Abstract: A fishing rod with elastic sling bait launcher utilizes potential energy stored in a pre-tensioned elastic cord to propel a fishing lure or bait attached to one end of a fishing line forward from the rod tip without requiring casting motion of the rod, the other end of the line unwinding from a reel attached to said handle. The sling launcher includes a U-shaped yoke which is secured to the rod shaft at adjustable distances forward of the handle and reel. The elastic sling has an elastic member consisting of an elongated length of elastic cord or a tension spring attached at opposite ends thereof to upper ends of a pair of laterally opposed, upwardly protruding yoke arms.

Abstract: A security wallet insert for thwarting loss of credit cards includes a carrying case which is installed in a foldable wallet, the insert having pockets for holding individual credit cards, and a movable member which must be extended relative to the insert to allow a card to be removed from a pocket, the extended movable member uncovering a “replace credit card” message and making it difficult to close the wallet and thereby impractical to return it to a pocket or purse. A spring activated by removal of a card from a pocket prevents the extended movable member from being returned to a closed non-obstructing position unless the spring is depressed, thus providing a positive reminder that a credit card must be returned to the wallet after the user has made a transaction, and thereby minimizing the probability that the card will be inadvertently left at a place of use.

Abstract: A toy action figure comprises in combination a miniature three-dimensional model or figurine of a living creature, particularly a human being, and a manipulating stem which protrudes from the body of the figurine, the stem having an outer hand grip portion adapted to be grasped by the hand of the user. The figurine is preferably combined with a model of a vehicle, such as a bicycle or motorcycle, or a miniature model of other locomotion means such as skates, a skateboard or the like. Pairs of certain body members of the figurine, such as the pelvis and thighs, are connected by a first, loose type of joint which enables those body members to be pivoted freely with respect to one another in response to inertial forces exerted on the body members, such inertial forces including the force of gravity, when the figurine is tilted about a horizontal axis, and centrifugal force, when the figurine is spun about an arbitrary axis. Pairs of other body members of the figurine, e.g.

Abstract: An improved drumhead construction for drums of the type used in percussion sections of bands and orchestras utilizes a sound absorbing muffling ring attached to the drumhead to minimize the amplitude and duration of undesirable resonance sounds or over-ringing. The muffling ring according to the present invention includes a flat annular ring having a sound absorbing surface such as felt adjacent to the inner, or non-battered surface of a drum head membrane. The sound absorbing ring is attached to the drumhead membrane only at certain locations of the ring, thereby permitting unattached portions of the ring to float with respect to the drumhead membrane, away from the membrane in response to initial brisk movement of the membrane in response to a drum beat, thereby minimizing attenuation of initial drumhead membrane vibrations which produce desired sharp attack sounds.

Abstract: A drumhead for musical percussion instruments includes a synthetic polymer membrane secured to a ring-shaped tensioning hoop having a uniform cross-sectional shape in which is formed in the upper surface thereof a generally U-shaped channel. A positioning lip or ridge protruding downwards and inwards into the channel from the outer circumferential wall of the hoop limits upward movement of the outer vertically disposed annular wall of a peripheral hoop mounting section of the membrane which has been molded into a U-shaped cross section maintained by elastic memory, thereby precisely locating the membrane with respect to the hoop when the peripheral section of the membrane is inserted into the hoop channel.

Abstract: A drumstick of improved durability for use with musical instruments such as drums and cymbals includes an elongated wooden core having an elongated, generally cylindrically shaped shaft section, a shorter frusto-conically shaped front section which tapers to a smaller diameter neck, and a short tip section joined to the neck. Formed in the outer cylindrical wall of a central longitudinal portion of the shaft is an elongated, shallow annular groove. A polymer sleeve having greater resistance to rimshot damage than wood is positioned coaxially over the shaft, within the groove. In the preferred method of fabrication, the wooden core is placed in a cavity of an injection mold, and molten fiberglass-filled nylon injected into a first enclosed region surrounding the grooved portion of the shaft, to form the sleeve. Optionally, the cavity may have a second enlarged region surrounding the tip section of the core, the second enlarged region communicating with the first enlarged region.

Abstract: A drumhead for percussion instruments having improved resistance against denting and damaging by drumstick impact includes a synthetic plastic film base sheet and a protective overlay adhered to the upper, impact surface of the base sheet. The protective overlay consists of two thin sheets of woven synthetic plastic cloth which are bonded together with their woof directions at right angles to form a cross-laminated overlay, which is bonded to the upper surface of the base sheet. In the preferred embodiment, the cross-laminated overlay consists of two circular discs of woven polyester fabric bonded together. Preferably, the upper surface of the upper disc is coated with a synthetic plastic material such as a vinyl compound to provide a crisp attack sound when impacted by a drumstick. The overlay is bonded to the upper central surface of the base sheet, providing an impact resistant surface while not degrading the overall sound quality of the drumhead.

Abstract: A one-piece injection molded drumstick and method of making the drumstick are presented. The drumstick has a conventional appearing exterior surface, i.e., a relatively long cylindrical rear handle section of relatively uniform external diameter, a relatively short shank section which tapers uniformly from the forward end of the handle section to a smaller diameter neck section, and a substantially short, enlarged bulbous tip section joined to the neck portion. Formed within the handle and shank portion of the drumstick is an axially symmetric tunnel having substantially the same taper as the exterior of the drumstick, thereby resulting in a hollow handle and shank portion of substantially uniform wall thickness. The tunnel tapers down to a generally cylindrical hollow section which passes out through the front end of the tip section.

Abstract: A tear resistant drum head assembly (10) comprising a primary layer (11) of contiguous synthetic material (15) and a secondary layer (12) of scored synthetic material (15') secured within a rigid support member (13); wherein, the primary layer (11) is laminated to the secondary layer (12) and the scoring pattern (17) of the secondary layer (12) comprises at least one penetrating cut through the thickness of the secondary layer material (15'); wherein, the secondary layer synthetic material (15') resists tearing in a direction generally perpendicular to an edge of the material.

Abstract: A synthetic drumstick, including a method of producing the same, so as to provide the feel, handling and contour of a natural wooden drumstick, the synthetic drumstick being formed from a central hollow core having a predetermined length, short of the normal striking area of the stick, at which point a flexible tapered stud member is inserted in the core end. A glass-filled nylon skin is molded over both the central core and the flexible stud member, a striking tip being formed from the molded skin as an integral part of the drumstick. A second embodiment is also disclosed wherein the neck portion of the flexible stud extends outwardly of the outer skin body, whereby various sizes of striking tips may be secured thereto.

Abstract: A unique mounting device for a cymbal providing a quick-release arrangement. The mounting device, adapted to be secured to the free end of a cymbal stand, includes a bushing mount that is positioned on and secured to the stand, the bushing mount being adapted to receive a flexible cymbal restraint, wherein a keeper member is formed as an integral part thereof to allow the cymbal to be snapped on and off. Mounted to the restraint below the keeper member is a cymbal-support bracket having a felt pad, whereby the cymbal is held in position between the keeper member and the pad to provide positive angular positioning of the attached cymbal, and yet allow the spring to geniculate when necessary.

Abstract: The connector hardware portion of each percussive musical instrument or accessory comprises strong, practical, rugged, and economical connector parts, one of which is a clamp adapted to grip solidly onto a tube at any desired rotated and axial position, and the other (second) of which is connected to a percussive instrument or accessory portion and is adapted to lock onto the clamp in a way that prevents both rotational and axial shifting relative thereto. The locking is effected in a readily removable manner, as by means including a set screw, and the relationship is such that there can be only one position of the other (second) part relative to the clamp after locking has occurred. Therefore, once the clamp is initially set at a desired rotated and axial position, there is an automatic rotational and axial "indexing" which permits any number of separations and re-connections of the two parts (and of the percussive instrument or accessory) without permitting the locked positions to change.