Abstract: Snare drum assemblies, including assemblies with flexible snare anchors, and associated methods are described. A drum assembly in accordance with one embodiment includes a set of snare strands, each having a first end and a second end, a first, flexible snare anchor connected directly to the snare strands toward the first ends, and a second, flexible snare anchor connected directly to the snare strands towards the second ends. The snare anchors can be flexible between a first shape and a second shape different than the first shape when attaching the snare anchors to a drum. The first and second snare anchors can have generally flat, uniform shapes when not under tension, and can have a relatively thin profile (e.g., thickness) to provide for contact between the snare strands and a drum head in one or more orientations. In further particular embodiments, the drum head against which the snare assembly is positioned need not include snare beds.

Abstract: A protective sleeve for a powered tacking machine is in the form of a single piece sleeve member formed of a resilient memoried polymeric material shape to encase the body of the stapler, has bottom and size openings to accommodate the stapling head and the handle of the stapling machine and a top opening to allow convection cooling of the body of the stapling machine. A further slit is provided connecting the side and bottom openings in said sleeve member such that the bottom portion of the sleeve member can be opened to accommodate placement on the machine, the material memory thereafter returning the material to its original shape on the tacking machine, such that no other means is required for retaining the sleeve member on the tacking machine.