Abstract: Improvements in a microphone system for a musical instrument and more particularly for a marimba or similar musical instrument. The microphone system includes a vibration isolation system. A horizontal tracking system bridges across the vertical supports of a marimba in a horizontal tracking system. One or more microphones are supported on the first bridging structure. The microphone(s) are positionally secured on the horizontal tracking system. Both the microphones and the horizontal tracking system provide vibration isolation to all of the microphones. A cable management system is also disclosed to reduce mechanical vibration and eliminate transmission of undesirable sounds.

Abstract: Drum hardware and drum secured thereon are preferably supported on a vest type carrier or a T-bar carrier having a plurality of separate parts removable from each other and formed of a rigid light material such as plastic or a light metal such as magnesium, aluminum or titanium. The carrier has a vest or belly plate, shoulder supports, and back bar and the shoulder supports are removable and/or adjustable. The supporting elements are of rod or tubular construction. Special padding may be included on the shoulder supports, belly plate portion and other parts where cushioning is needed. The hardware may be universally adjustable.

Abstract: An improvement in a color guard flag pole weight is disclosed. The flag pole weight is inserted into one or both ends of a flag pole. For larger or heavier flag poles or when a performer is performing a great deal of spinning against the wind, weighting the pole dramatically improves the ease of rotation of the flag pole to counteract the drag created when the flag pole catches the wind and improves the ease of rotation for both the spinning and the tossing. When the weight is inserted into the flag pole, a split ring on the weight is expandable to grip the inside diameter of the pole. The weight of the insert is adjustable by screwing one or more weights into the insert. The additional weights are male-female threaded to allow for a large number of weights to be added and limited only to the length of the flag pole.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a conversion kit for a gas grilling appliance with rotary valves that avoids the need to use either a sleeve inserted in the inner chamber of the regulating plug or interchangeable knobs on the valve shaft. The conversion kit comprises a regulating device for each valve that can be readily installed by removing the existing control knob, placing the regulating device on the valve shaft, and replacing the control knob. The regulating device cooperates with a stop structure on the control panel to limit rotation of the control knob, when converting the grilling appliance from one type of gas to another.

Abstract: Improvements in a drum practice pad are disclosed. The practice pad is intended for use with a mobile or shoulder mounted percussion instrument carrier or with a stand configured for use with a percussion instrument. The practice pad incorporates most or all of the geometry of a drum that is addressed by a player. This geometry includes a portion of the striking surface, and a portion of the drum rim. The sticking surface is adjustable within the portion of the drum rim to match the central playing area and the height of the playing surface to the rim of the drum. The assembly allows for attachment or mounting and use of a practice pad from a third party. The strike location of the practice pad is adjustable to simulate different diameter drums. The incorporation of the drum rim allows players to practice rim shots.

Abstract: A gas cooking appliance for cooking a food item, such as a turkey, in a cooking vessel having a bottom surface, such as a pot, the gas cooking appliance configured to be connected to a gas source for permitting a flow of gas to the gas cooking appliance, the appliance having a sensor configured to engage a shielded portion of the bottom surface of the cooking vessel and to shut off or reduce the flow of gas to the appliance in the event that the shielded portion exceeds a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a grill configured for quick assembly, a method of partially pre-assembling the grill for shipping from the factory in a container, and a method of assembling the grill when removed from the shipping container. The grill comprises a firebox assembly for mounting on a cart assembly, the cart assembly having first and second support assemblies and at least one linking member interconnecting them. A hinge or pivot in the mid-portion of the linking member divides it into first and second linking member portions, and the opposite ends of the linking member portions are pivotally connected by hinges or the like to the first and second support assemblies. The linking member holds the first and second support assemblies together in a partially pre-assembled state, and the pivotal connections of the linking member portions allow the two assemblies to be folded for packaging in a shipping container.

Abstract: Improvements in a drum practice pad are disclosed. The practice pad is intended for use with a mobile or shoulder mounted percussion instrument carrier or with a stand configured for use with a percussion instrument. The practice pad incorporates most or all of the geometry of a drum that is addressed by a player. This geometry includes a portion of the striking surface, and a portion of the drum rim. The sticking surface is adjustable within the portion of the drum rim to match the central playing area and the height of the playing surface to the rim of the drum. The assembly allows for attachment or mounting and use of a practice pad from a third party. The strike location of the practice pad is adjustable to simulate different diameter drums. The incorporation of the drum rim allows players to practice rim shots.

Abstract: Percussion instrument carriers where the shoulder straps include an expandable cushioning feature. The feature allows the shoulder straps to be adjusted for the comfort of the user. Each shoulder strap may have one or more expandable cushions that will allow the top of the shoulder strap to be expanded. Multiple expandable cushioning features can be linked to allow more than one feature to fill at the same time. Expandable cushion can allow the carrier to be adjusted foreword and aft of the user to allow positioning of the carrier on the user as well as adjusted for users of different widths. An additional expandable cushion can be located on the back member.

Abstract: Drum hardware and drum secured thereon are preferably supported on a vest type carrier or a T-bar carrier having a plurality of separate parts removable from each other and formed of a rigid light material such as plastic or a light metal such as magnesium, aluminum or titanium. The carrier has a vest or belly plate, shoulder supports, and back bar and the shoulder supports are removable and/or adjustable. The supporting elements are of rod or tubular construction. Special padding may be included on the shoulder supports, belly plate portion and other parts where cushioning is needed. The hardware may be universally adjustable.

Abstract: Improvements in an expandable musical instrument stand where the components of the stand are constructed with tubular sections. The tubular section telescope with an extension mechanism placed between the tubular members to assist in adjusting the playing height of the musical instrument. The expandable construction allows the musical stand to be broken down into smaller sections to make it easier to transport and simple to erect. The expandable section is ideally used with the center tube with a three or four leg stand where the legs can be collapsible on the center tube or the legs can be constructed with the same or similar construction as the center tube where they can be stacked and clamped with a collar.

Abstract: An adjustable tripod stand having independently adjustable legs that includes an upright tube member for supporting an object, such as a drum, at its upper end. Independently movable collar members slidably mounted on the upright member and longitudinally adjustable relative to and past one another and to an upright portion for selective positioning thereon. A releasable fastener on the collars secures them to the upright member at selected positions. Three movable leg members are connected at their upper ends, two to one of the collar members and one to the other collar member. Movement of the collar members permits the stand to be erected in limited or confined areas. The stand preferably includes a leg extender member slidably mounted on the exterior one of the leg members, which is movable a selected distance permitting the stand to be positioned on different levels, such as stairs.

Abstract: Drum hardware and drum secured thereon are preferably supported on a vest type carrier or a T-bar carrier having a plurality of separate parts removable from each other and formed of a rigid plastic, light metal such as magnesium, aluminum or titanium. The removable hardware includes a removable back support member. The instrument carrier includes an articulating hinge that allows for positive, negative or neutral horizontal positioning of the instruments. The articulating hinge assembly further allows the carrier to be folded for easier transportation and storage in a smaller area.

Abstract: Improvements in a microphone system for a musical instrument and more particularly for a marimba or similar musical instrument. The microphone system includes a vibration isolation system. A horizontal tracking system bridges across the vertical supports of a marimba in a horizontal tracking system. One or more microphones are supported on the first bridging structure. The microphone(s) are positionally secured on the horizontal tracking system. Both the microphones and the horizontal tracking system provide vibration isolation to all of the microphones. A cable managements system is also disclosed to reduce mechanical vibration and eliminate transmission of undesirable sounds.

Abstract: An adjustable tripod stand having independently adjustable legs includes an upright member for supporting an object, such as a drum, at its upper end. A pair of independently movable collar members are slidably mounted on the upright member and longitudinally adjustable relative to and past one another and to an upright portion for selective positioning thereon. A releasable fastener on the collars secures them to the upright member at selected positions. Three movable leg members are connected at their upper ends, two to one of the collar members and one to the other collar member. Movement of the collar members permits the stand to be erected in limited or confined areas. The stand preferably includes a leg extender member slidably mounted on the exterior one of the leg members, which is movable a selected distance permitting the stand to be positioned on different levels, such as stairs.

Abstract: Improvements in a drum practice pad are disclosed. The practice pad is intended for use with a mobile or shoulder mounted percussion instrument carrier or with a stand configured for use with a percussion instrument. The practice pad incorporates most or all of the geometry of a drum that is addressed by a player. This geometry includes a portion of the striking surface, and a portion of the drum rim. The sticking surface is adjustable within the portion of the drum rim to match the central playing area and the height of the playing surface to the rim of the drum. The assembly allows for attachment or mounting and use of a practice pad from a third party. The strike location of the practice pad is adjustable to simulate different diameter drums. The incorporation of the drum rim allows players to practice rim shots.

Abstract: A drum gauge is disclosed that provides a measurement of the length of the tension rods. In operation the gauge is compressed, placed around each tension rod and released. A display on the gauge provides a numerical value for the relative exposed length of the tension rod(s). The gauge is then moved to each tension rod to determine the length of each rod or the gap or space between the hoops or between the hoop and the lug casings. A nut on the end of each tension rod is adjusted until all the tension rods are adjusted to the same length. The gauge allows the head to be evenly adjusted so the same pitch exists in all locations on the drum head. The gauge has a lip to ensure it is placed consistently on each tension rod and further includes posts to allow the gauge to be used with drums made with different tension rods, counter hoops, claws and lug casings.

Abstract: An instrument carrier is disclosed for supporting one or more drums without using traditional “J” rods components. The carrier uses sliders that eliminate the interference with the user's legs and more particularly the user's thighs and provides a more natural stride of the user. The drum mounting structure is repositioned or translated on the sliders. The carrier allows the drum to be rigidly mounted in a variety of positions relative to the user. The cantilevered weight of the drum(s) rotates the drum or drum array to lock the drum(s) into a vertical or horizontal slots or saddle. In another embodiment a bridge extends from the carrier to a single post or tube to support a slidably mounted single drum. The structure also eliminates the necessity of a structurally rigid fixed abdomen plate and allows for use of a flexible and conforming abdomen plate.

Abstract: Novel hardware is disclosed for supporting drums. The hardware is of a hinged construction and has one part of the hinge connectable to an external support, e.g., J-rods on a fixed pedestal support or a marching drum carrier, and another part of the hinge connectable to the shell of a drum or to the tension rods on a drum or to other supporting hardware installed on the drum.