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 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 drumhead for musical percussion instruments includes a synthetic polymer membrane secured to a ring-shaped tensioning hoop having a uniform cross-sectional shape in which is formed in the upper surface thereof a generally U-shaped channel. A positioning lip or ridge protruding downwards and inwards into the channel from the outer circumferential wall of the hoop limits upward movement of the outer vertically disposed annular wall of a peripheral hoop mounting section of the membrane which has been molded into a U-shaped cross section maintained by elastic memory, thereby precisely locating the membrane with respect to the hoop when the peripheral section of the membrane is inserted into the hoop channel.

Abstract: A drumstick of improved durability for use with musical instruments such as drums and cymbals includes an elongated wooden core having an elongated, generally cylindrically shaped shaft section, a shorter frusto-conically shaped front section which tapers to a smaller diameter neck, and a short tip section joined to the neck. Formed in the outer cylindrical wall of a central longitudinal portion of the shaft is an elongated, shallow annular groove. A polymer sleeve having greater resistance to rimshot damage than wood is positioned coaxially over the shaft, within the groove. In the preferred method of fabrication, the wooden core is placed in a cavity of an injection mold, and molten fiberglass-filled nylon injected into a first enclosed region surrounding the grooved portion of the shaft, to form the sleeve. Optionally, the cavity may have a second enlarged region surrounding the tip section of the core, the second enlarged region communicating with the first enlarged region.

Abstract: A drumhead for percussion instruments having improved resistance against denting and damaging by drumstick impact includes a synthetic plastic film base sheet and a protective overlay adhered to the upper, impact surface of the base sheet. The protective overlay consists of two thin sheets of woven synthetic plastic cloth which are bonded together with their woof directions at right angles to form a cross-laminated overlay, which is bonded to the upper surface of the base sheet. In the preferred embodiment, the cross-laminated overlay consists of two circular discs of woven polyester fabric bonded together. Preferably, the upper surface of the upper disc is coated with a synthetic plastic material such as a vinyl compound to provide a crisp attack sound when impacted by a drumstick. The overlay is bonded to the upper central surface of the base sheet, providing an impact resistant surface while not degrading the overall sound quality of the drumhead.

Abstract: A synthetic drumstick, including a method of producing the same, so as to provide the feel, handling and contour of a natural wooden drumstick, the synthetic drumstick being formed from a central hollow core having a predetermined length, short of the normal striking area of the stick, at which point a flexible tapered stud member is inserted in the core end. A glass-filled nylon skin is molded over both the central core and the flexible stud member, a striking tip being formed from the molded skin as an integral part of the drumstick. A second embodiment is also disclosed wherein the neck portion of the flexible stud extends outwardly of the outer skin body, whereby various sizes of striking tips may be secured thereto.