Abstract: Drum kits and connector assemblies for connecting components of drum kits are described. Some of the described connector assemblies are configured to provide one or more pre-defined acceptable interconnection orientations. Some of the described connector assemblies facilitate easy interconnection and disconnection of components of a drum kit. Described interconnection types include snap connections and locking interconnections, among others.

Abstract: Drum kits and connector assemblies for connecting components of drum kits are described. Some of the described connector assemblies are configured to provide one or more pre-defined acceptable interconnection orientations. Some of the described connector assemblies facilitate easy interconnection and disconnection of components of a drum kit. Described interconnection types include snap connections and locking interconnections, among others.

Abstract: A tuning machine for a musical instrument includes a base configured to engage a headstock of the musical instrument, an actuator rotatably connected to the base, a shaft rotatably connected to the base, the shaft providing a first aperture sized to receive a string of the musical instrument, the shaft being connected to the actuator such that actuation of the actuator causes rotation of the shaft about an axis of the shaft, a clamp member movably connected to the shaft and configured to engage the string, and a bias member connected to the clamp member and the shaft to bias the clamp member toward a closed position to engage the string when received by the shaft, where the clamp member and the shaft cooperate to inhibit removal of the string received by the shaft with the clamp member engaging the string.

Abstract: A packaged drum set including a carton having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a plurality of side walls one of which defines a transparent window; and wherein the walls form a chamber retaining a frame assembly which defines a first nest disposed in a lower portion of the chamber and second and third horizontally spaced apart nests disposed in an upper portion of the chamber. At least partially visible through the window are a bass drum disposed in the first nest; a snare drum disposed in the second nest; and a tom drum disposed in the third nest. The window provides a clear impression of the drum set retained within the carton.

Abstract: A capo for use with a stringed musical instrument includes a frame that includes a first arm configured to extend across a neck of the instrument, and a second arm connected to the first arm and extending from the first arm at a first angle less than 180°, the capo further including a pivot arm that is substantially Y-shaped, includes base, actuator, and clamp portions and is pivotally connected to the frame to move between open and closed positions, a proximal end of the clamp portion is connected to the distal end of the base portion, the clamp portion extending away from the base portion toward the first arm when the pivot arm is in the closed position, the base portion being biased away from the second arm such that the clamp portion is biased toward the first arm.

Abstract: A capo for use with a stringed musical instrument includes a frame that includes a first arm configured to extend across a neck of the instrument, and a second arm connected to the first arm and extending from the first arm at a first angle less than 180°, the capo further including a pivot arm that is substantially Y-shaped, includes base, actuator, and clamp portions and is pivotally connected to the frame to move between open and closed positions, a proximal end of the clamp portion is connected to the distal end of the base portion, the clamp portion extending away from the base portion toward the first arm when the pivot arm is in the closed position, the base portion being biased away from the second arm such that the clamp portion is biased toward the first arm.

Abstract: A tuning machine for a musical instrument includes a base configured to engage a headstock of the musical instrument, an actuator rotatably connected to the base, a shaft rotatably connected to the base, the shaft providing a first aperture sized to receive a string of the musical instrument, the shaft being connected to the actuator such that actuation of the actuator causes rotation of the shaft about an axis of the shaft, a clamp member movably connected to the shaft and configured to engage the string, and a bias member connected to the clamp member and the shaft to bias the clamp member toward a closed position to engage the string when received by the shaft, where the clamp member and the shaft cooperate to inhibit removal of the string received by the shaft with the clamp member engaging the string.

Abstract: A stringed instrument including a body having a front surface and a rear surface, a tuning mechanism, a neck having one end joined to the body and an opposite end retaining the tuning mechanism, and a retainer block encompassed by the rear surface. A plurality of strings each have a first end secured to the tuning mechanism and a second end retained by the retainer block. Also included is a bridge system having a tailpiece mounted on the front surface and defining a plurality of holes each providing passage for one of the strings, and a connector assembly extending through the body and securing the tailpiece to the retainer block.

Abstract: An instrument case including a bottom wall, a top wall, and a primary side wall forming a first compartment. The primary side wall has a lower wall portion joined to the bottom wall and an upper wall portion joined to the top wall. Together, the upper and bottom walls have a substantially uniform width w to establish for the first compartment a first volume for accommodating an instrument having a maximum width no greater than the uniform width w. A flexible auxiliary side wall is contractible within the primary side wall and joins the bottom wall and the top wall. The auxiliary side wall has a substantially uniform width W greater than the width w of the primary side wall and is expandable to establish a second compartment with a second volume for accommodating an instrument having a maximum width greater than the uniform width w.

Abstract: A packaging arrangement including a first carton having a first set of sidewalls arranged to define a first compartment for retaining at least one product, and a first endwall having one portion overlying one end of the first compartment and another portion laterally displaced therefrom; and a second carton having a second set of sidewalls arranged to define a second compartment for retaining another product, and a second endwall having one portion overlying one end of the second compartment and another portion laterally displaced therefrom. The first and second cartons are nested together with the first compartment disposed laterally adjacent to the second compartment, and an inner surface of another portion of the first endwall overlies the second compartment, and an inner surface of the another portion of the second endwall overlies the first compartment.