Abstract: A connector for joining the neck and body of a stringed instrument, like a guitar. The connector comprises a plate having upstanding flanges which are received in grooves defined in the underside of the neck and depending flanges on its underside which are received in grooves formed in the floor of the depression on the top side of the body of the instrument. A pin passes across the neck and through the neck flanges in the grooves. Screws hold the connector plate to the body and the neck.

Abstract: A fine positioning device is formed of a central rigid portion, a first set of outwardly-extending portions extending symmetrically along a first axis from the central rigid portion, a second set of outwardly-extending portions extending symmetrically from the central rigid portion along a second axis which is perpendicular to the first axis, a first set of parallel flexible-beam displacement mechanisms provided symmetrically to each other with the first set of outwardly-extending portions respectively to produce translational displacements along the second axis, and a second set of parallel flexible-beam displacement mechanisms provided symmetrically to each other with the second set of outwardly-extending portions respectively to produce translational displacements along the first axis. A displacement controller for the fine positioning device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A high hat stand for a pair of cymbals, including a support for a stationary cymbal and a vertically slidable coaxial operating rod for a cooperating movable cymbal. A spring returns the movable cymbal off the stationary one. A foot pedal operates the movable cymbal against the stationary cymbal. The connection between the foot pedal and the movable cymbal comprises a pair of rotary members, one connected to and movable by the foot pedal and the other connected to move the operating rod for the movable cymbal. The rotary members are attached to the same axis to rotate together. From the axis of rotation to its point of operative connection, the lever arm of the rotary member connected to the foot pedal is longer than the lever arm of the rotary member connected to the operating rod of the movable cymbal. Each rotary member is defined either by a lever or a sprocket.

Abstract: A high hat stand for a pair of cymbals, including a support for a stationary cymbal and a vertically slidable coaxial operating rod for a cooperating movable cymbal. A spring returns the movable cymbal off the stationary one. A foot pedal operates the movable cymbal against the stationary cymbal. The connection between the foot pedal and the movable cymbal comprises a rotary member connected to and movable by the foot pedal and connected to move the operating rod for the movable cymbal. From the axis of rotation to its point of operative connection, the lever arm of the rotary member connected to the foot pedal is longer than the lever arm of the rotary member connected to the operating rod of the movable cymbal. The rotary member is defined either by a lever or a wheel. An additional swingable arm may be connected to the axis of the rotary member to enable the axis to swing with respect to the movable cymbal operating rod when the connection from the rotary member to the rod swings through an arc.

Abstract: A fine positioning device is formed of a central rigid portion, a first set of outwardly-extending portions extending symmetrically along a first axis from the central rigid portion, a second set of outwardly-extending portions extending symmetrically from the central rigid portion along a second axis which is perpendicular to the first axis, a first set of parallel flexible-beam displacement mechanisms provided symmetrically to each other with the first set of outwardly-extending portions respectively to produce translational displacements along the second axis, and a second set of parallel flexible-beam displacement mechanisms provided symmetrically to each other with the second set of outwardly-extending portions respectively to produce translational displacements along the first axis. Three set of radial flexible-beam displacement mechanisms are provided to produce angular displacements about three axes.

Abstract: A holding and positioning member for a leg of a bass drum to provide a support for the drum. A seat plate attached to the drum body is provided with a pair of grooves defining an inverted V and passing on opposite sides of a screw hole. An additional groove is provided transverse to the V grooves. The leg may be selectively supported in any of the grooves. A cover plate is secured over the seat plate by a screw passing through the cover plate and the seat plate. Bosses on the cover control tilting when the cover is tightened over the seat plate and the leg. A spring between the cover and the seat plate permits the cover to tilt.

Abstract: For a snare drum, the drum heads at the ends of the drum body are secured to the drum body by respective drum hoops. The hoop at the beating end of the drum body is attached to the drum body by an odd number of attaching bolts that extend between the hoop and attachment fixtures on the side of the drum body, whereby the tension lines across the beaten drum head do not pass through the center of the drum head, but instead surround and define a polygonal area. The opposite drum head hoop is held by an even number of bolts and attachment fixtures on the drum body, whereby the tension lines on the second drum head pass through the center of the second drum head. A second wire or a plurality of sound wires in the form of a snappy is attached to the drum body and extends across the underside of the opposite drum head.

Abstract: High hat spring tension adjustment mechanism including a spring biased shaft for operating a cymbal, a vertically relatively movable inner tube around the shaft, a spring connected between the shaft and the inner tube variable in spring tension with shifting of the inner tube and a stationary outer tube around the inner tube. Engagement members at the inner tube extend out through slots in the outer tube. Raising or lowering of the engagement members adjusts the spring tension. The outer tube supports an adjustment member for adjusting the height of the engagement members extending from the inner tube. Steps on the adjustment members adjust the height of the engagement members which adjusts the spring tension on the shaft. The height of the engagement members also provides a visible indication of the spring tension on the operating rod.

Abstract: A strap connector for the body of a stringed instrument, such as a guitar, comprising two overlaid members, with the bottom member being more elongated than the top member to define a protective piece over the instrument body. A strap engagement ring is carried by the top member. That ring overlies the protective piece, whereby that piece protects the instrument body against contact with the ring. The strap connector is held to the body of the instrument by a projection from the instrument extending through a slit in the strap connector.

Abstract: A bass drum support to position the drum beating spot at a desired height, to prevent stress at the connection of the drum to a foot pedal operated drum beater and to minimize transmission of vibration from the drum body to the support and the foot pedal. A front support leg is supported at the center of the front end of the body of the drum through a vibration absorption set, made, for example, of rubber. A pair of rear support legs extend to the rear part of the drum body and are resilient. The lengths of the legs are adjustable. The rear legs are inclined forwardly of the drum body. Clamping of the front end of the drum by the drum beater pedal assembly is avoided.

Abstract: In a tremolo device for a guitar the bridge tail piece has a hanging part extending into an opening in the guitar body. A tension spring in the guitar body engages the bottom end of the hanging part. It is positively secured there by an attachment piece at the end of the spring. The attachment piece is held in a receiver like a hole in the bottom of the hanging part. The neck of the attachment piece, just behind the receiver, is secured to the end of the hanging part. The attachment piece may be a hook. A compression plate is screwed over the neck of the attachment piece hook. Alternately, the attachment piece is a ring shaped hook that has a screw passed through it into a threaded opening in the hanging part. A washer is pressed by that screw against the neck of the attachment piece. The invention obviates slippage which can create undesired noises, accidental disconnection of the spring, detuning of the instrument and permits the utilization of a tremolo arm with a full "arm-up" position.

Abstract: A fixture for supporting a musical instrument drum, or the like, includes a stem which supports a ball and the ball is clampable between two clamping parts forming a socket for clamping the ball. A pivotable cam draws the two socket parts together or releases them from clamping and unclamping the ball, and the clamp can be oriented at any orientation around the ball. A holding rod for the drum is clamped in a socket between the second of the clamping parts and a third clamping part which is bolted to the second clamping part for clamping the two parts together. Compression springs urge the first and second clamping parts apart and the second and third clamping parts apart respectively against the urging of the cam and of the bolts for tightening the clamping parts together.

Abstract: A lug and lug nut combination for installation on the side of a body of a drum. The hollow lug has a pair of spaced apart shelves which define opposed, spaced apart abuttable surfaces. A lug nut is installed in the open end of the lug and includes a respective flange at each of the shelves defining the abuttable surfaces. A U-shaped spring wrapped around the lug nut is captured between the abuttable surfaces for preventing the lug nut from falling into or out of the lug and a window opening into the lug nut provides access to the threaded bolt inside the lug nut to hold the spring. The inward shelf contacts the inward flange of the lug nut and damps vibration.

Abstract: A connector for connecting longitudinally arranged pipes comprises a respective plug insertable at the end of each of the pipes. A resilient compressive member carried by each plug is disposed further inside each pipe. A respective plate covers each compressive member. A tightening screw on each plug forces the plate toward the compressive member and against the plug and thus spreads the compressive member to substantially integrate the plug at each end of the connector with its pipe. Set screws fix the positions of the plugs axially in the pipes and also urge the connector into each pipe, which urges the outward faces of the plugs into contact and locks the pipes together.

Abstract: An improved lug nut assembly for securing hoops to a drum is provided by a special retainer mechanism. A lug nut is held in an opening in the lug by a combination of a ridge portion preventing outward movement and a U-shaped spring which prevents the lug nut from slipping into the lug. The spring rests partially in a cutaway section of the lug nut and on an internal ridge within the lug.

Abstract: A support head for a support rod which enables the angular orientation and the longitudinal position of the rod to be adjusted with respect to the support head. The support head includes a main body supported on a stand, an intermediate member and beyond the intermediate member a finishing member. The main body and intermediate member have facing annular ridged racks which when engaged prohibit relative rotation therebetween. A screw connection between the main body and the intermediate member is tightened to prohibit rotation and is loosened to permit it. The intermediate member and a finishing member beyond it have respective cooperating recesses which together define an opening through which the support rod is passed and is longitudinally movable. A second screw connection between the finishing member and the intermediate member is tightened to clamp the rod in the recesses and is loosened to permit the rod to be shifted longitudinally.

Abstract: A flexible cable provides for remote control of foot pedal operated drum beater for bass drums. The cable extends between the foot pedal and the beater, which can be separated.

Abstract: A display comprises a shelf whose tilt orientation may be adjusted. Attached beneath the shelf is a pair of parallel rails. An annular pipe extends transversely across and beneath the rails. There are clamps on the pipe which include an engagement part that engages an adjacent side of a respective rail. The clamps are movable along the pipe and each is clamped at a location along the pipe in engagement with the rail. The clamp is adjustable to any tilt orientation around the pipe.

Abstract: A clamp comprises a pair of pivotally connected jaws. A spring urges the jaws apart. A screw extends from the first jaw through the second jaw and projects above the second jaw. An operating lever for clamping and unclamping the jaws is screw threadedly received on the screw above the second jaw. The screw may be locked against rotation by engagement of the screw with a seat in the first jaw. With the screw locked against rotation, rotation of the lever around the screw selectively clamps and unclamps the jaws around an article. To adjust the distance of separation between the clamping surfaces of the jaws before rotation of the lever, the screw is axially shifted off its seat on the first jaw and the screw is then rotated with respect to the operating lever to adjust the height of the operating lever along the screw. Thereafter, the screw reengages the seat in the first jaw to prevent further rotation of the screw.

Abstract: A guitar constructed for so-called "one-touch" tuning including a pivoted lever that is movable between string relaxing and string tensioning positions, and is held in the latter position by a releasable latch. The lever is secured to a string by a ball-like retaining member that is clamped to the string at a predetermined location near the tail end thereof. Preferably, this clamping takes place shortly prior to securing the string to the lever. The retaining member is provided with at least one groove through which the string extends. The retaining member is deformed by crushing same at portions thereof that defines at least one groove thereby collapsing the groove around the string to firmly clamp the retaining member to the string.