Abstract: A reversible seat cup allows free floating or fixed positioning of the seat cup, depending on application. For applications where the cymbal needs to be rigidly held, such as China cymbals, and/or minimal stand noise is essential, such as symphonic performances or studio applications, the seat cup can be positioned with the convex side positioned downward and “locked” firmly to the threaded post. A rubber O-ring on the threaded post fits into a receptacle in the seat cup to provide secure attachment and silent action. For applications where the cymbal, such as crash cymbals, needs freedom of movement, the seat cup can be positioned with the convex side positioned upward. A cavity on the opposite side allows the seat cup to float on the rubber O-ring for optimal cymbal sound. The plastic-type material of the seat cup and the rubber O-ring provides silent action and freedom of motion.

Abstract: An adjustable nut comprises a main body having an axial passageway and a locking insert. First and second wing members are pivotally mounted to the main body, whereby the wing members include respective cam surfaces that deflect the inner surface of the locking insert toward the threaded shaft. The assembly provides three different mounting arrangements. The first and second wing members are adapted to provide (1) a locking position where the main body is immovably locked to the threaded shaft, (2) an adjustment position where the first wing member is in the locking position and the second wing member is in an unlocking position to permit selective adjustment of the main body with respect to the threaded shaft, and (3) a sliding position where the first and second wing members are in an unlocking position to permit the main body to slide axially along the threaded member.

Abstract: A stand for supporting musical drums includes a drum holder assembly having at least three spaced radial arms that may be adjusted to accommodate a variety of sizes of the drums. Each of the radial arms of the drum holder of the present invention includes a support member, and an adjustable sleeve member. The adjustable sleeve member is provided at its distal end with a vibration-isolating member formed of an elastomeric material and adapted to engage the drum and effectively isolate vibrations emanating from the drum during performance. The vibration-isolating member has a base portion and a grip portion. The grip portion is provided with a hollow portion formed therethrough that deforms when vibrations or other loads are transmitted to the radial arm through the grip member from the drum, thereby effectively isolating the drum from the radial arms.

Abstract: A stand for supporting musical drums includes a drum holder assembly having at least three spaced radial arms that may be adjusted to accommodate a variety of sizes of the drums. Each of the radial arms of the drum holder of the present invention includes a support member, and an adjustable sleeve member. The adjustable sleeve member is provided at its distal end with a vibration-isolating member formed of an elastomeric material and adapted to engage the drum and effectively isolate vibrations emanating from the drum during performance. The vibration-isolating member has a base portion and a grip portion. The grip portion is provided with a hollow portion formed therethrough that deforms when vibrations or other loads are transmitted to the radial arm through the grip member from the drum, thereby effectively isolating the drum from the radial arms.

Abstract: A foot-operated percussion instrument is provided with a series of interchangeable cam members selectively disposed on a sprocket hub mounted on the rotating axle disposed between the two upright posts. The interchangeable cam system permits a user to alter the performance characteristics or playing response of the foot-operated system by changing the cam profile for the pedal. The user need not disassemble the entire sprocket and hub assembly; rather, the cam profile is changed by selectively changing a detachable cam member with one of a series of cam members. The invention is suitable for a hi-hat cymbal system or a drum beater system.

Abstract: A snare drum design attaches snare string(s) in a manner to protect the snare string(s) from damage at the snare gate. More particularly, the snare drum design prolongs the useful life of snare strings by providing a friction resistance member along an inner periphery of a snare gate formed in the snare rim.

Abstract: A spring formed of an elastomeric body suitable to isolate vibrations transmitted from a support structure. A recess is formed in one end of the body to retain a portion of the supporting structure. A second end is adapted to be placed on an underlying surface such that the spring is disposed between the underlying surface and the support structure. A channel or hollow portion extends through the body to allow the second end to deform and thereby isolate vibrations from the underlying surface. The spring is particularly useful in isolating vibrations generated from a musical drum.

Abstract: The hoop clamping system for bass drum assemblies features an assembly attached to the foot pedal's floor plate into which the handle bolt is attached and made easily accessible from the side of the pedal. The toe clamp is activated by a pivoting cam, one end of which is under the heel of the toe clamp; the other in contact with the handle bolt. Turning the handle bolt causes the cam to lift or lower the heel of the toe clamp resulting in the desired clamping action. This hoop clamp system provides greater range of travel for the foot board, and substantially improves accessibility to the handle bolt for ease of adjusting the toe clamp. This hoop clamping system further reduces unwanted vibration and lowers manufacturing costs.

Abstract: An improved strainer that has click stops in between the fully on and fully off settings allowing the artist to instantly change the tension of the snares by simply moving the lever to the desired click stop. Without having to manipulate the cumbersome tension knob, the artist is free to instantly choose between relatively loose, medium and tight settings of the snares.

Abstract: A multi-task beater head having multiple striking surfaces for producing a variety of attack sounds, wherein the beater head may be adjusted or oriented in a convenient manner to achieve the desired attack sound. The drum beater incorporates a shaft that clamps into a receptor of a bass drum pedal, and a striker head that attaches to the other end of the shaft. The improved bass drum beater is molded from a hard plastic-type material or the like, and features a cube-like head with flat top and bottom surfaces and four faces, each with uniquely oriented convex shaped surfaces. The beater can be rotated by loosening the receptor of the bass drum pedal so that any of the plurality of surfaces is in position to strike the drum head. Thus, the percussionist can achieve a plurality of distinctly different bass drum sounds by choosing the appropriate surface.

Abstract: An improved foot pedal features a moveable heel piece and footboard with fore and aft motion along the pedal's base plate. By sliding the heel piece and footboard, the position of the top of the footboard can be changed in relation to the position of the pedal's wheel section, in turn changing the pulling direction of the chain which links the top of the footboard with the wheel section. By altering the pulling direction of the chain, the feel and action of the pedal is made relatively lighter or heavier allowing the drummer to customize the performance characteristics of the pedal beyond the typical range of the pedal adjustments.

Abstract: A support fixture for musical instruments, and more particularly, an improved support mechanism is provided incorporating a spin-lock type mechanism which permits quick and easy assembly while providing a sturdy and durable arrangement. The assembly mechanism of the invention is particularly suited for musical instruments stands to be used by small children.

Abstract: An elevator rod is passed through a hollow post. A lower cymbal is mounted on the upper end of the post, while an upper cymbal is mounted on the upper portion of the rod. The elevator rod is urged upward by a return spring. A running pulley is mounted on the lower end portion of the rod. The running pulley is rotatable around a horizontal support shaft. A foot board is disposed at a position lower than the pulley, and a flexible member is wound around the pulley. A fixed end of the flexible member is connected to a supporting portion which is situated lower than the running pulley. A free end of the flexible member is connected to the extreme end portion of the foot board.

Abstract: A pair of tension bolts for applying tension to a pair of drum heads are screwed individually into nuts. These nuts are held individually by means of a pair of lug bodies which are fixed to a drum shell. The lug bodies, which are formed by die casting, are connected to each other by means of a connecting member. The connecting member, which has a uniform cross-sectional shape throughout its length, is formed by pressing a metal plate with a predetermined length, or by cutting a metal pipe into a predetermined length. Two opposite end portions of the connecting member are fitted individually in openings at the respective end portions of the lug bodies. A hole is formed in each end portion of the connecting member. The lug bodies and the connecting member are connected so that projections on the lug bodies are fitted individually in the holes of the connecting member.

Abstract: The hinge joint of a tom-tom holder for maintaining an adjustable angle relationship between a support bar mounted on a bass drum and a tom-tom holding arm adapted to hold a tom-tom comprises a housing connected to the support bar and a bushing connected to the tom-tom holding arm. A resilient band extends along the inner periphery of a cylinder defined in the housing and has one end fixedly secured in the cylinder inner surface and has the other end biased by a band fastening screw threaded in a threaded bore formed in the housing tangential to the cylinder bore. The annular projection of the bushing is received in the cylindrical opening formed by the resilient band. The annular projection and the cylinder bore are maintained in co-axial relationship by an aligning bolt and ring unit. By loosening the band fastening screw, the annular inner face of the disk portion of the bushing and the adjacent end face of the cylinder in the housing are maintained in slidable contact.