Abstract: A drumhead tone control device employs an annular configuration of polyester film tightly adhered to the periphery of a drumhead membrane. The annular configuration of the tone control device includes radial and/or circumferential relief. The relieved tone control device disrupts transmission of vibrations reflected from the drumhead membrane/drum shell interface. Disruption of reflected vibrations improves the overall tonal quality of the drumhead while use of a tightly adhered polyester sheet close to the periphery of the drumhead playing surface minimizes undesirable alteration of the attack characteristics and fundamental tone of the drumhead.

Abstract: An electronic tuner for tuning a musical instrument has a tuner housing in which electronic circuitry for tuning the instrument is situated, and a multi-positional and multi-functional bracket which is reciprocatingly slidable and pivotally mounted on the tuner housing. The bracket is positionable in a closed position, where it rests closely against the tuner housing, as a stand, where it supports the electronic tuner in an upright or a slightly angled position, and in a position where the electronic tuner may be suspended from the musical instrument being tuned.

Abstract: An RCA plug connector includes an annular outer ground sleeve, an insulating ring within the sleeve, and an elongated signal probe member having an exterior spring, including a plurality of circumferentially spaced bowed portions extending from within the insulating ring along the central axis. The connector has an elongated base having front and back ends, a throughbore, and a counterbore at the front end. The probe is a rigid, elongated core having a back end within the base and a front end extending from the base along the axis. The spring surrounds the core, with a front end adjacent the front end of the core and a back end adjacent the back end of the core. The ground sleeve has a back end situated in the counterbore at the front end of the base, rigidly engaging the base, and a front end that projects forward from the front end of the base. The insulating ring is situated within and rigidly engages the sleeve.

Abstract: An RCA plug connector includes an annular outer ground sleeve, an insulating ring within the sleeve, and an elongated signal probe member having an exterior spring, extending from within the insulating ring along the central axis. The spring includes at least one axially extending portion bowed radially outward of the central axis of the probe member. The bowed portion may include a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending bowed portions. The conductive sleeve may have at least one finger portion extending radially inwardly, with an arcuate or a generally V-shaped tip cross section.

Abstract: A plug connector is provided for mating with a jack connector. The plug connector includes a base and a tubular member extending from the base. The tubular member includes a contact area, a conductive end distal to the base and a spring. The conductive end is insulated from the contact area and may have a circumferential groove located thereon. A core may be disposed within the tubular member and has an insulative material disposed about at least one signal conductor. An RCA type plug connector is also provided. The RCA plug connector includes an insulating ring having a central aperture and a probe member extending from the central aperture. The probe member has a spring portion and a terminal end and a conductive sleeve may be disposed about the insulating ring.

Abstract: A cable tie wrap for bundling cable includes a coupling body and an elastic cord defining a loop attached to a cord connection end of the coupling body. The coupling body includes a projection formed on an outer surface thereof for removably hooking the loop defined by the cord to the coupling body. The projection includes an annular groove and a retaining lip formed thereon for removably nesting the elastic cord therein. The coupling body may further include at least one cord retention rib formed on the outer surface thereof for preventing the cord from slipping off the outer surface of the body. The tie wrap further preferably includes means for attaching the tie wrap to a cord to be bundled so that the tie wrap is not misplaced when not in use.

Abstract: A plug connector is provided for mating with a jack connector. The plug connector includes a base and a tubular member extending from the base. The tubular member includes a ground contact area adjacent the base, a conductive end distal to the base and an external, axially extending spring. The conductive end is insulated from the contact area and has a recess located thereon. This configuration permits retentively engaging the signal tip of the plug by corresponding structure in the jack, while simultaneously supporting the tubular portion of the plug with externally directed spring elements engaging corresponding structure in the jack, to achieve reduced relative movement when the plug connector and the jack connector are mated.

Abstract: A plug connector is provided for mating with a jack connector. The plug connector includes a base and a tubular member extending from the base. The tubular member includes a contact area, a terminal end composed of a conductive material and being distal to the base and a spring. The terminal end is insulated from the contact area and may have a circumferential groove located thereon. A core may be disposed within the tubular member and has an insulative material disposed about at least one signal conductor. A jack connector is also provided for receiving, for example, the foregoing plug connector and the jack connector includes a body which has a cavity and a first plurality of electrical contacts disposed within the cavity and configured to be engageable with the tubular member. A second plurality of electrical contacts may also be disposed within the cavity and are also configured to be engageable with the tubular member.

Abstract: A plug connector is provided for mating with a jack connector. The plug connector includes a base and a tubular member extending from the base. The tubular member includes a ground contact area adjacent the base, a conductive end distal to the base and an external, axially extending spring. The conductive end is insulated from the contact area and has a recess located thereon. This configuration permits retentively engaging the signal tip of the plug by corresponding structure in the jack, while simultaneously supporting the tubular portion of the plug with externally directed spring elements engaging corresponding structure in the jack, to achieve reduced relative movement when the plug connector and the jack connector are mated.

Abstract: A drum hoop having an asymmetrical cross section for use in combination with hand drums. The drum hoop upper inner edge is connected to a lower inner edge having a larger diameter producing a drum hoop inner surface having an angular orientation to the central axis of the drum. The angular orientation of the inner surface maximizes clearance between the drum hoop and the variable diameter exterior surface of the drum shell. Added clearance allows a drum hoop constructed according to the invention to accommodate variations in exterior surface diameter often encountered in hand made drum shells common in the art.

Abstract: A plug connector is provided for mating with a jack connector. The plug connector includes a base and a tubular member extending from the base. The tubular member includes a contact area, a terminal end composed of a conductive material and located distal to the base and a spring. The terminal end is insulated from the contact area and may have a circumferential groove located thereon. A core may be disposed within the tubular member and has an insulative material disposed about at least one signal conductor. A jack connector is also provided for receiving, for example, the foregoing plug connector and the jack connector includes a body which has a cavity and a first plurality of electrical contacts disposed within the cavity and configured to be engageable with the tubular member. A second plurality of electrical contacts may also be disposed within the cavity and are also configured to be engageable with the tubular member.

Abstract: An externally mounted adjustable damping system for drumhead allows the sound characteristics of a drum to be easily adjusted without disassembly of the instrument. The externally mounted adjustable damping system includes a mounting fixture adhesively attached to the outside surface of a drumhead. The mounting fixture defines an annular channel for receiving damping elements of various materials and configurations. The damping elements may be rings or segments of vibration absorbent material placed to achieve the desired sound pattern from the instrument.

Abstract: A drumhead patch particularly adapted for use on snare drums used in marching bands consists of a plastic layer adhered to a section of the playing surface of the snare drumhead membrane. A first portion of the patch defines a series of openings while a second portion has no openings. The patch alters the vibration characteristics of the membrane and presents alternative playing surfaces to the musician. A guiro effect is produced by dragging a drumstick over the openings in the first portion of the patch. The second portion produces distinctly different impact sounds than the playing surface of the drumhead membrane when struck by a beater. The patch may be positioned on the playing surface to meet the needs of a particular musician.

Abstract: A drum insert comprising a thin, flexible sheet of material having an overall area substantially congruent with that of the bottom drum head, and a multiplicity of irregularities, preferably holes, distributed substantially uniformly over at least about 20% of the area of the sheet.