Abstract: There is provided a drum head assembly. The drum head assembly has an outer member and an inner member. The outer member has an L-shaped step on its inside surface with posts extending outward from the base of the step. The depth of the inside edge of the outer member determines the amount of tension on the head. A die cut head or skin with holes punched to match the posts is inserted into the outer member. The inner member with holes that match the posts in the outer member is pressed onto the underside of the outer member. The pressure forces the inner member into the inside edge of the L-shaped inside surface of the outer member. There is also provided a method in which the die cut head or skin gets pulled at the same time, thus creating tension. While the assembly is still under pressure, a heated mandrel melts the post ends onto the inner member, thus holding the three components of the assembly in place.

Abstract: There is provided a drum head assembly. The drum head assembly has an outer member and an inner member. The outer member has an L-shaped step on its inside surface with posts extending outward from the base of the step. The depth of the inside edge of the outer member determines the amount of tension on the head. A die cut head or skin with holes punched to match the posts is inserted into the outer member. The inner member with holes that match the posts in the outer member is pressed onto the underside of the outer member. The pressure forces the inner member into the inside edge of the L-shaped inside surface of the outer member. There is also provided a method in which the die cut head or skin gets pulled at the same time, thus creating tension. While the assembly is still under pressure, a heated mandrel melts the post ends onto the inner member, thus holding the three components of the assembly in place.

Abstract: There is provided a rhythm shaker for producing percussive sound. The shaker has a shell that envelops a hollow interior that contains a number of percussive particles. There is also provided a sound dampening insert that covers all but a portion of the interior surface of the shell. The rhythm shaker's shell has only one surface on which the enclosed sound producing material can strike the shell and make a sound. The remainder of the shell's surfaces are protected or covered with the sound dampening insert that mutes or dampens the sound by preventing the sound producing material from striking against the interior surface of the shell.

Abstract: There is provided a musical instrument according to the present invention having body wall with a single welded seam on the underside opposite the striking or playing side. This construction method allows for a vibrating surface of continuing proportions producing a sound that is very articulate, yet retains a nice balance of overtones. In addition, there is a cost savings in manufacturing musical instruments according to the present invention. The musical instruments of the present invention are also more durable.

Abstract: There is provided a musical instrument according to the present invention having body wall with a single welded seam on the underside opposite the striking or playing side. This construction method allows for a vibrating surface of continuing proportions producing a sound that is very articulate, yet retains a nice balance of overtones. In addition, there is a cost savings in manufacturing musical instruments according to the present invention. The musical instruments of the present invention are also more durable.

Abstract: There is provided a method for producing a musical and/or toy shaker made with a thermoplastic material. The shaker is injection or blow molded in the form of a substantially continuous body that defines an internal, hollow portion. In addition, the body defines a hole or vent that communicates with the hollow portion, thus allowing a fill material to be passed through the vent and deposited in the hollow portion. Significantly, the body in formed with a duct surrounding the vent. Upon filling the hollow portion, the duct is melted in order to seal the vent.

Abstract: There is provided a shaker instrument having a single, contiguous body with a sounding chamber that is in communication with an elongated hollow neck or handle. The hollow handle has an opening or aperture through which a fill material may be introduced to, or removed from, the sounding chamber. The fill material is restricted to the sounding chamber by a plug or insert that is placed through the opening and extends into the elongated hollow neck. In addition, there is provided a method of making such a shaker instrument. The method is simplified compared to prior art methods and eliminates any relatively weak and possibly unsafe seams on the instrument.

Abstract: There is provided a shaken idiophone having at least two segments that define a sound chamber for holding a sound producing material. The segments are preferably located along the periphery of the shaken idiophone. The segments of the shaken idiophone are held together by at least one fastener having a resilient member. The resilient member urges the segments away from one another so that there is a space between the two segments. The amount of space between the segments can be varied while the shaken idiophone in being playing by squeezing the shaken idiophone. Thus, the shaken idiophone can create a variety of sound qualities.

Abstract: There is provided a musical instrument having a tubular body and a handle. The tubular body has an annular wall that defines a sound chamber. The handle is designed to shelter the hand of the player or serve as a mounting for use with a mounting cradle. The thickness of the tubular wall and the dimensions of the sound chamber may be modified to produce various sound qualities and pitches. Preferably, the musical instrument produces the characteristic sound of the traditional “clave.

Abstract: An idiophone musical instrument has at least one agogo bell and a handle or bracket. The bell has an oval, elliptical or rounded shape with a pair of opposed slits, and is formed of plastic. A mounting construction for the bell includes a multisided aperture formed in the bell's body and a mating multisided stem extending from the handle or bracket. The mounting construction prevents twisting even during playing, and permits a choice of different physical orientations of playing positions of the bell.

Abstract: A multiple musical instrument holder with a mounting plate attached to a stand. Each musical instrument is connected to a mounting member. The mounting member frictionally engages the mounting plate. Optionally, a support bracket can be attached to the stand. The support bracket contacts each instrument mounted to the stand, thus, providing stability to the mounted instruments and to the holder.

Abstract: A hollow block-type percussion instrument including a body, the body having a first end, a second end, and a substantially semicircular cross-section along a length thereof between the first end and the second end.

Abstract: An arrangement for protecting adjacently situated musical drums in a group or assemblage comprising an external tuning mechanism affixed to the side of the shell of at least one drum, including a tuning rod extending and attached to the head of the drum for varying the tension on the head, wherein the rod is received in a receptacle and a nut is secured to the end of the rod for varying the applied tension; a protector device including an engaging with the receptacle and positioned to extend beyond the limit of the tuning mechanism's radial protrusion beyond the shell periphery, thereby to prevent or preclude contact with another drum shell except by the protector.

Abstract: An integral drum head assembly including a drum head frame, a skin adapted to be positioned about the frame, a mount for mounting the skin firmly to the frame, and a tensioning device for tensioning the skin. The skin tensioning device has a surface for pressing against the skin, and has an adjuster for moving the tensioning device surface relative to the frame.

Abstract: A marching rack for percussion instruments includes a bow-shaped horizontal frame member having spaced instrument mounting brackets. The frame member is connected to an outer end of a support member having upper and lower arms. The support member is arranged to be connected to a support harness to be worn by a percussionist.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for clamping a musical instrument which has a generally rectangular cross-section mounting member. The apparatus includes a metallic post, and an L-shaped receiving member. The receiving member has a first arm which is substantially parallel with the axis of the post and a second arm which is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the post. The second arm is rigidly attached to the metallic post. The apparatus also includes a flange which extends outward from the first arm and which has a bore therethrough. The apparatus further includes a strap which has a hook at one end and a tensioning screw at a second end. The hook is arranged to engage the metallic post, and the mounting member can be received in the receiving member and clamped therein by the strap.