Abstract: A substitute drum, the combination comprising a hollow case to contain equipment for transportation, and removal from the case, the case having a side wall that is relatively stiff, and a support to support the case with a side wall extending in a selected position, during striking motion transmitted to the side wall by a drum beater.

Abstract: Percussion instrument drive apparatus, comprising in combination first and second drives associated with first and second percussion instruments, respectively, and a foot actuated pedal and a pedal driven driver selectively movable to drive one or the other of the first and second drives, as the pedal is actuated, the driver being carried independently of the pedal.

Abstract: A percussion instrument has first and second shells each of which extends away from the other, the shells forming cavities; a closure for one of the shells having a diaphragm portion and closing a portion of the cavity formed by the one shell, the closure spaced from a shell interconnection region; a cavity formed by the other of the shells being open at one end thereof in a direction away from the interconnection region, and loose pellets contained in a portion of the cavity formed by one shell, the pellets freely movable to impact the one shell and diaphragm portion to produce a rattling sound when the instrument is shaken.

Abstract: In a tambourine, the combination comprises a frame extending at least in part along an extended path, multiple jingles carried by the frame at selected locations along the path, and auxiliary plates carried at an auxiliary selected location relative to path and characterized as clashing to produce a different sound than the jingles' sounds when the tambourine frame is impacted near the auxiliary plates.

Abstract: A drum support, comprising in combination at least one leg operatively connected to the drum, and extending below the drum, first and second feet associated with one leg engagable with a support surface, at least one of the feet positioned for adjustable movement relative to the other foot.

Abstract: A drum beating assembly includes a foot operated pedal having inertia weights carried to increase the drum striking force of the drum beater operatively driven by the pedal.

Abstract: A percussion bell support includes a base connected to the bell head end, a jaw swingably attached to the base, surfaces on the base and jaw to clamp to a support member, when the jaw is swung toward the base and head end of the bell, a connector shank passing through the jaw and into the base, and a handle, the jaw remaining between the handle and base during swinging of the jaw and during handle and shank rotation to tighten the jaw and base to the support member.

Abstract: In a percussion instrument arm adapter, the combination comprising a longitudinally extending arm; a first clamp unit carried at one end of the arm, and a second clamp unit carried at the opposite end of the arm; at least one of the units having primary elements including a carrier, a primary clamping plate and a secondary clamping plate, a primary fastener interconnecting the carrier and primary clamping plate to laterally retain the primary clamping plate to the carrier, and allow adjustable rotation of the primary clamping plate relative to the carrier, and a secondary fastener adjustably interconnecting the secondary clamp plate and first clamping plate, the plates defining rod clamping surfaces; and whereby a rod may be carried by an adapter by reception and retention by and between the plates.

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 apparatus for processing the cylindrical shells of drums, which comprises a cradle sized for reception in embracing relation with the shell, the shell having a longitudinal axis, the cradle having support structure to clamp a cylindrical surface of the shell and at lengthwise locations, for supporting the shell; structure operatively coupled to the cradle to effect displacement of the support structure to clamp the shell surface; structure for rotating the cradle about an axis corresponding to the drum shell axis, thereby to rotate the shell about the axis; and tooling facing the shell to engage and process the shell as it rotates.

Abstract: The method of enabling optimum tuning of a drum having a shell, a head and adjustable tuning members, that includes suspending the drum shell to vibrate when struck; striking the suspended shell to vibrate at a characteristic acoustic frequency; sensing the acoustic frequency and converting the sensed acoustic frequency to a labeling value; and using the value to label the drum to indicate the frequency; whereby a drum user may tune the drum by adjusting the members to cause the drum to resonate at or near the frequency when the head is truck.

Abstract: An apparatus to sand the outer surface of a cylindrical drum shell, the shell defining a first longitudinal axis, and comprising a frame; first structure on the frame to position and rotate the drum about the axis; first structure on the frame, including a belt, for engaging and treating the drum surface during drum rotation; and second structure on the frame to effect pressural engagement of the rotating drum surface with the belt.

Abstract: A throw-off device for use on a drum having a side wall and a head, which includes a support body attachable to the side wall of the drum; a lever having pivotal attachment to the body; an adjustable tensioning member connectible to a strap that tensions or releases strands extending adjacent the drum head; the member having operative guided relation with the body and operative connection with the lever to tension the strap and strands when the lever is swung toward the support body, and to de-tension the strap and strands when the lever is swung away from the support body.

Abstract: A drum assembly comprises a cylindrical shell and a head on the shell; annular retainer structure on the shell and retaining the head to the shell; multiple studs rigidly attached to the shell at the outer side thereof; multiple threaded rods extending between the studs and the retainer structure; a support band extending about the shell, and at least part way about the studs; and elastomer cushions carried by the support band and extending at least part way about the studs and adjacently facing the shell to cushion loading transferred between the studs and the support band, and to acoustically isolate the shell and support band; and drum support structure on the support band. The cushions typically extend in planes parallel to the drum central main axis.

Abstract: In a drum beater assembly, the combination comprising a first base; first shaft means and first pedestal means on the first base supporting the first shaft means for rotation; first beater means carried by the first shaft means; a pedal on the first base and operatively connected to the first shaft means, for rotating same; a heel plate on the first base; and a roller bearing pivot support on the base proximate the heel plate and supporting the pedal for pivoting forwardly of the heel plate.

Abstract: A drum beating assembly comprising a first frame including first pedestal structure; first, second and third bearings carried by the first pedestal structure, in spaced coaxial relation; a primary axle carried by the first and third bearings, and a primary drum beater carried by the primary axle; a secondary axle carried by the second and third bearings, and a secondary drum beater carried by the secondary axle; the primary and secondary axles being independently rotatable, there being a first pedal operatively connected to the primary axle to rotate the primary axle and primary drum beater in response to pedal pivoting, the secondary axle and secondary drum beater being rotatable by auxiliary structure, adjustably positioned relative to the first frame; and a first base plate integrally supporting the first pedestal structure, the first plate also supporting the first pedal for pivoting relative thereto.

Abstract: A combination composition drum comprising a drum shell having cylindrical sections located in axially end-to-end positions; at least a first section consisting of wood and at least second and third sections consisting of metal; drumhead means on the drum; means for retaining the drumhead means on the drum, including flange means at axial end of the drum, retainer means on one the sections, and adjustable tensioning means interconnecting the flange means and retainer means.

Abstract: A drum beating assembly comprising a first frame including first pedestal structure; first, second and third bearings carried by the first pedestal structure, in spaced coaxial relation; a primary axle carried by the first and third bearings, and a primary drum beater carried by the primary axle; a secondary axle carried by the second arid third bearings, and a secondary drum beater carried by the secondary axle; the primary and secondary axles being independently rotatable, there being a first pedal operatively connected to the primary axle to rotate the primary axle and primary drum beater in response to pedal pivoting, the secondary axle and secondary drum beater being rotatable by auxiliary structure, adjustably positioned relative to the first frame; and a first base plate integrally supporting the first pedestal structure, the first plate also supporting the first pedal for pivoting relative thereto.