surface scratches, and intensive sanding to produce deeper scoring or gouges in the top and bottom surfaces of the head. A coating of resin is applied to the surfaces and collects within the scratched and gouged areas to produce the variegated characteristics of a natural skin and manipulate the surface structure to provide vastly improved sound.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding drums comprising a connected series of rotatably interrelated tubular posts, clamps and plates for enabling the versatile repositioning of drums in combination with or apart from a musical drum set. One end of the apparatus connects to and is supported by a bass drum, floor stand, or rack cage and the other end is attached to a tom or some other similar type of musical drum. Two connected clamp assemblies are provided, including, one assembly having a single post member with one end that connects to a support structure, and the other end that connects to a C-type clamp through a mating receptacle, and another assembly, including a second, usually shorter, single post member, with one end that connects to a mounting fixture attached to the shell of a tom drum and the other end that connects to a second C-type clamp through a corresponding mating receptacle. The clamps are joined by two aligned and spaced apart connecting plates, which are attached to shafts inside each of the clamps.